LIVING FOR JESUS, A LIFE THAT IS TRUE.

BIO: Isaac

Isaac introduces himself:
Greetings, I am Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. My life is a testament to the faith and promises of God. Born to my parents in their old age, I was the child they long awaited, a gift from God fulfilling His promise to them. One of the most defining moments of my life was when my father, Abraham, took me to Mount Moriah, where he, in obedience to God, prepared to offer me as a sacrifice. Yet, at the crucial moment, God provided a ram, sparing my life and reaffirming His covenant with my father.
I later married Rebekah, a woman of great kindness and faith, and together we had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Despite the challenges and familial strife that arose, particularly between my sons, I remained steadfast in my faith, striving to uphold the legacy of my father and the promises made by God. My story is one of obedience, faith, and the enduring covenant with the Almighty, which continues to shape the destiny of our people.
_____________________________________________
Dialog by Alan
Voice Character by Alan
Graphics by Alan
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KIDS STORY: Joseph and His Coat of Many Colours

Todays Short Story is titled: 
"Joseph and His Coat of Many Colours".
 
Once upon a time, in a land called Canaan, there lived a man named Jacob. Jacob had twelve sons, but his Favourite son was Joseph. Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other children because he was born to him in his old age. To show his special love, Jacob made Joseph a beautiful coat of many colours.
 
Joseph's brothers saw the beautiful coat and knew their father loved Joseph more. This made them very jealous and angry. They didn't like Joseph and couldn't even speak kindly to him.
 
One night, Joseph had a strange dream. He dreamed that he and his brothers were in the field binding sheaves of grain. Suddenly, Joseph's sheaf stood upright, and all his brothers' sheaves gathered around it and bowed down. Joseph, excited about his dream, told his brothers, "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 were not pleased. They said, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" Their jealousy grew even more because of Joseph's dreams and his words.
 
Joseph had another dream and again told his brothers. "Listen," he said. "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."
 
When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
 
One day, Joseph's brothers went to graze their father's flocks near Shechem. Jacob said to Joseph, "As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them."
 
"Very well," Joseph replied.
 
So Jacob sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. When Joseph arrived at Shechem, a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, "What are you looking for?"
 
He replied, "I'm looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?"
 
"They have moved on from here," the man answered. "I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.'"
 
So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams."
 
When Reuben, the eldest brother, heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said. "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.
 
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing—and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
 
As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm, and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.
 
Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.
 
So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
 
Back in Canaan, the brothers took Joseph's beautiful coat and dipped it in goat's blood. They took the coat back to their father and said, "We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe."
 
Jacob recognized it and cried out, "It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces." Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. "No," he said, "I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave." So his father wept for him.
 
Meanwhile, in Egypt, the Ishmaelites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard. Even though Joseph was far from home and his family, he remembered that God was with him. He worked hard and earned the respect of Potiphar.
 
Joseph's journey was not over, and he faced many more challenges. But through it all, he kept his faith and trust in God, who had a special plan for his life.
 
And that, dear children, is the story of Joseph and his coat of many colours. Though his brothers meant harm, God had a greater purpose for Joseph. But that's a story for another day!
 
The End
 
Story by Alan
Graphics by Alan
 
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https://www.youtube.com/@livingforjesusalifethatist5247
 

KIDS STORY: "The Shining Mountain"

"The Shining Mountain"
 
Chapter 1: 
"The Climb Begins".
 
Once upon a time, in a land of rolling hills and shimmering lakes, there was a small village. In this village lived a kind and wise man named Jesus. He had many friends who loved to listen to his stories and learn from him. Three of his closest friends were Peter, James, and John.
 
One day, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to go with him on a special trip up a high mountain. The friends were excited but also a little nervous. The mountain was very tall, and the path was steep and rocky.
 
"Why are we climbing this mountain?" Peter asked.
 
"You'll see," Jesus replied with a gentle smile. "Trust me."
 
So, the four friends began their climb, with Jesus leading the way. The sun was shining brightly, and the birds sang cheerful songs as they made their way up the mountain. The higher they climbed, the more beautiful the view became. They could see the whole village, the sparkling lakes, and the rolling hills spread out like a green and blue quilt below them.
 
Chapter 2: 
"A Glorious Sight".
 
When they reached the top of the mountain, Jesus asked his friends to sit and rest for a while. Peter, James, and John were tired but happy. They watched as Jesus walked a little distance away and began to pray.
 
As Jesus prayed, something amazing happened. His face began to shine like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white, brighter than anyone had ever seen. Peter, James, and John were astonished and rubbed their eyes, thinking they might be dreaming.
 
Suddenly, two men appeared beside Jesus. They were talking with him, and the friends realized that these were not ordinary men. They were Moses and Elijah, great heroes from long ago. Moses, who led his people out of Egypt, and Elijah, the prophet who brought messages from God.
 
Peter, always full of ideas, said, "Master, it's wonderful for us to be here! Let's make three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
 
But before Peter could finish, a bright cloud covered them all, and they heard a voice from the cloud say, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."
 
Chapter 3: 
"A Gentle Touch". 
 
Peter, James, and John were terrified and fell face down on the ground. They had never experienced anything like this before and felt a mixture of awe and fear. The voice was powerful and filled with love.
 
Then, they felt a gentle touch on their shoulders. It was Jesus. "Get up," he said softly. "Don't be afraid."
 
The friends looked up and saw that the bright cloud had disappeared, and Jesus was standing there alone. Moses and Elijah were gone. Everything was quiet and peaceful again.
 
Peter, James, and John stood up and looked around, still amazed at what they had seen and heard. As they began their descent down the mountain, Jesus asked them to keep what they had witnessed a secret for now.
 
Chapter 4: 
"Sharing the Light"
 
As they walked back to the village, Peter, James, and John couldn't stop thinking about what had happened on the mountain. They knew they had seen something truly special and that Jesus was more than just a wise teacher and a friend. He was the Son of God, chosen to bring light and love to the world.
 
They promised each other to remember the voice from the cloud: "Listen to him." They knew that Jesus had many more wonderful things to teach them and that they should always pay attention to his words.
 
And so, they kept the memory of the shining mountain in their hearts, ready to share the story when the time was right. They continued to follow Jesus, learning from him every day, and spreading his message of love and kindness wherever they went.
 
And that, dear children, is the story of the shining mountain, a story of faith, friendship, and the amazing power of Jesus' love.
 
Story by Alan
Graphics by Alan
 
Please feel free to share.
 
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DEVOTIONAL: Dwelling in the Shadow of the Almighty

The text is from Psalm 91:1-6 (NIV)
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday."
Now,Imagine a grand castle on a hill, fortified with high walls and strong gates. The king of this castle is known for his unwavering love and protection over his people. Whenever enemies approach, the people of the kingdom flee to the castle, knowing that within its walls, they are safe. The king himself stands guard, ensuring that no harm comes to his people. This castle, with its secure walls and the watchful eye of the king, symbolizes the safety and refuge we find in God.
Psalm 91 begins with a profound promise of divine protection. The psalmist declares that those who choose to dwell in the "shelter", "secret place") of the Most High will rest in the "shadow" (from the Greek) meaning, shade, protection") of the Almighty. This paints a picture of close, intimate communion with God, where we are protected and cared for under His wings.
The psalmist continues by affirming trust in the LORD, calling Him a "refuge" (from the Greek) meaning, "shelter, hope") and "fortress" (from Greek meaning) "stronghold, castle"). These metaphors emphasize God's role as a protector who can shield us from the dangers that surround us.
The promises extend further: God will save us from "the fowler’s snare" (from Hebrerw) "trap, snare") and "deadly pestilence" (from Hebrew) meaning "calamity, destruction"). His protection is comprehensive, covering us from all forms of evil and harm.
The imagery of God covering us with His "feathers" and finding refuge under His "wings" (from Hebrew, meaning, "wing, extremity") is a tender picture of His loving care. His "faithfulness" (from Hebrew, meaning, "steadfastness, trustworthiness") serves as a shield and rampart, providing us with security.
Finally, the psalmist reassures us that we need not fear the "terror of night" or the "arrow that flies by day" (Hebrew word, חֵ֫צִי, "arrow, dart"). This speaks to the constant vigilance and protection God offers, guarding us from both seen and unseen dangers, whether it be the "pestilence that stalks in the darkness" or the "plague that destroys at midday."
Applications from the devotional:
1. "Cultivate a Habit of Dwelling in God's Presence:" Make daily time for prayer, reading the Bible, and meditating on God's promises. This helps reinforce the sense of being under His protection and care.   2. "Trust in God's Faithfulness:" In times of fear and uncertainty, remind yourself of God's past faithfulness and promises. Trust that He is your refuge and fortress.
3. "Overcome Fear with Faith:" When you face dangers or challenges, use the promises in Psalm 91 to combat fear. Remember that God is with you, protecting you from harm.
4. "Spread the Assurance:" Share the promises of God's protection with others who may be struggling with fear or anxiety. Encourage them to trust in God's unfailing care.
So in Conclusion:
Psalm 91:1-6 provides a powerful reminder of God's protection and care for those who dwell in His presence. By trusting in Him and seeking refuge under His wings, we can live without fear, knowing that He is our faithful shield and fortress.
For todays challenge:
This week, commit to memorizing Psalm 91:1-6. Let these verses be a source of comfort and strength. Whenever fear arises, recite these promises and trust in God's protective presence.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our refuge and fortress. Help us to dwell in Your presence daily, finding rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Strengthen our faith and remove all fear from our hearts. May we always remember Your faithfulness and share Your promises with those in need. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

DEVOTIONAL: Wake Up, Strengthen What Remains

Revelation 3:1-6 (NIV). 
Reads:"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Imagine a grand, historic clock tower in the center of a bustling town. The clock, a symbol of the town’s prosperity and pride, stands tall but its hands are frozen, and its chimes are silent. The townspeople, engrossed in their daily routines, pass by without noticing the lifeless state of their iconic clock. It has the appearance of grandeur but is functionally dead. This is the state of the church in Sardis: a reputation for vibrancy but in reality, spiritually dormant.
The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, yet Jesus saw through the façade and declared it dead (Revelation 3:1). The Greek word for "alive": (ζῶν) denotes true spiritual vitality, which Sardis lacked. Jesus' call to "wake up" (from the Greek: γρηγορέω) and "strengthen" (στηρίζω) what remained, implies an urgent need for revival. Their deeds were incomplete before God, indicating a superficial faith devoid of true spiritual substance.
Jesus advises them to "remember" from the Greek word  (μνημονεύω)) the teachings they once received and "repent" (In Greek: μετανοέω) from their spiritual lethargy. Repentance involves a profound transformation and renewal of commitment to Christ. The warning of Christ coming "like a thief" (In Greek: κλέπτης) underscores the sudden and unexpected nature of His judgment for those who remain spiritually complacent.Despite the overall spiritual decline, there were a few in Sardis who remained faithful, "not soiled their clothes" (Revelation 3:4). These individuals are promised to walk with Christ in white garments, symbolizing purity and victory (in Greek: λευκός). The assurance that their names will not be blotted out from the book of life (in Greek: βιβλίον τῆς ζωῆς) offers hope for eternal life to those who overcome.
Applications for this devotional:1. **Spiritual Vigilance**: Regularly assess your spiritual health and ensure your faith is not merely outwardly vibrant but inwardly alive. 2. **Repentance and Renewal**: Embrace repentance and continually seek spiritual renewal to avoid complacency. 3. **Faithfulness**: Strive to be among the faithful remnant who remain pure and devoted to Christ. 4. **Eternal Perspective**: Focus on the promise of eternal life and the assurance that faithful living leads to eternal reward.
ConclusionThe message to the church in Sardis is a sobering reminder of the dangers of spiritual complacency. Jesus' call to "wake up" and "strengthen what remains" is as relevant today as it was then. By remaining vigilant, repentant, and faithful, we can ensure our lives reflect true spiritual vitality.
Todays Challenge is:This week, take time to reflect on your spiritual condition. Identify areas where you may have become complacent and seek ways to strengthen your faith. Commit to regular prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers to foster spiritual growth.
Let us pray:Heavenly Father, we come before You, recognizing our need for spiritual awakening. Forgive us for any areas of complacency in our lives. Help us to remember and hold fast to Your teachings, to repent and seek renewal. May we be found among those who walk faithfully with You, dressed in white. Strengthen what remains in us and help us live lives that reflect true spiritual vitality. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

READING: Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord

The title of todays reading is: "Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord".
The text for todays reading of Habakkuk 3:17-19 KJV reads:
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 
The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

SERMON: Igniting the Flame: Embracing Our Mission as a Church

Glenbrook Baptist Church Australia
29-SEP-24
Guest Speaker: Alan Vince
The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18-20, is not just a farewell speech of Jesus but the ignition of a movement that would turn the world upside down.
As the risen Christ stands before His disciples, He proclaims His authority over all creation and entrusts them with a mission that would span the ages.
This moment is the culmination of His earthly ministry, and it marks the beginning of the church's global mission.
In these few verses, Jesus lays out the blueprint for His followers, a plan that would see the message of salvation spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
Today, this mission remains the heartbeat of the church.
But how often do we fully grasp the weight of these words?
How frequently do we consider the far-reaching implications of Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations?
This passage calls us to move beyond our comfort and complacency, to step out in faith and obedience, knowing that we carry with us the authority of the risen Christ and the promise of His presence.
Let us explore this passage, verse by verse, and phrase by phrase, to understand what it truly means to embrace our mission as a church.
The passage gives a series of commands:
"go,"
"make disciples,"
"baptize,"
And "teach."
This series of commands is unusual in that it sets a clear, actionable sequence for the mission of the disciples, making it more than just a suggestion it’s a direct command (or mission) with a clear structure.
Outline:
Allow me share these 3 important points:
The Authority of Christ (Matthew 28:18)
The Commission to Make Disciples (Matthew 28:19)
The Promise of Christ’s Presence (Matthew 28:20)
...

DEVOTIONAL: THE BEST GUARANTEE EVER

John 6:47 NKJV