How far is this away from God’s view of sin? Today we discuss the account of Achan. His sin was simple; he saw things he shouldn’t have, he wanted things he shouldn’t have, he took things he shouldn’t have and then he hid these things he now shouldn’t have. The consequences of his actions affected the whole Israelite community.

God judged Achan and his family and they faced the punishment for their sin. Each of us sin just as easily as Achan. We face the same judgement.

The great news for us, is that Jesus was the one taken outside of the community and executed. He faced our consequences. The only man who was “perfect” and “not bad” (at all) has dealt with our sin and cleared our conscience.

That is the true victory over sin!

Stephen Semenchuk

Later in an interview she was asked how she maintained her composure during the final round. After all, in her playing group was the world number 1 player. She answered that while the world number 1 was a fierce competitor, they had also been in the same Bible Study Group for 3 years; “I actually felt relaxed in her company”. Each of us only stand by the grace of God. We need to seize the opportunities God gives us, just like Katherine Hull.

Stephen Semenchuk

Rahab was a citizen of Jericho who was considered a disgrace. She was known to be a prostitute and she was treated accordingly. Yet by the New Testament she is accorded a place of honour, listed in Jesus’ family tree.

Her story could so easily be our story. Before God, each of our records would render us unworthy. Through Jesus, each of us offered a place of honour in his family. Rehab risked her life and place in society for God. We face the same challenge!

Stephen Semenchuk

Joshua encourages God’s people to be strong and very courageous. His basis is not the food they eat but the God who has provided their food. Joshua’s encouragement is that God will be with them wherever they go. God will keep his promises!

Joshua therefore encourages them to trust God, obey God’s word and follow God’s ways. Sometimes our world causes us to question and doubt and to make choices that deep down we know are wrong. We need to be strong and very courageous and choose God’s way because of faith in his goodness, faithfulness and power.

Stephen Semenchuk

Many of us took the opportunity to reflect on the Psalms set for this week. For some of the great Psalms we can see how prayer works at a very deep and profound level. As the Psalmist declares the truths about God and as he remembers God’s qualities you can see his attitude change. The Psalmist often moves from pain and despair to confidence and joy.

Prayer works because it is our opportunity to engage directly with God. He will never leave us the same.

Stephen Semenchuk

The answer was not “within me”. The answer was coming to know Jesus as the key person of history. The man who offered hope, forgiveness, a new start and an eternal purpose. Prayer is the opportunity He gives us all to stay focused on hope.

Really talking to God means we can “Go where we could never go by ourselves”. This week we look to God to help us pray “more than ever before”.

We look to embrace the promise of Luke 11 that God will answer us “More than we ever can imagine”. In the end the prayer is that we will see God act in our world “More than ever before”!

Stephen Semenchuk

Prayer Week (pdf, 110 KB)

Next Sunday, there will be an open day for parishioners to walk through and see the transformation that has occurred.

Over the last 6 months our Youth Musical Team have been preparing the show they performed over the last 3 nights. The cohesion, team spirit and enjoyment they conveyed in their wonderful performance gave great testimony to the God they serve. It was inspiring to see our Young people work together so well!

Stephen Semenchuk