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Intention

To listen for Jesus’ voice and use what he has placed in our hands for his kingdom.

Scripture

“My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.”

– John 10:27

Reflection

I’m writing this on my way back to Australia from Turkey, where I visited the Mount Ararat region. This is the area where Noah and his family settled after the flood.

What struck me was the number of sheep along the roadsides. They grazed the mountainsides with few fences, looked after by a shepherd. Usually there were fifty to a hundred sheep of various breeds and colours — a truly diverse and interesting sight. It felt like I had stepped back into Jesus’ time.

As I reflected on Jesus’ words, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me,” I realised how urgently we need to listen to that voice today. The world is constantly changing and full of distractions. It is easy for our surroundings to shape how we think and live. I wonder whether we are truly making time to know Jesus, to recognise his voice, and to follow him.

When I look at the Church and how we are perceived by those who do not yet know Jesus, I am challenged: do we treat evangelism as a task or as a way of life? A personal shift for me has been moving from “let’s go and evangelise” to seeing evangelism as an everyday practice.

Instead of viewing people as targets, I have tried to live as Jesus did — open-hearted, offering rest to those who are burdened. He did not see people as targets. His motivation was love for the lost that simply said, “Come.”

We run a tourist park in the middle of Litchfield National Park. We do not hold ‘outreach’ nights or go out to ‘evangelise’ the campers. What we do is show Jesus’ love practically. For three months during the busy season our family cooks buffalo stew and croc laksa on Wednesday nights for free! We often have 120–180 people on our deck for dinner.

I welcome them as our guests, share a little of our story, and tell them we are Christians who do this because we believe it is what Jesus wants. We love people, and Jesus is interested in people — in families and communities. “We want you to be our family tonight,” I say.

Then I pray a blessing over them, their families, the food and the night. We have had so many opportunities to share afterwards. People are searching for genuineness — for people who are real.

Something I have learnt is that it is easier to say “when I get this or when I go there” than simply to ask God, “What is in my hand? What do I have to share?” When we see our possessions, money and time as seed that God asks us to sow, life becomes simpler.

Whatever you have, sow it and trust God to increase it. We may not always see it, but what lasts is the fruit — eternal fruit.

Time is short, my friends. Don’t let it slip by. Today is the day. God has blessed us in this country with so much. Are you using what he has put in your hand for his kingdom?

Video

Prayer

Lord, thank you for every good gift you have given us — for our families, our friends and this nation. Help us to see people through your eyes, to love them with your heart, and to be real and open-hearted with them.

Show us what you have placed in our hands so we can reach others for your glory.

May your kingdom come, may your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Amen.

Author Bio

Paul McLaughlin is married to Rachel and they have four children. Paul is a farmer, entrepreneur, businessman and follower of Jesus, and who genuinely loves people. He is passionate about every person finding their purpose in who God created them to be.

Prayer Points for October 2026

We are praying for the Church to:

1. Awaken to her first love for Jesus (Ephesians 5:14; Revelation 2:4).
2. Awaken to evangelism so that millions will trust in Christ (John 3:16; Proverbs 11:30).
3. Awaken to her prophetic voice to the nation (Isaiah 52:1; Matthew 14:4).

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