A Day to Remember

12^th November 2017 March of Remembrance

As I walked into the exposed and blustery town looking out onto the open sea looking to find the little parade my eyes were stunned to see the sight of at least one third of the town stood in grand formation with their majestic flags flying in the wind. I was welcomed into line by two great and tremendous Union Jack flags moving in the air. Perhaps I am an emotional person but as I found a place in line I felt my eyes watering and I wasn’t even sure why. There was a level of solemnity in the atmosphere but also solidarity as we stood there anxiously waiting for the start. More and more people joined onto the back of the line every one of them wearing their poppies, little red specks of hope creating a floating field. I know without a doubt that I had never expected so many people to be there. I knew in my heart that every one of them had made the willing choice to be out there on the seafront in the cold to remember and respect. As we started marching, I felt God’s presence there as the flags blew signalling for men, women and children of all ages to follow behind. I felt united to the people around me and with smiles we made our way to the windy beach. Everywhere we walked there were people wearing poppies clapping, waving and smiling, many of whom joined in behind. We finally reached a high point with a grandiose view of the open sea where the wreaths were to be placed and everyone was to observe the two minutes silence. The land seemed to go quiet at 11 am even the gulls seemed to stop their screeching for a short time. People came out of their homes and stood there in silence and reverence not just for those who died before us, but those who give their lives each day but most importantly to remember the freedom that was bought and could so easily be taken away again. Perhaps it was this new found knowledge of the fact that freedom in today’s society is being taken away (and not in a gradual manner at that), maybe it was a reaction to the current Labour leader when he said ‘we have nothing to remember’, or maybe just an inert sense of respect suddenly placed in them from a heavenly realm. I am certain God had his hand on every person in my town when it went silent last week and I stood there remembering but also praying that God would implant something of himself into each of these people. And to my surprise prayers were read and heads were bowed, hymns were sung and unity was in the air. And as we entered back into the town received by crowds of people in red scarves and wearing poppies cheering and smiling standing in respect on the road side I knew without a doubt that God had answered my prayers.

 

I pray that this encourages you because this is what I felt as I stood there last Sunday. I felt that God’s spirit was there and that it touched many people consciously or not. I also felt that the land was singing God’s praises and the flags were flying as a sign. I know it was a march that brought people together in unity and it was also very British too in the sense that people seemed to be unashamed of their nationality and were proud of their town and country and its great legacy. I know that whatever happens in the spiritual sometimes takes time to manifest in the natural but mark my words I am certain we will see something great happen very very soon.

Come Thou Fount

I was encouraged as I watched this version of ‘Come Thou Fount’ sang by Awaken Generation in the Philippines. It warmed my heart and touched my spirit as I watched these beautiful people praising our Father with such a beautiful and stirring song written by one of the great mystics of old mixed with modern instruments. Then I thought of all the many missionaries that were sent out from especially the UK and the USA to the ends of the Earth during the previous centuries. Then I heard in my spirit ‘they are coming’. I felt that now they are coming to us or they will be. Just like our ancestors as missionaries reminded their ancestors and brought them back to the love of Jesus they will also remind us and bring back many people here, who have wandered far away, to Jesus.

We are now on the threshold of something great. Something has changed in our land. It has happened before but this time it will be different. And going back to the missionaries, although there will be many missionaries  it will be done using the internet which will be used greatly in this age to come and in the Harvest. It will be used as a portal to bring light and life into people’s homes (although it will also be used  by the enemy as a tool- as many will no doubt have seen but now it’s God’s time). Here I have copied the link below to the song. I pray that it blessed you too. I am excited to be alive at a time like this!

 

 

 

Modern Day Tarshish

I was praying over the world and especially the UK (where I live) today so when I opened my bible on Isaiah 23 today I was amazed. This verse particularly stood out to me “Pass ye over to Tarshish; wail, ye inhabitants of the coast.”. Perhaps this is because as I am from near the coast. However, it resonates with me and spoke to me. I felt it is a reminder to all of us to cry out to God with all of our heart and soul in order for Him to move here.

I had read before that Tarshish is actually a reference to the British isles so I thought I would do a little research into this.  I found this taken from ‘the Oxford bible church website’ The young lions of Tarshish are a reference to the colonies that emerged from Britain and Europe – including the USA. Out of the Merchants of Tarshish came the colonial Empires. The most successful of these was Great Britain. The symbol of Great Britain is a lion. That symbol exists to this day and no other empire had more young lions than Great Britain. I also found many references to Tarshish being a maritime nation so this is a particular hint that it could be the British Isles.

I was amazed because I had just previously asked for a word about the UK and out of the entire bible and all of the chapters and verses God pointed me to this chapter. I felt very encouraged. I know God is about to move here. I wanted to share this with you to encourage you.

Finally, it brings me to this verse, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

There is great hope for us all!

God bless you 🙂

 

The Upcoming Election (UK)

I have been praying quite a lot recently about our government for wisdom and discernment. Thus, it was quite interesting when two days ago Prime Minister Theresa May announced her surprise decision to hold a general election on 8th June (522 to 13 votes). This was completely unexpected but a verse that has been playing in my mind is 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong”. He does this to show his glory and this verse is as relevant today as it was back when Jesus lived. I believe God has a lot of surprises for us coming in this new time.

Regarding the soon to be election I want to share a few things with which to pray over. Firstly, at the start of this year I really felt that we would have a strong man leading our country and this I posted previously on my blog. This was confirmed by another word I read on another site. Now this could be about the future or it could be relevant to this election. Actually I believe it will be relevant to this election. You see God is aligning our politicians even if it doesn’t seem that way at times.

I was praying yesterday about a new future leader and I heard the name Boris Johnson. It could be for the near future or for the distant future but I believe somehow this man is significant and that he needs our prayers. Now I don’t know much about him but if this is the case then we need to pray and also align ourselves. A friend of mine told me there was another prophetic word about him so I will search for that.

Now I needed some confirmation so I prayed to God that if this was the case I would ask my son who the next Prime minister would be and he would give me the same answer. I prayed and kept feeling the same thing. I then asked my 5 year old son this morning and he said straight away ‘Boris Johnson”! I was not expecting this at all. He could have said anyone. He has heard his name on the TV before but there is no way it’s just nothing because this is too random as I didn’t mention his name at all to him beforehand.

Though, please don’t take this as 100% as I am not saying I have got it right because I know we as humans sometimes think we have heard God but it’s actually just us so it could be that in this case. I could be completely off on the wrong train so please correct me if I am!:) Also as I stated it might be just that he is a very significant person in the scheme of things so please pray for him anyway. Also ask God to show you who he would wish you to vote for. Give God your vote because that is the most important thing. So for example if the person you voted for doesn’t win you can say “God your will be done” because remember it’s all about Him. Don’t let pride get a hold of you and do your seeking in the secret place spending time in God’s presence.

Finally, whatever happens declare only good things over our nation and over the world-don’t listen to the news and the doom and gloom. Our words make a difference so whatever happens pray this pray “your will be done on earth (also insert country) as it is in Heaven”.

 

God bless you

Future Leader of the UK

I felt something in my spirit when I was praying last week for the government of the UK and for Theresa May. I believe she has been placed there for a reason and I pray for her each day and send angels to give her God’s word and truth.

However, I also felt it was important to pray and declare for the next prime minister of the UK who I believe God told me will be a man. I felt it very strongly and then a few days later I saw a prophetic word which said the same thing! I love it when God confirms stuff! I now know that I MUST pray and declare for him. The other prophesies said he would be a strong leader which is exactly what I felt before. This also drew me to the conclusion that if this is the case which I believe it is then there will also be strong opposition to this strong leader.

We should all be on our knees declaring only God’s truth and protection over our land because our words have so much power in them. I don’t know who this future prime minister will be (and we certainly should continue to pray and declare for Theresa May) but I believe if we start decreeing over his life starting now then great great things can happen.

I felt I should share this so I hope this encourages you all. God bless

Pregnant with expectation

Recently my dear mother pointed out something very interesting to me.

I am a very impatient person so during these months I have been wondering when article 50 will be triggered. However, my mum mentioned to me that it seemed very curious to say the least that it has now been nine months since we had the referendum. This is the same amount of time for a pregnancy to come to term. This to me does not seem like a coincidence seeing as God always does things using symbols, numbers and uses different things to represent things his timeline.

It would make sense to use the analogy of a pregnancy because we can see by looking back at 2016, the different trimesters and symptoms which have occurred as a result in the UK and globally too.

Firstly, in a pregnancy we know that the first 12 weeks is very vital. The cells implant in the womb and they grow rapidly. It also needs vital nutrients to help it grow and multiply. Many important things happen for example the heart starts beating, many other important organs are formed and the limbs grow.  However, the body also reacts often violently and can be starved of vital nutrients losing weight and having terrible morning sickness. It is often hard to see the development at this stage because it’s so small but if we looked closely we can see many things are happening.

We can look back at the first 12 weeks so from June 23-Sep 23 and see how many changes took place. We first saw a major upheaval in the government and a new prime minister was elected. We also saw the hideous back lash (morning sickness), an almost violent struggle to abort the plan and an allergic reaction based on fear and change (I myself having been pregnant can vouch for this!). We also knew though God was doing many things behind the scenes, removing people, putting a plan on the heart of the prime minister although we couldn’t see it or we didn’t hear it in the news.

Then in the second trimester, the morning sickness mostly goes away and the idea of pregnancy becomes more engrained in your mind, the shock decreases and a spirit of excitement settles in. The baby develops a skeleton, the baby’s gender is apparent, their ears develop and their own special, unique fingerprint forms.

This period of time was from Sep 23-Dec 23. This was a time of change on a worldwide level in many ways. There was a real excitement, a coming together and a joining of people who perhaps never felt joined before. This was not without fear though from others. The rise of the feminazi came into full view and many reports of racism (would be pregnancy scares) occurred and reports of immigration in order to paint everyone who voted for Brexit as evil, racist, bigots (perhaps reflecting the thought ‘why did we do this?’). Still, in terms of the fingerprints I think this time was significant because it gave us a time to reflect on who we are, what makes us unique and what our special mandate is in the world as the UK (I believe each country has a beautiful and unique purpose in the world.).

Finally, now we are in the third trimester Dec 23-March 23. This period of time is where the baby if born can survive well outside the womb. A premature baby needs care and although many have no problems some issues may arise because the baby is not 100% equipped to face the outside world. At this time the lungs form and although the baby looks ready it needs to gain weight in order to be fully equipped. This is why the final trimester although it may look fairly quiet compared to before is actually getting the baby and the mother ready for the birth.

We have seen some minor complications and many now have accepted that this birth will happen. The plan is being thought out behind the scenes and many faithful saints are praying. However, there is one thing we must do. We must spend this time preparing for the labour. We must anticipate ahead.  It will be hard work, it will be painful and yes it will be messy even if it’s a quick labour and everything goes according to the birth plan. The midwives must be on hand, there must be support nearby medical equipment may be necessary. Nevertheless, the baby must be born.

Finally, once the baby is here although the pregnancy is over we will have entered a new stage of life. We must have everything the baby needs, to clothe it, to feed it, to care for it. We also need to give time for the mother to recover from what has been a traumatic experience for her body (regardless of how easy the labour was). She also needs time to adjust emotionally and her body will still be changing. There will also be sleepless nights and feeding problems along with others.

Yet, what will be evident is a newfound love between the child and the mother which will continue to grow. The child will learn to smile, to laugh and to bring so much joy to its mother. Life will be so much more alive and the mother will have to become more patient, more sacrificial and will have to see life from a new perspective. However, one thing is for sure that baby will always be a blessing.

*Many things here can also be applied to the USA and to other countries around the world. I love seeing the different symbols like the eagle and the lion and unicorn emerging among others. I can’t wait to see the different destinies that God has for many countries revealed.  God bless this world!!

Brexit and the Slave Trade

As I was scrolling down my junk mail an email caught my eye. There was something about it that made me stop and read it a little more. It was talking about all the negative things that may possibly happen because of Brexit in the hopes, I suppose, of stirring up paranoia and widespread anxiety in people. Due to the politically correct society we live in people are almost scared to say anything positive about their country in fear of being labelled racist or nationalistic. However, God tells us to speak positive things about ourselves and our communities and he has called us to be a light to this world. We must also speak positive things about our country if we want to see them happen. Words have power whether they are spoken by our mouths or on paper. However, when I saw this email I was reminded again of William Wilberforce who fought to end the slave trade and I couldn’t help myself but think what the lies the newspapers may have said about him and the abolition movement. Here is my possible interpretation below. Could You Get ‘Special Exemption’? With the abolition of the slave trade on the horizon, Sir Frank Green Lord Mayor of London has suggested that certain businessmen and trade owners could be given special status with respect to the slave trade in the event of a complete abolition.   Are 1 In 5 merchants Set To Leave The UK For the Americas? A survey conducted by Kentish Gazette suggests the potential impact that criminalising the Slave Trade could have on Britain’s business culture, with 21% of merchants considering moving their headquarters to the Americas in order to maintain their civil liberties.

Phased Slavery Controls Are A Possibility In UK

A new government whitepaper detailing the UK’s steps towards an abolition suggests that citizens holding certain positions and connections to parliament living in the UK may not be asked to ‘surrender’ their slaves and that, instead, slave ownership will instead be ‘phased out’.

Abolition- another word for treason?

Due to the current situation between UK and France many MPs have declared the work of the abolitionists ‘an absolute joke’ at the least and ‘a jab in the back of the king’. The abolitionists have been accused of encouraging disloyalty to the crown and stirring up civil unrest. The current issue that lies with France suggests that any talk of abolition may be enough to provoke an accusation of treason.

Britain’s worst days are yet to come

According to an article published just yesterday in The Register the UK will seek to lose an immeasurable amount of wealth if the abolitionists have their way. The UK has benefited greatly and the slave trade has provided a surplus of jobs for many ordinary labourers. Most MPs have eradicated any mention of support for abolition and continue to oppose any changes to the current constitution. William Wilberforce is standing alone in his defiance. According to sources only 19% of British citizens are in favour of the abolition of the slave trade.

Perhaps you’ve seen some similar headlines in these past few months. I know I have although not regarding the slave trade of course. I can only imagine the amount of people who were constantly out to trip up William Wilberforce and the amount of traps and ambushes that were waiting for him at every turn. However, there was hope because Heaven was on his side and no matter the amount of newspapers stirring up hatred, opposing MPs and general negativity God had His way. Thanks to William Wilberforce’s stamina and faith in God many millions of slaves were released from a life of misery and sorrow and could taste the true beauty of freedom.

My prayer is that despite the negativity and the opposition we would fix our eyes on Heaven and do whatever it is that God has called us to. And it may be that one day you will be the one William Wilberforce would like to meet!

 

Where will God move next?

 

I saw an article which was discussing the different areas in the UK where people are more likely to call themselves Christians. I found it very interesting for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the areas where people are more likely to call themselves Christians (and the survey is not reflective of everyone) are areas that have a lower socio economic background. Thus these people may find themselves more empathetic towards religion because of the role churches may play in helping people in poorer areas (i.e cap and other charities). Also it is common knowledge that when you go through troubles (i.e financial difficulties) you tend sometimes to look for answers from a higher power.

Secondly, a lot of people from poorer backgrounds tend not to go to university despite student loans being a popular way to enter. Universities are certainly more liberal in many ways and steer people towards humanism and atheism.   So people who don’t go to university perhaps are more traditional in certain viewpoints for example how they see the family and its importance in society, they’re more likely to be more community minded rather than individualistic due to low wages and expensive rents (these are generalisations so please don’t think I am putting everyone in this category.). University on the other hand tends to encourage independence and sometimes to a degree that rejects the family and its values (although this isn’t the case for everyone nor for every university).

Thirdly, I want to take a quick look at the past and remind myself of the people whom were very much on the forefront of John Wesley’s mind. These were the poor, the labourers, the downtrodden, the oppressed, those that had nothing. These people were open and God reached them via John Wesley and his obedience. I believe we were saved from a would be revolution (similar to that of France at that time) because of people like John Wesley whom God used in a great way.

Next, this moves on to the final point. People like this are open to change. This can be a really good thing if a few people are willing to rise up and take a stand just like John Wesley. You see people like this don’t have much to lose from change. On the other hand, those who are wealthy, who have the privilege of living in wealthy, peaceful areas with a myriad of opportunities at their feet have benefited (and perhaps at the expense of many others). These people really have everything to lose from change.

In conclusion, God will change this nation and He will be received with open arms by many. Although he will also be rejected by many. I know that there are also many Christians who have been university educated and are against change I also know many who do want change and are open. I know there will a lot of resistance but it won’t necessary come from the people you think it will. I think it’s more likely to come from ‘well-educated’ (whatever that means), ‘wealthier’ and perhaps even some ‘established churches’. However one thing I do know is that God is about to move.

Let’s be watching very closely because you may be surprised what you see happen in the next year or so. God is on the move and He is going to use some of the most unobvious people to do His work! I know I’m excited… are you?!

Faith Leads Nations

The slave trade as we remember it began in the 15^th century although people had been trading other people throughout the ages. Olaudah Equiano (a friend of William Wilberforce), who was a former slave explained, “…how he and his sister were captured by fellow Africans who then sold them on to eventually be exchanged with the ship owners and taken to work in Europe.”.

Merchants in England under a spirit of greed and deception despatched more than 10,000 voyages to Africa for slaves. The money from the slave trade built the rich fine mansions, established banks, funded other institutes and ports benefited too. The bankers, factory owners, slave owners and plantation owners all grew richer at the expense of the slaves. The profits also helped finance the industrial revolution and by the end of the 18^th century approximately four million pounds had come into Britain from its West Indie plantations.

It was at this point that a man came onto the scene.  His name, William Wilberforce*. William Wilberforce was seemingly alone in his fight against slavery especially at the start. However he did have scores of the host of heaven with him and he knew nevertheless that however corrupt the politicians were and however difficult they made his life, he had a mandate and that was to fight for the lives of ALL human beings. They ridiculed him, after all on the outside Britain had prospered from the slave trade (well they the rich had). The ordinary people however were not so easily persuaded. Poverty was still rocket high and the poor died in their youth and in appalling conditions. William Wilberforce knew the truth that if you distance yourself from corruption and lies and you fight for true justice you will reap the benefits not only as an individual but also as a nation.

However, they laughed and scorned him, to them they were completely right. It was the richest part of Britain’s trade and after all to them ‘Africans were thought to be sub-human, uncivilised, and inferior’. James Houston who worked for a firm of 18^th century slave merchants wrote “what a glorious and advantageous trade this is…it is on the hinge of which all the trade of this globe moves”.  His words may seem terrible and offensive now but in the wake of society he was only echoing what was indeed happening in his eyes.  The elite and politicians were angry and disillusioned because they believed that they were being robbed of their livelihoods and many benefits, although many did receive compensation from the government in return for the freedom of their slaves.

In 1834 the slave trade ended. However, it is not surprising that in this same year the poor law amendment act was passed which took away many rights of the poor and pushed them into further poverty. This I believe was a distraction from the true benefits that Britain would later reap as a result of leaving the slave trade. There was fierce hostility and organised opposition from many and the amended act was eventually amended once again.

An assessment would highlight that the profits of slavery were more modest than the great bonanza that was once thought to have taken place, and that the contribution of slavery and the slave trade to national income was very marginal at best. Britain didn’t suddenly sink into the Mariana trench and disappear into the depths of the ocean. She didn’t suddenly find herself sucked into a storm and crashing mercilessly upon the rocks. It did indeed take a leap of faith to end the slave trade but when many millions of lives were set free abroad and at home something happened in the heavenlies and a great spiritual shift took place. God honoured those faithful abolitionists who gave their lives heart and soul for the cause.

During the Victorian era although Britain experienced a great many problems and there were a great many atrocities done in the name of ‘the empire’ many ordinary people did indeed climb out of poverty. Many great philanthropists were born, many inventors were successful and healthcare and education all improved vastly. The faith of the people grew and God was once again honoured in many homes and lives throughout the British Isles.

Slavery was abolished and I believe that because as a nation we took a stand against it we prospered and gained many benefits that in turn we could use the bless the rest of the world and that is what happened in many ways. Many listened to the words of these brave abolitionists who even risked their lives for their fight against slavery. Faith was very much a large part of society and even though yes there was still much poverty and evil where there was true faith there was true prosperity and blessing (Birmingham is one great example of this).

I feel that as a nation we need to take a stand once again. We need to become a forerunner on some of these giant global issues that are destroying lives whether it be physically, emotionally or spiritually. Is England ready to take the helm and launch into the open sea? I believe that yes we are and we will see wonders as a result. But we must be prepared to take up our cross and follow him first and foremost.

*William Wilberforce meaning: Resolute protector with wilful force (I just thought the name meaning was so interesting that I would share it with you)

 

Sources:

The Illustrated Rise and Fall of the British Empire by Lawrence James (Little, Brown, 1999)

The Oxford History of the British Empire: The Eighteenth Century edited by PJ Marshall (OUP, 1998)

Atlas of British Overseas Expansion edited by AN Porter (Routledge, 1994)

Kenneth Morgan (2014) Found at: www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/trade_empire_01.shtml

abolition.e2bn.org/slavery_45.html  (Accessed February 2017)