All people have wounds, luggage that we sometimes choose to carry. We sometimes think we are over our wounds but at times we are into our wounds more than ever and the wound gets reopened and hurts and then it becomes a day, a week or even 10 years later and now the wound has become part of us. It gets to the point where the wound shapes who we are and defines where we are heading.
The fact is hurt people hurt people. In life there is a higher way and a lower way and it’s very easy to stick to the lower road and seek revenge against those that hurt us. We get to the point where we can’t shake it and leave it behind so revenge becomes our only hope.
We sometimes say why does this happen to me? Why are people always picking on me? Where is God in all of this when people come against me?
But here’s the encouraging thing. The bible says:
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
God knows all, sees all, understands all, and is with you in the midst of your circumstances.
Over the next three days I am going to share three things that we must do when it comes to unforgiveness in our lives.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
GOD CARES FOR THE ONE
The video below was shown at a recent Sony Executive meeting. After watching it I was reminded of how amazing it is that in a world full of over 6.7 billion people, God cares about and is interested in each and every ONE of us!
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to
ALL MEN,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior
JESUS CHRIST, 14
WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US,
that He might
REDEEM US
from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
PREPARING FOR THE BIRTH OF A NEW THING
I also shared on Sunday night eight things I have had to do in preparation for the new baby girl that's about to come into our world. There are many similarities between the birth of a new child and God birthing something great in the life of our churches.
Below are some more notes from my sermon:
8 Things we must do in preparation for the birth of a new thing
1. Be involved. Read the pregnancy book together so you can understand what is going on with her body and what stage the baby is in. Go to the doctor’s appointments with her. Make decisions together. Shop for baby stuff together. It will give you a better insight on what is going on in her body and she will appreciate the time you are spending with her. Understanding her will also minimise misunderstandings between you two.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we need to be prepared to be involved at every opportunity. Attend a life group so we can grow together and be on the same page together. Doing life together helps us understand each other and we can move forward together as the church. Being involved means we are others focused, one for another, putting others before our self and demonstrating love in character and love in action.
2. Offer to help. Help with chores around the house. Fatigue often creeps up on the mother to be. Her body is changing to support a baby so it can take a lot of energy out of her. Doing the dishes, cooking, sweeping the floor, doing the laundry, or even picking up the stuff she dropped off the floor (especially in the later months of pregnancy when bending down is difficult) can help her a lot.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church, the church must offer to help. We, as the church, must put our hand up both inside and outside the walls of our house. We need to serve with gladness at what God is doing in our church and know that every hand that is put to a good work in the house invokes the richest of blessings from our heavenly father who appreciates each and every good act of kindness and servitude. We also need to put our hand up in our community and be willing to meet the need and bring social justice to our community
3. Massage her often and rub her swollen feet. Her hips, shoulders, and back will ache. Her feet will swell most days. Be sensitive to that and try to help alleviate the pains by massaging her, even if it’s only for a few short minutes.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we need to massage our prayer life, our devotion life, our worship life
4. Love and appreciate her changing body. She may hate her own body now that her belly has grown so big. She’s gained lots of weight and those stretch marks are ugly. But you have to still love her body. Remember, it’s only temporary. Take time to especially appreciate the belly because your baby is growing inside. Spend a few minutes every night talking to the baby or rubbing her belly or kissing it.
THE CHURCH - In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we need to love and appreciate her changing body. The 21st century church looks very different to the church of hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Her mission and purpose is the same but to move on into all that God has for us we need to embrace new things. New kinds of people that come into the house. New kinds of music. New ways and styles of preaching. The message is always the same but the delivery needs to be ever changing.
5. Refresh her by offering to help rub lotion on her. Especially her back, legs, and feet (and give a quick massage while you’re at it). Her skin may be very dry. She will appreciate it very much!
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must be refreshed, not by the rubbing of lotion but by the rain from the Holy Spirit. Believe for the rain, ask for the rain. When times seem dry or you don’t seem to be experiencing the presence of God in your life, ask for the rain (the Holy Spirit) to saturate your life. We must also pray for favour even when favour is falling. God always has more, much more, for His church. More than we could ever dream or imagine.
6. It’s best that she eats a healthy diet. Help her by eating healthy yourself. This can help steer her cravings away from junk food. In addition, do lots of light exercises together. Take after dinner strolls together. Getting her heart pumping blood throughout her body is good for her and the baby (and yourself as well!).
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must have a consistent healthy diet. What are we feeding our minds, our spirits, and our souls? What movies are we watching lately, what music are we listening to? What words are we speaking over our lives?
7. Have the route to the hospital planned out or memorized. Her water might suddenly break or her contractions are only 3 minutes apart. Either way, you will be the one driving her to the hospital. Your brain cells may not be working correctly because you’re too nervous or panicky or worried about your screaming wife.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must have a plan. In times of challenge or stretching it’s easy to divert from the plan God has for us but if we have a plan and it’s clear, we have a point of reference.
8. No matter what, do not leave her while she is in labour and/or the delivery room. Your grand kids will even hear the story of how you left her.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must
not leave when the new thing is birthed.
Below are some more notes from my sermon:
8 Things we must do in preparation for the birth of a new thing
1. Be involved. Read the pregnancy book together so you can understand what is going on with her body and what stage the baby is in. Go to the doctor’s appointments with her. Make decisions together. Shop for baby stuff together. It will give you a better insight on what is going on in her body and she will appreciate the time you are spending with her. Understanding her will also minimise misunderstandings between you two.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we need to be prepared to be involved at every opportunity. Attend a life group so we can grow together and be on the same page together. Doing life together helps us understand each other and we can move forward together as the church. Being involved means we are others focused, one for another, putting others before our self and demonstrating love in character and love in action.
2. Offer to help. Help with chores around the house. Fatigue often creeps up on the mother to be. Her body is changing to support a baby so it can take a lot of energy out of her. Doing the dishes, cooking, sweeping the floor, doing the laundry, or even picking up the stuff she dropped off the floor (especially in the later months of pregnancy when bending down is difficult) can help her a lot.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church, the church must offer to help. We, as the church, must put our hand up both inside and outside the walls of our house. We need to serve with gladness at what God is doing in our church and know that every hand that is put to a good work in the house invokes the richest of blessings from our heavenly father who appreciates each and every good act of kindness and servitude. We also need to put our hand up in our community and be willing to meet the need and bring social justice to our community
3. Massage her often and rub her swollen feet. Her hips, shoulders, and back will ache. Her feet will swell most days. Be sensitive to that and try to help alleviate the pains by massaging her, even if it’s only for a few short minutes.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we need to massage our prayer life, our devotion life, our worship life
4. Love and appreciate her changing body. She may hate her own body now that her belly has grown so big. She’s gained lots of weight and those stretch marks are ugly. But you have to still love her body. Remember, it’s only temporary. Take time to especially appreciate the belly because your baby is growing inside. Spend a few minutes every night talking to the baby or rubbing her belly or kissing it.
THE CHURCH - In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we need to love and appreciate her changing body. The 21st century church looks very different to the church of hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Her mission and purpose is the same but to move on into all that God has for us we need to embrace new things. New kinds of people that come into the house. New kinds of music. New ways and styles of preaching. The message is always the same but the delivery needs to be ever changing.
5. Refresh her by offering to help rub lotion on her. Especially her back, legs, and feet (and give a quick massage while you’re at it). Her skin may be very dry. She will appreciate it very much!
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must be refreshed, not by the rubbing of lotion but by the rain from the Holy Spirit. Believe for the rain, ask for the rain. When times seem dry or you don’t seem to be experiencing the presence of God in your life, ask for the rain (the Holy Spirit) to saturate your life. We must also pray for favour even when favour is falling. God always has more, much more, for His church. More than we could ever dream or imagine.
6. It’s best that she eats a healthy diet. Help her by eating healthy yourself. This can help steer her cravings away from junk food. In addition, do lots of light exercises together. Take after dinner strolls together. Getting her heart pumping blood throughout her body is good for her and the baby (and yourself as well!).
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must have a consistent healthy diet. What are we feeding our minds, our spirits, and our souls? What movies are we watching lately, what music are we listening to? What words are we speaking over our lives?
7. Have the route to the hospital planned out or memorized. Her water might suddenly break or her contractions are only 3 minutes apart. Either way, you will be the one driving her to the hospital. Your brain cells may not be working correctly because you’re too nervous or panicky or worried about your screaming wife.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must have a plan. In times of challenge or stretching it’s easy to divert from the plan God has for us but if we have a plan and it’s clear, we have a point of reference.
8. No matter what, do not leave her while she is in labour and/or the delivery room. Your grand kids will even hear the story of how you left her.
THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must
not leave when the new thing is birthed.
Monday, August 10, 2009
GOD IS DOING A NEW THING!
Below is an excerpt from my sermon notes on Sunday night at Hinterland Christian Centre. We had a great day in church! Enjoy.
What is the new thing that God is wanting to do?
Isaiah 42:5-9
5 Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: 6 "I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 8 I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Isaiah 43:18-19
18 "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
1st New thing was to be the coming of Christ
Isaiah 53:4-5
4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
2nd New thing was the drawing of all men and women together
Isaiah 60:1-5
1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 "Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. 5 Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you
3rd New thing and the thing I believe God wants to do through the church of today is to anoint us for every good work
Isaiah 61: 1- 3
1 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
The 21st century church is to be others focused, community minded, one for another, as we live a life poured out. The new thing I believe God is doing is the anointing of the saints and the empowering of the workers to go beyond the four walls of our meeting place and take the church into the community.
We, the church, need to be Jesus' hands and feet as we outwork the gospel. The days of the river church where God pours out his spirit and confines it to a church meeting or worship time are behind us. Yes they were good times and yes we had many a good thing imparted into our lives during that season but I believe God has now filled us to overflow so that we may GO into all the world and actually do what we have been called to do, make disciples.
What is the new thing that God is wanting to do?
Isaiah 42:5-9
5 Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: 6 "I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 8 I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Isaiah 43:18-19
18 "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
1st New thing was to be the coming of Christ
Isaiah 53:4-5
4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
2nd New thing was the drawing of all men and women together
Isaiah 60:1-5
1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 "Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. 5 Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you
3rd New thing and the thing I believe God wants to do through the church of today is to anoint us for every good work
Isaiah 61: 1- 3
1 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
The 21st century church is to be others focused, community minded, one for another, as we live a life poured out. The new thing I believe God is doing is the anointing of the saints and the empowering of the workers to go beyond the four walls of our meeting place and take the church into the community.
We, the church, need to be Jesus' hands and feet as we outwork the gospel. The days of the river church where God pours out his spirit and confines it to a church meeting or worship time are behind us. Yes they were good times and yes we had many a good thing imparted into our lives during that season but I believe God has now filled us to overflow so that we may GO into all the world and actually do what we have been called to do, make disciples.
Friday, August 7, 2009
INCONSISTENCY IS AN ENEMY
Anyone that knows me well enough knows I love my beloved Collingwood Magpies!
I was born in Victoria and AFL will always be my football code of choice; it's in my blood. Could this really be our year... it's been a long time since the dizzy heights of the 1990 premiership and I believe we have the team to pull it off. But it's all about consistency.
Collingwood at their best are an insurmountable prospect for most teams but inconsistency is the enemy that holds us back.
Its the same in our life walk really. A life walked with confidence in who God says we are and what He promises us is an insurmountable prospect and makes us an unstoppable force but inconsistency in our faith, beliefs, identity and who God says we are is the enemy that holds us back!
Check out the preview for this weekends clash Crows V Pies. CARNA PIES!
Preview: Crows v Pies - Official AFL Website of the Collingwood Football Club
I was born in Victoria and AFL will always be my football code of choice; it's in my blood. Could this really be our year... it's been a long time since the dizzy heights of the 1990 premiership and I believe we have the team to pull it off. But it's all about consistency.
Collingwood at their best are an insurmountable prospect for most teams but inconsistency is the enemy that holds us back.
Its the same in our life walk really. A life walked with confidence in who God says we are and what He promises us is an insurmountable prospect and makes us an unstoppable force but inconsistency in our faith, beliefs, identity and who God says we are is the enemy that holds us back!
Check out the preview for this weekends clash Crows V Pies. CARNA PIES!
Preview: Crows v Pies - Official AFL Website of the Collingwood Football Club
Monday, August 3, 2009
ON THE CHURCH
I love the church and what it can do as it collectively gathers so many different personalities and people groups together in one place and radically changes a community through the things we do as a body working together towards a common goal.
The church is an immovable, unstoppable force when it is in unity and exists not for its own benefit and gain but for the improvement of the community in which it is positioned.
I love our church at Hinterland Christian Centre in Cooroy on the beautiful Sunshine Coast as it contains ordinary people just like you and me who are doing ordinary things each and everyday with extraordinary outcomes as people say yes to Jesus.
“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.”
The church is an immovable, unstoppable force when it is in unity and exists not for its own benefit and gain but for the improvement of the community in which it is positioned.
I love our church at Hinterland Christian Centre in Cooroy on the beautiful Sunshine Coast as it contains ordinary people just like you and me who are doing ordinary things each and everyday with extraordinary outcomes as people say yes to Jesus.
“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.”
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