Obedience brings Blessing!

I love to see a room full of people on a Sunday morning, though we have had great times with small numbers.

We welcomed visitors, and then started with prayer for a friend who had an accident and is in a dreadful state. There is only One who can really make a difference. 

The praise and worship was interrupted by a tongue, interpretation and a prophesy. We love such interruptions! Barry H shared a scripture about the importance of a relationship with the Lord. Shirlene led us in breaking bread.

We looked at Haggai 1. I keep receiving more from this one chapter. The people of God were in captivity in Babylon. The Lord had prophesied that he would raise up a saviour called Cyrus to deliver them. He did! Freedom was proclaimed. Some went free, back to the land of Judah. Some stayed. Those returning started work on the temple, and then stopped, becoming totally absorbed with their own homes. 

Do I put the Lord first in my life – or me? The people were hard up and things went wrong for them. God was disciplining them. Haggai the prophet said, ‘Consider’. We need at times to stop and consider where we are, and what the Lord is saying to us.

We then see 4 things –

The people repented and obeyed the Lord.

The people came to fear the Lord.

The Lord told them he was with them.

The Lord stirred their spirits to work for him.

We looked at the keys to obedience. Obedience brings blessing.

1. We need to be born again. Not just pray ‘the sinner’s prayer’. We need to be discipled, and be part of a church.

2. We need to know the will of God. Read the Bible regularly. Get to know what the Lord requires of us, and what he does not want to see in us. Listen to teaching in church.

3. Be empowered. Be filled with the Spirit. Seek the baptism. Spend time in prayer regularly, just in his presence.

Our next meeting is the Thursday prayer meeting. Next Sunday we meet in Frettenham. This week, Wendy and I are on the south coast where I am speaking. If led, pray that people will get saved and healed. That is my prayer. Barrie