God gives the freedom and opportunity to seek after and find Him. He says two paths are set before us, may we always choose the path of life.
Deuteronomy 30: Repentance and Forgiveness
1 "And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you,
2 and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul,
3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.
4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.
5 And the LORD your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers.
6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
7 And the LORD your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you.
8 And you shall again obey the voice of the LORD and keep all his commandments that I command you today.
9 The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers,
10 when you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
The Choice of Life and Death
11 "For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'
14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.
16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them,
18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Things to think about…
The Lord had set life and death, good and evil before the children of Israel. They were exhorted to choose life, Dt 30:19. We have new life in Christ who calls Himself the way, the Truth and the Life. Just as the Israelites had the blessing of length of days, Dt 30:20, we have the blessing of the length of days into eternity. Praise God for your salvation. He granted you the grace to choose life in Him. Amen!
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Vision Point
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Questions for Cell groups
Sunday’s sermon, “Tithes and Offerings” came from Deut 26 by Ps Jay.
1. Tithes and offerings were a part of blessing and obedience for the children of Israel as they entered the land of Canaan. How are they to be seen as an act of worship, Dt 26:10.
2. What is your understanding of tithes and offerings as a Christian. As we are no longer under OT law, what is your understanding of tithing as a Christian?
3. We are called to be a light to the world, Mt 5: 14. Part of that is building up the church to give resources to share the gospel. Give a testimony of how the Lord has blessed your tithing/offering in sharing the gospel of Jesus.
4. Pray that our giving can achieve our Vision/Mission as a church.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for Victoria and the rise in Corona virus cases. Restrictions are maintained for that state.
2. We return to church with 2 services starting on the 12th July – one at 8:30am and one at 10am. Pray for the implementation through this next phase.
3. Pray for wisdom and clarity with some restrictions are being lifted next month.
4. Continue to pray for our government for wisdom and economic management.
5. Sunday’s fb live messages and for Kids church. The message this week – “Blessing and abundance” Deut 28 – Pr Jay.
6. Our online Chuwar Kids at church program – that our kids still feel connected to church and love worshipping Him.
7. Pastoral care. Pray people feel connected in this isolation period. Been great catching up with people at the Bean Redeemed café.
8. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
9. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times. Pray especially for people to be stable with respect to mental health.
Praise Points.
1. Dylan Brandazzi who was at Recharge Youth a few years ago has been involved in a traffic altercation. I heard from his family that he is healing well. Praise the Lord.
2. Jesse Baxter is gaining strength in his hands, praise the Lord.
3. This wonderful rain.
4. Riots slowing down in America.
5. Restrictions being lifted – cell groups can now meet up.
6. Finances being maintained and donation to Café roof. Thankyou! New temporary cover put on this week.
9. Streaming and fb live being done very well by the technical team. Thanks Doug, Dan, Jesse and Peter. Thanks worship team.
10. Australia’s response to the infection has been blessed. Continue to pray for wisdom with respect to our economy.
11. Praise the Lord churches are functioning well in this environment and the gospel is going out in the media.
12. Encouraging online comments – the church is still functioning well and people are being cared for.
Announcements
1. We are going to two services starting on the 12th July. First service will start at 8:30am. The second at 10am. Only the 10am service will be live streamed.
2. Pray about offerings to help with putting a roof over the café. Our temporary white shade has come to the end of its life. $6k required for a new roof. Architect currently drawing up plans.
3. Cell groups can meet up – Ask for details as to how and what is required.
4. New church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Kids Church now streamed live at 9:00am every Sunday morning via CBC’s fb page. Will be run in the house for the 10am service starting on the 12th July.
