We've got such a great new-look website, which is where you can find future posts for this Empower blog:
Go straight here for blog entries.
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Waiting for His face, and everything's in its right place
Pastor Luke Martin shared with us on Sunday 15 May 2011, starting with Psalm 27.
In Psalm 27, David was having a painful experience. In fact, it is headed as a psalm of fearless trust in God (NIV version). It means knowing God will come through for us.
So what order of thinking did David follow in this Psalm?
• DECLARE WHO GOD IS. We see that in the first verse, where David begins by recognising God's presence. We can say that of our lives, rather than focusing on our smallness or inabilities. Start with God's abilities rather than our lacks. And recognise how much more powerful God is than anything else. Like in a wrestling match, ‘tag’ God in! Think also how a document may be truthful, but it has no power until you ‘declare’ it with a signature.
• MAKE YOUR PRIORITY HIS PRESENCE: See verse 4 and 5, in which David is ‘set high upon the Rock’. God's presence will never disappoint you. In Psalm 16:11, we see how God takes away hopelessness. His presence replaces hopelessness with joy.
• SEEK HIS FACE: See verse 8 in which David seeks more than presence when he looks for God's face. Getting close to someone's face enables you to hear more intimately. Right now, seek after Him and go beyond the feeling. And when He speaks, He speaks with love and acceptance.
He is everything that we need, so why not get close to Him and say God, what is it that you want to say?
And while you wait, know that He will show you His goodness. He wants to speak with you... Now wait...
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
In Psalm 27, David was having a painful experience. In fact, it is headed as a psalm of fearless trust in God (NIV version). It means knowing God will come through for us.
So what order of thinking did David follow in this Psalm?
• DECLARE WHO GOD IS. We see that in the first verse, where David begins by recognising God's presence. We can say that of our lives, rather than focusing on our smallness or inabilities. Start with God's abilities rather than our lacks. And recognise how much more powerful God is than anything else. Like in a wrestling match, ‘tag’ God in! Think also how a document may be truthful, but it has no power until you ‘declare’ it with a signature.
• MAKE YOUR PRIORITY HIS PRESENCE: See verse 4 and 5, in which David is ‘set high upon the Rock’. God's presence will never disappoint you. In Psalm 16:11, we see how God takes away hopelessness. His presence replaces hopelessness with joy.
• SEEK HIS FACE: See verse 8 in which David seeks more than presence when he looks for God's face. Getting close to someone's face enables you to hear more intimately. Right now, seek after Him and go beyond the feeling. And when He speaks, He speaks with love and acceptance.
He is everything that we need, so why not get close to Him and say God, what is it that you want to say?
And while you wait, know that He will show you His goodness. He wants to speak with you... Now wait...
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
Location:Molan St, Ringwood, Australia
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Relationship that leads to your best hope
Pastor Nicholas Tsakis shared with us at Empower Christian Church today, Sunday 8 May 2011.
God had a plan in mind for you before you were even conceived or born. It's only by the grace of God you have reached where you are.
Most importantly, He created you for a personal relationship. You can see that in the story of the first people created - Adam and Eve. Their dominion was sinless, and God had a relationship with them from the beginning. He wanted them to remain in that relationship, just as He wants with us as well. Their relationship with God was an intimate one, typified by God walking with them in the cool of the day. There was one particular day in which God came and they realized they were naked. Their Creator came looking for them, asking where they were. He seeks us, to bring us into a right relationship with Him.
In seeking His people, Jesus asked His disciples to follow Him. He wanted to be with them, as He wants to be with us now.
From Psalms 139:13, we read how we are fearfully and wonderfully made - with a plan in mind before we breathed any air! Jeremiah 1:4 assures us the same loving plan is in place for us.
The Church is the Body of Christ and although we are not perfect, we are complete in Him.
That relationship that we need to have is not the end of the story. We go beyond the start of a relationship to a place of calling.
He has a calling and purpose for your life.
And he will give you the confidence to move into the calling. He believes in you. You can make it through life, in Him.
In fact, your greatest hope is in Jesus Christ.
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Renewing your mind
Pastor Rick Brouwer shared with us on Sunday 1 May 2011 about renewing our minds.
The first thing you need to think and believe in, prayerfully, is that you can be WELL.
Let's first acknowledge that your mind is magnificent. You have an amazing number of joins being formed that actually outnumber the stars in the universe. In fact, it is no happy accident but a wonderful miracle.
To be able to think like God, we should look at what Romans 12:2 tells us - 'be transformed by the renewing of your mind'. We are already patterned by the world.
In not conforming to the pattern we have, reecognise that everybody wants a piece of your mind, such as advertising and media. From our Christian faith, we see that two major players are Christ and Satan (see Matt 12:24-30). Satan wants to park thoughts in your brain illegally. Jesus has every right to control your thinking (as Creator and Redeemer; having 'paid the ticket').
Those illegal parking thoughts that Satan wants to place are actually strongholds. They are negative, false and destructive. They have a regularity to them, cropping up over and over again. They often go unnoticed because they a so familiar to us, seeming like normal thinking.
So how do we expose strongholds? Well, to identify them, they will have problem behavior associated with them, such as emotions and symptoms around them.
And how do strongholds affect other people? Well, they always seek to involve other people (see Matthew 16; Peter had Godly revelation one moment and then faces a 'get behind me Satan' comment).
To overcome strongholds as life sentences, do two things:
1) Identify the stumbling block or life sentence
2) Step over it and put it behind you as quick as possible
Common stumbling blocks are thoughts like 'I am not good enough' or 'God is condemning me'.
To disarm strongholds, read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. The key is to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
A good script is to say my mind is telling me... (eg. I am not good enough). Or say Satan is tempting to think... (eg. I am not good enough). Say then, but Jesus... (eg. Is for me, or does not condemn me).
So in summary, REPLACE the thought with TRUTH.
Most importantly, this all works only if you put it into practice.
(Pastor Rick Brouwer will be talking more about this at Empower Christian Church in coming weeks for night module lessons.)
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
The first thing you need to think and believe in, prayerfully, is that you can be WELL.
Let's first acknowledge that your mind is magnificent. You have an amazing number of joins being formed that actually outnumber the stars in the universe. In fact, it is no happy accident but a wonderful miracle.
To be able to think like God, we should look at what Romans 12:2 tells us - 'be transformed by the renewing of your mind'. We are already patterned by the world.
In not conforming to the pattern we have, reecognise that everybody wants a piece of your mind, such as advertising and media. From our Christian faith, we see that two major players are Christ and Satan (see Matt 12:24-30). Satan wants to park thoughts in your brain illegally. Jesus has every right to control your thinking (as Creator and Redeemer; having 'paid the ticket').
Those illegal parking thoughts that Satan wants to place are actually strongholds. They are negative, false and destructive. They have a regularity to them, cropping up over and over again. They often go unnoticed because they a so familiar to us, seeming like normal thinking.
So how do we expose strongholds? Well, to identify them, they will have problem behavior associated with them, such as emotions and symptoms around them.
And how do strongholds affect other people? Well, they always seek to involve other people (see Matthew 16; Peter had Godly revelation one moment and then faces a 'get behind me Satan' comment).
To overcome strongholds as life sentences, do two things:
1) Identify the stumbling block or life sentence
2) Step over it and put it behind you as quick as possible
Common stumbling blocks are thoughts like 'I am not good enough' or 'God is condemning me'.
To disarm strongholds, read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. The key is to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
A good script is to say my mind is telling me... (eg. I am not good enough). Or say Satan is tempting to think... (eg. I am not good enough). Say then, but Jesus... (eg. Is for me, or does not condemn me).
So in summary, REPLACE the thought with TRUTH.
Most importantly, this all works only if you put it into practice.
(Pastor Rick Brouwer will be talking more about this at Empower Christian Church in coming weeks for night module lessons.)
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Reacting to the Resurrection
Pastor Luke Martin shared with us for Resurrection Sunday, 24 April 2011.
In John 20:1-10, we read how the disciples discovered Jesus was no longer in a tomb. Why did He come back? Was there something more He was trying to tell us?
First up, let's look at the reaction of people to what happened. Specifically, we'll look at four reactions.
• 1 MEETING WHERE YOU ARE: In Mary's reaction, we see how Jesus met her where she was. He is interested in where you are, interested in your heart. Out of that, you will experience His love. He called her by name, being the first person He met after resurrection, as He calls you by name too. And He does that because you are important to Him. Jesus had freed Mary before and given her freedom. Notice, also, how she called Him teacher, implying something was being taught to her. In conclusion, we can see how this first reaction showed Mary, and us, that death is not the end. (See Revelation 1:17-18, where Jesus has eternal life.)
• 2 LEAVING AN IMPRESSION: In Luke 24:13-16, 28-35, we read how the disciples felt something, and didn't keep it to themselves. You, too, have news to share. Matthew 28:16-20 shows how He commissioned them. And it was out of love they would share the truth, not compulsion.
• 3 REVELATION OF GOD: In John 20:24-28, Thomas heard about Jesus secondhand. He doubted, but Jesus appeared to Him. And he was then the first to refer to Jesus as his Lord and his God. What a major 180 degree turnaround! In this one moment, Thomas ascribed Jesus' name as God, giving us the person to worship. (See also Acts 4:12.)
• 4 YOUR REACTION: This reaction isn't found in Scripture. It is your reaction, your choice to His resurrection...
So how will you react?
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
In John 20:1-10, we read how the disciples discovered Jesus was no longer in a tomb. Why did He come back? Was there something more He was trying to tell us?
First up, let's look at the reaction of people to what happened. Specifically, we'll look at four reactions.
• 1 MEETING WHERE YOU ARE: In Mary's reaction, we see how Jesus met her where she was. He is interested in where you are, interested in your heart. Out of that, you will experience His love. He called her by name, being the first person He met after resurrection, as He calls you by name too. And He does that because you are important to Him. Jesus had freed Mary before and given her freedom. Notice, also, how she called Him teacher, implying something was being taught to her. In conclusion, we can see how this first reaction showed Mary, and us, that death is not the end. (See Revelation 1:17-18, where Jesus has eternal life.)
• 2 LEAVING AN IMPRESSION: In Luke 24:13-16, 28-35, we read how the disciples felt something, and didn't keep it to themselves. You, too, have news to share. Matthew 28:16-20 shows how He commissioned them. And it was out of love they would share the truth, not compulsion.
• 3 REVELATION OF GOD: In John 20:24-28, Thomas heard about Jesus secondhand. He doubted, but Jesus appeared to Him. And he was then the first to refer to Jesus as his Lord and his God. What a major 180 degree turnaround! In this one moment, Thomas ascribed Jesus' name as God, giving us the person to worship. (See also Acts 4:12.)
• 4 YOUR REACTION: This reaction isn't found in Scripture. It is your reaction, your choice to His resurrection...
So how will you react?
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The King arrives - Palm Sunday
Pastor Simone Womersley talked to us on Sunday 17 April 2011 about Palm Sunday.
In Matthew 21, we read about the pilgrimage that people were making towards Jerusalem. Jericho was the origin for Jesus' trip, walking with many others up the dry and dusty road. They passed through Bethany and Bethphage.
Bethany was a place where Jesus found great comfort. He would spend the night in Bethany after visiting Jerusalem during this period of time. So it was a place of refreshing and rest.
Jesus knew why He was headed to Jerusalem. He had a lot of opposition too. Many others saw the unridden colt for what it clearly was - a sign of royalty.
The cloaks laid out for Jesus demonstrated His royalty. We only throw cloaks down for a monarch. It is an uncommon act that is clearly special for a king.
The branches spoke of kingship as well. And they received Him into Jerusalem like a King, much like Maccabeus had been received.
The songs of 'Hosanna' they cried out meant 'Save, we pray'! They had been oppressed and the crowd was seeing Him as the son of David. 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'
By this point, the old guard leaders were furious. They feared a ripple effect and actually wanted Jesus to quieten the crowd. He simply replied that the stones would cry out if the people did not.
Even today, we get told it's not cool to follow Jesus, or cry out in praise of Him.
Will we be strong enough to follow Him even when it's not popular?
The crowd wanted a messiah, but this Messiah would hang from a cross.
The crowd wanted to be rescued from evil oppression, but Jesus would rescue them from evil itself.
Jesus came to meet the people's deepest desires.
He came for the commoners, the rich and the poor.
He came to save the lost, and we are to declare to everyone about Him, even when it is not popular.
From Revelation 7:9, we read about a great multitude that no-one could count, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were carrying palms in their hands, declaring His saving grace.
In eternity, we will praise God and declare His glory.
Just like that first Palm Sunday. Just so, forever.
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Judge not
Pastor Nicholas Tsakis shared with us at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 3 April 2011.
In Matthew 6 and 7, we readable about keys to living well, or healthily, in God. What we also see is talk about judging.
Judging is like carrying weights. It might be unforgiveness, or offence, disappointment. God wants us to live lightly, restored and faithful.
One of the weights is that of wrong judgement, or judging others wrongly.
See Matthew 7:1-6 instructs us to not judge. Wrong judgement will put a weight on us that is restrictive to our freedom.
We can try to illuminate others' sins to make us feel better. Gossip is an example, in which we judge wrongly.
Judgement, as Pastor Paul de Jong explains, is negatively looking down upon others. It gives licence to the enemy to load our lives with weights. It means looking for faults, and leading to a 'holier-than-thou' approach. Even jumping to conclusions is an example of judging wrongly.
Verse 3 talks about a plank in someone's eye. Remember that Jesus was a carpenter, knowing timber well. And picture how a person would look, having a piece of timber in your eye while criticizing others. A bit like us when we watch footy as well from a couch!
Jesus was looking at the religious leaders and pointing out how they were being hypocritical. Galatians 6:1 reminds us to restore another from sin, gently. Clean up our act, He was saying, before tampering in the lives of others.
• Focus judgment on yourself first.
• Don't judge, lest you be judged. (See 1 Corinthians 11:31 and Romans 14:1-5, 10.)
• Don't judge beyond your sphere of responsibility.
• When you judge rightly, judge in the shadow of Calvary (Luke 6:37, Matthew 6:14).
So from today on, spend more time building your life rather than putting energy into judging things external to you - as Pastor de Jong encourages.
See Jesus as your greatest mentor, who forced the mob to consider their sin when faced with a woman to be stoned. He didn't look down on her, neither did He justify her behaviour.
Be released, too, by not judging wrongly.
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
In Matthew 6 and 7, we readable about keys to living well, or healthily, in God. What we also see is talk about judging.
Judging is like carrying weights. It might be unforgiveness, or offence, disappointment. God wants us to live lightly, restored and faithful.
One of the weights is that of wrong judgement, or judging others wrongly.
See Matthew 7:1-6 instructs us to not judge. Wrong judgement will put a weight on us that is restrictive to our freedom.
We can try to illuminate others' sins to make us feel better. Gossip is an example, in which we judge wrongly.
Judgement, as Pastor Paul de Jong explains, is negatively looking down upon others. It gives licence to the enemy to load our lives with weights. It means looking for faults, and leading to a 'holier-than-thou' approach. Even jumping to conclusions is an example of judging wrongly.
Verse 3 talks about a plank in someone's eye. Remember that Jesus was a carpenter, knowing timber well. And picture how a person would look, having a piece of timber in your eye while criticizing others. A bit like us when we watch footy as well from a couch!
Jesus was looking at the religious leaders and pointing out how they were being hypocritical. Galatians 6:1 reminds us to restore another from sin, gently. Clean up our act, He was saying, before tampering in the lives of others.
• Focus judgment on yourself first.
• Don't judge, lest you be judged. (See 1 Corinthians 11:31 and Romans 14:1-5, 10.)
• Don't judge beyond your sphere of responsibility.
• When you judge rightly, judge in the shadow of Calvary (Luke 6:37, Matthew 6:14).
So from today on, spend more time building your life rather than putting energy into judging things external to you - as Pastor de Jong encourages.
See Jesus as your greatest mentor, who forced the mob to consider their sin when faced with a woman to be stoned. He didn't look down on her, neither did He justify her behaviour.
Be released, too, by not judging wrongly.
- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia
Location:Molan St,Ringwood,Australia
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