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December 22
Renewal through Trust
May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall,
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles,
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28–31 (NIV)
The National Executive of Australian Church Women Inc.
is now based in Western Australia, and their theme is:
'Renewal through Trust'
WEEK 1
2 June 2021
I knew exactly where I was and where I wanted to go!
I went out one night to buy a television, but I had trouble with the Portuguese road system. I couldn’t get myself onto the road I wanted to go to; the roads wouldn’t let me get there. I could see the shopping centre from my front window but seeing it was not going to get me there. It was a ten-minute walk from my home.
For 39 years I had driven on the left-hand side of the road, and now I was confronted with driving on the right-hand side.
I have to admit that early on in my life in Portugal, there was one time when I turned into a freeway on the left-hand side of the road. My secretary was sitting in the passenger seat and he not only screamed, but I thought he was going to have a heart attack. Fortunately, this was not near a built-up area and there were no other cars about, so I just did a U turn and got back on track. I soon got used to driving on the right-hand side of the road.
The book of Proverbs has signposts to help us beware of wrong turns on the road of life.
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 4:27
Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil.
WEEK 2
11 November 2020
I was in a bit of a pickle. I couldn’t go to the doctor without proof of my citizenship.
To get my visa I needed to get a doctor’s certificate to say I did not have an infectious disease. I didn’t have any infectious diseases, but I needed my visa to get a driver’s licence. I also needed a certificate from the local council to say that the house I was living in was suitable. It sounded like some sort of mystery tour. My secretary tried everything to get this done.
I had to go to Seville in Spain to get my visa, and I made three visits over several months. The day arrived to pick up my visa, but that day in Seville my passport was stolen.
All’s well that ends well, and when I arrived back in Portugal, I went to the Australian Embassy and told them the sorry story. They contacted the office in Seville, and the next day I got a phone call to say the passport had been found.
Was I pleased? You bet.
Back to Seville for the fourth and, fortunately, last time in the visa saga to pick it up.
Thank goodness it does not need all this effort to be a citizen of heaven.
John 3:16 says:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 July 2021
Romans 12:3
(NRSV)
PRAYER
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for grace. Your grace is endless, and I understand that I often don’t deserve what I receive from you. Your grace has saved me, and lifted me over and over again. Without your help I can do nothing alone. Your grace makes me feel so grateful and loving, not only for you Lord but for all your people that I am privileged to meet from day to day. Let everything I do give you glory, honour and praise.
AMEN
18 July 2021
Romans 12:4–5
(NRSV)
PRAYER
For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.
We praise and thank you God for the diversity of gifts and graces within the body of Christ and the beautiful variety and variance of the characters, personalities, peoples, interests and activities that are represented throughout the whole Church of God.
Thank you, Jesus that in the body of Christ we all belong. We all have a place and a purpose in that body. If we feel unsure about what our function is, we pray that you will reveal it to us so that we might serve with meaning and with Joy.
May all who call you Lord, be of one mind and united in spirit and humble in heart, having the same love, and working together with one intent, united in purpose.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. AMEN
19 July 2021
Romans 12:8a
(NLT)
PRAYER
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.
As we pray let us give thanks for:
Peacemakers, comforters, healers, relief workers, the generosity of ordinary people, and for selfless love wherever it is shown. Lord bring a blessing to their lives.
AMEN
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today”, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
