The significance of South Africa hosting the Global day of Prayer in May 2010, the World Cup in June/July, and Lausanne III , the World Conference on Evangelism, in October, cannot be underestimated. 1. Purpose
To make an input into the substance team dealing with the session on “a biblical mandate and challenge to the Church in terms of orphans and vulnerable children”.
2. Introduction
The significance of South Africa hosting the Global day of Prayer in May 2010, the World Cup in June/July, and Lausanne III , the World Conference on Evangelism, in October, cannot be underestimated. South Africa will be home to thousands of visitors, for some, a first exposure to the Gospel, for others, a deeper encounter with the God they know, and for those significant Christian national and international leaders, an opportunity to meet and hear from the Lord and each other in order to set the strategic agenda of the global Church for the next decade. What an awesome responsibility for South Africa as a nation and as a Christian community.
3. Context
South Africa’s Gini coefficient measuring inequality of income and wealth is one of the highest in the world. This gap is dramatically reflected in the contrast between South Africans living in first and third world conditions, with the latter representing 50% of our population living below the breadline. Millions of South Africans are living in conditions of unemployment, abject poverty and malnutrition. The country has also the highest number of people living with HIV in the world, with more than 5,4 million South Africans living with HIV. These dry statistics do little to expose the depth of suffering, hopelessness and desperation.
In terms of collateral damage, South Africa, like the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, is also in the grip of an orphan crisis. At present estimates indicate that there are 1,5 million orphaned children in South Africa. While Government is providing child care grants to 8,3 million children and support to 20 657 child-headed households, many children still remain extremely vulnerable. According to the South African Social Security Agency's statistics, as of September 2008, only 494 992 children were in foster care and receiving the foster-care grant. The backlog of about 157 000 reported cases of foster care waiting to be finalized is as a result of a shortage of social workers. According to the adoption register, the number of adoptions in South Africa was low because of a lack of awareness of adoption services. In the 2007/2008 financial year, only 1 682 children had been adopted.
However, the best method of dealing with orphan hood is to delay the death of the mother. Access to treatment is therefore essential. In this regard, South Africa has the largest ARV roll-out globally, 350 000 South Africans out of a total of 524 000 needing treatment, now have access to ARVs. While this is more than 66%, efforts to increase access remain a top priority. However, focusing on treatment is not enough. Prevention remains critical, particularly among the youth. Half of the population in Southern Africa is below the age of 18.
South Africa like the rest of the world is now also officially in a recession.
4. Reformation Agenda
How we as a nation deal with these challenges and inequalities, and how we share available resources, makes South Africa, a world in one, an important and significant model to the world at large. Where we fail and how we succeed is of significance. Perhaps these are some of the reasons why South Africa has been chosen to play host to such an important set of international events. In the end it is never only about ourselves but the whole of Africa is watching and waiting!
There is a general disillusionment with the prosperity Gospel and its fruit of materialism and self centeredness. A great need exists for the teaching and proclamation of the full Gospel. As the Old Testament prophets addressed in their day political and economic injustice, idolatry and a breakdown in family life , we too need the same message. While South Africa has made major developments since 1994 in terms of addressing political injustice, the other evils still remain firmly entrenched.
In this regard we need to reflect on the battles that have been won, in order to get courage for that which lies ahead. South Africa’s liberation from Apartheid must be one of the most significant giants that have been slain and one needs to carefully work through in order to see the fingerprint of the Lord in this historic event. In this regard, the Freedom Charter as a future basis for our democratic constitution and the role of the Anti-apartheid movement, is significant. Despite serious lapses in conscience, the role of the Church also needs recognition. In 1979, the First South African Christian Leadership Assembly (SACLA) met to mobilize a united response against Apartheid.
The significance of the 1979 Assembly was not only to protect biblical principles of justice and equality but also to lay an important foundation for the future role of the Church in building a democratic nation. In many ways the truths of these foundations need appropriation.
In July 2003, SACLA met for the Second time, the most significant outcome of which was to identify the giants facing the nation and to begin an important process in building a national front in combating their cause and effect. The giants were identified as: HIV and Aids; violence; racism; poverty and unemployment; sexism and crisis in the family.
In pursuit of this battle, a Reformation Agenda for the country started to build, and in April 2008, the National Initiative for the Reformation of South Africa (NIRSA) was launched, the purpose of which was to chart a map for the Reformation Agenda of the country and to consolidate the battle facing the giants as identified at SACLA II. The NIRSA declaration marks an historic document setting out the battle plan for the body of Christ in bringing a “rebirth of hope, faith, confidence and renewed vision of what our nation can be under God”.
In particular, the NIRSA declaration in response to the orphans and vulnerable children crisis states:
We resolve to explore how the church, along with the government and appropriate NGO’s can embrace in a new way the huge challenges before our nation of dealing with the poor, marginalized and destitute, most especially orphans, widows and refugees. One logical extension of this concern is for Christian couples to be open in new ways to adopting orphans.
This an important resolve made by brave Christian leaders, such as Michael Cassidy and others, and we are accountable for how we respond to their efforts. As in our history there will be those that will look away and there will be those that will answer the call. What we now need is a clear strategy, strong leadership, and the commitment to fight in this battalion of the army.
4. The hope of a promised land
The nation of South Africa is on its own journey, much like the ancient Hebrews who had to be delivered out of Egypt in order to take their promised land. Our history of bondage of the majority of our people, the present impact of HIV and the identification of the “giants” that have to be taken, make for important reflection:
The angel of death is moving from house to house and it is not only the first born at risk. Therefore the blood of the lamb needs to be on the lintel and the two doorposts. Households need to be consecrated. The Lord is calling us out of Egypt, to stand at the Red Sea and trust Him to do what only He can do. With the bondage and slavery of our past at our backs, only He can part the sea and take us forward. And then in the desert we need to be focused and disciplined, we need to persevere and travel to the Jordan. While some may be left behind we need to press forward. We must cross the Jordan. The Lord will hold the waters that we may cross. We have to cross a second time. First the Red Sea and now the Jordan. But peace in the promised land will only come if we deal ruthlessly with the giants that threaten us. They are territorially illegitimate. None must remain lest they grow strong and destroy us…
5. Navigational Map of Matthew 25
In terms of practical application, there is a sense that we need to return to evangelizing house to house. There is a need to follow the angel of death to bring hope and comfort. The role of the home based care movement is significant in this regard. But it is tactically unsound to just follow the epidemic, there is wisdom in going ahead with a message of prevention. The consecration of each home to the Lord is necessary in order to advance this strategy. It must be remembered that 9 out of 10 South Africans remain HIV negative. This is a critical focus in our battle.
Matthew Chapter 25 provides a chart upon which to navigate.
Quoting from the English Standard Version:
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
The Parable of the Talents
14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
The Sheep and the Goats
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Matthew 25 brings together: the Holy Spirit to stay the distance, the fact that we will be held accountable and the point of focus of the King, those that are overlooked, the most vulnerable in society.
The spirit of this age is so well expressed in an advert advertising a leadership summit here in Sandton where Sir Richard Branson will be speaking. The advert reads: “All we can give you is knowledge, wealth and power.” Perhaps it should be appropriate that this advert come with a warning. Beware! In the same measure that you have been given power, wealth and influence, you will be held accountable for what you have done for the King. The revelation of this truth will greatly assist those that are ambitious and well resourced. Investment in the vulnerable and overlooked is an investment in the Kingdom. Knowledge, wealth and power, these are not just temporal, they are of great strategic eternal value. They should be desired and used with great care!
6. A Kingdom Life
Orphans and vulnerable children should be seen from this kingdom perspective. As such one should approach their care and development from a Kingdom life perspective. What this means……(input Hannes VDW)
During a lengthy meeting with a focus on people living with HIV, a delegate to keep her young daughter busy started writing some questions on a peace of paper for her to answer. A man sitting next to the girl asked the mother if he too could ask her some questions. He wrote down on her paper: “what is eternal life and how does one get it?” Her reply: “to have eternal life is to be born free of HIV. To get eternal life one has to eat as healthily as possible and take your medication when you have it.” On reflection the man realized that in her mind she had not yet dealt with the issue. As a young 12-year old on ARVs with a mother on ARVs, her point of focus was on staying alive. The person asking the question gently wrote his answer: “eternal life comes from knowing the Father, to know the Father is to know the Son”. He had just quoted the response that Jesus had given. Jesus defined eternal life in terms of intimacy with the Father and himself.
In preparing to leave his disciples Jesus encouraged them along the same lines. In John 14:15 (ESV) Jesus says:
“15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
This is a foundational understanding and point of departure when developing a biblical worldview of orphans and vulnerable children. The focus is on eternity and intimacy. The Lord himself wants to be the Father to the children. He has such a heart for those who have lost their mother and have never known their earthly father. But unlike the social worker, cluster mother, concerned neighbour, kind teacher, He wants to live through His Spirit in each child. In John 14:16-18 (Amplified Translation) Jesus makes this remarkable statement:
16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever-- 17The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.
The Kingdom Life is a life of walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5: 22-23 (ESV) lists the benefits:
22But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence).
In having a Kingdom focus and a Christ centred approach to the care of orphans and vulnerable children the conditions are set for the great equalizer in life. The children have access to the above fruit. An access that is not dependent on material resources does not require a just and fair society does not depend on their history or their circumstances. Paul wrote of this fruit while in prison. In terms of social justice what an amazing revelation. Children from a privileged resourced rich environment may not have what children from a disadvantaged background may have. While it is incomplete to share just a part of the Gospel and all the needs of the child need to be considered. Nothing can compare to the strategic advantage for that child to have the Spirit of the Living God in them in order that they may walk in the Spirit producing the fruit of the Spirit. Bondage and curses are removed and freedom and liberty is at hand!
7. Importance of Contextual Theology
(input Hannes VDW)
7. The Great Banquet
In Luke 14:16-24 (ESV) Jesus shares a parable that seems to have a particular echo for today.
16But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' 19And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' 20And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 22And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"
What is the relevance of this parable for today and how does the information highway that we have access to relate to the “highways” mentioned in verse 23? What is the significance of the information society in terms of the great commission and how does this relate to the care of orphans and vulnerable children? What is the role of the virtual Church? How will it look? What will be its priorities and focus areas? Where does the storehouse sit? How will it distribute its resources and how will it define and manage concepts such as tithing and offerings? How will the virtual Church manage its storehouse? What will be its impact in terms of the care of orphans, widows, refugees, displaced people and those that are destitute?
One of the greatest tragedies of the present epidemic and scale of poverty is the breakdown in households. The absence of the father and the death or sickness of the mother makes for a desperate situation where the very fabric of the family is torn apart. In addition the traditional role of the extended family is also a cause eroded as the community struggles to cope with the scale of the problem. Into this context the local church has to respond.
How the global Church can respond and how the global community can assist is of critical importance. The opportunity exists for the global village to assist the local village in caring. Furthermore the citizens of the global village can form teams and networks which themselves become an extended virtual family. In this way households can be matched and supported. Through coaching and mentoring portals one even has the opportunity to recreate substitute mothers and fathers.
The theoretical construct of social capital allows for the unpacking of these social networks within a norms and values based system included in which is a regulatory environment with appropriate sanctions. The technical infrastructure acts as a web in which levels of access and security can be managed. The full implications of which is however, beyond the domain of this specific paper. It will be covered more substantially in session IV.
8. Finally: Sharing the Second Tunic
In conclusion, it is the message of John the Baptist that has an echo in the world of today. In Luke 3:11 (ESV) John the Baptist in preparing the way for the first coming of the Lord, had this to say:
11And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."
Perhaps as we think of the Lord’s return we need to be mindful of the same message. The challenge of caring for millions of orphans and children will force the Church and our society to face the reality that they are going to have to share of their second tunic. While this will mean different things to different people, it is a truth that all will have to face. While the technological age will make its mark and the information society will be of strategic value, the old fashioned ethic of love and grace driven by a passion for intimacy with our God will be the real driver that will produce the men and women of conscience that will care for these precious jewels of the King.
Read more!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
WORDS OF WISDOM
Do you still remember what people were worried about beginning of last year? I will tell you; 1) R11 petrol, 2) high interest rates, 3) electricity ‘load shading,’ and 4) Polokwane. Because of fear of these issues many people packed their bags and left South Africa. But if look again at these issues, ALL of them seems to be sorted somehow. One respected professional actually predicted that by 2015 there will be no car in the roads because fuel prices will be beyond the reach of many people. But today petrol and interest rates are down. By the way when did you last experience loading shading. It seems suddenly we have enough electricity. For those not happy with the Polokwane conference a new party came in!
I am asking myself this question, “Was there any real reason to be afraid?” Why were these things so hot issues last year? Maybe we should ask ourselves who were we listening to? The media makes more money from bad news. Last year I realized that each time after watching evening news bulletins on a certain TV station I would not feel happy. It was like the news had a depressing effect on me. One day we decided with my wife to count the headlines on their news bulleting and classify them either as good news or bad news. The results were amazing. Mind you this did not include sports news and the weather. There were 11 news headlines, 9 of them were BAD and ONLY two were good. Immediately we decided to change news station. I considered that guarding MY FAITH was of paramount importance.
Ladies and gentlemen, GOD IS IN CHARGE OF SOUTH AFRICA! I know this because I am praying for South Africa. My friends are praying for SA. And I believe many people are also praying for this country all over the world. South Africa will not fall, but God in his power is working in unfamiliar ways.
Let’s go North of the Limpopo. God is in charge of Zimbabwe. I know this because I am praying for Zimbabwe. My friends are also praying for Zimbabwe. And I believe many people are also praying for Zimbabwe all over the world. We do not support Mugabe or Tsvangirai, we do not look to the east or the west, ANC, COPE , Hellen etc. If politicians were able to cause a nation to prosper, then why are people still poor, all over the world, considering the fact that every country has a whole lot of politicians. It is God put who up leaders and he put the down again.
As Christians, we are looking ABOVE to God, for divine intervention. For God himself to save mankind. We enforce the kingdom of God by our faith and prayer in love. Because we have the love of God, our father, we love our enemies i.e. people who hate us. We desire good things to happen even to bad people, because our father gives jobs, food, rain and goodies both to the good and the evil. This is what we do, displaying the glory of our father!
We must pay more attention to voice of God than to the voice of the media. Jesus himself said ‘in the world you will have many trouble’ but he add on and said but ‘take heart I have overcome.’ Problems will come and go but our faith MUST remain unshaken. Like the seeds which fall on thorns, the world can choke our faith.
We are ready to FORGIVE those who do wrong to us or do wrong to our friends. We see other people as God see them. After all they are made in the image of God. In image may not be coming not so right, but we pray for them so that the true image of God is reflected as they take in Jesus. The life of person who broke into your house is more evaluable to God than the stuff he/she stole from you. Our primary source of information is the Holy Spirit reinforced by the Word of God. Jesus said ‘when He come (the Holy Spirit), he will reveal to you ALL things.’ In this time, the ones who listen to the Holy Spirit will stand firm. But those who follow the media will be tossed from here and there (James 1:6-8)
Ladies and gentlemen our attitudes are like this. The glass is either half full or half empty. If you are looking from above, using God perspective, it’s half full because our target is to fill it. If you use the world’s earthly view point, from below, it is half empty because we are afraid of it getting empty.
If you look in history or right in the Bible, people of God faced many adversities; famines, natural disasters, wars etc, but in these time the HAND OF GOD WAS MIGHTY TO SAVE. Even if things don’t go the way we want or expected, know that our father, THE POTTER, has bigger plans. With time, whether we are still here on earth or in heaven, we will see and understand the BIGGER PICTURE. Be still and KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!
By Taka Sande
Read more!
I am asking myself this question, “Was there any real reason to be afraid?” Why were these things so hot issues last year? Maybe we should ask ourselves who were we listening to? The media makes more money from bad news. Last year I realized that each time after watching evening news bulletins on a certain TV station I would not feel happy. It was like the news had a depressing effect on me. One day we decided with my wife to count the headlines on their news bulleting and classify them either as good news or bad news. The results were amazing. Mind you this did not include sports news and the weather. There were 11 news headlines, 9 of them were BAD and ONLY two were good. Immediately we decided to change news station. I considered that guarding MY FAITH was of paramount importance.
Ladies and gentlemen, GOD IS IN CHARGE OF SOUTH AFRICA! I know this because I am praying for South Africa. My friends are praying for SA. And I believe many people are also praying for this country all over the world. South Africa will not fall, but God in his power is working in unfamiliar ways.
Let’s go North of the Limpopo. God is in charge of Zimbabwe. I know this because I am praying for Zimbabwe. My friends are also praying for Zimbabwe. And I believe many people are also praying for Zimbabwe all over the world. We do not support Mugabe or Tsvangirai, we do not look to the east or the west, ANC, COPE , Hellen etc. If politicians were able to cause a nation to prosper, then why are people still poor, all over the world, considering the fact that every country has a whole lot of politicians. It is God put who up leaders and he put the down again.
As Christians, we are looking ABOVE to God, for divine intervention. For God himself to save mankind. We enforce the kingdom of God by our faith and prayer in love. Because we have the love of God, our father, we love our enemies i.e. people who hate us. We desire good things to happen even to bad people, because our father gives jobs, food, rain and goodies both to the good and the evil. This is what we do, displaying the glory of our father!
We must pay more attention to voice of God than to the voice of the media. Jesus himself said ‘in the world you will have many trouble’ but he add on and said but ‘take heart I have overcome.’ Problems will come and go but our faith MUST remain unshaken. Like the seeds which fall on thorns, the world can choke our faith.
We are ready to FORGIVE those who do wrong to us or do wrong to our friends. We see other people as God see them. After all they are made in the image of God. In image may not be coming not so right, but we pray for them so that the true image of God is reflected as they take in Jesus. The life of person who broke into your house is more evaluable to God than the stuff he/she stole from you. Our primary source of information is the Holy Spirit reinforced by the Word of God. Jesus said ‘when He come (the Holy Spirit), he will reveal to you ALL things.’ In this time, the ones who listen to the Holy Spirit will stand firm. But those who follow the media will be tossed from here and there (James 1:6-8)
Ladies and gentlemen our attitudes are like this. The glass is either half full or half empty. If you are looking from above, using God perspective, it’s half full because our target is to fill it. If you use the world’s earthly view point, from below, it is half empty because we are afraid of it getting empty.
If you look in history or right in the Bible, people of God faced many adversities; famines, natural disasters, wars etc, but in these time the HAND OF GOD WAS MIGHTY TO SAVE. Even if things don’t go the way we want or expected, know that our father, THE POTTER, has bigger plans. With time, whether we are still here on earth or in heaven, we will see and understand the BIGGER PICTURE. Be still and KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!
By Taka Sande
Read more!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Blessings,
During one of my daily readings I came across the following devotion by Eugene H. Peterson who as you know is the translator of The Message. As I am working at the Innovation Hub and very actively involved in building an ICT platform in dealing with the orphans and vulnerable children crisis in the country, I was particularly struck by what Peterson wrote. I have been mulling over the message and thought of you and felt I should share the devotion. Be blessed!
Quote
Busyness in an illness of spirit
Busyness is an illness of spirit, a rush from one thing to another because there is no ballast of vocational integrity and no confidence in the primacy of grace. In order for there to be conversation and prayer that do the pastoral work of meeting the intimacy needs among people, there must be a wide margin of quite leisure that defies the functional, technological, dehumanizing definitions that are imposed upon people by others in the community.
Unquote
Psalm 131:2
I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quite heart, like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. The Message
I trust that this will bless you as it blessed me. Know that we as a shepherding team want to stay within the primacy of grace and if you want to just talk, pray or fellowship in a wide margin of quite leisure, let us know so that together we can discover what it is like to be content and to have a quite heart. Read more!
During one of my daily readings I came across the following devotion by Eugene H. Peterson who as you know is the translator of The Message. As I am working at the Innovation Hub and very actively involved in building an ICT platform in dealing with the orphans and vulnerable children crisis in the country, I was particularly struck by what Peterson wrote. I have been mulling over the message and thought of you and felt I should share the devotion. Be blessed!
Quote
Busyness in an illness of spirit
Busyness is an illness of spirit, a rush from one thing to another because there is no ballast of vocational integrity and no confidence in the primacy of grace. In order for there to be conversation and prayer that do the pastoral work of meeting the intimacy needs among people, there must be a wide margin of quite leisure that defies the functional, technological, dehumanizing definitions that are imposed upon people by others in the community.
Unquote
Psalm 131:2
I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quite heart, like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. The Message
I trust that this will bless you as it blessed me. Know that we as a shepherding team want to stay within the primacy of grace and if you want to just talk, pray or fellowship in a wide margin of quite leisure, let us know so that together we can discover what it is like to be content and to have a quite heart. Read more!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Word for Zimbabwe
That after King Saul died with his son on the battlefield, King David became King over the house of Judah and Abner made another son of King Saul king over Israel. 2 Samuel 2:8-11.
But because King David was chosen and anointed, he grew stronger and stronger and the house the son of Saul grew weaker and weaker. Eventually King Dawid became King over Judah and Israel. 2 Samuel 3-1We believe that the same principle will apply for Zimbabwe, the new system put in place will grow stronger and stronger, whilst the old system that did not work will become weaker and weaker and will eventually disappear. This was confirmed by a vision of a dead plant with a new shoot coming out of the dead plant. We pray that this will be a word of encouragement.
Word from Karl Winter one of our congregational Shepherds Read more!
But because King David was chosen and anointed, he grew stronger and stronger and the house the son of Saul grew weaker and weaker. Eventually King Dawid became King over Judah and Israel. 2 Samuel 3-1We believe that the same principle will apply for Zimbabwe, the new system put in place will grow stronger and stronger, whilst the old system that did not work will become weaker and weaker and will eventually disappear. This was confirmed by a vision of a dead plant with a new shoot coming out of the dead plant. We pray that this will be a word of encouragement.
Word from Karl Winter one of our congregational Shepherds Read more!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Cup by Francis Frangipane
The Cup
Part Three: Leadership is a Call to Die
In Matthew 20:17-19, Jesus sought to prepare His disciples for the hardships that awaited them. He warned that a time was coming when He would be mocked, scourged and crucified for the sake of redemption. In the midst of this utterly sober warning, incredibly, the mother of James and John requested of Jesus fulfillment of her family's ambitions! She said, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left" (v. 21). She's thinking advancement, position and place; Jesus is thinking scourging, mocking and death. She's looking for the crown; Christ spoke of the cross. Jesus' answer speaks not only to silence her ambitions, He speaks to ours as well: "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" (v. 22). Amazingly, they said to Him, "We are able." In truth, they hadn't any idea of the price that was to be paid. It was only pride, ignorance and ambition talking. Yet, listen to how Jesus answered them: "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father" (v.23). Hear this you who desire true spiritual fulfillment. Jesus was telling them, I cannot fulfill your ambitions. I can only show you how to die. Yet, even in their immaturity, Jesus knew they would overcome. He assures them, "My cup you shall drink." They would outgrow human ambition and become great examples for us. And we too shall drink His cup. Jesus describes the elements of that cup as He continued, again slaying the dragon of ambition, "Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give Himself as a ransom for many" (vv. 27-28). If we will advance with Christ, consider the words He uses to describe the doorway into power: "slave . . . serve . . . ransom." Notice, He didn’t point out the rewards, which are many; He showed them the way to true resurrection power. Give yourself as "a ransom" for the sake of your family, your church or city. Position yourself in prayer, fasting and faith for others. Stand in the gap so others might live. This is the cup that leads to spiritual fulfillment. But let me assure you, this is not a gloomy path; this is the path to the life of heaven. For when Christ lives in us, He comes with an overwhelming, sustaining joy. The Scripture says, looking at the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross (Heb. 12:2). The cross delivers us from the prison of self-absorption; it releases us into the true reality of God, in whose "presence is fullness of joy" and in whose right hand are "pleasures forever" (Ps. 16:11). One may argue, "You don't understand Francis, I've been hurt." Yes, we all face heartache and disappointment, and the pains we experience can be deep. Yet, in seeking justice for ourselves, we must guard against the voice of self-pity. Indeed, self- pity keeps all our wounds alive. Instead of carrying the cross, we carry the offense. We must rebuke self-pity and command it to leave. We are followers of Christ! Therefore, forgive the offense and let it go. This is not a deep truth; it is the basic path of Christ! Paul wrote of the source of miracles and virtue in his life. He said, "That the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted . . . but not crushed . . . always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus might be manifested in our body" (2 Cor. 4:7-10). What is this "dying of Jesus"? It is dying in the manner Jesus died: when offenses come, when we are struck with injustice, when people fail or even betray us, we position ourselves in redemption; we pray the mercy prayer, "Father, forgive them." The only way ambition can be fulfilled is if we are ambitious for Christ to be revealed through us. Paul continued, "For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you" (2 Cor. 4:11-12). Beloved, death has a work that it accomplishes in us. Is this not exactly what we desire above all things: "the life of Jesus . . . manifested in our mortal flesh"? Paul says, "So death works in us." In the hands of our eternal Designer, death is not our enemy; it actually becomes an ally in the transformational process of our souls. It performs a work in us we cannot otherwise fulfill. For the death of our old self leads to the manifest life of Jesus. Here abides true spiritual fulfillment, not in our striving to create a place for ourselves, but in laying down self to create a place for Jesus. Leadership is a call to die. Spiritual maturity is to drink deeply of the cup of Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Please feel free to forward this message to others; acknowledging our web site would be kindly appreciated. www.frangipane.org Read more!
Part Three: Leadership is a Call to Die
In Matthew 20:17-19, Jesus sought to prepare His disciples for the hardships that awaited them. He warned that a time was coming when He would be mocked, scourged and crucified for the sake of redemption. In the midst of this utterly sober warning, incredibly, the mother of James and John requested of Jesus fulfillment of her family's ambitions! She said, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left" (v. 21). She's thinking advancement, position and place; Jesus is thinking scourging, mocking and death. She's looking for the crown; Christ spoke of the cross. Jesus' answer speaks not only to silence her ambitions, He speaks to ours as well: "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" (v. 22). Amazingly, they said to Him, "We are able." In truth, they hadn't any idea of the price that was to be paid. It was only pride, ignorance and ambition talking. Yet, listen to how Jesus answered them: "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father" (v.23). Hear this you who desire true spiritual fulfillment. Jesus was telling them, I cannot fulfill your ambitions. I can only show you how to die. Yet, even in their immaturity, Jesus knew they would overcome. He assures them, "My cup you shall drink." They would outgrow human ambition and become great examples for us. And we too shall drink His cup. Jesus describes the elements of that cup as He continued, again slaying the dragon of ambition, "Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give Himself as a ransom for many" (vv. 27-28). If we will advance with Christ, consider the words He uses to describe the doorway into power: "slave . . . serve . . . ransom." Notice, He didn’t point out the rewards, which are many; He showed them the way to true resurrection power. Give yourself as "a ransom" for the sake of your family, your church or city. Position yourself in prayer, fasting and faith for others. Stand in the gap so others might live. This is the cup that leads to spiritual fulfillment. But let me assure you, this is not a gloomy path; this is the path to the life of heaven. For when Christ lives in us, He comes with an overwhelming, sustaining joy. The Scripture says, looking at the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross (Heb. 12:2). The cross delivers us from the prison of self-absorption; it releases us into the true reality of God, in whose "presence is fullness of joy" and in whose right hand are "pleasures forever" (Ps. 16:11). One may argue, "You don't understand Francis, I've been hurt." Yes, we all face heartache and disappointment, and the pains we experience can be deep. Yet, in seeking justice for ourselves, we must guard against the voice of self-pity. Indeed, self- pity keeps all our wounds alive. Instead of carrying the cross, we carry the offense. We must rebuke self-pity and command it to leave. We are followers of Christ! Therefore, forgive the offense and let it go. This is not a deep truth; it is the basic path of Christ! Paul wrote of the source of miracles and virtue in his life. He said, "That the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted . . . but not crushed . . . always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus might be manifested in our body" (2 Cor. 4:7-10). What is this "dying of Jesus"? It is dying in the manner Jesus died: when offenses come, when we are struck with injustice, when people fail or even betray us, we position ourselves in redemption; we pray the mercy prayer, "Father, forgive them." The only way ambition can be fulfilled is if we are ambitious for Christ to be revealed through us. Paul continued, "For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you" (2 Cor. 4:11-12). Beloved, death has a work that it accomplishes in us. Is this not exactly what we desire above all things: "the life of Jesus . . . manifested in our mortal flesh"? Paul says, "So death works in us." In the hands of our eternal Designer, death is not our enemy; it actually becomes an ally in the transformational process of our souls. It performs a work in us we cannot otherwise fulfill. For the death of our old self leads to the manifest life of Jesus. Here abides true spiritual fulfillment, not in our striving to create a place for ourselves, but in laying down self to create a place for Jesus. Leadership is a call to die. Spiritual maturity is to drink deeply of the cup of Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Please feel free to forward this message to others; acknowledging our web site would be kindly appreciated. www.frangipane.org Read more!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Article by Ruth Compion on Lent
Lent is a season in the church calendar that a few of us kept last year. We all found it a very blessed and humbling experience especially as it culminated in the Easter Conference at the church where we celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus.
By tradition in the early church, Lent was a time spent by persons, wanting to be baptised, preparing for that baptism. The church encouraged the whole congregation to go through this season with the new converts as a way of showing support and encouragement.To many of us who come from a Catholic or Church of England background, Lent is a time of fasting of favourite foods and covering of the church pictures with purple. The traditional churches look upon Lent as a time of fasting, prayer, almsgiving and simplicity. Although there are no biblical references to Lent, in my research I could find no evidence that it was based on any pagan rituals. However some of the traditional days celebrated around Lent can be linked to such e.g. Mardi Gras Carnival and Shrove Tuesday.
The Internet is full of websites explaining Lent and if any of you are interested it is a good place to start.A few of us will be celebrating Lent again this year. It is wonderful to share this season within a group, as it is exciting to see what God has to say to each person and it is helpful to encourage each other when the times get rough, and they can, because Lent is for 40days and keeping to some sort of fast for that long is not always easy.
I would like to encourage you that if you are interested to take part in this season, that you form a small group or do it with your cell.
I am sure many of you remember the course we did at the end of 2008, "The Life you've always wanted" and how it spoke about building times or seasons into our lives of celebration, simplicity and solitude. It is in this vein that I bring to you Lent.
It is an opportunity to set aside time to pray abit more, to read the Bible abit more, and to seek God---it is like going on a vacation with the Lord for a time but with the joy of sharing with others as well.I think that the fasting bit terrifies some of us especially for such a long time, so here are a few suggestions:
• Fast one meal a day
• Fast meat
• Fast coffee/wine/coke/cigarettes
• Fast sugar/sweets/puddings
• Fast one day a week
• Fast entertainment
• Fast anger, unreasonable expectations of others, hopelessness, despair.
The idea with the fasting is:
• Money you would spend on that which you are not eating, you give to some charity
• That you do not fast only FROM something but also towards something. E.g. if you fast meat, you then seek the "meat of the Word".
• That you also fast from habits and character traits that you struggle with. E.g. if you fast from anger, try to choose one person who often presses your buttons and go out of your way to show special grace to that person.
• If you fast a meal, that you spend that time praying or reading.I would like to stress that the purpose of Lent is not to see if you can keep your fast but for you to move a step closer to the Lord and to enjoy experiencing this progress. Fasting is only a tool towards this purpose, so please do not get into any guilt trip if you slip up.Lent starts on Wednesday 25th February and ends on Saturday 11th April. Traditionally the Sundays that fall in Lent are mini-Easters and you are allowed to break your fast that day and celebrate.
Obviously the Easter celebration is an important part of this season and so there may possibly be a showing of the "Passion of the Christ" on the evening of Good Friday for those who would be interested.If you are interested to take part in Lent and cannot find a group to join, or would like to make suggestions, you are welcome to contact me or one of the leaders.
Many blessingsRuth Compion Read more!
By tradition in the early church, Lent was a time spent by persons, wanting to be baptised, preparing for that baptism. The church encouraged the whole congregation to go through this season with the new converts as a way of showing support and encouragement.To many of us who come from a Catholic or Church of England background, Lent is a time of fasting of favourite foods and covering of the church pictures with purple. The traditional churches look upon Lent as a time of fasting, prayer, almsgiving and simplicity. Although there are no biblical references to Lent, in my research I could find no evidence that it was based on any pagan rituals. However some of the traditional days celebrated around Lent can be linked to such e.g. Mardi Gras Carnival and Shrove Tuesday.
The Internet is full of websites explaining Lent and if any of you are interested it is a good place to start.A few of us will be celebrating Lent again this year. It is wonderful to share this season within a group, as it is exciting to see what God has to say to each person and it is helpful to encourage each other when the times get rough, and they can, because Lent is for 40days and keeping to some sort of fast for that long is not always easy.
I would like to encourage you that if you are interested to take part in this season, that you form a small group or do it with your cell.
I am sure many of you remember the course we did at the end of 2008, "The Life you've always wanted" and how it spoke about building times or seasons into our lives of celebration, simplicity and solitude. It is in this vein that I bring to you Lent.
It is an opportunity to set aside time to pray abit more, to read the Bible abit more, and to seek God---it is like going on a vacation with the Lord for a time but with the joy of sharing with others as well.I think that the fasting bit terrifies some of us especially for such a long time, so here are a few suggestions:
• Fast one meal a day
• Fast meat
• Fast coffee/wine/coke/cigarettes
• Fast sugar/sweets/puddings
• Fast one day a week
• Fast entertainment
• Fast anger, unreasonable expectations of others, hopelessness, despair.
The idea with the fasting is:
• Money you would spend on that which you are not eating, you give to some charity
• That you do not fast only FROM something but also towards something. E.g. if you fast meat, you then seek the "meat of the Word".
• That you also fast from habits and character traits that you struggle with. E.g. if you fast from anger, try to choose one person who often presses your buttons and go out of your way to show special grace to that person.
• If you fast a meal, that you spend that time praying or reading.I would like to stress that the purpose of Lent is not to see if you can keep your fast but for you to move a step closer to the Lord and to enjoy experiencing this progress. Fasting is only a tool towards this purpose, so please do not get into any guilt trip if you slip up.Lent starts on Wednesday 25th February and ends on Saturday 11th April. Traditionally the Sundays that fall in Lent are mini-Easters and you are allowed to break your fast that day and celebrate.
Obviously the Easter celebration is an important part of this season and so there may possibly be a showing of the "Passion of the Christ" on the evening of Good Friday for those who would be interested.If you are interested to take part in Lent and cannot find a group to join, or would like to make suggestions, you are welcome to contact me or one of the leaders.
Many blessingsRuth Compion Read more!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Contribution from Ruth Compion.
Two Things,Two Things Only by Francis Frangipane
There are so many things to occupy our minds: so many books, so many examples, so many good teachings that deserve our attention, that say, "here is a truth." But, as I have been serving the Lord these past years, He has led me to seek for two things and two things only: to know the heart of God in Christ and to know my own heart in Christ's light.
Knowing the Heart of GodI have been seeking God, searching to know Him and the depth of His love toward His people. I want to know Christ's heart and the compassions that motivate Him. The Scriptures are plain: Jesus loved people. Mark's gospel tells us that after He taught and healed the multitudes, they became hungry. In His compassion, Christ saw them as "sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34). It was not enough for Him to heal and teach them; He personally cared for each of them. Their physical well-being, even concerning food, was important to Him.
A lad with five loaves and two fish provided enough for Jesus to work another miracle, but this miracle had to come through Christ's willing but bone-weary body. Consider: Christ brought His disciples out to rest; "For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat" (Mark 6:31).
Consider: Jesus personally had come to pray and be strengthened. For John the Baptist, Jesus' forerunner, had been beheaded earlier that very week at the hands of Herod. It was in the state of being emotionally and physically depleted that Jesus fed the multitudes---not just once or twice but over and over again "He kept giving [the bread and the fish] to the disciples to set before them" (Mark 6:41).
Thousands of men, women and children all "ate and were satisfied" (v. 42)! Oh, the heart of Jesus! The miracle was for them, but we read of no miracle sustaining Him except the marvelous wonder of a holy love that continually lifted His tired hands with more bread and more fish. Out of increasing weakness He repeatedly gave that others might be renewed.
So, if my quest is to know Him, I must recognize this about Him: Jesus loves people---all people, especially those society ignores. Therefore, I must know exactly how far He would travel for men, for that is the same distance He would journey again through me. Indeed, I must know His thoughts concerning illness, poverty and human suffering. As His servant, I am useless to Him unless I know these things. If I would actually do His will, I must truly know His heart. Therefore, in all my study and times of prayer I am seeking more than just knowledge; I am searching for the heart of God.
Knowing Our HeartsAt the same time, as I draw closer to the heart of God, the very fire of His presence begins a deep purging work within me. In the vastness of His riches, my poverty appears. The psalmist wrote, "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully" (Ps. 24:3-4).
We cannot even find the hill of the Lord, much less ascend it, if there is deceit in our heart. How does one serve in God's holy place if his soul is unclean? It is only the pure in heart who perceive God. To ascend toward God is to walk into a furnace of truth where falsehood is extracted from our souls. To abide in the holy place we must dwell in honesty, even when a lie might seem to save us. Each ascending step upon the hill of God is a thrusting of our souls into greater transparency, a more perfect view into the motives of our hearts.It is this upward call of God which we pursue. Yet, the soul within us is hidden, crouching in fears and darkness, living in a world of untruths and illusions. This is our inner man, the soul God seeks to save. Have you discovered your true self, the inner person whom truth alone can free? Yes, we seek holiness, but true holiness arises from here; it comes as the Spirit of Truth unveils the hidden places in our hearts. Indeed, it is truthfulness which leads to holiness.
God, grant us a zeal for truth that we may stand in Your holy place!
Men everywhere presume they know the "truth" but have neither holiness nor power in their lives. Truth must become more than historical doctrines; it must be more than a museum of religious artifacts---mementos from when God once moved. Truth is knowing God's heart as it was revealed in Christ, and it is knowing our own hearts in the light of God's grace.
As members of the human race, we are shrouded in ignorance. Barely do we know our world around us; even less do we know the nature of our own souls. Without realizing it, as we search for God's heart, we are also searching for our own. For it is only in finding Him that we discover ourselves, for we are "in Him."
Yet, throughout that searching process, as I position my heart before the Lord, it is with a sense of trembling that I pray the prayer of King David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way"(Ps. 139:23-24).
Let us wash the cosmetics from our souls and look at the unadorned condition of our hearts. I know God has created us eternally complete and perfect in Christ. I believe that. But in the first three chapters of John's Revelation, Jesus did not tell the churches they were "perfect in His eyes." No! He revealed to them their true conditions; He told them their sins. Without compromise, He placed on them the demand to be overcomers, each in their own unique and difficult circumstances.
Like them, we must know our need. And like them, the souls we want saved dwell here, in a world system structured by lies, illusions and rampant corruption. Our old natures are like well-worn shoes into which we relax; we can be in the flesh instantly without even realizing it. The enemies that defeat us are hidden and latent within us! Thus, the Holy Spirit must expose our foes before we can conquer them!
Concerning man's nature, the prophet Jeremiah wrote, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jer. 17:9). Quoting another of David's prayers, a similar cry is heard, "Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I shall be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression" (Ps. 19:12-13).
There may be errors inside of us that are actually ruling us without our awareness. Do we realize, for instance, how many of our actions are manipulated purely by vanity and the desire to be seen or accepted by others? Are we aware of the fears and apprehensions that unconsciously influence so many of our decisions? We may have serious flaws inside yet still be either too proud or too insecure to admit we need help.
Concerning ourselves, we think so highly of what we know so little!
Even outwardly, though we know our camera pose, do we know how we appear when we are laughing or crying, eating or sleeping, talking or angry? The fact is, most of us are ignorant of how we appear outwardly to others; much less do we know ourselves inwardly before God! Our fallen thinking processes automatically justify our actions and rationalize our thoughts. Without the Holy Spirit, we are nearly defenseless against our own innate tendencies toward self-deception.
Therefore, if we would be holy, we must first renounce falsehood. In the light of God' grace, having been justified by faith and washed in the sacrificial blood of Jesus, we need not pretend to be righteous. We need only to become truthful.
No condemnation awaits our honesty of heart---no punishment. We have only to repent and confess our sins to have them forgiven and cleansed; if we will love the truth, we shall be delivered from sin and self-deception. Indeed, we need to know two things and two things only: the heart of God in Christ and our own hearts in Christ's light.
Read more!
Two Things,Two Things Only by Francis Frangipane
There are so many things to occupy our minds: so many books, so many examples, so many good teachings that deserve our attention, that say, "here is a truth." But, as I have been serving the Lord these past years, He has led me to seek for two things and two things only: to know the heart of God in Christ and to know my own heart in Christ's light.
Knowing the Heart of GodI have been seeking God, searching to know Him and the depth of His love toward His people. I want to know Christ's heart and the compassions that motivate Him. The Scriptures are plain: Jesus loved people. Mark's gospel tells us that after He taught and healed the multitudes, they became hungry. In His compassion, Christ saw them as "sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34). It was not enough for Him to heal and teach them; He personally cared for each of them. Their physical well-being, even concerning food, was important to Him.
A lad with five loaves and two fish provided enough for Jesus to work another miracle, but this miracle had to come through Christ's willing but bone-weary body. Consider: Christ brought His disciples out to rest; "For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat" (Mark 6:31).
Consider: Jesus personally had come to pray and be strengthened. For John the Baptist, Jesus' forerunner, had been beheaded earlier that very week at the hands of Herod. It was in the state of being emotionally and physically depleted that Jesus fed the multitudes---not just once or twice but over and over again "He kept giving [the bread and the fish] to the disciples to set before them" (Mark 6:41).
Thousands of men, women and children all "ate and were satisfied" (v. 42)! Oh, the heart of Jesus! The miracle was for them, but we read of no miracle sustaining Him except the marvelous wonder of a holy love that continually lifted His tired hands with more bread and more fish. Out of increasing weakness He repeatedly gave that others might be renewed.
So, if my quest is to know Him, I must recognize this about Him: Jesus loves people---all people, especially those society ignores. Therefore, I must know exactly how far He would travel for men, for that is the same distance He would journey again through me. Indeed, I must know His thoughts concerning illness, poverty and human suffering. As His servant, I am useless to Him unless I know these things. If I would actually do His will, I must truly know His heart. Therefore, in all my study and times of prayer I am seeking more than just knowledge; I am searching for the heart of God.
Knowing Our HeartsAt the same time, as I draw closer to the heart of God, the very fire of His presence begins a deep purging work within me. In the vastness of His riches, my poverty appears. The psalmist wrote, "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully" (Ps. 24:3-4).
We cannot even find the hill of the Lord, much less ascend it, if there is deceit in our heart. How does one serve in God's holy place if his soul is unclean? It is only the pure in heart who perceive God. To ascend toward God is to walk into a furnace of truth where falsehood is extracted from our souls. To abide in the holy place we must dwell in honesty, even when a lie might seem to save us. Each ascending step upon the hill of God is a thrusting of our souls into greater transparency, a more perfect view into the motives of our hearts.It is this upward call of God which we pursue. Yet, the soul within us is hidden, crouching in fears and darkness, living in a world of untruths and illusions. This is our inner man, the soul God seeks to save. Have you discovered your true self, the inner person whom truth alone can free? Yes, we seek holiness, but true holiness arises from here; it comes as the Spirit of Truth unveils the hidden places in our hearts. Indeed, it is truthfulness which leads to holiness.
God, grant us a zeal for truth that we may stand in Your holy place!
Men everywhere presume they know the "truth" but have neither holiness nor power in their lives. Truth must become more than historical doctrines; it must be more than a museum of religious artifacts---mementos from when God once moved. Truth is knowing God's heart as it was revealed in Christ, and it is knowing our own hearts in the light of God's grace.
As members of the human race, we are shrouded in ignorance. Barely do we know our world around us; even less do we know the nature of our own souls. Without realizing it, as we search for God's heart, we are also searching for our own. For it is only in finding Him that we discover ourselves, for we are "in Him."
Yet, throughout that searching process, as I position my heart before the Lord, it is with a sense of trembling that I pray the prayer of King David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way"(Ps. 139:23-24).
Let us wash the cosmetics from our souls and look at the unadorned condition of our hearts. I know God has created us eternally complete and perfect in Christ. I believe that. But in the first three chapters of John's Revelation, Jesus did not tell the churches they were "perfect in His eyes." No! He revealed to them their true conditions; He told them their sins. Without compromise, He placed on them the demand to be overcomers, each in their own unique and difficult circumstances.
Like them, we must know our need. And like them, the souls we want saved dwell here, in a world system structured by lies, illusions and rampant corruption. Our old natures are like well-worn shoes into which we relax; we can be in the flesh instantly without even realizing it. The enemies that defeat us are hidden and latent within us! Thus, the Holy Spirit must expose our foes before we can conquer them!
Concerning man's nature, the prophet Jeremiah wrote, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jer. 17:9). Quoting another of David's prayers, a similar cry is heard, "Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I shall be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression" (Ps. 19:12-13).
There may be errors inside of us that are actually ruling us without our awareness. Do we realize, for instance, how many of our actions are manipulated purely by vanity and the desire to be seen or accepted by others? Are we aware of the fears and apprehensions that unconsciously influence so many of our decisions? We may have serious flaws inside yet still be either too proud or too insecure to admit we need help.
Concerning ourselves, we think so highly of what we know so little!
Even outwardly, though we know our camera pose, do we know how we appear when we are laughing or crying, eating or sleeping, talking or angry? The fact is, most of us are ignorant of how we appear outwardly to others; much less do we know ourselves inwardly before God! Our fallen thinking processes automatically justify our actions and rationalize our thoughts. Without the Holy Spirit, we are nearly defenseless against our own innate tendencies toward self-deception.
Therefore, if we would be holy, we must first renounce falsehood. In the light of God' grace, having been justified by faith and washed in the sacrificial blood of Jesus, we need not pretend to be righteous. We need only to become truthful.
No condemnation awaits our honesty of heart---no punishment. We have only to repent and confess our sins to have them forgiven and cleansed; if we will love the truth, we shall be delivered from sin and self-deception. Indeed, we need to know two things and two things only: the heart of God in Christ and our own hearts in Christ's light.
Read more!
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