Filled with abundant Joy!

2 Corinthians 8:2 (NLT) They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

The Macedonian believers had every reason to complain, though Paul doesn’t indicate which troubles he is referring to there is little doubt he isn’t referring to an unseasonably wet summer or a mild tooth ache. Paul is familiar with severe suffering but whatever troubles these believers are experiencing they are full of joy. They experience God’s goodness, God cares for them and us not just materially but even more important he knows when we are struggling and wants to encourage us. We may not have what we want, the Macedonians were very poor but it didn’t seem to bother them or limit their generosity, indeed their giving was an example to the Christian world at that time. What have we to give thanks to God for? How can we give our time, our effort and our money to honour God?

Father give us a grateful and generous heart that we might know your joy! 

A Stepping Stone or a Stumbling Block?

2 Corinthians 6:3-4 (NLT) We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

Few of us have to suffer as much as the Apostle Paul but we still need to commit to living in such a way that no one will stumble or find fault with our ministry. In other passages the word blameless is used. Yes people may think they find fault. We may be strongly criticised and opposed by believers and unbelievers. There may be sharp disagreements, people may slanderously accuse us and gossip about us but when these things are brought into the light and examined by those who do not prejudge the situation then we should be found to be blameless. Not only should we avoid evil but we should avoid the appearance of doing anything which might bring dishonour to God.

It is easy to cause others to stumble through thoughtlessness or insensitivity. A proud, know it all attitude which insists on winning the argument can easily become a stumbling block for ourselves and others. Instead let us wear humility in all we say and do in life and ministry that we might be a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.

Father help us to encourage and build up rather than block and tear down    

Standing Strong through the Storm

Standing Strong through the Storm

For people who want an inspiring email each day produced by Open Doors which gives a verse or two from the Bible plus testimonies and stories from the persecuted church then check out Standing Strong through the Storm. There are certainly challenging and encouraging, faith filled messages I would recommend. We Western Christians have much to learn from those who have been tested by fire as many of the first Christians were. As God says in His word, we should show compassion of brothers and sisters who are suffering and mourn with those who mourn and pray in all circumstances.

Father, we pray that you would remind us of our responsibility to brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering today for following Jesus. 

Learning in the DNA -celebrating a graduation!

Tomorrow I will be graduating having completed a 5 years masters degree in applied theology. It didn’t need to be 5 years but fitting studies in with work proved to be difficult! All my close family will be there, but is it worth celebrating? Do people need such degrees and isn’t there a danger we become proud of our own achievements which are not even possible for the vast majority of the world?  One of my sons didn’t want to come, what’s the point Dad –lots of travelling, photos and all that –what do I get out of it? I thank God for the studies I was able to do, they were part of loving God with all my mind. They were also the right thing to do, they kept me sane and working when church life went pear shaped.  They also helped me understand what God is doing in His world at the moment.  I read excellent books and articles I never would have read otherwise. I really got into mentoring as a result of my studies and started doing it formally and intentionally and learning from those who went before me. Since doing these studies I have taught and preached on the importance of discipling others. In short, though my studies were hard, though I couldn’t focus on them fully and got some low marks I was able to reflect on my leadership and get the input I needed from others. I don’t believe in academic work for the sake of a piece of paper but I do passionately believe in following Jesus. The word disciple means learner and I have been doing some learning. It was seriously hard but God gave me all I needed to achieve the goal. Yes it’s worth celebrating, it continues to bear fruit in my life, I was challenged, encouraged and spurred on by my studies.  Are further studies right for everyone? No, not formal studies but we should never stop learning, learning should be in the DNA of every disciple.

Father, thank you for giving me the opportunity and the capacity to learn more about you and your mission in the world.   

Dangerous and Subversive Movement or local church?

The vast majority of churches I know have lost the plot and have turned into safe and secure institutions reassuring members that their compromised lives are OK with God. Even the word church is so tainted as to be almost unusable. What we need is a Jesus Liberation Movement to bring God back into the centre of all we do as believers. There is nothing safe about the Gospel, it is as threatening and subversive to the world as violent terrorist groups.  There is nothing safe about following Jesus, he died young and made plenty of enemies. God is calling for a movement of people who will take Jesus seriously. Who are willing to live differently, simply and yet honestly and deeply.  In short God wants His people to live for Him alone, to love him with everything we have. We can’t be too committed to God. God will give us all we need but will we give back to Him all we have?  The church should be proclaiming Good News but the message is lost as it is clothed in drab formality and tradition, we use words that don’t communicate to people who have already heard. The Good News is about real change, it’s about joining the most exciting, dangerous and adventurous movement ever created, it’s about nothing less than changing the world.  While church committees argue over changing the colour of the carpet men and women in our society are dying hopeless and helpless.

Father forgive us for losing our passion and domesticating your Spirit  

I was ignored and so I never developed

1 Corinthians 12:22 (NLT) In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.

When I grew up I was very shy and the youngest in my school year so a little smaller than most of the boys. I was also very keen on the very English sport of cricket (the English equivalent of baseball). I joined a local cricket club close to where I lived and also played for my school team. I had all the equipment and went to all the practices and spent time on my own practicing various aspects of the game. I even played when it wasn’t the season if I could. Sadly because I was so shy I didn’t dare ask the captain or coach of the teams I played for if I could have a good opportunity to bat or bowl. But even if I had, would I have been given the opportunity? I was not the best player, there were other players more naturally gifted and bigger than I was. But I always fielded with great enthusiasm and hard work and was one of the best fielders. But though I played for years on two good teams that were very successful I did not have a single significant opportunity to bat or bowl. Often we would run out of time before I had a chance to bat and I was never chosen to bowl. The focus of the teams were on the best players. It wasn’t until I played as an adult that I got an opportunity and did reasonably well, particularly in bowling. As a child no one noticed me, cared about me or gave me an opportunity as far as cricket is concerned. Though I was passionate I never developed. This is what often happens in churches, people have much to give but are ignored, blocked, perceived as a threat or their gifts and talents have no outlet in the way we do church. In the interest of a team winning perhaps it wouldn’t be right to allow less able players the same opportunity as better players, but in churches why is it only the privileged few who get to do the best jobs? 

Father may we encourage the weak and timid and help those lacking confidence to blossom.