Getting Close and Personal

The following is an edited summary of a message from Pastor Nicholas Tsakis at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 25 July:

In 2 Kings 2:1-17, we read how Elisha stayed close to Elijah.

Elisha wanted to keep an active and single-minded relationship with Elijah, seeking a double portion of what was on his mentor and predecessor.

Think now about your life, and the proximity of your key relationships. When we live full and busy lives, God may not have first place. We may not even intend it. Not spending quality time with God, however, at the start of the day will show up in our behaviour and attitudes.

Are you wanting more of God? Elisha did. In fact, he craved a double blessing over his life. It wasn't selfish. It was right.

Three keys in seeking double blessing:

• PROXIMITY (v7): You've got to stay close enough. There were 50 people in 2 Kings 2 but Elisha was up 'close and personal' with Elijah. He knew relationships are hard to maintain from a distance. He knew he needed to stay close.

• EXTENSION (v6): Go a little further. Elisha was just one step behind Elijah. Be where God is, in His place. And as you do, be aware that many will try to distract you. Other prophets, and even Elijah, suggested he not stay as close.

• WANT MORE (v9-10) Desire, and want, more. Elisha took Elijah's cloak, seeing God was with him.

Staying close to God protects us and gives us direction.

Elisha made a commitment to go all the way with Elijah. Will you go all the way with God?

If you don't have a strong relationship with God, you can. And in accepting salvation and a life with Him, stay 'close and personal'.


Image source: By Ben Steed, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org

Calm in the storm

The following is an edited summary of a message from Pastor Simone Womersley at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 18 July:

We've all been through storms in life. They’re often unexpected, and powerful encounters with forces that we cannot control.

There’s a storm written about in Mark 4:35-41. In this story, Jesus had been away from the crowd, having left them behind. You may find yourself in a similar place, alone but not lonely because God is always with us.

Predictably unpredictable

Take a moment to consider where this storm occurred. In the Sea of Galilee, the water is surrounded by mountains that can cause sudden storms - furious and actually predictably unpredictable. Our lives can be just like that. But God gives us warning signs, just like in the modern day carparks of Galilee - telling visitors they must be careful of sudden inundation.

Preparing during the calm times

Navigating through wild weather is difficult. A 'red alert' day is hard to navigate through. In those times, a sailor must concentrate on staying afloat. It's where we get the expression to 'batten down the hatches'. When we walk with God, we'll need to have been prepared with the right nourishment and planning during calmer times.

Are you feasting on God's Word now rather than waiting for the sudden storm? Are you malnourished from lack of intake of God's words of life? You can be susceptible to further harm and illness when you do not prepare your mind and body.

The disciples in the storm of Mark's Gospel were naturally afraid. It was a ferocious and unrelenting time. They were tossed about and rattled.

In all of this, where was Jesus? In verse 38, we read how He was sleeping on a cushion at the back of the boat. Mark often shows the human side of Jesus, though He was still fully God. Mark was, here, showing us that human side of Jesus. Our Saviour actually understands an everyday life.

Right with us, in the storm

The disciples woke Him. They asked if Jesus cared whether they drowned. God is always right there, while we thrash about. Jesus commanded the waves and wind to calm. Right there, it became calm. Totally still and calm.

What is that like, to be in the eye of a storm where complete stillness exists. The air pressure in the middle zone is at its lowest. He restored the stillness and calm. Like the low pressure of a storm centre, He can drop the pressure on our lives.

In Isaiah 9:6, we read of how the Saviour is the Prince of Peace.

In John 14:27, we read about not needing to be afraid.

Words to hang onto

Back in Mark's account, Jesus had said they should go to the other side. It was not a question, but a strong statement of confidence to go across. They provided words to hang onto during the storm. If Jesus says you are going somewhere, then you are going somewhere.

Everything stops for Jesus' words.

He brings peace. He is powerful to get you through obstacles.

What has God told you? He has the power to bring that to reality!

Image source: By John Bell, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org

Elijah... not so different after all!

The following is an edited summary of a message from Pastor Nicholas Tsakis at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 11 July:

From 1 Kings 18, and from 19:1, we read about Elijah. He was a key prophet who - like Moses - witnessed God's power on Mount Carmel. During Elijah's time, he was used to confront King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel. She was especially keen to murder God's prophets and worship other gods.

Elijah had a lot of highs, but also a lot of lows.

He was afraid when Jezebel threatened him. He even ran for his life, despairing and fearful. Elijah was depressed, fatigued and wanting to die. He had had enough.

Single-minded

Take notice of something very characteristic of Elijah, namely his single-mindedness towards God. It both shocks and challenges us. It came from a personal relationship with God.

Sitting alone and depressed, God provided refreshment, even via an unclean raven. God was with him in both the peaks and troughs.

Great victories to recall

Thinking of the amazing 'highs', God also used a widow with little food to supply miraculous needs. When her son died, Elijah cried out to God and the boy was risen from the dead. On Mount Carmel, he hosted a showdown of pagan devotees against God. He even saturated the sacrifice with water on and around it. God burnt it!

In James 5:17, we are comforted and refreshed by how Elijah was just like us. The God of Heaven was there with Him, and with us. Elijah even, like us, felt alone and sorry for himself. The truth was, there were many Godly people that he just could not see.

Overcoming fear

His fear was in conflict with faith. Fear is powerful, but Jesus is the Prince of Peace who can remove that fear. God confronted his emotions during his time of despondency. That, too, is a common experience for many of us.

Be careful to not make wrong decisions when you are fearful, depressed and feeling alone. Get before God and listen to His voice. Get around the right people to encourage your spirit.

You are not alone!

In 1 Kings 19:4, God first fed and rested Elijah.

God always provided, whether in highs or lows.

And God will provide through some surprising places.

God is always there for you. A great saying is that faith is the step between promise and assurance.

What matters most is having a personal relationship with Christ. What's yours today?

Turning around tomorrow TODAY

The following is an edited summary of a message from Pastor Nicholas Tsakis at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 4 July:

Today is just as important as tomorrow. In fact, you cannot reclaim it tomorrow. Face it, TODAY.

In Back to the Future, we see a series of films that deal with the past, present and future. One of the key themes is how today's decisions will have consequences.

It's important to note that some people are in situations that are not of their making. But for many of us, the decisions we take today will affect tomorrow.

We make wrong decisions but as with Psalm 37:4, God makes a way for us to see our desires fulfilled.

In Philippians 3:12-14, we read about forgetting past sin and moving forward. See also 1 Corinthians 9:24.

Paul, when earlier known as Saul, had the conviction that Christianity should end. He completely changed focus when God arrested his course. His attention turned away from the past, making decisions that radically changed his future, by God’s grace.

What are you wanting? What are you planning for?

Focus on what might be. Focus on full hope in Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, we read how competitors enter strict training. Do not run aimlessly, and stay on track. Aimless running is boring, with no direction.

David was one of the great kings of God's people who still made mistakes. David had run around aimlessly at one point, forgetting about the importance of 'now'. David lost focus on today, making a poor decision that affected his 'tomorrow'.

Your decisions today will impact your future.

God has much planned for your life, as you'll read in Ephesians 2:10.

In considering LIFE...

Learn from the past
Be Involved
Be Focused
Expect great things


Image source: By Ben Steed, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org