Persecution, Prayer, Passion, Purpose

During this past week, I heard of some churches around the world, in some pretty hairy places where God is moving in mighty ways. These churches are characterized by strong prayer.... Not just once a week but daily and for huge chunks of time at a time.....prayer.

They are also churches where it is dangerous to be a Christian, in other words you can be put to death for speaking the name of Christ. But these people are passionate fired up Christ followers living their lives with purpose and intention. And God is powerfully evident in their gatherings, and their churches are huge, and growing stronger daily. In places and countries you wouldn't even believe it.

We also heard that they are praying for the church in the west. US.

Whilst we pray that they won't be persecuted, they are praying that we will be. For it is in the persecution that something amazing seems to happen in their prayers and faith.

They see the western church as weak and powerless..... You will need to decide if they are correct or not.

But they are growing. And miracles are common place, so is salvation.

 

In one country alone, where you wouldn't believe it....so I am not going to name it.... For their own safety....But 4000 Christians pray 24/7 all the time, for their fellow "locals" to be saved, and that church is growing daily, in a predominantly Muslim country. You can be shot and will be for taking the name of Jesus.

 

So...what does persecution look like there, and what does it look like here ?

 

A nasty comment is made, a criticisism verbalised, anger riles up over a song choice, or style of worship, and I wonder...is this persecution ? Or is it stupidity ?

Why would we criticize a style of worship , when people are being executed for believing in Jesus ? I ask you, seriously, ? What in the dickens is that about ?

 

Persecution for them means death, or imprisonment at the very least.

Persecution for us means feeling uncomfortable with a difference of opinion.

 

Something doesnt add up does it ?

 

Today our church marched forwards in the history books in embracing into our family, a church from another culture. A church persecuted in its native land, but perhaps the largest expression of faith at all is in this country itself. Underground, hidden, persecuted, but passionate, prayer warriors changing the landscape of their time. Perhaps over a billion of them.

 

And us.... What are we doing ?

 

Well.... I still choose to believe that God has got an army at his disposal. And if we will armour ourselves up, and ready ourselves on our knees in submission and intercession we can expect 2 things to happen.

 

And they are starting to.

 

1. Persecution will start to rise up against us. And it is.

2. We will take our nation for our lord! and lives, souls..... in their droves will be changed.

And it must happen. !!!!!!!!!

 

It's not about getting your own way, it's about doing things the Masters way.

It's not about us...its about those who don't yet know Jesus.

It's not about our style of doing things, but rather Allowing us to be used by the Holy Spirit in how he wants to do things.

 

When an Army fights from its knees in battle , you can be sure the enemy will quake and do all he can to retaliate.

 

I am in.... Did you hear me ?

 

I AM IN !!!!!

 

Persecution, passion, prayer, purpose....... Bring it ...

 

We're going to fill fill the world with glory, we're going to smile and not frown

We're going to sing out the old story( in relevant modern ways) we're going to turn this world upside down.

 

Anyone interested in some persecution with your prayer ? It will change everything.

 

 

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Never, Never, Ever !!!!!!!!!!!

As the year speeds on, I can barely believe we are nearly into the 3rd month already. I am well aware of the huge issues facing our lives. Not just mine, but most likely yours also.

For all of us, these issues can affect our faith, as well as our hope.

Not sure what you are facing, but I am hugely aware of my own impending challenges.

Don't misunderstand me, I trust God totally.... It's just that I want and need answers now. I just need to know that all will be well, that we will make it through.

 

You ever feel like that ?

 

Let me unpack it for you .... (maybe I am just unpacking it for me....) who knows, need to get it off my chest and out of my mind somehow....

 

Currently we are leading a huge growing church that is starting to find a renewed sense of release and God activity has turned up the heat. New ministries. New challenges. Positions to fill. Facilities not big enough. Changing culture. ....... And some same old issues with those who will not be moved.

So ministry wise, there are quite a few challenges...

 

And personally. There are as well..

 

One wonders at times, how we will manage...

 

Daughter number 2 to be married in August.

And then... Daughter number 1 to be married in October.

And then...a required trip to India to honour Daughter 1's husbands family celebration in Delhi.

And then... ICO (London) in January 2015

And maybe then... A holiday with my beautiful Jules after that. ( a big huge maybe at this stage )

 

To say its not a tad overwhelming, would be an understatement .... Not really sure how we will manage our way through all of it.

 

I have never felt ever that in my life I am not provided for and blessed, I have so much going for me, God has been incredibly good, even when I haven't been.

Humanly speaking though, sometimes when you look at the circumstances of your situation, you can easily be overwhelmed and intimidated by a variety of needs and shortfalls and "seemingly" impossibilities.

It's then, and so for me, it's now... That one must put their faith into action and just say, I will trust God to get us through. To do what I can't do. To be what I am not.

 

Its faith, when you are certain of something that can't yet be seen.

 

Someone said to me the other night, as they rubbed their fingers together... Saying to me, "you will be broke !!!!!! How will you manage ?"

Yeah, probably..... We have to get there first.. (And I am not really sure yet how we will manage)

But with God on my side! I am always blessed! always provided for! always loved! always cared for!

Never alone, never abandoned, never, never, ever,

I don't know what your circumstances are, or your situation.... I know what mine are.

But as I remind you, I remind myself.

Trust God with your circumstances and situation.

Trust Him with your needs and issues. He is faithful. He is just, He knows what He is doing, He is never failing, and always reliable.

I am trying to do that, and as each day passes and we gather momentum towards our milestones this year, we will do our best to honour Him in all we do, to please Him, to serve Him.

What else could we do ?

May He bless you today in your situation... And in your circumstances. As I pray He does for mine.

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Where do you come from ?

The other day I met someone for the first time, and I found myself asking them, where do you come from ?
Now this person was from South Korea, so in some ways its fair enough, but it got me thinking about where we all come from ?
I come from Perth, Western Australia, I was born in Busselton, a beautiful place.... But we all come from somewhere, but when you think about it, isn't it a weird question ?
I think a possible better question may be, where are you heading ?
We are all heading some place, even if we are not really sure where that is, or how to get there.

Is it offensive to ask someone where they came from ?
Is it offensive to ask someone where they are going ?

In a country like Australia where there are loads of people who have come from loads of various places, it's not uncommon to ask the question. Sometimes we are surprised by the answer and a real dialogue of conversation commences.

But with the other question, a whole pile of opportunity also exists.

I wonder how many of us Christians these days care about where others are heading .
Whether we care enough to even ask the question in the first place .
Whether we are equipped to help others think about a different destiny .

Monday night at our church we are commencing a new series called "Towards Belief ", it is an intentional and strategic discussion series that intends on helping people think through the hard issues of life and consider the Christian worldview.

Maybe you might come along and join in on the deliberate idea of helping one another be more equipped to ask the question...

Where are you heading ?
What will happen to your life if you continue with the current stuff you are doing in your life ?

Would you consider trusting Jesus Christ with your life. ?

Come along...join in.

I will try and not ask you where you came from ......

For more information...
www.towardsbelief.org.au
Or ring Ringwood Salvos .....during normal business hours.
Even if we have started , you can still come along.

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