by Glenice Mills
I started to write this word a week ago and how things have changed in this very short time! When I began writing this word there were storms and flooding in Central Queensland, and I was particularly addressing the damage done there and then. However we are now witnessing terrible destruction and havoc being wreaked on Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland. I am so mindful even as I write this that there has been loss of life with the toll growing daily. This is a time when we must be sensitive to people and the grief and despair many are feeling. Many have lost everything and it is easy for us as sideline spectators to speak out. However, we need to be seriously asking the Lord why is this happening here and now at this time?
I am concerned that many are saying this is the judgment of God. Immaturity says this, however if we are growing into Him we would be seriously seeking the Lord as to what He is saying and what is His heart toward what is happening. It is easy to pass judgment and speak opinion, however the danger is: we cross a fine line becoming judgmental rather than seeking the Lord as to His heart toward us at this time.
Circumstances can have us quickly jump to conclusions as to what we think the Lord is saying, and this has done and is doing damage to the Lord and His name. Yes He is a God who judges, however, He doesn’t judge to condemn but rather to bring us back to Him and His ways. There is a big difference. One motivation is the perception that God is a harsh punishing God, the other is the understanding that He is a God of mercy and grace. It is actually knowing His character and ways. It is about balance.
God sends the rain and we associate floods with judgment, however it is a lot more profound than that.
We are in fact seeing a sign by the hand of God right now and those with eyes to see will know the Lord is speaking to us. Right at this moment we are seeing the destruction and devastation of a capital city, prime farming land and mining areas, in the heart of the state of Queensland as flooding destroys these vital infrastructures. Queensland is being KING HIT by the hand of God and we need to ask why? It is actually about ‘hitting at the heart of Australia.’ It is about Australia, though the impact at this time is occurring in Queensland. So what is the Lord saying to us? Why is He doing it now? Andrew Fraser, the Treasurer for the state of Queensland described the flood as being ‘of Biblical proportions.’
(It is interesting to note later in the day he changed his wording to the floods being of epic proportions). These floods are beyond what has ever taken place before. Seventy five percent of Queensland has sustained severe flooding and this is now on flowing to other states of Australia. The volume of water is so great it is beyond our understanding. Heavy rainfall and the soil unable to absorb the water therefore it is flowing at extremely fast rates causing overflowing of all the river and creek systems in the west of Queensland. The volume is so great it is wreaking havoc in every town and city where the river systems have broken their banks and flowed over and into areas that have never encountered flooding before. Queensland has been in drought for many years, and now we are subject to the worst flooding in recent history. Prime farming land has been ruined, right when fruit and vegetables were ripe ready for picking. The other problem is some fruit that has been picked cannot be transported to markets as towns are isolated by the flooding. The fruit is rotting. This is causing a financial on flow as fruit and vegetables are in shorter supply and therefore the cost of purchasing them is higher.
Everyday the mines are not operating it is costing millions of dollars. Again the coal cannot get to the wharves as the train lines have been wrecked. Ships are waiting in the harbours unable to transport the vital coal being sent to other countries for manufacturing of many products. This flooding has devastated the land but more seriously it has king hit the economy of Queensland. In the bigger picture will be its impact on Australia as a nation as it hits the economy because of the fall out of the damage done in Queensland. So what is the Lord saying and why is this happening? Firstly I sense the Lord’s grief and heart ache as He sees ones hurting as they deal with their losses. However, as I have been seeking the Lord on this He reminded me of something I have been sharing over recent times that has been causing me much concern.
Since the global financial crisis Australia has withstood the fall out from it well. In fact we have often boasted how our economy is strong and nothing will cause it to fail. I have spoken and written my concern at the pride expressed, and the complete disregard of the Lord and His grace and mercy upon us. It is because of favour upon Australia that we have not succumbed to the problems America and other nations have because of this crisis. Sadly there has never been any acknowledgment of God, of His blessings upon this nation that have kept us protected until now. In our pride we have gone along in our comfort and selfishness, thinking we are above and better than others.
We are now seeing the cost of this pride as God sovereignly moves bringing the rain and resulting floods. How quickly things change!!! It shows how vulnerable we truly are, that we are nothing and have nothing but by the hand of God. In a short time and with a change of circumstances we now find ourselves in a precarious position. We are in fact completely reliant on the Lord as to how much more rain will fall, and how much more damage will result. We are completely in the hands of God as to the economic fall out of this flooding. He can restore and redeem what has happened, but only if we return to Him in prayer, repentance and intercession. That is the opportunity now available to us: if God will restrain His hand and bring restoration to Australia. There is much more the Lord is saying about what is happening in Queensland and in the bigger picture of Australia.
This morning He showed me that He has a lot He wants to share about His heart toward Australia. We as a nation are on His heart!!! We always have been, however what He is saying at this time warrants more detail. As a prophet called to this nation I know the Lord has much to say. He is ‘downloading’ some clear insight as to what He is doing and what is ahead for us as a nation. The depth of what He is showing requires a series over the next few weeks. The Lord has given me an outline of what He is saying and doing however He has made it clear to me that it must unfold over a period of time and I must be obedient to this.
This is also about the body of Christ and this is an opportunity for it to be a true expression of the Lord Jesus Christ as His children bring love, care, compassion, comfort and practical help to ones in need over coming days, weeks, months and years. It is opportunity for the church’s finest hour.
Our prayers are critical at this time, and for those of us not impacted by the floods it is vital we give thanks that we have not been touched by these floods.
I want to finish this first part with a Scripture that is for such a time as this.
1 Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same suffering which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
To all who are reading this and have been impacted by the flooding may you truly know the comfort of the Lord and His strength as you endure the hardships and trials during this time. May you know the power of the prayers being offered up and a true knowledge that the Lord is your ever present help in times of trouble.
Bless you.
(Prophetic word given 6 January, 2011)
I started to write this word a week ago and how things have changed in this very short time! When I began writing this word there were storms and flooding in Central Queensland, and I was particularly addressing the damage done there and then. However we are now witnessing terrible destruction and havoc being wreaked on Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland. I am so mindful even as I write this that there has been loss of life with the toll growing daily. This is a time when we must be sensitive to people and the grief and despair many are feeling. Many have lost everything and it is easy for us as sideline spectators to speak out. However, we need to be seriously asking the Lord why is this happening here and now at this time?
I am concerned that many are saying this is the judgment of God. Immaturity says this, however if we are growing into Him we would be seriously seeking the Lord as to what He is saying and what is His heart toward what is happening. It is easy to pass judgment and speak opinion, however the danger is: we cross a fine line becoming judgmental rather than seeking the Lord as to His heart toward us at this time.
Circumstances can have us quickly jump to conclusions as to what we think the Lord is saying, and this has done and is doing damage to the Lord and His name. Yes He is a God who judges, however, He doesn’t judge to condemn but rather to bring us back to Him and His ways. There is a big difference. One motivation is the perception that God is a harsh punishing God, the other is the understanding that He is a God of mercy and grace. It is actually knowing His character and ways. It is about balance.
God sends the rain and we associate floods with judgment, however it is a lot more profound than that.
We are in fact seeing a sign by the hand of God right now and those with eyes to see will know the Lord is speaking to us. Right at this moment we are seeing the destruction and devastation of a capital city, prime farming land and mining areas, in the heart of the state of Queensland as flooding destroys these vital infrastructures. Queensland is being KING HIT by the hand of God and we need to ask why? It is actually about ‘hitting at the heart of Australia.’ It is about Australia, though the impact at this time is occurring in Queensland. So what is the Lord saying to us? Why is He doing it now? Andrew Fraser, the Treasurer for the state of Queensland described the flood as being ‘of Biblical proportions.’
(It is interesting to note later in the day he changed his wording to the floods being of epic proportions). These floods are beyond what has ever taken place before. Seventy five percent of Queensland has sustained severe flooding and this is now on flowing to other states of Australia. The volume of water is so great it is beyond our understanding. Heavy rainfall and the soil unable to absorb the water therefore it is flowing at extremely fast rates causing overflowing of all the river and creek systems in the west of Queensland. The volume is so great it is wreaking havoc in every town and city where the river systems have broken their banks and flowed over and into areas that have never encountered flooding before. Queensland has been in drought for many years, and now we are subject to the worst flooding in recent history. Prime farming land has been ruined, right when fruit and vegetables were ripe ready for picking. The other problem is some fruit that has been picked cannot be transported to markets as towns are isolated by the flooding. The fruit is rotting. This is causing a financial on flow as fruit and vegetables are in shorter supply and therefore the cost of purchasing them is higher.
Everyday the mines are not operating it is costing millions of dollars. Again the coal cannot get to the wharves as the train lines have been wrecked. Ships are waiting in the harbours unable to transport the vital coal being sent to other countries for manufacturing of many products. This flooding has devastated the land but more seriously it has king hit the economy of Queensland. In the bigger picture will be its impact on Australia as a nation as it hits the economy because of the fall out of the damage done in Queensland. So what is the Lord saying and why is this happening? Firstly I sense the Lord’s grief and heart ache as He sees ones hurting as they deal with their losses. However, as I have been seeking the Lord on this He reminded me of something I have been sharing over recent times that has been causing me much concern.
Since the global financial crisis Australia has withstood the fall out from it well. In fact we have often boasted how our economy is strong and nothing will cause it to fail. I have spoken and written my concern at the pride expressed, and the complete disregard of the Lord and His grace and mercy upon us. It is because of favour upon Australia that we have not succumbed to the problems America and other nations have because of this crisis. Sadly there has never been any acknowledgment of God, of His blessings upon this nation that have kept us protected until now. In our pride we have gone along in our comfort and selfishness, thinking we are above and better than others.
We are now seeing the cost of this pride as God sovereignly moves bringing the rain and resulting floods. How quickly things change!!! It shows how vulnerable we truly are, that we are nothing and have nothing but by the hand of God. In a short time and with a change of circumstances we now find ourselves in a precarious position. We are in fact completely reliant on the Lord as to how much more rain will fall, and how much more damage will result. We are completely in the hands of God as to the economic fall out of this flooding. He can restore and redeem what has happened, but only if we return to Him in prayer, repentance and intercession. That is the opportunity now available to us: if God will restrain His hand and bring restoration to Australia. There is much more the Lord is saying about what is happening in Queensland and in the bigger picture of Australia.
This morning He showed me that He has a lot He wants to share about His heart toward Australia. We as a nation are on His heart!!! We always have been, however what He is saying at this time warrants more detail. As a prophet called to this nation I know the Lord has much to say. He is ‘downloading’ some clear insight as to what He is doing and what is ahead for us as a nation. The depth of what He is showing requires a series over the next few weeks. The Lord has given me an outline of what He is saying and doing however He has made it clear to me that it must unfold over a period of time and I must be obedient to this.
This is also about the body of Christ and this is an opportunity for it to be a true expression of the Lord Jesus Christ as His children bring love, care, compassion, comfort and practical help to ones in need over coming days, weeks, months and years. It is opportunity for the church’s finest hour.
Our prayers are critical at this time, and for those of us not impacted by the floods it is vital we give thanks that we have not been touched by these floods.
I want to finish this first part with a Scripture that is for such a time as this.
1 Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same suffering which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
To all who are reading this and have been impacted by the flooding may you truly know the comfort of the Lord and His strength as you endure the hardships and trials during this time. May you know the power of the prayers being offered up and a true knowledge that the Lord is your ever present help in times of trouble.
Bless you.
(Prophetic word given 6 January, 2011)