Don't Let Cruel Abuse Destroy You

Joseph was his father Jacob's favourite son. Jacob spoiled him and gave him a splendid robe. This aroused the envy of his brothers and they hated him.

They wanted to kill him, but instead they sold him as a slave.

These men were the fathers of the twelve Hebrew tribes.

These tribes formed the chosen people of God, but their behaviour was anything but holy.
Joseph was prophetically gifted but unbearably proud and arrogant.

His brothers were hateful and cruel.   

We Christians read the history of the Jews in the Bible and we are often proud that we are supposedly better.

We read in the New Testament about the heroic faith of the apostles and the love and virtue of the first Christians, but not everything in the first churches was beautiful and good.

There were good but also evil church leaders.

Paul teaches us that we should not passively accept cruel treatment from preachers and leaders.

For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. 2 Cor 11:20 NASB95

But surely there is no such brutal leadership these days. Yes, there is.

We often read terrible reports of Catholics who were sexually abused as children in the church.

In America, there are also many reports of sexual exploitation of young women in evangelical churches.

A Christian journalist in Australia has researched the stories of harassed wives of pastors. These women told how they were enslaved and often raped by their outwardly respectable husbands.

Jesus warned his apostles that they were not immune to hypocrisy either. We can all fail. Where can you find a Christian who has never been hurt by other Christians?

There are two tragic mistakes that we must avoid.
Some victims learn never to resist, to see themselves as inferior, to give up all hope.

When some husbands read in the Bible that their wives should submit, they demand slave like obedience. They don't allow access to a bank account. They always give orders and humiliate their wives all the time.

If the woman seeks help in the church, she is blamed because she is supposed to submit even more. There are women who put up with all this for years.

The other mistake is the strong reaction, whereby the injured victim escapes and then becomes an aggressive, bossy bully.

Joseph was the spoiled and proud son of Jacob. He was abducted by Arab slave traders and sold in Egypt. He suffered unjustly for years as a slave and then a prisoner, but he never gave up and never became bitter.

Joseph was finally freed from captivity. The strange prophetic dreams of his youth were astonishingly fulfilled. He became the head of the Egyptian government and then he was reconciled with his family.

Perhaps you have had to endure terrible experiences in churches, as I have myself. Please don't give up. Jesus was also persecuted by God's people. He understands your suffering and he loves you.

God has a way out for you, not unconditional submission, but not resentment and revenge either.

Of course this does not mean you cannot publicly call out for justice. Of course it is right to report rape to the police. Of course it is right to denounce abusive church leaders. Jesus and Paul publicly denounced bullies in pulpits.

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you greatand mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NASB95

Don't Let Abuse Cripple You

 Joseph was his father Jacob's favourite son. Jacob spoiled him and gave him a splendid robe. This aroused the envy of his brothers and they hated him.

They wanted to kill him, but instead they sold him as a slave.

These men were the fathers of the twelve Hebrew tribes.

These tribes formed the chosen people of God, but their behaviour was anything but holy.
Joseph was prophetically gifted but unbearably proud and arrogant.

His brothers were hateful and cruel.   

We Christians read the history of the Jews in the Bible and we are often proud that we are supposedly better.

We read in the New Testament about the heroic faith of the apostles and the love and virtue of the first Christians, but not everything in the first churches was beautiful and good.

There were good but also evil church leaders.

Paul teaches us that we should not passively accept cruel treatment from preachers and leaders.

For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. 2 Cor 11:20 NASB95

But surely there is no such brutal leadership these days. Yes, there is.

We often read terrible reports of Catholics who were sexually abused as children in the church.

In America, there are also many reports of sexual exploitation of young women in evangelical churches.

A Christian journalist in Australia has researched the stories of harassed wives of pastors. These women told how they were enslaved and often raped by their outwardly respectable husbands.

Jesus warned his apostles that they were not immune to hypocrisy either. We can all fail. Where can you find a Christian who has never been hurt by other Christians?

There are two tragic mistakes that we must avoid.
Some victims learn never to resist, to see themselves as inferior, to give up all hope.

When some husbands read in the Bible that their wives should submit, they demand slave like obedience. They don't allow access to a bank account. They always give orders and humiliate their wives all the time.

If the woman seeks help in the church, she is blamed because she is supposed to submit even more. There are women who put up with all this for years.

The other mistake is the strong reaction, whereby the injured victim escapes and then becomes an aggressive, bossy bully.

Joseph was the spoiled and proud son of Jacob. He was abducted by Arab slave traders and sold in Egypt. He suffered unjustly for years as a slave and then a prisoner, but he never gave up and never became bitter.

Joseph was finally freed from captivity. The strange prophetic dreams of his youth were astonishingly fulfilled. He became the head of the Egyptian government and then he was reconciled with his family.

Perhaps you have had to endure terrible experiences in churches, as I have myself. Please don't give up. Jesus was also persecuted by God's people. He understands your suffering and he loves you.

God has a way out for you, not unconditional submission, but not resentment and revenge either.

Of course this does not mean you cannot publicly call out for justice. Of course it is right to report rape to the police. Of course it is right to denounce abusive church leaders. Jesus and Paul publicly denounced bullies in pulpits.

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you greatand mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NASB95

God Hears Women when they Cry

 A young woman working in the Australian parliament was raped by a colleague, but it was all treated as a political issue and hushed up by the ruling party.

A few weeks ago, this brave woman went public in protest. This sparked a 'Me Too' movement in Australian politics.

This week we saw another scandal. I was so outraged that I struggled to pray about it without anger and resentment.

Finally, I tried to pray for justice without anger. Then I had the clear impression that God was answering me.

"I have heard the cries of the women."

Then I said to the Lord. But many of these protesting women are not Christians. They are not praying in the name of Jesus.

Then the Lord spoke very clearly to me.

When the Hebrew slaves cried out in Egypt, do you think they were all holy and righteous?

The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. Ex 3:7 NIV

And do you think all these angry women are unbelieving feminists? Not at all.

I know Christian women who have been victims of brutal harassment in supposedly pious churches.

When women are victimised and speak out, they are often shamed and blamed by churches and by politicians who claim to be Christians.

One of the most prominent preachers in Germany is Gaby Wentland. She rescues women from trafficking and prostitution. She is also a political activist against human trafficking.

I heard her say: 'There are more prayers in brothels than in churches in Germany.

God has heard the cries of the women.

God speaks clearly in our hearts when we desire justice with all our hearts.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Mt 5:6 NIV

Justice, Forgiveness and Reconciliation

 Reconciliation is God's plan. Discord is not part of his nature. He does not bear grudges.

God is love and he loves all people.

God sent his only eternal Son to suffer and die for you and me.
Why did Jesus have to die to forgive us?

We need forgiveness and God always wanted and wants to forgive, but God is also just.

Jesus was humble and always sought reconciliation, but he never stopped demanding justice.

God's way of thinking is radically different.

A young woman in America was raised Christian, but she fell in love with a man who led her astray.

Her Christian mother never stopped praying for her, but one day she was confronted with a nightmare. Her daughter was murdered by her boyfriend.

The man had to stay in prison for years.

The mother of the deceased young woman was heartbroken, but then she received an unthinkable instruction from the Holy Spirit.

She was not only to forgive the murderer, but to visit him in prison. She was to help him and learn to love him as her own son.

Little by little, the evil man felt God's love and grace more and more until he finally repented and converted.

He was released from prison, and the mother of the murdered woman helped him to rebuild his life. Now they are travelling around and giving their testimony.

The murderer had to suffer in prison for years. That was justice.

But the mother of the deceased young woman adopted him and loved him until he repented and received God's grace. That is reconciliation.

For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Rom 5:10 NRSV

Why did Jesus have to die? Because God demands justice. Sin must be punished.

Jesus died to take our punishment upon himself, so that if we repent, we will not suffer God's punishment in hell.

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 loves all people, but you are not just a specimen of humanity. God loves you personally.

Do you want to repent now and ask for God's forgiveness?

Paul was very religious but not a nice person until he had a visitation from Jesus Himself.
Years later he wrote.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Cor 5:20 NIV

Political Partisanship is Dangerous

 Are you a socialist? Careful. The devil is also a socialist.

Are you a conservative? Watch out! The devil is also conservative.

Are you an idealist who wants to save the environment, who believes in a new world order. The devil also marches in your movement.

Are you a nationalist who wants to save your nation through resistance. The devil also belongs to your party.

The devil manipulates us without ceasing. He stirs up dogmatism and contention everywhere.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 

idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions… Galatians 5:19–20 NIV84

What do I see in political parties? Enmity, strife, ... discord, factionalism.

If we look too closely at the schemes of the devil in this world, we will be tempted to join in any religious or political movement. Then we become spiritually blinded so that we can no longer clearly perceive the truth of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Many years ago my father was invited to join an anti Communist association. My father had no sympathy for communism, but he refused. Why? My father did not want to define himself by what he opposed.

I firmly believe in a government which encourages business enterprise and also actively cares for poor, sick or disadvantaged people.

Some politicians favour the strong but neglect the weak. Others want to care for the weak, but discourage enterprise. 

I am looking for leadership which is fair and balanced. I am often disappointed by what I see.

When we passionately fight for an ideology, our patriotism or idealism can become a false god without our realising it.

idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions. Galatians 5:20 NIV84

We see these unfortunate tendencies everywhere, unfortunately among many devout Christians.

Where do you fix your eyes, on the schemes of the Antichrist on earth, or on Jesus?

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1–2 NIV84

We have an election coming next month in Australia. I am finding it extremely difficult to practise what I preach at this time. 

It is so difficult to pray for national leaders when you see serious faults and corruption on both sides.

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV84

Voting is a trial if you live truth, justice and mercy. I usually find I must vote for the lesser evil. That can be a difficult decision.

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

Jesus preached the Good News of the Kingdom, so we must embrace HIS agenda. 

What did Jesus teach us about the KINGDOM?

IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, THE KING IS THE HEALER OF ALL THINGS.

Matthew 4:23 (ESV)  And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS A RIGHTEOUS KINGDOM.
To live in the Kingdom we must turn from evil.

Matthew 4:17 (NKJV)  From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Repentance also means to change you mind, to change your thinking, to think like God thinks.

WE MUST SUBMIT TO OUR GOOD KING AND LEARN HIS WAYS.

“The King of Love my shepherd is whose goodness faileth never. I nothing lack if I am his and he is mine for ever.”

• Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)  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.

• And do not be conformed to this world, 

  • but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ONE. IT IS A KINGDOM OF UNITY.

• 1 Corinthians 10:17 (NKJV)  For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

• John 17:20-21 (NKJV)  "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

  •  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

• You may be stuck with a way of thinking you learnt from your church but you are not open to fresh inspiration from the Holy Spirit and from ideas from believers outside your tradition.

• If so, you need to REPENT, think again, listen to God and listen to inspired thinking from believers outside your denomination or local assembly.

GOD IS LOVE AND HE LOVES NOT ONLY YOU BUT THE NATION WHICH YOU BELONG TO. 

• Patriotism is of God because God is love and He loves your nation and your people.

BUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS INTERNATIONAL AND OUR PRIMARY CITIZENSHIP IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

• Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

• There must be no discrimination amongst God’s people. Patriotism must not be contaminated with sinful pride, racism, prejudice or exclusive nationalism. 

• I also thank God that He has raised up women as wonderful preachers and teachers of the Kingdom in our generation as He also did in Bible days. 

• I thank God for Cindy Jacobs, Heidi Baker, Wendy Alec, Mother Teresa, Jackie Pullinger, Joyce Meyer, Basilea Schlink, Corrie ten Boom and many other wonderful women who have built and are building the Kingdom of God.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS A KINGDOM AT WAR.

• Matthew 10:7-8 (NKJV)  And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

• Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

We have an enemy, Satan, the adversary of God. The Kingdom of Darkness afflicts people with sickness; demons possess and destroy lives. 

• We have received the free gift of forgiveness, a new life and the right to exercise the authority and power of Jesus. 

  • We must use this power to heal and restore lives, to rescue people from the prisons of sickness, rejection and from the control of demons.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

• Matthew 6:9-12 (NKJV) In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come...

• YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

• In Heaven there is no sickness and no poverty, so we must resist these things as our enemies.

• In heaven there are no denominations, so we must embrace ALL believers here as our brothers, demonstrating actual fellowship and practical love.