Sunday, October 19, 2025

The Unheeded Secret By Oswald Chambers

October 19 Edition Modern Classic Updated Classic My kingdom is not of this world. — John 18:36 Today, a great enemy of Jesus Christ is the idea we have of practical work. This idea doesn’t come from the New Testament but rather from systems of the world in which endless energy and activity are insisted upon, but no private life with God. The emphasis is placed on the wrong thing. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 kjv); it is hidden and obscure. Too often Christian workers live in the shop window. They’ve forgotten that it is the innermost of the innermost that reveals the power of the disciple’s life. We have to rid ourselves of the spirit of the religious age we live in. As disciples, our lives are supposed to resemble our Master’s life; in his life, there was none of the stress and rush of tremendous activity that are regarded so highly today. The cornerstone of the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship to him, not public usefulness to other people. Rather than wasting our time in activity, we should be soaking in the great fundamental truths of his redemption. If we don’t get into the habit of soaking in God’s truths, we will snap when the strain comes—and it will come. None of us has any idea where God is going to put us nor any knowledge of what kinds of difficulty we will face. But if we’ve prepared ourselves beforehand by getting rooted and grounded in God, we will remain true to him whatever happens.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Roy Robertson

I went to training sessions on Evngelism Counselling with Roy Robertson of the Navigators in Adelaide in the 1970's associated with the John Haggai Crusade. We were in a basement theaterette in a building next to Victoria Square. He was up on the stage addressing us when I think there was a clap of thunder and the lights went out,. It was pitch black and you could not see a thing in front of your face. Roy hardly faltered in his talk. He kept going for several minutes without notes. Did not miss a beat. I thought what a remarkable man.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

An analysis of the Chartismatic Movement

There is an ongoing rising tide of criticism of Christian leaders in America, particularly in the Evangeligal,Charismatic movent. People like Mike Winger are making a lot of comment on their youtube chamnnels about the failings of some very influential leaders. Many are wading into the debate. As a new Christian in the 1970's I was warned by my Pastors about getting involved in the Charismatic movement. Please note over the years I have developed good relationships with some in the charismatic church. My Pastors did not teach there were no spiritual gifts but gave us good instruction on what the gifts are and how to discover our spiritual gift. Every Christian has at least one. The work of Ray Stedman("Body Life"} was very important in how to discern what the gifts were and to watch out for false gifts. There were leaders in Australia such as Bryce Hartin and in America such as Ernest B Rockstad and others in other places that were very helpful in this area. While I welcome the people making waves about all this in America at present, I think they have further to go and need to change their thinking on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts. To assist that end I have linked to an online sermon by the late Bryce Hartin which I think is a good place to begin. You need to cut and paste this link and then use your usual online search method. https://promiseboxaudio.com/bryce-hartin-an-analysis-of-the-charismatic-movement/