G’day from Steve,

GRACE AND LOVE – NO MATTER WHAT.

From the early pages of the book of Genesis I am amazed at the incomprehensible capacity of our creator God to love us despite our sin. He created us in His image and for the eternal purposes of His kingdom… yet the gift of free will, the gift of allowing us to do our own thing took God to the extreme edge of tolerance.

The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. Genesis 6: 5-6

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. Genesis 6: 11-12

This amazes me… I am overwhelmed by God’s immense love for us. Even way back then, when God saw the potential we as people have to destroy and cause great pain, to commit sin and rebel in our hearts against Him… He still had a plan. He still poured out His grace on humanity. He found a man called Noah and his family and chose to start it all again with someone He could trust. But even so, knew that again sin and corruption would eventually become like a cancer across the planet. In His grace He permitted sin to remain so that eternal salvation would be known.

I look at our world today and the atrocities and wars taking place in so many nations, the evil that exists and wonder why God does not wipe us all out again. But because of Jesus, because of the promises He has made He has given humanity time. He has shown His grace and love… no matter what.

Let’s be about the things Jesus has called us to do. Let’s make 2012 a year of mighty exploits for the cause of Christ!

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 18-20

Thanks for traveling with us.

Thanks for your prayers and financial support.

Hope to see you soon!!

Godspeed,