LEARNING THE SECRET

There is something innately mysterious about secrets. To know something that is not widely known attracts us. From early childhood we are attuned to the whispered words "I'll tell you a secret."
In Philippians 4:12  a technical term meaning "to initiate into the mysteries"occurs - the only place in the NT where it is used. It was a term used in certain religious cults and Paul borrows it just this once.
The apostle Paul is writing from his own experience in prison, explaining that he has "learned the mystery" or "the secret" of being content in all circumstances. Although Philippians is a well known NT book, and though contentment is mentioned right next to an often quoted verse, the secret of contentment still seems to be "a mystery" to a lot of believers. And in our market driven, consumer oriented, advertising saturated culture, most businesses and governments don't want you to learn and enjoy this secret.
When so many of us live with serious discontent; when our culture seems to cultivate the attitude that enough is "just a little bit more"; how do we as believers develop an attitude of contentment? How do we truly live "satisfied with our lot in life" financially and otherwise?
Paul provides several parts of an answer to this question in the immediate context of testifying about his contentment. First, notice that this comes just after He has given us the great verses on prayer and peace.  If we practice the discipline of taking our needs to God with thanksgiving (which indicates some degree of faith), we are promised an amazing sense of God's peace. This seems to me to be very close to the feeling/attitude of contentment.
Second, this testimony comes just after challenging us to fill our minds with thoughts that are "true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable". Learn to consistently think this way will surely increase our contentment.
Third, still in the immediate context, Paul affirms "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." This verse has been twisted and stretched to apply to almost anything and everything. It has been claimed as an almost "Think it and you will do it." But in the context, it seems Paul is most likely referring to the fact that God has given and will give him (and us) the strength to serve God well through both easy times and difficult times; times when we have a lot and times when we have little.
Fourth, and finally for this short post, Paul provides a wonderful promise to his immediate readers. The Philippian believers had apparently sent a very generous gift to him. Perhaps it was even more than they  could logically afford to give (4:15 - 19). So he assures them: "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (20) His supply is unlimited in Christ Jesus. He will provide all our needs (not greeds) and in that we should indeed find contentment.
The road to a life of contentment is quite clear in this and other passages of Scripture. No insurance company, no investment portfolio, no government assurances; nothing can provide the contentment that God offers for us to enjoy every day.

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

I remember a speaker from my teen age years saying, "You are not what you think you are. But what you think, you are!" The first half of this quote reminds me that I never have a fully accurate perception of myself. And I am rarely (never?) as important as I think I am.
However it is the second half of the quote that ran through my mind this morning as I read Philippians. "What you think, you are." We cannot control all of the thoughts that flash across the screen of our active minds. However we can control what stays on the screen for more than a second or two. We choose to hit the pause button - or not; we choose the subject on which we will focus our thinking. And gradually, as we continue to make those thought choices, we shape our character, our outlook, our perceptions. We become what has dominated our thought life - what our mind has been "dwelling on". Spend a little time with a pessimist and then an optimist and you realize that their thought patterns are absolutely different.
We need to heed the wise advice "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8
I recall some long ago acquaintance who struggled with addictions talking about negative thoughts as "stinkin' thinkin'". He knew that the "stinkin' mess" of his life had been largely the result of his negative, self defeating, critical and impure thoughts. In contrast, may your mind continually revert to the "sweet smellin' thinkin'" described in Philippians; because "what you think, you are".  

CITIZENSHIP

Yesterday we worshipped for the first time as an international congregation in My Dinh, a district on the west side of Hanoi. Since this was the beginning of the congregation, we asked people to identify by their citizenship - their passport country. The largest groups attending this first service were from China, Korea and North America (we asked Canadians and Americans to stand together). There were at least 13 countries represented, most being from S.E. Asia.
In the afternoon we attended the huge annual bazaar, sponsored by the Hanoi Women's Club. It is held at the United Nations International School. There were several hundred booths and thousands of people there, mostly expats. Many booths sold items made in Vietnam and from countries around the world. A large number of booths provided a vast variety of foods from different countries of the world. Many European countries and some Latin American countries provided booths with delicious food. Nigeria had a large booth with their ambassador in attendance. The Canadian booth offered nanaimo bars and maple syrup among other things and had a man dressed as an RCMP officer. Dozens of  nationalities were sprinkled among the large crowd. While eating sausages from Germany we sat with a German and several people from Botswana. Later we talked with folks from Nigeria, USA, Canada, Germany, etc.
It was invigorating to mingle with citizens from all over the world yesterday. It was even better to worship with Christians from a thirteen different countries. We have a unique connection that can't be determined or identified by a passport. We identify ourselves by our One Great Saviour. So we share a unique belonging: we have an eternal citizenship in an eternal homeland. I just read this morning:
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies, so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:20, 21

CALLED SERVANTS

Tomorrow morning we begin a new congregation on the west side of the city. This means that both the original location and the new location need volunteers. We have almost doubled our need for volunteers without increasing the size of our church!
Thankfully a number of our leaders have been recruiting for weeks - welcomers, ushers, technical people, worship teams, KidzQuest leaders, etc. I think we are ready to begin at both sites. In less than 24 hours we will discover how well prepared we really are.
As we have recruited volunteers, I have been reminded again of the church in Ohio that stopped talking about volunteers. They decided they would instead use the biblical term "servants". Every follower of Jesus is a "saint - holy one" because we are forgiven and made holy by the sacrifice of Christ. Every follower of Jesus should also be a servant as we follow the model of our Lord. You remember how Jesus said that He "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 He calls us to serve others as He served others.
It seems that almost every church is looking for volunteers, but really, what we need are servants. Our
local churches should be full of people who have a strong servant attitude: "how can I help?"; not the attitude of a volunteer "I may choose to help." Each of us with different gifts, at different stages of life, with different schedules and energy levels: but all of us with the same servant heart, following our Lord, the Servant King. (You can find the lovely song/hymn The Servant King on YouTube).

COME EMMANUEL

This has become an occasional blog, rather than a daily blog. Part of the reason is that I am now busier that when we were in Ho Chi Minh. However it is also because sometimes, such as the past couple of days, I just cannot get onto blogger.com - even though I get onto other websites. Anyway here I am today, on November 25th. Jan and I, before breakfast wished our children and grandchildren a Happy Thanksgiving (using skype). They (12 hours behind us) were just concluding their Thursday American Thanksgiving celebration.
My reading this morning was in Philippians 2, the wonderful passage about our Lord's humility, sacrifice and glorification. The first few verses of the chapter remind me of my decades long struggle to harness my "selfish ambition or vain conceit" and "in humility consider others better than myself." What a challenging passage; what an amazing model we are given.
Thinking of the Lord's humility, and preparing for the first Sunday of Advent; and since today marks just one month until Christmas, I turned to a couple of Christmas carols as part of my devotional time. I dialled up YouTube and enjoyed hearing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". We do rejoice that He came to "ransom captive Israel" - and to be a "Light to the Nations".
We also are moved to pray "maranatha", "O Lord come" - again. Our world seems so helplessly out of control - witness the European financial mess; the apparently hopeless US Congress stalemate; the turbulence in Middle East countries; etc. Only one form of government, only one Ruler can ever "put things right." So we are moved to pray again: "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
So we move into the Season of Advent, filled with joy and hope. We know the Saviour has come, and we know He will come again. Praise God.

PATIENCE AND PRAYER

Many of us have friends, colleagues or family members who have no faith in Christ. We may have talked with them once or many times. We have often prayed for them. We wonder why they don't choose to follow the One who loves them and died for them. We struggle with why the Truth does not seem true to them.
And then we read a passage like Ephesians 4:17 - 19. This passage describes unbelievers as "darkened in their understanding - futility of their minds - hopelessly confused" (pick your own English translation). It is impossible to "think right" about God without His help. Choosing to live apart from Christ is to choose darkness and this affects how our minds perceive truth, righteousness and faith in Christ.
This passage also describes unbelievers as having an "ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts." This is another way of stating the same truth that perspective and perceptions are clouded because of a negative response to the One who calls them to follow Him.
So we should not be surprised that those we care for don't respond to the Good News. After all we also know Jesus' parable of the Sower and four kinds of soil, only one of which was truly fertile. As our Lord indicated on numerous occasions, it is not easy to enter the Kingdom of God.
So we must be patient, keep loving and keep praying. God can shine His light into darkened minds. God can soften hard hearts. Please Oh God, would you graciously do this in the minds and hearts of those we love? 

WORKING AT UNITY

This was a busy and interesting weekend. The very interesting topic for our leadership seminar on Friday and Saturday was cross cultural coaching. Then tonight we had a special prayer meeting with 20 people who are part of the group who will help us start a new congregation on November 27th. The 20 people represented six countries - Canada and the USA, Nigeria, Philippines, Korea, and China.
This morning I preached from Ephesians 4, challenging our International Church to remain unified even as we begin next week to meet in two locations with two congregations. It is most interesting that Paul first challenges believers to live a life worthy of their calling and then challenges them to grow Christian character - humility, gentleness, patience and forbearance with love. Only then comes the challenge: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (4:3)
It seems to me that if we are growing those four characteristics (and other qualities found in passages such as Galatians 5:22, 23) we will be the kind of people who promote and develop peace in any congregation. While some congregations have divided over moral or theological issues, far more have divided due to a lack of godly qualities such as humility and love. Of course the divisive ones often hide behind biblical verses or theological issues, but the real cause of division is pride and a lack of love.
There is so much that unites believers: see the nine commonalities Paul lists in 4:4 - 6. Compared to these, our differences should rarely divide us.
God is pleased with believers who truly live a life worthy of their calling, growing the fruit of the Spirit and fostering unity in the body. It is not always easy - "make every effort" writes Paul. But for God's reputation we need to do all we can to strengthen the unity of the Spirit.

KNOWING GOD BETTER

Is there any greater goal in life? Is there anything more important you could pray for someone you love?

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians reads in part: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." (1:17) I prayed this prayer for my children, my wife and myself yesterday. And I prayed it also for all who read this blog. To grow in knowledge of the Eternal One, we need His help - His wisdom made available to us; His revelation being clear to our poor spiritual sight.
I remembered how the Apostle Paul said of himself, "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord". (Phil. 3:8) He knew that knowledge of Christ was something to be pursued through both increased understanding and experience. It involves tapping into His power and sharing in his suffering, as we live daily with and for Him.
I think the only place where Jesus defined eternal life is in John 17:3 where he prayed, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
How amazing is this - that average humans, just tiny specks in a vast universe, are given the privilege of knowing and talking with the Almighty Creator God!
So if you are a believer who has come to know God through Jesus Christ - boast about it! That is correct.  Don't boast about your wisdom, your wealth or any position of power that you may presently enjoy. Believers should "boast about this; that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Jeremiah 9:23, 24
Oh, and since our God delights in these things, we who know Him had better pursue "kindness, justice and righteousness."

DEPENDS ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Many people who perhaps should serve God in another country, fear the difficult life that would entail. It is true that in some parts of the world, life is simply painful and difficult for everyone all the time. However many of those serving in other countries could list a number of advantages to living away from their home country. Life in many places is difficult or wonderful depending upon the perspective, the attitude and the focus.
I could tell you that life here is tough. For example I had to walk this morning about 50 meters out to the main road near our apartment. I had to step to the curb and hail a taxi. Usually I have to tell the taxi driver where I want to go, then show him a map and then pay attention that he in fact does take me to the proper location. We don't have an office for me in our church office building, so I have to sit at a folding table on the third floor in our only small meeting room. I have to walk down a flight of stairs to talk with the other staff members. I hear loud construction noise from near by and right now a sixth grade staff member's child is sharing this room, reading as she waits for her father. In a little while, I will need to walk up a narrow alley to the nearby street, walk a block to get to a major intersection, hail a taxi, make sure the driver knows where I want to go and that the meter is actually working. I will ride home with this total stranger driving (probably too fast) through dense, chaotic traffic.
A few moments ago however I was joking with a staff member that I could describe the same situation  this way.
I have my own car and driver every day when I go to the church office. Driving through dense traffic I can watch the numerous motor bikes, make a phone call or text message, pray or do whatever I want. Right now it is 27 degrees and sunny, with a caressing breeze blowing through the open window. Oh yes, the church offices are located in a small three storey house. So I can look out this third floor window, or step out onto the balcony and look over a shining lake just 30 meters away. In fact a moment ago, I watched five slim, sleek kayaks paddle by. My "office" is huge - 4 meters by 8 meters and I have a library and washroom at the end of the office.
Both paragraphs are true. It all depends on how you look at the situation. Of course for those who are Christ followers, we have only one way to look at things, right? Whatever our situation, this is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Or as we read in Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!"(4:4) I'm rejoicing as I soon head out to look for a taxi.

PEOPLE LIKE YOU

On Sunday we were looking at what happened in Antioch as the Good News was spreading. The church there was begun by some believers who had moved from Cyprus and Phoenicia. It is safe to assume that these were business people, not clergy and not international workers officially delegated to go. These were missional thinking business people, who while making money, were very interested in making new disciples for Jesus. They were the first Jewish believers to take the initiative on their own and reach out to Gentiles with the Good News of Christ.
Philip had reached out to the Samaritans, who were considered "half Jewish" with their mixed roots. He had also been specifically commanded by an angel to go to the place where he met the Ethiopian government official. (Acts 8) Peter received a Divine vision and clear instructions to go with the men who came from the Roman soldier Cornelius. (Acts 10) He shared the Good News with the house full of Gentiles gathered by Cornelius.
But in Antioch it happened for the first time: Jewish believers on their own initiative began talking about Jesus to people who were "not like them". They had heard no Divine voice, seen no vision, encountered no angel. They simply obeyed the command of Jesus and were His witnesses to the world of Jews and Gentiles. One commentator wrote that in these few restrained sentences (Acts 11:19 - 21) Luke describes one of the most important turning points in all history. The Good News is "released" to be shared with everyone.
Of course this concerned the church leaders in Jerusalem. The church had grown rapidly in their city and was spreading quickly to other places. We can assume they were a little shaken by Philip going to Samaritans with the Good News. Then they got the shocking report from Peter that he had actually entered a Gentile house; shared the Good News and saw the Holy Spirit come upon that group of Gentiles as they believed. Now they get the surprising news from Antioch about a fast growing church made up of Jews and Gentiles.
It must have seemed that things were out of control. Of course they were! The Holy Spirit can't be controlled. He continues to break through human boundaries and upset our comfortable paradigms. Only God knows where He will "break out" next!

THE TIME IS

You know that if you live in eastern Canada or the USA, when you fly west you "gain time" as you move into different time zones. Since Canada and the USA are such large countries, it is fairly common to fly through two or three time zones as you move across the continent. And if you are flying east from Alberta to Ontario, you "lose" two hours as you move through two time zones.
When we arrived in Vietnam, I discovered that flying west does not always move your clock back. I think of it tonight because Jan is in Singapore (she will fly back tomorrow with a renewed 6 month visa) and she is one hour ahead of me. Even though Singapore is to the west of Hanoi! The same is true if she were in Kuala Lumpur. You don't believe me? Check a map! Check the time zones. So Jan can do what none of you could do tomorrow.  When Jan flies east tomorrow, she will actually gain an hour.
I know, some of you are thinking, so what? Sorry, I just find this anomaly quite interesting. I also had never given much thought, until moving here, to the fact that a country as large as China maintains its entire country as one time zone. As we approach the longest nights of the year in the northern hemisphere, I am wondering just how late in the day comes the sunrise in the far northwest of the country - or in summer, how early comes the sunrise if you live in the northeast of the country.
OK, is that enough to give you deep thoughts today? Or at least at the office, you can ask someone, "Is it possible to fly east and gain an hour?" You can tell them that a friend of yours will do that on Wednesday! Amazing!
Far more amazing fact? One day, we will not be concerned about turning on lights,time zones or wondering about how much sunshine we will be receiving. That will indeed be wonderful and fascinating. (See Revelation 21, 22).

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE

We humans have to believe in something. We have an innate desire to believe that Someone or something greater than ourselves is in control. Or else we come to believe that we are the masters of our fate. When we are separated from God, we often will believe almost anything.
Sadly, many people here in Vietnam are highly superstitious. While they may pray only to ancestors, they do believe in all kinds of good luck, and even more in bad luck. Many Vietnamese regularly visit fortune tellers and take their predictions seriously. Recently, friends in our fellowship were visited by a young couple who were very distraught. Their family had insisted they should visit a local fortune teller before their wedding.
They made the visit and this is what the bride and groom were told. If they proceed with this marriage, the bride's father will die and the new husband will go insane!
Imagine for a moment that you believe the fortune teller really does know the future. You don't believe in One who truly knows the future and loves you. This terrible prediction has been given to you. What would you do?
I don't know how this story will develop. I am glad that the couple shared their dilemma with the Christians in our fellowship. I do know that the couple have now heard about One who loves them and wants the best for them; One in whom they can put their trust  for the future. But even if they choose to believe in Christ, how will they proceed?
If the bride goes ahead with the wedding, the family will believe she is choosing to have her father die.
On the other hand, the very kind (!) fortune teller has offered some way to avoid this terrible fate. Of course it will cost money, but surely any price is not too high if you can prevent your father's death and your husband becoming mentally insane!
People living in the shadows, believing in anything and anyone. How tragic when the Son has come and  the light of his love and truth is available to all who will believe in Him   

SHADOWLAND

Zechariah's song comes after the birth of his son, John the Baptist. (Luke 1:67 - 79) Toward the end of it he speaks of "the tender mercy of our God by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death".
I read those words this morning as the sun was shining brightly through the windows of our 19th storey apartment. As I sat in our sun filled little office, with windows wide open, I was moved to thank God for the sunshine, but so much more for the Son who came "from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and the shadow of death."
From our apartment office we can look south and west over countless roofs and toward dozens of tall apartment buildings. There are perhaps 500,000 people living within our sight, almost all of whom live "in darkness and the shadow of death" even though the Son came 2,000 years ago. I am often moved deeply as I reflect on the needs of this city and of our world.
Our apartment building is 21 stories high. Very near us are two 40 storey apartments under construction along with a 20 storey office building. We know that tall buildings like these cast a long shadow. If you happen to live in a house near a tall building, no matter how brightly the sun shines, you will live in the shadow at certain times of the day.
So here in Hanoi (and where you live), the Good News of the Son who is the Light, has failed to  penetrate the shadows in which so many people live there whole lives. There are such a variety of tall barriers that keep people in spiritual shadows. Thankfully each of us can allow the Son to shine through us, and His light can bring some of these people out of darkness.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

We know Christmas is coming. Jan was in a local grocery store today and heard several lovely Christmas Carols being played. Our apartment building is offering a special gift to any Vietnamese who purchases an apartment during this season. The sales brochure features a Christmas tree, so two weeks ago, before the end of October, a three meter Christmas tree, well decorated, was placed in our lobby. Christmas is coming to Hanoi.
Of course most Vietnamese will not celebrate Christmas at all. They may dress their children in Santa outfits, decorate their stores and crowd out into the streets on Christmas eve. But unless they are Roman Catholics or Protestant believers, they will celebrate nothing on Christmas Day. (They do not exchange presents at this season.)
On the other hand, I've been reading in Luke 1 the past couple of days and quietly celebrating the Christmas events. Again I am awe struck by the Christmas account. Gabriel insulted by Zechariah's unbelief; Zechariah struck speechless; Mary given the most amazing announcement and assignment; Elizabeth's baby leaping for joy while still in the womb. The list goes on and on. I have not yet, after countless readings over many decades, become bored by reading this amazing story again and again.
As we approach the Christmas Season (yes, it is getting cold here - temperatures at night are now going down to almost 20 degrees!) may we all marvel and worship again; when alone with God and when we are surrounded by fellow worshippers. And may we in small ways and large, seek to share the Good News of Christmas with those who need our Saviour.

A GREAT PRAYER

Have you ever noticed Paul's prayer in I Thessalonians 1:11 - 13? In part Paul prays "that our God --- by his power (he) may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in you ---.""
I prayed this for myself today. I asked God today to fulfill the good purposes I have which will bring Him glory. Right now of course it is beginning a new congregation with the goal of encouraging and strengthening more believers and bringing more people to faith. What we are doing with others to make this happen are acts prompted by the faith that God will provide the needs we have. I am sure that these will bring glory to God. Therefore with Paul I can pray this with confidence.
Of course sometimes I have purposes which are self-centered, and while bringing pleasure and comfort to me and mine, would probably not bring glory to God. I have often been involved in actions that were not at all prompted by faith. That is why I like this prayer. It reminds me of the need to align my purposes and actions with faith and the glory of Christ. Then, and only then, can I pray for myself what Paul prayed so long ago for those early believers.
So I pray this prayer for everyone who reads my blog, so that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified.

PRIMED FOR WHAT?

I have just started reading the interesting book by Daniel Kahneman titled "Thinking, Fast and Slow". Among other things he talks about how all of us are "primed" for certain actions, behaviours and choices by what we experience. He briefly reports the results of one psychologist's study.
People in the experimental group were exposed to money words, or to a stack of monopoly money, or a screen saver that had dollar bills floating on it. They were involved in some exercise and so did not pay direct attention to these "money indicators". However the "priming effects" of placing the idea of money on the subjects minds were measured afterward. The results were quite conclusive.
Having just been exposed to the idea of money, subjects were primed toward "a reluctance to be involved with others, or to accept demands from others." In other words they were moved to independence and selfishness. Kahneman comments that "living in a culture that surrounds us with reminders of money may shape our behaviour and our attitudes in ways we do not know about and of which we may not be proud."
We know the stern Bible warning that "the love of money is the root of all evil (or all kinds of evil)." In fact that warning is found in an extended section of I Timothy 6. There we are called to be content and not to make the pursuit of money a major factor in our life. We know that money and the things it can buy can become as controlling as any idolatry.
 These kind of psychological conclusions arrived at by experiments that are well thought out and well controlled come to us as additional warnings. Our subconscious and intuitive decision making will be affected by the things around us. In our materialistic culture we must work harder at being generous and serving others than if we lived in a culture where helping others and working in a group is clearly  encouraged more than making money.
With God's help, biblical meditation and the fellowship of other Christians, we can resist the urge to focus on money and selfish desires. We can "prime ourselves" to think of others first and so follow Christ. If we don't, our culture will "prime us" in a way we don't want to go.

EVERY BELIEVER A MODEL

Many of you know that our son Steve does very occasional modelling (more often he does commercials and hopes for more movies). His wife, Vanessa has had quite a successful career for a few years as a model (not the typical run-way model, but modelling for a variety of stores, hotel websites, certain lines of shoes, etc.) It was amusing to us a year ago, that at the same time as our daughter Jeannie was a true "growing" expectant mother, Vanessa, slim as she is, was asked to model for a maternity line of clothes, as a "pretend" expectant mother.
For some strange reason, I have never been asked to be a model for any line of clothing. Perhaps the talent scouts have not thought to recruit you either. But all of us are expected to be models/examples, if we are followers of Christ. I am re-reading I Thessalonians this week which caused me to think of modelling - the Christian life, not fashions. Paul writes to the Thessalonians as a fellowship, not as individuals, that they "became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia". This happened at least partly because they were imitating Paul's model. (1:6 - 8)
Paul says that the Thessalonian Christians "became imitatiors of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus." (2:14) This happened as they accepted God's word and apparently responded in obedience and faith. The result was that they were persecuted for their loyalty to Jesus, just as the Judean churches were persecuted.
The word translated as model or example appears a number of times in Paul's inspired writings. He knew that he as a teacher and leader needed to provide a model for younger believers. He also called other individuals to make sure they were providing a good example for others - for instance see I Timothy 4:12.
We all need models, provided by those who are ahead of us in Christian maturity. We also profit greatly when others ,who are a stage or two ahead of us in life's journey, are good models of Christian commitment. Maybe no one will ever ask you to pose for photos as a model; but there are some younger believers who need you to be a model for them.

BREAKING NEW GROUND

Jan and I attended a seminar yesterday for expat believers, entitled "Breaking New Ground". Much of the time was spent in discussion groups. We studied and discussed the familiar parable of the sower that perhaps should be known as the parable of the soils. This parable always reminds me of how there are such different responses to God's Good News. It is also a good reminder of how the results of sharing that Good News are not dependent on us or controlled by us.
One topic given to our discussion groups was to list what activities and experiences are involved in a person's becoming a disciple of Jesus. One of the groups (not mine) came up with a great list. Their list included many of the different ways we might make contact with a "not yet believer"; many of the ways we might build a relationship with them; ways to bring them into connection with other believers; many of the settings in which they might hear the Good News explained; etc.
There are so many avenues through which "not yet believers" come into contact with Christians. If only all of us were alert to building relationship bridges across which they might eventually come to Christ. It happens that sometimes people come to faith through hearing or reading the Message through some media alone; or on there own attending some church service. However normally people come to faith through an initial personal relationship with a believer who is excited about Jesus. That is the way it happened for Peter, and also for Nathaniel. (John 1:35 - 51) I wonder who may come to faith through a relationship with you?
As Jan and I develop a heart for this large city, I am saddened to think of how much harder it is for someone here to even meet a Christian, when there are so few believers among so many millions.  And so we pray.

HE IS LIFE

Reading the last chapters of Revelation recently, I was impressed anew with the emphasis on life. It is crucial that each of us be sure our name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life! (chap. 20) In the new Jerusalem, John records several times that there will be both a River of Life and a Tree of Life (reminding us of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden). (chap. 21, 22) There will be no death in that city for Life abounds.
I was reminded of how often John emphasizes life in his Gospel, beginning with the opening verses that affirm in Christ "was life and the life was the light of men". Jesus offers living water to the woman at the well. (John 4) The theme that Christ is the source of life continues through the book. Jesus is the bread of life, He is the light of life, He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus is the way, the truth and the Life!
What a tragedy that some people hesitate to follow Christ because they fear they will miss some of what "life has to offer".That generally seems to mean "what sin has to offer."
Anyone who has some understanding of Scripture and of Christ would not make the mistake of thinking something or someone offers more of "life" than does Christ. If you really want to live, you must enter a relationship with Christ for He is the source of true, real life.
In fact the Apostle Paul that used this terminology (at least it is found in the oldest and best Greek manuscripts) when he wrote: "In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." I Timothy 6:19
Keep holding onto and enjoying "the life that is truly life".

KNOW WHO TO FIGHT

It is too easy for me to feel that my struggle to be Christ-like and to serve Him well involves just two opponents. I am all too aware of the opposition I receive from myself. Do I really want to discipline my tongue, my mind, my actions to be completely loving and pure? The answer sadly is sometimes "no". In fact there is a part of me that reacts to the word "discipline" and is more attracted to words like "relax" and "later". So like the cartoonist of another generation wrote: "we have seen the enemy, and it is us." (Hmm, not sure of the author or if I got that exactly correct. However the point is clear, right?)
Then of course I am aware of the enemy I see every day. The cultures we live in constantly beckon us to lust (evil desire) for more - more money, more things, more experiences, more, more, more. And while many of these things are quite fine in moderation, they can pull us away from those things which are most important. Then there are those things offered to us which are just plain evil - from which we need to run.
What I too often forget, because the enemy is sly and unseen, that I am battling with spiritual forces. Like you I know this, but I tend to forget. Therefore I can underestimate the opposition and too easily believe that this battle is mostly with my own weaknesses and sin. Nope, must not do that. I must remember the truth of Ephesians 6 - we are wrestling (or should be) with unseen opponents who do not want us to be loyal to Christ or live in obedience to our Heavenly Father.
Scripture is clear that we have an enemy who is like a prowling lion. (I Peter 5:8) So resist him, standing firm in the faith. He would love for you and me to fall into one of his damaging traps. (I Timothy 3:7; II Timothy 2:26)
So Jesus prays to the Father for us: "that you protect them from the evil one." John 17:15 And He taught us to pray: "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one." So may we pray. And so I need to remind myself: the spiritual battle is not just with the world around me and my own tendency to sin. No, I am being tempted by the same one who tempted my Saviour. And with the Saviour's help and the power of the Spirit, I can fight victoriously. And so can you.