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**
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
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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