Suffering for the Kingdom

Saturday 23 October 2010.

This Saturday's discussion topic was one which most of us do not like to hear of especially coming from the perspective of the redemptive gospel (which so many of us have been exposed to) where the prosperity message usually triumphs over the suggestion that we are to suffer for the kingdom's sake.

Suffer, who me, for what? you might ask. Yes. 1 Peter 1:6-7 states that trials will test whether our faith is genuine. Shouldn't we differentiate between kingdom and earthly suffering?
Isn't laying down what you want to do (i.e. laying down your life - for the sake of the kingdom and gospel) the "suffereing" the bible refers to? If our flesh is dead then we will not be able to suffer!

God is always asking "Do you trust Me?". The water always gets deeper. When you start swimming He gives you more responsibility because He trusts you more. God is more interested in the way you handle the trials. Someone in the group said "God is not interested in what you are doing but rather in what you are becoming!"

The new testament frequently refers to blessing - not as prosperity - but as suffering. The point is that we are so far from the Kingdom gospel. The world should not be as attractive as we perceive it to be, yet it is and this results in the selling of a false gospel. We must learn to become a physical representation of Christ who suffered dearly for the sake of the kingdom. When we experience what is worth living for, then we lay our lives down. As Isa 48:10 puts it "I have refined you but not in the way silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering."

Once God shows you the end result, then the suffering will be worth it.
If you are not yet living a life of suffering, then you are not yet experiencing God's blessing!

PS. It was Rita's and Ansi's birthday. Rita had her cake that afternoon and evening and we skype'd Ansi to wish her "Lekker verjaar, lekker verjaar..." which were both very much appreciated - to the extent that tears (happy) flowed....

Pics? Words? PICS!!! ok and some words...

As you can see we had an amazing time together. Philip shared, captivating us all when he shared his heart. It is so precious to see the KE Message put to practice out in the field. Joss sticks burned their welcome as joy and laughter abounded.

The message remains heavy even when the enviroment is light... being called COSTS!

Braai with Philip on 23rd October from

10-17h00!!! then you are welcome to join us for Output fellowship in

the evening... if you can stand it...

For more details contact Aldi on 083 280 7022

Ten Souls

Ten souls gathered and ten hearts prayed
We started around six as below displayed
Swemmer shared on the miracles in Zim
his bicycle is tired but still carries him
JJ & Aldi shared of their journey so far
'They are off the rollercoaster-in the ghost train car!'
Generlly slipped over to Giglios "Passport"
Broke after seven when dinner held court
Well, here the scribe went ahead of herself
Chatted again, all food thoughts got put back on the shelf
Miracles in Colesburg, Chinese in Cyrildene
The job's not quite as easy as it seems
Dealing with felt needs is just the start
if it's not sustainable it all falls apart.
Okay now before we eat Grant will say 'Grace'
And thats just what he said - even with a straight face
Ezekiel 3:18 came right to the fore
bringing caravans, telescopes, wheels and much more
Swemmer closed in prayer and with thanks
We'll be back next week to refill our tanks

Change of time same place