"17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.” - Mark 11:17
Ahoy church,
It was great to be back together in the sunshine on Sunday arvo!
On Sunday, Sue touched on a theme that I'm hearing amidst our gatherings - hearing from, or being guided by, God.
A month or so ago, John mentioned "hearing from God" as well. At our prayer gathering two weeks ago, we were explicitly asking God to "speak" to us. Within Monday night's discipleship course, we are encouraged to take time each day to not only read God's Word but make space for him to speak - if He so wills.
It may be of comfort to know that you don't have to "hear from God" to be a Christian :) If this is something you find challenging or confronting, it's OK, there's no competition or expectations involved.
We're designed to hear from God
We see in the story of Adam + Eve that we were originally designed to relate to God personally. This is our default human capacity. While sin in and around us disrupts this natural dynamic, it's meant to be the norm, and once we're in heaven with Jesus, it will be our eternal experience.
If God needs your attention, He'll get it
At some point, most Christians fear "missing" God's voice. As though they either don't know how to hear or aren't good at it. While spiritual maturity allows us to more easily discern God's voice and guidance, it's comforting to be assured that if God really needs to get your attention, he'll get it! God got Moses attention through the burning bush. God redirected Jonah via a giant fish. God allowed Peter to wander around sharing Jesus before providing him specific guidance to Macedonia in a dream (Acts 16:9-12).
Our sin often leads to God's greatest messages
In my life I've often been keen to "hear from God" about situations I'm currently facing. However, God has graciously shown me that He has often spoken to me in the past and I've simply ignored or disobeyed his leading. As we journey in life and faith, I have found that my willingness to obey God's challenge to become more like him, frees me to hear from God in the areas of life I'm finding challenging myself.
Our lives are often too busy and loud to "hear"
Psalm 46:10 famously directs us to, "Be still and know that I am God." Being still is not something our culture excels at! It's quite likely, that it's not just our culture. Busyness is not just about roads, workload and a digital world, but distracted hearts and minds.
We know from Mark 1:35 that Jesus chose dark, desolate moments to focus his own personal prayer time. If Jesus commonly retreated from the chaos and crowds, how much more should we!?
How could you and I create dark, desolate (distraction-free) moments to not just stop, but to connect, listen and share our hearts with God?
Getting back to nature
Remember, hearing from God is not about being an elite-level Christian, but learning to get back to our natural state - intimacy with God. While nothing will compare to eternity with God, there's always more for us to experience before we get there :)
While there are so many ways to cultivate this skill, Martine and I recently led the Prayer Course in our home and loved it. It's FREE with great quality videos and study/discussion guides.
Cheers, God Bless and see you Sunday!
P.S. Sunday will be Kev and Sue's last gathering with us before they permanently move to Adelaide! Join us as we celebrate God's guidance and pray for his blessing upon them.
Relay for Life at CalCC Thu/Fri
On Sunday Maessi shared about Caloundra Christian College's "Relay for Life" happening this Thu-Fri, 22-23 of May.
1) Walk with them for an hour or more on their 24-hour relay. It'll be great vibes, keep you fit and support a great cause
2) Donate directly through the link below.
Thanks to all those involved and well done to the school community!
Jesus: Make my house a place of prayer, not profit
This Sunday we look at Jesus' deep desire for his people to not just be praying for others, but eliminating their access to his presence and the love of his community - the church!
"17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.” - Mark 11:17
Coming Up
May
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sun 25 - 4pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
June - NEW Sunday time, from 3pm
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sun 01 - 3pm Monthly Celebration @ City Life led by John + Bec
Sun 08 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 15 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats + Baptisms
Sun 22 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Wed 25 - 545pm Deacons
Sun 29 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $12,581
Last month's expenses: $12,696
Balance: $74,787
Giving in : Oct 23-Apr 25: $5000
Giving out : Oct 23-Apr 25: $13,374
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
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