Dear Northside
Please can I remind you that once a month (last Sunday), we published our monthly Prayer Bulletin. This is for the month of October. We publish it on our WhatsApp platforms. We would encourage every Northsider to use this as a prayer guide to bring God’s church here at Northside before God’s throne of grace. If you did not receive it, please contact the church office. We can put you into the church group, or we can send you the Prayer Bulletin.
Baptism classes start this Sunday and are held for 3 consecutive Sundays after church. If you feel God is asking you to take this next step in your spiritual journey of discipleship, please register or simply attend.
The world we live in is full of information, in fact, probably too much. So much, it threatens to overwhelm or swamp us. The world is full of ways to grow in knowledge. We can learn from schools, books, documentaries, or other means.
But more important than gaining knowledge is growing in wisdom. Scripture also says that true wisdom begins with God. While many people on earth are smart, real wisdom—in God’s eyes—begins with our relationship with Him. God is perfect in truth and knowledge, so all wisdom must begin with Him. Those who live with true wisdom will be a bright light for God in a dark world. How we act and speak matters. Though we cannot be perfect on this side of heaven, we are representatives for God to the rest of the world—so it’s important that we act wisely and strive to honour Him.
One aspect of living wisely is pursuing righteousness. Righteousness is living in accordance with God’s law and God’s ways. When we live according to God’s Word, we are living in accordance with His design for our lives. Jesus says that people will know that we are His disciples by the way we love others (John 13:35). That means that loving others is living according to God’s Word. And by loving God and loving our community, we will point others to Jesus. This is why Jesus compares us to a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, and a light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14).
Daniel 12:3 explains that as we live wisely and righteously, we will shine bright like stars in the darkness. The way we live, think, and act matters. Those are the primary ways that other people will see the love God has for them. So, consider your own life. Think of ways you can live in accordance with God’s Word. Write down one or two ways that you can shine the light of Jesus today by loving others in tangible ways.
God, thank You for sharing Your wisdom with those who seek it. As I grow closer to You, help me to think more like You. Today, I invite You into my decision-making. Help me make wise decisions. Show me how to handle challenging situations in a way that represents Your character. Allow Your love to inspire my actions and words. In Jesus’ name. Amen
God bless, Pastor Gary