Amazing Grace

The newly-released movie "Amazing Grace" was inspirational viewing. Did the movie meet my expectations? No, it exceeded them! Its promotion of Christian values, faith in action and social justice were commendable.

Favourite quote ~ "I'm a great sinner, but God's a great Saviour!" (John Newton to Wilbur Wilberforce)
Personal lesson ~ An integral part of Christian faith is following through on our convictions.
Surprise moment ~ When the cinema audience spontaneously applaused at the conclusion of the movie.

Movie Tip: Don't forget your tissues, they'll come in handy!

Philippians 4:23 (MSG) ~ "Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves."

Temple On Prayer

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple, when challenged that "answered prayer was mere coincidence" made a God-inspired comment to his mocking critics.

"When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't pray, they don't."

What a truthful comment! What non-Christians call "mere coincidences" we know to be "God incidences", for there is no coincidence as far as God is concerned. His actions towards us are always intentional, designed and deliberate.

Isaiah 25:1 (MSG) ~ "O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."

Praise Looks Good On You

Psalm 33:1 (NASB) ~ "Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright."

In 1997, while appointed to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, one of our ministry highlights was the opportunity to organize the first Christian Exhibition and Rally and meet international worship leader, singer, songwriter and producer of Christian worship music, Don Moen. Following the rally on the final night, we shared with Don Moen and his worship team in a fellowship meal. It was an inspiring weekend of genuine praise moments.

A special memory was when Don Moen quoted Psalm 33:1, pointed out an Indian lady in her 80s who was worshipping toward the front and said "Praise looks good on you." This, of course, was a fitting introduction to his chorus of God's response to our praise moments.

When you lift Your hands up high

And you sing a song of praise to Me

It brings Me great delight

Such a lovely sight

And yes it is true

Praise looks good on You

Morning night and noon

Your praise ascends to heaven

Like the smell sweet perfume

Filling every room

And yes it is true

Praise looks good on You

You bring your sacrifices

And you offer up your praise

You lift your voice with singing

But your heart seems far away

More than a sacrifice

I am looking for your life

Holy and acceptable

And pleasing in my sight

So offer up your lives

Holy and acceptable

A willing sacrifice

Precious in my sight

But in all that you do

Remember all I want is You

So lift your hands up high

And worship Him before the altar

Consecrate your life

A willing sacrifice

But in all that you do

Remember all He wants is You

And yes it is true

Praise looks good on you

Aging With Faith

Today was an emotionally charged one, as we placed our grandfather in high level nursing care. Knowing that 'aging in place' was not an option for him, I reflected on the reality of him aging with faith. For "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" ~ NOW.

“Aging In Place” is growing old without the need to move.
Now that sounds real ideal, Lord, but life isn’t always smooth.
And where we imagine we’d like to be we often find we’re not.
Confused, disoriented some and needing help alot.

No matter where we might end up, our faith gives us the hope
To know with utter certainty You’ll be there to help us cope.
Your provisions for us over the years have always been by grace
Sufficient, always reliable, whatever our physical place.

With this in mind, we claim Your lead as each stage of life goes on
Lord, make us ever conscious that with You we can’t go wrong.
We may use frames and forget some names, but Lord, we always know
Loving smiles and supportive hands, each day You will bestow!

Non-stop Prayer

The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory is partnering with the international 24/7 prayer movement and committing ourselves to a year of non-stop prayer right across the territory. Our 24/7 Prayer vision is "to be an Army of people seeking God's heart; listening to His voice (above every other); experiencing God's grace; obeying His commands; reflecting His glory; and bearing fruit for His kingdom."

What a great spiritual and faith challenge! The Inala Chapel has taken a step of faith and claimed 17 to 20 January 2008 as our prayer commitment.

Have you caught the vision splendid? If so, click here to visit the 24/7 prayer website and register now. Do your part and then watch God do His yet again!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) ~ "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Hey Jude

We all get letters from time to time. Frankly, there are some letters that we enjoy receiving and then there are those that we would just rather not open. Jude’s letter is one of the former. One that is enjoyable to read ~ in summary, ‘short and sweet’.

His opening greeting is all-encompassing. “To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: …Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”

Then, after offering some wise warnings, Jude goes on to write words of affirmation and encouragement to his readers ~ 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Not a bad letter to receive, is it? But wait…there’s more! Jude’s concluding words reveal just how awesome and abundant God is and clearly motivates ‘those who are called; loved by God and kept by Jesus’ to go on living faith-confident lives. So, here’s the more!

24(Now) to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

These final 25 words give us a real assurance that God is abundantly able.

Now (that's the present)
to him (that’s the person of God)
who is able (that’s His power)
to keep you (that’s His protection)
from falling (that’s to make you perfect),
and to present you faultless (that’s to make you pure)
before the presence of his glory (that’s His prestige)
with exceeding joy (that’s our pleasure).

Wonder-working Power

God's power always has wonder-working outcomes. Consider the life of Peter. The Peter we meet in the gospels is remarkably different to the Peter we meet a little later on in the book of Acts. Same person, but different personality. Once an insignificant, failure-prone follower of Jesus hiding behind his human limitations, God's power at work changed him into a significant, Spirit-obedient messenger who became the promised Rock of the Church.

Seeing God's power at work in the lives of His people is evidence enough that God longs to interact personally with us. A changed life is a powerful testimony of God's ability and a tangible reward of ministry.

What will God's wonder-working Power do through you? He alone knows.

2 Peter 1:3 (CEV) ~ "We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness."