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As I prepare this article it is as though I am hearing more and more about the lack of good sound solid leadership in the nations of the world – where men of integrity and trust are indeed found to be reliable. Corruption appears to be a blight in these times when transparency is easily trips off too many tongues.

In the Bible there are lessons and warnings and guidance and direction in the areas of leadership and discipleship and we would be wise to start paying heed.

Many of our serious situations and circumstances could be resolved if only we would adhere to what god has said in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

When I was asked to deliver ten lessons – ten talks – seeking to cover the entire bible in ten sessions, I found it exhilarating – and highly challenging too.

In our sweeping through the Bible seeking to have an overview of these past 6,000 years, we come to the prophets. Since the days of Moses there have been prophets – but it is when we come to around the year 700 B.C. that we have various books written by the prophets.

Previously the words of the prophets are included in the content of the historical books.

The prophets were very ordinary men – but they were given a BURDEN or ORACLE or WORD – which they spoke or preached or proclaimed or shared.

The prophet not only spoke for God – but he first had to hear from God. We have to receive before we can give.

The prophets basically challenged the people of God – and occasionally confronted kings – or the priests – or false prophets.

They also comforted the people – and that is also part of New Testament prophecy.

Let me break in at this point and mention the prophetic book of ACTS – As we attempt to sweep through the Bible, and have a quick overview of the Word of God, we come now to the book of ACTS. Acts is written by Luke – this is his second volume.

It begins after the resurrection of Jesus Christ – deals with the details of the Ascension – a much forgotten aspect of the life and ministry of Jesus.

We are dealing with around the first 30 years of the Church of Jesus Christ.

We then go on to read about that mighty day of Pentecost – when the Church of Jesus Christ was birthed – launched – in the Temple in Jerusalem – with thousands present – and 120 disciples of Jesus baptised in the Holy Spirit – anointed – filled – and overflowing.

And they ALL spoke in tongues – they ALL praised God in languages they had never learned. Those who were observing thought they were drunk – and Peter explained, basing his explanation on the Scriptures – as to what God had done.

Here we are reading of how we come into the Church of Jesus Christ and how we are to behave once we come into the Church of Jesus Christ.

Luke was doctor – a scientist – a man used to being careful in observation and keeping records. He has examined the life of Jesus – now he is examining the life of the Church, and in these first 11 or 12 Chapters we have most of the basics of the Christian life.

When speaking in Uganda and Kenya at 3-day Seminars for Pastors and Leaders, I have taken these men through the first 15 Chapters of the book of ACTS.

On the Day of Pentecost, when Peter explains what has been happening, people want to do something – Acts Chapter 2 verses 37f. – and Peter is simple straightforward and clear – repent – be baptised – receive the Holy Spirit.

Then we read of the importance of teaching – and these four basic areas of life in the fellowship of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Peter and John meet that cripple man – and he is healed – and Peter and John are imprisoned. Persecution has begun – within the first few days.

But there a boldness and a courage displayed by these apostles – and a fellowship which is so strong and reliable and supportive and prayerful.

God also keeps a purity within the fellowship during the first few weeks – hypocrisy is dealt with, severely – Acts Chapter 5.

But then a grumbling arises – and people are appointed to deal with this unneeded problem.

The leaders would not be diverted from their priorities – and we read of that. Their priorities were prayer and the ministry of the Word. Priorities for leaders and leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ have never changed, or been altered, or modified.

The Gospel begins to spread out of Jerusalem – when a man goes to Samaria – but the job is not done fully – adequately – completely – and Peter and John go down to Samaria to ensure that these new believers in Jesus are born again, just as the believers back in Jerusalem. Acts Chapter 8.

Persecution increases – and we meet Saul of Tarsus who is responsible for the death of the first disciple of Jesus to die for his faith.

Saul is arrested by Jesus outside Damascus – and he is changed. Jesus sends him a friend to help him – Ananias. Saul is filled with the Holy Spirit – baptised in water – and then has something to eat. Look at his priorities. He then goes out to preach! The hunter is hunted. He has to escape.

Where will he go? Where can he go? Would anyone trust him? Was he a plant – a spy? Another man befriends him back in Jerusalem – Barnabas. Saul, now called Paul, has to be hustled off to his home city of Tarsus.

Acts now concentrates upon Peter – and he travels visiting all the needy ones.

God arranges from him to be brought north to Caesarea – where the Gentiles are opened up to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Acts Chapter 10 – and this lands Peter in trouble, as the Gentiles have come to faith in Jesus Christ and are ‘born again’. Peter explains fully to the Jerusalem leadership, and when they are satisfied that this was God at work, they had ‘no further objections’.

However, there is more trouble. James is killed. Up to now we have read of Peter, James and John – now James is killed. The intention is to kill others too. Persecution was growing fast.

Acts Chapter 13 – where we come to the first great missionary movement in the Church of Jesus Christ. Note how it is birthed.

And off Paul goes on three missionary journeys – each lasting between TWO and FIVE years.

There was a real problem facing the Church in Acts Chapter 15 – where people were saying you needed more than faith in Jesus Christ to be a Christian.

Later, Paul is arrested in Jerusalem – and has to flee yet again. This man has no rest – no time off – no easy period. He is imprisoned for two years in Caesarea – and then is shipped off to Rome – where the book of Acts ends.

The details of that storm on the Mediterranean are worth checking for accuracy – the currents – the movements of the ship – the type of cargo – how did they lash a ship that was about to break up – the climatic conditions at that October time of year.

Paul remains a prisoner – and writes some of the letters while imprisoned in Rome. We have the account of Paul’s conversion 3 times in the book of ACTS and he never moved away from how he came to faith in Jesus Christ – he never grew away from how he was ‘born again’. Some do!

If we did not have the book of ACTS, we would not know how to come into the Church. Please, do take time to read or re-read the book of ACTS, as we approach another Ascension and Pentecost.

Notice there were no buildings – no official clergy – no committees – or missionary societies to support the missionaries – people were financed by their converts.

There were no H.Q.’s and denominational divisions – and we are now up to around the year 65 A.D.

There is an emphasis on The Kingdom of God – the Name of Jesus – the power of the Holy Spirit.

These need to be three main focuses within the Church of Jesus Christ today.

Jeremiah has become a nickname for doom and gloom – Jeremiah prophesied serious and sad words – all of which came true.

If someone calls you a Jeremiah, and that is true – then that is a great compliment – it means you are speaking forth the Word of God.

The people thought Jesus was Jeremiah! Matthew Chapter 16.

In the prophets we learn about GOD.

We learn that God is powerful – that HE is a GOD of miracles – that HE intervenes in history – that HE raises up men – that HE judges men and nations, even His own chosen people – that HE is a GOD who pardons and shows mercy.

The prophets indicate how personal God is – and how GOD draws near to His people – and that HE speaks to people.

Isaiah – we looked at his testimony – and we know precisely when he lived. This is one long – very long – book – and we have a scroll of this book – I have seen it in Jerusalem. It is dated around 100 B.C.

Let’s take one famous verse – Chapter 2 verse 4 – “They shall beat their swords in plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks”. That is outside the United Nations building in New York. But – look at the whole verse – “He shall judge among the nations”. This was sung at Donald Dewar’s funeral – and I remember thinking – these people have not a clue as to what these words mean.

The first part of the verse is essential before the second part of the verse can happen!

When Jesus walked onto the world’s stage, Jesus preached from Isaiah 61 – and saw the fulfilment of that prophecy in his coming into the world – Luke Chapter 4.

Isaiah – Jonah – Joel – Amos – Hosea – Micah – Nahum – Habakkuk – Jeremiah and Obadiah – they were all before the Exile. Consider the lessons which we can learn from these men of courage and insight – men who were called by God and who carried something of the anointing of God.

They heard from God – they heard what God was saying at that time – and they had the courage and ability to proclaim and preach what the people needed to hear – and often a great cost.

Let this not just be an article – but allow it to go spiritually deep – and produce fruit.

“Lord God Almighty, open us to the prophetic Word – open our hearts and minds to what You revealed to ordinary men, many years ago. We thank You for their boldness and courage – and for the truth and truths they delivered. We thank you for these details regarding the coming of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. At this season of Passover, when we recall what lies at the centre of our Christian Faith – O loving Father, we give thanks for the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ – and all that that means – may we never lose sight of what lies at the heart and core – we pray in Jesus Name. Amen”

FICTION: Offshore banking can’t be that good because they can’t really pay the high interest rates they offer. If they could really pay those rates then U.S. banks would try to be competitive and have the same interest rates.

FACT: Examine closely the financial statements of any U.S. Bank. You will see that their “gross” profits against customer deposits can range from 25% to 40% — but — they have laws written in stone to limit the interest amount they can pay customers on their deposits. The U.S. banks place their earnings into unnecessary frills and non-productive expenditures like fancy buildings etc., while offshore banking facilities don’t do this and share their profits with their customers.

FICTION: Offshore banking isn’t regulated, so you are at risk of losing all money deposited with them.

FACT: The truth is that every country in the free world has regulations, rules and laws governing financial institutions and banks. Those regulations, rules, and laws, however, are much less restrictive than the “protectionist” U.S. banking regulations, rules, and laws and allow the offshore banking industry better opportunity to earn much greater profits for their investors and depositors.

FICTION: Offshore banking facilities are not insured by the F.D.I.C.

FACT: Some of the banks are but not that many. If they are, they must comply with the same protectionist banking regulations and rules as all the other F.D.I.C. insured banks. But, the majority of offshore banking facilities are insured; one way or another.

Depositor insurance programs similar to the F.D.I.C. program have been established in some countries, so that the banks in those countries have their deposits insured. Independent insurance companies insure the deposits of offshore banking facilities in other countries AND unlike the F.D.I.C., insure 100% of the banks deposits; not just those under $100,000. (By the way, some of the banks in the U.S. insure their deposits with independent insurance companies and many banks in the U.S. are not F.D.I.C. insured)

Offshore banking is “self-insured” for the most part which means those banks have a liquidity factor equal to 100% (or more) of the deposits on the books. Those banks have $1 (or more) in liquid assets for every $1 held on deposit. Therefore, there is no bank run because they can cover any depositor demand.

Self-insured offshore banking is actually more secure than F.D.I.C. insured U.S. banking. Why? Because the F.D.I.C. insured U.S. banks are permitted to maintain a liquidity factor equivalent to approximately 10 percent of their public deposits. (Is it any wonder why more U.S. banks fail each year than in any other country?)

Which kind of bank would you feel more safe having your money in? An offshore banking institution which as one dollar in cash for every dollar on deposit, or a U.S. bank which as ten cents in cash for every dollar that shows up on the deposit statement they give their clients?

FICTION: Offshore banking isn’t as big or strong as U.S. banking.

FACT: Of the strongest and largest big banks in the world (in assets), one bank ONLY is located in the United States:

Here are the safest offshore banks in the world, according to a ranking done in 2007 after examining their total assets in US dollars. This ranking is compiled from balance sheet information included on AllBanks.org

1 UBS AG Switzerland 2 Barclays UK 3 The Royal Bank of Scotland Group UK 4 Deutsche Bank AG Germany 5 BNP Paribas SA France 6 The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd Japan 7 ABN AMRO Holding NV Netherlands 8 Societe Generale France 9 Credit Agricole SA France 10 Bank of America NA USA

2008/2009 UPDATE AFTER THE FINANCIAL COLLAPSE OF 2008

Germany’s largest bank, Deutsche Bank AG, reported a fourth quarter loss of about $6.3 billion. A year earlier, the bank posted a profit of about $1.3 billion (1 billion euros), Bloomberg reported.

Royal Bank of Scotland is expected to post losses of as high as £1.7 billion.

Bucking the trend is a bank not even on the list above and that bank is Standard Chartered bank which is expecting to post profits of 1.3 billion pounds. I have a contact who can help you open an account at this bank for your company if you desire to do so. The account would be in Hong Kong.

Another bank I know about is rated AAA by an independent rating service and if you are not from the U.S. or if you are from the U.S. and have a foreign LLC or IBC to open the account with then you can deposit $15,000 and get involved in their borrow low and deposit high program which has earned depositors as much as 100% per year on their deposit. It is easy to open an account there.

FICTION: Offshore banking must not be very good, or more facilities would advertise their services in newspapers and magazines in the U.S.

FACT: Offshore banking in general is restricted by law from advertising in magazines, newspapers, radio and on T.V. unless they come under the same protectionist rules and regulations that are placed upon U.S. banks. Knowing that, you should be cautious about doing business with any offshore banking facility that publicly advertises in the U.S. media. Because you can be very sure that they have sold-out to the U.S. banking establishment and that establishment will end up selling you out to those who make the rules.

FICTION: Offshore banking is only for the wealthy.

FACT: About 25 years ago, that may have been true. But I know of about three offshore banking facilities that will allow you to open an account for as little as $500. One of these is in the Asia, another in Europe, and another in Latin America.

FICTION: Opening an account at an offshore banking facility is too difficult, and it is very difficult to get a withdrawal when you need it.

FACT: Opening an account at an offshore banking facility is easy because you just follow the instructions they give to you. Getting your money out only requires a request that you fax or email with an attachment included.

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Prophets Hear What God Is Saying And They Proclaim His Message – They Are Wise Men!

Offshore Banking – Fiction Vs Fact