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Time for the rubbish to go out // Desk of Jono

Time for the rubbish to go out… During lockdown my rubbish and recycling have been building up. I used to love the rhythm of getting all the rubbish and recycling together and putting it on the roadside. Then when I came home from work it was magically gone. I would have a clean slate to start again.  I always find it satisfying clearing out the space and not having the clutter - maybe it’s the inner Marie Kondo in me.But as much as I try to reduce how much rubbish I accumulat...

Midweek Check-in from CRAVE!

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If I were God I would // Series recap

Did we all want to watch Bruce Almighty again, after Don’s solid message on prayer?“As mysterious as a thing called prayer is, it is our calling and our privilege. It is how we learn to ‘Co-Reign’ with Him in the ‘here and now’ as we await the ‘then and there.’” - Don....

We're on Spotify!

It’s exciting you can now also find our messages on Spotify! Just search Gateway Church NZ podcast, or click the link here 👌🏼 ...

Check-in with Mike!

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Philippians Devotional Book

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Sermon Series Recap // If I were God I would...

So many good quotes on Sunday Don.And recapping the 3 areas of evidence: God’s revelation of Creation.The Word of God.The life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus....

Midweek Check-in with Sarah!

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You haven't seen the back...

Morena, from the Desk of Mike...During the lockdown my local barber, Barry, had to close his shop and so I asked my wife Sally if she would have a go at making me look somewhat respectable. With scissors, clippers and an air of apparent confidence, she pruned my mop. Sitting in the midst of my fallen locks, I looked in the mirror and declared the mission a success until Sally responded with the words no one in a barber’s chair wants to hear “Mmmmm….. you haven’t seen the back”This...

Life in Level 2

Gateway family welcome back into life @ level two! The school run is back, businesses are back, and alarms are being set ⏰Praying for one another in this week of getting back to semi-normal.. in the adjusting, the timetables, the ability to catch up over coffee.Love how Eugene Pederson says this ‘ Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on...

Philippians Daily Reading #9

Daily Reading:  Philippians 4:8-23 Paul finishes off this remarkable letter with a final appeal for readers to adopt and maintain the healthiest Christian thought-life ever. Verse 8 is a banquet of sound thinking. As we saw back on Day 4 from chapter 2:5, it is having this mind (of Christ) that truly glorifies God as we resolve and determine to follow Christ. Following the humility of Jesus, and even the example of the Apostle Paul and others, is the way to experience the God of peace (v.9)...

Holy Habit // Scripture

The last Holy Habit we’re focusing on is scripture - ways to live in the Word:The Bible asks us to be meditating on the word, day and night. Allow it to be planted and nourish us. Practical ways to do this is to follow along in the GW Readings & Blogs. You'll find these on our website!The Youversion Bible app has heaps of awesome readings and studies. Find a good daily devo or commentary to dig into. Let's continue to be People of the Book....

Midweek Check-in // Chris: Interview with The Salvation Army

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Going Deeper With Matt // Philippians Blog #2

Prayer & Peace The Apostle Paul has endured a long lockdown (approaching two years). He has written several life changing letters to churches including Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and one to Philemon. For obvious reasons, these are called the ‘prison epistles,’ but it is most likely that Paul is secured in a rented house in Rome (Acts 28:16, 20, 23), guarded by Roman soldiers. In the first part of the letter Paul gives us his mindset for joy and hope. As we saw in Blog #1, he had eve...

Philippians Daily Reading #8

Daily Reading: Philippians 4:1-7In his closing paragraphs, Paul gives us a model of attitude and practice to pursue the Peace of God in all circumstances. Who wouldn’t want to know this? In the face of persecution, isolation, common opposition, and even some internal church disagreements (4:2-3), the wisdom is this (4:4-7): Enjoy Jesus; Be reasonable and patient with everyone; Remember Jesus’ return is not far off (in the grand scheme of things); Don’t let your concern tip over into p...

Holy Habit // Worship

Whether it’s In the sanctuary or out of the sanctuary. With music, or without music. On our own, or with others. Let’s be creative about how we worship Him.Psalm 100 MSGOn your feet now—applaud God!Bring a gift of laughter,sing yourselves into his presence.Know this: God is God, and God, God.He made us; we didn’t make him.We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.Enter with the password: “Thank you!”Make yourselves at home, talking praise.Thank him. Worship him.For God is sheer b...

Philippians Daily Reading #7

Daily Reading: Philippians 3:12-21Paul’s lockdown thinking time has confirmed deeply in him that knowing Jesus Christ personally is all that really matters. Knowing, obeying, and enjoying Jesus is what living is all about. So, we are told twice in this reading that Paul’s mission is to ‘pursue’ Jesus (3:12,14). We say to ‘go hard’ after something is to want it and work hard for it. That is very much how Paul is speaking here – Go hard in a life of closeness with Jesus, toward a goa...

Holy Habit // Prayer

Prayer can be both planned and unplanned. Intentional and unintentional. But anytime spent with our creator is time well spent. As we move through the levels, continuing to cultivate the habit of prayer could look like this...Planned: Where we cultivate gratitude and thank God for the good things! Where we set aside time to pray for others Where we seek God in what He is saying... So less talking by us and more listening to Him. This can be by praying through journaling -Writing our prayers to G...

Check-in with Jo // Covid-19 update

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Philippians Daily Reading #6

Daily Reading: Philippians 3:1-11Once again, we are told to enjoy belonging to Jesus. Why? because of what follows as Paul’s own testimony. Lockdown can be a time to consider our priorities, and Paul certainly had time during his many months to reflect on his own achievements and consider their value. His conclusion?– no achievements, no physical features, no religious status, no other earthly thing can compare with the confidence and beauty and pleasure of being right with God! Knowing and ...

Life after Lockdown #5

Over these next few days we’re focusing on three holy habits that keep us connected and growing with God.Prayer // Scripture // WorshipHave a think back... When have been the best times you’ve felt connected with God - before lockdown and through lockdown? What can work well for you for life after lockdown?...

If I Were God - Series Reflection

Another thought provoking word from Don yesterday. Here’s a gem he included....

Philippians Daily Reading #5

Daily Reading:  Philippians 2:12-30 Following on from the model of Jesus, the Apostle Paul is now giving us three more people who are examples of faithful, obedient and courageous living. Did you pick them up? Paul’s willing sacrificial service for the Philippians (v17), Timothy’s service of Paul in need (v20,22), and Epaphroditus who had delivered the original donation to Paul, laboured alongside him, and faced the dangers with Paul of standing firm for Christ in a hostile situation (v...

Life after Lockdown #5

Let us know in the comments. We would love to hear your thoughts on what God is revealing to you in this lockdown season. ...

Philippians Daily Reading #4

Daily Reading: Philippians 1:27-2:11 Writing from his house arrest lockdown and facing possible execution, the Apostle Paul now turns us towards the lifestyle and examples to follow, to live the most joyful Christ-magnifying lives we can. This is what ‘citizenship’ for Christians is like. We are urged to stand strong together as a community and face the inevitable opposition our Christianity provokes. Verse 29 states that not only is faith a gift from God, but so is suffering for Christ! Thi...