Pointing the Finger?

I would like to air my feelings, comments and questions about what is happening in my country, Britain, at this time. It is not for me to comment on other countries, but some of this may just be familiar?

We had a new Prime Minister and he was welcomed like a breath of fresh air, but soon - as usually happens - the honeymoon was over. People began to blame him and the banks for the financial crisis and whatever else was going wrong. Now this is reinforced by the current daily revelations in the press of the alleged dubious expenses claims of some Members of our Parliament.

Much of this criticism may well be justified and certainly our government and the MP's we elected should be showing an example. However, I feel somewhat uneasy about all this 'pointing the finger.' I wonder how many in this country, whether journalists, business men or employees, are completely honest and beyond blame in their financial dealings with their own expense claims or income tax returns? And how would many of us feel if our financial details were open in public for all to scrutinise? I believe what is currently being revealed is only the tip of the iceberg as to what may be endemic in certain fields of employment and business.

The other thing is that whatever authority the Prime Minister and the government have, although they may well have been elected by the nation, that authority is given by God - perhaps we have the government we deserve? That doesn't mean that we cannot protest, but there are democratic ways laid down to do this, so shouldn’t we be careful what we say? But then, the respect for authority in this country has been eroded over the last 15 years and I can’t help but observe that it is being replaced with aggression. Where does this come from? The dysfunctional family? We can’t blame the government for that, can we?

You will notice I have left the 'Great' out of Britain. This is my country and I still feel it is great, but we have lost much of our Christian heritage and so are slipping out of God's providence. Many in Britain are angry at the moment and want justice - but justice for someone else? I believe God is also angry, but His justice is a bit different to ours?

A link to explain what the expenses furore is all about.

On the positive side, all this can be used for transformation and change, starting with the nation's repentance and returning to God. This is what I believe many are praying for.

"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." 1Peter 2:13-15

"Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me? Remember, I have the authority to set you free and also to have you crucified." Jesus answered, "You have authority over me only because it was given to you by God. So the man who handed me over to you is guilty of a worse sin." John 19:10-11 Good News Bible

"Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself." Romans 13:1-2

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If My People - 3

I had intended to draw a line under this post title, but on going to bed last night I asked the Lord how Christians should pray for the ‘State of the Nation.’

I didn’t necessarily expect an instant reply, but immediately I felt he said ‘pray that Christians should wake up!’

This was as I was slipping under the duvet, so it goes without saying that I was awake for quite a while.

I took this reply to mean that we - and I include myself in this - need to:

• Wake up to what is happening in our nation and the world.
• Wake up and take notice of the spiritual battle that is raging
• Wake up and listen to how God sees this from His perspective
• Wake up and 'stir the gift within' us
• Wake up and wait upon God for our individual response
• Wake up and pray as a priority

This is not to ‘tell,’ but to share what I believe I heard. This may well not be for everyone, but if I am acting in obedience, then surely this must be for at least one person.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2Chronicles 7:14

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If My People - 2

We’ve just had a day out at a country estate with our grandchildren. In one of the gardens there was an old solid oak door that caught my attention. What I felt was very significant was the network of small branches that crisscrossed the door, barring the way and partly obscuring it. Also the small handle was very rusty with lack of use. I felt that with some careful pruning, these obstructions could be removed to allow access to the hidden delights beyond.

In my post If “My People -1” I referred to the world being in a dire state., but I’ll confine these comments now to the state of the nation in Britain. I love my country - I hasten to add that this is in the right way after God - and it hurts to see that it has lost it’s way and no one seems to have the answer. However, this must be as nothing compared with how it must pain God to see what is happening.

The Gospel remains largely hidden from view and the media - apart from some notable exceptions - portray Christianity as irrelevant and a butt for comedians. We now have a second generation of children, the majority of whom are ignorant of the Gospel. Christianity as a living relationship with Jesus is rarely taught in schools. Many organisations are afraid to be seen giving deference to Christianity incase they offend followers of other religions. For example employees are wished a ‘happy holiday’ at Christmas. The gap between the rich and the poor grows larger, as the ‘haves’ are in a headlong hedonist pursuit of pleasure and financial security to fill the aching void within. The Christian moral foundations are in decline and the financial and manufacturing fabric of the country is in disarray.

What can the Christian response be? I don’t think that as Christians we can wash our hands of all this, saying it’s not our fault?

This poses questions for me such as: Am I following Jesus with every fibre in my body? Am I in the centre of His will? In my complacency and indifference, have I somehow been complicit in allowing all this to happen? Have I been a witness to the hope that is within me in whatever way is right for me? Have I spoken up against injustice? Am I caught up with the materialism around me? What am I about? And what about prayer?

How do we pray? I’m not sure I can repent for someone else? In the New testament Jesus shows the way to an individual relationship with God; however the theme of corporate and communal responsibility runs all the way through the Bible. When something is wrong with one part of the body, the whole body is affected!

Some of us may be called to be intercessors, but all Christians are exhorted to pray - continually.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2Chronicles 7:14

Perhaps you would like to have a look at state of the nation ?

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If My People - 1

I am a fired up this morning, so forgive me if this starts to appear a bit like a rant.

Quite some years ago, several of us who had been really touched by God, met to pray for revival and continued for several months until it we began to lose our way. Prayer tended to degenerate into prolonged shopping lists and often there was more talk than prayer. Eventually, perhaps because we all had our own personal agendas and Christian activities, it stopped altogether.

A year or two later, because some thought things were beginning to stagnate on the local Christian scene, another prayer group formed to seek the way forward. To begin with it was stimulating and we wrote down all that we heard from God: things like, “You have tried your way and it’s not worked, now drop everything and try mine.” Inevitably as the weeks went by, the honeymoon period ended and there was a need to press in further with prayer. Unfortunately members drifted away and carried on with their own projects and involvements.

Through circumstances my activities were much reduced and I became more focused in my Christian walk. What I learned was that if we are to pray for revival, it has to start with us. No, correction, it has to start with me. The question is, do I want to walk like Jesus, because that’s what is on the table. The other thing was, that there are conditions attached. Am I prepared to be wholly available to God and lay my agenda aside?

Whichever way you look at it, the world is in a dire state and it’s getting worse, much worse. We may point the finger at the banks, at governments, at other countries, terrorism, global warming, but what about me? I cannot just wash my hands of it all and say it’s not my fault, because in one way or another I am implicated. I may try and hang onto what little money I have, recycle my waste and use the right kind of light bulb. All very good, but that is just avoiding the real issue. Who thinks of asking God what He has to say about all this and try and see things from His perspective? Because He is our only hope.

I have a distinct feeling that alongside all the devastation that is happening in the world, there is a growing move of God, that is gaining momentum and I don’t want to be left out.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2Chronicles 7:14

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Standing In The Gap

I felt challenged this morning and will share my thoughts with you.

All over the world there is strife. In Africa and the Far East hundreds of thousands are being driven from their homes, many are massacred or tortured. Many more are facing starvation, even though there is enough food in the world. Human rights are being ignored or flouted and the environment is being ravaged and destroyed because of ignorance or greed. Despite scientific progress we just have not learned to live with one another.

Closer to home, financial institutions are under strain and there is the ever-present threat of terrorism and the fear that generates. The gap between rich and poor grows greater and the gradual decline of moral values is evident.

The whole world is in desperate need, but God has the answer. He is the answer, but when He sees the inactivity of His people He must weep. Although He is a God of love He must be angry.

What is my response to this? I can't just say it's not my fault or stand idly by as if it's nothing to do with me. I can donate to charity agencies and missions and feel that I have done all I can. I may even join in the prayers at church and help out in money-raising activities. But is that enough?

There is a gap between God and the world in desperate need and He waits for us to fill that gap.

I may not be called to take the Gospel to Outer Mongolia but I can pray. Prayer is extremely powerful. There is a battle going on in the world between good and evil, that cannot be won by military might. Scripture says so and history proves so. The tide was turned in the Second World War in Europe through prayer. The fall of communism in the Soviet Union was brought about through prayer. I have experienced or witnessed remarkable answers to prayer in my life and in others.

In the community at home where I live I may help out where I can and extend the hand of friendship. But do I really pray for change? Am I prepared to spend more time seeking Father's heart for those people? If necessary will I speak of the hope I have within me and will I confront evil? This means I must mean business with God and repent of any half-heartedness and unbelief.

Who is there to stand in the gap and be available to God to make a difference?

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land - " Ezekiel 22:30 New International Version

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