Idols of the heart or habit 1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. So even as we look at today's sermon, there are a lot of things that we need to check on. How are habits formed? We are in an introspection mode. In other words, why do we get so comfortable with somethings and with other things its very difficult to even start off. This message is for me as well. There are so many unhealthy patterns that I am inclined to do, which is causing me harm. It is only ruining my health, relationships, and maybe professional life. We will look ...

The Great Flood : Judgement & Redemption We all are aware of this story and we may have heard it so many times again and again “Noah & the Ark”. Today we are going to study the Great flood. We are going to look at this story of Great flood  with two different themes, which the Author is trying to convey, one is judgement and second is redemption: We all are aware of the Author of this book, who was it? Moses, it was written in a time when the Israelites were in a journey from Egypt to Canaan. Before, we look at these two different themes (Judgement & Redemption ). Let us look at who Noah was. Chapter 5 : 21-25’ 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he ...

Life’s Journey Imagine if you would that you want to go to Oamaru on the bus, the buses run to Oamaru every day of the week and there are at least three different bus companies to choose from. The trick with all these bus companies is that they charge different fares and that they go at different times. You can pay as little as 22.99 on Naked Bus or as much as 42.00 on Intercity but to be fair Intercity does have a cheaper rate if you book early. In the middle is Atomic Bus Lines at 30.00. So off you go with your packed lunch off to see the penguins and limestone buildings in Oamaru, hopping up onto the bus, you find a quiet ...

We may have heard lot of stories about faith. In our lives , we may have met people of faith. We all may be knowing someone by whom we are overwhelmed with those people’s faith. Once An elderly lady was well-known for her faith and for her boldness in talking about it. She would stand on her front porch and shout "PRAISE THE LORD!" Next door to her lived an atheist who would get so angry at her proclamations he would shout, "There ain't no Lord!!" Hard times set in on the elderly lady, and she prayed for GOD to send her some assistance. She stood on her porch and shouted "PRAISE THE LORD. GOD I NEED FOOD!! I AM HAVING A HARD TIME. PLEASE LORD, SEND ...

What is the Gospel “Gospel” means “god” meaning “good” and “spel” meaning “news” overall meaning “good news” In Christianity gospel generally refers to birth, death and resurrection of Christ First 4 books of the bible Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are called gospels But gospels describe Jesus message as the gospel Jesus message was “Repent for the kingdom of God is near” (Matthew 4:17) Jesus also taught us to pray, “Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” or let the dominion of God be on earth through you and me. So the real gospel is when we make it personal, “Jesus came for me, he died for me, he rose again for me so ...

It's all about a moment. A moment of decision making. Even as new year's arrived, we are all in the verge of decision making. Our list of dos and don'ts are ready. Our new year resolutions are either beginning to take roots or it's still on the tip of our tongues. However, we can always connect to Mr. Naaman. Probably, he was standing on 31st December and thinking about his condition, and how his next year would be. He might be thinking about his leprosy. he was a valiant soldier, the favour of God was upon him but he didn't know God. I am reminded of Samuel (1 Sam 3), similarly he didn't know God but God called him. We may be in ...

The message of Christmas - A Loving God When we look at the manger , we can only think of the Love of God towards us. The message of Christmas is all about this loving God. Secondly , The message of Christmas is so personal For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting  Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 A child was born to us, to you and me. It was a personal  gift to you and me. Therefore the Lord will Himself give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and will give birth to a Son, and you shall ...

BE PREPARED TO MEET THE SAVIOUR Joseph is an interesting Bible character for the simple reason that he plays a very significant role in the life of Jesus, but then he passes off the scene and is not mentioned beyond Jesus’ boyhood (Luke 2). Tradition has it that Joseph died before Jesus began His earthly ministry. Joseph was a very good man as can be seen from the story at hand. He had more than likely been brought up learning the traditions of Israel and the belief in a coming Messiah. He had heard the prophecies before. A lot of us today are very much like Joseph. We’ve heard about religion all your life but we have yet to personally meet the Savior. What God said to ...

Let’s Begin Christmas preparation in any home begins with a newness in the atmosphere and the ambience. Each one is super excited about it and therefore, they start with planning. Today let’s begin our church preparation for Christmas. Like any other important day, we begin with Christmas. When anyone plans for an event, they first start with jotting down what is required. Some people do a backward planning. What are the requirements for this day? Why is this day so significant for me? Or how do I make this day ‘The Most memorable moment’ of our lives. Christmas comes and it passes on. But surprisingly it is the most awaited season of the year. Everyone waits so eagerly for it. I have never heard anyone ...

Timid: lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; timorous; shy. characterized by or indicating fear: a timid approach to a problem. Paul's point is that people of faith are the ones who should not have this “spirit of timidity.” Our walk with God should be marked by “spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” sound mind. Legally, having the capacity to think, reason, and understand for oneself. Adults by nature are considered in general to be in sound mind, but through certain circumstances can be rendered as being not in sound mind, due to intensive brain damage or other major incapacities. Generally, power is the ability to cause or prevent an action, make things happen; the discretion to act or not act. ... The ability to ...