Firstly
allow me to wish you all a blessed and prosperous 2014! Christmas and New Year
2013 have come and gone and my head is still spinning from the busyness.
Question!
How are the New Year resolutions for 2014 going? New Year’s resolutions are
always declared with earnest intent. However they are probably now fragmented
into feelings of guilt and failure! Do not despair!
Ask
yourself this question. What plans does God have for me this year? Last Sunday
Pastor Rolly highlighted one of God’s promises and probably one of my favourite
scriptures; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you
will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek
me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)
Can I
challenge you to pray for His vision and plans for you in 2014? The Bible is
filled with hundreds of examples of people getting God’s vision, like Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Jonah, and Micah. Seeing God’s vision for your life is
not being irrational. God often uses a mental picture to clarify the next step
he wants you to take.
I’m a
visual thinker – many people are and I realise that there are many who are not.
When I read a story in the Bible, I can see that story unfolding before me.
When I read a book, I’m picturing the story in my mind the whole time.
So how do
you get God’s vision if you’re not a visual thinker?
Firstly,
ask God a specific question. In your quiet time, after you’ve read the Bible
and prayed, remaining quiet and waiting before God, you could ask, “God, is
there anything you want to say to me?” And then you wait. “God, is there
anything I need to know that I’m not thinking about?” And then you wait. James
1:5 says, “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given
to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking” (CEV). God wants you
to ask him for advice, and he wants you to be specific. He’s waiting for you to
ask!
Secondly,
read the Bible, look into God’s Word to see what God might want to say to you.
Psalm
119:18 is a verse you should memorize: “Open my eyes, so that I may see the
wonderful things in your law” (NIV). It’s a good verse to pray as you open up
God’s Word. But you’ve got to read it,
study it, memorize it, and meditate on it as you seek God’s vision for this
year, and the rest of your life, or even just for today.
Ponder
these versions of Proverbs 29:18;
‘Where
there is no vision, the people perish’ (KJV)
‘When
people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild’. (NLT)
‘Where
there is no vision, the people are unrestrained’ (NASB)
Today and
for the rest of 2014, open your eyes to God’s vision for your life.
Barry
Klaer
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This
week’s message is “Why it’s best to
rest!” as we continue the series ‘who on earth am I?’
Bible Readings: Genesis
1:26-27, 31-2:3; Ecclesiastes 2:22-25 and Mark 6:30-31
School Holidays
Our Children’s Ministry programs are now on School
Holidays. Our 2014 Kingdom Kids and Baby Zone programs will be launched
at the Back to School Service on the 2nd February 2014. Playgroup
will also start up again on Wednesday 5th February. For more
information on any of these programs, please contact Beth Einthal on 8263 5087
or Beth.Einthal@paravista.org.au.
Laura Carson
Children and Family Team Leader
Prayer
requests
Prayer
requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the
current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If
you have a prayer request please email churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
From the office
Regular
Electronic Giving (REG)
Have you updated your REG? Over half our weekly
offerings are made through REG. For those who are altering their giving through
REG or wish to start giving via REG the appropriate forms are available from
the information rack at the rear of the auditorium.
Alternatively deposits can be made via direct debit.
If transferring from an LLL account, use account number
52752S1, BSB 704942.
If transferring from another banking institution,
use account number 100354939, BSB 704942.
Relocation
of the library and Baby Zone
The relocation work continues to our library and the
Baby Zone. The large roller door has been removed from the old library allowing
room to put a sliding door in. The wall will be removed into the old store room
from the library allowing the baby zone to take place. The library has been
successfully moved into the new area at the rear of the education centre and is
accessible via the stairs on the left.
For
Sale
Roller Door. No longer required due to the library
relocation. Will fit opening 1850mm wide. Any offer considered.
“A Christian is a living sermon whether or not he
preaches a word”
