Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Read Jeremiah 17:5-8 and discuss the contrast of trusting in self and trusting in God

Spend time praising God that he is the source of life and growth, and our roots deep in him enable us to grow through all seasons

Pray for our upcoming Spring Growth 2020. That the Holy Spirit would guide people to join Alpha, Christian Foundations or Leadership Foundations. 

Pray that many would grow in their faith, whether starting, establishing or developing influence.

Pray that these three training courses would build in momentum and create in The Grove a church that multiplies followers of Jesus.

Ask God to put in us a desire to go deeper, and to become discontent with the status quo

Pray for our children and teenagers. That God would break into their lives and grow them strong in his love and calling

Pray for those who have stalled in their faith, some for a long time. Ask God to reveal to them what is in the way of them growing and reaching their potential in him.

Pray again this week for our city, nation and world as COVID continues to brings sickness, suffering, death, anarchy and financial hardship. Pray that in the hardships, many would turn to Jesus as they encoutner his love and majesty. Pray for wisdom and success for government leaders, for frontline workers and for scientists working on a vaccine. Pray for peace to overcome conflict and remember those who are vulnerable.

• Give thanks that God is totally good all the time. And praise God that he has good work and good purposes for each of us individually and as a church.
• Pray for people in our church and those yet to know Jesus to discover more of God's purpose for thier life. 
• Pray for those feeling lost and that life is without purpose. Ask God to bring someone along their path to encourage them and help them find God's plan.
• Pray that God would guide us into the good works that bring freedom and life to others. May he speak through his word, and prompt us from his Holy Spirit.
• Ask that God would work all things together for good, remembering those who are in very hard circumstances. 
• Pray for our world, that in the devastation of explosions, war and pandemic that God would fulfill his good purposes and the gospel of grace would shine like stars in a black sky. 
• Pray for the good work on the building project. Ask the Lord to bless the workers and that they may encounter God's love and grace. Pray also that nothing would stop the completion of this good work.
• Pray for Ian Stoodley in his work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. May God provide and help him and his collegues, especially in this time that technology is advancing the gospel.
• Pray for the work of Bridgeman, dhiiyaan, Hope and Bridgeman City. Give thanks for our close family of churches and ask God to bless the work of the gospel and to reveal his purposes to them all. Pray for the leaders of these church, for protection, strength and wisdom.

An invitation from PJ Jayawardhana, the Chairman of Compass, Finances God's Way, has been extended to anyone from The Grove to take part in the following online Zoom courses.  To find out more or to register, phone 1300 132 783, 0419 647 558 or email compass@compass1.org.au.  Limited places are available so please register as soon as possible. 
 
Business God’s Way (6 weeks)
Facilitators: Ian Charlesworth & Warren Wood
Starts date: Monday 13th July
Time: 7pm-8.30pm
Cost: $25 eworkbook / $50 workbook
Link: https://compass1.org.au/product/business-gods-way-study-guide/
 
Navigating Your Finances God’s Way (9 weeks)
Facilitator: Prasantha Jayawardhana
Start Date: Tuesday 14th July
Time: 7pm-8.30pm
Cost: $25 eworkbook /  $50 workbook
Link: https://compass1.org.au/product/navigating-your-finances-gods-way-study-guide/
 
Money & Marriage God’s Way (6 weeks)
Facilitator: Prasantha & Gwenda Jayawardhana
Start Date: Thursday 16th July
Time: 7pm-8.30pm
Cost: $18 eworkbook /  $35 workbook
Link: https://compass1.org.au/product/money-and-marriage-gods-way-study-guide/
 

A few pics of the happy staff at Ferny Grove State School enjoying some Krispy Kreme doughnuts! And the six hampers donated for families in need.

• Give thanks for those who have laid down their lives for the gospel, following the example of our Saviour Jesus.
• Pray that we would honour the persecuted church by using our freedom to advance the gospel.
• Remember those facing opposition for their faith and pray for strength and courage to remain faithful to Jesus and that they would experience his peace and joy.
• Pray that we would resist the temptations that the devil used on Jesus. That we would surrender to the Father's will and reject the seduction of immediacy, glory and power.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to lead us into new opportunities to witness and for his great power to fill our hearts.
• Repent from any attitudes that have sought safety and comfort as the goal of faith, and turn back in surrender to following Jesus into sharing the good news.
• Pray that the evil one would be defeated wherever he attempts to hinder the work of the gospel through his church.
• Pray for The Grove, that God would empower us and enable us to have victory over opposition and to find strength and courage to press on. 
• Pray that we would grow in our faith through the opposition we encounter. Pray for a deeper dependence and experience of Jesus.