There are parts in the Bible that are difficult. Difficult because they challenge our comfortable and cosy church belief that God's grace and love will eventually get everyone to heaven. Well, then we come across a passage from Jesus' words, where he says: 'Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people and cause them to choose!'
What's the choice? In the context of our passage (Luke 12:51), Jesus just spoke about his coming again, then demands that we exercise our free will and choose, and then calls us to repentance (that is: to turn around from where we are going and follow him). Now here is my struggle. A small portion of our membership are demonstrating their relationship with Christ through their weekly worship, but a large number of our membership might pop in now and then, or leave it just to Christmas. What choice are they making about the importance of the gift of salvation for them and their future? In my own family there are those who have walked away from the Christian faith. What have they chosen? Would you blame God for the excercise of your own free will? Here is an aspect of the Gospel that is rarely talked about: God lets you decide your future! And it starts right now ...
Rev.'D
18 August, 2010
advice: overcoming adversity
Solid as a foundation may seem when it is poured, any foundation is still built on the ground. The Bible gives us the advice to check out the ground before we build anything on it. It was one of Jesus' parables - the one about the man who built his house on sand, the other on rock. The weather factor was then brought into the story as to who survived the storm. Have you ever noticed that when life is generally good to all, it apparently makes little difference what kind of ground you build your life on; not until the storms of life come battering against you? Suddenly it makes all the difference in the world.
The advice we have from scripture to build our life on faith in God is what has helped numerous people weather the storms of life. So what is it that gives people of faith such confidence? Here it is: It is the belief that God can make the difference in our life when we allow Him to. Such confidence built on faith leads many to do great things; actions that serve and bless our wider community. As an example here at Living Word, our support for others in need, like the orphans in India or the displaced people in Pakistan, becomes our way of extending God's rescus when life's storms quite litetally destoys everything we have and hold on to. So, what is left when disaster strikes? Again, here it is: faith the God will use people like you and me to extend a helping hand - to lead people back to solid ground on which they can build their future.
To help financially, please contact ALWS at www.alws.org.au or phone 1300 763 407
Rev.'D
The advice we have from scripture to build our life on faith in God is what has helped numerous people weather the storms of life. So what is it that gives people of faith such confidence? Here it is: It is the belief that God can make the difference in our life when we allow Him to. Such confidence built on faith leads many to do great things; actions that serve and bless our wider community. As an example here at Living Word, our support for others in need, like the orphans in India or the displaced people in Pakistan, becomes our way of extending God's rescus when life's storms quite litetally destoys everything we have and hold on to. So, what is left when disaster strikes? Again, here it is: faith the God will use people like you and me to extend a helping hand - to lead people back to solid ground on which they can build their future.
To help financially, please contact ALWS at www.alws.org.au or phone 1300 763 407
Rev.'D
16 June, 2010
Bible Studies with our College Staff
The term is now coming to a close and the first semester of this year is concluding. Holidays are upon us in just a few more days. To all the school staff - have a plesant R&R!
Posted on our church web site will be the study we have used for the college staff called: 'Digging Thru Daniel.' It is available in two parts - first, on Daniel's life; second, on Daniel's visions. This is an interesting book as it sets out for us the procession of world empires, with one last world empire yet to come in order to fulfill Daniel's visions. When you consider the middle-east events as they unfold currently, then Daniel certainly comes into perspective for our time.
Next study will be: 'Filpping Thru Philippians' / previous studies are also listed on our resource page on the church web page: livingwordashmore.org
Rev.'D
Posted on our church web site will be the study we have used for the college staff called: 'Digging Thru Daniel.' It is available in two parts - first, on Daniel's life; second, on Daniel's visions. This is an interesting book as it sets out for us the procession of world empires, with one last world empire yet to come in order to fulfill Daniel's visions. When you consider the middle-east events as they unfold currently, then Daniel certainly comes into perspective for our time.
Next study will be: 'Filpping Thru Philippians' / previous studies are also listed on our resource page on the church web page: livingwordashmore.org
Rev.'D
PENTECOST SEASON
The first half of the church calendar season in the liturgical year (beginning with Advent) focuses our attention on the life and activity of Christ. Once we move into the Pentecost season, that focus is redirected to the life and activity of the Church - in particular, faith as it relates to the individual Christian and the body of Christ as a whole. Pentecost is sometimes known as the 'Birthday of the Church.' It certainly began with the outpouring of God's gift - the Holy Spirit, with its accompanying gifts and influences (like the fruits of the Spirit).
We celebrated this event with a weekend workshop exploring the ancient Hebrew origins of this festival (as instigated by God - read Leviticus 23). This festival sits fifty days after the first grouping of three festivals (fulfilled in Christ's first coming), and leads into a long period before the last three festivals (yet to be fulfilled). In ancient times this festival was thought to commemorate the giving of the 10 commandments; which is picked up in the New Testament period with the giving of God's Spirit. But it is also a call by God to gather for worship...
Rev.'D
We celebrated this event with a weekend workshop exploring the ancient Hebrew origins of this festival (as instigated by God - read Leviticus 23). This festival sits fifty days after the first grouping of three festivals (fulfilled in Christ's first coming), and leads into a long period before the last three festivals (yet to be fulfilled). In ancient times this festival was thought to commemorate the giving of the 10 commandments; which is picked up in the New Testament period with the giving of God's Spirit. But it is also a call by God to gather for worship...
Rev.'D
05 May, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
In the month of May on the Australian Yearly Calendar, we have a day set aside to say 'thank you' to our mums. We will be treating them to a special champaign morning tea this coming Sunday at our church. But here's a thought. Why wait until we have a date set aside for something that should be a natural occurance every day ... think about it; saying 'thank you' to Mum or anyone else who goes out of their way for us, should happen automatically. This was so important to God, that He wrote it into the 10 Commandments - the commandments for the best practice in relationships; it goes something like this: Honour your father and mother.
These days in our western culture, respect and honour are rare things. We hear that 'you have to earn it before I will give it.' So here is the challenge: 'you have to give it before you can receive it back.' God's Word gives us a principle for life with the thought of sowing and reaping. Sow the seeds of honour and respect into the lives of those who are closest to you and see what happens. It is transformational. Don't wait to do this on just one day of the year; practise it every day and see the results of blessing come back to you: 'You reap what you sow!' Sow the good stuff...
Rev.'D
These days in our western culture, respect and honour are rare things. We hear that 'you have to earn it before I will give it.' So here is the challenge: 'you have to give it before you can receive it back.' God's Word gives us a principle for life with the thought of sowing and reaping. Sow the seeds of honour and respect into the lives of those who are closest to you and see what happens. It is transformational. Don't wait to do this on just one day of the year; practise it every day and see the results of blessing come back to you: 'You reap what you sow!' Sow the good stuff...
Rev.'D
Pentecost Sunday - celebration coming up
John the Baptizer prophecied about a day that would come through the work of the Messiah when we would be baptized with God's Holy Spirit (Matt.3:11). The work of Christ to bring redemption found its fulfillment on this day. The crucifixion dealt with our sin; the resurrection secured for us eternal life; but it is on this day of Pentecost that Jesus gave us the promise of God (John 20:19-23; and John 14:26). From this moment onwards, believers have been empowered by God's Holy Spirit to share the Gospel (Acts 2:1-4; and Acts 2:39).
We will be holding a Pentecost Festival here at the church over the weekend of May 22nd & 23rd with guest speaker and presenter Eileen McDonald from Celebrate Messiah. Participants will discover the Hebrew background to this festival, its fulfillment with Christ, and its meaning and purpose for us Christians today. This church supports Celebrate Messiah's ministry and we have had Eileen speak at previous functions, including last year's Passover Meal. To find out more about their ministry, click on to: celebratemessiah.com.au
Rev.'D
We will be holding a Pentecost Festival here at the church over the weekend of May 22nd & 23rd with guest speaker and presenter Eileen McDonald from Celebrate Messiah. Participants will discover the Hebrew background to this festival, its fulfillment with Christ, and its meaning and purpose for us Christians today. This church supports Celebrate Messiah's ministry and we have had Eileen speak at previous functions, including last year's Passover Meal. To find out more about their ministry, click on to: celebratemessiah.com.au
Rev.'D
21 April, 2010
Easter Season
With Holy Week and the special services, like Good Friday, now a past events, as are the school holidays, it doesn't take long before we are back in our busy routine. Before you know it, the holiday photos are just a reminder of a little escape from all the demands of life. Like a mountain-top experience, we have to leave and return back down to the valley. So often our Christian life is just like that - a moving moment, an inspiration, a conviction ... and then back into the ordinary flow of everyday sameness. What happened to Jesus proclamation: "I have come to give you life, and life in all its fullness" (John 10:10)?
During the Easter Season our readings from the Bible (Lectionary at Church) all draw our attention to an aspect of the Christian life that aims to be a witness of what God means to us. It is based on Jesus' directive: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21). The way to stay fresh and connected with any good experience is simply to share it and tell others. The good stuff God shares with us is never meant to be bottled up.
The picture that comes to mind is the rally champion as they shake the champagne and spray it over the crowd as their victory salute. Isn't Easter all about a victory? Let's open the champagne! Let's enjoy the fullness of life given to us through Christ who said: "Behold I make all things new again".
Rev.'D
During the Easter Season our readings from the Bible (Lectionary at Church) all draw our attention to an aspect of the Christian life that aims to be a witness of what God means to us. It is based on Jesus' directive: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21). The way to stay fresh and connected with any good experience is simply to share it and tell others. The good stuff God shares with us is never meant to be bottled up.
The picture that comes to mind is the rally champion as they shake the champagne and spray it over the crowd as their victory salute. Isn't Easter all about a victory? Let's open the champagne! Let's enjoy the fullness of life given to us through Christ who said: "Behold I make all things new again".
Rev.'D
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