RAISING DISCIPLES FOR WORLD OUTREACH

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” — Romans 9:15 (KJV) There is the story in Luke 18:9–14 of two people who went into the temple to pray: one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee approached God with mixed attitudes. First, he thanked God: “I thank thee, God.” Then, he began to negotiate with God, stating his piety and sanctimonious way of life: 1. I am not greedy. 2. I am not dishonest. 3. I am not an adulterer. 4. I am not like everybody else. 5. I am not like the tax collector. 6. I fast twice a week. 7. I give a tenth of all my income. He could not have done all these without the help of God. And sincerely, in today's world, he must be born again to gain access to the grace that provides such strength (John 3:3; 1 Corinthians 15:10). There was another man—the tax collector—whose prayer was simply: “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). This form of pra...

“They are God’s people; he made them his children and revealed his glory to them. He made his covenants with them and gave them the Law. They have the true worship; they have received God’s promises. They are descended from the famous Hebrew ancestors; and Christ, as a human being, belongs to their race. May God, who rules over all, be praised forever! Amen.” Romans 9:4–5 There is something profoundly remarkable about the story of Israel. From Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to Moses, David, the prophets, Esther and ultimately Jesus Christ, the history of this people is inseparably woven into the unfolding history of God's redemptive purpose for humanity. The Scriptures do not present Israel merely as another ancient nation. Paul deliberately identifies their extraordinary privileges: “the adoption to sonship, the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises” (Romans 9:4). Their ancestors are honoured in Scripture, and, most remarkably, Christ...

“May you always think kindly of me,” she replied. Then she went away, ate some food, and was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1:18 Hannah went to God with a deeply troubled heart. Scripture says that “the LORD had closed her womb” (1 Samuel 1:5, 6). Her barrenness was not merely a social embarrassment; it was a burden that had become a source of continual sorrow. She was deeply distressed and wept bitterly as she prayed. Her lips moved, but her voice could hardly be heard. Eli, the priest, misunderstood her and thought she was drunk (1 Samuel 1:12–14). Imagine what that must have felt like—to come into God's presence with a broken heart and still be misunderstood by the very person you might expect to understand you. Hannah could have responded with anger. She could have allowed her pain to make her disrespectful. Instead, she answered Eli respectfully: “No, my lord… I am a woman deeply troubled… I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.” 1 Samuel 1:15 Hannah did not allow her pain t...

“They are God’s people; he made them his children and revealed his glory to them. He made his covenants with them and gave them the Law. They have the true worship; they have received God’s promises. They are descended from the famous Hebrew ancestors; and Christ, as a human being, belongs to their race. May God, who rules over all, be praised forever! Amen.” Romans 9:4–5 Whenever I hear or read about Israel, many questions and challenging thoughts run through my mind. Over the years, I have raised some of these questions with pastors and lovers of Israel concerning God’s special dealings with this people. Why did God choose Israel? Why is the history of the world, especially the story of mankind’s salvation, so closely connected to Israel? Why has Israel survived through so many conflicts and threats from nations throughout history? Will God eventually save all Israelites? Why did God allow Israel to suffer at the hands of powerful and often sinful nations, yet repeatedly deliver them...

“...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” — Romans 9:2–3 The Gospel of Jesus Christ is light. It exposes what darkness conceals and calls us into a new way of living (John 8:12; Ephesians 5:8–9). Scripture teaches that the mind governed by the flesh cannot submit to God’s ways, while the Spirit produces a life that pleases Him (Romans 8:5–8; Galatians 5:16–24). Therefore, when retaliation, revenge and unforgiveness govern our responses, we must examine ourselves honestly. We should not merely blame circumstances or the people who provoked us. The flesh must be crucified, not pampered (Galatians 5:24). Joseph’s brothers provide a striking example. After Jacob died, they feared that Joseph might repay them for their former wickedness and sent a message asking for forgiveness (Genesis 50:15–17). But Joseph had already chosen forgiveness. He...

“...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” — Romans 9:2–3 THE ECHO OF GRACE In our last reflection, we confronted a searching question born from Abraham’s profound humility and generosity toward Lot: “How do we so easily slide from a calling of grace into a culture of vengeance? Why do we focus so heavily on our wounds, using our scars as an excuse to inflict pain on others?”  This question has opened a deep, heart-searching dialogue about forgiveness and meekness. For many, it has acted as a mirror, revealing areas of hidden bitterness. For others, it has sparked a sincere desire to seek a path of reconciliation, healing, and peace.  To look closely at our own hearts, we must ask ourselves these vital questions: 1. Does retaliation and vengeance truly satisfy a hurting heart, or does it merely feed the flame of anger? 2. Does s...

“...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Romans 9:2–3 THE BURDEN OF A BITTER HEART Some years ago, I left my hometown in deep shame. I had been falsely accused of stealing my stepsister’s money. As far as I knew, I was the only person who believed in my innocence. Even a local diviner, who was consulted by the family, pointed a finger at me as the guilty party.  For three agonizing days, I slept outside on the cold ground. No one cared, and no one reached out to comfort or defend me. It was a deeply traumatic season of isolation and rejection. Eventually, I fled my hometown to live with my brother in another state. But I did not travel alone; I carried a heavy baggage of bitterness. I made a silent, burning promise to myself: I WILL AVENGE MYSELF AGAINST EVERYONE WHO FALSELY ACCUSED ME--ESPECIALLY MY OWN FAMILY. I nurtured this veng...

"...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh."— Romans 9:2-3 For years, I have contended that mission and missionary work is not defined by the number of journeys undertaken. It is not about how many cities we traverse or how many unreached people groups we visit. Mission, at its core, is a heavy, inescapable burden for the salvation of others. It begins, first and foremost, with the spiritual impact we make within our immediate neighborhoods.  A ministry that has lost its burden for people may continue to operate, but it has lost the very pulse that connects it to the heart of God. A missionary may travel from nation to nation and return with celebrated, glowing reports, but that does not mean their ministry remains alive in the eyes of Heaven. Once the burden and the love for souls are lost, the mission ceases to exist as far as G...

Subjecting Our Conscience to the Holy Spirit In our previous discussions on the subject of conscience, we have explored what the conscience is and what can produce either a healthy or a battered conscience. Without doubt, we have come to understand that the conscience is a witness, but it is never the final authority. No matter how sincere, innocent, or convincing a conscience may appear, it can still be grievously wrong. The Bible therefore warns us not to lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge God in all our ways, trusting Him to direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5–6). However, our conscience remains an important witness within us and a moral faculty through which we become aware of right and wrong. It can be a valuable instrument in our walk with God—but only when it is properly instructed and governed by God's truth. It is therefore necessary to understand when our conscience is bearing witness in agreement with God's will and when it is merely echoing our desires, fe...