Daily Bible Studywith SEEDS OF THE KINGDOM
Updated: Wednesday, 3 December 2008, 8:36 (GMT)
11 September 2008 | 1 Corinthians 4:16
... so I beg you, please follow my example.Notes
One of the most memorable times in ministry for me was when I worked in Ghana. I joined a Missionary Archdeacon during the summer of 1997 in his efforts to church plant within his area, which was the geographical size of South Yorkshire!Early on in my time there we went to a village called Nkissu, we brought materials to build a school on some land the elders had given us. The method was in the week children would be educated and on Sundays and evenings church would take place. It was a very exciting time, as growth was amazing; the Kingdom was added to daily in numerous locations such as Nkissu.
On a return visit to the village a young man was brought to see me by one of the brothers. He explained to me that he was having difficulty in living the Christian life. I asked him to try and explain what these difficulties felt like. He said it was "like two lions inside of him, one black, the other white, continuously raging at each other". I asked him which lion wins, he said "ah, that is easy, the one I feed".
I learnt very quickly that for a lot of rural Ghanaians, resolving problems was done through applying simple logic, like my friend above. So I discussed with him the difference between Good and Bad. We then agreed that for him the white lion was good and the black lion was bad; and that if he fed the white lion it would become strong and tame the black lion. I then shared with him what I believed were the right things one should feed oneself spiritually.
Encouraging another person to imitate our spiritual values is essential in developing those who are new to the faith. It is therefore imperative that if we are to do so we should ensure that we are attending to our own spiritual state of health. They say rot spreads quickly, but so does Good News! For me my spiritual diet consists of prayer, repentance, Bible study, worship and fellowship.
Note that I said these things tame, the constant battle for the Christian is between the sinful nature and the spiritual nature. If we starve ourselves spiritually then it is inevitable that our sinful nature will take a grip in our lives. As an Anglican, the Eucharist is very important to me, at the end of the Eucharist we say a prayer that is rooted in Ephesians 3:17-19, read it and reflect up how your knowledge of the love of Christ can help you with your spiritual food.
Prayer
Almighty God, assist me this day to feed of you and to grow strong that I may stand firm in your presence and this world against the things that lure me from you. Forgive me when I fail, but strengthen me though my penitent heart, that I may learn, grow and share. Amen.Today's Writer
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Bible Study Archive
- 3 December 2008 | The God who answers prayer
- 2 December 2008 | Wonderfully made
- 1 December 2008 | More precious than gold
- 30 November 2008 | Total Security
- 29 November 2008 | Barriers to Worship
- 28 November 2008 | His Way is in the Whirlwind
- 27 November 2008 | Reality Check
- 26 November 2008 | Wife of Noble character
- 25 November 2008 | When everything goes wrong
- 24 November 2008 | Walking in the light
- 23 November 2008 | The Eternal Riddle!
- 22 November 2008 | Overcoming evil with good
- 21 November 2008 | Under His Shadow
- 20 November 2008 | A plumb line not a pendulum
- 19 November 2008 | Keys to discovering and fulfilling your purpose and destiny (3)
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