Hi Church
Well, we had another big God weekend at Grace. Thank you to all those who came to the working bee last Saturday. I finished the day exhausted but feeling rewarded, for we were able to paint eaves, facias, walls, freshen up gardens ,fix a fan and reset lighting all with the faithful crew who showed up. Thank you to Ian and Deb and Amanda who put on a feed of delights for morning tea. Everyone who came contributed greatly and we thank you on behalf of the congregation who couldn’t make it.
Before the working bee we enjoyed a scrumptious Men’s Breakfast with John Ives sharing his journey with the Lord from Port Mac to Alice to Elcho Island and beyond. Hearing Johns story I was reminded of the scripture from Jerimiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future”. A truly inspiring story.
The gathering on Sunday morning was beautiful hearts really worshipping the Lord and it was hard to break in with the Word as many just soaked up his magnificent presence. The prophetic call for us was to pursue His presence for there we would find our Joy and in His Joy we would gain strength for our victories.
My word on Sunday was to encourage us in our abiding in the vine by establishing a rule of life or a sacred rhythm that would help us as branches to grow and bear fruit. The first we are looking at is Prayer. The Lord’s prayer we found is the teaching by Jesus to His disciples on how to pray. He said in Luke 11:2 when you pray, say “Father who is in Heaven”. From this prayer we could see that the greatest truth Jesus started with was our relational position in the God head. We start from a place of family, as His children close to Him. You can be assured He hears you!
Now the Lord’s prayer is a liturgy where you pray each day. Someone shared with me after that it was a great help to go through the prayer for them again because they could see this would help them going forward, as the way they prayed previously was now a struggle due to a physical disability. And so, a time going back to basics would be a great assistance. If I have helped one person on our day of gathering, I give thanks, it’s a Good Sunday.
You may have a good rule of life for prayer, if so keep at it but if your struggling turn your frustration to delight by changing it up. Here are my suggestions; remove all electronic distractions, find a good regular spot to sit, start with a coffee or a tea, find the sweet spot of time where you are most awake. Then breath the Lords presence in with a prayer like, “In You I live”,…. breathe…. “In you I delight”….breathe ….. this done and said repeatedly, will slow your mind and your body to be aware of God’s presence. Then start by Praising God for the day, for your relationship with Him as His child, then read a scripture and reflect on it by asking God what do you want me to see and know, and then yield to His voice and instruction by asking Him to fill you with His Spirit to empower you for the day ahead. I pray this helps you to abide in Him.
A reminder on the 25th of June we will be taking up an offering to help complete the mission training centre in Nepal for International Mission Ministries with Ross Nancarrow. Please set aside funds for this great purpose.
God bless you Church, you are wonderful people serving a wonderful Jesus.
Ps Greg and Amanda
6th June 2023