Author: missionspaul

Stengthened

Acts 16:5 “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.”

There are times when I am weak through living this life and weakened by others who live in this life.

In fact as I get older I seem to acknowledge how weak I am more often.

Weakened by questions, doubt, fear and the stupidity of life.

Weakened by disappointment, isolation, loss and the unfairness of life.

Weakened by tears, pain, hopelessness and the emptiness of life.

My weaknesses become greater rather than smaller. Weakness is all around me. I am small, slow and soft. Everyone wants a man to be big, fast and tough.

So I sit here weak, waiting for someone to come and make me strong.

Is this you? Have I described you correctly? Hold on.

Your strength will come to you. God is seeing to it.

Deliver on the decision.

Acts 14:4 “As they travelled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.”

Paul, Silas, Timothy and the ‘team’ are on their journey sharing the gospel in every town they pass through but also instructing the churches that circumcision is not necessary for salvation. They delivered the decision of the Jerusalem Council.

Last year the UK citizens made a decision to leave the European Union. Now we wait for the UK government to deliver on that decision.

We make decisions all the time, many of which remain as decisions, some we deliver on.

Most people can see what needs to happen.

Most people can choose the right way forward.

Most people can put a plan of action together.

But we need people who can deliver on those decisions. This is the mark of leadership.

Paul’s team held to these principles:

1. Who needs to hear? Everyone needed to hear of the decision, ‘from town to town’, this was for anyone who was interested in the gospel and so no one was left out.
2. Who made the decision? They were happy to be under the accountability of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.
3. What does the decision mean? The decision called for obedience, that was the delivery and it could be easily monitored.

 

What decisions have you made or have been made that you are serving? Will you follow through on those decisions today? Can you put the plan into action? Make the decisions and stick to it.

It hurts.

Acts 16:3 “Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.”

We get hurt in many ways. The cut can take our breath away. We can collapse under the weight of it. However, it all sits in the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

 

The circumcision was not to prove Timothy’s salvation. Paul was concerned only for the reason that with Timothy’s Gentile background then the gospel may not have been received with him being uncircumcised. So the circumcision was in order to further the gospel. The pain to Timothy was worth it for he was moving into a new chapter of his life. He was going on a journey of the gospel with Paul.

 

If God takes you on a new journey there needs to be a cutting. Whether that is a cut of your flesh or of your heart there will be pain.

It will mark a new day, a new journey, a new direction, this is a moment of change, you will never be the same again and all that sounds wonderfully exciting, but it begins with a cut.

Yesterday was the funeral of David Tinnion, my friend and journeyman for 22 years. His death has hurt me, it cut my heart. During the days leading to his death as I was crying I said to Bobbie, his wife, “this really hurts”.

This morning she is cut in a way that only those who are also grieving over a loved one truly know.

You may have said “My life will not be the same again.” The pain is the gap now in your life. Yet the pain of losing a loved one heralds a new journey.

Today you may be hurting. The cut has hurt you.

But God is calling you for a new journey with Him in this life.

Maybe He just had to cut you. It had to happen for reasons beyond you. It was part of a much bigger picture. So even in your hurt be obedient to Him.

In your hurt embrace this new day. Don’t be swallowed by your hurt but rather move with it with also the passion that the journey requires.

David Tinnion: ‘the believers spoke well of him’

We continue through Acts verse by verse …

Acts 16:2 “The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.”

This is not the negative ‘when everyone speaks well of you’ from Luke 6:26. This is not ‘everyone’ in our verse today, this is ‘the believers spoke well of Timothy’.

I am sat in my hotel room this morning knowing today will be a very difficult day. My friend of 23 years, David Tinnion, barring a miracle, will probably go to be with His Saviour today. Though my heart is broken and I grieve with his amazing wife Bobbie, I marvel at the messages that come in from around the world.

From central and south America to Europe, Africa and the many eastern and Asian nations, the believers ‘spoke well of him’.

Messages saying how David influenced, shaped, fathered, led, guided, encouraged and empowered them in some way have come flooding in. One leader said David had done more for missions in his retirement than some have done their whole life.

The believers spoke well of Timothy and Paul took that as a guiding reference to bring him onto his team. What believers say about an individual in private can be very helpful for wisdom. Their own encounter with that individual, their own personal stories and truths that perhaps no one else knows, these are the bits of information you need when searching for character issues.

Of course, it is so important to ‘speak well of someone’ to that person in order to encourage them and to keep on doing what they are doing. Through my tears this morning I am thankful that even in the 3 months of this year I remember being able to speak well of David to David on a number of occasions. Even at 70yrs of age a man needs to hear someone speak well of him.

Often we wait till someone has died to speak well of them. It is of course the right thing to do in order to honour their life. But let us use these life-giving words in life as much as we can.

I recommend David to you, the world of Elim and beyond speak well of him, he will be a good friend and help to you. However, the Saviour is calling him today, so your opportunity has gone but David’s has just begun.

For me, I am glad I have an Elim Global representative on earth (Bobbie) and an Elim Global representative in heaven making sure we get our requests in! The Bible tells me a yes on earth is a yes in heaven and a no on earth is a no in heaven. So I just need David to go along with what Bobbie says and Elim will continue to do well around the world!!!

Mentor someone younger than you.

Acts 16: 1 “Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believerbut whose father was a Greek.”

Here we are with the start of a new chapter comes the start of a new relationship. Timothy becomes Paul’s student, disciple, friend and son in the faith. They stay together for well over 15 years. Paul mentors Timothy and pours his life into him.

Jesus’ task was to change the lives of people thousands of years after He had gone back to heaven. He didn’t write books, set up schools and colleges. He mentored. He did it this way:

By Invitation: Mark 3:14 – He appointed twelve–designating them apostles –that they might be with him

Imagine with me a scenario. A leader within a local church, makes an arrangement to take a young person, (maybe you some years ago), for a coffee in the town. After the initial opening conversation that leader looks into your eyes and says this:

“I know a lot of young people. And of all the young people I know at this point in my life, you are one of the most outstanding. I have been praying about it, and I would like to become one of your life mentors. What I mean by ‘Life Mentor’ is very simple. I want to be one of the people, whether you become the prime minister or a prisoner, who cares whether you live or die and wants to see you win for the rest of your life. I want to help you in any way I can. I want you to do life with me. I want you to spend time with me. Where I go I want you to come with me. What I do I want you to try. I want to put you on my lifelong prayer list, and when you have children, I want to hear about every one of them. I want to know when they arrive, even if I’m living two thousand miles away. If you run into problems or just need a friend to talk to, I’ll be available any time, day or night. I want to stay in contact with you no matter where you go or what you do for the rest of your life; I want to be one of your life mentors. Whenever we get together in the future, this year or in thirty years, I will ask you two simple questions: “What are your priorities?” and “How can I help?”

Imagine how you would have felt. Imagine what that would have done for you?  Now imagine you doing that for someone else.

By Instruction Matthew 5:1 – Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

With a few words a guilty man is sentenced to death; a child cowers in a corner forever traumatised; a reputation is destroyed forever. The power of the spoken word is enormous.

In a small country church is a novice altar boy serving the priest at Sunday mass accidentally dropped the glass of wine. The priest struck the boy, knocking him to the ground. Standing over the young servant, the angry priest shouted, “Get out and don’t come back.” That boy became Tito, the Communist President of Yugoslavia and great Stalin supporter.

In a city cathedral, a young altar boy serving the bishop at Sunday mass accidentally dropped the glass of wine. With a warm twinkle in his eye, the bishop hugged the young boy to his side and gently whispered, “Someday, you will be a wonderful priest.” That boy grew up to become Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Bishop of New York and the 1^st American TV preacher in 1957 – 30 million viewers ‘Life is worth living’.

With a few words you can make history, you can create a future, a destiny, a few words you can erase the past, bringing about the most amazing miracle, the healing of the soul.

Can you remember stepping into someone’s pain, loss, leaving your road of victory and stepping into their road marked with suffering, to come alongside someone and to say, “I believe in you, you will make it, you may be in a pit but you’re not there on your own cos I’m in it with you. Together we will do this.”

By Demonstration John 13:15 – I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

If you are going to demonstrate anything then demonstrate serving. A servant has a heart that is not motivated by self-interest, either from their own agenda or status or safety ahead of others.

A servant does not react out of their pride or fear when spoken to. They are not quick to judge, or take offence or blame others.

A servant is quick to forgive the shortcomings of others. Forgiveness is not a natural response to being hurt or let down, it is an act of the will. Jesus taught it, demonstrated it on the cross and gave it.

 

7 prayers to be strengthened today

Acts 15:41 “He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

We end this chapter with a beautiful picture of Paul and Silas travelling from church to church simply to strengthen the believers through words of encouragement and comfort.

Like me today you may need to be strengthened.

Perhaps the only way to keep leading people is for you to be strengthened.  “But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” Deut 3:28

Perhaps the only way to stand your ground when the enemy next strikes is for you to be strengthened. “Afterward, the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, “Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again.” 1 Kings 20:22

Perhaps the only way to stand against intimidation is for you to be strengthened. “They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:9

Perhaps the only way to get through your grief is for you to be strengthened. “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” Psalm 119:28

Perhaps the only way to stand when it seems everything around you is dry and barren is for you to be strengthened. “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11

Perhaps the only way for you to face your greatest ordeal on earth is for you to be strengthened. “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Luke 22:43

Perhaps the only way your seen life can keep going is for your unseen life be strengthened. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Ephesians 3:16

And so we pray:

My Lord, what is in front of me is too big for me. I feel dwarfed by its challenge. I feel weakened by its power. Strengthen me. (Deut 3:28)

My Lord, I am not certain what is ahead of me. I do know the enemy of my life will come again with attacks on my mind, body and inner being. In these days of peacetime, strengthen me. (1 Kings 20:22)

My Lord, I am physically tired and cannot continue another day. Strengthen me. (Nehemiah 6:9)

My Lord, my very inner being is crying, it is a well of tears, darkness clouds my soul. I have no words of comfort only a numbness of heart. Strengthen me. (Psalm 119:28)

My Lord, there is no life around me nor in front of me. There has been no refreshing rain for a long time, everything is dry, there seems to be no new shoots of life. Strengthen me. (Isaiah 58:11)

My Lord, I stand in this garden crushed by the solitude. I drop to my knees under the weight of the burden you are asking me to carry. Is this your will for my life now? If so, strengthen me. (Luke 22:43)

My Lord, I don’t ask for material things or for my life to improve on the outward to be seen by all. I don’t want the praise of man nor the riches that come with that applause. What good is that if inside me there is no power? What good is that if my inner being is poor? Strengthen me by your Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16)

Amen.

Decisions

Acts 15:40

“but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.”

Sometime before the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, Judas and Silas on completing their task at the Antioch church were given the blessing of the believers to go back to Jerusalem.

Silas made the decision to stay.

Unbeknown to Silas his decision would put him in the right place for Paul to choose him as his ministry partner.

You never drift into your destiny with God. It takes decisions, choices, and personal discipline.  Ask the athlete, the musician or the artist.

I am today a product of what I decided I would be or how I would respond to matters yesterday. How I use my ability to respond today will determine what my life will be like tomorrow. This is a massive principle of life for Gods people.

There are 3 major decisions that I have succeeded in and failed in ……

1. The decision to make the most of the moment

To make the most of the moment you must decide not to wait for the moment to change nor waste time wishing the moment had not taken place. But you firmly decide that it is not the moment which dictates how you respond, but you “who can do all things through Christ who strengthens” will take control and make the most from it.

2. The decision to say NO.

Many of us have taken on too much because we cannot say NO to people.

Say NO to the need.

• Unless you know why you are here everyone will demand.
• Saying YES to God can only happen because you say NO to people.
• Saying NO to people can only happen because you said YES to God.

Say NO to the unimportant.

• The unimportant always cause the greatest worry and upset.
• What you must do can be simplified to one thing.
• The unimportant is not wrong but the important task is simply better.

Say NO to what is not right for you.

• If you don’t say NO then the task will suffer.
• If you don’t say NO then you will end up saying NO to something.
• If you say NO to the important then you must take responsibility to help find someone who will say YES. Saying NO does not abdicate you from the problem.

 

3. The decision to start again.

You can go back.

Many of us need to go back to the beginning. To the place of renewed dedication and commitment.

You can overcome the setback

The enemy cannot cut off what is destined to grow. Whatever level you find yourself Grace will find you.

You can come back

Many lose their way in life, they lose direction and they don’t ask for guidance.

But you are not like that, no matter what comes your way. When joy has been taken from you, you can laugh again. When dark clouds hover over you, you can find the light. When humiliation has landed at your door you can regain your dignity. No matter what comes your way, you can keep going. You can return home. You can keep living, loving, giving, receiving and working.

Today make a decision.

Disagreements and divisions

Acts 15:39

“They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,”

 

Two great friends in ministry now parted company over one man.

Many have offered their views on who was right and who was wrong. They were both wrong. It is the last time we see Barnabas mentioned. He sails off to Cyprus with Mark, going back to his homeland and read nothing more of him. However for Paul he continues to thrive in his ministry.

Last year I was sat round the table with 2 leaders who were in disagreement over a matter. They had been together for over a decade but by the end of that meeting they parted company, their ministry together was over. It mattered for nothing because their difference was more important.  I notice on the Facebook statuses of one of them that they have not stopped disagreeing with the other, even though they have parted.

What have I learnt from disagreement among leaders?

1. Leaders disagree.
2. Parting company doesn’t solve the problem.
3. Not many apologise
4. Because God makes things work together for good only reveals the ‘things’ were bad, so let’s call the disagreement bad.
5. In division some will drift away and may never be heard of again and others may be spurred on to other things.

 

No, I don’t think so!

Acts 15:38

but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

Barnabas wanted to take John Mark his cousin on the trip back to see all the believers that they had been with previously. Paul didn’t think it wise because John Mark had left them for he saw it as a desertion from ministry.

Many have speculated as to who was right and who was wrong. You may even have a view yourself.

Is Luke indicating who he thought may have been right by simply saying Barnabas wanted but Paul didn’t think it wise? Why not say but Paul didn’t want to because of the desertion? Why say Paul didn’t think it wise?

I am not sure to be honest. I wouldn’t want to call it. One of those questions we will ask them personally one day!

The main thing is this. Even the closest of friends have different opinions at times.

What are you going to do when the ‘but’ strikes in your friendship or in your ministry team?

A little while ago I sat between 2 leaders who were experiencing a ‘but’ in their relationship. They had been together for over a decade and on that day their relationship boiled down to a simple ‘but’. I will tell you tomorrow what happened.

So what can we learn from this verse today?

1. Godly leaders differ in their views but they remain God’s leaders.
2. Life is made up of decisions and not one of us has the sole authority and wisdom from God. We are not God.
3. Some leaders focus solely on the best in people and others focus more on the best for the ministry. We need both.
4. God is not in a crisis when His children differ, in fact it would seem He already knew and had a written plan.
5. Therefore it would appear that sometimes we need to differ.

Who are you taking?

Acts 15:37

“Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them”

It was 9^th July 2000 and I was in Zambia. It was all very new to me. The culture, the people, the food, the church, everything was different. And I loved it.

How had I got there?

One man decided he would take me. In the years before, God had opened the way for me to serve this man and following the Biblical blessing of sowing and reaping it was now my time for doors to open and they did. In fact a lady of my church gave me a prophetic message that said “when I arrive I would immediately see 3 goats, loaves of bread and a skin of wine, I would join a procession of worship and that having been changed into a different man I should do whatever my hand finds to do for God is with me” (1 Samuel 10:1-7). All of those descriptions came true for me from the day I arrived in Zambia to this present time.

How did it all come about? Because one man said ‘come with me’.

That man is in a Belfast hospital right now fighting for his life. He is David Tinnion, a dear friend and a member of my staff. I ask you to pray for him today for we need a miracle.

Who are you taking with you today? Who are you inviting to your home? Who are you investing your time into? Who are you giving to so that they can go further than you can go even? Who do you have? Friends if you invest in people then even when you are going through the valley of the shadow of death then those people will be by your bedside.