A Word for Australia (Part 5): The Muddy Waters of Compromise

Part Five of previous articles: Part 1 + Part 2 + Part 3 + Part 4

by Glenice Mills

One of the impacting sights of the recent floods in Australia has been the rivers of rapid flowing, muddy waters. This has come about because of the topsoil, silt and mud that the rivers have accumulated from their starting points way up in the ranges as they meandered down through farmland to cities and towns and out to sea. What had started as pure clear rain water, has turned into the disgusting muddy waters as the rivers flowed down.

This is a prophetic picture of our lives, of God’s people corporately and in the wider context, also of nations. The Lord comes to us in His holiness and purity but as we make wrong choices, walking in disobedience and choosing the world’s ways rather than the Lord’s, we make the mistake of succumbing to compromise. We all have choices and the decisions we make effects the results of whether we are growing in God or slowly bowing to the world’s ways. The truth is the Lord is looking for a people who are willing to be set apart to Him. Walking in truth will cost us something but that is how we grow in God and come into greater maturity. We are told in Scripture to take up our cross daily and this means counting the cost. There will be things in and of ourselves that must die, that must be brought to the cross so we can come into greater freedom and life. There are times when it is very difficult to be a Christian particularly when we are required to stand for truth. The Lord knows this and He is with us as we endure and learn to overcome adversity. This is also what happens to nations.

The reality is Australia as a nation has hardened its heart against God, and this means things will get tougher. The Lord’s heart is always about ‘Return to Me’ and the only way this can happen is if we are brought to our knees in humility, acknowledging our need of Him.  Just like we individually stray, so a nation strays away from the ways of God. As we know, Australia is a nation called by God in these end times. It is a nation very much on God’s heart, however we have strayed and are continuing to stray from truth by bowing to the worship of false gods. Sadly many also have hardened their hearts against God and His truth. This has resulted in compromise creeping into our society. We as a people in the body of Christ have sat back quietly and accepted what Government leaders and those in authority have said and done. This has resulted in the gradual eroding of moral values and the compromising of truth. Unfortunately it creeps in over time, and that is why Scripture encourages us to be on watch, and to stand guard.

Compromise means a subtle modifying of principles. In other words it is a twisting of Scripture to appease man. To settle for the status quo, so as not to offend or confront, in order to keep a false sense of peace. It sneaks in, lulling us into a false sense of  complacency. However, just like our own lives, the Lord allows circumstances to wake us up, to have us cry out to Him and to make some things right. Right at this time in our government they are discussing whether Australia is a ‘Judaeo-Christian’ nation or a ‘multicultural’ nation.

To be a ‘Judaeo-Christian’ means to strongly identify with the Jews, to believe in the Biblical God of Israel, His commandments and His Biblical moral laws. It also believes in being answerable to God. Multiculturalism means a philosophy that recognises ethnic diversity within a society, that encourages others to be enlightened by worthwhile contributions to society by those of diverse ethnic backgrounds. As we look at the issue of ‘Judaeo-Christian’ and multiculturalism we see an eroding of God’s truth as these doctrines and ways of living insidiously creep in.

Meanwhile the Lordship of Jesus Christ is compromised and brought down. Australia has often prided itself on being a Christian nation but this is far from the truth. IF we are a ‘Judaeo-Christian’ nation the question must be asked: Are we following what it is truly meant to be as a Judaeo-Christian? What is it to be a Christian? If we believe in the Biblical God of Israel, and we follow the Ten Commandments why is it that we are so far away from His truth? How have we gone astray?

Firstly, we need to come back to the basic understanding of what it is to be a Christian. In its simplest form it is living and being a follower of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, and obeying His commandments and all that means as it is outworked in our day to day lives.  Issues of forgiveness, offence, the conviction of sin, repentance and the fear of the Lord will be openly talked about. Does the church of Australia preach, teach and confront these basic tenets of being a Christian? Do we truly follow and obey the Ten Commandments? Sadly the Ten Commandments have been watered down. As we have bowed to a compromised gospel there has been a slow erosion of Truth to a compromised way of living.

The truth is we are so far from God’s ways and the nation of Australia is NOT a Christian nation. Can we truly say that the people of Australia love the Lord God with all their heart, with all their mind and with all their being? They are very quick to take the Lord’s name in vain, thereby breaking the third commandment! This is only one commandment. Do we as a nation keep the true Biblical Sabbath? Do we honour our parents? How are we going with do not steal? Do you return something you have borrowed from someone? I rarely see any acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lord over individuals lives. I don’t see it being expressed as an integral part of the fabric of this nation. I see a lot of trying to keep the peace so as not to offend anyone. We just need to take the commandment as found in Exodus 20:3:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Why is it that many denominations, and churches have aligned themselves with the ‘interfaith’ movement. The actual meaning of the word inter is to be among, mutually, and reciprocally. This is where we are friends with all faiths, condoning and accepting every viewpoint and belief in the misguided thinking that if we somehow agree with them we can bring them to true Christianity.

This is the muddying of the waters.  This is a belief that all religions are the same and they all lead to God. This is one of the most dangerous traps of the enemy as it is a lie from the pit of hell. It is bringing the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ down to the level of the false gods of false religions. It is compromise of the worst order, as it null and voids the power of the Name of the Lord, the risen Lord Jesus, who shed His blood on the cross at Calvary for our sins. No other god or religion brings salvation -  it is by no other name than the Lord Jesus Christ that we can be saved! To say otherwise is compromise and a muddying of the waters.

If we look at the issue of multiculturalism it invariable leads to compromise in some way. The great thing about Australia has been its acceptance of peoples from all nations.  It is an immigrant nation, however, the danger of this is embracing the beliefs of the gods of these nations. Compromise has led us to a feeling of ‘walking on eggshells’ when openly questioning this worship of false gods and their religions. We are on the back foot, we are the tail and not the head. This has led to the disempowering of our own belief as Christians in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

You cannot have the interfaith movement and the embracing of multiculturalism mixing together and taking a false rulership over this nation. This is not about people, it is about the worship of their false gods. This is why the church must arise and speak and confront these issues. It is now time to say what we as a nation want as our belief system, whether we want to be known as a Christian nation and if so fully embracing the truth of what that truly means. Maybe we need to ask ourselves what it is that defines us as Christians and make a choice to embrace all that this entails: without compromise. It will cost us, and it will challenge but it will draw a line in the sand between what is truth and what is falsehood.

Perhaps it is time we as Christians actually start to believe the Bible and actually walk in the truth of what it is to be a Christian. That is the pivotal choice we as a nation face at this time.

The Lord is calling us back to Him and His ways, but we must acknowledge where we are at in the body of Christ right now, so we can repent of our complacency and compromise and seek the Lord as to how He wants us to put some things right.

This nation of Australia is in peril unless we actually openly and honestly individually and corporately ask ourselves where we are at in our Christian walk and what it is the Lord is requiring of us to change. It will mean change as to how we have done church, and whether we will choose to make a stand for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will have to choose to go against the flow of popular opinion that says we must love ‘all’ and accept everyone’s beliefs at the risk of bringing the Lord and His Name alongside the other false gods.

It is time to confront the compromise in our own lives and in the body of Christ where we have watered down the gospel and been all things to all people. We cannot bring change to Australia unless we look at ourselves first. It is up to us to examine our lives and ask the Lord to convict us of the sins of compromise and complacency.

It is a case of Search my heart O God and see if there be any wicked way in me. We also need to seek the Lord as to His understanding of the following Scripture so we can come into greater truth.

2 Corinthians 6:17

“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”

Lord we need You!!!  Help us to walk in Your truth!!

Lord show us those areas in our lives where we have compromised Your truth, where we have chosen to come in agreement with lies as to Who You are. Lord show us where we have, by our complacency, unknowingly succumbed to idolatry and the worship of false idols and religions. Open my eyes to see where I have watered down the truth in my understanding of the Ten Commandments. Lord send Your Holy Spirit, to convict the hearts and lives of Your people as we come back to You and Your ways, walking in the power and authority of the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We acknowledge Your Lordship over our lives, and over the people of this nation, Australia. Let Your Kingdom come, Let Your will be done here in Your body of believers and in Australia.

Amen,
So Be It!!!

Prophetic Encouragement

by Patricia Bellchambers

As I drove home on Friday night, I found my vision being drawn repeatedly to the car’s side mirror. I was surprised at how the reflection of what I saw looked so unlike what I had just driven through. From that slightly different perspective, the road behind looked well lit, its surface appeared even and it looked wide and clean. I knew that in reality the stretch of road I had just driven along was uneven, narrow in spots and a little dark and dingy looking.

As I continued to drive home my vision was drawn time and time again to the side mirror and each time I marvelled at the contrast that was apparent between what I saw as I looked through the windscreen of the car as opposed to then looking at that same stretch of road behind me through the side mirror.

The perspective offered by the side mirror always showed a more favourable view. The view always appeared more attractive even though in reality it was the same stretch of road simply seen from a different angle.

The Holy Spirit started to speak to me about the fact that often we look back over our lives and what we have lived through often looks more attractive than what it actually was in reality. We seem to minimise the negatives and focus more intently on the positive experiences we have had when we remember our past.

Even in every day conversation we often refer to our past as “the good old days.”

When we find ourselves in pain or turmoil or confusion it is very easy to seek that which feels familiar. In the times when we are fearful, apprehensive or even frustrated it is easy to look at what lay behind rather than face what lies ahead. The future may seem unsure or even frightening while the past appears to be familiar, comforting and reassuring. The reality is however, that to return to or focus on the past, will not bring life, it will only bring entrapment and eventually death.

To be healed of our past we need to acknowledge it but we do not stay there. We stay focused on the present and what the Holy Spirit desires of us.

We cannot afford to focus on the past but must remain vigilant to focus on and move toward the future. The decisions we make now will determine our future. Don’t allow satan to convince you to focus on what you have left behind, or what you once had. Do not be deceived by the things satan will whisper into your mind. Satan will tell you, “It was so much easier back then,” and the truth is it was. He will tell you that, “You had nothing to lose back then,” and the reality is you didn’t. Satan will tell you that, “This journey with Jesus has cost you everything,” and hopefully that’s true because the reality is we had nothing of eternal value back in the “good old days” anyway. Don’t be like the Israelites when they were being led out of Egypt and into freedom, when times got tough they began moaning and groaning and eventually pining for what they once had - which in reality was slavery and bondage.

Don’t be like Lot’s wife who ignored the instruction to leave and not look back - you may not die as she did, however, you may focus on the past just long enough to miss the awesome opportunity God has placed in front of you.

The truth in my life story is, that pre-salvation I had no future, no hope, no idea of who I was and I had allowed the world to rob me of any dreams I ever had. I had bought into almost every lie of the enemy and I welcomed death much more than life. I had no life, I did not know how to live only how to exist.

Through my relationship with Jesus, because of Him, I now have a future and hope, and He has redeemed my past, my dreams and my destiny. I now have life!!!!

There is no comparison between my past and my present. The “good old days” simply didn’t exist except in some unrealistic inaccurate perception.

We must continue to do what God requires of us. That does not involve looking back …
...it requires looking forward and being willing to pursue the things God places in front of us.
Be blessed!

A Word for Australia (Part 4) : Make Your Mark!

Part Four of previous articles: Part 1 + Part 2 + Part 3

 A Prophetic Declaration over Australia
by Glenice Mills

Sometimes the Lord brings immediate understanding to what He is showing and other times it unfolds over a period of time. Everything is in His perfect timing and that timing can be down to the tiniest split second. That is when you know He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the awe and fear of Him takes a deeper and more profound revelation in the depth of your being.

The Lord has spoken to me in years past through the fireworks held in Sydney on New Years Eve. It is His personal word to me and also a prophetic declaration of what He is wanting to say and do over Australia. Last year was a serious year and He showed the idolatrous worship of false gods and religions as the declaration ‘Awaken the spirit’ was emblazoned on the harbour bridge. Sadly Australia is now reaping the consequences of this bowing to false idols. So it was with some trepidation and concern that I was feeling coming into this new year.

I did not feel like putting the television on and was happy to pray and wait on the Lord for what He wanted to reveal if He so felt to. It was seven minutes to twelve and the Lord said put the television on NOW! I put it on and that split second the commentator said, “The theme this year is MAKING YOUR MARK!!!” and at that moment a large red exclamation mark lit up on the Sydney harbour bridge. It was a revelation that was personal but over the ensuing weeks the Lord has been speaking to me about the significance of this declaration.

We are only in week seven in this new year of 2011 and what a year it has been so far!

Who would have thought as we ushered in the new year, there would be so much devastation and destruction happening in many parts of Australia? However, there is a reason for this.

The statement ‘make your mark’ is saying you have been hidden but it is now time to be made known. Making your mark is like a ‘dada!’ moment. It is a coming into prominence. Australia is in a ‘dada!’ moment. It has been divinely thrust into a high profile. The world is hearing of and seeing the scale of the floods, cyclones, and fires as the damage done is shown on the television and through the internet. Australia has been under the radar as far as world events go but the Lord is now exposing and highlighting this nation. It may not be how we would like it to be, however it is by the divine hand of God that we now come onto centre stage in world events. We are making our mark, as the Lord moves mightily. We have seen His might in recent times as the largest cyclone seen in Australian history formed out in the Coral Sea and hit Queensland and is now affecting other states.

It is now time for this nation to make its mark, positioned in prominence for the world to see. We have seen signs in the natural, however there is greater depth of meaning.  It is also a sign in the Spirit. There are ones in Australia, particularly His apostles and prophets who are now going to make their mark on the world stage. No longer hidden! It is time for prominent positioning for your voices to go out to the nations!!!  There is a reverberation sound echoing around the world that is saying: ‘Arise, the time is now for the apostles and prophets to be heard!’ There is an Australian sound going out, with an exclamation mark punctuation at the end of every statement being spoken! This exclamation mark is a crying out, a declaration of war!!! The exclamation mark is a seal, a seal of the Holy Spirit, of His endorsement that says: it is done!!! It is a unique war cry coming from a nation that knows what it is to endure trials and its sound is the sound of a warrior. It is also about the bigger picture of other nations also coming into position, however, it is critical that Australia go first. It is a forerunning nation, and the unique cry from the heart of God’s special forces in Australia must be positioned first! This is the arising of the true apostolic/prophetic that will walk with others from other nations to advance the kingdom of God in this hour in history. It is not only men who are being activated but a great arising of women who are positioned, ready to confront evil and to speak truth.

This is the arising of an Australian army, ready for battle. They are ones who know their authority, and their position in this great and mighty army. They are at action stations ready for the call to arms, ready to go as the Lord leads. It is no longer time to hold back but to stand ready for the assault forward.

It is interesting to note that at the fireworks there was also another prophetic sign, a confirmation of what the Lord is saying and doing. A few minutes after the exclamation mark, in the middle of the fireworks, a large hand was emblazoned on the harbour bridge. This animated hand was moving to the beat of the music and its movements were exact, each finger moving one at a time in clear defining actions.  At times the thumb was moving and joining in with a finger. This hand is symbolic of the five fold ministry. Each finger represents one of the five fold ministries. The thumb represents the apostle, first finger the prophet as it points the way forward.  The large middle finger is the evangelist reaching out to the unsaved, the ring finger is the pastor who love and care for the sheep. The little finger is symbolic of the teacher.  The thumb is able to move to each finger representing the apostle who has oversight of all the other ministry gifts.

Ephesians 4:11

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

There will be a bringing out of ones who have been hidden but who will now be used mightily. They are ones who have yielded their lives to the dealings of God. All ambition, and self promotion has been killed in them so the pure word of the Lord will come through. They are ones that the Lord can trust to carry the true word of the Lord and preach it without fear and without succumbing to man’s agendas. They will not be bought, but will speak and confront and also train and equip the saints, encourage God’s people, and bring ones into greater maturity in Christ.
It will NOT be the arising of the false and proud caught up by the supposed spirit of the great south land of the Holy Spirit, but rather from the broken, contrite, humble ones who have endured and passed many tests in God as they have yielded to the leading of the precious Holy Spirit!!!

This word is a declaration, a declaration that says “It is now time to MAKE YOUR MARK!!! Do not tarry, do not hold back, but take your position in Me. Follow My leading, obey what I instruct, and I will position you to take back land the enemy has had personally and in the greater picture, the nations. You are part of My mighty army and it is now time to stand, hold your position and wait for the command to GO!!!”

Isaiah 55:11

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

It is interesting to note the Bible italicises ‘in the thing’ because it is in the thing that He is planning that He will put His seal upon.
The ‘thing’ at this time is the warrior cry that is to come out of Australia by the Lord’s chosen vessels, ones He can trust.

So MAKE YOUR MARK! MAKE YOUR MARK! MAKE YOUR MARK!

(Prophetic Article given 7 January 2011)

A Word for Australia (Part 3): God’s Mighty Power, Cyclone Yasi

Part three of previous articles: Part 1 + Part 2

by Glenice Mills

We have just witnessed the power of God!!! How many people are on their knees?

My question to the Lord at this time is not why, but rather HOW is it that we find ourselves in this dire predicament? What have we done that has stirred God to bring such destruction and devastation to this land? The Lord is speaking to us through these signs being displayed in Queensland and affecting the greater land of Australia.

Firstly, we had a ‘small’ cyclone a few days ago called Cyclone Anthony. The meaning of the word Anthony is OF INESTIMABLE WORTH!!!

That is the Lord’s heart toward Australia. We as a nation are of great value and worth.  His love is being displayed to us to bring us to our knees in repentance, to cry out to Him to spare us from His hand of judgment. It is about His hand of mercy being outstretched to this precious people of this mighty nation called for such a time as this!!! I have watched, over many days, the mighty sign that is this latest cyclone called ‘Yasi’ and have been so in awe of the power and might that this incredible cyclone has had out in the Coral Sea. It has been spoken of as the biggest cyclone to ever hit Australia. The eye of the cyclone is bigger than any ever seen before.

I have been researching the meaning of Yasi. It has not been easy to find, however, we just need to take the first syllable - Ya - Yah!!! That means LORD GOD!!!

One meaning I found was Yasi means LORD IS THE JUDGE. He is certainly judging some things at this time. This is not to condemn us but is a WAKE UP CALL to bring us back to HIS WAYS!!! Judgment first starts in the house of God, and it is time that we, the church examine our hearts in repentance, seeking Him to convict us of the wickedness in our lives, individually and corporately. It is time for the issue of COMPROMISE to be addressed among the body of Christ. We have watered down the gospel of Christ to appease man’s opinion, to make one feel good. When sin is exposed the feel good factor is challenged, and a choice given: choose the way of repentance, or choose to stay the same.

The line that is TRUTH has become blurred and a wishy washy gospel has been preached. This has denied the POWER of the LORD JESUS CHRIST!!! He is now showing us HIS POWER through the sign that is this massive cyclone. He is desiring power by His Holy Spirit to come to His people: Power to heal, deliver, revive, and bring truth and life to His church and to those calling on Him in this time of need.

We have witnessed strong winds that are stirring up. In order to stir things up, things must be pulled down first. We are seeing trees, branches, roofing and other loose items flung around, swept along with the force of the wind and the driving rain. The Holy Spirit is often spoken of as a wind blowing, and is symbolic of change. There is change coming to this nation that will stir up, and unsettle what we have known and felt safe and secure with. We are in a time of unsettling, and that unsettling is going to increase. Our government is going to become more unstable. There is going to be an arising of ‘people power’ who will say, ‘Enough!!! Listen to what the people want!’ We will no longer bow to directives by ones who do not know what the average person is going through. There will be a greater divide between those that have much and those with little. Many have looked to government for help, and they will know intense disappointment. They will form a group that will stir fellow ones in similar strife, and will be a powerful voice to bring change to government and also deep change to corporations. There is coming a time of greater accountability for government, business, corporations, the banks, and government departments. Corruption and ‘wickedness in high places’ will be exposed this year. There will be a great unsettling and a stirring of the people. The Lord is stirring up the people to confront injustices, new injustices will be exposed, particularly in relation to government spending and the mismanagement of taxpayers’ monies. There will be what appears ‘hoodwinking’ but the deep level of man’s sinister meddling and fiddling with the ‘books’ will be exposed. There will be increased unrest among the people, not those who are militant such as the unions, but rather among the ‘average’ person who has quietly submitted and succumbed to what has up to now appeared ‘normal’. There is an arising and a stirring going to take place, that will unseat many in positions of power and authority.

Their schemes and lies will be exposed by the Lord, and man’s agenda and so called sense of comfort and security will be attacked. This will bring people out and stir them up to challenge. The Lord is stirring, stirring, stirring, and this stirring is taking place in the hearts and lives of all, not just God’s people, but ones who are feeling a great sense of injustice. Unrest will occur on the streets of towns, and in major cities, that will impact the economy of this nation. We have been protected, but because of our pride, the Lord is going to expose us to greater influence and affect by other economies in the world.

Greater mumblings and grumblings by people who have and will lose a lot of their income, assets and savings will unsettle the people and stir them up to confront the deep workings of institutions that have wielded a strong hold and power over the people.

We have just seen our two women leaders: our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh deny the power of God. They both, in a crucial time in Australia’s history, as this cyclone bore down on Queensland, never made mention of God. It was disgusting to watch Anna Bligh just before the cyclone was going to hit land fall say ‘Our thoughts’ are with those in the line of the cyclone. Where was the word ‘prayer’.  Just a day previously she said, “Anyone would think that ‘something out there’ is against us but it is just the climate and the way of nature at this time of year.” The comment was said with a disparaging tone and I went, ‘Oh no God, there is no fear of You.’  I was distressed and felt a terrible consequence come upon her and her life as she just denied the Lord. I had a terrible sense of foreboding as I prayed for her. Could these two women not even make mention or acknowledge God? Our Prime Minister also said, “Our thoughts are with those in Queensland.” No mention of the word PRAYER!!!

Are we this far away from God that our elected leaders cannot even mention the name of God, cannot even say “we as a nation need to pray”? If they had, imagine the power of those words by leaders of a nation? Were they that full of pride to acknowledge their need of the Lord? Were they that scared to offend that they could not even mention the word pray? Surely we as a nation are not that far from the Lord that we even in our time of need do not pray or can acknowledge the need of prayer? Can I mention here a thank you to a journalist, Chris Reason, who sensitively and powerfully in his closing statements just before the cyclone was to hit said, ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with those who in the coming hours will know such fear and concern.’ I believe many prayers were prayed at this time.

These two women leaders reminded me of Pharaoh. No matter how often the Lord showed with a sign they denied the power of God. Have they hardened their hearts against God so badly that they no longer acknowledge their need of Him? That being so, for the sake of this nation I dare to say: “Lord remove them or humble them.” We cannot go down the way of death, to destruction because we have leaders who do not want to acknowledge the Lord, God. How much more destruction and devastation does this state of Queensland, this nation of Australia have to endure to bring it back to the Lord? As I mentioned previously, are our hearts that hard? How long are we going to keep denying the power of the Lord, of His name, and of His Lordship?

This is the churches call to arms, to seek His face, to pray, and cry out for His grace and mercy upon us. It is time for the people of this nation to come into greater humility, to acknowledge its need of the Lord, and to pray for those in distress and need at this time.

There is an encouraging shift happening. But does it have to take a disaster to stir us up out of our complacency? I hope not!!! I know there have been many faithful ones praying and interceding for this nation, and we have witnessed God’s grace and mercy as what was meant to be a very destructive cyclone did not do as much damage as was predicted.

At the writing of this there had been no loss of life and this I know was because of the many prayers. Thank you Lord that You hear the prayers of Your people and You have spared this nation from greater devastation.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge something that was shown on the television. It was very touching to see in one of the evacuation centres a family seated together on their mattresses, reading their Bibles, with the father playing his guitar and singing praises to the Lord. May the Lord truly bless them and all those who have been praising and worshiping the Lord in these difficult times, who are and have been impacted by this cyclone.  Bless those also who have interceded for this nation in travail crying out for mercy and grace upon us all.

This is the great stirring and awakening of ones coming together in unity of the Spirit, in desperate need of the Lord, being true examples of what it is to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Chronicles 7:14

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

(Prophetic Article given 3 February 2011)

A Word for Australia (Part 2): The ‘Aussie Spirit’

Part II of a Previous Article

by Glenice Mills

Today is the day we celebrate what it means to be Australian. It is Australia Day. We each have our own story as to what the nation of Australia means to us. Many of us are immigrants from other nations, and we are privileged to have been received into this nation. It has and will always have a special place in our hearts. Australia is a continent of contrasts and this is reflected in its many nationalities and expressions of their cultures. As this land is cruel in its climate and geography, it has tested the inner fortitude of those sent to forge a life here. This is reflected in the way its people are able to withstand adversity. Most, if not all immigrants were running away from something, and this desire to make a better life for oneself and their family puts a special inner fortitude and determination to better oneself, that defines them. Perhaps this is the foundation of what is called the ‘Aussie spirit.’ However we must be very careful how we bow to this spirit as there are attributes that are not honouring of God.  Many of its ways are not something we should be proud of. A day for an excuse of drunken revelry, and claim it as the ‘Aussie spirit’ is not endearing. The truth is we need to be careful what ‘spirit’ we are representing and bowing to. I am a New Zealander and I do not want in any way, shape or form, a ‘kiwi/New Zealand spirit’.  I am an Australian citizen and again I do not want to bow to any false idolatrous ‘Aussie spirit’. The only Spirit I want is the HOLY SPIRIT, that is the Spirit I want abiding in my life.

Hebrews 11:15,16
"And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

Our lives are not actually about the country we live in, but rather our hope is heaven. We are sojourners passing through and we must be where the Lord wants to place us. He gives us a divine love for the country we are positioned in. However there are traps we must be aware we do not fall into.
We as Christians must be careful what we bow to and worship. This may seem extreme but we must be careful what we believe and come in agreement with that does not GLORIFY THE LORD!!!
I thank the Lord that He called us here to this beautiful nation and that is what I celebrate this day. This is a nation of freedom, we can still preach the gospel, pray and speak of the things of God. We must stand guard, and be alert because this is being threatened at this time. There is an insidious eroding of this freedom, to openly practice as a Christian, and we must fight for this right. There is a battle over this nation as a Christian nation. Attributes of this Aussie spirit actually oppose the kingdom of God. The Lord is exposing and pulling down this stronghold as we call on Him as our help and our saviour in these times of trouble.
In recent times we have seen many people pulling together helping one another with the clean up in flood ravaged areas. There has been an outpouring of practical helps, compassion, caring and a giving of peoples’ time and money to those in need. This has been spoken of as the ’Aussie spirit.’ Maybe it is as simple as mankind helping one another out, showing charity in a time of need. To say it is the ‘Aussie spirit’ is prideful and exalting oneself under a ‘tribal gathering’ thinking and being. God in His grace and mercy put it on peoples’ hearts to go and help in the clean up. It has nothing to do with any ‘Aussie spirit.’ The truth is: people helping others happens all over the world when hardship and disaster come and to claim it as only happening in Australia is proud and arrogant. There is a concerning attribute of this spirit that I feel in God to address. The Lord has been speaking to me about how it works and the contending it has against the Spirit of the Lord God.
There is an invincibility that is not of God. It is like having a super hero attitude, that is bullet proof, unconquerable, and that nothing will get through and destroy or kill it.
It believes it has ‘super powers’ that no thing can touch it. It is a false power and it has had false rulership and authority. It has corrupted the people of Australia with its lies that says ‘we are strong, we have no need of help, we can stay self-contained, on our own, drawing on our own strengths and powers.’ This invincibility has control over the people of this nation and it is now time to come out from under its stronghold. It was born out of a stoicism forged from generations past as they endured without complaint when settling in Australia. Our forefathers showed great self control in their adversity in the forming of this nation. It is interesting to note that many who endured these floods have been spoken of as stoic. The foundation of stoic is actually a false Greek school of thinking.  It is a philosophy which sought ‘virtue as greatest good with a control of ones feelings and passions.’ This is so contrary to the Lord and His ways. It is the taking on of a false strength. The Spirit of God is the exact opposite. He is wanting ones to acknowledge their weakness, to be vulnerable, so they will cry out to Him for help. It is the Lord they need, not some false invincible ‘Aussie spirit’!!! As we know, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.  This is about humbling ourselves before the mighty hand of God, seeking Him as our help, as our provider, as the one who would give us keys and strategies as to how to live our lives. His heart cry at this time is ‘Call on Me, I want to be your all!’

Philippians 4:13 (Emphasis mine)

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."

It is no longer time to think we know it all, that we have all the answers and that by our own strength we can overcome adversity. Australia as a nation needs to come to a place of vulnerability, acknowledging its weakness and its need of God. It is interesting to note the Government would not receive help from other nations for quite a time before acknowledging they needed their help. This was at a time when the skills and finances were needed most. Australia is great at giving to other nations in their times of crisis, however, they were not so willing to receive when the offers came in. Again, this invincible spirit was actually stopping the flow on of blessing by other nations in our time of need.

2 Corinthians 12:9,10
"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

God is actually striking at the heart of this spirit at this time. As we are seeing the devastation of the floods as they take out cities, towns, farmland through three states of Australia this is actually breaking the hardened hearts of those the Lord is calling. The Lord is striking at the hardened, barren land by the abundant rainfall, as He is also striking at the hardened hearts of those in this nation. This nation is a difficult nation, its land and its people have hardened through its trials. Australia’s climate is vicious at times with extremes unknown in other countries. There can be floods, droughts, bushfires, all happening in this one land, sometimes at the same time, all wreaking destruction and havoc.
The impregnable wall around this nation, around the hearts of its people is being violently shaken and the true heart nature is going to be exposed. The pride is being crushed. Humility is coming to the light as an acknowledgment of our vulnerability and weakness comes to the fore. Some will endure humiliation at this time as the Lord breaks down this pride and stubbornness. We are being humbled, we are being brought down, so we can acknowledge our needs but most importantly it is an opportunity for our need of the Lord.
We have been and are a blessed nation but it must come back to God’s ways. It is time these principalities and powers be disarmed and rendered ineffective over the people of this nation. We are seeing God sovereignly moving on this nation right now. As we are being bought down, so the Lord will raise us up in His time.
Australia is a ‘sending out’ nation and many who have and are going to be sent out have overcome huge adversity in their lives. They have yielded to the dealings of God with hearts broken before a loving, forgiving, righteous God. This is an expression of the TRUE Spirit of God expressed through His chosen ones at this time from this incredible, diverse, warrior, enduring, loving, all conquering, people from a great and mighty nation, that is AUSTRALIA. May the TRUE Australian Spirit arise in the power and authority of the NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!  AUSTRALIA, Come forth and take YOUR position among the nations of the world to be HIS mouthpiece bringing TRUTH to ALL the nations!!!

AMEN!!!
SO BE IT!!!

(Prophetic Article given 26 January 2011)

Great Expectations

by Glenice Mills

Here we are at the beginning of another new year.  This is a time of year to reflect on past achievements and disappointments but also think, plan and pray into what is ahead for this coming year. It is a time when common sense dictates that we put some things into action, however, more importantly it should be a time of quietly seeking the Lord as to what He is wanting to change in our lives. Most people have resolved to set to change something about themselves and their lives that they don’t like. They plan to reset a new course, a new direction, to put an end to the same old behaviour patterns, the same old way of life, the things they don’t like. It is about looking at things they want to change.  Many ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ are made, and then a few weeks into the year the resolution has been forgotten. It has lost it’s impetus, and was a vague fleeting thought and short lived action. Often the things we are concerned about, that we want to change, are not the Lord’s concerns for our lives.
He sees things in our lives, in our character, that HE is wanting to put His finger on. However we get side tracked by our own perceived areas of concern. The New Year is a time of resetting the compass, of ushering in the new. This often means going along a changed direction. It can put us on a new course that radically changes our lives. This is a time of year when many move house, interstate or move to another country. It also includes changes in personal areas such as employment, training and church we attend. This can be a good thing if it is the Lord’s will to do it. However, one of the greatest traps we fall into is when we reset our direction we do so with expectations of what we think will happen. At the beginning of a new year we go in with certain expectations of how we think things will unfold.
We commit the year to the Lord, but because we have these expectations we automatically think the Lord endorses what we plan.
For us to get an understanding of this we need to know what expectations are and what are the traps we can fall into that muddy what we think is God’s plan for our lives.  There is in fact a very fine line between expectations and hope. The two are intrinsically entwined however the foundation of our expectations and hopes are the big differences between them coming to pass in our lives, or becoming disappointed, resulting in anger and bitterness. We become angry at ourselves because we think we have failed or somehow let others and the Lord down. We become angry at God because we think He has punished us in some way because our expectations didn’t come to pass. Scripture gives us some valuable keys to help us differentiate between what is of ourselves and what is of God.
As we get an understanding of this it will help us to separate what is our own desires and what is the Lord’s will for our lives. Expectations in and of themselves are good, that is what steers us on course and gives us something to move towards. The problem arises when these expectations get slightly skewed because we put our own interpretation and understanding on what the Lord is actually saying and doing. God puts the dreams on our hearts. It is by His Holy Spirit that we know we are to do something that would propel us towards what He plans for our lives. The important key is we must know it is what the Lord wants for us. As we look at the meaning of expectation there is a profound difference between the meaning in the dictionary, and what the Lord is showing in His word. He sees expectations from a completely different viewpoint.
The Dictionary meaning of expectation is to regard as likely, to assume a future event or occurrence will come, it is to look forward, to anticipate.
The Biblical meaning of expectation is to take or receive from, it is a reaching out in readiness to receive something, an eager longing that is not satisfied until we get it.
There is a huge difference between the two and that is where we can so easily trip up and derail what is our own desires and what is the Lord’s desire and plan for our lives.
This problem occurs when the foundation of our expectation and hope is not on solid ground: that is built on the rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is actually about the true motivations of the heart. It is also when our wrong heart reactions roar up when our expectations don’t appear to be coming to pass: our fears, anger, anxiety, mistrust, impatience, and frustration. This is when we must bring these reactions in repentance to the foot of the cross and leave them there. So often we react again and again, pick up the same old attitudes and go around the mountain again. This is an opportunity to change and embrace the position we find ourselves in. We can choose to walk in the Lord’s timing knowing He is faithful to bring about every good thing, so long as we have faith and believe. Negative thinking is one of the biggest and easiest traps we  fall into that stops us coming into ALL the Lord has for us. That is when expectations actually work against us and cause us to stumble. That sets us up for the cycle of disappointment. Following are some areas to consider, that would challenge where your expectations are coming from and have you consider whether the Lord is wanting to adjust some things in your life.

WE ASSUME AND PRESUME SOMETHING:

To assume means to take to be true, it can be something we take or put on our self.
Sometimes in our flesh we take something and see it as the green light for moving ahead so we rush forward without stopping and considering it. We think that the Lord is endorsing what we are doing because everything appears to be falling into place.
It appears really easy and so we blithely go along the road. Sometimes you can feel pressured to go a direction by circumstances, or by our own perceived expectations that could be easily resolved if we went down this path. It can appear easier to go the easy way, even if we know deep down it does not feel quite right. That push can be our own selfish ambition, or our own making something happen so things appear to be moving forward.

INCORRECT TIMING:

One of the hardest things for us to know is the exact timing of God. That is the faith journey we are all on. It is as found in Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Things can appear to be laid out for us to move forward but once the decision is made things go wrong. It appears like the exact opposite is happening. There are obstacles, insurmountable problems to try and solve, and it seems ‘cursed’. There is no results or fruits that would confirm to us that we have made the right choice. Often this is because we have made the right choice and the enemy is not happy with our decision! The encouraging thing is that everything we do, every decision whether it is or appears to be right or wrong is redeemable. The truth is there are never mistakes in God, only things we can learn from. More often than not it appears like the Lord has removed His hand and is watching what we will do. These are the tests in God which are actually opportunities to grow and learn about ourselves and more importantly about the character and ways of God. He is not so concerned about what we do. He is more concerned that we learn from and grow into being more like Him. The issue is ours, and our wrong understanding of what is meant to be happening in our lives. Always remember Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

God is not a mean God. He wants good for you, however He will give it to you exactly on time, not a moment too soon or a moment to late. It is about trusting Him.
He knows exactly what is right for you at any given moment of time. Be encouraged!

VAIN IMAGININGS:

One of the hardest, most oppressive and damaging outcomes to disappointment as a result of lost expectation is when at the very outset what we thought was going to happen has come from our selves. It is when we embellish something with our minds.
Often the actual expectation is correct, but the problem arises when we start to plan with our minds. This allows fanciful thinking to come that brings deception leading to an un-fulfillment of the expectations. Our minds become so consumed with thoughts of what is ahead and what we expect will happen, that we lose our way. In fact the truth is we have nothing unless the Lord wants to give us what we want.

2 Corinthians 10:4-6
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Vain imaginings come from ourselves when we have selfish motives, such as a competitive spirit, ambition, lusts and greed. This will set us up for failure. However as we see in the above scripture the enemy will also have us think more highly of ourselves than we ought, and we must always be award of where these vain imaginings will make us see something that is not of God but rather of our own fleshly desires. The Lord will in no way endorse that, and it is up to us to recognise this flaw in our character and the way the enemy would set us up to go astray. That is why we must warfare over our dreams, so our expectations are yielded to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and Him only.

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God is a God of hope! Hope means to have a favourable and confident expectation.
Perhaps this is a time to examine whether we are confident in our expectations and hopes coming to pass. The deep issue is whether we trust the Lord, that He will come through for us, in His perfect timing. Our days are in His hands and we cannot or dare not try and make something happen because of our impatience. It is time to remember the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  These fruits don’t come about by the quick fix, instantaneous demands of our perceived expectations, but rather over time, and that often means long periods of time. That is the test.

(Prophetic Article given 6 January 2011)

Australia

by Belinda Jabore

I have been very particular in asking the Lord about this word as it is a serious one, which I am in the fear of the Lord with. I received this word late December and as it was so serious I have held off doing this word and asking the Lord more about it. Saying if this is not of you Lord then could you remove from my memory - but it just won’t go away. So this is what I saw.

God showed me Australia.
I saw three significant things coming to Sydney, Western Australia towards the north end, and the top end of Australia close to the Cape.
Regarding Western Australia I got the word Stockholm.  I looked on the internet to establish whether there was a place called Stockholm but there was no such place as far as I know. I then came across a phrase the Stockholm Syndrome which I felt had some significance, as we only prophesy in part I need to only bring what the Lord was saying to me.
He showed me also the top North point of Australia near the Cape, I thought it was Darwin but me being not good at geography I then had a look at where Darwin was and felt that the line in which God showed me was to the right of Darwin. He showed me three significant lines to these places which I then investigated where they where. These were 3 significant lines.
These lines which then met as a dot in the middle of Australia to Alice Springs. The Lord said to me that these things are disasters or crisis for these three places bringing significant changes to Australia. I am well aware in the month since seeing this picture much of Queensland (and some other parts of the country) have suffered from the floods. My sensing is that these events are still to come to pass.

Some meanings of the words from the dictionary.

Crisis - time of danger or great difficulty (the economy is in crisis) decisive moment; turning point in a serious illness, between recovery and death.

Disaster - great or sudden misfortune; catastrophe; complete failure.

(Prophet Word given January 2011)

Prophetic Encouragement

by Patricia Bellchambers

In December 2007, from the back seat of an old 4 wheel drive, I spotted a young girl (little older than a toddler) walking along the side of the road on her own.
We were returning to Mityana from a trip to Kasambia, Uganda. During that drive I saw many children peering out of long grass on the sides of the road or pushing bicycles heavily loaded with sticks of wood or water.
Uganda has many orphans as a result of aids and civil war but that particular young girl really impacted me and no doubt will remain in my mind and heart for many years to come.
I could not help but wonder if anything happened to that young child ……God forbid ….but if she were to die for any reason, would anyone even be aware that she no longer lived? Would anyone miss her or mourn her passing or even simply be aware that a young life had ended?
Life is such a precious gift and yet sadly it is continually devalued throughout the earth.
I have had to take this to God in prayer often because the blatant disregard for life that we see in person and on the news etc on a daily basis is simply too devastating to fully comprehend or carry in your heart.
Just this week I was talking to God about this little one’s life again when He began to reveal to me the truth that every single life does indeed impact on someone, often many, whether we are aware of that impact or not. No life is without purpose or meaning and no life is totally independent. Every one of us have impacted people around us both intentionally and unintentionally whether positively or negatively.
That little girl changed my life forever.
I never met her or spoke to her, I do not know her name or anything about her but because I saw her even fleetingly, I  determined in my heart to earnestly seek God  to make every possible provision by what ever means available to me, to help those who have need of basic essential items such as food, clothing, warmth, education, love etc.
I had already been doing this through sponsorship for many years but this time I came home and really wanted to help empower people to empower others.
I came home and began to educate those children and adults within my sphere of influence to think outside of themselves and be conscious of the great need in other societies. I know this sort of need is in every nation on earth but God specifically birthed in me a heart and a burden for Africa and therefore that is where my journey and focus begins . I am aware that the need within the world can be overwhelming but we cannot afford to allow that to stop us from acting. Take the burden and the passion that has been birthed in you by God and act on that. If everyone was true to the burden and passion birthed within them there would be a lot more needs being met.
All things are possible in Christ Jesus and by partnering with Him we could be impacting many lives ……you may never know the influence you have …..just like that small child will never know, but the impact will be no less real. We all have something to give of ourselves regardless of how small that may seem, if we are faithful with the little we will be trusted with more. Even if we only reach or impact one person  that person may influence thousands.

Today I received an email from a pastor and friend in Uganda whom I work with in the distribution of money for resources for the children in his town of Kasangati.
One particular comment from that email is all the reward I will ever need and has indeed impacted me to press on regardless of any future opposition I may face ….He simply stated this …” We, both as a church and family have been so much blessed since the time we got to know you for you have been such a great blessing in and through our lives. THAT IS THE REASON WHY WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU LOVE US, WE REALLY BELIEVE YOU………….”
That is the footprint I wish to leave behind ………….we can all be known by our love for one another.
Be blessed.

(Prophetic Word given 24 December, 2010)