LOVE AND DEVOTION

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

We live in a fallen and dying world. Our lives are surrounded by brokenness and sin, unforgiveness and failure. I often think of what Christ brought with him when He came to earth to make a way for mankind to be reconciled to the Father. He brought love. His kingdom is all about love and He has been devoted ever since to helping you and I understand the realms of love and forgiveness through the work of His Holy Spirit. Jesus is love in the purest form.

Love is unfaltering admiration, care and tenderness, it is emotional attraction and adoration. Love has no conditions, only a generous heart of grace and a desire for truth.

Devotion is the gift of time and energy, the act of never giving up. Devotion brings completion to our lives. It is a state of being ardently dedicated and loyal.

These are two of my favourite words in life.

One of my favourite activities as a teenager was learning to flat track on my old 175cc Yamaha dirt bike. Getting totally sideways in a corner by using the right combination of balance, power and weight distribution. It was an amazing adrenalin rush to have full control of your bike and yet be literally out of control all at the same time. You became one with your machine. I reckon our walk with Christ should reflect these things. Passion and dedication… Love and devotion.. Full on for Jesus!! Totally out of control for the things He’s asked us to do.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:9-10

Thanks for your love and devotion to us and the work we are doing.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Flat Tracker on an old Harley. Pure adrenalin with lots of love and devotion! Circa 1950′s.

THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Thanks so much for receiving and reading our weekly Prayer Points. Your friendship and interest in all that God is doing in our lives inspires us to greater things. It has been a long journey of expecting mistakes and expecting miracles’ over the years, an adventure in learning of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

I will be taking some time out soon to stop and seek God for the future. Life has been a constant rush in recent months and amidst all the great ministry and events and travels it is time to stop and
be renewed in some areas of my life. As doors open for more ministry to men across the country I’ve realised it starts with me as a man being an open vessel that the Lord can do a work on before he can effectively use me in the lives of others. I look back at some of the things I’ve struggled with… depression, alcohol, pornography, selfishness and unfaithfulness in my relationships and know that the only answer to every issue or temptation we face is knowing Jesus and living out every day for Him.

How good it is to know the grace and goodness of the Lord. His faithfulness to us is amazing even when we are faithless.

I shared this recently but I will say it again..”God is so much more concerned with His work in us than in anything we can do for Him”.. That is such good news for those of us who ‘strive’ at life rather than rest in His will and purposes. We have been called and we must keep pressing towards all that God has for us!!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

Thanks again for your prayers and support for the ministry.

Pictured: Sunset over the Indian Ocean, Broome, WA. Photo: Ian Bail

THE SPIRIT OF UNITY

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.Psalm 133:1-3

25 years ago when I first started doing gospel concerts and serving churches across Australia one thing I heard very clearly from the Lord was to serve ‘His’ church. That meant serving every denomination out there that sought to bring the love of Christ and the truth of God’s word to their regions. From charismatic to conservative, from pentecostal to evangelical to good old fundamental churches that make up the ‘body of Christ’ in every town or city. It has been an honour over the years seeing the Holy Spirit move in many amazing ways in churches large and small.

The recent tour of the Kimberley was made up of eleven different denominations in a group of 37 people. The friendship, unity and single minded purpose of the group was a beautiful reflection of the church in action. The entire group were there to serve, to worship, to pray and to be part of a mission. No theological opinions and differences ever entered into the reason for the tour. It was remarkable to be part of it!! That’s when miracles happen. And God gets the glory!!!!

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:1-5

Thank you for your unified partnership in this work for the Lord. We love getting out there and bringing a living Jesus to a dying world!!

Godspeed,

Pictured: The spirit of togetherness. (Photo by Rod Baker @Springvale Homestead, NT.)