Why am I writing this message? Why feel like I do? Why can’t I be like so many others and just melt into the fabric of a society that appears separated from God? Why can’t I just silently live the Jesus life and say nothing? How I long for the Holy Spirit to give me His rest because I feel so weary and even sad as I view a world that appears bereft spiritually of leadership. Here’s a saying I heard the other day; “an army of sheep, led by a lion, can conquer an army of lions led by a sheep”! Where are the “Lion leaders” today?

I want to cry out with all that is within me, “what’s the difference between the believer in Christ and the unbeliever, Atheist or Agnostic? Those ideals of right and wrong have long gone out the window that I name “loving tolerance”. The scripture above is one that permeates right through the bible and must never be misunderstood; that God makes a distinction between those who belong to Him and those who don’t. The deliverance of God’s children from Egypt after 400 years of slavery is a foundation stone of all God’s dealings with humankind and what deliverance really means. Particularly the understanding of how Jesus is our Passover Lamb and how He is our Redeemer through His shed blood. To live without the Spirit of Jesus living through us is a Christ less existence and a living Hell becomes our home.

God blessed me personally, as well as everyone else, at our recent Camp Meeting with the ministry of Bishop Fredrick Addo from Kaduna, Nigeria. He brought home so clearly the truth of what it means to have a revelation of the supernatural love of God. It is so high, wide, deep and strong that when you live in it – it makes you different. His catch phrase was “I love you by FORCE”. That is, I love you whether you like it or not, it’s not a choice! It is a Force! His ministry among a densely populated Muslim area in Northern Nigeria, is demonstrating that Christians are different, because the love of Christ Jesus is being lived out sacrificially. The Christians work the environment first, that is where there is filth and rubbish they move in and clean it up, streets, homes or even palaces. He shared with me that 21 Tribal Elders (all Muslims) came to his Crusade and asked the Christians present to forgive them. Brothers and Sisters – there is a difference between faith in God and unbelief! It will not cost you much – just simply everything!

One action – or, may I call it a symbol of the future life in this Nation of Australia was lived out before us all on the 26th September when our new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, moved with her unmarried partner, Tim Mathieson, into one of Australia’s most powerful homes – “The Lodge”, (The official Prime Ministerial Residence). This is a powerful message being sent to the Nation, “is marriage no longer necessary?” When a Nation does what is right in its own eyes, and God, (“it’s impossible for Him to lie”, Heb: 6:18) does what He alone is able to do on a disobedient and faithless people the results could be unthinkable! (Rev: 16:21).

With the unbelievably long drought at last over and the promise of a harvest not witnessed in decades, may we all in grateful Thanksgiving yield our lives wholeheartedly and individually afresh to the Lord God Almighty and acknowledge – This goodness is solely from His hands.

“Spare us yet again dear Lord; and by Your Grace melt our hearts and mold us to be like Jesus. In His Name, we desire to be observed by You; – “Different!” Hell is not our future – Heaven is!” Amen!

In His Grip

+ Harry