GENERATIONAL CHANGE

by Glenice Mills

A number of years ago I wrote a word about the ‘generation gap’. It was a saying that came about during the 60’s and 70’s when there was a cultural shift in morals, and life values. It was the beginning of a greater rebellion against God and His ways. It was a defining time in history. It was the beginning of pitting one generation against another. The good news was, it also saw the birth of the Jesus movement.

The words ‘generation gap’ have brought consequences that to this day have defined groups according to age. It has locked people into what man says are a particular group people should belong too. It has shaped culture since. The truth is the enemy has lied and bondage has resulted.

The dictionary meaning of gap is a breach in hedge, fence or wall; empty space, interval, deficiency, and wide divergence in views.
The result of a gap is a chasm, a divide that has to be filled.  Guess who fills the gap? The enemy! He has promoted the mindset of the wide divergence of views of misunderstanding between the generations.
Instead of us embracing the differences we have succumbed to the great age divide.

A gap brings separation, a divide, division, a ‘them and us’. This ‘them and us’ leads to isolation, which results in a superiority and pride. It creates a social and cultural divide. It breeds inclusiveness and exclusiveness.

It is interesting to note in most churches there are group divisions such as youth, married, young mothers, and elderly. There is nothing wrong with these groups getting together meeting their individual needs. However the problem arises when there is no cross-pollination among the different groups. The danger is a fragmentation – a breaking off, casting out because of a hidden prejudice.

It is such a fine line and the lie is subtle. It distorts what God truly represents, and that is family – all ages, sexes, and nations meeting together as one in true unity in diversity. It is where there is mutual honour and respect. The walls of division come down and the building of true oneness in God, each gleaning the unique aspects of the different groups begins to form.

The Lord reminded me where over twenty years ago I foreran a programme in the kindergarten I led where the elderly from a neighbouring old people’s home would come visit us for a short time once a fortnight. It was interesting to watch the children’s reaction and also the way the elderly responded. We used to bake something for morning tea and prepare a musical item. The elderly came alive, were excited and willingly joined in our activities.

We also used to regularly go and visit them at the old people’s home where they would entertain us with an item and provide morning tea. Friendships and bonds were made and the walls of division came down.

Of interest was the Asian children were so much freer in relating to the elderly and most other children struggled to connect.
It is interesting to note that in recent times they are planning both old age facilities and childcare/preschools in the same grounds. There is a mutual benefit for all.

The truth is God created us to need one another. We dare not fall into the trap of favouring one particular group over another. The Lord’s heart is about legacy. It is about us all embracing our differences and drawing what we need from one another. The young need the wisdom of the older ones and the older ones need the zeal of the young. Together we are an expression of the fullness of God.

The Lord has burdened me with the importance and how crucial it is that we encourage, promote, and allow the expression of the young to have a voice. That is not just an occasional opportunity to preach, or share, but to provide a platform for them to be who they are truly called to be. It is drawing out the gifts, anointing and unique ways they have so we will also be fired up. The Lord is rising up some young ones with maturity beyond their years, with a social conscience, and there is a quickening of positioning for them so they can be most effective. Time is short and we dare not hold them back as we need them to forge ahead to bring about His Kingdom purposes.

This word may appear to encourage the generation gap by singling out one particular group, - the young, however God is highlighting some and we need to know who He is speaking and revealing His truth too. Inclusivity encourages all to be all they are called to be no matter the age, sex or culture.

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 prophesy,
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.

God is and will pour out His Spirit on all flesh – that is the young, the old, male and female. There will be no exclusive groups, but all loving, supporting, in unity being and doing all God has anointed them too.

We must be aware where we break into our groups according to age, but rather draw from one another the unique expressions of God, so together we can begin to display the fullness of Jesus Christ in His body of believers. Let’s recognize where we have believed and accepted the lie about the generation gap, repent of the division and move toward one another, encouraging, standing with and wanting the best. Be quick to repent of comparisons, jealousies and making judgments that encourage division. Watch what we say – “The young have it so easy, they don’t have to go through decades of hardship like we did.” I often hear the older ones say this. We don’t know and see the big picture of what God is doing in this hour, but what I have noticed is He is doing a quick work in the young because time is short and He needs them to mature in Him because evil is increasing. We need one another like never before. Let’s embrace the different expressions and move forward together. We are on an exciting journey!

MANY LEADERS, MANY WORDS

by Glenice Mills


Last night (Monday 14th September 2015) we saw the demise of another leader of this nation of Australia by the hands of an ambitious man. We saw the end of true democracy where the votes of the people were no longer truly upheld and instead the political party room fears of self -promoting won out.  This is a sad day for Australia and for democracy.

Australians would say they live in a land of abundance, freedom and blessings. However there is a deep discontent that drives the people to always want change to the leadership in this nation. The issue with Australia is a LEADERSHIP issue. There is a deep cry that says: “give me a leader who will make the hard decisions” but whenever a leader tries to lead they are then vilified, made a joke of, mocked and derided. The very thing the people want is quickly shot down in flames. The venom and vitriol associated is vile and vulgar. It reflects poorly on the people and is a disgraceful display viewed by other nations as unusual. Other world leaders look at Australia and wonder what we are so ungrateful for. They are envious of our economy, lifestyle, and all the good this nation has to offer – particularly its people. But we CAN’T SEE IT!!!

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, the Honorable Mr. John Key was heard to say: “what is wrong with Australian politics that they have so many leaders when the strength of the economy and other key indicators would not warrant regular leadership spills.”

What is wrong that we have had so many leadership changes in a short time? Why is this happening and what can be done to rectify this? We need to come back to the Word of God and what it says.

So what does Scripture say about a nation that has many leaders?

Proverbs 28:2
When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.

When you think of Australia you would not think it is an unstable nation. The truth and reality is: it is an UNSTABLE NATION! And yes perhaps we could say it is in fact God’s judgment. We must come back to the words, when a land transgresses, in other words, when there is sin there are many rulers. There are some things that the Lord is judging right now.

We have seen through out history where many third world nations have had many leaders overthrown bringing political instability. Have we considered that perhaps we also have political instability? It would certainly seem that way!
The voice of the people has been shut, and the value of a vote has been cut down so you could say the foundation of our governance is not good.
This word could seem extreme, however we need to stop and consider what is happening here, right now.

We have seen throughout the Bible and history where God has put in place both Godly and ungodly leaders depending on the state of His people. God puts the leaders in place to bring about His greater Kingdom purposes. It is no different today.

There are some observations I would like to make that are important to note at this time.

Malcolm Turnbull, our new Prime Minister is known to speak many words. He is described as verbose, however it will be what will trip him up. Scripture says in Proverbs 10:19

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.

When many words are spoken it is easy to forget what one has said and promised. The heart of the message gets lost and it causes a stumbling and tripping up. It is a trap for the foolish. This will happen to our new leader.

We have seen in the past where those leaders who have overthrown a sitting Prime Minister have not remained. They have been spoken of as a traitor who ousted a sitting Prime Minister. No matter if they were a good leader or not these words were later used as an accusation against them. The same will happen with Mr. Turnbull. Why? It is the law of reaping and sowing.

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

So what are the deep issues that keep Australia stuck in this leadership battle?

LEADERSHIP: I think we need to ask ourselves where are the true leaders, that is one’s who have a genuine heart for the betterment of Australia rather than their personal agenda. Why is it that when a leader tries to lead they are quickly ousted? It seems that true Godly leadership is pulled down for an unrighteous agenda of power and self-interest.

THANKSGIVING: We as a nation have forgotten we are blessed. There is ungratefulness and a sense of entitlement that is founded on self and what is in it for me. There is a constant rumbling of discontent that fuels ungratefulness. Unless and until we are truly thankful for what we have in this nation we will continue in the cycle of the revolving door leadership.

MOCKERY: There is a mocking stronghold principality over Australia that verbally pulls down leaders and the way they do things. People are quick to sneer at and speak against any leaders who try to take a stand for what is right. We have seen this with the way Mr. Abbott has been treated. It is unbecoming and in no way is edifying of leadership.

DISHONOUR: I have to say it is embarrassing to witness the dishonor that is given to those in leadership positions. There is a dumbing down of the position with an overfamiliarity that keeps everyone on the same level. The truth is all leaders are worthy of honour because of the position they hold. Our Prime Minister is the leader of this nation, they represent all that we are and for us to dishonor them is rude and crass.

DISRESPECT: All people are worthy of respect and to demean anyone, particularly a nation’s leader is uncalled for. There is an overfamiliarity that keeps everyone on the same level.

IT STARTS WITH THE CHURCH!
I know many have been praying for Mr. Abbott to remain as Prime Minister as he has made a stand for righteousness. He has been a vocal opponent of same sex marriage. The Lord sees the big picture and He knows what is ahead for Australia. As a church we need to recognize the battles we are in and rise up and speak out for what is right and true. I have no doubt God’s heart is for Australia to be a sheep nation. The End Time church is arising in Australia and we will be a voice for righteousness and justice. God will have His way! He does see and hear our prayers! We will be able to declare: what the enemy meant for evil God WILL turn around for good!

Job 12:23
He makes nations great, and destroys them;
He enlarges nations and guides them.

We must never forget this nation of Australia is God’s nation. He is God!