Mothers Day is not only a day for us to recognise and celebrate the wonderful women who do so much for us. It is also a day for mothers to enjoy being what God has called them to be. It is increasingly evident to me that amidst the frenetic busyness of life that the joys, rewards and pleasures of being a mum can so easily be shunted out of the way as you try to fulfil the next urgent thing on your ever-growing list.

May I encourage the mums to enjoy the moment! Treasure the present! Stop and notice the little things!

Our children grow up so quickly; enjoy where you are today and all that you have. Today’s events will be your memories for the future. Enjoy the high calling of motherhood. It is the most important calling you will ever have.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
and the sacred song is mingled
with the worship in the sky –
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
rainbows evermore are hurled;
for the hand that rocks the cradle
is the hand that rules the world

William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)

One of the things that have occupied my thoughts recently has been the rapid change that we have grown accustomed to. We are living in a day and age of rapid technological and social change.

It’s impossible to keep up with new technology and the rapidly changing culture of Auckland and N.Z.

Our church has undergone huge changes in the last 5 years, with people from around the world joining and adding to our rich cultural diversity and I ask myself what will we look like in 5 years time?

Amidst all this rapid change, we can rest secure in the comforting fact that God’s word and God’s love does not change.

We may feel left behind in the rapid changes of life, but we can rely on our Lord’s constant and unchanging promises, His Word and His presence.

Hebrew 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

The ALPHA course starts this week on Tuesday nights. As you have heard me say in church, it has been a course which God has used all around the world. The question you need to ask yourself is whether you  too should attend.

ALPHA is designed to introduce you to the important basics of the Christian life, giving you a foundation on which to build a life that is pleasing to God. It may also serve as a timely refresher course for those who have lost momentum along the way in their Christian lives.

If you fit into either of these categories, may I encourage you to come along on Tuesday night to the launch dinner to see if you would like to sign up to the course.

Perhaps you are a mature Christian and do not need a refresher course. Please can we ask you then to commit to praying every Tuesday for those attending the course, that this course will prove to be life-changing for all who attend.

Or what about inviting someone who you know is not yet a Christian to come along to the launch dinner?

You can’t walk into a shop at this time of year without being confronted with signs of Easter, Easter eggs, Easter bunnies…. On the one hand it is good that our society still remembers Easter. However on the other hand it is sad that Easter has all but lost its significance as a holy season.

May I encourage you to take some time to reflect on the true meaning of Easter ie. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for sinners and his triumphant resurrection giving new life.

Plan to attend our services. Or if you are away, join in with another Bible teaching church. If there are young children in your household make sure to take the time to carefully explain what Easter is all about. If your children are older, or there are just adults in your home, what about reading the Easter account after a meal this week to help you focus. Remember Easter is a holy day, not a holiday!

I have recently been reminded of a passage of Scripture that has meant a lot to me and to other Christians over the years -

Romans 8:28    And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

 This is a good reminder to us that God is able to work every hardship, setback, crisis or disappointment for our good and his glory in the end.

Very often we don’t feel that God even knows about our problem or current crisis and, more often than not, we think that God doesn’t care anyway. That is just not true!

He knows all about us. He knows when we sit and rise and even the number of hairs on our head (which is getting easier all the time on some of us!)

Be encouraged Christian friend. God knows what you are going through and he will work it out in the end for your good and his glory. He just does that kind of thing! He has promised that in his word.

There is a remarkable story in Acts 12 about Peter, the disciple of the Lord in prison. He was being guarded by a large group of soldiers and his execution seemed to be inevitable.

But the new believers in the city were praying. That night an angel of the Lord came and woke Peter up and freed him from jail. When he arrived at the house where the people were praying, he asked for admission, but at first they did not want to believe it was him.

They prayed for his release, but did not believe it would or could happen! We are so often just like them. God’s word says that when we pray we must believe and not doubt.

God opens doors and answers prayer. Let us pray believing and see God do the impossible!

James 1:6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind

As I have reflected on God’s word this past week, I have been reminded once again of one of the most reassuring truths in Scripture – that the God we serve is the God of the second chance.

Scripture repeatedly shows and reminds us not to try to run from God when we have failed him in some way. He does not turn his back on us and wash his hands of us. Rather he encourages us and repeatedly invites us to turn back to him, turning away from what we know to be wrong.

Our country may have legislation which follows a “3 strikes and you are out” policy, but heaven knows nothing of such a policy.  Our God forgives and restores and lets us start again and again.

In the Old Testament David was wonderfully restored to God and so was Peter in the New Testament. God will restore you if you turn back to him in sorrow, repentance and faith.

With God there is always hope.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

As I reflect on what has been happening in the life of G.P.C. this past month, I am very aware that God has showered his grace on us in answered prayers. Because of the need to respect people’s privacy I can’t mention specifics, but we have seen a remarkable recovery from cancer in one young lady’s life, successful heart surgery on a baby, and other answers to prayer in regards to jobs, and clear guidance relating to personal matters.

God is indeed good and we must remind ourselves of his repeated invitation to “Ask, seek, knock” or as he says in Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

May I encourage you to take whatever you may be facing today to God in prayer. You will find he is more ready to answer than you are to ask. I must however add, that you may not get what you long for, but you must rest content knowing that our Lord will always give you what is best.

This past Wednesday our country remembered the 1^st anniversary of our biggest single natural disaster, where 185 people lost their lives, and hundreds more were injured, when a huge earthquake struck Christchurch.

As the TV did a full report on the memorial services around the country, I was once again reminded of the deep sense of loss, sorrow and tragedy of the occasion.

I was reminded of the on-going deep sense of loss experienced by so many people a year down the road. Let us as Christians be sensitive to those we know or may work with who have been so vividly reminded of their deep loss.

One of the distinguishing marks of the true church over all the years is its ability to comfort and support others who are experiencing sorrow and loss. What can you do to support a friend or colleague who is living through these difficult times in Christchurch? Perhaps an email? Or a card of support? Or a phone call?

Galatians 6:2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.