On Sunday, Simon Wood brought a message for our church at this time.
See the House full...consider the bigger picture. Don’t look back.
Exodus 1:7 - But the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them
The Children of Israel prospered in Israel but God had something much bigger for them. The Promised Land.
The new king of Egypt was threatened by the Children of Israel – even under affliction they prospered and grew.
Even when we go through tough times...we grow. God inhabits our praises; he inhabits our response - our faith.
God is taking us into the Promised Land, but we may need to experience the wilderness.
During their wilderness experience the Children of Israel kept looking back, longing for Egypt again.
As a church we have moved, we have transitioned – “the wilderness experience will make you look back or even go back, or it makes you move forward”.
Why didn’t the Children of Israel go into the Promised Land straight away?
1) They’d left Egypt but Egypt had not left them
2) They were looking for a god who went before them but had forgotten the promises of God – the Promised Land.
Exodus 32:1 - When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered round Aaron and said, Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him
They needed to lay hold of what God had for them. So do we. See what God sees – the bigger picture.
Own the vision of the House. Everyone of us is a part of it. We’re the master of it – our destiny.
We may face opposition - If God is for is who can be against us!
Be an ‘If only’ church not a ‘What if’ church!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
World Cup Photo
I’m sure I used to play on a pitch like this one in my younger days...
Done by the groundsmen of the Olympic Park, Berlin.
Done by the groundsmen of the Olympic Park, Berlin.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Urban World 2050
The world is fast approaching the point where the majority of the human population will be found in urban areas.
The projection is that in 50 years' time, two-thirds of humanity will live in cities. Six experts outline their vision of the urban world in 2050. Read on.
Amazing photo comparison...
Dubai 1991
Dubai 2005
The projection is that in 50 years' time, two-thirds of humanity will live in cities. Six experts outline their vision of the urban world in 2050. Read on.
Amazing photo comparison...
Dubai 1991
Dubai 2005
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
The World Cup
Sadly it's only every 4 years, but I love it! Come on England.
Oh and by the way...
This one's for Steve and Helen (sister-in-law) living in Perth. Well done the Socceroos...a great start.
Oh and by the way...
This one's for Steve and Helen (sister-in-law) living in Perth. Well done the Socceroos...a great start.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
There's always a Sower and there's always a Seed
Great time in church this morning. Paul Benger spoke on ‘conditioning your heart for fruitfulness’.
Mark 4:10-25
There’s always a sower and there’s always a seed.
The purpose of Jesus teaching is for our fruitfulness, growth in our lives. His purpose is for our benefit. He came to give us life and life in all its fullness.
The Kingdom of God is meant to be the largest plant in the garden.
God knows we have needs so he plants seeds in our lives to grow and meet those needs. He’s looking for a harvest, for fruitfulness in our lives and in the life of the church.
Don’t hide your light under a bushel. Let it shine!
Jesus explains 4 stages of our condition...
Possibility 1: Hard Hearts
There’s nothing wrong with the seed - it just falls on hard ground. We can have hard hearts because of experiences, our past etc. The enemy comes and tries to steal the seed.
Possibility 2: Rocky Ground
People have no root in themselves. Their condition is the problem. Their faith is weak. Low self-esteem, low confidence. We may believe the word, but we lack the backbone, determination – we lose confidence.
Possibility 3: Thorny Ground
When God’s word comes other things spring up in our lives – chokes the word.
When we are believing for answer to prayer other things come and choke us – worry etc.
Possibility 4: Good Soil
Where we need to live. Not having a cynical, hard heart. We accept and receive God’s word…this is for me! The word will produce a harvest, great fruitfulness.
3 Keys for conditioning our hearts for fruitfulness...
1. Recognise by Faith there’s always a Sower
God is speaking to us all the time, many times through other people. God will always get His word to us.
2. Know by Faith that there’s always a Seed
God sends the seed – the Word. God wants us to sow our seed for our lives. There is always something for us to sow, even when we are afraid.
Isaiah 32:8 – But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.
3. Understand by Faith it’s the measure we use that determines the result
The sower isn’t the major issue
The seed isn’t the major issue
It’s our response to His word that is the issue – what is our response?
Receive it – Do it!
Mark 4:10-25
There’s always a sower and there’s always a seed.
The purpose of Jesus teaching is for our fruitfulness, growth in our lives. His purpose is for our benefit. He came to give us life and life in all its fullness.
The Kingdom of God is meant to be the largest plant in the garden.
God knows we have needs so he plants seeds in our lives to grow and meet those needs. He’s looking for a harvest, for fruitfulness in our lives and in the life of the church.
Don’t hide your light under a bushel. Let it shine!
Jesus explains 4 stages of our condition...
Possibility 1: Hard Hearts
There’s nothing wrong with the seed - it just falls on hard ground. We can have hard hearts because of experiences, our past etc. The enemy comes and tries to steal the seed.
Possibility 2: Rocky Ground
People have no root in themselves. Their condition is the problem. Their faith is weak. Low self-esteem, low confidence. We may believe the word, but we lack the backbone, determination – we lose confidence.
Possibility 3: Thorny Ground
When God’s word comes other things spring up in our lives – chokes the word.
When we are believing for answer to prayer other things come and choke us – worry etc.
Possibility 4: Good Soil
Where we need to live. Not having a cynical, hard heart. We accept and receive God’s word…this is for me! The word will produce a harvest, great fruitfulness.
3 Keys for conditioning our hearts for fruitfulness...
1. Recognise by Faith there’s always a Sower
God is speaking to us all the time, many times through other people. God will always get His word to us.
2. Know by Faith that there’s always a Seed
God sends the seed – the Word. God wants us to sow our seed for our lives. There is always something for us to sow, even when we are afraid.
Isaiah 32:8 – But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.
3. Understand by Faith it’s the measure we use that determines the result
The sower isn’t the major issue
The seed isn’t the major issue
It’s our response to His word that is the issue – what is our response?
Receive it – Do it!
Monday, June 05, 2006
Loyalty
Jeannie Benger spoke in church yesterday on the subject of ‘loyalty’.
John 15:13 - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends
Be careful what words we speak to people, Proverbs 18:21 – Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life
Thoughtless/careless words can destroy a relationship.
Loyalty and faithfulness is the very essence of God’s character. He is ever loyal, ever faithful, even when we are unfaithful.
Be loyal to God, loyal to the House of God, loyal to family, friends, partners etc.
Our relationships are key to our future purposes in God. They are divine connections and key to our success.
Loyalty is learnt – over time, we’re not born with it. We can learn loyalty, be a ‘living’ example of loyalty and faithfulness.
Loyalty is a stance – it pays the price, it costs something. It confronts, stays firm. It’s not always easy and might sometime lose us friendships. Defend the people we love. Loyalty brings strength, brings longevity, brings success and blessing.
Loyalty defends what is precious. Loyalty is attractive. Proverbs 19:22 - Loyalty makes a person attractive
Loyalty tells a wonderful story – Psalm 145:1-7 – (1) I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. (2) I will bless you every day, and I will praise you forever. (3) Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery! (4) Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts. (5) I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendour and your wonderful miracles. (6) Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. (7) Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness.
John 15:13 - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends
Be careful what words we speak to people, Proverbs 18:21 – Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life
Thoughtless/careless words can destroy a relationship.
Loyalty and faithfulness is the very essence of God’s character. He is ever loyal, ever faithful, even when we are unfaithful.
Be loyal to God, loyal to the House of God, loyal to family, friends, partners etc.
Our relationships are key to our future purposes in God. They are divine connections and key to our success.
Loyalty is learnt – over time, we’re not born with it. We can learn loyalty, be a ‘living’ example of loyalty and faithfulness.
Loyalty is a stance – it pays the price, it costs something. It confronts, stays firm. It’s not always easy and might sometime lose us friendships. Defend the people we love. Loyalty brings strength, brings longevity, brings success and blessing.
Loyalty defends what is precious. Loyalty is attractive. Proverbs 19:22 - Loyalty makes a person attractive
Loyalty tells a wonderful story – Psalm 145:1-7 – (1) I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. (2) I will bless you every day, and I will praise you forever. (3) Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery! (4) Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts. (5) I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendour and your wonderful miracles. (6) Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. (7) Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness.
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