James Duff June 18th 2017 ~ God is on the move!

The kingdom coming near, heaven touching earth, a falling of the Holy Spirit, the presence of Jesus, an over-realised eschatology - whatever you want to call it, we are experiencing it!Here are some examples:Alpha - Five people have made commitments to follow Jesus.Healings: One of the members admitted that during the healing night at Alpha she was afraid to ask for healing prayer for her knee.  She confessed this week that she felt that a heaviness was lifted from her knee after that night six weeks ago and she can now straighten her knee with no pain for the first time in years.Another participant has read the whole New Testament through one and half times.  When she came to faith she said “F**k it!  There is hope!” Not the normal response I usually witness when people come to faith but I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10).We have started a fortnightly discipleship group with the Alpha participants. School - Jared (co-pastor of the Common, who works at Palmyra Primary in the community garden) noticed that the principal of Palmyra School looked tired.  He was able to pray for the principal in his office.  I spoke with the principal this morning on my way out of school and I told him I would be praying for him.  He began to tell me how much he and the P&C appreciate what Jared brings to the school.  Just as he said this, Jared appeared.  As well as the principal encouraging Jared, Jared and I were able to let the principal know how much we appreciate him and that we pray for him.Tuesdays @ The Common - We have been able to rent The Millers Bakehouse as a meeting place fortnightly.  We have 20-40 people attend with new people each week and some non-Christians attending.  We have a meal together, honour people, talk about our outreach to the flats and share life.  This week I shared that Matthew 5:16 is the Bible verse I believe God had placed on my heart for a long time.  Lainee, who has just given her life to Jesus, said excitedly that that particular verse was the verse of the day on her phone Bible and shared it with us:Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.The Flats - The Common is now going to a block of flats twice a month.  Recently, a woman there, who is a real person of peace for us, has been trying to get a community garden up and running.  Last week, the father of a teenager who lives there was found dead in his flat from a drug overdose.  The lady who is making the community garden is very close to the teenager and has been looking after her.  Last Sunday, about five of us from the Common helped empty a trailer of soil into some garden beds she has made.  During this time, some police arrived at the flats and commented how great it is to see some goodness and hope there.  I was able to encourage the lady with what the police had said - that she is bringing goodness and hope through her garden and I was then able to pray for her.  This week, one of the Common members shared that she had met that woman  in a park about 6 weeks previously and had prayed for her.  It seems God is on the move!I have many more stories about God’s kingdom coming near through the ministry of the Common; just ask me.  I’m delighted to share.  Thanks for partnering with us.James