How God’s good is life-giving

Two books from a much-respected Bible teacher

A word from David Noakes.

It is not just Christians who can see that the nation is in trouble. Everyone can see that things have not been going well in Britain recently. The terrorist attacks, the Grenfell Tower inferno, and the hung Parliament all confirm that something is wrong in the nation.

Many Christians know that as a nation we have rejected the word of God in many ways which has resulted in Britain being no longer under God’s cover of protection, prosperity and blessing.

‘Confusion’ is one of the signs of judgment upon a nation, according to Deuteronomy 28:20. But Jeremiah 18:7 reminds us that even when things go badly wrong, if we repent of our wrongdoing and ask for God’s help, things would quickly improve. Through Jeremiah God says:

If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.

God still speaks to us today so that we can understand what is happening and how he is working out his purposes. This enables us as Christians to speak to others, Christians and non-Christians, reassuring them of God’s love and his desire to bless the nation, restoring peace and prosperity.

The latest word received by my colleague David Noakes (we have worked together since 1984) brings this reassurance. We reproduce it below noting that we do not claim that modern prophecy carries the same authority as the Bible. But God does speak to those who are listening to him, although we express what we are receiving in our own human language and understanding. It is for each of our readers to weigh this prophecy.

Rev Dr Clifford Hill

Prophetic word, first given at East Grinstead (17 June 2017)

David Noakes

Beloved, you are living in momentous days. These are truly the days of a turning point in the affairs of your nation. It is a time of my appointing. I have allowed you to go your own way but I have never let go of you.

There are many voices in your midst which are full of pessimism and I understand that if you look upon your circumstances, pessimism is often the outcome. But I want you to perceive as I perceive.

Beloved, when there is turmoil and upheaval, do not look upon it with dismay; do not look upon it with foreboding; do not look upon it with fear. But look upon it with eyes turned to me with a questioning heart: a heart questioning what your God is doing in the midst of it. For beloved, all these things taking place are under my hand. I have brought about a remarkable work in your nation in recent times. This is not accidental, nor is it sudden, but has come about at my appointed time.

I do not have accidents; I do not have coincidences; I do not have sudden unexpected events. I have appointed events, at appointed times, and I am the one who is seated in the heavens and does whatever He pleases. Do not lose heart, because I am in charge. My hand is on your nation and I have not given up my purposes for you.

I have blessed your nation in the past and truly you have been faithless; but beloved, I have remained faithful. Your enemy has done much to sow lies, to sow false doctrine, to try to bring down all that is good and all that is of God. But I have kept for myself a remnant. My Word remains true for all time and all eternity and I will fulfil my purposes.

This is a time of turmoil and upheaval because your adversary is in great rage and great fear. He is in great consternation that I will use your nation to tear his purposes apart. But that is exactly what I intend to do. I intend to bring his purposes crashing down. There will be turmoil and upheaval; there will be blood in the streets; there will be anxiety amongst those who do not know that God is in charge and do not understand what I am doing.

Beloved, there cannot be victory in war without war taking place; and war is indeed taking place, because I have joined battle. I have joined battle against the forces of darkness which desire to bring your nation to nothing and I have declared I will not have it so. My purposes for you are from all eternity. I have known exactly what I will do at this time. I have known exactly what I will do in the future and I purpose to glorify my name through your nation once again.

Therefore do not be disheartened. Do you think of yourself as being just a little flock? Truly there is only a small remnant who hold fast to My word. But beloved, continue to hold fast to my word and pray that the purposes that I have begun to reveal will come to fruition and fulfilment, and I will visit you afresh with my Spirit.

I will visit you afresh with my Spirit that you may be empowered: Not for your glory, but for Mine. Not to build empires but to build my Church. I desire also to visit you with my Spirit that you may be instruments in my hand to go into the fields which are ripe for harvest, and bring in a harvest; for there is a harvest waiting to be brought in.

There are many in fear and trepidation and utter confusion, and I want you to be a people who know their God and do exploits. I want you to be a people of compassion; not of judgement; not of condemnation. Judgement is mine, I will repay. But I ask you to be a people of love and concern; of compassion for the lost, and of deep desire that the truth should be brought to many who will understand it and be saved. For surely there are those whom you think are your enemies, who are longing for truth.

Do not be down-hearted, therefore. Do not be dispirited. Yes, I know all too well that you are surrounded by those who wish you ill. Beloved, do not heed them but look to your God who wishes you well. Look to your God who wishes them well. I desire a people who are willing to bless their enemies and to do good to those who speak evil about them.

As you do this they will see your light. Many will reject, but many will see the light in the darkness and will desire the only light they can see. For all their plans and schemes will have fallen to the ground and then they will turn to the only truth.

Do not give up therefore. Hold fast. Hold fast to Me. Hold fast to My Word. Hold fast in love and unity, to one another. Be loyal and faithful to each other. Forgive each other all offences and stand together, that as one you may show the character of your Lord and Saviour. Beloved, understand that I have not given up, and I say to you: do not give up either, but look to Me and hope in Me that I will do what I have planned.

About the author: David Noakes was a solicitor in London until he joined Clifford Hill’s ministry in 1984. He has been part of the Prophetic Word Ministries/Prophecy Today team since that time, although he has also exercised an independent ministry speaking at conferences both in Britain and overseas. He has visited Israel many times and until recently was chairman of Hatikvah Film Trust, working with Hugh Kitson making films about Israel. He is a well-known Bible teacher with an established ministry and remains an official advisor to Issachar Ministries (Prophecy Today UK's parent charity).

'The Christian in an Age of Terror: Selected sermons of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 1941-50' (Ed. Dr Michael Eaton, New Wine Press, 2007, 208 pages. RRP £11.99, available from ICM Books for £8.99)

This book contains sermons preached in Westminster Chapel during the period that European nations were at war. Dr Lloyd-Jones spoke to his people about how war, persecution and suffering could be seen by Christians and afterwards he encouraged his congregation with talks on the Christian life. In view of the present threat of terrorism throughout the world, this is a book of relevance and inspiration for Christians today.

In the first chapter on religious persecution, which looks at Acts 12, we see how history does repeat itself.

If we study the history of the church we will find she has gone through periods of terrible trial and persecution – then follows a period of comparative peace and calm, then another time of persecution, followed by a time of rest. In Acts 12 we are shown how the church should act and what should be done to emerge in a triumphant manner. (p15)

We are exhorted to pray for Christians in other lands as we discover what is happening there, and to develop a ministry of intercession.

The book exhorts Christians to pray for the persecuted church and to develop a ministry of intercession, in response to news of conflict.

Reading further in the book there are wonderful chapters about how when Peter was persecuted and in prison he did not suffer alone because the whole church suffered with him and "prayed without ceasing". God is on the side of the church and that makes all the difference. Even in prison and awaiting execution, chained to a soldier on each side, Peter was given peace and calmness from God, and was sleeping soundly (Psalm 127:2 is quoted here - "He giveth his beloved sleep"). And then – a light shone in the cell and he was led out by an angel!

There are chapters on how the church has persisted and remained in spite of oppression; and another on how Christianity is a religion of revelation because it is God who acts and speaks, reveals and manifests himself to us because of his amazing love and grace. Chapter 7 answers the question relating to the value of the Old Testament, the necessity of reading it and "seeing the wonderful proof it provides of the truth of the New Testament" (p78).

The church has persisted and remained in spite of oppression - God is on the side of the church, and that makes all the difference.

Other chapters focus on how we are to live as Christians, having the mind of the Holy Spirit and loving God who gives us an assurance of our salvation and hope for the future. The concluding chapters exhort us to "Stand Fast in the Faith" and "Watch and Pray".

This is a thought-provoking and inspiring book which is well worth reading - especially for encouragement in the present uncertain days.

Monica Hill looks at the spiritual gift of 'encouragement' - a gift which not only lifts others up and builds up the Body of Christ, but also blesses those who give it.

'...if it is encouraging, let him encourage...'

Like all the gifts listed in Romans 12, encouragement is given to build up the Body of Christ and cannot be used in isolation from other people. The gifts that follow in this list ("contributing, leadership and mercy"), although they can be used in a natural way, all need the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to reach their fulfilment.

We need to be exercising these no longer in "the pattern of the world, but by the renewing of your mind" (Rom 12:2), so that we can see things God's way and embrace Kingdom values rather than worldly ones.

Biblical Examples

There are plenty of biblical stories of encouragement. God instructed Moses in Deuteronomy 1:28: "commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see."

David encouraged Joab in 2 Samuel 11:25, by sending a message: "Say this to Joab: 'Don't let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.' Say this to encourage Joab."

In 2 Samuel 19:7, Joab exhorted David: "Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come upon you from your youth till now."

God desired to encourage Job (16:5): "But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief."

In the New Testament, "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers." (Acts 15:32). Paul obviously saw this gift of encouraging in Tychicus as he sent him to both the Ephesians (6:22) and the Colossians (4:8), and he also sent Timothy to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 3:2). Paul was always encouraging the body of believers in Thessalonica to build each other up (1 Thess 4:18, 5:11, 5:14; 2 Thess 2:17).

The writer of Hebrews advocated "encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (3:13). This is emphasised even more in 10:25: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching".

Jesus is the ultimate example as he encouraged and built up the most unlikely of people. Without his encouragement during his time on earth and the support of the Holy Spirit following Pentecost, Peter and a number of other disciples would have stayed fishermen and Matthew remained a tax collector, rather than leading a worldwide movement as strong advocates of the Gospel.

Paul would also have remained a persecutor of the church rather than the missionary to the Gentiles. Jesus saw the potential in individuals and both taught and encouraged them to live their lives to the full with a real purpose. He continues to encourage those who are weak, believing in them and trusting them. He sets standards and rebukes where necessary, as well as encouraging, and he is calling upon us to do likewise.

Jesus sees the potential in individuals and both teaches and encourages them to live their lives to the full, with a real purpose.

Responsibilities of Leaders

Paul's instructions in 2 Timothy (4:2) were "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction". Teaching is seen as primarily encouraging and rebuking – "to encourage others by sound doctrine and to refute those who oppose it" (Titus 1:9, 2:15) and self-control is also to be encouraged!

So What About Us?

Never underestimate the value of words of encouragement that you can give to others. It shows that you understand where they are and what they need to hear – especially when they are feeling low and misunderstood. It shows you are giving your support and will give them confidence to go forward; it can build them up, uplift and inspire them to believe that they can do something and that they have the potential to make a success of the life that God has given them.

Never underestimate the value of words of encouragement that you can give others.

From my own experience, I have seen the change it makes in an obese child who had given up on physical exercise to be encouraged to try something new and finding they could do it; or the confidence it gives to make the child no-one wants on their team, captain for the day. Each child began to believe in themselves with this encouragement and grew towards the potential which was latent. If a word or small act like these give encouragement, how much more can we help change the world if we have this gift and practise it wisely?

Finally

Isaiah 1:17 tells us to "learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow".

We all know that we need encouragement at various stages in our life – especially when we feel low or depressed. Our Lord hears "the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry" (Psa 10:17).

God is a very present help in our own times of need. We need the reassurance that God remains the same - faithful, loving and powerful - through changes big and small.

Ask God to give you this gift of encouragement and exercise it daily: encourage others and be encouraged.

If you have any other comments on 'encouragement' as a spiritual gift, please do add them below.

References

1 Quote selection from here.

'Storytelling – sharing the gospel with passion and power', by Martin Goldsmith (Inter Varsity Press, 2014, 185 pages, RRP £8.99).

Everybody loves a good story – and the Bible has so many of them which have stood the test of time and are loved by believers young and old. Jesus often used stories to relay deep biblical truths – his parables spoke about everyday events but gave them a new meaning and purpose.

This is an exciting and easy-to-read book from Martin Goldsmith who has been a missionary in many different cultures in South East Asia and who has been involved in teaching others on mission at All Nations Christian College from its inception. He is passionate about evangelistic outreach – and wants to help others reach out too wherever they are.

Martin is a Jewish Christian who trained as a Russian interpreter before going onto the mission field with his wife, who is also a prolific communicator. He is well experienced in getting the message across in a variety of different ways and particularly when straight preaching of the Gospel is difficult – or may even be prohibited.

This book is full of stories from his own experience of evangelism, but he also emphasises the need to understand the purpose in telling these stories. Martin not only tells many personal stories but he also encourages the reader to delve into their own experiences so that they can pass on the deep messages of the faith to others. He helps the reader to communicate effectively with people who do not think in quite the same way as they do, and to build up fruitful relationships.

In this book he also takes the next step in helping anyone delve more deeply into the faith as he is a past master in encouraging people to think through the issues themselves. He learnt this from the methods of Jesus who often responded to a question from an enquirer by asking the enquirer a question – a very Jewish method of teaching.

Altogether an encouraging book which is a joy to read – not just once but time and time again.