News from October 2011

Faith Defined

October 31, 2011

“Now faith is bring sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

This is faith, defined. In the paragraphs to follow, the author of Hebrews continues to explain what faith is by giving many examples of people from the bible and how they lived by faith. He writes about Noah, Abraham, Moses and Rahab – just to touch on a few. He writes about how they lived by faith and the sacrifices they made to follow God; continuing to live by faith. They were sure of what they hoped for, and they were certain of what they did not see. These people of the bible feared God much more than they feared the people in authority over them. But I find that faith about the future is the hardest faith.

Faith defined says that if I hope that God has a perfect plan for me, then I am sure my life will turn out exactly the way God planned. Even though I do not see my God, or my future, or what will happen next time my life, I am certain both are there and both are within a perfect plan. I find it hard to feel confident about the future, especially when it is unknown, uncertain, and risky.

The best thing to do when struggling to find faith about the future… look back. When I take the time to look back in my life and revisit how God has been faithful, how he has always protected me and cared for me, I can see his perfect plan. When I take the time to remember the times I took a leap of faith and how God provided it gives me hope. This passage if scripture is a walk through the past, refreshing the stories of people who lived by faith and how God was faithful to his promise and his people.

I am sure my God is real, and I am certain my future is planned by him and him alone.

God, there are days when my faith is shaken. There are times when I feel like I need to take control because I struggle to trust your plans. Help me to keep my faith and fully trust that where you take me in life is exactly where you want me to go. I thank you for reminding me today of your faithfulness through stories in the bible and my own life. I also thank you for the people who have taken huge leaps of faith so I may learn from them. I pray God, that today I would not worry about what the future holds for me, that I would just have faith in you and your plan for me. Guide me, lead me.

I love you,
Kelsey

October 28, 2011

Hebrews 10:39

“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

There is a boldness and moving onward and forward portrayed in this passage…a boldness that most of the time I do not feel.

I would count myself among those who shrink back in the face of fear, in the face of the unknown, in the face of potential harm. I far too often am not bold, am not strong, but am weak and broken. I shrink back instead of standing firm and I recognize this today as I read this passage and am stirred and excited about the possiblity of a faith like this!

Faith like this seems like an ideal and not an actual tangible reality, it seems like a dream and not actually attainable, after all, this is not the reality of my own life, this is not the reality of my heart….

What is faith, what does true, real faith look like?

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

As I read this verse and ponder the implications of this verse and look at the thoughts and feelings that are frequenting my heart and mind, I realize my faith is lacking, I am fighting to have assurance in the things I hope for and conviction in the things I do not see.

Lord, grant me the faith to take you at your Word, to hold true to your promises, to have assurance in the hope that I have in you and to walk in this. Thank you for you Word, thank you for your promises! May I not shrink back, but persevere in faith. I love you Jesus, may you be glorified in me today, in your Name, Amen.

Erin

October 27, 2011

Have you ever felt like an opportunity to serve was right in front of you, but for whatever reason you just didn’t think it was the right time and place for you to get involved?

Money is a little tight.

Time is precious, everything just feels so busy.

I have to check with my wife.

You’ve got the wrong guy.

In his last days walking this earth Jesus takes some time, while His own death was imminent, to wrap a towel around His waist, and wash his disciples’ feet.

To serve them.

And then he follows this up by saying “You see what I have done here for you, now go and do the same for others.”

Jesus wants us to wash people’s feet.

To serve them.

Even when it seems that we are staring our own death in the face.

So then the questions is…

Whats stopping you?

What gets in the way?

Do you think feet are gross?

Do you think the people are gross?

Is it just a bad time?

Or maybe…are you making all the reasons you don’t want to serve…bigger than the God who is asking you to?

Maybe….you don’t really believe you are a servant at all.

10.00am
10.30.2011

October 26, 2011

“When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.”

Matthew 17 : 22 – 23

I am filled with grief. I am grieved by the fact that over the past couple days, I’ve failed to acknowledge the cross.

I’ve been too caught up in my own sickness that JESUS has become second to it. Writing these words feels like swallowing razors.

Relational maintenance. Jesus, I need to spend the time each day to work on relationship with you. After not thinking about you basically at all the past couple days, I most certainty feel it.

Jesus, this man comes before you this morning as humbly as he possibly can. Being sick isn’t the greatest, but even through that, Jesus you work.

Father I am flawed. I am broken. Help me to remove all that is me from the equation. I am a reflector. With or without sickness, it is my calling. I’m sorry for putting my needs in front of your kingdom.

may I fight to glorify you,

Amen.

October 25, 2011

Hebrews 7:23–25

“Another difference is that there were many priests under the old system. When one priest died, another had to take his place. But Jesus remains priest forever; his priesthood will never end. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf.”

Can you imagine being born so that you could sacrifice your life to save others?

Not just any sacrifice but in one of the most painful ways to die?

And not just for one or two people that you know and love deeply but for all of humanity—those that hurt you, those that don’t know you?

I can’t.

I can imagine (or I’d like to think I can) dying to save those that I love. I can imagine dying to save innocent children, you know, dying for a just cause.

But, if I am honest, I can’t imagine dying to save murderers, to save those that hurt me, to save those that hurt and destroy everything that they come into contact with.

But that’s what Jesus did. He died to save those that didn’t know him, he died to save those that hurt him .. and if I am honest I am one of those people that can be hurtful and destructive.

What is even more amazing is that this wasn’t a one time deal. He lives forever to plead on our behalf. Woof.

Forever. He pleads with God day in and day out on our behalf… even as we hurt him and sin against him.

Britt tells a lie…. God forgive her.
Jimmy has sex before marriage… God forgive him.
Nina smokes pot… God forgive her.
Billy steals money at work .. God forgive him.
George turns his back on You… God forgive him.

All hurtful and sinful actions and yet Jesus still pleads forgiveness on our behalf. And it is forgiven.

MIND BLOWN.
What grace! What love!
How undeserving we are!

Father, I honestly have no idea why you want to be in relationship with me. I am so undeserving of your love and your grace. Thank you so much for sending your son to die for me. To plead for me. You blow me away everyday! Forgive me for my sins and help me to try to live a life that is more Christ-like. I love you. Amen.

October 24, 2011

When they looked up they saw no one except Jesus. Matt 17:8

Peter, James and John are taken up to a mountain where, with Jesus, Moses and Elijah appear. The men fall on their face; when they look up Moses and Elijah are gone, and Jesus is the only one they see. I am going to take this verse right out of context today, what if Jesus was the only one I saw.

If I saw no one except Jesus, I think my view on life would look a bit different. If Jesus was the only one I saw in people’s faces, would I be more diligent to serve? If Jesus was the only one I saw in the fruit of my labour, would I work harder? If Jesus was the only one I saw in my relationships, would I love deeper?

The thing is that Jesus is already there. He is in people, work, play, relationships, family and so much more. He is there, in everything. I just clog my vision with less important things and as a result I clog out seeing more Jesus.

Jesus I pray to you this morning, I beg that I would see you. I pray Jesus that when I look up I would see no one else, nothing else, except you. Jesus, be my center, be my everything. Let me look at you for guidance, perseverance and strength. Let me see only you.

I love you,
Kelsey

October 21, 2011

Have you ever though about how you would answer the question if asked, “What is Your Calling?”
Maybe you have never thought about it before
Maybe you didn’t believe that you could even have a calling
But each one of us does..

Listen to these words..

Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

In each one of us God has placed a uniqueness that we need to discover – develop – deploy..
Looking forward to seeing you all again Sunday 10:00
and don’t forget – it’s SOUP SUNDAY!!!

Peace
Mike

October 19, 2011

“See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”
Hebrews 3 : 12

I love the call that is brought forth in this scripture. We are to tend our own hearts. As a Gardner tends to his garden by picking weeds, watering and planting, so we are called to do the same with our hearts. We are called to uproot sin and to keep our hearts soft and mouldable.

I do it time and time again, where I watch a brother or sister draw near to you and before you know it, they have an unbelieving heart that is distant from you. I am called to “see to it.” Yet I deliberately decide not to.

Father, may you bring water to the dry hearts. May you plant yourself deep in the hearts of those who have uprooted you.

Lord, may I be obedient in my calling to look out for the hearts of those around me. Not because I want to force you upon them but because a heart that is turned away from you is lost and heading down the wrong path.

Thank you for the scripture that you have revealed to me this morning.

This is tricky to tend to hearts, but Jesus give me the words, patience and the humility to do so. May this be more than words on this page. Breathe life in them Father.

I love you,

Amen.

October 18, 2011

Hebrews 2:13

“He also said, ‘I will put my trust in him.’”

I really have no words today.

No huge profound realizations.

Just a simple truth.

One that is so incredibly difficult.

One that keeps coming back to me.

One that I need to be continually reminded of.

Trust.

I do not know why it is so incredibly difficult to trust… but it is.

Father, help me to trust You. 100%. I surrender things to You all the time and I take them back. I say that I trust You all the time and yet doubt creeps in or I try to take control of things. I am sorry for my lack of trust. I love you. Amen.

October 17, 2011

“The son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3(the beginning)

Jesus is God and so he does no reflect God but God radiates through him. God’s glory shines so bright through all of Jesus’ works. I do not have the radiance of God within me. I am a reflector of God’s glorious light. I am a mirror that God uses to shine his light; I am used to show the world the light.

God, I pray that I would have nothing in my life that would block your light from being seen. Gift me to be able to be a good reflector and representation of you light.

Make it real.
Kelsey

October 12, 2011

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self controlled.”

Titus 2 : 6

there are two very contradicting thoughts in this passage, young men and self control. I for one know how easy it is to lose self control and to run rampant. To party, to drink and to cuss. Losing the respect of yourself in order to be accepted by a certain group of people.

In order to break free of this routine, one must find a teacher to be like and to strive to live like.

Self control is something that i very much struggle with. Why? The thought of it doesn’t seem too difficult. Eating junk food all day seems appealing, until you see those numbers on the scale or a report from a doctor.

Jesus, there are many things that are grabbing of my attention and cause me to lose respect for myself. Help me to have a disciplined mind. One that can sense when my self control is going to be tested so that i may flee from it. A heart that is not to ashamed to call on my Jesus when I need his strength, endurance and guidance.

Continue to bring people into my life who can help me with living a life of self control. Use me in whatever way you desire.

Show me your mercy Jesus as I continue to exercise a mind and a heart that are self controlled,

For your glory and for my suffering,

MIMTW, I love you,

Amen.

October 7, 2011

2 Timothy 3:16–17

16 All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

I think that this truth is becoming more and more a tangible reality in my own life and heart…He seems to grab my attention, call me to Himself exactly where I’m at…its hard for me to capture the depth of my heart and mind in words, but His Word draws this out in me. It leads me to the darkest parts of my heart to confront that which I would rather hide then face, more times than not I am scared to go there, afraid to see what I might find or recognize within me, afraid that somehow His grace is not enough…and yet, His grace is more than enough, and yet His love for me is steadfast, unchanging, unyielding…I am comforted and somehow at peace. Even in the midst of my brokenness, even in the midst of my fear and confusion, He is there, as I read His Word and allow it to read me I am brought to a deeper more intimate understanding and love for my Jesus…

I realize there is so much I do not understand, I admit that it is not always easy for me to open up the Bible…I find that in the busyness and chaos that is life – this is the first thing I put aside…and yet I have come to fully believe and understand and see that this time with Jesus is the absolute most important aspect, component, moment of my day…that its not just words…it is the living, breathing, active Word of God and it changes and transforms everything.

And so today Jesus, I am just so thankful for your Word, I am so thankful that you speak to me, that as I read, it is you reading me. You search me and you know me and you love me!

Thank you Jesus, I could never say this enough… I love you :)

Erin

October 7, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving SunRidgers

Psalm 133 begins this way, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity.” Most of us do not fully appreciate the blessing of unity until it is at risk or gone altogether. Only then do we realize its “goodness and pleasantness” in our families, businesses, and church. This is cause for me to say Thank-you Jesus for all the brothers and sisters that makeup this good and pleasant family called SunRidge!

If you can believe it, this week SunRidge turns 14 years old – an early teenager! :-)
And we have much to be thankful for as a group of people that together are committed to being a people that LOVE JESUS – LOVE PEOPLE – LIVE MISSION.
I’m really looking forward to being together this Sunday as we celebrate God’s goodness to us as we continue our series “WHY AM I HERE?” as we look at the topic of ‘Spiritual Gifts’ – you won’t want to miss it!

I’m so thankful for our church family and wish you God’s full blessing on you and yours this weekend!

Peace
Mike

October 5, 2011

“I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free”
Psalm 119 : 32

Can I look at these words and truthfully declare them? Do I truly believe that the Lords commands are good and freeing?

I would say that on some days, totally! But on most other days I would rather run in the mainstream of the rest of the world. Pursuing wealth, self glory and greed.

My heart is so fickle, it knows not what it wants. Jesus, I’m sorry that my heart goes where it wants like a gust of wind.

Father, may I see your commands as a loving parent who wants nothing but the best for his son. May my heart be truly free in your promises.

All to often I try to run away from your commands, Jesus guide my feet. May I not timidly approach them but may I run!!! Running with the full assurance that you have me and that your ways are honourable and worthy of my sufferings.

Jesus, shape my path and get these legs of mine ready to run!

I love you,

Amen.

October 4, 2011

1 Timothy 6:6 & 8

Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth.
So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

Contentment.

This is something that the human race has always struggled with.

It means to be satisfied which in turn means to fulfill the desires, needs or demands of…

We are rarely content. We live in a world that always “needs” more, we always desire and demand to have more.

I often feel like I need more. The phrase “well if I just had a little bit more money I would be able to ____________ (fill in the blank)” is something I think regularly.

How often do girls think “I am bored of my clothes, I need to buy new ones”?
How often do we wish we had a nicer car or home?
Someone gets a new iPhone or computer and we wish we had the latest technology too.
Someone goes travelling and we wish that we had the time and resources to travel too.
We wish we had a significant other or we wish our significant other was more like someone else’s.

The point is that although some of these things can be good things, I can’t sit here and say travelling is bad…. it’s a problem that we look to all of these things as a society, as people, to make us content. To satisfy our hearts desires.

We feel like the less we have to worry about our car breaking down the happier we will be. Or life is so much easier because we can access the internet or our email from anywhere because of our smart phones. Our motivation is always one of trying to make life less difficult because the easier life is, the least amount of pain we have to feel, the least amount of difficulties we have to face, makes us content and satisfied. Or so we think it does.

I guess the hard truth this morning is one that I have always known.

JESUS IS TRUE CONTENTMENT!

Nothing else. No one else. Only God is true satisfaction. None of these things will make me more content than a life with Jesus. Even suffering in Jesus will bring contentment.

I know this. I have experienced this. I just realized today that maybe I don’t believe it as much as I thought i did because even though i know this truth I still strive for things of this world to keep me happy and make me content.

Father, may I seek only You. You are the only One who can satisfy. I belong to You God. So may I “run from all these evil things and follow what is right and good. [May I] pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. [May I] fight the good fight for what [I] believe.” (1Timothy 6:11–12). I love You. May I be content in You today. Amen.

October 3, 2011

The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 1Tim5:5

Those of which really have lost something dear to them, left alone and struggling to make ends meet seek after God with all the strength they have left. The small things in life are seen as magnificent blessings, and not overlooked as others might.

Day and night the widow prays for help, she needs God, she can’t go on without him; she will die without him.

Will I die?

This morning I am asking myself a lot of tough questions, do I lean on God as if he is the only one I have? Do I pray night and day for God’s help, or do I try to take the reins? Do I think I can do it without him?

Every trial and hardship, every problem or time of suffering do I turn to God and pray night and day? Or am I the one who brings my problems to God AFTER I have tried everything I can?

God, this is a sad truth. So many times I don’t lean on you; I don’t turn to you or seek after your help or your strength. Does that mean I don’t trust you? Or is it that I seek after the pride I get when I solve my own problems. God I want you to be my center, I want to put my hope in you and pray night and day with prayers of requests and thanksgiving. Don’t let me overlook this. I should be praying every day, all day, fully leaning on you…

I love you,
Kelsey

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