OzThoughts – Friday 24th July 2009.

OzThoughts – Friday 24th July 2009.


This week we have thought about commitment. Commitment is organised between each believer and God. Yet that does not mean each believer stands alone. God has been pleased since the Day of Pentecost to organise his people into groups. Those groups we know as the Church.

As the early Christian Church grew, it had to organise and I imagine reorganise more than once to cope with the numbers of new believers who joined the fellowship. It is not surprising that Luke in writing the history of the church records at least one time when reorganisation took place because people were in need of being included in what was happening (Acts 6).

This particular reorganisation took place because the widows of the Greek-speaking Jews were being neglected in the distribution of welfare. Now the leaders of the church applied some good management skills. They looked at what their own priorities should be. I am sure it was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that they “managed” the situation. Their task, in response to their high calling was to work full time in preaching and in prayerful devotion. So they chose people to carry out the Christian service in the name of the fellowship of Christian worshippers. No one would be neglected because the “Leaders” were in a time of communion with God or communicating with him. Neither would the welfare ministry be neglected but it would be in the hands of wise Holy Spirit filled people.

I remember laughing at the time when a retired Officer (pastor) at an anniversary celebration of a Corps (church) told of one occasion when he was reminded of his calling and ministry while he was at that Corps. He said it was a Saturday morning and the men of the church had gathered to put a new concrete path beside the church. He put on his best yard working clothes and joined them. As he bent his back along with the others one of the church men came to him and said “Major leave this to us, we can do this. There are tasks that you are called by God to do that you should be doing.”

There is a lot for thought in that.

I might also add a very wise Officer told me as a young Officer, if you want to get to know your people work along with them in tqasks arounbd the Hall or even at their place of work or home. .


PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your calling to ministry in the day by day tasks of my life. I pray that each one of us within your body, the church, might see the tasks that you have called us to do. Help us to see the priorities you have set for each one of us as individuals. May we all be filled with your wisdom and your Holy Spirit today. Show us how we might be involved to release the pastors and ministers of the Word for the tasks of their high calling. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Acts 6 (The Message)

1During this time, as the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds, hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers--"Hellenists"-toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines.
2So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, "It wouldn't be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor.
3So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we'll assign them this task.
4Meanwhile, we'll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God's Word."
5The congregation thought this was a great idea. They went ahead and chose--

Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas, Nicolas, a convert from Antioch.

6Then they presented them to the apostles. Praying, the apostles laid on hands and commissioned them for their task.
7The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically. Not least, a great many priests submitted themselves to the faith.

8Stephen, brimming with God's grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them.

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[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4461.mp3 ]

I'll go in the strength of the Lord,
In paths he has marked for my feet;
I'll follow the light of his word,
Nor shrink from the dangers I meet,
His presence my steps shall attend,
His fullness my wants shall supply;
On him, till my journey shall end,
My unwavering faith shall rely.

Chorus
I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord
I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord.

I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To work he appoints me to do;
In joy which his smile doth afford
My soul shall her vigour renew.
His wisdom shall guard me from harm.
His power my sufficiency prove;
I'll trust his omnipotent arm,
And prove his unchangeable love.

I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To conflicts which faith will require,
His grace as my shield and reward,
My courage and zeal shall inspire.
Since he gives the word of command.
To meet and encounter the foe,
With his sword of truth in my hand.
To suffer and triumph I'll go.
Author: Edward Turney (1816-72)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 734
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