Inspirational

A NEW DAY, A NEW BEGINNING

Sandro Schietroma shares realistic truths about Christians as overcomers…

I’m not sure what the last year has looked like for you, but despite what any of us may have gone through, we are now in a new year, a new day, a new beginning.

I know that each and every one of us knows what it’s like to have challenges; it’s a fact of life that difficult circumstances come up against us. But…‘Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed…’ (Lamentations 3:22). (more…)

‘THERE MUST BE SOMETHING BETTER THAN ALL THIS!’

Brian Bell mediates on the above …

Perhaps you too have said something like that…’There must be something better…’ when you found yourself in a difficult situation. Particularly one you didn’t understand or in which you were struggling to cope.

Psalm 118: 8 offer us encouragement regarding something better: ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.’ ‘Better’ … that’s the Hebrew word tobe meaning ‘good, cheerful, well-favoured.’ (more…)

PEACE ON EARTH?

David Hodgens reminds us that events that take place around us can act as markers in our life…

Can you remember where you were when the World Trade Centres were attacked in 2001?

We were working in PNG and heard the news through a New Zealand colleague. I remember walking into the subdued classroom at the time, saying to the students that the world will change forever as a result of what has happened at WTC. (more…)

LETTING GOD TAKE CONTROL

Starsky Reyes shares from his heart how God challenged him to really trust.

Romans 8:28 declares, ‘We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’

A great scripture for Christians! And believing it, in March last year I made a declaration that God was our provider. Foolishly I even boasted, ‘But I wouldn’t say God is my provider if I couldn’t place my complete trust in him financially!’

God can so easily take you up on your boasting! (more…)

CHURCHES MUST REACH OUT TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION, BI-POLAR DISORDER AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

Michael Ireland, ASSIST Senior Reporter, shares…

Pastor Rick and Kay Warren launched Saddleback Church‘s second Gathering on Mental Health and the Church October 8/9 with a call for faith communities to take the lead in caring for those with mental illnesses.

According to the Christian Examiner in the opening session of the conference, Rick Warren, Saddleback’s founding pastor, argued the church has a biblical, historical and practical responsibility to make a priority of caring for those with mental illnesses. (more…)

LEANNE’S JOURNEY: ‘WITHOUT TREATMENT – ONLY TWO MONTHS TO LIVE!’

( September 9, 2015) Maureen McQuillan shares an encouraging testimony given this month by a remarkably bright (literally small) little lady:

Leanne John’s journey inspires Christians to trust God for everything, even in life’s dark moments.

Assisted to the platform the immaculately dressed little lady turned to immediately hold the Highton congregation of Moolop and Barrabool Hills Baptist Church mesmerised as she glanced around to tell of her recent encounters with our miracle-working God. (more…)

LIVING LIFE AS USUAL?

Carol Round writes inspirationally…

‘Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus’ (1 Thess. 5:16-18 TLB).

In a recent discussion of 1 Thessalonians in our Sunday school class, one of our members, referencing chapter 5, verses 16-18 made the following statement: ‘Until our family was faced with cancer, we did life as usual. I’m actually grateful, not for the cancer, but that it changed our lives.’ (more…)

BECOMING FEARLESS

Elizabeth Shreve inspires Christians to be bold in the Holy Spirit…

We have all heard 2 Timothy 1:7 so many times … but for the sake of this article I will repeat it to you again: ‘God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and love and a sound mind.’

God really wants you to use that power! It doesn’t take courage to do what you already know you can do. True courage is displayed when you’re afraid to do something, but you go ahead and do it anyway. (more…)

A MATTER OF FAITH — FINDING HOPE IN A BROKEN WORLD

Carol Round shares on Proverbs 23:18 (NIRV), ‘There really is hope for you tomorrow. So your hope will not be cut off.’

How often do you hear the term ‘the good ole days?’

What does that expression mean to you? For me, born in 1953, it refers to the following: the front doors of our homes – and many times the back door – left unlocked. (more…)

GOD’S STRENGTH AND HUMAN ‘WEAKNESSES’

Geraldine Brandt highlights a great biblical truth…

‘Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God … Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me … Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?’

Psalm 42 excerpts – cries from the heart of David, calling on God in the midst of despair. We can picture his state of depression. (more…)

Connecting with You!

words of encouragement from us