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.

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."

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!

Gundagai in flood!

 
Well it's been an interesting time over the last few days, as the recent rain has filled the Snowy dams to capacity, meaning that the overflow comes down the Murrumbidgee.
After 10 years of drought it's great to see so much water, spare a thought for the farmers who have lost crops & hay. (Hay bales seen floating downstream :-( sadly)
But on the positive side of things, we are thankful for the way this shall replenish ground water supplies & saturate the ground.

4 characteristics of a healthy church. MP3

What does a healthy church look like?
Well , thats a big question, & depending upon who you asked you could get a whole range of answers.
After all, we live in different places with different cultures, so are there any common characteristics?
Yes I believe there are!
As we read through the book of ACTS we see the early church being established, coming to life. And as we see from ACTS chapter 11, there are at least 4 characteristics that we should see in any healthy church!
1. A healthy church reaches out with the Gospel.
2. A healthy church is encouraging.
3. A healthy church teaches the Word of God.
4. A healthy church cares for people.

Is your church a healthy one?

Willing to be used by God? MP3

In ACTS chapter 9 we read about a man named Ananias. Not one of the most well known men of the Bible, but what we learn about him is important!
He was obedient to the call of God on his life!
He was willing to be used by God!
And because he did what God asked him to do, someones life was impacted, changed for the better, someone was empowered to get out there & talk about Jesus!

If we follow his example & say to God "Here I am Lord, use me"
what a difference that would make!
Listen along as we think about being used by God.