Knowledge vs Experience

As my wife was preaching this week from Genesis 47 about the unexpected blessing that Jacob and his sons received when Joseph presented them before Pharaoh, I was reminded of the old adage ~ "It's not what you know, but who you know".

I'm convinced that the blessing that Pharoah gave the family to resettle in fertile and bountiful Goshen, with the added bonus of job security, was only made possible because of their personal relationship with Joseph, the 'ruler of all Egypt'.

Christian faith operates in the same way. "It's not what you know..." (theoretical knowledge or a mindset of spiritual passion), but rather "Who you know..." (heart experience that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ) that makes all the difference.

It's not so important that you know alot about God, but that you have a personal faith in Him through Jesus Christ that is the key. Faith experience reveals the grace of God.

TODAY'S PRAYER FOCUS
All IHQ International Secretaries ~ zonal and departmental

Filing Find

While in the menial process of archiving choir music, I discovered many God-gems. This, of course, meant that the filing took longer than it needed to be, but with each exploration I was increasingly inspired. One such God-gem was a 1981 composition of one of Australia's gifted composer, Major Howard Davies, entitled God can do the impossible. Verse 2 especially caught my mind's (and heart's) eye.

My God can do the most impossible thing: new hope He can bring!

My God heals the sin-sick soul, makes the broken heart to sing.

He knows your name, your pride, your shame, your joys, your sorrows too;

He can see your best desire when you longingly aspire to find the God you never knew.

My God isn't far away, I know He is near, your prayer He will hear;

And in love He is waiting to do the same for you,

For my God, the impossible can do!

Do you believe it? I do.
See, it pays to file and archive!
So why not give it a go and be inspired in the process? You never know what you'll find.

TODAY'S PRAYER FOCUS
Applicants being processed for international service

Celebrating Progress

Today was an awesome day for us as we met up with friends we have not seen in a long time. Why awesome you ask? Because in renewing our friendship we were able to celebrate with them in the progress they are making and give thanks to God for all He continues to do in and through their lives.

It was German poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who penned this truth ~ "A joy shared is a joy doubled". Admittedly, their progress was the result of much prayer, however, it certainly provided us with a BOOST ~ both physically and spiritually. Hallelujah!

2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG) ~ "We're rooting for the truth to win out in you. We couldn't possibly do otherwise. We don't just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you."

TODAY'S PRAYER FOCUS
Peter and Emma Weymouth (with baby Samuel) ~ serving faithfully in appointments in Zambia

Passport Principles

My Australian passport is a visible reminder that I am a citizen of Australia and, as such, have an obligation to contribute positively to the wellbeing and progress of our Great Southland. The passport is vital and valuable in giving me an identity and opening the door for me to travel the world and reach specific “pre-planned earthly destinations”, while it is valid that is.

In a similar fashion, our faith relationship with God through Jesus needs to be a vital part of our everyday living; we need to value the spiritual blessings that are ours daily by God's grace; and we need to make sure our faith is valid and relevant. The moment we claim Christ by faith is the moment we are given a God-guaranteed assurance that He will guide us all the way to our spiritual destination ~ life eternal in His presence.

Olive Holbrook summed it up well in her song when she wrote ~

“This is the lamp to pilgrim given
This is my passport into Heaven
Portent of immortality
That God, through Jesus, dwells in me.”

TODAY'S PRAYER FOCUS
Emma Currie ~ living in Kenya with her missionary parents.

Celebrating Australia

Australia Day is a time to celebrate what's great about Australia. It is an occasion, more than any other, when we express our national pride in our distinctive landscape, our diverse society and our unique lifestyle.

Each year on 26 January, we are reminded of what it means to be Australian, sharing a sense of community, a mood of optimism and a commitment to the fair go. In this spirit, we extend a warm welcome to our new citizens who will pledge their loyalty to Australia and its people in 2008.

This is also a time to recognise outstanding contributions to the life of the nation. Through the Australian of the Year Awards, we spotlight the extraordinary achievements of ordinary Australians.

On Australia Day 2008, we have cause for celebration and time for reflection. I encourage all Australians, across the country and around the world, to consider the contribution each of us can make to this great nation of ours.

The Honourable Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister of Australia

"Lord, I praise You for the privilege of being an Australian citizen, but more than this, I'm ever so grateful that I'm a citizen of Heaven through my relationship with Jesus Christ!"

TODAY'S PRAYER FOCUS
Captain Debbie Messenger who serves as administrator of the Joyville Children's Home in The Philippines.

TODAY'S PRAYER FOCUS
Overseas Personnel Officer, Lieut-Colonel Julie Spiller as she provides an administation and pastoral care ministry to those serving in other territories through the Overseas Personnel Office, THQ.

Triumph Tsonga

Ezekiel 21:25 (MSG) ~ No more "business as usual." The underdog will be promoted and the top dog will be demoted.

This was certainly true this evening as France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Spain's #2 Rafael Nadal in excitement-packed straight sets 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.

Those of you who know me well will note two things here ~ one unusual and the other predictable.

• First, as a self-proclaimed 'sports ignoramus', I'm thoroughly enjoying watching the Australian Open (in fact, I'm hooked!).
• Second, I'm once again rooting for the underdog.

There is always an air of excitement and triumph when I hear stories and witness the progress of people who are crippled by life's circumstances; who struggle to live up to societal expectations and who are bound by the personal opinions of others, yet prove themselves worthy and rise victoriously despite their experiences.

Spiritually-speaking, we all reach our spiritual potential in Christ. Faith in Christ alone enables us to be who and what God created us to be and drives us to live life to the full. And as we do, God says to us, "No more business as usual" ~ for we become a vital part of His Divine team.

TODAY'S PRAYER FOCUS
Khelsi Webb ~ living and study in Pakistan, where her parents are serving.