G’day,
I pray you are doing great! I don’t know about you, but this month just flew by and I’m now barely finding my way through the dust. These past few months have been amazing; the Lord is working, molding, and shaping us and the church into what He wants us to be. As a family we are doing wonderful. We have become closer than ever before and are spending more quality time together. Niki and I have been stretched in the ministry and in our marriage like never before. During this stretching time we are trusting in the Lord for strength, help, provision, and daily wisdom.
Here’s an example of a stretching moment: this past Sunday our sound system failed and we had to wing service with no PA system. It was great to see the team pull together and make due with what we had.
Do you have a vision and a burden for revival?
As you know from our last newsletter, we are doing a 40 day prayer and fasting campaign. We have two weeks to ago, but man it’s been an awesome experience. I’m sensing the intimacy with the Lord and the desire for prayer, intercession and revival. I would like to share with you some of the questions that have challenged me during this time.
1. Do I have a vision and a burden for revival?
2. Am I convinced that it is the will of God to bring a great spiritual awakening in our nation? And does my prayer life reflect this?
3. If revival for our nation depended on my prayer life, do I believe that God would bring it?
4. Am I waiting on God and letting Him search my heart and motives in relation to revival? Does it matter where God starts to pour out His Spirit? Do I have any preconceived ideas, preferences, and suggestions?
If you’ve joined us for this time of prayer and fasting, I would like to hear what the Lord has placed upon your heart. Please email me your thoughts. If you are interested in the materials, please feel free to email me or go to my web site at: http://web.mac.com/calvarymissions/The_Aussie_Connection/Welcome.html
Words of Encouragement
Each Month I would like to add this section to our newsletter.
Lately this verse has really been ministering to my heart: Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Here is an insight on how it has spoken to us in our marriage.
It’s one of the major plagues that can kill a marriage; weariness, exhaustion, fatigue. We give and give until we have nothing more to give physically, emotionally, or mentally. We’re too tired to talk, let alone listen; too exhausted to make love or even think about it. Have you fallen victim to weariness in you’re your life and in your marriage?
The Word of God talks much about this state of exhaustion and the many factors which can bring it about. Sometimes waiting is the reason for our weariness. The Psalmist said, “I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.” (Psalm 69:3). Constant criticism or harassment by others can also induce weariness; “I am weary with my sighing; every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. My eye has wasted away with grief; it has become old because of all my adversaries” (Psalm 6:6-7)
Often, mental or emotional weariness is the cause of our physical weariness. We attempt to take on the worries of the world, thus overloading our selves mentally or emotionally.
What’s the answer to this problem? Part of the solution is being aware when your partner is weary. Listen when your partner needs to unload. Maybe you can shoulder some of the load. But the real answer is found in scripture: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light“ (Matt 11:28-30). By spending time with our Lord in prayer and just resting in His presence, you can discover how He can refresh you. Let Jesus Christ be your source of strength. “Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Heb. 12:3). (photo: On Your Mark Get Set, GO!)
Niki’s section:
Children’s Ministry
It has been an awesome, exciting and exhausting month! I mentioned in our last newsletter that we were going to be starting an 18 week journey through the Armor of God. Well, we just finished up week 4, and it has been the craziest and funnist time I have ever had in Children’s Ministry. Jennifer Bailey and I have had so much fun coming up with out of the box ideas on how to make the scriptures come alive to the children. We have dressed up in army fatigues with whistles, hats, boots – you name it we’ve worn it; created a 3d battle scene board to talk about Satan’s Battle plan against us; we’ve done some crazy obstacle courses, and our latest throwing socks filled with baby powder at our kids chest to make the point that we need to protect our hearts from our enemy. I am very blessed to be able to work along side of someone like Jennifer; who not only loves the Lord and serves Him with all her heart, but dedicates her time and energy to the kids at CCMA. (photo below: I see you, J!)
Schedule
Easter Sunday March 23rd
Impact (community outreach) March 24th-28th
May – renewal of visas (Lord willing)
June – Pastors Conference and home leave
Insight of the month
I came across a great definition of what an idol is. “An idol is something or someone that takes priority in our life over the Lord Jesus Christ, in either our thinking, time, affection, or loyalty; or it hinders our obedience to God. It involves doing our own things
Verse of the month
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1Cor. 15:58)
Prayer request:
The renewal of visas – the process to go quickly
A greater passion for the Word of God and for the people of Australia.
For the anointing of the Spirit upon our lives and the church
For strength and guidance as we home school Joshua this year
For protection, discernment, and guidance.
For wisdom in making decisions.
Provision in finances – monthly support and for home leave.
Just to let you know
Here is our churches web site:
www.ccmelbourne.com
Here is our “Aussie Connection” web site:
http://web.mac.com/calvarymissions/The_Aussie_Connection/Welcome.html
Blessings to you and until next time,
Pastor Andrew Russell
Andrew, Niki, Joshua, and Christian
Contact info: home address
3 Walton Court
Narre Warren,
VIC, 3805 Australia
011-61-3-9796-7771 = home #
011-61-4-3456-2543 = mobile (cell) #
Email address: ccma@calvarychapel.com
Sending Support address:
Saving Grace World Missions
17451 Bastanchury Road, Suite 203
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 993-4801
Memo line: the Russell’s in Australia
