News

This coming Sabbath, August 13, Jeff Wilson will be taking studies on Matthew 24, be prepared for a deep and meaningful study, a potluck lunch as usual so bring along food to share, and an afternoon study or discussion in the hall at 3pm.

This Sunday at Jen's she will be having a spring planting working bee! Come along for a fun gardening fest with your gardening tools and gloves, and soup and buns will be provided. It will be great opportunity to learn from one another and get into the self sufficiency mode! 

On Sabbath August 30, Dean Armytage will be coming down from his QLD health retreat, Hillstream to speak on his health research findings and on Bible prophecy. He will be take two seminars, one at 10am in the morning and 1 at 2:30pm. A potluck lunch will cater for hungry tummies so bring along plenty of food to share.

JESUS AND THE STORM.

When I was a little girl, my mum raised me on my Bible Friends stories. My favourite was Jesus and the Storm, and my mum tells me I used to know it all off by heart and recite it while I was looking at the pictures! I was immensely comforted the other day to learn that Jesus comes to us in the middle of the storm! "And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea and he alone on the land.  And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them; and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed them by.

But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit and cried out: For they all saw him and were troubled. And immeadiately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship, and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered. Mark 6:46-51

It is in the midst of the coming storm that Jesus will come to us, in the latter rain, for "he will come unto us as the rain." Jesus doesn't want us to be afraid for He will be with us, as we make way for Him, by repentance, confession and overcoming. But if we reject Him or His salvation we will be very afraid. Wherever Jesus is and His wonderful love, it casts out all fear! We can be overcomers through and in the coming storm!

URGENT WARNING. For those who haven't plowed through Towards Eternity, the Vatican/US alliance forged in April 2008 and the beginnings of a total US economic collapse heralds the arrival of the mark of the beast and seal of God issue; Sunday versus the Sabbath. "A storm is coming relentless in it's fury, are we prepared to meet it?" We have a very short time to prepare for it's onslaught. Everything the prophets have warned of, is about to come to pass. 

It will be very frightening without Jesus. But Jesus is the one who calms the storm. He is the one who tells us don't be afraid. Don't forget Jesus will come to us in the storm, to comfort, encourage, empower and embolden us by his presence! With Jesus in the storm, it's ok. His presence makes all the difference, he will help us through, and help us to keep our eyes on Him and off the waves and wind all around us! He comes to us and says, "it is I, don't be afraid!"

When your storms arrive, never forget Jesus is the master of the storm and He is our shelter, our refuge in the storm!

Wednesday night fellowship

We will be meeting this Wednesday night the 6th at the hall at Coldstream for a WARM fellowship, with the roaring fire and heaters! Come prepared for an intimate fellowship with one another and our Saviour as we hear what He wants to speak to us.... bring your Bibles, jackets/blankets, and hymn books!  Hope to see you there!

How did the disciples prepare for the promise of the Holy Spirit?

" In obedience to Christ's command, they waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, - the outpouring of the Spirit. They did not wait in idleness.  The record says that they were "continually in the temple, praising and blessing God." They also met together to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus.  They knew that they had a Representative in heaven, an advocate at the throne of God.  In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, "Whatever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." Higher and still higher they extended the hand of faith, with the mighty argument, "It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." 

As the disciples waited for the fulfillment of the promise, they humbled their hearts in true repentance, and confessed their unbelief.  As they called to remembrance the words that Christ had spoken to them before His death, they understood more fully their meaning.  Truths which had passed from their memory were again brought to their minds, and these they repeated to one another.  They repraoched themselves for their misapprehension of the Saviour. Like a procession, scene after scene of His wonderful life passed before them. As they meditated upon His pure Holy life, they felt that no toil would be too hard, no sacrifice too great, if only they could bear witness in their lives to the lovliness of Christ's character.

O, if only they could but have the past three years to live over, they thought, how differently they would act!  If they could only see the Master again, how earnestly they would strive to show Him how deeply they loved Him, and how sincerely they sorrowed for having ever grieved Him by a word or an act of unbelief!  But they were comforted by the thought that they were forgiven.  And they determined that, so far as possible, they would atone for their unbelief by bravely confessing Him before the world. AA p.35, 36