Behind the dangling carrot is a very big stick.
When "wolves in sheep's clothing" smile in your direction, do not take it as a compliment!
Pulling the wool..?
Showing posts with label UK Forerunners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UK Forerunners. Show all posts
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Ecu-manicle
by David Robinson
Beyond the siren's call, are crashing waves and rocks.
Behind the dangling carrot is a very big stick.
When "wolves in sheep's clothing" smile in your direction, do not take it as a compliment!
Behind the dangling carrot is a very big stick.
When "wolves in sheep's clothing" smile in your direction, do not take it as a compliment!
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Poem - Asking The Right Questions
by David Robinson
Forerunners Ministries UK
Whilst being poured a drink of life, I was asked to, “Say ‘WHEN.’”
I said, “WHAT?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I said, “WHY?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I asked, “HOW did you know I needed a drink?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I asked, “WHO are you?”
He sang, “WHEN I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died…”
Forerunners Ministries UK
Whilst being poured a drink of life, I was asked to, “Say ‘WHEN.’”
I said, “WHAT?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I said, “WHY?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I asked, “HOW did you know I needed a drink?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I asked, “WHO are you?”
He sang, “WHEN I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died…”
Monday, 3 February 2014
Prophetic Word for FRANCE
by Ruth PaddonThe fields are ripe for the harvest - Disillusionment has set in but I am allowing this vacuum, that only I can fill. I will draw those to me who will know me and obey me. There are many who are searching for Me in this land.
My cry to this nation is Repentance from dead works. You think you are rich and have no need of me. Come to me the well of living water. The Fire of God will purify the church. Spiritual streams will spring up across this land. Behold I stand at the door and knock. Those who hear My voice and will let Me in will receive the living water I have promised them.
I have seen the seeds of the martyr’s blood sown into your soil. I will multiply the increase. From this sacrifice multitudes will come to Me because of the sowing of these seeds. My church needs to continually pray for righteousness in the government at all levels. As My prophets and apostles rise up in the church and the market place, My church will be purified and powerful through the right governmental authority and doctrine.
Ruth Paddon
Nice, France
January 2014
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Prophetic Design
by David Robinson
Noah’s Ark… When it was built, the world must have thought, “WHAT IS THAT???” (that’s the polite version)
Constructed inland? to massive dimensions? Why? What for? It would have seemed an insane venture.
However, when the environment, SUDDENLY changed, the ark’s design and purpose, SUDDENLY, made sense! Those that mocked and scoffed at what God had required of Noah, laughed no more!
Individually and corporately, we can sometimes wonder, what on earth we are meant to be, in this life?
We don’t fit in, we don’t seem to function in the place we stand. Others may not know what to do with you? We are of course looking for that city to come, but while we are here, it can be frustrating if we are not positioned where our talents, gifts and heart-call need to be.
Take heart, The Lord is clear with His friends! “Shall we not tell Abram, what we are about to do?”
If He hasn’t yet shown you why HE is reforming you in Jesus Christ, the way He is currently choosing to, He will do soon.
Do you feel like a fish out of water? Well let God sanctify and change you from glory to glory (for His glory). Don’t misinterpret, what is actually training!
His design for you, right now, might make you feel unusable, quirky, grounded all the time - like Noah’s Ark?
At some point, if we are faithful in the small things, God will bring about the specific environment we were made for!
A boat is designed for the water; a space shuttle is designed for journeying beyond earth’s atmosphere; a motor car for driving on roads. However a boat on dry land and a car in the sea… awkward !!! ha ha.
We all, as PART, of the body of Christ, have a bespoke arena that we are called to. Receive God’s training with Thankfulness and Joy! Then, when God places us into a different scenario, like the ark, it will make sense what God designed us to be!
There are “prototype people” and ministries, who are being trained and formed for “landscapes”, (social, spiritual and physical), that no one has ever seen yet… like the sudden world flood in Noah’s day. It is, therefore, understandable that they feel like a square peg in a round hole. Again, take heart… what you were born for is, like a change in weather or terrain, about to introduce itself, IF you obey The Lord in everything; then you will be who He says you are.
Ask God for further revelation about His plans for you and others; that will also help us be patient and bear with others, when we see them as God intends.
Noah’s Ark… When it was built, the world must have thought, “WHAT IS THAT???” (that’s the polite version)
Constructed inland? to massive dimensions? Why? What for? It would have seemed an insane venture.
However, when the environment, SUDDENLY changed, the ark’s design and purpose, SUDDENLY, made sense! Those that mocked and scoffed at what God had required of Noah, laughed no more!
Individually and corporately, we can sometimes wonder, what on earth we are meant to be, in this life?
We don’t fit in, we don’t seem to function in the place we stand. Others may not know what to do with you? We are of course looking for that city to come, but while we are here, it can be frustrating if we are not positioned where our talents, gifts and heart-call need to be.
Take heart, The Lord is clear with His friends! “Shall we not tell Abram, what we are about to do?”
If He hasn’t yet shown you why HE is reforming you in Jesus Christ, the way He is currently choosing to, He will do soon.
Do you feel like a fish out of water? Well let God sanctify and change you from glory to glory (for His glory). Don’t misinterpret, what is actually training!
His design for you, right now, might make you feel unusable, quirky, grounded all the time - like Noah’s Ark?
At some point, if we are faithful in the small things, God will bring about the specific environment we were made for!
A boat is designed for the water; a space shuttle is designed for journeying beyond earth’s atmosphere; a motor car for driving on roads. However a boat on dry land and a car in the sea… awkward !!! ha ha.
We all, as PART, of the body of Christ, have a bespoke arena that we are called to. Receive God’s training with Thankfulness and Joy! Then, when God places us into a different scenario, like the ark, it will make sense what God designed us to be!
There are “prototype people” and ministries, who are being trained and formed for “landscapes”, (social, spiritual and physical), that no one has ever seen yet… like the sudden world flood in Noah’s day. It is, therefore, understandable that they feel like a square peg in a round hole. Again, take heart… what you were born for is, like a change in weather or terrain, about to introduce itself, IF you obey The Lord in everything; then you will be who He says you are.
Ask God for further revelation about His plans for you and others; that will also help us be patient and bear with others, when we see them as God intends.
Friday, 29 March 2013
The Sabbath
by Tony Clark
Yes, Jesus healed on the Sabbath and He taught on the Sabbath, but He also observed the Sabbath. If He didn’t, then He didn’t keep the whole law and was a transgressor. Just because He is Lord of the Sabbath doesn’t mean that He didn’t observe the Sabbath. The Pharisees confronted Jesus’ action on the Sabbath because they had become so legalistic that in their mindset concerning the Sabbath that they lost its true meaning…? This is why in Colossians 2:16 Paul taught to not allow anyone to judge you in the practice of Sabbath because just as Jesus was judged, the Pharisees would also judge you being extremely technical and missing the point! Colossians 2:16 is not saying don’t let people judge you for not observing the Sabbath but don’t let them judge you in how you observe it. Because the version of Sabbath they are trying to get you to ascribe to is not the way that God intended. They have added laws that totally remove the spirit of the observance.
Relying on obedience to the ‘law’ delivered in Moses for justification is what severs you from the head and cuts you off from life, because they are incompatible. Because you believe that Christ is not sufficient for justification, and that obedience to a law is also required to justify. You either believe in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, or you believe that it wasn’t perfect. If it wasn’t perfect then God is still using the old system of sacrifices of animals under the law of the old covenant to make payment for sin, which I think we all know - that God has implemented a new covenant with the blood of Christ being sufficient to cleanse us of all sin.
The whole reason for the letter to the Galatians was because so soon after the change of covenants some Jews thought that they still needed to be circumcised to become one of the people of God. (The early church leaders, including Paul, had to call a council to judge whether or not it was still necessary for Gentiles becoming Christians to be circumcised.) They had a simple misunderstanding of the nature of Christ’s sacrifice being all that is needed. This is where the confusion comes when people want to observe the Sabbath. People think that we are doing it because they need to obey the law of God; I personally see it more that the law enabled us to see something that was invisible – the Sabbath – it gave it dimensions and depth, but the Sabbath always existed, from the time of creation. God demonstrated it on the 7th day, the law just taught us concerning it. So the law is great in that respect – it teaches us what is right and wrong and what God loves and hates. So I observe the Sabbath because God showed through the law how much He treasures the Sabbath in His heart, and loves it, and so I love it. I don’t observe it because I have to (Law) I observe it because I want to (Love).
All the Old Testament types are patterns and shadows do point to Christ, but that doesn’t mean that we no longer celebrate them. Funny how most Christians don’t fully understand the gospel, or their inheritance, but the Jews were TRAINED in these things through the feasts and types that God set up for them to observe. I see no problem with observing Sabbath or any of the feasts, and I think there would be great benefit from it. Just don’t put your trust in it for justification. The Jews were instructed in these things as LAW, and there were heavy penalties for failing in that law, but what was law became custom which became CULTURE, and something beautiful and precious. God established a nation in His likeness, not like any other nation, like a light on a hill, and after thousands of years, Christ came into that culture and redeemed mankind. By the time Christ came, it wasn’t just a law it was a life, because by repetition and practice the lifestyle would have become a part of them. Now after Christ died, did all those that believed say, “Well now we no longer have to celebrate the feast at Passover, nor do we need to rest on the Sabbath!”?? I don’t think so, in fact I think the Passover would have more significance and beauty in the fullness of Christ’s coming and in receiving the substance that is Christ. I don’t think the Christian Jews stopped celebrating all of the feasts and did nothing. That doesn’t make sense, and it isn’t what we see from early church history. (The book ‘The Messianic Church Arising’ by Dr Robert D Heidler covers some of this.) I don’t believe that the new Christians forsook their heritage, but I think they would have felt pretty awesome now that they have found their justification in Christ, and that they had been freed from the condemnation of the Law. Christ fulfilled the requirement of the law and by faith in Him they were made righteous! And Christ deserves our full trust in Him for that righteousness. Because what we can do for God is not good enough. If we do something for God and think that we are righteous because of it, then we are fooled, that righteousness is as filthy rages to God. Christ’s perfect righteousness has been imputed to us - we can’t get more righteous. But now with faith in Christ, because of that faith, we will do what’s right because we will have a love for what’s right - but that’s a process, there’s still a lot of Egypt in us, thank God for His mercy and long-suffering! We know what sin is because of the law, and when we sin we feel the condemnation that the law brings, but God is faithful to forgive when we repent, and restores us.
Now, the Sabbath spoke of rest in Christ, the Bible says this, in this way: I am a sinner. The law was delivered by God to reveal just how much of a sinner! I must obey the law to the letter to be justified, or I fail in the whole law. This effort to attain perfection by the law, in doing deeds required by the law is called WORK. Jesus Christ came, a sinless man, perfect in the law, righteous, God’s own Son, (type seen in God’s request to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac) and laid down His life for me. Jesus as the perfect lamb of God, a sacrifice according to the requirement and pattern of the law, and paid for the sin of mankind once, for all, it is FINISHED. Therefore, I no longer have to WORK for my righteousness in obeying the law, I now have REST in that Christ has done it for me. OH SWEET REST! Thank you JESUS! Does that mean I no longer have to work at my secular job, because Jesus has now come and died for me… no..!? Of course not. So now that Jesus has come, should I now work 7 days a week instead of 6 and resting on the 7th?? I would have to say no. Man is not for the Sabbath, the Sabbath is for man. I believe that man needs the Sabbath and that as long as there is WORK on this earth then there needs to be a REST and that is the Sabbath I observe, 6 days I am available for work, 1 day I am not and I don’t just take a day off, I observe the Sabbath of God, in honour of Him, declaring that the God who created the whole universe in 6 days and rested on the 7th day is my God.
Sabbath is rest. And it is in relation to work. 6 days man will work and then on the seventh he will rest, just like God did on the seventh day of creation. God demonstrated the Sabbath powerfully way back, before the law, on the 7th day of creation. Through the law He expounded on the concept of the Sabbath, and taught His chosen people what it was, what it was for, and how important it was to Him. I think that it was just as important to Him before the law, but it wasn’t revealed to man until the law, in Moses. God’s people were to observe the Sabbath in celebration of and as a reminder that their God was the creator of the universe, and it separated and differentiated the nation of Israel from every other nation and people on the planet, because God chose Israel to represent Him. The law is the PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS of God that was taught to the people of God through Moses. Before the law, the Israel’s didn’t know what God loved and what He hated. The perfect righteousness of God was perfectly displayed in the man Jesus Christ, not just in deed, but in thought and motive of the heart. Jesus was the perfect person to explain the true application of the law to the people of God, because He understood its true nature and the Spirit behind it. Christ demonstrated the law PERFECTLY and in doing so ‘fulfilled’ it 100% and I’m sure that God the Father said “YES! That’s what I MEANT!! Look at my SON! He’s just like ME!!.”
The Pharisees, including Paul, were BLAMELESS according to the law, but Jesus condemned them! Because they looked beautiful on the outside and on the inside they STUNK! God says if you don’t LOVE, you don’t know God! They DID NOT LOVE. In demonstrating perfect obedience to the law, Jesus demonstrated perfect obedience to the fourth commandment of the 10 commandment law of Sabbath. And because the Pharisees were so legalistic and had no idea what the Sabbath was about, judged Him.
Yes, Jesus healed on the Sabbath and He taught on the Sabbath, but He also observed the Sabbath. If He didn’t, then He didn’t keep the whole law and was a transgressor. Just because He is Lord of the Sabbath doesn’t mean that He didn’t observe the Sabbath. The Pharisees confronted Jesus’ action on the Sabbath because they had become so legalistic that in their mindset concerning the Sabbath that they lost its true meaning…? This is why in Colossians 2:16 Paul taught to not allow anyone to judge you in the practice of Sabbath because just as Jesus was judged, the Pharisees would also judge you being extremely technical and missing the point! Colossians 2:16 is not saying don’t let people judge you for not observing the Sabbath but don’t let them judge you in how you observe it. Because the version of Sabbath they are trying to get you to ascribe to is not the way that God intended. They have added laws that totally remove the spirit of the observance.
Relying on obedience to the ‘law’ delivered in Moses for justification is what severs you from the head and cuts you off from life, because they are incompatible. Because you believe that Christ is not sufficient for justification, and that obedience to a law is also required to justify. You either believe in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, or you believe that it wasn’t perfect. If it wasn’t perfect then God is still using the old system of sacrifices of animals under the law of the old covenant to make payment for sin, which I think we all know - that God has implemented a new covenant with the blood of Christ being sufficient to cleanse us of all sin.
The whole reason for the letter to the Galatians was because so soon after the change of covenants some Jews thought that they still needed to be circumcised to become one of the people of God. (The early church leaders, including Paul, had to call a council to judge whether or not it was still necessary for Gentiles becoming Christians to be circumcised.) They had a simple misunderstanding of the nature of Christ’s sacrifice being all that is needed. This is where the confusion comes when people want to observe the Sabbath. People think that we are doing it because they need to obey the law of God; I personally see it more that the law enabled us to see something that was invisible – the Sabbath – it gave it dimensions and depth, but the Sabbath always existed, from the time of creation. God demonstrated it on the 7th day, the law just taught us concerning it. So the law is great in that respect – it teaches us what is right and wrong and what God loves and hates. So I observe the Sabbath because God showed through the law how much He treasures the Sabbath in His heart, and loves it, and so I love it. I don’t observe it because I have to (Law) I observe it because I want to (Love).
All the Old Testament types are patterns and shadows do point to Christ, but that doesn’t mean that we no longer celebrate them. Funny how most Christians don’t fully understand the gospel, or their inheritance, but the Jews were TRAINED in these things through the feasts and types that God set up for them to observe. I see no problem with observing Sabbath or any of the feasts, and I think there would be great benefit from it. Just don’t put your trust in it for justification. The Jews were instructed in these things as LAW, and there were heavy penalties for failing in that law, but what was law became custom which became CULTURE, and something beautiful and precious. God established a nation in His likeness, not like any other nation, like a light on a hill, and after thousands of years, Christ came into that culture and redeemed mankind. By the time Christ came, it wasn’t just a law it was a life, because by repetition and practice the lifestyle would have become a part of them. Now after Christ died, did all those that believed say, “Well now we no longer have to celebrate the feast at Passover, nor do we need to rest on the Sabbath!”?? I don’t think so, in fact I think the Passover would have more significance and beauty in the fullness of Christ’s coming and in receiving the substance that is Christ. I don’t think the Christian Jews stopped celebrating all of the feasts and did nothing. That doesn’t make sense, and it isn’t what we see from early church history. (The book ‘The Messianic Church Arising’ by Dr Robert D Heidler covers some of this.) I don’t believe that the new Christians forsook their heritage, but I think they would have felt pretty awesome now that they have found their justification in Christ, and that they had been freed from the condemnation of the Law. Christ fulfilled the requirement of the law and by faith in Him they were made righteous! And Christ deserves our full trust in Him for that righteousness. Because what we can do for God is not good enough. If we do something for God and think that we are righteous because of it, then we are fooled, that righteousness is as filthy rages to God. Christ’s perfect righteousness has been imputed to us - we can’t get more righteous. But now with faith in Christ, because of that faith, we will do what’s right because we will have a love for what’s right - but that’s a process, there’s still a lot of Egypt in us, thank God for His mercy and long-suffering! We know what sin is because of the law, and when we sin we feel the condemnation that the law brings, but God is faithful to forgive when we repent, and restores us.
Now, the Sabbath spoke of rest in Christ, the Bible says this, in this way: I am a sinner. The law was delivered by God to reveal just how much of a sinner! I must obey the law to the letter to be justified, or I fail in the whole law. This effort to attain perfection by the law, in doing deeds required by the law is called WORK. Jesus Christ came, a sinless man, perfect in the law, righteous, God’s own Son, (type seen in God’s request to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac) and laid down His life for me. Jesus as the perfect lamb of God, a sacrifice according to the requirement and pattern of the law, and paid for the sin of mankind once, for all, it is FINISHED. Therefore, I no longer have to WORK for my righteousness in obeying the law, I now have REST in that Christ has done it for me. OH SWEET REST! Thank you JESUS! Does that mean I no longer have to work at my secular job, because Jesus has now come and died for me… no..!? Of course not. So now that Jesus has come, should I now work 7 days a week instead of 6 and resting on the 7th?? I would have to say no. Man is not for the Sabbath, the Sabbath is for man. I believe that man needs the Sabbath and that as long as there is WORK on this earth then there needs to be a REST and that is the Sabbath I observe, 6 days I am available for work, 1 day I am not and I don’t just take a day off, I observe the Sabbath of God, in honour of Him, declaring that the God who created the whole universe in 6 days and rested on the 7th day is my God.
Sabbath is rest. And it is in relation to work. 6 days man will work and then on the seventh he will rest, just like God did on the seventh day of creation. God demonstrated the Sabbath powerfully way back, before the law, on the 7th day of creation. Through the law He expounded on the concept of the Sabbath, and taught His chosen people what it was, what it was for, and how important it was to Him. I think that it was just as important to Him before the law, but it wasn’t revealed to man until the law, in Moses. God’s people were to observe the Sabbath in celebration of and as a reminder that their God was the creator of the universe, and it separated and differentiated the nation of Israel from every other nation and people on the planet, because God chose Israel to represent Him. The law is the PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS of God that was taught to the people of God through Moses. Before the law, the Israel’s didn’t know what God loved and what He hated. The perfect righteousness of God was perfectly displayed in the man Jesus Christ, not just in deed, but in thought and motive of the heart. Jesus was the perfect person to explain the true application of the law to the people of God, because He understood its true nature and the Spirit behind it. Christ demonstrated the law PERFECTLY and in doing so ‘fulfilled’ it 100% and I’m sure that God the Father said “YES! That’s what I MEANT!! Look at my SON! He’s just like ME!!.”
The Pharisees, including Paul, were BLAMELESS according to the law, but Jesus condemned them! Because they looked beautiful on the outside and on the inside they STUNK! God says if you don’t LOVE, you don’t know God! They DID NOT LOVE. In demonstrating perfect obedience to the law, Jesus demonstrated perfect obedience to the fourth commandment of the 10 commandment law of Sabbath. And because the Pharisees were so legalistic and had no idea what the Sabbath was about, judged Him.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Remote Control
by David Robinson
It seems there is currently, an arms’ race to produce improved, even independent - ‘drone’ warplanes; rail-guns; depleted uranium ordinance; sonic cannons; brainwave interpretation research. There’s the development of (rather creepy) all-terrain, robot “mules” for logistics, Infantry Heavy Duty Exoskeletons (think the movie Avatar); and then, down the road, cognitive, but unemotional robot troop units? (It’s the unemotional bit, that is a real concern.)
All this to say - sci-fi is here, now!
The most visible manifestation of all this arms’ development, is in the area of aerial drones, either equipped with weapons or surveillance cameras. If news’ reports are to be believed, missile strikes by air-drones are used extensively in the “middle east” today. However, it’s easy to forget, with the remote drone strikes, that there are human beings (or were) at the end of it. The point of writing part of this article, was to draw attention specifically to an aspect of this “REMOTE” warfare, where the controls and execution (literally) are in the hands of a service personnel, sometimes many miles away from the “killing-zone”. It’s the potential for a culture of “sociopathic warfare” to develop in a person, that this particular way of conducting military tasks could bring; especially when they leave the service. i.e. regarding natural feelings of guilt or more worrying, having No guilt or empathy at all.
The second area for concern, is where all this new technology can affect a “national” CULTURE. Here, in the safety of our bedrooms, we can play ‘Call of Duty’ or ‘Assassin’s Creed’ on our Xbox, without the responsibility of people, in reality, dying. This whole TV/movie violence thing, is a bigger issue in itself, of course. More so, because of the coverage in the media. The gulf war in the early 1990’s, brought to the news coverage, via the nose-cam footage of smart-bombs and cruise missiles etc for the first time; and brought an illusion that this was a clinical, precise tool of war. Only the bad guys, copped it! Compared to cluster or carpet bombing, yes, that’s probably true (relatively). Initially the “Shock and Awe” of these new weapons, brought pride and confidence in our allied forces. These weapons did the job!!! However, a consensus arose that it felt like we were watching a realtime “video-game”. There then dawned a sense of, oh “someone” just got incinerated.
Prince Harry stated in a recent television documentary, whilst on tour in Afghanistan, the midi-cannon he operated, mounted on the apache attack helicopter, had a control system reminiscent of his Xbox 360 hand held controller.
In nazi Germany, the Jews were reduced to “sub-human” in the eyes on that nation. The propaganda machine, made sure that public were groomed to accept this attitude. The result was a (general) lack of empathy towards the mistreatment and then murder of the Jews in Europe. Of course not everybody in Germany, was so convinced. e.g. Bonhoeffer etc… it is a concern for human life and righteousness he had, that we need to champion!
When a group, be it identified as a “racial group” or even socially, are marginalised and viewed as somehow “sub-human”, it puts in place a deluded precedent, for justifying all sorts of ill treatment and evil.
This is the crux of the matter with remote “tech”… that people are thought of only as a target-reticule on a computer screen, and not someone’s son or daughter… with a name. As mentioned, the caveat to this of course, is that in war, tactical decisions have to be made. I know, they would not be made lightly and that I certainly, would not like to be the one to make them! But my hope is, that care is taken, in this technology, that it does not become an “emotionally remote” thing. When someone pushes a button somewhere and a missile is launched, it’s going to take a life… take away all somebody has! I guess my heart in all this, is for the populations that governments are elected to serve. The innocent. They say, in war the first casualty IS innocence.
Rapid advances in technology, in a civilian context, are a concern also!!!
Why? Well, we can delete a “Friend” from our Facebook, with the click of a mouse. Virtual relationships. You upset me there - goodbye, click. It is so easy to play god on the internet. Some young people have committed suicide after becoming the victim of cyber-bullying. But to the bully, it was an offhand swipe of the heart and a click of the mouse. Jesus said when you “hate” someone, you’ve murdered them in your heart. That’s an everyday thing we all have to guard against, but technology makes “dismissing people”, slander, gossip and “detached sniping” much easier. When we send that text or post a comment on (Two) Facebook, is that click of the mouse button like a pilot sending a missile on it’s way? There’s somebody’s daughter or son on the other end of that… please be careful and let God’s love bring wisdom and His Spirit develop the fruit of “self-control”.
Also, market forces pushing these advances, via the sale of the latest gadgets, could see a race into what is essentially trans-humanism.
An example of this change in culture is with the smartphone advances in the last few years… every five minutes a new feature is integrated (driven by the need to make money); and it is bought by the public (driven by the urge to have the latest advantage now!)
In a few years, will the advantage in life, (for those that can afford it), be to those that get themselves “upgraded”. The whole issue of trans-humanism is a potential article in itself. Nano “creatures” and cyber implants, silicon tattoos, GM virus/vectors in our blood, designed to repair us from within. Will such “trans-humans” think of the rest of us as lesser? The same temptation is there in the area of consulting dark occult forces too of course.
The heart of this article is about, how we as Men and Women - God’s creation! could loose ourselves and our compassion for others. Without receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, individuals are lost anyway. However, some of the technology used for our “defence” and some we may selfishly and ambitiously “integrate” physically or genetically, could result in the mutilation of our bodies and conscience before The Lord God, Creator of all.
Remember Eden… do not be overly impressed with this availability and acceleration in knowledge. Aw, that won’t happen to me? No? Got the latest SmartPhone, yet? Do you feel disadvantaged, if you haven’t? What if in a few years they can feed the screen directly into your mind? What if those with upgrades get the job, you want. What if… you need a mark on your right hand or forehead to do any trading. What if? What if? The nations are being groomed into a culture of coveting right now. The motive is selfish advantage. The next “must have” is just around the corner!
I’m not against technology, by the way, but let us NOT loose ourselves or sight of others (also fearfully and wonderfully made), because of it. Please pray for your government regarding the motives for producing technology.
Pray for your news media. Let us not loose ourselves as a nation, by becoming sociopathic* to the suffering of others, because we think “they deserve it”.
*If we do… what exactly is it, we are fighting to defend anyway?
It seems there is currently, an arms’ race to produce improved, even independent - ‘drone’ warplanes; rail-guns; depleted uranium ordinance; sonic cannons; brainwave interpretation research. There’s the development of (rather creepy) all-terrain, robot “mules” for logistics, Infantry Heavy Duty Exoskeletons (think the movie Avatar); and then, down the road, cognitive, but unemotional robot troop units? (It’s the unemotional bit, that is a real concern.)
All this to say - sci-fi is here, now!
The most visible manifestation of all this arms’ development, is in the area of aerial drones, either equipped with weapons or surveillance cameras. If news’ reports are to be believed, missile strikes by air-drones are used extensively in the “middle east” today. However, it’s easy to forget, with the remote drone strikes, that there are human beings (or were) at the end of it. The point of writing part of this article, was to draw attention specifically to an aspect of this “REMOTE” warfare, where the controls and execution (literally) are in the hands of a service personnel, sometimes many miles away from the “killing-zone”. It’s the potential for a culture of “sociopathic warfare” to develop in a person, that this particular way of conducting military tasks could bring; especially when they leave the service. i.e. regarding natural feelings of guilt or more worrying, having No guilt or empathy at all.
The second area for concern, is where all this new technology can affect a “national” CULTURE. Here, in the safety of our bedrooms, we can play ‘Call of Duty’ or ‘Assassin’s Creed’ on our Xbox, without the responsibility of people, in reality, dying. This whole TV/movie violence thing, is a bigger issue in itself, of course. More so, because of the coverage in the media. The gulf war in the early 1990’s, brought to the news coverage, via the nose-cam footage of smart-bombs and cruise missiles etc for the first time; and brought an illusion that this was a clinical, precise tool of war. Only the bad guys, copped it! Compared to cluster or carpet bombing, yes, that’s probably true (relatively). Initially the “Shock and Awe” of these new weapons, brought pride and confidence in our allied forces. These weapons did the job!!! However, a consensus arose that it felt like we were watching a realtime “video-game”. There then dawned a sense of, oh “someone” just got incinerated.
Prince Harry stated in a recent television documentary, whilst on tour in Afghanistan, the midi-cannon he operated, mounted on the apache attack helicopter, had a control system reminiscent of his Xbox 360 hand held controller.
In nazi Germany, the Jews were reduced to “sub-human” in the eyes on that nation. The propaganda machine, made sure that public were groomed to accept this attitude. The result was a (general) lack of empathy towards the mistreatment and then murder of the Jews in Europe. Of course not everybody in Germany, was so convinced. e.g. Bonhoeffer etc… it is a concern for human life and righteousness he had, that we need to champion!
When a group, be it identified as a “racial group” or even socially, are marginalised and viewed as somehow “sub-human”, it puts in place a deluded precedent, for justifying all sorts of ill treatment and evil.
This is the crux of the matter with remote “tech”… that people are thought of only as a target-reticule on a computer screen, and not someone’s son or daughter… with a name. As mentioned, the caveat to this of course, is that in war, tactical decisions have to be made. I know, they would not be made lightly and that I certainly, would not like to be the one to make them! But my hope is, that care is taken, in this technology, that it does not become an “emotionally remote” thing. When someone pushes a button somewhere and a missile is launched, it’s going to take a life… take away all somebody has! I guess my heart in all this, is for the populations that governments are elected to serve. The innocent. They say, in war the first casualty IS innocence.
Rapid advances in technology, in a civilian context, are a concern also!!!
Why? Well, we can delete a “Friend” from our Facebook, with the click of a mouse. Virtual relationships. You upset me there - goodbye, click. It is so easy to play god on the internet. Some young people have committed suicide after becoming the victim of cyber-bullying. But to the bully, it was an offhand swipe of the heart and a click of the mouse. Jesus said when you “hate” someone, you’ve murdered them in your heart. That’s an everyday thing we all have to guard against, but technology makes “dismissing people”, slander, gossip and “detached sniping” much easier. When we send that text or post a comment on (Two) Facebook, is that click of the mouse button like a pilot sending a missile on it’s way? There’s somebody’s daughter or son on the other end of that… please be careful and let God’s love bring wisdom and His Spirit develop the fruit of “self-control”.
Also, market forces pushing these advances, via the sale of the latest gadgets, could see a race into what is essentially trans-humanism.
An example of this change in culture is with the smartphone advances in the last few years… every five minutes a new feature is integrated (driven by the need to make money); and it is bought by the public (driven by the urge to have the latest advantage now!)
In a few years, will the advantage in life, (for those that can afford it), be to those that get themselves “upgraded”. The whole issue of trans-humanism is a potential article in itself. Nano “creatures” and cyber implants, silicon tattoos, GM virus/vectors in our blood, designed to repair us from within. Will such “trans-humans” think of the rest of us as lesser? The same temptation is there in the area of consulting dark occult forces too of course.
The heart of this article is about, how we as Men and Women - God’s creation! could loose ourselves and our compassion for others. Without receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, individuals are lost anyway. However, some of the technology used for our “defence” and some we may selfishly and ambitiously “integrate” physically or genetically, could result in the mutilation of our bodies and conscience before The Lord God, Creator of all.
Remember Eden… do not be overly impressed with this availability and acceleration in knowledge. Aw, that won’t happen to me? No? Got the latest SmartPhone, yet? Do you feel disadvantaged, if you haven’t? What if in a few years they can feed the screen directly into your mind? What if those with upgrades get the job, you want. What if… you need a mark on your right hand or forehead to do any trading. What if? What if? The nations are being groomed into a culture of coveting right now. The motive is selfish advantage. The next “must have” is just around the corner!
I’m not against technology, by the way, but let us NOT loose ourselves or sight of others (also fearfully and wonderfully made), because of it. Please pray for your government regarding the motives for producing technology.
Pray for your news media. Let us not loose ourselves as a nation, by becoming sociopathic* to the suffering of others, because we think “they deserve it”.
*If we do… what exactly is it, we are fighting to defend anyway?
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Integrity
by David Robinson
(Pastor/Prophet, Foreunners Ministries UK)
Integrity.
It costs nothing, yet it can cost you everything to keep it.
It costs nothing, yet it can cost you everything if you lose it.
Let your “Yes” MEAN Yes and your “No” MEAN No!
Jesus said “anything beyond this is from the devil”
Be careful what you watch. Be careful whom you listen to. Be careful what and who you “agree” with.
This is NOT to curb your freedom in Jesus, but a loving word passed on from a loving Heavenly Father; who, like any parent, doesn’t want their children, to naively get into some strangers car; to be taken away to who knows where?
Know what you are saying ‘amen’ to, before saying it.
Amen? (oh, the irony)
(Pastor/Prophet, Foreunners Ministries UK)
Integrity.
It costs nothing, yet it can cost you everything to keep it.
It costs nothing, yet it can cost you everything if you lose it.
Let your “Yes” MEAN Yes and your “No” MEAN No!
Jesus said “anything beyond this is from the devil”
Be careful what you watch. Be careful whom you listen to. Be careful what and who you “agree” with.
This is NOT to curb your freedom in Jesus, but a loving word passed on from a loving Heavenly Father; who, like any parent, doesn’t want their children, to naively get into some strangers car; to be taken away to who knows where?
Know what you are saying ‘amen’ to, before saying it.
Amen? (oh, the irony)
Sunday, 19 August 2012
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!
Friday, 6 January 2012
Poem - Another Way
by David Robinson
saw a sign saying “stop”,
saw a lever saying “do not pull”,
saw a machine demand “pay here”,
saw a barrier saying “danger ahead”,
saw a nation saying “keep out”,
about to cut my wrist…
saw a bracelet saying “What Would Jesus Do?”
saw a sign saying “stop”,
saw a lever saying “do not pull”,
saw a machine demand “pay here”,
saw a barrier saying “danger ahead”,
saw a nation saying “keep out”,
about to cut my wrist…
saw a bracelet saying “What Would Jesus Do?”
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Genius In A Bottle
Poem by Moya Boardman
So who put you there and screwed in the cork
Keeping you bound and constrained
Every action defined by the fear in your mind
Of the “What if’s?”
So who will rub the bottle to let you free?
To escape the confines and truly be
The genius for all to see
Seems you put yourself there
and you keep yourself there
Cause you believe what your mind says is true
That’s such a pile of rubbish
Why do you stay that way?
It seems like hearing, you don’t hear
and what can I do
Except tell you again & again?
Your mind and feelings don’t dictate what is true
Why open up and let them in?
You should have bouncers on the door
To check their ID and
Give them the boot if it’s false
So who put you there and screwed in the cork
Keeping you bound and constrained
Every action defined by the fear in your mind
Of the “What if’s?”
So who will rub the bottle to let you free?
To escape the confines and truly be
The genius for all to see
Seems you put yourself there
and you keep yourself there
Cause you believe what your mind says is true
That’s such a pile of rubbish
Why do you stay that way?
It seems like hearing, you don’t hear
and what can I do
Except tell you again & again?
Your mind and feelings don’t dictate what is true
Why open up and let them in?
You should have bouncers on the door
To check their ID and
Give them the boot if it’s false
My Father Does Not Talk Like That
Poem by Moya Boardman
Overwhelming condemnation
Immobilising shame
Mistakes replayed with ridicule
“Your attempts are pathetic and lame”
My father does not talk like that
His voice is full of love
Acceptance and encouragement
The truth that is above
“You were so bad it was painful
They were all laughing at you
No point in doing anything more
Why bother? You haven’t a clue?”
My father does not talk like that
His aim is to take me higher
His words bring hope and comfort
They are not the words of a liar
Affirmation and correction
Coming from a loving heart
Empower and bring freedom
Courage to follow my path
Earthly fathers can speak words of pain
So it’s hard to start to hear
To tell where the words are coming from
And what is the root of fear
“I am so proud that you stepped out
We will walk through all together
A future and a hope is what I have for you”
That talk is from my father.
Overwhelming condemnation
Immobilising shame
Mistakes replayed with ridicule
“Your attempts are pathetic and lame”
My father does not talk like that
His voice is full of love
Acceptance and encouragement
The truth that is above
“You were so bad it was painful
They were all laughing at you
No point in doing anything more
Why bother? You haven’t a clue?”
My father does not talk like that
His aim is to take me higher
His words bring hope and comfort
They are not the words of a liar
Affirmation and correction
Coming from a loving heart
Empower and bring freedom
Courage to follow my path
Earthly fathers can speak words of pain
So it’s hard to start to hear
To tell where the words are coming from
And what is the root of fear
“I am so proud that you stepped out
We will walk through all together
A future and a hope is what I have for you”
That talk is from my father.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Word 2 for the UK
by Ruth Paddon
My people have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and hewn for themselves broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Why has the UK become a captive and a prey? Do not rely on your allies. They cannot help you only return to Me with prayer and fasting and I will show you the way. Your own wickedness will chasten and correct you. Your back-slidings and desertion of faith will reprove you. You have forsaken I, the Lord your God and you are indifferent to Me. The fear of Me is not in you. I broke your yoke long ago and raised you up as a nation to serve Me. But you became proud and said I will do it my way and throw off the yoke of the Lord. You said I will not serve and obey You. You created your own high places of worship and ceased to seek Me with all your heart. My grace is there for you to repent and turn to Me. I am drawing you and calling My people to rise up and purify the land. The land is defiled and polluted but My blood can atone and purify the nation’s sin. Call a day of prayer and fasting. Pull down the altars on the high places and restore Me to My rightful place. Peace and freedom will inhabit the land. I have not forgotten you. But have you forgotten?
(Prophetic Word given 8 March 2011)
My people have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and hewn for themselves broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Why has the UK become a captive and a prey? Do not rely on your allies. They cannot help you only return to Me with prayer and fasting and I will show you the way. Your own wickedness will chasten and correct you. Your back-slidings and desertion of faith will reprove you. You have forsaken I, the Lord your God and you are indifferent to Me. The fear of Me is not in you. I broke your yoke long ago and raised you up as a nation to serve Me. But you became proud and said I will do it my way and throw off the yoke of the Lord. You said I will not serve and obey You. You created your own high places of worship and ceased to seek Me with all your heart. My grace is there for you to repent and turn to Me. I am drawing you and calling My people to rise up and purify the land. The land is defiled and polluted but My blood can atone and purify the nation’s sin. Call a day of prayer and fasting. Pull down the altars on the high places and restore Me to My rightful place. Peace and freedom will inhabit the land. I have not forgotten you. But have you forgotten?
(Prophetic Word given 8 March 2011)
Word 1 for the UK
by Ruth Paddon
Rise up O Rose of Sharon, you have lost your fragrance because you are dry and need My water. You need My nourishment and presence in your daily lives. You have allied yourselves with strangers, those who don’t know Me or My ways. You have neglected My love and your identity in Me. You have been robbed and have lost the wonderful heritage I gave you in times past. I call you to repent and turn to Me with all your heart. Bring your offerings to Me with a grateful heart and I will restore to you 7 fold what you have been robbed of. I am calling a people from amongst a people who will be led by My spirit and implement the keys and strategies I would give to you to fulfil your destiny. I am your gardener but you have been pruned harshly by a hired help who does not love you. This person has no love or vision of your beauty. You have been crushed by legalism and regulations in subservience to a system of man.
Rise up, I have prepared a people from amongst you to find and reveal your beauty. My Prophets and Apostles are being restored and a genuine unity is coming free from the manipulations of men. The unity will be in truth and from My heart and throne. As My son warns My people to resurrection power, their fragrance permeates the atmosphere around them, their holiness is purity, forming in a cloud of love to My nostrils, evil waters cannot quench My love. Only true love for Me and from Me can bring this nation to birth its final destiny. My Prophets are sounding the battle cry. Move into position and humble your hearts. Receive My word and rise up to reclaim your heritage.
It’s like a grand crescendo and the final act. Pull down all the strongholds in your mind of hopelessness and apathy. As My army comes into position every member will know their identity and mission. Unity will explode as every person hears the Holy Spirit saying, “Here is the way, walk ye in it.” Rise up! Repent! Take your position! I the Lord am calling. The harvest is great preparing the way for Me in this nation. Its final destiny is at hand. Prepare your hearts to receive Me as your King!
(Prophetic Word given 5 March 2011)
Rise up O Rose of Sharon, you have lost your fragrance because you are dry and need My water. You need My nourishment and presence in your daily lives. You have allied yourselves with strangers, those who don’t know Me or My ways. You have neglected My love and your identity in Me. You have been robbed and have lost the wonderful heritage I gave you in times past. I call you to repent and turn to Me with all your heart. Bring your offerings to Me with a grateful heart and I will restore to you 7 fold what you have been robbed of. I am calling a people from amongst a people who will be led by My spirit and implement the keys and strategies I would give to you to fulfil your destiny. I am your gardener but you have been pruned harshly by a hired help who does not love you. This person has no love or vision of your beauty. You have been crushed by legalism and regulations in subservience to a system of man.
Rise up, I have prepared a people from amongst you to find and reveal your beauty. My Prophets and Apostles are being restored and a genuine unity is coming free from the manipulations of men. The unity will be in truth and from My heart and throne. As My son warns My people to resurrection power, their fragrance permeates the atmosphere around them, their holiness is purity, forming in a cloud of love to My nostrils, evil waters cannot quench My love. Only true love for Me and from Me can bring this nation to birth its final destiny. My Prophets are sounding the battle cry. Move into position and humble your hearts. Receive My word and rise up to reclaim your heritage.
It’s like a grand crescendo and the final act. Pull down all the strongholds in your mind of hopelessness and apathy. As My army comes into position every member will know their identity and mission. Unity will explode as every person hears the Holy Spirit saying, “Here is the way, walk ye in it.” Rise up! Repent! Take your position! I the Lord am calling. The harvest is great preparing the way for Me in this nation. Its final destiny is at hand. Prepare your hearts to receive Me as your King!
(Prophetic Word given 5 March 2011)
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Lest We Be Defiled
by Daniel Chuter
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man will see the Lord; looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” Hebrews 12:14-15.
It is time for us to be healed and to move on.
Bitterness is the seed bed for every demonic work. It will destroy any Christian. The safeguard against it is to remain in the spirit of forgiveness continually. When Satan comes to bruise, do not receive the hurt. Immediately release it by forgiveness.
In Germany for example there has been an unresolved bitterness that has sprung up and caused two world wars. It is an extreme example, but sobering to think that there are unresolved issues that might erupt like a volcano at any point.
The real problem though is that bitterness is an open door to torment from the enemy. To the believer this is as true. The writer to the Hebrews talks to believers facing a certain amount of opposition to a newly found faith.
We need to forgive and release bitterness and not give land to the enemy. We are living in times where we can be deceived into thinking that all is peaceful, but unresolved issues lie dormant, just under the surface.
The land was occupied in the story of Gideon found in Judges Chapter 6.
In verse 1 it tells us that Israel had done evil. Therefore we find our hero hiding like much of the population (verse 2). Perhaps this is very indicative of the state of much of our land these days… Are we not hiding… are there not unresolved issues lying dormant… is the enemy not living in our midst?
Understandably Gideon was bitter (verse 13). When God turns up, what’s really in our hearts? Is it disappointment, discouragement and fear? God called Gideon to rise above his bitterness. God made a similar suggestion to Cain in Genesis 4:6-7.
It appears that God requires a certain response… Is it not brokenness, worship from the heart and belief despite pain and faith? We are righteous not because of what we have done or could ever do; and in fact giving God what we think He wants will always lead to disappointment.
So we need to discover what pleases God; and it is always faith, but in the saving blood and death and resurrection of His Son!
It is time to release our bitterness unless worse attaches itself to out lives and our land.
We hang in the balance more than we think… God is looking at the heart and requires our humility. 1 Peter 5:5-8 says “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about seeking those whom he may devour.”
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man will see the Lord; looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” Hebrews 12:14-15.
It is time for us to be healed and to move on.
Bitterness is the seed bed for every demonic work. It will destroy any Christian. The safeguard against it is to remain in the spirit of forgiveness continually. When Satan comes to bruise, do not receive the hurt. Immediately release it by forgiveness.
In Germany for example there has been an unresolved bitterness that has sprung up and caused two world wars. It is an extreme example, but sobering to think that there are unresolved issues that might erupt like a volcano at any point.
The real problem though is that bitterness is an open door to torment from the enemy. To the believer this is as true. The writer to the Hebrews talks to believers facing a certain amount of opposition to a newly found faith.
We need to forgive and release bitterness and not give land to the enemy. We are living in times where we can be deceived into thinking that all is peaceful, but unresolved issues lie dormant, just under the surface.
The land was occupied in the story of Gideon found in Judges Chapter 6.
In verse 1 it tells us that Israel had done evil. Therefore we find our hero hiding like much of the population (verse 2). Perhaps this is very indicative of the state of much of our land these days… Are we not hiding… are there not unresolved issues lying dormant… is the enemy not living in our midst?
Understandably Gideon was bitter (verse 13). When God turns up, what’s really in our hearts? Is it disappointment, discouragement and fear? God called Gideon to rise above his bitterness. God made a similar suggestion to Cain in Genesis 4:6-7.
It appears that God requires a certain response… Is it not brokenness, worship from the heart and belief despite pain and faith? We are righteous not because of what we have done or could ever do; and in fact giving God what we think He wants will always lead to disappointment.
So we need to discover what pleases God; and it is always faith, but in the saving blood and death and resurrection of His Son!
It is time to release our bitterness unless worse attaches itself to out lives and our land.
We hang in the balance more than we think… God is looking at the heart and requires our humility. 1 Peter 5:5-8 says “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about seeking those whom he may devour.”
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Intimacy
by Moya Boardman
I feel like someone who has been dying of thirst & suddenly is given a drink of water. It tastes so incredible that I sip & savour each mouthful - but then it is taken away. There is such longing & searching.
Tonight God drew near to woo us, to pull us close to Himself. To allow Him to gaze on us tenderly & with passion. I saw what seemed like huge petals gently swirling round & dropping slowly down, each one softly draped over someone & God said He was covering us as He was our nearest kinsman. He was taking the burden from us, taking responsibility for us.
Where we thought everything in life had been taken from us & was dead to us He saw that we had followed Him. He said He had covered the past and that He was taking us into our (His & your) future.
There was such a sweetness of God, He was tenderly passionate with us, it started to become intoxicating but some were unaware, some uncomfortable and unconsciously maybe stepped back from yielding totally & just being in His presence. They could not yet stop & “be”.
He was gentle & said “This is not a first date” meaning - ”Don’t feel awkward”. I remember my first date, my first kiss; I thought “Well that’s nothing much” however….
In a very dark time of my life God started talking to me about intimacy & I said “The only intimacy that I know is physical, the powerful intimacy of sex. God I don’t want to mix my sexuality with intimacy with you”. He told me to hold that lightly and to go to the deepest feeling I’d know & then to go beneath that because as “the way of a man with a women” is a mystery & a picture of God & man so he was going to show me & help me to experience that spiritual intimacy. It is what truly satisfies. Lust is never satisfied but God’s love is always fulfilled & fulfilling.
Can you picture yourself face to face with Jesus, looking deeply into His eyes, can you see the love there can you let Him “kiss you with the kisses of His mouth” Have you ever been spiritually kissed? Sometimes our flesh does get in the way & we don’t want that but in pulling back we pull away from God. It is possible to separate the two - our fleshly response & our spirit’s rising to the one who made us. It is like learning to tune an instrument - you have to train yourself to hear - you thought you knew how but as you persist you are amazed at how many more sounds there are than you thought - don’t give up, ask God to teach you. God first & foremost made us for connection with Him - the world, the flesh & the devil try to steal that.
Cross the line you have not crossed before because it will bring life to you. Can you imagine being that close to Jesus & being sick? Being consumed by Him and being in pain? Actually if you are able to think about yourself than you haven’t got there yet.
In the natural when you are that close, yielded to each other you are totally unaware of anything else, what a beautiful picture of worship - how can anything else cross our minds when Jesus is so close you can feel His breath? When all that fills you is Him, how wonderful He is, how kind, gentle, funny, accepting - you forget everything else but Him. Wow - true worship A faint reflection of the love that consumes Him for us, for the world.
All over the world the opposite is happening, people use people to fill their needs, songs are sung to the idols of sex, money - mostly sex. The idol of self is raised up & people defiled. What if the world was filled with the “true worshippers” that the Father seeks?
How do you see what happens in a small hall in Radstock in God’s global plan? Do you see how significant what we do is - how pure worship, connection, intimacy has an effect in creation. We effect creation as it groans, we raise a light in a dark world, it joins with the other lights. God wants us to burn for Him.
Intimacy with God is like the axis of a wheel - get it in the right place & things run smoothly & you don’t have to work so hard. (rest in His peace) Take it out & you have a rough time. (Striving)
I feel like someone who has been dying of thirst & suddenly is given a drink of water. It tastes so incredible that I sip & savour each mouthful - but then it is taken away. There is such longing & searching.
Tonight God drew near to woo us, to pull us close to Himself. To allow Him to gaze on us tenderly & with passion. I saw what seemed like huge petals gently swirling round & dropping slowly down, each one softly draped over someone & God said He was covering us as He was our nearest kinsman. He was taking the burden from us, taking responsibility for us.
Where we thought everything in life had been taken from us & was dead to us He saw that we had followed Him. He said He had covered the past and that He was taking us into our (His & your) future.
There was such a sweetness of God, He was tenderly passionate with us, it started to become intoxicating but some were unaware, some uncomfortable and unconsciously maybe stepped back from yielding totally & just being in His presence. They could not yet stop & “be”.
He was gentle & said “This is not a first date” meaning - ”Don’t feel awkward”. I remember my first date, my first kiss; I thought “Well that’s nothing much” however….
In a very dark time of my life God started talking to me about intimacy & I said “The only intimacy that I know is physical, the powerful intimacy of sex. God I don’t want to mix my sexuality with intimacy with you”. He told me to hold that lightly and to go to the deepest feeling I’d know & then to go beneath that because as “the way of a man with a women” is a mystery & a picture of God & man so he was going to show me & help me to experience that spiritual intimacy. It is what truly satisfies. Lust is never satisfied but God’s love is always fulfilled & fulfilling.
Can you picture yourself face to face with Jesus, looking deeply into His eyes, can you see the love there can you let Him “kiss you with the kisses of His mouth” Have you ever been spiritually kissed? Sometimes our flesh does get in the way & we don’t want that but in pulling back we pull away from God. It is possible to separate the two - our fleshly response & our spirit’s rising to the one who made us. It is like learning to tune an instrument - you have to train yourself to hear - you thought you knew how but as you persist you are amazed at how many more sounds there are than you thought - don’t give up, ask God to teach you. God first & foremost made us for connection with Him - the world, the flesh & the devil try to steal that.
Cross the line you have not crossed before because it will bring life to you. Can you imagine being that close to Jesus & being sick? Being consumed by Him and being in pain? Actually if you are able to think about yourself than you haven’t got there yet.
In the natural when you are that close, yielded to each other you are totally unaware of anything else, what a beautiful picture of worship - how can anything else cross our minds when Jesus is so close you can feel His breath? When all that fills you is Him, how wonderful He is, how kind, gentle, funny, accepting - you forget everything else but Him. Wow - true worship A faint reflection of the love that consumes Him for us, for the world.
All over the world the opposite is happening, people use people to fill their needs, songs are sung to the idols of sex, money - mostly sex. The idol of self is raised up & people defiled. What if the world was filled with the “true worshippers” that the Father seeks?
How do you see what happens in a small hall in Radstock in God’s global plan? Do you see how significant what we do is - how pure worship, connection, intimacy has an effect in creation. We effect creation as it groans, we raise a light in a dark world, it joins with the other lights. God wants us to burn for Him.
Intimacy with God is like the axis of a wheel - get it in the right place & things run smoothly & you don’t have to work so hard. (rest in His peace) Take it out & you have a rough time. (Striving)
What’s Brewing in America?
by David Robinson
Folks, do pray for the USA. The “land of Freedom” and the “defender of democracy” has a constitution for a reason! Please pray it’s voice is heard over the confusion and assignment against it. The Lord has need of this great nation yet. It’s not over by a long shot!!! Regarding the Church there? To quote Ronald Raygun, (sorry couldn’t resist it, only joking) Ronald Regan “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”
This is not meant to be hype, in fact there’s a maturity coming to, and out of, the true US church, to go out to the world with a sober, brave and powerful heart, with the Gospel of Jesus. Armed, in Jesus name, only with God’s love and word in the Holy Spirit. A Berean discernment is offered to it too! It will need it! (Nb. Update 27/5/2010: A teaching in that very good practice of true, non-cynical discernment, will be imparted to their hearers too - in fact, encouraged!!! As they encounter faith in Jesus, by whoever will receive them, real Signs & Wonders will FOLLOW them. The Lord will back, HIS choice)
Dear America, have a spiritual tea party; throw over-board all lies, unbiblical traditions, false religions (regardless of their claims of pedigree) and secret societies. You have a light that is now kindling into a maturity you really haven’t seen in your history. May Jesus name be glorified! Represent Him well.
Folks, do pray for the USA. The “land of Freedom” and the “defender of democracy” has a constitution for a reason! Please pray it’s voice is heard over the confusion and assignment against it. The Lord has need of this great nation yet. It’s not over by a long shot!!! Regarding the Church there? To quote Ronald Raygun, (sorry couldn’t resist it, only joking) Ronald Regan “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”
This is not meant to be hype, in fact there’s a maturity coming to, and out of, the true US church, to go out to the world with a sober, brave and powerful heart, with the Gospel of Jesus. Armed, in Jesus name, only with God’s love and word in the Holy Spirit. A Berean discernment is offered to it too! It will need it! (Nb. Update 27/5/2010: A teaching in that very good practice of true, non-cynical discernment, will be imparted to their hearers too - in fact, encouraged!!! As they encounter faith in Jesus, by whoever will receive them, real Signs & Wonders will FOLLOW them. The Lord will back, HIS choice)
Dear America, have a spiritual tea party; throw over-board all lies, unbiblical traditions, false religions (regardless of their claims of pedigree) and secret societies. You have a light that is now kindling into a maturity you really haven’t seen in your history. May Jesus name be glorified! Represent Him well.
God is Looking
by Daniel Chuter
God is looking for people who will worship Him. Within our region in the UK, (Bath area), He longs to open the wells of true worship expressed in many forms such as art, drama, dance, singing.
But we are discouraged and often feel bitter… (Genesis 4:4) “and Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. But unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect. And Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, why art thou wrath, and why is thy countenance fallen. If thou do the right thing, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shall rule over him”.
In the book of Hebrews we see a similar concept… (Hebrews 12:14) “Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man will see the Lord. Looking diligently lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled.”
So God seems to respect or honour what is offered under His parameters, which is the saving sacrifice of Jesus that was offered as a lamb in our place… that he died and shed his blood for our deliverance but much more he was raised unto new life that we may live a new life. He offers this gift but wants our humility and brokenness. His desire is to quench our deepest thirst… He knows our pain when no one else does… (John 4:11) “the well is deep” But like the woman at the well we know only He can help. (John 4:19) “Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet”.
He must be known as King and deserves our “everything”. (Revelation 4:10) “the four and twenty elders fell down before Him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying “Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive honour and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created”. But He came down into our darkness in the form of a servant and is with those who are humble. (Isaiah 57:15) “For thus says the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones”.
The effect of what He offers can only be expressed in new and powerful forms, weapons in the hearts and mouths of an army that God is raising up in these days, who will not compromise or settle for the same that many of us have; having “been in the field” for too long! (Luke 15:28).
God is looking for people who will worship Him. Within our region in the UK, (Bath area), He longs to open the wells of true worship expressed in many forms such as art, drama, dance, singing.
But we are discouraged and often feel bitter… (Genesis 4:4) “and Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. But unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect. And Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, why art thou wrath, and why is thy countenance fallen. If thou do the right thing, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shall rule over him”.
In the book of Hebrews we see a similar concept… (Hebrews 12:14) “Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man will see the Lord. Looking diligently lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled.”
So God seems to respect or honour what is offered under His parameters, which is the saving sacrifice of Jesus that was offered as a lamb in our place… that he died and shed his blood for our deliverance but much more he was raised unto new life that we may live a new life. He offers this gift but wants our humility and brokenness. His desire is to quench our deepest thirst… He knows our pain when no one else does… (John 4:11) “the well is deep” But like the woman at the well we know only He can help. (John 4:19) “Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet”.
He must be known as King and deserves our “everything”. (Revelation 4:10) “the four and twenty elders fell down before Him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying “Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive honour and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created”. But He came down into our darkness in the form of a servant and is with those who are humble. (Isaiah 57:15) “For thus says the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones”.
The effect of what He offers can only be expressed in new and powerful forms, weapons in the hearts and mouths of an army that God is raising up in these days, who will not compromise or settle for the same that many of us have; having “been in the field” for too long! (Luke 15:28).
“It’s all Greek to me”
by David Robinson
Having returned from Munich in Germany recently, it was fascinating to see how a sequence of unchallenged events created an environment that had someone like Adolf Hitler welcomed into power.
In the late nineteenth century King Ludwig II, was declared insane and then, according to suspicion, assassinated. Ludwig’s death allowed the establishment of an office of power known as the ‘Kaiser’. The Kaiser’s of course were the kingpins in Germany’s expanse into Europe in the early 20th Century. They also led Germany into World War I.
The defeat of Germany led to a set of war reparations that crippled the nation, financially. This led to the environment that made someone like Adolf Hitler and the Nazis a welcome option; to make all the problems “go away”… but at the price of democracy and the individual in society.
There was also a lot of occult activity in Munich, in the 1920’s and on through World War II.
Riots seem to happen a lot in Greece lately. (Reminded also of Paul in Ephesus) There is great trouble brewing there, at the moment of writing this.
A little known fact is that in the capital, Athens, during September 2008, dozens of Greek pagans defied police presence and a thunderous downpour, to huddle near the Parthenon in Athens. They were holding a protest prayer for a museum being built at the foot of the sacred site.
The Greek Culture Ministry had forbade ceremonies of any sort at archaeological sites. But the pagan revivalists used a second century temple of Zeus in Athens to stage the first known ceremony of its kind in 1,600 years.
Athens-based group, called “Ellinais”, an acronym in Greek for “Sacred Society of Greek Ancient Religionists” was campaigning to revive the ancient religion. The group defied Culture Ministry bans on holding prayers at several ancient temples. Then, about 200 people, by the leader’s estimate, prayed to Olympian ‘Athena’, patron of ancient Athens, to protect the 2,500-year-old site and spare the city “from harm”.
“Is it a coincidence that rain started falling when the ceremony started and ended at the same time as the ceremony? I think not,” said the groups leader at the time. Personally, I don’t think The Lord was giving them a complement, by sending a storm. Police made no effort to disrupt the 20-minute convocation. There was no consequence or action, from the Government Authorities.
Orthodox Christianity is the official religion of Greece. Christianity took hold in Greece in the 4th century. Roman Emperor Theodosius wiped out the last vestige of the Olympian gods when he abolished the Olympic Games in 394 A.D.
The Parthenon, built between 447-432 B.C. at the Acropolis as a temple to Athena, was converted into a Christian church in the 5th century A.D. It became a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Athens in 1456 and is now a museum.
“This was the first prayer ceremony on the Acropolis since Parthenon was converted into a church,” the pagan group smugly said in 2008.
One month later, massive riots broke out across the capital, for over two solid weeks. The nation has financially gone downhill ever since then, to the point that the EU is currently bailing out the country from bankruptcy. To quote the Pagan group above, “is it a coincidence”?
Firstly, there is a consequence, when governments do not follow the ways of The Lord and allow the occult to prevail. (There’s a warning for us all) Secondly, a spiritual and financial environment, such as this, was created in pre-war Germany. Therefore please pray for the nation and people of Greece on all levels. Lest it happens again.
Having returned from Munich in Germany recently, it was fascinating to see how a sequence of unchallenged events created an environment that had someone like Adolf Hitler welcomed into power.
In the late nineteenth century King Ludwig II, was declared insane and then, according to suspicion, assassinated. Ludwig’s death allowed the establishment of an office of power known as the ‘Kaiser’. The Kaiser’s of course were the kingpins in Germany’s expanse into Europe in the early 20th Century. They also led Germany into World War I.
The defeat of Germany led to a set of war reparations that crippled the nation, financially. This led to the environment that made someone like Adolf Hitler and the Nazis a welcome option; to make all the problems “go away”… but at the price of democracy and the individual in society.
There was also a lot of occult activity in Munich, in the 1920’s and on through World War II.
Riots seem to happen a lot in Greece lately. (Reminded also of Paul in Ephesus) There is great trouble brewing there, at the moment of writing this.
A little known fact is that in the capital, Athens, during September 2008, dozens of Greek pagans defied police presence and a thunderous downpour, to huddle near the Parthenon in Athens. They were holding a protest prayer for a museum being built at the foot of the sacred site.
The Greek Culture Ministry had forbade ceremonies of any sort at archaeological sites. But the pagan revivalists used a second century temple of Zeus in Athens to stage the first known ceremony of its kind in 1,600 years.
Athens-based group, called “Ellinais”, an acronym in Greek for “Sacred Society of Greek Ancient Religionists” was campaigning to revive the ancient religion. The group defied Culture Ministry bans on holding prayers at several ancient temples. Then, about 200 people, by the leader’s estimate, prayed to Olympian ‘Athena’, patron of ancient Athens, to protect the 2,500-year-old site and spare the city “from harm”.
“Is it a coincidence that rain started falling when the ceremony started and ended at the same time as the ceremony? I think not,” said the groups leader at the time. Personally, I don’t think The Lord was giving them a complement, by sending a storm. Police made no effort to disrupt the 20-minute convocation. There was no consequence or action, from the Government Authorities.
Orthodox Christianity is the official religion of Greece. Christianity took hold in Greece in the 4th century. Roman Emperor Theodosius wiped out the last vestige of the Olympian gods when he abolished the Olympic Games in 394 A.D.
The Parthenon, built between 447-432 B.C. at the Acropolis as a temple to Athena, was converted into a Christian church in the 5th century A.D. It became a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Athens in 1456 and is now a museum.
“This was the first prayer ceremony on the Acropolis since Parthenon was converted into a church,” the pagan group smugly said in 2008.
One month later, massive riots broke out across the capital, for over two solid weeks. The nation has financially gone downhill ever since then, to the point that the EU is currently bailing out the country from bankruptcy. To quote the Pagan group above, “is it a coincidence”?
Firstly, there is a consequence, when governments do not follow the ways of The Lord and allow the occult to prevail. (There’s a warning for us all) Secondly, a spiritual and financial environment, such as this, was created in pre-war Germany. Therefore please pray for the nation and people of Greece on all levels. Lest it happens again.
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust
by David Robinson
The Volcano that has erupted in Iceland over the last weeks is erupting again. The ash and dust has gone to the highest reaches of the sky, stopping aircraft at the very altitude they need to get to. They can’t fly under it either, it drops down on them. Fear of overheating engines, means that many flights in Europe are grounded for weeks. Buses, trains and ferries are jammed, due to the amount of people scrambling to get home.
The Volcano holds an interesting picture for us all. Biblically, Dust and Ashes are the ground on which people repented in. (i.e. repent in dust and ashes) The Ash from this volcano reached the highest levels.
God would call out for repentance, to return to Him, at the highest levels; from European leadership, to the corporate world and of course to the everyday person. Will we?
The Volcano that has erupted in Iceland over the last weeks is erupting again. The ash and dust has gone to the highest reaches of the sky, stopping aircraft at the very altitude they need to get to. They can’t fly under it either, it drops down on them. Fear of overheating engines, means that many flights in Europe are grounded for weeks. Buses, trains and ferries are jammed, due to the amount of people scrambling to get home.
The Volcano holds an interesting picture for us all. Biblically, Dust and Ashes are the ground on which people repented in. (i.e. repent in dust and ashes) The Ash from this volcano reached the highest levels.
God would call out for repentance, to return to Him, at the highest levels; from European leadership, to the corporate world and of course to the everyday person. Will we?
Friday, 7 May 2010
Return Of The Land-Lords
by David Robinson
The Lord drew my eye to a report by Reuters today, which seems to have come in under the radar. Something to watch and pray as it develops… and it will develop as an issue!!!
Many firms in Wall Street’s financial district invest in things you can’t touch: currency futures, index options, credit derivatives and so on. Some have, so far, ploughed more than $1 billion into actual farmland, mostly in the United States. Investment Groups are currently wagering serious money, if not quite betting the farm, on corn, soybeans and other crops.
It is among many large and small private equity firms, hedge funds, asset managers and other investment groups hoping to harvest long-term profits from the soil.
In Wall Street terms, the heartland is “hot”. Increasingly, big-city investors emerging from a bruising economic downturn sparked by the collapse of esoteric financial products are putting money into Illinois corn fields, California cranberry bogs and Brazilian sugarcane. Overseas, African farms, as well as ones in Australia and Eastern Europe, have emerged as financial opportunities. Australia is favoured not just for the land but also for the vast amount of underground water stored in the Artesian Basin. Water is too becoming a valuable world commodity.
One investor said “Interest has been growing; in the age of derivatives and evaporating valuations, farmland is Gold with a cash flow.”
Investment groups say that agriculture has seldom been more appealing.
The World Bank and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) cited the trend in a report in January, noting a “sharp increase” in agricultural investments the world over. Such private investment could offer “significant benefits to the sector — not to mention the human race — by helping modernize farming tools and techniques”, the agencies said.
….How nice and thoughtful of them, for a moment there, I thought they were manoeuvring themselves in a ruling position, in case ‘world food and water’ runs out!
Not everybody is thrilled by Wall Street’s “speculating”, however. Some critics address the implications of the trend, calling it a “modern-day land rush”. They worry in particular about what they label an unfair transfer of valuable land and water resources from the poor to the wealthy.
There really is nothing new under the sun, is there?
Investment groups counter that their dollars are key to transforming a diminishing amount of arable land around the world into high-yielding, efficient food factories. And they don’t see financial interest ebbing any time soon. “We want to go after the key factor in production — the land,” said one investor. “The end product is food, which is essential for human life.” …Human Life?, yes, I remember that… it’s the ultimate “commodity”.
Industry estimates put the assets of global farmland for investors at $15 billion in equity spread among about 40 different institutional players globally. But the amount is likely much larger if you take into account government-linked companies such as sovereign funds, individual entrepreneurs and wealthy families.
South America is a particular draw. Investors there are hoping for 20 percent-plus returns from Brazilian soybean and sugarcane fields, which are key suppliers of food, livestock feed and ethanol.
What’s driving the market there and elsewhere is staggering Chinese demand for soy products. With an abundant supply of arable land but still undercapitalized farmland in the region, investors hope to generate profits by modernizing equipment, improving farming practices and using better seeds and chemicals that will ultimately yield higher crop production.
Africa, the world’s poorest continent, is another hot spot as investments in infrastructure, fertilizer and equipment have long been lacking and are expected to make a big difference in productivity.
Worried about the need to feed a huge and booming population, Chinese interests are working in some African countries to help raise food and bio-fuel production. Water-poor Middle Eastern and Gulf nations are also looking to secure food supplies as the world population is forecast to rise from 6.9 billion to more than 9 billion by 2050 and experts fear that feeding so many people could prove difficult.
Unlike derivatives and other less tangible financial products, farms can arouse nationalistic passions. The moves in Africa in particular have engendered some criticism, with charges of neo-imperialism.
In a statement co-sponsored by more than 100 organizations from around the world, the organisation “GRAIN”, is calling for protection of community-oriented food and farming systems based on “local people’s control over land, water and biodiversity.”
A spokesman said “the investments in farmland by large investors undercuts small farmers who cannot compete to buy ever higher priced land, essentially putting investors in a position of profiting from hunger.”
GRAIN, along with the groups from Africa, Asia, Europe and elsewhere, said in a statement that the “current farmland grab… will undermine peoples’ self-determination, food sovereignty and survival as never before.” The groups said the “multi-functionality, and ecological, social and cultural values of land are being negated” as land is being re-valued on purely economic terms. Investors seem undeterred by the controversy.
“There has been reaction, yes. But I personally don’t believe we have a chance of feeding the world without large scale farming,” said Hunt Stookey, managing director of HighQuest Partners strategic consulting group. ” This sector has been underinvested for decades.” This is a fair point as the reality is, investment often has to happen, in order bring more investment; the bi-product of which can be better living standard for inhabitants.
The concern with all this, is, will the earth and it’s resources, end up in the hands of the few? Is this the potential beginning of a new global feudalism? The return of the mediaeval land lords? But with Squires, Surfs and Peasants having no choice but to serve the global “elite”?
The earth is The Lords, and everything on it is His. We all are His tenants and Stewards of His creation! Jesus Christ is our true Land Lord.
Lord, please help us. Please come back soon! Amen.
The Lord drew my eye to a report by Reuters today, which seems to have come in under the radar. Something to watch and pray as it develops… and it will develop as an issue!!!
Many firms in Wall Street’s financial district invest in things you can’t touch: currency futures, index options, credit derivatives and so on. Some have, so far, ploughed more than $1 billion into actual farmland, mostly in the United States. Investment Groups are currently wagering serious money, if not quite betting the farm, on corn, soybeans and other crops.
It is among many large and small private equity firms, hedge funds, asset managers and other investment groups hoping to harvest long-term profits from the soil.
In Wall Street terms, the heartland is “hot”. Increasingly, big-city investors emerging from a bruising economic downturn sparked by the collapse of esoteric financial products are putting money into Illinois corn fields, California cranberry bogs and Brazilian sugarcane. Overseas, African farms, as well as ones in Australia and Eastern Europe, have emerged as financial opportunities. Australia is favoured not just for the land but also for the vast amount of underground water stored in the Artesian Basin. Water is too becoming a valuable world commodity.
One investor said “Interest has been growing; in the age of derivatives and evaporating valuations, farmland is Gold with a cash flow.”
Investment groups say that agriculture has seldom been more appealing.
The World Bank and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) cited the trend in a report in January, noting a “sharp increase” in agricultural investments the world over. Such private investment could offer “significant benefits to the sector — not to mention the human race — by helping modernize farming tools and techniques”, the agencies said.
….How nice and thoughtful of them, for a moment there, I thought they were manoeuvring themselves in a ruling position, in case ‘world food and water’ runs out!
Not everybody is thrilled by Wall Street’s “speculating”, however. Some critics address the implications of the trend, calling it a “modern-day land rush”. They worry in particular about what they label an unfair transfer of valuable land and water resources from the poor to the wealthy.
There really is nothing new under the sun, is there?
Investment groups counter that their dollars are key to transforming a diminishing amount of arable land around the world into high-yielding, efficient food factories. And they don’t see financial interest ebbing any time soon. “We want to go after the key factor in production — the land,” said one investor. “The end product is food, which is essential for human life.” …Human Life?, yes, I remember that… it’s the ultimate “commodity”.
Industry estimates put the assets of global farmland for investors at $15 billion in equity spread among about 40 different institutional players globally. But the amount is likely much larger if you take into account government-linked companies such as sovereign funds, individual entrepreneurs and wealthy families.
South America is a particular draw. Investors there are hoping for 20 percent-plus returns from Brazilian soybean and sugarcane fields, which are key suppliers of food, livestock feed and ethanol.
What’s driving the market there and elsewhere is staggering Chinese demand for soy products. With an abundant supply of arable land but still undercapitalized farmland in the region, investors hope to generate profits by modernizing equipment, improving farming practices and using better seeds and chemicals that will ultimately yield higher crop production.
Africa, the world’s poorest continent, is another hot spot as investments in infrastructure, fertilizer and equipment have long been lacking and are expected to make a big difference in productivity.
Worried about the need to feed a huge and booming population, Chinese interests are working in some African countries to help raise food and bio-fuel production. Water-poor Middle Eastern and Gulf nations are also looking to secure food supplies as the world population is forecast to rise from 6.9 billion to more than 9 billion by 2050 and experts fear that feeding so many people could prove difficult.
Unlike derivatives and other less tangible financial products, farms can arouse nationalistic passions. The moves in Africa in particular have engendered some criticism, with charges of neo-imperialism.
In a statement co-sponsored by more than 100 organizations from around the world, the organisation “GRAIN”, is calling for protection of community-oriented food and farming systems based on “local people’s control over land, water and biodiversity.”
A spokesman said “the investments in farmland by large investors undercuts small farmers who cannot compete to buy ever higher priced land, essentially putting investors in a position of profiting from hunger.”
GRAIN, along with the groups from Africa, Asia, Europe and elsewhere, said in a statement that the “current farmland grab… will undermine peoples’ self-determination, food sovereignty and survival as never before.” The groups said the “multi-functionality, and ecological, social and cultural values of land are being negated” as land is being re-valued on purely economic terms. Investors seem undeterred by the controversy.
“There has been reaction, yes. But I personally don’t believe we have a chance of feeding the world without large scale farming,” said Hunt Stookey, managing director of HighQuest Partners strategic consulting group. ” This sector has been underinvested for decades.” This is a fair point as the reality is, investment often has to happen, in order bring more investment; the bi-product of which can be better living standard for inhabitants.
The concern with all this, is, will the earth and it’s resources, end up in the hands of the few? Is this the potential beginning of a new global feudalism? The return of the mediaeval land lords? But with Squires, Surfs and Peasants having no choice but to serve the global “elite”?
The earth is The Lords, and everything on it is His. We all are His tenants and Stewards of His creation! Jesus Christ is our true Land Lord.
Lord, please help us. Please come back soon! Amen.
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