Normally when a war is declared a nation changes gear and gets on a war footing. There can be no more business as usual when a country is under attack, and everyone is expected to contribute to the war effort. Either they engage militarily or help support those who do.
When a country is under direct attack, no one has the luxury of sitting on the fence. No one can just claim they will sit this one out. No one can pretend that everything is not at risk. No one can just go about his daily trivial pursuits. Everything is now in danger, and so everything changes.
When we think about the war of worldviews and the culture wars, I would have thought that most Christians would rise up to the challenge. They would see the many serious threats and act accordingly. They would realise that the time for playing games is long over, and they would gear up for battle.
But sadly this is most certainly not the case. From my admittedly limited vantage point, I would say that at least 95 per cent of all Western Christians are fully asleep at the wheel. They have no idea whatsoever that a war is going on all around them, and they live their lives as if the whole world revolves around themselves.
Christianity is now under ferocious attack all over the West. We have moved from being a Christian culture to a post-Christian culture, and now we are living in a decidedly anti-Christian culture. Every day true believers who stand up for their beliefs and values are being targeted by the secular state and the militant minority lobby groups.
Christians are losing their jobs, being fined, and even thrown into jail. Yet most West Christians do not know about this nor do they care about this. God’s supreme institutions of marriage and family are under ferocious attack, we slaughter millions of unborn babies every year, we are awash with filth, perversion and sleaze and call it entertainment, yet most Christians do not give a rip.
In an Internet age it is hard to offer ignorance as an excuse anymore. Anyone who is not dead can see just how bad things are getting. Yet most believers sit there as if none of this is taking place. Why is this? Sure, we have a handful of brave souls like Margaret Court who will boldly speak out for truth, regardless of all the hate, vitriol and abuse she gets.
But she is clearly the exception. Most people who call themselves Christian will never speak out on anything that matters. They either do not give a rip, or they are despicable cowards. And as I keep reminding folks, when a list of sinners is mentioned in Revelation – those who will be banished from God’s presence – at the very top of the list are cowards.
Read it for yourself in Revelation 21:8. All I can say to these folks is either they need to repent and pray for some Holy Ghost boldness, or they need to get saved! But the time for limp-wristed cowards quivering on the sidelines is now long gone.
Either get in the trenches with your brothers and sisters, or admit that you are not even on the same side. Indeed, those who refuse to stand for Christ and the Kingdom in these dark days have effectively sworn their allegiance to the other side.
There is and can be no neutrality here. You either side with Christ and his army, or you are part of the other side. It’s our choice. Decide wisely. I for one have had a gutful of these spineless wonders who sit in the pews each week and do nothing for the Kingdom. But they are more than happy to chew out and criticise warriors like Court and others from the comfort of their lounge chairs.
I have no time for these fake Christians. I only have time for those who are the real deal. And that is just how Christ looks at all this. He has made it crystal clear that you are either for him or against him. There is no spiritual Switzerland here that you can hide out in. You are either fully sold out to Christ and engaged in his battles, or you are still in the enemy’s camp.
We are in a time of war my friends. The other side has declared war on us long ago. Indeed, Satan has declared war against the saints from the very beginning. Forget your stupid games, entertainments and trivial pursuits and put on your war armour. You must get involved – now.
The great saints of old understood full well the idea that we are at war, and that we cannot pretend everything is just peachy. They knew that the normal Christian life was like a battleship, not a cruise ship. Let me offer some stirring words from these great champions of the past:
“It is urgently needful that the Christian people of our charge should come to understand that they are not a company of invalids, to be wheeled about, or fed by hand, cosseted, nursed, and comforted, the minister being the head-physician and nurse – but a garrison in an enemy’s country, every soul of which should have some post of duty, at which he should be prepared to make any sacrifice rather than quit it.” F. B. Meyer
“The Church of Christ is continually represented under the figure of an army; yet its Captain is the Prince of Peace; its object is the establishment of peace, and its soldiers are men of a peaceful disposition. The spirit of war is at the extremely opposite point to the spirit of the gospel. Yet nevertheless, the church on earth has, and until the second advent must be, the church militant, the church armed, the church warring, the church conquering. And how is this? It is in the very order of things that so it must be. Truth could not be truth in this world if it were not a warring thing, and we should at once suspect that it were not true if error were friends with it. The spotless purity of truth must always be at war with the blackness of heresy and lies.” C.H. Spurgeon
“When a nation calls its prime men to battle, homes are broken, weeping sweethearts say their good-byes, businesses are closed, college careers are wrecked, factories are refitted for wartime production, and rationing and discomforts are accepted—all for war. Can we do less for the greatest fight that this world has ever known outside of the cross—this end-time siege on sanity, morality and spirituality?” Leonard Ravenhill
“The saddest symptom about many so-called Christians is the utter absence of anything like conflict and fight in their Christianity. They eat, they drink, they dress, they work, they amuse themselves, they get money, they spend money, they go through a scanty round of formal religious services once every week. But of the great spiritual warfare—its watchings and strugglings, its agonies and anxieties, its battles and contests—of all this they appear to know nothing at all.” J C Ryle
“Though you and I have stepped from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear son, we are still surrounded by a culture controlled by God’s great enemy, satan. We must live in it from the moment we accept Christ as our saviour until judgement falls. We, too, are encompassed by one who was once our king, but is now our enemy. It is just plain stupid for a Christian not to expect spiritual warfare while he lives in enemy territory.” Francis Schaeffer
“Yes, if evangelical Christianity is to stay alive she must have men again, the right kind of men. She must repudiate the weaklings who dare not speak out, and she must seek in prayer and much humility the coming again of men of the stuff prophets and martyrs are made of.” A.W. Tozer
Let me close by asking you a few questions. With so many millions of Christians here in Australia, why in heaven’s name should someone like Margaret Court have to stand alone against the angry hordes who want to destroy her? Why should she have to be a sole voice in the face of so many who hate on her, despise her, and oppose her?
Where are all the Christians at a serious time like this? Where are all the believers who should be standing strong with Margaret in the front lines? Why does she have to experience all this demonic hatred and persecution on her own? Why do you stay home, glued to your television sets, and say nothing? Why?
One day you will stand before your Lord who gave everything he had in order that you might live. You will have to give an account as to why you treated his supreme sacrifice with such contempt. No one should want to be in that place come judgment day.
I watched Margaret Court being interviewed on The Project. It was clear that the presenters did not like what she had to say much. Since it began, it has been clear that this show is very much in favor of same sex marriage.
I was tired. I had been out at a social function, but decided to watch this before I went to bed. You have given me a bit to think about.
I think one reason is many Christians believe that as the world is fallen anyway and we are to be pilgrims in this world with an eye in the gospel, that fighting for the culture is not the gospel and we better spend efforts on evangelism and discipleship of believers. Social issues will only create barriers to sharing the gospel.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks Joel. Yes that can be a common excuse that some Christians will drag up, but I think it is a lousy excuse, and completely unbiblical. I have written many times on this, so perhaps I can refer you to just two articles on this:
I like what you have written. I have expressed my views to friends and anyone that will listen, and posted support on Facebook. My problem today is with family members and certain acquaintances: do I end up in another argument that will get nowhere or do I leave the door open for perhaps in future a dialogue can be used that could lead to salvation in the future? Not excuses – my husband wanted to rip into it and I stopped him because he was angry and would have alienated his relationship with his family. We’re not cowards but I can tell you the discussion that I had with people did nothing to change their minds.
Thanks Gillian. It sounds like you are one of the few I was NOT writing about! You care, and you are speaking out – well done. Of course my article was not meant to imply that we should be reckless, unwise or tactless in how and when we share truth. There are times to remain quiet, and not everyone will receive what we have to say, so we need some discernment and wisdom as to when we should speak out, and to whom.
Hi Bill, I for one, do not want to stand before my Lord and confess that I didn’t have the guts to publicly confess my convictions. Bill, if you do have a personal and secure line of communication with Ps. Margeret Court, please let her know that there are many of us who are supporting her and her family in prayer. As mentioned in previous articles, I’m now on long service leave, and using this time to seek The Lord for His guidance. There is no other way to put it, time has run out for Australia. At some point, God is going to declare “enough is enough”. When I look at God’s dealing with the Children of Israel in the O.T. leading up to and into the exile, and I then look at the state of my own country of Australia, personally I am filled with dread. The Great South Land of The Holy Spirit, what a joke !! When The Holy Spirit allowed Ezekiel to see the abominations that were being carried out within the confines of the Temple, how does that stand up against the abominations we see on public display within our own country’s borders. Each day I thank our Almighty God for The Mercy He continues to extends over Australia. I wonder for how much longer! Bill thank you again, “For Stirring The Pot” blessings, Kel.
Can’t work out how Waleed Aly can be pro same-sex unions? I thought he was a Muslim? Islam is 100% anti-homosexuality so how can he support it? Is he now apostate?
The leadership of our churches are cowards when it comes to the vicious assaults upon Christian beliefs. They are mute in the defense of the very principles that our nation was built on. Bravo Margaret Court! The rare one with courage and convictions. She must be supported.
Thanks Bill and Gillian,
I have been doing some thinking about the place of “hardening” in God’s salvation plan.
“I will have mercy… and whom he wills he hardens”. Rom 9:15-18.
and “harden not your heart” and also the story of Pharaoh’s hardening Exodus Chpts 7:3-14:4.
More and more people have their mind s made up and appear to have hardened hearts against the Gospel or any Godly idea. I have been having a few chats with one of my new friends, and as we discover things about each other the fact of faith comes up. The first two or three times he let me know he wasn’t interested. OK. But the topics keep arising as he discovers things about me.
One of those times I just said “Don’t harden your heart”. He immediately denied that he had. I didn’t respond in words but in silent prayer.
The next time it came up I said again “Don’t harden your heart”. Again he denied that he was, so I said “Perhaps you should soften it”. The reply from him was soft and left the door open for some other time.
I feel we will have progress here, and God will work on the idea of hardening and softening when I am not around.
We are at war.
It is hearts and minds and spirits that we are after.
It is blindness, anger, and sin that blocks the life flow.
It is also the hearts, and minds and spirits in our culture.
It is the same blockages to life flow.
We need to employ every tool, every weapon, and every tactic that we can.
Please pray for us tomorrow as we rally against a Muslim school proposed for Penrith.
This protest can easily become a slanging match and result in no progress.
Please pray that we will not only know what tactics to use, but to be united in the use of them.
Please pray for the Muslim people and others who will be there that they will go away with a different perspective. A perspective that is according to the truth and love and grace of God.
Thanks
Bruce Knowling
Thank the Lord for Margaret Court. I read your book 20 or so years ago.
May this event show clearly where we are at.
May the church be more Intentional and urgent in honouring the Lord.
I pray for the day our Leaders honour God again by articulating Glory to God in the media on a regular basis. Jesus the Christ is the only hope.
Eternity is the “main game”
Thank you too Bill for what you write. Always challenging.
To JohnB, It seems there are quite a lot of Muslims prepared to support SSM, amazingly; for example the London mayor Sadiq Khan. It’s all so weird. Nothing makes sense. Muslims living in a supposed Christian country (UK) that has passed SSM into law….it’s enough to give anyone a mental breakdown just thinking about it. In a couple of weeks we face the most bizarre General Election I have ever known. All our major political parties are opposing the people’s will on all kinds of issues (one other is pro-people and struggling to be heard). We know our war has already started.
“Evil prospers when good men do nothing”.
Didn’t Churchill or someone say that? It’s true that we are under siege and it is true that the enemy is winning nearly every battle. We have lost so much, as a society, and we have fallen so far.
Thank you so much for your entreatment, Bill. Your words are wise and timely. I also think that people need to act in consultation with God, their consciences and inner guidance so as to tread carefully. These are treacherous times and people can easily become lambs to the slaughter if they do not proceed with great care.
This war has missed most people’s notice because it has crept in by stealth – little by little our values have been assaulted, our standards have been lowered. It is a war waged on the battlefield of the mind more than anywhere else.
Beautifully written article, as always Bill. You deserve to have a wide readership.
Thank you again Bill. You are very right. Most of my friends who call themselves Christians have gone AWOL. I have been called a bigot, islamophobe, homophobe, conspiracy theorist, alarmist, intolerant, skeptic and of course bossy and aggressive as I am a woman speaking out. I have received these labels from those who call themselves Christians. They are also rude and arrogant, refusing to listen to any but their own point of view no matter how sensitively I address an issue.
There is hope. I believe many have believed the post-modern deception and with it lack of trust in the bible. This leads to not reading the bible nor checking out what they are told at church. We only need to bring one error to their attention, and the rest of the deception will unravel, at least for a few.
I have found the books of J C Ryle, a 19th century Anglican minister to be most instructive in refreshing my spiritual compass. For those sitting on the fence or not knowing what to do, order Holiness or Practical Religion by J C Ryle from Koorong.
For those feeling overwhelmed, just ask yourself what you can do and start with one small thing, take the next step and see where it leads.
A few ideas:
Speak out. You don’t need a theological degree. People who agree with you will encouraged.
Write. – to blogs, newspapers social media. You don’t need to have all the answers. The most powerful thing anyone can do is ask the questions that others are afraid to.
Visit MPs. They don’t have time to keep up with all the facts. We need to inform them.
Research – the ignorance of the agenda of Islam on the right and the watermelon brigade on the left is staggering. Without fail, I am told re Islam ‘but they are not all like that’ (as if that fixes the problem) and re marriage equality, ‘it won’t effect me’ (yes it will).
Inform and encourage any family members.
Buy good Christian books for children and grandchildren. Read with them.
Lead by example. Be generous, kind, truthful, polite, humble.
If really stuck, start decluttering. It will focus your mind and free up resources for saving money and giving to Christian organisations.
Look after yourself. Walk in nature, meet with other army members.
Finally, remember that we must decide whether we will speak out or live under oppression.
Thanks Gail. Yes exactly right. Bless ya.
I liken the apathy in the church to how the German Lutherans and their churches handled the rail cars full of Jews crying and wailing as they were taken through those German towns going past those churches. They just sang louder so they couldnt hear. People have bought the lies of satan that the politicians have dumbed their constituents with. We are told that gay marriage will not effect anything that we believe in but oh friend, it does. The perversions just keep getting added on and all of a sudden you have gone from staying out of the way because all they want is to love each other and fast forward to transgenders and pefophiles claiming rights. And then you have boys and men using girls showers and girls bathrooms and vice versa. Remember the lies of abortion. Clump of cells. My body, my right. It is not a baby until……(fill in the blanks). Well abortion kills another human and you would think that the streets would be lined with Christians. Hardly ever. It has to be a march or a special time of prayer but never just because it is against Gods plan. Brothers and sisters, this is wrong. It goes against everything we read in Scripture and should have been taught.
Recently my wife stopped for gasoline and a man approached her and stated his son liked her bumper magnet In God We Trust. She also has: What is it about Thou Shalt Not Kill that you do not understand. Abortion kills. He asked her if she was pro life and of course she answered yes and her husband is an activist. I have never considered myself an activist but only a disciple of Christ and the Word. The time is now.
Unfortunately the pulpits have been silent. There will be a day when all will go before the King. Remember what Jesus says about lukewarm. He already knows what we have done with the time He has given us. Get busy, the battle rages.
To Gillian Petunia, Gillian, I felt your pain in that response that you posted. If it is any help to you, my suggestion is to spend a lot of time praying for friends and family. Then ask The Holy Spirit to give you the right timing and the right responses to make. Remember, The Holy Spirit was sent by The Lord Jesus Christ to be a guide and help with everything that you do in your service for the Kingdom. If you need help and encouragement in your relationship with The Holy Spirit, send off a private email to Bill, and he will work with you in locating good resource material . God Bless you Gillian and your family, Kel.
While reading your blog today the browser window popped up a bar at the bottom of the screen saying “Victoria’s Salvation Army endorses Safe Schools” (nothing to do with your blog, however). What cheek! The enemy certainly doesn’t like you Bill. The remnant church is small and scattered but like Gideon God doesn’t need a large army to win his war — he just needs willing workers, us. The end times will be utterly horrific for God’s people, so we need to be bold, stand strong and encourage one another. Keep fighting, Bill.
Thanks Bill. Kelvin, times look bleak but may I claim this still is “The Great Southland of The Holy Spirit”.
Peter
Great Article Bill,
You are the voice of conviction. You are a reminder I could be doing a lot more.
So is Margaret Court… and the activist Mummy, and Matt Walsh and Ben Shapiro and Peter Hitchins and Cory Bernardi and all the other brave soldiers.
Praise the Lord for you Bill.
Bless ya Geoff.
Whoa! The horse has bolted! I checked out the pop-up bar at the bottom of the browser window I reported in my previous comment, and found out it led me to the Soundcloud audio-steaming web site. At Soundcloud I discovered a number of Bill’s recorded messages. The “Safe Schools” recording is really well worth listening to, folks! Sorry Bill, I thought this browser bar was added by the browser company as an unwanted feature. It seems I was wrong.
Thanks Peter. Yes I have used that for a while, and that last post is getting a bit dated now. You have to pay to keep using Soundcloud so I am deciding if I keep going with it.
Thanks Bill. Wonderful article. In Acts 1:8 Luke records the words of Jesus: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” It takes power to be a witness. Clearly, the Catholic bishops (those who, one way or another, covered up child abuse and the others who knowingly remained silent) are to blame for the mess the Catholic church is in and from which it will never recover – at least in its present form. They are cowards; they have no power because they do not have the Holy Spirit. Catholics need to carefully assess the performance of their bishops – the days of blind obedience have become blind stupidity. My mother, also a champion tennis player and person of true faith, was a great admirer of Margaret Court. On her death bed at the age of 96, one of her grandchildren said to my mother, you can go now, you don’t have to stay here any longer. My mother’s reply was: “I think someone else will make that decision for me”. And, of course, they did. I don’t know how to contact Margaret Court but, on behalf of my parents and our family, I send this woman of faith, our prayers and our love.
Thanks Bill,
Only today have I heard about Margaret Court from social media, thanks for the wake up call in your article, it is so very important! I have heard from our pulpit a similar message regarding does engaging with social issues bring people to Christ etc. with the message leaning towards no lets point them to Jesus and engage them with Jesus rather than debate on Same sex marriage, abortion etc so I look forward to reading the articles you posted to Joel.
A lot of comments here Bill, rightly appreciative.I have read your articles on Alan Joyce/Margaret Court and the condition of the UK and the Global Jihad and your call to the war we are in Bill. All of one piece of course and all a call to reality. What I would like to say to the people of God is our God is a Man of War. I am no Ben Hur or El Cid, certainly no gospelised Rocky. What I experience most days is that the Holy Spirit in me does some kind of warfare which He must see is necessary. It may be that God knows how weak a spirit I am. The result of the work of the Spirit in this gift is that those who attack me (they are only little people too) has no effect on me and I find that my words bring peace into the social setting and I don’t have to think what I will say. It seems to me that the church as the royal priesthood and the prophetic body of Christ is not aware enough to the need of giving enough scope to the Spirit of Christ as a Mighty Warrior, in us corporately. Many years ago I was in a corporate prayer meeting when the pastor called for special prayer for what is now called Family Voice Australia. I found my voice rising in a demonstrative way which actually frightened someone near me. The next day a derisive attack on that group met a simple reply spontaneously uttered from me which silenced the attack. It was a lesson to me. Boldness is the gift of the Spirit in us. I think our minds are in need of not only intellectual responsibility but more spiritual dependency on Him. This war is bloody from their side but we are told it is spiritual. Many Christians were afraid in Acts until the Spirit came upon them in Acts 4:23-31. Demonstration of the Spirit and power is not the preserve of some Christians but all who believe the Gospel of Christs’ Lordship over all. One people, one voice. One war.
As a Catholic, Rebecca, I have never heard a sermon an SSM or Abortion. I do know that a high ranking Catholic cleric was once asked why his religious order did not speak out against abortion rather than Native Title. His answer was that the issue of abortion is too difficult. I have always opposed land rights for mixed raced people, I have never opposed the right of unborn children to be born alive. The former is, in my view, a legal fraud on the Commonwealth ( actively sponsored by the Catholic Church) the latter is a biblical human sacrifice to the God of evil (silently condoned by the Catholic Church). Make no mistake about it, these sacrificed children cry out to God from beneath the altar of justice and God is faithful. We point people to Jesus to discover what his view is on all this. So what is it?
Hi Bill, I have not read your articles before, but was sooo impressed with this one. There are many who do support Margaret court, and have signed petitions re her, but for those who desire to do more, probably need guidance as to what and how to fight the battle/war. We do pray, but would love to be able to do something more constructive, but as I said, just need guidance, Would love to hear further from you. Thank you so much that for your leadership in these times. God bless, Yvonne (Bonanne) Nash.
Many thanks indeed Yvonne. In terms of ‘What can I do?’ I have some generic pieces that might help point us in the right direction:
Thanks for this perspective, Bill.
I watched Margaret Court being interviewed on The Project. It was clear that the presenters did not like what she had to say much. Since it began, it has been clear that this show is very much in favor of same sex marriage.
I was tired. I had been out at a social function, but decided to watch this before I went to bed. You have given me a bit to think about.
I think one reason is many Christians believe that as the world is fallen anyway and we are to be pilgrims in this world with an eye in the gospel, that fighting for the culture is not the gospel and we better spend efforts on evangelism and discipleship of believers. Social issues will only create barriers to sharing the gospel.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks Joel. Yes that can be a common excuse that some Christians will drag up, but I think it is a lousy excuse, and completely unbiblical. I have written many times on this, so perhaps I can refer you to just two articles on this:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2011/12/06/christianity-society-and-false-dilemmas/
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2012/05/10/no-more-cop-outs-we-must-take-a-stand/
I like what you have written. I have expressed my views to friends and anyone that will listen, and posted support on Facebook. My problem today is with family members and certain acquaintances: do I end up in another argument that will get nowhere or do I leave the door open for perhaps in future a dialogue can be used that could lead to salvation in the future? Not excuses – my husband wanted to rip into it and I stopped him because he was angry and would have alienated his relationship with his family. We’re not cowards but I can tell you the discussion that I had with people did nothing to change their minds.
Thanks Gillian. It sounds like you are one of the few I was NOT writing about! You care, and you are speaking out – well done. Of course my article was not meant to imply that we should be reckless, unwise or tactless in how and when we share truth. There are times to remain quiet, and not everyone will receive what we have to say, so we need some discernment and wisdom as to when we should speak out, and to whom.
Hi Bill, I for one, do not want to stand before my Lord and confess that I didn’t have the guts to publicly confess my convictions. Bill, if you do have a personal and secure line of communication with Ps. Margeret Court, please let her know that there are many of us who are supporting her and her family in prayer. As mentioned in previous articles, I’m now on long service leave, and using this time to seek The Lord for His guidance. There is no other way to put it, time has run out for Australia. At some point, God is going to declare “enough is enough”. When I look at God’s dealing with the Children of Israel in the O.T. leading up to and into the exile, and I then look at the state of my own country of Australia, personally I am filled with dread. The Great South Land of The Holy Spirit, what a joke !! When The Holy Spirit allowed Ezekiel to see the abominations that were being carried out within the confines of the Temple, how does that stand up against the abominations we see on public display within our own country’s borders. Each day I thank our Almighty God for The Mercy He continues to extends over Australia. I wonder for how much longer! Bill thank you again, “For Stirring The Pot” blessings, Kel.
Can’t work out how Waleed Aly can be pro same-sex unions? I thought he was a Muslim? Islam is 100% anti-homosexuality so how can he support it? Is he now apostate?
The leadership of our churches are cowards when it comes to the vicious assaults upon Christian beliefs. They are mute in the defense of the very principles that our nation was built on. Bravo Margaret Court! The rare one with courage and convictions. She must be supported.
Thanks Bill and Gillian,
I have been doing some thinking about the place of “hardening” in God’s salvation plan.
“I will have mercy… and whom he wills he hardens”. Rom 9:15-18.
and “harden not your heart” and also the story of Pharaoh’s hardening Exodus Chpts 7:3-14:4.
More and more people have their mind s made up and appear to have hardened hearts against the Gospel or any Godly idea. I have been having a few chats with one of my new friends, and as we discover things about each other the fact of faith comes up. The first two or three times he let me know he wasn’t interested. OK. But the topics keep arising as he discovers things about me.
One of those times I just said “Don’t harden your heart”. He immediately denied that he had. I didn’t respond in words but in silent prayer.
The next time it came up I said again “Don’t harden your heart”. Again he denied that he was, so I said “Perhaps you should soften it”. The reply from him was soft and left the door open for some other time.
I feel we will have progress here, and God will work on the idea of hardening and softening when I am not around.
We are at war.
It is hearts and minds and spirits that we are after.
It is blindness, anger, and sin that blocks the life flow.
It is also the hearts, and minds and spirits in our culture.
It is the same blockages to life flow.
We need to employ every tool, every weapon, and every tactic that we can.
Please pray for us tomorrow as we rally against a Muslim school proposed for Penrith.
This protest can easily become a slanging match and result in no progress.
Please pray that we will not only know what tactics to use, but to be united in the use of them.
Please pray for the Muslim people and others who will be there that they will go away with a different perspective. A perspective that is according to the truth and love and grace of God.
Thanks
Bruce Knowling
Thank the Lord for Margaret Court. I read your book 20 or so years ago.
May this event show clearly where we are at.
May the church be more Intentional and urgent in honouring the Lord.
I pray for the day our Leaders honour God again by articulating Glory to God in the media on a regular basis. Jesus the Christ is the only hope.
Eternity is the “main game”
Thank you too Bill for what you write. Always challenging.
To JohnB, It seems there are quite a lot of Muslims prepared to support SSM, amazingly; for example the London mayor Sadiq Khan. It’s all so weird. Nothing makes sense. Muslims living in a supposed Christian country (UK) that has passed SSM into law….it’s enough to give anyone a mental breakdown just thinking about it. In a couple of weeks we face the most bizarre General Election I have ever known. All our major political parties are opposing the people’s will on all kinds of issues (one other is pro-people and struggling to be heard). We know our war has already started.
“Evil prospers when good men do nothing”.
Didn’t Churchill or someone say that? It’s true that we are under siege and it is true that the enemy is winning nearly every battle. We have lost so much, as a society, and we have fallen so far.
Thank you so much for your entreatment, Bill. Your words are wise and timely. I also think that people need to act in consultation with God, their consciences and inner guidance so as to tread carefully. These are treacherous times and people can easily become lambs to the slaughter if they do not proceed with great care.
This war has missed most people’s notice because it has crept in by stealth – little by little our values have been assaulted, our standards have been lowered. It is a war waged on the battlefield of the mind more than anywhere else.
Beautifully written article, as always Bill. You deserve to have a wide readership.
Thank you again Bill. You are very right. Most of my friends who call themselves Christians have gone AWOL. I have been called a bigot, islamophobe, homophobe, conspiracy theorist, alarmist, intolerant, skeptic and of course bossy and aggressive as I am a woman speaking out. I have received these labels from those who call themselves Christians. They are also rude and arrogant, refusing to listen to any but their own point of view no matter how sensitively I address an issue.
There is hope. I believe many have believed the post-modern deception and with it lack of trust in the bible. This leads to not reading the bible nor checking out what they are told at church. We only need to bring one error to their attention, and the rest of the deception will unravel, at least for a few.
I have found the books of J C Ryle, a 19th century Anglican minister to be most instructive in refreshing my spiritual compass. For those sitting on the fence or not knowing what to do, order Holiness or Practical Religion by J C Ryle from Koorong.
For those feeling overwhelmed, just ask yourself what you can do and start with one small thing, take the next step and see where it leads.
A few ideas:
Speak out. You don’t need a theological degree. People who agree with you will encouraged.
Write. – to blogs, newspapers social media. You don’t need to have all the answers. The most powerful thing anyone can do is ask the questions that others are afraid to.
Visit MPs. They don’t have time to keep up with all the facts. We need to inform them.
Research – the ignorance of the agenda of Islam on the right and the watermelon brigade on the left is staggering. Without fail, I am told re Islam ‘but they are not all like that’ (as if that fixes the problem) and re marriage equality, ‘it won’t effect me’ (yes it will).
Inform and encourage any family members.
Buy good Christian books for children and grandchildren. Read with them.
Lead by example. Be generous, kind, truthful, polite, humble.
If really stuck, start decluttering. It will focus your mind and free up resources for saving money and giving to Christian organisations.
Look after yourself. Walk in nature, meet with other army members.
Finally, remember that we must decide whether we will speak out or live under oppression.
Thanks Gail. Yes exactly right. Bless ya.
I liken the apathy in the church to how the German Lutherans and their churches handled the rail cars full of Jews crying and wailing as they were taken through those German towns going past those churches. They just sang louder so they couldnt hear. People have bought the lies of satan that the politicians have dumbed their constituents with. We are told that gay marriage will not effect anything that we believe in but oh friend, it does. The perversions just keep getting added on and all of a sudden you have gone from staying out of the way because all they want is to love each other and fast forward to transgenders and pefophiles claiming rights. And then you have boys and men using girls showers and girls bathrooms and vice versa. Remember the lies of abortion. Clump of cells. My body, my right. It is not a baby until……(fill in the blanks). Well abortion kills another human and you would think that the streets would be lined with Christians. Hardly ever. It has to be a march or a special time of prayer but never just because it is against Gods plan. Brothers and sisters, this is wrong. It goes against everything we read in Scripture and should have been taught.
Recently my wife stopped for gasoline and a man approached her and stated his son liked her bumper magnet In God We Trust. She also has: What is it about Thou Shalt Not Kill that you do not understand. Abortion kills. He asked her if she was pro life and of course she answered yes and her husband is an activist. I have never considered myself an activist but only a disciple of Christ and the Word. The time is now.
Unfortunately the pulpits have been silent. There will be a day when all will go before the King. Remember what Jesus says about lukewarm. He already knows what we have done with the time He has given us. Get busy, the battle rages.
To Gillian Petunia, Gillian, I felt your pain in that response that you posted. If it is any help to you, my suggestion is to spend a lot of time praying for friends and family. Then ask The Holy Spirit to give you the right timing and the right responses to make. Remember, The Holy Spirit was sent by The Lord Jesus Christ to be a guide and help with everything that you do in your service for the Kingdom. If you need help and encouragement in your relationship with The Holy Spirit, send off a private email to Bill, and he will work with you in locating good resource material . God Bless you Gillian and your family, Kel.
While reading your blog today the browser window popped up a bar at the bottom of the screen saying “Victoria’s Salvation Army endorses Safe Schools” (nothing to do with your blog, however). What cheek! The enemy certainly doesn’t like you Bill. The remnant church is small and scattered but like Gideon God doesn’t need a large army to win his war — he just needs willing workers, us. The end times will be utterly horrific for God’s people, so we need to be bold, stand strong and encourage one another. Keep fighting, Bill.
Thanks Bill. Kelvin, times look bleak but may I claim this still is “The Great Southland of The Holy Spirit”.
Peter
Great Article Bill,
You are the voice of conviction. You are a reminder I could be doing a lot more.
So is Margaret Court… and the activist Mummy, and Matt Walsh and Ben Shapiro and Peter Hitchins and Cory Bernardi and all the other brave soldiers.
Praise the Lord for you Bill.
Bless ya Geoff.
Whoa! The horse has bolted! I checked out the pop-up bar at the bottom of the browser window I reported in my previous comment, and found out it led me to the Soundcloud audio-steaming web site. At Soundcloud I discovered a number of Bill’s recorded messages. The “Safe Schools” recording is really well worth listening to, folks! Sorry Bill, I thought this browser bar was added by the browser company as an unwanted feature. It seems I was wrong.
Thanks Peter. Yes I have used that for a while, and that last post is getting a bit dated now. You have to pay to keep using Soundcloud so I am deciding if I keep going with it.
AMEN. https://t.co/BHkhwEZl3i
Thanks Bill. Wonderful article. In Acts 1:8 Luke records the words of Jesus: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” It takes power to be a witness. Clearly, the Catholic bishops (those who, one way or another, covered up child abuse and the others who knowingly remained silent) are to blame for the mess the Catholic church is in and from which it will never recover – at least in its present form. They are cowards; they have no power because they do not have the Holy Spirit. Catholics need to carefully assess the performance of their bishops – the days of blind obedience have become blind stupidity. My mother, also a champion tennis player and person of true faith, was a great admirer of Margaret Court. On her death bed at the age of 96, one of her grandchildren said to my mother, you can go now, you don’t have to stay here any longer. My mother’s reply was: “I think someone else will make that decision for me”. And, of course, they did. I don’t know how to contact Margaret Court but, on behalf of my parents and our family, I send this woman of faith, our prayers and our love.
Thanks Bill,
Only today have I heard about Margaret Court from social media, thanks for the wake up call in your article, it is so very important! I have heard from our pulpit a similar message regarding does engaging with social issues bring people to Christ etc. with the message leaning towards no lets point them to Jesus and engage them with Jesus rather than debate on Same sex marriage, abortion etc so I look forward to reading the articles you posted to Joel.
A lot of comments here Bill, rightly appreciative.I have read your articles on Alan Joyce/Margaret Court and the condition of the UK and the Global Jihad and your call to the war we are in Bill. All of one piece of course and all a call to reality. What I would like to say to the people of God is our God is a Man of War. I am no Ben Hur or El Cid, certainly no gospelised Rocky. What I experience most days is that the Holy Spirit in me does some kind of warfare which He must see is necessary. It may be that God knows how weak a spirit I am. The result of the work of the Spirit in this gift is that those who attack me (they are only little people too) has no effect on me and I find that my words bring peace into the social setting and I don’t have to think what I will say. It seems to me that the church as the royal priesthood and the prophetic body of Christ is not aware enough to the need of giving enough scope to the Spirit of Christ as a Mighty Warrior, in us corporately. Many years ago I was in a corporate prayer meeting when the pastor called for special prayer for what is now called Family Voice Australia. I found my voice rising in a demonstrative way which actually frightened someone near me. The next day a derisive attack on that group met a simple reply spontaneously uttered from me which silenced the attack. It was a lesson to me. Boldness is the gift of the Spirit in us. I think our minds are in need of not only intellectual responsibility but more spiritual dependency on Him. This war is bloody from their side but we are told it is spiritual. Many Christians were afraid in Acts until the Spirit came upon them in Acts 4:23-31. Demonstration of the Spirit and power is not the preserve of some Christians but all who believe the Gospel of Christs’ Lordship over all. One people, one voice. One war.
As a Catholic, Rebecca, I have never heard a sermon an SSM or Abortion. I do know that a high ranking Catholic cleric was once asked why his religious order did not speak out against abortion rather than Native Title. His answer was that the issue of abortion is too difficult. I have always opposed land rights for mixed raced people, I have never opposed the right of unborn children to be born alive. The former is, in my view, a legal fraud on the Commonwealth ( actively sponsored by the Catholic Church) the latter is a biblical human sacrifice to the God of evil (silently condoned by the Catholic Church). Make no mistake about it, these sacrificed children cry out to God from beneath the altar of justice and God is faithful. We point people to Jesus to discover what his view is on all this. So what is it?
Hi Bill, I have not read your articles before, but was sooo impressed with this one. There are many who do support Margaret court, and have signed petitions re her, but for those who desire to do more, probably need guidance as to what and how to fight the battle/war. We do pray, but would love to be able to do something more constructive, but as I said, just need guidance, Would love to hear further from you. Thank you so much that for your leadership in these times. God bless, Yvonne (Bonanne) Nash.
Many thanks indeed Yvonne. In terms of ‘What can I do?’ I have some generic pieces that might help point us in the right direction:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/09/19/but-what-can-i-do/
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/09/21/practical-tips-on-making-a-difference-part-one/
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/09/21/practical-tips-on-making-a-difference-part-two/
I’m in Bill; if I die I die, with Christ!