Happy New Year to my readers! I have had a lovely Christmas break complete with a bit of a rest and a chance to pick up a couple of books to read. Yes, I am one of those people who will have 2 or 3 books going at the one time. I finished reading a murder mystery (Australian author) and I have also been reading 2 other books - one that has been a bit of a conversation piece at a local church that I have started attending (it was referenced by a few people in regards to planning for a prayer night that is in a period of leadership transition). It is called, 'Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire' by Jim Cymbala who has been leading the Brooklyn Tabernacle.
The other is a book from an evangelical mega-church in the States around leading small groups. This is a book I bought a number of months ago, and then, lo and behold, I have agreed to help lead a new Home gp / life group with 3 others (x2 new Christians) - that has kind of come out of the Alpha course earlier last year. I am excited about this as we had some great conversations in Alpha and I admire and respect the people involved.
This second book I have really enjoyed reading and I feel like it has given me specific insight into some things to do in regards to leading a home group. I am keen now to cast a bit of a vision into what a good home group might look like early on in the venture. It suitably references the book of Acts and is quite prescriptive in some ways about how groups could run, serving others and being invitational to outsiders. This church like their acronyms in order to show leaders what to do.
About half way through, though, I put it down and picked up the fresh wind/fire book - right on the chapter that talked about the lure of doctrine without power. Ouch. All the rules and ideas - as good as they are, went up in flame momentarily. So where do I stand on all of this? Is teaching and trying and prescribing no good?
I reflected back on the home group that finished up last year, and all the things we did and the way we operated over the years. 10 years is quite a long time (I only led for a very short time) and we are all still good friends, continue to pray for and encourage each other on WhatsApp and we meet up fairly regularly - socially. During Covid lockdowns (Melbourne was probably the most locked down city in the world) when we had the time and attention on zoom the group met weekly, really thrived and served a purpose. We sought the Lord, engaged with his Word, prayed together, prophesied, supported each other and saw some amazing answers to prayer. Praise be to God. It still feels like something special in many ways. The favour of God was with us. I love how Holy Spirit turns up when we talk about Him, and engage Him in prayer. ❤️❤️🔥🔥🙏.
However this little group did not really serve together, attend church together nor was it very open to inviting other people in - even to social events. So when people moved away, numbers dwindled and the group folded. No criticism here - just reflection.
Can we have fire without form? You bet! But it might not last. Any fire needs fuel and protection from the wind and rain. Too much fire when people aren't accustomed to it can also be divisive and blow itself up.
Can we have form without fire? Maybe... but I am one who has tasted and seen and anything short of seeing the Spirit of God move in power, feels flat or 2-dimensional. A bit like having a pet rock instead of a pet dog, or a fake fire in an empty fireplace instead of the real deal. It is just not quite the same. I don't want to go through the motions because I should. Striving and working things out ourselves is never as good as looking into the face of Jesus and spending time there in worship and adoration. God is not looking for slaves or servants, but sons and daughters who know and love Him and know that they are loved and provided for.
I am not suggesting (particularly) that this mega- church in the States is devoid of the Spirit of God. Nor am I suggesting that moving in the Spirit alone is a good idea. There must be significant value in both books I have picked up and read.
Matthew 6:33-34. TPT
“So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”
I think that when were are face with challenges, such as starting a new home group, it is easy to look for the form - the right way of doing things in our own strength. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with this. But would bathing my initiatives in prayer and seeking God's way in worship, breathe life into it and take it to another level?
I was reminded of this when preparing for the Alpha talk on healing a few months ago (Does God heal today?). I had the choice in my last minute preparations either to go over my notes yet again to soothe my nerves, or to spend 25 minutes in worship. I chose the latter, and was rewarded. I can't heal anyone. My words can't heal anyone. But God can.
Zechariah 4: 6
...“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’says the Lord Almighty."
This reminds me also of the story of Jesus with Mary and Martha.
The following is taken from Luke 10: 38-42 (TPT):
Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. But Martha became exasperated with finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.”
A few months ago, the phrase come into my mind, "the only safe alter to lay down on, is mine." I am not sure if it was prophetic or not. However, I still ponder this, and I am still learning. We give ourselves to other alters (or I do) such as knowledge and teaching. We give ourselves to money and human strength - and other forms. I often try to work it all out myself. We need the forms - God knows this, and Martha needed to prepare for the guests coming, but our eyes need to remain on something higher and more important in the process. It is such a privilege to know God.
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