ENCOURAGE, ENDURE, HOPE, ALL JOY AND PEACE IN JESUS CHRIST.
There is so much anxiety, fear, distress, and hopelessness in the circumstances we find ourselves experiencing through drought, fires, and uncertainty. Be encouraged and believe in God, for He is able to cause rain to fall, extinguishing fires, resolving the drought, and bringing certainty. Robyn Baxter shared the amazing account of “the branch of Jesse” – Jesus Christ. Following the destruction of Judah and Israel, Isaiah prophesied the coming of Jesus. Verses 2 to 5 of Isaiah chapter 11 foretold; “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and He will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.” In Matthew chapter 3: 1-12, we have the account of John the Baptist. “This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'” (Verse 1, prophesied by Isaiah – Isaiah 40:3). Many people came out to see John at the river Jordon, to confess their sins and be baptised. John called out the Pharisees and Sadducees, challenging them to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance”. WE cannot depend on historical relationships or events, but need to “produce good fruit” or be “cut down and burned with unquenchable fire”. John demonstrated his life of humility in verse 11. Whilst John baptised in water, John said that Jesus would “baptise you with Holy Spirit and fire”. Similarities regarding John the Baptist, and Jesus; both were prophesied, both did what God wanted them to do, and both were executed. In Romans 15:4-13, there is reference to Psalm 18:49 and Isaiah 11:10. What is written in the word of God, Jesus came to give us endurance and encouragement, we might have hope, as we continue in out Christian walk. We need to accept one another, in order to bring praise and glory to God, with one mind and one voice. Verse 13 of Romans 15, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Robyn quoted Raniero Cantalamassa, priest and author, “Throughout history, there have been many men and women who have chosen to imitate Jesus as he withdraws into the desert …… to pass time in the desert means to create a little emptiness and silence round us, to rediscover the road to our heart, to remove ourselves from the noise and external distractions, to enter into contact with the deepest source of our being and faith”. In the business of this Christmas season, find a little emptiness and silence and enter into a contact with Jesus. In the current climate of anxiety, fear, distress, and hopelessness around us, be encouraged by Tim Keller in his book “Encountering God”, “Prayer is the way to experience a powerful confidence that God is handling our lives well, that out bad things turn out good, our good things cannot be taken from us, and the best things are to come”.
“Peace to you from God the Father, who hears our cry. Peace from his Son Jesus Christ whose death brings healing. Peace from the Holy Spirit who gives us life and strength. The peace of the Lord be always with you.”
We put these in each week to remind you of the ways you can practically pray for our fellow members of F5 and our wider community.
- Those who are unwell or going through difficult times. Especially: Gordon, John, Alison and Robert, Grant and Denise, Phileppa in Canberra hospital
- Pray for all members of our State and Federal governments that they will make wise decisions. Pray for refugees, our national health system which needs serious changes
- For those impacted by fires throughout Australia and for safety for emergency service workers and firemen in all these areas. For those who have lost family members, homes, livestock. May God turn the hearts of the nation to Himself through these disasters.
- For those who are homeless and hungry and for those who provide services to them including Anglicare and Baptist Care.
- Sally and the Binda Parish churches, Gill with the Marulan church and with her duties in Goulburn, Kenneth and Karen at Collector. Pray also for other clergy in our local churches. Pray for the selection for new clergy in Goulburn
- For Robyn and Paul as they pastor F5 and F10.
- For the work in Kisoro
- Little Sheep and 3D Kids team members, the children and their families.
- Weekly activities of F5 Refresh Ministries (see below)
- Pray for Mick and Jen, for the SRE teachers and schools of this region. Pray esp for Pat, Helen and Anne. Pray for favour in the schools and continued financial support of SRE.
- For Mick and Ange,Sarah and Ben and Gill and Rocky Hill Church.
- Pray for Geraldine as she leads the Ladies Bible Study
- Pray for Deb as she does our admin
- For the pastoral care workers in our hospitals, especially Fai and Caroline
- Pray for Bishop Mark Short, and for Bishop Trevor as they work in the diocese and for Archdeacon Carol Wagner, to be consecrated Assistant Bishop.
- For Peter Mylonas as he prepares the Carol Service in Belmore Park
CALL TO PRAYER
Churches of Goulburn
For the city and the nation
The drought and fires
Repentance and spiritual breakthrough
Urgent need for rain
Friday, 20th December from 8.00am to Saturday 21st 8.ooam
St Nicholas Church hall, Kinghorne St Goulburn
Open for 24 hours. Fasting ootuonal, but encouraged.
Come for whatever time you are able
| Monday | 10am – 12.00 | F10 | Greengrocers |
| Wednesday | 9.30am – 11.00am
3.30pm – 5.00pm |
Little Sheep
3D Kids |
Contact Sally Cullen
|
| Thursday | 10am-12.00
|
Meeting in the Mall for coffee and donuts | Paul and Robyn will not be in the mall |
| Friday | 2.00-4.00pm | Bible Study for Women | 13 Wright Place
(Geraldine 0450230194) |
| Sunday | 5.00pm
5.00pm |
F5 Service
Rocky Hill Church |
Christ Church, 130 Addison St
East Goulburn School May Street entrance |
