SHARE Magazine Oct 2019 by The SHARE Magazine

MyDevotion.today Walking Away From Addiction “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13 (KJV) Recently after suffering a panic attack I was told by my doctor to give up smoking, drinking alcohol and constant coffee. I felt ANXIOUS about giving up smoking, it’s hard to do, it requires self-control. People will not understand your pain. “What’s wrong with him?” They will look at you and not see your mind in utter turmoil. Like a drug addict going through cold turkey, “I just need one more hit!” your heart will pound as if it’s about to explode, you will struggle with anxiety as you don’t know how long you can go on - feeling like this. If only there was a pill that would knock you out instead of having to go through such a day. “I’ll just phone in work as sick - I don’t want people to see me like this.” But life’s not like that. You have to go to work, do the shopping, cook and survive and exist; regardless of how you feel and what people think about you. You will be strong for a few days, congratulate yourself and then just want to relax, take it easy and gratify the flesh a little bit (and then a little bit more) and BANG! You’re addicted and obsessed, again! We need to mortify the deeds of the flesh. If you are mortifying the deeds of the flesh, your body will be screaming at you. You will be suffering inside but the word of God is your medicine. Meditate on it daily, It will seek out the obsessions of the soul and capture them for you and set you free. Thank YOU, Jesus, I never tied Heroin :) Devotion For October 1st 2019 By Dave White

inside EDITORIAL 4

TESTIMONY-

Little Flower Shop Of Healing 20

FEATURE ARTICLES Healthy Body & Mind Good physical conditioning promotes a healthy mind...

REFLECTIONS

Soul Transformation Service in the sanctuary transforms our soul

#YouthSHARE 22 How do we respond when christian icons lose their faith?

Entering Through the Narrow Gate 10 Is it sound thinking as a believer to just follow the majority? Peace in the Midst of the Storm 12 How do we keep our peace in the midst of life’s storms? Under Whose Authority? 14 Do we need human covering? The Power and Provision of The Cross 16 We can’t fulfil the requirements of God in our own strength Battlefield of the Mind 18 How to guard the mind against the invasion of the enemy

Renewed Minds The call to prayer and the challenge of intercession

Mental Misdiagnosis 26 We are not depressed but tired of man’s thinking and theology Storyteller 28 The Delusions & Illusions of Deception Think Film 30 Spiritual Lessons From: The Lord of The Rings [The Return of The King]

In Praise Of Hymn 32 Be not dismayed what’er betide God will take care of you Poem: The Pauper, Poet, Prophet...Prince By Jason N. Smith

12 16

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

SHARE|MAGAZINE Volume 7 - Issue 4

About Us

Having a sound mind is the challenge of the 21 Century Church. Skills like critical thinking are being lost but are needed now more than ever to be able to defend our faith against the prevailing winds of lies and deception. We have to renew our minds [with Gods’ word] not remove it; having no shadow of doubt in our thoughts but clarity in our doctrine. There is a battle for our minds and sadly too many are losing the battle. We are seeing rising statistics of depression, anxiety and mental disease among Christians; alarming numbers of pastors and church leaders are having nervous breakdowns and burn-out. It begs the question Is insanity the New Christianity? The church was barely born in the 1st Century when it came under prevalent persecution by the Roman authorities. It was purged then and so it will be again. We must have a ready answer to defend our faith and be willing to die for it. What is subtle today is that the methods of persecution are more sophisticated. Our thoughts are subliminally siphoned out and out bio-data is stolen and stockpiled and used against us. We are now ‘willing slaves’ to a technology that has programmed our thinking and is quick marching us into metaphorical ‘gas chambers’ and ‘lions cages’ to our deaths. The Battle for Clarity The battlefield of the mind is made even more complex as satan is using the latest technology to draw us into dependency on gadgets which in effect means that we have

SHARE|MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL A SOUND MIND

surrendered our innate ability to reason and question for ourselves for convenience. We trust Google more than God and ask Siri more than we ask the Holy Spirit. We hear the lies so repeatedly we begin to believe the lie that the minority is actually the majority and that we are compelled to go along with this boisterous crowd. The last time we did that as the people of God, Jesus was considered unfit by the majority and pronounced a public nuisance and a threat to the security of the State. Today many of us believers will similarly be considered guilty of ‘hate crimes’ for believing and defending the truth. Today’s issues are no more complex than in Jesus’ time. He knew what was coming and warned the Church profusely about being prepared to answer matters such as: • Gender /Sexual identity/Marriage • Parents rights /Children’s rights • Power /Influence /Money • State power vs Citizens rights • Personal privacy and National security • Freedom of speech and Worship These themes are as old as time but today they are just wearing modern clothes. Back to Basics Knowing the difference between magic and miracles and telling the difference between the divine acts of God from demonic supernatural phenomena are tools needed in our spiritual tool kit to be able to stand securely in the knowledge of Christ; against the enemy’s attacks on our minds. In this issue, we examine the BIG question, in the face of these challenges, how can we see and think clearly? p

Angela Slack

October - December 2019

Editor and Co-founder

SHARE MAGAZINE is a FREE Christian quarterly that deals with challenging Christian topics that have been mostly ignored or left unanswered. The magazine includes written articles, poems and thoughts etc. Read our online version at www. TheShareMagazine.com where you can go to our blog to discuss articles or order a printed version. If you would like to submit articles, join our writers group, or to get involved in any other way kindly email us. SHARE MAGAZINE is produced by Select Arrow, the publishing arm of United In Christ charity number 1140448.

Disclaimer

Throughout this magazine the editor & contributors seek to present a balanced and accurate view of Scripture’s teaching. We are all on a journey of studying and understanding God’s Word. Because of this, all we can offer is as balanced an understanding as the Holy Spirit has offered us at this time. The views or opinions represented in this publication are personal to each of our contributors and may not fully represent those of any other contributor or editor. Some writers may use UK spelling while others may use US spelling as our writers are from different regions.

Advertise Free

All the adverts in this magazine are from Christian organisations. Kindly consider supporting those who advertise with us. To advertise with us FREE. Find out more at: thesharemagazine.com/ advertise-with-us/

Web: www.thesharemagazine.com issuu.com/thesharemagazine bit.ly/ShareOnYoutube @TheShareZine facebook.com/ShareMagazine

QA &

You have questions we’ve got answers

SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE SEEKING PSYCHOTHERAPY?

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN PSYCHOLOGY?

An excerpt from the Introduction of the book, Psychology and the Church: Critical Question, Crucial Answers

The only possible justification for the existence of “Christian” psychology in the church would be if the Bible did not contain all of the counsel, wisdom, and guidance that Christians need for living sanctified lives pleasing to God in today’s modern world. For thousands of years, both Old and New Testament believers found God and His Word more than sufficient in every way. At least this is what the Bible tells us of those who triumphed by faith over every trial and circumstance that Satan could bring against them. Some of their lives are summarized briefly in Hebrews 11.

“Christian” psychology is not a recognized classification in this field. Textbooks and reference manuals list hundreds of psychologies (Freudian, Jungian, Rogerian, humanistic, etc.), each named after its founder or its founder’s chief theory. But there is no school of psychology that was founded by a Christian and is therefore called “Christian” and recognized as such in university libraries. Psychology is in fact anti-Christian. It doesn’t come from the Bible but is simply an attempt to integrate the theories of atheists into the Bible in order to supply missing essentials for daily living that the Holy Spirit apparently failed to The heroes and heroines of Bible history all include. Does that sound reasonable? triumphed by faith in God and in His promises. They neither had nor needed any help whatsoever Here is what two leading Christian psychologists from “Christian psychology,” which didn’t even had to say in a paper delivered at a convention exist in their day. Wouldn’t faith in God and His of Christian psychologists: Word, which has been proved thousands of times We are often asked if we are “Christian through the ages to be more than sufficient in psychologists” and find it difficult to answer since every conceivable circumstance and in the we don’t know what the question implies. We deepest trials, be sufficient for Christians today, are Christians who are psychologists, but at the no matter what their trials and challenges might present time there is no acceptable Christian be? What could possibly persuade a Christian to psychology that is markedly different from nonlook to psychology, invented by anti-Christians, Christian psychology. for help in living a life pleasing to God? Of course, [some] Christian psychologists claim to have a firm faith in the inerrancy of Scripture. But no matter how firmly a psychologist adheres to inerrancy of Scripture, they all must deny its sufficiency. This is the only way to justify their profession. If any part of the Bible is in error, however, then where can the line be drawn? If the Bible has not given us all we need to live the Christian life, that fact alone would be enough to make all of it suspect in view of the many places where it claims to be sufficient for living triumphant lives pleasing to God. How and why would psychology, invented by atheists and anti-Christians as a substitute for God, the Bible, and Christianity, provide new insights into the Bible unknown to (and obviously unneeded by) millions of believers over the last four thousand years or more? And why would we need it now? There is neither a biblical nor rational answer to that logical question.

Psychology wasn’t even well known in the secular world until after Freud and Jung popularized it in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Nor did it enter the evangelical church until after World War II. For nearly nineteen hundred years, Christians triumphed over the world, the flesh, and the devil by faith in Christ alone and obedience to His Word. If great men and women of God throughout history didn’t need psychology, why would anyone need it today? How did psychology get into the church? The man most responsible for the intrusion of that Trojan Horse was none other than arch heretic Norman Vincent Peale. Peale declared on national TV on the Phil Donahue show, “It’s not necessary to be born again. You have your way to God; I have mine. I found eternal peace in a Shinto shrine...God is everywhere.” Shocked, Donahue responded, “But you’re a Christian minister; you’re supposed to tell me that Christ is Continued on pg 34 October - December 2019 SHARE|MAGAZINE | 5

Healthy Body... Healthy Mind

The old adage, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Healthy Body - A Healthy Mind,â&#x20AC;? still rings true today. Scientists are proving that the way we think affects the way our body functions and the way our body functions affects the way we think. Our body and mind are our most valuable assets. To be impactful on every level of life requires that both need to be kept in good shape. How do we ensure that we have healthy bodies? Most of us would say, eat right and exercise! Truth is, although these

SHARE|MAGAZINE

are two of the key ways to have a healthy body, managing stress, slotting leisure time into our week, having a daily religious practice and enjoying your career are also factors that affect the health of our body because they affect our state of mind. Eating right requires the consumption of a variety of foods from the seven major classes of nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, dietary fibre, minerals, proteins, vitamins, and water in the amounts needed for our level of physical

October - December 2019

activity. We are encouraged to find these nutrients in whole foods like whole grains, tubers, legumes, fruits and vegetables that we prepare from scratch. As we seek to put the best nutrients we can access into our bodies, exercise is a necessary complement. The options are varied, so find a type of physical activity you enjoy and that fits easily into your lifestyle. Whatever your choice/s do some movement that allows for the stretching and bending of our joints, activities

that strengthen our muscles and movement that cause our hearts to beat quickly and cause sweating for at least 30 mins five times a week. Together, regular exercise and daily eating a balanced diet will lead to a healthy body. Exercise is a great way to lift your mood and improve your ability to deal with stress. When you exercise, your body often feels more relaxed and calm but it benefits our minds too. Aerobic exercise causes your body and brain to produce hormones and neurotransmitters that have a positive impact on your mood, memory and gives a sense of wellbeing. Some of these are known as endorphins, the body’s ‘feelgood’ chemicals. Studies are now showing that pent up tension and trauma stored in our cells actually cause disease. Thanks to exercise, the pent-up tension and stress in our muscles and our mind are reduced. Having A Healthy Mind The mind is an abstract concept used to define the part of us that makes us aware of the world and our experiences and houses our ability to think and feel. Even as exercise positively affects our minds, the state of our minds directly impacts the state of our body. The Bible encourages us, “Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with a peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy,

friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:6 (CEV) We often look at the Bible as giving us guidance for spiritual living only. However, taking careful note of this scripture reveals that the Bible points to an understanding of the way we are made up as humans. We tend to worry and be anxious when circumstances do not line up with our desires and expectations. Focusing on our negative past, holding onto past hurts, feeling fearful about the future or impending bills or exams are examples of what we allow our minds to dwell on. These thoughts upon which our minds have stayed, result in stress which can sometimes result in ill health. Scientists found a direct relation between our thoughts and our bodies. These findings align with what the Bible has been saying for thousands of years. Have faith in God, focus on him, set your mind on things above. This kind of thinking is truly worthwhile. These thoughts result in peace and maybe even joy and “a joyful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17: 22 KJV. Anxious thoughts can trigger a ‘flight or fight response’ in the body. This is a physiological reaction that occurs in the presence of something that is terrifying, either mentally or physically. The response is triggered by the release of hormones that prepare your body to either stay and deal with a threat or to run away to safety. These thoughts can “dry up the bones” says Proverbs 17: 22 KJV. Physiologically, it is proven that anxious thoughts can cause

weight gain, digestion issues, disruption in our immune system, lack of rest and so much more. They can lead to sin as they are evidence that we doubt our God’s ability to take care of us and we disbelieve His word that promises that ALL things will work together for our good or that the Spirit of the Lord prays for us according to our destiny and God’s will for our life. It is my opinion that God answers the prayers of His own Spirit. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 (KJV). If we allow our minds to dwell on Him and trust Him despite our immediate circumstances, as Philippians 4 says, we will experience a peace that controls the way we think and feel and also we will experience better health in our bodies. p https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ news/20150630/a-healthy-body-often-equalsa-healthy-brain https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-andmood/6-simple-steps-to-keep-your-mindsharp-at-any-age h t t p s : / / w w w. m e r r i a m - w e b s t e r. c o m / dictionary/sharp-witted Institute of Integrative Nutrition, lecture by Daniel Amen https://www.inc.com/rhett-power/11-ways-totake-care-of-yourself-every-day-for-a-happiermind-and-body.html https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-thefight-or-flight-response-2795194 https://en.m.wikipedia.org › wiki https://www.verywellmind.com/exercise-andimproving-your-mood-2223781 By Lorraine Rainford Women’s Pastor and Integrative Nutrition Health and Lifestyle Coach.

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

Soul 8

Transformation |

SHARE|MAGAZINE

October - December 2019

and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Eph 4:22-23 (NLT )

Is your soul troubled and cast down, again and again? Do your emotions rule you? Have you ever met someone that failed to get spiritually stronger 10 or 15 years later? It is not a case of look at who I am and who you are not but rather it’s a sad realisation that you have neglected to put your hope in God yet, again!

When we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds as we study the Word, new thought patterns are formed under the revelation of the Holy Spirit. As we submit our minds to Christ, we cast down vain imaginations, undue fears, unintended offences, fragile selfimages, all the thoughts and beliefs and attitudes that do not align with God’s thoughts and purposes in us and for us.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.“ Psalm 42:5 (ESV)

The healing of the soul is a cleansing process which takes place as we study the Word of God and develop a close fellowship with God. Fellowship with God is not only knowing Him but doing His will. But rebellion or self-will in the soul puts a barrier between us and Him. The soul is renewed by His Word and the whole person can live in harmony with God but rebellion will resist God’s will. This is called carnality or living by the soul rather than by the Holy Spirit. The Soul Is the Emotions and Will

Mind,

The mind is- the intellect, the ability to think and reason where transformation must first take place. Mental strongholds are attitudes, beliefs and misconceptions that keep us from recognizing God’s will for us. They are not necessarily a demonic entity but are thought patterns that are alien to God’s Word that can even twist scriptures to our own self-serving purposes. If we give the enemy access to our minds then deception, vain imaginations and toxic thoughts begin to take form and settle in the mind. “Throw off your old sinful nature

Emotions are- our feelings such as happiness, love, fear, anger, jealousy etc… which can arise from our circumstances, or the people around us, alleviating us to optimism or plunging us into pessimism. “A spiritual person is an emotional person, “says Witness Lee. He knows how to weep, love, laugh and how to be sorry. But these emotions are under the control of the Holy Spirit. We do not respond emotionally to our circumstances and to people, but instead out of Spirit-led Truth. We can manage our emotions by offering a continual sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise to God. Worship quietens our hearts in reverence and submission to God. Self-will is characterised by us doing what we want and failing to do what we should. God has given us free will and so we can exercise choice. We can choose to build our decisions on the Word of God or to allow our decisions to be corrupted by the world and the devil whispering, sometimes shouting, into our ears. Jesus said, “I am the bread of Life.” We are like wheat which has to be gathered, threshed, separated and ground into the finest flour before

it can be used to make bread that God can use to feed people. The soul has to be renewed daily and the only way this can happen is to allow the Living Word and the Written Word to put our mind, emotions and will under the control of the Holy Spirit. Submission Is the Key. Obedience is different from submission. Obedience – yes, I can do it. Submission - I‘m glad to do it. God loves a cheerful giver because although a giver is obedient, a cheerful giver is submissive. Submission comes from a trustful relationship with God. We know and trust Him to lead us. When our soul becomes sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, our decisions will not be ruled by our emotions and we too will live and say: “I will go to the altar of God… to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God.” Psalms 43:4 Then we can truly sing: “let go my soul and trust in Him... my eyes are on You and it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul.1 p [1] Song: It Is Well, Bethel Music & Kristene DiMarco Album-You Make Me Brave: Live at the Civic Licensed to YouTube by Bethel Music (Sound Recordings) (on behalf of Bethel Music); Bethel Music (Publishing), ASCAP, LatinAutor, Adorando Publishing, and 15 Music Rights Societies. By Suyin Sutherland Busniess woman. An intercessor who loves God’s presence and leads others there.

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

Entering Through The Narrow Gate

Matthew 7:13 & 14, tells us that we have to enter a narrow gate, not a broad gate that leads to destruction. What can that really mean? When we accept Jesus into our lives, we enter through the narrow gate. It is the only gate that can lead to eternal life. There are no hedges that keep us on the path, nothing to stop us wandering from off the narrow path back to the broad path, if that is the one that we choose but we can always get back on the right path. The Bible does tell us that God has provided all the divine knowledge that we need (2 Peter: 1:3) but we have to know Him. It might be a good idea to read and examine 1 & 2 Peter as there are many helpful things there for us if we should ever come under persecution. Let’s look at a few examples in the Old Testament where the majority got their way. Let us start with the book of Judges, as we work our way through Judges we realise that it is all about rebellion, retribution, repentance then restoration or rescue. Each Judge was chosen specifically by God to lead the people, the Spirit of the Lord was upon Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson and great things happened but then the Holy Spirit departed, the people went back to doing what was right in their own eyes. Sadly, the nation fell into sin, worshipping foreign gods, the land was in disarray again. God rescued and restored them time and time again. They did not trust God’s

SHARE|MAGAZINE

presence or His divine resources, they thought they knew better. The same Holy Spirit that enabled them to do great things is still working today to fulfil the Lord’s plans and purposes in the Church. In the book of Samuel, the majority of people, disillusioned by the corrupt priests, judges and prophets, decided that they wanted kings to rule over them. Samuel who had been their judge and prophet for many years was upset. He thought that they had rejected him but God clearly told him, no they are rejecting Me, just as they have since the Exodus. (1 Sam 8) Do, as they say, God told Moses, but warn them of the consequences. They were warned that Kings were going to be hard taskmasters, taking everything from them and taxing them to the hilt. But they would not listen, they insisted on a King, they wanted to copy the nations around them, they did not recognise their blessed uniqueness. So God gave them what they wanted, they went from a theocracy to a monarchy, appointed a very handsome, impressivelooking man called Saul to be their first King who messed up with God until he was dethroned. Next, David, who obeyed God, ruled well, he truly loved God but then he messed up almost breaking all of the 10 commandments. For all the great things that he achieved, he committed adultery, murder,

October - December 2019

lusted after Bathsheba but most of his problems seemed to come from having more than one wife and many children who were halfbrothers and sisters, which caused a lot of infighting.

superficial commitment based on tradition or ceremonial systems.” (1 Sam 15:22) We’re warned, woe to those who call evil good and good evil: that put darkness for light and light for darkness. (Isaiah 5:20)

From David, there was Solomon who also had his father’s failings and with his also polygamist son Rehoboam did the unity of the land end. It broke into two, the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah and they would never reunite again.

Is being a minority a good thing or a bad thing? As with all things, there are both negatives and positives and there is a cost. The majority who would call themselves Christians today, have had their faith substantially weakened, they no longer totally support Christian beliefs or values. Christianity is being fought for all over the world by minorities against the majority, in places such as China and the Middle East, Christianity is flourishing. The more that the enemy tries to oppress it the more people flock to Jesus for all its vulnerabilities and dangers.

So man, no matter how much we love God; and there is no doubt that King David did; we cannot lead wisely. Our sinful nature will always get in the way. Jesus is our only answer and hope for things to come. Let’s look at the New Testament now, what happened when Jesus stood before the crowds? The same crowd of Jews that must have contained people who heard Him preach, did the majority clamour for Him to be released? (John 18:40) No! They wanted a rabble raiser to be released rather than an innocent man that they had admired and been astonished by His preaching a few days, months or weeks earlier. The Leaders and crowds demanded that He be crucified, so reluctantly Pilate agreed Truly following Jesus is becoming a minority religion in the UK. The great Cathedrals and churches that were built stood as a testament of the unbreakable bond between God and country are being eroded as the gospel is watered down and lines between good and evil are being smudged. It is written, “For God, obedience is better than sacrifice” God wanted his people to obey, serve, and follow him with a whole heart rather than maintain

Establishing a popular monarchy did not solve Israel’s problems. God desires the genuine devotion of each person’s mind and heart to Him. No government or set of laws can substitute for the rule of God in your heart and life. If we remain a ‘set apart’ distinctive people, we will influence a world who idolises power, popularity and wealth. The Lord wants to bring deliverance to His people today and He is looking for consecrated men and women whom He can empower with His Holy Spirit. Just as He did before. Are you willing to rise to the call, not in self-righteousness or as a religious sentiment as that can be a source of serious deception but as a humble servant of our Lord Jesus Christ! Do you choose to travel the broad way to destruction or do you choose the narrow gate? p

October - December 2019

By Teresa L. Randle Missionary, Preacher and Bible Teacher

SHARE|MAGAZINE

PEACE MIDST STORM in the

of the

I had to stop in the middle of my activities recently as I heard the Lord say, ”you’ve gotta go through to enter into…” That’s why life is called a journey. One has got to go along, the straight and narrow pathway to get into all that God has for us. There is no going around or going over. MARK 4:35-41, Tells a story where Jesus stills a storm...

SHARE|MAGAZINE

“Later that day, after it grew dark, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.’ After they had sent the crowd away, they shoved off from shore with him, as he had been teaching from the boat, and there were other boats that sailed with them. Suddenly, as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious tempest arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was all but

October - December 2019

swamped. But Jesus was calmly sleeping in the stern, resting on a cushion. So they shook him awake, saying, ‘Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die!’ Fully awake, he rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, “Hush! Calm down!” All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm. Then he turned to his disciples and said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust

yet?’ But they were overwhelmed with fear and awe and said to one another, “Who is this man who has such authority that even the wind and waves obey him?”

glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things.” Philippians 4:6-9 (TPT)

God, today is asking us, haven’t you learned to trust Me yet? I know it is not easy but everyone has problems. The workplace, the home, our family, our relatives and the things happening in the world around us. There are more than enough reasons to cause us concern and to lose our peace. So many different things require action that we sometimes just yield to anxiety.

How to remain in peace in the midst of the storm.

For years we may have had to learn to multi-task, we learned the art of busyness. We go from one thing to the next but here is what we have got to do. Just stop! Stop and breathe in and just simply say, “Lord, I surrender to You. I give this and every situation to You. I refuse to be anxious about anything”. Whenever we feel anxious and fearful we have moved away from the place of God’s rest. Here is what God says: “Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faithfilled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honourable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every

You didn’t die in the last test, though you may have been, surrounded by lions or like the 3 Hebrew boys, thrown into a fire. Trust God-Trust His timing-Trust His faithfulness! He will come through for you. Remind yourself of all He has taken you through before. • Remember all He has told you about where He is taking you to. • Knowing God means you know that He is faithful, He is just, He is The Almighty and He is allpowerful. • You are His own and there is nothing that happens to you that He cannot and will not turn around for His glory. • Ask Him to keep you in the place of His settled peace. • Live the Spirit-led life, where we stop and ask, what next Lord? • Let us through, it all, end well. God has given us the promise of eternal life and when we begin to look at life from the perspective of eternity, we know it will all be alright. God on Our Side “God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble more than enough and always available whenever I need you. So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even

when the earthquakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing, waves cannot erode our faith in you. Pause in his presence God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people. His river flows right through the city of God Most High, into his holy dwelling places. God is in the midst of his city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak, his help will be seen with the appearing of the dawn. When the nations are in uproar with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice and the earth begins to disintegrate before him. Here he comes! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side. The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in his presence Everyone look! Come and see the breathtaking wonders of our God. For he brings both ruin and revival. He’s the one who makes conflicts end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon of war. Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth. Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in his presence.” Psalm 46:1-11 (TPT) p

By Jacqueline Chin-Depass Leadership team member at Lifespring Church, broadcaster UKCC radio

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

r e

d n

Uh W

e s o

y n i r it ve

o r C ‘ o an

m h u t dH

e u e Ao We N

Some believe that our walk with God must be lived through a human mediator in the form of a mentor/leader/teacher but is this the biblical model? Is it odd to think that we should be able, if needs be, to maintain a knowledge of and relationship with God without human intervention? Isn’t a personal knowledge of God paramount to the believers’ development and wellbeing. Dave Hunt summed it up much more succinctly than I could when he said... “Christianity was never intended to be a follow-the-leader-blindly 14

SHARE|MAGAZINE

? ’ g

cult. It is the personal responsibility and privilege of each individual Christian to be immersed in the Word of God, to study it diligently, to meditate upon it and to live by it... It was never God’s intent that an elite corps of specialists would be the sole proprietors of biblical truth, but that each Christian would know for himself what he believes and why he believes it on the basis of his personal study of the Word of God.”1 Scripture did not leave us blind on this matter. Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 Here we realise that knowing Jesus and knowing God, not man, is critical not just

October - December 2019

for healthy Christian development but for eternal life itself. Are our horizontal relationships important? No doubt they are, but our relationship with others is a by-product of our relationship with God. A close walk with God enhances how we relate to others and the farther we go away from God the more our human relationships deteriorate. Although human input for teaching, guiding and developing is helpful and should not be despised we must accept that it is secondary. God can and has kept His people in the absence of human tutelage (see Gal 1:1112). If God is absent, however, man’s tutelage and leadership are

worthless. To elevate human leadership and tutoring above Christ’s and that of the Holy Spirit is to encourage cultism. John, as he instructed the saints in his first letter, pointed us to the instructor that should be valued even above himself. He said, “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27

So, what about the statement Paul made in 1 Corinthians 4:16? “...I urge you, imitate me.” If we understood the spirit of the man, we would know this came from his loving concern for the Corinthians and not because he is zealous to have ‘a following’. How do we know Paul wasn’t ultimately pointing people to himself? Because he later repeated those very words in the same letter but this time, he qualified it. He said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 Why did Paul see the need, the second time around, to qualify the call to imitate him? Could it be that he was aware that some could twist its meaning to suit their own agenda to be head of a sycophantic following? To bring an imbalanced view by emphasizing the first part of 1 Corinthians 11:1 is dangerous. If anything, the latter part should be emphasized. A balanced view of this statement shows that Paul is also saying ‘do not follow me blindly.’

1 John 2:27 was made in the context of the great end-times deception, our present time. If ever we need to know God in order to sift men, it is now. All men, especially those who claim to be sent by God as His teachers or prophets etc., must not be trusted but tested. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets... You will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-16 How can I be your driving examiner if I can’t drive? How can I test if you are from God if I don’t know God? “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbour, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” Hebrews 8:10-11 p [1] Hunt, D., 1987. Beyond Seduction - A Return to Biblical Christianity. 1st ed. United States of America: Harvest House Publishers.

So, why should we not relent in our stance against anything that seems remotely to be pointing us to man and not to God or pointing us to God but through a man other than Jesus? Because the above quote from October - December 2019

By Homer Slack author, preacher, Bible teacher, IT tutor, programmer & graphic designer

SHARE|MAGAZINE

The Power and Provision of The Cross

“And I, if I be lifted from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” John 12: 32 – 33 Jesus was lifted up on the Cross and it has become the symbol of Hope for Christians because His death upon it brought us eternal life. Important Facts About the Cross: 1. It is the basis of God’s total provision for every believer. 2. It is the basis of Satan’s defeat. 3. It distinguishes Christianity from all other religions, 16

SHARE|MAGAZINE

4. It is the source of all grace. 5. It is the door of God’s secret wisdom. 6. It is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love. “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?” Galatians 3:1-2 The Galatians were tricked by satan and lost the vision of the crucified Christ. This is sadly a picture of the church today. This strategy of Satan

October - December 2019

to hide from the Church God’s requirements for righteousness has resulted in legalism and carnality. Legality is-an attempt to achieve the righteousness of God by rules or laws. Carnality is -soulish [of the mind, will and emotions] and is a substitute for the Holy Spirit. We like the Galatians, have substituted God’s requirements for righteousness by the following: Theology - taking the place of revelation i.e man’s reasoning

who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Galatians 3:10 KJV. Scripture consistently shows us that the law has to be fulfilled in totality. To be satisfied, all of it must be kept but we are not able to live up to its demands. This is exactly why we need the provision of the Cross and its power to transform our lives. Key Passages That Illustrate Our Need for the Cross: “Thus says the Lord; cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord, for he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.”Jeremiah 17: 5-6 “For the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be, so then those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:7-8

Education - taking the place of character building i.e intellect Psychology - usurping discernment which is supernatural Programmes - substituted for supernatural direction i.e the leading of the Holy Spirit Elegance - in place of supernatural power Reason - instead of a walk of faith Laws - in place of love “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, cursed is everyone

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for man will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemes, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self -control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness but denying its power and from such people turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:15

Paul, the Apostle challenges the church in the following passages of scripture to trust in the work of the cross, not in our ability to fulfil the law. “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24 “Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 16:24 – 25 “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another so that you do not the things you would wish.” Galatians 5:17 “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourself also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2 Finally, beloved hear these words and heed them well: Jesus is made unto every believer wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. The reality of the Cross is relevant, current and really important so that you can realise what God has done for you when Jesus died on the cross and go on further to embrace what the risen Christ is doing in you. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

By Pastor Maureen Hanson Seves the body of Christ in counselling and prophetic gifts and in intercession.

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

The

Battlefield

SHARE|MAGAZINE

October - December 2019

of the

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 “The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their arguments and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (GW)

Defences Note that the powerful spiritual weapons from God that we fight with are for destroying hostile, intellectual, arrogance and unproven false theories put forth as facts. They are for capturing harmful thoughts brought about by false arguments and interrogating them until they confess their deception and acknowledge the truth of the gospel. If our bodies were a country, our minds would be the seat of government from which our whole body is governed. The ruler of our mind and thoughts control our

whole body and actions. There are three who are competing for the throne of government: satan, self and Christ. Our will has the power of choice to decide who ends up there. Genuine believers have chosen Christ. Our city where our seat of government dwells has five gates. These gates are our five senses through which information is sent to our brains. Truth must be posted as guards for each of the entrances into the believers’ mind. The body of information we have called truth must rigorously check every other piece of information that seeks to enter our city (our minds). The devil will continue to battle to overthrow a mind ruled by Christ. His most effective strategy is to send us a Trojan Horse i.e. information masked as friendly, harmless and truth. Those who unwittingly allow this horse in, will soon find themselves battling confusion and doubt etc. Knowledge of the truth, therefore, is essential in the battle for the mind. How can we tell what’s truth? Simple, test the information presented to you. God has so designed this world that everything has defining characteristics. If someone presents a stone to you and tells you it’s an apple, are you going to try to eat it? Our minds are constantly bombarded with information, most of which is anti-Christ. We must robustly, defend against the infiltration of such lies. “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Mind

For, “If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die.” Romans 8:6 (CEV) Paul in another place, tells us what thoughts govern a healthy mind, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 We are the ones responsible for the state of our minds. We have been given a mighty spiritual weapon to use in our defence i.e. the truth of God’s word. •

Let us know it -

•

Understand it -

•

Battle with it -

DON’T neglect it - you will fall prey to the wiles of the enemy and could eventually lose your mind. “Therefore, once you have your minds ready for action and you are thinking clearly, place your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 p

Key: Our brain = our city Our mind = the government Our body = our nation Whoever conquers our city and overthrows our government will rule our nation i.e... The information that dominates our brain will soon take control of our thoughts and then go on to dictate our speech and actions. By Homer Slack author, preacher, Bible teacher, IT tutor, programmer & graphic designer

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

TESTIMONY Little Flower Shop Of Healing - by Lana Smith

Hi, I’m Lana, I am a florist, l am married with 3 grown-up children and my family runs a little flower shop, in a little town in North East England. I’m 5ft short, my flower shop is called SHORTS, it isn’t intentional but that is another long story. You could easily miss me behind the counter I’m only little and you could also miss our shop as it too is only little but it’s been growing for 30 years and our customers are like a big family to us. They have remained ever so faithful, so we must be doing something right. Lately, I have been reflecting on my life and realised that there are so many people who come into our shop every day that need help in all sorts of ways and I felt sad when I couldn’t help them. So, I began to pray with other praying Christians in the early mornings and I found a resurgence of my faith to ask God to heal the sick. I’m very shy especially if I don’t really know you but I decided to take up the challenge of a dear Christian friend. She said, “bloom where you are planted,” that really spoke to me because I am a florist. So, I stepped out in faith and asked God to use me. A man came into the flower shop to buy flowers. He had a brace on his leg and was using crutches. I asked him what was wrong as I could see his swollen knee. He told me the doctors said it would never heal right, “I will always have trouble with it.” I prayed for the Lord to take the swelling, and pain away, for it to heal well and not be the trouble it was expected to be.

in and you prayed for my knee? “Oh”, I said, “I remember you walking with crutches and your swollen knee”. “Well, I went back to the hospital and they said everything is fine and I haven’t had any trouble from it since.” He seemed very pleased. I was glad I listened to God’s voice to pray.

A man and a woman came into my shop to order flowers. The man was About two weeks later he returned to a friend of the woman’s family. We buy flowers. “Do you remember me?” began talking and because she was he asked. “I had crutches when I came 20

SHARE|MAGAZINE

October - December 2019

ordering funeral flowers, faith and belief came up in conversation, they seemed happy about this. I asked the lady if she had any pain anywhere. “No”, She said, “but he has”, indicating the man. “It’s my leg”, he said. “Can I pray for you?” I asked. I put my hand on his leg and prayed for a miracle. The lady said, he also has pain in his hands.” I held his hand and felt they were stiff and sensed he had suffered lots of pain. As I felt his hands, It felt as though they

really went”, she said excitedly. “Oh, good,” I said. “No, I mean it, I’m not kidding. Jesus took the pain away, as you had prayed.” She seemed to think I didn’t believe her. So, I asked her did the pain ever come back? “ Oh, no”, she said, “It’s gone, it really has.” As she left the shop she said, “I’m coming back again”… That was so encouraging for me. An elderly lady came into the shop she had a really sophisticated air about her. She made an order and mentioned her hip hurt as she just had an operation. She seemed so ‘posh’, I was a bit hesitant to ask her if she would like me to pray for her. But she was so eager as she said,” Oh yes.” I held her hands and I prayed for her hips to heal well and for her pain to go. She seemed very happy and asked if I attended the spiritualist church. “On no”, I said, “I am a Christian”. She said she thought they were the same as they also sang hymns. “It’s a different spirit,” I told her. We pray to Jesus and I have the Holy Spirit of Jesus within me. People don’t realise Christians pray for the sick and have a very active Christian life. When people hear me pray they are startled, surprised, aghast. They haven’t heard true Christians pray in the Holy Spirit with an anointing. So many people don’t know that Christians are enjoying life, literally out of this world and it is there for them too.

were loosening. I told him to keep moving his hands to lose them. The lady said she had to hold onto the window or else she would have fallen over. I wasn’t praying for her but she felt the power of the Holy Spirit. I hope they will return with a healing testimony. I really wanted him to have no more pain and suffering. About the end of May 2019, a lady came into the florist shop, she mentioned that she couldn’t stay

long as her knee hurt. I offered to pray for her, she enthusiastically accepted with what I felt was hope. I placed my hands on both her knees and asked the Lord to take away her pain and heal her. “I pray to Jesus every day”, she said. I told her,” I know He hears your prayers and loves you.” About 2 weeks later she returned to buy more flowers and excitedly asked if I remembered praying for her knees? “O yes, I do,” I replied”. “The pain went, It

We need to let our light shine and show people Jesus. Open our mouths and share the simple words of truth and our salvation: the gift of repentance, the power of the cross to transform us and the miracle of being re-born as a child of God, in Jesus Christ! I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is God’s power of salvation to everyone that believes in Him. I pray that you will believe in Jesus today. p

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

# youth

SHARE Hillsong Worship Leader Denies Christ? Why did this happen, is it likely to happen again?

The #YouthSHARE team has chimed in on the recent conversations regarding the “deconstructing” of one’s faith or the biblical idea of “falling away” and has gathered perspectives from youth across the world through our riveting e-questionnaire. Joshua Harris, popular Christian writer and purity activist caught the attention of the public as he openly declared that he no longer considers himself a Christian. Then a few weeks later a popular Hillsong Worship leader, Marty Sampson, publicly declared his doubt in the Christian faith. The rate at which the varying 22

SHARE|MAGAZINE

opinions and responses around the idea of losing faith, came to the fore by way of social media, was truly volcanic. So, among the multitude of voices, we managed to capture some of the youth responses. The Questions Thirty-three respondents participated in our survey and when asked if they were surprised by the news that a Hillsong worship leader has denounced Christ, 54.5% said no. This is a very telling response and a few respondents qualified their lack of surprise with these

October - December 2019

explanations: 1. Sign of the time’s - the love of most will grow cold! 2. The Bible predicted this would have happened. Jesus said that even believers would be deceived and advised us to ‘Watch Out.’ 3. No because many people only want what they can receive from the lord and so when situations arise, they do denounce Christ. 4. Because they’ve obviously not been given the true Gospel. Which is there to prove that we are all sinners in need of

a Saviour. And that the true Gospel causes us to fall to our knees in shock and horror and ask like the people of Jesus day, “what must I do to be saved??” 54.5%

66.7% of the respondents felt Marty Sampson is responsible for his own walking away. The popular explanation for this response is that each person is responsible for his own soul. Yes

Yes

90.9% 9.1%

45.5%

The 45.5% who admitted to being shocked at the announcement explained that they had a hard time reconciling how someone who leads and specifically leads worship; a very intimate experience with God could deny Him. Our second question asked: Do you believe someone who truly knew Christ could deny Him? Interestingly enough the ratio was the same as the previous question 54.5% said no and 45.5% said yes. The respondents who agreed that someone who truly knew Christ could deny Him used Peter, the Apostle, as their example, where though he was close to Jesus for a few years, still denied Him. However, those who said no, contended that if one experiences the beauty of Christ genuinely there would be an awareness in their mind that there is nothing else to go back to, but admitted that seasons of doubt are common to Christians.

90% of respondents believed that not all who say they are Christians are truly saved and quoted scriptures like: “Many are called few are chosen” and “The Bible says not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven” to substantiate their positions. 48.5%

Yes No

51.5%

Our final question asked: Are you disappointed with Christianity as you know it today? 51.5% said yes. Here are a few of their reasons. 1. We could be representing Christ a lot better we are all in need of our minds renewing but most will prefer to be doing something first rather than learning God’s ways first. 2. To an extent. I believe more teaching is required and less preaching. People need the solid word of God that allows them to see truth and apply accordingly. From experience preaching does not accomplish much. God told Joshua to

meditate day and night and it will make his way prosperous. Applying God’s Word to our lives is lacking, because we do not cultivate a relationship with Him. 3. Some churches and church leaders are corrupt which places a bad name for many Christians. This is a very heated discussion in the public arena and we are grateful to the young people who took the time to share their thoughts in our survey. Final Thoughts I find myself in a rather interesting position commenting on this, as one who has had struggles with doubt and scepticism. I spent a stint being an atheist and then an agnostic under the roof of two full-time ministers. So, I’m acquainted with this battle of the soul, attempting with everything inside of you to bring together concepts of the faith that seem “irreconcilable.” I pray for Marty Sampson, above all that he finds a safe and loving environment to explore his questions. This I believe was a major variable in my heart returning to the Lord. I desire too that he become an honest and humble enquirer, as I believe God is truly found by the seeking heart. I pray for us as Christians too that we will wage war against the enemy’s schemes of doubt and scepticism over this generation that is seeking the truth. I also pray that we will not be found as ones kicking people out when in fact, they need to be drawn closer in. p

October - December 2019

By Jhonelle Grant Youth Leader and Freelance Writer

SHARE|MAGAZINE

Renewed Minds

About three o’clock, school is out. If you happen to be on the road you will see them. Teenagers going home from school. Each one an earplug in each ear. Or you may see them waiting for a bus home, their bodies rocking to the sound of music. So then you know what traps them – the rhythm of music whose lyrics are perverted by the god of this world, satan.

“

...the invasion of evil does not stop with secular avenues of entrapment. Turn on your Christian Television and see how the world has invaded the Christian community.

SHARE|MAGAZINE

October - December 2019

The problem not only entraps them; the adult world also runs after the things of the flesh, governed by lustful desires. Every song in the supermarket as those teenagers shop with their parents has a central theme: a man wants a woman, and he wants her tonight, and he cannot live without her. And you wonder why the leaders of society do not see the basic problem

lies in what John, the apostle describes as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. (1 John 2:15-17) And do they not see that most of society’s problems: teenage pregnancy, teenage rebellion, broken homes, skyrocketing divorce rates, sexual abuse and a host of other tributary problems come from human ungodly desires? King David declared before the Lord and to himself, “I will set no wicked thing before my eyes.” (Ps 101:3) When those teenagers go home, the efforts of satan do not stop simply with the music of the world but the TV programs, the movies themselves are saturated with everything to destroy their souls. Adults also become trapped in the same cycle of destruction. Moral standards have declined over the years dramatically. There was a time when in a Hollywood film a man and a woman would be seen kissing like lovers. That was as far as the film industry allowed. Today, a movie borrowed from the library may be filled with all the intimacies of sex. Students in the advertising industry are clearly taught that in order to attract customers to buy the latest model car, a woman scantily dressed must be seated on the bonnet of the vehicle. Also, if advertised on the screen, she must speak in alluring tones to influence the prospective buyer to purchase. But the invasion of evil does not stop with secular avenues of entrapment. Turn on your Christian Television and see how the world has invaded the Christian community. See how both professing men and women

dress, how their conversations and discussions revolve around material possessions and the success of this world. See how the church has moved away from the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. And listen to how many preachers now equate spiritual success with material prosperity. Gone are the tenets of the simple gospel: suffering for Christ, witnessing under persecution, revival, fasting, prayer and the genuine gifts of the Spirit. So, the enemy of Christ now establishes a man on YouTube with university degrees who teaches that the first religion was voodoo from which the major religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity have evolved. And another American author and Franciscan friar who produces Hebrew and Greek to prove that God had a team of spirits that He consulted before creating the universe and that is why He said, “Let US make man in our image!” And what is worse professing believers are being sucked into false doctrines because they have been too busy with this material world to not only read but to study the Word of God. Did not Paul, the apostle warn us that the Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons? (1 Tim 4:1) And a strong move also exists to draw the children of God into racist concepts and so divide the Body of Christ: and believers are taking sides. Let us forever remember the words of the Covenant that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai and which Jesus repeated and called the Greatest Commandment, “Thou

shalt love the Lord Thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy strength.” (Deut 6:4; Matt 22:36-40) And let us not forget the consequences that have not been annulled because we are now governed by a new covenant. God will punish anyone and everyone who establishes any idol, concept or rival philosophy that competes with Him as Supreme Ruler and Lord of this universe. He is still a jealous God and He has every right to be. What ought each believer to do regarding the invasion of heretical doctrines and smart moves of satan to destroy the Kingdom of God? Firstly, we must ensure that we are led moment by moment by the Holy Spirit. That is our holy calling as children of the Highest God! (Rom 8:14) Secondly, like the Berean believers, we must search the Scriptures and with critical perception and divine revelation examine each philosophy we hear, whether from the pulpit of our churches, the TV, radio or even close friends. We must determine if what we hear is in accordance with the Scriptures. (Acts 17:11) Thirdly, we cannot allow ourselves to be pressured by the world, nor squeezed into their mould because we are afraid to be seen as different, or simply because we wish to be accepted by men. (Rom 12:2) Fourthly, whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we should do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31). p By C Richard McCaw author, music teacher and many years as a Bible teacher

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

Spritual Agitation

a Mental

Misdiagnosis

It’s been 37 years since I had formally become a born again believer and I long to see the latter-day anointing upon the saints of God as prophesied in the Bible. As my expectation grew, I soon realised that the agitation within me was a sign of ‘zoe’ life stirring. If you are experiencing a feeling of mental distress, emotional discomfort with prevailing circumstances, feeling that it’s not okay to just have church business as usual unless it is God’s business and it is God’s way. You will 26

SHARE|MAGAZINE

not be satisfied until you accomplish the will of God and see His kingdom come. This is Divine Agitation, it walks hand in hand with righteous indignation and is not to be confused with the outrage of man. If you are experiencing these symptoms; be encouraged. You are not experiencing depression, or awkwardness or fanaticism. You have been ignorantly, misdiagnosed. You are sick and tired of man’s world order; you long for God’s Kingdom to be

October - December 2019

fully established in you and upon the whole earth. You long to see the house of God distinguish itself as a house of honour, glory and power in the earth. Thousands of years ago Isaiah prophesied from the same place of divine agitation: Prophecy Of The Future King “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is

shining on them. You have given them great joy, Lord; you have made them happy. They rejoice in what you have done, as people rejoice when they harvest grain or when they divide captured wealth. For you have broken the yoke that burdened them and the rod that beat their shoulders. You have defeated the nation that oppressed and exploited your people, just as you defeated the army of Midian long ago. The boots of the invading army and all their bloodstained clothing will be destroyed by fire. A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, “Wonderful Counsellor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” “Prince of Peace.” His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King David’s successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this.” Isaiah 9:2 -7 (GNT)

Isaiah in Chapter 61:1-11, prophecies again of Jesus’ mission on the earth and our commission by extension. The Good News of Deliverance “The Sovereign Lord has filled me with His Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to announce release to captives and freedom to those in prison. He has sent me to proclaim that the time has come when the Lord will save his people And defeat their enemies. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn, To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees that the Lord himself has planted. They will all do what is right, and God will be praised for what he has done. They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins. My people, foreigners will serve you. They will take care of your flocks and farm your land and tend your vineyards. And you will be known as the priests of the Lord, the servants of our God.

This prophecy was fulfilled in the birth, ministry, death, resurrection and transfiguration of Christ. Jesus said, learn of me I am meek and lowly, my yoke is light and my burden is easy. Meaning, His way is of the Spirit and it is His Spirit that will work in us and bring us into perfection; our part is to yield and submit and cooperate with the work that the Holy Spirit is doing within us.

You will enjoy the wealth of the nations and be proud that it is yours. Your shame and disgrace are ended.

What is naturally burdensome and what is naturally a yoke and hindrance to our soulish desires and our will, in The Spirit becomes light and easy. It is called Grace at work. It’s amazing how we work out our salvation [live out, go on to live the life ] with fear and trembling by submitting to the work of the Holy Spirit.

And make an eternal covenant with them. They will be famous among the nations; Everyone who sees them will know that they are people whom I have blessed.

You will live in your own land, and your wealth will be doubled; Your joy will last forever. The Lord says, “I love justice and I hate oppression and crime. I will faithfully reward my people

As surely as seeds sprout and grow, The Sovereign Lord will save his people, and all the nations will praise him.” Isaiah 61:1-11 (GNT) Jesus fulfilled these words in His time and we are able to carry on fulfilling it in our lives if we are willing to be used by His Holy Spirit as, the same Holy Spirit that raised Him from the dead lives in us. His presence is majestic and anyone who can remain unmoved, indifferent and self-contained on encountering the Manifest Presence of God is simply perverse (Not born again of Christ/ unredeemed but still, a child born of Adam and allen from fellowship with God, His enemy). For such a one, religion is enough, the rituals and theology feed their egos and their need for understanding the world but they do not become any more like God because they must first come into His kingdom and be given new life to experience the Power and the Glory, right here and now, as it is in Heaven. Why are we only seeing it in pockets or not at all? We are out of God’s order and He will not pour His latter-day anointing and glory into a body of flesh that offends His holiness. Born again believers have been made life-giving spirits not merely a living soul; to contain and transmit divine power to others. Let us return to man’s first estate, where we had intimate fellowship, uninhibited worship with God and we lived as children of God. Yield, completely to Him today and cry out for the power and the Glory. p

Jerusalem rejoices because of what the Lord has done. She is like a bride dressed for her wedding. God has clothed her with salvation and victory. October - December 2019

By Angela Slack educator, curriculum/literacy specialist, technical author, editor and publisher

SHARE|MAGAZINE

Delusions and Illusions of Deception The

The

STORY TELLER To book the story teller email: editor@thesharemagazine.com

SHARE|MAGAZINE

October - December 2019

We had pulled together a support group for a Christian sister who was battling mental health issues and was temporarily admitted into an institution. This group included family members, friends and some from her church family. All were believers in Christ except a friend who was a mental health nurse that worked with her over the years. I will never forget her answer when asked

if she would consider putting her faith in Christ. She said she was not convinced as almost all her patients claimed some religious affiliation most being Christian. I could say nothing in our defence because she was right, my own observations confirmed this. Have we become deluded and deceived to the point where we begin to trust in illusions? Consider for a moment the insane things we are doing in the name of Christ today. Things that can stand up to neither scriptural or logical scrutiny. How can sane people allow a preacher, speaking on the topic of faith, to tell the congregation we must ‘fake it untill we make it’ (i.e. pretend to be something we are not until we actually become that thing) and get a resounding ‘amen’ from the congregation? I have personally witnessed this more than once. Isn’t it a form of insanity for a single ‘Christian’ woman to go around telling others that God told her she is going to marry a certain gentleman who, by the way, happens to be presently married and with a family? What kind of devilish illusion is able to continuously bring ‘Christians’ from all over the world to a particular country where a certain ‘man of God’

is leading a ‘revival’ and performing ‘healings’ none of which was either obvious or could be medically verified?

those who possess the Spirit of God have an enhanced ability to think straight.

Isn’t it a chronic state of delusion for someone who is snorting, sneezing, weak and having a fever to insist that they are well? If you suggest they need some medical attention they rebuke you for not having faith and for ‘confessing’ negative ungodly words that could adversely affect them.

Could part of the problem be our confusing faith with fantasy? “Clearly, a correct view of faith is essential to biblical Christianity. Therefore to come short or to be confused in the area of faith is a very serious matter… many Christians are so confused about faith that they are unable either to help sincere seekers or to refute the critics.” 1

Isn’t it deception for the minister to subliminally communicate to you by setting things in motion and positioning you to fall back then putting their hand on your forehead and helping you over, for everyone to think God is present and at work because people are falling over? Where in Scripture have we ever seen this? If sick people fall over and get back up still sick, is that now considered a miracle?

Fantasy is believing in the nonexistent i.e. things that are not real. Faith, however, believes in that which exists and is real though invisible. God is real though invisible and there is a mountain of evidence to prove His existence. Delusion is: an idiosyncratic belief or impression maintained despite being contradicted by reality or rational argument, typically as a symptom of mental disorder.

Such an altered state of mind causes people to lose the ability to accurately and consistently tell the difference between reality and fantasy and produces what I call, ‘mental mirages’. The things that are done and accepted among God’s people today points to the fact that dark spirits are manipulating the minds of many. Where is sound, clear, critical thinking gone? Paul said this to Timothy…

I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God, to be transformed by the renewing of your mind and not by the removing of it. (see Romans 12:2) You have a brain, use it. If you have the Spirit of God you have an enhanced ability to tell the difference between reality and fantasy, truth and lies. The Holy Spirit comes with a mighty weapon (the sword of the Spirit) that gives us the advantage in the battle against satan and insanity. Use this sword to recapture and retain sound thinking. p

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 The Spirit of God brings soundness of mind. According to Paul,

[1] Hunt, D., 1987. Beyond Seduction - A Return To Biblical Christianity. 1st ed. United States of America: Harvest House Publishers.

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

THINK FILM

Spiritual Lessons From

“Stay this madness” Shouts Gandalf, in JRR Tolkien’s, Lord of the Rings ‘The Return of the King,’ the Steward of Ministereth is about to burn his son, ‘Faramir ,’ alive on a funeral pyre because he is overcome with grief and has lost all moral courage. He abdicates his sacred trust to guard the Holy City, ‘a type of Church’ and its people but chooses a self-indulgent suicide in the attempt to salvage the remnants of his pride and overvaluing ambition. In his vanity, he considered that the remnants of his ashen remains would flutter in the minds of men as an epitaph that he was once there. What madness? He has lost faith, depended on his own 30

SHARE|MAGAZINE

ability like many leaders today who forget the grace that saved them and go on to dead works depending on the power of their souls rather than of the Holy Spirit.

extension our church communities? We are all about our programmes and plans and when this fails we immediately default into depression, blaming God.

When the city, Minesterith. was on her knees crumbling under the mighty onslaught of Sauron’s invading forces; there was no leader in him to call the city to arms and to fortify itself. Gandalf was very present and reinforcements had arrived but he could not see it. Instead, he chose a coward’s death and attempted to take his son, unconscious from the throws of battle, with him. How utterly selfish! But aren’t we like this? Are the Holy Spirit and the angels of God-given any room to work in our lives and by

If JRR Tolkien saw this madness in his day, how much more so today does this madness persist in our churches? We need to be like Gandalf, gallantly step in and STOP it!

October - December 2019

• • • •

We are mentally besieged by fear We are morally compromised We have colluded with the enemy We have trusted in our own accomplishments over the grace and gifts of God.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Teaser by Bago Games, is licensed under CC BY 2.0

by Angela Slack

Where did the madness begin? A Charismatic tsunami hit the church in the eighties and the nineties. This legitimate Charismatic renewal of the ‘power gifts’ to the Church by God, has been hijacked and subsequently has produced an influx of self-willed, selfappointed, self-centred ministers and their sycophantic minions who follow them blindly away from the sacred truth handed down from Christ to the apostles. Denominations have proven to be the breeding ground and recruitment centres for demonic doctrines of men where worship is no longer God centred but man led, man-centric and empty; having form without substance, pomp without

power, promises without delivery. Where have we heard this rabble, this ‘white noise’ before? Moses, ascending the mount of Sinai heard it. He indignantly shouted, like Gandalf over the revelry of the Israelites before the golden calf ‘stay this madness!’ The Result: Like JRR Tolkien’s mythological Middle Earth, the enemy is at the gate and ferociously intent on ravaging and pillaging the city of Zion. We must stand our ground and ‘stay the madness.’ The antidote is clearly the Gospel truth. The people of Zion must believe the prophecy of The Return of the King and rally together and not surrender. Tolkien as a Catholic believer saw these answers in Scripture and it influenced his literary work. In The Return of the King, he ushered in the age of a ‘Christ-like’ figure Aragorn, a redeemed and restored fallen king who regains his honour and courage through his selfless service and sojourn with The Fellowship of the Ring, his band of brothers. His leadership in The Two Towers brings victory over the encroaching evil of Sauron and the Necromancer (satan and the false prophet) and establish a peaceful rule to the realm of men. Do we believe the prophecy of Jesus’ return, have we fortified ourselves against the enemy, are we aware of the enemy’s devices? Lessons from T.L.O.T.R. Free ourselves from fear, banish the Wormtongues[ enemy]from among our ranks. We have too many secret sins and idols that are compromising us. Confess our faults one to another and regain our moral compass- as in the scene of Boromir’s death. Choose to be confident in God’s grace at work in us rather than our vanitydon’t be like the faithless steward of Minesterith. Learn to work together recognising the

gifts and calling in each other and our communal interdependence like- The Fellowship of the Ring. Everything supernatural is not divine. The devil has his workshop, he loves a spectacle. Only the fruit of God’s Spirit characterises and epitomises God’s nature and verifies the divine motivation and effect of His works. Let us destroy the golden calves in our lives, no matter how dearly we have come to love them. Have the courage to challenge the ‘hireling’ stewards among us who have gone off script and lost the plot. Brothers and sisters, I want to call your attention to the good news that I preached to you, which you also received and in which you stand. You are being saved through it if you hold on to the message I preached to you unless somehow you believed it for nothing. I passed on to you as most important what I also received: Christ died for our sins in line with the scriptures, he was buried, and he rose on the third day in line with the scriptures. He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve, and then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at once—most of them are still alive to this day, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me, as if I were born at the wrong time. (1 Cor 15:1-8. Let us return to the simple truth and for God’s sake, stay this madness! p References http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/dow nload?doi=10.1.1.856.4628&rep=rep1 &type=pdf Pg 31-41 J.R.R. Tolkien, the Influence of Christianity, and Symbolism in The Lord of the Rings Michelle Morris Department of Religious Studies Rhodes College Memphis, Tennessee 2012 Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Religious Studies.

October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

Be Not Dismayed What‘er Betide

In Praise of Hymn Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you! Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you!

All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you! Trust Him, and you will be satisfied, God will take care of you!

God will take care of you, Through everyday o’er all the way; He will take care of you; God will take care of you!

Lonely and sad, from friends apart, God will take care of you! He will give peace to your aching heart, God will take care of you!

Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you! When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you!

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you! Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you!

Reviewing Great Christian Hymns Civilla Durfee Martin (1866-1948) and her husband, Walter Stillman Martin (1862-1935), wrote “God Will Take Care of You”...It may have been inspired by the following incident: “...Mrs Martin became suddenly ill, making it impossible for her to accompany her husband to his speaking engagement. Mr Martin seriously considered cancelling ....their young son ...said, ‘Father, don’t you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you are away?’” Taken from a review written by C. Michael Hawn. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-god-will-take-care-of-you 32

SHARE|MAGAZINE

October - December 2019

The Pauper, Poet, Prophet...Prince In ages past, there was a young man, a prince, although he did not know he was royalty and lived a life of poverty and struggled and strived through life. He wallowed in dens of iniquity and thieves. He stole, robbed, borrowed, tricked and was accosted and beaten. He experienced all manner of troubles, this young man that was a prince and did not know. Then one day his firmament was dark and he fell on his knees begging, “Please! I cannot take anymore. I cannot go on!” At that moment. At that given point in time. The heavens opened and the skies made thundering, rumbling sounds, arrows of lightning flashed to the ground and lit up the world. The whole depths of heaven trembled. Clouds poured water in torrents and whirlwinds caused seas to shiver in blowing breaths. And then all became still. There was silence, and within that silence, a quiet voice spoke deep inside the chambers of his heart saying, “Son. Weary not. Don’t you know you are royalty? You are a prince and have so much to become when receiving your inheritance.” Shaking, the prince was confused. He wanted to listen. He was in a dark place and had heard eloquent words in many a place but this went beyond… The skies had opened and a quiet voice had ignited a light within the chambers of his heart. However, he doubted. Then, the heavens rolled with thunder again and wind shouted whirlwinds of clambering truths, “You are

one of us and you shall know the gift bestowed upon you.” The ember within his heart sparked, smouldered, it glowed and the wind of change blew and up roared a flame inside. His threadbare garments began to shine radiant and each word he uttered was as pure gold. He lifted his face as a mighty tempest roared and with his heart and soul his words gathered storms in fists and bound the waters in his garments, and then stillness. He was no longer cold, nor hungry and darkness of despair was outshined by blazing fire within his innermost. He understood his inheritance had established all the earth, all the ways of the sea, in the wind and in all things from end to end. From that moment he was given a glorious gift which he had no choice, but manifest. He rose to his feet he began to walk and everyone he would meet along his way, words coming from his mouth changed lives. He began to realise he was not a beggar, robber, thief of the streets. He was of royalty, but with royalty came responsibility. He had to harness and craft the gift and graft to equip delivery of words because when he spoke unguardedly, people did not understand the depths of heavens. He had to adapt words to the consciousness of each individual along paths he walked. © Jason N. Smith October - December 2019

SHARE|MAGAZINE

Continued from pg 5 the way and the truth and the life, aren’t you?” stand pat on this position in spite of the opposition Peale replied, “Christ is one of the ways.” Among of the entire Christian church for nearly half a his many other heresies were the following: century [emphasis added].” Who is God? Some theological being...? God is energy. As you breathe God in, as you visualize His energy, you will be reenergized! Prayer power is a manifestation of energy. Just as there exist scientific techniques for the release of atomic energy, so are there scientific procedures for the release of spiritual energy through the mechanism of prayer....

So the “entire Christian church” opposed “Christian psychology” for decades. Eventually, not only liberals but evangelicals succumbed to this appealing delusion that theology could be made “scientific” by merging it with psychology— though the latter is not a science and never could be. Peale was not only a master of heresies by the dozens but a master of persuasion. Much of that can be credited to Billy Graham, who repeatedly Prayer...is a procedure by which spiritual power praised Peale and endorsed his writings. flows from God...releases forces and energies... one must learn step by step the formula for Christian psychology is an attempted marriage opening the circuit and receiving this power. Any of the Bible to theories of the atheistic inventors method through which you can stimulate the of psychology. It is worse than trying to mix oil power of God to flow into your mind is legitimate... and water; it is the attempt to blend the Word of God with atheism and occultism. This is impossible So how did secular, anti-Christian psychology to do honestly. Even “Christian psychologists” metamorphose into Christian psychology? It themselves admit they can’t quite find a way to doesn’t come from the Bible and was unknown in put that mixture together. After trying for decades the church until Peale brought it in. As reported on to mix this devil’s brew, Gary Collins admitted: “It Peale’s home page, here is how “Operation Trojan is too early to answer decisively if psychology and Horse in the Church” began: Christianity can be integrated.” In 1937, Peale established a clinic with Freudian psychiatrist Dr. Smiley Blanton in the basement of the Marble Collegiate Church.... The clinic was described as having “a theoretical base that was Jungian, with a strong evidence of neo- and post-Freudianism.”

Then why keep trying? Why is anyone attempting this impossible and incompatible partnership? It has succeeded because those who call themselves Christian psychologists and promote it in the evangelical church want legitimacy and respect both in the world and in the church. But It subsequently grew to an operation with more Scripture declares, “whosoever . . . will be a friend than 20 psychiatric doctors and psychologically- of the world is the enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4). trained “ministers,” and in 1951 became known The very foundation of Christian psychology is the as the American Foundation for Religion and belief that the Bible is insufficient to deal with the Psychiatry. In 1972, it merged with the Academy traumas and challenges of modern life: we need of Religion and Mental Health to form the something more than the counsel God gives in His Institutes of Religion and Health (IRH).... Indeed, Word. Although one of Christ’s names is Counselor Peale pioneered the merger of theology and (Isaiah:9:6), we supposedly need more today psychology which became known as Christian than His counsel alone. The atheistic founders of Psychology. [Emphasis added] psychology’s various schools presumably offer part Peale said, “through prayer you . . . make use of the great factor within yourself, the deep subconscious mind... [which Jesus called] the kingdom of God within you....Positive thinking is just another term for faith.”

of “God’s truth” that either isn’t included in Scripture or isn’t explained there as well as psychology expresses it. This is the sand upon which Christian psychology is founded. It is not the kind of ground upon which one would want to build anything. p

According to J. Harold Ellens, author of a section Hunt, D and McMahon, T. A., 2008, WHAT IS CHRISTIAN on Peale in the Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology PSYCHOLOGY?, The Berean Call, Available at: <www. and Counseling, “Dr. Peale...had the courage to thebereancall.org/content/june-2008-extra-what-ischristian-psychology.> [Viewed 18/09/2019].

SHARE|MAGAZINE

October - December 2019

SUBSCRIBE and be always in the know with whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening at SHARE Magazine

To subscribe complete the pop up form at: thesharemagazine.com We will not share your email address with a third party as we are bound by our privacy statement. See details on our website.

Homer Slack is cofounder of United in Christ Ministries and Open School of the Bible, UK. He is a gifted Bible teacher, author and itinerant preacher whose passion is to share the gospel. He has a prophetic message for these times. He is married to Angela Slack and they work together in ministry and in building house fellowships. His study of the prophetic book of Joel is an eye opener and will, no doubt, sharpen your response to the call of God in these end times.

ÂŠ SHARE Magazine - Produced by SelectArrow Publishing www.TheShareMagazine.com