Jerusalem Under Muslim Rule Within a Generation

Could Jerusalem become dominated by Muslims - without even one bullet being fired - within a generation?

The average fertility rate amongst Israeli-Jews is 2.2, compared with 5.5 for Israeli-Arabs and Palestinians. And Jerusalem is already 30% Muslim. And only 31% percent of children under age fifteen are Jewish, according to sources. Within one generation, Muslims could have the numbers to govern the city - simply through the democratic process.

Thus the Jews' own worst enemy (in a democratic system) may not be terrorism, suicide bombers, Iranian rockets, Hamas, Hezbollah, nor Jihad, not even pressure from the international community or the US Secretary of State - but their own low fertility rate.

We all want to see Jerusalem free. So what solution could ensure Jerusalem's freedom?

An obvious solution could be for Jews to lift their fertility rate. After all, God did promise greater fertility to the Jews (His covenant people) than the surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 28).

But even if Jewish women accept having larger families, you have to think: How free would a Jewish-dominated Jerusalem really be? After all, modern Israel has legislated against Christianity quite strongly in a number of ways.

So perhaps a safer strategy for ensuring Jerusalem's freedom could be to encourage Israeli-Christians (whether Jew or Arab) to lift their own fertility rate. After all, above-average fertility is listed as a 'blessing' in many of the very same Bible passages that Christian supporters of Israel and prosperity preachers love to quote. Through population growth, Jerusalem could eventually democratically end-up in the safe hands of its Christian citizens.

But unfortunately we seldom hear many of these supporters of Israel or prosperity preachers claiming the particular 'blessing' of fertility. Judging by the size of their families, many faith preachers' wives apparently must be taking the contraceptive pill even though in other matters they prefer not to take substances that could potentially harm the 'temple', preferring instead to use their faith to avoid using drugs or doctors. Some of them won't even borrow from a bank, quoting a verse from the very same passage that also calls fertility a 'blessing' (Deuteronomy 28). Many of them are only two- or three-child families, despite their love of the [other] promises in the same passage. And the Arab-Christian sector of Israel had the country's lowest fertility rate in 2006. So unfortunately, fertility amongst Israel's Christians isn't looking very likely either, as a strategy for ensuring Jerusalem's freedom.

Another possible solution could be for believers around the world to begin applying to immigrate to Jerusalem, to make-up the numbers. After all, many Christian supporters of Israel believe that the Old Testament's promise of restoring repentant Jews back to their homeland still applies today. Plus, (and this may come as a shock to many): Ezekiel's vision foresaw a day when even Gentiles would be granted land inheritance, along with Jews, inside the holy land (Ezek.47:22)!

But unfortunately, Christian immigration to Israel isn't looking very likely as a strategy for Jerusalem's freedom either because - except for an increasing number of 'amillenialists' - many Christians would be too fearful to move to Israel, even if it was approved. On the one hand they seem to be believing great things for modern Israel and yet, on the other hand, their eschatology gives them too bad an outlook on Jerusalem's future to want to invest in real estate let alone live there.

So what else can be done in the event that Jerusalem's Arab population exceeds her Jewish population? Maybe Israel could cease being a democracy - then the demographics of the city wouldn't matter.

But that wouldn't be freedom. And anyway, democracy is the all-important-thing in the minds of many American Christian lobbyists for Israel. So that's probably not an option they'd want to be known for.

Consequently what is actually happening is that many Christian lobbyists who are vocally 'supportive' of Israel on the one hand, are on the other hand unwilling to do what would help Jerusalem most in a practical way. It's like they have one foot on the accelerator while at the same time having their other foot on the brakes, in their support if not their theology about Israel. They unknowingly nurture a series of practical if not theological contradictions. They don't give Israel the practical support she really needs, but at the same time keep lobbying for a no-compromise approach in her international relations.

For secular nations like Israel and America, this leaves them with only one other possible option: war. It seems many Christian 'supporters' of Israel would unknowingly prefer to see Israel or America bomb Iran, than go all the way and apply their own theology practically. (For example, they could apply to immigrate to Jerusalem if they're eligible, like they believe the Bible enjoins. Or, if they already live in Jerusalem, they could accept the Bible's definition of fertility as a 'blessing' and have larger families. But that doesn't seem to be happening, and many Jews are preferring instead to move out of Jerusalem.

So we see that even the staunchest supporters of Israel amongst us can sometimes have a bit of inconsistency with their theology and their practice. It's the same with 'prosperity'. Many delight to quote Deuteronomy 28, but neglect to accept fertility as an indicator of God's blessing.

So how can we avoid such inconsistencies? and what really is a Christian's role in regard to Israel?

Maybe it's high time we get back to what Jesus asked us to do. Get back to the great commission. Preach the Gospel.

Let's get back to preaching the same Gospel that John, Christ, the Twelve, and Paul preached - whether it is to Jew or Gentile. Focusing on the Gospel removes all the contradictions and automatically puts everything else in proper perspective. Therefore if we stick to preaching the Gospel, we can't go wrong. This Gospel - that's our task. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.

Think about it: if we were all like Jesus, there'd be no problems in the world, would there? So let's preach Jesus. And what cannot or does not get achieved through doing that - He'll fix up when He comes.

The heading of this post could have been, "Let's Get Back to Preaching the Gospel." But would that title have attracted you as much as the current heading? And yet, that's what we need to do. Preach the Gospel.

The main objective of this post is not really about Jerusalem, because 'Israel' is just one of many objectives that Christians today tend to focus on (along with other attractive subjects like 'end-times', acquiring 'wealth', 'politics' or 'social justice'). And experience shows that when a Christian becomes focused on one of these objectives, he or she usually becomes slightly inconsistent with Gospel values, somewhere along the line. Or at least, their practice doesn't go all the way with reflecting their own theology. But the Gospel, on the other hand, is the only message that brings every topic together with proper balance.

So let's focus again on the Gospel. Let's make the Gospel's values our objective once again. By doing so, anything else we may be meant to be doing shall find it's proper place automatically. Jesus doesn't just give us answers - He is the answer.

"I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" - Paul.

Jerusalem Under Muslim Rule Within a Generation

Could Jerusalem become dominated by Muslims - without even one bullet being fired - within a generation?

The average fertility rate amongst Israeli-Jews is 2.2, compared with 5.5 for Israeli-Arabs and Palestinians. And Jerusalem is already 30% Muslim. And only 31% percent of children under age fifteen are Jewish, according to sources. Within one generation, Muslims could have the numbers to govern the city - simply through the democratic process.

Thus the Jews' own worst enemy (in a democratic system) may not be terrorism, suicide bombers, Iranian rockets, Hamas, Hezbollah, nor Jihad, not even pressure from the international community or the US Secretary of State - but their own low fertility rate.

We all want to see Jerusalem free. So what solution could ensure Jerusalem's freedom?

An obvious solution could be for Jews to lift their fertility rate. After all, God did promise greater fertility to the Jews (His covenant people) than the surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 28).

But even if Jewish women accept having larger families, you have to think: How free would a Jewish-dominated Jerusalem really be? After all, modern Israel has legislated against Christianity quite strongly in a number of ways.

So perhaps a safer strategy for ensuring Jerusalem's freedom could be to encourage Israeli-Christians (whether Jew or Arab) to lift their own fertility rate. After all, above-average fertility is listed as a 'blessing' in many of the very same Bible passages that Christian supporters of Israel and prosperity preachers love to quote. Through population growth, Jerusalem could eventually democratically end-up in the safe hands of its Christian citizens.

But unfortunately we seldom hear many of these supporters of Israel or prosperity preachers claiming the particular 'blessing' of fertility. Judging by the size of their families, many faith preachers' wives apparently must be taking the contraceptive pill even though in other matters they prefer not to take substances that could potentially harm the 'temple', preferring instead to use their faith to avoid using drugs or doctors. Some of them won't even borrow from a bank, quoting a verse from the very same passage that also calls fertility a 'blessing' (Deuteronomy 28). Many of them are only two- or three-child families, despite their love of the [other] promises in the same passage. And the Arab-Christian sector of Israel had the country's lowest fertility rate in 2006. So unfortunately, fertility amongst Israel's Christians isn't looking very likely either, as a strategy for ensuring Jerusalem's freedom.

Another possible solution could be for believers around the world to begin applying to immigrate to Jerusalem, to make-up the numbers. After all, many Christian supporters of Israel believe that the Old Testament's promise of restoring repentant Jews back to their homeland still applies today. Plus, (and this may come as a shock to many): Ezekiel's vision foresaw a day when even Gentiles would be granted land inheritance, along with Jews, inside the holy land (Ezek.47:22)!

But unfortunately, Christian immigration to Israel isn't looking very likely as a strategy for Jerusalem's freedom either because - except for an increasing number of 'amillenialists' - many Christians would be too fearful to move to Israel, even if it was approved. On the one hand they seem to be believing great things for modern Israel and yet, on the other hand, their eschatology gives them too bad an outlook on Jerusalem's future to want to invest in real estate let alone live there.

So what else can be done in the event that Jerusalem's Arab population exceeds her Jewish population? Maybe Israel could cease being a democracy - then the demographics of the city wouldn't matter.

But that wouldn't be freedom. And anyway, democracy is the all-important-thing in the minds of many American Christian lobbyists for Israel. So that's probably not an option they'd want to be known for.

Consequently what is actually happening is that many Christian lobbyists who are vocally 'supportive' of Israel on the one hand, are on the other hand unwilling to do what would help Jerusalem most in a practical way. It's like they have one foot on the accelerator while at the same time having their other foot on the brakes, in their support if not their theology about Israel. They unknowingly nurture a series of practical if not theological contradictions. They don't give Israel the practical support she really needs, but at the same time keep lobbying for a no-compromise approach in her international relations.

For secular nations like Israel and America, this leaves them with only one other possible option: war. It seems many Christian 'supporters' of Israel would unknowingly prefer to see Israel or America bomb Iran, than go all the way and apply their own theology practically. (For example, they could apply to immigrate to Jerusalem if they're eligible, like they believe the Bible enjoins. Or, if they already live in Jerusalem, they could accept the Bible's definition of fertility as a 'blessing' and have larger families. But that doesn't seem to be happening, and many Jews are preferring instead to move out of Jerusalem.

So we see that even the staunchest supporters of Israel amongst us can sometimes have a bit of inconsistency with their theology and their practice. It's the same with 'prosperity'. Many delight to quote Deuteronomy 28, but neglect to accept fertility as an indicator of God's blessing.

So how can we avoid such inconsistencies? and what really is a Christian's role in regard to Israel?

Maybe it's high time we get back to what Jesus asked us to do. Get back to the great commission. Preach the Gospel.

Let's get back to preaching the same Gospel that John, Christ, the Twelve, and Paul preached - whether it is to Jew or Gentile. Focusing on the Gospel removes all the contradictions and automatically puts everything else in proper perspective. Therefore if we stick to preaching the Gospel, we can't go wrong. This Gospel - that's our task. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.

Think about it: if we were all like Jesus, there'd be no problems in the world, would there? So let's preach Jesus. And what cannot or does not get achieved through doing that - He'll fix up when He comes.

The heading of this post could have been, "Let's Get Back to Preaching the Gospel." But would that title have attracted you as much as the current heading? And yet, that's what we need to do. Preach the Gospel.

The main objective of this post is not really about Jerusalem, because 'Israel' is just one of many objectives that Christians today tend to focus on (along with other attractive subjects like 'end-times', acquiring 'wealth', 'politics' or 'social justice'). And experience shows that when a Christian becomes focused on one of these objectives, he or she usually becomes slightly inconsistent with Gospel values, somewhere along the line. Or at least, their practice doesn't go all the way with reflecting their own theology. But the Gospel, on the other hand, is the only message that brings every topic together with proper balance.

So let's focus again on the Gospel. Let's make the Gospel's values our objective once again. By doing so, anything else we may be meant to be doing shall find it's proper place automatically. Jesus doesn't just give us answers - He is the answer.

"I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" - Paul.

Jerusalem Under Muslim Rule Within a Generation

Could Jerusalem become dominated by Muslims - without even one bullet being fired - within a generation?

The average fertility rate amongst Israeli-Jews is 2.2, compared with 5.5 for Israeli-Arabs and Palestinians. And Jerusalem is already 30% Muslim. And only 31% percent of children under age fifteen are Jewish, according to sources. Within one generation, Muslims could have the numbers to govern the city - simply through the democratic process.

Thus the Jews' own worst enemy (in a democratic system) may not be terrorism, suicide bombers, Iranian rockets, Hamas, Hezbollah, nor Jihad, not even pressure from the international community or the US Secretary of State - but their own low fertility rate.

We all want to see Jerusalem free. So what solution could ensure Jerusalem's freedom?

An obvious solution could be for Jews to lift their fertility rate. After all, God did promise greater fertility to the Jews (His covenant people) than the surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 28).

But even if Jewish women accept having larger families, you have to think: How free would a Jewish-dominated Jerusalem really be? After all, modern Israel has legislated against Christianity quite strongly in a number of ways.

So perhaps a safer strategy for ensuring Jerusalem's freedom could be to encourage Israeli-Christians (whether Jew or Arab) to lift their own fertility rate. After all, above-average fertility is listed as a 'blessing' in many of the very same Bible passages that Christian supporters of Israel and prosperity preachers love to quote. Through population growth, Jerusalem could eventually democratically end-up in the safe hands of its Christian citizens.

But unfortunately we seldom hear many of these supporters of Israel or prosperity preachers claiming the particular 'blessing' of fertility. Judging by the size of their families, many faith preachers' wives apparently must be taking the contraceptive pill even though in other matters they prefer not to take substances that could potentially harm the 'temple', preferring instead to use their faith to avoid using drugs or doctors. Some of them won't even borrow from a bank, quoting a verse from the very same passage that also calls fertility a 'blessing' (Deuteronomy 28). Many of them are only two- or three-child families, despite their love of the [other] promises in the same passage. And the Arab-Christian sector of Israel had the country's lowest fertility rate in 2006. So unfortunately, fertility amongst Israel's Christians isn't looking very likely either, as a strategy for ensuring Jerusalem's freedom.

Another possible solution could be for believers around the world to begin applying to immigrate to Jerusalem, to make-up the numbers. After all, many Christian supporters of Israel believe that the Old Testament's promise of restoring repentant Jews back to their homeland still applies today. Plus, (and this may come as a shock to many): Ezekiel's vision foresaw a day when even Gentiles would be granted land inheritance, along with Jews, inside the holy land (Ezek.47:22)!

But unfortunately, Christian immigration to Israel isn't looking very likely as a strategy for Jerusalem's freedom either because - except for an increasing number of 'amillenialists' - many Christians would be too fearful to move to Israel, even if it was approved. On the one hand they seem to be believing great things for modern Israel and yet, on the other hand, their eschatology gives them too bad an outlook on Jerusalem's future to want to invest in real estate let alone live there.

So what else can be done in the event that Jerusalem's Arab population exceeds her Jewish population? Maybe Israel could cease being a democracy - then the demographics of the city wouldn't matter.

But that wouldn't be freedom. And anyway, democracy is the all-important-thing in the minds of many American Christian lobbyists for Israel. So that's probably not an option they'd want to be known for.

Consequently what is actually happening is that many Christian lobbyists who are vocally 'supportive' of Israel on the one hand, are on the other hand unwilling to do what would help Jerusalem most in a practical way. It's like they have one foot on the accelerator while at the same time having their other foot on the brakes, in their support if not their theology about Israel. They unknowingly nurture a series of practical if not theological contradictions. They don't give Israel the practical support she really needs, but at the same time keep lobbying for a no-compromise approach in her international relations.

For secular nations like Israel and America, this leaves them with only one other possible option: war. It seems many Christian 'supporters' of Israel would unknowingly prefer to see Israel or America bomb Iran, than go all the way and apply their own theology practically. (For example, they could apply to immigrate to Jerusalem if they're eligible, like they believe the Bible enjoins. Or, if they already live in Jerusalem, they could accept the Bible's definition of fertility as a 'blessing' and have larger families. But that doesn't seem to be happening, and many Jews are preferring instead to move out of Jerusalem.

So we see that even the staunchest supporters of Israel amongst us can sometimes have a bit of inconsistency with their theology and their practice. It's the same with 'prosperity'. Many delight to quote Deuteronomy 28, but neglect to accept fertility as an indicator of God's blessing.

So how can we avoid such inconsistencies? and what really is a Christian's role in regard to Israel?

Maybe it's high time we get back to what Jesus asked us to do. Get back to the great commission. Preach the Gospel.

Let's get back to preaching the same Gospel that John, Christ, the Twelve, and Paul preached - whether it is to Jew or Gentile. Focusing on the Gospel removes all the contradictions and automatically puts everything else in proper perspective. Therefore if we stick to preaching the Gospel, we can't go wrong. This Gospel - that's our task. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.

Think about it: if we were all like Jesus, there'd be no problems in the world, would there? So let's preach Jesus. And what cannot or does not get achieved through doing that - He'll fix up when He comes.

The heading of this post could have been, "Let's Get Back to Preaching the Gospel." But would that title have attracted you as much as the current heading? And yet, that's what we need to do. Preach the Gospel.

The main objective of this post is not really about Jerusalem, because 'Israel' is just one of many objectives that Christians today tend to focus on (along with other attractive subjects like 'end-times', acquiring 'wealth', 'politics' or 'social justice'). And experience shows that when a Christian becomes focused on one of these objectives, he or she usually becomes slightly inconsistent with Gospel values, somewhere along the line. Or at least, their practice doesn't go all the way with reflecting their own theology. But the Gospel, on the other hand, is the only message that brings every topic together with proper balance.

So let's focus again on the Gospel. Let's make the Gospel's values our objective once again. By doing so, anything else we may be meant to be doing shall find it's proper place automatically. Jesus doesn't just give us answers - He is the answer.

"I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" - Paul.

He is My Friend

Today I felt a little lonely because many of my family are away (Peter and family are in the Philippines, and Jill and family are in Yamba). So I decided to go for a drive somewhere.

But I felt the Lord restrain me from going. I didn't understand why He would want to keep me in the house, when I know He heard my sigh for the fellowship of a friend.

Shortly afterwards the phone rang. It was Pastor Jonas, telling me that Pastor Ben Menoc was online and wanting to chat with me.

"He really wants to talk to you," explained Pastor Jonas, "he is my friend, he said."

Now I know why God restrained me from going for a drive. When it is the fellowship of a friend I want, God is able to give it to me from 5,000km away.

He wants me to learn never to fret.

He is My Friend

Today I felt a little lonely because many of my family are away (Peter and family are in the Philippines, and Jill and family are in Yamba). So I decided to go for a drive somewhere.

But I felt the Lord restrain me from going. I didn't understand why He would want to keep me in the house, when I know He heard my sigh for the fellowship of a friend.

Shortly afterwards the phone rang. It was Pastor Jonas, telling me that Pastor Ben Menoc was online and wanting to chat with me.

"He really wants to talk to you," explained Pastor Jonas, "he is my friend, he said."

Now I know why God restrained me from going for a drive. When it is the fellowship of a friend I want, God is able to give it to me from 5,000km away.

He wants me to learn never to fret.

He is My Friend

Today I felt a little lonely because many of my family are away (Peter and family are in the Philippines, and Jill and family are in Yamba). So I decided to go for a drive somewhere.

But I felt the Lord restrain me from going. I didn't understand why He would want to keep me in the house, when I know He heard my sigh for the fellowship of a friend.

Shortly afterwards the phone rang. It was Pastor Jonas, telling me that Pastor Ben Menoc was online and wanting to chat with me.

"He really wants to talk to you," explained Pastor Jonas, "he is my friend, he said."

Now I know why God restrained me from going for a drive. When it is the fellowship of a friend I want, God is able to give it to me from 5,000km away.

He wants me to learn never to fret.

School Building

Today I rode my bike to go and spend time with the Lord. I ended-up at Bond University, and I got some good revelations from Him.

While I was beholding the buildings, I remembered that this morning when I woke up He showed me a vision of a school building.

Then I rode to the park on Lake Hugh Muntz to continue my time with the Lord, and while I was there, a group of Merrimac High School students turned up.

By 5 o'clock I rode home to find PJ ready to go for his ride around the lake, and he asked me to come. When we got to the park, the boys from the school were still there, so PJ and I approached them, I and shared the Gospel with them.

Again I remembered the Lord's vision of a school building.

School Building

Today I rode my bike to go and spend time with the Lord. I ended-up at Bond University, and I got some good revelations from Him.

While I was beholding the buildings, I remembered that this morning when I woke up He showed me a vision of a school building.

Then I rode to the park on Lake Hugh Muntz to continue my time with the Lord, and while I was there, a group of Merrimac High School students turned up.

By 5 o'clock I rode home to find PJ ready to go for his ride around the lake, and he asked me to come. When we got to the park, the boys from the school were still there, so PJ and I approached them, I and shared the Gospel with them.

Again I remembered the Lord's vision of a school building.

School Building

Today I rode my bike to go and spend time with the Lord. I ended-up at Bond University, and I got some good revelations from Him.

While I was beholding the buildings, I remembered that this morning when I woke up He showed me a vision of a school building.

Then I rode to the park on Lake Hugh Muntz to continue my time with the Lord, and while I was there, a group of Merrimac High School students turned up.

By 5 o'clock I rode home to find PJ ready to go for his ride around the lake, and he asked me to come. When we got to the park, the boys from the school were still there, so PJ and I approached them, I and shared the Gospel with them.

Again I remembered the Lord's vision of a school building.

A Day with the Lord

Often in the morning the Lord shows me a 'vision' of somewhere I'm going to go and something I'm going to do during that day.

Sometime ago he 'showed' me the view of a mountain, as it appears viewed from a place where He would later send me to spend time with Him. And yesterday He showed me a waterfall.

During the day I went to Burleigh to spend time with Him. At one stage I returned to the car to get my Bible and a Christian book, intending to return to my spot up on the hill. But the Lord said, "You don't have to go back up there - let's go somewhere else."

So I ended-up at a lake bordering Currumbin and Palm Beach. When I finished my time with the Lord there, as I drove south over the Currumbin bridge I looked toward the Currumbin Valley and felt, "That's where you're going to be going today."

After I got petrol, the word "Tomewin" came up from out of my spirit. I didn't know what it meant, but I headed for Currumbin Valley, and to my surprise, I saw the sign: "Tomewin Road." I knew I was on the right track.

I followed the road up to Currumbin Rocks and Springbrook National Park - and on the way I saw the mountain, as it appeared to me in the vision several days ago. And when I arrived, I saw the waterfall.

It was a wonderful, life-changing day with the Lord.

A Day with the Lord

Often in the morning the Lord shows me a 'vision' of somewhere I'm going to go and something I'm going to do during that day.

Sometime ago he 'showed' me the view of a mountain, as it appears viewed from a place where He would later send me to spend time with Him. And yesterday He showed me a waterfall.

During the day I went to Burleigh to spend time with Him. At one stage I returned to the car to get my Bible and a Christian book, intending to return to my spot up on the hill. But the Lord said, "You don't have to go back up there - let's go somewhere else."

So I ended-up at a lake bordering Currumbin and Palm Beach. When I finished my time with the Lord there, as I drove south over the Currumbin bridge I looked toward the Currumbin Valley and felt, "That's where you're going to be going today."

After I got petrol, the word "Tomewin" came up from out of my spirit. I didn't know what it meant, but I headed for Currumbin Valley, and to my surprise, I saw the sign: "Tomewin Road." I knew I was on the right track.

I followed the road up to Currumbin Rocks and Springbrook National Park - and on the way I saw the mountain, as it appeared to me in the vision several days ago. And when I arrived, I saw the waterfall.

It was a wonderful, life-changing day with the Lord.

A Day with the Lord

Often in the morning the Lord shows me a 'vision' of somewhere I'm going to go and something I'm going to do during that day.

Sometime ago he 'showed' me the view of a mountain, as it appears viewed from a place where He would later send me to spend time with Him. And yesterday He showed me a waterfall.

During the day I went to Burleigh to spend time with Him. At one stage I returned to the car to get my Bible and a Christian book, intending to return to my spot up on the hill. But the Lord said, "You don't have to go back up there - let's go somewhere else."

So I ended-up at a lake bordering Currumbin and Palm Beach. When I finished my time with the Lord there, as I drove south over the Currumbin bridge I looked toward the Currumbin Valley and felt, "That's where you're going to be going today."

After I got petrol, the word "Tomewin" came up from out of my spirit. I didn't know what it meant, but I headed for Currumbin Valley, and to my surprise, I saw the sign: "Tomewin Road." I knew I was on the right track.

I followed the road up to Currumbin Rocks and Springbrook National Park - and on the way I saw the mountain, as it appeared to me in the vision several days ago. And when I arrived, I saw the waterfall.

It was a wonderful, life-changing day with the Lord.

Showing Mercy

I realized recently that the way we respond when we feel violated will shine more brightly in the Kingdom of God than the way we act when everything's going our way. Therefore we can welcome any violations as an opportunity to show our true character for all eternity.

"Bring it on, Lord!" I said.

The next morning when I woke up I noticed that one corner of my guitar's headstock was quite heavily damaged; and the scratchplate had been pulled away on one corner from the body of the guitar.

This incident was only a sample - just one 'symptom' - of a whole series of injustices I had felt from a few influential people in my life, for a long time - like the tip of an iceberg. So perhaps a natural reaction could be to feel angry, to search-out who caused it and to demand that they pay for it.

Then I remembered, "Didn't you pray for an opportunity to respond to injustice?"

I turned on the TV, and I heard the words, "The meek shall inherit the earth."

Then on another channel I heard a sermon about not losing our joy because things don't go our way, and about how God can make all things work together for good.

I felt challenged in my spirit by the thought that the way I respond to this and other perceived injustices could reap eternal rewards. So I asked the Lord if this is so, and straightaway the Scripture came to mind:

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".

I realized that to want to teach children the law of restoration is one thing - but to react in anger and without mercy is another.

Yes we are meant to teach children that "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper" but are we also willing to demonstrate that "whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy"?

"For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment."

"With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful".

While I was praying in tongues about this issue, I longed that God would send me someone with words to strengthen me to focus on eternity rather than the temporal. Within minutes I received an SMS from Adam Walker:

" 'An appetite for greatness isn't the same as an appetite for glory.' When the boys were arguing about who would be the greatest, Jesus had the perfect opportunity to rebuke them. But instead guided them with, 'Whoever wants to be the greatest, must learn how to serve.' Lord give us hearts willing to serve."

Praise God!

This calmed me down, and in the stillness, I felt like the Lord Jesus Christ told me that He will pay for it.

And He told me to allow my parents to give more to one of my siblings than they might to me, because while my needs often are met through others, God might have chosen to provide for that sibling through my parents - so my parents can't be expected to be equal in their giving. They can be expected to be just, but at the same time it's okay for them to feel led of the Lord to have more of a ministry of giving to one child than to another - and that's not unjust.

My part is to be merciful and to give thanks in all things.

Showing Mercy

I realized recently that the way we respond when we feel violated will shine more brightly in the Kingdom of God than the way we act when everything's going our way. Therefore we can welcome any violations as an opportunity to show our true character for all eternity.

"Bring it on, Lord!" I said.

The next morning when I woke up I noticed that one corner of my guitar's headstock was quite heavily damaged; and the scratchplate had been pulled away on one corner from the body of the guitar.

This incident was only a sample - just one 'symptom' - of a whole series of injustices I had felt from a few influential people in my life, for a long time - like the tip of an iceberg. So perhaps a natural reaction could be to feel angry, to search-out who caused it and to demand that they pay for it.

Then I remembered, "Didn't you pray for an opportunity to respond to injustice?"

I turned on the TV, and I heard the words, "The meek shall inherit the earth."

Then on another channel I heard a sermon about not losing our joy because things don't go our way, and about how God can make all things work together for good.

I felt challenged in my spirit by the thought that the way I respond to this and other perceived injustices could reap eternal rewards. So I asked the Lord if this is so, and straightaway the Scripture came to mind:

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".

I realized that to want to teach children the law of restoration is one thing - but to react in anger and without mercy is another.

Yes we are meant to teach children that "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper" but are we also willing to demonstrate that "whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy"?

"For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment."

"With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful".

While I was praying in tongues about this issue, I longed that God would send me someone with words to strengthen me to focus on eternity rather than the temporal. Within minutes I received an SMS from Adam Walker:

" 'An appetite for greatness isn't the same as an appetite for glory.' When the boys were arguing about who would be the greatest, Jesus had the perfect opportunity to rebuke them. But instead guided them with, 'Whoever wants to be the greatest, must learn how to serve.' Lord give us hearts willing to serve."

Praise God!

This calmed me down, and in the stillness, I felt like the Lord Jesus Christ told me that He will pay for it.

And He told me to allow my parents to give more to one of my siblings than they might to me, because while my needs often are met through others, God might have chosen to provide for that sibling through my parents - so my parents can't be expected to be equal in their giving. They can be expected to be just, but at the same time it's okay for them to feel led of the Lord to have more of a ministry of giving to one child than to another - and that's not unjust.

My part is to be merciful and to give thanks in all things.

Showing Mercy

I realized recently that the way we respond when we feel violated will shine more brightly in the Kingdom of God than the way we act when everything's going our way. Therefore we can welcome any violations as an opportunity to show our true character for all eternity.

"Bring it on, Lord!" I said.

The next morning when I woke up I noticed that one corner of my guitar's headstock was quite heavily damaged; and the scratchplate had been pulled away on one corner from the body of the guitar.

This incident was only a sample - just one 'symptom' - of a whole series of injustices I had felt from a few influential people in my life, for a long time - like the tip of an iceberg. So perhaps a natural reaction could be to feel angry, to search-out who caused it and to demand that they pay for it.

Then I remembered, "Didn't you pray for an opportunity to respond to injustice?"

I turned on the TV, and I heard the words, "The meek shall inherit the earth."

Then on another channel I heard a sermon about not losing our joy because things don't go our way, and about how God can make all things work together for good.

I felt challenged in my spirit by the thought that the way I respond to this and other perceived injustices could reap eternal rewards. So I asked the Lord if this is so, and straightaway the Scripture came to mind:

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".

I realized that to want to teach children the law of restoration is one thing - but to react in anger and without mercy is another.

Yes we are meant to teach children that "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper" but are we also willing to demonstrate that "whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy"?

"For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment."

"With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful".

While I was praying in tongues about this issue, I longed that God would send me someone with words to strengthen me to focus on eternity rather than the temporal. Within minutes I received an SMS from Adam Walker:

" 'An appetite for greatness isn't the same as an appetite for glory.' When the boys were arguing about who would be the greatest, Jesus had the perfect opportunity to rebuke them. But instead guided them with, 'Whoever wants to be the greatest, must learn how to serve.' Lord give us hearts willing to serve."

Praise God!

This calmed me down, and in the stillness, I felt like the Lord Jesus Christ told me that He will pay for it.

And He told me to allow my parents to give more to one of my siblings than they might to me, because while my needs often are met through others, God might have chosen to provide for that sibling through my parents - so my parents can't be expected to be equal in their giving. They can be expected to be just, but at the same time it's okay for them to feel led of the Lord to have more of a ministry of giving to one child than to another - and that's not unjust.

My part is to be merciful and to give thanks in all things.

Opener of Doors

When I was sent by the Lord to Caboolture, the houseshold where I was staying ran out of food. And none of us had enough money to buy any.

Anyway, I was out ministering that day, and on my way back to the house, the Lord told me to turn up a different street to what I ordinarily would.

So I turned up the street, and I noticed a large gathering of people. I joined the crowd, to see what was going on. Only seconds later - while I was still standing on the footpath - someone - a complete stranger - came up to me and asked, "Would you know where there's a rubbish bin? I've got all this food I have to throw out."

He took me inside, and showed me a table spread full of beautiful food. I said, "I know some people who could use that food."

He said, "Well take as much as you like."

So I piled up as many plates as I could hold.

When I walked in the door of the house where I was staying with all this food, they stared at it, and someone asked, "Where did you get all this from?"

"The Lord provides," I said.

So the Lord didn't only provide enough for me - He provided enough for the whole household.

Later in the same town, when I was telling this story to a group of people, someone who overheard me was so impressed by the story that he invited me to come and share it on the local radio station, and to talk about my work.

God is the sender, the provider and the great opener of doors.

But I felt it was time to leave, so I went to the train station by faith, driven there by one of the local young men, even though I knew I didn't have enough money to buy my train ticket.

Without me having said anything, when we said goodbye, the young man gave me some coins - enough to buy my train fare.

Opener of Doors

When I was sent by the Lord to Caboolture, the houseshold where I was staying ran out of food. And none of us had enough money to buy any.

Anyway, I was out ministering that day, and on my way back to the house, the Lord told me to turn up a different street to what I ordinarily would.

So I turned up the street, and I noticed a large gathering of people. I joined the crowd, to see what was going on. Only seconds later - while I was still standing on the footpath - someone - a complete stranger - came up to me and asked, "Would you know where there's a rubbish bin? I've got all this food I have to throw out."

He took me inside, and showed me a table spread full of beautiful food. I said, "I know some people who could use that food."

He said, "Well take as much as you like."

So I piled up as many plates as I could hold.

When I walked in the door of the house where I was staying with all this food, they stared at it, and someone asked, "Where did you get all this from?"

"The Lord provides," I said.

So the Lord didn't only provide enough for me - He provided enough for the whole household.

Later in the same town, when I was telling this story to a group of people, someone who overheard me was so impressed by the story that he invited me to come and share it on the local radio station, and to talk about my work.

God is the sender, the provider and the great opener of doors.

But I felt it was time to leave, so I went to the train station by faith, driven there by one of the local young men, even though I knew I didn't have enough money to buy my train ticket.

Without me having said anything, when we said goodbye, the young man gave me some coins - enough to buy my train fare.

Opener of Doors

When I was sent by the Lord to Caboolture, the houseshold where I was staying ran out of food. And none of us had enough money to buy any.

Anyway, I was out ministering that day, and on my way back to the house, the Lord told me to turn up a different street to what I ordinarily would.

So I turned up the street, and I noticed a large gathering of people. I joined the crowd, to see what was going on. Only seconds later - while I was still standing on the footpath - someone - a complete stranger - came up to me and asked, "Would you know where there's a rubbish bin? I've got all this food I have to throw out."

He took me inside, and showed me a table spread full of beautiful food. I said, "I know some people who could use that food."

He said, "Well take as much as you like."

So I piled up as many plates as I could hold.

When I walked in the door of the house where I was staying with all this food, they stared at it, and someone asked, "Where did you get all this from?"

"The Lord provides," I said.

So the Lord didn't only provide enough for me - He provided enough for the whole household.

Later in the same town, when I was telling this story to a group of people, someone who overheard me was so impressed by the story that he invited me to come and share it on the local radio station, and to talk about my work.

God is the sender, the provider and the great opener of doors.

But I felt it was time to leave, so I went to the train station by faith, driven there by one of the local young men, even though I knew I didn't have enough money to buy my train ticket.

Without me having said anything, when we said goodbye, the young man gave me some coins - enough to buy my train fare.

"A Lot of Fish, John"

I arrived home late one night after being out evangelizing, to find there was no meal left for me in the kitchen. Ordinarily they'd leave some for me - but this time there was nothing leftover. I'd never seen the kitchen so clean.

So for the first time ever since leaving my job and going and serving the Lord some years before - I went to bed without eating.

"But that's okay. If it's good enough for the apostle Paul it's good enough for me," I thought, thinking of the verse:

"...every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need...I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me..."

"But if you let this happen to me, I'll always remember it as the first time you let it happen," I said to my Lord.

I hadn't quite dozed off to sleep when there was a loud knock on my door.

"Who ever would knock on my door this late at night," I said to myself. I must have been too tired and half asleep to respond, because a few minutes later there was another knock on my door.

"John. John. Daghan isda John!" (John, John, There's a lot of fish, John)

I got up to see that my host-Pastor had been out with our fishermen-friends, and now he had just returned with some of the large catch of fish they received, in answer to prayer. Maybe his maid knew I hadn't eaten yet, for she prepared a late-night meal for me.

Whoever would have thought that God would send someone to my door with a meal, after midnight.

So the one night I thought I was going to go to sleep hungry for the first time, He provided me with not just a meal, but my favorite meal: sutukil - sinugba, tinola, kinilaw (fried fish, fish soup and raw fish - my favorites!)

By the time I lay back down to sleep I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!

"A Lot of Fish, John"

I arrived home late one night after being out evangelizing, to find there was no meal left for me in the kitchen. Ordinarily they'd leave some for me - but this time there was nothing leftover. I'd never seen the kitchen so clean.

So for the first time ever since leaving my job and going and serving the Lord some years before - I went to bed without eating.

"But that's okay. If it's good enough for the apostle Paul it's good enough for me," I thought, thinking of the verse:

"...every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need...I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me..."

"But if you let this happen to me, I'll always remember it as the first time you let it happen," I said to my Lord.

I hadn't quite dozed off to sleep when there was a loud knock on my door.

"Who ever would knock on my door this late at night," I said to myself. I must have been too tired and half asleep to respond, because a few minutes later there was another knock on my door.

"John. John. Daghan isda John!" (John, John, There's a lot of fish, John)

I got up to see that my host-Pastor had been out with our fishermen-friends, and now he had just returned with some of the large catch of fish they received, in answer to prayer. Maybe his maid knew I hadn't eaten yet, for she prepared a late-night meal for me.

Whoever would have thought that God would send someone to my door with a meal, after midnight.

So the one night I thought I was going to go to sleep hungry for the first time, He provided me with not just a meal, but my favorite meal: sutukil - sinugba, tinola, kinilaw (fried fish, fish soup and raw fish - my favorites!)

By the time I lay back down to sleep I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!

"A Lot of Fish, John"

I arrived home late one night after being out evangelizing, to find there was no meal left for me in the kitchen. Ordinarily they'd leave some for me - but this time there was nothing leftover. I'd never seen the kitchen so clean.

So for the first time ever since leaving my job and going and serving the Lord some years before - I went to bed without eating.

"But that's okay. If it's good enough for the apostle Paul it's good enough for me," I thought, thinking of the verse:

"...every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need...I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me..."

"But if you let this happen to me, I'll always remember it as the first time you let it happen," I said to my Lord.

I hadn't quite dozed off to sleep when there was a loud knock on my door.

"Who ever would knock on my door this late at night," I said to myself. I must have been too tired and half asleep to respond, because a few minutes later there was another knock on my door.

"John. John. Daghan isda John!" (John, John, There's a lot of fish, John)

I got up to see that my host-Pastor had been out with our fishermen-friends, and now he had just returned with some of the large catch of fish they received, in answer to prayer. Maybe his maid knew I hadn't eaten yet, for she prepared a late-night meal for me.

Whoever would have thought that God would send someone to my door with a meal, after midnight.

So the one night I thought I was going to go to sleep hungry for the first time, He provided me with not just a meal, but my favorite meal: sutukil - sinugba, tinola, kinilaw (fried fish, fish soup and raw fish - my favorites!)

By the time I lay back down to sleep I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!

He Was Quite Specific

I was walking home to Raceview one day, after arriving at the Ipswich Transit Centre by bus, from Warwick.

I was walking up Chermside Road when the Lord asked me, "Would you like me to have someone pick you up?"

I said, "Yes. Okay."

"Where would you like me to have them pick you up?" He asked.

That was quite specific!

So I said, "When I get to the top of this hill, I am going to turn left. Have them pick me up just around the corner."

I walked a little way further up the hill, then turned left.

Right at that moment a car pulled over to the curb beside me. "Would you like a lift?" the driver called. It was my friend Paul Williams.

He Was Quite Specific

I was walking home to Raceview one day, after arriving at the Ipswich Transit Centre by bus, from Warwick.

I was walking up Chermside Road when the Lord asked me, "Would you like me to have someone pick you up?"

I said, "Yes. Okay."

"Where would you like me to have them pick you up?" He asked.

That was quite specific!

So I said, "When I get to the top of this hill, I am going to turn left. Have them pick me up just around the corner."

I walked a little way further up the hill, then turned left.

Right at that moment a car pulled over to the curb beside me. "Would you like a lift?" the driver called. It was my friend Paul Williams.

He Was Quite Specific

I was walking home to Raceview one day, after arriving at the Ipswich Transit Centre by bus, from Warwick.

I was walking up Chermside Road when the Lord asked me, "Would you like me to have someone pick you up?"

I said, "Yes. Okay."

"Where would you like me to have them pick you up?" He asked.

That was quite specific!

So I said, "When I get to the top of this hill, I am going to turn left. Have them pick me up just around the corner."

I walked a little way further up the hill, then turned left.

Right at that moment a car pulled over to the curb beside me. "Would you like a lift?" the driver called. It was my friend Paul Williams.

If You Choose

I was driving home alone from Ipswich last night, and the Lord asked me, "Who would you like Me to have ring you?"

I didn't get a strong thought about anyone in particular. So I said, "I'll let you choose."

He said, "But if you choose, then when I do it, it will give you the opportunity to know I've heard you."

Nevertheless, I still didn't choose anyone in particular: I left it with the Lord.

A few minutes later my phone rang. It was Michael Fackerell, calling from Sydney.

If You Choose

I was driving home alone from Ipswich last night, and the Lord asked me, "Who would you like Me to have ring you?"

I didn't get a strong thought about anyone in particular. So I said, "I'll let you choose."

He said, "But if you choose, then when I do it, it will give you the opportunity to know I've heard you."

Nevertheless, I still didn't choose anyone in particular: I left it with the Lord.

A few minutes later my phone rang. It was Michael Fackerell, calling from Sydney.

If You Choose

I was driving home alone from Ipswich last night, and the Lord asked me, "Who would you like Me to have ring you?"

I didn't get a strong thought about anyone in particular. So I said, "I'll let you choose."

He said, "But if you choose, then when I do it, it will give you the opportunity to know I've heard you."

Nevertheless, I still didn't choose anyone in particular: I left it with the Lord.

A few minutes later my phone rang. It was Michael Fackerell, calling from Sydney.

What's Your Favorite Country?

I asked the Lord once:

"What's your favorite country?"

[I had been thinking about how American culture, unlike Australian culture, seems to make any number of individuals feel free to set-up an independent ministry after his or her own name, in corporate style. Consequently, America has more ministries that circle the globe than Australia does. So that's the context in which I asked Him, "What's your favorite country?" I was asking in terms of how a particular country's culture tends to allow its ministries to be set-up and to function.]

"Canada," I felt Him answer.

[I felt a bit surprised - and challenged. I thought for sure He would say America.]

"Why Canada?" I asked, "No worldwide ministries have come out of Canada!"

[Whereas I could readily make-up a substantial mental list of independent ministries from America, which are named after their individual leader, and which have gone around the globe.]

"Is that right. What about the 'Toronto Blessing'?" I felt Him say.

[The difference with the Toronto Blessing is that it was a move of God, not an organization; and it was a nameless, faceless revival - without a named director. God loves that! I'd rather start a move of God than an organization. Someone once said, "It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no-one cares who gets the credit."

I started to wonder what historical differences between Canada's and America's founding might be the root of this difference; and whether some fundamental difference in their histories may be manifesting itself in other ways in their societies.

It also challenges us to examine the reasons for independence in ministry. We all face times when we are not met with co-operation. But what is the better response? To go independent, or to hope in God by putting on a cloak of humility? Perhaps it needs to be examined case-by-case. But the right response will please God more, and in the long-run, it could achieve better results and also give us more honor in the Kingdom of God.

What's Your Favorite Country?

I asked the Lord once:

"What's your favorite country?"

[I had been thinking about how American culture, unlike Australian culture, seems to make any number of individuals feel free to set-up an independent ministry after his or her own name, in corporate style. Consequently, America has more ministries that circle the globe than Australia does. So that's the context in which I asked Him, "What's your favorite country?" I was asking in terms of how a particular country's culture tends to allow its ministries to be set-up and to function.]

"Canada," I felt Him answer.

[I felt a bit surprised - and challenged. I thought for sure He would say America.]

"Why Canada?" I asked, "No worldwide ministries have come out of Canada!"

[Whereas I could readily make-up a substantial mental list of independent ministries from America, which are named after their individual leader, and which have gone around the globe.]

"Is that right. What about the 'Toronto Blessing'?" I felt Him say.

[The difference with the Toronto Blessing is that it was a move of God, not an organization; and it was a nameless, faceless revival - without a named director. God loves that! I'd rather start a move of God than an organization. Someone once said, "It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no-one cares who gets the credit."

I started to wonder what historical differences between Canada's and America's founding might be the root of this difference; and whether some fundamental difference in their histories may be manifesting itself in other ways in their societies.

It also challenges us to examine the reasons for independence in ministry. We all face times when we are not met with co-operation. But what is the better response? To go independent, or to hope in God by putting on a cloak of humility? Perhaps it needs to be examined case-by-case. But the right response will please God more, and in the long-run, it could achieve better results and also give us more honor in the Kingdom of God.

What's Your Favorite Country?

I asked the Lord once:

"What's your favorite country?"

[I had been thinking about how American culture, unlike Australian culture, seems to make any number of individuals feel free to set-up an independent ministry after his or her own name, in corporate style. Consequently, America has more ministries that circle the globe than Australia does. So that's the context in which I asked Him, "What's your favorite country?" I was asking in terms of how a particular country's culture tends to allow its ministries to be set-up and to function.]

"Canada," I felt Him answer.

[I felt a bit surprised - and challenged. I thought for sure He would say America.]

"Why Canada?" I asked, "No worldwide ministries have come out of Canada!"

[Whereas I could readily make-up a substantial mental list of independent ministries from America, which are named after their individual leader, and which have gone around the globe.]

"Is that right. What about the 'Toronto Blessing'?" I felt Him say.

[The difference with the Toronto Blessing is that it was a move of God, not an organization; and it was a nameless, faceless revival - without a named director. God loves that! I'd rather start a move of God than an organization. Someone once said, "It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no-one cares who gets the credit."

I started to wonder what historical differences between Canada's and America's founding might be the root of this difference; and whether some fundamental difference in their histories may be manifesting itself in other ways in their societies.

It also challenges us to examine the reasons for independence in ministry. We all face times when we are not met with co-operation. But what is the better response? To go independent, or to hope in God by putting on a cloak of humility? Perhaps it needs to be examined case-by-case. But the right response will please God more, and in the long-run, it could achieve better results and also give us more honor in the Kingdom of God.

The Book of Enoch

I once asked the Lord:

"Should the Book of Enoch have been included in the canon of Scripture?"

Immediately the thought came to me:

"The important parts have been recorded in the Scripture."

How true - the Lord saw to it that the important parts of the Book of Enoch have been quoted in our existing New Testament (in Jude, and perhaps in Peter).

The rest we probably don't need to be concerned about.

The Book of Enoch

I once asked the Lord:

"Should the Book of Enoch have been included in the canon of Scripture?"

Immediately the thought came to me:

"The important parts have been recorded in the Scripture."

How true - the Lord saw to it that the important parts of the Book of Enoch have been quoted in our existing New Testament (in the Epistle of Jude).

Some parts of also seem similar to the Epistles of Peter.

If something said in Enoch has also been said in the Bible, then you might be able to accept it, because "in the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established".

The rest we probably don't need to be concerned about.

The Book of Enoch

I once asked the Lord:

"Should the Book of Enoch have been included in the canon of Scripture?"

Immediately the thought came to me:

"The important parts have been recorded in the Scripture."

How true - the Lord saw to it that the important parts of the Book of Enoch have been quoted in our existing New Testament (in Jude, and perhaps in Peter).

The rest we probably don't need to be concerned about.

Prepared of my Father

Yesterday I woke up in the morning sensing that I was to go somewhere and stay overnight. I prayed about it for about half an hour, and then when I got out of bed I had some ideas about where I could possibly go, but something said, Don't do anything about it.

All day long I had this sense that I was meant to go somewhere and stay overnight, but also that I wasn't meant to do anything about it. I even saw a vision of an unusual-shaped mountain.

Much later in the day - after 8:30pm - my mobile phone rang. Before I even knew what it was about, the Holy Spirit told me, Say yes.

It was Kristian, and he asked me if I want to go to Byron.

So within half an hour he came around and we were on our way. We joined several international groups of YWAMers for an outreach, then we all spent the night in the local Assemblies of God church.

The next afternoon on our way home, Kristian took a detour to a lookout, and in the distance I saw the unusual shaped mountain I'd seen in the vision. Seeing it was a little reminder that the overnight trip was something that had been prepared for me of my Father.

Prepared of my Father

Yesterday I woke up in the morning sensing that I was to go somewhere and stay overnight. I prayed about it for about half an hour, and then when I got out of bed I had some ideas about where I could possibly go, but something said, Don't do anything about it.

All day long I had this sense that I was meant to go somewhere and stay overnight, but also that I wasn't meant to do anything about it. I even saw a vision of an unusual-shaped mountain.

Much later in the day - after 8:30pm - my mobile phone rang. Before I even knew what it was about, the Holy Spirit told me, Say yes.

It was Kristian, and he asked me if I want to go to Byron.

So within half an hour he came around and we were on our way. We joined several international groups of YWAMers for an outreach, then we all spent the night in the local Assemblies of God church.

The next afternoon on our way home, Kristian took a detour to a lookout, and in the distance I saw the unusual shaped mountain I'd seen in the vision. Seeing it was a little reminder that the overnight trip was something that had been prepared for me of my Father.

Prepared of my Father

Yesterday I woke up in the morning sensing that I was to go somewhere and stay overnight. I prayed about it for about half an hour, and then when I got out of bed I had some ideas about where I could possibly go, but something said, Don't do anything about it.

All day long I had this sense that I was meant to go somewhere and stay overnight, but also that I wasn't meant to do anything about it. I even saw a vision of an unusual-shaped mountain.

Much later in the day - after 8:30pm - my mobile phone rang. Before I even knew what it was about, the Holy Spirit told me, Say yes.

It was Kristian, and he asked me if I want to go to Byron.

So within half an hour he came around and we were on our way. We joined several international groups of YWAMers for an outreach, then we all spent the night in the local Assemblies of God church.

The next afternoon on our way home, Kristian took a detour to a lookout, and in the distance I saw the unusual shaped mountain I'd seen in the vision. Seeing it was a little reminder that the overnight trip was something that had been prepared for me of my Father.

The Lord Hears Our Voice

I desired to talk to Neil on the phone today. So I asked the Lord to make him ring me. A couple of hours later my phone rang. It was Neil calling international from San Francisco, for the first time in many months. The Lord hears our voice!

The Lord Hears Our Voice

I desired to talk to Neil on the phone today. So I asked the Lord to make him ring me. A couple of hours later my phone rang. It was Neil calling international from San Francisco, for the first time in many months. The Lord hears our voice!

The Lord Hears Our Voice

I desired to talk to Neil on the phone today. So I asked the Lord to make him ring me. A couple of hours later my phone rang. It was Neil calling international from San Francisco, for the first time in many months. The Lord hears our voice!

The Ethic of Contentment

Whatever happened to contentment? There is nothing wrong with the good old-fashioned work ethic. But what about the contentment ethic?

There is a tendency today to think that gain is godliness - that material gain is a sign of a person's or a ministry's success. But Paul said, "Godliness with contentment is great gain". Notice godliness with contentment isn't just gain - it is GREAT gain:

"But godliness actually is a means of GREAT GAIN when accompanied by contentment" (NASB);

"A godly life brings HUGE PROFITS to people who are content with what they have" (GWT).

Remember when Elisha chided his servant Gehazi for accepting an offering in return for prophetic/healing services rendered? "Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?" he said. "The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever."

So despite today's emphasis on 'prosperity', it's okay for a minister not to receive every offering. It can be a hindrance for a person who is called and separated unto the Gospel to seek to capitalize on every investment opportunity, every political opportunity, or every personal opportunity that may come his way.

The fashion of this world is passing away, and only the unseen things are eternal. There are new heavens and a new earth which God shall create, and only the meek shall inherit it and reign in it.

Therefore the best 'investment' anyone can make is to ascertain what pleases God and what best promotes His Kingdom - and then to spend his or her life-time seeking it, fulfilling God's will for his or her life.

That will not mean the same vocation for all of us, or the same response to financial or political opportunities from all of us. Every man has his proper gift and calling of God.

When the title deeds to land are allotted in the new earth, and when appointments are made to governmental offices in the new earth - the criteria won't necessarily be how materially wealthy you or your family nor your ministry was in this present world.

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

"Having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called...keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ...laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

The Ethic of Contentment

Whatever happened to contentment? There is nothing wrong with the good old-fashioned work ethic. But what about the contentment ethic?

There is a tendency today to think that gain is godliness - that material gain is a sign of a person's or a ministry's success. But Paul said, "Godliness with contentment is great gain". Notice godliness with contentment isn't just gain - it is GREAT gain:

"But godliness actually is a means of GREAT GAIN when accompanied by contentment" (NASB);

"A godly life brings HUGE PROFITS to people who are content with what they have" (GWT).

Remember when Elisha chided his servant Gehazi for accepting an offering in return for prophetic/healing services rendered? "Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?" he said. "The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever."

So despite today's emphasis on 'prosperity', it's okay for a minister not to receive every offering. It can be a hindrance for a person who is called and separated unto the Gospel to seek to capitalize on every investment opportunity, every political opportunity, or every personal opportunity that may come his way.

The fashion of this world is passing away, and only the unseen things are eternal. There are new heavens and a new earth which God shall create, and only the meek shall inherit it and reign in it.

Therefore the best 'investment' anyone can make is to ascertain what pleases God and what best promotes His Kingdom - and then to spend his or her life-time seeking it, fulfilling God's will for his or her life.

That will not mean the same vocation for all of us, or the same response to financial or political opportunities from all of us. Every man has his proper gift and calling of God.

When the title deeds to land are allotted in the new earth, and when appointments are made to governmental offices in the new earth - the criteria won't necessarily be how materially wealthy you or your family nor your ministry was in this present world.

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

"Having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called...keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ...laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

The Ethic of Contentment

Whatever happened to contentment? There is nothing wrong with the good old-fashioned work ethic. But what about the contentment ethic?

There is a tendency today to think that gain is godliness - that material gain is a sign of a person's or a ministry's success. But Paul said, "Godliness with contentment is great gain". Notice godliness with contentment isn't just gain - it is GREAT gain:

"But godliness actually is a means of GREAT GAIN when accompanied by contentment" (NASB);

"A godly life brings HUGE PROFITS to people who are content with what they have" (GWT).

Remember when Elisha chided his servant Gehazi for accepting an offering in return for prophetic/healing services rendered? "Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?" he said. "The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever."

So despite today's emphasis on 'prosperity', it's okay for a minister not to receive every offering. It can be a hindrance for a person who is called and separated unto the Gospel to seek to capitalize on every investment opportunity, every political opportunity, or every personal opportunity that may come his way.

The fashion of this world is passing away, and only the unseen things are eternal. There are new heavens and a new earth which God shall create, and only the meek shall inherit it and reign in it.

Therefore the best 'investment' anyone can make is to ascertain what pleases God and what best promotes His Kingdom - and then to spend his or her life-time seeking it, fulfilling God's will for his or her life.

That will not mean the same vocation for all of us, or the same response to financial or political opportunities from all of us. Every man has his proper gift and calling of God.

When the title deeds to land are allotted in the new earth, and when appointments are made to governmental offices in the new earth - the criteria won't necessarily be how materially wealthy you or your family nor your ministry was in this present world.

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

"Having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called...keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ...laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

$5 Christmas Testimony

The day before Christmas I still had three people left that I wanted to buy Christmas gifts for. So my sister invited me to go Christmas-shopping with her at Robina Town Centre.

But I didn't feel a 'release' in my spirit to go. Instead, I had an inner 'impression' that I would be going to the Salvos Store. Besides, I only had $5. So my sister and her children went to Robina without me.

While I was at home lying on my bed I started thinking about what I would like to give as Christmas gifts if only I had more money: the books Following God's Plan for your Life, How you Can Be Led by the Spirit of God, and Understanding the Anointing by Kenneth E. Hagin, came to mind.

In the afternoon I assayed to leave the house to drive to the Salvos Store to spend my $5 - but something inside of me said, "Not yet."

A while later I assayed to go again, but again I got, "Not yet."

Soon afterwards I was sitting at my desk reading my Bible when I 'heard', "You can go now."

So I drove to the Salvos Store, and as I walked in the door I was wondering whether I'd find anything worthwhile to buy as Christmas gifts for a mere $5. Immediately, I received an 'impression' that there would be something for me high up on a shelf at the right hand side of the back wall of the store.

So I walked to that section of the store, and standing there was a staff member with a pile of new stock ready to be shelved. When he saw me begin to browse through the pile of stock, he said, "Good - buy it - that stuff just came in - so I don't have to try to find a place to put it!"

It was a pile of secondhand books, which some member of the public had just donated. To my delight and surprise I came across the titles, Understanding the Anointing, Following God's Plan for Your Life, and How You can be Led by the Spirit of God, by Kenneth Hagin - the very three titles I'd longed for.

According to the staff member, the books had only just arrived in-store.

Had I gone to the Store any earlier in the day like I originally assayed to, the titles might not yet have been ready to be placed on display.

And each book cost only $1.

Truly we never need to deviate from the pathway of obedience in order to receive God's provision of our heart's desires.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

$5 Christmas Testimony

The day before Christmas I still had three people left that I wanted to buy Christmas gifts for. So my sister invited me to go Christmas-shopping with her at Robina Town Centre.

But I didn't feel a 'release' in my spirit to go. Instead, I had an inner 'impression' that I would be going to the Salvos Store. Besides, I only had $5. So my sister and her children went to Robina without me.

While I was at home lying on my bed I started thinking about what I would like to give as Christmas gifts if only I had more money: the books Following God's Plan for your Life, How you Can Be Led by the Spirit of God, and Understanding the Anointing by Kenneth E. Hagin, came to mind.

In the afternoon I assayed to leave the house to drive to the Salvos Store to spend my $5 - but something inside of me said, "Not yet."

A while later I assayed to go again, but again I got, "Not yet."

Soon afterwards I was sitting at my desk reading my Bible when I 'heard', "You can go now."

So I drove to the Salvos Store, and as I walked in the door I was wondering whether I'd find anything worthwhile to buy as Christmas gifts for a mere $5. Immediately, I received an 'impression' that there would be something for me high up on a shelf at the right hand side of the back wall of the store.

So I walked to that section of the store, and standing there was a staff member with a pile of new stock ready to be shelved. When he saw me begin to browse through the pile of stock, he said, "Good - buy it - that stuff just came in - so I don't have to try to find a place to put it!"

It was a pile of secondhand books, which some member of the public had just donated. To my delight and surprise I came across the titles, Understanding the Anointing, Following God's Plan for Your Life, and How You can be Led by the Spirit of God, by Kenneth Hagin - the very three titles I'd longed for.

According to the staff member, the books had only just arrived in-store.

Had I gone to the Store any earlier in the day like I originally assayed to, the titles might not yet have been ready to be placed on display.

And each book cost only $1.

Truly we never need to deviate from the pathway of obedience in order to receive God's provision of our heart's desires.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

$5 Christmas Testimony

The day before Christmas I still had three people left that I wanted to buy Christmas gifts for. So my sister invited me to go Christmas-shopping with her at Robina Town Centre.

But I didn't feel a 'release' in my spirit to go. Instead, I had an inner 'impression' that I would be going to the Salvos Store. Besides, I only had $5. So my sister and her children went to Robina without me.

While I was at home lying on my bed I started thinking about what I would like to give as Christmas gifts if only I had more money: the books Following God's Plan for your Life, How you Can Be Led by the Spirit of God, and Understanding the Anointing by Kenneth E. Hagin, came to mind.

In the afternoon I assayed to leave the house to drive to the Salvos Store to spend my $5 - but something inside of me said, "Not yet."

A while later I assayed to go again, but again I got, "Not yet."

Soon afterwards I was sitting at my desk reading my Bible when I 'heard', "You can go now."

So I drove to the Salvos Store, and as I walked in the door I was wondering whether I'd find anything worthwhile to buy as Christmas gifts for a mere $5. Immediately, I received an 'impression' that there would be something for me high up on a shelf at the right hand side of the back wall of the store.

So I walked to that section of the store, and standing there was a staff member with a pile of new stock ready to be shelved. When he saw me begin to browse through the pile of stock, he said, "Good - buy it - that stuff just came in - so I don't have to try to find a place to put it!"

It was a pile of secondhand books, which some member of the public had just donated. To my delight and surprise I came across the titles, Understanding the Anointing, Following God's Plan for Your Life, and How You can be Led by the Spirit of God, by Kenneth Hagin - the very three titles I'd longed for.

According to the staff member, the books had only just arrived in-store.

Had I gone to the Store any earlier in the day like I originally assayed to, the titles might not yet have been ready to be placed on display.

And each book cost only $1.

Truly we never need to deviate from the pathway of obedience in order to receive God's provision of our heart's desires.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."