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Stop & Pause 10 am
Sermon Summary
Join us as we stop and pause over the past 5 months of this year and celebrate all God has done in our community.
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This morning, we gathered as a community to intentionally pause and reorient our hearts and minds around Jesus Christ. In a world that constantly demands our attention and busyness, we choose to be still, to remember that God is God and we are not. We acknowledged that while we often strive for control in our lives, true peace and joy come from surrendering to the One who reigns above it all. Through worship, prayer, and moments of silence, we opened ourselves to God’s presence, inviting Him to speak to us both individually and as a church family.
We reflected on the reality that everyone worships something, but it is our choice to centre our worship on Jesus. By doing so, we experience the fullness of life He offers—a life that cannot be taken away, regardless of our circumstances. We prayed for God to thin the veil between us and Himself, recognising that it is often our own barriers that keep us from deeper intimacy with Him. In stillness, we asked the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that stands in the way of our relationship with God, and we invited Him to speak words of encouragement, challenge, or direction.
As a practical expression of listening, we took time to share words or impressions that God placed on our hearts, both for ourselves and for our community. This act of collective reflection reminded us that God is actively at work among us, shaping us by His Spirit and producing fruit such as love, peace, patience, and gentleness. We concluded by participating in a church-wide survey, a “snapshot” that helps us discern where we are as a community and how God is leading us into the future. Through all these practices, we reaffirmed our commitment to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, to listen for His voice, and to walk together in faith and hope.
Key Takeaways
1. True worship is not just about singing or attending church, but about intentionally orienting every part of our lives around Jesus. In a world full of distractions and competing loyalties, choosing to centre our hearts on Christ is a daily act of surrender and trust. This reorientation brings clarity and purpose, reminding us who truly sits on the throne of our lives.
2. Stillness before God is a spiritual discipline that opens us to His presence and voice. When we quiet our souls and set aside our need for control, we create space for God to speak, heal, and guide us. In the silence, we are reminded that He is God and we are not, and that His wisdom far surpasses our own understanding.
3. The barriers that separate us from God are often of our own making—habits, fears, or distractions that we allow to come between us and Him. Praying for God to “thin the veil” is an act of humility, inviting Him to reveal and remove anything that hinders our relationship. This vulnerability before God leads to deeper intimacy and peace.
4. Listening for God’s voice is not just an individual pursuit, but a communal one. When we share what God is saying to us. Whether a word, a scripture, or an impression, we build each other up and discern together how the Spirit is leading our community. This practice fosters unity and helps us recognise the diverse ways God speaks among us.
5. Regular reflection on who we are as a church community is vital for spiritual growth and faithful stewardship. By taking time to “take a snapshot” of our congregation, we honour the stories and journeys of each person, and we seek God’s direction for the future. This collective discernment ensures that our mission remains aligned with God’s purposes and that we move forward together in hope.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: Death Has Lost Its Grip—Celebrating Life in Christ
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Devotional:
Because of Jesus, we have been given eternal life that cannot be taken away, no matter what circumstances we face. This truth brings deep joy and gratitude, overflowing into praise and worship. When we remember that death no longer holds power over us, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving and a renewed sense of hope. Let this assurance anchor your soul today, knowing that Christ’s victory is your victory.
Reflection:
What is one way you can express gratitude to God today for the eternal life and victory over death you have in Jesus?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that death has been defeated. Thank you for the freedom I now enjoy. May I never take it for granted. Amen.
Day 2: Be Still and Know—Embracing God’s Sovereignty
Scripture:
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Devotional:
In the midst of our busy and often chaotic lives, we are called to pause, be still, and remember that God is in control. No matter how much we try to manage or control our circumstances, it is Jesus who reigns above it all. Taking intentional moments of stillness allows us to realign our hearts, acknowledge His sovereignty, and find peace in His presence.
Reflection:
When can you intentionally pause today to be still before God and acknowledge His control over your life?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You today seeking to be still in Your presence. Help me to quiet my mind and open my heart to Your voice. Remove any veils that hinder me from seeing You clearly. May I sense Your Spirit moving within me as I pause to listen. Lord, teach me to be still and know that You are God. Amen.
Day 3: Silent Before the Lord—Attentiveness in God’s Presence
Scripture:
Zechariah 2:13
Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
There is a sacredness in silence before God, a posture of reverence and attentiveness that opens our hearts to hear His voice. Just as a teacher asks for quiet so students can listen and learn, God invites us to quiet our souls so we can pay attention to what He is saying to us individually and as a community. In these moments of silence, we become more aware of His presence and guidance.
Reflection:
What distractions can you set aside today to create space for silent attentiveness to God’s voice?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I invite You to speak to me today. Search my heart and reveal what You desire me to see. Open my mind to your whispers and challenge me where I need to grow. As a community, may we be receptive to Your guidance and united in our purpose to follow You. Let your words take root in my life and bear fruit. Amen.
Day 4: Removing the Veil—Opening Our Hearts to God
Scripture:
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Devotional:
We often create barriers between ourselves and God—veils of our own making that steal our peace and hinder deeper love. Yet God desires nothing to stand between us and Him. By inviting the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal these barriers, we can ask God to thin the veil and open ourselves fully to His presence, love, and gentle correction.
Reflection:
What is one barrier you sense between you and God today, and how can you invite Him to remove it?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, search me and show me any barriers that I have put between myself and you. Give me the strength and courage to remove them so that I can hear your voice and open myself to your love and correction. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Day 5: Listening for God’s Word—Personal and Communal Reflection
Scripture:
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Devotional:
God speaks to us both as individuals and as a community, often placing a word or impression on our hearts that can guide, encourage, or challenge us. By taking time to reflect and listen, we become more receptive to the whispers and nudges of the Holy Spirit. Sharing these words with others can also build up the church and help us discern God’s direction together.
Reflection:
What word or impression do you sense God speaking to you today, and how can you act on it or share it with someone else?
Prayer
Speak to me, Lord. Place your word on my heart and give me the courage to share that word with others as you lead me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 6: Worshiping the Greatness of Our God
Scripture:
Psalm 145:3
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
Devotional:
Reflection Sunday encouraged us to lift our eyes and hearts to the greatness of God. No matter what challenges we face, His greatness remains unshaken. Worship is our response to His majesty, His power, and His love. When we focus on how great God is, our worries diminish, and gratitude overflows. Remember, His greatness is what sustains us and gives us hope.
Reflection:
Reflect on God’s greatness today. Share a word of praise with someone else, reminding them of God's mighty power.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You are great and worthy of all praise. Thank You for Your mighty power and endless love. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You, especially when life feels overwhelming. May my life reflect Your greatness, and may I always give You the glory You deserve. Amen
Day 7: Drawing Close to God
Scripture:
James 4:8
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Devotional:
Sometimes, God doesn’t feel close. There seems a distance between us and Him. We will often find that in such times, we have wandered away, become distracted. Maybe we have created that distance out of shame over something we have done. But scripture promises us that if we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us. Sometimes we need to wash our hands, figuratively, like the Old Testament Priests did before they approached the tabernacle, and make that first step toward Him.
Reflection:
How close are you to God right now? Do you need to draw closer?
Is there anything you need to confess to Him? He is ready to meet you.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your grace, for my forgiveness which You paid for. Please forgive my sins and draw close to me, as I draw close to You. Amen.
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