Below is a reflection on my invitation for our church to seek to open our lives to B.L.E.S.S. others. If you haven't heard about this yet, please click the link and learn the simplest way we can all share God's love with those around us!
Aside from a large number of people catching really bad flus lately, I've noticed many people in challenging seasons!
It could be a huge variety of factors, or maybe the amount of uncertainty in the world around us is diminishing our ability to respond well? Either way, this is a time when we need to look to Jesus for not only spiritual strength, but an example to follow.
In challenging seasons, one of the most counterintuitive practices of Jesus that I'm encouraging us towards is eating with people. Most of us prefer to hide away when we are a bit raw or tired, but God designed us for community and it's in seasons of vulnerability when we are most in need of each other!
Aside from meeting our emotional, relational and spiritual needs, one of the great outcomes about sharing a meal or a cuppa is that we often realise we're not the only ones struggling. This isn't just a relief to know that you're not "weird", but you may even find that you're able to encourage someone - put back the courage they may have lost - in their own journey. This may be part of why the first Christians "met daily" and "shared meals with great joy and generosity"?!
"They [the first Christians] worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity." Acts 2:46
While the early Christians obviously enjoyed sharing their newfound faith in Jesus, the daily gathering and sharing of meals made it difficult for any one of them to "pretend" everything is OK! It's hard to "hide" and isolate yourself when you're regularly surrounded by people who love you. In this way, sharing a meal is the simplest way to begin truly sharing your life.
So I want to encourage you that while learning to eat with people can be a great way to BLESS people, it's quite simply one of the healthiest lifelong spiritual habits we can form for our own spiritual lives as well! Maybe that's why we see Jesus making a habit of not just preaching and praying with locals, but eating with them as well!
Cheers and God Bless,
Dan
P.S. I'll be keeping 11am Mon, Wed + Fri free for a coffee if you're keen to share a story about life, work or Jesus :) Hit reply and let me know.
Prayer
As we shared last week, we want to be asking God to speak to us on a number of topics:
- Rhythms: how will we foster our simple rhythms (know, invite, gather)?
- Elders: how will we structure our long-term leadership and who will be on the team.
- Generosity: how would God have us become the generous individuals and church he's called us to.
- Future: how and where will we continue to gather.
Church Family Needs
- Julie Rogerson is recovering from surgery.
- Lachlan White busted his head open at church. Pray for healing.
- Many of you have shared information about the violence in India. Baptist Mission Australia is raising awareness especially around Myanmar. You can find out more and donate to the efforts to bring relief here.
- Coastal Youth is growing and needs more safe, passionate leaders! With between 60-100 youth coming Friday nights between 7-9pm, we need more people to care for and guide these youth to Jesus.
Coming Up
Sun 28 May 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 04 June 3pm Worship + Prayer Gathering @ Caloundra Christian College
Sun 11 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 18 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 25 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus
Our Rhythms
Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you bless this week?
Gather and get involved: How can you connect, listen, share or pray with others this week?
Our Giving
If there is someone in need around you we'd encourage you to team up with another Christian friend and ask God to show you how to meet their need directly. You can also get started with giving to Open Road or get in touch with any questions you may have.
Last mths giving: $8,557
Last mths expenses: $5,082
Bank Balance: $18,555
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
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