Encourager

Encourager – Autumn 2019

I think we’ve all seen someone’s face light up – usually when they see someone they love and that someone loves them.

Consider Moses who has just come back through the “I’ve been to Mount Sinai” door. Moses’ face was radiant after He had spent time with GOD.

The people could clearly see GOD’s presence in Him. How often do we spend time alone with GOD? Although our faces may not light up a room, time spent in prayer, reading the Bible and meditating should have such an effect on our lives that people will recognise that we have been with GOD.
If we claim GOD as our Father, we need to live worthy of this family name – respecting GOD’s name and giving Him praise by both our words and our lives.
GOD’s holiness is terribly frightening for non-believers; but a wonderful comfort for believers.

GOD is morally perfect and is set apart from people and sin. He has no weaknesses or shortcomings. For sinners this is frightening because all their inadequacies and evil are exposed by the light of GOD’s holiness. GOD cannot tolerate, ignore, or excuse sin.

For believers, GOD’s holiness gives comfort because, as we worship Him, we are lifted from the mire of sin. As we believe in Him and humble ourselves before Him, we are made holy.

When anyone becomes a Christian, Christ removes the veil – giving eternal life, and freedom from trying to be saved by keeping laws. And without the veil, we can be like mirrors reflecting GOD’s glory.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the 10 Commandments, his face glowed from being in GOD’s presence. Moses had to put on a veil to keep the people being terrified by the brightness of his face. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul adds that this veil kept them from seeing the radiance fade away. Moses and his veil illustrate the fading of the old system and the veiling of the people’s minds and understanding by their pride, hardness of heart and refusal to repent. The veil kept them from understanding the references to CHRIST in the Scriptures.

Download Encourager Here: https://www.cursillonewcastle.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Encourager-Final-Autum-web-1.pdf

Kairos at Cessnock

KairosKairos is happening at Cessnock in JULY 2019 – There are Short Courses on Monday 22nd July, Tuesday 23rd July, Wednesday 24th July & Thursday 25th July.
All those that feel they are called to our prison ministry please contact Neil – 0423 927 706 or nctpgold@outlook.com 
9th march 2019 is IMPORTANT because we are signing all legal forms to enter the Gaol at Cessnock at McDonalds (you can even buy a burger!)

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE HERE: Kairos KI#22 Flier 1

M48 Cursillo 3 Days

The 3 days were held from 5-8 September at Catalina Conference Centre Rathmines.  The 6 candidates (now veterans) were excited about the experience and they were well supported by the Team and the whole of Newcastle Cursillo community.

NOW FOR THE 4TH DAY – IT IS IMPORTANT FOR SPONSORS TO ENCOURAGE THE NEW CURSILLISTAS IN GROUP REUNION – ULTREYA !

Encourager

Encourager – Summer 2018/19

Dancing with JESUS – the idea is simply wonderful – and to do it when life seems to be throwing plenty of curve-balls is even more appealing. In the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3:4 it says:  
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
In Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
And in Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.

AB Facey has certainly inspired many with his book “A Fortunate Life”. As Lyn suggested: do we dance or sit it out? She also said that While Facey was not a religious man, he did have a strong faith. How richer are we who believe in GOD our heavenly Father, and call JESUS our friend; and can feel the strength of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Whether we have a good day or a bad day, we still need to give thanks to GOD for it. We need to continue to trust GOD that, everything that happens, happens for our good. As Christians we need to spend time with GOD and pray daily, read our bibles daily, listen to Him; and give thanks to Him for our faith and His love that we can share with others.

Lyn also spoke of the trust she has in GOD and how it has seen her through many difficult experiences – and will do so in the future. Like Lyn, we can all listen to GOD better, stick to the path GOD would have us take and accept that His guidance is 100% correct. Thankfully He loves us and when we look at the footprints in the sand and see only one set, acknowledge that He carries us through many more situations than we realise.

Martha and Mary provide us with a great example of how we should prioritise our lives. We need to keep things in balance as best as we can. There are times when we need to sit at the feet of JESUS and soak up all He has to offer; and, of course, there are times when things have to be done.
The 3 passages Lyn mentioned from Paul’s letter to the Romans are significant here today:
Chapter 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

The Apostle Paul divides people into 2 categories – those who are dominated by their sinful nature; and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if JESUS hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said YES to JESUS, we will want to continue to follow Him – because His way brings life and peace.
DOWNLOAD ENCOURAGER HERE: Encourager 101 Summer 2018

WCOF Cancelled

SADLY WOMEN CELEBRATING OUR FAITH (WCOF) HAS BEEN CANCELLED due to lack of people wishing to attend.  It was originally planned for 1st-3rd March 2019 – Please advise your contacts and all ladies in your Parish.