He whose walk is upright fears the Lord
-Proverbs 14:2-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tattoo anyone?
Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.
-Leviticus 19:28-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Leviticus 19:28-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Environment
29th August 2010
Mark Broadbent
*We can have an opinion on the environment issues but we need to know what you're talking about
2 Spectrum
*Human activity
Contribute towards climate change <-------------- > Human activity contribute little or nothing about
*Are Christians called to look after the environment?
*What is the responsibility of a Christian?
*Lynn White, 1967
*Christians world view lead us to exploiting the environment
The case for christians destroying the environment
1. People are more important
eg: People in starvation vs the environment
*Therefore the environment is not important and we could exploit the environment
*Genesis 1:26-30: Then the Lord said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
2. God's covenant with Noah
= rainbow
*God's covenant with Abraham - to be father of all nations = the act of circumcision
*Genesis 9:8-11: Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you--the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you--every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.
Does it really matter that we have to take care of the Land God could take care of it Himself?
3. New heaven and new earth
*Revelation 21:1-4: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
*Won't be separated by sea, physically separated spiritually
*If we can get society together where we can be united to take care of the earth or wait until the new heaven and earth appears, which choice would you pick?
*there will be no guilt, no shame, no mourning, and we will get there eventually so we don't have to take care of the environment
Thus, we can hear people saying that Christians will not care for the environment.
*We need to hear a topic like environment in a church sermon because not many people realise that the God can actually relate to the environment
However, on the other end ...
1. Creation belongs to God
*We have taken something that does not belong to us
*Psalm 24:1: The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the wold, and all who live in it;
*Psalm 50: 10-11: for every animal of the forest is mine. and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.
*Colossians 1:15-17: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
*Your career, husband, wife and everything in your life belongs to God
2. We are to honour God's creation
*We are not call to abuse it, it is not ours, we are entrusted from God to take care of the environment
*We are servants of God's environment
*Proverbs 12:10: A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
*Exodus 23:10-12: "For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.
"Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.
(Every 7 years, give the land a rest, so that the poor will get some food- this is one of God's ways to take care of the poor) and let the wild animals have what is left over).
The coolest thing was that i JUST read this passage!
*Don't work on the seventh day so that not only you but your oxes and animals get some rest from the field!:)
*Deuteronomy 25:4: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading on the grain.
3. God's creation points people to God
*Creation is whispering about God
General Revelation
*Look at creation (birds, rocks, land) and a sense where it whispers for you
*Most people of the world are not atheist
Special Revelation
*When creation is whispering, you need to respond
*We need to come and put their faith in Jesus
*Psalm 19:1:The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
*Romans 1:20: For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
*God is for us not against us
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Mark Broadbent
*We can have an opinion on the environment issues but we need to know what you're talking about
2 Spectrum
*Human activity
Contribute towards climate change <-------------- > Human activity contribute little or nothing about
*Are Christians called to look after the environment?
*What is the responsibility of a Christian?
*Lynn White, 1967
*Christians world view lead us to exploiting the environment
The case for christians destroying the environment
1. People are more important
eg: People in starvation vs the environment
*Therefore the environment is not important and we could exploit the environment
*Genesis 1:26-30: Then the Lord said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
2. God's covenant with Noah
= rainbow
*God's covenant with Abraham - to be father of all nations = the act of circumcision
*Genesis 9:8-11: Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you--the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you--every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.
Does it really matter that we have to take care of the Land God could take care of it Himself?
3. New heaven and new earth
*Revelation 21:1-4: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
*Won't be separated by sea, physically separated spiritually
*If we can get society together where we can be united to take care of the earth or wait until the new heaven and earth appears, which choice would you pick?
*there will be no guilt, no shame, no mourning, and we will get there eventually so we don't have to take care of the environment
Thus, we can hear people saying that Christians will not care for the environment.
*We need to hear a topic like environment in a church sermon because not many people realise that the God can actually relate to the environment
However, on the other end ...
1. Creation belongs to God
*We have taken something that does not belong to us
*Psalm 24:1: The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the wold, and all who live in it;
*Psalm 50: 10-11: for every animal of the forest is mine. and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.
*Colossians 1:15-17: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
*Your career, husband, wife and everything in your life belongs to God
2. We are to honour God's creation
*We are not call to abuse it, it is not ours, we are entrusted from God to take care of the environment
*We are servants of God's environment
*Proverbs 12:10: A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
*Exodus 23:10-12: "For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.
"Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.
(Every 7 years, give the land a rest, so that the poor will get some food- this is one of God's ways to take care of the poor) and let the wild animals have what is left over).
The coolest thing was that i JUST read this passage!
*Don't work on the seventh day so that not only you but your oxes and animals get some rest from the field!:)
*Deuteronomy 25:4: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading on the grain.
3. God's creation points people to God
*Creation is whispering about God
General Revelation
*Look at creation (birds, rocks, land) and a sense where it whispers for you
*Most people of the world are not atheist
Special Revelation
*When creation is whispering, you need to respond
*We need to come and put their faith in Jesus
*Psalm 19:1:The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
*Romans 1:20: For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
*God is for us not against us
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
A close walk
What does the Lord your God as of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
-Deuteronomy 10:12-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Deuteronomy 10:12-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Dreams
Some dreams are disappointing, but these are wishful-thinking dreams.
This is what the Lord Almighty says:
"Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;
they fill you with false hopes.
They speak visions from their minds,
not from the mouth of the Lord."
-Jeremiah 23:16-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
This is what the Lord Almighty says:
"Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;
they fill you with false hopes.
They speak visions from their minds,
not from the mouth of the Lord."
-Jeremiah 23:16-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Take my yoke
Jesus taught them saying, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentile and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
-Matthew 11:28-30-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Matthew 11:28-30-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, August 26, 2010
According to You..
My God will meet all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus
-Philippians 4:19-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Philippians 4:19-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
With God
With God, all things are possible
-Matthew 19:26-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Matthew 19:26-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
God is with us..as our strong provider!
I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
-Jeremiah 32:27-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Jeremiah 32:27-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, August 23, 2010
Anxious?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 4:6-7-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Philippians 4:6-7-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Human Trafficking
Jason Elsmore- Senior Pastor Gateway Baptist
August 22nd 2010
Human Traffiking- Trapped
Luke 4:18:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed.
*Nobody likes to be trapped
*Feel trapped financially, through assignments, parents, home
*You don't feel you got power
*Pain and damage is huge, affected physically, mentally, sexually
*27 million people understand how is it
*Human traffiking is illegal- mainly because of corruption and poverty
*"Just like used battery, once the slave exhausts his or her usefulness, another can be preoccured"
*Illegal trade in human beings for purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or bounded labour by means of threat, force or another deceptive measures
*10-17 year olds with 20 men, locked to see men all night
*Tricked, getting own income for family
*God hates slavery
*God is a loving father
*Nation of Israel, trapped in the land of Egypt for 40 years
*He hears them
*Exodus 3:7-8: The Lord said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.
*Someone has power, we want them to use their power for good
*"So therefore, I have come down to rescue them.."
*Exodus 6:6-7: "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgement. I will take you as my on people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
*Redeem with outstretch arm, he is furious, cranky that his children are trapped in misery
*When you get cranky and furious, you want to throw a punch or throw something to him/her
1. He hears their prayers
2. He uses his power to heal
*God today still uses great power, using ordinary people to work
*He unleased his power to rescue them
*Moses was doubtful, he says he's just an ordinary man, all jittery in speech but God says to trust
*God is capable to release thousand of slaves in one single night
*He establishes war so that no one can be slaves
*Leviticus 25:39-41 (Year of Jubilee= 50 years)
"If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave. He is to be treated as a hire worker or a temporary resident among you; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. Then he and his children are to be released, and he will go back to his own clan and to the property of his forefathers.
*Cancel their debts after 50 years, let them go and experience what you have
3. He send his son so that we could be really free
*He establish laws
*Luke 4:18:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.
*Summary of what he is going to do
*Jesus is always talking about God releasing people (giving freedom) financially, spiritually, sexually, mentally
*He sent his son to set captives free
*God's heart is to set his people free
*He is looking for people to fill his fury, to trust his power, to be his hands and feet
*Biggest miracle- watching Jesus change these girls
*hunger for worship and doing devotions
*Romans 1:16: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first the Jews, then for the Gentile.
*Power of salvation is for anyone who recieves
*Jesus is setting captives today
Practical things
1. Speak up- world vision, www.stopthe traffik.org.au
2. Give generously -wealth comes great power, to do good or bad
3. Pray persistently- hard journey for the girls
4. Love unswervingly - He looks and sees his people suffering and wants us to love them
*Let God break your heart.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
August 22nd 2010
Human Traffiking- Trapped
Luke 4:18:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed.
*Nobody likes to be trapped
*Feel trapped financially, through assignments, parents, home
*You don't feel you got power
*Pain and damage is huge, affected physically, mentally, sexually
*27 million people understand how is it
*Human traffiking is illegal- mainly because of corruption and poverty
*"Just like used battery, once the slave exhausts his or her usefulness, another can be preoccured"
*Illegal trade in human beings for purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or bounded labour by means of threat, force or another deceptive measures
*10-17 year olds with 20 men, locked to see men all night
*Tricked, getting own income for family
*God hates slavery
*God is a loving father
*Nation of Israel, trapped in the land of Egypt for 40 years
*He hears them
*Exodus 3:7-8: The Lord said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.
*Someone has power, we want them to use their power for good
*"So therefore, I have come down to rescue them.."
*Exodus 6:6-7: "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgement. I will take you as my on people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
*Redeem with outstretch arm, he is furious, cranky that his children are trapped in misery
*When you get cranky and furious, you want to throw a punch or throw something to him/her
1. He hears their prayers
2. He uses his power to heal
*God today still uses great power, using ordinary people to work
*He unleased his power to rescue them
*Moses was doubtful, he says he's just an ordinary man, all jittery in speech but God says to trust
*God is capable to release thousand of slaves in one single night
*He establishes war so that no one can be slaves
*Leviticus 25:39-41 (Year of Jubilee= 50 years)
"If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave. He is to be treated as a hire worker or a temporary resident among you; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. Then he and his children are to be released, and he will go back to his own clan and to the property of his forefathers.
*Cancel their debts after 50 years, let them go and experience what you have
3. He send his son so that we could be really free
*He establish laws
*Luke 4:18:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.
*Summary of what he is going to do
*Jesus is always talking about God releasing people (giving freedom) financially, spiritually, sexually, mentally
*He sent his son to set captives free
*God's heart is to set his people free
*He is looking for people to fill his fury, to trust his power, to be his hands and feet
*Biggest miracle- watching Jesus change these girls
*hunger for worship and doing devotions
*Romans 1:16: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first the Jews, then for the Gentile.
*Power of salvation is for anyone who recieves
*Jesus is setting captives today
Practical things
1. Speak up- world vision, www.stopthe traffik.org.au
2. Give generously -wealth comes great power, to do good or bad
3. Pray persistently- hard journey for the girls
4. Love unswervingly - He looks and sees his people suffering and wants us to love them
*Let God break your heart.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
The Certainty of Hope
Hope Brisbane afternoon service
Sunday, 22nd August 2010
Pastor Wenan Zhu
*Hope gives us strength to believe and the reason to go on.
*We hope that we have money, go health and all positive things
*Hope = something positive, constantly link to an outcome
*In life, certain things that we don't hope for, will materialize
*In life, sometimes we will be involve in things beyond our control
*Hebrews 6:18-20: God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
*When what we hope for doesn't occur, we either:-
1. worry
2. be fearful
3. loose motivation
*Hope = confidence expectation; Elpis is Greek
*Base on the originator of Hope = God
*Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
*We can be certain of this hope because of God himself
*"I know it can happen because of God"
*God keeps his promise. We can trust, believe and put our hope on it
*2 Thessalonians 2:16: May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace give us eternal encouragement and good hope.
*"He gave us" - already given
*1 Peter 1:3: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
*Hope is available for us
*Certainty of God is made to us
*Hope that requires our Action
*Unless you take your hand and grasp it, you would not have that hope
*Our walk is not base on outcome but God
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, 22nd August 2010
Pastor Wenan Zhu
*Hope gives us strength to believe and the reason to go on.
*We hope that we have money, go health and all positive things
*Hope = something positive, constantly link to an outcome
*In life, certain things that we don't hope for, will materialize
*In life, sometimes we will be involve in things beyond our control
*Hebrews 6:18-20: God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
*When what we hope for doesn't occur, we either:-
1. worry
2. be fearful
3. loose motivation
*Hope = confidence expectation; Elpis is Greek
*Base on the originator of Hope = God
*Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
*We can be certain of this hope because of God himself
*"I know it can happen because of God"
*God keeps his promise. We can trust, believe and put our hope on it
*2 Thessalonians 2:16: May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace give us eternal encouragement and good hope.
*"He gave us" - already given
*1 Peter 1:3: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
*Hope is available for us
*Certainty of God is made to us
*Hope that requires our Action
*Unless you take your hand and grasp it, you would not have that hope
*Our walk is not base on outcome but God
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, August 22, 2010
God is with us..always!
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Romans 8:38-39-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Romans 8:38-39-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, August 21, 2010
God is with us..as our loving father
Endure hardship and discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
-Hebrews 12:7-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Hebrews 12:7-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Crazily in love!
Luke 15:22-32
*Love can make us do crazy stuff
*Crazy love of the father
*Love for the prodigal son beyond understanding
*Normally, we would be punished if we did what the son did.
*God has that grace and love eventhough many people might find it crazy
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
*He explains and displays his love as his character
*It was a forgiving love- "Always protects, always trust, always hope and always perseveres
*God's crazy love is not based on works
*You are made uniquely in God's perfection
*We don't have to think so much or compare because he loves us based on who we are
*We tend to get caught up with serving
*We need to remember the time where God first loved us
*He died for our sins because he loved us, when a debt is paid, its done
*We should not compare our love of one another, God love us in his own special way
*The father love both of the sons equally
*"Everything you have is mine, all you have to do it just ask"
*The brother didn't want a relationship. He said, "Your son" instead of "My brother"
*Asian cultures tend to compare
*God's love is not that stressful
*He love us unregardless of whether we are good or bad.
Something Crazy
He's got a Bible and a megaphone standing on the corner
And everybody's saying he's crazy
Well does he really think anybody wants to hear what he has to say
He's not screaming at anybody in fact he says
It's a love story that he's trying to tell them
And he knows he may look a little strange
But he just smiles and says that's okay
'Cause you know sometimes love makes you
Act that way
And it's crazy when love gets a hold of you
And it's crazy things that love will make you do
And it's crazy but it's true
You really don't know love at all
'Til it's making you do
Something crazy
I know a lady in Uganda, forty kids call her mama
And everybody thought it was crazy
She used to drive a beamer, but I've never seen her
And happier than she is now
I've met them all around the world, they're the boys and girls
Filled up with the love of the Father
And they know it may seem a little strange
But they just smile and say that's alright
'Cause love puts everything in a different light
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
*Love can make us do crazy stuff
*Crazy love of the father
*Love for the prodigal son beyond understanding
*Normally, we would be punished if we did what the son did.
*God has that grace and love eventhough many people might find it crazy
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
*He explains and displays his love as his character
*It was a forgiving love- "Always protects, always trust, always hope and always perseveres
*God's crazy love is not based on works
*You are made uniquely in God's perfection
*We don't have to think so much or compare because he loves us based on who we are
*We tend to get caught up with serving
*We need to remember the time where God first loved us
*He died for our sins because he loved us, when a debt is paid, its done
*We should not compare our love of one another, God love us in his own special way
*The father love both of the sons equally
*"Everything you have is mine, all you have to do it just ask"
*The brother didn't want a relationship. He said, "Your son" instead of "My brother"
*Asian cultures tend to compare
*God's love is not that stressful
*He love us unregardless of whether we are good or bad.
Something Crazy
He's got a Bible and a megaphone standing on the corner
And everybody's saying he's crazy
Well does he really think anybody wants to hear what he has to say
He's not screaming at anybody in fact he says
It's a love story that he's trying to tell them
And he knows he may look a little strange
But he just smiles and says that's okay
'Cause you know sometimes love makes you
Act that way
And it's crazy when love gets a hold of you
And it's crazy things that love will make you do
And it's crazy but it's true
You really don't know love at all
'Til it's making you do
Something crazy
I know a lady in Uganda, forty kids call her mama
And everybody thought it was crazy
She used to drive a beamer, but I've never seen her
And happier than she is now
I've met them all around the world, they're the boys and girls
Filled up with the love of the Father
And they know it may seem a little strange
But they just smile and say that's alright
'Cause love puts everything in a different light
And it's crazy when love gets a hold of you
And it's crazy things that love will make you do
And it's crazy but it's true
You really don't know love at all
'Til it's making you do
Something crazy
Something crazy
Crazy
Crazy when love gets a hold of you
Crazy, crazy
Crazy thing that love will make you do
Well, some might say it's a crazy thing
To believe in a man who would say he came
From heaven down to earth because of love
But I just smile and say that's okay
'Cause you know sometimes love makes you act that way
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Strength
Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today..The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
-Exodus 14:13-14-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Exodus 14:13-14-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, August 16, 2010
In our Difficulties..
God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Indigenous Issues
Billy Williams- National Indigenous Leader
16 Aug 2010
*If you want to understand things, go to the source
*If we want to understand God, we need to understand Jesus
*We need to be in his first sermon
*Luke 4:18-19:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
*That scripture has been fulfilled
*Jesus is on his way to give us life, the words are to give us life, He is the true life
*In order to have true life, we have to have true justice
*Heaven is a place of justice, true freedom
*Micah 6:8:
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
*What is the first thing that God seeks? To be filled with his justice or love?
Implications/ Reflectors on Australia's Justice:
a) Indigenous culture is complex
-made in the image of God
-have boundaries
Proverbs 22:28:
Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your forefathers.
-we are to recognize other people's boundaries
*Here is an issue of justice in terms of land- where you find your identity
*Paul said in Acts 17
-God set the boundaries
b) Murder of indigenous people. No one was found guilty
c) Indigenous people are controlled eg: forced labor
*The devil said to steal, kill and destroy, different from what God promised
*There is injustice taken place
*Jesus said the truth will set you free
*Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere (Martin King Jr)
*What would i look like for kingdom to come and his will to be done, here on us?
*What are the implications in your life?
*An indigenous singer played and sang to speak injustice
*How am I unfolding God's kingdom in this are?
*We need people to pray and participate in thy kingdom come and thy will be done
*To find out more about the injustice of indigenous people
*Isaiah 61:1-8:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations
Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.
"For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
*No fingers pointed but to encourage everyone to come together to be trees of justice
*What this country would look like if God's kingdom comes.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
16 Aug 2010
*If you want to understand things, go to the source
*If we want to understand God, we need to understand Jesus
*We need to be in his first sermon
*Luke 4:18-19:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
*That scripture has been fulfilled
*Jesus is on his way to give us life, the words are to give us life, He is the true life
*In order to have true life, we have to have true justice
*Heaven is a place of justice, true freedom
*Micah 6:8:
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
*What is the first thing that God seeks? To be filled with his justice or love?
Implications/ Reflectors on Australia's Justice:
a) Indigenous culture is complex
-made in the image of God
-have boundaries
Proverbs 22:28:
Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your forefathers.
-we are to recognize other people's boundaries
*Here is an issue of justice in terms of land- where you find your identity
*Paul said in Acts 17
-God set the boundaries
b) Murder of indigenous people. No one was found guilty
c) Indigenous people are controlled eg: forced labor
*The devil said to steal, kill and destroy, different from what God promised
*There is injustice taken place
*Jesus said the truth will set you free
*Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere (Martin King Jr)
*What would i look like for kingdom to come and his will to be done, here on us?
*What are the implications in your life?
*An indigenous singer played and sang to speak injustice
*How am I unfolding God's kingdom in this are?
*We need people to pray and participate in thy kingdom come and thy will be done
*To find out more about the injustice of indigenous people
*Isaiah 61:1-8:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations
Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.
"For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
*No fingers pointed but to encourage everyone to come together to be trees of justice
*What this country would look like if God's kingdom comes.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Guidance
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
-James 1:5-
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight
-Proverbs 3:5-6-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-James 1:5-
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight
-Proverbs 3:5-6-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Companionship
He will not let your foot slip
he who watches over you will not slumber.
The Lord watches over you
the Lord is your shade at
your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:3, 5-8
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
the Lord is your shade at
your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:3, 5-8
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Justice Project : Justice for All!
* There was a first picture showing someone praying- This may signify a person being holy
*The second picture shows a hand reaching out
*So the question was: Which picture represents Christianity most?
*To be a church that shows compassion
*Isaiah 58:2-11:
For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please, and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today.
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords o the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear ground.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well- watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
*Rather go without food than not respond to God's calling
v4-5: If you want God to break in history, you have to obey
v6-7: If you want to seek ME, you do not fast (or follow religious acts) alone but care for the poor as well
*There is a huge difference between human morality and justice
*God cares but his religious acts is not the point
*The most important thing is to be people of justice
1. Perception of the Church
*The perception of the church is getting worse
*They love Jesus but not the church
*The best perception is just to go to work and not swear. No?
*One of the problems with Christianity is that we are more against something (eg: Swearing, sex outside marriage) compared to what we are for
*We are suppose to be for the poor, to sacrifice so that people can have water (or any form of necessities) In that way, more people can be drawn more to the church.
*Romans, Greeks, Jews had to take care of their own poor.
*The Christians had to take care not only for their own poor but to all poor people.
eg: Salvation army : They are known for what their for (eg: Door knocking) and not against.
2. Politics
*There is no such thing as a Christian nation
*A lot of it is fear of having no rights as Christians
*We are to lay down our life for Christians, we have no right as Christians, we are not suppose to
*We cannot legislate morality
*We cannot expect non-believers to act like believers
1 Corinthians 5:12-13: What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
*Our goal is not to get people to behave better but to meet with our father
*When Christians vote, our job is to care for the community, to care for the common good of people.
3. Our relationship with God
*Struggle with anger, lust
*We confess sins of our personal, when was the last time you confessed for the sins of the oppressed?
*The Bible talks about sins of commission but the bible speaks much about sins of omission as well.
*Omission- not do what is wrong but fail to do what is right
*When was the last time we repent for sins of omission?
*When the Holy Spirit comes to us to transform, God will let us do good works to respond to Jesus
*James 2:14-17: What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
*Eventually, the Holy Spirit will come and transform you but
"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Jesus tells a justice story not of personal morality
(eg: The parable of the Good Samaritan)
*Neither of the snapshots (described earlier) show Christianity
*The real picture of Christianity is Jesus dieing on the cross
*Not about what we do but what Jesus has done for us
*If you fall in love with Jesus, you will change your character.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
*The second picture shows a hand reaching out
*So the question was: Which picture represents Christianity most?
*To be a church that shows compassion
*Isaiah 58:2-11:
For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please, and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today.
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords o the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear ground.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well- watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
*Rather go without food than not respond to God's calling
v4-5: If you want God to break in history, you have to obey
v6-7: If you want to seek ME, you do not fast (or follow religious acts) alone but care for the poor as well
*There is a huge difference between human morality and justice
*God cares but his religious acts is not the point
*The most important thing is to be people of justice
1. Perception of the Church
*The perception of the church is getting worse
*They love Jesus but not the church
*The best perception is just to go to work and not swear. No?
*One of the problems with Christianity is that we are more against something (eg: Swearing, sex outside marriage) compared to what we are for
*We are suppose to be for the poor, to sacrifice so that people can have water (or any form of necessities) In that way, more people can be drawn more to the church.
*Romans, Greeks, Jews had to take care of their own poor.
*The Christians had to take care not only for their own poor but to all poor people.
eg: Salvation army : They are known for what their for (eg: Door knocking) and not against.
2. Politics
*There is no such thing as a Christian nation
*A lot of it is fear of having no rights as Christians
*We are to lay down our life for Christians, we have no right as Christians, we are not suppose to
*We cannot legislate morality
*We cannot expect non-believers to act like believers
1 Corinthians 5:12-13: What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
*Our goal is not to get people to behave better but to meet with our father
*When Christians vote, our job is to care for the community, to care for the common good of people.
3. Our relationship with God
*Struggle with anger, lust
*We confess sins of our personal, when was the last time you confessed for the sins of the oppressed?
*The Bible talks about sins of commission but the bible speaks much about sins of omission as well.
*Omission- not do what is wrong but fail to do what is right
*When was the last time we repent for sins of omission?
*When the Holy Spirit comes to us to transform, God will let us do good works to respond to Jesus
*James 2:14-17: What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
*Eventually, the Holy Spirit will come and transform you but
"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Jesus tells a justice story not of personal morality
(eg: The parable of the Good Samaritan)
*Neither of the snapshots (described earlier) show Christianity
*The real picture of Christianity is Jesus dieing on the cross
*Not about what we do but what Jesus has done for us
*If you fall in love with Jesus, you will change your character.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Fretting
Remember, fretting will only tie us in knots.
Prayer is the only way to cut short out fretting -- to until those knots of worry and care and grant us God's peace instead.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Prayer is the only way to cut short out fretting -- to until those knots of worry and care and grant us God's peace instead.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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