Blog - Melbourne City Adventist Church

God’s Plans

in Thoughts by Nyarai 18/12/201918/12/2019 0 comments

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”Philippians 1:6 NLT

When you were in school you would have to take regular tests. These tests let the teacher know where you stood on the material you needed to learn. If you were unable to pass these tests, then more assignments and more tests would have to be given.

God also gives tests. His tests show where we are on the road of our personal development. In his mercy, God does not take us where we are not ready to go. He prepares us first to ensure we can handle it spiritually, emotionally, physically and the like.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Let the Spirit In

in Thoughts by Bronwyn 04/12/201904/12/2019 0 comments

At the moment I have a cold. It’s the third virus I have had this season so I am no stranger to a blocked nose and all that goes along with it. Sleeping is difficult when you can’t breathe. Added to that I am pregnant and my large belly is making breathing difficult. (And unable to take decongestant!)

“Blessed are those who can breathe freely…” are words I would not usually think to say. However when something so vital, so ingrained, so normally ubiquitous and under-recognised suddenly disappears we are rendered helpless.

There is another sort of ‘breath’ that is so vital, ingrained, ubiquitous and under-recognised. The Spirit.

Let All Things Now Living

in Thoughts by Jinha Kim 27/11/201927/11/2019 0 comments

This week Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving, a day for family and friends to get together, eat good food, and give thanks. Living in Australia, it’s been 7 years since I’ve had green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce or home-made pumpkin pie.

But while I don’t celebrate the holiday, I like to honour the spirit behind the day by reflecting back on the year and giving thanks for how God has blessed and worked in my life.

Will there be any stars?

in Thoughts by Shane 20/11/201920/11/2019 0 comments

This past Sabbath afternoon was a wonderful celebration of renewed life as two of my very good friends, Lily and Nyari, made public declarations of their love for Jesus through baptism. Hearing the testimonies of God’s workings in their lives deeply touched everyone who was there; even those who have witnessed a fair few agree that it was one of the most moving baptisms – to God be the glory.

Doers of the Word

in Thoughts by Ben 13/11/201913/11/2019 0 comments

I seem to come across a lot of new learning at seminars these days. Come to think of it, I guess that’s what the seminars are for! I guess what really strikes me are the insights these seminars give me beyond my immediate career. Last time I wrote about the ‘Matthew Effect’ a term to describe a phenomenon in education taken from Jesus’ Parable of the Talents. I recently came across another idea that put me in mind of my Christian walk through my teen years.

Growing up in a Christian home, going to a Christian school and attending church every weekend I had some beliefs and behaviours that were pretty well worn in. One of these beliefs was that belief is more important than actions. Put simply I had a very narrow view of verses in the Bible such us ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,’ – Romans 3:23-24. The idea that I am a sinner and nothing can change that – but I shouldn’t worry too much because God will save me anyway. Of course, that’s a very simplistic view, but nonetheless, one I held.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

in Thoughts by Bronwyn 23/10/201923/10/2019 0 comments

To Daniel and his 3 friends, it would seem that they were born at the wrong time in history. The mistakes made by their predecessors were now reaping its rewards on Daniel’s generation. King Jehoiakim had been forewarned and his choice to ignore those warnings led to Daniel and his friends being forcibly removed from home, family and land.

Jet Lagged

in Thoughts by Jinha Kim 16/10/2019 0 comments

It’s 2:38 am and I’m wide awake.

We arrived in Kauai, Hawaii 36 hours ago after a 15-hr journey (with a long layover in Honolulu) during which I slept 2.5 hours, so the first night I slept nearly 12 hours! But tonight is a different story.

Collectively Mission-Oriented

in Thoughts by Shane 09/10/201909/10/2019 0 comments

The Mission Collective (https://themissioncollective.org) recently happened from 27-29 September, 2019 at the Royal Children’s Hospital. A couple of months prior, I was kindly invited by an Uncle I highly respected and he made sure I was informed as soon as registration opened. Long weekends are usually perfect to recover from full weeks of busy work but the chance to catch up with other young people who are “seeking to realise the potential of a generation committed to innovative evangelism” sounded great.

The Matthew Effect

in Thoughts by Ben 01/10/201901/10/2019 0 comments

I have recently engaged in a professional learning series that focussed on teaching literacy. During these workshops I was introduced to the ‘Matthew Effect’. I had not heard of this ‘effect’ before but realised I was familiar with its premise – ‘The rich get richer and the poor get poorer’. I had always thought this aphorism was used in the context of capitalism and the inevitable inequality of the free market. I was therefore surprised when the presenters referenced Matthew 25:29 as the source for this quote! Having an interest in the Gospels I looked up the reference when I arrived home.

Where the Spirit of the Lord Is…

in Thoughts by Nyarai 24/09/201924/09/2019 0 comments

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:17:

… where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Paul did not follow Jesus during His earthly ministry. Instead, he spent his days persecuting people who followed Jesus. It wasn’t until years after Jesus’ death and resurrection that Paul was on the road to Damascus and had a supernatural encounter with Jesus that changed his life forever.