God's Word

Paul Harrington, rector of the Holy Trinity Church in Adelaide, commences his feature article entitled "A Spiritual Famine" with the following.

"I met a senior Adelaide based Christian leader the other day who was lamenting the state of churches around Adelaide. His observation was that pastors and churches have lost confidence in the gospel to change lives and are failing to teach the Bible to their people.
This gels with trends in church life over recent decades in Australia. Preaching has been swallowed up by communication. Even in orthodox churches where the authority of God's word is upheld in theory, my friend tells me that in practice the Bible is still not opened and explained in public meetings."
(Trinity Times, August 2008)

This rocked me and yet didn't complete shock me either! God's Word is imperative to spiritual development. Consider this word from the Apostle Paul.

"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG)

I was encouraged to read his concluding sentence: "...our leaders are committed to God's Word and (we) ask all members of our community to affirm this with us. Keep praying that in all our ministries and relationships we will allow the God of the Bible to direct our steps."

Let's not 'water down' the gospel for the sake of popularity, but use it to keep us on track and shape us in the ways of God!

Lord, You have given us a spiritual banquet in Christ.

Booths On Love

General William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army, is quoted as follows.

"The secret of success is often inquired for. Here it is: it is not in natural gifts, or human bearing, or exceptional opportunities, or earthly advantages, but in a heart consumed with the flame of ardent, holy, heavenly love."

His son, Herbert Howard Booth, founder of The Salvation Army Musical Department, authored these prayerful words.

Let me love thee, thou art claiming every feeling of my soul;
Let that love, in power prevailing, render thee my life, my all.
For life's burdens they are easy, and life's sorrows lose their sting,
If they're carried, Lord, to please thee. If their pain thy smile should win.

Let me love thee, Saviour, take my heart forever;
Nothing but thy favour my soul can satisfy.


PRAY IT... BELIEVE IT...LIVE IT!

Sharing God's Blessings

In sharing with a family member of one of our nursing home residents this afternoon, I again enjoyed the privilege of turning surface conversation into a time of deep spiritual sharing. Together we talked of God's blessings in our lives and how we each value the guiding grace of God, even when experiencing life's most difficult challenges.

Our sharing time reminded me that in Christ we are all chosen family members, and each benefit greatly from the love that God lavishes on us with the dawn of each new day. Living now in God's love is inspiring, but not half as inspiring as it will be when we gather together in His glorious, rewarding presence.

Jude 1:24-25 (MSG) ~ "And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes."

Divine Certainties

My personal faith experience has taught me that when all else around me fails, God, in His grace and love, always prevails.

I was recently reminded of this Divine assurance when I read the following words from Psalms Now 93.

It may not always be apparent, but God does reign over our world.

He rules in majesty and might, and no philosophy or power can cast Him from His throne.

He allows us to mess up His purposes - even to destroy His visible creation about us.

But His place and His reign are eternally secure.

And so are they who put their trust in Him, who live by His precepts, and who follow His course for their lives.

(Leslie F Brandt)

Father-heart Of God

On this Father’s Day, we were reminded that the Father-heart of God is LOVE ~ Faithful Love. There is nothing so immeasurable or as important as God’s Love and yet His Love is so misunderstood by man today. GOD IS LOVE! Have you ever considered the magnitude of that statement?

GOD’S LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL
We love Him because He first loved us.
God’s love is not in any way influenced by anything we say or do

1 John 3:1 (NKJV) ~ "Behold what manner of love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us.
Nothing we say or do can make Him love us less.
No matter what your life has been like, He still loves you!
The most important thing that you can learn in life is that God never stops loving you!

GOD’S LOVE IS UNENDING
God’s love for us is from eternity - without beginning and without ending
It is no secret, concerning our Father’s love: God doesn’t just love His children every now and then; indeed, it is a "love without end, Amen."

GOD’S LOVE IS UNCHANGABLE
One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. “Weather vanes are changeable,” he said, “but God’s love is constant.”
Spurgeon’s friend responded, “I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles. You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love.”

THE FATHER-HEART OF GOD IS LOVE ~ Unconditional, Unending, Unchangable!

Celebrating Christlike Living

MAJOR JEAN PARKER (31 April 1921-29 August 2008)

That was then...this is now!
While the years may change the outward appearance, Jean's characteristic smile endured. Her natural charm and spiritual beauty were always reflective of the love she experienced from living in relationship with her Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

Jean's Christlike life was celebrated today as we met to give thanks to God for her exemplary ministry that impacted, not only me personally, but countless others who were privileged to have known her.

The territorial tribute summed it up well ~ Major Jean Parker was known as a compassionate pastor with a bright and positive attitude to life.

Lord, help us all to live Christlike and God-honouring lives everyday!

Grace In The Midst

A dear Christian friend forwarded us this meditation portion from her Bible devotional guide.

"When sickness or disability come and, despite prayer and medical treatment, stubbornly remain, be on the alert for the grace of God which is flowing into your 'dungeon'. A Christian, you see, can never be defeated. If the sickness goes, then he is free to follow his usual routine; but if it doesn't go, then he is promised grace to cope with it, and even to transform it.
So, as Christians, either way we win!"

Yes, yes, yes! Thank you Lord. Your grace continues to amaze us!

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) ~ "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."