March 03, 2010

A DAUNTING NEXT DECADE?

Deciding how this new and exciting decade from 2010 onwards will look for you?
Often we can look back on the years and wonder how they could have flown so fast.
But we look up at the looming decade ahead as though it were a 60 storey building that we’ ve been asked to climb...it’s daunting!

Deciding what the next decade will hold for us is not only an exciting prospect, but one which God and we can handle together, depending on our orientation.
What does that mean?
Well, our orientation is often the difference between how we will approach, travel and land in the next handful of coming years.
Will we partner with our Creator in dreaming and desiring for the future? 
How will we include Him in our everyday?
How will we land when we are in the same position...looking down the barrel of another fresh decade, wondering what it will hold...just what will be our position?

First of all, our thoughts must be aligned with His: That’s a good position to have!
“Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established” (Proverbs 16:3)

Yes, even though we have “works” already in place, the Bible urges us to commit them all to Him, and our “thought” will be established!
What does this mean… to “commit”?  This Bible word actually means “ to roll, roll down , roll away, remove” Picture a camel with a heavy load...it bends gently down to the ground, and
rolls its burden off to the side. How does that sound?  Yes! to “commit” in this case means to roll off our cares about the future...onto God Himself…
Why would that be?  Because they are just too heavy for you, and God wants to help you, in fact to handle it, for you.

I Peter 5:7
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”.

Now it doesnt seems so much like looking up at a big tall building you could never hope to climb, right?

Have a wonderful decade, church!

Posted by Valery on 03/03 at 02:32 PM Share on Facebook

December 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

wow!  2010 is here!
Happy New Year....in fact, Happy New Decade!

It’s easy to get carried away with all the well wishing and party going to celebrate the new year of 2010!  But amidst it all we may often anticipate what’s up ahead as a “question mark”....
We can get so concerned in a negative way with what may be about to occur, both personally and globally, that we start to allow fear to creep into our lives, and, before we know it, we’re overcome with a fear and trepidation about our future that we were never designed to carry!  I’ve felt it, you’ve felt it...this appears to be the human condition!

An ancient prophet in the land of Israel once wrote down the words of God Himself that should fill us with both confidence and joy as we read them, particularly as we begin not just a new year, but an entire new decade....they are found in the book of Jeremiah:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. “

What more do we need?  Our Creator and the author of the Universe, not just our planet, says that He has everything under control, including the plans for our own personal future....we don’t have to know them, just trust in Him that He does!  Remember, pray, and He will be listening!

God bless you, and oh yes!  Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love
Valery and Michael

Posted by Valery on 12/31 at 08:37 PM Share on Facebook

December 01, 2009

IT’S CHRISTMAS!

Hi Church!
This week has begun with a hope in my heart and a faith that that endures!
I’m excited about 2010 and all that it holds for us,the vision waits for us to “run” with it! 
And now, we have begun an exciting run to the greatest of all celebrations...that of the birth-day of Jesus Christ!  Yes, Christmas is approaching VERY fast.
As we think about shopping for Christmas gifts and fare, arranging parties and celebrations, co-ordinating our calendars to include everything that this time of year presents...can I perhaps gently remind you of the REASON for this most wonderful of seasons?

We can get so very busy running from here to there and being so concerned about the “stuff” that surrounds Christmas, that it’s a danger that we may forget about the very reason that we celebrate, in the midst of this activity and excitement!  Remember, Jesus was the original Christmas gift from The Father in Heaven...to you and me! 

But of course, we can leave that “gift” that is Jesus… totally “unwrapped” and untouched under the “Christmas Tree” of our lives...and that will mean that we never actually RECEIVE Heaven’s gift to every human being on the Earth....because it is a choice to actually do that! Yes, it is up to each and every person to consider that gift, to approach and “unwrap” it, and to receive the greatest gift that has ever, and will ever, been offered to us..

Jesus is the Reason for the Season, as they say...so why don’t you take a break from the busy-ness, sit quietly for a few moments, and determine to consider Him, receive Him and continue to walk everyday knowing that He is with you and for you…

And as you do, join the millions and millions of people all over our great world who believe the same....yes, Christmas is indeed the most wonderful of celebrations, let its Spirit touch YOU today!

Romans 6:23 -
“...the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.

Isaiah 9:6 -
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

And the great thing is, this gift costs us nothing, and is offered to all of us! Wow!  To open it, we only need to believe in the claims of Jesus, and to tell Him so. As we receive that gift, God gives us the Eternity with Him that brings peace and blessing into our lives.....in one package!  Have a wonderful Christmas…

Valery and Michael

Posted by Valery on 12/01 at 09:53 AM Share on Facebook