Oxygen Church - Breathe

What better way to celebrate life than at oXygen Church? Doors open at 10:45am, so why not get there early to catch up with a few friends and get seated on time. We're creating more space and opportunities for our friends and family to connect with God and great people! It's exciting to see what God has already done...and is about to do! Kids church is on! So parents' why not arrive early to make sure your children can make the most of their time at church.

When:      This Sunday, 12th February 2012, 11.00-12.15pm

              (Doors open at 10.45pm and light refreshments will be served from 12:15)

Where: The Stafford Room, Queens College.

              1 - 17 College Crescent, Parkville Vic. 3052

(Kids church available - registration open from 10:45pm)

For further information click here 

One of the things I am most passionate about is the church being The Church. The Church is far more than just a building, or a programme – in fact, it’s so much more than just having a “great service.” I believe that a great church is one that understands who they are in Christ and what it is they are on earth to achieve. A great church is made up of ordinary people – just like you and me – who believe in God’s calling and purpose for their lives. When a church believes who it really is – watch out, things are about to happen. People are healed, families are restored, cities are revived and nations are renewed.

The Apostle paul writes, “The church is Christ’s body through which He speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.” [Ephesians 1 vs 23 - The MSG] When the church speaks, acts and is present where it really needs to be, Christ’s heart and love for the world is expressed and seen. As individuals, and together as a church, we long to start seeing God move powerfully in each of our worlds? Let’s start by believing and getting our hearts around the truth that God wants to use each of us in order to do so. 

“Act, and God will act.” – Joan of Arc

This is a short film of an oXygen Church initiative called Preserving Humanity. Its aim is to raise awareness and funds for the A21 Campaign, an organisation that exists to abolish injustice in the 21st Century with particular attention paid to human trafficking. 

Featuring "Take Heart," written by Joel Houston. Performed by Hillsong United from the album "Aftermath."

We're making the most of the sunshine and heading out for a simple BBQ lunch in the park. With fun for the kids and ample room for everyone, this is really going to be a fun day out!

When: Sunday 19th February,11:30 - 1:00pm

What to Bring: BYO: BBQ picnic and drinks

Venue: Ruffey Lake Park, entrance off Victoria Street, Doncaster, 3108

So how did you wake up yesterday morning? If you were like me and chose to keep watching the Australian Open tennis men's final into the early hour of Sunday night, you would've been a little tired. But, what an amazing game! Two of the greats in tennis, putting on arguably the greatest battles seen on a tennis court for a very long time. Have you ever thought how do they get so good? Sure practice, training and sheer hard work have a lot to do with it - but there's also the element of what a great competitor will bring out of their opponent. Each player is battling to outdo the other - and as a result tends to find themself gaining more skill, passion, stamina and inner resolve to win.

At oXygen church, we always talk about relationships. Who you do life with often determines where you go and what you achieve in life. The Proverbs puts it this way, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." [Proverbs 27 vs 17 - NIV] If you want to develop any area of your life, make sure you are spending time with those that will sharpen your thinking, sharpen your skills and sharpen your inner resolve to continue to move forward in that area. It couldn't be more true in our relationship with God - it's always going to develop the more we spend time with God and with those who are walking along side - pushing us to step up and into more of God's promise for our lives, those who are challenging us to believe God for more and willing us to make greater committments to God with our lives. Thank God for these people and do your best to be around them - they will get the best out of you.

Life is filled with beginnings. The month of January acknowledges the start of the new year - the beginning. But for some, standing on the precipice (great word!) of this year can evoke a sense of fear or faith for what the coming year could bring. I believe that the very first four words of The Bible are key to any beginning in life.

"In the beginning God..."[Genesis 1 vs - NIV]

God.

Simple isn't it?

God.

Right from the very beginning - the beginning of all beginnings - there was God.

And where God is you'll find endless blessings, purpose, potential, favor and possibilities. If you want God's outcomes for your life, start by including the God factor right from the very beginning and you'll build this year from a foundation of faith instead of fear.

 To register your interest click HERE

If there is one thing that you should do to make the most of 2012 - what would it be? The month of January tends to start the year off with a bang and then usually slowly fizzles as people begin to feel the pinch of their personal new year's resolutions - if they haven't aready given up on them already! Perhaps you've done exactly the same thing as this time last year and have found that maybe nothing has changed in life aside from the number on a calendar. But, if there was one thing - just one thing that you could do - to have all that God intends for your life - the blessings, the fruit of potential, the healing, the provision, the breakthrough - what would that one thing be?

I love Paul's writings! In the letter he wrote to the church in Phillipi he wrote about his 'one thing to do.' "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."[ Phillipians 3 vs 13-14 - NIV] As good or as challenging 2011 has been, if we are to keep advancing personally in our lives we have to let go of everything that we've experienced and trust that as we do so, God can add more to our lives. Whether you need to forget a trial or a triumph, we must find the courage to trust that God has planned better things for us and for our lives. The best is yet to come!

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”[Genesis 8:22-NIV]

There's just something about the beginning of a new year isn't there? There's a lot of optimism about what the future holds and a lot of talk of expectations and perhaps even visions for our lives. But on the flip side, for many it's a time for rest and holidays. The two seemingly don't fit. On one hand there's talk of making 'it' happen this year in terms of achievements and goals and on the other? - well, surf's up!

In reality, the two go hand-in-hand. Sowing a sense of rest into your body, mind and soul is vital for all that God has for you to do this year. It's a little like planting seeds for the future. At the time, sowing may take some work but really there is nothing to show for it but an empty and rested field. When harvest time comes around, that's when life is productive. But I can assure you seed time - just like rest - played just as much of a role in the harvest. The question is, do you work to rest or do you rest to work?

Many people live in freedom, but when it comes to their own lives they sound and act a lot more like the begging Oliver Twist than anyone I know - "Please, sir, I want some more." Life is for living and there's no one who wants you to enjoy all the freedom in life more than God. True freedom is why He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for us. The point of Jesus' resurrection is so that we can live without fear or oppression. The ridiculous thing about it all is that many of us still feel an element of guilt when it comes to asking God for more out of life than what we are currently experiencing? As a result, if we muster up enough courage to even ask, it comes out in a prayer that is lame (at best) and filled with more confusion than faith and belief. No wonder most of us don't experience all that God intends for our lives!

Jesus said , "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance to the full, till it overflows."[John 10 vs 10-Amplified Version] Now remember; Jesus said it - not me! Jesus' whole purpose was for us to have and enjoy life, in fact, more life 'til it overflows! A life that overflows is a big life. It's a life that splashes on to others. Want more out of life in 2012? Why not ask God for more life - with a belief, faith and an understanding that God wanted it for you right from the beginning! Happy New Year and may 2012 biggest year filled with more than you know what to do with!