June 14, 2009
PROVISION!!
Tonight we heard about the PROVIDENCE of God at Shirelive.
PRO- before
VIDENCE - to see…
To know that God SEES my future and knows everything about it and me and how i will be able to handle it….is mind expanding stuff! He actually sees it BEFORE…
I have been totally amazed in the thirty years of my awareness of God and relationship with Him, that He constantly understands my anxiety about what is ahead for me and for those that I love. In fact, I am so blessed to experience the comfort that comes with this word…PROVIDENCE.
The God of all creation knows, sees, and provides for me both here and now and in my future. He’s already in my future when I get there, and is never anxious or disturbed. So why am I?
So with all this talk of recession, the “uncertain future” of our nation and its people…in the very midst…here is God, again…telling us that our futue is truly in His hands if we will just trust Him to know what is the best for us.
God of Heaven….., help us always to think through the negative feedback that we constantly are bombarded with in this world…to what you actually say to us:
Ps 112: 7 He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
A steadfast trusting Heart…that’s my prayer for me and for us all today.
V.
May 28, 2009
HOME!
May 28, 2009
Sydney
‘How’s your heartrate?”
- a trainer at the gym that I attend was most concerned that I settle back into my exercise routine well. She’s noticed that I had not been around for a while….and knew that I may take a few visits to slot back into a good fitness routine. That’s because the habit can be hard to start up again once you’ve been interrupted! It may take me a few good visits to my gym to finally feel that I am back “on top” of the exercise and getting the benefit. A bit of effort and its consequences mean that I am going to have to face an “uphill climb” until I feel that I have built up the much needed momentum of a good exercise routine, so my body starts to feel well again, and my muscles start into their real job…
You see, I’ve been away doing some conferences and a Missions Trek. I’ve done some really good things, visited some friends in many places, and had a great life experience. But I have neglected my routine, my fitness…except for the occasional pleasant walk. But that doesn’t help me when it comes to building muscles, working my body back to health….it’s just a pleasant experience, and a lot of good works!
By now you would see what I’m getting at!
How’s your spiritual fitness today? Are you taking a “walk in the park” in order to give a token gesture to it, or are you “pressing in” to a real routine of spiritual exercise? A daily reading of the Word of God. Some time for reflection and actual “chats” with Jesus..you know, those ones where He tells you things you need to hear, and (Whoa!!) things you need to CHANGE!
Hmm, I’ve had an incredible experience, feeding the poorest of the poor in the Phillipines. Ministering to Indonesian people, and visiting churches and missions there…. I’ve done a lot of good things.
Back to my routine, though. Life in Sydney, and my “work” here.
But first….some time with the One who can change everything…..
Love you church!
Valery
May 03, 2009
R.E.A.C.H!!
Dear Church
This coming week marks the most amazing time of community involvement as we seek to extend our hearts and hands to those around us from Shirelive.
Our REACH (Responsible Effort and Active Community Help) program involves us actively ourtworking our FAITH in our community.
In James 2:18 we read:
“Some people have faith: others have good deeds. I say, I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith THROUGH my good deeds”.
After all, in the 21st Century we all need to be OUTWORKING our FAITH by showing our GOOD DEEDS….Heaven knows our world is in need of a little kindness, compassion and genuine care .... and our community will be the richer for it!
As Christians, each one of us can make a difference… and often God prompts us to do “good deeds” for a friend or neighbour and we achieve such tremendous things through projects that we embark upon through just working out our faith in Christ. It is He who motivates us towards loving others, in seeing that THEIR needs are met as well as our own! WE will, among other things, be seeing families blessed in practical ways, visiting aged care facilities, regenerating bush areas…and many more amazing projects this coming week and next Saturday….
As we launch our annual R.E.A.C.H. program for our community, let’s ALL be involved! Now, there are plenty of “good deeds” programs running around in our nation today, and even the television gets in on the act, screening those “makovers” and suchlike that give all of us who watch the “warm and fuzzies”! But what about the challenge God gives us in the book of James? That it’s an “outworking” of our genuine faith to be able to do good deeds for others…in fact, it’s just what Christ Himself does and would do, and indeed he expects us to do the same!
So…as this coming week approaches, let’s get on board…...
’
1. Praying for the REACH effort.
2. Getting involved by serving NEXT SATURDAY (have you put your name down or organised with your cell yet?)
3. Sponsoring someone to do a project.(OH, SO IMPORTANT!!!!)
4. Approaching companies and organisations to sponsor our efforts….
Why the emphasis on “sponsoring”?
Because, we are not only outworking our faith, we are also raising money in order to help our community in other ways…..that is, by extending our services to the YOUTH of our community.
IGNITE, IMPACT AND INSIGHT….all of them,...reaching out to our community’s youth and helping them to understand their destiny, potential and value in God.
As you can see, I’m passionate about this REACH project!! Please make it a priority, church, this week, to be involved in some capacity. Just call our office, talk to a cell leader, or email us, if you need any more details.
Michael and I will see you at the GALA REACH Night on THIS FRIDAY…got your tickets yet? We have bought ours, and are so excited!
Then THIS SATURDAY, be involved in our SATURDAY OF SERVICE.
We’ll be enjoying Mothers Day this coming Sunday with you.,....say Hi to your Mum for me!
Love
Valery and Michael
