Encouragement

NEEDED: SPIRITUAL FATHERS AND MOTHERS (July 5, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect on the absence of a church ministry needed today…

Yet another interesting week just past – one that again confirmed that opportunities are ‘out there’ to share Jesus’ gospel and God’s love: Also that Christianity is not about ‘religion’ but about relationship …relationships with an interested heavenly Father and through caringly for one another.

Take last Saturday afternoon – in a fishmongers’ of all places! (what a place to ‘gospel fish for men!’) – as we were paying for our oysters, the young man, not a Christian mind you, casually commented that we need to pray that the right government gets in. It was, of course, voting day and equally casually we responded that we’d been praying so all week. (more…)

DARE TO CALL HIM SHEPHERD! (June 29, 2016)

Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect …

Christians are so familiar with Psalm 23 – the Shepherd’s Song, that best known psalm of David.

Genuine shepherds care so much. Here’s a powerful reminder of our relationship with Jesus, the greatest shepherd. It gives Christians a secure hope in our God and encourages us to trust every aspect of life to our Lord built on a meaningful and powerful relationship.

Even countless non-Christians are aware of this precious psalm. Decades ago when purchasing a used car on learning of our ministry involvements, the salesman remarked, ‘I don’t go to church myself but I ensure my kids do – they know more about the Bible that I can do. But I do remember one thing from my own Sunday school days … the Shepherd’s Song!’ (more…)

DON’T FEED THE BIG BAD WOLF! (June 13, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan share a terrific little anecdote…

A great biblical truth for Christians, particularly those in ministry, is conveyed in this old story. A well-known tale, it’s been handed down over the years, even Googled … just don’t miss the point!

The two wolves within
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about life and a battle that goes on inside people. (more…)

GOD’S MYSTERIOUS WAYS (June 4, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan remind us that we don’t know everything … but that God does!

Experienced those moments when we want to ask God, ‘Why?’ or ‘What’s going on?’ or ‘How come you answered my prayer as you did, not how I had prayed and expected?’

Did you get an answer? Or did you come to the conclusion that it’s better to appreciate and enjoy the benefits than to query God about his ways?

God is God!
The reality is that often we’re so caught up with asking (in faith and trust which is good and necessary, of course!) and expecting God to bring about the answer exactly how we asked. And we forget that he is God who sees everything beyond the box and knows what the best course of action should be! (more…)

OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS (May 20, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect on a life choice …

I (Robert) have a thing about steam trains!

My dad was an engineer – the official title for locomotive drivers in those yesterdays of steam trains.

I’ll never forget the day he took me – just a ‘little fellow’ in short pants – down to the local, large city rail station and explained about the, to me, ‘huge monster’ that was technically called the engine. And then being lifted up onto the platform, his working domain. What a thrill, and such excitement for a small boy.

R&M trainDad explained the controls, how the engine operated. It was a cold morning but the heat from the blazing firebox quickly warmed physically – my heart was already on fire with curiosity. I had stared at the huge wheels, now I gazed at the control levers, so much bigger than little me, so heavy looking, and back at the tons of coal in the tender. I was elated to be on that platform. (more…)

PRIZED PENTECOST PROTECTION (May 14, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)
Robert and Maureen McQuillan share some important reminders…

Pentecost Sunday tomorrow!

Many churches, both Pentecostal and mainstream, will be remembering, even celebrating that Acts 2 Pentecost when Jesus’ promise of being ‘equipped with power from on high’ (Luke 24:49 Mge) by the Holy Spirit was fulfilled.

The all-powerful third person in the Trinity fell in an incredible way at Pentecost, releasing the original church in spontaneous praise and worship glossolalia (tongues speaking) and immediate evangelism.

Sadly, some people still foolishly believe this free gift and the 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 nine supernatural gifts of the Spirit ceased (Theology calls this ‘cessationism’). (more…)

با سلام! – A WARM FARSI ‘HELLO!’ (May 3, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan highlight a doorstep challenge…

Something else we observed about that Anglican church recently visited (https://connectingwithyou.net/2016/04/25/reflections/) is a greeting in their website – ‘با سلام!’ Pronounced ‘Salam’ this is a warm ‘Hello’ welcome to Iranian Farsi-speaking visitors and enquirers.

Iran is the world’s fastest growing evangelical population… many Muslims are discovering Jesus, often as the white-robed stranger appearing supernaturally and working miracles. (See April’s Features – https://connectingwithyou.net/category/features/).

Good news indeed – but churches need to realise there is a vast mission field here on our own doorstep! (more…)

REFLECTIONS (Apr 25, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)
Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect …

Recently we mentioned on Facebook that we happened to visit a local Anglican church (St John’s, Highton, Geelong) the previous Sunday and were so blessed to discover several vital things that many ‘thinking outside the box’ Christians are seeking today, such as –

  • Reality, not hype
  • Down-to-earth approach
  • Meaningful worship
  • Soundly Bible-based sermon
  • A feeling of spiritual safety.

Receiving lots of good feedback, emails as well as FB, we felt to add some other notations re that local church. Such as… (more…)

IS YOUR CHURCH ‘BODY MINISTRY’ EQUIPPED? (Apr 17, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan raise an issue…

Ministry…some Christians foolishly think ‘That’s only the minister’ but 2 Corinthians 3:6 states we’re all ministers – competent servants!

It was great to catch up recently with dearest ‘old friends’ Hans and Ellie Rutgrink,  who almost 40 years ago faithfully assisted us in planting/establishing a new church.

This was immediately after our Bible college days and we will never forget Hans’ joyous melodic phone call: ‘Hallooo, friends. We’re coming to join you…’

Connect!
With their commitment, our church grew as we concentrated on teaching Bible truths, avoided time-demanding programs, and relied on the Spirit’s anointing to build the church by building people, Ephesians 4:11ff style. (more…)

ASKING, SEEKING, KNOCKING (Apr 9, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)
Robert and Maureen McQuillan inspire hungry kingdom seekers!

We’ve always encouraged Christians to …

  • Be bold in trusting Jesus
  • Believe in themselves
  • Know that God has a wonderful future for his children
  • Experience the voice and peace of the Holy Spirit
  • Dare follow his leadings.

Commitment leads to obedience, trusting, discovery, fulfilment
Several months ago we had emphasised these truths to a young couple in whom we have always observed a strong commitment to serving the Lord and obeying his directions. They shared what they believed God wanted them to do and be – including moving locale and ministries. Believing they’d heard most accurately from him, we encouraged them to ‘go for it!’ (more…)