What does it mean to be a mature Christian? Are we mature? Fully developed?
Your level of maturity lies in your own journey with God. He is the head of The Body and we are the hands, feet, ears, etc. – having a common goal, but doing different jobs in His service.
Maturity is allowing fellow Christians to journey alongside of one another. We should not criticize and judge. Rather beware of trying to convince someone of our own ritual laws. It is not what we say, but what we do - live humbly as witnesses of God’s love for the world. (Remember the Pineapple story? “Ah, you’ve become a Christian now?”) Godly living, humbleness, living a life as His witness is required.
Maturity will come to its fullness through knowledge of the Word, faith, and experience. And our experiences will continue until we die. Through these you will build your Christian character. Having a willing heart is the key to a great start.
Scriptures read: Matt. 7:3, Ef. 4:13, James 1:2, Phil 4
Tuesday
Worship discussion
Worship time was spent differently this evening: We pondered on the fact that we should worship God in all circumstances. We should even rejoice in the most difficult times. Corrie ten Boom and her sister were praising and thanking the Lord while they were in a concentration camp during the war. They specifically glorified Him for sending fleas into the ladies quarters, because for that reason the guards did not do inspection there and that gave them plenty of time to minister to their fellow prisoners. Would you be able to minister in those conditions? Many of us shared stories of their own lives and how God used hardships to save His children.
Monday
RVSSIA:-)
Five PM saw the lot of us gather for yet another time of sharing and fellowship… not forgetting food.
The floor was opened with the issue of how we worship as a group and what do we expect from our worship, or what is it we give for our worship. No real conclusion was reached other than we would like to worship together as a group, and let us be creative in whatever way we can for this. In the beginning God created…. As we have been made in His image, so then let us too, be creative! Yes there will be awkwardness…
A big welcome to John de Cock, from the mission organization Mission Russia who shared with us. Nothing if not an eye opening experience. He highlighted the needs, showed up the shortage of workers in that area and challenged us to get involved. Accentuating the vastness of the country and the immense population who are going to a Christ-less eternity. Getting involved could also mean going on an outreach. For more details of upcoming outreaches it would be best to contact Mario regarding upcoming outreaches. John has said he would keep Mario abreast of all the goings on. Newsletters can also be obtained on a monthly basis from webmaster@worldprayercenter.ru Philip Meyer will be able to update you on all you want to know about the organization and what it is involved with.
Tuesday
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - MEETING OF SAT 13TH
We all got together again at 5pm. It was good to see the Dutrieux family again. Even though they were only gone for just over a week, they certainly had plenty of excitement to return to with Micaela and Jordan having spent some time in hospital and Dorianne with news of a new job. Never a dull moment. The fellowship and dinner was great as usual. Mario, the facilitator for the evening, let us know that the missionary from Russia was not able to join us but would be joining us next week on the 20th.
The discussion point that Mario raised is summed up in the following questions: "What keeps us/our religion going even though we don't see results that God has promised? What keeps other religions like the Moslems and Hindus going? What is the basic need of human beings that causes a religion to be borne? What is different about the Christian "religion"?"
There is a basic human need that is seen in all religions, including christianity. This is the need for provision and protection. A lot of religions are driven by fear. They make sacrifices to a God or Gods they do not really know. We as christians are in a very privileged position. We know the living God and we are going somewhere with Him. We are in relationship with Him.
The discussion forced us to ask ourselves some pertinent questions for e.g:
Are we following a Christian belief system and not God? This one really caused me to think.
When we speak to people from other religions do we impose our man-made rules from western christianity on them?
If I truly believe that God is my provider why would I need to trust in anything else?
God calls us to go on this journey with him and in the journey He will show us what He wants. We should be in the journey with Him to serve and not to be served. Are we?
I was challenged to make sure that I am not following a man-made set of rules but to find out what God really wants from me. This I can seek to do through my relationship with Him and through reading His word.
The discussion point that Mario raised is summed up in the following questions: "What keeps us/our religion going even though we don't see results that God has promised? What keeps other religions like the Moslems and Hindus going? What is the basic need of human beings that causes a religion to be borne? What is different about the Christian "religion"?"
There is a basic human need that is seen in all religions, including christianity. This is the need for provision and protection. A lot of religions are driven by fear. They make sacrifices to a God or Gods they do not really know. We as christians are in a very privileged position. We know the living God and we are going somewhere with Him. We are in relationship with Him.
The discussion forced us to ask ourselves some pertinent questions for e.g:
Are we following a Christian belief system and not God? This one really caused me to think.
When we speak to people from other religions do we impose our man-made rules from western christianity on them?
If I truly believe that God is my provider why would I need to trust in anything else?
God calls us to go on this journey with him and in the journey He will show us what He wants. We should be in the journey with Him to serve and not to be served. Are we?
I was challenged to make sure that I am not following a man-made set of rules but to find out what God really wants from me. This I can seek to do through my relationship with Him and through reading His word.
Thursday
BIG MISTAKE!!!
SMS wat vra dat Christene vir 2 bid, kan sendelinge se dood beteken
Berig in Beeld: Sep 09 2008 09:52:42:373PM - (SA) deur Neels Jackson njackson@beeld.com
Christene met goeie bedoelings en slegte oordeel is besig om hul eie sendelinge se lewens met hul ondeurdagte optrede in gevaar te stel.
’n SMS het gister baie wyd die ronde gedoen oor twee sendelinge van die NG gemeente Moreletapark wat in ’n Moslemland in ’n tronk sou sit en wat dalk die doodstraf sou kon kry.
Die SMS vra dat mense moet bid “vir bonatuurlike ingrype van ons hemelse Vader”.
Me. Diana Rabie, woordvoerder van die gemeente, het by navraag gesê dit is vals en die twee sendelinge is op die oomblik veilig met vakansie in Suid-Afrika.
Mnr. Charl de Beer, sendingbestuurder van die gemeente, het later ’n e-posboodskap uitgestuur om te vra dat mense nie die boodskap verder aanstuur nie.
Die inligting daarin is vals en berus blykbaar daarop dat iemand ’n boodskap tydens Sondag se erediens verkeerd verstaan het.
Daar is blykbaar wel gelowiges in die tronk in die betrokke land, maar hulle is burgers van daardie land.
Die ironie is dat talle goedgelowige Christene wat die SMS gekry het, dit verder aangestuur het sonder om seker te maak dis waar.
In die proses is die twee sendelinge se voorname en die land waar hulle werk, die wêreld ingestuur.
Met dié inligting kon ’n mens gister binne ’n ommesientjie ook hul van en foto’s van hulle op die internet opspoor.
Vir sendelinge soos dié wat in geslote lande werk, kan dit lewensgevaarlik wees as sulke inligting in die hande van die betrokke land se regering val.
Berig in Beeld: Sep 09 2008 09:52:42:373PM - (SA) deur Neels Jackson njackson@beeld.com
Christene met goeie bedoelings en slegte oordeel is besig om hul eie sendelinge se lewens met hul ondeurdagte optrede in gevaar te stel.
’n SMS het gister baie wyd die ronde gedoen oor twee sendelinge van die NG gemeente Moreletapark wat in ’n Moslemland in ’n tronk sou sit en wat dalk die doodstraf sou kon kry.
Die SMS vra dat mense moet bid “vir bonatuurlike ingrype van ons hemelse Vader”.
Me. Diana Rabie, woordvoerder van die gemeente, het by navraag gesê dit is vals en die twee sendelinge is op die oomblik veilig met vakansie in Suid-Afrika.
Mnr. Charl de Beer, sendingbestuurder van die gemeente, het later ’n e-posboodskap uitgestuur om te vra dat mense nie die boodskap verder aanstuur nie.
Die inligting daarin is vals en berus blykbaar daarop dat iemand ’n boodskap tydens Sondag se erediens verkeerd verstaan het.
Daar is blykbaar wel gelowiges in die tronk in die betrokke land, maar hulle is burgers van daardie land.
Die ironie is dat talle goedgelowige Christene wat die SMS gekry het, dit verder aangestuur het sonder om seker te maak dis waar.
In die proses is die twee sendelinge se voorname en die land waar hulle werk, die wêreld ingestuur.
Met dié inligting kon ’n mens gister binne ’n ommesientjie ook hul van en foto’s van hulle op die internet opspoor.
Vir sendelinge soos dié wat in geslote lande werk, kan dit lewensgevaarlik wees as sulke inligting in die hande van die betrokke land se regering val.
Tuesday
Saturday 6 September 2008
Saturday evening we watched a film called End of the Spear. It is a 2006 docudrama film that recounts the story of Operation Auca, in which five American Christian missionaries attempted to evangelize the Huaorani (Waodani) people of the jungle of Ecuador. Taking a unique spin on actual events from the 1950s in which five male missionaries were speared by members of the Waodani tribe, the movie tells the story from the perspective of Mincayani, one of the tribesmen who killed the missionaries, and Steve Saint, the son of one of the murdered missionaries. The two eventually form a bond that continues to this day. Here is a little more …
Philip James Elliot (known as Jim Elliot) (October 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956) was one of the evangelical Christian missionaries to Ecuador.
Elliot professed faith in Jesus at the age of six and grew up in a home where obedience and honesty were strictly enforced. He used every opportunity to grow spiritually, develop discipline and prepare for future missions work. Elliot was a good speaker and used his speaking ability regularly, always ready at a moment's notice to discuss Christianity or defend his moral beliefs. He followed the pattern of other "faith missions" by not seeking to be sponsored by a denomination.
Elliot's burden for missions solidified during his years at Wheaton. Elliot also spoke to an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship group on the role of the Holy Spirit in missions.
During the summer of 1947, after his second year of college, he and his friend Ron Harris did missions work in Mexico. He stayed there for six weeks, working with and learning from a local missionary family. At the end of the following year, he attended the International Student Missionary Convention, sponsored by InterVarsity. There he met a missionary to Brazil, and this encounter led him to more firmly believe that his missionary calling was to tribal work in South America.[8]
At the beginning of Elliot's third year at Wheaton, he decided to pursue a major in Greek, believing that it would both help him in his personal study of the Bible and make it easier to translate the Scriptures into the language of a people group unreached by missionaries.
Elliot practiced the skills necessary for writing down a language working with a former missionary to the Quichua people. The missionary told him of the Auca people, an indigenous people group in Ecuador that had never had friendly contact with the outside world. Elliot remained unsure about whether to go to Ecuador or India until July, when he became convinced that God was leading him to Ecuador. His parents and friends wondered if he might instead be more effective in youth ministry in the United States, but considering the home church "well-fed", he felt that international missions should take precedence.
Elliot and Fleming arrived in Ecuador on February 21, 1952, with the purpose of evangelizing Ecuador's Quichua Indians. They first stayed in Quito studying Spanish, and then moved to the jungle. They took up permanent residence at the Shandia mission station. While working with the Quichua Indians, Elliot began preparing to reach the violent Huaorani Indian tribe - the Aucas.
Phillip James Elliot, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and their pilot, Nate Saint, made contact from their airplane with the Huaorani Indians using a loudspeaker and a basket to pass down gifts. After several months, the men decided to build a base a short distance from the Indian village, along the Curaray River. There they were approached one time by a small group of Huaorani Indians and even gave an airplane ride to one curious Huaorani whom they called "George" (his real name was Naenkiwi). Encouraged by these friendly encounters, they began plans to visit the Huaorani,without knowing that George had lied to the others but their plans were preempted by the arrival of a larger group of 10 Huaorani men, who killed Elliot and his four companions on January 8, 1956. Elliot's mutilated body was found downstream, along with those of the other men, except that of Ed McCully.
His journal entry for October 28, 1949, contains his now famous quotation, expressing his belief that missions work was more important than his life:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
Philip James Elliot (known as Jim Elliot) (October 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956) was one of the evangelical Christian missionaries to Ecuador.
Elliot professed faith in Jesus at the age of six and grew up in a home where obedience and honesty were strictly enforced. He used every opportunity to grow spiritually, develop discipline and prepare for future missions work. Elliot was a good speaker and used his speaking ability regularly, always ready at a moment's notice to discuss Christianity or defend his moral beliefs. He followed the pattern of other "faith missions" by not seeking to be sponsored by a denomination.
Elliot's burden for missions solidified during his years at Wheaton. Elliot also spoke to an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship group on the role of the Holy Spirit in missions.
During the summer of 1947, after his second year of college, he and his friend Ron Harris did missions work in Mexico. He stayed there for six weeks, working with and learning from a local missionary family. At the end of the following year, he attended the International Student Missionary Convention, sponsored by InterVarsity. There he met a missionary to Brazil, and this encounter led him to more firmly believe that his missionary calling was to tribal work in South America.[8]
At the beginning of Elliot's third year at Wheaton, he decided to pursue a major in Greek, believing that it would both help him in his personal study of the Bible and make it easier to translate the Scriptures into the language of a people group unreached by missionaries.
Elliot practiced the skills necessary for writing down a language working with a former missionary to the Quichua people. The missionary told him of the Auca people, an indigenous people group in Ecuador that had never had friendly contact with the outside world. Elliot remained unsure about whether to go to Ecuador or India until July, when he became convinced that God was leading him to Ecuador. His parents and friends wondered if he might instead be more effective in youth ministry in the United States, but considering the home church "well-fed", he felt that international missions should take precedence.
Elliot and Fleming arrived in Ecuador on February 21, 1952, with the purpose of evangelizing Ecuador's Quichua Indians. They first stayed in Quito studying Spanish, and then moved to the jungle. They took up permanent residence at the Shandia mission station. While working with the Quichua Indians, Elliot began preparing to reach the violent Huaorani Indian tribe - the Aucas.
Phillip James Elliot, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and their pilot, Nate Saint, made contact from their airplane with the Huaorani Indians using a loudspeaker and a basket to pass down gifts. After several months, the men decided to build a base a short distance from the Indian village, along the Curaray River. There they were approached one time by a small group of Huaorani Indians and even gave an airplane ride to one curious Huaorani whom they called "George" (his real name was Naenkiwi). Encouraged by these friendly encounters, they began plans to visit the Huaorani,without knowing that George had lied to the others but their plans were preempted by the arrival of a larger group of 10 Huaorani men, who killed Elliot and his four companions on January 8, 1956. Elliot's mutilated body was found downstream, along with those of the other men, except that of Ed McCully.
His journal entry for October 28, 1949, contains his now famous quotation, expressing his belief that missions work was more important than his life:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
Friday
NEWS FLASH - PLEASE PRAY
Please pray for the Dutrieux family. Whilst mom and dad have been away this week in Botswana, Michaela went to hospital with a lung infection. She has been in hospital for a week but seems to be doing better and will hopefully be discharged today. Jordan broke his arm whilst ice skating. It was a bad break and so he is currently languishing in Kalafong awaiting surgery. He will be going into theatre on Monday. Please pray that the surgery goes well. Jean-Pierre and Rita are due back on Sunday.
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