Today I have read how the Christians in northern Iraq, who had been attacked, killed and persecuted by ISIS, the Muslim extremist group, have found some relief and a safe haven in a Kurdish city. This I believe has been an answer to prayer, it was Wednesday evening here in Australia, that a large group of Christians in Western Sydney but also all over the country decided to pray for these Iraqi Christians.
In fact, the U.S. and Europe are now agreeing that the imminent threat of ISIS in this region has been greatly diminished. By no means does this mean ISIS will give up nor should we as Christians stop praying for the situation in Iraq, but it is wonderful to know that God hears the prayers of believers when we come out of our slumber and activate our faith in him.
James tells us, "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much". The pre-requisite here naturally being three fold, that is our prayers must be effectual, fervent and come from the lips of the righteous. What then are these three characteristics?
The greek word effectual comes from the word ENERGEO which basically means "having vitality as opposed to deadness. You could say it means to be alive and at work, and it brings to mind where Paul says in Phillipians to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling". When I first read this scripture, I thought as a new Christian that I needed to work at being a Christian, that is through works I am saved. This however is far from the truth, when studying this verse we now know that Paul was instructing us to let that which Christ has wrought in you, be worked out of you in your life. I therefore don't need to and indeed cannot do anything in my own strength to be saved, but am expected to let Christ shine in my life and the way I live.
This is what I believe ENERGEO is all about, effectual prayer is rising up to the plate as believers and allowing our faith to be activated and seen.
The second word Fervent comes from the greek word EKTENOS which literally means to boil or even burn in our spirits. That is to be passionate about what we want and need in our prayers. It also means to strive and stretch forth, not for our salvation but as one who is in a race to win. It reminds me of my favourite verse Isaiah 40:31 which states "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength...". Once again the prophet here was not implying that we simply hang around and wait for something to happen, but this actually means to pursue the Lord and his plans rather than our own desires.
The third word used is naturally one of the most powerful, the word righteous. The greek word for righteous come from the word DIKAIOS. This word speaks nothing more than one of the characteristics of the Lord Jesus himself. Righteousness is not something that can be exhibited in people unless they themselves are righteous from the outset, there is therefore only one who can make us righteous and that is the Lord Jesus! Scripture tells us "what fellowship does light have with darkness?" as 2 Corinthians tells us. When we walk in the light and truth of Christ He through his blood on the cross of Calvary grants us his righteousness. It is therefore the believer in Christ who through the appropriation of faith is able to pray prayers which are righteous.
It was these prayers, the effectual fervent prayers of righteous men and women of God around the world, which I believe, saw the dramatic changes to those persecuted in Iraq. It therefore begs the question, if Christians would continue to pray in unity around the world when situations like these arise, what an amazing potential and impact we could have on our world?
I hope this inspires you to pray prayers like this.
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Ellel Ministries
Had the opportunity yesterday to attend a pastors and leaders day held at Ellel Ministries in Menangle NSW Australia. It was a real pleasure to finally attend such a day, as I have had an association through various friends who have been a part of this ministry for many years.
Ellel Ministries which can be found in over 20 countries offers a place of prayer and healing and abides by Luke 9:11 that Jesus Welcomed them, shared his love and healed them.
As pastors, it is easy to think that we must have all the answers, Paul the apostle said to be "all things to all men" but I don't think he was wanting us to do everything for everyone, but rather to relate to all people at their level and where they are at. He goes on to say that to Jews, he is a Jew and to slaves, he is a slave. It is therefore refreshing to know that there are ministries around the world which are able to compliment that which cannot be done within the framework of the local church.
Which when I think about this, I Corinthians 12 comes to mind. The body, speaking of the body of Christ and the church is made up of many parts. Each of these parts play a vital role to ensure the body is functioning as it should. Yes, some of us may get by without a leg or arm or perhaps even most of our lower limbs. But none of us can survive without our vital organs and certainly the body is most effective when all parts are working together to see the great commission as stated in Mathew 28:18 fulfilled. That is to "Go into all the world..." with the love and good news of Jesus Christ.
This naturally happens not just at a macro level but also on a micro level. That is to say that when we are not living in love and compassion and forgiveness towards those around us on a daily basis, we somehow get out of sync with the world in which we live. I was once asked by someone why my wife and I had such a great relationship. I responded by saying that I made a commitment at the altar to love her until she died. The person who had asked this question was horrified at my answer stating "you cannot commit to love another person until they first love you". At hearing this response I was horrified and said that if this is the case with everyone then you would have a stale mate, that is everyone waiting for the next person to make a move. Scripture tells us that Jesus demonstrated his love for us that "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. I went on to explain that whilst I had made this commitment to my wife, she in turn made the same commitment to me. However, even if she decides not to love me, I would always love her.
Over and over again in history we can see how the church has grown when ordinary believers in Christ lay down their lives for those around them. Holding a grudge or being offended with another person, especially those in whom we have relationship, can be one of the most crippling and debilitating things we can experience. I believe it is through Christ's example of dying to self for others that God's love can be truly released into the world in which we live.
As fighting in the middle east continues and thousands of people, both Christian and Muslims alike are losing their lives, perhaps we can begin to think how we can share some of Christ's mandate for the church to our world and release forgiveness to those nearest to us.
God Bless
Ellel Ministries which can be found in over 20 countries offers a place of prayer and healing and abides by Luke 9:11 that Jesus Welcomed them, shared his love and healed them.
As pastors, it is easy to think that we must have all the answers, Paul the apostle said to be "all things to all men" but I don't think he was wanting us to do everything for everyone, but rather to relate to all people at their level and where they are at. He goes on to say that to Jews, he is a Jew and to slaves, he is a slave. It is therefore refreshing to know that there are ministries around the world which are able to compliment that which cannot be done within the framework of the local church.
Which when I think about this, I Corinthians 12 comes to mind. The body, speaking of the body of Christ and the church is made up of many parts. Each of these parts play a vital role to ensure the body is functioning as it should. Yes, some of us may get by without a leg or arm or perhaps even most of our lower limbs. But none of us can survive without our vital organs and certainly the body is most effective when all parts are working together to see the great commission as stated in Mathew 28:18 fulfilled. That is to "Go into all the world..." with the love and good news of Jesus Christ.
This naturally happens not just at a macro level but also on a micro level. That is to say that when we are not living in love and compassion and forgiveness towards those around us on a daily basis, we somehow get out of sync with the world in which we live. I was once asked by someone why my wife and I had such a great relationship. I responded by saying that I made a commitment at the altar to love her until she died. The person who had asked this question was horrified at my answer stating "you cannot commit to love another person until they first love you". At hearing this response I was horrified and said that if this is the case with everyone then you would have a stale mate, that is everyone waiting for the next person to make a move. Scripture tells us that Jesus demonstrated his love for us that "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. I went on to explain that whilst I had made this commitment to my wife, she in turn made the same commitment to me. However, even if she decides not to love me, I would always love her.
Over and over again in history we can see how the church has grown when ordinary believers in Christ lay down their lives for those around them. Holding a grudge or being offended with another person, especially those in whom we have relationship, can be one of the most crippling and debilitating things we can experience. I believe it is through Christ's example of dying to self for others that God's love can be truly released into the world in which we live.
As fighting in the middle east continues and thousands of people, both Christian and Muslims alike are losing their lives, perhaps we can begin to think how we can share some of Christ's mandate for the church to our world and release forgiveness to those nearest to us.
God Bless
Sunday, 3 August 2014
There is nothing new under the Sun
Was reading Ecclesiastes today and notably read the famous passage from Solomon that "there is nothing new under the Sun". Solomon's opening view upon life would seem a little bleak and unexciting, simply a chasing after the wind he says. Of cause as we read further he points out some positives as well, but doesn't leave us in his opening with the greatest of expectations.
Yet, it is this chasing after the wind that I find most interesting. Jesus in John chapter three gives us his impression of the wind, stating "we know not from where it comes". The wind it would seem can be very elusive and it is this very fact that makes the wind something to be sought.
What then is this wind that Jesus spoke about? Well, theologians all tell us that the wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit being the third person of the triune God head being God the Father, God the Son and God The Holy Spirit. Whilst for some this may seem strange that the God head is represented in this way, it does indeed make the world of sense when we consider the very make up of mankind.
Man, the bible says in Genesis, is made in the very image of God. At this point we could go off on many different tangents that could lead us down a confusing lane. But I wish to stay on the narrow path and simply consider what we know of what constitutes mankind. All of us will agree that we have a physical body and most would agree we have a soul. Some even agree that there is a spiritual aspect of man that truly makes us who we are.
Greek and Hebrew teaching on this subject do have their different understandings, one stating the soul is part of the spirit of man, whilst the other that they are separate. Taking into account Genesis, that we are indeed made in the image of God and using this as our example than I would argue for man having a separate distinct spirit which scripture imply was breathed into us at creation. It was this action of breathing the spirit in us that brought what was once clay to life.
It is a rather easy concept therefore, to conclude that the Spirit gives life, just as we read in scripture. Jesus himself in John explained this to his followers and later breathed upon them in what can only be described as the regenerating of their spirits.
Jesus set the example for you and I who believe, that it is God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit that regenerates and gives spiritual life back to those who are lost in their sin. As we read in Romans, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" and therefore everyone who is made in God's image is in need of this life giving Spirit. If something can be gained then we can assume it can also be lost and as time goes on, I believe it is possible to lose that which has been given and is therefore imperative that those who have been regenerated by God's Spirit continue their fellowship with him. Paul the apostle spoke on this many times in his writings one such example can be seen in 2Corintians 13:14.
What then is the chasing after the wind as Solomon speaks about which I believe can be a greater motivation to life and living? It is the chasing after the sweat presence and fellowship of the Holy Spirit. It is not a format or program in our lives that will bring the satisfaction and success that we all seems to strive after, but the gentle whisperings and leading of God's Spirit.
Have a wonderful Day!
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