"8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority."
- Colossians chapter 2, verses 8–10
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Ahoy Open Road!
Last Sunday on the beach, we explored how Jesus' miracles were not just out of compassion for the sick and dying, but also to assure them that if God could be trusted with their bodies, he could be trusted with their souls. Jesus wanted us to know that God's perfect heart and glorious plan was to bring forgiveness of sins through his Son's life, death and resurrection.
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” - Matthew 9:6
However, there's a challenge for those of us who're willing to acknowledge our sin, repent of our independence from God, and accept his forgiveness. The challenge is to be content. To be content that while God has secured our eternity, He may not heal our sickness or mortality. Furthermore, he may allow us to go through all sorts of challenges, trials and griefs in life.
It could be the loss of a dream, relationships, loved one or our capacity for life. It could be the seemingly never-ending costs of loving and serving those around us. It could simply be that God hasn't provided you with the resources you prayed for, or others have.
Between our weaknesses and the world's craziness, it's easy to be discouraged. However, God's goal isn't to humiliate us, but to humble us into a life of faith in Jesus, His Son. Whether we are in need or abundance, chaos or peace, God's heart is that we come to believe and live as though this Jesus is enough for us.
A simple prayer/affirmation I developed some years ago to help is, "In you, Jesus, I have everything I need."
I used to start every day with those words. I would declare that whatever lack I felt, whatever challenge I faced, whatever surprises came my way, I had everything I needed in Jesus.
I learnt that even if my wife or children were sick, our bank balance was empty, and I felt alone, if I had Jesus, I had everything I needed.
In you Jesus, I have everything I need.
If you tend to look around, beyond or through Jesus for help, take time right now to prayerfully declare, "In you, Jesus, I have everything I need."
If you feel particularly concerned, overwhelmed, anxious or discontent, you could pray this prayer morning, noon and night. Simply stop whatever it is you're doing, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and say out loud, "In you, Jesus, I have everything I need."
If you enjoy journalling or writing out your prayers, you could write everything you're facing in a simple list. Then below your list, write out and pray aloud, "In you, Jesus, I have everything I need."
This type of prayer isn't denying reality, but framing it - putting it into perspective. No matter what you or I will face in the future, you're declaring to yourself, your Father, and every spiritual power that Jesus is enough for you.
Much love, and see you Sunday,
Dan
Olympics Outreach Preparation
Want to Love on People during the Olympics? Gateway Baptist is hosting a gathering featuring Olympians, Paralympians and others involved in previous games ministries.
Wednesday 18th November
Free coffee & morning tea from 9:30 am, concluding at 12 pm
Gateway Baptist Church - Mackenzie Campus
1052 Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Rd Mackenzie
REGISTER NOW or get more info.
Coming Up
October - Home + Moffat
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Oct 18 Sunday Gatherings: Home + Beach Baptisms
Oct 25 Sunday Gatherings: Home + Beach
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Vision
Fully Alive through faith in Jesus. To see this vision come to life, we developed FAM, our Fully Alive Model. Ideally, you can work through FAM with someone else.
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?
Giving Up, In, and Out
Our church encourages people to set aside money each week/month to meet the needs of our church, community and beyond. We follow the same simple pattern of giving that we encourage each other individually: UP, IN, and OUT.
Giving UP
As a church, we give 2.5% to our denomination to support what's happening in churches like ours statewide and show appreciation for all the support they provide. We encourage each follower to consider giving "up" to support their local church - in this case, ours :)
Giving IN
We encourage you to be alert for personal/family needs within our church. If you know someone with genuine needs that you can't meet yourself, please REPLY now.
Giving OUT
We encourage people to be generous not just in/around our church family, but also to those serving beyond us.
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
Last month's giving: $10,061
Last month's expenses: $15,288
Balance: $67,082
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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