Why Go to Conferences ... ?

Sorry for the delay in blogging. I've just worked an almost 36 hour shift with no break due to a bed crisis (I'm pretty sure the European thingy on health would have something to say!). But I'm back. I woke up this afternoon from a night shift feeling DRUNK. I tottered out of my bedroom just loving the manifest Presence of God filling the flat. Ephesians has got a point. Who needs wine?! Anyway I have got so much of Rob's ministry that I am trying to transcribe I am suffering from overload.

Here's the quote I wanted to post:

"How many of you are so sick and tired about people speaking about kingdom and theology and church and church pattern and principles of the Kingdom and yet you never feel the honey of heaven on their words or that they have just come from the realm of glory and there is deep intimate love because they know Jesus better than they know another human being on the planet?".

Rob Rufus - "Session 1 - Grace and Glory Conference in Sydney".

For all the criticism and the flack that Rob may take (I've had a few emails expressing horror at the "Fire!" video I posted!) you cannot deny that this is a man who is passionately in love with his Jesus Christ. And he may not be lecturing on "Church Growth" or "Cell" or "Planting Churches" but I would cross oceans to touch his heart because there's something contageous about his love for Jesus Christ. You come away thinking; "Wow ...". Surely that's the point of any conference ... and indeed local church as Janelle pointed out so well.

Facing a Fear: Resist Legalism at ALL Costs

I mentioned yesterday that one of my fears I must face is that I have hoped and longed for revival all my life - even before I was baptised in the Spirit - Stanley Jebb built into us a theology of revival and I'm so grateful for that. It's only this year in 2008 that I've seen what certainly looks like revival! And I am scared - scared that I will miss it, or scared that once again the Church will do something to make God withdraw and see the glory move away.

Rob Rufus said this at the "Grace and Glory Conference - Sydney";

"Every revival (and I have studied many) - most of them only lasted 2 or 3 years and they were very intense but every one that I have studied came to an end because the control of man came back in and laws and rules and regulations came back in. People say; "It came to an end because sin came back in". No - it wasn't about sin. Because if sin stopped the revival, then the revival would never have started because revivals come WHILE there is sin!

Revival is the mercy of God breaking in and mercy prevents us from getting what we don't deserve but grace gives us what we don't deserve - a revival!".

Whatever the cost - whatever the price - we must, must, MUST resist legalism and the control spirit! Bob Marley said this;

"The people who are trying to make this world worse are not taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness!".

There are those (and I think they're sincere) who would be happy keeping Christians controlled, miserable and life-less. It can't be tolerated. Let's not take a day off. God wants His Church back - living in glorious freedom! It was for that freedom that Christ has set us free! Let's cast off the yokes of slavery that legalism would put back on us! The world is waiting to see a Church come forth!

Glory and Grace Conferences - Hong Kong and Sydney - FREE!!

I just wanted to draw attention to the fact that the wonderful City Church International have now made the audio sessions of the "Glory and Grace Conferences" both in Hong Kong last October and in Sydney last month available HERE ... absolutely FREE!!

These are absolutely amazing sessions where the power of God is so tangibly evident (even over the MP3!) - I am currently listening through the Sydney "Glory and Grace Conference" and loving the tangible Presence of God in the room!

By the way - on his latest Sunday sermon, Rob mentioned the fact that they have invited Patricia King and Josh Mills to the "Glory and Grace Conference" in Hong Kong next March/April. It's one conference not to be missed! Who KNOWS what God will be doing in Hong Kong by then? Maybe City Church International will have to be hiring the massive stadium there to fit everyone in. I'm saving already ...

New Rob Rufus Resources Available!!

I am thrilled to note that the "Glory and Grace Conference" from Sydney now have made their MP3's available - thanks to Jubilee International Church (Fini and Isi de Gersigny). It was a conference that I desperately wanted to go to but couldn't because of financial constraints so I am looking forward to hearing the riches of teaching. The testimonies alone are so exciting hearing what God did during that week! Here are the sessions:

Rob Rufus - Wednesday 26th March - Sessions 1 and 2 (09:30).

Rob Rufus - Wednesday 26th March - Session 3 (19:00).

Fini de Gersigny - Thursday 27th March - Session 1 (10:00).

Isi de Gersigny - Thursday 27th March - Session 2 (11:45).

Rob Rufus - Thursday 27th March - Session 3 (19:00).

Rob Rufus - Friday 28th March - Sessions 1 and 2 (10:00).

Rob Rufus - Saturday 29th March - Session 1 and 2 (10:00).

Rob Rufus - Jubilee International Church service - "Finding the Origins of Glory".

So there is that to listen to and access and fire your faith!

Furthermore it seems that Newfrontiers are making their videos of the Brighton conferences available free and online! They have only got "Together on A Mission 2006" sessions available so far. But for those who (like me) love seeing preachers speak visually and not just listen - this is well worth accessing. The other speakers may be of interest - men like Terry Virgo and Wayne Grudem. The highlight speaker for me was Dave Holden speaking on the Ministry of the Holy Spirit (aside from Rob of course!).

But Rob Rufus's main session is available here.

So enjoy - let's raise our expectation to the level of the Word of God! And let's look expecting for more! Because the tidal wave is coming - and it seems to me it is coming from Florida and from Hong Kong. So I believe the United Kingdom is going to get swamped in a deluge of spiritual rain from two directions! A double portion - a double blessing - the atmosphere in our land is changing. And the barren times are over. The sound of rain can be heard! The tremours of earthquakes can be felt by those who are listening and the powers of darkness are trembling.

Rob Rufus on Angelic Visitations

In light of my 700th post asking where have the angels and demons gone (if anywhere) I was interested in listening to Rob speaking on "Invading the Impossible - Part 12" to hear him make the following comments (reporting on the "Grace and Glory Conference" held in Sydney recently).

"There is something abnormal if the Church today doesn't have angelic visitations".

"Any angel that comes to you - don't worship that angel! That angel comes to help you worship Jesus - to minister to you. Jesus was ministered to by angels when He was so exhausted after His wilderness experience. So angels were seen and actually many saw angels outside the the meetings. While they were walking through the streets of Sydney, people saw angels standing behind people. Angels reaching out to people and trying to save people".

"I am so glad that the Church is becoming normal again".

The Church is becoming NORMAL again! I am so provoked and excited by that! My question is being answered. They didn't go anywhere. We as a Church are beginning to realise that Christian life is not solely about cerebral academics and theology - but we are spiritual beings living in a spiritual world. And angels are sent from heaven to minister to us! They are here - we just need to look properly!