“Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” Matthew 19:6
Ahoy Church,
What a joy to gather together on Sunday to worship! Thanks again to City Life for making space for us!
Megan joined the team for the first time and Bri sung before heading back home ot Melbourned! Wonderful to have baby Lani Joy at her first worship service as well as her grandparents from the US!
It was wonderful to be led into our time of prayer for each other by Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV), a Prayer for Spiritual Strength:
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Before we prayed I shared my desire for those of us who are spiritually “stuck” to come unstuck. The reality is that no one can force themselves into spiritual vitality or a new season of thriving faith.
The only answer for us when we are spiritually “stuck” is an encounter with God’s love. Even today, I was relaying my burden with a mentor and he said something similar to what Paul shared with me last week; People who are deeply in love with Jesus find ease and joy in following Jesus.
By this he doesn’t mean that life will be easy, but that it’s the love of God, not religious observances, that keep us moving in life + faith despite the obstacles we encounter.
All of us have bad moments and days. However, if you, or someone close to you, is feeling especially ‘stuck’, why not begin meditate on and pray through the above passage that Aimee encouraged us with on Sunday.
If you find it hard to seek God’s presence day-to-day, pray that you’ll be, “strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being”, sensing his tangible presence in your life.
If you find it hard to open up your hearts to friends, church and family, pray that you’ll be, “filled with all the fullness of God”, growing in love for others.
If you rarely feel like gathering with other Christians, pray that you’ll be, “rooted and grounded in love” and come to desire and enjoy comprehending the, “breadth and length and height and depth” of Christ’s love with, “all the saints”.
This week we will be talking about another kind of related love, marriage. The Bible is clear that our marriages are to be modelled off the loving relationship God invites us into. While our capacities lack the perfection of God, He nonetheless calls all of us - not just married people - to champion husbands and wives to stay united as one.
Cheers, God Bless and see you Sunday!
Dan
Francis Chan on Ephesians 3 - The Love of God
Aimee read Ephesians 3:16-19 on Sunday after being impacted by a Francis Chan sermon on the Love of God. If you need a refresh on the love of God, please dive into Francis’ sermon. Highly recommended message and Christian teacher.
“Eagles Wings” - A song about knowing Jesus
One of the great set of songs Jared blessed us with was, Eagles Wings, a classic modern worship song. If you need to create some space in your heart or schedule, why not listen to this as you meditate on and pray through Ephesians 3:14-19.
Here I am waiting
Abide in me I pray
Here I am longing
For You
Hide me in Your love
Bring me to my knees
May I know Jesus
More and more
Come live in me
All my life
Take over
Come breathe in me
And I will rise
On eagle's wings
Coming Up
February
Sun 09 Feb - Beach Gathering at Moffats Sun 16 Feb - Beach Gathering at Moffats - Baptism Sun 23 Feb - Beach Gathering at Moffats
March
Sun 02 Mar - Worship Gathering - Venue TBC Sun 09 Mar - Beach Gathering at Moffats Sun 16 Mar - Beach Gathering at Moffats - Baptism Sun 23 Mar - Beach Gathering at Moffats Sun 30 Mar - Beach Gathering at Moffats
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: $19,739 Last month's expenses: $11,014
Balance: $85,490 Giving Kitty Oct 23- Jan 25: $5,000
Giving out Oct 23-Jan 25: $6,886
"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 giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
All Prayer Needs!
We are still encouraging each other to start sharing your prayer needs with the church. It’s a practice all Christians have sought to cultivate and one that every single individual and family really needs!
So, please share any needs in your life on the link below so we can pray for and followup with you as time goes by: https://forms.gle/PbQAVjjMLuD4ASmWA
Find more prayer resources and the above prayer link at https://www.openroad.church/prayer/
Good or God
Got a "good story" or a "God story"? Bring it with you on Sunday and share it with others, even with the whole group, if it's brief and encouraging!
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