29 November 2006

Wisdom

"Therefore be careful how you walk not as unwise men, but as wise." (Eph.5:15)

The predominant theme over the last two weeks seems to have been "wisdom". As we review our diaries, it never ceases to amaze us that as the Lord prepares our hearts to teach one lesson; the material becomes accessible for others who may come into our lives seeking guidance.

The Sunday School has been studying a series of lessons dealing with various forms of expressing wisdom through their life choices and attitudes. Walking in wisdom is an element of the worthy walk that Paul was describing in Ephesians 4-5. He covers the traits of being humble, united, unique, loving, illuminated and wise. The point we were attempting to get across to is that Christians are different from the world. The world can't be humble because everyone is fighting for his rights. The world can't be united because it celebrates and exalts differences. The world can't be unique because it's trapped in its own self-destruction. The world can't love because it doesn't' have the life of God-the source of real love. The world can't know light because it lies in the system of darkness. And the world can't be wise because the wisdom of God is hidden from the mind of man. We want the children to realize that being different from the world is an asset and not a hindrance. When others see you obeying Scripture-when they see you walking in wisdom-they'll notice you're not like them. That difference can create opportunities to tell them about their faith. Pray that the children will walk in wisdom and let others be attracted to the light of Christ.

The High School youth group continues to study the lives of "The Not-so-Famous" in Scripture. Two weeks ago they looked at the testimony of "The Unknown Man of God" from 1 Kings 13:1-32. The import of this lesson was commitment to total obedience. This unnamed man was sent by God to deliver a message and then depart. Unfortunately, when someone else came along and had conflicting information, he heeded that instead of the message he, himself, was to obey. This, ultimately, led to his death. The young people learned how to act wisely when they hear something that does not match what God has told them in His Word. They were reminded that there are many who go around wearing sheep's clothing but are, in fact, wolves waiting to devour them. Cults and convincing life styles abound which are drawing our young people away from following the path of a more acceptable life. Please pray for the young people as they seek to make life choices.

The Christian Resource Centre has been well utilized lately by various young church leaders. One young man came in recently with a desire to look at "The Wisdom of God" and how that concept should be expressed through the life of His children. We were able to start him on his way and by the end of the day he had made copious notes on the subject. By the time he packed up, he stated that he was looking forward to the practical expression of the many lessons he had learned.

Many continue to apply themselves to the study of God's Word through the Source of Light correspondence lessons. We have now exceeded the 3,600 point with many young people expressing an interest in joining once the school holidays begin in a week's time. Pray for those who continue in their studies and for those considering enrollment.

Colin has completed his final year of school. He is now wrapping up his affairs and preparing for his eventual departure for the USA to begin his life and career with the US Air Force. Pray for him as he adjusts to a new life and personal responsibility.

Pray for the building work at Fellowship Chapel. The rainy season has begun so construction must come to a close only to resume in April or May. Pray for the building project out a Kafubu Block. We are ready to assist with the roof work. This will take place in the next week or two.

Thank you for pray for us and being a vital part of this ministry.

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

08 November 2006

Temptation

"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

Perhaps you have heard the joke, "I can resist anything but temptation!" Unfortunately, that is all too often true in our lives. Learning how to successfully resist temptation is vitally important, for we sin only when we yield to temptation.

The overriding theme of the past week has been issues of giving in to temptation. Whether it be a child at the orphanage succumbing to taking something not his own or a married man coming in to the Christian Resource Centre to express his remorse for actions he took against his wife and the feeling of desperation that he has walked outside God's sphere of influence and love, to the Bible teacher who has been working on his Sunday sermon suddenly convicted, realizing that before he asks the people to walk "in His light" he must deal with issues at hand in his own life and clear his conscience .all have one thing in common, at some point they yielded to temptation and gave in to sin. The solace that one and all can have is the fact that Jesus Christ provides us with the perfect example of how to defeat temptation.

In the situations mentioned above, we were able to encourage each that there is a way to successfully resist temptation as modelled by our Lord Jesus Christ. We must first understand our enemy's plan of attack and, secondly, make use of our spiritual resources. Satan made a three-pronged assault on Jesus Christ-the same three ways he tempts us. First, he tempted Jesus to doubt God's goodness by commanding the stones to become bread (Matthew 4:3). That implies that God did not care enough about Him to provide for His physical needs. Second, he tempted Jesus to doubt God's love, suggesting that He test that love by leaping from the pinnacle of the temple (Matthew
4:5-6). Finally, he tempted Jesus to compromise God's truth, promising Him the kingdom without the cross if Jesus would worship him (Matthew 4:8-9).

To each of Satan's temptations, Jesus replied, "It is written" (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). He thereby showed us the resource for defeating temptation: the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Pray for each of those who sought our help this week. Pray that they will sincerely turn to the Word and gain the help and strength necessary to overcome the temptations that cross their paths. Pray for us as we, too, seek to do the right thing and take to heart what we share with those who seek our help from day to day.

The building program out at the Kafubu village church is progressing. The men of the church are doing all the labour and have asked me to come this Sunday to "inspect" the work and to provide a word from Scripture. The rains will soon be upon us and we need to get the roof phase completed as soon as possible. Pray that the work will continue until the job is finally done.

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

01 November 2006

Adoption

Adoption:
Natural: The giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a son who is not a son by birth.

Spiritual: An act of God's grace by which he brings men into the number of his redeemed family, and makes them partakers of all the blessings he has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations into which the believer is introduced by justification, and the privileges connected therewith, viz., an interest in God's peculiar love. (John 17:23; Rom. 5:5-8)

To you and I the dual definitions for adoption may seem straightforward and clear. However, when a student in the Christian Resource Centre embarked on a study of the relationship one has with God when they accept Christ as Saviour, he just could not fathom the permanency of the relationship. You may ask, "Why on earth not?" Let us provide some background:

In Zambian culture family is community. Not only your immediate blood relatives but also extended family members and fellow villagers belong to that "family circle". Each, traditionally, took care of the other. For instance if a brother or sister passes away, their children become dependents of another family member or resident of the village. Nothing legal is documented. No one changes surnames. The children are simply passed on and integrated into the family unit. Unfortunately, that child never has a sense of "belonging" in most cases. Though the child has been integrated into the extended family, the same child is not afforded the rights and privileges of the birth child in the home to which they have been relegated. There is always that sense of separation, inequality, instability. A situation may arise whereby a family member in another part of the clan may need a servant or caregiver to younger children and frequently that same orphaned child will be sent to another home to serve as opposed to becoming a member of the family.

When we understand this concept of integration in the Zambian setting yet no permanency or sense of belonging, it helps us to realize that what you and I take for granted as understood, is an entirely foreign idea in this culture. We now know why so many of our Zambian believers think that their eternal life is conditional upon their behavior. To assist the student in his comprehension of adoption we are able to use the example of our son Colin and how he was made Sherry's son through adoption. She made the choice to make him a part of her life, relegating all the rights and privileges that would have been bestowed upon a child of birth, to him. He is loved, taught and disciplined as any other child would be that is loved by a parent.

Translating that into how God has chosen us, given us His name, His love, His gift of eternal life, a place with Him, blessings, an inheritance, discipline etc. the student was finally able to come to terms though he stated that it takes great faith to truly know that God will not "excommunicate" you or regret his decision and throw you back.

Adoption should not surprise God's people. Adoption in Christ is the way God chose to create His family even before He created the world (Eph. 1:4-5). Adoption as God's act is an eternal process of His gracious love, for He "fore-ordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will"

Pray for our Zambian friends as they come to grips with the concept of adoption. Pray for us as we make clear the mysteries of God's Word.

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry