Carmel Life Issue 45 by Carmel City Church

carmel: A MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY CARMEL MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

ISSUE 45

GRACE: THE POWER TO TRANSITION Article by Pastor Gerri Di Somma

THE PROCESS OF TRANSITION Teaching by Pastor Michelle Di Somma

carmel: MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

A PARTNER IS A SHARER An associate, one who engages with another in business, one who plays on the same side as another. PARTNERSHIP IS IMPORTANT It releases power to get the job done. We can accomplish the Great Commission together in unity. PARTNERSHIP IN PRAYER We believe it is vital for every partner to develop a strong personal prayer life, and to pray for the leadership for godly wisdom and direction from the Lord. PARTNERSHIP IN CARING We are instructed to watch over and take care of the partners in our charge (Acts 20:28). PARTNERSHIP IN SHARING The whole ministry of sharing is to give oneself in the areas of love, time, talents and finances.

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carmel: A MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY CARMEL MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

ISSUE 45

HE SENT THEM TO PREACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND TO HEAL THE SICK. LUKE 9:2

WELCOME Hello and welcome to the first Carmel Life of 2015! As we look back on 2014 we can truly see it was a year of transition as we moved from being a local church to a global one. On January 6th, we travelled from the UK to the USA to pioneer a church and bible school in Houston, Texas. We remain as the spiritual oversight for Carmel Global but have passed the local baton to Pastor Sean Leask who will now be the CEO of Carmel Ministries International in Bristol.

God has told us this year is going to be the year of ‘Increase’ for Carmel and you can read all about the vision in the next couple of pages. As we are transitioning from one year to the next, we thought it would be appropriate to include some articles on ‘Transition’:

CONTENTS Pastor Gerri’s main article, ‘Grace: The Power to Transition’ and Pastor Michelle’s article, ‘The Process of Transition’. With us stepping out in a new role, we thought Pastor Gerri’s article, ‘Going Not Knowing’ would be apt! Often we find that in order to obtain increase, we must just ‘GO’ and put our faith in God who is leading us. We’ve also included a powerful teaching from Pastor Sean Leask on ‘Finding Your Fit’ as well as a report on our annual ‘A God Thing Conference’ which was themed ‘Transition’. At the back of the magazine you can read a testimony from Jaap Van Wyk who is the principle of Carmel Christian School. He describes how the school has already seen increase and is excited for all that is yet to come.

C:VIEW CARMEL VISION 2015 aGODthing! 2014 OVERVIEW

ARTICLE GRACE: THE POWER TO TRANSITION By Gerri Di Somma

TEACHING THE PROCESS OF TRANSITION By Michelle Di Somma

TEACHING FIND YOUR FIT By Sean Leask

TEACHING GOING NOT KNOWING By Gerri Di Somma

TESTIMONIES Carmel Christian School

We pray that you will experience a year of Increase!

GERRI AND MICHELLE DI SOMMA

EVENTS

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C:VIEW

VISION 2015

EVERY PEOPLE, EVERY NATION, EVERY OPPORTUNITY ‘VISION SUNDAY’ IS AN IMPORTANT TIME FOR THE CONGREGATION AT CARMEL CITY CHURCH. IT’S THE TIME WHEN BISHOP GERRI DI SOMMA PRESENTS GOD’S VISION FOR CARMEL TO THE CHURCH MEMBERS.

This vision was first presented in 1996 when the church began and, since that time, Bishop Gerri and Pastor Michelle Di Somma have followed God’s instructions in the practical outworking to see its fulfilment. Every year on Vision Sunday, the vision is presented afresh, including an overview of how the vision has progressed and the strategy for the year ahead. CARMEL’S MISSION, VISION AND VALUES Carmel’s Mission statement is: He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:2. God gave His four-phase vision for Carmel to fulfil this mission: 1. Cover our City 2. Bless our Neighbours 3. Send to the Nation 4. Touch the World Carmel’s values are: Living in Faith and Fellowship Experientially (LIFE). When God gave Bishop Gerri the vision for Carmel, He said it would take twenty years to reach maturity. Over the years, Carmel has seen aspects of each phase of the vision unfold as the leaders and congregation members have remained united to obey God’s direction. A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF 2014 2014 was a crucial year that saw the 4

extension of Carmel’s vision to ‘Touch the World’. Bishop Gerri and Pastor Michelle increased their ministry engagements and delivered God’s word in South Africa, America, Italy, Zambia, Ireland and here in the UK. On January 6th, they travelled to Houston, Texas in the USA where they will be based while establishing a church and bible school. We have officially gone global! On a local level, our campuses in the North, South, East and West of Bristol all continued to grow with three of the campuses moving to bigger and better venues, implementing the strategy to ‘cover the city’. Pastor Sean Leask along with his wife Michelle has taken up the position of CEO of Carmel Ministries International based in Bristol, UK. We thank God for placing such faithful pastors as oversight for our church. INCREASE IN 2015 In 2015 our vision mandate is INCREASE. We would not have been able to do this if we had not first increased our capacity for God by allowing Him to transition us in His divine purpose. God has continually brought the scripture in Isaiah 54:2-13 to our attentions in preparation for this next move and the maturing of the vision, which will be next year.

The scripture reads as follows: “Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.” Part of the first prophecy ever given to Michelle and myself while in Bible College in 1986 said this: “there is a fire in your heart and a fire in your mouth and a fire on your feet. Where you go fires will be lit, not little flames, but fires and these fires will burn brightly and not go out…’Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly.’” Job 8:7 So we see this word INCREASE coming through time and time again as God continually unfolds His plan for us locally and the church globally. Increase defined: There are three words that really go together when understanding what God is saying in INCREASE, we see them coming through in scripture often together. Increase – verb; the act or process of increasing; to make greater, as in number, size, strength or quality. Enlarge – verb; to make larger, to increase the capacity or scope of, to expand.

Expand – verb; to increase in extent, size, volume and scope; to express in fuller form or greater detail; develop. The challenge that faces us in this year’s mandate of INCREASE is to go from a local mentality and application of doing things to a global understanding of God’s blueprint and application, this means a change in attitude, application and adaptability. Like any army taking hold of new territory, there is certain equipment we will need and be dressed in to succeed in the mission Ephesians 6:14-18: “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” The ATTITUDE OF Increase is to keep our eyes on the vision and not the circumstances that may confront us. To keep the mission before us and to not stop or become distracted until the mission has been accomplished.

Attitude: Belt of Truth and the breastplate of righteousness. Belief determines behaviour; behaviour reveals morality. The APPLICATION of Increase is to take that what we know on a local level and begin to apply it globally, begin to do what we do in Bristol in every place God takes us, to be willing to GO and be part of the greater picture. Application: Gospel of Peace and the Shield of Faith. The GO of the Gospel, creating shelters of God’s Grace. The ADAPTABILITY of Increase is to begin to think globally, to break free from a mentality of small thinking and move into the realm of big believing. It is to change the truths we hold that are limiting and begin to apply God’s truths of limitless possibility. Adaptability: Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit; renewing our minds to the Word of God in doing the impossible. JOIN THE JOURNEY If God is the same yesterday, today and forever, it makes sense that He would give us, His children, a specific plan and strategy to save our generation from the end-time judgement. God has given Carmel the blueprint, tools, materials and gifting we need to

rescue humanity and build strong, local churches globally; all we need to do is obey, follow His instruction and build! “NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKS IN US.” Ephesians 3:20 Any vision will not happen without the involvement of people. For Carmel, this means that the involvement of every church member is essential to the fulfilment of the vision. Additionally, the prayer support of Carmel’s international partners plays a vital role in the increase for the year ahead and the future stages of the vision. It is interesting to note that sound waves never stop, they just move out of position of your hearing - that is why God says He stands over His word to perform it; because it will come to pass in our lives if we are willing to participate in it. Are you willing to Increase the God-capacity in you to do the impossible naturally? For Carmel’s full vision presentation online, visit: VISION.CARMELCITYCHURCH.ORG 5

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CONFERENCE 2014 29TH OCT–2ND NOV 2014

BREAK OUT – BREAK FREE – BREAK THROUGH The theme of Carmel’s October 2014 God Thing Conference was “Transition”. Pastor Gerri and Michelle Di Somma welcomed Pastor Mark and Trina Hankins to share with us on increasing our level of faith to pursue the plans of God for the season to come.

Pastor Mark Hankins brought revelation from the word of God concerning the topics of giving and how to walk by faith. WALKING BY FAITH 2 Corinthians 4:13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, Pastor Mark began his teaching by reminding us that our faith is something that we must take responsibility for. He said: “During the time of adversity, we need to believe, and this is the spirit of faith. The principles of faith are taught but the spirit of faith is caught. Speaking is the initial act of faith and the continual act of faith. In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 – “By faith” is said 20 times! Live by faith - this should be your profession. Never fight the devil in the arena of sight, feelings or thoughts but in the arena of faith. God literally demands faith from us all regardless of what our calling is and if he demands it of us, he must have provided us with a way of obtaining it. It doesn’t come from praying but hearing and hearing the word of God.” ‘THE SPEAKING PART’: Mark 11:22-23: So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 6

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Pastor Mark continued, “The most impressive thing about Jesus was his words. When Jesus spoke to the fig tree in Mark 11:22-24, He explained exactly how faith works. Jesus reveals an eternal spiritual truth from the foundation of time. It is how the world was created in the beginning - sound came before sight. Words can move mountains because mountains are made out of words. Nothing happens or exists in this world unless it has been spoken! The spoken word has the power to remove those things which have obstructed the work of God in your life. You need to put His word in your mouth! You cannot just be a believer, you must be a speaker as even the devil doesn’t care what you believe if you are quiet about it. Your words determine what you have; victory or defeat.” GIVING Pastor Mark started his teaching with an exhortation to the congregation to give according to the instructions of Jesus and a reminder that Jesus has already told everyone what they need to do in Luke 6:38: Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.

For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Pastor Mark continued to recall the words of Jesus in Luke 6:47-49, of how those who build their lives on the word of God will stand successfully: “God wants to prosper you so you can be a testimony of His goodness. Jesus’ words work and if you build upon Him, you will prosper. Jesus said GIVE.” Pastor Mark went on to teach us about receiving too. “In Luke 16 Jesus said you can serve God or money (not God or the devil). Unless you are faithful with money, God will not commit to you true riches....meaning money is not true riches. There are things better than money and your giving affects more than your money. The control of mammon in your life is broken by tithing. Then, when you give more than is required you step into generosity which affects every area of your life. To break the barrier you need to go out of your comfort zone...and live there! If your giving affects you a lot then your harvest will too.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-9: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in allthings, may have an abundance for every good work.

“God wants you to give until you get into the increase and God can arrange your harvest. We need to learn to have faith in God as our source! When you are a giver, it will cost you nothing. God will provide because with Him there is no shortage. If you are going to give the way God gives, you need to change the way you think!”

Even if you think you are poor right now you can be generous and give yourself out of poverty.”

Proverbs 11:24-25: There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Pastor Gerri exhorted the congregation to transition their faith from knowledge to application, to truly become the bride who attracts people to Christ the groom. He said that the spiritual change that has taken place in us at salvation must also take place in our soul and in our mind.

“Lack comes not from money you don’t have, it comes from having money you shouldn’t have.” Pastor Mark exhorted us to use our faith in the area of finances! “Don’t talk about lack. Command Satan to take his hands off your finances.” “Your finances are not just a product of your work and education but a product of God’s amazing grace!” “We MUST use our authority and resist the devil in our finances, not talking about lack, but saying ‘the money will come’. Speak to the angels and say, Go, cause the money to come in!!!” If Satan can hinder you financially, you can be hindered spiritually.... “The Holy Spirit cannot move in a church unless there is a spirit of generosity! When you are tempted to doubt, you need to laugh!

Pastor Gerri Di Somma taught us from the word of God on the subject of transition, ie. changing from one level of faith to the next. FROM THEORY TO APPLICATION

Ephesians 4:31: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” Pastor Gerri encouraged the congregation that with the Spirit of God they have the capacity to love and forgive. People cannot be led by their feelings as by faith they can overcome them. Anyone can change their disposition towards situations by speaking words of faith and getting into the spirit! Others will then benefit from people producing the fruits of the Spirit. This is a step away from the flesh, a transition. DISPOSITION FOR THE MISSION Pastor Gerri continued, “There is a disposition required in the journey to reach one’s full potential. At Each stage of the journey there is something that God wants you to learn. The correct

disposition (state of mind) requires one to focus on Jesus the shepherd (Psalm 23); a continual connection with God, allowing Him to be in control (1 Timothy 6); an attitude of submission and an expectation that God will take care of every situation.” TRANSFORMATION LEADS TO TRANSITION Pastor Gerri quoted Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. He told the congregation that it is necessary to shut the door on the stranger (Satan) and that the mind must be renewed if one wants to be healed. The Word of God must be taken like medicine...prescription directions need to be followed to see the results In summary, the conference was an exhortation to the believer to get ready for the things that God has planned for the season to come by renewing the mind by hearing the Word, and activating faith by speaking God’s Word and giving according to His instructions. Pastor Gerri’s parting shot to the congregation was, “You need to get the word of God in your mouth!” 7

GRACE THE POWER TO TRANSITION ARTICLE BY PASTOR GERRI DI SOMMA

Transition can be both exciting and daunting, but transition is unavoidable if we want to develop to maturity.

The Necessity Of Transition Throughout life, we all experience different transitions: from the womb to the world, from home to school, from school to employment, from single to married, from having no children to being parents, from being parents to becoming grandparents. With each transition we acquire extra responsibilities that help us mature and prepare us for the next phase of our lives. Transition can also cause discomfort since it requires us to face unfamiliar and unknown circumstances. For example, the first day at a new school or job may feel uncomfortable because the environment is unfamiliar and we don’t know what to expect. But education and employment is necessary for us to mature. Likewise, on our Christian journey, God requires us to transition from faith to faith and glory to glory in order to attain spiritual maturity, which is Christlikeness (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18). However, if we’re not careful, we can allow the comfort of our current spiritual position to prohibit us from transitioning to the next phase of our journey. Christians like this become stagnant in their faith. Therefore, they are unable to progress any further towards maturity. They may be comfortable, but they are not reaching the full potential of their lives. The Grace For Transition Although transition can be uncomfortable, God gives us His grace that enables us to transition and mature. ‘Grace’ simply means God’s ability; it’s His ability working in us in order to work through us. The Apostle Paul is an example of this grace at work. When he encountered a very uncomfortable situation, he asked God to remove it, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul allowed God’s grace, His ability, to work through him, which is evident by the fact that he didn’t stop pressing forward into God’s plans for his life. As a result, Paul was empowered to fulfil his mission and reach the potential of his life. Every Christian has access to this same God-given grace. Paul wrote: to each one of us grace was given

according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:7.

in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (also see 1 Timothy 1:11-12).

Grace For A Purpose Not only have we all received God’s grace, but we have received it for a purpose. God has a plan for each of our lives. There is something in particular that He has planned for us to do. But He doesn’t leave us to accomplish it on our own. We would fail if we tried to do it in our own ability. That’s why He gives us His grace, His ability. When Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he confirmed that he had received God’s grace for a purpose: I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles – if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you. Ephesians 3:1-2. Paul acknowledged that the grace he received was for the specific purpose of fulfilling God’s plan for him to preach to the Gentiles (also see Acts 9:15). The Apostle Peter, on the other hand, was given the mission and grace to minister to the Jews (Galatians 2:7-8). This shows us that grace is unique to each individual. God gives us His grace, His ability, to accomplish the particular plan He has ordained for us. Even though we may experience discomfort as we transition towards His purpose, we must obey God’s instructions to transition and depend upon His ability to work in and through us rather than looking to our own efforts to accomplish it. The Stewardship Of Grace Although it’s God’s ability, not our own, there are certain responsibilities we must fulfil to minister in God’s Grace and be empowered by it. Paul referred to the grace he had received as the dispensation of the grace of God. Ephesians 3:2. The word ‘dispensation’ in this scripture also means ‘stewardship’, showing us that we have a responsibility to steward the grace that God has bestowed upon us. What are our responsibilities as stewards of God’s grace?

1. To be found faithful. It’s our responsibility to be faithful, that is, trustworthy, regarding God’s plan for our lives and the grace He gives to fulfil it: it is required

2. To fulfil the Word of God. Faithful stewards of God’s grace fulfil His Word by preaching it fully. This equips others with the knowledge of God’s grace and empowers them to access His ability to fulfil God’s plan for their own lives (Colossians 1:25).

3. To not use grace for personal gain. God’s ability is not given to us so that we can boast about it or benefit from it personally, but it’s given for the benefit of others. We are responsible to maintain this perspective and to not become elevated in pride (1 Thessalonians 2:4-5).

4. To manifest Christ to man. Whatever God has ordained for our lives, whether it be ministry, business, education, healthcare, or anything else, we are responsible to manifest His Son to those within our sphere of influence (Titus 1:3). Frustrating God’s Grace Even though God’s grace is available for every Christian, not everyone is empowered by it. This is because it’s possible to frustrate His grace. Paul said: I do not frustrate the grace of God. Galatians 2:21, KJV. ‘Frustrate’ means to set aside, disregard, make void, nullify and reject. Jesus told a parable that explains this: a nobleman gave the same amount of money to ten of his servants and told them to trade with it while he was away. When the nobleman returned, only two of the servants had made use of his money to make more (Luke 19:12-27). The parable highlights that each of the servants were given the same ability to accomplish what their master wanted them to do, but not all of them did. Equally, as God’s servants, we have all been given grace to accomplish the plan He has ordained for us, but not all of us do. Therefore, some Christians, whether they realise it or not, frustrate grace from working in their lives. 9

“

WHEN WE FUNCTION WITHIN THE GRACE OF OUR INDIVIDUAL CALLING, WE FLOURISH AND OTHERS BENEFIT.

3. By Overstating Our Grace

In order to avoid frustrating God’s grace, let’s examine some ways that grace can be set aside:

1. By Not Functioning In God’s Grace Some Christians don’t function in God’s grace because they believe they’re not worthy of it or that they don’t deserve it. Others are simply unwilling to obey God’s instructions because of the discomfort that accompanies transition. Either way, when we don’t function in God’s grace, we are unable to fulfil the plans that God ordained for us because we don’t have His ability working in us. Consequently, other people will not benefit from the grace that God intended to work through our lives.

2. By Not Staying Within The Remit God’s Grace As we’ve already established, we each have a specific and unique calling that requires a specific grace to accomplish it. Paul emphasised this when he told the Corinthian church that he planted God’s Word, Apollos watered it, but God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:5-11). When we function within the grace of our individual calling, we flourish and others benefit. The danger comes when we abandon our mission because we desire someone else’s mission. But any attempts to fulfil someone else’s calling is futile and will remove us from the grace that God has for our own calling. We must remember that our calling is unique; moving outside of it will nullify the power of God’s grace to work in our lives.

We must be careful to not overstate the grace we have received. By this I mean, trying to make the grace for our calling also fit into other roles and responsibilities that God has not ordained for us. For example, I was born again through the ministry of an evangelist who was the pastor of a church. However, God had called him to be an evangelist, not a pastor. So God’s grace worked through him when he evangelised, but not when he was involved in pastoral work. He wasn’t able to function successfully as a pastor because God had not called him to it nor given him the grace for it.

4. By Overstaying In A Particular Grace (sentimental/emotional) It’s easy to stay in a role or ministry where we’re happy, but there may come a time when God requires us to move to something else. In these instances, listening to sentiment or emotions above God’s instructions will cause to disobey and stay in our current position. This not only frustrates God’s grace from working in our lives, but it also frustrates the grace that God has given to the person He has chosen to take our place. For example, a few years ago, God told one of the pastors at Carmel to return to his home country to start his own ministry. We’d built up a close ministerial relationship, so both of us were emotional about the change. But he obeyed with my blessing and he is now witnessing God at work through him more than when he was a pastor at Carmel. If he had stayed in Bristol based upon sentiment, he would have overstayed his grace,

frustrated someone else’s grace and not experienced the full potential of his own. Grace Glorifies God Grace gives us the power to transition to maturity, to Christlikeness. The result of grace is that it glorifies God. Since we cannot achieve God’s purposes in our own strength or ability, our accomplishments for God’s Kingdom point to His strength and ability. Thus, He is glorified, not ourselves. A good indication of grace working in our lives is increase. Increase in personal growth, community influence, charitable endeavours, missional operations, global awareness, and the anticipation of Christ’s return all glorify God as grace works in and through us. Be Empowered By Grace Just like the servants in Jesus’ parable, one day we will have to give an account of what we have done with the gift of grace God has given us. So it’s essential that we allow grace to work in our lives and not frustrate it. If you don’t know what God has called you to do, it’s time to find out. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you and empower you with the grace to accomplish it. Then be ready and willing to do whatever God requires of you and to transition whenever and wherever He has planned for you. Don’t allow comfort to stop you; God’s grace will give you the power to fulfil His plan for your life and bring glory to Him.

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2014

THE PROCESS OF

TRANSITION TEACHING BY MICHELLE DI SOMMA

Transition is an inevitable part of life and something we expect to encounter as followers of God. He has plans and purposes for each and every one of us and divinely orchestrates transition to ensure we achieve our full potential. Even when we resist transition, God doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give up on us; He continues to remind us of where He wants to take us. Staying in a place of comfort is often the easier option, but obedience has nothing to do with comfort. We need to take the risk of faith and transition to where God wants us to go. There are people and places in need of all that we carry.

TRANSITION HAS A REASON Exodus 2:23-24: Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them. Because we have a covenant with God, no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we can be confident in the knowledge that He has a plan and purpose for us and that He will bring us through. The covenant enables us to live a life of fullness in what God has ordained and obtained for us but in order to clearly hear His instructions, we must remain in relationship with Him. When we spend time in prayer, and listening to His voice, we will understand His reasons and purposes and how to fulfil them. God does everything with the end in mind but when we step out of relationship with Him we can lose sight of that end. With no vision, people perish and find themselves in a rut. Pastor Gerri has an acronym for rut: Repeating Unprofitable Transactions. This is what the Israelites were doing – every day all they did was make bricks for their captors. We can find ourselves doing the same thing – repeating unprofitable transactions rather than building God’s Kingdom and achieving His purposes. TRANSITION HAS A RISK Risk can be understood as the possibility of harm or danger. Many of us fear transition because of the risk associated with it. In Exodus 3:9-10, we see how the Israelites had to risk following Moses when God was trying to transition them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land: “Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

Sometimes we can be in bondage but because it is comfortable, we don’t realise it. God wants to transition us from a place of bondage into all that He has for us. Initially, it may look too risky and this causes us to want to stay where we are. However, we need to take God at His word and be secure in the fact that He stands over His word to perform it. As children of God, we should look at transition with eyes of faith rather than fear. When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we keep our eyes fixed on faith and there is no room for fear. We can also dispel fear by choosing to speak faith out of our mouths. Faith pleases God and enables Him to work on our behalf: Exodus 14:13-14: And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” TRANSITION CAN HAVE REBELLION When we fail to take the risk of transition, it won’t be long before we find ourselves in rebellion. Rebellion is not always a big or obvious thing, murmuring and complaining are examples of rebellion in our hearts (Luke 6:45). We can cause dissension and division with the words that come out of our mouths: “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19”: We must be careful to ensure we keep our hearts right before God so that we only speak faith. We cannot afford to be people who get offended and uprooted. We miss out on our full potential when we fail to transition and choose to disobey the instructions of God. Remaining in a place of rebellion is the most uncomfortable place anyone can be. We must choose to speak God’s word, confessing what we want to see rather than what we may be currently experiencing.

TRANSITION HAS RESULTS Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged. Deuteronomy 1:21 The result of transition will always be growth, expansion and increase. This is true not only in our lives but in the lives of those around us. There will be an increase in power, miracles and influence when we transition in obedience to Him. God has people and places in mind when He calls us and our obedience ensures they are reached. He has revealed what He wants to do through us (1 Corinthians 2:9) and unless we transition, we won’t achieve it. Smith Wigglesworth said: ‘If you are in the same place today as you were yesterday, you’re backsliding’. Every one of us should be transitioning, increasing and receiving the results God has for us. Sometimes difficult circumstances can cause us to forget all that God has already done in our lives, we need to take the time to look back and thank Him. We can get excited in the knowledge that there are even better things yet to come! God promises us that we will enjoy the results of transition: If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; Isaiah 1:19 STEP UP AND STEP OUT There will never be a time when you can stop believing God or stop trusting him for the impossible. God wants you to extend your faith and break out of the bondage of fear. He wants you to transition with Him and fulfil the plans and purposes He has in store. Take the risk with God and know that He is faithful to stand over His word to perform it. When we are walking in the fullness of our potential and in obedience to God, we will see power, miracles and influence transition from inside the church, to the local community and ultimately to the rest of the world. 13

TEACHING BY PASTOR SEAN LEASK

The Apostle Paul likened God’s church to a human body. Using this analogy, Paul pointed out that a body has many parts with different functions and, equally, the church, as Christ’s Body, is made up of many people who have different roles and responsibilities. ONE BODY, MANY MEMBERS Paul emphasised the necessity of every Christian functioning within their role; he explained that a natural body cannot work to its full potential without all of its individual parts doing what they were created to do, and neither can the church be fully effective unless 14

all the Christians within it do what God has planned and purposed for them to do (Ephesians 4:11-16; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30). EVERY JOINT SUPPLIES Every one of us has a role within Christ’s Body. Paul made this clear when he referred to the whole Body of Christ working together, not just a portion of it: the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16.

Some Christians may think their part is small or insignificant, but every person is essential for the church to be effective in its mission. For example, in a physical body, the little toe may seem unimportant, but I knew somebody who lost their little toe and discovered its importance – without it, this person lost their ability to balance and had to learn to walk again. Likewise, there are certain roles in the church that may seem unimportant, but if those people didn’t function in their roles, the church would be lacking important and vital parts.

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

I’ve known Christians who refuse to get involved in their local churches because they’re only willing to serve in high profile roles. Instead of being willing to do anything necessary to empower their church, they chase after status. Since they withhold their service, other congregation members are forced take extra responsibilities upon themselves, limiting the effectiveness of the church. But if we want revival to break out in our churches, it’s crucial that every Christian is involved so that the Body of Christ can function at its full capacity enabling it to reach communities, cities and nations with the Gospel.

Our motivation for serving must always be Jesus. Our motivation should never be to elevate ours gifts, to be recognised by leaders or to attain success, fame or money. Because Jesus has transformed our lives, we should desire to be instrumental in helping others be transformed too. This was Paul’s motivation for serving the church. He didn’t promote himself, but drew others to Jesus: For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord. 2 Corinthians 4:5.

SMALL TO SIGNIFICANT We mustn’t allow the lack of outward prestige to prevent us from serving within the church. Even the seemingly small tasks can make a significant difference when we’re faithful to do them. Let’s look at some biblical examples of men who made a big difference simply because they were faithful to do the less prominent things required of them. David was a shepherd boy who risked his life to kill a bear and a lion to protect his father’s flock. His faithfulness to take care of his father’s sheep led to him being anointed as king of Israel so that he could shepherd God’s people (1 Samuel 16-17). Despite being rejected by his brothers, falsely accused by his employers and forgotten by so-called friends, Joseph maintained his integrity at all times. His faithfulness to live upright in accordance to God’s precepts led to him becoming the prime minister of the largest world power of his time (Genesis 37-41).

Whether our role is large or small in the sight of man, it is significant in God’s Kingdom. It’s vital that we discover our God-ordained roles and serve faithfully within them so that the church can shine as a light in the darkness and point others to the salvation that is found in Jesus. Let’s examine some ways to find where we fit in God’s plan for His Body: 1. REALISE WHO WE SERVE AND WHY

Like Paul, realise that your serving blesses the church so that the church can bless the world. By keeping Jesus as your motivation for serving, you are actively extending God’s Kingdom on earth. 2. TAKE A LONG-TERM VIEW James, the brother of Jesus, described the human existence as a vapour that easily and quickly vanishes (James 4:14). Although our lives on earth are temporary, we’ve been born again by the Holy Spirit who is eternal. Therefore, our lives have spiritual significance and eternal value. Everything we do on earth has the potential to spiritually impact and affect someone else’s eternity. Nurturing an eternal view point on life will help us to obey God by serving His Body, the church. For example, God told my wife and I to leave South Africa to assist Pastor Gerri in whatever way was needed at Carmel City Church, UK. We served in many ways, big and small, while maintaining secular employment. But when we became staff members of the church, our household income decreased dramatically and, at first,

we were concerned about how we would survive on less money and what would happen when we retired. But God showed us that we were viewing life from a temporal perspective, and not from His eternal perspective. Viewing this situation, and others, from a spiritual, eternal standpoint has given us the confidence to serve God in the place He had called us, knowing that He will provide everything we need. Whatever you are worried about concerning serving God, weigh it up in the light of eternity, and you will discover God’s eternal perspective that erases fear and gives confidence to obey. 3. PAY THE PRICE Everything of value comes with a cost. Salvation is the most valuable gift and Jesus paid the greatest price for it when He sacrificed His life (John 10:17-18; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18). We can’t pay the price for salvation, but by serving in the Body of Christ we help others hear about Jesus, giving them the opportunity to receive salvation for themselves. This comes at a cost for us. The cost is dying to self. Practically, this means not allowing pride, other interests, fear, friends, time or money to stop us from serving in whatever capacity God has ordained for us. Be willing to pay the price to serve; someone else’s eternity depends upon it. MAKE A SPIRITUAL IMPACT God created you to live with significance; you were saved for a purpose; you are an important part of the Body of Christ. That doesn’t mean you’ll always be noticed for the things you do. As we’ve established, even the small, unnoticed things have the potential to make a spiritual impact. Realise who you serve, take a longterm view and pay the price so that you can be an effective member in your church and be part of letting the light of Jesus burst forth. Don’t miss the opportunities to do something that God can make significant. 15

Going

Not Knowing TEACHING BY PASTOR GERRI DI SOMMA

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:8-10

Faith hears the voice of the future calling it into a place of obedience; we see that by faith Abraham obeyed and it was Jesus’ obedience that ultimately took Him to the cross. Transition from one place to the next is never comfortable because where there is growth there is discomfort. There are some people who embrace transition, some who ignore it and some who reject it. Are we willing to embrace it? Will we endure to the end to see what God does? OBEDIENCE IS THE EVIDENCE OF FAITH Obedience can only happen in a relationship when you trust in the words and works of another. Faith is a relationship with the Father and obedience to His instructions signifies the strength of that relationship. We will only be able to obey when we recognise: 1. GOD HAS SUPERIOR ABILITY TO US

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, So are My ways higher than your ways. And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 16

In Proverbs 3 we are told: ‘trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. The word ‘direct’ means to prosper, to keep and to empower. When we fail to recognise God’s superior ability, we fail to obey when He speaks and we therefore fail to be prospered, protected and empowered. 2. GOD IS LOOKING OUT FOR OUR BEST INTERESTS

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Often God will speak to us about transition but because it seems uncomfortable we begin to question what He is saying. This behaviour is not indicative of a healthy relationship with mutual trust and understanding., it rather signifies a relationship that is in trouble. We question His instructions when we approach them in unbelief. When we choose to believe in Him and trust what His word says in Jeremiah, we will obey and in turn be blessed. We must believe that God has our best interests at heart and that He is hiding us from the enemy. Unbelief

will move you out of position and into view of the enemy who is going about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. God is a loving and caring Father who sent His only son to be the healer and deliverer of all who were sick and oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). He desires a relationship with us above all else. 3. GOD HOLDS HIS CREATION AS PRECIOUS IN HIS HEART

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written. The days fashioned for me. When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! Psalm 139:16-17 When we fail to recognise how worthy we are of God’s love and forgveness we are bringing accusation against Him. We must realise that the blood of Jesus was shed on Calvary because we are so precious in God’s heart. Even those who are rebellious and unbelieving are precious in God’s heart. Obedience is the evidence of faith and faith is dependent on us recognising God’s ability as superior to ours, trusting that God is looking out for our best interests and believing we are precious in His heart. When we

struggle with obedience, it is because one of those aspects is out of balance. HEARING IS THE CONNECTION OF FAITH ‘For by faith Abraham obeyed’ but not the first time, God had to give Abraham two instructions to get him where he wanted him to be. You will only hear the voice you are familiar with and trust.

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:3-5 1. THE CALL IS TO THE NATURE OF THE ONE WHO IS RESIDENT IN US When God is calling us, He’s calling to His nature in us, drawing us and making the connection of faith. The Word says: ‘faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God’, so the faith connection comes by our conversation with God, by hearing what he has to say about our life and the direction He wants us to take. 2. THE CALL COMES TO THE ONE WHO IS SEARCHING FOR THE CALLER

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13 Often we see people in the body of Christ not connecting in faith because they have neglected their relationship with the caller. We see that Abraham was ‘called’ to go out. God is continually calling us as the whole church but not everybody hears. Often we choose not to hear the voice of God and choose instead to listen to our sentiments and personal desires. When we choose not to hear God, we choose not to obey and therefore rob ourselves of His revelation for our lives 3. HEARING IS REWARDED WITH REVELATION

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to

God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

starting to see the fulfilment and our faith is still going strong,

In order to receive God’s wisdom and direction we need to connect in our relationship with Him. Abraham heard because he was in relationship with God.

When we are placed, we receive the reward of faith. We see in Genesis 1:28 and 2:15 that we are placed to produce:

GOING IS THE DEMONSTRATION OF FAITH Abraham went not knowing where he was going; faith doesn’t know where it’s going, but it knows the one leading it. We only receive when we leave ourselves in the hand of the one leading us. A lot of people say they have faith but there is no evidence because there are no works of faith. Often it is easier and more comfortable to camp where we are but God requires us to transition and to go. Rather than trust God, we create excuses or produce substitute answers in our own strength and ability. God had to give the instructions to Abraham twice because he chose to camp and then we see how Abraham later tried to substitute the demonstration of faith with his own solution – Ishmael. We have a choice; stop half way and camp with what is comfortable or go all the way and receive the inheritance God has for us. ENDURING IS THE TESTING OF FAITH Faith always has corresponding action, James 1:2-4 The testing is to hold fast and not be tempted to find the easy way out. By faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise and we can too if we endure: James 1:22-25 God said that Carmel would cover the city, bless our neighbours, send to the nations and touch the world; Carmel is going to be a global ministry. When the vision was first presented, the church had only twenty-seven members and some of them left! Why? Because it was too much for them to bear. Carmel is now at a place, seventeen years into the vision, to be able to bear the vision. Over those years there have been many opportunities to give up, to stop enduring but we haven’t. We are

PLACING IS THE REWARD OF FAITH

1. IN THE PLACE WE REALISE PURPOSE Adam’s purpose in Eden was to ‘tend and keep the garden 2. CONNECTED TO THE PLACE IS OUR PROTECTION AND PROVISION God said to Adam that he could eat freely of all the trees except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God provided his prosperity and he was in a place of perfection. 3. IN THE PLACE OUR POTENTIAL IS RELEASED God tasked Adam with naming all the animals, so he discovered his ability to name them all as well as remember them all. Some Rabbis say that as Adam was naming the animals, they became what he spoke. Until they were named they were empty; Adam possessed an amazing ability and talent. Placing is the reward of faith, it is to know the things that God requires of us. We can be placed locally, nationally or globally. The placing is God’s business but in being placed, we begin to recognise what God is saying and doing. When we allow God to place us, we will see His reward in the form of blessing and prosperity at work in our lives. When we place ourselves, it’s only a matter of time before we start to lack any reward. Obedience is the evidence of faith, hearing is the connection of faith, going is the demonstration of faith, enduring is the testing of faith and all these lead to the placing which is the reward of faith. When we are placed correctly, rivers of living water can flow through us. Those rivers will touch the nations of the world, we will be the demonstration and evidence of the existence of God. Our obedience in faith will enable the evidence of God’s provision, power and potential to flow into our world. 17

Last year we started to see Increase on a scale never seen before. There were so many areas where God was faithful to answer our prayers and provide over and above that which we were believing for. In terms of technological resources, we were donated over thirty computers for use in the school. Before we had only a few computers and this meant the children were unable to get the most out of them. Now we have enough computers for every learning centre to have their own! Not only do we have the computers we were able to update the software to Microsoft Office 2010 too. We were also donated enough money to purchase a brand new projector. Having the ability to present information in different ways aids the students’ learning and engages them so much more. On this note, we were donated two interactive white boards which have a variety of uses and the children have thoroughly enjoyed using them. The projector computers and white boards would have cost in the region of £10,000 if we were to have bought them ourselves. God is good! In addition to all the new technology, God increased and improved our physical resources too. The carpet in the classrooms was old and starting to be bit of a health and safety hazard but towards the end of the year we were given new carpet! God is even interested in carpet. Our physical space will be further improved because we have received enough sponsors to have new windows fitted in our classrooms. Our building was originally an industrial building so the windows were not really designed for classrooms. This improvement will create a much more user-friendly and enjoyable environment. Our school playground is currently undergoing a major make-over as we received enough funding to install some adventure playground equipment. This was something we had on our vision board for the whole year and the children regularly prayed and believed it was going to be a reality. God has been faithful to answer our prayers and provide something that can be enjoyed not only by our school children but by all little visitors to Carmel’s Central Campus. We have seen spiritual increase in our students through all the projects they have been involved with. They have memorised scripture, performed in Christ-centred plays and even helped with Carmel’s Christmas Hamper Project. With a record-breaking 1,600 hampers packed and distributed in the Bristol area, the students saw the importance of putting God’s love into practical action. This year the students also made a global impact by raising £200 for the Uganda mission project. The students themselves have excelled academically which is something we are very proud of. We pray that more and more children will join the school and achieve their God-given potential. Our Pastor’s vision is for Christian Education to be free and we know that with further increase in students and resources, this will become a reality. We thank God for all he has done in 2014 and we look forward with great anticipation to 2015, the year of increase!

Jaap Van Wyk

Inspired For Life Registered address: 817a Bath Road, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5NL

t: 0117 977 5533 e: info@carmelchristianschool.org w: www.carmelchristianschool.org the ministry of Rev. Gerri and Michelle Di Somma in association with Rhema Ministerial Association International, Evangelical Alliance, Elim Churches Incorporated.

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ST REVOLUTION YOUTH conference 2015

13th – 14th february 2015 EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 2015

HOSTED BY MICHELLE DI SOMMA

Dream

13TH – 14TH MARCH

GUEST SPEAKER TERRI SAVELLE FOY

VALIANT MEN'S CONFERENCE

8th - 9th may 2015

3 GLORY

NIGHTS OF

PRAYER • PRAISE • PROPHECY WITH PASTOR PAUL BRADY

5TH – 7TH JUNE 2015

28TH OCT – 1ST NOV 2015