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Thursday, October 18, 2007

Prayer meeting Thursday 18th October

Jessica led the prayer meeting and started with this mini Bible study

How to be happy at work.


"The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to" DEUTERONOMY 28:8

Happiness involves feeling good about yourself. It's based on your relationships and achievements. When your gifts and abilities are fully developed and utilized through your life's work, you grow in confidence and strength.

Here are seven keys to being happy on the job:


  1. See work as God's gift, not punishment. 'When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work —this is a gift of God' (Ecclesiastes 5:19 NIV)

  2. Recognize God as your true employer 'Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does' (Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV)

  3. Pursue work compatible with your gifts. 'If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may bepraised' (1 Peter 4:11NIV)

  4. Learn everything possible about your job. 'Let the wise listen andadd to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance' (Proverbs 1:5 NIV)

  5. Use criticism to your advantage: In fact, make it work for you; ask for suggestions and correction: 'Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured'(Proverbs 13:18)

  6. Do more than is expected of you. 'And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him [two]' (Matthew 5:41). Be an extra-miler!
    Make Jesus your work partner. Stay Christ-conscious throughout the day as you perform your duties faithfully: 'Thou wilt keep himin perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee' (Isaiah 26:3).

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Mondays Prayer time led by Pastor Joe

Pastor Joe's Notes on Prayer

Levels of Prayer

Luke 11v 1
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us pray, just as John taught his disciples”

‘Lord teach us to pray’

Different categories

Types of Prayers
Times of Prayer
Methodology of Prayer
Nature of Prayer
Extend of prayer
Duration of Prayer

Types of Prayers

Prayer of Agreement
Prayer of Revelation
Prayer of Warfare
Corporate Prayer
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Prayer of Loosing
Prayer of Praise/Worship
Praying in the Spirit
Praying in Tongues
Prayer of Forgiveness/Atonement
Prayer by Word of Knowledge
Prayer of Wisdom



1. Prayer of Agreement – [1 can chase 1,000 but 2 can chase 10,000]

Matthew 18.19

In order to prayer in agreement with someone they must have:

Love
Love overcomes everything

Pure Heart
You must be on one accord with the person you are praying with

Agree in Spirit
Pray with someone who has a higher anointing to yourself and feel the presence of the Holy Sprit.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Significance, Security, Acceptance


At the group on 11th October we had Mike Hewett from Church for The City -East London come and talk to us.

Here are his talk notes.




Luke 15 Gods view of us sinners!
3 stories 3 issues and in it are 3 issues addressed that we need to believe God sees us like. One issue will be yours!

Lost sheep
Significance. Lost in the city now, but lost in Adam- God's number one man and woman. Beautiful, intelligent and a great couple together! All the attention of God and creation – lost it all and the looks! Some of us looking especially for this. Live wanting to `make it so looking for praise and promotion–work, home and Church. Shy and retiring but offended when not mentioned in the credits, upset if ignored or overlooked driven to be the best, always aware of what others think especially the boss or the pastor – fed by stories like Joseph, or biographies of famous Christians always hoping you could do even better – and battle with pride – our significance we are seeking to gain from job, family, church- Jesus wants to set us free from this unhappiness - Me

Jesus - died to save us from the consequences of our sins, but to restore what Adam lost through sin and rebellion and here Jesus tells us how He restores our significance Foolish smelly sheep. Left others for, spent time looking for, picked up, close and then strangest of all - party (not with roast lamb). Your eternal significance, world cup and Peruvian mountain villager conversion. You have the attention of heaven and of the Father–His child, and will rule cities and judge angels. He is the one who will great you at death (John 14:1) and why even if by this world's standards you are a nobody your Father is a somebody which makes you a somebody – He makes mountains, creates galaxies and thinks about you all the time! And sent His Son in your place. You are already of great significance- 70 years or 70 million million years – what is worth more?

No longer use people to make you significant and important – genuine love them – God raises up people in this life anyway. (Ps 75:7)

Lost Coin

Insecurity
because difficulty like poverty, trauma or even death when young, but lost security in Adam when removed from security of the garden and God's presence. Uncertain about God's love - what if fall? Security in job, money, controlling people - live in fear – God here is pictured as one who seeks - He is doing the looking lighting the lamp - He found you, you are of value to Him in His hands Is 41:10 John 10:29. Eph 1:4 - been after you not let you go - lost sheep and lost son all chased! In death as in life Ps 139:16. But Mike my health, my job etc Not fatalistic as in - I can pray and seek His help but I am secure in His hands. Feelings of insecurity, circumstances shouting I am or solid fact of His word?

Lost Son
Acceptance – big deal when suffered loss of this – rejected by parents, school, work - personality, too thin, too fat, ugly, nationality, skin colour, not good at sport, not academic at school – feel rubbished and rejected especially by those in authority. Accepted here though every reason not to be – genuine reason to be rejected– a traitor deserving banishment and rejection but Father ran- unheard of, He ran across from heaven to earth came seeking you – not deceived – this is not pure repentance but seeking to save his skin! Loved and embraced before a word said - a true dad kiss - seeking relationship with him not just save skin. And then gifts for nothing Galatians 3

Note his problem with brother – still problems with acceptance! – But father steps in to sort it out – others still reject this one is around forever so you are wanted, accepted whatever by the most important one - believe Him whatever others think or say - not useless but precious to Him, unearned

A Group Picnic







The Tower Hamlets Christian Prayer Group has been going for a while so we wanted to have a joint activity to get to know one another.

On the 1st September we went to Lea Valley Country Park at Cheshunt and had a bring and share picnic.

A great time was had by all.

A Gift for Simon


Simon Pedley recently left to study to be a Church of England Minister. A few of us wanted to give him a good-bye gift. We felt the most appropriate gift would be a Bible.

On Friday 9th October, Steve and his wife Andrea went to present it to him at his home in Stratford.

He says he is doing well and enjoying studying. The tutors are Godly men and women who have a love and passion for Jesus.

He thanks everyone for their prayers and support and the lovely gift.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Vivienne's Good-Bye Meal

Vivienne was a valued member of of our group, and on 14th September she held a meal for her friends at the Bangla Quay Indian Restaurant.