NOTHING fills, answers and saves like God

Pastor Luke Martin shared with us at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 27 March 2011.

He began by reminding us to praise, and to receive the blessings and good things that God has promised for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

In Psalm 51:16-19, we read about sacrificing, and then not sacrificing. What happens in between is a process for King David. He reaches a point where an internal work makes the outward heart flow. In simple terms, let God deal with you inside first. The rest will flow.

God wants us in a relationship with Him. The rest follows.

And while He works in us, He is definitely answering prayer. All the while, in the background, God is closing wrong doors and opening right ones. God has a preferred future that is best for us. That is because God remains faithful for us.

Back in Psalm 51, it's important that David had been in an adulterous relationship. David asked for forgiveness while being responsible for a kingdom. He couldn't be the king while there was something he had not set right.

It's hard to believe and hope for something you pray for when there is a waiting time. That waiting also stretches us and we can start to try to bargain with God.

God's main interest is not in what you can bring and do. His main interest is in your heart. Everything else comes out of that. As in verse 17, we see how God does not despise a broken heart.

The word 'contrite' means to be repentant and remorseful. It is actually a specific picture that it draws from. Imagine working away at a food with a mortar and pestle. It either becomes mush or powder. At that point, it is completely unrepairable, except for a Saviour, except for Jesus.

We are in need of a Saviour.

David needed a miracle.

We need a miracle. We need God.

It's not about being smashed up and beyond repair. It's about seeing God fill that spot in our heart that only He can fill.

We serve a God who still works miracles, Who is active and real.

He is real for you today, for your needs, and for your family. Let's allow Jesus to rule in our lives, and see how nothing fills and saves like He does.


- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia

Location:Molan St,Ringwood,Australia

Fervent, joyful and prayerful

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis shared with us on Sunday 20 March from Romans 12:11-12.

Think how one experience that is negative can change the zeal and passion of an individual. It's true that we can lose - or have robbed - our passion when we have a negative experience.

From Romans, we learn firstly to be fervent in spirit. Being fervent means to be zealous and passionate. Take note how the key person in this passage from Romans is the Holy Spirit. So don't just rely on your strength, because self-confidence is limited compared with what the Holy Spirit gives in Christ. In summary, we need the Holy Spirit to empower our lives.

We learn, secondly, to be joyful in hope. Joy comes from certainty rather than experience. It's a certainty that you know God is God, and that our life can be anchored in Christ. You can be certain that God is with us and this church. Our assurance is not because of the experience, but because God has everything in control. There is a joy, for instance, when God says everything is going to be okay. See also Hebrews 11:1 and don't give up as faith gives substance to our hopes. And be encouraged by Romans 5:5, which tells us that hope in Christ does not disappoint. It is NOT unfounded optimism.

Thirdly, be faithful in prayer. Don't just pray when things are going well, as Paul Mountney shared so well earlier in our service. Sometimes, we only pray for the now. Let's pray at all times and take no shortcuts.

In verse 11, from The Message, we read about not burning out. Keep yourselves fueled and take note of the warnings that come our way.

We're supposed to be fueled and aflamed with the power of the Holy Spirit.

You can be, with the power of the Holy Spirit. This week, read and meditate on the Word of God. And when the arrows come, you can reject the enemy from your children, your family, your life.


- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia

Running to reconnect

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis shared with us today, Sunday 6 March 2011, from Luke 15:11-24.

Notice first that the father did not hesitate to give his son his inheritance. And even at the return, the father does not hesitate to embrace his son. At the core of this story is a father who wants to establish a connection with his son.

The father, much like our heavenly Father, loves us and desires a connection with us.

What did the son do? He made two decisions:

• He wanted to be INDEPENDENT
• He wanted to do things HIS OWN WAY

Those two decisions drew him away from a connection with his father. Our relationship with our God will face challenges, but we must stay in that place of connection with Him.

What made the son return?

• He came to his SENSES - admission of condition
• He said 'I'M NOT GOING TO STAY WHERE I AM' - change of will

Do not stay where you are. Turn from where you are, just as we see in the word 'repent'.

And when you change your place, do not return with arrogance. Do as the son did, and return humbly. Turn from the 'my way' life and return to a loving, welcoming home.

Dad saw his son from afar off. God is looking for us, and is ready to forgive - looking from a distance for his son's return. He was waiting for the son.

What's more, the father RAN to his son, kissing him on the neck.

A banquet followed, and they partied in celebration.

The family was restored, the son had reconnected and God's ownership was reestablished. A robe, ring and sandals were the symbols of royalty, ownership, position and acceptance.

Your Father is so merciful and embracing, watching afar off for you if you're far away. He is ready to reconnect with you.




- Posted using an Apple iPad on behalf of Empower Christian Church, Australia