Church notes - November 2021
7th
Colossians 3:15 - 17
1 Kings 18:16 - 46
57% - '2020 has been the worst year of my life'. We need to be sensitive to tthe needs of others.
God loves us personally and individually.
Jacob - he was a manipulator and schemer, yet God changed his life.
Contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
God is in control - not Baal!
1 Kings 19
vs 4
vs 10
A low point. Elijah was in a bad place mentally.
The LORD spoke into his life.
vs 11, 12
vs 18
A gentle restoration.
Galatians 6:1, 2
Proverbs 3:11
God's voice is often quiet. We can easily miss His voice in the clutter of our minds.
God's voice in words and sentences can guide us what to do.
God's voice can provide comfort when we are anxious.
God's voice can also set us on the right path with a gentle rebuke.
God's voice can bring words of encouragement to us when we are afraid and discouraged.
Words from God can also give us direction for ministry.
14th
1 Samuel 3
Matthew 11:28 - 30
In those days the word of the LORD was rare.
Eli's sons were greedy and refused to obey God. They were corrupt.
Spiritual poverty.
Samuel as an answer to Hannah's prayer.
There was no repentance in Eli's attitude!
What can we learn from Samuel's call?
1. You can hear God speaking, but no recognise that it is God.
2. Sometimes a mentor can help us learn to recognise and respond to God's voice.
Eli recognises what is happening and instructs Samuel on what to say if it happens again.
3. We must come before God as humble and obedient servants of we want to hear what He is saying.
4. It is the relationship, not the voice that we seek.
Samuel's story reminds us that for us to hear God, there are things in us that need adjusting. vs 7 A conversational relationship.
Philippians 3:10 - 14
Psalm 27
Seeking relationship with God is important.
John 6:66
Trust - learning to follow orders without questioning.
God sees what you can't
Psalm 32
The Subtlety of Pride.
We need to listen to God. You can't hear His voice if your heart is full of pride.
1. Develop an attentive ear.
2. Develop an Obedient Will. Samuel was prepared to obey!
3. Develop a humble heart.
4. Develop a Godly walk.
vs 19 - A beginning of a relationship.
21st
Psalm 99
Communion
- The Bread - His broken body
- The Wine - His blood
1 Corinthians 11
Judges 6
Gideon reached a point where he had a disabiling question.
Was God really talking to him?
vs 36 - 40
God's confirmation
He wanted more assurance.
Mark 8:11
If the testing comes out of something negative.
Gideon wanted clarity. He was overwhelmed and needed more affirmation.
The voices in our head.
Our problem in needing confirmation is to sort out which voice might be God speaking to us.
- God's voice.
- Our Conscience
- The World
- The Flesh
- The Devil
Our conscience can be trained by Scripture.
But, the Devil's temptations need to be resisted.
Training ourselves - learning from our mistakes rather than repeating them.
1 John 2:15
Romans 12:2
2 Timothy 3:16, 17
We must not neglect daily reading of the Word.
Recognise and surrender your desires.
Confess and Repent of any known Sin.
Test for inner peace.
Counsel with a Spiritual brother or sister.
Colossians 3:16
Proverbs 11:14
28th
Ephesians 1:4
He chose us!
John 11:1 - 43
Holding strong emotions, including grief, can weaken relationships.
Grief
Not only people dying, but also due to life disruptions, including COVID.
There can be a build up of painful emotion.
Matthew 5:4
We need to grieve in a healthy way.
Psalm 62:8
Bring your emotions to God. Tell Him about your grief.
1. Do not minimalise your pain.
2. Do not rush through the greiving process
3. Find a safe place where you can share your grief.
2 Corinthians 1:8
1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14
Even in death we have hope.
vs 33 - 35
He is there with us.
He knows our grief.
God gives us a Church family for support.
Romans 12:15
Grief can be an opportunity for us to grow.
Romans 8:28
Romans 6:23, 24
Revelations 21:4
God gives us the hope of Heaven.