Overflowing…

Overflowing was the word the Lord brought to my heart at the start of 2025.

It’s good to reflect and pray about the words the Lord brings. To ask the Lord to show us where He is starting to move and to look for the overflow.

We can so easily miss sometimes the signs of what the Lord is doing amongst us.

Seeing but not seeing.

At the start of the year, I had a picture of a waterfall and the Lord spoke to my heart that this was to be a year of overflowing but in ways and in places that we would not expect to see.

The deserts will bloom again.

Parts and places in our lives and in our communities that currently seem dry and barren and devoid of Jesus are going to overflow with His presence, His power and His Spirit.

An Overflowing of His grace and mercy in our lives.

The Lord emphasised to me the picture of a waterfall and not a dam.

A waterfall is a natural feature.

This overflowing was not a sudden breaking of a dam in the Spirit with the water breaking forth suddenly and violently which could lead to an overwhelming of some and sweep others away but a waterfall overflowing as the Spirit of God moves and overflows through us believers and followers of Jesus.

These bible verses came to my heart.

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning. The nations will see your righteousness,You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, And a royal headband in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,”Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”;But you will be called, “My delight is in her,”And your land, “Married”; For the Lord delights in you, And to Him your land will be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, So your sons will marry you; And as the groom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62 1-5NASB

Amen

This year there has been an incredible overflow of God’s blessing and favour at my work which has encouraged my Christian colleagues who have witnessed it to share with others that this is the work of God’s hand. It has been unprecedented levels in my 18 years’ working.

We have also seen new families coming to church and discovering God for the first time, our youth group has doubled in size this year which is wonderful. Several of our youth went on overseas missions. We had many baptisms and I have heard from friends of the baptisms taking place in their churches as people are discovering Jesus.

We held our carol service for the first time in the local town hall this year rather than in church to encourage engagement with our community and enable more people to come and take part. Another local church held their carol service in the pub for the first time. The C of E church in town has a new “pioneer” minister who has started visiting the traders in town to talk and pray with them. He organised a breakfast for local children to provide support and Christmas presents for those who are struggling. Another local church is also meeting regularly in the town centre. There are pockets of life springing up in the town.

Our church finances have been blessed to enable us to refurbish the church building with new chairs, carpet and curtains. We have been able to give more funds to overseas missions help children in Uganda go to school and building a new waterhole for the community.

We have seen our church members stepping out in their gifts and ministries in our monthly Unite services. Leading, teaching and taking part in many different ways.

Praise God for what He has done this year, is doing and will continue to do. Lord open our eyes to see and encourage those who are in or journeying through the desert places at the moment that the Spirit of the Lord is moving. Seeds that have been sown will produce a harvest.

Breathe on them breath of God.

Amen 🙏