On our recent weekend away we recieved two words which we feel are important for our journey. Why not have a read and see what you think the Lord is saying through this to our youth community.

Crossing a road – 13/05/12 Weekend Away

On our youth weekend away we took a walk as a group. During the walk we came to a very busy road. As we crossed some of us felt this may be significant prophetically for us as a group. On the night I sensed the Lord speak through the situation to us. I also felt this may be significant for ACC as a whole.

The journey you took today is a picture of where you are as a group. You have travelled so far and have come to a dangerous road which you must cross. Felt the Lord saying “My hand is on you, I am with you. You will make it, but there are dangers around.” Saw us crossing as we did today, with leaders shouting to stop or go or get back. Felt God say “I have sent people to you, those who are mature and know the dangers, listen to them, for they will guide you, saying when to go, when to stop, they may be stern at times, this is because it is crucial you listen to them.” As we crossed today I saw us going in small groups, taking one group across, then another and then another. Felt the Lord say “there will be times when one group crosses and leaves the other group, and then another group, do not be concerned, for my hand is on the whole group, but you cannot all cross at once, I will lead one group, then another and then another.

I felt there were 3 main things in this word,

1) My hand is on you, guiding you, with you

2) I have sent people to guide you, you must listen!

3) You will cross in groups

I am calling you – 15/04/12 Youth Weekend Away

I am calling you. You need to realise that it is not you searching and reaching for me but it is only because I have called you that you are searching for me. And this is where you get your confidence to approach me, that I have called you.

Jesus calls to us, He says that if we tasted Him then we would run to Him, or run from Him. But if we did taste of Him then we would realise that He is all we need, He is more that we can imagine. Believe we need to respond, Jesus comes to us in His bus and invites us on to take the journey, the adventure with him. He calls us, but we must take the step on, it’s our choice to respond.

We can often see God as distant, removed and not interested. Seeing Him as awesome, powerful and creator is very important, but it must also coincide with the understanding that He is infinitely interested in us, and wants to know us personally and for us to know Him personally. In April there will be a group of us going away for the youth weekend away, and experiencing God will be a big part of that weekend. How do you experience God? We connect to God in different ways and there are many ways that we can connect to Him.

Many of us connect to Him through singing and times of worship, this is a great way for us to declare our love, thanks and praise to Him. It is also a great way for Him to speak to us and direct/convict us through the songs we sing based on scripture and revelation.

The bible is a key way to connect to Him. It is His word to us, written down, authorized by Him. The Holy Spirit takes His words and reveals them to us. We can study the word, read a passage, read a verse and pray that we can experience Him through listening to His words, feeling encouragement, direction, challenge and rebuke.

We also experience God in day to day life. As we board a train, or sit at our computer or walk in the park. The Lord, in His love, is looking to speak and connect to us. Perhaps it is the circumstances of life, or the feeling we get from creation. We can experience God day to day.

One way we sometimes miss experiencing God is in our hard and challenging times. Many great people of God had seasons of great trial and suffering throughout the bible. Job, Moses, Mary, Ruth, David, the Disciples, Jesus… the list goes on and on. Through difficult seasons the Lord led them and spoke to them. They offered those times to the Lord as opportunities to experience Him.

So how do you experience God? Are there other ways you can use to connect to Christ and allow Him to direct, lead, guide and challenge you?

This months Captivate sees us spending time together focused around praying for the persecuted church. Did you know over 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Jesus Christ! We will be joining with Open Doors and their prayer weekend ‘Shockwave’ to pray for and with the persecuted church. If you want to check out more information visit http://www.odshockwave.org/

We’ll be meeting at 6.30pm, this Sunday 4th March.

Oh yeah, and we will be having hot dogs as our meal together, so don’t have too much tea/dinner/lunch, whatever you call it.