Good, pleasing and desirable.
When God created Adam and Eve He gave them a clear
instruction, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not
eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it
you will surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17). This was God’s plan. For a while Adam and
Eve allowed His voice to be their guide.
It wasn’t long before the voice of another came and
began to speak contrary to what God had said. The serpent’s voice rang loud,
“You will not certainly die” (Genesis
3: 4) he said to Eve.
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for
food and pleasing to
the eye, and also desirable for
gaining wisdom, she took it and ate it” (Genesis 3:6).
We have a tendency in life to believe that if something
is good, pleasing and desirable then it must be right for us. However, as Eve
discovered, just because something is good, pleasing and desirable it does not
mean it is God’s plan for our lives. Eve let the serpent’s words shape her
decision. “The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate it’” (Genesis 3:13).
The chances are there will be at least one person, in any
situation in life, encouraging you to go against God’s plan. This does not mean
they are the devil, but he can and will use their words to get you off track. If
something feels right and people are encouraging you to do it then it can be
really hard to even stop and consider that maybe it is not God’s plan. But as
followers of Jesus we need to be mindful that God’s voice speaks louder than
any other.
By getting into the Word, talking and listening to God
and seeking counsel from older and wiser Christians we can be confident we are
making a way for God’s voice to come through. The next step, which is probably
the hardest, is doing what God says.
We will never be able to do this perfectly and God’s
grace is not dependent on our ability to. Allowing God’s voice to be the
loudest may not always seem ‘good, pleasing and desirable’ but God is sovereign
overall and if you put your trust in Him, He will not lead you astray.
Sophie
This week we continue the series “Life in the Word” This week’s message is “Living in the Word” Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
Bible Reading: Matthew
7:21-27; James 1:22-25
Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids:
This
term we are continuing to work our way through the bible and will be studying
the following this Sunday:
Baby Zone - Family Worship Workshop No. 3 with Matt
Huckel (gaining tools and ideas for nurturing faith at home)
Kindy Zone - Stargazing,
from Genesis 15:1-6
Kids Zone - The birth of Isaac, from Genesis
18 and 21
Kool Zone - Lies and deception, from Genesis
25, 26, 27, 28
Please
have a chat to your children, grandchildren, friends or those you see around
the church to find out more about the awesome work God is doing in the lives of
our Kingdom Kids.
Kindy Zone helpers: We are still looking for
3 more helpers in Kindy Zone (ages 3-5 + reception). Please consider getting involved as a helper
(no preparation involved) so that we are able to continue this important
ministry each week.
Boy Girl Chats: Kool Zone (for year levels 4+) will have their first ‘BOY GIRL’
session on Sunday 23rd June. Nathan Carson will lead the boys’ chat,
while the girls enjoy good conversation and hot chocolate with some of the
Ignite Youth Leaders. We will explore topics such as respecting the opposite
gender, putting God before worldly desires, honouring God at home and school
and any other ‘girl boy’ topics the kids wish to discuss. Please speak to Laura
if you have questions or concerns or if you would like to access the new
‘parent aid’ resources in our church library.
Kids Film Series round 2
Most families would have received a
mail out last week containing the next round of questions for our Kids Film
series. Emma Kluge and her team will be filming the kids’ responses on Sunday
30th June. Please take the time to read through and discuss the
questions at home. We look forward to sharing their responses in worship soon.
Extra copies of the questions can be found at the sign in table at the back of
the church. Please help yourself.
Playgroup:
We need the church’s
support. Could you help with the following?
- Set up and pack up
- Story time
- Leadership: Playgroup needs a new coordinator.
You do not need to have any previous involvement in playgroup, or
children/grandchildren in playgroup to get involved.
This term we are celebrating different places of work. Our theme
on Wednesday was ‘at the Post Office’. Our theme for next week will be ‘at School’.
9:30am -11:30am in the Church Hall. $2 per child per each week or $3 for a
family. We hope to see you there.
Laura
Carson – Children and Family Team Leader
MEMBERSHIP
AT GOOD SHEPHERD
Discovery is the vehicle
by which membership is attained – it is the “Road to Relationship and Growth”.
If you have been
attending Good Shepherd for some time and have not attended Discovery or are
new,
Discovery is for you!
Discovery runs over two Tuesday
evenings: 25th
June 2013 6:30pm
– 9:00pm
Come and meet the staff over a complimentary dinner with tea, coffee and
dessert
2nd July 2013 6:50pm
– 9:00pm Complimentary
coffee & tea
Enrolment is simple: Ring the church office (8263
5087); Email, churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or
write ‘Discovery’ on your welcome card in a worship service
write ‘Discovery’ on your welcome card in a worship service
From the Board
Social Media
The Board continued discussion on the use
of Social Media to help further our mission. There was also a wider discussion
on how we can improve communication and our web site. The outcomes when
implemented will be exciting.
Visit from Children and Family ministry staff team
Laura and Beth accepted an invitation from
the Board to talk about Children and Family ministry. They discussed the
ministry now, their plans for the future and informed the Board how we could
assist this ministry area. The Board was very impressed with what is happening
and their clarity for future directions.
2013 Budget
The Board spent considerable time discussing
the 2013 financial position. Present indications are that there will be a
deficit in 2013. This will be first deficit for many years.
LCA Questionnaire
Considerable time was spent completing a questionnaire from the SA
District.
Upcoming worship series at Good Shepherd:
Getting a Grip on Life
(based on Proverbs)
Proverbs is
intensely interested in the art of living well.
One of the keys
towards this goal is to pursue wisdom.
Trusting the
Lord and doing life HIS way is the beginning of wisdom.
Come and join
in this series as we get wisdom from God on living well.
June 23 1. Gaining a
heart of wisdom
June 30 2. Mastering
my mouth!
July 7 3. Taming my
temper!
July 14 4. Surviving
my schedule
July 21 5. The fine
art of friendship
July 28 6.
Succeeding at work (8:45am service only)
Cultivating
Generosity will be our 4-week August series
Sept 1 (Father’s Day) 7. Cultivating character
In
your Good Shepherd Church Library
Tools to help us unpack God’s Word
Matthias Media, The Bible Overview.
DVD rom and Participant’s workbook.
The Bible is God's word. If people
are to know God truly, and understand their world and themselves, they must
have an understanding of the message of the Bible. The Bible Overview
was created because of a perception that many people, Christian and non-Christian,
find the Bible daunting and hard to understand. The aim of TBO is to equip each
other to better read, understand, and apply the Bible.
The Bible Overview consists of four parts:
1. An overview of the story of the whole Bible (known as the General Presentation). This includes 15 pictures with name cards, each representing a stage in the unfolding story of the Bible.
2. A way of summarizing the message of the Old Testament (the Old Testament Presentation).
3. A way of summarizing the message of the New Testament (the New Testament Presentation).
4. A straightforward process for understanding passages of the Bible. This process is called the COMA method (Context, Observation, Meaning, Application). Church Library: 220/MAT
The Bible Overview consists of four parts:
1. An overview of the story of the whole Bible (known as the General Presentation). This includes 15 pictures with name cards, each representing a stage in the unfolding story of the Bible.
2. A way of summarizing the message of the Old Testament (the Old Testament Presentation).
3. A way of summarizing the message of the New Testament (the New Testament Presentation).
4. A straightforward process for understanding passages of the Bible. This process is called the COMA method (Context, Observation, Meaning, Application). Church Library: 220/MAT
Have you ever heard people say that they think very highly of Jesus but don't agree with some of the teachings of the Bible?
John Chapman shows that if we are to trust in Jesus we must
also trust in Jesus' own view of God's word. He also explains how to read and
explore the Bible to get the most from it.
Rolly’s comment: This is a short book, with Chappo’s warmth
oozing encouragement for us to get into the Bible. Great for those starting off on the journey
with Jesus - or for old Christians who rarely read the Bible.
Church Library: 220/CHA
Notice Board
“The Lutheran” Magazine
Did
you know you can now receive the Lutheran from the iTunes App Stor.
Click
on the App Store icon on your iPad and search for “The Lutheran” Brochures
are available from the information rack in the foyer.
For
those people who already subscribe to the Lutheran (magazine form) – your renewal is due this month. Please
ensure you make your payment, either on-line, or to the church office.
Get outside every day.
Miracles are waiting everywhere.
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
