Monthly Archives: November 2017

Baptist

The Power of Hope

Married as children of 11 and 13, life in Nepal was already very difficult for Fulan and her husband, Kamta. But when Kamta fell ill with tuberculosis, life got even harder.

With her husband too sick to do anything but fight to stay alive, Fulan was left to fend on her own. She was the only thing that stood between her family and certain demise. Their survival was entirely in her hands… literally.

Fulan took to collecting grass and learned to make rope by hand. At first, the process would make the tender flesh of her palms so raw that she could make very little, but, still, she persisted. She had no other option.

“It was better to do something, rather than dying by starvation,” Fulan explains.

But no matter how hard she worked, Fulan could never sell enough ropes to feed her hungry family.

“Many times,” she remembers, “we would go to bed without dinner.”

For six long years, this was the story of Fulan’s life. A sick husband and 2 young children (both with disabilities) to care for, unending hunger, and a constant fight to stay alive.

She had no hope that things could ever get better and her heart was filled with despair.

At Christmas, we reflect on the hope Jesus brings to the world. And we can share a small part of this hope with others.

For Fulan and Kamta, hope means regular meals and full bellies for their family, instead of near starvation. Hope means they can buy clothing for their children, instead of watching them shiver in the cold. Hope means they can pay for medicine to cure tuberculosis, instead of more years of sickness.

It’s people like you who gave them this hope. People whose generosity helped to set up the Self-Help Group that gave Fulan and Kamta a loan to buy a new rope-making machine.

When she worked by hand, Fulan could only make 2kg of rope a day. The first day Fulan and Kamta used their new machine, this increased to 15kg of rope.

Now, they have an income that their family can actually live on!

“I feel very good,” says Fulan, “because of the machine we are able to get food, clothes, and we have some savings as well!”

Through the blessings we receive, we can bless others like Fulan and Kamta and help turn despair into hope. This Christmas, you have the opportunity to help even more families living in poverty… and bless struggling mums and dads who have seen hope deferred for too long.

Be Hope this Christmas. Give generously at: baptistworldaid.org.au/be-hope

Source: BUV News

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Making Sense Out of Suffering: Why Study the Book of Job

(Photo of the Lord speaking to Job in a whirlwind, courtesy of blueletterbible.org)
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold — Job 23:10
It is an ancient yet ever-present problem: why is there pain and suffering in the world? Even more troubling, why do the righteous suffer and the unrighteous prosper? Theologians, philosophers, yes, everyday people have pondered this terrible reality.
All of us go through some degree of suffering. Some have a ‘high pain’ tolerance and others don’t. But for most people in the western world, no matter how intense the heat of suffering may be, always remember that in other parts of the world, they suffer in a manner we would know nothing about. Perspective is aways important.
More than one book of the Bible deals with the topic of suffering. The New Testament epistle of I Peter focuses on it. Yet no part of the Bible majors on this topic to the extent that the Book of Job does. In a sense, this 42 chapter Bible book is one beautiful, masterful poem that graces and inspires us with its words – God’s words – as we ponder its timeless message.
Job, a wealthy, righteous man goes through compounded, tragic, even horrific suffering all  in a short period of time. His lost wealth is replaceable, but his lost children were not. His friends come to comfort him and what ensues is an extended dialogue between them and Job. Eventually, the Lord comes into the picture and His powerful words shed light on this sobering subject.
HEBREW NAME
Iyyob which can mean ‘persecuted one.’
AUTHOR
We do not know who the author of Job is. What we do know is that Job came from the ‘Land of Uz,’ which is near Midian. Job very well could have been a Gentile who lived in the time of the patriarchs or later. Moses may have known about him and Elihu, but that does not mean he is the author.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
Jesus Christ is known as the ‘Daysman’ (9:33) and the living, visible redeemer (19:25).
THEME OF JOB
God is God in the good times and the bad. He is sovereign over every situation, including suffering, and redeems the righteous out of it all.
Pain, faith, and the role of Satan are held in the spotlight.
KEY VERSES IN JOB
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him — Job 13:15
Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. 24Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart  — Job 37:23-24
SUMMARY OF JOB
The Book of Job begins with an eye-opening dialogue between Almighty God and Satan in heaven (yes, apparently Satan has visiting rights in heaven, though he will lose them when cast to the earth in Revelation 12:9). God commends Job as His upright servant who fears Him and hates evil. Satan says that God’s hedge around Job keeps him faithful but if that hedge is removed and Job suffers, he will curse God to his face. God does not believe this lie yet gives Satan permission to test Job, knowing he will remain faithful. So Satan’s attack results in Job losing livestock, servants, and his 10 children, virtually on the same day. Yet Job did not sin.
The second conversation between God and Satan is that Job is commended for his faithfulness. Satan says that if he was physically afflicted, Job would turn against God. Again, God gives Satan permission to touch him physically but to spare his life. He is struck with boils from head to toe. He refused to sin with his lips.
Job’s wife is not exactly helpful or encouraging: She asks him how long will he hold onto his integrity? Then she tells him to ‘curse God and die.’ Before we are too hard on Mrs. Job, remember that she had just lost her 10 children. When Job’s blessings are restored, she will benefit, too.
His three friends come to ‘comfort’ him. They sat in silence for one solid week before speaking. Their names were Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. Once the week was over and the talking began, there was three debates. His friends say his suffering must be due to his sin (as if the righteous don’t suffer). He says he is being judged and God will vindicate him.
Job also complains that God does not hear him (13:3, 24), is punishing him (7:4), and allows the wicked to prosper (21:7). For 5 chapters Job does all the talking (27-31).
Elihu, though young, brings a mature perspective and strong rebuke. He reproves Job for justifying himself while correcting the 3 friends for condemning Job but having no answer themselves.
Finally, God Himself speaks to Job from the whirlwind (chapters 38-42). He speaks of his mighty power in creation, how as Sovereign he can control the uncontrollable. If Job can’t decipher God’s creative ways and acts, how can he possibly make sense of suffering – his and others.
Some important principles to remember in the face of suffering:
1)     Commit yourself to God;
2)     Trust God with all your heart, whether it makes sense or not;
3)     Have confidence that God will bring good to your life; righteousness truly has a sure reward.
4)     Suffering is a reality in a fallen world; sometimes due to one’s sin, sometimes due to one’s righteousness. The righteous must remain so and God will turn it around for their good. The sinner must repent, learn the lessons, obey the commands, and get right with God and others.
5)     Satan is a reality and this explains much about the reason for suffering. His rampage will not last forever and he will be thoroughly and irreversibly judged.
Yes, the good guys do triumph in the end.
End result: Job’s lost possessions are restored, including 10 more children. His 3 friends receive prayer due to their insensitive words. Young Elihu is not rebuked at all.
Outline of Job
I.      Dialogue between God and Satan; Job’s sufferings begin (1-2)
II.   Dialogue between Job and his friends (3-37)

III.  God speaks to Job and restores his fortunes (38-42)
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Paul’s Secret to Changing the World – Part 05

… I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus — Philippians 3:12ff
Paul the apostle was one of the most influential, impact-making, legacy-leaving people in all human history. His amazing work is still paying rich dividends until today. How did he do it?
So far, we have learned:
Principle One: Grace brings world-change;
Principle Two: Righteousness brings world-change – when you change into the righteous image of Christ, you are then empowered to be an agent of change to the world.
Principle Three: Knowing Christ. Christ is such a powerful, singular figure that knowing Him brings empowerment in return.
Principle Four: Taking hold of Christ.
Let’s review the last step – which is the most important. Philippians 3 tells us the secret: he let go of ‘everything’ in his life – good, bad, and ugly – so he would be ‘hands free’ to take hold of Christ and His purposes for Paul’s life. That’s what the above verse is about. The principle of ‘apprehending’ is the Greek word katalambano, which means to seize, apprehend, take hold, and win the prize. So to apprehend Christ and His purpose for your life means you are partnering with the Lord Himself; He is the senior and you are the junior partner. When that happens, things begin to change, starting with you.
In this fifth and final article, let’s elaborate about ‘taking hold/katalambano. Here are some Biblical examples:
The Patriarch Jacob: Jacob is a superlative example of katalambano. He had secretly fled from his uncle Laban in order to return to the land of Canaan in Genesis 32. His wives, handmaidens, children, and all his possessions, were with him. Soon, he had Laban on his back and a angry brother Esau in his face. Either way, he face serious trouble, perhaps violence, from one or both of these men. In desperation, he chose to wrestle with the Angel until the breaking of the day. Such a contest of strength would have seemed more suitable to macho Esau, the huntsman and ‘man’s man,’ than to a ‘sensitive new age guy,’ like Jacob.
Yet it was Jacob, not Esau, who demonstrated the greatest strength of all. Despite the attempts of the Angel to shoo him away, Jacob sunk his fingernails deeply. ‘I will not let you go until you bless me!’ he declared. At one point, the Angel injured the hollow of Jacob’s thigh. Even in pain, he continued to lay hold. At the end, the Angel had no choice but to bless him. Part of the blessing was the changing of his name from Jacob, which means ‘supplanter’ or ‘heal catcher,’ to Israel, ‘Prince of God.’ Jacob went from ‘red-blood’ to ‘blue blood’ by taking hold of the King of kings and Lord of Lords.
Hannah: The wife of Elkanah, Hannah    also demonstrated katalambanoor laying hold in I Samuel 1. Though married to a good man, she was miserable due to her barrenness. Elkanah’s second wife was very fruitful in this area; she was also very nasty. Her taunts and insults caused Hannah to fret to the core of her being. In extreme anxiety, she went to the one and only place that could answer her deep pain: The House of the Lord. In Hannah’s day, it was the Tabernacle of Moses at Shiloh. So she entered into the sacred precincts, went as far as she was allowed, and there she parked herself in prayer. Like Jacob, Hannah was not going to let go until God blessed her … and He did. Unlike the anonymous children of Elkanah’s second wife, Hannah’s son became the greatest prophet Israel had seen since Moses. His name is Samuel or Shmu’el, ‘heard from God.’ God’s best is worth the wait. Those who lay hold of Christ are assured of answered prayer, no matter what the size of the request.
Practical Side
Like any teaching, there has to be a practical component with the theoretical. Remember to apply verses 13-14 of Philippians 3. It tells us:
1.      Forget what is behind you. You cannot lay hold if you are always holding on to old memories, both bad and good.
2.      Reach out to what lies ahead. Be people who are future-minded and forward looking.
      Most importantly, you need to:
3.      Press toward the mark of the prize of the high-calling of God in Christ Jesus. Without this final step, you will not seal your victory. Focus on Christ and His vision to the exclusion of all else and love God with all of your being.

God has called us to nothing less than making a difference in our world. This becomes gloriously possible when we relinquish everything else and let Christ be our sole — and soul— focus. 
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Scandal in Hollywood: Where’s There Smoke …

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops — Luke 12:2-3
It may help sell newspaper but it is news that can make you sick to your stomach. A number of women, up to 60 thus far, have accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, age 65, of sexual harassment, assault, even rape. Weinstein was fired from his own company, the Weinstein Company, and was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Weinstein’s long, lucrative career is in tatters, even though he denies having ‘non-consensual’ sex.
Then award-winning actor Kevin Spacey has also been accused of harassment – mostly of men. His first accuser is actor Anthony Rapp of sexual advances in the 1980s when he was only 14 years old. Spacey says he does not remember the incident, offered an apology, and then had a ‘coming out’ as a gay man. Afterwards, other men came forward and claimed Spacey sexually harassed and/or assaulted them. That was enough to get Netflix to suspend indefinitely production of House of Cards, and not release Spacey’s film Gore. In addition, the film All the Money in the World will be re-filmed without Spacey, even though it is close to the release date.
How quickly these two powerful men have been professionally ‘slain by scandal.’ The fallout has been enormous and the retribution swift:
Of course, predatory sexual behaviour is not just limited to Hollywood and left-wing progressives. High-profile figures are getting exposed. One gubernatorial candidate and state supreme court judge decided to preempt everything by putting a Facebook post about the 50 ‘very attractive women’ he has bedded over 50 years (1 a year). This is not a way to advance your political career or prevent allegations of sexual harassment (though, no doubt, some men congratulated this man for his ‘sexploits’). Yet what has come out, in general, is deeply disturbing.
The sexual revolution of the 1960s can take some blame. Not only was that the period when Hollywood flagrantly forsook family-friendly entertainment for the violent, sensuous, and sleazy, but the revolution taught it was okay, even desirable, to break the rules of sexual morality. In such of environment, not only has there been more illicit sex, but also the abuse of sex, too.
Powerful people throughout history have abused those ‘lower down the totem pole.’ Some willingly submitted to the abuse in order to gain personal promotion and advantage, others simply were in the way. Abusive power is noxious.
Hypocrisy from the larger community is also to blame. High-profile people who advocated ‘woman’s rights’ decry male ‘micro-aggressions’ on social media but turned a blind eye to the serial abuser. Could it be that the latter donated a lot of money to their chosen political party or supported favoured politicians. somehow turned a blind-eye to the stories surfacing
Something we should all be aware: accountability is inevitable. Nothing will be covered up forever. Imagine: abuses that happened decades ago are brought up as today’s news? Abusers who thought they could continue on their rampage with impunity, and buy there way out of trouble, are finding that there are some things money can’t buy – grace, exoneration, cleansing, and forgiveness.
Even if an abuser escapes justice in this world, Romans 14:12 is clear: Every one of us will have to give account of themselves to God. Before we are tempted to take a ‘holier than thou’ mindset, remember we need to get our own hearts right first, and then help others do the same (Galatians 6:1). Repentance and faith in the gospel does miracles in turning a black-hearted individual into ‘pure in heart.’.
If you want to ‘scandal-proof’ your personal life, remember three things:
1.       Live by the fear of the Lord (Proverb 16:6);
2.       Walk according to the precepts of God’s Word (Psalm 119:11), and
3.       Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
You will be like Teflon where the grit and grime of the world will not stick but easily wash off.

Baptist, News

The Little Birdie starts flying in Norlane

The Little Birdie mobile coffee cart is the first step towards building a fully–fledged Aviary café at the Community Hub on Robin Avenue, Norlane.

The Little Birdie is run by members of the Norlane Baptist Church, and people in their wider community. It is located on the new site and hoping to do a brisk trade with all the builders and tradies, as well as serving the residents of the new housing on-site and across the local area.

 

Baptcare, BUV, Urban Seed and local churches are all involved in the gradual development of this exciting venture.

Baptist

The Little Birdie starts flying in Norlane

The Little Birdie mobile coffee cart is the first step towards building a fully–fledged Aviary café at the Community Hub on Robin Avenue, Norlane.

The Little Birdie is run by members of the Norlane Baptist Church, and people in their wider community. It is located on the new site and hoping to do a brisk trade with all the builders and tradies, as well as serving the residents of the new housing on-site and across the local area.

Baptcare, BUV, Urban Seed and local churches are all involved in the gradual development of this exciting venture.

Source: BUV News