Life with Jesus is much more than a heartwarming experience. God knows that he must do a fiery work within us, setting aflame within us his purifying truth, enlightening us to our Savior, and branding us forever as his children, with lives redeemed and hopes restored.
In the Bible, it seems God often sends people up to higher terrain in order to give them a different perspective on things, and not just on the scenery.
We have seen God’s hope overflowing from this truly unique Christian ministry into the largely non-Christian community that surrou
The historical disruptions caused by the pandemic have provided us an unparalleled opportunity to experience afresh our deep dependency on God for the ways we engage in mission, and to realign our understandings and practices accordingly.
So, where is the youthful church? Where will we find the next generation eagerly embracing the Savior and serving him?
Our over-familiarity with the story may blind us to the genuinely radical nature of the encouraging yet challenging message it contains. At its heart is the powerful mission heart of God.
Looking at the manger, we see that Jesus came not with divine power and spectacle, nor by human plan or design, but in the lowliest and unlikeliest of earthly conditions, for the sake of those who were themselves lowly and lost sinners.
Jesus didn’t mince words. He was strikingly blunt about the prospects of those who would make it their purpose to represent him.
…by the same Holy Spirit he also appoints some followers of Jesus to be leaders. He gifts and appoints them to carefully and prayerfully “consider” and discern matters, and then to give direction.
As you read this, perhaps some weeks later, the situation in Central Asia will have developed further, for better or for worse, but I’ve no doubt that the need for God’s intervention – and our intercession – will continue for a long time to come.