EDITORIAL NOTE: Repeatedly over the past few months, articles and emails with challenging queries and concerned questions comments have been noted in respect of a decided lack of biblical teaching from the pulpit. As have comments of ‘Where is God? I only see showmanship and pleas for finance’ even from young unsaved church visitors seeking reality with God. (more…)
faith
TRYING TO DISPROVE GOD, ATHEIST GENETICIST TURNED TO FAITH
Mark Ellis and associate Michael Ashcroft bring this testimony of a noted scientist finding God:
The current head of the National Institutes of Health, Francis S Collins, came to faith after he set out to disprove God.
‘I had always assumed that faith was based on purely emotional and irrational arguments and was astounded to discover that one could build a very strong case for the plausibility of God,’ he noted on CNN. ‘My earlier atheist’s assertion that “I know there is no God” emerged as the least defensible.’ (more…)
MIRACULOUSLY CHRISTIAN BOXER OVERCAME MANY TRIALS: BOLDLY WITNESSES JESUS
Mark Ellis (with Michael Ashcraft, Special to ASSIST News Service) brings an inspirational story of trusting God:
Chris Van Heerden wasn’t supposed to get anywhere near a boxing ring. After doctors operated on his kidney at 3-months-old, he was strictly forbidden from contact sports. (more…)
THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF YOUR LIFE
Rick Marschall, Special to ASSIST News Service writes:
Believers throughout the millennia have endured torture to learn and savour the gospel of Jesus Christ – the good news. Many believers have sacrificed their all in order to know and serve the Saviour. Many believers have risked, and lost, their lives in order to share Christ.
These facts are still true today. In lands where it is most difficult and dangerous, there are martyrs we hear about. We read of secret house churches in China, meeting in secret and in danger, yet boldly reading the Bible one page at a time each meeting. (more…)
JESUS LOVES DOUBTERS!
Brian Nixon, Special to ASSIST News Service,writes…
In her book Doubt: A History, Jennifer Michael Hecht wrote, ‘Socrates counts among those great minds who actually cultivated doubt in the name of truth.’[1]
This seems like a contradiction: Doubt in the name of truth? If something is true, it is beyond doubt; facts are facts, right? And yet, everyone doubts at some point. But what if that doubt could lead you to discover a greater truth about God? Could doubt and truth have something in common? (more…)
PRAYING DRIVER CRUNCHED BETWEEN TWO SEMIS BELIEVES GOD SAVED HIS LIFE
Mark Ellis brings this incredible testimony.
Every side of his pickup truck was completely smashed and compacted after Kaleb Whitby struck a semi from behind and was then hit by another semi in a highway pileup caused by morning fog and black ice.
Whitby literally walked away unscathed – with just two Band-Aids – after his Chevy Silverado was banged, spun, and ultimately came to rest in the vice-grip of parallel semi-trucks. By God’s protective hand, he narrowly escaped death. (more…)
YES, ‘LIFE WASN’T MEANT TO BE EASY’ – BUT JESUS SAID, ‘TRUST ME!’
Robert and Maureen McQuillan challenge:
Jesus covered a lot of territory when he encouraged his troubled disciples, ‘Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God and believe also in me’ (John 14:1GNB). The Message Bible puts it even more directly: ‘Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me’ (Emphasis ours).
We can think of ‘this’ as ‘everything.’ After all, let’s face it…in life there are many things that throw us…things that could throw us if we were to let them and things that do throw us because we foolishly let them. (more…)
MIRACLE MOM RETURNS FROM THE DEAD
Mark Ellis, seasoned ASSIST senior correspondent, brings this great testimony:
Ruby Graupera-Cassimiro suffered a rare and life-threatening embolism after a routine C-section and the delivery of a healthy baby girl. When doctors gave up hope, her family gathered in prayer – then God answered with a miracle.
DEPRESSION
Dr Bernard Shiu, well-known Geelong general practitioner, shares his professional opinion on depression:
In my career, I’ve come across and treated many patients suffering from depression. And, contrary to popular beliefs, it is a pretty common medical condition.
Among those who come and seek help, significant proportions are people who are in authority. This is because they are people who have high expectations of themselves and expect the same from others. And they, surprisingly, include ministers and pastors of churches.
(more…)
PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES
Bruce Hills, WOI Leadership Development Director, confidently makes this bold declaration: God answers prayer!
One of the foundational reasons why we should pray the scriptures is because God has revealed himself as the prayer-answering God (Psalm 91:15).
Now, he doesn’t always answer in the way we may expect or desire. God has eternal plans and purposes that transcend human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). The shape and timing of answered prayer depends entirely on the purposes, prerogative and providence of God. (more…)
Connecting with You! 