Grace conference; Ashland Ohio, USA. Starts this 7th July.
Join us in Ashland, Ohio, USA this 7th -9th July for; Grace, Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
GO! OUR CALL TO MISSION
MISSION- SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS SALVATION AND GRACE. As an organization we are committed to go and spread the good news among the poor and needy, especially in the rural areas of South Africa and in the nations where Christians are persecuted. Partner with us. We will go where others will not go.
Based on Luke 10:
*Jesus has appointed us to go as the harvest is plentiful.
*We are appointed to go in teams - at least two people.
* We teach and demonstrate the good news of Jesus, His grace and His kingdom.
*We will be like lambs among wolves. This means we will confront evil men and demonic power. But our Shepherd Jesus is with us and will overcome. Demons will submit to us (v17) as Satan has fallen! Deliverance is a major part of the harvest stratery.
*We are to take very little with us as we are to rely on the hospitality if the community. This way they will come to own the message they have invested in.
*We are not there to give handouts but the message that will change lives. Help for the community can come later through the church plant, if they receive the good news.
* Initially the focus needs to be on the message of Jesus and power of the Spirit.
* We go to find the God anointed local person of peace within the community and work with them to extend the kingdom and lead a church plant once people come to faith.
* We stay in the local community, in one place, eating and drinking their food, without paying for it. This establishes ownership and investment into the message by the local community and avoids the "handout" missionary mentality.
* Holy Spirit ministry is crucial, the preaching of grace, the kingdom and healing of the sick and demonized must all be offered in faith:
- We establish the centrality of Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
- We build a clear foundation of the good news of grace and our identity as Gods children.
- We teach on the Spirit and demonstrate His power.
- People are saved and born again.
- We heal and cast out demons.
- We establish fellowship.
* If the community rejects the message, go door to door proclaiming the kingdom and then move on, maybe to come back at a later time once the seed of our message has taken root.
JOIN WITH US OR SUPPORT US
* Every mission needs workers to go and people to support it financially. Contact us if you are able to do either.
* A mission taking six people for a long weekend costs us about R1800-00 transport and food.
There are people everywhere waiting for us to come and share: Zululand, Mozambique, Pakistan, Lesotho, India.... we need to go,go,go!
MANAGING STRESS
Stress is a normal part of life and a certain amount can actually be beneficial as a motivator. However excessive stress and worry is one of the major causes of ill health and bad relationships. For this reasons learning how to manage stress is vitally important to a stable, healthy, joyful life.Stress management has a lot to do with self discipline combined with a generally healthy life style, both of which require the implementation of certain planned good practices. The aim is that these good practices become life style habits as through good habits, the bad "habits" of stress and worry can be managed. Putting good practices in place requires prayer, focus, resolve, self control and above all TIME. This issue of time management is probably one of the most crucial disciplines to living a peaceful, healthy, holistic lifestyle. As a family man (three grown up children and three foster children), businessman (property developer and administrator), self supporting minister, and trustee of a number of non profit organizations, it has always been a big challenge to manage the stress and worry that a busy life produces. I have learnt, and am still learning, how to do the things I need to do and yet live a healthy, joyful life where my soul is at rest despite the difficult circumstances, trials and tribulations that are a part of everyday life. Here are some pointers gleaned through forty years of trial, error and learning from others.
PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE: Jesus called us not be worry or be anxious. Therefore dealing with stress is part of our spiritual calling and warfare. From a Christian perspective it goes without saying that each of us need to hear what the Spirit is wanting us to do, as we are all different, however we are all called to learn from others and much of this advice has good historical Church roots. Interestingly recent research has found that most of these spiritual disciplines have proven physical and mental health benefits. Regular peaceful spiritual exercises relieve stress. (the times indicated below are minimum suggestions). 1. Meditation; spend 20 minutes a day in quieting prayer. 2. Pray with your spouse daily (10 minutes). 3. Withdraw to a quite place at the start of the day, hand the day to the Lord and ask the Spirit to show you how to order your day. (15 minutes). Then plan your diary. 4. Systematically read the bible and journal the things that stand out and what you feel the Spirit is saying (daily). 5. Fast for 2-3 days on a regular basis (quarterly). 6. Set aside weekends for retreats (quarterly). 7. Set aside quiet mornings (monthly). 8. The above must be centred around handing burdens over to a loving God and abiding in His grace. 9. Regularly meet with a peer group (of the same sex), pray with them and be accountable to them. 10. Find an elder to be your spiritual director. 11. Attend a graceful church and commit to fellowship. 12. If your church is legalistic, religious and works orientated, move on. 13. Times of solitude and silence are good for the soul.
PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE Regular exercise relieves stress and acts as a barrier against the damages of stress. 1. Look after you body, avoid injuries, if you don't you will suffer as you age. 2. Get a minimum of three 30 minutes sessions of aerobic exercise weekly. Preferably outdoors in fresh air. Walking, swimming and cycling are best as they don't damage the joints. 3. Use sun screen and wear a hat. Avoid too much sun. 5. Avoid lifts, walk up stairs. Walk or cycle when you can. 6. Find out what your optimum weight is and stick to it - this is one of the most crucial aspects of good health. 7. Be aware of your body and changes in your body, consult a doctor if you are not sure. 8. For those who are married, put aside specific regular time for making love. Good sex is part of a good marriage and good health.
DIET Stress prevents your body from metabolizing food properly, therefore good eating is part of the war against stress. 1. Eat balanced healthy whole foods. Avoid processed foods. Avoid fast foods & sugary foods. Go organic. Grow some vegetables. Drink raw milk. Use olive oil. Avoid excessive meat consumption. 2. Drink one 750ml water, first thing in the morning and 2 litres a day. Keep hydrated, but don't over hydrate. 3. Avoid using prescription drugs and antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. The body heals itself with rest and time. 4. Eat probiotics foods; good yoghurt, raw honey, etc. 5. Eat lots of vegetables and fruits, at least six portions daily. 6. Fresh berries and raw nuts are top anti-aging foods. Eat a handful daily.
SLEEP AND REST Good sleep us critical to good physical and mental health. Stress often attacks our ability to sleep. 1. Find out how much sleep you need. A young adult normally needs eight hours. 2. Set aside time for adequate, regular sleep. 3. During the week try to set fixed times for sleeping so it becomes a habit. e.g. 10pm-6am. 4. As much as possible make sure your bedroom is dark and sound proof. 5. Don't use your computer or phone before sleeping as their light will put your body clock out of sync. 6. Switch off your phone at night. 7. Keep a note pad by the bed. If you wake up worrying, write things down, pray silently and go back to sleep. 8. Avoid coffee and too many caffeine drinks. One cup of good coffee a day. 9. Ten minute power naps at lunch time are helpful. 10. Avoid using sleeping tablets. They are addictive. 11. Keep your bedroom for Sleeping, resting and love making only. 12. Take turns in massaging each other at bedtime. It's good for sleep and good for marriages. 13. If you can, set aside Saturday as a Sabbath (a day of rest). 14. Delve into Gods grace, as it's a position of inner rest and peace. 15. Make sure you do lots of fun things.
WORK AND FINANCE For a Christian work must be seen as a great blessing. We work as unto the Lord with thankfulness. However it's important to put our work in its right place. Our work is there to serve us, we are not called to be slaves to our work or boss. 1. Pray for your work and your boss. 2. In the longer term try to work towards you own business or independence. 3. Work should be enjoyable, if it's not, you may be in the wrong job. 4. If your work is overwhelmingly stressful it may be time to look for something else. 5. Use a diary to order your day - this is essential. 6. Keep a "to do" and deal with the easy issues first as this gives a sense of achievement. 7. Work out the critical path for the things that are must does. 8. In prayer plan you month, week and day 9. Be pro-active, don't manage by crisis. 10. Put systems in place. Every mistake should result in an improved system. 11. If you don't know something, get help and expertise. 12. Think about getting a personal coach. 13. Equip yourself properly for the work you do. 14. Don't let work encroach on your spiritual and family time, put sensible boundaries in place. 15. Plan and budget financially. 16. Stay out of debt. 17. Live a simple life, avoid materialism. Each possession requires time and attention. 18. Be generous and hospitable.
NOVEMBER 2016 MINISTRY TRIP TO KENYA AND ISRAEL
Please check out http://gracelovetruth.com/?page_id=6 to see our values and beliefs to ensure you are on board with our ministry values.
Quieting Prayer
TEACHING: OUR CALL TO SILENT, ABIDING, PRAYER
Psa. 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Prayer is an important part of the Christian life. We are called to pray continually as the Spirit leads. Prayer is about us communicating with our loving Father and declaring His will. Prayer is powerful.
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Mat 21:13 "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,'
Mat 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
TYPES OF PRAYER
There are many different types of prayer, most of which are verbal and active. However God is wanting to restore silent, quiet, resting prayer to His busy people. Here are some types of prayer:
1) Thanks giving.
2) Praying in the Spirit (1Co.14:15) - tongues
3) Intercession (1Tim.2:1) - standing in the gap
4) Warfare - a form of intercession
5) Adoration & worship
6) Faith or healing prayer (Jm.5:14)
7) Supplication (Mt.6:11) - asking for self
8) Petition (Eph.6:18) - asking for others
9) Consecration (Acts 13:3)- dedication to God
10) Quieting prayer - silently being in God's presence
QUIETNESS
The way of the world is busyness, rushing noise and confusion. Quietness is something that has been lost from church life. Yet quietness and rest is the very thing that the Spirit leads us into. Grace is about letting go of our busyness and self-efforts and trusting in the finished work of the cross and our righteousness in Christ.
Isa 30:15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
Isa 32:17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
Job 3:25 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.
BE STILL
Quietness, stillness, resting and solitude are all part of trusting the Lord.
Exo.14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Psa.37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psa. 46:10 He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
SOLITUDE
Likewise the busyness and demands of life have made it very difficult to simply be by ourselves and alone with God. Even Jesus retreated to quiet places of solitude to pray and to simply abide with his Father. He set a good example for us.
Mat 14:23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.
Luk 9:28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.
Mar 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Mat 14:13 When Jesus heard what had happened to John the Baptist, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
Mar 6:30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION
This teaching is about quieting prayer, not meditation. However we need to clarify that Christian meditation, as mentioned in the scriptures, is completely different to Eastern forms of meditation as found in yoga, Zen or TM. Biblical Christian meditation is active contemplation on a matter concerning God. The Hebrew "to meditate" means to mummer, moan, complain about, analyse, completely focus on something pertaining to God such as a scriptures, or some aspect or deed of God. It is to digest, ask questions about and work over and over, bit by bit, until we gain understanding and revelation.
Gen 24:63 Isaac went out to the field one evening to meditate
Psa 48:9 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psa 77:12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.
Psa 119:148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
QUIETING PRAYER AND UNION
Quieting prayer, or prayers of silence, have great traditional and biblical roots. Jesus and the prophets retreated for long periods into the desert and places of solitude to simply be with God. Paul went into the dessert for fourteen years. The early church of the 2nd and 3rd centuries followed their example. These hermit saints of the early church became known as the " dessert fathers". Later, in the middle ages, these practices lead to monasticism were monks and nuns retreated into place of solitude to spend their entire life in prayer. Most of their time was spent in silence seeking mystical and ecstatic union with God.
Today we know that as we are the " bride of Christ", we have union with Christ by grace and through faith. However, because of the busyness of life and a lack of teaching we have sadly lost the ability to spend time in silence simply being aware of our union with God.
The following spiritual discipline is a tool that can help you quiet your body and your mind so that you can simply abide in God's presence, spirit to Spirit, without having to "do".
Use the attached step by step notes to learn the discipline of "quieting prayer".
Enjoy!