Sign Story 2

Theres more to the last post... On the way home from the beach I saw a massive sign with the words:

"PREPARE TO DIE"

It was a sign advertising life insurance. This got me thinking, are you ready to die?

Now, I dont mean die as an old man or woman. I mean die now. Right now. We are commanded to die to ourself, die to the old way and become alive in Christ. (Romans 6) There must be more of God and less than us. There is no greater love than this, to lay down our life for someone! (John 15:13)

Do you love God? Lay down your life for Him! This is your spiritual act of worship! To offer yourself as a living sacrifice! (Romans 12) To die is gain! (Philip. 1:21-23)

As we die to sin, we become alive in Christ! Are you ready to die? Are you ready to die to become alive?

How do you do it?

1) Ask God to convict you of your sins!

2) Repent and renounce those sins!

3) Give your whole life to God! (time, money talents etc anything and everything you can think of!)

4) Live in faith!

Its no longer I that lives! But Christ who lives in me!

Galatians 2:20

Sign Story 1

On the way home from the beach I saw a massive sign with the words:

"PREPARE TO DIE"

It was a sign advertising life insurance. This got me thinking, what life insurance do you have?

I know Im going to heaven when I die. I have assurance of salvation. Why? Because I have asked God to forgive me for my sins, I have accepted Jesus Christs forgiveness, I believe He is God, and I have let God make me alive! I no longer need to be worried about dieing!

Are you ready to die? Theres only one way to be ready. Accept Gods forgiveness.

Prepare to meet your God!

Amos 4:12

Havent posted for a while... Heres a few things, but if you cant be bothered reading the whole thing make sure you read point seven...

1) I fully recognise that when Im tired I loose alot of motivation to hang out and talk with God. When Im tired I seem to find it "too hard" or find some other excuse... Now that Im aware of it, im gonna put a bigger effort in especially when Im tired or cant be bothered!

2) The other week someone had a few words from God for me... They all were relevant and have confirmed things God is saying to me! Ive also been able to give words to other people that made complete sense to them too! God is speaking hallelujah!

3) The last few years Ive worked on being consistant in my relationship with God. This year God has told me to "go over the top!" Interesting that the devil has been hammering me when im tired... Look out devil, im on to you! hahaha

4) Still not sure where Gods sending me! Prayers would be great! Thanks!

5) Read Gregs blog!

6) Very funny story to tell you but you have to ask me about it though! But the moral of the story is be careful around everyone... Preserve your character integrity..!lol

7) Some salvo prophets have been going a little bit bananas lately! Gods speaking and it sounds like revival to me..! Firstly. the other day, me, pete and simon all were reminded by God about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we all had the same thought on the same day, and in a strange coincadence (or should I say God-incadence) me and simon read the same chapter on the Holy Spirit in a Brengle book! Hmmmm interesting...

Also read andrew bales blog, mercypeacegrace blog and Olivia Munns blog (the "Whats next Lord one...). [Andrews one is intense. IF YOU ARE A SALVO YOU NEED TO READ IT!] They all pretty much say the same thing, we need to repent and live or go on in sin and die. Pretty simple isnt it? Make sure you read them though ok?

8) That should do for now. God is GREAT! No one compares to Him. Jesus is the way the truth and the life and no one can get to the father but through Him! He is the good shepherd, His sheep will hear His voice! You can count on it. Spend some time in prayer, whats God saying to you? Thank you Jesus we love you! Save some souls!

The Voice of The Martyrs

Here in Australia we are allowerd to worship Jesus Christ. We are allowed to have meetings in Jesus name, and we are allowed to convert our friends. We are allowed to have Bibles and read it out publically. We are allowed to be Christians.

My old soccer coaches grandad was shot by firing squad because he touched a Bible.

Millions of other Christians around the world know what its like to cling to truth in the face of suffering and persecution. They know that their faith could literally cost the their lives. Their churches are growing, and its no wonder why, to be aChristian in these countries requires real committment to Christ.

The Voice of The Martyrs website is great. You can listen to podcasts, you can get prayer newsletters to keep you up to date with our brothers and sisters in Christ who could die at any moment for believeing in the same God we believe in, Jesus Christ.

They need our prayers. We need their commitment. Get on their website, http://www.persecution.com pray for them, and be challenged by their die-hard faith. Theirs is the faith God calls us to have. How would you go if you were them? God, increase our faith.

2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

My friend "St Greg" has started up a blog! His started with his testimony, glory to God. Check it out its well worth a read! Put him on your blog rolls, it should be an interesting read!

www.stgregs.blogspot.com

~ God Bless ya Greg ~

There are many who are interested in the cause of Christ, and who are pleased to see it prosper in their corps, their church, their city, their country. But there are few who bear the burden of the world upon their souls day and night, who make His cause in every clime their very own, and who, like Eli, would die if the ark of God were taken; who feel it an awful shame and a consuming sorrow, if victory is not continually won in His name.

- Samuel Logan Brengle

LORD, we're crying out for you to touch this land. Bring revival to this nation! Bring healing by your hand! LORD we cry out for more of you!

- Soteria

AMEN

Michael Collins Sermon

Just watched this sermon and it is great! This is one of the best sermons on evangelism i have ever heard! Make sure you listen to it! It gets practical and Michael is as passionate as he always is! It goes for half an hour but it is great!

A word to The Salvation Amry Southern Territory:

33 Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places. 34 This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth.

1 Kings 13:33-34

Within this I hear God saying:

Teachers will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

Integrity and truth is vital. (1 Timothy 3-4)

JAN JUC AND THE PROPHETS OF LACK OF FAITH

This morning me Greg and Philpy went for a surf. On the way there we were talking about Elijah and the Baal prophets and how God kicked their buts! (read 1 kings 18, one of my FAVOURITE passages in the Bible!)

We checked out Torquay back beach first and it was flat, then made the move to Jan Juc which was pretty flat but it was early and I needed to get something from the shops down there so we had time to spare...

We got in the water and there were next to no waves. We paddled out to a spot where there was no one around, leaving the surfers at the better point so we wouldnt be fighting for waves...

The waves were small were ok but then we all decided to start praying. As soon as we started praying the waves picked up and more than doubled in size. As I looked over to where the other surfers were they were getting no waves but our spot which is allways smaller was getting bigger.

I didnt think anything of it for a while but everytime we prayed for a big wave it came but not for the other surfers further down the beach. We then prayed for a big wave that spread right across the beach to come to prove it was Gods work. A few minutes later it came!

It completely reminded me of the Elijah story. God, Glorify your name! Show us what your made of! The "surf god" sometimes called Huey couldnt do anything compared to our God Jesus who sent wave after wave to us!


Now, I know most of you reading this are going to say its just a coincadence, but we are 100% sure it was from God!

Do you have the faith in your life to ask God to show you and your friends and family what He can do? Lets challenge the evil ways of our land and say our GOD IS BETTER! Our God Jesus, IS THE ONLY WAY! You dont have to "make" God do anything, let Him stand up for Himself and show the world His love, grace, mercy, power and justice!

"Even the winds and sea obey Him!" Matthew 8:27

"Since then we know what it is to fear the Lord we try to persuade men."

2 Corinthians 5:11

What does your knowledge of Jesus Christ compel you to do? Do you believe in hell? Do you believe that Jesus came to save us from sin and hell if only we put our faith in Him?

Everyone knows John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." But how many know the rest?

"17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

What does this mean for me? It means I want to tell the world that Jesus died and rose for their sins. That God is real, God loves them, that we are sinners, that we need saving, that Jesus wants to save us!!!

If I make up excuses not to tell people about God because they might get offended or I might feel embarassed, or dont feel good enough about it, what does that say about me? What does my life of keeping quiet mean? What will others think it means?

If I think God can save the world from their sins, If I think God can do anything, If I think God lives in me, changes me, loves me, is GREAT and Mighty and is the only way to salvation, but dont tell people, what does that say about my belief?

It says one of 2 things.

1) I dont really believe what I just wrote

2) Im selfish and dont care

The excuse of I love this person so I dont want to offend them is hypocritical. If you loved this person you would not want them to die in their sin and go to hell!

Who do you love? Do you really believe the gospel? Are you selfish? How much faith do you have in God?

Its time for us to stop being hypocritical selfish panzies and start telling THE WORLD thast Jesus is alive and what that means!

Dont think you can? You probably cant. But whem empowered by the Holy Spirit YOU CAN!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Does sin attack you or do you attack your sin?

"The best offence is defence" Is this true for us today in our battle against sin?

The armour of God is different to armour we would wear if we were playing cricket. Not because its cricket vs spiritual armour but because its not as simple as 'putting the armour on'. We dont just go into a room and and put on the helmet of salvation as though we put on a cricket helmet, we dont just pick up our Bible as we do a cricket bat.

I dont wear my cricket pads down the street, I only wear them when Im about to play cricket. The armour of God is different. "put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)

Our fight against sin starts when we wake up. It is a constant battle. It is something we put on, and have on all the time so that when we are tempted, when we are attacked, we still stand firm. We dont take it off like my cricket pads.

By having this armour on all the time we attack sin. We attack it so when it attacks us we are ready for it, we have weakend its grip on us. The armour of God as found in Ephesians 6 are: Truth, righteousness, readiness of the gospel, salvation, the word of God and faith. These are all things which we need to work at. We cannot simply pray, "put the armour of God on us" and walk out into a spiritual battle without searching our hearts for sin, unrighteousness, false-truths, faithlessness, and salvationless.

We need to attack sin. The armour of God attacks sin! Righteousness comes from God. Romans 6 says to kill unrighteousness, and to raise with Jesus in love. We find truth in ther Bible, is taking a Bible into Spiritual battle any good unless we know of the blessings and curses it promises?

Our fight starts as soon as we wake up. Attack sin. Ask God to convict you of your sin. Repent and renounce your sin. Give your life totally to God. Live by faith. Read and pray the Bible! Attack your sin! Dont let it rule you!

Where is the devil attacking you? How can you attack sin so that when the day of evil comes you will be able to stand then stand some more?

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. (Romans 6:6-7)

"You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Romans 6:18)

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22)

"put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)

Happy Christmas every one! Hope you all hada good one! I know I did! I got to go to Adelaide and have Chrissy with my aunties, uncles and cousins!

However God challenged me while I was over there. I wont go into details but a family I know was having a TERRIBLE time. They still are. The time that was suppose to be a happy family time was not. In fact it was and is currently a time of gut wrenching, anxious waiting, not knowing what the future will hold.

A few days before Christmas at 614 I saw a lady in the drop in centre, for some reason she stood out to me. She stood out in my heart. My heart literally 'went out to her'. I felt horrible, feelings of hopeless lonliness filled my heart. I did what I could for her, but how much will that help her? Will that give her hope?

The point is this, Christmas, though it is a happy time for most of us, isnt for others. There is a problem of sin in the world. It enslaves us, divides families, breaks relationships, makes us not love. There a illions of hopeless, helpless loaners at this time of the year.

Dont read this and say "thats true" but then go on living the same, think of a way you can help someone, a way you can love someone this festive season. As Christ has come into this world, we are in the world, how can we dwell amongst those who need the love of Christ this Christmas time?

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us

John 1:14

Jesus Saves!

I had the privilege of leading a lady to Christ toaday whilst doing E.R at 614! Im so pumped and excited!

During the interview I was holding back tears as I listened to her story. She has had a very rough life, filled with abuse and drugs to hide the pain. All of this was made worse two years ago when her 16 year old son was murdered! They still have not found his remains, and so she has not had any closure.

I told her there is still hope and encouraged her. Then I asked if I could pray for her. After I prayed for her I asked her if she had accepted Christ into her heart. She told me she hasnt, but had tried in the past, but she does too many things that Christians cant do like smoke. I told her not to worry about what people say but to listen and obey God.

I then told her how Christ loves her and wants to look after her. I told her how God never tells us to do something we cant do and then of the power that God gives us to overcome!

She then agreed, and I went through the sinners prayer with her. This lady I had never met before accepted Christ into her heart! God is good and is mighty to save! She called on the name of the Lord and has been saved, a party of angels in heaven errupted when she gave her life to the Lord! Her sins are forgiven, she is justified and now continues her life with Jesus Christ by her side! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Please pray for her. There is still a long way to go, but that journey is made easier with the help of Jesus Christ!

Cast your burdens upon Jesus for He cares for you!

1 Peter 5:7

Talking. We all do it. Some, more than others. My girlfriend loves to talk, sometimes for minutes before taking a break to see if I am still listening! I joke about that but I how true is it that we all can talk too much from time to time?

I love to talk to people. I have found my purpose at 614, I love talking to people and offering prayer and support! I love to encourage people, even though I know Im not very good at it! I love to debate with people. I love a good arguement, if with friends or family, I love to debate even when I know I am wrong as its more of a challenge!

But lately, I have been convicted by God about talking. Reading through Timothy, Titus and some other New Testament books, I have been confronted with words such as "Turn away from godless chatter."

How much of what I say is necessary? A great question to ask. I have had some big issues in my life recently and I love to talk to deal with those. But there comes a time to hold words in. Times when they may not be positive and life bringing words.

On the other hand Im having a problem even when Im offering words of life when I try to encourage people. I wonder if I use too many words which makes them think Im sucking up to them, or makes them think Im making it up! (Which Im bot!)

I am completely convinced that words need to be backed up with action. I am reminded by the English cricket team, they can talk the talk but can they walk the talk? No. The aussies on the other hand can say whatever they like, they can play, they are the best team in the world.

When we talk, are we full of hot air? Do we speak death? Do we speak life? Do we speak truth? Do we speak love?

Do we act out what we say?

With the tongue we praise our LORD and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in Gods likeness... Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life. by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:9 and 13)

War?

I hear talk every now and then about the army metaphore. Or is it even that? Anyway, some say that the concept of being an army fighting a war is not a well liked concept in todays society. It doesnt fit they say.

I think that is a load of garbage! We talk about war in fooball, "Its war out there" we talk about it in cricket, "the battle for the ashes", we talk about it in commradeship for a close friends. "Id die for him", there is the war on terror, the war on AIDS, on cancer, the war the war the war...

Perhaps the problem with the war anology is that people want to be a parade army, with marching bands, uniforms and strict guidelines and rules and not an Army with a purpose, a mission, sold out devotion to the battle.

We are in a battle. We need soldiers. People who will fight! Will you join? The war against sin. Personal and corporate! Sign up and glorify God in your life!

12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

The time I have had at 614 has been educational...

I met an assylum seeker the other day. He is from Sri Lanka and he moved to Australia about 10 years ago or so. However some new laws came some years later and he was not allowed to work anymore. He cannot get centrelink or any other assistance from the government. He is stuck here in Australia in a situation not to different from Tom Hanks in 'The Terminal.'

I used to be more on the governments side on this topic. I thought if you want to come into Australia, come in the right way. Dont jump the qeue. However, having spoken to this man about his story, my view has changed.

People deserve dignity. They desrve food, water, shelter and clothes. I believe these are basic rights. The Salvation Amry agrees.

Praise God that we were able to help him with some food vouchers! He gets shelter, some food and clothes from the red cross as well.

His time in Australia has not been all bad though. He moved ovr here a professing Budhist. (or was it Hindu? I always forget which...) Anyway, Swanston Street Church of Christ helped him out for a while too, and was introduced to Jesus! His life has changed and he is now a firey follower of Jesus Christ who claims Gods promises of provision in his life!

It is great to see the red cross, swanston street c.o.c and The Salvation Army provide for this man in Jesus name. Pray about the Assylum seeker situation, the assylum seekers, the politions and decision makers, and pray that as a Great Country, the great Southland of the Holy Spirit, Australia we will be able to provide for ALL people in Jesus name!

As William Booth said, if someone was burning in a house on fire, would we first ask if they had paid their rent before we saved them?

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Matthew 25

Ive been really blessed by God this week! God has given me some temporary work at 614 doing Emergency Relief (E.R) It has been fantastic to meet all the order guys and to get to help them out during this busy time of the year!


One of the many things that has stood out to me is their common purpose. The reason why people do things is all for God, its for their Salvation! When we help people it is out of love for the person and what greater way to show our love than to introduce people to Jesus Christ who laid down His life for the world so that we may be re-united with our maker in a purposeful loving relationship!

Im helping in the ER and we are encouraged to pray with people and help them Spiritually or in any way we can.

I was reading a passage the other day and it really spoke to me:

13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f]
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:13-15)

We tell people about God with our actions, but people also need to hear the gospel so that they can call on the name of the Lord! Jesus Christ!

Pray for the 614 team that they can share the gospel as they love people in all ways. Pray that the people they are helping will hear the gospel and call on the name of the Lord and be saved! To God be the Glory!

I love Pauls letters to the Corinthians! I especially love the part about our ministry of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2.

(V11) Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men...14For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again... 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come...20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors!

If we are filled with the love of God and know the gospel is the power of God to save, then surely we will love (love as a verb) people enough to make the salvation of their souls a main priority!

God, use me to bring people to you!

I havent been able to find many photos from commissioning yet... Heres one I snapped during Commissioner Knaggs sermon...

Ive been reading through the New Testament and I have been amazed at what God has shown me! Its amazing how we can read the same piece of scripture time and time again and get something new out of it that speaks to our heart! Its also been great because for some reason in my head Ive always thought that these 'holiness' scholars were godly people but may not have the 'best' theology...But I am completely wrong, the army's teaching of holiness comes straight from the Bible! Hallelujah!

Anyway, the bits that keep standing out to me is about the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I always knew that there was power in those two works of Christ. But lately Ive been searching what they actually mean.

The death of Jesus was for our sin.
The resurrection of Jesus is for our resurrection.

When we ask God to forgive us of our sins, He does because Jesus takes our place. He deals with sin on the cross. We crucify our sin with Jesus. Then just as Jesus was raised again, we too are raised again!

don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4)

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive! (1 Corinthians 15:22)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful nature with its passions and desires! (Galatians 5:24)

Theres heaps more but I'll stop there for now!