Sincere apologies for the delay in update. The Last 24 hours have been non-stop. Sunday morning was such a tonic. The church much fuller than last time was bursting with life, and a real sense of the presence of God. Sometimes things just seem orchestrated like a symphony. Present were those there for the first time, military from the frontline in recovery from injury after exceptional bravery, families in need of a word from the Lord and representatives of a nation who undoubtedly ask big questions with earnest seriousness. The word of God has all these things prepared. As we looked at Hannah and the big picture view of a God who hears our cry, we saw Christ the one who makes sense of all suffering, and has a bigger plan for us in his grace. In such a context the holiness and justice of God is a joy to preach. It is a great comfort to those who have been suffering at the hands of a tyrant to know that he will face God.
As we considered what it is to let God be God and trust Him for all that is beyond our capacity and understanding, there was a sense of God's balm and healing. I have seen it countless times that those who earnestly cry to God know His presence in such a profound way. Several precious folks talked deeply with me after the meeting. Please pray for those present that they will rest in his forgiveness and sovereign plan over their lives, that they will know more of his wisdom and peace as they grow in lives of dependence on Him.
Today we travelled to an area bursting with new spiritual life in the next generation. A camp ministry reached over 400 from several villages. Two of these villages once had house churches, but in the last 60 years they have not been active. However something extraordinary has happened. Due to the present situation these areas are now full of young families engaging with the gospel. Maybe because of the rule that having 3 children may help your immunity from conscription, there is no shortage of children around, and countless numbers of them are engaging with camp, youth and children ministry. So much so that we are investigating the very real prospect of planting two new churches. Please pray with us - more to come later.
This evening I spent some time with some precious teenagers and their awesome youth leader. Rusty table tennis skills got an airing and an old man sweated as a young genius tried to spin him out. It was great being in such energy and inquisitiveness. I remember being young once. Then we played a game "who am I?', where you ask questions in discovery of your prescribed identity. As we took a breather from the fun, and drew around the bible, I talked about Ecc 3:10-11. All mankind has a GPS tracker, and all of mankind searches for the answers to identity, purpose, justice, truth. We went around the world and considered how different religions consider the answer to ultimate questions.
Our God is relational, he comes to us to show us that he is the answer, the way , the truth, the life we all search for, In Him, everything starts to make sense. No other world religion scratches the surface of these issues compared to Christ. The reality of Christian hope is clear when in comparison to what else is on offer. This was a great joy for me to share, and a great joy to see the response in this upcoming generation. God inspires, brings hope, teaches wisdom for living, gives bright hope for tomorrow.
Pray like Hannah and with the church here that the next generation here will know God, relationally, intimately, wonderfully, restoritively, in His Holiness, integrity and wisdom. We can trust and depend on Him for this, knowing that He cares for us.
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment