Turning Failure Into Great Comfort
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 6/9/2020
The Bible is full of faithful people who despite moments of weakness and failure, were able to provide great blessings for God's people. Some have provided far more blessing than they thought possible, perhaps even more than we yet realise. The gained comforts from the following acts of faith are far greater than even they could have imagined. All these blessings have come out of tribulation, despair or weakness. Consider it a great joy to fall into tribulation, because all the great blessings have come out of such trials..
When We Hit The Wall
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 23/8/2020
Many marathon runners face a difficult problem in the latter stages of the race... that is when they hit the wall. This refers to depleting their glycogen (glucose, stored in the liver and muscles)and the feelings of fatigue and negativity that come with it. It is the most readily available fuel source to burn when exercising, so our bodies prefer it. When we run low on glycogen, our muscles hurt and our brain wants to shut down activity as a preservation method... this may lead to negative thinking, forgetting the big picture. Most people come to the Lord for the same reason... the easy answers stop coming. Also it is not uncommon for people who serve God to hit the wall from time to time. God excels when the easy way is not available.
The Age Of Offence
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 9/8/2020
People responding poorly to facts that they do not want to hear is a rapidly escalating problem... both in this world and sadly within God's church. There is a certain reality about unwelcome words... The truths revealed in God's word trigger the way we think and act. Scriptural truths can be seen pleasantly or offensively, then choices are made by each individual.
God's Healing Is Complete Pt2
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 5/8/2020
The Bible concept of healing is far more than physical and mental restoration. There are numerous encompassing scriptures that reveal just how big the offered blessings are. Our primary problem is that man is mortal, and God is immortal. Through Jesus Christ, God has provided unlimited and far-reaching healing opportunities for the human race.
God's Healing Is Complete
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 2/8/2020
The Bible concept of healing is far more than physical and mental restoration. There are numerous encompassing scriptures that reveal just how big the offered blessings are. Our primary problem is that man is mortal, and God is immortal. Through Jesus Christ, God has provided unlimited and far-reaching healing opportunities for the human race.
The Trojan Horse
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 26/7/2020
We find a story in Greek mythology of how the impenetrable city of Troy was defeated by a much smaller and weaker Trojan army. Troy had huge walls around the city that couldn't be breached, so a clever plan of getting into the city was devised. A multi story wooden horse was built and rolled to the front gates of Troy as a gift to Troy's superiority. The wooden monument had soldiers hidden inside and once accepted into the city. Under the cover of darkness the hidden soldiers opened the city gates and Troy was defeated. Thus, malware (computer viruses) are often called "trojans" for the same reason. They are disguised as legitimate software and can be used by cyber thieves and hackers to gain access to your computer, your data and your assets. Likewise, Christians should be fully aware that this type of attack against their faith is the most common ploy that Satan uses against them.... once our faith is weakened, unbelief and failure can soon follow.
Baptism Of The Spirit
By Pastor Arthur Marshman [Brisbane] on the 19/7/2020
Arthur defines the reason for, and the method of, receiving the Holy Spirit.
The Prodigal Son
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 12/7/2020
The parable of the prodigal son came about because of the criticisms of the Pharisees and the Scribes who rebuked Jesus for always being in the company of sinners. The Pharisees believed that God wanted the church to keep away from its defaulters. Furthermore, they added many extra burdens on those who wanted to be restored and who wanted to serve God. Jesus responded with these 3 parables.
The Humility Imperative
By Phillip Sunderland [Brisbane] on the 6/7/2020
Humility, from the spiritual perspective. What it is. Why it is important. What it is not. How do you get it.
The Healing Of Sarah
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 28/6/2020
Sarah was Abrahams wife and was born on a timeline halfway between Adam and Jesus Christ. She had been incapable of having children and was 90 years old when God healed her. She still had to wait another 25 years after being specifically told she would be healed. To make matters more challenging, not only was she barren, but she had entered menopause... two major impossibilities at a natural level. Like all of us, she had to address the needs of the here and now, but at the same time was facing two seemingly impossible promises. This is how her story unfolds and how her ongoing faith gave them one of the most amazing testimonies in history.
Why Do The Heathen Rage
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 14/6/2020
The natural position of ?non or anti-Christians? is to rage against God?s laws and principles, despite them giving humanity the best opportunities for a fair and sustainable life. The more they rage, the worse life becomes for the free world, with one failure leading to another. Sadly, yet predictably; the human race never learns from its mistakes. Pride and ignorance always lead to the failures that past generations also suffered.
Give God Something To Work With
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 31/5/2020
Give God something to work with and he will give you something to work with. Everyone can have a wonderful life with the Lord if they stop long enough to give him something to work with. Moses is perhaps one of the greatest examples of God?s ability to turn an average person into a remarkable powerhouse. The turning point came when Moses saw a burning bush and stopped to hear the message (just like us when we were witnessed to)
The Works, Fruit And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
By Phillip Sunderland [Brisbane] on the 27/5/2020
The gift of the Holy Spirit, and it?s work in our lives, is a very large topic. It is fundamental to finding and maintaining our relationship with God. Today we will look at just a few aspects of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In particular, what we can learn from comparing and contrasting the ?fruits? and ?gifts? of the Spirit, and how we apply that here and now.
Hidden In Plain Sight
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 17/5/2020
An elderly woman in France had the surprise of a lifetime late in 2019, when she discovered the old wooden panel painting, that sat above the kitchen stove was worth more than $7.7US million. She was selling her house and was going to send it to the tip with other ?junk? except for an auctioneer suspecting it might have some value. Having been valued at $7.7US million it actually sold at auction for $26.6US million. We may be equally surprised to find that God has also set a value upon us; a value that is far beyond what we could ever dream of. Like the auction above, once we are restored (saved), our value is multiplied many times more to God, much more than we could ever believe. Our eyes and minds alone can?t see God?s values.
Believe The Science
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 10/5/2020
We are continually pressured to ?believe the science?, even though many scientists disagree with each other. Quite often, the term ?science? is used when a political or religious outcome is desired. It would be more convincing to see the evidence than respond to an appeal to authority, which is a false and unproven argument.
When You Are Feeling Alone
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 26/4/2020
Loneliness (doubt, fear), is a perception we can all feel when our confidence drops below our spiritual reality. God has already offered a solution to this well known problem.
Raising The Dead
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 15/4/2020
God has identified himself as much more than the powerful creator of the universe and the life in it. He has expressed an attitude towards the human race, that is common to humans themselves. He demonstrates love and care, concern and assistance; like any caring father or mother would do. His interest and regard for us is much more than that of any parent, because his capacity is far greater than ours. We cannot care for ourselves with the same certainty and authority that God offers. If the worst comes to the worst, God is capable of raising the dead. That is something we cannot do for our families. Yet, God now offers us the power to raise the dead.
When The Wheels Fall Off
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane] on the 12/4/2020
?When the wheels fall off? originated from overloading, or abusing a work vehicle to the extent that it breaks down and is no longer useable. The west was built on the principles contained within the ten commandments, despite the weaknesses of humanity (a certain level of weakness and failure was already factored in to the system). However, as they have been further weakened, we have been overloaded and failures are appearing everywhere. It?s the abuses of the principles that leads to failure, not the principles themselves. The bible reveals many of humanities worst failures thousands of years before they have finally come about.