1st June 2010

“ God puts us on earth to shine as lights, not to get use to the dark” Anon.

The day started with the challenge from the Lord, in Matthew 5:13-16,  that we are to live as lights in this world. It was a reminder to me of what I often share with my students:

“Let the greatest message you ever preach be the life that you live.”

It is relatively easy to preach a good message, but a hang of a lot harder to live that message every day. My desire and prayer is that daily I may be a missionary here in Mbala and not just come to do missions, like it is some project. We all need examples to follow and imitate in this life. My desire is that my life may be worth imitating for the Kingdom.

Had a great 5Km run with Steve and then headed off to Pastor’s Fellowship. We had an interesting discussion on whether God’s blessing is conditional or not. Many Pastors are asked to pray for people so that they can be blessed, regardless of their lifestyle and relationship with God. Would God really bless such a person? Are we some “good” witchdoctor that can bless by some magic powers? I think not. So too easily can we fall into similar practises of the world only cloaked in religion. I look forward to another discussion next week.

This evening I met with 2 students. Unfortunately the other three could not be with us. We had a wonderful discussion on the importance of reading and studying God’s Word. Up in our part of the world prayer is very important and many teachings are brought on the subject. Many are urged to pray because there is power in prayer. Yet tonight we discovered that without a sound understanding of God’s Word, how do we know what to pray? How do we begin to understand what the desire and will of God is? So many problems in our Churches would be resolved if we as a Church spent more time reading and studying God’s Word. Now I am not downplaying the importance of prayer but, without knowing God, as revealed in His Word, how do we go about to start to pray in His Name?

Of course I was on my bike today and that calls for a family ride when I get back. Only on the farm so don’t worry!!