Craig's Corner

Looking back on my life – A very chequered past, an incredible walk with Jesus with many mountains and valleys, I am not only deeply troubled, but heartsore for the state of God's wondrous planet today.  And the casualties of these abominations we see today are inevitably the poor, the broken ones for whom Jesus has such a broken heart. 

As our Lord Jesus so graphically warns us in Matt 24 “You will hear of wars and rumours of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”

These are the physical manifestations that we should always be looking out for but in my view not as important as Jesus' first warning.  

Indeed, when the disciples asked Jesus, in Matt 24 v 3 “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” the first words Jesus spoke are often overlooked. In v 4, Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceives you.” 

Deception (which has its root in selfishness) has become a terminal disease in our society. From social media, entertainment, and sadly the pulpit, we are under attack from the great “deceiver.” So, it should be of no surprise that Jesus firstly said one of the marks of the last days would be great deception. It takes wisdom, discipline, and discernment to combat the growing deception around us. The stage is being set – It’s time to focus and bask in the freedom the only Jesus brings.

It might sound like an oxymoron but, obedience is the key to this freedom – As Foundations for Farming family, we are today free to serve, free to plant, free to teach due to our founder. Brian Oldreive defied human logic and was obedient only to his Lord. We are part of a movement setting captives free, lifting people out of the bondage of poverty into the true freedom that only Jesus offers. There is freedom to serve Him in our obedience. True freedom from deception. Romans warns us “Not to conform to the standards of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  The world can be a dangerous place, not so for the obedient one though, because “He works all things together of good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” So, to love God is an act of obedience.  

Sometimes we are called to obedience going against every shred of will power, common sense and standards that to the world looks normal. Brian's story epitomises this! One of his favourite expressions that I use so often is as Jesus would say “Do what I say and watch what I’ll do!”  We will not be deceived if we are obedient, and this is going to take endurance - Jesus Christ assured us that “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” To endure means “to remain firm in a commitment to be true to the commandments of God despite temptation, opposition, and adversity.”

Brian's obedience and endurance is a fitting reminder to us all as Brian and Cath have very recently left to retire (??) to their daughter and son in law's farm in Zambia.  I am heartsore and will miss his constant love and council that I have been privileged to experience for over 20 years.   

We all have a role to play in furthering Brian and Cath’s legacy – This ministry is a model for the world.  Whilst it’s going to take guts and endurance, Jesus give us the freedom to serve in obedience!

Rev 12v11 “And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die."

Much love and blessings,

Craig and Bridgie