Dear Northside
God, through Paul, through Philippians, calls us to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, and to press on towards the goal, and to stand firm in the Lord. The question is how.
Christians are called to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. How do we develop a Gospel-centred life that is sustainable? Reading, studying and practising what we read in the Bible gives us practical and achievable techniques to build godly habits that will enhance our walk with God.
We need to start including habits in our lives based on Scripture reading. These things, when we practice on a regular basis over time, will create habits that will shape us and make us more like Jesus. These include things such as prayer, obedience, sanctification, character formation, faithfulness, gratitude, stewardship, rest and others. What can you start doing that will reinforce Godly habits as part of your everyday life?
Bible Memorisation / Developing Wisdom / Engaging Scripture / Evangelism / Faithfulness / Fasting / Fellowship / Gratitude / Hospitality / Journaling / Obedience / Overcoming Sin and Temptation / Prayer / Redeeming Time / Rest / Sanctified Imagination / Seeing Jesus in Scripture / Self-Reflection / Service / Silence and Solitude / Stewardship / Trusting God / Understanding Scripture / Worship.
Last weekend, Sarah and I travelled to Kadoma and spent 2 days with 14 churches and 25+ Pastors and church leaders – encouraging and equipping them. It was a wonderful time. Please pray for the church in Zimbabwe and for the men and women who lead the Body. On Friday, Northside hosted the UPHOLD Pastors’ Breakfast, which included Pastors from the EFZ Zone 8 (Harare Northern Suburbs). Upholding one another and the churches we serve in. Please pray for unity and that we might be united in defending and confirming the Gospel in our Community.
We hold our Church AGM on Sunday, 29 March, after the service. May I encourage you all to attend? We will be looking back and rejoicing in all God has done in us and through us. Look out for the AGM Annual Ministry Reports booklet! And we will look forward with hope and expectancy – what is God going to do in and through us this year? Are you playing your part in the Body of Christ here? Do you know your SHAPE and where you fit in?
In the next 3 weeks, we will have Doulos gathering, Children with Hope training, our Church Council meeting, the Ladies Retreat, Coffee Club and the Food Pantry Sip’n’Paint.
And then we are into Easter. If you have not attended a Passover Meal yet, you need to. It is an amazing experience and shows us how much is behind Communion. You will never take the Lord’s Supper the same again. Please join us with your families and friends for our Good Friday service and Easter Resurrection Sunday service. As believers, followers of Jesus, disciples, this is the most important time of the Church calendar. Come and find out why.
God bless, Pastor Gary