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LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE

Posted in Church, Culture Watch, Equip the Saints, tagged christian, church, Craig Anderson, inc, international network of churches, plenty valley church, power of praise, praise, Praise and worship, PRAYER, presence, worship, worship God on February 22, 2014| 1 Comment »

LOVE ROMANCES #4 AM

LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP

RECAP:

YEAR LONG THEME IS LOVE. This year our church is focusing on Love for a whole year. Twelve different aspects of it.

This month’s them is Love Romances. It’s about loving God. We spoke about King David being a worshiper. His life was so powerfully successful. Why? He was a worshiper. He was called a man after God’s own Heart. He was a man’s man and he was a worshipper. Real men worship God!

Last week end we had one of the most successful inc movement Christian music ministry people (Ps. Aaron Lucas) speak to us about the War for your Worship and a Worship Encounter last Sunday night.

Living a life of praise and worship is what we call normal Christianity. Any person who has truly encountered God will be a worshipper. Look at Peter in Luke 5 – falls to his knees and says depart from me – I am a sinful man. To see God as He really is means we see ourselves in contrast and we are undone. What does worship mean? It’s used 15 times in Psalms alone. Here are some meanings translated as worship: Bow down, to stoop, to humbly beseech.

Church is not a spectator sport! We are here to praise and worship God, to enter in, to join with others in a meeting place with the creator of the universe! We can worship according to religious tradition or according to the bible. Many people have a deep love for tradition and it limits them to experience only part of what God has for them. So many Christians grew up without biblical praise and worship and are embarrassed by Christians who worship according to the scriptures. If we come together as a people and praise God and worship God together, great and awesome things will happen.

Remember the story of Jehoshaphat.(2 Chron 20:21-22) God inhabits the praises of His people. David Hogan, a pastor in Mexico has such incredible praise and worship that they sing nonstop for over eight hours, and then the presence and power of God falls so powerfully that every person in a half mile radius is laid out on the ground under the power of God.

In church I encourage you don’t come as a spectator but enter in. Don’t be afraid to be foolish in the presence of God. True passion and enthusiasm is not viewed as off putting by non-Christians but is a powerful witness of true believers.

Story: One of my sons at the age of about 7 began his basketball career standing just inside the sideline, fearful of venturing onto the court.

Our movement, inc/COC probably more than any other movement in the history of Australia was the most expressive in praise and worship. We were known for dancing in church, raising hands, shouting praise, falling down under the power of God etc. We were heavily criticised and vilified by most other denominations including other Pentecostal groups. Why were we extreme? Because we had a passion to obey the scripture.

Remember the definition of a fanatic is someone who loves Jesus more than you do.

This is what biblical praise and worship looks like:

Ps 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (ESV)

What Gates? The gates of heaven! The gates of righteousness. The gates are the outer area, the first place we approach God, we are not even in His throne room yet. Thanks is powerful. It’s for God and it’s for you. Jesus said – Rejoice that your names are written down in the book!

Thirty-Eight times the book of Psalms encourages us to give thanks!

Ps 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. (ESV)

After we are in through the gates, now step two is praise.

Ps 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (ESV)

The outer courts are where the house of the Lord begins. The idea is we are coming closer to the ultimate destination – the holy of holies, the throne of God, the place of intimacy. Is that what you came to church for? If not why not? What did you come to church for?

Thanks, now Praise. Words for praise are meaning to: raise hands, play an instrument, to sing, to shine, to boast, to be clamorously foolish, to celebrate,

How do we express praise?

Come into the church – the house of the Lord –Ps 134 :1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
Clap hands: Ps 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Story – The objections of the Ukrainian church to clapping.

Raising of hands: Ps 134:2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!
Sing a song to the Lord: Ps 84: 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. (150)
Sing a new song: Ps 40:3 And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord. (5)
Dance before the Lord: Ps 149:3 Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the [single or group] dance; let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre! (AMP) (2)

Praise and worship in your own personal life.

Isaiah 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

If you want to change your day from stress and anxiety to joy and refreshing, put on the garment of praise.

If you want to experience God’s presence and His life, enter into worship at home. Some people meditate at home, some people practice yoga, some people listen to classical music, BUT some people just choose to put up with worry, stress and negative thoughts!

For God’s own Valium; Listen to God; His remedy for stress, negativity and anxiety is this:

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. AND

Philippians 4: 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

You can live a lifestyle of stress and worry OR you can live a lifestyle of praise and worship. When you praise and worship you see God as He really is and you see you problems in comparison to Him and His resources then the problems seem small.

What now?

Will you choose to be a worshiper? Will you make room in your day to praise and worship God? Fill your house and your car with worship music. Sing along to the anointed songs of praise and worship. When trouble comes and stress arises, open the book of Psalms and pray those words of praise.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.

1. Do you think you live a life of praise?

2. What stops you from praising God?

3. Is self -consciousness a factor in how you express praise and worship?

4. Why was King David so free to dance before the Lord foolishly?

5. What can you do to enter into real biblical praise and worship?

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ARE YOU IN LOVE?

Posted in Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, Worship, tagged christian, church, Craig Anderson, inc, international network of churches, jesus, Jesus time, love, plenty valley church, PRAYER, quiet time, time alone, time alone with God, time with God, worship time on February 2, 2014| Leave a Comment »

LOVE ROMANCES # 1 PM – Sunday night preach 2Feb14

ARE YOU IN LOVE?

MY STORY – When Chris and I first dated in (dare I say it) Year 11 at school, I can remember four hour long phone calls. Whatever did we speak about? I could never manage it now!

Love has no beginning. God is love. In the beginning God chose to create a love creature. You. The act of a father was to bring children into the world. Children upon whom He can lavish His love, and if they choose, to love Him back.

Love is, at the same time, the most wonderful life giving experience and also the most painful experience. Love is painful when it’s lost or when it’s not returned. If love was unimportant then it would not be worth having. Love is essential to every person. A life without love is unthinkable! Love demands all of you, or else you are short changed! You have been ripped off if you choose a love that only shares part of you.

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

Love seeks to give it’s all.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Isaac Watts wrote a hymn in 1707, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Love demands my all. Love, if it is true love, is incomplete if I only give part of me.

When your heart is ruined by love, you are changed and you are better for it.

Your joy is to spend time with the one you love. Just being together feels replenishing. You focus is another, your focus is not self anymore. Just imagine what this looks like between you and Jesus.

When you’re in love you want to be with the one you love. Love romances, it says the kindest words, it makes the time to be there, it does the things that show the love in action. Can you love Jesus when you can’t see Him?

How do you love someone you cannot see? People do it all the time. Simple, as the wife of a serviceman writes to her husband who is away on assignment.

“Letters that were written during his time at Basic Training when we had no choice but to communicate through written word. They are beautiful and heartfelt, filled with love and longing. Our letters to each other during that time expressed our feelings for each other…feelings that many times went unspoken. Sometimes they were apologies for past mistakes, or promises for the future. I remember daily taking time to sit and write him a letter, filled with what the kids were doing and how things were at home, but also to tell him that I loved him, missed him and appreciated him. When writing a letter, the sender isn’t talking directly to the recipient and does not face immediate response to what they have said. While many times I want the quick response to a question or comment, there are times when I want to express my thoughts or feelings without worrying how the other person will respond.”

Are you in love?

Are you in love with Jesus?

WHAT NOW?

Love Romances. Love demands that time is spent with the one of our affection.

Would you spend a few precious moments with Jesus every day?

Ps 18:1-2 (MESS)

^1-2I love you, God—
    you make me strong.
God is bedrock under my feet,
    the castle in which I live,
    my rescuing knight.
My God—the high crag
    where I run for dear life,
    hiding behind the boulders,
    safe in the granite hideout.

Ps 36:5-9 (MESS)

God’s love is meteoric,
    his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
    his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
    nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
    slips through the cracks.

^7-9How exquisite your love, O God!
    How eager we are to run under your wings,
To eat our fill at the banquet you spread
    as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water.
You’re a fountain of cascading light,
    and you open our eyes to light.

If you’re deeply in love with Jesus, you will delight to spend time with Him reading His word and talking to Him. If the feelings aren’t there for Him; meditate on the cross, think deeply on what a happened at the cross and how it affects you.

Either open your day or close your day (or both) with time alone with God.

Ps 5:3 In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].

Love the one you’re with!

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GOD’S LOOKING FOR SOMEONE

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, Worship, tagged christian, church, Craig Anderson, inc, international network of churches, knowing God, love, loving God, plenty valley church, PRAYER, secret to success, seeking god, true worship, worship on January 26, 2014| Leave a Comment »

LOVE SEEKS # 4 AM – GOD SEEKS TRUE WORSHIPERS.

This year the theme of the whole year is LOVE. This month the theme is Love seeks.

As we got the preachers together in early January this year to discuss our theme for the month and how our messages should be constructed, we thought about the significance of the prayer and fasting time taking place this month, not only in our church, but right across the whole of the inc church movement in Australia. We saw it was a time of seeking God, and asked ourselves the question, how does that relate to Love? We always begin with God. God seeks, and we used the verse in week one: Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. We see the heart of God in seeking out lost people and when His great love for people breaches our hearts then we respond by seeking Him; (1 John 4;19 We love Him because He first loved us. (AMP)) and not only Him; but joining in His great commission to seek the lost of our community also. Fasting is the concentration of passion and humbling ourselves to ask for His mercy to be upon this city.

In week one we introduced the year-long theme of love and spoke of its significance. In week two John spoke of the prodigal son and how the Father was seeking the son to return. How great was his love. The father in the story shows us God the father and his love remaining steadfast and seeking for the son to come home, waiting at the farm gate.

In week Three Rhys shared the three stories Jesus told of lost things in Luke 15; the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. In each story someone is seeking the lost item. In each story the item is found and in each story the result was rejoicing. The stories Jesus told illustrate how much God values lost people and the extent to which He seeks them out to save them.

Today I want to show you why God is seeking certain people to give them great victory.

Our key verse for today is: John 4:23 A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. (AMP)

What does it look like to worship in Spirit and in Truth? If I can understand that, I can be one of those people that God the Father is seeking.

The bible describes King David as a man after God’s own heart. 1 Sam 13:14 But now your kingdom shall not continue(Saul); the Lord has sought out [David] a man after His own^[a]heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince and ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.

Why do you think God called David a man after my own heart, after all, he sinned greatly in adultery and murder?

In the bible there are 10 chapters are about Abraham, 11 chapters about Jacob who became Israel, 10 chapters about Elijah and Elisha, but there are 66 chapters that relate directly to David, over 1200 references to David in the bible and he is mentioned 59 times mentioned in New Testament!

When you think of faith, you think of Abraham; when you think of the law you think of Moses; when you think of miracles you think of Elijah and Elisha; but when you think of David you think of praise and worship. David wrote 78 of the Psalms, far more than any other writer.

David was a man after God’s own heart, a man of worship. There must be a reason why God chose to lift up David as the one for us to clearly see. God is saying, “This man is the one I hold up as being after my own heart.” He is more prominent in the bible than anyone else except Jesus. Why? – because he was a worshipper. It was because He loved the presence of God. We see that when he is bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem after he began to reign in Jerusalem and he is dancing before the Lord out in the open in the streets with only a priests linen ephod on as his clothing. This was an act of humility and also an act of joyful exuberance because he was so excited receive the presence of God back to the city of David.

In another time in David’s life he was at his lowest point after he had sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba, and the baby of their union is deathly ill. David humbles himself and asks forgiveness and as he intercedes for the life of the baby; and then he hears that the bay has died. His reaction – he went to the house of the Lord and worshipped. At his highest point in his life and at his lowest point in life he has the same reaction – he worshipped. This is why he is a man after God’s own heart.

David was the greatest King Israel has ever had. The kingdom of Israel grew and extended and had peace for 40 years under the reign of David. And why do you think this man was so successful and why do you think that God has devoted do much of the bible to his life and his legacy? It is because God is seeking such to worship Him.

God is seeking true worshipers!

Listen to me business man, listen to me anyone who wants to see great favour upon your life – become a worshipper. When you think about how blessed you are, worship God for His blessings and goodness, when you think of how much pain you are going through when life is very very hard, worship God; because He is the hope of your life.

What if, during this time of prayer and fasting in this early part of the year, we could practice worship and learn the true value of worship and also receive the revelation of life as a worshiper. Don’t get this one wrong believer, God does not reward us because of works but faith, we are not acceptable because of our own works, but listen, this is how it works. If you truly see how great and amazing God is, how loving and how kind He is, so that you are compelled to love and worship Him; then you put yourself into a place where you can hear His voice and you can see and understand that He is with you, and He is for you, and He will never leave you nor will He ever forsake you. Then you will experience the victory like you have never felt it before. When you worship God comes and sits down at your table. In Psalms 22:3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises^[a] of Israel.

Worship brings evangelism. Look at the story of the woman of Samaria in John 4. Jesus meets this woman who had five husbands and the one she was living with now was not her husband. They begin a conversation about worship and Jesus says the statement that we read at the beginning of the message today, God is seeking those who worship in Spirit and in Truth. God is seeking out those who worship Him in a certain way. Often we say that we seek God for His blessing and favour, but in this picture Jesus is saying God is seeking out the one who worships in Spirit and in Truth. How would you like God to be seeking you out?

God is seeking true worshipers!

The result of this conversation is that this woman goes back to the city and brings back with her the whole city, to hear about this Messiah, this one who “told me all I ever did”. Salvation came to that region that day out of a revelation on worship.

A city can be saved when God finds a church that is set out to be a people of worship. To love and cherish and value God for who He is – that is worship. The Spirit of worship creates the spirit of evangelism. It makes sense when a people are so in love with Jesus that they show it by their worship. Then unsaved people coming in are going to see real Christianity , real love, not hypocrisy, not likewarmness, not a religious ritual, not ambivalence, not a half-hearted attendance, but a people of passion in love with the one true God.

It’s interesting that Jesus quoted more from the book of psalms than from any other Old Testament book, more than from the books of the law, more than from Isaiah. Why? Because He knew the power of praise and worship and He knew the heart of David. He knew worship would bring about evangelism.

How much do you think David loved God?

In the story when David brings back the ark to Jerusalem he brings it 10 kms. from the house of Obed Edom to Jerusalem. (2 Sam 6:13) Every six paces he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. If a pace is about 80 cms. then that’s 12500 steps, or 2083 stops to sacrifice oxen and fatlings. If the priest took say 30 mins to prepare and sacrifice an oxen and a fatling, that’s 43 days nonstop or 86 days or three months if you work only in the day just to travel 10 kms! Imagine the cost of the sacrifices! Can you see the exquisite passion of David for God’s presence?

God is seeking true worshipers!

When you decide to be a worshiper, you’re opening the door for God the Father to seek you out! You’re opening the door for God’s powerful life of victory. You can decide to be a worshiper. It’s not based on feelings, it’s a choice. The bible says, We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Do you know you are loved by God?

What now?

Receive His love. Meditate on what He has done for you. Begin to express love through praise and worship to God. If you run out of words open the Psalms and speak it out. Get a worship CD and sing the songs to God. Worship at home, worship in the shower, worship in your car on the way to work.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think God describes David as a man after my own heart?

2. Which Psalm particularly inspires you?

3. How can a person, like David, worship God when things have gone wrong?

4. Can we worship God even when our feelings are negative?

5. What does worship look like for you? – Is it in Spirit and Truth?

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YOU ARE A LOVE CREATURE

Posted in Church, Culture Watch, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged Answers, Belief, christian, church, Craig Anderson, God's Love, heart, heart thinks, inc, international network of churches, love, LOVE SEEKS, plenty valley church on January 18, 2014| 1 Comment »

LOVE SEEKS # 3PM – THE LOVE STORY

You were made to love and be loved. You are a love creature. Just as a fish needs water to live in you need love to survive and flourish.

Perhaps the most famous love story ever told is Romeo and Juliet. A complicated tale of two feuding families which ends when Romeo thinks Juliet is dead and drinks poison. Later Juliet awakes and seeing Romeo dead stabs herself and dies. Only a love story could include so much pain. Shakespeare wrote a tragedy and the reason it is so powerful is that love is a very powerful motivating force.

Hollywood has made billions from movies about love. Some of the most famous movies about love are: Love Story, The Notebook, Titanic, When Harry Met Sally, Love actually, Pretty Woman, P.S. I love You, Sleepless in Seattle.

As a human being you are made by God to have the ability to love and be loved. It’s part of your make up, you can’t change it. You are a love creature. When babies are born if they are deprived of love they will die even though they have food and warmth.

Touch deprivation: http://goo.gl/uibLp3 and: http://goo.gl/YSuXoj

God reveals Himself as father – a term that speaks of relationship. God is Love. (1 John 4:8) We are made in His image, after His likeness. (Gen 1:26) Therefore we are like Him – a love creature.

To love is to value, to do good to another. It’s more than just feelings and emotions though these are very important, it is about the worth of the person being loved in the eyes of the one loving.

The bible uses the word love to translate five different Greek words.

Mania – Manic love is almost not a love at all. The word “lust” is probably not strong enough – “obsession” is closer to the word.
Eros – Eros is obviously the root word for “erotic,” but it does not describe sexual love only, it actually describes all emotional love; the feeling of love.
Philos – Philos love, or brotherly/friendship love. Philos describes the love between two people who have common interests and experiences, or a fondness for.
Storgy – Storgy is the love one has for a dependent. It is commonly called “motherly love.”
Agapeo – Agape love is entirely about the lover, and has nothing whatsoever to do with the one loved. Agape love, in its purest form, requires no response. The most common word for God’s love for us is Agape (I John, John 3:16) and the love we are commanded to have for one another (Matt. 5:44, I Cor. 13 (http://goo.gl/2SJlEJ )

Ever wondered why your heart is referred to as the part that is broken when you experience loss of love or emotional upheavals? Like – it’s only a pump right?

World renowned Neuro-Scientist and author Caroline Leaf says:

“YOU ARE ‘WIRED FOR LOVE!’ – http://goo.gl/bb7tcz

And from her book “Who Switched Off My Brain”

by Caroline Leaf. http://goo.gl/RJxfP3

Toxic stress is particularly powerful because your heart is not just a pump. It is actually like another brain (and you thought you only had one brain!). Science demonstrates that your heart has its own independent nervous system, which is a complex system referred to as the “brain in the heart.” There are at least 40,000 neurons (nerve cells) in the heart – as many as are found in various parts of the brain. In effect, the brain in your heart acts like a checking station for all the emotions generated by the flow of chemicals created by thoughts. It is proving to be a real intelligent force behind the intuitive thoughts and feelings you experience. The heart also produces an important biochemical substance called an atrial peptide (specifically ANF). It is the balance hormone that regulates many of your brain’s functions and stimulates behaviour.

New scientific evidence on the heart’s neurological sensitivity indicates there are lines of communication between the brain and the heart that check the accuracy and integrity of your thought life. The reality is, your heart is in constant communication with your brain and the rest of your body. The signals your heart sends to your brain influence not just perception and emotional processing, but higher cognitive functions as well.

When God reveals Himself as Father, this means His love is plural, because a Father can love more than one child and it is a pure and acceptable love. You are made to love and be loved. Love is the greatest of all human experiences and many movies have been made about finding love or losing love and finding it again.

The problem with love is that sin entered the world and messed things up. Messed with God’s plans of love. Love was hijacked and became self-centred.

2 Tim 3:2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. (AMP)

Love became a weapon of pain instead of a life giving force. Love was corrupted by sin. Love became love of things, lust, immoral sexual desire, love given and love taken away, broken hearts though love removed.

Love is not the problem, sin is the problem. Love is the answer. When Jesus went to the cross that was love in action! Romans 5: 8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.(AMP)

When sin wrecked humanity, God’s answer was love. God so loved the world – that He gave. The God who is love reached out to the creatures that he created with love as the answer to brokenness and to broken hearts.

Love conquers all, love overcomes all. Human love is magnificent but God’s love is all powerful. God Loves you, and He loved you enough to send His son to die for you because you are valuable to God.

But you must receive to be healed. – Let love in.

1. Have you ever suffered from a broken heart?

2. If God pours His love into your heart – how can you receive it?

3. First love is the love we have for God at the first – what’s it like/

4. Can you meditate on the love of God to you through the cross, how would you do it?

5. When you are full of God’s love how will you act?

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FRESH AIR – PRAYER AND FASTING JOURNAL

Posted in Equip the Saints, tagged christian, church, Craig Anderson, fasting, Fresh Air, inc, international network of churches, plenty valley church, PRAYER, Prayer and fasting on January 12, 2014| Leave a Comment »

AUSTRALIA–WIDE PRAYER AND FASTING TIME IN OUR CHURCH MOVEMENT – INC

To download your own Word version of this document go to http://pvcoc.org.au/resources.php

SEE THIS VIDEO FROM OUR NATIONAL CHAIRMAN FOR INSPIRATION

http://vimeo.com/83479255

MAIN PURPOSE

The main purpose of prayer and fasting at the commencement of a new Year is to honour God and consecrate your life to him for this year. We intend to seek God for our own life, for our family and for our church and movement, that God would be merciful to us and grant us His grace and power to enable us to serve Him and prosper in the call on our lives.

Joel 2:15-17 (MESS)

Blow the ram’s horn trumpet in Zion! Declare a day of repentance, a holy fast day. Call a public meeting. Get everyone there. Consecrate the congregation. Make sure the elders come, but bring in the children, too, even the nursing babies, even men and women on their honeymoon— interrupt them and get them there. Between Sanctuary entrance and altar, let the priests, God’s servants, weep tears of repentance. Let them intercede: “Have mercy, God, on your people! Don’t abandon your heritage to contempt. Don’t let the pagans take over and rule them and sneer, ‘And so where is this God of theirs?’”

WHAT IS FASTING ALL ABOUT?

HOW TO BEGIN Start with a clear goal. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Pray daily and read the Bible.

PREPARING SPIRITUALLY Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).

DECIDING WHAT The type of fast you go on is between you and God. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.

DECIDING HOW LONG Most people can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. Beginners are advised to start slow. Here are some different ways to fast:

(a) Fast one meal or two in a day

(b) Fast every breakfast or every lunch or every dinner for a period of time.

(d) Fast one day on, one day off alternately.

(e) Fast all food but rink all beverages such as juice, milk, coffee tea etc.

(f) Fast all foods and drink except water.

WHAT TO EXPECT When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity. Exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray often throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God’s face.

HOW TO END Don’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks. Start with fruit and go slow. Avoid fatty foods in the first day or so.

PRAYER TIMES

Make sure you spend more time in prayer so as to make your fasting worthwhile. Spend time with God. Spend time with God in these ways:

(a) Repentance of sins. Ask forgiveness and ask for grace to overcome.

(b) Forgive people who have hurt you, sinned against you.

(d) Meditating on His word – specifically promises to you.

(e) Spend time listening – occasionally ask God questions.

(f) Pray for your calling – for God to show you what He wants you to do.

(g) Pray for your family

(h) Pray for this church.

(i) Pray for your pastors, for Gods’ anointing and power to rest on them. Pray for God’s grace and enabling power to be upon them.

(j) Pray for the city, our community, the lost people all around us. Pray for the lost to come to Christ. Pray for boldness to share the gospel with others.

PERSONAL PRAYER TIMES

Keep a record of your prayer times in the following pages. Write down inspiration you receive.

CORPORATE CHURCH PRAYER TIMES

Come and meet with others to pray. By this learn to pray, encourage others to pray. Show your commitment to the church’s vision.

Corporate prayer times this month

(a) Early morning prayer times Monday-Friday every week 6am-7am in the Kid Town Room (Except the first week in the Main Auditorium)

(b) Three Night prayer meetings Wednesdays 15^th, 22^nd, 29^th January 7.30-9.00pm

DAY 1 – Monday 13th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE – Matt 3:8 AMP

PRAY _ For repentance and seeking God for Him to show you truth.

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Joel chapter 3

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 2 – Tuesday 14th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE – Col 3:15 AMP

PRAY – pray thankfully for everything you have. Mediate on all the reasons you have to be thankful to God.

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Gen 34-36

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 3 – Wednesday 15th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

FAMILY – Thank God for each member of your family. Pray God’s kingdom Come and His will be done in each life. Matt 6:10

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Luke 15

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 4 –Thursday 16th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

CHURCH – Pray for the pastors and leaders of the church. For God’s wisdom, revelation and strength. For protection from the enemies plans. Eph 6:19

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Gen 39-41

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 5- Friday 17th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE – 2 Peter 1:10

PRAY – For your calling to be made plan to you . For God to show you what He wants you to do.

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

1 Sam 1-3

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 6 – Saturday 18th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

COMMUNITY – Pray for God to soften the hearts of all the people who are in contact with our own church members. Heb 10:16

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Luke 18

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 7 – Sunday 19th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

NATION – Pray for the nations leaders in politics, media, law and education. 1 Tim 2:1-2

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Gen 47-48

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 8 – Monday 20th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

FAMILY – Pray for strong financial breakthrough for your family. Receive faith to prosper. 2Cor 9:8

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Luke 20

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 9 – Tuesday 21st

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

CHURCH – Pray for God’s abundant provision for the church financially. Enough to do all that God has called us to do. Phil 4:19

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Exodus 1-2

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 10 – Wednesday 22nd

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

COMMUNITY – Pray that the church has favour with the council, and local area leaders. Prov 16:7

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Luke 22

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 11 – Thursday 23rd

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

NATION – Pray for righteousness to prevail in legislation. Pray for the Victorian Parliament to make righteous laws concerning equal opportunity and marriage. Prov 16:12

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Exodus 6-8

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 12 –Friday 24th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

FAMILY – Proclaim victory and blessing over each member of your family. 3John 2

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Luke 24

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 13 – Saturday 25^th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

CHURCH – Pray that we will see people giving their life to Christ in our local church. Pray for the church members to be passionate about reaching lost people. Jude 1:23

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Acts 1

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 14 – Sunday 26^th – Australia Day

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

COMMUNITY – Pray for the people in our community to be set free from anger, addictions and unforgiveness. Pray for the families affected by domestic violence. 1 Tim 2:8

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Exodus 14-16

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 15 – Monday 27^th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

NATION – Pray for deep hunger for God to be birthed in the heart of every Australian. Pray for the Holy Spirit to convict people of their sin. John 16:8

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Acts 3

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 16 – Tuesday 28th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

FAMILY – Ask for the Call of God for each member of your family to be revealed and established. 2 Pet 1:10

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Exodus 21-22

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 17 – Wednesday 29th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

CHURCH – Pray for God’s effective work in raising up leaders to be strengthened in this church. Matt 9:38

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Acts 5

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 18 – Thursday 30th

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

COMMUNITY – Pray for the broken and hurting people in the community. For broken families, for solo mums, for people struggling with drug addiction. Luke 14:23

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Exodus 25-27

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

DAY 19 – Friday 31st

VERSE – READ AND MEDITATE

NATION – Pray for the whole church in Australia to be filled with the spirit and the call of God. Acts 2:17

PASSAGE – READ AND ASK HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

Acts 7

YOUR THOUGHTS

_______________________________________________________

To download your own word version of this document go to:

http://pvcoc.org.au/resources.php

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JESUS – WHAT IS HE DOING NOW?

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged Answers, Belief, christian, Craig Anderson, how do I find god, how do I find Jesus, inc, international network of churches, introducing jesus, is god real, jesus, plenty valley church, RESURRECTION, what is being saved, what is born again, what is Christianity, what is salvation, what is saved on December 21, 2013| Leave a Comment »

INTRODUCING JESUS – RISEN AND LIVING – DEC 22, 2013 AM

Have you met Jesus? Yes? – Do you really know Him? Is there a desire in your heart to meet Him if you haven’t yet, or to get to know Him more if you have? Why wouldn’t you want to meet the most influential person in all of Human history, (http://tinyurl.com/n6bn3xz) especially when you consider His public life spanned a mere three and a half years!

Can I introduce Him to you? If you have met Him, can I show you more of Him than you know at present? To know Jesus is to have a complete life change. Actually there’s no way to meet Jesus and not have a life impacting experience!

This month we have spoken about Jesus to introduce Him to you and deepen your understanding of who He really is.

Week 1 – Born for pain – Jesus’ plan from the beginning was to suffer and die for the whole of mankind. He was born to die.

Week 2 – A life lived for others – The incredible passion of Jesus to love, serve and give to others.

Week 3 – The other side of Jesus – His dedication to purpose, a steely eyed determination to go to the cross.

Week 4 – Risen and Living – This week we see what is Jesus doing now. What has been His activity since He ascended up into heaven? Do you know what Jesus is doing right now?

The resurrection of Jesus is one of the most well established events in history (see here http://tinyurl.com/n5kbad) having risen from the dead, of course Jesus is still alive and He is interacting with people’s lives all over the world. If you have religion – you have a dead founder such as Mohammed or Buddha and a set of rules to follow or learn. When you meet Jesus you begin a relationship with a living person. You begin a conversation with a person who is both fully God and fully man.

Think of the wonder of this reality. Before the moment of Jesus being conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary, He pre-existed in heaven from eternity. (By the way, humans do not pre-exist before birth, Humans begin their eternal life at conception and pass on into eternity at the death of our physical bodies.) He was in spirit form, infinite, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent. Then in one moment of time He was contracted to a span as the hymn writer says (http://tinyurl.com/krdwz6w ) and He became in the form of a human being.

Phil 2:6-7 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [^[^b^]possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not ^[^c^]think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped ^[^d^]or retained,

⁷But stripped Himself [of all privileges and ^[^e^]rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. (AMP)

Jesus had a body exactly like yours and mine. He had a body that felt pain, needed food, was subject to tiredness, every human emotion and function. That body of Jesus ascended into heaven after the resurrection. He is now seated on the right hand of the Father in heaven for eternity. Think about this – humanity has entered the Godhead! When we see Jesus at His second coming or if we pass before then, we will see, and meet and behold that same Jesus who ascended. He will still, and for eternity, have the nail scars in His hands and feet and the deep wound in His side.

Imagine the wonder and the gratitude of seeing those hands and feet. No wonder the angels fall before him and those who have gathered at His throne cast their crowns before Him.

Rev 4:9-10 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

¹¹“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (ESV)

So what is Jesus doing now that He has risen from the dead? Has He been in the Bahamas since then taking it easy, having accomplished all He purposed to do? Is there a holiday home in heaven where He relaxes until the time of His second coming? Let me fill you in on what He is doing now and every day until His coming again. (You realise He’s coming back again, right?)

Sending the Holy Spirit

His very first task when He ascended was to send the Holy Spirit into the earth: John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. (NKJV) The work of the Holy Spirit is to help the church complete the call to take the gospel to the whole world and make disciples in every nation. The work is not complete yet. Of the approximately 210 nations on earth only a few yet remain to be impacted by the gospel. Still there are many ethnic groups on earth who need to be reached with the gospel. Speaking of His second coming Jesus says, Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Build the church.

Jesus main focus through the Holy Spirit is to build the church. He said Matt 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock^[^a^] I will build my church, and the gates of hell^[^b^]shall not prevail against it. Jesus is overseeing the building of a church that will reach the whole earth. He is at work through the work of the Holy Spirit to raise up leaders who will preach the gospel, plant churches and pray for the will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Make intercession for us.

Heb 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them. (AMP) Jesus who is seated in heaven Ephes 1:20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], ever lives to make intercession for us, pleading our case before the Father. As our advocate or Lawyer He makes a case for our redemption and deliverance, declaring that the faith with which we appropriate our salvation is sufficient to obtain the promises and enter into His family. Our prayer come up to heaven Rev 5:8 And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] prostrated themselves before the Lamb. Each was holding a harp (lute or guitar), and they had golden bowls full of incense (fragrant spices and gums for burning), which are the prayers of God’s people (the saints).

So when you need an answer or some help from above, and you call on Jesus, He is ready to make intercession for you at the throne of the Father. You are never alone. He is with you always even until the end of the world. (Matt 28:20)

We serve a loving Saviour and one who is always active to be with you and strengthen you every day you live in Him. So don’t do life alone. Invite Jesus into your life. Pray this prayer right now…

“Dear Lord Jesus, please come into my life, I turn away from my sinful lifestyle and I turn to you. Forgive all my sins and set me free. I chose to follow you for the rest of my life. I believe that you died on the cross for me and I believe that you rose again from the dead. Thank you Jesus. Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer for the first time and you want to walk with Jesus please contact me via the comment box below.

Blessings,

Ps Craig Anderson.

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THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged Answers, Belief, christian, Christmas, church, Craig Anderson, destiny, hope, inc, international network of churches, introducing jesus, jesus, love, plenty valley church, purpose, who is Jesus? on December 15, 2013| 1 Comment »

INTRODUCING JESUS – THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL – SUNDAY 15^TH DEC 2013 AM

Choose someone you would like to meet. Who would you choose? In all of human history, if you could choose to meet anyone, who would it be? Many of us have met Jesus, and we feel we know Him. But how well do you know Him? Would you like to know Him better? Listen as I share about the other side of Jesus.

What was Jesus like?

What was it like to meet Him and know Him? Can we get an insight into the experience that the 12 disciples of Jesus had as they met and travelled with Jesus for three and half years? He was, and is, the greatest figure in human history, He and His followers have made a bigger impact than any other person in history. Especially when you consider that he only walked the stage of life publically for three and a half years.

There was the people-person Jesus who preached simple but powerful messages, healed countless people and gathered the little children in His arms to bless them. This approachable Jesus, who healed foreigners even when He said He was called to Israel primarily, raised children to life from the dead, and gave a son back to his mother from the dead; had another side to His persona.

Jesus was incredibly focussed.

He had a mindset to that was unrelentingly pointed to one great purpose. His death.

The story began before the earth was formed.

Rev 13:8And all the inhabitants of the earth will fall down in adoration and pay him homage, everyone whose name has not been recorded in the Book of Life of the Lamb that was slain [in sacrifice]^[^a^]from the foundation of the world.

In the beginning before time; the conversation may have gone something like this… The father says to the Son, Let us make man in our own image, male and female shall we create them. And they shall have dominion and rule the earth that we have made. Our love for them shall be complete. It is a love that shall cost us. What price shall we be prepared to pay for them? They shall need redemption. They shall need restoration and these things shall come at a cost, but whatever is of great value, our offspring, shall be bought with a price; and the price shall be that of blood. Jesus accepted the call and the charge pre-empting the words of Isaiah centuries later when asked who shall go for them?

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Then that which was written before the beginning of time but recorded by John was established: John 3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (^[^a^]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

The die was cast; the purpose set; the life of Jesus was destined for death and separation from the father for a time. He was now a man with a mission. And so He said:

Matt 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Luke 9:51 Now when the time was almost come for Jesus to be received up [to heaven], He steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem.

John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Even when His well-meaning disciples were reticent to accept is impending death, He spoke strongly against their opposition:

Matt 16:21-23 ²¹From that time forth Jesus began [clearly] to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and the high priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised ^[^k^]from death.

²²Then Peter took Him aside ^[^l^]to speak to Him privately and began to reprove and ^[^m^]charge Him sharply, saying, God forbid, Lord! This must never happen to You!

²³But Jesus turned ^[ⁿ^]away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are ^[^o^]minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men.

Jesus single minded in His pursuit of His purpose was unassailable. He was a man born for purpose and nothing was going to dissuade Him from that purpose. Tell me if you can, what man is bent on death and the sacrifice of His life for others from the moment of His birth? Who in human history has determined to give His life for others as a long standing goal for their life? Can you think of one?

But this man, this God-man, who came from heaven was single minded and fixed in His purpose, so that the reason He came was clear and he remained unflinching to the end. His reason to live was that he may die, and not just die but die as a substitute, a ransom for many. There was the people-person side of Jesus but then there was this focussed, unflinching side of Jesus concerning His purpose. Every minute of every day He thought about why he came and He thought about what lay ahead of Him in Jerusalem at the last Passover.

Matt 16:21 ²¹From that time forth Jesus began [clearly] to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and the high priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised ^[^a^]from death.

Was He focussed? Yes. Was He intense? No, because even at His moment of death He gave a criminal on the cross beside Him the answer for eternal life. No power on earth or in heaven would be able to dissuade Him from the grand purpose of His life and that grand purpose was death.

What now?

Do you know Him?

And more than that what is the purpose of your life?

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LIVE FOR OTHERS

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged Answers, Belief, BORN FOR MORE, christian, church, Craig Anderson, inc, international network of churches, introducing jesus, jesus, live for others, others focused, plenty valley church on December 8, 2013| Leave a Comment »

INTRODUCING JESUS – A LIFE LIVED FOR OTHERS – SUNDAY 8^TH DECEMBER 2013 AM

I know you know Him. You’ve read about Him. Almost everyone “knows” Him here in Australia. In fact 40% of Australians claim to be a Christian; although only 40% of those go to church regularly. http://mccrindle.com.au/resources/Australian-Communities-Report_McCrindle-Research.pdf and http://www.ncls.org.au/default.aspx?sitemapid=2260

But do you really know Him? What is Jesus like? What would He say to you if you met Him today? How would He react to the world we now live in?

Really today’s world, although vastly different in terms of technology and how we spend our time and what knowledge is available, is actually just the same as the world in Jesus day when you consider the problems people face.

For example sickness, relationship breakdown, stress and anxiety, and poverty are all real problems today just like they were 2000 years ago. His answers and approach to your needs and your concerns is the same as His approach to people in every age.

So why would anyone want to know Jesus? – Wouldn’t you want to know the greatest figure in human history? If He rose from the dead as the bible says, He is still alive and can meet you and have an impact in your life today. Why be put off by the crowd. If others don’t want to know Him does that mean you have to follow suit?

My story. When I was invited to church (That’s where you meet Jesus, right?) in 1977 by my best friend at uni, I decided that I was curious to find out who this Jesus was and see what His claims were. I argued with myself (or maybe the devil) and said, “I’ve got an open mind, I can look and see what Jesus is doing and saying and make up my own mind.” At the time God was planning an encounter for me to meet Jesus, and I am so glad that happened!

So what is Jesus really like? – The New Testament tells of His birth to a virgin, growing up as a carpenter’s son, and living in Egypt for the first few years of His life. Stunning the religious leaders at age 13 with His knowledge and wisdom, He only surfaced as a public figure at age 30 for three and half short years, until his torturous death on a cross at 33. It would be difficult to find one individual in any sphere of life who had such a world-wide impact and long lasting impact after only three and a half years of public life.

In the New Testament there are recorded many of His sermons and sayings together with 25 particular healing miracles, eight miracles in nature, five reports of multitudes being healed and three people raised from the dead. His messages are the most impacting things recorded, and how He treated people is what we will focus on today.

Jesus lived a life focussed on others.

Read with me this passage: Luke 8:40-56 (ESV)

⁴⁰Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. ⁴¹And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, ⁴²for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. ⁴³And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians,^[^e^] she could not be healed by anyone. ⁴⁴She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. ⁴⁵And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter^[^f^] said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” ⁴⁶But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” ⁴⁷And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.⁴⁸And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

⁴⁹While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” ⁵⁰But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” ⁵¹And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. ⁵²And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” ⁵³And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” ⁵⁵And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. ⁵⁶And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Jesus went among the people. You could touch Him. Today people who are famous or have megastar status seldom go among the crowds for fear of being accosted or injured. Royalty cautiously shake hands across a fence erected for crowd control. These people have fame, notoriety or entertainment value but Jesus topped all that by being able to heal absolutely anything on the spot. Can you imagine the crowd attraction? With celebrities today there’s a distance from the crowd but with Jesus He was in the midst of the crowd all the time. Jesus allowed this and moved among the people.

Jesus was pressed on every side. The crowd pressure was enormous. Imagine the clamour to get healed! I saw what this was like in Ballarat when I was assisting a well know healing ministry person John Mellor to pray for people. JESUS LIVED FOR OTHERS
Jesus made time for a needy person. This woman came to Jesus and she was essentially unclean according to the Jewish law, when a woman had an issue of blood she could not come out among people. JESUS LIVED FOR OTHERS.
Jesus met Jairus, he was a member of the group that had so radically opposed Jesus because they did not like Him. Jesus showed mercy to him and raised his daughter from the dead. JESUS LIVED FOR OTHERS.

Jesus lived His whole life focussed on others. He made such a huge impact on this world, not just because He said really wise things, and not just because He healed people miraculously and raised them from the dead; but He was God and He had power to transform a life from sinful and broken to clean and righteous.

His miracles and lifestyle give evidence to his claims that He is God and He does have the power to transform a life. While His life is miraculous and amazing, it’s His death that we focus on because everything that you need is accomplished by His death. Jesus died for you. He was perfect and without sin and yet He took the punishment for sin that every one of us rightly deserve. For everything you and I have ever done wrong in our lives, we will give account. God knows everything, and sees everything. Because He is righteous, He must judge all sin; but the good news is Jesus choose to take the rap for you. That’s love! Your response? Knowing about Jesus is one thing but knowing Him is entirely different. You can read all about a famous person and know their facts and history but only when you have met them and become friends do you actually know them. You must know Jesus before you can see the reality of what He has done for you. You need an encounter. You need to meet Him. Jesus loves you. He lived for others to show His motive is love. But most importantly, He died for you.

What to do now. Jesus showed His great love for people all through His life and even more so by dying for them at the cross. He asked them for response, He said if you believe in me, you would have everlasting life. John 3:16.

If you’re already a Christian, then live this life like He did. Live it for others. Let his example of Jesus life be your pattern of living. What does that look like for you?

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When the torment in your mind becomes too much…

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged Answers, ANXIETY, Belief, BROKEN, broken heart, christian, church, Craig Anderson, freedom, help, inc, international network of churches, Jesu, Jesus heals the broken hearted, mental illness, plenty valley church, post traumatic stress disorder, pressure, PTSD, STRESS, temazepam, trapped on November 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »

JESUS HEALS THE BROKEN HEARTED – SUNDAY 24^TH NOVEMBER 2013, 10AM

Bible reading – Mark 5:1-20 – Amplified Bible.

1 They came to the other side of the sea to the region of the Gerasenes.

²And as soon as He got out of the boat, there met Him out of the tombs a man [under the power] of an unclean spirit.

³This man ^[a]continually lived among the tombs, and no one could subdue him any more, even with a chain;

⁴For he had been bound often with shackles for the feet and ^[b]handcuffs, but the handcuffs of [light] chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he rubbed and ground together and broke in pieces; and no one had strength enough to restrain or tame him.

⁵Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always ^[c]shrieking and screaming and ^[d]beating and bruising and ^[e]cutting himself with stones.

⁶And when from a distance he saw Jesus, he ran and fell on his knees before Him in homage,

⁷And crying out with a loud voice, he said, What have You to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? [What is there in common between us?] I ^[f]solemnly implore you by God, do not begin to torment me!

⁸For Jesus was commanding, Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!

⁹And He asked him, What is your name? He replied, My name is Legion, for we are many.

¹⁰And he kept begging Him urgently not to send them [himself and the other demons] away out of that region.

¹¹Now a great herd of hogs was grazing there on the hillside.

¹²And the demons begged Him, saying, Send us to the hogs, that we may go into them!

¹³So He gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out [of the man] and entered into the hogs; and the herd, numbering about 2,000, rushed headlong down the steep slope into the sea and were drowned in the sea.

¹⁴The hog feeders ran away, and told [it] in the town and in the country. And [the people] came to see what it was that had taken place.

¹⁵And they came to Jesus and looked intently and searchingly at the man who had been a demoniac, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, [the same man] who had had the legion [of demons]; and they were ^[g]seized with alarm and struck with fear.

¹⁶And those who had seen it related in full what had happened to the man possessed by demons and to the hogs.

¹⁷And they began to beg [Jesus] to leave their neighbourhood.

¹⁸And when He had stepped into the boat, the man who had been controlled by the unclean spirits kept begging Him that he might be with Him.

¹⁹But Jesus refused to permit him, but said to him, Go home to your own [family and relatives and friends] and bring back word to them of how much the Lord has done for you, and [how He has] had sympathy for you and mercy on you.

²⁰And he departed and began to publicly proclaim in Decapolis [the region of the ten cities] how much Jesus had done for him, and all the people were astonished and marvelled.

Here is a man whose life has been taken from him. He’s existing but not really living. So often people all around us experience the traumatic effects of tragedy, pain and loss every day. They exist, but they don’t really live.

This man lived in the tombs. He was forced out of his normal home by his abhorrent behaviour. We can only imagine the events that led up to his rejection by the community. His behaviour became a liability for the community – why? Perhaps he suffered the agony of loss, his wife or children may have died from illness or accident. Perhaps his business went belly up and he has been tormented by the sense of failure and his shame at not being a provider for his family. Could his failures have been compounded by a condemning and critical father who goaded him all his life saying, “You’re a failure boy, you’ll never amount to anything.”

For some the worst nightmares can be fought through and they piece life back together again; but for so many others their mind is continuously filled with torment because of rejection, shame, anger, hatred, guilt, or depression. The thoughts just never let up, and like this poor wretched soul you find yourself alone, outcast or simply choosing to avoid people – it’s easier that way.

Today I’ve come to tell you Jesus is the answer! Jesus gives Hope! Today I will show you the way out of pain and brokenness. If life has knocked you around, I can help you today. If you’re a pretty whole person, listen up I want to empower you to help others around you to find what the world can never offer. PEACE.

He cut himself with stones. Today some people cut themselves. It’ a sign that they hate themselves. Self-hatred comes from a wrong picture on the inside of who you really are. Like the beautiful young girl who was in our church many years ago who looked in the mirror at herself and screamed, I hate you, you are so ugly” You see her dad wasn’t there for her and never gave her the indispensable value she was loved and precious for who she was.

Jesus heals the broken hearted. He can and will heal you today. He will touch your life and you can begin the journey to wholeness. Jesus brings hope. In an era when more people than ever in history are seeking out a psychologist or counsellor; where statistics show one in four will suffer depression in their lifetime; you need to know Jesus is the answer. For all our medical advancement, our vastly greater understanding of how the human brain works, more people than ever are suffering debilitating symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.

Listen to some of the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and tell me if you think this man suffered with this increasingly common complaint?

Suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Feeling alienated and alone.
Anger and irritability.
Depression and hopelessness.
Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb.
Loss of interest in life in general.

(from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm)

Maybe you thought this man was just filled with demon spirits, a strange and exotic phenomenon that takes place in some faraway places. No, what we have come to understand is the spirit world is real and there are evil spirits that torment and plague people even right here in our own community. We don’t pay a lot of attention to demons in Australia but they are active and afflict people mostly in their minds with uncontrollable thoughts. Mostly in Australia we medicate, Jesus brought release and healing. Jesus heals the broken hearted. For example a young man came to John Mellor meeting last weekend who had been diagnosed with Schizophrenia and his prognosis was to be kept permanently in a lock down ward. Now after prayer he is living at home and living a happy and peaceful life.

You see there is a spirit realm and there is an enemy. He works on the mind, can also afflict the body and opposes you spiritually to try and keep you from connecting with Jesus.

Jesus offers peace and life. This what the bible says about your mind…

Luke 8:35

And [people] went out to see what had occurred, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right (sound) mind; and they were seized with alarm and fear.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Jesus is the answer. He alone can bring hope and freedom. Medication can cover the symptoms but Jesus sets you free.

No matter how tormented you are, like this man you can run to Jesus. These demonic powers were not able to stop him coming to the one who has the answer. Though he was filled with these torturing spirits, he saw Jesus and came running towards Him and fell at His feet and worshipped.

This is the beginning of your answer – run to Jesus. You see Jesus knew about this man. He went seeking him out, He deliberately put ashore at this very place where this madman had his abode among the tombs.

Jesus knows your pain, He knows your heartache and He has come to seek and to save those who are lost. Here is your answer – Run to Jesus, and like this man desire to stay with Jesus. Jesus is not a pill you take to relieve symptoms and you go back to your normal life. Jesus has a new life for you. Your old life was killing you. It was filled with wrong believing, wrong values and wrong behaviour. It was how you lived and what you believed that put you in the mess you are in now. It’s time to come to Jesus and let Him redeem you and show you His abundant life of righteousness peace and joy.

You might be strong and whole this morning, but this message is still for you. WE need to go out and boldly proclaim that Jesus is the only answer. He is the only one that heals the broken hearted. Tamazepam doesn’t heal a broken heart, a bottle of scotch a day doesn’t heal a broken heart, only Jesus can do it! Look at this man’s end state… ¹⁵And they came to Jesus and looked intently and searchingly at the man who had been a demoniac, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, [the same man] who had had the legion [of demons]; and they were ^[g]seized with alarm and struck with fear.

Will you run to Jesus today? Will you surrender your heart and mind to Jesus? Find a strong and Godly church that will lay hands on you and pray for you. Find a group of passionate Christians who will love you and pray for the power of God to touch your life. Find a church that has a reputation in your community for helping the broken and hurting people.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.

1. Jesus dealt with demon spirits all the time. Why don’t we focus on their activity in our day and age?

2. Discuss how the thought life of an individual can be interrupted by the influence of demonic spirits. (2 Cor 10:5)

3. Why do you think that stress depression and anxiety are so much more prevalent in our time than they were in past times?

4. This man’s turnaround was fast, dramatic and complete. Can Jesus do that today?

5. Is there also a steady healing process for many as they journey towards wholeness with Jesus?

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WHY WE GIVE TO VISION

Posted in Equip the Saints, Giving, Preaching messages, tagged Craig Anderson, generosity, gift, giving, inc, international network of churches, memorial offering, money, offering, pay the cost, pay the price, plenty valley church, spring breakthrough, stewardship on October 26, 2013| Leave a Comment »

SPRING BREAKTHROUGH – INFINITY #4AM – WHY WE GIVE TO VISION

INFINITY – THE MESSAGE SO FAR

This quarter is Spring Breakthrough. It’s a time when we as pastors are challenging us all to press into God and seek a breakthrough in our lives and our walk with God.

This month the theme is Infinity. We can see that giving to stewardship is a way that our gifts keep on making a difference over and over again onto infinity. Giving to The youth and young adults ministry in this church will see young people saved. Some of them will go onto serve God in ministry. Their fruit will see other young people come to Christ and in turn they will lead others to Christ. It keeps on going on and on.

What is stewardship? The bible teaches stewardship. Through the New Testament, Jesus teaches that we are stewards or managers of wealth that truly belongs to God. Even when we give an offering to God, we are actually distributing what really belongs to Him and keeping what He directs we need for yourselves. A disciple is one who knows by revelation that his life and his possessions are not his own but God owns all things.

This months messages are about how to make giving a tool to give you a breakthrough.

The power to see miracles and enable the hand of God to move in your life is greatly increased as a person makes a faith step to give to God as they pray and seek Him. This financial gift is called a memorial offering. I encourage you to listen to the last two Sunday morning messages where we shared about Cornelius and then Hannah who mixed giving with prayer to see enormous breakthroughs in their lives. I know you want to see God do great things in your life and give you miracles. Don’t discount this powerful way of giving as a way to experience God’s answers.

Every year we invest our resources into the kingdom for ministry and for facilities. It is a privilege for God’s people to give. Unless a church has no vision it must create finance to bring forth the vision God has called it to.

We have no fear in asking God’s people to give towards Kingdom Purpose because there can be no higher cause. There is nothing greater than the kingdom of God. There is no more significant cause than the local church. It is the forefront of God’s work in the earth. While some short sighted Christians walk away from local church – Jesus says, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:18)

In teaching about giving, we not only develop the godly quality of generosity which leads to changed lives, but we empower people to develop faith to receive supernaturally from God allowing them to give and actually increase in their net worth.

Here are eight reasons why we give to vision in this church.

1. PEOPLE GIVE WHEN THEY TRUST THE LEADERSHIP.

John 10:1-11 says, “The sheep listen to the shepherd’s voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. He goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice but they will never follow a stranger. In fact, they will run from him. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd.” Studies have shown that in the hierarchy of giving, people give first of all to people they believe in. Then they give to purposes. Finally they give to programs. That means that the most essential elements in considering your giving are relational, not functional.

Chris and I have been the senior pastors of this local church for 19 years, State directors of our church movement called inc (formerly COC) for 12 years. We have seen this church grow to 250 members, plant other churches and make a significant community impact. We have invited you, the congregation, to participate in financial management; and each year we have had our books audited externally, and hold an AGM where we publish our financial figures and invite questions and scrutiny. More than that, all the staff have at times willingly taken pay cuts to ensure the financial strength and viability of this local church into the future. I believe you can trust the leadership of this local church.

2. PEOPLE GIVE WHEN THEY CATCH A VISION, NOT WHEN THEY SEE A NEED.

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision the people perish.” Often the more successful a church is, the more people will feel comfortable about giving to it. Why? People give to success. They give to vision. They see the proven track record. They don’t give to needs. People give when they catch a vision and they get the big picture. How can we together make a difference?

We must be very clear about what our vision is. At PlentyValleyChurch, rather than have a vision for a building, we have a vision for what the building can help us do. We emphasize the lives that will be changed as people give – the marriages that will be saved, the broken people that are going to be put back together, the people who will break addictions, the changed lives that will happen. That’s the vision! Reaching out – Changing lives.

Here is a list of the goals we are giving towards for this coming year:

This is the Vision for which we are giving to make an infinite impact.

Youth and Young Adults Ministry – Part time wage – $20,000
Destiny Rescue – Rescuing kids from sexual slavery – $10,000
Local Outreach – Community Kitchen, Family Violence initiatives. – $10,000
Facility Upgrade – New equipment for sound and video image production – $20,000

3. PEOPLE GIVE TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF GENEROSITY.

It feels good to give generously – it really does. A person who doesn’t understand that has never given generously. The happiest people in the world are the most giving people. There are three main kinds of motivation to give. Love, Fear and guilt. Love is the nature of God. He so loved the world that He gave. (John 3:16) Fear causes you to give to avoid a problem or a negative outcome, there’s no joy in that. Guilt is used to motivate people by men without vision; it’s the lowest level motivation. We recognise the joy of giving. It is a joy to give and make a difference in lives for God’s purpose even if that means sacrificial giving.

In this church we do not teach that God wants everybody to be rich. However in teaching on faith and helping people believe God that they can make a difference, they are blessed. The fact is, there are more promises in the Bible related to giving than any other subject. You cannot out-give God. If you’re going to be Christlike you will learn to give.

4. PEOPLE GIVE WHEN THEY ARE INSPIRED BY OTHERS.

We learn best by watching role-models. That’s why a testimony about giving is a thousand times more effective than a sermon on giving. Those who lead, motivate us. Giving is contagious. So I encourage you to write down and send me your testimonies, how you decided to give, and what you are giving.

Examples:

(A) Marita – Scholarship money received this week.

(B) Lach – gave 500 in year 12, and at age 22, he was able to purchase his second house.

(D) Each year, over the last 19 years, Chris and I have been the biggest or second biggest givers in the church to Stewardship and Kingdom Advance giving every year. We don’t advertise how much we give because that’s not our reward but you can ask John as we are accountable to him in our giving. God has blessed us and looked after us.

5. PEOPLE GIVE WHEN THEY ARE INVOLVED.

Paul told the Philippians, “I thank God because of your partnership in the gospel.” The fact is those who are most passionate about the goals will be those who sacrifice the most. The more a person or family has roots down, and the more they are actively engaged in paddling the boat forward, the more they are likely to give. It may seem strange but the biggest givers are not the highest earners but they are the ones with the biggest passion.

6. PEOPLE GIVE WHEN YOU ASK THEM TO GIVE.

James says, “You have not because you ask not.” The Bible says ask and seek and knock. God asks people to give. The fact is we’re doing you a favour when we ask you to give because you will grow in faith, you will grow in love, you will grow in sacrifice, you will grow in commitment, and you will grow in character as you learn to give. You will be blessed in return. I have learned to ask everybody, even those who have nothing, because I have seen over and over that when anyone makes a step of faith to give, it’s the key to their financial freedom.

7. PEOPLE GIVE WHEN WE MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO GIVE.

2 Corinthians 8 says, “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” That means we will make it possible for you to give in as many different ways as possible. Such as cash donations, pledges, regular credit card giving, direct debits, paypal etc.

We will help you understand you can either give by reason or by revelation. Giving by reason means this – I look at what I have, I figure out what’s reasonable and I commit that amount. It doesn’t take any faith to give by reason. I just figure out what can I afford to give. Giving by revelation means I determine my gift by praying “Lord, what do You want to give through me?” This requires faith. When you give by revelation, you’re committing an act of worship and saying, “How much am I willing to trust God?”

8. PEOPLE GIVE WHEN THEIR GIFTS ARE APPRECIATED.

The whole book of Philippians is just a thank you letter from Paul for their offering, for their financial support. Each year as people give, we do our best to say thanks, here at church, with letters, with dinners and other ways. We truly appreciate your love, your giving and your sacrifice.

HOW OUR GIVING WILL TAKE PLACE

Next Saturday night we will be holding the Infinity Dinner. You are invited. It is a fund raising dinner. All this month we have been sharing the vision and inspiring our members to give towards the vision. On the dinner night we will show you the vision with video presentations. We have Simone Anderson singing, and we have Pastor Geoff Woodward speaking. On that night we will give you a giving card and ask you to donate or pledge over the next 12 months a figure that you believe God is saying to you that you can give. On Sunday those who were not able to make it to the dinner will have an opportunity to give also. This is not just a free dinner. Please don’t invite people to come just because it is an awesome night with free food, please make it clear that we are asking them to give big towards a compelling vision.

If you have committed to give last year, and for what ever reason, you were not able to complete your promise; please consider your promise forgiven. Seek God for a new goal and begin again to make a fresh impact. Only those people who have a ticket can attend this dinner. If you just roll up on the night we will not have catered for you.

To obtain a ticket please see one of these table captains:

Craig Anderson
John Matthews
Dan & Meg Power
Bob & Rita Ireland
Ross and Kim Parker
Puna & Natasha Ngarua
Rhys & Mira Anderson
Alex Fabiani & Yas Barber
Santo and Remi Pandolfo
Chris & Alicia Duncan

(Parts of this message were inspired by Pastor Rick Warren at pastors.com)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Discuss what you believe this local church could conceivably achieve in the next 5 years.

2. What level of finances would it take to accomplish that vision?

3. Where will that finance actually come from?

4. What i God’s purpose in our giving?

5. Can God actually bless you in your giving so that at the end of the giving period you have more even though you have given?

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craigmanderson

Christian World View

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LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE

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WHY WE GIVE TO VISION

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