Bruce Staley

Life has its challenges, some we manage relatively easily, others, "giants", significantly impact our lives. The story of David and Goliath recorded in 1 Samuel 17 has several lessons worthy of our consideration. * Giants reveal who we, bring to light our character. * Victories are won in the training. Our life training is preparation for our challenges. * Faith practiced in the lesser battles equip us to overcome. Even with these lessons in mind we can still face doubts and failure, and the "if only" question is on our lips. If only I had more faith? This leads us to a greater lesson. * REMEMBER THE SIZE OF GOD So often we look at the giant then look at ourselves and see our inadequacy. Listen to the words of 1 Samuel 17:45-47 NIV, David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [46] This day the Lord will deliver you ...

Another post from my friend Paul... Many years ago a man named John Bunyan was in jail, locked up for the way he had openly been expressing his Christian faith. He was just a poor simple tradesman but in that jail he penned a short book that has become legendary and has encouraged countless Christians to 'stay the path ' that leads to righteousness. The book is all about staying on the path the Lord has set out for us instead of being led astray. This concept comes straight from the bible and is reiterated many times. And it is of vital importance to young adults, who represent the largest 'drop off ' group in the church, with up to 80% walking away from their faith. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13-14, "Broad is the road that leads to destruction... But narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." How do we stay on the narrow path? Both Isaiah 2:3 and Micah 4:2 tell us, "The Lord will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths....

I greeted Anne when she arrived just before the start of the Sunday evening service. It was the second time I had met Anne. A few weeks earlier I had met her in the reception area to the church offices. Anne was leaving after attending a Woman2Woman craft activity. It was good to see Anne again at the evening service. I was attending because my daughter was conducting the baptism of a lass, who was a member of the youth group. After the service,  a friend, Amie, told me she would be conducting her first Discovery Bible Study Monday lunchtime in the food court in Central Square, and Anne, and another lady, would be joining in. Monday morning I sent this text, "Hello Amie, You, Anne and Marg are in my prayers for your first DBS in Central Square today. Praise God, he is always at work drawing people to himself, through our Saviour Jesus. Bruce" Monday afternoon I received this message, "Thanks Bruce. Anne came and we did knowing God  personally and she accepted Jesus as Lo...

Last Saturday afternoon when I arrived at the local Swim and Survival Centre the grandchildren were well into their long distance swims. I stayed for a while to chat to my son-in-law and my daughter, who arrived a little after me, before heading off to see Hamish, who lived nearby. Hamish and his family had been attending church for several months and recently I asked, "Would he be interested if I could explain to him from the Bible how he could know God personally?" to which he answered, "Yes!" It had taken a few weeks to negotiate a convenient time however, Saturday was the day and Hamish welcomed me warmly into his home. We settled into the lounge room with a coffee prepared by his lovely wife. I explained that before I shared God's story from the Bible I would like to tell my own story about knowing God personally. On this occasion I was prompted to start with a photograph I have on my smartphone of my immediate family. I introduced my wife, our two daughter...

Hi friends. Pardon the length of this one. Just back from State Youth Games. As I reflect on the weekend I think for me it was a mixture of greatly encouraging, slightly disturbing and deeply enlightening. I have come back motivated more than ever, focussed on just one thing: enabling and equipping people with the powerful word of God. We have such riches in people at our church. Such great hearts of love, such open hearts to God,such committed hearts to each other. And that is such a massively wonderful privilege to be part of. The sense of nurture, belonging, acceptance, community- there is nothing else like it, the family of God. But that is not enough, if we are to fulfil our purpose in the world, our commission under the guidance of the saviour and master we serve. We must take in his word as it has been delivered to us, for "the gospel is the power of God for salvation " (Romans 1:16). And we must learn to handle that word correctly, just as Jesus taught his disciples t...

Earlier this year I started a Discovery Bible Study for my friends. We meet at Piper's by the Lake, 10.30 am every Tuesday, for coffee. Some of my friends aren't available each week because they work shifts. So I've kept the structure simple. Come whenever you can, enjoy good company, read the Bible together, have lively discussion, improve your English and invite others. I chose the venue. Piper's by the Lake, deliberately. It is one of the common meeting places in Ballarat where people enjoy a coffee or a  meal. In other words I wanted our Discovery Bible happening in the "marketplace", not a local church or a home. Recently a second group started in Central Square, another marketplace in Ballarat. This group started reading the Seven Stories of Hope while our group recently started a series on the parables. Last week we read Luke 15, which contains the stories of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son. After the reading we address five questions, ...