Kenya Missions Update 2

Kenya Missions Update

June 21, 2012:

    I can’t believe its been a little over two months now that I have been in Kenya. Times is going very fast, although looking back on my time spent here I feel as though much has been done. We are busy daily, laboring in the word of God, learning, teaching and living out the great commission to “make disciples of all nations.” Personally I am honored and humbled at the ministry that is taking place. Its hard for me to accept that God has entrusted all that he has to me. But instead of wallowing in self pity it has challenged me to seek God that much more. I am compelled to press deep into his word, seeking him in prayer, looking to Him for direction and guidance. God has been faithful to empower me with His Spirit, as I take the next step he is right in front of me leading the way. I have seen God work in such a tangible way I can not deny his presence and hand in the work being done here in Kenya. The proverbs say, “The King’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”
    When I knew I was coming to Africa I started to seek God. I didn’t really know how to pray for coming here because I did not know what to expect upon coming. But God was faithful to give me his heart, to give me the desires of the work that he has prepared for me to walk in. I know he was laying upon my heart and equipping me to engage in discipleship. I love teaching with the masses, but He has made it so clear to me its about discipleship. As I go from school to school to teach, from church to church, class to class, outreach to outreach, I take everything we do very seriously. God has given me such a passion for those he has entrusted to me. I daily try and “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which I have been called.” Knowing that I have been equipped, taken in as a disciple of God, and it is my responsibility to do the same. I have seriously taken the prayer of Jesus in John 17 to God the father as my own prayer for ministry in this season. “And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” (John 17:19). Some days I grow weary of doing good, I want to give up and gratify the flesh, but then I am reminded of the honor to go before thousands of Kenyans each week and that fact allows me to press on in holiness. That I might not be a hypocrite as I teach my kids one thing, then walk out and do the opposite. Now don’t get me wrong, daily I fall short, but I genuinely try to be holy as Christ is holy.
    Now I want to give you a glimpse into a normal week, that you might get a better understanding of what God has entrusted unto this ministry.

• Monday - Is day off from ministry, to rest and prepare for the week.

• Tuesday - 7:30-8:30am Devotions at Manna Bible College, 9:00-3:00pm Serving at Pastor Moses’ church in Otawala (physical labor and ministering at the K-3 grade school), 5:30-6:30pm Home fellowship in Rongai.

• Wednesday - 7:30-8:30am Devotions at Manna Bible College, 10:30-11:00am Teaching at Oloo Sirkon Primary School (K-8), back to Oloo Sirkon from 3:10-4:10pm for tutoring and more small group/personal time. 5:30-6:30pm We run a bible study teaching the Inductive Bible Study method to the church in Rongai.

• Thursday - 7:30-8:30am Devotions at Manna Bible College, 8:30-10:30am Grounds Keeping at Manna, 12:00-12:45pm teaching at Ongatta Rongai Primary (1-3), 1:00-1:30pm teaching at Nakeel Primary grades (K-8), 4:30-6:30pm Chapel at Nakeel Boys Secondary School, grades (9-12).

• Friday - Day off from ministry to prepare for the busy weekend.

• Saturday - Kids Club in Rongai 10:00-2:30pm, 2:30-3:30pm I have a kid Simon I meet with and have taken him in as my disciple, 4:00-5:30pm Nakeel Boys Secondary Discipleship with the Bible club leaders.

• Sunday - Church 10:00-1:00pm, Kids club in Otawala from 1:30-4:00pm

    To give a deeper description of the specific groups I am working with and teachings I am doing, I will generalize the week. I work mainly with the teenagers, with the exception of one or two classes with younger ones when necessary. I am seriously seeking God as to how I can best equip the kids in the now four remaining months I have with them. My strategy is to give them a biblical worldview, knowing behavior stems from worldview. To give them a foundation in the word of God, helping them know that what they believe is true and where they can find that truth for themselves in the bible. I am telling them to be Bereans, “receive the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Not to believe what someone has said because they are a teacher, preacher, or a mzungu (white person), but because God has personally spoken to them through his word. Also that they have the ability to be empowered with the Holy Spirit, to interpret and understand the thoughts of God as they accept and allow his Spirit to empower them.
    I am teaching them practical ways to form a vision, to endure through focus, as Christ endured with one focus, the Cross. The principles of stewardship and responsible Christian living. Most importantly I want to show them that I am human, I am learning and growing with them. That I am here to make friendships, I tell them they are my disciples, and they have just as much to teach me as I learn from them. Whoever said ministry was a job hasn’t experienced real ministry. Although I do it all for the Glory of God, he still allows me to share in that blessing. It has come down to this. I recognize my role is simply to plant seeds, and be an example of Christ, living the Christian life together with them. Knowing that I am simply imparting seeds, I am convinced a foundation in the Word and a proper understanding of the Spirit will benefit them for a lifetime to come. Knowing God does the growth, I aim to get them to a proper understanding, so growth can take place.
    I thank God for who he is and love because he first loved us! If you are keeping me in my prayers I am grateful, your support is apparent. A few things to keep in mind would be a continual empowerment of the Holy Spirit, guidance and driection from the Lord and for the fruits of the Spirit to be apparent in my life. That I might be a leader by example and not by word.

God Bless,

Austin

Teaching at Nakeel Boys Secondary

Worship at OlooSirkon

Teaching at Otawala Kids Club. Look at those Bereans!!

Rejoice Always... Not Much More to Be Said!

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always (ESV)

    This verse is coming at a time when God is really questioning me about my Joy. Even now as I am writing this I am reminded of the message I shared with the my teens on Sunday. I asked them if Christ was burdened carrying the cross down Calvary road? If he was grumbling and complaining as his open flesh was rubbing against the wood of the cross. We know that he wasn’t, because we are told “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). When I read that I am definitely challenged but at the same time moved. Looking at what is truly being said, that he endured the cross, he lasted, continued in the same state without perishing, he remained; he abided in the perfect will of the Father. He bared with patience, he bared without opposition, he didn’t sink under the pressure, he “despised the shame”. This kind of endurance we see mentioned 26 times in Psalm 136, in reference to the steadfast love of the Lord which endures forever. Its one thing to do all of this, but to do it with joy, with passion. A passion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good. The rational prospect of possessing what Christ loved or desired. Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good. We are Jesus’ crown, we made the sacrifice of his blood worth it.
    Christ had the focus of a marathon runner. He ran the race with endurance, and didn’t give up at the end. A marathon runner grows tired, they wear out, the wont to stop and give up. But an Olympic runner runs the hardest mile the last mile. They don’t drop their shoulders, slow down and give up. The proudly run, shoulders straight and head high through the finish line. I think of that last mile of a marathon kind of like Christ’s final moments before getting to the cross. He was beyond worn out, he was beyond tired, he was beaten to a pulp, and yet he carried that cross with his head held high. He carried it proudly, knowing his crown was in heaven, as he looked up and said “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1). I want my life to get to that point, where I can look up and glory in the thought of my eternal dwelling. Holding my head high, walking in joy, for “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
    We can truly learn so much from the life of Christ. We look at a man like Paul, who knew what it meant to live in the love of Christ, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No solider gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:3-6). Paul knew who enlisted him and the reason for his service. It was more then the civilian pursuits, it was about the will of his heavenly Father. He knew that, “many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it was the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21). Just as Christ did, we are to walk daily in the will of the Father, leaving to glorify and please him, picking up our cross daily and the power within. When we pick up our cross we are picking up the power of the resurrection, the power to liberate heal and bind the broken hearted. We are picking up the joy set before us, enduring in pure joy through every trial that comes our way.


Application:
I know joy is a fruit of the spirit, something I cannot fake but can only receive through a genuine relationship and acceptance of the Spirit of God. I will pray this week for the fruits to be evident in my life, and endure in remaining in this prayer.

What do you Have to Show for Your God!

Philippians 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (ESV)

    If this verse could be more prevalent in any certain time I think it would be more so now then ever. Especially considering your status an American. A country founded on biblical principles, with a constitutional foundation centered around God. But God has been removed from the picture, and corruption has entered. The freedom of our governmental structure was meant to have a people with Godly morals and values in place. Authority that would seek Gods direction and guidance, there are many biblical ideas that lie within our constitutional documents. But because of the fact fallen man has been placed in authority, to rule and govern, corruption has made its way in. Taking all of this into consideration its no wander America has gotten to the point that its at today. Even though we have come to the point we have come to, we should not let it discourage us. Knowing that as an American we stand upon a foundation that was built around and centered upon the word of God, we need to be on the offense.
    We have taken the defense and shied back in our faith. Today in America if you’re a Christian chances are your probably not living much different then the rest of society. Even if you are living different, there’s probably not much that your doing to let others know of your faith. We have slacked in our devotions, we are relaxed in our faith and mock the grace of God in our actions. I’m sad to call myself an American because of this reason. Although I recognize there are many God fearing Americans who love the Lord and glorify his name in all they do. But I fell into the category of one who would look no different then someone who wasn’t serving the Lord. It was even to the point that someone who clearly wasn’t saved was living more of a Godly life then I was. Now I am not going to get to into to it, for surely I do believe that we are saved by faith not by works. Although faith without works is dead, and it’s a balance that when missed is a ugly site. Frankly I was ashamed to call myself a Christian but yet not be living a life that showed I was.
    So the point I am making is as Christians we need to get back on the offense. Start being bold about our faith, living it out for all to see. Knowing the rights we truly have, that are in accordance to the constitution of the United States. Being that we have this foundation to stand on, we also have the foundation of the bible. Where we find biblical truths to form a biblical worldview and perspective. Today I can truly say I have allowed the bible to shape and mold my worldview. I run my life through a filter, the inherent word of God. This has given me a confidence to believe what I believe. The more I learn about God, his character nature and creation, the more I am learning about myself. Being that man is made in the image of God. As I learn more about Gods meaning for creation, I find purpose for my life. I know that bringing glory to God is where I find true significance, purpose, meaning, and vision for my life. The more I learn about the foundation I stand upon the more confidence I gain. Along with an empowerment of the spirit, I gain boldness, power authority and clarity of the scriptures, Just as Peter in Acts 2 after he had received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is now and only now that I am beginning to understand the things are crucial to they way I live my life. Its when I grasp a better understanding, and begin to apply the word of God and the truth within that I have been able to become a light.

Please Do...

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning (ESV)

    I think this verse is pretty straightforward in what is being said. But with that being said, it also seems to be one of the hardest things to actually do. How convicting this verse is. I know for me its one thing that I know, but yet my heart is so hard to it. For some reason I seem to forget that fairness died in the garden. I seem to forget that as a follower of Christ I have surrendered my rights. Its funny, although I tend to grumble, I know the hardness of my heart and for a moment it feels satisfying to stay bitter. But at the end of the day it is a miserable, sad and lonely existence. Its not until I think back to an eternal perspective that I am able to laugh it off. When I am reminded how small one event is compared to the eternal scope we are born into, I cant help but laugh at the condition of my heart. That I would really allow something so small as piling into one van with eight people that I have spent the last half a year with. Well that's a long time right? Not really, not considering the length of my time on earth compared to eternity. If eternity were a one hour show, it would be as if my life was a millisecond of that hour show. Even then I don’t know if it would be possible to find a number small enough to calculate my time on earth compared to eternity.
    But when I think of it like that, who am I to complain about such a minute thing. Like how come this person didn’t do there dish, or why did they not clean up their mess. Its not a matter of right and wrong, but its the fact that life isn't fair. And within that we have no right to complain because we are simply stewards of Gods creation. “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4). All that we are entrusted with comes from God, so we should treat it with the utmost respect. So when I see someone doing something wrong by all means, “let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). I am so quick to judge and be the one on the front line, ready to throw the first stone. But when it comes down to it who can be left standing without sin. Just as Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him, no one is worthy to throw the stone. So we forgive, we forget, we love and life goes on.

Application:
I need to apologize to certain house mates, although by my actions I have not done wrong, the condition of my heart is one that has put down and judged.

Whos Joy is it Anyway?

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (ESV)

    I see this verse as three different components, but all within one larger truth. The main thing we shouldn’t miss is that its God who works in us. The work we do is not our own but it’s the work of the Lord in our lives to carry out his will and fulfill the intended purpose of his creation. Which believe it or not this goes hand in hand. As Gods will is being done in our lives, his name is being glorified. Being that this is true God cannot be glorified in our grumbling and complaining. Which is why he has given us the choice to choose a life that glorifies his name. Being that God cannot be glorified in our grumbling, but only through our genuine choice to serve and proclaim his name. Then we find a direct correlation between glorifying God and our joy. Although Gods purpose for his creation was to bring him glory, we still find joy through doing this being that he can only be glorified through a joyful heart. We bring God joy, which is also where we find significance, purpose and meaning for our life. “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save, he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). We see that God rejoices over us with gladness and exults over us with loud singing. He finds joy in us, and this joy is found when we are in his will. This is something we share with God, as we rejoice in praising him, he rejoices in us.
    This verse makes me think about the life of Christ. A prefect representation of God working through human flesh. Working for the will of God, that his name might be glorified and through that glorification pleasure would be found. “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Where did Christ find joy in his life? In carrying out the will of the Father. “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.  And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” (John 17:1-5).
    Christ had one focus and purpose in laying his deity aside, clothing himself in humility and being born in the likeness of men. He was focused on the cross, knowing that he was sent to die for the redemption of his creation. So Christ could not have grumbled at this task at hand, the cross was not an afterthought, but he daily walked in the shadow knowing that he was headed to Calvary road. And even then he found joy in walking in complete obedience to the father, we know he found joy for one because Hebrews 12:2 tells us it was a “joy set before him.” Secondly, for the Father to have been glorified in Christ’s death it has to be something that was done in pure joy. When people say pick up your cross, they often associate the cross with a trail or burden that is presently in your life. I don’t see how this could be so, as if when Christ was carrying his cross down the Calvary road he was burdened by it. It was not a trial in his life, it was pure joy. The cross is simply the cross. When we start to look at the cross as a trial in our we begin to diminish the work Christ did the day of his crucifixion. But when the cross is the cross you can focus on the power of it. The cross is liberating, delivering creation from slavery.
    When your like Paul and you have experienced the goodness of Christ, the cross becomes a hope in your life. “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). Also Paul is able to look at the cross and find glory in it, “but far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). Everyday we look to the cross, and find mercy, power, grace and restoration. We are drawn to the cross for a daily surrender, a surrender that enables the power of the cross to reign true in our lives.
    So being that we have a perfect example of a life poured out, even to the point of death. We know that before the world existed, God has prepared a work for us to walk in, this should encourage us and compel us to seek his will for our life all the more. Knowing that when we walk in that will we will be experiencing pure joy to the extent of its intended design and  within that we will be fulfilling our intended purpose in this life, glorying God. “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:7).

Who Are You?

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (ESV)

    In this verse Paul sums up the true meaning of character. To define this word in my words I would say character is who you are when no one is around. When no one is looking, how do you act? This is your real character. I think by the way Paul addresses the church of Philippi we see that Paul understood the importance of being genuine. Or being through and through. Who you see is who I am. Not playing a role to look good on the surface when your around others, and then throwing those morals and values out the window when there is no accountability. For you might be good at holding the appearance of someone who is holy, but God sees right through. He sees into the core of our being, into the true desires of our heart, our thoughts, our motivations and actions. Paul is saying how much more then should you obey in his absence, if what God is concerned with is our true character, who we are through and through.
    I take the second part of the verse as an application to the exhortation in the first part. In the sense that our salvation, our work should be done on a personal level. If we are trying to earn our salvation by faking to be someone were not around our friends at church, then what is the point? Maybe its because you feel good when you feel bad, when your convicted and it bothers you, you start to feel warm. Like your close to God, but then what, you walk out of the building drive down the street, and out come the cigarettes, on comes the secular music, and look who’s calling, your buddy you used to drink with and you agree to just “hang out” with him. What is the point in living a life like this. God sees right through your fake smiles at church, he sees right through your self pity and sorrow. What God is looking for is a genuine heart, broken, at the end of himself and ready for a true change from the inside out. A true recognition of what’s deserved and a Godly repentance, leading to a change of heart, not change of appearance, not more cologne to hide the cigarettes, or to delete the messages from your phone, or to clean out your stash. Because those things will burn either way, whether your possessing them or not, and all that will be left is your soul and the true character within.
    So my conviction is to start working on the things that I harbor deep within. The bitterness, the pride, the grumbling and the conceit. Its time to start working towards things that will remain on the day of salvation. Things that will withstand the fire testing. Doing this with respect and love through a proper knowledge of who God is, his wrath, justice and righteousness. With a fear and trembling, knowing that one day, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and what will you have to offer for your salvation is absolutely nothing. Nothing but the blood of Christ, that washes us white as snow upon confession of sin and a belief and acceptance of the name Jesus Christ. So that means we stop trying then right? Once we have accepted Christ we go back to our old life and live in his grace. This would not be holding a proper knowledge of God. But we do as Peter said, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
 
Application:
I know there are things about my character my heart is hardened to, like the proverb says, “the heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.” I need to genuinely soften my heart before the heart before the Lord and ask those around me for forgiveness of my actions.

Self-Made Religion

1 Corinthians 3:7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth (ESV)

    In this verse Paul is addressing the people of Corinth, simply trying to put things back into perspective. They had allowed divisions to occur, over their opinion, some had put their hope and trust in Paul and some Apollos. But in doing so they have forgotten what they were hoping and trusting in. I think Paul sums up his thoughts in chapter 2, “that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” They had taken God out of the picture, and human nature had set in. When we say I follow Calvary Chapel, or I follow Assemblies of God, we begin to identify in a denomination rather than in Jesus Christ. The reason the sect exists, is lost within the beliefs and opinions of the distinctive. Christ is taken out of the picture when we start to identify in the belief of another human being. For as Paul says, “when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not being merely human?” We use biblical teaching as means to divide, dividing the very purpose of the bible along with our lofty speech and opinions.
    Lets look and see what the bible says we have teachers for. “And he (Christ) gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11-12). I don’t see anywhere in this verse where it says they were given for the reason of dividing the body of Christ. And actually you wont find this anywhere in the bible. We are warned to be aware of false teachers, and by all means we need to be on guard and alert to all words that are proclaimed in the name of Jesus. But, bible fearing evangelicals should not look for reason to divide over an opinion or matter of preference. Actually we are told, “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him” and “see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Col 2:8).
    Philosophy, means literally, the love of wisdom. In this case it would be a worldly wisdom, the same wisdom that Paul addresses those of Colossae, “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ( referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (Col 2:20-23). I think there is such an important truth revealed in these verses. What might seem to have the appearance of wisdom, is actually what is giving a foothold to the flesh, that there might be further indulgence through self-made religion.
    As someone who is seriously called to a lifetime of ministry, I take this lesson very seriously. For I know my opinions and beliefs are very strong. Strong enough that in them I could easily remove Christ from the picture, add my own two sense and forget my reason for ministry in the first place. Instead of building up the body, I would be toiling to tear it apart, thinking as I built my way up I would be getting closer to God. As well as bringing others closer to God, only to realize once I made it to the top I had left God out of the picture, and had a whole crowd of people following my own self-made religion, creating a divide between them and their relationship with the Lord.
    So how can one be sure to avoid self-made religion? “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corin 2:1-4). Keep the main thing the main thing, all else will trickle down from there.

   

Perfect Harmony Amongst Diversity

1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth (ESV)

    Paul is recognizing in this verse the role Apollos and himself played in building up the church in Corinth. But simply said that was all they did, was played a role, the true growth came from God. We are but vessels used to impart the truth of the gospel that one might come to trust and believe. I relate this verse back to my own time in ministry. I think I would say its rewarding to see someone come to believe in Jesus Christ through the preaching of the word, better then that is to see the continued growth in someone, especially one that you are mentoring. Although around this time its very easy to start to think that you are the reason this growth is taking place. If it wasn’t for me this growth would not be happening, these people would not be giving their lives to Christ. Or because of the growth that I am the Lords anointed, he needs me to accomplish his work. For some reason this verse comes to mind, in reference to qualifications of an overseer “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.”
    In my personal walk I have become very opinionated, or conceited, in the sense that I feel like most people just don’t understand things like I do. Like the way I view the Bible and biblical principles/truths is how every believer should view them. Placing the same importance on them and teaching them the same way I am. If it is another way then I feel this person just doesn’t get it. Truth is, I am very deceived, Satan is using the truth to deceive me. Just as he tried to deceive Jesus in the wilderness with Scriptures. Some are called to plant, and some are called to water. We are not all called to live by the same cookie cutter faith. There are foundational truths, doctrine and theology that should be the basis for all ministry, but as we build upon that foundation we will see much diversity. Just as our God is diverse, he has created each one of us in a unique way, with different passions and desires. As long as its biblical, it is growth from the Lord. I need to slow down and look at others in this way. Just because there ministry might be different then the vision I have, doesn’t mean their growth hasn’t come from the Lord. I realize I should be worried if everybody was the same, because that would be when we have shut out the leading of the Spirit, and followed the leading of man.
    Think of it like this, if MacArthur’s commentary was our leading source then bible studies would be pretty dry. If we all showed up with the same interpretation of the same portion of Scriptures, then I would have to question whether it was spirit lead or not. Gods word is “spiritually discerned” (1 Corin 2:14), keeping this variable in mind along with the fact no two people are the same, then we should be surprised if we don’t see diversity. Every person brings a different set of past and present personal experiences, maybe similar but not the same. Gods word is living, never changing, always has been. But what is changing is the reader, lead by the Spirit, to receive the words of God as intended.
    I think of the verse, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). In the time of King Solomon, who wrote this verse, the process of Iron sharpening Iron was a lengthy process. When it came to making a sword, it would require being pounded out by an iron hammer, then an iron file would be used to create a razor edge, and lastly they would use another piece of iron stone to rub and lift the edge. So let us assume this, each one of us brings one piece to the group that would further the process of creating a usable functioning sword. So if we show up to bible study and our duty is to create this iron sword, but yet we all bring the iron hammer, at the end of this process we are going to be left with an edgeless dull blade. When we all bring MacArthur’s view on the same verse, we are all bringing only one component, the iron hammer. We are then left with a verse that has just been shaped, but not yet sharp enough to pierce through the surface. We can come each week, and just skim the surface, or we can each bring the proper piece, the piece the Spirit wants to equip us with, to give to us, that we might play our part in building up the body of Christ.
    I see the importance of diversity, the need for different ministries. Because to take things on a larger scale, from bible study to different ministries. Each ministry is going to come with one component needed to create that functioning sword. When the body is working in perfect harmony, we see complete and total diversity, yet perfect harmony. Just as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, operate in one accord, each with distinct differences in their functions.

Application:
I need to humble myself before the Lord. Today I will spend time praising God for who he is, putting things back into perspective.

The Undivded Mind

1 Corinthians 3:5 What then is Apollo’s? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. (ESV)

    Who is Apollo’s? Apollo’s is introduced in the Scriptures in Acts 18, and we see in Acts 19 Apollo’s was in Corinth. “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”
    Who is Paul? We get Paul’s testimony in Acts 26, although there is so much to know about the Apostle Paul, for sake of space we will keep it limited to these few Scriptures. “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles— to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
    We see the Lords calling in both the life of Apollo’s and Paul’s. Both were called to be a witness for the Lord. Both were men who knew the scriptures and understood the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ, as their ministry and calling was to share of the grace we have in Christ Jesus through faith in his name. They stood up and spoke boldly in times of heavy persecution. We also know that Paul established the church in Corinth, and Apollo’s encouraged and greatly helped those who through grace had believed in Jesus.
    But Paul himself recognized that he was a servant of the Lord. Simply empowered, lead and guided to bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ in all he did. The rest would be in vain, but Paul knew that humanity has caused a divide within the body of Christ. That men would separate over preference or opinion. I think this is such a key topic for the church today. Its only natural that there would be divisions, but Paul was writing to them in regards to the “name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” That we need to die to self, put off the fleshly thoughts, and put on the mind of Christ. He refers to this just back in chapter 2, “ ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” I like what Paul says in Philippians 2:5 in reference to selfless thinking, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Application:
I have allowed for thoughts to enter that have divided me from being in communion with my housemates, today I will pray for a denial of these thoughts and put on the mind I have in Christ Jesus.