Living by the Spirit in today's world
June 2011
Northbrook New Community Church Meet every Sunday 11 am- 3.30 pm Welcome to Northbrook New Community Church Part of reality-christianity registered charity: 1120219 …a fresh-expression church meeting people where they are. No set attendance times — we are open Sundays 10.30—3:00… come when you like, stay as long as you like. No pews or rows of chairs — just around coffee—tables. Food all day … time to share, get to know one another. No long “sermons” — only short informative “real-life” talks. We sing, contemporary songs — and you can just listen if you’d prefer We’re set in the community of Northbrook & West Durrington to serve that community, through sharing God’s love for all. For our church love is an action, not just words. Our passionate vision for our community includes: helping those in need; befriending the lonely; strengthening families; supporting people of all ages. Our church is not a building, or a club … it is a family. We aim to envision, empower, and encourage our members in their own faith-journey and in serving their community: being set “free-in-Christ”; being a loving family; growing and sharing their faith; finding and using their gifts; leading fulfilled and fruitful lives. In all of this we are equal! In "servant leadership" the leadership team serve you. Whoever you are, whatever you’ve done — you are welcome. You are equally loved, your opinions respected and valued. Our Vision at Northbrook New Community Church seeks to help real people in the real world: to reach out with God's love to our community: to love and support one another as God's family: and to know and follow Christ better. We believe a great commitment to the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37-39) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) grows a great church!
Have you got “An Attitude of Gratitude”? Why not begin each day thanking God for His grace … as we accept His forgiveness, love and provision … we can transform our day of gripes, into a day of gratitude Luke 17:11-13 As he entered a village ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance, but called out “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Our sin makes lepers of us all – spiritual corpses! In those times people avoided lepers – ulcerated, unclean, contagious even – but when people kept well away, Jesus stepped forward! “Go show yourselves to the priests.” He said. They went, and while still on the way became clean. No therapy, no medication, no surgery … just healed … imagine their joy! … but read on: When one of them saw that he was healed, he went back to Jesus praising God in a loud voice. He bowed down at Jesus feet and thanked him (and this man was a Samaritan!). Jesus said “Weren’t there ten men – where are the other nine? Is this Samaritan the only one who came back to thank God.” You see the returning leper caught Christ’s attention – so too did the absence of the other nine! Don’t miss the moral of this story – God notices the grateful heart! Why is that – does God have an ego problem??! no, but we do!! And we need to lift our eyes/minds of the things we lack – so that we might truly see the full measure of the blessings we do have! How do we do that – well here are some pointers … Major in the grace of God 2 Timothy 2:1 “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” Do the same – focus on Christ, His sacrifice your redemption and be grateful. If you look hard enough, you’ll always find something to moan about – so quit looking … Measure the gifts of God Collect up you blessings … really value them ... how much more valuable is health than wealth, joy than fame, is love than power! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks no matter what happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.” When the famous scholar Matthew Henry was accosted by thieves, he wrote in his dairy: “Let me be thankful! First I’ve not been robbed before; second, though they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, that though they took all I had on me, it wasn’t that much; and fourthly, that it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed!!” Be mindful of how rich you are All of us here are in the richest 5% of the world – we have a roof over our head, have not missed a meal today, have more than a £1 on us! I read this story about a Women of Faith Conference. On this occasion a shortage of space tested everyone’s patience. To fit in the extra seats needed, narrow chairs were used. Everyone got a seat, but it was squashed … and murmur, complaint started to grow …The conference president asked Joni Eareckson Tada to speak to calm the crowd – Joni, an anointed and gifted Christian speaker, had been in a wheelchair ever since a childhood diving accident. She said: “I understand some of you don’t like the chair on which you are sitting – neither do I! but I have about 1000 handicapped friends who’d trade places with you in an instant!! The grumbling ceased. Yours can too! Major in the grace of God; measure the gifts of God; be mindful of how rich you are. Go on give it a go – cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Why not prayer this, every day, with us: Dear Father, today and from now on help me to cultivate and grow and show an attitude of gratitude. With our love Steve & Karen
When The Going Gets Tough By Michelle Fisher
If life takes a turn that we least expect it to, we can be surprised, shocked, upset or we worry about where this turn in our path takes us. Because we do not know the outcome, we start to panic and think the worst. We don’t believe that maybe this is all meant to be and could lead to our better good. As Christians, why do we forget that we can lean on our Father, in our times of trouble? We can pray to Him, and cast all our burdens onto Him, so it is written. Matthew 11:29-30 What we do instead, is let the devil get a foothold and things begin to escalate. God has us right where he wants us, in the palm of his hand. We tend to take out our frustrations on those who are closest to us or even those that just cross our paths. Why do we forget that we are children of God? That the Father will take care of us, regardless of what is going on in our lives. I for one, can hold up my hand to say, that I have done all of the above, as over the last few months, I’ve let life take over and I’ve left the Lord behind, I didn’t even give Him a look in. Why? Because I’ve tried to get through my troubles in my own strength, forgetting that I can lean on my Father to get me through this period of time. ‘I forgot that I can’t let my feelings guide me to good behaviour, but I must change my behaviour to release good feelings.’ We forget to put our armour on everyday and read scripture to remember the Truth of who we are In Christ. We need to ask the Lord for forgiveness for our sins and start over again. Rebuke Satan and let him flee. The following are examples of scripture that we can all take on board, and memorise in our hearts, whenever the going gets tough, to remind ourselves that we always have God on our side and he’s in control. Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)? Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me (1 Peter 5:7)? Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations (John 16:33)? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6) Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11) Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7) If we all, and I include myself, take the time to do this, when life takes a turn for the worse, we can be sure that our shield of faith will slowly but surely become stronger against anything that the enemy tries to throw at us.
Dates for Your Diary June 2011 M
T
W
T
1 Micklepage 2 Micklepage
F
S
S
3
4 Prayer Engine at Ed and Di's 12 Melville Way
5 Fellowship and worship 10.30 -3.30 at Oak Grove College
9.30-10.30 am 6 Day Time Reality Group - see Cala for details
7 Reality Cafe 12.003.00 at Northbrook Barn
8
9 Reality Cafe 10 Whole Church Together 7-9.30 Oak Grove College Reality Group Meetings 7pm 17 16 Reality Cafe Reality Group Meetings 7pm
13 Day Time Reality Group - see Cala for details
14 Reality Cafe 12.003.00 at Northbrook Barn
15
20 Day Time Reality Group - see Cala for details
21 Reality Cafe 12.003.00 at Northbrook Barn
22
23 Reality Cafe Reality Group Meetings 7pm
27 Day Time Reality Group - see Cala for details
28 Reality Cafe 12.003.00 at Northbrook Barn
29
30 Reality Cafe Reality Group Meetings 7pm
24
11 Womens Group 12 noon at Caz's 1 Moore Close
12 Fellowship and worship 10.30 -3.30 at Oak Grove College
18 Prayer Engine at Ed and Di's 12 Melville Way
19 Fellowship and worship 10.30 -3.30 at Oak Grove College
25
26 Fellowship and worship 10.30 -3.30 at Oak Grove College
A big thank you to everyone who took part in the walk for Cynthia, shows just how fit we are (not). We raised a considerable amount not yet known all monies will go to St Barnabas, for their dedication and duty and respect that show all their patients, another big thank you to them. We all had a love for Cynthia, beyond that love for all comes out a love for God and that love he puts in our hearts so that we can pour out to others.
URBAN SAINTS YOUTH GROUP It has been in my heart for several years now to work along side the young people of NNCC and our local community I had this sense of, awareness that the Lord was calling me to minister to young people, I also believe the lord was preparing the ground and in the same time preparing & equipping me. For those that choose to work in cooperation with the lord in his great plan for the world you will no doubt be familiar with periods or situations where doors seem to be closed in front of you, other times when your passion, desire to do Gods work seems to be luke warm, the fire & passion are just a memory. Then before us we see new doors ready to be opened, opportunities that God presents to us, does it feel that are we trusting of him, will we step over that threshold before us ?. There have been many occasions in my own walk when I haven’t trusted the lord enough to take that first step into the unknown, On many occasions I have fought wrestled avoided what the Lord was asking me to do for so long It always seemed very safe and secure in what was my familiar zone of comfort. As followers of Christ (Disciples apostles) we are commanded to pour out our love in his great name, we have all been called into action. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve others through him & for him Thanks be to our Lord Jesus So what is it, we Intend to do & how Its quite a simple vision , we want to reach out to the young people of our generation to give them ownership of something new and exciting we don’t want to create an exclusive club that appeals solely to the Christian youth of today. No we are seeking to develop and build a group that appeals to the young people of our community in all there diversity, to support & encourage young people in their physical, psychological, emotional & spiritual development to assist young people in reaching and maintaining healthy productive lives, to achieve there full potential. Why because they matter and to us and GOD and we are called by him to work in co-operation with him to change the lives of others no matter what age ,sex, or circumstance. How do we intend to accomplish this & what will we provide? What do we aim to provide ,well we meet every Sunday in the Rosi from 10:30 am for pool & social, from 11:30 till 12:30 we shall provide that’s mike myself and a volunteer a themed group during which we encourage discussion and debate on relevant subjects for today’s youth. At 12: 30 we break for(free) healthy lunch in the main church hall during which the young people can mix with the main congregation, we return to the Rosi at approx 13:30 for the afternoon session which quite often includes a free social activity this could be anything from indoor Bowls to outward bounds, activity’s We wholly acknowledge, appreciate & emphasise with the difficulties that the young people of our generation encounter and experience today and we seek to identify there individual needs, wherever possible we would provide advice and support with the objectives of enabling and equipping these young people with the appropriate and effective life skills to overcome these barriers to development and wellbeing. In all of this we need to be mindful that we work in co-operation collaboration the Holy Spirit, This makes it all Possible Edward, A servant of Christ
1 Kings 17
Being known for who you are
not from where you’re from By Kevin Hussey
Reading through this passage has made me reflect on my walk with God. And how I perceived things at the start of my walk with Christ, things seem so exciting and this seemed to be a time when nothing was impossible. . That relationship with Jesus was exciting and all i wanted to do was to share that new-found freedom. I guess this is experience of many people who get to know that relationship the first time. I wondered if reflecting back on that time and picking out that excited attitude, and to see how it feels against my walk with Christ today. Maybe as time has passed our walk has allowed the attitude of the world to influence the things that God has laid out for us.
Reflecting back on my Christian walk, things have been very exciting and also have been very challenging, but the one thing I noticed for certain is that we have a God that has been faithful.
Just like Elijah, there is a journey God takes us through that sometimes we do not see. And this journey as we will see, matures us if we stay faithful, To be a witness in not only every individual that we come in contact with but also to the community that we live in. And even further afield in the world that we exist in.
Elijah was a man of God, that was filled with the presence of the holy spirit, but also he was a man very much like us. He also struggled to see where God was taking him. This as we follow through this exceptional passage will reveal something of an example of what a faithful God we have, and that if we follow him in our faith walk we can not only learn from his example but be effective in our own faith walks. So let’s begin at the beginning, in this passage we will find out who Elijah was to the community and also see if that identity was his true identity in the eyes of God. This way we will understand and to be able to reflect on God’s view on who we are in Christ.
Elijah was a man, and he had an identity that was associated with where he came from. So people made their opinion about him based around their knowledge of how people acted in that specific area. But one thing we know about Elijah, is he had a specific message from God.
“Process in which I had to be Reliant on God”
As I began to see a pattern emerge from this passage that made me see the reflection in my own life, in which I believe now to be a time when God was doing three specific things; 1. A place of isolation 2. A Place of Total Dependancy 3. A Place of unconditional obedience These three places have turned out to be so important to my daily walk with God . For without these I would not have recognised the potential of my calling, without this I would not have seen some of the potential that God has placed in me. It says in the word of the Lord, when Elijah heard, leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. I wondered what was going through his mind. I felt that the first time I heard the word Koinonia. When Elijah went to this place, he did not know that this was going to be a place where his life would be changed forever. The same feeling was my experience in that when I felt the calling of Koinonia. There seemed to be an initial growth and excitement about the statement that God wanted his church to hear, that this was the type of Fellowship He wanted to see in our churches. . But I soon come to realise, that although people could see that God wanted this to be, it was not going to be easy and there had to be an element of change in the people of God. That’s when I started to realise that I was the biggest obstacle to God, that I had to change. This change although I didn’t know it was going to be a process that needed me to be in isolation with this calling. Sometimes to be a lone voice in the wilderness. This process I realise entailed getting rid of the things in my life that would interfere with the purposes of God and the message of Koinonia. And yes it was a painful process in which I had to learn how to be reliant upon God. For it is Him who would supply all my needs during this period of time. This can be as I’m sure it felt for Elijah a lonely experience. But if the calling is strong and true it will produce this a new creativity, not only in your spiritual walk but in all the things you do. This period of time has been for me and will always be a time in which I learnt the most about myself and my relationship with God. Some 12 years later, the one thing that has come out of this is a stronger knowledge of my identity. And that this cannot be shaken by anything. The message and the calling of Koinonia has never been stronger, and the realisation that God wants to see this in the body of Christ is of utmost importance. I can honestly say that through this period of time when ever I declared what God wanted and it was not received, I never denied its truth even when I could not see at first any signs of life. Yes I did get discouraged, but that was due to my heart feeling the pain that God felt. For His church to miss this crucial message. Last year 2010, now 12 years on I feel that God has started me on a new journey into a place of new beginning. My time in the Kerith Ravine has dry up. Its time to move on. Total dependency
Total dependency For me the next part of this journey is real, as this is where I am at the moment in this prophetic walk that God has given me. Elijah got to this point, the brook dried up and he had to move on to the next phase of his walk with God. The Lord was about to take him from a place of isolation to a place of contact with people so that he could witness his calling to the world. I guess this is where God has placed me at this moment, although I’ve been in the body of Christ during this 12 years, I have not been an effectual witness to the calling of Koinonia that God has put on my heart. But most of all during these times I have come to realise that God was doing a great job on changing me. This time is absolutely necessary so that God could achieve his desire in the calling of the Koinonia message. For if I had stayed the same it could not have worked as effectively and the blessing that God wants to pour out on the body of Christ in this message is one of fellowship. Acts 2 alive in today's world.
A Place of Refining a Place of Testing
Just like the Elijah, this has meant a journey from one destination to another from Kerith Ravinr to Zarephath, and this is where I got the title of this article. This is the place where I feel that I am at the moment for not being known from where I’m from, (my old identity,) but being who I am my new identity. It doesn’t matter what you have learnt or what you did when you were younger, It’s not about what you achieved in scholarship or even what great prizes you have won in your life, these will not help you to achieve the vision that God has placed in you. In many cases as I have experienced they hinder the effect that you can have. It may have worked in the past, but now I have come to realise that being a new creation means a life of creativity, the life that abandons the term normal. Zarephath is a place of refining a place of testing, a place to try out your new creativity. That is what this word means; refining. Elijah left the brook, and headed to his new appointed destination. This led him through an area that had come to reject the message that God had placed in Elijah’s life. And for us, especially for me, this has meant returning to the area that God has placed the message of Koinonia. That place is the church, and I have found that place to be a refreshing and liberating experience recently. For what I found was a newness to hear the message of love and Fellowship. Is it all that God wants, no it’s not, but it is a starting point. What I have found is that people that are willing to experiment and to be open to the working of love, there will be times when we get hurt, for people will always refer to you by who you used to be, not who you truly are now. So while I have learnt a great deal in this experience of what can happen in times like this. God is not interested in people who are not willing to be that for which He created us to be. He wants us to be in our new identity and to be a changing force to our community.
So what have I learnt over these years? I guess I learnt that we have to trust in what God has called us to be, for what that comes down to is a question that we have to ask ourselves have I done what I was asked to do? Only in later life, do we say have I any regrets for not fulfilling what God has called us to do. I guess what I am saying is like Elijah we need time to identify who we are, and sometimes that means we need those types of isolation times. We need to be fed by God so that we can find out who we truly are, then and only then can we come to realise what we were placed on Earth for. And this will result in the third step, which I will not go into in great detail, for this is the time of unconditional obedience to God. Summing up I would say that not only has this time in my life right now been a transforming time, but it has been a time when I have realised who I am and what God has called me to do. My prayers are you is that if you are going through the isolation time, be encouraged for this is the time of growth for you. If like me you find yourself in a place where you can be your true self and what a blessing that is. I would like to thank all those that have helped me over the years to be the person that I am, and I am thankful for all the things that I have in my walk with God good and bad as it has made me who I am today.