When our church regularly gathers, we pray that God would send lots of rain to bring relief to our land from the harsh effects of drought.

For even though meteorologists have got smarter and smarter at predicting and recording the weather, humans still are unable to make the heavens open and rain fall.

The Bible speaks about drought and famine on many occasions, and sometimes the lack of rain is a means by which God wakes people up so that whey will turn back to him, like when King Solomon prayed:

“If the skies are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and if they pray toward this Temple and acknowledge your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.

King Solomon in 1 Kings 8:35-36

We also know that meteorological crises should not be seen as God’s normal, direct action upon rebellious people, for Jesus said that God “gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matthew 5:45)

But whenever there is drought, we must remember that God is in control, and that it is a fresh reminder to acknowledge him as the loving ruler of the world, and to bring our prayers and requests to him.

Maybe God is sending this drought to Australia so that we will all turn to him in great number and enjoy the certainty of eternity that Jesus gives to all who humbly accept his gift of forgiveness?

And when it does rain, it’s a great opportunity to thank him for doing what the smartest meteorologists and scientists still cannot do: bring water from the sky to moisten the land and fill our dams.

JODIE McNEILL

One of the most frustrating aspects of fighting fires is turning up to help a resident whose home is completely unprepared for the coming attack.

If the householder had cleared out their gutters, raked away the leaves and removed the piles of branches from near their home, then it would be so much easier to save the home and prevent the heartache.

When you live in a fire-prone area, it is vital to hear the warnings and prepare for the coming threat, and that’s why the Rural Fire Service have annual ‘Get Ready’ events to educate and motivate people to prepare for the fire season.

For us in Jamberoo, the threat is real, with a long, dry, hot summer forecast, and the undeniable reality that it’s been over half a century since the ‘Black Monday’ fires that saw the escarpment burn all the way from Berry to the northern Illawarra.

We should all be prepared because the threat is known and real, and we are all able to do something to minimise the danger.

In the Bible we read about another certain threat for which people must get ready, and that’s the return of Jesus.

As Christians regularly say together in the Apostles Creed, “Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead.”

When Jesus returns it will bring an end to the pain, injustice and sadness of this world, and even though that judgement seems scary, it’s not something that Jesus’ followers should fear.

For we can trust the Bible when it says that “everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven.” (Acts 10:43).

Jesus has given us a way to survive his coming judgement, but it means we need to spiritually ‘Get Ready’ by asking Jesus for forgiveness and trusting him as our loving leader.

His second coming is as certain as this year’s hot summer… so take the opportunity now to get ready for judgement day by taking refuge in his loving arms. 

JODIE McNEILL

As I prepared the lesson for my Scripture class this week, I realised that I had an extra degree of connection to the events in the Bible.

The story was about the government official in Capernaum whose son was very sick (John 4:46).

This man had great power and influence over others, and yet he was powerless to do anything to bring health to his gravely sick son.

In his desperation he submitted to a greater power, even though it showed his weakness.

So, when he went to Jesus, he begged him to come and heal his son.

This man knew he had no hope in his own strength and that all he could do was depend on Jesus to help him and his son in this time of trial.

In this moment of need, Jesus showed his power and his compassion.

With a simple word, Jesus immediately healed the boy, even though he was located a long distance away.

Jesus showed great power over sickness, which came from his great compassion over those who are helpless and sad.

I shared with my Scripture kids about how my own son had a serious injury, and I showed them the X-rays of the masterful work of the orthopaedic surgeon.

And I told them about how I, too, was powerless to heal my injured son.

Like the government official, all I could do was ask for assistance from the person who was able to help my sick child.

And like Jesus, the amazing medical staff showed great power and compassion over Oscar and his crushed foot.

It is such a great comfort to be able to come and seek comfort and mercy from someone who is both powerful and compassionate: Jesus Christ.

JODIE McNEILL

From the moment my foot was run over, I was in a world of pain, both physically and mentally.

I was rushed to hospital and later I found out that I had crushed and fractured more than fifteen bones in my right foot.

As I awaited news about my injury I was sad because I realised that it would be some time before I could again walk, and that I would miss the mountain bike competition I was so looking forward to racing in.

I was also sad that I couldn’t go back to the church camp on which I had the injury, and I felt sorry for the driver who was at no fault.

But while I was on that hospital bed, I prayed that the sadness would go away and that everything would soon be sorted out.

The next morning I was taken to St George Hospital for more scans and to prepare to hear about the treatment they planned.

I stayed up there for a couple of days whilst living the dream with the free food and chocolate milks.

But soon I was told that after major foot surgery I’d be in a plaster cast for three months, and that it would be ages before I could run again.

I was pretty sad and I prayed in this time of struggle that God would give me strength to keep on going during the hard and intense times. 

During this time my faith has helped me to be more reliant on God in the rough times and in the easy times.

At this time I hold onto these words from God in the Bible:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

OSCAR McNEILL

Over the past week my Facebook feed has been filled with Christians stating that the abortion bill should be defeated so that all citizens in NSW should be subject to the ethics of the Bible.

But what right do Christians have to influence laws that affect people who don’t share our religious belief?

At one level it is simple: Christians are citizens like anyone else, and we have a right and responsibility to voice our opinions and influence the decisions of the politicians who represent us.

However, some argue that the Biblical worldview does not apply to those who are not followers of Jesus, and therefore Christians should focus on the behaviour of believers, not the wider population.

Yet, the reason we get involved in social ethics is ultimately out of love for others, and in particular, love for those who are unable to protect or defend themselves.

The Bible makes it clear that unborn children are as valued to God as those who have successfully made it out of the womb, and that this applies to all people, not just Christians.

And therefore if some people believe that it is acceptable to kill another person who is unable to defend him or herself, then the loving response of Christians is to try and stop that unloving and immoral behaviour.

This is why we are passionate in pursuing ways to try and protect unborn children from being killed by immoral decisions made by politicians.

What’s more, this is why Christians have been so vocal and active in trying to prevent any changes to law to make it easier to kill an unborn child… and why we weep at the decision this week that will make it easier than ever to abort healthy babies in the moments before they were due to be naturally born.

JODIE McNEILL