Leave them Alone

Gamaliel’s Law

Gamaliel’s Law - Leave them alone and if they are not of God, they will fade away like all the other dross.

Acts 5:34-39 “Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” “

You know, I think this story from Acts 5 is one of the best teaching aids in the whole Bible. It teaches that, above all else, that wisdom and a little caution is nearly always the best policy. What an incredible piece of wise advice – “If this plan is of men – it will come to nothing. But if it is of God, do not oppose it lest you end up opposing God.”

How much grief would the church, the theologians, the legalists, save themselves if they heeded this advice. The trouble is that no-one these days deals in gray areas any more. It has to be black or white. I have to be right and you have to be wrong. Have we grown so proud?, so pumped up in our view of our own importance?, that we have lost all patience and all tolerance? Why can we no longer ‘Leave them alone and if they are not of God, they will fade away like all the other dross?’

In the great scheme of things, we so surround ourselves with those who share our point of view that we seem to have lost the ability to receive criticism gracefully and with concern for another’s point of view. This is so sad because it causes us, in our egotistical pride, to schism or split with our brothers and sisters. Over what? Frequently it’s a storm in a teacup – of very little consequence – of little or no importance whatsoever to the majority. Yet we blow it out of all proportion. We so love the sound of our own voices that we build mountains out of molehills instead of commanding the mountains to “Go in Jesus Name.”

Can we return to a little sanity please. Can we have a little wisdom with our passion and a little less pride in our passion. Can we apply Gamaliel’s Law – “Leave them alone and if they are not of God, they will fade away like all the other dross.” We are to love our neighbours, friends, and enemies. How can we do that by continually shouting their faults at them whilst ignoring our own.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath” Proverbs 15:1

Sanctuary

Sanctuary

There has always been the concept of sanctuary running through the Bible. According to Chambers Dictionary, the definition is – “Sanctuary noun (sanctuaries) 1 a holy or sacred place, e.g. a church or temple. 2 the most sacred part of a church or temple, e.g. around an altar. 3 a place, historically a church, providing immunity from arrest, persecution or other interference. 4 a place of private refuge or retreat, away from disturbance • the sanctuary of the garden. 5 a nature reserve in which animals or plants are protected by law.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from Latin sanctuarium, from sanctus holy.”

That’s a pretty good modern definition. In the Bible, the Sanctuary was, for the most part, defined as part of the temple, sometimes even the Holy of Holies itself, a place where the Lord resided. However, in Numbers 35, there is fairly explicit instructions for ‘cities of refuge’, or sanctuaries as defined in Chambers as “3 a place, historically a church, providing immunity from arrest, persecution or other interference.” I think from all of this we can safely assume that a sanctuary is a sacred place of safety. Indeed, even today in the UK, if you go to any church and claim ‘Sanctuary’, if the incumbent priest or pastor agrees to granting it, one can be protected from arrest for almost any crime or alleged crime.

So, you may imagine our hearts going all aflutter when the Lord gave us the name of our modest little new home here in Sleaford. Of course you have already guessed that it is to be “Sanctuary Cottage” – a name that already carries with it many thoughts and prayers for all who cross our doorway. What an exciting prospect – our home, a sanctuary for any and all who cross the threshold. It will be a place of hospitality and peace – almost a retreat – for any who stay with us. It is already a house of prayer where most who come, offer a prayer and certainly receive one before they leave.

Lord, use our home and us as a sanctuary where others may come and safely seek you in the stillness or in the fellowship. A place of healing body, soul, and spirit. A place of refreshment in You. A place to try out our eagles wings. A place to be still and know that you are God (Ps 46:10)

All Praise and Glory to You, Lord \o/ AMEN

Encouraging the prophetic

Tales of the Prophets

Why is it that the Church so hates, at least dislikes, the prophetic? Even Jesus said that there is no respect for a prophet in his own town – so it’s not as if I am saying anything new here. I am a prophet and what people don’t realise is that God is willing to talk to us anytime, anywhere, and we can hear from Him continually – if we choose to do so. Anyone can learn to do this – it is not a unique gifting.

A while back, I was with my wife in the middle of a coffee shop in my old home town. My mobile phone rang and it was a friend of mine. He was in a meeting with the leadership team of a church in Copenhagen. “Have you got a word from the Lord for these people?” he asked. I said “Yes”, and immediately gave what I was hearing the Lord say to me. Sound strange? – it’s perfectly normal for people who operate in the prophetic. He then asked me when we had last spoken – about 5 days previously. He asked me that question so that he could show that no communication had taken place between us and that what I had said must have been from the Lord. What I said also confirmed, almost word for word, that which he had told them just 10 minutes previously. The people at the next table to us in the cafe nearly fled – they could hear every word I was saying and the conversation totally spooked them.

There are two points to be made from that story. First – that whatever I said was entirely accurate and the receiving people knew it because I confirmed everything that had been said to them not 10 minutes previously. Secondly, there was no planning whatsoever. In fact I didn’t even know my friend was in Copenhagen and I was certainly not aware who he was with or what his purpose with them was. Yet God instantly gave me the words that He wanted them to hear.

Another time I particularly remember was in Brussels and It was my very first mission trip in October 2007. The church we were visiting held a Friday night ‘banquet’ where all the local druggies, drinkers, homeless, and generally poorer people were invited to a great big feed up. Of course, afterwards was the opportunity to preach the Gospel to them all – the price of their admission if you like. Our leader was invited to speak and, being a prophet, he asked if anyone present wanted a personal word from the Lord. I had seen him do this before in the UK and was amazed by the accuracy of the words he brought to people. This time was to be no different apparently as, of the 400-odd people present, around 300 surged forward in a semi-circular queue. “Hmmm”, I thought, “around 300 words – this could take a time.” He then split the crowd in two and moved half to one side of the hall and the others to the other side. Then he shocked me, “Come on Chris – I’ll take this lot. You take that lot!” I had never done anything like this before – I was scared but I was willing. So I said to the Lord, “OK Lord, you have to help me here.” Only then did I realise that my interpreter was to be the Pastor of the church and he would be listening in to every word I spoke. To cut a longer story short, the Lord gave me a word for every person they put in front of me that night – about 150 of them. I also learned later that the pastor had specially selected some people for me whom he knew to be, as he put it, a bit dodgy. Apparently I picked every one of them out. Now that was God working through me. 150 complete strangers, virtually none of whom even spoke English – and the Lord gave me, one who should have been wearing ‘Learner’ plates, a word for each of them – short sharp and accurate.

Perhaps that is why prophets are not liked or respected in their own town – because they bring words of knowledge and direction to hungry people. Sometimes words that are wanted but sometimes words that are probably not sought and are certainly not particularly welcomed. Also, there is a credibility problem that can only be overcome by accuracy. “Who is this person that they should hear from God and tell us what to do ???” “I haven’t heard from God so I’m not believing whatever he says is from God.” And as they said about Jesus, “Whatever good ever came from that town.” I personally know pastors and leaders who protest loud and long about prophecy being totally untrustworthy, or not for this day, or even that it died out with the apostles. They are scared by prophecy and by prophets in particular – they do not understand them so they do not listen to anything they say.

All I can say to you has to come from my experiences. I am trying hard not to blow my own trumpet because I can do nothing without the Lord working through me. Yet, cracked vessel though I be, He does use me. He will use you too if you are willing – you don’t have to be able as He will do the rest.

Why do I tell about these things? I am trying to build faith in the prophetic. Why would the Lord say any of these things if not to build our faith or if He didn’t mean to act on them?

Just tryin’ to encourage you – that’s all

Reverse Thinking

I have no idea where this originally came from but I rate this a piece of genius. We found this on FaceBook a couple of days ago so for those who have seen it, I apologise. For the rest of you - simply enjoy this and thank God for His creativity in some great thinker and evangelist.

From Atheist to God

I will live my life according to these beliefs

God does not exist.

It is foolish to think

That there is an all knowing God with a cosmic plan

That an all powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world

It is a comforting thought

However

It is only wishful thinking

People can do as they wish without eternal consequences

The idea that I am deserving of hell

Because of sin

Is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power

“The more you have, the happier you will be”

Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose

In a world without God

I am free to be who I want to be

But with God

Life is an endless cycle of guilt and shame

Without God

Everything is fine

It is ridiculous to think

I am lost and in need of saving

That’s what I thought until Jesus came into my life and

REVERSED MY THINKING!

I am lost and in need of saving

It is ridiculous to think

Everything is fine

Without God

Life is an endless cycle of guilt and shame

But with God

I am free to be who I want to be.

In a world without God

Our existence has no grand purpose or meaning

“The more you have, the happier you will be”

Is a lie to make you a slave to those in power.

Because of sin I am deserving of hell

The idea that people can do as they please without eternal consequences

Is only wishful thinking

It is a comforting thought however

That an all powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world

That there is an all knowing God with a cosmic plan

It is just foolish to think

God does not exist

I will live my life according to these beliefs.