Tree Hugger

I really love our Home Group. I've been attending it since Ian and Alison took over in January 2008 and we're entering a fresh, new season together after taking time to form and establish ourselves. Since the start of this year, everyone has been allocated an evening which they have to lead. John (Maskell) has always said he is leading a Church of leaders and when people have to get out of their comfort zones and lead a session, the results are pretty spectacular. Home Group has been no exception. People have led things in different ways and included testimonies, discussion times and more. This week was a focused prayer time. Each person briefly shared any prayer points and after a time of worship, people began to prayer and speak words of life over people. Although tired (Wednesdays are always an early start for me), there was a gentle sense of God's presence and some of what was shared was excellent.

Many years ago (when I was attending the Church in my Student days), I remember being at a Church Worship Team Meeting. We were sat in Richard and Kim's front room when they lived in Stoke Gifford. I remember it vividly! Richard spoke very prophetically over my life using Psalm 1. Verse 3 stood out to me, "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." This image has stayed with me ever since and on Wednesday evening someone prayed this verse over my life once again. They did not know the prophetic significance of that verse over my life. No-one had told them. I certainly hadn't. God never forgets and when we forget His word and plan for our lives, He is gracious enough to give us a reminder.

Remember what God has said over your life. Get out some of those tried and tested prophetic statements and convictions you have received over the years (note the caveat) which have been confirmed by others who know and love you and the Lord. Write them down again in a regularly viewed place. Ask others to pray them over you life as well. Keep these words over your life at the centre of your life. God knows them but have you forgotten them?