So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13: 6-8

In its former days this jetty, circa 1880′s, would have been the pride and joy of the entire town. In those pioneering days along the coastal regions of Victoria, before roads had been established the only way in and out would have been by sea. So the significance of a jetty meant that produce could be bought and sold, supplies and people have a link to the rest of the world. Trading ships and fishing boats would all benefit from a timber construction of hardwood logs and rough sawn planks that provided a life line to the world beyond the horizon.

But one big storm and everything can change. Eventually the efforts to repair and maintain the old jetty were abandoned as road and air transport routes opened up. Time brings change. Nothing stays the same forever except for one thing… That’s Jesus.

No matter what challenges you may be facing this year remember.. don’t get caught just doing things the way you have always done them. Be open to change and expectant that God has more out there for you. There is no room for fear when we are living our lives by faith!! Times change but the love of God for us will never waiver or be hindered by the storms of life.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91: 1-2

Thanks for checking out the weekly Prayer Points.

Godspeed,

Pictured: The decaying piers of an old jetty near the town of Lorne, Victoria

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Where does your hope and confidence find rest in an ever changing world? Who do you turn to when the system or when people let you down?

We rely so heavily on our governments, on technology and on established religion and yet they will all fail us eventually. Relationships also can change in a moment when people become fearful, selfish or proud.

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Genesis 37:5-8

I look at the life of Joseph who at different seasons in his life was rejected, abandoned, falsely accused, imprisoned, and completely forsaken. A young man with big dreams and great favour over his life. Yet God allowed him to go through seasons of deep failure in order to build his character and convictions. Sold as a slave by his brothers, condemned by his masters… yet never losing hope in God’s destiny or the dreams of his youth. His success came from knowing the favour of God, the fear of the Lord, on staying focused to his call.. and always having a forgiving and faithful heart.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Genesis 45:4-5

When we stay true to our call and remain faithful… when we put our trust in the Lord and not the powers of this world… then we will achieve our dreams.

Praying the dreams you have for this coming year will be blessed by the Lord.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Looking up at two forms of power. Taken in Geelong, Victoria on tour last year.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5: 5-8

Depression is the end of hope. A place where despair convinces you that past failures and the consequence of decisions made has robbed you of a future. It is a dark cloud that lingers over the landscape and oppresses any creative thoughts and dreams. Everywhere I travel I meet people suffering from depression, the gloomy curse of self pity… I can relate to it because I have been there at different times in my life. It is a silent war many people battle with alone…. an existence of self condemnation.

I passed by this old fishing trawler the other day. It was small and insignificant in contrast to the massive modern fishing boats moored in the harbour. But this two tone green and white antique seafarer captivated me… It must have seen some storms and perilous days. It must have had some stories and been through some violent seas.. But with courage and fortitude the men onboard would have fought for their lives knowing that their only hope was in their faithful vessel. I like that. Hope floats. Depression can be defeated when we get our eyes off our circumstances and back to the horizon. When we see ourselves in God’s bigger picture it all makes sense, even the storms… Don’t ever allow the enemy to rob you of the hope you have been given for life.

The best way to fight depression is to get out there and start serving someone with a vision. There is great healing in the spirit of giving… In taking action that breaks the bondage of self pity.

Jesus is our hope. The word of God is our lighthouse that leads us through every storm. Keep looking to Jesus..

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3

Thanks so much for standing with us in prayer as we take on 2012.

Godspeed,

Pictured: An aged fishing trawler that has seen many a stormy sea off the Illawarra coastline. North Wollongong Boat Harbour, NSW.

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,

Pictured: Performing at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie on the 15th January, 12.

She was a slave girl. Brought at a price from Egypt to serve her master and his wife. Abram and Sarai. In particular she was the maidservant to Sarah. After years of frustration and waiting for a promise God had given that a son would be born to them, Abram and Sarai agreed that if Abram slept with Hagar, the beautiful Egyptian maidservant they could have a child by her… So she submitted and before long became pregnant to Abram. It was then the jealousy and hatred began between Sarai and her servant. So much so that the young woman fled on a number of occasions.

He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me.” “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. Then the angel of the LORD told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” Genesis 16: 4-9

Sometimes you find you just don’t belong. Like a Scottish Thistle in a field at harvest time. You become a curse to everything around you. I remember as a young teenager walking a 50 acre field gathering every Scotch thistle plant that had been cut along with the grass. I had been offered $4 by the land owner to clear the field of every thistle. They no longer belonged with the harvest. So before the hay bailing tractor turned up it was my job to clear the field. It was hot and dry. The field seemed huge… but along with my brother and sister we got the work completed.

God had not forgotten or abandoned the young Egyptian slave girl. He had promises for her and her future. Just as He does for you and me.

Then the angel of the LORD told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” The angel of the LORD also said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:9 – 13

Even when you feel like you no longer belong… or fit in…. just hang in there and keep serving. God is faithful to you despite the agenda’s of others. God was faithful to Hagar, who ultimately kept serving despite the pain. Abram was 86 years old when his son Ishmael was born. And he loved him. It is an amazing story of God’s grace… despite our failures and feeble attempts in life at times.. God is full of grace towards us.

No matter what… You will always belong. Because of Jesus you belong. As Hagar spoke out.. “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

Godspeed,

Pictured: The beautiful flower of a Scotch Thistle in a field ready for harvest.

Christmas and New Year have been all about transforming a neglected house and yard into a home….

One of the downsides of itinerant travel and missions work is being away all the time. This past year I was on the road for over eight months and Kerrie was with me for much of that time…
So the little things… the details of home maintenance, the things that glare at you when you return home demanding to be repaired….all need to be done.

I was jet washing all the paving and footpaths around the house and came across a beautiful delicate flower growing in a storm drain. By night it is completely closed… but in the light of day it has its petals open to the fullness of the sunshine. What amazed me was why it was there?…. Why would a beautiful flower grow in a gutter? Then I opened my Bible to Genesis chapter one.

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. Genesis 1:11-13

The phenomenom  of God’s creation. Every living thing He has created is designed to reproduce by the seed of a new beginning. No matter where that seed is planted it will grow. A beautiful flower knows not where it is planted.. it will simply grow and flourish and look beautiful… even in a gutter.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1: 1-3

As we step into 2012, my prayer is this…. ” Lord I pray you will be glorified in all our lives… in all we do… in all we dream… in all we achieve. Let us reflect the wonder of your glory… just like a flower growing in a gutter. Wherever you choose to plant us let us radiate the majesty of God the creator who is revealed so amazingly through our Messiah, Jesus Christ.” Amen.

Godspeed,

Pictured: A beautiful flower growing in a storm drain.

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:4-5

There is a spirit of peace that surrounds the manic chaos we all make of the Christmas season. It is quite ironic that we become so anxious and stressed out about the crazy build up to Christmas Day. The decorations!! The shopping!! The food!! The preparations that take place in hopes of a wonderful memory making day!!  And yet the whole time is all about a peace that surpasses all understanding… a time when God became man in the most innocent way possible… as a baby. He did this just to remind us how precious we are and how amazing the gift of life can be. Jesus came to bring eternal peace to planet earth. He came to reconcile us with the Father and cancel out the curse of sin and death we were all living under. Christmas is ultimately about the most amazing peace we will ever know. The peace and the joy of knowing Jesus.

This time of the year can also become a time of uncertainty and confusion for many… as the year comes to a close and a new one begins we can be lured into the doubts and fears of the unknown. But let me assure you. When Jesus is your life there is no room for anxiety and intimidation. He fills us with faith, hope and love and a confidence to face tomorrow as we seek first His kingdom.

Set your heart on all He has intended for you at this time. His goodness and His purposes.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14

Praying your week is an amazing expression of the joy and giving that comes with Christmas!

It’s all about Jesus!

Godspeed,

Pictured: Decorations from the Grace family Tree

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

In my travels I often drive my team to the point of madness for stopping erratically to photograph old trucks and cars, old churches, houses, letterboxes, signs etc!!!!

I’m captivated by the aloneness and stories that often go with such locations. An old homestead that was once somebody’s life dream… now just weathering out dormant seasons of emptiness and decay.

Old cars rusted and lifeless…once would have been a treasure to the proud owner. I try to imagine what went wrong back then for it all to be abandoned.

Decisions that we make today bear consequences for tomorrow. The mistakes, failures and disappointments of life either ‘build us or break us.’

At some stage someone had to walk away…. either broken hearted or broke… or physically unable to carry on. Things fall apart when we give up. It can be so true of our lives if we do not have a constant source of renewal and hope.

Jesus Christ came to earth in such simple, humble circumstances. Not as some big Hollywood star or big talking politician bragging false promises. Just The creator of the universe laying in a bed of stable hay, with the smell of animal dung in the air. But He came to give humanity what we so desperately needed… Salvation from sin and salvation from ourselves. He came to restore, redeem, revive and make us new!!! I love that about Jesus.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him the world would be saved. John 3:17

There is life in Jesus!! In Him we are redeemed and made new!!

He takes broken dreams of yesterday and makes us complete in His purposes..

His presence and His word fill us with new vision and strategies for life! That’s the good News.

Till next week… thanks for staying in touch.

Godspeed,

Pictured: The remains of a place once called ‘home’ and the beloved possessions turned to rust. Pic taken South of Ballarat, Victoria.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

The apostle Paul was a great pioneer, a visionary and a powerful communicator of the Gospel. He was determined to never stop in his mission to establish and encourage small groups of persecuted believers throughout the known world of his day. His passion to see people fully understand the fulfilment of the law and the revelation of Christ’s death and resurrection was unstoppable. He knew he would never retire. He knew deep down in his heart he would probably die serving the great commission of Christ. His dream was Rome. To take the Gospel to the great city of Rome. He had written many letters to the church there in preparation of his planned visit.

But God never reveals the full picture. When it comes to serving in the work of God’s kingdom He will only ever reveal enough for the next step. If we saw the full picture of how God would accomplish His miraculous work through us I believe many of us would give up. Some days it’s just all too hard or too lonely. But.. Paul was going to Rome. Not as a famous and free “revival” preacher… but as a condemned prisoner in chains representing a despised sect. He had no idea how he would get there. He suffered greatly, survived ship wrecks and snake bites, months and months of delays. At times it would have been heart breaking. But he endured.

“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:28-30

The Lord allowed Paul to live in Rome for two years to complete his ministry there.. without hindrance.  I think this is amazing! He gives us the desires of our hearts and enables us to fulfil the visions planted deep in our hearts.

I love studying the maps and stories of Paul’s missionary journey’s. They inspire me to begin dreaming about places, towns, churches and people. Places I would love to return to and continue building the work we started over the past 25 years.

Israel, Papua New Guinea, Outback Australia, Solomon Islands, India, Africa, the United States of America are all on list for 2012…. plus lots of country towns around Australia!!!  Thanks for your friendship and encouragement as we pray about plans!!

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve’s Akubra hat on the dash.

The team and I have just completed our final Heritage Acoustic Tour concerts for 2011. We are heading home physically exhausted but filled with a sense of accomplishment and joy at the work we’ve done. Concerts across five States of Australia and some amazing miracle stories along the way. In fact… the entire year has been a challenging adventure in faith! But we are grateful for God’s faithfulness all the way, and the good friendships we have out there across the world.

November is the peak of Harvest for many grain crop farmers across Australia. Everywhere we have travelled in the past months we’ve seen crews out working night and day to get the crops harvested before the big rains come. But I’m reminded that whether we get a great harvest or things don’t work out as planned we should never stop giving. Some of the most generous people I know are farmers… they understand the principle of sowing and reaping.. they understand the pain and loss of a failed crop when the weather or pestilence or market prices are against them. But they do their best to keep going despite the setbacks. We often have a farmer offer to fill all our tour vehicles with a tank of diesel just to show appreciation of our visit. What a blessing!

‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God’ Leviticus 23:22

In all we do in life let us be on the lookout for ways we can be generous to others. Opportunities to be a blessing and not a burden. Moments that can transform someone’s day or their opinion. As a team out on the road we are constantly encouraged by local churches and farming families. Ironically… those with less seem to give more many times. The poor will give you their very best while the rich will often times give you only the crumbs off their table. Receive it all with gratitude and choose to be a giver in life. Jesus gave it all for us. He allowed himself to be tortured and hung on a criminals cross so that we could know the abundance of life on offer in His eternal kingdom. That’s the good news!

There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right,  But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

Thanks for taking the time to read our weekly Prayer Points and stories from the road. We appreciate your friendship and partnership in this vision.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Harvest complete for another season. A head of wheat on the edge of a field somewhere near Kingaroy Queensland.