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Episodes
Thursday Jun 20, 2019
Thursday Jun 20, 2019
PulpTheology Book
Dear Christian - Get a good grip
The book we are looking at this week, is Dear Christian - Get a good grip: Basic studies about God and following Him.
Here is what one reviewer said:
Down to Earth and packs all the punches we need to get a grip on what's important! Excellent series of books. Highly recommended.
Are you a Christian Disciple? Fabulous! How well do you know the God you follow? God has a grip on you, but how good is your grip on Him? Are you holding on to Him by just your fingernails? Or do you have a good firm grip on His hand, just as a baby grips onto the hand of their father? As Christian Disciples, we are only just beginning to know what it means that God became human. When on that moment the holy & sinless God, chose to enter human history and became man. Why? So that humans could choose for themselves to be in a relationship with God or not, accepting freely that they are ransomed, healed, restored and forgiven.
Yet in our modern Western Civilisation, the Church in places has forgotten this. It is time for the Church to once again go back to basics, to be reminded of them if necessary, to get their collective hands dirty and echo the God they claim to follow. Are you ready to learn not just about God but also why?
In these studies we look together at:
- Why Study God?
- Who is God?
- God as Trinity
- God the Father
- God the Son
- God the Holy Spirit
- God, Humans and Life
- A Tale of 4 Disciples
- What is a Disciple?
- Goal of a Disciple
- Living as a Disciple
- Growing as a Disciple
- The Cross and the Disciple
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Monday Jun 17, 2019
Monday Jun 17, 2019
Think Spot - 17 June 2019
“God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5:9
All over the world, people share a common desire for peace. But what is peace? The peace the world wants varies from the peace the Christian knows. The world sees peace as the absence of conflict and people being generally ‘nice’ to one another. Peace in the Christian context goes further, saying peace is perfect harmony with God, other people, circumstances and self. Therefore, perfect peace will not come until Jesus Christ comes again, and takes Christians to be with Him.
That doesn't give us as Christians a mandate to sit around not doing what we can for peace, because we are commanded to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), our God is a God of peace (1 Thessalonians 5:23), and the Kingdom of God is about peace in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Peace is to be our business. In a world full of conflicts, such as conflicts between nations, conflicts between neighbours, conflicts even within families and conflicts within and between churches, Christians are to be peacemakers.
With that in mind, here are some thoughts on what the Bible has to say on peace, to help you this week be a peacemaker:
1. Peace with God
- Justified by faith (Romans 5:1-2)
- Christ is our peace between God and man and between men (Ephesians 2:13-18)
2. Peace with others
- Live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:17-20)
- Do everything possible which leads to peace and mutual encouragement (Romans 14:13-19)
- Be a peacemaker - a sign of real wisdom producing a harvest of righteousness (Matthew 5:9, James 3:17-18)
3. Peace within/circumstances
- Peace is a gift of God (John 14:27, 2 Thessalonians 3:16)
- Worldly peace requires manipulation of circumstances, God's peace comes regardless of circumstances
- We have peace in troubled times - an untroubled, unfearful heart and mind (John 16:33)
Go in peace this Monday, into this week, knowing that the God of peace lives inside you if you are one of His children. Yesterday churches around the world celebrated the feast of Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus. If you desire peace with God, with others and in all circumstances, ask this Holy Spirit who lives inside you to help you. If you would not consider yourself as one of His children, ask Him to help you become one.
Father, I pray that this week we will do all we can to be peacemakers and make a difference in world in conflict. I ask this through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside all those who have peace with you. Amen
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Saturday Jun 15, 2019
Saturday Jun 15, 2019
Studies of Ruth
Study 2 - WOW Obedience!
Firstly, her obedience is surprising - it has a wow factor to it! The harmony between Ruth and her mother-in-law is even more appealing when we consider the two unusual facets that could have driven them apart.
Firstly, Mahlon, the natural connecting link between Ruth and Naomi was dead (Ruth 1 :3-5). Nothing specific is mentioned about the way the two women got along with each other while he was alive during those years in Moab. Instead, the story begins with the development of their relationship after Mahlon's death and at the time of the women's departure for Judah.
The second part of this wow, is that could have driven them apart was that Ruth was from Moab. A brief review of the history of this neighbouring nation proves that its land and people were clearly off limits for the Jews. The founding father Moab was the result of Lot's incestuous union with his older daughter (Genesis 19:37). Though Moab was not on the list of nations to be entirely destroyed by the Israelites under Joshua, its worship of false gods were offensive and troublesome (Numbers 25). Judges 3 relates that Eglon the king of Moab, received power from the Lord to punish Israel for eighteen years. When the people of Israel again cried out to God, the Lord raised up the judge Ehud, to kill Eglon and defeat Moab, to bring peace for eighty years.
The story of Ruth as we have heard already, is placed at the time of the Judges. Elimelech's decision to take his family into Moab to escape the famine in Israel probably occurred at a time when Moab was subdued, or at least not hostile towards Israel. However, God, had told the Israelites not to marry into the surrounding nations or join in their worship of false gods. The fact that Naomi's sons chose Moabite women shows that they ignored this instruction. It also indicates the attraction of foreign influences to the Israelites, which God wanted them to stay away from. But we also see mercy in grafting into his line of blessing one Moabite because of her faith and obedience to Him.
Naomi had two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. In view of their position as Moabite widows, it may seem that Orpah's decision to return to her own mother's house was more natural than Ruth's when Naomi announced her determination to go back to Bethlehem in Judah. We could even argue that Orpah, after politely offering to accompany Naomi, was acting in accord with her mother-in-law's wishes by remaining in Moab with her own people. Ruth, however, clung to Naomi and refused to leave her. But Orpah's obedience was shallow, as her offer to go with Naomi was done out of duty not of love, and Naomi probably saw this and declined Orpah's offer. Ruth however, remained to finish her story and claim a place in the genealogy of David and also of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
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Friday Jun 14, 2019
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Friday Prayers
14 June 2019
Order of Service
Opening prayer
Praise time
Prayers for those grieving and lonely
Prayers for justice and peace
Prayers for those facing challenging situations
Prayers for churches and Christians worldwide
Prayers for healing
Time of silence for your own prayers
Benediction
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Thursday Jun 13, 2019
Thursday Jun 13, 2019
PulpTheology Book
WOW Words of the Bible
In the Bible, there are some amazing words which almost compel the reader to go “WOW!” In this little book, we explore together 50 such words of WOW. Why? We do this so that as we seek to know the God worship, we can put this knowledge into practise of our lives and be obedient to Him. So that as Christians, we can live lives which are worthy of Him, and where all factors of WOW go to Him alone.
The words we will look at together are: Adoption, Angels, Baptism, Born Again, Christ, Covenant, Disciple, Doctrine, Faith, Fellowship, Forgiveness, Giving, Goal, God Of Judgment, God Of Love, Grace, Growing, Heaven, Holiness, Idolatry, Jesus’ Cross, Joy, Judgment, Justification, Living, Lord’s Supper, Love, Meekness, Natures, Partake, Peace, Perseverance, Propitiation, Remember, Repentance, Resurrection, Salvation, Satan, Serving, Shepherd, Sin, Sovereignty Of God, Spiritual Armour, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Temptation, Trinity, Truth, Worship, Your Cross.
Come inside and let’s go WOW together for God!
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Monday Jun 10, 2019
Monday Jun 10, 2019
Think Spot 10 June 2019
Time continues to march ever on - one second at a time! Each of us can make a difference in this world. Are you aware of that?
One of the most well-known bible verses is when Jesus says “Love your neighbour as yourself.” But did you know he is actually quoting from Leviticus 19:18b "love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord."
What does that mean for us today?
As Christians we are to live right lives - to be holy. That is a fundamental about being a Christian. It means being practical and loving others - not just in words but in action. Not just saying I love you but showing that you do. It means sometimes doing things we don't want to do. Or not doing things we want to do. It means putting others first and ourselves last. It means not showing favouritism – to the rich or the poor, to the beautiful and the not so beautiful.
Loving others as yourself, does not mean loving yourself less. It means loving others more. It means holding the interests of others higher than your own. It means honouring others above yourself.
How are you doing at loving others - all others? Are you loving others generously & selflessly? Or are you saying you love them, but only on your own terms or only in words and not in action. Loving them selfishly by putting your own needs first and others after yourself.
Here is a challenge for you. Go into this new week determined to love others – all others – without favouritism. Each of us has ways in which we feel the love of others. We all have our own needs & wants. Ask somebody else today that what it is that you could do for them that would make them feel that they are loved and valued. You may well be surprised that it is something very simple and you would never have found out what it was unless you had asked.
Let's be committed to showing practical love to all we meet - one person at a time. Imagine the difference that could make to the world! WOW!
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Saturday Jun 08, 2019
Saturday Jun 08, 2019
Studies of Ruth
Today, we are starting a short series about one of the Bible’s most enduring and endearing people – Ruth. There are perhaps two reasons why we study about people in the Bible - to learn how not to do some things like being deceitful, and how to do the right things. We will see how and in what way, Ruth was obedient to God in doing the right things.
The book of Ruth is a cameo story of love, devotion and redemption set in the black days of the Judges. It tells the story of a pagan woman giving up everything to cling to the people of Israel and to God Himself. Shows her faithfulness when the nation was faithless. Download the mp3 audio using the link below to start discovering more about this great lady of faith.
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Friday Jun 07, 2019
Friday Jun 07, 2019
Partakers Friday Prayers
7 June 2019
We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity! Come! Let us pray together!
A prayer of John the Elder of Dalyatha
O Christ, the ocean of forgiveness,
Allow me to wash off in you the dirt I am clothed in,
So that I may become resplendent in the raiment of your holy light.
Amen
A prayer of the Romanian Orthodox Church
O Heavenly Comforter, Spirit of truth,
present in all places and filling all things;
Treasury of blessings and Giver of life:
Come and dwell in us,
Cleanse us from every impurity,
And of your goodness, save our souls.
Amen
A prayer of Dag Hammarskjold
Give me a pure heart, O God - that I may see you,
A humble heart, O God - that I may hear you,
A heart of love, O God - that I may serve you,
A heart of faith, O God - that I may abide in you.
Amen
A prayer of WHH Aitken
Lord,
Take my lips and speak through them;
Take my mind and think through it;
Take my heart and set it on fire for you.
Amen
A prayer of Bishop Gavin Hamilton
O God, we humbly beseech you
To purify our hearts from all vain, worldly and sinful thoughts,
And so prepare our souls to worship you this day acceptably,
with reverence and godly fear.
Set our affections on things above all the day long,
And give us grace to receive thy Word which we shall hear
into honest and good hearts, and bring forth fruit with patience;
For the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen
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Monday Jun 03, 2019
Monday Jun 03, 2019
3rd June 2019
"Out of your comfort zone"
G'day! Did you have a good Sunday in Church? "Wow.. yes" you say "the message really hit home and although made conscious of my failings I had the reassurance of forgiveness but also the challenge to aim higher in my Christian life today and throughout this week. I really do want to count for Jesus.
I was already conscious of my needs before yesterday but God spoke clear and plain and now I want to answer in the best way I can as I serve Him today. He has done so much for me and I really want to honour Him as Lord in my life. However I realise afresh and know that I need to keep in touch with His power and wisdom in all I do. Doing things God's way is all important to me."
You sound like a mature Christian and now God is doing a new thing in your life as you take your Christian life more seriously ?. Perhaps you are launching out on something you have never done before. A new venture? May be this is new to you but countless others have passed this way before and in launching out upon this new trail you will need to share your vision and request others to help you realise your goals. Ask them to pray with you as well as advise you You may need to swallow your pride and listen to others. Elisha listened very carefully to Elijah before he departed from him (2 Kings 2:9;) and in providing the cloak he owned, Elijah was passing on more than a mantle to keep Elisha warm but in so doing was saying through his action, "The same God I have served faithfully and obediently has equal power and even a double portion to give to you Elisha as you step out onto His chosen path for you."
Yes, we have others to teach us and learn from, and the same Holy Spirit to guide and guard us today. It is true we enjoy our comfort zone but there are times when we are required by God to step out and trust Him in new experiences and see His powerful hand at work in and through us. Yes, very scary at times but what does the Lord promise us as we push out from the shore in faith? Proverbs 3:5-6 reads "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your paths". May I encourage you to read and reread His promises to you. Watch in other places in scripture for His will to be confirmed to you. Little by little He will make it clearer to you as you rely upon Him. Meanwhile ask questions of others who have travelled this same or a similar path way that you are taking and you will see a pattern developing as you obey Him.
When Israel came to the Red sea they certainly hadn't been that way previously. A dead end? A fruitless journey? Impossible situation? What did Moses do with a million voices demanding an answer. He prayed and the Lord showed him the truth contained in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Moses commanded Israel as they came to the Red Sea"Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" (Exodus 14:13) The result? A miracle took place and the incredible took place because we have an amazing God. The waters acted for them and not against them in an unnatural way forming walls for them to pass between.
Obedience and faith exercised always bring good results. Trust Him He will never disappoint you.
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Saturday Jun 01, 2019
Saturday Jun 01, 2019
40. Hebrews 13:20-21 - Farewell greetings.
(Unfortunately the NLT translation uses a word in the middle of this passage that is not exactly every day English, so I have used the ESV instead.)
The word that is common to nearly every New Testament benediction (literally a good word, finishing a letter or other writing) is peace. As this brief comment goes out from Dave’s web site it may be read, or listened to, by people in many different situations. Some of you will be able to live a quiet and peaceful life with little difficulty. But some of you may be reading this in situations that are far from peaceful. It is almost impossible to write anything to both groups.
Let those of us who dwell in peaceful parts of the world, offer our prayers for those who do not know peace. Our hearts go out to you. You may be struggling to relocate to another country hoping to find a great deal more peace than you are able to in the country of your birth and life so far. You are therefore a refugee. May you be sure of the Lord’s purposes for you and may you be able to follow him through thick and thin until you can find a reasonable amount of peace. Even as I write that I am aware that I should be exhorting you to find peace even in the most difficult of circumstances through your reliance on Jesus as your champion who initiates and perfects your faith. Remember he too suffered greatly for his faithfulness to the terrible task that his Father had sent him to complete. That is the theory. To actually put it into practice is no easy thing. May you be able to do so in rich and richer measure in the days ahead.
For those of us who do not labour under such difficulties the word from our writer is that we should do the Lord’s will, working on things which are pleasing in his sight because he has equipped us to do so. In many ways that is a much easier task. It is also a much easier task to avoid, to slide by, to overlook, to pretend we have not seen and understood what we should be doing.
None of us will ever be completely satisfied in our own eyes by what we have done in the days and the circumstances he has given us. He will be even less satisfied with us. Fortunately these are not the criteria by which he accepts us and loves us. Those things happen because the great shepherd of the sheep was seen to have completed (confirmed, or as the NLT has it ratified) his work through the blood of the eternal covenant.
May God’s grace be with you all.
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