Front Page 18th June 2006

It’s good to be back! Julie and I had a very restful time away in the Grampians last weekend with a couple of friends from Melbourne.
Like the time of the church camp, we again marvelled at the regeneration taking place after last February’s horrific bush fires. The new growth again reminded us of the regeneration that takes place in the life of the redeemed as God renews to life what was spiritually dead. The new growth we see coming from the blacken bush is testimony to the goodness of God and reminds us of being thankful for the regeneration in our lives as God’s Holy Spirit renews and restores us.
This week we focus on thanksgiving and I am excited as I look forward to some of our members testifying and giving thanks for what God has done in their lives this past year. I hope it inspires us to think of our own lives and to do as that old song says “Give thanks with a grateful heart ….. For what the Lord has done”
Thankfulness is all about what has been done for us by a loving God. It’s because of His sacrifice, by the cross of Jesus Christ, that any of us can be thankful for anything. Without that sacrifice we would have nothing of any value to be thankful for. Praise God!
May God bless you all today as you focus on the goodness of God, knowing that He wants the very best for your life and has already provided that in the person of Jesus Christ and has guaranteed it with the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Blair

Front Page 11th June 2006

Pastor’s desk

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
As we divide the above scripture up we see how God’s word can have great impact on our lives. It’s sharper than anything else; it penetrates through us in such a way that we are always faced with marvellous new truths. As we read God’s word and meditate on it, it is living and active. It amazingly starts to work in our lives by challenging our thoughts and motives. Taken on board it prompts us to take action in line with what God is saying. Meditating on Scripture is reading over a passage a number of times, speaking it out if you wish, thinking about it and praying through it. The Spirit will reveal truth to us.
People can also give us understanding of passages as our hearts are open to the Spirit. The Ethiopian in Acts 8: had his eyes opened when Philip spoke with him. As the eunuch was reading the scriptures from Isaiah he gained a new understanding and his life turned around completely. Philip helped him have understanding, telling him the good news of Jesus Christ. Praise God that we have his inspired word today, to guide and teach us, and to share with others!
How is God teaching you through His word today? Share this with someone as you go into this next week!
Julie