Ministry Matters

God-glorifying stories...challenging lyrics with catchy tunes...reflective recitations...powerful messages on God's grace...

All of the above descriptions sum up a most interesting ministry evening with Chick and Margaret Yuill held tonight at the Box Hill Corps. In a nutshell, we were 'blessed beyond measure'.

There was a real sense of God's hand upon this casual encounter with these amazing people of God.
There was a real evidence of personal and spiritual integrity as the Yuill's led us into the very throne room of God through sharing their stories and inspiring songs.

I'm the richer for having been there, for I met God along the way.

1 Chronicles 16:8 (MSG) ~ "Thank God! Call out his Name! Tell the whole world who he is and what he's done! Sing to him! Play songs for him! Broadcast all his wonders! Revel in his holy Name, God-seekers, be jubilant! Study God and his strength, seek his presence day and night..."

People of Divine Purpose

He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendour.” (Isaiah 49:3 NIV)

God has always designed us to be people of purpose. Primarily, to praise Him by “displaying His splendor.” Isaiah 49 refers to the coming Messiah and God’s foreknowledge in sending his Son to bring hope and redemption to Israel and beyond. Back then, Israel had been given a mission to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:2-3). Their main purpose was to glorify God and trust implicitly in His divinity. And nothing much has changed since then. God is still intensely interested in everyone’s purpose.

We are all products of a highly individualistic society and, as such, we often think of our purpose as being nothing more than the accomplishment of our personal dreams and desires. When we come to understand that our relationship with Christ demands more than this. Our purpose is more than what lies at the crossroads of our gifts and passions. There is deeper, spiritual level to purpose.

Purpose is two-fold. It is influenced in my relationships with those in the body of Christ who God has put me alongside, and it is also influenced in my relationships with those who do not yet know God and who I am called to reach.

Purpose isn’t static. It is constantly in motion. Wherever God calls me, my purpose is to fulfill His sovereign desire for the redemption and restoration of human individuals.
We are a purposed people of God!

Julie Frawley 1961-2008

Today we met to honour the life of Julie Frawley, the youngest child of Majors Lawrence and Joy Coleman, who was "Promoted to Glory" on Thursday 21 February 2008, aged 46 years. Loving wife of Kieran and devoted mother to Lawrence (19) and Ciaran (14). Born in Melbourne, Julie spent most of her childhood years living and studying in Kenya where her parents served faithfully as missionaries for many years. Her strong Christian upbringing made an impact on her life that saw Julie profess her own personal faith in Jesus as an adult. Julie loved life and lived it to the full, always looking to the needs of others and loving those around her.

The service was held in Our Lady of Victories Basilica in Camberwell, concelebrated by Fr Michael Morgan and myself. It was truly an ecumenical celebration of thanksgiving for Julie's life that brought much honour and glory to God.

In times of great personal tragedy and testing, it is comforting to know the more than sufficient grace of God upholding and strengthening us. With this in mind, Jesus shared words of comfort with His disciples saying … “Do not be afraid. Trust in God, trust also in me.” (John 14:1)

It is the grace of God that guides us into a personal relationship with Jesus.
It is the grace of God that assures us of His loving care and concern.
And it is the grace of God that finally brings us “without fault and with great joy” into His eternal presence.

An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Self Denial Launch

With 20 years ministry experience on the international mission field, Lieut-Colonels Ian and Sonja Southwell were worthy guest leaders for our Self Denial Appeal Launch. It was a time of inspiring worship as we journeyed to Zambia and learned something of the Army's ministry in that part of the world. The personal challenge to consider making a sacrificial gift toward this year's appeal was reinforced by the immense social and spiritual needs brought to our attention.

Why deny ourselves?

• Because Jesus said so.
• Because of the needs of the world.
• Because Jesus set the example.

How will our giving benefit others?

• Nothing we ever do for the Lord is wasted.
• The gospel still needs to be proclaimed.
• New leaders need to be trained.
• Poverty needs to be addressed.
• Illness needs to be fought, and
• Those with varying needs cared for.

Mark 8:34 ~ "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Promptings

Ever had a moment when you suddenly thought of someone and felt strongly you needed to call or visit them? Or out of the blue, you find yourself wondering how someone is doing? I call these "Divine-promptings".

Now when these moments arrive, we can do one of two things. We can put it into the recess of our minds and forget about them, or we can take active steps to follow through on them. Personal experience has taught me that when we respond obediently to these promptings, the blessings of God are far-reaching. I did this again today ~ and it's well-worth it.

Next time you have a "Divine-prompting", listen and obey; and wait and see how God blesses you to be a blessing!

Deuteronomy 15:4 (MSG) ~ "...if you listen obediently to the Voice of God... Oh yes—God, your God, will bless you just as he promised."

One Day At A Time

This was the theme of an encouraging thought shared by one of our "women of God" today during worship. The challenge of Moses' words from Deuteronomy 33:25 was both timely and beneficial.

"...as your days, so shall your strength be..."

Annie Johnson Flint, well-known Christian poet and hymnwriter who gave us such gems as "He giveth more grace", wrote these inpiring words for our contemplation and action.

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,

With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,

With its portion of pain and its burden of care;

One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

One day at a time to be patient and strong,

To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;

Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;

It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.

One day at a time - but the day is so long,

And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,

O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;

Give courage and patience and strength for the day.

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;

"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;

I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;

I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."

Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,

Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;

Why should we look forward or back with dismay?

Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.

One day at a time, and the day is His day;

He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.

His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;

As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.

Hallelujah!

Service With A Smile

Today was Valentine's Day and, while I admit that I'm not one to get caught up in the celebrations of this day, I did take the opportunity today to take my darling wife out for an intimate lunch.

Despite living in a day and age where almost all interactions are either impersonal or virtual, it was encouraging to sit down and enjoy some good "old-fashioned" personal table service. The smile of welcome and personal interest from the employees was reciprocated on the faces of the customers. But what stood out most strikingly was the way that the restaurant manager moved around the tables interacting personally with everyone, even to the point of clearing the tables with a real spirit of humility and servanthood. The fact that the manager is known personally to us was no exception, for it was evident we all got the same personal "service with a smile" treatment.

It reminded me how appreciative I am that Jesus came down to our level and, in sacrifical love, interacted personally with us. And for this I'm eternally grateful!