The story is told of an American soldier who came home from Vietnam. He telephoned home to Boston. His mother answered the phone, "Mum, I'm coming home", he said.
"Thank God, Son, you're coming home," the mother exclaimed. Then he said to her, "I have a friend I'm bringing home with me." "Son, bring him along." she replied. "Mother, you don't understand. I don't just want to bring him home. I want him to live with us-- to stay with us."
"Son, bring him. It's okay. We'll make room for him." Once again he said, "Mum, I don't think you really understand. This friend of mine doesn't have any arms, he doesn't have any legs, he doesn't have any eyes, and his face is terribly disfigured." The next thing the soldier heard was a click and then a dial tone. A day later, the same telephone rang in Boston. On the other end was the police department. The police reported to the mother, "We have a young man here whom we have identified as your son. He doesn't have any arms, he doesn't have any legs, he doesn't have any eyes, and his face is terribly disfigured. Ma'am, we're sorry, but he's dead."
This boy couldn't go home to a home without love. Our Lord Jesus said the one thing that would show the world that we are His disciples indeed, is our love for each other. (Afterglow Newsletter)
Sudan: Muslims are selling Christian children as slaves in Libya and other Arab states. (VOM, 2/95)
USA: EEO Commission civil rights legislation could make it illegal to wear a cross, or any religious emblem. (Rainbow Correction, 12/94) Philippines: Br Peter Hobson, of Crows Nest, had a blessed time of deliverance ministry in recent crusades.
Nigeria: 10,000 Muslims attacked a church in the North of this nation, as Sunday services closed. They set fire to the church, pelted folk with stones, and stole the pastor's house, property, and Christian's cars, and bicycles. A lady had her teeth broken when she refused to recite the Muslim oath. At least two Christians were killed, and several seriously wounded. Despite all this, local Christians are not discouraged. (SIM Now 3/95)
Africa: The Presidents of Zambia and Ethiopia are born again Christians. (Sis Cawkwell, Toowoomba).
Mongolia: A young girl in Erdenet has led her whole class to believe on Christ. (MBIC 12/94)
USA: George and Tina Rolleston, aggressive non-believers, had a baby daughter on July 20. Not wanting to use a Biblical baby name, they named her Atheist Evolution Rollason. (Prayer News)
Pakistan: It is against the law to worship Jesus as God. Punishment: death. (HCJB 1/95)
North Korea: Christians here have suffered brutal persecution since 1950. All the church buildings were destroyed, Christians were put in prison or killed and Bibles burnt. If the authorities discover Christians, they are put into exile, and their families are sent to labour camps. Despite this, an underground church of 300,000 believers exists today, spread across the country. (MBIC, 12/94)
USA: Newt Gingrich says no civilisation can survive when 13-year olds are having babies, 14-year olds are shooting each other, 17-year olds are getting AIDS and 18-year olds earn diplomas they cannot read. (CVN, 12/94)
Australia: Wine, and beer producers pay $1 million every day on advertising. They claim these expenses as a tax deduction. The taxpayer (who already funds hospitals, asylums, half-way houses, morgues, etc, needed by alcohol's victims) subsidises the recruitment of more victims. (Br Arnold Jago, Mildura, Vic)
The World Council of Churches is increasingly New Age in its stance. A recent conference included prayers to the goddess Sophia. (Prophetic Alert 12/94)
A new non-offensive Bible is to be published in America in February. Oxford University Press has re-written the Bible to do away with alleged sexism, racism, and even bias against left-handed people. It removes God's male identity; "Thanks to Our Mother in Heaven". Jesus becomes "the Human One" instead of the Son of Man. God's "right hand" is changed to "mighty hand". (Recent newspaper clipping)
Australia has been smitten by humanism through the education systems. Three generations have been poisoned with evolution and socialism- hence the spiritless churchianity instead of the godliness of Christianity. There's a tolerant attitude towards humanism prevalent among Christians today. The world is in the church. There's a fight on our hands. Long live "Fair Dinkum". (Br George, Geraldton, WA)
Christians sending their children to a state school is comparable to the Israelites sending their children to be trained by the Philistines for 6 hours each day. The clear teaching of Scripture is that we are to separate ourselves from the influence of the world. (Jo Harder, Geraldton)
Not far from New York in a cent'ry lone,
Close guarding it's grave stands a simple headstone,
And on it is graven this word alone-
FORGIVEN!
No sculptor's fine art has embellished its form,
But constantly there, through the calm and the storm,
It bears this one word from a poor fallen worm,
FORGIVEN!
It shows not the place of the silent one's birth,
Reveals not his frailties nor lies of his worth,
But tells out its tale from those few feet of earth,
FORGIVEN!
The name is unmentioned, the date is untold,
Beneath lies the body, corrupted and cold,
Above rests the spirit, at home in the fold,
FORGIVEN!
And when from the skies the Lord shall descend,
This stranger will rise and to glory ascend,
Well-known and befriended, to sing without end,
FORGIVEN!
(Anon; Quoted in The Grapevine)
Traditional heroes of the past are discredited, scorned and cast aside. Homosexual lifestyles are being promoted to youth as noble and preferable. Nationalism, patriotism and the family are reviled. Death is made honourable, even heroic. Abortion and infanticide are encouraged. Penalties are to be levied on birth. Life shall be diminished. Euthanasia shall will be an art form as the elderly are assisted in their "transformation into spirit." Children shall rule- Children's Rights shall be the rallying cry of progressive society. Women will dominate in all walks of life- in law, medicine, literature, religion, economics, entertainment, education, and especially in politics. This movement opposes true Biblical Christianity- it is the gravest threat to their plan. (Br Texe Marrs, Living Light)
I was seeking to lead a young soldier to accept the Lord Jesus Christ, but, like most men, he tried to evade the essential issue with the promise, "I'll think it over".
"Harry", I said, "let me illustrate. You are out with the boys some night scouting an enemy post. And on the way back you get hit hard. Another soldier stops long enough to pick you up and carry you back to your own lines, and for his trouble gets two bullets in the back. You are both taken to the hospital and by tender care are won back from the very jaws of death.
"Two months later the doctor brings in a poor fellow who limps badly and moves with evident pain. They stop at your bedside, and the doctor says, "Harry, I want to introduce you to Bill Smith, the man who risked his life to save you.' You fold your arms and say, 'I'm not sure I want to meet him. I'll think it over.' You wouldn't say that, would you? You would grasp him by the hand and try to tell him something of the gratitude you felt.
"I want to introduce you to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Man who not only risked His life, but sacrificed it, to save you. And you propose to turn your back on Him and say you'll think it over?" "No", he said, "I'll accept Him." Together we knelt while he told the Lord that he, at that moment, accepted Him as his personal Saviour. Are you "thinking it over", or have you faced the issue squarely and decided aright? (Br Robert Laidlaw, "The Reason Why"; sent by Br Rod Bond)
The first few centuries of the Christian era were some of the most dynamic and powerful in our history. Starting at Pentecost with less than 150 people, within 300 years, Christianity conquered the entire Roman empire, and sent missionaries throughout the world. In the succeeding centuries, nation after nation came to faith in Christ. Even amidst trials, persecutions, martyrdom, heresies and social chaos, God was pleased to use the gospel to change the entire known world in the first few hundred years of the Christian era.
How did the church manage to accomplish so much in such a short span of time (relatively speaking)? Obviously, it was a time of great outpouring of God's grace. God is sovereign and works His will according to His own plan. What sort of training programs did they use? Without printing presses, video tapes, advertising budgets or computerised mailing lists, how did they ever get the Word out so effectively to so many people?
Mostly the church evangelised through individual households. One family told another family, who told another family, etc. The individual household and not the Church was the centre of the Christian life. When the church finally got organised and started programs, evangelism declined, discipleship ceased, and the church entered her dark ages. In the early church, before cathedrals and popes and monasteries and all the rest, Christians met in homes, fathers led their families in worship and individual households took personal responsibility for reaching out to their lost neighbourhoods.
Look at how do we do things today. First we create endless programs that we hope will get people attracted to or involved in our church. The assumption seems to be that if people aren't totally committed to our church activities, they aren't totally committed to Christ. So the more committed the Christian, the more activities we make him attend. A really dedicated Christian, in an active church, often finds he has no time for his family, evangelism or discipleship ministries. He's always busy but he doesn't seem to accomplish very much. The nominal Christian or the unbeliever, just isn't all that interested in the programs we create. After all, he's always got the goggle box at home that can entertain him much better than anything the Church can come up with. Meanwhile the entire committed body of the local church spends its time and energies on events, programs and activities that only they themselves attend!
Some churches keep their children out of the worship services until they are teenagers- they are never taught how to listen to a sermon, how to take notes, how to sing songs that are worshipful and meaningful. They have been entertained and kept out of the parents' hair, but have not been discipled into mature worship. Then we wonder why our teenagers fidget, pass notes, whine about going to church, and find it boring!
Next, because we have to keep people interested in our nonstop programs, we have to water them down so that nominal people will attend (even though they usually don't). Thus we emphasise fun, entertainment oriented-activities that are non-threatening. We have special music, and skits and entertaining homilies filled with warm anecdotes and pious platitudes, but seldom instruct or challenge.
Search as hard as you like and you'll not find the Scriptures teaching Christians to organise their lives around Church activities. The bedrock of all Christian ministry is evangelising the unconverted and then discipling new believers into the faith. Everything else revolves around these two fundamental ministries. The New Testament Church consisted basically of house churches, small groups of believers organised around a godly household. There were no Church buildings, temples or holy places for Christians. God is pleased to bring most people to saving faith in Christ through the personal witness of average people. Start using your home for ministry today and start winning a world for Christ. (Br Brian Abshire, Chalcedon Report, 11/94)
CHRIST IN YOU WANTS TO REACH OUT THROUGH YOU. You and I are His Body. You personally are the church- the body of Christ today in your community. Christianity is a personal thing. The essence of your Christian experience is "Christ in you". He wills to minister through you. He speaks through our lips. He visits the needy and uplifts the fallen through us. He encourages the discouraged and reaches down to the despondent through us. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up the wounds of the suffering through us.
If we fail to do more than pray- if we never visit the lost and witness to people- they will never hear Christ's invitation to be saved. We must pray, but then we must arise, go out, and give them the good news. Christ's ministry in your community is expressed through you. He longs to speak to people about salvation, to convince them of their sins and of the gospel, which is the work of the Holy Spirit. But He is in you and He works through your lips and your body. If you do not go and witness or speak the message, your community may be lost. The Holy Spirit moves through us. We are His temple. If we are too busy to witness, He has no other channel through which to minister. He lives in our bodies. Non-Christians in your community will never be visited by our Lord if you do not go and speak to them in His name. Those who are sick and in prison will never be visited by Jesus Christ if you do not go to them in His name. People shall never see God, except they see Him in you.
Christ's love can only be manifested through the life of a believer. His compassion and concern for lost souls can only be exhibited through you. Jesus Christ visits your community each time you do. Are you unwittingly confining Him to your house? Do you ever let Him speak to your neighbours? Have you ever allowed Him to tell them the way of salvation and to offer them His life? Christ does not live in a cathedral of stone or in a temple of brick and mortar. He lives in your body. You are His temple. He ministers, demonstrates His compassion, extends His mercy through your body- through you! You have been saved to be His witness, His body, His church, His voice, His heartbeat.
Jesus was a soulwinner. He mixed with people. He befriended the needy, healed the sick, spoke good news to people. He was a servant to the people, all the time. At first, you may be afraid or timid or hesitant to act in Christ's stead, but go in His name. He is in you. Yield your emotions to Him. He will guide you and you will discover a dimension in Christian living you never knew before. (From "Soulwinning, out where the people are" by Br T. L. Osborn)
We are successful, growing, influential, and powerful. But are we holy? Where is the holy living? We even advertise it on our bumper stickers: "I'm not perfect- just forgiven."
We are more like McDonalds, Coke, or General Motors than the New Testament Church. We are more interested in numbers than evangelism. Who are our heroes? Are they holy men and women ? No. They are those with the biggest business success.
Remember when sinners used to repent, quit sinning, and start living right.. all because they got saved? Now we have a commitment to avoid embarrassing people. We want people to be comfortable in our meetings. We are more New Age than New Testament. After all, this is what the customers want.
We certainly wouldn't tell our Sunday morning crowd about Hell. It might offend someone. They might quit coming. It's not right to scare people into the Kingdom, we say. Think about it, how often do you hear about judgment and Hell? We want a good image. We've adopted the culture's broad-minded view of the loving Santa Claus God. He never withholds anything from anybody- everybody gets presents in the end.. even if they've "been bad or good."
We have kept the "dark side" of God and the Bible a secret from people. When they finally come face to face with the real God at the Great White Throne, He will be a stranger to them. They will feel oddly deceived as they are cast into the Lake of Fire. They never heard of this kind of god before. We didn't tell them.
We give pleasant practical help-for-Monday sermons which make our people nicer. They come to church because it "helps them cope." They "get help" from our sunny talks. But are they redeemed? Will millions of them wind up in hell better able to "cope"?
Face it, people don't want to hear much from the Bible. To them it's boring, hard to understand, and embarrassingly pointed. People want nice talks. Uplifting talks. Encouraging talks. Useful talks. Rotary club talks. "Happy talk" is what works today.
How about soul-winning? Remember that craze? Remember how motivated we were to find lost people- even go door to door to get them? But we found it far easier to build attendance through "attraction evangelism". We were surprised that we were able to get the world to like our morning services. We are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their attention. Now we rotate members from one church to the other, as we offer increasingly more entertaining programs than the next church- all this while the vast majority of this nation speeds merrily to Hell. We have discovered that getting people into the church is far easier than getting them into the Kingdom. But who cares... all the denomination praises is the HOLY NUMBER- those in the Sunday morning services or on the membership rolls. But we have little effect on the world. Now we have so many unsaved attenders that if we really did get interested in soul-winning again we wouldn't have to go door to door- we could go pew to pew!
We offer fabulous seminars, tremendous conventions, and uplifting praise gatherings. We have followed the trends, read the research, and now know exactly how to meet the needs of today's sinner consumer. Our lucrative publishing houses would be attractive takeover targets for secular companies. We've got everything we could dream of. We have need of nothing- but we are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
So, what does the future hold? Is there any hope? I believe we'll turn away from our fruitless attempts and Christianise society, and return to emphasising personal conversion and holy living. Hundreds of modern Martin Luthers will rise up. They will call for sacrifice, commitment, total dedication, and they will be more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing the world. God will bring His truth back in focus. The fads will pass. The whole gospel will be preached, including the judgment side of God. Sin will become serious. Conviction will rise again. Repentance will make a comeback.
When God seeks to reform His church, He begins searching for leaders, for prophets who will give His Word, no matter now unpopular. Are you one of these new prophets? (Br Keith Drury, USA)
We don't need better theology or doctrine. We have the basic Bible truths which can save us and the whole world if we are doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:2). Many Christians want to hear something new (2 Tim. 4:3). We need to keep the message simple like Jesus did. There is a dying, crying, sighing humanity wanting to know the way to the precious truth of the Lord. If we put into practice what we know, God will confirm His Word with signs following.
We don't need better programmes or professionalism in the music, and the singing. We don't need "Jesus rock", "Jesus rap", or "Jesus heavy metal". We need good old-fashioned Holy Ghost singing and music, where you can hear the message in song, coming from dedicated people who love the Lord.
Many Pentecostal churches have entertainment to keep the young people flocking in and to help bring finances to pay the huge mortgages on the elaborate building complexes. Soon we will all face the fire of the Holy Ghost sent to burn out all that is not of Him. He will have for Himself a Church that is holy, God-fearing, and after the pattern of His Word. We do not need a better programme, we need to wait for the promise of the Father.
The disciples obeyed the Lord's command (Acts 1:12), set themselves apart (v. 13), tarried and watched (v. 14), prayed and sought (v. 15), and they were united (v. 14). When they obeyed and waited on the Holy Spirit, the promise was received. Hearts were purified, the power came, and there was a passion for souls (Acts 2:1-4). The man who had previously denied that he even knew Jesus, was now preaching with such power of conviction that 3000 were saved through a very ordinary sermon. The secret was the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
We need to have a passion for souls and a desire for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. More will be accomplished in a shorter time, than in all the years we have been trying in our own strength. This move of the Holy Spirit will bring the fear of God, conviction, repentance and holiness.
Let's not try in our own strength to make something happen but let us wait for the Promise of the Father. The world continues to grow darker, and the Light of God is shining brighter and brighter through His people. May the Light shatter the darkness and draw multitudes of people to call on the Lord and be saved. (Br Keith Davie, Toowoomba, Qld)
1. Faithful in Prayer.
For your local church, missionaries, tract and Gospel literature ministries
reaching the lost and unchurched.
2. Faithful in Witnessing.
Be a speaking Christian. Share His forgiveness and love beginning at your Jerusalem-
your own neighbourhood.
3. Faithful in Living.
The only Gospel many people will ever come into touch with, is your life as
you live the Christian way before them. Be faithful in living your Christian
life.
4. Faithful in Giving.
What a joy it is to give to the Lord. We see that when we give with the right
heart, to help further His will on earth, He returns to us our gift in abundance
so we can give again for His glory. (Gal. 6:7) (Br Jerry Keever, Blue Springs,
MO, USA)
Yes, and with no further discussion about the matter. Are you startled? Why? How do you answer Junior when he comes to breakfast on Monday morning and announces that he is not going to school anymore? You know! Junior goes! How do you answer him when he comes in dirty and says; "I am not going to take a bath." Junior bathes, does he not?
Why all this timidity then in the realm of his spiritual guidance and growth? Going to wait and let him decide what church he will go to when he is old enough? Quit kidding. You did not wait until he was old enough to decide whether he wished to remain dirty or clean. Do you wait until he is old enough to take medicine when he is sick?
What will you say when Junior announces he does not like to go to church? That is easy to answer. Just be consistent. Tell him, "Junior, in our family we all go to church and that includes you!" Your firmness and examples will furnish a bridge over which youthful rebellion travels into rich and satisfying experiences in personal religious living.
Parents can strike a telling blow against the forces which contribute to our juvenile delinquency, if our mothers and fathers will take their children to worship our Lord regularly. (J.Edgar Hoover, quoted in Advocate of Truth)
A well-planned attack on traditional values is happening in our government, our courts, our schools, in business, entertainment, and even in churches. New "values" based on popular psychology are being transfused into common thinking to prepare the minds of people to receive the End-time "Beast" system that will subjugate all of the world's governments. Scripture foretells that ALL who dwell on the earth, with the exception of the saints, will worship the Beast (Rev. 13:8). Minds must be made receptive. Society's standards, laws, and morality, which are based on Biblical absolutes, must be broken down. Nothing is seen as good or bad, right or wrong. There is a loss of the sense of right and wrong. Truth is relative, no one can really say in IS sin and wrong is wrong. That could be destructive to one's all-important self-esteem.
Lawbreaking goes unpunished. In the justice system, the tried-and-true principle of swift, sure punishment suitable to the crime (Ecc. 8:11) is replaced by bargaining for punishment (plea-bargaining). Crime is escalating.
The traditional family is being redefined as any union of people- heterosexual or homosexual. Having thrown out the Bible, our society has no standard of morality. The family is decomposing. Women are taking over rule as prophesied (Isa. 3:12). The feminist movement is turning a patriarchal society into a matriarchal one.
Sexual deviancy and perversion, such as homosexuality is flaunted. Sodomites sit in powerful positions in government, entertainment and the media.
"War and commotions..." 35 conflicts are under way around the world- the biggest problem is civil unrest and ethnic and racial hatred. ("Nation" in Lk. 21:9-10, is Gk "ethnos" and means race).
Caring and concern for people is vanishing (Matt. 24:12). Folk live in fear and suspicion of others. Religious institutions are impotent. The aim of today's typical sermon is to create a happy person with a high self-esteem, not to reveal a wretched sinner who is in dire need of repentance, a changed life, and deliverance. Forget your feeling rotten for your sins. Sin is just a negative self-image.
There is a prejudice against true Biblical religion (John 15:19). (Alan Mansager)
The New World Order's plan for global government involves implanting a sophisticated electronic transponder "bio chip" in the right hand or forehead of every person in the world, by 1997. Smaller than a grain of rice, it has 250,000 electronic components. Powered by a lifetime lithium battery, recharged by fluctuations of body heat, the chip can transmit information needed to locate and track any person in the world. It will be programmed with personal information, including an 18-digit I.D. number; three segments of 6 digits each (6-6-6). Could this "Bio Chip" be the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13:16-17? (Recent info from Sis Glenda Vio of USA)
As well as being an identification chip, the frequency of the micro chip can be programmed to send a signal that will cause behavioural changes in the body. It can be used as a birth control tool (putting a person into instant menopause, by stopping the output of the pituitary gland that causes oestrogen flow). (Dr Carl Sanders, quoted in Nexus Magazine, 7/94)
MARC- prelude to "The Mark"? I'd rather leave home without it. US troops are involved in a test program called MARC. The US Department of Defence is trying out its new MARC on the nation's soldiers. They don't even describe it as a"card". Just the MARC. It is an acronym for Multi-Technology Automated Reader Card. We are told that it has a standard bar code, a magnetic stripe, embossed data, a digital photograph and an Integrated Circuit computer chip. It contains a massive array of information and is used by the carrier to make purchases and store his or her complete military and healthcare records files. (SECW 12/94)
When I stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ
And He shows me His plan for me,
The plan of my life as it might have been,
Had He had His way; and I see
How I blocked Him here, and I checked Him there
And I would not yield my will,
Will there be grief in my Saviour's eyes,
Grief though He loves me still?
He would have me rich, and I stand here poor,
Stripped of all but His grace,
While memory runs like a hunted thing
Down the paths I cannot retrace.
Then my desolate heart will well nigh break
With tears that I cannot shed;
I shall cover my face with my empty hands;
I shall bow my uncrowned head.
Lord of the years that are left to me,
I give them to Thy hand;
Take me and break me, mold me to
The pattern Thou hast planned.
(Martha Snell Nicholson, sent in by Br Peter, SA)
The revival we need is not in outbursts of phenomena, no matter how exciting and inspiring they seem. The revival we need is found in the nearness of God which will strike men with awe, melt their hearts and bring deepest repentance and transformed life and character. It is a pure church- a broken and contrite people, right with God, right with one another, that will be the instrument of God in bringing true salvation to the masses. (Br Richard Owen Roberts, International Awakening Ministries, USA)
An exclusively emotional faith is dangerous. It is offensive to the thinking, rational person. We are told not to quench the Spirit, to test all things, and hold fast what is good (1 Th. 5:19,21; 1 Cor. 2:15). Biblical revival was a joyous time- accompanied by an intelligent proclamation of Christ- people were truly empowered and enlightened by the Spirit of God. (Christian Sentinnel/Chalcedon Report)
This blessing could have begun in the spirit but has now moved into the flesh. I plead for caution. Did the apostles have this experience? No. Is joy and drunkenness a gift of the Spirit? No. Is it a genuine move of God or is it the beginnings of an "End Times" deception which will lead astray many into the "great falling away" (2 Thess 2:3)? (Br Harry Westcott, Parkes, NSW)
The Bottom Line - True Revival is more than pumped-up emotions.
It is a church that catches a vision of a lost world- it is a force mobilised for militant evangelism. A people burdened with a burning zeal to reach lost souls. A church in revival has no time for circus acts and playing games, but is about being a rugged, aggressive witness. A people who will dare to believe, and do exploits, and impact a world on the way to a real, eternal hell. (Ed)
Insight The word "preach" occurs 112 times in the New Testament- 106 times in relation to personal witness for Christ, rather than a minister preaching in a church. Witness is the key word in the New Testament- it occurs 175 times. Every disciple of Christ is a witness. (Br Jimmy Maynor)
The condition of the modern church. Whereas our Lord commands us to, "go ye therefore", the cocooning church says, "come ye herefore". 8 out of every 10 new church members was someone who moved from one church to another church: especially to the mega churches that provide the best worship, teaching, support groups, children's programs, single's groups, and most notably- entertainment. "Will it sell?" "What do the people want?" "How can we get them in our doors?". (Br Joseph McAuliffe, Chalcedon Report)
The church is full of willing people. 20% willing to work, and 80% willing to watch them.
If you would work for God, form a committee. If you would work with God, form a prayer group. (The Grapevine)
We are not called to be against Roman Catholics- we are called to contend for the truth- with gentleness and respect. (Br Wayne, Greenacres, SA) Ed's Response: I agree, we are called to contend for the truth- against error- whether it be Catholicism, or even what may go on in our own churches. For this reason I am not afraid to stand against what is wrong. Br Dave Hunt responds to a reader accusing him of "Catholic-bashing": Catholics make up nearly 1/5 of the world's population. Here is a huge mission field of those whose church has deceived them with a false gospel that cannot take them to heaven. We need to love Catholics enough to tell them the Good News that we can receive forgiveness of all sin and eternal life through Christ's finished work on the cross. Let us be in continual prayer and evangelism effort to win Catholics to Christ. (TBC, 12/94)
Believers are being fined, imprisoned and tortured. It is forbidden to teach the Gospel to youth, to listen to foreign religious broadcasts, and to fast and pray for healing. A woman recently released from her second prison term of 100 days was hung upside down and beaten with electrical cords. She said that God's presence was tangible during the ordeal, and she prayed for her torturers. She smiled often as she talked. There was an unusual lack of resentment. The Christian's daily battle cry is: "We go out ready to preach the Gospel, ready to go to jail, and ready to die for Jesus' sake." They say, "Wherever we go, signs and wonders follow our brothers and sisters." In recent outreach to Sichuan Province miracles were evident, with the blind seeing and the deaf hearing. A person lame for 70 years got up and walked.
A Saul-like public security officer was intent on finding and persecuting the believers. His believing wife became so ill that she could neither talk nor walk. The family spent $10,000 in search of a cure. The local believers decided to show the officer forgiveness and went to pray for his wife. She was miraculously healed, and her husband gave his life to the Lord. He said, "now I know you Christians are really good people. Before I always persecuted Christians, but now I will tell you if the government wants to harm you." God uses His miracles to protect the believers. (The Word Around us 2/95)
There has been much suffering and persecution for Christians in this, the biggest nation in the world, where 1.2 billion people are ruled by an atheistic, communist government that wants to control everything. But nothing can stop the mighty revival of the Church of JESUS CHRIST. An estimated 25,000 people are receiving Christ as Saviour every day. Bibles are being smuggled in by the thousands. In some places there is only one Bible for the needs of two churches with hundreds of members. That one Bible is used constantly for preaching the Gospel, teaching the church and for private Bible study. It has to be copied by hand so all the Christian can read some of it for themselves.
Many Chinese Christians come together at 5am to pray for Revival in China and in other nations. As the Revival in China continues to grow we could expect to see more Chinese people in Heaven than any other nationality. The Western churches can learn a lot from our brothers and sisters in China as they are a young and vibrant church full of praise and worship. Not afraid of suffering hardship or even torture for the sake of the Gospel, many have been martyred for Jesus' sake, and are in prison today because they refuse to bow down to man, but will only obey God. (Br Shane Murphy, Romania)
It is not your sin that bars you from Heaven, but your failure to repent and accept salvation. (Br Harold, Vic)
Many churches and ministries start out as places of power, then evolve into museums, and end up as prison houses. Altars of fire become artefacts, miracles become methods, and people end up powerless. We have produced converts who interpret every scripture and define every experience from a "what-it-can-do-for-me" perspective. They know all their biblical rights but none of their responsibilities.
We need a fresh spiritual fire upon our leaders. A fire that engulfs carnality and inflames our hearts with a passion for Jesus. Today we have replaced the solemn assembly (Joel 1:14) with the seminar. We need to wake up to the reason we are filled with the Spirit - to win souls for Jesus.
Do what you must do! Do not delay or draw back. Find the place. Create the time. Fall before God and wait for Him. Do not seek gifts or blessings. Seek Jesus- nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Call upon God who answers by fire. (Mario Murillo, Fresh Fire)
When Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled on St Helena, he was asked by one of his friends, "Who was the greatest warrior the world has ever known?" Without hesitation, Napoleon answered, "Jesus Christ". The Caesars, Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Charlemaine, and myself, we have fought with blood and tears and swords and iron, and lost. We lost our sceptres, our crowns, our offices. The only sword Christ had was a broken reed. His crown was some twisted thorns, His army a band of fishermen and farmers, His ammunition a heart of redeeming love. Christ calls and men answer. If need be they give their bodies to be burned, they follow Him to the heart of Africa; but better still, they live patient and triumphant lives in His name. The other warriors will ride down to the dust, but Christ will live forever." (The Grapevine) He also said, "Jesus Christ alone founded His empire upon Love; and at this hour, millions of men would die for Him." (Br Rod Bond)
The divorce epidemic is growing. People divorce for numerous reasons, but they have in common the desire for a better life. Apart from the legitimate reasons for divorce (eg, adultery and abandonment), many justify their actions by clinging to several myths about the supposed outcome of divorce.
Greener Grass.
What looks greener is usually weeds. The relationships least likely to succeed
are those built on adultery. The sweetness usually turns sour after initial
excitement wears off.
Better for children.
Divorce is devastating to children, despite the increasing social acceptability
of single-parent homes.
Not in love anymore.
The same God who told us to love our enemies also helps couples who want to
learn how to love each other again. Love is a choice and a state of mind, and
the key is commitment.
Happier divorced than married.
Most people actually experience guilt, anxiety and loneliness. Studies show
more unhappiness, not less, for divorced men. Women nearly always suffer economically
following divorce.
Freedom.
The "freedom" temptation is especially strong for young couples with
grown children. The initial euphoria of separation usually gives way to a deep
sense of failure. True freedom is found only within God's will.
God's will to divorce.
Nothing could be clearer than Mal. 2:16- God hates divorce. While no one can
live up to God's perfect standard for marriage all the time, we're not free
to use that standard to excuse our selfish wilfulness. Seek counselling and
prayer from trusted and discreet Christians. (CVN, 11/94)
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