passion

SHINING A LIGHT IN A BROKEN WORLD

(June 10, 2022) Carol Round challenges us to be relevant in these dark times …

Jesus’ invitation in John 12:44-46 is very relevant today: ‘Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”’

Darkness and evil are rampant in our broken world! Mass shootings. Countries at war. Fractured families. Political division. Without hope, we find it difficult to find our way into the light.

But, if we truly believe Jesus is the answer, then why are we allowing the darkness to lead us to wring our hands in despair? Why do we point fingers and blame others for the ills of this world? Maybe we need to be pointing the finger at ourselves.

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HE’S ALIVE!

(April 16, 2017) Dr Jim McClure, renowned theologian, reminds us of the power of Resurrection Sunday …

He’s alive! He’s alive! He’s alive! This lay at the centre of the message of the early church. This was the passion burning in the hearts of the first Christians. When they met each other in the street, they didn’t say, ‘G’day’ or ‘Hello’ or ‘How are you?’ They said, ‘He is risen!’ To which was given the reply, ‘Indeed he is risen!’

Eight times in the book of Acts we read that God raised Jesus from the dead. And it was a central theme in Paul’s teaching. In fact he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:14, ‘If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.’ And then in verse 20 he wrote, ‘But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.’

I don’t think that today’s Christians have the same passion as those early Christians when we think of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It has become a doctrinal statement rather than a passionate, motivating conviction. But not so in the early centuries.

Oh, we still mention it and claim how wonderful it is, but often it just seems like an echo of the past. Do you remember the last time you were in an area, perhaps surrounded by mountains, and you decided to call out to hear the echo reverberating around you? The first echo that returns is quite loud, but succeeding ones get weaker and weaker. (Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello.) (more…)

LIVING IN FAITH

(April 6, 2017) Tim Edwards brings another timely kingdom word…

When we hear from God to move ahead in something new and we obey, we take a step forward and we become more conscious of our personal growth and development in the Lord.

And guess what?

At that exact time we can be assured that many of us will start to face trials and tests in our lives. Why? Because it is often at times of growth in our lives that we find ourselves being stretched!

Anyone in that category right now?
As we stretch and grow – which is ultimately fantastic by the way – and as we are tested and find ourselves in new and strange situations we need to know what is holding us together; what is sitting in our foundations. We need to look more closely at what is happening in our heads and hearts and ask ourselves what we believe and what exactly we hold to be true. (more…)

THE JUSTIFICATION OF OUR EXISTENCE (June 15, 2016)

Ross Winchester challenges the church to passionately care for souls…

Irena Sendler. Perhaps still an unfamiliar name to some people, but this remarkable Polish woman defied the Nazis and saved 2,500 Jewish children by smuggling them out of the Warsaw Ghetto.

As a health worker, she sneaked children out between 1942 and 1943 to safe hiding places and found non-Jewish families to adopt them.   (more…)

2016 – GOD’S PLANS AND YOU

Andrew Corbett reminds us that of this reality …

The capstone of the accounts of Jesus life, ministry, and redemptive work is John’s gospel.

It is quite possibly the most profound book in the Bible. It opens with the same three words that the entire Bible commences with – ‘In the beginning.’ (more…)

FOUNDATION STUDIES FOR ADULTS LIVING WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Tait Berge, living with disabilities himself but active in ministry, challenges…

When perusing resources in any Christian bookstore, prepare to be overwhelmed with the vast choice of Bible studies.

Whether looking for a study on one book of the Bible or something on a specific topic, people from every denomination, ethnicity, gender, or country are hungry for what the Lord has to say to them through the scriptures.

But what if you have an intellectual disability?
How do you learn about Jesus? Are there studies for this population? (more…)

HOMOSEXUALITY – A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

Dr Jim McClure, noted theologian, with genuine concern highlights an important and timely subject:

As the issues of ‘gay marriage’ and ‘LGBT rights’ are occupying so much news media space, homosexuality and its associated sexual abnormalities are actively promoted in movies and television shows, and celebrities, sports personalities and politicians are rushing to show how broadminded, compassionate and ‘up to date’ they are. Some Christians are being made to feel that perhaps they too should jump on this bandwagon.

But should they? Has the Christian position that has held fast for 2000 years been wrong? Is it time for a ‘Christianity makeover’ that will bring it more into the 21st century and be more relevant to these days? (more…)

JESUS REALLY UNDERSTANDS OUR TRIALS

Inspirational author Carol Round brings Easter encouragements …

‘Jesus and his disciples came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John along with him. He began to feel despair and was anxious. He said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert”’ (Mark 14:32-34 CEB). (more…)

FORCED INTO BANKRUPTCY ONE INVESTMENT BROUGHT ETERNAL REWARDS

Mark Ellis, seasoned ASSIST senior correspondent, brings another great testimony:

Nelson Bunker Hunt, the son of a legendary Texas oilman, exceeded his father through colossal investments in oil, silver, real estate, sugar beets, and his passion, thoroughbred horses.

He took great risks in business and weathered spectacular financial setbacks, but one investment’s lustre never dimmed – spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Once one of the world’s richest men, Bunker Hunt graduated to his eternal reward October 21 due to complications of congestive heart failure. He was 88. (more…)

WHEN THE BULLETS STOPPED BOUNCING

Martin Johnson, Special to ASSIST News Service, writes:

Working in the police force was Australian Suzanne Spence’s dream job. At first it was everything she had hoped it would be, but when she came home every night in tears, her family and friends knew she wasn’t coping.

Diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Suzanne reluctantly resigned after a 24-year career and, aged 46, thought her working life was over. (more…)

Connecting with You!

words of encouragement from us