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

INEXTINGUISHABLE LIGHT

Question: Of what relevance is the celebration of Christmas today?

Dr Jim McClure, noted theologian, responds:
Christmas is a special time! It means many things to many people but for the Christian its primary meaning is that God ‘sent his one and only Son into the world’ (1 John 4:9) on a mission to save a humanity that was broken, lost and without hope.

At Christmas time Isaiah 9:2 is often read – ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ Traditionally ‘darkness’ has been used in various cultures to signify evil, oppression and depression. In the Bible, particularly, the word is used symbolically of those things that are opposed to God. (more…)

GENERATION Z – A STRONGER ANOINTING ON THE CHILDREN COMING!

Becky Fischer writes:
During a twenty-five year period between the 80s and the early 2000s, there was a plethora of prophetic words that went out over the largest generation in world history – the Millennials (Generation Y).

They came from the most familiar names in prophetic circles – Rick Joyner, Cindy Jacobs, Kim Clement, and others. I had posted many of those words on an earlier page (http://www.kidsinministry.org/what-the-prophets-are-saying-about-kids/).

Such prophetic words captivated me and all those who were called to raise up a supernatural generation of believers. (more…)

FORCED INTO BANKRUPTCY ONE INVESTMENT BROUGHT ETERNAL REWARDS

Mark Ellis, seasoned ASSIST senior correspondent, brings another great testimony:

Nelson Bunker Hunt, the son of a legendary Texas oilman, exceeded his father through colossal investments in oil, silver, real estate, sugar beets, and his passion, thoroughbred horses.

He took great risks in business and weathered spectacular financial setbacks, but one investment’s lustre never dimmed – spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Once one of the world’s richest men, Bunker Hunt graduated to his eternal reward October 21 due to complications of congestive heart failure. He was 88. (more…)

UNDERBELLY HYDRA

Robert and Maureen McQuillan share concerns:

Underbelly – the 17th century word has been highlighted recently through the TV series on Australian crime bosses.

Dictionaries explain it as ‘a vulnerable or unprotected part.’ Winston Churchill, concerned about ‘the gathering storm’ in Europe prior to World War 2, later used ‘underbelly’ in a figurative sense of ‘the most vulnerable part’ in a 1942 speech.

Church underbellies (more…)

LEADERSHIP

FIVE LEADERSHIP VISIONS AND CHALLENGES

Wayne Swift, national church leader, writes:

In their book, The Leadership Challenge Journal, James Kouzes and Barry Posner state that there are five practices of exemplary leadership.

Although first written over 30 years ago, resulting from a large research project, and has been revised multiple times, yet these five practices have stayed the same.

• Model the way
• Inspire a shared vision
• Challenge the process
• Enable others to act
• Encourage the heart. (more…)

ABOUT DISABILITY – A WORD TO PASTORS AND CHURCHES

Tait Berge, ASSIST special correspondent, answers the question, ‘Why should we care?’

Disability ministry isn’t a program! It’s accepting people with disabilities for who they are and recognising they have the same opportunity to know and serve the Lord as anyone. It starts with sharing the gospel, discipling, and trying to answer hard questions, all the way to helping find a place to serve the Lord.

I share my story to help people understand that disability ministry isn’t just an idealistic idea that people in disability ministry leadership dream about. It’s real. I’ve lived it and believe it can happen anywhere.

‘Let’s see how…’
I can’t give you a step-by-step plan to include people with disabilities at your church. You don’t need one. When I want to serve somewhere, the answer at my church and from my pastor is always, ‘Let’s see how we can make that work.’ (more…)

RESOURCES

Koorong Bookstore – Ph: 03 9262 7444 / coraliec@koorong.com.au Current main features:

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UNVEILED FACES

Conference speaker and author Ken Legg shares good advice:

‘We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord’ (2 Cor.3:18).

At one of my Radical Grace seminars I was teaching on what it means to live in the glory of the new covenant and someone asked me, ‘What about the Old Testament? Should we not read the Old Testament anymore?’ (more…)

SEXUALISING CHILDREN – TOO OLD TOO FAST

Mal Fletcher was founding National Director, Youth Alive Australia. Now based in London, he writes concernedly:

In a recent speech UK’s Conservative Party leader David Cameron condemned the ‘inappropriate sexualisation’ of children and said that youngsters must be protected from irresponsible advertising. He promised that if elected to govern his party will give children back their childhood.

‘What we are saying is that you can’t cut children off from the commercial world,’ he said, ‘but we should be able to help parents to make sure that our children get a childhood and that they are not subject to unnecessary and inappropriate commercialisation and sexualisation too young.’ (more…)

BRINGING BACK THE KING

Missionary statesman Dr George Forbes reminds us of a powerful declaration: ‘Even so, come Lord Jesus.’

These virtually closing words of the Bible (Revelation 22: 20) have been on the hearts and lips of believers since the first century. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is one of the great beliefs of the Christian faith. Millions of believers have lived and died with this hope in their hearts.
(more…)

Connecting with You!

words of encouragement from us