Words that'll change your life!

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis shared at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 15 August 2010.

Words and language are very important. They are powerful, bringing life and death.

Words affect our every day. A word of encouragement is something we need in some circumstances. In fact, we know to go to an encourager when we feel flat.

What sort of words should you use today? Words of hope, friendliness, love.

It is God's desire to be with and among us. But what are some of the words that honour and usher in God's presence?

Words to use...

PRAISE: The Bible commands us to praise. The best way to deal with the devil is to praise God, no matter what. That's not to say we should ignore our feelings. It's about what we do with the feelings that's important. Psalm 34:1 shows how praise is an action, even though we may not naturally express such words.

When we praise...

• It elevates us into His presence and power.
• It transports us into the realm of the Spirit.
• It unlocks and releases things over our life.
• It is a vehicle for faith to move us beyond our flat or doubtful place.
• It opens doors - Psalm 89:15.


^5-18 God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways,
the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways!
Search high and low, scan skies and land,
you'll find nothing and no one quite like God.
The holy angels are in awe before him;
he looms immense and august over everyone around him.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who is like you,
powerful and faithful from every angle?
You put the arrogant ocean in its place
and calm its waves when they turn unruly.
You gave that old hag Egypt the back of your hand,
you brushed off your enemies with a flick of your wrist.
You own the cosmos—you made everything in it,
everything from atom to archangel.
You positioned the North and South Poles;
the mountains Tabor and Hermon sing duets to you.
With your well-muscled arm and your grip of steel—
nobody trifles with you!
The Right and Justice are the roots of your rule;
Love and Truth are its fruits.
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.
Delighted, they dance all day long; they know
who you are, what you do—they can't keep it quiet!
Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us—
you've been so good to us! We're walking on air!
All we are and have we owe to God,
Holy God of Israel, our King! (Psalm 89:15, The Message)

• God inhabits your praise, as we see in Psalm 22:3. He dwells in the place of His praise.
• God takes pleasure. He delights in praise. See Psalm 149:4, 147:1 and 147:11.

Create an attitude of praise and worship in your life - and He is with you, whether in or out of the box you are in. See Psalm 147:11 and note how dependable He is.

Depend on God, on His answers and provision. He is strong and able and wanting to dwell with you, THIS DAY and FOREVER MORE.


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

Joy in His presence

Pastor Steve Mazey, from Hills Church at Ferntree Gully, shared about joy at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 8 August 2010.

Joy and happiness are such important parts of being Christians. God wants to bring joy into our lives and show that to others. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, we learn how we are His ambassadors who represent Christ.

In Psalm 84, we read an experiential psalm that was for the descendants of Korah. He had been mentioned in the rebellion of Numbers 16. And yet, despite the family's rebellion, God had something still for them. They were shown mercy, though undeserving, just like us.

To find joy, find yourself in the house of God. The Psalmist had a longing for the house and presence of God. What is your attitude to the place of God?

• SECURE HOME: In His presence, you are accepted and valued. Even the lowly-valued swallow, mentioned in Psalm 84:3, builds a home in God's place. It may be a fragile home anywhere else, but secure near and in Him.

• NATURAL FLOW: Joy and praise naturally flow from your mouth in God's presence.

• REFRESHING: There is a valley mentioned in Psalm 84, where weeping and hurt exist. The people in that place make a pilgrimage, and the weeping place becomes transformed into refreshing. It happens when we exchange our strength for His.

Make the choice today to exchange your strength for His.

Trust Him to bring you out of the place you may be in. You will come out stronger for it.

As the Psalmist tells us, there is joy for those who trust in God.

God has great plans in store for you. Trust Him.

You have reason for joy because you are accepted in the presence of God.

Image source: By Paul Lee, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org

Loving... YOU

Pastors Luke Martin and Joshua Hanna shared with us about love at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 1 August 2010.

Pastor Luke Martin began by reading 1 John 4:7-12, where we see how much God loves us. It's His great goal that characterises His behaviour forever.

In our Australian election time right now, it's fitting to ask for a candidate's agenda. We too, as individuals, have agendas. God also has an agenda - a list that outlines the future direction towards a goal.

Is your agenda giving or taking? And what makes God's agenda so perfect?

Simply put, God's agenda is love. And in its parts, He is focused on showing us love. It is irrational for our minds, and very squarely centres on the reality of His love for us, rather ours for Him.

Importantly, we cannot be separated from God's love. Stop now and know how real it is despite our failings, sin and imperfections.

Be filled with His love today.

Pastor Joshua Hanna began by noting how we go to specialists for particular needs. A lawyer for legal needs, a doctor for medical ones.

From Galatians 5:22, we read about the fruit of the Spirit. Of all the fruit, it's good to think of 'passion' as at the top of the cake. A marriage must have love and passion.

In fact, Christ's death was known as 'The 'Passion'. It's what gets noticed: Passion.

Living a life of passion will change those around you, and it will change you.

People who need faith look for where the passion is. They look for it in you!


Image source: By Paul Lee, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org