As I get older and more established in my faith, I realise that it is only by Gods grace I am here! Come and walk with me in this journey! Its gonna be fun!
We all have dreams, aspirations, goals, things we want to do with our lives.
I was wearing my "I love Detroit" shirt yesterday - I wear it with pride, and hope and pray that I will soon be there, in Detroit, serving a broken city! This is a dream, a desire ofmine that I believe God has given me.
And I have lots more things that I want to see and want to do with my life! But I find that so easily without me realising, my dreams can become idols in my life! They can become the reason I do things, my dreams can become the focus and the driving point to my life!
I was just reading through some of my old journals, and came across this word God gave me
"I know you more that you know yourself.
Do you not think that what I have for you is the best? Am I not a God who loves His children?
TRUST – Is walking it out even if you don’t know what is next. The great thing is, you know He does know what is next!!
Are you ready to let go? Are you ready to say no to your agenda and yes to mine?
It is time – time to forget about you and what you want to do, and focus on me. Focus on my plans, my future for you."
This was a huge reminder for me that God is in control! He does have the BEST for us. And I was the best for my life!
I know that I have to lay down my plans and my dreams and put God first!
Surrender.
Let go and let God.
What things in your life have become idols?
What do you need to give back to God for Him to truly have your ALL?
We all have fears.
fears of those 8 legged creatures, fears of dieing, fears of heights, or never seeing a loved on again. Fears can be crippling, they can get in the way and stop you achieving your dreams! One of my fears is the fear of dentists. I dislike them! It is true for the most part that the English do not rank first in the best looking teeth. Some would blame it on all the tea drinking, others on smoking, and others I guess poor hygiene!
When I was younger, I had a tooth knocked out whilst playing the recorder. It was not a trauma, but it did leave a lasting memory of dentists (not a good memory at that!) So much so, that in the last 10 years I have seen a dentist 3 times! 1st time was due to pain - lots of it! 2nd time was a check up and 3rd time was today - having a tooth pulled as a result of pain!
Why is it that a lot of the time, unless something is annoying you or giving you pain or not going your way, you are fine. For example - a car. Unless its making a funny noise or smell or lights start flashing, we presume everything is OK. Our bodies, unless something is in pain or doesn't function correctly, we carry on as normal.
I don't know if this is true for you, but I know it is for me! I wait until something is broken, to fix it, instead of preventing it in the first place!
Our relationship with God can be like this! How often do we go to God in the times of need? The times we are in pain? the times we want something?
How often do we just go to God just because we want to spend time with Him?
If I had made regular appointments with the dentist then I would not of had to have my tooth pulled today! It would have been prevented!
If we made regular appointments with God, what may have been prevented in your life?
Tonight I had the amazing privilege to join with many worshipers at a conference with Jesus Culture and Sean Smith.From the very outset - God was present.
There was a great anointing that was in the room! As we worshiped - the focus was on Jesus, the call for us to give Him our all was strong! By all, I mean EVERYTHING! For me, thats saying YES to God in all areas! Yes to His will, Yes to being single, Yes to Detroit, Yes to Derby, Yes to being willing and available! Yes to giving God my ALL! Why?
So God can use me!
Why?
An act of obedience!
Why?
Cus I want to see revival in the world! I want to see Gods kingdom come, His spirit poured out,His glory shining in all nations!
And this starts with an heart that is abandoned. A heart that will not settle for what it has, a heart that says Jesus - you died on the cross for me, this is what I have for you . . . MY LIFE!
If we want to see a mighty move of God across this nation, across this world - we need to be 100% abandoned to Gods will for our lives!
What is it that God has called you to do? What are you saying no to, that you should be saying yes to? Why are you going, when you really need to be staying? Why are you holding on, when you know you should be letting go?
It is time to stop, it is time to look to Jesus. Pray with me that we would be a people that know it is time to live a life that is totally and utterly sold out to Jesus, that we would throw ourselves in to the arms of Christ fully surrendered and abandoned to HIM!! And Only then will we start to get a glimpse of revival!
Ever had those moments when live becomes overwhelming? When everything that could go wrong, does go wrong? When things happen that you don't foresee happening? When there is NOTHING you can do about it, you just have to sit and watch things unfold?
Well I have great news for you this morning . . .When things go bad look to GOD! He is our help in times of trouble - I look to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD the maker of heaven and earth!
Trust in the Lord at all times pour out your heart before him power belongeth to God,
God has spoken once and twice have I heard this power belongeth to God,
who can search his understanding his thoughts higher than ours
all power in his hands for my life he has a plan
God is our salvation we find refuge in him power belongs, power belongs to God
Great is our God almighty and he is strong in battle power belongs to our God,
although our host encamp me encamp and do surround me power belongs to our God,
I shall not be afraid of the terror by night
nor the arrow by day I'm persuaded come what may
and now troubles behind me I've found great joy before me power belongs, power belongs to God
There is nothing to hard for God
nothing to hard for God
power belongs to God (Hezekiah Walker)
WOW I am so amazed at Gods care for us! He loves us and just wants us to trust Hm with all of ourselves! So whatever you are going through right NOW give it to God! There is NOTHING TO HARD for God! AMEN!!
As my time here in America is coming to an end (quickly) I find myself quick to look at what is next for me. I know that my time here is not over.
While I was journaling today and realised that I have been honored to connect with different people who are doing what I want to be doing, who here are in Detroit, who are reaching the lost and helping rebuild the city. But my question is - why has this all been in the last few weeks of my time here?
Do you ever get times where you do not understand Gods timing? If I was to meet these people earlier then I might be were I want to be - working and serving in Detroit?
Then God reminded me - His timing is perfect!
Genesis 28:15- "Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
I know that God is setting me up for the next season! I need to focus on where God had me now! Everything within me wants to know what is next, wants to know how it will all work out, but God says look at today - look at what I have in store for you today! Tomorrow will take care of itself!
So let me encourage you to look at today as if this was all you had! God will work things together for your GOOD!! He is faithful to His word - what HE speaks what HE promises, HE will make happen!!
"God speaks something so that we can trust His word, not just what we can see" Pastor Tim Dilana
"A man can no more take in a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough for the next six months, or take sufficient air into his lungs at one time to sustain life for a week. We must draw upon God's boundless store of grace from day to day as we need it." D L Moody
When we look back in history way back when the Israelites were in the desert with Moses all they could do was to rely on God and His provision! One moment in history God rained down food for His people this was called manna.
Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.Exodus 16:4a
It was not something that they were previously familiar with, as they asked what it was when they first saw it. (The word Manna itself in Hebrew means 'What is it?') It was similar to frost in appearance, and tasted like oil and honey wafers. It rapidly deteriorated and could not be stored long.
God does not ask us to look to the future and make sure that we have everything together for life. (thank goodness!) I am so thankful for His daily provision, I don't have to have everything together, I don't have to be able to see all the money I need in my bank account for the next year, the next month, or even for tomorrow! My God will supply ALL my needs!
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matthew 6:25 - 34)
If we are obedient in seeking God first over and above everything else, I know that He would want nothing less than to make sure all our needs are supplied! All our needs! Financial needs, Job needs, housing needs, school needs, food needs, relationship needs!
Before I came out here to the states I had half the amount of money I needed to keep me here for a year, but I knew this was were God wanted me, so I took a step of faith and came.
In April 2010 my money ran out - I had enough to pay my rent at that was it! I started thinking and planning to to move back to England. But God spoke clearly to me at Forward '10 (Great Lakes Chi Alpha Staff meeting) there were at least 4 words that confirmed my staying here. "If God has called you to do something - DO IT" "God is faithful to His promises"
I knew God was speaking to me! So I took another step an decided to stay! If God wanted me here He would have to provide for me!
From that moment I have had enough money come in each month to sustain me! and more! I am totally amazed to watch how God enables me to pay ALL my bills! He is so good! and His is true to His word!
My thought - Take each day as it comes, and see how God works His miracle!
Monday morning I was sat on my couch listening to some great English Worship tunes by Tim Hughes - Holding nothing back Album.
When I saw on the top of my TV a DVD out of its case. I went over and checked it out, and it was a friends p90x cardio DVD.
p90x seems to be the new fitness craze here in the US. This is what the website states "P90X® is a revolutionary system of 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts, designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days."
Sounds appealing right!! That's what I thought!! ha ha!
So I placed the DVD in to the machine and preceded to attempt the workout.
(I say attempt, because I spent half the time laughing)
Lets just say that the guy leading this is slightly special!
So I did it Monday, and then Tuesday, and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (which is today). Now I don't know if I will be able to do all 90 days, but I know that even doing a week, I can notice the difference - I have more energy, I see improvements with my breathing, I don't want to eat as much junk. . . Its great - other than my muscles aching, and the 45 minutes of torture!
Why am I blogging about this?
When I look at this, I see so many parallels to my spiritual walk! I have just finished reading the bible through in 90 days, and for the first 2 weeks It was not hard to get motivated, yes it took a while to adjust and make time, but I was excited to have a new challenge in my life. I had never read the Bible from Genesis through Revelation before.
So I made sure that I was accountable to the other people joining me on this challenge, we met once a week together to read that day - this made sure I was still on track.
With p90x (or any exercise) It becomes so much easier to get through it when you have people with you doing it! So when I get days like today when I could easily have not done it, I have people to encourage me and remind me why I am doing it!
Im sure we have all had moments in our walk with Christ where we feel like we have had enough, everything seems to be going wrong all at the same time, I know Habakkuk felt the hardships Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
When you become overwhelmed (I say when, because it will happen if it hasn't already) you need to have people around you, people who will encourage you, people who will remind you or the end cause, the reason why we labor - it is NOT in vain!
And most of all your focus NEEDS to be on Jesus! He knows exactly what you are going through and he is walking right there alongside of you. Remember, He will never give you more than you can handle!
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" Matt 9:37
As I was looking out of my window today I saw a lonesome crow. He was stood in the road feasting on what looked like someones unwanted dinner. Mr Crow seemed quite focused and in control. Until a seagull comes along. The seagull was quite reserved and slowly approached Mr Crow, Mr Crow just sat there staring. Until another seagull swooped down, then Mr crow started fighting back. You see he had realized that the two seagulls were after his dinner. So he gave a bit of attitude and made a bit of noise which only seemed to create more attraction from the other birds which happened also to be seagulls! So as the seagulls overpowered Mr Crow, they took his dinner from right in front of him, and flew off laughing.
As I was watching this happen, I was watching how Mr Crow reacted, at first he was ready for the fight, he found that meal fair and square, but as the seagulls gradually started to gain in force and numbers, he became defeated. I could hear him calling, but no one came, he was all on his own. It got me thinking about the scripture in Matthew 9 when Jesus is taking to his disciples and says that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. When people are ready to be harvested we need to be ready to go! Imagine if there were more crows, what a feast they would of had.
Imagine if we as Christians were really ready to reap the harvest, how willing are we to fight for souls? Do we keep perusing? or do we give up like Mr Crow? do we call for back up (the church body) or do we stand alone?
We need to be ready for the fight, the enemy is not gonna back down easily, he will send in others to reap the harvest, We need to be ready to peruse, to fight for the lost - to never give up! And if we are working without the Church - working on our own to reap the harvest - it wont happen - you will be defeated! Jesus sent out the disciples in twos, Jesus valued community, do it together!
Saturday, 21 November 2009
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech
God has made who we are, He formed us in our mothers womb. We are created in HIS image! It now becomes our choice - Do we live with that knowledge and live as the world would live - not grasping the greatness of who we could be with God, Or Do we run wholeheartedly knowing in your head AND in your heart, that God as fashioned and formed us, given us a personality that has the potential to reflect Him?
When I was reading the above quote - I was challenged by this . . . "We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us." We were born to MAKE MANIFEST the GLORY of GOD!! wow! To manifest means . . . - to make clear or evident to the eye or the understanding; show plainly. - to prove; put beyond doubt or question.
So we are to live to show Gods glory - simply, plainly. So that when people juts look at us they would know without a doubt that we are caught up in Gods glory!
How? Live a life of worship - Christianity is far more than a weekly meeting, far more than reading the Bible, than praying a prayer or giving money to the poor and needy! Christianity is a way of life, it is living and breathing Jesus style!
In Philippians Ch 2 it says . . .
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."
So in everything we do - needs to be as for Jesus! That's how we can can start to manifest Gods glory here on earth!!
Friday, 30 October 2009
2 months away from "normality" away from the business of Derby. 2 months away from my amazing friends and Family, 2 months in a different country, 2 months in a differnt culture, different friends, different lifestyles, just different!
I am amazed at how different things are here in the USA, just the smaller finer details - they pay you to open bank accounts, they drive on the wrong side of the road, they have HUGE cars! The pronounce things differently, speak differently, dress differently.
But yet in all the differences, there is at least one thing that is constent, familiar, the same - GOD!
Despite being away from what I am used to, God is still the same! He NEVER changes! He is NEVER different, unfamiliar.
God is constent, when everything around you is not! Look at the book of Ruth - a story of Gods provision . . . the Author mentions God only 2 times. Once at the very beginning - Ch 1 - God gives food, and then again a the end of the book - Ch 4 - God gives a baby! It starts with Gods provision, and ends with Gods provision! And even when Ruth didnt know what she was doing - leaving all that she was familiar with, all that she knew - friends and family - God provided!
God is our provider! He cares for us, He Loves us, He feeds is, He provides for us!
I have been blessed with an amazing team here at Eastern Michigan University.
Head Pastor—Sarah Krage. Ever since I have been apart of University Christian Fellowship way back in 2004, she has played a great part in my life. Not just as a great friend, but as a spiritual mentor too. So It is great to be able to serve under her! Then there is Associate Pastor—Eliot Geib, Whom I have also known since back in 2004. He is a great friend too and shares a passion for Faulty Towers! :)He has a great sense of humour and am blessed to be working with him! Then last but not least we have Kate Williams who is in the process of getting her credentials for ministry– she has a great heart for the international students! We share a passion of creating songs and silly movies!
It’s a great team and we all work well together with different strengths to bring to the mix!
My role
Ok so you may be thinking. . . What is my role in all of this. I know it sounds like a lot of fun—which it is, but it is far from a holiday!
I am on the staff team—which means that I am in fulltime ministry here at EMU.
My role is to provide a bible study predominately for American students, and to reach out to them here on campus.
On Wednesday night we have something called UCFConnect. This is a chance for American students to come together to look at the word of God, This semester I really felt God was calling us into a time of new beginnings. I felt it was right for us to go back to the fundamental basics of Christianity. So using Alpha materials, we are working or way through topics like—Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit? How can I have faith?
There is so much junk in the way of the truth, its time to strip it all back and refocus.
The challenge I have is that there are people with a very firm foundation in true Christianity, and also some people who are not as far on the journey, so trying to get the deepness, but yet not lose people in that. Its fun! - That’s Wednesdays!
Another part of what I do is to build a team who will eventually take the full responsibility of running Wednesdays.
I also am attending bible classes once a month. I have completed and passed my first one on “intro to hermeneutics: How to study the bible” I have 9 more to go!
As I get into a routine and figure out how much time I have, I will be picking things up on the way!
American Students
If not me , then who? If not now, then When?”
Being called to work with American students. . .what does this entail?
To be able to connect with someone, you have to know where they are coming from, you have to be fully aware of their culture, what they like, what's cool and what's not!This is hard for me as the culture is quite different to what I am used to, and it is even more difficult as I am not a student! I have formed some great friendships with people from the ministry here, but what I desire to do is to form friendships with those outside.God has brought one American student to me in particular who is very hungry to know more about God, to find out the truth. And I have been able to connect to her on a level that perhaps the rest of the staff team couldn’t. The culture here for Christians, especially within the Assemblies of God is that you don't drink alcohol. You tend not to go to places that promote drinking. Whereas in England, it is normal for us to go for a drink to be social, to connect. I know that God is using for me to be able to connect easier, or perhaps on another level.
My thought is—How can you reach a generation of students if you don’t go to where they are? Why do we expect them to come to us? Jesus was a prime example of breaking cultural “rules” He spent time with the Woman at the well, He had dinner with the tax collector! He didn’t care about what people thought, he went against the grain to advance the kingdom. So I am here feeling stirred to go to the students, to meet them were they are at, to be a light in their dark places, to be salt in their lives!
Financial Support
Thank you to all of you who are faithfully supporting me! I really appreciate you and wouldn't be able to be doing what I am doing with out you! So Thank you!!
I have a budget of $1000p/m ( £600)
Of which I have $800 p/m raised (£480)
So I have $200 /£120 left to raise in monthly support! If you would like to support me and your in the UK my bank details are available - email me at muhr_by_mel@hotmail.com
If you are in the US please send checks payable to King Of Love University Church. With “For Mel” on the memo. My address is
516 St Johns Street, #205, Ypsilanti, Michigan.48197.
