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Life is full of warnings and encouragements!
I got the news today that my dad has had a heart attack and will be flown to Melbourne from Albury tonight to have an operation in the morning. It has been a scare for him and me, but it is apparently a routine procedure for hospital staff. When we get through this tough time, we will likely see it as a warning (They say!?). In contrast, this morning in Wednesday Church, we heard our own dear Margaret speak words of encouragement from God's promises in his word, which we know are true and hold to dearly in the tough times. Scripture is full of real-life stories we can all relate to, even though they were written so long ago. I've often read the letters Paul wrote to the seven churches referred to in the book of Revelation and wondered what God would say to our Church today. In those letters there are words of warning and words of encouragement, meant to edify and grow the believers and the Church as a whole. This Sunday we will look at the gifts given to the church for its growth and edification as listed in Ephesians 4:1-16. It lists Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers as people sent to equip God's people for works of service. John Shanasy who is gifted with words of knowledge and prophecy will bring a message that I expect will both warn and encourage us as any prophetic word ought to. Please join us on Sunday, full of the Holy Spirit and ready to test this word and receive what God has for us. In Christ, Rev Tanya
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Last December on my prayer retreat I asked God for a word for the Church for 2025. As I sat looking at a new young green shoot of a plant swaying in the breeze, I sensed God gave me the word "regenerate" (meaning Growth and New Life). I was reminded of a song my mission team and I sang all through Africa 10 years ago; "This is what you do" by Bethel music. You might like to listen HERE.
We know people grow when they have the right balance of support and challenge. And I believe this year will be a year of regeneration (new life and growth) for our church community. I'm not talking just about numerical growth but more so about the growth and renewing of each one of us. God calls us to grow in Him. I guess that's why God allows challenges in our lives, and also surrounds us with supportive fellow Chistian's, providing the right environment to grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream. Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:1-8 tell us we are to be like trees planted by streams of water that remain fruitful and vibrant even in adverse conditions. These passages provide this vivid metaphor for the life of someone who places their trust in God. These people are grounded in the spiritual nourishment that comes from a relationship with God. And just as the tree spreads its roots toward the river, a person who trusts in God extends their life toward His presence and grace, drawing strength and sustenance from Him. This root system enables us to grow and flourish and bear fruit even in challenging times. This year I hope you will join me in cultivating a closer, personal relationship with God through regular prayer, reading scripture, engaging in worship, fellowship with other believers, and depending on God for your/our needs. As we do so, our lives will be marked by continuous growth and fruitfulness. May we increasingly display the fruits of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, and kindness, and make a positive impact in our communities and relationships. This will be our focus for this Sunday's sermon as I share more on this vision and the direction which I believe God is leading us this year. Hope you can join us. Rev Tanya When I was in year 5 at school, I had the BEST school teacher ever. Her name was 'Miss E' (short for Eagleton), she liked Winnie the Pooh (and so did I), and her mum went to my church. I loved being in her class. For a long time, I wanted to be a teacher, just like her.
As I grew up, I became more concerned for the many young people who didn't have a faith in Jesus - now there's even young people in Australia who have never heard a proper story about Jesus (can you believe it?!). While I was still discerning where God might take me in my life during the University years - whether primary school or ministry - the big kicker for me was that I LOVED teaching the kids about Jesus. And the amazing thing about the message of Jesus is sharing the hope we have in Him. While I felt a special calling from God to share the good news with the next generation, the bible shows us a continual pattern of God's people taking on this job together too. As a nation, Israel was always looking to the next generation. Time and time again, they are reminded by God and their leaders not to be 'like their ancestors - a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God' (Ps. 78:8 - think that complaining 'wilderness' generation), but instead to look towards the next generation coming after them for the sole purpose of them trusting in the Lord (Ps. 78:6). Their job, as a whole nation, was to pass on the amazing things God had done for them, his special words and promises to them, and to teach their children there's a God who loves them. Their job was to keep 'growing young' and pass on the faith to the next generations. It didn't fall to just the parents of the one family, nor did the parents send them off to church and never speak about God at home... it was a whole-of-life passing-on-of-the-faith with the 'whole village' supporting one another. As we consider the good news Jesus brings - that anyone can enter the Kingdom of God through him - who are we looking to share that news with? Who are we passing on our faith to? Not just as individuals, but as a whole church. Together, how can we be 'growing young' and passing on our faith to the next generations? Can I encourage you to hold that question before God this week and pray about it, for it, and for each other. Pray that together, we may see this village here in Mount Eliza transformed with the good news of Jesus going out to all the generations. Amen. Amy What you think about matters! What you focus your mind on not only influences your decisions and your direction but can impact your brain and nervous system. Negative thinking will have a negative response, and positive thinking will have a loving and positive response which God has always planned for you. He made us to live in love, with positivity (faith), but this broken world in which we live influences us to think differently sometimes. Therefore, as Christians we are called to rejoice in God despite our circumstances. We are called to no longer conform to the ways of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:2). In this week's bible passage, Paul teaches us that we are to be full of joy in the Lord no matter what circumstances we are in and think about/focus on; whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Phil 4:4-8). These thoughts will guide us in the ways God wants us to go.
Remember he has good plans for you. Plans for a future and a hope. So, be deliberate in what you think about. As a person thinks in his/her heart, so he/she is. I hope to see you this Sunday. Rev Tanya Cummings |
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