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Messages shared by Pastors, or other mature Christians, offer faith-centred encouragement, perspectives on recovery, healing, discipleship, and spiritual growth. Contributors are personally approached and invited to participate, ensuring alignment with the values, tone, and safeguarding commitments of this site.
These reflections aim to strengthen hope, provide biblical insight, and support individuals and families on a journey of restoration.
11 Feb 2026 | Petrina Rowland, Church of Nazarene | Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
Wasting Our Lives on Jesus
- John 12:2-9
Bethany is the hometown of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, who were close friends of Jesus who welcomed Him into their house and into their lives.
It was at the home of Simon the leper that Mary took an alabaster jar, which was a beautiful and expensive carved vase that contained a costly perfume, and she poured it on Jesus’s feet.
The perfume was worth 300 denarii, which was roughly a year’s wages for a common worker.
Those around them who were attending the dinner, including the disciples and Judas, looked at this act of honouring Jesus as a waste.
For Jesus, who saw Mary’s heart, it was an act of worship - of complete surrender.
What looks like waste to some is often the truest expression of devotion to God.
Mary’s gift was costly, public, and irreversible.
What does waste really mean?
Well, in a narrow sense, it means giving too much for too little.
BUT Mary gave too much for the One who is WORTH EVERYTHING.
She gave her best when the moment demanded her best- she took a wide view of ‘Everything Belongs to Him’… The Lord is not satisfied with partial devotion; He wants our lives poured out.
Jesus said, “She has done a beautiful thing to me . . . (vs 8.) She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.”
I believe Mary sensed the urgency of His death . . . because at the empty tomb, when the women came to anoint Jesus body, they were too late . . . Jesus had already risen. Mary acted before the hour of Christ's death; she gave all she had while there was still time to do so, she wasn’t waiting until . . .
How often do we wait until . . . Until what?
We have enough money, time . . . what?
Now that’s a waste . . . and the longer we hold, put away, keep for later, aren’t we saying to Jesus, “You are not worthy of ALL our honour, love, devotion!” Isn’t that what we’re saying- I don’t surrender all!!!
Our jars are filled with time, talent, treasure, reputation, and most of all love.
God ask each one of us to break the seal and pour it out; not because He needs our things, but because He wants our hearts.
When Mary broke the Alabaster jar, the house was filled with fragrance; I’m sure it lingered for many days after.
The image is powerful.
Whenever someone truly pours out their life for the Lord, an aroma surrounds them.
It is not always pleasant to the world- some will scoff, some will criticise, some will call it waste. But the lingering fragrance testifies to a life surrendered to God.
If you are tempted to hold back, remember the empty tomb and the urgency of the hour.
The moment to anoint is now.
31 Jan 2026 | Steve Roberts, Facilitator: New Beginnings-YJF | Bundaberg, Qld, Australia
ABIDE IN ME
ABIDE IN ME
"I am the Vine . . . abide in me. . ."
- John 15:5
Ah, that beautiful analogy in John 15 where Jesus compares our relationship with Himself and the Father and we, His disciples. I love the very first line where Jesus calls Himself “the true vine”, the connotation being that the grape vine was created to be a physical representation of Jesus’ spiritual relationship with his people.
I want to hone in on one of Jesus’ remarks in this chapter, “Abide in Me”. Now if we consider a grape vine, we have a large old trunk (the Vine), which produces long leafy branches usually held off the ground by a trellis. The branches are where the fruit is produced, not the trunk. The trunk produces life in the branches through the flow of sap from the roots. So the trunk supports the branches as they produce fruit.
Jesus says, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me”. The very next verse ends in the declaration, “without me you can do nothing”. So, essentially, if we don’t abide in Christ, we can do nothing of any significance unless we are so connected to Him that He becomes our abode or home. I can almost hear the cogs turning as we all remember the Psalmist’s first thought in chapter 91, “. . .whoever dwells (lives) in the secret place of the Most High (God), will ABIDE under the shadow of the Almighty”. Paraphrased: Whoever abides in God will live in His very shadow.
Jesus gives us the antidote for striving and self-effort to bring change in our lives. We can’t do it unless we abide in him. To eat of His flesh and drink of His blood. To take Him in as your daily bread. To drink of Him as your living water. To learn of Him. To obey Him. To remain as close to Him in your daily walk as your very own life, for His Holy Spirit lives in you and without Him, we can do nothing.
5 January 2026 | Tim Lunnon, Restoration Centre | Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
Transformed
Transformed
- Romans 12:1-2
As ‘born again’ people into the Kingdom of God, those ‘in Christ’ are a new creation… the old HAS gone and the new HAS come! So what stops us from living in this.
There are a few things such as pride and fear, but we don’t have space to address them all. BUT the overwhelming reason why is because we are still living in old patterns in our thinking. Paul said to the church in Rome, “. . .be transformed by the renewing of your mind”, and to the church in Corinth “We have mighty weapons to demolish strongholds . . . we take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ”.
This transformation is us coming into alignment with the Word of God and the mind of Christ… it is giving NO room anymore to a lie of the enemy, to fear, to unbelief, to past experiences and ungodly patterns. It IS, yielding to the Lord in all things and agreeing with the Word and the Spirit. As we do this, our perspective changes, our thoughts change, the way we live changes… we are changed… we are transformed.
The Lord wants to break into those cycles and patterns that have kept you imprisoned for years and be free to be who He has created you to be. We have to understand that the Kingdom of God operates by faith… Abraham believed God… he walked in faith and it was credited to him as righteousness. The Lord says “The righteous live by faith”. So say ‘yes’ to God, yield to Him and agree with Him… His Word, His ways and His truth! Worship Him, value His Presence, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, get into the Word of God and be intentional about fellowshipping with like-minded believers… just see what happens.
As we start 2026, it’s time... to tie up loose ends, to allow the Spirit free reign in you and to align every part of you with the Lord.
God bless
Tim
23 Dec 2025 | Tarnji Navie | Bundaberg, QLDNote: This section opens with an initial reflection by Tarnji, written while awaiting the first post. Ongoing posts in this space will be written by Pastors, Church Leaders and other mature Christians.
Faithful in the Waiting
Faithful in the Waiting
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.”
- Lamentations 3:25
Waiting is rarely comfortable. Whether we are waiting for healing, clarity, reconciliation, or simply strength to face another day, waiting can feel like standing still while life moves on around us. In these spaces, it is easy to wonder whether God is present or whether our prayers are being heard.
Scripture reminds us that waiting is not wasted time. Throughout the Bible, we see God working deeply in seasons of waiting — shaping character, strengthening trust, and drawing hearts closer to Him. Waiting does not mean God is absent; often, it is where His quiet work takes place.
For many people walking through recovery, grief, or personal struggle, the waiting can feel especially heavy. Yet God meets us there — not always with quick answers, but with steady presence. He is faithful even when progress feels slow and hope feels fragile.
If you find yourself in a season of waiting, be encouraged. God’s goodness is not measured by speed but by faithfulness. Continue to seek Him, even with small, honest prayers. Trust that He is at work in ways you may not yet see.
May you find peace in knowing that God is near, attentive, and faithful — even in the waiting.
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