Join us at 10:00am for Ken Holt's last service with us - hear his message on Care and Nurture
Family Communion 10th October 2021
Keeping Connected 5th October
Warm Greetings.
In this my last Keeping Connected with you, can I encourage you that if you're doing it tough and would appreciate some assistance or prayer over the next few weeks, please do contact our Church on 03 5968 8459 or www.stlukesatcockatoo.com.au A response will be made asap.
Today for your encouragement I am attaching an article from the Sydney Morning Herald ( 'The meaning of Life: Australians praying more during COVID 19'). 2 others articles (used with permission from Max Lucado.com and Churchleaders.com) are included and titled C.A.L.M and 'Fan your love for Jesus into Flame' (following up the Message last Sunday on First Love).
Read and enjoy...and may the Holy Spirit minister to you as you take these on board.
Many blessings
Ken
Fan Your Love for Jesus Into Flame
By
Questions, questions, questions. Everybody asks me questions.
Airport security people ask me questions: “Has your luggage been in your possession since leaving home?” “Have you been approached by anyone to carry a package?” “Did you pack your own bags?” You don’t want to try to be funny with airport people. You don’t want to say, “No, actually they were packed by a stranger I met at the gun shop yesterday.” They probably won’t be laughing as they’re cuffing you.
Game shows ask me questions. “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?” “Who wants to be a millionaire?” and more. I’d like to see a show called Are You Nerdier Than a Home-Schooler? Hey, back off home school people, I’m just kidding. We home schooled our kids and look at them. On second thought, don’t.
Jeopardy actually gives the answers and contestants have to supply the questions. For example the “Answer” might be: “The French military leader who met his final defeat at Waterloo on June 18, 1815.” And we all know the Question: “Who is Napoleon Dynamite?”
After his resurrection, Jesus asked Peter the most piercing question in the world: “Do you love me?”
Before Jesus was crucified, confident Peter swore he would never deny Christ, then disowned him three times. So after he rose, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” He didn’t ask Peter if he was a good person, or if he believed in God or did good things. He asked Peter if he loved him.
Do you love Jesus? This is the most important question in the world.
My love for Jesus falls far short of what I desire. It grieves me to think about how weak and pitiful my love for him is. But I’m so glad Jesus promises he will not quench even a smoldering wick. If there is one true spark of love for him he can fan it into a flame. And if we’re concerned about our poor love for Christ, that’s a good thing, for unbelievers don’t love him at all, don’t think about it and aren’t bothered by it. It’s a mark of a genuine believer to desire to love Jesus more.
How can we fan our love for Jesus into a flame? Here are a few ways:
Think about the cross. Think of what it cost Jesus to bring you to God. He underwent infinite humiliation in becoming human. He withstood Satan’s worst temptations. He accepted rejection, mocking, scourging and crucifixion. He drank the cup of God’s furious wrath against sin for us. How can we not love Jesus for all he endured for us?
Think on all Jesus has done for you. He rescued you from your sins, cleansed you with his blood and brought you to God. He had mercy on you, revealed himself to you, gave eternal life to you. He made you one with himself and promises to share his inheritance with you.
Think of all Jesus continues to do for you. He intercedes for you, blesses you, bears with you, encourages you, protects you, speaks to you, answers your prayers, helps you, fills you with joy. We have so many reasons to love him.
Finally, pray, and ask Jesus to fill you with love for him. He loves to answer this prayer.
Do I love Jesus? There’s no more important question to ask ourselves. And nothing more important to cultivate than our love for our Savior.
The Scripture Hall of Fame that contains the twenty-third Psalm, the Lord’s Prayer, and John 3:16 should also display Philippians 4:4-8.
Celebrate God’s goodness. “Rejoice in the Lord always” (v. 4). Celebrate who he is, what he has done in your life, and celebrate his goodness, faithfulness, and forgiveness.
Ask God for help. Verse five says, “The Lord is at hand.” Because of the Lord’s nearness, we can ask him for what we need.
Leave your concerns with God. Verse six says, “With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” State your concerns, then leave them in the hands of the father.
Verse 8: Meditate on good things. “Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise” (v. 8). We can transform our minds with conscious meditation on the good.
C.A.L.M. Calm.
The meaning of life: Australians praying more during COVID-19
Read the article on line here or through the attached file
10:00am Service 3rd October
The message toady is from Revelation 2:1-7 - We are here to Grow
Communion Service 26th September
A live stream at 10:00 am - We are here to Be Church - 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 - The Body of Christ - message delivered by Peter Crawford
Keeping Connected 22 Sept 21
Hi %firstname%,
Great to be able to share some encouragement with you as we face yet another week of lockdown and protests.
If you are finding it tough to keep your head above water and would like some assistance or prayer, please do contact me at holts@bigpond.com or 0419 248 724.
This week's inclusions for your reading are an incredibly helpful article attached and titled : ' How to Spend Time with God (Tips on Sitting in God's Presence) ' used with permission from author Hanha Hobson ( yes that's the correct spelling). And 2 articles below: ' RUOK ' and 'Getting through what you're going through' (both used with permission by Vision Christian Media, from Word for Today available for free).
Enjoy and may you find great comfort and courage .
Many blessings
Ken
Getting Through What You’re Going Through
More‘When you are tempted, He will also provide a way out.’ 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Some people stay in hopeless situations their whole lives without ever making a decision to seek God’s power to get through them. Being ‘long-suffering’ doesn’t mean living in misery any longer than necessary. Paul says, ‘Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.’ (Romans 12:2 PHPS) When you renew your mind with God’s Word, He’ll show you His will and strengthen you to get through—once and for all—what you’ve been going through for years. Instead of complaining about your circumstances, determine to get through them.
Author John Mason says: ‘Don’t accept your present temporary situation as your future permanent situation… determine to get on with life and fulfil your purpose… Paul says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV) We’re not to be moved by the obvious, but by the actual. If you’ve been saying for years, “I’m going through this situation,” stand up and declare, “I’ve had enough. It’s time to get through this mess!” The enemy wants you to believe you’ll never be victorious… or overcome your present circumstance. But God’s Word says, “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) Take this verse and stand on it. God is faithful. He will provide “a way out”.’
Your circumstances may not change right away, but as far as God’s concerned, you’re already out on the other side.
RUOK
The mental health crisis. We’ve all been told by the news that this is a bigger pandemic than COVID-19. And it can be closer than you think. That colleague, or neighbour, or neighbourhood grocer may just need that support. And it can be just as simply as starting a conversation.
The R U OK movement was started to empower you and I to do so. Founded in 2009, R U OK encourages people to have a conversation, support one another.
Robbo and Becci of Vision Radio’s Rise and Shine program caught up with Justin Geange, Ambassdor for R U OK. Justin shares four simple steps:
1. Start to notice if someone or yourself are struggling.
Someone may be doing things or speaking differently than what they normally would.
If you are doing it tough, reach out for help. It is OK not to be OK.
2. Ask R U OK or R U really OK?
3. Listen.
Listen without judgement. Listen to understand, not to respond.
4. Encourage action.
Recommend a resource eg. a counsellor.
Check-in after to see how that person is doing.
Our commission as Christians is to love our neighbour, and part of that is reaching out to them. Justin further adds that when we take our eyes off our own stuff, that may take the sting out of our eyes too.
So, check in on someone tonight or this weekend!