Latrobe Regional Church of Christ

HUGE thank you to Craig Brown for coming down and speaking again, we love it when you come down, please make it more often!

17.8.08 Sermon - Craig Brown 11.1Mb

Blessings, LRCC blogger

Finally we have our sermon’s coming in in MP3 format, so we can upload them for you to listen to if you missed the Sunday service. Or maybe you just want to hear it again, it was that good!!

Thanks for those who went to all the effort in setting up the technology so we can provide members (and anyone else who is interested) with a way to listen to the message if they cannot make it to the service.

10.8.08 Sermon - Andrew Boutros 9.9Mb

Stewardship Sermon 4 - Consecrated (Fill-ins) 26.0Kb

Since I last posted there has been another Connect night. It’s great to see so many people able to get out, and also such a variety, from our youngies to our…, well, “more mature” members. Ha ha. I won’t call them the “oldies”. From all reports the information is fantastic, and hopefully we will be able to witness to more of our love for Christ. It’s on again tomorrow night so don’t miss out! 7pm sharp.

I went to the Ladies Cell Group again today, we’ve had a few now, and I am absolutely loving it! I can’t tell you how blessed I am through this group. It’s not just the learning (we’re still on the Beatitudes), but the sharing. A small group of women getting to know Christ but also getting to know each other. Being able to share with each other is such a comfort. Our church has always seemed like a family to me, so getting to know my sisters is really important. We need a shared vision, a shared mission, and we just cannot work together unless we KNOW each other. So important. Oops, I meant to talk about the group and got sidetracked. We do that a bit at the group too. Ha ha. That’s part of the learning.

Our Wednesday night prayer group is still going on, but could do with some more people I’m sure! Prayer is so important, it’s our life line to God. After all, we are nothing without Him, so if we can’t, as a group, get together to seek Him, then how can we, as a group, grow??

Goodness (or as a friend put it “GODness”) here I was thinking I was posting fluff about what has been happening, but I think God guided my typing and added a few words.

See you all soon!

Blessings, LRCC blogger

I just watched 60 minutes and saw one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met.

Nick Vujicic.

Why is he so inspiring?

He was born with no arms and no legs.

Is he sitting at home wallowing about how bad his life is? How much he doesn’t have? How ripped off he is?

Nope. He’s out there in MINISTRY!!! God has blessed this guy so incredibly. It seems God took away his arms and legs and gave him something much more valuable - faith, and the vision to minister to others.

Read this quote from his website http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/ :

A Remarkable Story of God’s Grace

It says in James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

It seemed like a tall order to “count” hurt, pain and struggle as nothing but “pure joy” when my birth date arrived. My parents were Christians; my Dad was even a Pastor of our church, so that verse was quite familiar to them. However, on the morning of December 4th , 1982, in Melbourne, Australia, the last two words on the minds of my parents was “Praise God!”. Their firstborn son had been born without limbs! There were no warnings or time to prepare themselves for it. Having no answers at all, the doctors were completely shocked and taken off guard!

The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely devastated. “If God is a God of love, “ they questioned, “Then why would He let something like this happen, and especially to committed Christians?” My Dad did not think I would survive for very long. But, tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy with just one hitch, I’d been born without any limbs.

Understandably, my parents had strong concern and evident fears of what kind of life I would be able to lead. The first big hurdle was for my parents to be at peace, trusting that God was still fully in control. It took a number of months and a lot of tears, questions and grief before coming to terms within their own hearts. God provided them with the strength, wisdom and courage they would need through those early years. Soon after that, I was old enough to go to school.

School was really enjoyable for me and I really tried to live life like everyone else. But, it was in my early years of school where I encountered uncomfortable times of feeling rejected, weird and bullied because of my physical difference. It was very hard for me to get used to. In spite of this, with the support of my parents, I started to develop attitudes and values which helped me overcome these challenging times. Though I knew I was different, on the inside, I was just like everyone else. There were many times when I felt so low that I wouldn’t go to school in order to avoid all the negative attention. With encouragement from my parents, I began to ignore the bullies and tried to start making friends by just talking with some of the kids. Soon the students realized that I was just like them. Starting there, God began to bless me with new friends!

Many times I felt depressed and angry because I couldn’t change the way I was, or blame anyone for that matter. In Sunday school, I learned that God loves us all and that He cares for us deeply. At that stage in my childhood, I could understand His love to a point. But, as you can imagine, I still got hung up on that fact that if he really loved me, why did He make me like this? I wondered if I’d done something wrong and began to feel certain that this must be true. Otherwise, I thought, God wouldn’t have made me the only weird one out of all the kids at school. Feeling I was a burden to those around me, I sensed the sooner I’d just go away altogether, the better it would be for everyone. So, at a young age, I wanted to end my pain and my life. But I am thankful, once again, for my parents and my family who were always there to comfort me and lend me their strength. Thankfully, a real turning point arrived!

Due to the emotional struggles I had experienced with bullying, self-esteem and loneliness, God began to instill a passion of sharing my story and experiences to help others cope with whatever challenge they might have in their lives. Turning my struggles into something that would glorify God and bless others, I realized my purpose! The Lord was going to use me to encourage and inspire others to live to their fullest potential and not let anything get in the way of accomplishing their hopes and dreams.

As I grew older, God continued to prepare my heart and teach me to seek Him. One of the first lessons that I have learned was not to take things for granted. With a wake-up call around the age of twelve, I realized just how much God had blessed me. My foot, what I’ve termed “my little chicken bone” I had been taking for granted. But it serves me well. God had freely given to me and so much with my loving family, and so many other blessings, I realized “Why should I still complain?” God directed me to Romans 8:28 and there I found this, “And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him.” Wow! That verse really spoke to my heart. It convicted me to the point where I’m confident that there’s no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence and that these “bad” things happen in our life to make us more like Christ.

In James 1:3 & 4, it reads, “…know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Enlightened through God’s Word, I felt complete peace rush in, knowing that God will not let anything happen to us unless He has a good purpose for it. At the age of 15, I completely gave my life to Christ after reading John 9. In this chapter, Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was “so that the works of God may be revealed through Him.” I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His awesome power. As I grew in Christ and in spiritual maturity, the Lord gave me the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something within His will, it will happen, but in His timing…not ours. And likewise, if our prayers are not within God’s will, then I know that He has something better. His purpose became clearer to me and now I’m fully convinced and understand that His glory is revealed as He uses me just the way I am. And even more wonderful, He can use me in ways others can’t be used.

Now twenty-five years old, I’ve completed a Bachelor’s Degree in both Financial Planning and Accounting. Also, I’m active as a motivational speaker. Again, my number one passion is for souls. I just love to go out and share my story and testimony wherever opportunities become available. Over time, I’ve developed messages that relate to and encourage students through topics that challenge today’s teenagers. The Lord has used me to speak in the corporate sector as well. For more information on Nick’s presentations, go to “Nick’s Ministry”.

In recent years, I’ve learned to become independent and can now take care of all my personal needs. I’m able to do everything from brushing my teeth and combing my hair to dressing up and taking care of my personal hygiene, including shaving. I get around the house by jumping around and, outside the house; an electric wheelchair assists me. For recreation, I enjoy swimming, fishing and playing soccer.

Passionate for reaching out to the youth, I’m constantly ministering in schools from elementary to high school. Ultimately, I make myself available for whatever God wants me to do, and wherever He leads, I follow, for I’ve learned to trust Him fully.

Achieving goals and pursuing dreams is something I’m actively pursuing on a regular basis. Some of these include becoming the best witness I can be of God’s love and hope, to become an international inspirational speaker and to be used as a vessel in both Christian and non-Christian venues. These goals are, even now, being realized. Other aspirations of mine yet to be realized is my desire to modify a car that I can drive, to be interviewed on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” and share my story, and to write several books. With anticipation, I look forward to starting on the first of these this year. Not surprisingly, the title will be, “No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!”

Many would think these goals were too far-fetched. However, I believe that if you have the desire and passion to do something, and it’s within God’s will, you will achieve it in good time. As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all! What’s worse is putting limits on God, who is well able to do all things! We put God in a “box”. The awesome thing about the power of God is that if we want to do something for God, we must refocus. Instead of concentrating on our capability, our attention needs to shift to our availability. For, the Word of God is clear; it is God working through us. Without Him, we aren’t capable of doing anything on our own. Once we make ourselves available for God’s work, guess whose capabilities we rely on? God’s! Philippians 4:13 highlights this point well, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God has a truly great purpose for your life!

As far as your unanswered prayers, remember that God is Faithful. What are we to do when we are seeking but not finding? Jeremiah 29:12 states, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.

Take courage my friend for the Battle is the Lord’s. Let me urge you to keep striving for the truth. The truth, found in Jesus Christ, is what will set you free. It’s His peace, reigning in your heart, that will give you true freedom from the fear and doubt that has previously resided there. May the Lord bless you as you diligently seek Him and grant you Godly wisdom and strength through your journey.

Lastly, if you know of an audience which may benefit from hearing Nick’s story, please contact us at support@lifewithoutlimbs.org. Also, watch the updates on our websites and see if I’ll be speaking your area!

In Christ’s Service,
Nick Vujicic

Honestly, I don’t think I need to say much more. I challenge you to go and look at his website, maybe browse through some video’s, and take another look at your own life. I bet, like myself, you’re starting to rethink how to view the world - from the perspective of what you DO have rather than what you don’t.

Blessings, LRCC blogger

The Latrobe Regional Church Of Christ Annual General Meeting is on next Sunday 10th August 2008.

Come to church as usual, we will share lunch together after the service and move straight into the AGM.

This is your opportunity to be a part of the running of the church, to help us work towards a unified vision for Christ. Everyone is welcome and definitely encouraged to come.

I missed it, I was the designated stay at  home parent for the evening. But my husband went, and came back so enthused - it must have been good!

So what happened? Well for specifics, you’ll just need to go next week! Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll catch up. But I can tell you some things that went on.

It was all about understanding your faith so that you can communicate it. After all, you cannot spread the Word if you don’t know what the Word is, can you?

What are the 4 P’s that we said would be focussed on?

God’s POSITION = Love, unconditional love. My previous blog entry SIN will probably explain that a bit more.

Man’s PROBLEM = Sin

God’s PROVISION = Jesus

Man’s PERSUASION = Respond

The key verse really is John 3:16.

16″For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Communicating God’s love is the key. God’s love is so different to our love. It’s the type of love that you would die for. Literally.

Small groups discussed prayer points to bring home as homework.

I know that my husband came home with a deeper understanding of some of the other people at our church. Building the relationship that you don’t always have time for in the rush after church to get the kids home for lunch.  Honestly, it is something so important within a church, but it often gets left behind. A church cannot move forward, nor reach out and preach the gospel, until they are united by a vision and that unity cannot come from strangers.

Blessings, LRCC blogger

Sin.

It’s often talked about as if it is the “world” sinning and then there are the Christians, separate.

That is so not true. We all sin. In so many different ways. Sinning can be murder, it can be rape, it can be theft, but it can also be dishonouring your spouse, telling that little lie or copying DVD’s. It doesn’t matter what sin is what. It is sin. For each sin, no matter how big or small by society’s standards, must be confessed.

So what happens if you confess your sins? You get forgiven!! Plain and simple! If you go to God with an honest heart, open and repenting, He WILL forgive you. All you have to do is ask.  Jesus died on the cross so that all our sins will be forgiven. We just have to ask for it.

So many times we get stuck in the secular world with forgiveness. That it’s impossible to forgive the murderer, the rapist or the paedophile. But they, and us, are all equal in God’s eyes. He made us all, He loves every single one of us. It’s not up to us as Christians, as people, as humans, to judge what is worse, what is worth forgiveness. Forgiveness by God is available to all of us. And our “job”, as Christians, people striving for a Christ-like life, is to forgive also.

There is no person too “bad” or too sinful. We are all equal. Remember that. Judge less, love and forgive more.

Please watch this flash movie about forgiveness. http://www.interviewwithgod.com/forgiven/

Blessings, LRCC blogger

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.

He is brilliant. He is kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and his wild hair. The service has already started, so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.

The church is completely packed and he can’t find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.

Bill gets closer and closer to the pulpit. When he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and is wearing a three-piece suit. He is a godly man - very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane. As he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can’t blame him for what he’s going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.

The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man’s cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can’t even hear anyone breathing. The minister can’t even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

When the deacon finally reaches Bill, the church watches as this elderly man drops his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won’t be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion.

When the minister gains control, he says, “What I’m about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.”

“Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read.”

http://www.starburst2005.com/christian/017.html

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?” The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.”

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was “impossible to carry water in a basket,” and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water. I want a basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!”

The old man said, “So you think it is useless? Look at the basket.” The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. “Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.”

That is the work of God in our lives . . . to change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. - Hebrews 4:12 - 4:13, NIV

http://www.starburst2005.com/christian/003.html