Busy week!

As many of you are aware, this week is the performance week for the production I was lucky enough to be given the lead role in a mere 5 or so weeks ago.

Last night was opening night - and it couldn’t have gone any better! The audience loved it, the director was pleased as punch with our performances, and I received more than a few kind words which will stay with me for a long time!

I cannot wait for tonight. :)

I know I was going to do a ‘blessing of the day’ kind of thing, but on account of how busy this week is going to be, it may have to be altered to the slightly less-easily remembered accolade of

‘Blessing of the last few days or whenever it was I last wrote about how God has blessed me beyond what I deserve’

…not quite as catchy is it.

Here’s hoping you’re well whatever you’re up to!

:D

my time in prayer with God this morning -

WAS AMAZING.

Loud. Fired-Up. Passionate. Faithful. Extensive. Detailed. Honest. Thankful. Thought-Provoking. Revealing.

these are all terms that could be used to describe it.

Neighbour-irritating is perhaps another one. I hope not, though!

Anywho, God’s Spirit was truly with me, and before long, my daily prayers for those i’m upholding in difficult situations concerning health, finance, and unsaved friends + family, became a full-blown (and rather noisy) proclamation of His might and work in my life.

(on a side note, I know it’s unhealthy in large doses, but I enjoy looking at the sun occasionally when I pray, because it’s beautiful, and lights our planet…it leaves me in awe, knowing that the reason for both our physical and spiritual light is Him….what a wondrous Creator and Designer He is!)

But whilst praying, He brought the following point to me, which I was then prompted to share as an encouragement for any of you who are seeking to reach friends or family who are unsaved:

When we speak of someone who is proving to be difficult to outreach to, or is trying to change but can’t shake off a few little things, it’s important to remember the difference between characteristics and habits. Example:

“I tried talking to [Name], but she’s just so pessimistic all the time.”

“He’s trying to keep away from girls, but I don’t think he’ll be able to give it up, he loves the attention too much.”

“They said they feel different and they believe, but they’re still going out and getting drunk 4 nights a week.”

Do any of those sound familiar? We can sometimes become discouraged because of a certain characteristic in a person that just won’t -

wait.

This is the crux of it.

The examples above (and they are just a few, i know), are not characteristics, making up a part of someones personality or character (hence the word? doiii, Shaun)… 

Being pessimistic is a mindset, which can be altered through demonstrations of love in everyday life and the introduction of carefully-tended faith in what is yet come.

Craving attention from the opposite sex is an appetite and desire that can be cured by replacing it with something that is more substantial and wholesome for the mind, soul and body.

Excessive drinking and a party-all-night way of life is an activity that, again, can be uprooted, and something more fruitful and healthy can be grown in its place.

mindsets, appetites, desires, activities, attitudes etc…

they’re all habits -

“…when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;” - Ephesians 4:21-23

…habits can be be changed.

Have faith, keep pressing on in the battles, and work away in the trust that a harvest will come; and when it does, it will be a beautiful, wonderful thing, people.

praying for God to bless you and use you as a blessing in all you do today and throughout this week!

:)

this mornings’ service was so intense…love it!

1. Spirit-filled praise and singing.
2. God’s presence igniting raging fires in peoples’ hearts.
3. A heartfelt word from God about using the Lord as our banner in our daily lives;
4. Read Exodus 17:8-16. I would paste it here, but if it encourages you to open your Bible, can’t be a bad thing right? :)
5. Encouraging discussions about upcoming plans within the church as well as possible indicators of where my future might lie.
6. Talking with my discipleship partners about what’s on the horizon and the growth we’re seeing in each other.

make no mistake, these are exciting times and God is moving.

Have a smashing Sunday folks; wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, do it with the guidance of the Lord and a love for all that surrounds you. If things aren’t so great, drop me a message; i’m happy to talk with you and pray for you, or even better, talk to God! He’s a pro at it!

May you all be blessed more than you ever previously thought possible.

:)

people of Tumblr, you are wonderful. Long may you continue to be. :)

the Joys of Joshua!

As mentioned in a previous post, myself and a couple of my brothers in Christ are currently reading 2 chapters of the Bible a day, book by book; we are then sharing our thoughts and feelings on what stands out to us and how we can apply it to our own life and walk with the Lord.

The book we’re studying at the moment is Joshua -

well, it’d be a pretty stupid blog title if we were checking out Nehemiah wouldn’t it.

:’D

On day 1, I remarked at the wonderful assurance that Joshua receives when God says in chapter 1v3,

“Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you - “.

What a promise, and this applies to us just as much today. It’s so encouraging, not just knowing that He is with us everywhere we tread, but that these streets and the people that walk them have been granted to us by God that we might share His love with the world, and bring the lost back to Him as His universal plan reveals itself to us.

Well today was chapter 5 and 6 (which I once again plucked up the courage to read in a staffroom full of people, and which once again led to genuine questions, this time from TWO members of staff who I know consider themselves unbelievers! God is good.) As I was reading, this time 6v16 jumped out at me. After several days of marching around the city walls of Jericho as instructed, Joshua proclaims to the people,

“Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!”

Firstly, I think this is not just talking about physical locations, such as the places we live, but the ‘city’ of peoples’ heart and soul (it makes sense as you read on i promise :D ). This statement delivers the moment Joshua and his people had faithfully and patiently waited for; God delivered the city into their hands, just as He can deliver peoples’ hearts. Their efforts had paid off, and they were justly rewarded by God in the form of seizing Jericho, which they then proceeded to burn down (all except for Rahab and her family on account of her prior obedience and reverence for God).

Now i’m not saying we should all become amateur arsonists and torch every Starbucks, Shoe Zone or Angus Steak House, but whereas they literally burned down Jericho to cleanse and purge it of all its sin and evil, so too can we spiritually burn the strongholds and obstacles that surround us; both in our surrounding environment as well as in the lives of those we seek to minister to! It basically results in the breaking down of whatever is holding the lost back from the full beauty of God’s plan, one life at a time.

Joshua’s people

• determined
• persisted
• fought
• and obeyed

in order to see through their decided course of action…and all it took was several days before God brought the reward for their labour. Some of us have been toiling over a single seed sown in infertile soil for years, be it friend, family or work colleague..whoever. But if we’re still trying and believing in faith for fruition then what a testament that is of our courage, grit, and strength in God’s promise.

So go out enriched and strengthened by the knowledge that you’re treading on ground that God has given to you to outreach and minister to those who need it most. Then, mile by mile, we’ll begin to see reclaimed ground.

The fall of peoples’ personal Jerichos, as I like to think of it.

…and reclaimed ground, though it will be constantly fought for by the enemy, is ground that’s good for God.

I hope this blesses you,

Shaunski :)