In February I remember saying to Charles I think I might have a prophetic word for 2020. I can see now how relevant it may be.
It was very simply that this year we would need to wait well, remain.
John 15 v4 ‘Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit on its own.’ From this passage the Holy Spirit led me to Exodus 33 v16 ‘For how shall it be known I have found favour in Your sight, I and Your people. Is it not You going with us so that we are RECOGNISABLY DIFFERENT.’
I thought about how the people of Israel didn’t wait well or remain when Moses delayed in coming back down the mountain and how they made their own gods. This can be like us, me included!! When we are waiting or remaining in a place of pain, how it’s tempting to try to escape and run into the distractions and comforts of the world. Since the Covid-19 lockdown I felt God say to me while people are running around stocking up on toilet roll etc. you need to take this time to buy oil and gold like God tells us to in Matthew and Revelation. That by His grace and mercy He has given us this time to buy things of eternal wealth.
So going forward in the seasons and into the future I feel God has given me Psalm 40 ‘I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me and heard my cry. HE PUT A NEW SONG IN MY HEART a recognisably different song, many will fear and put their trust in God. I think it’s time to start singing and shouting out our new songs that God gives us.
Clare Parr
Testimony 1 re provision from Jackelen:
As we’re not meeting together as a congregation I’ve been considering setting up a standing order to tithe but I’ve held back because our income, like everybody else’s is taking a hit during this lock down. So I prayed the Goshen prayer on Sunday for the church community to be blessed so that we can continue to help others and I also prayed for God’s guidance in the area of tithing. I thanked Him for His steadfast faithfulness to me in so many areas of my life, especially our finances and asked Him to help me to surrender my fear in this area and instead to deepen my trust in Him.
The following morning one of my husband’s clients rang with some totally unexpected business that will generate a substantial amount of money that will help us through this difficult time whilst also giving me the confidence to commit to the tithe! Psalm 37:5
‘Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.’
Testimony 2 re provision from Carolyn:
God has been very kind to me and my husband financially during this time, we have seen real blessings, full pay in some areas until the Coronavirus crisis finishes. Also, I have a Sainsbury’s pension from 30 years ago which pays out monthly, for some unknown reason this month’s amount was £40.00 higher than usual.