Don't forget to remember

We live in an essentially selfish world. Look after #1 is the mantra of most in our western world. The Bible, of course, teaches distinctly otherwise.

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (Hebrews 6:10)

We must never forget those who have influenced our lives for righteousness and the Gospel. Many have influenced yours truly for right, and for those individuals I am overwhelmingly grateful.

NORM HARRIS
Norm Harris was a NSW Baptist Union evangelist for many years. He was preaching at the Doyalson Baptist church the day I was converted. I can still clearly remember that Sunday morning meeting in the little church building. I don't remember what he preached on but I do recall walking to the front of the church, meeting the preacher and expressing my desire to have Jesus in my heart. Norm Harris is in Heaven now, but his Gospel legacy continues, even flourishes, to this day.

BOB MIDDLETON
Bob Middleton was an old man when I first met him. He was one of the most faithful personal workers I have ever come across. He loved to counsel people for salvation and that is exactly what he did with me as a seven year old lad. He led me to call upon the name of Jesus Christ for salvation. He also invested weeks of follow up in my life, encouraging me to memorize Bible verses of assurance. I am indebted to this dear man of God, an unsung hero in my life.

JACK PARKER
My father, Harry Young, died of a heart attack at the age of 38. I was then three years old. Until she remarried and I had a second dad, my dear mother had the good sense to make sure that there were strong male figures in my life. Jack Parker was one of these men. He was a family friend, and was more of an influence in my life than almost anyone else. He was a strong Bible believing Christian with principles. He took the time to instill in me a respect for the Lord's day. He also took the time to show a fatherless kid how to play cricket and how to kick a Sherrin football. My memories of Jack Parker the plumber are sweet indeed.

ALBERT HARPER
Probably the most revered figure in my lifetime was my grandpa. He was a unique man. Tough as nails, yet tender to his grandchildren. He was a strict disciplinarian. He was always up early, and spent much time reading his Bible and praying. He was the delight of my life, and any time spent with Grandpa was always treasured. Most nights we would read the Bible after dinner, after which he proceeded to read the Sydney Morning Herald and promptly fell asleep, right on cue.

BRIAN WENHAM
I owe an awful lot to this man, who incidentally is approaching the 40 year mark as pastor of the Condell Park Bible Church. I was called to preach, and trained, under his ministry. His scholarly rigour and unchanging habits have been an example to me for decades. One thing that always remains in my mind is his advice to, when preaching, start with the Bible and let God direct your thoughts. So many preachers prepare their sermons with preconceived ideas eg they search for a verse to fit their philosophy. We must start with the words of God and let the Holy Spirit determine our thinking and direction. I thank God for this man of God.

There have been many more individuals that have helped shape my life. Many have been promoted to glory while others still live. I could write for many pages on the influence of my mother Annette Phinn, Norm Scott, David Mitchell, Jack Hyles, Bill Wininger, Tom Williams and Wayne Sehmish, to name just a few. Time and space will not permit this. However, part of the righteous Christian life means not forgetting those who have laboured in love for our eternal benefit. We give glory to God for them all.

Support your local Jew

The default position of the “world community” is essentially anti-semitic. When a prominent occurrence takes place, such as the recent interception of supposed “humanitarian” Gaza blockade vessels, most media commentators frothed at the mouth, railing at Israel’s murderous intent. How different are the facts of the situation when compared to the media created perception of Israel’s guilt. None of this should come as any surprise to Bible believing Christians.

Ezekiel 25:15 “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it (Israel) for the old hatred;”

Hatred of the Jewish nation extends back several thousand years. Is Israel an innocent nation? By no means, but they are God’s chosen people. We need to learn to love that which God loves and hate that which God hates. Does God hate the Arabic nations? Again, by no means. God so loved the whole world. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die and rise again for the collective sins of the world. Therein lies the root problem of the world’s attitude to Israel. Jesus was 100% Jewish as well being 100% God. The world hates Israel because the world hates Jesus.

Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake...”

As Bible believers we must gladly take the reproach of Christ, and with it deliver the Gospel’s message of God’s love to a world enveloped with hatred. Only Christ can bring freedom from the bondage of sin.

Don't you worry about that!

I had the extreme privilege of spending some time with Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen earlier this week. At last, I was the proud recipient of a fine pumpkin scone. It seems Lady Flo hasn’t lost her culinary touch.

Lady Flo, approaching her 90th birthday this coming August (11th), served as a federal senator for 12 years before her retirement. She was the wife of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, the long serving former Queensland premier. Maybe Sir Joh did more for Queensland prosperity than any other person?

(After sending Joh a birthday greeting, oh, maybe ten years ago, I received a personal reply. It was signed, “Saved by the shed blood of Christ”, or something similar. It seems that Joh had a good personal understanding of Bible salvation.)

You will find here an interesting transcript of an ABC interview with Lady Flo back in 2005.

How long can patience last?

They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? (Jeremiah 5:8,9)

This world is fast rotting into a putrifying mess. Jeremiah lamented similar social conditions in the nation of Israel. God fed them to the full, yet they straightway lusted after that which was not theirs, becoming animals in the process. God is eminently patient, but his patience is not everlasting. He has to deal with sin, he does and he will again.

I was sickened to read in my local city's newspaper last Saturday (27/03/10) about a city council plan to bring a "signature event" to the Coffs Coast. That event is to be a "Coast Out", a weekend celebration of all things homosexual. The idea is to put Coffs Harbour on the map as a destination. That it will certainly do. On God's map of judgment, that is.

How far do you think we can sin? How far into filth and iniquity can a nation go before God says, enough is enough? God has to visit judgment on sin. That he is always so slow to act is testament to his mercy, his longsuffering and his love. But act he must, because he is holy.

How far can Australia sink before God sends righteous judgment? Sydney boasts itself as the "San Francisco" of the South Pacific. I would not boast about that. New Zealand boasts itself as being a non-religious, secular nation. It is chock full of weirdos and the like, bent on bringing the nation down to the moral gutter.

I would not be investing in real estate in coastal California. It may not be worth much now anyway, but after the coming earthquake(s), I don't think there will be much left. Judgment is coming. Even the locals realize this.

How far can our world go? Sodomy is now accepted by the wider community. Adultery is seen as a harmless fling. Living in sin is accepted as the norm, not something unusual. Drunkenness is not condemned, but rather promoted. The further this world descends into the cesspool of wickedness, the closer we are to God "visiting" his creation with unparalleled judgment.

How can I end such a depressing post with something positive? Easy.
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: (Ezekiel 33:11)

God is ever so merciful and patient. Turn from your sin to God while there is time. Jesus Christ died on Calvary's cross to provide a clear way to Heaven, forgiveness and life. There is still time if you will but turn. Now.

Thoughts on Thailand

I am sitting in my motel room in downtown Bangkok. It's hot outside. It's 9.49pm. It's crazy. Shouldn't everyone be home and tucked in bed by now? Not in Thailand. The city is buzzing, the shops are full, the streets are crowded, the beggars are begging, the music is blaring, the heat is exhausting. Thailand. Land of king and country. Land of elephants, crocodiles, temples, Buddhas and Chinese imitation mobile phones. Land of contrasts. Land of beautiful people, smiling faces yet the average Thai is desperate for answers to his desperate problems; What about my sin? What about attaining Heaven? What about the afterlife?

How Thailand needs the liberating reality of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Millions are enslaved to tradition, worshipping man made gods, lumps of wood and gold, yet never finding the Truth, because the Truth is a person, not a religion or a system.

My heart is saddened by the spiritual plight of Thailand. How we must pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send out labourers into his harvest.