Hi Friends,
Thanks so much for praying with us on this re-visit to the precious church planted in 0.001%. It seems too long since we were here, but this is His timing and for that we are so grateful, We arrived safely into warm strong winds. Sadly our luggage did not, and so if you were here today you would spot us as the pasty brits sporting the summer season getup of the local discount fashion store.
With a short time of prayer and essential refresh, it was down to the business of catch-up last night as we ate. Instantly there are things we can say for sure...
1) It takes great faithfulness to plant and lead a church to unreached. Our friend has now been here 25 years. Praise God for his faithfulness to the call, a steady commitment to do what has been commanded to by the commander. This is Hesed love worked out in the 21st century, A comittment of love which is widely tested by manifold trial and opposition. In some ways some would say that the church is still a baby church. Numbers may seem humanly unimpressive to some, but the legacy is a church which is on a good trajectory. The culture is missional, where hardcore servants are born, and leadership is not an easy thing to aspire to. The challenges are obvious but so is the keeping, provision and work of God. HE is at work here. What THE LORD starts He will complete. His servants mirror this commitment.
2. The enemy has thrown (and will throw) anything he can at such a precious church.
The reason leadership is so hard is that it is in the furnace of a raging spiritual battle, The church have been going through Ephesians. This morning we look at the armour of God. (6:10-18). Pray for us please;
a) That we will see clearly what is being thrown at us as His church.
b) That we will be able to stand in His provision, power and character to win the many lost here.
Always the word of God is relevant. Morning by morning new mercies and riches we discover. Each day I see what profound contingency and wisdom God has given in His word for every tribe, tongue, nation, cultural nuance, challenge to His bride, nurture of His blood bought people. God is Good !
I couldn't help but think of 2 Tim 2 as we were reunited with our precious brother here. Many of you will know of the backstory of his calling from military posting to pastoral ministry.
2 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,[a] who will be able to teach others also.3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
We praise God for those and their families who live to please the one who is altogether worthy of our lives. The eternal fruit of the faithful is so precious, echoing the sacrifice and glory of the one who has given everything ensure the reaching of the unreached.
All glory to the one who orchestrates mercy and faithfulness to those so far away, in order that they be brought into the cast iron grip of grace.
This is authentic following of the masters steps. This is the antithesis of easy street Christianity and the insipid prosperity consumeristic model of faith that so easily pervades the western world. However hardship for Him, is also flooded by the presence of Him.
Lord make us faithful servants, fill our lives with your faithfulness,
No comments:
Post a Comment