Staying focused, staying in the race

Ps Rachel Hanna shared a timely message on staying focused in our race...

Speaking truth and wisdom into someone's life is both possible and worth aspiring to. God will blow your mind with how incredible He is.

And yet we often do just enough, going through the motions. 1 Cor 4:20 tells us the Kingdom of God is more than words, but power available to us.

Let's first realise we are in a race.

✰ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: Think about a race you have watched or been in. What are the stages of that race that lead to a finishing line? What are the attitudes needed in each stage?

Secondly, you will not win if you don't run.

✰ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: What are the differences between spectators and racers? How does that relate to our lives as Christians. (See also 1 Cor 9:24.)

Thirdly, if we don't focus, we will not reach our goal.

✰ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: What does it cost for an athlete to win? What are the costs you face to accomplish your Kingdom life? (See also Hebrews 12:2.)

To run well, be focused on the goal; fixed on Jesus. Feed well. Stay fixed on Him.

And when running, pace yourself. Take the time to enjoy God and soak up His peace, His desire, His joy.

Empowering, inspiring time in Malaysia

Special thanks to Tony Salisbury and Luke Martin for the video presentation following a recent trek to Malaysia. Enjoy!

'Spiritual Breakthrough'

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis

Overcoming obstacles means shifting from one mode of thought to another. That is, by definition, a paradigm shift. And it is as much relevant to small matters as to large ones.

✰ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. What are the weapons that we OFTEN use to deal with problems in our lives? Now... what are the weapons that are available to us, as suggested by this section of Scripture?

There are keys we can use to help us overcome challenges in life:

1 Desparation - There are times when we must be desparate with our passion for change and increase.

2 Humility - Don't let pride get in the way of our path and breakthrough.

3 Obedience - Jesus told the crippled man to get up. The breakthrough for that man happened when he was obedient, not when Jesus told him to get up.

✰ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: What is something that you need breakthrough in? Share your need now with each other so we can pray for you.

Happy Father's Day 2009

Christian Backgrounds Wallpaper - Father God, originally uploaded by crossmap backgrounds.

A Father's Day message from Pastor Nicholas Tsakis

We need to really embrace the goodness in blended families. Many children now have fathers because of such marriages and unions.

Fathers and men deserve honour and belonging. In fact, a key origin of Father's Day goes back to a woman in a church in 1910, recognising the need for such an occasion.

✰ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: Read Psalm 68:5-6. Talk about the qualities you read about God here, and how you see those behaviours in your heavenly Father and an earthly father you love or know.

God is the Father of the fatherless. And that is so encouraging in this world of both broken and blended families.

✰ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: What is it you need most in your father, past or present? And what do you most respond to that your Heavenly Father provides?