Author: missionspaul

Just get through it

Acts 14:24

“After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,”

Some days you just have to go through it and keep going.

They had decided to return to Antioch where they had been originally sent out. Maybe they were going back to raise further funds for the next missions trip.

What we do know is that unlike the other cities when they returned to Pisidia they just carried on through. This was the place they had shook the dust off their feet when the crowd rejected Pauls message. Did they just journey through because they had made a decision to forget Pisidia?

Of course we do not know.

But what I do know is that there are times for whatever reason that we should not stop and admire the view. We should just go through it as best as we can. This place is not your destination nor is it a resting place. It is a going through place. Do not be distracted or attracted to whatever you see around you, just keep walking through.

Today may be a painful day, the memories can be painful perhaps or it could even be a monotonous day, walk through it, you can get through.

 

Leadership

Acts 14:25 “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

Every Church that was planted a leadership was put in place. Every Church needs leadership. Without leadership the Church will decline in many ways. So with careful planning, prayer and even with fasting, people were chosen to bring leadership to that Church.

As a small boy I knew I would lead. I had a small group of peers of different ages ranging from 12yrs to 3yrs of age and we would meet in the garage for me to show them my leadership skills. This amounted to a list of strict rules that hung on the side which included the most important one ‘obey the leader at all times’. This last rule was the reason I could not let my brother into the gang as I couldn’t trust he had the ability or desire to follow it. I still think he carries hurt towards me for this rejection.

Over the years I have tried to follow certain principles of leadership wherever I have been and in whatever role. I have failed in all of these but I keep picking myself up and trying again. Thankfully I believe I have come a long way since my childhood leadership!

Here are those principles with a bible passage where I get it from if you want to study further:

1. Problem solve by thinking bigger.

This is the ability to hold 2 opposing thoughts and then create a new thought or solution which is superior but yet contains an element of each. 1 Kings 3: 16-28.

2. Process successful change.

This is the ability to spot the need, see how the future can be different and then through clear communication inspire others to initiate the change. Joshua 1:1-5, 10-11.

3. Live in unity with yourself.

The ability to pull one’s public and private world together to live truthfully. Psalm 51:6

4. Kick some leaves.

The ability to regularly be alone, to walk out from the place of responsibility in order to think and know who really is the boss. Luke 6: 12

5. Focus on ‘who’ not ‘what’.

The ability to make people great who will then make your vision great. Acts 1:8

6. Endure at all costs.

The ability to keep walking through the pain which will then equip you to walk in power. Luke 4:1-2, 14.

7. Understand what others miss.

The ability to know the ‘time’ for leadership, to see when leadership is needed and naturally rise to the challenge in a particular setting. 1 Chronicles 12:32.

8. Believes, no matter what happens.

The ability to remain with hope and in hope when all around there is no reason to do so. Job 13: 15-16.

9. Moves down not up.

The ability to serve for absolutely no personal gain. John 13:1-17.

10. Protecting enthusiasm.

The ability to get people to do what they are passionate about instead of trying to get them to be passionate about what they are doing. Romans 12:6-8

 

Why not pick one of these today and apply it whatever situation you are in? Maybe today leadership is needed exactly where you are.

 

Acts 14:22

“…. strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.”

Paul and his team are back in the 3 cities where they were persecuted, slandered and plots were made for their deaths and in fact Paul was stoned to death or at least near-death. What was their message? “Disciples of Jesus hold strong for suffering is the path to the kingdom.”

The kingdom of God refers to realm, dimension, principality or empire. Often it is understood to be the rule of God.

I live in the United Kingdom and we have a monarch. But she doesn’t rule, she reigns. I wonder if we have lost some understanding of the kingdom by not thinking more about His reign in favour of His rule.

We sing more about His rain meaning His provision and blessing than about His reign. Rain down on me is our cry. I want to sing more about Him reigning over me. I want to be reminded that He is sovereign, He is crowned and sitting on a throne and that He has supreme authority and influence.

What is the pathway to the understanding of that reign? It has to be suffering. It can be no other. How can a victory after victory, blessing upon blessing, where the sun is always shining on us, ever leave us with the need of knowing He is sovereign? It cannot. We do not need to know this when life is easy.

But when you have more questions than answers and when the pain is in your breath you need a Monarch who is in charge of it all.

Suffering takes you to the feet of His reign. His reign over our lives is only understood by those who suffer. They go hand in hand.

I remember reading a few years ago a survey from George Barna which said that two out of five evangelical Christians “deny the possibility that pain or suffering could be a means of becoming a better, more mature” Christian. So many reject suffering as being unnecessary. In my experience the suffering church has more to tell me regarding the authority of God than any other. I am better with the broken. I understand reign more.

Christians are suffering now in North Korea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea to name the top 10 nations for persecution.

We ourselves will suffer from all kinds of diseases and disappointments. Circumstances change overnight. Tomorrow turns everything around. The truth is we suffer. But it is only when we do are we then in realisation of His kingdom reign.

The return

Acts 14:21 “They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch.”

How incredible it is to read that Paul and his team returned to those 3 cities they had so much trouble in. It proves their love for the people and the desire that the people come to know Jesus.

My son who is 23yrs old plays tennis and though I have tried my hardest with prayer and fasting I have never won one match against him since he was 15yrs old. It is a shameful fact for a father! The reason being is simply he has the power to return the ball better than I have. There are other reasons like he can run faster but let us not go down the slippery slope of despair. To play the game of tennis it is all about whether or not you can return the ball over the net. It doesn’t matter what has happened if you want to stay in this game you had better return that ball.

The Christian life is all about your attitude of returning to the place God has called you for. What has been served in this life to you may have led to defeat or disappointment but those experiences have no hold over you if you can still decide to return.

My close friend of over 30 years has made a return this last year. It was very difficult for him to do so. A failed marriage, broken promises, rejection, loneliness and a dry wilderness experience gripped him in a place he was never meant to be in. I remember taking him for a meal 18 months ago and I did my best to bring him back to where he should be but all I saw was a man who was ‘stuck in a moment and you can’t get out of it’ (happily quoting a U2 song!). However, 12 months on, he has made a full return. I am astonished at the favour of God on his life. It is amazing what can happen if a person finds the resolve to return.

Maybe today you have to return.

A return to trusting God for your situation.

A return to childlike faith again.

Promises and hopes may be lost – blessings, ministries, miracles, testimonies that belong to you. You can find them again. Maybe some were fantasy – but some were given by God, you made note of them. Get after them again, pray for them again.

Decide you won’t waste another day. Realise that what you do today has far reaching consequences for your tomorrow. Whatever you pursue today, tomorrow you will find.

I believe everyone can return to the place the enemy removed them from.

But I believe it takes 2 things: resolve and love. A passion not to be counted out and a desire for people.

Go on, get it over the net today.

 

 

 

Who do you have?

Acts 14:20 “But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe”.

Most probably unconscious and certainly looking like he was dead or near death, Paul was dragged out of the city and dumped there. In the minds of the Jewish crowd Paul was finished, his mouth shut for good, his missionary journey ended, he was dead. That’s what the enemy loves to do with people. His plan is to do that for you.

Can you imagine what would have happened if Paul was on his own? Of course, he would have died. There are times when you have to walk a journey alone, there is no other way. If you are a leader of people then you understand the loneliness of that position at times. As we continue in our discipleship then sometimes there is no Simon to carry our cross. But these are exceptions to the rule. The rule is do not be alone, it is not good to be alone is still the ancient principle. Do not do life alone and there is no need. Embrace the people around you. Bring them onto your team of life. If one friend has to walk away from you for whatever reason then find another friend to replace them.

By the early 2000’s I had built a Pastoral team of 3 plus an exciting leadership team. The 3 of us complimented each other with strengths and weaknesses, our team days were fun, we were on a journey together, raising the bar on each other, I was happy! Then within only a few years the team unravelled as one of them left to lead their own church which I fully supported and was really pleased. The other ventured into a whole new ministry and moved back to their home and family which I was again excited for and supported. I believed I had played a part in both their journeys and felt privileged to have done so. But I was devastated too. I really was. I missed them so much. Team days are not so much fun with one! Staff Christmas parties became a quiet reflective time!

I actually remember a prayer I prayed which said something like, “Lord that’s it. I will do this on my own now. I am not investing in any more team!” It is so good that at times God doesn’t listen to us!

Within a year I began building a team again. Why? Because that is what we all should do. We need people around us.

Paul built a team. They were with him at his worst hour. They gathered around him and a miracle took place. Some people are needing miracles today but the need for people to be with them, the need to share with someone, to have their burden carried by another is the greatest need. Everyone can rise again. If you are dumped to one side, left for dead, then you can get up and go again just like Paul did. One day you can have devastation, then your Saturday morning can come and you are all alone, but I still continue and need to believe in the next day. Maybe you like me are waiting for the next day. Friends with people around you, the next day does come.

This is what I have learnt and am still learning:-

To those who once walked in the promises of their God but now wallow in self-pity, bitterness and hurt – YOU CAN RISE AGAIN.

To those who have long since given up the fight, their armour and weapons of war are stored up with dust, their youthful passion for souls and their energy to give up all for one soul to find Jesus is now a faint dream, hear the wake-up call – YOU CAN RISE AGAIN.

To those who couldn’t hold on any longer, something had to give, you gave away your destiny, you broke up your potential, you ruined your desires and were ruined by new ones. You can regain your footing, it’s time to walk – YOU CAN RISE AGAIN.

To those who came under a stronghold that so gripped their life it paralysed them. An area of your life is now not functioning like it used to, you feel a lesser man, as a woman you feel your beauty has been taken, you are tarnished, you are stained and impure. But listen – get up – YOU CAN RISE AGAIN.

It may be that for the shouting it’s all over, your faith is dead, your anointing is dead, that relationship is dead, you cannot pretend anymore, you have got to be realistic and say ‘It’s over’. It’s never over till the Master has touched you and called you to get up. YOU CAN RISE AGAIN.

How? Let people back in to your life. Be in a community. Find team. Go to your intercessors. Unburden. Let people carry you. Do not be alone.

 

The enemy back in town

Acts 14:19  “Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.”

It is amazing to think you can move from being worshipped as a god to being stoned to near-death. How did that happen? It came from the enemies of Pauls past.

Your enemy will chase you down, he never gives up on you.

In 2001 I was taken to an employment tribunal by a member of my church staff, which in the end we won with no case to answer. The story was complex laden with layers of accusations and threats. Though we won, the experience nearly finished me off in ministry. The enemy played havoc with me. It was certainly the dark night of my soul. That was 16 years ago. Yesterday, someone came into my office and simply gave me a piece of information that I have never known before about the case. It was 16 years ago but by the time they had left my office all those feelings of anxiety were suddenly there. The enemy was back. It was a difficult couple of hours.

Somehow word got back to Antioch (over 100 miles away) and Iconium what was happening in Lystra and before long the religious leaders had arrived from those cities. The enemy was back.

I can imagine the conversation. Antioch would have said, “Yes we drove them from our city eventually.” Iconium would have said, “We plotted to stone them to death.” It was enough to convince the crowd to do what Antioch and Iconium had wanted to do. It is amazing how easy it is to convince a crowd to do whatever you would want it to do when the individuals in that crowd would never do it as an individual.

Even the leading Apostle was not immune from the attacks of the enemy. Unless you have had the terrible opportunity to see a stoning then there is no way of knowing the barbaric pain and torture that being stoned to death is for the individual. Today, stoning is still practiced in 15 countries of the world!

A past traumatic event, a bereavement, a failure, a regret, an abuse and a brokenness may lay far away from you today. But be aware unless you put on your daily armour as Paul would later command us to do then today could be the day when the enemy comes back. Protect your today.

 

 

 

The Word

Acts 14:18

“Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.”

Sometimes words are just not enough.

Words cannot paint the picture of a beautiful sunset or the starry sky on a clear night.

Words do not come from the mouth of the wonder of parents holding their new born baby.

Words are not needed in the centre of the gaze of two lovers.

Word are not enough when the doctor gives the all clear.

Sometimes words are just not enough.

Yesterday preachers will have preached their best words.

But today even those powerful words do not stop the day from being difficult.

Words are powerful. We are told they have power for life and for death.

Sometimes words are not enough. Sometimes the circumstance of life is beyond the power of any word. Words will not overpower it. Words will not make any change to it.

Sometimes circumstances win and no amount of name it and claim it will change it.

It is then that you realise all you have and the most important thing you have in this life is actually not words but the privilege of following and submitting to The Word.

 

 

Kindness: love and sacrifice

Acts 14:17

“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Though in the past God let the nations go their own way He was still visible in many ways.

Next time you see the rain come think of this verse and think of the kindness of God.

God sent the rain to those who had turned away from Him and gone their own way. He showed kindness to the sinful. Why? Because He loved them.

The point is that God is kind towards people not because of anything He can get from them but just because He is kind. At the centre of kindness is the wellbeing of another person, it is working for what is best for the other. Ultimately this kindness wants to demonstrate His love so that we will turn from our own way and turn to Him. But even if we do not God will continue to be kind towards us because that is who He is.

Every day I have an opportunity to be like God, to put on kindness. To be kind. To think of others for no other reason than because of kindness. More of them less of me.

To love and to sacrifice.

I have an opportunity for that to be my life’s testimony.

 

The way

Acts 14: 16

“In the past, he let all nations go their own way.”

There seems to be times when God pulled away.

When revelation from Him was not being given.

When Heaven was shut.

He turned His back and His light did not shine.

The people did their own thing.

They followed many paths but not His.

Some called out perhaps but He was not listening.

That was in the past.

Look around the nations of the world today.

Could that happen again? Is it happening now?

There is a lot of talk about the state of our world today.

People have many opinions of which way the world will go.

But which way is the world following today. Their own or His?

 

 

I am only human

Acts 14: 15

“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.”

The crowd had gone crazy. The miracle they had seen led them down the path of idol worship, not of statues but of men, of Paul and Barnabas. They were bringing out animals to sacrifice to them as the gods had come down to earth. Praise was in the air, acceptance and pleasure, love and joy! This was the opposite to their treatment in Iconium. But it was wrong.

We are only human.

But I’m only human And I bleed when I fall down I’m only human And I crash and I break down Your words in my head, knives in my heart You build me up and then I fall apart ‘Cause I’m only human

(Christina Perri song)

We must know who we are as much as we know who God is.

I am only human.

I am on the Way, I have not arrived.

I do not know all the answers.

I have found Him who is worth pursuing but I do not possess Him.

I am only human.

I am incomplete, broken and scarred by years of the impurity of this life.

I know in part, I prophesy only in part, it is imperfect.

I belong to a stream of church that has at times promoted itself in the experience of God.

I have taken part in the froth, the desperate claims, the ‘awesome’, the ‘electrifying’, the manipulation afraid of anything that appears stale, dull, lifeless.

I pursue the genuine even though it takes me into desert experiences instead of the mountain-top visions.

I know failure and death more than I know success and resurrection.

I am only human.

I am a story that is not finished.

I am a Christian.

I belong to Christ.

I am being shaped by Him.

I carry good news to people who are just like me.

I am only human.