Sunday, September 25, 2011

Bringing heaven to earth

Bringing heaven to earth

"Then dedicate the tent and all its equipment by anointing it with sacred oil, and it will be holy."
Exodus 40:9, GNB

The Tent or Tabernacle was a place where God wanted to meet with Moses and manifest His presence to the people of Israel. This was not an idea coming from Moses but from God Himself.

It required something of Moses. He had to meet certain conditions given to Him by God. After Moses had carefully set up the Tent he dedicated it and all its equipment by anointing it with sacred oil. ‘Then the cloud covered the Tent and the dazzling light of the LORD’S presence filled it’ (Exodus 40:34).

All ‘the house of Israel’ were privileged to see a miraculous sign from God. He showed His presence to them all in the form of cloud by day and fire by night hovering over the Tent. Some people today would very much like to see a miraculous sign from God which would reassure them of His manifest presence. But I wonder if they are willing to meet God’s conditions?

George Otis tells of places in Brazil which are consecrated for prayer. Christians stand together and call out to God all night in prayer and as God draws near to them, even the foliage begins to glow, pulsating with His glory. George was taken to a place in the forest where he experienced for himself the thick presence of the LORD, as everyone fell to the ground in spontaneous worship. Time meant nothing to them. The whole place was lit up with the glory of God.

Such remarkable closeness to God in communities can seem strange to us when we compare it with our own culture. Yet maybe they would think our communities are abnormal and fail to understand why we don’t want to spend as much time in fervent, passionate prayer as they do. Experiencing heaven on earth is part of their normal life. Do you desire it to be part of yours?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise Your holy Name. May Your heavenly Kingdom come here where we live. May Your will be done in our lives. It’s not about us but about You. Show us Your conditions and requirements. Show us how to dedicate ‘our Tent and its equipment’ to You and know Your presence day by day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Today's Writer : Liz Griffin Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.

A lesson from Pelagius

A lesson from Pelagius

"Are you so foolish? After beginning with The Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"
Galatians 3:3, NIV

Paul did not beat around the bush when he addressed the Galatian believers. They were making a grave mistake. Having started off right by believing in the grace of God they were starting to change their course. They were trying to maintain a good standing with God through their own efforts – an impossibility with God, which Paul called foolish!

The fact is it’s easy for us to repeat their error. It’s so tempting to rely on our own efforts - even if it’s only a little bit- for being right with God! Paul’s warnings are as relevant for us today as they were for the Christians back then. The problem with allowing any room for our own merits is the truth that ‘A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough’ (Galatians 5:9). When we start to rely just a little bit on our own efforts to stay holy or to be righteous, then this will start to work its way through the whole of our lives. The inevitable result is that we end up increasingly losing sight of God’s grace.

Quite recently I realised how easy it is to fall into this trap. I was reading a book which traced the developments of Christian doctrine throughout history. Around the fourth Century a man named Pelagius arose, who opposed Augustine’s teachings on free will and grace. In essence Pelagius laid a strong emphasis on our role as individuals to choose to be saved, whereas Augustine had emphasised God’s grace in choosing us and in giving us the grace to believe in Jesus.

Sadly the teachings of Pelagius gained ground in the western Church and allowed more and more room for human merit. Things got so bad one could even ‘purchase’ one’s way into heaven! But finally the Reformers came along and convinced the Church of the all-important grace of God. John Calvin said “The Gospel rules out any thing that man might add.” How true!

If we have in any way tried to add to Jesus’ work on the cross, by seeking to be righteous through our own efforts, let’s ask God for our own personal reformation! Let’s ask God to bring us back to the freedom and joy of relying only on His grace. For His grace is sufficient!

Prayer: Father, I ask You to forgive me for trying to be righteous in my own strength instead of wholly depending on Jesus. Please help me to be completely dependent on Your grace. I thank You that Your grace is enough for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Today's Writer : Peter Brokaar Peter Brokaar and his American wife, Liz, left the Netherlands in 2005 to join the team at Ellel Scotland. He is now Assistant Director and House Manager and finds much pleasure in teaching. He has three children, Emma, Samuel and Benjamin, all born on Scottish soil. When there is any free time he enjoys reading, cooking, surfing and hiking.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Keeping in Touch

Keeping in Touch

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

Our son lives in Australia and our daughter recently travelled to New Zealand where she is planning to stay for an extended period. They are adults and my husband and I have freely released them, but nevertheless we are so grateful for the technology that enables us to keep in touch.

Though they are far away from home we hear from them often and we’re excited when they tell us how they are and what they’re doing. Because of the time difference we eagerly switch on the computer in the mornings to see if either of them have emailed overnight, and so that they can see we’re logged in if they’re waiting for us to get up so that they can call us! Of course, we’re delighted to hear their voices when they call, or to find a message sitting in our inbox waiting for us to open, especially when there are photographs attached, which more often than not have only been taken the previous day!

As parents we delight to hear from our children – whether they are telling us about a struggle they might be having or a joy they are experiencing. As I was thanking God recently for them, and telling Him how much it means to us that they choose to keep in touch, continuing to share their lives with us, He reminded me how much, as our heavenly Father, He delights to hear our from us as His children too. I remember when I first began to call God my Father, and to talk to Him as Father. There was such a joy in my heart in calling Him ‘Father’ that just for the joy of it, I kept saying, ‘Father! Father!’ over and over again, knowing He was hearing me.

But there was a time before that when I found that word difficult, when I misunderstood God’s Father heart for me and I didn’t call Him Father. In fact I didn’t really talk to Him at all. As I pondered this, I thought about how my husband and I would feel if our children had gone off to the other side of the world and never contacted us, ignored us completely – like the story Jesus told of the prodigal son. Of course, we don’t expect to hear from our children every day, or even necessarily every week, but if we never ever heard from them, how painful that would be!

Like the father in that story that so vividly allegorises the father heart of God, our heavenly Father patiently waits for us to come back to Him, to talk to Him and share our lives with Him. Our human nature can be such that we only talk to God when we’re going through a difficult time and we’re desperate for an answer or a breakthrough in our struggle. Sometimes it’s the busyness of life that somehow gets in the way of us conversing with Him, or perhaps we just have a distorted view of who God is, thinking He’s distant or disinterested, or doesn’t want to speak to us or will ask impossible things of us. There can be many things that hold us back from daily sharing our lives in prayer with our Father.

Nevertheless He waits to hear from us. Today is a good day to share with Him, in the reality of who He is as our Father, the one who delights in us (Zephaniah 3:17), in the reality of who we are as His children (1 John 3:1) and in the reality of whatever it is we are facing today. We will bring joy to His heart in doing so, and so often He gives back a whole new perspective on the issue we’re facing.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Joseph Scriven, 1855
Today's Writer : Julie Smith Julie Smith is married to Roger, and they have two grown up children. Having received deep healing in her own life, primarily through ministry at Ellel Grange and then attending the Modular School at Glyndley Manor, she went on to join the Glyndley associate ministry team. She now works part-time for the International Director’s Office and is an associate teacher for the ministry. She is passionate to see others restored and released into the abundant life Jesus won for us all.

Monday, September 19, 2011

The Ordering Influence

19 September, 2011
Today's Free Devotional from Ellel Ministries International
The Ordering Influence

"God blessed them and said to them “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it."
Genesis 1:28, NIV

Recently my wife Diane and I were looking together at Genesis 1 & 2, and discussing the roles of men and women as seen in the original models. We believe that the understanding gained will form the core teaching of two weekend courses to be run next year at Ellel Springhill – one for men and one for women.

I was impacted by the last component of the command of God to the man and woman (Genesis 1:28a), ‘to be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it’. The word ‘subdue’ means to tread down, conquer, subjugate, and to keep under. So right from the beginning of creation, before the Fall, the earth was wild, and in need of being subdued. Man was given the mandate by God to subdue it. In his Tyndale commentary on Genesis, Derek Kidner labels this ‘man’s ordering influence’. Man was created to lead and woman to be his helper in this process – together fulfilling the call. Sadly however, since the Fall, man’s ordering influence has been tainted and limited by the effect of sin. Men have become trapped in many and various bondages and thus the ability to bring order, and subdue the unruly, has been severely hindered.

My experience in listening to and praying with many men reveals that there are areas of bondage which men have been caught in. These include passivity, fear, rejection, addictions, sexual compulsions, workaholism, spiritual oppression, and depression. The end result is that the God-given potential for men to fulfil their destiny and have their own individual ordering influence is choked off. I have spoken with many women who lament that this is true – of their fathers or husbands or pastors. It seems that women yearn to partner with the men in the great adventure of life, and long to see the men being able to take up their calling.

It is my heart’s desire to see men set free through Jesus Christ – free to BE (sons, husbands, fathers, friends) and free to DO (to trust God, to worship Him, to live life to the full, to relate well, to ‘run the race’).

I want to be a man who has this ordering influence. If you are a man reading this, I bet you do too. Deep inside you know what you are created to be, and you are aware of the restrictions holding you back.

Come to your Dad. Be honest with Him, and let Him set you free.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I long to make a difference in this world. I recognize that there are some hindrances in my life that I need to be set free from. I come with these to You now and ask You to heal me and set me free from bondage. Please help me to fulfil my calling to be a man (or woman) who has an ordering influence in this world. I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today's Writer : Paul Watson Paul Watson was for 15 years an Anglican Minister in Sydney, Australia before joining Ellel Ministries full time in 2004. Together with his wife Diane he was involved in establishing the first Australian Ellel Ministries centre “Gilbulla” near Sydney. Currently they are leading the work in Western Australia, based at ‘Springhill’ near Perth. Paul, a member of the Ellel Ministries International Executive, serves as Regional Director for Australia & the Pacific as well as Regional Director for the Indian sub-continent. Paul & Diane have 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

A Lesson From the Spider`s Web

A Lesson From the Spider`s Web

"Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8, NIV

Sitting at my desk one day, glancing out of the window, my attention was aroused to see a spider in its web. There`s nothing unusual about a spider in its natural habitat, nor about a fly trapped in its web. But there was something more to observe.

It was fascinating to watch the fly as it struggled to free itself, but the spider had got it trapped, and was able to do just as it desired, just as the devil seeks to do with us all. In the web the fly was first stripped of its wings, then its legs. It was increasingly powerless to defend itself or escape.

How this reminded me of the work of the enemy of souls as he goes about seeking whom he may trap and render ineffective and powerless to overcome him. When we slip into ungodly ways we become vulnerable to his wiles and devastating schemes as he robs us of our ability to be a true witness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. This is why Peter reminds us that we need to be self-controlled and alert.

I meet a number of Christians who seem to have `lost their wings and legs`, and have been so damaged through sinful practices that they`ve become almost spiritually lifeless. We all need to have those around us to whom we are accountable, whether they`re church leaders, elders or friends. To have someone who is able to speak the truth to us in love, and warn us of approaching dangerous situations or relationships, is a healthy safeguard. For me it was a blessing to have an elder who sensed the danger of relationship developing with a secretary. There have been all too many church leaders drawn into an ungodly relationship with someone of the opposite sex, which has ruined their ministry. I didn`t wish to add to that number and thanked that elder for being so courageous in alerting me.

The spider`s natural habitat is a snare for the unobservant and unsuspecting insects the spider wants to make its prey. And the subtle wiles of the devil are just like that spider making its web. Peter is aware of the devil`s tactics, so he continues, `Resist him, standing firm in the faith` (1 Peter 5:9).

Prayer: O Lord, my God, I thank You for every time You`ve sent someone to make me aware of the snares of the devil, and prevented me from grieving You by falling into some sinful practice. Please develop in me a sensitivity and awareness of pitfalls, and strengthen me to honour You in every part of my life, I pray, in Jesus` name. Amen.

Today's Writer : David Silvester David Silvester is married and has a son, two daughters and eight grandchildren. He trained as a production engineer. He then moved on to become a lecturer of engineering craft skills before being called of God in his early fifties to become a pastor of a Baptist church. He says that,"having previously experienced an amazing healing on a day others expected me to die, it came as no surprise that God directed me and my wife, Margaret, to become involved with Ellel Ministries."

Friday, September 9, 2011

Consecrate Yourselves 09/09/11

09 September, 2011
Today's Free Devotional from Ellel Ministries International
Consecrate Yourselves

"Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before… Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."
Joshua 3.4-5, NIV

There are bound to be some turning points in our life that we will later look back upon and say “There my life took a new direction. That choice made all the difference. But I had no idea at the moment about the importance of the step I took!”

So it was with Israel at the time written about in the first chapters of the book of Joshua. Moses was dead. Joshua was new in leadership. A desert lay behind them, a swollen river ahead of them. Forty years of walking back and forth in the desert had been filled with the Lord`s miracles, but even so, to continue that way was not a prospect that made them shout “Alleluia”. But neither did the unknown land before them. They had no boats for the crossing of the river, the enemies were strong, and their cities were well fortified. And the land was unknown to all except to a couple of spies who had seen a corner of it, and escaped by the skin of their teeth.

‘You have never been this way before’ - True. And then the intriguing questions arise: How will we know the road, how will we know where to turn, how will we know how to fight, how will we even get across the river?

The Lord’s answer was not a lengthy list of necessary preparations. Just a simple word with deep meaning: ‘Consecrate yourselves’. That simple phrase was the only directive they needed for the next few years. That was the answer to pressing needs of help when the enemies seemed to overwhelm them, the solution to feelings of inferiority, and the infallible guide to a behaviour that was worthy of the Lord.

To consecrate themselves, at least in that context, mainly seemed to involve only one thing: Obedience to the Lord.

To cross into unknown land, listen to the Lord! To conquer the mighty fortresses of strong enemies, listen to the Lord! To find the narrow path of success, listen to the Lord! To guard yourself against the besetting feeling of complacency, listen to the Lord! To overcome the temptations of sin, listen to the Lord!

Not that there are no other voices, but only the Lord´s voice will lead you to possess the land God has promised you. Not that He always speaks about the most logical way of action, and the easiest solution to the problems. But He speaks about the only way to attaining His promises, the only way to overcoming all enemies and obstacles.

Some of you who read this may be facing a crucial situation right now. The example from the time of Joshua still holds true: Consecrate yourself, listen to His voice, and begin to walk, even if it seems impossible in the face of the circumstances. ‘The Lord will do amazing things among you’.

The right action, at the critical point, will cause the most remarkable consequences, for today, and for years to come.

Today's Writer : Goran Andersson Goran Andersson , together with his wife Roswitha, worked as missionaries in Japan from 1967 – 1985. They then pastored a church before moving to Kåfalla Herrgård, Sweden where Goran became Director. They have worked with Ellel Ministries since 2004 and are Goran is now Director of Ellel Ministries in Sweden.