Today as I walked down the street I discovered myself singing ‘I’m accepted, I’m forgiven, I am Fathered by the true and living God’.

One or two people in the High Street gave me that look – you know the look – weirdo approaching.

I guess hearing someone singing in Wickford High Street is quite unusual.

As I thought about the words that I was singing I was struck by the truth of them.

I am accepted. Not by my actions, my good deeds, where I live or who are my friends. I am accepted by God because of what Jesus did for me. I cannot earn acceptance, it was provided to us through Jesus and received through faith in Him.

If you are a follower (disciple) of Jesus you are accepted by God. Wow!

Please stop for a moment, right now, and drink in that truth. Accepted.

I am forgiven.

Loving Jesus with all our might and strength means that we live in the forgiveness that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross bought.

I cannot earn forgiveness. We receive it as a gift from God.

Being forgiven does not mean that you and I do not need to repent of stuff that we do. But forgiveness does not come in and out like a tide. We are forgiven because Jesus has already done what is necessary.

Please stop for a moment, right now, and meditate on the truth that you, yes you, are forgiven.

I am Fathered by the true and living God.

In God’s Kingdom there are no illegitimate children. Again, because of what Jesus did we are now able to be rightly called sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.

As His sons and daughters we are entitled to receive the inheritance that being His children brings. Joy, perfect peace and fullness spring to mind.

Our Father in Heaven loves it when we cast all our anxieties on Him. He loves to hear His children praying to Him, asking Him to provide, direct and lead.

No right minded father wishes harm to his children or child. How much more does our Heavenly Father not want to harm us.

Guys, be blessed this week and live in the fullness of the truth that you are accepted, forgiven and Fathered by the true and living God.

Have a good week, Rob

The church is built on relationships.

Firstly, there is our relationship with God. Secondly, there is our relationship to those around us in the church. Thirdly, there is our relationship to those not yet in the church. How we are operating in one sphere will affect the other spheres.

When I am angry towards someone in the church or at work, this attitude will impact on my relationship with God.

Anger is a strong emotion; therefore Jesus said that we should not let the sun go down on our anger. Yet, amongst God’s people I sense and see anger.

This anger outworks in many ways. Unforgiveness towards someone else, remaining in a state of hurt, lack of patience or fits of rage.

The enemy will use our anger. He wants us to have flawed relationships. He will even make us feel justified in remaining angry.

However, prolonged anger leads to the hurting of ourselves/others around us and prolonged hurt leads to bitterness.

I would also add that angry people are not pleasant people to be around.

Galatians 5:22 and 23 says this ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law.’ Our relationships within NLC should be built on the characteristics of the the Spirit.

When I am speaking with people I always ask myself what is my motivation for saying this to them? Is it out of kindness, faithfulness etc.

Kindness in a relationship is being faithful, sometimes pointing out what the other person may not want to hear. Gentleness does not mean that we fail to correct each other. Goodness should mean that we want the best for the other person, encouraging them into all that God has for them.

Good friends do not gossip about you or speak unkindly about you when you are not present. A good friend will speak to you face to face, even when tough words need to be said. I only want to be part of a church where relationships are open, honest and accountable. Moreover, I only want to lead a church where the characteristics of the Spirit are evident.

Have a good week, Rob

Over the last few months I have felt pulled and stretched in so many different directions with time seeming to be very limited. I have so many pulls on my time that I have been in danger of going through the motions.

Last Wednesday I was scheduled to speak at an assembly at King’s School, Southampton. As I pondered what to do I felt God say to me ‘rely on the Holy Spirit’. On the way to the school, my nephew travelled with me to give directions. He started speaking about going to a Jesus Culture event. He and some of the other students had now started a lunch time prayer meeting. He explained that at the meeting they wait on God, worship through song and pray for each other. At the first meeting only a few people attended. Now 70 students are attending and experiencing a totally awesome time with God. The really cool thing is that no teachers or adults are involved.

We became so engaged in our conversation that we missed our turn-off.

The assembly started with some excellent worship through songs.

Next, the headmaster introduced me and I began to speak from Acts chapter 3. About 5 minutes in I felt again that prompting ‘rely on the Holy Spirit’. I closed off my chat and asked the music band to play. I then began to give a few words of encouragement to a member of staff and a couple of the students.

The assembly finished.

At the end the headmaster invited me into his study for a cup of coffee. As I walked to his office, one of the students, Micheal, stopped me and to my surprise he said ‘That was great’.

As I type this view I believe the Lord is still saying to me ‘rely on the Holy Spirit’. In fact, I believe that the Lord is saying ‘Rob, people do not need a connection with you but they do need a connection with me. Are you willing to be a connection point?’

Sometimes, in our enthusiasm we miss His prompting. Sometimes in our pride we totally miss His prompting. Sadly, I have moved in both of these ‘sometimes’.

Yet God wants us to move out in obedience to His voice and His voice only. Discerning that it is His voice is the difficult part. Listening to hear God’s voice is a skill all Christians need. Developing a devotional lifestyle is key.

I need to develop a greater level of intimacy with the Lord. This will only come through study of His word, prayer and a willingness to die to self or self promotion.

John the Baptist said it so well ‘I must become lesser in order for Him to become greater’.

Have a good week, Rob

Pressing on and pressing in.

Over recent months we have experienced some really good times together. God has clearly shown up in our gathered times. Long may this season continue.

Yet now is the time to press on into all that the Lord has for us and, more importantly, press into a deeper relationship with Him.

Prayer, Bible study, fasting, meditation on what the Bible says, all become so much more important. Our success as a community of faith still relies 100 per cent on God.

Humility is recognising our place. God must build the house. He must be allowed to be Lord.

We need to hear His plans for us. The hearing will only come out of intimacy with God. At this stage in our pilgrimage, corporate intimacy is what is required.

May I encourage you to make time to be alone with God. Open up the Bible and meditate on the goodness of God found within the pages. Take time to hear His voice speaking back to you. Some of it will be personal, but some of what he says will be for us corporately.

Our world needs Christians who live out the teachings of the Bible. At a time of no absolutes, let us remember that the Bible is full of absolutes about God and His ways. We need to know those absolutes and live our lives under their shadow and influence.

Please press into God.

We also need to press on.

Guys, there is work to be done. The gospel is a "go" gospel.

We have a part to play in fulfilling the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:16-20). Our part is to be active in living out our light before men in order that they may see God.

So let us press on and press in. Time is short.

Have a good week  -- Rob.