Where is that Church today?

Last week, I went to the residential children’s home to visit the nine year old child I am mentoring. I was shocked to discover that she is unable to read. She tries to mask her illiteracy with her eloquent speech, but it is obvious that the child cannot read!

Ephesians 6 starts off with instruction to various groups of people. Children are instructed to obey their parents in the Lord. Parents are encouraged to teach their children godly discipline without provoking them to anger. Slaves are instructed to obey their masters , and masters to treat their slaves with dignity for all are servants of Christ the Judge.

Ephesians 6:12 then states: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood , but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The Bible makes it very clear that we are not to squabble amongst ourselves. Our enemy is not the people around us, Christian or not. The prince of darkness and his host are our enemy.  We do nothing but weaken our resolve when we fight among ourselves. When we let disharmony and discord infiltrate our ranks, the enemy rejoices. (1 Pet 5:8)

As much as the battle is a spiritual one, it also affects the physical realm in which we find our current existence. The enemy has thrown poverty against us. He afflicts the minds of our youth with boredom, violence and the scourge of illiteracy. It is our duty to extend compassion to those who find themselves his captives. Christ’s mission did not keep Him in the synagogue. His mission extended to all the world. He mingled among the people as one who desired their highest good, extending to them the right arm of fellowship and compassion. His ministry was a practical one.  The Bible tells us that He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him.  (Acts 10:38)

Christ has given us the same mission. What have we done with His command to go into all the world? We are living in the time of the end. We say it over and over, yet our actions and the way we live does not reflect this reality. Time is of the essence, yet we find ourselves unable to re-group and strategise an effective onslaught against the enemy. We are like King David who, in the time when kings were meant to go to war, was sitting in his palace daydreaming, thus giving the enemy the foothold in his life (2 Sam 11:1-4). Outreach is not about singing beautiful songs about Christ to people ravaged by poverty, alcohol and abuse. A song does nothing for them except perplex them more. Where is the God who supposedly loves them when they suffer day and night? How can you show them His love?

While Satan is on a rampage because his time is running out, while he threatens to destroy our children and families, the Church slumbers on and has potluck. Spiritual warfare is about the Church reclaiming territory. This is the Church of whom Christ spoke when He said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. Where is that Church today? 

Main Scripture refs:  Eph 6:1-12, Matt 16:18-19, Rev 12:12

Surviving in an Era of Exponential Change

I recently read an article about “information overload” and was shocked to find that it described the classic symptoms that I often experience, thinking that I am the only one in this predicament.

Truth be told, we are living in an era of unprecedented change. Technology is changing so rapidly that even the tech-savvy youth of today are starting to battle to cope with the overwhelming rate of change. Have you experienced one of those days where you feel like information is being thrown at you from every conceivable angle until you’re totally overwhelmed with the sheer volume of things you have to remember, learn and practice? Whether it’s in the professional world or the classroom, we find the exponential rate of change disrupting the circadian rhythm of our linear lifestyles.

Many people often find themselves the hapless victims of the “overdose of change” they’re experiencing. It sometimes feels like it’s just too much to have to cope with in too short a space of time. The average person experiences far greater stress in this generation than was ever experienced before.  Besides having to cope with the stresses of keeping up with changes in one’s profession, people must contend with ever-changing legislation, together with the stress of maintaining a balanced family life, as well as finding time for extracurricular activities. There is often not much time left for relaxation or contemplation as everyone engages in the daily rat-race. In fact, it is not uncommon to find yourself so busy just working that you’re not able to even take time to gauge your productivity level or recall what exactly you’ve accomplished on any given day!

In the midst of the turmoil and stress of life, it’s most often our time with God that suffers the most. Most people just manage to get by on a few minutes of prayer whispered hurriedly before dashing off to work, or the odd and often incomplete, unintelligible prayer which precedes sleep. We are fighting a losing battle against constant change and we are paying the price in poor health, depression, increased instances of suicide, alcoholism, sleep deprivation and other unwholesome practices. When we need Him most, we seem to deny God.

We can learn an important lesson from the life of Christ as written in the gospels. He arose early and spent time in prayer, daily restoring the vital connection with His Father.  He understood that to neglect this duty would be akin to committing spiritual suicide. Remember, what happens to you spiritually soon dictates your physical state too. We are not coping.

In the midst of change that constantly pulls the foundation out from under us, we need God as our sure foundation and immovable Rock. He is the ONE constant in our lives! Jesus Christ is our anchor in the midst of turmoil and overwhelming change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased."- Dan 12:4 

"And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no  end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His Commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Eccles 12:12-13 

Scripture refs: Heb 13:8, Mal 3:6, Dan 12:4, Prov 3:5-6, Eccles 12:12-13