by Paul Mills
For many years I have worked in the building industry as a builder. I cannot stress enough about the safety and correct installation of electrical wiring in a building. To remove excess insulation and leave exposed wire is dangerous and irresponsible on the part of the contractor. It is without regard to the safety of another and the potential possibility of property damage. Over the years the regulating authorities that are there to protect people and property, has been eroded and the checks and balances have been compromised as they move towards a more self-regulated industry. In so doing they are encouraging contractors to cut corners in order to be able to compete on price. This is because of the competitive nature of the business.
The authorities over us, those in positions of power, those we have elected to represent us, those that serve the people for the good of the nation, those that hold the highest level of government, have deliberately neglected to inform us of the inherent dangers that lie hidden beneath the surface. Governments, knowingly or unknowingly, have removed and stripped back all protection in some areas of society, to promote man’s agendas over God’s laws, without regard to the consequences to this nation.
They have perverted justice and truth as they have introduced laws that are an abomination in the sight of God.
I see this behaviour no different from the electrical contractor as described above. Governments have been irresponsible and out right dangerous in stripping back the protection God has placed around this nation. Governments think they can self-regulate but in fact without God’s Word to insulate our society, we are destined to failure and a ‘less than’ nation in the future.
Churches and Christians have been hoodwinked in this season in embracing and believing a lie. The protection of His Word has been compromised, causing a short circuit to occur, with the power diverted elsewhere, disempowering Christians and churches to represent the Lord correctly.
Christmas is a pagan festival and we need to make an informed decision based on Truth and not on culture.
God is the Master builder, His work is without fault.
Food for thought.
Paul
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Friday, 23 November 2012
America, The Land Of The Free???
by Glenice Mills
There have been many commentaries and words spoken and written about the election of President Obama. I have been reluctant to add to what is already out there, however, the Lord has burdened me for quite some time about America.
The truth is: America is on God’s heart. It was a nation founded on God’s truth, and prides itself on its Christian heritage. However, this heritage has quietly been eroding over past decades and the question must be asked: Is America truly a Christian nation? What has happened that things have changed so radically over a short period of time?
When one thinks of America we see it as a nation that has freedom: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, a land of democracy and capitalism, that allows its people to be and do all it chooses. It encourages free enterprise and is known as the land of opportunity. This is how it appears, but appearances can be deceptive. Hype and spin can paint a picture of ‘all is well’, we are the great ‘super power’, but underneath is a cesspool of lies, falsehood and every evil thing. Veneer and façade is founded on delusion and lies, and when pressure comes, the shallowness of its appearances soon reveals what is truly going on underneath. Such is America at this time.
God’s heart is always ‘Return to Me’ and that is His heart for America at this time.
For something to return, it means it has gone astray, gone down a wrong road, and needs to come back on track. It cannot come back on track until it realises it has gone off track. America is starting to realise it is off track. The only way it can return is through repentance, and humbling itself before a Holy God.
Scripture says pride comes before destruction, destruction being the operative word.
America has known destruction coming at it in recent times on many fronts: extreme weather patterns, financial collapse with resulting hardships, and increasing divisions among its people. There is a severe schism among its people expressed through the wealthy getting wealthier and the poor becoming poorer.
The racial divide is more pronounced than ever. The seedy underbelly of racial hatred is rearing its ugly head and will do so in greater expressions of hatred not seen before.
There will be a contending for power between the African Americans and the Hispanics which will come out on the streets in increased racial tensions. There will be increased violence and unrest between these groups. It is a spiritual battle being expressed in the natural. It is a power play over who has the greater voice in the nation, that will on flow and affect the core fabric of the society of America.
Recently we saw the largest storm, super storm Sandy, hit landfall in one of the most populous areas of America.
The resulting loss of life, and damage sustained, is beyond our natural mind. This was the biggest storm hitting at the core of the financial hub of America and the site of the government of this nation. The severity of the storm has been downplayed in the midst of the election of a new president, however, it is a wake up call, a sign sent by God.
I have been seeking the Lord about what this means. The hand of God moved at a critical, defining time, in the race for president. It was sent by God and the timing must not be overlooked. This devastating storm came exactly at a point when it looked like Governor Mitt Romney was gaining momentum and the swing of popular opinion was heading his way. The storm came and with that a shift of public opinion back into favour with Barack Obama. Why? The Lord knows men’s hearts and He knew that when disaster strikes, people will always stay with what they know. Fear is a powerful emotion and when fear strikes at the heart, people will freeze.
God intervened to bring about His purposes. Man had a purpose but the Lord overrode that. It was a radical sign, but it was part of His plans and purposes for America.
The reality is: God puts people into positions of authority whether that answers what the Christians of a nation want, or not. God will take His people through whatever the nation is going through and they will be graced and equipped to do it. We as Christians will not necessarily by pass the hardships of a nation, but we can be used to stand alongside in prayer, support, and love toward those who are also going through these difficult times.
Sadly a stronghold over America is idolatry. Idolatry comes in many guises and the enemy has subtly come in and deceived its people. At the root of this idolatry is the ‘looking for a king’. They have succumbed to looking to man, whether that be in their government or to movie stars and so called ‘famous people’ to be like a ‘saviour’. Everything in the media, what is spoken about, and coming at people, is to distract and have them bowing to something that is not of God. Lives have become all consumed with worship of everything but the Lord Jesus. Just like the Israelites, a chosen people, America is a chosen nation. Unfortunately their people have been caught in the trap of finding other things to distract, derail and bring bondage. The root of it is discontent. Discontent comes from two angles - discontent that the Lord is bringing in order to bring frustration, leading to change, and discontent caused by man’s flesh because things aren’t going the way they want it too. There is a discontent being sent by God that is a stirring to bring focus back to the Lord’s ways, and leading ones to cry out to Him for change.
We see a good example of discontent being expressed in 1 Samuel 8 where the Israelites demanded a king.
1 Samuel 8:6-7
“But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.”
So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.”
1 Samuel 8:19,20
“Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
The question needs to be asked, is this so in America? I think so. Then the root issue is: the people looking for a king, instead of looking to the King, King Jesus. There is deep discontent among the Americans that is under the surface, about to burst. It is a bit like a volcano ready to erupt. When it does burst there will be uprising, violence, and rebellion by ones that would not normally behave like this. The unrest will boil over bringing factions, and the rising of militant groups all with their demands. Perhaps this ‘give me a king mindset’ could also be likened to the socialist way of thinking that puts a person as ‘supreme leader’, with the people taking no responsibility for their own lives. It is bringing everyone down to the same common denominator killing all enterprise and entrepreneurship. This is what is happening in America. Unfortunately we have seen this with the electing of President Obama.
Socialism will increase and the freedom of speech will be curtailed in subtle and insidious ways to shut the voices of its people.
Sadly what happens in a nation is also a reflection of what is happening in the church.
The truth is we get the government the church deserves.
We need to really consider the Lord’s heart for America and for His church: ‘they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them‘.
You feel the Lord’s grief and despair as you read and think on this verse.
This is not a criticism of the church but rather a wake up call. The Lord is waking up His church in America in this hour as He is with us all throughout the world. This is the time to seek the Lord, how we have turned from His ways, repent, and change from old ways of doing things. This relates to every area of governance in society. We know there is a rising of the Apostolic/Prophetic and the divine positioning of ones called to bring change in areas of governance. This is part of the strategy of coming back to the Lord and this is crucial for America in this hour.
It is time to repent of looking for, and to a king, whether that be in the church or in government. It is time for the release of new understanding, and revelation about the Kingship of Jesus Christ. It is about Jesus as KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. This will bring down the powers that think they have rulership. It is false authority, it is founded on sand, and it will not stand.
It is time to come back to the Word of God, to the Lord’s ways, and to rise up and take a stand for justice, truth and righteousness.
This is the Lord’s clarion call to America. Now is the time to declare the Kingship of Jesus Christ. Every false, idolatrous, religious practice must be exposed.
It starts with His people, His church, for such a time as this.
There have been many commentaries and words spoken and written about the election of President Obama. I have been reluctant to add to what is already out there, however, the Lord has burdened me for quite some time about America.
The truth is: America is on God’s heart. It was a nation founded on God’s truth, and prides itself on its Christian heritage. However, this heritage has quietly been eroding over past decades and the question must be asked: Is America truly a Christian nation? What has happened that things have changed so radically over a short period of time?
When one thinks of America we see it as a nation that has freedom: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, a land of democracy and capitalism, that allows its people to be and do all it chooses. It encourages free enterprise and is known as the land of opportunity. This is how it appears, but appearances can be deceptive. Hype and spin can paint a picture of ‘all is well’, we are the great ‘super power’, but underneath is a cesspool of lies, falsehood and every evil thing. Veneer and façade is founded on delusion and lies, and when pressure comes, the shallowness of its appearances soon reveals what is truly going on underneath. Such is America at this time.
God’s heart is always ‘Return to Me’ and that is His heart for America at this time.
For something to return, it means it has gone astray, gone down a wrong road, and needs to come back on track. It cannot come back on track until it realises it has gone off track. America is starting to realise it is off track. The only way it can return is through repentance, and humbling itself before a Holy God.
Scripture says pride comes before destruction, destruction being the operative word.
America has known destruction coming at it in recent times on many fronts: extreme weather patterns, financial collapse with resulting hardships, and increasing divisions among its people. There is a severe schism among its people expressed through the wealthy getting wealthier and the poor becoming poorer.
The racial divide is more pronounced than ever. The seedy underbelly of racial hatred is rearing its ugly head and will do so in greater expressions of hatred not seen before.
There will be a contending for power between the African Americans and the Hispanics which will come out on the streets in increased racial tensions. There will be increased violence and unrest between these groups. It is a spiritual battle being expressed in the natural. It is a power play over who has the greater voice in the nation, that will on flow and affect the core fabric of the society of America.
Recently we saw the largest storm, super storm Sandy, hit landfall in one of the most populous areas of America.
The resulting loss of life, and damage sustained, is beyond our natural mind. This was the biggest storm hitting at the core of the financial hub of America and the site of the government of this nation. The severity of the storm has been downplayed in the midst of the election of a new president, however, it is a wake up call, a sign sent by God.
I have been seeking the Lord about what this means. The hand of God moved at a critical, defining time, in the race for president. It was sent by God and the timing must not be overlooked. This devastating storm came exactly at a point when it looked like Governor Mitt Romney was gaining momentum and the swing of popular opinion was heading his way. The storm came and with that a shift of public opinion back into favour with Barack Obama. Why? The Lord knows men’s hearts and He knew that when disaster strikes, people will always stay with what they know. Fear is a powerful emotion and when fear strikes at the heart, people will freeze.
God intervened to bring about His purposes. Man had a purpose but the Lord overrode that. It was a radical sign, but it was part of His plans and purposes for America.
The reality is: God puts people into positions of authority whether that answers what the Christians of a nation want, or not. God will take His people through whatever the nation is going through and they will be graced and equipped to do it. We as Christians will not necessarily by pass the hardships of a nation, but we can be used to stand alongside in prayer, support, and love toward those who are also going through these difficult times.
Sadly a stronghold over America is idolatry. Idolatry comes in many guises and the enemy has subtly come in and deceived its people. At the root of this idolatry is the ‘looking for a king’. They have succumbed to looking to man, whether that be in their government or to movie stars and so called ‘famous people’ to be like a ‘saviour’. Everything in the media, what is spoken about, and coming at people, is to distract and have them bowing to something that is not of God. Lives have become all consumed with worship of everything but the Lord Jesus. Just like the Israelites, a chosen people, America is a chosen nation. Unfortunately their people have been caught in the trap of finding other things to distract, derail and bring bondage. The root of it is discontent. Discontent comes from two angles - discontent that the Lord is bringing in order to bring frustration, leading to change, and discontent caused by man’s flesh because things aren’t going the way they want it too. There is a discontent being sent by God that is a stirring to bring focus back to the Lord’s ways, and leading ones to cry out to Him for change.
We see a good example of discontent being expressed in 1 Samuel 8 where the Israelites demanded a king.
1 Samuel 8:6-7
“But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.”
So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.”
1 Samuel 8:19,20
“Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
The question needs to be asked, is this so in America? I think so. Then the root issue is: the people looking for a king, instead of looking to the King, King Jesus. There is deep discontent among the Americans that is under the surface, about to burst. It is a bit like a volcano ready to erupt. When it does burst there will be uprising, violence, and rebellion by ones that would not normally behave like this. The unrest will boil over bringing factions, and the rising of militant groups all with their demands. Perhaps this ‘give me a king mindset’ could also be likened to the socialist way of thinking that puts a person as ‘supreme leader’, with the people taking no responsibility for their own lives. It is bringing everyone down to the same common denominator killing all enterprise and entrepreneurship. This is what is happening in America. Unfortunately we have seen this with the electing of President Obama.
Socialism will increase and the freedom of speech will be curtailed in subtle and insidious ways to shut the voices of its people.
Sadly what happens in a nation is also a reflection of what is happening in the church.
The truth is we get the government the church deserves.
We need to really consider the Lord’s heart for America and for His church: ‘they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them‘.
You feel the Lord’s grief and despair as you read and think on this verse.
This is not a criticism of the church but rather a wake up call. The Lord is waking up His church in America in this hour as He is with us all throughout the world. This is the time to seek the Lord, how we have turned from His ways, repent, and change from old ways of doing things. This relates to every area of governance in society. We know there is a rising of the Apostolic/Prophetic and the divine positioning of ones called to bring change in areas of governance. This is part of the strategy of coming back to the Lord and this is crucial for America in this hour.
It is time to repent of looking for, and to a king, whether that be in the church or in government. It is time for the release of new understanding, and revelation about the Kingship of Jesus Christ. It is about Jesus as KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. This will bring down the powers that think they have rulership. It is false authority, it is founded on sand, and it will not stand.
It is time to come back to the Word of God, to the Lord’s ways, and to rise up and take a stand for justice, truth and righteousness.
This is the Lord’s clarion call to America. Now is the time to declare the Kingship of Jesus Christ. Every false, idolatrous, religious practice must be exposed.
It starts with His people, His church, for such a time as this.
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
A Silent Killer - Religion
by Glenice Mills
Many people suffer from high cholesterol, that is, a blocking of the arteries caused by the eating of unhealthy foods. It does not happen quickly but rather builds up over a long period of time, slowly doing damage to the body. Often it is not until a major health issue occurs, such as a heart attack or stroke, that our cholesterol level is exposed. We know it as a silent killer. Our arteries are a source of blood flow throughout our bodies, bringing health and life to our physical beings. However, to restore health requires a change in diet and a close monitoring of our cholesterol levels. It requires a change to our lifestyle. This change results in new life coming, with a renewed zeal and energy not felt before.
High cholesterol can be likened to religion. Religion is like the life is sucked out by an insidious, hidden, existing, doing the same things over and over again, lulling people into a false sense of comfort. It is quite literally a stranglehold affecting thinking, actions and behaviours. The arteries, the life giving flow of the Holy Spirit, is blocked, causing a ‘silent killer’. Like high cholesterol we don’t know it is happening, but at some opportune time comes a ‘crunch point’.
There is a choice to be made. Choose the same old ways or make a decision to change.
The problem arises because we need to know what religion is, and how it is subtly outworked through the body of Christ. The reality is no church is immune to religion, not even one that appears to be flourishing and meeting the needs of the people. Why?
People, that is you and I, like to do the same things over and over again, as it keeps us feeling safe. We like routine, and the security it gives us. We then try and add Jesus to the mix and think that He endorses what we do. The reality is: we can become deceived and call it ‘church‘, and think it meets the Lord’s approval. His grace covers so much of what we do in church but it doesn’t necessarily mean He is with us. The power of man’s soul can override the Spirit of God. We need to, at this point, stop and consider this statement. The power of man’s soul can override the Spirit of God!
If we want something bad enough we can ‘make it happen’ using our soul power rather than letting the Holy Spirit have His way. Our souls - our mind, will and emotions, can easily push us to believing we are doing the Lord’s will.
This is where deception comes in. We deceive ourselves into believing this is the truth, that we are walking in it. It becomes our ‘life flow’ and slowly starts to move among us clogging up the flow of the anointing and the moving of the power of the Holy Spirit. This is how the false comes in, where we can easily camp at a truth believing we have the fullness of the Lord within our church. Our foundations are on sand and it soon becomes obvious that we cannot and are not moving in the Spirit as we should.
I want to issue a challenge here. How much of what we do in church actually blesses the Lord? How much are we just going through the motions, playing church, to make ourselves feel good in the moment? Can we truly say our meetings have the Lord’s ‘seal of approval’ upon them?
I believe in this hour we must stop and evaluate where we are going and whether we truly bless the Lord by our coming together and meeting with Him.
We are very good at meeting together but do we truly meet with Him? Does our worship take us to His throne room where we encounter Him and know we are changing?
Amos 5:23,24
Take away from Me the noise of your songs,
For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.
But let justice run down like water,
And righteousness like a mighty stream.
It is a very fine line between doing church and being church. One will change the hearts of man as they encounter the Lord and the other will bring a superficiality that will not sustain. There will be no lasting fruit. It is either about encountering the Lord or being seen to do the right thing appeasing man’s traditions.
Are the arteries of the church clogged? Can His Holy Spirit flow freely, bringing freedom and change into the lives of the Lord’s people? Can we do this while remaining in tight time constraints because of man’s fleshly demands? Is the Lord really pleased that we give him a token hour and a half meeting, then the next meeting takes place - not unlike a factory assembly line? What say the Holy Spirit wants to move and bring healing or repentance or deliverance to His people but He cannot do this because He does not have the freedom to move upon and among His people?
Perhaps we have subtly bowed to the having a form of godliness but denying the power of God? Are our meetings more emotion based rather than Holy Spirit led?
I wonder are we in fact worshipping self, rather than the Lord? If our whole focus is what can I get out of it for me, are we not in fact practicing idolatry - that is self idolatry?
This is the challenge in this hour for we need to consider how effective the church is.
Playing church will not suffice in the hour we live in. When troubles come, and evil increases will we have the ‘staying power’, the fortitude deep on the inside of us or will we crumple at the first sign of hardship and persecution?
Act 17:22-25
Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with man’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.”
This is the time to question where our life source flow is coming from. When the Holy Spirit moves He is not constrained by time or by whom He would use. Maybe for too long we have looked to a church minister to give to us all we need forgetting that they are one instrument the Lord would use. They don’t have it all, and perhaps some quiet lady sitting in the back row has the Word of the Lord.
It is time to take off the shackles of religion that would hold us back and keep us in the old ways and traditions of man. Perhaps we could be daring enough to risk allowing the Lord to move in His services giving Him permission to do and use whosoever He wants. If we all carry an aspect of the Lord, and we do, then maybe the unique individual expressions of the Lord need the opportunity to be expressed? Who knows what amazing things can and will happen if we truly give the Lord permission to have His way. We sing songs about the Lord having His way yet we don’t actually practice what we sing and what we say. This hurts the Lord. He wants to have His way. Man’s agenda must yield to the leading of His Spirit.
It is time for repentance to be preached! Man’s sin and rebellion needs to be spoken about. The enemy has done a number on God’s people by lulling them into a safe place of false security, holding them in bondage, requiring nothing of the people.
Now is the time to act, to come back to the truth of repentance, and forgiveness of sins, and to confront that which is an abomination to the Lord. Secret sin, such as pornography, must be spoken about so freedom can come as truth is spoken. Superficial façades must come off and the real issues of sin and man’s hearts must be spoken of. That requires time in services and one on one with people.
It is time for the arteries to be unclogged and for the source of resurrection life to flow through God’s people. Now is the hour!
Acts 17:29-31
“Therefore since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Many people suffer from high cholesterol, that is, a blocking of the arteries caused by the eating of unhealthy foods. It does not happen quickly but rather builds up over a long period of time, slowly doing damage to the body. Often it is not until a major health issue occurs, such as a heart attack or stroke, that our cholesterol level is exposed. We know it as a silent killer. Our arteries are a source of blood flow throughout our bodies, bringing health and life to our physical beings. However, to restore health requires a change in diet and a close monitoring of our cholesterol levels. It requires a change to our lifestyle. This change results in new life coming, with a renewed zeal and energy not felt before.
High cholesterol can be likened to religion. Religion is like the life is sucked out by an insidious, hidden, existing, doing the same things over and over again, lulling people into a false sense of comfort. It is quite literally a stranglehold affecting thinking, actions and behaviours. The arteries, the life giving flow of the Holy Spirit, is blocked, causing a ‘silent killer’. Like high cholesterol we don’t know it is happening, but at some opportune time comes a ‘crunch point’.
There is a choice to be made. Choose the same old ways or make a decision to change.
The problem arises because we need to know what religion is, and how it is subtly outworked through the body of Christ. The reality is no church is immune to religion, not even one that appears to be flourishing and meeting the needs of the people. Why?
People, that is you and I, like to do the same things over and over again, as it keeps us feeling safe. We like routine, and the security it gives us. We then try and add Jesus to the mix and think that He endorses what we do. The reality is: we can become deceived and call it ‘church‘, and think it meets the Lord’s approval. His grace covers so much of what we do in church but it doesn’t necessarily mean He is with us. The power of man’s soul can override the Spirit of God. We need to, at this point, stop and consider this statement. The power of man’s soul can override the Spirit of God!
If we want something bad enough we can ‘make it happen’ using our soul power rather than letting the Holy Spirit have His way. Our souls - our mind, will and emotions, can easily push us to believing we are doing the Lord’s will.
This is where deception comes in. We deceive ourselves into believing this is the truth, that we are walking in it. It becomes our ‘life flow’ and slowly starts to move among us clogging up the flow of the anointing and the moving of the power of the Holy Spirit. This is how the false comes in, where we can easily camp at a truth believing we have the fullness of the Lord within our church. Our foundations are on sand and it soon becomes obvious that we cannot and are not moving in the Spirit as we should.
I want to issue a challenge here. How much of what we do in church actually blesses the Lord? How much are we just going through the motions, playing church, to make ourselves feel good in the moment? Can we truly say our meetings have the Lord’s ‘seal of approval’ upon them?
I believe in this hour we must stop and evaluate where we are going and whether we truly bless the Lord by our coming together and meeting with Him.
We are very good at meeting together but do we truly meet with Him? Does our worship take us to His throne room where we encounter Him and know we are changing?
Amos 5:23,24
Take away from Me the noise of your songs,
For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.
But let justice run down like water,
And righteousness like a mighty stream.
It is a very fine line between doing church and being church. One will change the hearts of man as they encounter the Lord and the other will bring a superficiality that will not sustain. There will be no lasting fruit. It is either about encountering the Lord or being seen to do the right thing appeasing man’s traditions.
Are the arteries of the church clogged? Can His Holy Spirit flow freely, bringing freedom and change into the lives of the Lord’s people? Can we do this while remaining in tight time constraints because of man’s fleshly demands? Is the Lord really pleased that we give him a token hour and a half meeting, then the next meeting takes place - not unlike a factory assembly line? What say the Holy Spirit wants to move and bring healing or repentance or deliverance to His people but He cannot do this because He does not have the freedom to move upon and among His people?
Perhaps we have subtly bowed to the having a form of godliness but denying the power of God? Are our meetings more emotion based rather than Holy Spirit led?
I wonder are we in fact worshipping self, rather than the Lord? If our whole focus is what can I get out of it for me, are we not in fact practicing idolatry - that is self idolatry?
This is the challenge in this hour for we need to consider how effective the church is.
Playing church will not suffice in the hour we live in. When troubles come, and evil increases will we have the ‘staying power’, the fortitude deep on the inside of us or will we crumple at the first sign of hardship and persecution?
Act 17:22-25
Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with man’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.”
This is the time to question where our life source flow is coming from. When the Holy Spirit moves He is not constrained by time or by whom He would use. Maybe for too long we have looked to a church minister to give to us all we need forgetting that they are one instrument the Lord would use. They don’t have it all, and perhaps some quiet lady sitting in the back row has the Word of the Lord.
It is time to take off the shackles of religion that would hold us back and keep us in the old ways and traditions of man. Perhaps we could be daring enough to risk allowing the Lord to move in His services giving Him permission to do and use whosoever He wants. If we all carry an aspect of the Lord, and we do, then maybe the unique individual expressions of the Lord need the opportunity to be expressed? Who knows what amazing things can and will happen if we truly give the Lord permission to have His way. We sing songs about the Lord having His way yet we don’t actually practice what we sing and what we say. This hurts the Lord. He wants to have His way. Man’s agenda must yield to the leading of His Spirit.
It is time for repentance to be preached! Man’s sin and rebellion needs to be spoken about. The enemy has done a number on God’s people by lulling them into a safe place of false security, holding them in bondage, requiring nothing of the people.
Now is the time to act, to come back to the truth of repentance, and forgiveness of sins, and to confront that which is an abomination to the Lord. Secret sin, such as pornography, must be spoken about so freedom can come as truth is spoken. Superficial façades must come off and the real issues of sin and man’s hearts must be spoken of. That requires time in services and one on one with people.
It is time for the arteries to be unclogged and for the source of resurrection life to flow through God’s people. Now is the hour!
Acts 17:29-31
“Therefore since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Friday, 19 October 2012
Who Is God For Me?
by Patricia Bellchambers
The gardener came today and trimmed the trees outside my door. All that remains now are bare branches. The pruning has allowed so much more light into the house but has also removed any privacy that the foliage once offered.
Many of us are in a season with God where He is stripping back once again anything that inhibits us from seeing all that remains in our hearts and characters that is not of Him. He is exposing our sin and weaknesses by allowing more light to permeate the soul and He is stripping back everything which we continue to use to hide behind. There is no privacy in God. He sees it all exactly how it is and He cares too much to allow us to remain in our deception. In His mercy He now reveals to us that which stands in the way of us entering into the future and destiny He has prepared for us. While the process may be painful it is necessary. In this time of stripping back and dying to self at a whole new level it is imperative that we know who God is for and in us. When everything overwhelms and threatens us, we must know that our God is a just God. That He is faithful, kind, loving and we must know His nature and character for ourselves because everything around us will look and feel contrary. We can no longer navigate our way through the trials by what we see or feel. We must rely on what we know to be truth. It is essential that we know the word of God and that we know God Himself. True revelation can only come through true relationship. We have not been this way before so there will be nothing that is familiar except God Himself. He is the only constant in a reality that changes from season to season and more often day to day. Time is short and so this season seems to have an intensity not experienced before. For some of us God is placing us in situations of such incredible vulnerability. This reveals to us the area where we have not yet given God His rightful place, it reveals the areas of self -protection that remain, the areas where we have not allowed the Holy Spirit to comfort to the degree we need, the areas where we have not allowed the love of God to drive out fear. Vulnerability shows us the level to which we truly trust God. Be of great courage and allow God to be God to you in His fullness, Church. It is time we placed our lives back on the altar and embraced the intensity of His all-consuming fire.
The final destination for us all must be where we can say truthfully that “God is enough,” because He shall ultimately be all that remains.
The gardener came today and trimmed the trees outside my door. All that remains now are bare branches. The pruning has allowed so much more light into the house but has also removed any privacy that the foliage once offered.
Many of us are in a season with God where He is stripping back once again anything that inhibits us from seeing all that remains in our hearts and characters that is not of Him. He is exposing our sin and weaknesses by allowing more light to permeate the soul and He is stripping back everything which we continue to use to hide behind. There is no privacy in God. He sees it all exactly how it is and He cares too much to allow us to remain in our deception. In His mercy He now reveals to us that which stands in the way of us entering into the future and destiny He has prepared for us. While the process may be painful it is necessary. In this time of stripping back and dying to self at a whole new level it is imperative that we know who God is for and in us. When everything overwhelms and threatens us, we must know that our God is a just God. That He is faithful, kind, loving and we must know His nature and character for ourselves because everything around us will look and feel contrary. We can no longer navigate our way through the trials by what we see or feel. We must rely on what we know to be truth. It is essential that we know the word of God and that we know God Himself. True revelation can only come through true relationship. We have not been this way before so there will be nothing that is familiar except God Himself. He is the only constant in a reality that changes from season to season and more often day to day. Time is short and so this season seems to have an intensity not experienced before. For some of us God is placing us in situations of such incredible vulnerability. This reveals to us the area where we have not yet given God His rightful place, it reveals the areas of self -protection that remain, the areas where we have not allowed the Holy Spirit to comfort to the degree we need, the areas where we have not allowed the love of God to drive out fear. Vulnerability shows us the level to which we truly trust God. Be of great courage and allow God to be God to you in His fullness, Church. It is time we placed our lives back on the altar and embraced the intensity of His all-consuming fire.
The final destination for us all must be where we can say truthfully that “God is enough,” because He shall ultimately be all that remains.
The Glory Of The Lord
by Tony Clark
“They marveled, and they glorified God” Matthew 9: 5-9
To glorify God is one of our highest purposes. He is high and lifted up! And needs to be - in our minds, and hearts, in our beliefs, in our testimony. “The fame of Him (Jesus) spread throughout the whole earth.” “How can they hear, unless there is a preacher?” The word of God unlocks the glory of God. The testimony of His works, and demonstration of His power - that God may be glorified. It is for a predestined time that the whole earth be FILLED with the knowledge of the glory of The Lord. People are in bondage because they don’t know Him, and don’t have the hope that is in Him. It is the revelation of His Person that brings us to life, and elevates us to our true place of existence where The Lord is glorified, and the knowledge of Him fills us. There is such joy in the heart of the man or woman that glorifies God, because they have seen something of Him that brings hope and relief. People LOVE to see the power of God. The demonstration of His Person. There is nothing like being chosen by Jesus.
“They marveled, and they glorified God” Matthew 9: 5-9
To glorify God is one of our highest purposes. He is high and lifted up! And needs to be - in our minds, and hearts, in our beliefs, in our testimony. “The fame of Him (Jesus) spread throughout the whole earth.” “How can they hear, unless there is a preacher?” The word of God unlocks the glory of God. The testimony of His works, and demonstration of His power - that God may be glorified. It is for a predestined time that the whole earth be FILLED with the knowledge of the glory of The Lord. People are in bondage because they don’t know Him, and don’t have the hope that is in Him. It is the revelation of His Person that brings us to life, and elevates us to our true place of existence where The Lord is glorified, and the knowledge of Him fills us. There is such joy in the heart of the man or woman that glorifies God, because they have seen something of Him that brings hope and relief. People LOVE to see the power of God. The demonstration of His Person. There is nothing like being chosen by Jesus.
Thursday, 13 September 2012
True Endurance - False Endurance
by Glenice Mills
We all have areas in our lives where we battle certain issues that the Lord uses to train us to overcome, and to learn to walk in victory. These areas of struggle forge an enduring deep on the inside of us that lead us to increasing dependence on the Lord. This is where we learn the power of the cross. We learn to develop Godly ways in our character, by confronting the flesh, and submitting our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. As we do this, we have unique situations the Lord brings to us to grow us up into Him, and to teach us endurance. It is not done quickly, but rather takes a long time. It is interesting to note that many Scripture references refer to ‘patiently enduring’. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, is forged in the enduring.
To endure is the ability or power to suffer, bear or put up with. It is the ‘ability to withstand prolonged strain’. I like this explanation. To prolong means to make longer in time, and strain means to make extreme or excessive demands on. This means there will be pain. It will be uncomfortable! There is no quick easy fix. This is abhorrent to many, particularly in this ‘instant gratification, get it quick’ lifestyle that we live in. It flies in the face of the ‘easy, superficial, all will go well with you because you are a Christian, man pleasing gospel’ that is preached. When things get difficult in our lives, it is easy to try and shortcut the dealings of God by trying to find ways of circumventing our circumstances. It is easy to look to people, things, or some false comfort rather than confronting the issues. The reality is: to endure means we have to go in and through - with the Lord’s help. We cannot do it on our own. We were never meant to do it on our own. We all have our tailor-made areas to endure, however, for many the pressure is tight at this time as the struggles seem unbearable. I feel the Lord wants to bring some adjusting and understanding about what it is to endure.
There is a ‘false enduring’ that the enemy is trying to use to hold God’s people back, keeping them bound and trapped in hopelessness. It is about ‘our vision, our goals’ in life. This is an access point the enemy has. When we lose sight of our vision, our destiny in God, we bow to a false lie of the enemy. Endurance is then built on a wrong foundation.
Sadly, many have succumbed to the lie that ‘to suffer’ is a noble thing. It is seen as ‘spiritual’ to endure suffering as somehow earning great acclaim. However, there is a ‘false suffering’ birthed from a catholic self-flagellation thinking that has many stuck. They are ‘going around in circles’, their life is like a rat on a wheel, thinking that this is enduring. It is not. It is existing, it is just getting by in life. Exist is not endure. Exist is to live with a ‘same old, same old’ thinking. This is not living an abundant life! In fact it is the opposite.
I am addressing an imbalance. There is a suffering that is right in God. This suffering drives us to the cross. We are to take up our cross daily. We all battle certain issues that have us totally reliant on the Lord. However, we have to be careful that our suffering doesn’t cross over and actually make us ‘feel good’ so we take on a ‘false martyr’ persona. This is where the imbalance comes in.
The enemy has actually sold us a lie and we have innocently bowed to idol of self. In fact we become self-righteous and take great pride in our ‘sufferings’ and build a false identity and way of living and being that is contrary to the Lord and His character and ways. This is not freedom but bondage. An imbalance has taken place. Very subtle, but very real.
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.
When in the tight place of pain and affliction and the enduring through, it is crucial we never lose sight of our future and our hope in Him. Without this in correct balance we will succumb to the lies of the enemy and give up, bowing to hopelessness. This is not a way of God, it is of the enemy. Scripture makes it clear that we will have to endure hardship, but it is how we embrace the trials that is the issue. It is about what we do going through them. It is dealing with our wrong reactions when things don’t go the way we think they should, particularly in the time frame that we think things should happen in. Our ugly heart reactions will soon manifest, with our flesh rearing up, making us quickly lose our peace. This is then access for the enemy to come and bring separation in our relationship with the Lord.
Hebrews 2:3-7
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
We have just seen athletes compete at the Olympics and they have only got to where they are by pushing through, enduring, never losing sight of the goal, the finish line, of the prize. So it is with us in our walk with Him. The Lord tells us He will never send us more than we can bear.
Endurance can be likened to a woman in labour in the transition time of severe contractions and then having to push. It is severely uncomfortable, there is no turning back and focus must be on what is to come. Many are in this season in God. Transition is never an easy time. It is uncomfortable, nothing makes sense, but it is to be gone through so that breakthrough and victory comes as a result. We must never forget that out of this season comes a mighty testimony to the goodness of God.
Philippians 3:12 -14
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
I will press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We all have areas in our lives where we battle certain issues that the Lord uses to train us to overcome, and to learn to walk in victory. These areas of struggle forge an enduring deep on the inside of us that lead us to increasing dependence on the Lord. This is where we learn the power of the cross. We learn to develop Godly ways in our character, by confronting the flesh, and submitting our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. As we do this, we have unique situations the Lord brings to us to grow us up into Him, and to teach us endurance. It is not done quickly, but rather takes a long time. It is interesting to note that many Scripture references refer to ‘patiently enduring’. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, is forged in the enduring.
To endure is the ability or power to suffer, bear or put up with. It is the ‘ability to withstand prolonged strain’. I like this explanation. To prolong means to make longer in time, and strain means to make extreme or excessive demands on. This means there will be pain. It will be uncomfortable! There is no quick easy fix. This is abhorrent to many, particularly in this ‘instant gratification, get it quick’ lifestyle that we live in. It flies in the face of the ‘easy, superficial, all will go well with you because you are a Christian, man pleasing gospel’ that is preached. When things get difficult in our lives, it is easy to try and shortcut the dealings of God by trying to find ways of circumventing our circumstances. It is easy to look to people, things, or some false comfort rather than confronting the issues. The reality is: to endure means we have to go in and through - with the Lord’s help. We cannot do it on our own. We were never meant to do it on our own. We all have our tailor-made areas to endure, however, for many the pressure is tight at this time as the struggles seem unbearable. I feel the Lord wants to bring some adjusting and understanding about what it is to endure.
There is a ‘false enduring’ that the enemy is trying to use to hold God’s people back, keeping them bound and trapped in hopelessness. It is about ‘our vision, our goals’ in life. This is an access point the enemy has. When we lose sight of our vision, our destiny in God, we bow to a false lie of the enemy. Endurance is then built on a wrong foundation.
Sadly, many have succumbed to the lie that ‘to suffer’ is a noble thing. It is seen as ‘spiritual’ to endure suffering as somehow earning great acclaim. However, there is a ‘false suffering’ birthed from a catholic self-flagellation thinking that has many stuck. They are ‘going around in circles’, their life is like a rat on a wheel, thinking that this is enduring. It is not. It is existing, it is just getting by in life. Exist is not endure. Exist is to live with a ‘same old, same old’ thinking. This is not living an abundant life! In fact it is the opposite.
I am addressing an imbalance. There is a suffering that is right in God. This suffering drives us to the cross. We are to take up our cross daily. We all battle certain issues that have us totally reliant on the Lord. However, we have to be careful that our suffering doesn’t cross over and actually make us ‘feel good’ so we take on a ‘false martyr’ persona. This is where the imbalance comes in.
The enemy has actually sold us a lie and we have innocently bowed to idol of self. In fact we become self-righteous and take great pride in our ‘sufferings’ and build a false identity and way of living and being that is contrary to the Lord and His character and ways. This is not freedom but bondage. An imbalance has taken place. Very subtle, but very real.
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.
When in the tight place of pain and affliction and the enduring through, it is crucial we never lose sight of our future and our hope in Him. Without this in correct balance we will succumb to the lies of the enemy and give up, bowing to hopelessness. This is not a way of God, it is of the enemy. Scripture makes it clear that we will have to endure hardship, but it is how we embrace the trials that is the issue. It is about what we do going through them. It is dealing with our wrong reactions when things don’t go the way we think they should, particularly in the time frame that we think things should happen in. Our ugly heart reactions will soon manifest, with our flesh rearing up, making us quickly lose our peace. This is then access for the enemy to come and bring separation in our relationship with the Lord.
Hebrews 2:3-7
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
We have just seen athletes compete at the Olympics and they have only got to where they are by pushing through, enduring, never losing sight of the goal, the finish line, of the prize. So it is with us in our walk with Him. The Lord tells us He will never send us more than we can bear.
Endurance can be likened to a woman in labour in the transition time of severe contractions and then having to push. It is severely uncomfortable, there is no turning back and focus must be on what is to come. Many are in this season in God. Transition is never an easy time. It is uncomfortable, nothing makes sense, but it is to be gone through so that breakthrough and victory comes as a result. We must never forget that out of this season comes a mighty testimony to the goodness of God.
Philippians 3:12 -14
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
I will press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Poem - Oh Africa, How I Love You!
by Tony Clark
Oh Africa, how I love you
I remember when you were young
Even before you were born
The plans I had for you
Cradled in your mother’s womb
I’ve watched you grow
Watched you play
Full of purpose, destiny
Oh that you would RUN
That I might SEE in you all that I intend
You are My precious gem
A rare and costly prize
Born of hardship
Will you look to Me
That I might raise in you a mighty nation?
Do you not know that I have saved the best for last?
I raise in you a standard
Tall and strong!
A clear word
For a time such as this
For now is your time
And I have seen your plight
I am the God of the breakthrough
And I have heard your cry
Ready yourself
And see what I will do
Now is the time of your visitation
Oh Africa, how I love you
I remember when you were young
Even before you were born
The plans I had for you
Cradled in your mother’s womb
I’ve watched you grow
Watched you play
Full of purpose, destiny
Oh that you would RUN
That I might SEE in you all that I intend
You are My precious gem
A rare and costly prize
Born of hardship
Will you look to Me
That I might raise in you a mighty nation?
Do you not know that I have saved the best for last?
I raise in you a standard
Tall and strong!
A clear word
For a time such as this
For now is your time
And I have seen your plight
I am the God of the breakthrough
And I have heard your cry
Ready yourself
And see what I will do
Now is the time of your visitation
Hazy + Lazy = Whoops A Daisy
by David Robinson
The Book of Acts 8 : 9-24 shares when Simon Magus (known as Simon the magician) sees that the power of the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of hands by the apostles, he offers the apostles money, desiring to be given the ability to give the power of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. Peter immediately rebukes Simon for believing that he could purchase the gift of God with money. Such motives are truly “wicked”.
The apostle Peter makes the critical point to Simon, that his heart is not right with God (verse 21).
Peter forthrightly goes on to say to Simon, that he is poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.
Peter tells Simon that HE needs to repent of this wickedness and that HE pray to the Lord for forgiveness of this sin. (so much for the tradition of a “priest” absolving another’s sins)
However, contrary to what the apostle clearly stated, Simon asks Peter to pray to the Lord on his behalf, so that “nothing Peter said would come upon him”. (verse 24)
Human pride has no problem with receiving healing but it has a big problem with admitting sinfulness, lack of merit before God, and the need for the cross. It is sometimes common for people to “ask for prayer”, when a consequence from rebellion or unkindness comes upon them. This is not only a lazy thing to do, but an unrepentant delusion.
Like Simon the magician, it is easy to “ask for prayer” from someone else, when what we really need to do is repent to the Lord DIRECTLY through Jesus Christ, asking forgiveness for OUR sin. By all means pray WITH somebody else, but be honest. This is responsibility before the all knowing Lord and means we do not insult Him with any whimsical denials.
Scripture says that God is faithful to forgive, IF we confess our sins. (1 John 1:9)
It is The Lord’s kindness that, His word and The Holy Spirit convict us of OUR sin.
Jesus said of The Holy Spirit that “HE will lead you in all truth”. (John 16:13)
Regarding truth, Jesus also said “Father sanctify them through the truth, your Word is truth”. (John 17:17)
Our loving heavenly Father, waits for us to admit where we’re at, so we can receive His loving grace.
God’s “judgement” on a matter, if we are truly sorry and come to The Father IN Jesus Christ, is “Mercy”.
Do not be afraid to get your heart right with Him. Ultimately, no one else can do that for you!
The Book of Acts 8 : 9-24 shares when Simon Magus (known as Simon the magician) sees that the power of the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of hands by the apostles, he offers the apostles money, desiring to be given the ability to give the power of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. Peter immediately rebukes Simon for believing that he could purchase the gift of God with money. Such motives are truly “wicked”.
The apostle Peter makes the critical point to Simon, that his heart is not right with God (verse 21).
Peter forthrightly goes on to say to Simon, that he is poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.
Peter tells Simon that HE needs to repent of this wickedness and that HE pray to the Lord for forgiveness of this sin. (so much for the tradition of a “priest” absolving another’s sins)
However, contrary to what the apostle clearly stated, Simon asks Peter to pray to the Lord on his behalf, so that “nothing Peter said would come upon him”. (verse 24)
Human pride has no problem with receiving healing but it has a big problem with admitting sinfulness, lack of merit before God, and the need for the cross. It is sometimes common for people to “ask for prayer”, when a consequence from rebellion or unkindness comes upon them. This is not only a lazy thing to do, but an unrepentant delusion.
Like Simon the magician, it is easy to “ask for prayer” from someone else, when what we really need to do is repent to the Lord DIRECTLY through Jesus Christ, asking forgiveness for OUR sin. By all means pray WITH somebody else, but be honest. This is responsibility before the all knowing Lord and means we do not insult Him with any whimsical denials.
Scripture says that God is faithful to forgive, IF we confess our sins. (1 John 1:9)
It is The Lord’s kindness that, His word and The Holy Spirit convict us of OUR sin.
Jesus said of The Holy Spirit that “HE will lead you in all truth”. (John 16:13)
Regarding truth, Jesus also said “Father sanctify them through the truth, your Word is truth”. (John 17:17)
Our loving heavenly Father, waits for us to admit where we’re at, so we can receive His loving grace.
God’s “judgement” on a matter, if we are truly sorry and come to The Father IN Jesus Christ, is “Mercy”.
Do not be afraid to get your heart right with Him. Ultimately, no one else can do that for you!
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Just A Coincidence?
by Glenice Mills
Just a coincidence? There are things that happen in our lives and the lives of others that we can attribute as a ‘coincidence‘. There are of course no coincidences in God, but how and what we do with these situations determine the outcome. When things happen to us unexpectedly we can do one of two things. We can blithely discard the incident as of no importance and tell ourselves it was just a chance occurrence or else we can view it from a spiritual perspective.
The problem with coming from the spiritual angle is: we can easily fall into the danger of becoming ‘super spiritual’ and see something that isn’t there. It is like seeing demons behind every tree and blaming everything on the enemy. Sadly many well meaning Christians have fallen into this trap resulting in delusion and fanciful thinking. That is the training and maturing stage we have to go through to learn to hear the Lord’s voice and grow in the gift of discernment. However it is of course about a balance in these things and finding the truth in the midst of the circumstances. Sometimes we need to take a step back, seek the Lord for His perspective and consider what He is doing from a big picture context. So it was this way that I approached a series of incidents that happened that I felt alarmed about.
Recently we saw where our Queensland Premier was hit on the side of his government vehicle he was travelling in. The force of the collision was enough to set off the side impact airbags. The premier, Campbell Newman, was understandingly shaken up, and what could have been a serious accident was averted because of the car’s safety features. A few days later our federal government opposition leader was also hit on his passenger side of the car he was travelling in. Both incidences happened here in Queensland, and both men were members of the Liberal National political party. We can view these incidents as ‘freak accidents’ and think nothing further of it, or we can stop, consider, and seek the Lord to see if He is wanting to say something about what happened.
So the past couple of weeks I have quietly been asking the Lord why, and what is He saying and doing. The truth is, nothing happens for no reason. Often it is a ‘wake up call’, a call to be on the alert, and to put things in place so change can come.
These men are a ‘target’. The direct hit by a vehicle is an analogy of the arrow hitting the bulls eye. The enemy tried, without success to bring great harm. However nothing happens without getting by the Lord and this is where we must seriously look at what happened. The enemy is ferocious at the moment, he knows he is losing ground and he is not pleased. The stand these men have been making on many contentious issues has placed them in a vulnerable position. Perhaps it could be put, that they are sitting ducks ready for the kill; victims being side swiped by the enemy.
This is a serious thing. The truth is: it is not so much about them as about us in the body of Christ here in Australia. What happened is actually an alert, to wake us up from our sleep, our complacency, our apathy and our ignorant oversight. We are all busy and easily distracted by the things happening in our everyday life. However, these must not be excuses for a requirement laid down in the word of God. We are to pray for those in authority, for those who hold positions of leadership. I personally have been remiss in not being obedient to pray for our government leaders. Perhaps at this time we need to be seriously praying for our state government and the federal government’s opposition party. The federal opposition party are ones who are being positioned right now to take power at the next election. I know there are many faithful men and women in this nation who are praying and this is not intended as any judgment of them and their prayers. It is about all of us seriously looking at and checking we are faithful and consistent in this.
We saw in the recent state elections where the election campaign was rife with personal attacks against Campbell Newman. It reached its lowest point when they attacked his wife and family. The onslaught by the labour opposition leader and labour supporters were a violation against a person not seen in such venomous ways before.
The truth is people were used by the enemy to bring these accusations and the viciousness was more than personal attack: it was demonic.
The enemy is very threatened by the rising up of men and women from a conservative party that holds onto basic Christian principles. The trade union/labour party faction and the spirit behind this doctrine is seriously threatened. The labour party is destabilised right now as the demonic stronghold has been exposed and is being pulled down from its false position of power. It is by the hand of God that these things are happening.
We are in a spiritual battle even in our government. There was a door open that allowed the enemy to come and try and bring destruction against two men doing their daily work. They were accidents with no malicious intent by those who accidentally drove into them. However we must look beyond the coincidence. These men are the Lord’s, whether or not they have a close relationship with Him I do not know. However, they have been chosen to take their positions of authority, therefore that is the position that the Lord has placed them in. Our state government has a number of Christian Members of Parliament including a Christian woman Leader of the House. They need our prayer support!
A vital prayer is for the Lord’s protection. They need the Lord’s protection, particularly Campbell Newman and his family (his wife Lisa and their two teenage daughters). This is our watch and the Lord is alerting us to pray for them! They need our prayers of protection: protection physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
It is not so much a case of politics and which party you support, but rather about what is happening spiritually. That is our responsibility: the church, the body of Christ.
There is a big difference between alarm and alert. This is not meant to be an alarmist coming from and stirring up fear but rather a sound, a warning, to stand, to watch and to pray.
Can I encourage you to declare this over Campbell Newman and his family:
Psalm 91:3-8
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
I titled this word ‘Just a coincidence’ because that is the lie of the enemy, his plan is to ‘dumb down’ and null and void the seriousness of a situation so we don’t do anything about it. We use our minds to justify, and talk ourselves out of by reasoning rather than going to prayer. Can I encourage you whether it be personally or what you see happening to others, to see past the coincidence and seek the Lord, asking Him to show you what He is doing.
You will be surprised what He will say as understanding comes.
Psalm 92: 1-2
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty,
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God in Him I will trust”.
Just a coincidence? There are things that happen in our lives and the lives of others that we can attribute as a ‘coincidence‘. There are of course no coincidences in God, but how and what we do with these situations determine the outcome. When things happen to us unexpectedly we can do one of two things. We can blithely discard the incident as of no importance and tell ourselves it was just a chance occurrence or else we can view it from a spiritual perspective.
The problem with coming from the spiritual angle is: we can easily fall into the danger of becoming ‘super spiritual’ and see something that isn’t there. It is like seeing demons behind every tree and blaming everything on the enemy. Sadly many well meaning Christians have fallen into this trap resulting in delusion and fanciful thinking. That is the training and maturing stage we have to go through to learn to hear the Lord’s voice and grow in the gift of discernment. However it is of course about a balance in these things and finding the truth in the midst of the circumstances. Sometimes we need to take a step back, seek the Lord for His perspective and consider what He is doing from a big picture context. So it was this way that I approached a series of incidents that happened that I felt alarmed about.
Recently we saw where our Queensland Premier was hit on the side of his government vehicle he was travelling in. The force of the collision was enough to set off the side impact airbags. The premier, Campbell Newman, was understandingly shaken up, and what could have been a serious accident was averted because of the car’s safety features. A few days later our federal government opposition leader was also hit on his passenger side of the car he was travelling in. Both incidences happened here in Queensland, and both men were members of the Liberal National political party. We can view these incidents as ‘freak accidents’ and think nothing further of it, or we can stop, consider, and seek the Lord to see if He is wanting to say something about what happened.
So the past couple of weeks I have quietly been asking the Lord why, and what is He saying and doing. The truth is, nothing happens for no reason. Often it is a ‘wake up call’, a call to be on the alert, and to put things in place so change can come.
These men are a ‘target’. The direct hit by a vehicle is an analogy of the arrow hitting the bulls eye. The enemy tried, without success to bring great harm. However nothing happens without getting by the Lord and this is where we must seriously look at what happened. The enemy is ferocious at the moment, he knows he is losing ground and he is not pleased. The stand these men have been making on many contentious issues has placed them in a vulnerable position. Perhaps it could be put, that they are sitting ducks ready for the kill; victims being side swiped by the enemy.
This is a serious thing. The truth is: it is not so much about them as about us in the body of Christ here in Australia. What happened is actually an alert, to wake us up from our sleep, our complacency, our apathy and our ignorant oversight. We are all busy and easily distracted by the things happening in our everyday life. However, these must not be excuses for a requirement laid down in the word of God. We are to pray for those in authority, for those who hold positions of leadership. I personally have been remiss in not being obedient to pray for our government leaders. Perhaps at this time we need to be seriously praying for our state government and the federal government’s opposition party. The federal opposition party are ones who are being positioned right now to take power at the next election. I know there are many faithful men and women in this nation who are praying and this is not intended as any judgment of them and their prayers. It is about all of us seriously looking at and checking we are faithful and consistent in this.
We saw in the recent state elections where the election campaign was rife with personal attacks against Campbell Newman. It reached its lowest point when they attacked his wife and family. The onslaught by the labour opposition leader and labour supporters were a violation against a person not seen in such venomous ways before.
The truth is people were used by the enemy to bring these accusations and the viciousness was more than personal attack: it was demonic.
The enemy is very threatened by the rising up of men and women from a conservative party that holds onto basic Christian principles. The trade union/labour party faction and the spirit behind this doctrine is seriously threatened. The labour party is destabilised right now as the demonic stronghold has been exposed and is being pulled down from its false position of power. It is by the hand of God that these things are happening.
We are in a spiritual battle even in our government. There was a door open that allowed the enemy to come and try and bring destruction against two men doing their daily work. They were accidents with no malicious intent by those who accidentally drove into them. However we must look beyond the coincidence. These men are the Lord’s, whether or not they have a close relationship with Him I do not know. However, they have been chosen to take their positions of authority, therefore that is the position that the Lord has placed them in. Our state government has a number of Christian Members of Parliament including a Christian woman Leader of the House. They need our prayer support!
A vital prayer is for the Lord’s protection. They need the Lord’s protection, particularly Campbell Newman and his family (his wife Lisa and their two teenage daughters). This is our watch and the Lord is alerting us to pray for them! They need our prayers of protection: protection physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
It is not so much a case of politics and which party you support, but rather about what is happening spiritually. That is our responsibility: the church, the body of Christ.
There is a big difference between alarm and alert. This is not meant to be an alarmist coming from and stirring up fear but rather a sound, a warning, to stand, to watch and to pray.
Can I encourage you to declare this over Campbell Newman and his family:
Psalm 91:3-8
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
I titled this word ‘Just a coincidence’ because that is the lie of the enemy, his plan is to ‘dumb down’ and null and void the seriousness of a situation so we don’t do anything about it. We use our minds to justify, and talk ourselves out of by reasoning rather than going to prayer. Can I encourage you whether it be personally or what you see happening to others, to see past the coincidence and seek the Lord, asking Him to show you what He is doing.
You will be surprised what He will say as understanding comes.
Psalm 92: 1-2
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty,
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God in Him I will trust”.
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Present Truth
by Glenice Mills
Sometimes, as a prophet, you need to stop, and listen to what you are speaking. If you are saying it often enough, there must be some keys from the Lord that He is wanting to reveal. Lately I keep speaking the words present truth. The word ‘present’ is about the here and now, this time, today. There is a divine emphasis on the words ‘present truth’ because the Lord is putting His exclamation mark on these words. The Lord keeps repeating these words because He is speaking His truth at this present time.
A prophet is to know the seasons and times. They are used to reveal the Lord’s secrets, the deep revelations of God.
We know the prophet speaks of things happening in the future, and they also speak addressing the past where people have gone away from God’s ways. It is always founded in the Father’s heart cry of ‘Return to Me.‘ The prophets cry is about repentance, addressing the wrongs and injustices of the past, and speaking what is to happen in the future. We are hearing a lot about what the Lord is doing in times ahead, particularly His words of judgment, such as: speaking of earthquakes, volcanoes and the world economic crash. These words are correct, however, we also need understanding of what the Lord is requiring of His body of believers today.
It is also a requirement of a prophet to also address what is happening here and now. This present time in God’s time frame in history. He is speaking present truth for such a time as this. This word is not so much about WHAT the Lord is saying, but rather what He is meaning by the words ‘PRESENT TRUTH’.
Clearly there are apostles and prophets speaking truth for this time, here and now. If these words are listened to, and heeded, they can avert what may happen in the future. That is why we must listen, search out, and respond positively to what the Lord is saying here and now. If we are obedient to accept and put into place what the Lord is requiring as His present truth is spoken, we will see the blessings of God come. However we must listen to, and obey the present truths being spoken. Perhaps the greatest key is: we must also walk in present truth. For too long we have had our ears tickled, but that will no longer be enough. We must also put into action what has been spoken.
We need to be aware that present truth positions us for what is coming. If we receive present truth we will be ready for the change that is coming. In fact it is a blessing of God as it prepares us and has us ready to walk in His new ways. We must go where the cloud is going for we do not want to miss out on the new thing the Lord is doing. We also need to know that present truth can be used to stop something bad from happening that would derail us and take us off course.
Hebrews 3:12-15
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said:
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
We must not forget that the Holy Spirit is always moving and we must move with Him. It will not work if we stay in one place, and camp there, thinking we have it all, that we have the truth, and don’t need any new truth. That is how religion has entrapped God’s people, holding them stuck in denominational thinking with a false sense of belonging. That is the greatest error we can make, it is a trap that we can easily fall into. It keeps us comfortable, and in fact has us compromise truth. We become apathetic and complacent, allowing evil to rule in our lives, in the body of Christ and in the nations. The Lord tells us we must discern the times we live in.
Luke 12:54-56
Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.
Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern the time?”
As a prophet, and so it should be with all prophets, we dare not be asleep on our watch. Along with knowing the times we must also discern what is happening. The two go hand in hand. When the Lord speaks of truth we must be alert to the truth being revealed. Truth and revelation unfold, it is an ongoing opening of our eyes to new levels of depth in the Word of God. As in the past there has been an unfolding of the seasons and times in God, and with truth and revelation being revealed. So it is for today. However, today there is an urgency for the Lord’s truth to be spoken and to be heeded. So why is truth being revealed? It is because we are in a season of increased unfolding of revelation. As revelation is revealed, the lies of the enemy, and the outworking of them in our lives will be exposed. Truth always shakes our comfort, and can and does offend. We forget that when Jesus spoke truth He challenged the status quo, he challenged the culture of the day, and confronted the religious traditions of man. I often see how there is the God head of God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit. We also have an ungodly false godhead of tradition, religion and culture. These things are insidiously woven in the fabric of what is the body of Christ today and that is part of what is being exposed in this hour. We have to separate the false from the true, and it can only come about by having an intimate relationship with the Lord. We can easily be deceived and beguiled by present truth that is in fact false. That is why His Truth, the Lord’s Present Truth must be spoken. Unless and until it is taken seriously we will go down roads that are not right in God. We will become deceived. That is why we need discerning of spirits. Present truth will confront all ungodliness, all falsehood, and everything that is an abomination in God’s sight.
That is why present truth is not to be taken lightly. The Lord is speaking. Are you listening? What is the thread of truth being spoken in this hour, in this time, in this present age? We need to know. We have a choice to believe what is being said or continue on in what we know, without change.
Don’t be like the Israelites and harden your heart against God. Be teachable, ready to receive new truth, and learn to walk in it. That is in fact our protection and it is God’s heart of love to us. Forewarned is forearmed!
Romans 13:11-14
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts.
Present truth! Don’t disregard what is being said about what is happening today.
Scripture says Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He doesn’t change.
Seasons change. Truth is being spoken today and for those who have ears to hear, eyes to see and hearts ready to perceive and understand what is being said will embrace the changes, the new thing, and will walk in the future that is unfolding in the body of Christ today.
Listen to what the apostles and prophets are saying. That is your protection!
Sometimes, as a prophet, you need to stop, and listen to what you are speaking. If you are saying it often enough, there must be some keys from the Lord that He is wanting to reveal. Lately I keep speaking the words present truth. The word ‘present’ is about the here and now, this time, today. There is a divine emphasis on the words ‘present truth’ because the Lord is putting His exclamation mark on these words. The Lord keeps repeating these words because He is speaking His truth at this present time.
A prophet is to know the seasons and times. They are used to reveal the Lord’s secrets, the deep revelations of God.
We know the prophet speaks of things happening in the future, and they also speak addressing the past where people have gone away from God’s ways. It is always founded in the Father’s heart cry of ‘Return to Me.‘ The prophets cry is about repentance, addressing the wrongs and injustices of the past, and speaking what is to happen in the future. We are hearing a lot about what the Lord is doing in times ahead, particularly His words of judgment, such as: speaking of earthquakes, volcanoes and the world economic crash. These words are correct, however, we also need understanding of what the Lord is requiring of His body of believers today.
It is also a requirement of a prophet to also address what is happening here and now. This present time in God’s time frame in history. He is speaking present truth for such a time as this. This word is not so much about WHAT the Lord is saying, but rather what He is meaning by the words ‘PRESENT TRUTH’.
Clearly there are apostles and prophets speaking truth for this time, here and now. If these words are listened to, and heeded, they can avert what may happen in the future. That is why we must listen, search out, and respond positively to what the Lord is saying here and now. If we are obedient to accept and put into place what the Lord is requiring as His present truth is spoken, we will see the blessings of God come. However we must listen to, and obey the present truths being spoken. Perhaps the greatest key is: we must also walk in present truth. For too long we have had our ears tickled, but that will no longer be enough. We must also put into action what has been spoken.
We need to be aware that present truth positions us for what is coming. If we receive present truth we will be ready for the change that is coming. In fact it is a blessing of God as it prepares us and has us ready to walk in His new ways. We must go where the cloud is going for we do not want to miss out on the new thing the Lord is doing. We also need to know that present truth can be used to stop something bad from happening that would derail us and take us off course.
Hebrews 3:12-15
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said:
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
We must not forget that the Holy Spirit is always moving and we must move with Him. It will not work if we stay in one place, and camp there, thinking we have it all, that we have the truth, and don’t need any new truth. That is how religion has entrapped God’s people, holding them stuck in denominational thinking with a false sense of belonging. That is the greatest error we can make, it is a trap that we can easily fall into. It keeps us comfortable, and in fact has us compromise truth. We become apathetic and complacent, allowing evil to rule in our lives, in the body of Christ and in the nations. The Lord tells us we must discern the times we live in.
Luke 12:54-56
Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.
Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern the time?”
As a prophet, and so it should be with all prophets, we dare not be asleep on our watch. Along with knowing the times we must also discern what is happening. The two go hand in hand. When the Lord speaks of truth we must be alert to the truth being revealed. Truth and revelation unfold, it is an ongoing opening of our eyes to new levels of depth in the Word of God. As in the past there has been an unfolding of the seasons and times in God, and with truth and revelation being revealed. So it is for today. However, today there is an urgency for the Lord’s truth to be spoken and to be heeded. So why is truth being revealed? It is because we are in a season of increased unfolding of revelation. As revelation is revealed, the lies of the enemy, and the outworking of them in our lives will be exposed. Truth always shakes our comfort, and can and does offend. We forget that when Jesus spoke truth He challenged the status quo, he challenged the culture of the day, and confronted the religious traditions of man. I often see how there is the God head of God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit. We also have an ungodly false godhead of tradition, religion and culture. These things are insidiously woven in the fabric of what is the body of Christ today and that is part of what is being exposed in this hour. We have to separate the false from the true, and it can only come about by having an intimate relationship with the Lord. We can easily be deceived and beguiled by present truth that is in fact false. That is why His Truth, the Lord’s Present Truth must be spoken. Unless and until it is taken seriously we will go down roads that are not right in God. We will become deceived. That is why we need discerning of spirits. Present truth will confront all ungodliness, all falsehood, and everything that is an abomination in God’s sight.
That is why present truth is not to be taken lightly. The Lord is speaking. Are you listening? What is the thread of truth being spoken in this hour, in this time, in this present age? We need to know. We have a choice to believe what is being said or continue on in what we know, without change.
Don’t be like the Israelites and harden your heart against God. Be teachable, ready to receive new truth, and learn to walk in it. That is in fact our protection and it is God’s heart of love to us. Forewarned is forearmed!
Romans 13:11-14
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts.
Present truth! Don’t disregard what is being said about what is happening today.
Scripture says Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He doesn’t change.
Seasons change. Truth is being spoken today and for those who have ears to hear, eyes to see and hearts ready to perceive and understand what is being said will embrace the changes, the new thing, and will walk in the future that is unfolding in the body of Christ today.
Listen to what the apostles and prophets are saying. That is your protection!
Thursday, 14 June 2012
The Blindness Over The Church Of Australia
by Glenice Mills
Sometimes we can know some things, then we get a revelation, and then we ‘know’. There is a huge difference between knowing in our heads, and then having a head and heart revelation. The Lord does a slam dunk into our innermost being which brings clarity and understanding that was not there before.
As I was recently researching the history of Australian Christian women I was learning about the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. In their history it spoke of them receiving women missionaries from America who helped form this organisation.
Australia has always looked to other nations and particularly America for support, not seeing that it has what is needed within its own shores. Australia is not the only nation that has done this, but this word is for them in particular. Sometimes, we can’t see the resources we have, right under our noses. In some ways it seems easier to rely on those with the necessary skills, anointing or gifting who come from elsewhere. However, we have been naïve, and in some ways duped by this wrong belief. It has in fact stymied our growth and our resourcefulness, as we have reached out to Americans to speak God’s Word or bring what we believe is ‘present truth’. This is particularly so in the Apostolic/Prophetic move happening within the body of Christ, right here, right now, in Australia.
There are times when we need to hear the voice of others outside our nation, however there is a danger in this. We can become lazy and think they are the only ones who hear God’s heart for Australia. Sometimes we need to see and hear what is happening, and often it can be found right under our noses. What makes us think that someone from overseas has a greater anointing, a more ‘powerful’ word, or is able to move in signs and wonders, moving in greater power, because they are not from Australia? Do we not serve the same God? Is He not King of Kings and Lord of Lords over God’s church leaders in Australia as in America? We have, in fact, given these ones from overseas, a wrong position, and set them up to be placed as an idol. We look to these ones, particularly from America, as our ‘saviour’. It is in fact a ‘false saviour’ position, one that can actually set us up for idolatrous worship of a man/woman. In that, we place an unrealistic expectation upon them that they probably won’t meet, because we are looking to man rather than to the Lord Himself. There are times when we need an outside perspective, particularly as we can be blinded because of principalities and powers over a nation. However, a line is crossed when we discount, mock, dismiss and disregard any prophetic word or anointed minister because they happen to be Australian. It is in fact foolish and takes away from what the Lord is saying and doing here in Australia. Some of the most powerful prophetic words and ministering by Australians, and ones called to Australia, living in Australia, carry great weight in the Spirit, because they come out from the hearts of ones who have a deep love and concern for the road this nation is going down.
There are some attributes of the Australian way that sets us up to look to other nations to fill our inadequacies. We need to know what is at the root of this inadequacy.
This is not a criticism, but rather looking at, and acknowledging this nations shortfalls, so we recognise and know what is opposing the Spirit of God and stopping us coming into the fullness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The question we all need to ask ourselves is why is this happening? What is in the fabric of the people of this nation that would make us think other nations have more anointing/power than we do? Following are some keys the Lord has shown, it is a brief overview:
Australians must stop believing the mindset of ‘Can anything good come out of Australia?’ Unless and until we break out of this thinking we will remain blinded and see ourselves from a negative viewpoint. We see in Scripture an example of wrong judgments about a place.
John 1:45,46
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’
And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
The body of Christ here in Australia must stop opposing forerunning women from this nation. There is a voice of Australian women coming out from Australia. Unless and until there is an acknowledgment by the body of Christ that women have a role alongside men and that wrong doctrine taught by male church leaders is addressed, we will continue to be less effective. We can look to women ministers from America as something to be esteemed, yet we don’t recognise key women here in Australia who also have a powerful message. Women ministers must be encouraged to take their position alongside men and that endorsement must come from the male church leaders.
Australian Christians love to boast that revival will come out of Australia and go out to the nations. Yes it will happen, but it CANNOT happen until the church of Australia is prepared to look at what aspects of its culture would hold it back from taking its rightful position as a leading nation of Christians sent out to bring revival to the nations.
Sometimes we can know some things, then we get a revelation, and then we ‘know’. There is a huge difference between knowing in our heads, and then having a head and heart revelation. The Lord does a slam dunk into our innermost being which brings clarity and understanding that was not there before.
As I was recently researching the history of Australian Christian women I was learning about the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. In their history it spoke of them receiving women missionaries from America who helped form this organisation.
Australia has always looked to other nations and particularly America for support, not seeing that it has what is needed within its own shores. Australia is not the only nation that has done this, but this word is for them in particular. Sometimes, we can’t see the resources we have, right under our noses. In some ways it seems easier to rely on those with the necessary skills, anointing or gifting who come from elsewhere. However, we have been naïve, and in some ways duped by this wrong belief. It has in fact stymied our growth and our resourcefulness, as we have reached out to Americans to speak God’s Word or bring what we believe is ‘present truth’. This is particularly so in the Apostolic/Prophetic move happening within the body of Christ, right here, right now, in Australia.
There are times when we need to hear the voice of others outside our nation, however there is a danger in this. We can become lazy and think they are the only ones who hear God’s heart for Australia. Sometimes we need to see and hear what is happening, and often it can be found right under our noses. What makes us think that someone from overseas has a greater anointing, a more ‘powerful’ word, or is able to move in signs and wonders, moving in greater power, because they are not from Australia? Do we not serve the same God? Is He not King of Kings and Lord of Lords over God’s church leaders in Australia as in America? We have, in fact, given these ones from overseas, a wrong position, and set them up to be placed as an idol. We look to these ones, particularly from America, as our ‘saviour’. It is in fact a ‘false saviour’ position, one that can actually set us up for idolatrous worship of a man/woman. In that, we place an unrealistic expectation upon them that they probably won’t meet, because we are looking to man rather than to the Lord Himself. There are times when we need an outside perspective, particularly as we can be blinded because of principalities and powers over a nation. However, a line is crossed when we discount, mock, dismiss and disregard any prophetic word or anointed minister because they happen to be Australian. It is in fact foolish and takes away from what the Lord is saying and doing here in Australia. Some of the most powerful prophetic words and ministering by Australians, and ones called to Australia, living in Australia, carry great weight in the Spirit, because they come out from the hearts of ones who have a deep love and concern for the road this nation is going down.
There are some attributes of the Australian way that sets us up to look to other nations to fill our inadequacies. We need to know what is at the root of this inadequacy.
This is not a criticism, but rather looking at, and acknowledging this nations shortfalls, so we recognise and know what is opposing the Spirit of God and stopping us coming into the fullness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The question we all need to ask ourselves is why is this happening? What is in the fabric of the people of this nation that would make us think other nations have more anointing/power than we do? Following are some keys the Lord has shown, it is a brief overview:
- OUR INSECURITIES: The reality is, Australians tend to be insecure, and this results in a striving and performing, trying to be recognised, and have some standing in the world scene. However, insecurities hold them back. They are looking to other nations, comparing themselves, and come under a mindset that everyone has what is needed and they don’t have anything to offer. They see themselves small in their own eyes, coming out from a place of deep insecurity.
- NOTHING GOOD COMES OUT OF AUSTRALIA: Can anything good come out of Australia? Australians judge themselves harshly and feel they are never good enough. Maybe this is rooted in shame because of its convict history, however it is not truth.
- TALL POPPY SYNDROME: Sadly Australians pull one another down so no one can move forward. If someone appears to rise above the pack, then the mentality is they have to be pulled back down to the level of everyone else. This restraining lid on Australians, of their own making, puts them in a situation where they have to look for someone from somewhere else to fill the void. This is not right, and is not a way of God.
- UNBELIEF: There is a cynicism and mocking that can be self-deprecating, but is actually rooted in deep unbelief. Religion has disempowered the body of Christ here in Australia and doubt and unbelief have taken root. Australians know they have powerful ministers but they DON’T BELIEVE that these ministers can be effective within this nation because of this unbelief and mistrust. It is easy to speak of the ‘oh but ….’, coming up with excuses, and speaking of all the things they are not, rather than declaring who they truly are. It is about seeing themselves with new eyes, with eyes of the Spirit.
- GRASS IS GREENER ELSEWHERE: The more we look over the back fence at everyone else and seeing them as being more ‘lush’ than us, we will always lust after what the other has. The grass always looks greener over the other side, however it does not necessarily mean that this greener grass is what is needed on this side of the fence. Things can look better elsewhere, but it isn’t necessarily so. That is the lie and that is where we have been duped by the enemies plans and schemes. The Lord doesn’t always want us to have what is over the fence. He wants us to draw from the well that is here, a well with plenty of provision of life giving water.
- WE CREATE A GAP: If we create a gap because of any wrong thinking something will fill it. The false can come in and appear to bring and give what is needed, however it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is lasting fruit. A ‘show’ can come to town, the people can be blessed from it, however it doesn’t mean there will be sustaining life and fruit. We must be careful that we draw present truth from the ones who carry it at this time and not from the ‘old wineskin’.
- WE CAN CAMP: The Holy Spirit is a ‘movement’, He is ever moving. We dare not camp at what we think is present truth when He has moved on to a new thing. It is easy to stay with what is safe rather than be ‘out there’ risking ridicule, mocking and scoffing by the ‘old move’. If you think of the early church, there were a lot of new things happening, and they were continually being tested as to what they believed. We must know what we believe, so growth continues, and we truly know we are being changed into His image every day.
- DISUNITY FROM A SEPARATIST THINKING: Unfortunately Australia often looks at itself from a state by state perspective rather than all the states joined together in unity as a combined force to be reckoned with. We in the body of Christ must come from this place of unity with a nation of Australia thinking rather than a local, state thinking.
Australians must stop believing the mindset of ‘Can anything good come out of Australia?’ Unless and until we break out of this thinking we will remain blinded and see ourselves from a negative viewpoint. We see in Scripture an example of wrong judgments about a place.
John 1:45,46
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’
And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
The body of Christ here in Australia must stop opposing forerunning women from this nation. There is a voice of Australian women coming out from Australia. Unless and until there is an acknowledgment by the body of Christ that women have a role alongside men and that wrong doctrine taught by male church leaders is addressed, we will continue to be less effective. We can look to women ministers from America as something to be esteemed, yet we don’t recognise key women here in Australia who also have a powerful message. Women ministers must be encouraged to take their position alongside men and that endorsement must come from the male church leaders.
Australian Christians love to boast that revival will come out of Australia and go out to the nations. Yes it will happen, but it CANNOT happen until the church of Australia is prepared to look at what aspects of its culture would hold it back from taking its rightful position as a leading nation of Christians sent out to bring revival to the nations.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Prophetic Word for Melbourne
by Belinda Jabore
This is a word that the Lord gave me for Melbourne, Australia, at a Forerunners Meeting at Oakleigh Town Hall on Friday 11 May 2012.
Exodus 23:20-33 THE ANGEL AND THE PROMISES
Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. For My Angel will go before you and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hittite from before you. I will not drive them out from before you in one year, least the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, least they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.
This is a word that the Lord gave me for Melbourne, Australia, at a Forerunners Meeting at Oakleigh Town Hall on Friday 11 May 2012.
Exodus 23:20-33 THE ANGEL AND THE PROMISES
Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. For My Angel will go before you and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hittite from before you. I will not drive them out from before you in one year, least the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, least they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.
The New Breed
by Glenice Mills
There is a new breed arising, ones who are young in age. Many are now in their twenties, but have a maturity way and beyond those of similar age from previous generations, even us of senior years.
There is something in the hearts, minds and spirits of the young in these days and times that is placed there by the Lord because they need a new anointing to sustain them for what is ahead.
This can offend the older ones, however it is a divine work by the hand of God.
We older ones dare not judge, speak against, or block and stop what the Lord is doing through these precious ones chosen for such a time as this.
Moses was anointed for his generation and he was used by God to bring a new generation into the Promised land. He was empowered for this mission and was one whom the Lord entrusted precisely for this time in history. There was a young man, Joshua, who spent his youth around Moses, gleaning from him all that he needed to learn for the mission that was ahead for him.
Joshua was the new leader for a new breed, a new generation. What Moses had would not have worked or borne fruit because it was not for that time. What Joshua had was unique for this new breed.
Joshua was a warrior and he was raised up by God for his generation. His leadership was exactly what was needed by the people for that time. Because of this he was effective in all that he did.
This is what we are seeing now and will see in a greater measure in coming times.
The Lord is warning those of older years to stand with and support and do all that is needed to grow these young ones up so they are ready and equipped for the job that needs to be done. However the Lord is also bringing a warning.
We, the older ones dare not judge these young leaders and hold them back because they are the new breed and they have a job to do. We cannot fall into the trap the enemy would have us fall into by comparing their walk with ours.
Most older ones have spent decades coming to a place of maturity and walking in their divine call and destiny. This will NOT happen to the young breed! Time is short.
We, the older ones have paved a way for the younger and it is now up to us to release them to be ALL they are meant to be.
We older ones, and I class myself as one of these, dare not be ‘mean spirited’ and put words upon them from a wrong attitude and killing the zeal of these young ones. We can do this by squashing them and telling them that they will have to go through years and years of trials and training and will have to pay a price to attain all the Lord has for them. That may have been the case for us older ones, but we should not put a yoke on the young ones and say this was how it was for me and so it will be for you too.
This is unfair, malicious and in fact puts a yoke on those who are already being prepared and getting ready for the new battle. Sadly it often comes out of a bitter heart, resenting the trials one has been through and hardening one’s heart against God. The ‘Joshua’s,’ both male and female are keen to learn and want to glean from the mature ones. They are camping outside Moses’ tent right now, because they know where the anointing is and they know the anointed ones from whom they can learn all they need to learn before going onto the front line.
They will not be waiting decades, they are being prepared now and their job is coming very soon. Many are already equipped with exactly what is needed for the new battlefront and those who are getting ready are being trained quickly. They know time is short and have an urgency in their hearts and spirits to get the job done in preparing the way for Jesus to come back.
We can often equate maturity with character. Yes the two go together however it will be different for this new breed. They have, in one sense, a maturity beyond their years, however their walk is and will be different. The Lord was showing me that they will develop in increasing depth of character as they actually walk in their anointing as leaders. There is already a seed of mature character placed there by God but in the walking in their call and destiny, it will be tested, and as tests are passed the character will develop exponentially.
This is different from the older ones as many years were spent on developing the character before walking in their leadership call.
So what is different about this new breed of young ones? I have observed and sought the Lord and there are two very defining attributes the young ones have that we older ones did not have. They are competent and confident. Many young ones are competent in what they do with a self assuredness that can appear arrogant. However many have a maturity beyond their years because of a God given competency that He has put on the inside of ones called to lead this new generation. Competent means having the ability, power, authority and qualifications to do something. The young ones are confident, they are secure in themselves, they know what they want and are focused on fulfilling what needs to be done. They know their purpose in life and will not be distracted by things going on around and about them. They may appear idealistic but many great reformers were judged as this when in fact it was forged in them by the Holy Spirit. That is the zeal of youth and the Lord is well able to refine any zeal that needs honing. These ones love the Lord and willingly yield their lives to Him because of a very deep relationship with Him. They will not bow to man’s opinions but will hold fast to their relationship with the Lord mindful of not grieving His heart. This is exciting and we are witnessing something very precious, something perhaps not seen before.
We must repent where we find ourselves reacting and resenting the new breed, the new generation. We don’t want to be deceived, blinded, succumbing to wrong doctrine because of our wrong heart reactions.
We see in Scripture where the Apostle Paul trained and helped Timothy become the leader he was called to be. There was mutual respect and honour in their relationship with one another. Timothy was not independent but was teachable and ready to listen to the advice given in person by Paul and in Paul’s letters. Timothy had been raised by his Christian mother and grandmother and had a solid foundation of the Word and the ways of God.
We see a great example of a father’s love and concern to his spiritual son in the following Scripture.
1 Timothy 4:12-16
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.
Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
God has designed us to need one another. The lie of the enemy is to bring division between the generations hence the false doctrine of the ‘generation gap.’
We need the zeal of the young ones as much as they need our wisdom. Timothy knew Paul had what was needed to protect him from succumbing to false doctrine leading to deception. It is no different today. It needs wise ones, particularly in this apostolic age to raise up but also protect the next breed of ones called to lead. There are many false doctrines being preached and it needs apostolic maturity to forewarn and give keys how to remain true to God’s Word. The young are watching, searching Scripture and seeking the Lord with a voracious hunger for Truth, and they will be change agents in society, prepared and ready to make a stand for righteousness and truth.
This new breed is ‘evident for all to see’ to those who want to see. So what is the Lord saying in all this?
To the young: Just as the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, watch how you conduct yourself, meditate on God’s Word and watch you do not get swayed by false doctrine.
Listen to the mature ones, remain teachable as they are the ones who will watch out for you, teach you, train you and protect you as they speak their wisdom attained through their life’s experience. Remain obedient to God’s Word, stay close to the Lord and remember you need ones around and about you, who are for you, and want you to come into God’s purposes for your life.
To the older ones: Encourage the young to be all they are called to be. Do not hold them back through fear as they appear to be ‘overtaking’ us. We must look at our fears, insecurities, comparisons, resentments, and bitterness of heart. We dare not hold back this new breed! We must examine our hearts. We do not want to be stumbling blocks to this new breed.
Joel 2:28,29
And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh:
Your sons and daughters shall prophecy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
There is a new breed arising, ones who are young in age. Many are now in their twenties, but have a maturity way and beyond those of similar age from previous generations, even us of senior years.
There is something in the hearts, minds and spirits of the young in these days and times that is placed there by the Lord because they need a new anointing to sustain them for what is ahead.
This can offend the older ones, however it is a divine work by the hand of God.
We older ones dare not judge, speak against, or block and stop what the Lord is doing through these precious ones chosen for such a time as this.
Moses was anointed for his generation and he was used by God to bring a new generation into the Promised land. He was empowered for this mission and was one whom the Lord entrusted precisely for this time in history. There was a young man, Joshua, who spent his youth around Moses, gleaning from him all that he needed to learn for the mission that was ahead for him.
Joshua was the new leader for a new breed, a new generation. What Moses had would not have worked or borne fruit because it was not for that time. What Joshua had was unique for this new breed.
Joshua was a warrior and he was raised up by God for his generation. His leadership was exactly what was needed by the people for that time. Because of this he was effective in all that he did.
This is what we are seeing now and will see in a greater measure in coming times.
The Lord is warning those of older years to stand with and support and do all that is needed to grow these young ones up so they are ready and equipped for the job that needs to be done. However the Lord is also bringing a warning.
We, the older ones dare not judge these young leaders and hold them back because they are the new breed and they have a job to do. We cannot fall into the trap the enemy would have us fall into by comparing their walk with ours.
Most older ones have spent decades coming to a place of maturity and walking in their divine call and destiny. This will NOT happen to the young breed! Time is short.
We, the older ones have paved a way for the younger and it is now up to us to release them to be ALL they are meant to be.
We older ones, and I class myself as one of these, dare not be ‘mean spirited’ and put words upon them from a wrong attitude and killing the zeal of these young ones. We can do this by squashing them and telling them that they will have to go through years and years of trials and training and will have to pay a price to attain all the Lord has for them. That may have been the case for us older ones, but we should not put a yoke on the young ones and say this was how it was for me and so it will be for you too.
This is unfair, malicious and in fact puts a yoke on those who are already being prepared and getting ready for the new battle. Sadly it often comes out of a bitter heart, resenting the trials one has been through and hardening one’s heart against God. The ‘Joshua’s,’ both male and female are keen to learn and want to glean from the mature ones. They are camping outside Moses’ tent right now, because they know where the anointing is and they know the anointed ones from whom they can learn all they need to learn before going onto the front line.
They will not be waiting decades, they are being prepared now and their job is coming very soon. Many are already equipped with exactly what is needed for the new battlefront and those who are getting ready are being trained quickly. They know time is short and have an urgency in their hearts and spirits to get the job done in preparing the way for Jesus to come back.
We can often equate maturity with character. Yes the two go together however it will be different for this new breed. They have, in one sense, a maturity beyond their years, however their walk is and will be different. The Lord was showing me that they will develop in increasing depth of character as they actually walk in their anointing as leaders. There is already a seed of mature character placed there by God but in the walking in their call and destiny, it will be tested, and as tests are passed the character will develop exponentially.
This is different from the older ones as many years were spent on developing the character before walking in their leadership call.
So what is different about this new breed of young ones? I have observed and sought the Lord and there are two very defining attributes the young ones have that we older ones did not have. They are competent and confident. Many young ones are competent in what they do with a self assuredness that can appear arrogant. However many have a maturity beyond their years because of a God given competency that He has put on the inside of ones called to lead this new generation. Competent means having the ability, power, authority and qualifications to do something. The young ones are confident, they are secure in themselves, they know what they want and are focused on fulfilling what needs to be done. They know their purpose in life and will not be distracted by things going on around and about them. They may appear idealistic but many great reformers were judged as this when in fact it was forged in them by the Holy Spirit. That is the zeal of youth and the Lord is well able to refine any zeal that needs honing. These ones love the Lord and willingly yield their lives to Him because of a very deep relationship with Him. They will not bow to man’s opinions but will hold fast to their relationship with the Lord mindful of not grieving His heart. This is exciting and we are witnessing something very precious, something perhaps not seen before.
We must repent where we find ourselves reacting and resenting the new breed, the new generation. We don’t want to be deceived, blinded, succumbing to wrong doctrine because of our wrong heart reactions.
We see in Scripture where the Apostle Paul trained and helped Timothy become the leader he was called to be. There was mutual respect and honour in their relationship with one another. Timothy was not independent but was teachable and ready to listen to the advice given in person by Paul and in Paul’s letters. Timothy had been raised by his Christian mother and grandmother and had a solid foundation of the Word and the ways of God.
We see a great example of a father’s love and concern to his spiritual son in the following Scripture.
1 Timothy 4:12-16
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.
Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
God has designed us to need one another. The lie of the enemy is to bring division between the generations hence the false doctrine of the ‘generation gap.’
We need the zeal of the young ones as much as they need our wisdom. Timothy knew Paul had what was needed to protect him from succumbing to false doctrine leading to deception. It is no different today. It needs wise ones, particularly in this apostolic age to raise up but also protect the next breed of ones called to lead. There are many false doctrines being preached and it needs apostolic maturity to forewarn and give keys how to remain true to God’s Word. The young are watching, searching Scripture and seeking the Lord with a voracious hunger for Truth, and they will be change agents in society, prepared and ready to make a stand for righteousness and truth.
This new breed is ‘evident for all to see’ to those who want to see. So what is the Lord saying in all this?
To the young: Just as the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, watch how you conduct yourself, meditate on God’s Word and watch you do not get swayed by false doctrine.
Listen to the mature ones, remain teachable as they are the ones who will watch out for you, teach you, train you and protect you as they speak their wisdom attained through their life’s experience. Remain obedient to God’s Word, stay close to the Lord and remember you need ones around and about you, who are for you, and want you to come into God’s purposes for your life.
To the older ones: Encourage the young to be all they are called to be. Do not hold them back through fear as they appear to be ‘overtaking’ us. We must look at our fears, insecurities, comparisons, resentments, and bitterness of heart. We dare not hold back this new breed! We must examine our hearts. We do not want to be stumbling blocks to this new breed.
Joel 2:28,29
And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh:
Your sons and daughters shall prophecy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
Thursday, 26 April 2012
God’s Secret Purpose!
by Tony Clark
God still has things to reveal. And He does keep things close to His chest at times, until the appointed time, and then reveals them. In the time of Daniel, some parts of the vision that Daniel received, he didn’t understand and God said to Him, “Don’t worry, these things pertain to the time of the end, seal them up until that time!” In other words, no one is to know about this until it’s time for them to know, then I will become clear as I release the understanding of it. The Bible says that it is the Glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out. There are things that are as yet not known to man, and God requires us to dig! To enquire, and to search out these riches of truth and understanding, which have been, until now, hidden. This is one of the ways of God. A mystery is just that until it has been searched out, comprehended and seen plainly – it then ceases to be a mystery to the one who sees. Some things will remain a mystery forever I’m sure. The very nature of revelation is something that is hidden to the mind and heart of man – unsearchable, unattainable to the earthly man, revealed or made visible to him by God. “Get understanding, and wisdom!” It is of un-estimatable value! The walk of the Christian should be one of immense personal growth and learning by the Spirit of God. He says He will teach us in all things, and reveal all truth to us.
God still has things to reveal. And He does keep things close to His chest at times, until the appointed time, and then reveals them. In the time of Daniel, some parts of the vision that Daniel received, he didn’t understand and God said to Him, “Don’t worry, these things pertain to the time of the end, seal them up until that time!” In other words, no one is to know about this until it’s time for them to know, then I will become clear as I release the understanding of it. The Bible says that it is the Glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out. There are things that are as yet not known to man, and God requires us to dig! To enquire, and to search out these riches of truth and understanding, which have been, until now, hidden. This is one of the ways of God. A mystery is just that until it has been searched out, comprehended and seen plainly – it then ceases to be a mystery to the one who sees. Some things will remain a mystery forever I’m sure. The very nature of revelation is something that is hidden to the mind and heart of man – unsearchable, unattainable to the earthly man, revealed or made visible to him by God. “Get understanding, and wisdom!” It is of un-estimatable value! The walk of the Christian should be one of immense personal growth and learning by the Spirit of God. He says He will teach us in all things, and reveal all truth to us.
True Value
by Tony Clark
“And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with festal robes!” Zechariah 3:1-4
The enemy will always try to criticise and lower your value, telling you that you are worthless and not good enough. But the Lord rebukes him, and has the true perspective of who you are and what you are worth! He dresses you ready for a wedding feast, and bestows the greatest honour on you, because He chose you as His bride and says THERE IS NOTHING MORE VALUABLE! Listen to that voice.
“And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with festal robes!” Zechariah 3:1-4
The enemy will always try to criticise and lower your value, telling you that you are worthless and not good enough. But the Lord rebukes him, and has the true perspective of who you are and what you are worth! He dresses you ready for a wedding feast, and bestows the greatest honour on you, because He chose you as His bride and says THERE IS NOTHING MORE VALUABLE! Listen to that voice.
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Poem - Take Courage
by Trish Whelan
Step up to the plate, My soldiers, My men
This is the time to reconcile to the plan
To remember deep down what you’ve trained for ‘til now
I intend to restore your heart to Truth’s vow
To take a stand, a foot hold
Usher in the new light in your faith
A display of My word, in honour and in grace
A face built of trust, an arm of My mercy
A worshipper, a seeker, a protector in the journey
One who will lead and help their family to victory
To have and to hold, becoming gentlemen of chivalry
Noble of conscience, God fearing, set apart as His righteous
“CHOSEN ONES OF THE KINGDOM!
HERE IS MY SPIRIT OF BOLDNESS TO BE
‘END TIME’ COURAGEOUS”
Cover yourselves in My armour
Build not your house on the sand
But enter My courts with praise and thanksgiving
Abide there, live there, die there!
“ARISE IN YOUR HEART AND
INHERIT YOUR LAND!”
Step up to the plate, My soldiers, My men
This is the time to reconcile to the plan
To remember deep down what you’ve trained for ‘til now
I intend to restore your heart to Truth’s vow
To take a stand, a foot hold
Usher in the new light in your faith
A display of My word, in honour and in grace
A face built of trust, an arm of My mercy
A worshipper, a seeker, a protector in the journey
One who will lead and help their family to victory
To have and to hold, becoming gentlemen of chivalry
Noble of conscience, God fearing, set apart as His righteous
“CHOSEN ONES OF THE KINGDOM!
HERE IS MY SPIRIT OF BOLDNESS TO BE
‘END TIME’ COURAGEOUS”
Cover yourselves in My armour
Build not your house on the sand
But enter My courts with praise and thanksgiving
Abide there, live there, die there!
“ARISE IN YOUR HEART AND
INHERIT YOUR LAND!”
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Changing Times
by Glenice Mills
We are to know the seasons and times in God’s timetable here on the earth. There has been in recent times a defining shift with the voice of women in all areas of governance being recognised and made known. It is now time for women to come out of hiding and for men to stand with and encourage their women to be all they are called to be in Christ.
I want to share an experience that happened a couple of weeks ago which I believe is a significant sign from God that confirms this.
I and another woman were having lunch at a restaurant in a place called Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Joye, an apostle, is our territory officer and I, a prophet, am the coordinator for Australia for Women’s Apostolic Alliance.
As we were having lunch we suddenly realised we were seeing an unusual sign.
We were seated on an outside deck beside a lake. The skies were blue. We saw this pillar of rain falling onto a small area of the lake. There was no rain on either side of the pillar of rain. As I looked up at the sky I could see blue sky and a tiny cloud.
The rain stopped and a few minutes later it happened again. This time the pillar of rain was changing directions as the wind blew. Again a short time later the rain stopped.
We knew the Lord was speaking to us.
1 Kings 18:41, 43-45
Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”
Elijah sent his servant to “Go up now, look towards the sea.”
So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!”
As I pondered what we had seen the Lord spoke to me. He said, “The drought ends!!! The drought of the voice of My daughters ends!!
There is the sound of abundance of rain of My Spirit upon My daughters!
It is time! It is time!”
Joel 2:28,29
And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and Your daughters shall prophecy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
We all know these verses but do we really know them.
If we in the body of Christ truly know and believe the Word of God how come we have been blind to this revelation about the Lord’s women?
How come we have blithely gone along and easily accepted that the Lord’s Spirit is being poured upon the men but have conveniently overlooked and discounted the truth that His Spirit is being poured upon all women also?
This is not a criticism but rather the redressing of an imbalance. The truth offends and for many this truth will offend our sensibility. However, unless we, both males and females, accept it as truth we are in fact denying the Lord’s Word, and stopping the fullness of God being expressed here in the earth. This is not a gender issue, but rather a sinful man problem. It is rooted in pride and in fear. For Christians it is actually a religious spirit at work. For too long the pride and arrogance of men has put a lid on the Lord’s women. It has in fact been easier to shut women’s mouths as it stops ‘any problems’ rather than risk a woman speaking out, for she may confront and challenge issues such as truth and justice. For women it has been too easy for us to hide behind men, and stay in our safe comfort zones helping out in the crèche and kitchen rather than having a profile where we could risk rejection and persecution. Until and unless we expose these evil heart attitudes and bravely confront this issue in the Lord’s body of Christ we will continue to be ineffective in advancing His kingdom here on earth. This word is not to bring division, separation, and competition between the sexes but rather confront the prejudice and bias that is operating in this area in the body of Christ. The Lord is shaking our wrong mindsets so His truth can come. We need the Holy Spirit to convict us of our wrong attitudes towards one another, where we judge, criticise and come under old religious traditions and wrong belief systems that we have insidiously believed and been in agreement with. We need to see things with a heavenly perspective rather than through our narrow viewpoint because of wrong doctrine that has been taught and modelled to us.
We dare not deny the full expression of the Godhead by excluding His unique expression through women.
We need to constantly remind ourselves of the following verse.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
The drought ends! The drought of the voice of My women ends!
Watch and see the profile of women arise in coming days and times as the Lord’s Spirit moves powerfully upon His women. It has been prophesied so we should not be alarmed that it is happening. It is in fact the fulfilment of His Word! It will come to pass before the Lord comes back.
Stand with and support one another in love. Encourage one another in unity so we can all come into our call and destiny.
The Lord has no favourites, He loves us all!
We are to know the seasons and times in God’s timetable here on the earth. There has been in recent times a defining shift with the voice of women in all areas of governance being recognised and made known. It is now time for women to come out of hiding and for men to stand with and encourage their women to be all they are called to be in Christ.
I want to share an experience that happened a couple of weeks ago which I believe is a significant sign from God that confirms this.
I and another woman were having lunch at a restaurant in a place called Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Joye, an apostle, is our territory officer and I, a prophet, am the coordinator for Australia for Women’s Apostolic Alliance.
As we were having lunch we suddenly realised we were seeing an unusual sign.
We were seated on an outside deck beside a lake. The skies were blue. We saw this pillar of rain falling onto a small area of the lake. There was no rain on either side of the pillar of rain. As I looked up at the sky I could see blue sky and a tiny cloud.
The rain stopped and a few minutes later it happened again. This time the pillar of rain was changing directions as the wind blew. Again a short time later the rain stopped.
We knew the Lord was speaking to us.
1 Kings 18:41, 43-45
Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”
Elijah sent his servant to “Go up now, look towards the sea.”
So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!”
As I pondered what we had seen the Lord spoke to me. He said, “The drought ends!!! The drought of the voice of My daughters ends!!
There is the sound of abundance of rain of My Spirit upon My daughters!
It is time! It is time!”
Joel 2:28,29
And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and Your daughters shall prophecy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
We all know these verses but do we really know them.
If we in the body of Christ truly know and believe the Word of God how come we have been blind to this revelation about the Lord’s women?
How come we have blithely gone along and easily accepted that the Lord’s Spirit is being poured upon the men but have conveniently overlooked and discounted the truth that His Spirit is being poured upon all women also?
This is not a criticism but rather the redressing of an imbalance. The truth offends and for many this truth will offend our sensibility. However, unless we, both males and females, accept it as truth we are in fact denying the Lord’s Word, and stopping the fullness of God being expressed here in the earth. This is not a gender issue, but rather a sinful man problem. It is rooted in pride and in fear. For Christians it is actually a religious spirit at work. For too long the pride and arrogance of men has put a lid on the Lord’s women. It has in fact been easier to shut women’s mouths as it stops ‘any problems’ rather than risk a woman speaking out, for she may confront and challenge issues such as truth and justice. For women it has been too easy for us to hide behind men, and stay in our safe comfort zones helping out in the crèche and kitchen rather than having a profile where we could risk rejection and persecution. Until and unless we expose these evil heart attitudes and bravely confront this issue in the Lord’s body of Christ we will continue to be ineffective in advancing His kingdom here on earth. This word is not to bring division, separation, and competition between the sexes but rather confront the prejudice and bias that is operating in this area in the body of Christ. The Lord is shaking our wrong mindsets so His truth can come. We need the Holy Spirit to convict us of our wrong attitudes towards one another, where we judge, criticise and come under old religious traditions and wrong belief systems that we have insidiously believed and been in agreement with. We need to see things with a heavenly perspective rather than through our narrow viewpoint because of wrong doctrine that has been taught and modelled to us.
We dare not deny the full expression of the Godhead by excluding His unique expression through women.
We need to constantly remind ourselves of the following verse.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
The drought ends! The drought of the voice of My women ends!
Watch and see the profile of women arise in coming days and times as the Lord’s Spirit moves powerfully upon His women. It has been prophesied so we should not be alarmed that it is happening. It is in fact the fulfilment of His Word! It will come to pass before the Lord comes back.
Stand with and support one another in love. Encourage one another in unity so we can all come into our call and destiny.
The Lord has no favourites, He loves us all!
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
VICTORY!
by Glenice Mills
VICTORY! Stop and consider the power of this word. It has a lilt to it but also carries a weight. Victory: the more you say it the more victorious you feel.
How come we have lost the power of this mighty word, victory? Sadly we in the body of Christ, ones who should walk in victory so often succumb and bow to our circumstances, our unbelief and to negativity. When we do this we give access for the enemy and more importantly, null and void the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. We are the ones who should live and lead a victorious life, but this is often not the case. I am speaking to myself in this too. We equate victory to battle, and yes we are in a battle, and some of our battles are more vicious and intense. We can at times feel like our very lives are at risk, and wonder if we will come out the other side in one piece; or not. However, the truth is we are victorious, because our enemy was slain when Jesus went to the cross. We have the shed blood of Jesus Christ which means we can walk in the fullness of Jesus Christ. However we often do not do this as we can and should. I am reminded of an old song we used to sing : ‘Victory we have in Jesus Christ, Forgiveness because He was crucified, Deliverance, He has set us free”. Victory means defeating one’s enemy in battle or war. It is triumphing, conquering over a weaker power. So what do we need to know about walking in victory and what things do we need to look out for that would undermine this?
Firstly, for there to be a victory there must be a battle. We must know our authority and walk in it. It is easy to hand our authority over to the enemy, rather than rise up and take a stand. That is about choice: choosing to call on the Name of the Lord to come and deliver us, or bow to the lies and control of the enemy. If we have put our armour on, and we have chosen to walk righteously, then we can call on the name of the Lord and He will come to our rescue.
Secondly, we have to acknowledge we are on the winning side. In any battle there are winners and losers. We are not on the losing side, the enemy has been defeated. We have to know and believe this with all our being.
Thirdly, a lot of what we go through is preparation and training for and in the battles. Each time we overcome and break through, our authority grows. It is quite literally like gaining our stripes, and we get promoted in the Spirit.
Lastly, we have to look at our mindsets about the battle. If we go into battle thinking we are on the losing side, we will lose. To the degree that we have unbelief to the power of the deliverance of Jesus Christ, will be to the degree that we grow in our God given authority.
So what factors undermine our walking in victory?
NEGATIVITY: Perhaps one of the biggest hindrances to walking in victory is when we allow negative thoughts and attitudes to take rulership of our lives. It always starts with thoughts, and as these thoughts fester on the bad things: all the disappointments, the unforgiveness and loss of hope, negativity takes root, until it becomes a stronghold. This stronghold binds us and allows the door of negativity to take root in our minds and attitudes. The world and the people in it look grey, and before long we go around with the weight of the world on our shoulders. We are difficult to be around, and before long we affect everyone around and about us. At its worst we do not see the Lord in our circumstances and in fact give ourselves open access for the enemy to ride on our emotions. Confusion will come and before long we deny the power of the Lord. Unbelief takes hold and we lose hope. It is not living the victorious life!
DOUBLEMINDEDNESS: How often do we vacillate between faith and unbelief? One moment we are excited and full of faith and then when things aren’t going quite as we thought they would and should, we quickly bow to doubt. We live in this constant flux and become very double minded. Scripture says a double minded man is unstable in all he does, and we can easily see how that works in our lives. It is not living the victorious life!
FEARS: At the root of a lot of these issues is fear. Fear of failure is one of the main stumbling blocks stopping us coming into all we are called to. We see things from our narrow perspective, rather than from the big picture of what the Lord is saying and doing in our lives. When we fear failure we will be slow to take the steps of faith needed to bring in the new. Fear of man, and fear of success will also bind us, stopping us from walking in victory. When fear keeps us debilitated we will remain inactive and before long live a lesser life. The problem with this is we know deep down what we are supposed to do and if we give fear rulership of our lives we will soon feel guilty and find ways of justifying our inaction. It is not living the victorious life!
PERSPECTIVE: How often do we lose perspective when circumstances seem overwhelming? Emotions rule and before long we have lost our peace. We cannot make sensible decisions and easily bow to rash decision making, often resulting in a negative consequence. We lose sight of the Lord in our circumstances and end up doing what we think is best. It is not living the victorious life!
UNGRATEFULNESS: When we resent the circumstances we find ourselves in and have an attitude against those close to us, and often at a deeper level, against the Lord, we become ungrateful. Nothing seems right in our world and we harbour unforgiveness. We cannot give thanks for our circumstances, and it is difficult to praise and worship the Lord. It is not living the victorious life!
CONFUSION: It is not easy to find a way forward when it seems everything is out of our control. The truth is the Lord wants to be Lord of our lives, however, we can think we can do things better. When we have important decisions to make, and our thoughts become all consuming it is easy to become overwhelmed and for confusion to reign. We cannot think clearly. Crying out to the Lord is the only remedy for confusion. He will make a way forward for you and bring you to a place of seeing things clearly. Don’t allow confusion to rule your thoughts. It is not living the victorious life!
There are many things that stop us walking in victory. In many of the Psalms David has a lot to say about victory. It is because he learnt it because of the many hardships in his life. The truth is everything comes back to our relationship with the Lord. The things of this world can easily derail us from walking in the Lord’s authority. We have to recognise the tactics of the enemy that would rob us of our peace. We are more than conquerors and we have to learn to have that mindset. If we think we are a victim, we will act and behave like one. Self will always want to have it’s way, and lusts will always pull at us to have what appeals to the flesh. The truth is walking as a Christian is difficult, and there are times when we need help from our fellow brothers and sisters. We need to stand with and support one another. We cannot do it alone. We were never meant to do it alone. Above all else, we need the Lord’s help. David learnt this as he faced many trials. He was not always popular, however we see many times over where the Lord came to his rescue. Don’t forget, our testimonies are actually what define us, and our testimony is always about the Lord’s victory in our lives: the times He came through for us against the odds, when things seemed impossible.
That is walking in victory!
Psalm 60:18
Through God we will do valiantly,
For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.
This verse is repeated in Psalm 108:13.
David needed to know that it was the Lord who would deliver him from trouble, he could not rely on man, only the Lord.
Psalm 118 speaks of David’s battle and how the Lord was the only one who could deliver Him. Can I encourage you to read this powerful Psalm?
Psalm 118:14-17
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation
Is in the tents of the righteous;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
I shall not die, but live,
And declare the works of the Lord.
VICTORY! Stop and consider the power of this word. It has a lilt to it but also carries a weight. Victory: the more you say it the more victorious you feel.
How come we have lost the power of this mighty word, victory? Sadly we in the body of Christ, ones who should walk in victory so often succumb and bow to our circumstances, our unbelief and to negativity. When we do this we give access for the enemy and more importantly, null and void the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. We are the ones who should live and lead a victorious life, but this is often not the case. I am speaking to myself in this too. We equate victory to battle, and yes we are in a battle, and some of our battles are more vicious and intense. We can at times feel like our very lives are at risk, and wonder if we will come out the other side in one piece; or not. However, the truth is we are victorious, because our enemy was slain when Jesus went to the cross. We have the shed blood of Jesus Christ which means we can walk in the fullness of Jesus Christ. However we often do not do this as we can and should. I am reminded of an old song we used to sing : ‘Victory we have in Jesus Christ, Forgiveness because He was crucified, Deliverance, He has set us free”. Victory means defeating one’s enemy in battle or war. It is triumphing, conquering over a weaker power. So what do we need to know about walking in victory and what things do we need to look out for that would undermine this?
Firstly, for there to be a victory there must be a battle. We must know our authority and walk in it. It is easy to hand our authority over to the enemy, rather than rise up and take a stand. That is about choice: choosing to call on the Name of the Lord to come and deliver us, or bow to the lies and control of the enemy. If we have put our armour on, and we have chosen to walk righteously, then we can call on the name of the Lord and He will come to our rescue.
Secondly, we have to acknowledge we are on the winning side. In any battle there are winners and losers. We are not on the losing side, the enemy has been defeated. We have to know and believe this with all our being.
Thirdly, a lot of what we go through is preparation and training for and in the battles. Each time we overcome and break through, our authority grows. It is quite literally like gaining our stripes, and we get promoted in the Spirit.
Lastly, we have to look at our mindsets about the battle. If we go into battle thinking we are on the losing side, we will lose. To the degree that we have unbelief to the power of the deliverance of Jesus Christ, will be to the degree that we grow in our God given authority.
So what factors undermine our walking in victory?
NEGATIVITY: Perhaps one of the biggest hindrances to walking in victory is when we allow negative thoughts and attitudes to take rulership of our lives. It always starts with thoughts, and as these thoughts fester on the bad things: all the disappointments, the unforgiveness and loss of hope, negativity takes root, until it becomes a stronghold. This stronghold binds us and allows the door of negativity to take root in our minds and attitudes. The world and the people in it look grey, and before long we go around with the weight of the world on our shoulders. We are difficult to be around, and before long we affect everyone around and about us. At its worst we do not see the Lord in our circumstances and in fact give ourselves open access for the enemy to ride on our emotions. Confusion will come and before long we deny the power of the Lord. Unbelief takes hold and we lose hope. It is not living the victorious life!
DOUBLEMINDEDNESS: How often do we vacillate between faith and unbelief? One moment we are excited and full of faith and then when things aren’t going quite as we thought they would and should, we quickly bow to doubt. We live in this constant flux and become very double minded. Scripture says a double minded man is unstable in all he does, and we can easily see how that works in our lives. It is not living the victorious life!
FEARS: At the root of a lot of these issues is fear. Fear of failure is one of the main stumbling blocks stopping us coming into all we are called to. We see things from our narrow perspective, rather than from the big picture of what the Lord is saying and doing in our lives. When we fear failure we will be slow to take the steps of faith needed to bring in the new. Fear of man, and fear of success will also bind us, stopping us from walking in victory. When fear keeps us debilitated we will remain inactive and before long live a lesser life. The problem with this is we know deep down what we are supposed to do and if we give fear rulership of our lives we will soon feel guilty and find ways of justifying our inaction. It is not living the victorious life!
PERSPECTIVE: How often do we lose perspective when circumstances seem overwhelming? Emotions rule and before long we have lost our peace. We cannot make sensible decisions and easily bow to rash decision making, often resulting in a negative consequence. We lose sight of the Lord in our circumstances and end up doing what we think is best. It is not living the victorious life!
UNGRATEFULNESS: When we resent the circumstances we find ourselves in and have an attitude against those close to us, and often at a deeper level, against the Lord, we become ungrateful. Nothing seems right in our world and we harbour unforgiveness. We cannot give thanks for our circumstances, and it is difficult to praise and worship the Lord. It is not living the victorious life!
CONFUSION: It is not easy to find a way forward when it seems everything is out of our control. The truth is the Lord wants to be Lord of our lives, however, we can think we can do things better. When we have important decisions to make, and our thoughts become all consuming it is easy to become overwhelmed and for confusion to reign. We cannot think clearly. Crying out to the Lord is the only remedy for confusion. He will make a way forward for you and bring you to a place of seeing things clearly. Don’t allow confusion to rule your thoughts. It is not living the victorious life!
There are many things that stop us walking in victory. In many of the Psalms David has a lot to say about victory. It is because he learnt it because of the many hardships in his life. The truth is everything comes back to our relationship with the Lord. The things of this world can easily derail us from walking in the Lord’s authority. We have to recognise the tactics of the enemy that would rob us of our peace. We are more than conquerors and we have to learn to have that mindset. If we think we are a victim, we will act and behave like one. Self will always want to have it’s way, and lusts will always pull at us to have what appeals to the flesh. The truth is walking as a Christian is difficult, and there are times when we need help from our fellow brothers and sisters. We need to stand with and support one another. We cannot do it alone. We were never meant to do it alone. Above all else, we need the Lord’s help. David learnt this as he faced many trials. He was not always popular, however we see many times over where the Lord came to his rescue. Don’t forget, our testimonies are actually what define us, and our testimony is always about the Lord’s victory in our lives: the times He came through for us against the odds, when things seemed impossible.
That is walking in victory!
Psalm 60:18
Through God we will do valiantly,
For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.
This verse is repeated in Psalm 108:13.
David needed to know that it was the Lord who would deliver him from trouble, he could not rely on man, only the Lord.
Psalm 118 speaks of David’s battle and how the Lord was the only one who could deliver Him. Can I encourage you to read this powerful Psalm?
Psalm 118:14-17
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation
Is in the tents of the righteous;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
I shall not die, but live,
And declare the works of the Lord.
Thursday, 15 March 2012
We Belong To Him
by Tony Clark
The whole story of God & His people is a story of Love, and romance. A longing to be together, and in giving our whole selves to each other. God is the master and creator of Love, He is Love. If when we read the scriptures we don’t read with this in mind, we miss the whole point. God longs for us to be with Him, and whether we realise it or not our heart’s crave and long to be with Him too - only we seem to miss the mark so often in searching for this love in other things - things that can’t satisfy. I think one of the main messages through the pages of His Word is ‘We are made for each other!’ Its a fact of life.
Sometimes life can seem mundane, monotonous, repetitive, lacking passion, but all the while He waits, and wants to be there with and for us, close, personal, real. And He’s only a page or a prayer away. Of all of the things that will happen in these end times, there’s nothing that excites me more than the fact that He is going to draw us closer than ever, and this Love is going to surface, until that’s all that’s left, and we have that to look forward to FOREVER.
The whole story of God & His people is a story of Love, and romance. A longing to be together, and in giving our whole selves to each other. God is the master and creator of Love, He is Love. If when we read the scriptures we don’t read with this in mind, we miss the whole point. God longs for us to be with Him, and whether we realise it or not our heart’s crave and long to be with Him too - only we seem to miss the mark so often in searching for this love in other things - things that can’t satisfy. I think one of the main messages through the pages of His Word is ‘We are made for each other!’ Its a fact of life.
Sometimes life can seem mundane, monotonous, repetitive, lacking passion, but all the while He waits, and wants to be there with and for us, close, personal, real. And He’s only a page or a prayer away. Of all of the things that will happen in these end times, there’s nothing that excites me more than the fact that He is going to draw us closer than ever, and this Love is going to surface, until that’s all that’s left, and we have that to look forward to FOREVER.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Church Leadership for 2012
by Glenice Mills
This year is about leadership, that is leadership in all areas of governance. This word is about church leadership in particular.
Religion brings death to true Christianity. Throughout time man’s opinions, agendas, flesh, ambition and wrong thinking has null and void the power of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ came to set us free, but sadly the body of Christ has not and is not fully walking in this freedom. However it is changing! Throughout history we have seen pockets of revival, and reformation, with key men and women who have been change agents in their time. As they preached, performed signs, wonders and miracles, they left a legacy still spoken of today. The question we need to ask ourselves in these days and times is who, how, what, and have we any who could change the face of history?
The Lord has been speaking to me about this year being a year of a paradigm shift of thinking, with the birth and arising of key leaders who are reformers, critical to ushering in the end time move and army of God. This is a massive topic and one that will unfold over this coming year and years to come as we see the hand of God move on one’s that have until this point remained hidden.
I feel the weight of this word as I am so mindful of the critical role that we ‘older’ ones have: to train up, equip, encourage, and prefer the ones who I describe as riding in our ‘slip stream’. They are the one’s coming up behind us. There are some keys the Lord has been speaking to me about, one’s called to raise up both men and women for the job that is to be done in coming times.
There are a couple of keys that are foundational for understanding what a true leader looks like so we can gain insight into how it would be made known in days ahead.
There are two facets of a true leader which will be a sign to the church.
Inspiring: When we think of past leaders who changed society forever they were all inspiring. There are two defining attributes of an inspiring person. They are visionary and passionate for a cause. We just need to think of key societal reformers such as Martin Luther King and William Wilberforce to name some, and we see they had vision and a passion. They never lost sight of seeing their dream come to pass no matter the opposition, resistance and persecution. We also saw the deliverance of the Lord at critical times that sealed the vision these men had. When a vision and passion is of God, He will move on that person’s behalf to bring about the shift necessary to bring greater change in society. This is true reformation, bringing about a divine change that remains. It is defining in histories time line. We will start to see this happening this year as God raises up key leaders in His church who are called to take the new move of God into the nations, effecting change in all areas of society. However, there is something that we need to be aware of. Unfortunately we have confused charismatic with inspiring. The church has been through a time of what some call as charismatic renewal, but charisma is not necessarily inspirational. It comes down to the content and the way it is articulated. Charismatic people often have the ‘gift of the gab’. If you analyse what is spoken it is often shallow. It will sustain you for a short time where as inspiration leaves you changed. There is an excitement in your spirit. It remains! The Lord is in all moves however there are defining ones that remain, spoken of throughout history. Such is what is coming. It will shift the way ‘church’ is done, and will bring revival back. There has been and continues to be a lot of talk about revival, however if we look at revival it always involves a person/people who are raised in God’s time to do a specific work to bring life defining change in people’s lives and in greater society. You can only revive something that is dead, that has lost the breath of life. It must have the Holy Spirit breath upon it to bring fruit that will remain. It is interesting to note that the word inspire comes from the word ‘spiro’ which means breath. One who is inspiring stirs up others, activating them to join the cause. The visionary can’t do it on their own, they need others to come along with them. This will only take place by the hand of God moving upon one’s that He is raising for such a time as this. They have allowed the dealings of God to come to their lives and have chosen to do only what the Father tells them to do. They walk in true obedience to the Lord. Their hour is coming, life changing reformers, called to bring radical change to society. Their passion compels them to speak and do His will even unto death. Their cause is a fire in their bones that is all consuming, that inspires, but also repels others. They have developed an inner fortitude that keeps them steadfast, holding onto the vision no matter what opposition comes. They will not be bought, but will hold onto the vision the Lord has placed upon their hearts.
The second attribute of a true leader raised up for these times is a vision for future generations.
Leaving a legacy: True reformers are concerned about future generations. Their focus is always the future, not the past. They know the vision they carry will continue long after they have died. Many are aware that they may never see the fulfilment of their vision but know they are used by God as a catalyst, to start, for others to carry it on. They have a team around them who also stand with them, supporting them to see its fulfilment. They have no claim on the work as the Lord has led them to a place of death: death to self, death to the vision, and complete reliance upon Him to bring it to its completion. They are prepared to lose their life for the cause as they know it is about changing society for the betterment of generations to come. They have and will count the cost.
We all know of the time spoken in Ezekiel chapter 37, when God breathed upon the bones in the valley of dry bones. My question to you is: do we as the body of Christ need the breath of God to come and breathe His life on the dry bones? Undoubtedly yes! Sadly we in the body of Christ have succumbed to ‘doing’ church rather than ‘being’ the church. This is not a criticism but rather saying it how it is. Change cannot come until we acknowledge where we are at right now. Doing church is easy, so long as we meet people’s needs, keeping them happy, and lulled into a form of false comfort. Being church is more difficult as it is about relationships. Relationship with the Lord and relationship with one another. There are greater requirements on us, both leaders and those being led, with more opportunity for accountability for how we live our lives. Honesty at a deeper level would be required. Inspiring people to be all they are called to be in God is paramount for the raising up of ones who will be catalysts of change. It will only come about as we grow in deeper relationships with one another.
Are we being effective in advancing His kingdom here on earth? No we are not. However I have no doubt that things are about to change. There is a ‘new breed’ of Christian, one’s whom the Lord has positioned, with His vision, willing to be disciples and in the Lord’s timing, be sent to do the work of the ministry. They are one’s called as His leaders willing to be led, and in the process trained to lead others.
They will be sent into all areas of governance in nations and will be positioned as catalysts for changing society. They will be entrusted with much responsibility and power to bring influence. They know their lives have been all about training for positioning to advance God’s kingdom here on earth. They have been inspired by God and will inspire others as they lead and grow in walking in His Truth. Are you being trained as one who is called as a catalyst for change? What inspires you? What are you passionate about? Are you positioned being trained towards the outworking of your call? The Lord has a remnant. He is raising up a remnant, one’s called to lead, one’s who have proven themselves faithful and trustworthy to speak and to do what the Lord asks of them. That is the new breed of leaders being raised in 2012. Old leadership ways will not suffice. It will not work! Times are changing and the church must change with the times. The church is meant to be change agents. We see that throughout Scripture as key men and women were positioned to bring influence. We are the head and not the tail, we have to learn to walk in this thinking. We have been given all authority to rule and reign. It is now time for us to walk in the knowledge and revelation of this!
Habakkuk 2:2-3
Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
Can I encourage you: write your vision if you have not already done so.
This year is crucial for positioning yourself ready; by preparing for what the Lord wants of you and doing whatever is required to walk in obedience to His will for your life. It will mean sacrifice and being bold and courageous. It is about the big picture and where you fit in to bring about the fulfilment of the Lord’s plan for your life. You may be an important, integral piece of the puzzle.
This year is about leadership, that is leadership in all areas of governance. This word is about church leadership in particular.
Religion brings death to true Christianity. Throughout time man’s opinions, agendas, flesh, ambition and wrong thinking has null and void the power of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ came to set us free, but sadly the body of Christ has not and is not fully walking in this freedom. However it is changing! Throughout history we have seen pockets of revival, and reformation, with key men and women who have been change agents in their time. As they preached, performed signs, wonders and miracles, they left a legacy still spoken of today. The question we need to ask ourselves in these days and times is who, how, what, and have we any who could change the face of history?
The Lord has been speaking to me about this year being a year of a paradigm shift of thinking, with the birth and arising of key leaders who are reformers, critical to ushering in the end time move and army of God. This is a massive topic and one that will unfold over this coming year and years to come as we see the hand of God move on one’s that have until this point remained hidden.
I feel the weight of this word as I am so mindful of the critical role that we ‘older’ ones have: to train up, equip, encourage, and prefer the ones who I describe as riding in our ‘slip stream’. They are the one’s coming up behind us. There are some keys the Lord has been speaking to me about, one’s called to raise up both men and women for the job that is to be done in coming times.
There are a couple of keys that are foundational for understanding what a true leader looks like so we can gain insight into how it would be made known in days ahead.
There are two facets of a true leader which will be a sign to the church.
Inspiring: When we think of past leaders who changed society forever they were all inspiring. There are two defining attributes of an inspiring person. They are visionary and passionate for a cause. We just need to think of key societal reformers such as Martin Luther King and William Wilberforce to name some, and we see they had vision and a passion. They never lost sight of seeing their dream come to pass no matter the opposition, resistance and persecution. We also saw the deliverance of the Lord at critical times that sealed the vision these men had. When a vision and passion is of God, He will move on that person’s behalf to bring about the shift necessary to bring greater change in society. This is true reformation, bringing about a divine change that remains. It is defining in histories time line. We will start to see this happening this year as God raises up key leaders in His church who are called to take the new move of God into the nations, effecting change in all areas of society. However, there is something that we need to be aware of. Unfortunately we have confused charismatic with inspiring. The church has been through a time of what some call as charismatic renewal, but charisma is not necessarily inspirational. It comes down to the content and the way it is articulated. Charismatic people often have the ‘gift of the gab’. If you analyse what is spoken it is often shallow. It will sustain you for a short time where as inspiration leaves you changed. There is an excitement in your spirit. It remains! The Lord is in all moves however there are defining ones that remain, spoken of throughout history. Such is what is coming. It will shift the way ‘church’ is done, and will bring revival back. There has been and continues to be a lot of talk about revival, however if we look at revival it always involves a person/people who are raised in God’s time to do a specific work to bring life defining change in people’s lives and in greater society. You can only revive something that is dead, that has lost the breath of life. It must have the Holy Spirit breath upon it to bring fruit that will remain. It is interesting to note that the word inspire comes from the word ‘spiro’ which means breath. One who is inspiring stirs up others, activating them to join the cause. The visionary can’t do it on their own, they need others to come along with them. This will only take place by the hand of God moving upon one’s that He is raising for such a time as this. They have allowed the dealings of God to come to their lives and have chosen to do only what the Father tells them to do. They walk in true obedience to the Lord. Their hour is coming, life changing reformers, called to bring radical change to society. Their passion compels them to speak and do His will even unto death. Their cause is a fire in their bones that is all consuming, that inspires, but also repels others. They have developed an inner fortitude that keeps them steadfast, holding onto the vision no matter what opposition comes. They will not be bought, but will hold onto the vision the Lord has placed upon their hearts.
The second attribute of a true leader raised up for these times is a vision for future generations.
Leaving a legacy: True reformers are concerned about future generations. Their focus is always the future, not the past. They know the vision they carry will continue long after they have died. Many are aware that they may never see the fulfilment of their vision but know they are used by God as a catalyst, to start, for others to carry it on. They have a team around them who also stand with them, supporting them to see its fulfilment. They have no claim on the work as the Lord has led them to a place of death: death to self, death to the vision, and complete reliance upon Him to bring it to its completion. They are prepared to lose their life for the cause as they know it is about changing society for the betterment of generations to come. They have and will count the cost.
We all know of the time spoken in Ezekiel chapter 37, when God breathed upon the bones in the valley of dry bones. My question to you is: do we as the body of Christ need the breath of God to come and breathe His life on the dry bones? Undoubtedly yes! Sadly we in the body of Christ have succumbed to ‘doing’ church rather than ‘being’ the church. This is not a criticism but rather saying it how it is. Change cannot come until we acknowledge where we are at right now. Doing church is easy, so long as we meet people’s needs, keeping them happy, and lulled into a form of false comfort. Being church is more difficult as it is about relationships. Relationship with the Lord and relationship with one another. There are greater requirements on us, both leaders and those being led, with more opportunity for accountability for how we live our lives. Honesty at a deeper level would be required. Inspiring people to be all they are called to be in God is paramount for the raising up of ones who will be catalysts of change. It will only come about as we grow in deeper relationships with one another.
Are we being effective in advancing His kingdom here on earth? No we are not. However I have no doubt that things are about to change. There is a ‘new breed’ of Christian, one’s whom the Lord has positioned, with His vision, willing to be disciples and in the Lord’s timing, be sent to do the work of the ministry. They are one’s called as His leaders willing to be led, and in the process trained to lead others.
They will be sent into all areas of governance in nations and will be positioned as catalysts for changing society. They will be entrusted with much responsibility and power to bring influence. They know their lives have been all about training for positioning to advance God’s kingdom here on earth. They have been inspired by God and will inspire others as they lead and grow in walking in His Truth. Are you being trained as one who is called as a catalyst for change? What inspires you? What are you passionate about? Are you positioned being trained towards the outworking of your call? The Lord has a remnant. He is raising up a remnant, one’s called to lead, one’s who have proven themselves faithful and trustworthy to speak and to do what the Lord asks of them. That is the new breed of leaders being raised in 2012. Old leadership ways will not suffice. It will not work! Times are changing and the church must change with the times. The church is meant to be change agents. We see that throughout Scripture as key men and women were positioned to bring influence. We are the head and not the tail, we have to learn to walk in this thinking. We have been given all authority to rule and reign. It is now time for us to walk in the knowledge and revelation of this!
Habakkuk 2:2-3
Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
Can I encourage you: write your vision if you have not already done so.
This year is crucial for positioning yourself ready; by preparing for what the Lord wants of you and doing whatever is required to walk in obedience to His will for your life. It will mean sacrifice and being bold and courageous. It is about the big picture and where you fit in to bring about the fulfilment of the Lord’s plan for your life. You may be an important, integral piece of the puzzle.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
2012 Year of Leadership
by Glenice Mills
As I have been seeking the Lord about this year He has been speaking to me about leadership. This is not only about church leadership but leadership of nations.
We saw last year a new arising of the voice of what could be called the ‘average person’. There was a stirring of one’s who were usually quiet and content to go along with what was happening to them. Previously they had willingly accepted the way the leaders of their nation had conducted themselves. However, there is now a deep rumbling discontent coming to the fore changing the way leadership is outworked. People are no longer lying down quietly accepting all that is being told to them by government leaders. Instead there is a questioning, confronting openness being demanded. In fact it is open, honest government, with a greater accountability expected from the leaders towards the people. It is truly democracy at work. This is good as greater requirements are put on those who are positioned to lead. People are becoming more concerned about the character of their leaders. The days of charismatic, endearing leaders with the ‘gift of the gab’ taking the lead is over. The people are not that easily beguiled anymore. It is in fact healthy and is a paradigm shift back to Godly character.
I have been asking the Lord about the areas of leadership and He showed me it is about WHAT leadership looks like, and HOW leadership is done.
A leader represents the country/organization and how they present themselves is a reflection of the people they represent. A leader is also one who is supposed to model appropriate behaviour that the people want to aspire to. For example if a leader is ungodly in their conduct toward the other sex then it shows a picture of the nation as a whole also behaving this way. We have seen the downfall of leaders of nations because of sexual infidelity. This has and is resulting in a higher standard of behaviour expected of those in positions of authority. If this does not happen then respect is lost and mocking and ridicule of the leader and nation results. Italy is a good example of this.
Perhaps one of the saddest indictments upon leadership is the apparent loss and lack of loyalty. There was a time when government leaders were loyal to the Prime Minister/President and to the party/organization they represented. Without loyalty there is no respect. Loyalty and respect go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. Loyalty is being steadfast and faithful in allegiance. We certainly do not see that politically here in Australia.
This year is a year where leadership is going to change on many fronts and in different ways. As the people rise and make their opinions known there will be new leadership with greater accountability demanded by the people. We will also see the increasing rise of ungodly leaders out to shut the opinions of their people, particularly in the Middle East. There will be a great unsettling in European nations as the people increasingly speak out against their leaders. This will be so particularly in Italy, Greece, Spain, France and Portugal.
It will bring increasing volatility in the financial markets that has the potential to trigger world recession. America will arise as a stable voice bringing a settling of the European markets as long as America holds onto its Godly principles. There is an increasing contending between those standing for leadership in America as the people desire to come back to their Christian roots. The standard of behaviour of those in leadership positions throughout key nations will be expected to improve as the people stand with and alongside those who openly speak what is right, and speak of their Christian faith. It is opportunity for the voice of the Christians to be heard, only if they will speak up and speak out against injustice, prejudice and inequality. Common sense will prevail. There are some surprises coming to the Presidential election in America as the Lord does some shaking and exposing of double standards that have the potential to be critical to the outcome of the election. It has the potential to either put America back into position as a leading nation or send them down a road where their power will be belittled and they will actually be the laughing stock of many key nations. It is time for America to humble themselves before Mighty God, acknowledging their need of Him like never before. It is particularly crucial that all pride is repented of, where there has been a thinking of ‘self made’ by one’s own hands, without acknowledgment of God. America is on the cusp of balance tipping one way or the other depending on the heart of its people. America prides itself on being a Christian nation, and now is the time for Truth to be spoken and for its Government leadership to actually take the lead and lead from the Christian faith base.
As they do this nations leaders will be drawn to them and will stand with and support their stand for righteousness. It is the beginning of the separation of the sheep and goat nations and the difference between the two will be more obvious.
The Lord keeps showing me the ADDRESSING OF IMBALANCE so the foundation of truth can come. Society has tried many ‘doctrines’ and gone down lots of roads thinking they have hit the truth - the right way of doing things. However disillusion is waking the people up to question and to search out for ways of making life better.
The disillusion and discontent is actually the fuel for the stirring of the people to speak up, and to call in change. Many have tried to make things happen but the revelation that it is all ‘blowing in the wind’ and comes to nothing is the catalyst for change. This change will bring about greater requirements upon those in leadership positions.
So WHAT will leadership look like?
This year will see many changes in leaders of nations. There is a divine shift back to leaders prepared to stand for what they believe in and to go against the flow of popular opinion if necessary to bring about stability to their nation. The recent release of the movie ‘The Iron Lady’ about Margaret Thatcher is inspiring as we see a woman prepared to make a stand, to lead and to go against the flow of popular opinion in order to bring good. She did not bow to people’s demands, but rather led even if it meant increasing personal unpopularity. She stood for her convictions. That is courage under fire! She is well deserving of a movie about her life and it is great to see her portrayal at this time to remind us of what it is to have true leadership.
The voice of the everyday person will be listened to with a new respect of all who have much to contribute to the good of nations.
There is a contending for democracy in some nations and as the voice of the people arise there will be change and their voices will be heard.
The imbalance of power of key nations will be redressed so that stability will come and the schemes of man’s desire for power in the wrong way will be exposed.
So HOW will leadership be done?
There will be greater accountability with the behaviour of those holding leadership positions. Ungodly behaviour by leaders will not be tolerated and the people will speak out bringing unrest and destabilising power.
It will be less about the ‘celebrity’ of the leader and more about the content of policies. There will be less emotion and more practical resolutions to problems. The media will have to be more balanced in their reporting so any bias will be shut down so a fair and equal measure of debate and reporting will prevail. Superficiality will not suffice. It will be about depth of calibre of the person and what they have to offer to bring resolution to problems. The people will be looking for the honesty and integrity of leaders, ones they can learn to trust.
Leaders are to inspire people. For too long leaders have got by in falsity from a foundation of ‘what’s in it for me’. There will be a shift of thinking to ‘how can I help everyone to come into bigger and better things’.
Leaders must have a vision and be able to take the people along with them so everyone embraces the changes. It will no longer be about factions and power to an elite group saying this is how it is and how it will be but rather about what is best for the nation to take it forward into the new things.
It will require vision, passion, and patriotism and the laying aside of one’s ambition for the good of the people and the nation. Man’s selfish agendas will no longer work, but the big picture vision of planning ahead for not only the short term but long term gain for the good of all.
We are instructed to pray for our leaders, those in authority, and this is a critical time to be doing this. There are many corrupt leaders who have wielded power in very ungodly ways and some will be exposed in coming days. Often much goes on behind the scenes, hidden - however the Lord sees. We cannot fool Him! Many nations are on the cusp of huge change of power and in this time of vulnerability. It is paramount that we pray for Godly leadership.
The Lord alerted me that this year is all about leadership, therefore we must be praying for our leaders. It is on His heart, and we have a responsibility to do all we can to stand for Truth and to pray His will be done in our nation and the nations.
I will write about church leadership in a forthcoming article because unless and until church leadership is in Godly order we cannot expect our own governments to be in order. The two interrelate.
1 John 5:14,15
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
As I have been seeking the Lord about this year He has been speaking to me about leadership. This is not only about church leadership but leadership of nations.
We saw last year a new arising of the voice of what could be called the ‘average person’. There was a stirring of one’s who were usually quiet and content to go along with what was happening to them. Previously they had willingly accepted the way the leaders of their nation had conducted themselves. However, there is now a deep rumbling discontent coming to the fore changing the way leadership is outworked. People are no longer lying down quietly accepting all that is being told to them by government leaders. Instead there is a questioning, confronting openness being demanded. In fact it is open, honest government, with a greater accountability expected from the leaders towards the people. It is truly democracy at work. This is good as greater requirements are put on those who are positioned to lead. People are becoming more concerned about the character of their leaders. The days of charismatic, endearing leaders with the ‘gift of the gab’ taking the lead is over. The people are not that easily beguiled anymore. It is in fact healthy and is a paradigm shift back to Godly character.
I have been asking the Lord about the areas of leadership and He showed me it is about WHAT leadership looks like, and HOW leadership is done.
A leader represents the country/organization and how they present themselves is a reflection of the people they represent. A leader is also one who is supposed to model appropriate behaviour that the people want to aspire to. For example if a leader is ungodly in their conduct toward the other sex then it shows a picture of the nation as a whole also behaving this way. We have seen the downfall of leaders of nations because of sexual infidelity. This has and is resulting in a higher standard of behaviour expected of those in positions of authority. If this does not happen then respect is lost and mocking and ridicule of the leader and nation results. Italy is a good example of this.
Perhaps one of the saddest indictments upon leadership is the apparent loss and lack of loyalty. There was a time when government leaders were loyal to the Prime Minister/President and to the party/organization they represented. Without loyalty there is no respect. Loyalty and respect go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. Loyalty is being steadfast and faithful in allegiance. We certainly do not see that politically here in Australia.
This year is a year where leadership is going to change on many fronts and in different ways. As the people rise and make their opinions known there will be new leadership with greater accountability demanded by the people. We will also see the increasing rise of ungodly leaders out to shut the opinions of their people, particularly in the Middle East. There will be a great unsettling in European nations as the people increasingly speak out against their leaders. This will be so particularly in Italy, Greece, Spain, France and Portugal.
It will bring increasing volatility in the financial markets that has the potential to trigger world recession. America will arise as a stable voice bringing a settling of the European markets as long as America holds onto its Godly principles. There is an increasing contending between those standing for leadership in America as the people desire to come back to their Christian roots. The standard of behaviour of those in leadership positions throughout key nations will be expected to improve as the people stand with and alongside those who openly speak what is right, and speak of their Christian faith. It is opportunity for the voice of the Christians to be heard, only if they will speak up and speak out against injustice, prejudice and inequality. Common sense will prevail. There are some surprises coming to the Presidential election in America as the Lord does some shaking and exposing of double standards that have the potential to be critical to the outcome of the election. It has the potential to either put America back into position as a leading nation or send them down a road where their power will be belittled and they will actually be the laughing stock of many key nations. It is time for America to humble themselves before Mighty God, acknowledging their need of Him like never before. It is particularly crucial that all pride is repented of, where there has been a thinking of ‘self made’ by one’s own hands, without acknowledgment of God. America is on the cusp of balance tipping one way or the other depending on the heart of its people. America prides itself on being a Christian nation, and now is the time for Truth to be spoken and for its Government leadership to actually take the lead and lead from the Christian faith base.
As they do this nations leaders will be drawn to them and will stand with and support their stand for righteousness. It is the beginning of the separation of the sheep and goat nations and the difference between the two will be more obvious.
The Lord keeps showing me the ADDRESSING OF IMBALANCE so the foundation of truth can come. Society has tried many ‘doctrines’ and gone down lots of roads thinking they have hit the truth - the right way of doing things. However disillusion is waking the people up to question and to search out for ways of making life better.
The disillusion and discontent is actually the fuel for the stirring of the people to speak up, and to call in change. Many have tried to make things happen but the revelation that it is all ‘blowing in the wind’ and comes to nothing is the catalyst for change. This change will bring about greater requirements upon those in leadership positions.
So WHAT will leadership look like?
This year will see many changes in leaders of nations. There is a divine shift back to leaders prepared to stand for what they believe in and to go against the flow of popular opinion if necessary to bring about stability to their nation. The recent release of the movie ‘The Iron Lady’ about Margaret Thatcher is inspiring as we see a woman prepared to make a stand, to lead and to go against the flow of popular opinion in order to bring good. She did not bow to people’s demands, but rather led even if it meant increasing personal unpopularity. She stood for her convictions. That is courage under fire! She is well deserving of a movie about her life and it is great to see her portrayal at this time to remind us of what it is to have true leadership.
The voice of the everyday person will be listened to with a new respect of all who have much to contribute to the good of nations.
There is a contending for democracy in some nations and as the voice of the people arise there will be change and their voices will be heard.
The imbalance of power of key nations will be redressed so that stability will come and the schemes of man’s desire for power in the wrong way will be exposed.
So HOW will leadership be done?
There will be greater accountability with the behaviour of those holding leadership positions. Ungodly behaviour by leaders will not be tolerated and the people will speak out bringing unrest and destabilising power.
It will be less about the ‘celebrity’ of the leader and more about the content of policies. There will be less emotion and more practical resolutions to problems. The media will have to be more balanced in their reporting so any bias will be shut down so a fair and equal measure of debate and reporting will prevail. Superficiality will not suffice. It will be about depth of calibre of the person and what they have to offer to bring resolution to problems. The people will be looking for the honesty and integrity of leaders, ones they can learn to trust.
Leaders are to inspire people. For too long leaders have got by in falsity from a foundation of ‘what’s in it for me’. There will be a shift of thinking to ‘how can I help everyone to come into bigger and better things’.
Leaders must have a vision and be able to take the people along with them so everyone embraces the changes. It will no longer be about factions and power to an elite group saying this is how it is and how it will be but rather about what is best for the nation to take it forward into the new things.
It will require vision, passion, and patriotism and the laying aside of one’s ambition for the good of the people and the nation. Man’s selfish agendas will no longer work, but the big picture vision of planning ahead for not only the short term but long term gain for the good of all.
We are instructed to pray for our leaders, those in authority, and this is a critical time to be doing this. There are many corrupt leaders who have wielded power in very ungodly ways and some will be exposed in coming days. Often much goes on behind the scenes, hidden - however the Lord sees. We cannot fool Him! Many nations are on the cusp of huge change of power and in this time of vulnerability. It is paramount that we pray for Godly leadership.
The Lord alerted me that this year is all about leadership, therefore we must be praying for our leaders. It is on His heart, and we have a responsibility to do all we can to stand for Truth and to pray His will be done in our nation and the nations.
I will write about church leadership in a forthcoming article because unless and until church leadership is in Godly order we cannot expect our own governments to be in order. The two interrelate.
1 John 5:14,15
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
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