Focus on the Family

Hi Church,

To be one voice, one family worshipping God was so evident last Sunday, I truly sensed a new level of God’s favour.  I honestly believe our Leadership prayers from earlier in the week made all the difference. And best of all a young person surrendered their life to Jesus for the first time and many people gave connect cards desiring to go the journey with our Church Family.  Prayer truly changes things. So, let’s believe for more.

If you missed our Leaders Prayer Advance it was a great night with over 36 people attending. It was an action-packed hour of worship, prophetic declaration, standing in the gap for nations and for our own nation, with requests and intercession for our region and our personal needs. It was a great start to what will be our most important meeting of the month. For from this place of unified prayer we will release a new authority over and from Grace Church. So please join us and please make it your monthly priority. Our next meeting is 8th of October 7 pm.

The Word of God was shared with us again so richly on Sunday, first with Neve during Communion and then with Brett and Kate Ryan from Focus on the Family.  Together they spoke about conflict resolution God’s way and not just for marriage but for all relationships. They used the verses from 1 Peter 3:8-11. They paid particular attention to demonstrating brotherly love, being tender hearted and sympathetic towards each other, making the effort to connect with people’s heart not just prove we are right. They put a lot of emphasis on having a humble heart where we make sure we are aware of what is going on in our own hearts and taking responsibility for that, rather than blaming everyone else for how we feel.  They spoke on the difference of payback verses blessing and how payback obviously ignites for greater trouble.  They spoke on Peace keeping verses Peace making. 

A lot of people spend a lot of energy on peace keeping, pretending to have unity and pretending to be ok when the problem is just being pushed under the rug or kicked down the road. Peace making recognises there is a problem and takes responsibility for trying to find a solution regardless of the cost. Peace making deals with the issues at hand and encourages reconciliation.

I’m sure you will pick up many more points if you watch our video upload on our YouTube channel.  For more information on the resources available of Focus on the Family go to https://families.org.au/ . 

This week is national Marriage week and if you want some insights into helping your marriage stay fresh and enriched then tune in to what they have to offer, it’s all free. Amanda and I will be celebrating 30 years of life together, which includes now 30 years of ministry, but even more special is 5 Children and a Grandbaby on the way. I can’t believe that we have come so far.  All I can say is praise God for His faithfulness and His grace and His mercies for without them I truly would not have gone the distance in my own strength.

But I do want to pay tribute to Amanda who has been so faithful standing by my side all these years, caring and serving not only her own family but the family of God, with great love and perseverance. I look forward to another 30 years of an amazing life together.  And thank you Church for the beautiful flowers and card it was a lovely surprise.

Watch out for all the amazing great opportunities ahead with the adverts below and remember to thank the Lord for answered prayer and lift up the prayer needs listed.

God bless you Church, Amanda and I will see you next Sunday after our week of holiday. Love Greg and Amanda.