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Midweek News
Sunday
9am: God wants us to make the most of opportunities for the Gospel - but what does that mean? And how does that fit with a belief in God as sovereign? How do we balance faith in God, and our responsibility to make things happen - or is carpe diem just a figment of pagan philosophy? Given that we're just about to embark on a major evangelistic effort, there could hardly be a more important question for 2008. You can read ahead at Col 4:2-6
5pm: Who or what should people encounter when they come in contact with the people of Jesus? Perhaps people, pastors, programs, music, love. Maybe all of these. When we read the story of the early church it becomes clear who they are about - and who people come in contact with when they meet with church. Its Jesus - because his life and his story is everything that the church is to be about.
Dave & Co on leave...
Dave is taking three weeks leave from today - and will be back in the saddle again just after Cath & Dan's wedding (Jan 26). We look forward to a restful time away and trust that the Lord will richly bless the RCRC family while we're gone. Many thanks to those who are stepping into the breach during our absence: Dan Kroon, Rod McWilliams, and Greg Tenni. I can also say how thankful I am that Clinton is still keen to open the word with us - how good is that?
Simply Christianity: starts Feb 10
You will hear more about this in the coming weeks. Simply Christianity is a five week course which opens up who Jesus is and what he came to do. All our small groups will be running with this program. It will be a key opportunity to refocus on the central realities of the Gospel. It will also be a great opportunity to ask friends who want to know more about Jesus along to your small group. Our Sunday teaching will be focussing on the Simply Christianity themes for the 5 weeks from Feb 10 through to March 16. So start praying and planning now, and watch this space for more information! Any questions can be directed to Dave or Clinton. You can find out more about Simply Christianity by going to http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/Samples/sc.html
Welcome to Jack & Jeannie de Vries
A team of people from RCRC: Dave, Eddie Bos and Greg Tenni are part of a national Committee in the CRCA who have responsibility to help congregations become more intentional about developing leaders and embracing mission. Recently this Committee, the Ministry Formation Workgroup, have been able to employ Jack de Vries, a Canadian specialist in this field, to assist the workgroup with their task.
As a result, Redlands will host the installation of Jack de Vries as the CRCA Ministry Training Coordinator on Feb 10. While few of us know Jack at present, this will be a key opportunity for us to see something of the wider denominational priorities. Jack will not be on RCRC staff, and he and Jeannie will probably settle on the Northside in the Bray Park area. Our involvement in this service is simply an affirmation of his role, and a local church expression of the CRCA's prayer and desire that his work will be a great blessing. On the day, the installation will have a similar form to when new elders are installed.
We fully encourage the RCRC family to be present at the 9am service and extend to Jack and Jeannie the warm RCRC welcome they deserve.
We'll give a few more details as the time draws near...
A New Years' Message
Some of us receive an occasional email from ‘Purpose Driven'. The one we received on Dec 31 was brilliant, and gives us plenty of food for thought as we commence 2008. We reproduce it here for your consideration:
When Saddleback Church celebrated its 25th anniversary, Rick Warren called for a radical commitment from God's people - all over the world - to tackle the giant obstacles that keep people in spiritual darkness.
In this new year, we can "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13b-14, NIV). We can, once again, affirm our commitment to the work of the Great Commission. My prayer is that we will view this declaration as a covenant with God, promising him that from now we will do whatever it takes: anytime, anywhere, anyway.
A Call to Radical Commitment
By Rick Warren
Today I am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling, and I'm finished with wavering. I've made my choice; the verdict is in; and my decision is irrevocable. I'm going God's way. There's no turning back now!
I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying.
Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, "we" over "me," character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most, and I'll give it all I've got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.
I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me.
When times get tough, and I get tired, I won't back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I'll just keep moving forward by God's grace. I'm Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.
I'm a trophy of God's amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for everyday, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I'm ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway.
Whatever it takes Lord; whatever it takes!
I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I'll hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!"
What does this mean?
Today, I affirm this commitment to God and submit to his plans and purposes for my life, no matter what it takes.
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© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
Jon Walker is writer/pastor for the Web site www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted (c) 2007 by Jon Walker.
Prayer
- How's the ‘prayer as attitude' going for you? If you're wondering about how all this works, and missed the message of Dec 30, you can get a copy at www.redlandscrc.org.au/sermons
- Remember the worlds trouble spots: Pakistan, Kenya, and so on. Give thanks for stable Government, and ask God to work through people of peace in areas of unrest
- Pray for Burma: the situation has settled, but is still unstable. Pray especially for the orphanage, the children, and the leaders of the work there
- Remember Clinton and Tracy and the children. How much they need the Lord's strength every day. Keep praying that God continues to work through Clinton's treatment - and beyond it - that Clinton may be brought to health.
- Simply Christianity starts Feb 10. Pray for open doors, use grace filled speech, make the most of every opportunity so people can hear the life transforming message of Jesus