“My heart’s desire and prayer to God is that they may be saved”.

Romans 10 is an incredible reflection of my heart and the passion that I have for the lost.  It reminds me of why we are here on this earth, why we are exactly where we are and why it is imperative that we share the Gospel of Jesus. Sometimes we think that sharing the Gospel and coming to belief and repentance are massive but this passage says it so simple.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13)

Please read it for yourself and I pray that you will be inspired to go out boldly and not only share the love of Jesus with others but to share his name and his message too.

⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: ⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

¹⁶ But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” ¹⁷ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

When The Oceans Rage

 

There is nothing like a storm to comfort us.

It sounds ridiculous but I actually find storms really comforting. I’m not sure if it is that all the tension that has been blinding up is finally released or that the voices of the world around us seem to get drowned out in the thundering rain.

After two months of swimming in the ocean every day, tonight I trekked to the beach once more. I was alone in the rain and as I neared the coast, I came face to face with a wondrous, mighty sea thrusting its waves violently toward me. The water crashed against the rocks and sprayed in protest. I parked my car and ran toward it.

“And when the oceans rage, I don’t have to be afraid because I know that you love me”.

Singing out loud of God’s unfailing love. Yelling the word of truth passionately into the water-splinted wind. “God, your love never fails!”

“The wind is strong and the water’s deep
But I’m not alone here in these open seas
Cause your love never fails”

Life can be one hectic whirlpool. We feel that we are caught and dragged in a downward spiral and though we see the world spiralling around us, we need not be afraid. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Crack open your Bible. Remember that famous story when Jesus calmed the storm?

 ^“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” – Mark 4:37-41

Who is this man? He is Jesus! He is my all time hero, my saviour, lord and friend.

Why is my life so different to so many others caving down around me? It’s not because of anything I have done. My life is incredible because I have Jesus in my life. This little boat I am in is my life. The ocean is the world we have to navigate. That same powerful man that was in that boat promises to be in mine.

Who is in your boat? What is going to happen when the wind starts howling and the waves toss your boat? When the world knocks you down, who will be there to save you? Invite Jesus on your boat now and he’ll be there when you need him. I promise.

Christmas Shout Out

I would like to give a huge shout out to my best friend, Jesus on his birthday! Thanks for coming to Earth all those years ago and humbling yourself to be born among animals so that I could become friends with God. Thank you for living life as a peasant and not a king, when you are worthy of so much more. Thank you for going through life as we all know it so that I can relate to you and you know where I’m coming from when I complain. Thank you for dying on the cross for me and everyone else, whether we appreciate it or not. Thank you for defeating death and rising victoriously from the grave. Thank you for the hope that I have in you.

& To everyone else, a Merry Christmas! May you truly understand the blessing of Christ as Christmas time and the impact he can make in your life today.

And something, not only for laughs, for to challenge you. This is probably the best Christmas video I’ve ever seen. Not only are these kids the cutest with their Kiwi accents, the story is touching. Imagine God sending his only son, the Prince of Heaven, to Earth to save us all.

“And the angel said unto them,
“Fear not: for I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”

(Luke 2:10-11)

Enjoy: