Seed Time and Harvest

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

— 2 Peter 1:3

Pictured: Yorke Peninsula farmer Elden Oster checking out the new seasons crop.

Hang out with a farmer for a day and you get it. This walk of faith in dry times. Farmers do their best to feed the world. Unpredictable weather systems and climate changes are all part of the challenge to produce a harvest in due season. There are no guarantees. It is an expression of faith and determination every year as a farmer plants new crops in a field.

But it says a lot about life and who we are as well. Live your life sewing good seed into others, believing in others, supporting those who are out there going for it for God. When we take small steps of generous faith God turns up and provides so much more. Keep loving and serving people like Jesus does. You can’t go wrong.

Farming families across Australia have been forced to plant seed into dry ground again this year as the early season rains have not yet come. It takes great faith to invest so much into the land at this time and yet its that faith that eventually produces a harvest later in the year. And whether a crop is bountiful or fails, God’s faithfulness remains the same. He is at work in our lives as we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.
 

“And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

— Ephesian 3:19-20

Thanks for your prayers and ongoing support.

Godspeed,
Steve

THIS IS AUSTRALIA

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Pictured: The hardened soil of a desert clay pan near Blackstone community in Western Australia.

Like a work of abstract art the fractured surface of earth in an Australian desert clay pan says so much of who we are. We are made from the dust and the soil of this earth. We do our best to portray a tough impenetrable exterior…. Yet just beneath the surface there is moisture. There is a heart seeking rain that will bring life. I am amazed that most of our country Australia would not survive if it were not for the waters that come from beneath the ground. There are oceans of pure water beneath the sunburned hardened landscape of this land. A desert continent full of life and beauty. This is Australia. 

This is a reflection of you and me. And yes… We can become hardened and bitter… or we can choose to stay humble and sweet. But we can’t be both.

Be expectant of drought breaking rain in your life… the kind of rain that comes from the giver of life, the God of all creation. Don’t give up and become hardened to it all. He is with you and He has a way… sometimes it just takes longer than we want it to. Choose to be sweet and not bitter.  

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:11-12

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

FROM CITY TO COUNTRY

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Pictured: The Church in Minnipa South Australia where we served and worshipped last Sunday morning with the locals.

The Sunday before last I was singing at the Sydney Opera House. This last weekend I had the honour of singing at the Anglican and Uniting Church in Minnipa on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Pastor Tim Coleman gave a great word from the book of Acts about the journey of faith we are called to take. He’s a pentecostal Pastor with a great vision for the entire region. People from various denominations of church attended and everyone bought a plate of food or a pavlova or cake. Lunch was a literal feast as James, a local sheep shearer cooked up the best BBQ steaks and chicken this side of the border. Life can be pretty tough in these parts, especially if the rains don’t come… but people are honest and real. They are generous and full of faith, They sing loud and they drive long distances to enjoy the fellowship of church family. There is a sweet spirit in these little churches that can sometimes be lost in the rush of life in big cities. I’ve learned to really appreciate it over the years. 

If your walk with God is all about programs and deadlines and schedules… maybe its time to go for a long drive and spend a Sunday in a little country church out bush.

Thanks for your friendship and interest in our mission.

Godspeed,
Steve

THE LAW OF PROSPERITY

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.
– Psalm 1:1-3

Photo credit: Steve Grace

There’s something so powerfully inspiring about trees. They enable planet earth to breathe new oxygen, yet for as long as men and women have walked the earth they have provided timber for homes and warmth for every winter since our Genesis beginnings. Trees are a spectacular part of God’s creation.

When our delight is in pursuing God’s law of love and grace, we are like a tree planted firmly by streams of water. Water in the Bible is symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit and our desire should be that the fruits of the Spirit are seen in our lives with every new season. That’s what real prosperity is… its not about becoming wealthy and influential and successful in the world’s eyes. It's about knowing who you are in Christ and living every day honouring Him. His laws are profoundly simple; Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love people as much as you love yourself. I like that!

Thanks for travelling with us.

Godspeed,
Steve

DOING A NEW THING

Praise to the Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

– Isaiah 25:1 –

We’ve had a crazy few weeks and had to trust the Lord for His 'new thing' as we prepare to set out on tour for a few months.  The Sunliner Tour trailer we’ve used for the past few years finally gave in to the ordeals of Australian roads. The chassis was broken beyond repair and was written off by our insurance company. Initially this was devastating but we realise it may end up being a blessing. It’s all part of the journey of faith and the adventure of serving God.

Pictured: Steve & Kerrie on the road again.

Thank you so much for your continued interest in the work we are doing across Australia. We are quietly excited that we are entering a new season of revival and restoration for many towns and communities across our nation. 

"Forget the former things;  do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

– Isaiah 43:18-19 –

Thank you for your support.

– Steve

Honouring a Humble Hero

Pictured: An opportunity to meet Billy Graham in 1998.

He reached more people in his lifetime than any other person in history. His message was simple and real.. His message was Jesus.. I will never forget the time I met Billy Graham with my wife Kerrie. Backstage at a major evangelistic crusade in Alburqueque, New Mexico. It was May 1998 and I’d been invited by Franklin Graham to sing to the massive crowd that filled the football stadium. It was an historic event and one of the final Evangelistic Rallies that Dr Graham would be preaching at after decades behind the microphone and public events in nations across the globe.

The remarkable thing about Billy Graham was his down to earth approachability and genuine care in every conversation. He had an unconditional love for all people’s. He probably did more to empower oppressed people groups and bring hope to civil rights than any other man of his time. His message bought real revival to nations in the post WWll years, including Australia… a country he had a great love for. 

For Kerrie and I it was such a privilege to meet Billy Graham and his family. That North Carolina spirit of hospitality is very authentic.. It was like catching up with an old mate as he reflected on his many memories of missions to Australia. 

Our prayer is that millions more will take on the heart, passion and convictions that compelled Billy Graham to bring the good news to a lost and dying world. THANK YOU BILLY.

– Steve Grace

One Hundred Years of Hope

 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord … that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them”  
– Revelation 14:13

His humble message of hope and his vision to travel the nations of earth proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ has seem millions of lives transformed. Billy Graham communicated to over 215 million people through his public rallies in 185 nations. Countless lives have been changed as the Gospel of Jesus Christ was passionately preached to generations. Billy had a way of connecting with cultures like no other. 

We simply want to express our thanks and offer our heartfelt prayers to the Graham family at this time as they farewell a man greatly loved and admired globally. Thank you Billy for your legacy of faith and a hundred years of hope in Christ’s promises. We are grateful.

ROADSIGNS AND RAIN

Pictured: A roadsign in the rain on a road less travelled.. somewhere in Northern NSW.

"This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it." - Jeremiah 6:16

Sometimes the best way to move ahead with your life and make progress is to look back and learn from the past. Our lives are bombarded with information via social media and news networks and advertising and unstoppable changes in technology every day. We live with the pressure of expectations on us to have an opinion about everything and just follow along with the noise of the crowd. Conforming to the latest trends or persuasions of politicians can often times be very damaging.

Sometimes it’s a good thing to just stop. Stop and go back to what you know is absolute and true… The reassurance of a road sign on an unfamiliar road always gives you confidence that you are heading in the right direction.

In our uncertain world, the Word of God sure helps us to keep heading in the right direction. When you are not sure about what to do or where you are going… get back into the Bible and seek the Lord for His best for your life. Somehow the truth and grace of God's word becomes like refreshing rain in a drought. 

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land". - Proverbs 25:25

Thanks for travelling with us.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace