“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7). Jesus’ mandate to the church is to “love God and love others”. One of the biblical pictures of the church is “the Bride”. You can’t say you love Jesus, and not love His church. If you truly love Jesus, you will also love His church and desire to be intimately connected with other followers of Christ. This is our Spiritual family. This is the heart of God. Ephesians chapter 5 talks about the relationship between a husband and wife and compares it to Christ‟s relationship with the church. Verse 32 says, “this is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you must also love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Jesus wants us to enact the same love He has for us by showing that love for one another. The heart of God longs for people to know His love for them and allow that love to flow out to others. Romans 5:5 says that when we accept God’s love for us, it flows through us. As His love flows through us it purifies our motives and helps to make sure that the very foundations of the church are built on the practice of loving God and loving others.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
We, the church, are called to be witnesses of God’s love to the world. The best witness we can be is to love one another as Christ has loved us.
God bless, have a great week.
Love to you all,
Glenda.
I read a statement today from Christine Caine about stepping out and taking risks. There are times when God leads us into a new path. It may seem like it will take more effort, or create more responsibility, but when God brings an opportunity, he will give us the wherewithal to do the job he is requiring of us. She says, “We often fail to take risks because we don’t want to risk failure. After three decades of leading diverse organisations, large and small, here’s what I know. You will have to take risks to fulfil purpose and you will sometimes fail. You’ll survive. Go ahead, take that risk.”
When we step out in faith, we do not always know what the result will be. Sometimes God calls us out of our comfort zone, to walk unchartered territory. We can feel unsure of ourselves, and even doubt our capabilities. But I know that who God has called he will equip, anoint and empower. Like Abraham called trust God to provide the sacrifice, or Moses, leading his people out of Egypt, or Peter stepping out onto the water, we can choose to step out in faith and trust God with the outcome. Like God said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
I do believe this is a season where God is calling people out of their comfort zone, and leading them to try something new – to take a step that perhaps will lead up a path that seems unfamiliar, or to do a job you feel ill equipped to handle. I want to encourage you, that this may be one of those times to “go ahead and take that risk,” and see what God will do.
Have a great week.
Blessings
Glenda
The Apostle Paul went through some hard times. Shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment. Time after time, God spoke to Paul in the middle of his trials and tribulations. He was in jail in Jerusalem when Jesus told him, “Be courageous” (Acts 23:11). Paul told Timothy (2 Tim4:16) “All deserted me…but the Lord stood by me”. In Acts 27, the Lord came and spoke to Paul in the middle of a storm and assured him it would all be ok. That is why Paul could accept God’s word to him in 2 Corinthians 12::8 after he had pleaded with the Lord to take away what he called “a thorn in the flesh”. God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.
During this season when circumstances seem to be changing on a daily basis – just when you think things are going to get better, they get worse again, may I encourage you with the words of Paul. He said that he could endure the things that happened to him, because God’s power could work best in his weaknesses. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
I pray that you will be continually strengthened and encouraged by the word of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Remember God’s strength is shown when we admit our weakness and allow him to work on our behalf to bring about the victory. The Corona Virus may seem like Paul’s thorn in the side – we have prayed, and proclaimed, and declared, but it has continued to wreak havoc, especially in our state capital. Remember the other thing Paul said, “I have learnt whatever state I am in to be content”. (:-) ).
Sometimes, we need to just remember, whether we are in the storm, or whether things are going well, he is with us, and will bring us through. How has God shown you his strength throughout this season? It is through adversity that we find out what we are really made of. We develop our spiritual faith muscles and build our character and grow up inside as we learn how to face difficulty, depending on God’s grace.
Why don’t you take a few moments to slow down, breath, reflect, listen, and see what God is saying to you as you face this crisis, not alone, but with Jesus’ grace to strengthen and encourage you.
Pastor Glenda
A special service today, with Keith being inducted as an Elder.
Hi New Life Family,
I hope you have been enjoying the winter sunshine. It is nice to be able to get out into the fresh air in between the icy mornings and cool evenings.
This Sunday we are inducting Keith Weigold into eldership, alongside his faithful wife, Jean. We are so pleased to invite them to be a part of the governance team of the church. The elders’ mission is to lead, teach, protect and love their church members the way shepherds care for the sheep in a flock, so that the church members will grow up into spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13). Shepherding God’s people is part of the role of pastors and elders in the church, as they work side by side in service of the body of Christ. We always find elders (plural) in New Testament churches (e.g. Acts 15:4; 20:17; Titus 1:5) Each congregation should have a team of pastors or elders – the word is always in the plural. The elder should be set an example of a godly household, being faithful to his wife, and raising his children to follow Christ. We have been so blessed to have Keith and Jean as members of our church and pray God’s blessing on them both as Keith takes on this role alongside Steve, Barrie and myself.
This week we have been saddened by the loss of two people. We send our condolences to the family and close friends of Molly Keely. Molly’s ever- present smile and slightly naughty sense of humour would brighten up every conversation. She will be sadly missed.
We also think of Karen Harley and her family who said goodbye to their beautiful son, Damon (Lorna’s grandson). Our love and thoughts go out to you all. May God bless you at this time and be your peace and comfort in the coming days.
As we begin to prepare for a new season of growth and fruitfulness, I pray that this week you will all be able to take some time out to rest, reflect and be refreshed as you wait on the Lord. As the Pandemic still causes so much anxiety and uncertainty and frustration, I can only encourage you to keep leaning in to Jesus. He says, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28 Have a great week.
Blessings
Glenda
Joan’s Armchair Chat from 1st July.