God Rescues

 So many times God has stepped in to my life when I most needed help.

God is our shelter and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble. Ps 46:1 GNB

I was recovering from a very serious mental breakdown and I was teaching a class  when I was still not very well. Without warning I had a panic attack in front of my class. The students saw the distress on my face and burst out laughing. I remember one young man doubled over and laughing hilariously as he left the room. I quickly recovered my composure and told the class to take a 15 minute break.

I went into the next room and cried out to God for help. I asked Him for inspiration to teach a good lesson after the break. I immediately had a good idea and went on to teach an excellent lesson. The students calmed down and responded as if nothing had happened. At the end of the course the students showed enthusiastic appreciation.

When I met my wife, I knew that I wanted to marry her. But only a few weeks later I was made redundant and lost my job. I had no job and no income. Then I got some casual work for a few hours a week. That increased and increased and by the end of the year I was working full time again.

Two years later the teachers’ union won a court case for the teachers who had been laid off and I received $20,000 in back pay.

Then I applied for a promotion. I didn’t think I had a chance but a colleague encouraged me to apply. I spent two sleepless nights writing my application and took my draft to a secretarial service. The application was faxed at 4.55 pm, just before 5 pm, the rigid deadline. I was amazed when I got the promotion and the pay rise.

Some colleagues said my application was late but I checked at the office. The fax arrived less than one minute before the deadline.

God says, “I will save those who love me
and will protect those who acknowledge me as LORD.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
when they are in trouble, I will be with them.
I will rescue them and honour them. Ps 91:14-15 GNB

God wants to help you.

 Jesus left Judea and returned to Galilee. It was a long walk, and at noon he took a break at a well in Samaria. 

There he found a woman drawing water from the well.

 It was taboo for Jews to talk to Samaritans. Jesus was also a Bible teacher, and no rabbi was allowed to speak to a woman alone. 

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”

Jesus was alone with this woman because his disciples had gone to the nearby town to buy supplies. The woman was surprised that Jesus spoke to her.

So the Samaritan woman said to him, “How do you, being a Jew, ask from me water to drink, since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jn 4:9 LEB

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you had known the gift of God and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me water to drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” Jn 4:10 LEB

Are you a little religious, virtuous and idealistic? That's a good start, but there's more. Many pastors preach humanistic philosophy, and their listeners have nothing more than vague ideas about God and eternal reality.

Are you a Christian? Do you expect an eternal future in heaven? That's good. But if you knew what Jesus wants to give you here on earth, you would pray from the heart and expect miracles.

Are you entangled in drug addiction, prostitution, pornography or the occult?
 
The woman in this story was despised in her society, but she may not have been to blame.

The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband,’ 

for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” Jn 4:17–18 NRSVue

In this society, only the man had the say. Five husbands had rejected her? Why?
Was she unable to bear sons? 
Had she been sexually abused and was unable to satisfy her husband? 
Was she extremely depressed, traumatised and moody?

How could she survive as a woman who had been divorced five times? As a beggar? As a prostitute?

Jesus did not look at her sins, but at her need. He simply loved her.

Jesus died on the cross for you and your sins. He simply loves you.

No matter where you are, Jesus wants to bless you.

When you entrust your life completely to Jesus, God's Spirit comes and dwells in your spirit.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, Eph 3:20 NRSVue

Why do we expect so little from God? What is your problem?
Have you failed? Jesus can give you strength and wisdom to live a new life.

Are you caught up in a colourless, decent religious routine? Jesus freed the decent Jews of his time from their religious treadmill. Jesus gave his disciples a new life filled with joy, freedom and adventure.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Jn 10:10 NRSVue

Are you addicted to pornography? You can never enter God's heaven with pornography, but Jesus can set you free.

Jesus was tortured on the cross. Through his suffering, he took the punishment for all your sins upon himself.

If only you knew how God can and wants to help you, you would cry out for God's help and have a new life.

God's Frustration

 God's frustration.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Lk 13:34 NIV

Jesus loved everyone, even the stubborn Pharisees and priests who persecuted him.

… God our Saviour, 
who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Ti 2:3–4 NIV

God wants to save everyone, but many do not want to trust God. 

That is God's frustration.

God sacrificed his best to save everyone.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Jn 3:16–17 NIV

God has plans and purposes that will inevitably come to pass.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev 21:1–4 NIV

But God also has intentions and desires that can be frustrated.

He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. Jn 1:11 NLT

When Jesus visited his hometown, the people did not want to respect him as the Messiah.

Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him. 

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 

He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. Mk 6:3–5 NIV

Notice the words, “He could not.” There are things that God can not do unless we let him. God chooses to limit his actions according to our free choices.

God is love. When you love deeply and strongly and those you love, reject you, you feel deep pain. God also feels this pain.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 Jn 4:8 NIV

If you do not experience God's blessing, please do not blame God. 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Jn 10:10 NKJV

He wants to forgive you, bless you, heal you, and give you a new life. 

It's up to you. 

You can pray this way and receive God's amazing answer, but you must really mean what you pray.
“Jesus, if you exist, come into my life and forgive all my sins.”

Jesus is not a fairy tale.

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NKJV

Your Words Can Set You Free

 Jesus demonstrated not only God's power, but also God's consistent commitment to healing.

Curses are conveyed through words. They must be cancelled through words. 
God wants to set you free with HIS words of blessing, but the devil wants to take you captive again with HIS words. 

You often do not hear the devil's words directly from demons, but from other people. There are people who attack you repeatedly with harsh words. It is good if you can avoid such people. 

But you hear the devil's words very often in your own thoughts. You must defend yourself by not agreeing with these thoughts.
 
The worst thing is when you repeat these witchcraft spells aloud with your own voice. Then you curse yourself.

What is the antidote and how does it work?

You can redefine yourself with truth. 

Have you sinned? Then ask God for forgiveness and he will forgive you. But that is only the beginning. Then you must forgive yourself. Please forgive yourself!

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Jn 1:8–9 NRSV

Are you unsure whether you truly belong to God?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

Do you believe in Jesus? He died for you. Have you given your life to Jesus? Then you are a beloved child of God. 

But it is possible that the message of Jesus is only a religious truth for you, but not a personal reality, not something you experience in your everyday life.

If you are in this religious no-man's-land, you can take these words of Jesus to heart.

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. Rev 3:20 NRSV

Jesus does not want to offer you mere religious beliefs. A life based solely on doctrines is only religion.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NRSV

If you have truly found Jesus in your life, you can redefine yourself.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1 NRSV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 Cor 5:17 CSB

Have you made peace with God? Then you can claim God's blessings in the Bible. You are no longer inferior, no longer a failure, no longer condemned. 

You can think words of blessing about yourself and speak them aloud, and you must. Bless yourself again and again, again and again, especially in bitter hours. 

Push with your thoughts and words against the current of your previous life.

Don't say, ‘My life is like this and will never change.’ NO. I am getting out of this mess!!! And my escape to freedom is already well underway!!

God Cares about All your Problems

God cares about everything in your life. He is thinking about you all the time. 

I have seen amazing answers to prayer. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I cried out to God. Years later, my medical specialist said the tumours had not grown and he thought I would probably never need treatment. That is wonderful. Cancer treatment can have very unpleasant side effects.

But what about little things?

I have a weakness in my lower back. I am 76. When I get up in the morning, my back often feels stiff and uncomfortable, even occasionally painful. I often do easy stretching exercises and that helps a lot. 

One night, I was restless all night. My sleep was not peaceful and I woke up with a sore back. When I went to bed the following night, I remembered God’s promises to heal my infirmities. I laid my hand on the sore place and quoted the Bible promise.

“… they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mk 16:18 NRSV

I slept peacefully and next morning my back was much better. After simple stretching exercises, I felt quite comfortable.

If you belong to Jesus, he is interested in everything in your life. He cares about the big problems and also the little problems.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:31–32 NKJV

God is Better than you Think

 If you believe in Jesus and trust God with all your heart, you need not fear death.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Jn 14:1–2 NRSV

When Lazarus died, his sister was devastated.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jn 11:21 NIV

Jesus comforted her with the promise that our life does not end with earthly death.

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jn 11:23–24 NIV

Martha already believed this, but Jesus wanted to reveal something even better to her. 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 ESV

She believed this to some extent, but Jesus wanted to far exceed her expectations.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Eph 3:20 NKJV

Lazarus had been dead for four days, but Jesus brought him back to life, not just restored, but no longer sick.

No matter how weak your faith may be, Jesus wants to help you.

No matter how strong your faith is, Jesus wants to exceed your expectations.

God is better than you think. 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 NKJV

Prophecy. Hearing from God and Telling Others

 Prophecy is hearing from God and telling others.

Some Old Testament texts would indicate it is better never to prophesy at all than to make a mistake when claiming to speak for God.

But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.” Dt 18:20 NRSV

But as we read the New Testament, we see strong instructions encouraging all believers to prophesy, not only church leaders.

Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. 1 Cor 14:1 NRSV

How strange, that the Old Testament should warn against prophesying unless you know that you know that you are a true prophet who infallibly hears the exact words spoken by God.

How strange that the New Testament, inspired by the same Holy Spirit should encourage all believers to prophesy. Surely God knows that we will sometimes make mistakes! Surely He knows that we often only partly understand what He wants to tell us!

Scripture seems to put us in a no win situation. If we boldly encourage everyone to prophesy, are we encouraging false prophecy, confusion and condemnation?

Many Christian leaders today are intimidated by this problem. They teach prophecy is no longer for today. This teaching is without biblical evidence.

Others water down the concept of New Testament prophecy so that is just another word for preaching or general exhortation. 

There is plenty of New Testament evidence to suggest that God still appoints believers to hear messages from heaven and to tell others what they hear, not with the same authority and literal accuracy as scripture but still representing a direct message from God.

Others only allow pastors, elders or leaders to prophesy. But this too is dangerous. If prophecy comes only from leaders, and church members are not supposed to question their authority, then errors will go undetected and mislead many.

The best solution is for leaders to encourage all believers to learn to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to learn to discern between the leading of God, their own thinking and the voice of dark spirits.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. Jn 10:27 NRSV

Bible knowledge is essential but knowledge is not enough. 

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. Jas 1:5 NRSV

The Return of the King

 Wonderful things are happening. Prepare to be surprised.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

If we belong to Jesus, we believe in a God who delights to do new things.

“You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known. Isaiah 48:6 (ESV)

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

God is bound to be true to His wonderful and perfect character but He has never restricted Himself to merely repeat what He has done before.

Some people get upset when Christians report miraculous experiences which are different from the miracles recorded in the Bible.

Two preachers were having a meal in a café in Berlin. A pile of gold dust appeared under the table. A preacher in America was upset about such stories because there is no record of gold dust appearing in the Bible. He preached a sermon against gold dust but the babies in the church creche were covered in gold dust.

Some people are afraid of “lying signs and wonders.” The bible warns of lying signs and wonders but the only reference is in the story of the Anti-Christ in the book of Revelation.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (NKJV)

The only protection against being deceived in spiritual matters is to stay close to Jesus, to be led by the Spirit of God, to live in faith, hope and love, to obey God and to live by His Word.

Does that mean we should only believe in miracles if they are exact copies of miracles recorded in the Bible?

Why?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 (ESV)

How many of the people who criticise contemporary miracle stories are working the signs and wonders that Jesus did on earth? None that I know of.

If God is only allowed to repeat what He did in the Bible, how can it be possible for us to do GREATER works than Jesus did?

If God is only allowed to repeat what He has already done, how then can Bible prophecy be fulfilled?

But weren’t the miracles of Jesus all practical acts of mercy, like healing the sick and raising from death the son of a widow?

I wonder what was the practical benefit of Peter walking on water?

If the prophecy of Jesus is to be fulfilled, then people in these last days will see manifestations more amazing than Peter walking on water. If that does not happen, then the prophecy of Jesus will not be fulfilled and that would make the Son of God a false prophet.

But why should God be doing these things?

At the birth of Jesus, the wise men from the pagan east brought Jesus wonderful gifts, GOLD, frankincense and myrrh. If mankind gives God a gift of gold, should we surprised if a gracious God gives gold to mankind?

And what about the jewels?

“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. Isaiah 54:11-12 (ESV)

But doesn’t this refer to the jewels in Heaven itself? Of course it does. But did not Jesus announce the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven? Did not Jesus teach us to pray: “Your will be done on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN?”

If the first visit of the Son of God was heralded by human gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, why should the approach of the return of Jesus not be heralded by supernatural gifts from the Heavenly Bridegroom to His Bride to be, the Church. 

What could be a more appropriate gift to a bride from her husband to be? Does not a man announce his intention to marry a woman with a gift of a diamond ring?

Porn Dealer finds God

 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Mt 20:16 NIV

You did not come into this world by chance, no matter how good or evil your parents were, no matter whether your parents planned your birth or did not want you at all. 

God has a calling for every single person. God is our Creator. He created you. God is a good, creative Creator. He does not create anything or anyone without a good purpose. 

John Dawson was a missionary from New Zealand who served in Los Angeles. He wanted to reach the owner of a porn shop for Jesus. He had breakfast with this man every week and explained the gospel to him. The man believed everything, but was still not ready to give his life to Jesus.

Then John Dawson received a new insight from the Holy Spirit.

He told the man that he was hard on the outside but had a soft heart. God had given him the gift of mercy, but he was using that gift wrongly by giving false comfort through pornography.

The porn dealer was deeply moved and he began to hope.

That same day, the man made Jesus the Lord of his life.

Jesus told the religious professionals of His day that they were blind because they were proud know-alls.

… Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 

For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. Mt 21:31–32 NIV
 
There are still such theological experts and high-ranking church leaders today. This story of Jesus and the religious professionals is unfortunately still relevant.

Are you a human being? Then you are called. You have a calling from Jesus, but your calling must be activated. You must believe and repent.

Are you already converted, but somehow stuck? Your life is more or less virtuous, but for you, God's kingdom is only in the Bible and in heaven. 

Jesus has very specific plans for you and important tasks.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 NIV

You can continue to strive to be a good, virtuous Christian, or you can take time out to perceive God's guidance and find the true purpose of your life.

“Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. Ps 39:4 NIV

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Mt 7:7–8 NIV

You Reap what you Sow

 God is a generous giver. He gave His only son to suffer a painful death on the cross. 

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Lk 6:38 NIV

God longed to win back the billions of men, women and children who had turned their backs on him and forgotten or rejected His love and goodness.

God began the creation of the world by giving. He gave us life and a beautiful world to live in. Tragically, one by one, we turned away from out maker and imagined we could do better by ourselves. Look at the mess we have made of the world.

God is a giver, so He began His rescue plan by giving again.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

God wanted to get back his lost children, so He gave. He gave his only son in order to receive many sons and daughters.

This is the law of sowing and reaping. If you want to reap a harvest, you must begin by sowing seed. 

If your sons or daughters turn away from you, you will not win them back by taking away their inheritance or disowning them. Keep giving them your love, your kindness, your prayers on their behalf. Tragically, not all children come back, but many do. If you want to harvest love, sow seeds of love.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Lk 6:38 NIV

If you need the mercy, be merciful.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Mt 5:7 NIV

If you need healing, pray for others who need healing. I have done this for many years and I have seen wonderful answers to prayer.

If you have financial needs, don't stop giving. Some prominent preachers have misused this principle with aggressive fund-raising. They never stop preaching about money. This is very sad.

God does want to meet your needs, but money must not be the centre of your attention.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Mt 6:33 NIV

Never forget that God is good. He is a giver. He wants to bless you.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Jas 1:17 NIV

Sometimes you might give and receive a miracle of provision almost instantly. I once gave 20 Euros to a church. A friend in the church did not know about this but he gave me 200 Euros the same night. I was on a mission trip for God and I needed help.

But God is not an automatic teller machine. We often have to wait days, weeks or years for our harvest to appear.

Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 NASB95

God wants to bless you and reward you for your loving service, but we will not see God’s greatest blessing until we see Jesus in the next life.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Mt 6:19–21 NIV

God to the Rescue

 As a farmer was walking through his yard, he found a dead chicken. It was badly injured, obviously killed by a bird of prey. When he picked up the chicken, four chicks were still alive. The mother died saving her chicks.

He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. Ps 91:4 CSB

When we look around, we see a world that has fallen apart. Who tore this world apart? God did not do it.

We can blame the devil, but that is only half the truth. We must all admit that we have gone wrong somehow. We need God's forgiveness so that we do not suffer eternal separation from God and His goodness after death.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

There are many Christians who believe this. They hope to be taken to heaven after they die, but their life on earth is only a shadow of the supernatural adventure with God that we see in the Bible.

God wants us to go deeper into his love. 

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Rev 3:20 NLT

You can experience God's personal love in this way. But how? 

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Mt 7:7–8 NLT

When you learn to experience God's loving kindness, you must expect attacks from the enemy of your soul, but those who live in close friendship with Jesus can have his supernatural protection.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Ps 91:1–2 NKJV

I know a woman who is familiar with God’s tender love. One evening, as she was driving home, God saved her from certain death. 

It was too late to brake. She couldn't avoid a collision. Then she felt a terrible heat. The vehicle drove through her car without making a sound or causing any damage. It was like something out of a science fiction movie. 

Not Sent but they Went

A newly converted taxi driver in an Asian city went to a bar where the waitresses were prostitutes and the owner sold drugs. He made friends with the owner and showed them the love of God. 

The owner and prostitutes became Christians, and the bar became a church.

The taxi driver went on his own initiative. 

He was not sent but he went.

A young English woman went on a voyage to Hong Kong. She went to the most horrible slum where the police never went. It was a closed community of gangsters, drug addicts and prostitutes. God protected her and used her. The horrible slum was cleaned up and many became Christians.

She was not sent but she went.

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 

Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. Acts 11:19–20 NIV

These first generation Christians were not appointed by the Apostles.

They were not sent but they went.

In fact these pioneers were sent by God, although not appointed by human leaders.

My wife and I started a prayer meeting at home on Friday evenings. We prayed with the woman across the road who belonged to a different church. My wife watched the crime statistics in our suburb. The number of crimes steadily declined as we prayed.

Then our pastor and his wife asked if they could come. Of course we agreed. Some time later they said the church didn’t have a prayer meeting. They took over the prayer meeting and relocated to another house nearer the church. Not long after that the church failed and closed, along with the prayer meeting. We felt cheated.

It is so important to encourage Christians to take initiative. How do you mobilise the Holy Spirit? Just let God do what he wants with anyone who is willing to do something.

My wife and I spent ten years in a church which had no membership list. People from other churches or no church were welcome to come to free flowing meetings on Friday evenings. The pastor told us listen to the Holy Spirit and just go out and do something.

God called me to go to Germany five times from 2011 to 2016. I did not ask the pastor for permission and when he found out, he just encouraged me to just go and do it. God blessed my freelance mission trips with many invitations. I preached many times and made lifelong friends.

I started writing Christian messages in about 2008. In the beginning it was a circular newsletter using email. Then I started blogging in 2009. Since then the readership has multiplied and I have received feedback from people who have reported their lives have changed.

When I started writing, my pastor was not at all supportive but then we moved to a better church and the pastor actually prophesied that God was using me.

If you have a gift or a calling from God, it may help if your pastor or your church appoints you but sometimes you need to just go and do something.

Church leaders can be great encouragers, but sometimes they can hinder what God wants to do.

Following Jesus with Childlike Trust

 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)  

 Moses was the light of his generation. After forty days alone with God, Moses came down from Mount Sinai a changed man. His face shone. 

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light ... Matthew 6:22 (ESV) 

When a woman is in love, her eyes shine. Her whole face lights up. If we love Jesus and we are living in His presence, we are like young people in love and the world can see it. This love is not based on achievement or good work. It comes from the revelation that God loves you with all His heart. 

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (ESV) 

CHILDLIKE TRUST
How does a child grow up? By experiencing his parents´ love and trusting in their guidance. 

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Mark 10:15

In a healthy family, the parents exercise sacrificial love and the children enjoy that love. It is in enjoying the love of God, that we shine like lights in a dark world. Nothing makes a person’s face like up like the enjoyment of loving because you know you are loved. GOD IS LOVE. 

If we focus on our own striving to keep God’s commandments, we lose the childlike enjoyment of God, which is our source of love, joy and power. 

But isn’t obedience also important? 

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 (NKJV) 

Disobedience is not childlike trust in a good Father. Jesus spoke about good works that draw unbelievers to His light. 

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? Matthew 25:37 (ESV) 

And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 (ESV) 

When we heal the sick or carry a shopping basket for an old widow, kindness motivated by the love of Jesus shows the goodness of God to the world. 

The obedience that Jesus loves is not based on an obligation to a ministry. Jesus is not impressed when we strive to win approval, escape criticism or please leaders. 

And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Luke 22:25 

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Matthew 23:8-9  

Preachers who intimidate and control are trying to make people good but they destroy the childlike love, joy and faith which is the real source of Christian goodness.

Fear is the opposite of faith. The fear of man (including church leaders) actually undermines trust in God.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV) 

Should preachers always be soft and comforting? Jesus was not. Godly ministers lead, teach and challenge but they do not control people with guilt, duty and intimidation. 

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 

Any ministry which is not leading you into an enjoyment of Matthew 11:28-30 is not for me and I hope not for you.
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