Highly effective small group leaders view prayer as a non-negotiable aid in their ministry to others. They use it often and well. They build it into their daily schedules and make it a high priority. They don’t just pray a little; they pray a lot. Dave Earley
After 25 years of leading small groups and coaching small group leaders, I have come to one clear conviction: prayer is the most important activity of the small group leader. If a small group leader could do only one thing to make the group more effective, that one thing would be to pray. Dave Earley
From Jo Nova
In a radical move, the French government has quietly dropped their renewables targets from their draft energy bill, risking being seen as unfashionable losers in billionaire ski clubs. The nation that, forty years ago, built 56 nuclear reactors in 15 years has decided they just need to build another 6 to 14 new nuclear plants to reach “Net Zero” by 2050. This puts them in danger of being one of the only nations on Earth that might reach their target.
This, of course, is terrible for the renewables industry as it risks exposing the wanton frivolity and utterly superfluous nature of the wind and solar subsidy farms. If France can do this without the bird chopping, the slave labor and the lithium bombs, so can nearly everywhere else.
It’s a big change from 2014 when France aimed to reduce nuclear power to just 50% by 2025.
As NetZeroWatch says, this is a win:
The proposed text, which is slated to go before the cabinet early next month and then be submitted to lawmakers, reaffirms France’s commitment to nuclear power to ensure “energy sovereignty”.
So France wants “energy security” as opposed to energy slavery where nations hope their enemies will be nice to them when they get cold.
The proposed text affirms “the sustainable choice of using nuclear energy as a competitive and carbon-free” source of electricity, and targets the construction of at least six but as many as 14 new reactors to pull off the transition to clean energy and meet climate change goals.
Climate activists (also known as renewables salesmen) are tying themselves in knots as France solves the net zero non-problem without their pet socialist technologies.
“It’s a terrible step back,” said Arnaud Gosse, a lawyer specialising in environmental law.
“If you only quantify nuclear power, you do not know the share of non-renewable energies. As a result, nuclear gets prioritised and, depending on remaining coverage needs, non-renewables will be the subject of floating (future) decrees. It’s no longer a mix,” Gosse said.
Lord help us all, “it’s no longer a mix”, what a disaster, and a few environmental lawyers might be out of a job.
In the end renewable energy is free, clean and cheaper than anything else, but the government has to force people to use it?
As the World Nuclear Association points out:
“France is the world’s largest net exporter of electricity due to its very low cost of generation, and gains over €3 billion per year from this.“
France is saving Germany and others from their own exorbitant experiments.
New people do not “just show up.” They are invited. Growing groups take time weekly to pray for not-yet-inthe group people. They strategise the best means to reach them. Dave Earley
Scripture
At that time the Lord of Heavens armies called you to weep and mourn. He told you to shave your heads in sorrow for your sins and to wear clothes of burlap to show your remorse. But instead, you dance and play, you slaughter cattle and kill sheep.
Observation
Jerusalem, the Valley of Vision, will fall to the enemy army, at the hand of the Lord.
The people run to the armoury for weapons; they inspect the wall for breaks. but they don’t ask for help from the Lord who sent the enemy.
The Lord called on them to weep and mourn for their sins. Instead, they feasted and celebrated. The Lord says they will not they will not be forgiven for this sin
Application
There is a time for celebration in the Kingdom of God. There is also a time for solemn repentance before God.
Some churches hold what they call solemn assemblies. These are times when the whole congregation gathers to confess their communal sins and to put their lives into the correct order before the Lord.
The people of Jerusalem had been commanded by the Lord to repent to repent of their sins and to be solemn before Him. Instead, they chose to party as as if everything was OK. For this, they would not be forgiven.
When the Lord calls us to turn away from our sins, it is not a suggestion. When He tells us to do that now, He will not wait until we get around to it. The time for repentance is always now, in the moment when we are aware of our sins.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help me to keep my life centred in you. When I am off the track, please call me back into your path and give me grace to repent. Amen.
Few things can stimulate group health like genuine prayer and fasting by the leader prior to the group meeting. Dave Earley
The sermon for January 7th 2023 is now available on the new Life web site.
In this sermon, which is based on Matthew 2:1-12, i talk about Wisdom and Worship.
Click here to download or listen in your browser.
The highly effective small group leader dreams of seeing her group grow in quality, increase in numbers, and multiply into multiplying groups. Each part is very important. Dave Earley
Highly effective small group leaders know that having long-range goals keep them from being frustrated by short term failures. Dave Earley
New Life Narrabri 