Isaiah 26:3

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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TRUSTING GOD – TODAY’S MAJOR CHALLENGE

(June 30, 2023) With concern Robert and Maureen McQuillan ask…

Question: ‘Which four words should be remembered if we’re doubting God’s word?’ Genesis 3:1!

Here’s how various Bible versions read about Eve being deceived about God’s word… and that fruit (whatever kind it was!)–

  • GNB – ‘Did God really tell you…?’
  • Mge – ‘Do I understand that God told you…?’
  • NET – ‘Is it really true that God said…?’
  • NIV – ‘Did God really say…?’
  • TLB expands a little – ‘Really?… None of the fruit…? God says you mustn’t eat any of it?’ 

Subtle challenge
Eden’s wily serpent represents that most cunning, subtle Satan. ‘Serpent’ is nachash, hissingly pronounced naw-khawash after a snake’s ‘hiss.’

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GOD’S MOST DIVINE RECIPES

(March 22, 2023) Mama Lava shares recipes for life…

Hi again!

How are you all? Had a good Saint Patrick’s Day? Baked something special? I had trouble!

Many of you may remember a post I wrote last summer where I told y’all I was struggling in the kitchen. Baking in my new high-elevation home was not going according to plan.

My most divine recipes were not working, epic failures that broke my heart! They didn’t look appetising, smell enticing, or taste right.

A few fun facts about altitude:
Did you know the boiling temperature of water is different in the mountains? Or that thinner air causes bakery items to rise more quickly? (And subsequently fall dramatically?) After wasting time and ingredients, I turned to the internet for suggestions.

I experimented to no avail. Eventually I reached out to see if anyone had any tried-and-true high-altitude recipes for baked goods. I didn’t receive any which, on hindsight, makes sense because most people live closer to sea level.

Finally I broke down and bought a high-altitude cookbook. And let me tell you – it has been a godsend! My first bite into a soft, moist, sweet blueberry muffin nearly made me cry. I had feared I’d have to grow accustomed to dry, crumbly, volcano-shaped baked goods for as long as I lived here.

The new divine recipes made me think
The right recipes for my location made all the difference. I’m sure if I took my new high-elevation cooking instructions and tried them at sea level, it would be a whole other kind of disaster. (Is it strange that I even want to try, just to see what sort of chaos it would create?).

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3 REASONS WHY I’M DELIGHTED BEING UNSETTLED

(September 8, 2022) Mama Lava encourages us to be at peace, especially ‘unsettled peace’…

It’s September! For most people on this side of the globe, September means summer holidays have been taken, kids are back in school, routines have been implemented, and plans have been settled for the next several months. This can be a major transition… but often settles into cosy anticipation once it’s all arranged.

Is that how you’re feeling? To be honest, I feel something much deeper this year. I feel overwhelmed by unsettled peace. And I’ve come to view major transitions differently than expected… I’m actually delighted to be unsettled!

Delighted to be unsettled?
Yes, ‘unsettled peace’ sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Yet the two are coexisting easily in my heart! Here’s why…

I know that I know that I know that God is on the throne! He’s bigger than anything that would trouble me and in charge. Nothing gets by Him without His permission.

  • I know He is with me.
  • I know He is for me.
  • I know that nothing can stand against me.
  • I know this is unquestionably my peace!
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NEGATIVITY… TIME FOR A CHANGE IN THINKING!

(March 11, 2022) Maureen McQuillan challenges:

Negativity… it can be so rampant among many people but we Christians don’t need to be negative!

The reality is that if we talk negatively we’re dishonouring God… and also causing others to be wrongly influenced.

We mustn’t dishonour the Lord!
The reality is that if we talk negatively we’re dishonouring God… and also causing others to be wrongly influenced.

Off all people, Christians should know scripture and be living a life of trusting God. We’re meant to be living above and beyond all negativities!

Oh I know, life has its negatives and reversals but, with the Holy Spirit’s supernatural help and by trusting God’s word – even as our greatest example, Jesus, did – we too can overcome such blues and be a good influence on others.

Afterall, it’s not good for any Christian to be acting, talking or even thinking negatively. Doing so must hurt and disappoint our loving heavenly Father God who expects us to fully trust him (as Robert wrote about last month: Trusting God in Everything)!

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