NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2007

VERSE OF THE MONTH:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV

IN THIS EDITION:
Knowing His Presence
The Father’s House
Events
The Beauty of Creation

KNOWING HIS PRESENCE
At the start of Ephesians chapter one Paul lists many of the blessings that belong to the children of God. They are not ours by right, they are a gift to us because of the sacrifice made by Jesus. They are the inheritance the Father planned for His children; all of these blessings are in Christ and are ours as we are now in Him.

It really is a wonderful list!

• We are chosen
• We are adopted as sons
• We have been redeemed
• Our sins have been forgiven
• We have become the praise of His glory
• We have received the Holy Spirit

These are not handed out to us as rewards by a benevolent headmaster. They are freely given so we may live as Jesus lived. They are given because our rightful place is to live in His presence, enjoying Him forever. Ask yourself a question: what do you feel you have to do in order to live in His presence? That is the crux of the problem! His presence is a gift and not based on any of our performance. We don’t need to do anything – it has all be done for us.

One of Jason Upton’s new songs captures this:

Nothing really satisfies like when you speak my name
Tell me that you’ll never leave, and everything will be okay.

In your presence all fear is gone, in your presence.
In your presence it’s where I belong, in your presence.

(Jason Upton – taken from In Your Presence, Beautiful People, www.jasonupton.com)

Paul’s prayer is that we would know Him better. Our knowledge of God comes out of a revelation of who He is. He wants to know you and to be known by you!

THE FATHER’S HOUSE
I have written a meditation on Psalm 84. This is about His presence and the desire we have in our hearts to seek Him and be with Him. This meditation can be read here: www.thefathershouse.org.uk or the talk can be listened to here: www.thefathershouse.org.uk/psalm84/downloads.html. Please feel free to visit this website and let me any have any comments.

EVENTS
The events page has been updated and will change throughout the autumn as other events are planned. Please check this regularly and contact the local hosts if you are interested in any of these events.

THE BEAUTY OF CREATION
We live in a beautiful world; all around us is the handiwork of a great Creator. If you would like to look at, and maybe order, some fine art photographic prints please visit www.mgprints.co.uk.

In His Love

Mark Gyde