This is the latest blurb that is published on the front of our weekly bulletin

Be Strong and Courageous

The Professor (Will Massey) and Miss Penelope (Jhettaya Warner) explore the buried treasures of Ancient Egypt, and discover the amazing story of Joseph.

During the last week at our Holiday Kids Club we’ve been looking at the story of Joseph and the rough treatment he suffered from the evil acts of his brothers and others.

In Genesis chapter 39, Joseph was falsely accused of harming a senior official’s wife, and as a result, he ended up in prison.

As we discussed this tragic moment in Joseph’s life, I asked the children in our programme to tell the group what they thought Joseph would have been feeling as he was alone in prison, falsely accused.

The kids suggested that Joseph would have felt confused, or sad, or angry, and even lonely.

The Bible doesn’t really tell us about Joseph’s feelings… but it does tell us that God never abandoned him during those difficult times.

We read that “the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love…” and that “The LORD was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.” (Genesis 39:21, 23).

As we reflected on how Joseph must have felt, we sang together the well-known song by Colin Buchanan, ‘Be strong and courageous’, which helped remind us all of the faithfulness that God has for his people.

And we were reminded that even in the most difficult times, we should remember that God will never leave us or forsake us, and that he works through all things for the good of those who love him.

And as we saw on the final, full day of the kids program, the evil that was done by Joseph’s brothers and others was something that God used to bring good:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” (Genesis 50:20)

What a great comfort and joy to know that our loving God is totally in control of everything!

JODIE McNEILL

What does the drought mean?

When our church regularly gathers, we pray that God would send lots of rain to bring relief to our land from the harsh effects of drought.

For even though meteorologists have got smarter and smarter at predicting and recording the weather, humans still are unable to make the heavens open and rain fall.

The Bible speaks about drought and famine on many occasions, and sometimes the lack of rain is a means by which God wakes people up so that whey will turn back to him, like when King Solomon prayed:

“If the skies are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and if they pray toward this Temple and acknowledge your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.

King Solomon in 1 Kings 8:35-36

We also know that meteorological crises should not be seen as God’s normal, direct action upon rebellious people, for Jesus said that God “gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matthew 5:45)

But whenever there is drought, we must remember that God is in control, and that it is a fresh reminder to acknowledge him as the loving ruler of the world, and to bring our prayers and requests to him.

Maybe God is sending this drought to Australia so that we will all turn to him in great number and enjoy the certainty of eternity that Jesus gives to all who humbly accept his gift of forgiveness?

And when it does rain, it’s a great opportunity to thank him for doing what the smartest meteorologists and scientists still cannot do: bring water from the sky to moisten the land and fill our dams.

JODIE McNEILL

Is Greta Right?

This week the speech of a 16-year-old Swedish girl was a leading news story as Greta Thunberg addressed the UN Climate Action Summit.

In her powerful speech, she strongly criticised the leaders of the world, accusing them of prioritising wealth and economic growth over action to address climate change.

You are failing us. But the young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us I say we will never forgive you.

Greta Thunberg

Yet, have politicians been negligent in the face of a catastrophic global crisis, or are they acting reasonably in response to limited resources and competing priorities?

The Bible does not specifically address the issue of climate change, but God tells us that we should “tend and watch over” his creation he made for us.

However, we all naturally drift towards selfishness and greed as we reject the loving rule of God and our responsibility to rule under his leadership.

The only way we can escape God’s judgement is to acknowledge our failures and make a fresh start by trusting Jesus and accepting the forgiveness that comes his death.

And as we rightly acknowledge God’s good rule over the world, we will then seek to take care of his creation, by avoiding selfishness and greed, and instead caring for others by preserving our planet.

There is no doubt that Greta’s criticisms have some merit, as we have seen tragic acts of environmental abuse from human greed and selfishness.

Yet, we must never forget that the greatest human crisis is the coming judgement by God, and so we must not lose focus on the need to share the good news of Jesus far and wide, knowing that this world will ultimately fade away.

JODIE McNEILL

It’s Time to Get Ready

One of the most frustrating aspects of fighting fires is turning up to help a resident whose home is completely unprepared for the coming attack.

If the householder had cleared out their gutters, raked away the leaves and removed the piles of branches from near their home, then it would be so much easier to save the home and prevent the heartache.

When you live in a fire-prone area, it is vital to hear the warnings and prepare for the coming threat, and that’s why the Rural Fire Service have annual ‘Get Ready’ events to educate and motivate people to prepare for the fire season.

For us in Jamberoo, the threat is real, with a long, dry, hot summer forecast, and the undeniable reality that it’s been over half a century since the ‘Black Monday’ fires that saw the escarpment burn all the way from Berry to the northern Illawarra.

We should all be prepared because the threat is known and real, and we are all able to do something to minimise the danger.

In the Bible we read about another certain threat for which people must get ready, and that’s the return of Jesus.

As Christians regularly say together in the Apostles Creed, “Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead.”

When Jesus returns it will bring an end to the pain, injustice and sadness of this world, and even though that judgement seems scary, it’s not something that Jesus’ followers should fear.

For we can trust the Bible when it says that “everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven.” (Acts 10:43).

Jesus has given us a way to survive his coming judgement, but it means we need to spiritually ‘Get Ready’ by asking Jesus for forgiveness and trusting him as our loving leader.

His second coming is as certain as this year’s hot summer… so take the opportunity now to get ready for judgement day by taking refuge in his loving arms. 

JODIE McNEILL

Bring your kids to Egypt

After I prepared the promotional flyers for our holiday kids club, I realised that I had included a terrific photo of the Sphinx on the front, but didn’t once mention the word ‘Egypt’ or ‘Egyptian’ anywhere on the page!

I’ve since updated the newer versions to say ‘Egyptian Adventure’, but those who received an earlier sheet might have been confused about what Egypt has to do with modern Australian Christian kids.

The bottom line is that Egypt has a special place in the history of God’s people for all sorts of good and bad reasons.

On the one hand, Egypt was the place where our people experienced dreadful slavery at the hand of an evil and arrogant pharaoh, who defiantly opposed God and his appointed leader.

And yet on the other hand, Egypt was the place where God did powerful signs and wonders, which culminated in the remarkable parting of the Red Sea, and the triumphal escape from slavery.

And yet the reason we’re looking at Egypt in our October holiday club is actually because of the way that God famously used the horrible actions of Joseph’s eleven brothers (as shown in ‘Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat’) as a means by which he would bring blessing to his family and even to all of the people of Egypt.

It’s summarised in the well-known statement of Joseph, who reflected on the mean acts of his brothers by saying, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20).

For us, the message is clear: even through difficult and confusing times, we can know that God still loves us and is in control.

And as we travel in time to Egypt in our holiday club, this will be a fresh and powerful reminder to the kids and adults alike that God really has got the whole world in his hand!

To find out more about the Holiday Kids Club and to register your kids go to www.jamberooanglican.com/holidaykidsclub

JODIE McNEILL

Power and Compassion

As I prepared the lesson for my Scripture class this week, I realised that I had an extra degree of connection to the events in the Bible.

The story was about the government official in Capernaum whose son was very sick (John 4:46).

This man had great power and influence over others, and yet he was powerless to do anything to bring health to his gravely sick son.

In his desperation he submitted to a greater power, even though it showed his weakness.

So, when he went to Jesus, he begged him to come and heal his son.

This man knew he had no hope in his own strength and that all he could do was depend on Jesus to help him and his son in this time of trial.

In this moment of need, Jesus showed his power and his compassion.

With a simple word, Jesus immediately healed the boy, even though he was located a long distance away.

Jesus showed great power over sickness, which came from his great compassion over those who are helpless and sad.

I shared with my Scripture kids about how my own son had a serious injury, and I showed them the X-rays of the masterful work of the orthopaedic surgeon.

And I told them about how I, too, was powerless to heal my injured son.

Like the government official, all I could do was ask for assistance from the person who was able to help my sick child.

And like Jesus, the amazing medical staff showed great power and compassion over Oscar and his crushed foot.

It is such a great comfort to be able to come and seek comfort and mercy from someone who is both powerful and compassionate: Jesus Christ.

JODIE McNEILL

Too young to believe?

The faith of a child (CREDIT: Eric Ward via Flickr)

It’s easy to look down on young people in our society, especially given that they don’t have the strength or skills to earn a living, nor the maturity to cope with independence.

Yet, when it comes to following Jesus, the model believers are children.

Jesus famously said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” (Luke 18:16)

Ironically, Jesus highly regards the simple and naive faith of a child, as they demonstrate a deep dependency on others, with little claim to their own ability.

They are too young to say “I did it my way”, and they are too new at life to point to their successes, abilities and strengths.

However, this is the very attitude that Jesus wants of adults and all people: the ability to discount personal achievements, and instead to humbly accept the grace of God without any personal merit.

That is why children provide the perfect model of a true believer: a humble dependence on God.

And this is why ministry to children can create true and genuine followers of Jesus.

Children are not the church of the future, but the believers of the present… and an inspiration to the grownups who easily let their achievements cloud their need for salvation from Jesus.

This is why our upcoming Holiday Kids Club is such an important ministry to the children of our village and valley.

We want our kids to meet Jesus, knowing that their simple faith is precisely the kind of attitude that is so highly regarded by God.

We want kids to follow Jesus so that they will meet him now, and follow him for life.

And our week-long Holiday Kids Club in October is the perfect way to help kids meet Jesus and experience the joy of knowing his love and forgiveness.

JODIE McNEILL

Standing Firm

From the moment my foot was run over, I was in a world of pain, both physically and mentally.

I was rushed to hospital and later I found out that I had crushed and fractured more than fifteen bones in my right foot.

As I awaited news about my injury I was sad because I realised that it would be some time before I could again walk, and that I would miss the mountain bike competition I was so looking forward to racing in.

I was also sad that I couldn’t go back to the church camp on which I had the injury, and I felt sorry for the driver who was at no fault.

But while I was on that hospital bed, I prayed that the sadness would go away and that everything would soon be sorted out.

The next morning I was taken to St George Hospital for more scans and to prepare to hear about the treatment they planned.

I stayed up there for a couple of days whilst living the dream with the free food and chocolate milks.

But soon I was told that after major foot surgery I’d be in a plaster cast for three months, and that it would be ages before I could run again.

I was pretty sad and I prayed in this time of struggle that God would give me strength to keep on going during the hard and intense times. 

During this time my faith has helped me to be more reliant on God in the rough times and in the easy times.

At this time I hold onto these words from God in the Bible:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

OSCAR McNEILL

Building the Church

If you’ve seen our church this week then you’ll know that we’re under construction!

We’ve made the lawn at the front of our hall into a level area, and we’ve also built some built some new gardens and have improved the driveways and car parking.

We’re praying that the new lawn at the front of the hall will be even better for our weekly Saturday night dinners and Sunday morning teas, as well as our kids and youth programs and other events in the life of our church.

We’re also praying that the new trees, shrubs and flowers will help make our grounds look even nicer and inviting.

But the ultimate reason we’re doing this is because we want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable visiting our church.

Our church is a church for everyone in the village and valley of Jamberoo and beyond, and we want the whole community to feel at home with us.

We want this to be a place where everyone can gather with us to listen to God speak through the Bible, to speak to him in prayers, and to encourage each other as we sing, share and support each other in the loving community of Christ Jesus.

The building works around our church are very visible and exciting, but the greatest building works are happening as people hear the word of Jesus and accept his invitation to follow his loving leadership as their Lord.

That’s the kind of church building that matters the most, for the Bible tells us that God’s people “are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” (1 Peter chapter 2 verse 5).

So, when you see the awesome new landscaping around our church, remember that it’s a personal invitation for you to come along and be a part of the biggest building project in the universe!

JODIE McNEILL

None of our Business?

Over the past week my Facebook feed has been filled with Christians stating that the abortion bill should be defeated so that all citizens in NSW should be subject to the ethics of the Bible.

But what right do Christians have to influence laws that affect people who don’t share our religious belief?

At one level it is simple: Christians are citizens like anyone else, and we have a right and responsibility to voice our opinions and influence the decisions of the politicians who represent us.

However, some argue that the Biblical worldview does not apply to those who are not followers of Jesus, and therefore Christians should focus on the behaviour of believers, not the wider population.

Yet, the reason we get involved in social ethics is ultimately out of love for others, and in particular, love for those who are unable to protect or defend themselves.

The Bible makes it clear that unborn children are as valued to God as those who have successfully made it out of the womb, and that this applies to all people, not just Christians.

And therefore if some people believe that it is acceptable to kill another person who is unable to defend him or herself, then the loving response of Christians is to try and stop that unloving and immoral behaviour.

This is why we are passionate in pursuing ways to try and protect unborn children from being killed by immoral decisions made by politicians.

What’s more, this is why Christians have been so vocal and active in trying to prevent any changes to law to make it easier to kill an unborn child… and why we weep at the decision this week that will make it easier than ever to abort healthy babies in the moments before they were due to be naturally born.

JODIE McNEILL