Terry and Ian took the opportunity to travel to Bradford to take part in the conference. Sadly the planned guest pastor was unable to attend due to his mother’s illness. Our prayers and best wishes are with him and his family. Replacements were drafted in at the last minute and they shared some very powerful thoughts on fighting the good fight of faith.,
Dave Niblock and Steve Gambill, joined by Earl McClellan preaching from midday on the Saturday after a frantic dash from the USA to the UK. His transport from London to Bradford didn’t go as planned so Pastor Niblock stepped in to lead the morning session.
Building on the days’ theme we had a real tour of the Bible. We visited 1 Kings to hear about Famous Last Words with David talking to Solomon, telling him to be strong, act like a man and walk in obedience to the Lord. God doesn’t call us to be men who don’t step up. He is calling us to come shouting and ready to engage the enemy. He doesn’t want us to be people who shout the war cries but then don’t engage with the enemies. David slew Goliath because he engaged when others would not. But God also wants honourable men. David had the chance to slay Saul in the cave whilst Saul was otherwise occupied (Check your bibles for why Saul was busy!)
Important lesson was that we cannot trust someone who is over us if we weren’t able to trust them when they were under us. Don’t let power go to your head as a leader. Don’t work to remove your leaders or undermine them. If God doesn’t want them there he’ll sort it out for you. Valuable lesson for all those who’s work or gifting requires them to lead and offer an example to others.
In Ecclesiastes 3 we looked at the seasons, acknowledging that we all have our favourites but that we needed to recognise that all the seasons are necessary and we don’t get to skip them. Importantly we’re not here by accident or chance. You are on purpose, your church is on purpose. The season you find yourself in right now is producing something for your life even if it doesn’t feel like it. Learn to appreciate the ebb and flow of life. Even though we only see what is on the surface, seeds are hidden away underground waiting for their season. Remember none like the word patience, but Paul showed us how to use that in his seasons of shipwreck and imprisonment.
In Jo
hn 16:33 we were reminded that we were told we would, not we might, have troubles. Our victory is found always in Jesus. We need to remember that it is always cross, tomb and resurrection, always! The enemy wants you to believe you will always be in the tomb but that not true. Resurrection is on the way.
In Luke 4 we saw the enemy questioning the identity of Jesus and he will try to sow the same seed of doubt in your life.
Everywhere Terry turned he was prompted to Jeremiah 29:11 which is the verse he keeps on his desk at work. It was mentioned in 3 separate preaching sessions, and was even on the blackboard of the mock up of a school in the Compassionate Experience. If you get a chance to visit the Experience as it tours around the country, we would recommend it.
We also walked through 1 Chronicles, Ephesians 6 and 1 Timothy but we’ll save them for another day.