Our Lord is the restorer of fortunes. He rebuilds Zion and the church. Unless the Lord builds the house, we are all vain labourers.
Psalms 126: Restore Our Fortunes, O LORD A Song of Ascents.
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalms 127: Unless the LORD Builds the House A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalms 128: Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the LORD A Song of Ascents.
1 Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!
Things to think about…
Imagine when the Jews were allowed to return to their land and establish their nation again on May 14th, 1948. What joy they would have experienced. Imagine how they would have read Psalm 126. You know true fortunes are only possible through the King of the Jews, the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the Jewish people that they receive a true knowledge of the Saviour, Yeshua. Without Him they are like any other lost people group in the world – without hope. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Are you weeping at the moment. Has a situation gripped your heart and life that you see no resolve or way through The Lord has a wonderful promise for you. Your tears are seeds are they shall bear fruit in their season. They “shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him”, Ps 126:6. Just be patient; you’ll see.
Our church meetings are nothing without the Spirit of Christ. Our worship is vain unless the Lord is there. Just as the Psalmist says in Ps 127:1 – we labour in vain unless He builds the house. Christ says He is building His church and where two or three are gathered there He is. Please pray within your devotions and life group meetings that we we see the Lord building His church through the Holy Spirit blessing His Word. The blessings we are receiving at the church are due to these prayer meetings. Praise God for faithful prayer partners.
What are you worried about at the moment You have prayed, you have lost sleep. He has heard your prayers. It’s time to thank the Lord and go back to bed and get some well needed rest. Allow Him to give “to his beloved sleep”, Ps 127:2.
Praise God for our children. They are all arrows for the Lord as we commit them to Christ Ps 127:4,5. If any of your children are outside of Christ, continue to pray, as you are doing. I can only speak from our own experience, that our prayers have turned our boys into amazing young men. There are still a couple of strongholds here and there we are still praying about, but the Lord has been incredibly faithful. We will see His blessing completed, I am sure of it.
When our children are walking with the Lord there is no doubt that this is a testament to the Lord’s grace to the surrounding society. Solomon knew this in his heart even though his own son Rehoboam grew to be unwise. Solomon had many children and no doubt some grew to be wise. As such, “He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”, Ps 127:5.
I can tell you that Psalm 128 has proven true in our family. Our boys are a wonderful blessing, and my dear wife has been a fruitful vine! But it goes further, the promise is that we will see our children’s children. Seeing our children have children is surely one of life’s great mysteries and blessings anyone can experience. Praise the Lord when the gospel of our Lord is being taught by our children to their children.
May the Lord bless Israel and Australia with revival. May the love of Christ’s banner by over our nations, Ps 128:6.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Pray for the gospel and this week’s message - ‘Trump the world and the gospel.
2. Pray for our Easter services.
3. Pray for Iran and pray for the demise of the IRGC of Iran.
May the Iranian people see the prophesy of Jer 49:34-39 fulfilled over the coming weeks and months.
Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast – starting to come online.
4. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
5. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
6. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
7. Pray the influence of Russia and China is minimised militarily.
8. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
9. Conflict zones- Israel, Iran and Ukraine
10. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
11. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
12. Finances to cover our needs
13. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for the Lord’s blessing over our service on Sunday
2. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
3. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
4. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Peter, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
5. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
6. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Easter services – Easter Friday 3rd Apr – 9:00qm. Easter Sunday 5th Apr – 9:30am – Kids activities while the message is on.
2. Passion Play at Moogerah Dam – 28th March and Easter Weekend. Ladies and families welcome. Camping available.
3. Prayer meeting Wed 5:30pm at church. Life group begins at 6:30pm. Going through the book of Romans.
4. All Life Groups - Wednesdays.
5. Kids@Church especially our Easter program.
6. Mothers Day High tea celebration – Saturday morning, May 9th at Church.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for March...
Q. 6. How could the Son of God suffer? A. Christ, the Son of God, became man that he might obey and suffer in our nature.
