Pastor Steve is currently on sabbatical after being in ministry for just on 7 years.
While he is away studying, being refreshed & spiritually recharged, please contact either church Elder Ian on 0438268402 or church Secretary Allen on 0269441162.
Feb 17, 2012
Feb 13, 2012
Peace of heart and mind
I read recently of a survey a Christian doctor asked his patients to fill in while they were waiting to see him.
One question asked "What is your number one wish?"
When he tallied up the responses, he was surprised to find that the number one response was "Peace of mind."
We all want peace don't we, peace of mind, peace that we feel in our hearts, peace in our relationships, peace in our country, the list goes on.
Christians understand peace to begin with God, & come from God.
When we read Romans chapter 5 verse 1, we see how to have peace with God.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Then, once we have peace with God, He gives us His peace. Jesus said:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
But we need to be on guard, because there are things that would rob us of that peace we all desire.
The old English meaning of our word "Worry" means "To strangle."
Apart from worry, what things try to strangle peace in your life?
I listed six things.
1. Worry.
2. Busyness.
3. A lack of trust in God & His Word.
4. Disobedience and deliberate sin.
5. Relational conflict.
6. Bitterness & unforgiveness.
As you look at that list, is there anything that seems relevant to your life at the moment?
You can do something about it!
Bring it to God in prayer, & ask Him to replace it with His peace!
Peace of heart and mind MP3
http://www.box.com/s/jvt4ruttm7a5sbtg344k
One question asked "What is your number one wish?"
When he tallied up the responses, he was surprised to find that the number one response was "Peace of mind."
We all want peace don't we, peace of mind, peace that we feel in our hearts, peace in our relationships, peace in our country, the list goes on.
Christians understand peace to begin with God, & come from God.
When we read Romans chapter 5 verse 1, we see how to have peace with God.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Then, once we have peace with God, He gives us His peace. Jesus said:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
But we need to be on guard, because there are things that would rob us of that peace we all desire.
The old English meaning of our word "Worry" means "To strangle."
Apart from worry, what things try to strangle peace in your life?
I listed six things.
1. Worry.
2. Busyness.
3. A lack of trust in God & His Word.
4. Disobedience and deliberate sin.
5. Relational conflict.
6. Bitterness & unforgiveness.
As you look at that list, is there anything that seems relevant to your life at the moment?
You can do something about it!
Bring it to God in prayer, & ask Him to replace it with His peace!
Peace of heart and mind MP3
http://www.box.com/s/jvt4ruttm7a5sbtg344k
Feb 8, 2012
Church leadership
Does church leadership matter?
Leadership does matter, & it's important that the right people are chosen, with the right character, maturity & ability!
Why do we need leaders in the church?
Without good leadership, the church can so easily stray away from the path that God has laid out for us, in His Word. There are far too many examples where that has happened, bringing conflict, confusion & chaos into the church. People leave, disillusioned, disappointed, & hurt. All this can be avoided if we chose our leaders well.
Does the Bible say anything about leadership?
Well, yes, the Bible clearly lays out for us God's design, His plan for the church. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, we read about the qualifications of Elders. In 1 Peter 5:1-4 we read about their important role in the life of the church. And in ACTS 20:28-30 we read a stark warning to those Elders, what to watch out for!
Listen along to "The what, who & why of Church Elders."http://www.box.com/s/c5jkf7oyaz39dnr6virf
Leadership does matter, & it's important that the right people are chosen, with the right character, maturity & ability!
Why do we need leaders in the church?
Without good leadership, the church can so easily stray away from the path that God has laid out for us, in His Word. There are far too many examples where that has happened, bringing conflict, confusion & chaos into the church. People leave, disillusioned, disappointed, & hurt. All this can be avoided if we chose our leaders well.
Does the Bible say anything about leadership?
Well, yes, the Bible clearly lays out for us God's design, His plan for the church. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, we read about the qualifications of Elders. In 1 Peter 5:1-4 we read about their important role in the life of the church. And in ACTS 20:28-30 we read a stark warning to those Elders, what to watch out for!
Listen along to "The what, who & why of Church Elders."http://www.box.com/s/c5jkf7oyaz39dnr6virf
Jul 26, 2011
Trusting God in the storms of life. Podcast
Have you ever seen a storm approaching, a storm that you cannot avoid, it's going to envelope you & there's nothing you can do about it.
In ACTS chapter 27 we read about a terrible storm that Paul, Luke & 274 other people were sailing through. A storm that would eventually rip the ship apart!
In that storm, those aboard that ship had given up all hope, fear had overtaken them, all except one man, Paul.
Paul had the confidence to speak God's hope into that storm, "Take heart,..for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told." The previous night, an angel had told Paul that God would save them, even though the ship would go down.
Life brings us many storms apart from those like the photo above.
Storms that come in the shape of illness & grief, financial crisis, depression & anxiety, relationships that fall into conflict, sadly the list goes on.
But if we know Christ as Lord, we can stand on God's Word & say, along with Paul "I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told."
God tells us that He "loves us with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3
I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong & courageous," Joshua 1:5
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
We can trust God in any & all situations in life, even when those dark storms come upon us.
God will make a way, even when there seems to be no way!
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Apr 11, 2011
Easter. A celebration of hope!
Easter is about so much more than chocolate eggs, fishing, camping trips with the family, days off work etc. Easter is the time to remember just what Jesus Christ has done for us. Good Friday focuses on his death on the cross, where he suffered & died so that we could live!
Easter Sunday is a joyful celebration of hope. Hope given to us because Christ rose from the dead!
If you find yourself in Gundagai for Easter this year, I invite you to join us as we remember & celebrate Christ's death & resurrection.
Good Friday 9.30am "5 reasons Christ came to die."
Easter Sunday 9.30am "Hope in troubled times."
Dec 4, 2010
Hay floats away!
The recent good weather has produced a Spring for making hay.
But when the river breaks it's banks, everything on the river flats either goes under or floats away.
Must be heartbreaking for farmers to see scenes like this, hay floating down the river :-(
Hopefully, someone down river will rescue these runaway bales!
2010 flood.
Yesterday the water was at the level of the 1984 flood mark, today it's level with 1952.
Still some way off 1974 which was the highest in recent living memory anyway.
12 year old at the time, I can remember riding my pushbike into water in the main street at the bottom of Otway street. So, still some way to go before that happens again!
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