Words/Pictures

1. Forget the former things; look forward to what is ahead.
2. What we have, bring them to God
   • Start with what we have even if it is small (loaves & fishes)
     • What we have is God's to use; we need to give generously & completely of what we have.
3. An empty bottle waiting to be filled. God wants to fill us.
4. Philippians 1 v. 9-11: genuine unforced love balanced by wisdom & insight.
5. We need to experience the PRESENCE of God.
   • The POWER of God is manifested in the presence of God.
6. Picture of a desert filled with bright pink tulips, which are the very opposite of a desert plant.
   • God can do the impossible (this picture was repeated on another occasion).
7. Don't fear; step by step God is putting things in place.
   • God is orchestrating this and He will bring the right people. Be patient and don't rush.
8. Dream of angels in 3 different rooms in heaven:
   • 1st room: very busy with lots of letters being opened & telephones ringing
     • This was where all the prayer requests were being received.
   • 2nd room: also very busy with many angels sending back answers to the prayer requests
   • 3rd room: only had 1 angel in it at an empty desk and this angel looked pretty bored and sad.
     • This was the room where any thank you messages were received.
     • We must not forget to always thank God for His goodness and love - we need to become a thankful people.

Issues

Things which militate against God's presence and which call for repentance for the past and vigilance for the future.

Things which act as blockages and impede the Holy Spirit:

• Division/cliques
• Injustice/unfairness/lack of love
• A spirit of control
• Poor communication/misunderstanding
• A spirit of secrecy
• Over-sensitivity to criticism (Proverbs 9 v. 8)
• Too inward looking, a survivalist mentality rather than an open, outward-looking one. To pray for the good qualities, which the church needs - that God will pour out and fill us (empty bottle picture).

Ideas/Suggestions

• Remember the vision of the church: "a house of prayer for all nations"
  • Encourage the children to pray regularly for all nations represented in the church (put up a map).
• Encourage different forms of expression in worship e.g. dancing and make use of the space at the back of the sanctuary. More freedom and less of the 'stay in seats mentality'.
• Prayer walking in the neighborhood.
• Produce a small flyer/leaflet (saying who we are and if you have need we would be happy to pray for you) and then distribute locally.