Newday-Prince Everyday is a new day
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This is the website of David Prince - A confident Communication of Christ.Diversity.Posted on June 1st, 2009
In recent times; the fellowship where Rachel and I belong, began some new “cell-groups.”
I’m use to calling them “home-groups” or “house-groups.”
Some may know them as “care-groups,” “connect-groups,” “life-groups” or simply “small-groups.”
Whatever the name of the group, this inspired me to have a fresh look as to the place where home-groups began - where home-groups spring into being, and how they can be relevant for us today.
Anyway; in the first century, the disciples often got together in each others homes.
“Every day in the Temple and in people’s homes they continued teaching the people and telling the Good News-that Jesus is the Christ.”
For the reason that it was usual in that culture to come together in small groups, it was only normal for the disciples to assemble in the same way.
Today; many folks from a diversity of backgrounds, gather at individual homes for the aim of communicating their lives with each other - imparting skills or knowledge to each other, and developing collectively in their relation of mutual understanding or trust with God and with each other.
Home groups provide a safe-place, having or fostering a warm & friendly atmosphere; especially through smallness and informality.
In addition; I’ve personally discovered that the atmosphere is often enhanced with a cuppa tea or coffee and one of those delightful home-baked cakes - delicious!
Through Bible study, worship & prayer, this can be the context and environment where Christians can get to know, practice, train & teach their talents & abilities.
It’s in such settings that folks can often become fully aware of others needs and act in a practical & sensitive way - to help resolve things.
Some groups have been known to home-in on the importance of social-concern within the life of the individual, as well as the wider community.
Furthermore; some churches have found that one of the most important reasons for home groups is for them to operate as an evangelistic outreach..
“Reaching out for Christ, who has so wonderfully reached out for us!”
One of the best ways I’ve seen this accomplish much, is by putting on events such as a bar-be-cue.
Folks have even used the “Alpha” course as an evangelistic tool within the home-group environment.
As the home-group grows, many folks have seen friends who have never been to church, including family members and work-mates come to Christ. Amazing!
We are reminded from times back yonder, that the believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts.
They praised God and were liked by all the people.
Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.
Praise God!
Bible words from Acts 2&5: New Century Version.
My 2nd Chapter of Acts.Posted on November 30th, 2008
Between 1980 & 1982; in the same time-scale as holding the office of vice-president of the Christian union at Bournville School of Art, I began to experience an acceleration of growth in my Christian walk.
My relationship with God appeared to get stronger.
In my opinion, it was an exciting season, not only in my own life, but also in the nation.
Around this point in time, I was invited by friends from my place of worship - to a get together with lots of Christian folk at the Town Hall in Birmingham, England.
That day, the person who shared something from God’s Word - the Bible - was the German Charismatic Evangelist - Reinhard Bonnke.
I can’t remember exactly what he had to say, but I know he shared something from the book of Acts in the New Testament:-
__On the Day of Pentecost, visitors to Jerusalem witnessed the unbelievable sight of Spirit-filled believers declaring the glory of God in languages they had never learned.
Their response to the supernatural was natural.
Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What does this mean?”__
Well, let me regress just a little: Approximately ten years preceding my study at Art School, I accepted the lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour, and coinciding with this, I automatically received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
But, I had not received the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit - which is an individual and distinct occurrence, usually associated with the physical proof of being able to pray in an unknown language.
Anyway, when Reinhard came to the end of what he had to say,, a member of his team asked for those who were seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit to come forward for prayer.
At first, I hesitated, but after a gentle nudge from my cousin, I ventured from the gallery down onto the main floor of the hall.
We were encouraged to lift our hands, and sing songs of praise to God.
The atmosphere was tremendous, almost electric?
I’d never experienced anything like it!
There I stood with my back to the wall, the crowd were enkindled, so many folks were seeking the baptism.
I remember the moment, as if we were in a tin of sardines - all of us were jammed against each other, there was hardly room to move - no-one could come in or out!
Yep, so many folks were hungry for the things of God.
Anyhow, as I stood there with my hands raised, lost in wonder, love & praise, suddenly I found myself talking in an unknown language.
What a gift!
It was so amazing!
Then; briefly, for a moment, I became conscious of someone watching me. And, as I opened my eyes, I saw a middle-aged woman with short wavy hair, her face, rosy-cheeked with a slight use of make-up.. As she sat on the edge of the arena, she appeared to be totally gob-smacked as to what she witnessed that day.
I’m not too certain if she was filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise, or shock!
As she glanced through her spectacles in my direction, I will never forget the appearance conveyed by her face, it was a picture!
At that point, her open-eyed, wide-eyed - bewildered expression, communicated to me, confused: “What does this mean?”
Getting back to the heart of my personal experience, the whole event was fantastic, real & dynamic! I’d been baptised in fire, and was talking, praying in an unknown language!
I was so excited - bubbling over!
I had received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which became a life-changing experience for me.
I began to realise, this experience is available to every believer.
Wow!
O boy, how I really wanted to tell everyone how God the Holy Spirit had got me!
Yep, that’s right! The Holy Spirit was now in control of my life.
My life would never be the same again.
Why?
Because, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the unique event that introduces us to the daily lifestyle of living a Spirit-empowered life.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience different from, and following the experience of new life in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
While the experience of new life in Jesus, is the supreme treasure, this does not use up the whole supply of God’s provision for us - His children.
God’s resources are not limited!
The continual thirst and hunger for “more of God” is the heartbeat of every Christian.
Indeed, there’s so much more available for every believer worldwide.
For this reason, let everyone who is thirsty come to the water and drink!
Don’t be like the rosy-cheeked woman, a spectator, but rather, become a participator today!
Reach-out and receive!
Here and now; I’m continually seeking to live under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Longing for Him to demonstrate in every part of my life, the superabundance of His power.
And, I’m believing, “the best is yet to come!”