GOD IS SOVEREIGN

We know as Christians that God places rulers in power to accomplish His purposes, as difficult as that might seem for us.

He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1

These verses and others like them are great reminders of God’s sovereignty in history. These are the kind of bedrock verses to meditate on when a new government arises headed by an Islamic leader, who seemingly will be big trouble for Christ-followers.

Our faith cannot be shaken by whoever is in the driver’s seat of any given government. God is in control and often we get the leader we deserve. In Australia, the Victorian people voted in the ungodly Daniel Andrews and they are now getting the anti-God legisation they deserve.

It is useful to reflect on how God uses kings for His purposes. For example, Divine judgment came against the Lord’s people by means of King Nebuchadnezzar and the nation of Babylon. God refers to Nebuchadnezzar as His servant, meaning that the king was doing the work of God in punishing the people of Judah.

The fact that Nebuchadnezzar was referred to as the Lord’s servant should not be interpreted to mean that he was a righteous king. It is also not an indication that Babylon was replacing Judah as God’s special people. This is made clear as God’s judgment would later be pronounced against Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon.

‘Then it will be when seventy years are completed I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,’ declares the Lord, ‘for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation. I will bring upon that land My words which I have pronounced against it, all that is written in this book which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.’Jeremiah 25:12-13

We must drill down into the Rock. Jesus and cling to Him as world events continue to mold a godless future at a faster rate than ever seen before. We must also use the many prophecies of these future events for what I call apocalyptic evangelism. They prove the inerrancy of the Bible and the fact God is in control of History. The Bible clearly indicates the world gets darker as the world comes under greater control of Satan and his demonic powers. God even allows Satan to install his Antichrist and prophet to rule for three and a half years prior to Jesus’ return to earth with the glorified Saints to rule and reign for 1000 years.

They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:5-6

GOD HAS RAISED UP MARTYN ISLES TO MOBILISE AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIANS

It was a thrill to see over 4,500 people turn up for the ‘Babylon’ grand finale in Melbourne last Friday night!

Over 4,500 people were in attendance and over 40,000 people watched the Livestream of ‘Babylon’ in Melbourne. You can watch the highlights by clicking on the video below.

Martyn Isles heads up the organisation Australian Christian Lobby (ACL). God has raised up this young man for such a time as this and he is being obedient to God’s call. On the ACL website it states:

ACL is a grassroots movement motivated by faith, together making truth public.

In Australia as well as across the western world, truth in the public square is being attacked and suppressed. The greatest stronghold of truth – Classical Christianity – is being pathologised and blamed for significant harms.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.Proverbs 14:34

To this end, Christian institutions are being undermined. Churches are being pressured by new moral and legal norms. Individuals who speak or live consistent with truth are made prey.

To stand for truth in public as a relentless, unquieted, and effective voice is a leadership role that is desperately needed. It requires divinely inspired courage, wisdom, and endurance. Martyn has all three.

But the courage of one inspires the courage of others. And the truth, whenever it is spoken, will yield fruit. Silence is not an option.

Isaiah 59 records God’s displeasure at the paradigm in Israel which so closely mirrors the concerns articulated in Australia. In particular, the Lord marvelled that “there was no one to intercede.”

ACL seeks to ensure that such a statement cannot be made of modern Australia. To intercede for the cause of truth, righteousness, and justice in the public squares is our burden and our core business. This includes interceding for the cause of those who are made prey.

Through being a politically effective voice, ACL helps to see Christian principles and ethics accepted and influencing the way we are governed, do business and relate to each other as a society.

Over 220,000 individuals share ACL’s vision to be a voice for God’s truth in the public squares. Together, we are seeking to bring a Christian influence to politics. We want to see Christian principles and ethics accepted and influencing the way we are governed, do business and relate as a society. We want Australia to become a more just and compassionate nation.

ACL is non-party partisan, non-denominational.

GOD THINGS HAPPENING IN ITALY

Franklin Graham’s Noi Festival in Milan Breaks Attendance Record, Hundreds Respond to Gospel

Noi can mean we or us. It can also mean together or united,” “It also means joining forces, belonging to something bigger.

More than 520 evangelical churches came together to plan and pray for the Noi Festival with Franklin Graham in Milan, Italy over the weekend, resulting in a historic turnout of people hungry to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), this marked the first time in Italy’s history that hundreds of Italian churches worked together to share the Gospel. The churches’ efforts resulted in a standing-room-only crowd of more than 13,200 people at the Mediolanum Forum Saturday night. 

God is certainly doing something in Italy as this wonderful response to the Gospel follows the recent election of Italy’s Christian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni – whose campaign was based on the belief that the government’s job is to support family, church and civil society rather than control it. 

Make sure you pray for Giorgia Meloni and Italy as she is sure to come under intense spiritual warfare. I recently returned from Florence, Italy where I attended my eldest granddaughter’s wedding. Despite the fact that Florence has no visitors from China or Japan due to Covid, still, tourist numbers are breaking records so the city is flourishing.

GOD APPOINTS LEADERS

Just as God appointed Italy’s new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, its first female prime minister (see recent post “Italians Made Wise Choice“), whose focus is on protecting the institutions of God, family, and country, we now have the new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss pledged “wholehearted” support for the Jewish State during a speech at the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) conference on Monday.

“I am so pleased to be here for the first time at the CFI event as your prime minister,” Truss was quoted as saying by the Jewish Chronicle.

“As you know I am a huge Zionist, I am a huge supporter of Israel, and I know that we can take the UK-Israel relationship from strength to strength.”

Prime Minister Yair Lapid meets with UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, September 21, 2022, 

“In this world – where we are facing threats from authoritarian regimes who don’t believe in freedom and democracy – two free democracies, the UK and Israel, need to stand shoulder to shoulder and we will be even closer in the future,” she said.

Truss stressed that her country’s support for Israel is “absolute” and “wholehearted,” while adding that the UK and its allies would ensure that Iran “will never…get a nuclear weapon.”

During a meeting with Prime Minister Yair Lapid last month, Truss mentioned that the UK is weighing moving its embassy – which is currently located in Tel Aviv – to Jerusalem.

God reestablished Israel as a nation back in 1948 as part of His “end times” plan and He has used leaders like Trump and now Truss to support His plan. We know from Biblical prophecy that Israel will suffer greatly under the Antichrist and as many as 2/3 of the population killed or deported but ultimately Jesus will return to rescue His nation at the battle of Armageddon and set up His Millennial Kingdom in a completely restored Jerusalem.

They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.Revelation 20:4-6

REMEMBER GOD IS IN CONTROL

In times of great political change, major cultural transformation, and social upheaval like you and I see today, we have to remember that God is in control. 

Great article by Martyn Iles, God has raised up the Martyn Iles for His purposes in these last days.

This is of extraordinary comfort to the Christian. God knows His people and He cares for them.

That is the story of Scripture and of history. And that is your story. He will not leave or forsake you – that is one thing you can be certain about.

There is not one square inch of all creation over which God is not sovereign. He governs all things; He ordains all things. He sits above and behind all things and gives all things their meaning – including the government.

Daniel 2:21 tells us: “He changes times and seasons, deposes kings, and sets up kings.” 

Romans 13:1: Paul said: “there is no authority except God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.”

God can’t be shut out of government.

Some want to say, “No, this is a secular society and God cannot come in.” But it’s not possible. It matters not whether the people in government have faith or not. God was, and is, already there.

And you and I are in a rare situation today – it’s called a democracy.

That means as Christians in this nation, you and I can be a voice of righteousness when leaders are weak, failing, or evil. It means you and I have an opportunity to speak up. We can tell the truth. We can mobilise.

Some may say, “Does political action really matter? Shouldn’t we just preach the Gospel?” My response would be: “Why can’t we do both?”

You and I need to be whole Christians. We need to be Christians who live and speak the Gospel in the workplace, in the community, and in the public squares. That’s when people will ask, “What’s different about you?” and they’ll come on the journey towards Christ.

That is desperately needed right now. YOU are needed right now – to be salt and light in a society that is gripped by uncertainty.

In difficult times the work of God becomes more urgent, not less. People need to hear the truth with more urgency and clarity because the stakes are higher.   

You and I are called to speak of Christ, represent Christ, and do good. To be salt to stop the decay, and light to drive out the darkness.

Democracy is a precious gift we can use to be the voice that our leaders sometimes are not.

And that leads me to the upcoming elections. If you want to know how you should vote, I will tell you … Vote for righteousness.

Don’t vote for the widest motorway or the biggest welfare cheque. Vote at a macro level for right and wrong.

Obviously, it’s never a perfect choice. But vote for the one who you truly believe will promote that which is good, and restrain that which is evil, more than the other. That’s what the government is meant to do!

ACL is here to inform you, equip you, and mobilise you to be a voice of truth and righteousness at a time when there are many conflicting messages, and when our government is making critical decisions for our nation.

ALFRED DEAKIN’S LIFE AND PRAYERS

How times have changed. Read about a wonderful leader of old. However, know for certain God appoints our leaders and we usually get the leader we deserve, certainly the leader that will fulfill God’s purposes. Even the Antichrist’s appearance will be at God’s appointed time.

Alfred Deakin was Australia’s second prime minister. He was one of two prime ministers who held the position three times from 24 September 1903 to 27 April 1904, 5 July 1905 to 13 November 1908, 2 June 1909 to 29 April 1910 Deakin was a founding father of Federation, along with Edmund Barton.

Older Sir Walter Murdoch - Melbourne Uni

Walter Murdoch (great uncle to Rupert Murdoch of News Corp) was a young man and a journalist for the Argus when he met Alfred Deakin. Deakin was also journalist for the Age during his 20’s.

In 1923, just 4 years after Alfred’s death, Pattie asked Walter to write a biography on her husband. “Alfred Deakin: A Sketch” became a masterpiece of writing. Murdoch who became a close family friend and admirer of Deakin writes:

“Some piece of writing of mine had the good fortune to please him; and it was entirely characteristic of the man that he should at once sit down and write me some generous words of praise; for he was ever the helper and encourager of young men…” “It was impossible to spend a dull moment in his company…he had the power of loosening the tongues of others…men showed themselves at their best in his presence. He understood before you had half finished your sentence… his talk, when at his best, was like sparkling wine. I think his charm as a companion was due not so much to the richness and brilliancy of his talk, but to the fundamental friendliness that shone through what he said, – there was something winning and affectionate in his nature” (page 289 “Alfred Deakin: A Sketch” by Walter Murdoch)

Walter Murdoch at Alfred's retreat - Pt Londsdale
Pattie, Alfred and grandson Wilfred - Pt Londsdale retreat

Alfred Deakin’s Prayer No 9

“God grant me the virtue of sincerity and the voice of truth that without fear or falsity I may speak the word and do the deed best for this country and its people. Let me shake off self and ignore success, let me be guided sufficiently to guide others and gifted to perform the most necessary service.”

“To this make my private aims absolutely subordinate and my private life sure and harmonious as a sure pedestal from which I may utter my message. Let this be Thy message and Thy will and grant that as it’s mere mouthpiece I may repeat it without admixture and without regard to the welcome it may procure for me. God help me to help” 13th Feb 1892″

Copyright © 2016. http://www.alfreddeakin.com, All rights reserved.

GOD APPOINTS NATIONS LEADERS

El Salvador is another example of God appointing a most unlikely candidate, but certainly His man, to lead the country. I have previously posted on similar situations in the USA (Trump), Australia (Morrison) and Brazil (Bolsonaro). God is ultimately in control of nations and He judges those that are unrighteous. Politicians take heed.

Yesterday in El Salvador, President Bukele  addressed a conference of pastors, businessmen and businesswomen, and local leaders. Bukele delivered a personal testimony. He told the story about being of Palestinian heritage and finding purpose in Christianity. He was a successful businessman by the age of 29, making more money than he ever dreamed. He had no desire to be a politician. He served as mayor to give back to his community as many self-sacrificing people do.

Last year, Bukele was approached by a group of pastors who told him they had received a spiritual message that he should run for president. His response was as you might expect: “No way; you’ve got to be kidding.” Later, another group approached him with the same prophecy. He thought it odd, but this time took note. As the deadline for making a decision about running for president neared, he was approached a third time. These pastors were certain they were correct in their message to him. They asked him to prayerfully consider a run. When they pressed him for an answer, they told him they would respectfully accept his decision. He again told them no.

Bukele struggled with his final decision. Soon thereafter, another pastor whom he did not know advised him not to “fall into the fourth place.” When asked to expand on what he meant, the pastor said it was missing God’s call on your life. Bukele then decided to reconsider and filed for the office of presidency.

In the opening days of the campaign, Bukele fell into disagreement with his political party. They threatened to kick him out of the party, which would eliminate his position on the ballot. He stood his ground, and the party expelled him. In his testimony to the audience, he said he asked God: “Why would You lead me to this point if You wanted me to run? Why did You allow this to happen?” He paused and then referenced the fact that God did not answer him.

However, a stranger turned up at the campaign headquarters and explained that Bukele could still get on the ballot with 50,000 citizens’ signatures on a petition. He had no idea how to obtain them. The stranger said, “We’ll take care of it.” Forty-eight hours later, 200,000 people had signed a petition for his candidacy. When advised of this, the campaign manager thought they had said 20,000 because even that seemed like an unrealistic number.

Bukele won the general election with 53% of the vote, trouncing all party candidates at one time. No individual had won the presidency in that country since 1972 without a major party endorsement. On the night of the election, he was still surprised at the results. In discussions with his spiritual leaders, he was asked, what makes you think God needs a political party?

Since his election, Bukele has instituted more reforms than all presidents of the previous 49 years combined. For instance, he swept all prisons of cell phones so inmates could not direct illegal activity outside of the prison walls. Funny, no one ever thought of that before!

What an amazing God story. Only God could have orchestrated Bukele’s election as President. The events described above defy any other explanation.

This article was extracted from a report by Marc Nuttle is Charisma News 24/07/2019.

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS

It’s difficult to overstate how historic it is for a sitting Australian Prime Minister to wear his faith so unapologetically, and humbly bring the nation’s needs before Almighty God. With 21,000 people in attendance, Scott Morrison prayed publicly for Australia at the Hillsong Conference, the biggest annual Christian conference in the nation. Scott Morrison petitioned God to intervene for young people struggling with mental health, veterans, Indigenous Aussies, those with disabilities, and for a break to the drought. Take a listen and be encouraged as we were.

GOD’S PURPOSES FOR TRUMP

It is evident that one of God’s primary purposes for Trump being in office is to fill empty Supreme Court judgeship’s.

These verses from Isaiah though aimed at Israel are prophetic for the U.S.A

” Therefore the Lord says, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, and take vengeance on My enemies. I will turn My hand against you, and thoroughly purge away your dross, and take away all your alloy. I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counsellors as at the beginning. Afterwards, you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Isaiah 1:24-26

The Supreme Court judges are the key and affect the nation even more than the president and Congress do. If Trump can fill empty judge seats with conservative voices,  a biblical turnaround in the nation is possible.

The following story is in Steven Strang’s book: God and Donald Trump. 

In 2011, Trump called Pastor Paula White-Caine and, after asking her some questions about God, asked her to gather several preachers to pray about whether he should run for president or not.

Kenneth Copeland, reporting on that prayer gathering said. ” they prayed for over six hours—just stayed on their knees and stayed before God for six hours. At the end of the prayer session, Trump asked White-Caine what she thought. She replied that she and the pastors praying with her didn’t believe it was the right time for him to run for president.” As a result of that prayer gathering Trump waited until the next election to run, and we all know the result. “This is the Donald Trump people don’t know anything about,” Copeland said.

In his book, God and Donald Trump, Steven Strang doesn’t sugarcoat the truth about Trump’s past—and present—flaws and mistakes, but he doesn’t ignore how God has used him throughout his presidency. Steve also shares how God gave several charismatic leaders prophetic words about Trump becoming president.

Steve’s stated goal in this book is to present the story of Trump’s presidency from a Christian, journalistic perspective—a perspective he believes the leftist media largely overlook.

Its sequel, Trump Aftershock will be out in November. In Trump Aftershock, Steve shows how much Trump has accomplished for Judeo-Christian values since he was elected.

To learn more about Trump Aftershock and even download a few chapters free, visit trumpaftershock.com.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSES THE UNITED NATIONS WITH THE TRUTH

If you haven’t watched President Trump’s recent speech in the UN then I would urge you to do so. It is impressive (without notes) and is based on his Republican teams accomplishments over less than two years. I am convinced he is God’s leader for the USA in these “last days” before Jesus return to rule and reign from Jerusalem.

NOTE how he ended his speech acknowledging and thanking GOD and we know it is the God of the Bible.