Author: Life Focus Ministries

Who are we? Dr Robert McQuillan is recognised as an inspiring encourager, counsellor, mentor to ministries and Bible teacher ministering meaningfully on the prophetic edge. Robert and Maureen, a gifted communicator with an uncanny insight into knowing 'where people are at', delight to bless and encourage God's people and ministries... and touch the hearts of the unchurched in the marketplace. Contact: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com

ZONING IN ON ZEPHANIAH

(May 18, 2024) Brian Bell challenges…

I am sharing some thoughts here from the Old Testament prophecy of Zephaniah, a book of only three short chapters.

But firstly… who was Zephaniah?

Rebuking Prophet
Zephaniah was a prophet in Judah in the years before the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians. At the time of Zephaniah’s prophecy Josiah was king of Judah.

Zephaniah’s messages bring a stern rebuke to what we would describe as a spiritually cold or backslidden people. Sadly, at that time, while the people of Judah were materially prosperous, they were spiritually slack, having forsaken their obedience to the Lord for the worship of many ‘gods.’

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THE POWER OF PENTECOST

(May 17, 2024) Dr Jim McClure shares …

Pentecost has often been described as the ‘Birthday of the Church.’  Why? Because Pentecost was the day when the mission of the church was born.

The first Christian Pentecost was a hugely dramatic occasion. ‘Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance’ (Acts 2:2-4).

Pentecost was not just a random, revival-type experience for those first Christians – it was a fulfilling of Christ’s promise to His disciples, ‘When the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of me’ (John 15:26 NJKV). The Greek word translated here as ‘Helper’ literally means ‘one called alongside.’  The Holy Spirit walks alongside us in our journey through life.

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POWERFUL PRE-PENTECOST PRAYER

(May 15, 2024) Wayne Swift again calls it as it is, sharing some thoughts about those united first Christians who excelled in obeying a particular command of Jesus, and witnessed the birth of the church!

To excel in something, even a leisure pursuit – golfing, surfing, fishing – you have to follow a certain process.

Now when it comes to living as Christians – including whatever God wants us to be involved in – we are often quick to think that we can ‘produce the goods’ simply by wishing or hoping. And there are many times when we think all our dreams will come true without any effort or change on our part.

Our goal as Christians is pretty clear – to win people to Christ. But it takes prayer, time, involvement… and that’s the process before the event.

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A MOTHER’S HEART!

(May 11, 2024) Angeline Selvakumari shares…

Greetings dear readers, in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who blesses us with heavenly blessings.

This article holds special significance as Echo of His Call extends heartfelt wishes for a happy Mother’s Day tomorrow to all the mothers worldwide.

While such occasions bring joy to many, they may also evoke feelings of sadness for some. But before dismissing this message, thinking ‘I’m not a mother, so why bother reading,’ consider this: Mother’s Day is a celebration for all who embody the nurturing spirit of motherhood.

And, whether you’re a father, brother, uncle, sister or aunt who has assumed the role and responsibilities of a mother, Sunday May 12 is your day to commemorate and rejoice in your sacrificial love.

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PRESS IN, PRESS ON, PRESS FORWARD!

(May 09, 2024) Richard Winter encourages…

Folks, I want to start with a confession!

No – not about a sin, but about a place I used to go to, to make me a better person. Before Covid I went to the gym – many times, and I didn’t like it all that much.

You do the same things to get in shape, understanding it’s not just vain repetitions with weights and exercises but about your future. You do It again and again and one day you marvel at your change – you’ve lost weight and, hey, you’re looking good.

You’re able to do many more things, you’re breathing more easily… and your clothes fit you in a very enhancing way.

Needed: Spiritual Exercises!
But there is another side to us all beyond the physical. We are spiritual beings, and the apostle Paul wrote about another ‘gym’ that he attended – and so should we.

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AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE LIVING GOD

(May 06, 2024) Carol Round encourages… and challenges –

A friend recently posted the following on social media: One encounter with God can change your whole life.

She added, ‘I’ve personally experienced many God encounters that created a 180-degree change in my life.’

Her post led me to ponder my own God encounters. My earliest childhood memories of experiencing God were in nature. I grew up in southwestern Louisiana, where I spent many hours outside inhaling His creation in the branches of a Mimosa tree and hiding from the world.

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GOD’S TREASURE FOREVER

(May 04, 2024) Norman and Margaret Moss reflect on receiving the comforting blessing of God’s incredible love…

In January an old mother was left in the passenger seat of the car while the owner popped into a shop to get something. Because the weather was cold the engine was left running to keep the heater going… and the car was unlocked.

Suddenly a bad man who has just been sentenced to more than eight years in prison jumped into the driver’s seat and stole the car including the passenger!

Seeing the car disappearing in the distance, the frantic car owner phoned the police. Asked for further information about the passenger it was explained that the mother was 89, had dementia, and was also blind.

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DYING IS EVEN BETTER!

(May 04, 2024) Brian Bell shares encouragingly …

If you’re thinking, ‘How can such a title bring me encouragement?,’ please keep reading!

Recently I have shared several lessons we can learn from Paul’s letters. Here I plan to share some thoughts about Paul… who was originally known as ‘Saul’ (Saulus or Shaul, the Jewish name of Paul, Paulus).

Pre-conversion
Luke tells us in Acts 7:58NLT about the stoning of Stephen: ‘The official witnesses took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul’ (possibly around 30ish then). And in Acts 8:1NLT that ‘Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.’

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IN TROUBLE? WE HAVE A SAVIOUR, A DELIVERER

(April 30, 2024) Jesy Veena Sam shares encouragement… and challenges!

‘Saviour’ is sótér meaning deliverer. The good news in these dark days is that our Saviour Jesus will listen to our cries, and help us, deliver us!

God has always heard people’s genuine prayers, listened to their supplications, brought them though dangers, and granted them saviours (Note… lower case ‘s’).

Let’s look at how God used some ‘ordinary’ biblical individuals to rescue – deliver – needy people who called on Him for help them in their troubles.

Moses
A reluctant Moses became a saviour to the people of Israel enslaved in Egypt, subjected to harsh treatment and great sorrow (Exodus 1:11-14).

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TRUE LOVE: JESUS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

(April 29, 2024) Mama Lava tells a delightful story… with a heart-touching challenge.

The Story…
A young couple met young and fell madly in love.

Wife was beautiful and sweet, and Husband was charming and ready to take on the world.

(Photo Henri Pham on Unsplash).

They didn’t have much, but they had each other and their wild dreams for the future.

Disappointments
As the years went by, they experienced one disappointment after another. Business ideas blossomed and withered, and any meagre savings they managed to accumulate quickly dissipated. There were a couple of pregnancies, but none that went full-term. An injury incurred at a thankless job, leaving  Husband dejected and in constant pain.

They each felt empty and in need of something more, so Wife began to go to church. Husband preferred the bar. They lived together but grew far apart.

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