Something quite interesting happened recently which was really a pleasant reminder of where God has taken me from and how He has really lead me in life.
So I became a Christian as in teenager around late 2008 and that is when I made the decision to give my heart to Christ. While going to church, I was a part of the Cornerstone Connection Sabbath school class (this was the class for 16-18 year olds). Any way, I didnt spend too long in that class, before making the decision to get baptised and hence joining the baptismal class; but I am very sure that the time spent in that class had a great influence on my decision to get baptised. (I actually think that that class is way better than the adult sabbath school class, I have my reasons...)
Jumping to the future (or the "now" rather), I was recently elected to be a sabbath school teacher for this year. Interesting enough, I was elected to be the teacher of the Cornerstone class. Having gone over the lesson for a few weeks, I was really blown away by the content of the lesson. The editor is really clear on righteousness by faith. The theme for this quarter is "In the flesh", which deals with the nature of Christ, basically covering the fact that He overcame in sinful flesh and, by the power of His indwelling Spirit, we may overcome in the very same flesh.
I've really enjoyed this lesson so far, it is very practical. So I had kept my Cornerstone Sabbath school lesson from when I was still in that class even up to this day. Having enjoyed the current lesson so much, I wanted to compare the 2 to see if there has been a change in the standard of the lessons. So I looked through some of my books and when I found the lesson (my 2009 Cornerstone lesson), I checked the theme to see what it was. To my surprise, the theme title was "In the Flesh". Paging through it, I reallised that it is the very same lesson. Same studies etc.
I turned the page to the lesson which had been repeated last week to see some of my answeres to the questions in the lesson. The lesson was on Matthew/ Luke 4, on the temptation of Jesus and one of the questions read "Which part of this story is new to you?". As I was going through it now, I had to look for something new in the story, my answer in 2009 that I wrote was "Most of it, I have never read this story before." :) It was really nice to see that. Its always good to remember where God has led me from.
Im really excited by the lesson. Looking at the impact it had on me back then, I am interested in seeing the impact it would have on my class. A teacher has a great impact on the interest of the students so theres much responsibility here.
My answers really reminded me of much of my early Christian experience, Im reminded of that song that goes "the longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows; the longer I love Him, more love he bestows..." The past few years of being acquainted with Jesus have been more pleasant than all my life before then. My hope is that should Jesus not have returned in a few years from, I will look back on this time in life and think "God has really led me far from then."
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Monday, 25 February 2013
Things I learnt / was reminded of about missions.
Below is a list of things I learnt/ was reminded of during the time spent on mission in November- December of last year. Having been granted the privilege to go on 2 relatively distinct missions, these are drawn from the experiences I had there (and some prior missions.) I think this statement is one which best sums up the mission experience...
"If you will go to work as Christ designs that His... disciples shall, and win souls for Him, you will feel the need of a deeper experience and a greater knowledge in divine things, and will hunger and thirst after righteousness. You will plead with God, and your faith will be strengthened, and your soul will drink deeper drafts at the well of salvation. Encountering positions and trials will drive you to the Bible and prayer. You will grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ, and will develop a rich experience." Steps to Christ p.80 :).
In no particular order...
1. Jesus is the most effectual solution to the root cause of all life's problems and perplexities.
2. The work of sharing the gospel is a noble, dignified and amazingly fulfilling work.
3. The work of service is one of the greatest experiences in the Christian life and is a powerful tool in the way of character perfection/development. The Christian experience becomes much deeper and richer as one co-labours with Jesus.
4. The same Jesus who said "go ye therefore" is the same one who said "tarry... until ye be imbued with power from on high". The work should only be carried out in the power of the Holy Spirit. It would do well to plead for this power early on in missions
5. The Holy Spirit is the best aid and help to every circumstance, even language barriers. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, all efforts are in vain.
6. The work isn't dependant on man's wisdom, opinions or experience. The Holy Spirit will work with the humble and submissive who are willing to yield all to Him.
7. A measure of success is dependant on a willingness to sacrifice on the part of the labourer.
8. Faith is not felt. "True faith lays hold of, and claims, the promised blessing before it is realised and felt." Early writings p.73
9. No two missions are the same in all aspects, but Gods providence meets any situation.
10. As the best place to learn to swim is in the water, the best place to learn how to give a Bible study is in the field.
11. A true love for souls is developed and strengthened in coming into contact with people for the purpose of leading them to Christ and ministering to their needs.
12. The gospel of health is verily and indeed given by God Himself. There are those who would have never been reached and introduced to Jesus had it not been for the health message being an entering wedge.
13. Seems as though God desires us to engage in active personal labour (even in missions) as opposed to being dependant on crusades as the greater part of the work.
14. Crusade/tent meetings ought not to be the central pillar on which the evangelism of a congregation is set, where the burden of the labourer is to invite rather than "teach all nation" (thus not creating a need of personal study).
15. Crusades are a good means to cement/ wrap up the decisions made in Bible studies with door to door labourers.
16. Late suppers weaken missionaries.
17. Christ's power to save is not an evolutionary process in which one will one day 'arrive' at holiness after a long, slow and gradual experience. It doesn't take Jesus a long time to create or save. The reality of this is seen in the change of a persons life when they have been lead to Jesus and have a true encounter with Him.
18. When Jesus says "and lo I am with you always", He really means it, ours is to "Go"
19. Of a fact, Jesus is coming soon. The experienced truth of Bible make it hard to doubt this.
20. God answers prayer. Whether its 'small' prayers to help you find something, or 'big' prayers to change the weather for it to be possible to visit Bible study contacts. He's ever ready to hear and exercise His divinity to help.
21. There are many urban areas which are also 'unentered'. The fields are ripened and need labourers...
22. Distant missions may serve as a training ground for personal labour. The practical things learnt on mission ought to be applied in the personal life and ministry. As long as Jesus has not yet returned, the mission continues.
23. Missions are a great place to make lifelong, godly friends :).
24. You learn more on mission than just the spiritual things. Very practical self sustainability skills are gained, ie building a house, planting and producing your own food, surviving without electricity, among many.
I would invite anyone who would want to have a richer Christian experience to enter the work of leading others to Jesus and being a co-labourer with Him. I trust that, should God grant me opportunity to go labour for Him, many more things will be learnt.
A verse which served as a powerful encouragement throughout mission: "Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isa. 41:10
"If you will go to work as Christ designs that His... disciples shall, and win souls for Him, you will feel the need of a deeper experience and a greater knowledge in divine things, and will hunger and thirst after righteousness. You will plead with God, and your faith will be strengthened, and your soul will drink deeper drafts at the well of salvation. Encountering positions and trials will drive you to the Bible and prayer. You will grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ, and will develop a rich experience." Steps to Christ p.80 :).
In no particular order...
1. Jesus is the most effectual solution to the root cause of all life's problems and perplexities.
2. The work of sharing the gospel is a noble, dignified and amazingly fulfilling work.
3. The work of service is one of the greatest experiences in the Christian life and is a powerful tool in the way of character perfection/development. The Christian experience becomes much deeper and richer as one co-labours with Jesus.
4. The same Jesus who said "go ye therefore" is the same one who said "tarry... until ye be imbued with power from on high". The work should only be carried out in the power of the Holy Spirit. It would do well to plead for this power early on in missions
5. The Holy Spirit is the best aid and help to every circumstance, even language barriers. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, all efforts are in vain.
6. The work isn't dependant on man's wisdom, opinions or experience. The Holy Spirit will work with the humble and submissive who are willing to yield all to Him.
7. A measure of success is dependant on a willingness to sacrifice on the part of the labourer.
8. Faith is not felt. "True faith lays hold of, and claims, the promised blessing before it is realised and felt." Early writings p.73
9. No two missions are the same in all aspects, but Gods providence meets any situation.
10. As the best place to learn to swim is in the water, the best place to learn how to give a Bible study is in the field.
11. A true love for souls is developed and strengthened in coming into contact with people for the purpose of leading them to Christ and ministering to their needs.
12. The gospel of health is verily and indeed given by God Himself. There are those who would have never been reached and introduced to Jesus had it not been for the health message being an entering wedge.
13. Seems as though God desires us to engage in active personal labour (even in missions) as opposed to being dependant on crusades as the greater part of the work.
14. Crusade/tent meetings ought not to be the central pillar on which the evangelism of a congregation is set, where the burden of the labourer is to invite rather than "teach all nation" (thus not creating a need of personal study).
15. Crusades are a good means to cement/ wrap up the decisions made in Bible studies with door to door labourers.
16. Late suppers weaken missionaries.
17. Christ's power to save is not an evolutionary process in which one will one day 'arrive' at holiness after a long, slow and gradual experience. It doesn't take Jesus a long time to create or save. The reality of this is seen in the change of a persons life when they have been lead to Jesus and have a true encounter with Him.
18. When Jesus says "and lo I am with you always", He really means it, ours is to "Go"
19. Of a fact, Jesus is coming soon. The experienced truth of Bible make it hard to doubt this.
20. God answers prayer. Whether its 'small' prayers to help you find something, or 'big' prayers to change the weather for it to be possible to visit Bible study contacts. He's ever ready to hear and exercise His divinity to help.
21. There are many urban areas which are also 'unentered'. The fields are ripened and need labourers...
22. Distant missions may serve as a training ground for personal labour. The practical things learnt on mission ought to be applied in the personal life and ministry. As long as Jesus has not yet returned, the mission continues.
23. Missions are a great place to make lifelong, godly friends :).
24. You learn more on mission than just the spiritual things. Very practical self sustainability skills are gained, ie building a house, planting and producing your own food, surviving without electricity, among many.
I would invite anyone who would want to have a richer Christian experience to enter the work of leading others to Jesus and being a co-labourer with Him. I trust that, should God grant me opportunity to go labour for Him, many more things will be learnt.
A verse which served as a powerful encouragement throughout mission: "Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isa. 41:10
Friday, 22 February 2013
By way of introduction...
After having started the blog (like 5 months ago), I never actually got through to posting on it. But after a very inspiring discussion with a friend of mine, I thought it would be good to just get going with it.
So, just to add to the discription, content will mainly be made up of the things I find interesting from devotions, some interesting Bible studies, mission experiences, maybe even some interesting essays/articles I read from friends and/or some of my favourite authors.
The title "Simon Thinks", just a branch off from the phrase "Simon Says" (my thoughts tend to be more than my words oftentimes).
So this is just by way of introduction to my first (published) blog. My hope is that it may be a blessing. Just remembered another reason why I got through to starting the blog: the things which God teaches are not just for the benefit of the one whom He teaches, but also to be shared with others. So I'm really also up for learning (through comments, dialogues etc). Thoughts unshared will never be appreciated.
Anyhow, hope you enjoy. I know I will :).
"I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." Psalms 119:15-16
"My tongue shall speak of thy word..." Ps. 119:172
So, just to add to the discription, content will mainly be made up of the things I find interesting from devotions, some interesting Bible studies, mission experiences, maybe even some interesting essays/articles I read from friends and/or some of my favourite authors.
The title "Simon Thinks", just a branch off from the phrase "Simon Says" (my thoughts tend to be more than my words oftentimes).
So this is just by way of introduction to my first (published) blog. My hope is that it may be a blessing. Just remembered another reason why I got through to starting the blog: the things which God teaches are not just for the benefit of the one whom He teaches, but also to be shared with others. So I'm really also up for learning (through comments, dialogues etc). Thoughts unshared will never be appreciated.
Anyhow, hope you enjoy. I know I will :).
"I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." Psalms 119:15-16
"My tongue shall speak of thy word..." Ps. 119:172
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)