messages
I am really loving just chewing over Romans 8. This chapter is so full of wonderful truths. We are no longer condemned, but free from the power of sin over our lives. We can now be controlled by the Holy Spirit working in us because through Jesus we have been made right with God. We are no longer fearful slaves, but faithful sons because we have been adopted into His family. We get to look forward to future glory with hope and expectation. We can rejoice because God causes all things to work together for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose. And oh, there is so much more!
This week’s message will be based on verses 31-39. We know that God is for us. We have been given right standing with God, and the devil can no longer accuse us, for Jesus died, and rose again for us – and now intercedes for us at God’s right hand. And best of all, we can be assured that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Please take time to re-read this wonderful chapter and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His revelation as you ponder over each verse.
I do hope everyone is still doing well. We are all now looking forward to restrictions being eased. For the time being, we will still be holding Church online, going live each Sunday. We will slowly open up the service, but we still want to keep everyone safe and well, and do not want to rush things. We are holding prayer meeting on Wednesday morning, and some small groups are getting together, following the appropriate protocols. If you want to attend any of these meetings, please contact the host, and find out if your particular event is running. Numbers will be limited.
Anyway, keep up the amazing work. Stories of encouragement and answered prayer are flowing through. If you are struggling in any way, please contact us, and we will be sure to get back to you.
God bless you and keep you.
Love to you all,
Glenda & Joe.
Hello church family
I‟m aware there are people doing it tough out there. We seem to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel as restrictions are so cautiously loosened. We can have a small number of visitors in our home. We can get out a bit more for shopping and exercise. But I know first-hand that not everyone is doing as well as they would like. Living in close quar-ters with people for such an extended time is paying its toll on us. (Love you, honey). I think the original fear of catching a rampant disease has given way to simply coping with those whom we have spent the majority of our time over the last couple of months. For some of us, the “getting back to normal” is just as scary as coping with life in isolation. Please, if you are doing it tough, if you‟re feeling low, angry or irritable, don‟t take it out on those around you – call someone. Talk about it. Do something about it. Keep in touch with family and friends. Be kind to your spouse and children.
Firstly, remember it is “not the test that is the test, but how we respond to the test that‟s the test”. Our attitude goes a long way as to how we cope with any situation. As Christ follow-ers, I think we have so much to be able to tap into. We need to remember that “greater is he that is within me than he that is in the world.” And as we have been studying in Romans 8, we know that we are never alone, never abandoned, and never powerless. We have security, hope and love in the Lord. We need to get back into good habits, like getting up at our usual time, eating regular meals and getting some exercise. And don‟t forget that part of our regular routine should be starting our day with time in God‟s presence, taking in the word and having our morning talk with Jesus. If we take care of our spirit, and focus our eyes on Jesus for the day, our mental health, emotional health and well-being will follow.
Try not to lose your sense of humour. Remember, “A merry heart is as good as medicine.” (Prov 17:22) Sure, we need to not get complacent with hygiene and social isola-tion and keeping safe. But let‟s not allow ourselves to become depressed and despairing over this situation. Remember there are friends and family who love you. I encourage you to call someone if you are feeling lost or down or anxious. Very often, just talking with someone can lift off the cloud. There are so many things to do to stay grounded and feel connected. One of my favourite “escapes” is the “Holderness Family”. Penn and Kim Hold-erness are an American couple who have found that the best way to cope with life is to see the funny side, even in challenging times. Find a way to “blow off steam”. Go for a walk or turn up the music and dance like a crazy person. Share your stories. Have a laugh. Phone a friend. What ideas do you have for coping? What are your stories? Do you have a humor-ous story to share? Send it in an email and we will include it in next week‟s newsletter.
The Holderness Family You Tube
Focus on the Family Australia
You Version Bible App – many great Scripture plans to follow.
Pastor Glenda
Wishing all our mums a wonderful and happy Mother‟s Day. There’s no doubt this year will feel different to any other. This year has been a challenge in so many ways to so many people. I pray that this year, it will be a time when you can reflect on the amazing person you are – the Masterpiece that God has made when He supervised your creation even from the time you were in your mother‟s womb. This reminds me that just as God was there when I was formed, he is still very much concerned and involved with my life. “In him I live and move and have my being.” My whole life is completely reliant on Him. He has made me who I am, He knows how I think and how I function. This is how I can cast all my care on Him. This is how I can know that He will provide for me. This is how I can be joyful and be thankful. This season has taught me that I can trust in and depend upon my Creator with every area of my life.I can allow His word to continue renewing my mind as I submit my thoughts to its creative power. My emotions – I can cast all my care on Him and know that he will comfort me. I can trust him with my body. His will is for me is to be in health and to prosper as my soul prospers. I do not need to be afraid or anxious, because he cares for me.
Let me leave you Mothers with a few thoughts from Proverbs 31. Let these words affirm who you are, and how God see you. If you do not particularly feel any of these affirmations, I encourage you to receive them as prophetic word over your life today.
You are more precious than rubies.
God trusts you to enrich the lives of those in your family and those around you.
You bring good and not harm to those around you
You are productive and creative
You are strong and brave and can take risks
You are not afraid of the future
You are spoken well of by those who know you
You have strength and dignity
You are wise, and give instruction with wisdom and kindness
You are not lazy
You are to be honoured by your husband and children (for those who do not have a husband, please know, we honour you, and Jesus loves and honours you).
You hold the Lord in Holy Awe and respect His words over your life.
May God bless you and keep you in His love and care.
Kindest regards,
Glenda
Hello everyone. It seems that there is better news coming for us as we slowly emerge from social restrictions and lockdowns. I am thinking about you all a lot, and truly can’t wait to see you all again.
I have been thinking about what the Lord is saying to us as New Life community. And I believe that this week, he is reminding us that he is caring for us. Jesus said not to worry about food, clothes or money. He said, even as the Heavenly Father looks after the birds of the air and the wild animals, he will also look after his own children. This word worry speaks about a preoccupation with things that cause anxiety, stress and pressure. Here Jesus is reminding us that our Heavenly Father is ever mindful of our daily needs. Jesus teaches us in the prayer he taught his disciples to pray, “give us this day our daily bread”. Jesus wants us to trust him for all our daily needs – material needs, emotional well-being, mental health and spiritual needs. He urges us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. (NIV)
Let’s keep in mind what Jesus has been speaking to us about right from the beginning of the year – to keep our eyes on him. To trust him, to rest in him, and find our joy and peace in Him. Let us keep being kingdom minded, and the peace and joy that emanates from that place will be yours.
I invite you to call or contact us on any of the numbers on this newsletter if you are struggling in any way. We are here to help and would love to hear from you. In fact, I encourage you to drop us an email, or a text message – or pop onto our Facebook page and leave a message there. Say Hi and let us know how you are going at this time. If possible, even upload a photo so we can see your face and what you’ve been up to. It’s fun to share!!
We are praying and talking and seeking God about how we will make the transition as we move forward after the virus has passed and things go back to some kind of normal. I am hoping that many things will have changed. I hope we appreciate one another more. I hope we are not so materially minded. I hope we have a greater desire for meeting together, and that we won’t take family and friends for granted. I hope we have a greater passion for sharing the love of Jesus with others and seeing the kingdom of Jesus manifesting here on earth.
Have a great week, and may the peace of God and joy, strength and power of the Holy Spirit be yours.
Pastor Glenda
Hello everyone from the Noordam’s “Fortress of Solitude”. 😊
With Joe home on holidays we have been finding lots to do around the house. The garden is looking great, and I am cleaning bookshelves and cupboards. What tasks have you found to do? I think this time of isolation has been a wonderful opportunity to decide what things are important, to slow down a bit, and complete the jobs that have been waiting until we “have time”. A verse came to my mind the other day: Proverbs 6:6 “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” I think there is something in this verse to consider – not just about the practical side of things, but the spiritual as well. I believe the Holy Spirit is telling us to be wise like the ants. Here we have time to “binge” on the word – to store up “treasure in heaven”. To get ready for the harvest. There is a strong prophetic feeling that this is a time of preparation for God’s people. Let us not waste the opportunity we have here to “be like the ant”. Use our time wisely, remembering that when Jesus returns, he is looking for people who have done what he has asked them to do, obeyed his word, and been faithful. Matthew 24 talks about “the master of the house” returning unexpectedly. We do not know the time or the hour. In Matthew 24:45 it says, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his own household servants and feeding them.” There are people who are hungry for God’s word – they really want to know the truth that sets them free. So are you being wise? Are you storing up food ready for the harvest? I love the old King James version of the verse in proverbs … “Go to the ant, thou sluggard….” I don’t want to be a “sluggard”, do you? I hope we are all finding productive, meaningful things to do. I hope you school students are being responsible, and not complaining about your learning at home. I hope you are being reliable and following through with your tasks for the day. Both of these verses commend a person who can be faithful, even when they are not being watched or supervised. So let’s be a bit more like our friend the ant. Be wise. Be productive. Be faithful. This is the kind of person Jesus is looking for when he comes back in the fullness of time.
Have a great week – don’t forget to learn the memory verse from Sunday’s sermon.
Romans 8:9 (a) “But when the Spirit of Christ empowers your life, you are not dominated by the flesh, but by the Spirit…” (TPT)
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh, but in the realm of the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” (NIV)
“But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.”
Have a great week.
Many blessings,
Ps Glenda
Download this week’s newsletter (Print it out to do the puzzle.)
Text: Psalm 46
It is so good to know that in this time of uncertainty, we have a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is our refuge and our fortress – our safe place in this time of trouble. He is our EVER PRESENT help. Jesus said, “I am with you always”. We need to remember that God is our saviour, our healer, our hiding place, our provider. This is who he is. He is always there, and he’s not going anywhere!
THEREFORE we can say WE WILL NOT FEAR. In this time, with the Covid-19 Virus creating fear and a health crisis in our world, we need to be wise, and adhere to the government directives for our protection and wellbeing and do the right thing. We may be in a battle and the enemy real. But God is on our side, and because he is our refuge, we can be safe in Him. He helps to not be afraid, even in the face of death.
Verse 4 speaks about a river that brings joy to God’s people. Take time in this season to rest in the river. Be refreshed. “He restores my soul”. We can trust in Him and rest in His judgements. Take this time to get to Know Him better and to pray for others. He gives us faith, hope and courage to face the enemy – he prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies. Let’s partake of that table.
Take a step back and see how God does things – he is always working on our behalf.
2 Kings 7 there is a story of a city under siege. They are in lockdown, and the enemy is at their gates. There are four lepers outside the city – between the city and the enemy, hiding out. They are starving, sick and dying. They decide to give themselves up to the enemy – and live or die, they are no worse off. When they go to the enemy camp, they find that God has already done a miracle. God was moving behind the scenes to dispel the enemy. They took their treasures and went back to tell the king what they found.
What is God saying to you at this time? Don’t let the enemy intimidate you. Go and pillage the camp. See what treasures God has provided for you, and share what you find with others. Make their day. Let’s share the results of what God is doing throughout this season. “See what the Lord has done.”
A word from the Holy Spirit is “turn off and turn on”. Let’s try to cancel out as much of the “noise” as we are able. We don’t have to be subject to all the updates and coronavirus news. We need to know what is going on, but we don’t need to be saturated with it. Turn on to the still, sweet voice of God as he reveals himself to us through this season.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Be reassured that God is with us to bring us through this time in victory and with many testimonies of the things he has done for each of us.
Please share with us how you’re doing, and we’d love to hear some of the “treasures” you have found as you “raid the enemy camp”. Check out the full story in 2 Kings chapter 7.
Hi everyone, Welcome to our first weekly news bulletin. We are hoping this will be a good way to stay in touch over the coming weeks while we are all in lockdown or self-isolation.
We have been instructed to observe “social distancing” but that doesn’t mean we can’t find creative ways to stay in touch and encourage one another through these tough times. We can’t physically visit one another in our homes or meet together in our regular services, but we can make a phone call, write a letter or drop a card in the mail. I can’t wait to see all the wonderfully creative ways we find to stay in touch and encourage one another.
We will continue live streaming our Sunday service at 10.00 am, but it will certainly take on a different look and feel. There will be some kind of worship that you can either join in and sing (if you don’t feel too awkward) or just listen to and soak or get jiggy and dance with the kids. We will make time to take communion together, so I encourage you to get some small glasses and bread ready prior to the meeting time and be ready to participate in communion together (don’t forget you can do this together as a family anytime). We will also be introducing some “armchair chats” with Steve, Barrie, Keith and myself, as well as some guest speakers. Not sure about all the technical side of this, but we ask you to be patient with us while we work out all the finer details. For those of you who are not on line, we plan to send out these bulletins every Monday so that you can keep up with what’s happening in the church community and have a transcript of the message.
Please let us know if there is something we can do for you. I encourage you to call if you want to chat, or if you are concerned about anything, have a prayer need, or even just need help with shopping. We are here – we love you and care about you, and we are going to see this challenging time through by being intentional about staying connected.
Remember Paul’s encouraging words to the Romans: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels not rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) Keeping our Eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
God bless you, each one. Glenda and Joe, together with the elders and ministry team of MNLCC
Jesus came with a simple message, “The kingdom of Heaven has come.” He preached the Good News, proclaiming that he was serving notice on the kingdom of darkness, and ushering in a new
regime – the kingdom of Light. (Matthew 4:16). From that time on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Jesus came to bring light to a world in trouble. He called people to repent. This means to change your mind – to turn around. Jesus came to set things to right. He came to bring “Shalom”. This is wholeness, peace, completeness. God wants to establish His kingdom here on earth. He wants us to experience His wholeness and to flourish and be fruitful. Jesus came to conquer sickness, sorrow and injustice. As the King of the New Kingdom, he came to bring healing, hope and justice. So how do we respond to the Good News? We must repent! We need to learn to live and behave like the New
Creations we have become.
Jesus came to proclaim the good and acceptable year of the Lord. He came to bring freedom, healing and restoration. What good news!!!
This month, we are going to look at the teaching, preaching and ministry of Jesus. He came to bring deliverance and set the captives free. As we continue with our series on “Operation Outreach” by Leo Harris, we will discover what a New Testament church in revival looks like, and how we, as a
local church can experience and remain in sustained revival. The year of Jubilee brought freedom for just one year. But Jesus came to declare a permanent state of grace and freedom from striving to keep the law, and a new life of living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Luke 8:36, we see the results of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man. This is the Greek word, “sozo” which speaks of total healing, including spirit, soul and body. Jesus came as Saviour, healer, baptiser and coming King. He came to establish His kingdom here on earth – and within each of us. He is concerned with every part of us, our physical health and well-being, our mental health, and every part of our brokenness. Most of all, he came to restore our relationship with the Heavenly
Father through faith. Jesus came to establish his kingdom here, and to be the Saviour of the whole man.
Pastor Glenda
Wow. Here we are already well into the year.
Firstly, let me congratulate the Churchill crew, ably led by Steve McNeilly, on their vision and faithful planning and promotion and intentional step by step development of the work there. It was very exciting to be part of the opening service where 25 people celebrated together. We pray that the Churchill Fellowship will see great success and fruitfulness, and many souls will come to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour through the ministry there.
The Summer in the Parks outreach has made this a great start to the year as we have extended fellowship to the surrounding community by way of the Love Gippsland coffee van, a sausage sandwich and games and activities for the kids. We engaged with several families and have made some great contacts to follow up. We are praying that we will also see much fruit come from just sharing the love of Jesus with the community in this way. We do plan to have further such outreaches in the future. If you would like to be part of the outreach team, please come see me, there is always an opportunity to serve!!
The main word I received from the Lord for this coming year is FRUITFULNESS. The Lord has spoken to my heart and promised there would be LOADS of fruit. I believe as we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and our ears open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, this is going to be an amazing year where we see many souls saved, ministries blossom, and dreams and visions come to fruition.
The other word I received was “SHAMELESS AUDACITY”. I was reminded of the story in Luke 11:5-10, and the friend that would not give up asking for help. Verse 8 says in the New Living Translation, “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you anything, because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.” I believe God is going to be answering some audacious prayers this year. Let us follow Christ’s teaching here, and learn to “ask, seek and knock” and receive the good things that our good Heavenly Father has in store.
So, here we go folks! Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and see where the journey takes us together this year of 2020.