NEW BLOG ADDRESS

Im now blogging at www.goforsouls.com/blog

Long time no blog... Ive been trying to get anther site up and going but it hasnt worked just yet. It is coming and its gonna be great and hopefully will be even more useful in helping to get the world saved. Stay tuned.

Pentecost

I love Pentecost Sunday! I love reading about the day the Holy Spirit filled the people waiting for the Holy Spirit in the upper room! I love reading how the place shook, and tongues of fire rested on each persons head! I love reading about Peter preaching boldly and I love reading about how 3000 people got saved!

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday and I had the privledge to preach, 5 people came forward for Salvation and around 30 responded to the message to come and be filled with the Holy Spirit! A handful of people fell over under the power of the Holy Spirit, and in between meetings a man testified that whilst he was praying his body was coming up and off the floor! People were given prophetic words, words of knowledge and wisdom, and encouragement!

But the thing I am always reminded when I read and experience Pentecost is that it is just the beginning. The Holy Spirit enables us to do what God has called us to do, to be holy and to win the world for Jesus! Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you today so you can fulfill your God given purpose in life!

Salvationist Miracles

I thought this might be interesting. These are a couple of quotes taken from General William Booths memorandum to his officers in 1901 on the subject of healing. I will ask the question and he will answer it.

Has The Salvation Army always been interested in miracles?
From the foregoing, it will be seen that we have never discouraged Officers, or Soldiers, or any other persons, from seeking the intervention of God by Believing prayer on behalf either of the healing of their bodies or the removal of any other afflictions which they may have been called upon to suffer. The very opposite has been the case. With all our hearts we hold that God is the answerer of Believing Prayer.

What do you think about all these different so called manifestations of the Holy Spirit?
I question very much whether there has been a people since the Israelites of old who have been more favoured with marvellous manifestations of God’s power in the rescue of Comrades from difficulty of one kind and another in temporal affairs than we have been privileged to witness.

Arent signs and wonders just for 'out there' people?
I do not believe that there can be a Corps of The Salvation Army, at home or abroad, in which some such signs and wonders have not been wrought.

Prophetic -> Healing -> Salvation

I recieved this exciting email from Catch the Fire ministries Pastor Danny Nahlia. They have a newsletter which they send out to praise God for what He is doing in their movement. Read and be encouraged, click here if you want to find out where their meetings are.

"The weekend gone by saw an increased level of the anointing of the Holy Sprit as the mighty presence of God swept through the hungry crowd of Jesus-seeking worshippers! A young Buddhist man, who came for the meeting for the first time, received a prophetic word from the Lord and came forward to the altar for prayer and the laying on of hands. He told me that he couldn’t lift his left arm as it was paralysed. I asked him whether I could hold and lift it up. He said, “Yes, but do not let go as it drops and hurts me a lot." Well, I lifted his hand and started praying for life to return to his withered hand, with the crowd united in prayer. As I was holding his hand I felt the weight lift off, and I knew that his muscles were getting stronger. I then at once took my hands off and all glory to God as the man continued to keep his hand up. Then I told him to bring it down and lift it up and promptly he responded with no problem at all. The place erupted into shouts of joy and clapping as the Lord touched his arm! This Buddhist man then gave his life to Jesus."

How cool is that? A prophetic word lead to a healing which lead a mans salvation! Hallelujah! The greatest miracle of all is Salvation! Be challenged to listen to God, obey and believe for miracles today! All glory to God!

Miracles

I found another couple of great sites which have a stack of testimonies on them, they range from simple things from hearing God speak to them through to amazing healings!

This one is fantastic with just under 1,000 testimonies of all sorts of illnesses being cured! Check it out here.

The second one os from Bethel Church where Bill Johnson is from. They have a bunch written down and a few video testimonies. check it out here.

If you want proof of a miracle with verifiable evidence check out my blog from Wednesday 25th June last year. Also, check out the comments on that post and you will find a phone number to check out the story further.

Also, if you need a miracle email me @ (james.thompson@aus.salvationarmy.org) with your name and I will pray for you and perhaps you will be able to testify in the coming days!

Luke 7:36-50

Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.

41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

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I love it how "whilst we were still sinners Christ died for us." I love it how God knows exactly what we are like and forgives us even when the world is still brining up our sin. Thank you Jesus!
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Perhaps you have never recieved the forgiveness of your sins. The woman in the story came to Jesus humbled herself, gave of herself and had faith. It doesn't matter how sinful you are, infact the more sinful you realise you are the more you will end up loving God! If you would like to recieve this forgiveness, humble yourself - acknowledge your sinfulness, give yourself to living for God - turn from your sin and follow Jesus teaching, and have faith - believe that He has forgiven you!

Peace.

Holiness and Revival

One of the things I love about The Salvation Army is our holiness doctrine. I believe that this holiness doctrine is essential for having and maintaining revival. If revival is brought by the Holy Spirit then we need to allow the Holy Spirit to move and sin grieves the Holy Spirit. This is why it is a big deal when people especially leaders, sin during revival, its a problem becasue it hinders the Holy Spirit.

I thought it was interesting how many of the big revivalists around the world have holiness doctrines:

Reinhard Bonnke
"We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is able to live a HOLY LIFE."

Rodney Howard Browne
"The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christ's return."

Benny Hinn
"The Scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." Entire sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God's Word (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 John 2:6). "

Fresh Fire (Todd Bentley)
"We believe all Christians are called into a life of separation from sinful practices and they should take every opportunity to promote righteousness and godliness (James 4:4; Romans 12:1-2, 13:1-10; 2Cor 6:14 -18; 1 John 2:15 -17). Holiness is the release of Christ within each and every believer, changing us into His image, from glory to glory. (2Cor 3:18 ) "

Bethel Church (Bill Johnson)
"In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live holy and minister super-naturally. The baptism of the Holy Spirit according to Acts 1:4-8 and 2:4 is poured out on believers that they might have power to be witnesses."

Planetshakers (Similar to Hillsongs shorter version...)
"We believe that in order to live the holy and fruitful lives that God intends for us, we need to be baptised in water and be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to walk in the fruits of the spirit and use spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues, which is the initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. We believe the gifts are for every believer."

So regardless of whether people live it out all the time, we can see that the majority of revivalists and evangelists have a doctrince of holiness.

Jesus Culture

Jesus Culture is an awessome movement which is trying to light revival fires all over the world by empowering everyday people to step into supernatural ministry! They come out of Bethel which is the church Bill Johnson is the pastor of. (Speaking of Bill Johnson, I went to see him speak at a meeting here in Melbourne and over 50 people got uo to testify that God had healed them during the prayer time! God is good!) Theyre a great bunch of people. I also had the privilige of going to one of their conferences and it was great, empowering, inspiring and challenging!

Anyways, they have a fantastic website with a cool media player with testimonies, sermon chunks and chats and will motivate you to keep fighting in the salvation war and to remind you to always rely on God! I came across this page on their website which has a bunch of testimonies on it. Well worth the read!

Enjoy!

Christian Demonology

Been doing a little bit of study on demonology today. Thought this was good. Its taken from "Power Healing" by Wimber.

Demonology in the New Testament
· The New Testament clearly shows the existence of the devil and demons. (Luke 10:17-20, Revelation 12:7-10)
· Jesus life and ministry were marked by confrontations with demons. (Luke 4, 6:18, 7:21, 8, 9, 11)
· Jesus gave authority to his followers to drive out demons. (Luke 9, 10, Mark 16)
· The New Testament teaches on Christians authority over demons. (1 Corinthians 2:6-8, 10:20-21, Ephesians 6:10-18, Colossians 1:13-16, 2:20)
· The New Testament also tells of numerous exorcisms. (Acts 5:16, 8:6-8, 16:16-18, 19:11-12)

What about them?
· They have intelligence (Acts 16:16-18, 19:15-16)
· They are spirits (Matthew 8:16, 12:43-45, Luke 10, 24:39, Revelation 16:13-14)
· They manifest themselves in different forms (Revelation 9:1-11, 16:13-14)
· They are malevolent (Matthew 12:43-45, Mark 1:27, 3:11, Luke 4:36, Acts 8:7, Revelation 16:13)
· They know their own end (Matthew 8:29, 25:41, James 2:19)
· They have supernatural strength (Matthew 12:29, Mark 5:4, Luke 8:29, Acts 19:13-16)
· They must bow to Jesus’ name (Matthew 8:28, Mark 5:7, Luke 8:26-33)

How do they affect us?
· Temptation
· Opposition
· Posession

How could you support _____?

What do we do with so called dodgey people who seem to get results in the Spiritual? Do we simply write them off and say everything they do ss demonic, do we make youtube clips demonstrating how trhey are wolves in sheeps clothing? or do we have a closer look at what they see as important and see what they believe and stand for?

William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, was accused of all sorts of things especially when he brought out his book, "In Darkest England and the Way Out." Its been well documented how the press handled him. At that time as a reader you could have though a number of things about him but those who he had ministered to would have no doubt he was a man of God. There would also be those in his meetings who didnt percieve God at work in themselves and would say his ministry was a sham and emotionalism!

Why do I consistantly bring up people who the world sees as dodgey? Because I can see what God is doing in their lives and ministries. I like what Bill Johnson has to say about Todd Bentley and see it as a perfect example of what I am talking about...

BJ Quote

I like this quote by Bill Johnson that I read the other day in his book, "The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind." It talks about some of the traps we can fall into as Christians... Ive had a think about where I am, are you game to do the same?

"On one hand the mind has been cast off by some creating a mindless gospel that is emotionalism at best, and cultic at worst. They delight themselves in doing things without reason, thinking that only then is God pleased by their great faith. On the other hand there are those who have elevated the mind above its rightful place, creating a gospel that has reduced God to the powerless image of man. This group lives in the illusion that they are spiritually safe becasue they only accept the things they understand, raising carnal Christianity to an elite status. They unknowingly embrace the very deception they hoped to avoid. The challenge before us is to give ourselves completely to the full purpose of God for the mind of man through the model that Jesus gave us, thereby giving us access to His supernatural life style."

Bodies hit the floor

I love these two videos! I know these guys have some dodginess to them, but therre is still no doubt God has used these guys in different ways. These vids are just a bit of fun rather than a theological something! However, Ive fallen over when people have prayed for me on several occasions, sometimes they have touched me other times they have not. For me, my time on the ground was relaxing and I heard God speak to me in a powerful way. It felt as though there was no one else around, just me and God. Enjoy!

Purpose of the Law

We have had some good discussion on the use of law in evangelism in todays world. Some believe it has no place, however I agree with Wesley, Spurgeon, Finney, Billy Graham, John Stott, C.S.Lewis, Luther and a host of other scholars and evangelists who say it does have a part to play. Please understand I AM NOT SAYING THE LAW HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE GOSPEL, rather the law leads us to Christ, it shows us our sinfulness and need for a saviour.

Here are some points from Galatians 3.

1) Firstly, I agree, Paul is not saying “we should use the law in evangelism.” BUT from what he has said, and I’ll go into this, it means we can use it in evangelism because of what the purpose of the law is. Before I go any further I want to state that I do not believe the law is the gospel, far far from it!

2) The law that God gave in the 10 Commandments were already laws before God said what we should and should not do. (Sabbath is the only law that we could argue about but we’ll save that for another day…) We see clear evidence of this with Cane and Able, Noah and the flood and many more stories. Sin was sin before and after the law. This is why the 10 Commandments are also known as the moral law. The law then is more of a “Rules for living with a Holy God so that you don’t get destroyed.”

3) Galatians 3:19 is important. “What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.” So people were sinning and God added the law, verse 22 then takes this further by saying, “But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.” It’s saying that everyone is a sinner, with or without the law. Verses 23-25 then talk about how horrible it is to be under the law.

4) So what is the law for? While the Jews had the law they were under it and its consequences. It is in light of how horrible it is to be under law because it is so hard to keep that we understand that a) we cannot be justified by keeping the law and b) we are sinners in need of a saviour. Hence the law is there to lead us to Christ. The law shows us why we need Jesus.

5) Now, in light of Romans chapters 1-3 (I’ll write more on this later) we see that the whole world has sinned, we all have the law written on our hearts, we all have known that there is a God and many have rejected Him. With this in mind that people’s consciences accuse them we can preach the law so that, a) like the Jews they can understand that they cannot be justified by keeping the law or in today’s language, “By being good,” and b) so that they understand their need of a Saviour.

Persecuted Church

Very busy week this week with a bunch of assignments so cant write much now... Instead check out www.prsecution.com. Its a website devoted to keeping us informed and to advocate for persecuted Christians around the world. Click here and sign up for their prayer newsletter.

Peace Out

H.S Evangelism

Just a quick note,

I had to write an article on evangelism and I again realised possibly the most important part of evangelism...

For me, my life as an evangelist happened after the Holy Spirit set me on fire. Once the Spirit did this I had a natural burden for the lost which has only intesified the more I have grown in my relationship with God.

Salvation belongs to God. The Holy Spirit is essential for true evangelism. The Holy Spirit motivates and empowers the evangelist and convicts the sinner.

If you want to be a great evangelist then ask the Holy Spirit to make you one then in obedience preach the good news of Jesus Christ and give people an opportunity to respond.

Graham Evangelism

Here are two great evangelists, father and son, they both understand that we need to repent of our sin to be saved, and both understand that we need to know what sin is before we can repent of it!

Billy Graham is one of the worlds best evangelists, he has preached to literally billions of people and millions have stepped forward to recieve salvation! Billy Graham holds the record for most people at the MCG, (around 130,000), and influenced a whole generation.

Billy Graham “The Holy Spirit convicts us...He shows us the ten Commandments; the law is the schoolmaster that leads us to Christ. We look at the mirror of the Ten Commandments, and we see ourselves in that mirror."

Franklin Graham “Each person we meet on a daily basis who does not know Christ is hell-bound. That may make some folks bristle-but it's a fact. When we refuse to warn people that their actions and lifestyles have eternal consequences, we're not doing them any favors. If everybody feels good about his or her sin, why would anyone repent?”

On a side note, does anyone find it interesting that some of the most influencial evangelists ever have all used the law in evangelism? I find it interesting!

Theologian Thursday

Some people still don’t agree that we should use the law in evangelism and that it is a theologically unreasonable argument to suggest that it is. Well, here is a short list of a few selected theologians who beg the differ… Also, click on their names and it will send you to their wiki pages so you can see if they are credible or not. These guys werent bums, check it out. We start with the earliest theologians and go through to current theologians... Enjoy!

John Wycliffe “The highest service to which a man may obtain on earth is to preach the law of God.”

Martin Luther
“The proper effect of the Law is to lead us out of our tents and tabernacles, that is to say, from the quietness and security wherein we dwell, and from trusting in ourselves, and to bring us before the presence of God, to reveal His wrath to us, and to set us before our sins.”

“The first duty of the gospel preacher is to declare God's moral law and to show the nature of sin.”

“I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived' (Romans 7:9). So it is with the work-righteous and the proud unbelievers. Because they do not know the Law of God, which is directed against them, it is impossible for them to know their sin. Therefore also they are not amenable to instruction. If they would know the Law, they would also know their sin; and sin to which they are now dead would become alive in them.”

Matthew Henry
“Of this excellent use is the law: it converts the soul, opens the eyes, prepares the way of the Lord in the desert, rends the rocks, levels the mountains, makes a people prepared for the Lord.”

John MacArthur
“Grace means nothing to a person who does not know he is sinful and that such sinfulness means he is separated from God and damned. It is therefore pointless to preach grace until the impossible demands of the Law and the reality of guilt before God are preached.”

John R. W. Stott
“We cannot come to Christ to be justified until we have first been to Moses to be condemned. But once we have gone to Moses and acknowledged our sin, guilt and condemnation, we must not stay there.”

Tomorrow, more law preaching evangelists! Heres a clue who they might be... They are a father son evangelistic team. Stay tuned for more...

Spurgeon Evangelism

Yesterday I promised another law preaching evangelist, so today I decided to choose Spurgeon. I know, I know, Hes a bit Calvinist but isnt it interesting we've had a strict wesleyan (Wesley) and now a Calvinist saying use the law. I wonder if there is a link somewhere that despite some seemingly massive theological differences we can agree on this topic...

Ok, so Spurgeon was around 1834-1892 and is known as the "Prince of Preachers!" It is estimated that he preached to 10,000,000 people! Not bad considering time and his ministry dities... Heres a tiny bit of what he had to say...

“I do not believe that any man can preach the gospel who does not preach the Law.”

“Lower the law and you dim the light by which man perceives his guilt. This is a very serious loss to the sinner rather than a gain, for it lessens the likelihood of his conviction and conversion...I say you have deprived the gospel of its ablest auxiliary (most powerful weapon) when you have taken away the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ. They will never accept grace until they tremble before a just and holy law. Therefore the law serves most necessary and blessed purpose and must not be moved from its place."

“Preach earnestly the love of God in Christ Jesus, and magnify the abounding mercy of the Lord; but always preach it in connection with His justice.”

We are going to change track a little bit tomorrow before we head back to law preaching evangelists, so Stay tuned tomorrow for Theologian Thursday the topic: the law and evangelism...

Charles Finney Evangelism

Ok, so some people dont agree with me or John Wesley that law has a place in evangelism... Im not sure what we're suppose to call people to repent of then if we cant even tell them what sin is... Anyways, heres what Charles Finney had to say about the law...

“I remark the law is the rule and the only just rule by which the guilt of sin can be measured.”

“The essence of the Law should be unsparingly applied to the conscience until the sinners self righteousness is annihilated and he stands speechless and self condemned before a hold God.”

"Evermore the law must prepare the way for the gospel. To overlook this in instructing souls is almost certain to result in false hope; the instruction of a false standard of Christian experience and to fill the church with false converts."

Stay tuned tomorrow for our next famous law preaching evangelist!

Wesley Evangelism

John Wesley, preached holiness and was a great evangelist. Stacks of people got saved through his ministry. The Salvos come under his tradition... Wesley is a model for us to follow, he loved the poor, lived a holy life and rpeached the gospel! Just what we salvos are to do... I want to focus on his evangelism today, take a look at these quotes and see if you stack up to his style of evangelism...

“If the gospel is preached well sinners should be angry or convicted of sin righteousness and judgement to come. If they are not then I don't think they are to be an evangelist." Wow, do your converts even hear you speak about sin?

“It is the ordinary method of the Spirit of God to convict sinners by the Law. It is this which, being set home in the conscience, generally breaketh the rocks in pieces. It is more especially this part of the word of God which is quick and powerful, full of life and energy and sharper than any two-edged sword." What? You mean he preached law?

“Before I can preach love, mercy and grace, I must preach sin, Law and judgment." Wow! He really did!

“Preach 90 percent Law and 10 percent grace.” Ok, this has got to be a joke right? Wesley, known for his holiness doctrine, full of love, preached law more than grace?!? Why would he do that?

Romans 7:7b says, "I would not have known what sin was except through the law." We need to know how we have sinned before we can repent of it and be saved!

Check out www.wayofthemaster.com to learn how to use the law in a fun, non judgmental way and lead people to repentance!

Going, Going, Gone

"Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15

"And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14a-15

Are you going anywhere with the gospel?

Sats or people?

One day my family (Mum, Dad, and my two brothers) and I were in England and I got lost. I was terribl.y worried and I think my parents might have been too! My family decided they didnt want to go home until they found me. My parents wanted 3/3 of their boys to go home with them. Numbers were important because numbers represented people.

In the book of Acts we see the explosive growth of the early church. Luke, the author of the book, constantly reminds us how many people were saved at different times. Numbers were important because numbers represented people.

In Luke 15:1-7 the Good Shepherd counts His flock and realises one is missing. So He starts searching for this one sheep. Numbers were important because numbers represent people.

So often people complain about people talking about numbers, but we need to remember that numbers do represent people, they represent people that Jesus wants to save and He wants 100% of the earths population. Praise God I was one of the numbers that were added to the Kingdom!

Street Preaching Stats

Some say that street evangelism does not work in our culture today. However we have statistics that prove this wrong. We have been doing some street evangelism since February...

Since February we have seen 11 people decide to start following Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness. Hallelujah! This is roughly 1 out of every three times we go out someone gets saved! So far two have fallen away.

To add to this the gospel we preach is that God is holy, we are sinful, sin separates us from God both now and forever, Jesus died and rose again to save us and bring us into right relationship with God. We always give an opportunity to accept this message. The way we tell people they need to accept the message is to "Repent and Believe."

2 have fallen away from faith. These 2 made a committment then that was it. This is dreadful and shows the importance of true repentance. Statistically speaking though this all means that lots of people get saved and 2/11 fall away at this stage. We have preached about once a week on average with an average of more than one a week deciding to follow Jesus, 1/3 times someone gets saved. (so on the time someone does get saved more than one have followed)

We accept this research is only 2 months old and it could all change quickly but the real question is, does our way work better than yours? If we are serious about winning the world we need the most effective and quickest ways (notice plural, we need to use all the ways we can!) of getting people to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Heres a way you can test which is better... How many people have you lead to repentance and belief since February?

RAMMING IT DOWN

Oh! people say, you must be very careful, very judicious. You must not thrust religion down
people's throats. Then, I say, you will never get it down. What! Am I to wait till an unconverted,
godless man wants to be saved before I try to save him? He will never want to be saved till the death rattle is in his throat. What! Am I to let my unconverted friends and acquaintances drift down quietly to damnation, and never tell them about their souls, until they say, 'If you please, I want you to preach to me'? Is this anything like the spirit of early Christianity? No. Verily we must make them look--tear the bandages off, open their eyes, make them bear it, and if they run away from you in one place, meet them in another, and let them have no peace until they submit to God and get their souls saved. This is what Christianity ought to be doing in this land, and there are plenty of Christians to do it. Why, we might give the world such a time of it that they would get saved in very self-defence, if we were only up and doing, and determined that they should have no peace in their sins. Where is our zeal for the Lord? We talk of Old Testament saints, but I would we were all like David. Rivers of water ran down his eyes because men kept not the Law of his God. But you say, 'We cannot all hold services.' Perhaps not. Go as you like. Go as quietly and softly as the morning dew. Have meetings like the Friends if you like. ONLY DO IT. Don't let your relatives, and friends, and acquaintances die, and their blood be found on your skirts!!!
Catherine Booth - Founder of The Salvation Army
(Some would say that at this time The Salvation Army was the fastest growing Christian movement ever in world history!)

The Call to Preach

I look to the Bible to see what it says about a passion for souls. Where do people get their drive from? How do people get so filled with passion to see the lost saved? Paul said, "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" What an amazing testimony!

Heres a list that came to me through prayer...

We are called, commanded and compelled to preach the gospel.

Called - "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!"
Commanded - "Go into all the world and preach the gospel!"
Compelled - "For I am compelled by Christs's love!"

Today I heard another list, from a guy in the house church movement in Asia, on where our calling to preach the gospel comes from...

Above - from God - Mark 16:15
Below - from hell - Luke 16:27-28
Inside - from our heart - 1 Corinthians 9:16-17
Outside - from others - Acts 16:9

Someone asked him, "Has the western church lost its passion for the lost?" He replied, "How many people have you lead to Christ lately?"

I'm challenged, how about you?

We did pubs again tonight which I love but I keep hearing something that disturbs me a bit. The phrase I keep hearing is, "I like the salvos, you dont ram religion down our throats." Now, I know alot of Christians would take that as a compliment, but I don't think it should be!

If anything it highlights how we don't preach anymore! It shows that people who are not saved yet know we are Christians and are saying I like you because you dont preach! And Paul says in Romans 10 that if no one preaches no one will hear, and if they dont hear they wont believe, if they dont believe they wont be saved.

It is sad that we dont preach the gospel anymore, and we can say "Ah, but we do preach, we preach with our words!" That is fine but again, look at Romans 10! We need to preach otherwise they cant hear and then believe and be saved!

What are we more interested in, souls or human gratification?

"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power." 1 Corinthians 2:4

I always wonder what exactly Paul was referring to. Some say that he was referring to the power of Jesus on the cross, others say it is the power of Jesus in someones life for Salvation, and still others say that it was through signs and wonders etc.

Its interesting to note that Paul was in Athens just before he came to Corinth and he tried to argue persuasively and logically, he used reason and all those types of things but his results sucked. Not many were saved, no church was established and he was driven out of town... He then goes to Corinth and changes his tactic from wise and persuasuiveness to Holy Spirirt power and his results are stacks better.

I also find it interesting that in times of revival there is always an emphasis on the Spirits power in prayer, holiness and signs and wonders. I don't think its a coincidence...

Revival

But none of these world-embracing, epoch-making revivals began in a large way. Paul usually made an address and gave his testimony in a synagogue -- a small meeting-place of the Jews -- until he was excluded, and then he went up some home or room that was opened to him. This was followed by house-to-house visitation, often after a day's work at tentmaking. The Wesleys began in the same humble way, and so did the Founder. (W.Booth)

Great revivals among God's people and awakenings among the ungodly never begin in a great way. They begin as oak trees begin. There is nothing startling and spectacular about the beginning of an oak tree. In darkness, in loneliness, an acorn gives up its life, and the oak, at first only a tiny root and a tiny stem of green, is born out of the dissolution and death of the acorn. So
revivals are born, so souls are won, so the Kingdom of God comes. Some one, no longer trying to save himself or to advance his own interests, dies -- dies to self, to the world, to the praise of men, to the ambition for promotion, for place, for power, and lives unto Christ, lives to save men, and the awakening of sinners comes; souls are born into the kingdom of God, they rally round their leader and in turn become soul-winners. 'Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit,' said Jesus. And so He 'endured the cross, despising the shame,' and died that He might win souls, save men, and 'bring many sons unto glory.'

(Brengle, Ancient Prophets)

I don't know about you but I have a burden for the lost. Often the task "The World for God' seems way too big, and makes me feel like I am insignificant and need to find a greater way to lead more sinners to Jesus. This passage above is a great reminder to start small, stay humble, deny yourself, and to evangelise as many people as you can and that revival will come! Amen.

Testimonies

I have the video testimonies here but I havent been able to get them off the camera yet so stay tuned... In the mean time heres two from this weekend...

Friday Night: We had a two hour prayer meeting in an alley way followed by some evangelism. While a few of the boys were evangelising a man I sat back and prayed. A man walked past and I sais hi. He is a Christian man but he has had a bad back for 5 years. I prayed for him and in Jesus name he was healed! He was so impressed he started asking how he could join the Salvation Army! We encouraged him to stay close to Jesus and get back into reading the word of God!

Sunday Morning: We had a great day of worship and a great altar call for those to come to the front to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I saw a lady with hearing aids walk past me, I thought nothing of it until God said pray for her healing. I wasnt sure if it was God and if I should but then it came back and I obeyed. I layed hands on her ears and prayed. After all this she testified that she has never heard so clearly before in her life! She went home without her hearing aids in as she could hear!

We praise God for these. God still loves people, still heals, and loves to trandform lives. The man can now work, and the woman can now hear. Jesus has come to give life in its fulness! Praise Jesus!

ZEAL

True zeal makes one faithful to Jesus and the souls for whom He died. It led Paul during his three years' appointment at Ephesus "to warn everyone night and day with tears to serve the Lord with all humility," to keep back no truth that was profitable for the people, but to show them and teach them "publicly and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20.) He was not content simply to get sinners to accept Jesus as their Saviour, but taught them that "Christ in you is the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, whereunto I labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." (Col. 27:29.) Paul was jealous for the perfection in love and loyalty of all his converts, and his zeal led him to seek with all his might to lead them all into this
blessed experience. And as was Paul, so also was Baxter, who labored indefatigably in spite of lifelong sickness, and at times almost in intolerable pain, for the perfection of his people. And so also was Wesley and Fox and General and Mrs. Booth, and so will be every soul-winner who is full of the zeal of God.
(Brengle, The Soul Winners Secret)

How cool would it be if we were all consumed by that zeal?

The Holy Guest

A friend of mine said recently, "I like the term, 'Holy Ghost,' for the word Ghost in the old Saxon was the same as the word for Guest." Whether that be so or not, it may certainly be said that the Holy Ghost is the Holy Guest. He has come into the world and visits every heart, seeking admittance as a guest. He may come to the soul unbidden, but He will not come in unbidden. He may be unwelcome. He may be refused admission and turned away. But He comes. He is in the world like Noah's dove, looking for an abiding-place. He comes as a Guest, but as an abiding one,
if received. He forces Himself upon no one. He waits for the open door and the invitation. (Samuel Logan Brengle – The Guest of the Soul)

SOME TIPS FOR INVITING THE HOLY GUEST INTO YOUR HEART:
Make sure the place is clean and tidy. To do this repent and renounce all your sin, then the Lord will apply the blood of Jesus to your heart and He will forgive you and cleanse you of all sin and unrighteousness!

Invite Him over to stay for ever. The Holy Guest is not interested in a stay for the sake for a holiday. The Holy Guest is looking for a permanent residence, a home so to speak. The Holy Guest does not come to entertain, but to convict, lead, and empower you to live life for God everyday!

Believe He will come! The Holy Guest will not respond to you unless you have faith. As we need faith to be saved from sin, as we need faith to be healed, we need faith for the Holy Guest to enter into our hearts. Faith is an invitation that He will not refuse! He wants us to be sure that we want Him to stay! As you believe He will enter.

I trust that you if you have not already, that you would seek the Holy Guest into your heart today.

HOLINESS AND ZEAL FOR SOULS

'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,' said Jesus to Peter and Andrew; and now
as then when Jesus saves a soul, that soul wants to catch men, wants to see others saved.

Holiness increases this desire, and makes it burn with a quenchless flame. The zeal of other people blazes up, burns low, and often dies out, but the zeal of a man with a clean heart, full of the Holy Ghost, increases year by year. Others run away from the prayer-meeting, but he holds on. Others do not grieve if souls are not saved, but he feels that he must see souls saved, or die. Others are zealous for 'big goes,' tea parties, ice-cream suppers, and musical festivals, but nothing pleases him so much as a prayer-meeting where souls are crying to God for pardon and cleansing, and others are shouting for joy.
Brengle (The Way of Holiness)

I can honestly testify that I was once drifting away from God. I knew He was there, and I prayed, I believed but He didnt have all of me. I guess a better way of saying it is that I was numb, I wasnt in the know, I didnt really have a passion. But then one night I prayed and prayed and prayed for the Holy Spirit to fall upon me and to fill me and overfill me! And He did! That night my arms which I had raised up in worship would not stop shaking for four hours! BUT that was only a sign of what was happening in my heart. The Holy Spirit flooded my heart with love, and a zeal for the lost. Whenever I went to work I wanted to preach the gospel! Whenever I was on a tram I looked for opportunities to preach the gospel! And my life which lacked in passion and purpose completely changed. My life was and still is committed to leading people to Christ. And Hallelujah I have that awesome privilige so often!

When people ask me how to evangelise from now on, Im going to tell them that story. Because true evangelism has its roots in the love of God filling our hearts and flowing out. Have you been baptised in love by the Holy Spirit? If you havent why not pray now that God would fill you with His love and that that would overflow in all your human relationships! Remember He said, "I am the Lord your God who makes you holy!"

BURDEN FOR THE LOST

Its been ages since Ive last blogged! I will try to blog 3 times a week but things just keep popping up!

Heres a cool quote from the Australian War Cry April 12 1913 which I have copied from Journal of Aggressive Christianity...

Men are dying - Women are perishing - Children are damned in their tender years!

Can you contemplate the ruin of immortal souls without horror?

If your heart is not stirred by the world sin and sorrow pray God to give you a vision!

I've heard people say that the reason why William Booth was such a great evangelist was becasue of two things, his love for people and his belief in hell... Ask God to give you a vision...

Worship?

What do you think of when I say "Worship?"

I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:21-24

The multitude of your sacrifices—what are they to me?" says the LORD. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:11-17

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Romans 12:1

So often we get caught up in bringing God meaningless offerings like the baove passages talk about. What God really wants is holiness. He wants us to lay down our lives for Him. And as we lay down our life on the altar instead of a meaningless offering, He will consume us with fire and make us burn with the Holy Spirit. (Makes us holy! How cool is that, in our true worship He transforms us!)

When I think of worship I dont think of a meeting anymore, I think of Soldiership. Soldiership is the Salvationists worship. It is our response to God. It is our laying down of our lives for service for Him and to Him. It is a promise that we will live for justice, righteousness, holiness and salvation in all of our life forever. That sounds better than a few songs once a week doesnt it?

MTMOEO

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:2-6

Holy Spirit World Winning

I read today that Muslims in the UK are reproducing (babies...) 10 times faster than any other race. Obviously this has impacts on a country. Muslims will get a more powerful voice in parliament, in schools and in the rest of society. From the research I have seen about how Islam spreads throughout Africa, Asia it is mainly by force. It spreads by violence, "Convert or die." or "Renounce this or die." However in Western cultures (like the UK) that are democracised (is that a word?) this approach will not work...

As we are seeing in the UK, Islam is spreading by a rapid birth rate not by violence. It is a genius idea, it has long term goals, but it will work if they keep to it. Eventually if they continue, the Islamic voice will be be one of the most influential in the UK. This reminds me of the China-Tibet issue. China wants Tibet. They came by force, but what they have been doing since is sending other Chineese to to live in Tibet. This way when Tibet gets given the chance to vote for independance they will not win becasue there will be more Chineese Tibetans than ancestrol Tibetans...

So what do we do about all this? How do we convert the Muslim? How do we prevent these faiths from overtaking the ground we as Christians won long ago? Not only that but how do we win? How do we take the message of Jesus to the world in a way they will respond?

Christianitytoday.com printed an article about why muslims convert to Christianity. It was based on survey of 750 muslims from 30 countries. The number 1 reason why muslims converted was by seeing the lifestyle of Christians. They noted the love the Christians had, the holiness that they lived out every day! "The next most important influence was the power of God in answered prayers and healing... Closely related was the finding that some noted deliverance from demonic power as another reason they were attracted to Jesus." And there has been many, many muslims recently converted to Jesus becasue of dreams and visions.

What does this mean for us as Christians? It means that if we want to be effective witnesses for Jesus that will see nations and religions turn to Jesus then we need to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. This means holiness. We need to be holy. We can only live a realy holy life by the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to exercise the power and authotiy Jesus has given us to heal the sick and cast out demons. And we can only do that by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And it means we need to be ready to pray. We cannot work this so to speak. These things are all given by Gods grace. We need to rely on ourselves less, and rely on God more.

We need to live a Spirit filled life.

Walk through the door!

A man was sent to prison for breaking the law. The judge loved him though and opened the door after paying the penalty for him. All that was left for the convicted criminal to do was walk through the door. Sadly, stacks of people these days are stuck in their prison cell of sin, death and despair, meanwhile the door is wide open for them to escape.

The door of salvation is open! Hallelujah? Jesus has paid the price for us so that we can be saved. We can not earn, buy or inherit this salvation. It has been done for us. All we need to do is walk through the door. How do you walk through the door? You repent and believe.

It would be silly, stupid, unimaginable for someone to stay in a prison of torture, hellish conditions, pain, shame and suffering when the penalty has been paid and the door is open waiting for you to enter through. It does not make sense to stay in the cell when freedom is just a walk through the door.

So walk through the door. Repent, that is turn from your sinful acts and lifestyle and start following Jesus, and believe that Jesus died and rose again to open up the door to your freedom.

As for those of us who struggle to evangelise, lets remind ourselves that Salvation is not a dirty word, it is life, it is good! So good that we would be silly not to accept. So as you go evangelise in the coming days, weeks and years, remember that Salvation is a bargain! Its free! It is a great deal! It is freedom to those who believe!

And a verse, slightly out of context... "But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out." Acts 5:19 and one in context, "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:15

Outcome of a clean heart

The below are some quotes from Brengles chapter on the outcome of a clean heart from his book, "Heart Talks on Holiness." It tells of some of the changes that take place once you have been sanctified! It makes holiness so appealing, have a read and see what you think!

I. A clean heart filled with the Spirit makes a soul-winner out of the man who receives the
blessing... It makes apostles, prophets, martyrs, missionaries, and fiery-hearted soul-winners. It opens wide and clear the channel of communion between God and the soul, so that His power, the power of the Holy Ghost, works through him who has a clean heart, surely convicting and graciously converting and sanctifying souls.

II. The blessing results in a constancy of spirit. The soul finds its perfect balance in God.
Fickleness of feeling, uncertainty of temper, and waywardness of desire are gone, and the soul is
buoyed up by steadiness and certainty.

III. There is perfect peace. The warring element within is cast out, the fear of backsliding
is gone, self no longer struggles for supremacy, for Jesus has become all and in all, and that word
in Isaiah is fulfilled, 'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because
he trusteth in Thee' (Isa. xxvi. 3), and the soul is made possessor of 'the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding' (Phil. iv. 7)

IV. Joy is perfected. There may be sorrow and heaviness on account of manifold
temptations, there may be great trials and perplexities, but the joy of the Lord, which is his
strength, flows and throbs through the heart of him who is sanctified like a great Gulf Stream in an unbroken current.

V. Love is made perfect. To be born of God is to have Divine love planted in the heart.
'Like begets like,' and when we are born of God we are made partakers of His nature. And 'God is
love.' But this love is comparatively feeble in the new convert, and there is much remaining
corruption in the heart to check and hinder, if not to destroy it; but when the heart is cleansed, all conflicting elements are destroyed and cast out, and the heart is filled with patient, humble, holy, flaming love. Love is made perfect. It flames upwards towards God, and spreads abroad toward all men.

VI. The Bible becomes a new book. It becomes self-interpreting. God is in it speaking to
the soul. I do not mean by this that all the types and prophecies are made plain to the unlearned
man, but all that is necessary to salvation he finds and feeds upon in the Bible. He now understands the word of Jesus, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God' (Matt. iv. 4).

VIII. Temptation is quickly recognized as such, and is easily overcome through steadfast
faith in Jesus. The holy man takes the shield of faith, and with it quenches all the fiery darts of the enemy.

IX. Divine courage possesses the heart. The sanctified man sings with David, 'I will not
fear: what can man do unto me?', (Ps. cxviii. 6). 'Though an host should encamp against me, my
heart shall not fear' (Ps. xxvii. 3). And with Paul, 'I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me' (Phil. iv. '3)' for 'we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us' (Rom. viii. 37).

X. There is a keener sense than ever before of the weakness of the flesh, the absolute
inability of man to help us, and of our own utter dependence on God for all things. The pure heart sings evermore, 'The Blood, the Blood -- is all my plea.'

XI. The cleansed man makes a covenant with his eyes, and is careful which way and how
he looks. He also remembers the words of Jesus, 'Take heed therefore how ye hear' (Luke viii. 18), and again, 'Take heed what ye hear' (Mark iv. 24). Likewise he bridles his tongue and seasons his words with salt, not with sugar; salt is better than sugar for seasoning, but it is only for seasoning.

Want to know more? Read it in full at this link here.

Chasing Holiness?

Holiness has been a gift sought after by many for a long time, some have recieved it, others have not. Some believe we can get it while here on Earth, others dont. Some say we can get it just before we die, others say you can get it now. Some say its the never ending quest. Whatever the case may be holiness can often seem an uncatchable gift.

My thinking of holiness changed recently and I am glad it has. One of my friends reminded me that Jesus is the gift. When I think about it I see that we access salvation by Gods grace by repenting and believing, but the reason we get salvation is becasue of the cross. The same is with holiness. We access Gods grace by repenting and believing, but the reason we get sanctified is becasue of the cross. Our salvation and sancitification only come about because of Jesus' death and resurrection.

The cross is central for holiness. Jesus is central for holiness. Not only does He teach holiness and live holy, but He also died and rose again and sent the Holy Spirit so that we can receive holiness too! Perhaps we need to rethink chasing the gift of holiness and start realising the significance of the cross, resurrection and life in the Spirit...

Holiness and discipleship

"To get a man soundly saved it is not enough to put on him a pair of new breeches, to give him regular work, or even to give him a University education. These things are all outside a man, and if the inside remains unchanged you have wasted your labor. You must in some way or other graft upon the man's nature a new nature, which has in it the element of the Divine.”
William Booth

I am always challenged when I lead someone to Christ because although I praise God for their awessome decision I also know that it has to go deeper. Some will say that this happens by the process of discipleship, being lead by other men and women of God over a long period of time.

However we should never forget stories such as the Gadarene demoniac wjere the man just saved is told not to follow Jesus on His journey but to turn around and tell the town what God had done for Him. What about Paul being discipled by the Holy Spirit?

Holiness is the answer and is an awesome gift that God gives to us. And all it requires is for us to totally renounce all sin, totally consecrate our lives to God and totally believe He will sanctify us. In our evangelism lets not forget that God can change a heart in a beat! And that change can far out last any program we give them. The thing people need is a solid relationship with God.

KILL THE OLD MAN

Ephesians 4:22 and Colossians 3:9 call it the old man...

Romans 8:7 calls it the carnal mind
Romans 7:24 calls it a body of death

Galatians :17 calls it the flesh

James 1:21 calls it moral filth and the remainder of iniquity

John calls it "sin" as distinct from 'sins"

Ezekiel 38:26 calls it a stoney heart

Theologians call it imbred sin, original sin and depravity.

It is the sinful nature and we are told to put it off, lay apart and kill it.

We are rminded that the blood of Jesus cleanses us and purifies
We are reminded that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil
We are reminded that God will remove the stoney heart.

(Most of the references were taken from Brengles Heart talks on holiness! A must read if you wanna get holy! Very helpful!)

Ambassadors of Holiness

Its been a long time since I've blogged but Im back and am hoping to get into it now on a much more rgular basis!

I am now a cadet at the Training College in the Ambassadors of Holiness session! Im very excited and at the same time a little daunted by our session name.

This is what an ambassador means:
A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another, usually for a specific length of time.

So in my case I am chosen, accredited and appointed by God to be a representative of holiness to the unholy until i die.

Wow.

I know that I can not be holy on my own. But I do know that God provides us with all we need to be holy. In The Salvation Army we know it as "BLOOD AND FIRE!"

The Blood of Jesus washes away our sin and the fire of the Holy Spirit empowers us to live holy! We are justified (declared holy) at Salvation but at Sanctification we are made holy, that is our sinful nature is killed and instead we are controlled, compelled by the love of God!

God, make me holy and I will show others how to be holy!