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Spiritual Warfare

As a follow - on from our recent edition of Paraklesis on the topic of Prayer, these notes and thoughts are compiled as an introduction to Spiritual Warfare. Very few Christians today are involved in Spiritual Warfare, probably because we do not fully understand the topic or we are scared of the immediate consequences.

Before we get into this subject we must get our thoughts in order so that we can understand the realities of life. Let us look at the God - Man relationship. God created Man in His own image for His pleasure and for man to praise and glorify God forever. This relationship was turned around in the Garden of Eden when man broke God's commands and sin entered the world and from then on it became a Man - God relationship, with man progressively relying less on God and more on his own ability. God had given man dominion over the earth, and in the act of yielding to temptation man handed that control to Satan who, operating in the Spirit world, has pushed man around and clouded our recognition of God and made some people doubt that God is real, let alone alive today. This is a major problem today, that we doubt God's presence and in some cases His existence. Jesus was talking with the woman at the well is Sumaria as recorded in John 4. She was talking about worship, and Jesus answered in verses 21 to 24, pointing out God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Therefore if God is Spirit, and God created man, and the Creator is greater than the created, the spirit world is more real than the tangible, material world in which we live and know. Because we live in a world of materialistic tangibility and cannot see the reality of God to our minds' satisfaction, we have tried to think God out of existence because we are making decisions on only one section of the evidence available to us. This is shown by the current rise of humanism, which claims that man within himself and his own thought processes is god. The spirit realm is much more real and vast than our bounded realm of activity, and it is in this spirit realm that spiritual warfare is taking place.

Now perhaps Ephesians 6:10 to 19 may have a little more significance for us; (Living Bible) Last I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord's mighty power within you. Put on the whole armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies - the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against the huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. So use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over you will be standing up. But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God's approval.

Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit - which is the Word of God. Pray all the time. Ask God for anything that is in line with the Holy Spirit's wishes. Plead with Him, reminding Him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.

This warfare is further evidenced in 1 Peter 5: 8 and 9. Be careful - watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that Christians around the world are going through suffering too.

As Christians we have a duty as Jesus commanded in Matthew 10:1 to 42, which may be summarised in verses 7 and 8, As you go, preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give..... And in Matthew 28:18 - 20 He told his disciples "I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this - that I am with you always, even to the end of the world."

Now can you see the problem ? All obedient Christians are commanded by the Lord Jesus to go and tell others about the salvation they have been given and to share it with all peoples of all nations, and at the same time Satan is prowling like a hungry lion seeking to destroy any life he can. How can it be anything but war ? How do we fight such a war and with what armament ? How much use is an axe, a rifle, a ship or an F - 111 against a spirit you can't see ? Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10: 3 - 5 that our weapons of warfare are not carnal. The Living Bible translates It is true that I am an ordinary weak human being, but not use human plans and methods to win my battles. I use God's mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil's strongholds. These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding Him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God, and change them into men whose hearts' desire is obedience to Christ. What a victory !

Well what do we do ? How do we use these weapons and how effective can we be in obeying Jesus' commission ? The Lord has shown us something that is new to us, but maybe not new at all. Come with us now as we go through a most revealing battle which we, as obedient Christians, will always win. Let us start out by reminding ourselves of the words in Paraklesis 1 from hymn 650 in Golden Bells. For words without a heart, the Lord will never hear, nor to those lips will He attend whose words are not sincere. When we have our inner intent in absolute agreement with our words of prayer, and use the following ministry then you will see the Power of God come into your life and ministry with dynamic results.

Remember that each of us is a pipeline for God to send out His salvation and blessings.

Now read Job chapters 1 and 2. You will notice in Job 1:6 that Satan came before the Lord with the angels. God and Satan have a discussion, and in verse 8 God asks him if he has noticed God's servant Job. Satan replies that God is protecting Job, and then petitions access to Job. God permits this, with conditions. The rest of chapter 1 relates how Satan then attacked Job, and in verses 20 - 22 Job gets upset, speaks out the truth blesses God and in verse 22 In all this Job did not sin or revile God. In chapter 2 Satan again comes before God and a similar discussion takes place with Satan still saying that Job only serves God because of the special protection God has provided. So God extends the previous limits He placed on Satan and in Job 2:10 So in all this Job said nothing wrong, and he did not deviate from this position and in 13:15 Job says Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him (NIV). Job was an 'Overcomer', he knew God and while not understanding his situation, never doubted God. Remember this in your personal temptations, and be an overcomer also.

You will notice that in Job 1, Satan is described as the accuser, and again in Jude 9, the angel Michael and Satan argue over the body of Moses, and note that even Michael did not accuse or rebuke Satan but said The Lord rebuke you. We have authority only to control. It is stated that God set the limits on Satan's activities, so if we look at 1 Corinthians 10:13, But remember this - the wrong desires that come into your life aren't anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for He has promised this and will do what He says. (Living Bible). That is a real promise of comfort and strength.

There are many commissions from Jesus recorded in the New Testament, and to choose one, Luke 10:18 - 20, Yes he told them, I saw Satan fall from heaven as a flash of lightning ! And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy, and to walk on serpents and scorpions and to crush them. Nothing shall injure you ! However, the important thing is not that demons obey you, but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven.

As sons and heirs of the only God, we can go before Him in sincere honest prayer with our intent and words in unison, and cross - petition the Father as a counter petition to any petition that has bee made on our life or situation or on any life on which we are lead to intercede. Having, as it were, registered a cross - petition with our God, we then use the authority given to us by Jesus to reverse, negate and invalidate any petition made by Satan, or if you prefer the Enemy, over the person or situation for which we are praying.

Having done this and taken control of the situation in the name of Jesus, the message of salvation presented if necessary, and the love and protection of God and the filling by the Holy Spirit should be prayed into the situation and conclude by praising God and giving Him all the glory, because it is His power and love that is in control of all situations.

In these times, the enemy is intensifying the attack on Christians, many of whom are stating that they are under increased attack in circumstances and temptation, there is also an increase in the death rate from all areas. We only have to watch the evening news to recognise it as Satan's progress report. Satan is going to take as many people as he can out of this world before the Christians get their act together and be obedient to Jesus' commission and instructions, becoming prayer warriors, intercessors and overcomers.

How often we hear parents praying for their childrens' salvation. In one way they are targeting their children for attack, so by cancelling any petition on the children's life we can as it were put them on hold until the Holy Spirit has brought them to a situation of acceptance of God's free gift of Grace and Salvation.

We have used this form of spiritual warfare with abundant blessing for both intercessor and subject. The technique is not limited to salvation, but can be used in intercession for countries, governments, leaders and organizations. Remember, there are strongmen as the Bible calls them, who control and affect our lives, and often it needs endurance in prayer to break through as shown in Daniel 10:10 - 14 where in verse 13, Gabriel tells how the prince of Persia withstood him for 21 days before he was able to break through.

It is warfare; we have read the end of the book, God has the victory WE - God’s Children, WIN; and we do not need to live a defeated life now. We will be tested and attacked, the most effective warriors are always given special attention. Check the promises of God in this note and rejoice in the Lord; He not only gives us eternal life, He is God. Praise the Lord !!!

Gird up your loins, you Christians; you mighty Church of God; prepare yourselves for battle; put God's whole armour on. Take courage from the Saviour; no longer idle be, for you're the conq'ring warriors who'll set the captives free. No longer be complacent; no longer fear you'll fail; your God, He will not smite you when you're seeking to obey. No longer be a "sitter"; you've sat for long enough. Get out and be a doer now; get out and do your stuff. Your God, He has supplied you with all you'll ever need; take hold of it and grasp it tight - His word make sure you heed. Abide within your Saviour each moment every day, and listen for His orders as you march along the way. Trust fully in your Saviour; sing praise and never doubt. You can be sure His strength and might will put the foe to rout. Watch out, now, Mr. Devil, God's church is on the march; the placid sleeping giant has aroused itself at last. So shake and fear and tremble as it rises from the ground; the gates of hell shall not prevail; God's Church will crush them down. HALLELUJAH !!!


WANTED - Intercession and Intercessors

A recent news report stated that the new Archbishop of Canterbury said that he wanted the church to be involved in all aspects of life including politics and social issues. In this age that is a comforting thought. Some months (in 1991) ago on separate and unrelated occasions two Archbishops in the Anglican Church of Australia have each made a stand and commented publicly on political promises. One related to the use of child welfare problems and the pre-election promise made by our Prime Minister, and the other related to assurances given in letters by the same man relating to social services. In both cases the politicians have not kept their promises, and in both cases the church leaders were publicly criticised for taking a correct moral stand.

Recently (1991) in Australia, a Federal Arbitration Commission gave it's findings relating to a claim for higher wages for Australian workers. It took six months work and 82 pages of report to award a 2.5% wage increase to all workers. The unions had made a significantly different claim during the hearing, and this claim was supported by the Government. the unions have rejected the award increases, and the Government has also criticised the award. One very senior politician has already publicly warned the Commissioners that they had better watch out or the Government will replace them. We make no comment on the validity of the arbitration award, that is not the point of this letter.

What does need to be highlighted is that the Arbitration Commission is an independent body set up by the Government to make and impartial evaluation of the country's ability to pay it's workers, and to set wage levels accordingly. Now we have one or more senior politicians threatening those independent commissioners because the government did not get the result it wanted from the hearing.

As in the first illustration, we see politicians reacting in a way that is purely designed to pamper to the majority of voters, rather than governing the country. I spent a decade in Local Government, and attained the highest office possible. in that time I worked with many of our present (1991) representatives, and with a few exceptions, I know that these people in effect worship the ballot box. Their actions also show this to be true, and the question that needs to be asked and considered at the end of this long introduction is :-

Are we losing our freedom, and are we losing our country ?

The question is not to be a political bashing, it is designed for Christians to evaluate our present situation and do something about it.

Let us look briefly at one or two aspects of our society. Twenty or more years ago, (1960's - 1970's) the main emphasis on life revolved around the family, and it was possible for a married couple to own a home, usually relying on the husband's income to provide for his family. Ten years ago (1980's) the family was under threat, but it was still possible for a family to own a home, and the extra needs were often funded by a second, often part time income for the family. Today (1990) the family is approaching destruction, and it is common for young people not to consider marriage at all let alone see it as a lifetime commitment. It is almost impossible without special assistance, for a young couple to own a home today and many decide in favour of buying a home and to delay or even forego a family.

This is particularly significant when we realise that God chose marriage, families and children as the path of His creation. In marriage, man and wife love, support and live together overcoming all problems as a team. A team built on love and trust, and therefore without fear. In marriage children are born, supported and shown how to live and gain morality by example. As a result of their work, a family has a place to live, food to eat and a community of friends in which to live.

Let is now look at some history. Many years ago, god took His people, the Israelites to Egypt where they could survive the famine. After a bountiful provision, these people forgot their God, and eventually became slaves. When they complained and wanted freedom, the Egyptians withdrew the straw supplies required in brick making, while still requiring the same brick and building output. Are we living in a situation that is similar ? Have we as a nation forgotten God, and is the straw being withdrawn form our society ?

As Australians we have a comparatively high standard of living. However that standard has dropped significantly over recent years, and in not too many years could be similar to many other nations requiring help. I am not concerned about our personal comforts, what I am worried about is that Australia is not doing the work that it should be in God's overall plan. Australia has the ability to supply a significant amount of the world's food, and to assist in many of the problems in our world. At present (1991) our Government is paying to kill and bury over 2 million excess sheep. Was any thought given to the possibility of creating employment in Australia by killing and processing the meat which could have been sent overseas in a canned or preserved condition to help the many millions starving at present ? Is it a combination of local and international finances and politics that prevent God's provision being spread around ? There must be a way to allow this excess food to be used fop human benefit rather than have it buried. Are we living through a modern day version of the parable of the talents, and burying God's provision.

What can we as individual Christians do ? While using political illustrations it is not our intention to affect a political reaction, but it is our intention to affect a change. What indication does God give?

Over recent weeks at our home group, we have been reminded of the words of the Lord to Solomon at the consecration of the temple., recorded in 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself, as a temple of sacrifices. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 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 sins and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be here forever. My eyesand my heart will always be there.

While some will say that this relates to the time of Solomon, and the consecration of the temple, we remind you that God never changes, and as Jesus Christ reminded us, God has extended his blessing and provision beyond the Jews to all mankind. If we read on in this account of God speaking to Solomon, He states that if the commands of God are not obeyed, then many curses will come upon Israel, and people will ask why all this has happened and the answer is Because the people have forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers and have embraced other gods, worshiping them and serving them. That is why he brought all this disaster on them.

We have deliberately quoted the full text of God's words to Solomon, and as the provisions of God have been extended to the Gentiles, we all now can relate to God's words. Verse 14 often quoted: 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 sins and will heal their land. Often we tend to think that we need to get the whole nation of Australia to repent and come into revival to effect this promise. Look at the words. If My people, that is God's people, and it becomes even more specific, who are called by my name. That is not those who call themselves Christian, but those who ARE Christian; will humble themselves, That is not necessarily showing humility, but it is a genuine state of mind and honest attitude of humility and respect to the God of Creation, the only God; and pray and seek my face, here again God is seeking intercessors, people who will come before Him in real prayer expecting Him to answer. in true intercession it is not just a case of delivering requests and going away and waiting to see if it worked. In faith, humility and honesty we go to our Father KNOWING that He will hear and act, and EXPECTING a result. Continuing, and turn from their wicked ways, God expects repentance. Not just saying "sorry", but true repentance, that is, a realization that we have acted against God's law and will, and we have hurt Him, and realising that we are genuinely ashamed, and our actions abhorrent to us and upon this realisation, we never want to repeat our sin, and we don't. Then comes that marvellous promise, not from dad, or from the boss, but from God; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land . What more need we say ?

What a responsibility we have as Christians, what a power we have in genuine prayer and intercession. What a duty we have to our countrymen and our world. Remember the parable of the talents. Can prayer and intercession be classified as a talent ? Should we use it, or reserve it for later and as it were put it in the ground ? If we read the 2 Chronicles 7 passage again, it is the actions and attitudes of the Christians that govern the nation. If we Christians turn away from God, we invite the curses upon the nation. If we Christians turn to God, we release His blessings upon the nation.

Let us ask that question again. Are we losing our freedom, and are we losing our country ?

Our attitude is not to lift ourselves above the rest of the world and be part of the social and economically elite, but rather we need to release our full potential and use our resources and abilities which are totally God given for the glory of the God of Creation. Australia is about the richest nation on earth, when our resources and food production potential are considered. We could and should be exporting food, energy, minerals and/or processed materials and evangelism.

Having corrected our relationship with God, and interceded with our Father, we will see our country return to be used by God for His good purposes, and as it were, the straw will be restored, and as Israel was set free from Egypt with great blessing, so we as a nation will see the promise of Malachi 3 fulfilled, with the storehouse being overfull, and the destruction we are part of at present will be a thing of the past.

For those international friends who receive this letter, the same conditions and blessings apply to you and your respective countries. Will you all join us and pray for God's people and our own individual countries. Let us join in intercession and be those who are called by Jesus' name and in true humility and reverence intercede, that is, stand between God and our nation and pray on behalf of our countries, and expect an answer. As Christians, we have a duty to be obedient to our Father God, and we are told to pray within His will with our saviour Jesus Christ as our advocate before God and the Holy Spirit as our inspiration in Prayer. if we are obedient, then the blessings will flow. making us more like God's creation plan for mankind, and many many more of God's created children will inherit eternal life. Isn't it treat to be part of God's plan and to actually be a member of the working team God is using to fulfill His plan ?


Paraklesis Praise

We have published a book of music and praise titled:-

Paraklesis Praise, Volume 1. Sold out to Jesus .

It is a collection of 33 new praise songs for all ages. We believe that each song is ordained by God and we give Him all the glory for this blessing He has given. The publication is easy to read and follow and has been produced to adequate but not professional standards so that we can keep the price as low as possible. If you would like to purchase a copy they are obtainable at a pre-paid cost of $A25 per book (Includes GST and Postage) from Paraklesis at our postal address. Many groups are already being blessed by using this praise, perhaps you would like to use these new songs also.

The praise and worship songs and hymns in this collection have not been previously published. Each individual song/hymn is an original work by the musician and authors identified with each work. We believe that each work published in the book has been inspired by God, and it is our aim to produce a low cost publication that can be made available to all for use in the praise of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Most of the script is in the author’s original hand work, as the cost of full arranging would have prevented this low budget publication.

This publication, the music and the words of each individual song/hymn are covered by copyright. However, we can not restrict praise directed to the one true God, that defeats the purpose of writing and publishing these songs. We want the widest possible use of these songs, and the only restriction being associated with the re-publication and or financial gain from such re-publication or use of these songs/hymns. Requests for use and any re-publication will be considered by Paraklesis.

Some songs are best suited to group praise, while others will appeal to youth and small groups. Try them, sing them and praise and worship the God of Creation. Then, give God all te glory, and start praising Him all over again.

May God bless you; that is send down His very likeness upon you; as you praise and worship Him, for His is all the Glory.

The Paraklesis Praise Team : Colin and Wendy Baker; John and Marcia Bennett; Ian Kerr, Neville and Coral Pharo; Peter and Suzanne Ritchard; Peter and Debby Shelton; Brian and Elsie Wood.

We have adopted “Sold out to Jesus: as our theme song, and it is presented here for you to use.


Sold Out to Jesus

Sold out to Jesus - be this my song, that I am
Sold out to Jesus - all my life long
Sold out to Jesus - I cannot go wrong
But bring Glory and honour to Jesus !!

Led by the Spirit - Who’ll guide me each day
Led by the Spirit - I’ll not go astray
Led by the Spirit - In His perfect way
To bring glory and honour to Jesus !!

Walking in the light - of the Living Word
Walking in the light - of my glorious Lord
Walking in the light - I’m in complete accord
To bring glory and honour to Jesus !!!

Living His life - for I’m washed free from sin, yes I’m
Living His life - for He now lives within
Living His life - my one purpose to bring
All the glory and honour to Jesus !!!

Soon I shall see Him - In all of His grace
Soon I shall see Him - and gaze on His face
Soon I shall see Him - and take up my place
With all glory and honour to Jesus !!!!

Until them I’m

Sold out to Jesus - be this my song, that I am
Sold out to Jesus - all my life long
Sold out to Jesus - I cannot go wrong
But bring Glory and honour to Jesus !!


Discernment Today

regardless of all our clever works and abilities evident today, man still receives his basic training from our Mother's knee as we grow through childhood. If the mother is a caring person then the basic attitudes built in her child will be vastly different to those built by a non - caring mother. Since these earliest impressions are the ones that develop our attitudes for the rest of our lives, it is important that they be correct.

Many of the things we were taught by our mother, she learnt from her mother, so that the word of mouth teaching will be modified over the generations in any family. For this reason alone it is important for those of us who are parents to ensure that the impressions we pass on to our children about God must be correct.

Perhaps this word of mouth teaching is why so many Christians today see God as a set of rules to be obeyed rather than a partner in life.

Another aspect of our comprehension of God comes from the social and economic conditions governing our life. What I am saying is that our faith and Christianity are affected by the prevailing conditions and accepted wisdom of our times. Had you realised that up until the time of Christopher Columbus almost everybody believed that the world was flat ? This means that Paul, Peter and the Apostles lived at a time when most people were flat - earthers, accepting without thought or controversy that the earth was flat and that hell was under the earth and heaven above.

God is consistent and so is His Word, but our interpretation of the Word of God is very dependent on our society and its standards and wisdom.

It is important in this age of progressing knowledge, that we be able to identify what is truth and what is error. Many well meaning Christians will provide bookstalls, church libraries, tape ministries, religious programmes on radio and TV, but are they teaching the truth ? A lot of well - meaning Christian teaching reflects the desires and attitudes of the teacher which may or may not be a true representation of Scripture, or are they as foretold in Matthew 24:10 - 11; at that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other and many false prophets will appear and deceive many; and in verse 24: for false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect - if that were possible. See I have told you ahead of time.

The jeweller trains himself for the work at hand and is more capable in the future because of that training, until at a glance he can see that my wife's engagement ring is a diamond of great value, or a piece of glass. So the Christian must continually train and become more expert so that he can identify false teaching at a glance. The passage from Matthew 24 above tells us that Christians will be under attack from false and diluted teaching, and many who love the Lord dearly could be deceived by well - meaning erroneous teaching. The present humanistic, materialistic and prosperity teaching falls into this category.

We need to be able to discern the truth from error, and error that is appearing as truth. In the present period of history or life we are beset by many false teachings, and we need to test all that we hear from Scripture, regardless of how good it sounds. Think about a few of these statements and decide which are truth and which are not: -

All sins are not alike. God hates some sins more than others. Sins may be forgiven, but this doesn't mean that all the consequences of those sins will automatically be erased as well, does it ?

The Old Testament has no authority over us today. Only the New Testament guides us in daily


living.

God hates the sin but loves the sinner .

The Bible never tells us to endeavour to have a good self - image; the biblical concern is for us to have an accurate self - image.

Then there is a whole series bound up in various stewardship and prosperity teaching.

We need to honestly test everything according to scripture; we say honestly because even the testing will be conditioned by our personal basic philosophies; we only believe what we want to believe. On occasions we hear of some teachers getting angry because their word is tested. In Acts 17:11 - 12 we are told about Paul's teaching; Now the Bareans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures each day to see if what Paul said was true. Many Jews believed as did a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. The words of Paul were tested, and when found to be supported by Scripture, many people believed and were saved.

If you teach God's Word, make sure that you teach only God's Word and not your impressions of that Word. Matthew 18:2 - 9 He called a little child and had him stand among them, and He said "I tell you the truth, that unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, who ever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin ! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come.....". Notice that everyone must become as a little child, and anyone who causes another to sin is subject to severe and significant judgement because the word woe in reality is the invoking of a curse from God. The penalty for incorrect teaching be it willing or unwilling is severe. We are living in a period which has been conditioned by the past, and does not look to the future. So many in our community seek professional help for personal attitude problems; we call it professional because we have to pay for it. Most of the psycho - analysis delves into the past and tries to unlock the hidden hang - ups. An American, George Mead, argues against any system of interpreting human behaviour that pays too much attention to the past. While not ignoring the past by any means, he demonstrates that we are significantly determined by the future. What we envision and hope for impinges on what we are at the present so as to modify our behaviour in seemingly unexpected ways.

Years ago as a teenager I was a member of a rugby football team, and spent many hours per week just practising kicking goals so that in the future I would be chosen as the team member to kick the goals. After much practice I could kick the ball through the goal posts from almost any position on the field. My then present was devoted to my desired future as the team's goal kicker.

For a Christian, the hope of the future conditions the present. Christians believe that what God promises in the future is a powerful influence on our lives at present. We believe that what is not yet, is more important than what is now. We sense the transforming and redemptive results that come from hope.

Christians do not concern themselves as much with where a person is coming from as to where he is going. We believe that no matter what a person has been, he can become a totally new creature. A transformation can be brought about by that individual's making a commitment to become like Christ. What the individual chooses to become, delivers him or her from the scars of the past. That is what Christianity is all about, the conversion from what we were as sinners into becoming like Christ with a new set of values and way of life.

As a result of the present conventional wisdom, we tend to assimilate God into our culture, and when we go to war, we acknowledge that God is on our side but He still loves those with whom we fight. We have made God into a white Anglo - Saxon protestant, liberal in thought who promotes laissez - faire democratic capitalism. In Japan, the stain glass window in a Christian church shows Christ in Jewish dress, and with Oriental eyes. Do we make our point about putting God into a context that we can comprehend? Because we do not experience the reality of a real live God who operates in the Spirit realm, we encase Him into our concept of what we think a God should be, and so water down the reality of the only God. That is sin; it limits God and it tries to define God.

Cultural religion leads people to think that they are indeed Christian worshipping Yahweh when in reality they worship a symbolic representation of themselves. Today the cultural deity offers prosperity to his followers, the biblical God calls on us to sacrifice all that we have for the poor and suffering peoples of the world. Whereas this cultural deity invites self - aggrandizement and self assertion, the biblical Lord calls us to be meek and humble. While our cultural deity allows us to be comfortable in our society and to affirm its values, the God of Scripture requires that we sacrifice all that we are and have in the cause of transforming the world into a kingdom in which the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick cured and the needs of everyone met. Try reading Matthew 25:31 - 46, and see that we are also judged on the good things we didn't do.

The reason that we Christians are ineffectual in our world today, and that there are so many of our human race heading for hell is that we live by the rules and standards of the cultural god, while giving lip service to the true God - no wonder they don't believe us or want to join us. If we really believed what we say we do as Christians, why are we not out shouting the good news and salvation to any who will listen, just like the disciples did in New Testament times? Is it because it is a hope we have, and not an appropriated belief ?

We need to test everything and ensure that it is Bible based, test everything that is said and that we have said, believe only what is tested and found to be truth, beware of false prophets and teachers; test it all against Scripture. A suitable starting technique for this testing involves recording, testing, substituting and implementing as follows: -

Record what is taught, identify the topic and its claims, list the questions you think should be answered;

Test the statements and claims against Scripture using a concordance and Bible dictionary as a start, as we are told in 1 John 4:1 - 6; discriminate between things that differ, Philippians 1:10; and test everything carefully, 1 Thessalonians 5:12. One thing TV has taught us is to accept information without question, especially if we see it. This is a real problem for the future, as many signs and wonders will deceive us as Jesus warned in Matthew 24:11 - 12, printed on page 2 of this note.

Substitute the biblical alternative for the claim that was tested in the cases where the claim failed the test.

Implement the correct information in your lives, and then ask, "How can I help others to do so as well ?"

Let us say it again; Test everything and ensure that it is Bible based; test everything that is said and that we have said, believe only what you have tested and found to be truth, beware of false prophets and teachers. Test it all against Scripture.

Glorify God, give Him all the thanks and praise through Jesus Christ the Lord.


The Ministry of Healing

It is always a privilege for us to be allowed to minister to anybody for their healing. Having been involved in many such acts of ministry we can sense some of the joy that Jesus must have experienced when he went about healing all who believed. The joy of seeing a sick person set free from pain, suffering and affliction makes one realise the great amount of personal bondage that we as the population of the world are subjected to.

The joy for Jesus must have been even more fulfilling as he could experience both the freedom of the healed spirit and the rebuke of the oppressing spirit. If only we could all experience that freedom from bondage that only Jesus Christ can give.

We would just like to refer in this initial note to some of the things we found from our various Bible studies and experiences in the ministry of healing.

There are many instances of healing in the Bible, and they are not restricted to the New Testament. There are specific details given for a healing ministry, usually self activated in the Old Testament, while many of the prophets were involved in a healing ministry. In all cases the main ingredient of healing is faith, faith that God will do what He says He will do without reservation. Probably some of the most famous instances of healing in the Old Testament include the case where the serpents went through the Israelite camp in the wilderness, and those bitten died, unless they could look upon the serpent that God had instructed Moses to erect in the middle of the camp, Numbers 21:4 - 9.

This symbolic act also has significant parallels with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, but for this study we refer to the act of faith, total belief that the people bitten would be healed if only they could struggle to a point where they could, in an act of obedience and faith look up at the serpent and be healed.

A second well known instance is the account of Naaman's leprosy, 2 Kings 5:1 - 14. He came to Elisha expecting a symbolic exhibition from God and a dramatic healing, but that was not God's plan. He was told by Elisha via his servant Gehazi, to go and wash in the river Jordan ? What an insult. Fortunately one servant saw the pride in Naaman, and suggested that if he had been asked to do a feat of great difficulty, he would have obeyed. So why not go and wash in the Jordan. By the combined faith of the servant, the change of mind and obedience of Naaman, he went and washed seven times in the river. Not until he came out the seventh time was he healed. It required obedience and faith to the completion of the instructions, then Naaman believed so completely; wouldn't we all ?

In the New Testament there is much teaching and many examples on healing. To mention a few, Jesus again required faith from the ten lepers whom he sent to the high priest for approval to come back into the community as was the Jewish custom, Luke 17:11 - 19. Were those lepers healed as they walked to the temple, or progressively healed as they walked into the High priest's presence ? I imagine that they were a little afraid at what he would say and maybe expecting to be thrown out. I can imagine the looks of joy and excitement when the high priest said "healed - cured and clean" and then they looked at their clean bodies and realised that they were cured and praised Jesus and God.

Others were healed at Jesus' command, even Lazarus was raised from the dead by the authority and instruction of Jesus, John 11:17 - 43.

Let us state very clearly now that to look for a formula for healing and a technique for a healing ministry is wrong, and incorrect theology. The attributes required are basically faith, obedience and

forgiveness; any unforgiven sin will be a barrier to healing, as will a lack of faith and disobedience. This is why joint ministry is so effective, because while the recipient may be afraid and lack faith, those ministering in God's power should have the faith to know that God will honour their faith and they are ministering and fully expecting God to act. So much of Christianity is based on hope and not absolute faith.

The prayer of faith that James mentions, James 5:13 - 16, is real and a valid effective healing ministry which is practiced by many Christians resulting in many permanent healings and blessings. Healing may be instantaneous, progressive over a short time, or progressive over a longer time. Another valid form of healing ministry which also involves faith and obedience is evident when Peter and John ministered to the man at the Gate Beautiful, Acts 3:1 - 10. Those famous words were spoken, Silver and gold have I none, but that which I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. The man got up and went walking and leaping and praising God. Jesus has given his disciples, and servants authority - His authority to heal, Matthew 28:16 - 20. That means that we have Jesus' power of attorney. We can act on His behalf, and the ministry we administer in that authority is backed up by the Lord God of Creation, Jesus the Son of God and Redeemer of this world and The Holy Spirit of God.

If you have received ministry from us or someone working in the authority of God, you no doubt noticed that we didn't pray about your healing .. instead we took authority over the condition in the Name of Jesus. As far as we can see there is no indication in the New Testament that the followers of Jesus asked (i.e. prayed to) God to heal the sick. However there are many, many instances where they commanded healing in Jesus' Name. Indeed Jesus gave authority for all his followers (including you and me) to do the same.

Jesus said: "Anything you ask in My Name, that will I do" - John 14:14.

He also said: "All power is given unto Me ... go therefore ..." - Matthew 28:20

"Behold I have given you power ... over all the power of the enemy" - Luke 10:19.

Your healing isn't in the future ... it has already been accomplished in the past.The Bible makes it quite clear that not only did Jesus die on the cross for our sins, He also died for our healing.

1 Peter 2:23 - 25 says "By His stripes we were healed".

God, you see, has already provided for your healing on Calvary. It is as we accept that healing (in exactly the same way as we accept Christ as our Saviour) that the healing we seek becomes a fact in our lives.

Healing can come in two forms. It can be instantaneous or it can be gradual.

This might be the right place in our letter to say that if you are on medication, stay on it until your doctor says you can stop it. If you are ministering to a person on medication in no way tell them they are healed. Let the trained medical practitioner do that and let the doctor alter the medication . This in no way implies a lack of faith. It is plain common sense. The Lord might well have to deal with things in the recipient's life before healing takes place. Also God gets the glory to the fullest when the doctor makes the usual statement "I don't understand how or why you are healed." Then the patient can glorify God and witness to all with medical proof of the healing.

Let us mention some things that can hold up healing ... indeed they even go hand in hand. They are bitterness and unforgiveness. These two things in anybody's life short circuit both spiritual growth and healing and if those forces are particularly strong in your life they may well have to be worked through before full healing can be accomplished.

Fear and doubt can also retard and even help to steal away healing.

Speaking of doubt, if you have received any form of healing ministry you may well find that not long after the ministry team has gone or you have gone home, that doubts will arise as to whether it all really worked for you. Please note that such doubts don't come from God but from the enemy, Satan.

Immediately these fears and doubts return (or even what seems to be a symptom of sickness) rebuke it in the Name of Jesus, refer to Luke 10:17 - 20, and tell it to go away.

For instance you may well use the following form of self ministry because you do not need to have a ministry team act for you in all follow up : -

"Fear (or doubt) I take authority over you in the Name of Jesus and I claim My healing in His Name." or

"Headache (or whatever the symptom is) I command you to go in Jesus' Name because I have been healed in His Name."

Continue to claim your healing as your present possession, even if you haven't seen the full out - working of it in your life yet. If Satan can do anything in his power to steal your healing from you he will. Remember though that he can only succeed if you let him.

Please feel free to contact the ministry team again if you want follow up ministry. Such ministry does not negate the previous one. Sometimes there is just not enough time to cover everything at once. On the other hand a follow up on the same aspect of ministry may be what is required. If the ministry team is mature and experienced they will offer and be prepared to enter further ministry, support and encouragement.

We wish to stress that any ministry, and the success' that ministry achieves, that the ministry team does not want to bring glory to themselves. The team may exercise the authority .. yes ! But the power that actually works the miracles is God's and to Him be all the glory. Beware of anybody who accepts any credit for healing ministry activities.

In Isaiah 42:8, God himself says I am the Lord, that is My Name and My Glory I share with no other! That includes Paraklesis and every ministry team working for the one true God !

We would be happy to discuss further any general or specific problems and attitudes in the healing ministry, and we would also be pleased to speak at small or large training meetings to assist more of God's people to become involved in the healing ministry God has given to His people.

As stated at the very start of this letter, we adopted a motto Serving the Lord wherever He sends us; and feel that the Lord's directions in Matthew chapter 10 would form the basis of the work with specific reference to verses 7 and 8.

Matthew 10:1 to 42. .... As you go, preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give....."Go and tell others what the Lord has done for you."

Glorify God, give Him all the thanks and praise through Jesus Christ the Lord.


Caring, Counselling, Comfort....

I was talking with a friend recently, and he said that while he supports and sees the need for healing activities within the church, if we as Christians were to really practice our beliefs, all the healing activity would be outside the church as an evangelical type of outreach, because those within the church would be whole. That is truth and a statement of fact but not a statement of the real situation.

Many active Christians get involved in ministry when in fact they should be maturing. The business of Christian witness is not something that we should embark on without significant training from God's Word. We need to get ourselves right with God and His Will so that we can be effective in our role as His obedient servants within His Will.

Many of us who make up the church today have not taken precise notice of God's Will. We tend to think of that Will as a plan or program, rather than a way of life. The first sin committed is recorded in Ezekiel 28:11 - 19 which is a parallel to Isaiah 14:12 - 15. This scripture is an account of Satan's ambition in which he tried to depose God, and this ambition led to his immediate rejection from heaven and subsequent eternal punishment.

Read the account of Satan tempting Eve in Genesis 3:1 - 7. It was again associated with ambition, the pursuit of the knowledge of good and evil, and in Genesis 3:6 ...and also desirable for gaining wisdom... it is stated that it was ambition and disobedience that caused the fall, an attempt to improve on what God had given them; that is being discontented with God's plan.

Perhaps we need to identify two types of ambition before we go any further. First, there is the ambition we see all around us today: the ambition to succeed and do all that we can in this world; and this often causes us to overpower anybody who gets in our way. Unfortunately, this can occur in God loving Christians as well as in the general population and is seen as an obvious push for achievement, and even in small ways as we try to improve our situation which can end up as being discontented with what God has given us and done for us. If God is God and His Will is perfect, and we try to improve on or alter that will for even the best motives, we are committing the same sin that resulted in the instant ejection from heaven of Satan and about 30% of the angelic host.

Second, there is the ambition to be as God wants us to be, as told in the parable of the talents in Luke 19:11 - 27 where the master before departing into another country gave three servants sums of money to look after for him. In the situation relating to our abilities, we are required to use what has been given to us in the best interests of the master, who is in this case God. We are made in His image, Genesis 1:26; we have His likeness in mind and spirit, and we were created to do His will. The servant who received one talent did not care for his master's will and ended up being punished. Matthew 20:1 - 16 is an account of the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Some were asked to work all day while others were only hired for the last hour, yet all received the same reward, and all were required to work for the owner of the vineyard to do his will. Regardless of the protests of those who had worked all day, the will of the master was unchanged, and there was a varying degree of input from those employed. You see it was a personal deal or relationship between the Master and the servant, and relates to the different requirements the master asked of or set for each individual.

There is a thin dividing line between obedience and sin. On one side if we do nothing we are lazy and disobedient; on another if we are ambitious for ourselves showing discontentment and disobedience we will be punished. However, if we are obedient and genuinely only want God to be glorified, we are within His perfect will. In today's high pressure, high performance, everything must be relevant society, it is indeed hard to live as God requires. We live in a time when man's performance, productivity, efficiency and achievements are more important in our society's structure


than God's creation; Man!

I would be so bold as to suggest that people do matter more than things, and that many decision makers, leaders and high profile people in our society by their performance orientated actions and desire to place us under their control, are creating discontentment and hardship as they take us well down the track away from the God who said to comfort ye My people, and away from God's Will for His Created people.

One answer to much of mankind's problems is comfort, not being comfortable, but comfort, encouragement, love and support. Caring for one another and not viewing God's creation as a commodity to be manipulated and controlled.

Unfortunately many people view Christianity as an acceptable way of getting what they want within the highest realms of acceptability and with divine support. The true duty of a Christian is one of service to God, doing what He calls us to do and being obedient. As Paul says in Colossians 1:23 This is the gospel that you heard, and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. A servant's duties are to please his master.

Once we have ourselves right with God, once we realise that we are under His orders, once we realise that all we are and do is to glorify God alone and bring no praise or glory unto ourselves, then we can ask "what might be our task in this life ?".

The Old Testament shows us that God decided that He wanted some of the community to be devoted to His work on a full time basis. These were the Levites. Some were in the armed services, while others catered for the material needs of the community. So it is today; some are called to serve God in a full time occupational role and some are called to serve each other as part of God's plan.

The tensions of our so called modern day society has resulted in many people not being able to cope with the stress and the complexities of life. The Bible warns of this in Matthew 24 when it states that there will be abominations, desolation and tribulation. The word tribulation in verses 21 and 29 may also be authentically translated as stress and distress. The medical profession tells us that over 50% of the community is on permanent medication for stress - related problems. The Church has responded to this in a very real way by providing counselling services and training counsellors. I would ask: Is this what is really needed ? Is it counselling or comfort and encouragement that the community needs ? I would refer to the Lord Jesus Christ's words in John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, that He will send you another Comforter, (Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby) and He may remain with you for ever. The Spirit of Truth ..... These words were spoken prior to His ascension when He promised He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.

What are many trying to do through counselling services ? They are trying to put love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, self - control back into the lives of those to whom we minister. The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self - control; against such things there is no law. So if we try to do the work of the Holy Spirit, we are firstly working in an area beyond our calling and secondly working against the Holy Spirit by trying to do His work. All true counsellors must lead those whom they seek to help, to God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and Saviour and the Holy Spirit the Comforter and Counsellor. A careful study of scripture will show that Jesus always acted by comforting the people and showing them how the Father would heal the problems, and telling them that I do the Will of My Father. So for any form of counselling to be effective it must lead and present the person to the Lord.

Does this mean that counselling is wrong ? No. It means that counselling should be loving encouragement and a leading to seek out God and for all to have a right relationship with Him as God and Father. Anything short of this right relationship with God is only a stop - gap result.

There is a task given to Christians that we have neglected in an area that causes so much trouble within our church communities. We get hurt so easily, and we judge our own friends so quickly and usually incorrectly. If somebody does not obviously perform the way we think they should, that is, in accord with our standards, we immediately judge them and try to make them conform to our way of thinking. That was the sin of the Jewish teachers.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:1 - 5 that we should cast the beam out of our own eyes before we try to cast out the splinter from our brother's eye. That does not mean that we are all wrong, but it does indicate that the instruction in Matthew 15:17 to love one another is very important, more important than we accept. If we love one another, we will overlook each others' supposed faults and short - comings and grow in wisdom and stature and favour with God and man.

Perhaps one of our major tasks or ministries should be that of bearing one another's burdens. Galatians 6:1 - 5 states Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual - who are responsive and controlled by the Spirit - should set him right and restore and reinstate him without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness. But watch yourself, or you may also be tempted. Bear, endure, carry each other's burdens and troublesome moral faults, and observe perfectly the law of Christ, the Messiah and complete what is lacking in your obedience to it. For if any person thinks that he is somebody too important to condescend to shoulder another's load, when he is nobody of superiority except in his own estimation, he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each should bear his own load . When we learn to control our own ambition as stated in verse 3, then we can effectively exist within the Will of God, and to truly give God all the glory for everything.

Now we can live in our community, be laughed at and even persecuted for our love of God and be within the Will of God. We can stand strong as encouraged by Ephesians 6:10 - 18 and accept the hurts in our community even though we do not deserve the blame. When this happens now, most of us get hurt, tense and upset and often the results of these injustices is taken out on those we

love and those within our Christian community. That community usually becomes judgmental and rejects rather than loves those who are hurting.

What we should do is to obey Scripture, as 1 Peter 5:7 states Casting the whole of your cares - all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns once and for all - on Him; for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Read the sermon on the mount again in Matthew 6:25 - 34, and see if it speaks to you anew.

Having cast all our cares on the Lord, we should be free, clean and refreshed. However, many of us then - as we leave the place of prayer, pick up our worries and anxieties and hurts and take them off home again. If God says Cast all your cares on Him - do it, believe it and leave them with Him! This is a real test of faith, a time when our Christian base changes from hope to belief and onto faith. For true Christians, the belief of the future with God conditions our present, because what God promises in the future, conditions our present attitudes and behaviour. Likewise, when God offers relief in the present we should accept it. It is pointless to live under the prevailing conditions when we can live on top of all problems. It is a promise, a gift and a fact from the God of Creation, and we must learn to appropriate that gift into our lives.

So now we can go back out into the world, live our normal lives and cop all the blame that the world throws at us again, then come back to the Lord and get refreshed and go out yet again. Christians can act as blotting paper in this world, soaking up all the hurts and sorrow in our communities, (especially Christian communities) being obedient, loving and supporting each other, and casting all our problems on Jesus who bore all our sins and troubles, conquered them and is seated with God in heaven, and then go out and get more.

We can be the brooms as it were, to clean up the community, we can point and lead our neighbours to God, and God gets all the glory because we have been obedient.

I would suggest that some are called to be prophets, some evangelists, some apostles, some teachers, but all are called to be blotting paper; being lights that are set on a hill, not hidden under a bushel; but shining God's love within the community where we live and work.

This is but one way that we can be obedient to the call of God, work within His Will and not be discontented with the calling God has placed upon each of us.


Our God and Our Families.

Before we get into this subject we must get our thoughts in order so that we can understand the realities of life. Let us look at the God - Man relationship. God created Man in His own image for His pleasure and for man to praise and glorify God forever. This relationship was turned around in the Garden of Eden when man broke God's commands and sin entered the world and from then on it became a Man - God relationship, with man progressively relying less on God and more on his own ability. God had given man dominion over the earth, and in the act of yielding to temptation man handed that control to Satan who, operating in the Spirit world, has pushed man around and clouded our recognition of God and made some people doubt that God is real, let alone alive today. This is a major problem today, that we doubt God's presence and in some cases His existence. Jesus was talking with the woman at the well in Samaria as recorded in John 4. She was talking about worship, and Jesus answered in verses 21 to 24, pointing out God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Therefore if God is Spirit, and God created man, and the Creator is greater than the created, the spirit world is more real than the tangible, material world in which we live and know. Because we live in a world of materialistic tangibility and cannot see the reality of God to our minds' satisfaction, we have tried to think God out of existence because we are making decisions on only one section of the evidence available to us. This is shown by the current rise of humanism, which claims that man within himself and his own thought processes is god. The spirit realm is much more real and vast than our bounded realm of activity, and it is in this spirit realm that spiritual warfare is taking place.

A significant result or planned eventuality of this loss of man's comprehension of God is evident in the breaking up of the family unit. The family was ordained by God at creation as being the method of procreation, education, and fulfilment of all that He has for His people.

Naturally this unit, the family, must be one of Satan's main areas of attack. If he can destroy God's main area of operation, he will succeed in his attempts to destroy God's plan.

We only have to watch television, listen to the news or even pay attention to the activities of governments to realise that the stable family unit is under attack from many directions. We must counterattack, and find God's winning way to defeat these attacks from Satan. This warfare is further evidenced in 1 Peter 5: 8 and 9. Be careful - watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that Christians around the world are going through suffering too.

Well what do we do ? How do we use the God - given weapons and how effective can we be in obeying Jesus' commission ? The Lord has shown us something that is new to us, but maybe not new at all. Come with us now as we go through a most revealing battle which we, as sincere and obedient Christians, will always win. Let us start out by reminding ourselves of the words of hymn 650 in Golden Bells. For words without a heart, the Lord will never hear, nor to those lips will He attend whose words are not sincere. When we have our inner intent in absolute agreement with our words of prayer, and use the following ministry then you will see the Power of God come into your life and ministry with dynamic results. Remember that each of us is a pipeline for God to send out His salvation and blessings.

Now read Job chapters 1 and 2. You will notice in Job 1:6 that Satan came before the Lord with the angels. God and Satan have a discussion, and in verse 8 God asks him if he has noticed God's servant Job. Satan replies in Job 1:9 - 10 that God is protecting Job, and Satan has no access to tempt or attack Job. Satan then in Job 1:11 petitions access to Job and said that if God gave him access to tempt Job, that Job would curse God. So as a result of this petition from Satan, in Job 1:12 God allowed Satan to test Job, but not to touch Job himself. God permits this testing with conditions, but God also set the limits to which Satan could go, and in this case Satan was not permitted to touch Job himself. The rest of chapter 1 relates how Satan then attacked Job, and in verses 20 - 22 Job gets upset, speaks out the truth, praises God and in verse 22 In all this Job did not sin or revile God. In chapter 2 Satan again comes before God and a similar discussion takes place in Job 2:1 - 4, with Satan still saying that Job only serves God because of the special protection God has provided. Satan again petitions God for greater access to Job in Job 2:4 - 5. So in Job 2:6, God changes the previous limits He placed on Satan, but limits Satan's power in that he cannot take Job's life. So Satan again attacks Job as described in Job 2:7 - 9 even using Job's wife to attack him. However we are told in Job 2:10 So in all this Job said nothing wrong, and he did not deviate from this position and in 13:15 Job says Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him (NIV). Job was an 'Overcomer', he knew God and while not understanding his situation, never doubted God. Remember this in your personal temptations, and be an overcomer also.

You will notice that in Job 1, Satan is described as the accuser, and again in Jude 9, the angel Michael and Satan argue over the body of Moses, and note that even Michael did not accuse or rebuke Satan but said The Lord rebuke you. We have authority only to control. As we have seen with Satan's attack on Job, it is God who sets the limits on Satan's activities. If we look at 1 Corinthians 10:13, which states; - But remember this - the wrong desires that come into your life aren't anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for He has promised this and will do what He says.(Living Bible). That is a real promise of comfort and strength. Did you notice the section that stated, And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. God has again set the limits to which Satan can go when he tempts any of us, and that limit is below our individual tolerance thresholds. God is a loving Father, and this scripture goes on, and the NIV may be a little clearer But when you are tempted He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Let us look a little further, and in John 10:27 - 30 there is an statement from Jesus My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one. Many people get mixed up with the intent of this passage. It does not say that when we are in God's hand we are untouchable, nor does it say that we can do what we like. It does say that we cannot be snatched out of God's hand, but God gave us free will, an ability to think, reason and make choices. So while we cannot be snatched out of God's hand, we can jump out, and unfortunately many do.

God has set limits on Satan's activities in each of our lives, and God has set that limit below our breaking point. While the trials and temptations Satan throws at us may be very hurtful and powerful, we know that God keeps His Word, and all that Satan can throw at us is still less than our God given level of tolerance. We know that Satan cannot break us, but we can give up and concede defeat before the battle is over and jump out of God's hand of our own free will. Or we can stand firm knowing that God has individually set the limits of Satan's activity against us, and that limit is below our breaking point. We can't be defeated because we believe God's Word, and we know God is faithful, and will do what He says he will do.

There are many commissions from Jesus recorded in the New Testament, and to choose one, Luke 10:18 - 20, Yes, he told them, I saw Satan fall from heaven as a flash of lightning ! And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy, and to walk on serpents and scorpions and to crush them. Nothing shall injure you ! However, the important thing is not that demons obey you, but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven.

As sons and heirs of the only God, we can go before Him in sincere honest prayer with our intent and words in unison, and cross - petition the Father as a counter petition to any petition that Satan has made on our life or situation or on any life or situation on which we are led to intercede. Having, as it were, registered a cross - petition with our God who is our Father, we then use the authority given to us by Jesus as stated in Luke 10:18 - 20 to reverse, negate and invalidate any petition made by Satan, or if you prefer the Enemy, over the person or situation for which we are praying. Having done this and taken control of the situation in the name of Jesus, the void that is left needs to be filled and who better to fill that void in our life than the Holy Spirit. Ask God for His protection, wisdom, and the armour of Ephesians 6:10 - 20.

I prefer to ask God to put His armour on me than to try to put it on myself, because he is my Father and He loves me and He will do a better job in placing His protecting armour on me than I can. The love and protection of God and the filling by the Holy Spirit should be prayed into the situation and conclude by praising God and giving Him all the glory, because it is His power and love that is in control of all situations.

In these times, the enemy is intensifying the attack on Christians, and families, many of whom are stating that they are under increased attack in circumstances and temptation. There is also an increase in the death rate from all areas. We only have to watch the evening news to recognise it as Satan's progress report. Satan is going to take as many people as he can out of this world before the Christians get their act together and be obedient to Jesus' commission and instructions, becoming prayer warriors, intercessors, evangelists and overcomers.

We are not suggesting that there is a technique or formula that will bring blessing. God sees the real intent of our prayer and reacts accordingly. We would invite you to join with the hundreds of other Christians around the world who receive PARAKLESIS and set aside a period of time between December 20th and 25th this year to pray for your own family and all families around the world and pray using the petitioning techniques described in this note. Pray firstly for forgiveness of your own sin as God will not pour His blessings into an unclean vessel and we must be right with God at all times, then use the petitioning prayer for your own familia, naming each individual family member and break any Satanic petition on each of them and yourself. Then ask God to put His armour around each of you and petition God for His love, wisdom, protection and blessing (that is to make you all like Him). Now pray again, petitioning God for all families around the world. Prayers offered in sincerity God will always hear.

It is warfare; but we have read the end of the book, WE WIN; God has the victory and we do not need to live a defeated life now. We will be tested and attacked, the most effective warriors are always given special attention by Satan. Check the promises of God in this note and rejoice in the Lord; He not only gives us eternal life, He is God.

Praise the Lord !!!

Gird up your loins, you Christians; you mighty Church of God; prepare yourselves for battle; put God's whole armour on. Take courage from the Saviour; no longer idle be, for you're the conq'ring warriors who'll set the captives free. No longer be complacent; no longer fear you'll fail; your God, He will not smite you when you're seeking to obey. No longer be a "sitter"; you've sat for long enough. Get out and be a doer now; get out and do your stuff. Your God, He has supplied you with all you'll ever need; take hold of it and grasp it tight - His word make sure you heed. Abide within your Saviour each moment every day, and listen for His orders as you march along the way. Trust fully in your Saviour; sing praise and never doubt. You can be sure His strength and might will put the foe to rout. Watch out, now, Mr. Devil, God's church is on the march; the placid sleeping giant has aroused itself at last. So shake and fear and tremble as it rises from the ground; the gates of hell shall not prevail; God's Church will crush them down. HALLELUJAH !!!


Arise and Wake up !

This message is a wake up call. I believe that as it is darkest before the dawn, and the progress of human degradation and a turning away from God by our community is evidenced by the programs and news on radio and TV. Romans 13:11 - 12 gives us a guide for the present situation; And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let

us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light . Now more than ever before, God is calling His people to become 'fair dinkum' in our relationship with Him. We must get ourselves right with God, the God of Creation, and awake and get on with the work God has given us.

Many years ago when I was fortunate or unfortunate to have had a very small involvement in the army. We had a demonstration of the need to listen and faithfully pass on information. The officer in charge selected 25 men and stood them about 3 metres apart. He whispered a message in the first man's ear; the first man walked to the second and repeated the message; the second went to the third and so on. The last man was requested to shout out the message he had received. The officer had said to the first man Get ready to move up - we are going to advance. Without knowing that initial message, the last man shouted out what he had been told. Can you lend me ten shillings, we're going to a dance. You can see how word of mouth messages can get misunderstood.

Much of our initial training comes from what I might call the mother's knee. We are with our mother much more in our formative years, and it is our mother who has the greatest input in our table manners, eating habits, speech and so on. If mother has it wrong then there is little chance of the baby getting it right initially. If mother teaches us of God's love, then it is very difficult to alter that teaching later. If mum had it right, that's great, but what if she was wrong ? In many cases the attitude towards God are taught from a recollection of what Grandma taught Mum in her childhood, without additional direct reference to the Bible. It is an important task to be trusted with parenthood.

We need to go back to basics in our attitudes to God. The mother's knee - word of mouth teaching about God, really has taken us well away from God's concept of what He wants us to be. What do you think the army demonstration of message transfer would have come out as after 2000 years, and going through a period when very few could read, books were burnt, people oppressed ? But are we any different now ? How many read let alone study God's Word, and how many get their teaching from listening to the pastor on Sundays ? Do we learn from the pastor's knee or direct from God's Word. I can tell you all you need to know about riding a bike, but you will never be able to ride a bike until you actually do

it.

So what should a church be like ? Turn to Acts 2 and read about the early church. Here was a group of Christians who were not afraid to live what they believed, and wanted to share Christianity with all who could be reached by the sound of their voices. In Acts 2, we have the account of Pentecost; the miracle of speaking in tongues; the miracle of people of many nationalities hearing God's word in their

own language; Peter's sermon which included Jewish history, identity of Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus, the victory of Jesus, conviction and repentance and signs and wonders. Is that our church today ?

We are told in Revelations 19 and 21 that Jesus is returning for His Bride - the church which has made herself ready for His return. Is the church as we know it ready ? Jesus is returning for a bride which is a united Christian Church, not a segmented harem. We still have much to do to get ready.

So what are the basics of this church we need to become ? Let us look again at the church of Acts 2, verse 42. Very appropriately, that you can use the word WIFE to answer that question and describe the bride.

The church of Acts 2 was a growing church, and they had no buildings in which to meet, no pastors, no constitution, an incomplete Bible, no understanding of the Holy Spirit's presence, they had nothing. But from this church, the flame of Christianity has spread around the world, because they had four objectives. Acts 2:42 tells it all And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. To keep it simple, the acronym WIFE helps, rather appropriate since Jesus is returning for His bride.

W - Worship - Praise

The word devoted in v42 suggests a steadfast, single - minded fidelity. Their worship was not a half hearted effort, they participated, they got on with it. They respected, loved and knew God who was real to them.

I - Instruction - Intercession

They continually devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. Once we teach the truth direct from the bible, no body wants half hearted baby food again. Preach and study the Word. They were also devoted to prayer, they prayed in the full knowledge that God did hear them and they expected an answer.

F - Fellowship - Encouragement

The church was never meant to be a building, it is a community of believers who

demonstrate genuine concern for each other. The original word used is koinonia which has the idea of something held in common with others. Real fellowship.

E - Expression - Love

In the church in Acts, there was a growing momentum, there was love, there was acceptance, there was vulnerability, compassion, caring, winsomeness and giving. Needs were obviously being met.

We were created to glorify God forever, and as soon as we forget that prime relationship with God we have lost contact with our Creator. You can see now how important it is to study God's word, and to Pray often. Prayer is something we need to improve. So many see it as a conversation with God, a request session where we come before God with our mind made up as to the answer we want and spend the prayer time trying to convince God to come onto our side, and then walk away wondering if we were heard. Christians who understand prayer, come before our Father in reverence and respect, with Jesus Christ as our advocate and the Holy Spirit as our guide, and pray from God's will and expect an answer, and get it. The important ingredient is sincerity, there is no formula, just our real belief. We need to have our basic intent in line with God's will and the words of our prayer, and then God sees our real motive and acts within His will.

Can you see now why the mothers knee teaching must be replaced with Bible study and prayer, daily ? We really have it all wrong. We have conditioned our concept of God to fit into the standards of our present day society. If we really believed that God is alive now, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died to settle the debt of sin for those who accept that ransom and restitution, and that those who don't accept face eternity without God, then why is it so hard to get scripture teachers, children's club helpers, Sunday school teachers, and why don't we drag our families and neighbours to every church service ? It is because our belief in God is an academic acceptance of a theory, rather than a real relationship with the Living God.

The church of Acts chapter 2 was a growing church, and they had no buildings in which to meet, no pastors, no constitution, an incomplete Bible, no understanding of the Holy Spirit's presence, they had nothing. But from this church, the flame of Christianity has spread around the world, because they had four objectives. Acts 2:42 tells it all And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

What was God's reaction to their total reverence and obedience and pipelining ? What was the result ? Look at verse 47 and The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Where would we be destined today, if that early church had had the same attitudes and regulations that we have in our churches today ? Praise God that they acted on what they believed.

In Matthew 10:7 - 10, God calls all of us to share the good news that God loves us on purpose, that Jesus Christ is the Lord, and that all who believe in Him as their Lord and Saviour will spend eternity with God. He wants us to share that message in the community where we live, in the community where we work, and with our friends.

This is our wake up call - Romans 13:11 - 12 And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Let us get on with it, for the night is coming when no man will be able to work. John 9:4.

Detur Gloria Soli Deo - Glory be to God alone !


Arise and Wake up - Extended !

When one travels as much as I do, you get into some funny situations. Not long ago I was on an overseas trip and I had a very tight schedule; I was very tired and on one occasion overslept by 3 hours, causing problems with my work schedule. Having overslept once, I went to great lengths to ensure that it didn't happen again, just so I could be about my work and return home a few days later. Would I go to the same lengths to obey God's call ?

This message is a wake up call. I believe that as it is darkest before the dawn, and the progress of human degradation and a turning away from God by our community is evidenced by the programs and news on radio and TV. Romans 13:11 - 12 gives us a guide for the present situation; And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let

us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light . Now more than ever before, God is calling His people to become 'fair dinkum' in our relationship with Him. We must get ourselves right with God, the God of Creation, and awake and get on with the work God has given us.

Many years ago when I was fortunate or unfortunate to have had a very small involvement in the army. We had a demonstration of the need to listen and faithfully pass on information. The officer in charge selected 25 men and stood them about 3 metres apart. He whispered a message in the first man's ear; the first man walked to the second and repeated the message; the second went to the third and so on. The last man was requested to shout out the message he had received. The officer had said to the first man Get ready to move up - we are going to advance. Without knowing that initial message, the last man shouted out what he had been told. Can you lend me ten shillings, we're going to a dance. You can see how word of mouth messages can get misunderstood.

Much of our initial training comes from what I might call the mother's knee. We are with our mother much more in our formative years, and it is our mother who has the greatest input in our table manners, eating habits, speech and so on. If mother has it wrong then there is little chance of the baby getting it right initially. If mother teaches us of God's love, then it is very difficult to alter that teaching later. If mum had it right, that's great, but what if she was wrong ? In many cases the attitude towards God are taught from a recollection of what Grandma taught Mum in her childhood, without additional direct reference to the Bible. It is an important task to be trusted with parenthood.

We need to go back to basics in our attitudes to God. The mother's knee - word of mouth teaching about God, really has taken us well away from God's concept of what He wants us to be. What do you think the army demonstration of message transfer would have come out as after 2000 years, and going through a period when very few could read, books were burnt, people oppressed ? But are we any different now ? How many read let alone study God's Word, and how many get their teaching from listening to the pastor on Sundays ? Do we learn from the pastor's knee or direct from God's Word. I can tell you all you need to know about riding a bike, but you will never be able to ride a bike until you actually do it.

We have been fortunate over many years in our church because the previous rector preached the Word of God in a very firm academic way, and our present rector preaches the Word of God emphasizing loving encouragement. Both men refer us to the Bible, to find out if what is said is truth, and both men have encouraged us to share God's love with our fellow men. One laid the foundations for our future work, the other is showing us how to tend the crop and reap the harvest.

So what should a church be like ? Turn to Acts 2 and read about the early church. Here was a group of Christians who were not afraid to live what they believed, and wanted to share Christianity with all who could be reached by the sound of their voices. In Acts 2, we have the account of Pentecost; the miracle of speaking in tongues; the miracle of people of many nationalities hearing God's word in their own language; Peter's sermon which included Jewish history, identity of Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus, the victory of Jesus, conviction and repentance and signs and wonders. Is that our church today ?

We are told in Revelations 19 and 21 that Jesus is returning for His Bride - the church which has made herself ready for His return. Is the church as we know it ready ? Jesus is returning for a bride which is a united Christian Church, not a segmented harem. We still have much to do to get ready.

So what are the basics of this church we need to become ? Let us look again at the church of Acts 2, verse 42. Very appropriately, that you can use the word WIFE to answer that question and describe the bride.

The church of Acts 2 was a growing church, and they had no buildings in which to meet, no pastors, no constitution, an incomplete Bible, no understanding of the Holy Spirit's presence, they had nothing. But from this church, the flame of Christianity has spread around the world, because they had four objectives. Acts 2:42 tells it all And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. To keep it simple, the acronym WIFE helps, rather appropriate since Jesus is returning for His bride.

W - Worship - Praise

The word devoted in v42 suggests a steadfast, single - minded fidelity. Their worship was not a half hearted effort, they participated, they got on with it. They respected, loved and knew God who was real to them.

I - Instruction - Intercession

They continually devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. Once we teach the truth direct from the bible, no body wants half hearted baby food again. Preach and study the Word. They were also devoted to prayer, they prayed in the full knowledge that God did hear them and they expected an answer.

F - Fellowship - Encouragement

The church was never meant to be a building, it is a community of believers who

demonstrate genuine concern for each other. The original word used is koinonia which has the idea of something held in common with others. Real fellowship.

E - Expression - Love

In the church in Acts, there was a growing momentum, there was love, there was acceptance, there was vulnerability, compassion, caring, winsomeness and giving. Needs were obviously being met.

We were created to glorify God forever, and as soon as we forget that prime relationship with God we have lost contact with our Creator. You can see now how important it is to study God's word, and to Pray often. Prayer is something we need to improve. So many see it as a conversation with God, a request session where we come before God with our mind made up as to the answer we want and spend the prayer time trying to convince God to come onto our side, and then walk away wondering if we were heard. Christians who understand prayer, come before our Father in reverence and respect, with Jesus Christ as our advocate and the Holy Spirit as our guide, and pray from God's will and expect an answer, and get it. The important ingredient is sincerity, there is no formula, just our real belief. We need to have our basic intent in line with God's will and the words of our prayer, and then God sees our real motive and acts within His will. Well how does God see us ? To give some examples : -

In John 15:1 - 11; Jesus said I am the vine and you are the branches. Have you ever thought in detail about that ? It puts what we call ministry into its correct place. The vine produces the sap or nutriment, it supports the branch. Jesus does that work and is that support. The branch is only a pipeline to all the flowers, which in many cases becomes the fruit. Think about it, neither the vine nor the branches pollinate the flower, that is done externally, usually by bees, or in Jesus' illustration shall we say the Holy Spirit. The branch is called on to be the pipeline for the vines nutriment to reach all the flowers, and if that is done faithfully, much fruit results from some of the flowers, but we, the branches cannot take the credit. We didn't pollinate, and notice that not all flowers are pollinated, and we didn't make the nutriment, we were just pipelines servicing all the flowers, pollinated or not. What did God say ? I share My Glory with no others ! Isaiah 42:8 and 48:11.

Let us look at Matthew 25 verses 34 - 46, which is an account of Jesus' return and judgement. What did He say ? I was hungry and you gave me food, I was in prison and you visited me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you came to me. The righteous asked when these things happened ? Jesus replied that when we did these things for our fellow man we did it to Him. It is not the bad things we do that we are judged over, because as Christians, Jesus has paid the penalty for our sin and we have accepted that salvation. It is the good things we didn't do that we will be judged on. Remember the above account is repeated in the same passage of scripture, but with a negative approach. Those who did not clothe, feed, visit, minister etc were cast out from God's presence.

Then there is the parable of the three servants with the talents, (Matthew 25:14 - 30); one given five talents who made another five, another given three talents who made another three, and one given one talent who returned it intact. It was the one who didn't use his talent that was punished.

Jesus referred to The Kingdom of God. Have you thought about that ? A kingdom is the direct opposite to the democracy we live in today. In a kingdom the king makes the rules and carries them out, as Jesus showed with the story about the workers in the fields (Matthew 20:1 - 16). All worked different times for the same pay. When those who worked longest complained the reply was basically I will do what I like with my own things, (Matthew 20:15). So many today think they are pleasing God by rejecting the blessings He gives us because they want to share with the less fortunate. God said, I will bless whom I choose, and give to those whom I chose, (Matthew 20:15). However, God also says much in the Parable of the Talents, and in His command to love our neighbours, and talks about our duty when we see a brother in need. To live in God's kingdom we must take up our cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). That had a definite meaning when it was said, which was very different to the hard life it is interpreted as today. In Roman times when you took up your cross you were finished with this world, you had said your good - byes you had past the point of no return and you couldn't turn back. The man carrying his cross was going one way and one way only, and that is the dedication God expects from us, a non return devotion regardless of cost and conditions. Contrary to popular teaching eternal life is not free (Matthew 16:24 - 28). It cost you everything, to live in the Kingdom of God you have no rights, you have said good - bye to the world and you must give total obedience to God; but it is eternal life with God. WOW.

Can you see now why the mothers knee teaching must be replaced with Bible study and prayer, daily ? We really have it all wrong. We have conditioned our concept of God to fit into the standards of our present day society. If we really believed that God is alive now, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died to settle the debt of sin for those who accept that ransom and restitution, and that those who don't accept face eternity without God, then why is it so hard to get scripture teachers, children's club helpers, Sunday school teachers, and why don't we drag our families and neighbours to every church service ? It is because our belief in God is an academic acceptance of a theory, rather than a real relationship with the Living God.

Who should be doing all this ministry, and taking God's love into the community ? Let us look at scripture and see what it says. Ephesians 4:11 - 12, which refers to the gifts of the Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12; this passage in Ephesians states and his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..(AV). The original Greek does not have the punctuation marks which were added by the early translators, and slightly change the emphasis of this passage, which should read for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ,.... The main duty of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers is to train, support and prepare the saints for their work in the community. It is the word of mouth teaching again, we must get back to studying our Bibles for ourselves.

It is all of us who are God's pipelines and branches, however, we need to now watch that what we do we do for God's glory and not our own. It is very easy to feel pleased with ourselves after a ministry session, and that leads to self idolisation. We need to get our priorities right, we need to be part of the prepared bride and develop into that wife we spoke about earlier.

I can link worship and praise; instruction, bible study and prayer; fellowship and encouragement; expression and love and put them under the one banner of ministry. Ministry is often taught as a natural progression after conversion. It is,

but separated by adequate preparation in prayer and Bible study. The period of preparation varies as we grow into maturity with God. The following ten statements about ministry are essential yet easily forgotten. When forgotten things get out of control. Read them slowly and remember the big sign on top : -

Handle with Care

  1. The foundation of ministry is character. It is our maturity with God that builds our character
  2. The nature of ministry is service. We don't do it for our benefit
  3. The motive for ministry is love. It is not self adulation
  4. The measure of ministry is sacrifice. When you get involve be prepared to give of yourself
  5. The authority of ministry is submission. Just be a branch, a pipeline
  6. The purpose of ministry is to glorify God. He pollinated, and He provided sustenance
  7. The tools of ministry are the Word of God and Prayer. Nothing else works
  8. The privilege of ministry is growth. God blesses and makes us more like Him
  9. The power of ministry is the Holy Spirit. You can do nothing without Me
  10. The model for ministry is Jesus Christ. My Lord and My God

Unfortunately some of the people active in what we call ministry to others, don't even know that these ten points exist, and so much is done out of presumption, kindness and a need to be active in God's service.

The church of Acts chapter 2 was a growing church, and they had no buildings in which to meet, no pastors, no constitution, an incomplete Bible, no understanding of the Holy Spirit's presence, they had nothing. But from this church, the flame of Christianity has spread around the world, because they had four objectives. Acts 2:42 tells it all And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

What was God's reaction to their total reverence and obedience and pipelining ? What was the result ? Look at verse 47 and The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Where would we be destined today, if that early church had had the same attitudes and regulations that we have in our churches today ? Praise God that they acted on what they believed.

God has put each of us where He wants us. Some - a few, are called to go to other places, but the majority are expected to share God's love and the good news of Hi

s salvation right where you are; at school as teacher or pupil, at work, during travel and right where we live. That is our individual task, be mister and misses ordinary people in the community, but ordinary with a difference and we share that difference. What many don't realise is that the operation of civilisation is part of God's plan as well. So the bus driver, school teacher, baker, butcher, scientist, politician all work within God's overall plan, because God did not plan an incomplete civilisation. Where did Adam and Eve get their first meal from ? It is quite simple, God did not create an imperfect world, He had already provided mature trees with fruit for their food. So it is today, that the work of running

a much more complex civilisation is within God's plan for us, it is just that so many think that unless we are theologically trained we are not doing God's work. I assure you that the Bible is quite clear when it states in John 15:5, that without God we can do nothing, and that whatever we do we should do it for God's glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31.

We are the pipelines, the branches, Jesus is the vine, and the Father is the gardener. We are required to be pipelines transporting God's love and being lights in our community so that those whom God sends to us can find us and be nourished.

In Matthew 10:7 - 10, God calls all of us to share the good news that God loves us on purpose, that Jesus Christ is the Lord, and that all who believe in Him as their Lord and Saviour will spend eternity with God. He wants us to share that message in the community where we live, in the community where we work, and with our friends.

This is our wake up call - Romans 13:11 - 12 And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Let us get on with it, for the night is coming when no man will be able to work. John 9:4.

Detur Gloria Soli Deo - Glory be to God alone !


Ministry - to One Another.

As we shared in Paraklesis 11, we need to go back to basics in our attitudes to God. The mother's knee - word of mouth teaching about God, really has taken us well away from God's concept of what He wants us to be. Word of mouth teaching over the last 2000 years, going through a period when very few could read, books were burnt, people oppressed has created a need for us to re - find absolute truth. How many read let alone study God's Word, and how many get their only teaching from listening to the pastor on Sundays ? Do we learn from the pastor's knee or direct from God's

Word.

We were created to glorify God forever, and as soon as we forget that prime relationship with God we have lost contact with our Creator. You can see now how important it is to study God's word, and to Pray often. We need to have our basic intent in line with God's will and the words of our prayer, because God sees our real motive and acts within His will. Well how does God see us ? To give some examples : -

In John 15:1 - 11; Jesus said I am the vine and you are the branches. Have you ever thought in detail about that ? It puts what we call ministry into its correct place. The vine produces the sap or nutriment, and supports the branch. Jesus does that work and is that support. The branch is only a pipeline to all the flowers, which in many cases becomes the fruit. Think about it, neither the vine nor the branches pollinate the flower, that is done externally, usually by bees, or in Jesus' illustration shall we say the Holy Spirit. The branch is called on to be the pipeline for the vines nutriment to reach all the flowers, and if that is done faithfully, much fruit results from some of the flowers, but we, the branches cannot take the credit. We didn't pollinate, and notice that not all flowers are pollinated, and we didn't make the nutriment, we were just pipelines servicing all the flowers, pollinated or not. What did God say ? I share My Glory with no others ! Isaiah 42:8 and 48:11.

Let us look at Matthew 25 verses 34 - 46, which is an account of Jesus' return and judgement. What did He say ? I was hungry and you gave me food, I was in prison and you visited me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you came to me. The righteous asked when these things happened ? Jesus replied that when we did these things for our fellow man we did it to Him. It is not the bad things we do that we are judged over, because as Christians, Jesus has paid the penalty for our sin and we have accepted that salvation. It is the good things we didn't do that we will be judged on. Remember the above account is repeated in the same passage of scripture, but with a negative approach. Those who did not clothe, feed, visit, minister etc were cast out from God's presence.

Then there is the parable of the three servants with the talents, (Matthew 25:14 - 30); one given five talents who made another five, another given three talents who made another three, and one given one talent who returned it intact. It was the one who didn't use his talent

t that was punished.

Jesus referred to The Kingdom of God. Have you thought about that ? A kingdom is the direct opposite to the democracy we live in today. In a kingdom the king makes the rules and carries them out, as Jesus showed with the story about the workers in the fields (Matthew 20:1 - 16). All worked different times for the same pay. When those who worked longest complained the reply was basically I will do what I like with my own things, (Matthew 20:15). So many today think they are pleasing


God by rejecting the blessings He gives us because they want to share with the less fortunate. God said, I will bless whom I choose, and give to those whom I chose, (Matthew 20:15). To live in God's kingdom we must take up our cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). That had a definite meaning when it was said, which was very different to the hard life it is interpreted as today. In Roman times when you took up your cross you were finished with this world, you had said your good - byes you had past the point of no return and you couldn't turn back. The man carrying his cross was going one way and one way only, and that is the dedication God expects from us, a non return devotion regardless of cost and conditions. Contrary to popular teaching eternal life is not free (Matthew 16:24 - 28). It cost you everything, to live in the Kingdom of God you have no rights, you have said good - bye to the world and you must give total obedience to God; but it is eternal life with God. WOW.

Can you see now why the mothers knee teaching must be replaced with Bible study and prayer, daily ? We have conditioned our concept of God to fit into the standards of our present day society. If we really believed that God is alive now, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died to settle the debt of sin for those who accept that ransom and restitution, and that those who don't accept face eternity without God, then why is it so hard to get scripture teachers, children's club helpers, Sunday school teachers, and why don't we drag our families and neighbours to every church service ? It is because our belief in God is an academic acceptance of a theory, rather than a real relationship with the Living God.

Who should be doing all this ministry, and taking God's love into the community ? Let us look at scripture and see what it says. Ephesians 4:11 - 12, which refers to the gifts of the Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12; this passage in Ephesians states and his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..(AV).

The original Greek does not have the punctuation marks which were added by the early translators, and slightly change the emphasis of this passage, which should read for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ,.... The main duty of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers is to train, support and prepare the saints for their work in the community. It is the word of mouth teaching again, we must get back to studying our Bibles for ourselves.

It is all of us who are God's pipelines and branches, however, we need to now watch that what we do we do for God's glory and not our own. It is very easy to feel pleased with ourselves after a ministry session, and that leads to self idolatry. We need to get our priorities right, we need to be part of the prepared bride and develop into that wife discussed in Paraklesis 11.

We can link worship and praise; instruction, bible study and prayer; fellowship and encouragement; expression and love and put them under the one banner of ministry. Ministry is often taught as a natural progression after conversion. It is, but separated by adequate preparation in prayer and Bible study. The period of preparation varies as we grow into maturity with God. The following ten statements about ministry are essential yet easily forgotten. When forgotten things get out of control. Read them slowly and remember the big sign on top : -

Handle with Care

  1. The foundation of ministry is character. -It is our maturity with God that builds our character
  2. We don't do it for our benefit - We don't do it for our benefit
  3. The motive for ministry is love. - It is not self adulation
  4. The measure of ministry is sacrifice. - When you get involve be prepared to give of yourself
  5. The authority of ministry is submission - Just be a branch, a pipeline
  6. The purpose of ministry is to glorify God. - He pollinated, and He provided sustenance
  7. The tools of ministry are the Word of God and Prayer. - Nothing else works
  8. The privilege of ministry is growth. - God blesses and makes us more like Him
  9. The power of ministry is the Holy Spirit - You can do nothing without Me
  10. The model for ministry is Jesus Christ. - My Lord and My God

Unfortunately some of the people active in what we call ministry to others, don't even know that these ten points exist, and so much is done out of presumption, kindness and a need to be active in God's service.

The church of Acts chapter 2 was a growing church, and they had no buildings in which to meet, no pastors, no constitution, an incomplete Bible, no understanding of the Holy Spirit's presence, they had nothing. But from this church, the flame of Christianity has spread around the world, because they had four objectives. Acts 2:42 tells it all And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

What was God's reaction to their total reverence and obedience and pipe-lining ? - What was the

result ? Look at verse 47 and The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

God has put each of us where He wants us. Some - a few, are called to go to other places, but the

majority are expected to share God's love and the good news of His salvation right where you are; at school as teacher or pupil, at work, during travel and right where we live. That is our individual task, be mister and misses ordinary people in the community, but ordinary with a difference and we share that difference. What many don't realise is that the operation of civilisation is part of God's plan as well.

So the bus driver, school teacher, baker, butcher, scientist, politician all work within God's overall

plan, because God did not plan an incomplete civilisation. Where did Adam and Eve get their first meal from ? It is quite simple, God did not create an imperfect world, He had already provided mature trees with fruit for their food. So it is today, that the work of running a much more complex civilisation is within God's plan for us, it is just that so many think that unless we are theologically trained we are not doing God's work. I assure you that the Bible is quite clear when it states in John 15:5, that without God we can do nothing, and that whatever we do we should do it for God's glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

We are the pipelines, the branches, Jesus is the vine, and the Father is the gardener. We are required to be pipelines transporting God's love and being lights in our community so that those whom God sends to us can find us and be nourished.

In Matthew 10:7 - 10, God calls all of us to share the good news that God loves us on purpose, that Jesus Christ is the Lord, and that all who believe in Him as their Lord and Saviour will spend eternity with God. He wants us to share that message in the community where we live, in the community where we work, and with our friends.

This is our wake up call - Romans 13:11 - 12 And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Let us get on with it, for the night is coming when no man will be able to work. John 9:4.

Detur Gloria Soli Deo - Glory be to God alone !


God to Man - Man for God

If we make but a short study of the Old testament, we will find that there are four covenants that God has made with mankind. These were : -

* The first Covenant was with Noah, recorded in Genesis 9:8 - 17; where God reveals His mercy and promises never to flood the earth again. He pledges himself to replace his wrath and judgement with mercy. This covenant is obviously still in force today, and how we rely on that mercy.

* The second covenant was with Abram, recorded in Genesis 17:2 - 7 where God reveals His grace and changes Abram's name to Abraham, and covenants to make him the father of a multitude of nations that will endure for ever, and states that He, God, will make with Abraham and his descendants an everlasting covenant, and be your God and your descendants God. This covenant is universal and everlasting and is still in force today, and we rely on that grace for our salvation.

* The third covenant was with Moses, recorded in Exodus 19:5 - 6, where God reveals His holiness and makes a covenant through Moses to the people. God sets the rules to be obeyed and standards to be maintained. It is the only bilateral covenant in the Bible, and God has kept His side, only man has failed to observe the agreement. God states this in Jeremiah 31:31 - 32, Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke even though I was their husband. This covenant is still in force today, as it forms the basis of our code of life, but is impossible for us to keep because of our nature.

* The fourth Covenant was with David, recorded in 2 Samuel 7, where God reveals His Kingdom plans and the promise of the Messiah is made, and the Lord promises to establish a kingdom over which the descendants of David shall rule for ever. The king shall build a house in God's name and his reign shall be eternal. The Sonship of Jesus is introduced. This covenant is still in force, as Jesus has taken his position of King and the final act of redemption is being worked out and brought to finality.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ comments on the ten commandments when he was talking to the Jewish leaders in the synagogue, and he told them that these laws had been given by God as a basis of life for the nation, and indeed the rulers of the nations had made them into an item of worship on their own. Jesus went on to give a new commandment to us, in that we should love God with all our hearts, and lives, and love our neighbours as ourselves.

With every good thing that God does for us, there is a counterfeit by Satan and there are a number of things that Satan is doing in this age; he has done them in the past but they are being pushed even more so today. These include : -

* The destruction of the family unit.

* The destruction of self opinion.

* The rejection of authority.

* The fostering of Greed and hatred.

To look in a little more detail : -

* The destruction of the family unit. The family unit was set up by God for both the pro - creation of life and the training of children by parents. It also went further to include caring at all levels, and the caring of the older member of the family by the more able younger members. This is still evident in many Mediterranean countries, but sadly it is being eroded before our eyes.

Governments are the major force used in this battle, where migration, taxation, high interest rates, and selective social services are used to support so many anti - family activities. The politicians do not act this way because they have a deliberate plan, they are just lead by the ideas they get and pick up from others with an ever watchful eye on the electorate at polling times and the noisy minority groups who get the publicity. Praise God for the Christian politicians prepared to stand against this trend.

The family unit is under attack, because it is a God ordained facility to be used to populate both earth as we have children and heaven as we train those children in God's ways.

* The destruction of self opinion. Each of us has been designed and put together physically and intellectually just the way God planned. He wanted me to be just as I am in looks and ability. My temperament is my modification of God's plan, and because of His love for me, he gave me the freewill to build myself into the person I wanted to be.

We each fit into God's plan, and we all are not called to be eyes, or ears, or mouths. Some have to be legs and feet otherwise the eyes and mouths would never get anywhere. The most important bits are those between the arms and legs. They join the rest together, and do all the work and provide all the support so that the feet can take the body places, the hands can do things, the eyes see things the ears hear things and the mouth tell things in many places. The silent majority exists to support the peripherals who seem to get the glory.

We are designed and built as God's choice for each of us, and if Satan can destroy our self image, he has plunged a blow right at God, because we are images of God. By having a low self image, we are in fact telling God that his creation is imperfect, and that is not true.

You are what you look like and have the abilities you have because that is God's perfect plan for you. He loves you just the way you are, and we should accept each other just as we are.

* The rejection of authority. Today we see a total break down of the effectiveness of the laws which govern our society. You only get punished for being caught. Each week we see more deliberate violations of the law. No society can cope when a large percentage of that society abandons any of the moral or spiritual codes. We are living in a society that will only get more hostile and more violent, especially towards the standards of God and the existence of His people if we do not respect God's moral code, and retain that code as the foundation to our society.

* The fostering of greed and hatred. This is probably the disease of this century, where so much inter - family, inter - city, and inter - national hatred has destroyed our ability to both forgive and to love our neighbours. We are also watching on a world scene as the empires both financial and national are being brought to account as God prepares for His next move on the earth. Man has indeed turned his back on God's commands in the Bible, and many are being sorted out.

What of OUR duties ? An increasing amount of teaching today comes from comments, opinions and books about the Bible, rather than a direct study of the Bible itself. This often leads us into sidetracks, and away from truth.

One particular idea is the supposed doctrine of good works, which may come from James 1:22 where we are told to be doers of the word, and Paul tells us that faith without works is dead. This has resulted in the idea that there is justification through works. What we need to do is to read the whole passage, and then we will see that it is the works that God has set out in His word that we are required to follow. The basic word of God relates to LOVE. We are commanded to love our neighbours as ourselves. If all mankind has life given from God, then the life in each and every person and thing is God, my God and your God, so we must love one another.

In 1 Corinthians 12:27 - 30, Paul tells us that Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it, and in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those with gifts of healing, those to enable others, those with gifts of administration and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles ? Are all prophets ? Are all teachers ? Do all work miracles ? Do all have the gift of healing ? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret. But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

We are instructed to work as a team. When some go out to preach, they should be supported at home by prayer, and so on. We must act as a team, and support one another and not all try to be chiefs. Note that Paul states that God has appointed, not man, God has appointed each of us to our tasks. The prophets of old were called before birth, appointed, anointed and then they were under orders from the only true God. It was a fearful thing to come into God's presence in Old Testament times. A prophet never knew whether he would live through an encounter with God. Remember the many times it is recorded that kings and rulers and all people would go to the prophet and ask him to pray on their behalf.

God even set a tribe of Israel apart - the Levites - to be the middle men between God and man. It was their task to represent the people before God, offer the people's sacrifices to God and once a year for the Chief Priest to go before God in the Holy of Holies and intercede for the people.

This may have been suitable for Old Testament times as the nation of Israel was God's chosen race of people, but God never restricted access to Himself, and the Old Testament is full of records where non Israelites joined the Israelite nation, were circumcised and became members of God's people. There are also many records where, usually through marriage, outsiders came into the Israelite nation, and brought their god's with them. But there were many who came to know God as Lord from outside the Israelite nation.

We are all familiar with the famous vision Paul had when the sheet came down from heaven three times, and Paul was sent to teach the Gentiles. Well in 1 Peter 2:9, Peter tells his readers You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

God through Jesus Christ has made all who believe in Him a royal priesthood. The Old Testament provides the background for this institution, and in the New Testament we are told in 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19 - 22 that the holy priesthood comprises the whole body of believers, and is not restricted to the clergy who have a different role as well. So as priests in the new covenant, we replace the priests of the Old Testament, and as priests and believers we are to : -

* Reflect the Holiness of God and that of the high priests 1 Peter 1:15 - 16, Hebrews 7:26 and Hebrews 10:10. in that we are between God and the people of the world and that gives us responsibilities to God and man.

* Offer spiritual sacrifices. The New testament refers to many items here, such as bodies offered to God, Romans 12:1 - 2; offerings of money or material goods, Philippians 4:18, Hebrews 13:16; and the sacrifice of praise to God, Hebrews 13:15. Believers are the living stones that make up the spiritual temple in which they as a royal priesthood offer up spiritual sacrifices to God.

* Intercede for man before God. This is probably one of the most important and most neglected duties of Christians. The Levites were the prayers and the prophets were the intercessors of Old Testament days. Today, it is God's people in every age who are called to pray for and intercede for those alive at the same time. The darkest periods of history are those when there was not one to pray. In some cases God has actually raised up people who are to

re - institute the practice of prayer. If you are afraid to speak to your neighbours, to go out where you work and tell of Jesus, you can certainly start and gather in groups in homes and pray. It is the power of prayer that changes civilisation, and brings the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

* Represent God before man. This was a task of the prophet and priest of old. However God saw it as an important task, and called for obedience. Many of His prophets in the Old Testament were told that if they were not obedient to God's command to go and deliver a message, then the prophet was held accountable for the eternal lives of those he didn't deliver the message to. However, God said that if the prophet was obedient, then any who were saved would result in the prophet receiving acknowledgement, and similarly, regarding those who rejected God's message, the prophet would not be held responsible for their eternal life.

As we said before, it is not true that Christianity is a free gift. It is freely given gift of God, but it costs those of us who accept it, everything. It is kingdom living, and in a kingdom you have no rights, no democracy, and you are called to total obedience. God is getting serious with His people now, because He is purifying us to become the Bride of Christ that scripture speaks about. We are being encouraged into a deeper relationship with God, at His command and invitation. If we do not obey, we will be like the man in the parable of the wedding feast, the guy who came in without the wedding coat, and like him we will be asked to leave. However, those who are obedient and do the will of God, will be invited to stay and share, note the words and share, in all that God has prepared for eternity.

We have no knowledge of your own personal walk with God or your obedience to His call. All we know is that we believe that we have to share these thoughts with you, and we have tried to be obedient to what we hear from the Lord, and we have grown to love you all so very much. If you are only hearers and not doers, then today I have given you a starting point list of things to do : -

* Reflect the Holiness of God

* Offer spiritual sacrifices - especially praise,

* Intercede for man before God,

* Represent God before man.

because we are a royal priesthood, and God calls us to obey.