If God is speaking we should listen...

And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17 NLT)

This verse is taken from the book of Acts when Peter had returned from ministering to some Gentiles in their home. He was questioned as to whether it was right for him to go into a Gentiles home. God had earlier shown him that Peter shouldn't consider unclean what God had made clean. It's context concerns what food Peter could eat, and whether it was okay with God for him to enter a Gentiles home.

What an important truth this verse from Acts finishes with; does it apply to other situations?

Take a look at the verse again:

And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17 NLT)

I believe God has given me a gift to preach/teach and make disciples. Many have been given such gifting. However, some are questioned as to whether its right for them to use these gifts!

I'm talking about women; and I know that many will disagree with me on this, but I have to say:

If God is speaking to me through a person; teaching me, discipling me and I know it's coming to me from God - I don't care whether the vessel He uses is male or female! I want to hear from God!

I know their is much more to be said on this and many other scriptures that can be used to back up both sides of the debate. But come on, isn't the bottom line about whether God is the author - is He the one speaking?

Peter said, "who was I to stand in God’s way?"

I think we should check ourselves in case we are the ones standing in God's way!

Think first, answer second!!

Man I got myself in all kinds of trouble last year, because I didn't pause to think before saying yes or no!

¹² But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James 5:12 (ESV)

It's so easy for me to get caught up in the moment and get carried away!

I've often said yes, or given the impression that it's going to be a yes when actually, away from the scene I've realised that I should be saying no!

The reverse is also true - I've had those quick decision moments where I've answered 'no, it doesn't work for me', when actually, later I've realised that the right response would have been a big fat YES!

I'm learning this year to think before responding; before getting carried away!

I'm learning that sometimes I need to respond to people by saying:

'Can I get back to you on that'!

May 2013 be a year where I don't put my foot right in it by not taking the time to think first!

Onion sprouts and the Word of God!

The other night I was cooking my dinner before bible study. I was having a nice spicy stir fry with onion sprouts and a side order of scripture.

Actually, what was happening is that I was cooking dinner, and while stirring the pan I was reading one of the chapters of my year through the bible plan.
Yes it's a strange way to complete my readings for the day, but at the same time it illustrates that we can grab the Word of God at anytime!

I wouldn't recommend this as your only way of studying scripture. Cooking and reading isn't the best way to focus on what God is saying, but it can still be a useful exercise!

I'm reminded of a story about a young lad out with his grandfather at the beach.
The grandfather sent the young lad to the waters edge with instructions to fill his leaking bucket with water so as to fill a hole they had dug together.
However, the leaking bucket meant much of the water would run out before it was brought to the dug hole. Although the bucket had a hole in it, some of the water was retained and the dug hole was eventually filled!

It's a bit like that with reading scripture, much like I was doing while cooking my delicious stir fry. Though I might not retain all that I've read, some of it does remain!

Take every opportunity to read the Word of God.

Is my faith a secret, an illusion?

"The Book of James makes it clear that faith without works is dead! There is no such thing as private faith that is not lived out through public action. That's an American myth not a Biblical truth.

If you claim to have a personal relationship with the GOD of the entire universe, and HE lives inside of you, yet nobody knows because it's a secret...It's not a secret, it's an illusion.

Our relationship Jesus must benefit the people around us, beginning with our own families".
(Kris Vallotton via Facebook)

I read this on Facebook by a pastor I follow.

Sometimes Kris says things that I don't always agree with; but I like that - I don't want to just follow blogs etc that fit in with my thinking. I want to be made to think about what I'm reading and not just blindly agree.

Anyway, I didn't post his quote to just say that!

The book of James is always going to be one of those in your face books (no pun intended!) of the bible - to have Kris post an extract from it has forced me to really think about its challenge.

Can people see my faith? Or does my relationship with God remain a secret to the world around me?

Those closest to me know that I'm a Christian, but are they aware of it because I live out my faith in word and deed? Or is it all about them simply knowing of my confession?

I'm not what you would call a natural born evangelist but I do recognise that my public Christian life maybe the only bible that some people get to view. If I'm not living the Christ stuff out, I'm not a follower of Christ, I'm simply a reader of Christ! How will that help anyone?

Kris (apostle James, God!), I'm challenged!

Quote from Kris Vallotton can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/kvministries/posts/10151225118893741

Father figures

A few weeks ago I was chatting to a new friend by the name of Bruce who is serving God and the people of South Africa through an exciting sports ministry (check out www.aishopeacademy.org/). We hooked up to discuss CVM SA (Christian Vision for Men South Africa).

Bruce shared with me something that clearly was coming from his heart; the idea of father figures. Bruce works with a lot of young, impressionable men.

Question - Who is standing as a father figure for these guys, and the many others in our communities?

When we look at our society today we can see many issues; crime, unemployment, poor living conditions etc etc. We hear these issues reported on our news programs, for some we have even experienced, first-hand the negative outcome of such issues.

Question - Should we just sit back and complain, should we sit back and wait for others to address the issues?

Clearly the answer is NO!

We can all get on board and try to do something to turn things around.

One thing I want to highlight in this post is the whole idea of father figures.

Not every young man out there, in everyday life, has a positive role model, mentor figure in their life. Even those who still have their biological father or other family members like uncles don't always have a real positive father figure in whom they can learn from and turn too. I think this is where, for many young guys, things start to fall apart!
But change, even for those who have turned to crime is possible; just ask guys like Bruce who works with young offenders.

What we need is men who can act as a father figure, mentor to the next generation. This was something that I think past generations were often pretty good at. But it's something we, in today's world have, dare I say, forgotten about. We need men who can first set good examples; this needs to be in every area of life including family, work and their social lives. From there we need men who will make time to invest in the next generation and guide them as they grow into the men of tomorrow.

I'm a Christian, so from my stand point I would say that such father figures need to know God as Lord and Saviour. From such a relationship life can be lived the right way and the positive example needed can be lived out. But actually let's not limit this idea to the Christian church. Men today, regardless of religious beliefs need to live life right, and as they do, they can in turn be the example setters for the next generation.

Okay, so maybe I tweaked your interest. What does being a father figure to the next generation entail?

Well I've already mentioned setting the right example, but if you can give more you will help more. We need guys who are able to come alongside young guys, not to judge them but to walk with them through those formative years. We need guys who will make themselves available to young men as a listening ear and as a help in times of trouble. We need men who recognise that they themselves have had positive things like morals, practical skills and so on invested into them, and they now can invest such experience into the next generation.

There is much more that can be shared and I invite you to comment on this post if I can help you or encourage you further.

If like me you see the importance of such father figures, mentors in society and you want to get on board, take a look at those young guys already known to you. Is there anyone you can befriend, (A piece of advice here; don't force things and speak to any parents involved before making your approach). Another way to offer yourself as a father figure or mentor is to talk to your local church leaders. They should be able to advice you and point you in the right direction.

I would also like to make myself available to you. If you leave me a contact email or phone number I will contact you and help to put you in touch with the right people.

Before I close this post, let me say to any young man who reads this who feels they have no such positive figure in their lives, there are guys like Bruce, like me, who care. Please speak to the right people and let them help you as you go on with your life, (the comment part of this post is for you too).

Thanks for reading.

Location:Jeffreys Bay

For God So Loved the World...

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)

If you’re a Christian, you will undoubtedly know this verse very well. It may well be the first verse you ever memorized. Actually many in our world today, who don’t even know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, have probably heard this verse; it’s so widely known.

My devotional today encouraged me to read it as though it was the first time I had ever seen it (why don’t you pause here and do likewise – read it like it’s completely new to you).

What an amazing verse? What is the gospel that I preach, ‘John 3v16’; it’s all there isn’t it!
For God… The creator of all life, the Almighty God, the one who we can all know as ‘our God’.

so loved the world… Warts and all, God loves this world; the good and the bad parts of it, God loves this world. Those that mess up, like me! Those that get it right, God loves them all!

that He gave… God wasn’t forced into anything, He wasn’t blackmailed. No one had Him over a barrel. God, our God gave; He made a choice to give something so incredibly precious, not just for those in the world who are good, but for all of us.

His only Son… Some of us haven’t been blessed with having children yet; I would like a child. Our God had one; He had a son, and He gave Him to die on a cross for each and every one of us.

that whoever believes in him... Key word here is ‘believe’. It doesn’t say ‘whoever earned or deserved. Believe - we’re called to believe in Jesus. It’s not that hard to believe in things really; I believe in my football team (AFC Wimbledon), I believe they’re the greatest football team ever!! Believing in things isn’t hard; it’s a choice one makes. We’re invited to believe in Jesus.

should not perish… Does this mean we won’t die? Answer: We die, we all die, but death isn’t final. Death is like the metamorphosis from one existence to another.

but have eternal life… Life with no end isn’t something that all people would consider a good thing. But we’re not talking about life as we know it, in the here and now. We’re talking about life with Jesus, in a place of incredible perfection. Life where one can fully realise that for which one was created for.

Did you read this incredible verse anew today?

How has God spoken to you?

Who needs Spiderman’s spidey senses!

Within our church here we’ve started a new journey through the book of Romans. Over the coming weeks I’m going to be adapting my sermons for my blog. I think that God is giving me this stuff to share with my fellowship, but also to encourage men everywhere.

I hope you enjoy the read.

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1–7 (ESV)

If you look at Romans 1:1-7 you see the apostle Paul introducing himself to the church in Rome. Verses 3 & 4 really stand out for me concerning the two detailed natures of Jesus.

First we see that Jesus was a descendant of King David. This being the case means we are able to recognise the human nature of Jesus. These verses however show that Jesus was more than just a man, He was also the Son of God, and declared so through His resurrection in power.

Guy’s think about this for a moment, Jesus isn’t some distant deity that has no clue as to what being a bloke is all about – He is fully God but also fully man. Now don’t ask me how to theologically explain how that is all possible. If I have to get into all that, you might end up missing the quite amazing truth that Jesus knows all about being a bloke.

You know what? I can follow a God like that; one who knows my struggles! I can worship a God like that; one who isn’t some far away distant deity!

Keep looking at these verses and you’ll see mention of Jesus being resurrected in power. This is something that we as believers have in common with Jesus. You see, when we turn to Jesus and ask Him to be our Saviour, our Lord, something amazing happens. In less than a micro second to us, we die and are re-born. In that micro second we, like Jesus, are resurrected in power and declared sons and daughters of God. That’s cool stuff right there eh?

It’s such amazing stuff that Hollywood and Marvel comics have been using the idea for years. Notice how Marvel’s Superheroes nearly always go through some kind of near death experience. This experience is closely followed by the receiving of some kind of new power!

Now as followers of Jesus, we may not have Spiderman’s super spidey senses, but we do have something that’s quite unique to us as Christians. We have the Holy Spirit who lives within us. He, among many other things, is the new power of God that we are re-born with.

Now the Holy Spirit lives in and with us for many reasons, one is all about the idea of bringing about change. Something happens in us when become Christians doesn’t it? We start to change from the inside out; we start to take on the characteristics of Jesus. In fact I defy you to show me a person who knows Jesus as both Lord and Saviour, who hasn’t experienced some kind of change in their life!

The change however doesn’t stop with our remodelling; as we become more responsive to the Holy Spirit within us, He will often lead us to engage in our communities in new ways, ways in which He can begin to influence change. In the hands of God, each and every one of us can be an instrument of change in our local communities, in our circle of friends, and even in our families.

I want to encourage you as you read this, to recognise the new nature you’ve been born with. When you started believing in Jesus; when He became your Lord and Saviour, you were given a new nature, one known as a ‘child of God, born in power’. Recognise this amazing miracle in your life, work with the Holy Spirit and you won’t see a fictional tale of a superhero making a difference, you’ll see a real life bloke making a difference wherever he goes.

Go, and save the day!!