Romans 5:8

ALL HAIL KING JESUS!

(April 05, 2025) Dr Jim McClure shares compassionately…

Palm Sunday is celebrated throughout the church as the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to the cheers of the crowds who received Him as a king.

It was Passover time and Jerusalem was crowded with likely hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who had travelled there to celebrate this annual event.

The first Palm Sunday was the beginning of an exceptional week in Jesus’ life that began with celebration and ended with crucifixion.

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NAHUM AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

(January 24, 2025) Dr Jim McClure shares a timely challenge from history…

We’re living in a time of great political upheaval, international hostility, social division and moral confusion! Sometimes it’s hard to watch television news for so many reports are about violence and bloodshed and protestors chanting threatening slogans. In fact, to a greater or lesser degree this has always been a significant part of our world’s sad history.

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HOLY SPIRIT FORCED MUSLIM TO THE GROUND AFTER HE LEFT CHURCH

(September 13, 2024) Steve Rees shares a great GodReports testimony…

It took nine years for Muslim Abdu Murray to realise that God’s greatest ethic, love, was demonstrated by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for sin.

Along his journey out of Islam and during his study of the Bible, Murray nearly surrendered to Jesus two times when the Holy Spirit and the word of God deeply stirred him.

Studying comparative religions at a secular university in a liberal city, Murray was an evangelist for Islam when two Christians gave him a Gideon’s Bible. The words of John the Baptist in Luke 3:7-8 cut Murray like a spiritual knife!

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THE GREATEST STORY: Chapter 2 – The Middle

(September 02, 2024) Dr Jim McClure shares more about The Greatest Story…

Following the prophet Malachi’s death there were no further prophetic revelations about Israel. For over 400 years the nation went into spiritual decline, and lost its independence first to the Greeks and then to the Romans. 

Throughout the centuries the prophets consistently challenged the moral and social corruption which the Bible describes as ‘darkness’ — but also revealed that God had not turned His back on humankind. While they had strongly denounced humanity’s rejection of God, they also affirmed that this had not resulted in God’s rejection of humankind!  They also revealed that the message of the Old Testament was not the whole story but just the beginning of a much bigger story.

They further indicated that a new chapter would begin when God Himself would personally get involved on planet earth — a chapter revealing God’s loving plan to reach out to a fallen, broken world by becoming personally involved!

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FINDING ENCOURAGEMENT IN HEBREWS

(January 28, 2024) Brian Bell shares…

I’ve been reading my way through the book (letter) to the Hebrews, and in my previous article shared some encouraging thoughts from chapter 12 to take us into 2024.

While Hebrews’ author is not identified, many believe it originates with Paul (a view I hold myself) while Bible teacher and author Robert M. Solomon (without suggesting a name) proposes it is very likely written by a Jewish Christian believer possibly before the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem in AD70.

The context of the book was to help those Jewish believers in the face of persecution, because while Jews were exempted from worship of the Roman emperor (who saw themselves as being a god), this exemption did not apply to Christians.

I am sure you’re familiar with the type and measure of persecution faced by Christian believers living in the days of the Roman Empire. Many were cruelly and brutally treated, tortured and killed in places such as the Colosseum in Rome.

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FINDING THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT

(December 12, 2023) Richard Winter challenges…

It’s the Christmas season… many stores are playing carols, advertising specials, sales increasing through the selling of Christmas gifts or seasonal tucker.

Churches are preparing, or have already prepared, expected Christmastime presentations centring on God’s greatest gift – the birth of His Son Jesus who would redeem the world from sin freeing people from guilt and eternal punishment when they genuinely repent and accept Christ as Saviour… and freedom from Satan’s clutches.

Our attention will be on that special day regarded as when Jesus came into the world – but let me remind about some other interesting, important happenings linked with God’s great gift…

  • Jesus and His parents participated in three traditional Jewish ceremonies –

(i) Circumcision
Every new-born Jewish male was circumcised: So scared a rite that the day was controlled… eight days after birth and on this day the name was officially given.

When pregnancies are confirmed we usually choose birth names. Sometimes it’s not until enroute to the hospital on the day of birth. Or in the hospital after the birth… but Mary the chosen young virgin was given Jesus’ name by the angel Gabriel way before she conceived!

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THE GREAT MYSTERY!

(February 10, 2023) S. Sam Selva Raj shares …

Paul made a dramatic statement in Ephesians 5:32: ‘This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.’

God’s church is the fellowship of saints. In the gospels and first 10 chapters of Acts, those who followed Jesus were called ‘disciples.’ The early church grew and in Acts 11:26 those followers were now called ‘Christians.’

Faithful Christians will –

  • Not lie, or deceive others or be treacherous.
  • Talk open mindedly to other Christians.
  • Follow Jesus’ model, walking in His footsteps.
  • Reflect Him under all conditions.
  • Not deny Jesus when affected by circumstances.
  • Never misuse God’s ministry for their own profit.

One of the greatest mysteries to many is the fellowship of Christians and God.  The reality is that those who are born again through Jesus are God’s children (John 1:12-13). 

Every truth needed for anyone to live a victorious life in this world is hidden in this secret relationship. But people (sadly even some Christians!) are trying to discover other ways to find joy and peace to progress in their lives, ignoring this relationship.

Jesus revealed His great love for us in redeeming us by His sacrifice on Calvary (Romans 5:8). He is our Saviour who overcame death and rose from the dead! Over the centuries people have hated Jesus’ church and persecuted it. This fellowship of God’s children has experienced terrible sufferings and opposition… even today!   

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HYPNOTIC WAYS OUR FOCUS IS MANIPULATED REGARDING CHRISTMAS

(December 15, 2022) Mama Lava straight-shoots a challenge from her heart…

This is nothing new. Should we even be concerned? Is there anything we can do? Consider these hypnotic ways below that our focus is being manipulated this Christmas and let me know!

Manipulation #1: Replacing Christ in the word ‘Christmas’
Do you remember the struggle, which occurred several years ago, over the words ‘Merry Christmas’? There was a move to replace them with the more politically correct greeting, ‘Happy Holidays.’

I personally don’t have a problem with ‘Happy Holidays,’ because it allows me to honestly well-wish people for the complete season of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, and whatever else they are celebrating during that time.

However, I say ‘Merry Christmas’ in specific reference to the celebration of Jesus’ birth! I know many of you do too. So, I have been put off, this season, by overt messages where I’ve seen the word ‘Christ’ replaced in the word ‘Christmas.’

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HEART-ROCK LIFE IN A HARD-KNOCK WORLD

(June 10, 2022) Mama Lava again shares personally and deeply from her heart…

‘It’s the hard-knock life!’

I’m sure you’ve heard the sentiment, made famous by the popular Broadway musical Annie. It is relatable as it focuses on the difficulties of living…

  • Empty belly life
  • Rotten smelly life
  • Full of sorrow life
  • No tomorrow life (Excerpted from the lyrics of It’s the Hard-Knock Life by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin)

Hard knocks focus
I went to the store last night and found the price of eggs has tripled in the last couple of weeks. So much for inexpensive protein! Empty belly life? Not quite. But I briefly considered a chicken coop in my small space, which could make for a more rotten smelly life for sure!

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DOWNED, DEVOTED, DELIVERED… FROM DISILLUSION

(February 07, 2022) Mama Lava shares from her heart…

Disillusion happens!

Have you ever become disillusioned with someone? Or have you been rejected by a friend who discovered something about your personality they didn’t expect?

I recently learned something incredible because of being downed, devoted and delivered from disillusion. The story is raw and real, but if it encourages any of you, it is worth sharing.

Downed from Disillusion
My friend was someone I admired from afar, even before we were aquatinted. She was thoughtful, fun, and full of laughter. She seemed to effortlessly display many characteristics to which I aspire.

We slowly got to know one another well. She had some real struggles and so did I. We shared them openly and, from where I stood, it seemed like a genuine friendship was forged. We laughed and cried together, and encouraged each other through life over several years.

But one day, I got frustrated with her! It came out in one short sentence. It wasn’t the words I chose, so much as the tone of voice I used. As soon as the exasperation left my lips, I felt the consequences. I wished I could reel it back in and have a do over. But words don’t work that way.

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