Fruit and Light
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23)
These are perhaps some of most popular words within the church today, particularly western reformed Protestantism… Look at those words again – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control… Beautiful words which I am sure fill you with a sense of well-being and are pleasing to your mind and to your soul… They are indeed beautiful but they are to be maintained by the Christian, because they are evidence that you have the Holy Spirit within you. Come and listen to the Podcast to find out more about the fruit of the Spirit and being light!
Jesus is building His Church
Jesus is building His Church – particularly at this time of COVID19 pandemic. Building involves growing, so the Church is growing – globally and locally. Have you ever wondered what constitutes a growing Church? Do you know that it isn't just a list of names on the church roll or a social club. Neither is it a large number of people who have made "decisions for Christ". If it is not those things, then what does indeed reveal a Church which is living and growing in both spiritual quality as well as numbers? Come and listen to the Podcast to find out more!
G'day! Today e are praying a prayer together concerning the Corona Virus Pandemic. I am sure each of us knows somebody who has contracted this virus, and quite possibly succumbed to it and died because of it. Come! Let's pray together!
O great God, as you know,
we are in the midst of this wretched COVID-19 global pandemic.
O Great Comforter,
embrace those grieving the loss of loved ones and wipe their tears.
We don’t know the right way to combat this pandemic,
but we know and trust that you do.
Therefore, give wisdom and courage to all those involved
in its treatment, prevention, cure and vaccine,
including our government and leaders.
May the vaccines be distributed diligently, justly, quickly and efficiently.
We thank you O God that they were prepared by wise people.
We thank you for all those caring for others during this time –
carers, nurses, medics and others.
May you O God, give them courage and wisdom.
Amen
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A Strategy to Cope in time of COVID19 (Hebrews 3)
I wonder how you have changed over the years. It is almost 40 years now since I first became a Christian and started following Jesus Christ. I haven't fallen away from Him in that time, but I have known some people who have. A question as we start: "How can we, as 21st century Christians, keep from falling away?" Particularly at this time when we have a global pandemic due to the Corona Virus. The answer I believe, is what I would call it the COPE strategy: Consider, Persevere and Encourage.
1. Keep Considering! (Hebrews 3:1-6)
- Moses was cool
- In Comes Jesus
- How is Jesus better than Moses?
- What about us?
2. Keep Persevering! (Hebrews 3:7-12, 15-19)
3. Keep Encouraging! (Hebrews 3:12-14)
Conclusion
If you would call yourself a Christian and you are unsure where you are, then please do look back and remember what Jesus has done for you. Consider Him as you look back to your first profession of faith in Him. Consider that just as He died, you died in the waters of baptism. Consider that just as He rose to physical life, you rose from the waters of baptism and will also rise again when you physically die. Consider that just as Jesus will be glorified, so too will you be glorified before the Father - if you hold out until the end. Be assured of who you are - you are a child of the living God - hold out to the end. He has a firm grip on you, so maintain your grip on Him! Remember who you are! The way to cope with the rigours of 21st century life as a Christian believer is to keep considering, keep persevering and keep encouraging - all in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives with you and seals you as God's child.
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Partakers Christmas Thought
7 January 2022
Jesus 09: Jesus and me. Jesus and you.
1 John 5:9-12 - "We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which He has given about His Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:9-12)
Almost everybody has an opinion of the man Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas! Countless millions worship him today and down through history since His birth some 2000 years ago! Sometimes when people find out that I am a Christian, ask me “Who is your Jesus? Why are you a Christian?”
In the podcast today we investigate Jesus’ relationship with me. Come and listen to find out more!
