Poem - This Is Your Time

By Moya Boardman
(5th June 2007)

In Your presence I am changed
As I sit at Your feet
Resting my head upon Your knee Lord
All comes into line.

This is Your time, Lord - This is Your place
Holy is this moment - Beautiful Your face
So precious this hour - So special here
Beyond all words You reach me - Silence speaking loud

My heart is refreshed
As I sit and gaze at You
There is healing for the deepest fear
As You reveal that You are true

Sitting at Your feet I rest
Letting go of striving
Like perfume Your love surrounds me
Soaking every part

Racial Prejudice: A Deep Heart Attitude.

by Glenice Mills

The other night I watched a Four Corners programme about the death of an Aboriginal man in the back of a van which was used to transport him from a small town, to a court at Kalgoolie several hundred kilometres away.  This man’s death was caused by lack of duty of care; the air-conditioning failed in the compartment he was put into and even basic items such as water and toilet facilities were non-existent.  He was transported through desert country in the middle of summer without any consideration to his personal needs.
How this happened has been investigated and many government departments were held responsible for his death.  Systemic failure to heed warnings given by many that the vehicles were unsafe for transporting people led to this death.
However, what was really shown was the complete disregard for life, and the prejudice shown against this man because he was Aboriginal, and a drunk Aboriginal at that. It also exposed the buck passing of those in government authority positions who were negligent in rectifying a problem that was known by them for many years.
The attitudes of many was blatant disdain for this man’s life, resulting in lots of excuses being made.
The real issue is an Australian issue, one which I am reticent to write about. However, after seeing this programme the Lord has placed a burden on me to express His heart into an area that has been and still continues to be a “no go” subject.
When the subject of racial prejudice is bought up, it immediately brings discomfort.
Why is it that we try and brush this issue under the carpet, hoping it will go away?
The truth is; it is about a very deep-rooted heart attitude.  It actually gets to the depth of the fact we are sinners and whether we like it or not. Prejudice is sin, and it is a sin that we as Christians need to look at, myself included.  It takes courage to really look at the issue of prejudice because it is really looking at and taking accountability for the depth of the depravity of man‘s heart and actions. Satan is darkness and he wants these issues hidden so they can fester and bring people and nations into bondage.
However, Jesus is the light of the world and He wants to shine His light into the areas of darkness in our lives and ultimately into nations.  Unless and until the church seriously looks at the issue of racial prejudice it will remain a bondage to its people and to a nation; in this case the people and nation of Australia.

Psalm 139:23-24 - 
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; 
Try me, and know my anxieties; 
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting."

What are the root causes of racial prejudice?

PRIDE: It is an attitude of heart that says ‘I’m better than, I’m superior than you, you’re lesser than me’.
The pride of the men and women involved in this case of the Aboriginal man was blatant for all to see.  It was reflected in their behaviour and attitude; there was little remorse, only denial and finding someone to blame.  It was trying to shift blame onto a man who cannot speak for himself.  They were saying, without openly saying, that it was in some way this man’s fault for doing what he did.
He was caught drink driving. Apparently even the taking him to appear in court was way over the top for the so called crime he had committed.  It was clearly shown to be a vendetta against this man, that in some way this man was to be an example to be humiliated and made an example of.
Again this is pride of the worst order, one that had an agenda for humiliation at whatever cost.

JUDGMENT: A judgment has been made that defines someone by what we perceive and understand that a race acts and behaves in this manner.
We perceive Aborigines to be drunkards and lawless people who are out to cause trouble

Leviticus 19:15,16

15. You shall do no injustice in judgment.  You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty.  In righteousness you shall judge your neighbour.
16. You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbour: I am the Lord.

ATTITUDE: There is an attitude that an Aboriginal person is not worthy of true justice, that they are uneducated and therefore anything can be done to them as they are lesser beings.

LIES: Lies are believed that say ‘a race is lesser than, we are educated and know more so those with less knowledge are somehow lesser beings.’
We have a social class system that we slot people into, we lock them in, put a label on it and then put everyone in that basket. Many times those lies are used to misjudge the wider community and in this case the Aboriginal community. We say the Aborigines are a lesser class, we put the label ‘uneducated’ on them, then say all are inferior because of this.  This is not true as we know, but there is something in mankind that puts in the lowest common denominator and then say all are like this.
This Aboriginal man who died was in fact very highly esteemed in the town he was from.  He was an Aboriginal elder, he helped and spoke into the lives of all in the town, and was spoken of very highly by the police in this town as being a man who they could rely on to help many who were struggling in the community he was from.

MISUNDERSTANDING: If we hear and read enough about a race of people that is negative we then build up a wrong picture which leads to misunderstanding.
We misunderstand because we do not search out, get to know or choose to think differently about what we have seen and heard.  We do not challenge but instead believe all that is being said.  This builds misunderstanding and brings a wedge between people that need not be there if people would take the time to get to know, to research and to choose to move towards rather than move away through ignorance.
Ignorance is one of the biggest stumbling blocks that brings great misunderstanding.

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE: What do we really know about the Aboriginal people and the lives they lead?  It is only what we have learnt at school, or through books and television.  How can we really know people unless we search out and learn about the lifestyle and culture. As we gain a knowledge, we will then appreciate and esteem their culture and input into their lives in real and relevant ways that will bring true change into their lives.  It would result in our personal growth and also bring greater knowledge about them.

FEAR: Once a picture is painted and a judgment made we then fear what we don’t know and understand.  This is not right but ignorance can keep us in a safe place as we will not be challenged, however, once we look at racial prejudice we have to get past the fear of being exposed, of having to change our attitudes and choose to be different and to change our wrong thinking.
This will reveal the fears but also bring us into the truth of the state of our hearts and the depth of racial prejudice that is there.

GENERATIONAL MISUNDERSTANDING: What we have heard our parents and grandparents say about people will affect the judgments that we make.
Many have heard parents speak ill of the Aboriginal people and whether we like it or not it will colour our thinking and we will continue to pass on the same judgments unless we recognise the prejudice.
It is time for us to stop, take stock of the prejudice that we have come in agreement with, and where we ourselves have prejudice, repent of it and choose to be aware quickly where we have thoughts against a person of another race.
We can learn from Jesus and the way He interacted with those that were treated with disdain.  For example the way the He spoke to the Samaritan woman.  He respected her and she recognised something different and special about Him as He took the time to speak with her.

John 4:7-9 - 
"A woman of Samaria came to draw water.  Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”
For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?”
For Jews have no dealing with Samaritans."

We then see later in verse 27 the reaction of the disciples when they see Jesus speaking with her.

And at this point His disciples came, and they marvelled that He talked with a woman, yet no-one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”

I wonder why none of the disciples asked Jesus why He was speaking to a woman and a Samaritan woman, which was not done. I am sure that challenged their mindsets and I wonder if they quietly discussed this among themselves when Jesus was not around.
Jesus was breaking down cultural barriers and if we are followers of Jesus Christ should we not also be showing His heart toward those of a different culture?
We also see in Luke 9:51 that when Jesus went into a Samaritan village He was rejected.  His disciples took offence at this and they wanted to call down fire from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did.
It was interesting to see how Jesus dealt with them.

John 9:35-36 -

"But He turned and rebuked them, and said,
“You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.
For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”
And they went to another village."

You see here the disciples did not have the same heart as Jesus. It is interesting when Jesus said you do not know what manner of spirit you are of, because they were blinded to see them as the Lord sees them. I wonder what manner of spirit they were under? Perhaps a prejudice? They were quick to judge, just like we do, however Jesus heart concern was that they may be saved.
That is the heart we must have for those who are of a different culture from us. The enemy loves to bring division whether it be race, denomination, sex, or between any people group. We as Christians can recognise this tactic of the enemy and be careful that we do not in any way come in agreement with it.
I taught for many years in a very multi cultural kindergarten. I learnt quickly to appreciate the different cultures and I chose to learn from them about their lives.
It never ceased to amaze me, and it amazes me more particularly as I have now confronted my own prejudices, how precious we all are. God created diversity, He loves diversity, and how dare we judge what He has made. None are higher or better than another, we each are made in His image, we each have an aspect of Him and it is time that we learnt to move toward, trust and grow in our relationships one with another without any prejudice, judgments or condescension.
How we would grow as people, and be truly blessed to embrace all peoples no matter what tribe or tongue.
It starts with us, and the best place to start is here in Australia with one another and particularly with the Aborigines, the people who were here first.
Scripture instructs us to love our neighbour as ourselves. Prejudice is the opposite of love, and in fact if it is not love it must be hate. Hate is a strong word and one that we would much rather deny, than have a look at, but the truth is prejudice is having a hate in our hearts. Prejudice is certainly not love. The challenge for us as Christians is to look at this issue and for the church to be brave to talk openly about it and to repent and make some things right.

Leviticus 19:17 -
"You shall not hate your brother in your heart."

John speaks of love and hate in his letters.  There are some keys in these verses that we need to look at because when we have hate there are serious consequences to us and I believe also to a nation.

1 John 2:9-12 -
"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, he is in darkness until now.
He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

When we have hate, or a nation has built up walls of resistance leading to hate it brings darkness and death.
Lastly, one of the greatest tragedies is the fruit of prejudice is injustice. Whether we like it or not as judging, misunderstanding, fear, wrong mindsets build up that leads to hate which leads to injustice being done. The victim, in this case the Aborigines are bought to a place that they do not have a voice and then injustice is given out by the perpetrators without any conscience. We have seen this in the history of this nation, and it is still going on today as shown with this man locked in the van.
It is no longer time for the church to be asleep on this issue but to rise up and be a voice, stand with and encourage those that minister and help the Aboriginal people to come into what God has created them to be, to be an integral part of this society here in Australia and to be a part of His body, the church. If we hear of or know of any injustice’s being done at this time we must not remain silent, but speak out and bring
Truth, exposing the lies, so justice can be done.
So how has this happened to Australia?  Prejudice is an issue that needs looking at here and for us to come into the true blessing the Lord wants to release to this nation it must be addressed and change of attitude to come in.
The key comes back to the verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14

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

God’s heart is for this nation. Many intercessors have prayed into this area but it is now time for the wider body of Christ to seriously take a look at this issue.
I sense the Lord is putting His burden on many at this time about racial prejudice and there is an opportunity and grace to repent, renounce and return to Him.
The Lord is looking for a people who will be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit to stand in the gap for this nation.

So what can we do to rectify this problem?

1. Invite the Holy Spirit to come and bring His Spirit of conviction and repentance upon us to show us the prejudice in our hearts.
As we do this ask the Lord to reveal our pride, judging, misunderstanding, fears, and hate so we can get to the depth of this so change can come.

2. Repent where we have come in agreement with the enemy by believing the lies that Aborigines are lesser than, that their lives are inferior to ours.

3. Stand in the gap and repent for the generational misjudging that has taken place where we have believed lies leading to prejudice.

4. Ask the Lord to release us from the bondage this has bought, that He would release us from the blindness and death that has come about by this sin.

5. Ask the Lord to heal us and this land from the prejudice.

6. Ask the Lord to convict us and show us quickly where we fall into the trap of prejudice so that we can change going forward, recognising and being willing to go forward in the truth.

7. Ask the Lord to show us where there is injustice, where if we have known or been a willing party to any injustice to the Aboriginal people.

God’s grace and His mercy is upon us at this time for us to seriously address this issue.
Let’s join with Him and rise up, take a look at the prejudice in our hearts and choose to recognise it and to change.

I Had A Dream…

by Jodi Fischer

I had a dream that I was swimming at the beach.  It was a clear day and the water was calm.  There were other people at the beach swimming in the water.  Then what seemed like out of nowhere came a huge wave.  I grabbed on to a post (these were strategically wedged into the sand) and held on.  It took along time for the first wave to pass and my physical body wanted to let go, although I knew I had to hold on.  Some of the other swimmers did not notice the wave coming and were swept away.  I noticed the next wave coming and alerted the other swimmers to be prepared as they were not watching and oblivious to its arrival.  We held on tight.  This set did not seem like it was going to pass, although eventually it did.  After each set I wanted to relax and have fun in the water although I knew I had to be alert and watching for the next “Wave”.

I believe the waves represent the trials and tribulations that will arise in our life without warning.  The pole represents the “Rock” (Jesus) that we need to hold on to tightly without letting go.  We must be alert, with our eyes open at all time.  As a body we need to be THE BODY and help our members whose vision may be burred or depleted in strength.  We need to be strong emotionally, spiritually and physically, and grounded in the Word of God as faith will be a key to maintaining our strength.

Where Did They Go?

by Belinda Jabore

Whether we knew of them or not we were faced with the extreme media coverage of the unexpected death of an ‘icon’ in the music industry, Michael Jackson, and we were also faced with the loss of actress and ‘pin up’ girl of the 1980’s, Farah Fawcett, who lost her battle with cancer. Her death though was harder and more difficult because she new the likely outcome of cancer fighting it all the way. Yet, Michael Jackson’s death overshadowed hers seemingly. Interestingly though, we have discovered that Michael Jackson was in extreme pain in his heart, mind, and body for a very long time. As my husband pointed out, and I believe that this is true, that he really died of a broken heart. Both were created by God, for God, and for His plan and purpose, yet their lives were cut short suddenly (especially in Michael Jackson’s case).

I remember watching a program several months ago on Farah Fawcett and being extremely moved with compassion for her, and I found the Lord prompting me to pray for her after that. About a week before her death I was praying that God would be with her, through it all, and if there was any way that she could be saved (whatever that looked like). I thought it was extraordinary how the Lord’s heart was ‘heavy’ on me for Farah and I felt His great compassion and deep love towards her. Then came the news of her losing her battle against cancer. It was headline news along with that of Michael Jackson’s death - a sad and sudden loss.

I thought this was interesting that the word ICON  from the Australian Oxford dictionary means: painting of Christ, image or statue, object of particular admiration.
The Collins Australian version was: image, representation, and esp. of a religious figure.

As Believers:

We truly don’t know the day or the hour of when our time is up.
Are we being obedient to the things the Lord has asked of us?
Are we doing every thing we can to pursue and take hold of what God Almighty has called us to do?
What are we doing with the talents He gave us?
Are we being faithful in the little things?
If we were to go tomorrow what does our Legacy look like?
Will we leave a Legacy that will last through Eternity?
What are we building into others? Is it Jesus or the counterfeit?
Do we truly know Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit?

Only our Lord Jesus and our Father in Heaven knows how Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson went and where they are now.

Michael Jackson did lots of charity work, apparently being in the Guinness Book of Records as, ‘the pop idol that has given the most money to charity’. A portion of his songs brought the Lords heart and thoughts to us, even though we did not know that it was Gods words and heart for us. When so many of us did not go to church and did not know God exits, He still speaks through people like Michael Jackson so the world will hear the Lord’s heart for us.

Farah Fawcett campaigned to heighten awareness of domestic violence against women. She also did lots of charity work, and fought valiantly for a cure for cancer.

But when it’s all said and done, did they have a relationship and know the Lord Jesus and their Father in Heaven? …I truly hope so.

Finally: There is a song that our Worship Director Dan Hannaford wrote and it goes like this:

Ready
Are you ready?
Have you got that oil in the jar?
Watching are you watching?
For we do not know the day or the hour

We all sleep - what’s done is done
Then a midnight cry - here He comes.

Matthew 25 v (11:13) – "afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord – Lord Open to us! - But He answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you”. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

Are we ready?

Concerning Our Foundation

by Rhys Fitzsimmons

I live not much more than 50 metres from the sea here at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Around a month ago, we on the Gold Coast experienced some wild weather once again, and during the time of this storm we were hit with King Tides that seriously affected many of the Gold Coast’s most valuable properties. The normal boundaries of the sea were seriously breached and people literally lost millions of dollars worth of land as their precious real estate was washed away to the sea, as the waves would beat furiously on their prime properties. Overnight people had lost very valuable land and their swimming pools to the sea. The residents woke up to see half their land gone, where too, but to the sea.  As each night went by the residents would brace in fear of the stark reality that their very livelihoods, all their life’s hard work, their prized possessions, was at the mercy of nature. It was a very sobering thing to walk along the beach and see how many of these properties had lost their land, and to see all the sand banks completely washed away with nothing for the waves to crash upon except the very rock walls that have been placed to protect the prime real estate.

As I began to intercede for these people, the Lord showed me how important it is to have our very lives built on the Rock. As Jesus said, “ Foolish is the man that builds on the sand”, but wise is the man that builds upon the Rock.

Though this was a very difficult time for these people, and please pray for them, in the natural there was a King Tide on top of the storms, which breached its normal boundaries. To me this speaks of Fullness.  I believe for the nation of Australia, God is bringing fullness to the body of Christ within Australia and all the surrounding nations, including my beloved country New Zealand.

However, I speak a warning to those in the body of Christ whose life is not founded on the Rock, being Jesus Christ himself. Just as these waves came crashing in to these people’s valuable real estate stripping away their land, unless you repent and seek God’s face for His forgiveness, He will allow the wave of His Spirit that is being unleashed in this land to strip away all that you have held onto for security and protection. All idols He will expose and they will be washed away (the biggest idol I believe He will deal with is self), then anything that does stand the pressure of the fire of the Lord will be burned up.

The wave of God’s Spirit that has begun to move around Australia this year has already begun to break down the barriers of resistance to His Kingdom, and each wave that comes will be with more intensity and more force. I see each wave of God’s Holy Spirit that crashes on this land has a name and a specific purpose, for example, one wave will be “Holiness unto the Lord”, and another will be “Fear of the Lord”. I believe God has turned His eyes towards Australia and I even believe God has released a multitude of His warring angels into our land to push back the power of darkness.  No longer is there going to be what I will call “Passive Christianity”, this is a barrier that I can see God will break. These waves of His Spirit will begin with His body. Judgment begins in the House of the Lord.

The days of going to church on a Sunday, going to home group, youth group, etc, as the regular Christian thing to do for you to make it through the week, simply is not going to be enough to withstand the Waves of God’s Spirit that are coming upon this nation.

When there is a war, the government will usually issue a draft for men and woman to fight the enemy, and these men and woman need to be trained as quickly as possible to be able to be sent out to battle.

The Captain of Hosts is issuing a challenge to His people, “Will you give up all that is precious to you, all that you hold dear, to come and serve me? Choose you this day who you will serve”.

In the seasons ahead God requires a faithful people totally sold out to Him, our Master and Commander.

With each Wave of God’s Spirit, I see God providing for His children by warning in advance. Just as in the Old Testament we need to listen to the God anointed prophets of this day.

Each wave is assigned to break through a certain barrier that is opposing God’s kingdom, and as each wave comes upon the country I see God’s people being set free from passivity and moving in the power of His Spirit with many signs and wonders following them. The Christian in the workplace is going to lay hands on the sick and see them healed, the Christian businessman is going to bring many into the Kingdom as he begins to share the gospel with power, and the Christian in the supermarket is going to move in the Spirit of Knowledge and Wisdom. Demons are going to scream at the very presence of Christ in the so-called average Christian.

The brightness of God’s kingdom is about to shine more and more into the realms of darkness, breaking chains and setting the captives free, both Christians and non-Christians

These are exciting times, but your life needs to be based on the rock, or you will not survive the times ahead. We need to be totally and completely sold out to Christ.

God has a very unique surfboard made just for you to ride on the waves coming, but to ride them you must be sold out, because if there is compromise you will not survive.

There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), but I sense an urgency that we need to obey what is asked of us by our Commander and Chief.

Cornelius - One Who Feared God

by Glenice Mills

As I was reading the Bible the other day, I was reading Acts 10 when the Lord dropped on me and particularly highlighted a verse that spoke of the character of a man called Cornelius. The Lord began to speak to me of this man and the ‘type’ of this man in the Apostolic/Prophetic time that we live in.

Acts 10:1-2 - “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.”

In the Amplified Bible this verse says that Cornelius was a devout man who venerated God and treated Him with a reverential obedience, as did his household.

What a man he must have been!! This was in a time when he had not yet had an understanding of salvation and of the cross of Jesus Christ. Somehow there was something in the integrity of this man, in his relationship with God and something on the inside of him that was sealed with the Spirit of God, that he was able to know the power of the name of God. He was a man who knew God, and he was a man who walked and lived his life as a Godly man. Here was a man who was spoken in Scripture, whose life was defined not only by what he did (he was a Roman Centurion), but who he was as a man of God.

As I was reading this I was humbled but also excited by the fact that here was a man who was acclaimed as one who walked in the fear of the Lord. Here was a man whose life and reputation was spoken of, not once, but twice as one who walked in the fear of the Lord. I began asking the Lord what was different about this man that he was renowned as one who lived his life this way, what was there about this man that he was spoken of in this way, that he was known by all around him and further a field as one who walked in the fear of the Lord? This man had this reputation, it was known, it was spoken of, and it was defining. As you read about him there are some keys that speak of his reputation but also the influence he had to those close to him.  He played a role which had a huge consequence that changed history because of who he was.

Some keys to his reputation:

He was a devout man. Devout means to reverence, to have a sacred awe, to have a reverence exhibited especially in actions, reverence or awe that is well directed. All his household feared God as well.

He was a man who displayed the Fear of the Lord, he modelled it and he was able to reproduce it to those of his household. There was a generational blessing on his household because of his obedience.

He had influence over many lives, obviously he had a wife and family and servants, plus the hundred soldiers he had charge of. What a powerful statement to have been spoken over someone. He clearly lived his life as an example, one that was reproduced to others.

He gave alms generously. He was known as a generous man who gave to the poor. His reputation must have been so, that he was known for his generosity and many obviously benefited from it.

He prayed to the Lord always.  He had a close relationship with the Lord and communed with Him in prayer constantly. People must have noticed the time he spent in prayer and the sacrifice involved. His prayers were effective - they were spoken of as being a memorial before God. He had a spiritual encounter with an angel who spoke to him and gave him instructions that he was obedient to put in place. His relationship with God was such that he was entrusted to carry out a message by God. God knew that he would fulfill all that he was told to do, such was his obedience.

He had the respect of those under him - when he gave instructions they were carried out. He was a man who walked in authority, but he also had the respect of those under him, again displaying righteousness and integrity in all he said and did.

He was a just man. For this to be said of him he must have spoken up at times over issues of justice. It was noticed by those around and about him that he did what was right, and because of that he earned respect.

He had a good reputation among all the nations of the Jews - in his role as a Roman Centurion. His conduct in the way he lived his life and the way he led his soldiers was noticed by even those outside his ‘people group’.

He was an effective leader - he called his relatives and close friends and they came - he was a man of influence and when he spoke all obeyed him without questioning. He must have been proven trustworthy. Maybe he had gone through trials that tested those close to him but he had come out always doing what he said, hence he was one to be trusted.

He was humble - he fell at Peter’s feet - he acknowledged who Peter was. He was instrumental in Peter getting the revelation that all men can come to God - that there was no partiality in God - it established Peter’s call. He was ready to receive all that Peter had to say. He recognised Peter as a man after the Spirit, he discerned that Peter was a man of God. As a result the Holy Spirit was poured out on all of them - he and his household received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. God honoured him for who he was and he was one of the first to receive the new truth of the Holy Spirit.

These days we don’t speak of the defining attributes of a person. We are good at acknowledging what a person does, we may speak of a person’s character, but we don’t speak of the depth of who a person truly is. It is that statement that defines a person. It is an acknowledgment of the depth of the character of that person. It really exposes the shallowness of relationship that we have in this day and age. It is a rare thing for someone to look at a person and then define them in God. I began to think of ones at Forerunners and it was really difficult to say and define a particular person as like an aspect and attribute in God. At Forerunners there were only two that I could say who were truly defined, that I could put a Godly definition on. They were:

Lynne: a woman who knows God
Margie: God’s love.

In some ways it is easy to speak of someone and define them by a particular function they do, but it is a deeper truth and deeper revelation to clearly define, speak of, and acknowledge someone because of the depth of the seal of the Spirit of God on them. I don’t know if what I am writing is making sense but it is something that is beyond our minds, it is something that is discerned, it is a revelation of God’s unique spirit that is placed on a person and is integrally an aspect of that person that defines them in God. It is God in them.

I asked the Lord why, what is it that defines a person in God that brings them to a place of being esteemed highly by those close to them and those in the wider community?

I sense the key is maturity.  Perhaps it is when true ‘maturity’ is attained that a person’s reputation is spoken of, that they are then esteemed and acknowledged for the depth of character that has been forged through the testings of their life. They are ones who have stood firm through the trials and testings of God. They have learnt to fully yield to God.

It is profound and it is a truth that is yet to unfold in the church. The church has not come to a place of maturity to even be able to acknowledge and be confident in, and of itself, to be able to ‘know who a person is in God’. In Scripture there were examples of where a person’s name was synonymous with them and their character. For example Peter was known as ‘the rock’ and Barnabas was known as ‘the encourager’. These were titles that defined them, they came about from the life they led but also they came about from who they were to become. It is a depth of revelation of who a person truly is. It is God’s seal on that person.

As God raises ones up at this time He is calling the apostles and prophets forth in many areas in the community. He is and will be calling ones out who have been hidden as the Lord has done the deep work. They will be defined by their character and their unique attributes that God has worked deep in their lives. They will be like as Cornelius, one who fears the Lord, one who has influence, one who is sovereignly placed in pivotal areas of society, who can and will have a huge effect in changing the foundations to put in the new. The Lord is stripping and pulling down; but these ones will be used to build and to plant. They will be the ‘new breed that is arising’. It will be in many sectors - the finances area - stockbrokers, financiers, in the area of politics, in the area of law, and in the church. I was thinking about Marc Dupont and he is one of those who is of the type of Cornelius - one who knows and walks in the fear of the Lord.

Oh Lord my heart cry is to be as Cornelius, that it is spoken ‘she is one who walks in the fear of the Lord.’

Healthy Lifestyle

by Belinda Jabore

You are a soldier in a war fighting the enemy on all different levels. You need to be able to move quickly and efficiently. Not needing much to survive – re: food, backpack clothing, etc. To have greater strength and stamina in the spirit and in the natural and to be able to go further than before.

The Lord has been showing me these things as I have been directed to get fit and to change the way I eat. Old habits of the past that I have been looking at and finding out how much we self comfort from food and the wrong habits that we have with food. Also looking at the profound choices that we have when it comes to choosing something to eat. “We have so much food and so many choices.” The way food affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

As we all know we need to have food to survive, but the right food is very important. We all know this. Let us take a look at the food that goes into our body and the effects it has on us. After all, it is the Lords body isn’t it? Now I don’t profess to have the full picture, but I found as I did what the Lord asked me to do, the results have been very surprising.

Now I am not a person who can go on a diet or likes to diet, in fact if you just mention the word I put on a few kilos. So you could imagine where the Lord and I went with this. But as I agreed to eat what the Lord was showing me and to help me it all became much clearer.

Within approximately 2 months there was such a change in me, not only was I loosing weight but the back pain was less, I was able to do things with my body I couldn’t do before, I had more energy, less lethargic, my sleep was better, etc. Not only that, when the Lord would wake me in the night I would stay awake to talk and pray. My head was clearer with less clutter in it; I was more alert, and generally began to remember things better. Emotionally, I sense a greater stability and steadfastness. My immune system just seemed stronger as at one stage I felt a flu coming on, but as I prayed and resisted, it just went away. Also, I felt more alert spiritually, with a greater stamina.

I believe the Lord wants us to get in to healthier lifestyles and to really take a good look at what is going into our bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?For you were brought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

You see, soldiers don’t have a choice in what they eat - they get rations of food that do not weigh them down. They still have to fight and survive on the bare minimum, sometimes not having any food to eat for long periods with only water to drink.

Now I do understand that not all of us are in such an intense place, but I really do believe that the Lord wants us to look at ourselves to see how we can improve our eating habits. For instance lots of fruit and vegetables, salads, lean meat, lots of water, etc. Treats or sweets only on special occasions (in other words not very often), and to make sure we are getting enough regular exercise to strengthen our body’s. I believe that as we get over 40 we must do some sort of exercise program to keep our body’s in shape and flexible. Under 40, well they should have a well-balanced lifestyle and a good exercise program in place. This is not necessarily to loose weight (even though that will happen naturally) but to build strength into you. It is certainly true of that statement “use it or loose it” this is also very true in the spiritual. Remember it’s a process.

We never know when the Lord might send us on a secret mission that will require us to be able to handle the challenge. The truth is we are on a mission everyday to glorify Christ, so it makes sense to train and prepare ourselves asking the Holy Spirit for help in these areas.

We are temples of the Holy Spirit, let’s do Him proud.