Interesting...the real 'The First Noel' was 'out there' - not in churches!

Noel, from the French Noël, means ‘Christmas’ from the Latin word for ‘birth.’ The famous Christmas song, based on Luke 2:8-18, about our Saviour Jesus Christ’s birth is one of the most popular songs everywhere at this time of the year. Almost everyone seems to know it or can pick it up quickly and easily - even in busy shopping malls as it comes over the tannoy.

But what a setting for that real ‘first Noel’! Savvy ‘get-it-out-there’ angels picked neither a church nor the religious people of the day to present their grand production of hallelujah singing to. They chose ordinary humble busy folk.

It’s a day for church alertness to good Christmas timing!
This year many alert churches worldwide have cottoned on to the need to be ‘with-it ‘ in respect to getting the real good news out there and the mindset/ busyness of life for ordinary non-churchgoing people, and, for that matter, even churchgoers!

Recently YouTube has been running with several interesting Christmas snippets. And here’s the 'out there' reality behind them all. They’re Christmas events and carolling from around the world organised by churches but NOT in churches but in shopping malls and markets where people – lunchtime workers and shoppers make time to go this month whereas they often can’t get to or won’t go to church.

And perhaps the best 2010 non-church carol ‘spontaneous’ event must be the early November one you’ll find easily on YouTube. Set in a shopping food mall at lunchtime, it’s brilliant! What surprised looks from the surrounding diners and then their delight and joining in. It’s creative taking of an opportunity to get the great Hallelujah Chorus message out there to all ages! Hit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE Ignore the sidebars and appreciate!

Point: For years the church in-thing was early Christmas morning services. Then came Christmas Eve carol services. Next were special church events/productions hoping to attract many unsaved. Some churches still operate this way but so many people, including Christians, are just too busy and can’t or won’t attend either. Why? Consider this:

For most people Christmas Eve is a busy time for last minute shopping right up just before closing. Mums and wives are often still preparing family meals for that night and/or the following day. And even many Christians find it difficult to come out for a carol service that night. As for Christmas Day, well it’s really regarded as a family time for relaxation, food, fun and friendship. And, anyway, Jesus’ birth can be family-celebrated at home. It’s no longer an attraction or essential to many people both churchgoers and non-Christians to attend even a short service that day.

Today's need to be savvy
In talking to people recently, including Christians and youth, about church Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations, even well produced ones, the immediate turned-up eyes response was: ‘Great, but on those days? You’re kidding! That’s not cool.’ And there it is...2010 reality thinking! Truth is that for years ‘the world’ - with all its faults - has got it right with its Christmas presentations! TV, local councils and professional program organisers have run Christmas celebrations with warmly welcomed Christ-glorifying carols at least a couple of weeks beforehand and draw crowds ‘out there’!

It’s great to observe that many churches such as in the YouTube material above have got with it this year. Okay, it’s too late now for other churches to move with the times but may 2011 produce many meaningful changes that will reach ‘ordinary people’ where they’re at with the real Christmas story...God so loving the world as to give the greatest gift of all.

Suggestion: Check out the web for the many, many other Christmas mall/market/centre stories of churches that have got with it! A really clever one is, especially for Google addicts, is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHNNPM7pJA

Enjoy celebrating the season’s real meaning and have a creative exciting new year. Blessings!

GOING ABOUT DOING GOOD - OR JUST GOING ABOUT?

We were highly impressed recently in discovering the lifestyle of Toyohiko Kagawa(1888-1960), the Japanese businessman entrepeneur who influenced many in Japan and across the world, including Australia's clothing creator Sir Fletcher Jones.Toyohiko Kagawa avidly followed the teachings of Christ.


In Bible college, troubled by seminarians' concern for the technicalities of religious doctrine, he would point to the parable of the Good Samaritan. Once he boldly said to his nation's 'godlike' ruler, 'Emperor Hirohito,"Whoever will be great among you...shall be servant of all. A ruler's sovereignty, Your Majesty,is in the hearts of the people. Only by service to others can a man, or nation, be godlike."'

And that was Toyohiko Kagawa's own lifestyle. Concerned with people's misery in life, he went around seeking how he could bless so many and give them hope for a better future. Something else this social reformer, peace activist, evangelist and author is reported to have said, really struck us: 'I read in a book that a man called Christ went about doing good. It is very disconcerting to me that I am so easily satisfied with just going about.'

Wow! That should really hit it on the head as far as a lot of Christians, especially ministers, are concerned! So many of us are indeed content with the status quo and miss out on God’s greater picture for our lives, skills and abilities.

Personally, we keep coming across Christians who are so negative regarding their own future, who act and talk as if God doesn’t have a great plan for their lives. And that‘s so sad! It doesn’t matter what age we are, what situation we’re in at present, we need to deal with every negative. Why? Because according to Jeremiah 29:11, God has a wonderful future organised for all who will seek his face, hear his assurances, listen to his directions and go for it.

Like Kagawa we too are never satisfied with just ‘going about!’ Our ministry of encouragement and inspiration is deliberately called Life Focus.

Regularly – in mentoring, casual conversation, preaching or seminars we tell people, even non-Christians:Life is a gift...focus on it and live it to the max! Don’t waste one day!’ Our own first-up daily prayer? ‘Let this day be effective for you, Lord through Holy Spirit anointing and direction.’Then we live the day as normal, not under any pressure, but being available for the Lord and, importantly, sensitive to his Holy Spirit.

And this doesn’t mean running around being super-spiritual before everyone and Bible-bashing them into a false salvation or forcing them to go to church. Rather we just take every opportunity the Holy Spirit organises for us to meet people and simply bless them. Blessing others – to us this means speaking a God-word, a kind word into people’s lives and encouraging them through being sensitive to the Spirit who can tell us where they’re at and what they need to hear.

Here’s a simple but very practical example. The other day we went for a rather late lunch to a favourite, inexpensive restaurant. At that hour we would normally have the place to ourselves but then a young couple arrived for a meal and sat nearby. Then an Asian lady also came in but just ordered a coffee. A few moments later she came over to us, said it was her first time there and enquired if it was a good place for full meals.

It was one of those God-given opportunities to do what Jesus would do...make a good connection without being super-spiritual. We didn’t run out to grab a Bible, didn’t start preaching, didn’t immediately tell her about our great church where we base ourselves. Instead we simply said, ‘Yes, it definitely is’ and pulled up a chair, inviting her to sit with us. Can’t tell you the full story but she suddenly opened up and shared so much of her heartache with us. Then we did the spiritual thing... even though it was a restaurant we reached out, laid hands on her head, prayed against pain, torments, threats and other problems and claimed peace and release for her in Jesus’ name. And she received!

Then, believe it or not, we noticed the young couple nodding, agreeing with us in a quiet ‘Amen’! We then went to them and, on discovering that they were desperately seeking a good church, blessing them also in prayer. Meaningful newly made connections had been achieved as these three were blessed in a simple way as we took advantage of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit during an everyday occurrence. Will they all be going to the church we recommended? We believe so, especially as we’ll be following them up.

The point is this...all Christians should never be satisfied with just going about, but be determined daily to go about doing good, whatever that Holy Spirit given opportunity of doing good works out to be. Be blessed as you do so!

Dead Wood Challenge

What a shock it must have been to religious people the day John the Baptist, direct to the point as usual, threw out a challenging question in respect of how they were living life and especially regarding living for God: ‘What counts in your life? Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s dead wood, it goes on the fire’ (Matthew 3:10 Message).

We too, in our day, need to be challenged strongly at times as to just how alive our personal relationship with God really is! Is it dead or alive? Has the fire gone out or is it still blazing away? Are we religious or relational? After all, only that which is alive in our heart by God’s Spirit will count and last both in eternity and (extremely important) be worth something now!

Slithering vipers
John had just realised that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees, the supposedly religious of his day, were showing up for a baptismal experience because it had become the popular – the in-thing – to do (v7). In his typical uncompromising and straight-out manner, he challenged them in respect of their outward appearance and obvious heart attitude of indifference.

‘You brood of snakes!’ he exploded harshly, ‘What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskin is going to make any difference? It’s your life that must change, not your skin!’ (v7-9). In other words, being religious, doing the right things, in themselves, are just not good enough.

John went on to fortify his point: ‘And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as Father... descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen.’ Then he really hit them with the big one mentioned above that is worth repeating: ‘What counts in your life? Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s dead wood, it goes on the fire.’ Wow!

That question, that challenge, remains today. Some people may appear to be so spiritual on the outside - but God sees what’s on the inside, what we’re really like and where our trust and true relationship with him is at.

Kingdom life – a change within
Listen! What is not of God in our lives will perish in everlasting fire. We miss out on many blessings when we’re not living for Jesus! But if the fruit of the Spirit is allowed to mature within it will produce great blessings now, remain strong and not be burnt up!

John’s great concern was that those who gathered around him would understand that there was something more important than the mere ritual of water baptism ... a change within, what he termed an ignition of kingdom life – a vital changing from the inside out (v11).

Let’s have a brief look at four baptisms mentioned in scripture...Body, Water, Holy Spirit, Fire.

1) Body. The Holy Spirit automatically baptises new Christians into the universal church when they receive Christ as Saviour (1 Cor.12: 12-13). But this is an invisible heart matter. The only real measurement we have of how much a person has allowed the Holy Spirit to saturate them into the body (the church) of Jesus is by what we observe in their attitude toward church life.

Many times pastors wonder why some people don’t fully embrace local church life and enter into connecting, really worshipping from the heart, engage in body ministry, witnessing, prayer, operating spiritual gifts, believing for miracles, healings and blessings, and developing a relationship with God.

Simple! Such people haven’t allowed themselves to be fully saturated by the Spirit into the life of the church of Jesus! Oh, they may part of their local church all right but they’re not active members. And that’s sad...they miss out on so much. Sadly too, such people are like John’s dead wood.

2) Water. Jesus commands this in Matthew 28:19. When we accept Christ as Saviour, it’s a public declaration that we now belong to him, not Satan, sin, the world or our previous selfish ways; that Jesus is now our master and Lord.

Of course water baptism in itself doesn’t save anyone…only the blood of Christ can do that. But again, ministers who know the meaning of water baptism can wonder: Why do people who call themselves Christians not follow through and with joy be water baptised?

Maybe pride, lack of biblical understanding, perhaps a genuine physical disability or a fear of water. Or maybe it’s just plain outright refusal and disobedience to the Lord’s command.

3) Holy Spirit. This one is a special baptism of power for Christian service and discipleship and Jesus alone is the baptiser (Mk.16: 17; Acts 1:5, 8). The pure Pentecostal stand is that the initial personal experience evidence of having been baptised in the Spirit is speaking in tongues – other languages that one hasn’t been taught to praise God (Acts 2:4ff).

But let me emphasise it strongly! The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not just about speaking, singing, praying and thinking in tongues! No, it is much more! It’s about receiving internal spiritual help from on high to live and act as Jesus would…positively, with a sense of destiny, an ability to overcome sin and self, and to bless others through operating the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12: 7-11. It’s a gateway to serving God in a very powerful way.

4 )Fire. Back to John the Baptist. He went on, in Matthew 3: 11-12, to make the most dramatic statement in respect to what is meant to happen after salvation is experienced: ‘The real action comes next: The main character in this drama – compared to him I’m a mere stagehand – will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house – make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.’

Baptism is always about being immersed - covered - saturated by. John was prophesying an overwhelming baptism of, and in, fire! This Spirit baptism of fire means that the dross, rubbish and waste of the flesh are supernaturally burned out of our lives as we yield completely to Jesus. That we be so filled full with the Spirit and are living the Jesus lifestyle that we then have no time or desire for the corruption of the world, selfish agendas or being religious without a meaningful relationship with our heavenly Father. That we’re into relationship with God and we’re on fire for Jesus!

Jesus is concerned about a clean sweep, relationship not meaningless religion
Jesus is the baptiser in the Spirit and Peter said the Holy Spirit is a gift (Acts 2:38)! Don’t refuse the gift from Jesus for which he died on Calvary in order to give you along with a glorious salvation. Be encouraged …don’t be afraid of the Holy Spirit. Likewise don’t be afraid of the Spirit’s fire…his cleansing. It clears the heart and mind and makes way for a hunger for the fulness of the Holy Spirit!

Why do some Christians who are Spirit-baptised no longer flow in charismatic praise and worship, love the things of God - and his people – as they should? Don’t operate in the gifts, go back into bondages, remain unmoved when the Spirit moves, don’t flow with the body, don’t hunger and thirst to know God’s Word and such?

Simple! They have allowed Satan to get in and rule them and they have disregarded the work of the Spirit within. They go on neglecting the moving and the voice of the Spirit and that is so dangerous for it is like the proverbial looking ‘the gift horse in the mouth.’

The Holy Spirit is not any old gift horse...he’s God and the very thought of dishonouring God ought to scare us into wanting him more and more in our lives!

Been neglecting the Holy Spirit? You can put things right by asking for a fresh infilling and be renewed within! You can have an exciting and meaningful life serving Jesus Christ by shrugging off old ways and every inhibiting force and mindset.

Don’t be dead wood! Let the fire fall afresh and be alive to Jesus and - with the Spirit’s help - serve him meaningfully and strongly! Let our lives be green and blossoming! Let them count!

REAL PARTNERSHIP: Room to move

Often the basis of a good detective yarn is business partners falling out. And then, unfortunately, we hear of marriage break-ups or about friends splitting because of a broken relationship. Or even of church splits due to senior pastor/associate pastor differences or pastor/congregation problems.

Real partnership – strong and lasting – is invaluable! Its principles enrich marriages, relationships, businesses and church life.

Jesus’ prayer for his friends
When Jesus prayed that Christians, his followers, might be one he wasn’t emphasising denominational togetherness - church denominations hadn’t been birthed then! He was encouraging a unique unity with each other, even as he and the Father are one. The reason?

So that we would be partnering with one another in complete togetherness in order to do his will (John 17:20-23). Amazingly this would also have us partnering with God! Jesus' request was a follow-on from John 15:12-15 where he commanded us to love one another and do whatever he requires of us so that he can then truly call us his friends.

What an amazing position we’re in when we partner with God… we become the friends – which means dear associates - of Jesus! Let me explain this...

‘Servant’ is doulos, a bondservant; ‘friend’ is philo, a dearly loved associate actively involved. According to Jesus, a friend of his is one who knows his thoughts and will, has been chosen by him and empowered by him. And one who willingly wants to be involved and serve him, even when the going gets tough!

When you partner with Jesus and call him ‘Lord’ – ‘the boss’ – a whole new ballgame comes into play for you! Anything is possible, for Jesus said in John 15: 16 that God the Father would give us whatever we ask in Jesus’ name. That’s mind-blowing! (Of course, we don’t ask foolishly but as directed by the Holy Spirit).

Single-mindedness – a church growth key
One of the great keys to church growth and to continuing growth is unity…oneness in purpose. The early church had this. Scripture - and history - records the success of those early Christians because they were constantly ‘in one accord’ (Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46, 4:24, 5:12, 19:29). ‘One accord’ means ‘a passionate one mindedness.’

Such unity leads to active involvement resulting in achievement. Real partnership, real togetherness means having unity in vision and purpose such as the Father and the Son had (and have). The Holy Spirit must be included here too as together they comprise the Godhead. Although they are one, each has specific positions and functions to fulfil and complete the overall goal.

And there’s a key word…complete, not compete. In church life, marriage, family, relationships and business we work together for the common good, the unified purpose, the bigger picture, the ultimate goal... not in competition with each other.

Any competitive spirit of ‘I’m better than my partner, friends, church associates’ and such is a wrong attitude that gets us nowhere! Not squabbling over petty things but flowing together in sharing our talents, treasure and time results in God blessing us individually and corporately.

We will grow in Christ and our church will also grow. Especially as we think ‘outside the box’ (traditional programs) and come up with Holy Spirit ideas that will develop our church and activities. And our marriage will be enriched and even our relationships and business can also grow richly.

So…releasing the three ‘Ts’
If Jesus is going to be Lord in your life, what are those talents you have that you can dedicate to building relationships and especially your church? What time frames are you willing to commit to, say, praying for events and people, calling on someone incapacitated and helping and praying over them, being rostered on a team (worship, baby boomers, real seniors, youth, kids,‘littlies,’ prayer and such)?

And what about the ‘treasure’ angle…always displaying a generous spirit. All these are vital roles in helping extend your church and securing its base for a quantum leap forward. Again, these are life principles that can also be applied to marriages, relationships and businesses.

Church life is not about competing or striving to leave your mark by equal input. No, it’s about engaging in equal opportunity to be of service to Jesus and one another.

Freedom - the incredible unity of the trinity!
Although the word itself is not in scripture, we rightly refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as the trinity. ‘Trinity’ – perichoresis - in its original meaning was a highly expressive one.

The early church used the title not so much as to try to describe the indivisibility of the three-in-one aspect of the Godhead, but of the incredible freedom that each Godhead member has within that indivisibility as they work and flow together in oneness of purpose. It was a word connected with space, room to move, dancing around at banquets and festivals, fluid movement, and a dance of life. In effect, a description of life-bringing actions arising from a united caring mindset.

Take that on board if you consider yourself a committed local church member with purpose. You’ll get the picture that all church members should be flowing together in unity to achieve all that God wants for your church family and his outreach purposes, as well as ministering joyfully to each other. The reality is, like the unity and freedom that each Godhead member enjoys, we can each contribute, not compete, in completing Jesus’ commands and work.

When Jesus told his disciples to cast their nets on the right side of the boat after they hadn’t caught anything, they obeyed and gained an amazing catch…153 fish (John 21). Note especially verse 5: he called them ‘friends.’ He still knows the ‘right’ place for his friends to go fishing successfully for souls, happiness, real action, peace, satisfaction and such...

A season of soul catching
Church life is often about seasons in God. Presently the church is in a season of desperately needing to see many people saved, just not being a hospital for those who are already Christians. Yes, every church should care for its flock but the current Christian flock needs to increase because other religions are!

We should be ready for and into action! We need to hear his directions and go fishing actively for Jesus, allowing the Spirit to open new doors of outreach with thinking that’s outside the traditional box.

Jesus wants every Christian to be courageous and daring by thinking bigger (dreaming in God followed by action) and acting in faith, praying earnestly, believing sincerely, caring for each other and developing strong friendship, being more hungry and thirsty for his Spirit to move supernaturally through us. And to be more relational with him, and especially allowing him to be Lord (the boss).

You can do it!
Yes, you can! And with joy and personal satisfaction, seeing the results of contributing and achieving together with your pastor and other Christians.

And Jesus will greatly bless you for he loves to do so to his friends. After all, if you put him first, his right ways first, and the kingdom first, he will see to it that you have all the things necessary to living life to the full (Matthew 6: 33; John 10:10b).

Be a person of influence! Make a difference in your family, marriage, relationships, business, workplace and church.

If you never...the nevers, ifs and hows of life

Never...that’s an adverb meaning ‘at no time.’ Can sound negative but seen in the following light can be positive for those trusting Christians.

Some of the following phrases, supposedly spoken by Jesus, were sent to us recently from a good friend. Although the original source is unknown, imagine Jesus is indeed saying them to you in your time of need and you’ll find them really uplifting and comforting...

If you never...
• Felt pain or sickness, then how would you know that I am a healer?
• Had to pray, how would you know that I am a deliverer?
• Felt sadness, how would you know that I am a comforter?
• Were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?
• Had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
• Made a mistake, how would you know that I am a forgiver?
• Had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?
• Were broken, how would you know that I can make you whole?
• Had any suffering, how would you know what I went through?

And if you...
• Knew everything, how would you know that I will answer your questions?
• Had all things already, how would you appreciate the new things I give to you when you ask?
• Were never corrected by me, how would you know that I love you?
• Had all power, how would you learn to depend on me?
• Enjoyed a life that was perfect, how would you have need of me?

Great lines that speak purposefully of the character, nature and goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A special relationship
Note the relationship of ‘I’ and ‘you.’ The ‘you’ is us and relates to stuff we go through in life. The ‘I’ is of course our greatest friend, Jesus Christ, who cares for us in deep and personal ways and has the answers to life’s difficulties. In fact, that’s his everyday ministry...being there for us.

The Bible, in Hebrews 7:22-28, says this about that ongoing relationship with God’s Son, our special high priest: ‘Guarantee of a far better way between us and God - one that really works! ... Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them ...’

What a great commendation! It’s talking about the fact that Jesus, currently in heaven with his Father, interceding for us there with God... that he is regularly ‘on the job to speak up for us’ in our times of need. The original Greek indicates this means ‘an affecting, a reaching and securing an end.’ In other words, Jesus reaches out to the God who loves us and desires us to have and enjoy a great life and seeks confirmation of the Father’s best for us.

And what hinders us from enjoying life as we follow Jesus? Problems, challenges, difficulties as mentioned above as well as satanic interference!

But...hey! Jesus knows all about them! He lived life here on planet earth. He overcame so much, dealt with so much – and his Holy Spirit (his personal power source) can help see us through everything as Jesus reminds our powerful God of the special relationship between himself and everyone who has accepted him as Saviour.

The whats of life...
Truth is...we’re on a good wicket! Let’s know it and remember that we’re not alone. We really do have a great friend in Jesus Christ.

So let’s move away from life’s negatives and concentrate on ‘kingdom whats.’ That is thoughts of ‘Lord, you do so much for me, you do indeed have all the answers. Now what can I do for you?’

A Sacred Slap on the Rump?

Sometimes calamities hit us like a storm and we just cannot put a finger on the reason.

The reality is that life is life and unfortunately things do go wrong...even for faithful, trusting Christians. Accidents happen, people get sick. Evil occurs, people get hurt. A wrong word spoken in anger, a nasty reaction, a hasty decision and string of unsatisfactory events follow.

Usually we moan when things go wrong, when circumstances turn contentment and joy into bewilderment and result in a lack of peace. Do I hear an indignant: ‘Oh, no. I never get thrown!’ Really? Come off it! We do! Admit it! Even the best of us! Often it’s a bewildered ‘How could this have happened to me?’

And in the main we find someone or something to blame! But…what if the problem is our fault and we’re not recognising it as such?

And, for that matter, what if...
As often as not people blame God. Actually it’s not really funny how people always want to justify themselves and blame someone else, especially God!

But a serious thought: What if God has allowed (note: allowed, not caused) the incident - perhaps something that has gone amiss - just to get our attention because we haven’t been listening to him or flowing his way (the right way)?

For example...maybe we’ve strayed into unhealthy attitudes, negative thinking and relying on our intellect alone instead of his guidance.

Or maybe we’re allowing ourselves to separate from the security of close friendship with good friends. Maybe we’ve stopped seeking a meaningful daily relationship with God and worshipping him.

Perhaps too, we’ve been stepping out of line and drifting from biblical principles of right living, wholesome speech and decision-making, and living as Jesus Christ would.

God won’t stop loving us!
What we need to realise is this: When things go wrong and God’s blessings aren’t quite flowing as they used to, it doesn’t mean that God has stopped loving us and caring. But that it could be, like any good parent, he wants us to get back on track.

Sometimes when things go amiss it’s a case of God using the circumstances to give us a sacred smack on the rump! For, because he loves us, he delights in us putting things right and getting us back on track and starting afresh as it were.

God always has an eye on our future and wants to see us living a useful, productive and happy life. Yes, we do miss the mark at times – perhaps many times – and blow it! But Father God will give further opportunities.

The ‘eastern recipe’ for problem trees
Jesus emphasised this parental principle in Luke 13: 6-9 in telling the story of a vineyard carer who persuades his disappointed boss to give yet another chance to a tree that had been playing up for three years and was out of line with its owner’s desires.

Those listening to Jesus would have been aware of the eastern ‘recipe’ for curing barren trees. The disappointed owner takes a hatchet and goes with a friend to threaten the tree with being cut down. The friend intercedes strongly and restrains the owner from doing so – ‘Have patience with it,’ he would plead. The owner would then reluctantly agree.

But he gives the useless tree’s stem three sharp thumps with the back of the axe ‘just to remind it that it’d better shape up’ by the following year!

Could it be that when we get a sudden jolt to the system, it’s God giving us a swift smack on the rear to startle us into getting our priorities right? And it’s all because he cares about our life, happiness and future.

We’re more valuable than any tree
Consequently, maybe instead of moaning, groaning and running ourselves down - or blaming someone else - we should be asking, ‘What’s really going on here? What’s the bigger picture? What am I missing? What is God trying to tell me or teach me? What’s his bigger plan?’

If indeed what went wrong happened because we were out of line, then we need to quickly repent and ask God to help us afresh. He is the God of fresh starts! And we’re more valuable to him than any tree.

We Christians have a secret inner advantage over other people - we have God’s Holy Spirit within to help, restore and get us going again! The other good news is that when we repent and put him first, God can then work good out of our mistakes and calamities.

Paul hit the nail on the head!
Paul’s great truth of Romans 8:38-39 is very comforting and encouraging: ‘I'm absolutely convinced that nothing – nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.’

Why did Paul’s adverse circumstances never throw him? (In Romans 8 he gives a long list of things that went or were going wrong). Verse 37 reveals the rock of his confidence...’None of this faze us because Jesus loves us.’ That’s love in Christ from Father God!

When things go wrong, let’s ask God ‘What’s the bottom line of all this?’ and then, with hearts at peace because of renewed confidence of his love and caring, move accordingly.

Houston, We Have A Problem!

Ask those who remember the space race age what was the best-known catchcry of those times and some will joke: ‘Beam me up, Scotty!’ But the thoughtful will respond with the above...’Houston, we have a problem.’

The craft’s crew were in trouble and wisely contacted home base for advice and assistance. And they got it, the problem was rectified and the rest is history.

Things go wrong for everyone
Speaking of history, it reflects that bad things happen to good people as well as nasty people. News reports and TV investigations regularly report or highlight such incidents. And even Christians find that, although our God is caring, loving, providing and has great plans for us, there are still times when things go wrong for us.

The fact is that we live in a fallen world, not a perfect world or system. Jesus Christ gave his life to redeem every human being and bring us God’s blessings. But, sadly, not every person has accepted Jesus as Saviour or friend – nor wants to! Therefore we live in the midst of sin, corruption, danger and evil caused by sinful humankind.

However, that doesn’t mean Christians have to live in fear, doubt or under tension! That we can’t enjoy every day. That we can’t be adventurous and dream in God. That we can’t plan ahead, believing for a good lifestyle, peace and provision.

Christians can believe for better times
Of course we can do these natural things! Our God is there for us with his power, purpose and promise. But his method, moment and means of fulfilment are his choice. Such was the classic case of Joseph. God gave him an amazing dream but the fulfilment of that incredible dream-promise - which Joseph faithfully hung on to even when he kept landing in trouble (the method) - was to take many years outworking (the moment) and the power of a heathen king (the means).

Young Joseph continuously displayed an indestructible trust in his God…never giving in, never giving way. His faith – trust, confidence – in God and in his word and promise never wavered! Not even in his darkest hour.

It needs to be so with us. When trouble assails us, we need to utter our own catchcry - ‘Lord, we have a problem.’ Then we wait... trustingly and patiently on our Lord to come through with the answer or answers.

Now this catchcry can be uttered privately. Or, as the wise do, in joining with Christian brothers and sisters at a prayer or a home meeting, or coming out to the church altar on Sunday. God can work through any of these channels but it’s amazing how the corporate strength of praying and caring groups works very powerfully!

Pushing forward
We also need to remember that if God takes his time and choses his method, that‘s his business! After all, he is God ... and has the right to work it all out his way. One thing is for sure, despite the delays and problems; we can still prosper as was the example of Joseph (Gen. 39: 2-3, 23). The truth is that this word ‘prosper’ doesn’t mean finance every time we read it, but rather a ‘pushing forward in God’s grace to success.’

Yes, there are times we Christians hit troubles but as in Joseph’s case family and others benefit because of our faith. Think New Testament and that means our local church and friends benefit. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the bigger picture as you hold on to your dream in God.

And always… let’s call on Jesus for help! It’s only a local call! There’s not one problem that will ever be too big for him to solve! May our 2010 catchcry be ‘Lord, I have a problem...’

EVANGELISE OR FOSSILISE!

Last month we spoke of the need to hit the streets as did those first disciples – the early church – after receiving their baptism of fire in the Holy Spirit. They moved out and began to turn their world upside down with the gospel message.

Years ago before my pentecostal days I had the privilege of leading a group of great young Congregationalists. One thing about them has never faded from my memory. On Thursday evenings some of those committed youngsters would gather in the church, pray earnestly for souls and then hit the streets ‘come rain or shine.’ They would seek to introduce Jesus Christ to all who would listen to their testimony. Their motto? Evangelise or fossilise!

Paul grabbed his great opportunity!
The apostle Paul did this, hitting the streets of cities and moving around evangelising and sharing his great insights about Jesus Christ and the church, the body of Christ.

However, in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (Message), he declares very firmly that he is ‘staying right here at Ephesus.’ He deliberately chose to remain in this particular city and give it his best shot. And this was the very city where he had worked resolvedly hard in establishing the church there but had faced much opposition. Why did he hang in there?

Paul had the best of reasons: ‘because a huge door of opportunity for good work has opened up here.’ As was his way, he was determined to build that church further not just with talk but with the power of the Spirit.

In the midst of negativity
Ephesus, a Roman Asia capital, wasn’t an easy place to minister! It was filled with immorality and negative influence and was a refuge for murderers and thieves. The city was heavily predisposed to paganism; in particular its trademark was the worship of the Ephesian goddess Diana, involving ceremonial prostitution.

Against this negative, emotional and physical environment, along came Paul, bent on seeing lives changed through the gospel message of freedom, encouragement and a positive Christian lifestyle.

It’s not easy in the midst of negativity and opposition to build a local church for Jesus... for his glory, a place where he can meet with his people to receive their worship, and speak into their lives and encourage them to reach out to others.

But it can be done, as Paul proved, with the help of committed Christians and the Holy Spirit.

Twelve keys behind Paul’s Ephesus’ ministry were…
• Vision (1 Cor.16: 9)
• Determination and stick-to-it-ness (Acts 19:8-10; 1 Cor.16: 9)
• Boldness (Acts 20:20-21)
• The Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim.1: 6)
• The supernatural (Acts 19:11-17)
• Outreaching beyond Ephesus (Acts 19:22)
• Leadership support (Acts 20:28)
• God’s grace (Acts 20:32)
• Humility (Acts 20:19) a
• Personal example (Acts 20:33-35)
• Opposition awareness (1 Cor. 16:9; Acts 20; 31)
• Dying to self (Acts 20:24).

With the Spirit’s enabling and committed, Spirit-filled Christians, Paul ran well his race at Ephesus and accomplished much despite the heavy opposition, occult powers and anti-Paulism. God’s plans were fulfilled.

It’s easy to compare aspects of Ephesus to our own cities!
Can we see the parallels to our own city or town? If so we must have Paul’s determination and vision of a great open door of opportunity to reach the unsaved and the spiritually hurt.

Many churches today are aware that they’re on the verge of moving ahead into something exciting in God’s destiny for them. Pastors have been encouraging their people to really buy into the church’s vision, to pray, to support financially and in every way possible. And above all, to believe for church growth as they effectively touch their community and city for Christ.

Many churches today have already laid the necessary foundations …
• An openness to allow the Holy Spirit to lead, not just boards and committees.
• The church being Spirit driven, not program driven.
• Meaningful, Jesus-centred and deepening worship.
• Living in an expectation for the supernatural to occur.
• Unity and really caring for each other.
• Connecting with each other and the unchurched through Connect groups.
• Willingness to be taught by the word of God and be challenged accordingly.
• Strong prayer and back-up intercessory groups.
• A desire to see solid spiritual growth in church.
• A prayer-based yearning for salvations and new people including youth.
• Opportunities for all to be involved ministry-wise at some level or another
• Missions-minded - reaching beyond themselves (the church without walls)

The opportunities are here for every church and Christian
Like Paul, we too have opposition – occult forces, doubt, denial, negative influence, crime, prostitution and gospel adversaries around and in our city.

We can achieve much for Jesus as we move in faith, expectation and trust!

But maybe our church family presently lacks certain workers for, say, the crèche, kids, youth, worship team or technical equipment operation. Maybe there’s the great need for our own building, more equipment and finance. Earnest prayer requests bring great answers!

Like Paul we too should stay on, hang in there; we have the Holy Spirit, the right message, love, God’s grace and so much more going for us these days.

Today is not a time to merely stand in the doorway of an open door but to go through and see what God can achieve. Let’s renew our commitment and believe that as we support our local church, it can be a great one for Jesus’ glory! And not through any heavy demand of ‘equal financial giving or ministering by all’, but by all taking every equal opportunity!

Let’s be like the early church, like those young Congregationalists I once knew and was so proud of...evangelise or fossilise!

HITTING THE STREETS! The next step after great Easter celebrations

The early church may have begun as closet Christians in the upper room but all that changed when the fire of God’s power fell on them!

When the fire of the Holy Spirit came and totally encased them (‘entented’ - to re-coin a word that hit the church scene a few years back), they were changed, charged and commissioned! And they went for it!

Following that amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, those first disciples of Christ immediately hit the streets praising God and letting all around visually see and hear that something incredible had happened to them.

A bit different from today when many Christians remain closet disciples, almost afraid to talk about Jesus Christ! We need to get with it!

With joy and thankfulness we celebrated the resurrection of our Saviour a few weeks ago. But Easter is passed; it’s time for the next step, time to, like those first disciples, move on!

What were the keys that undergirded the early church’s next step?
I once asked a question of a great man of God who, despite countless odds in troubled times, had hit the streets after his conversion, won hundreds to Jesus and eventually built a large city church.

‘What are some of the keys you discovered?’ I asked innocently. Abruptly he turned and looked at me almost with disdain. Then this remarkable pastor responded gruffly, ‘Keys, son? Keys? There are more doors in the ministry than keys.’

I would come to know exactly what he meant!

But in doing so I did discover three keys that helped the first church in ‘hitting the streets’ - ones that we must also employ to grow personally and likewise see our church grow corporately in a time of ongoing uncertainty with ‘wars and rumours of wars’ and strange occurrences such as spreading dangerous volcanic ash.

Really it was a time of embracing…
Firstly, they embraced the character of Christ that was theirs ‘in Christ’ as the insightful Paul put it (see Phi. 4:8-9… ‘think about such things’...and ‘put it into practice’).

Secondly, they embraced the command of Christ to share the gospel on every occasion locally and afar (see Mat. 28:18-20… the great commission).

Thirdly, they embraced the charisma of Christ to enable them to boldly share that gospel and move miraculously in the Spirit’s anointing and power (Read the whole Book of Acts, noting especially 10:38 and 1:8!).

And they went to it boldly!
They hit the streets in Acts 2, boldly explaining why they were so overwhelmingly joyous, boldly proclaiming the good news of a loving Saviour, boldly regaining lost souls into the kingdom of light and boldly demeaning Satan and his power.

Actually, Acts is the real never-ending story! Acts 2 was just the beginning, Acts 28 was not the end, and Acts 29 is still being written! That is… it’s supposed to be still being written about us and by us!

The opportunities are out there on countless occasions for someone’s life or/and circumstances to be influenced and affected by Christians moving in the Spirit - the supernatural - as did Jesus and the early church as they hit the streets in their next step.

Remember Paul’s warm welcome ‘connect’ activities from his own home towards everyone he met…the last words of Acts 28…‘Boldly and without hindrance preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.’ And Paul was a guy who urged other Christians – us – to follow his examples (1 Cor. 4:16; 1 The. 3:7, 9).

Pentecost Sunday is coming soon…May 23
The funny thing is that while many non-Pentecostal churches every year faithfully recall that first Pentecost Sunday, so many actual Pentecostal churches don’t! Shame! No wonder the real fire is missing today.

Yes, thank God for the true meaning of Easter. But 2010’s celebration is over. It’s time to move on! Let’s be like that early church, be fired up in the supernatural of the Spirit and hit the streets!

Good Friday - The Darkest Hours

When I was a teenager, I once stayed overnight at a colleague’s home. Before retiring for the night I browsed the bedroom bookshelf and found the most unusual piece of literature…an old, huge handwritten volume of on-the-scene experiences of a young British private in WW1. An amazing book really, filled with on-the-spot drawings of soldiers and war and detailing the young man’s fears, confusion and concerns.

One particular incident gripped me vividly… about a time when certain death faced this young soldier and his little group of outnumbered comrades come the dawn when superior forces would attack. He graphically described that dark lonely night that was filled with personal alarm, horror and fear inspiring tension as he waited in the terrifying blackness during those long trying, uncertain hours.

That the night is always darkest before the dawn is so true! Men wept openly, men prayed to the God they weren’t even sure existed.

Then the dawn. Shouts, battle fire, dense smoke, and a horde of enemy soldiers moving quickly toward the brave but doomed little group.

Then an incredible thing happened… suddenly, just as the outnumbering German forces were about to attack, an army of heavenly soldiers dressed in khaki uniform appeared from nowhere through the smoke and drove back the enemy. Fear fell on the Germans and they fled and the little group was saved.

Just as suddenly as they had appeared the unstoppable ghost army disappeared and a holy reverence fell on the young man and his comrades. Had they imagined it? Had it really happened? There was no other group of British soldiers near them. The dark hours had given way to victory for them despite their fears.

The dark hours
Dark hours…we all have them from time to time. Fear can come in, as can a sense of being alone and no one caring. Doubts can lead us to believing lies. Ever notice how troubles, uncertainties, sicknesses and the unpaid bills always seem bigger - worse - in the dark hours? I guess we’ve all been there.

Let me remind us of a very special soldier who went through his own night of dark hours with no one, no heavenly army, just for us…

‘Good’ Friday
Black Friday, dark Friday, evil Friday. For on that awful day, at noon, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, would begin to die on a rugged cross at Calvary outside Jerusalem to personally pay the penalty for every wrong committed by every member of the human race.

An incredible, amazing and horrible event. The agony he would suffer would become unbearable. Crucifixion was called the worst of deaths, yet it would be more so for Jesus for he would know pain beyond pain as he became a sin offering for all of us and suffer torment beyond torment and the rejection of his friends and – worse – his Father God.

For all for us. Sin is wrongdoing, sin is evil, and sin must be punished. God has said so. But God does not want any one to perish in eternal hellfire. So he sent his Son Jesus to pay the penalty instead. Amazing. Love demonstrated at its highest example.

The dark hours of that historic Friday probably began around midnight. His disciples – his so-called friends – had deserted him in fear for their own lives when the local authorities arrested Jesus. Now, alone and without support, he’s bound and dragged before the priest Annas for questioning, then to Caiaphas the high priest and the whole Sanhedrin – the council of religious teachers.

Somewhere between one and three am he is heavily interrogated, struck on the face, falsely accused, spat on and repeatedly struck with fists followed by successive resounding slaps. And his prophetic ministry and holy personage mocked.

Outside, his previously best friend, Peter, has denied their relationship three times…just as Jesus had prophesied! Jesus is truly alone.

The dark night moves on. There is further interrogation by the Sanhedrin, probably between 6 and 8am, as day dawns. Will it never end? More indictments are railed against Jesus and he is wrongly judged as worthy of death. But the Sanhedrin no longer has the legal right to inflict capital punishment so they cunningly send him bound to Pilate the Roman governor for official condemnation and crucifixion.

Outside the city, Judas, who also betrayed his friend Jesus, hangs himself in self-condemnation and guilt. But there is no remorse among these so-called religious people who do not want Jesus as the God and king of their lives… (Has anything changed today among religious people who profess Christianity but don’t want to submit to Jesus’ right to rule them?)

Pilate also questions Jesus and, admittedly, endeavours to find a way out for him. But the Sanhedrin brings new pressure to bear. Pilate sends Jesus off to the local authority, King Herod. It’s now around 8.30am. Herod fails to get a response from Jesus and he too has him mocked and treated with contempt, then returned to Pilate.

Jesus’ dark hours continue relentlessly…
Pilate, still convinced Jesus is innocent, decides to let him off after corporeal punishment. But the religious leaders and the now gathered crowd won’t have a bar of that. ‘Crucify him’ they scream and scream. How foolish! Their hasty foolishness will become a self-indictment against them before God.

And then it begins…the real dark hours. Somewhere between 9 and 11am, some of Isaiah’s terrifying prophecies of our Saviour’s awful, horrendous ordeal and sufferings are fulfilled.

Picture if you can, the atrocities committed on the Son of God. He’s publicly scourged with a club of leather thongs ending with little metal chains with lead pellets or hooks; he’s stripped and dressed with a scarlet robe, a crown of long thorns is rammed on his precious head; he’s mocked, spat on and struck on the head. His beard is ripped painfully from his face.

An ugly scene. An ugly time. Madness! Satan and evil or misguided people are having their self-centred way.

Yet, incredibly, Jesus says nothing to defend himself or escape the horror, torture and mockery. Such is his resolve to fulfil his Father’s will that he die to save all humankind that he does nothing to protect or free himself either through word or the use of supernatural or angelic power.

He’s returned to Pilate who again tries to release this guiltless man…but then submits to the pressure of the religious leaders and the crowd. Barabbas, a real criminal is released instead. Pilate washes his hands of the whole thing. But only the blood of Jesus can forgive and wash away mistakes, wrong doings and sin! And that blood has yet to be spilled on Calvary.

We move on in the time frame. It’s coming up to noon by now. Pilate has given the order invoked by the very people whom Jesus came to save…’Crucify him.’ Jesus is again mocked, stripped of his supposedly kingly robe and dragged away to be hung on a wooden cross between two thieves.

On the route to outside the city wall, women cry when they see what has been done to the one who had been a friend to so many, had healed so many, had spoken kindly and comforting to so many. Amazingly, in spite of his pain and discomfort, he still has a kind word for them, and a prophetic word of challenge regarding future days.

The weight of the crossbar he was forced to carry, the several beatings he had taken, the agony… has all been too much. Jesus is very weak by now and a visitor from Cyrene is compelled to carry the heavy wooden crossbar.

Oh what it must have cost Jesus to drag himself through the streets of his beloved Jerusalem and up the hill to the area called Golgotha, or Skull Hill. And the worst is to follow.

The dark hours carry on into the fulness of the day
The crossbar is now attached to the upright, lying on the ground. Jesus is forced down onto it. The nails – those long heavy, ugly nails are forcefully hammered into his wrist, the only part of the hand able to bear weight on a cross, and into his feet. He was God but he was human. He would have screamed in new agony with every hammer blow. The Romans knew no pity.

Then comes the pain-bringing jarring through every part of his being as they haul the cross upright and drop it and Jesus with a thud into the prepared hole in the ground. The shuddering would have run through his whole body bringing wracking renewed agony. The terror, the pain of what crucifixion does to every part of the body now really begins…

Noon! Eerie, unexplainable extreme darkness falls across the land as the Son of God begins to really take on the punishment properly due every sinner ever born and the heavenly Father in his own pain turns his face of light away from his Son!

Yet, somehow, through dry, chapped lips Jesus finds strength to throatily forgive all who have wronged him this dark day. Even a dying thief receives a blessing of assurance of forgiveness and heaven ahead.

The Romans had crucifixion down to a fine art to punish those they cruelly hung. Very quickly those crucified would long for death and release. But the agony was deliberately prolonged. And Jesus isn’t dying as one man receiving human punishment; he’s dying for all humankind. His agony is multiplied beyond understanding and counting! He can only take so much.

Three pm, Jesus cries out to his heavenly Father and submits his dying and future to the Holy Spirit. Our Saviour dies alone. In a lonely place. On a lonely cross. In a lonely moment.

The dark hours are finally over
What inner agonies, what bodily pain did Jesus go through for us? Did doubts afflict him; did he wonder if it was really all worthwhile? Where were his friends? Where was his Father God, the Holy Spirit, the angels…!
Not everyone was going to appreciate his sacrifice or accept him as Saviour…people would go on despising him, not believing in him, mocking him, passing him by, and millions would come to use his name as a swear word. Even ‘Jeez’ is a diminutive of ‘Jesus.’ Two thousand years later not a lot has changed - except for those who have accepted him as friend and Saviour and Lord.

Over the centuries many would deny Jesus. Many today say that they don’t believe in that ‘sort of thing.’ But the facts can’t be changed. Humankind has sinned, we all need forgiveness of our sins – the breaking of God’s laws and our spurning of his love and right to rule our lives – we all need a Saviour. Jesus is that Saviour! And we owe him so much!

Thank you, Lord that you carried those dark hours!
Oh dear, dear Lord Jesus…whatever went through your mind – or were you too much in pain to even think about what was going on? – thank you that you did go on to Calvary to become our Saviour. We owe you so much! Yet we are soon so ungrateful at times and forgetful of your grace and mercy. Forgive us afresh and help us today to reverently remember that you did it all for us. Only you – the spotless, perfect lamb of God could have gone through with it all.

Thank you for your determination, your incredible love for God’s wayward creation. Thank you Father God for your awesome plan of salvation. Thank you Holy Spirit that you moved in on resurrection Sunday and raised Jesus from the dead to become our Lord and Saviour with victory over Satan, sin and selfishness, death, the grave and the future! Our hope for today and tomorrow is truly in you!

Come Good Friday Christians remember what Jesus went through for us but on Easter Sunday we’ll celebrate and shout, ’The dark hours are over! He’s alive! He’s alive and he reigns forever more! He’s now my Saviour every day, every hour of every day. Every dark hour in my life will turn to blazing light because he lives!’

Facing dark hours?
If you’re facing some dark hours then this Good Friday - or any day, even today - give them all to Jesus…he understands. He understands your hurts, your uncertainties, fears and pain. He’s been there, he knows…and he has the power to help you, comfort and strengthen you. Just give it all to Jesus. Talk to him…he’ll listen; he’ll move to help you. He loves you; he’s your friend, your Saviour.

Black Friday, dark Friday, evil Friday indeed, yet a great Good Friday for us! Forget about Easter eggs for a moment and praise God for his unspeakable love and sacrifice through Jesus. Hallelujah!

This Good Friday remember - not with sorrow, but with an expectation of victory – to celebrate the fact that Jesus went through dark hours on our behalf. And … that today he lives for each of us to give us great blessings of sins forgiven, reconciliation with Father God, peace, health, happiness and an incredible future through the Holy Spirit’s supernatural help. Not some ghost or angelic army will come to your rescue but Jesus himself. He’s already fought life’s battles for you. Don’t be afraid or terrified, trust him for every victory!

And it’s all because he loves us so. Rejoice Easter Friday; don’t sorrow as those without hope! Don’t wait until Easter Sunday! Remember this…the darkest hours are those before the dawn. Let Jesus take you into a new dawn, a new day… a day of resurrection life and hope for every tomorrow!

The old song, ‘Because he lives, I can face tomorrow…’ still brings great hope!

PARTNER SHIP, SPOUSES AND WAKEUP CALLS

Partner. Now there’s a word that frightens some people. Take on a partner and you take on trouble, say businesspeople.

Yes, that’s one possible outcome, as some have learned to their peril. Yet, on the other hand, many businesspeople have gone into partnership with one, even two or three people, and their company has really taken off and their lifestyle has been bettered. In fact, some businesses would have gone under, or the owner’s health would have failed, if he or she hadn’t made that decisive move.

Spouses, not partners
Married and unmarried couples speak of ‘their other half’ as their partner these days. But the better, more meaningful term for a married person is spouse, not partner.

Dictionaries list a few definitions for ‘partner,’ admittedly including ‘a husband or a wife’ but that’s fourth down in the listing. ‘Spouse’ on the other hand has only one definition - ‘one’s husband or wife.’ And in this connection it speaks of a definite meaningful relationship.

We need to realise that getting married is more than taking on a partner as in the business world. We are accepting a spouse in legal wedlock and all the responsibility that goes along with that commitment of lifetime loving and cherishing.

And of course if a couple have made the right choice in the beginning (prayed about it and been God-led), then they’ll do all right... despite the proverbial ups and downs that are part of life. (More on this further down).

Recent marriage bad news...a wakeup call!
Bad news travels fast, as we all know, and it’s sad to learn through the infamous – at times – web and news media that Benny and Suzanne Hinn are divorcing.

Like other recent breakups of other frontline Christian ministries, this not only saddens followers but brings confusion and a ridiculing of the church and the name of Christ – whatever the reason behind it. Hopefully Benny Hinn’s ministry base will release a more effective statement that what’s been currently published.

In any case, here’s yet another warning or wakeup call as some have described it, to church leaders, whether husband or wife, to be on their guard. Marriage is meant as a long-term bonding to be worked on daily with not a moment wasted, not even with excessive, ongoing away from home ministry appointments. The scriptural rule is Jesus first, then spouse, then family, then career, then ministry and then the church (of course for ministers, ministry and career might be one).

Yes, of course even what starts as the happiest of marriages can develop problems – for various reasons. But we can call on the one who organised this special, sacred oneness in the first place, God himself. We can even ask the Holy Spirit to help us strengthen our marriage. Then, with his help, let’s be determined to work on our ‘holy union’ and safeguard it and if necessary, breathe freshness into the relationship between us and our spouse.

Relational church partnership
Jesus - the best example ever on any matter - was into partnership...see for example John 15:15; 17:20-23. So was the great Paul…see 2 Cor. 8:23; Phl. 17; Phi. 1:5.

Partnership of the right kind, with the right people, with the right attitude, with the right heart, and with the right vision will produce the right results. We’re thinking particularly of Christians in particular partnerships, especially in building relationships and friendships, and committing to serve the Lord in that local church.

Could there still be problems? Of course! We’re all human and mistakes will occur and misunderstandings will occur… When that happens, scripture is very clear…sort it out early! In Matthew 18 Jesus gave precise instructions on what to do… get together as comrades in Christ and work it through because it’s all about unity and witness!

Of course we’ll always have those seeing things differently. Some will have a fixed mindset of what they expect or think should be happening in church life...especially what the pastor should or should not be doing or saying.

Truth is that some expect too much but don’t contribute themselves or participate in events or fellowship with others. Some are just too judgmental and don’t ask the right questions or seek to help. But, thankfully, there are others who really love Jesus and people unreservedly, recognise God’s calling on them and back up the outwork of the church’s vision and other ministries in every way possible.

For any church to pursue its God-given vision, which includes reaching out to the unsaved, requires each member deepening his/her own relationship with God and seeking, even at a personal cost, to fulfil every aspect of God’s plans for them, both personally and corporately within their church. In other words, we must enter into deeper and more meaningful partnership… genuine partnership with each other and with the Holy Spirit. This involves releasing the three ‘ts’…time, treasure and talents. Nothing is ever lost that is sown faithfully into the kingdom! It grows, develops and touches lives and delights God.

Equal opportunity not equal sharing
History reveals that great people of destiny, such as Churchill and Lincoln, recognised that while they themselves might have leadership skills, they could not fulfil their dreams, aspirations and goals alone. They knew they needed others of like-mindedness and vision alongside them… a working partnership. Not one of equal sharing but equal opportunity.

Jesus recognised this principle and gathered together his famous twelve (some may have said ‘infamous’ twelve but he knew what he was doing!) The great apostle Paul also recognised this principle in building the kingdom of God. In the Philippians scripture above, he talks about the joy of partnership one with the other in the ministry of spreading the gospel.

Yet both Jesus and Paul had a few hiccups with their team players! (Some were pretenders, not real players!) But, in the grace of God, hurdles were overcome and the work of the kingdom continues to this day.

Genuine partnership is close to God’s heart! The very trinity is a partnership...an incredible choreography of movement in unison in action to achieve great outcome. There is no claim to superiority by any one individual but rather a flowing together in skills and unity with purpose for the greater cause. A completing of, not a competing with, each one’s designated role. A grand display of unity and togetherness that changes lives and circumstances.

If, in our individual church, we can be passionate about others and the lost above caring about our own selves, flow in unison, recognise and utilise our callings and support one another’s, we will please God and fulfil his will. We are not in competition with each other’s gifts but are meant to accompany and strengthen each other in life itself and in ministry for Jesus’ glory. Encourage ministry where you see it and get involved where you can!

God’s wakeup call
God is real...get into a relationship with him, then make it a partnership where you allow him to be boss of your life. Great things will happen! Treat the thoughts above as a wakeup call from the Lord to build his church into the most dynamic ‘house’ on earth!

Oh, back to our spouses...let genuine, undemanding love be the name of the game!

CHARLIE CHAPLIN'S GREATEST AMBITION

The great comedian Charlie Chaplin, whose antics as the pitiful but beloved Little Tramp in silent movies brought laughter to millions, once explained that of all his unfulfilled desires, one of his greatest ambitions was to play the real character of Jesus Christ on screen.



By ‘real’ he meant this of Jesus… that Christ was a splendid, virile, red-blooded man of strength personified and powerful intellect, delighting in the fellowship of others. That his very appearance at any gathering would immediately create an atmosphere of good humour and happiness. And that he was full of life.

A distorted Christ
Chaplin claimed that in having ‘long studied the Bible and many works on the Christian religion’ he considered Jesus Christ ‘the most powerful, most dynamic and most imposing character ever’ but one that ‘has been terribly distorted by tradition.’

Jesus, he once wrote, was not a man ‘speaking with a sepulchral voice, and looking exceptionally tired and distressed...I once saw Christ depicted in a film. He appeared to be suffering from stomach-ache. It was awful and ridiculous. I was so angry I walked out.’

70 years ago the Little Tramp’s creator shared these thoughts, beliefs and role ambition in Bravo magazine. It would have been a great role well acted. And although it was his ambition, Charlie Chaplin never got round to playing it. But we can!

But it must be for real!
Now we don’t mean ‘play-acting’ as such but fulfilling the role for real. Remember...Charlie Chaplin was a master craftsman at his profession. To win his audiences he didn’t go for anything that reeked of phoniness. And if he ever would have ‘played’ the role of’ Christ he would have enacted the real Jesus, not some phony that people would see through and walk out on, turning away in disgust.

So it must be with Christians! It has often been said that the only gospel some people will ever see and read is the ‘fifth one’ ... ‘The Gospel According to You.’ True! And it has got to be right! There’s enough phoniness in the world and people are looking for real hope. They have a right to expect realness and truth in the church but their initial contact is usually local through Christians... us, the people from the local church, out there in the marketplace.

For Christians that means being in the public eye, the spotlight, and we just better be for real!

Jesus frequented the marketplace
One of the great things about Jesus Christ was that he was a marketplace man. What do we mean by ‘the marketplace?’ Simple...wherever people are.

And that’s not always at church! Many don’t or won’t go to a church for several reasons. We like the sign over the exit doors of one church we know...as people leave after services, they cannot miss the large letters challenging: ‘You are now entering the mission field!’

Jesus regularly visited the mission field - places where he could catch up with locals and bring comfort, straight answers, healing, miracles and all sorts of help. Marketplaces, beaches, hillsides, weddings, funerals, homes, dinners, cities and towns as well as ‘churches.’ And in doing so, he was in the spotlight, the limelight and he had to be genuine, the ‘Real McCoy.’

And Jesus was real all right. His words rang true. People looked to him. He could be trusted. They could expect something solid from him. John 7 is a great chapter about such contacts in the life of Jesus as he walked around Jerusalem, his chosen marketplace for the day.

The local people, living in expectation of the Messiah, loved his sharing, the strength and comfort he brought, and the miracles he did. Committing themselves to him in faith many boldly said, ‘Will the Messiah, when he comes, provide better and more convincing evidence than this?’ (Verse 31 Message).

All amazed and impressed, wondering where Jesus’ understanding and learning came from (v15). Even tough police officers declared, ‘We’ve never heard anyone speak like this man’ (v46). But of course Jesus’ jealous enemies, the religious Pharisees, tried to verbally degrade him but couldn’t. They couldn’t even seize him that day. He was a man apart!

Do we come across like Jesus, men and women apart?
At the start of each new year wise ministers bring cheerful sermons of ‘new things in God this year’ to encourage their flock. That’s acceptable and actually necessary as it brings great and needed hope and a vision for the coming year.

But the real challenge comes afresh...are we living as Jesus would have us live before the immediate world around us? How do our workmates and colleagues see us? What impressions do we make on people when that all-important first contact is made? Has it been friendly and open enough to develop later into an opportunity to share our faith? Closer to home, does our spouse and children see Christ in us? Do other Christians wonder about us?

Really closer to the bone, how does the all-seeing eye of Jesus see us? Scary, huh? But every now and then we all – and that includes the author – need to hear this and be challenged afresh lest something precious slips away!

Of course we can’t be like Jesus regularly working the supernatural (although miracles can happen as we trust him, pray in faith and live in expectancy!) or be crucified - that’s been done on our behalf!

But there are certain simple, everyday ‘Jesus standards’ we should live out.

Living out real Christianity
For example, do we take opportunities, God-given or as they come up, to brighten someone’s life? When we come across someone ill, do we readily pray for them? If someone shares their personal problem with us, do we offer them hope from heaven? What would Jesus do?

On a personal characteristic note, do we smile enough or are we always frowning? Are we positive people that others delight to be around? Or are we always negative, repeatedly moaning and whinging at life and even at church life(!), lacking vision, purpose and imagination. And passing that disease onto others? And for that matter do we display that we really trust our God in everything that life throws at us? How would Jesus live life today?

Chaplin said that he had read scripture and indicated that he believed he knew the real Jesus. Do we know the real Jesus? Not just as Chaplin believed he did from only reading the Bible about Christ but from our daily personal relationship with Christ?

And how do we do that – and live out those other Christian principles of being bright, friendly and positive, at ease with the current world situation, upsets and even satanic attacks, caring and praying for people and expecting miracles and answers to prayer?

Relying on our own energy, confidence and talent won’t be enough. However Jesus gave his listeners the answer that John 7 day when he spoke of the coming refreshing Holy Spirit. Read about it in those famous verses 37-39 and take it all on board!

Jesus himself did all he did, speaking and acting effectively, and achieving all God required of him though the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit who indwelt him. Peter confirmed this in Acts 10:38. So can we!

Talk about this to a Spirit-filled Christian or pastor in whom you see and hear the real Jesus. Be filled - empowered - with God’s Spirit and be determined to real, to live positively for Christ. And let the Spirit reveal the real Jesus and enable you to build a trust in him as you read the Bible and pray and act in faith.

No more looking like you have a stomach-ache!
With the Spirit’s help you’ll be able to ‘act’ it out yourself, revealing the real Jesus to others. Be full of life, not dull. But causing others to be delighted to see you, to enjoy your company as you bring humour, happiness and an atmosphere of positiveness and real hope to their lives. Opportunities to share Jesus on a meaningful level will arise.

Have a great year following Jesus Christ, the only real hope for 2010 and the world.