The Gentle Power of Prayer

We are in an era in which symbols and images are given the same weight of authority as words, and we are pounded every day with images in newspapers, magazines, television, cinema, DVD and the Internet - all of them demanding attention and a response.

As we move through urban and suburban areas, symbols and images throw themselves at us giving us driving instructions, advertising a product, declaring some event or inviting us to something we NEED..

Recently, here in Victoria Australia, we have been overwhelmed with images of razed homes, grieving people, rolling waves of hellish infernos, sooty-faced fire fighters - even a firefighter giving water to a koala.

For a moment, let there be a new image; an image that will dissolve all other things and make you ponder something which is inherently GOOD. An image of such gentle power that it will remind you again of the power of small things, of gentle things, of sacred things.

A child at prayer - simple, gentle, sacred power that reminds us that Life is Tough, but God is Good.

What God is doing

Over the past few weeks, I have had the wonderful privilege of listening to a series of sermons by the wonderful preacher/teacher Martin Lloyd Jones. I personally consider him to be the best bible exposition preacher I have ever heard - both deep into the Word of God and applying it to the modern human life.

The series was called "Laying the Foundation #1 - God's plan of salvation". I often listened to it in the car amid heavy traffic. It was a pleasant change from the superficial monotony of many of the radio stations, and it even turned my attention away from sports radio!!!

The essence of this great series of 6 sermons asserts again the absolute foundational statement of the Bible: - in the beginning, God ....

Although I wake each day and genuinely hope and try to do my best to live the Gospel and proclaim it through my ministry, the actual point is that all I am, all the good I do, and everything I will leave this life with; it all begins with God and returns to Him. My main job in life as a disciple of Jesus Christ, a bearer of the Holy Spirit, is to have a profound, growing, vibrant spiritual life life through FAITH.

God is not overly impressed by what I do, even though He asks me to do it.
What God is doing is far more important.

So, are you able to discern what GOD is doing, or are your own works being built into an altar that you hope God is blessing? Are you striving for approval, or a faithful recipient of it (it is already fully provided through the death & resurrection ministry of Jesus).

The bushfires

Much of the life and endeavour of the church can be explained in 3 main groups

• Worship to God
• Encouraging and discipling the believers
• Proclaiming the Gospel in the world.

These principles are essential, and it is right and good that we continually focus our attention on them.

However, every so often something occurs in our world of such impact and significance, that although our hearts remain focused on our Lord, they weep and strain for what people around us are suffering. 9/11 in New York, the Indonesian Tsunami, refugee in Darfur etc...

Here in Australia in the state of Victoria, bushfires have destroyed over 700 homes, 181 people are confirmed dead and it is likely that the final death count will be in excess of 300 people. Entire towns have been destroyed, with people's hopes, dream, livelihoods and families laying on the ground as ashes in the dust. Horrible and terrible are words used to describe many mild things but they are appropriate today. Language - even the beauty and height of the English language - cannot help articulate what our minds cannot comprehend.

So our thoughts and prayers are with the suffering, the lost, the hurt, the devastated of Victoria whose lives will never be the same, and we pray hope, peace, repair, healing and safety for each person. And we call on Christians everywhere to show grace, compassion, care, love and openness to any who need us.

Here are a few links to sites where you can donate or get involved to assist the recovery effort
www.redcross.org.au
www.salvos.org.au

An amazing sermon

Have you ever been so absolutely amazed, inspired and interrupted by something, that it is burnt into your memory, and you recognise that something changed for you because of what occurred? I was browsing You Tube the other day, and came across this inspiring and famous part of a sermon by a preacher called John Lockeridge.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=2z15FlTONVo

A full transcript of the sermon is at

http://justinsmccain.blogspot.com/2008/08/thats-my-king-by-dr-sm-lockeridge.html

It will stand your hair on end, and put a buzz in your heart. Oh, for more preaching like this!!