we have liftoff!

Great album launch today, with the public release of Lord God Almighty!

Inspiring songs set to go way beyond Melbourne... watch out Asia and UK. Maybe the US of A next?

Photo credit: Patricia Johnson.

who said that?

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis, speaking on 23 August, during our special album launch of Lord God Almighty.

Sure, we have challenges and difficulties. But God's call and gifts are irrevocable.

'Who said that?' - that you wouldn't make it, or see the fulfilment of the promises over your life?

God's love does not change toward us, even though we listen to voices and opinions of others.

✰ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: What are the promises that God has given you? What limits that promise in your life right now? And what are the voices you need to hear to see the promises come about?

God's promise is still upon us. Just say to God, 'Here I am!'

In Joshua 14:6, we start reading a section about Caleb and the fears that surrounded promises of God. Caleb stuck with the dream he had.

The promises were alive and well even though the people were wandering in the desert.

✰ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: Our circumstances do not change the promises of God. Let's share what we're going through and support each other.

Read Numbers 23:19-20 and think about how God does not change. He CANNOT be altered.

time for a great new album!

Just hours away from launch time!

Sunday 23 August, 10am

36 Molan Street,

Ringwood, Victoria

Romans 12:1-2 - 'Hear, Believe, Obey'

Image source credit: R122, originally uploaded by Ptujec.

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis drew on the work of William E Barclay acknowledged from Expository Files.

It's true that we need to do some things in our lives that set our course right. But the transformation is done by God Himself.

See Romans 12:1-2 and recognise the word, 'therefore' used in that passage. It shows that a foundation has been laid down in chapters 1 to 11. From 12 to 15, we see how such a life is lived out, practically.

✔ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION POINT: Read 12:1-2 again. Where does your mind take you? Discuss what happens with your mind's outlook that differs from a faithful life. Read Romans 8:5 and note the power of inputs and outputs to and from your mind. How do we get 'renewed' in our mind.

The renewal of the mind is a living sacrifice and a process. See Romans 6:12-14. Grace covers you, and it empowers you.

Every part of our being should be offered as a living sacrifice. Be aware that our eyes are a part of our body - they, too, need to be protected from impure and unhelpful inputs.

We are actually strangers here, adopted into the Kingdom of God. So let's focus on that position, above and beyond where we are now, physically.

Even in a wilderness place, God's mercies cover and empower us.

✔ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION POINT: See in verses 1 and 2 how we are called to serve and change. What is the one thing that will best fill our mind? How do we see change in our lives follow from what goes into our mind?

Our minds must change. See Ephesians 4:17-21... and see how we are urged to put on the new self. The way we live can change the way we think. It can be expressed in the reverse but think about how a change of behaviour can affect our thinking.

Our thinking can be shaped by someone outside of ourselves. Take media and advertising, for example. We need to be shaped by the Word of God.

What are the alternatives? Either be transformed or conform. The latter means to be changeable and unstable. But to be transformed, it to have a complete change; from a crawling to a flying creature!

Hear the Word.
Believe what you read.
And be successful by obeying.