The week of prayer began with a prayer meeting during which we received reports from Emily & Matt on their work in Clarens. They are involved in mission work with vulnerable children - the project has a name which means 'wings' - just as a hen hides its chicks under its wings, the project seeks to offer protection to vulnerable children including those with HIV.
During the meeting I had a mental picture of Archangel Michael plunging the flaming sword of Truth into paper balloons - the balloons represented gloom, despondency, negativity and all those things behind which we hide - they flared up momentarily and then we were exposed, no longer hidden from the light of God.
Mark outlined the issues that face the church in the coming year: the plan is for the Beacon building to come down in the summer. Staff-wise, three men have 'thrown their hats into the ring' with respect to the post of Assistant Pastor. We're seeking a clear indication from the Lord on this. Beyond that, Jemily will be taking maternity leave later this year.
Sunday 4 January 2009
This morning's Words during Worship (Beacon Church)
During the worship, Carol M_ brought us the following reading from Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven”.
Carol felt that the Lord wants to say to us:
You are the light that shines in the darkness. So in this new year, which seems at times so uncertain to so many in the world (and is centred around the major economic crisis) I want you to know in your hearts that you are different and I am going to raise you up so that you stand out as people called by me to display my glory. Be my witnesses in these days by believing that you are different and that my hand upon your lives makes a difference to your everyday normal circumstances. Not just when you are at church worshipping, not just when you are at home worshipping me but when you are at work, or when you are at school or at college or with family and friends you are to so many a light and that light will stand out in this year to come. A year to Stand Out
Pete H_ brought a reading from Colossians 1:15 - 20:
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Mark:
I feel the Lord would say to us today: "I have plans for you - don't discount yourself because you are young, or you're not a teacher ... this morning I'm giving you a road map - you can choose to accept this or discard it. I have plans for your life, plans to prosper you and to bless you, to bring you into new intimacy in relationships. Just as we have sung this morning about walking on uneven ground, not all the roads you walk this year will be easy - sometimes the way will be rugged and difficult terrain, uncharted territory - roads you haven't been down before. You may find yourself saying at times 'Where are you, God?' There may be things to frighten you, obstacles to trip over - but don't be frightened. My promise is I will be with you! I have plans for you and I will be with you - plans for you in the classroom, plans for you at work, plans for you in ministry. I look for you to receive this road map with faith, and if you do, it will be a treasure map. As you pore over this map, so I will give you treasure as you follow me."
Peter W_ read from Ephesians 5:1-2:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
(New American Standard Bible)
Peter reminds us as we set out and take our first step following that road map, we are to be like Jesus, to do what Jesus would do.
Simon B_:
In the reading Peter W_ brought (Ephesians 5:1-2), I was struck by the word 'fragrant' - the pullover I put on first of all this morning was still fragrant from last night's party ... We can choose to carry the fragrance of where we've been or we can choose to wash it off if it's offensive. Sometimes when we carry the fragrance of Jesus, we may upset or offend other people (just as when we've eaten garlic, which is beneficial to the body, the subsequent smell we carry may be offensive to others). Nonetheless when we walk with the fragrance of Jesus, that fragrance is pleasing to God.
Paul R_:
As Mark was prophesying this morning about Father releasing a 'road map' to us, and when Peter spoke too, God showed me a mental picture of a body - and when I looked closely, it was made up of millions of individual people. Romans 12:4-6 says, "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well". Romans 12:12-13 says, "Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out". In the picture God showed me, the 'body' was almost elastic, with each individual moving freely but joined to all the others. There was incredible grace and freedom for everyone to do their own thing as they were being led by the Holy Spirit but, as individuals, as we look to receive the 'road map' Mark spoke of, let's remember that it's Father's heart intention for the whole body to reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:13). So as each individual receives this 'road map' let's make sure that we look out for each other, pray for each other, care for each other, give to each other, encourage and support each other, correct each other, ensuring that each part remains joined to the others helping the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (Eph 4:16).
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven”.
Carol felt that the Lord wants to say to us:
You are the light that shines in the darkness. So in this new year, which seems at times so uncertain to so many in the world (and is centred around the major economic crisis) I want you to know in your hearts that you are different and I am going to raise you up so that you stand out as people called by me to display my glory. Be my witnesses in these days by believing that you are different and that my hand upon your lives makes a difference to your everyday normal circumstances. Not just when you are at church worshipping, not just when you are at home worshipping me but when you are at work, or when you are at school or at college or with family and friends you are to so many a light and that light will stand out in this year to come. A year to Stand Out
Pete H_ brought a reading from Colossians 1:15 - 20:
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Mark:
I feel the Lord would say to us today: "I have plans for you - don't discount yourself because you are young, or you're not a teacher ... this morning I'm giving you a road map - you can choose to accept this or discard it. I have plans for your life, plans to prosper you and to bless you, to bring you into new intimacy in relationships. Just as we have sung this morning about walking on uneven ground, not all the roads you walk this year will be easy - sometimes the way will be rugged and difficult terrain, uncharted territory - roads you haven't been down before. You may find yourself saying at times 'Where are you, God?' There may be things to frighten you, obstacles to trip over - but don't be frightened. My promise is I will be with you! I have plans for you and I will be with you - plans for you in the classroom, plans for you at work, plans for you in ministry. I look for you to receive this road map with faith, and if you do, it will be a treasure map. As you pore over this map, so I will give you treasure as you follow me."
Peter W_ read from Ephesians 5:1-2:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
(New American Standard Bible)
Peter reminds us as we set out and take our first step following that road map, we are to be like Jesus, to do what Jesus would do.
Simon B_:
In the reading Peter W_ brought (Ephesians 5:1-2), I was struck by the word 'fragrant' - the pullover I put on first of all this morning was still fragrant from last night's party ... We can choose to carry the fragrance of where we've been or we can choose to wash it off if it's offensive. Sometimes when we carry the fragrance of Jesus, we may upset or offend other people (just as when we've eaten garlic, which is beneficial to the body, the subsequent smell we carry may be offensive to others). Nonetheless when we walk with the fragrance of Jesus, that fragrance is pleasing to God.
Paul R_:
As Mark was prophesying this morning about Father releasing a 'road map' to us, and when Peter spoke too, God showed me a mental picture of a body - and when I looked closely, it was made up of millions of individual people. Romans 12:4-6 says, "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well". Romans 12:12-13 says, "Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out". In the picture God showed me, the 'body' was almost elastic, with each individual moving freely but joined to all the others. There was incredible grace and freedom for everyone to do their own thing as they were being led by the Holy Spirit but, as individuals, as we look to receive the 'road map' Mark spoke of, let's remember that it's Father's heart intention for the whole body to reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:13). So as each individual receives this 'road map' let's make sure that we look out for each other, pray for each other, care for each other, give to each other, encourage and support each other, correct each other, ensuring that each part remains joined to the others helping the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (Eph 4:16).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)