Generosity and forgiveness

“And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.”Philemon‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If we take this verse in isolation then we could assume it was about finance and we would be wrong. Paul is writing to Philemon and asking Him to have a forgiving heart towards a slave of his, who had run away and ended up with Paul. The slave, Onesimus, had not had a good relationship with his master, Philemon, however he had become useful to Paul. Paul is basically asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus, and receive him back with a changed heart. He stresses, in bold type, that Philemon owes him his life. He is really applying pressure on Philemon.

People will wrong us, run away from us and if found by a Paul, will return to start again. Forgiveness we receive from Christ and forgiveness we are expected to give to others. Sometimes we need a Paul to remind us of our own previous condition. We too were sinners, jointly saved by grace, not of our own doing. We too, have sinful flaws, and wicked fleshly natures, only grace has made us right with God. We are not good in ourselves.

 

This small books deals with our self-righteousness and the continual need for forgiveness. I am grateful for Paul. May we be Pauls in the lives of others. Be generous and forgive! Amen!

The name

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.”Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David wrote in the psalms: some trust in horses, some in chariots, but I will trust in the name of the Lord! (Psalm 20:7)

Some trust in men or women of high standing, however, all people can fail us, especially in the matter of priorities. However, God is our safety, our hiding place.

Some trust in themselves and believe they can handle anything. However, along comes something they cannot handle and they struggle. I used to be supremely confident. I remember being asked, “what do you do if you find someone who does not like you?” I replied, “I will win them over!” Unfortunately, life is not like that. I have had many situations where I cannot win a person over and some have been those I never thought would leave, but they did.

Only God can win a person over. He can make life very difficult for them and chase them down. He does it in love. I have to trust Him for final outcomes and not need people to like or love me. After all, His love never changes and is always dependable. Humans will fail me, He won’t! Amen!

No evil

“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Evil lurks around tempting the unaware heart to resent, criticise and become offended. Spirits of wickedness want us for breakfast. They want to live through us. They want us to adopt their evil ways. When we choose to be offended or to criticise they have us hook, line and sinker. 

Yesterday, I spent the day with a friend attempting to build a puppet stage. We encountered all manner of problems, but we finally finished at dinner time. I fed my friend lunch and dinner and then sent him on his way.

My flatmates stayed in their rooms in bed, one stayed all day the other half a day. It is cold here and when we have nothing to do we go to bed. We do not have a TV and so mobile phones are the tool to entertain. I am not used to such a sedentary lifestyle. So I try to busy myself. I sew, paint, cook read or study. Yesterday was fun!

Criticism of my flatmates is ever tempting. I have to fight it as well as pride and self-righteousness. I cannot afford to live for evil spirits. Instead, it is best to seek the Lord and find my work.

Paul probably knew the same evil temptations. As children of God we cannot afford to give our bodies, souls and spirits to evil influence. I will not be Satan’s mouthpiece. He came to kill and destroy, he is the accuser of the church body and I cannot work for Him.

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.”1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Father may Your kingdom come, You will be done in and through me, lead me not into temptation and deliver me from all evil! Amen!

Harmony

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”Psalms‬ ‭133‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have been taking lessons from the Lord about creating harmony in a work. It started last year with friends. I began drawing people into friendship that normally would be not involved. Patiently waiting, shepherding, drawing, loving and not being drawn into reacting. This year as the vision comes into focus I have an intensity of friction from within and being patient and prayerful. Amazingly, God is working to create harmony and unity.

As ai pray and allow Him to move in hearts and minds, godly action takes please and repentance comes to those in friction. Gently, I push forward. No this is not my personality, it is God. I am naturally pushy and efficient. I get things done. However, the things are being done God’s way. Now, I know this will last and be effective. As I patiently, lovingly, pray and encourage it is happening, God’s way.

Allowing God to move and change hearts is best as a leader. He is the great shepherd after all! Amen!

Divisions

“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The church in Corinth was experiencing divisions of beliefs in who they followed. Paul was urging them to be of one mind. We all have preferences in preaching styles and leandership, however is that so important? We join together to worship Jesus and follow His ways. When we start to idolise man we cause trouble for ourselves and the man. 

We have preferences in interpreting how to run organisations and churches. As I endeavour to establish an organisation to deal with trafficking many have come along with their opinions about how things should run. Several would die for their opinions but only one is worthy of our death, His name is Jesus.

Yesterday, I visited the former palace of the kings of Nepal. We saw all the pomp and splendour that is entailed. One of  last things we saw was where the royal family were all gunned down in 2001. Only one family escaped due to being out of the valley. That family is accused of the murder of the then king and his family. Did they die in vain? Yes! The family that escaped became the ruling monarchy but only retained power until 2008 when forced to resign.

We can grasp at power and play our little games with authority, but one authority remains. Jesus is Lord and there is none beside Him! We will all stand before Him at the end of days and give an account of our behaviour. Will it really matter what we thought apart from Him? No! He is Lord! Amen!

God’s rest

“For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.”Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Chapter 3 and 4 address the issue of rest. The rest that is spoken of is a rest from works to earn salvation. This can only be entered by faith.

In chapter 3 the author of Hebrews says: “For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.”Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The inclination of humans is to start trying to add to the work Jesus did in order to earn favour. I cannot add anything worthwhile, Jesus’ sacrifice was perfect. He is enough. He paid the price for us and there is nothing lacking.

All we can do is submit and obey. Living in obedience to freedom is not hard, we just need to yoke ourselves to Jesus. He said, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why should we take His yoke? Because He is humble and gentle of heart. We are not humble and gentle of heart. We are, generally, proud and arrogant of heart. We interpret what truth is through our own lense and impose it on our world. 

Currently I am learning to manage a group of people who insist that their version of truth about a matter is right. I am not peturbed, but rather, I am seeking Jesus. His truth is freedom and life. Mankind’s truth is selfish and brings bondage. Jesus had this problem with His disciples.

Wait!

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Imagine Jesus living in your home, your community! How would you behave? I imagine if it were me, I would defer to Him, make room for Him and see His take on things that happened. Wouldn’t you?

Here is the good news: if you are a Christian living in a Christian community He is here among us. We are His church. We can defer to Him and ask His advice.

So many things we bumble along with, when we could seek advice. Ask Him! Read His words to you !

I currently have many things I need advice on. It seems things are taking longer than I want in organising our base in Sindhulpalchok. Yet, I sense His hand, and His voice, “wait, trust me!”

For someone who is used to getting things done, promptly, this is a challenge. Yet, as I wait, He moves. It is not all up to me. Amen!