GFS Sydney

31/05/2026

Choices

How are you at making decisions?
Some people are decisive; they can make decisions quickly and efficiently. Others need more time to weigh up the pros and cons. Others dither.
Joshua in the Old Testament was a decisive man. In the following bible reading, when he gathers all the tribes of Israel, he is an old man. He has been Moses’ right-hand man, he has been the one to lead the Israelites into Canaan, the promised land, and he has been their leader as they have slowly but surely gained territory from the original inhabitants.
Now he senses that he is close to death and wants to exhort and warn these people again before he dies. To impress upon them the importance of the choice before them, the decision they will make, and the consequences of those decisions. Joshua exhorts the people to think carefully about the choice before them. To worship and serve the Lord God or serve other gods. Make up your mind now and decide. Be cause if you make a decision, then go back on that decision and change your mind, it will do you no good, there will be consequences.

Joshua 24:14-15 (NIV)
14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua’s mind is already made up and he is unshaken. He boldly declares “but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua doesn’t have to weigh up pros and cons. He doesn’t need time to think about it. This does not mean he isn’t a man of thoughtfulness and reflection. It means he has followed and paid attention to the story of God’s journey and interactions with His chosen people. How God has blessed, protected and kept His promises.
He has enough knowledge and experience to make an informed decision. The people also reflect upon their experiences with the Lord. They remember how he has cared for them, and that informs their decision to serve the Lord. It was an easy decision to make; however, it was much harder to keep.
All of us can choose to follow the one true God, by giving God our time and our resources. God wants to be worshiped; God wants to be loved. There are many choices, but only One God.

23/05/2026

Deuteronomy 34:4 (NIV): "Then the Lord said to him, 'This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, "I will give it to your descendants." I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.'"

It seems poignant that Moses never entered the Promised Land. He had given so much of himself in leading the Israelites, and now at the journey’s end, with the goal in sight, he can only view it from afar.

Sometimes we won’t see that which we have worked for, dedicated ourselves to come to fruition. For whatever reason, it is left to others to carry on and fulfill the vision. We run our part of the race, we pass the baton on, but we are not the ones to cross the finish line. It is at those times; all we can do is climb that mountain, look out, and entrust our vision to God, that what He has promised and what we have hoped for, will come to pass.

It is also poignant that in his last speech before his assassination, Martin Luther King Junior talks (prophetically as it turns out) about a hope he didn’t live to see. In a speech popularly titled “I’ve been to the Mountaintop” given at the Church of God in Christ Headquarters in Memphis on 3rd April 1968, King said:

“Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.
And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
And so, I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man!
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!!”

He was shot the very next day.

Neither Moses nor Martin Luther King Jnr reached their earthly Promised Land. But they both saw from afar what they believed and trusted would come to pass. Faith and vision carry a people forward into the space God has prepared for them.

09/05/2026

26/04/2026

The Master's Patient Restraint

One of the pressures on early Christians was that the first generation believed, understandably, that the Lord would return soon, put an end to suffering and establish his Kingdom. However, as time went on and the Lord hadn’t returned, Christians began to be mocked and ridiculed. The New Testament writers counted this ridicule with an emphasis on true Christian hope. A steadfast conviction that Christ will return one day at an hour we do not know and in God’s timing.

Peter’s contribution to this conviction is the assurance and reminder that for the Lord of heaven and earth, time moves differently. For the Lord, a thousand years is like one day and one day is like a thousand years. The Lord is slow to return not because he is tardy or disinterested. The Lord waits because he is patient, and it is a patience motivated by love.

The Lord is slow to return because “He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.” 2 Peter 3:9 (The Message Bible)

Peter continues “Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? … Do your very best, in purity and peace. Interpret our Master’s patient restraint for what it is: salvation.” 2 Peter 3:11-15 (The Message Bible)

As we continue to wait for our Lord’s return, reflect on the loving restraint of Jesus and pray for those who need the time and space to change.

19/04/2026

Read the Bible Through

I supposed I knew my Bible,
Reading piecemeal, hit or miss,
Now a bit of John or Matthew,
Now a sn**ch of Genesis,
Certain chapters of Isaiah,
Certain Psalms (the 23rd),
Twelfth of Romans, first of Proverbs
Yes, I thought I knew the Word!
But I found that thorough reading
Was a different thing to do,
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read the Bible through.

You who like to play at Bible,
Dip and dabble, here and there,
Just before you kneel a-weary,
Yawning through a hurried prayer;
You who treat the crown of writings
As you treat no other book –
Just a paragraph disjointed,
Just a crude impatient look –
Try a worthier procedure,
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in very rapture
When you read the Bible through!

by Amos R. Wells

12/04/2026

A LIVING HOPE
I’ve got me a living hope,
it’s as real as can be
a sure and certain hope
that has taken hold of me.
I’ve got me a lively hope,
once Jesus, I received
a sure and certain hope
His resurrection, I believe.
I’ve got me a future hope,
my death is not the end
a sure and certain hope
into heaven, I will ascend.
I’ve got me a looming hope,
when Jesus comes again
a sure and certain hope
eternal life, I will attain.
I’ve got me a present hope,
that today I can enjoy
a sure and certain hope
every day I can employ.
I’ve got me a current hope,
my faith in Jesus is why
a sure and certain hope
God’s power will get me by.
I’ve got me a living hope,
for the future and today
a sure and certain hope
with Jesus, I’ll be someday!

Deborah Ann Belka Copyright 2014

1 Peter 1:3-5
Praise to God for a Living Hope
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
NIV by Public Domain

05/04/2026

My Jesus, Alive!

He is alive! This man from Nazareth, the Messiah of Israel, the Lord of the world.

With the breath of creation, He speaks of peace, faith, and mission.

With lungs full of air, He breathes on His disciples and grants His Spirit.
My Jesus – alive!

The eyes that saw the darkness of death now drink in the sunlight of Easter.
My Jesus – alive!

The arms that hung from a cross of wood now embrace a world of grief.
My Jesus – alive!

The hands that bear the scars of love now lift the head of doubters.
My Jesus – alive!

The ears that were deafened by death are now filled with the joy of God’s people.
My Jesus – alive!

The lips that cried out, “Finished!” now promise “I make all things new!”
My Jesus – alive!

The voice that lay silent in the grave now sings the song of life.
My Jesus – alive!

The feet that were wrapped in grave clothes now stroll the shores of Galilee.
My Jesus – alive!

The heart that bled for sinfulness now beats again in righteousness.
My Jesus – alive!

The Bread from heaven, a feast for earth.

The Light of the world, chasing away the shadows.

The Vine that bears fruit, blooming and full.

The Gateway to God, thrown open and ready.

The Shepherd of souls, raised in life abundant.

The resurrection and life, returned, never to taste death again.

My Jesus – alive!

By Trevin Wax 2022

08/03/2026

The Empty Chair
A man's daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The priest assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.
"I guess you were expecting me," he said.
"No, who are you?"
"I'm the new pastor at your local church," the pastor replied.
"When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up."
"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"
Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.
"I've never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man.
"But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head."
"I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, 'Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here's what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I'll be with you always.' Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now."
"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."
The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, and returned to the church.
Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her father had died that afternoon.
"Did he seem to die in peace?" he asked.
"Yes, when I left the house around two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange, in fact, beyond strange-kinda weird.
Apparently, just before Dad died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed."
-Author Unknown

21/02/2026

Lent

Lent is the Christian season of spiritual preparations before Easter. In Western churches, it begins on Ash Wednesday. During Lent many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The purpose of the Lenten season is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ – to consider his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

The 40-day period of Lent is based on two episodes of spiritual testing in the Bible: the 40 years of wilderness wandering by the Israelites after the exodus from Egypt and the Temptation of Jesus after he spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness.

In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (technically 46 as Sundays are not included in the count). Ashes are an ancient sign of penitence; from the Middle Ages it became the custom to begin Lent by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross. Churches are kept bare of flowers and decoration. 'Gloria in excelsis' is not used.

As Holy Week approaches the atmosphere of the season darkens as the readings begin to anticipate the story of Christ’s suffering and death.

May God’s light guide your days, and His spirit bring you peace during this Lent.