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

TEAM JESUS – CALLED BY JESUS TO SERVE HIM

(March 17, 2024) Richard Winter shares and encourages…

Shhhhhh… did you hear that sound?

Did you hear Jesus speaking even above the cacophony of noise we have in this modern world? Or even in the middle of a great Sunday church service?

For that matter, has Jesus ever spoken to you? And if He has, what did He say?

Actually,  we can hear a voice from our memory. I will never forget my mom standing outside and calling us inside for supper: ‘Time to come home.’ I can remember my dad calling out to me when I was playing football…  Do this, do that, come on! While I can’t remember the cadence of their voice, from my memory I can still hear what they had to say.

Many times you will hear preachers begin some point with ‘Jesus said…’ Well, Jesus spoke audibly to people 2000 years ago and while I wasn’t there I can still hear His voice! How, you ask? Simple –

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THE HEART OF SAINT PATRICK

(March 16, 2024), Alan Higgins challenges us to be a radical disciple and be a missionary – like Patrick was…

It’s Saint Patrick’s Day tomorrow and I recall what Ireland’s patron saint achieved in respect of discipleship and mission. The main scriptures – familiar to many – that I have chosen are Jeremiah 29:11 and Matthew 28:16-20… scriptures, I believe, that must have been on Patrick’s heart.

What can we learn from them… and what do they tell us about Saint Patrick, the Irish legend?          

His Life
Patrick’s life exemplifies Jesus’ command to reach the lost. The gospels give us the following messages from the heartbeat of Jesus, not just Patrick, on the importance of fulfilling the great commission.

Matthew 28:16-20 is what Patrick set out to do in Ireland – to make disciples in this nation. His life and ministry teach us to be open to the call of God on our lives.

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UNCERTAIN TIMES JOURNEYED WITH THE CERTAINTY OF GOD!

(March 13, 2024) Angeline Selvakumari shares scripture-based encouragements…

We’ve almost completed three months of 2024. Soon we’ll be celebrating Resurrection Sunday and praising God for all that’s been done for us though His Son Jesus, our Saviour!

Time really seems to fly by so quickly! And as we journey on following and serving our God, I would draw our attention to Psalm 77:14NKJV, ‘You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.’ 

The psalmist is declaring that the God we believe in performs wonders, and is delighted to display His strength among His people. God eagerly waits to do the impossible and delights in our unwavering trust in Him throughout this journey. 

Uncertainties on Life’s Journey
Our life’s journey is filled with numerous unexpected twists and turns, such as speed bumps, blind spots, curves, sudden dips, and more, making it highly uncertain at times. Navigating through unknown roads, filled with constant changes, poses a significant challenge.

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THE LORD’S SUPPER

(March 10, 2024) Dr Jim McClure shares some important truths…

Some years ago my wife Jean and I attended a church where the service went on longer than intended. The Lord’s Supper was to celebrated at the end of the service, but the significance and the solemnity of the ceremony had been removed. However, as the communion table had already been prepared, people were invited to serve themselves with the bread and wine… if they wished.

The result was that some did, some didn’t. I confess that Jean and I were among those who didn’t.

This significant celebration has been given different names by different churches – The Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, Eucharist, the Mass. The important thing about this sacrament is not what we call it or how often we celebrate it, but what it signifies and what our attitude to it should be!

1. The Context
(i) Passover remembrance
1Corinthians 5:7 states, ‘Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.’  What does that mean? What has the Lord’s Supper got to do with to the Passover?

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IS YOUR FAITH UNSHAKABLE?

(March 09, 2024) Carol Round encourages…

It was 1987 when I learned Oklahoma has a series of fault lines running through our state. When I heard this, I laughed in disbelief at the agent promoting earthquake insurance. I associated earthquakes with California, not Oklahoma.
 
Twenty-two years later, I wasn’t laughing when our state experienced its first noticeable earthquake, at least in my lifetime! Late one evening, while I was reading a book, my bed began to vibrate. ‘Nah,’ I thought, ‘I’m just imagining things.’

Then, it happened again. This time the shaking was stronger. What was going on? I turned on the TV to a news station reporting we were experiencing an earthquake in parts of the state. Since that time, our state has experienced significantly stronger earthquakes.

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PROFIT FROM PHILEMON

March 09, 2024) Brian Bell shares…

It was while Paul was imprisoned in Rome that he wrote his short letter to Philemon, who it would seem was a wealthy man but also a well-respected believer among the Christians who made up the church in Colossae.

During his imprisonment, Paul had met a slave called Onesimus, a native of Colossae who had run away from Philemon. While in prison Onesimus came to faith in the Lord Jesus and the intention of Paul’s letter was asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back into his home.

From what is likely a very well-known story I share five encouraging thoughts…

1. Philemon’s Principle
While Paul writes specifically to Philemon he says he is ‘also writing to the church that meets in your house’ verse 2 (NLT). The church of course refers to the collective body of Christian believers.

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STILL GATHERING AT THE CROSS – OR MOVING ON?

(March 08, 2024) Dr Richard Winter reflects on Calvary’s cross…

At school we were required to understand the atlas, and remember continents, countries, capital cities, major rivers and  mountains. And we learned that before it was understood that the world is a globe, men who drew maps believed it was flat like a saucer and spun round a centre post. Interestingly, their central post was the cross of Calvary.

Now although such cartography belief was faulty, its central point belief was the pivot point of all Christian theology – the whole Christian world revolves round the cross of Christ!

In every nation, people of different races, colours, cultures, education, social and economic circumstances still believe Christ’s cross is the centre piece of their theology and eschatology.

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YEARNING FOR THE LORD

(March 06, 2024) Norman and Margaret Moss reflect on some good news…

Margaret enjoyed her school days. I did not. So I truly know what it is to yearn for the holidays.

‘Yearn’… a feeling of intense longing for something.

Someone commenting on Job 19 wrote that Job had a gut-wrenching longing to see God, and we were led to meditate on verses 25-27 –

‘I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!’

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HEART ENCOURAGEMENTS

(February 27, 2024) Brian Bell shares…

This is the last in a short series of articles I’ve been sharing from the book of Hebrews.

In this meditation I draw our attention to the concluding chapter, Hebrews 13:15-25NLT and share five brief thoughts to encourage our hearts…

1. Live
I see these as the emphasis of verses 15 and 16…  ‘Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.’ 

Notice that the text indicates that we should –

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TEMPTATIONS – THEY HAPPEN!

(February 26, 2024) Robert McQuillan challenges…

Easter eggs have been around for several weeks now! Christians will soon be really thinking of Easter celebration weekend, especially rejoicing regarding Resurrection Sunday, not eggs!

While kids, even adults, will be ‘tempted’ to enjoy Easter eggs – and will, of course – the coming season reminds Christians not only of our risen Saviour but of the temptations Judas and Peter yielded to… and for that matter others who succumbed to deserting Jesus (Matthew 26:56).

Remorse and Regret
Regarding Judas and Peter’s yielding to temptations (Judas – Matthew 26:14-16,47-50; Peter – Matthew 26:35,69-74), let’s grasp that the title above… Temptations – They Happen!… applies to all of us in various ways!

From among His closest ranks, that elite twelve, it happened that these two were tempted to wrongdoing regarding their Lord, their friend, the one who came to earth to be their Saviour. Judas deliberately, Peter rather sheepishly, lacking confidence.

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