The Power Of Faithfulness

Date August 26th, 2010 17:26 by Craig

I recently attended a meeting of Pastors from various churches – some country – some city.

One country pastor shared the history of his church. He ministers in a small town where his is the only evangelical church.

He has faithfully served there for over thirty years – serving in a tent-making capacity. He talked about how he continually watched children become faithful youth but then have to leave for education and employment opportunities in the city. He shared the difficulties of trying to find a faithful, evangelical pastor willing to move the country and minister to a small congregation.

He has seen several splits, discouragements and trials – and yet his love for the Lord was evident, his passion for the lost strong, and his faith in the Lord was not bowed.

It reminded me of the fact that the Lord uses faithful men to build His church.

2 Timothy 2:2:

What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

There are some difficult times in the Christian life – but when we are faithful – when we fix our eyes on Christ – He strengthens us and enables us to persevere – and He uses us in ways we can barely comprehend.

May the Lord make us faithful servants – who serve in season and out of season.

Of Faith and Flowers

Date August 13th, 2010 12:01 by Dave

Jesus connected flowers and faith in the Sermon on the Mount:   just as lilies do not toil and yet God provides their need to be clothed (at that more beautifully than Solomon’s wardrobe!), so we should not worry but have faith in God’s caring provision for us. [Matt 6:28-30]

A related but different sort of Faith-&-Flowers connection occurred during an experience from personal evangelism recently.

I was on my way to a funeral, and stopped by the flower shop.  The shop-keeper saw what I wrote on the condolences card “from the family at Grace Bible Church.” He asked what kind of church we were, “one of those ‘born again’ churches?” This lead straight into a conversation about his past (jaded) religious experience, and where he was at the moment – an atheist.

A fairly logical and thoughtful guy, he asked me with some measure of force, “Do you really believe that people are more important than anything else in the world . . . other animals, or even more important than these flowers?  Because if you do, if Christianity does, I think that is just plain arrogant!”

Our conversation went on for about 20 minutes, including my answer, “Yes I do, because people are unique, since God made us in His image.  So God confers the unique value of humanity, not us.” Then I graciously but directly challenged the shop-keeper:  “I don’t think you really believe that these flowers are just as valuable as yourself.” In some shock, he responded, “Why on earth not!”

“Did you cut that flower arrangement?” I asked.  “Yes” he replied.  “So if a customer were to cut your leg off or cut your head off, that would be no different, since you are of the same value?  You cut and kill the flowers; he cuts and kills you – the same? Really?!”

He stood in stunned silence for a time.

While atheists may hold up lofty sentiments about the equal value of all created things, they cannot and do not live in keeping with such sentiments.

Instead, we must all believe – back to what Jesus said about us, compared with those flowers [and birds] - “Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matt 6:26).

And so much more does our Heavenly Father provide for us.  Therefore seek first His kingdom and His righteousness – in true faith that He will take care of us.  AND seek opportunities to evangelise, even with flowers!

Pastor Dave

Attacking Anxiety

Date August 6th, 2010 12:02 by Craig

As I was driving back to church this morning I listened to a talkback show where a psychologist was describing the devastating effects of anxiety.

As he talked about how so many of his clients were paralysed by anxiety – even to the point that they could not work – I reflected on the Scripture passage I taught on this week in Luke.

In Luke 12:22-23 Jesus said: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.”

When our life consists of the things of this world – what we can buy, what we can accumulate, what we can earn – and considering the tenuous nature of possessions, jobs, even life itself – if that is our world and hope – no wonder we are often anxious.

But how liberating for us as children of God to know that our life is the kingdom of God – seeking first Christ and His kingdom. Our Father knows what we need – and will provide that – and nothing can separate us from His love.

Our hope is eternal – but how wonderful that even here in this life – our ever-loving Father gives us what we need.

Even just reading these promises of Jesus helps our anxiety to fade. Meditating on the love our Lord has shown to us – makes anxiety recede as the things of this earth grow strangely dim – and the glory of Christ grows ever stronger.