Arnold and Lydia Austin have recorded their adventures for God, during 27 years working together in caring for others. They managed a home for handicapped children, and an aged home. (Book available for $6 posted, from: 3 Pendennis St, Riverside, Tas, 7250)
GIVE HIM A FAIR GO
I am recovering from total kidney failure, thanks to all who prayed for me, and my complete faith in Jesus Christ, Who is my Healer. I have also recovered from critical prostrate problems and straphococalis, but my arthritic condition and psoriasis is still crook. So what! God is good. I am still alive in Christ Jesus and He lives within me and I will overcome the problem by letting Him handle it. Nowhere in the Scriptures does it say that a Christian will be without pain and problems and persecution, but like Paul, my infirmities only make me more determined to preach the Gospel of salvation. If I died tomorrow I know where I am going, my future is certain, my goal unchanged, and with my health the way it is, that could quite easily happen, but for God's grace. While I was in hospital, God spoke to me to tell old Charlie Tumbers, 84 years old, with cancer and in a lot of pain. He accepted the Lord as his Saviour and truly believed. Old Charlie pulled through his op with flying colours. The doctors had written him off, but God had other plans for him! I am 60 next year. I can draw on years of experience since being converted at the tender age of 12 in 1951. My advice to any "doubting Thomas" is give Jesus a fair go. For a guy that was once in a wheelchair for 4 months God has been good to me. I am now up and about and bringing God's word to people every chance I get. (Rod, Morphett Vale, SA)
TEN MINUTES FROM HEAVEN
I picked up a virus which I had for about 2 weeks, this eventually left me, then it returned with a vengeance. This was in August 1996, about 2 o'clock in the morning. When I got up to go to the toilet I collapsed on the floor on the way back. Jill immediately rang the Hospital and was told to bring me in. This was about 20 kms away. She couldn't move me by herself as I was unconscious so she rang the neighbours about 2 kms away, they raced over to help her load me into the car and take me to the Hospital.
This was the first of God's perfect timing in the situation as the neighbour has a semi and is usually away, his wife who has done a lot of work in hospitals and has seen a lot of dying people was convinced I was dying and went home and cried while her husband drove us to the hospital. The second piece of God's timing was the doctor was in the town. The doctor they had at the time was not usually there at weekends. I was still unconscious and after examining me she told Jill that she didn't know what was wrong with me but that I was a very sick man, she consequently made arrangements for the Rescue Helicopter to fly in to pick me up and take me to the Royal Adelaide Hospital Intensive Care unit. At this stage I was in a coma.
People were praying for me. We know that without God's help through these prayers I would not have made it. When I came partly around the next day I heard one of the doctors say that I arrived there with 10 minutes to spare. I was eventually told by 5 different doctors that I was a very sick man. I was dehydrated, in shock, had a sugar level too high to measure and it was eventually found that I had severe pneumonia. During the X rays I heard the person developing them say quite loudly "strike it's no wonder the poor fellow is sick"... I had a real peace and thought, okay Lord what ever it is, you can fix it. I had various doctors bring students in to check me out, after telling them how sick I was, only to find that I was stirring them. They had to tell the students that I was really a very sick man. The truth was that because of God's intervention I didn't feel sick most of the time.
I had to see a local doctor a week after I got out of Hospital. He asked how I felt. When I told him "really good" he had trouble believing me, and said "I would expect you to feel really flat for at least 6 weeks." God has done a wonderful job of healing me and I give Him all the glory for the work He has done in my healing and for His perfect timing in all the circumstances. (Robert, Pt Pirie, SA)
I'VE NEVER LOOKED BACK
I had just left the Navy after 16 years service. I was agnostic, anti God, anti church and anti preachers. I was a heavy drinker, smoker, and gambler. Every second word spoken was a swear word. The Lord... changed me almost overnight. All the above problems disappeared and I started preaching and I've never looked back. I know that day I was a changed man... It wasn't long before the Lord said, "Go", and I've been going ever since, and never regretted one day. Doreen was healed of cancer after prayer. She was operated on, and the doctors sewed her up and told her two years was her limit... Doreen died 49 years later. I myself was struck down with cancer of the bowel and I went through the operation ending up with a colostomy. I found a scripture in 1 Pet. 4:19, "Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing". Suffering changes us, softens us, puts a greater compassion in our hearts, and makes us better people and it drives all of self out of the door and opens the way for God to come in and use our bodies for His glory. My problem now keeps me humble. (Charles Woodmore, Christie Downs, SA)
PRISONER ESCAPED
The Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways. I have never prayed in a regular church and the only chapel that I have ever known is a prison chapel. But does the Lord love me, or hear me, any less than anyone else? My eyes and ears have been opened by the Lord by faith. Through asking the Lord into my life has come wisdom and a greater contentment than I have ever known. (Mervyn, Jailed Pen, Ipswich, Qld)
TWELVE CHILDREN? HOW DO I COPE?
It was summer 1973 and I was pregnant with our third child. Things had not been going at all well in our marriage, and I was greatly discouraged. We rarely communicated, except in verbal fights and silences for days on end. Why had it turned out like this? We were going to be the happiest couple on earth, but our blue heaven had turned into a black nightmare.
In the early hours of December 6th, I went into labour. Strong, painful contractions. At 2 am, I knew the baby was coming fast. I called Glen my husband to run and call the ambulance. I climbed into the guest bed and in less than a minute, came a strong, 8lb boy, crying lustily and trying to lift his head. What a shock! What a wonderful surge of joy filled my heart.
This child was special. Surely something had occurred supernaturally to prevent death, haemorrhage, or any other complications. For the first time in years I gave myself time to thank God. Sure, I'd been religious. I started praying as a kid each night, went to a Presbyterian Girl's College and then was confirmed and teaching a Sunday School Class. I knew about God, had read parts of the Bible and until a few years earlier had been at church every week. These things didn't mean much, I figured God was distant, even a hard character, not really relevant to modern life.
Why was I born? What purpose was there in living? How do we know where we go after death? These questions rattled around in my head continually. We'd been given a small Bible and I began to read it a little at night. I could not get away from the fact that Jesus said that He would "save" people. I thought I'd been pretty good, moral and all that, but in the Bible I was reading, "ALL have sinned", "There is none righteous .... There is not a just man that sinneth not". This puzzled me, but maybe I'd misunderstood. We went to church a few times and kept reading the Bible, and then one afternoon everything seemed to fall into place. I was pegging out nappies, and with each one I remembered things that I had done that turned me away from God and into sin. It was awful. When the line was full, so was my conscience; I was rotten to the core. I went to my bedroom crying and for the first time I saw how unworthy I was to receive the gift of eternal life.
"Oh Jesus, I believe you are God, and that you died for me, that Your blood can pay for my sin. Please save and forgive me, Amen" At one minute to three on January the 17th, 1974, I was born again! My Bible was open at Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me all ve that labour and are heavv laden and I will give you rest". I'd come to Him. He'd given me rest on the inside, and a wonderful joy on the outside.
Well one by one, the rest of the twelve children came, about eighteen months apart, one at a time. We were so busy. Glen was saved too and we were very involved in church work. My questions on life were all answered and each of the expanding tribe came to us as a special gift from God.
(One of the verses that keeps me going is "Rest in the Lord" Psalm 37:7. Sometimes as I look at the mountains of washing, the mounting piles of ironing, the dishes, the meals to cook, the cleaning to do, I wonder how it will ever be accomplished. There I must rest in the Lord. He has not promised an easy path, He has promised that "They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength "Isaiah 40:31. It is putting each day in God's hands and leaning on Him, and it works.
As we entered the teen years I got my first white hairs! Christian parents have broken hearts just as much as non-Christian ones. Here was another way to lean on Jesus, when the young minds are rebelling and hearts question the things they have been taught. To those who have wept all night over a straying child, I can assure you, Jesus is sufficient, He will carry the load if we are "Casting all our cares upon Him, for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7.
When our thirteenth child, Samuel, died prematurely we faced another test. What a blessing it was to know the promises of the Bible that Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me." He cared for us as He was a "Man of sorrows and well acquainted with grief." How can I cope? Just a day at a time, a step at a time with GOD's help. "Fear not I will help thee." Psalm 41:13. Have you found Jesus as your saviour too? He offers full pardon for sin, and eternal life if you will take Him at His Word and come to Him. Please feel free to contact me for a Bible or any help I can be. (Mrs Robin James, Box 1617, Ingham, 4850)
IN THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE
Being an octogenarian myself means that many of my "age group friends" are leaving this world. Psalm 90:10-12 are important to me. (Olive, Kingaroy, Qld)
MR. WESLEY'S PERSONAL RULES
(1) To use absolute openness and unreserve with all I should converse with.
(2) To labour after continual seriousness, not willingly indulging myself in
the least levity.
(3) To speak no word which does not tend to the glory of God, and not to talk
of worldly things.
(4) To take no pleasure which does not tend to the glory of God. (Spiritual
Gold)
Gary from Mt Gravatt reports that he has printed and letterboxed 147,000 Gospel tracts.
Bro. B. from SA shares: We went to Hong Kong and smuggled Bibles into China. Changed my whole thinking on (the need for) church buildings. They have nothing and the church is growing like you wouldn’t believe. It was a real blessing to us.
John & Mary of Hervey Bay report that a group of them visit two retirement homes each month: They "have an hour of hymn singing which seems a good tonic for them."
Jean from Mt Evelyn praises God for the Croydon market outreach. She has a free stall there. "I give away Bibles, tracts, etc. and pray for people as the Lord leads. Any glory, if there be any, is to the Lord Jesus Christ. It's His ministry, not mine."
Laurie Peake from Quorn reports blessings from outback patrol work in Australia's remote interior. One eight week trip he drove 9,310 kilometres. In 17 weeks he has only spent 3.5 weeks at home. "There is a lot of hard work to be done as we seek to befriend and evangelise these people." His car battery packed up in his carport. "How gracious was our God to let this happen at home where we live directly opposite a garage, instead of the middle of nowhere, hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest property."
Ron and Kathy Aubrey (PO Box 1180, Nambour, Qld. 4560, Ph. 07-5446 7784) are busy in Guatemala and southern Mexico. Funds are lacking. This ministry is trying to provide loving homes and undo the damage already done in lives of young children. Some, as young as 9 years old, have been prostitutes. Ron says, These children even have to be taught how to play! This ministry of love and compassion is called "The House That Love Built" (Matthew 25:45).
The Lord has given me all that I need, to make and print over 1,250 Christmas cards each year. With the help of our Bible study group, we deliver to around 1,000 homes in our neighbourhood during December. The Lord has provided everything, including the poems to go in the cards... We also letter box drop once a month, to 105 homes in our immediate neighbourhood with literature to help families come closer together. (Fred, Tea Tree Gully, SA)
God has called us to encourage the back paddock people - anywhere in this big country of ours - who are Christians, but for their own reasons do not belong to any organised church, but who need fellowship with and encouragement from other like minded Christians. There are many of us in the back paddock already, and numbers are growing all the time. (Bill & Bette, Dalby, Qld)
Since we reached the 80s plus, everything seems to take longer and it is difficult to get around to doing all the things we used to do. We are still active in our Church, Mary leading the ladies and I still lead the men - with a regular monthly joint meeting. Marie is still involved at the Baptist home for elderly folk at the kiosk and in the ladies auxiliary choir. She does enjoy it (not bad for 86 years).
My wife and I have just returned from the Philippines and we were really blessed by what we saw in the churches. The churches are really growing and souls are being saved and added to the church. The secret to church growth in the Philippines is simple. There is no hype or gimmicks. They have prayer meetings every morning from 6 to 7 am. Prayer meetings on Wednesday afternoons, and once month the church has a time of fasting and prayer in the church from 6pm to 6am. The people are committed to evangelism, and have a love for the lost, and evangelism is central to the church. The people truly love the Lord with all their hearts and minds, and are totally dependent upon Him for everything. To many Christians, "give us this day our daily bread" is a reality. Sunday is the Lord's day. No one complains if the pastor goes on too long in his sermon. In the afternoon the Christians go to various outreaches and do Bible studies. The churches, I will admit, are NOT perfect. But, if we were to follow this example, our churches would grow and boom. The Christians on the whole are poor by our standards, but rich in the Lord. Tragically, I fear we are the opposite. God is truly moving in the Philippines. I believe God would move like this here in Oz, if we would have this attitude. (Garry, Corrigin, WA)
Our present pastor, George Spence, is a genuine Bible preacher and leads us in old fashioned worship and prayer. It is good to come home feeling you have been with the Lord and seen Jesus. We continue to appreciate Fair Dinkum, a genuine old time Christian paper that get to the heart of the Christian message. Good to share with those who don't know what it is they lack and are looking for - Jesus as Lord. (Harold, Bentleigh, Vic)
During the winter, an average of 5 people froze to death every day on the streets of Bucharest and most of those were street children. There is NO permanent shelter for homeless in Romania. Since December 27, 1995, we have been going to the North Train Station and the canals in Bucharest to take soup and sandwiches to 50-100 street children. This is a VERY dangerous place for anyone to be...especially a child. They are in terrible condition...physically, mentally, and spiritually. Most are filthy, disease-ridden, cold, hungry, and sniffing chemicals from plastic bags. One young boy asked us if we wanted to see where he slept...and reluctantly we said, "yes". We went across the street and he opened up a manhole and crawled in. "Only room for three of us here, but in that other one, about 75 sleep...we sit up here because there is no room to lie down...in the dark with rats and...who knows what else." I couldn't sleep for thinking about those children living underground in total darkness. It reminded me of the holocaust. We met outside in the snow because we were not allowed to serve them food in the train station. Now, about 7 or 8 older men who are beggars come...men without limbs...one in a wheelchair. We want to continue helping them in whatever way will be best for them. From time to time, the police come and arrest most of the street children - but put them back on the streets in a day or two. We also want to take children off the streets and put them in a safe place or reintegrate them back into their homes and society. (Sent by Scott and Michelle Johnson)
How Our Lord Jesus brought our family through the Katherine Australia Day Flood January 26th 1998... I would like to give thanks and all the glory to Our Lord, even though He lightened our material bags (because He is coming soon). Through it all He strengthened us and provided for our needs. We owned a Caravan Park which we built from a rural block and spent twelve years of solid hard physical work to achieve, but we were happy with our lot and pleased of our achievement. The work was becoming too much for us and it was time to sell. We had a buyer, and the contract was in the mail-- the buyer being from interstate-- then the flood came -- who would buy a car let alone a caravan park after two metres of water had been through. Thanks to Our Lord, the buyer got back to us and said they were still interested.
The river broke its banks and started coming into the park... Joan my wife cooked a large pot of stew as she had no intention of going hungry and intended taking the pot with her if we had to evacuate. By this time the water was coming into our kiosk/home, and we kept lifting things higher and higher. At about 8.30 p.m., with the water knee deep, we asked the Lord for blessing on the food and each enjoyed a bowl of stew and bread. We were all very hungry and the black water and things floating in and out around us caused us no concern. It appeared the level had stopped rising.
Shortly after there seemed to be a bit of a surge and the water level quickly started to rise again. As we still had a phone, I rang the Police Station, to be advised that the river had reached its peak, and to stand on another brick, and our water level would start receding soon. Once again, the level seemed to remain stable. Then, all of a sudden, it started to rise faster than before, and I thank the Lord that Jesus is my Rock, and I can stand on Him. That brick was no good. With the sudden rise in the level we lost our phone, and were on our own.
At 11.30 p.m. we left our home, (my wife Joan, and daughters Shannon and Amy) and made our way to the other side of the Caravan Park, waist deep in very cold water, to a caravan (tri-axle) which was quite high The flow was very strong and when we got into the van the water was only about 12 inches deep inside. The idea was to try and get a bit dry and to get some rest as we knew we would have a big day following! The water came higher and higher. Joan and I started off on the bed, but got wet, so we ended up laying down along the kitchen bench, with Joan's feet in the sink which was filling up with water. The kids were both on the top bunk.
In the early hours of the morning the van started to rock and the water was just ripping past level with the kitchen window, that's when I thought we better get out of the van. I opened the door and stepped out and had to really hang on to the side of the van, the water was up to my chin and I was standing on my toes. I told the others, Come on, but hang on tight. We had to cross a small road where there was a bus on the other side surrounded by large trees, but we were in the flow of the current which was ripping, taking with it all sorts of things at great speed, 44 gallon drums, tractor tyres, tables chairs, fridges, etc., etc.
I crossed first, swimming across the current which took me over to the trees then I climbed on to the roof of the bus, I made it without any trouble and next to cross was Shannon, followed by Amy. There was no problem for the kids. Then Joan yells out, "I can't swim very well!" My reply was, "You better have a go", and thanks to Our Lord she made it across and swam like Dawn Fraser. We all climbed to the top of the bus, via the tree, and were all shaking because of the cold. We had been wet now for about twelve hours. On top of the bus we were partly sheltered from the wind and rain, as we were completely surrounded by trees. We could hear a helicopter, but because of our sheltered position we knew we would not be seen, so I said to Joan I would climb down, and try to get to a 4x4 vehicle next to the van that we had just come out of. There was only about 4 or 5 inches of the vehicle's roof sticking out of the water. I had to swim directly against the current. I dived in to start my swim, and swam like mad against the current and made no progress. As I am writing this, it just brings tears to my eyes, because it was just as if the Lord's hand helped me and I made it to the vehicle. I climbed on to the roof, stood up, and saw a huge helicopter coming. There was a plastic leaf rake caught in the door handle of the vehicle, so I grabbed it and started waving at the chopper, but it did not see me. It just flew over and kept going.
I thought, how come they can't see me, I am out in the open? Man, my heart sank, and I really prayed and asked The Lord for help. Then, in about 5 minutes, it came back and stopped right over my head, and just came lower and lower, just touching the tops of the trees. I had to crouch down and hold on to the roof of the ute, as I would have got blown off. Then a sling was lowered, and I was lifted into the helicopter. As I was going up I waved to Joan and the kids, thinking we are all right now, but the pilot said he had to get going in a hurry to collect other people. I said, What about my wife and girls? He said, They are not in a life threatening position. As we gained height, and flew away, I could see Joan and the kids on top of that bus, my heart sank yet again, but all I could do was trust in My Lord. I never saw them again for four days. That was hard, not knowing where they were.
I was taken to the Police Station where I reported that Joan and the kids were still out there, and then transferred to the refuge centre, which was the Catholic School. As I arrived with what I was standing in: a shirt and a pair of shorts, blue from the cold, I was greeted by Brendan Murphy (Katherine's Catholic Priest) with whom I have had many healthy discussions and debates over the years, and his off sider Brother Steven. These men looked after me. Brother Steven gave me a set of his own clothes. He is a larger man than I am, so he had to do the impossible and find a piece of string to hold up my pants! Brendon Murphy came to me one morning and shook my hand, and in his hand was a razor!! Just what I needed.
After about two days I got a message from Joan, saying she and the kids were OK. She said that when the helicopter took off, the big tri axle van that we had sheltered in got picked up by the flood water and crashed into the bus that we were on top of. They were on the top of the bus with the water slowly rising for about four hours, until a half cabin cruiser came and took them to another shelter.
We decided to try and make our way back to the Caravan Park and see what was left of our world. Because the road was still under water we needed a boat. We walked down to the water's edge and while waiting for a boat we helped Noel Neil and his family pull out household gear which was ruined and covered in black mud and maggots. This gave us an indication of what was waiting for us 4km upstream in our house.
O man, did our hearts sink! There was 12 years of work, building the park from scratch and, to see it now, what a mess! In our place all the fridges were smashed together, and all the stock washed away, and everything covered in black smelly mud. Even our car had one metre of water over the top of it. I felt so disheartened that if the car was going and roads were open, we would have just driven away. We had no insurance, and still owed money on the park and the car. BUT we still had our lives, Jesus is our insurance policy. I am very excited and pleased to say that out of this loss and heartache came so much good, and the kindness of people is quite amazing.
Our business was wrecked. Our means of making a living were gone, and our home and possessions were destroyed. We wasted a lot of energy on the night of the flood lifting things up as every thing tipped over, or just crumpled by the force of the water. After a hard day's work and smelling like a rotten carcass it was wonderful to make our way back to the Chardon house, where there was hot water, electricity, food, beds, and great company. They kept us going with encouragement and food, and stories of others who were in our situation, or worse off.
Great things happened and we were so encouraged by other people, especially Bro. Bindi, a man who had only just given his life to Jesus about five weeks before the flood. There he was, every day, he drove 20km each way, just to help us clean up, so we had fellowship while we worked. Rosco and Viv, a couple from Darwin (330 km away) drove down one night to see what we needed, I was so touched by their offer that I could think of nothing, and thanked them for their kind offer, and they drove back to Darwin that night as they had to start work at 6.30 a.m. the next day. Blow me down, they were back the next night with a 4x4 vehicle, a caravan full of food, cleaning gear, towels, and left it with us and drove back to Darwin again. These people are not Christians as yet. We had met them once prior to the flood. I am praying for them so that they will become strong Christians.
"The Lord sitteth upon the flood: yea, The Lord sitteth King for ever. The Lord will give strength unto his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace." (Ps. 29:10-11). (Tony Logan, Katherine, NT)
I was hungry and you formed a
Humanities club to discuss my hunger.
Thank you.
I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to pray for my release.
Nice.
I was naked and in your mind you
Debated the morality of my appearance.
What good did that do?
I was sick and you knelt
And thanked God for your health.
But I needed you.
I was homeless and you preached to me
Of the shelter of the love of God.
I wish you'd taken me home.
I was lonely and you left me alone
To pray for me.
Why didn't you stay?
You seem so holy, so close to God;
But I'm still very hungry, lonely, cold,
And still in pain.
Does it matter?
(Anonymous)
I had a heavy fall on my right shoulder. X-ray and ultra-sound showed a 2cm tear in the rotation joint. The doctors refused to operate and said it would never get better. Being right-handed, and being unable to bend the arm to shoulder height without difficulty, needless to say, it was depressing.
I purchased a $10 second watch. It stopped ticking. Thinking the battery had run down, I took it to a reputable watchmaker, to be told it had a broken module, and it would cost $54 to repair. I commented that I had only paid $10 for it. I took it back to the manse and dropped it in one of the drawers in the wardrobe. Some two weeks later I went to the same drawer to pick up my good watch, and was amazed to see this second watch going again. On examining it, it was going at exactly the right time. Amazing. That night in bed the thought came to me, What is God trying to say to me regarding this watch? This thought came instantly to my mind, "If I can repair your watch with a broken module and start it at the exact time, I can mend your arm." That watch is still the exact time, after two months. Since then I have played cricket, bowled over arm, played two sets of tennis. Isn't God marvellous! Still the Great Physician. (George, Katoomba, NSW)
In the springtime my mother used to say, "Put out your tongue and let me see what it's like." She'd say, "Oh no, you're not in good condition," and then she had some horrible concoction that we had to take. I wonder, if we had to put out our tongues at the end of each day if they would be unclean with gossip, slander, criticism, or bitterness? Or do we have them under control, as Paul says, "sound in speech which is beyond reproach"? (Titus 2:8) Is our speech always with grace, seasoned with salt?
I helped at a funeral once where there were several teenage children. They sobbed and groaned and carried on as I'd never seen anyone do at a funeral. I said to my senior pastor, "Oh how much they loved their mother!" He said, "No, they're just crying in remorse. They were the most disobedient, backbiting, sarcastic children ever. They always abused their mother with their words. They gave her an awful time. They just cut her to pieces with their tongues." Many of us suddenly feel this same unbearable guilt when someone dies and we can't take back the words we've spoken or heal the wounds we've made.
This is a day when people are screaming about ecology. We want pure rivers and pure air. What about pure hearts? It's a pity. we don't raise our voice in the Church and call everyone to recite Psalm 51 and cry with David, "Create in me a clean heart!
(Leonard Ravenhill)
While my husband and I were living in Punjabi many years ago, our six-month old baby died. An old Punjabi came to comfort us. "A tragedy like this is similar to being plunged into boiling water", he explained. "If you’re an egg, your affliction will make you hardboiled and unresponsive. If you’re a potato, you will emerge soft and pliable, resilient and adaptable." It may sound funny to God, but there have been many times when I have prayed, "Oh, Lord, make me a potato." (Pulpit Helps)
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly, shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why. The dark threads are as needful in the weaver’s skilful hand, as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned. (Selected)
There are times when I ask myself questions like, Why Lord? How long, O Lord? Where to from here? How will this end? But since I gave my life over to Him twenty years ago, I am His servant, His child. I do not doubt His love for a moment. I know that all will be well in the end. It's just the short-term that unsettles me - until I look at the Cross. Surely One Who loved me so much that He would sent His own Son to die - for me! Surely I can trust Him through this as well. Even though it is not the road that I would have take, as time goes by I begin to understand. As a note on my desk blotter says, Never fear shadows - they just mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby. (Peter, Batesford, Vic.)
Our faith is not based on feelings but on fact - the Word of God. Certainly, Christians receive the Word "in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 1:6), but sometimes we treat the grace of God lightly with our behaviour and attitudes, especially in distorting the Word of God to suit our "feelings". Remember that satan is able to disguise himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14) and many proponents peddle another Gospel for their own ends. (Alan, Jervis Bay, ACT)
In the early days, a gentleman was driving his Model-T-Ford when it stalled in the middle of the road. No matter how he tried he could not get it started. Just then a chauffeured limousine pulled up behind him and a wiry, energetic man stepped out from the back seat and offered assistance. After looking under the hood and tinkering with something for a few moments, he said to the owner, "now try it." Immediately the engine leaped to life and purred like a kitten. The gentleman extended his hand to the driver and introduced himself as Henry Ford, and stated, "I designed and built these cars, so I know what to do when something goes wrong. (Arnold Austin)
The Lord has created us for His pleasure. In His presence there is fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore. Our Heavenly Father desires that we should experience His joy in our hearts, and not be bowed down with cares and burdens.
Man is so proud that he first uses all his own strength before he will hand anything over to God. I praise God for His patience and His concern for us, He watches us, struggling with a situation in our own efforts, waiting to receive it into His Hands, so He can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or think. He says, "Just give it to me and trust Me." Our wonderful Lord is full of wisdom and justice, able to work everything out down to the smallest detail. He knows all things, even about us. He knows how to thwart any plans the enemy might have on our account. He is just longing to receive our problem and move on our behalf so that we can have real peace and share His joy in the situation, It is because of his deep love and care for us that He wants to receive all of our burdens, big and small. Nothing is too big, nothing too small. Nothing is too simple, nothing too fussy. Our Mighty Redeemer will take a firm hold of anything that we put into His gentle, but powerful hands.
There is nothing too hard for Him, He created the earth from a void. He spoke to darkness and made it light, What a mighty God we have! Let us remember Romans 8:31, "If God be for us, who can be against us," Right now let Him have your problem or situation, your weakness or your failure, your coldness or your hard heart, your complaining or your disappointment. Anything that weighs you down. Anything that is worrying you, Give it to Jesus, He will undertake it for you. He is faithful and wil1 not fail you. Now that Jesus has your burden leave it with Him. Don't wonder what He will do or when He will do it. Don't even think about it again. You have given it to Jesus so now let Him deal with it. If you begin to worry then you haven't really given it to Him. Go back and meditate on His greatness and His love and then give the burden to Him.
Now thank Him that He will undertake it for you. "And the peace of God that passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7) (Dennis, Burnie, Tas)
There is never a dull moment... Many newsletter editors only circulate good news... preferring to keep negative matters private... Sometimes it conveys to people who are struggling to get some victory that they are the only ones "doing it tough" while the good Lord has everyone else on victory street. In today's world nothing could be further from the truth. The letters that flood into our office on a daily basis indicate every missionary work... is sparing no effort to raise funds in order to simply maintain their current commitments, let alone expand into "new" areas of horrendous need... So, dear brothers and sisters, if you are battling to keep your spiritual nose above water, take heart, you are not alone.
(Peter, Crows Nest, NSW)
"Why doesn't God do this, and that?"
Some people dare to say;
"Why doesn't God send down the rain,
And take this drought away?"
"Why doesn't God stop all this rain?"
Some say when floods would threat;
"Why doesn't God control it more?
For now it's far too wet."
"Why doesn't God stop all these wars,
Which bring such pain and woe,
And leave behind them broken hearts
And crosses row on row?"
"Why doesn't God stop all this crime
Which we cannot control?"
"Why doesn't God clear up disease
Which takes its deadly toll?"
"Why doesn't God remove the curse
Of thistle, thorn and germ,
And stop the devastation caused
By locust, moth and worm?"
"Why doesn't God the earthquakes stop,
And stay the tidal wave,
And quench the burning, raging fires,
Which in their fury rave?"
"Why doesn't God ...?" Such questions are
Unfitting and absurd -
This world has crucified God's Son,
And heeded not His Word!
Then, why should God do all these things
As some would think he should?
The wonder is, He showers on us
So many blessings good
How dare we ask, "Why doesn't God ...?"
More fitting words would be,
"Why does God give so many gifts
To sinners such as we?"
For men have marred God's earth with sin,
Pollution, lust and greed;
With selfishness and envy, pride
And war and cruel deed.
We've brought great trouble on ourselves!
The world's an evil maze
Can we expect a righteous God
To bless our sinful ways?
Ah no! he justly hates all sin
Committed 'gainst his will,
And whilst transgressions must be judged
He loves the sinner still.
And Oh the wonder of it all,
That though we've turned aside
From God who made us for himself,
He's given his Son who died
On calvary's cruel cross, to take
Away the sin and blame,
Of all repentant trusting souls
Who call upon his name!
(P. H. Hansen)
The perfect preacher is never too long either in his prayers or sermons.
He never forgets anything that he ought to remember and he never remembers anything
that he ought to forget.
He knows just when to speak and when to keep silent.
His laughter is always well-timed and his tears are always shed at the precise
moment of psychological correctness.
His sermons are always well-prepared. well-delivered and appropriate.
He is educated enough to be a college president and unassuming enough for a
humble beginner.
He never has any financial embarrassments as he always manages to live comfortably
on the smallest salary.
He never quarrels and yet he is always outspoken and courageous.
He is at once an ideal visitor and an ideal student.
He is a real leader of Israel's hosts and yet his enemies speak well of him.
His wife is absolutely without fault and his children are all just like her.
His theology is old-fashioned enough to please the most conservative and new
enough to satisfy the most radical.
There is never any difficulty in stationing him, as any appointment is glad
to get him and he is always willing to sacrifice himself for the good of all.
Perhaps that man is not born yet, nevertheless the standards set by congregations
are very high and it behoves the prospective pastor to aim high.
(Christian Guardian, reprinted in Gospel Herald, January 1947)
For us country pastors. We need your prayer so much, and your encouragement. It's hard being a pastor in a country town at times. The isolation, the lack of support, and the need for fellowship can be hard on us and our families. Tell your pastor, you're praying for him. Give him and his family a letter of encouragement. Invite them over for lunch next Sunday, and tell him you love him. I'll guarantee you'll have a better pastor, who will give 100% all the time. (By Pastor Anonymous, Country Town, somewhere in Australia)
The falling away (apostasy) spoken of in 2 Thess. 2:3 has taken place in today's church. The spirit of ecumenism is spreading among "Christians" like a spiritual cancer. This wicked spirit brings another one, which is the spirit of fear, that people basically and up standing for nothing, or anything (because I'm talking here about "going with the easy flow"). There are many processing born again believers, but tragically most often they don't understand that to be born again of God you must first die to this world. So many are deceiving and being deceived, like it says in the Word, and there is no more room left for the Truth. We are still holding to our only hope in this world, our precious Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel of salvation. Since God's changed me, he has taken many things away from me that I can have more of Him in my life (Jay, Hurstville, NSW)
The departure from sound doctrine, the rise of liberal theology and modernism and the introduction of worldly practice into the various churches has had a dramatic effect upon the life of the churches and the things people now believe. Let us not forget the insidious workings of the church of Rome which ever seeks to destroy Bible believing faith in the Lord Jesus as well as the false movements such as the charismatic movement with its extremes and its emphasis on the flesh and its experiences. Sadly, there is a great falling away. The saints need to be taught afresh the true doctrines of God's Word.
I agree with the reader (FD 42, Pg. 22) - I too have poured myself out in sound ministry and prayer and people do not want the Lord Jesus. Even in foreign countries, despite the reports to the contrary, people do not want the Lord Jesus. They like the benefits conferred on them by Christians, but they love their sin, and do not want to repent and yield their lives to Him... The world looking on sees no difference between the world at large and many so-called Christians, and so use it as an excuse for rejecting Christ. However the Bible clearly teaches... (Jer. 17:9) we are born into the world with a sinful nature and a heart that loves sin and hates God. We have to teach our children to be good, but they find it easy to be bad without any teaching. "There is none righteous" (Rom. 3:9-20). The reality is that natural man hates God and loves sin. We preach the Gospel to a world that hates God, hates His Law, His government over them, hates the Lord Jesus and hates the Gospel... In order to make the Gospel message palatable to the hostile nature, it is watered down, dressed up in entertainment and worldly gimmicks, and essentially made to be of no offence to the rebellious mind. In a real work of the Holy Spirit, sinners are quickened in response to the sound preaching of the true Gospel. Understanding of the truth encourages us to be faithful to the Word of God rather than try to accommodate sinners, and it also drives God's people to pray for a true work of the Holy Spirit. (Malcolm, Maitland, SA)
We want to thank you for the fine magazine, FD. We find this magazine to be a jewel amongst so much other printed rubbish. It is a great encouragement to our little church group to know that you are willing to stand against the ever growing voice of apostasy and error, which continues to ring in the churches of Australia. The eyes of most Christian people here are so blind to the truth and our little church group has been criticized and ostracized for taking a stand against worldliness and error within the church. Recently I again asked some young people why they like their Pentecostal church so much; they said "it is because it is fun." This statement clearly demonstrates the attitude of so many in these churches; 'don't ask me to sacrifice or pay the price, I only go to church when it's so nice.' They have forgotten that Jesus said so clearly, if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Mt. 16:24). Truth and honesty are two ingredients so helpful to the foundational success of any organisation, but when it comes to the church which is an organism, truth and honesty are a mandated necessity. INSTEAD OF MAKING THE SCRIPTURES THE ABSOLUTE, MANY PENTECOSTALS ARE MAKING THE SCRIPTURES OBSOLETE, because they reject the truth and replace it with experience. Without honesty and "the truth," the church ceases to be what Christ has called it to be' the light of the world. The success of the church is dependent upon the practice of the "truth." I so often see many men and women being hailed as great people of God, but they are plastic show-pieces. The truly great people of God are the many Christians... whom we will never know who are willing to take up their cross, deny themselves and follow Jesus. It is those people and the Lord whom I applaud: and I want them to know I stand with them. Keep looking up.
(Ron, Noosa, Qld)
One of the false teachings of today is the 'Joel Prophecy Teachings'. It is clear that the Holy Spirit will come and be poured out on all flesh. This will be a time when Israel as a race will be restored to their own land and the total blessings of the Kingdom being: 1) Material Prosperity 2) Freedom from sickness etc. will be theirs. Anyone who reads this prophecy (see Joel 2:21-32, Ezek 36:26,27, Acts 2:16,38; 3:19-26) will note that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the sun turns red and the moon turns black and this cannot be fulfilled until after the return of the Lord (see Acts 3:19,20). It is interesting to note at this point that Joel had nothing at all to say about tongues as being a sign of this promised pouring out by the Holy Spirit on all flesh. Also, there is nothing anywhere in Scripture that there will be a 'pouring out' (like Pentecost) prior to the return of the Lord. The truth is that the promise of the end time before the Lord's return is that of 1) Apostasy, 2) Departure from the (true) faith, 3) False Prophets, 4) False Doctrines, 5) Intensified delusion 6) False teachers appearing as 'angels of light', 7) Great falling away of Christians, (see Jer 14:4, Matt 24:4,5,24, 2 Tim 4:3, 2 Tim 3:8, Matt 24:11 & Matt 7:22,23). "...for that day [of the Lord] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin [Antichrist] be revealed, the son of perdition" (2 Thess. 2:3). In these last days of massive delusion, many Christians are following leaders in the church preaching a 'false' Jesus as spoken about by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:3, 4.
(Graeme, Gunbar, NSW)
Num. 32:23. Be sure your sin will find you out.
Gal. 6:7 Be not deceived, God is not mocked.
Jn. 1:29 Be-hold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.
Rom. 12:1,2 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind..
1 Pet. 3:15 Be ready to give an answer....
1 Th. 4:14 Be patient toward all men...
2 Tim. 2:24 Be gentle....
Col. 3:15 Be thankful...
Matt. 10:16 Be wise.. Be harmless..
Matt. 5:24 Be ye reconciled to your brother.
2 Cor. 5:20 Be ye reconciled to God.
Rom. 12:16 Be of the same mind...Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom. 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another.
1 Cor. 14:20 Be not children in understanding...in malice Be children.
1 Cor. 15:58 Be ye stedfast....
2 Cor. 6:17 Be ye separate, saith the Lord, from the unclean thing...
Eph. 4:26 Be ye angry and sin not ...
Eph. 5:18 Be not drunk with wine, but Be filled with the (Holy)Spirit.
Phil. 4:6 Be careful for nothing. Let your requests be known unto God.
1 Tim.4:12 Be thou an example of the believers.....
James 1:22 Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.
Heb. 13:5 Be content with such things as ye have...
1 Pet.5:8 Be sober, be vigilant, be-cause your adversary the devil,...
Eph. 4:31 Be put away from you, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, etc...
2 Tim. l:8 Be not ashamed .... of our Lord...
James 5:8 Be ye patient for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Matt. 24:44 Be ye also ready for....the Son of man cometh.
1 Pet. l:16 Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Eph. 4:32 Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even
as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Compiled, ECM)
A mote is a speck, a minute thing. The mote is in the brother's eye. Though larger by far than the mote is the area around the mote, the mote-finder finds the mote. He finds the mote because he loves the mote. Having found the mote, he beholds it, enlarges it, magnifies it. Having found the mote, he finds nothing else. Though numerous are the strong, and few are the weak members of the congregation, he sees only the few that are weak. He does not strengthen them. He speaks evil of them - though the preacher's sermon has ninety and nine good points and only one bad point, he turns attention to the one bad point. Concerning the good points, he makes no mention. In a "brotherhood paper" ten articles appear. Nine of them are superior in quality. One is inferior. Only by the inferior is his attention arrested. For the superior, he expresses no gratitude; though the brother has many noble traits of character and only a few faulty ones, the mote-finder is forever talking about the faulty ones. And this he does not to help, but to hurt his brother. In preachers he especially hunts for flaws. The mote-finder is blind; he is blinded by a beam, a glaring fault in his own eye, (heart)! Because this is true, he cannot properly evaluate. Malice in the mind tends to minimise and even overlook the good and to magnify the flaws in the lives of others. It is not good to have a mote in your eye; however, it is better to have a mote than to have a beam. Love in the heart gives clearness of vision. Love in the heart enables one to see others as they really are and to make of them better people. Read Galatians 6:1 and 2. (Christian Contender Magazine, 12/97)
Russian General Vycheslav Borisov, who was Deputy Commander of 100,000 Russian combat troops in Afghanistan, had a Code name of "General War". While in Afghanistan, his helicopter was hit by enemy gunfire and began to hurtle towards earth. The General who was an atheist began to pray, asking that if there was a God He might be shown mercy, and be saved. As the helicopter crashed in flames out of the wreckage only one man out of 12 survived - General Borisov. The General who has recently been in the U.S., addressed more than 200 senior military officers at the Pentagon, as well as speaking to several church groups across the States. He has set up a chaplaincy service in the Russian Army and is now seeking 2.5 million Bibles to provide each soldier in his army. So far more than one million copies have been distributed. (Recent news clipping)
1. The infinite resources of the greatness and power of God.
2. The measureless wealth of the Father's love (Heb. 13:5, Ps. 46:1, Jer. 23:23).
3. We are tenderly loved - carefully guarded - graciously supplied - patiently
instructed - gently rebuked - all by the Living God. Trust in the Lord for He
is good and faithful. He has stood by me all these 70 years since I trusted
the Lord as my Saviour, and has never failed me in dark days as well as in good
days. (Andrew, Bonalbo, NSW)
'Strange tongues' have been spoken among heathen religions throughout history, they include: 1) Hypnotists, 2) Spiritualists, 3) some Muslim sects, 4) Satanists, 5) Christadelphians, 6) The Way International, and 7) Most Mormons. Research has concluded that while this 'babel' of tongues is predominantly just nonsensical babel it also can be a known foreign language such as Greek, Arabic and Macedonian etc. There have been people present that can speak in foreign language, such as Macedonian, and have understood a message in tongues blaspheming Jesus. The Bible teaches that tongues was a sign for the unbelieving Jews (see 1 Cor 14:21). The last two thirds of the New Testament finds no need to mention tongues. This includes Ephesians which even gives instructions for setting up a New Testament Church. The gift of tongues was withdrawn by the Holy Spirit when Israel as a Nation openly and deliberately rejected the testimony of the apostles concerning Jesus Christ. Acts Chapter 28 pronounces God's final verdict of judgement on Israel for their blindness, and the total blessing of the Gospel was now offered freely to the Gentiles. (Graeme Clarke, D Min, BA, JP, Great South land Ministries)
I am just like a package, I am all packed, tied securely, labelled, postage paid and standing on the platform, waiting for the express to come and take me to my destination in glory - All this is contained in the words of 1 Peter 1:5. It all suggests our Security in Christ.
1. The believer is all wrapped up in the beautiful wrappings of Christ.
2. He or She is tied with cords of divine love (Hosea 11:4).
3. Is plainly labelled with The seal of The Holy Spirit and The Lord knoweth
them that are His (2 Timothy 2:19).
4. The postage is paid by the precious blood of Christ- bought with a price
(1 Corinthians 6:20).
5. He or She is resting on the platform of God's wonderful grace.
6. And is waiting for the express of The glorious coming of Christ (Philippians
3:20-21).
7. He or She is guarded all the way by The Angels of God (Luke 16:22).
8. Is guaranteed safe arrival (John 10:28).
9. Registered (2 Timothy 2:19).
10. Special Delivery (Psalm 91:11-12), and Insured (Ephesians 4:30). Read also
1 John 3:2. (Selected)
EVERY CHURCH HAS ONE, SOME HAVE MANY ... He is always down front near the pulpit, uninspiring, silent, unsupportive in every way - and disturbing. He is the mortal enemy of the preacher. He never helps with passing the plate, singing a hymn or making the responses. He robs the preacher of his power and steals melody from the anthems. He never whispers, does not squirm, he does not look at a clock. He just sits. He is visible and a living testimony that someone does not care. He is evidence of spiritual degeneracy. He advertises better than a billboard the indifference of people. He is where those sit who send word from the golf course that they are present "in spirit." He cannot be moved. The only way to get rid of him is to fill him. He is the empty seat! (Selected)
Many years ago, the Indians of the plains were intrigued by the 23rd Psalm. They wanted to share its beauty with the neighbouring tribes but could not because of language differences. It was suggested the put it into the universal Indian sign language, which was done. Many tribes shared its inspiration and loveliness.
A white missionary, Isabel Crawford, understood the Indian sign language so well that she could use it to portray the 23rd Psalm. She translated it back into the literal English of the 23rd Psalm as follows:
An Indian Version of the Twenty-third Psalm
The great Father above a Shepherd-Chief is. I am His and with Him, I want not. He throws out to me a rope and the name of the rope is Love and He draws me to where the grass is green and the water not dangerous, and I eat and lie down and am satisfied. Sometimes my heart is very weak and falls down but He lifts me up again and draws me into a good road. His name is Wonderful. Sometime--it may be very soon, it may be a long, long time--He will draw me into a valley. It is dark there, but I'll be afraid not, for it is in between those mountains that the Shepherd-Chief will meet me there and the hunger that I have in my heart all through this life will be satisfied. Sometimes He makes the love rope into the whip, but afterwards He gives me a staff to lean upon. He spreads a table before me with all kinds of foods. He puts His hand upon my head and all the "tired" is gone. My cup He fills till it runs over. What I tell [you] is true. I lie not. These roads that are "away ahead" will stay with me through this life and after; and afterwards I will go to live in the Big Tepee and sit down with the Shepherd-Chief forever. (The Christian Contender Magazine, 6/98)
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us a financial adviser. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, and God sent us a Saviour. (Sent by Kim, Boreen Pt, Qld)
We are appalled at the ignorance and temerity of many "ministers" in the churches, and their adoption of a title of honour not given to them in Scripture. Such seeking of honorific titles is pure vanity, and Jesus spoke plainly and strongly about this in Matthew 23:8-11.
The word "minister" means servant, and how we eschew such a title! Some want to be called "father" in a spiralling hierarchy to the great PAPA IN ROME; although the Bible is very specific in forbidding it. Multitudes want to be called "reverend", a title of great awe given only to God in Scripture (Psalm 111:9). And, of course, the Jews want to be called rabbi, the term for a master and teacher of knowledge, which the Lord forbade as a title to all men, reserving it to Himself as the giver of all sacred knowledge. And now the rage is pastor, the guide and provider of care and protection.
The word "pastor" is used only once in the English New Testament, Ephesians 4:11. This is used in the list of offices as given by God to the Church. It is used there, not as a title but, as a descriptive word for the work of the elders in the local congregation, The title for elder - used 70 times in the New Testament - is presbuteros (presbyter), meaning a member of the presbuteron (the council of elders).
The modern word "pastor" comes from the Latin word, pastere, (to feed) and translated shepherd. The word "shepherd" in the New Testament is poimeen, a herdsman or shepherd. It was used in the Divine Writings to mean "he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow" (Thayer).
Jesus used the word, saying, "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life: for the sheep... I am the Good Shepherd, and I know Mine, and Mine know Me... and there will become one flock. One Shepherd" (John 10:1 1.14,1 6)
All the twelve tirnes that the title Shepherd (Pastor) is used in the New Testament, it is used as a title for Jesus. The Spirit wrote through Peter: "You were as straying sheep. but you (have) turned now to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25), and Jesus Himself said that there is "one flock and One Shepherd" Therefore, any man - elder or preacher - who presumes to the title PASTOR is usurping a 'title that belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ!
(Who is The Pastor? by Guy E. Humphreys)
You know folks, I've always believed in TRUTH in advertising, TRUTH in preaching, TRUTH in documentation, and TRUTH in everything. Sometimes this love of the TRUTH, and resolve for the TRUTH is annoying to those that read my writings, and I feel sorry for those that feel this way. I feel sorry for them because they lack the LOVE OF THE TRUTH that I prize so very much.
God has revealed His TRUTH to me. It is His TRUTH that saved me from an eternity in the lake of fire and freed me from the bondage of sin. It is His TRUTH that placed me in this perfect law of liberty. (2 Cor 3:17; James 2:12) Indeed-His TRUTH has set me FREE. (John 8:32)
By His TRUTH I oppose the error of all whoever they are, brethren or heathen. Because of His TRUTH I oppose falsehood in matters of faith "and" doctrine, and whether it is classified as minor or major. If any teaching deviates from His TRUTH it is major to me, and this dog is gonna bark at 'em. (Isaiah 56:10)
We Must Earnestly Contend For The Faith. (Jude 1:3) (Andrew Neckar, Texas,
USA: CNV)
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