(May 14, 2025) Mama Lava, sharing from her heart, reminds us of another great truth…
Hello again!
Trust is our theme this month, as we work on alleviating our anxiety. Specifically trust in God.
Think about this… we put our trust in many things every day. We trust that—
(March 30, 2025) Robert McQuillan challenges…
Albert Einstein said, ‘I do not fear the explosive power of the atom bomb. What I fear is the explosive power in the human heart.’
Interesting observation from the famous scientist who revered Almighty God. Einstein was saying that while the atom bomb has the capacity to destroy, the human heart can hold a greater destructive power!
Sadly we‘re living in days when evil hearts can be devastating unfriendly; and our enemy Satan continues to destroy faith in God and righteous living.
Someone even more perceptive than Einstein commented on more than one occasion about the evil in the human heart… Jesus. Boy, did He have a lot to say!
Jesus’ Wise Teachings
What He taught still stands! Here’s just some of the things Jesus had to say to those—
(January 30, 2025) Editorial notation:
It’s been a delight to regularly feature the missionary ministry of Ross and Donna Winchester, Mandate Ministries— their Chiang Mai, northern Thailand and Myanmar ministry— and to advise updates regarding Ross’ health challenges.
Despite not being unwell he and Donna had returned to Thailand last month to encourage those who shared in the ministry, as well as church leaders. Unfortunately they had return to Australia December 28.
His natural family— and broader denomation family— have shared the following sad news… reminding us of the good news that Ross is with the Lord, the one he loved, served and shared.
(more…)
(January 23, 2025) Dr Richard Winter encouragingly hits home…
If I told you that you were going to have the opportunity to talk with Jesus for fifteen minutes today and could make one request of Him, what would be your request? If you could ask Him anything, would you ask for protection, a new job, money… or just what would you ask?
The disciples got this opportunity one time. Luke 11:1 tells of them caming to Jesus with a specific request— ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’
Desire
Why, of all the things they could have asked of Jesus, did they ask that?
(January 18, 2025) A blessed believer humbly recalls a meaningful search discovering the Father…
How can I be a true friend of the Lord and how can I know the Father better, I wondered? What can I do to show the Lord that I love Him, and want to make Him smile, delight His heart? How can I walk in His invisible footsteps?
Such thoughts were heavy on my heart!
Designation
Some paths were only meant for Him, but He has shown us one way to commune with the Father that any of us can follow— if, of course, you too feel led as I was. Allow me to share my journey—
(January 18, 2025) Carol Round shares some more thoughts re 2025…
In sixth grade, an eye exam revealed the need for glasses. As a pre-teen, I knew my classmates would tease me when I showed up at school with bottle-thick lenses in my frames.
Donning my new glasses at home, one of the first things I noticed was our kitchen tile. I’d always thought it was solid green until my eyeglasses helped me focus on the subtle black-and-white dots of various sizes sprinkled across each tile.
Despite my classmate’s teasing, a whole new world opened up to me when I could focus on the things I’d been missing. Though I eventually switched to contact lenses, I’ll never forget the change in my eyesight with the help of glasses.
Focus on Spiritual Growth
After reading a Christian article several years ago, I began choosing a word for the New Year. While there’s nothing wrong with making New Year’s resolutions, the author pointed out most people find them restrictive and ultimately ditched after a few months.
(December 24, 2024) Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, share regarding their Chiang Mai, northern Thailand and Myanmar ministry, and an update regarding Ross’ health…
Hi friends, we are back in Chiang Mai now and loving it!
We’ve had the opportunity to catch up with many of our ministry partners, as well as preaching in some of the great churches in this city.
Ross achieved a significant milestone last week as he submitted his research thesis to the examiners on Leadership Development Programs in Northern Thailand, after four years of research, blood, sweat, and tears. Woo hoo!
Christmas Programs for Karen People
We were able to provide much needed food, supplies, as well as Bibles for the Karen people at two special events last week. Our team organised Christmas programs where food parcels and gifts were distributed.
The gospel was preached and the Karen people received the word and the Christmas gifts with great appreciation.
Ross’s Health Update
Ross recently underwent a CT scan and X-ray to determine the progression of the cancer in his body. It appears that the cancerous lesion in the liver has doubled in sizeover the last 2.5 months.
In the natural this is obviously not a good sign, fortunately we are not living in the natural and believing God for divine intervention to reverse this accursed cancer. Please pray with us for the total eradication of every cancer cell in Ross’s body, for total restoration of health and wholeness, and for overflowing strength and energy levels.
Christmas Camp
Ross was invited to be the speaker at a three-day church Christmas camp recently. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and ministry. It was very much an international camp with two church members not only from Thailand but also from Argentina, Nigeria, Malaysia, Philippines, Brazil, USA, and Karen people from Myanmar.
Thanks again for your faithful prayers and support of our ministry to Asia.
Special Prayer Requests
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Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, have been missionaries to Asia for many years. Based in Chiang Mai, they have worked with local pastors and church-planters, developing in-service leadership training programs that address challenges and issues unique to this area of Thailand. Link rossw@investeternal.com
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(October 10, 2023) Richard Winter challenges…
Okay… it’s not Christmas yet – but it soon will be! So I take this opportunity to remind us to –
The Magi
Among the first worshippers of Jesus were the Magi (Evil king Herod whom they visited, could have been a worshipper of Jesus – claimed he wanted to, but didn’t!).
Charles Gardner, Special to ASSIST, praying for the peace of Jerusalem at the Western Wall, writes…Amid growing tension on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, where rocks and firebombs are being thrown at riot police as Palestinian hatred for Israel threatens to boil over once more, there is still hope for peace.
Just ask Mosab Hassan Yousef, who grew up causing trouble in the West Bank and later switched sides after being sickened by the hypocrisy and deceit he witnessed. (more…)
Connecting with You! 