Dissension leading to civil strife

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized

I want to talk about what is going down in the middle east, but first I want to talk to you about what’s going down in our own hood.

Currently, New Zealand is facing significant challenges. These include economic instability, security worries, a cost-of-living crisis, lawlessness, entitlement issues among some citizens, racial tensions, pervasive distrust, a disconnect between the government and the populace, strain on the healthcare system, dissent, poverty, and educational problems.

These issues are not unique to New Zealand but are prevalent in many Western democracies worldwide.

However, the most critical problem overshadowing all others is the widespread lack of trust among people. This lack of trust extends beyond the news media, especially during the Covid crisis when their credibility was called into question.

 This erosion of trust is evident in daily life, leading to increased security measures, surveillance, fear of strangers, and even suspicion within families.

The prevalence of mistrust is a significant concern, impacting not only personal relationships but also societal cohesion.

The escalation of tensions fuelled by mistrust, lies, and fear is creating a divisive atmosphere in the country,

There is so much unrest, the nations are stirring.

For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” Proverbs 30:33

Have you noticed just how many individuals, groups, and organisations in this land are stirring up anger looking to produce strife.

Well before the change of Government in 2023 there has been tensions based on mistrust, lies, and fear which is motivating this country to become the Shakey Isles and I am not speaking about earthquakes, but the division they are putting between the people of the land.

Commentators in the United States have remarked that the country has never been so divided, but we cannot definitively claim that this is the true nature of the nation.

The prospect of a civil war in the US is a genuine concern, and I must caution that such a scenario is also very much a possibility within the borders of New Zealand, given the growing mistrust in certain parts of our country.

New Zealand may not face external invasion; rather, it could face internal collapse. Returning to the core issue at hand – mistrust – it is crucial to pause and reflect on it.

 Consider the news media that is no longer trusted, the politicians who lack trust, the diminished trust in authority figures; in this climate of distrust, whom can you truly rely on?

Discussing the situation in the Middle East, it is notable how many religious leaders have latched onto the idea of an impending apocalypse, particularly focused on the tensions between Iran and Israel as prophesied in the book of Ezekiel.

While acknowledging the significance of these events, it is important to avoid sensationalism and fearmongering.

Predictions of specific dates should be taken with caution as they can lead to disappointment and foster distrust when they do not come to pass.

The recent incidents between Israel and Iran, involving bombings and missile launches, are indeed concerning and could potentially escalate into a larger conflict. However, it is crucial to analyse the situation objectively and not jump to apocalyptic conclusions.

Without a doubt, war is imminent, but at this stage neither side have an appetite, but we know it will happen.

Jesus said he didn’t know when the end will happen, all these preachers screaming it is now, its happening, need to read and understand their bibles and start preaching like the end is coming.

Tell you what, if they written a book about the coming end, it’s kind of hard to accept its true unless they have been speaking about the need for repentance and judgement.

Yes, Jesus spoke of the time we are living, where You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed Matthew 24:6

And here is the kicker for all those pastors. verse 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  

Now I have to tell you, we started speaking about mistrust, to be honest, if you put a mistrust into a church leader who can you trust, I am concerned there are so many church leaders who cannot be trusted to speak out and prepare even their own congregations about the coming days.

Jesus said in the end V21For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equalled again.

You are right to mistrust, there is plenty of reason to feel that way, but let me end with this.

In an era marked by increasing threats and uncertainties, as the global economy continues its downward spiral, individuals worldwide are in desperate need of guidance and leadership unlike any other period in history.

The outlook for the future appears bleak and only seems to be worsening. It is widely recognized that a beacon of hope is required to navigate the mounting crises facing the world.

Renowned historian Paul Johnson emphasized the crucial lesson that prudent, strong, and courageous leadership is irreplaceable.

This essential element is currently lacking in the civilized world and must be promptly sought, as nations are poised to entrust their governance to any individual who can offer viable solutions to global challenges.

It is important to note that the individual who emerges in this capacity may exploit the prevailing atmosphere of mistrust; they may embody the Anti-Christ, the deceitful offspring, appointed by the father of lies.

In a world where trust is scarce, the Bible stands as the sole source of truth amid the increasing darkness.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of seeking guidance from the Bible and fellow Christians to navigate a world rife with mistrust and uncertainty.

The collapse of society is imminent

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized

The collapse of society really is coming, and most of us will find themselves completely and utterly unprepared when it finally happens.

Survey after survey in New Zealand points to a genuine concern we are not confident of our future.

If you look at the political polls conducted over the past decade, especially the question on optimism, like are you happy where the country is headed, there are more dis-satisfied people than there are satisfied.

I acknowledge over the past decade we have had changes in government, and although the recent change has brought about an increase in optimism but is that superficial based on some form of hope brought about by an inner fear, it might not happen.

If you are feeling this way, you are not alone.

In his Olivet discourse (Matthew 24) when speaking of the time of the end times Jesus used a nearby fig tree to make his point and said to his disciples “learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.

So what is it exactly that’s causing people to lose heart, to lose certainty about their future.

As an honest person, one who is not afraid to speak the truth, the answer comes down to what you believe, what it is which occupies the space in your head.

There is just so much mistrust these days, every night when I watch the news, I find myself checking each story as to whether its true and not spun in a way that it “just looks true.”

Faith in all of our major institutions is dropping, and here in New Zealand the Readers Digest every year takes a poll to find what is the most trusted brand and or profession.

Last year we voted we trusted Whitakers Chocolate as the most trusted brand and doctors were number one trusted professional.

But there is a growing consensus that very challenging times are ahead of us.

Here in 2024, we will be facing huge issues not just at home, but from overseas, and while we may have plenty to say about the rights and wrongs of things like societal change it won’t matter one iota, because we here are just a small country at the bottom of the planet.

And because of our geographical isolation, we are not living in the same nightmares people on other continents find themselves in.

 Later this year the people of the United states will get to vote in what is already being described as the most chaotic election season in the countries entire history, multiple wars are erupting all over the planet, economic problems are rapidly growing, destructive natural disasters are becoming more frequent, global authorities are warning us to brace ourselves for the next pandemic, and our cities are being absolutely overwhelmed by endless waves of new migrants.  

The stage is set for a societal implosion of epic proportions, and many around the globe are feverishly preparing for a coming collapse that they believe is inevitable.

In New Zealand, our civil defence message was “get ready, get through.”

Remember. How we, were encouraged to have emergency kits to get us through a disaster?

The idea, like wearing life jackets on a boat is a good one but really who complied.

And like the people of Hawkes Bay found out last year having faith in your government would help keep society stable was unfounded.

Today, if you actually believe that the government will be there to rescue you when things really start hitting the fan, you are delusional.

Many New Zealanders are realizing that they will be forced to rely on themselves as society collapses, but no one, and I mean no one is spending significant money on emergency preparedness, given the cost-of-living crisis in this country, no one can afford to think beyond dinner time let alone next week.

But spending a couple hundred dollars on some emergency preparedness items simply is not going to be enough to survive what is eventually coming.

I keep coming back to this point, many, and that number increases, but many wealthy are divesting assets around the world and building shelters for themselves, some have built them here in New Zealand.

Come back to Jesus words “learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e] is near, right at the door.

This is not a doomsday message by any means but ask yourself, When things get really bad, will you shut your door to those that are requesting help?

We have all seen the dystopian movies where people will be so desperate and take what they want for themselves.

We no longer have to wait for those times here in New Zealand. We see certain groups of people already helping themselves in supermarkets with no consequences.

Discussions on collapse often turn to signs and signals – The economy, politics and social tensions have become increasingly unstable for many years now, and much like adding more and more weight to a man standing on a frozen lake, eventually the ice is going to break. The question is, how do we know when that moment will be?

As cultural systems begin to dissolve due to political clashes and economic decline the real evil tends to slither out of the woodwork.

It happens slowly at first, then all at once. A sure sign of accelerating collapse is the growing prevalence of psychopaths and psychopathic behavior in the open.

As New Zealand as a country we are in the middle stages of such a collapse with many sociopaths and psychopaths beginning to feel that they might be able to act out their worst impulses without consequences.

They are beginning to test the waters to see what they can get away with.

Years ago, last century, I asked a man about the changes in society we were seeing back then if the end of civilisation was coming, his answer to me was, “If you think it’s happening, then it really is.”

The old mans words really resonated with me, because they are so true.

I am sure that you have noticed the same thing.  Evil is literally growing all around us, and the inmates are taking over the asylum.

And I am entirely convinced that 2024 is going to be a historic turning point.

Are you ready for the tremendous chaos that is coming?

If you have not figured it out yet?

Then let’s start by understanding why these things are happening, why Jesus told his disciple about terrible things to come and why he said, for these must happen.

Each one of us, in order to get through, we need to get ready, yes we need to ensure we have an emergency kit prepared, that is just commonsense, but we also need to ensure we have the right standing before God.

I talked about trust earlier, you can put your trust in a Whitakers chocolate Bar or your doctor, but I’ll tell you this. When society goes to hell in a handcart, I would rather have trust in what many refer to as the mystical man in the sky, I am talking about the God of the Bible who already has a record for saving individuals and nations from destruction.

How about you, who are you putting your trust into today?

If you want to find out more about God, the bible, or even what can give you faith in your future, then feel to reach out to your local bible believing, teaching church, or contact us through our website and we will be able to help.

This is not a game.

It’s the economy, it’s all about the economy stupid?

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized

Go back to the US presidential campaign of 1992 where the incumbent president George H W Bush had an approval rating of 90% of the job he was doing.

So how was it, the young democrat Bill Clinton unseat him?

Regardless of where you live and your leader may be the most popular person to ever hold office as did George Bush, but when your country is in a recession, someone has to fix it.

A simple phrase cooked up by James Carville who was a strategist on the Clinton campaign, used by Bill Clinton in a debate with Bush brought people’s attention back to the reality, the country was in the middle of a recession when Bush was in charge.

History tells us Clinton was successful in the end, but history shows us money worries in the USA have exploded ever since.
It’s the economy stupid, and in New Zealand, and every other country in the world.it has always been about the economy.

Without a good economy, without prudent stewardship, without overspending, life just hangs in the balance and nothing else matters.

New Zealand’s economy has just returned into a recession after predictions of reduced export earnings and inflation all factor into a cost-of-living crisis for all New Zealand.

I am not going to comment on the management or lack thereof, or the vandalism brought about by idealistic former student union or left winged progressives, as we all know, they were wrong, just a pity they could not admit it.

Going back to the United States for a moment, their economy is sinking and taking on water faster than the Titanic and will sink sooner than expected.

President Joe Biden just recently had to get approval from congress for the treasury to print another trillion dollars and have it released into its economy, why? Because there wasn’t enough money to pay to keep government services operating.

For those who have paid attention would know that the reserve Bank of New Zealand has also printed money beyond the value of what it held in government stocks and bonds.

In other words, we have more money in our system which results in our dollar having less value resulting in less spending power.

The current coalition government went into this election knowing our economy was in a mess, but it wasn’t until they took control, they could see and perhaps just recently comprehending the economic conundrum they face.

Other world economies have recovered from Covid, but New Zealand is flailing in its recovery and it’s not a quick fix.

As a country we have to pull together in order to get this nations economy back on track, sounds like a political slogan but its true.

Our children’s grandchildren will be paying down on the interest the government of the past six years has either borrowed or created if we don’t.

While the populists jump on every gravy train going where they can find ways for governments to spend money whether it be climate carbon emissions to save the future of the planet.

What good will it be when your economy, hence your spending power is limited.

The USA economy has looked shaky for decades, the Euro is also in trouble as governments look to destabilise their own economies.

For sure there are troubling signs forecasting a major world-wide recession. Let’s add to what we have been speaking about with a world wide shortage of food starting to bite into some countries as we see grain exports from both Ukraine and Russia diminishing, and European Governments forcing farmers from their lands and encouraging those who remain, not to grow food.

I know, it all sounds bizarre, but you simply don’t hear about the protests in Europe because our mainstream media are more interested in navel gazing and their own opinions rather than reporting fact.

It about the economy, and last year we here at Christian Voice New Zealand were mentioning these things, but we also spoke about the effects of the ride of the four horsemen found in the book of revelation and it’s impacts on the world.

We are now in that time period where very soon you won’t need to visit the supermarket, it will only be the rich who can afford a loaf of bread.

Look at the signs. Take a good hard look at what is happening in New Zealand, I mentioned just weeks back, the worlds rich people are divesting themselves of companies and shares and building shelters.

New Zealand’s top companies, the ones who have been a sure bet for investment are doing the same, as they divest their capital.

Let’s face it as we move into this brave new world the economists are all talking about where cheap labour will be gone, your job will carried out by a robot, and you will have nothing and you will be happy.

Just like the storm clouds of war were covering Europe last century, we can see the same thing happening today, and we understand the significance of what is happening in the rest of the world will affect New Zealand.

But right now, the last thing the New Zealand economy needs is for the rest of the world to crumble.

My friends the trumpets in heaven are sounding, heed the call to action, yes its about the economy, but its about you yourself and your understanding of the times in which we live.

In order for us to survive what is to come and they will be dark days ahead, we must know from where our salvation will come from.

The world’s politicians, the world’s leaders can promise the earth, they can scrap about borders, about dominion, but for what end.

They are only in place for one reason and one reason only and that is by the grace of GOD, but what happens when he says enough.

If we can no longer look after this planet, and to do so, it needs money and we know it’s money which make the world go around and we have none, then does the world stop.

So is it really all about the economy, Really the answer is no, yes money and riches aid in today’s world, you have heard the saying from the World Economic Forum who says You will own nothing will be happy.”

If that were true, why is it we all toil for something we cannot achieve.

Is it really about the economy or is it something greater than that.

We are living in prophetic times, and can I suggest you have a look at our video on the ride of the Four Horsemen or you can read it about it yourself, or better still ask your local church for an explanation.

Either way, those divesting in capital may or may not be aware of this piece of prophesy from Revelation 6 which reads

15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us[f] from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their[g] wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

James Carville from the Clinton Campaign may have called his opposition stupid when he coined the phrase, it’s all about the economy, but hopefully we are not stupid to understand, its more than that.

AND YET, ANOTHER MESSAGE FOR CHURCH LEADERS

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized

Since our inception we have called for a united voice from Christianity, and especially the churches which represent it.

Despite being shunned by some for even daring to mention it, we will continue to call out churches and church bodies who refuse, or too cowardly to speak out on behalf of those who oppose the evil which is rife in this country.

Over the past month I have noted articles relating to the rich people in this world selling off shares and assets and the building of shelters around the world, on private islands and even here in New Zealand.

All very well for them as they must know something we don’t and dare I say it, Church leaders in this country are either too blind, stupid, or ignorant to notice what is happening in the world and being replicated in this nation of ours.

If you are a church going person, what is the viewpoint of your church leadership towards things like abortion, euthanasia, same sex marriage.

Let’s go deeper and ask, what is their position on the end times discussions, are they open to debate on any of today’s issues.

In New Zealand we have church leaders mentioned in the media, Brian Tamaki from Destiny Church is the most well-known, what about Peter Mortlock from City Impact, unlike Brian Tamaki, Mortlock doesn’t get the same headlines, but his position on events happening is similar.

While Tamaki and Mortlock, both whom I have respect for, play to their own congregational audience, which is fine as they are being good shepherds in warning and steering their flock from the dangers which are fraught in our culture, the rest of New Zealand doesn’t see it.

We may scoff at the billionaires of this world building shelters, but at least they are preparing themselves for whatever may be getting them spooked.

Another voice is staring to speak and is now beating its drum within Christian circles, and this is the New Zealand Christian Network headed by Dr Stuart Laing.

In a recent newsletter to his membership of Christian based organisations Dr Laing spoke of the “growing numbers of people in New Zealand who are rejecting God, and who are wary of the church”

He mentioned the many challenges faced by Christianity today such as sexual abuse in churh related contexts, also, some of the social legislation passed by government in recent years has cast some shadow over the freedoms of belief and expression.

Dr Laing at least is asking the question of the organisations which are members of the network.

He said “In the face of such challenges, what should Christians and churches do? Succumb to pessimism? Lie low? Blame someone else. Give up?”

In considering Dr Laing’s question, try and at least answer this age-old question, “what would Jesus do.”

Funny, I already know your answer to that, but if you think that is what Jesus would do, and as a follower of Jeus Christ would you remain silent on today’s issues.

I have stated it many times over the years but for those who haven’t heard it before.

We need for the wimps who stand behind the pulpit, knees knocking as the deliver their sermon on Sunday, scared they may offend someone in the congregation, too scared to preach the word of God, too scared to mention the words sin or judgement, then they need to stand aside and allow someone who can roar like the Lion of Judah to come forward.

You can see what is happening in this nation, you are not stupid enough to bury your heads in the sand, but you also think my voice will not be heard, well you’re wrong.

Every time you open your mouth God hears you, just one voice, all alone in the wilderness.

But let me ask you this, if a lonely dog in an alleyway howl at the moon? How many people hear it.

I am not sure why the billionaires are seeking shelter, but I do know something is about to happen to this world and it’s been going on for some time.

In my presentation “When a Nation Forgets God” which we took through the country prior to Covid I spoke often, about how we should engage with today’s world.

I am so glad to hear people like Dr Stuart Laing, Brian Tamaki, Peter Mortlock engaging their congregations and asking the pertinent questions for living today rather than burying their heads in the sands of mediocrity.

We need strong leadership, we need courage in our pulpits and we ourselves must remain strong as we identify what the issues are, that we as a church must confront to represent the God we worship.

I asked earlier for you to consider what would Jesus do?

The church and remember, we are the church, the building down the road is not the church, we are so here’s the thing while we spend some time, but not too long to identify those issues we as a church must confront.

Then we need to seek and ask what Jesus’ instructions would be to us, as we prepare for the darkness that is enclosing upon us and the deeper darkness which is yet to come.

Remember Dr Laing asked “In the face of such challenges, what should Christians and churches do? Succumb to pessimism? Lie low? Blame someone else. Give up?”

Our churches, our church leaders need to both humble themselves and repent for their own sin of not leading their flocks to safety.

We need not fear the future as it is Jesus who walks amongst us and hold us in his hands and in Philippian’s: 2:15 read it with me where Jesus can empower us to… “Be blameless and innocent children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among you who shine as lights in the world.”

Today I urge you not to be a bystander in this world but to engage with it, meet it head on and be the light within the darkness as this time draws to an end.

WAR IS COMING

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized

I have always pondered about how to fix the issues of today’s young people, how to get them away from the gaming consul, leave their phones and get them out into the fresh air.

Being a child of the sixties we never had these issues because we had compulsory military training and if you missed out on the ballot, you still had it at high school.

Great idea and I see the new coalition government is to introduce military style “boot camps,” for young offenders.

Great idea except it wouldn’t work with the rug rats of yesterday as they have grown up to be a generation of self-entitled brats or teenagers. Call them what you want but Compulsory Military style training is what they need, what they possibly crave for, want the boundaries set for them but it won’t happen because of the hand wringing, worried and woke parents who have fostered and protected them all their lives.

I know, it’s a bit harsh to generalise about teenagers in this way as there are some really good kids out there.

I was intrigued though, when I read an article about whether the USA could defend itself if attacked and surprised at the answer.

What has New Zealand Teens got to do with an attack on America, hang on as I give you some background.

The free world is reliant upon the United States for military protection, but over the last few months our politician’s rhetoric has them saying the world has become a more dangerous place, in that the US in the past had essentially only one aggressor to deal with, which was the Soviet Union.

Today, the U.S. must account for regimes in Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang, and a host of smaller powers and terrorist regimes that challenge U.S. interests. They have different objectives and possess different cultures, values, and networks.

Just because the U.S. acts in the Middle East to thwart Iran doesn’t mean that China alters its activities vis-à-vis Taiwan or its push on territorial claims in the South China Sea, or that Russia lessens its assault of Europe or attempts to divide NATO. They pose different threats to the U.S. in different ways.

So, there it is the threat to the world in a nutshell, the sad thing for the United States is it is nowhere ready to take on a multiple number of wars at this time.

We know the world is getting more dangerous and interesting how our politicians are now speaking openly about it, without saying what it is we should be concerned about.

But if you are a person who watches and keeps up with things, in our area the biggest threat to peace in the South Pacific will be the incursion of China and its financial aid to small Pacific Nations like the Solomon and Marshall Islands Kiribati, and the Kingdom of Tonga.

It all comes with a price.

but are these countries really the enemy?

As I looked at the article, I pondered about the enemy we face within our own country, which is very similar to the United States and the rest of the Western World.

It would be laughable for New Zealand teens to pick up a rifle that is decades old, to serve in an air force which only has trainers, to serve in a navy with a couple of boats which can be outrun by Jet ski towing a biscuit.

Then there is the sense of pride in service, no it’s not going to happen sorry; it just won’t wash.

But my article was about the US military which is only a fraction of the size it needs be.

 Many will say a strong military force will deter a war, but deterrence derives from the belief of the enemy that they would be defeated in battle.

So, without demeaning those who are currently serving it’s no reflection on them but I’m sure they are realistic as well when I say New Zealand would fail if we relied on our military to defend our shores.

And dare I say it, the US military is in a similar position. It no longer has a deterrent value.

The surprising thing my article pointed out is America’s potential enemies see this, the American people – not so much.

For the US to militarily compete on the world stage it would only have enough to contain an aggressor, very much like we have seen since World War 2.

Realistically, for it compete against the multitude of adversaries it currently possesses it would have to have a military power commensurate with the realities of the today’s world, not one that is imagined in years to come nor one held in fond memories.

The thing is which is really disturbing is the overall military power of the West has diminished with military forces smaller than they were even a decade ago with Britian, Japan, Germany, and France all reporting lower numbers of personnel, while at the same time admitting their equipment has not kept up to date with the firepower any aggressor has today.

So, what has to do with New Zealand teenagers, let’s go back to them.

  • Self-entitled.  
  • No real-world experience.
  • No sense of duty.
  • No sense of justice.
  • No loyalty.

In the US three out of four young Americans are ineligible for military service and I think we can add the same equation for New Zealand.  We would see issues such as

  • Physical or mental health issue,
  • Obesity,
  • Criminal records, and substance abuse.
  • And a low IQ score

I mention the last point because the US Navy has begun to accept enlistees even with a low score in aptitude tests.

Given the numbers of absenteeism in this country’s schools, I’m not holding out any hope for our young people.

I mentioned the enemy within as opposed to the enemy at the door.

Parents have a huge role to play in bringing up their children, these kids will often reflect what they see practiced in their own homes, so if you feel I am being unfair on your teens then look in the mirror, ask the question.

We can get hung up on social issues like gender, climate change, even the Treaty of Waitangi, none of it means a jot when the enemy is knocking at the door.

Here’s the thing, do you think when and if New Zealand is taken over we will see it, we haven’t so far, but New Zealand has changed, the enemy is no longer at the door, the enemy is already inside your house, your family, your schools your community and yet we don’t see it.

America’s might cannot defend us and bible prophecy about the final war of Armageddon doesn’t even mention it.

The United States will be no longer, because they have allowed the enemy to infiltrate their lives and their culture, just as we have allowed it to happen in our daily lives.

I found one of the reasons the United States stipulate they cannot recruit people was because of obesity.

And yet here we are, living in a country with no pride in ourselves, no pride in our country and no moral value, but when we throw our garbage out of the car onto the road, we expect some one else to pick it up.

Let me make this clear, when the world implodes on itself, who will you look to save you, The United States, No! what about God! Will God save you? for what reason will he save you?

When you see all the armies of the world are called and move towards one destination remember this, America will not be there as they do not figure in biblical prophecy at the end.

McDonalds and KFC only make us obese, but living on a diet of scripture and stories of faith now that is real life-giving food to feed your body and mind, because it is only through Gods word can we see any hope of salvation.

Let’s make it a goal, let’s engage in compulsory training for ourselves and our kids, rather than pick up an aging rifle, pick up an ageless Bible and do some compulsory Bible training and learn who and how to combat our real enemy who has no perception of boundaries, and his days are numbered.

What NZ people believe, in both society and church

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized
by Dr Stuart Lange,
National Director,
New Zealand Christian Network.
In recent weeks, two important reports have come out.
1. The 2023 Faith and Belief study was commissioned by the Wilberforce Foundation and conducted by McCrindle, a social research organisation.
It explored the attitudes of New Zealanders towards faith and spirituality, with an in-depth survey of 1009 people drawn from the population at large.
Some interesting points we noted…81% of participants resonated with some form of spiritual belief (and of those, 37% believe there is an ultimate purpose and meaning in life, 35% believe there is one god, and 27% believe in the spiritual realm)
Two top factors that attract people to explore spirituality include a personal trauma or major life change, or seeing at first-hand those who live out their faith authentically. 31% consider themselves Christian, another 26% are warm towards Christianity, and 13% are neutral.
Only 30% are cool towards Christianity.
Gen Z people (aged 18-28) are the least hopeful generation, and are also the most spiritually open among the younger generations.
Over 90% have a positive view of Jesus, and know at least one Christian.
Most people have a positive view of churches, especially their good worksAll of that suggests that many New Zealanders are more open to spirituality (and to Christian faith) than we may assume, and that loving, respectful sharing of Jesus by those Christians who live out their faith with authenticity can still be very effective.
2. The 2023 Church Life Survey was an internal survey across many Christian denominations, with 20,357 respondents.
Some findings…Many New Zealand churches are ageing, with a median age over 70 for respondents in several denominations (compared to 44 median age in NZ for those 15+).
But independent churches, evangelical churches, and most likely Pasifika and Asian churches, the median age is much lower
Migration is helping rejuvenate some churches 95% of respondents believe the Bible is the Word of God 20% look for opportunities to share their faith, 55% are happy to talk about faith if it comes up, and 34% have invited family or friends to church in the last year
When it came to what priorities respondents wanted for the church, good community within the church and fostering spiritual growth were among the most preferred the least preferred priorities were ministry to children and youth, care for the needy, and encouraging people to share their faith.
The first of these bullet points, and the last, are particular cause for reflection. Are they connected?
Mā te Atua koutou e tiaki e manaaki i ngā wa katoa
May the Lord bless and keep you at all times

SEE ME (NOT MY DISABILITY)

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized

Disabled people are not there to be pitied, ignored, looked down upon and for Christians they are not there to be cured, cared for or pushed aside.

Hello, I’m Jenna Orchard and at Christian Voice New Zealand we’ve spoken to many members of the church to get their thoughts on the disabled, and who better to go to, the disabled themselves.

On our journey we found God using the disabled in many ways, in worship teams, community care, evangelism and counselling.

In fact, there isn’t a single area in Christian life he isn’t using them.

Unlike us, God doesn’t see them as lesser beings because they have a disability, and nor should we.

But I must tell you, sometimes, we just don’t think.

When talking with one young woman, injured in a car accident, she said she felt ignored as people would speak to the person pushing her chair, and they condescendingly ask her, “Are you alright dear?”

Another said “Often, many Christians would want to pray for her.”

One said she lost most of her friends because they couldn’t cope with the chair.

Yeah, I know, sad right, but this is how they feel, but they refute the assertions they are any less than able bodied people.

Most are disabled through circumstance rather than design, accidents, health, genetics, all beyond their control.

Collectively, the people we spoke to accept their circumstances, in some cases they found it difficult, but it has brought them to an understanding of themselves, I put the question to abled bodied people if they can say that about themselves.

They embraced their circumstances, their physical, their sometime neurological differences as a unique gift from God.

One woman we spoke to said she is constant pain, and every day faces not only the challenge, her disability presents but the barriers to participate in life, at work and in church.

She found herself feeling marginalised at church and she was not alone.

Access into the church, although not an issue today was before building codes changed.

But once inside some agreed that they while they felt invincible other made them feel, well invisible.

When your invisible, it is hard to participate and have your voice heard as one of our people pointed out when they spoke of their church’s priority, the deaf ears her pleas were to the church leadership who at the time were raising funds for the restoration of a church organ, but no funds could be provided to give them wheelchair access to the toilet.

My experiences in church were particularly difficult she said, “I was seen as an object of others’ care and ministry, but people saw my wheelchair before they saw my gifts. I became invisible,unless I was being prayed for healing (by which prayers usually meant my cure) but no one ever asked whether I wanted prayer.

All agreed they didn’t want to be looked after, they wanted the church to change and listen to those like them who had disabilities.

And I must point out, not everyone who has a disability is aided by a device, their disability may be one unseen.

I want to make the point, while people have disabilities, they are strong in their faith and fight every day to fight and overcome all obstacles and barriers but it is God who promises they will and trust in his words where in 1 John 4 it talks about us, all of us as being children of God, in 1 Peter 5 it mentions victory for everyone born of God who overcomes  the world and believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

While some look down and pity the disabled and think they should be saved, look at what God has provided for them.

One woman said she turned her pity party into a ministry and was able to bring two people to the Lord, just by talking about her situation and her faith.

Another wheelchair bound rocks the stage in a mega church and leads their congregation in worship every Sunday.

Another uses their disability to reach out to others in a similar situation to speak into their lives the good news of Jesus Christ.

These are just some of the examples of where the church sees the heart, not the wheelchair, crutch, walking stick, Zimmer frame, or the mental disability, as no different to able bodied members of the congregation.

Look they may have days where they may be like diamonds and others sometimes, they maybe stone’s full of despair anxiety and self-pity, but then don’t you and I, but like all of us we have one thing in common, we are all made in God’s Image.

Disability seen or not, they too are children of God and deserve to be treated this way.

We as a church can make them belong, and not insignificant, we should include them in every aspect of church life not working for them but alongside.

They must no longer be seen as objects of care and charity but recognised as potential leaders, with gifts to offer.

Together, we could transform the Church to look a little more like God’s kingdom than it did before.

IMMINENT: THE KINGS RETURN

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized

Buckle up your seatbelts and for Christians, I suggest you have a look at your lamp to ensure you have plenty of oil in stock, because the time of the return of Jesus is coming.

We, that is the generation alive today I believe is the generation Jesus spoke about in the book of Matthew 24:34 when speaking about the generation which wouldn’t pass until they had seen the signs of the last days he foretold earlier.

Every year since the beginning of our ministry since 2012 we have openly talked of these end times.

Back in 2012 when we started the world was in a woeful state, and in 2018 as we rebranded into Christian Voice New Zealand it was obvious to us New Zealand as a country had chased the God of heaven out of our culture, out of our country, and out of our lives.

Back then we could see what was happening and it was breaking our hearts as lust was predominant within our society as the apostle John put it in 1 John 2:16, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the father but from the world.”

Even the words from Paul, found in 2Timothy3:2 were clanging in our ears at the time. And even then I questioned , why, why is it people cannot see this happening for indeed the world was, and still is full of People who are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, where children are disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. 

It was only going to be a matter of time when we would see an escalation of a lack of self-control as governments would become drunk with power and take control of people’s daily lives.

We see that, we have seen them drunk in this country, we have seen a leader filled with the spirit of Jezabel and is now being set upon by those who adored her just like the dogs of Jezebels Day.

We see the dogs of war continuing to be drawn into a battle the bible calls Armageddon, but first they must pave the way for the Antichrist, but he must have something to rule over and what better than the nations of this world as todays worldly Governments drunk on power make a clear pathway for a one world government. We have talked a lot about this in the past.

Unlike the next labour prime minister in New Zealand who hasn’t been born yet, the antichrist is here, just waiting, ready to take Centre stage.

We as Christians should be aware of these things, I don’t know how many times Jesus told his followers to stay awake, to stay on the watch, but they didn’t and yet you today, who have so much more knowledge, some of you continue in your slumber, rejecting the word of God, denying the signs, even go as far as denying what you know is true, just like Peter did at the braziers when he denied Christ.

But we are not in the dark, we should be burning our lamps and setting it on high so others can come from the darkness.

Paul, speaking to the congregation in Thessalonica called on them to remain as children of the light.

In verse 2, 1 Thessalonians 5 Paul repeated Jesus warning that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Complacency amongst God’s people today is the worst it has ever been and yet we should not be surprised when it happens, like it’s happening now.

You watching this are not children of the dark, but children of the light and children of the day

Pauls words again to the Thessalonians we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We need to stay awake as we watch the news of today and be aware of the times in which we live.

We cannot afford to be apathetic towards what it was Jesus said as he started to describe the signs in the end times.

First sentence out of his mouth was “Watch out that no one deceives you.”

Really interesting thought today, who is deceiving you?

Think of the news in its current context Jesus told his disciple You will hear of wars, Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, wars between Taiwan, China, and the United States, who is it deceiving you today?

It was only a couple of years ago where we were told our government was the only single source of truth and still today, no one trusts mainstream media and yet here we are lapping up everything we hear.

We are without a doubt living in a time of turmoil, for those of the boomer generation we can see it, we have been around long enough to see changes, but it’s the next generation and those following who really concern me.

My generation is apathetic, complacent because we have lived through history, but fail to recognise when history starts repeating.

But this new generation, who deny history, claim it didn’t happen, who do not accept anything wto be true are the children living in darkness, I say that could be true of our own children, ask yourself, did I teach them as the Bible commanded me to or did, I allow them to be drunk with the freedoms of this world.

Have we taught them to obey the commands of God, would they even know what you are talking about when it comes to ensuring we have enough oil to light our way in these darkened times.

Or have we produced a generation like the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.

Remember the last line in the scripture “That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

I come back to 1 Thessalonians where Paul said “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

And my friends I have to ask when was the last time you encouraged or built anyone up?

The world is such a big place and remember the harvest is great, but the workers are few. We need to harvest what is in front of us, rather than worry about the next paddock. Encourage your partner, husband, wife, son, daughter, neighbours, friends.

Let me leave you with Jesus’ words when he said.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

FOR THIS IS ZION, WHOM NOBODY CARES

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized

Some people are like Bees to a honey pot – you know who they are, especially if you hold a garage sale on a Saturday morning.

The colins dictionary English dictionary’s definition of the phrase is

 “If something attracts people like bees to a honeypot or like bees round a honeypot, it attracts people in large numbers.”

Its an expression which is being used to describe reaction to the current middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine.

When the conflict fist hit the headlines, there was an outpouring in both rage and condemnation over the attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas.

I call them terrorists because anyone who launches attacks on civilians and slaughters children to be terrorist.

However, as I mentioned in a previous episode, I accept one man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist dependent on what side of the gun you are on.

And I will restate what I said last time, as a Christian I am saddened to see this conflict affecting innocent lives on both sides, and while as a Christian I look to the land of Israel as being holy, but then so does Islam, which shows you, really there is no side to be taken.

But like bees to a honeypot, we are attracted to conflict, we have an opinion formed on what I consider to be unconscious bias brought about by our own upbringing.

As a journalist, and as a person who has been, and seen a lot of trouble over the years, we often see attitudes shift in a conflict.

Unquestionably, the recent terrorist attacks on Israeli people by Hamas fighters were brutal and evil.

The attacks reflected Palestinian bitterness about decades of conflict, and a rejection – by some – of the very existence of Israel.

Morally, though, such a massacre can never be justified.

The decision of Israel to invade Gaza and destroy Hamas is understandable, but fraught with considerable danger.

Such an incursion will inevitably lead to a huge loss of life.

Many have already died, and – whatever the rights or wrongs – Palestinian and international Muslim outrage will only be compounded.

Yep, just like bees to a honeypot.

It’s not just countries but anybody whose anybody is out supporting Palestine, and yet you would think it was Israel who started this conflict.

Speak support about Israel and watch the venom pour out of those antisemitic mouths.

The lack lustre response from our foreign minister over the conflict saw prime minister Chris Hipkins walk back and toughen up the condemnation.

New Zealand by the way has given millions of dollars in financial support to the Palestinians for its efforts to establish a homeland in the past.

And no one should be surprised that members of these three members of the Green Party who until recently were a part of the government have supported the actions of Hamas.

Yes, that is correct, they have supported the abduction, the killing of Israeli children and adults. Shame on them

And there was the usual sporting star Sonny Bill Williams putting his head above the parfait.

Oddly enough the only person you would expect to have a say would be saint Jacinda, but she hasn’t.

Isn’t it sad how The Auckland Museum in showing solidarity in support of the victims of Israel by lighting its building in Israeli colours had to apologise for the offence caused to Palestinian supporters. And yet we don’t see any building lit in Palestinian colours.

I guess the flavour isn’t what the bees who attend Islamic mosques in this country is not to their taste as we don’t hear them condemning terrorism at the hands of Hamas especially as how they themselves had been victims of terrorism recently.

Like Bees to a honeypot Palestinian supporters shut out a show of solidarity and grieving from the Jewish community in Australia and had to listen to this group chanting “Gas the Jews”

Around the world we are watching an outpouring of antisemitic, hate a vitriol from nearly every land.

Just last week, I found out that Climate change must have been involved in the middle eastern conflict as Greta Looney tunes voice has been heard in support of Palestine advocating, the use of sustainable bombs.

Like Bees attracted to a honeypot, they are unstoppable.

It’s a bit of an eyeopener, especially when one black guy dies in America and the world breaks out into mass protests, cities burn, and anyone in the public eye desperately bends the knee for a cheap photo opportunity in mock solidarity.

1,400 Jews are slaughtered, and the same people are out on the streets calling for the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish people.

Meanwhile, the celebrities, politicians and sportsmen who can’t wait to jump on every other tragedy remain silent. It’s certainly been an eye opener.

There is plenty of information available online about the history of Palestine/Israel, but one thing I found interesting was how the land was left barren and desolate until the Jews came back to the land in the mid-1800s and the land became refreshed with water and began to be fertile again.

Some may say it’s a coincidence, others may have differing opinions, but the land given to the descendants of Abraham was described as a land of milk and honey and doesn’t it seem strange to you that everyone is like a bee attracted to this honeypot.

I have recently seen other bees attracted to the honeypot of prophecy, some claiming this is the start of WWIII, could be, but it could also be the start of something even bigger and that is the battle foretold in the book of Revelation.

Jesus words recorded in Matthew 24:43 if you knew a thief was coming, you would stay awake, stay on the watch as the apostle Paul put it.  

My friends if you want a clearer understanding of the times, we live in then I suggest you find all the honey in the pot called The Bible and you and be like a bee and be attracted to the God of heaven and earth.

  • We, New Zealand
  •  cannot, nor should it support the killing of innocents,
  • we cannot, nor should we be like the nation of Germany did in the days of Adolf Hitler enter or support acts of antisemitic behaviour towards the Jewish people,
  • and we cannot, nor should we have members of our house of representatives support ethnic cleansing of one nation.

In an article last week, I read the story of a chicken farmer in Lebanon who wanted Israel to attack his country, he wanted rid of the scourge of the Hezbollah who overran his country more than a decade ago.

Not everyone Arab wants to see conflict but they certainly are and unquestionably, are attracted to the honeypot of Israel.

  • I have heard calls for prayer, so yes, we should pray for those on both sides who mourn, or who are wounded, or homeless, or who now live in great fear.
  • Pray for the vulnerable minority of Palestinians who are Christian.
  • Pray for inspired and gifted peacemakers, for a general de-escalation, for a ceasefire, and for a negotiated settlement.
  • Pray for a deeper miracle: for a new desire among both Jews and Arabs to live alongside each other not in hatred and violence, but with generosity, justice, mercy, and respect.
  • Pray that large numbers of Jews and Palestinians may come to believe in Christ, and so find peace with God and a growing peace with others.
  • Pray for God’s sovereign purposes to be fulfilled, across the world, and that God’s Kingdom may come.

And one last thing, look up, for your redemption is near.

ACCEPTING YOUR OWN PREJUDICE

by MikeBain, posted in Uncategorized

I grew up in what was a small town on the Taieri Plains.

Its population was about two thousand people and down the road where we lived the tar seal on the road stopped just before our place, the footpaths were just dust tracks, and the drainage was a channel down the side of the road.

Like I said it was small town New Zealand where everybody knew who you were and what your parents were.

I say what and who because my father while not the town drunk, was like a lot of other men of that era, would join up with the daily six o clock swill before the bars closed for the day.

He would then come home full after the quick alcohol and mum and dad would have their nightly disagreement, later the cops arrived to sort it out or take Dad down to the station for the night to sober up. Really, it was no different to many homes of the era.

But that is not what defined us as a family, it was the uniform we as kids were forced to wear which made us stand out as different.

You see we attended the local catholic school; it was my dad who was catholic, mum wasn’t but Dad promised the priest at the time of the marriage we would grow up as catholic, attend a catholic school, go to mass every Sunday, you know the drill.

Being different, standing out, made life hell on earth as the school was on the other side of town and to get there, we had to walk past two state-run schools.

I can still hear the taunting from some of the kids when we passed by, they would sing this derogatory rhyme, “Catholic Dogs, stink like frogs, in their mothers bathing togs.”

Thing is, it didn’t worry me, the singing, it was the abuse, the bullying, and the beatings we took for being different.

I was used to violence, degradation, being the butt of someone else’s prejudice, so when later in life I was called a “redneck” by a woman I was having a conversation regarding homosexuality.

Obviously, I was disagreeing with her stance which was making her angry, when she told me I was a homophobe, which was it. I decided to question the descriptions she was calling me.

To call me homophobic meant nothing as I examined my own conscience and decided I had no phobia towards those who practiced sodomy.

Today we have so many people attempting to cause divisions in our society, look, I don’t know about you, but I am struggling to keep up with who is who and should I be opposed to this or agree with that viewpoint.

A couple of years ago Green MP Chloe Swarbrick used the word “boomer” when referring to Nationals Todd Muller, when they were debating in parliament.

To be fair, boomer is a term which refers to my generation, but in the heat of the debate to use the term in Parliament was wrong, disrespectful.

You see insults and name calling are okay in certain places and venues, but Parliament isn’t one of them.

Being a part of that boomer generation, we never went home and cried on anyone’s shoulders about being told we were dogs, we had stunk like mums bathing togs, because we would get no sympathy.

It would be toughened up or “sticks and stones may break your bones and names will never hurt you.”

And yet today, several generations on we are so easily offended.

Today’s culture is full of hate and when I say hate, I mean hate.

Back in my day it was okay to call a Māori, a Māori, many had nicknames like “darky”, and they were acceptable to the people at the time. It was a name, there was never any ill feeling about it.

Other kids were called sonny, sonny Jim, shorty, Lankey, fatty, skinny, look no one cared but today’s generation get off their precious bikes and start wringing their hands, saying we are degrading them, being hurtful to whom we are directing the name to.

We referred to one of the greatest all time singers Frank Sinatra as “old Blue eyes” and the group of other singers as the “Rat Pack.” No one took offense.

You probably have, everyone has a friend who is referred to by another name, get a group of guys who have been together on a fishing charter and see who doesn’t come off the boat without a new name.

So, what’s all this about?

Is it about being bullied, is it about name calling or even being degraded, well it’s none of those.

It’s understanding and an acceptance of our own prejudices.

Try not to look so stunned we all have them.

Today, like yesterday we all are suffering some form of persecution even here in New Zealand and the thing is we are all guilty of some type of persecution or prejudice.

Don’t believe me? Let me ask you did you laugh when the Indians landed on the moon, and someone suggest they were looking for a new site for a corner dairy? Or laugh at the meme of the rocket ship arriving with hundreds of Indians hanging on the side, like they do the trains.

Maybe there was some other group where a joke was made about a different group of people and they laughed or were you guilty of being the storyteller?

We all have an unconscious bias towards other people, other groups, some unlike in my day are loud about it while others quietly agree.

The current situation in the Middle East is an interesting one.

On both sides you have people who want the same thing, a place to call home and the problem is they both want the same thing, but have you noticed how nuts people are becoming?

Yes, I am a Christian and have a love for Israel, equally I am a Christian who has a love for people regardless of whether they are different.

And I admit I am torn over the Palestinian/Israeli predicament, where one man’s freedom fighter is a terrorist to another man and vice versa dependent upon which side you are on and how it affects you.

Yes, I was tormented as child daily for daring to be different, many young people today are still being tormented for being different but instead of using sticks and stones rifles grenades rockets and tanks we use something more potent, more devastating; we use the smallest muscle we have and that my friends are our tongues.

I have to say it, but the way we use our tongues needs to be reined in big time.
Words are easy to say, words when directed like arrows are hard to takeback.

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words used to express hatred, incite violence, to divide race, to cause harm, they all hurt, they always have.

The Bible book of James we read Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Many today ae angry, angry with the government, the world, with themselves and they need to vent their anger and they do.

Many are quick to be angered and we can rightly be so, but then there are those who are just angry, but can’t explain why.

The kids from the state schools who referred to us a Catholic Dogs didn’t understand why they persecuted you, but they did it as they mirrored prejudice of generations before them.

It didn’t affect me as I grew older, instead it made me stronger, more resilient in life for those who disagree with my viewpoint.

Jesus himself was subjected to racial discrimination, to hatred, to abuse, to violence, rejected by those closest to him, by his mates, and yet when all seemed lost, he uttered the words,

Forgive them father for they do not know what they have done.

The middle East situation Palestine or Israel, I prefer not to take sides because I can see both sides, the Australian One Voice, I can see both sides, New Zealand’s race issues, I can see both sides, can I see a solution, just one.

We should all learn to live with each other, I know it’s easy said than done but the words from Proverbs 11 will help going forward “whoever derides their neighbour has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.”

Understanding who we are, understanding why we are here, understanding why your brother is here, and Understanding who God is will help us to live according to his will and purpose for our lives.

It will enable us to appreciate his love, grace, and mercy towards us.

Understanding who God is will inspire us to worship him in spirit and in truth, and to share his gospel with others.”