The first key to hearing God’s voice is to go to a quiet place and still our own thoughts and emotions. Mark Virkler
Quote for the Day
Month: March 2021
Work willingly
Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master. In fact, the Lord Christ is the one you are really serving, and you know he will reward you. Colossians 3:23-24 CEV https://bible.com/bible/392/col.3.23-24.CEV
Rare albino turtle hatchling has slim chance of survival on Lady Elliot Island
Rare albino turtle hatchling has slim chance of survival on Lady Elliot Island
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Supplied: Jessica Buckman
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Key points:
- Researchers estimate one in every 100,000 turtle hatchlings is albino
- The lack of colour is caused by a melanin deficiency
- The hatchling has limited sight and is more visible to predators
The tiny turtle emerged from its nest this week, taking researchers on the island by surprise.
The Island’s Ecosystem Management Officer Jim Buck said the team had not expected to encounter the unique creature.
“It’s not something that we see walking down the beach regularly,” Mr Buck said.
Supplied: Jodi Carlton
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“I believe there have been one or two observed here at Lady Elliot in the past, but it’s not something we see regularly.”
A previous sighting of a rare albino green turtle was reported on the Sunshine Coast in 2016.
Pink body, red eyes
Mr Buck said the hatchling’s unique appearance was caused by the absence of melanin.
“The amount of melanin in the system dictates the colour of the animal and in this particular instance the animal was white or pink in colour, indicating that melanin was absent or very, very low,” he said.
Survival odds slim
Researchers have estimated only one in 1,000 green turtle hatchlings survive to adulthood — and the outcomes for albino turtles are even less optimistic.
Mr Buck said poor vision and an inability to camouflage reduced albino turtles’ chances of survival.
“These little guys they struggle to get out of the nest and if they do they’re not well suited to the environment,” he said.
“We would normally expect about one in 1,000 hatchlings to return as an adult [but] in this instance, its chances would be very, very slim.”
Ephesians 4:12
Here is my commentary on Ephesians 4:12. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au
Ephesians 4:12
“… To prepare God’s people for works of ministry so that the Body of Christ may be built-up.”
The ministry gifts have a dual purpose- to equip the saints for ministry, and to build up the church, the Body of Christ.
There is an attitude amongst some Christians that the pastor is responsible for every ministry that happens in the church. As we stated in the previous verse, no one person can contain every ministry gift, let alone do everything that is needed to be done.
Pastors have responsibility for oversight, to give directions and set parameters for ministry in the congregation.
Pastors and the other five-fold ministers are to equip the saints, God’s people, for works of ministry. They are not responsible for doing all the ministry.
The way it should happen is that they first demonstrate the ministry. Then the disciples practice the ministry with supervision. Finally, they are declared to be competent ministers of the gospel .
The rabbinical model was for disciples to literally follow the Rabbi around everyday, observing and sometimes participating in the ministry. This was the model followed by Jesus and the Twelve.
So apostles should mentor future apostles, evangelists should mentor future evangelists, and so on. Because we are meant to be fathers to sons, the desire of the minister should be that the son should rise to greater levels of success in the Lord than he himself did. Any minister who is not seeking to raise up or to equip the saints is falling down on their job.
The expectation is not that every member of the body becomes a five-fold minister. The expectation is that every believer has the opportunity to participate in the ministry of the church and to do the works of ministry .
When this process is happening, the church becomes mature. Every christian should be taught how to share the gospel with unbelievers, how to pray for the sick, how to encourage the downhearted, and how to hear the Lord. These things flow from the hearts of the five fold ministers, and should flow to the hearts of the saints.
The second purpose of the five fold ministry gifts is to build up the Body of Christ.
The church needs strengthening to do its tasks, and the ministers are like coaches showing the body how to develop its gifts and become stronger in Christ. As different parts of the body learn to minister, the body as a whole is built up.
It is built up numerically through the witness of its members under the encouragement of the evangelists.
It is built up in purpose under the grace of the apostles and prophets, and it senses its purpose and direction as people learn their giftedness.
Pastors and teachers keep the body strong and on the right tracks. As the members of the body grow in understanding, they ensure at the whole body stays close to the Lord.
So the church is built up in every way through the correct operation of the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit .
Key points in this verse:
- The ministry gifts are given to equip the people of God.
- It is not God’s intention for the gifted ones to do all the ministry.
- Mentoring of rising ministers and equipping all the people are the focus of the five-fold ministries
- As God’s people are equipped to do the works of ministry, the whole body is strengthened and built up.
Reflection on Matthew 9:1-13
Scripture
Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.
Observation
Jesus returns to Capernaum. There, some people bring on a mat a paralysed man. Jesus says to him, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Some of the teachers of the law are upset by this. Jesus says, “I will prove my authority to forgive sins.” He then heals the man.
Everyone is amazed by this, and the people marvel at Jesus’ great authority.
Jesus then sees a tax collector named Matthew whom He calls to follow him. The Pharisees question why Jesus associates with scum like tax collectors. Jesus responds by saying it is the sick people who need a doctor not healthy people.
Application
The question of authority seems to have been a big issue for some people. They were often questioning where Jesus got His authority from, whether it was authority to heal or teach or to forgive sins.
All human authority comes ultimately from God, whether we recognise it or not. He is the one who puts governmental rulers and spiritual leaders in place.
As christians, we have authority over the evil spirits, authority to heal and perform miracles, authority to preach the gospel. This authority flows from God and is dependent on us remaining in close relationship to God.
We need to be under proper authority in order to exercise authority.
Prayer
Lord, please show me how to walk in the authority you have given me. Amen.
POTD
But not while driving!
Quote for the Day
In order to live out of the Father’s initiative, we first need to develop the ability to recognize His voice within us. We must be able to discern when the Spirit is speaking secrets to us, showing images of what He wants to do, or impressing us with His desire to heal or release other miracles. Mark Virkler
Every branch
He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. John 15:2 CEV https://bible.com/bible/392/jhn.15.2.CEV
Reflection on Matthew 8:22-34
Scripture
Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, and they begged him to go away and leave them alone.
Observation
Jesus and the disciples cross the lake on a boat. A fierce storm breaks, threatening to sink the boat, but Jesus sleeps through it. The disciples wake Him up and ask Him to save them.
Jesus rebukes the wind and waves, and suddenly there is a great calm. The disciples are amazed at His authority.
They arrive a the other side of the lake where they encounter two demonised men living in a cemetery. The demons recognise Jesus and start screaming. They beg Jesus to be sent into the herd of pigs nearby. So Jesus commands the demons to go, and the whole herd of pigs plunges down the hillside and into the lake.
The herdsmen flee to a nearby town, telling everyone what had happened. The entire town comes out to Jesus pleading with Him to go away.
Application
Many people want the benefits of Jesus without any cost to their lifestyle. This is why Jesus could truthfully say that many would call “Lord! Lord!” but not be saved.
The people of the town were not moved by the deliverance of the two severely demonised men. They were confronted by the loss of property and income that his freedom cost them.
They saw the miracle. They may even have recognised that Jesus was someone special. Yet, they wanted nothing to do with him, pleading with Him to leave them alone.
People can get excited about miracles and extraordinary healings. Then they go home unaffected.
In the end it is unbelief that holds people captive to sin. They refuse to believe that there is a better way to live, a better Lord to serve, than the one they have.
Jesus warns us to count the cost of following Him. Too many see the cost, but not the returns which are eternal.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to look to what I gain in following you, which is always a million times better than anything you ask me to give up for your sake. Amen.
POTD
New Life Narrabri 