Reflections of Brengle - holiness

"I saw the humility of Jesus, and my prode; the meekness of Jesus, and my temper; the lowliness of Jesus , and my ambition; the purity of Jesus , and my unclean heart; the faithfulness of Jesus, and the deceitfulness of my heart; the unselfishness of Jesus, and my selfishness; the trust and faith of Jesus, and my doubts and unbelief; the holiness of Jesus, and my unholiness.  I got my eyes off everybody but Jesus and myself, and I came to loathe myself." 

Samuel Logan Brengle p47-48 of 'Samuel Logan Brengle' by Hall

Great words of Samuel Logan Brengle - my experience tonight, but I thank God that as I can't sleep even though I'm exhausted, Jesus came to save me tonight from my inadequacies and all the feelings of unholiness, just like Isaiah felt in chapter 6, the live coal has touched my lips, and maybe even my heart. I thank Jesus that right now, I no longer loathe myself though as Brengle says, but in Jesus changing my heart, I am now starting to see myself as He is re-shaping me - it's a work in progress though!

Jesus can and will do the same for you, that is my testimony.  I pray that Jesus will be all you need today and as I was reminded while standing collecting in a shopping centre today and saw a guy missing an arm - Jesus wants to make you whole today - not necessarily physically, but spiritually, the essence of yourself.

Why don't you just take a moment and soak up His presence.

May Jesus, who died to give you life, give you rest and wholeness that you need today.

Be blessed
Simon

What are you controlled by?

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit"

Ephesians 5:18

What a contrast between riotous living and righteous living


But if a man or woman can be controlled by alcohol, how much more can the Holy Spirit control a man or woman?

Benny Hinn - 'Good Morning Holy Spirit' p92

It's always good to stop and re-evaluate and look at where we are in life. We can't really intentionally go forward unless we look at where we are. Of course life does go on whether we do or don't, but to intentionally shape the direction of our life we need to.

To direct my life for tomorrow, I need the Holy Spirit to direct where that is actually going, otherwise I'm just directing it on my own wisdom, which I admit, can sometimes be not so great!
I'd much rather depend upon the all wise, all knowing God who has a perfect plan for my life - will I choose to follow it or not, is up to me.


What are you going to choose to be controlled by today - the choice is completely up to you.


May God bless your journey today, and tomorrow!

Spiritual Discussions

Tonight we started a Spiritual Discussions group here at Harry Hunter Centre which Scott and I were leading for tonight. It was totally voluntary and 9 guys and girls turned up which was great for a start.

We didn't have anything really planned but knew that many of the guys had questions of God and spirituality floating around in their heads, and some of these questions were disturbing and frustrating them. Scott started off with a reading then opened it up for discussion, and question after question flowed from the 'clients' of Harry's.

What a night of discussion, ranging from what does it mean to let God in, to the big questions about Heaven and Hell, but I was so pumped with these guys thinking about it and asking the big questions!

Every Wednesday night we have chapel here on the sight of the centre and last week I gave a message on us being spiritual beings in a physical world. The culture here is there is no real response opportunity given, but sometimes a few questions will be given to the Officers throughout the week if required, but I opened up the meeting for prayer and a response if anyone wanted to. No one responded, but 3 guys hung around afterwards and stayed in their seats. One of them stayed and spoke to Scott and myself for at least an hour about what God was speaking to him.

Tonight another guy was telling us that he had given up on all the God stuff, but after the message I gave last week, he really wanted to give God another go! Awesome, Hallelujah! Most of the guys here have had hard lives and bad experiences of God through the church, but hearing some of the stories from here, even just tonight was unbelievable! The Spirit was really stirring, and I felt that God really spoke through me tonight, so hopefully some of these guys really start nurturing a relationship with God, and I believe they will, in Jesus Name!

Please just take a moment to pray for all the men and women here at Harry Hunter Centre in Western Australia - there is some amazing work happening and God is really moving. I'm leading and giving the message again this Wednesday night, so please also pray for that night, I feel God is wanting to use this weeks chapel again for His glory.

God, please open up Heaven and pour out Your blessings on this place as you have been doing and change lives for the better, give hope, joy and peace to all of those that are struggling here presently. Thanks God, we love You and serve You.

In Jesus Name we ask!

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Matthew 21:22

Version 1 or 2?

If you needed a computer program that had a version 1 and a version 2 on offer - which would you choose? If the second version is the updated version and is a total upgrade on the first (which goes without saying!!), which version would you choose - price not being an issue?

I think everyone would go for the second, the newest version, right?

I've been thinking a bit lately about baptism, in both 'versions', water and Spirit and why there is such a big issue around them. I totally understand the baptism of the Spirit, I couldn't live without it, but water - what's the big issue?

We talked about this subject in one of our lectures yesterday so it's sparked a few new thoughts in my head so I'm finally making a big effort and letting it out!

I've been reading parts of the Old Testament in my rations, and I've found in the books of Moses that if something is made 'unclean' it is to be washed with water to be made clean (Leviticus). I was wondering if water baptism evolved from this over many hundreds of years, but that's just a side note...

So, water baptism was carried out by John as a baptism of repentance as a promise salvation that was on it's way. As it says in Luke 3 referring to the prophecy of Isaiah;

"A voice of one calling in the desert,

'Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.

Every valley shall be filled in,

every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight,

the rough ways smooth.

6And all mankind will see God's salvation."

John was just preparing the way for Jesus, who brings salvation through His blood and then sent the Holy Spirit, the 'upgrade' to water baptism. Once you've called on Jesus to be your Saviour, you will have repented of your sins which separate you from Him and then you receive the Spirit all in one 'version'. [This is also helpful when you find yourself in the desert where there is no water, face to face with Jesus...]

This 'version 2', the baptism of the Holy Spirit, comes with power and all the benefits from the first along with SO much more. Why would you go backward and live off the promise of the second, by living with the first?

Your thoughts?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

Healing

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Luke 9:1-2

We know God can heal everything and anything, I've seen it many times, after all He created the universe, but when does God choose not to heal?

If someone brought an injury upon themself, for example, if they broke their hand or foot or anything else for that matter, would God allow it to be healed miraculously?

Someone else I know that has the gift of healing said to me the other day, that sometimes Satan can throw a spanner into the works too with the gift of healing - so I was after a few thoughts on this.

So can I get some readers thoughts. What are a few times and examples of when God has healed someone or hasn't healed someone and what wisdom or insight have you had?

Focus determines your reality

I had a good conversation a couple of days ago now with a good friend about how leprosy colonies still exist today and it changed my view on the verse where Jesus says to "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons". Previously I wasn't aware of many people still in the world that had leprosy, so I wasn't sure how relevant that part of the verse was, but God keeps reminding me His word is eternal.

We got onto the healing topic that seems to keep coming up around the Salvationist circles a lot lately. I'm guilty of focusing on God's healing power more than His saving power and my good friend, a respected leader of the Army, was saying to us that the best healing God gives is the healing of hearts! How good is that! I love it. He also went onto say that if we could hear God on the healing topic is that He might say, you wouldn't worry so much about my signs and wonders if you really knew what was coming!

My Spiritual giftings are in healing, discernment etc, more the 'supernatural' gifts - everyone seems to focus on whats around them the most.

So it got me thinking about what's our primary focus as Salvationist in the Salvation Army - well we know we're not a metaphor, so I guess it's salvation!! We focus primarily on peoples souls! We want them to see, as we see, the love of God.

Then what? Secondly, then is it the physical, which to me, it looks like in the past few decades the Army has put into first place. (This covers both the feeding and clothing etc and also the healing topic). Even today I heard some Officers were unhappy with a good friend of mine, who is a leading Officer of the Army, because he is "too focused on social justice and evangelism" and here I'd like to state IS the basis of the Salvation Army - how ironic!!!

So, in my personal opinion, the Army in the past few decades, started loosing it's vision, started taking it's eyes off 'the ball', and now we're trying to get back on the of the purpose of the movement, why God raised us specifically - there will be much opposition, especially from within, from the 'not-so-right' teachings of the mediocre army, and we're seeing this opposition already! (God have your way with Your Army in Jesus Name)

Here comes some healing again I think - many people have been badly hurt from this 'army' when we started diverting from our 'mission'. Since we 'represent' God, we may have to have some healing first so these hurt by the 'organisation' can see God clearly again, not the blurred vision they see of God through the Army.

So I suppose what I'm saying in summary is, put God's saving power first - He ultimately wants us to spend eternity in His Kingdom, then worry about their physical self as a close second(!?) What's your thoughts?

If focus determines your reality - what is the reality of the Salvation Army at present? Thanks to Commissioner Knaggs for his vision - its very timely!!

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28

I'm no longer a Salvo

I've realised there are becoming more and more people that are calling themselves 'Salvo's'.

Many people that attend The Salvation Army once a year for Christmas or Easter or a dedication etc are calling themselves 'Salvo's', people that work in Salvo's stores or Employment Plus, or even people that just have family members who are connected with the Salvation Army in some form, or possibly just be fed by the soup van's are now saying they are Salvo's.

The name 'Salvo' is getting watered down so much and is loosing it's power and it's true intended purpose, so I am no longer a 'Salvo'!

These people are watering down what the Salvation Army is all about - so I don't want to be associated with an organisation that is becoming a club that is no more than a name that has a good reputation that makes me look good in return.

I now am going to start calling myself a SALVATIONIST! Why - because I am signed up, paid up, committed and actually in the fight. I'm not happy just even attending 'church' on Sunday, but without exception, or excuse, will obey God's plan for my life - everyday of my life, whether a public holiday, RDO or my birthday. Enough is enough of people who talk it up and in reality do nothing - I will not talk up myself or my actions, but only talk up the awesomeness of God and Jesus alone.

I am a soldier, a prayer warrior, of the Army of my God.

The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.

The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.

Faith, Prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this Army, and I am enlisted for eternity.

I will either retire in this army at the Rapture or die in this Army;

but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out.

I am faithful, capable, and dependable.

If my God needs me, I am there.

I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. I am not a baby.

I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.

I am a soldier, a prayer warrior.

No one else has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me.

I am a soldier, a prayer warrior, I am not a wimp.

I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His Name and building His Kingdom!

I am a soldier, a prayer warrior.

No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.

I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.

I am committed.

I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.

I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.

I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into His Army, I had nothing

If I end up with nothing I will still come out ahead,

For I am more than a conqueror.

The devil cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me.

Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me.

Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me.

And Hell cannot handle me

I AM A SOLDIER

Even death cannot destroy me.

For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield

He will promote me to glory and there I will rejoice in His presence.

I am a soldier in God's Army and I'm marching claiming victory.

I will not give up, not turn around.

Here I stand.... a soldier!

(author unknown)

Are you signed up and fully committed? Why not - would you prefer to watch TV or sleep in??

"Give up you small ambitions and come, change the world!"

Mark 8:34-35

Catch the Fire!

Went to Catch the Fire's meeting on Thursday night with James.

If you haven't heard - God has arrived in Melbourne! Yes God is omnipresent (He is everywhere!), but His blessings are raining down more than I've ever seen before here in Melboune.

How awesome is God! Just standing there, God's presence was so strong. As I stood there worshipping God, the Spirit just fell upon us and the feeling of love that came over me was so powerful. I almost fell like I couldn't stand in His presence, I found myself bowing on the ground just soaking up God's presence.

Opportunities arose where anyone could go forward to receive prayer, it was like everyone just wanted to go down to be prayed for, why wouldn't you?! There was a time for breaking addictions and healing etc. These guys at Catch the Fire, just worship God and are continually in prayer with Him, and God is there as a result of there devotion to Him. Pastor Danny (now known as the controversial Pastor! lol) spoke with such authority through the Spirit with words of prophecy and also with healing. [Please remember - Jesus is the healer - no one here claims to heal themselves, but only through the authority of Jesus]

There was a huge crowd wanting to receive healing from God, it started with a deaf mans ears opened, then continued with what started out as a simple pain in a shoulder turned into deliverance of 8 demons, then a lady in a wheel chair who previously couldn't walk due to cancer walking around the hall, to a lady released from depression, to a 14 year old girl less than a meter away from me healed from deafness since birth in her left ear (and limited hearing in her right ear). God can do all things. Hallelujah!!

Revival is on it's way to Melbourne. I don't really like the world revival since in the past it has been waved around loosely by people every time something good happened, but when God's revival comes it will be world wide! Praise God!! The ocean is coming, not just a trickle or river, but an ocean.

Pastor Danny realised that there was a significant amount of deaf ears opened and so he prayed about it and God responded that it is representational of His people not listening to His word but now God is opening their ears - the deaf to hear.

In the 'cousin revival' that's occuring in Florida there have been more progressions, it started off big, now is exploding, people are not even staying dead!! As many of you know, I've been praying that I'll see the dead raised here in Melbourne by the end of this year so God can be glorified and for all those need proof that God is sovereign will be without doubt - now God is doing His 'thing' here in Melbourne, so I think I know what is coming.... (Matt 10:8 fulfilment!! Bring it on God!!)

Check out the reports at http://catchthefire.com.au/blog/ for daily reports. If you're anywhere near Melbourne, you need to drop in every night except for Wednesday nights - weeknights @ 7:30 and weekends at 6:30 - 30 Star Crescent Hallam

Are you ready for God?

War!

It's always expected when things are going well, they will soon fall apart right in front of you!

Things were going great at Church, the Kingdom was at hand and people were effected by God's own hand.

Then tonight I was talking to someone, who I thought was getting somewhere with, moving them away from all the things in their life that is killing them, metaphorically and literally speaking, but then they did something very stupid this afternoon which has just made me feel so depressed and sick!

I've put out a warrant now on the demon causing this person to do all these things - yes it is a demon, subtle and sly for self preservation reasons - but I'm onto you, your time is now limited!! Your name will be revealed. I'm sick of you causing this perversion and destruction. Enough is enough!

Please, for all the prayer warriors reading this, pray now that God will show His omnipotence in this situation. God will get the glory, just pray sooner rather than before it strikes again!

"He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."

Matthew 10:1

Praise God! Revival?

I'm loving ministry at the moment more than ever!! God is moving, is there a revival coming to Australia....

The past few Sundays has been awesome, God's been moving and the mercy seat has required to have a 'take a number' system for the line.... OK not quite, but many people have been going to publicly meet with God!!

Today is Pentecost - the anniversary of the empowering of the Disciples with the Holy Spirit.

Our service started with worship today - usually as I lead, I feel much tension in the spiritual realm, but today the Spirit took off and had a great time of worship, many visitors were there just for Mothers day also, which was great!!

From then on, God kept speaking into people's lives. God even forced me to go to the mercy seat today just to soak up more of His presence!! It was awesome!!

Last week, I prayed for a good mate at the mercy seat, and I've never seen anyone get up afterwards like him before with a huge yell of "Praise Jesus" that was also awesome!! He had broken through and had become an over comer of many things in his life, thanks to Jesus!!

Today during morning tea, one of the younger guys who's been attending for around a month now wanted me to teach him how to pray and almost gave his heart to God, but couldn't do it boldly enough, something kept stopping him, so I wrote out the salvation prayer for him to pray sometime today in his own time - I'll be following up to see how he went....

Was talking to a young girl who thinks she is bi.... please pray for her to be free of the lies of this world!

God's presence is so strong at the moment - a revival is happening in Lakeland, Florida, He was with us today, and a few other good reports - it's a good thing He's omnipresent - everywhere!!

God - we just want to give You the Glory today that You deserve. Show us Yourself, how big a God You really are! In Jesus Name I ask You to break down all the lies of the enemy also.

'But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."'

Luke 4:43

Is the end closer than we think?

Calling all discerners of different spirits!

This may seem like a strange blog, but I need confirmation.

The past week I've come across several people with a certain spirit that has alarmed me. I'm not sure if it is new or I've only just become aware of it. I have found people influenced by 'the spirit that is in agreeance with the anti-christ'!! (Just as I typed that, something strange just happened!!)

I was thinking, if I discerned this right, that means that within these people's life times, the 'anti-christ' will be on Earth. That is quite alarming, but I didn't want to jump to this conclusion without other disciples with discernment to confirm this (or not)!

The three occasions I found these people in the last four days was really strange, the Spirit only revealed this after I met the third person a couple of days ago, and let me know that these people will just for no reason of their own, almost like they're brain washed, will just follow and agree with everything this certain 'anti-christ' will do and say. [Just an interesting note also, 2 of these 3 are professed atheists! The 3rd, not sure about..]

One good thing that would come out of discerning these people is seeing who they all seem to be drawn to and who they support....

Please, if you through the Holy Spirit can discern spirits, please let me know if you come across this spirit yourself or have already come across it, we could be heading into some interesting times.

Make sure you're letting people know about Jesus NOW!

"Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist."

2 John 1:7

Power in the Holy Spirit

Smith Wigglesworth's daughter asked some African boy's one day to tell her the difference between being saved and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

"Ah," they said, "when we were saved, it was very good; but when we received the Holy Spirit, it was more so." Many of you have never received the "more so".

After the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will have power. God will mightily move within your life' the power of the Holy Spirit will over shadow you, inwardly move in you until you know there is a divine plan different from anything that you have had in your life before.

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them,
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"

"John's baptism," they replied.
Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Acts 19:1-6

Consuming Fire!

Check out http://verysalvo.blogspot.com/2008/03/consuming-fire.html for a challenging and inspiring blog!!

Fire up!!

Salvation - more than you think!

On Sunday 16th of March at 6pm there is an enrolment of a Senior Soldier at Macleod Salvation Army Corps in Melbourne of 18 year old girl. If you're around, feel free to drop in.

I just stopped to think back to the time I joined the fight with the Salvation Army. I had grown up in the Salvation Army so it was the natural next thing to do - but that's not what it was about for me, I remember saying in my testimony - "I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD"!

Once my life is over, I don't necessarily want to be remembered, but I want to have left the world better than when I entered into it. By declaring that I'm in the fight by becoming a Soldier put me in a position where I could do that. How you might say?

The Salvation Army was raised by the hand of God to hit the world like a meteor and leave a crater - make an impact. That is in the form of hitting peoples hearts by the lead of the Holy Spirit so they will see that they can live a life of freedom in Jesus and hence live an eternally beautiful life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

It goes deeper than that, that's just the tip of the iceberg. You might think that once we have received Jesus' salvation that's all we need - really? Your not living much of a life then are you!!

Once we receive this salvation, and are baptised into the Holy Spirit we take on the great commission, step into a role that changes the world, a role that can set the captive free - physically but also spiritually, heal the sick, breathe life into dry bones by bringing words of life or prophecy into someones life that may be dry or without hope.

We can approach and fight injustice, people are all loved by God the same, how can one person suffer while another sits in a lovely million dollar house and get served by a servant, even a child getting bullied in a school yard by a group of other kids, that must break that kids spirit and it doesn't just stop there, the parents by their natural protective spirit must break their hearts.

We can stop sinning and live a sanctified life - believe it? Don't believe you can experience living a life just as you would in Heaven while still on Earth? Move further into the Spirit.

This could become a very long entry, so I'll stop here - you get the picture.

Heart to God, hand to man. We need to make a difference, stop worrying about yourself, there are people that you can lift up and encourage today, maybe even give them the gift of salvation!

"My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm."

Isaiah 51:5

Mr Rudd, claim this land....

God put on my heart the other day, that Australia is stagnant water, but we should be a living, flowing river full of life - but we're not! Why?

God told me that our new Prime Minister claims that he is 'Christian' and that he needs to get bold and not be afraid of proclaiming that on the country of Australia's behalf. What I mean is that Kevin Rudd needs to proclaim Australia as Christian country and as God's land.

If 'Kevin '07' does this, you won't believe what happens next!! Australia will become that living flowing river of abundant life and the country will become something we only dream that it could have been!

Our neighbouring countries will also be impacted - for their benefit - and God will finally fulfill the great prophecy - The great Southland of the Holy Spirit. We will go from strength to strength and Satan's dominion with all his false religions will be crushed by God's own hand in this country and also particularly in Indonesia!

Kevin Rudd when you read this next - get radical in your faith in Jesus and claim this land in the Name of Jesus and consecrate it for the glory of God!! For all our sakes and the salvation of the world, do it!

So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.'

Joshua 14:9

God is GREAT!!

What a great past few weeks!

Today I just want to focus on God's provision.

So much has been obvious to me that God is with us, right beside us!

The first week getting to Rwanda, 3 members of our team were delayed and diverted up past Germany, to Sudan and to Ethiopia where they were denied any further passage. There they called the rest of us already waiting for them in Rwanda. We immediately prayed for the path to become opened to them in Jesus' Name... immediately our phone rang and they said they just let them through after hours of closed doors!!! Praise God!!! What a start to our trip.

There were so many more examples of this throughout the next few weeks. Two of us had a word from God that none of us would get sick the whole time we were on mission also and we didn't -until the last day - I had food poisoning - but it was way after even debrief - so God kept His word!!

On the way home, one member of the team was really sick and had a migraine along with a few other things, so we prayed for her and she was healed, including her bad elbow from months ago - all in a moment.

I heard some news about Mike Guglielmucci from Planetshakers also yesterday. He's been very sick for well over a year now, but my brother told me Mike had a vision of a place he thought he might get healed at, and I read on Mike's myspace last night (http://www.myspace.com/mikeguglielmucci) that the healing has started - he left his wheelchair even as God came upon him. God is Great!!!

As I've been home now for just over a day from Africa, I've felt a new era starting for me in my ministries. Healing feels like it's knocking on the door, any one sick??

What a year 2008 is going to be - pray big, and expect God to do great things this year.

Don't have your arms folded, but have them wide open to receive all God wants to give you. Then go out and expand the Kingdom further

Pray for revival...

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."

Matthew 10:8

A call to Officership

I don't think I have long left to live!

Let me explain;

I was thinking yesterday about Officership and how we need to deny ourselves and follow Jesus. We need to die to ourselves and let Jesus live through us.

I've been getting tired of living in this world, not giving up everything in my life to Jesus. I go to work, have to answer to my earthly boss, do earthly things and I feel trapped, but worse, I feel like Jesus is in handcuffs in my life.

Yesterday I was seeing things ideally again, and I saw everyone who enters into Officership is no longer themselves, but a Jesus clone. Once we enter College, we start dying and Jesus starts living and by the time we leave college (if not earlier) Jesus is all that exists. Ideally this should happen for every Soldier of the Salvation Army - but is essential for full time ministry - ie, Officership.

The song "it's no longer I that liveth, but Christ that liveth in me" won't leave my head!

Then last night, my devotional that I read spelt it out so well what I had been thinking all day, so I'll include it since it says it better than I could....

With the clothing upon of the Spirit, human depravity is covered, and everything that contrary to the mind of God is destroyed. God must have bodies for Himself, perfectly prepared by the Holy Spirit, for the day of the Lord. "For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from Heaven" (2 Corinth 5:2)

The Spirit has to breathe into us a new occupancy, a new order. The Holy Spirit came to give the vision of a life in which Jesus is perfected. It is Christ "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace" (2 Tim. 1:9)

We who are saved have been called with a holy calling, called to be saints - to be pure, holy, and Godlike; to be sons with power. It is a long time now since it was settled and death was abolished. Death has no more power. This was made know through the Gospel, which brought in immortality. Mortality is a hindrance. Sin has no more dominion over you. You reign in Christ, and you make rightful use of His finished work. Don't grown and travail for a week.

"Awake, you who sleep" (Eph 5:14); put on light, and open your eyes. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God" (Col 3:1).

Stir yourselves up!! Where are you? I am risen with Christ, planted in Him. It was a beautiful planting. I am seated with Him. God gives me the credit, and I believe Him. Why should I doubt?

Dare to believe until the life of Jesus is implanted within your soul. "The righteous will hold to his way" (Job 17:9). God has reserved him who is godly for Himself (Ps. 4:3). Therefore, lift up your heads.

(Smith Wigglesworth)

Are you unhappy with the dull, boring, incomplete, morbid life that you are living? Jesus has called you to more - believe it - He wants you holy and sanctified - He wants you to be a vessel wholly available for His perfect purpose for your life - invite Him in and give Him your all!

What are you doing with your life, with the talents He has given to you??

Have you said 'yes' to Officership -if 'no' WHY NOT????? Give into the wrestling that you're doing with God in your soul, just let it go.

Pray about it now - seriously - "give up your SMALL ambitions for your own life and come change the world"!!!! Mark 8:34-35

What do you think?

I'm just after other people's thought on a particular question.

If you read the Bible or the Koran or another religious book of guidelines, but you found the more you read, it keeps contradicting itself or kept saying that the previous part is now being updated, so forget about the last chapter.

How would you know what part to follow and when it was actually finalised, especially if the writer dies before it is complete and he/she claims to be the only enlightened one or prophet?

I would find that 'religion' to be way too confusing and would be uncomfortable with it. My soul would still be longing for something to fill it's emptiness.

Jesus claims to be the only way, to have the complete truth, and able to give genuine life.

In my experience, there is a sense of total completion once I received the Holy Spirit, as Jesus also told us. A sense of true purpose that my soul confirms.

Have you experience this true happiness? Only you can answer this honestly to yourself?

If your answer is 'NO' then why not seek after Jesus, give it a go, it wouldn't hurt would it?

How would you rather live your life - as though God doesn't exist to find He really does, or live as though God does exist to find He doesn't???

I know my answer! Do you know yours?

"I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony."

John 3:11

Do you believe Jesus?

Do we believe all that Jesus said??

Is there something that stands out in your mind that you don't agree with what Jesus said?

NO!

Good - he was a smart guy - he was God actually!!

In Matthew 10 Jesus sends out His 12 disciples and gave them authority to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons" v8a. Do we believe that Jesus had the power to give out this authority??

I hope your answer is yes - he has told us before He went back to Heaven that we could do all these things and more - do we believe it??? Then why are we not seeing it then?

I'm hearing bits from here and there that some of this is happening, but I have the feeling we're not giving God all of us to control nor the glory. Are you holding any of yourself or your life from God?

Here in Melbourne Central Division, there are some of us driving out demons and healing the sick and others saving souls - I want to see this in flood loads!! I'm still praying to see God's power in bringing someone back from the dead! I have been prophesied over that my hands are released into healing, but I'm too afraid to use it in case it God doesn't turn up and I'm left standing there looking stupid - STOP there!!

It's not about us!! Give God the glory through all we do and say - leave it up to Him, be willing and let God do the rest. Fear is from im-perfect love. Do you know God well enough to trust Him fully? Jesus is enough (hey Marney!)

Step out in faith this week and believe God will be there!!

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

John 14:12-14

So you think you can preach, huh?!

Last night Macleod corps had their last youth meeting and the theme was "So you think you can preach".

The night was covered in prayer and there was quite a bit of Spiritual warfare leading up to it too, so I should have seen through Satan's lies - all week the enemy was trying to make me not go!!

There were 5 'preachers' with topics and are reviewed on Jo's blog which can be read on Revolution Army.

Alana preached for the first time and was given the topic of the trinity and did an impressive job - well done Alana.

Pete Brookshaw was given the topic on Salvation and of course did a good job along with Jo on the topic of worship!! These guys are gifted - Gods going to use them so keep praying for these guys as they go into their second year of training college next year.

James was given his favourite topic - (rigged!!)- and got everyone pumped up as usual!!!

Last was Tish on choices and went down the line of wisdom in your choices - another gifted speaker - watch out training college for all the guys from tonight - train them well - they will be coming your way, if not already!!

God took control of the night and led us into a great time of worship to complete the night!!

Are you a gifted preacher? Do you have a passion to see people come to know Jesus as their saviour AND Lord? Have you considered giving God your life in service?? How bout Officership?? If so, pray about it and let me know if you don't know who to contact!

"The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." "

1 Samuel 3:10