Weeks 11 & 12 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

G20 world leaders (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the US and the EU), representing 85% of the world economy, will be arriving in London for the G20 Summit to be held on 2nd April in the UK Capital. This is a follow up meeting from the November meeting in Washington when the G20 Chair was held by the US Government. The rotating G20 Chair has come to UK and it has become vitally important for our Prime Minister Gordon "Save The World" Brown whose political fortune hinges on the successful outcome of this Summit.

In the past week, Mr. Brown has been seen jetting between Europe and the Americas, laying down the ground work for what he is hoping to be the impetus for global co-operation in reviving the world economy. He passionately believes that an early recovery from recession will depend on the joint action of the major economic nations around the globe.

Mr. Brown believes that the aim of the London summit is no less than the redesign of the world financial system. First, leaders want to reach agreement on more co-ordinated action to revive the world economy, both by more interest rate cuts and more spending by governments to bring countries out of recession. Secondly, there will be efforts to prevent a future crisis by strengthening the international regulation of banks and other financial institutions. Thirdly, they also hope to agree a blueprint for future reform, including changes to the international organisations charged with regulating the world economy, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to give a greater voice to poorer countries.

No doubt it is in everyone's interest to see the economy recovering, reviving the businesses and providing jobs for people from all walks of life. But I am more interested in the hidden agenda of development of global economic and financial cooperation. It will pave the way to an eventual One World Government, something I am watching closely!

Whilst it is the hope of every man and woman, myself included, to see the hardship that unemployment can bring coming to an end, our true hope should rest on our Lord. It is because "the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth--he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." [Ps 33:5-19 NIV]

Young King David was a very successful king because he was after God's heart and the Lord blessed him. He was revered by all because the Lord was with him and granted him victory over his enemies. "When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze. King David dedicated these articles to the LORD, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went." [2 Sam 8:9-14 NIV]

I sense there is a lot of fear in the world today, with the recession just starting and unemployment rising. But what should be our response? May be we can see a parallel in this Bible story that "One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." [Luke 8:22-25 NIV]

Our company, like many others, is struggling financially. Many staff have been laid off and my pay is reduced by 66%. It is not a comfortable position to be in. I can choose to panic like the disciples in the storm or I can choose to trust God to calm the storm in my heart. God has been faithful in the past 18 more years since I started walking with Him and I believe nothing has changed. I therefore choose to "pay attention to what God says; listen closely to His words. Do not let them out of my sight, keep them within my heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.......Let my eyes look straight ahead, fix my gaze directly before me. Make level paths for my feet and take only ways that are firm." [Prov 4:20-27 NIV]

Amen!

Weeks 09 & 10 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

On Monday 09.03.09, Andrew Marr, a renowned Political Commentator wrote and presented the first episode of the 3-parts series "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" on BBC 2, exploring how Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection has taken on a life of its own far beyond the world of science.

Over the 150 years, Darwin's idea challenged the need of a creator, undermining religious authority, and provided new ways of looking at the origins of human morality. Darwin's personal encounter of an "uncivilised" native tribe in Tierra del Fuego at the southernmost tip of South America during his travel raised questions in his mind about the origins of the human race. The development of Darwin's ideas has found a range of influences: from the existential philosphy of Friedrich Nietzsche to the battlefields of the First World War, from the Freudian psychoanalyst's couch to the Vatican; and from the genetic logic of kindness to an Islamic creationists's claim that Darwin is to blame for modern terrorism.

The BBC programme strategically coincides with the 200th widespread anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book ‘On the Origin of Species’. The public awareness has been heightened as the media have picked up on the various events surrounding it. Richard Dawkins, a staunch athiest who wrote "The God Delusion" has recently launched a poster promoting atheism with the slogan, “There's probably no God. So stop worrying and enjoy your life” on the side of 800 British doubledecker buses. Darwin's idea of 150 years is making a strong comeback. It is dangerous because of the simple fact that it attacks the Christian faith at its core, which is centred on a God of Creation.

In response, the Westminister Chapel is conducting a 2-evening conference on 12th and 13th, inviting Ken Ham, President of the leading creationist organisation 'Answers in Genesis' to speak on a theme "Doubts About Darwin". The conference should be helpful for Christians to better understand this very important subject.

As we are getting closer and closer to the "End", the time of great deception is upon us. This is time to be strong in our faith. This is no time to allow the enemy to plant seeds of doubt in our minds. Be confident to know that "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God....Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory." [Ps 24:1-10 NIV]

I am continually amazed at David's faith and his attitude of trusting God in his daily decision making. He inquired of the Lord often. "In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked. The LORD said, "Go up." David asked, "Where shall I go?" "To Hebron," the LORD answered. So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah." [2 Sam 2:1-7 NIV] This is a very good way of walking with God, even for us 21st century earth dwellers, that we consult God on our decision making. Yes, our God is the same "yesterday, today and forever." :o)

Just in case you are not sure, God does guide us through different media. God broke the news of Jesus' birth to the shepherds through an angel. "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." [Luke 2:8-20 NIV] Yes, God can guide us through His Word, our prayers, prompting of the Holy Spirit, visions and dreams, your spouse, trustworthy friends etc.....and angels if He chooses. :o)

In my own experience, God guides me principally through His Word, prayers and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Indeed "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar." And, this is a good prayer at a time of economic challenges: "Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. [Prov 30:5-9 NIV]

Amen!