DECLARINGTHE END

BEGINNING FROM THERUNNING WITH THE END IN MIND

VISION 2010

A MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BYCARMEL: MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

ISSUE 26

Hindrances to Faith: UnforgivenessARTICLE BY PASTOR GERRI DI SOMMA

Are You Ready?ARTICLE BY PASTOR MICHELLE DI SOMMA

SHARING CARING PREPARING DARING

carmel:

WWW.CARMELCENTRE.ORG

A PARTNER IS A SHARER, an associate, one who engages with another in business, one who plays on the same side as another.

PARTNERSHIP IS IMPORTANT – It releases power to get the job done. We can accomplish the Great Commission together in unity.

PARTNERSHIP IN PRAYER – We believe it is vital for every partner to develop a strong personal prayer life, and to pray for the leadership for godly wisdom and direction from the Lord.

PARTNERSHIP IN CARING – We are instructed to watch over and take care of the partners in our charge (Acts 20:28).

PARTNERSHIP IN SHARING – The whole ministry of sharing is to give oneself in the areas of love, time, talents and finances.

ACCOUNT DETAILS:

UNITED KINGDOM Bank of Scotland Carmel Christian Centre Sort Code: Account No: 80-11-00 06085191

BIC: BOFSGB21012

IBAN: GB67 BOFS 8011 0006 0851 91

Should you wish to donate by Gift Aid please contact the church office.

SOUTH AFRICA Anchor Ministries International First National Bank, Cresta Branch Sort Code: Account No: 25-49-05 51440080590

carmel: ministries international is a registered charity (Charity No. 1094052) with Luke 9:2 as its mission statement. All finances sown go into the work of establishing God’s Kingdom through evangelism and preparing labourers for the harvest.

CARMEL: PARTNERSHIP

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The Vision for Carmel is summarised in this edition of 24/7. Vision enables all who attend Carmel to focus in the same direction and understand the steps being taken as we move towards what God has set before us. This year’s strategy states that we are running with the end in mind as a reminder that the thrust of all we do must seek the maturity of believers so they too can fulfil God’s purpose for their lives.

The Bible says that ‘the just shall live by faith’. ‘Faith’, as a subject, has become mixed and uncertain as different viewpoints have set out to define it. The two faith-related articles in this edition by Pastor Gerri summarise some of the key teachings which have sought to bring clarity to the whole subject at Carmel.

‘Are You Ready?’ is a timely reminder by Pastor Michelle of how the devil wants to deprive us of God’s provision for our lives; a reminder which calls us to constant watchfulness. And Cre8ion is an ever expanding department at Carmel: in 24-7 Focus we look at its work and direction. We trust that you will be inspired and encouraged as you read through this edition of 24-7.

GERRI AND MICHELLE DI SOMMA

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SERVICES SAT 19.00HRS SUN 09.00HRS SUN 11.00HRSCONTACT CARMEL:CENTRE 817A BATH ROAD, BRISLINGTON, BRISTOL BS4 5NL

T: (0117) 977 5533 F: (0117) 977 5678 W: WWW.CARMELCENTRE.ORGEXECUTIVE EDITORS: GERRI AND MICHELLE DI SOMMA PRODUCED BY: WWW.CRE8ION.CO.UK PRINTERS: YEOMANS PRESS

Bible quotations are from the New King James Version unless stated otherwise.

ALL TEACHINGS IN THIS EDITION ARE ABRIDGED.FULL VERSIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ORDER ON CD OR DVD.

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‘HE SENT THEM TO PREACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND TO HEAL THE SICK.’ LUKE 9:2

04 C:VIEW Vision 2010

08 TEACHING Hindrances to Faith: Unforgiveness By Pastor Gerri Di Somma

11 TESTIMONIES Prayer Works

12 TEACHING Are You Ready? By Pastor Michelle

14 TEACHING Four Elements that Activate Faith By Pastor Gerri Di Somma

17 FOCUS Cre8ion

CONTENTSEVENTSMARCHFri 5 - Sun 7 Exceptional Women’s Conference 9.00am Sunday Lyndie McCauley

APRILFri 2 9.30am – 10.00am Good Friday Communion

Sat 3 9.00am POP (Promise of Purity) Seminar 7.00pm POP Ceremony

Sun 4 9.00am; 11.00am Easter Services

Sat 17 8.30am Joint Men & Women’s breakfast

MAYSat 1 9.00am Promise of Purity Intro

Sat 8 8.30am Exceptional Women’s breakfast

Fri 14 - Sat 15 CEO Conference – Dr Dean Radtke

Fri 21 - Sun 23 Mighty Men’s Conference

JUNEMon 14 9.00am Carmel: Bible College Open Day

Sat 12 9.00am POP Seminar

Sat 26 8.30am Exceptional Women’s breakfast

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C:VIEW VISION 2010

An important feature of life at Carmel Christian Centre, is that at the beginning of a New Year we look again at the Vision that God has given us and consider how He wants it to be worked out in the coming year. Having long anticipated this day, partners and others gathered on Sunday the 17th of January and listened as Pastor Gerri presented the Vision for 2010.

THE IMPORTANCE OF VISION

The Message version of the Bible says: If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble over themselves; but when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed. Proverbs 29:18. So on Vision Sunday we undertake our responsibility to record and present the Vision God revealed and continues to reveal for the coming year, so that all can understand it and partner with it. (Habakkuk 2:2).

Paul’s vision on the road to Damascus became the captivating force behind his success:

Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. Acts 26:19-20.

FROM THIS WE SEE FOUR IMPORTANT THINGS THAT VALIDATE VISION:

1. The Vision must come from God: only vision from God will outlast and outlive man – vision is for generations.

2. The Vision must be obeyed: vision will always challenge our faith in God – vision from God brings provision by faith (e.g. Abraham).

3. The Vision must have a strategy: at the beginning of this Ministry, we were given our founding strategy - Cover our City (Damascus); Bless our neighbour (Jerusalem); Send to the nation (Judea), and, Touch the World (the Gentiles). Vision helps us see what God specifically desires this church to do in the city, nation and the world.

4. The Vision must have a message: the message is found in our mission statement which God gave us in 1995 from Luke 9:2: He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

CARMEL:VISION 2010

VIEW THE REVIEW OF 2009 AT

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“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” Mark 16:15. Among others, we have established firm links with churches in Italy.

The Missions department sent teams to churches in Uganda and Scotland, and on a monthly basis reached out to thousands abroad through its Word In Season ministry. Eighty-one international students graduated through Carmel Bible College (CBC) and many will make an impact overseas.

Mixing family fun with the fellowship of the Spirit, the ‘Invading the Wye’ Youth Camp and the Mighty Men’s Gathering took place at different times on the banks of the River Wye. During the year, young and old were embraced through activities specifically prepared for them.

Carmel Christian School and CBC flourished as they instructed and encouraged students, helping them to mature and develop their lives as Christians.

Within the region of Bristol, various aspects of outreach ministered to the homeless, poor, hungry, destitute, as well as those in prisons. Many were reached whose lives were lived at a minimal level, whether spiritually, emotionally or physically.

ESTABLISHING THE ANCIENT PATHS

The Vision and strategy for 2009 was presented as ‘Establishing the Ancient Paths’ (Jeremiah 6:16), and, as the year proceeded, became an important forerunner for Vision 2010. In 2009 God challenged us in four areas:

1. Stand – can what we do stand the scrutiny of God?

2. See – are we seeing what God sees?

3. Ask – how willing are we to ask for the wisdom of God in everything we do?

4. Walk – what price would persuade us to walk away from the things of God?

The year was not so much about achieving, but about examining, identifying where we were with God and His purposes for our lives, individually and as a church. It was about waiting, watching, and weighing the willingness of our hearts to walk in the Ancient Paths of His presence and purpose.

LAST YEAR AT A GLANCE

Through 2009 we saw many salvations, rededications and baptisms. Many people committed to marriage, and families increased as babies were born.

Four major conferences at Carmel significantly influenced the ongoing life of the Ministry. Links with the international speakers at these conferences and those who spoke at other Carmel meetings have spurred on our response to the Lord’s instruction to,

VISION 2010

God spoke to us through Scripture that we are to ‘declare the end from the beginning’ in line with His will: Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. Isaiah 46:10-11.

From this, God has given us a strategy for 2010: we are to be ‘running with the end in mind’. In the context of Carmel’s Vision, this specifically means that we must continue to be an equipping church, so that all believers mature and become effective servants of God wherever they are.

THE STRATEGY FOR 2010: RUNNING WITH THE END IN MIND

The root purpose of the Ministry at Carmel is that we be an equipping ministry that helps believers mature and effectively minister the grace and love of God to others. This is the ‘end’ we must always have in mind.

TO FACILITATE THE VISION, WE HAVE FOUR PRACTICAL OBJECTIVES:

SHARING GOD’S LOVE 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

CARING FOR OTHERS Romans 12:3-13

PREPARING TO SERVE Ephesians 4:11-13

DARING TO LIVE Mark 16:15-18

The multifaceted aspects of Carmel Ministries International have been grouped under Evangelism, Discipleship and Pastoral Care. Following the leadership of Pastors Gerri and Michelle, this basis of organisation will go on serving the Vision, as it has already.

Activity is very often seen as progress and religion replaces relationships. We are not to make the study of God greater than relating to the person of God, or working for God greater than waiting on God. Understanding the relational revelation of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we will seek to make sure that everything we do is relationally inspired, not program or activity driven. (John 17:20-21).

APPLYING THE STRATEGY

Acts 2:46-47 …continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Sunday services are crucial to the strategy: if Sundays don’t happen, then the church is in the process of dying; believers won’t grow and mature, people won’t be saved. We encourage every believer to attend and participate in church services regularly. The emphasis of services will be on personal, relational, inspirational and numerical growth.

Saturday night church is now hosted by St. Revolution, our young adults, who express their love for God in a

C:VIEW VISION 2010

DECLARINGTHE END

BEGINNING FROM THERUNNING WITH THE END IN MIND

VISION 2010

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VIEW THE REVIEW OF 2009 AT

more relaxed and contemporary way. This is the age group of Jesus and His disciples when they began in ministry: young, vibrant and energetic, those who are longing to take a faith risk with God.

Every partner will be encouraged to attend a Home Group. They are the caring and preparing arm of the Ministry family. Coaching through Mentor Groups is no less important and these will be restructured to support the Vision more effectively.

We will encourage family time together in faith and fellowship to effectively empower the Vision. The key question for any activity will be: does it line up with the process of ‘sharing, caring, preparing and daring’?

God said we are to ‘double up’: that does not mean we are to work harder, but smarter, with intent to achieve. We do this by realigning the Ministry with its original purpose and running with the end in mind.

As a priority we are to cover our City with prayer and intercession. As well as all other times when we gather to pray, Monday night’s church prayer time is vital if we are to see revival.

In line with our foundational strategy, we will start Carmel Campuses in different parts of the City to better facilitate the needs of partners. This includes multi-lingual church services.

There will be a new start for Carmel Bible College Night School in neighbouring towns, villages and cities. Sunday services and CBC night school will soon be ‘live’ on the internet, reaching our neighbours, nation and world.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED AND DISCOVER YOUR GIFT

In such a multifaceted Ministry there are many opportunities for a person to discover their gifting and bring themselves, as they are able, to the service of Christ in His body the church as their reasonable service (Romans 12:1). We are told to commit to faithful men who will be able to do what is needed (1 Timothy 2:2). All of us are called to be faithful stewards of what God has given us, and Carmel provides every opportunity for men and women to obey God in this way.

We welcome everyone to attend our services, when they will be able to experience God’s presence as we delight ourselves in worshipping Him, and receive from

His Word so we mature and become effective as His people.

Details of departments and opportunities to serve may be accessed at our Reception during service times. Speak to any of the ushers and hostesses, and they will point you in the right direction. Please ask any of the leaders, or phone Carmel to make enquiries.

LOOKING FORWARD: RUNNING WITH THE END IN MIND

We thank God for everything that happened in 2009, all the many friends who have come and visited us and the amazing ministry that has taken place here at Carmel.

God says: Declaring the end from the beginning, run with the end in mind. So we look forward to 2010 being an amazing year of opportunity, of faith being ministered, of people being established and seeing the Vision once more unfold the plans and purposes of God. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).

For your inspiration and encouragement,

please obtain from Carmel:Bookshop a copy of the free

Vision 2010 DVD: Declaring The End

From The Beginning.

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UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONAL REVELATION OF GOD AS FATHER, SON

AND HOLY SPIRIT, WE WILL SEEK TO MAKE

SURE THAT EVERYTHING WE DO IS RELATIONALLY

INSPIRED, NOT PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY DRIVEN.

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HINDRANCES TO FAITH:

UNFORGIVENESSFaith empowers us to do what God has called us to do and bring glory to His name. We long for this, yet we hinder our faith in many ways, perhaps without even realising it. Faith comes from a relationship with God and there are many things which can affect that relationship and lead to a heart of unbelief: Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. Hebrews 3:12.

TEACHING BY PASTOR GERRI DI SOMMA

UNBELIEF PRODUCES UNGODLY BEHAVIOUR

If we do not believe and act on God’s Word, we become deceived, and often we try to find excuses for our ungodly behaviour. One major area in which we see this is to do with unforgiveness. When others hurt, disappoint, desert, misuse or abuse us, we believe we have a ‘right’ to hold on to unforgiveness, bitterness, pain or resentment. This opposes God’s Word and affects our relationship with Him and others.

We cannot just walk on as if nothing has happened, justifying ourselves in the process. Without repentance, faith is hindered and our Christian lives go nowhere because without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6.) Our lives then produce dead works.

THE WORD EXHORTS US TO GROW UP AND MATURE

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (maturity); not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. Hebrews 6:1 (KJV).

We must repent from everything that has not produced God’s righteousness and godly results in our lives. Being held captive by the strong emotions of bitterness, pain, anger and resentment which flow from unforgiveness denies us a life of faith. It shuts us off from God.

Faith that brings results cannot be separated from forgiveness. Jesus tells us that faith can move

mountains. However, He adds as part of it: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:22-25

UNFORGIVENESS IS OFTEN FIRST SUBTLY DIRECTED AT GOD

When we are in unforgiveness, often our bitterness is directed at God. Though this is rarely verbalised, an inner anger or resentment is rooted behind the implied question, why? Why did you allow this to happen to me? By inference, it is accusing God of being unjust as if He had something to do with it. Adam said, when questioned by God about His sin, “It was the woman you gave me.” (Genesis 3:12.)

God’s ways are perfect, but not often understood. The mere fact of any resentment or anger we have over what has happened to us, challenges His integrity and sovereignty. Furthermore, God alone is the Judge of all men, not you, and you have no right to judge the person who offended you in the first place.

One key meaning of ‘forgive’ is to ‘release’ and ‘let go’. In this way we need to be released by God and let go the attachment to Him through our unforgiveness. We have no right to infer that God is to blame. Humble yourself under His hand, repent and seek His forgiveness. You are in no position to forgive others until this has been done. When you are free of this, you are in a position to release a person to God who is the righteous Judge, and walk in the truth of His Word.

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ONLY GOD IS ABLE TO FORGIVE AND HELP US FORGIVE

When God is Sovereign in our lives and His love flows through us, we will be moved with compassion for others, as Jesus was. No matter what others do to us, we will be able to release them to God and ask Him to forgive them. It takes a relationship with God to be able to forgive, because He alone has the authority to forgive. Then we can be in the position Jesus found Himself in. Though He suffered the worst injustice of all time when they hung Him on the cross, He still prayed: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Luke 23:34. We need to do the same.

We need to remember that we do not deserve forgiveness. However virtuous we may consider ourselves to be, the fact remains that without God’s forgiveness and mercy, we were dead in our trespasses and sins. It was a sovereign act of God, by grace through faith, which brought us into a right relationship with Him in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-10.) Without that relationship, we cannot forgive and release people from the grip of our unforgiveness which imprisons us and attaches us to them for as long as we hang on to unforgiveness. Only God can forgive people of their sin. However, we must become one with God in this, or our faith will be ineffective and we will find our lives produce dead works.

UNFORGIVENESS OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE ENEMY

In His instruction to His disciples on how to pray effectively (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus highlighted

spiritual principles to help us recognise how unforgiveness becomes such a big hindrance to our relationship with God and the faith which comes out of that relationship. Receiving God’s forgiveness to put our relationship right with Him is conditional on us forgiving others. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12.

God tempts no-one (James 1:13), but Jesus then said we should pray: “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” Matthew 6:13. The wages of sin is death and because we allow our desires to captivate us, temptation leads us into sin. Here we need God’s help. We need to recognise how readily our desires open up our lives to the evil one. This is particularly the case when it comes to unforgiveness. That embedded bitterness and resentment becomes a foothold for the enemy because it puts a barrier between us and God and exposes us to his deception. So we must pray to God for His help, that He will have His way in our lives and not allow us to be sucked into unforgiveness and be destroyed by the enemy.

UNFORGIVENESS BLOCKS THE MERCY OF GOD FLOWING TO US (Matthew 5:7)

Then as if to ram the point home, Jesus added: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Matthew 6:14-15. Because of the lack of forgiveness from God due to our unforgiveness, we are totally exposed to the enemy.

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Also our forgiveness of others is to be to all men, no matter who they are. It is also to be unconditional, just as God’s love is towards us. We are to be merciful, just like our heavenly Father. We are not to judge and condemn anyone. For this there is an eternal reward, but in the meantime, the principle of reciprocal response applies: forgive and you will be forgiven, give and it will be given to you. Whatever you measure out, will be measured to you. (Luke 6:35-38.)

FORGIVENESS BEGINS WITH GOD AND ENDS WITH US

Sometimes after repenting to God and releasing others to Him, we find we are not completely free from the hurts and disappointments of the past. When this happens, it is often because of our wrong attitude towards one significant person that we have never forgiven. Many believers have never forgiven themselves, and as a result, have never learned to accept and love themselves.

When we forgive ourselves for anything and everything we have held against ourselves, we will experience the ability to accept and love who God created us to be. This enables us to reach out to others through God’s love in us, fulfilling the command: Love your neighbour as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39. It does not work the other way around. We cannot forgive our neighbour until we have forgiven ourselves.

FORGIVENESS HELPS US WALK IN UNITY WITH OTHERS

Roots of bitterness harden our hearts, leading to an evil heart of unbelief. When we are born again, we receive God’s ability to walk in unity, love and compassion. When we reject this, we grieve the Holy Spirit: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom

you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32.

Unity, harmony and agreement with one another invites the presence and power of God. (Psalm 133.) We must therefore guard our hearts against unrighteous attitudes creeping back in. We must also pursue peace actively with all people, because in so doing we pursue holiness: Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no-one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God. Hebrews 12:14.

FORGET THE PAST: LIVE BY FAITH AND LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY

We cannot walk in faith if we cling to the past or allow it to draw us back. Once we have repented, forgiven everything and everybody, we must forget …those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. Philippians 3:13. The call is always towards God, but often we drag ourselves down and hinder our faith when we try to live the present through the negative experiences of the past. Even worse, when we draw back, God takes no pleasure in us. Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in Him. Hebrews 10:38.

We draw back when we become selective in what we believe and act on from God’s Word, when we know the truth but choose to accept and act on only that which is comfortable to us, rejecting the more challenging and difficult aspects - like forgiving and loving others. We draw back when we deny that this is sin, and that the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23 and we fool ourselves that we can continue to do evil, believing God has a different set of rules for ourselves.

Examine yourself daily and get rid of anything that causes you an evil heart of unbelief. Repent towards God and release others to Him in love and peace for His forgiveness. Let nothing from your past remain to hinder your present and future. Live and walk in unhindered faith and power, glorifying God.

Pastor Gerri Di Somma’s latest book: Forgiveness – the key to freedom is now available from Carmel Bookshop.

MIKE RIPLEY

It’s always encouraging when we hear how our prayers meet the need of an individual specifically. Each year at Christmas, many hundreds of food parcels are sent out from Carmel as a way of expressing God’s love to people in need. Much prayer goes into this provision as they are packed and distributed.

Last Christmas we were greatly encouraged by the testimony of Mike Ripley who had been an alcoholic. He said: “In 2007, I was in a dry-house in Bristol, where I received a Christmas hamper from Carmel. At that time, I was searching for God and the hamper was one of the things that led me to Christ. Now I’m in my second year of Carmel Bible College. That Christmas hamper made a big difference to my life.”

VICKY FLETCHER

The Crown Course at Carmel gives people an opportunity to prayerfully reassess their financial affairs in the light of God’s Word. Through it many people have known God’s blessing. Vicky Fletcher was one such person, and she said: “One of the things they encourage you to do is to bring prayer requests. Our first prayer request was to purchase the land at the back of our garden. Earlier this month we received the money for this land which was over £3,000. The second prayer request was for the money to send our children to Youth Camp, and God answered our prayer. Every single prayer request we made was answered.”

DAVID BOVELL

David Bovell had a deep vein thrombosis in his left leg after returning from a holiday. Initially it was thought his leg would be amputated, but in the meantime it was decided to operate to relieve the pressure and see what would happen. He was warned that he could lose feeling in his leg and it would be prone to infection: and that’s exactly what happened. For a year, no amount of antibiotics could help him, it became worse and he lost feeling in his leg.

Some friends, who regularly attended Carmel, brought him there and he received prayer. David said:

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PRAYER WORKS

AND THESE STONES SHALL BE FOR A MEMORIAL... JOSHUA 4:7

“The very next day I took off the dressings and saw that new tissue had come through on my leg and the infection was starting to clear up. I continued to come to church and continued to pray and friends and elders of the church prayed for me, and now my leg is totally healed.”

STEVE AND HELEN JACKSON

Steve and Helen have a great family and looked to God for something very special. They said: “One Saturday night service, Pastor Gerri invited those who were facing a seemingly impossible situation to come forward for prayer. We wanted to visit our daughter who is studying in Cuba for a year, and the best time to travel was over the Christmas holidays: however we didn’t have funds to do this. As we were being prayed for, God spoke about sowing ‘holiday seed’ to bless others, and this is what we did. In Philippians 6 verse 4 it says ‘Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make your request known to God,’ and every day we thanked God for providing for us to go and visit Abigail in Cuba.

“During the rest of the year, God blessed us with two substantial gifts and through promotion, Helen’s income increased. God also gave us wisdom so that we were able to get some good prices for flights and some excellent deals on accommodation, so we had an amazing time with our daughter.”

They all say: “Prayer works!”

REMEMBER

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Referring to the end times, Jesus said: “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.” Matthew 24:42-43.

TEACHING BY PASTOR MICHELLE DI SOMMA

However, if we just see these words as relating to some future time when the Lord returns, it can result in us being lazy, distracted and unprepared for the challenges of ‘today’.

FALSE SECURITY LEADS TO VULNERABILITY

Our assumption that things can carry on just as they always do can lead to a false sense of security. We lean on our own understanding and become unguarded and vulnerable and next time we look around our house, we find the thief has been.

For some the thief broke in because they were not watchful or ready, and stole from them what God never wanted stolen. For some the thief stole the Word that was sown in their heart; from others he took finances or even their health. Through this people lose their peace and their faith is hindered. Others suffer loss in relationships, and others are drawn away from the place where God planted them.

WE LOSE WHAT IS NOT PROTECTED

Jesus warned that the thief would come. What God is looking for in our lives is a state of constant readiness

that thwarts the thief’s attempt to steal from us. Given half a chance, the thief will take everything God has given us. He seeks our destruction, and the denial of God in any shape or form.

Most thieving happens at night, and in the verse we’re looking at, the word ‘hour’ refers to the ‘watch of the night’. The householder did not know which watch of the night the thief would come; if he had, he would have prevented it. And as a metaphor for us, ‘night’ refers to a time of difficulty or trial in our lives. Because of this, it is clear that we must be watchful so that we can resist and repel the thief when he comes.

UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE WATCHFUL

So, what does it mean to be watchful? It means that we’ve got to stay alert, being in constant watchfulness through proper preparation.

It means our lives are constantly fit for the moment of challenge, difficulty or opposition, ready to respond according to God’s Word. If we value our sleep or our activities more than time with God, for instance, we will be constantly unready and blind to the coming thief – and he will come.

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To be watchful means to be motivated to keep one’s mind on something. It also means to maintain a strong, controlled and disciplined life. Is that a bit of a challenge for you?

JESUS ENCOURAGES US TO WATCH AND PRAY

Jesus said: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41. Many of our daily struggles would not occur if they had been preceded by prayer. That does not mean that the issues will not arise, but it will mean you are ready and able to maintain your peace in the presence of God. By His grace you will have the ability to stop the thief in his tracks and defeat him.

Some challenges may not be short-lived. We have been trusting God for the healing of our eldest daughter for many long years and there have been times of deep darkness. Our watchfulness in the Word and prayer has been the basis of our ability to stand. Every blow could have caused us to stumble, but with God’s help we have stood and the thief has not robbed us of our child, faith or ministry.

WATCHFULNESS MEANS SEEING THINGS AS GOD SEES THEM

One day, Jesus asked His disciples this question: “Who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15. This is a key question to ask yourself when you are experiencing challenges and difficulties. Who do you say that He is? Why ask this? Look at the response and what Jesus went on to say: Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responded, and went on to say, “…on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

The rock Jesus referred to was not Peter, but was the revelation of the living Word of God. He is the rock of our salvation. This means we can be positioned where even the gates of Hades cannot prevail against us, so nothing can be stolen from us.

WATCHFULNESS MEANS HAVING A DISCIPLINED MIND

Often our lack of readiness starts in the mind, giving entry to the thief. Outwardly all seems well, but our thoughts are quite different. Thoughts storm away, tossing around the issues that challenge us: what someone said, things you think are unfair, how God has not come up with the money when you wanted it,

irritation with your spouse, self-righteous anger over your employer, the way your parents treated you, things are just too difficult, and so on. Make your own list: “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he…” Proverbs 23:7. Our preparation that keeps the thief at bay involves the discipline of bringing our thought life into line with the Word of God. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5.)

WATCHFULNESS MEANS BEING GUARDED IN WHAT WE SAY

So often the turmoil of our thoughts spew out in unguarded flushes of speech. These emotional fountains of frustration assault our hearers and come against God, while we drown ourselves in self-pity and self-justification – the thief makes his entrance.

However, God says: “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:20-23.

In this, the Holy Spirit comes alongside to instruct you, and help you remember and apply the Word you have already received, filling you with the peace of God, so you are not troubled or afraid. (John 14:26-27.)

WATCHFULNESS MEANS ALWAYS BEING READY

Are you ready, or has the thief got into your life, stealing from you the blessings of God? If this is the case, the only way you can effectively come against the enemy is not to shout or rage at him, but to repent for not guarding your heart and do what you know is right before God.

Guard your heart with the Word. Watch and pray, both at specific times and in conversation with God through the day. Bring discipline to your life and lifestyle so you redeem the time. (Ephesians 5:6.) Be in constant readiness and readily respond to God’s presence and direction by the Holy Spirit.

WHAT GOD IS LOOKING FOR IN OUR LIVES IS A STATE

OF CONSTANT READINESS THAT THWARTS THE THIEF’S

ATTEMPT TO STEAL FROM US.

To help us live the life of faith, let us look at four key elements that activate faith:

1. TIMING – ‘NOW FAITH IS’

The timing of faith always operates in the present tense: now faith is…. We read in Hebrews 11:6, Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is…. In our relationship with God we meet Him as He is, the eternal, ever present God. When the writer in Hebrews refers to Jesus as, the same yesterday, today, and forever, (Hebrews 13:8) he describes God the Son’s eternal nature. He’s not suggesting that He lives in three time-zones.

Time and space are subject to God, not the other way around: He created them for His creation and in them He gives evidence of His invisible attributes, even His eternal power and Godhead (Romans 1:19-20).

When you were born again, God made you a new creation, old things passed away and all things became new and you had everything you needed for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). You were healed, delivered and set free to live the life God had purposed for you.

This is the message of the Gospel, for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘the just shall live by faith’. Romans 1:17. The only way anything can happen in our lives is if it is by faith so that it is God’s ability that brings it to pass. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed…. Romans 4:16.

2. TRUTH – ‘THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS’

The Greek word for ‘substance’ is ‘hupostasis’ and means, ‘that which stands under, foundation or title deed’. With this in mind, let us see how Jesus defined ‘eternal life’ as a relationship with God: “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.

Jesus did not explain ‘truth’ as knowledge, information or belief. He explained it as Himself, the ‘I am’, God. We have a covenant relationship with the Father through the Son that gives us eternal life, a relationship which joins us to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the substance of faith.

TEACHING BY PASTOR GERRI DI SOMMA

ELEMENTS THAT ACTIVATE

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1. The accuracy of our base assumption concerning faith is extremely important. Faith is not a method, nor a force, neither is it mental assent. Faith is a relationship with God established on the basis of His covenant and revealed through His promises.

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WHEN YOU WERE BORN AGAIN, GOD MADE YOU A NEW CREATION, OLD THINGS PASSED AWAY AND ALL

THINGS BECAME NEW AND YOU HAD EVERYTHING YOU NEEDED FOR LIFE AND GODLINESS. YOU WERE HEALED, DELIVERED AND SET FREE TO LIVE THE LIFE

GOD HAD PURPOSED FOR YOU.

TEACHING BY PASTOR GERRI DI SOMMA

This substance and implanted Seed, Jesus (Galatians 3:16; James 1:21), is the Life revealed in the Word and the promises of God. God’s Word lives in me and when I read in the written Word a promise that quickens my spirit, I hear the living Word say, “That’s yours, because I obtained it for you. Believe and receive. That’s my Truth, now it’s yours. Here’s your title deed.” And it comes with the seal or guarantee of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22).

We know that God’s promises are ours when we are willing to confess the Truth of the Word as ours. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20. We become people with ability who live by the Word, because God will always respond to His Word. He stands over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).

3. ATTITUDE – ‘THINGS HOPED FOR’

Hope, in the Bible, is not looking forward to something which may or may not happen. This type of hope is based on chance. Hope in Hebrews 11:1 is ‘confident expectation’. It is a certainty which comes out of our relationship with God. It is this confidence which drives us forward. In Romans we read: For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:24-25.

So this hope is confident expectation which perseveres. This means that no matter what, we stand firm on the Word (Truth, Jesus) we received when we believed. We resist the devil’s temptation to doubt, and as we believe we persevere with confident expectation for the manifestation of the Word. The symptoms of sickness are not the basis of my belief when it comes to being in health, but God’s Word is.

Note what it says about Abraham: For Abraham, human reason for hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So numberless shall your descendants be. Romans 4:18 (Amp). His physical world said ‘no hope’, so he looked with the eye of faith as God took him to look at the stars to build his confidence in Him and His promise. Abraham believed and it was counted to him as righteousness and he became the father of those who believe (Romans 4:3, 11).

4. APPLICATION – ‘THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN’

God did not make the heavens and the earth out of nothing, but out of that which was not seen, the Word of God (Hebrews 11:3). By faith we understand… because the Spirit in us was there when the world was made.

‘Evidence’ is that which supports the existence of something. Faith is the evidence of things not seen, by which we understand we have all we need in God. Abraham proved the existence of God by obeying Him according to His Word. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8. Faith is not blind, but a confident expectation that God’s Word is Truth and will manifest. Faith, the evidence, moved Abraham.

By faith barren Sarah received the ability necessary to conceive (Hebrews 11:11). She had confident expectation in God’s promise. Faith supplied the evidence on the basis of which she persevered and eventually conceived.

By faith we have the evidence and can be fully confident that once we have asked for anything according to God’s will, He hears us: and knowing that He hears us, we know we have what we asked for. 1 John 5:14-15. So thank Him and rejoice in answered prayer.

Salvation by faith is not a religion, but a relationship with God. God wants to be involved in every facet of our lives so that we are saved spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, complete and mature in Him. All of this is possible because faith is a living relationship with God.

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HOPE IS A CERTAINTY WHICH COMES OUT OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. IT IS THIS CONFIDENCE WHICH DRIVES US FORWARD.

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FOCUS ON CRE8ION

As Carmel Ministries International grows and reaches far abroad, the media arm of the Ministry has become a very busy section of work at Carmel Centre. In a large, long room, many people busily work on a variety of projects. Here is Cre8ion, where computers and other media equipment work long hours in the hands of skilled staff.

At one desk a website is being designed, and at another, one of Carmel’s multi-part publications is being printed and assembled for use at Carmel, but increasingly it is shared with other Ministries. At another desk a large proportion of the promotional publications required by a Bristol school has been designed and is now being processed. Then at a large desk in one corner, brochures have been produced and are being finalised in connection with Carmel’s Healing Ministry. Following this the design work necessary for the next 24-7 Magazine will be commenced.

In another brightly lit corner, Creative Director, Darrell Irwin works on development plans which will connect Cre8ion with major UK household brand names. Part of Cre8ion’s ethos is tied in with aiming at being a front runner as a design and media agency. Already cre8ion has made significant inroads in bringing its skills to companies and other organisations who require their work and business to be given a public and media identity through branding.

24-7 interviewed Darrell and asked what skills and qualifications he brought to cre8ion. “When I finished my college training, I began a job doing exhibition work; but it wasn’t long before I was sought after by an advertising agency, which I joined soon after,” said Darrell. “But change is never far away, and after three-and-a-half years, there was a company buy-out, and I needed to look elsewhere.

Marketing:

Digital:

Print:

Editorial:

“This was a good move for me because I became Art Director of a large agency in Bristol which had offices in London, Notting Hill. So the scope of opportunity was considerable as we worked with many blue-chip clients.”

As with many young, career-minded executives, Darrell had London in his sights, realising his future could grow extensively given the opportunity: and the opportunity came when he was chosen, with three others, to run the company from the London offices. But other things were happening in his life, which were to have a greater impact than a future in London could offer.

Although brought up in a Christian home, he had dismissed anything Christian so he could ‘get on with his life’. In his 20s he turned to the Lord, but knew that he himself was still number one in his life.

“Deep down I knew I had an important decision to make before I signed the papers and moved to London,” Darrell said. “For about three months, I had been seeing Clare, who one day said to me: ‘You will never be happy in any relationship until you follow Christ and get to know God.’ She was right, and I knew it, and not many months later she became my wife.”

Darrell did not sign those papers. It shocked the other executives as he explained God’s call on his life. He freelanced for a while and the Bristol company

SEE THE INFINITE POSSIBILITIES OF OUR CREATIVE AGENCY AT WWW.CRE8ION.CO.UK

DARRELL IRWIN CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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FOCUS ON: CRE8ION

Faith empowers us to do what God has called us to do and bring glory to His name. We long for this, yet we hinder our faith in many ways, perhaps without even realising it. Faith comes from a relationship with God and there are many things which can affect that relationship and lead to a heart of unbelief: Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. Hebrews 3:12.

employed him until they shut the Bristol office. By then Darrell and Clare were married and lived in Clifton. Towards the end of 2001 they started attending Carmel, being determined to live the life of faith.

Darrell continued freelancing and started to sow a day of his week into the Ministry at Carmel. “Once again I found favour as a freelance art director and was offered a permanent job with a large financial services agency, but I turned it down.

“At the same time God was moving on our lives and Clare and I started doing the evening course at Carmel Bible College,” Darrell continued. “At the same time I sowed more time into the Ministry and we continued through to second year Bible College. Then I went on to do third year, and by the very nature of the course, my time for outside work became much more restricted.”

In 2004, God started to speak to Darrell about Cre8ion. He wrestled with it for a while, weighing its implications for his life. However, the day came to make a decision.

“Carmel had a publications department, which was in the capable hands of Pastor Gerri’s daughter, Loulita,” said Darrell. “We changed Carmel Chronicle’s format from A5 to A4, its name to 24/7 and the design to look like a mainstream magazine. We turned a room at the Centre into a studio, from where I continued my freelance work until Ministry work increased and became my constant focus.

“Then, at that time, through an agency, I was asked to ‘name my package’. Though very tempting, I turned it down and explained the call God had on my life. The very next day, the Creative Head was given a brand new car. Naturally it was an ‘ouch!’, but God had bigger things in mind.

“Having been put in charge of publishing at Carmel, we started to rebuild the department, and then gave Carmel’s publications a make-over so they had a distinct appearance, raising the Ministry’s profile through branding.

“As the team grew, we started marketing ourselves,” said Darrell. “A lot of this was by word of mouth,

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Church contacts and my previous connections. A breakthrough came when we completely rebranded a local gym. We started to get enquiries which led to more business, and referrals have brought the bulk of outside work. We have already done work for one household name and we are in the running for work from a major sports organisation.”

Helping other Ministries and Charities forms a large part of Cre8ion’s activities, but the increased work that comes from the expanding influence of Carmel Ministries International always has priority.

“None of this would have been possible,” said Darrell, “without the backing, wisdom and guidance of Pastor Gerri. Cre8ion is firmly part of Carmel and the excellent team of people of various nationalities is constantly aware that what we do is always subject to the Word of God and the leading of the Lord. In fact, our overall strategy is based on 1 Kings 10 concerning how Solomon traded in order to equip the Temple.”

Darrell sat back and reflected on what, he openly acknowledges, is something only the Lord could bring

about: “We are in a position to be a one-stop agency for both traditional and new media. Instead of a business going to several agencies, they can come to Cre8ion where their media requirements can all be managed under one roof. This provides a much more economical option for them and an ethical use of their money as we plough the profits into the community through Carmel to those in need.

“We can create and manage websites, produce short films: we’re moving into radio and getting involved in the possibilities of the internet. People can keep in touch with what we’re doing through www.twitter.com/cre8ionstudios and by signing up on our web site to receive our newsletter. We’re looking at the possibility of making a movie before long,” Darrell smiled. “The possibilities are infinite.”

https://twitter.com/cre8ionstudios

http://www.youtube.com/user/cre8ionstudios

http://cre8ionstudios.wordpress.com/

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