Scarlett's May Update: Being Spiritually at Home

Scarlett Payne, our FP intern for the year, has recently provided us with her latest update on what God is teaching her…

Although, unlike many, I am fortunate to have a physical home, I have realised this month just how important it is to be spiritually at home with my Father (1 John 5:18). For if I am at home spiritually, I find peace no matter where I am, and I am less likely to fall into any bad habits that the comfort of a physical home can encourage. 

For example, sometimes my prayer at home can be so relaxed that I fall asleep, or end my time resting with God much earlier so that I can watch a film, or do something else I know needs doing that day (Luke 22:40-46). This can stop me from obeying God's call to intercessory prayer and opening my eyes to the plans for Kingdom breakthrough He wishes to show me (Mark 13:35-37). 

Below is a table I noted down earlier in May, when I realised the importance of being spiritually at home: 

Table 1. Traits of being physically at home vs. spiritually at home.

Now, this is not to say that we shouldn't enjoy the blessings of a physical home! Or that we can't be spiritually at home when also physically at home. Only to share the warning God has given me when attempting to take rest with Him in my house, without first being in tune with His Spirit.

"By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."‭‭ (2 Timothy‬ ‭1:14‬)

God gives good gifts, including houses, to His children, and it is through grace that we receive them. But I also pray for us that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirits (Philemon 1:25). So that we may know the thoughts of God and walk in His truths (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). It is only through the Spirit that we can be rooted in God's peace, which acts as a witness to the lost (Hebrews 12:14-15).

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."‭‭ (John‬ ‭14:26-27‬)

Jesus has given all believers the opportunity to be more spiritual than human (1 Corinthians 3:16). There are times in my life when I've been in conversation with someone and God has said more through me than I could possibly think-up. Or times I'm physically and mentally exhausted yet, through prayer, received supernatural strength to go on. This is the power of God's Holy Spirit in me, and I am recharged by that; filled with faith in Jesus and knowing the fullness of life with Him. 

No wonder when having conversations not revolving around Jesus I feel them to be pointless - what is life without Him? As David Campbell shared with us last Sunday (19th), he feels most alive when being used by God! Jesus needs to be glorified in everything, for we are nothing without Christ. Lift Him high I say!

Finally, Exodus 33:14 says: 

"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 

The Holy Spirit is not something to be achieved through striving, but is available through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is only through acknowledging the Holy Spirit, who is given to all when they first believe, that we are able to know and do God's perfect will for us.

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What a great update - Thanks Scarlett!

As many of you may already be aware, this summer,  Scarlett is going to Albania. Who with? What to do? How can I help? These questions and more are answered in Scarlett's recent post for our website. 

Scarlett's January FP Update

Scarlett Payne, our FP intern for 2018/19, has recently provided us with her latest update…

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January has been packed with gems from God, and has largely revolved around me securing my identity in Christ, getting to know our Father's heart, and trusting Him to show me where I fit in His Kingdom. 

I've made a video explaining some of the key lessons God has been teaching me this past month. I hope you like it and I look forward to discussing it more with anyone who fancies a chat? Whether I know you yet or not! 

Thanks very much,

Scarlett

Scarlett's December FP Internship Update

Scarlett, our FP intern for this year, has just provided us with her latest update from December…

I have drawn out a lot of what God told me in December. He has been growing the gift of prophecy in me slowly but it accelerated during and after the Rising Tide Conference, where I first saw the green "Go!" (image 1). The captions for each picture are below (numbers correspond).

1. God showed me the colour green, representing go. He revealed that "I'm not too young, I'm not too inexperienced, the same Spirit lives in me!" Believing these lies had given the devil the power to hold me at amber. 

2. God shows me webbed feet and says He is equipping our church to swim in  waves. He will build each one of us in strength, even when we don't feel like strong swimmers. His reassurance keeps our heads above the water.

3. I feel discouraged and don't believe in myself when hearing God, and think others won't believe in me either. I sit down and pray, crying to God. He says "I believe in you". I realise it doesn't matter how I feel, because He is always with me. 

4. I see Jesus kneeling at my side. I kneel in front of Him. He takes my hands and we look into each other's eyes. I hand Him my vanity (in planning, performance & success), He turns it into a butterfly and shows me his desire to hand back wisdom. 

5. Someone gave me the image of an igloo melting, with the message being that it's providing protection for me in winter but as it melts I will have a new house to protect me through all seasons.

6. I had a dream that I was trapped in a house with a leopard, but I showed courage and stroked behind its ears. It responded by purring and licking my hands softly. I let it teethe on my fingers too, like a puppy. God tells me there will one day be harmony amongst His creatures. I am encouraged to live for that day now.

7. Someone sees me as an ant turning continuously in the wet, searching for the dry, but when found, it slows down. When I seek God I am steadfast, but can become complacent in faith. Jesus didn't live a safe life - God is calling me to make more of my life wet!

8. Someone sees a swan, with its feet directing its way downriver, turning towards evangelism or prophecy. Them and myself will grow in learning how to prophetically evangelise and when to use either one gift or both together. 

9. I see the inability to straighten curly hair: life is not straight forward, it's complicated! You can't change it's nature, so you have to learn to live with it, to embrace it's twists and turns. Learn it's ways through relationship with its Creator (Isiah 30).

10. On a prayer walk, I speak and sing out loud to God in upset with the selfishness of this world. However, as I walk back home, my prayers turn to God's goodness and sovereignty. I repeat this poem again and again. I grasp that to make a difference on earth, we must set our eyes on Heaven.

11. I see the pendulum swinging from side to side, then the image zooms out to be a grandfather clock. I understand from this not to be distracted by changing times (clock-face), but focus on your constant two-way relationship with God (pendulum). 

12. I see the huge tail of a whale. But then, as it splashes down into the ocean, the wave it creates is even bigger! God says that the amazement we have at what He offers our church (the microchem building) is minor compared to the tide (of people) it will create when His direction is trusted and followed.