Reflections is the monthly newsletter of the Brookfield Uniting Church.
If you would like a copy, please email Edith McPhee, emcphee@westnet.com.au
Following is the Minister’s Message from the February 2022 issue:
FROM the MINISTER’S DESK
To Know and to Walk
Ephesians 1:8-9
8 With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
Ephesians 1:3-14 begins with the pronouncement of a blessing upon God in response to the abundant ways in which God has blessed us in verse 3.
Written by the Apostle Paul while in prison in Rome,
Paul writes primarily to the Gentile Christians and he writes about God’s grand plan, fundamentally one of grace and salvation, and it is this recognition which is to result in the praise of God, the pronouncement of God’s blessedness.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
There are Two key words in the book of Ephesians are the words “know” and “walk.”
“That I may know him in the power of his resurrection…” and “Walk worthy” (4:1), “Walk different”(4:17), walk in love (5:2), walk as children of the light (5:8)…
Through the testimony of Paul we can learn that God has a perfect will for the life of every born again believer. It is our goal as Christians to get right in the center of God’s plan and purpose for our lives.
So let us consider the following truths that Paul presents concerning God’s perfect will..
GOD HAS A PERFECT PLAN FOR OUR LIVES
Paul’s Damascus experience is evidence of this truth.
He was a persecutor of Christians, was blinded by a great light and finally heard a voice from heaven.
God had a plan for Paul from the beginning
GOD HAS A PERFECT PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES
It is God’s perfect purpose for our lives that we be faithful to Him where he has placed us.
WE WILL NEVER FIND GOD’S PERFECT WILL UNTIL WE BECOME FAITHFUL TO HIM.
GOD HAS PERFECT PEACE FOR OUR LIVES
We will never have perfect peace until we are in the center of God’s will.
There will be perfect peace and contentment wherever God places us if we are in his perfect will.
Paul said, “Grace unto you.” “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”
I sing my song of Praise to God!
I truly believe it was God’s perfect plan for my family and I to serve here in Brookfield!
God’s Perfect Purpose and God’s Perfect Peace to serve as the Family of God!
I take this opportunity to Give All Praise and Glory to God and say thank you my dear Church Family for all your love and support and for the beautiful Ministry we shared together over the last two and a half years.
Our prayer for 2022 and the years to come, is to continue seeking God’s perfect plan, purpose and peace for our lives through the challenges and chaos the world brings.
Many exciting missional opportunities happening this year…
Therefore it is so important that we learn to know and to walk in the center of God’s will.
To know and to walk God’s perfect will and purpose
To know and to walk God’s perfect Grace and Peace
To continue knowing and walking the vision and mission of our Church Family…
“TO SHARE CHRIST’S LOVE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, GIVING HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO PEOPLE ON LIFE’S JOURNEY.”
You will be forever in our hearts and prayers our dear Church Family.
Much Love and Blessings,
Malcolm, Sheryl, Jafeth and Family