Monthly Archives: February 2017

God has not forgotten

IMG_4386While recently visiting a European country to explore gospel partnerships and work among refugees, I was reminded about a truth that all need to hear. As our team listened to story after story of refugees who fled their homeland because of personal danger, one theme continued to emerge—God has not forgotten you! Whether from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, or elsewhere, God has not only not forgotten the refugee, He cares deeply for them.

In fact, as one man’s story goes, God uses the hurts and sorrows in their lives to bring about His purposes for them. This Muslim man fled his country because of radical Muslims. When coming to Europe he met a Christian for the first time. As he began to develop a relationship with this Jesus follower, he wondered why no Christians ever came to his country to tell them about Jesus. He eventually answered his own question. In his own words, Christians never came because they are not allowed, so God sent us to them so we could hear about Jesus.

God is using the crisis of refugees to expand the gospel among people’s in the world that have been closed to the gospel for centuries. In fact, the people in the 10/40 window are moving to Europe and North America in ways like never before. Why? Well, according to some who lived in the 10/40 window, God is sending those who need to hear the gospel to places much more accessible to receive the gospel.

The question that Christians must ask is, What part will I play in advancing the gospel among these people? Whether in our own country or a country more accessible to the gospel in Europe, Christians have a part to play.

“God has not forgotten you” is a truth for us all. Refugees hear this message as Christians show the love of Jesus and then share the love of Jesus. God is bringing refugees from the 10/40 window to places in the world where gospel mercy and gospel witness can be demonstrated. What part will you play in God’s unfolding plan to reach the unreached in parts of the world where they are easier to reach? Contact the Missions Mobilization team at the Kentucky Baptist Convention for tangible ways to play your part.

Conflict Settlement

Teenagers hands playing tug-of-war with used ropeReligion has always been a touchy subject.  Discussions about God, faith, and the church can spark lively and refreshing dialogue; it can also unleash anger and bitter disputes.  As long as there is more than one human present in a place, conflict is possible and likely.

The early church was no exception.  In Acts 15, a dispute arose from among the body of faith, on whether or not circumcision was necessary for salvation.  This was a heated dispute with a great deal of passion and debate.

But, it is worth noting that it never got ugly.  We do not read about folks spreading gossip and slander in the community.  No one questioned anyone’s motives.  They did not attack each other personally.  Instead, they chose to honor one another, listen respectfully, engage with dignity, and maintain fellowship.  They demonstrated a Christ-like spirit, as they resolved the issue and settled the conflict within their family of faith.  Above all, they fervently sought the will of God, in this matter.

Yet, they did not seek to appease everyone.  They did not take a majority vote.  It appears that everyone was given a voice, but the most mature among them made the final decision.  They put God’s desire before their own desires and traditions.  In the end, the church stayed together and continued to grow,

As the family of faith, we can learn a great deal about handling conflict from this passage.  Believers met.  They talked.  They listened to one another.  They shared their respective positions.  They deferred to the most wise and mature believers.  They allowed their leaders to lead.  They realized that God’s work was far more important than any of their personal wants.  They made a decision that would enable them to be about the mission that they had received from their Lord.  They stuck together and moved forward.  That is what family does.

Conflicts will arise, but they should never define us.  Christ, Scripture, the Great Commission, and the Great Commandment should always be the hinges upon which the unity of our family of faith rests.