Despite man’s advancement in many areas, human relationships continue to present problems all over the world. Business concerns and agencies spend huge sums employing personnel to promote harmony among workers. Well, one might think it is understandable that self-centred, unconverted people find it difficult to get along with each other, but surely when people are born-again and have become new creatures in Christ, such problems can never arise. For, after all, when God is the center of one’s life and service, what possible room can there be for the petty problems that besiege others?

Yet, sadly, no proof is needed of the fact that Christians fight and quarrel with each other, all over the world. Many are not even on speaking terms with some of their fellow-Christians; some cannot even stand the sight of certain other Christians. The Name of God continues to be disgraced in the world by the behaviour of professing believers. Jesus said that the world would identify His disciples by their intense love for one another. This was – generally speaking – literally fulfilled in the first two centuries of the Christian era. The world looked at the Christians with amazement then, and exclaimed, “Behold how these Christians love one another!” Today, the story is different and the world often says, “Behold how these Christians hate one another!”

Relationships are indeed most important. Gifts, talents, methods, techniques, programmes and finances are all secondary to people and to inter-personal relationships. The church can fulfil her God-ordained function as the light of the world only when there is true Christian fellowship among her members. Likewise, an individual believer can become a minister of life to others only when he himself has learned to live according to the law of love with his fellow-Christians.

The Bible plainly and repeatedly teaches that no Christian can have fellowship with God without fellowshipping with other believers. You cannot walk with God if you do not walk in love with your fellow-believer. The cross on which Jesus died had two planks – a vertical one and a horizontal one: Jesus came to bring peace not only between man and God (vertically) but also between man and man (horizontally). The vertical and the horizontal relationships go hand in hand. You cannot have the former if you ignore the latter.

John, the apostle of love, has some very strong words to say on this matter. One of the evidences, he says, of genuine conversion is that a man begins to love his fellow-Christians. If a man does not have this love, it is a sure indication that his conversion is spurious and that he is heading for eternal death (1 John 3:14). Doctrinal correctness was not the only test that the apostles applied to ascertain where a man stood in relation to God. Later on in the same letter, John says that if a man claims that he loves God while hating his brother, he is a liar. Mark that! The proper name for such a man is not “believer”, but rather, “liar”! And John’s logic is irresistible. He says a brother is visible whereas God is invisible. If you cannot love the visible, it is impossible to love the invisible. (1 Jn. 4:20).

Now compare this with the experience of most “believers.” Love for God is usually assessed in terms of busy activity in Christian work or in terms of rapturous feelings of delight experienced in a meeting. These can be most deceptive. I have come across believers who are out of fellowship with other Christians, who testify nevertheless to “wonderful times of prayer” and to “amazing results in service.” How could they possibly be walking with God when they have not even made an effort to settle matters with other members of God’s family against whom they have a grudge? Surely Satan has blinded their minds to the truth of Scripture!

Often, we do not realise what we deprive ourselves of, when fellowship is broken with other believers. The Bible tells us that we can discover the breadth, length, depth and height of Christ’s love and be filled with all the fullness of God only along “with all the saints” (Eph. 3:17-19). It is only as we know the reality of fellowship with the believers God places us with, that we shall be able to enter into an experiential understanding of the love of Christ and of the fullness of God.

The one – no matter the level of anointing, who cuts himself off from any fellow-Christian ( no matter how high or low in hierarchy), even for perhaps so called good reasons, thereby deprives himself of the experience of Christ’s love and grace which could have been his through that person. When we fail to live by the law of love, we rob ourselves of some of Christ’s riches and some of God’s fullness

Adapted from article by Zac Poonen

 I Kings 18[44]  And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot , and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. [45]  And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.

Dear friend, that which has caused your confusion, blurred vision, despair and even sometimes ingratitude to God, murmurings and unforgiveness can be likened to a growing cloud.  A fast growing situation that seemed to get darker and more frustrating. For some it is a loneliness cloud or a family cloud, for others it is a scandal cloud and even worse for some a bereavement cloud.  Many seem to be under health-related clouds and others have found themselves in finance clouds.  For others, prayers and time seem to have cleared the clouds when still small …while yours seemed to get darker and larger and now looms pitch black.

Proverbs 16:15 says  “ … his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain”  …but what favour can be latent in growing clouds… I have adapted a story recently read to illustrate this …

“ A man, born in a small town, migrated from the town to a nearby city hundreds of miles away, and lived in the city for several decades.  One day, he told his grandson who had never been to this town, he would want him to see the house grandpa was born.  They embarked on a journey which started very well on a modern and smooth wide road, and his son chatted happily with grandpa in the public bus …laughing and enjoying the scenery, stopping for refreshments at a nearby restaurant.  Soon they arrived at a bus park … “we must walk now, it’s not far – under an hour or so” …Grandpa, took his nervous grandson who could not see any road but a rough dusty path which seemed to be leading nowhere.  “ Are you sure, Grandpa …surely this cannot lead anywhere?” ..as they travelled on the path, the road seemed to get narrower and all that could be seen was dark forest and skies now black – covered by huge trees.  Now the younger boy clings very nervously “shouldn’t we be turning back?” and then suddenly they could see an open field and they had arrived at the beautiful small town …”

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  The shepherd of our soul who guides us through all the issues of life to our eternal home from which He came.  If only we would cling to Him all the time and not just when the dark clouds come.  We cannot learn as well when we are distracted and preoccupied with pleasures and our eyes on trivial pursuits.

Psalm 119[71]  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

The Bible reminds us that all we call afflictions are light.  The time of great rain came as Ahab was told to go and “Prepare …” A Great Rain requires preparations … I need to learn afresh to steward the downpour from open heavens as God intended.   I need to learn to get my seed ready and understand afresh the principles of sowing as the ground will again receive the rain from heaven.  How must I be ready for the coming revival? What we need most before times of great blessings are times of intensive tutoring at the feet of the master.  Indeed the greater the rain, the greater and darker the cloud needs to be.  Soon the heavens will open, again.

Another story.  In 1773, William Cowper, became insane, imagining not only that he was condemned to hell eternally, but that God was commanding him to take his own life. After a year or so, he began again to recover. The last hymn Cow­per ev­er wrote was “God moves in a mysterious way”

Cow­per who oft­en strug­gled with de­press­ion and doubt, one night de­cid­ed to com­mit su­i­cide by drown­ing him­self. He called a cab and told the driv­er to take him to the Thames Riv­er. How­ev­er, a thick fog came down and pre­vent­ed them from find­ing the riv­er and after driv­ing around lost for a while, the cab­by fin­al­ly stopped and let Cow­per out. To Cowper’s sur­prise, he found him­self on his own door­step: God had sent the fog to preserve him from death. Even in our darkest mo­ments, God watch­es over us as Cowper writes in the famous hymn …

God moves in a mysterious way –His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea – and rides upon the storm.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break – in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.

Do not despair at the sight of the black clouds that has enveloped nations, the church, families, businesses and even individuals.  It is an unusual act of preservation and an opportunity to rediscover the source of our strength, God – and to be prepared so we can be used to steward His favour and coming showers. The clouds are to preserve us … also helping us to recognise and repent of our selfishness, self reliance, human limitations and idols hampering the coming great revival.  Painful experiences and uncertain cloudy periods that lead us to cling closer to Jesus are great and necessary acts of divine providence as we approach final laps of history and the ushering of the greatest Holy Ghost revivals ever seen.

Much has been written about a recent trend of “successful” and perhaps more entrepreneurial pastors expanding their reach to bless a wider group through books, talking tours and nationwide conferences. Many say it may not be God asking them to separate for as long as they do from the assembly in the local church and, as seen in some scenarios, even resigning thriving pastorates to respond to the call through other ventures.

Christianity Today wrote recently in an article of many like Francis Chan, Jim Belcher, N. T. Wright and, now Rob Bell, leaving local church pastorates, some of which were churches they themselves had planted for what seems like more lucrative full-time conference and book ministry.  It would appear that the local pastorate can provide an excellent platform that paves way for a broader more exciting and financially rewarding foray that does not require the tough ethical and doctrinal accountabilities (hassles) shepherding demands of the weary pastor whether in a small church or as part of a larger denomination. The sheep need a pastor to see Christ in and mentoring to maturity.  As pastors leave, what happens to the sheep of Christ.  Who will visit the unlovable in an era of do-it-yourself Christianity … and who will watch day and night in prayer over the careless?

The sheep may appear to have found new online savvy but they cannot see Christ as well on a podium or on a TV screen or on a blog as when they can feel the life of their pastor in his marriage, home and in how he masters challenges and defeats demons resisting him. In reality, the sheep want to be visited, heard and encouraged sometimes when the shepherd is exhausted and close to a nervous wreck battling his own challenges.

John 21[15]  … Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. [16]  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [17]  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus spoke to Simon Peter and asked if he loved Him more than “these”. “These” would be fame, money, acclaim, ease, comforts, lofty personal aspirations and agenda.  If the answer is yes, then go and carry and feed the young silly sheep (lambs) and also their older sometimes unpredictable prickly parents. Christ needs those who love Him to pastor the sheep where He sends them – and remain there.

Pastoring as Christ ordained cannot be as thrilling as many would want it to be otherwise Christ will not repeat himself in three different sentences that the evidence of love for Him will be the patient duty of carrying the weak and rescuing the undeserving perishing. Feeding sheep includes staying awake to protect them from wolves, running to the cliffs to rescue some from falling headlong, helping to free the young unheeding lamb caught in a rough thicket, bringing out one that has fallen into a ditch, finding good pasture – leading and helping the thirsty to the quiet streams for a refreshing drink.  This will require both the rod and staff as teaching tools – not just power-point and jazzy multimedia.

The elegant and sophisticated Egyptians despised Shepherds and looked down at them, considering them to be the inferior of men … they typically earned the lowest wages and stayed outdoors and were smelly.

Genesis 46[34]   … for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.

The modern day shepherd has fared much better, and the pastor will have found many other pastimes on the internet, writing, touring, doing nationwide seminars – earning millions of dollars from a gift that a wider audience will pay for.  Is this not part of the call and is God  against rich and famous pastors?  Surely not.

Sheep in recent times have also become more risky to handle, and many wolves in sheep clothing have devoured not just other sheep but less discerning shepherds … and some may ask in their low moments – am I called to this.  Christ does not ask everyone to feed His sheep, only those who have been given the rare grace to love Him more than “these”.

Or perhaps Christ should have said  “Feed my lamb, feed  my sheep…and feed yourself”

( Published in The Christian Post )

Zac Poonen

In Zechariah 2:5 The Lord says: “I Myself will be a wall of fire round about Jerusalem (the church).” The church does not have any earthly, denominational walls. You can’t come inside it by signing a doctrinal statement. Everyone has to come through that wall of fire if he is to become a part of the true church. That fire will burn up all his earthly ambitions and his desire to live for himself. Only then can he become a part of the Body of Christ.

Picture a city surrounded by a wall of fire. How can you enter that city? Only by going through the wall of fire. Everything that can be burnt will be burnt up by God as you enter through that wall. Only what cannot be burnt will go through the fire. “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb.12:29). “Who can dwell with the consuming fire?” (Isa.33:14).

Preachers, through the years, have thrown water on that fire and quenched it so that nowadays anyone can walk in and join the church, while still retaining all their worldly ideas, their worldly ambitions and their love of the world. You can be certain that God is not in such a church, because wherever He dwells, He will be a wall of fire around that church.

And then God goes on to say, “I will be the glory in the midst of it.” If you want the glory of God to be in your church, then you must allow Him to be a wall of fire around your church. The two go together. If you say that God’s standards are too high and you throw water on the fire, then God’s glory will not be in your church either. When the wall of fire goes away, the glory goes away too. Doctrine is important. But no doctrine can be a wall of fire. God Himself has to be the wall of fire. The most important thing in a church is not right doctrine but the glory of God. If that is there, right doctrine will follow. If that is not there, mere rightness of doctrine is useless.

“Come away from Babylon. Escape to Jerusalem” (2:6,7). What a word that is! We need to proclaim it to God’s people even today! Every believer has to make a choice to come out of Babylon. God will not catch anyone by the scruff of his neck and pull him out. The responsibility is the individual’s. You have to make that decision. But personally speaking, I never want to be part of any religious system that does not honour God and His Word. I want to be with the wholehearted people of God who are gathered within a wall of fire having the glory of God in their midst.

If you are seeking to build a church, then build a church like this. Any other type of church is useless. But you have to pay a price to build a church like this. You can’t just imitate a pattern that you have seen somewhere and try and reproduce that. God has to burn up everything that can be burnt up in your life first, before you can build a church that pleases Him. So make sure that every earthly ambition in you is burnt up. Make sure that you don’t love anything that God does not love, and that you hate everything that God Then you can be a man/woman whom God uses to build His church.

⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”  Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” ⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”  Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” – Acts 9:5-6, NKJV

Every child grows up to face that one ultimate question: “What would you like to be in life”? The answer to that question is never blowing in the wind; it is often shaped by our socio-cultural environment – family traditions, our child-hood heroes and the friends we make. Today however, such values are largely shaped by the global culture – internet and the media. Be that as it may, we are often driven by the pursuit of our dreams of happiness – our ambitions.

Growing up initially in a rural community of farmers and fishermen, my ambition was simple and cast – own the largest orchard, the largest fishing boat and the largest farm in the community. That ambition changed when I moved to live with my uncle in a more cosmopolitan setting; we lived opposite the magistrate court and High school. And as I watched lawyers, policemen and teachers go about their work daily, my ambition oscillated between being a lawyer, a policeman or just a school teacher.  By the time I got to College, I gave up those “childish” ambitions; I had come across a number of politicians and public figures, I caught a glimpse of the potential of power – to shape communities or my personal circumstances. My one desire thus became to be a politician.

An ambition is simply a dream and an aspiration of what we desire to be and do in life. And we all do have ambitions that drive us. There is nothing wrong with ambition. Even after we might have come to acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and saviour, such ambitions could still be a driving force behind our spirituality.  We could live our Christian lives simply seeking to use our new found relationship with God, and position in Christ, to actualize our previous ambitions. That is precisely what idolatry and paganism is all about – seeking to use the divine for our mundane desires.

An encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ often jeopardizes our ambitions because, in Christ Jesus, God calls us to submission. He calls us to surrender our ambitions, often so little and self-centred, to embrace His eternal purposes for our lives. Like Paul, we find out that it is not enough just to be purpose or mission driven; the Lord Jesus must be the sole determinant of that purpose and mission. Paul’s mission statement could have read: “to wipe out any trace of Christianity and enthrone Judaism as the one world religion for all peoples”. But all that changed when the Lord Jesus encountered him; read his new mission statement:

^“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ…” – Philippians 3:8-9

Ambitions are not only natural, they could be spiritual. As believers in Christ, we often have god desires of what we would like to “do for God”. But ministry is not a matter of spiritual ambition – what we would like to do for God; it is a matter of submission to what the Lord want us to do for Him.

Living, out our ambitions simply leads to self-actualization; in Christ Jesus however, we are called to live out God’s dreams and purposes; that calls for submission. What will He have you do…

buti Sam KPUTU is your brother. He has a passion for the Lord, His word and His world. His desire is to see God’s word’s taught simply, believed entirely, lived practically and shared powerfully by God’s people to as many in God’s world that are yet without the basic truth of the word.

Sin will conquer great military generals and presidents with fear, hatred, anger and ambition as they go pursuing conquests that only lead them to a Christ-less eternity.  Other mighty generals, fine brilliant officers and political leaders will be conquered by women or worse teenage boys  … sent speedily to hell.  Others considered by many as great will so routinely be conquered by alcohol consumption and drugs …these being their specially assigned slave masters.

Sin has no regard for anyone.  Sin is smarter than the most intelligent professor or scientist and wiser than our wisest and most brilliant men and women. The great commanders and builders of mighty empires have been known to succumb so easily.  Celebrities acclaimed worldwide did not stand a chance when faced by sin – conquered by lusts for shoes, handbags and clothes.  Medical doctors have been conquered by smoking;  business men so easily defeated by greed and strife.  Satan has his prisoners of war.  He conquers by fair words and friendship and an array of pleasant baits.  Our pleasure is its primary and chief target.

Some celebrities – so talented and gifted – yet easily conquered by sex, alcohol, drugs and other sources of momentary pleasure.  Others are defeated by fashion and a decadent culture…so many chained by vanity.  Great minds and academics are slain so easily…as they loose all their wisdom to its baits. Others have fallen to pride.   Even great business and academic consultants and thought leaders are not spared.  On the issue of sin, they must seek consultation to survive its audacious attacks.  Sin is not afraid of the church…indeed it loves to invade the church.  The church is the only place with the cure for sin through our Lord Jesus – yet sin is bold to ravage the church…dragging millions to hell.  It is as comfortable on the pulpit as in the darkest coven…it fears no bishop, senior pastor or prayer leader.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a sect that was very strict.  He was a ruler of the Jews, the special people of God.  Yet he knew he was caught in the web of sin.  He prayed long prayers, gave money to the poor…yet still captured by sin.  Nicodemus ran to Jesus…the only one who can address sin.

Bishops, pastors, evangelists are not exempted.  Sin does not respect titles or accolades…be it an archbishop or a pope or a Church Leader… large denominations, small and mega-churches do not scare him.  All these mean nothing to sin.   There are specially fashioned baits for them.

John 3[3]  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4]  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? [5]  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus offers a heart transplant.  All who desire to be free from the clutches of sin must come to Jesus. He would remove the nature that loves to sin and plant His own nature.  Romans 3:23 declares that all have been conquered by sin, but the gift of God is eternal life…and the wages of sin is death.

Death means a separation from God – a Christ-less eternity in hell… a future of unimaginable horror.  The best news is that salvation is free…why don’t you swallow your pride and acknowledge your sin that imprisons you and accept that you cannot save yourself.  Call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save you and He will, no matter how long you have been captured.  You could have committed murder, or be involved in the occult.  Jesus will still receive and deliver you.

The Lord Jesus took captivity captive and set the captives free.  He captured Satan; He not only set us free from Satan’s clutches but also makes us family members, brothers and sisters of the Prince of Peace.  Jesus does not conquer us by force but by love and our voluntary surrender.  We are promoted to heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.  It is not the will of God that the recession or the best of times should cause you to perish but that you be saved.  May God have mercy on us all. Do pray this prayer if you will.

Heavenly Father, have mercy on me.  I have been enslaved by sin.  I believe your Son Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary, shed His precious blood so that my sins can be forgiven.  I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.  Thank you for saving me in Jesus Name. Amen.

Bode Ososami releases his 3rd book in early December –The Majesty of God.This book delves into the glory of God and takes a glimpse into the majestic throne room to reveal a greatness that is often misrepresented due to limitation of words to describe the indescribable or completely obscured by deliberate attempts to introduce God as the old comical wise man high up somewhere – weary, exhausted and increasingly outwitted by the modern mind.

Matthew Owojaiye who co-authored this article is Chairman — Northern States (of Nigeria) Christian Elders Forum — NOSCEF, oversees the Food for the Total Man Ministry — The Jesus Embassy : 3, Broadcasting Road, P.O.Box 5127, Kaduna, Nigeria.

(Originally published in The Christian Post)

God bless you…Also enjoy this message on ” Making Disciples” by Gbile Akanni

2 Corinthians 8[20] [For] we are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution. [21] For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. (amp)

I found an example of such standards in the ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) – 440 West Jubal Early Drive, Suite 130 • Winchester, VA 22601 with the mission to help Christ-centred organizations earn the public’s trust through developing, maintaining accountability standards and God-honouring ethical practices. I have only highly summarised the Seven ECFA Standards of responsible stewardship only to illustrate an example of vision on how faith institutions ( adapted for Churches/faith groups) can be the light and salt in handling money matters and responsibly stewarding the significant amounts contributed daily. Perhaps someday this will no more be optional.

Standard 1 – Doctrinal Statement – Churches/faith groups etc shall subscribe to a written statement of faith clearly affirming its commitment to the Christian faith and shall conduct its financial and other operations in a manner which reflects those generally accepted biblical truths and practices.

Standard 2 – Board of Directors and Financial Oversight – Churches/faith groups shall be governed by a responsible board of not less than five individuals, a majority of whom shall be independent, which shall meet at least semi-annually to establish policy and review its accomplishments. The board or a committee consisting of a majority of independent members shall review the annual financial statements and maintain direct communication between the board and the independent certified public accountants.

Standard 3 – Financial Statements – Each Church/faith group is required to submit complete and accurate financial statements.

Standard 4 – Use of Resources – Churches/faith groups shall exercise the management and financial controls necessary to provide reasonable assurance that all resources are used in conformity with applicable federal and state laws and regulations to accomplish the exempt purposes for which they are intended.

Standard 5 – Financial Disclosure – Churches/faith groups shall provide a copy of its current financial statements upon written request and provide other disclosures as the law may require. The financial statements required to comply with Standard 3 must be disclosed under this Standard. They must provide a report, on written request, including financial information, on any specific project for which it is soliciting gifts.

Standard 6 – Conflicts of Interest – Every Churches/faith group shall avoid conflicts of interest. Transactions with related parties may be undertaken only if all of the following are observed:

• a material transaction is fully disclosed in the audited financial statements of the Churches/faith group;
• the related party is excluded from the discussion and approval of such transaction;
• a competitive bid or comparable valuation exists; and the board has acted upon and demonstrated that the transaction is in the best interest of the Churches/faith group.

Standard 7 – Fundraising – Every member (Churches/faith group )shall comply with each of the ECFA Standards for fundraising:

7.1 Truthfulness in Communication: All representations of fact, description of the financial condition of the Church, or narrative about events must be current, complete, and accurate. References to past activities or events must be appropriately dated. There must be no material omissions or exaggerations of fact or use of misleading photographs or any other communication which would tend to create a false impression or misunderstanding.

7.2 Communication and Donor Expectations: Fundraising appeals must not create unrealistic donor expectations of what a donor’s gift will actually accomplish within the limits of the Church ministry.

7.3 Communication and Donor Intent: All statements made in fundraising appeals about the use of the gift must be honoured. The donor’s intent is related both to what was communicated in the appeal and to any donor instructions accompanying the gift. The Church should be aware that communications made in fundraising appeals may create a legally binding restriction.

7.4 Projects Unrelated to a Ministry’s Primary Purpose: A member raising or receiving funds for programs that are not part of its present or prospective ministry, but are proper in accordance with its exempt purpose, must either treat them as restricted funds and channel them through an organization that can carry out the donor’s intent or return the funds to the donor.

7.5 Incentives and Premiums: Members making fundraising appeals which, in exchange for a contribution, offer premiums or incentives (the value of which is not insubstantial, but is significant in relation to the amount of the donation) must advise the donor of the fair market value of the premium or incentive and that the value is not deductible for tax purposes.

7.6 Financial Advice: The representative of the member, when dealing with persons regarding commitments on major estate assets, must seek to guide and advise donors so they have adequately considered the broad interests of the family and the various ministries they are currently supporting before they make final decisions. Donors should be encouraged to use the services of their attorneys, accountants, or other professional advisors.

7.7 Percentage Compensation for Fundraisers: Compensation of outside fundraising consultants or a member’s own employees based directly or indirectly on a percentage of charitable contributions raised is not allowed.

7.8 Tax-deductible Gifts for a Named Recipient’s Personal Benefit: Tax-deductible gifts may not be used to pass money or benefits to any named individual for personal use.

7.9 Conflict of Interest on Royalties: An officer, director, or other principal of the member must not receive royalties for any product that the member uses for fundraising or promotional purposes.

7.10 Acknowledgment of Gifts-in-Kind: Property or gifts-in-kind received by a member should be acknowledged describing the property or gift accurately without a statement of the gift’s market value. It is the responsibility of the donor to determine the fair market value of the property for tax purposes. The member may be required to provide additional information for gifts of motor vehicles, boats, and airplanes.

7.11 Acting in the Interest of the Donor: A member must make every effort to avoid accepting a gift from or entering into a contract with a prospective donor which would knowingly place a hardship on the donor, or place the donor’s future wellbeing in jeopardy.

For more information on ECFA standards

(Published in the Christian Post)

The term hypocrite came from the world of Greek drama. It was used to describe the masks that the players used to dramatize certain roles. Even today, the theatre is symbolized by the twin masks of comedy and tragedy. In antiquity, certain players played more than one role, and they indicated their role by holding a mask in front of their face. That’s the origin of the concept of hypocrisy.

But the charge that the church is full of hypocrites is manifestly false. Though no Christian achieves the full measure of sanctification in this life, that we all struggle with ongoing sin does not justly yield the verdict of hypocrisy. A hypocrite is someone who does things he claims he does not do. Outside observers of the Christian church see people who profess to be Christians and observe that they sin. Since they see sin in the lives of Christians, they rush to the judgment that therefore these people are hypocrites. If a person claims to be without sin and then demonstrates sin, surely that person is a hypocrite. But for a Christian simply to demonstrate that he is a sinner does not convict him of hypocrisy.

The inverted logic goes something like this: All hypocrites are sinners. John is a sinner; therefore, John is a hypocrite. Anyone who knows the laws of logic knows that this syllogism is not valid. If we would simply change the charge from “the church is full of hypocrites” to “the church is full of sinners,” we would be quick to plead guilty. The church is the only institution I know of that requires an admission of being a sinner in order to be a member. The church is filled with sinners because the church is the place where sinners who confess their sins come to find redemption from their sins. So in this sense, simply because the church is filled with sinners does not justify the conclusion that the church is filled with hypocrites. Again, all hypocrisy is sin, but not all sin is the sin of hypocrisy.

When we look at the problem of hypocrisy in the New Testament era, we see it most clearly displayed in the lives of those who claimed to be the most righteous. The Pharisees were a group of people who by definition saw themselves as separated from the normal sinfulness of the masses. They began well, seeking a life of devoted godliness and submission to the law of God. However, when their behavior failed to reach their ideals, they began to engage in pretense. They pretended they were more righteous than they were. They gave an outward facade of righteousness, which merely served to conceal a radical corruption in their lives.

Though the church is not filled with hypocrites, there is no denying that hypocrisy is a sin that is not limited or restricted to New Testament Pharisees. It is a sin with which Christians must grapple. A high standard of spiritual and righteous behavior has been set for the church. We often are embarrassed by our failures to reach these high goals and are inclined to pretend that we have reached a higher plateau of righteousness than we’ve actually attained. When we do that, we put on the mask of the hypocrite and come under the judgment of God for that particular sin. When we find ourselves enmeshed in this type of pretense, an alarm bell should go off in our brains that we need to rush back to the cross and to Christ and to understand where our true righteousness resides. We have to find in Christ, not a mask that conceals our face, but an entire wardrobe of clothing, which is His righteousness. Indeed, it is only under the guise of the righteousness of Christ, received by faith, that any of us can ever have a hope of standing before a holy God. To wear the garments of Christ in faith is not an act of hypocrisy. It is an act of redemption.

Dr. R.C. Sproul is founder and president of Ligonier Ministries and president of Ligonier Academy.  He is the author of the expositional commentaries on Romans and John.

What we need are fewer revolutionaries and a few more plodding visionaries. That’s my dream for the church — a multitude of faithful, risktaking plodders. The best churches are full of gospel-saturated people holding tenaciously to a vision of godly obedience and God’s glory, and pursuing that godliness and glory with relentless, often unnoticed, plodding consistency.

My generation in particular is prone to radicalism without followthrough. We have dreams of changing the world, and the world should take notice accordingly. But we’ve not proved faithful in much of anything yet. We haven’t held a steady job or raised godly kids or done our time in VBS or, in some cases, even moved off the parental dole. We want global change and expect a few more dollars to the ONE campaign or Habitat for Humanity chapter to just about wrap things up. What the church and the world needs, we imagine, is for us to be another Bono — Christian, but more spiritual than religious and more into social justice than the church. As great as it is that Bono is using his fame for some noble purpose, I just don’t believe that the happy future of the church, or the world for that matter, rests on our ability to raise up a million more Bonos (as at least one author suggests). With all due respect, what’s harder: to be an idolized rock star who travels around the world touting good causes and chiding governments for their lack of foreign aid, or to be a line worker at GM with four kids and a mortgage, who tithes to his church, sings in the choir every week, serves on the school board, and supports a Christian relief agency and a few missionaries from his disposable income?

Until we are content with being one of the million nameless, faceless church members and not the next globe-trotting rock star, we aren’t ready to be a part of the church. In the grand scheme of things, most of us are going to be more of an Ampliatus (Rom. 16:8) or Phlegon (v. 14) than an apostle Paul. And maybe that’s why so many Christians are getting tired of the church. We haven’t learned how to be part of the crowd. We haven’t learned to be ordinary. Our jobs are often mundane. Our devotional times often seem like a waste. Church services are often forgettable. That’s life. We drive to the same places, go through the same routines with the kids, buy the same groceries at the store, and share a bed with the same person every night. Church is often the same too — same doctrines, same basic order of worship, same preacher, same people. But in all the smallness and sameness, God works — like the smallest seed in the garden growing to unbelievable heights, like beloved Tychicus, that faithful minister, delivering the mail and apostolic greetings (Eph. 6:21). Life is usually pretty ordinary, just like following Jesus most days. Daily discipleship is not a new revolution each morning or an agent of global transformation every evening; it’s a long obedience in the same direction.

It’s possible the church needs to change. Certainly in some areas it does. But it’s also possible we’ve changed — and not for the better. It’s possible we no longer find joy in so great a salvation. It’s possible that our boredom has less to do with the church, its doctrines, or its poor leadership and more to do with our unwillingness to tolerate imperfection in others and our own coldness to the same old message about Christ’s death and resurrection. It’s possible we talk a lot about authentic community but we aren’t willing to live in it.

The church is not an incidental part of God’s plan. Jesus didn’t invite people to join an anti-religion, anti-doctrine, anti-institutional bandwagon of love, harmony, and re-integration. He showed people how to live, to be sure. But He also called them to repent, called them to faith, called them out of the world, and called them into the church. The Lord “didn’t add them to the church without saving them, and he didn’t save them without adding them to the church” (John Stott).

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7). If we truly love the church, we will bear with her in her failings, endure her struggles, believe her to be the beloved bride of Christ, and hope for her final glorification. The church is the hope of the world — not because she gets it all right, but because she is a body with Christ for her Head.

Don’t give up on the church. The New Testament knows nothing of churchless Christianity. The invisible church is for invisible Christians. The visible church is for you and me. Put away the Che Guevara t-shirts, stop the revolution, and join the rest of the plodders. Fifty years from now you’ll be glad you did.

Originally posted in Tabletalk Magazine by Rev. Kevin De Young.

Rev. Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, and president of RCA Integrity. He is also co-author of Why We Love the Church.

Discipleship is the proper monitoring and helping the individual to grow to maturity in ability and accountability in a specific or general area of calling.

Influence through the Church can be on the family.  It could be to influence parents and siblings or husband, wife and children for God. It could just be influence to demonstrate, in a world in need of a model, what is the best husband or wife – as God wants them to be.

Influence in the work place is to be found diligent, trustworthy, faithful and capable thus becoming an asset to the company at the same time ministering to others – counselling and winning souls.  Those we influence in turn influence others so the believers as salt reduce societal decay…and we as light cause the nation to shine brighter and brighter.  Influence can also be in our career as nurses, doctors, pharmacists, engineers, accountants, etc, thereby keeping to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.  These areas also serve to win souls for the king.

Church influence

As we grow spiritually, displaying the beauty of Jesus, we influence others in the Church.  As we display the character of Jesus, others are encouraged.  As we flow in the gifts of the Spirit others benefit thereby.  The members would also be influenced to blossom causing a ripple effect that lead to an explosive revolution. We also impact ethics and character by resisting wrong environmental influences.  Numerical growth should lead to evangelism and missions and a better base to make a positive impact in a dark society.

Factors that influence spiritual growth include the following:

1. Study of the word of God.  Prayer being communion with God
2. Exercising of our faith and confidence in God
3. Communion with God and learning to obey God and be a living sacrifice

Problems and crises can be the beginning of growth for a minister. Recognizing weakness and going to God can be the beginning of growth.  Crises can cause us to listen to God again and thereby grow.  Other people exerting positive influence of comfort, encouragement and empathy in times of crises would be most crucial.

Our response to weakness in others may be a measure of our personal growth.  Our ability to take care of both the strong and the weak brethren could be very crucial. Spiritual growth also comes from self denial, ability to die to self and pursuing the good of the kingdom instead of our selfish, petty and ambitious visions of grandeur…

In recent times so much has been written and observed about lapses in the Church – either as denominations or a small fellowship led by an individual …and many meant well but only have become a weakness to the body rather than a witness…others mock at her conflicts and inconsistencies offering a different balm.  Those that have been stung in conflicts create new movements in prideful action as though bad hearts are cured by new organisation constructs and the rest simply sit in a cynical pose on the fence… even as the more articulate help the enemy tear down that which remains though already weakened and faltering with mixed doctrines, doubts and a well focused and deliberate onslaught by the world, evil and satan’s hosts.

The Prophet Isaiah when saw the Lord said In Isaiah 6[5]  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. [6]  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: [7]  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. [8]  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

It all starts with my own personal repentance … but who in the body will say “Woe is me”  or inspire others to do same?… God did it for the Prophet Isaiah.

You may wonder who this post relates to … and like David be quizzed at the intent and direction of my conclusion …The Prophet Nathan put David out of his agony…

2 Samuel 12 [7] And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; [8]  And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. [9]  Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight?

Matthew 16:18 [18]  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus has always been building His Church and never once did He promise to build ours.

Why was David moved to repentance or Isaiah moved to cry out  – while others would have continued with “business as usual” ?  May I find from God the kind of grace that will single me out for an uncommon repentance experience…

God bless You.

Bode

John 12[4]  But Judas Iscariot, the one of His disciples who was about to betray Him, said, [5]  Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii [a year's wages for an ordinary workman] and that [money] given to the poor (the destitute)? [6] Now he did not say this because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief; and having the bag (the money box, the purse of the Twelve), he took for himself what was put into it [pilfering the collections](Amp)

Romans 8[28]  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Have you ever woken up to discover funds kept in your care has been lost … gradually and systematically diverted ?  Indeed you are a man of prayer but you also blame yourself for ignoring available wisdom on controls that would have prevented losses under your stewardship.  Often as Christians we avoid issues as this and instead of also building “adequate processes” that protect against diversions we are perhaps rightly focused to build “strong men (and women)” but still vulnerable to “Judas Iscariot”  on an undisturbed mission amazed at our trusting  ”carelessness”.

A man of God once said the protection of a true church is in the genuine fellowship and interdependence of the body of integrated members and it’s not about size.  The healthy hands even in a small body can protect the face from an attack, just as the nimble feet can protect the body by immediate motion…but a large heavily built man with sluggish hands and feet not aligned with the body or in conflict with it is extremely at risk.  True fellowship and unity amongst members are a great protection.  May we be one – indeed. Amen.   But whether there is unity or not -  keep your focus always on your father the King of kings. 

This blog post is perhaps more down to earth to demonstrate some very basic  internal control principles to at least consider especially if you find yourself in a custodial role even as you leverage accounting help available in the body.   Do not wait to be stung before you wake up.  If you are too spiritual to understand these things … you are perhaps too spiritual to have very large sums of money in your care.  I may mean well but can end up corrupting people with temptations they are not prepared to deal with …or surround myself with cracks the enemy will love to leverage to cause reproach and distractions.

• Segregation of dutiesrequires that different individuals be assigned responsibility for different elements of related activities, particularly those involving authorization, custody, or record-keeping. For example, the same person who is responsible for an asset’s record-keeping should not be responsible for physical control of that asset. Having different individuals perform these functions creates a system of checks and balances.  Segregate roles properly – do not allow one super trusted person to handle all your accounting/money related roles and transactions from beginning to end.
• Proper authorization of transactions and activities helps ensure that all activities adhere to established guidelines unless responsible managers authorize another course of action. Establish and implement simple guidelines that will protect resources in your stewardship.
• Adequate documents and recordsprovide evidence that financial statements are accurate. Controls designed to ensure adequate record-keeping include the creation of invoices and other documents that are easy to use and sufficiently informative; the use of pre-numbered, consecutive documents; and the timely preparation of documents.  Embrace financial transparency – openness and completeness in financial records will one day protect you.
• Physical control over assets and records helps protect assets. These control activities may include electronic or mechanical controls (such as a safe, employee ID cards, fences, cash registers, fireproof files, and locks) or computer-related controls dealing with access privileges or established backup and recovery procedures.
• Independent checks on performance,  which are carried out by people who did not do the work being checked, help ensure the reliability of accounting information and the efficiency of operations. For example, a supervisor verifies the accuracy of all cash receipts at the end of the day. Internal auditors may also verify that the supervisor performed the check of the cash receipts. Also, you should reconcile bank records and other independent records with your local records regularly. Let your accounting role understand that you have the ability to and will regularly conduct independent checks especially to verify liquid assets.
• Qualified Personnel should fill accounting/audit roles.  Incompetence can be costly and poor accounting has resulted in reproach and issues. Regular training to update skills is important.

In not-for-profit organisations including missions and churches it needs to be admitted that risks (not necessarily reduced by anointing) will indeed be higher and additional caution is needed for the following reasons:

1. High levels of amateur or volunteer labour and part-time staff
2. Only basic internal controls are affordable and staff are not aware of legal responsibilities
3. Records tend not to be correctly maintained and only basic cash statements are prepared.
4. Leaders tend to be community supporters of the cause and not trained or qualified professionals.

The recession is not an excuse but has of course heightened pressures that produce evil workers.

Paul declared and prayed in 2 Timothy 4 [16]  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. [17]  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. [18]  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever.

May you be divinely strengthened … and may the Lord stand with you and help you that His word will continue to be preached.  And may your ministry, business and home be delivered out of devourers and preserved till the end. Keep glowing on the mission field.

At a deeper level of truth, we can gain even through all losses God permits if we endure and keep trusting Him and not our systems, skills and abilities.  All things will work out for our good.  Discovery and expulsion of Judas was not God’s plan as Judas played a crucial role to facilitate the glorification of Christ. Paul was perfected in all his experiences to be a great blessing to generations of Christians through his writings and teachings. The treachery of the brothers of Joseph only pushed him to destined greatness.

May God continue to reign in all that pertains to us and may He bless and keep us always. Be focused. Maintain your concentration.  Keep shining on. You are not a failure.  Get up – Keep beholding the King of kings. May Christ and Christ alone be glorified. Amen

Bode

RECESSION, THE ONE WORD HAS SHOT TO THE FORE OF EVERY NATION, BUSINESS AND FAMILY; and that irrespective of whether they fully understand the meaning or not. The word has come to paint a picture of pain and dread – stock crashes, business closures, job losses, income depreciation and debt burdens. Economists worldwide are caught gaping as to where they all got it wrong. And like cancer or the HIV/AIDS epidemic, no one is sure of the cure.

But quite typical of every phenomenon, it is so easy to view recession just in terms of economics; recession occurs also in the emotional and spiritual realms. After all, what is recession is not a decline in growth and output? So when, as believers, we no longer love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength; when we lose our “first love” for the Lord, we are experiencing a spiritual recession. And when our hearts no longer find joy and excitement in our relationships, especially our covenant relationships, we must be experiencing emotional recession. We need a stimulus plan, the Bible calls it REVIVAL!

There are as many causes of economic recession as there are economic theories. But recession, economic recession, wherever it occurs in the Bible days was attributable to three main things:

Scott T. Brown

Many are asking questions and seeking answers as more uncertainty about the future mounts and change still looms on the horizon. Do you desire to find truth for how to live your life?  What should churches be doing differently? Just concluding at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Kentucky was a groundbreaking conference declaring “The Sufficiency of Scripture.” Attendees had the opportunity to listen to a wide variety of messages calling our generation to live “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God… This post highlights an extract from the  Conference site and a report from The Christian Post on part of the proceedings. …

 The extract in italics below is from the site.

The Battleground

We believe that the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is the most important doctrinal battleground in the Church today with the purity of the Church, the supremacy of the gospel, the biblical family, and the survival of Christian civilization hanging in the balance. Known as “Sola Scriptura” during the reformation, this doctrine teaches that Scripture is fully adequate in both content and clarity for “everything pertaining to life (salvation) and godliness (sanctification)” including the ordering of nations, churches, and families (2 Pet. 1:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Church’s desertion of this doctrine in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries resulted in the defilement of nearly every aspect of America, the church, and the home through multiple waves of pragmatic, worldly ideas.

 Begin Repairing the Breach – Bring your Family and Church

How do you know the health of a nation? Look to the church. How do you know the health of the church? Look to the families in the church. How do you know the health of the family? Look to the vision of the fathers. Look to the relationships between husbands and wives. Look to the spirit of the children. The supremacy of Christ in the home, epitomized by the application of the sufficiency of Scripture, greatly affects the supremacy of Christ in the Church, and the supremacy of Christ in the Church greatly affects the supremacy of Christ in the nation.

 The current condition of America is a direct result of the Church rejecting the Word of God as the source of all truth and being subverted by the philosophies of the world. There can be no denying the fact that America is in crisis. The State is taking the place of God, the family, and the church. Churches don’t know what it means to be true churches. Christians don’t know what it means to follow Christ. Church members don’t know the importance of the church. Families don’t know how to be families. Men don’t know what it means to be men. Women don’t know what it means to be women. Children don’t know what it means to honor authority. This conference will call Christians back to their foundation, affirming that the Scripture alone is sufficient to direct their lives and the life of their families, their churches, and their country in the 21st Century. Whether you are a father, mother, child, common laborer, or an elder in a local church, there will be important messages for everyone with topics including the accuracy of the Scriptures from the very first verse, biblical evangelism, biblical church government, women’s ministry, euthanasia, work, biblical manhood and womanhood, child training, education, music, biblical worship, and much more. 

The Christian Post reports on the conference…

 “Scott T. Brown, an advocate of church reformation and the strengthening of families, claims that modern youth ministry is “indisputably unbiblical”.  Addressing Christian leaders and families at a conference on the Sufficiency of Scripture on Friday, Brown, director of the National Center for Family-Integrated Churches, asserted that the “philosophy and practice of comprehensive, age-segregated, programmatic youth ministry” is “contrary to the ministry patterns of Christ.”  Age-segregated youth ministry, trained youth ministers and programs to draw and entertain youth are a new invention in the history of the church, Brown said. “Modern youth ministry is also inherently destructive in its impact. It divides the church by creating generational division and multiple cultures instead of a unified ‘body,’” he maintained.  An elder at Hope Baptist Church in Wake Forest, N.C., Brown has denounced the disappearance of family life in the modern church and has expressed the need to preserve it….”

Remember - Our God reigns.  Pastor E. A. Adeboye invites you to be at the Holy Ghost Congress of the RCCG in Nigeria which commences tomorrow – 14th December 2009 till the end of the week. This, by the grace of God, promises to be an unforgettable Congress.  Just let Him reign in every aspect of your life and  ministry  and as you come or connect via internet in faith, you will go testifying.  Praise and worship Him for what He has already done and for what He will do. 

God bless you.

Bode

 Matthew 2 [2]  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

If I had to choose the most inspiring person in 2009 – it would no doubt for me be Susan Boyle. Not because she is an obvious success as her first album tops the charts and the audience applaud yet another performance.  It is not even that her talent is exceptional and her songs well chosen – it’s her life that sings to the heart. Many will discover through listening to her story the joy of beginning afresh even at the twilight of life…

Boyle remains active as a volunteer at her Catholic church in Blackburn, visiting elderly members of the congregation in their homes.  An awkward inelegant stocky spinster she was…swinging ungracefully for years between mental anguish, depression and loneliness…with few friends and fewer invitations. Almost 50, she picks herself up…with little support or encouragement.  I watched her video on the TV Programme and observed the audience snigger mockingly as she clumsily introduced her act.  Susan’s life sang…and the mockery ceased.

Everybody loves a Cinderella story because we have an intrinsic secret wish (or shall I say weakness) to experience the fairy tale transformation chapters in our lives.  In the dark silent night at the height of the Recession of 2009…we saw suddenly in Susan Boyle an unusual glitter that required no major investment or smart money manager. ..and nothing could stop.  A true star takes us off-guard in its beauty and somehow can not be brought down.  We thank God for her late mother who saw what God had put in her daughter and continued to encourage her all through the dark years.  We thank God she was not created a  svelte and witty genius with long beautiful blonde hair. We thank God for isolating her enough to produce a fresh uniqueness that sparkles in a world exhausted with strange images, hype and self promotion. We thank God for the challenges that made her so authentic… 

The Bible said the wise men saw a star in the dark silent night that led them to Jesus.  As you listen to Susan sing “Silent night” in her debut album  - remember what she said…It’s not a beauty contest. Discover what God has put in you, has asked of you and shine at it… like Isaac as he dug wells and was resisted… do keep moving forward. Let them think what they wish …

“If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying. “Here comes number seventy-one!” “…Richard M. DeVos

I pray God’s encourager – the Holy Spirit…will speak a word to move you into a fresh beginning…I pray all the challenges of previous years will be mysteriously turned to assets…I pray you will laugh and feel you cannot stop laughing…I pray you will be perfected in Christ and will shine and lead people not to yourself but to what your great God can do…I pray you and many through you will come to Christ and become what God had created all of us to be – in our unique way…STARS of God.  A Holy Nation, not to be worshipped, but rather to encourage others to salvation in Christ Jesus.  

I Peter 2 [9]  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Boyle who will earn we are told at least £10m next year still lives in the family home, a four-bedroom council house, with her 10-year-old cat, Pebbles.

I pray Christ perfects and keeps her and us all unspotted and without blemish till that day … that soon coming day…somewhere in eternity where a great assembly will be applauding …but this time, for winning the real contest.

Enjoy the holiday season

 
Bode

This seems to be the question on the lips of many as ears itch for a favourable answer. 

I Kings 18[41]  And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. [42]  So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, [43]  And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

The prophet Elijah declares the Recession is over – though no evidence of this is seen and he commands his servant to go and look again seven times.

Elisha, another prophet of God many years later makes a similar declaration in another famine in 2Kings[7:1]  Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. [2] Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

How will we know when the Recession is over? We will know when God declares it to be so through His word by His prophets.  Will we see signs of improvement and economic indices/indicators getting better suggesting the Recession is about to end?  We may not. However, the sure sign will be the word of God declaring it over.

Will economists, brilliant men and highly rated journals herald the end of Recession?  In the text above, Elijah’s servant saw nothing until seven times he looked.  In the case of Elisha, God used lepers to silence the lords (the economic advisers) of kings.

Again, the simple question “Is the Recession over?” Time magazine reports in Sept 14, 2009  –  Turning point for the Global Recession?  Perhaps, indeed it is.

We are already beginning to hear God speaking through His prophets. Let the prophets of God, waiting in unknown caves, echo with certainty His word for the moment – and let them mobilise their servants.  Let the lepers (true saints) of today’s post-modern age put the lords of Kings to shame again.  

But then, rather than seeking to know if Recession has ended, should we not be more concerned about if we have learnt our lessons.  Have we changed our paradigms and reconstructed our mindsets?  Is our mind renewed by His Spirit?  In other words – are we repentant?  As this recovery develops, hear the Lord Jesus Christ warning the one made whole about a worse thing coming.

John 5[14] Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

A careful look at the famines described in the book of Kings in the above scriptures reveals that the famine in the time of Elijah was so bad that the widow of Zarephath and her child prepared to die.

1Kings 17[12]  And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

But the end of that famine saw only an unrepentant Ahab (like most of us anxious to see recovery) going up to eat and drink as indeed the rains were about to fall again. Years later, a very much worse and fearful situation arose in Samaria.  So terrible, that this time women boiled their children.

II Kings 6[29]  So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

Is the Recession over?  For someone who cares it is time to put his face between his knees to seek the face of the Lord and intercede about the future. “Lord, give us grace to completely overhaul our ways that we do not see even worse times in our future”

Nahum 1[9]  What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.  

Have a blessed day

Bode Ososami