Amazing Grace

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath\ before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Just what is the grace of God? It has been simply defined as the unmerited love and favour of God. This is true. But I like say it this way: “The unmerited love and favour of God acting on our behalf now and forever..” The grace of God not only saves us through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, but it also enables and empowers us to love and serve Him in every aspect of the Christian life. The testimony of the writer of these verses is a tremendous tribute to the grace of God. His story is a story of a classic and complete conversion. His simple statement, “ . . because I persecuted the church of God...” says it all.

What happened to him on the road to Damascus is a clear and undeniable example of the most radical change and spiritual metamorphosis one could ever imagine. The violent hatred, hostility, and horrible slaughter perpetrated by Saul, the powerful persecutor, is beyond our capacity to conceive. Is it not significant that he did it all with great and sincere devotion and dedication to his religion; just as the religious terrorists of our day purport to do? I am sure he had in mind the white hot religious fervour that drove his terrible Jerusalem campaign of persecution when he later penned these words about his great burden for his earlier zealous companions in violence: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. . . “ Is it any wonder the diminutive Paul would later exclaim, “But by the grace of God I am what I am!” Who among us can not make the same assertion?   Amazing Grace!

The Importance Of Mothers

The vital importance of motherhood needs no confirmation because the very existence of each of us and any progress we may have made toward physical or emotional maturity is a living testimony to the essential nature of motherhood. Most of us could personally attest to and endorse old sayings such as, "God couldn't be everywhere, so he gave us mothers". Or, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." Or again, "Behind every great man stands a great woman." Down through the ages responsible Godly mothers have served mankind and have fulfilled God's eternal purpose for man as well.  Since all good is a gift that comes down to man from the Father in heaven, these qualities could also be described as divine qualities; especially those particular characteristics that obviously emulate the divine attributes of God.

It would seem significant that God's plan involves responsible mothers who have a primary responsibly in bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The importance and influence of a mother's role as a primary care giver and loving guide of the children God entrusts to the home cannot be overstated. Many studies have confirmed that mothers  who take this responsibility seriously are by far the primary influence that can determine the direction of a child's life. The same studies reveal that a large percentage of this influence is exerted before the child is six years old. The mother often creates the environment and teaches the standards and values that ultimately determine a child's personality, character traits and future value judgements.

Of course, this is not recent news. Someone said long ago, "Virtues are learned at mother's knee - vices at some other joint." God inspired the wise man to say, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." History confirms the importance of responsible mothers in the formative years of a child. Sir Walter Scott's mother was well educated and a lover or poetry. George Washington's mother was a pure and good woman. The mother of Patrick Henry was very eloquent of speech. John and Charles Wesley's mother was intelligent, pious and full of organisational ability. Napoleon Bonaparte's mother was energetic and full of ambition. When asked what France needed most, Napoleon replied, "Godly mothers." Lord Bryon, the great infidel and agnostic poet, had a mother who was ill-tempered, proud and violent.

A mother's ministry of help includes a baby's first steps, first words, the mystery of shoe strings, and the magical world of pretend. There is a story told of a mother asking a pastor when she should begin teach her five year old about God. He replied, "Hurry home, you've lost five years already!"  

-Pastor John White

Anzac Day

Anzac Day, April 25th, is a very special day in the life and culture of the nation of Australia.   It is a day Aussies and Kiwis pause and honour those Returned Service Men and Women who have paid a price to procure and maintain the precious freedoms we all enjoy. It is also a day we are called to stop for a moment and take stock and remember the sacrifices of those who purchased such freedoms for us by making the ultimate sacrifice of their blood. It is a time we should ask ourselves, “What price are we willing to pay to maintain the liberties we hold so dear as free men and women in a free nation?”

On Anzac Day,  the younger generations will stand and watch the faltering steps in the slow parades of those honoured men who have served the country in six conflicts of the last and present centuries. They will see the tears fall freely upon the cheeks of stooped and greying men, as they weep openly for their fallen comrades in arms.

They will hear again and again the poignant words, “Lest we forget,” issue from the lips of those who hold the memory of the fallen so dear. They may stand trembling in the half-light of dawn services and hear the mournful notes of the last post; played in remembrance of those who lie in graves on such faraway fields as Gallipoli and in the Owen Stanley ranges.

In previous years  large crowds have  carried signs and placards in support of our men and women who are serving today in harms way. They have wanted to counter the misguided voices of the peace at any price pacifists who seem to feel they occupy the moral high ground. They wish to counter their illogical philosophy that freedom is cheap and it is better live on your knees as slaves to tyrants and despots than to die on your feet for freedom’s cause. This is the least we of the often silent majority feel we can do in this critical hour.

As we once again count the blessings of our freedom, it would be good to also ask for God’s blessings upon our nation. We should surely say and pray today, “God Bless Australia.” But in order to sincerely do so, we must first ask ourselves if we are willing to do our part to build or rebuild a nation that God would view as a fit recipient of His continuing blessings?

I believe principles enunciated in God’s statement to Israel on the matter still hold true today, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)

It should be clear to any discerning Christian that our nation and our world is on the very verge of a moral and cultural collapse. As we await His return, we should continue as watchmen of the walls of freedom. As one great man once said, “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”