GOD’S WORKMANSHIP AND GLORY

Pictured: Carl Brouhard on the custom V4 Harley Davidson he built back in 2008

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for His good works.. which God has prepared in advance for us to do. ”

— Ephesians 2:10

G’Day, my good friend Carl went home to heaven a few weeks back. He loved Jesus and loved life and loved building the worlds most beautiful motorcycles. Carl and his wife Lynda came to faith back in the early 90’s. They’ve always been mad drag racers and custom car and bike builders. Everything Carl built was exceptional art. His extreme designs had him building bikes for sporting stars, astronauts and iconic brands... yet he was a humble and and quiet achiever who just loved being home with his wife and son Matthew. Carl inspired me to do things well, to think outside the norms and expectations of mediocrity and shine with the creative God given gifts that we each have been given. Thank you my friend. Thank you Jesus that we can live knowing we have the hope of heaven.

Godspeed.

The Tides of Time

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ”

— Lamentations 3:22-23

I stood in silence as the ocean began to rise. But I could not stand there for long... I had to keep retreating to higher ground as the unstoppable tide carried out its daily motion. The ocean never ceases.. it never stops, cleansing the shorelines of every beach, every coast and every nation on earth every day.

Just like the ocean tides, Gods forgiveness and mercy is new for us every day. We don’t deserve it and we never will... But we cannot change the mind of God.

Be assured that you are loved just as you are... God’s love for you will never change. As sure as the next evening tide His love is for you. That’s good news in a world of accusation and hate... Good news in a world of uncertainty and fear. His love and His word is faithful. Amen.

Thanks for your prayers and support as we reach out to rural towns and remote communities across Australia.

Godspeed

FROM WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH

Pictured: A walk through some California wilderness country.

“He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. ”

— Isaiah 40:29-31

It is reassuring to know that in those times when we struggle to see the way ahead, God is there. When we are uncertain of the future or unsure of our plans…. He is there to make a way. The simple key is submission to His loving grace and a willingness to wait on Him. I’ve often heard God’s voice louder in times of solitude than being surrounded by thousands of people at some large church or big conference. Yes… There are times to be motivated and inspired by large gatherings of believers… but I honestly believe its your daily walk with God, your time reading His word and praying that renews your strength and empowers you for the work ahead.

In the manic chaos of the modern day world we live in.. take time to be. Take time to belong. Take time to become who you are in Christ. Let Him be your strength.

Godspeed.

Jesus Saves

Pictured: Steve and Kerrie out the front of the Iconic CORE Church in LA.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ”

— 2 Corinthians 3:17

Multiple mass killings in America in the past weeks have filled peoples hearts with uncertainty and fear. The tensions arising globally as China and Russia flex their political and economic muscle and show their allegiance to nations like Iran who will have the ability to launch nuclear warheads in the coming year. The genocide of Christians by Islamic extremists in African nations goes unreported by the mainstream media outlets. Meanwhile… there are nations in famine and drought, nations at war and many that are completely bankrupt. The world is hanging on by a thread.

A wise old man once told me… “As the times get darker remember the light will shine even brighter”. As evil and Godlessness continue to grow like a cancer don’t underestimate the power of the goodness of God. Don’t become so consumed by the heaviness of negative information you get fed by the news and social media that it robs you of the goodness and freedom you have in Christ. He is our only hope of glory. Evil takes over when people no longer believe in the goodness of God.

Romans 2:4 tells us that we live in a generation that despises the riches of his kindness, His restraint, and patience, they don’t realise that God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance? From repentance comes forgiveness and that brings us complete freedom!!!!

Don’t be discouraged. Be encouraged. Only Jesus saves!

THE ROAD AHEAD

Pictured: Somewhere in South Dakota a few weeks back. Distant storms and road travel in North America.

“For God loved the world so much He gave.. He gave His only son, and whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Christ did not come into the world to condemn it but that through him we would all be saved. ”

— John 3:16-17

As our big road trip across America enters its final weeks we are starting to think of home and tours and ministry ahead. This has been an amazing time traveling the back roads of America and meeting all kinds of people. Listening to the news and ’talkback’ radio stations while driving has been enlightening. Observing the complex political and social issues that confront modern day America, knowing its vital global influence is intriguing to me. There is so much anger, accusation and uncertainty in our modern world.. There is confusion and conflict as media networks work to manipulate the masses with their ideologies.

I guess looking at the wide open interstate highways for hours on end some days gives me time to consider and ask ‘what really is important these days?’ How should we be living our lives in an angry God hating culture?

The answer is pretty simple… The Christian faith is all about giving out of what God has given to you… You are blessed to be a blessing. You have the spirit of Christ in your life! The resurrection power that raised Him from the dead is alive in you! There are millions of people desperate to know of God’s unconditional love and grace. That’s our job!! That’s the road ahead… To be about giving what has been given to us… The truth of the Gospel that Christ gave His life on the Cross for.

God is bigger than angry politics and bad religion! He’s bigger than ‘talkback Radio’. He’s bigger than corrupt governments and financial systems! He’s on your side for the road ahead!

Keep the faith.

Godspeed.

Steve

HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING

Pictured: Route 93 north along the Continental Divide in Idaho. A spectacular road less travelled in America.

“The Joy of the Lord is my strength, the joy of knowing Jesus… and deep down in my soul, I’m forgiven and free. His mercies are new every morning, His steadfast love will never cease. The joy of the Lord is my salvation… so beautiful to me.”

— Steve Grace

I sang this song at a country church in Idaho last Sunday morning and was challenged to listen to what I was singing… Sometimes the words of a song can be sung with the mouth but not really expressed from the heart.. A dangerous place to be.. When your faith loses its soul it becomes a cold religion. That’s when you will find yourself becoming critical and condemning of others and you look at life through a half empty cup rather than a cup half full.

I’ve found myself becoming negative and anxious over matters of the ministry and why finances are low, why things are not happening like I want them to be. That causes discouragement and doubt. That’s when the enemy starts gaining ground he does not own. As I sang the words to the song into the microphone I knew the Holy Spirit was saying “Let the joy of the Lord fill your cup with the goodness, the grace, mercy and peace that can only come from the Lord”. Yes!!! His mercies are brand new every morning!! Don’t let the enemy remind you of past failures and rob you of the future you do have!!

Let the Joy of the Lord empower you and fill you!!

Then get back into the action! The world needs more joyful believers!! His steadfast Love never ceases so let’s be driven by the Love of Christ in a broken world!

Godspeed.

Steve

The Cross and the Great Divide

Pictured: The Cross in the front yard of our friend Danita’s home near Hollister, California

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ”

— 1 Corinthians 1:18

This one symbol stands for life… eternal life. It stands for the unconditional love and grace of God poured out as a sacrifice for all humanity. It stands for the faith, obedience and conviction that lead Christ to lay down His sinless life for our sin. It is an empty Cross to remind us that our Saviour is risen from the dead… that the way has been made for complete forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father, the creator of all things.

Crucifixion was invented by the Persians in 300-400BC and developed, during Roman times, into a punishment for the most serious of criminals. The Cross on which Jesus was executed 2000 years ago has been a symbol for his followers from very early on but after the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in the 4th Century, crucifixion was abolished as a punishment, and the Cross was promoted as a symbol of the Son of God.

In these modern times the Cross is used by many in fashion for cosmetic jewellery and design. Some would have no comprehension of the deep spiritual significance it means to those who have been set free from the shame of their past and the curse of unforgiven sin. But to others it is a glorious and victorious symbol of celebration of the ‘life’ they’ve been given because of Christ’s act of love on a criminal’s Cross. What a magnificent sight! He is risen! He has called us to follow Him for eternity.

A couple months ago Kerrie and I had the immense privilege to visit that very place… a location called Golgotha, the place of the skull. It is now the backdrop to a busy bus transit station. Yet that in itself shows me the love and humility of the Saviour. He never came to earth in some grand charade of splendour… He came as the servant king.. Yet He owns the universe.

Next year in March we plan to return to Jerusalem and to that place of the skull as we host our ISRAEL TOUR 2020. You are welcome to join us on the journey.

Thanks for your interest and support of the work we are doing.

Godspeed.

Steve

The Travelling Life

Pictured: The planning and preparations for tours across Australia in 2019 - 2020

““Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you””

— Genesis 26:3

I was inspired by this ancient verse in the Bible last week. To sojourn is to stay in a place for a short time.. for travellers to stop and wait, to be refreshed before going on with the journey. In context of the story Issac and his family were battling through a severe drought and making plans to move on from the land God had promised his father Abraham. That’s when God spoke ( ironically through the King of the Philistines, Abimelech ). It was an instruction to stay. Just because things were tough and discouraging God was encouraging Issac to keep believing in the promises He had given his father.

There are many stories of people in the Bible who were travellers… they lived nomadic lives and were always on a journey of faith. From Abraham to Moses to Jesus and Paul, their travel adventures were recorded for all time. We really like that because from the moment we stepped out in faith to serve God with the music ministry 35 years ago we haven’t stopped travelling.. our three boys have all grown up on the road to somewhere!! We have loved the opportunities to be able to travel.

But most of all.. It's so good to know that God will be with you and will bless you while you are seeking after His will in your life… even through the difficult seasons. There are times to ‘go' and there are times to ’sojourn’ and wait on the Lord, but be assured He is with you and will bless you.

Next week we head off to the USA to visit churches and spend some time with Jordan and Paige Grace in Nashville TN. We will be travelling again!! And sharing the vision of the Eternity Truck and future missions trips and ministry across Australia and the South Pacific.

Thanks for your friendship,

Godspeed

Faith Over Fear

Pictured: Steve and Kerrie at the ancient ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum, Israel.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ”

— Philippians 4:6-7

G’day friends and family. Kerrie and I have just returned from a few weeks in Israel. It’s hard to describe in words the experience of travelling to this amazing little country. Israel is one third the size of Tasmania, has a population of 8.7 million Jews and Arabs and is considered one of the most influential nations on earth. The fact that Israel and the Jewish people’s even exist is a miracle. The greatest evidence that the Bible is historically true is that Israel is here today. It all comes to life as you travel the roads of a country that has known conflict and conquest since time began.

You learn a lot about yourself when you visit Israel. You learn about fear and faith, pride and humility. Throughout their turbulent history, whenever the children of Abraham hardened their hearts and turned to other gods, to idolatry and greed…. they met with captivity, slavery, poverty and destruction. But when they humbled themselves and stepped out in faith they were reconciled with God’s mercy, forgiveness, provision and blessings.

In thousands of years nothing much has changed. The evidence of history remains. We can choose to live life in pride and fear… or in humility, with faith in a God of unconditional love. A God who showed us His love through Christ’s death and resurrection. Be anxious for nothing and know that your future is secure in His peace and providence.

We loved visiting so many historic locations where Jesus healed the sick and ministered to multitudes, ancient synagogue’s and cities, ancient walls and roads from civilisations past. Looking forward to doing another trip to Israel next year.

A big thank you to Pastor Aaron and Paige Newman and the church family at Calvary Chapel Paso Robles CA for inviting us on the adventure!!!

Godspeed.

ISRAEL 2020 with STEVE & KERRIE GRACE