Devotional 9 July 2017
HOLINESS Perhaps Holiness is an old fashioned, for some a ‘religious’ word; for others redundant and irrelevant. It is not an everyday-language word. Yet there is an emphasis in scripture that removes all ambiguity around who, what and how we are, Holy. Holiness has significant relevance. Why? Holiness is one of God’s primary characteristics,…
Devotional 2 July 2017
He is not a disappointment! “Jesus is far more to me than in all my glowing daydreams I had fancied He could be; And the more I get to know Him, so the more I find Him true, And the more I long that others should be led to know Him too.” This…
Devotional 25 June 2017
Welcome to Pastor Ross and Karyn! A huge welcome to Pastor Ross & Karyn Woodhouse, and all others who have joined us today from The Vine, or elsewhere! We have been looking forward to your arrival with great anticipation, believing your coming to us has been ordained by God! It has been said…
Devotional 18 June
God Cares In Psalms 55 v 22 we read, “Cast all your burdens (cares) upon the Lord.” God has given us abilities to think and take control of things that we are able to manage. However, in this passage it reads “cast all your cares on the Lord”. God is offering to help…
Devotional 11 June 2017
We have been challenged lately on how we respond to the internal and external pressures that impact us each day. It may be the on-going support required by family members. It may be the chronic pain issues that impact our thinking and impact any decisions we need or want to make. It may be our…
Devotional 4 June 2017
Prayer Recently I was reading an inspirational book, “The Art of Prayer” by Timothy Jones. It is subtitled “A simple guide to Conversation with God”. Two sections in particular, challenged me – Letting go…..Henri Nouwen writes Whenever you pray, you profess that you are not God and that you wouldn’t want to be,…
Devotional 28 May 2017
OUR PART IN MISSION Shortly before he was crucified, Jesus gave these instructions to his apostles, “Go ye into all the world and make disciples of all nations”. Shortly after His resurrection, Jesus in speaking to Peter, added these further instructions, “Feed my lambs and feed my sheep”. These two tasks are still the…
Devotional 21 May 2017
Caring For The Poor Deuteronomy 15: 7-11. “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open-handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.” (v11) How fitting this scripture is this week as we have the Prayer and Self Denial Appeal in progress….
Devotional 14 May 2017
Mothers’ Day message My mother, 3 sisters and I recently spent Easter weekend in Auckland, without children. While our husbands did a fantastic job of keeping our children alive and well in our absence, there were texts, emails and phone calls throughout the weekend from children needing their mothers – some wanting reassurance or help,…
Devotional 7 May 2017
LEARNING TO EMBRACE CHANGE by Naomi Parnell How should we respond to change when it’s difficult? “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV) There is a time for… everything. Beginnings, endings, and change. In what areas of your life are you experiencing change?…