Hi Church,
Well after 2 and half weeks it was good to be home with our Grace Family. Our time away was enjoyed greatly with relaxation and family visits and adventures from Townsville to Cairns.
Last Sunday was a special time in the house as we felt a clear move of the Holy Spirit to come forward to not just be attenders at church but be filled with His presence through encounter. The extra time of worship lead us deeper into His love and a realignment of our hearts to His. Thank you, Ps Debbie and the team, for leading us there.
The message continued in Matthew with Robert Harrison sharing the word with the Sermon on the Mount, looking at Matthew 5:6–8 and the next three Beatitudes that should Be Our Attitudes. Robert reminded us that Jesus calls us to hunger and thirst for righteousness. This is more than knowing we are saved and plugged in; it is being switched on to Jesus, with Holy Spirit power working in us day by day.
Righteousness is our right standing with God through faith in Jesus, but it is also to become the deep desire of our heart, shaping our attitudes, our choices, our relationships and our walk with God.
Jesus also says, blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Because God has shown such immeasurable mercy to us, we are invited to show mercy to others through forgiveness, compassion, kindness and practical care, even when it is hard. Remembering if it were not for God’s grace where would we be.
Finally, Jesus reminds us that blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Our heart is the place of our motives, desires, attitudes and values, and what is in us will come out. So let us gently but honestly guard our hearts, lay down mixed motives, refuse to be double minded, and stay surrendered to God. Robert challenged us with the cross before me, the world behind me. There is no turning back.
A reminder that the Youth Camp is ahead for those attending and we must pray for a great move of the Spirit to take our young people into Salvation, Holy Spirit Baptism and fresh encounters with Him.
God bless you, Church.
Our love with you always.
Ps Greg and Amanda