"5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: For I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance..."
"11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
Psalm 42:5, 11 (KJV)
Last Sunday we shared a beautiful time of communion, worship and prayer at Bob's Farm in Maleny. The passage that I felt prompted to share was from Psalm 42 verses 5 and 11.
The old King James Translation talks about how those of us who are downcast can find hope in God. The steps to stir up this hope are two-fold.
Firstly, we are to praise God for the help of his countenance. The countenance of a person is the expression of their face. In other words, we are to praise God for how he looks at us when we are close to his face. While this is a challenge for someone who may not feel close to God, it certainly encourages us to at the least imagine exactly how God looks at us.
If you were face to face with God right now, what expression do you think would be on his face?
Secondly, we are to praise God for how he brings health to our countenance. This slight twist in the language makes it clear that when we spend time face to face with God, his countenance towards us (how he looks at us) brings a renewed health to our countenance (the look or expression on our face).
What could time before God's face do for your face?
It's a very visual reminder that: (a) most of us will experience downcast feelings, and, (b) God longs to restore us through intimacy with him.
Have you ever experienced this renewal from time with God? If so, do you need another renewal?
In a world of distractions and responsibilities, let's remember to take time to restore hope in our hearts through time with God.
See you this Sunday as we gather again to encourage each other in faith, hope and love,
Dan
Coming Up
April
Sun 21 Apr 4pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 28 Apr 4pm Moffat Gathering - Baptisms anyone?
May
Sun 05 May 4pm Moffat Gathering (no worship event due to long weekend)
Sun 12 May 4pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 19 May 4pm Moffat Gathering - get baptised!
Sun 26 May 4pm Moffat Gathering
June
Sun 02 June 4pm Worship Gathering TBC
Sun 09 June 4pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 16 June 4pm Moffat Gathering - Jersey's baptism! Join her?
Sun 23 June 4pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 30 June 4pm Moffat Gathering
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $11,412
Last month's expenses: $5,730
Balance: $46,405
Giving Kitty Oct-Mar: $5,000
Giving out Oct-Mar: $1,280
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started with giving to Open Road to meet needs as a church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
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