Faith Baptist Church Melbourne

03/10/2026

From Stony Griefs to Sacred Steps: What Psalm 73, Jacob’s Pillow, and "Nearer, My God, To Thee" teach us about Drawing Near to God

On this final day of family camp, Pastor Frank concluded our three-part series on drawing near to God by studying the second half of Psalm 73 (vv. 17–28). In today's devotion, "Drawing Near to God," he connected Asaph’s shift in perspective to Jacob’s journey in Genesis 28 and the timeless hymn "Nearer, My God, To Thee"

If you have ever felt overwhelmed by life's hardships or tempted to envy those living without God, today’s message reminded us how entering God’s presence completely transforms our vision.

Here are the key takeaways from today’s devotion:

1. The Sanctuary Shift: Seeing Through the Eyes of Faith (Psalm 73:17–28)
Asaph’s spiritual crisis ended the moment he went into the sanctuary of God. Looking through physical, temporal eyes made him envious of the prosperous ungodly; but entering God's presence granted him eternal vision through the eyes of faith. He realized that the arrogant are actually standing in slippery places heading toward destruction, while he himself was continually held by God’s right hand, guided by His counsel, and destined for glory. Repenting of his foolishness, Asaph declared: "Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. God Himself - not temporary earthly comfort- is our strength and everlasting portion.

2. Jacob’s Journey: Obedience and a Picture of Christ (Genesis 28)
At 77 years old, Jacob stepped out in obedience on an 800-kilometer journey into the unknown, sleeping in the wilderness with a stone for a pillow. God did not promise him physical luxury, but promised His abiding presence, daily provision, and protection. When we humble ourselves and step out in faith, God gives us more grace and reveals more of Himself. Remarkably, Jacob leaving home to travel to a far country for a bride is a picture of Jesus Christ, who left the glory of heaven and endured a rugged, solitary journey to win His bride - the Church.

3. Raising "Bethel" Out of Stony Griefs
Upon waking, Jacob anointed his stone pillow and named the place Bethel ("House of God"), setting up a pillar to declare God's presence. Drawing directly from Genesis 28, Sarah Flower Adams wrote the hymn "Nearer, My God, To Thee" to show how God meets us in our lowest moments . The hymn reframes every trial as "steps unto heaven" sent in mercy, challenging us to turn our "stony griefs" into monuments of praise. Just as Jacob’s stone stood as a witness, our lives are called to be living pillars that declare Christ's grace and works to the world.

Reflection for Today:
Are you looking at your circumstances through temporal eyes or the eyes of faith? Whatever "stony pillow" or trial you are facing today, remember that God can turn that very hardship into a Bethel - a place where you draw nearer to Him and experience Christ as your ultimate reward .

02/10/2026

When Faith feels pointless: What Psalm 73 teaches us about envy, hardship, and true blessing

Today at camp, in our second devotion on drawing nearer to God, Pastor Frank shared from Psalm 73:1–16 on the honest struggles of Asaph, a chief worship leader (1-3)

Have you ever looked around at people who disregard God - yet seem to enjoy wealth, health, and ease - and wondered if living faithfully is even worth it [1, 4, 5]? Asaph admitted that his feet had almost slipped because he was envious of the arrogant and prosperous ungodly [5-7].

Here are the key takeaways from today's devotion:

1. The trap of measuring God's blessing by worldly wealth
Asaph fell into the trap of assuming that material prosperity meant God's approval, while mistaking his own struggles as a sign that he had cleansed his heart in vain [4, 8, 9]. We often fall into this same trap - thinking that if we serve God, He "owes" us physical comfort, health, better friends, or material rewards [9-12]. But God never promised that obedience guarantees physical luxury or an easy life [12-14].

2. Obedience brings hardship and refinement, not worldly comfort
Just like Jacob on his 800-kilometer journey sleeping on a stone pillow, stepping out in obedience rarely brings worldly ease [14-17]. God did not promise Jacob luxury, but promised His presence, basic food, clothing, and protection every step of the way [14, 18, 19]. When obedience brings suffering or trials, God uses those moments to refine us and draw us closer to Himself - giving us more of Himself rather than temporary physical things [12, 18].

3. Examining our hearts: Are we holding out on God?
When we compare ourselves to others or feel we aren't getting the physical blessings we think we deserve, we are tempted to feel our service is in vain and hold out on God [4, 20, 21]. Envy reveals a heart that measures life's value by temporary possessions rather than by Christ [21-24]. True life does not consist in the abundance of things we possess, but in having Jesus Christ - if you have Him, you have everything [21, 22].

Reflection for Today:
Are there areas in your life where you are holding out on God or feeling envious of what others have [2, 21]? Let's examine our hearts today and fix our eyes on Christ, remembering that He Himself is our ultimate reward [21, 22].

01/10/2026

Setting our hearts on the Lord to start family camp. Blessed by Pastor Frank’s opening devotion

Finding God in the Dark: What Jacob’s Stone Pillow Teaches Us About Drawing Near to God

Have you ever found yourself in a place of deep uncertainty, feeling isolated or weighed down by hard circumstances?

The beloved hymn "Nearer, My God, To Thee" draws directly from Genesis 28, where Jacob was fleeing for his life, alone in the wilderness with nothing but a stone for a pillow. Yet, it was in that exact place of darkness that heaven opened up to him.

Here is how Jacob's story reminds us how God draws near:

1. Turning Hard Places into Altars
When darkness fell, Jacob rested his head on a hard stone. The hymn reminds us that even when our "rest is a stone"- when life feels cold or uncomfortable -God can meet us right where we are.

2. Every Trial as a Step Upward
In his sleep, Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. The hymn reframes our struggles as "steps unto heaven," sent in mercy to guide us closer to the Father.

3. Building "Bethel" Out of Stony Griefs
Upon waking, Jacob poured oil over his stone pillow and named the place Bethel("House of God"). The song challenges us to raise our own "Bethels" - turning our deepest griefs and hardships into monuments of praise.

No matter how dark the night or how heavy the cross, every trial can become the very place where we draw nearer to God.

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29/09/2026

Are you seeking true peace and contentment in your daily life? Join Brother Michael in this encouraging sermon on Joshua 7 to discover how turning to God brings lasting grace. Watch today and be blessed! https://youtu.be/ycSSUSPgDz4?si=FX4x-KGPhgTDSXWj

18/09/2026

Are subtle compromises pulling you away from God?

In Part 28 of our 2 Corinthians series, Pastor Frank tackles 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1and answers 3 essential questions:

1. ❓ Why refuse a wrong yoke? Because believers are God’s temple, and light cannot fellowship with darkness.
2. ❓ What does separation require? Living a holy, distinct life patterned after God—without pride or isolation.
3. ❓ What gives us courage to obey? God’s promise of His abiding Fatherly care and presence.

🎥 Watch the full sermon video to examine your walk and step into God's presence:
👇 https://youtu.be/x0FyVnME_zs?si=XL6x2uNx1twUeFwB

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17/09/2026

Ladies 20th Anniversary High Tea ☕️🫖 What a blessed time was spent together sharing our memories over the past 20 years.

12/09/2026

Are misaligned ties quietly costing you more than you realise?
Watch our previous video for the full deep dive.

11/09/2026

Are your relationships pulling you closer to God or dragging you away? Pastor Frank explains how being "unequally yoked" acts like a plow—your deepest associations ultimately determine your life's direction. Watch this week's sermon to discover who or what is truly influencing your path!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

06/09/2026

Celebrating the incredible dads in our FBC church family today! 🎉
​Press play below to hear a special song from our men in honour of Father's Day. We hope it brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart! 🎵✨
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04/09/2026

You can't learn obedience from a book. Just as soldiers in the Civil War only understood the harsh realities of combat after 'seeing the elephant', Jesus learned perfect obedience by stepping into human suffering. He didn't just know submission in theory; He lived it in agony, a truth perfectly demonstrated as He wept and yielded to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. Listen to the sermon to explore this topic further. https://youtu.be/2mMuCKUN0YA?si=a_wxKaviZz6_mg2B