BRINGING LIGHT TO INACCESSIBLE PLACES

(February 17, 2017) Norman and Margaret Moss share this encouragement and challenge…

Recently I (Norman) visited a place of impenetrable darkness and gloom.

A place that is frequently unbearably hot, and at other times difficult to reach because it can only be visited on one’s knees.

I had never gone on this journey before, because I was hindered by feelings of total inadequacy. I felt that I had nothing to contribute to those gloomy nether regions.

Who was I to bring light to such an inaccessible place?

But as Tennyson declared triumphantly, ‘Old age hath yet its honour and its toil.’ (more…)

THE POTENTIAL OF AN INVALUABLE MISSIONS’ STRATEGY

(February 15, 2017) Missionary statesman George Forbes emphasises a proven strategy…

Perhaps one of the least understood aspects of missionary work among the nations is that of missions’ strategy. It has the potential to be invaluable or a stumbling block.

In my experience it has been very helpful when it is properly prepared, presented and understood. When it is considered unnecessary or too human, because we are being led by the Holy Spirit, there is the danger of proceeding without a plan, because we think we are trusting God for outcomes.

In some ways it is like the old saying, ‘The thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history.’ (more…)

WORDS OF LIFE (#7) KINSMAN-REDEEMER – ‘GO’EL’

(February 15, 2017) Dr Jim McClure, noted theologian, continues his series on selected scripture words…

One of the great words of faith and theology is ‘Redeemer.’ There are three Hebrew words that may be translated as ‘redeemer’ –

First there is paraq which develops from the concept of ‘breaking off’ to ‘deliver’ or to ‘set free.’ This word is used 10 times in the Old Testament. It is translated once with the idea of redeeming in Psalm 136:24 KJV, ‘And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth forever.’ (more…)

GOOD SALT

(February 17, 2017) Robert and Maureen McQuillan share …

Ever watch some old movies (or current ones) or TV series such as The Darling Buds of May where Pop Larkin would pour heaps of tomato sauce over virtually everything on the plate? Usually one goes ‘Yuk’ in horror.

And what about people who pour far too much salt on their meals?

Salt consumption has increased during modern times. Every now and then we hear its usage being raised in conversation, usually a concerned ‘You take too much salt, that’s bad for you!’ Or we hear or read of some report of the health effects of salt associated with the consumption too little salt.

A mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride, salt is used in food for both preservation and flavour. (Just as ‘good salt Christians’ are supposed to be – enriching this troubled world). (more…)

BEHIND EVERY MAN, THERE’S A SMART WOMAN!

(January 26, 2017) Robert and Maureen McQuillan share a timely reminder…

Several years before the Afghan conflict, 20/20’s Barbara Walters did a story on gender roles in Kabul, Afghanistan. She noted that women customarily walked five paces behind their husbands. On a later revisit she observed that women still walked behind their husbands.

Despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, Afghani women still maintained the old custom. Approaching one she asked, ‘Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?’

The woman looked her straight in the eye, and without hesitation said, ‘Land mines.’

Moral (no matter what language you speak or where you go): Behind every man, there’s a smart woman!

A great wife is still a man’s greatest asset!
Every guy should know this and fully appreciate his wife, give God thanks for her and pray for her regularly. Proverbs 31:10-31 Mge is still a great read! (more…)

THEBUZZ

GLEANINGS (January 12, 2017):

COLOMBIAN AIR CRASH – Soccer team survivor ‘under God’s wings’
THE LAWS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE – Pure wisdom!
A HAPPY NEW YEAR? – Make it one of prayer!
HEROES OF FAITH – God can use anyone
SATAN’S STRONGHOLDS – Smash his footholds now!

_______________________________________________________________________________________

SURVIVOR HELD BIBLE DURING SOCCER TEAM AIR CRASH

Mark Ellis, Senior Correspondent for ASSIST reports a great testimony…

One of the few survivors of a crash involving a Brazilian soccer team’s charter flight to Medellin was holding his Bible and reading Psalm 63 at the time of the crash.

Helio Neto (31) was one of six survivors of the crash, which claimed the lives of 71 people, including many players and staff from the Chapecoense team from southern Brazil, one of Brazil’s top teams.

A strong Christian (more…)

UNDERSTANDING ‘THE NEW CREATION’

(January 11, 2017) Dr Jim McClure, esteemed theologian, shares on this great truth…

The apostle Paul mentions the term ‘new creation’ twice. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’ And in Galatians 6:15, ‘Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.’

To help us understand the phrase ‘new creation’, let’s consider a couple of things about God:

Only God is the Creator
In the first chapter of Genesis we see that he created all things – the stars, planets, earth and all that is on it including the sea, rivers, all vegetation and every animal, finishing with his creation of humankind.

Nothing has come into existence apart from him. And nothing can exist unless it has been created by God.

God is concerned about making things new

(more…)

A LIVING HOPE

(January 11, 2017) Missionary statesman Dr George Forbes reminds us of a fundamental truth…

Our world is full of people who have no hope!

There are multiplied reasons for this tragedy; however my purpose is not to describe the hopelessness, but to share the reality that there is hope.

Christians have a living hope
The hope of Christians worldwide is based on God’s love and amazing mercy; on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and on the plan of salvation for all who believe.

If you need hope, if you’re asking questions about life and the unknown future, I invite you to consider what the apostle Peter wrote. It is found in chapter three of his first letter to the churches. Here are the words he wrote, translated faithfully and clearly in English…

‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has regenerated us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you by the power of God, having been kept through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time’ (1Peter 1:3-5). (more…)

THE NEHEMIAH ATTITUDE

(January 10, 2017) Brian Bell reminds us a great kingdom building principle …

The book of Nehemiah has often been meditated on to unveil its truths and their application for our lives.

In this brief meditation I’m not bringing a new revelation but offering three simple thoughts which presume the reader has a general knowledge of Nehemiah’s story.

But whether you’re familiar with the Nehemiah story or not, I believe these thoughts that the Holy Spirit has used to speak to me will also encourage your heart too.

Nehemiah’s Concern
Primarily, Nehemiah’s concern was for that which had been broken. (more…)

‘YOU CAN’T JUST SIT THERE!’

(January 10, 2017) Stuart Reynolds brings a timely 2017 challenge…

Thirty-five years ago the media outlets in the United States carried a most unique story about a 33-year-old man called Larry Walters. Perhaps approaching an early mid-life crisis, Larry decided he wanted a new perspective on life where he lived.

He came up with an ingenious plan – he purchased 42 weather balloons which he inflated, having friends attach them to his securely anchored lawn chair.

Along with some refreshments for the journey he also took a pellet gun, so he could shoot each balloon as he would make his descent. Walters thought the balloons would only take him a few hundred feet in the air – the reality was that they launched him some 15,000 feet and into the flight traffic pattern for the nearby Los Angeles International Airport!

Realising his dilemma, he frantically started to shoot the balloons, but in his panic dropped his gun. After two hours of ‘flight’ it finally took an Air Force helicopter to bring him down.

stuart-01-17a

(Link: https://alchetron.com/Larry-Walters-789956-W)

When the ‘Lawn Chair Pilot’ (as he became known as) was safely back on terra firma and charged by the police, he faced the music of the news reporters. He was asked, ‘Were you scared?’ His response was, ‘Yes, I was, but wonderfully so!’

When asked ‘Why did you do it?’ he replied ‘Because you can’t just sit there.’