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

MIRACLE IN THE RUINS!

(November 26, 2023) Robert McQuillan shares a great testimony of God’s caring miracle-wise…

Interesting articles this month (links below) by Angeline Selvakumari, Mama Lava, Richard Winter and Brian Bell on firmly standing our ground – spiritual battlefield ground – against Satan’s deceptions, troubles around us, false teachings, not walking behind Jesus but in Him.

Yes, in a nutshell we must continue to hold the fort (as Brian reminded us).

Decision
Last month I recalled some of my memories regarding learning to stand firm on my battlefield back in the 70s. Those enlightening experiences were in respect of Abbots Cross Congregational Church in Northern Ireland; and now another related priceless memory comes back to me regarding standing firm…

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HE’S COMING SOON!

(November 24, 2023) Brian Bell  shares comfort in these troubled times…

As we look towards the end of 2023 we find the world still facing many difficult if not intractable issues.

Most recently and topical has been the situation in the Middle East centred on the nation of Israel and its conflict in Gaza. Naturally, it has caused a lot of controversy around the world, even here in my homeland of Northern Ireland where there are conflicting views about who is to ‘blame’ for the conflict and what to do about it.

Noticeable ‘End times’ resurgence
I have also noticed that it has caused a resurgence of ‘end times’ theogogy within the family of Christian believers and how the present conflict sits within that framework.

In the present situation my resolve is not to get sidetracked by speculative end time scaremongering… but rather keep with what I know is truth and try to ‘hold the fort’ to quote that old cliché and hymn. And I pray that it is so with other Christians around the world!

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HOW’S YOUR  SPIRITUAL DRESS CODE?

(November 21, 2023) Mama Lava has some appropriate questions…

If so, you’re aware that the one who enforces the mandate is the only one whose interpretation really matters. The terms ‘Black Tie’, ‘Semi-Formal’ or ‘Business Casual’ can leave some room for imagination… but when the specifics are well defined, you’d better be dressed accordingly.

Have you attended an event, or been associated with an institution where a dress code was required?

False measurements …
I remember being in school and having a code of conduct which stated that our skirts were to be no more than two inches (5.08cm) above our knees. The handbook was clear that we were to measure, floor to hem, from a kneeling position.

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MANDATE MINISTRIES RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

(November 20, 2023) Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, share from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand…

Lahu people of Myanmar
The Lahu people have been caught up in the fighting between the Myanmar military and the resistance in Shan State. Our friends have been able to transport many Lahu to safe zones within Myanmar.

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RECOGNISE YOUR BATTLEFIELD!

(November 19, 2023) Angeline Selvakumari shares important points…

Going to visit a friend recently I was relying on Google Maps for directions but ended up getting lost! Admittedly GM was trying to guide me on the best route, but it was not ideal and I found myself going in circles and beginning to lose patience.

While waiting unsure at a traffic light, I asked a cyclist in front of me for directions. To my relief, he offered to lead the way. I decided to completely ignore my navigation system because I had confidence in the person I was following. He knew the way very well having been there before.

It was such a relief to have someone to rely on for guidance!

  • Have you ever wished that you had someone like this to navigate your life?
  • Someone who could make tough, complex decisions on your behalf, and all you had to do was follow?
  • Christians have someone like that— Jesus. He knows our past, present, and even our future.

Jesus has been to our tomorrows already. He knows everything even before it happens to us. This is because He chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) and has a beautiful plan for each of us.

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WALKING IN CHRIST

(November 17, 2023) Richard Winter shares some good advice…

The apostle Paul is not here – pretty obvious, eh! But his writings, directions, warnings and God inspired speech are. Words of –

  • Comparison
  • Direction
  • Godly wisdom
  • Prohibition
  • Wisdom completely applicable today.

What are these words?
Paul wrote in Colossians 2:4-6NKJV, ‘Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.’

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ENCOURAGEMENT, STRENGTH AND HOPE IN TROUBLED TIMES

(November 15, 2023) Wayne Swift shares encouragingly…

Paul was so concerned about the troubles the Thessalonian Christians were encountering that he didn’t hesitate in sending young Timothy to help them. As he wrote in 1Thessalonians 3:2-3, Timothy was directed ‘… to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.’

Knowing the circumstances of the fledgling Thessalonian congregation and the likelihood of ongoing persecution, Paul reminded them of his concern for those troubled Christians and encouraged them in their faith.

Encouraging means to give hope and the apostle was a great encourager of Christians and churches. A top example to us in these troubled days!

Faith-directed encouragement
Encouragement provides both hope and support in difficult situations and is welcomed. 

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ARE YOU BEARING FRUIT IN OLD AGE?

(November 11, 2023) Carol Round encourages to appreciate each new day…

‘Age isn’t a number, it’s an attitude.’

It’s the most famous quote about aging. Scientific evidence supports that. Researchers from Yale and Miami University agree that people who choose to see growing older as something positive live seven and a half years longer than those who don’t.

I will be 70 tomorrow. My mind cannot grasp that number, but my body says otherwise. Instead of complaining about my aches and pains, I choose to thank God for my health. I may not be able to do the things I used to, but I know God isn’t through with me yet.

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WHAT’S THE BEST ENGLISH BIBLE TRANSLATION?

(November 06, 2023) Dr Jim McClure, esteemed theologian, responds to the following often asked question…

‘Can you please tell me which is the best English version of the Bible?  A friend told me that the best is the KJV (King James Version), but I find it difficult to read.  Is it okay if I read a more modern version?’

Firstly, all the earliest manuscripts we have today are copies of the originals – we do not have one original handwritten copy – or even a small portion – of any of the books of the Old or New Testaments. 

Faithfully copied handwritten copies
We do, however, have a number of excellent copies that faithful men have hand-written over many centuries. There are some minor variations in many of those copies, but none that in any way changes the message of the Bible.

Our English versions are ‘translations’ from the original Hebrew (and Aramaic) Old Testament and Greek New Testament.  It must always be remembered that even the ‘best’ translation is, at best, only a translation!

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NAZI WAR CRIMINAL’S SON FLIES TO ISRAEL TO PRAY

(November 01, 2023) Charles Gardner shares another great testimony…

Werner Oder is the son of SS Scharfuhrer Wilhelm Oder, who was complicit in the murder of approximately 2000 Jewish men, women and children during World War II.

Recently he flew to Israel to encourage the people there to remain strong in the midst of the barbarity committed against them.

Radical conversion
The Austrian-born pastor, who leads Tuckton Christian Centre in Bournemouth, England, had a radical conversion to Christ who set him free from the demonic spirit of antisemitism and gave him a special love for the Jewish people.

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