When I started this blog (and the predecessor many years ago) it was for myself primarily. I needed to discipline time and effort into processing what God was doing, the order of His mission in a chaotic world. I was aware that others were encouraged to hear what God was doing beyond where they were.
Entirely by His grace, I receive interaction from the family of Christ around the world. I'm totally humbled on many levels. Thank you for your interaction in 2025. I'm so sorry for my many failings. I'm also sorry that not all things should be published or discussed publically. I'm trying to be helpful on all fronts and for all connected. I'm reminded that in His presence we will one day have unrestructed fellowship on every dimension. I continue to pray for the church in each of those places which so graciously interact, especially the acutely precious churches which represent Him in a persecution and suffering context.
I in no way want to be political on this blog. We do however need to read our times like the men of Issachar. In one hand we have His word, character and historical actions, and in the other our daily news feed (what is happening around us in the times and places he has called us to). We read our times in His mission with both in view, seeking to see and follow His way forward wisely.
God is at work. In many ways today is an unprecedented day of opportunity for the advance of the kingdom of God.
What then do we observe about the current proliferation of talk about "Western Hemispheres" and "spheres of influence" or "control of power"?
Some basic observations:
1. The way of heaven is not the way of earth. Whilst human governments desire concentric power to draw in resources for themselves, and gain greater influence for the bolstering of their own security, the mission of God works concentrically in the opposite way.
- Christ is ascended, He needs no greater power.
- The Lordship of Christ makes the church outward bound, not introspective.
- The mission of God goes wider to reach those who are not His own. Consequntially our calling is to leave our security, wealth, stability and comfort to be with those outside and culturally different, that they in turn might be part of his expanding family and reach others even more unlike us.
Aside: One of the mysteries of historical kingdom advance is that God has used many people, so different in character and culture to reach the unreached. Those who seek a monopoly on how things should be done according to their own gifting, system, designation, or seek worldly influence for themselves through the church have completely misunderstood the way God has designed and blesses. Those who obey his word, who are flexible to go appropriately to serve a culture according to their distingtive way of life, with the unchanging truth, will see His blessing. He is the one who satisfies a diverse world. His word has contingency for all cultures.
3. Human Financial Powers seek to bring resources into an inner circle, but the gospel is open handed to give our best to those most in need. Church is about giving away our best not clenching our fists to say "mine" like a toddler.
4. The heart of God is close to the rescue of the downtrodden. Whilst world leaders may see little worth in nations other than the prospects of their financial or natural resources (a gift of God), the God who created every human on the planet sees each person as priceless regardless of what they can bring. The gospel is free, cost Christ everything, and offers eternal difference with treasure in Christ which is never ending. Christ is true treasure. What we have is the privilege to offer Him. We do this on His behalf (2 Cor 5:20) to all people regardless of what they can or do not bring to the table. We are not the Messiah, or the answer to a broken word. In commending Him and living out His character however there is eternal value, as we see others recconected / brought by Christ into his intimate sphere, His salvation, His Lordship.
5. The eternal kingdom of Christ is far more glorious than any worldly construction. Bought by His blood, our inheritance will never fade, spoil, or perish. Our leader will never come to an end, no one can topple Him in His reign. He, His kingdom, sphere and influence will always continue.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
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