Nations1

The 9 Marks e-journal for July/August is about missions. While I am not in 100% agreement over all the authors, there is some really good stuff there.  Here is a quote taken from one of the articles on success titled:

Success

How does the other side of a potential partnership define biblical success? Is it numbers or faithfulness?

Paul’s theology of success is evident in his letter to the Romans (1:16) and Thessalonians (1:5-6; 2:13). He relied on the Holy Spirit and the truth of the gospel for success, not on particular methods or best practices. His was a God-centered ministry and he knew his success depended upon his God. Paul also knew that success depended upon the prayers of the churches to the living and true God (2 Cor. 1:11; 2 Thes. 3:1).

Paul does not advocate new best practices or methods guaranteed to succeed. He doesn’t encourage Timothy to study the approach of these “winners.” Instead, he says, “Continue in what you’ve learned. Persevere in all good work!” (2 Tim. 3:10-14; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim 3:10-14; cf. Heb 10:35-39).

A biblical doctrine of success will clearly state that faithfulness is success. That does not render accountability, evaluation, and adjustment unnecessary, but it does remind us that our responsibility is to be faithful in our life and doctrine. We should imitate Paul in our ministry (1 Cor. 11:1). Sometimes there was visible fruit and people were converted and churches were planted. Sometimes there wasn’t. Always there was suffering. God is sovereign over the results. Our duty is to be faithful servants.

Our team is finally home from Russia. In the next week or so I would like to issue some small reports that will look something like this.

1.  Some observations about Russia  – My wife and I served briefly in Russia  17 years ago and a lot has changed.

2. Stories – There are so many stories to tell about the people and God’s moving.

3. Future – What will the future hold.

I read this today form John Piper and thought it quite good.  This is for us guys out there.

Why John Piper does not have a TV.

I will be taking a breif halt to this blog so I can take care of some things that need attending to.  See you after July 4th.

You know, in life and work, we sometimes  look ahead to the end result to try and gain our feeling of self assurance. Our future achievements will somehow give us that elusive sense of accomplishment.  “If I could just accomplish this, or do that I will be happy”.  Or… “if I can just get this done I will have accomplished a lot”. Of course we say it is all for Jesus but…..

I was looking at some pictures of my family when they were younger.  I get teary eyed as any dad should when wondering where the time has gone. I almost wish I could get it back to do over. Looking back on the blessing I have been given and how I have wasted so much time in grumbling or whining to God about things that do not matter, I feel ashamed. I am not the first to experience this I know.  If I had a “do over” it would be to try and have less stress and not worry so much and to love more.

Well it’s too late for the past and now I am looking forward to the future. But I can share with some of my younger readers, the journey is the destination. Do not forget that.

• Remember this the next time someone says something ugly to you and you want to fire back. This may be a chance to respond like Jesus. What a great way for Jesus to love people through us, cause we cannot do it, I guarantee.
• Remember this the next time your kids want to do something and you are dead tired stressing over work and things that do not matter.
• Remember this sitting in front of the TV and your family needs time with you.
• Remember this when your wife is longing for a date with you and you are gone or spending time with friends instead of her.
• Remember this when…..

The Journey is the destination and my guess is that many people arrive at the end to find the end result is a great disppontment. Reason,  because they missed the real joys that are strewn along the path of life. I have heard this from many who set their lives toward making money yet in the end were disappointed.  If you miss the journey you may miss life !

John Piper say that missions exist because worship ( Among People groups ) does not.

This article made me think about worship.  I thought it was good and would share it with you. You can see it here.

I shamelessly committed theft in getting this from someone else.  I think it is great.  It flies in the face of all the church “growth ” specialist running around out there telling churches what they ought to do to grow “their” churches. Problem is the truth sometimes has the opposite effect, it runs people off.  You go Jesus !

Ever read an article and go YES , that is it ? I think we all feel like this at times.  This article in one such time.  I feel I have been waiting for this a long time, that is this type of work.  Some of you are already there and I am jealous!

I cannot say I fully agree with everything in this article , but I can say I agree with a lot. As always I see application to Churches. There is a time and the time is now, that churches  need to listen to what is being said here. Instead of a staff bound up inside the building like business days of old, maybe this future model of a virtual office is how God moves us into the community to be a witness among the people? Of course we have to be a witness, and not simply hang out.

That is why I wanted to post this for many of you to see. A friend had this on his blog, an article about the nature of work in the future.

I have been thinking lately about people and our walk with God in the life of the church.  We talk a lot about walking with God and many times the remedy is something we make up.  Accountability groups, quiet times,  attendance at an event are all things we do in order to get closer to God. These are not bad and we should do them.  But… I see people all the time who do these things and their walk is stale and cold. We can do all the ritual we want but this does not bring us closer to Him. Until we are hungry beggars we will not  be able to understand the power of Christ in our lives.

I ran across this devo in My Utmost for His Highest that I thought was really good.

“You cannot bring yourself to the point of spiritual reality anytime you choose. The best thing to do, once you realize you are not spiritually real, is to ask God for the Holy Spirit, basing your request on the promise of Jesus Christ (see Luke 11:13 ). The Holy Spirit is the one who makes everything that Jesus did for you real in your life.
“Everyone who asks receives … .” This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (see Matthew 5:45 ). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.
“If any of you lacks wisdom … .” If you realize that you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality—do not put the blinders of reason on again. The word ask actually means “beg.” Some people are poor enough to be interested in their poverty, and some of us are poor enough spiritually to show our interest. Yet we will never receive if we ask with a certain result in mind, because we are asking out of our lust, not out of our poverty. A pauper does not ask out of any reason other than the completely hopeless and painful condition of his poverty. He is not ashamed to beg—blessed are the paupers in spirit (see Matthew 5:3 ).”

I just attended one of the best conferences I personally have ever attended.  It was the Advance 09 conference held in Durham , NC.  If you would like to listen to the messages you can listen here .

The ones I liked most are Driscoll, (the 2nd one is best), Matt Chandler, and of course Piper.

JD Greear and Ed Stetzer were also very good. There was not a single speaker who bored me.  That is rare.  I think there is a move of God to raise up preachers who are not only biblically strong but also are prepared to take on the world. They do not seem to be focusing on growth yet growth is happening.

My hope is that the church growth movement of the past where baptisms, nickels , and noses are counted as a way to measure church health are dead. It will take a while for this to die out and it needs to die.  It may not happen in my lifetime, but it is happening.

It is time we counted disciples and focused on Jesus as a way to measure things. Duhh novel concept huh?