Sunday 22nd February 2009 - Power in Our Weaknesses

Tony Collins reminds us how God acts with his power in our weaknesses. God doesn't help those who help themselves; he does help those who acknowledge their weaknesses; He wants to use those weaknesses for His glory.

There is so much power from God that can be realised when we acknowledge our weaknesses to Him. Taking a look at Gideon, Moses, Peter, David and John amongst others in the Bible shows us.

Mark 9:2-9
2 Corinthians 12:7-10

God loves imperfect people - He created us like that quite deliberately. Our ministry begins when we acknowledge our vulnerability; Paul shows this when he describes his humility in his letters. Taking Paul's example we need to see ourselves as a Trophy as Grace; acknowledge your weaknesses and allow God to provide the power to get through.

Sunday 15th February 2009 - Thinking and Acting Like a Servant

Wilson Gill helps us to consider how we can think and act more like the Servant above all: Jesus.

John 13:3-15
Philippians 2:1-11

When we are thinking about our shape it is important to have a model: Jesus. We know that Jesus came to serve and that he was faithful and dedicated to that mission. We need to do the same. We need to have a mind like Jesus; think like him. Jesus served others with timing completely in God's control; are you prepared to allow God to determine your schedule?

Jesus was obedient; he gave his upmost all of the time. He was re-tyred not retired! Trust worthy and reliable - are we?

What does it mean to follow Christ? He was humble and left behind everything to pursue His father's desire for His life. But He maintained a low profile; like a steward; keeper; caretaker; custodian. He was focused and single minded; He didn't compare; criticise or compete.

Finally Wilson reminds us that we are significant, secure and accepted if we follow Christ; acting and thinking like a Servant.

Sunday 8th February 2009 - What is Your Shape?

Andrew Blyth asks us this question which on the surface looks like it refers to our physical being but on further explanation actually gets us to think about our spiritual and mental being too. Referring to the following references:

Psalm 139:14
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Proverbs 27:19
2 Corinthians 1:9
Mark 10:35-45

Andrew asks us to be a church that is provocative but not in a way that makes us feel uncomfortable as individuals. He reminds us that our every day lives are the act of worship that God created us to be; it is what we do at work, at the school gate, when we shop etc. that is the act of worship - not church on a Sunday. We are all unique and given different gifts to complement each other so that we can serve together in harmony - with the grain. On that basis we need to use our "shape" to tune and turn our lives, conversations and eactions in every day life to God.

It is often said that it is our most painful experience that lead to our most powerful ministries. But that pain is not something we should shy away from because we know that God has created us to be the perfect "shape" to manage and cope with the experience. Instead we need to consider and learn to know our "Shape" so that we can serve God with maximum effectiveness.

Spiritual Gift
Heart
Abilities
Personalities
Experiences

Sunday 1st February 2009 -

Carolyn Edwards and Rich Turner help us to remember that faith is a two way process. God keeps his promises. Abraham and Sarah were promised a family and they got it... eventually! Faith may start small like a little fire but it grows as you feed it - with oxygen or big logs.

Sunday 25th January 2009 - Conversion and Calling

David Bronnert helps us to think about the difference between Conversion and Calling. Reflecting upon St Augustine's note that there is only one way to God but many ways Christ he reminds us that we are not called to be solitary but that we are part of a worldwide family. We are called to imitate Christ so that others may imitate us and learn to know Him.

Jeremiah 1:4-10
Acts 9:1-22
Romans 13:10