"Then they will truly be my people,
and I will be their God." - Ezekiel 11:20
Who'se move? God's our ours?
In many churches I've attended and even helped lead, we pray for, "a move of God". If you're not familiar with this phrase, it's an acknowledgement that we can't manufacture faith, but that it's a product of God working, "moving", in our lives.
In fact, some nations and churches go through whole seasons where we are, "waiting for a move of God".
While true, without context, we could be led to think that there's nothing we can do to stir or grow faith in ourselves or those around us.
Some years ago I recall praying a similar pray and God's Holy Spirit prompting me that sometimes God is asking the same thing of church, "Hey guys, I'm looking for a move of me and women".
By this, I believed God was reminding me that sometimes we've done all we can and only God can bring a breakthourhg, miracle or change of heart. However, sometimes God has done all he has determined to do, and He is simply waiting for us to respond!
Recently, I've been reading some of the longer, harder books in the Old Testament. In Ezekiel chapter 17 I saw the above illustrated as God declares what he is going to do for the remnant of his people, what he expects of them and how it will all turn out!
17 I, the Sovereign Lord, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again.’ 18 “When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. 19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, 20 so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.
It stood out to me that will God promised to begin and finish their new season, he asked for their active participation in ridding from their lives what they had been harbouring.
This is not God making us work for his blessing, but teaching us how we are able to participating with him in this world, taking responsibility for the sin in our life and the world around us.
We this mirrored in the simplicity of Jesus' mission to this planet. God sent Jesus of his own accord and love for us. He promises the Holy Spirit to all those with faith as well as eternity with God in heaven. However, the in-between response he invites us to all make is faith, belief, trust in God and his loving plan.
From this perspective, God's provided a path to being Fully Alive in this life and the next, but he is waiting for you and I to act in faith to reap the benefits of all that he has done, has promised, and will do.
Maybe you've been asking God for certain things in life (as we heard on Sunday, "Asking, Seeking, Knocking"), expecting him to move.
I wouldn't discourage this, but I'd encourage each of us to ask ourselves, "What move of mine has God been waiting to see?"
It could be confession, forgiveness, change, generosity, hospitality or something entirely different.
I'm confident that if you and I will quiet our hearts and ask God to reveal something, he will.
Much love, see you Sunday!
Dan
Jesus: Love God with your whole self
"He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
- Luke 10:27
On the beach this Sunday Lachlan will explore one of Jesus' most practical teachings on knowing and sharing the love of God.
If you're keen to read more: https://52follow.com/love-god-with-your-whole-self/
Coming Up
September
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 28 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
October
Mondays - Emotionally Healthy Relationships, Kings Beach - Katie 0412 500 940
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 05 - 3pm Monthly Worship Gathering - Venue TBA
Sun 12 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 19 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats + Armstrong, Jack + __ Baptisms
Sun 26 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
November
Mondays - Emotionally Healthy Relationships, Kings Beach - Katie 0412 500 940
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 02 - 3pm Monthly Worship Gathering - Venue TBA
Sun 09 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 16 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats + Baptisms
Sun 23 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 30 - 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: $8,960
Last month's expenses: $11,974
Balance: $79,541
Giving in : Oct 23-Aug 25: $5000
Giving out : Oct 23-Aug 25: $14.082
"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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