Features
The Australian Christian Channel provides weekly feature articles from respected church leaders and teachers. Search our archive of feature articles for great bible-based teaching.
You can be bitter or better
Did you know that the circumstances in your life can actually make you a better person? Whether those situations are good or bad, you can choose to allow your circumstances to make you better or bitter—it’s your choice to make. more
The Blessings of Surrender
Most Christians would admit that, at times, their Christian walk feels more like a crawl. We may feel our relationship with God has dwindled or that our work for Him is ineffective. We may even feel disillusioned about the path our life has taken. more
Light of Christ
In the nineteenth century, lighthouses on the coasts were looked after by lighthouse keepers and their families. If a man who looked after the lighthouse became ill, the work was picked up by his wife or children. more
How to Walk with God
When I hear of Hollywood couples who get together and then divorce rather quickly, I have to wonder what people are looking for in marriage. Do they understand that it's a commitment? Do they understand that feelings will come and go, and that you must get on with the very real business of loving a person and all that it means? The same can be said of a relationship with God. more
Meaningful male friendship in a disconnected age
Despite the proliferation of iPhones, Blackberries, e-mail and social networking Web sites—not to mention Starbucks locations—many Christian men, if they are honest, will tell you they are lonely. They may Twitter several times a day to co-workers; they may have occasional golf buddies; they may even grab coffee with colleagues from time to time. But so many men who attend church regularly are friendless. more
Stressed Out? You Might Need Sleep
Snapping at your kids or spouse, stewing in checkout lines, shouting at road hogs . . . cultural negativity abounds. A National Sleep Foundation (NSF) poll suggests links between sleep deficiencies and negative attitudes and behaviour. more
Christ-Responders
I was out early one morning riding my bicycle when suddenly, to my left, came the horrific sound of an automobile accident; it occurred about eighty feet from me at a stoplight. I turned just in time to see one car sliding sideways, while the other car, with the hood and grill pushed up like a pug, was rocking back and forth from the impact. more
Let go and enjoy life!
I think happiness is a goal all of us can agree on. Let’s face it—we all would like to be happy. In fact, if you were to make a list right now of all the things you want in your life, chances are the vast majority of things are on that list just because they will make you happy—or at least you think they’ll make you happy. more
Value the season you're in
People can get so caught up in the fact their dream is so close - preparing here, there, and everywhere - but forget they still have to finish this season before launching into the next one. I have had lots of opportunities to finish things - jobs, relationships, renovating my house (!). The most important lesson I've gained from all of this is the way we finish one thing directly impacts the way we enter the new thing. more
Remember God's goodness
Have you ever forgotten an important date? Maybe it was a friend's birthday or your wedding anniversary. With our hectic schedules, sometimes we forget the important things — including the past blessings of God. more
Salt of the Earth
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world - like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.'' (Matthew 5:13-16) more
Unbelieving Believers
Before our last Cherish conference, God directed me to tell the women just how much he believed in them. As God impressed this on my heart, I questioned it because it sounded so obvious, so simple. Then over the next few weeks God took me on a journey to teach me that I actually had no idea just how much he believes in me. I had to understand the depth within this seemingly simple truth before I could share it with anyone else. more
The Key to Reconciliation
When the apostle Paul went to Athens and preached the gospel, he walked around the city and saw that it was completely given over to idolatry. Athens was known for its cultural learning. It was known for its incredible edifices. And it was also known for spirituality. more
Be ALL you can be
Have you ever noticed that it’s usually much easier to start a project than to actually finish it? The truth is, anyone can start projects. The world is full of just-started projects that looked great at the time but were never completed. There’s always a certain amount of excitement that comes with starting something. People rally around you and encourage you. There’s an energy that always comes when you’re first starting out. more
Bridging the gap between Sunday and Monday
For many Christians the highlight of their week is the Sunday service. Sadly many believe this is where the Kingdom of God is primarily expressed. Ministry is confined to that which is done within the church. This is demonstrated in the true story of a young lawyer who was asked what her ministry was. She replied “I teach Sunday school at my church” What a travesty!! Nothing she did during the week in bringing justice, compassion and resolution to the world in which she worked counted, in her mind, as having any spiritual value. How can we change people’s thinking to break free of this Sunday/Monday dichotomy? more
Got Money Woes? Consider Zimbabwe
The economy got you down? Worried about making your mortgage payment, getting a car loan, affording fuel or the weekly groceries? News is filled with Wall Street turmoil, bank failures, home foreclosures, and a clogged financial system. Bailout, rescue, layoffs, cutbacks, bad debt, tight credit, more gloom. Help! more
Use what is in your hand to fulfill what is in your heart
I was five years old when I made the decision to accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. As long as I can remember, all I wanted to do was to pastor a church and be part of building His Kingdom. After I finished school, I went to Bible College and then began to serve God wherever I could in the local church. Today, with more than 25 years in ministry behind me, I am living my dream, and the passion to serve God burns stronger than ever. more
Dust and Debris
Last week I was having problems with my computer mouse - it wouldn’t follow my instructions. I called Chris, our Office Manager. Chris first suggested that he have a look and see if it needs a clean. Sure enough, when Chris opened the mouse he found it was infected with dust and debris. After a clean, my mouse began working wonderfully well and it’s doing what I expect it to do. more
Which Bird Are You?
I believe that people watch our lives and notice what kind of character we have. I also believe that people want to see Jesus and are crying out, “If He’s real, show us!” more
Freedom from Fear
For millions of people around the world, fear is not merely a concept. People living under dictatorships are trained to be terrified because dictators rule and destroy by the power of fear. From young ages, they are taught not to verbalise what they think. They must parrot the party line. If they say anything contrary to the dictator's beliefs, they will most likely disappear without a trace. more
The power of a good example
There was a man who had been out of work for a long time and decided to inquire at the local zoo. He told the zookeeper, "I would like a job. I will clean cages. I will do whatever you need." The zookeeper said, "I'm sorry. We would love to hire you, but there just aren't any openings right now." Noticing how big and burly the man was, the zookeeper suddenly had an idea. more
Winning the Battle for Influence
In Daniel 4:36-37 and 6:26-27, we find the royal decrees of two kings. Both of them ruled at one time over one of the greatest cities and nation-states in the ancient world. more
Waiting for a Hand Out
Handshaking began among ancient German duelists as a signal of peaceful intentions. They couldn’t draw swords with outstretched hands. An open hand signified friendship. A closed hand may signal a closed heart and a closed fist greed and selfishness. more
Shout Grace!
We sing Amazing Grace, but I don't think we realise how amazing grace actually is. Grace is God's power, motivated by His mercy, working to fulfil His compassion. more
Do Not Worry
Did you know that most people's anxiety is focused and preoccuiped with 40% of things that will never happen, 30% of things relating to the past that can't be changed, and 12% of things relating to other people's criticism, which is generally untrue, and 10% of things relating to health, which often gets worse with stress and negative thinking. Only 8% of the time do they worry about real concerns that will need to be faced. So, if only 8% of all the issues in our lives really turn out to be 'something.' Why is it that we spend so much time worrying and being highly anxious and being highly anxious and stressed about all the rest? more
Forgiveness
In all marriages, partners hurt each other. Some hurts inflict deep wounds and heartache that you think you will never recover from. Other hurts are those daily attacks and insults that stockpile and end up eroding your sense of emotional safety and trust and force partners to put up protective barriers or strike back. more
The time has come for a big gift
A few weeks before Christmas last year, the documentary film “What Would Jesus Buy?” made its debut in American theaters. The film created quite a stir among American retailers in gift stores and toy stores across the nation. more
Making the choice for 'Peace'
I speak at conferences in cities all over the world and sometimes I ask our crew to place a rocking chair in a conspicuous place on the stage. Occasionally, while I am speaking, I’ll walk over and sit in the chair and begin to rock. more
Why we continue to Fall
You’ve tried everything - counselling, accountability, memorising Scripture, listening to sermons on sin, and avoiding tempting situations. But you still continue to yield to the same sin over and over. Here are three suggestions as to why nothing is working. These are a culmination of things I’ve discovered in my counselling with others as well as in my own passage through the minefield of temptation. more
Known by Our Fruit
A little boy went over to a pastor's house, where the pastor was doing some carpentry in his garage. The boy simply stood there and watched him for quite a long time. After a while, the preacher wondered why this boy was watching him and was finally so curious that he stopped and said, "Son, are you trying to pick up some pointers on how to build something?" The little boy replied, "No. I am just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer." more
When the E is Silent
David was in trouble. A fierce enemy is threatening his nation, his friend Jonathan is going to die, and David’s own family has been kidnapped. His men have turned against him, and his possessions have been plundered and burned (1 Samuel 30). more
Laughter
Did you know that a typical child laughs 400 times a day, while the average adult manages only 15? What happens in life to make adults lose their laughter? Do we stop laughing because we get old, or do we age because we stop laughing? more
Becoming a Trumpet of the Lord
A few weeks ago I watched a vintage Billy Graham sermon from the 1950s that aired on television. I said to a friend who was with me that I rarely hear the gospel articulated today as clearly as we did through this amazing evangelist. A few days later, for my birthday, my buddy sent me three recorded Graham sermons that are now available on DVD. more
The God who pursues us
What do the religions of the world have in common? They all attempt to pursue and appease their gods, who have distanced themselves from humanity. That is a key difference between these religions and the Christian faith. Christianity is the only faith in which the one true God reaches out to humanity. He pursues and seeks us out; we are the ones who are lost — not God. more
Small Beginnings, Big Dreams
When I was a teenager I had a big dream in my heart to reach the nations. When I was in Bible school, I was particularly passionate to plant churches in Greece and Albania, and minister in Europe. It has actually taken years to see some of these dreams come to pass – and I still have so much more I want to do for God! more
Give Them a Break!
You’ve heard it before: Nobody’s perfect. All of us make mistakes…we all have personality quirks and need help in certain areas. The truth is, none of us have “arrived.” We are all just a work in progress. more
Financial crisis: A time for caution, not fear
This is undoubtedly a time for caution and reassessment; but it is not a time for crippling fear. The cover of this week's European edition of TIME screams 'London's Sinking', with a warning that the global economic crisis threatens to 'overwhelm' Europe's financial capital. Meanwhile, trillions (yes, trillions) of dollars have been wiped off the value of stocks and shares worldwide in the past week or so. more
A life changing decision
Anna's hopes and dreams were shattered with the arrival of a letter. Her husband, working in a third world country, wasn't returning home. He'd met and intended to marry a young national woman. more
The Art of the Heart
Each day your heart beats more than 100,000 times. In your lifetime, your heart pumps enough blood to fill three giant supertankers. Think about it and say, “Thank You, Lord!” But, you actually have two hearts. more
Build your life around eternal things that will last forever
I don’t know whether I’m just becoming more sentimental the older I get or if God is simply showing me how necessary it is to “number our days.” Everyone’s life is a richly designed tapestry—a collection of moments and memories that become fibres woven into the fabric of our very being. God has been teaching me some things lately about making the most out of our lives that I’d like to share with you today. more
New Chapters
When I completed 'Lost Boy', the book and the documentary, I was able to look back on my life with 20/20 hindsight and get a sense of the big picture. I could see that, despite my difficult childhood, God had used it to help me do what I do today. more
my hero of faith
One of my heroes of faith is George Mueller (1805-1898). One day he looked down the streets of Bristol in England and saw hundreds of homeless children. He was so moved with compassion for them, he knew that something had to be done. Although he only had a few pence in his pocket he decided to start an orphanage. Over 60 years, George Mueller took care of over 10,024 orphans. more
Restoring the foundations of fatherhood
Why has fatherhood fallen into such low esteem? It's almost fashionable to see fathers as buffoons. Take The Simpsons or Malcolm in the Middle or any other sitcom. Is this a passing fad, or something deeper? Did our rejection of God the Father in the twentieth century change people's impressions of fathers? And when we belittle our human fathers, do we end up belittling God? more
On Earth As It Is In Heaven!
We have recited it in private and also prayed it publicly in unison with others; we have even sung it in reverence on select Sunday mornings. It's been a familiar prayer at somber cultural events. Yet I wonder if we really grasp what was in Jesus' heart when He gave His disciples the words to "The Lord's Prayer." more
But God...I'm Single!!
In many Greek families, turning eighteen is a milestone for women because it means they can get married. Whenever I visited any of my relatives they tried to marry me off to the next eligible Greek Boy – only I was never very interested. more
Change your focus
God is fitting us for the battles of life. Sorrow, frustration, and pain are often the tools He uses to shape and mold our lives so that we become reflections of God's mercy and grace to others. While He is not the author of heartache and tragedy, He certainly knows exactly how to use them for our benefit and His glory. more
How to Survive the Perfect Storm
In Florida, United States, where I live, hurricane preparedness is on everyone’s mind in June. Insurance agents and politicians constantly tell us to stock up on plywood, batteries, duct tape and bottled water. Meanwhile local weather forecasters offer a daily dose of dire predictions about how many storms will slam our coasts. This year the warnings seem more ominous because we are already facing other storms. more
Loving Your Child
As parents, we want our children to love us, spend time with us, talk with us, and stay close to us for as long as we live. More importantly, we would like them to want to do those things. But if we don’t love them unconditionally now, there’s no guarantee they will remain nearby in the future. more
A Trophy of Grace
Did you know that God has a trophy cabinet full of trophies He’s earned for all the things He excels in? He has trophies for Restoration, Healing, and Deliverance, for Forgiveness, Love, and Hope. But in my mind, the center of God’s trophy case is saved and set apart for those trophies He treasures most of all…His Grace trophies. more
Live for the Future - not the Past
The apostle Paul wrote: “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14) more