Greetings in the name of Jesus!
I spend time catching up with people via FACEBOOK. It's a great way to communicate when you're not close to loved ones and it's a great way to re-connect with people. I've got people on my friends list whom I went to primary school with, lost contact with and the re-connected with them via FACEBOOK. It's an interesting thing..
This is FACEBOOK's marketing slogan: "Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you.."
Does that sound familiar to you? Perhaps your familiarity isn't word for word, but the concept and main theme/idea of FACEBOOK definately sounds familiar to me.
Scripture tells us that we are broken people. We are sinners. The Hebrew word for sin is 'Hamartia' and that means 'to miss the target' or to 'fall short'. So our target is to be more and more like our Holy God and we miss that target and fall short of it. Because of this it can be easy to become 'disconnected' with God.
However, God sent His only Son Jesus to re-connect us with God. He sent Jesus to be that bridge, that connection between us and God. Because of what Jesus did on the cross we can be connected and be in a relationship with God. Hallelujah!
Perhaps a slogan for Jesus could be.....
Jesus is a loving, supernatural man who by His sacrificial death on the cross and miraculous resurrection makes it possible for us to connect and be in a relationship with a holy and perfect God.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Day - Night!
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
I had a great discussion with my lecturer recently and we were talking about creation, and the main part of our discussion was based on Genesis 1.
Now my lecturer is an incredible man of God. He has been studying Scripture for many years and is a very experienced Senior Pastor and lecturer.
We were talking about how God created light and darkness and how He called light; day and darkness: night. Now this is where the absolutely mind-blowing part comes in. Picture yourself standing and to the left is light and to the right was dark. It's suggested that the Biblical Hebrew translation of this suggests that God turned to the light and literally called out "DAY" and to the dark, He literally called out "NIGHT".....Isn't that amazing!? I was absolutely blown away to imagine God calling out to light and dark.
It got me thinking about how God calls out to us. He does it through people. He does it through His Word. He does it through prayer. He does it when we least expect it, and sometimes when we do expect it. I believe that God is continually calling out to us. However, I feel that, at times we miss that call because of things that are blocking our connection to Him.
What is it in your life that is blocking you from stepping into a fuller and closer relationship with God? What is it in your life that is blocking your ears, eyes and heart, so that you don't hear God calling?
What is it in your life that you have to hand over to God?
Do it today! He'll give you the strength! He promises it!
I had a great discussion with my lecturer recently and we were talking about creation, and the main part of our discussion was based on Genesis 1.
Now my lecturer is an incredible man of God. He has been studying Scripture for many years and is a very experienced Senior Pastor and lecturer.
We were talking about how God created light and darkness and how He called light; day and darkness: night. Now this is where the absolutely mind-blowing part comes in. Picture yourself standing and to the left is light and to the right was dark. It's suggested that the Biblical Hebrew translation of this suggests that God turned to the light and literally called out "DAY" and to the dark, He literally called out "NIGHT".....Isn't that amazing!? I was absolutely blown away to imagine God calling out to light and dark.
It got me thinking about how God calls out to us. He does it through people. He does it through His Word. He does it through prayer. He does it when we least expect it, and sometimes when we do expect it. I believe that God is continually calling out to us. However, I feel that, at times we miss that call because of things that are blocking our connection to Him.
What is it in your life that is blocking you from stepping into a fuller and closer relationship with God? What is it in your life that is blocking your ears, eyes and heart, so that you don't hear God calling?
What is it in your life that you have to hand over to God?
Do it today! He'll give you the strength! He promises it!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Good Friday!
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
Yesterday was a powerful day!
We had Chapel yesterday morning at Harry Hunter and it was an incredibly moving time. At the entrance of tha chapel we had a huge Cross that you couldn't walk in without noticing, infact you had to walk around it to get it.
I then shared the journey of Jesus from praying in Gethsemane to Jesus' crucifixion. We sang here I am to worship and Above all. Leanne did a monologue called 'The Ragman' and at the end of that I went down the back, picked up the big cross and proceeded to the front. As the cross passed people by the Spirit of God began to really speak to to everyone and convict their hearts, He was doing this all along, but I believe that everyone at chapel was starting to respond.
I laid the cross down at the front of the chapel and invited all present to close their eyes and reflect what the cross meant to them. After about 30 seconds with everyone's eyes still closed I began to hit the cross with a hammer, as if I was nailing Jesus to the cross myself. It was a loud sound, a brutal sound. This startled people, it moved people, it made people uncomfortable, but most of all, it made it real to people.
Ken then shared a powerful message about how Jesus did what He did out of love. God was speaking powerfully through Ken, and Ken was listening very intently to the Spirit's lead.
Ken challenged all present asking "What are YOU bringing to the cross?". We had the opportunity to write down what we were bringing to the cross on some paper and then nail it to the cross. I had lots of thoughts going through my head with each nail I heard being hit into the cross. I was thinking how it was our sins that nailed Jesus to the cross and I was thinking that with each bang, it was the sound of victory.
Everyone at chapel was moved, challenged and convicted. It was a truly powerful time. Ken, Leanne and I prayed afterwards, and we were brought to tears when we reflected on and thanked God for moving so powerfully, we also asked that He would contine to move in a powerful way and that He would continue to exceed our expectations.
Later that day I had one of the clients come and ask me for a Bible. Hallelujah! She told me she wanted to read it to better understand it, because she is a Muslim. God continue to move in a powerful way! HALLELUJAH!!!
Yesterday was a powerful day!
We had Chapel yesterday morning at Harry Hunter and it was an incredibly moving time. At the entrance of tha chapel we had a huge Cross that you couldn't walk in without noticing, infact you had to walk around it to get it.
I then shared the journey of Jesus from praying in Gethsemane to Jesus' crucifixion. We sang here I am to worship and Above all. Leanne did a monologue called 'The Ragman' and at the end of that I went down the back, picked up the big cross and proceeded to the front. As the cross passed people by the Spirit of God began to really speak to to everyone and convict their hearts, He was doing this all along, but I believe that everyone at chapel was starting to respond.
I laid the cross down at the front of the chapel and invited all present to close their eyes and reflect what the cross meant to them. After about 30 seconds with everyone's eyes still closed I began to hit the cross with a hammer, as if I was nailing Jesus to the cross myself. It was a loud sound, a brutal sound. This startled people, it moved people, it made people uncomfortable, but most of all, it made it real to people.
Ken then shared a powerful message about how Jesus did what He did out of love. God was speaking powerfully through Ken, and Ken was listening very intently to the Spirit's lead.
Ken challenged all present asking "What are YOU bringing to the cross?". We had the opportunity to write down what we were bringing to the cross on some paper and then nail it to the cross. I had lots of thoughts going through my head with each nail I heard being hit into the cross. I was thinking how it was our sins that nailed Jesus to the cross and I was thinking that with each bang, it was the sound of victory.
Everyone at chapel was moved, challenged and convicted. It was a truly powerful time. Ken, Leanne and I prayed afterwards, and we were brought to tears when we reflected on and thanked God for moving so powerfully, we also asked that He would contine to move in a powerful way and that He would continue to exceed our expectations.
Later that day I had one of the clients come and ask me for a Bible. Hallelujah! She told me she wanted to read it to better understand it, because she is a Muslim. God continue to move in a powerful way! HALLELUJAH!!!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Jesus!
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
Would you believe me if I said that Jesus died for you? Would you say 'Yes, I believe Jesus died for me'. Or would you say 'Don't start that again Stobes, you know I don't believe in that rubbish'. Or maybe you would say something different. Think about it!
God freely sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the world. Not just for me, not just for Christians but for every person in the whole entire world. He sent Jesus so that we might be able to have a personal and meaningful relationship with Him.
God watched on as Jesus was brutally whipped, as the shreds of skins were ripped off His body. He watched as they mocked Jesus. God watched as they made Jesus carry a heavy wooden cross on a journey that He knew would lead to His crucifixion. He watched as the nails pierced His skin, as the nails were driven through the Saviour's hands. As He cried out in agony and unexplainable pain, God watched. God watched His one and only Son die. How it must have absolutely and completely broken His heart.
Some of you could possibly be thinking 'I would never ever allow that to happen to my children'. God sacrificed His Son, Jesus so that we might have life. That we might be free from bondage and opression. That we might choose to have a relationship with Him. He sacrificed His Son, so that our sins could be washed away and so we could be made new in Christ, And so that we could live with Him in eternity!
God showed us this divine love through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. He did it for you. He did it for me. Come to Jesus. He loves you. Nothing you have done, or could ever do, could ever separate you from the love of God (Romans 8). Speak to God, even right now, where you are. Confess your sins to Him. Tell Him you are sorry. Tell Him that you believe that Jesus died for your sins. Tell Him you want to live a life devoted to Him. That you want to honour Him with your life. Ask Him for His help and guidance. Tell Him you want the Holy Spirit to dwell within you. Ask Him for it - He is faithful. Ask Him to provide good, Christian people around you, who will be positive influences on you. Hallelujah!
Jesus would rather go to hell for you, than Heaven without you!
Would you believe me if I said that Jesus died for you? Would you say 'Yes, I believe Jesus died for me'. Or would you say 'Don't start that again Stobes, you know I don't believe in that rubbish'. Or maybe you would say something different. Think about it!
God freely sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the world. Not just for me, not just for Christians but for every person in the whole entire world. He sent Jesus so that we might be able to have a personal and meaningful relationship with Him.
God watched on as Jesus was brutally whipped, as the shreds of skins were ripped off His body. He watched as they mocked Jesus. God watched as they made Jesus carry a heavy wooden cross on a journey that He knew would lead to His crucifixion. He watched as the nails pierced His skin, as the nails were driven through the Saviour's hands. As He cried out in agony and unexplainable pain, God watched. God watched His one and only Son die. How it must have absolutely and completely broken His heart.
Some of you could possibly be thinking 'I would never ever allow that to happen to my children'. God sacrificed His Son, Jesus so that we might have life. That we might be free from bondage and opression. That we might choose to have a relationship with Him. He sacrificed His Son, so that our sins could be washed away and so we could be made new in Christ, And so that we could live with Him in eternity!
God showed us this divine love through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. He did it for you. He did it for me. Come to Jesus. He loves you. Nothing you have done, or could ever do, could ever separate you from the love of God (Romans 8). Speak to God, even right now, where you are. Confess your sins to Him. Tell Him you are sorry. Tell Him that you believe that Jesus died for your sins. Tell Him you want to live a life devoted to Him. That you want to honour Him with your life. Ask Him for His help and guidance. Tell Him you want the Holy Spirit to dwell within you. Ask Him for it - He is faithful. Ask Him to provide good, Christian people around you, who will be positive influences on you. Hallelujah!
Jesus would rather go to hell for you, than Heaven without you!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Wednesday Night Chapel!!!!
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
Shalom!
I'm really excited about tonight! I'm bouncing all over the place - you can all just imagine it can't you?
Every Wednesday night at Harry Hunter is Chapel night. We all meet together to share in worship and praise to our Great God. We hear from the Word, sing songs to God and share together in fellowship.
I'm excited because tonight I am preaching a message that I believe the Lord has strongly laid pon my heart. The message is titled 'Where have you come from, and where are you going?'. It's based on Genesis 19, the story of Lot and Sodom & Gommorah. I'm really excited because I feel that God has given me these words to give to all the people who will be in attendance at chapel tonight.
Tonight we have three clients graduations from the program. They have each completed 13 weeks at Harry Hunter, which has included counselling, therapy, classes and other activities. This is an exciting part of the program and is something that really is worth celebrating. Would you pray for all the clients here? That God would give them strength and wisdom to make the right choices and healthy decisions.
I thank God for all the transformation that takes place in the lives of the clients here at Harry Hunter. It's amazing to see God working through the people here. It's a daily thing. Hallelujah!
May you experience all of our Great God's abundant blessings!
Shalom!
I'm really excited about tonight! I'm bouncing all over the place - you can all just imagine it can't you?
Every Wednesday night at Harry Hunter is Chapel night. We all meet together to share in worship and praise to our Great God. We hear from the Word, sing songs to God and share together in fellowship.
I'm excited because tonight I am preaching a message that I believe the Lord has strongly laid pon my heart. The message is titled 'Where have you come from, and where are you going?'. It's based on Genesis 19, the story of Lot and Sodom & Gommorah. I'm really excited because I feel that God has given me these words to give to all the people who will be in attendance at chapel tonight.
Tonight we have three clients graduations from the program. They have each completed 13 weeks at Harry Hunter, which has included counselling, therapy, classes and other activities. This is an exciting part of the program and is something that really is worth celebrating. Would you pray for all the clients here? That God would give them strength and wisdom to make the right choices and healthy decisions.
I thank God for all the transformation that takes place in the lives of the clients here at Harry Hunter. It's amazing to see God working through the people here. It's a daily thing. Hallelujah!
May you experience all of our Great God's abundant blessings!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
South Barwon!!!
Greetings in the name of the Lord!
It became official yesterday that as of the 3rd of June, 2008, I will take up an appointment as the Assistant Corps Officer, South Barwon Corps. Western Victoria Division.
I will still live at college and will continue in my study.
I am INCREDIBLY excited about this appointment and have been completely blown away by it at the same time. I had absolutely no idea that it would happen, so it's taken my by surprise.
I had a phone call today from Major Gloria Eldridge, the Corps Officer @ South Barwon. She rang to welcome me to the team and to South Barwon. I've known since last Friday and had to keep it confidential until I got confirmation from Major Frank Daniels.
Please pray for all involved in this appointment, the Corps Officer, the Corps folk, the college community, my family and friends and for me. That God would continue to guide and show Himself to us all.
On another note, I just got a call from my Dad, telling me that our family pet dog, Rocky had died. It's very sad. We've had Rocky since we came back from New Zealand, many years ago now. Pray that God would comfort my family.
God is constantly amazing me and surprising me. It's a wonderful relationship! Would love to hear from you guys! Keep going strong in the Lord!
Loads of Love, Prayers & Blessings Abundant!!
Cadet Stobielicious!!! XOXOXOXOXOX
It became official yesterday that as of the 3rd of June, 2008, I will take up an appointment as the Assistant Corps Officer, South Barwon Corps. Western Victoria Division.
I will still live at college and will continue in my study.
I am INCREDIBLY excited about this appointment and have been completely blown away by it at the same time. I had absolutely no idea that it would happen, so it's taken my by surprise.
I had a phone call today from Major Gloria Eldridge, the Corps Officer @ South Barwon. She rang to welcome me to the team and to South Barwon. I've known since last Friday and had to keep it confidential until I got confirmation from Major Frank Daniels.
Please pray for all involved in this appointment, the Corps Officer, the Corps folk, the college community, my family and friends and for me. That God would continue to guide and show Himself to us all.
On another note, I just got a call from my Dad, telling me that our family pet dog, Rocky had died. It's very sad. We've had Rocky since we came back from New Zealand, many years ago now. Pray that God would comfort my family.
God is constantly amazing me and surprising me. It's a wonderful relationship! Would love to hear from you guys! Keep going strong in the Lord!
Loads of Love, Prayers & Blessings Abundant!!
Cadet Stobielicious!!! XOXOXOXOXOX
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