Goulburn Combined Christian Churches

16/06/2024

Here is a brief summary of the message this morning at church today, hope it blesses you too.

“The Beauty of Humility”
Matthew 18:1-4
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Summary: Humility is a vital virtue in the Christian life, essential for growing in our relationship with God and others. Jesus teaches us that humility leads to greatness in God's kingdom.

We can cultivate humility by:

- Recognizing our limitations and dependence on God
- Being willing to learn from others and God's Word
- Being open to feedback and correction
- Submitting to authority
- Putting God's kingdom first
- Putting others before ourselves

By embracing humility, we can build strong relationships, serve others with love and grace, and fulfill our purpose in God's plan. May we strive to cultivate humility in our lives, recognizing our limitations, submitting to authority, and serving others with grace and love.
have a blessed week.
God bless,
J😊
🙏

03/06/2024

"Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we begin this new week, let us remember that we are loved, we are valued, and we are children of God.
- In 1 John 3:1, it is written, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

- May this truth fill our hearts with joy, our minds with peace, and our lives with purpose. May we walk in the confidence of God's love and share that love with those around us.

Have a blessed week!

John 😊

26/05/2024

Here's an inspirational message with a scripture and a prayer for the week:

"You are stronger than you think, braver than you feel, and capable of more than you imagine. Don't let fear or doubt hold you back from achieving your dreams. Remember, God is always with you, guiding and empowering you to overcome any obstacle."

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week:
"Dear God, thank you for your unwavering presence and guidance in my life. Help me to trust in your strength and power, and to face my challenges with courage and confidence. May your grace and mercy be my constant companions, and may I always remember that I can do all things through you. Amen."

May this inspire and encourage you throughout the week!

21/05/2024

Here's a draft devotion for today:

Title: Trust in God's Guidance

Scripture: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Reflection:

As we navigate the ups and downs of life, it's easy to get caught up in our own understanding and try to control the outcome. But today's scripture reminds us to trust in God's guidance and submit to His ways.

Just like a GPS guides us on the best route to our destination, God's guidance helps us navigate life's twists and turns. When we trust in Him, He makes our paths straight, leading us to places we never thought possible.

Take a moment to reflect on your current journey. Are there areas where you're trying to control the outcome? Ask God to help you trust in His guidance and submit to His ways.

Prayer:

Dear God,

Help me to trust in Your guidance and submit to Your ways. Forgive me for trying to control the outcome and leaning on my own understanding. Make my paths straight and lead me to places that bring glory to Your name.

In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

May God bless you today and always!
John 😊

29/01/2024

The sun rises and sets each day; despite this routine, my walk with Christ is not defined solely by emotions but rather rooted deeply within biblical truth & promise. J.O

Is 41:10
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

30/11/2023

What Do You See?
‘’Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together’’
Psalm 34:3

One day, back when I was in university, my professor projected an image of a small, black dot in the middle of a very big, white screen. He asked us, “What do you see?” Every student immediately responded to his question, “A black dot.” He paused and then asked again, “What do you see?” When we gave the same reply, he told us that he saw a huge, white space. While we saw a small, black dot, he saw something far bigger. It had been there all along, but each one of his students had missed it. I share this story with you because the truth is we often see what our eyes are trained to see, and it takes effort and time to train them otherwise. How often do we focus on the small things in life instead of the big God we serve? We can have 20 great things happening in our lives, but when one thing doesn’t go right, we lose sight of the 20 and focus on the one little, black dot. This is why we must always decide to make God bigger than anything else in our lives. The more we focus on Him, the smaller our problems will become!
You matter, and today, you can make a difference!
Christine Caine

27/11/2023

Hold Fast to your Faith!
Today, I challenge you to hold fast to your confession of faith. I have had major shocks in life — things that shook me to my core.
I know firsthand it requires more effort to focus on what’s good when an unexpected storm arises.
But it is so worth the effort to shift your perspective! How well we endure the storms in life is often determined by the words we choose to speak. So be careful to watch over your words and choose wisely what you allow to come out of your mouth. Instead of giving power to your fears or failures, speak life over your situation, finances, family, and relationships.

Your words are a creative force, and through words of faith, you get the opportunity to speak life into every circumstance. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name (Hebrews 13:15)

What are some words of faith you can declare over yourself and others today?

10/10/2023

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.
Psalm 37:23,

Most of us are very focused on the destination for our life, on our dream coming to pass, on our problems turning around. But it’s important that you learn to enjoy where you are today while you’re on the way to where you’re going.
Life is not about the destination; it’s about the journey—with all the bumps in the road, the disappointments, the things you don’t understand.
Too often we rush through the day, trying to force our way through the challenges and setbacks to the destination when we should slow down and enjoy the journey.
You’re going to be frustrated living like that.

You have to realize that God is ordering your steps. Oftentimes the journey He leads us on is not comfortable, but all the difficulties, delays, and betrayals are a part of His plan to get us to our destiny. He will work all these things for your good. Stay in the present.
Take it one day at a time.
You don’t have grace for tomorrow.
You have grace for this present step!

“Father, thank You that You have a destination for my life as well as a journey to enjoy while I’m getting there. Thank You that You purposefully order my steps in the way that is best for me.
I believe that You have given me the grace for this present step and that it’s working for my good.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”🙏🏽

07/07/2023

Come down today 8th July to Bunnings for a BBQ Sausage and support the Revive Emergency Relief

07/07/2023

"On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the LORD there"

2 Chronicles 20:26,
In 2 Chronicles 20, after God told King Jehoshaphat of Judah to march his army toward three major armies that should have crushed them, he appointed singers of praise to walk ahead of the army. As the singers sang, “Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever,” the enemy armies began fighting one another and destroyed themselves without the Israelites having to fight. What’s interesting is that they didn’t call the place where they had their greatest battle the valley of opposition, struggle, or fear. They called it the Valley of Blessing.
Maybe what you’re facing looks insurmountable.
- Every voice may tell you “that you are in the valley of defeat, you’re never going to get out,
- you never going to accomplish your dreams. its impossible
- you are done, wont going to happen, - you are too old for these, maybe its not for you.
- or its too late now....

take this challenge; change your perspective! start change the way you see things, and challenge yourself to see through God’s perspective.
Put it on as your new glasses, and change the way how you talk too. And say; this is not the valley of defeat but of victory. This is not a valley of sorrow to feel sorry for myself, this is the valley of promotion and abundance, It’s not a valley of sickness, lack, or defeat but of healing, and victory and of restoration.

"God is saying, “Stand still in faith, and I will turn that battlefield into your blessing field. You’re going to come out better and stronger ! "
Hallelujah!....

- Here is a prayer of Faith:
“Father, thank You that You are in control of all the situations in my life, and You are fighting my battles. Thank You that no matter what valley you lead me through, You will turn it into a Valley of Blessing. I know it won't be easy but I choose to be still, help me from my doubts and unbelieve, and help to be still and to be quiet before You, Oh Lord, even though it might seem impossible,
But Lord, help me to listen to You, and hold on to your word, because in you; "I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus" . Amen! ”🕊

07/07/2023