LEP'S FAITH QUOTES: He Alone 8/6 Thursday Thoughts
It is only He, it is He who rolls away the cloud. He alone is the One who lifts the fallen, cheers the faint, brings fresh oil, and changes the countenance. It is the Lord thy God. He has seen thy misery, He has known thy heart brokenness, and He has known how near you seem to be to despair...
Oh, beloved, God is in the midst of us to help us into these wonderful divine places of appointment!
-- Smith Wigglesworth
I will not be posting from Tuesday, August 11, until Wednesday, August 19.

AG completes the Gold Cst series with Inia & Angela with NM by Alta Falls, Angelina Curtis and Steve Cheers plus the latest from Am Élie, Steeple Mouse, Jemima N, Youth Alive Ethan Beer.
Now with over 90 songs running over 5 ½ hours, check out the AGR Artists New Music playlist on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tb3Nt3dbJewVzOWjnGF7O
Vote for your favourite(s) below.
#AussieGrown #CCM #AussieChristian #ChristianMusic

Luke 15:1-10 (NKJV)

God actively seeks the lost rather than waiting for them to return.

THE SHEPHERD WHO LEAVES THE NINE-NINE
Jesus recounts a story of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one that is lost. This may seem illogical from a human perspective—why leave many to find just one?
Because in God’s eyes, the one matters. Each person has worth.
Ezekiel 34:11 confirms this: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.”
God is not passive; He is intentional about your life.

Jesus also describes a woman who loses a coin and searches diligently until she finds it. She lights a lamp, sweeps her house, and refuses to stop until the coin is recovered.
This illustrates a vital truth: God isn’t casual about restoring what’s lost. He searches intentionally, pursues persistently, and values what others might overlook.

Both stories end with celebration and rejoicing. Jesus says heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. Heaven celebrates restoration, not just perfection. Zephaniah 3:17 says God cheers over His people with singing. Your return, growth, and restoration bring joy to heaven.

YOU ARE VALUABLE TO GOD
The sheep did not lose its worth because it was lost. The coin didn’t become worthless because it was misplaced. Similarly, your value remains despite your circumstances. Isaiah 43:4 affirms, “You are precious in My sight.”
God’s pursuit is based on your worth, not your perfection.

GOD MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE
A key insight is that the sheep didn’t find the shepherd—God finds the sheep. The coin didn’t find its way back—God searches for it.
This means God meets you where you are.
Romans 5:8 reminds us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. God doesn’t wait for perfection to reach out.

RESTORATION IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE
No matter how far you think you’ve fallen, restoration is within reach.
God’s pursuit doesn’t end with your mistakes. His grace surpasses your distance, and His love overcomes your failure.
Joel 2:25 promises that God restores what’s lost—nothing is beyond His power to recover.
If you feel lost, forgotten, or distant, remember: God is searching for you—not in judgment or rejection, but in love and purpose.
You are worth His effort, His search, and His rejoicing.
When you are found, heaven celebrates because the God you serve actively seeks you. His pursuit always leads you back to your purpose.

brothers and sisters become our supporters to lend a hand to vulnerable children in Bugiri.
hoping for your positive considerations.
cheers
kimaka

Conflict and Courage.
2 Chronicles 12

It came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. 2 Chronicles 12:1.
The extravagance of Solomon's reign during his apostasy had led him to tax the people heavily and to require of them much menial service.... Had Rehoboam and his inexperienced counselors understood the divine will concerning Israel, they would have listened to the request of the people for decided reforms in the administration of the government. But in the hour of opportunity that came to them during the meeting in Shechem, they failed to reason from cause to effect....

The pen of inspiration has traced the sad record of Solomon's successor as one who failed to exert a strong influence for loyalty to Jehovah. Naturally headstrong, confident, self-willed, and inclined to idolatry, nevertheless, had he placed his trust wholly in God, he would have developed strength of character, steadfast faith, and submission to the divine requirements. But as time passed, the king put his trust in the power of position and in the strongholds he had fortified. Little by little he gave way to inherited weakness, until he threw his influence wholly on the side of idolatry....

How sad, how filled with significance, the words, “And all Israel with him”! The people whom God had chosen to stand as a light to the surrounding nations were turning from their Source of strength and seeking to become like the nations about them. As with Solomon, so with Rehoboam—the influence of wrong example led many astray. And as with them, so to a greater or less degree is it today with everyone who gives himself up to work evil—the influence of wrongdoing is not confined to the doer. No man liveth unto himself. None perish alone in their iniquity. Every life is a light that brightens and cheers the pathway of others, or a dark and desolating influence that tends toward despair and ruin. We lead others either upward to happiness and immortal life, or downward to sorrow and eternal death. And if by our deeds we strengthen or force into activity the evil powers of those around us, we share their sin.29Prophets and Kings, 88-94.

Three cheers for How the sees value in people from NKJV, KJV and RSV from 1952.
NKJV- 1 Samuel 16:6-7 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD's anointed in before Him!
But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
KJV- 1 Samuel 16:6-7 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on E-li'-ab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him,
But the LORD said unto Sam'-u-el, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him; for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
RSV- 1 Samuel 16:6-7 When they came, he looked on E-li' ab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."

They say abundance isn't about what you hold, but what you share. Thank you, Mariana for your beautiful generosity in nourishing our next meal.
cheers

They say abundance isn't about what you hold, but what you share. Thank you, Mariana for your beautiful generosity in nourishing our next meal.
cheers

Reflective version:

"Cheers to another year of life! Time flies, but the memories and lessons stay. Father, I am thankful for your Faithfulness, Love, and Mercy. My amazing family, friends, and everyone who makes life brighter.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey — the laughs, the support, the memories, and even the challenges that helped me grow.

Here’s to more growth, dedication, faithful service, joy, and good times ahead! "
#BirthdayVibes #Grateful #NewChapter