God overflows with grace

It has been an interesting few days. Sunday was an Outside Light barbecue and it was great, only reservation was I had to preach at the evening service so my heart was in overdrive and I wasn't great company! It was great to meet some more of my brothers in arms family and get to know people better, we also got the chance to view the promotion video and it looks good.

I have been challenged to stop looking at God as someone who is ticking off lists or shaking his head everytime I get something wrong. God is totally for those that turn to him and surrender, He is our Father not our dictator. He loves us not because he needs something from us but because he overflows with his goodness, there is no bad in him. He is holy and that is awesome.

Last couple of nights have been out with Outside Light and Monday was a challenge, some of the team had taken some hits and we went out with the walking wounded. Other members had gone missing in action and we continue to pray that more soldiers would be enlisted.

On Monday there was a group of lads who had a few beers and were talking very derogatory about women and to be honest nothing worse than I have ever said in the past, however an anger rsoe in me at the offense that this caused Jesus. I think we often forget that treating people in this way hugely offends God, it hurts him, he cries over it. I get a sudden sense of this as they were talking and so I went over and said "You've just broken the law", they looked a bit worried as to what law they had broken, it then paved the way to talk about sin and the gospel. A debate started with a gentleness and respect that lasted most of the time I was there. My background has been in sales, however I want to encourage people that sharing your faith is not a sales game. We are called to speak the truth, to tell people the news, I prefer to think of myself as a news reader, telling people the facts. God does anywork of convicting, changing, shaping, moulding, death to life stuff. Just tell them the truth. I think half the battle comes when we try and water down the gospel because we think it wont appeal, we soften our language so it doesn't sound too bad, we talk of Jesus helping with life and giving us purpose, all the while the gospel looses its life giving power! It is true that being with Jesus is great, it is true that you have purpose. However the gospel in its simplest form should include - What is sin, What Jesus has done, what we must do and consequence of not, the cost of following Christ.

I also followed up on some old contacts on Monday from our church door knocking programme, there were some really positive results and a willingness to talk. Please pray that people will keep their promises and come along to hear God's word.

Tuesday I met up with a contact at Christ Church and he is really keen for the evangelism teams from the different churches to come along to St Johns outreach, get some training and support one another. Great news and looking forward to that development.

I also went to see some of the team at Emmaneul Mayford and they went to pick up the priority of Evangelism and develop this within their church, it is really exciting. They want to use some of the resource at St Johns and things are starting to roll....

Tuesday night, there were pockets of gospel sharing going on all over the place. It started as looking like a slow evening with only a few out. However before long, people were giving out tracts, talking about science and religion and generally getting God on the agenda. At the start of the evening one of the young people now joins us for prayer and then at the end of the evening two others joined for prayer. This is quite something and I pray these lives are saved by Christ.

Just got back from Winston and had some good conversations and opportunities. They still love the coins and as soon as you get them out it draws a crowd. Pray that they will understand the message and be drawn to Christ rather than the coins!

Going into Winston CU now and then off for a talk this evening, God is great.