Author: Dave

PASSIONAustralia.blog is my personal ministry website. I am also web servant for several church websites.

Grace and change

May 5, 2023

I really like this from from today’s Our Daily Bread…

Moses, though now recognized as a great man of faith, also committed a shocking crime. After he witnessed “an Egyptian beating a Hebrew,” he looked “this way and that” and “killed the Egyptian” (Exodus 2:11–12). Despite this sin, God in His grace wasn’t done with His imperfect servant. Later, He chose Moses to free His people from their oppression (3:10). In Romans 5:14, we read, “Death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command.” But in the following verses Paul states that “God’s grace” makes it possible for us, regardless of our past sins, to be changed and made right with Him (vv. 15–16).

We might think that what we’ve done disqualifies us from knowing God’s forgiveness and being used for His honor. But because of His grace, in Jesus we can be changed and set free to help others be changed for eternity.

Most productive?

May 2, 2023

When do you feel most productive?

I feel most productive when I am one on one with people. When I can sit and talk, or walk and talk with others, I feel I am in my sweet spot. When I can listen, ask questions and encourage them I feel God can use me to bless them. It is this one on one time that is a big reason that God put me here on earth. Often I go away feeling blessed and like I have used my God given gifts to help others.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 NLT

A prayer for today

May 2, 2023

I read this prayer in a Bible app plan today and thought I would share it…

God, thank you for creating a specific purpose just for me. Help me to see myself through your eyes and to throw off all the lies that might hold me down. Help me to believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in your image and that there is no one else like me. Continue to refine me and prepare me for the purpose you have for me. Show me the next step I should take to grow closer to you and to help fill the space you made for me in your Church. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ministry reflections

April 27, 2023

In the past week I have been on holidays and have been reflecting on the ministries I have been involved with over the years.

Over the last 30 years I have been involved with youth groups, led Bible study groups, Pastored a church, been an Elder, a lay preacher, been on the prayer team, helped with emergency food parcels and headed up a para church ministry.

In all of these roles my heart has been to care for and encourage people and to help people grow closer to Jesus. It may have been delivered in a slightly different way because of my job role, but the focus has always been the same.

At the moment I am working in the role of Chaplain. It is something that I have never done before in an official sense. But I guess no matter where I have worked I have been the “unofficial” Chaplain of my workplace. I have often listened, encouraged, had spiritual conversations and prayed for people as the need arose.

Although I did enjoy being a Pastor of a church, I do really enjoy being a Chaplain more. I get to talk to and encourage people, listen to their struggles and pray for them. And in the role I am in I am with a lot more non Christian people. I can share God’s love and light in a real and practical way. This is something I really enjoy too.