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 us as believers, 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.

Doing what God wants. His direction is the only one worth following.

" not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

I've been reminded by so many news threads over the last week exemplifying lawless leadership that we live in an age where strong self will is not only honoured but idolised and promoted. The pervading vibe is to arouse in yourself a strong motivation that you can achieve... be the best you it is possible to be... manifest things into being. Such a core driver for priorities, activity, and ambition has nothing to do with being a creature of creation, and has everything to do with being the boss, "owning the world" and governing destiny. 

This shouldn't be a shock to us, as it's the only option open to those who reject the Lordship of a loving, all powerful creator and redeemer. What is more alarming however is (in what I perceive to be a growing trend) the evidence that this culture is fully active and has stealthily invaded those who say they are doing the work of God. Is it not impossible to parade ourselves as authentic servants of God's purposes if we are being driven by or own will and self driven mentality superimposed onto everything we are about? Is this not sin? How can those who say they live in the power of The Spirit of God spend so much of their time and energy trying to make things happen in the Spiritual realm, from a foundation of individualism and self ambition? The two worlds are incongruously distinct. Either we are under him or in rebellion. Either we are living in His power and strength as we follow his lead and timing, or we are attempting a manufactured fruiftulness in our own strength. However, doing and prioritising His will in the church and mission is not as easy as it may sound. In reality, it may actually be hugely countercultural in some contexts even amongst those who call themselves "believers" .