Wednesday 27 August 2008

Hoping

Hoping for the believer is way more than wishing. The hope filled Christian has her sights on future reality. It comes from faith in God. He is so faithful to us, He "makes a believer out of..." a believer.

When your hopes are dashed, turn to the Lord who can and has resurrected hopes from the ashes of despair. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Sunday 24 August 2008

Not Tired

Here's a gospel song we sang in an earlier appointment:

"I don't feel no ways tired;
I've come too far from where I started from.
Nobody told me the way would be easy;
I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me."

In the context of the slavery movement, the powerful faith behind the song is extraordinary. Let this beautiful song encourage you today. Hallelujah!

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Friday 22 August 2008

The Journey

Essential to the destination is the journey. I'd say that the journey is the essence of the destination. The objective isn't as much to arrive as it is to experience the journey in the process of getting there.

How's your journey? Enjoying your trip? Difficult days? Bumps or turns in the road? It's all a part of the journey. If we are trusting God in this process, we will be more likely to benefit from and even enjoy the journey. Try trusting today.

1 Peter 1:17 (MSG)
17 You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living. Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.

Monday 18 August 2008

Take a deep breath

Watching some of the Olympics reminds me of how important disciplined breathing is to the competitors. Sometimes in the ministry we need to take a deep (cleansing) breath to enable oxygen to do its thing in our brains. When we do, clear heads can be a constructive outcome.

Having an issue with a fellow believer? Is it taking on larger than life proportions? Take a deep breath, commit the person to the Lord and move on. Hallelujah!

John 20:22 (MSG)
22 Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said.

Friday 15 August 2008

Helping God

Is it really possible to help God? Considering His capacity and awareness, what kind of help would He need?

Truly, God needs you. First of all, He desires to know you and that you would love Him as He loves you. In that sense, He needs you. Secondly, in the context of our relationship with choice, we can be instrumental in serving Him to open up ways for others to have a loving relationship with Him. How are our friends and family going to know Him apart from how they see Him in us? Isn't that why you responded to His love in the first place?

Romans 10:13 (MSG)
13 "Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help."

Thursday 14 August 2008

Looking for Love

How about the song,"Looking for love in all the wrong places?" Here's an idea that translates to one's faith. People are simply looking for love in the wrong places. There looking to relationships that by definition are unholy and with people who are unholy. Many look for the storybook version of love or the "chick flic" version. Many people are deeply looking for love but trying to find it in unlovely ways. God help them.

You'll find true love in God through Christ. As it is clearly stated in the Bible, God loved us first and showed His love by allowing Jesus to take the punishment for our disobedience. "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend." Seek God and you will find eternal, life-giving love.

Psalm 33:18 (MSG)
18 Watch this: God's eye is on those who respect him, the ones who are looking for his love.

Monday 11 August 2008

Sharing the Love

Have you heard the expression, "If you're not with the one you love, love the one you're with?" Now, in its original context, it's off base and wrong. In the context of God's love, it actually makes redeeming sense.

We should be sharing the love of God with those we are with. As we plan to win the world for Jesus, we can often overlook our closest neighbours. The preacher cannot step over her or his family to reach the congregation. it doesn't make sense.

Right where you are today, reach out to the closest person in the love of Christ. The person will be glad you did.

Acts 1:8 (MSG)
8 What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."

Friday 8 August 2008

Be Cautious

As the territory moves forward in the name of God, I get a strong sense that in a number of areas, we need to be cautious. Because we are stepping out in faith, there is the present storm that is confronting us with the real potential to distract us in the process. Don't let it happen.

Faith is a most positive approach to life. Where there is negativity (not to be mistaken by reality), there is diminishing faith. Watch for it and know that could threaten the good work in Christ you are doing.

Take every confidence in God. Know that Christ has already won the victory over evil. Avoid being blindsided by the possibilities of failure. Following God will always lead you right.

Ephesians 5:2 (MSG)
2 Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Thursday 7 August 2008

Getting Ready

Have you heard about the grandchild who asked her mother why grandma was always reading her Bible? The mother, referring to the advanced age of her mother, answered, "She's cramming for her finals."

Perhaps she was getting ready. The Boy Scouts remind us to "Be prepared."

We study. We warm up. Some put on make up. We clean the house especially if company is coming. We launder and press our clothes. Much of our life is spent in preparation.

All the while, God is preparing you and me for eternity in His presence. How is he preparing you?

John 16:1 (MSG)
1 "I've told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead.

Wednesday 6 August 2008

Following God

In an age that focuses on leadership so intently, I want to suggest we consider the most important aspect of determining which leader to follow. Follow the one that's following Jesus. You can tell by how the person walks and talks. Does the leader resemble Jesus? Can you imagine the leader in Jesus' shoes?

This requires your knowledge of who Jesus is and your awareness of that which is important to Him. Once you've settled on the answers to these questions, you'll be in a position to determine the veracity of the leader who follows Jesus.

May God bless you in your journey to follow the lead of Jesus.

1 Peter 5:1 (MSG)
1 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory.

Tuesday 5 August 2008

National Brengle Institute

Is it possible that Brengle could have known his influence on the future of TSA? There are Brengle Institutes taking place all over the globe for officers, soldiers, youth and more. Here in Australia, we conduct a National Brengle Institute for officers. It began tonight at the Geelong Conference Centre. Organised jointly by the Training Colleges of Australia, it will be a wonderful experience for all involved.

I believe God is honoured by these experiences for His children. Hallelujah!

1 Peter 1:15 (NIV)
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

Monday 4 August 2008

Opinions

It's amazing to me in a conversation, how quickly a person will be to offer an opinion. Truly, we're under no compulsion to even have an opinion on every subject known to man. I am amused when a few close friends refuse to get into Footy talk at all. They exercise good sense in simply saying how the subject doesn't interest them.

There are some subjects we should weigh in on, but let us remember that our opinions aren't necessarily the word of God. Where we can clearly reveal the truths of the gospel in conversation, we should. Where it's not so clear, we need to be certain that we balance our thinking as opinion. We might be right, and then again...

2 Peter 1:20 (MSG)
20 The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion.

Sunday 3 August 2008

Love4 Mission 08

The weekend concluded with a day of rejoicing before God. The themes today were Love Life, Love God and Love Others. The morniong meeting, particularly was a multi-cultural worship service with African and Aboriginal Choral groups. God blessed us all throughout the meeting. Hallelujah!

I believe the Northern Territory is in an advanced position, having had this experience. To God be the Glory!

Psalm 51:17 (MSG)
17 I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice.

Saturday 2 August 2008

Northern Territory

Love4 in the Northern Territory is a success. I know that many people question the word success and wonder what place it has in Christian ministry. It's appropriate here. Good sessions, good teaching, good fellowship, good prayer are some of the many aspects of the event that we are celebrating.

We're seeing God at work in our understanding and relationships. Thank you, Lord for what you are doing here.

2 Peter 3:18 (MSG)
18 Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes!

Friday 1 August 2008

Opening Night

The first night of Love4 in the Northern Territory went well. Great singing was led by Captain Danielle Strickland and good interviews were conducted by Majors John and Wendy Freind. Carolyn spoke and brought us each to a keynote focus.

People from all over the top end are here as well as a few from interstate. We're expecting more blessings tomorrow as we continue to study in the name of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:1 (MSG)
1 So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ.