Monthly Archives: February 2017

Baptist, News

Because Everyone Deserves The Best of Care

Baptcare’s first brand advertising campaign launched with a TV advertisement on Channel 9 last night. This TV advertisement is one of a series of initiatives aimed at boosting our brand awareness over the coming months.

Our message is, “because everyone deserves the best of care“.

You’ll see Baptcare on Channel 9 during various programs until the end of March. Look out for Baptcare during the 6pm weather report from 26 Feb and popular programs like 60 Minutes and Postcards.

Big billboards will also be going up across Melbourne during February, March and April with radio advertising on 3AW during the same time.

The highlight of the campaign is a tram wrapped in the Baptcare brand on the Kew route from 19 March. This coincides with Baptcare’s sponsorship of the shop window competition at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

 

Baptist

Because Everyone Deserves The Best of Care

Baptcare’s first brand advertising campaign launched with a TV advertisement on Channel 9 last night. This TV advertisement is one of a series of initiatives aimed at boosting our brand awareness over the coming months.

Our message is, “because everyone deserves the best of care“.

You’ll see Baptcare on Channel 9 during various programs until the end of March. Look out for Baptcare during the 6pm weather report from 26 Feb and popular programs like 60 Minutes and Postcards.

Big billboards will also be going up across Melbourne during February, March and April with radio advertising on 3AW during the same time.

The highlight of the campaign is a tram wrapped in the Baptcare brand on the Kew route from 19 March. This coincides with Baptcare’s sponsorship of the shop window competition at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

 

Source: BUV News

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

KINGS OF ISRAEL: Why Study the Book of I Kings.

A young man, no more than 20 years old, finds himself thrust into a position of supreme leadership as king of Israel. Where does he even begin with such an awesome responsibility? Then God comes in a dream and invites him to ask for whatever he wants. He does not ask for riches, honour and/or acclaim for himself. Instead, the young monarch asks for one key thing for the sake of his nation: a wise and understanding heart so that he could capably rule the people. God was well pleased with the answer and said it was granted. In addition, there were bonuses of riches and reputation.

The king? Solomon, son of David, who became the wisest man who ever lived. It was he who wrote the timeless, priceless, and practical Book of Proverbs, plus Ecclesiastes. His story, and that of his successors, is told in the Bible book of I Kings. Like the other historical books of the Bible, we can learn from the successes and failures of the people of God and their leaders.
HEBREW NAME
I Kings begins with the words ‘Now king David …’ (1:1). The Hebrew is vehamelech David, from where we get the word melechim, or ‘kings.’
AUTHOR
Anonymous. Talmudic sources suggest that Jeremiah may have been the author.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here — (Mt 12:42)
Christ is the greater than Solomon.
THEME OF I KINGS
Double-minded monarch leads to a divided kingdom.
KEY VERSES
And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: 5Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.  — I Kings 9:4-5 (KJV)
Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. 13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen — I Kings 11:11-13 (KJV)
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin – I Kings 15:34 (KJV)
SUMMARY
I Kings starts off very well with the rise of Solomon, son of David, King of Israel. It was an apex of Israel’s history. His youthful request for wisdom paid phenomenal benefits for all.
Yet Solomon’s prosperity and success were his undoing. He loved many strange (foreign) women and his heart was not perfect before the Lord like his father David. So God chose to take 10 out of 12 tribes away from David’s dynasty and give it to Jeroboam, son of Nebat. Thus the united monarchy was now divided between the Southern Kingdom of Judah, under the House of David, and the Northern Kingdom of Israel, under Jeroboam. This latter kingdom was very unstable, with around 19 kings, 5 dynasties and three capital cities.
The spiritual decline became a free fall with Jeroboam, the very first king of the North. He established rival man-made religion by building shrines in Bethel and Dan and putting a golden calf to be worshipped in each. This is called ‘the sin of Jeroboam, son of Nebat,’ who caused Israel to sin. None of his regal successors had the moral and spiritual courage to break free from this sin, which estranged them from the Lord God and spawned the prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha.
Jeroboam’s sin became the undoing of the Northern Kingdom. It was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BC and its population taken into exile. Judah lasted an additional 136 years, in part because of its relative stability. It had 1 dynasty, David’s, and 1 capital, Jerusalem, and housed the true temple of God. Yet Judah succumbed to the Babylonians in 586 BC, then miraculously returned from exile under the Persians.
DISTINCTIVES
Here are some of the lessons we learn:
•    Leadership is not evaluated by economic, political, or military success. The only criteria is whether the king did what was ‘right’ or ‘evil’ in the sight of the Lord God. Failure to follow God renders that leader’s legacy as ‘evil.’
•    When the king stays in ‘covenant-faithfulness,’ then God’s blessing and protection is on the king and kingdom.
•    If the king is unfaithful to God, he and the nation will be punished.
•    Had Israel and Judah stayed faithful, there would have been no conquest and no exile by hostile empires. The cause of both was not the strength of the Assyrians or Babylonians, but the strength of their sin.
•    A divided heart is what led to a divided kingdom. Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, is mentioned 22 times in both I & II Kings.
OUTLINE OF I KINGS
I.         UNITED MONARCHY (1:1-11:43)
A.     Solomon Ascends (1:1-2:46) Adonijah’s plot fails, death of David, execution of Adonijah, Joab, Shimei, while Abiathar the priest exiled.
B.      Rule of Solomon (King 3:1-8:66): Asks for wisdom, judges the harlots, administers with 12 governors and 11 princes, builds and dedicates the temple.
C.      Solomon Descends (9:1-11:43): Goes into overdraft & sells Israel’s cities, Queen of Sheba’s visit, intermarriage, chases idols, rebuked of God, and death.
II.      DIVIDED MONARCHY (12:1-22:53)
D.     Kingdom Divided (12:1-14:31): Rehoboam’s foolish response divides the kingdom; Jeroboam starts Northern Kingdom; his false shrines; prophetic warning, judgment on the king.
E.      Reigns of Abijam & Asa in Judah(15:1-24)
F.       Reigns of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri in Israel (15:25-16:28)
G.     Reign of Ahab in Israel (16:29-22:40): Ahab’s sin, Elijah the prophet introduced, sojourns in Zarephthah, contest with prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, flight from Jezebel, war with Syria, death of Naboth and Ahab.
H.     Reign of Jehoshaphat in Judah(22:41-50)

I.         Reign of Ahaziah in Israel (22:51-53)
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

TRUMP CHRONICLES PART 03:

Trump the Christian: Opposition & Prophecy

I believe in God. I am Christian. I think The Bible is certainly, it is THE book. First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica Queens is where I went to church. I’m a Protestant, I’m a Presbyterian. And you know I’ve had a good relationship with the church over the years. I think religion is a wonderful thing. I think my religion is a wonderful religion
These words were uttered by the man who became the 45th President of the United States. Donald J. Trump has affirmed that he is a Christian.
Of course, there are Christians and there are Christians. In the United States, where for decades Christianity has been the ‘civil religion,’ everyone was a Christian. For example, every American President (and there have been 45) has called themselves ‘Christians.’ And, for the last 40 years, every President from Jimmy Carter onwards claimed to be ‘born again,’ too.
It would seem that Donald Trump could be in the first category. Many would think so. ‘Christian’ in name, but clearly no saint: multiple marriages, hints of past infidelity, an owner of casinos, and crude language on a 2005 tape. Those who suspect his Christian ties see him as an ‘abrasive New Yorker,’ a ‘street-fighter in a suit,’ this ‘reality TV personality.’ His prompt response to his critics are not exactly tempered by the fruit of the Spirit.
PROPHECIES OF THE PRESIDENCY
Despite all this, there is more to Donald Trump than meets the eye. While seemingly worldly in some areas, he is wholesome in others: no tobacco, alcohol, and a strong commitment to family life, as demonstrated by his ultra-loyal and loving children and grandchildren.
Amazingly, some prophecies have been offered regarding the ‘rise of Trump.’ One came from Kim Clements, Redding California, in April 2007. In his prophecy Clements said things like ‘Trump will be a trumpet.’ Though not known to be a ‘praying man’ before becoming President, he will become one in office. There will be ‘a wall of protection’ and Clements spoke about ‘two terms,’ meaning 8 years in office. The implication is, of course, that Trump will be re-elected in the 2020 US Presidential election (who wants to think about the next election after the combative and bruising nature of the last one?).
Another prophecy came from retired fire-fighter Mark Taylor in 2011. While watching Trump on television, he heard the voice of God tell him that he was listening to the ‘President.’ From here the prophecy spoke about God’s Spirit declaring that ‘the enemy’ (presumably Satan and demon powers) will quake, shake, and fear from this ‘man who God anointed.’
Donald Trump ‘anointed?’ Before jumping to conclusions, remember that the prophet Isaiah declared the same thing over Cyrus the Great of Medo-Persia (Isaiah 45:1). Cyrus was not a known believer but he was clearly used of God to fulfil his prophetic purposes.
Regarding the enemy fearing quaking, shaking in fear, consider this: The unprecedented media attacks, the opposition and hysteria after Trump’s election, the violent ‘protests,’ which were riots, recounts, death threats to members of the electoral college, regular death threats to Trump himself, ’the Russians,’ the inaugural protests and women’s march and … Donald Trump has poked the stick in the hornets nest and they are hopping mad.
According to Charisma News, political analyst Pat Caddell says, comments on the mainstream media vis a vis Trump: ’This is the crisis of democracy – the mainstream media, which is in the tank in the most violent way against Donald Trump and for Hillary Clinton, that I have ever seen in the 45 years that I have been at the top of presidential politics … And it is terrifying … Not just that they’re for Hillary, and telling us that Trump is evil, and my God, no human being could possible vote for him; it is what they are omitting, the facts that they will not tell the American people.’[1]
One man commented that Trump was a ‘wrecking ball’ to political correctness (PC). Anyone familiar with PC knows it is public enemy number one to ‘freedom of speech’ and, in its extreme, can be dangerous to the future of the nation. Political correctness also causes good people, even Christian people, to wince when the plain truth is uttered. This is because PC is an enemy of the truth. When politicians were afraid to even mention the word ‘borders’ for fear of being labelled ‘intolerant’ and ‘bigots’ and ‘xenophobes’ and ‘islamophobes,’ that’s the crippling effects of political correctness at work.
Then here comes Donald Trump … we are going to have a wall with Mexico and practice extreme vetting of would-be migrants. He will not be bullied by PC and keeps rolling on like an invincible tank.
When you consider the unprecedented, furious and ferocious opposition Trump, it is not unreasonable to consider that this opposition is ultimately spiritual.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
In our next article, we will learn about Trump’s relationship with evangelical Christians and whether their support made a difference to his winning the election.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

RECIPE: Meat & Vegetable Stir-Fry

If time is short and you want a tasty, nourishing meal, look no further. Here is a real winner. Also, if you have a glut of vegetables at home, here is a great way to use them up.
One part meat: Beef, chicken, or pork. Cube or cut into bite-sized pieces.
Two parts vegetable: cut into bite-sized pieces (see ‘Vegetables’ below)
1 Tablespoon ginger, garlic, shallots (optional)
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh herbs like coriander or basil.
Vegetables
Chose vegetables in both categories below.
Category 01: Onions, Baby Corn, Snow Peas, Snap Peas, Mushrooms, Celery, Zucchini, Bok Choy. These cook very quickly so watch out.
Category 02: Carrots, Cauliflower Capsicum (bell peppers), Broccoli, Green Beans. These take more time to cook due to their denseness. They have a great ‘crunch.’
Sauce for Stir-fry
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon vinegar, preferably rice wine
1 cup broth
Put all ingredients in a bowl and then whisk together until fully blended. For thicker sauce, add 1 teaspoon of corn starch, whisk until blended, and let sit for 10 minutes before mixing with the stir fry.
Cooking Instructions
1.      Have all your ingredients chopped and ready to go before you start cooking, because once you begin the stir-fry, it will go quickly. Make sure your rice or noodles are also cooked before frying. Everything should be cut and prepared to a similar size to ensure uniform cooking.
2.      Take your wok or frying pan and set it over medium to high heat. Once hot, then add 1 Tablespoon of oil (peanut or coconut) for a non-stick pan or 2 Tablespoons for a regular pan. Do not begin to cook until the pan is hot and the oil sizzling.
3.      Once heated, add your meat of choice and cook thoroughly on all sides. Remove the cooked meat and place to the side. Do not stir the entire time; give opportunity for ‘frying’ and then ‘stirring,’ so the meat and vegetables are sufficiently cooked.
4.      Add your Category 02 vegetables next. These take longer to cook. Only fry for 1 minute. If you have too many, then fry them in batches. Don’t overcook or the vegetables will lose their wonderful texture, crunch, and colour.
5.      Add your Category 01 vegetables, which cook more quickly than Category 02, and fry 1 more minute.
6.      Add ginger, garlic, and/or shallots, if you are using at all. Cook no more than half a minute and continuously stir to avoid burning.
7.      It is now time to return the meat to the pan. Add the above stir-fry sauce. Coat the vegetables and meat in sauce and make sure there is not excessive liquid at the bottom that can make the vegetables soggy. Cook until it bubbles, around 60-90 seconds.
8.      Remove from the heat and add fresh herbs.
9.      May be served with cooked noodles or rice (Jasmine or Basmati are great choices).
10.  Enjoy!

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

7 Pillars To Understanding the Future: Pillar 02

Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places — Ephesians 6:11-12 (KJV)
Why Do the Nations Rage?
On November 8th, 2016, Donald J. Trump was elected 45th President of the United States. Since then, there has been a flurry of protests – some ugly, others dangerously violent. There was the post-election ‘protests,’ which turned into a riot in Portland, Oregon. Voting recounts, ‘Russian hacking,’ intimidating electors of the electoral college, all have been thrown to try and invalidate the election. Then on inauguration day, the protestors promised to stop the inauguration. They failed – but that did not stop them from vandalising parts of the capital city. Then there were the ‘protests’ after President Trump signed an executive order halting refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries deemed terrorist haunts by the outgoing Obama Administration. Or the ultra-violent riots at the University of California – Berkeley, trying to stop Milo Yiannopoulos, a conservative, gay, British journalist, from speaking.
While protests are nothing new in the United States and are indeed a protected right (provided they are peaceful), why the frequency, stridency, and savagery? Most will agree that we have not seen anything like this. Dennis Prager calls this current turmoil the second American civil war.
This is not just limited to the United States. There is a low-level world war across North Africa and the western half of Asia, jihadists against other Muslims, minorities, and the West. Anti-Semitism is rearing its ugly head in Europe and the West. Anti-Christian persecution is at the highest levels we have seen in several generations.
While experts seek to offer explanations for the increasingly turbulent times in which we live, here is one you rarely hear, yet it explains everything.
The second pillar of understanding the future: we live in a spiritual world and the solutions are equally spiritual.
The Real Enemy
It is easy to blame sinful people and ideologies for all our challenges. Indeed, people need to take responsibility for their actions and will be held accountable by God for them (Romans 14:12). Yet, the Bible speaks clearly of a hidden spiritual hand that controls events and nations. Satan is described by Jesus Christ Himself as the ‘prince’ of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) while Paul calls him the ‘god’ of this world (II Corinthians 4:4).
The New Testament Greek word for ‘world’ is kosmos, which in order, arrangement, and/or adornment; however, it also means the current state of human affairs which is at enmity and opposition to God. And who inspired this? The master rebel himself, Satan, and his host of demons. That’s why I John 5:19 (NKJV) says succinctly, ‘We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.’ Satan and demon powers, who had such dominance in human history, are in a panic because their time is short (Revelation 12:12), and want to cause as much trouble and turmoil as possible on their way down.
When we understand the spiritual nature of our world, we will quit getting mad at people, despite their furious opposition, and focus our spiritual attention on the real culprits. The invisible spiritual forces are slated for destruction, Satan included, while the earthly opponents are loved of God and are targets for the gospel of grace.
An elderly Daniel discovered, to his amazement, that his prayers were being hindered by the the ‘Prince of Persia.’ The great Messianic psalm, Psalm 2, speaks about the raging of the nations and people becoming active yet senseless. The reason? Because the King is coming back. Satan and demon powers know they are fighting a losing battle but still want to do their utmost to thwart the return of the Prince of Peace.
The Wise Response
How should we respond? Understand that the Biblical Christian life, the one that God approves, is not a ‘religious life,’ riddled with ‘do’s and don’ts, rules and regulations, with a dour face and judgmental heart. No, the life God endorses is a spiritual Christian life. It starts with being:
1)           Born of the Spirit or born again: the new birth is when our spirit, the inner-person, is reborn. The Holy Spirit is the agent of change in this process;
2)           Baptised in the Spirit – something mentioned in all four gospels and fulfilled in the Book of Acts (1:6, 8). This is a permanent immersion where the presence of God’s Spirit is with us and in us;
3)           Filled with the Spirit (Acts 2:4; Ephesians 5:18): The presence of the Holy Spirit is so overwhelming that there is an overflow of anointing, empowerment, gifts (I Corinthians 12) and fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), and
4)           Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16): This is a lifestyle of living a Spirit-filled, Spirit-anointed life. ‘Natural living’ is like living in the barnyard with the chickens: crowded, contentious, dirty, and no flight. ‘Spirit-filled living’ is like the eagle (Isaiah 40:31), it takes flight and hovers over the fray that holds others back.
The Solution is Equally Spiritual
With this Holy Spirit empowerment that comes from the born again, Spirit-filled lifestyle, we are in a great position to implement Ephesians 6, which exhorts us to put on the whole armour of God. Spiritual world means spiritual fight and God has provided us the weaponry we need to overcome and gain victory. Failure to understand the battle or implement the solution leaves us vulnerable to the wiles and desires of the devil.
The armoury God provides is impressive:
1.       The belt of truth around our waist: keeps everything in place;
2.       Breastplate of righteousness: protects the heart;
3.       Gospel of peace on the feet: puts us on the road;
4.       Shield of faith: quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;
5.       Helmet of salvation: protects the mind;
6.       Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God
The spiritual solution is to be ‘strong in the Lord’ (Ephesians 6:10), continue to stand (v. 11, 13, 14), withstand in the evil day (v. 13), pray all kinds of prayers in the Spirit (v. 18); watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Lesson for Life:If you want to understand the future, know that this is a spiritual world; the challenges and solution are equally spiritual.
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

GOD’S PEACE PROCESS – PART 03

It is instructive, even frightening, how many people in the relatively peaceful and prosperous western world suffer from mental health issues. These include anxiety, excessive stress, and depression. Even those who claim to be believers and attend church are not exempted from these things. Of course, if the root cause of this malaise is spiritual, then the solution will be equally spiritually.
God offers a spiritual solution: it is peace – His peace – and available to any and all who will receive it. Once received, the mental health issues clear up, wholeness is gained, and joy returns. Like the ‘pearl of great price,’ God’s peace is worth everything to obtain and will not disappoint.
So far, we learned that the pre-requisite to peace is to recognise that it comes from Jesus. All the Lord asks is that before we receive peace, we make a decision to cooperate with His to refuse to let our heart be trouble or afraid (John 14:27).
The second thing we learned is to establish a beachhead of God’s peace, we have to be reconciled to God by the new birth. This comes by believing in the gospel of Christ: He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures. In other words, you can’t have God’s peace until you are willing to receive in your heart the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, as Saviour and Lord. When this happens, we are justified by faith (not by religious works) and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
God offers a ‘peace process.’ Unlike the worldly version, which comes in instalments and can be incomplete and temporal at best, God’s peace comes freely, fully and permanently. We can and should grow in God’s peace, as we do in God’s grace, glory, and faith.
The next step is important. God’s peace can be likened to a personal body guard. Any force that would try to harm you or cause you to fret and worry can be thwarted. This protective, prevailing peace will guard your mind – which can be a battle field of negative, anxious though. It will guard your heart, from which flow the issues of life. Prevailing peace means that no challenge will go unmet and no challenge will succeed – God’s peace will prevail against any and all attacks. When you are peaceful in heart and mind, nothing can rock your boat.
How do we obtain God’s protective, prevailing peace? We learn about it in Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV):
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
So here is the secret to growing in the prevailing, protective peace of God: it comes through prayer. Like the air we breath, prayer is indispensable for Christian life and growth. Without a lifestyle of prayer, you will become weak like any other man. Great people of God have said: A prayer less Christian is a powerless Christian.
If you have the desire to be a person of prayer, but find it difficult to get started, here are two things you can do. 1) Read about prayer: in the Bible and also Christian literature. There are plenty of books on the subject. More importantly, 2) Find an ‘on-fire’ prayer meeting, attend it regularly, and remain a part of it until you catch the fire!
Even before you pray, or at least when you pray, make sure you follow the first part of the advice: Be careful for nothing. Make a decision that you will not worry or fret about anything. This will require God’s grace, of course, but hand the burden to God, let Him do all the heavy lifting, and then proceed to pray.
Note Philippians 4 speaks of prayer (a broad term about seeking God in faith and utterance), supplication (where we make our requests to God), and thanksgiving. The latter is essential because, like people, God responds very well to an ‘attitude of gratitude’ (I Thessalonians 5:18).
In summary, hand your burdens to God, pray all kinds of prayers, give thanks to God in everything.
Years ago I wonderfully learned this lesson. Flying from my first ever visit to the Middle East, the airline gave me an obligatory stop in London – at my expense. Twenty-two years old, with little money, having been informed that ‘London is expensive’ and ‘all the hotel rooms are full,’ I contemplated sleeping on the seats at Heathrow Airport. In fact, on the plane I started to feel distressed and anxious. Then I remember Philippians 4:6-7. I wanted to shout it from the housetops, but that would not be appropriate in flight. So I found the one place that would afford me privacy – the lavatory on the plane – and confessed to the LORD: Heavenly Father, I claim the promise of Philippians 4:6-7. When I walk out of this place, I thank you that I will experience your protective, prevailing peace on my heart and mind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Without exaggeration, once I opened the door, the peace of God descended upon me. The worry and fear were gone. Once I arrived in London, everything fell into place, I found a clean, quaint, and affordable hotel room for the night and my money stretched far enough to get me a London Indian curry!

God may or may not give you an immediate answer to your prayer. Yet, what you will receive – on the spot – is God’s peace in your heart and mind. His word guarantees it. It’s time to grow in the peace of God – through prayer.
Articles, Bible, Education, Family, Prophecy, Teaching

Inheriting the Earth: The Power of Biblical Meekness PART TWO

In Part One we were introduced to the concept of Biblical meekness, which comes with the superlative promise: The meek shall inherit the earth (Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5). In essence, meekness is submission to God and His grace, letting Him carry us, fight our battles, and use us as He wills. The two meekest men in the Bible were Moses and Jesus, yet both of them were mightily used of God in acts of power.
The meek do not ‘fight for their rights,’ actively seek vengeance or vindication, strive in their own strength or live off man-made, home-cooked ‘good ideas.’ They live and labour according to God’s terms, timing, and territory. The meek simply keep single-minded and focused on what God has called them to do.
ISAAC: MEEKNESS IN ACTION
A classic example of this principle, and how to inherit the earth, is found in the patriarch Isaac in Genesis 26:16-22. God commanded Isaac to remain in Canaan, a land he was destined to inherit. Amazingly, this was during a time of intense famine. When food was scarce in Canaan, the natural response was to travel to nearby Egypt, where the Nile River and its alluvial rich overflow normally guaranteed a steady food supply.
Certainly, Isaac’s father Abraham, and son Jacob, did go to Egypt when famine hit in Canaan during their day. Yet when Isaac tried to make the same move, God intervened and told him to stay put. He would bless him in the land of promise, drought, famine, and all. Meekness meant trusting God and committing all to him.
Ever energetic, Isaac was busy sowing in the land and reaping 100-fold (Genesis 26:12). That was a miracle, considering that the Negev wilderness is dry, even in normal times, let alone in a season of dryness.
The neighbouring Philistines became jealous of his success and expelled him from the city of Gerar. It was most unfair, but Isaac decided not to fight for justice but to keep on labouring in his inheritance. God’s justice towards Isaac would outstripped any compensation this world can offer.
The patriarch began to dig wells or re-dig wells in the Negev, where his father Abraham had dug. Wells not only brought water but served as a stake to claim the land. At least twice the Philistines protested that the wells belong to them, even though Isaac was the one who dug them. He did not argue or stop fulfilling his call. He kept his powder dry, relinquished the wells to his opponents, and kept digging elsewhere. Isaac knew that the promise of God to inherit the land would come in God’s timing and God’s way.
Isaac’s meekness netted him a wonderful reprieve called Rehoboth (Genesis 26:22). Here was a ‘Philistine-free zone’ were there is room, water, fruitfulness, and no strife. Every believer needs to visit Rehoboth, periodically if not regularly.
What is remarkable is that Isaac’s spirit of meekness did not make him look weak, but strong. Eventually, his enemies met with him and sued for peace.
The reason was that the blessing of God appeared prominently on his life. Wherever his plough laboured, there was a bumper crop. Wherever his spade touch, a well of springing water resulted. When opposition hit, he glided over it like a stream over a stubborn rock. To fight such a God-blessed man like Isaac would mean to fight against God Himself.
Then he came across Beersheba, well of seven, which became the patriarchs winter capital. The land of Canaan was now within Isaac’s reach and he never had to fire a shot.
MEEKNESS FOR TODAY
Isaac’s exemplary conduct contradicts our current culture, which focuses on ‘rights,’ ‘entitlement,’ and ‘self-interest.’ The problem with this attitude is that as soon as you drop your spade (shovel) and pick up your boxing gloves to fight your enemy, they have already won. The reason is that you are no longer doing what God has called you to, but instead you are distracted by a battle that is best left with God. Often, these battles can be lengthy and tiresome. So even if you win the battle, you truly lose the war. Second, by taking up the fight yourself, you are not demonstrating the power of faith and trust whereby God can fight your battle and win your prize.
Except in rare situations, the Biblical meek don’t even bother responding to their opponents. The work of God is simply too great (remember Nehemiah: he did not want to stop building the walls of Jerusalem in order to debate his enemies).
The meek reserve their focus on one thing: doing God’s will. All the other issues they leave for God to sort out. Many take the lower road, which leads to the barnyard. It can be messy, battling with the chickens and other poultry who can’t even fly. Or, you can take the ‘higher way’ of Biblical meekness, where the eagles rule the skies. Those who choose this way travel faster, farther, and truly inherit the earth.
Meekness
A spirit of empowerment, not entitlement;
overcoming, not overcome;
inheritance, not infirmity;
grace, not greed;
victory, not victimhood.
By meekness you interface with
Almighty God Himself
So that when He inherits the earth (Psalm 24:1);

                                                  You inherit it with Him

Baptist

Mental Health Program for BUV LOTE Churches

Two years ago, the BUV held forums at 3 different locations in order to find out what the most important issues our BUV LOTE (Language Other Than English) Churches were facing. These were held at Yarraville, Footscray and Croydon. 

The most common and urgent issue was concern about mental health – post-traumatic stress (as a result of spending many years in refugee camps), depression and substance abuse (as a result of being displaced from their homeland and living amongst other cultures and surroundings).

In order to provide adequate support for these communities, we decided to work on ways in which we can help people in those communities (initially, Burmese from Karen and Chin backgrounds) through a Mental Health Awareness Program.

This program would be a long-term project.  However, as a priority, we thought that a Basic Mental Health Training with access to information in the Burmese, Karen and Hakha Chin languages would be the ideal starting point for Pastors and Leaders of our BUV LOTE Churches. 

We spoke with some potential organisations with which we could partner with in the delivery of the Training.  After consideration, we decided to partner with Foundation House, a not-for-profit organisation.  The background and experience of their trainers was an ideal fit for the community that we wanted to provide the training – refugees who had to flee their countries as a result of persecution.

So far, we have organized 2 training days, held late 2016 in Sunshine and Croydon

 

Western Suburbs

The Mental Health Training session was led by Lew Hess with Burmese translation provided by Mu Mu.  There were fifty participants from eleven of our BUV Karen and Chin Churches.  Lew Hess used the well-known Parable of the Good Samaritan to introduce the topic of Mental Health.  He said that, “this story helps us reflect on the challenges involved in being a refugee and settling into a new land. This story is rich with learning for all of us in Melbourne 2016”. 


Lew then used three case studies in order to encourage the attendees to think about some mental health issues.  The first case had to do with depression and how the person and his family could cope with it. 

The second case study was about a clash of cultural values with the daughter asking her parents whether her boyfriend could sleep overnight at their home.  Her parents were so distressed by this question that they could not speak and left thinking, “How could she ask such a thing?” 

The third case study was aimed to help those who went through a similar situation within their own community.  It was about the hopelessness that many refugees faced as a result of family violence, sometimes leading to suicide. 

Through those cases, Lew Hess encouraged the participants to reflect on their own particular situations and experience.

Lew Hess also provided brief details about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  The session ended with a reflection of the importance of prayer but also of professional and community assistance. 

 

Eastern Suburbs

The Mental Health Training session was led by Radhika Santhanam-Martin and Jasmina Mulugeta with Burmese translation provided by Anna.  There were twenty five participants from eight of our BUV Karen and Chin Churches.

Radhika introduced the Mental Health topic by commenting on the fact that our understanding of what this is all about varies according to our cultural background. 

She started by mentioning that there are several areas of our lives when we are considering our Health:

  • Physical
  • Financial
  • Social
  • Spiritual
  • Cultural
  • Emotional
  • Mental and
  • Environmental.

All of these inter connected.  Looking at Mental Health, our understanding of what it is varies according to our cultural background.  Some communities consider mental illness to be like any other illness whereas other communities will not even talk about it.

Traditionally, three words are used to describe Mental Illness:

  • MAD – these are normally admitted to hospitals
  • BAD – these are normally having issues with the Law – police or legal system
  • SAD – these will need help from counsellors, pastors or other Church people.

To determine whether a person has mental illness, five signs that need to be considered are:

  1. SLEEP – has it changed?
  2. EATING – added weight or lost weight, not eating?
  3. ENERGY – More, Less or No energy?
  4. MOOD – Irritable, Happy or Changeable?
  5. INTEREST – Loss of interest in things previously liked?

Minor Mental Health Issues include:

  • ANXIETY.
  • DEPRESSION.
  • STRESS.
  • GRIEF and LOSS.

In cases of minor Mental Health issues, the person normally needs:

  • A person he / she can trust to help go through it
  • A safe place
  • Medical help and also others for support – especially in cases of Family Violence, Substance Abuse, Gambling and Suicidal Thinking.

Major Mental Health issues – behaviours of the person have not changed but the person has developed new behaviours, like:

  • Swearing a lot in public
  • Talking to self all the time
  • Laughing to self
  • Hearing voices and acting on those voices
  • Seeing things others do not see
  • Interpreting the world in a way no one understand
  • Fixed belief – just talking about it will not change beliefs, the person needs professional help. 

People with major mental health issues need medical help and should be hospitalised.

Further Mental Health Awareness Training Opportunities for LOTE churches will be offered during 2017. For more information contact Marc Chan, BUV’s Multicultural Consultant on marc.chan@buv.com.au

Source: BUV News