Every day, the headlines remind us that the world is hurting.

Conflict, disaster and extreme poverty continue to shape the lives of millions of families, and children are often the most affected.  

Right now, more than 831 million people face hunger and unsafe living conditions. Over 117 million people have been forced from their homes due to conflict and persecution. And disasters are happening more frequently than ever before, placing even greater pressure on families already living in survival mode. 

It’s a confronting reality. One that can leave us feeling overwhelmed, even tempted to switch off. 

But because of Jesus, this is not the end of the story. 

Scripture reminds us that creation groans under the weight of suffering (Romans 8:22), yet we also hold onto a living hope—one anchored in a God who steps into brokenness and makes a way for restoration. As Christians, this is the hope we carry. Not fragile or fleeting, but defiant. A hope that chooses to trust in what we cannot yet see and respond with compassion, even when the need feels overwhelming. 

The global Church stepping into brokenness  

Across the world, we’re seeing that hope take shape in powerful and practical ways through the global Church, which continues to step in even when others look away.  Local churches and communities are responding with quiet acts of kindness and courage that are becoming movements of change.  

Because they are already present and deeply connected within their communities, local churches are often the first to respond in times of crisis, ensuring help can reach families on the frontlines within hours of disaster striking. And when the immediate need has passed, they remain, walking alongside families as they recover and rebuild.  

In places like the Philippines, one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, this kind of support is a lifeline for families living in poverty. A series of typhoons hit the Philippines late last year, causing devastation in several cities and provinces.  

Hope in action: the Philippines  

For families like 11-year-old Jasmine’s, who live in a coastal province in the eastern Philippines, recurring typhoons amplify the hardships of daily life in extreme poverty.  

When a powerful super typhoon approached her community, Jasmine and her mother were evacuated to safety. But her father and older brother stayed behind, trying to protect their fragile home—built from tin sheets and scrap materials. 

Through the night, the storm raged. Violent winds tore off the roof and sent one wall collapsing inward. Jasmine’s father and brother spent the night cold, soaked and fighting to keep what remained from blowing away. By morning, the damage was overwhelming. They were simply grateful to be alive. 

And that same morning, the local church showed up. 

Compassion centre staff and volunteers from the local church walked through mud, debris and fallen branches to reach families like Jasmine’s. They carried bags of rice, food, clean water and essential supplies. They prayed with those who had lost homes and livelihoods, offering comfort and reminding each family they had not been forgotten. 

“When we arrived, they needed food, yes,” one local leader shared. “But they also needed comfort—someone to remind them of God’s faithfulness and protection despite the typhoon.” 

For Jasmine’s family, this support was more than practical help, it was a tangible expression of God’s love in one of their darkest moments. 

This is what defiant hope looks like in action.  

Not ignoring suffering but stepping into it. Not losing heart but trusting that God is still at work.  

Through emergency relief, prayer and ongoing support, Jasmine’s family have begun the slow journey of rebuilding.  

Not the end of the story  

Their story reminds us of something important: when the needs of the world feel overwhelming, the story is not finished. Because of Jesus, we know that God is restoring what is broken.  

And we are invited to be part of that, alongside the global Church, which is already bringing real help to those who need it most.  

Amid all the uncertainty, let’s choose to respond with faith, compassion and hope.  

Please pray for:

• Families facing disaster, poverty and displacement around the world 
• Children like Jasmine, that they would be protected, supported and able to dream of a brighter future 
• Local churches serving their communities with courage, compassion and practical care 
• Hearts in Australia to remain grounded in hope and respond with generosity and compassion  

 
Written by Compassion Australia, with local reporting by Edwin Estioko, Compassion Philippines. 

Feature image: Supplied

A new study finds young adults are increasingly interested in faith, but with little change in core beliefs.

A new report from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University found that young people in Amercia aged 18 to 23 are moving in two spiritual directions at once, showing increased interest in faith while also drifting away from key beliefs.

On one hand, there are clear signs of growth.

More young adults are calling themselves Christian, Bible reading has increased, and a growing number say they are committed to practising their faith.

On the other hand, deeper beliefs remain largely unchanged. The study found that just 1% of this generation holds a fully developed biblical worldview.

Activity is rising, but foundations are not

The data highlights a gap between behaviour and belief. Increases in church involvement and Bible reading suggest openness and curiosity. Yet when it comes to core questions about truth, God and morality, most views have stayed the same.

Researcher George Barna described the findings as only “a lukewarm affirmation of revival”, noting that spiritual activity alone does not necessarily lead to lasting change. That distinction matters.

As the report explains, behaviour can spark interest, but without understanding, it often doesn’t take root over time.

The same pattern is emerging in Australia

While the study focuses on the United States, recent Australian research suggests a very similar trend among young people here.

The 2025 McCrindle report An Undercurrent of Faith, based on national census data and a survey of more than 3,000 Australians, found that the country’s relationship with Christianity is increasingly complex.

On one hand, many young Australians are moving away from organised religion. Between 2016 and 2021, more than one in three young people aged 15 to 24 shifted from Christianity to “no religion”.

At the same time, the report highlights a strong sense of openness and searching.

Young Australians are described as being on a “quest for meaning”, with more than half open to spiritual conversations and exploring belief for themselves.

Fewer, but more committed

Perhaps the most striking similarity is what happens among those who do engage with faith.

Even as overall identification declines, young Australians who are Christian tend to be more active than older believers.

Around 68% of Gen Z Christians attend church at least monthly, significantly higher than older generations.

This reflects a broader shift away from cultural or inherited religion, toward something more personal and intentional.

Open, but still searching

Taken together, the findings from both the US and Australia point to a generation that is not disengaged, but still exploring.

Young people today are less likely to inherit faith by default, but more likely to question, examine and search for meaning on their own terms.

That creates both a challenge and an opportunity.

Interest is there. Curiosity is real. But without deeper understanding, that interest may not translate into long-term change.

This article was researched and prepared by Hope 103.2 staff writers, with assistance from AI in its presentation. Final review and fact-checking was undertaken by our Digital Team prior to publication.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

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Why are we afraid to hear to God?

One of the greatest challenges I faced when I first started listening to God was fear. What would God say if I listened? What if God would ask me to do something I didn’t want to do?

I’d read enough stories in Scripture that I could guarantee that hearing God’s voice would change my life. But would it be for the better? Could I trust God?

My fear of listening to God is not a new one. It was a major obstacle for God’s people and shaped the way Israel’s relationship to God throughout the Old Covenant. 

A Secondhand Setup

One scene in the Bible depicts it vividly. The Israelite tribes had just escaped slavery in Egypt when God invited them into conversation at Mount Sinai. It was a defining moment. God wanted to speak about their destiny and identity – by ratifying the covenant of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But the idea of facing God directly was terrifying to them. So, they stayed at a distance and insisted that Moses go up the mountain on their behalf, then come back and tell them what God said. (Exodus 20:18-21) 

In other words, fear prevented Israel from hearing God’s voice for themselves. It’s why in the ensuing years, Moses became God’s spokesperson, or in biblical terms, a prophet. He heard from God and passed on the message as “prophecy.” (Numbers 11:24a)

This set-up later became the norm for the rest of the time under the Old Covenant. Prophets like Elijah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel and Jeremiah all acted as God’s mouthpieces to the people. They listened to God and passed the divine message on.

But it wasn’t ideal. The people received God’s message, but it was second-hand. They heard from God through somebody else.

God’s Answer to Mt Sinai

This is what makes Pentecost so significant. The annual Jewish feast celebrated each year in Jerusalem marked God’s conversation with Moses at Sinai. There were even common elements at both: wind, fire and a voice (Exod. 20:18-19 cf. Acts 2:2-3). But there were also some major shifts. The writer of Hebrews picks up on them (Hebrews 12:18-24) using the metaphor of two “mountains” – Sinai and Zion, a symbol for Pentecost: 

At Sinai, the giving of the Law was celebrated 50 days after the exodus.

At Zion, the giving of the Spirit was celebrated 50 days after the resurrection. 

At Sinai, God spoke to one man, Moses. (Num. 11:24) 

At Zion, God speaks to everyone: sons and daughters, young and old. (Acts 2:17) 

At Sinai, God’s words were written on stone tablets (Jer. 31:33) and passed on by a mediator. 

At Zion, God’s words were written on hearts (2 Cor. 3:3) with no need for a mediator. (Heb. 8:11) 

At Sinai, the people came to a mountain full of “darkness, gloom and storm.” (Heb. 12:18)

At Zion, we’ve come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly… and to “Jesus the mediator of a new covenant… one who speaks a better word.” (Heb. 12:24) 

In other words, Pentecost was God’s answer to Sinai! 

Pentecost shows us just how magnificent the New Covenant is. Just as Jesus said, the new schema is superior to the old (Heb. 8:6-7) – even preferable to being face-to-face with Jesus (John 16:7)! Through the Spirit, we experience firsthand relationship with God through hearing the Spirit for ourselves. It is a “mountain” of life-giving joy. It’s a place of no fear… where we can enter with confidence and boldness because we know the God revealed in Jesus, who speaks a better word than the prophets ever could. 

Don’t let our fear stop us from listening for God’s voice. In faith, we make a decision to listen to God, knowing that everything God says carries the heart of Jesus. Let us be encouraged not to refuse “the one who speaks.” (Heb.12:25). 

A Prayer for You

The antidote to fear is faith. It involves reminding ourselves who God is in Jesus and leaning into receive from him. “Lord, thank you that I can come to you directly. Please help me to replace my fear with faith, believing that you are good and that you reward those who earnestly seek you. Help me not to refuse the one who speaks.” 

Article supplied with thanks to God Conversations.

About the Author: Tania Harris is a pastor, speaker, author and the founder of God Conversations.

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I can still remember the moment. I was in the schoolyard when I heard the words: ‘Don’t play with her. She’s too fat’.

Content note: This blog shares personal reflections on body image, identity, and self-worth.

Year 4. Nine years old. And in one sentence, my world shifted.

I went home, walked straight to my room, and stared into the mirror – not with my own eyes, but with the eyes of someone who had just labelled me. That was the day I learned how quickly a few careless words can reshape your value, your confidence, your sense of worth.

And the truth is… many women know that moment. Maybe you’ve been called too fat, too thin, too plain, too pale, too much, not enough. Maybe someone has commented on your thighs, your skin, your nose, your hairline, your body shape – as if your body is public property.

Those words stick. They echo. They shape the way we walk into rooms.

When I started high school, I was quiet. Invisible. Not the cool kid. I didn’t wear my hair the right way or know the cool labels. Just a girl trying to find one kind face in a world obsessed with “hot” or “not.”

But here’s something I want you to know – especially if you’ve struggled with your body like I have:

Faith in Jesus can reshape the way you see yourself. A relationship with Him can free you from the opinions of others. He can teach you to love yourself without their permission.

I know this because I’ve lived on both sides of the pendulum.

1 Samuel 16:7 “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

The Words That Broke Me – and the Determination That Followed

When I was a young teen, the boy I had a crush on told my friend he wouldn’t date me unless my “butt cheeks were ten times smaller.”

Ten. Times. Smaller.

Something snapped inside me – not in a healthy way, but in a determined way. Like so many teenage girls, I started watching what I ate. Then I started exercising. Then I started exercising twice a day. Running. Sit‑ups. Push‑ups. Walking. Strict Eating.

By 15, I was a size 10 – the fittest I had ever been. And I felt great.

But what started as revenge turned into something entirely different. It became about me – about discovering my own strength and reclaiming what had been taken from me. Along the way, I found a courage I didn’t know I had, and every step of it was Christ‑led.

I’d become a Christian a year or two earlier, at thirteen, and everything began to shift – my friends, my interests, even the way I saw myself. God was growing a strength in me I had never known before.

I eventually confronted that boy – but the truth is, I had already chosen to forgive him long before that moment. It was only through God’s peace that I was able to offer friendship instead of hurt or blame. And somehow, we did become friends. We even dated for a while. But forgiveness doesn’t erase memory, and the impact of those words didn’t magically disappear.

Then came a new wave of accusations, this time because of my changing body. When you’re overweight, people assume you’re careless. When you’re thin, suddenly they think you’re harming yourself.

“She must be throwing up.” “Are you throwing up?” “Has she stopped eating?” “Let me see you finish that fruit salad.”

I was honestly stunned. It felt like I couldn’t win. Fat meant rejection, thin meant suspicion. How is any woman meant to navigate that?

But in that moment, I chose what God was whispering to me: Choose My way. Ignore them. Keep going. I knew the truth – I was healthy, fit, and loving my life, even if others questioned it.

And here’s another twist no one warns you about:

Being rejected for your body hurts. But being accepted only because of your body? That can be just as damaging.

When ‘Beautiful’ Became a Burden

Suddenly, I was the opposite of invisible. Boys noticed me. People wanted to date me. And let me tell you – that kind of attention is intoxicating.

But it came with a cost.

People judged my Christian character because of how I looked. Girls kept their distance. Men objectified me. And by the time I got to university I felt pressure – suffocating pressure – to maintain an impossible standard so people would keep liking me.

I remember preparing a uni presentation I wasn’t confident about and thinking:

“It’s fine. I’ll just look amazing, so no one notices what I say.”

That’s not confidence. That’s captivity.

Being rejected for being overweight was hurtful and lonely. But being accepted only for beauty was just as empty. Neither version was or is freedom.

The Body Battle Doesn’t End- Even as an Adult

I’ve always struggled with my weight. Even now, as a plus-size mum, it fluctuates. Up. Down. Up again. And here’s something I’ve never said publicly:

When I focus on healthy eating, it’s shocking how quickly people comment. If I have one treat, one “off‑plan” moment, suddenly it’s:

“Ohhh, I thought you weren’t eating that?” “Is that allowed?” “Should you be having that?”

Even at my strictest, I still have cheat days. I’m human. I’m allowed to enjoy food. I need those moments. But those comments? They don’t help. They don’t motivate. They don’t support.

They shame.

So let me say this clearly:

If someone you love is trying to get healthy, don’t police them. Walk with them. Check in. Ask how they’re going. Pray for and with them. Encourage them. Love them. Don’t tease them. Don’t monitor them. Don’t make their plate your business.

We don’t need food critics. We need companions. And if they do need professional help, journey with them gently to the GP.

What God Taught Me About Beauty

After years of swinging between extremes – overweight, underweight, under pressure, over‑noticed, under‑valued – God finally whispered something that changed everything:

“Your beauty is not your body. Your beauty is My Spirit in you.”

2 Corinthians 4:16 “Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

And that was my journey, God completely renewed the way I see body and my beauty no matter what size I am.

We are spiritual, supernatural beings made in the image of God – wrapped in human, fragile, imperfect bodies.

The most beautiful women I know? Their beauty has nothing to do with their appearance. It’s their kindness. Their courage. Their gentleness. Their wisdom. Their joy. Their faith.

That’s the kind of beauty that doesn’t wrinkle, stretch, sag, or fade. That’s the kind of beauty I want to be around.

1 Peter 3:3–4 “Your beauty… should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.”

So Here’s My Advice — From One Woman to Another

If you’ve been wounded by words…

If you’ve been judged by your body…

If you’ve been pressured to shrink or pressured to sparkle…

Hear me:

You are not a body with a soul. You are a soul with a body.

Your worth is not measured in kilos, calories, dress sizes, or compliments.

Your worth was set at the Cross. Unchanging. Unshakeable. Unconditional.

And if you’re on a health journey – physical, emotional, or spiritual – let people walk with you, not watch you.

Let them support you, not scrutinise you.

And above all, let Jesus define you – not the mirror, not the comments, not the culture.

Because big girls do cry. But big girls also rise. And with God, big girls overcome.

Article supplied with thanks to Rhema 99.7

About the Author: Richelle Wenhem is an announcer and content coordinator at Rhema 99.7, and mum of two children.

Feature image: Supplied

As humans, we’re part of something vast and meaningful, even if we can’t fully understand it yet.

Before NASA’s recent mission, I didn’t realise how little I’ve really seen of the moon.

For something so familiar, so constant in the background of daily life, it’s easily reduced to something flat, pale and almost forgettable. And yet, watching the images beamed back from Artemis II, I’m confronted by how easily we mistake the known for the fully understood.

The moon has always been there. It hasn’t changed. But our ability to see it has.

It makes me wonder how often we live with the quiet assumption that everything can eventually be explained. That with enough knowledge, progress or discipline, the world will become something we can neatly understand and contain. And yet here we are, watching people who’ve seen further than most of humanity ever will, and their most truthful response seems not to be certainty, but awe.

Science can feel like the domain of specialists: astronauts are people trained to observe, to measure, to name and to explain with their own language, and infinite levels of precision and detail. And yet, as the Artemis II crew spoke about what they saw in orbit, their comments reached far beyond data alone.

These were people highly trained to make sense of complex and unfamiliar environments. And yet, when asked to describe the experience, there was a hesitation, as though language itself had reached its limit. It wasn’t polished reflection or triumphant clarity, but something far more human.

Emotion. Silence. Wonder.

Science and Faith

The idea that science and faith belong in separate places is a false divide we’ve inherited. The idea that science deals with facts, and faith deals with meaning. That one explains the world, while the other responds to it. But the Artemis II mission reminded us all that the two aren’t so easily separated.

Science allows us to look closely, to investigate, to analyse. Science gives language to distance, shape, movement and matter so we can weigh and measure them. It helps us notice what we’ve missed. But for Christians, that deeper understanding can also draw us back to God.

Because if creation is this vast, this intricate, this unexpectedly beautiful even in places we previously assumed were empty, what does that say about the One who made it?

Thanks to photographic advancements, the new images of the moon aren’t so much about discovering something new so much as learning how to see what’s always been there. The moon didn’t abruptly become more beautiful, but suddenly, we got to see it differently. What once looked distant, grey and flat, we can see is rich in colour, texture, variety and a quiet complexity. It had always been that way, but we couldn’t see it yet.

So much of God’s creation is like that.

Not hidden from us, but waiting patiently for us to pay attention. Waiting for us to look a little closer, move a little slower, lean in and recognise the beauty that’s always existed, even when it was hidden from our eyes.

There’s something profoundly humbling about the idea that we can advance so far, build the technology, train the minds, develop the capacity to reach beyond our atmosphere, and still find ourselves in a position of discovery rather than completion.

We aren’t arriving at the end of creation.
We’re really only just beginning to notice it.

And that, in itself, is awe-inspiring.

Even now, in a world that can feel familiar and mapped and explained, there are glimpses of wonder breaking through. Small reminders of intelligence and creativity are woven into the fabric of existence. More evidence that we’re not the authors of this story, but participants within it.

That is why awe matters.

Awe interrupts us. It humbles us. It refuses to let creation become merely useful, efficient or ordinary. It reminds us that the world isn’t simply something to be studied, managed or consumed, but something to be received and appreciated as a gift.

The more we learn about this universe, the more we’re led back to the One who formed it. Through colour, texture, variety, through vastness and intricate detail, we begin to understand not only what God has made, but something of who He is: His generosity, His creativity, His attention to beauty, His extravagant love.

Every detail, every discovery, every moment of wonder feels, in some quiet way, like an invitation. Not only to keep discovering what’s out there, but to allow it to reshape what’s in here. To let it slow us down. To let it humble us. To let it remind us that we’re part of something vast and meaningful, even if we can’t fully understand it yet.

Imagine if every new image, every discovery, every glimpse into the depth of creation led us toward wonder, humility and a deeper awareness of God.

Perhaps our eyes are still learning how to see.

Not just what is out there, but what has been here all along. To notice it. To sit with it. To let it lead us, quietly and patiently, back to the One who spoke it into existence.

Article supplied with thanks to Christian Media & Arts Australia.

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Many believe building wealth or thinking about finances is somehow selfish or unspiritual, which can lead to avoidance, instead of wise stewardship.

The knowledge needed to manage money well is rarely taught at school, and often not in families or at church either. So lots of people grow up with very few skills when it comes to practical financial education.

Money is a tool, not a god

There is an important distinction between money itself, and the love of money. The Bible warns about the love of money. Money becomes dangerous only when it becomes an idol.

‘For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil’ 1 Tim 6:10

Used correctly, money enables good things to happen. It provides for families, funds ministries, starts businesses and helps the poor. The problem is when money becomes the master instead of the servant. Guarding the heart is essential. The goal is not to demonise money, but to learn how to use it for Kingdom purposes.

What financial education and stewardship look like in everyday life

Stewardship simply means managing well the things that have been entrusted to us. That includes time, talent and treasure. There is a spiritual side and a practical side.

Spiritual aspects

Living generously and sacrificially. Guarding against greed and idolatry. Inviting God into financial decisions and seeking wisdom.

Practical habits 

Living within your means. Avoiding unnecessary debt. Saving wisely and planning for the future. Allocating money intentionally for giving, needs and goals.

All of these practical actions are consistent with biblical teaching. Honouring God with our finances is both spiritual and practical.

The biggest money mistake: no plan

One of the most common mistakes is living without a plan. Without a budget or clear goals people tend to react to circumstances instead of directing money towards what matters. The consequences are predictable. Debt creeps in, giving becomes a challenge and stress grows.

When you use your financial education to build a simple plan and allocate money intentionally, it changes behaviour and creates peace. Commit those plans to God and ask for wisdom as you plan.

How to get started when you feel overwhelmed

If you are feeling pressure from the cost of living or just uncertain where to begin, start small. Little steps compound over time. A simple starter routine looks like this.

1. Track every expense for a month. Write down every transaction so you know exactly where your money goes.

2. Set simple goals. Decide how much to give, save and use for essentials. Even modest percentages move you forward.

3. Create a basic budget. Allocate income toward needs, debt repayment, savings and generosity.

4. Make a debt plan. Choose a method to pay down debt and be consistent.

5. Invite God into the process. Ask for wisdom, then act with faith and discipline.

Tracking your spending is the single most powerful first step you can take in managing your money wisely. Awareness builds control and reduces reactive decisions.

Generosity as a financial posture

Generosity should be central to a Christian financial life. Jesus modelled radical generosity. Our response to that grace is to live generously toward others. Generosity does more than help people. It also breaks the power that money can have over us. Giving shifts the heart away from hoarding and toward service.

Generosity produces joy and shows tangible impact. When money is used to help others, support ministry and meet real needs, it creates meaning beyond mere accumulation. Start small and increase as you are able. The habit of giving reconfigures priorities and frees you from the fear of scarcity.

Practical checklist to start right away

Write down every expense for 30 days. Set one short-term financial goal and one long-term goal. Create a simple monthly budget and stick to it for 90 days. Allocate a fixed amount for giving, even if small. Begin a debt repayment plan with measurable milestones. Pray and ask for wisdom as you make financial decisions.

FAQs

Q1. Is it unspiritual for Christians to think about money or build wealth?
No. The Bible warns about the love of money, not money itself. Managing finances wisely is part of biblical stewardship. When handled correctly, money becomes a tool to bless others, support ministries, and provide for your family.

Q2. Why do many Christians feel stressed or guilty about money?
Most people never receive proper financial education—at home, school, or even church. On top of that, Christians often feel tension between being spiritual and dealing with real financial responsibilities. This leads to mixed messages, guilt, and uncertainty.

Q3. What is the biggest mistake Christians make with their finances?
The most common mistake is living without a plan. Without a budget or clear goals, people react to expenses instead of directing their money intentionally. This often results in debt, stress, and difficulty giving generously.

Q4. How can I start improving my finances if I feel overwhelmed?
Financial education begins with small steps: track every expense for 30 days, set simple goals, create a basic budget, and start a debt repayment plan. Invite God into your decisions, ask for wisdom, and build habits gradually. Small actions compound into long-term financial freedom.

Article supplied with thanks to Vision Christian Media – a non-profit, follower-funded Christian media ministry taking God’s Word to every corner of Australia and beyond through broadcast, online and print media.

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Ever feel like you can’t pray because you don’t feel ‘good enough’? Spoiler alert: God knows we don’t have it all together and welcomes our messy imperfection. 

I was doing my bible reading recently. The summary of the day’s reading said: “God invites us into conversation even when our prayers are unpolished, and our thoughts are in disarray.” This thought resonated with me deeply. It was in relation to Psalm 120, which is a Psalm of lament.

‘I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue. He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.’ Psalm 120

David, who wrote the Psalm, is on the run in the wilderness, the King is trying to kill him, and he is scared for his life. The Psalm is really short, and it reads as though David just blurted out his anguish at his situation. Many of the Psalms are laments, but they end with praise. However, this one doesn’t; it’s just David’s thoughts, fears and frustrations.

I was reflecting on times in my life when I have felt the need to censor myself before God. For me, this comes from two things: a need for control and wanting to have it all together. Sometimes, it feels like if I admit in prayer how much I am struggling, then I am also confirming that nagging feeling deep inside that I am not as in control as I would like to think I am. God actually knows I don’t have it all together – He made me. He invites us, in Matthew 11:28-30, to walk with him and learn from him, and to share our burdens with him, because he gives us rest.

Sometimes I almost feel like I don’t want to bother God with my problems. I say a polite prayer and go on my way, closing the door on deep pain that He invites me to share with Him in a real relationship. The Psalms are an example of what it looks like to share your heart with God: the fear, the pain, and the joy. In fact, when you don’t have the words to know what to pray for, praying through the Psalms is a great place to start.

We don’t need to wait for the perfect time or for our lives to be perfect. We don’t need to wait until we are good enough, either. The death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross gave us a direct path to a relationship with God. We can come to Him and share it all, unfiltered, messy, and just as we are. 

Article supplied with thanks to Lorrene McClymont.

About the Author: Lorrene McClymont is a writer and photographer from Hope Images. On her blog ‘Moments to Rest’, she shares about rest, faith, and family.

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What transforming conversations I’d have if I could see the world with the eyes of Jesus.

It was one of the odder conversations I’ve had. We had just moved to New Zealand and were in a temporary house while the church manse we were to stay at was being finished. Being new, I wanted to get to know our neighbors and seeing the one on our left hand side in his yard, I popped my head over the fence to say hello. He was very friendly and showed interest in who I was and where I was from. I felt welcomed and as though we could become friends. And then a  strange thing happened. “This is such a perfect country” he said. “And it would be completely perfect if it weren’t for all the **** immigrants who are flooding in. They are taking our country over. It’s an absolute disgrace.” On and on he went about how awful immigrants are.. And then he stopped, handed me his hand to shake, and said, “Lovely to meet you. I hope you will be very happy. Welcome to New Zealand. I’m so glad you are here.”

I was left feeling – “Well I don’t know what that was about. Should I feel insulted and defensive because I am one of these dreadful immigrants ruining the country, or should I accept his welcome at face value?” Slowly it dawned on me. His welcome of me was as genuine as it was warm. He was glad I was in the country, glad I was his neighbour. Even though I was an immigrant, he didn’t think of me as one. Why? I’m not sure. I had told him very clearly where I was from and he had asked me lots of questions about it. But in spite of that, he didn’t think of me as an immigrant. Perhaps it was because English is my first language and I speak it pretty well, or perhaps it was my skin colour, or perhaps it was because I had started by giving him a few lemons off our tree – I really don’t know, but whatever the reason was, he considered me part of “us” not part of “them”.

It’s lovely to belong – to feel part of something, to feel that you fit in. But so very many don’t…

Think of the astonishing account recorded in John 4, when Jesus had a conversation with a Samaritan woman who was drawing water from a well at midday. 

If you are versed in the Jewish culture of Jesus’ time, there are enough clues to alert you that this conversation shouldn’t have been taking place.

Put them together:

• Jesus was Jewish but was passing through Samaritan territory. Jews and Samaritans hated each other in the way that only “sort of but not really” relatives could – for indeed, the Samaritans had been part of Israel until the conquest of the Northern Kingdom by the Assyrians in 722BC had seen their land decimated and intermarriage with the victorious Assyrians become common. While Samaritans held on to vestiges of Judaism, they had intermarried, worshiped at a different temple, understood the Torah differently, and were beyond the pale so far as the Jews were concerned. Jews and Samaritans kept their distance from each other.

• Second. Jewish males did not engage in casual conversations with women. That would be seen as deeply inappropriate. Realistically, it would have  been strange if Jesus started a conversation with a Samaritan man, but for him to do that with a Samaritan woman – well really, what was he thinking?

• Third, this was midday and the woman was drawing water alone. Big clue that. In a highly sociable society, why would she be drawing water in the heat of the day when it was a start of the day task. You didn’t have to be too smart to pick that she was an outsider. The other women wouldn’t talk to her. She was ostracized – forced to go about her life on her own. And soon the reason for that becomes clear.

• Fourth  – it wasn’t just that she was an outsider, she was a most dubious outsider. She had 5 previous marriages – seriously 5 – and what was worse, the man she was now living with was not her husband. Clearly she was bad news, not the sort of woman you would want your husband to chat to.

So why does Jesus stop and chat to her? 

It’s a good question. Clearly he wasn’t interested in appearances, because this wasn’t a “look good” moment. People would question his judgment about this. 

So why does Jesus speak to her?

Because Jesus sees her in a way no one else does. While others wrote her off as a dodgy Samaritan woman with a compromised past and an equally compromised present, Jesus sees her as a woman made in the image of God – a woman who in her own way was searching for God and the presence of God. Strip all the trivial surface details away, and you see not a compromised woman, but a wounded image bearer, longing for home, longing for God, longing to belong.

It is the deep empathy of Jesus that helps him see beyond the surface – helps Him to see the God image in her.

In a world divided by “them and us” “insiders and outsiders”, a new way of seeing is needed. There is how I see the world – and then there is how Jesus sees the world. If I could more often see the world with the eyes of Jesus, what transforming conversations I would have…

Article supplied with thanks to Brian Harris.

About the Author: Brian is a speaker, teacher, leader, writer, author and respected theologian who is founding director of the AVENIR Leadership Institute, fostering leaders who will make a positive impact on the world.

Feature image: Canva

Dear Australians, I would like to share the faith lessons I’ve learnt from leaving everything I knew behind. I hope you can also hold onto hope in these uncertain times.

I am a Ukrainian who had to relocate with my family to Australia four years ago because of the war. I was born at the time of the collapse of the communist Soviet Union, in an era marked by shortages and instability. I have lived through crisis, corruption, the pandemic, and now a war threatening to completely destabilise the world again.

As the world, including Australia, begins to feel unsettled, I have a personal story of resilience and hope to offer those who are feeling scared, defeated, anxious – or maybe can’t put a name to what you’re feeling yet. 

After four years, I am still learning to understand Australian society. It feels like a mosaic made up of different cultures and stories. To me, “Australians” are those who have lived here for a long time, who have become part of this community, who were born here generations ago.

They are open, kind, and in some ways even trusting people. Many live with a sense that Australia is its own world, a kind of island continent where life moves at a steady, calm pace. There is sunshine, the ocean, and a comforting sense of work-life balance.

At times, it feels as though all of this exists inside a kind of “glass room” with walls that are slowly, but steadily, closing in. For a long time, global events seemed distant, something happening far away in Europe or the Middle East, outside of everyday life. But recent events have shown that this is no longer the case.

The tragedy in Bondi was a sobering shock for everyone. I knew people who were personally affected by the attack. The response showed that society here was not prepared for something like this. It became a moment of realisation that global instability can reach even here.

Then came another, more everyday but equally noticeable pressure, rising fuel prices. This was a second signal that Australia is part of a globally connected world. What happens elsewhere does affect life here.

It is important to acknowledge that we do not live in isolation.

Not to become pessimistic, but so as not to live in denial; to be realistic and maintain inner stability in any circumstance, like a house built on rock.

Personal experience: loss and new beginnings

Who am I to say this? Here is my short story…

Back in 2014, when conflict began in eastern Ukraine, our family moved to Kyiv. Our familiar life, relatives, home, friends, church, the streets we grew up on, all stayed behind in memories and blurred photos. That was our first major reset.

But that experience shaped us. We lost a lot, but we gained a deeper understanding of God’s will and His love. In Kyiv, we learned to start again. Step by step, year by year. My wife served in a church campus with creative teams, and I continued building my career in marketing and communications. Our children were born there.

After that first move, we saw stability differently. Where others saw certainty, we recognised that comfortable seasons are often preparation for future challenges.

Then came 2022. A turning point not just for Ukraine, but for the world. Many Ukrainians were forced to relocate to different countries. For our family, that journey led us the furthest, to Australia.

And this move felt like a miracle. The local church community supported us in extraordinary ways. People helped with flights, accommodation, essential items, and work. It was a continuous flow of care and generosity, something that is hard to explain as anything other than God’s love in action.

I sincerely empathise with Australians who remember the weight of COVID restrictions. Life seemed to be returning to normal, and then new pressures began to emerge.

Here are three reflections that may be helpful in this season.

1. Accepting God’s will and your time are probably not the same

I used to ask God, “Why?” Now I ask, “God, what is the next step?”

Do not be afraid when things do not go according to your plan. They may not follow your plan, but they are still within God’s plan. This brings a sense of inner stability, even in unpredictable times, when unexpected events seem to gather overhead.

God cares for us. He knows every grain of sand on the beautiful Sydney beaches or the park where your children play and is every step ahead of you. You are part of His plan.

2. Rethinking what matters: letting go of attachment to things

The Bible says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”.

When we arrived in Australia, our entire life fit into four suitcases. Recently, when we moved to another suburb, it took a full van to carry everything. But that is not where our treasure lies.

In reality, we do not need much to live, and even less to endure difficult seasons. Happiness is not defined by fuel prices or numbers in a bank account.

Do not be afraid of losing things. Be concerned about losing your relationship with God.

3. Do not live in false expectations; live by faith

In both 2014 and 2022, many people I know left behind their homes and belongings, holding on to the belief that everything would soon return to the way it was. But it will not.

Living in the past can prevent you from fully living in the present.

Instead of holding on to false expectations, choose faith. Faith does not expire. Faith brings the understanding that, in the end, God has already won.

There is a phrase I appreciate: “In the end, everything will be OK. If it is not OK yet, then it is not the end”.

Easter is a reminder of what truly matters

Easter is a time that brings us back to the foundations of faith.

For me, Easter has always carried more weight than Christmas. Christmas marks the beginning, the arrival of hope. But Easter reveals the outcome.

Jesus died for our sins and rose again, offering us life, eternal life, and a restored relationship with God.

If you feel the current pressures are shaking your foundation, start with something simple. Begin to pray. Begin to trust God. Open the Bible. Come to church. Reflect, share, and support one another.

It may seem simple, but this is exactly what the devil tries to take from us, especially when we are standing in line at the petrol station.

Written by a Ukrainian living in Sydney.

Article supplied with thanks to Christian Media & Arts Australia.

Feature image: Canva

Holy Week marks the highest Bible engagement days in YouVersion history for Australia, as new data reveals deeper spiritual curiosity.

In Australia, Bible engagement increased by 17.6% across the YouVersion Family of Apps during Holy Week compared to last year, with more than a quarter of a million Australians engaging in the Bible on Good Friday. In fact, Easter Friday and Saturday are ranked as the highest days for Bible engagement ever recorded nationally, and Easter Sunday also ranking among the highest days in YouVersion Australia’s history.

The surge reflects not just a seasonal moment, but a broader pattern emerging in how Australians are engaging with questions of meaning, hope and faith. The Bible App has now been installed more than 8.2 million times in Australia and is opened more than 200,000 times every day.

While Easter has long been a focal point, in 2026 it has coincided with an unusual and sustained surge in engagement. Nine of the top ten days for daily active users in Australia have all occurred this year. Even outside traditional peaks, engagement has remained elevated, pointing to a deeper shift beyond seasonal patterns.

YouVersion Australia Hub Leader Dave Adamson said the data points to a shift not always captured in headlines or census data.

“This data suggests a shift in how Australians are engaging with the Bible,” he said. “While public narratives often emphasise decline, everyday habits are pointing to something more.”

Part of this reflects the rhythm of Lent, a season historically associated with reflection and return. It also coincides with a broader global atmosphere of uncertainty, where people are often drawn to deeper questions of hope, peace and meaning.

“Faith tends to surface most clearly in lived experience and it often becomes visible in how people navigate uncertain or challenging moments. We’ve never had more access to information, yet many people feel more uncertain about what it all means,” Adamson said. 

“And increasingly, their deeper questions are showing up in search bars. In fact, four of the top five searches are positive: love, hope, healing and peace. That’s not people running from something. That’s people reaching for something deeper.”

Easter remains one of the most significant moments for Bible engagement each year, with Australians, from lifelong Christians to the spiritually curious, turning to Scripture during Holy Week. Last year, the most read verse in Australia during this period was John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” In 2026, Matthew 28:6 emerged as the most popular Holy Week passage. 

Globally, 21.6 million people engaged with the Bible on Easter Sunday across the YouVersion Family of Apps, continuing a series of record-breaking days following an historic milestone of one billion installs last year.

YouVersion Founder and CEO Bobby Gruenewald says: “Over the last several months, worldwide interest in the Bible has continued to increase. It’s encouraging to see people searching for and consistently coming back to Scripture for guidance, encouragement and answers. We especially see this at Easter where more people are either reflecting on their faith or trying to understand who Jesus was for themselves. Seeing people around the world encounter Scripture, many for the first time, is exactly why we exist.”

About YouVersion

Created by Life.Church, YouVersion designs free, biblically centered experiences that encourage and challenge people to seek God throughout each day. The YouVersion Family of Apps—including the Bible App, Bible App Lite, and Bible App for Kids—has been installed on more than one billion devices worldwide. The Bible App offers a Bible experience in more than 2,400 languages and helps people deepen their relationship with God. Bible App Lite is optimized for offline use and helps people access God’s Word in markets with device and data limitations. Bible engagement is measured by Daily Active Users (DAU) across these three apps, an industry-standard data point reflecting the number of unique users opening one of the apps on a given day. Developed in partnership with OneHope, the Bible App for Kids helps children engage with the Bible through interactive animations and fun activities. For more information about YouVersion, visit youversion.com. 

Article supplied with thanks to YouVersion Australia.

About the Author: Dave Adamson is the Australia Hub Leader for YouVersion. A former TV reporter turned digital ministry pioneer, he was one of the world’s first online pastors and now helps global audiences engage with the Bible in a digital age.

Feature image: Supplied