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February 2008
Insight is a monthly contribution on remarkable topics dedicated for thoughts, reflection and prayers. Please feel free to contribute to this page what you would like to share with others.
Jesus In A Mission-Shaped Church
Dear friends, warmly welcome to our insights February.
A Pastor prepared a Bible study for his congregation. The Bible study questions were divided into three categories and the congregation were instructed to choose questions from only one of the categories. The first questions were the hardest and worth 100 points. The second group was easier and worth 50 points. The third ones were easiest ones, so were only worth 25 points.
When the Bible study questions were marked, the congregations who had chosen the hardest-point questions received an A grade. Those who had chosen the 50-point ones received a B grade and those who had chosen the 25-point easy questions were give a C.
The Congregations were furious with their Pastor with the grading of their Bible study Quiz test results, but the pastor explained, 'I wasn't testing your knowledge; I was testing your aim.'
Many us do not aspire and dream dreams; we end up setting our sights really low so to protect ourselves from failure and disappointment. We are often told to 'think out of the box' but isn't it time we simply realised There is no Box?' Let us dream beyond our natural limits to allow a supernatural dimension to kick in. This year let each one of us try to share our faith and lead some one member (s) of our family or a friend already waiting to find a living faith in Christ. Let us start here and wait upon the Lord.
Dreams of leading people to faith are the seedlings of reality. I agree with J. Johns insights that: 'Without dreams, we will never reach beyond our current circumstances.' One of my favourite Bible Text is from Mark 8 v 38. 'If anyone is ashamed of me, and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.'
I watched a movie ten years ago called Patch Adam. The story of that movie is about an American Doctor who dreams of building a free hospital which offers courteous care and laughter along with its medicine. In his book Gesundheit Patch Adams wrote: 'when a dream takes hold of you, what can you do? You can run with it, let it run your life or let it go and think for the rest of your life about what might have been.'
There is some thing here you need to note. As long as our dreams are rooted in Christ, (Mark 8:38; Phil 4:13) what can we lose if we run with them or even let them run away with us?
When writing to the Philippians, the apostle Paul urged people to continue following Jesus, having accepted him as Lord. In Colossians Paul says 'Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him; then your faith will grow stronger in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.' (Col. 2:7).
Imagine how much we might all achieve if we allow our faith to grow in faith sharing, giving more to the Lord's ministry, coming punctually for our services here at St. Matthew's (see monthly Insights).
After all, was it not Jesus himself who said: 'I tell the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible' (Matthew 17:20).
My dream this year is to share my faith and lead someone to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Leave for Jesus and Jesus alone!
What is your dream this year?
It is the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' Mission-shaped Church.
POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN KENYA
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 [NIV]
Kenya-Africa
Kenya is still wrapped in a terrible crisis following three days of mass rallies and protests against the result of the presidential elections.
Official reports say more than 600 people have been killed since the current troubles began, but other sources put the figure as high as 1,500. Another 250,000 people are taking refuge in schools, internally displaced people (IDP) camps, and police stations after being forced to leave their homes. This is the kind of (IDP) camps introduced in Uganda 21 years ago in Gulu and Kitgum Districts. It's barbaric.
While Kenyan society is relatively free and liberal, the distribution of
wealth is disproportionate and has caused much unrest. The opposition party, (ODM) (Orange Democratic Movement), won the hearts of many Kenyans because of its promises of a more equitable distribution of wealth but when they were defeated, many supporters took up arms as they had nothing more to lose.
Many church buildings have been destroyed and numerous pastors from opposition tribes fled in fear of their lives. In certain areas, Christians have reportedly been refused to go to church if they were seen as PNU supporters.
The Church in Kenya is playing a key role in restoring peace. The Church has united and organised a series of prayer meetings for peace and is actively involved in the mediation processes between politicians and government officials. Churches have also donated tons of food and relief items to displaced people.
Open Doors' work has not been directly affected by the violence although it is joining with many churches and other organisations to pray for the situation.
Please Pray:
- For peace and stability to return to Kenya. The country has thus far counted as one of the most democratic and stable countries on the continent and in the region.
- Kenya has a very strong Church. Pray that Christians will be an example to their neighbours during this time and be an agent of peace and hope during these uncertain days.
- For the safety of Open Doors staff in the country.
Thank you for praying with us. Your continual support and commitment for the persecuted church worldwide is truly appreciated.
The Purpose of mission-shaped Church is motivated by various needs such as finance and keeping the building in good repair.
Here at St Matthew's Church we are motivated by encouraging a healthy church and our five biblical purposes are:
- Knowing Christ,
- Growing in Christ,
- Serving Christ,
- Sharing Christ and
- Worshipping through Christ.
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