Your Testimony Counts

Peter's confession, "You are the Christ", was the basis for our inspired time of worship this morning. We were encouraged to be mindful of the testimony we live everyday, for our public witness counts. The words we speak, the way we act, the deeds we do ~ all contribute to the profession of our faith and its influence for Christ or otherwise.

There is nothing more powerful than a transformed life lived to the honour and glory of God as an expression of Christ's love experienced deep within. So this week, make your testimony count!

1 John 5:11-12 (MSG) ~ "This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life."

Households of Faith

As a teenager I visited Germany and purchased a decorative gift for my grandparents, which has recently come back into my possession. The Christian plaque bears the words (in German), "God holds faithful watch over this house day and night by grace". This statement was reflective of their own household of faith, just as it is in the lives of all believers.

While sharing a fellowship meal in the home of some friends today, I was reminded of Carol Cymbala's song, "He's Been Faithful".

In my loneliness and fear, through every pain, every tear
There's a God who's been faithful to me
When my strength was all gone, when my heart had no song
Still my God has been faithful to me
Every word He promised is true
What I thought was impossible I've seen my God do
He's been faithful, faithful to me
Just looking back His love and mercy I see
When in my heart I have questioned and failed to believe
He's been faithful, faithful to me

Households of faith always have a special, welcoming atmosphere. For the faithfulness of God is always inviting!

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV) ~ "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you..."

New Chief Secretary Appointed

Today saw the announcement that General Shaw Clifton has appointed Major Raymond Finger as Chief Secretary and Major Aylene Finger as Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministry, with promotions to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Effective 1 December 2007, the Fingers succeed Lieut-Colonels John and Judith Jeffrey who will retire from active service.

To quote the words of Commissioner James Knaggs (TC) ~ "We congratulate Majors Raymond and Aylene Finger upon this appointment and promotion in rank and pray that God will bless them with His abundance now and for the days to follow."

Let it be made known: the finger of God is upon our territory. Hallelujah!

Acts 12:24 (MSG) ~ "Meanwhile, the ministry of God's Word grew by leaps and bounds."

Invitations

It's exciting to receive a personal invitation, especially when it's to attend a party or celebration. To know that you've been kindly thought of and specifically chosen is certainly a delight. What, then, of the invitations God offers us in Christ? Healing, wholeness, holiness, forgiveness and the hope of eternity. Jesus' personal invitation from the gospels, "Come to Me", is our reason to really celebrate life! For He is always true to His word; in fact, He is the Word.

Accept God's invitation in Christ and really celebrate. He'll make you glad you did!

Acts 2:38-39 (MSG) ~ "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."

Teach Me

In May 1993, while four months into my officer training, I was inspired by God to write these words which became a personal prayer for me then.

In these days of fruitful learning
May I always ready be;
All my heart and mind attuning
To Your Spirit constantly.
Gracious Lord, please find me willing
All my time to You resign.
I will walk forever faithful
That Your life through mine would shine.

Lord, I pray that through my living
Strength and wisdom I would gain.
Always understanding people
In their joy and in their pain.
Help me love with tender heart, Lord,
Give me faith to follow on.
May I grow into Your likeness.
Build me up and make me strong!

And now, 14 years later, these words continue to be my heartfelt prayer. God-inspired ideas are never outdated and useless ~ hallelujah!

Deeper And Wider

With the 24/7 Prayer Intiative well under way, God will be sure to pour out His deep and wide blessings upon our territory as we, in the words of Commissioner James Knaggss, "commit ourselves to deepen our faith and widen our spiritual influence through intentional prayer". It's truly exciting what God will do!

Retired General John Gowans expressed it well when he wrote:

It's as high as the sky and it's as deep as the sea

And it's as wide as the world, God's love for you and for me.

We can't escape His love or take ourselves out of his care.

Where can we hide from His love? His love is everywhere.

Allow the boundless love of God to flow deeper and wider through your life today.

Job 7:8-9 (MSG) ~ "God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend, stretching farther than earth's horizons, far wider than the endless ocean."

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."