SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – WINNING BIG-TIME!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33. TNIV

This world is a place of struggle. Yes, we can live above the struggle for a short time, or we can find a way to simply ignore, or re-label the struggle for a time, but in the end, the struggle will find us.

However, in the midst of struggle, we can remind ourselves that our victory is secure. Jesus has won! We will share in His great triumph.

In case you don't know, the final result is already determined, and Christians win big-time through Jesus. Hallelujah! Praise His mighty name!

Loving Father, I thank you for giving me the victory, through Jesus Christ my Lord. I welcome the future with eagerness, because I know that each day brings me nearer to you, and the magnificent future you have planned for all of your children. Until then I pray, that through the power of the Holy Spirit, I may never lose sight of that victory, and I long for the day of it’s arrival! In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

On January 26 for Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. Here are just a few of the attributes that make our country unique...

The life savers on the beach and the farmers in the bush; the larrikins; our sporting heroes, artists and visionaries; the volunteers who dedicate their lives to others; the spirit of pulling together in hard times and achieving beyond expectation; the eminent Australians from all walks of life, the battlers and the ordinary Australians who are anything but ordinary. Each year on Australia Day we elect special Australian people for their achievements that make them stand out in Australia.

Fragile yet enduring, harsh and extreme, lush and bountiful - a continent like no other. Our ancient land offers boundless opportunity, sustains us and makes us who we are.

A nation of difference and unity. People from the city, the country, different nations and backgrounds; we are one people, living together. Through our diverse beliefs and experiences we learn from each other and grow together. The rich and resilient spirituality; the knowledge, art and history.

A society built on fundamental rights and responsibilities. Freedom of thought and expression. Participation in government and respect for and equality under the law. An enduring spirit of mateship and fairness. A compassionate society committed to access to employment, housing, health and education. Ours is a land of opportunity where we can do anything!

Now I am off to have a Barbeque with my family, normal blogging resumes Monday!

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH CO-WORKERS, LEADS TO JOB SATISFACTION!

A very encouraging report from, Jonathan Rennie, of the Glasgow Evening Times...

Stressed with work? Blame office politics!

OFFICE politics rather than doing the job causes the majority of employees most stress when they go to work. And forget the pay packet - the real pleasure we get from work comes from friendship with colleagues.

New studies reveal how office culture is changing the key ingredients for job satisfaction. Continue reading...

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – JESUS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, - Romans 3:21-22.

The Old Testament looks forward to a new time, a time when law is not the basis of righteousness. The Law and Prophets testify to this time.

This righteousness comes from God, and is built on the sacrificial work of Jesus who frees us from law, and brings us God's grace. The real issue for us is trust; many today confuse believing with simply thinking something in one's head, while the Bible sees belief as something that involves our heart, and changes our behaviour.

So what is the basis on which you are building your life today? What is the measure of your righteousness? On what is your security tied? Thank God we can trust our life, our future, and our salvation to Jesus Christ, and not to law-keeping.

Loving Father, thank you so much for providing me with a Saviour in Jesus. Thank you for declaring me righteous through the sacrifice of your Son. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me as I entrust my life and salvation to Jesus, so that his life and character can be exemplified in the way that I live. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

JOIN US IN SALUTING THE AUSSIE DIGGER!

ALL Australians are invited to join us in saluting the Australian Digger - the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who we are proud to collectively name recipients of The Weekend Australian's 2006 Australian of the Year award.

From the tropical humidity of East Timor to the freezing winter deserts of Afghanistan, 2900 Diggers are today serving in seven operational theatres across the globe, continuing the honoured tradition of the Anzacs.

Their role has evolved enormously from the actions of the men who landed at Gallipoli or who later fought in the mud of Kokoda and the jungles of Korea and Vietnam.

They are still fighting a war - but it is a war on terrorism rather than a conflict between nations. READ MORE...

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – KEEP THE CHIN UP!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12.

Sometimes the key to survival is a matter of simply “keeping our chin up,” and going on faithfully trusting that God is there helping us, despite the outward circumstances.

Choosing to be joyful in hope, rather than despair; choosing patience in times of affliction, and choosing faithfulness in prayer, are all decisions that we need to make, whenever troubles arise.

Then we can have confidence that God, who raised Jesus from the dead, can also alter our situations because he hears our prayers.

Loving Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, create in me a steadfast heart, so that I might persevere with joy no matter what troubles come up. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

It Only Takes a Minute.

Charles Dickens once wrote:

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."

It only takes a minute to begin reflecting on our present blessings: the gift of life itself, the warmth of friendships, the riches of good health, the power of love, the glory of a sunrise, the privilege of prayer, the joys of music, the satisfactions of work, the treasures of books, the beauty of art, the miracle of spring, and the grace of God.

Be more grateful and you will become more joyful!

But God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. That's also why we can recognize the blessings that God has given us. - 1Cor 2:12 cev

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

COMMUNICATE HIS MERCY TO THE WORLD!

'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help.

Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there.

And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.' - William Booth.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – SAVIOUR AND LORD!

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. - Matthew 7:13-14.

The world wants a Saviour but not a Lord. The New Testament is clear; a Saviour who is not Lord is no Saviour, and no friend.

If the Old Testament showed us anything, it is that God's seemingly peculiar laws were written not for His enthrallment, but for His people's perpetuation.

Let us not only call Jesus Lord this week, but let us live in a way that shows that He controls our lives, and His Spirit produces our character.

Loving Father, take control of my life and my will so I may be wholly yours, not just in word, but in thought and in deed as well. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND READERS, AND MAY YOU ENJOY THE PRESENCE, AND THE ABUNDANT BLESSINGS OF JESUS, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR OF 2007.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY