589. Anyone Can Be Transformed If They Desire To Be Changed! Transfiguration Sunday. 

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

If you ever feel down because someone you love seems to be unwilling to turn from their unhelpful lifestyle, there is good news. Anyone can be changed if they want to be changed! That thought came into my mind today as I listened to a sermon on the Transfiguration of Christ. 

We read about the transfiguration of Christ in Matthew 17 verse 2, “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” It was the unveiling of the majestic glory of Jesus as the veil was lifted briefly to enable the disciples to behold His pre-existent glory. Jesus had prayed knowing that His life was coming to an end, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” John 17:5. 

Jesus had come into the world in a humble form as St Paul showed in Philippians 2 verses 5 to 7, 5 “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” The word for “form” here in both instances is the Greek word [μορφή, morphē] meaning shape,  nature, form.

However in the transfiguration Jesus was changed and the disciples for a short time saw His pre-existent glory. The word for “transfigured “ in Matthew 17 verse 2 is [μεταμορφόω metamorphoō]  to transform, change, transfigure. Christ‘s appearance was changed and the disciples witnessed His pre-existent glory. This would mean so much to them soon after when Jesus was crucified in what appeared to be human weakness. 

But here is the good news! There is another transfiguration or transformation in the New Testament. It Is the transformation of believers into the likeness of Christ.  St Paul used the same word for this transformation in 2 Corinthians 3 verse 18, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Humans can be changed! They can become different! But how? 

St Paul describes the process in 2 different ways, though really they are the same.

[i]   In this passage it is by continually beholding the glory of the Lord. That means as believers focussing on Who Jesus is and on His revelation of Himself described in the scriptures. The more we come to know and understand the Person and the meaning of the ministry of Jesus, the closer we become to wearing His likeness in our daily lives. The more we absorb this enlightenment and act on it, the more that truth transforms us. This ongoing gradual transformation is wrought in us by the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

[ii]  The second process is described in Romans 12 verse 2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” It is being transformed from conformity with the world’s values, standards and ways of doing things, to being in and doing the will of God. This is “good and acceptable and perfect” in the sight of God.  

This process comes about as we allow our minds to be continually renewed as we read and act on the truths of God’s word. [“Be transformed“ here is present tense, passive,  meaning allow yourself to be continually transformed by the renewing of your mind. In that way as we face the testing that the different circumstances and opinions that life brings upon us, we can learn to discern the will of God and discover that it is good and acceptable and perfect. 

 Summing up we can say that no human is beyond the grace of God if they are willing to change direction by turning from the world’s values and thinking, to the possibility of becoming a new creature in Christ . As St Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

This is a fulfilment of a prophecy of Ezekiel, Ezk 18:31  “Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?” The new spirit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit who by the grace of God comes to indwell every person who opens their life to Jesus. 

Blog No. 589 posted on Sunday 15 February 2026. [Transfiguration Sunday.]

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Creation, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, New Beginnings, New Covenant, Prayer, Questions and Answers, Salvation, Sanctification, Temptations, TOPICS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

588. Summary of Reflections On My Beloved Wife And Very Best Friend. Carole Ann Holbeck [nee Tapsell.] 07 February 1943 to 31st October 2019.

Posted on February 6, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

There’s no doubt that when a beloved, precious one departs this life through death, that one  is left with a deep hollowness in one’s being. Yet every memory provides an impetus to live in such a way that she would be proud of whom I am without her presence in my life.  Tomorrow would have been her 83rd birthday and I usually write something about her life and our marriage on her birthdays to remind me how precious she was to me and to hundreds of other people as well. 

Some folk have told me that my previous writings had helped them with their own sense of loss of a loved one, so I thought that I would gather together my previous writings in one summary to help people who might be looking for some help in their lives. Below is the Summary of many of those articles which express my love and admiration for Carole, for this extremely precious gift of God into my life.

[Click on any article number to open that article.]

585.  Jim Holbeck’s Christmas 2025 New Year 2026 Greetings

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

581.  Memories That Bring Strength And Peace. 

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

578. Some Articles On Dealing With Personal Grief

Posted on July 20, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

567. A Reflection on February 7th. 1943. The Birth Of My Late Wife 

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

556. Carole Holbeck [nee Tapsell] Through The Ages. A Wonderful Love Story! 

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Jim Holbeck

524. The Privilege Of Marriage. A Blessing From The Lord. Proverbs 31

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Jim Holbeck

513. Reflections on life. Life with my beloved Carole

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Jim Holbeck

456. The Privilege of entering into there Tapsell family.

https://holbeck.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=8820&action=edit

381. A “Thank You” To All My Friends, From Carole Holbeck [nee Tapsell] 1943-2019.

Posted on July 4, 2021 by Jim Holbeck

380. Reflecting On The Contribution of All Saints Anglican Church Booval [Ipswich] To Jim And Carole Holbeck

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Jim Holbeck

377. Honouring a Very Special Person! Carole Ann Holbeck, 1943 -2019

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Jim Holbeck

370. Life’s Unforgettable Moments. A personal Reflection. Coping with Personal Grief

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Jim Holbeck

369. Reflecting On Birthdays. A Personal Note Written On My Own Birthday. Coping With Personal Grief.

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Jim Holbeck

364. Memories That Bring Tears To Your Eyes And Praise To Your Lips. A Personal Reflection. 2Corinthians 12:9

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Jim Holbeck

338. New Year’s Eve Greeting, 2019 from Jim Holbeck

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Jim Holbeck

330. A FURTHER TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED WIFE CAROLE ANN HOLBECK. 1943-2019

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Jim Holbeck

329. A Tribute To A Wonderful Godly Woman. Carole Ann Holbeck. My Late Beloved Wife and Very Best Friend

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Jim Holbeck

Praying that many folk around the world might find comfort in these writings. 

Blog No.588 posted on Friday 6th February 2026

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Coping With Personal Grief, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Holbeck Helpful Hints, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, New Beginnings, Prayer, Real Life Stories, Salvation, Sanctification, Tributes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

587 The Privilege of Marriage To The Partner of God’s Choice

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

Sixty years ago today 22nd January1966! The day my life changed for good, for ever. 

It was the day of my marriage to the woman of God’s choice for me. 

It was the day I knew I had been given a great responsibility for the rest of my life. To love and to cherish the beautiful woman the Lord had brought into my life all the way from Kharagpur in India some 19 years before. It was a responsibility I embraced and enjoyed for our 54 years of marriage. And together having the joy of children and grandchildren to enlarge our family.

The joy of hearing so often such words as, “I love you so much darling!” And the words that have meant so much to me since her death 6 years ago, “Darling, thank you for loving me! Thank you for caring for me!” as I helped her through our home to her favourite chair. They were uttered just a couple of days before I drove her for the last time from our home to the hospital at her request.  I can’t recall whether I replied, “It’s a joy and a privilege!” but that was always my thinking during all those years of marriage. 

I knew I never deserved to be married to the most attractive woman I had ever met, but I realised the privilege was mine because it was due to the grace of God in His choice for both of us to glorify Him together in our marriage and ministry. 

Remember: To be married to the person of God’s choice is always a privilege given to us by the Lord in His amazing, undeserved grace! Be grateful! Always! To Him!

Blog No.587 posted on Thursday 22 January 2026

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586. A New Beginning In A New Year. New Year’s Eve 1958. My personal story.

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

As I holidayed in Boundary Street Coolangatta on the border between Queensland and New South Wales, I decided to cross the border and do a walk at dusk along the main street in Tweed Heads. An unique occurrence happened. It had never happened before and has never happened since. I was wolf whistled by small group of young women. It was embarrassing but also amusing. Remembered because of its uniqueness.

However, another unique occurrence was to take place later in the evening that had eternal consequences. My two sisters had become believers in Christ and had been trying to persuade me to become one also. During the holiday I had been reading the book “Peace With God“ by Billy Graham and some small booklets written by John Stott, an English clergyman and a chaplain to the Queen. I had become convinced that Jesus had lived, died and risen from the dead before ascending back to heaven. He had become Lord of the universe and of all its inhabitants. But how was I going to submit to His lordship?

Later in the evening I opened one of the booklets written by John Stott. It had a simple prayer one could pray to become a Christian, using the letters A, B, C and D to describe the steps involved. 

  1. I had to Admit that I was a Sinner in the sight of God. That was easy to do because I knew that I was not perfect. I had not loved Him with all my being!
  2. I had to Believe that Jesus Christ had come into the world to die for my sins. I had understood that when I read 2 Corinthians 5: 15, “He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” I had realised that if I was the only person ever born and had committed only one sin, Jesus would still have needed to come to die for me for my forgiveness and salvation. 
  3. I had to Consider the cost of becoming a Christian. Though salvation is a free gift in Christ, there were implications in giving one’s life to Christ. I realized that becoming a Christian meant that from that time forward, I had to live for Him, as that verse above indicated, “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” 

I considered the cost but knew the only option I had, was to live for Christ from that day on.

D. I had to Do something about it. I had to invite him into my life to be my Lord and Saviour. I had come to know how to do that as I read Revelation chapter 3 verse 20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” It had made sense of a picture in the small prayer book my parents had given me when I was confirmed. 

I discovered the picture was a painting by Holman Hunt entitled “The Light Of The World” a copy of which I saw in Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London when on a trip years later with my [now late] wife to the UK. It is a picture of the risen Christ holding a lantern,  knocking on the door of the human heart, knocking and waiting to be invited in. 

A few minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve 1958 I invited Him into my life. As I finished the prayer the horns honked and the bells tolled and there was great rejoicing outside ……  because the new year of 1959 had come in. I was later to read there was also rejoicing in heaven on that New Year’s Eve as Jesus said, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7. 

I was later to discover the truth of this verse, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

 Certainly the old had passed away. I gave up my Rugby League career after playing several seasons of A grade football and representing Ipswich in an international match against a touring New Zealand Maori team. Which we won!

I began to study the Bible, and to go to church. Soon after I was teaching Sunday school and leading a youth group where most of the members finished up on the mission field or in full time Christian service.  I too went to theological college and was ordained an Anglican minister in 1968. In brief my ministry encompassed 10 years in Brisbane diocese at Coorparoo and Mount Gravatt, 10 years as the Dean of Armidale in New South Wales , 18 years as the Leader of the Healing Ministry in Saint Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney and a year as a locum at the Maclean-Yamba parish after retirement in 2012. 

By the grace of God I was able to conduct teaching missions in many parts of Australia and did a ministry tour for the Order Of Saint Luke throughout New Zealand in 1993. A surprise invitation in 1999 meant  my wife Carol and I did a ministry tour to the United States  in Wisconsin, Alabama and Florida. WE returned every year for a 4 to 6 week ministry at All Saints, Winter Park, Florida from 2001 to 2008 and again in 2012.  Many of those to whom we ministered became close personal friends for eternity. 

Also by the grace of God there were wonderful changes in my personal life. Into my youth group came a young woman I had heard about as a  great sportswoman and leader. She had been born in Kharagpur, India and had travelled as a 4 year old with her parents to Queensland and had settled in a neighbouring suburb. I have written a lot about her in my previous blogs but in summary she was the most attractive, self-giving woman I had ever met. We both believed that the Lord had brought us together in His love for His purposes. It was an incredible privilege and a joy to be married and to serve the Lord together for 54 years of marriage. And together to welcome into the world three wonderful children and through them our beloved grandchildren. Again there’s much about our family in previous blogs.

The main purpose of this blog, is to remind people of the newness of the new creation which we become in Christ, And to encourage those who have not done so, as yet, to pray the prayer to invite the Lord Jesus into their lives. HE keeps on knocking but WE must open the door of our hearts to Him. Only then comes the brand new newness that the Risen Christ is able to bring into our lives.

Blog No.586 posted on New Year’s Eve, 31 December 2025.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, New Beginnings, Prayer, Questions and Answers, Real Life Stories, Salvation, Sanctification, Temptations, TOPICS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

585.  Jim Holbeck’s Christmas 2025 New Year 2026 Greetings

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

It’s great to know that you are loved. As we come to the end of a very eventful year it is great to be reminded that we are loved by the God of this universe who created us in His love for His purposes. And how great it is to know that we have experienced God’s love through our fellow creatures, especially through a loving spouse whom the Lord in His mercy and love brought into our lives. In my case my beloved Carole coming all the way from Kharagpur in India as a 4 year old in 1947. 

Since New Year this year I have experienced fairly good health apart from a gammy knee but I have realised even more deeply how blessed I have been to have had Carole as my loving wife for 54 years until her death 6 years ago, and to reflect on the amazing woman she was [and is]. And to have the support of my loving children and grandchildren.

This year it has been difficult to do all  I wanted to do in preparation for Christmas, so I decided to send out this blog to thank people for their loving kindnesses to me  and to wish them and their families every blessing for Christmas and the coming New Year 

I was preparing a Christmas greeting, and remembered a significant Christmas message I had given in St Peter’s Cathedral, Armidale when I was the Dean there decades ago. I remembered making a blog about it and found it from December 2023. It is blog No. 509 on my blog site www.jimholbeck.blog

You could click on this link to open it. 

509.The Greatest Christmas Gift Given To You And Me

Wishing you and your loved ones God’s richest blessings for Christmas and throughout 2026.

Yours affectionately in Christ.

In His love

Jim

No.585 posted on Wednesday 24 December2025

Posted in Christmas, Creation, Faithfulness, Glorification, Healing, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, New Beginnings, New Covenant, Real Life Stories, Salvation, Sanctification | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

584. PRAYERS BASED ON EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1

Posted on December 13, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

The following prayers are taken from the prayers I composed as I wrote a series of blogs based on Ephesians chapter1. The numbers are the numbers of the  articles on my blog site www.jimholbeck.blog  Each article has an explanation of the text. The prayers could be useful for personal or corporate prayer as we seek to pray in accord with God’s revealed will in scripture. You can read those articles by clicking on the numbers at the beginning of each Bible reading.

 192. EPHESIANS 1:1. ST PAUL PRAYED FOR HIS READERS TO HAVE GOD’S GRACE AND  PEACE.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

A Suggested Prayer

“Heavenly Father we thank You that You called Paul to be an apostle to share the good news about You. We thank You that You inspired him by Your Holy Spirit to record these words so that You would use them to bring blessing to countless generations.

We thank You that through the gospel You call your people to belong to You as your saints. We pray that we may become more and more holy in our thoughts, words and deeds so that Jesus may be seen in and through our lives. 

We thank You for Your amazing grace in calling us to respond to You, and that by Your grace, we have been saved through faith. We thank You that like St Paul, we have come to know peace with You as the God of peace and that we can know Your peace in our hearts and minds to keep us safe.

Help us Lord to live by the power of Your Spirit so that we may bring glory to You in all we say and do. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour Amen.”

193. EPHESIANS 1:3. THANKING GOD FOR WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST

(3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (5) he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”

A SUGGESTED PRAYER BASED ON Eph 1:3

“Heavenly Father, we thank You for all You have done for us in Jesus. We thank You for all You have given us in Him. We thank You that You have blessed us in Him with every spiritual blessing. We thank You that through faith, we are the children of Abraham and that we have been blessed by You to be a blessing.

Help us Lord to realise that this world is not about us, but that it is about You. It’s about Your purpose to bless the world in Your love. We thank You that not only are we the recipients of Your love but that we also have the wonderful privilege and responsibility of being instruments of Your love and blessings to others in this world.   

Grant us the wisdom to know Your will and the power by Your Spirit to do it so that we might fulfil  Your purpose for us. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. AMEN!”

284. PRAYER BASED ON  EPHESIANS 1:4. WE ARE CHOSEN BY GOD HIMSELF TO FULFIL HIS PURPOSE FOR US IN HIS WORLD

Eph 1:4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him … .

A Suggested Prayer based on Ephesians 1:4

“Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your amazing grace in choosing us to belong to You before the world was made. We thank You too that You had a purpose in choosing us, that we should be set apart from the world’s ways and its values to belong wholly to You. We thank You that in Your love and power You give us the grace to live holy lives before You. Forgive us for the times we have not drawn upon Your grace and failed to be Your holy and blameless people. We thank You for Your promise in Your word that You are able to keep us from stumbling and to present us blameless before Your presence in glory with great joy.” Please fulfil Your purpose in our lives as we continue to offer ourselves completely to You. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. AMEN.”

286. PRAYER BASED ON  EPHESIANS 1:5. “BLESSING GOD WHO BLESSES HIS PEOPLE BY ADOPTING THEM INTO HIS FAMILY..”

Eph 1:5 “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”

A Suggested Prayer based on Ephesians 1:5

“Heavenly Father, we thank You that in Your eternal plan and purpose You chose to adopt us into Your family as Your children. We thank You that we came into Your family when we put our trust in Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. We thank You that Your grace has been poured out on us in Your beloved Son. Enable us to continually praise You for Your goodness and grace to us in bestowing those blessings on us in Him. Accept our thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.”

287. PRAYER BASED ON EPHESIANS 1:7-10. CHRIST BRINGS UNITY AMONG DIVERSE GROUPINGS OF PEOPLE

Eph 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10  as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

A Suggested Prayer based on Ephesians 1:7-10.

“Heavenly Father, we thank You that when we received Jesus to be our Saviour and Lord, You blessed us in Him with so many blessings. We thank You that in Him we have been redeemed by His blood and our sins have been forgiven. We praise You that You poured out Your amazing grace on us as part of Your purpose in bringing a sense of unity in this divided world. We thank You that In Christ we are one with believers from all over the world. Enable us by Your Holy Spirit to humble ourselves before You so that You can exercise Your headship over Your church and over every individual in the church. We invite You to take Your throne over our lives as we seek to live for You and to fulfil Your purpose for us in this world. Accept our grateful thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN!”

288. PRAYER BASED ON EPHESIANS 1:11-14. “PRAISING GOD FOR ALL WE HAVE NOW IN JESUS AND FOR OUR FULL INHERITANCE IN HIM.”

Eph 1:11 “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

A Suggested Prayer Based On Ephesians 1:11-14

“Heavenly Father, we thank You that in Your plan and purpose for this world You enabled us to hear and respond to the gospel message of salvation.  We thank You that as You did so, You bestowed on us the Holy Spirit to seal our relationship with You so that we might inherit all the blessings You have given us in Jesus. Enable us, by Your Spirit, to become more and more a people of praise so that You may be glorified in and through our lives. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. AMEN.”

289. PRAYER BASED ON EPHESIANS 1:15-23. “HOW GOD WANTS US TO PRAY FOR OURSELVES AND FOR HIS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD!”

Eph 1:15 “Eph 1:15  For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16  I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,7  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,18  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20  that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

A Suggested Prayer based on Ephesians 1:15-23

“Dear Lord, we acknowledge that You are the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that You would give us the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation to know You better. 18  Please enlighten our hearts and minds so that we can know the hope to which You have called us,  what are the riches of Your glorious inheritance in us as Your people, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward us who believe. This was according to the working of Your great might 20  that You worked in Christ when You raised him from the dead and seated him at Your right hand in the heavenly places, 21  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 We thank You that You put all things under Jesus’ feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.  WE thank You for the victory we have in Him. AMEN!”

Blog No.584 posted on Saturday 13 December 2025

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS, Prayer, Praying our way through Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Salvation, Sanctification, spiritual warfare, Temptations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

583.  GOD PREPARES HIS PEOPLE FOR GLORY AND UNBELIEVERS FOR DESTRUCTION.

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

“That can’t be right !” we might cry out. Surely the God of love wouldn’t prepare some people for destruction? Yet that is what Romans 9:22-23 seems to indicate. Rom 9:22  “What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23  in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—”
Here are two groups of people. Some are called vessels of wrath prepared for destruction “and the others are called “vessels of mercy prepared beforehand for glory.”
Both groups are called “vessels “described by the Greek word  “skeuos” which can mean a utensil for carrying anything or an instrument such as a person. 


The 1st group, “vessels of wrath prepared for destruction” are described that way as shown in verse 22, “What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured [them] with much patience.” It appears that God’s patience with their sin will eventually come to an end and His punishment follows. The reason Jesus came to earth was to die for sin so that humans would not have to face the wrath of God for their sin. By confessing their sin and trusting in Christ for salvation they could avert the wrath of God. But these people have chosen not to do so. 
This truth was shown by Saint John in John chapter 3 verses 16 to 18, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
God’s grace and mercy are offered freely to every human being. However they have a choice to make. To accept His grace in Christ or to live as they please, ignoring the grace of God and ultimately the God of grace. There are consequences for rejecting the God of grace.
 
The 2nd group, “vessels of mercy prepared beforehand for glory” are those who have repented of their sin and have accepted Christ as their Saviour from sin. They are “vessels of mercy” because they have received God’s mercy in accepting Christ as  their Saviour. They were “prepared beforehand for glory“ because God in His omniscience knows who will receive Him and who were reject Him.  This truth is seen in  1Peter 1:1-2, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those chosen, living as exiles dispersed abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit … .” They are the elect or chosen because God in His foreknowledge knew who would respond to Him. 
 
WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF HIS VESSELS OF MERCY. Ephesians 2:8-10.
He has good works for us to do! As Saint Paul wrote,  Eph 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
God has good works which He has prepared beforehand for His people to do. Not only has he prepared His people beforehand for glory but He was also prepared beforehand the good works He wants them to accomplish.  So the redeemed Christian life is not a matter of believers trying to do things to please God, but allowing Him to show them the works He wants them to do and receiving His grace to enable them to do them. 
Saint Paul encourages us in this process in Philippians 2:12-13, “…. . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” We are to work out in practice what God is working in us. He works in us to give us both the willingness and the ability to do the things that please Him.
At this coming Christmas season our attention is drawn to Jesus Christ, the creator of the world, the redeemer of humankind, the Lord of the universe and the ultimate judge. But there is a choice to be made. To accept His amazing grace in coming into the world to die for us or the choice to remain as we are, rejecting the grace and mercy of the eternal loving God. It is not too late to make the right decision and discover the amazing love and mercy of the omnipotent, all powerful, omniscient all-knowing loving God.
Blog No.583 posted on Tuesday, 09 December 2025.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Christmas, Creation, Evangelism, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Judgement, Justification, New Beginnings, Prayer, Salvation, Sanctification, Temptations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

582.  SUMMARY OF ARTICLES ON “PRAYING THROUGH EPHESIANS”

Posted on November 27, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

In a very challenging time healthwise in our marriage I was led to attempt to get my thinking and behaviour into the centre of God’s will for my wife and myself. I felt that I should look into St Paul’s teaching in Ephesians and see how my prayers could be based on God’s revelation of His purposes and will in that epistle. The search was personally helpful for it helped to strengthen both my wife and I as she faced the threat of terminal cancers. 

A].  SUMMARY OF ARTICLES BASED ON CHAPTER 1 OF EPHESIANS

290.  This article has links to 8 articles summarising chapter 1

https://jimholbeck.blog/2018/09/08/290-a-summary-of-the-articles-on-ephesians-chapter-1-on-praying-our-way-through-pauls-letter-to-the-ephesians/

B]. SUMMARY OF ARTICLES BASED ON CHAPTER 2.

298. A Compilation Of 5  Articles Based On Ephesians Chapter 2

C]. SUMMARY OF ARTICLES BASED ON CHAPTERS 3 TO 6.   

301. Eph 3:1-6. https://jimholbeck.blog/2018/11/08/301-halleluia-i-belong-praying-through-ephesians-ephesians-31-6/

302. Eph 3:7-10.  .. https://jimholbeck.blog/2018/11/09/302-taking-hold-of-our-unsearchable-riches-in-christ-praying-through-ephesians-ephesians-37-10/

314. Eph 3:14-19.  https://jimholbeck.blog/2019/02/14/314-praying-for-spiritual-strength-ephesians-314-19-in-the-series-praying-through-ephesians/

326. Eph 4:17-24. https://jimholbeck.blog/2019/09/09/326-ephesians-417-24-contrasting-the-old-life-with-the-new-life-christ-brings-in-the-series-praying-through-ephesians/

331. Eph 4:25-32.. https://jimholbeck.blog/2019/11/25/331-ephesians-425-32-encouragements-to-live-as-a-christian-gods-advice-in-how-to-do-it-in-the-series-praying-through-ephesians/

332.Eph 5 1-16.. https://jimholbeck.blog/2019/12/02/332-ephesians-51-16-walking-in-love-and-in-the-light-in-the-series-praying-through-ephesians/

340. Eph 5:17-6:9. . https://jimholbeck.blog/2020/01/06/340-praying-through-ephesians-eph-517-169-being-filled-with-the-spirit-and-the-possible-consequences-in-lives-lived-in-mutual-submission/

341. Eph 6:10-24.. https://jimholbeck.blog/2020/01/10/341-praying-through-ephesians-winning-the-war-in-spiritual-warfare-eph-610-24-a-suggested-prayer/

Blog No. 582 posted on Thursday 27 November 2025

Posted in Bible verses. Comments, Coping With Personal Grief, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, GROUP DISCUSSION MATERIAL on "Forgiveness", Healing, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, New Beginnings, OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS, Prayer, Praying our way through Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Real Life Stories, Salvation, Sanctification, spiritual warfare, Temptations, TOPICS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

581.  Memories That Bring Strength And Peace. 

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

It is exactly 6 years ago since I answered the phone to hear these words, “Mr Holbeck, your wife Carole passed away just a few minutes ago.” They were from the person in  charge of the Palliative Care ward at Wauchope, the neighbouring town. 

I was shocked but not surprised because the doctor had told us both just two days earlier that Carole could not live longer than 2 or 3 days. I had spent the whole day with her as she lay there in an unresponsive state. Carole had previously insisted I drove home before darkness fell,  and I did so after praying over her and telling her I loved her and that if Jesus was calling her home, I would be ok. 

Life was a bit of a blur for some time after that but I did manage to write a  tribute to her which was handed out at her Thanksgiving service a few days later,  329. A Tribute To A Wonderful Godly Woman. Carole Ann Holbeck. My Late Beloved Wife and Very Best Friend and another the night before her Thanksgiving service. [Here] Since that time I have reflected on significant moments in our relationship, little moments that have stuck in my memory for decades after.  At a church barbeque on the beach how I decided to fetch the food for a younger person who was severely physically handicapped. As I arrived back with the food there was Carole who had had the same idea also bringing food back to the young man. I remember thinking what a kind, thoughtful, generous person this young woman is. [And very attractive as well.] From that moment I saw how this attitude of thoughtful generosity marked every aspect of her life.

I remember the first time she told me she loved me and I felt the most privileged man on earth to be loved by such a beautiful, intelligent, self-giving creature. Later came the time when I asked Carole in a hypothetical way what she would say if someday I asked her to marry me. Her immediate answer was, “I would say Yes!” Hearing  this reply, I proposed and she accepted my proposal.  This to my utter amazement and deep joy. 

There is another memory that often comes into my mind. Carole had flown from Brisbane to Melbourne where I was residing in a Theological College. As we walked together along one of the streets in the CBD of Melbourne with Carole’s arm linked through mine, I thought I was the most privileged person on earth to have such a beautiful, attractive woman on my arm. I saw it as being God’s blessing on my life, thoroughly undeserved, but deeply , deeply appreciated.  

Perhaps my most recent memory comes from the time I was helping Carole move from our bedroom to her favourite chair in the lounge.  This was just a couple of days before I drove her to hospital at her request, our very last trip together. As we moved together she suddenly stopped and turning towards me said  these unforgettable words, “Thank you  for loving me! Thank you for caring for me!” I suppose they summarised our 55 years of being committed to one another and 54 years of a blissful marriage. These words have meant so much to me over the last 6 years.

There are of course many other precious memories I remember from time to time, but all of them fill me with gratitude to God for His amazing grace in allowing me to meet and fall in love in the most beautiful, attractive woman I have ever met. How gracious is our God!

Blog No. 581 posted on Friday 31 October 2025.

Posted in Coping With Personal Grief, Faithfulness, Healing, Holbeck Helpful Hints, Mental Health, Mini Reflections, Prayer, Real Life Stories, Salvation, Sanctification, TOPICS, Tributes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

580. 90 Years Of Living In This World. What a privilege!

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Jim Holbeck

I reached the age of 90 years on Tuesday 14th OCTOBER. What a privilege to have lived for all those years in the Lord’s beautiful world. I did some research and discovered that of all Australian men born in1935, only 22% of us will get to the age of 90. It is an undeserved privilege bestowed on me by the grace of a loving God.  I am amazed to realise that I was brought into the world to serve some purpose in the Lord’s eternal plan.  For 70 of those years I have tried to fulfil His purpose for me. He has always been faithful in providing the grace I needed to live for Him in spite of my unavailability at times. 

What a privilege to be born into a loving family where riches were not abundant but where love and support certainly were. 

Then to befriend a beautiful, attractive, intelligent young woman who became my very best friend and who amazingly responded to my proposal of marriage; a marriage which was blessed for 54 years before the Lord called her home. And the joy of bringing 3 wonderful children into the world and through them 4 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren. 

The privilege of serving the Lord, in many places in Australia, in New Zealand, and in Wisconsin, Alabama and Florida in the United States. As a result, deep friendships that have lasted for decades. And to realise that the Lord had “planned” my days so that I was offered positions in ministry rather than having to apply for them, as Psalm 139 verse 16 indicates, “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.” Being interested in words I looked up the word “planned” in this verse in the Greek version of the Old Testament. [The LXX]. It is the word πλάσσω; plassō meaning to mould [like a potter]  or to fashion or form. Grace upon grace upon grace to realise that my whole life has been part of His eternal plan and purpose and that when my mind made some plans for the future, the Lord over-ruled to His glory,  Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

Reaching 90 years of age is a privilege I deeply appreciate and I praise the Lord for His amazing grace in allowing me to do so.

Blog No. 580 posted on Tuesday 14 October 2025

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Christmas, Forgiveness, Healing, HEALING MINISTRY Core Teaching, Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment