Isaiah 42:18-19

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert

and streams in the wasteland.

I was reminded of this scripture this morning for our youth ministry. This section of scripture pictures a new season for the Israelites. For they had been slaves in Egypt and would cry out to God, and again He would deliver them.

God is doing a new thing in His church. Do you know what He is doing?

As we embark on a new year I believe God is stirring amazing things within our hearts. At the same time lets, as this scripture instructs us, not live in the past. We can often be caught up with past victories or even prior failures and forget that we live in present. The reason why many people can’t move forward is because they are stuck with something in their past. Don’t allow it obstruct the new thing God is doing in your life.

Repentance is the key to ignite our lives to move from our past into God’s future. Let be quick to sort out our affairs before God. If there are things we need to confess before the Lord, things that we need to ask forgiveness for, or situations we need to turn away from, lets do it!

Secondly, we are instructed to perceive what God is doing. If we see as God sees, we can do as God does. The key to seeing as God sees, is our relationship with Him. How can you see the point of view of someone without truly knowing them. See, the more you know someone, the more you will know their thoughts, know their heart and know their actions.

As we are at the beginning of great things this year and on the last few weeks of the holidays, lets make sure that we start and continue 2009 with seeking the face of God. You know, before an areoplane can get into the air it must have a good take-off. If we are to soar into God’s purposes for us this year, we must start with seeking Him. If it is going to involve Him, it must certainly begin with Him.

We are up for some really exciting things. Let us move with the Mover!

Hi all the way from the other side of the world. I’m sitting in a cafe in Malaysia at the moment fudging their net (but also drinking their product). I finally can scribe down some thoughts from this trip. Will be flying off to China in a few hours time.

Wow is all I can describe from the Singapore trip. It was such an amazing experience. We caught up with so many people, ate lots of food and had the opportunity to minister heaps.

Above all, it was so encouraging to see a thriving Acts 2 youth ministry set on saturating their country with God’s presence. I have never encountered young people so sold out for God’s Kingdom and the Great Commission through the way they live. It is truly amazing. I hope to share more with you all in person when I get back.

Hope and pray that things are well back in Brisbane. We all serve the same God from the other side of the world, and I personally cannot wait to see this same God move in mighty and miraculous ways in and through our lives.

We are drowning in the sea of impurity. Everywhere we look we find temptation to lead impure lives.

In the Psalm 119, longest psalm and longest chapter of the bible, the psalmist asks the question that troubles us all. How can we remain pure in a filthy environment?

Thank God that when we turn to His Word for a question, we can find not just an answer, but God’s answer.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

Psalm 119:9

We can live pure lives by living according to God’s Word. There is so much rubbish and junk out in this world, and it can be so hard sometimes to ignore it or push it aside. But when we know God’s Word (the Bible), then we are equipped with the power fend off filthiness and impurity. And when we know God’s Word then we can live God’s Word. You can only live what you know.

I want to encourage us during this holiday season to set some goals and plans for our spiritual growth. You might want to see how much of the Bible you can get through this holidays or grab a couple of good Christian books to read. Lets invest time to grow in our intimacy with the Lord over the next few weeks, so that we will be energised and recharged for a new year.

I will be leaving for Singapore this Thursday attending Y-Hope’s Youth Camp with some others this week. Please keep us in prayer. We are really excited!

So… Can I ask us all to take this opportunity to look out for one another. Please watch out for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If someone seems like they are stepping off the edge or traveling in the wrong direction, please pull them back and lead them right. If you know someone is in need of help, lend a serving hand. Remember that God’s church must always continue moving forward in God’s purposes!

We will miss you heaps. Please send us your updates of whats happening in Brisbane!

Hey - the next 2 weeks will be the exciting continuation our Dirty, Sexy, Money series. Don’t miss it, and don’t let your friends miss it!

Adios!

Okay, well here it goes. I received a txt today from a certain special friend (don’t get any ideas there!). It reads, “Hey man - how you going? Was wondering if I could have a really quick chat with you in person tonight if you are not too busy? If not then its ok.”

Didn’t really know what to think. Quick chat - in person. Something important, and something obviously pressing, but quick? Slightly confused. I did entertain a few thoughts. “Nick, I don’t like you anymore and don’t want to be your friend.” (haha jokes - but it does fit the category of important, pressing and quick).

Okay - without beating around the bush, this tribute goes to close buddy and awesome friend - Ricky Tran.

Well, turns out that during worship team pre-service rehearsals last week, we were sound checking and Ricky (in charge of PA that day) had asked if I could pull slightly away from the mic as it could create feedback (bad, loud sounds with speakers). Me, being my task driven self, with no help being in choleric mode, pulled away from the mic without much communcation like a nod or even a thumbs up to indicate it was all good from my end.

Anyone, would have reacted and could have taken personal offense to that. But instead Ricky came to my house to apologise if he was of personal offence to me. It had obviously been on his mind for a few days too. Wow, what character! And, wow how insensitive am I! I actually should be the one to apologise. Convicting lesson learnt!

I know Ricky doesn’t like public affirmation, but I just want to shout aloud for such a great example of godliness. This truly reminds me of a scripture in Ephesians 4:3 - “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Not some effort, not half the effort, but every effort to keep unity.

Thanks for always being a living example of this bro! You teach me heaps! Truly appreciate your friendship, and treasure you heaps.

Baby Tiger is now about 12 weeks old.

Ok. This is now my latest favorite song written and sung by my high school friend. Oh, so anointed! Yes, this is a plug for Citipointe’s new album Devoted. Very nice!

We farewelled our Voltage year 12s at last nights graduation dinner. The night was hosted by Justin who cooked up an absolute feast! And was filled with lots and lots of laughter reminiscing on the year.

I am personally so amazed at the work of God through people’s lives this year. As each person shared from their most memorable moment, I couldn’t help but to sit back and thank God for His goodness to us - for bringing the lost and the broken hearted to His house restoring the ultimate relationship that could be had - our relationship with our Creator.

Thank you VS for showing me what it means to follow Christ in a genuine way. Thank you for your encouragement through your life example. Thank you for your desire and love for the Lord.

I’ve been a part of many life groups in my life, but I have never expereinced such genuine hearts and life changing testimonies. Definately in the books for top life altering experiences - VS life group.

For all of IGVO most of us will be ending a chapter of our lives whether it be graduating to another year or moving onto another life group next year. The new season is ahead of us. For some it will be moving onto Powerhouse, or others it might be from Ignite to Voltage - but regardless I beleive that God will do a new work within us, refining us and stirring us for greater things.

Lets continue in flowing together in unity, being ready to catch the wave of God. Love you all.

Acts 4:12 - When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Wow. I love this scripture - the inspiration of our sermon series Unschooled. I’m sure that we have all felt unqualified or inadequate in different areas of our lives. That fact that we have can be healthy because it gives greater room for God to move in our lives, but by no means does God want us to be stuck from experiencing His power because of it.

God doesn’t use us based upon our abilities but our availability. Let’s take the example of Peter and John and step out to serve the Lord with courage. It might be the salvation of a friend or family member, or even the healing of someone you know that might be on the other side of your decision to say yes Lord.

I would like to encourage everyone registered for our church seminar this weekend, A Priesthood Church, to ready and prepare not only to encounter God, but to respond to His Word by “yes Lord, I’m available to be used by You”. Looking forward to spending time in the Word together with the bestest people in the earth!