Because God is in control, we do not need to be controlling.

 One of the great distinctives of the family of Christ is that we do not prescribe culture, thinking, communication and behaviour based on our personal preference. God in creation creates such diversity that our minds are blown by the incomprehensible level of difference and detail under his sovereignty and will. 

The sheer immensity and power of the Sun, which forms 99.86% of our solar system, should alert us to the smallness of humanity within living existence and created order. Under this heat and light, the fine balance of diverse life is maintained (not too close to fry, not too far off to freeze).  Under this power order, man is less than a speck, yet each of us entertains the idea that the world should work our way or somehow be under our control. How small our minds are.  (Psalm 8:4-8).  This unity within the solar system, however, is just a micro-speck in the universe. There is an order outside of this, which is still being discovered and still operates in perfect unity and motion every nanosecond of every day and night. Who is in control of such a thing? Who and what sustains this? (Hebrews 1:3) How gracious God is to treasure mankind in relationship as He does.

The best scientists may be able to spend a lifetime trying to master such detail and diversity of the known world and what happens under the sun, telling you and me something of how they think that diversity happened and continues. Still, they will always fall short of telling you why. Since the rebellion of man and the Tower of Babel fell, diversity in our world has been confusing society and communication. The anti-Babel grace of God  (Gen 11;1-9, Acts 2:1-11) brings together one humanity, under one head, within the culture and unity of his grace and love. Christ dies, works, reverses the rebellion of man,  and reigns not merely for one race, language, or time, but for all peoples, all cultures and all generations in their diversity who accept his grace and rescue. 

Notice in the coming of the Spirit upon the new community, there is no favouritism (Acts 2: 1-4), and communication becomes effective (5-11) to each language and culture. 

I mention this because during the present instability of our world, some nations and their dictatorial leaders continue to increasingly restrict diversity to impose their own preferences for dominance within the world order. I am not a prophet, but I humbly suggest that this may ultimately be unsuccessful. The goal of unifying things to a common denominator is to influence the world in our way. The way of the family of Christ is inversely different; it is to encourage His people under His Lordship to live within their diversity for His contextual glory, by His eternal power.  

The best of God's people go through the worst of times.

 I've been profoundly reminded again that those God is using so powerfully to bring light have been prepared through dark times. Without doubt, what shapes a child of God or a fruitful leader most are the providential circumstances that lead them deeper into the character of God and communion with the ministry of the God of all comfort. 

"...who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."  2 Cor 1:4

I don't want to labour this one; the simplicity and clarity of God's word (as always) speak for themselves. Simple, obvious notes on application from observance and experience are personal sub notes ...and way less important. By all means, spend a few hours meditating on the verse, and ignore the subnotes. God is good. 

Motivation to mission (2) Compassion

 But when he saw the multitudes ...

He was moved with compassion. 

Matt 9:36

There are many core foundations and motivations to mission. All legitimate motivations stem from the heart of a hurting, loving God. The way we view our lives and those around us is so important. It is foundational to our identity and purpose. We could even go as far as to say that it will be a critical factor on the day we face God face-to-face. 

A tale of two sights.

Continue To Pray For Nepal At This Critical Time

 On March 5th, 18.9 million voters in the beautiful country of Nepal will go to the polling stations with a great desire for their future. Amongst the 6,619 candidates they will choose from are those who have been well used by God to protect our friends in that country.  When we think of a biblical mandate for any political governance, key issues of keeping the country safe and our freedom/ability to live under God in a way which pleases him are at the forefront.

 

Please pray...

1) That elections will be peaceful and that this will be a good stepping stone for the future of the country. 

2) That those elected will be people of integrity, care for the precious people of Nepal, and honour God in their care for all peoples from all backgrounds. 

3) That those who seek to administer a higher calling of love, grace, relief aid, and training in righteousness will have the freedom to do so for the good of the country. 

4) Pray for the next generation growing up in Nepal. Those who may have once been disaffected, gone abroad, given up on the future of the country, would pray for their country, see a new way forward in the providence of God to be a great blessing to that country. 

Supporting those who sign up for commando "special forces" Christianity.

 All of us who are children of God face a daily, brutal, spiritual battle. Ignoring or diminishing this as something manageable on our own is a fatal mistake. The enemy's tactics for all foot soldiers of Christ are to take us out of the fire, far away from being hot coals passionate for Christ and equipped with gospel weapons with His community. He desires us to be disaffected with the church, local and global,  to resent other believers (thus disobey the key command of the Commander in chief) John 13:34-35. The enemy desires to get us out of the warm fire of platoon fellowship to the point, a passion for brothers in arms, whereby we have long become self-serving, introspective, away from any spiritual heat and have grown cold, quelled our affections for Christ, His people, and the lost. He picks off the lonely and vulnerable, those who easily become lukewarm, unfocused, distracted and isolated. Not being in fellowship with a local church, not being accountable to other believers, thinking we can do all things through ourselves, our abilities which live within us, will only end in catastrophe; it is not God's ordained way. The predictable paths of temptation and fall are the same time immemorial: power, pride, sex, money. 

Encouragements for those in the middle of hard times.

Give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  

(1 Thess 5:18) 

Further reflecting on Job, I was encouraged by these three thoughts. So many in ministry, and particularly those who work in hard (unreached, frontier) places, will know what it is to be enduring a protracted season of intense opposition from the enemy, and ongoing 360 issues of heartbreak in a broken world. There seems to be an exceptional season of suffering for many of God's faithful currently. I don't think that is my interpretation alone, or unique to the circles of believers I am aware of, but it is widespread and intense for those at the missional coalface. We need to keep the bigger perspective of God's eternal goodness in view when there are so many immediate stresses. What should we focus on to maintain a spirit of thankfulness?

3 daily perspectives from Psalm 90:12-17

I've been really blessed recently by our local pastor's ministry through Job. Like all wisdom literature books in the bible, the considerations in hand are the big subjects... life, death, suffering, salvation and the imperative need to know our God relationally in all his saving character, resources, and intimate help.  In the routine business and busyness of life, the quick-changing seasons and circumstances of life,  it is easy to lose perspective and lose focus on the matters of our own spiritual state, those things which are of ultimate importance.

It reminded me of a Psalm I read at the beginning of the new year, which sets good priorities for each new day. 

Psalm 90: (12-17)

1) An urgent reminder each morning that we are mortal. 

Life is a gift. Breath is from THE LORD.