“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut” (Revelation 3:8)
Picture the scene with me. Something amazing has just happened. You have heard good news about a coming kingdom, a king who has defeated death, who transforms everything about life and who owns eternity. But where you live very few people know this message. In fact, it is viewed with great suspicion by neighbours and as seditious by those in power. Continue reading
Missions: How the local church goes global
Sometimes, it can be argued, that global mission is so distant that it doesn’t seem very important to the life of the local church. I can totally understand where people are coming from. How does this stuff connect with where we are? Why should we even bother about cross-cultural ministry, and on the other side of the world? Are there better ways for us to partner with our missionaries? If this is you then Andy Johnson’s book Missions is a helpful hands on guide. Continue reading
Talking to people about Jesus, the king of the universe, should be the most natural thing to do as people who know him and follow him. Yet, that is often not the case. Why? Well in this great little book, Intentional, Paul Williams helps to explore this and offer some great pointers that help believing people communicate the amazing truths of the gospel in easy and normal ways. Continue reading
“All the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works” Rev 2:23b
What is at the heart of this message Jesus has for his people? As we read it we can see that he calls into question those who claim to be his followers but who are involved in sexual immorality and free flowing sacrifices to idols. And this is correct, that is what Jesus identifies. However what is going on under the surface? Continue reading
I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name… (Rev 2:13a)
It doesn’t matter where you find yourself in the world, misrepresentation and false teaching of the good news of Jesus will exist. As I write this we have just finished spending time in Vietnam meeting up with colleagues and local church leaders. A recurring theme in our discussions was the rise of pseudo Christian cults and the speed at which they spread in the country. Continue reading
“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance…Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love” (Revelation 2:2,4)
Do you not love it when people tell you that you have done a good job? All of that hard work, all of that effort and now people can see the result and they praise you for it. You may be too modest to admit to this, but it is something we all like and it is not something which is totally wrong. As Jesus speaks to his people across Asia, he wants them to know that it pleases him to see their growth as disciples. Continue reading
“From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord Almighty” (Malachi 1:11)
Some pictures take our breaths away. Their beauty, their skill, the detail, the emotions, everything combines and our senses are lit up. At a time of confusion in the life of the people of God the message they receive is intended to bring this sort of stimulation. Instead of whole hearted devotion to God, the one who has brought them back to the land, there is apathy coupled with sterile religious obligation. Continue reading
Today saw many believers around the world stand together in the cause of world mission as they took part in the global hymn sing led by Keith and Kristyn Getty. As the song “Jesus shall reign” was being sung across the world a huge decision was being announced in one of the worlds largest and most influential nations. Continue reading
Over the next few weeks for many of us things will become very busy, which tends to mean we don’t have time to stop. If that is true, then it will not be easy finding space to think either. Yet, this is precisely what I want to invite you to do over this Christmas season because there is a lot to think about. You see, unlike the mad rush and the media frenzy to get us to spend more money, the good news of the Lord Jesus and the reason why he has come is something which lasts long after the dinner is eaten, the gifts forgotten and the tree is down. Continue reading
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever”
(Isaiah 40:8)
Transiency is the normal way of life, yet nearly everything else around us and within us tries to pretend that this is not true. We want there to be something which lasts, something that in the end will not be tainted, tarnished or tired. And that is what we see at the beginning of this wonderful section of Isaiah; there is something which lasts. Continue reading
The Growing Kingdom 