Gambling permeates every level of society. Citizens and governments are so wedded to it that it has an all but unstoppable life of its own. But it will stop for all gamblers and leaders when they face their Creator.

The Powerball pool of $145M was won on the 19th of September and split three ways. The odds of one person winning the lot were said to be around 145.490.000 to 1. The maths looked complicated and was based on all 25M Australians buying one ticket.

Did the odds dissuade people from getting involved? No, and agents were rushed. One agent in the Robina Town Centre was interviewed on 2GB/4BC because she had sold winning tickets previously. The queues ran 50 metres out of the the store! Some wanted to buy from there in the vain hope doing so from a “successful” agency might rub off.

Likewise some just wanted to shake her hand. How tragic anyone could think a  game of chance could be influenced by personalities or locations.

The mantra of the draw was, you guessed it: “You have to be in it to win it” The reverse also applied: “You have to be in it to lose.”

Hope springs eternal for gamblers the next time; but it rarely is.

What are the Heavenly odds for believers? Perfect. John 3:16 reminds us of this and Romans 10:13 adds: “for whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” You can call that a sure bet!

What are you trusting in? Powerball or the Almighty Power of God. One disappoints the other never does.

– Geoff Kyngdon

A few years ago, an advertisement aired on television about the two certainties in life: death and taxes. 

The commentator went on to say he could not do much about death, so the most important thing he should do was take control of his taxes. We may pay different tax rates, but death is the great leveller. Rich and poor, powerful and weak…..all die! 

What a joy to know Jesus is the answer to death…and provides us with practical instruction on taxes as well!

Life and death was the crucial topic for Jesus and His word could not be clearer: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die…..” (John 11:25-26)

Similarly, the writer to the Hebrews says of Jesus: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Only through  Jesus’ death and resurrection is our death done to death! (1Corinthians 15:55-57)

Contrary to our world, Jesus sees money as less important. When questioned by the Pharisees about the legality of paying taxes to the Roman emperor, Jesus replied: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17)

Jesus paid the correct amount of tax Himself (Matthew 17:24-27), and Paul insists His followers do the same (Romans 13:5-6). 

Being alive in Christ should also mean we are all squared up with the ATO!

– Phil Pratt

Experts in life still suggest better education will solve the world’s problems, but then fail to explain why it is has failed to do so after how many thousands of years of trying.

Education is a blessing from God, but it can just end up providing more skills for criminals to apply their trade on the innocent. 

We must support the best education system we can afford with balance catering for students as fully as possible. Sadly, Theology is no longer a core subject, as it used to be at our oldest universities for example, and Church based schools are no longer the norm. 

A soundly based understanding of God, our Divine Creator, can help shape our thinking in all areas of life and for Christians provide absolutes to live by.

SRE as part of the NSW public education system, is not just a nuisance for time-table designers, but a wonderful opportunity to teach Theology to a significant number of students many of whom have little contact with mainstream churches or Christians generally. 

Considering Oak Flats Primary School, the SRE students represent more than 40% of the school population. Contact with supervising teachers is also an opportunity to show Christianity at work.

Please pray for this ministry and encourage the teachers.

In Proverbs 22:6 we read:

“Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” NASB

– Geoff Kyngdon

Some will remember the Burt Bacharach Hal David song which commences:  “What the world needs now is love sweet love. It is the only thing that there is just too little of”. The second verse reads: “Lord we don’t need another mountain” and ends: “Enough to last till the end of time”

What does the world really need? The songwriters got it partly right; it is sweet love but not type they had in mind. 

John 3:16 is so well known it hardly needs quoting, but just in case: “For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”   

The world needs this love; worldly love is but an image/experience of God’s love. 

Many today think good insurance policies covering, life, health, superannuation and funerals will somehow carry the day and see them safely to the other side. They can offer comfort but never eternally.

Still the world has it partly right: A policy is needed, but not of insurance but assurance.

Song writer Fanny Crosby wrote and you can sing along if you wish. “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine O what a forestate of glory divine Heir of salvation purchase of God Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”

Our dear brother John Thompson had this assurance in Jesus, but do you? Romans 10:13 reads: “for Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved”.

Have you made the call?

– GEOFF KYNGDON

It was a privilege to be part of a greying set of “boomers” who combined forces with our highly efficient Church Administrator, Scripture teacher, Youth group “Refuge” leader Val [Squire] O’Regan and our other Youth group leader “Sir” Daniel Rainey [Knight], as they went in search of King Jesus at our “Real Kids” day held last Monday for Preschool to Year 6 children.

The stage antics of Squire Val and Sir Rainey were supported by others including  Phil as a healed blind man, fisherman, now fisher of men Andy and Glenda [Mary Magdalene]. Sir Rainey came to see that Jesus was indeed the one true King. Through miracles, his death on the cross to save us from the punishment we deserve for our sins and his resurrection, Jesus proved that he is God and is worthy of being followed.

Magda, Jenny and Rhonda taught, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” using different methods to help this wonderful promise be remembered by even the youngest of 26 children who attended.

The children also sang songs to music played by Coralie, enjoyed games, craft and of course the food prepared by Barbara, Belinda, Ruth, Debbie P and Debbie S.

It was great to see these talented workers perform on your behalf, many of whom will back up at TOTS each Tuesday, SRE at Oak Flats, Balarang, Mt Warrigal, Flinders Public School and Oak Flats High, Kids’ and Andy’s Club and Refuge. 

Why not join the team next time? Just be sure to do the,” Working with Children” course first.

Matthew 19:14…… Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

– PETER TAYLOR