Mark Wilkins spoke in church today. A message that encouraged us to remember God’s faithfulness and his great plan and destiny for all of us amidst the ebb and flow of life.
We know that life can be good but at times not so good. God wants the very best for us. God is good and life is good and yet we live in a ‘fallen world’.
Ephesians 1:11 – Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
He has a plan for each of us, to achieve all that we can in him.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
We each have a destiny but we also experience the ebb and flow of life. We face the experiences of a fallen world and we can find ourselves in ‘down’ times. The danger is that we can end up staying there in those places of despair, even when these times should only last for a season.
Remember that God is with us and wants to bring us out of those places, he doesn’t want us to stay there. In the mourning and down time experiences.
Two characters in the Bible that illustrates this truth.
Joseph - There were times in Joseph’s life where he should have experienced incredible despair. The most favoured of sons, God had a great plan and purpose for his life. His brothers, out of jealousy, plotted against him and sold him into slavery.
Amidst all of this he could have fallen into despair feeling that God had left him and began to wonder whether or not his vision for his future would ever come to pass.
Wondering whether or not he would ever fulfil God’s plan for his life.
Joseph’s attitude was always good and positive. He became a ‘great’ servant in Egypt serving Potiphar well. Even after ending up in prison because of Potiphar’s wife’s accusations he still remained faithful to God’s calling upon his life, using the gifts that God had given him in his ‘down’ time experiences.
He did become ruler of Egypt and his family came back to him and bowed down before him. He fulfilled his destiny.
Let us stay faithful to God with what God has given us and called us to do, even amidst troubled times. God is still able to use us and lift us out of despair and take us to where he wants us to go.
Nehemiah – Also had a God given purpose. To rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. There were no dreams or striking visions…God just laid this calling upon his heart. He had to approach the King and share his sadness at the state of the walls. God began to work in the situation and Nehemiah received the support of the authorities.
He went down to the walls and saw the daunting task before him. But God was with him.
He was mocked and plotted against by the people against the rebuilding. Nehemiah kept praying and seeking God. God answered and frustrated the plotters. Even the workforce began to experience difficulties of poverty and famine.
Throughout this time Nehemiah could have question his calling. Had he got it wrong? But he overcame the doubts and kept pressing on.
Never lose sight of your objective, what God has given you.
2 Corinthians 11:23-27
The Apostle Paul also saw incredible tribulations. But he had a sight of the goal, and to keep serving God.
He wrote the book of Ephesians...an incredibly uplifting book...from prison! He knew that God was with him as he served God’s purposes.
He had his eyes set on the end, even amidst hardship.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 – (6) As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (8) And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
A People of the Word
Great time in church today, Paul Benger completed an excellent two part series on faith with ‘A People of the Word’. (Podcast available)
Without faith it is impossible to please God - Hebrews 11:6
Faith is the only currency of Heaven. With heaven we only trade with ‘faith’. Faith is believing what God has said and living from that place where God is for us and wants us to do well.
Ever found yourself arguing with the ‘Sat-Nav’? Thinking you know a better way.
Sometimes we can find ourselves arguing with God believing we know the way to go, the way to live our lives. God knows best! It is a foolish thing to do...to switch off God in our lives.
Proverbs 14:12 – There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death
God is not a killjoy. He knows the end from the beginning. Isaiah 46:10 – I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Trust God that he knows best for your life. Don’t live in the James Brown zone, it must be all right because ‘I feel good’. God wants to lead us and direct our paths away from destruction.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path
His word will lead us to the best life, the best experiences.
4 requirements for being a people of God’s word...
1) Allow God’s word to speak the loudest
We need to decide who is going to have the loudest voice in our lives. Whoever is speaking the loudest is going to direct us.
Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you
We are hearing all kinds of messages, many voices in the media. They are becoming louder and clearer. Some good, some not so good. Let God’s word be the loudest voice in our lives.
2) Know that God has your best interests in mind
God is always for us, wanting to lift our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
3) Know that God’s word will produce fruit
In an ‘instant minded world’ it is important for us to understand the sowing and reaping principle.
Isaiah 55:10-11 – As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
When we act upon God’s word after hearing it, receiving it and believing it, we will produce fruit. Sometimes we also need to take a stand, not to give up, to be belligerent, defiant, obstreperous!
4) Trust that God knows best
On our journey in life let God show us the right direction to go...He knows best!
Without faith it is impossible to please God - Hebrews 11:6
Faith is the only currency of Heaven. With heaven we only trade with ‘faith’. Faith is believing what God has said and living from that place where God is for us and wants us to do well.
Ever found yourself arguing with the ‘Sat-Nav’? Thinking you know a better way.
Sometimes we can find ourselves arguing with God believing we know the way to go, the way to live our lives. God knows best! It is a foolish thing to do...to switch off God in our lives.
Proverbs 14:12 – There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death
God is not a killjoy. He knows the end from the beginning. Isaiah 46:10 – I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Trust God that he knows best for your life. Don’t live in the James Brown zone, it must be all right because ‘I feel good’. God wants to lead us and direct our paths away from destruction.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path
His word will lead us to the best life, the best experiences.
4 requirements for being a people of God’s word...
1) Allow God’s word to speak the loudest
We need to decide who is going to have the loudest voice in our lives. Whoever is speaking the loudest is going to direct us.
Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you
We are hearing all kinds of messages, many voices in the media. They are becoming louder and clearer. Some good, some not so good. Let God’s word be the loudest voice in our lives.
2) Know that God has your best interests in mind
God is always for us, wanting to lift our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
3) Know that God’s word will produce fruit
In an ‘instant minded world’ it is important for us to understand the sowing and reaping principle.
Isaiah 55:10-11 – As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
When we act upon God’s word after hearing it, receiving it and believing it, we will produce fruit. Sometimes we also need to take a stand, not to give up, to be belligerent, defiant, obstreperous!
4) Trust that God knows best
On our journey in life let God show us the right direction to go...He knows best!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The Power of God's Word
Paul Benger began a two part series this morning on ‘faith’...the Power of God’s Word. (Podcasts now available)
Without faith it is impossible to please God - Hebrews 11:6
So many people have misconceptions about God, but...
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God - Romans 10:17
Faith is believing what God has said. We hear God’s word, we receive God’s word, we believe God’s word and we do it!
Four things concerning the ‘power of God’s word’...
God’s Word is Creative
New things are born when God speaks. God will speak into your life and create new things.
2 Peter 3:5 – long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water
“One word from God can change your life forever”
God’s word creates vision. He causes us to see into our future and believe the things we have only dreamed of.
Character is created when we hear the word of God. Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God
God’s Word Sustains
His word will help you keep going when nothing seems to be happening.
Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
God’s Word Saves Us
We need to learn to trust God...or we may find ourselves trusting other things or other people.
James 1:21-22 - Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
His word is wisdom for life. He gives us a great life!
Joshua 1:8 - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful
God’s Word is our weapon against the enemy
Take a stand against the negative words that God has not spoken.
Ephesians 6:17 – Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
His word is our weapon when we ‘know’ what God has said. ‘I know that He loves me!’
How do I hear the Word of God?
- Jesus – the clearest expression of what God has said. Jesus is God’s ‘word’ to us.
- Read scripture
- Meditate on scripture
- Keep turning up – eventually we will get it! Stay around people of faith, be in church.
- Keep an open heart and humble spirit
Without faith it is impossible to please God - Hebrews 11:6
So many people have misconceptions about God, but...
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God - Romans 10:17
Faith is believing what God has said. We hear God’s word, we receive God’s word, we believe God’s word and we do it!
Four things concerning the ‘power of God’s word’...
God’s Word is Creative
New things are born when God speaks. God will speak into your life and create new things.
2 Peter 3:5 – long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water
“One word from God can change your life forever”
God’s word creates vision. He causes us to see into our future and believe the things we have only dreamed of.
Character is created when we hear the word of God. Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God
God’s Word Sustains
His word will help you keep going when nothing seems to be happening.
Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
God’s Word Saves Us
We need to learn to trust God...or we may find ourselves trusting other things or other people.
James 1:21-22 - Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
His word is wisdom for life. He gives us a great life!
Joshua 1:8 - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful
God’s Word is our weapon against the enemy
Take a stand against the negative words that God has not spoken.
Ephesians 6:17 – Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
His word is our weapon when we ‘know’ what God has said. ‘I know that He loves me!’
How do I hear the Word of God?
- Jesus – the clearest expression of what God has said. Jesus is God’s ‘word’ to us.
- Read scripture
- Meditate on scripture
- Keep turning up – eventually we will get it! Stay around people of faith, be in church.
- Keep an open heart and humble spirit
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Fulfilling Our Destiny
Great time in church today. Simon Wood shared another encouraging message concerning God’s plan for our lives.
We were reminded last week about laying hold of our dreams again. ‘We are ordinary people with extraordinary plans!’ God has a ‘big plan’ for all of us.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
Think big! ‘They say your eyes are bigger than your stomach…they ought to be! Your ability to see your future should be greater than your ability to accomplish it.’ (Dave Gilpin, Hope City Church, Sheffield)
Think bigger, aim higher. We are born for a purpose, for a destiny. Let God guide you, let him determine your steps and lead you into a great future. Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps
Submit your plans to him. Let his wisdom guide us. Use Godly wisdom. This will build us up and build the House up. His wisdom takes us down Godly paths.
Proverbs 2
Live by his word. Don’t live by other words, the kind of words that may have been spoken over our lives in the past…negative, discouraging, destructive criticism.
God wants the very best for us. Matthew 7:11 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
God doesn’t want us weighed down with a heavy rock! He’s got good things for us to empower our lives.
Treasure God’s word. Our ‘treasure map’ is God’s word. It reveals truth and directs us towards great things.
Lean towards His word. Wherever you lean you will fall towards. If you lean towards the negative that is where you will fall. If we lean towards God and His word we will find truth and strength. Be careful what you listen to. Meditate on good things.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things
Sometimes we need selective deafness (not just the husbands!)
Rate what you hear. Don’t rate things too high, that should be much lower on our scale. The reverse of that is to make sure that the important things we hear are not low down on our scale when they should be at the top.
We were reminded last week about laying hold of our dreams again. ‘We are ordinary people with extraordinary plans!’ God has a ‘big plan’ for all of us.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
Think big! ‘They say your eyes are bigger than your stomach…they ought to be! Your ability to see your future should be greater than your ability to accomplish it.’ (Dave Gilpin, Hope City Church, Sheffield)
Think bigger, aim higher. We are born for a purpose, for a destiny. Let God guide you, let him determine your steps and lead you into a great future. Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps
Submit your plans to him. Let his wisdom guide us. Use Godly wisdom. This will build us up and build the House up. His wisdom takes us down Godly paths.
Proverbs 2
Live by his word. Don’t live by other words, the kind of words that may have been spoken over our lives in the past…negative, discouraging, destructive criticism.
God wants the very best for us. Matthew 7:11 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
God doesn’t want us weighed down with a heavy rock! He’s got good things for us to empower our lives.
Treasure God’s word. Our ‘treasure map’ is God’s word. It reveals truth and directs us towards great things.
Lean towards His word. Wherever you lean you will fall towards. If you lean towards the negative that is where you will fall. If we lean towards God and His word we will find truth and strength. Be careful what you listen to. Meditate on good things.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things
Sometimes we need selective deafness (not just the husbands!)
Rate what you hear. Don’t rate things too high, that should be much lower on our scale. The reverse of that is to make sure that the important things we hear are not low down on our scale when they should be at the top.
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