OVER70 YEARSOF MINISTRY SINCE1950
Genesis1:27says,‘GodcreatedmaninHisownImage,in theImageofGodHecreatedhim,maleandfemaleHe createdthem.’InLuke3:38itsays,‘Adam–thesonofGod’! GodcreatedustobeHisdearchildren!Butthedevil quicklydeceivedus,pervertedtheImageofGodinus!Not onlyinthebeginning,butnow,ourwickednessontheearth hasbecomegreat.Genesis3&6.TodayallAdam’sdescendantsontheeartharebornwithasinfulnature,notas
truesonsanddaughtersoftheGodwhocreatedus–the Biblesaysthatallhavesinned.That’swhyJesusHimself said,‘youmustbebornagain’!
ButtoallwhoreceiveandbelieveinJesus,Hegivesthe righttobecomechildrenofGod–childrennotbornofnaturaldescentbutbornofGod!John1:12.
Peopleaskme,whoisyoursuccessor? Myansweris,Ineednosuccessor!I haven’tfinishedmyjobyet,andI won’tquituntilmyjobisdone!But moreandmoreyoungpastorsand leadersarecomingtomeforhelpand advice–andIwanttoencourageYOU alsotofollowinmysteps,anddoasI havedoneforthelast73yearsofmy lifeinfull-timeministry!That’swhyI havechosenPaul’sfirstletterto Timothy–ayoungmanwhomhedescribesashis‘truesoninthefaith’–becauseIwanttotalktoyouasMY truesonsanddaughtersinthefaith. ChildrenofGod.
Paulintroduceshimselfasan‘Apostle ofJesusChristbytheCommandof GodourSaviourandofChristJesusour Hope’.That’simportantforyouandfor me,becausePaulwasnotoneofthe first12disciples,hehadnot‘beenwith Jesus’.AfterJudasbetrayedJesusand died,theremaining11discipleshadto decidewhoshouldreplacehiminthe ministry.Matthias,amanwhohad beenwithJesusfromthebeginning, waschosenbylot.Butwedon’tsee muchevidenceofhissubsequentministry;tome,theonewhotrulyreplaced Judasasoneofthe12,wasnottheone chosenbymen,butratheritwasPaul, anapostlechosen‘bytheCommand ofGod’.
Sowe,whohavenot‘beenwithJesus’, canhavesomethingincommonwith Paul.IdobelievethatthereasonIam inministryandhaveremainedinministryforsolongisthat,likePaulIcame intomypositionbyDivineAppointment.
AtthebeginningofWorldWarII,Iwas evacuatedforashorttimefromLondontoScotland.OnenightwhenIhad alreadybeenputtobed,Iheardsweet musiccomingfromdownstairs.Igotout ofbedandstandingatthetopofthe stairs,heardthesewords: ‘HeartheLord ofHarvestsweetlycalling,“Whowillgo
andworkforMetoday,whowillbring toMethelostanddying,whowillpoint themtothenarrowway?”’ Andtherefrain, ‘“Speak,myLord,speak,myLord, speakandIwillanswer,hereamI,send me!”’ Istood,challengedbytheHoly Spirit,probablyonly8yearsold,and said,“HereamILord,sendme!”
Thisfirstcallingwasagainconfirmed whenIwas15.I’dalreadygivenmylife toChrist,I’dbeenbaptisedinwater, filledwiththeHolySpirit,butaday camewhen,onholidaywithagroupof otheryoungChristianfriendsonthe SouthCoastofEngland,Ihadtobreak awayfromthembecausetherewas suchaclearcallfromGod,“Ineed you,Iwantyou.IwantyoutogiveMe EVERYTHING.”Thatwasamajorturning pointinmylife–IbelieveIaminthe positionIamtodaybecauseJesussaid, ‘youhavenotchosenMe,butIhave chosenyou’–bytherealityofGod’s call.
PaulcontinueshislettertoTimothy,“to mytruesonintheFaith”.Ihadawonderfulwifeandthreedaughters.They arethebest!ButIwouldhavelovedto haveasontofollowinmysteps.And yet,IfeelIcanlookonallyoungpastors andleaderswhofollowmeinministryas ‘mysons’–someIevencallmysons–justasPauldidTimothy.Iwouldliketo thinkthatotherswouldfollowmyexampleandtheleadthatIhavetaken–andstepoutintheirowncalling.
HavinggoneovertoMacedonia(moderndayGreece),andleavingTimothy, histrustedsonintheFaithbehind,Paul commandshim,v3,“StayinEphesus” (moderndayTurkey).Why?“Sothat youmaycommandcertainmennotto teachfalsedoctrines”!!!PaulhadfoundedtheEphesianChurchinapowerful outpouringoftheHolySpirit(Acts19).It wasaveryspiritualgroup.MyfatheralwaysusedtosaythatPaul’sletterto theEphesiansisoneofthemostspiritual
booksoftheNewTestament–Ihave writtenabookofmyownonit: ‘Power –YourInheritance!’
ButnowPaulisveryconcernedabout falseteachingevenhere,inthisvery earlyChurch.Paulsays,Timothy,you mustcommandthemnottodevote themselvestomythsandendlessgenealogies,thingswhichpromotecontroversyratherthanGod’swork,whichis byfaith.
Overtime,theChurchinEphesushad apparentlydeveloped‘schoolsof theology’,discussionsofissueswhich onlycloudthesimplicityoftheGospel andleadtopointlessdisputes.Ihave earnedthereputationdownthrough theyearsthatIhavenotidentifiedwith theteachingsofdifferentgroups.In fact,realisingthegreatdivisions betweenthedifferentgroupsinUkraine whenIwasfirstcallingallthedenominationstoprayasoneforthenation,I challengedthemtocometogetheron twobasics:one,thatyouacceptthe BibleistheonlyAuthorityintheChurch; andtwo,thatSalvationisonlyinthe NameofJesus.ToooftenintheChurch wegetawayfromthesimplicityand thepurityoftheGospel.
SoPauliscommandingTimothythat, eventhoughheisayoungman,he mustcorrectthesemeninEphesuswith theirfalseteachings.Paulsaysinv5,the goalofthiscommandisLOVEwhich comesfromapureheartandagood conscienceandasincerefaith.We can’tforceandcompel.Somereligions adheretostrictcodesandenforce thembylaw.InAfghanistanandIran forinstance,Islamenforcesitsdoctrine sostrictly,thattheyimprison,beat,tortureandexecutepeoplewhodonot keeptotheirteaching.Thinkalsoofthe Inquisitionandthekillingsthattook placeduringtheturbulentperiodofthe Reformation.Wehavetocomeback tobasics:theGospelwehaveisaGos-
DavidHathaway–Paul’sFirstLettertoTimothyChapter1
pelofGod’sLOVE,preachedinLOVE. Therecannotbecompulsion,youcannotcompelpeople.It’sLOVE.
Paulisconcerned,becauseinthe churchinEphesussomehave wanderedawayfromthesimplicityof sincerefaithandturnedtomeaningless talk,v6.WhenIamfreeandnot preaching,oftenIwillslipintotheback ofachurchmeeting,andI’msadto say,sometimesIcomeawaythinkingit wasjustmeaningless,pointless.It’seasy tostandupandtalk,butitshould comefromyourheart,inLOVE,astrong message.Ihaveastrongmessage,and Ishareitwithallmyheart.Inv7,PaulexamineswhatwasgoingwronginEphesus:theywantedtobe‘teachersof theLaw’,but,Paulsays,theydonot knowwhatthey’retalkingaboutor whattheysoconfidentlyaffirm!How bluntPaulis!
Youknow,wehavetolivebythefaith wepreach.WhenIwasayoungpastor andevangelistinEngland,Godsaidto meoneday,“Shutup!Stoptalking!Go outanddoallthethingsyouaretelling otherpeopletodo!”Forthepast60 yearsI’vegoneout,doneit,livedit–I don’ttellpeopletodowhatIhaven’t donemyself!I’vepreachedintheopen air,incinemasandtheatres,infootball fields,halls,stadiums…I’vebeenout theredoingit–andIhaven’tstopped!
Paulcontinuestoaddressthematterof thosewhowanttobe‘teachersofthe Law’,sayinginvv8-11,“TheLawis goodifoneusesitproperly,”but,“The Lawisnotmadefortherighteous,but forthelawbreakersandrebels,theungodlyandsinful,theunholyandirreligious;forthosewhokilltheirfathersor mothers,formurderers,foradulterers andperverts,forslavetradersandliars andperjurers–andforwhateverelseis contrarytothesounddoctrinethat conformstothegloriousGospelofthe blessedGod”!
Pauliscomingbacktothesimplicityof theGospel–whichsavedhimfrom suchlawlessthings–thankingJesus Christwho,despiteall,gavehim strengthandconsideredhimfaithful andappointedhimtoHisService“even thoughIwasonceablasphemeranda persecutorandaviolentman…”Weall know,Paulwastheoneholdingthe clothesofthereligiousmenwhostoned Stephen,thefirstmartyr.Andlaterhe wasonhiswaytoDamascuswithletters fromtheHighPriesttoroundup,arrest andimprisonBelievers.Butitwason thatroadtoDamascusthathemet withJesus,andPauladds,“Iwasshown mercybecauseIactedinignorance andunbelief.AndthegraceofourLord waspouredoutonmeabundantly, alongwiththefaithandlovethatarein ChristJesus.”LikePaul,Iamsoconsciousthatmyministrywasnotofmy choosingbutHis.JesusHimselfsaid, evenofthosewhoarecalled,onlya fewarechosen…
IliketotellofthetimeIpreachedto 1,400criminalsinahighsecurityprison inSiberia.ItoldthemofaGodoflove andforgiveness.Outofthose1,400violentmencame140evangelistsand pastors!AllovertheformerSoviet Unionsomanyofthemenwhohave followedmeinministry–whomIam proudtocallmysons–camefrom suchabackground!Because,asPaul saysinv15,“HereisaTRUSTWORTHY sayingthatdeservesFULLACCEPTANCE:ChristJesuscameintotheworld TOSAVESINNERS!”
Iremembermanyyearsagowalking pastachurchbillboardwhichread, ‘ThisChurchisforsinnersonly’.Church istheplacewherethesinneriswelcomebecauseitisthesinnerwecall tocometoChrist!Paulsays,“ThisdeservesFULLACCEPTANCE–thatChrist Jesuscameintotheworld,NOTto savetherighteous,thegodly,BUTto savethesinner–ofwhom,”Paulsays,
“Iamtheworst.Andforthatreason,I wasshownmercysothatinme,the worstofsinners,ChristJesusmightdisplayHisUNLIMITEDPATIENCEasanexampleforthosewhowouldbelieveon HimandreceiveEternalLife!”Whata phenomenalstatementfromPaul,that ChristmightdisplayinhimHisUNLIMITEDPATIENCEasanexampleforothers whowouldbelieveonChristandsoreceiveEVERLASTINGLIFE.
Itistheconversionofthesinnerthatis themiraclethatbringsothersintothe Kingdom.WhatcouldPaulsayinresponsetothisLove?“NowtotheKing Eternal,Immortal,Invisible,theonly God,behonourandgloryforeverand ever.Amen!”
Andso,v18,Paulsays“Timothy,my son,Igiveyouthisinstructioninkeepingwiththepropheciesoncemade aboutyou,sothatbyfollowingthem youmayfightthegoodfight,holding ontofaithandagoodconscience.” Whatachallenge!
Sadly,Pauladds,somehaveshipwreckedtheirfaith.Thistomeisoneof thetragedies,thatthosewhoonce knewtheTruthfallaway;someeven whohavebeenpastorsandevangelists,shipwrecktheirfaith.Paulnames two:HymenaeusandAlexander–men whomhehashadto‘handoverto Satantobetaughtnottoblaspheme’.
ThosewhoknowmeknowthatIstill preachwhatIpreached73yearsago! Myprayeris: OGod,mayIkeepfaithful totheend!MayInotchangemyvision ormymessage.OGodgrantthatwe maybefaithfulsonsanddaughters.
Youngmen,youngwomen–stepoutin faith!Followme!Andinfollowingme, findandfollowJesus!
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Paul,writingtoTimothy,instructshis youngdisciplehowtodealwithfalse teachingandcorruption–especiallyfinancialcorruption–InthechurchinEphesus.Paulfoundedthisgreatchurch,but now,yearslater,thereareproblems.
InChapter5:16ff,Pauloutlineswhat shouldbethewholesomenormforfinancialprovision:“Theelderswhodirectthe affairsofthechurchwellareworthyof doublehonour,especiallythosewhose workispreachingandteaching,forthe Scripturesays,‘Donotmuzzletheox whileitistreadingoutthegrain’and‘the workerdeserveshiswages’.”
Therehasbeenatradition,certainlyin Britain,tokeepthepreacherpoor.When Ibeganinministry,thepracticewasto keepyoujustabovethepovertylevel. ThisisnotgoodandbecauseIdidnot acceptpoverty,Godblessedmeand enabledmetoworkmiracleswithfinance!
Paullaysoutaprovisionofcarefor TimothyandfortheChurch,even thoughhehimself–morefullyinvolvedin missionsandministrythananyoftheothersweknowofatthattime–wasoften notdependentontheChurchforhis support;ratherhewouldprovideforhimselfbyworkingasatentmaker.Ihaveoftenprovidedformyfamilyandmyministrymyself.Comingoutofthecommunistprison,myownchurchorganisationso violentlyrejectedmyplanstocontinue workinginthoseSovietcountries,that theyexcommunicatedmeandcutme offfromanysourceoffinance,evencirculatingaletterforbiddingmetopreach intheirchurches!TosupportmyselfIhad tostartinbusiness–whichGodso blessed,foryearsIwasabletogiveupto 80%ofmyincometofinancemyministry inEastEuropewhichgrewandincreased supernaturally!
Paulknowsthestressesandstrainsthat existinministry,andinstructsTimothy, v19ff,“Donotentertainanaccusation againstanelderunlessitisbroughtby twoorthreewitnesses.Thosewhosinare toberebukedpublicly,sotheothers maytakewarning.Ichargeyou,inthe sightofGodandChristJesusandthe electangels,tokeeptheseinstructions withoutpartiality,anddonothingoutof
favouritism.”
Wehavetobeextremelycarefulwhois chosenforministry.Paulsays,v22,“Do notbehastyinthelayingonofhands.” He’snottalkingaboutprayingforthe sick,butthelayingonofhandstoconfirmGod’scalltotheministry.Jesussaid, “Manyarecalled,butfewarechosen.” InActs8wefindamancalledSimon, who‘believedandwasbaptised’and yet,whenhesawthatthegiftoftheHoly SpiritwasgivenwhentheApostleslaid theirhandsonpeople–hewantedto buythegift!Youcannotbuythegifts–theyareimpartedbyGod.OnlyGod. Ministryisacalling.That’swhyPaulsooftenwritesinhislettersthatheisan ApostleofJesusChristbytheWillofGod.
Hecontinues,“Don’tbehastyinthelayingonofhands,anddon’tshareinthe sinsofothers.Keepyourselfpure.”He says,inv24ff,“Thesinsofsomemenare obvious,reachingtheplaceofJudgementaheadofthem;thesinsofothers trailbehindthem.”Thisisawarningthat wemustallappearattheJudgement SeatofChrist–thesinnerandthesaint–allmustgiveanaccountofwhatwe havedone.Forsin,punishment.But blessingandrewardforthoseofuswho havebeenfaithfulinservice.Paulissaying,whethersinisobviousnow,oronly recognisedlater,everythingwedoisrecordedinHeaven.Similarly,v25,evenif ourgooddeedsarenotobviousnow, theycannotremainhidden,theyarerecorded,justasournamesarerecorded–intheBookofLife!Thereisreward,and thereispunishment,ineternity.
ThesinthatconcernsPaulverymuch hereisthesinofpeddlingfalsedoctrine forfinancialgain.InChapter6:3,Paul writes,“Ifanyoneteachesfalsedoctrines anddoesn’tagreetothesoundinstructionofourLordJesusChristandgodly teaching,heisconceitedandunderstandsnothing!Hehasanunhealthyinterestincontroversyandquarrelsabout wordsthatresultinenvy,strife,malicious talk,evilsuspicions,andconstantfriction betweenmenofcorruptmindwhohave beenrobbedofthetruth,andwhothink thatgodlinessisameanstofinancial gain.”Wow!Ifyouteachfalsedoctrine anddon’tagreetothesoundinstruction giventousbyJesusasfoundintheWord
ofGod–youcausetroubleinthe church,robpeopleofthetruth–whilst makingmoneyoutofit!
Truegodlinessisneverameanstofinancialgain.But,v6ff,“Godlinesswithcontentmentisgreatgain!Forwebrought nothingintotheworld,andwecantake nothingout.”Youmaybetherichest manintheworld,butyoutakenothing outwhenyoudie!Paulsays,“Ifwehave foodandclothing,wewillbecontent.” Buthesays, “Peoplewhowanttogetrich fallintotemptationandatrapandinto manyfoolishandharmfuldesiresthat plungemenintoruinanddestruction.For theloveofmoneyisarootofallkindsof evil.Some,eagerformoney,have wanderedfromthefaithandpierced themselveswithmanygriefs…”This needstobepreachedtoday!!!
Theloveofmoneycorrupts.WhenIset upmycharitableorganisationallthose yearsago,Irealisedthatwehadtobe absolutelyscrupulouswithfinance.So manygetintotroublebecauseofit.Our missionissetupsothatIcannottouch anymoney,authoriseanypaymentsor signanycheques.Itiscontrolledbythe BoardofTrusteesandourfinancedepartment,togetherwithanoutsideaccountant,andwemustreporteverything totheCharityCommission.Weareaccountableforeverydonation.Forso many,themoneytheygivetoourministryisthe‘widow’smite’.Iammovedalmosttotearssometimesbytheway peoplegive.In1994,whenwebegan ourgreatcampaigninSiberiajustafter communismfell,someonehadpaidfora holidaybuthadtocancelitbecauseof sickness–thatdearladygavethewhole moneytheyreturnedtoher–tous,so thatwecouldpreachtheGospel!
WorkingforGodisasacrifice.Paulsays, v11ff,“ManofGod,fleefromallthis, (the corruptionthatcomesfromtheloveof money),andpursuerighteousness,godliness,faith,love,enduranceandgentleness.Fightthegoodfightoffaithand takeholdoftheEternalLifetowhichyou arecalled…Ichargeyou,keepthis commandwithoutspotorblameuntilthe appearingofourLordJesusChrist!”
Letusbefaithfultotheend!Amen.
1Timothy1endswithPaul’ssombre wordstoTimothy,hissoninthefaith, “Fightthegoodfight,holdontofaithand agoodconscience–becausesome haverejectedtheseandshipwrecked theirfaith.”
Chapter2begins,“Iurgethen,firstofall, thatrequests,prayers,intercessionand thanksgivingbemadeforeveryone–for kingsandallthoseinauthority,thatwe maylivepeacefulandquietlivesinall godlinessandholiness.Thisisgoodand pleasesGodourSaviour,whowantsall mentobesavedandtocometoa knowledgeoftheTruth.Forthereisone GodandoneMediatorbetweenGod andman,themanChristJesus.”
IfeeltheTruthoftheGospelhasbeen watereddown,adulteratedand changed.Sooftenwegetawayfromthe basicTruthoftheGospel,whichisto bringmentoSalvation.Paulmakesit quiteclear:theendgoalofourprayeris Salvation!
JumpingstraightfromheretoChapter4, Paulwrites,“TheSpiritclearlysaysthatin thelasttimessomewillabandonthefaith andfollowdeceivingspiritsandthings taughtbydemons.Suchteachingscome throughhypocriticalliars,whoseconscienceshavebeensearedaswithahot iron.” Oh,goodnessme!Thisisaphenomenalcondemnation.TheHolySpirit says,accordingtoPaul,somewillabandonthefaithandteachwrongdoctrines.
Thisisawarningandachallengetous; wehavealotoffalseteaching,somany ‘variations’oftheChristianfaitharebeingtaughttoday.Forinstance,theMormonscallthemselvestheChurchofthe LatterDaySaints,buttheirteachingis foundedontheBookofMormon,rather thanontheBibleandthesimplicityof theGospel…ButnotonlyMormons.We havetobesocarefultodaybecause peoplearefollowingdeceivingspirits–spiritssenttodeceiveevenChristians!
Christiansdeceivedby–Paulsays–hypocriticalliarswhoseconsciences havebeensearedwithahotiron!Deceptionisintheworld,butit’salsointhe Church!Paulgivesexamplesfromhis day:theyforbidpeopletomarry;andorderthemtoabstainfromcertainfoods whichGodcreatedtobereceivedand sanctifiedbyprayerwiththanksgivingby thosewhobelieveandknowtheTruth.1
Timothy2:3-5.Inmylife,I’vehadtostand ontheseversesmyself,andonthePromisetheLordHimselfgave,thatasaBe-
lieveryoumaydrinkanydeadlything givenyouanditwon’thurtyou.I’vehad todothat!
SoPaulcommandsTimothyasagood ministerofJesusChristtopointoutdeceptionandfalseteachingtothebrothers.If,likeTimothy,wehavebeeninstructedinthetruthsofthefaithandhavefollowedthegoodteaching,it’sourresponsibilitytohavenothingtodowith ‘godlessmythsandoldwives’tales’!I’ve beenreadingabookcalled ‘Shocked bytheBible’ whichdealswiththeseand manyotherissues.Somanyofusbelieve thingswhicharenotstrictlyScripturalyet havebeenacceptedandhanded downthroughtradition–thiscancause adriftingawaytowardsnothingmore thansuperstition,‘godlessmythsandold wives’tales’!
We’vegottogetbacktotheTruthand theAuthorityandthePowerofGod’s Word.
Trainingingodlinessisthemostimportant issue–inthispresentlifeandinthelifeto come–butit’sinterestingthatPaulslips inhere,4:8,thatphysicaltrainingisof somevalue…WhenyoureadthisIshall bewellpastmy91stbirthday.I’vejust hadamedicalcheck,andineverything Iscored‘green’likeacargoingthrough anMOTtest–goodtogo!Theyhad nothingtoadd,theyalmostpushedme outofthesurgerysoasnottowastetheir time!Ibelievewedohavearesponsibilitytorespectourbodies,lookafterthem –becauseScripturesaysourbodiesare theTempleoftheHolyGhost!Itrynotto abusemybody.Ilookaftermyself.Itake physicalexercise.ItookupskiingwhenI was50– Igaveitupat80 –Istillsail boats,Iwalkalot,Igoprayerwalking. Youcanprayonyourknees,youcan praysittingdown,youcanprayanywhere–butIlikethephysicalexerciseof walkingandpraying!
ButPaulsays,mostimportant–holdfast tothepromiseforthispresentlifeandthe lifetocome:“Thisisatrustworthysaying thatdeservesFULLACCEPTANCE–put yourhopeintheLivingGod,whoisthe Saviourofallmen,andespeciallyof thosewhobelieve.”
TimothywasstillayoungmanwhenPaul lefthiminEphesustodealwiththeolder menteachingfalsedoctrinesinthe church.Paulencourageshimin1 Timothy4:12,“Don’tletanyonelook downonyouryouth…”Ifirstpastoreda churchwhenIwasonly18,Idaren’ttell
themIwasonly18becausethey wouldn’thaverespectedme–Ihadto actalotolder!AndwhenIwenttoplant thesecondchurch,Iwasstillonly20!Last yearthatsamechurchcelebratedits 70thanniversary,andtheydiscovered thatthefounder–wasme!Theycontactedmyofficetoseeif,atage90,Iwould recordagreeting.No!Igotinmycar, celebratedwiththemandpreachedfor them!Itmustbesomekindofrecord thatthemanwhofoundedachurchis stillaliveandabletopreach70years laterattheiranniversary–infullstrength andenergy!
Iamveryconcernedformycountry,Britain.Paulsaysin1Timothy4:1,“TheSpirit clearlysaysthatinlatertimessomewill abandonthefaithandfollowdeceiving spiritsandthingstaughtbydemons.”AsI writethis,Ihaveinmyhandanarticle publishedbyTheTelegraphtitled, ‘SecularBritainnowhasitsOwnBlasphemy Laws’. Britain,whichusedtobeknownas aChristiancountry,isnow‘SecularBritain’–nolongerChristian–andperverselyapprovesIslamichatecrime againstChristiansandordinarycitizens who‘blaspheme’Islam!Whatsparked thearticlewasanincidentinthearea whereIlive.Foradaresomeboystooka copyoftheKorantoschool,andat somestageoneofthemdroppediton thefloor.Thefourboysinvolvedweresuspendedfromschoolandthepolicerecordeditasa‘hateincident’againstIslamwhilstignoringthefactthatdeath threatsweremadeagainstthesefour boysfor‘disrespectingtheKoran’!
Itgetsevenworse.Themotherofoneof theboysappearedbeforeanall-male quasi-judicialhearinginthelocal mosque;shepleadedwiththeMoslems forforgiveness.Becauseofthedeath threats,her14-year-oldsonhadhadto fleehome–butinthisshariacourtshe publiclybeggedthepoliceNOTtoinvestigatethedeaththreatsmade againstherfamily.Oneimamstoodup andcalledforallchildrentobeeducatedtorespectthehonourofIslam.He preachedzero-tolerancefor‘disrespect oftheholyKoran’,saying,“Wewillsacrificeourlivesforit!”Standingbesidethe imamaseniorpoliceofficerwasnoddinghisapproval.
Nobodygetschargedfor‘disrespecting’ theBibleorChristianteaching.Thereverseistrue:Christiansgetarrestedfor praying,orforpeachingfromtheBible!!! Godhelpus!Ourhypocriticalliberalleft supportsthepositionofIslam,thatthe
honourofMohammedandAllahmust beprotectedfromanyformofcriticism‘blasphemy’–whilstchasingChristians outofpubliclife!
Again,inYorkshirewhereIlive,afew yearsagoin2021,ateacheraspartof theregularschoolcurriculumhad broughtinacartoonofMohammedin ordertodiscusswiththeclassthemassacrethattookplaceinParisafteritwas publishedinaFrenchmagazine.Forthis opendiscussionofareal-lifeincident, theteacherwassuspendedbythe school;hehasreceivedsomanydeath threatsfromactivistsandthe‘concernedpublic’,hehasbeeninhiding withhisfamilyforthepast2years,even thoughhewasgivenanewidentityto protecthimselfandhischildren.
Christianshoweverarebeingarrestedin Britainforsimplydeclaringpubliclythe TruthoftheWordofGod.Somehavelost theirjobs,somehavebeenfined,putin prison.Ourpoliceinterpretthelawtosay itisillegaltoreadtheBibleinpublicif somebodycomplainsthishasoffended them.We’vegottoastagewhereIslamicsensitivityisprotected,whilstany Christian,whopubliclyspeaksofhisfaith orcallssinbyitsname,canbedeprived oftheirliberty.
Paulissayingtothisyoungpreacher, Timothy,“Inthelastdayssomewilldepartfromthefaith.”Paulmeans,Christianswilldepartfromthefaith…
TodaytheStateChurchandothermajor denominationsinBritainaren’tstanding fortheTruthoftheWordofGod;the Churchisdivided,doesn’tcondemnsin, butcondonesandacceptsit.The ChurchinBritainisruledandgoverned morebysecularpublicopinionthanitis bytheWordofGod.
WhereverIgo,Ihearpeopletalkabout revival.Butinmyministry,Ihaveseen realpowerfulHolyGhostrevival–inHungary,Bulgaria,RussiaandUkraine–revivalthatchangessociety!Anadvisorto thegovernmentintheformerUSSRsaid onStateTVthatonlythepreachingof theGospelofJesusChristsavedthose sovietcountriesfromtotalchaoswhen communismcollapsed.Myfather,who wasconvertedintheWelshRevivalsaid, whenthatrevivalcame,itsochanged societytherewasnocrime!Historyrecords,onemagistratesatincourtfora wholeweek,buttherewasnotone singlecaseofcrimetojudge.Nodrunkenness,notheft,nothing!That’swhen Godchangesanation!
InBritainmuchofourpoliceforceiscorrupt,ourpoliticiansarenotmuchbetter. Whatishappening?Britainhasturned awayfromGodandhasrejectedthe truth,thehonestyandthePowerofGod andtheAuthorityoftheBible.Muchof theChurchpreferstoacceptpublic opinionasthetruthratherthantheWord ofGod.Wherearewe?Lookatthe preachingofJohnandCharlesWesley.It changedthewholecharacterofBritain.I thinkmaybethenationwasmorecorruptthenthanitisnow!Butwhatsaved it?ThepreachingoftheGospel.
Thisbringsusbackto1Timothy2:1–“I urge,then,firstofall,thatrequests,prayers,intercessionandthanksgivingbe madeforeveryone–forallthoseinauthority…”Why?Verse4,BECAUSEGOD OURSAVIOURWANTSALLMENTOBE SAVEDANDCOMETOAKNOWLEDGEOF THETRUTH!Oh,thatGodwouldbringthis nationbacktotheTruth.Idespair.What weneedisold-fashionedpreachers. WhenIwasateenageratschool,Iwasa hell-firepreacher.Itoldthoseboysinmy school,thereareonlytwoplacesyougo whenyoudie,eithertoHeaven–orto hell.TheonlywaytoescapehellistoreceiveChrist,HisSalvationandForgiveness.
Oh,thatGodwouldgiveuspreachers thatteachtheTruthinboldness,preacherswhowouldfollowtheinstructionsof Paulin1Timothy3,“Ifanyonewouldbe anoverseerintheChurch,hemustbe abovereproach.”It’stimewecalledour nationtopray,notforsomelittlerevival thatissimplyalittlebitofexcitementina corneroftheChurch,butforaspiritual awakeningthatwillturnanationbackto God.
MyjobisinUkraine,inCentralAsia,in theformercommunistcountries.Fifty yearsago,Iwasputinacommunist prisonforbringingBiblestothecommunistlands…Wemustpaytheprice–whateveritis–andstandontheTruthof God’sWord.
Paulhastolduswhattodo,andIurge you,readthewholeofhisletterto Timothy.Godblessyou.
On10thJune,asPresidentZelenskyylaunchedUkraine’s long-awaitedCounteroffensive–themostcriticalandfinal phaseofthelargestandmostdangerousarmedconflictin EuropesinceWWII–weheldthe8thofourNationalDaysof PrayerforUkraine.TheHeadsofeveryChristianDenominationgatheredinBuchatoprayforTotalVictory.Significantly,Buchawasattheveryheartofthefiercestbattlesin thefirst40daysofPutin’sinvasion–forwhichhestandsindictedofwarcrimesagainsthumanity.
“On24February2022,Putinsent70kmoftanks,through ourtownsandvillages,againstourcapitalcity.Butthe aggressorsdidn'tunderstand,inUkrainewehavea united,prayingChurch!”
“TheyburnedMariupol,theydrownedKherson,theykilled ourmen,rapedourwomen,abductedourchildren–but Godwillhelpusrebuildourhomes,villages,cities,andreturnourpeopletoourland.”
4-5000camefromNorth,South,EastandWestUkraineto jointheprayerwhichweheldinBuchainaSportHallthat wasoccupiedbytheaggressorsinthosefirstdaysofthe war.Itsrestorationwascompletedonlydaysbeforeour event.Thepeopleoverfilled,notonlythemainhall,buttwo othersatthesamelocation!Plusmanymorestandingoutsidelisteningtotheloudspeakers!
“Ithoughtwewouldbesafeintheforesthere,outside Kyiv–butamissileburntourhousedown,wewereprayingeveryday,hidingintheundergroundshelter–praise God,wesurvived,andIhavefaithwewillwin.”
“WearewitnessesofthemiraclesGodhasalreadydone inthesefirst472days.WethankGodforHisChurchall overtheworldforstandingwithusinourbattles!”
Davidsaid: “Onthisday,10June2023,allUkraineis unitedinprayer–onlineandhere,inthisterriblePlaceof Destruction,Bucha–tocallonGod.Ukraine,Godhas seenyoursuffering,Hehasheardyourcries!Hewillnot
allowyoutobedestroyed!Wearealreadypreparingour Victorycelebration.Wewillhavetwocelebrations,one inCrimeaandoneinKyivitself.Godhasdeclared–YOUWILLWIN!”
ThedefinitioncontainedinArticleIIoftheConventiononthePreventionandPunishmentoftheCrime ofGenocide(UnitedNations1948)describesgeno-
cideasacrimecommittedinwarorinpeacewith theintenttodestroyanational,ethnic,racialorreligiousgroup,inwholeorinpart.
Armenia–theBackStory… Howmuch,howlittledoyouknow aboutArmenia?BorderingTurkeyand Azerbaijan,didyouknowthatfrom 1988-1994,andespeciallyagainsince 2010,anincrementalethnicandreligiousgenocideisbeingpursued againstArmeniabyAzerbaijan–both formerSoviet,nowIndependentRepublics–ArmeniaindifferentlysupportedbyaRussian‘peace-keeping force’,andAzerbaijanweaponisedby Turkey?
DidyouknowthehistoryofArmenia hasitsrootsintheMedo-PersianEmpirethatsucceededBabylon?That theCaucasusregionofEurasiawhere thecontinentsofEuropeandAsia meet,hasbeenhometotheArmenianpeoplefor3000years?ItsEmpireonceextendedfromtheMiddle East–that’swhythere’sstillanArmenianQuarterinJerusalem–into AsiaMinor,throughtheCaucasusand intoCentralAsia.Inthedaysofthe ApostlePaul,didyouknowthatitwas theApostleAndrew,Peter’sbrother, whoaccordingtotraditionbrought theGospeltoArmenia?
In301ADArmeniawasthefirstcountry intheworldtodeclareitselfaChristian nation.AsiaMinor,modern-dayTurkey –thebirthplaceofPaul’samazingpioneerministrytotheGentilesand whereAndrewalsopreached– today onlyhasruinstoshowforit,andavery
few,virtually‘underground’, churches…Why?
Didyouknowthat,fromthefirst Moslemconquestsinthe8thcentury anduntilthedissolutionoftheTurkish OttomanEmpireinthe20thcentury,it wasChristianArmenia,togetherwith neighbouringGeorgia,Greeceand Bulgaria,thatsuccessfullyrestrainedthe IslamisationofEurope?Armeniaand herscatteredArmenianChristiancommunities,descendingfromtheancient Medo-Persianempire,werecaughtfor centuriesinthefaultlinesbetweenEast andWest,IslamandChristianity.Yet despitepersecutionfromIslam,the truthisthattheysurvivedandthrived throughouttheTurkishOttomanEmpire upuntilWorldWarI.
WhenWWIbrokeout,about2.5million Armenianswerelivingoutsideofmodern-dayArmeniaunderOttomanrule; from1915-1916theTurkssetaboutthe systematicdestructionofallArmenian peoplelivingintheirmidst.Morethan 90percentofthepopulationperished, theirdesertedhomesandproperties
giventoMoslemwarrefugees.SurvivingArmenianwomenandchildren wereforcedtogiveuptheirChristian identitiesandconverttoIslam…The ArmenianGenocideswepttheland cleanandlaidthegroundforthenation-statethatismodernTurkey,anationwithoutChrist.
Butthegenocideisnotyetover.TheissueisoveranancientChristianexclaveofArmenia,Artsakh,whichhistoricallyisunfortunatelysituatedwithin MoslemAzerbaijaniterritory;also knownasNagorno-Karabakhinthe languageofAzerbaijan,itwasan AutonomousRegionundertheSoviet Empire.In1988,atthetimewhenthe mightyUSSRfirstbegantocollapse, theArmeniangovernmentof Nagorno-Karabakhvotedtounitetheir territorywiththeRepublicofArmenia. Atthispresentmoment,Azerbaijan anditsallyTurkeycontinuethegenocideoftheArmenianpopulationin Artsakh.ThisiswhywecalledtheNationalDayofPrayer–ourhopeisin Christalone.
ThedefinitioncontainedinArticleIIoftheConventiononthePreventionandPunishmentoftheCrime ofGenocide(UnitedNations1948)describesgeno-
ThoughwehavebeenworkingtowardsaDayofPrayerfor Armeniaforsomeyearsnow,thedevelopingcriticalsituation withAzerbaijanprecipitatedaction–withonlyonemonthto pullallourplanstogetherandmakeithappen,onSaturday 27thMay5000peoplefromalloverthenation–sometravellingupto5hourstogetthere–gatheredintheMeridian ExpoCentre,Yerevan,toprayforGod’sprotectionovertheir land.Ninetydifferentchurchcongregationsparticipated,155 pastors,andmanythousandsmorejoiningliveonline.We evenhadthetacitsupportofthehistoricArmenianApostolic Church,establishedallthewaybackin301AD.
Theissue:
DuetopiecemealconquestsoftheoriginallyvastArmenian (Medo-PersianEmpire)Empireoverthelast20centuries, todayquitesizableArmenianpopulationscanbefound throughouttheMiddleEast,CentralAsiaandtheCaucasus–oneofthelargestexclavesbeingNagorno-Karabakh(its Azerbaijaniname),Artsakh(itsArmenianname),separated fromArmeniaonlybythe6kmLachinmountaincorridor. FromthetimewhentheSovietUnionbegantodisintegratein 1988,Artsakhhasfounditselfisolatedwithinanincreasingly hostileAzerbaijan,intentontheeradicationoftheArmenian
population,eventhreateningArmenia itself.TheyoungpeopleofArmenia aredyinginthisconflict–5000lieburiedinonecemeteryalone.Wehave visitedthegraveofthe18-year-oldson ofamanweknowinArmenia,hisdestroyedbodycouldonlybeidentifiedby DNAtesting.
Davidsaid:
“IbelieveGodhascalledmeatthisstrategictimetoyour nation.Armeniaisfacingacrisis,butallourtimesarein God’sHands–andthat’swhywe’reheretogethertoday. YourunityinprayerissomethingIhavedreamtaboutfor years.WeareoneBody,butmanydifferentparts.TogethertodayweproclaimtheNameofJesusoverthisnation,andsymbolicallywecoverArmeniawiththeBloodof theLambandclaimGod’sprotection.Armenia,youdo notstandaloneagainsttheenemy,Godiswithyou.O God,putawalloffirearoundthisnationthatnoenemy canbreakthrough!Armenia,thisisGod’smessagetoyou: ‘Ihaveseenyourmisery,Ihaveheardyourcry,andIam comedowntodeliver.’God–yourGod–isalreadyhere!”
Paul’ssecondlettertoTimothy,his ‘dearlybelovedson’,seemstobea farewell–written,itseems,fromhis secondandfinalimprisonmentin Rome.TimothyisPaul’s‘son’inChrist, aspiritualbond.Hebegins,“Nightand dayIconstantlyrememberyouinmy prayers,greatlydesiringtoseeyou, beingmindfulofyourtears...”Iwonder,werethosetearsofTimothybecauseofPaul’simprisonmentandthe causeofthat‘spiritoffear’whichPaul addressesinv7?
PaulremembersthefaiththatTimothy has,thatwasfirstinhisgrandmother andhismotherand,asPaulsays,“I ampersuadednowlivesinyoualso.”
Itiswonderfultoworkwithpeoplewho havebeenconverted,someraisedin areligioushome,somenotraisedin anyformoffaithatall.Paulhimself wasconvertedfromaverysincere, butreligiousbackground–aPharisee aboveallPharisees,highlyeducated, strictinadherencetothefaithhehad learnedfromhisparents.Inthisletter hethanksGodforhisforefathers,acknowledgingthathecamefromaline ofJewishbelieverswhowerelooking forwardtowhenMessiahwouldcome. Timothyalsocamefromabelieving motherandgrandmother.Myfather wasagreatmanofGodandaBible teacher,convertedintheWelshRevivalin1905.Itiswonderfultohavea strongspiritualheritagelikePaul,or Timothy,evenmyself,whichaffects ourlivesandwhatwegoontodo.
Hereinv5weseeTimothyhasan‘inherited’faithfromhismotherand grandmother–whichPaulispersuaded,livesinhimalso.ButPaulremindsTimothyinv6toSTIRUPTHEGIFT OFGOD“whichisinyouthroughthe layingonofmyhands.”Thereisacontrastherebetween‘inherited’faith, andthegiftwhichTimothyreceived whenPaullaidhishandsonhim.
WefindintheActsoftheApostlesthat theanointingandgiftingofGodwas oftenconfirmedandpassedonbythe layingonofhands–justashealingis oftenreceived.Ihaveseensomany healedthisway.Thereshouldbean evidence.Ialsoknowmanywhosay theyhavereceivedthegiftoftheHoly Spiritthroughthelayingonofhands–butIalwayslooktoseetheevidence thatshouldfollowanddemonstrate
thatthegifthasbeenpassedon!
IwasdedicatedtotheLordasababy bythelayingonofhands–byGeorge Jeffreys,oneofthefoundersofthe PentecostalmovementinBritainand founderoftheElimchurches.My fatherwasworkingverycloselywith him.WhenJeffreystookmeinhisarms Idon’tknowwhatheprayed,but thereisnoquestion,thereisagiftin methatwaspassedon.Someyears afterhedied,whentheywerewinding uphisevangelisticorganisationandI wasactivelyevangelisinginthenewly liberatedcountriesoftheformerSoviet Union,therewasasmallsumofmoney leftoverfromhisfundthatwaspassed ontome,recognisingmeasGeorge Jeffrey’sspiritualsuccessor.Therehas tobeevidenceinyourlifethatthe anointingoftheHolySpirithasbeen passedon.
SonowPaulsaystoTimothy,“STIRUP THATGIFTOFGODWHICHISINYOU throughthelayingonofmyhands.” Thisisimportant.Wehavetoactivate thegiftofGod,wehavetoputitinto practice,wehavetostiritup,fanit intoaflame.Sometimeswhenpeople tellmetheyhavereceivedtheHoly Spirit,Iwanttochallengethem, “Where’stheevidence?!”Aged15,I receivedtheBaptismoftheHolySpirit throughthelayingonofhands.IKNEW it,itwasdemonstratedatonce,and hasbeendemonstratedinmany, manywaysthroughoutmylife.
Iwanttotalktoyoupersonally,asPaul speaksheretoTimothy:“STIRUPTHIS GIFT–forGodhasnotgivenyoua spiritoffear…Don’tbeashamedofthe testimonyofourLord,norofme,His prisoner.Don’tbeafraid,eventhough I’minprisonformyfaith…Joinmein sufferingfortheGospel!”Inother words,yes,thereisapricetopay.
I’llneverforgetallthoseyearsIspent Biblesmugglinginthecommunist countries–Iwasfullyawarethere werefewBiblesotherthantheBiblesI wassupplying,andthelimitednumber peoplemanagedtocopybyhand.At homeIhaveapageofahandwritten Bible!That’swhyIwaspreparedto taketherisktosmuggleBiblesin,and that’swhyIendedupinprison.Butthe BritishBibleSocietymadeapublicissueofitwithme,sayingtherewasno persecutionintheSovietUnionandno
shortageofBibles.Buttheyhadbeen fedwronginformation.Iknewsomeof thoseso-called‘Christians’fromthe communistcountrieswhowereoperatingintheWest,becauseIspentso muchtimeintheEast…
SoPaulsays,don’tbeafraidofpersecution! Wedon’treceiveaspiritoffear –fearisnotfromGod!It’snotthegiftof Godtobeafraid,fearcomesfromthe enemy,fromthedevilhimself.Hewill alwaystrytomakeyouafraid.Having oncebeeninprisonformyfaith,I’ve lostmyfear.Imaybethreatened againinthefuture,butIdon’tcare whattheydotome.Ihavelostallfear ofwhatthedevilcando.
Butpeoplearebecomingafraidofthe Gospeltheypreach.They’reafraidof persecutionandarrestif,inourpoliticallycorrectworld,they‘offend’ someone.Paulhowever,inv8ff,instructsTimothy,“joinmeinsufferingfor theGospelbythePowerofGod.” Lookatme–Iwasinprison,Iprayed,I gotamiracle,andIgotoutafteronly oneyear!Itcouldhavebeenten!We mustn’tbeafraid!TheGospelwehave is,asPaulwrites,“thePowerofGod whohassavedusandcalleduswitha holycalling,notaccordingtoour works,butaccordingtoHisPurpose andGracewhichwasgivenusin ChristJesusbeforetheworldbegan!”
Thisisawonderfulreferencetooursalvation!BEFOREsincameintothe world,Godmadeawayofescape! JesusChristisreferredtoinScriptureas thesacrificialLambofGod,slainBEFOREthefoundationoftheworld!So BEFORECreationandBEFOREman’s disobedience,God–inHisperfect Plan–hadmadethewayofescape! OurfaithwaspreparedforusinChrist BEFOREthebeginningoftime!Paulis sayingeverythingaboutourlives,our salvation,wasknownandplannedBEFOREthefallofAdam.Nowthat’s powerful!
Paulsaysinv10ff,thisGracegivenusin ChristJesuswasonlyrevealedwhen Heappeared.God’sPlanofsalvation wasnotfulfilleduntilHecame2000 yearsago,4000yearsaftersincame. Christ’sappearance2000yearsagois themanifestationofthePlanGod madeforusfromthebeginning!Your salvationwasn’tjustplannedwhen youwereborn,orwhenthepreacher
broughtyoutoChrist.Yoursalvation wasplannedBEFOREsinandonly cametofruition2000yearsago.
Oursalvation,Paulsaysinv10,wasrevealedinChrist“whohasabolished death”!Deathisinevitableforallofus. ButChristhasconquereddeathand demonstratedbyHisResurrectionthe EternalLifewhichwehaveinHim.I’ve gotEternalLife!ThereasonI’msoactiveandsofullofenergyandstill preachingthisGospelatmyage,is becauseI’mrejoicingNOWinwhatI WILLHAVEoneday.Thecompletionof oursalvationdoesn’tcomeuntilwe meetwithChristintheair.ButIwill neverdieinthespiritualsense.Christ hasalreadyabolisheddeathand broughtLifeandImmortality!I’mimmortal.We’reimmortal.Thishasbeen broughttolightbytheGospel.It’snot justaGospelofsalvationfromsin,but aGospelofimmortality!
Paulwasappointedapreacher,an apostleandateacherofthisGospel. “Forwhichcause,”Paulsaysinv12,“I sufferthesethings.”Don’tbeafraidif yousufferfortheGospel!Ihavetoremindmyselfsometimes,whenI’mgoingthroughdifficultperiods,thatI mustn’tbeafraid,discouragedor ashamedifIsufferforChrist.Lookhow theypersecutedJesus!Thereligious leadershoundedHim,andintheend, HewasbetrayedbyoneofHisown disciples.Jesus,whowasborninBethlehemandgrewupinNazareth,when HewentbacktoNazarethtodeclare theGospel,Hisowntownspeople
gatheredtogetheragainstHimand wantedtothrowHimoffacliff!
Andso,Paulsays,he’snotashamedof theGospel–andIlovethisstatement –hesays“IknowwhomIhavebelievedandIampersuadedthatHeis abletokeepwhatIhaveentrustedto Him–allthatIhavecommittedunto Him–againstthatDay!”WhatawonderfulstatementPaulmakeshere:I KNOWWHOMIHAVEBELIEVED–ANDI AMPERSUADED–PERSUADED–that HeisABLETOKEEPTHATWHICHIHAVE COMMITTEDUNTOHIMAGAINSTTHAT DAYOFHISGLORIOUSRETURN!
ThereforePaulsaystoTimothy,“Hold fasttotheformofsoundwordswhich youhaveheardfrommeinfaithandin lovewhichisinChrist.”Paulhasalot tosaytoTimothyaboutthosewhodo notholdfasttosounddoctrine!Evenin thoseearlydaysofthenewChurch, Paulhastotakeastandagainstfalse teachingandbacksliding,sayingto Timothy,“Thatgoodthingthatwas committedtoyou,KEEPbytheHoly Ghostwhodwellsinus!”Oursalvation isagiftofGodCOMMITTEDtous.It’sas ifChristHimselfissayingtous,“HOLD THISINTRUSTUNTILICOMEBACK!”This messagewhichisCOMMITTEDtous–wemustholdandusebythePowerof theHolySpirituntilHecomes!
WhatatragedythatPaulhastoadmit –andTimothyknowsitverywell–that whilstheissufferinginprisonforthe sakeoftheGospel,“alltheythatarein Asia”–Paul’sfirstgreatmissionfield–
“haveturnedawayfromme.”And Paulnamestwooftheringleaders. Paul–probablythegreatestofthe apostles–hastoadmit,thatinAsia,all hadturnedagainsthim…
Bycontrast,Paulwritesofoneman, “TheLordgivemercytothehouseof Onesiphorus,forheoftenrefreshedme andwasnotashamedofmychains, butwhenhewasinRome,hesought meoutverydiligentlyandfoundme. TheLordgranttohimthathemayfind mercyinthatDay.”Atthetimeofwriting,Paulwasprobablychainedina dungeonsomewhereinRomeduring Nero’sgreatpersecutionofChristians. ItwasnotasafeplaceortimeforOnesiphorustobeseekingPauloutinordertoministerandtakecareofhim.I wonder,didthosebelieversinAsia turnagainstPaulbecausetheywere ashamedoftheGospelandthatPaul, God’sservant,wasinprison?
Ifeelthismusthavebeenso,andthe causeofTimothy’stears.Havingbeen inprisonmyself,whenIcameout, someChristiansturnedagainstmefor havingsmuggledBiblestothedesperatelyneedybelieversinthecommunistbloc.Theysaiditwasagainstthe law.SomeevensaidHaroldWilson, BritishPrimeMinister,shouldnothave broughtmeout,thatIshouldhave stayedinprison.
Buttoallofyouwhosupportandpray forme,Iwanttosay,thankyou,Ineed yoursupport,Godblessyou.
Wewereononeofourwartimevisitsto Ukraine.Wehadbeenintwopacked Sundayservices,anditwasjustbefore meetingwithabout50militarychaplains,homefromthefrontline,whenI wassuddenlypiercedbyagreat thankfulnessfortheLoveofGod–the ShockingLoveofGod!
Afountainofthankfulnesswelledup insideme…Unspokenwordsflowedsilentlyandfastoutofmyheart:“Ilove YouforlovingtheRomanCenturion, forlovingthedemoniac,theleper,the womanwiththeissueofblood,forlovingtherulerofthesynagoguewhose daughterdied,forweepingoverthose whorejectedYou–forweepingover thosewhostillrejectyou–forlovingall thosepeopleIhaveseenlovedbyYou duringtheselast30yearsofministryin theformerSovietUnion...”
Facesfromthepastappearedbefore me:thehomelessmanoffthestreets proudlypullingbackhistrouserlegto showhishealedulcers;theschoolteacherblindedinachemicalaccidentinclass–instantlyhealed;the desperateyoungmancrippledwith rheumatoidarthritiswhodroppedhis crutchesandfellcrumpledatDavid’s feet,thenspranguphealed!Somany faces,somanypeoplehealedbythe LoveofGod!
IrememberLord,30yearsago,when alovelywomanfromGermany,80 yearsold,Susanna,gazedwithYour HealingLoveintomyeyes,tothevery placethathurtsomuch…
Ioftenlookintotheeyesofthelost, intotheeyesofthenewlysaved,into theeyesofthewearyChristian–men inneedofafather,womeninneedof
ahusband,frightenedchildren,the abused,theunworthy–andIsee theresomethingdeeplypainful,unreachable–aloss,alack,awound–somethingonlyGodcanheal.At thosetimesIfeelHisLovepouringout ofmyeyes,justasitpouredoutof Susanna’seyesallthoseyearsago.
IKNOWGodlovesus. HeisourFather, Hemadeus.
IKNOWGodwantstocomfortandto heal. FromtheNewTestament,even fromtheOld,frommyownpersonal experience,frommyexperienceof David’sministryfor30years–IKNOW thatGod’sLoveisnotreservedforthe ‘reasonablydecent’amongus,but shockingly,isforallwhowillreceiveit.
Lastwinterinacrowdedtraincoming downtheSwissmountainside,atired Moslemwomanandherteenage daughterssqueezedintothecarriage. Theywerecoveredheadtotoein hijab,peeringoutfrombehindstrong glasseswithuncomfortable,nervous eyes.Therewereseatsforthetwogirls. Acrosstheaisleinthenextfourseats satawhiteEuropean,spread-eagled acrossthreeseats,hisbagandbum ontwoseats,hisfeetontheother; someoneelseoccupiedthefourth seat.Therewasnootherplaceinthe carriageforthisfatiguedwoman.Insultingly,indifferently,heletherjust standthere–hewassorude!Jesus wouldnothavetreatedherthisway.
Itwasashocktome,inwar-torn Ukraine,torealise,theLoveofGodis simply–SHOCKING!HowcouldHe lovethatRomancenturion?How couldHelovethatnaked,bloodydemoniacandclothehiminhisright
mind?HowcouldHereachoutand touchtheuntouchableleper?How couldHe,immediatelybeforeHiscrucifixion,weepoverthehardenedreligiousleadersinJerusalem–ofwhom Paulwasone?!
Worldhistory–itsempires,itsconquests,itsfallendead–tellsussomethingofthesinwealllivein.Ourlife’s encounters,disappointments,failures–tellusthesame.Wearebornintoa deeplyflawedworld.Andyetwe knowitisalsoglorious,miraculous,full ofpotential–ifonlywecouldtrulyfind it…
Ifyouarehurting,ifyouwillletGod HimselfbeyourFather,thenopen yourselfupwithoutfeartowhatthe HolySpiritwilldodeepinyourheart. LettheHolySpiritleadyouinthisfragileprocess,andIcanpromiseyou, youwillbehealedinyourheart.
Inyourneedandinyourbrokenness, youareimportanttoGod.OurGod hasaOneandOnlySon,JesusofNazareth.GodtheFathersentHimhereto usinorderthatHemayhavemany sonsanddaughters!Andyet,though wearemany,weareallunique,oneand-onlysonsanddaughters!Whata wonderfulLove!Notoneinacrowd, buteachoneofusintimatelyloved ‘one-and-onlys’!!!
Thereisanoldsongwhichgoes: O whataSaviour,OHallelujah!HisHeart wasbrokenonCalvary,HisHands werenail-scarred,HisSidewasriven–HegaveHislifebloodforevenme!
Christ’ssacrificeandHisLovearethe onlycureforadiseasedhumanity.The onlycure.
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WarinUkraine–confused,afraid?–Thisbooktracesover70yearsofDavid’sunique ministryintheformerSovietUnionwhichbeganunderthepersecutionofcommunism.
Inhisownwords:“GodhasgivenmeavisionofRussia,EuropeandIsraelsoclear,it’s likelookingdownonamapofthedevil’sstrategy,butIalsoseeGod’sstrategy,what Hewantsustodo.Thisputsanawesomeresponsibilityonustoact.”
Davidisknownasalivinglegendandaherooffaithinalltheformercommunist countries.ThisbookrevealsGod’sheart,whichhasdrivenDavidfromhisearliest days–andstilldriveshimtoday.Wetrustitwillgiveyousomeclarityonprophecy asitunfoldsbeforeyoureyes–andthatitwillinspireyoutofollowJesusinthesame spirit–foritistheGospelwhichisthePowerofGodtosaveallwhowillbelieve.
KatieMorris
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