Depression!

Despite the strengths and victories Christians receive from Jesus Christ, many times – as we minister to people at a prayer line -  some tell us quietly (wrongly feeling ashamed and not wanting anyone else to know) that they are suffering from depression.

Depression is an interesting word, meaning to be lowered in spirit, dejected, weakened, pressed down, despondent, lowered activity, having feelings of low value, sadness and pessimism, carrying delusions of inadequacy and hopelessness. It comes from Latin words meaning ‘pressed down.’

Anyone could be so afflicted
Yes, as mentioned above, we Christians have great strength and resources in Christ. But we must all be aware that even we could get hit by depression at some point, especially if overworked, tired, going through difficulty, disappointment or illness.

But if it happens, it’s not something to be ashamed of and feel we must be quiet about. That someone will accuse us of having lost our faith. If they do, that’s their problem, not ours! What we must learn to do is to recognise symptoms and how to deal with this problem.

Depression - this ‘pressing down’ - is a ‘following on from’ word. Depression can follow on from some upset or stress that happened to the person being affected.

Depending on which translation you use, you’ll find depression used quite a few times in scripture. For example Prov. 12:25, ‘Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression.’ Anxiety – that’s means anything that causes heaviness of heart.

It’s interesting how the Bible knew all about many illnesses and God had answers before prescription tablets!  Actually there are a number of examples in scripture that indicate people were struck by depression. For example, depression can hit…

Following exhausting hard work, including ministry
Samson - that incredibly mighty man of God was exhausted after killing 1000 of Israel’s enemies single-handedly (even though he moved in the amazing power of God’s Spirit and strength) – and cried out to God: ‘Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagan people?’ (Judges 15:14-19).

The strongest man in the world was obviously depressed but God had an answer…he ‘caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground … and Samson drank and was revived as he drank.’ Revived indicates that he was refreshed anew...’came alive.’ The Good News Bible puts it this way: ‘began to feel much better.’

God always has an answer to every problem, including sickness weariness and heaviness of heart (depression).

Following success

Elijah, that amazing prophet, who held back rain for almost four years and called fire down from heaven destroying false prophets, became crushed in spirit – depressed - after his incredible victory over satanic forces.  

1 Kgs 19:3-4 (Mge) tells us that ‘When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life’ from the evil Queen Jezebel who now threatened him for having caused this victory over her evil rule.

Again, God had an answer. Just a gentle whisper of his comforting voice and a good heaven supplied meal fixed him up (1 Kgs 19:12ff)! Elijah found himself strengthened, recommissioned by God and sent out immediately on a new assignment.

Even a little R&R in God’s presence is enough to get us refreshed and going again! Spending time with the Lord, reading the Bible (our heavenly food!) and talking to God will help refresh us and we’ll be able to move ahead into whatever the Holy Spirit has for us next.

Following dark times and all kinds of attacks

David, the ‘man after God’s own heart,’ was no exception. Dark times fall on all of us every now and then, no matter who we are or how close to God we may be! In fact, when you carefully read David’s writings in Psalms and elsewhere, you get the impression that he suffered quite a bit from depression.

But David always ‘picked himself up, shook himself down and started all over again’ as he turned to God and drew strength and refreshing from him. For example, 2 Sam. 22: 29-30,’O Lord, you are my light: yes, Lord, you light up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army.’

It’ll be the same for us if times of depression come. We can echo David’s strategy by truthfully admitting we have problems but then exclaiming, ‘But ah God.’ See Psalm 10:14 for example; ‘But you, O God, do see trouble and grief...’ 

These are good ‘Buts’ And no matter how dark the hour, our God will never let us down.

Following heavy decisions and responsibilities

Jesus too had his moments!

Think about the awful agony he went through in the garden struggling with the knowledge of the torture he would soon be suffering. (Mark 14:33-34): ‘He began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told (his disciples), “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.”‘

The Message Bible puts it like this: ‘He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony.’ The wording means a deep distress of mind. But Jesus knew how to draw answers and supernatural overcoming strength from his God! ‘Abba, Father, everything is possible for you…I want your will, not mine’ (v36).

Strengthened within Jesus moved afresh in ministry, miraculously restoring the severed ear of one of his opponents (Luke 22:51).

Following disappointments and troubles

Hey, being disappointed, especially being heartbroken, over what someone did or said can hurt big time!

But, again, God has an answer: ‘The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit’ (Psa. 34: 17-18).

Depression is a real nasty!

Like Satan it endeavours to sneak up on us, catch us unawares and rob us of joy. If we hang on to feelings of depression, they’ll flatten us – ‘de press’ - for days, weeks, months or longer.

They can lead to emotional and mental illness and cloud our thinking for a long time! We’ll go round the clock dwelling on even trivial matters. It’s really a rotten thing.

Yet God always has answers…we ought to turn to him right away and get his help. See Pro. 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart for everything. Verse 8 promises renewed health, nourishment and vitality. GNB says: ‘If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.’

The good news
Revelation 21: 4 is comforting! ‘God will remove all your sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.’

That’s not just a promise to be outworked in eternity…it can be ours here and now! But remember…it all depends on us calling out to God, just like Jesus and other biblical examples did!

And, by the way, if we need some professional medical care, there’s nothing wrong with that providing we look to the Lord first and trust him fully!  And as we grow in Christ we can learn to trust him to free us from everything that goes wrong and tries to destroy us. 


Calling out to him is simply a matter of intelligent prayer. 

Legacy!

This week we learned that an amazing servant of God had died. A man who had strongly influenced us and countless others. His passing was lovingly described in a good old-fashioned way – ‘Reverend Sam has passed into glory.’ The added words spoke so meaningfully of this totally dedicated minister who was a legend in his own time – ‘The Reverend has left behind an incredible legacy!  His reward will be outstanding.’

For decades Sam Workman (83) was best known in his homeland of Northern Ireland for his sterling evangelist ministry and caring for people. He also touched the lives of many in England, Australia and elsewhere. Thousands were led to Christ through his commitment to seeing people saved and lives changed.

His story is this, after graduating from a ‘tough’ live-in Bible college – he would often remind us that fifty years ago students were sent out at weekends with only a quid (British slang for a £1) in their pockets for food and to fend for themselves while taking opportunities to minister the gospel – Sam Workman only knew one thing: That he just had to share the life-changing gospel of Jesus.

This would lead to taking on a daunting challenge – accepting the call to a Congregational church of only 20 people and a great but empty building with a huge debt of £16,000 (a lot of money back in the sixties) and threatening bank foreclosure.

Gospel only!

Those were scary days for that church on the verge of closure. Taking on a new minister was really a last ditch stand. But for visionary Sam Workman, with an unbreakable trust in God’s word and faithfulness, it was an opportunity to go forward and build for the future. 

Any minister today daring to take on such a challenge would  follow what most churches would do … frantically start repeated programs of coffee and cake mornings, jumble sales,  target-sign financial goal drives and other fund raisers.

But Sam Workman didn't promote such things 60 years ago - they were secular and left no room for the Holy Spirit to work and demonstrate God’s power.  Instead he flatly refused to go down that track! He simply believed in the power of the gospel to change not only lives but situations as well.

‘The Reverend’ was small in stature, hence the fond colloquialism of ‘The Wee Man’ but he was big in his faith and in believing the word of God. Church planting, church growth seminars, leadership training was unheard of back then. But Sam Workman knew and believed this: If  church people were right with God and living holy lives; if there was no discontent, bickering, backbiting or fighting - God’s resources would come through and meet the need! He was a living example to all. (Photo: Sam Workman, 2008)

Sam knew only one way of changing the situation – preach the gospel. And that‘s what he did…no fundraising activities. And instead of foreclosure, the church grew at an incredible rate. With solid Bible teaching and clear gospel invitations – not to come to the altar but individually into his vestry behind the pulpit immediately after the service - people started getting saved. In turn they brought others along to find salvation. 

And then, through the Wednesday ministry of a low-key, dedicated electrician - not a credentialed minister, but someone released into his God appointed ministry - believing in God’s word on divine healing and the power of prayer, incredible healings and miracles took place in that same vestry. People would even drive from 50 miles away to be prayed over.

Later the church’s secretary told a local paper: ‘The Reverend did nothing but preach the gospel - no fundraising activities. People flocked in. He had a weekly Bible study of over 300. In every sense of the word, the church has become one of the strongest in Northern Ireland. We’re now getting 600-700 in each Sunday morning and evening service.’

New halls were built for the growing Sunday school, youth, Tuesday evening Bible study and kids’ junior prayer and Bible study night. Additional balcony seating had to be added and a manse was built - and the church was not in debt!

(Photo: The church sign depicts the heart of Sam Workman's ministry)
Even after several years the church didn't have a pastoral or visitation team or offices like today’s churches. Sam Workman lived up to his surname - he worked hard and long hours for the kingdom, as he'd been taught in his Bible college days. Yes, there was an non-salaried secretary, deaconate, youth leader, Sunday school superintendent and such but his dedicated servant of God virtually did it all. Many times some sick or troubled person that had been visited was heard to say, ’The Wee Man called today, prayed and blessed me. I'm feeling so much better.’

Sam’s reputation spread and he received many invitations to take evangelistic crusades in his own country and elsewhere. Countless received Christ, broken marriages were restored, Christians were encouraged to read and understand the Bible and follow Jesus more closely.

Young people, youthful parents – such as we were back then – were inspired to step out in faith and believe that we too could serve God in meaningful ministry ways. Personally we will never forget the dark days when Maureen was dying. We felt so alone with no one to share with and uncertain about the future. Sam visited us one evening and prayed quietly but strongly against the illness.

Then he looked into Maureen’s eyes and spoke prophetically over her regarding a teaching and prophetic ministry, then did the same for both of us. Although we didn't understand it all at the time Sam's prophetic words came about …Maureen was miraculously healed and as we trusted the Holy Spirit he has taken us around the world and given us many opportunities to teach the word, move in the anointing and bless many.

Three lessons
Why are we recalling all this, apart from honouring an outstanding servant of God? Threefold…

1) Every Christian needs someone to look up to and imitate. Paul urges this in 1 Corinthians 4:16 and Hebrews 13:7 Mge instructs: ‘Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all.’

2) Leaders need to have personal confidence in God’s word and the power of the Holy Spirit; knowing that no matter how insurmountable church and life problems seem, if we stick to great biblical truths and principles such as Matthew 6:33, ‘Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be yours as well’ the breakthroughs will come - to God’s glory.

3) We’ll soon be remembering the most important of all church celebrations: Easter. This is when we remember the greatest example of all, the one who with Spirit’s supernatural did it all himself, who knew the call of God on his life and against all odds followed without question. In doing so Jesus accomplished so much, reaching out to everyone he encountered, overcoming Satan, establishing God’s plan of salvation, birthing the church and anointing his followers with authority and Holy Spirit power to see people’s lives changed.

We’re not all meant to be a Sam Workman or a Billy Graham. But if we are willing to receive some ministry vision from God and dare to go for it with the Holy Spirit’s assistance, we too could become legends in our own time as we take examples from such dedicated ministers and obey and follow Jesus.

In law a legacy is a gift. To those we help receive salvation, achieve breakthroughs, and get a life, we’re leaving a legacy. What greater gift can you give people you encounter than that of discovering Jesus and the freedom to live life to the full?

Yes, there’s work involved, hard work at times. But remember … it’s only in the dictionary that we find Success before Work!                                                                                          

Smoke and Shadows

Feel like you’re surrounded by smoke and shadows?

Worldwide there is continuing trouble with wars and rumours of wars. Governments seek peace and financial stability. Promises are made and promises are broken.

Health issues, including mental balance, cancer, the destructiveness of smoking, excessive drinking by youths and obesity problems hit the news lines. General approval of same sex marriages is pushed and gambling problems are causing governments huge amounts of money. Sadly, what seemed happy marriages, even Christian ones, are suddenly broken and even some churches are having problems.

Solomon, who studied what was going on around, came to this conclusion: ‘No one can predict misfortune...men and women are caught by accidents evil and sudden’ (Ecclesiastes. 9:12). In fact he concluded that so much in life is like smoke and shadows.’ Regarding the future, he said, ‘It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, or when’ (8:7). 

But, in the midst of continuing world and national uncertainties today Christians who deeply trust their God can work through even the bleakest of situations and come out the end of every dark tunnel. No magic formula, just a simple trust in a great loving God and his word.

Winston Churchill, in the dark days of World War 2, delivered many strong positive comments to encourage a little island under threat of defeat on several military fronts and probable invasion. Such as the following abridged collection of insights: ‘It is a wicked thing to take away man’s hope. Doubt cramps energy. Belief is power. To believe is to be strong.’

Hope and power in Christ
Christians have hope, great power in Jesus Christ. But unfortunately many, who are supposed to positive in every situation, seem to foolishly delight in living in the past! Yet we are meant to be people of the present creating - with the Holy Spirit's help - a great future. Grabbing hold of the biblical promise of Jeremiah 29:11 and living life to the full. Getting on with life.

But all too often we allow the mistakes and the bad-case scenarios of yesteryear to bind us today from enjoying life and ‘moving on.' We must refuse to live there and move on!

The truth is that we've all made errors of judgment both in speech and action – including some things we're ashamed of but  one of the precious things about being a Christian is that when we ask forgiveness we're totally forgiven and can ‘get a life.'

Scripture has several examples of people who blew it but they rose up and moved on. One we've been looking at recently is the prodigal son. His life was in a mess but he came to his senses and in Luke 15:18 determined: ‘I will get up and go…'

He then rose up out of the pigsty and made for the only one who could help him re-establish and gain a better future – his father. And things worked out fantastically for him!

This story is wrongly referred to as simply a wonderful parable of God’s love and grace. But it’s more than that. Such parables also call for action on our part.

Yes, this one clearly speaks of the confidence we can have in the heavenly Father, the God who cares so much for everyone. But the mixed-up son had to do something... he had to make a move towards a better future and security, to come away from his confusing place and predicament of shadows and smoke.

And he did. He rose up and moved on!

Getting up and moving on!
For anyone to move out of the shadows and smoke and change their situation one needs to get up and out of whatever is binding, holding down. Otherwise there is a wrong holding on to the past and current circumstances. We can have great hope in God and move on into a future of confidence with him – as we trust him!

Not letting go of the past means that we can be our own worst enemy by holding onto it or burying ourselves in it. It continues to be our own prodigal son’s pigsty, our personal ‘downer floor’!

One of the greatest declarations of Jesus was his dramatic statement of John 8:36 that he's made us free! He also said that 'God is the God of the living not the dead' (Mark 12: 27). Believe these words of God! If you're living in the past then you bound to it and living among the dead!

Think of the various New Testament people with needs – Mark relates the miracle turnaround of many...such as the blind, lepers, demon-possessed and sick people. All were in a kind of pigsty or downer situation, all decided to rise up and go (or were brought by caring friends or a parent) to Jesus the one who changes circumstances.

Out of the shadows and smoke
William James (1842-1910) said, 'The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.'

If your life seems nothing but smoke and shadows and without a future, maybe that's what you need to do today - rise up and determine to meet Jesus in a life-changing encounter that will result in a new future for you. There's always hope in Jesus! Just refuse to live in the past!

Countless years ago there was a comforting old song with the line: ‘Standing somewhere in the shadows you'll find Jesus, he's the only one who cares and understands.’

What great words! They are a perfect direction of hope and comfort for all who are feeling troubled by what is happening, even not happening, around them. Jesus encountered many shadows and much smoke in his short life but he trusted his Father God. We can do likewise!

Going through shadows and smoke? Remember and trust Paul’s Romans 15:13 prayer, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’

2012.02 (c) Robert & Maureen McQuillan, Life Focus Inc

The Real 'The End'?

The latest Sherlock Holmes movie, A Game of Shadows, is out, full of clever scenes and Sherlockian deductions. But the final scene is a classic, obvious lead-into probable future movies.

Watson has just completed writing up his reminisces of Holmes’ last case and deadly battle with the archenemy  Moriarty in which the great detective was – seemingly –  killed at the famous Reichenbach Falls. We see a saddened Dr Watson typing the usual wrap-up line...THE END.

Without spoiling the story for those who haven’t as yet seen the movie, after the good doctor leaves his study, ‘a mysterious figure’ adds a question mark to that conclusion, making it read THE END?

Christians caught up with a false ‘the end’!
Such a simple addition makes all the difference in many matters!  As dictionaries explain, it means a doubt or ignorance is implied, or it draws attention to a possible mistake. And this leads to the following concern:

For some time now, but especially since last year’s cataclysmic disasters in the southern hemisphere, some Christians began wondering if the end of the world is virtually on us - the end as in ‘End Times.’

Some churches have been pushing this for some time and it’s currently being picked up again by others. Beyond Sunday church, quite a few Christians make it a centrepiece in their conversations as if ‘the end’ was just on our doorstep. And, adding fuel to the fire, there have been some outlandish prophecies regarding end times. 

We like what an old friend, Lee Grady, wrote in his Boxing Day Fire in my Bones article: 

'Some people are terrified of 2012. They worry because the Mayans of ancient Mexico mysteriously ended their 5,126-year-old calendar on December 21, 2012 - as if they expected the world to end that day. This silly hypothesis became the basis for several New Age books and a goofy disaster movie, 2012.

'I'm not afraid of December 21, 2012 because 1) Ancient Mayans never actually said the world would end in 2012 - and even if they did, they didn't have an inside track to God: 2) Doomsday predictions have never been accurate; and 3) Jesus holds the future in his hands.'  (www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones)

Misinformed Christians
But sadly several misinformed Christians, even leaders, with minimal biblical understanding about Bible interpretation, feel unsure about the future and about plans for 2012, let alone 2013 and future years!

Despondency has come about, as has a lack of trusting God for good tomorrows, enjoying life to the max, and getting on with what Jesus wants them to be involved with at present. Some simply don’t know what he wants of them and are afraid to make firm decisions in respect of their life this month let alone the rest of this year.

Then there are not only movie moguls making big money out of end times  confusion but book houses too with recent publications attracting gullible Christians. Not only that but so-called Bible teachers – really deceivers – have conned thousands of dollars from simpleminded followers See FAQ no. 7 in Connect (www.connectmagazine.com.au)

The bigger picture
The biblical reality of the end of the world with the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords is not as confusing as some would have us believe.

When we accepted Christ as Saviour he didn’t whisk us off to heaven. We’ve been left on earth to fulfil whatever he graciously gives us to achieve that will build his church and assist in fulfilling the great commission!

Personally we grew up in a generation that repeatedly harped on about what it thought was ‘the’ truth – that ‘Jesus could return tonight.’ As young people way back then it kind of scared us into being super good. It was years before we learned to check out if what big-name preachers said actually lined up with the written word of God. And that was before our Bible college days!

Like others who have done likewise, my eyes were opened to the real truth, and of course Jesus himself said, ‘The truth will set you free.’

So what is the truth about end times?

Truth has two sides
This comes as a shock to many white and black thinkers, so ... quickly to the point. Yes, we could be in the end times and the great THE END could happen. But, on the other hand, THE END hasn’t happened or I wouldn’t be still here writing this and you wouldn’t be reading it!

In Matthew 24:3 Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘What will be the sign of your arrival and of the end (Note: ‘THE END’) of the world?’ (Moffatt). Jesus’ immediate response (v4) was ‘Watch out for doomsday deceivers’ (Msge). He then went on to warn of all sorts of unavoidable end time disasters and added ‘Do not be alarmed. These have to come, but it is not the end yet’ (Moffatt).

And in Mark 13: 32 he emphatically states regarding his return and the real end times, ‘The exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father’ (Msge).

So there it is for us today... we’re in what seems like end times but not in the end times – yet!
Church history tells of many times when deceivers – and not just spurious groups and their leaders – but within the traditional accepted church itself, have falsely declared the end time, the big THE END, is here (Check even Google). Over the centuries these predictions have all failed to eventuate.

Unfortunately a lot of Christians refuse to read the word of God for themselves. Their attitude is almost the old catholic stand...we pay the priest (minister), he’ll keep us right, let’s just listen to him, we don’t have to read the Bible ourselves.

Even many Pentecostals who are supposed to love the Bible default in this, don’t bring Bibles to church but rely on their pastor. They even strongly but unthinkingly quote big-name speakers beyond their own local church pastor and lead others astray.

What should we be doing in 2012?
The same as we should have been doing in 2011! Obeying Jesus’ command of Mark 13:33, ‘Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come’ (TNIV).

Being on guard means to be awake and keep vigilant.  The various Bible translations teach in Matthew 24:14 that Jesus won’t return until the gospel is preached to everyone in the whole world. That, as many Bible scholars understand it, means every people group in the world –and there are some 6,700 yet to be reached! Then that verse tells that the end will come about. The real THE END!

In staying alert we need to be focusing on everything that Jesus would have us do for him. Living life to the full yes, but living for Jesus and witnessing by ‘walking the talk.’ If we’re really involved in that, then we’ll be zeroing in on those tasks and loving the truth of the word. We won’t get sidetracked by spurious teachings.

When is the real END TIME? When we hear the Master’s welcoming ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’

Meantime a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit will keep us on our guard and about the master’s business. This means knowing what the word means for ourselves. And the Holy Spirit and a good pastor preaching from the word will help there.

THE END...no, rather THE END? Let’s move ahead this year into new adventures with the Lord against our enemy Satan, the greatest deceiver ever. Our next real-life ‘movie.’ It's time to move away from the current, spiritually deceptive 'game of shadows.'

His Name is Jesus, not Geez!

For years one has been hearing the exclamation, ‘Geez!’ or ‘Jeez!’ - even from Christians.

It’s a popular in-thing seemingly denoting surprise or amazement. But in fact it’s a diminutive of ‘Jesus’ and therefore a subtle form of swearing. We’re used to the Lord’s name being taken in vain in public, movies and TV but it’s bad to hear Christians, especially church leaders, casually using this abbreviation publically.

Check a dictionary or better still, the web, and you’ll find that ‘Geez’ and ‘Jeez’ are defined as ‘Used to express mild surprise, delight, dissatisfaction, annoyance, and a shortening and alteration of Jesus.’ 

Jesus is a name to be revered!
Christians believe Philippians 2:9 that states clearly Jesus is the name above all names, that one day the whole earth will bow before the one who owns that name, that in that name demons flee, prayers are answered and miracles happen.

When one is sick, for example, one calls on the name of Jesus and, recognising and acknowledging that this name is far above the name of the illness, claims healing and expects to receive it. It’s the same with other difficulties in life... finances, job needs, marriage problems, church difficulties. We use the powerful anointing that’s in the name of Jesus and we repeatedly get results.

Therefore every Christian must be so careful how the word Jesus is used, that it is honoured not derided! We must recognise the tag ‘name’ indicates ‘character’ and authority.’

When we use the name of Jesus we’re calling on his authority to meet needs, to intercede or intervene in the circumstances we’re bringing before God in prayer. Let’s honour that name not belittle it.

Christmas, not Xmas!
Over the centuries the celebratory term Christmas has been reduced to Xmas, supposedly to accommodate limited advertising space or simply for cuteness or through unquestioned habit.

On the web you’ll even find ‘Christian reasons’ stated for doing so, such as quoting the usage of the ☧ labarum Chi Rho, an early Christian symbol representing the name of Christ. But you’ll also find a quote from evangelist Franklin Graham: ‘For us as Christians, this is one of the most holy of the holidays, the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. For people to take Christ out of Christmas... happy to say Merry Xmas, let's just take Jesus out - Really, I think, (it’s) a war against the name of Jesus Christ.’  

Christmas is meant to be a great joyous time of festivities of fun, fellowship and family. But we must honour Jesus Christ above all else. In doing so, let us remember that X is also a mark, one that is used for cancelling out. If X is to used in connection with the word Christmas it should be used as a cross, reminding us of the real reason the Son of God came to earth – to die on Calvary’s cross, not to be cancelled out!

Abbreviating is a habit
Like those annoying and off-putting ‘You knows’, ‘You know what I means’, ‘Ums’, ‘Ahs’ and ‘Ers’ that careless preachers and speakers use, abbreviating names is a bad habit that needs correcting.


Even I have to correct myself in such matters. Oh, not in respect of the exalted name of Jesus but in little things such as shortcutting certain words while typing. And I could probably make an excuse by saying ‘Well, even the great CS Lewis did such things in his letters to people.’ But, really, there is no excuse for people in the public eye.


To me (Robert), a most annoying habit is the abbreviating of first names. Personally I would never consider doing so unless I was requested and permitted to do so. For countless years when I’ve introduced myself as ‘Robert’ the immediate response has been either ‘Hi, Rob’ or ‘Hi, Bob.’ I do not hesitate but quickly point out, ‘No, it’s Robert, not Rob or Bob’ and endeavour to set the record straight.


But this is not about ‘My name is Robert, not Rob or Bob.’ No, it’s about drawing attention to the great truth that if our precious Saviour were to write this, he’d write ‘My name is Jesus, not Geez or Jeez.’


In Matthew 1:20-21, we learn that Joseph was to take Mary home as his wife. This meant that he would become her protector. This young carpenter, simply but powerfully described as ‘a righteous man, was also told that Mary would have a son by a miracle and he was to call the boy Jesus for he would become the Saviour of the world. Jesus...not Geez or Jeez! Today we should be protectors of the name of the one Mary bore.


Joseph carried out heaven’s direction to the letter. In his case ‘letters’ not an abbreviation.  Jesus is the name our Saviour was referred to throughout Never Geez or Jeez! Even when the so-called religious leaders of the day wanted to slur his name they used the derogatory term ‘this fellow.’


The need to be wise
A few years back some Christians began to loosely use certain words in their conversation with non-Christians. Afterall, they wrongly reasoned, it was the cool thing to do. But, really, it wasn’t right and removed a major difference between saved and unsaved people.In would slip ‘damn’ and ‘damnation’ as well as ‘hell.’ Such expressions, when properly understood, relate to the endless eternal condition of every human that hasn’t accepted God’s ‘Christmas gift’ of a Saviour – Jesus!  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Today we hear the regularly repeated TV shows expressions of ‘Oh my God!’ or even just ‘My God!’ or ‘O God’ coming from the lips of Christians. Sadly we hear some Christians loosely using these exclamations.  Include ‘Geez’ or ‘Jeez’ and it should tell us that it’s time to make some important adjustments to one’s vocabulary.


In honouring Jesus this Christmas, let’s enjoy the season and give thanks to God for its real reason - his amazing gift to all humankind of a Saviour. But let’s also be determined that from here on we will always remember that the name of Jesus is very special and is always to be honoured. 

Mulberry Tree Rustling

Decades ago, we used to sing a sprightly little chorus: ’The move is on, I know; the move is on. \ The move is on, I know; the move is on. I can hear the rustling in the mulberry trees, \ And I know, I know, I know the move is on. So move on, Brothers; move on, Sisters; \ This is the moving day. \ Move a little closer to where the stream is flowing; \ Move on, Brother; move on.

Probably only remembered now by ‘old timers of the faith’ but popular in its day, it was taken from 1 Chronicles. 14:15, where God confirms that he’s going ahead of his people defeating their enemies. The Message version puts it very interestingly: ‘When you hear a sound like shuffling feet in the tops of the balsams (mulberry trees), attack; God will be two steps ahead of you, slaughtering the Philistines.’

Confidence in a mighty God

Wow! That’s a great scripture for any Christian going through times of uncertainty, trial and testing, or decision making. Those times when we need to hear a quiet assurance from God that he is in charge and is not only with us but going before us defeating all our enemies – whatever they may be...sickness, finance, employment, home moving, ministry, family, critics.

Mulberry trees represent crying, weeping before God for a successful future. There are Christians especially church leaders who will testify that there were times when tears were shed before the Lord before the breakthroughs occurred. Then, suddenly, there was a definite movement ‘in the trees’ and the move (whatever it was, however it worked out) was on!

So mulberry trees, especially ‘movement in them’ also represents victory through a moving forward, something that God is always wanting his people to be doing and trusting him as they do. The fact is that if we stand still or sit still in our comfort zone; we become spiritually complacent and lazy, and don’t grow in Christ.

Be in it to win it!

As the old saying goes…Be in it to win it! We need to be aware of what’s going down in the kingdom life and of what God wants of us. And to be involved! One of the great tragedies of Israel was that they so often missed out on what God was doing! They didn’t get involved, they were unaware at times, they put other things first…homes, businesses and self before the building of the house of the Lord (see Haggai 1 for example).

Consequently they kept missing the shekhinah  glory of the peace of God and other blessings. And they would whinge and complain! As Solomon observed, ‘Is anything new?’

But praise God, around Christendom today there are ‘different folks with different strokes’…full-on committed people who, more than ever before, not only hear from the Holy Spirit but are willing to obey and move on into new areas, pleasing God and blessing others.

As we exercise Proverbs 3:5 (Message): ‘Trust the Lord from the bottom of your heart: don’t try to figure out everything on your own,’ a solid, confessable assurance comes and we just know that we can trust God to take care of everything, no matter how hopeless or difficult the situation seems, or what ‘experts’ say against the chances of success.

Against the odds

Here’s a recent personal example. We’d been led by the Lord to move location and to purchase land closer to a regional bypass which will make it much easier in getting to our state capital for ministry engagements, reducing travelling time by 20 minutes. But this required selling our home at a required price and trusting God that it would all happen.

Real estate agents were rather negative regarding the timing to sell and the price we knew our home was worth. But, we knew that we had heard from the Lord and trusted him completely. Some time went by and friends expressed their concern. We didn’t worry one iota! We ‘knew that we knew that we knew’ the right buyer - one couple only - would come along at God’s right moment, fall in love with our home and price would be no problem. And that’s exactly what happened.

The next step was to find the right rental as we can’t build on our new land for some months. Again people were concerned for us as time was getting closer and closer to settlement date when we had to vacate the sold home. Once again we were not worried as we were embracing the Proverbs scripture above in respect of the right rental, area, rate and timing. And, against the odds, it happened just as we had prayed.

This was, of course, a very practical matter. But over the decades the principle has operated in many areas of our life, especially in ministry and moving on in God. Many times we heard ‘a rustling in the mulberry trees’ and knew that God, through his Holy Spirit, was calling us on to new territory and new ministry where streams of the water of the supernatural of God were flowing. And, as that old chorus urges, we wanted to be closer (And still do!)

Expect a great future

Embracing Proverbs 3:5, trusting God in everything (large or small, ministry or simply general life matters themselves), relying totally on him no matter how large the difficulties, obstacles and enemies, and being obedient will always guarantee his approval, pleasure and supernatural assistance.

2011 will soon be over. Personally we have seen God accomplish much for us this year as we’ve been obedient to his ‘still small voice.’ But the year isn’t over yet and we look forward to continuing to receive his blessings as we listen, be aware what he wants accomplished and obey. We also look forward in anticipation to following Jesus Christ in an exciting 2012!

May it be likewise for you too as you trust God in everything and grow in your faith. Remember... as you do so, ‘God will be two steps ahead of you, slaughtering the Philistines’ – overcoming enemies and obstacles on your behalf because you’re pleasing him. And, oh yes, maybe you too have to shed a few tears some times, but joy will follow as you really trust.

2010.11. (c) Life Focus.

Ancient Ways for End Time Days

Sukkot , Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles, is a biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishri  - late September to late October – after the grape harvest (Lev. 23:34). One of three mandated festivals, it required Jews to make a pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem.  

Booths were walled structures covered with a plant material such as leafy tree overgrowth or palm leaves. The intention was that these would be a reminder of the fragile dwellings the Israelites dwelt in during their 40 years in the desert after the  Exodus. Throughout the holiday, meals were eaten inside and many slept there.


This Feast of Tabernacles was the most joyous of Israel’s feasts, a yearly gathering to worship the king of kings. Indeed, it was the feast of the harvest in the seventh month and Israel was commanded to bring their offerings and rejoice in booths for seven days. One day during this time was very special, a most solemn day, the Day of Atonement and Israel greatly rejoiced that their sins had been covered.


This year saw over 6,000 Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot.  Different messianic Jews groups either going there, or gathering around the world, for conferences had various themes such as A Light Unto the Nations and A Praise to the Earth.


Two that caught our eye were It’s Harvest Time! and Ancient Ways for End Time Days.


The link
Yes, it’s quite a journey of enlightenment to visit Jerusalem and Israel at anytime  but as Christians we can rejoice any time, anywhere over our forgiveness of sin, our rescue from Satan and our exodus from our captivity in his kingdom. We simply lift our heart and mind and hands wherever we are and give the Lord thanks for all that he has done for us.


It is good to remember that all the feasts were types of the coming and the work of the Messiah. Regarding atonement, we wholeheartedly rejoice that Jesus entered the heavens as our high priest to make atonement for our sins. We now rejoice in his great messianic work – salvation for all, just not Jews.


One of the most interesting scriptures mentioning the Feast of Tabernacles is in John 7. It is the time of Jesus’ third and final trip to the Jewish capital, some six months before his crucifixion.


The last day of the feast was regarded as the greatest (John 7:37), when sacrifices were offered, booths were joyously dismantled and the people repeatedly sang the hallel (Pss. 113-118). There was also the special water pouring ceremony on this climactic day.


As the people pack up and the reminders of ancient ways and the joy of the feast including the yearly once-only water pouring begin to fade into memory, an amazing thing happened. Jesus stood up and invited those who believed in him to receive an endless supply of life-giving water, which includes the Holy Spirit. As the Message Bible puts John 7:37: ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way.’


Zechariah 14:16-17 warns that if the feast of Tabernacles was not attended, then there would be no rain so adequate rainfall was expected by the faithful. Water had been associated with the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (see Isa.44:3; Eze. 36:25-27: Joel 2:28). Jesus’ proclamation promised the Holy Spirit in a personal overwhelming way with himself as the agent after Calvary.


What a surprise this would have been to those about to return home. No wonder many responded by calling him a prophet and the Messiah (V41). Many returned at dawn to be taught further (8:1-2). And as he did so he again linked the Feast of Tabernacles with his God-given mission... of being the light of the world (John 8:12). On the last day of that popular feast not only was there the water-pouring rite but also the lights ceremony. Torches had been lit before the happy gathering.


Jesus was linking himself with the deeper meaning of this festival for he was the true light of the world and soon would be its Saviour. Then, after he was glorified, the Holy Spirit would be available to all who believed in him.


Time for old truths to be fired afresh!
No, we’re not, as some would have it, expecting Bible balanced Christians to start celebrating Jewish Torah laws! That would be foolishness and entering into the dangers that the writer of Hebrews warns about, when many early church Christians were in peril of slipping back into sanctimonious, pharisaical bondage. That author strongly cautioned: ‘It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off.’


But we would urge, in this day of opportunity - a time of world troubles and a day when many feel we are in the last days, the end times - to witness Jesus to those who need Christ. To remind a godless society that the ancient ways, taught in the Bible and honoured by our ancestors, are good ways, wholesome and reliable.


And to remind Christians who have returned to the ease of home as it were, that Jesus has already accomplished everything on our behalf, that we don’t have to keep laws and ordinances that were established for Israel, a nation that had just been released from slavery, nor do we have to live up to anything that Jesus never intended for Christians. We are free in Christ!


If anything, the Feast of Tabernacles is a good reminder of the grape harvest. Grapes speak of wine yet another symbol of the Holy Spirit. Most importantly, harvest speaks of the need to reap lost souls for Jesus. This harvest is ever before us and we must take the opportunities God drops before us.


The pilgrimage for today
Let’s make a pilgrimage to our churches or prayer closets; praise God for all that Jesus has done for us in becoming our Saviour in forgiving our sins and availing us of the power of the Holy Spirit. Then ask him to help us witness him to the unsaved.

 

A Text out of Context is a Pretext!

There’s always something that sticks in one’s mind when a great preacher declares something profound. Personally we will never forget the above, made decades ago by an outstanding pioneer of Pentecostal truths.

For me (Robert) it linked perfectly with scriptures the Holy Spirit had burned into my heart three years previous when out-of-the-blue he spoke to my spirit. When he had stunned me by saying clearly that he would use us both to teach God’s word simply but in-depth, challenging Christians and leaders to understand what scripture is really saying, not what they think or suppose, or some ‘new voice’ declares as being ‘the latest thing in God.’

We refer, of course, to 1 and 2 Timothy. The Lord strongly impressed on us to deeply study these two books, to wholeheartedly devour Paul’s warnings about end time lack of hunger for truth in Christians and churches.

Spiritual junk food
In particular, he influenced me about a coming lack of desire for God’s word, a careless Christianity, and burned 1 Tim. 4.7 into my heart: ‘Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion’ and especially 2 Tim.4:2-4, ‘Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.’

Sadly over the years many Christians have done just that – ran after ‘the latest thing’ and in many cases have been deceived because they themselves haven’t taken time to read and study the word of God. They have fallen for weird so-called doctrines, have not sought a sound Bible-based shepherd’s guidance and have got caught up in wackiness. Unfortunately many end up totally confused and losing a grip on their faith.

Old chestnuts keep coming round... false end time predictions such as Harold Camping’s Judgment Day and Rapture date of May 21quickly followed by a ‘Sorry, it’s October 21.’ And what about last year’s ‘Want the anointing and a miracle? Then join in and do the Holy Ghost Hokey Pokey’? (US version of Hokey Kokey)

The latest we’ve heard about that is causing much confusion and has already led to some losing their faith through going back into worldliness? A wrong teaching about God’s grace.

A current deceit
For decades there’s been a saying: Weird church stuff soon filters from America to other western countries. Sad but true. But even sadder is this...because of wrong teaching and a lack of biblical knowledge among Christians and church leaders, Satan, that old wolf in sheep’s clothing is able to sneak in with destructive corrupted ‘doctrine’ and bamboozle uninitiated ministers and churchgoers alike.

Thank God for great balanced revelatory teachings by anointed preachers that have come from the States over the years but a current one is dangerous! The latest erroneous teaching going around stupidly states that once a person accepts Christ as Saviour they are so under God’s grace they are free to do whatever they want and never have to repent again!

Some naive Christians have foolishly embraced this false teaching. They’ve been told it’s all right to be worldly, have extramarital relationships, smoke, booze and just enjoy life to the full. And ‘Don’t worry – you’re under grace. You don’t have to ever apologise to God or ever repent again. God will overlook everything because you’re under grace.’ More like being under a spell!

Without God’s grace we would really be lost. We’d be condemned by God virtually every day because of wrong thoughts that slip in never mind wrong actions and words spoken in haste, as even the noblest but most honest leader will admit.

The grace of God is so precious. The only WTC Tower 2 actual impact zone survivor, Stanley Praimnath acknowledges God’s grace preserving his life. That’s scriptural, but one aspect of God’s incredible grace. (See ASSIST News Service's September article by Mark Ellis). In respect to grace and forgiveness of sins we must never trifle with scriptures and make them read as we want them to read! They become texts out of context and therefore pretexts!

An old deception
As our good friend Dr Jim McClure says: ‘Such false teaching is a result of “easigesis”, that is, reading one’s own ideas into the biblical text, rather than exegesis, that is, understanding what the text actually says!’

Bible college students, indeed anyone who has studied the Bible know that exegesis means seeking the correct explanation of scripture. Really understanding doctrine, linking and balancing relevant passages and verses before trying to expound that subject. It’s no wonder James warned in James 3:1 ‘Not many of you should presume to be teachers...because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.’

Unfortunately some Christians have been grievously deceived and wandered away from biblical truth through erroneous grace teaching. We can only pray that some friend, soundly balanced in the word, will come alongside and patiently help them back to reality and that they’ll find a church with a quality teaching ministry.

Incidentally this current wrong teaching is not some new ‘latest in-thing’ but one that goes back to the days of the early church and became known as Antinomianism.

We must always ask forgiveness!
The Bible assures us that yes, we are definitely under grace and our sins past, present and future are truly covered by grace. But it also tells me that we’re still only sinners saved by grace and we cannot afford to go on breaking God’s laws! Paul strongly warns in Romans 6:1-2: 'Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?' 

The Message Bible puts it this way: ‘So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there?’

John warns us that sinning is living dangerously before God (1 John 3:4). That if we claim we’re free of sin we’re only fooling ourselves - ‘a claim that is errant nonsense’ (1:8) but, verse 9, ‘On the other hand, if we admit our sins - make a clean breast of them - he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.’ It’s so clear: If we sin we have to admit it and ask forgiveness afresh!

May every Christian be on guard lest any heresy slips in. Jim McClure’s scholarly new book Grace Revisited is recommended (Email jbmcclure@gmail.com). Discover what grace is really is. Note especially chapter 7!