One of the most persistent accusations levelled against Israel and the Jewish people is that they “stole Arab land.” This claim has become a cornerstone of modern anti-Zionist rhetoric and is frequently repeated as an unquestioned moral premise in international discourse. Yet when examined historically, the accusation collapses. Far from reflecting the actual sequence of events, it inverts the historical record and obscures a far more complex – and uncomfortable – truth.

We combat lies about Israel with truth and logic. In this case I put forward historical facts; I could also argue from a biblical perspective but will refrain from that in this article.

The narrative of Jewish land theft was largely constructed in the mid-20th century by a convergence of Soviet “zionology,” Arab nationalist propaganda, and later Palestinianist activism. Its purpose was not historical clarity but political delegitimization: to portray the Jewish state as a colonial usurper rather than as the product of indigenous return, legal land purchase, and survival in the face of aggression.

When history is examined chronologically, it becomes evident that the largest and most systematic land thefts in the region were perpetrated not by Jews against Arabs, but by Arab nationalists and Islamist regimes against Jewish communities – both in the Land of Israel and throughout the wider Muslim world.

Jewish Presence and Dispossession Before 1948

Long before the establishment of the State of Israel, Jews lived continuously in cities such as Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed, Tiberias, and Gaza. These were not European colonies or modern “settlements,” but ancient communities rooted in the land for many centuries, and in many cases millennia.

In 1929 – nearly two decades before Israel’s independence and almost forty years before any Jewish settlement activity in what is now called Area C of the West Bank – Arab nationalist violence led to the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Hebron and Gaza. (Ref: https://unpacked.education/video/the-hebron-massacre-of-1929/)  In Hebron, a Jewish community that traced its presence back thousands of years was massacred and expelled. Survivors were forcibly removed, and their homes and property were lost. In Gaza, Jews were likewise driven out under threat of violence.

These expulsions were not the result of war with a Jewish state, nor of territorial disputes over sovereignty. They occurred under British rule and were motivated by rising Arab nationalism and religious incitement against Jews as Jews. The land vacated by these expelled Jewish communities was not “returned” later – it was violently taken by Arabs.

The 1948 War and Arab Initiated Displacement

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War (ref: https://israeled.org/the-arab-israeli-war-of-1948-a-short-history/)  is often portrayed as a story of unilateral Jewish aggression and Arab victimhood. In reality, the war began when five Arab armies invaded the newly declared State of Israel with the explicit aim of destroying it. Arab leaders made clear their intention to prevent any form of Jewish sovereignty in the region.

It was this war – initiated by Arab states – that led to the displacement of many Arab residents of Mandatory Palestine. Some fled active combat zones, some were urged to leave temporarily by Arab leaders who promised a swift victory, and others were expelled while fighting. However tragic these displacements were, they were the result of a war launched by the Arab side, not an unprovoked campaign of ethnic cleansing by Jews.

At the same time, far less attention is paid to what happened to Jewish communities in the territories conquered by Arab forces.

Jordan’s Illegal Occupation of Judea and Samaria

When the Arab Legion of Transjordan invaded Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) in 1948, it completed the ethnic cleansing that had begun earlier. Every Jewish community in the region was destroyed or expelled. Jews who had lived for generations in places such as Gush Etzion, the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, and other towns were forcibly removed. Some were killed; the rest were expelled.

By the end of Jordan’s invasion, not a single Jew remained in Judea and Samaria. Their land, homes, synagogues, and cemeteries were confiscated or destroyed. The Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem – an area literally named for its Jewish inhabitants – was depopulated of Jews, its synagogues demolished, and the area rebranded under Jordanian rule.

This occupation, which lasted from 1948 to 1967, was never internationally recognized as legal. Yet during this period, Jews were barred entirely from living in or even visiting their holy sites, including the Western Wall.

If land theft is to be identified, it is difficult to find a clearer example.

The Mass Expulsion of Jews from the Muslim World

Perhaps the greatest act of collective land theft and ethnic cleansing in the modern Middle East occurred not in Israel at all, but across the broader Muslim world. (ref: https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/the-expulsion-of-jews-from-arab-countries-and-iran–an-untold-history)

In the years following Israel’s independence, approximately 850,000 to one million Jews were expelled or forced to flee from Arab and Muslim-majority countries. These Jews – Sephardic, Mizrahi, Persian, and Babylonian – had lived in places such as Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and North Africa for centuries, often long before the Arab Islamic conquests.

In Iraq alone, Jews had lived continuously since the Babylonian Exile more than 2,500 years ago. A century ago, roughly one-third of Baghdad’s population was Jewish, as was a significant portion of Mosul’s. In 1950–51, the Iraqi government passed laws stripping Jews of citizenship, confiscating their property, freezing their assets, and legalizing their expulsion. Homes, businesses, synagogues, and communal property were seized by the state.

Similar processes unfolded across the Arab world. This was not accidental displacement – it was systematic, state-sanctioned ethnic cleansing carried out as collective punishment for Arab defeat in the 1947-48 war.

The descendants of these refugees today make up a substantial portion – indeed, a majority – of Israel’s Jewish population.

A Telling Demographic Contrast

One fact alone exposes the moral inversion at the heart of the “stolen land” accusation: today, there are more Arab citizens of Israel living with full civil rights than there are Jews left in the entire Muslim world.

Arab Israelis vote, serve in parliament, sit on the Supreme Court, work in every sector of society, and retain citizenship in their ancestral homeland. By contrast, ancient Jewish communities across the Middle East have been virtually erased.

If Israel were truly engaged in ethnic cleansing or systematic land theft, this demographic reality would be impossible.

Conclusion: History Turned Upside Down

The claim that Jews “stole Arab land” is not a conclusion derived from history – it is a political slogan imposed upon it. When the historical record is examined honestly, a very different picture emerges: one in which Jewish communities were repeatedly dispossessed, expelled, and stripped of land long before and long after Israel’s independence.

None of this denies the suffering of Arab refugees or the complexity of the conflict. But historical honesty demands symmetry and accuracy. The Middle East did not witness a one-sided act of dispossession; it witnessed a regional war, followed by the near-total erasure of Jewish life from lands where it had existed for millennia.

To speak of stolen land without acknowledging this history is not merely selective – it is a profound distortion of reality.

Finally, I am a Zionists!  What does that mean?

Simply: Zionism is a movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in their traditional homeland of Eretz Israel.

We all should be Zionists.

One of the most sobering truths in Scripture is that how we treat Israel directly affects how God deals with us. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is unambiguous: those who bless Israel are blessed, and those who curse Israel come under God’s judgment. This principle is not a relic of the Old Testament but a timeless spiritual law that continues today. I for one do not ever want to be cursed by God, yet some would invoke such a curse on their lives.

God’s Covenant Promise

When God called Abraham, He declared:

“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
— Genesis 12:2–3

This was not merely a promise to an individual but a covenant binding God’s people Israel to His eternal purposes. To curse Abraham’s descendants is to oppose God’s chosen instrument for blessing the families of the earth (and nations) – including the very Messiah, Jesus Christ, who came through Israel.

Balaam’s Warning

The prophet Balaam learned this truth the hard way. King Balak of Moab hired him to curse Israel, but every attempt failed. Why? Because God Himself had blessed Israel:

Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
— Numbers 24:1

Balaam finally declared:

“Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them? May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!”
— Numbers 24:9

Balaam recognised that to curse Israel was to invite disaster upon oneself. The same principle holds today: nations, leaders, and individuals who speak curses or spread hatred against the Jewish people bring spiritual consequences upon themselves.

The Danger of Modern Anti-Semitism

We are witnessing in our own day a disturbing resurgence of anti-Semitic rhetoric—even among influential media figures. Commentators like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson have platformed dangerous stereotypes and conspiratorial attacks on the Jewish people. Such rhetoric is not merely political speech—it is aligning with the spirit of those who have historically sought Israel’s destruction.

Christians must be clear: anti-Semitism in any form is a direct affront to God’s covenant and invites His judgement. As Paul warns in Romans 11:18, Gentile believers must “not boast against the branches,” for it is God who sustains Israel in His redemptive plan.

Standing with Israel: A Biblical and Moral Imperative

On the other hand, there are courageous voices like Charlie Kirk who boldly affirmed Israel’s right to exist and defend itself as the only democracy in the Middle East. Such a stance reflects the heart of Genesis 12:3—those who bless Israel will be blessed.

Supporting Israel does not mean ignoring its imperfections, but it does mean recognising God’s eternal covenant, defending the Jewish people against hatred, and praying for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

The Choice Before Us

Every believer and every nation stands at a crossroads: bless Israel and align with God’s promise, or curse Israel and invite judgement. Scripture leaves no middle ground.

Jesus Himself affirmed that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). To despise Israel is to despise the very root of our faith. To bless Israel is to walk in step with God’s eternal plan of redemption for all nations.

Please take note that the last supper was shared with Jewish men, Jesus disciples. The new covenant was promised in Jeremiah and was FIRST to the Jews (Romans 1:16). The birth of the Ekklesia (Church) was on the day of Pentecost where120 Jewish believers, waiting in the upper room, received the Holy Spirit; and then Peter preached boldly and 3,000 were added that day.

The days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and the people of Judah
— Jeremiah 31:31

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
— Romans 1:16

As Christians, let us reject the poisonous curse of anti-Semitism, stand boldly with God’s people, and be among those who receive the blessing promised to Abraham.

I choose blessing over cursing, life over death, truth over lies, and the Kingdom of God over the kingdom of darkness.  Please pray for repentance in the heart of those who are cursing Israel.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.
— Psalm 122:6

Understanding the Gaza Conflict means acknowledging an unpopular truth: Palestinians are responsible for everything that is happening to them.

Up front I am a Zionist! To some this maybe a controversial statement for a Christian leader to make.  Let’s consider what it means: A Zionist is simply someone who supports the idea of a Jewish nationalist movement that has as its goal the creation and support of a Jewish national state in the ancient traditional homeland of the Jews (Hebrew: Eretz Yisraʾel, “the Land of Israel”).

It is time to get the facts regarding the root of the Israel Gaza conflict. So here is a short summary that hopefully will clear up some misconceptions.

Palestinians are still whining about a war they lost 75+ years ago (1948/1949) and are unable to move on. Imagine if Germany would still bombard Russia and Poland daily out of spite for losing WWII. Every nation moved on from losing wars, even Egypt and Jordan, but not Palestinians.

Theodor Herzl – Father of Zionism

Theodor Herzl talked about returning to the homeland of the Jewish people, and he advocated doing this by buying land from Arab sheikhs, which Jews did.

This is what Theodor Herzl said: “It goes without saying that we shall respectfully tolerate persons of other faiths and protect their property, their honour, and their freedom with the harshest means of coercion.”

Now what did the Arabs do? They committed multiple massacres against Jewish immigrants, which naturally led to radicalisation from the Jewish side which is why militias like Haganah and Irgun emerged. Did Palestinians really think they could get away with murdering and massacring Jews for decades? What happened in 1948 was very much a story of reaping what you sow.

But what about the Balfour Declaration?

Nothing in the Balfour Declaration implies or suggests that there was any kind of colonization master-plan to expel Arabs. Also it was literally just a letter, and this is what was written: “It being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or the rights and political status enjoyed in any other country by such Jews who are fully contented with their existing nationality.”

The state of play in 1967

Now fast forward to 1967 the “Palestinian” land is controlled by Egypt and Jordan, Palestinians never owned the land or had sovereignty. Israel won again and legally annexed territories (from Egypt and Jordan) just like any other country during a war. Now pro Palestinians would like you to think that Israel has been brutally occupying, oppressing, and killing Palestinians between 1967 and 1987 (the year Hamas was founded) which is false, there is zero evidence that Israel was targeting Palestinians during this period. These are just lies common in muslim nations to demonise Jews.

Occupation?

There’s no occupation. They have their own governments (albeit dysfunctional and corrupt). In the Judea/Samaria (West Bank) and Gaza. They are not living in a prison. The wall around Gaza is on Israeli soil and it was built in response to terror attacks, and Gaza receives millions of dollars each year and Hamas leaders are billionaires. Not to mention they have 5 star hotels and resorts. They have schools, hospitals, they have everything. It was possible to turn Gaza into another Dubai but they chose not to do this. The people in Gaza chose and voted for Hamas, a group that is hell bent on destroying Israel and the genocide of the Jews.

Palestinians are responsible for everything that is happening to them. Israel should not be blamed for the bad choices that the Palestinians have made.

Further we must consider the historical Arab attempts at colonising from the 7th century onwards.   Refer: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1061707164860545

It is worth considering Prime minister Yitzhak Rabin’s comments on the subject.

“Until 1967, Israel did not hold an inch of the Sinai Peninsula and the West Bank, the Gaza Strip or the Golan Heights. Israel held not an acre of what is now considered disputed territory. And yet we enjoyed no peace.

Year after year Israel called for pleaded for a negotiated peace with the Arab governments. Their answer was a blank refusal and more war.

The reason was not a conflict over territorial claims. The reason was, and remains, the fact that a free Jewish state sits on territory at all.”

The question of Genocide?

Right now Hamas are the genocidal ones. A ceasefire enables Hamas who will continue to attempt to kill all Jews (which is their well published manifesto). Israel must end Hamas once and for all for everyone’s security.
Reference:  Israel is not committing genocide, but Hamas is.

To quote the article:

The crime of genocide, coined in 1944 by the Polish-Jewish jurist Raphael Lemkin to describe the systematic extermination of Jews by the Nazis, is one of the most serious accusations that can be leveled in international law. Today, it has a very specific definition under Article II of the Genocide Convention of 1948, meaning committing acts, including by killing, that are intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.

It is important to underscore that the commission of genocide has nothing to do with the number of civilian casualties; the key element of the crime is the need to possess relevant “intent.” Whatever criticism one may have of Israeli policies or Israel Defense Forces (IDF) actions in Gaza, Israel is not seeking to destroy the Palestinian people, whether in whole, in part, or in any manner.

During a Nov. 20 briefing, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby eviscerated the inappropriate use of the term genocide to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza, forcefully stating:

“Israel isn’t trying to wipe the Palestinian people off the map. Israel isn’t trying to wipe Gaza off the map. Israel is trying to defend itself against a genocidal terrorist threat. So, if we’re going to start using that word, fine. Let’s use it appropriately.”

Whose land is it anyway?

Israel owns the land legally!
While there are some disputed territories; pro-palestinians saying ‘”From the river (Jordan) to the sea (Mediterranean), Palestine will be free” is in fact calling for the genocide of the Jews. The phrase is a rallying cry for terrorist groups and their sympathizers, from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) to Hamas, which called for Israel’s destruction in its original governing charter in 1988.

Here is a detailed documentary by Hugh Kitson explain in great detail why Israel own the land legally:

Here is a much shorter presentation that also answers the question:  Melanie Phillips explains Israel’s right to the land.

In addition, this article (PDF) adds light to the subject.

How do we pray?

Please pray for peace by all means. We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). But, we must also pray that Israel prevails and that they will quickly put and end to Hamas which will help stabilise everything in the long run. Any long term peace deal must include Israel’s right to exist.

Finally עם ישרעל חי Am Yirael Chai – the people of Israel live.
All Israel will be saved Romans 11:25.

Did you know the term ‘pure blood’ is completely demonic?

It comes directly from the J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter witchcraft books and movies.

The phrase was picked up by some extreme anti-vaxxers and has gone viral. Sadly Christians are using this phrase without grace or humility or concern for the Body of Christ.

Roots of the phrase ‘pure blood’

In the Harry Potter series, wizards and warlocks with the most magical progeny assigned as ‘pure bloods’ or ‘half bloods’; as opposed to ‘muggles’ who are mere humans who practise magic.

The character of Lord Voldemort in the book series was inspired by the same ideologies that gave rise to Adolf Hitler’s crusade during World War II.

Lord Voldemort’s ideology is centred around the superiority of ‘pure blood’ wizards, and his desire to rid the world of Muggle-born wizards and half-bloods; like Hitler who wanted to rid the world of Jews and non-Aryan ‘lesser races’.

According to Hitler, ‘blood purity’ would ensure the survival of the Aryan race and the ‘1000 Year Reich’. Laws were introduced to ensure blood purity within Nazi Germany and anyone who acted outside of these laws was deemed to have committed the crime of ‘rassenschande’, which translates roughly as ‘racial pollution’ or ‘racial crime’.

Refer to https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/nazi-germany/blood-purity-and-nazi-germany/ for more information.

Inspect the Fruit (Judge rightly)

The fruit of this language is, sadly again, division in the Ekklesia, the Body of Christ.

Many Christians have very strong views either way; debates on this issue are fruitless and bring deep division in the body. Please read Romans 14 and understand the division issue.

By using such language Christians are opening up curses and attacks on themselves and their brothers and sisters in Christ.  This grieves me, and more importantly grieves the Lord.

God hates division!

These bible verses need to be prayed with a humble heart if needed.

Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him … especially 19b … And one who sows discord among brethren.

This division, is again, from the pit of hell and has no part in the Body of Christ. If you are using this phrase I humbly ask that you repent for the damage you are causing and potential curses upon yourself.

Jude shows us how to deal with these sorts of words. In verses 20 and 21 Jude calls us to pray in the Holy Spirit, keeping love central, and recognising the Lord’s mercy.

Jude 1:16-21 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual (fleshly) persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Freedom

We stand for freedom of choice, recognising that many Christians in good faith and good conscience before God have had vaccinations and others are against them. Each person must be able to choose for themselves and their children.

Please don’t conflate the two issues and have abundant grace for others point of view and convictions.

The question of why we sacrifice is one that confronts Christians as we go forward with the Lord.  It is often difficult to see why sacrifice is needed, or even the benefit of the sacrifices we make.

We see the example Jesus set in Hebrews 12:2 which explains why He suffered and died for us.  This is the most awesome example of pure sacrifice of a innocent, pure, and holy person.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The photo at the top of the article is of the Be’er Sheva war graves memorial in Israel representing the sacrifices made in WWI for what would become Israel.

When imperfect people sacrifice

We see what Jesus did, but what happens and why do we need to sacrifice? Although we are not perfect of ourselves , we do willingly sacrifice. There are many expressions of sacrifice in the Christian walk, some much more consequential than others. Some examples:

• Giving of time and finances (e.g. volunteering and serving our local community)
• Serving in difficult situations (Doctors and Nurses come to mind, especially those on the missions field)
• Putting your life a risk for others, even unto death (I know persecuted Christians in several countries who follow the Lord faithfully)
• Speaking the truth when people hate and revile you (Cancel culture etc.)
• Prayer and Fasting

Why do we do these things?

We sacrifice because of the Love of God, 1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. Also John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. It is clear the the Love of God drives us to love without measure, and love sometimes requires sacrifice.

Harry Bell – Sacrificed and we see the Fruit

Here is the account of a 16 year old Christian – Harold Wickham (Bell) who gave his life for his mates and for Israel. He was a young farmer who attended a Presbyterian Church.

Refer to https://www.lighthorse.org.au/harold-thomas-wickham/ for more information about Harry.

He could see little orange flashes and could hear whistling overhead. “I wonder what that is?” Harry thought. His answer came all too soon, as a machine gun round smashed into his leg. He never thought such pain existed – the force of the round threw him from the horse. He bounced along the ground and came to a halt in the dirty, broken soil. The sound of thundering hooves warned him to cover his head as another wave of horsemen galloped over him.

He glanced down at his leg, it lay at a grotesque angle, the result of the bullet shattering his femur. Then things started to blur as he succumbed to the pain, which lapsed him into unconsciousness.

As he struggled to regain consciousness, he felt the warmth of morphine, interrupted intermittently by the sharpness of excruciating pain.

As the padre sat next to him, Harry asked how the regiment had fared. “We took the town Harry, and the blokes and horses are enjoying a good drink.”

Harry lapsed in and out of consciousness throughout the night. In the morning he was still alive but only just. The padre again called on him. “Make sure they get the headstone right,” Harry screamed, and with that the young trooper went limp.

Harry (Harold Bell) wanted his real name on his tombstone and so it is.

Exactly 100 years later, to the day 31/Oct/2017, we see the fruit of Harry’s and others sacrifice in the following photograph at the Be’er Sheva street parade held after the 100 year memorial service.  This is an amazing demonstration of the fruit of sacrifice as Harry and others sacrifices eventually led to the restoration of Israel in 1948.

For reference here is some information about the Australian Light Horse Charge  https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/the-charge-of-the-4th-light-horse-brigade-at-beersheba

Summary

We are called to sacrifice.  It is part of our normal Christian life. Sacrifice is not always a popular sermon topic, but is very important to the Lord.

During this month of May we are praying and fasting for the federal elections, and the GO Movement (please sign up https://www.gomovement.world/en) to support the proclamation of Jesus in this region and the nations.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Let my life be a living sacrifice to You. Take me, make me, mold me and use me for You Kingdome purposes. Let me be salt and light to a sick and dying world. Amen.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Let this Keith Green song help you pray

Elul is the month, Teshuvah is repentance, also the King is accessible, Also this is a time a charity.

The four letters of the name Elul (אלול) are an acronym for the phrase in “Song of Songs” (6:3): Ani l’dodi v’dodi li – “I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me.”

Jews read Psalm 27 daily.

It’s the 6th month, and is preparation for the 7th month (Tishrei), which has Rosh Hashanah (religious new year, yes there are 4 new years in Hebrew)

Rosh Hashanah is biblically Yom Teruah (יוֹם תְּרוּעָה‎), literally “day of shouting or blasting”, and is also more commonly known in English as the Feast of Trumpets.

Then follows Yom Kippur the Day of Atonement.

Now (Elul) is where we are called to pray and repent, but God (the King) is accessible (in the field), this is to get our hearts right for the high holy days in the next month.

Of course this is Old Testament thinking, We have access all the time through Jesus.

Also Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is at this time. Beginning on the eve of the 15th of Tishri and commemorating the shelter of the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness. aka: Feast of Booths, Succos, Succoth, Sukkoth, Tabernacles.
This models God dwelling with us.

FYI The number 40 is mentioned 146 times in the Bible and most often refers to a period of testing or trial.

Here are a few examples:

– Yeshua (Jesus) fasted for 40 days in the Judean wilderness following His mikvah (baptism) by John.
– The Hebrews wandered for 40 years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33–34).
– Moses tended sheep for 40 years for his father-in-law, Jethro, before he was called to lead the Jewish nation from captivity in Egypt. He also fasted on two separate occasions on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights while receiving the law from God (Exodus 24:18; 34:1–28).
– Jonah gave the people of Nineveh a 40-day warning: “Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, ‘Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.’ (Jonah 3:4)” In this case, the 40 days was a period of warning that allowed the people of Nineveh to repent and turn from their evil ways.
– In Noah’s day, during the Flood, the waters poured out for 40 days and 40 nights, judging the people of the earth.
– Both Moses and Yeshua fasted for 40 days as they communed with God during times of testing. The 40 years spent by the Israelites in the wilderness was a judgment of God.

So, we see, therefore, that God uses the number 40 to represent a period of testing or of judgement, and for that reason this next 40-day period is taken very seriously.

It is God’s presence that made the Israelites distinct from those nations around them. Without God, they were lonely, lost wanderers. With Him, they were following their Mighty Leader in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.

It is God’s presence that makes the journey of life not just bearable but victorious! Our God knows us personally! He knows our names, cares for our every need, and enables us to do exploits for His Glory. Why would we want to go anywhere without Him?

During Moses’ conversation with God, Moses asks to see God’s glory. I love God’s response:

Exodus 33:19 (a) Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.”

Exodus 33:20 But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”

Can you imagine this scene? It’s amazing! Moses asked and God granted.  It gets better for us. Because of the work of the Cross we can behold His face 2 Corinthians 3:18 .

We carry the very presence of God as the Holy Spirit indwells us.  Colossians 1:27 tells us that Christ is in us, the hope of glory.

As carriers of His presence, we worship, pray, declare His name, preach the Gospel, and perform miracles.  2 Corinthians 4:6

Without the Lord we can do nothing, in Him we can do all things. My challenge and prayer is that we should be so full of Him that we shine His light to a dying and corrupt world.

The deep longing and desire for us to have a significant and meaningful relationship with God and each other is a major driver for our lives.  This is a God given call in our lives.  When we have genuine connections with God and each other there is real joy.

We then (sometimes) play at church; we sit in a pew looking at the back of someone’s head, sing a few songs, shake hands and say God bless you. But! How often do we walk with people through their troubles, how often do we get to heart issues and really carry each other? 

Derek Prince stated that the central purpose of the local church (local ekklesia) is fellowship supported by these 4 points:

1. 1 Corinthians 1:9 — We are called to the sharing together of Christ.
2. 1 John 1:3 — The New Testament was written to bring us into the fellowship of the apostles, sharing with them the fellowship of the Father and the Son.
3. 1 John 1:4 — This fellowship brings full joy (compare 2 John 12).
4. John 3:6 — Out of this fellowship the Holy Spirit brings to birth the purposes of God (compare Acts 2:1; 13:1–4). Without fellowship there can be no spiritual birth.

Local church is great! And a good worship service and a good preach is great value; but if we do not have real relationships then it is a game.   If we don’t open our homes, wallets, and hearts then we are missing the true purpose and connection between Christians.  When we get it right then there is purpose, life and joy.
Ref Matthew 7.

Obviously the level of relationship with people will vary, it can’t be the same for everybody, but if we don’t have some deep connections we are in big trouble.
If all our Christian relationship is contained within formal meetings then we are missing God’s love.

If we do not really know some of our brothers and sisters journey, including the ugly bits, then we are not living as Jesus has called us to.
If we have no-one to share our journey with, including the ugly bits, then we are missing a fundamental foundation.

We need to have people to speak into our lives, people to share our lives with and people we are speaking into.  Over the last few years Nel and I had the privilege of spending time with some global leaders including some from the Chinese underground church.

What made all of these leaders different was the very genuine heart relationship that was obvious and opened up for us.  There were true fathers and mothers in the faith and lived a reality that we in the west desperately need.

Above all we need to have the foundation of our Father’s love underpinning all our relationships. We love because He first loved us.

So why don’t we have these sort of relationships? This is the pressing question of modern western local churches.

In a word, fear!

We fear rejection and emotional pain!  It would seem we are scared to be open, because it means from time to time we will be hurt.
We need to take a risk! And be open and even allow being hurt.
When we get hurt, we learn to forgive and heal. It is (in part) how we grow.

Not having pain means not growing.  This is the price of maturity.  When we take relational risks we find that there are people we can share life with and our calling and purpose become manifest.

When we are hurt, we have a healer – the Holy Spirit who carries us when needed; we also have good people that God has put into our lives to help in the healing process. But if we don’t have the right relationships we are alone – which is so wrong.  But in relationship we have the life of God and things really start happening.

John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has to do with punishment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

Being alone is the worst situation we can be in; we have been designed to be in relationship.  We need to build our relationship with the Lord and each other.  This is not a chore but fun!

Fellowship is not just church meetings, it is about just hanging out and being together. We need to make time for each other beyond formal meetings.
It is the only way we can build meaningful relationships!  We have real relationships with several small groups and in turn connect with the wider Church in this city and nation.

Once relationships get real, Papa God will enable a whole bunch of fantastic things to happen!

On to fathers and mothers in the faith

Being fathers and mothers in the faith is where we all need to get real.  This is the natural outworking of relationships in the body of Christ.  Without this relational base to our walk with the Lord forget any aspirations to revival etc.

1 Corinthians 4:8 For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

I would have one real father than 10,000 teachers/instructors!  We are privileged to have some genuine fathers in the faith.  In our most difficult times and when we need these fathers are there for us.  Also they celebrate our good times and we theirs.

This blog is a call for fathers and mothers in the faith to rise and turn their hearts to their children.  This is the imperative of the last verse of the old testament.  Without the reconciliation of generations, reconciliation of intercessors and church leaders, reconciliation of first nations in the land and so forth we cannot really progress.

Malachi 4:6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

When the Lord’s reconciliation comes, and we pray, He will move in our land and the nations!  Now is the time Malachi 4:6 is being fulfilled.  The age of the Church, the Bride without spot or wrinkle is here!

How do we make this happen?

It is very simple!  We can start by spending regular time with other Christians, have a meal, or a tea/coffee, talk with each other, and even pray together.  Just be real with each other.  As Danny Silk said “If you minister to someone they might feel loved. If you love someone they will be ministered to”  In other words don’t try to be ‘spiritual’ just be a friend first.  Everything else will flow from loving each other.

We must prepare the bride of Christ without spot or wrinkle as we seek God in troubling times.

Scripture

“That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”—Ephesians 5:27

Reflection

We are in difficult times, but God is using this time for the preparation of the bride of Christ where she—we—will be without spot or wrinkle.

Let us look at Ephesians 5:27 and some key words in that verse that show an incredible transformation. The Greek word for spot is spilos, and it means fault or moral blemish. In the Greek, wrinkle is rhytis, and it refers to a fold, especially a wrinkle on the face. Hagios is the Greek word for holy, sacred and pure. And the Greek word amomos is translated blameless or faultless.

Isn’t this amazing! For the believer, the Father is, in His own inimitable way, making us like His son Jesus so that we will be ready to be the pride and proceed into the marriage supper of the Lamb.

This calls to mind another Scripture, Song of Songs 4:7, which reads, “You are all fair, my love, And there is no spot in you.” This poetic expression in Song of Songs is a powerful illustration of who we are because of Jesus.

When we come to Jesus and make Him the Lord of our lives, we allow Him to change us. This process is called sanctification. I believe that Father God puts a desire in each of our hearts to be more like Jesus. Then He shapes us to become mature sons so that we will be more like Jesus, and reflect Him more fully in our lives.

Consider also 1 John 3:3—“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” Here the Greek word for pure is hagnos, and it means chaste, modest, and pure from carnality.

When I was a new Christian, I often found myself crying to the Lord, asking Him to forgive me. This is part of the sanctification process that we should welcome into our lives. God promises that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

At times I felt like I lived in 1 John 1:9 because of my stumbling as a new believer—it even happens now at times. I am so grateful that there is complete cleansing through the blood of Jesus.

We need this cleansing. One day, each of us will stand before Jesus and have our lives examined—whether we did the will of the Father.

As we look into the face of Jesus and spend time in His presence, He speaks to us, He shows us what is going on deep down in our hearts. When we are rushing around, we cannot hear His voice so clearly. Aim for the quiet times—give your heart to Him afresh.

Hear the words of 1 Peter 4:17—“For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

Today, He is looking into our hearts and drawing each one of us with cords of love to come home to His heart. It is not about church attendance or how many Scriptures one knows—it is a heart relationship.

Our relationship is about love, and we love Him because He first loved us. In this intense season, we have an opportunity to respond to the Lord as the Holy Spirit draws us. Let His love and His fire burn deep in our hearts and change us. One glimpse of Jesus will change you forever!

Prayer

Dear Jesus, make us spotless for You, holy for the Father, and on fire to win hearts for you.

God will bring deliverance as His Church (Ekklesia) and the government align with His agenda.

Scripture

“Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.”
—2 Chronicles 32:22

See also 2 Chronicles 31-32 and 2 Kings 18.

Reflection

Hezekiah was a great and godly king who led the Kingdom of Judah. He saw a revival in Jerusalem as the hearts of Israel were once again turned back to the Lord their God. This is exactly what we are praying for in Australia. Opposition to Hezekiah and to God’s people came suddenly as the full might of the Assyrian army rose against Hezekiah. Let’s have a look at how we can deal with intense pressure by aligning with God’s purposes.

First, Hezekiah brought God’s holiness back to Israel. He started with repentance and cleaning up the spiritual state of his nation. Bluntly, Australia is a sinful nation. We murder babies, kill our sick and elderly, sell our children on the streets, defile family values, and have a corrupt morality. We must start here in humility and repentance for our nation, praying for leaders, and then that the people repent and turn to the Lord. This is our first step in aligning with the Lord’s agenda. (See 2 Chronicles 31:1).

Secondly, Hezekiah brought the people back to thanksgiving, praise, and worship of the Lord. This is how we continue in holiness. This holy life is a sustained journey, not a one-off event. As we continue in these things, we remain aligned with the Lord’s purposes. It means that we are in a place to be able to hear His heart so that we can pray and prophetically declare His word. (See 2 Chronicles 31:20)

Even though Hezekiah and Israel were right before God, an attack still came against them via Sennacherib, the evil king of Assyria (2 Chronicles 32). The people were dismayed at this situation, as many people are also dismayed today as world totalitarian agendas are being played out. Hezekiah declared encouragement and truth to the people (2 Chronicles 32:6-8), and the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah.

So was this the end of the attack on God’s people? Not quite. Sennacherib started rumours and began writing letters against Hezekiah and his prophetic word. It was an evil undermining spirit that brought fear, uncertainty, and doubt to God’s people. This is exactly what is being carried out today. Matthew 24 tells of wars, rumours of wars, pestilences, earthquakes, lawlessness, and deception. It is obvious that these things are happening, and that the time is short. We (the ekklesia) are the answer, because we have the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is time to declare that Gospel.

We also recognise that we are not dealing with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers. We have all authority, given by Jesus, to declare and overcome against these things for Australia. 2 Chronicles 32:22 shows that deliverance came as the secular (Hezekiah) and spiritual leadership (Isaiah) were aligned with the word of the Lord. To bring this about we must pray with humility and repentance, and speak, declaring the word of the Lord — His Gospel. As we do these things, we will see the Lord move in Australia. I am convinced that this is a ‘kairos’ time for Australia and that we are stepping into our calling as a nation to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom.

The key to overcoming is alignment with the word of God and with His Kingdom purposes. Through prayer and outreach initiatives like the GO 2020 campaign, the church (ekklesia) is arising with Jesus’ authority to proclaim deliverance, provision, healing—and above all, salvation. We can also speak to and lobby our Government and leaders on issues of righteousness, as an outworking of our prayer.

Prayer

Lord, I praise You for sending Jesus into the world to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We know it is Your will that we should not perish but come into repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Today we repent of all our sins and of not following Your ways. We declare the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and we speak Your deliverance, provision, healing, and salvation over Australia.

Matthew 24 tells of wars, rumours of wars, pestilences, earthquakes, lawlessness, and deception.
It is obvious that these things are happening, and time is short. The key to navigating all of these things is in Jesus’ words in verse Matthew 24:6 ‘See that you are not troubled’.

Also Luke 21 speaks of the end times. We need to especially focus on Luke 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

Jesus gives us a key to life in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace (Shalom). In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
We must live in the truth of Jesus’ words.

All of the bad things that are happening in the world (and especially wild rumours i.e. conspiracy theories etc.) bring fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). FUD is not the fruit of the spirit!
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Let’s apply this verse to overcome FUD.

We must not focus on the things happening as much as we should be lifting up the name of the Lord, worshipping Him, praying for one another in love, and preaching the gospel of His Kingdom.  Psalm 100 As we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise we will see His salvation.

Let’s pray for our Chinese brothers and sisters, many of whom have been praying for Australia in regards the drought and fires, the following verses:
Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty… My God, in Him I will trust.
Psalm 91:9-10 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.

We declare our love and the love of the Lord over our Chinese family and all affected by the virus. We pray that through these situations people will turn to the Lord and find Him and His salvation.  We humbly ask for healing of the people and the nations.

Update: Christian Family in Wuhan report that persecution has reduced and there is an increased ability to share the Gospel due to the virus.

Thank you God our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for all your gracious blessings. We look to You the Author and Finisher of our faith for all strength, life, Shalom peace in the mighty and wonderful name of Jesus.

Amen!

Here is a video from our Chinese family in Wuhan:

There were many prayer initiatives around the nation. Many groups, congregations, and individuals have prayed for the  election and the issues surrounding it.  A cry for the innocents killed by abortion, moral issues, and a cry for righteous Government.

There has been more prayer by more Christians in unity for this one main issue than ever before in this nation.  Coupled with things like the Graham Tour and Awakening Australia there is a spiritual change in the nation.

I have written previously on politics and what God is doing.  I am so thankful there is a turn in our nation.
Refer: Prophetic word on elections Israel and Australia (April/May 2019)
and 2019 – A year of conflict, yet great overcoming
and Christians and Politics – a discussion about God’s Kingdom

The Israel Folau saga has shown how our values and freedoms are being assaulted.  The pro-death (abortion, euthanasia, pro-drugs, and corrupt moral  sexualisation of children, gender bending etc.) agenda of the left is tragic.  Identity politics is shouting down genuine discussion.

Even issues like care for refugees have been distorted from genuine people fleeing war to those who want an easy life.   When, in fact, the LNP had increased our intake and stopped deaths at sea; yet lies were told saying they were ‘racist’ and cutting intake.  Such lies form the Labor/Greens/Left agenda and are being told over and over, and they even sound compassionate but are not really.

Personally, I want to keep it simple; I like my Government small, my taxes low, my economy vibrant, my borders strong, and my religion and speech free.

Looking at the The Canberra Declaration/Warwick Marsh/Margaret Court evening Zoom calls 21 Days of Prayer as an example, there are some significant observations.  We noticed that the prayer went through three clear phases.

1. Repentance, travail, and a cry for forgiveness for the sins of Australia
2. A militant powerful declaration that the Lord reigns over Australia and the election
3. A celebration of the Lord, and a change of prayer tone to declare of the Gospel of Jesus and revival/transformation
   * This is God’s endgame; not the election which is a temporary situation; but the Gospel being made clear to the nation
   * Recognising our sin, the need for repentance, and His grace and forgiveness through Jesus and the cross

My feeling is that similar things happened in all the prayer groups/initiatives to one level or another.

It is very important that we recognise we have been given three years of grace and it is not a time to relax.  Australia has a call to be a Joseph nation providing physically and also a place from which to send the Gospel to all nations.  The left agenda is to thwart that calling.

The evening Zoom group started in unity of task and purpose and it quickly became very much a group in oneness (i.e. having the same heart).

There have been thousands praying across Australia in this season, in fact, this election has brought the largest united prayer effort ever in this nation.

What is important now  is how to continue this with a view to the ecclesia rising up to her fullness in Christ and seeing Australia come into a full awakening and national transformation!!

As part of this we must better engage the under 35 NextGen in prayer and spiritual leadership.  We must be fathers and mothers to the NextGen, loving, caring, releasing, and empowering the emerging ministers of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

The election outcome is a beginning not an end. There is much land still to possess. I have been reading Chronicles and the story of King Josiah is a key – especially 2 Chronicles 34:33 where he held Israel faithful all the days of his reign.

It is absolutely crucial for all to understand that we are in ‘the fullness of time’, so we can exercise the opportunities and authority we are being given.
NOW is the time.

The Federal election is still subordinate to God’s plans and purposes which are repentance, reconciliation, redemption, restoration, and a ruling Bride. Australia is won in travail, intercession, thanksgiving, praise, worship, and speaking the word of salvation.

We are not alone, there are so many who have prayed and are praying. There is an army, the ecclesia rising into its rightful place as the Bride of Christ.  Sometimes we feel we are alone or just a small group.  It is important to see that the Lord has raised an army.

1 Kings 18.18 “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’

This is a call to continue in prayer, to give thanks and praise to the Lord, to speak up, to engage in society for God’s purposes, and above all proclaim the name of Jesus over Australia.

Here is the relevant part of Chronicles:

Josiah Restores True Worship

2 Chronicles 34:29 Then the king sent and gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 The king went up to the house of the Lord, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—the priests and the Levites, and all the people, great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the Lord. 31 Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.
32 And he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 Thus Josiah removed all the abominations from all the country that belonged to the children of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel diligently serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not depart from following the Lord God of their fathers.

This article takes a different look at politics, neither left nor right, authoritarian nor libertarian, but brings a Gospel Kingdom perspective.

For those who don’t have a deeper understanding of politics I pray this article will help you better understand God’s Kingdom and our role as Christians in politics.

Basic political understanding

Politics is not just left/right but multi dimensional

We need to get some definitions before we can make sense of politics.  See this for a definition of the Political compass which allows us to have a simple model for understanding political ideologies.

Quote: The underlying theory of the political compass is that political ideology may be better measured along two separate and independent axes. The economic (left–right) axis measures one’s opinion of how the economy should be run: “left” is defined as the desire for the economy to be run by a cooperative collective agency (which can mean the state, but can also mean a network of communes) while “right” is defined as the desire for the economy to be left to the devices of competing individuals and organizations. The other axis (authoritarian–libertarian) measures one’s political opinions in a social sense, regarding the amount of personal freedom that one would allow: “libertarianism” is defined as the belief that personal freedom should be maximised while “authoritarianism” is defined as the belief that authority should be obeyed.

While this model is not perfect it does allow us to grasp a basic understanding of various political ideologies.

Where are conservatives and others on the chart?

This chart shows approximate positions of the main ideologies we see today.  Personally I see conservatives less authoritarian and the greens more left and more authoritarian than shown on this chart.  The reasons is that conservatives usually want smaller less intrusive government and greens have been want bigger government.

Extreme groups like Antifa and Nazis are very similar in that they both are authoritarian.  This is proven by the fact that if you disagree with them they get violent. Nazi’s by policy are also socialist so on the left side of the chart.  This is so strange that they yell and scream at each other yet are almost identical by policy and by actions.  Antifa calling Conservatives Nazi’s if quite a joke.

So where do we fit as Christians?

We are not just conservative, or libertarian, or socialist, or left, or right. Instead we bring grace, love, compassion, power, truth, freedom, charity, and holiness in God’s harmony to the world!

Christians don’t (or should not) fit any one world model, but bring the full Gospel of the Kingdom (not just salvation) to the world.  Christianity is a radical change from the world system.

We need to understand God’s values and perspective on the world.

What are Godly values?

Christianity brings the following values (among others):

• Honour, love, and worship for God
• Respect for people, subject to God’s law
• Personal responsibility for sin leading to salvation (repentance from sin, faith, receiving His grace)
• Moral truth (eg. Holy matrimony (marriage), family)
• Work for a living
• Be generous and have compassion

These have a lot, but not all, in common with conservatism.

Social Justice and Political Correctness

Many Christians are deceived by terms like ‘Social Justice’ and ‘Political Correctness’ as they sound good but are fundamentally wrong because in the end they devalue both the individuals and God’s values!

How?

We need to understand Social Justice vs True (legal) Justice in the light of so called progressive identity politics.  I do NOT believe in ‘social justice’, rather I do believe in justice (unqualified justice); Martin Luther King also did not believe in social justice !

 Quote: ‘I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.’

To have justice based on a person’s social grouping (i.e. their group identities, eg. race, religion, etc.) rather than their individual character is a travesty of justice.
Martin Luther King Jr nailed it in his dream speech in the quote above in his phrase ‘content of their character’ which is the only basis a person should be valued.

The whole concept of social justice is based on a false foundation of a notion of group membership defining who you are and your values, rather than the God given individual character, conscience, spirit and soul that we are.

Political correctness is simply legitimising intolerance of the Kingdom worldview.  We need to remember tolerance is not acceptance or celebration of views that are contrary to God’s word.

According to David C. Rose, social justice is a solution in search of a problem. I believe that we should show compassion for all people, but when social justice requires compromise on moral and spiritual issues it is desperately wrong.

Rose says, “Social justice is both misguided and dangerous. It is misguided because it regards observed inequality as prima facie evidence of injustice because of insufficient understanding of how a free market economy actually works. It is dangerous because social justice advocates therefore attempt to solve a moral problem that doesn’t exist and, in so doing, reduce a society’s ability to solve moral problems that really do exist.”

The Social Gospel

Consider the social gospel, which has surreptitiously found its way back into our churches. The social gospel embraces ministries that provide help to the needy – clothes closets, food banks, and health-clinics – almost anything that would contribute to the welfare of society.

Churches should be engaged in these social ministries, but these ministries should not be the primary objective. Every social ministry or act of kindness should create a bridge to share the Gospel.

Good deeds (the works of faith) are very important, but there are countless service organisations that help the public. Christians not only have the privilege of putting a man in a new suit, but putting a new man in a suit as a result of the change wrought by sharing the Gospel.

Worldly view of tolerance

The menacing worldly view of tolerance has raised its ugly head in the church. There was a time when lifestyles (not the people) embodied in the LGBTQ… community were universally condemned.

Today because of the normalising of this deviate behaviour in the media, the propagandising of students in the schools, and the sensitivity training of corporate Australia we are getting too comfortable with sin and tolerant of aberrant lifestyles.

The pulpit must not be silent in this day of tolerance lest our congregations become lukewarm. George Whitefield said, “Congregations are lifeless because dead men preach to them.” Adrian Rogers said, “The sins we once hid in the back alleys, we now parade down Main Street.”

 Economics

Quote: If you are not a socialist when you are young you have no heart and if you are not a free market capitalist when older you have no brains.
This is an old quote that holds some truth.

As a Christian we can have best of both!  Both systems fail in the end for the same reason – greed.  Unfettered, both systems want to take from others.

It is interesting that free market capitalism has set more people free from poverty than any other system in history. Yet greed can also warp this system, especially when God is not in the picture.

Socialism works until you run out of other people’s money and has been a proven failure.

No economic system is capable of saving us or bringing in the Kingdom of God. Nor is any single economic system perfect. Yet one is more compatible with biblical teaching and our imperfect, sinful world.

The Bible as a whole supports an economic system that respects private property and the work ethic. (See especially Proverbs 31; Isaiah 65:21–22, Jeremiah 32:43–44, Acts 5:1–4 and Ephesians 4:28.) Rodney Stark’s definition of capitalism is bionically sound: “Capitalism is an economic system wherein privately owned, relatively well-organised, and stable firms pursue complex commercial activities within a relatively free (unregulated) market, taking a systematic, long-term approach to investing and reinvesting wealth (directly or indirectly) in productive activities involving a hired workforce, and guided by anticipated and actual returns.”

The Christian worldview embraces a form of democratic capitalism that allows for the peaceful and free exchange of goods and services without fraud, theft, or breach of contract as the biblical view. First, the Bible grants us the right to private property and calls us to be good stewards of our resources. Second, a free enterprise system affords the greatest opportunity to steward our resources responsibly by creating wealth and opportunity. Third, the competition in a free market system works according to the principle of comparative advantage, which affirms our inherent worth as individuals.

The thousands of years of experiments with socialist economic systems have resulted in nothing but failure and tragedy—Fascism, Nazism, and Communism relied on the faulty ideas of socialism and Darwinian evolution. Their catastrophic failings are documented in Igor Shafarevich’s The Socialist Phenomenon, Ludwig von Mises’ Socialism, and Joshua Muravchik’s Heaven On Earth: The Rise And Fall Of Socialism.

Socialism’s call for economic equality is countered by capitalism’s call for the biblical requirement of equality before law. The biblical view does not cause the rich to get richer and the poor poorer as socialists contend. Rather, the biblical view encourages the rich to create more wealth, thereby aiding all of society (we are to be generous and giving from the heart not Governmental imposition). Policies of forced redistribution of wealth, including welfare systems, only multiply problems for the poor by creating needless bureaucracies and concentrating too much power in the hands of the government. Capitalism, on the other hand, encourages freedom in the political sphere, minimising the danger of granting sovereignty to the state instead of to God.

We can expect to receive just wages and odly increase from the Lord, while being compassionate and loving. This is sustainable. Only under the Lord’s hand can we truly live in harmony.

The Gospel of The Kingdom

The first truth is that the will of God permeates and supersedes every aspect of life. It is God’s will that takes precedence over everything and everyone (Matthew 6:33).

Secondly, we must grasp the fact that our government cannot save us! Only God can.

The Church’s unique, God-given purpose does not lie in political activism.  This does not mean we cannot lobby and have a voice, just that we have a higher calling and focus.

Nowhere in Scripture do we have the directive to spend our energy, our time, or our money in governmental affairs. We can speak up and vote but if our primary efforts are political not not the Kingdom we have missed the point.

The New Testament gives us some broad principles on how we are to respond to our government. Romans 13 declares that the origin and institution of government is something that God has ordained. I Timothy 2 reminds us that we are to pray for those who have authority over us. If God has established the government for our good and asked us to pray for those who rule over us.

Our mission lies not in changing the nation just through political reform, but in changing hearts through the Word of God. When believers think the growth and influence of Christ can somehow be allied with government policy, they corrupt the mission of the church. Our Christian mandate is to spread the gospel of Christ and to preach against the sins of our time. Only as the hearts of individuals in a culture are changed by Christ will the culture begin to reflect that change.

Kingdom attributes

Jesus preached the Gospel of The Kingdom which includes the following attributes (among others):

• Salvation
• Healing
• Deliverance
• Reconciliation
• Prosperity (as our soul prospers, trusting the Lord)
• Charity and giving
• Transformation of society – to a Godly set of values and behaviours

This means that God rules all spheres of society i.e. the seven mountains:

1. Education
2. Religion
3. Family
4. Business
5. Government/Military/Health
6. Arts/Entertainment/Sports
7. Media

In this is the true authority of God and His word.

God’s authority manifest through the Church

We live in a representative democracy and have the power of the vote. We need to be God’s voice in our community to speak the gospel of His Kingdom.

God transcends all forms of politics. He rules beyond time and space. He gives us His authority, the Authority of the name of Jesus to deal in heavenly places, to deal with principalities and powers. He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. He is sovereign.

We are His servants, called in His name. We (The Church) manifest His Kingdom on earth. We are Kings and Priests under the Lordship of Christ. We are His sons and daughters, blessed to be a blessing, made rich by His sacrifice, set free to set others free.

It is from this place we see the corrupt world system and bring His truth, love, holiness, freedom, and deliverance.

So who should I vote for or should I vote?

This is the obvious question.  We have an obligation to vote.

Vote for the candidate who has the values that align best with God’s word and His Kingdom!

Use your preferences wisely.  In Australia we have a preferential voting system so it is easy to vote for a minor candidate and still preference the major parties as you feel to.  Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Conclusion

I pray this information gives you a better and different understanding of politics and how we can change our society for the better, i.e. towards His Kingdom.

Secondly, there is also a deep call to holiness and intimate relationship.
This is a heart journey as illustrated in the Song of Songs.

Song of Songs 2:15 “the little foxes spoil the vine”
We have to deal with the little things that mess up relationships etc.
This is the starting point of the journey.

Then we have a heart journey of maturing into deeper intimacy.

2:16 then the bride says “My Lover is mine and I am His”. Note the priority order of the relationship. She focus on herself first then Him. We start with ‘He loves me’.

In Chapter 6:3 says, “I am my lover’s and He is mine.” She has changed her priority order to her Groom.

She then matures further and in verse 7:10 “I am my lover’s and His claim is on me.” The bride is coming into a deep relationship where all that matters is the Groom.

Finally verses 8:6,7 we see the bride fully mature in her relationship with her husband.

“Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm,
for love is strong as death,
jealousy is fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
the very flame of the Lord.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love
all the wealth of his house,
he would be utterly despised.”

Here we see the depth of love she has for her Groom.
Even is a very rich man offered everything (think ultra-rich like Bill Gates) she would despise that offer for her love is so unbounded.
This is the depth of holy intimacy we are being called into.

God is a jealous God! He is jealous for us.
We must be totally pure before Him!

This holy purity comes from the heart and from His grace and love, not obligation and works.

A holy and righteous jealousy is what God has for us and we need that for Him as well.

He is calling us all into a closer heart relationship and from that precious place we are empowered to go out with His good news.

We are available for ministry in Australia, please use the contact page if you want to reach us including prayer needs.

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