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Bishop Mark Whitfield - Pīhopa o Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

58 minutes ago

Te Karaipiture, Whakaaroaro me te Karakia mo tenei ra …Scripture, Meditation and Prayer for Today …Godly beliefs by Annie DuarteHave nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7).Read 1 Timothy 4:1–16You have probably heard some version of the saying, ‘Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they shape your life’. Today’s verse is a reminder to really dissect the casual phrases that make their way into our speech and, therefore, reflect our attitude and heart-setting. It is often helpful to ask, ‘Does this belief align with God’s word and with the hope of the gospel?’There was a time when my husband and I had completely shut down the possibility of moving back to my hometown. We believed stereotypes about people who lived there and the political climate and quite honestly looked down on the place, thinking it could never be for us as a family. But the Lord had other plans. One Sunday, we sat and listened to a sermon about replacing ungodly beliefs with godly ones. We looked at one another with tear-filled eyes, feeling so convicted that we needed to make the heart-wrenching choice to move from our current life, which we loved. When we believed that there was no opportunity, hope or place for us, God entered in with what he wanted to tell us about the place: his plan awaited us there, and it was full of opportunity and community. It had nothing to do with the cultural perception or what people had to say.Our ungodly belief had made its way into our speech … and thus dictated our actions and made us reluctant to what God had planned for us. We hadn’t put those stereotypes and beliefs through the filter of the gospel. We put stock into myths and sayings, not into what God’s word said. We had to commit ourselves to godliness and submit our thoughts and attitudes to his authority.Loving God, as the heavens are high above the earth, your ways are higher than my ways, and your thoughts are higher than my thoughts or the thoughts of this current age. Give me discipline and spiritual acuity so that I may become more godly. Amen. ________________________________________Annie Duarte is a wife, mum, worship leader and preschool Bible teacher. She and her husband serve in ministry together in the United States. Annie loves seeing God’s word come alive to people of all ages. ... See MoreSee Less

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Bishop Mark Whitfield - Pīhopa o Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

12 hours ago

Kia ora friends,Here is the link to my latest eNews, Pitopito Kōrero o Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa: tiny.cc/PitopitoJune2023.God bless. Ngā mihi, +Mark ... See MoreSee Less

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Bishop Mark Whitfield - Pīhopa o Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

1 day ago

Te Karaipiture, Whakaaroaro me te Karakia mo tenei ra …Scripture, Meditation and Prayer for Today …Calling the doubting by Annie DuarteWhen they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted (Matthew 28:17).Read Matthew 28:16–20After everything they had been through, three years of shared life and ministry with Jesus, some of the 11 disciples still doubted. After years of miracles, healing, teaching, and hours spent in prayer together, they still succumbed to doubting Jesus. But despite these doubts, the Scripture says that they worshipped Jesus upon seeing him. They worshipped even though they doubted. What’s more, they were still commissioned to jump-start the greatest task in human history! These were the men tasked with building the church. They were charged with taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. And still, they doubted.The beautiful thing about Jesus is that he knew they doubted, yet he still commissioned them. Nothing comes as a surprise to Jesus. He knows the masks we wear and the doubts and fears we hide in our hearts. But as believers and members of the body of Christ, he still calls and commissions us to make disciples of all nations, just as he called and commissioned the disciples so long ago. God has an amazing history of calling unlikely heroes from humble beginnings – from the beginning of the Bible and even into our present time.Do you ever feel overwhelmed by Jesus’ commission to go and make disciples? You may even disqualify yourself when you consider your inadequacies. Praise God that he sees everything. He knows everything about you and still calls you to great things for the sake of his name. So bring your doubts and worship him anyway. He promises that his grace is sufficient. Bring your doubts and receive his calling and commission – his purpose for your life. He isn’t bothered by your brokenness. He is honoured by your obedience and perseverance despite your doubts.Jesus, thank you for equipping me to do what you have called me to do. I trust you and your intimate knowledge of my gifts, skills and capacities. Amen. ________________________________________Annie Duarte is a wife, mum, worship leader and preschool Bible teacher. She and her husband serve in ministry together in the United States. Annie loves seeing God’s word come alive to people of all ages. ... See MoreSee Less

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Bishop Mark Whitfield - Pīhopa o Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

2 days ago

Te Karaipiture, Whakaaroaro me te Karakia mo tenei ra …Scripture, Meditation and Prayer for Today …Who are we? by Pastor Greg FowlerWhen I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? (Psalm 8:3,4)Read Psalm 8There are many times in my life when I feel like a bit of a nobody. I know that comparing myself to others is the worst thing I can do, yet I fall into this trap more often than I should. When we get together with the extended family at Christmas or other gatherings, I hear how others are doing amazing things with their lives and positively influencing others. I feel good for them and celebrate with them, but in times of doubt, I wonder who I am and what I am doing that’s of any real worth. I know that I am not alone.God tells us exactly who we are and how much we’re worth. In this psalm, we see that the Lord of the entire universe is mindful of us! And not mindful of us as a collective; he is mindful of us individually, as he has created us. This gives me great comfort. It also means that I can say, truthfully, ‘I am who God made me, and I am doing what he asks me to do’. I realise that we all do valuable things; it’s just that some are more obvious than others. I know that God is at work through me in many ways and often even when I am unaware. We are God’s treasure, his love and his masterwork.Growing in our relationship with God allows us to see how he is at work in and through us. When I have my eyes on him, I am not looking at others and comparing myself. I am content with the provision of God and the work he has for me to do. I delight in his blessing!Lord God, may we know our worth and grow in relationship with you. Provide for our needs and direct our attention to you. Amen.________________________________________Pastor Greg lives in Adelaide and serves as pastor of Golden Grove Lutheran Church and School. He is blessed to be able to spend lots of time with his grandchildren, Teddy and Olivia. His spare time is taken up with golf, Formula 1 and going out with his beautiful wife. ... See MoreSee Less

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Bishop Mark Whitfield - Pīhopa o Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

3 days ago

Te Karaipiture, Whakaaroaro me te Karakia mo tenei ra …Scripture, Meditation and Prayer for Today …I can’t manage my family! by Pastor Greg Fowler[The overseer] must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect (1 Timothy 3:4).Read 1 Timothy 3:1–16There are times when I feel successful as a father. There are many other times when I feel like a failure. What’s particularly difficult for me as a pastor is the requirement that I manage my family well and ensure my children obey me. Anyone who knows my wife and children realises that is an impossible task! I would do great damage to my marriage if I tried to manage my wife, and I have no desire for my daughters to obey me. My call as a father is to sacrifice for my family and love and respect them.My role as a pastor has some similarities to my role as a father. I am called to pray for my family just like I pray for the people I shepherd. In fact, this is the most powerful thing I can do. When my youngest daughter was born, I had recurring dreams of her being hurt, which disturbed me. When I spoke to my pastor about it, he told me it was the fear of being unable to protect her. He asked me if I thought she was a child of God and if God was parenting alongside me. In truth, I thought I was doing it alone. From that day on, I prayed for my family every day and asked God to partner with me; after all, he is the ultimate good Father.Over the years, my relationship with my children has changed as they have grown from infants to children to women. I tell them that I pray for them still. I tell them I am still their father, but they have a better one in God.Father God, be with us all as we live our calling to be husbands, wives, parents etc. May you be with us as we seek your will for our families. Amen.________________________________________Pastor Greg lives in Adelaide and serves as pastor of Golden Grove Lutheran Church and School. He is blessed to be able to spend lots of time with his grandchildren, Teddy and Olivia. His spare time is taken up with golf, Formula 1 and going out with his beautiful wife. ... See MoreSee Less

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