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Archives for December 2017

Christ loves the hijab

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Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and for evermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this

I had to write about this – we had a Christmas gathering this week, in our home. People we had heard of, but never met came and joined us from all over Sydney. It was such a delight, as a group of passionate believers shared intimately in the presence of Christ eating, sharing and communing into the night.

One couple work in Western Sydney with Muslims and the Yazidis, as they speak Arabic and have lived in Israel. Here is a story they told that had us that soon had us in tears:

A Muslim woman, a teacher of the Koran who fastidiously wore a black hijab from head to toe, revealing only her face and hands, was contemplating taking her own life. She found no answers in what she did. The night before she planned to kill herself with a knife, Jesus came to her in a dream. With a radiant face he came up to her and said, ‘I am Jesus and I love you.’ He then kissed her on each cheek and gazed into her eyes. She asked him, ‘can I kiss you too?’ to which Jesus affirmed her. She kissed Christ on each cheek and broke down and cried in her dream.

From that moment her life changed forever. She awoke the next morning completely and utterly transformed. She now spends her time ministering Christ to others, and teaching them of the outrageous love of God through his Son. Such was the total change, that a month later her husband marched into church and demanded to know what had happened to his wife – he wanted the same thing for himself and gave his life to Christ on the spot.

Today, they minister Isa into their Muslim community, and see lives change as others turn to Christ.

Friends, the most remarkable thing about this outrageous love of God, which we remember especially at this time, is that Christ does not discriminate in his love for us. We may think others are beyond redemption, but he has the power to change everyone, and loves all equally. There is nobody else like Him whom we worship at this time.

Let us pray that others might experience such life changing love. Tell someone of his love this Christmas.

Happy Christmas.

 

Taslan

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Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared – 1 Tim 4

In CS Lewis’ book, The Last Battle, a rather shrewd ape (called Shift) sews a lion skin around a rather dumb donkey (Puzzle) and uses him to control Narnia. Shift the ape, parades the look-alike lion before the Narnians only during twilight, and the innocent Narnians are left speechless at what they perceive the remarkable and legendary Aslan has become. How could one so majestic and powerful, have become so revolting and pernicious.

The ape then joins forces with the arch enemy of Narnia, the Calormenes, who have a god called Tash. Tash is an evil spirit, a vulture with 2 feet and 4 arms, and eats children who are given to him in child sacrifice. In a masterstroke of brilliance, the ape and Calormenes declare that Tash and Aslan are one and the same, and Aslan becomes Taslan. Everyone is utterly confused.

In the saddest twist that eventually destroys Narnia forever, even when the truth is finally revealed, when Tash is banished and the donkey exposed, Narnians are too dismayed to put their faith in anything other than themselves. A once beautiful country has now become worthless and fit only for destruction.

The Last Battle mirrors our own society so closely, that it would seem Lewis was writing while reading today’s news. Our society is so confused about the truth and who is really in charge, that the only person they feel safe putting their faith in, is themselves. The West it seems, has finally caught up with the world inhabited by Paul.

Paul’s final letters are replete with warnings on false teachings, spirits and deception within the fledgling church. While he specifically addresses what was happening in the church, it seems that if his society was anything like ours, that confusion was just absorbed from the world. Both the world and the church appear very mystified about Jesus Christ.

I met with a disciple maker this week, and we had a wonderful time sharing times of prayer, elation and trials. Our conclusions were remarkably similar, and that is, it is extremely difficult to engage Western culture in anything that resembles the demands of Jesus Christ. Jesus, Mohammed or even faith in yourself, is it really such a big deal? Sometimes sadly, the church appears just as jumbled.

Those with eyes to see will see this though – this is only the beginning, soon it is going to get much worse.

A happy Christmas message you might ask?

Well, I think so. To me and those who are committed to growing in Jesus Christ, this time reminds us of the sheer extraordinariness of God. We have a lofty, majestic King, God’s own Son, who is far above all else, and yet, and yet, this Christ still will condescend himself to accept us, heal us, forgive us, grant us total amnesty if only we would accept him. His lightness is more brilliant than the darkest of our dark, and he alone has the power to rescue humanity. He works in the lives of individuals dealing with each of us so perfectly and exactly where we are. Above all though, my Jesus is alive. Two thousand years after we nailed him to a cross, he continues to reign in heaven.

The world and the church will continue to grow cold in their devotion to Jesus Christ, and one day in this country we will be forbidden from celebrating him publicly. I am certain that will be the case. But it is worth reminding ourselves at this time of year, that such a fact does not alter one iota who the person of Jesus Christ is. World systems, politicians and those who are so full of hatred towards him, can no more make him go away than they can blot out the sun.

In The Last Battle, Aslan comes back when he is least expected. When all have dismissed his presence as no more than a mythical legend, Aslan returns. But by then it is all too late, for he has come for but one purpose, to wind Narnia up and only those who have remained faithful will be saved. So it is with our King, this Jesus that the world has largely dismissed. He is coming back.

My question to you, as it has been to those who I have met out on the streets all year is this though, why would you not embrace him with everything you have? A God who by rights should be at war with us, instead offers himself so willingly, so humbly, to each of us through his Son. Come to me he says, all who are weary and I will give you rest, freedom and life, both here and ever after.

Embrace it, embrace him with your all. He will never disappoint.

Merry Christmas, thanks for reading. May he be your rest and your peace this season.

Have we failed?

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Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. “For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. “Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. – Isaiah 60

As I sit and write this of an evening, I am listening to Kings College Choir Christmas carols. Has so much ever been written or sung of one person, that is the Christ? Have hundreds, maybe thousands of songs and hymns been sung of Buddha or Mohammed? Have so many devoted themselves just to the study of the person of Jesus, and written tomes of thought on the experience? Is there any period in history where this person of Jesus has not had influence on a person or group of people somewhere to change for the better, the circumstance and lives of those around them? We do well to remember who is the real King, especially at such times as this. And what times we live in.

Last week we went onto the streets for several hours, and managed to talk to many about this person of Jesus. Not once in nearly a decade of witnessing on the streets have I been confronted with such confusion, such darkness of thought. Is our society changing I wonder?

Are we collectively no longer able to call wrong for what it is, or good for what it is? Have we so completely fallen for the lie that all paths lead to God, that Jesus was merely one of many great teachers and that each must find the path that suits them? I fear so. To so many, God’s holiness is a thing almost of scorn, after all, aren’t we gods ourselves, able to control our destiny and understanding all things in the light of our own wisdom and knowledge? If I believe in reincarnation, then it must be so and I will be able to will it into being. What need do I have of Jesus?

Friends, how did this thinking come to be part of our everyday society?

One thing is for sure, there will be consequences which our children and grand children will need to face and I feel very much after bringing this before the Lord, that we are to blame. My generation and those recently past, we who have been all too quiet on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Did we stand silent as in daily conversation, the person of Jesus Christ was put on a level with others, were we more concerned with our comfort rather than whether our neighbours are heading for hell?

Surely had your life been different, or mine then we would have seen Christ preached on the street corners, people healed, set free and the power of God move on our world as in times past. What, do we not believe that is as He wants? Surely Scripture would tell us otherwise, that our God is not a mute with nothing to say to this world. Do we forget that he alone, through his Son, has the only answers to this present tragic darkness. No friends, we have been the mute.

I fear then that soon, perhaps very soon, there will be moves to banish the name of Jesus Christ from our society altogether. Look at our schools, our laws, our governments, our very fabric of society. Have not the enemies of Christ done such a good job in persuading us that he is little more than a good man, yet still there might be better. If so, why ever pay him much attention?

So when we come to talk to everyday people, people with real needs in their lives, so many are so completely blinded not only to what is on offer, but what is to come.  Our work it seems, even if we start today will be so much harder than before. Decades of portraying God as a liturgy found only in a building, whom can only be approached while wearing our Sunday best has blinded an entire generation to the beauty and answer found in Christ alone.

Has not God already proclaimed that it would happen regardless, did I hear you say? Surely he has, but do we not think that for the sake of those around us, he will move heaven and earth to reveal himself so that they will be saved.

The question just remains, as it always has – what will you and I do, at what cost, to bring the will of God down to our earth such that his Son’s name might be proclaimed in the darkness, the only true Light of the World.

Will we wait until there are no believers left, till there is no example for the next generation to follow? Pray not, then move out and let the world know that this Christmas a Light has come to the world, one that saves as no other. He has no equal.

Alcatraz

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the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. – Matthew 4

A year ago, we met Mannie on the streets down here in Sydney. I remember it so clearly because it was Melbourne Cup day. There we were, 3 of us sitting on the steps outside the Municipal building chatting, praying, sharing. We were dressed in ragamuffin clothes while around us people in their finery were rushing to make it to lunch before the race.

Emmanuel has a mother who lives in the local housing commission, affectionately known as Alcatraz. Picture it for a moment; a 100-unit block right on the Sydney waterfront. Imposing, yet almost unknown locally, it is home to those whom society has both forgotten and mostly discarded. Ever since coming here we have been drawn to the place and have met, over the past months, quite a few Alcatraz inhabitants. We have prayed extensively (though not enough) and over time, met more and more people. Our sense from the Lord is to keep going, to watch as the power of God is unleashed through his Spirit, as the Gospel of Christ is preached to those who are captive.

Captive?

For most here, life is an endless round of depression, addiction, drugs (illicit or prescription) and visits by well meaning medicos whose role is to keep them away from mainstream society. The Webster packs (daily drug doses administered in weekly or fortnightly packs by nurses) can run 14-deep. Who will set them free?

We have toiled with this question a great deal. Like to know what we have learned? Firstly, that God heals and delivers today, and he wants to heal much more. He chooses us (on the whole) to heal through. Friends, nobody else will set these people free from the darkness that envelopes them. Secondly, the task is huge. The demonic, the darkness, the deliverance doesn’t get dislodged by a few 10-min prayers here and there. We are in a battle, and the stakes are high. Can you imagine what would happen if the wider community began to become aware that people were being delivered and set free down here? Lastly, we need to believe. This is a big mountain. Will God really set this place free? We, the believers at least, must trust God implicitly that he wants to do this.

Despite our doubts, we believe more than ever that God wants to demonstrate his mercy and power in this place. Over the past 12 months we have made inroads. Monthly, we run outside BBQs down by the waterfront. Tenants are starting to notice, and they now hover around to find out what is going on (as well as get fed). At last week’s meal, we prayed for Colleen whom we had never met before. She has emphysema, so desperate yet so lovely. Every time we meet, we run Discovery Bible Study around the picnic table and pray for each person.

As a result, a few more opportunities have started to spring up. Some are willing to meet during the week for Discovery Bible Study and prayer, and we encourage them to open their homes to others within the complex.  We are looking to rent the local community centre to encourage some to come out during the week.

Still though, we need prayer. Lots of prayer, lots more than we currently have. We need labourers too; those who live locally who are willing to labour with us in Christ.

We want to see Christ move through his Spirit. To see the oppressed set free. As we listen to the stories of lives that somehow got derailed, I realise how it could have so easily been me. Born into different circumstances, or with just a few things changed in my life, I could have been there. So, could you. How would you go as a pubescent girl with an alcoholic mother who force-fed you Vodka from an early age? What would the chances of ‘normal’ be for you today?

There are dozens of other stories. Are they all innocent, of course not? But is God rich in mercy, so much. He loves them, his Son died for them. He wants to save them and only he can. Friends, if you will, pray with us. Pray for more workers, and against the darkness of Alcatraz, that the Father of Heavenly Lights would shine on those in darkness.

We come into a seasonal time that is especially beautiful for believers, a time when God decided to act decisively against the darkness of this world. Pray especially that the darkness over Alcatraz might be lifted, and the light of Christ would shine in.

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