‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord’

 ​Topping up your oil & trimming your wick    March 2024

But mark this, there will be terrible [perilous] times in the Last Days. 2 Tim 3:1 We see violence of all forms increasing across the world and particularly a even greater increase amongst the youth. The hatred of Israel and the Jewish people continues to be on the rise globally with the pro-Palestinian marches, boycotts and increasing international pressure being placed upon Israel who are being falsely accused of being genocidal aggressors in the Middle East. Many governments and media outlets promote evil over good through many means, more recently governments through the introduction of disinformation and misinformation laws and other dystopian laws are seeking to obtain a monopoly and control over truth. The United Nations and the World Economic Forum continue with their insidious plan for Global Domination through deception, fear and control. The onset of another global financial catastrophe is looming on the horizon as nations continue to borrow vast sums of money as though it doesn’t have to be repaid, but a day of reckoning will come. At the end of 2023 world debt passed 307 trillion dollars which will and is destabilising the world and not just the financial markets. The great apostasy or falling away [2 Thess 2:3] has its tentacles into much of Christendom and many believers are falling prey to Satan’s deceptive strategies through the worldwide ecumenical movement of all faiths and religions. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Tim 4:1 Christian ministries are being cancelled due to the prevailing woke culture, while Christians are finding their rights and freedom to live, act, and speak according to God’s Word and values across the world, including our nation of Australia continues to be attacked and undermined.

The world is casting off all moral restraint, rejecting and attacking the Judeo-Christian heritage [this nation and many western nations were built upon] causing societies moral standards to decay and disintegrate. The rejection of God’s Word and the attack on those who uphold its truth is a reminder of Isaiah 59:14-15 So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. There is no doubt, Satan the adversary of God is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. [1 Peter 5:8-9]. All around the world people’s way of life, routines, comforts and securities are being shaken and challenged. People may be anxious and fearful about that which is unfolding and what the future may hold but the Word of God declares this for His people in 2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. As Christians, how can we find peace, wisdom, courage, faith and triumph in the midst of the terrible and perilous times we are experiencing in these Last Days?

 As we take up the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, it is important to remember we are in a spiritual battle. Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:10-12 We are not fighting a physical battle. It is first and foremost a spiritual battle. If we attempt to fight the spiritual with human weapons, we will fail and the enemy will be victorious. Through the armour of God [Eph 6:13-20] we have a divine arsenal always at our disposal.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Cor 10:3-4 Following are some other verses in our spiritual arsenal. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good. Rom12:21 I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:1-2 For nothing is impossible to God. Luke 1:37 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:17-18

In Psalm 34:1 we read, I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Continually means all the time, the good times, and the tough times. Praise releases the power of God into our lives. Paul and Silas had been unfairly arrested, beaten with rods and imprisoned in the innermost dungeon with their feet in stocks. At midnight, in the darkness of their cell, they sang hymns of praise unto God and the supernatural provision of the Lord was manifested. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. Acts 16:26  Praise moves our focus off ourselves and our circumstances, directing our hearts and minds to El- Shaddai, the one who is all powerful, the all sufficient one. The young Elihu reminded Job who was facing terrible times that God gives songs in the night. Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night. Job 35:10 In the dark night of the soul lift your praise to God and He will give you a song that will bring a dawn of faith and encouragement.

The book of Esther is set during a time when the Jews suffered much racial hatred and potential genocide. When Mordecai sent word to Queen Esther about the great danger their people were facing, she could have simply tried to save herself. She could have kept quiet, just hoped for the best, or turned the other way. But Esther and Mordecai both knew that God had given her great purpose in her position. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this. Esther 4:14 Esther was wise and courageous; she made a plan and did not allow fear or worry to control her. She prayed and fasted, and she asked for her people to do the same. She was willing to act, to follow God’s lead, and to save the lives of her people, even if it meant she might lose hers. Esther was a woman of courage in a very perilous time. May we be strong and courageous to follow God’s voice, even when it’s not the most popular choice in our culture, as we stand up for Israel and the Jewish people and contend for truth and righteousness.

To live effectively and victoriously in the Last Days of the Church Age, we need to learn to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, through praise and worship, studying and meditating upon God’s Word, seeking the Lord through prayer and fasting, using our spiritual arsenal the Lord has provided for us. Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken. Ps 62:1

 Greg and Judy’s Update: Greg had his appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon on the 29th of Jan and a follow up appointment on the 26th of Feb. We were both vey much at peace with the surgeon God has provided and he confirmed a hip replacement to the right leg is very much needed and the procedure will take place in June, with a two-month recovery time at home or in a place of rehabilitation. Ministry opportunities have been hard to plan until we receive an actual date for surgery, hence we have had to block out June, July and early August. We are praying for speaking opportunities for the second half of March, April and May.

 Prayer Points:  Pray for Judy’s mum, Jean who is 84 and has been in hospital with cellulitis.
Continue to pray for the nation of Israel. Pray for the remaining hostages and their families for courage and hope. Pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Generals and Commanders, the Cabinet and Political Leaders of Israel. Pray for the Israel Defence Forces, that the Lord would encircle each one and be their shield. May the Lord Almighty fill them with courage, wisdom and insight.