A Word of Encouragement – Psalm 121

The Psalms are full of words of hope and words of life. Words of challenge even, and words that fill us up with encouragement. One such example is found in Psalm 121 where we see David asking the pertinent question; “from whence cometh my help?” Psalm 121:1b (KJV)

But I’ve always wondered why it is that he is looking up to the hills and asking that question. Is it because he is familiar with the surroundings?

Maybe! Afterall he was a shepherd of his father’s flock and may have spent a considerable time in the hills of his youth. Was it that when he was fearing for his life, from the pursuit of King Saul that he spent a considerable time hiding out in the hills? Again, maybe.

In Him we find Hope and Life!

They are quite possibly not the same hills, but David was aware of his surroundings – In the beginning of the Psalm we can possibly identify with him feeling a fair bit of despair, grief, darkness and hopelessness because of what he is facing in the present time. Maybe he is being challenged yet again, he has doubts fears, and concerns that are weighing heavily on his mind. I’m sure we can all relate in these challenging times.

“But when he looked at those hills, he saw something more. He saw protection. He saw deliverance. He saw safety in the cleft of the Rock. In those hills, David knew the presence of God.” (Rebecca Davis – Here’s the Joy)

We too can know the presence of God in these unsettling times! That is the hope and encouragement I want to leave you with.

For in him we can find our strength, for He is our strong tower.

Check out these links to songs that feature that same theme:

I Lift my Eyes Up (Psalm 121) – Brian Doerksen

Rhapsodic Variations: “My Strength, My Tower” – Dean Goffin (Featuring the Wellington Citadel Band)

Made me Glad – Hillsong

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A Word of Encouragement

In these unprecedented times, when anxiety and uncertainty appear to be at the fore front of a lot of people’s minds due to the unknown factors that surround the worldwide spread of covid-19.

We are reminded that the Word of God, “the Scriptures can give us hope and encouragement.“

Especially, “as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Amongst the many: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you whereever you go” from Joshua 1:9 

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”

May we look out for each other, keep in contact with each other, and Love each other as an example of what it means to be living out our Christian faith. May we shine His light into this darkened and scared world that others will see the Hope and Light that only He can try bring; For He is the Way, the Truth and the Life!

Once the highs of this pandemic are over and we are given the all clear to again gather as a Worshipping Community in one place “Then all of us can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.“

These thoughts come from Romans 15:4‭-‬6 (New Living Translation).

This morning please remember to check out the links to The Salvation Army, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa territories online worship service – Salvation Online.

As well as the links to what we here in the Wellington City Corps would have been listening / singing and hearing from the Word as we gathered this morning.

One of our congregational members found a link that features the words to the song “All the Promises of Jesus” I hope you enjoy. 

May God bless you and keep you, and may His face shine down upon you and keep you safe.

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Sunday 22 March

As featured on the Wellington City Salvation Army Facebook page this afternoon.

This week is the last week in our sermon series ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’ and the message I had prepared is available here to read.

In many regards I wanted to remind you each of the importance of continuing to grow in the Faith, as we all need to continue developing our understanding of the message of Christ, the Fruit of the Spirit and the Love of The Father. As we are to be the ‘salt and light’ in our communities pointing people back to a loving God who loves us each unconditionally.

In these times of uncertainty the world needs the Hope, the Life and the Love that Christ brings to the world!

If you have access to YouVersion events the sermon notes and scripture references will be available at the normal time of 10:00am – 12:30pm here.

Below are also some YouTube links that Tania has prepared to the music we were planning to use during our service this Sunday morning.

I hope that you will take the time to view these, as well as my message, and contemplate what God is saying in these days. As we may need to limit our physical connectivity with others within our worshipping communities, but that does not mean that we need to be socially isolated from each other. Use the various Social Media platforms and standard forms of communication to remain connected.

The first song (King of Kings) is one which we were hoping to introduce this week to begin our lead in to Easter. We have included it so that you can begin to familiarise yourselves with it over the coming weeks.

The band’s message is an arrangement of the well known chorus ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus’

Unfortunately we could not find any links to our final song SASB 34, but it is these words which were to conclude our service:

All the promises of Jesus
Are unchanged in every way,
In my yesterdays I proved them,
I believe them for today…

May we rest in God’s promises as we face the week ahead.

King of Kings – https://youtu.be/Of5IcFWiEpg

Stand in Your Love – https://youtu.be/MHLEZzyAZrI

This is Amazing Grace – https://youtu.be/cgsbaBIaoVc

I Stand Amazed in the Presence – https://youtu.be/ue8ZCAc9xQ8

Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here – https://youtu.be/LaRHOItRfZg

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – https://youtu.be/FH3Ron_6UjY

Provided to YouTube by CDBaby Benediction: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus · The Salvation Army Wellington Citadel Band Luminance ℗ 2019 The Salvation Army, New Zealand

The latest CD is available for sale on the Wellington Citadel Band’s Facebook page for $20 and also here.

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Sunday Services Suspended

It is with regret that we advise that our Sunday Church Services are suspended @ The Salvation Army Wellington City, 92 Vivian Street until further notice due to the escalating concerns around the Corona Virus (Covid-19).

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What’s Love Got To Do With It?

As many of you within the Wellington City Corps Worshiping Congregtion are aware we have been exploring this question in relation to the ‘Fruit’ of the Spirit (which is found in Galatians 5:22-23).

Delving into the over-arching theme of love and our understanding of certain phrases and words that describe how we should live and behave as the “salt and light” that Christ calls us to be in our community.

Due to the existing concerns around Covid-19 and the closure of our Sunday meetings for the foreseeable future I have uploaded my sermon transcript and assoicated powerpoint slides for those of you that have been enjoying this sermon series.

Week 10: Indivisible Love Sermon Transcript              Powerpoint Slides

A link to the other sermons within this series are available here.

 

 

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