Your May Splash of Hope!

Posted on May 20, 2013 by admin

SPLASHES OF…HOPE!                                                                                 17th May 2013

Hello there dear Ladies …Here I sit, surrounded by 4 different versions of the Bible, my Concordance and a big, heavy Dictionary!   Why?

Because I sincerely  hope  to  splash  you with a Holy Spirit enlightened word that washes away any possibility of you thinking / feeling / wondering about what God is “up to” in your life!

I  hope  you do some digging for yourself, and get yourself  splashed  by God’s perfect plan and purpose for your life!     I just  hope  to give you a little push today in that direction, to get you looking beyond your present situation and trusting God for your great future, like He promises, okay?

Have you given much thought to the meaning of the word Worship?  

I’ve thought a lot about that word, and now use it in my daily prayers since the latter part of last year.    There’s obviously much in the Bible to do with worship.    Most people think we do so during “Praise and Worship” in a church service, and probably not much after that.   Am I right?   Is that your “take” on it too?    It was for me.

In John 4:19-24 Jesus was in conversation with a Samaritan woman and here we see that Worship isn’t meant to be just in church, but it’s wherever the Spirit of the Lord is …and He’s IN US!!   So that means we can worship Him anywhere and anytime!    Definitely in our daily ‘conversations’ with God, we WORSHIP Him.   Or so we should!   He’s worthy of it.

I don’t actually want to talk about myself, but by way of testimony, I need to in this instance to make my point.   Some of you know about all the pain I had last year with a “spur” in my heel. . . for the 2nd time, as I also had it in the other heel!    The pain of a heel spur is so severe – I kid you not! -  that I was quite ready for either using crutches for the rest of my life,  never putting my foot on the ground again,  or for the doctor to just  “chop” my foot off!!     After a few years of pain,   without Worshiping, Thanking or Praising the Lord,   just praying and pleading,  begging God,  being anointed with oil and hands laid on me in prayer,  much crying out to God, and getting close to falling into the pit of depression, God reminded me of  something  through a beautiful 3 ½ year old little girl.

Some of you know about this, some don’t, but it’s a testimony that bears repeating as …sigh… we do forget so soon!!       Her dad told that during prayer times she began to say “thank you for the snow” and so they tried to tell her it was not the Season for snow, etc., in order that she may not become  disappointed  in God because He didn’t answer her prayer.   However, nothing they said deterred her, she just kept on thanking Him!    And, Lo and behold!    We got snow on our mountains in mid-November!!    I absolutely believe God answered the prayers of that little girl whose faith in believing  “He can do it”,  simply never wavered!!  Her perseverance in expecting God to hear and answer sure “paid off”!   The faith of a child…what a lesson to us!!

“Ke-ching”!    It was a Light Bulb Moment for me!!     It took me back to the 80’s when I experienced amazing miracles and answers to my prayers, during a specific Season of our lives.     My prayers were not begging, pleading and crying out in desperation to  God,  but rather telling  Him how much I loved Him, and I constantly just  worshiped  Him,  Praised  and  thanked  Him  in  and  for  everything in all my prayers.

And so, once again,  I “embarked” on a new –old!- way of prayer!   I’m so sorry Lord, how could I forget so soon?     BUT….I want you to know that this is not Norman Vincent Peele’s – “The Power of Positive Thinking” stuff!!     The Bible says in John 4: 23  that God wants us,  the   “True Worshipers”  to   “Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth”  …I reckon  that  means  from  our  hearts,   not  just  our  lips!      He  knows  our  hearts,  so  He  knows  when  we’re   “for  real”!

****Being  “in  love”  with  Jesus  = and He with you! =  changes everything in your life,  I promise you that!!

Reading the Book of Job Ch. 1,  I discover more about Worship.    Right at the outset, when  Satan  was  allowed  by  God to “attack”   the   “blameless and upright Job who shunned evil and feared God” = Vs. 1,   after losing everything,  including his children,  “he fell to the ground and WORSHIPED” = Vs. 20.    WOW!!      Could / Would  we   do that?     Usually trials have quite the opposite effect on us, don’t they?!!   I could give you a list, but I won’t ‘cos you know it all too well!!

Please do  yourself  and  me  a  favour  and  read Job’s  “story”  will you?     It  may  just  splash  you  with  hope  as  God  shows  you  His  truths  all  the  way  through  the  story  to  its  great  ending!!     I  wept  through the first  3  chapters,   and  THEN  Vs 6 of Ch. 4   brought  to  mind,  well  to  my   mind  anyway,   a Splash of hope   which  I  happily share  here  with  you  :

                      ****  “Is not your reverence  [for God] your confidence,  And your integrity of your ways your hope”?

Being “In Christ” gives you confidence and hope in all circumstances.  Now is a good time to “bow down and Worship Him!

Ch. 5: vs 7  “Man was born for trouble as surely as sparks fly upwards”- no escaping it then!    Here comes an awesome “BUT” :  Vs. 18  “..HE bruises, but  He binds up; HE wounds, but  His hands make whole”.    Then  along  came  JESUS,  Who promises us His Presence always = Matt. 28:20[b],    His Power in all things = 2 Tim. 1:7,     and the Victory = 2 Cor. 2:14[a].      Is that not a whole bunch of good reasons deserving of our WORSHIPING GOD, and Praising our Lord Jesus?!   You bet it is!!

And what is God’s final Word on the matter?  :  “WORSHIP GOD”! = Rev. 22:[b].      Start right now and worship your way through a wonderful week-end!    God longs for you to worship Him, go on then… and watch for your miracles along the way!

Worshiping with you, and just loving on Jesus!

With love and hugs,  Rose  xoxoxo

 

 

 

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A People of Faith!

Posted on May 13, 2013 by admin

A People of Faith:

On May 5th it was the 8th year since we began meetings in our church.
For the past 8 years, we have believed God for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit, in our church, City and Nation.

And this is what God has spoken to me, for the road ahead.

Hebrews 11:9-10 (NIV Reader’s Version)
9 Because of his faith he made his home in the land God had promised him. He was like an outsider in a strange country. He lived there in tents. So did Isaac and Jacob. They received the same promise he did.
10 Abraham was looking forward to the city that has foundations. He was waiting for the city that God planned and built.

God would say this to us today:

1. We are a people of faith.

God chose the first Man of God, the first Father in the Faith, to be above all else, a man of Faith!
We must hear His word by faith, receive His promises by faith and live in His truths by faith.
Abraham is our example and we are His offspring, His descendants, because HE first believed by faith, and because we NOW believe by faith.

2. Abraham received the promises of God and then had to wait 25 years before he saw them fulfilled.

I know Christians who struggle to wait 25 minutes to see their promise from God fulfilled. There are those who can’t wait 25 days, or who after 25 months of waiting, are ready to never believe God again.
But Abraham not only heard the promise of God, he actually received the promise at the same time.
For 25 years he had to ignore the facts surrounding him, his body ageing, his strength weakening, his wife’s womb closed up… yet still all the while believing God that he had received what God had promised.
Have you really received a promise from God, or have you just heard a promise from God?

3. Abraham had to live like a stranger in a foreign land.

Living by faith, denying the facts and focusing on the truths of God, is not normal.
This world is not geared for men and women to live by faith, you may have to dwell in tents for a while.
You may not get to settle… like so many do.
You may not get to keep up with the Jones’, if you want to keep up with Jesus!
You may feel like you don’t belong, you don’t fit in, like you’re a stranger, a foreigner, because you’re a person of faith.
You may find you speak a different language, because it’s the language of faith.
You may find you have adopted different customs and practices, because you’re a person of faith.
You may find that your kids are different, not like the other kids at all, because they are children of faith.

4. Abraham was looking forward to what God had built.

For many years, we have contended, fasted and prayed for a move of God’s Spirit in this Nation, this City and our Church.
God has answered us, He said He will do exactly that (Isaiah 60).
We all heard it…
But have we received it?

I bring you this message in order to encourage you to keep looking forward to the City that God has built for us, to keep looking forward to the outpouring of His Holy Spirit amongst us.
We have received it!

And living like this, in this faith, you will find that it will discipline us, it will keep us accountable to God, dependent upon God, reliant upon God.
And in His time, He will do it swiftly (Isaiah 60).

I end with this message from Prophet George Farmer:
“Hold on, Hold on! It’s coming, something good is on its way! The move of God is ‘round the corner.”

Ps Paul Botha (06 May 2013)

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HOPE Perth Birthed!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by admin

27/3/13 The Perth House Of Prayer for Everyone opened our doors for the first time!

As we birthed the 24/7/365 House Of Prayer for Everyone in Perth, WA, Father God spoke to me from:

Zechariah 4:6 & 10

6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”

We mark this day as a day of SIGNIFICANCE.

We do not judge it by its size, its popularity, its prominence, but by its influence. In this place, the prayers of righteous men and women will influence the course of future history.

In this place, the eternal destiny of nations, generations and peoples of every tribe and tongue will be contended for, and won for Heaven’s glory.

 

We know that this is a day conceived, carried and delivered by the Holy Spirit.

Man’s power to organize and network has not conceived, carried nor delivered this HOPE.

Man’s might to draw a crowd, to create a following, to stir a burst of enthusiasm, has not conceived, carried, nor delivered this HOPE.

Our HOPE has been birthed by the Holy Spirit of God.

 

This is a move of the Holy Spirit of God. This is Zechariah 4:6

 

Now who dares to judge by what they see?

Who dares to disdain the humble beginnings of God’s plans?

Wasn’t the Son of God birthed in the most humble of beginnings?

Wasn’t He hidden from the eyes of men, but under the watchful eye of God?

Weren’t the religious leaders chastised for their inability to see from God’s view?

 

But we see that this is the day of big things having a small beginning.

The Lord of all the Earth has His watchful eye upon our HOPE.

Our Father is rejoicing, gleeful in anticipation of what the birthing of this HOPE signifies:

The Church of Perth United in Unceasing Praise and Prayer to the One True God!

by Paul Botha 27/03/2013

2013-03-16 11.48.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

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On The Cusp Of A Breakthrough!

Posted on August 15, 2012 by admin

Over the years we have pushed through into many breakthroughs. We have had to push through for greater finances, greater growth in church, greater ministry capacity, greater buildings. Without fail, God has come through for us every time (although to be honest, it’s often at the last minute when all of our being is straining at breaking point!), nonetheless, the breakthrough has surely come.

And here we stand again, on the cusp of another breakthrough! We have the word of God directing us, assuring us, of another level of growth, increase, a new building to move into, greater things are ahead of us!

Currently, the word of God stands in total opposition to our reality. We are $20,000.00 short of our building budget, we have dropped sharply in our service attendance, we have had some people leave our church as recently as today. Yes, breakthrough is coming, but breakdown seems more likely!

Now here’s a pattern I have noted the devil uses on Christians and breakthrough: It seems that the hour is always darkest before the dawn. It seems that everything that could go ‘wrong’, does go wrong just before we get our blessing. It seems that the devil is intent on disqualifying us from our reward, and he arranges for us to stumble at the final hurdle.

I have seen people sacrifice, work hard, give generously, go above and beyond the call of duty, they have lined themselves up for an amazing blessing, a great breakthrough is coming their way! And then, just before it is about to happen, you can almost smell it in the air… something in them seems to snap! And back they go, out the doors, down in a heap of anger, offence, despair, doubt, confusion, pride, rebellion, or whatever vulnerability the devil can play upon to take us out.

Breakthroughs reveal our maturity level. They are proof to us as to whether we are ready for a greater anointing, a greater responsibility, a greater role in the Kingdom of God.

Breakthroughs reveal our perseverance level. They are proof to us of our ability to stand, and having done all else, to stand firm.

Breakthroughs reveal our faith level. They show us if we really do believe God, if we really do trust God, if we really do place all our hope in God.

Breakthroughs reveal our love for God level. They are proof that nothing else matters except that we have God. They prove that should our cries and prayers go unanswered, God is still enough for us.

Yes my brothers and sisters, we are on the cusp of another great breakthrough! The devil is defeated and Jesus has won the day, and now that day belongs to us, today! Rise up, stand strong and believe that our God is greater….

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Another Goliath

Posted on March 14, 2012 by admin

The Church faces another major challenge today, namely: The Homosexual Agenda.

The homosexual agenda is roaring around us at the moment, the media and entertainment voices are echoing the threats of this Goliath, daring the Church and those with Judeo-Christian and Biblical values, to stand up against them! It’s a time of outright confrontation and the battle lines are being clearly drawn. One side will be the victor in this battle, and while the outcome of the war is already clear (Jesus won it for us!), this battle will be won or lost in our lifetime.

Traditionally, we (the Church) have not been very proactive in dealing with our challenges. Sadly, it is more often a case of ‘too little, too late’ for the church in many regards. For the average Christian, these major social and theological challenges can seem a bit daunting and a bit like eating an elephant, where do we start?

I think there are some important steps we could, and should, all take. And, if we are to see this Goliath defeated, then it is going to take action, courage and boldness (faith and works), to see it defeated. David knew this and his attitude contrasted the inaction, intimidation and insecurity displayed by the rest of the warriors, as they faced off against their enemy.

What can we do to defeat this Goliath?

1. Pray – ask God to show Himself mighty in this battle and to destroy the plans and strategies of the enemy, to preserve our children and our families from this savage attack on our values and convictions.

2. Get Informed – find out as much as you can about the issue at hand. You can start now, by reading this excellent article that documents the horrendous effects of what happened when the state of Massachusetts acted in 2003 to legalise same sex marriage: http://www.massresistance.org/docs/marriage/effects_of_ssm.pdf

3. Make a Stand – Decide where you stand on this issue and why. Be able to clearly state why you believe that homosexuality is a sin and why you oppose gay marriage.

4. Act Now – there are still opportunities for your voice to be heard and it will make a difference in the outcome. Contact your elected officials, your local politicians and tell them that you oppose any legislation that allows same sex marriage. Make sure they know your vote will swing on this issue. Sign petitions, send letters, do what you can to make your voice heard.

Goliath was defeated by one man’s faith and action empowered by Almighty God. That one act tipped the balance of the war and the army of God routed the enemy. I believe that if God did it once, then He can do it again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“The Boy Who Fell Asleep And Died” A word for the church in Perth for 2012

Posted on January 10, 2012 by admin

“The Boy Who Fell Asleep And Died”
A Word For The Church In Perth In 2012

Early in the year, in prayer, fasting and seeking the Lord for a word for the Church in Perth for 2012, the Lord took me to Acts 20:7-12. In this passage we read about the young boy Eutychus, who falls asleep, falls out of the window and falls to his death 3 stories down, all while under the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

Fortunately for Eutychus, the story doesn’t end there. But more about that later.

The Lord showed me a few key things in this passage that I believe are part of a prophetic message that God is communicating to His Body in Perth.

1. The Church in Perth is like the Boy Eutychus:
A Boy is immature, not yet fully formed into maturity and manhood. His identity is still being forged. He is not at his full strength yet and is still in the process of developing stamina to match his strength.

I believe God would say to us that we must make maturity our goal. If maturity is our goal, then mission will be the outcome. Mission is best accomplished from a base of strength. It is clear that the destiny for the Church in Perth is to be a mission base, training, equipping and sending missionaries into all the world. To do this effectively, the Church in Perth must be mature, healthy, strong and persevering.

Currently, the Church in Perth is a boy, demonstrating massive potential, but still lacking the discipline and perseverance that the rigours of responsibility brings to mature Churches. God’s desire is that the Church in Perth would mature from being a boy into being a Man, fully equipped for the good works we were created for.

2. The First Fall of the Boy and the Church in Perth:
The boy Eutychus fell 3 stories, in 3 stages, to his death. In a similar vein, the Lord showed me how the Church in Perth has fallen in 3 stages.

The first fall of the boy was to fall asleep. No doubt the weariness of another busy day made the boy tired. The drowsiness and fog began to settle on him, and he lost the fight to keep his eyes open. Somehow he had managed to make himself just comfortable enough to be able to slumber and doze, until finally, he fell asleep.

Just so, the Church in Perth has fallen asleep to the urgency of the hour. Wearied from busy-ness, and losing the fight to stay watchful and prayerful, many in the Church in Perth are dozing and nodding off, even while being on watch on the walls. Some have even fallen asleep, but they are not even aware of it (as we never are, until somebody wakes us up!).

3. The Second Fall of the Boy and the Church in Perth:
In a deep sleep, the boy shifts and moves, not realizing how precariously he is perched, and he falls out the window, plummeting to the bottom.

There are windows of opportunity that the Church in Perth is sovereignly positioned to optimize. There are times, seasons, projects, tipping points, that the Lord has brought and will continue to bring to our City, let’s call these windows of opportunity? But the Church in Perth is asleep to these windows of opportunity, choosing instead to shift and reposition ourselves for greater comfort and ease.

These windows will close and the Church in Perth will fall out of position, out of our station in the Body of Christ. Be assured, the job will be done, but God will pass it onto another City, or another generation (See Isaiah 49: 8-9). We must fight to stay in position, to stay alert, in order to maximize the windows of opportunity God gives us.

There are also the sins of offense, of unforgiveness and of rebellion to authority, that have caused many in the Church in Perth to ‘fall out’. Our gross immaturity and disobedience has allowed us to react in a way that has harmed the Body of Jesus. We will never grow up in Christ if we are disconnected from His Body, or constantly shifting ‘position’ (church-hopping), in the hopes of finding the perfect place. It doesn’t exist on Earth.

4. The Third Fall of the Boy and the Church in Perth:
The bot falls and hits the bottom, killed by the impact, and he lies there dead, completely oblivious as to how this all happened.

In 2005, the late Minister and Prophet David Wilkerson, came to Perth with a message from the Lord for the Church in Perth. He made this statement: “the Church in Perth is dead!” He made reference to Revelation 3:1-2 likening the Church in Perth to the Church in Sardis.

Many in the Church in Perth fell asleep, fell out and are now dead, the problem is that they just don’t know it! Like Paul warned Timothy, there are many who profess to hold to a form of Godliness, yet they deny the power of true Godliness, that of being transformed and conformed to the image of Christ, and of continuously growing up into His fullness (not some lesser version that we make up to justify our position, petulance or passivity).

5. The Boy died under the ministry of the Apostle Paul:
It seems almost unbelievable, but the Bible tells us, so it must be true, that this boy could fall asleep and die under the preaching and ministry of the Apostle Paul!

Imagine! Being under the ministry of one of the greats; Paul the missionary, the miracle worker, the church planter, the evangelist… surely you couldn’t doze off under that?! But the boy did.

The Church in Perth has been blessed with many great 5 fold ministry gifts to the Body of Christ. There are great preachers, great evangelists, great miracle workers, great apostles, great prophets, great pastors, all through the Church in Perth, yet many in the church in Perth are asleep, or worse, dead! It is not the fault of the leaders alone, for the state of the Church in Perth, we are all responsible for our condition.

Now, Praise God that the story doesn’t end here.

Here is a course of action for the Church in Perth, if we are to fulfill our mandate as a City of Light, as a Missionary Sending Station to the World:

1. Paul went down, threw himself on the Boy and wrapped His arms around him.

Perhaps you know of some who have fallen asleep, fallen out of church or is dead in their faith? Now is the time to go down to them (pray and act), throw yourself on them (visit’s, emails, phone calls, texts – do it all!) and wrap them in an embrace of love and restoration.

2. “Don’t be alarmed!”
Fear of rejection, fear of conflict, fear of being misunderstood can often cause us to stand on the sidelines and watch transfixed, like someone witnessing a car accident!

Snap to attention and become part of the solution! Run to their aid. Reach out to those asleep or dead. This is the role of the mature saint in this hour. This is the preparation for the sweeping move of God as He restores and revives His Body to enable us to become the end-time harvesters of souls this world so desperately needs!

3. “He’s alive”
This great statement of faith, decreed over the Boy, activated the faith of those around him, and got them moving in a similar spirit of faith.

This is the season to be speaking the language of faith, of revival, of the Bible, of Heaven, of God! Short, sweet and highly effective! No room for argument or debate. Tell it like it is, or like it will be.

4. Then Paul went back upstairs, broke bread and ate.
This is not the focus of Apostolic Ministry, this is simply a part of the process. This is not to be the primary focus of the Church in Perth. Yes, it is urgent, it is a necessary interruption and an important role for the mature saints to play, but it is not the primary, overriding focus.

The primary focus for the Church in Perth, is to fulfill our mandate, our assignment, from the Lord Jesus.

What is that assignment? I believe it is to be a Missionary Training and Sending Base. This requires a high demand on the maturity, service and sacrifice of the saints in Perth. I believe that if we are faithful in this regard, then we will become the City of Light, shining brightly in this world. Then we will become a City of Refuge, prosperous and secure, regardless of world economies and the shakings coming soon (or even now), to all the Earth.

5. The People took the Boy home alive and were greatly comforted.
I believe that if we do what the Lord is asking us to do, then many of the prodigals, the disaffected and the disconnected, will return home, finding their way back into fellowship.

If we do as the Lord is asking us, we will see growth and health restored to the Church in Perth. Perhaps the first waves of growth will be the backslidden, those who have fallen asleep and died, being restored to life in Christ and fellowship in His Body?

Many divinely inspired relationships have been broken and many hearts have been wounded by the effects of the ‘falling out’ of the immature in the Church in Perth. Many Church Leaders and Congregations have been weakened and debilitated by this ‘falling out’, and they are in need of comfort.

To summarize, here is our course of action:
• Reach out to ‘sleeping, fallen out, dead’ ones.
• Don’t be afraid of their possible responses.
• Move and speak in faith that this is the Lord’s will.
• Keep the main thing, the main thing and stay focused on our assignment from God.

If we do as the Lord is saying, then I believe we will be comforted and encouraged by the results.

06/01/2012
Ps Paul Botha

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Church, Why Bother?

Posted on October 27, 2011 by admin

 

Over the years, and in increasing amounts today, I am meeting people who are disgruntled, hurt, rebellious and as a result have removed themselves from the local church. Preferring to start a ‘house church’ or keep to meeting informally, the church is robbed of these gifts and blessings to the Body. None of us are benefitted from this scourge and somebody has to say or do something to stop this from escalating!

Courtesy of Ps Bruce Chant, Executive Pastor of One Church Perth, here is our response:

THE CHURCH

In recent times we have observed a strong trend in the body of Christ to reject what is the historical and biblical view of “The Church”. As the leadership of One Church, this is our response to what we see as erroneous and dangerous beliefs about what Church is/is not.

 

LOCAL CHURCH & UNIVERSAL CHURCH

Firstly, we must understand the difference between the Local Church and the Universal Church. The UNIVERSAL church refers to ALL believers who are truly saved and belong to Jesus. The LOCAL church is the local body of people who gather for worship under specific leaders, and in specific places and times. We are the UNIVERSAL church because of our relationship with Jesus and we become part of a LOCAL church by conscious decision. Because of this, it is the Local Church that takes on great significance for us all.

 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE CHURCH?

In the New Testament the Greek word used for “church” is Ekklesia (Matthew 16:18). Ekklesia literally means “called out ones” but it is correctly defined it is “a gathering of governmental assembly”.

 

The Ekklesia is a governmental assembly and this was the term Jesus chose to use to describe the gathering of His followers. Importantly it reveals Jesus’ intent for the Church. The church is designed to 1) carry His authority and establish His rule on the earth (Eph 1:22-23), 2) be the vehicle by which our loyalty to Christ is displayed (preeminence) (Col 1:17-18) 3) be a people who carry out the mandate to rule (Genesis 1:26), 4) understand our assignment, and who are organized and structured according to the warfare we wage (2 Cor. 10:4-5)

 

WHAT MAKES THE CHURCH THE CHURCH?

Some will say two or more Christians gathered in a lounge room or café is the church. Is it? We say NO! According to the Bible these are the specific characteristics that the local church needs to display in order to be the church:

  1. 1. CHURCH MEMBERS MUST BE BORN AGAIN (1 Corinthians 12:27, Acts 2:41-42)

To be part of the church you must be born again, which is an inward work of the Holy Spirit. Whilst the local church service is open to those who don’t know Jesus, only those who are saved are ACTUALLY the church.

 

  1. 2. THE CHURCH HAS QUALIFIED LEADERSHIP (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Timothy 5:17)

The New Testament is clear that the church has recognized qualified and responsible leadership. This is a key issue that has many reacting and revising in their minds what the church is, often attempting to remove leadership from the picture. However, without local church leadership biblically there is no local church. Without local church leadership the multiple New Testament references to leadership (Elders, Pastors, Apostles) makes no sense.

 

  1. 3. THE CHURCH GATHERS FOR PREACHING AND WORSHIP (John 4:23-24, Acts 5:42)

We know Ekklesia is the name of the church and it means in its basic form to “gather”(Hebrews 10:25). The reason we gather is to meet with the head of the church, Jesus. We meet with Him through worship and the preaching of the Word of God. The result of doing that is for the local church to be encouraged, equipped and matured. (Ephesians 4:12-13).

 

  1. 4. THE CHURCH ADMINISTERS THE CHRISTIAN ORDINANCES (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 2:38)

An ordinance is a practice that demonstrates the believer’s faith. There are two “ordinances” that the church administers, as established by Jesus: Communion and Baptism. These are recorded as being carried out in the context of the local church.

 

  1. 5. THE CHURCH IS UNIFIED BY THE SPIRIT (Ephesians 4:1-3)

The Unity of the Spirit refers to the local church agreeing on and being unified in the some key issues, such as the church’s vision and assignment, core doctrines, God-appointed leadership. The important things are not up for negotiation and it is on these matters we unify in heart and purpose. This eliminates the “free-agent” view of church that many have today.

 

  1. 6. THE CHURCH DISCIPLINE FOR HOLINESS (1 Corinthians 5:1-9)

The local church has a mandate to discipline those that willfully seek to claim the name of Jesus but live outside of His expected moral standards. Church discipline is pastoring and leading the church lovingly and redemptively by addressing observed sins in people’s lives. (Heb 12:5-11). Many false beliefs about the church are a reaction against this biblical practice.

  1. 7. THE CHURCH OBEYS THE GREAT COMMANDMENTS TO LOVE (Matthew 22:36-39, Acts 2:42-47)

The true church is known by what they love. Additional to loving God, the church also loves, cares for, and shares with one another. The world knows we are serious about our love for God when it sees us love one another (John 13:35).

 

  1. 8. THE CHURCH OBEYS THE GREAT COMMISSION (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Great Commission is the call to go into all the world and make disciples, i.e. it is the impetus for all evangelistic efforts. The local church is the primary means God designed that all people, everywhere, are reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are discipled.

 

Where these characteristics are present, we see a local Church as described in the Bible. Where one or more of these are absent however, then we would say that such a group is not a biblically functioning New Testament church.

 

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An Even More Inconvenient Truth!

Posted on May 31, 2011 by admin

There is a truth that is far more inconvenient and that has far more dire consequences if we ignore it, than climate change. This inconvenient truth will forever change our planet, regardless of who or how many accept it or deny it.

For Christians who have been born again, that is, for those…

  • (John 3:5) Born not of the flesh, but of the Spirit
  • (John 6:63) Who now live by the power of the Spirit
  • (Eph 5:18) Who are being continually filled with the Spirit
  • (John 16:33) Who are being led by the Spirit
  • (1Cor 12:4) Who are gifted and equipped by the Spirit
  • (Gal 5:22) Whose lives display the evidence or fruit of the Spirit
  • (1Cor 6:19) Whose bodies are the temple (living space) of the Spirit

our lives are now more spiritual than we may have ever thought.

The inconvenient truth is that if we accept that our lives, our world is now primarily “Spiritual”, then everything changes! Yes, everything!

Why do we prefer to remain Carnal Christians?

This inconvenient truth probably explains why so many Christians prefer to remain carnal, fleshly, or worldly Christians. The stringent demands of a spiritual life and world, can prove quite inconvenient to a carnal Christian.

“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.” (1Corinthians 3:1)

The dangers of ignoring this inconvenient truth, are spoken of in Hebrews Chapters 5 and 6:

“5:11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.

12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Remember, the writer to the Hebrews was addressing a group of people who were the primary carriers of this world-changing message (the Gospel of Jesus Christ). Our fate today, literally rested on their decisions, in that day!

This truth was as inconvenient then, as it is now, it held the same implications then, as it does now.

What are the implications to being inconvenienced by the Truth?

These Christians had embraced an enormous amount of inconvenience as a direct result of what the Holy Spirit had revealed to them. Their finances (given away), homes (communal living), businesses (sold off), families (left behind), future plans (abandoned) were all inconvenienced by this Spiritual truth!

  1. 1. IT’S ALL SPIRITUAL!

Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified Bible)

12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Here’s the first point of inconvenience, the realization and acceptance that we are engaged in a war, with an enemy, in the Spiritual realm.

The difficulties, challenges and opposition we may face in pursuing Godliness, or extending the Kingdom of God here on earth, may in fact be spiritual!

And, even more inconvenient, if they are spiritual, then it demands that we become ‘spiritual’ in how we contend with these issues. This can prove quite inconvenient when you try to explain it to someone, or stop what you are doing to pray, or begin praising God for His victory in your current circumstances.

  1. 2. IT’S SPIRITUAL WARFARE

2 Corinthians 10 (Amplified Bible)

3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.

4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,

5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)

To further inconvenience us, not only is our world now primarily spiritual, but we are expected to be actively engaged in warfare with the enemy of our souls!

Look in the mirror, the battleground starts in me!

The battleground of our minds and emotions, our choices and decisions, will decide the outcome of this war. Victory must first be won at GREAT inconvenience, over the world in ourselves, before we can begin to taste victory in the world, outside of ourselves.

3. WE MUST GIVE UP CONTROL:

Romans 8:5 (Amplified Bible)

5For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and [a]pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and [b]seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.

How inconvenient!! We must become controlled by the Spirit of God in every area. We can no longer float along and be cruizey about our direction and our choices.

We have to train our brains, to be set on the desires of God. It’s not about us anymore, but rather all about Him and His desires. This could inconvenience us quite a bit.

Now, what he decides, goes, where He decides, I go, who He decides goes, must go. How inconvenient this truth could be.

  1. 4. IT’S DEMANDS CHANGE:

Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)

2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

This inconvenient truth demands that I change, that my entire way of thinking is conforming to God’s patterns on a daily basis.

This demands that I devote myself to knowing God’s ways. It demands that I accept God’s Word as a higher truth than my own views and opinions. It demands that my attitudes to relationships, work, church, family, life… become conformed to the same as God’s views.

Having to humble myself and admit that I was wrong, may prove quite inconvenient at times.

Suffering Saints?

Before we even graduate to persecution or suffering for the sake if the Gospel, we must be willing to be inconvenienced.

It’s hard to take up our cross, if we aren’t willing at some inconvenience, to take up our time, our treasure or our talent for the cause of Christ.

May you be comforted in your inconvenience.

 

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When My Prayer’s Go Un-answered

Posted on May 11, 2011 by admin

God uses my prayers to shape me for His answers.

I recently cottoned onto this statement and it is proving to be alarmingly accurate! I’m reminded of a couple of situations where I’ve prayed passionate, faithful, prophetic, even authoritative prayers, with no foreseeable results.

Example 1:

In 1997, for 9 months prior to coming to Australia to train for the ministry, I was burdened to pray for Fiji. I was absolutely convinced that I would end up as a missionary in Fiji. I prayed for the people, the Christians, the cause of Christ, the fruitfulness of the land, you name it, I prayed it!

Result? I’ve never been to Fiji… yet.

Example 2:

For 2 years (2000-2001 I believe…) 3 times per week, I ran/walked around Waverley Park Stadium in Melbourne, prophesying that it would be filled with young people worshipping and praying, seeking God, repenting and turning to God, it was such a burden that I couldn’t shake it!

Result? Today, Waverley Park is a suburb full of houses where that stadium once stood. It was never filled with any young people praying or worshipping.

So what’s up with that?

Again, I say that God used my prayers to shape me for His answers. Paul says that we only see, speak and prophesy in part, but one day we will know the fullness! Again, He says that the goal of our growth is to reach maturity and the fullness of Christ.

My prayers for Fiji got me to commit to preparing for ministry, they got me to leave my home and family, they got me to Australia, they got me married to an Island Princess! I can see how God used that time of prayer to change my view on many things and to ultimately count the cost of following Him as He was calling me.

My prayers for the youth generation of Australia birthed in me, a vision for the future of the Church and this Nation, a desire to rescue a lost generation, a willingness to pray and intercede for things that are beyond me being able to accomplish alone, a Kingdom mindset was forged in me. I learnt obedience to fulfil a promise (vow) I had made, how to follow through and not give up.

These lessons have proven to be invaluable in my current assignment. The words from Isaiah 55 come to mind, about how God’s ways are so much more involved and strategic and intricate, than any ways I could see or make up.

So when my prayers seem to go unanswered, or when I can’t seem to lift a prayer burden, or when I am tired of repeating the same prayers many years down the track (I have been praying one scripture passage for 6 years now…), I am reminded of this fact:

God is using my prayers, to shape me, for His answers!

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The New Move of the Holy Spirit

Posted on May 10, 2011 by admin

“…Coming to a Church near you!”

I desire a fresh move of God in my life, Church, City and Nation. I believe this is God’s desire too. I know that every new move of God differs from the past moves, so we can never put God in our little box of limited understanding, He’s far too great for that!

I do, however, believe that we can be conscious and cooperate with God on some level of combined faith and understanding. One of the things I am certain of, is that God is restoring the fullness of the ministry of the Apostle to His Church. So much of what we will refer to about this move of God one day, will carry the term “Apostolic”. I say this in faith and with some understanding.

God tells us to ask Him and that He will answer us. I have asked the Lord to show me what the new move, the outbreak of the Holy Spirit will look like, what will characterise it, and I believe that this is what He has shown me:

1. Apostolic Power (for more detail see previous article “Whatever happened to our Power?”) Essentially, in the coming days, we will see a return to prayer, an emphasis on the Church being known as a House of Prayer for all nations. That means that prayer on all of it’s levels (personal prayer, corporate prayer, intercession, fasting) will be exercised, taught, encouraged, promoted, etc.

If we are to recover our power, we must rediscover our prayer. Prayer will no longer be the optional meeting that the blue-haired brigade champion for us (Praise God for these Mother’s and Father’s in the faith, who have kept the flames of prayer burning for generations!).

2. Apostolic Relationship

That God is the God of Covenant Relationship is an indisputable fact. That we are to be identified as His Disciples by our loving relationships are the very words of God. As we mature, we will find the Holy Spirit leading us into divinely connected relationships. These relationships will be used by God to not only grow and bless us personally, but to model to this very broken and dysfunctional world, what a loving family looks like.

Unless and until the Church becomes a safe place for the world to learn how to live in love, the world will continue to settle for living in lust, selfishness, isolation, un-forgiveness, bitterness and brokenness.

To provide such a place, the Church will need to master humility, honour, submission, sacrifice, generosity, patience, kindness and forgiveness. The Church is going to have to grow up, fast! Nothing reveals our maturity quite as clearly as do our relationships, or lack thereof.

I believe that this is going to require a sovereign move of the Holy Spirit that we must cooperate with, in order to see the fulness of the outpouring we all desire so desperately!

3. Apostolic Order

Acknowledging, accepting and affirming the restoration of Apostolic Ministry is key to unlocking this coming move of God. This is about getting the foundations right, so that whatever is built, is built to last!

There has been a shaking and more is to come, in the House of God, as the Holy Spirit restores God’s order to His House. This is about getting the right people, in the right place, at the right time. All three of these factors are critical on their own, but working together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they are going to produce the most significant change in the Body of Christ, since the birth of the Church in the book of Acts.

The first Church (Acts) was the starting point, but for many Christians this is viewed as the high point of Christian living. But if we go back to the starting point, back to God’s order (see Ephesians 4:11 – 13), then the fullness of Christ becomes the new ceiling – actually no limits at all – that we can aspire to!

Yes, this is my desire, this is my prayer! Come Holy Spirit! Come with Power, Love and Order, to bring glory to our God!


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