His Presence & Provision

Sometimes when we step into the fulness of God's calling we get frustrated when things go wrong. For example, God has called me to be an Officer in the Salvation Army - This has been affirmed by the elders of my local Corps, the Melbourne Central Divison and the Australian Southern Territory. This is what God is calling me to do. However, I've had a little bit of trouble with Centrelink. I'm not eligable for ANY Centrelink payment during my 2 year study time @ College. Initially I was frustrated. I couldn't stop thinking 'God, You're calling me to Officership - Whats the deal?' I was anxious about how it would all tie in together (Remembering that God's perspective on things is so much greater than mine). Then I heard a sermn on the Australian Christian Channel. There was this loud American preacher. He was speaking about God (funny that) and how when God calls us into HIS presence then His provision is with us also. Man did I need to hear that! As I listened closer to what God was saying to me through this preacher my eyes became filled with tears as I realised that He has called me to do this and therefore I do NOT need to be worried at all, because His provision is absolutely drenching me. Thank goodniss God spoke this word to me BEFORE entering College. I can't believe how fast it's all come along. It feels like only yesterday that I got the phone call to say I had been officially accepted and well, I move into College in 4 weeks from today. Scared is probably not the right word to express what I'm feeling, perhaps anxious. I'll be moving out of home, leaving my Church where I came to faith, moving away from close family and friends. But I'm doing it with a happy heart because It's building up HIS Kingdom. I've got the joy of the Lord and the love of the Lord - He's my Savior, my Provider and my Best Friend. He's getting all the glory. I am SOOO pumped about commencing training. I am incredibly blessed to be sharing training with an AWESOME session who are Spirit-filled, passionate, on Fire and are wanting to see the world changed FOR God - Hallelujah. We ARE Witnesses for JESUS!!!

Bring it on!

God is SO good!! He has blessed me with many wonderful friends whom I absolutely LOVE!! One of these God-given friends is Amanda Merrett. We were talking tonight about how God has called us to do amazing things in His Army and to be 'voices for change'. I love how Amanda is so 'in-tune' with God. For He challenges me a great deal through her and when we talk and hang out He stirs up amazing passion to do His will. During this time God led me to get a Bible and open it up. I opened it up and the first thing I read was 'Look, your scoffers, wonder and perish For I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you' (Found in Acts 13:41) I almost yelled the house down! Amanda was excited too! There are so many young people in the Salvation Army who are passionate about God and getting people saved. He is raising up an amazing group of people. PLEASE pray that His will be done and pray for these people aswell! You know what I say to that Scripture? BRING IT ON GOD!

I firmly believe that God has NOT finished with His Army, the Salvation Army! All the amazing things He's done in the past with His Army are not even a scratch on the surface of what He's got planned. We must all be open to His leading and we also need to continually seek out His guidance and wisdom. May we dwell in His house as He continues to use us. For the glory of God and the Salvation of the world! We can do this with His strength, grace, love and guidance!! Seek out His kingdom.

In continuing the read this Scripture it says down in verse 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ' I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring Salvation to the ends of the earth' - What an awesome privelidge!! May we be open and passionate regarding the Salvation of the world. Lets be more passionate about saving lost souls for the Glory of God.

Will you join me?....... I pray you will!!

HALLELUJAH!!

Hot Stuff!!!!

I have been growing more and more concerned as I hear of the devestation the Bushfires around Australia have caused. People are losing everything they have, everything they've worked for and every materialistic things they love. People are struggling with the hot and smoky days that we have been experiencing. Infact, at the School where I work there were 6 0r 7 kids that had fairly serious asthma attacks yesterday, believed to have been triggered by the smoke. Nature around us is suffering due to the exessive heat and the lack of water. The devestation is widespread.

While I am devestated about their materialistic loss, My main concern is the fact that if we as Christian's do not go out and tell them about God's love, grace and Salvation - THEN they will be living this devestation for all of ETERNITY!! Infact I doubt the bushfires even come close to the devestation of hell. I refuse to be responsible for not getting out there and sharing the Good News! For if God requires me to go and preach the Word to all (and He requires us ALL to do that) Then that's what I'll do!! I won't be smothered, distracted, mothered or tired, I'm a Soldier of the God, Most High! May we continue to grow and live passionately for the glory of God and the Salvation of the world.

Please join me upholding our wonderful country, Australia in prayer as the fires continue to burn. Not for our glory, but the Glory of the Risen King - Jesus!!

Take the Opportunity!!

Christmas is just a wonderful time of year. In Australia it's a hot time of year, a dry time of year and for majority of people it's a time where their hearts are open. They find time to say 'hello' to people they walk past, they open doors for people all these wonderful things that just makes you feel good. I continue to be incredibly amazed and encouraged as each Christmas comes around at the openness that people have to hearing about Jesus. I'm challenged because I don't believe that we fully utilize the opportunity! Our God is a mighty God. A God of love, forgiveness, Grace and strength. He is also a God who's big of giving us opportunities to share His love and plans for people who don't know Him. It's important that we don't just 'talk' about the love of God this Christmas, but that this be the beginning of us 'showing' people the love of God. Why not give the people close to you, the best present ever?? Did you know that it is completely FREE? Friends, let us 'Be glad in the Lord & rejoice this Christmas' Put CHRIST at the center of all the celebrations and He will shower you with incredible blessings! For our God is a God of love. He loves you all so much and He has fantastic plans for you that you can't even begin to imagine.

I want to close with some Scripture found in Luke's Gospel and it's one of the last things that Mary says to the Angel, Gabriel after she finds out that she will have a Son who will be called the 'Lord most high'

"I am the Lord's servant," - May we strive to be active Servants of our Mighty God. Bless you all!!

Praise God!

'Hallelujahs' to my left, 'Praise God' to my right. 'Fire a Volley' from the back of the room. It was a Spirit-filled, God-Inspired, Jesus-Glorifying morning at Werribee Salvo's! The challenge, conviction, encouragement and empowerment by the Spirit were amazingly evident. Major Rentje Taekema shared God's Word with us. God has blessed him with a wonderful gift and it was an awesome blessing to have him impart the Word of God to us. It is my complet joy and honor to serve along fellow soldiers, officers and friends @ the Werribee Salvation Army and I do feel sad about leaving. But God has called me to do so and I have promised Him that I will go where He needs me.

Spirit of the living God - Fall afresh on Your church. Make us, break us, mould us, fill us! God has NOT finished with the Salvation Army. He is only just beginning. For His plans for His Army are many. I will not put down my sword! My every breath, every action, every thought and every deed is used for the Glory of the Kingdom. For the Praise and honor of the King and for joy and satisfaction of the Mighty God!! What is God calling you to do?

Lord - Here I am, use me when and wherever and how you best see. I'm Your child and everything I have and am is because of Your awesome Salvation and love. May my life be pleasing and acceptable to You! Praise God!!!

How Great Thou Art

Earlier this evening I went for a walk, during my walk I was in complete Awe of creation. Don't we just live in a beautiful world? I looked up and saw hundreds and hundreds of stars brightly shining as if it was their duty to force the darkness to disappear. I thought during this time that as a Christian, It's important that I strive to do that also. To be a light in our dark world, a representative of Christ to a world that desperately needs Him. God challenged me during this time. It is awesome that we are the lights in our world, But we don't need to be light, where there is already light. For we are not called to sit in a Church building and wait for the lost to come pouring in - No, we are called to GO out and get them. Meet them where they are and then encourage and challenge them to step into where God wants them to be. I refuse to stay in my comfort zone and hope that I can influence people in a positive, Christ-like way. I'm running head on into the battle field! Regardless of what the situation. I'm marching forward with the mighty Word of God guiding me, the Holy Spirit leading me and the power of Christ revitalising me! Can you see the vision? I can! I was also reminded during my walk of the greatness of God. As I was walking I felt incredibly compelled to just sing out praises to God. All that was coming out of my mouth was praise to my Creator. 'Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee- How Great Thou Art!!' Everytime I opened my mouth those words flowed and flowed and flowed. I'm continually in Awe of the mighty works of Christ.

O Lord - May my life continue to be a living testimony of Christs love. Renew, Refresh & Restore Your people Lord. That we may show people Your strength, comfort & love. We are Your vessals - Use us we pray!! AMEN!

He knows it all!

One of my most favourite pieces of Scripture is found in Jeremiah 29:11 where it says ''For I know the plans I have for you'', declares the Lord Almighty. ''Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future''

Sometimes it's hard for us to grasp the enormity of God. To think that the Creator of all things not only loves us, But He also knows the plans He has for us - It's pretty amazing! What an awesome God we serve. He knows it all, the good and the not so good. The easy stuff and the hard stuff. Sometimes it's difficult, but there is that incredible promise and realisation that God actually really does know what He's doing, even if we can't really make sense of it. God's perspective is eternity and well ours... lets just say it's limited.

God knows where we are now, and for some, its not very close to Him at all. He knows where we've been - He knows our past struggles and pains. He knows where we're going. He knows it all!

Father may I be an instrument that you would find joy and blessing in playing. For I have chosen to follow you wherever you lead. Make me, challenge me, change me and empower me for the Glory and Honor of Your wonderful name AMEN!!

Will you?

So I was sitting @ home tonight and was sending off some emails and I came across Commissioner Jim Knaggs Blog - What a complete blessing. I was blessed so much that I wanted to be apart of all this blogging! So here I am!

I'm a Christian guy who is completely, totally and wholly sold out to work of God! Thats a pretty big call hey!? There's a time when your so close to God that you can't help but wanna do what He wants.

I'm looking forward to sharing with you, journeying with you, being challenged by you and also challenging you. For our God does not call us to be complacent in our walk with Him - No He calls us to be totally surrendered to building up His Kingdom! Will you join me? Will stand up and be counted? Will you move forward in the mighty name of the Lord to declare to the world the awesome promise of Salvation? Are you ready? Will you go? I'm praying you will

I surrender All, I surrender all. All to Him my Blessed Saviour - I surrender all.

The trumpets are blasting, the battle is raging, there are people who are dying - I will Go!