Where does your confidence reside?

05 Mar Where does your confidence reside?

Welcome to another Tuesday y’all!

I’ll get to that question up there in a bit…and I don’t want you to treat it lightly. It’s heavier than you might first think.

But first…we’ve got some opportunities ahead of us, both to “do” & “to pray for.”

Pray for…

1. I was struck Sunday as Paul prayed through the Living Water Prayer List. It’s long & likely longer since not every needs gets listed. We never run out of things to pray for. If you’re one of those who prays for us on Sunday, it’s a good habit to get into to now & again pray through that list among the gathered community. We need that reminder & recognition of how wide a net the Father casts through us.
2. I am hearing about a wide array of illnesses plaguing folks we’re connected to at the moment. Anything from flu to some new covid variant to seasonal flair-ups…so do those things your mother taught you & be careful out there. Pray for a swift change of seasons so we can move beyond whatever we’re in right now. I wouldn’t mind some rain too!
3. The LCA NSW District Convention and Pastors’ Conference is in Wagga this week. We all still have friends and family in the denominational silo of the LCA, and they need our prayers too. I think they elect a new Bishop this week. The LCA’s been in existence about the same length of time as I have…They’re in a tough season, so it’s good to pray for their ministry.
4. The Living Water Steering Team should always be part of your prayer calendar & oh yes, like Paul said in Ephesians 6:19: “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador…”
5. And also as he instructed Timothy (1 Tim 2:1-2) – “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Did I mention we never run out of things or people to pray for? It’s true.

Now…to do…

1. Zoom Bible Study Catch-up

Friday 8th March 2024 @ 1:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting  —  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83006349720  —  Meeting ID: 830 0634 9720 (Psalm 31:1-5 & Mark 9:14-29 is our focus)

2. Church Picnic & maybe Train Ride!

Sunday 7^th April 2024 immediately following worship. Details are still being ironed out…but that should be a great day! Mark your calendar & grab a friend to bring ‘em along.

3. Holy Week & Easter Worship – Please DO hand out those little postcards we’ve got for you. If you do any walking pop one in an occasional letterbox (just not one marked ‘no junk mail’). You’d be surprised what God might do with that simple gesture.

Now…about your confidence…Where does it reside? I ask because this morning I was reading Luke 21. The heading in my Bible is awful it says, “Jesus Foretells the Future.” Jesus does no such thing, but he does offer his followers a boatload of assurance when the future becomes troubled, tumultuous & uncertain. Jesus makes particular emphasis on those times when the world turns truly against the church as the church’s enemy. After some truly mind-boggling warnings Jesus says simply, “But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, (by your endurance) you will gain your souls.” – Luke 21:18-19

Whatever the world chooses to do, the Father remains Sovereign; in command of all things, times, & events. As his beloved, we may be attacked or even die for being faithful, but we are never out of his hands. The word “perish” there is a Greek word that implies being “lost forever.” The Father loses not a hair of his children…not one cell of our being slips away from him. The ebbs and flows of history are in God’s hands. Nothing catches him unaware or by surprise. Our call continues to be “Follow me” trusting that in all things God is working his will to completion in this world & through our lives. I’m putting my confidence, hope, assurance & life on the line for that promise. It’s who we are as his people to do that individually & collectively at whatever cost the world or those we know exacts in rebellion against him. But not a hair…not one is lost forever.

Draw strength there this week…pray without ceasing & rejoice always!

See you somewhere along the way!

John