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Posts from the “Spirituality” Category

Giving

Posted on March 27th, 2007

“For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” (Romans 15:26) The regions of Macedonia and Achaia, or modern-day Greece, were some of the most wealthy areas of the New Testament world. It is likely that many of the Gentile converts in these regions, as well as the Jews living there, were quite successful in the world of trade and business. The Christians in Israel, however, suffered under intense persecution. They lived in a society where leaving strict Judaism to convert to Christianity meant giving up your place as a citizen of society in good standing. The Christians in Jerusalem, in particular, suffered greatly at this time. Learning of their Jewish…

Categories: Missions, Spirituality

One

Posted on March 6th, 2007

I just noticed that Paul emphasizes the importance of “one” six times in Romans 5. He repeatedly affirms that it was the offence of one many that caused sin and death to come upon all. Contrasting Adam’s failure with Christ’s perfection, he also states that it was the righteousness of one by which all receive life. As I reflect upon what I’ve experienced and what I’ve seen on this trip, one thing that I want to make sure that I do not forget is the power of one. Short of placing ourselves in the unique position of Christ or of Adam, there is a principle that one life carries unlimited potential, for better or for worse. World history is replete with individuals whose use…

Categories: Africa, Spirituality, Travel

Opened Hearts

Posted on January 29th, 2007

“Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” (Acts 11:29-30) From the earliest times in the history of the Church, the precedent has been set for churches to care for another, particularly in time of need. Recognizing that the persecution and resulting distress of the church in Jerusalem was stronger than elsewhere, the churches of other cities resolved to send support to them. Certainly these other churches had their own needs. It would’ve been easy to justify that they could not afford to take any of the money out of their own collection to help…

Categories: Africa, Spirituality, Travel

The Unknown

Posted on January 9th, 2007

I was reading Acts 1 this morning and found a story that pertains to what we are doing as Mission Focus. The story is of Matthias, the man chosen by the eleven disciples to replace Judas as an apostle. Many preachers have assumed that it was not God’s will for the disciples to choose a replacement. They generally base this argument on the fact that we hear nothing further about Matthias in the biblical record. It is as though his value as a disciple is dependent on how much we know about him. The worth of God’s servants is not measure by how much we know about them but by everything that God knows about them. There are countless obscure and unknown followers of…

Categories: India, Spirituality, Travel

So Little Says So Much

Posted on January 8th, 2007

In a tiny little mountain village, outside the town of Paderu, I saw a modern illustration of Jesus’ words. The members of the church had just brought their tithe, consisting not of money but of a portion of their crops. The people of this area earn a meager wage of about a dollar a day. Among the bags of rice there was a tiny little sack sitting on top. It was a small tithe from one of the poorest members of the church. As I looked at the sack I could not help but remember the story of the widow’s mite. Jesus saw the large gifts made by the rich but when he saw a widow give the small amount that she had, He…

Categories: India, Spirituality, Travel

Serving

Posted on October 24th, 2006

“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” (Luke 22:25-26) One of the beautiful things about Jesus is that He values those whom others overlook. Within Jewish culture, the older children in the family were more noticable and recognized. This was not the case with Jesus, however, for He said that the greatest should be as the younger children. It is the chief, manager or top ranking executive that the world notices. Through Jesus’ eyes, it is those who…

Categories: Spirituality

Two Sides of God

Posted on October 9th, 2006

Having read Genesis 2 many times, it has been refreshing this morning to see it in a new light. Genesis 1 shows us the grand and cosmic side of creation. God speaks and all of the universe comes into existence. It is epic and majestic in its description. Chapter 2, however, shows a more personal and intimate side of God’s creative work. Here are a few examples: God finished His creative work in chapter 1 but it is in 2 that He rests. In chapter 1 God created man but in 2 He formed him from the dust and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. How much more personal could this creative act be? God performed the original CPR on Adam. It…

Categories: Spirituality

A Wonderful Reminder

Posted on October 9th, 2006

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) This passage is such a wonderful reminder right…

Categories: Life, Spirituality

Forgetful

Posted on July 13th, 2006

“…and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” (Exodus 14:5) It is remarkable how quickly we forget our reasons for doing what is right. Pharaoh was the prototype for this tendency of the human nature. When faced with the consequences of his decision to keep God’s people in Egypt, he willingly complied with God’s demands. As soon as his life was comfortable again, however, he completely forgot any good reason for obeying God and turned again to his old ways. Here we find him having already released the children of Israel and now wondering why he ever did such a thing.…

Categories: Spirituality

Jesus’ Brother

Posted on June 8th, 2006

“Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” (Matt. 12:47-48) Jesus was the master of the teachable moment. In this passage, some well-meaning people inform Jesus that his family is waiting to talk to Him. I used to think that Jesus’ response was somewhat disrespectful to his family but looking closer, it seems that while Jesus loved his own family, he recognized the opportunity to use this moment to teach his audience a profound truth. There are many different ways that the Bible describes our relationship to Christ. He is our King of Kings and…

Categories: Spirituality

Rest

Posted on May 18th, 2006

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Jesus’ words here speak to me because I often seem to struggle to find spiritual rest within my soul. This timeless verse reveals so much of its meaning in the original language. “…all ye that labor and are heavy laden” The term “heavy laden” comes from the Greek word “phortizo” which means “to load up” or “to overburden”. It carries the idea of pouring more into a cup than it can hold or overloading a car or animal with more than it can carry. This is literally what God’s law does to us. It places a load upon us that we can never carry. This…

Categories: Spirituality

He Cares

Posted on May 16th, 2006

In the midst of searching for jobs, friends, community and direction for my new life here in San Diego, I found an incredibly encouraging passage of Scripture today. “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not threfore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31) God is so familiar with His creation that not even sparrows escape his notice. I have no need to fear or worry about the future because God is so intimately acquainted with everything about me and He cares for me! This may seem quite basic but how easily we forget it. God…

Categories: Spirituality

Can You Imagine?

Posted on May 4th, 2006

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:19-20) Can you imagine the courage that it must have taken to drop their entire lives down by their nets laying on the ground, to follow a man they had barely even met? I think I’ve got courage when I take steps into the unknown, like moving to San Diego, but anything I’ve done pales in comparison to the decision that Peter and Andrew made here. Didn’t they have questions that they needed answered first? Didn’t they need to discuss things with their families and pray about it? Does Jesus call us like this anymore and if so, how…

Categories: Spirituality