As I was reading my Bible I came across this very familiar passage
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
This is a beautiful and well loved scripture which I am sure most of us learned early on in our walk with the Lord. It is the source of 1Peter 5:7 “Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.” It sums up in one short passage the route to all rest and relaxation – how to be satisfied with your lot – how to cope with every day’s problems and worries.
I wanted to delve a little deeper into this so I flicked back through my old emails and Twitter messages til I found this alternative translation from the Message Bible.
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Beautiful isn’t it? And so much to the point.
This is what the Lord said to me. “You worry and express concern about all too many things, but, instead of giving them to Me and letting Me deal with them, you keep them and almost encourage them to fester in your own life. As a result, you do start to worry and fret and you leave the door wide open for the enemy to come in and disrupt your peace with all sorts of unnecessary nonsense. Why do you do this when My Word says so clearly to give everything to Me and to let Me deal with them while My Grace carries you peacefully through each and every trap and pitfall of daily living.” He showed me, too, what is meant by that wonderfully evocative phrase, the “unforced rhythms of grace.”
His Grace is all-sufficient. It is sufficient for you. It is sufficient for me. As we grow in His Grace so we learn to give Him more and more and to relax and retain our own peace – also more and more. There is a rhythm to this and it’s rather like being in a boat out on the open sea where the waves pass by with such a regular rhythm. As each wave of trouble heads our way, we are in danger of the wave breaking over us unless we give the wave back to the Lord. That’s when we crest the top and slide gently down the other side waiting for the next wave to head our way. There is clearly a rhythm to this as we find problems and gain release from them. We find a problem and go up with each wave. Then we give it to Jesus and ride the wave gently and easily down again.
So chill out people – learn to use the ‘unforced rhythms of grace’ for yourself and find your peace again. Best thing is to not lose that peace again. Isn’t God’s Word wonderful.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Monday, 19 April 2010
The Candlestick 2
In the first article I told how the Lord said,
"I am taking the candlestick away from the big churches and the big ministries and I am giving it back to the little churches - the little people." The Lord also said to me today that there is coming a day when He will ask us, "What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
Serious words. Serious question.
In that first article I spoke about the over activeness of many churches. Un-surprisingly perhaps, I received one or two questions about this and they prompted me to seek the Lord again. My response is now this :-
No word such as this applies to every church, but how many churches have program after program yet their only real outreach to the outside and hurting world is a cleverly worded notice outside the church - usually urging folk to "come on in - everyone is welcome." Trouble is the very folk they aim their 'outreach' at are those who wouldn't usually be seen within a mile of the inside of any church. In fact, save for hatch, match, and despatch, they will never come inside a church. The church in response organises more and more activities - but still only their own people turn up. Why is this do you suppose?
The church has spent millions and millions on ‘programs’, yet where oh where is the fruit? Why are we not packed to capacity? Why are we not overflowing?
In general terms, the church is so tied up with its own activity that it has forgotten how to preach or otherwise get the gospel out to the unchurched. Sure it is preached some weeks, but who is there to hear the sermon?
As I say, I do not include every church in this article but if the cap fits, then you, or your church, or any other church to whom this applies, must wear it. There are quite a few churches whose sole purpose is to reach the lost. Yet there are also very many who are too smug and comfortable in their own sanctified complacency. When Jesus returns, He will surely ask each of us that question - “What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
OK then – what or how will you answer when He says to you “What did you do with the light I gave to you?” Did you hide it “under a bushel”? or did you hold it high for all the world to see? Did you even mention Jesus to your neighbours? Or are you too one of those resting comfortably in your own smug, sanctified complacency?
Let me ask you one last question. As the church is supposed to be the Bride of Christ – if Jesus were to come back today, how will He react when He comes to your church. “Well done, good and faithful servants”? or “Away from Me, I do not know you !!”??
CGB @cgbrofmi
19 April 2010
In the first article I told how the Lord said,
"I am taking the candlestick away from the big churches and the big ministries and I am giving it back to the little churches - the little people." The Lord also said to me today that there is coming a day when He will ask us, "What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
Serious words. Serious question.
In that first article I spoke about the over activeness of many churches. Un-surprisingly perhaps, I received one or two questions about this and they prompted me to seek the Lord again. My response is now this :-
No word such as this applies to every church, but how many churches have program after program yet their only real outreach to the outside and hurting world is a cleverly worded notice outside the church - usually urging folk to "come on in - everyone is welcome." Trouble is the very folk they aim their 'outreach' at are those who wouldn't usually be seen within a mile of the inside of any church. In fact, save for hatch, match, and despatch, they will never come inside a church. The church in response organises more and more activities - but still only their own people turn up. Why is this do you suppose?
The church has spent millions and millions on ‘programs’, yet where oh where is the fruit? Why are we not packed to capacity? Why are we not overflowing?
In general terms, the church is so tied up with its own activity that it has forgotten how to preach or otherwise get the gospel out to the unchurched. Sure it is preached some weeks, but who is there to hear the sermon?
As I say, I do not include every church in this article but if the cap fits, then you, or your church, or any other church to whom this applies, must wear it. There are quite a few churches whose sole purpose is to reach the lost. Yet there are also very many who are too smug and comfortable in their own sanctified complacency. When Jesus returns, He will surely ask each of us that question - “What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
OK then – what or how will you answer when He says to you “What did you do with the light I gave to you?” Did you hide it “under a bushel”? or did you hold it high for all the world to see? Did you even mention Jesus to your neighbours? Or are you too one of those resting comfortably in your own smug, sanctified complacency?
Let me ask you one last question. As the church is supposed to be the Bride of Christ – if Jesus were to come back today, how will He react when He comes to your church. “Well done, good and faithful servants”? or “Away from Me, I do not know you !!”??
CGB @cgbrofmi
19 April 2010
Sunday, 18 April 2010
The Candlestick
The Candlestick
The Lord reminded me this morning of a word I heard the other day. He said,
"I am taking the candlestick away from the big churches and the big ministries and I am giving it back to the little churches - the little people." The Lord also said to me today that there is coming a day when He will ask us, "What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
Serious words. Serious question.
The Word of God says this in Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
How many churches do you know where they have every social and service activity under the sun. They have ladies groups, men’s groups, seniors groups, youth groups, and children’s groups. They have mum & toddler club, lunch club, after school club, wives club, singles club and so on. They have bible studies, evening and day time prayer meetings, Sunday Schools, weekday fellowships – the list is almost endless.
Who are these activities for?
I believe that one of the great deceptions and diversions that Satan has made is to turn the church into a kind of social glee club. I believe he has so turned us towards world thinking and busy-ness that we have forgotten to keep doing the Fathers business. We seem to spend so much time on our “Christian Activities” for the people already inside the church that we have forgotten to do those things in the great commission for those outside the church.
Mark 16:15-18 (NIV)
“He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
The candlestick is the Gospel – it is all about Jesus who said He is the light of the world. The Lord is taking that candlestick away from the big ministries, the big churches, those who are so busy with their own and the enemies own activities on behalf of their own people that they have forgotten to put their light up high for all outside the church to see.
Let me re-quote what the Lord said to me - "I am taking the candlestick away from the big churches and the big ministries and I am giving it back to the little churches - the little people." He also said to me that there is coming a day when He will ask us, "What did you do with the light I gave to you?"
He showed me that we are “little church”, and we are “little people”. The candlestick is the light of His Gospel. It’s our job to make sure our light shines and when it does, unsaved people will be drawn to it like moths round a light bulb. They will want to know what it is we have but they don’t have. What will we say when people ask? We may only have the one chance and we must simply take it."
OK then – what or how will you answer when He says to you “What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
CGB @cgbrofmi
18 April 2010
The Lord reminded me this morning of a word I heard the other day. He said,
"I am taking the candlestick away from the big churches and the big ministries and I am giving it back to the little churches - the little people." The Lord also said to me today that there is coming a day when He will ask us, "What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
Serious words. Serious question.
The Word of God says this in Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
How many churches do you know where they have every social and service activity under the sun. They have ladies groups, men’s groups, seniors groups, youth groups, and children’s groups. They have mum & toddler club, lunch club, after school club, wives club, singles club and so on. They have bible studies, evening and day time prayer meetings, Sunday Schools, weekday fellowships – the list is almost endless.
Who are these activities for?
I believe that one of the great deceptions and diversions that Satan has made is to turn the church into a kind of social glee club. I believe he has so turned us towards world thinking and busy-ness that we have forgotten to keep doing the Fathers business. We seem to spend so much time on our “Christian Activities” for the people already inside the church that we have forgotten to do those things in the great commission for those outside the church.
Mark 16:15-18 (NIV)
“He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
The candlestick is the Gospel – it is all about Jesus who said He is the light of the world. The Lord is taking that candlestick away from the big ministries, the big churches, those who are so busy with their own and the enemies own activities on behalf of their own people that they have forgotten to put their light up high for all outside the church to see.
Let me re-quote what the Lord said to me - "I am taking the candlestick away from the big churches and the big ministries and I am giving it back to the little churches - the little people." He also said to me that there is coming a day when He will ask us, "What did you do with the light I gave to you?"
He showed me that we are “little church”, and we are “little people”. The candlestick is the light of His Gospel. It’s our job to make sure our light shines and when it does, unsaved people will be drawn to it like moths round a light bulb. They will want to know what it is we have but they don’t have. What will we say when people ask? We may only have the one chance and we must simply take it."
OK then – what or how will you answer when He says to you “What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
CGB @cgbrofmi
18 April 2010
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Guest Post from Karen Anderson
Healing and Deliverance According to the Bible
When we hear the word deliverance, we tend to associate it with “deliverance from evil”. Our Lord’s prayer includes this in the last line – we ask him to deliver us from all evil as we pray every day. Christian deliverance refers to God rescuing his children not just from demonic and satanic possession, but from bondage, oppression, hardship and temptation as well. We talk of various forms of deliverance:
• Spiritual: All Christians must believe in the uniqueness of God as the only divine being and desist from worshipping or even acknowledging the existence of any other form of divinity.
• Social: It is important that we remember God in all our social activities and avoid taking part in anything that detracts from His greatness and from the teachings of the Holy Bible.
• Physical: This refers to the exorcism of not just demons and other evil forms from the physical body, but also deliverance from our attachment to our bodies. We must not be so caught up in the way we look that we forget to worship God with all the devotion that the deed requires.
• Material: When we become attached and addicted to material possessions, it makes it that much harder to reach God and become one with him. We are so focused on amassing wealth and retaining it that we forget to offer thanks and praise the Lord for his goodness.
Most of all, we need deliverance from ignorance and sin – the first for all that we do unknowingly that is against the teachings in the Bible, and the second for all that we knowingly do just because we are overcome by lust and temptation for worldly and hedonistic pleasures.
Healing takes place when you truly repent for your transgressions and come back to the path of truth and follow the will of God. You must also give up all forms of temptations and dissociate yourself from situations that lead you to sin, knowingly or unknowingly. And most important of all, you must pray to God and ask him to guide you as you go through this deliverance and healing process and enable you to keep to the straight and narrow path.
Biblical deliverance and healing allow you to walk with God and abide in the teachings of Christ his son.
By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Karen Anderson, who writes on the topic of online bible colleges (http://onlinebiblecolleges.net/ ) . She welcomes your comments at her email id : karen.anderson441@gmail.com
When we hear the word deliverance, we tend to associate it with “deliverance from evil”. Our Lord’s prayer includes this in the last line – we ask him to deliver us from all evil as we pray every day. Christian deliverance refers to God rescuing his children not just from demonic and satanic possession, but from bondage, oppression, hardship and temptation as well. We talk of various forms of deliverance:
• Spiritual: All Christians must believe in the uniqueness of God as the only divine being and desist from worshipping or even acknowledging the existence of any other form of divinity.
• Social: It is important that we remember God in all our social activities and avoid taking part in anything that detracts from His greatness and from the teachings of the Holy Bible.
• Physical: This refers to the exorcism of not just demons and other evil forms from the physical body, but also deliverance from our attachment to our bodies. We must not be so caught up in the way we look that we forget to worship God with all the devotion that the deed requires.
• Material: When we become attached and addicted to material possessions, it makes it that much harder to reach God and become one with him. We are so focused on amassing wealth and retaining it that we forget to offer thanks and praise the Lord for his goodness.
Most of all, we need deliverance from ignorance and sin – the first for all that we do unknowingly that is against the teachings in the Bible, and the second for all that we knowingly do just because we are overcome by lust and temptation for worldly and hedonistic pleasures.
Healing takes place when you truly repent for your transgressions and come back to the path of truth and follow the will of God. You must also give up all forms of temptations and dissociate yourself from situations that lead you to sin, knowingly or unknowingly. And most important of all, you must pray to God and ask him to guide you as you go through this deliverance and healing process and enable you to keep to the straight and narrow path.
Biblical deliverance and healing allow you to walk with God and abide in the teachings of Christ his son.
By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Karen Anderson, who writes on the topic of online bible colleges (http://onlinebiblecolleges.net/ ) . She welcomes your comments at her email id : karen.anderson441@gmail.com
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
The Road to Hell
There is an old saying in England – The Road to Hell is paved with Good Intentions. I just want to shed a little bit of what God showed me about it – some new light on that simple sentence.
Normally we mean that our own road to hell is paved with our own good intentions – and there is truth in that. Yet there is a greater truth that someone else’s road to Hell is also paved with your good intentions.
Have you ever intended to do something but, well, just never got around to doing it? Of course you did.
How many times have you heard something like a prophesy and said, well we shall see? “If the Lord does it then I shall believe it.”
When you heard about the poor people caught by the tsunami, or the people caught by the earthquake, or the people caught by the typhoon or storms – did you say to yourself, “I should try to help them.” But then thought, “But what use is my few pounds in the middle of such need?”
When we come to face the Lord and we are held to account for all that we DID do and all that we DIDN’T do – what will you say. “Well Lord, I meant to do that but you came back too quickly!”
What happens on the great day when an angel calls out “Chris Bennett, Evangelist, step forward!” “What? I’m not an evangelist. Who is he calling?”
“You”
“But but I’m not an evangelist. I am a pastor, a prophet, a healer. Thats the ministry you gave me, Lord !“
“No – I called you to be an evangelist. Remember that prophecy given to you in 2009? Why didn’t you listen to it?”
You see, we are all called to something and it will avail you very little to say, “yes Lord, I know, I meant to do it – you know Lord – one day I really did intent to do it.”
What do you think the Lord will say to you?
“Oh well, never mind – you did OK although you could have done a bit better.”
“OK – its shame cos I really wanted you to save all these people.” And He shows you crowds of people who were not saved ???
No – He may very well show you the crowds of people who might have been saved if you had obeyed your calling.
Then He may very well ask you for an account of each one of them as to WHY you didn’t preach the gospel to them.
He may show you how each of them who stayed un-saved (some will be saved by someone else) has walked a steady path right into Hell.
He Might even show you that their road to Hell was paved with your good intentions but because you stayed in disobedience to His call, they have gone to Hell.
He might even show you the way to the gates of Hell for being so disobedient saying, “Away from me you evildoer – I do not know you!”
Suddenly the panic grabs you, “But Lord, look at all that I did in Your Name. Lord, I healed the sick – I cast out demons – I gave people prophecies that changed their lives for You.”
“Yes, but I called you to be an evangelist and because you ignored me – because you only ever intended to evangelise but never did it – all these people went to Hell - Lost because of YOU!”
Its time to listen to what God is saying to each one of us. Its time to get ourselves into His will for our lives. Its time to start putting the road to Hell in its place – as a thing of the past !!
Normally we mean that our own road to hell is paved with our own good intentions – and there is truth in that. Yet there is a greater truth that someone else’s road to Hell is also paved with your good intentions.
Have you ever intended to do something but, well, just never got around to doing it? Of course you did.
How many times have you heard something like a prophesy and said, well we shall see? “If the Lord does it then I shall believe it.”
When you heard about the poor people caught by the tsunami, or the people caught by the earthquake, or the people caught by the typhoon or storms – did you say to yourself, “I should try to help them.” But then thought, “But what use is my few pounds in the middle of such need?”
When we come to face the Lord and we are held to account for all that we DID do and all that we DIDN’T do – what will you say. “Well Lord, I meant to do that but you came back too quickly!”
What happens on the great day when an angel calls out “Chris Bennett, Evangelist, step forward!” “What? I’m not an evangelist. Who is he calling?”
“You”
“But but I’m not an evangelist. I am a pastor, a prophet, a healer. Thats the ministry you gave me, Lord !“
“No – I called you to be an evangelist. Remember that prophecy given to you in 2009? Why didn’t you listen to it?”
You see, we are all called to something and it will avail you very little to say, “yes Lord, I know, I meant to do it – you know Lord – one day I really did intent to do it.”
What do you think the Lord will say to you?
“Oh well, never mind – you did OK although you could have done a bit better.”
“OK – its shame cos I really wanted you to save all these people.” And He shows you crowds of people who were not saved ???
No – He may very well show you the crowds of people who might have been saved if you had obeyed your calling.
Then He may very well ask you for an account of each one of them as to WHY you didn’t preach the gospel to them.
He may show you how each of them who stayed un-saved (some will be saved by someone else) has walked a steady path right into Hell.
He Might even show you that their road to Hell was paved with your good intentions but because you stayed in disobedience to His call, they have gone to Hell.
He might even show you the way to the gates of Hell for being so disobedient saying, “Away from me you evildoer – I do not know you!”
Suddenly the panic grabs you, “But Lord, look at all that I did in Your Name. Lord, I healed the sick – I cast out demons – I gave people prophecies that changed their lives for You.”
“Yes, but I called you to be an evangelist and because you ignored me – because you only ever intended to evangelise but never did it – all these people went to Hell - Lost because of YOU!”
Its time to listen to what God is saying to each one of us. Its time to get ourselves into His will for our lives. Its time to start putting the road to Hell in its place – as a thing of the past !!
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
RoFMI Visit Report to Norway Jan 2010
There are moments in ones life when words are simply both insufficient and inadequate to describe things. This is one such moment. I have been back home from Norway for less than one hour and the only thing I want to do is to tell you all about the trip. So . . . . . .
Thanks to my brilliance as administrator, I managed to book us all on two different flights so Jean & John left Thursday morning, very early, while Peter, Keith and myself left early evening. Thanks to the sterling support of our friends in Norway, Robin & Leif, we all managed to get out to the SBI Bibleschool where we were to visit first. It is on the ‘wrong’ (west) side of the Oslo Fjord so we had to take the ferry and were met on the other side by Svein-Kase who took us all to the school where we were made very welcome and allowed to settle in quietly before the first session on Friday Morning.
Friday morning we all joined in the schools daily praise, worship, and prayers. We were warmly welcomed by Reidar Gamst, the School Director, before Keith took the first session – a teaching on Spiritual Warfare. This went down well and started the students, aged between 19 and over 30, asking the first of many questions. After a snack & coffee, Keith once again took the floor for the concluding Spiritual Warfare session. During the session two ‘unexpected’ visitors came in to the lecture room and listened to the remained of the session. We all then had an extended break for lunch, fellowship, and some prayer too.
One of the visitors turned out to be Per Sotorp, a very well known Norwegian gospel artist, who happily agreed to lead an impromptu praise and worship session where the anointing just fell. The impromptu session lasted nearly 3 hours and Per kindly did some requests as well !! We broke at 7pm before the evening Youth meeting Pastor Matthew spoke on the prodigal son and then Peter spoke and gave some words of encouragement and prophecy. There was a dramatic deliverance period and we all got to bed around 01:00. (Well maybe 02:00 or even later by the time we’d had coffee and unwound a little bit.
Saturday morning broke bright, grey, and snowy and over breakfast, it was very obvious there was a change in many of the students. The Lord was touching them and He was ‘doing things’ in many of their lives. We were joined quite early by Jonathan, another team member, who came over late from England. From 11:00 to about 18:00 we had a meeting for the leaders and pastors that Reidar had invited along to meet us; to hear from the Lord; and to be encouraged. I managed a very poor introduction of the RoFMI Ministry and the team – I set out to say one thing – the Lord seemed to change my direction, and I ended up not saying anything like what I wanted to say. I then introduced Peter who spoke at some length about the three rules for any Pastor. Love your people; Love your people; and then Love your people. After lunch together, we had an extended time of prophecy, prayer, and ministry.
Then things started to ‘hot up’ as the Lord took over the rest of the day.
After dinner, we gathered in one of the lounges with a number of the students for perhaps the most amazing time or prayer and ministry I have ever attended, Peter spoke briefly and quietly about the need to “die to self and live for Him”. We then felt led to arrange a space on the floor for a “coffin” so that anyone could throw their unwanted baggage or troubles or problems into the coffin in a symbolic act of repentance and obedience to the calling of the Lord. Several went through the prophetic action of taking the ‘load’ of their own back, and ‘throwing’ it into the coffin. THEN one of the men stood up and ‘laid down’ in the coffin. The anointing of that moment was – well – you had to be there as 14 more people went through the same procedure. There was almost total silence for nearly 2 hours as one by one, people went through the symbolic act of dying to self in order to live for Him. The only sound was when Peter gave a very occasional word of knowledge about what was happening. Most amazingly, one young lady stayed there for 45 minutes and was transported to heaven for the Lord to do His work in her. Amazing, amazing time, and so powerful and anointed. Every person there was changed – all of us !! As we watched the Lord at work we were simply humbled into silence. Finally – as if to tell us it was finished – there was an outbreak of Holy Joy.
An incredible end to 2 days of incredible ministry and worship. However, God was not quite finished as we went to visit a family on site for a final drink and some more quiet ministry as we prayed for their son who has ADHD. Bed around 02:30 again.
Sunday came and we bid farewell to a very changed bunch of both students and staff – and with an invitation to do a full prophetic conference in May. Across the Ferry to the East Fjord and on to Dear friends Leif and Karin-Sophie at their lovely home in Frederikstad. They had invited quite a few people along and we were honoured to find a lot of people wanting to hear from the Lord. Peter spoke briefly asking “What if we could hear the Holy Spirit as clearly as we can hear Satan and his demons?” Two businessmen who came along were greatly blessed with words of prophecy as was a young lady with a wonderful prophetic worship anointing. We ended by going to see Reiden & Wraggs – parents of Robin (Our Norwegian Partner) where they had prepared a magnificent fish supper for us.
Monday morning and Jean & John had to fly early (more thanks for my quite superb admin) while Peter, Keith & I stayed for a while longer. I stayed with Leif & Karin-Sophie and we went for a wonderful winter walk in the snowy sunshine. Cold but breathtakingly beautiful – as my photos will show. Back at the house 20 or more people once again congregated for fellowship, prayer, and prophecy. We eventually had to drag Peter away so we could catch our flight back home and even then, Leif & Tommy who had taken us to the airport waited till we were completely out of sight before leaving us.
Altogether a breathtaking trip. So anointed we could barely speak on the way home. Also so tiring because of the intensity of the whole 4 days. So important too for all the contacts and divine meetings we had. What a phenomenal Lord we try to serve. \o/ Hallelujah & Thank you Lord – ALL glory to You.
CGB ©RoFMI 2010
Thanks to my brilliance as administrator, I managed to book us all on two different flights so Jean & John left Thursday morning, very early, while Peter, Keith and myself left early evening. Thanks to the sterling support of our friends in Norway, Robin & Leif, we all managed to get out to the SBI Bibleschool where we were to visit first. It is on the ‘wrong’ (west) side of the Oslo Fjord so we had to take the ferry and were met on the other side by Svein-Kase who took us all to the school where we were made very welcome and allowed to settle in quietly before the first session on Friday Morning.
Friday morning we all joined in the schools daily praise, worship, and prayers. We were warmly welcomed by Reidar Gamst, the School Director, before Keith took the first session – a teaching on Spiritual Warfare. This went down well and started the students, aged between 19 and over 30, asking the first of many questions. After a snack & coffee, Keith once again took the floor for the concluding Spiritual Warfare session. During the session two ‘unexpected’ visitors came in to the lecture room and listened to the remained of the session. We all then had an extended break for lunch, fellowship, and some prayer too.
One of the visitors turned out to be Per Sotorp, a very well known Norwegian gospel artist, who happily agreed to lead an impromptu praise and worship session where the anointing just fell. The impromptu session lasted nearly 3 hours and Per kindly did some requests as well !! We broke at 7pm before the evening Youth meeting Pastor Matthew spoke on the prodigal son and then Peter spoke and gave some words of encouragement and prophecy. There was a dramatic deliverance period and we all got to bed around 01:00. (Well maybe 02:00 or even later by the time we’d had coffee and unwound a little bit.
Saturday morning broke bright, grey, and snowy and over breakfast, it was very obvious there was a change in many of the students. The Lord was touching them and He was ‘doing things’ in many of their lives. We were joined quite early by Jonathan, another team member, who came over late from England. From 11:00 to about 18:00 we had a meeting for the leaders and pastors that Reidar had invited along to meet us; to hear from the Lord; and to be encouraged. I managed a very poor introduction of the RoFMI Ministry and the team – I set out to say one thing – the Lord seemed to change my direction, and I ended up not saying anything like what I wanted to say. I then introduced Peter who spoke at some length about the three rules for any Pastor. Love your people; Love your people; and then Love your people. After lunch together, we had an extended time of prophecy, prayer, and ministry.
Then things started to ‘hot up’ as the Lord took over the rest of the day.
After dinner, we gathered in one of the lounges with a number of the students for perhaps the most amazing time or prayer and ministry I have ever attended, Peter spoke briefly and quietly about the need to “die to self and live for Him”. We then felt led to arrange a space on the floor for a “coffin” so that anyone could throw their unwanted baggage or troubles or problems into the coffin in a symbolic act of repentance and obedience to the calling of the Lord. Several went through the prophetic action of taking the ‘load’ of their own back, and ‘throwing’ it into the coffin. THEN one of the men stood up and ‘laid down’ in the coffin. The anointing of that moment was – well – you had to be there as 14 more people went through the same procedure. There was almost total silence for nearly 2 hours as one by one, people went through the symbolic act of dying to self in order to live for Him. The only sound was when Peter gave a very occasional word of knowledge about what was happening. Most amazingly, one young lady stayed there for 45 minutes and was transported to heaven for the Lord to do His work in her. Amazing, amazing time, and so powerful and anointed. Every person there was changed – all of us !! As we watched the Lord at work we were simply humbled into silence. Finally – as if to tell us it was finished – there was an outbreak of Holy Joy.
An incredible end to 2 days of incredible ministry and worship. However, God was not quite finished as we went to visit a family on site for a final drink and some more quiet ministry as we prayed for their son who has ADHD. Bed around 02:30 again.
Sunday came and we bid farewell to a very changed bunch of both students and staff – and with an invitation to do a full prophetic conference in May. Across the Ferry to the East Fjord and on to Dear friends Leif and Karin-Sophie at their lovely home in Frederikstad. They had invited quite a few people along and we were honoured to find a lot of people wanting to hear from the Lord. Peter spoke briefly asking “What if we could hear the Holy Spirit as clearly as we can hear Satan and his demons?” Two businessmen who came along were greatly blessed with words of prophecy as was a young lady with a wonderful prophetic worship anointing. We ended by going to see Reiden & Wraggs – parents of Robin (Our Norwegian Partner) where they had prepared a magnificent fish supper for us.
Monday morning and Jean & John had to fly early (more thanks for my quite superb admin) while Peter, Keith & I stayed for a while longer. I stayed with Leif & Karin-Sophie and we went for a wonderful winter walk in the snowy sunshine. Cold but breathtakingly beautiful – as my photos will show. Back at the house 20 or more people once again congregated for fellowship, prayer, and prophecy. We eventually had to drag Peter away so we could catch our flight back home and even then, Leif & Tommy who had taken us to the airport waited till we were completely out of sight before leaving us.
Altogether a breathtaking trip. So anointed we could barely speak on the way home. Also so tiring because of the intensity of the whole 4 days. So important too for all the contacts and divine meetings we had. What a phenomenal Lord we try to serve. \o/ Hallelujah & Thank you Lord – ALL glory to You.
CGB ©RoFMI 2010
Friday, 15 January 2010
"Miracle Man"
Frank Hansen - Miracle Man
During a recent ministry visit to Denmark, we once again met with Frank Hansen – a Christian biker for the past 20 years or more. There is a move of the Lord amongst bikers all over Europe and America. It is amazing how God is using these “outsiders” to reach a hurting and wounded world with His love. Such is the fire and zeal among these wonderful men of God that many are not only willing but are actually risking their life by telling their old group that they are leaving the group or gang – an act perceived almost as bad as treason and punishable by anything up to and including death.
Some of you may recall the story of Frank Hansen who was mown down by a car, (not a truck as I first thought), and inflicted with the most horrendous injuries. Known now as “Miracle Man”, Frank has an astonishing testimony to Gods healing power and grace. In the accident, Frank was consigned to a wheelchair where he stayed for over three and a half years. His foot was virtually severed – held on only by skin and the boots he was wearing. His thigh was broken in three places. When we met him first of all, he had pneumonia. His injuries left him with tinnitus, asthma, loss of the sense of smell, septicaemia, a bent spine which gave him crooked shoulders, and many other things wrong or broken. As I say, we first met him two months ago. The local medical services not only saved his life but they patched him up as best they could.
When we were at a prayer meeting, a lady, who turned out to be Franks wife Bente, came up to me and asked if we could come to their home and pray for Frank. He was very despondent, suffering greatly from pain and depression, and actually almost suicidal despite his own and Bente’s faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. So we went there and, when we arrived, we spotted this rather forlorn and bent figure standing on a second floor balcony and leaning heavily on his stick.
Peter, our leader, called up to him – “Are you Frank?”
“Yes” came the response.
“Are you ready to be healed?”
“Yes” but this time it seemed to come back more as a roar !!
Frank was a sorry sight. He could barely stand let alone walk. He had been wheelchair bound for three and a half years but had recently asked for physiotherapy from the hospital and had learned to balance and walk a very short distance on his own. It was obvious that his right leg was two or even three inches shorter than the left. His right shoulder was three inches lower than his left and his spine was in an S-shape. He wasn’t breathing well although we put this down to the effort he required just to get out of his second floor flat to the balcony. Fortunately, the flats have a lift otherwise he would have been completely house-bound.
We anointed him and started to pray. Peter received several words of knowledge which were all confirmed. As we prayed, I had the ultimate privilege of watching his right leg grow to the same length as the left leg !! We stood him up, and watched his frame become straight !! His spine straightened and his shoulders became square. Frank had a huge grin on his face !! Many tears flowed. Frank told us he had a hospital appointment next week so we told him to get everything confirmed. Over the next few days, we heard from Frank the full extent of his healing as it all gradually manifested. Things like his lungs cleared as asthma and pneumonia cleared up; his sense of taste and smell returned; the ringing in his ears went !! So many things.
Come the day of his hospital appointment, his consultant was expecting a cripple to walk or rather to totter into the surgery. He could not believe his own eyes when Frank strode in and he called a colleague to confirm what his eyes were telling him. Frank asked to be taken off all the drugs and was told they were so powerful that it would take a year to get him right off them. Yet today Frank is on his last couple of weeks of the now very weak drugs. There has been no ‘cold turkey’; no shaking or any withdrawal symptoms at all. His consultant has said that he doesn’t know how or why – but Frank is healed. It’s an incomprehensible miracle medically, but he is fully healed. Frank has witnessed Jesus to him but we don’t know what effect, if any, Franks witness has had. We do know that Frank has since led at least three people to the Lord through his testimony.
On November 20th 2009 Frank Hansen was a broken man apparently destined to spend the rest of his life a cripple or at least a permanently damaged man. Today, in mid-January 2010, Frank Hansen is completely healed and restored to fine health thanks to the healing power of our wonderful God. Bente says that she has the man she first married 23 years ago back again. Frank says the God has given him his life back and he will now spend the rest of it winning the lost back to the Lord.
What an amazing God we serve. Hallelujah \o/
During a recent ministry visit to Denmark, we once again met with Frank Hansen – a Christian biker for the past 20 years or more. There is a move of the Lord amongst bikers all over Europe and America. It is amazing how God is using these “outsiders” to reach a hurting and wounded world with His love. Such is the fire and zeal among these wonderful men of God that many are not only willing but are actually risking their life by telling their old group that they are leaving the group or gang – an act perceived almost as bad as treason and punishable by anything up to and including death.
Some of you may recall the story of Frank Hansen who was mown down by a car, (not a truck as I first thought), and inflicted with the most horrendous injuries. Known now as “Miracle Man”, Frank has an astonishing testimony to Gods healing power and grace. In the accident, Frank was consigned to a wheelchair where he stayed for over three and a half years. His foot was virtually severed – held on only by skin and the boots he was wearing. His thigh was broken in three places. When we met him first of all, he had pneumonia. His injuries left him with tinnitus, asthma, loss of the sense of smell, septicaemia, a bent spine which gave him crooked shoulders, and many other things wrong or broken. As I say, we first met him two months ago. The local medical services not only saved his life but they patched him up as best they could.
When we were at a prayer meeting, a lady, who turned out to be Franks wife Bente, came up to me and asked if we could come to their home and pray for Frank. He was very despondent, suffering greatly from pain and depression, and actually almost suicidal despite his own and Bente’s faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. So we went there and, when we arrived, we spotted this rather forlorn and bent figure standing on a second floor balcony and leaning heavily on his stick.
Peter, our leader, called up to him – “Are you Frank?”
“Yes” came the response.
“Are you ready to be healed?”
“Yes” but this time it seemed to come back more as a roar !!
Frank was a sorry sight. He could barely stand let alone walk. He had been wheelchair bound for three and a half years but had recently asked for physiotherapy from the hospital and had learned to balance and walk a very short distance on his own. It was obvious that his right leg was two or even three inches shorter than the left. His right shoulder was three inches lower than his left and his spine was in an S-shape. He wasn’t breathing well although we put this down to the effort he required just to get out of his second floor flat to the balcony. Fortunately, the flats have a lift otherwise he would have been completely house-bound.
We anointed him and started to pray. Peter received several words of knowledge which were all confirmed. As we prayed, I had the ultimate privilege of watching his right leg grow to the same length as the left leg !! We stood him up, and watched his frame become straight !! His spine straightened and his shoulders became square. Frank had a huge grin on his face !! Many tears flowed. Frank told us he had a hospital appointment next week so we told him to get everything confirmed. Over the next few days, we heard from Frank the full extent of his healing as it all gradually manifested. Things like his lungs cleared as asthma and pneumonia cleared up; his sense of taste and smell returned; the ringing in his ears went !! So many things.
Come the day of his hospital appointment, his consultant was expecting a cripple to walk or rather to totter into the surgery. He could not believe his own eyes when Frank strode in and he called a colleague to confirm what his eyes were telling him. Frank asked to be taken off all the drugs and was told they were so powerful that it would take a year to get him right off them. Yet today Frank is on his last couple of weeks of the now very weak drugs. There has been no ‘cold turkey’; no shaking or any withdrawal symptoms at all. His consultant has said that he doesn’t know how or why – but Frank is healed. It’s an incomprehensible miracle medically, but he is fully healed. Frank has witnessed Jesus to him but we don’t know what effect, if any, Franks witness has had. We do know that Frank has since led at least three people to the Lord through his testimony.
On November 20th 2009 Frank Hansen was a broken man apparently destined to spend the rest of his life a cripple or at least a permanently damaged man. Today, in mid-January 2010, Frank Hansen is completely healed and restored to fine health thanks to the healing power of our wonderful God. Bente says that she has the man she first married 23 years ago back again. Frank says the God has given him his life back and he will now spend the rest of it winning the lost back to the Lord.
What an amazing God we serve. Hallelujah \o/
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