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Words of Encouragement and Hope
- Ronald Bainbridge
- Jul 21, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 24, 2025
Ron Bainbridge
EDITOR & Coordinator
Friends, Discovering A BETTER LIFE is an electronic publication for those seeking to know more about Jesus Christ, and for Christians, that has encouraged hundreds of people every day since it launched in April 1990.
During the past 35 years, Discovering A BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES has produced and published a regular weekly column that has been published in up to 25 different secular newspapers throughout Australia.
Our Mission is to provide men and women with words of Encouragement and Hope, as well as empower seekers, and for believers in Jesus Christ around the world, to recognize, experience, and celebrate their oneness with all others who know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, regardless of denomination, church fellowship, or historic tradition.
Our resources include regular articles, devotionals, inspirational images, Bible Studies and more.
Today’s Message of Encouragement from
Discovering A BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES
(Stories of: Real People, Real Events, Real Places)
And are dedicated to HELPING
PEOPLE FIND SALVATION, PEACE and HOPE
Through entering into a personal
Relationship with Jesus Christ,
Who declared,
“In this world you will have trouble,
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 10:10; 14:1-6)
(16:33; Acts 2:36-47)
Below, we have included a sample of messages we have been privileged to share through our Radio programs, in newspapers and online, such as those mentioned above.
The Relentless Love Of God!
To Hear this Message,
Please click on the link below:
Friend, please note that our new mailing address is now:
Apartment 49/2 Plantation Street,
Menora, Western, Australia 6050
Rebirth of the Human Heart!
Friends, some years ago, Philip Yancey told the story of a friend who went swimming in a large lake at dusk.
A thick fog unexpectedly rolled in across the waters, and suddenly the swimmer could not see the horizon or landmarks. There were no objects or lights to be seen from the shore. For 30 minutes, he splashed around in panic. First, he would start in one direction, then lose confidence and turn 90 degrees to the right or left. It made no difference which way he turned! At times, he could feel his heart beating uncontrollably. Then, he would stop and float, trying to conserve energy and force himself to breathe slower. Then he would blindly strike out again.
At last, he heard a faint voice calling from the shore. Then, he pointed his body toward the sounds and followed them to safety. Friend, this swimmer’s terrible predicament has all the marks of a personal parable, the story of being lost and our need to find God on some presently invisible shore. What is it that will assure us of rescue?
First, we must recognize our need for rescue! However, too many of us are like the swimmer I have mentioned, lost in the fog, trying desperately to sustain ourselves with our energies and confused about where to turn.
Philip Yancey’s friend was ripe for rescue because he understood his need with absolute clarity. Interestingly, when you study the lives of the greatest converts to Christianity, you see a common trait among them. They all felt an intense longing for something more in their lives.
C.S. Lewis called it a memory of a memory, the longing for belonging: “The hunger that is better than fullness; this poverty that is better than any other wealth.”\In many senses, it was relentless homesickness in the soul coupled with an awareness that there is something out there to satisfy this deep longing many of us have, an echo, a whisper of something just beyond our reach. C.S. Lewis and others like him were swimmers in the fog, listening for the call, longing for the shore.
Friend, spiritual transformation is one of the greatest wonders of the human soul. Throughout my 87-year lifetime, I have witnessed the lifeless chrysalis transform into a beautiful butterfly. I have seen the dull brown soil spring forth with radiant irises and tulips. But the greatest transformation I have ever witnessed is the rebirth of the human heart. Such a metamorphosis comes only to those who long for the shore, to those with listening hearts. As Earl Stanley Jones said, “It is the act of a moment and the work of a lifetime.”
Many of my neighbours are saying, “This fog is all there is! We don’t see a shore! We hear nothing at all!” Sadly, these friends suffer the peculiar blindness of those who see only the visible.
However, when we take the time to stop and listen, we discover that our loving God is calling to each of us relentlessly. He is reaching out to us in many ways. Therefore, if we want to be rescued from a burdened, stress-filled life that seems to have no purpose or inner peace, I encourage you to listen with your heart to the voice of God and follow the light that He has provided to lead each of us to safety.
Today, the God I am inviting your heart to listen to is a Holy, Righteous, infinite Heavenly Father who has poured His grace on all mankind. He has demonstrated His grace through His Son, Jesus Christ,
Who is the “Light of the world!”
If you would like help in obtaining a fresh look at God’s grace and authentic Christianity, we invite you to write to Discovering A BETTER LIFE and ask for our FREE booklets titled “The Relentless Love of God!” and “How to find God.”
Our resources include regular articles, devotionals, inspirational images, Bible Studies and more.
Our address: Apartment 49/2 Plantation Street, Menora, Western Australia 6050
Or e-mail us at: abl-alb@omninet.net.au
Friends, if you desire to engage in:
4 FIELDS DISCIPLESHIP AND CHURCH MULTIPLICATION TRAINING
(Suitable for small groups)
Please Contact:
George Funk: Gospel SHARE Missions
IT’S SIMPLE, BIBLICAL AND REPRODUCIBLE
Wayne Funk: Gospel Chariot Missions
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
To Hear and View this Video,
Friend, if you would like to be added to our group mailing address, of those who receive our Discovering A BETTER LIFE articles (Such as Above), we would be pleased to include you on that list. All you need do is send your request to our email address: abl-alb@omninet.net.au
THIS BLESSING IS FOR YOU!
To Hear and View this Video,
Please click on the link below:
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