People are looking for a place where they are known, where others are glad to see them, where they are accepted and called by name. Where their need to love and be loved can be met, where they can connect with others. Does the God who made us "relationship creatures" provide an alternative to the bars, clubs, and other gathering places of the world? The neighbourhood bar is possibly the best counterfeit that there is to the fellowship Christ wants to give His church.
When you think about the "church", what images come to mind? Many people see the church as a lecture hall- a place to go to hear the Bible taught. Others view the church as a theatre- a place to watch the drama of Christ re-enacted. Still others think of the church as a corporation- a program-oriented retail chain for marketing religion to the masses. A growing number of people look at the church as a social club- a place to exchange niceties, enjoy congenial conversations, and make social contacts.
God never intended the church to be primarily a "worshiping place" or an organisation through which He could accomplish certain tasks. We are the church. God's view of the church has always included the notion of a gathering of people- an assembly for fellowship, support, encouragement, and love. God who designed men and women as relationship creatures, designed the church as a "relationship place"- in which people could find the best answers for their need to love and be loved. (From: "Among Friends", by James Winkle)
We have all eternity to celebrate the victories but only one short hour to save the world. (William Carey)
We have given too much attention to methods, machinery and resources, and too little to the source of power- the filling with the Holy Spirit. (J. Hudson Taylor)
Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is not good. The bricks must be cemented together. (Corrie ten Boom)
I have door knocked- walked a lot of kilometres and met a lot of people. Occasionally I am rebuffed, but praise God. I have been welcomed by at least 70 people. I have been able to share my own love of the Lord. At least 85% of those who welcome me are between 18 and 30 years of age with no, or very little Church background. Most of the rest are backsliders up to my own age. Don't let anyone ever tell you that door knocking is a waste of time! (Br Plowright, Elizabeth Downs, SA)
Because of an article in the last "Fair Dinkum" I have started to minister for the Lord by writing to people in prison. (Br Barry Wiseman, Bundaberg, Qld)
Ps Robert from Geelong reports: We are not a big church- only about 30 people at this time, but we are going well with the outreach vision the Lord has given us for our community. In the Easter Festival we were able to distribute a number of good salvation tracts as well as children's knick-knacks in show bags.
Br Jerry Jones (Burbank, CA, USA), is setting up a non-denominational Network of Prayer ministry. He wants to enrol churches worldwide who will regularly pray over lists of needs and will also receive notices of answered prayers. He writes: Prayerless churches are powerless churches. Praying people are victorious people.
Nicu from Romania was deeply involved in rock music, as a "head-banger" (an extreme way of shaking your head up and down to the beat); he writes: I've been in the world and now I'm still in the world, but there is a big difference, because now I am with God. He knew me before I was born, but He had to wait 18 years until I could get to know Him. In December 94 I first heard the good news. I responded to the altar call and received Jesus into my life. A month later I really experienced God's great power. The Holy Spirit filled me with joy, peace, and the love of God. Since then my life is full every day with Him teaching me, comforting me, and leading me. I'm so glad Jesus saved me.
He breathes a breath for my soul to live,
He shines a light so we can see.
He gives us a heart and sets us free.
He sent His only Son to show His Love,
He made a path for us to follow.
I'll walk with faith today,
By His grace I'll be with Him tomorrow.
I pray with all my heart, to give to You,
Change my life, and make me new,
In the cup of Your Hand You mend my wings
You nurse me back and set me free.
(Br Toby Guthrie, Boone, NC, USA)
We are being invaded by beings from outer space. We are on the brink of war. Headquarters has issued some important commands...
1. KNOW YOUR JOB We all have a vital role in the battle. Some of us are cooks, who feed the army. Some are stretcher bearers, and nurses, who care for the wounded, helping them regain fighting-fitness quickly. We all wear the same uniform, we must keep up morale (Phil. 2:2). It is RED ALERT (1 Pet. 5:8). We are up against lots of suffering, persecution, and discipline; don't desert your post!
2. KNOW YOUR COMMANDER We have to pass inspection. We must keep in regular contact with the High Command and obey orders (2 Cor. 10:5). As we follow our Commander, we will be assured of support (Luke 10:19).
3. KNOW YOUR ENEMY Our enemy is a master of camouflage (2 Cor. 11:14). We must recognise, and resist his strategies. He will always try to catch us off-guard; there are no rest-periods in war. Don't under-estimate the enemy; he was once on our side. The enemy will try to lure you into desertion, or try to take you as a prisoner-of-war. If you become a POW, you could be sent to several camps, with names like Fear, Cowardice, or Disobedience. These are places of suffering, bondage, and torture. It is possible to escape from them. Finally...
4. KNOW YOUR WEAPONS (Ephesians 6) We are to be armed for full combat, at all times. You have been issued with your weapons. The Directives (Bible) will help you navigate, especially when undertaking commando missions into enemy territory. Keep hold of your position of victory. Keep up your daily rations. Keep your uniform on (Rom. 13:14). Keep your weapons at the ready; they will easily overcome enemy attacks (2 Cor. 10:4). The coming week is your battlefield. "War a good warfare" (1 Tim. 1:18). (From Fair Dinkum, 6/89; Editor's sermon)
We run a regular Sydney-Perth freight service. Returning from Sydney on the boring stretch of road between Coolgardie and Perth in the early hours of the morning our driver, Arthur Baillie (A Christian) fell asleep at the wheel of the truck and woke up on the wrong side of the road. He surprised to notice that the mobile telephone recorded that a call had come in, although he was out of the normal range. This must have been what had woken him up. Thanking the Lord that no accident had happened, he continued his trip into Perth.
During the early hours of that morning the manager of the loading depot, Bill Goulthorp (a Christian) could not sleep so he decided to go to work early and catch up on some paper work. On the way there he felt compelled to ring Arthur on the truck mobile phone. The phone only gave three rings and cut out. He then tried to ring again, but only received the recorded message that it was out of range.
When Arthur arrived at the depot at approx 7am he told Bill of the close call he had experienced and wondered just who would have tried to ring him at such an unearthly hour of the morning.
Arthur was amazed when Bill informed him that it was he who had tried to ring. What a miracle!
We all realise that God was looking after Arthur in this situation. We feel that this has been an answer to prayer, as Arthur always commits each trip to the Lord.
We also daily pray for safety on the road, for our drivers, and give thanks to God for His protection, and for using Bill to prevent what could have been a disastrous situation.
A relief driver now helps eliminate the risk on this monotonous section of road. (Br Trevor & Sis Avril Hosking, writing in Highway Evangelist Magazine)
I want to thank you dear Lord... For Your Guiding Hand all through the years, and for the most wonderful and comforting faith in Your dear Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and for Your great love so undeserved.
As a small child I experienced the most moving experiences of being in Your loving care, when faced with dangers and accidents, in which my mother and I should have been killed or badly maimed. When times were tough, You always in Your great mercy supplied all the food and clothing we needed.
We faced fire dangers in later life, but You, our Great Protector, always brought us through unharmed, and without loss. You always made a way of escape and brought us through. In later life, more crosses to bear, like Job of the Bible, you brought my family and I through, and closer to You.
Oh, I want to praise You forever, Dear Father, in the Name of our wonderful Saviour, through faith which You have given to all who believe on His Name. (Sis Frieda Boehm; who went asleep in Jesus aged 83 at Victor Harbor Nursing Home. She wrote these words down as her life story. Br Peter, who knew her, says that her life was always a witness and a living testimony to others.)
The story of the Good Samaritan is a good illustration of Christian commitment. It isn't just a story of a good man (a Samaritan) but it is a modern day story of people, Christian people, always in a hurry to do good for God, no time to stop and help the helpless, no time to pick up a beggar in the street, no time to visit the sick, or people in jail, no time to help that struggling family in need. No! Us Christians are in a hurry to rush off to meetings for the Lord- or rush off to fellowships for the Lord- or rush off to church to hear Joe Bloggs, the Evangelist from Timbuktu. Too busy to stop, and do the very things that Jesus wants us to do.
The Samaritan was a despised man and he was the only one who stopped to help. All the others who passed by were Christians?- too busy to stop- too good to get mixed up with a beggar in the gutter- too proper to be seen helping a down and outer. "If we stop what would all those people who see us think of us. Maybe we would soil our good suit, not to mention our good name. No, we can't stop, we are in too big a hurry to serve God." Well, we had better stop, and soon, or that so-called good name of ours will be missing from the Lamb's Book of Life. Our souls will go to Hell. Jesus gave us a "commandment"- it wasn't a suggestion- "Love one another, just as I have loved you." (Br Rod Bond, Morphett Vale, SA)
I lost Jack, my partner of 45 years of marriage just over 12 months ago. Family and friends rallied around with practical help and many prayers, and for quite a while I felt comforted- almost elated- that Jack had been released from his years of health problems and suffering- on the very night I had handed him completely over to God.
All my life I've had a paranoid fear of being alone at night. After the prayers of Christian friends, God took care of that problem. I've lived alone for twelve months.
However, grief, in the realisation of the loss of my partner (Jack not being there to share all the details of day-to-day living) set in, and although I've been told it's normal to grieve- it is painful never-the-less, and I've been helped many times with the fellowship and prayers of Christian friends to get through the "lows".
Immediately following the prayers of friends, after an extreme "low" a few weeks ago, I was resting and heard a voice say, "1 Timothy 5, verse 5". On opening the Bible I read, "A widow who is all alone, with no one to take care of her has placed her hope in God and continues to pray and ask for His help night and day." (Good News Version). This was a spot-on message direct from God.
Reflecting back, I realise that God has been smoothing the path of life for me to travel. What an awesome God we have! I have a verse which reads, "What more can we ask of the Saviour Than to know we are never alone. His mercy and love are unfailing, And He makes all our problems His own." I'm not alone. (Sis Kath Smith, Kingston, SA)
"Frisk" every thought that tries to come in. Make sure it lines up with "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things just, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS" (Philippians 4:8). That would sure get rid of a lot of gossip and wagging tongues. (Sis Shirley; & Glenda Vio, WA, USA)
Australia is at a crossroad.. a watershed.. a time of decision. The key to a turnaround is not going to be found first in government or economic policy, nor in social movements, but through a spiritual revival among the people of God. Most Australians are desperately searching for the life and truth and light that Jesus Christ alone can give. (Br James Bennett, Mt Gravatt, Qld)
The happiest people are those who discover that what they should be doing, and what they are doing, are the same thing. (Grapevine)
I look at Matthew 24:22, and look at our society and understand. As a believer I know that we live in exciting days leading up to the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who alone can bring peace. As I witness what God is doing by His Spirit in our fellowship, and I hear and read reports of what He is doing around the world, I see Him preparing His Church to do mighty exploits, through lives sold out to Jesus Christ. (Ken & Sue, Murray Bridge, SA)
Our ancestors suffered much to bring us the precious Word of God. They loved Jesus and His Gospel. They translated a Bible for us to read- even though it cost them their homes, and their lives. The Gospel still sets men free- we must freely preach the Word of God. It is God's desire for true Pentecost to be restored to His Body. Fast and pray (Acts 13:2). God is beginning a revival in the hearts of a remnant people who will not be satisfied with religiosity and denominationalism. (Br Clark, Winston, OR, USA)
Each letter I send out I stamp the words John 3:3 as another way to spread His Word. (Br Ted Hellman, Boone, NC, USA)
I have been through many "trials", including a period when I wasn't sure what to believe about what a REAL CHRISTIAN is. There are so many people and books questioning our belief system I got really confused for a while, even though I have experienced miracles and healings myself. The devil really had a go at me. PRAISE BE TO GOD- He has sorted my questions out and got me back on track, and I have learned to be a bit more careful about some of the more off track and extremist things. I have been witnessing to New Agers, Mormons, Muslims, and unbelievers in my workplace, and among relatives and neighbours. (Br Paul, Toongabbie, NSW)
The church is meant to be a haven where those who have made mistakes can flee for healing and restoration, without condemnation. Today it is often easier for sinners to find such refuge, sympathy and understanding in a local bar than in a local church. Jesus was the most righteous man who ever walked the earth, yet the publicans, harlots and sinners were as comfortable with Him as He was with them. They even invited Jesus to their parties- and He went! Jesus did not go to parties to carouse; He went as a physician would go to the leper colony- He went to SAVE and HEAL. Pastors need to become more interested in lost souls than in budgets and building programs. The church alone has the real answers that the world is dying for. (Br Phil Bogosian)
It is great to be in God's presence as we absorb our spiritual food. Some churches get 3 or 4 minutes of the Word, and their whole doctrine is music, praise and worship; no-one learns anything. (Br Rod, SA)
Did you know- Evolution, like creation, is a system of belief? A report in Newsweek on Jan 11th 1988 stated that scientists, working in the field of human genetics, DNA, etc, have discovered a link in the genetic chain, found only in women (called mitochondrion) that they have traced back to a SINGLE female ancestor? No thing, creature or plant, has been found that can be said to be conclusive proof of evolution. All fossils found so far are fully formed. The lie of evolution has polluted our society, it is taught in our schools as science, when in reality it is only assumptions based on theories that completely ignore the evidence that is found in all mankind, and in every plant or creature, and indeed all over the earth. Evidence that speaks of intricate design and incredible intelligence. As God is our Creator, He sets the rules, and surely, as He made us, He knows what is best for us. (Br Bickle, Sturt, SA)
We must see that Jesus gets all the Glory rather than a man, an experience, a brand of theology, even verses of Scripture. (Br Harry, Parkes, NSW)
The wages of sin are the only wages that are too high.
Jesus is God with a human face.
Salvation is free- but it is not cheap.
We meet people every day who let us know that they have "made it". They show off their fine homes, new cars and clothes and tell of the wild holidays they enjoy. Life is one big party. But are possessions and lifestyle enough? The fizz of the fun dies away and we need more. Only God can provide lasting satisfaction.
We can have a healthy body, but be spiritually sick. We can have everything money can buy, but miss out on the inner security and peace that can't buy. "God so loved the world that He gave his Only begotten Sn, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). This is real life, life that lasts longer than a wild weekend or an expensive holiday. (Br Brian Kelson, Grace & Life, Boolaroo, NSW)
Look back- and praise Him Look up- and trust Him Look around- and serve Him Look ahead- and expect Him (Selected)
As I study God's Word and take time to pray and worship God, I know what Jesus said to the church in Revelation- I am lukewarm- I lost my first love. I was so full of sin. When my wife and I were saved in 1954, Jesus touched me. A heavy load rolled away, and I felt as light as a feather. A great love and longing for Jesus came in my heart. And this is what I lost. And now I know, what Jesus said is true: that I am poor, wretched, and naked. Though I look alright on the outside, on the inside I am not. But I am walking on the right way again, and learning and getting to know Jesus again. He never turns anyone away. (Br Vanderzee, Qld)
Are we to give out invitations to come to church- or invite people to find Jesus? Are we to give directions on how to find the church building- or directions on how to find Jesus? Does the modern church operate the same way as the first church in Acts? Is it a place where the hurting, broken, and wounded can find restoration and healing? Where the lonely find friendship, the destitute hope, and the lost salvation? What do we offer the lost and seeking of this world?
Have you ever had a Christian knock on your door to give you the Good News, or witness to you at a shopping mall, or help you at work with your job? Go out and receive the blessing (Acts 1:8). I believe the church needs to look outward- as the first church operated within its community- not only towards the world, but towards the body of Christ, displaying sacrificial compassion and help to all who need it. (Br Gaskell, WA)
God has blessed motherhood and the raising of children from the very beginning of time. A woman can fill no greater role than preparing the next generation for life's responsibilities. The future of any nation rests in the laps of its mothers. Television and the mass media have done so much to destroy Biblical family values and make motherhood appear drab or even selfish. Day-care centres have sprung up to provide for children of working mothers. Increasing juvenile delinquency, violence, crime, and disrespect for authority prove that something is wrong. Society's very foundations appear to be crumbling. Children are eternal souls, God's greatest gift to the home. Parents have a serious responsibility (Ephesians 6:1-4) to raise their children; one that is practically impossible to fulfil when both parents work full-time elsewhere. God expects mothers to guide the house (1 Timothy 5:14). (Tract)
STATUS QUO- Latin term for: "The Mess we is in"
In 1996 Jerusalem plans to celebrate -it is 3000 years since King David ascended to the throne. (Sis Irene King, NSW)
Disney's "Lion King" sold 20 million copies in its first week of release, and is becoming the best-selling video ever. It packs powerful New Age symbolism and philosophy. Shamanistic ritualism is graphically portrayed in the dedication of Simba to the spirits of the earth. It teaches necromancy, spiritualism, Hinduism, and occult fantasy. (Australian Beacon, 6/95)
Five believers in Christ were crucified recently in Sudan by order of Islamic courts. Their widows and children are sold into salvery in Sudan and Libya for $15 each. (Christian Chronicle 4/95)
In communist China, abortionists are selling tiny corpses as meat to be eaten for up to $38 a piece. In Shenzhen hospital women doctors eat fetuses. A doctor at Zou Orin clinic said she had eaten 100 of them and fed them to her family as well. (Hong Kong Eastern Express, 11/4/95)
The Tennessee House of Representatives approved a resolution encouraging "every citizen of Tennessee to observe the Ten Commandments". The resolution encourages citizens to "teach them to their children, and display them in their homes, businesses, schools, and places of worship." The resolution passed without a dissenting vote. (Baptist & Reflector, 5/95)
Evangelical Christianity has taken on an increasing resemblance to American culture. It tends to be pragmatic, experience-oriented, unaware of history, indifferent to theology, self-centred, and always in a hurry. (CVN 5/95)
There are at least 23 satellites overhead at this moment that have the technology to read the print of a postage stamp lying on the ground, track people and listen to their conversations. (SECW 2/95)
Australia is party to no less than 59 international United Nation treaties and conventions, (the United States is party to 42) according to a list published by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in October 1994. These treaties set global agendas, restrict and control weapons, govern trade, education systems, social security systems, telecommunications, transportation, land use, investment, taxation, social welfare and employment policies. (Australian Commonwealth Government information Kit)
"Visa Card aims at cashless society" The stored value card is the latest banking product that threatens to transform Australia into a cashless society, replacing Australian paper, currency and cheques. Trials of the card will start in October. It is a disposable or reloadable card that contains a memory chip that electronically stores a desired amount of money on it. (Courier Mail Newspaper 6/7/95)
The Temple Institute was founded in 1988 by Rabbi Israel Ariel. It aims to prepare the holy vessels for the coming Temple, and to educate and stimulate world Jewry in anticipation of the Temple becoming again the focus of their national and religious life. More than half of the 103 vessels are already made, including containers for the blood, silver trumpets, a copper laver, a golden censer, and some of the priestly garments. Money is being collected. The Golden Menorah, requiring almost 100 pounds of the precious metal, is estimated to cost $US 10 million. A Rabbi at the Institute said of the Ark of the Covenant: "It's not missing- we know exactly where it is. When the time comes we'll bring it out." (Uplook, 4/95)
Raymond Raines, a fourth-grader at Waring Elementary School, St Louis, USA got in trouble. It began one day when he bowed his head at lunchtime to thank the Lord for his food. A teacher noticed and removed him from his seat in full view of the other students and sent him to the principal's office. He was told it was against the rules to pray in school and he must not do so again. But Raymond had been taught by his parents to pray before eating, which he continued to do each day. On three separate occasions he was removed from the cafeteria and disciplined. He was segregated from the other students, ridiculed for his religious beliefs, and subjected to a week-long detention.
First-graders in a school in South Bend, Ind., USA were told to bring their favourite book from home to school to read to the class. Bryce Fisher brought his Bible and, when called upon, began to read from the book of Genesis. His teacher stopped him and told him it was "against the rules" to read from that book. (Focus on the Family, 5/95)
A prayerless parliament. God will no longer be officially asked to help the ACT Legislative Assembly in its deliberations. It is the first parliament in Australia, and the second in the Commonwealth to dispense with prayers. Until yesterday, the Speaker asked Almighty God to bless the Assembly, and to direct and prosper its deliberations. (Advertiser Newspaper, 2/6/95)
"I am the almighty. I am the tyrant. I will follow in Hitler's footsteps",
so says Vladimir Zhirinovsky. He is a politician determined to challenge Yeltsin
for the presidency of Russia. He might command close to two million men-at-arms
and an arsenal of nuclear weapons. He has pledged to restore this nation's glory-
and its empire- even at the risk of war. Anti-Jewish pronouncements are his
trademark, even though birth records show his father was Jewish. He has ready
answers to the problems plaguing his country. What to do about criminals? "Shoot
them." Political turmoil? "The Russian people need a new dictator." He has promised,
"When I am done, Russia will be great again!" His grand plan includes the annexation
or control of wide sections of Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran and the Baltic states.
Russia's next presidential election is scheduled for 1996- and the man who would
be dictator is already running hard. (From Reader's Digest, 12/94 & J. Adams
1/95)
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