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
(September 12, 2023) Dr Jim McClure shares an encouraging truth…
While the Bible is a library of 66 books of a variety of styles – stories, history poetry, songs and letters – they all unite to form one ‘big picture’ that has a beginning, a middle and an end.
Paul made a reference to this big picture when he wrote, ‘He (God) made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached theirfulfillment to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ’ (Ephesians 1:9-10).
The Bible reveals that God has a plan to bring all things to a conclusion according to His will. Nothing happens in the world that takes Him by surprise even when it may appear that everything is spinning out of control. Before He created the universe, God knew exactly what was going to happen on earth and He knows precisely how everything is going to end.
He has never abandoned the world and always get involved at exactly the right time! Paul again mentioned one of those ‘right time intervention’ in when he wrote, ‘When the time had fully come, God sent His Son’ (Galatians 4:4). While it may appear to us that our world is stumbling towards irrecoverable disaster, the biblical account, from Genesis to Revelation, reveals that things have not spun out of God’s control and that God has not, and never will, abandon us.
(September 08, 2023) Carol Round shares about a most important character trait…
As a former high school teacher, I recall students who had a good attitude and those who had bad attitudes. It was often challenging to be nice to the ones with the latter. However, that still small voice always reminded me I didn’t know what was going on in their lives that might be leading to their bad behaviour.
This past month, I’ve been blessed to interview people who are on a mission to help others in our community. As a freelance writer for the local newspaper, I’ve been selecting stories to inform others about the ministries and organisations available to aid those in need.
(August 31, 2023) Elizabeth Kendal, RLPB, reports…
On August 16 thousands of fanatical Muslims attacked the Christian colony in Jaranwala, a city in the Faisalabad district, Punjab province.
Fortunately, Christians were quick to flee.
During 10 hours of rioting, the Muslims looted and ransacked some 500 homes and at least 20 churches, torching many.
Around 2000 Christians have lost everything, including all sense of security. The pogrom, which was triggered by a blatantly false accusation of blasphemy, was led by fundamentalist Islamist clerics associated with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a radically Islamist political party.
Pakistani Islamists have been stoking tensions, protesting and issuing threats since early July, after the Swedish government allowed an Iraqi refugee to burn a Qur’an in a public protest.
On 2 August 2, Lahore-based terror group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) announced it would respond by attacking Christians and churches!
Urgent prayer needed overall! Please pray that our merciful God will:
* Protect, comfort, sustain and provide for the Christians who lost homes, belongings and all sense of security in the Jaranwala pogrom. May they all be able to say with the Psalmist: ‘But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head’(Psalm 3:3).
* Redeem this wickedness and turn it to good for the benefit of the church in Pakistan. May reform be forthcoming. May multitudes of Pakistani Muslims be awakened to the dangers of intolerant, fundamentalist Islam – and in rejecting it, may many embrace the beautiful way of Jesus Christ. May those who walk in darkness, see the light! (Isaiah 9:1-7) May Christ continue to build his church in Pakistan.
* Secure justice for the Christian victims of Pakistan’s infamous blasphemy law: for those who have been driven from their homes; for those who are currently languishing in prison; and especially for those who have been sentenced to death – including Noman Masih (22), Ashfaq Masih (34) and the long-suffering and ailing Pastor Zafar Bhatti (57). Lord have mercy.
‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.’ (From Jeremiah’s prayer in Jeremiah 32:17-25 ESV)
‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’ (powerful and effective) James 5:16b. _______________________________________________
Elizabeth Kendalis an international religious liberty analyst and advocate for the persecuted church. To support this ministry visit www.ElizabethKendal.com. Above updates excerpted from RLPB reports.
Elizabeth, an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam, Melbourne School of Theology, has authored two books: Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today (Deror Books, Melbourne) which offers a biblical response to persecution and existential threat; and After Saturday Comes Sunday: Understanding the Christian Crisis in the Middle East (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, OR, USA). _______________________________________________
(August 31, 2023) Norman and Margaret Moss share good news…
So, it was 9am, and we were parked outside the local hairdressers.
Actually, we had been parked where we were from about 8.40am as we try not to be late for appointments. But where was the hairdresser?
The shop was dark and empty. Hairdryers, clippers, and scissors lay half hidden in sepulchral gloom. A further twenty minutes dragged by, and Margaret decided to do the rest of the shopping leaving me to keep watch.
I waited a further ten minutes and still no one appeared.
(August 30, 2023) Robert and Maureen McQuillan share…
‘One never knows who thinks what about us’ was a longish title… then we felt to add spinach-loving Popeye’s famous exclamation, ‘Blow me down!’
This article is really about that initial title, but some events came about that had us add the exclamation.
First ‘Blow me down’ We’ve always had confidence in our daughter Wendy’s ability to achieve in life, and to encourage others, whether friends or business associates. She has a good heart, common sense, cares for others and has the right attitude.
Naturally we encouraged Wendy to trust the Lord to help her in all this. And she has achieved much, and been an encouragement to others. But… she never talks about her accomplishments, no bragging.
(August 29, 2023) Brian Bell shares encouragingly on an important 2023 matter…
These few thoughts I share with you here are taken from 1 Corinthians 12:12 – 31 in which Paul addresses the subject of spiritual gifts.
In these verses the apostle uses the human body to bring an illustration of the church – those early Christian believers – the ‘body’ of Christ.
And those lessons are also for us today in these troubled times… Paul reminds us that within the body of Christ all of us are important. It doesn’t matter if we have different roles, abilities or gifts – whatever our part, our role – we should serve for the encouragement and strengthening of one another!
(August 28, 2023) Mama Lava challenges us regarding our language…
Words are essential every day… some describe feelings, others tell of actions.
1. Complaining Words I’ve been thinking quite a bit about words.
Guess that is to be expected when starting to write something, especially a blog… What is the message I want to convey? How do I want to say it?
When I write, I can be thoughtful and intentional – I have the benefit of backspace. But spoken words can be harder to manage.
The poster-sized James 1:19 reminder to the right? I have it hanging in my house:
I intend for my audible words to withstand rigorous checkpoints before they get through my lips, but they often escape with astonishing ease. The Bible points out the inconsistency of my tongue very well: ‘With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness’ (James 3:9).
(August 26, 2023) Richard Winter shares some warnings!
Warning signs are everywhere!
Beware of Imitations!
No Overtaking!
Beware of Dogs!
Warnings on cigarettes packs.
Warnings regarding toxic chemicals.
Warnings about poisons.
Warnings on storms, volcano eruptions and tsunamis.
Such warnings are helpful to protect and preserve life and property. But… more importantly, warnings about spiritual dangers should be constantly issued to people!
Acts 20:31 tells that when Paul was with the church at Ephesus for three yearshe warned them to beware of the devil’s deceptions.
2023!So far, for some this has been the worst year of their lives; for others, it has been the most productive!
We need to remember that in every situation God is good! That He can make all things (the good, the bad, and the ugly) work for good– if we keep our hope, trust, and confidence in Him. In His timing, everything will turn out to be a blessing because He is a faithful God and a good heavenly Father.
I would remind readers of the Joshua 7:25-26 incident that happened in a particular valley – a very sad story. A whole family was stoned to death, remains burned in fire andthe Israelites called it the Valley of Achor – ‘trouble’ or ‘affliction.’ It was known for failure, curse, death, destruction, and disappointment.
Are you are in some kind of sad valley right now, where everything is dead or lost and nothing is working for you? Are you on the verge of giving up, that there’s no point in persevering, no way forward?
(August 21, 2023) Charles Gardner shares another great testimony…
How does a Jewish atheist brought up on an Israeli kibbutz end up a missionary to his own people?
Asaf Pelled, 43, admits that being an atheist and Jewish is something of an anomaly in view of being one of God’s chosen people, but he was far from alone on that score.
Asking life’s big questions So he initially settled for the notion that he had evolved from apes and needed to make the most of it – until, as a teenager, he began to ask the big questions of life.
Though describing himself as very rational, he nevertheless came to the realisation that there is indeed a God. ‘I wasn’t religious, but all of a sudden I couldn’t deny that there is a God. I saw His hand in nature and events in our nation. So I went looking for this God.’
Connecting with You! 