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

THE BUZZ

USA
Call to prayer for America

Hope FlinchbaughLift the Cross of Jesus’ Hope Flinchbaugh expresses the desire of many sincere concerned Christians in America…

In January 2014, God spoke to my heart yet again that he desires to bring a new Great Awakening for the United States. In upcoming weeks, I’ll post blogs about the first two Great Awakenings in the 1700s with evangelists Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, and others that joined those historic moves of God.

But the challenge today, right now for American Christians, is … ‘Do we want to complain about America or pray for our nation?’ (more…)

RESOURCES

The following available from Koorong Bookstore – Ph: 03 9262 7444. Source: coraliec@koorong.com.au

CDs
NO OTHER NAME
Hillsong

No Other NameThe album’s standout songs include the title track, No Other Name, which captures Hillsong Church’s current season of building on the foundations of the past three decades and ‘pioneering again’ while continuing to lift up the one it all began with, Jesus. This I Believe is a modern day expression of the statements of belief outlined in the ancient Apostles’ Creed. These are foundational truths that have unified Christians across the globe for centuries and continue to do so today.

In April Hillsong Church took over Times Square’s digital billboards proudly declaring the name of Jesus before thousands of tourists and onlookers. Instead of flashing the usual ads, news reports or the day’s market results, 21 digital screens played for an hour a looped video comprised of just a few frames flashing repeatedly: Jesus and No Other Name. More than just songs, the songs on No Other Name give voice to individuals and churches across the earth, unifying them in a declaration of worship that is lifted to and for no other name but Jesus. (more…)

PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES

Bruce Hills

Bruce Hills, WOI  Leadership Development Director, confidently makes this bold declaration: God answers prayer!

One of the foundational reasons why we should pray the scriptures is because God has revealed himself as the prayer-answering God (Psalm 91:15).

Now, he doesn’t always answer in the way we may expect or desire. God has eternal plans and purposes that transcend human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). The shape and timing of answered prayer depends entirely on the purposes, prerogative and providence of God. (more…)

YOUNG AND OLD

Jim McClure

Dr Jim McClure reflects: In Psalm 37:25 the psalmist wrote, ‘I have been young and now am old.’ That also describes me!

David meant that now he was at a stage in life when he was able to look…

  • back over his life and reflect on the challenges, successes and failures of life and how each decision that is made has a corresponding consequence
  • around and observe the way things are today, how some changes that have taken place are wonderful while others are worrisome, and, as the ‘sands of time’ seem to be going through the hour glass at an ever increasing rate, and
  • forward to the future knowing that ultimately God is in control of all things and will in the end work out all things according to his will.

(more…)

JESUS SAVED ME FROM DROWNING!

Mark EllisMark Ellis, seasoned ASSIST senior correspondent, brings this great testimony from a three-year-old, the centre of a miracle:

Ella Kimbro leaned over to rescue a cat that fell into her backyard pool. Then she plunged in herself and nearly drowned until Jesus brought her back to life, according to a story by WMC Action News 5 in Tennessee. (more…)

FAITH AND THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF MENTAL ILLNESS

Adrian WarnockQuestion: How has faith shaped our view of mental illness?

Dr Adrian Warnock comments…

There are really two questions here:

1) How has your religious community historically seen mental illness? and
2) How does your faith, today, shape the way you see mental illness?

First, let me share some of my own perspective on this.

I believe that Christianity has historically a mixed report card on this subject. Fundamentally our faith has always valued people as inherently of worth because all of them were made in the image of God. Thus, when practised correctly, our faith should lead to compassionate care for the weak. (more…)

SOZO PRAYER

Jim McClureQuestion: Please help me understand this encroaching ‘Sozo Prayer’ teaching. Is it a deception?

Dr Jim McClure, noted theologian, responds: This matter requires some writing at length, actually as an expanded article, but I’ll make it as clear as I can!


Introduction to The Sozo Deception
There is a disturbing trend in contemporary Christianity, one in which the long-established fundamentals of the faith are being set aside or modified or replaced by dangerous novelties. Consequently, while there has been a diminishing in the teaching and preaching of sound biblical truths, there has been a corresponding rise in fanciful and speculative ideas that tickle the imagination and appeal to the mysterious. (more…)

MISSIONS IS PERSONAL

 Erica Grace

 

Former missionary Erica Grace asks: ‘What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Missions”?’

You’ll probably say: the ‘lost’ – and you would be right.

I think this way…

A prodigal, so lost
There was a young man who was totally lost.
He had lost his career, his home, his future, his dreams. He was so lost people had given up on him. He drank himself to oblivion every day. Friends would bring him to his desperate wife each night, where she would endure his frustrating beatings. (more…)

MORE?

Robert and OliverTwist_6957Maureen McQuillan challenge:

‘Please, sir, I want some more’ from Charles Dickens’ second novel Oliver Twist are words so famous that virtually everyone remembers them. The workhouse supervisor Mr. Bumble’s outraged response is well known too.

The musical Oliver portrays Bumble’s enraged reaction as ‘More? You want more?!!’ In other words, what you have already received is enough, more than enough!

Twenty years ago ‘More. I want more’ became the catchcry in church circles. Today as we minister around various denominations and pastoral care/mentoring, we still hear a cry for more from not just a mere few Christians. Unsettled hearts and lack of contentment in current circumstances results in Dickensian type expressions. (more…)