Bethel or Ai?

This week we had Shirlene back from her holiday, and Wendy back from her sickbed. But Barry H had been take ill on Saturday, and was in the N&N having his pacemaker checked. Blessed are the pacemakers! There had been such a good turnout for Marcus’ funeral on Friday and many remarked on the amazing poem Lesley had written 10 minutes before Marcus went to be with the Lord.

Praise and worship, interspersed with prayers and testimonies. We had a minute’s silence at 11am, as it was Remembrance Sunday. 

Ann read from psalm 116, and spoke of the way we need to love one another. Shirlene read from Revelation 5, prompted by our singing, ‘Worthy, worthy are You Lord’. She spoke of praying with the spirit – not with the soul.

We looked again at Genesis 12. We moved on from Abraham’s first altar at Shechem to his second, between Bethel and Ai. We noted 3 things –

1. He continued travelling south. The Lord had told him to travel south when he left Haran, and he continued to do so. What has the Lord called you to do? Keep doing it until he tells you to change. Explore a little, and do other acts of service, etc along the way, but follow the direction the Lord has given you. So – what has he called you to do? We each need to know. Hearing the Lord brings faith (Rom.10:17), and we live by faith (Hab.2:4). 

2. Abraham was between Bethel and Ai. Bethel means house of God, and Ai was a wicked place, symbolising the world with all its demonic darkness and evil. We live in Christ, but are also in the world. We are influenced by both. We need to make sure we are living in ‘Bethel’. How?

3. Do what Abraham did – build an altar! We need to surrender to Jesus continually, and offer praise, worship and prayer daily, and throughout the day.

As we step out into a new week, may we walk worthily of our God. (And what has the Lord called you to do? Don’t sidestep this).

Cliff led us in communion.

Wendy had cooked a delicious dish called spider chicken! It was fantastic.

This Thursday – prayer meeting in Catfield. 2pm.

This Saturday – celebration of Marcus life. Diamond Centre, Sprowston. 2pm.

Next Sunday – meeting in Frettenham.