by Christopher Mills
What comes to mind when you hear the statement, ‘A man after God’s own heart?’
Do you picture a soft man, a gentle and passive man? That may be true but have you ever seen it as a man after the heart of God. Let me word it this way: A man in pursuit of God’s own heart?
What has happened to the men of God? What does it mean to be a true man of God? What does a Man of and in God look like? I have been asking these questions. Men in the modern church have been emasculated; our view of the bride of Christ has been inaccurate. The question has gone through my mind, how are we, as men, the bride of Christ? We are men, not brides, men don’t become brides. When you think of a bride you think of amazing beauty, soft heart and gentle spirit. This view has lost an important aspect of men. A man is strong, assertive and righteous in spirit. What does a man pursuing the heart of God look like?
A man was designed to pursue what he loves. A man will do almost anything for the woman he’s pursuing. There is no greater thing in a man than to behold beauty and then to pursue it with all his heart. We are taught that God is a romantic and wooing God (that He is) but how does a man express his love? We are taught God pursues us with His love and we are meant to sit idle waiting to be swept off our feet. To be honest that does not sound romantic to me. I want to be able to chase my love down. Go on the hunt for the heart of God. Men were designed not to be swept off their feet in love but to pursue love with a full heart. They need to capture a glimpse of the beauty of God and never let that go and chase that beauty for as long as it takes. We are told that men are visual creatures so why is it we do not seek to see God’s face, to see His beauty? As men we need to see the beauty of God and be captivated by it and never forget. We need to be always on the hunt for God’s beauty.
John the apostle is an example to me of what a man of God is. What stands out to me is that he was a man truly in an intimate relationship with Jesus and his love for Him is great. You can see in the first book of John. John is someone who knows the love of the Lord and knows how to show his love to God and the people of the church and this world. John was the apostle who felt so comfortable and loving enough to lean against the breast of Jesus. I find it interesting that it was John who was shown the ultimate beauty of the Lord through the revelation that God displayed to him about the coming glory of Christ returning. As far as I can see John must have been a man seeking the beauty of God to receive such an awesome and awe inspiring vision of the Lord. John had captured a glimpse of the beauty of Jesus Christ and he chased after that beauty and God continued to unveil His beauty to him throughout the rest of his life resulting in the immense revelation of Jesus’ glorious return.
Where have the strong men gone, the men who fight for the ones they love? Unfortunately the fight in men has become so misplaced that it has caused much harm to families and those around them. Men are fascinated by violence, as young boys there’s nothing like wrestling with brothers and Dad. All the way growing up you test your strength against the other men in your life. Godly men should be the most spiritually violent men around. Give a man love and he will fight for it until he falls. A man loves to love and fights for love. If a man loves God he will be fighting for that love of His. How many movies do you see where a man fights to regain his loved ones. The hero always has to save his beloved. Most male movies all have a romantic flame to fight for. If we love God we should fight for God.
"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."
Matthew 11:12
We have women in the church who intercede for hours and hours for those around them. If you asked who is on the intercession team then you would probably find a majority of women. If a man fights for his love and what his love holds dear then men should be flocking to intercession meetings! Have church men become so passive that they have lost the ability to fight? In intercession and prayer a man should be wading into a battle. A man should see this world and see how it grieves his love. This should be his call to arms. Love is his call to arms.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
David is the man mentioned in Acts 13:22 to be a man after God’s own heart and was willing to do all of God’s will. From a young age he was destined for a lot. He was anointed king by Samuel at a young age. However he continued to be a shepherd who tended flocks. However his heart was always for God and His people. When David took down Goliath it was because the Philistines defied a living God and the army He had placed (1 Samuel 17:26). David fought for his God and the people of God’s nation. He was a warrior who fought for his love and all that was dear to his love.
Whenever Jesus went to heal, the Bible often mentions that He was moved with compassion for the person. It was compassion that caused Jesus to war against the sickness and disease over the person. We as men need to be soft enough to feel the compassion of the Lord yet strong enough to fight for the life of a person or a group of people. I believe a true man is humble and soft to the ways of God but also strong and righteous in battle for God and His loves.
Lord I thank you for Your love that designed the heart of man and we repent where we have distorted Your design and where we have compromised Your purpose for men. We ask Lord that You would build in us a heart of a true man, to see the beauty that You hold and also the strength to fight for our Love, which is You, Jesus Christ. Teach us Lord to understand Your design and purpose for us as men. Teach us to wield our weapons with purpose in Your divine will. Deliver us from our passivity and bring us into Your authority and assertiveness. We make ourselves willing and open to Your dealings and training. Let Your will be done. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Monday, 11 April 2011
How Do We Grieve The Holy Spirit?
by Glenice Mills
The Holy Spirit can be the most abused part of the Godhead. We are quick to call on Him in our time of need, and use Him as a means to a quick fix, on tap instant feel good. This may seem a bit ‘out there’ but in these days and times it is crucial we examine our hearts and see in what way we hurt, offend and grieve the Holy Spirit. I think we would all be surprised how we sometimes truly treat the Holy Spirit both individually and corporately. The Holy Spirit is often spoken of as a gentleman, One who does not push Himself on people, but rather stands back and waits until we reach out to Him. He desires us to call on Him in our time of need. He is always waiting for us to move toward Him, but unfortunately we often leave it until it is too late. This is usually when a crisis comes, then we call on Him with a ‘make something right as quickly as possible so we don‘t have to endure too much hardship’ attitude. We know the Holy Spirit is with us always, and that He abides on the inside of us. However we can take Him for granted, forgetting He is a part of the Godhead, a part of the Father and the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I often wonder what He is feeling as we go about our daily activities and then gather together for our church meetings. Sadly I think He is often added to the mix of what we want for ourselves, and then we expect Him to endorse what we are saying and doing. Now is the time to check our heart attitudes, seeking the Lord as to whether our day to day activities truly glorify Him, or whether they selfishly build us up and make us prideful. If and I want to emphasise the word IF we are coming into greater maturity we must seek the Lord as to whether we are truly growing up into Him or whether we are choosing to remain shallow, immature Christians. This is not a criticism but rather a challenge: where you are at in your walk with the Lord, examining where He is wanting to take you, to grow you up into Him in a greater measure?
The Holy Spirit is always with us to call on in our time of need, however there is a big difference between crying out to Him with a need and being needy. The Holy Spirit is with us to lead and guide us to grow in our relationship with the Lord, and to help us to change and grow into the men and women we are all called and destined to be. Neediness keeps us stuck in the same place, going over the same issues, without change in our life, character, and in our circumstances. In fact it denies the power and victory of the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. Neediness can be a lifestyle, which in no way glorifies the Lord, and in fact grieves the Holy Spirit, because He is the one who wants to change our hearts. Our day to day routines, our going through the motions, staying with set formulas because they work and keep us safe, is not helping us mature. In fact they keep us bound because of their false sense of security and safety. It may have worked in the past, but in the times coming this has the potential to have us fall to compromise setting us up to miss what is happening around and about us. If we are not careful deception could blind us to the truth of what is an enemy ploy to bind God’s people in an hour when we need to be on the alert.
The area of worship is an example of where we can often go through the motions and then add the Holy Spirit to the mix, when in fact He is often not even there. The Holy Spirit does remove His anointing when we decide to go down a certain path. This is when He leaves us to our own devices until we reach the end of the road, and we have to call out to Him to bring us back on course, back on the path He originally wanted us to go down. I think this happens often in our time of worship. We need to ask ourselves how much worship is of the Spirit and how much is our soul? We can easily assume the verse that says where two or three or more are gathered He is in the midst, which is true, but it doesn’t necessarily mean He is actually Lord of the meeting. The Holy Spirit is with us but is He leading the proceedings? Are we giving Him opportunity to have His way among us, to speak to us, to show us His heart, to lead us to repentance? Do we give Him time to pour out His love upon us? He does not work on a set timetable but yet we expect the Holy Spirit to work in with us rather than us submitting to His timings.
Matthew 15:8, 9
"These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honour Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Unfortunately we can praise and worship appearing to be doing the right thing, but be far from Him. This is going through the motions for appearances sake. This does not produce change in the hearts and lives of God’s people. The Lord knows our hearts, He knows whether we are open to His leading or just going along with the façade. Praise and worship is not a formula. The Holy Spirit does not want to be boxed in, but rather have a freedom to minister how He so pleases. That will come in as many diverse ways as He so chooses. All He is looking for is an opportunity and a people prepared to wait on Him, seek His will for what He wants to do, and then willingly go with His leading. True praise and worship is a heart attitude, about coming before the Lord, yielding our lives to Him, and asking for His Holy Spirit to come and have His way among us. When the Holy Spirit moves among His people there will be change. People will experience an encounter with Him, not an emotion based experience, but rather a ministering in a deep and profound way that leaves a person knowing they are not the same as when they came in the door.
Ephesians 4:30 - 32
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit is an instruction. Clearly we can grieve Him, particularly by our sin and wrong deep heart attitudes. When we consider the above verses, it is truly by His grace that His Holy Spirit would even want to come and abide with us and have His way among us! The reality is we can so easily be far away from Him, often unknowingly. It is truly a fine line that we walk: the natural man versus the spiritual man. It is time in the body of Christ to consider in what ways we grieve the Holy Spirit. It starts with us as individuals, but it is also important that those in church leadership seriously pray into this matter. Religion has us doing the same things over and over again, with set formulas and ways of doing things and being with one another. The Holy Spirit is ever changing, He is the change agent, and He is looking for a people who are willing to go along with His leading. It takes courage and faith but He is faithful to do all He plans and purposes to do whether that be individually or corporately.
Discernment is crucial in these days so we know what is of God and what is not. The Holy Spirit is the one who will alert us and show us if we are going astray. However He can only come if we give Him opportunity and are available for Him to come and move among His people. That takes time: that is giving up our framework of time, and being prepared to allow Him to do what He wants to do. That is what will bring change in people’s lives, and that is what will draw people to Him. The Holy Spirit is looking for a people who love Him wholeheartedly and are willing to move with His leading. The enemy hates praise and worship and targets this area because it knows that is what brings freedom and breakthrough into people’s lives. Sadly discernment has been lacking in the body of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit Who alerts us to error and we need this gift of discernment like never before. It is about the contending between the natural man, with his sin, and the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
For who has known the mind of the Lord that he might instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ."
Respect and honour are being lost in these days. Sadly this on flows into the church and it has crept into the way we treat the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It is in fact mocking and dishonouring of Who the Holy Spirit is and it grieves Him.
It is time to return to Him, to His ways and be the people we are meant to be: one’s who walk in the reverential fear of the Lord. That pleases God and blesses the Holy Spirit!!!
Help us Lord to come back to You and Your ways!!! We need You. Forgive us for any way we have dishonoured and disrespected the Holy Spirit by taking Him for granted, assuming He endorses what we say and do. Teach us to walk in the reverential fear of the Lord, that we would be quick to confess our sins in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Continue to show us where we have grieved the Holy Spirit particularly in the areas of praise and worship. Change our hearts Lord as we learn what it is to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Let it not be done with wrong hearts but rather as a living sacrifice to You.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
So Be It!!!
(Prophetic Word given on 5 April 2011)
The Holy Spirit can be the most abused part of the Godhead. We are quick to call on Him in our time of need, and use Him as a means to a quick fix, on tap instant feel good. This may seem a bit ‘out there’ but in these days and times it is crucial we examine our hearts and see in what way we hurt, offend and grieve the Holy Spirit. I think we would all be surprised how we sometimes truly treat the Holy Spirit both individually and corporately. The Holy Spirit is often spoken of as a gentleman, One who does not push Himself on people, but rather stands back and waits until we reach out to Him. He desires us to call on Him in our time of need. He is always waiting for us to move toward Him, but unfortunately we often leave it until it is too late. This is usually when a crisis comes, then we call on Him with a ‘make something right as quickly as possible so we don‘t have to endure too much hardship’ attitude. We know the Holy Spirit is with us always, and that He abides on the inside of us. However we can take Him for granted, forgetting He is a part of the Godhead, a part of the Father and the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I often wonder what He is feeling as we go about our daily activities and then gather together for our church meetings. Sadly I think He is often added to the mix of what we want for ourselves, and then we expect Him to endorse what we are saying and doing. Now is the time to check our heart attitudes, seeking the Lord as to whether our day to day activities truly glorify Him, or whether they selfishly build us up and make us prideful. If and I want to emphasise the word IF we are coming into greater maturity we must seek the Lord as to whether we are truly growing up into Him or whether we are choosing to remain shallow, immature Christians. This is not a criticism but rather a challenge: where you are at in your walk with the Lord, examining where He is wanting to take you, to grow you up into Him in a greater measure?
The Holy Spirit is always with us to call on in our time of need, however there is a big difference between crying out to Him with a need and being needy. The Holy Spirit is with us to lead and guide us to grow in our relationship with the Lord, and to help us to change and grow into the men and women we are all called and destined to be. Neediness keeps us stuck in the same place, going over the same issues, without change in our life, character, and in our circumstances. In fact it denies the power and victory of the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. Neediness can be a lifestyle, which in no way glorifies the Lord, and in fact grieves the Holy Spirit, because He is the one who wants to change our hearts. Our day to day routines, our going through the motions, staying with set formulas because they work and keep us safe, is not helping us mature. In fact they keep us bound because of their false sense of security and safety. It may have worked in the past, but in the times coming this has the potential to have us fall to compromise setting us up to miss what is happening around and about us. If we are not careful deception could blind us to the truth of what is an enemy ploy to bind God’s people in an hour when we need to be on the alert.
The area of worship is an example of where we can often go through the motions and then add the Holy Spirit to the mix, when in fact He is often not even there. The Holy Spirit does remove His anointing when we decide to go down a certain path. This is when He leaves us to our own devices until we reach the end of the road, and we have to call out to Him to bring us back on course, back on the path He originally wanted us to go down. I think this happens often in our time of worship. We need to ask ourselves how much worship is of the Spirit and how much is our soul? We can easily assume the verse that says where two or three or more are gathered He is in the midst, which is true, but it doesn’t necessarily mean He is actually Lord of the meeting. The Holy Spirit is with us but is He leading the proceedings? Are we giving Him opportunity to have His way among us, to speak to us, to show us His heart, to lead us to repentance? Do we give Him time to pour out His love upon us? He does not work on a set timetable but yet we expect the Holy Spirit to work in with us rather than us submitting to His timings.
Matthew 15:8, 9
"These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honour Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Unfortunately we can praise and worship appearing to be doing the right thing, but be far from Him. This is going through the motions for appearances sake. This does not produce change in the hearts and lives of God’s people. The Lord knows our hearts, He knows whether we are open to His leading or just going along with the façade. Praise and worship is not a formula. The Holy Spirit does not want to be boxed in, but rather have a freedom to minister how He so pleases. That will come in as many diverse ways as He so chooses. All He is looking for is an opportunity and a people prepared to wait on Him, seek His will for what He wants to do, and then willingly go with His leading. True praise and worship is a heart attitude, about coming before the Lord, yielding our lives to Him, and asking for His Holy Spirit to come and have His way among us. When the Holy Spirit moves among His people there will be change. People will experience an encounter with Him, not an emotion based experience, but rather a ministering in a deep and profound way that leaves a person knowing they are not the same as when they came in the door.
Ephesians 4:30 - 32
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit is an instruction. Clearly we can grieve Him, particularly by our sin and wrong deep heart attitudes. When we consider the above verses, it is truly by His grace that His Holy Spirit would even want to come and abide with us and have His way among us! The reality is we can so easily be far away from Him, often unknowingly. It is truly a fine line that we walk: the natural man versus the spiritual man. It is time in the body of Christ to consider in what ways we grieve the Holy Spirit. It starts with us as individuals, but it is also important that those in church leadership seriously pray into this matter. Religion has us doing the same things over and over again, with set formulas and ways of doing things and being with one another. The Holy Spirit is ever changing, He is the change agent, and He is looking for a people who are willing to go along with His leading. It takes courage and faith but He is faithful to do all He plans and purposes to do whether that be individually or corporately.
Discernment is crucial in these days so we know what is of God and what is not. The Holy Spirit is the one who will alert us and show us if we are going astray. However He can only come if we give Him opportunity and are available for Him to come and move among His people. That takes time: that is giving up our framework of time, and being prepared to allow Him to do what He wants to do. That is what will bring change in people’s lives, and that is what will draw people to Him. The Holy Spirit is looking for a people who love Him wholeheartedly and are willing to move with His leading. The enemy hates praise and worship and targets this area because it knows that is what brings freedom and breakthrough into people’s lives. Sadly discernment has been lacking in the body of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit Who alerts us to error and we need this gift of discernment like never before. It is about the contending between the natural man, with his sin, and the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
For who has known the mind of the Lord that he might instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ."
Respect and honour are being lost in these days. Sadly this on flows into the church and it has crept into the way we treat the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It is in fact mocking and dishonouring of Who the Holy Spirit is and it grieves Him.
It is time to return to Him, to His ways and be the people we are meant to be: one’s who walk in the reverential fear of the Lord. That pleases God and blesses the Holy Spirit!!!
Help us Lord to come back to You and Your ways!!! We need You. Forgive us for any way we have dishonoured and disrespected the Holy Spirit by taking Him for granted, assuming He endorses what we say and do. Teach us to walk in the reverential fear of the Lord, that we would be quick to confess our sins in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Continue to show us where we have grieved the Holy Spirit particularly in the areas of praise and worship. Change our hearts Lord as we learn what it is to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Let it not be done with wrong hearts but rather as a living sacrifice to You.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
So Be It!!!
(Prophetic Word given on 5 April 2011)
Monday, 4 April 2011
A Word for Australia (Part 7): A Biased Media.
Part Seven of previous articles: Part 1 + Part 2 + Part 3 + Part 4 + Part 5 + Part 6
by Glenice Mills
A nation is in great danger when its media is biased, prejudiced and pushing the opinions of one sector of society. This is happening in Australia right now and people seem to be very quiet on this matter. A person in media will always have an opinion that is their’s. It is human. It is the expression of that person but that opinion must be balanced particularly in their role in public appearance. However when an agenda is being pushed and no one else is able or allowed to express a differing point of view that is a huge cause for concern. It is the role of any media commentator to have an impartial point of view. They are meant to present a balanced, informed, and educated understanding on any given subject. It is meant to be unbiased and without prejudice. We are not seeing this in the current debate on climate change.
I personally am not knowledgeable on the scientific aspects of this issue. However, I do have an opinion from a Christian perspective. As man’s sin increases and as we move further away from the Lord’s truth we are opening doors for things to go wrong in the earth. It has been and always will be an issue of sin that goes back to the fall of man. It is about repentance. However as we return to the Lord and His ways, His mercy and grace will be with us, and He can restore things. However we cannot avoid living in and being a part of the ushering in of the end times. We have been charged with rulership of the earth and with that comes responsibilities. We must do all we can to look after the earth and all that involves.
However we must know what we individually have to do in order to achieve this. That does not necessarily mean coming in agreement with science and their doctrines. Climate change is a doctrine. A doctrine is a principle of belief, a teaching. It is my democratic right to believe and support what I want to and in these times it is onerous on me to keep alert as to what I believe and don’t believe. I need to be alert to what is truth and what is false doctrine.
So it is with all of us Christians. That is the responsibility we have in these days and times. The difference between true and false is often very subtle. Some things appear legitimate but that does not necessarily make it right.
The deeper issue for us as Christians here in Australia is to be able to speak freely about the Lord Jesus Christ. Freedom of speech is to freely be able to say what my beliefs are without fear and being forced in any way by anyone to keep quiet, even by those who hold a completely different opinion.
My observation and question is: how is it, and why are certain people with a high profile able to speak their opinion yet deny others from an opposite point of view being able to express their’s? If an opposing view is expressed they are subjected to rudeness, mocking and derision. This looks like socialism with its control, and that is very concerning. If we lose our rights to express an opinion on this or any other issue, what happens when our Christian faith is being challenged? It is already, so how much worse will it be if we bow to what is happening with in this case, the climate change debate?
I saw this happen the other night when a debate was being held where five people from various media and political backgrounds were asked questions that were supposed to be about a broad range of topics of current interest. The debate ended up being solely focused on climate change. Any who were what is described as ‘climate sceptics’ did not get a voice. They were quickly shut down, deliberately overlooked and scorned and any opinion they were able to give was quickly blocked and changed to an advocate of climate change. Some of those holding this viewpoint were Christians.
In an earlier programme I listened to someone actually dismiss the opinions of well known professors of the science of climate who opposed the scientific evidence of climate change. However the names of professors who were in favour of the scientific results of climate change were given much air time. What they believed was openly endorsed and approved.
Last night the same thing happened when the federal opposition spokesman for climate change was challenged in such a biased way that the interviewer questioning him came across as extremely rude. He was dishonouring of a government MP, and his manner was what I would call unprofessional and actually bought the media into greater disrepute. In fact I was embarrassed that someone in media could behave this way and the MP needs to be commended for acting with politeness and decorum in what was a very demanding interview.
Politics is a dirty business and we are seeing dirty politics from both sides of government. It is unnecessary and does nothing to bring respect to what is an extremely important governance position. God puts these people into this position of authority and they have a level of responsibility to serve the people with acceptable behaviour.
All people are worthy of respect and honour no matter what their opinion is and this should be even more so when representing a public owned television station.
My question is: why is the media, particularly some, pushing one particular viewpoint in such an aggressive, pushy, biased way?
Why are Australians sitting back quietly and allowing this to happen?
How come climate change is being stirred up to such a frenzy that it has become an emotionally charged topic?
Who is to blame for this ‘media frenzy?’ All objectivity and common sense is being lost!
The mark of the enemy is highly charged emotion, loss of perspective, stirring up division and dissension, an unrealistic push making people driven. Climate change has the hallmarks of the enemy to me and we should be on guard against this push.
Unfortunately the enemy uses people and we are seeing it in action creating division over an issue that in the scheme of life’s problems is irrational. It is a distraction from the very real issues affecting Australia. Australia needs prayer like never before and it is up to us as Christians to stand up, speak for truth, pray and be on guard against these subtle tactics of the enemy.
We cannot remain asleep on this our watch in history. We must be on guard, ready to do battle for TRUTH, and that is about the LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST OVER THIS NATION OF AUSTRALIA!!!
Following is the Scripture we need in this time in this nation.
Ephesians 4:14-16
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.
(Prophetic Word given on 23rd March 2011)
by Glenice Mills
A nation is in great danger when its media is biased, prejudiced and pushing the opinions of one sector of society. This is happening in Australia right now and people seem to be very quiet on this matter. A person in media will always have an opinion that is their’s. It is human. It is the expression of that person but that opinion must be balanced particularly in their role in public appearance. However when an agenda is being pushed and no one else is able or allowed to express a differing point of view that is a huge cause for concern. It is the role of any media commentator to have an impartial point of view. They are meant to present a balanced, informed, and educated understanding on any given subject. It is meant to be unbiased and without prejudice. We are not seeing this in the current debate on climate change.
I personally am not knowledgeable on the scientific aspects of this issue. However, I do have an opinion from a Christian perspective. As man’s sin increases and as we move further away from the Lord’s truth we are opening doors for things to go wrong in the earth. It has been and always will be an issue of sin that goes back to the fall of man. It is about repentance. However as we return to the Lord and His ways, His mercy and grace will be with us, and He can restore things. However we cannot avoid living in and being a part of the ushering in of the end times. We have been charged with rulership of the earth and with that comes responsibilities. We must do all we can to look after the earth and all that involves.
However we must know what we individually have to do in order to achieve this. That does not necessarily mean coming in agreement with science and their doctrines. Climate change is a doctrine. A doctrine is a principle of belief, a teaching. It is my democratic right to believe and support what I want to and in these times it is onerous on me to keep alert as to what I believe and don’t believe. I need to be alert to what is truth and what is false doctrine.
So it is with all of us Christians. That is the responsibility we have in these days and times. The difference between true and false is often very subtle. Some things appear legitimate but that does not necessarily make it right.
The deeper issue for us as Christians here in Australia is to be able to speak freely about the Lord Jesus Christ. Freedom of speech is to freely be able to say what my beliefs are without fear and being forced in any way by anyone to keep quiet, even by those who hold a completely different opinion.
My observation and question is: how is it, and why are certain people with a high profile able to speak their opinion yet deny others from an opposite point of view being able to express their’s? If an opposing view is expressed they are subjected to rudeness, mocking and derision. This looks like socialism with its control, and that is very concerning. If we lose our rights to express an opinion on this or any other issue, what happens when our Christian faith is being challenged? It is already, so how much worse will it be if we bow to what is happening with in this case, the climate change debate?
I saw this happen the other night when a debate was being held where five people from various media and political backgrounds were asked questions that were supposed to be about a broad range of topics of current interest. The debate ended up being solely focused on climate change. Any who were what is described as ‘climate sceptics’ did not get a voice. They were quickly shut down, deliberately overlooked and scorned and any opinion they were able to give was quickly blocked and changed to an advocate of climate change. Some of those holding this viewpoint were Christians.
In an earlier programme I listened to someone actually dismiss the opinions of well known professors of the science of climate who opposed the scientific evidence of climate change. However the names of professors who were in favour of the scientific results of climate change were given much air time. What they believed was openly endorsed and approved.
Last night the same thing happened when the federal opposition spokesman for climate change was challenged in such a biased way that the interviewer questioning him came across as extremely rude. He was dishonouring of a government MP, and his manner was what I would call unprofessional and actually bought the media into greater disrepute. In fact I was embarrassed that someone in media could behave this way and the MP needs to be commended for acting with politeness and decorum in what was a very demanding interview.
Politics is a dirty business and we are seeing dirty politics from both sides of government. It is unnecessary and does nothing to bring respect to what is an extremely important governance position. God puts these people into this position of authority and they have a level of responsibility to serve the people with acceptable behaviour.
All people are worthy of respect and honour no matter what their opinion is and this should be even more so when representing a public owned television station.
My question is: why is the media, particularly some, pushing one particular viewpoint in such an aggressive, pushy, biased way?
Why are Australians sitting back quietly and allowing this to happen?
How come climate change is being stirred up to such a frenzy that it has become an emotionally charged topic?
Who is to blame for this ‘media frenzy?’ All objectivity and common sense is being lost!
The mark of the enemy is highly charged emotion, loss of perspective, stirring up division and dissension, an unrealistic push making people driven. Climate change has the hallmarks of the enemy to me and we should be on guard against this push.
Unfortunately the enemy uses people and we are seeing it in action creating division over an issue that in the scheme of life’s problems is irrational. It is a distraction from the very real issues affecting Australia. Australia needs prayer like never before and it is up to us as Christians to stand up, speak for truth, pray and be on guard against these subtle tactics of the enemy.
We cannot remain asleep on this our watch in history. We must be on guard, ready to do battle for TRUTH, and that is about the LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST OVER THIS NATION OF AUSTRALIA!!!
Following is the Scripture we need in this time in this nation.
Ephesians 4:14-16
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.
(Prophetic Word given on 23rd March 2011)
Are You Established? - The Greatest Tests Are Coming.
by Glenice Mills
Mark 13:7,8 & 13
"But when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles.
These are the beginning of sorrows.
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."
These verses are some of the most talked about at this time, particularly as we are seeing some of this coming to pass. We can sit back and go ‘yes these are the days’ and feel quite smug because we know the reason why it is happening. We quickly forget that we are in fact more answerable than those who do not know the Lord. We will have to give an account for how we have led our lives, and whether or not we have been obedient to fulfil ALL the Lord has required of us. The tragedy is many may not or are not ready and prepared for what will truly come to pass. There are tests coming that will challenge us and will see ‘what we are made of’. This sounds a bit harsh but the reality is: we actually don’t know how we will cope when persecution, troubles, trials and tribulations do come. That is the test.
This is a time of actually taking stock of where we are at in the Lord, humbling ourselves and asking Him to show us the areas in our lives that are out of His will, that He is wanting to align with His character and His ways.
Perhaps we should seriously consider the following questions and question where and what needs to change so we will stand strong in the coming days. This will take courage and honesty but the Lord knows where you and I are at right now. He is the only One who can help us in our individual walk with Him. He knows what areas He is wanting to change and adjust in our character and in our life. If we are willing He will do it in yours and my life. All He is looking for is a willing vessel. Are you one?
Is your faith certain and sure? Do you truly believe? If so, will you remain faithful even if it means counting the cost: maybe a martyr’s death?
This is sobering, I know, but if we are truly honest we must examine ourselves. We are in a time of mercy and grace. There is no better time than now to consider these matters. The crux of the matter is: how established is the Lord deep on the inside of you? Will you have the courage to stand or will you bow through fear, or compromise because ‘it is easier’? That is the test? How prepared are you for what is to come?
When something is established it is set, it is sure. The issues around something being established is to do with the heart. When our hearts are stable and fixed on the Lord we will not stumble. Our hearts are established. When we look at what Scripture says it becomes clearer. The Lord establishes our hearts but we also have to learn to have our hearts established. The following Scripture shows He establishes our hearts but first we must be grounded in love for one another and in love for all. This speaks of unity in the body of Christ, forsaking all wrongs, unforgiveness and comparisons and competition.
1 Thessalonians 3:12,13
"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
It is about His holiness and learning to walk in the ways that please Him. We need to stay in close fellowship with the Lord and with each other. There is a reason why the apostles and prophets must arise and be accepted and become an integral part of the body of Christ. It is because we are going to need them!!! We will need them to speak about what is happening and to give us strategies how to live in a world where there is great persecution coming because of increasing lawlessness and the arising of the antichrist. We need not be alarmed about this if we are established in our relationship with the Lord and with ones who will stand with and support us in the coming days.
James 5:8
"You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
As the Lord is speaking to us about establishing our hearts, it is about walking in the fruits of the Spirit. These two Scriptures speak about love and patience helping us to be established in our hearts. As we see things happening around and about us that we do not understand it is crucial we have an intimate relationship with the Lord.
Colossians 2:6,7
"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."
Are you established in the faith? There is a big difference between knowing about the Lord and knowing the Lord. Can I encourage you to think about this statement. Head knowledge won’t save you when persecutions come. Denominations or denominational doctrines won’t save you. There is only One who saves, the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you walk in the fear of the Lord? Are you quick to repent and put things right, so you do not allow the enemy access into your life because of unforgiveness? It is time to check that we know what it is to be a Christian and to be a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and all that it entails. It is not time to be half hearted, sitting on the fence and riding on the coat tails of another’s faith. We must each be able to stand strong in our faith in the Lord knowing He will be with us through whatever trials come our way. It is about holding fast to Him no matter what.
That is being established on the inside, in our hearts.
1 Corinthians 1:20,21
"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God who has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."
There will be the great falling away at the end of the age and it is up to us to make sure our faith is grounded on the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are being trained to have inner fortitude to endure because we are going to need it in coming days.
We are the ones who carry the truth. We carry life to an increasingly disheartened and discouraged world. We carry the message of hope. We carry the Holy Spirit with us always and He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us. But do we truly believe this? Do we doubt that He is faithful to come to our aid in our time of need? Are we truly sure that we will be able to endure hardships never seen before? What say it costs us our families, our homes, our livelihoods, even those nearest and dearest to us. Will we make a stand for truth, for what we believe? Do you have the courage to come away from popular opinion and choose to be different because you are a lover of Truth? Maybe we need to ask ourselves: what do we truly believe? We will need to know what we truly believe and what we stand for in the days ahead. How deep are your roots? Are they firmly planted so they can withstand every storm and tossing to and fro of every wind of doctrine that would come and try and assail you? Are you discerning to know what is truth and what is lies? Scripture says many will be deceived in the last days.
Matthew 24:9-13
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
And then many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another.
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Thank you Lord that you forewarn us in Scripture of what is ahead and that You desire to train and equip us so we will stand in the difficult days ahead.
Thank you that we carry the message of life, of hope, and that we can hold onto the fact that we will spend eternity with You.
Lord show me the areas in my life that You want to establish on firm foundations so I will not be shaken when adversity strikes. Lord establish Yourself in the depths of my being so I am able to discern the lies from truth so I will not be deceived in the last days. Lord we need You, we need You to convict us where we have strayed from Your ways, and where there are areas in our lives that still need to come under Your Lordship. Thank you for Your grace and mercy at this time and I ask that You show me anything that needs to change in my life so I am prepared for what is ahead.
Lord help me to endure to the end.
In Jesus Name,
Amen!!!
(Prophetic Article given on 23rd March 2011)
Mark 13:7,8 & 13
"But when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles.
These are the beginning of sorrows.
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."
These verses are some of the most talked about at this time, particularly as we are seeing some of this coming to pass. We can sit back and go ‘yes these are the days’ and feel quite smug because we know the reason why it is happening. We quickly forget that we are in fact more answerable than those who do not know the Lord. We will have to give an account for how we have led our lives, and whether or not we have been obedient to fulfil ALL the Lord has required of us. The tragedy is many may not or are not ready and prepared for what will truly come to pass. There are tests coming that will challenge us and will see ‘what we are made of’. This sounds a bit harsh but the reality is: we actually don’t know how we will cope when persecution, troubles, trials and tribulations do come. That is the test.
This is a time of actually taking stock of where we are at in the Lord, humbling ourselves and asking Him to show us the areas in our lives that are out of His will, that He is wanting to align with His character and His ways.
Perhaps we should seriously consider the following questions and question where and what needs to change so we will stand strong in the coming days. This will take courage and honesty but the Lord knows where you and I are at right now. He is the only One who can help us in our individual walk with Him. He knows what areas He is wanting to change and adjust in our character and in our life. If we are willing He will do it in yours and my life. All He is looking for is a willing vessel. Are you one?
Is your faith certain and sure? Do you truly believe? If so, will you remain faithful even if it means counting the cost: maybe a martyr’s death?
This is sobering, I know, but if we are truly honest we must examine ourselves. We are in a time of mercy and grace. There is no better time than now to consider these matters. The crux of the matter is: how established is the Lord deep on the inside of you? Will you have the courage to stand or will you bow through fear, or compromise because ‘it is easier’? That is the test? How prepared are you for what is to come?
When something is established it is set, it is sure. The issues around something being established is to do with the heart. When our hearts are stable and fixed on the Lord we will not stumble. Our hearts are established. When we look at what Scripture says it becomes clearer. The Lord establishes our hearts but we also have to learn to have our hearts established. The following Scripture shows He establishes our hearts but first we must be grounded in love for one another and in love for all. This speaks of unity in the body of Christ, forsaking all wrongs, unforgiveness and comparisons and competition.
1 Thessalonians 3:12,13
"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
It is about His holiness and learning to walk in the ways that please Him. We need to stay in close fellowship with the Lord and with each other. There is a reason why the apostles and prophets must arise and be accepted and become an integral part of the body of Christ. It is because we are going to need them!!! We will need them to speak about what is happening and to give us strategies how to live in a world where there is great persecution coming because of increasing lawlessness and the arising of the antichrist. We need not be alarmed about this if we are established in our relationship with the Lord and with ones who will stand with and support us in the coming days.
James 5:8
"You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
As the Lord is speaking to us about establishing our hearts, it is about walking in the fruits of the Spirit. These two Scriptures speak about love and patience helping us to be established in our hearts. As we see things happening around and about us that we do not understand it is crucial we have an intimate relationship with the Lord.
Colossians 2:6,7
"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."
Are you established in the faith? There is a big difference between knowing about the Lord and knowing the Lord. Can I encourage you to think about this statement. Head knowledge won’t save you when persecutions come. Denominations or denominational doctrines won’t save you. There is only One who saves, the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you walk in the fear of the Lord? Are you quick to repent and put things right, so you do not allow the enemy access into your life because of unforgiveness? It is time to check that we know what it is to be a Christian and to be a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and all that it entails. It is not time to be half hearted, sitting on the fence and riding on the coat tails of another’s faith. We must each be able to stand strong in our faith in the Lord knowing He will be with us through whatever trials come our way. It is about holding fast to Him no matter what.
That is being established on the inside, in our hearts.
1 Corinthians 1:20,21
"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God who has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."
There will be the great falling away at the end of the age and it is up to us to make sure our faith is grounded on the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are being trained to have inner fortitude to endure because we are going to need it in coming days.
We are the ones who carry the truth. We carry life to an increasingly disheartened and discouraged world. We carry the message of hope. We carry the Holy Spirit with us always and He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us. But do we truly believe this? Do we doubt that He is faithful to come to our aid in our time of need? Are we truly sure that we will be able to endure hardships never seen before? What say it costs us our families, our homes, our livelihoods, even those nearest and dearest to us. Will we make a stand for truth, for what we believe? Do you have the courage to come away from popular opinion and choose to be different because you are a lover of Truth? Maybe we need to ask ourselves: what do we truly believe? We will need to know what we truly believe and what we stand for in the days ahead. How deep are your roots? Are they firmly planted so they can withstand every storm and tossing to and fro of every wind of doctrine that would come and try and assail you? Are you discerning to know what is truth and what is lies? Scripture says many will be deceived in the last days.
Matthew 24:9-13
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
And then many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another.
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Thank you Lord that you forewarn us in Scripture of what is ahead and that You desire to train and equip us so we will stand in the difficult days ahead.
Thank you that we carry the message of life, of hope, and that we can hold onto the fact that we will spend eternity with You.
Lord show me the areas in my life that You want to establish on firm foundations so I will not be shaken when adversity strikes. Lord establish Yourself in the depths of my being so I am able to discern the lies from truth so I will not be deceived in the last days. Lord we need You, we need You to convict us where we have strayed from Your ways, and where there are areas in our lives that still need to come under Your Lordship. Thank you for Your grace and mercy at this time and I ask that You show me anything that needs to change in my life so I am prepared for what is ahead.
Lord help me to endure to the end.
In Jesus Name,
Amen!!!
(Prophetic Article given on 23rd March 2011)
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