by Tim Cameron | Jun 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
Forward by Brother Andrew
The KGB held an exhaustive search all over the country for the forbidden publications about Vanya. Agents broke into believers’ houses. In one case, they had a remarkable success. One of the KGB men came across a book, opened it and exclaimed excitedly, “Yes, here we have something about Moiseyev. Look, it says: ‘First book of Moisev.’”
The man had found a Bible. And indeed one of the first pages states, “First book of Moses.” Vanya’s second name and the name of the writer of Genesis are almost identical in Russian!
The Bible held a central place in Vanya’s life and actions. Is there any other book that could have changed him so radically and prepared him for eternity? And is there any other book than the Bible that can change the Russian people, the (Dutch) people and the whole world in the same way?
God’s book speaks about God’s creation. And about the recreative power of God’s Spirit in human beings. It also tells us what atheism is: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” And about Jesus, who through His death and resurrection has the right to world dominion. He alone! And radical acceptance of that dominion also has consequences. This book is about those who have paid the price for following Jesus.
The martyrs. The Vanyas and those who are still in the concentration camps of Russia. They are suffering for the name of Jesus.
I’ve been very moved by this book. And I’ve asked myself, If I should be arrested on account of my faith, could sufficient evidence against me be put forward to convict me? And to make me a “witness-martyr”? In Vanya’s case, the evidence was abundantly available. Hence this book. That’s why he now has the reward: the martyr’s crown.
With fear and trembling, and very reverently before God, I would like to sign my name at the bottom of the application form for that title. Here it is then:
—BROTHER ANDREW
Harderwijk, Holland
25 September 1986
by Tim Cameron | Sep 20, 2017 | Uncategorized
The boldest statement possible exposes the fundamental truth surrounding prayer and character—without prayer there is no supernatural change in the character of the believer. Our sins are freely forgiven. God invites us to know Him intimately. God’s grace allows us the opportunity to experience the gifts of the Spirit. But, He does not give us character.
We do not become more righteous by doing righteous acts. Prayer creates the change in us that produces righteousness. Jesus commanded us to always be on our guard to cover our conduct (Luke 21:34). The most difficult thing about virtue is to live it out. Fervent, persistent, passionate prayer produces right thinking and right living. We have wasted the whole office of prayer if it does not produce godly conduct and character. The very nature of prayer requires us to stop praying or curtail our ungodly conduct. A life that is given to prayer can grow but one direction—in holiness and devotion to Jesus.
by Tim Cameron | Jun 21, 2017 | Tim Cameron
Jesus was tempted by the devil to turn a stone into bread while He was fasting in the wilderness. He quoted Scripture to the devil to fend him off. Jesus taught us that we must take His Word deep inside us daily. We are more than just physical beings who need food to survive. We are spiritual creations who need to commune with our God every day.
Most of us are too busy to eat properly. Busyness also keeps us from praying. Busyness keeps us from taking time to study, meditate, and hide God’s Word in our hearts. We have an epidemic in the church of spiritually malnourished people who don’t meet Jesus in the secret place daily in the Word and prayer. The admonitions in the Scripture are numerous and pointed. Meditate on the Word and pray. Your spiritual life depends on it.
by Tim Cameron | Mar 29, 2017 | Articles Published
Let’s go for shock value right out of the gate. There are many things the Lord hates, things such as pride, a lying tongue, those who love violence, idol worship (any of that going on today?). And those are just a few of the “lowlights.”
Our God created emotions and feelings, and He obviously has some strong ones. The children of Israel were the recipients of His anger and wrath on more than one occasion.
I don’t believe any of us would purposefully choose to get on the wrong side of the Lord’s “hate” list. But consider this: The Lord reserves much more volatile words than “hate” to describe how He feels toward the acts most damaging in the kingdom of God, acts such as sexual sin, idol worship and the love of evil. God uses words such as “loathsome,” “detestable” and “abominable” for these actions. Oh, by the way—these are the very words God uses to describe those who sow discord among the brethren (Prov. 6:16-19).
So what’s the big deal with complaining, gossiping, judging, criticizing or being sarcastic about others in a place where Christians work, such as churches, Christian schools, Christian businesses or parachurch organizations? I mean, everyone does it, right? Who doesn’t criticize leadership? It would be un-American not to gripe about the boss.
Long before Stephen Covey’s habit six (synergy) in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People or John Maxwell’s The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, the Lord established that unity is powerful. The fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit is unleashed through unity. Unity in the Christian workplace sets all things in order; it brings efficiency, peace and a teamwork that transcends anything theorists write about or researchers validate. And in any Christian setting, unity frees leadership to practice spiritual discernment.
Here’s why complaints, gossip, judgment, criticism and sarcasm are so damaging: these words and actions defeat God’s primary purpose: unity among believers. You see, Satan is always out to destroy God’s essential purpose. Christ’s vision for us as believers is that we might be one as He and the Father are one and that we be one with Him (John 17:11-23). Satan exploits these words and actions of complaining, gossip, judgments, criticism and sarcasm in the Christian workplace to keep the purposes of God at bay.
When you judge others, you are playing God. You second-guess others, thinking you know their intentions. You ascribe value to others with your standard being the litmus test for worth. Who are you to determine someone’s worth? Truth be told, you don’t know your own heart or motivations, much less others’ (Jer. 17:9–10, Ps. 139:23, 24). We need to reserve judgment for the Lord, who knows our hearts.
In a Christian workplace where unity is practiced, people can listen to each other without judging. They can pray out of a pure heart, one that is not full of criticism. Criticism destroys trust, the basis for any relationship. Because we are spiritual beings and the ways of the Spirit operate in the unseen, secret criticism is every bit as destructive as openly critical words. Criticism or secret criticism prohibits honesty and authenticity.
We don’t “right-size” the impact of criticism, sarcasm or judgment toward the boss, colleagues or clients. Unfortunately, we fall into the world’s trap and target authority figures at any level with these words. I’m praying you let what is written next sink deep into your soul. We are to pray for those in authority, not complain, berate and criticize (1 Tim. 2:1-2). When we do these harmful things instead of praying and supporting leaders, we damage God’s kingdom. And we are just like the world.
To make it more personal, when we switch into complaining mode, we send a clear message to God: “I don’t trust you; I don’t believe you are in control.” We strike at the very heart of God—we don’t believe that God’s very nature is good. We don’t believe He can use all things for good.
When we complain, we create an atmosphere around us that cannot host the presence of the Lord. We push against God’ entrance into our workplace while others are praying for His presence. Complaining is akin to emotional air pollution: It pollutes the air we breathe.
Gossip in the Christian workplace? Unheard of! Nevertheless, it is alive and well in many circles. The words of gossip are wicked because they carry such great negative, destructive power. Gossip inflicts greater damage that lasts longer and spreads farther than complaining, criticism, judgments and sarcasm. It is the king of the verbal sin domain.
The antithesis of complaining, sarcasm, criticism, gossip and judgment is the unity of the Spirit. If you have ever experienced the sweet fellowship of the Spirit with other Christian brothers and sisters, you know what it would be like to have this same Spirit in the Christian workplace. Unity is God’s essential purpose for everyone who works there. However, unity in the workplace isn’t easy. It requires a commitment to vulnerability, transparency and determination to strive for it. Unity requires a full measure of truth and mercy (Ps. 25:10).
Once you experience unity in the workplace with other Christians, you will never be satisfied with anything less for the rest of your working life. Now, go contend for it!
Tim Cameron is a passionate follower of Jesus, a father of five, with six grandchildren and two goddaughters. He graduated from Oral Roberts University, where he was a Division-1 basketball player, and completed graduate work at the University of Tulsa. Tim worked at ORU as director of admissions and financial aid. Following his tenure there, he was a public high school principal and then served as head of school at the largest private school in Oklahoma. Tim currently writes, speaks and serves in intercession and prophetic ministry at Believers Church in Tulsa. He has a great passion for prayer. He authored The Forty-Day Word Fast and has a second book coming out with Charisma this June, 40 Days Through the Prayers of Jesus: A Journey to Pray More Like Christ.
by Tim Cameron | Feb 15, 2017 | andrew murray
Warning: We Pray Too Little
Everywhere people confess, “We pray too little!” Yet there seems to be a fear that, because of pressure from work and the force of habit, it is almost impossible to hope for a change. Such thinking can only hinder our own joy and our power in God’s service.
What a solemn confession and warning: we pray too little! Is the call of God for our time and attention more important than our work and our service to Him? If God is waiting to meet us and to give us power from heaven for His work, it is shortsighted to put other work in His place? If there is to be significant experience of God’s presence, there must be more definite and persevering prayer.
Andrew Murray circa 1880
