"He must increase, but I must decrease."
- John chapter 3, verse 30
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Ahoy Church!
This weekend we gather for a BBQ by the beach. BYO plate to share, and we'll bring the snags, bread, sauce + vibes!
Last week I struggled to explain to a friend what I thought I was learning as I read a book about contemplative prayer. Over the last few days I've managed to put into words some of the benefits of "praying" via extended moments of silence before God.
While we often quote the Sons of Korah from the Psalms, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10), we are all aware that being still is something most of us find hard. Even if we can sit physically still, we are often emotionally, intellectually and spiritually racing with all manner of concerns, fears or desires. Contemplative prayer is a tool to learn how to live a Psalm 46:10 life.
I find the actual practice a bit challenging because my stereotypes get in the way. Is this a bit religious and weird? Is this a bit Eastern and heretical? Am I just seeking a sensational experience? Shouldn't I be talking to God instead of just...being still?
As I read more and experimented more, something became painfully obvious. My mind and heart are more full of myself than I had imagined. When I stop, sit and close my eyes, all manner of concerns, fears, or desires come to the surface. What most of them have in common is that they are my concerns, my fears, and my desires; they were not God's.
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." - John 14:23
While I believe God fully indwells me, I was reminded that God is a polite guest and never forces his way into the rooms or parts of our lives that we haven't invited him.
As I reflected on this, God brought to mind John chapter 3, verse 30
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
These days it's common to paraphrase this scripture as, "Less of me, more of him".
When I was a young adult, I can remember pushing back on this scripture in a Bible study as I thought people were unwisely thinking too little of themselves. I didn't want anyone to miss the truth that we'd each been made "in the image of God".
What I had missed was our original design. We were designed in the image of God, but he put his breath into us to bring us to life. In Luke chapters 3 and 4, Jesus was baptised, received the Holy Spirit, and was then said to be filled, led and empowered by God's Spirit. Finally, at the beginning of the church in the book of Acts, the first Christians received the same Holy Spirit as Jesus and were ready for the life they'd been promised and called to.
In other words, we were designed to be fully indwelt by God himself. While each of us is a unique individual human being, we're not our true selves until we are full, led and empowered by a personal God.
God has not withheld himself from us. Rather, we are commonly the ones withholding ourselves or part of ourselves from him.
We can be technically, theologically "full" of God, but not willing to submit to his leading or empowerment. In fact, I'd say that's the great battle many of us are in. And that's the battle that I'm learning to fight with contemplative prayer. Not talking myself up or down. Not hyping myself up, or blissing myself out. Rather, I'm bringing myself to God. I'm allowing him to show me what I've allowed to fill myself with, other than himself. You may not have to fight this battle. You may have other strategies such as memorising, reading or reciting Scripture, but this is one that some of you may want to explore. As a bonus, one of the best ways to prepare for praying for yourself or others is to spend time contemplating God's love for, and presence in you.
Not to make more of yourself, but to make more room for him. If we really are designed for him, and he truly is available for us, then we can receive as much of God as we want. There is no limit to what God can do in and through a life surrendered to him.
So, may you be still and know that God is God, and you are you. May you come to know and truly believe that without his presence in you, you'll never be who he designed, and you desire, to be.
Much love, and see you Sunday,
Dan
P.S. Eleise has shared about Open Heavens, a music festival her family is helping to host 30mins north of Toowoomba. Some of our Young Adults and others are heading out! If you're up for an adventure, book tix and make it happen!
Coming Up
October - Home + Moffat
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Oct 04 Home Church; Beach BBQ + Communion: BYO/Share
Oct 11 Sunday Gatherings: Home + Beach Baptisms
Oct 18 Sunday Gatherings: Home + Beach
Oct 24 Open Heavens Music Festival, Toowoomba
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.
This month we encourage you to consider giving to Geoff and Marielle, who visit us each year from their overseas base. They are requesting funds to meet their children's school fees, which total approximately AUD$15,000/yr. This not only ensures a quality, safe education, but one that does not require the teaching and practice of alternate religions in the region.
You can donate directly:
Geoff and Marielle
BSB: 923100
Account #: 37443010
REF: KyleG GIFT
"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: $61,801
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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