NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2007

VERSE OF THE MONTH:
“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

IN THIS EDITION:
Be Still
Events

BE STILL
I guess most of us would like to see more of the power of God. In our own lives, in the lives of those around us and in the world there is a lack of the life promised to us. We lack the power of God and the life of the Spirit. Most Christians are so busy with God’s work that they feel they ought to be seeing and experiencing more of His power. They wonder about their own effort; are they not doing enough? Is their commitment not deep enough?

And that is the trouble. Most of the time it is simply that - our own effort or activity. Somehow we feel that we have to do it all in our own strength; that we are the ones who make it all happen. We have been conditioned into thinking that to be a good Christian we have to be busy (all the time!). Our activity leads to us being disillusioned and tired, worn out with the very thing that was to be the source of life.

The Psalmist found a key. Be still. How often are we still? How often do we lay aside the busyness of our life and just rest in the knowledge that God is in control?

For us to be still we have to know and completely trust the One who is control. If we are used to being in control and feeling that our activity is essential then we will be unable to be still. Being still is knowing that our identity and value are not tied up with our activity but are dependent on His love for us, just as we are. Being still is to be at rest.

God is a gentle Father. He never forces Himself on us. He always waits for an open, responsive heart, a heart that welcomes Him in. When we stop we can then be in a place to “know that He is God”. The New American Standard Bible translates the verse “Stop striving and know that I am God”. I read an article recently written by Jack Frost entitled “When we strive, God waits: when we rest, God acts”. How true!

We are desperate to see God act but so many of us get in His way.

How can we be still? Well, we may have to say that little word “NO”. We may need to find a quiet place and let the love of the Father constantly wash over us. A one off experience is not enough. We need to keep coming back for more. We need to let go of being in control and let Him be in control. Our hearts need to understand that we are accepted no matter what we are like or what we have done. Our value is not in activity or performance but in knowing that we are sons and daughters.

Jesus knew this. In Matthew 11 he says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. He understood the weariness of man’s soul and he shows us the way into a place of rest. Jesus also promises us fruit if we abide in Him (John 15). Fruit is not a result of busyness but a result of rest.

“Father would you bring my heart into a place of rest, that I would know what it is to be still and content in you, that You would be my resting place”

EVENTS
The events page has recently been updated so please have a look: www.afathertoyou.com/signposts/events.html. If you live in the Oxfordshire area you can be notified of the occasional events that take place in that area. Follow the link at the top of the Events page.

AND FINALLY…
Many of you will know that Jack Frost passed into His Father’s presence in March, having fought a long battle with cancer. Please remember his wife, Trisha, and the family at Shiloh Place in your prayers.

In His love

Mark Gyde