No Substitute

There was a time when the phrase, ‘It was a riot!’ meant that everyone have a good time and enjoyed themselves. How the language changes. Also being ‘Cool’ did not indicate that you were looking for an extra layer of clothing to put on.

One thing that has never changed is that nothing should be used as a substitute, to living totally under the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is where real life begins, and excitement never ends!




Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Grandmother

The burial place of my Grandmother, Winifred Laura May (nee: Burrows) Rowe, is at the back of the West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide, South Australia. The death of this woman dramatically changed the lives of her two children, Mavis & Garnet.



John 14:1 (NIV) Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Holiness

How we live our lives! How we handle the Word of God! How we listen and respond to the ministry of the Holy Spirit! How we continue in a nurturing relationship with Jesus Christ! How we handle difficulties! These are all important aspects of the believer’s life, and faithful service to our God who embodies ‘LOVE’.




Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Good Stock

Everything will bear fruit after it’s own kind, or rather seeds sprout the same stock from which they were born. As the church we should always be aware of the wonderful stock to which we are born – notably the gift of the Holy Spirit at the birth of the Church of Jesus Christ.


John 14:15-17 (NIV)
If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth.

Beautiful Gift

What a privilege it is to introduce people to the provision that God has for his people. There is nothing in this world that matches the most beautiful of bestowed gifts, imparted to the believer.

How would you describe the infilling of your life, with the person of the Holy Spirit?


Acts 2:4 (NIV)
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Good Questions

As we go through life, we will encounter people who call themselves followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet know only part of what that really means. To lead them into a full knowledge of God’s provision for them, will require some questioning to understand what they do know. This may open many opportunities for prayer, teaching and instruction.




Acts 19:1-2 (MSG)
Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?" "We've never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?"

Adjustments

Just had my sandwiches for lunch, so I thought that I would simply comment on the week.
At the Morwell Corps we have had a Community Support Service attached. This service has operated on Mon., Wed., and Friday each week. In the last financial year the service contributed to the wellbeing and lives of over 1,000 families from our area.

The Community Support Service is currently undergoing some changes. A change of name is the first change, and will be called Latrobe Community Support Service. Secondly, the open times will be extended to cover a 5 day, Mon. to Friday service. Thirdly, this service will pick up the majority of the Community Support Service clientele of the two neighbouring Corps ~ Moe & Traralgon.

We have been making adjustments to the Morwell Corps Building and equipment to cope with the upcoming changes to enable a smooth transition. Long hours required for this, to get everything right the first time!



Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour.

Celebrate Diversity

On Sunday we had a day to celebrate the diversity of people who are our brothers and sisters. There was a lot of discussion about our individual heritages and shared some food that represented that heritage. What a smorgasbord was feasted upon.

As delightful a day and gathering of our people that it was, I had a frustration that interfered with my enjoyment, but gave some delight to the gathered throng. In talking about my particular heritage on my mother’s, mothers side, which is Scott. The ancestral town would not come to mind. I knew where it was, but the town, and the county, would not come into words. When I arrived home, the first thing I did was to look at my ‘Family Tree’ files and refresh my memory. Now today I can remember it fine ~ Logie Coldstone in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Just had to reconnect the small short-circuit.

An astute person will understand why I love the film, “The Notebook”

My confidence in what God has done in me through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is never short-circuited. Hallelujah!!!



2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.