Over the past few weeks we have been discussing the realm of Spirit Filled Living. One thing we have discovered is that life in the Spirit is not a static relationship. Life in the Holy Spirit is a dynamic  living ,participatory union.

In the words of Aslan in the movie Prince Caspian "Nothing happens the same way twice," God is creatively interacting with our lives circumstances and situations . This makes God unpredictable, but at the same time completely trustworthy. Sometimes we see God work a particular way and try and develop a formula around it. God is not a formula, he is a person with whom we are to have fellowship. Look for God in his creative acts in your life. In prayer ,in his word in church . Look for him he is never far away. Seek him you will find him.

God is never unpredictable in his character, attributes and person. He is unpredictable in his methods. Methods are many, Principles are few, Methods  always change ,Principles never do.

Life in the Spirit is relational. God desires intimacy with us. He will design our lives so we will seek to find him. He will draw us after himself in a wonderful sublime ongoing friendship. You will be surprised where you find Him. You will be enlightened when you find him.

P@stor P@ul

What were you thinking?

The well known T.V. Psychologist Dr Phil McGraw is renowned for his expression when interviewing people: “What were you thinking?” He hits on important Biblical idea: How we think is important. Our thinking is essential in our relationship to God ,in our spiritual development and in our friendships.

The Bible has much to say on thinking. The word “Repent” means “change your mind”. It means in order to come into relationship with God we need to change our attitudes and thoughts about our condition and turn to God to make us new. Proverbs 23:7 says For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.  Also “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes Ephesians 4:22.  Furthermore we are encouraged to “Be transformed by the renewal of our minds” Romans 12:2. The word transform is the same word used of a caterpillar  changing into a beautiful butterfly through the process of metamorphosis

Interestingly Jesus was crucified on a hill called Golgotha. Golgotha means the place of the skull, and is a great metaphor for our minds or thinking. Jesus wants his death and life to transform our lives, and it all begins with turning to Christ and being changed by the way we think.

This month let me encourage you to think about your thinking.

· Think positively

· Think truthfully

· Think prayerfully

· Think about what God says about you in His Word.
· Selah [a word in the Psalms which means pause and think on these things]

P@stor P@ul