SAVING THE LOST

Christ’s call is to save the lost, not the stiff-necked; He came not to call scoffers but sinners to repentance; not to build and furnish comfortable chapels, churches, and cathedrals at home in which to rock Christian professors to sleep by means of clever essays, stereotyped prayers, and artistic musical performances, but to capture men from the devil’s clutches and the very jaws of Hell. This can be accomplished only by a red-hot, unconventional, unfettered devotion, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
C.T. Studd (1860-1931) a famous cricketer and English missionary.

C.T. Studd was born into an extremely turbulent decade in history. There were massive changes taking place with cultural, social and political upheavals in Europe and America. There were revolutions in Germany and the Ottoman Empire. The abolition of slavery finally took place in Europe and America. The Civil war between the Northern and Southern States lead to massive deaths and the destruction of many cities in America. There were advancements in military technology such as iron and steel warships. After the war turmoil continued with the rise of white supremacist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and the issue of granting civil rights to black people freed from slavery. It was a complicated and confusing world.

In his teenage years C.T. Studd or “Charlie” was destined to become one of England’s greatest cricketers. He was the son of a successful race horse stud owner Edward Studd, who had made his fortune in India. But after attending the Moody Sankey revival in London in the spring of 1875 Charlie’s father came to faith in Christ. One year later his three sons all became believers. In 1885 Charlie left behind him his cricket career, his Eton and Trinity College degree’s and set sail for China as a missionary. Before his life was over, he had also brought Christ to India, challenged students across America to Christian service, and pioneered a great work in Africa which was to become the Worldwide Evangelization Crusade. (WEC)

I want to be like C.T.Studd. In a world of madness and mediocrity, I want to know that all I am called to do is serve Jesus. Nothing else really matters. As C.T. Studd once said:  ”If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”

Matthew 6:33 simply says: ”Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you”.

I like that!!  Let us not be distracted by the turbulence of our times, the wars, the changes, the upheavals of these modern days and set our sights on the work of the Kingdom.

Have a great week.
Godspeed,

The Long and Winding Road.

Probably one of my favourite all time songs of the Beatles is “The long and winding road”. Written by Lennon and McCartney. I can’t help feeling it reflects something of God’s love for us, no matter what we feel about ourselves. That He would come knocking at our door. That His love for us as sinners is equalled by His mercy and grace in Christ. Nothing will separate us from His love. Yet it is a sad song. The reality that we can reject the one true love of our lives and settle for something else.

I must confess I think a lot about roads. Every tour, every concert, every year…. I think about the roads we will travel to get there. I passionately study maps and survey calendars for the best way to get the work accomplished. But ultimately it is about the people we meet at every destination!! Every road we travel. Every thing we do. Are we reflecting the love and the glory of Christ or just existing to fulfill an obligation?

The apostle Paul wrote from his prison cell: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”. Philippians 1:21

Every day…. are we willing to live out what we believe…. or is it just some ritual we are addicted to doing every week? I love what Jesus does in people’s lives. It is real. It is eternal. I love that He invites you and me to reflect His kingdom on earth. Keep doing what you know the Lord has called you to. Allow the Holy Spirit to travel every possible road to your heart as He transforms you to His likeness.

“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” Revelation 3.20

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve

In 2009, Steve went to Papua New Guinea to visit some of the amazing work CBM is doing.

Lets Go Flying

I took up the invitation to go flying in an ultra lite plane a few days ago. Now that’s what I call ‘really’ flying!! The little Italian made Zefiro weighed about 300kg (660lbs) and can legally fly to about 5,000ft. You can take off on any patch of dirt and it gets along just a little slower than a Cessna. The pilot, Jim Ben from King Island in the Bass Strait was visiting his son Alex who is farming near St George. Anyways…. over a cup ‘o’ tea we decided a quick aerial view of the St George region was needed. So within 10 minutes I was looking at the earth from 1,500ft.

The gift of flight. The miracle of aviation. Just over 100 years ago men were attempting any means possible to understand the laws of aerodynamics. In the late 1890’s the legendary Australian, Lawrence Hargraves had discovered the power of lift with a curved wing via his experiments with box kites off the wind blown hills of Stanwell Park, south of Sydney. He generously shared his theories with French and American inventors and aviators. By 1904 the Wright Brothers defied gravity and the world was never to be the same.

Within a decade, men were causing death and destruction with the use of aviation. Machine guns fixed to fire bullets between the revolving propellors of timber framed Bi-planes, exploding bombs dropped over enemy lines onto innocent people. The world was at war. The miracle of flight became a blessing and a curse upon humanity.

Just like your life and mine. We can live it for good or for evil. We all have the potential in our sinful nature to cause pain or bring joy, to destroy life or to bring healing. We can cultivate faith and hope or instil fear and defeat. Let us be found serving the Lord and living for great exploits like those early aviation pioneers. Let us be found speaking out words that bring eternity to the hearts of people.

“Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve in St. George last weekend.

Stories of the Past, Dreams for the Future

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9 - 10

My dreams to do music back in my teenage years were always under attack by my own doubts and unbelief. A constant conflict between the stirring in my heart to serve God and sing to people… and the irritating negative voices in my ear saying “you will never be good enough and you’ve got nothing to say to people”. I praise God for a small circle of friends who believed in the gift they saw in my life enough to champion me on. One of those people was my mate Glen Scott, who will be traveling with me soon on the Tasmanian Tour. Glen took this photograph back in 1980 at an outdoor concert in a park in Grafton, a town on the mid north coast of NSW. He was serving with the Anglican church back then and organised the concert in hopes of reaching the community with a clear Gospel message.

Pictures like this inspire me to keep going. There are many days…. even now when a voice inside says..”Time to give up, you were never good enough etc”. Truth is: If it was just about music or talent I would have given up long ago. But when God does a work in your life and gives you a passion to see souls transformed by the love of Christ, to see poor people rescued from their poverty, to see churches revived into their call for missions and evangelism… That’s when you know you can never give up.

We are praying and believing for some big miracles at the moment. The challenge to reach many country towns spread across Australia this year is huge. To take some simple songs, some great old hymns and a message that “honours the past to inspire the future” is one we embrace and believe in. It is a humble work as we trust God to help us lead people to faith in Jesus. But we love the challenge.

I was singing about Jesus in 1980…. and I’ll be singing about Him 30 years later!!

Thanks to many of you who support this vision… For those who pray, those who give and those who get out there on the road and do the work. We could not be doing this without you.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve

All People are Equal.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”. John 3: 16-17

Charles Darwin was a brilliant and observant man. He was a conventional Christian for much of his life and studied at the University of Cambridge to become an Anglican clergyman. But later in life, he described himself as an agnostic, never an atheist. He and his wife had 10 children, but three of them died at young ages. Darwin was known to be quite devoted to his marriage and children. I believe he was a sincere man with an articulate enquiring mind. His life was a relentless search for answers. His 1859 book “The Origin of Species by natural selection on the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life” was to change the world forever, far beyond what he could have comprehended.

In the following decades his theory of evolution became accepted as fact. White settlement was booming in the new colonies like Australia. Settlers, graziers, migrants, bankers and gold prospectors were all contending for a piece of the great southern continent. The land in many parts had to be cleared of any unwanted pests. Tragically this meant a species of lower origins according to Darwin’s theories. The ethnic cleansing of Aboriginal tribal nations spread along the coastlines and across the vast interior. Genocide.

I had a cup of tea with a wonderful Christian Aboriginal brother this past week. Mick is now a Health Worker after many years of substance abuse, violence and depression. But today is full of the Holy Spirit and has such a passion for his people. I love what Jesus does when He comes into our lives. God’s word sees all people’s as equal. The only thing that separates us is not race, religion and colour… but sin. A condition that is redeemable forever through Christ’s death on a Cross.

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. Romans 3:23

I often wonder what caused Charles Darwin to switch from a Christian faith to agnosticism…was it his disappointment in legalism and Anglican beliefs, or his own observations of nature. Was it an anger towards religion that helped him to write the Origin of Species? History could have been so different…

We were created for the glory of God.

Thanks for your friendship and support.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Charles Darwin

Sincere Love

While preparing for the Heritage tours across Australia last week, I came across some archive photographs. This one was taken in 1981 just after Kerrie and I were married. My 1966 Ford pickup and my 1972 Honda 750/4 were my pride possessions. A few years later my truck was stolen, never to be seen again. I remember being challenged to forgive those who had done this. It was hard at the time but I do know that when we hold on to unforgiveness it becomes a bitter seed in our spirit. It hinders our ability to give, to grow and to live by faith. These words from Paul inspire me.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. Romans 12: 9 - 18

How can we have sincere love if we hold all kinds of hidden anger and unforgiveness towards others? This is one of the great tests of life. Paul knew what he was writing about when he penned these words. In his pursuit of righteousness and the law he had become a persecutor of those seeking to follow Christ. He had caused death, poverty and great pain to many people… but ironically, once he came to a full revelation of God’s love, forgiveness and grace through knowing Christ, he in turn became a despised outcast to the religion and culture he had once believed so fervently. In the winter of AD 56 while in the city of Corinth Paul sent a letter to the believers in the city of Rome. He had never been there and longed to go. But the spirit of all he had learned about “sincere love” was sent in a humble letter that speaks to you and me today.

“Lord help our love to be sincere, help us to forgive those who cause loss or pain in our lives. Help us to bless them and be at peace with them, knowing that you are far greater than any difficult situation we find ourselves in. Thank you Jesus for your love, your sacrifice, your victory and your way of doing things! ” Amen.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve, Kerrie and Betsy (The Ford) and Bike

Real Mates.

A real mate will lay down his life for you. He’ll travel long distances to help you out when you’re in trouble. He will always be there when you are broken down in the wilderness, when you have made some wrong decisions and you are lost. Without a word, he’ll cover the cost of a bill you cannot pay. A good mate will always speak the hard truth and build you up when you have no hope. He will never speak bad of you to others, he is dedicated to fighting for your cause and helping you finish well. That’s just who he is. He’ll charge at the enemy with bayonet fixed firm and sacrifice himself so that you get through. That’s real mate ship.

The best mate you will ever have is Jesus. Whether you ignore His presence in your life or embrace it he is there. He is Love. His perfect love casts out all fear as he exchanges it for the gift of faith. I love what Jesus brings to my life. He calls me to lay down my life and allow Him to live in and through me, that way I can achieve what I was born for in this world and in His kingdom.

As I look at my country celebrate Australia Day every year in late January I see a nation selfishly living for the god of self satisfaction in the land of the long weekend. A people who have forgotten where they came from and what they are really here for. I believe Australia is called as a nation to be a witness of God’s love and character to the world. Our history reveals that what the enemy intended for evil, God has made for good. We are a nation called to help our indigenous neighbours and the poor, to be a peace maker in a troubled world.

Let us live by these amazing words. The kind of love that brings real mateship to life.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 13

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve

Darkness and Light

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

I get so torn when I hear tragic news reports of earthquakes and catastrophe in poor nations. The daily battle just to survive is hard enough let alone dealing with the aftermath of natural disaster. My heart aches to be there to help bring healing, hope and supplies to people who have lost everything, and do it in Jesus Name. Some of us are called to pray, some are able to give… others just have to GO! When I read my Bible I realise that from the times of Abraham to Revelation it is a book of faith and obedience, with stories of people called by God to ‘GO’. You and I have been called by God to be the light of the world. That’s a big call. But it’s actually a simple call to obedience. Jesus commands up to GO.

Scientists, governments and insurance companies label epic natural disasters as “Acts of God”, which I reject. The only act of God we are ever called to is to follow Jesus and respond to His call. As Francis of Assisi, Founder of the Franciscan order said back in AD 1226. “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary… use words”.

“Lord help us to be the light of the world in the midst of darkness, calamity and chaos. Our world is a fallen world, cursed by the consequences of sin and greed. A world in desperate need of your mercy and compassion. Help us today to radiate your heart, your love and light to the nations”. Amen.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve

Digging for Good Water

So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them. Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek (dispute), because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah (opposition). He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, (meaning ‘room’), saying, “Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land.” From there he went up to Beersheba. That night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”           
Genesis 26: 17-24

I preached at Dunamis Church in Logan City on Sunday night. A great church. I shared a message titled “Honouring the past to inspire the Future”. As we embark on a huge faith venture called the Heritage National Tour this year we have realised there is much power in honouring the past and thanking God for His faithfulness. Isaac honoured his father by re - digging wells that the enemy had filled in. Those wells had provided living water for his father’s generation. When opposition came he kept digging. He did not give up. Finally he found a place and dug a well. A well that he knew would provide all that he and his family would need. He never gave up on the promises God had given to his father. The water from those wells was like the refreshing presence of the holy Spirit, assuring a great future. As my friend Brian Houston says, “the best is yet to come”. I believe it.

Honour the past but expect miracles and new revelation for today and tomorrow. Have a fantastic 2010.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve