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Devotionals by Geoff Wiklund
Democracy
We live in a democratic country and for that I am glad. However when it comes to the things of God, democracy does not always work. In Acts 27:9 we read: Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbour was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbour of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. NKJV
The majority had their way and it lead to disaster. The problem was the others conferred together and they did not confer with God. There is a great lesson here for all of us. We need to confer with God and not just go along with the majority.I recall an elders meeting where the senior pastor and myself laid out the plans for the Church and the vision he had given us in fasting and prayer. The elders turned us down and told us to forget it. I was not so easily dissuaded. I asked the first elder how many hours he had prayed concerning the document we had given him. He spoke eloquently of his discernment and why he felt we could not achieve this very ambitious scheme. At the end I asked again. How many hours of prayer? The answer was none. The same for the others. I asked them how they could say no to us when we had heard from God and they were too lazy. They hastily agreed to the program we laid out and God achieved all he said He would.
Democracy is a wonderful tool, but God is the majority and we need to make sure that our decisions line up with the will of God. John writes: 1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. NKJV
These guys with Paul went their own way and they were shipwrecked. I can guarantee that going your own way will make a shipwreck of your life. So go with the majority that is God. Hear and listen to the prophets voice, and if you feel uneasy then check again. God is only too pleased to confirm His will to you. Blessing is always the result of obedience and loss is the result of disobedience.
Praise in the Early Stages
Written by Bob & Debby Gass
In Ezra 3:11 [NKJV], we read ''...They praised [God]... because the foundation... was laid. ''Let me read that to you again on the fuller version, Ezra 3:10-11 (NLT), ''When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord's Temple... all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord...''. So here’s the question – Why would you praise God in the early stages of something before it is complete? Well, let me give you 3 reasons:
#1, because praise is AN ACT OF FAITH.
It says, ''Lord, what You start, You finish. Thank You for giving me Your plan, because Your plan always prevails. Some folk think I won't succeed, but with You
on my side I'll succeed anyway. I'm not doing this for myself; I'm doing it for You Lord, and with You Lord.''
#2, because praise STRENGTHENS YOU.
In Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT), we have the familiar words, ''...The joy of the Lord is your strength!''. Now think about that. If you lose YOUR JOY, you lose your
strength. If you lose YOUR STRENGTH, you lose your power to overcome the enemy. If you lose YOUR POWER to overcome the enemy, YOU'RE DEFEATED.
But if you PRAISE GOD, even when all you have around you is a small beginning, HIS JOY will energise you, and you'll find it easier to complete the task. Look – If you only praise God when things are easy or going right, you won't praise much, you won't have joy and you won't have strength. See how it works?
And #3, because praise CHANGES YOUR ENVIRONMENT.
Imagine wheelbarrows, cement mixers, a partially built wall, and in the midst of it all, people shouting the praises of God. What a scene. You know – that's what
happens when you put on a praise CD, or tune into a Christian radio station; your problems don't necessarily change, but your outlook does. Simply stated, when you praise God in the early stages, you work better and the
job gets done!
Reminder
I have a word from God for you. It is one that Paul spoke to Titus to tell his people and I believe it is good for us as well. Paul said “remind them”. So I am reminding you.
We are to be:
1. Subject to rulers and authorities. You will know who is in authority over you and we need to give them the respect the Bible instructs us to give them. It saddens me that often we whine about unbelieving authorities because they don’t behave in a Christian manner. Surprise they are not Christians. Our sad protest won’t help them become one. I believe we need to be creative and constructive in our efforts to bring change.
2. To obey. Jesus in the Great Commandment told the disciples to “teach them to obey”. In judges everyone did that which was right in their own eyes. I see that today. So obedience is a good reminder.
3. Be ready for every good work. I believe that we need to prepare for every good work. We have an evangelistic event coming with Greg Laurie. Lets prepare and be ready to help and invite someone.
4. Don’t speak evil of anyone! Full stop enough said.
5. Be peaceable and gentle. We know what that looks like and we just need to do it. Examine your actions and tones and ask yourself the question.
6. Show humility. Be a sermon walking. Remember it is God that does the work through us. Give glory to Him.
Blessings Geoff
What is in the Offering?
We have all heard offering calls. This week I had to deal with my own. I had $20 credited to my personal account. That meant I had to tithe $2. But the account it went into charges $2 if you make more than one withdrawal in the month. I just gave $5 from another account.
Then I read this week in First Samuel about Eli's two sons and how they stole from the offering that which was theirs but they took it in a wrong manner. God killed both of them in the same day and the family was cursed with no atonement for that sin.
God was not really interested in my $2 it was my heart. He was happy to wait until next month. It is not just our finances. We bring an offering of praise and worship to God. That also has to come from a right heart. I got a new insight into how the Lord looks on our offering and the value that He places on it. If it is not right He will let it go for a time. Then He sends a warning as He did with Eli and then if it doesn't change, suddenly we are destroyed.
When you next give an offering make it a true one. Realise it is important to God. He places a high value on it and it is not to be taken lightly. God bless you as you give.
Geoff
Testimonies
The first time I came here I was very nervous. I didn't’t know anything about this place or what I would be doing. My anxiety quickly left after talking to Di and Joy. They were so kind and lovely, they made me feel very comfortable and so I adapted well. I have done my very best as a volunteer to serve them as they have been so kind to me. I made a good choice when I volunteered here and have learned many things about people with disabilities. I have been very fortunate to have this time with everyone here at the Centre and will not forget the wonderful people I have met.
Choi- Korean Student
Twenty years ago, as a new Christian, I was asked at my church to attend a CFFD meeting. It was a square dance afternoon and I was intrigued as to how people in wheelchairs would be able to dance like that, so went along. Well, that was it, I was hooked! I started to visit the Centre, go to the meetings, camps and other activities. When I found myself out of work, I volunteered at the Centre. It was a great place to work, everyone was so friendly, helpful and caring. I had a wonderful opportunity to find out more about the Bible, God and a better way of life. I learned that we can all be confident in loving one another, reaching out to others and becoming more Christ-like. I know that while I am not able to come in as often as I used to, I am always welcome, I am still in their prayers and they are in mine.
Chrystal – volunteer
Testimony from Steve M – National Camp 2010 – First Timer!
I’m really glad that I stayed at the camp as God use my coming to camp to shift my focus off myself and on to others and yeah, a massive work was started in my heart. On Sunday night I went up for prayer to receive the Holy Spirit and felt nothing, then asked for prayer for fear, felt nothing, then decided to get someone to take me up to see Pastor Geoff as I knew God would use him to speak into my life – He did just that!
I wanted to be delivered from fear and Pastor Geoff said God’s love will drive out all fear, and then he told me that I have problems with wrong thoughts because it’s in my heart, but God’s perfect love will clean that out too. He prayed for me and I felt Gods touch yet again.
Since I have been back home, I have made some radical changes, I have gotten rid of CD’s that were not really very uplifting, have stopped watching some TV programmes ‘cos they weren’t very uplifting either and am getting into the Word of God! I want ALL God has for me and more!
All in all, God used the camp to start a brand new work in me; He placed in my heart a love for people with disabilities. I have always accepted people for who they are, but have never been around disabled people before. Now, self pity is gone, pity parties are a thing of the past and are gone out of my life too. God is GOOD!!