New L.I.F.T. Series = Re-enACTS series 2.0

We start the new L.I.F.T. series this morning.

I am linking this series to our previous Re-enACTS series in March 2009.

Here is a link to one of the previous blog posts about Holy Spirit.

It is well worth digging around the March 09 blog archives or doing a search with the tag "Re-enACTS."

It's time to do it all over again - and grow in fruitfulness and daily live in power.

The initial baptism in Holy Spirit is once-for-all experience that never needs to be repeated. But drinking from the river of the Spirit that now flows from within is something that each believer needs to do regularly.

For this reason Paul uses a continuing tense when he says:

“Be [continually] filled [and refilled] with the Spirit” - Ephesians 5:18.

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit" - Ephesians 5:18 (AMP)

Continual feeding on God’s word and drinking of God’s Spirit are essential for a life of victory and fruitfulness.

Pentecost Sunday - What an Anniversary!

I came across this great verse this week.... it's John the Baptist talking:

"I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.
Matthew 3:11 (MSG)

That's worth repeating!

"... (Jesus) will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. "

Then we read later about the fulfilment of the promise!

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)

Then I am inspired by this verse:

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.
Galatians 5:25 (MSG)

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday.

And we are going to make some room for Holy Spirit this Sunday Night - 6pm to 7pm - at the Orion Community Room.

This is a chance to praise, celebrate and worship - and then pray - and open ourselves up to more of God.

Hope that you can join us!

Giddy Up!!

Filled with the Spirit - Joyce Meyer

Here is a great new book we have come across about being filled with Holy Spirit.

It is very easy to read and understand. Go for it!!


Here is what the publisher writes:

Have you ever felt dissatisfied in your Christian walk?
Have you felt that your love relationship with Christ hit a plateau and there is no power in your prayers anymore?
You can experience a deeper love in the Lord, and see life-changing results by learning how to welcome the Holy Spirit's abiding presence and power into your daily life!
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Joyce Meyer overcame an abusive past.
She explains from experience the importance of inviting the Third Person of the Trinity to fill your life.
This book is a catalyst for those desiring a more power-filled Christian walk.

Let best selling author Joyce Meyer show you how to be filled with the Spirit and speak in tongues.
Enjoy this new walk with the Holy Spirit, the person who wants to be your Counselor, Advocate, Strengthener and Forever-Stand-By-Friend.
- Publisher

Reach our World!

I really enjoyed doing the part 6 message yesterday of the Re-enACTS series.

You can click here to download the podcast.

Here is a slab of scripture that I used as a base about the Church in Antioch.

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews.
20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.
21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea.
30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:19-30 (NIV)

"Our Personal Trainer" - Tracy Skellern-Smith

We are in a powerful Re-enACTS series at the moment.

I was inspired by this blog post from Tracy. Here is a start....

I love watching the Biggest Loser. Each week I get inspired by what I see.I was particularly impacted me when Bob (the 56 year old Truck Stop owner) weighed in on Sunday. He started talking about the challenge earlier in the week where where the contestants….. click here to read the rest.

And this bit was a cracker!

Our personal trainer, the Holy Spirit is always by our side, holding us up, running with us stride by stride - yelling encouragement at us, urging us to keep going, keep giving, to dig deeper - and finish the race.

Click here to read the whole post.

You Can Have Both - Fruit and Gifts

Re-enACTS - A Reflection

Really enjoying this series. I have preached 2 messages so far and now it is time for the team to take over from this Sunday.

The feedback of the heart of the message has been very encouraging - and to see a bunch of people praying through the targetted outcomes/phrases on Sunday night was something I will never get sick of.


Here are some of the targets!!!


1. “The Books of ACTS is a pattern and model for me to follow today”
2. “I now know that I need to be more open to the Person of Holy Spirit”
3. “I understand that the Spirit-filled life is “normal” for all Christ-followers and is something that I will pursue”
4. “I have been filled with God’s Holy Spirit – and I now speak in tongues!”
5. “Holy Spirit, have complete control in my life”
6. “I understand that I need to be filled with God’s Spirit and that I can be topped-up with God’s Spirit and that God’s Spirit in me helps to be more like Jesus and have His character (fruit)”
7. “God’s Spirit in me will empower me to be like Jesus and do great things like Jesus did.”
8. “I know and I can feel that God is working in and through me by His Spirit!”
9. “I know that God wants to work in the key life areas of my heart and mind by the power of His Holy Spirit.”
10. “I am experiencing transformation and regeneration by God’s Spirit”
11. “I am now aware that I have spiritual gifts that have been given to me by Holy Spirit to be used in our church”
12. “I know that our church, when filled with active Spirit-filled Christ-followers, will be used by God to play a special and greater role in our community and world.”
13. “My life had a challenge that seemed impossible to move, but God’s powerful Spirit touched me deep within and now I am free!”

Baptism in Holy Spirit - AOG Paper

Here is a great resource that can inform you about Baptism in Holy Spirit from Assemblies of God in USA.

Click here for a download of the PDF.

It has a great Q & A section.

I referred to it this morningas part of the Re-enACTS series, so if you missed out on a copy here it is again.

Re-enACTS - Checked Your Oil Lately?

“Oil is the lifeblood of your car's engine.”

That's what the Car Bible says!!

It also says:

An engine oil's job is primarily to stop all the metal surfaces in your engine from grinding together and tearing themselves apart from friction whilst transferring heat away from the combustion cycle.
Engine oil must also be able to hold all the nasty by-products of combustion, such as silica (silicon oxide) and acids in suspension.
It cleans the engine of these chemicals and build-ups, and keeps the moving parts coated in oil.
Finally, engine oil minimises the exposure to oxygen and thus oxidation at higher temperatures.
It does all of these things under tremendous heat and pressure.

You need God’s oil – His Holy Spirit, like a car needs oil.

You need God’s life lubrication – His Holy Spirit……..


Checked Your Oil Lately?

Do you need a refill or top up or complete change of oil?

Powerful Promise

These verses are a real catalyst for me.....

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 1:4-5 (NIV)

They ask Him a question and He says……………

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Here is how the ACTS DVD series shows it.

Bring it on!!!!

Re-enACTS - Part 1 - Let God out of the Box - Podcast

Here is a link to listen to last night's message.

It is called Let God out of the Box. God really moved in some lives last night. I will never get tired of seeing that!

During the message I make this bold statement, based on some research and reflection.

Re-enACTS - Definitions

The new series started tonight.

Here are some of the definitions I used.....


So the application goes like this....

1. To enact again:
God’s Holy Spirit in Christ-followers in 2009 enacting the love and works of God
2. To perform again:
Christ-followers in 2009 performing miraculous deeds again
3. To go through a second time:
Westlifers being used again like believers were impacted in the Book of Acts

Re-enACTS - New Series - 5 days to Go!