Encouragement

ALL OF A SUDDEN— WITHOUT WARNING!

(June 06, 2023) Robert McQuillan shares… and challenges!

‘Without warning’ sounds like some disaster has happened suddenly! No… I’m not going to tell you about something terrible about to occur, but remind you of something wonderful that came out-of-the-blue and is still changing the lives of so many. Something that happened suddenly— and in the most unusual way!

It’s Penetostal Sunday tomorrow, a day that is traditionally recognised and celebrated with joy by many churches worldwide, particularly Pentecostal and charismatic ones. Indeed pastors of these churches and their congregations use to expect ‘fresh moves of the Holy Spirit.’ Sermons would highlight the gift and blessings of the Holy Spirit… prophetic words would flow, people would be prayed for, healings would occur, reassurances would come to trouble hearts… and more! Sadly such prominence and expectation for Pentecostal Sunday has dwindled.

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GOT DIFFICULTY TRUSTING GOD?

(May 29, 2025) Robert and Maureen McQuillan encourage troubled hearts…

Well… be comforted in that you’re not the only one! Recently we’ve encouraging a number of believers to hang in there and not give their faith away just because they’re going through some rough times.

We also reminded them that for some three years Satan, our great enemy, has been spreading a cunning spirit of deception among us— and that sadly some have fallen for his trickery.

Then we stun them by challenging them to know that God hasn’t finished trusting them! Yes, you may be finding it difficult to trust God but He hasn’t turned His back on you! Know it… believe it with your mind… and heart!

And know also that if God is to trust us, He may allow us to be challenged in some way— even by Himself— as happened with some biblical individuals.

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THE REAL FOCUS OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION— HOPE FOR YOU!

(April 20, 2025) Wayne Swift calls it as it is, giving us some things to consider…

It’s Resurrection Sunday, Hallelujah!

Easter itself changes year after year based on the first Sunday following a full moon in the northern hemisphere. And most Easter Sundays we consider the complete Easter story.

But… did you ever think about Easter this way— what was the goal or aim of Christ’s sacrifice and His resurrection? Have you ever considered that it has always been the same, that the target, the object, the focus was always refound hope for you!

Christ came and sacrificed His life so that you and I can be reconciled to God by the result of His efforts not our own. As  Matthew 12:21NLT declares ‘… His name will be the hope of all the world.’

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WHAT DOES EASTER MEAN TO YOU?

(April 15, 2025) Robert McQuillan reflects…

My mobile’s daily Bible link reminded me that today is Holy Tuesday of 2025 Holy Week, another day closer to Good Friday and Easter.

Easter Considered
Don’t know about you, but I’ve always considered what is called ‘Easter Weekend’— so-named ‘sorrowful darkness of Good Friday, ‘grey Saturday’ and the joyful brilliance of Easter Sunday’— to be the most important Christian celebration (even more so that glorious Christmas!).

Our website this month contains several precious Easter-centred articles based on what our Saviour achieved for us—

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HOPE RENEWED BY JESUS’ RESURRECTION

(April 14, 2025) Angeline Selvakumari shares precious Easter truths…

In the midst of our busy lives and relentless struggles, hope can sometimes feel distant. There are moments when our faith wavers, when doubt clouds our vision, and when we struggle to perceive God’s hand at work.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by uncertainty, take heart— you are not alone.

It’s Easter this weekend— a celebration of renewed hope— a time when despair is transformed into joy through Christ’s resurrection.

Remember the incident of two dismayed disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35? It powerfully illustrates this truth of hope renewed, reminding us that even in our moments of doubt, Jesus walks beside us, ready to rekindle our faith and restore our hope.

Patiently Loving Saviour
Picture those disciples walking along a dusty road, their steps heavy with sorrow and their hearts weighed down by disappointment. They had placed all their hopes in Jesus, believing He was the long-awaited Messiah who would redeem Israel. But now, with His crucifixion fresh in their minds, their dreams lay in ruins.

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WINNING THE BATTLE OF EVIL WITHIN

(March 30, 2025) Robert McQuillan challenges…

Albert Einstein said, ‘I do not fear the explosive power of the atom bomb. What I fear is the explosive power in the human heart.’

Interesting observation from the famous scientist who revered Almighty God. Einstein was saying that while the atom bomb has the capacity to destroy, the human heart can hold a greater destructive power!

Sadly we‘re living in days when evil hearts can be devastating unfriendly; and our enemy Satan continues to destroy faith in God and righteous living.

Someone even more perceptive than Einstein commented on more than one occasion about the evil in the human heart… Jesus. Boy, did He have a lot to say!

Jesus’ Wise Teachings
What He taught still stands! Here’s just some of the things Jesus had to say to those—

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WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?

(March 25, 2025) Dr Richard Winter reflects, encourages and challenges…

Remember the response to that 1956 Cole Porter number Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? sung by Frank Sinatra in High Society— ‘I don’t…’

In 1998 a new British TV game show had Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? as its title and if you were a contestant, you’d probably be thinking ‘I do!’

On each episode only one contestant could play. Some questions were crazy and if you weren’t sure of the answers, you could make a ‘lifeline call’ to a friend for help. And you might win… if you contacted the right person, asked the right question, got the right answer and gave the right response.

Now if you had phoned me to help you become a millionaire, I’d be telling you I’m not a good choice! I’m fiscally a conservative, not a millionaire, not smart financially in making money.

My point here is that even though you might ask the right question, if you’re asking the wrong person you wouldn’t get the right answer and be able to respond correctly!

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EXPERIENCE NEW LIFE, HOPE, RESTORATION!

(March 14, 2025) Angeline Selvakumari reflects on a particular scripture and encourages…

I was reading Isaiah 11, a chapter well-known for its prophecy concerning Jesus’ ministry.

However, I found myself particularly drawn to verse one which, in my Holman Christian Standard Bible, says: ‘Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.’

Five words intrigued me— stump, shoot, branch, bearing fruit!

Stump
A stump represents a life cut short, the abrupt end of a once-thriving existence. It symbolises decline, a remnant of something that once flourished— what remains when prosperity has ceased. It’s a picture of finality: lifeless, left over, and seemingly without a future. A stump marks the end of what was, destined to rot and eventually disappear.

This verse refers to the royal line of David, reduced to a remnant— a stump. Remnants are the survivors, those who have endured trials, faced adversity, and remained steadfast. Isaiah 11:1 is a precious promise of what God intends for His faithful remnant: those who have clung to Him through every storm, standing firm on the foundation of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

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SCARIEST SCRIPTURE?

(February 28, 2025) Robert McQuillan challenges…

Matthew 7:21-23 is pretty scary — or ought to be if you’re half-hearted about following Jesus! Message Bible hits hard!—

 ‘Knowing the correct password – saying, “Master, Master,” for instance – isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience – doing what my Father wills. I can see it now – at the final judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, “Master, we preached the message, we bashed demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.” And do you know what I’m going to say? “You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You didn’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.”’

A graphic reminder that while God loves me unconditionally, my part is to honour His Son Jesus by serving Him not for my own ends but for His glory and the extension of His kingdom… however He wants to involve me.

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LISTEN TO THE RIGHT VOICE— GOD’S!

(February 25, 2025) Dr Richard Winter reflects…

Recently I was in a meeting with eight others and the task set before us was to examine major trends affecting the modern-day police force.

At one point we happened to focus on young people and agreed that they are technologically savvy—

  • They all have smart phones connected to the internet; If they’re somewhere and they photograph it, it’s instantly on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube!

Thinking then about modern technology, we acknowledged that if a virus can be planted in anyone’s  phone/computer, we may never get the message and our ability to communicate is compromised. That this is a digital world of communication — and if a cell phone today isn’t 5G then it’s an old phone!

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