Wow, another year has flown by! And what a year it has been! Without even mentioning the turmoil and upheaval of socio-economic affairs in the nation and the world, enough has transpired in our lives as a 'family of faith' to keep us talking for an age. From the transition of the leadership of the church to Father God healing bodies, it has been an exciting year. It would be appropriate and right to honour a few looking back. Firstly, Nigel and Melita deserve roars of honour as founding parents of an incredible church. We would not have enjoyed such a smooth and 'successful' baton change of leadership if it wasn't for their loving, faithful and skillful leading. We have the privilege of 'standing on the shoulders of giants', and each victory and mile of ground achieved in God susequently is testament to their lives poured out for LCi!
I have no shadow of a doubt that the leaders - elders and deacons - deserve equal plaudits! They have nurtured the weeks and months since transition with hearts of faith, love and expectation for the greater in God! What champions ... and Melissa and I have the joy of more in God together with them :)
Thirdly, the precious saints have made room in their hearts for us and for what God wants to do into the future. The faith and love displayed over this time is remarkable!
Most importantly, Jesus is the undisputed head of the church, local and universal! He is unchallenged in His rule over us and He alone deserves the highest praise. His historical faithfulness inspires great confidence in us as we anticipate an exciting '09. Now for a synergy of His faithfulness and fruitfulness!!
Having said this, a few words at the get go of '09 ...
This last Sunday I mentioned that God is into 'Kingdom revolution' more than self-actualizing, humanistic resolutions devoid of His inspiration. Preaching from Eph 1:15 - 23 I said I felt God wanted to emphasize 2 major things in bringing 'Kingdom revolution'. I mention them in my first blog of the year again as a reminder and because many have been on well deserved holidays and missed out on Sunday ...
1. Relational Cultures
2. Radical Living
1. We are contending for, and building, 3 essential Relational Cultures mentioned in the Eph 1 text ...
• Faith - relationship with Father in bring His rule
• Love - relationship with each other and the lost
• Hope - relationship with our destiny in God
These 3 will be the bedrock for all we do as we build kingdom culture, with the greatest being 'love'!
2. We will continue to keep Radical lifestyles in the following areas revealed in Eph 1:15 - 23
• Prayer
• Passionate pursuit of the Person of Christ as our prize
• Enjoying and embracing the People of God as one of our inheritances
• The Power of God in and through us - dimensions of heaven being demonstrations on earth!
• re-Presenting Christ (as Bill Johnson says) authentically and powerfully, as the Head of the Church fills the world through us, the 'fullness of Him'
These 2 major issues combined will do a lot more than a few resolutions; we will see 'kingdom revolution' in us and through us. Regardless of the necessity of economic and political change, the world is in dire need of a revolution in the church where we live large with faith, love and hope and get radical!
Here's to continued 'kingdom revolution'! And may we look back on '09 this time next year having seen more faith-filled action than mere religious semantics!
Mountains of love and blessings from us as we enjoy a few weeks off this month. Catch you in the next blog at the end of Jan.
Ryan
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1 comment:
Ryan - I am once again amazed at how the Lord confirms his word! before the end of the year I woke up with a word "New Years REVOLUTION" and shared it with Jade, Bevin and Wendy when we were in London saying that I believe that this year we need to be radical in the Lord and revolutionary that means certainly not passive and mundane that we need to push towards the goal set for us more than ever before Phil 3:14. Bevin told me about your message on the Sunday after we left to go back to Abu Dhabi so I hope this is an encouragement for you to know that you are right in the eye of where the Lord wants you and being led by His Holy Spirit in a mighty way. Please send our love to your awesome congregation and let them know that it was amazing to be in the presence of the Lord and witness Ephesians body of Christ with you guys
God bless Allan and Wendy Slowe
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