Blessing for All Nations

An ancient promise gives hope and joy to all humanity – all peoples on earth, all the families of the earth will be blessed through you – said God to Abraham, the forefather of our Lord and Savior Jesus. (Genesis 12:3) Apostle Paul in the New Testament simply says that in Christ there is no difference between nations (Galatians 3:28)
Here in Canada we experience a unique opportunity to encounter this coming-together of nations. Our South Church has families from more than 40 nations. Our young and new North Church has families from more than 15 nations in attendance. In 2004 our city London was ranked 3^rd in the nation as the destination for immigrants. Today our city in among 10 most culturally diverse cities in Canada – hosting over 80,000 immigrants – 20% of Londoneers. Many are still connected to their countries of origin. Many are supporting their homeland. Many even choose to send their tithe and monetary support to their home churches.
I invite you to consider the “big picture” of the Adventist Church:

36% live in Africa 19% in South America 13% are in the Pacific rim 9% in Central America

8% are North American 7% are Caribbean 5% are in India 3% in Eurasia (former Soviet Union)

More than 50% of our world-wide church is under 30 – youth and young adults. Majority of our members are new believers. They have the ‘first love’ fervor and enthusiasm, their experience of salvation is fresh and contagious. But the riches of resources and knowledge are still here, in the New World. Weekly I get phonecalls from my colleagues and friends pastoring in different parts of the world with questions on doctrines, new methods, practical advise on issues in ministry – not because I know more, but simply because they do not have the resources.
Imagine how much more we would be able to achieve, if, instead of individuals meagerly supporting some personal causes, we would bless nations of the world through mission outreach, intentionally adopting and sponsoring churches overseas, providing them with literature, media and other resources.
Imagine the model of cultural integration we offer to our local communities. Instead of segregated ethnic ghettos – culturally diverse family, just like our church. The city of London seeks people who would model this. In Christ all nations of the earth will be and are blessed. We, the Body of Christ, are the hands and feet of this blessing.

Visions...Dreams...Reflections

“…If you want to understand your church – talk to the kids at your church. Reading books by other pastors won’t tell you even half as much as your local church youth and kids would…” - my mentor advised me as I showed off my 3000 volumes library.
This comment flashed in my mind as I was talking with a youth about what interest him and how we as a church can serve better. I asked what music he listens to and he said “ska.” My reaction was probably like yours right now: “WHAT? What’s that?” Illustrating how little we know about each succeeding generation.
For ages there has been “generation gap” of older folks not understanding, patronizing at best, ignoring and maligning most of the time the generation following. General comment is: ‘we had it tough in our days…nowadays kids are “wha-wahs babies” using an expression of a popular syndicated columnist late Ann Landers. Same author later received a letter from an articulate 16 years old in reply:
Were your parents divorced? Almost all of my friends come from broken homes. Were you thinking about suicide when you were 12? Did you have an ulcer at 16? Did your best friend loose her virginity to the guy she went out with twice? Did your classmates carried knives and guns? How many kids in your class regularly came drunk, stoned or high on drugs? Have any of your friends had their brains fried from using PCP? What percentage of your graduating class also graduated from a drug rehabilitation center? Did your school had armed security guards in hallways? Did you ever lived in a neighborhood where gun sound at night were “normal”? You (old folks) talk a lot about being “dirt-poor” and having no money. Since when des money mean happiness? When You’re your age, I won’t do much looking back , I’ll just thank God that I survived....and the letter goes on.
Youth today live under much more pressure and stress than ever before, simply because these are end-time and the ancient enemy devil is doing much more harm. Yet, God’s Promise is that in these days He is to pour-out His Spirit on all flesh so that our sons and daughters will prophesy, our old people will dream dreams, our youth will see visions. (Joel 2:28-29)
We need each other in this church. Both, young need old, old need young, visionaries, dreamers. Knowing how God has led us in the past gives courage to take steps in to the future. Imagine when our youth will sit in at Business meeting and advise us on their vision for their future. Imagine when mature people would take responsibility and lead the youth ministry. Imagine when we will love each other enough to try to understand our differences.
Jesus warns “take care that you do not despise the little ones; for in heaven their angels continually see the face of the Heavenly Father (Matthew 18:10) On another occasion Jesus said this “Whoever welcomes one of the little children in my name welcomes me; and by welcoming me welcomes the one who sent me – the Father." (Mark 9:37)
Welcome each other in the Name of Jesus. Welcome each other in love and respect so we may receive the Latter Rain Power and see His Vision for our future.

Living Intentional Life

What are your intentions?
Has anyone asked you such a question? How does it feel to be put on the spot about your intentions? More often than not we keep our intentions to ourselves. Yet, our direction and action becomes a giveaway of our intentions. Every one has a purpose, goal, aim, plan, meaning, target in mind. There is no such a thing as unintentional success. Things don’t just happen.
Jesus confronted disciples on this: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) Then he proceeded to illustrate his point with a story of the Wise and Foolish Builders. People’s actions demonstrate their intent. What is our intent as a church family? Do you intend to sin? Do you intend not to sin?
How often do you reflect on your intentions? For beholding we become changed (2 Corinthians 3:18). We become what we intend to become. I know it’s a cliché; but clichés are truisms – they are true.
This week number of youth intended and did attend the Revival Series with Jose Rojas. What an experience it was!!! I also heard a lot of wishful thinking and talk, with no intent to back it, with no actions to show for. And this could be said for many other areas of our church life. We say we want to evangelize the community but we do not intend to invite anybody or even show up ourselves. We say we want our kids to be brought to Jesus, but we don’t intend to bring them even for a youth meeting with pastor. As I visited this week with new interests a question was posed to me: what is Adventism is all about? My answer was brief, in Jose Rojas’ style: “Hanging out with Jesus!” That’s what Christianity is all about – living in Christ’s presence all the time, being mini-Christs; “little-mesiahs” – that’s how Antiochians called followers of Jesus, that’s how word “Christians” first came to be. What’s your intention?
Jesus tells disciples that our intent must be to remain in Him. The best way to live is to be in Jesus and allow Him to be in us and produce through us (John 15:4-5), because we can do nothing apart from Him.
When considering your church, ask yourself – “what is my intention for my church?” Your church will be what you intend it to be. Your church family is what you intend it to be. Look at the city around us – 82% of people you see are unchurched. They have not met Jesus. How do you intend to bring them to Jesus? For being Christian means being a fisher of men, and being Adventist is telling them the loud cry of three angels, inviting them to come out of worldly living into God’s glorious light. So, what are your intentions?

God's Providence and Well-Planned Life

…the steps of a righteous man are ordered by God….sings Fred Hammond as I put the CD is my car stereo driving from one appointment to another. He’s just paraphrasing what David said in Psalm 37:23. Yet, as we go through life there are destructions, accidents, babies dying, people get sick, relationships break down, financial crisis – we begin to wonder: is God still with me, are my steps are really ordered from above?
Popular media today is saturated with appeals to take charge of your life. Clichés like “if you fail to plan you plan to fail” or “if you don’t think about the future you won’t have one” communicate that you must be in charge of your life. Suggesting that planning is the mental creation of the future we intend. So, let me ask you: How successful are your plans lately? Are things on the schedule and are going as planned?
The Sacred Scripture – the written Logos – the Word of God speaks on this issue too:
- The wise man looks ahead and knows the way. The fool attempts to fool himself and won't face facts. (Proverbs 14:8)
- Wise people think before they act; fools don't and even brag about it! (Proverbs 13:16)
- Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22)
Jesus Himself advised us to plan. Just reminisce on the parable about the fool who wanted to build, but would not count the cost, and then was not able to finish becoming a laughingstock (Luke 14: 28-31).
Should we have a plan for our lives? Shouldn’t God just take care of things and plan for us? After all God’s Providence seems to be overriding everything. Paul writes to Romans 8:28 that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Story of Joseph comes to mind. The boy knew he had a plan. For 17 years after his Big Dream he was going from one pit to another. Not the journey he planned for…Yet, he ended up with more than he could have wished for. And at the end of his life he simply says to his brothers: “you meant it for evil, God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20) He was not flying “by the seat of his pants.” During those seven years of plenty he planned to store up for famished years. While in pits of life he planned and acted and brought blessing to those around him. One thing that is universal in Joseph’s plans – God’s presence.
God’s got a plan for you to prosper and succeed (Jeremiah 29:11). Things happen along the way we don’t understand. Job chose to trust God even when being under death threat (Job 13:15). Job never got his “WHY?” question answered. He planned one thing – to stay with God and never let go.
Plan one thing – to trust God’s providence in your life and never depart from His Presence. Statistics show that 80% of churches today are beehives of random motion and not of action that will achieve something. It’s not that they don’t have plans or lack strategic vision. There is a difference between OUR agenda and vision, and discovering GOD’S AGENDA and VISION, and then living in it. God’s simply says “My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Whose agenda are you pushing? Whose plan do you have for your life? Plan to walk with God, and He will order your steps.