The forecast future – Anxiety -V- Trust
If ever there is a forecast of doom and gloom, Jesus certainly puts it out there in Luke chapter 21 verses 5 to 19. Sally shared a clear simple message – we can be anxious and fearful, or trust what Jesus says. With all the calamities Jesus mentions, and the warning He gives, verses 16 to 19 sums it up. “You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of Me. BUT, not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life”. We have a choice – respond to forecasts of a bleak future with our own resources and do what “Preppers” do, or trust in God. When we let anxiety and fear dictate our actions and reactions, then we and relying on ourselves. We don’t think the same way and have a different response to situations. We are not happy when we are anxious. We are self-focused, and not loving other people. Decisions we make are more likely to be clouded and not the best for us. Sally reminded us to watch out for imposters coming in the name of Jesus, and not to follow them. Bad stuff will happen, but Jesus tells us, “When you hear of these things, do not be afraid”. Focus on God. Jesus says “to put all our anxieties and fears on Him. It isn’t a smooth journey, but trust Me”. We have a choice – live in anxiety and fear, or trust in Jesus. Let go of our anxieties and fears, and depend on God’s word.
Sally concluded with a prayer. “Jesus, Lord, Saviour, King. You have power over everything. Open our hands, Lord, so that we may let go of that which we are anxious and fear about. Take it, and replace it with peace and assurance of Your steadfast love. You have dominion over all things. Help us to trust you more Lord Jesus. Lead us to others who can help and support us. In Jesus Name we ask. Amen”.
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, John and Penny, Grant, Roger, Rebekah, Phileppa (surgery this week)
- 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.
- 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
- For Mosaic on Dec 6 and for Monica Short as she speaks
Call to Prayer for Goulburn
1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month
8 am at St. Nicholas Church Hall, Kinghorne St
