Introduction In recent times the Lord has laid upon my heart a vision involves the bringing together in functional unity of believers from various nationalities for the task of mission. This is a call of such disturbing difficulty that it … Continue reading →

Background In the wake of the 10 days of prayer constituting the recent Commonwealth Prayer Initiative (CPI) in Perth, there has been a buzz throughout the city as many have an expectation of a fresh move of God. Proposals have … Continue reading →

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt 5:8) Introduction Recently we had a week of sustained prayer for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) here in Perth[1]. During this time, men, women, children, young, … Continue reading →

Background This brief prophetic teaching is a response to a message I heard at a gathering of pastors, intercessors and marketplace Christians here in Perth this morning. The talk was presented by the senior pastor of the church which facilitates … Continue reading →

Background This is the substance of a prophetic message I shared at the Commonwealth Prayer Initiative (CPI) in Perth on October 29th 2011. It lacks the footnoting, biblical detail and supporting data I would usually include in my articles because … Continue reading →

Background This is the substance of a prophetic message I shared during the Commonwealth Prayer Initiative (CPI) in Perth on October 22nd 2011. Since it was prepared in the midst of meetings and early morning, it lacks the footnoting, biblical … Continue reading →

“Above all things guard your heart, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov 4:23) Introduction Writing this particular article has involved a great degree of personal struggle, so much so that I have changed the structure of the … Continue reading →

Introduction This teaching was initially titled “Guard Your Hearts”, but the more I prayed into what I sensed the Lord was saying to me concerning the work of his Word and Spirit the more I understood that a far more … Continue reading →

Introduction The title of this brief devotion probably raises images of advanced technology, brilliant ideas or powerful ministry gifts. Recently however through a series of encounters and images I believe that Jesus has shown me something quite different about the … Continue reading →

The Beasts that Rise Up From the Sea After a particularly disordered night of chaotic dreams, which seemed to push my subconscious to the brink of insanity, I firmly asked the Lord to reveal to me what was the core … Continue reading →

Introduction “To be God is to be enjoyable, to know God is to enjoy him.” (Jenson ) This striking quote is definitely not the way the vast majority of Australians view their Creator, and at a deep level, this includes … Continue reading →

Introduction A few weeks back I had a terribly disturbed sleep. As I prayed into this I sensed that I was functioning as a spiritual barometer, in this case about issues of disorder in our society threatening our foundational perceptions … Continue reading →

From the time of John the Baptist God announced that the Messiah and Lamb of God would be the one who “baptises with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:29-33; Matt 3:11; Luke 24:49). This is a remarkable claim, for in the … Continue reading →

Introduction climate of increasing intolerance to “fundamentalism” of all forms negative/hostile press coverage and public church scandals How does Jesus exercise his authority through a compromised church to release effective mission into the world?

Israel and the End[1] Introduction I have long held ambivalence towards the Jewish state, but believing that it was God’s will for me to visit the Holy Land, I was particularly attentive to the voice of the Spirit as I … Continue reading →

1. Framework Servanthood means being at someone else’s disposal and doing something for another. Jesus’ self – definition Mark 10:45. Drawn from Isaiah 53:11 -12. Jesus “bore” our burden.  Hence the promise of Matthew 11:28.  This requires identification of the … Continue reading →

1.  Presenting Problem Failure to recognise what is happening in the area of spiritual warfare, especially as this relates to the hidden work of the devil of which we should be aware (Acts 20:28 -31; 1 Cor 2:15; 2 Cor … Continue reading →

SPCC, 22.06.2002 1. Some Current Difficulties A: The Theological Denial of Prophecy 1. Usually based on a particular interpretation of 1 Cor 13: 10 which equates “the perfect” with the canon of the New Testament. 2. This argument fails because: … Continue reading →

As with 9/11, there are certain events in human history whose depth – dimensions defy summing up. Nevertheless faith in God in our time requires that we speak forth rather than to remain silent. As Christians there is only one … Continue reading →

SPCC   14.04.2002 1.  Prophets Today? a. prophetic ministry is tied to the gift of the Spirit and new covenant (Act 2:16-18) b. the needs of the church do not alter, therefore prophecy is permanent c. if apostles then prophets (1 … Continue reading →

Introduction Hello, my name is John Yates and I’d like to tell you something about myself and why I believe God wants me to be a part of the site. This part of the journey for me began in a … Continue reading →

1. Importance of the Topic This is of central importance: cf. time spent on buildings, budgets, details of services, keeping the people happy etc. A Sign Of the Times: Jesus said in the end times “the love of many will … Continue reading →

Praying  on the 15th of July 2006, I sensed God saying he is “pure Father” i.e. God the Father is wholly Father because he has never been a Son.  Therefore, he has no antecedent corrupting influences of fathering, unlike us. The … Continue reading →

1. God recently drawing my attention to the subject of “fullness”. 2. Relates to the purpose of creation in the image of God; ““Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over it” (Gen … Continue reading →

1. Immediate Context One of the current issues for the contemporary church to consider is the degree of our spontaneity in prayer and praise before God.  In many services it seems there seems to be movement away from the Spirit-led … Continue reading →

Preamble As I sat down to write this piece my eyes were drawn to a spider’s web above the window sill. It glittered with brilliant purples and blues as the light of the sun fell upon it.  I believe this … Continue reading →

The Identity Crisis in the Church: Christianity versus Jesus Being a professional Christian for over 25 years (ordained in 1982), and having taught theology for about 15 of those, I am always amazed at the identity confusion amongst Australian believers. … Continue reading →

Introduction I have been involved fairly intensely with a wide range of Christian networks seeking to foster unity amongst the people of God over the last 20 years and at all levels. The values of these various bodies were fairly … Continue reading →

African Churches Networking Conference for Unity, Perth, 23.07.2011 1. Some years I awoke to see in my mind multicoloured streams spreading out from Perth into the continents, immediately I sensed these were multinational and multicultural mission teams going out from … Continue reading →