We are called to a life that is lived by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; to walk by the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, and keep in step with the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-25). But we have an ongoing choice to make room for the Spirit's work
The Law was our "guardian" until Christ came, but the main goal of the Law is to lead us to Jesus and show us why we need him. And if you belong to Christ, then you are part of Abraham’s promise.... you have been adopted, you are now heirs with Christ and everything in God’s kingdom has been made available to you.
We are connected to a beautiful family of churches that are both autonomous and interdependent. Autonomy means we have freedom in ownership, form and expression of God's mission to our local community, but interdependence means we have a mutually supportive and accountable relationship built on respect, honour and connected values.
God is Holy, He calls us to be set apart, and by the power of His Spirit, to be made Holy like His Holy Son, Jesus.
God is calling us to a life of holiness, being fully set apart for Him in every way. When we choose that, there is good fruit seen in our lives.
David was anointed to be king long before he actually became king of Israel. What can we learn from David about stewarding God's anointing upon our own lives?
Like watching a major road project (e.g. the Hexham bridge M1 bypass), change and growth in our lives can be hard to observe. But we can see over time that God is committed to our growth and maturity we will work with him. Pete Scazzero in his book “Emotionally Healthy Discipleship says this “Emotional Health and Spiritual maturity are inseparable. It is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.” I feel that this is what Paul is saying in Ephesians. The Gentiles don’t know any different – they walk Indulgence, impurity, greed, sensuality. But he is speaking to Christ-followers telling them that they don’t have any excuses. He’s calling it out. Put off your old self with it’s deceitful desires Allow your minds to have Christ-like attitudes Put on the new self, created to be like God in righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:11-24
“He is Not here. He has risen. Just as He said.” (Matthew 28:6) These are the words of the angel in the tomb when women came looking for Jesus' body on the morning when he was resurrected.
Praying with each other, blessing each other in Jesus’ name, seeing the power of God at work - that's what God's kingdom is about!
A time to share the "God stories" of his work in our lives, to tell and remind each other how much he has done!