 Below you will find a series of articles and events provided by Wealth with Purpose. Alex Cook is a man God has raised up for such a time as this. I am confident you will find the articles insightful and beneficial. The 2020 events are held in Australia but Alex has recently introduced Wealth for Purpose in the UK and to a lesser extent the USA. |
| (Webinar Recording) – Get Ahead in 2020 With a new year well underway, its a good time to review your financial situation and ensure you’re on track. This webinar (recorded a week ago) will help you to get your finances into good order so you can get 2020 off to a flying start. God desires that we live with financial freedom. To do so, we should do a regular check up to ensure we’re managing what he has given us well. Watch Now… |
| (Article) – The Coronavirus – Can we breath easy? As 2020 gets into full swing it is news of a potentially devastating virus that has gone viral. As such, we thought it would be worth taking a look at the the potential economic and sharemarket impact of the Coronavirus. Read More… |
| (Podcast) – Marriage & Money In this short podcast Alex shares some tips on how couples can manage money wisely together. Listen Now.. |
| (Article) – Francis Schaeffer’s Call to End the Sacred-Secular Divide For Schaeffer, confronting the ills of culture was not simply done through direct proclamation. It was also accomplished by contributing to the world in a way that reflects the moral order of the universe. Creation is meant to be true—that is, the work people do is meant to point back to God. Read More… |
| (Article) – Why Christians Schools Should Teach the Theology of Work After ten years of teaching in higher education and interacting with students from a wide range of backgrounds, I’ve come to realize that most young people lack the resources for thinking clearly about their vocations. Unfortunately, this is also true at Christian colleges and universities. Read More… |
| (Article) – 3 ways to sow a culture of thankfulness and generosity Creating a culture of thanksgiving and generosity in your church is essential to having a healthy and kingdom-impacting ministry. A thankful and generous congregation is one that lives beyond itself. Read More… |
| (Article) – Five healthy ways to run your church like a business One of the most common responses we receive at ThomRainer.com is something like this statement: “You can’t run your church like a business.” I get it. Our goal is to glorify God. Our goal is to make disciples. Our goal is to be faithful to God’s Word. But there are indeed some business principles that correlate with church practices and biblical truth. Read More… |
| EVENTS IN 2020 |
 STEWARDSHIP SUMMIT 2020This is our annual flagship event for Church leaders. Hear from expert guest speakers on how you can build a radically generous Church. Our desire is to an outpouring of generous Churches across this great nation of Australia. Learn more here. |
 KINGDOMINVEST 2020This is our annual conference focused on helping Christians live with financial health, get ahead, and build wealth so they can fund the advance of God’s kingdom. Learn more here. |
If you would like some 1-on-1 help with your personal finances then check out our financial planning services. |
WHY THE CHURCH NEEDS CREATION MINISTRIES
Listen to Dr Mark Harwood tell you why the church needs Creation Ministries. Let me commend this ministry to you. It played a large role in my conversion at age 47. Evolution being a major stumbling block to my acceptance of Biblical inerrancy.
Many church denominations and their associated Bible Colleges have accepted evolution and billions of years of earth’s history. As a result, they have rejected the Genesis account of creation. This is devastating, as Genesis is the foundational book of the Bible where most of church doctrine is established.
FALSE SPIRITS INVADE THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Thank God the church in the main has recognised that the spirits evident in the video below are not of the Holy Spirit but deceptive evil spirits.
Sadly, instead, the spirit of the world has swept into the church and in the name of tolerance and false love, homosexuality, transgender and gay marriage are all considered acceptable lifestyles. Speaking out on the consequences of living those lifestyles brings immediate condemnation and loss of position and even ability to keep a job and earn a living. In Australia, Israel Folau and Margaret Court are good examples of this persecution.
Listen to what Jesus told the disciples in Mark and Luke as to what believers/Christians can expect from the world in the end times just before His return, first to take the saints to heaven so they will not endure the wrath of God that is poured out when the scroll (all seven seals removed) is finally opened and the trumpet and bowl judgements are poured out on the earth. Revelation 8.
“But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Mark 13:11-13
“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:12-17
BILLIONS OF LOCUSTS THREATENING END TIMES FAMINE ACROSS AFRICA
Billions of locusts are eating everything in sight in East Africa right now, and every single day many more farms are being completely wiped out. Unfortunately, authorities are telling us that what we have seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, if extreme measures are not implemented immediately, authorities are claiming that this locust plague could literally get “500 times” worse in a few months. But it is difficult to imagine conditions getting any worse than they are at this moment. Ravenous locust swarms that are “the size of cities” are consuming crops at a staggering pace, and this could potentially cause famine on the African continent that is unlike anything we have ever seen before.
It can be difficult to imagine a plague of “billions” of locusts. After all, there are only about 7 billion people living on the entire planet.
But this is actually happening. Right now “billions of locusts” are absolutely devastating East Africa. Jesus spoke of famines and pestilences (corona virus) in the last days before His return. These along with all of the other Middle East “end times” events should alert the church to the urgency of the hour and the coming escalating tribulation.
ISRAEL’S PROPHESIED END TIMES PEACE PLAN
The Bible tells us that in the “last days” before Jesus returns to rule and reign from Jerusalem, Israel will enter into a peace plan that ushers in a time of false security. This prophecy is in Daniel, the amazing 70 Weeks prophecy, which accurately predicted Jesus first coming so we need to take note of what it says about the last seven years (70th week) prior to His second coming.
“Then he (Antichrist) shall confirm a covenant with many (Israel) for one week (70th week = last 7 years); but in the middle of the week, he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering (in the rebuilt temple). And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation (wrath of God), which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.” Daniel 9:27
When the disciples asked Jesus ” “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3
“Jesus told them “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation (Antichrist), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand),then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains… for there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, mo, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened (Rapture of the saints).” Matthew 24:21-22
Israel will enter a pact with the Antichrist (a Covenant with Death). They will trust Antichrist rather than the Most High.
Is President Donald Trump’s soon to be released Peace Pact which has been labelled “Deal of the Century” the one referred in Daniel.
Certainly not, Trump is not the Antichrist and only a Peace Pact put together by a Muslim leader will be accepted by its hostile Muslim neighbours. The long awaited Muslim Mahdi, whose appearance is imminent according to both Shia and Sunni leaders, could he be the Antichrist of Scripture? I think so, as do many end times scholars. Check out Joel Richardson’s best selling book The Islamic Antichrist.
The Palestinians have boycotted the Trump administration for two years and announced they will reject the much-trumpeted deal, despite their apparent lack of knowledge regarding its contents.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington Sunday night vowing to “make history” at a planned meeting with Trump for the unveiling of the deal.
The ISIS terror group disseminated an audio message Monday claiming it would attack Israel on the eve of the White House’s release of their Mideast peace plan.
The ISIS audio comes at a time when the terror group has suffered major defeats over the past year including the assassination of its leader and founder, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in a U.S. attack in northwestern Syria.
THE TOWER OF BABEL OF OUR TIME
The world of science has rejected the one true God as revealed by the Bible and by Jesus. Man still seeks to be God as they did at the Tower of Babel. We know that brought God’s judgement as will these efforts.
Why world’s largest particle physics lab CERN has a statue of Lord Shiva
“According to quantum field theory, the dance of creation and destruction is the basis of the very existence of matter. Modern physics has thus revealed that every subatomic particle not only performs an energy dance, but also is an energy dance; a pulsating process of creation and destruction. For the modern physicists then, Shiva’s dance is the dance of subatomic matter, the basis of all existence and of all natural phenomena.”
Physicist Fritjof Capra further explained in The Tao of Physics: “The Dance of Shiva symbolises the basis of all existence. At the same time, Shiva reminds us that the manifold forms in the world are not fundamental, but illusory and ever-changing. Modern physics has shown that the rhythm of creation and destruction is not only manifest in the turn of the seasons and in the birth and death of all living creatures, but is also the very essence of inorganic matter.”
Unveiled on June 18, 2004, the two-metre-tall statue was a gift from the Government of India. A plaque next to the statue, with a quote by Fritjof Capra, explains its significance: “Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shivas in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus unifies ancient mythology, religious art and modern physics.”
The evidence for design in the universe is incontrovertible so the Bibles explanation of why scientists reject the designer is the only conceivable explanation: Paul reveals that Satan has blinded their minds in the following Scripture.
“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
Other Scriptures tell us that God blinds their eyes because of the hardness of their hearts.
“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” Romans 1:24-25
“He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8:47
I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS
What an inspiring story behind this song. ” I have decided to follow Jesus”. Listen to this short video and be inspired or at least challenged.
It tells the story of a family in the Garo tribe from Meghalaya, then called Assam in India, who faced persecution just because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The lyrics are based on the last words of a Garo tribesman.
May I suggest you share it widely amongst family and friends.
PROOF TRUMP IS GOD’S MAN FOR AMERICA
Trump Made Pro-Life History Today at March for Life 2020. He becomes first president to speak at March for Life in person.
At the rally, Trump offered these inspiring words:
“Sadly, the far left is actively working to erase our God-given rights, shut down faith-based charities, ban religious believers from the public square and silence Americans who believe in the sanctity of life. They are coming after me because I am fighting for you. And we are fighting for those who have no voice, and we will win. … Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions taken and seen in this country for years and decades and you could even say for centuries. Nearly every top Democrat in Congress now supports taxpayer-funded abortion all the way up until the moment of birth.”
What else has Trump done that is pro life?
He has signed into law legislation that excludes organisations that perform abortions from Title X projects, reinstated and enlarged the Mexico City Policy preventing tax payer dollars from funding foreign abortions, defended conscience rights, called on Congress to prohibit later-term abortions where a child can feel pain, will not allow taxpayers’ dollars to fund scientific research using fetal tissue, is building an international coalition to dispel the concept that abortion is a human right, and has created pathways to help children and women in often difficult situations with foster care, adoption and support for healing.
May the grace of God continue to be on President Trump for his courageous stance for the dignity of all life.
DIED TO SELF, ALIVE IN CHRIST
Paul tells us our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. He also tells us not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Why? So that we will know the perfect will of God for this day and the days ahead.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1
To be transformed, not only do I need Jesus, His blood sacrifice and the Holy Spirit, I also need the Word of God.
Jesus, in His prayer to His heavenly Father said:
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ” John 17:17
This is how we transform our mind, with the Word of truth. It is only then, we will hear from God, perceive correctly the here and now, and know what God has for us to do today.
Our love for Jesus must be such that our hearts desire is to pray this prayer for all of those that God leads us to, or brings across our path. We must never forget God is the one who chooses – “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13
“Jesus, you have brought this person to me, please help me to show them who You are. Also, I know, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, You are able to transform whatever their deficits are into victories, Holy Spirit show me the part I am to play in their journey with you.
Is it true that God chooses people to have eternal life and yet we must believe to have eternal life? Why are we urged to believe when it is God who gives us the faith?
“Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.
You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honour and another for dishonour? Romans 9:18-20
The answer to this paradox is unknown: it is a mystery but Scriptures tell us both are true. Hence, it is imperative we are led by the Holy Spirit moment by moment. The old hymn says it all: “Trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
HOLINESS IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE MIRACULOUS
Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan they consecrated themselves. Before the Israelites took Jericho they circumcised the men. Before they defeated Ai they cleansed the sin from their camp. Holiness was needed for God to work the miraculous.
Ezekiel has a vision where the holiness of God pours out from the temple like a river, revitalising and purifying all the land it comes into contact with. Isaiah has a vision, where he enters the temple impure but is purified while he is there by a burning coal – a physical embodiment of God’s holiness.
The holiness of God is a term used in the Bible to describe both His goodness and His power. It is completely unique, and utterly all-powerful. In fact, the Bible gives us examples showing God’s holiness is so overwhelming it was perilous to approach Him.
These examples of God’s holiness purifying impure things all lead up to Christ. Christ, who is God’s holiness in human flesh, goes out into the land, healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons – all of which are examples of God’s holiness now purifying the things it comes into contact with. God’s holiness is a powerful force that must be treated with the utmost respect.
In Hebrews 9 and 10 it tells me that the sacrifice of Jesus, the blood of Christ, is what sanctifies and makes me holy – once and for all.
Not only do I need Jesus, His blood sacrifice and the Holy Spirit, I also need the Word of God. Jesus, in His prayer to His heavenly Father in John 17:17 said, “Sanctify them, make them holy through Thy truth. Thy word is truth” (paraphrased).
Ephesians 5 says that God wants to cleanse and sanctify the church by the washing of water of the Word. It is the Word of God that the Holy Spirit uses.
At the same time, God’s holiness is a gift, able to heal a broken and impure world. Best of all, as followers of Christ, the Father has now sent the Holy Spirit to indwell our spirit, to be our counsellor, teacher and comforter. We can’t be holy without the Holy Spirit. He enables us to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sadly, we are told, we often grieve Him, and quench the work He wants to accomplish in us and through us.
Do you want to serve God? Understand, we need holiness to serve Him.
“As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [Whatever you do.] because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)
Is there some filthiness in disposition or attitude in your heart? Is there some bitterness or resentment or complaint? God says, “You clean it up.” Is there something that we are doing in our lifestyle that is demonstrating the lust of the flesh? Clean it up! We are to walk in holiness, fearing God, recognising our accountability to Him.
Among believers there is to be a practical holiness where we cleanse ourselves, where we get right with God. There is nobody who is going to cause you to stop sinning but you. There is nobody who is responsible for sinning but you. You will be tempted and baited and enticed by the enemy, but if we sin, we need to repent of our sins and seek forgiveness, on an on going basis, to keep our relationship with God intact. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.
We ask God to forgive us not to be re-justified but to walk before Him in confidence that Christ has paid it all.
