Church notes - June 2020

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7th June
1 Kings 17 - 19:18

Communion
Romans 8:37 - 39
1 Corinthians 10:16, 17

Elijah
Suffering from stress and burnout. He ran from Jezebel's threat.

15% of Australians will experience severe depression at some stage of their lives.

Emotions were created for a reason, but they were corrupted after the Fall. Fear - an alert to danger. Other emotions are alerts to other situations.

Elijah's situation got worse as a result of Jezebel's threat.

19:13
God asked Elijah what he was doing there.

Matthew 28:5 - 10
Jesus told the disciples not to be afraid.

Depression
SPIRAL
Sadness
Pleasure - things no longer bring pleasure.
Insomnia
Remembering negative events.
Anger
Loneliness

Psalm 42

Martin Luther's advice on Depression.
1. Avoid being alone.
2. Seek help from others.
3. Sing! Make music
4. Praise and give thanks.
5. Lean heavily on the power of God's word.
6. Rest confidently in the presence of God's spirit.

Not a sign of spiritual failure.

Elijah - fearless on Mount Carmel and yet he flees in terror after Jezebel threatens his life.
19:3 - 5
He's at a low point.

A still quiet voice. A response of care, love and mercy.

Sleep
Eat
Purpose
He wasn't alone
19:10

Despair is always colourblind - it can only see the dark things.
19:18

Galatians 6:2

Am I OK?
It is OK not to be OK. (Will will seek help?)
Are you OK?

Psalm 43

Philippians 4:8


14th June
Psalm 95

Hebrews 4:14 - 16

Daniel 3

Our Choices
We need to stand firm in our beliefs. We need to be mindful, not only of the large choices, but also of the small.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had integrated into the Babylonian culture, but there was a line they wouldn't cross.

Choose overt obedience over comfort and conformity.

Choose to visibly obey God.
Humble obedience.
Are we overt in our obedience to God?

How often do we hop on the bandwagon of current culture rather than rely on God's Word?

It should be obvious that we follow God.

A life of following God does not promise a life of earthly blessings.

vs 16 - 18
They chose to see God.
They know who God is. They trust Him as He truely is. They choose the Soverign God.
Do you trust Him?

Humble surrender shown by two words.
vs 18
"Even If"

But; the words we often asked are "what if?"

"What if" - We're at the steering wheel, not God. We too should be saying 'Even If', whether it involves the Coronavirus, high interest rates or loved ones becoming unwell.

We have a hope. One like the fourth person Nebuchadnezzar saw.

1 Peter 1:3, 4
Hebrews 12:28
Jesus is who we should stand firm in. Even If. He has rescued us from the fire, from sin and death.


21st June
Announcements - Services resuming from 5th July - albiet with caveats (No more than 100 people, no live singing and no morning tea.)
Prayer: For Scripture teaching at a local school - Dubbo West Public. Restrictions mean that most of the people who had been teaching Scripture at the beginning of the year are no longer able to. Pray that Scripture teaching will be able to continue.
Psalm 5:3

Luke 19:1 - 10
Ephesians 5:15 - 21

Lockdown
Little complaints from the Church community. More time to spend with God and family.
But what changes have been made?
What are the priorities for your life?

Ephesians 5:15, 16
Making the most of every opportunity
Redeeming the time.
Don't accept the agenda of our culture.

Endemic anxiety amongst Australians
Anxiety often bubbles over into anger.

We are more socially fragmented, more anxious, more depressed, more overweight, more medicated, deeper in debt and increasingly addicted - whether to our digital devices, drugs, pornography or 'stuff' - Hugh MacKay

We have a limited opportunity to redeem the time and design a life a reflects our true priorities, not a life that has randomly evolved into a unsustainable evolution of other people's demands.

Renewing our hearts. Jesus needs to be at the centre. It is about a relationship with God.
Relational renewal. People want to spend time with those they are in relationship with. We want to spend time with Him.

Society says; do what you want!
The 'Seven Deadly Sins' have become virtues. The advertising industry is a case in point!

Repent and live as God wants us to.
Luke 19:8

28th June
Prayer: Lebanon
- For the nation to continue to be a place where the Gospel can be preached.
- Sovereign debt crisis

1 John 4:7 - 11

Ephesians 5:22 - 33
Stress and strain on marriages during the COVID lockdowns. Risk factors for domestic violence have increased, and alcohol comsumption is on the rise.

1 Samuel 18:20 - 28
David and Michal
Marriage is a lifelong commitment to an imperfect person.
Every person you have a relationship with will let you down at some point.

A case in point:
2 Samuel 6:16 - 23
Michal didn't respect David after the way he behaved in front of the Ark.
David chose to do what the LORD wanted him to do. He made a sacrifice: to celebrate before God.

Eph 5:33

Jesus building people up. A role model for us in our relationships.

Andre Aggassi - a 40 Million Dollar School
Of his wife Steffi Graf "She allows me to be a beter me."

But other marriages are destructive, toxic.

David didn't respond in love to Michal's criticism.
Greatest needs
- Wife: to be loved.
- Husband: to be respectd.
A love that sacrifices and serves.

1 Corinthians 13:4 - 7

Respect is
. Esteeming
. Valuing
. Worth of a person

Giving value to a persons thoughts and feelings. Acknowledgement and acceptances of individuality and idosyncracies.

Eph 5:25

Making an investment, as Jesus did. Jesus helps me to be a better me. To be more like Him.

Words of affirmation.
Find something positive and affirm it.
Make it a habit to find something positive about your partner and affirm them.