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Is Offence Enough Reason For Me To Leave My Church?

Chude Obuaya
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Is Offence Enough Reason For Me To Leave My Church?

It has been a tough period for churches over the past 18 months. It has also been a tough period for all those who make up the local church. With the time away from meeting physically, there has been an extended period for Christians to consider whether they will return to their local gathering. There are many legitimate reasons as to why one may leave their local church. There are, however, some illegitimate reasons. With the necessity of the local church being challenged, some may deem it necessary to question what they once considered to be true about the church at large as well as the church they attend. Depending on the circumstances, it may become necessary for a person to leave their church. So how do we determine whether the time is right to leave our local assembly?

Help, I’m Offended

If you have been involved in a local church for any considerable amount of time you are likely to have encountered something that would’ve offended you. When the offence occurs, the natural reaction is to recoil from the environment where the offence occurred. It is uncommon to explore the nature of the offence and decipher why the offence occurred and whether the offence is as such that leaving the church is the first port of call. In our current cultural climate, cancelling a person is a better option than reconciliation. Instead of seeking to investigate the offence, we are quick to cut off the person as our way of resolving the issue. But is this the way of Christ?

Matthew 18:15-20 is often cited as the framework in which church discipline ought to occur. Jesus exhorts us that if our brother (a co-heir in Christ) offends us, that our initial response is not that of cancelling but one of confronting (Matthew 18:15). When we hear “confronting”, our minds can be filled with negative connotations. However, here Jesus doesn’t exhort us to be hostile in our confrontation but welcoming. The aim here isn’t to demonise the one who has offended you but to invite them into forgiveness and reconciliation (Matthew 18:15). What is more staggering is that if the person rejects our initial approach, we are encouraged to continue to pursue peace with the aid of others (Matthew 18:16-17). Where this world will tell us to protect our peace, Jesus tells us to pursue it; even if we are the ones that have been wronged. By doing so, we declare what we are – sons of God (Matthew 5:9).

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What Should I do?

There are cases of offence that occur which are sinful to those on the receiving end and these cases should be taken seriously. However, it is becoming increasingly common to brand everything that offends as “sinful”. If you are considering leaving a church because you have been offended, it will be prudent to pause and consider if this is necessary. We are not to be a people that are easily offended (1 Corinthians 13:5), so here are some questions for us to think through when offence inevitably knocks on our door.

  1. Why am I offended? When someone or something within your local church offends you the first question you should ask is why? Why has this person or this thing offended you? Are my feelings legitimate or illegitimate?
  2. Is the offence sinful? Not all offence is sinful. If your pastor is calling you out of sin into repentance, you may be offended but your pastor hasn’t sinned against you- in fact he (or she) has loved you as Christ has instructed them to (1 Timothy 5:20).
  3. Have I pursued reconciliation? Before you decided to leave your church have you pursued reconciliation? Remember even if you are the one wronged, the Bible still declares that it is our responsibility to pursue peace. Even if the response is less than welcoming.
  4. Have you prayed? When offence occurs, we can be swift to make decision based upon how we feel rather than how the Scriptures instruct. Whilst this may be understandable, it can lead to sinful responses. Before you make any decision, pray. Seek God’s face and He will order your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6).
  5. Have you sought counsel? While offence may not be the reason that you leave your church, there are other issues that can drive you away. Before you make the decision to leave make sure that you speak to mature believers in the faith that are part of your local church. These mature believers can often reflect on issues in such a way that you cannot. If there is no one in your church you can trust, seek mature believers in other contexts. There is wisdom in an abundance of counsellors (Proverbs 15:22).

Offence is one of many reasons that a person may decide to leave their church; it is not an easy decision to make and is one that should be taken with great care. If you find yourself considering leaving your church, ensure that your decision is wrapped with much prayer and sound counsel. While the local church is not your salvation, it is a physical representation of what you have been drafted into by faith. A local assembly declares the bounding of every tongue, nation, and tribe through the blood of Jesus (Revelation 5:9). Even with all the difficulties present, why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?

How to guard your faith in university

Esther Babatunde
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How to guard your faith in university

Going to university is one of the biggest steps that students take in their education journey. Not just because students pick courses that they believe will lead them to their future career choices, but because that’s where most students attain their first true taste of independence. It’s where your character is tested by the freedom and responsibility of being true to yourself. It’s important for you as a Christian to know how to guard your faith in university.

If you were born into a Christian home or are going into university as a Christian, university is a strong testing ground for your faith. Especially since it breeds an environment that can sometimes be anti-authority and anti-religion.

How do you guard your faith in university?

Your faith may not have been fully tested until you’ve had the chance to leave the comfort of the known (your home). University is a place where you carry the responsibility of focussing on your education without any prompting from your parents or teachers.

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It’s also the place where you decide if you’re going to fall under the pressures of the world and self because you want a taste of the world, or because you want to sleep in and not have to read your Bible, pray or go to church.

Below are a few tips on how to guard your faith in university.

 

 

  • It’s very important that you place yourself in the right environment. This includes going to the right church, fellowships, Christian-led meet-ups, and gatherings. When you place yourself in environments that edify God and your spirit, it’s a lot easier to stay steadfast and focused on Christ.

 

 

  • While it’s important to place yourself in the right environment, it’s also very important to stay away from the wrong environment. Stay away from places that breed and promote sin. This includes clubs or certain parties and gatherings. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 that we should “abstain from every appearance of evil”. This means that you have to keep yourself from any environment that will tease your flesh and that will affect your mind. If it’s going to have you arguing with the Holy Spirit, just stay away from it.

 

  • Surround yourself with the right friends. A pastor once illustrated in his sermon that it’s easier to pull someone off a chair than to pull someone up. It’s the same thing for Christians. It is a lot easier to drag someone into sin than it is to lift someone to Christ. Let the people who influence you be people who will push you to grow in Christ. When you surround yourself with people who love and fear God, it’s a lot easier to stay in Christ.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14
  • Stop trying to test yourself. I’ve heard people say that they wanted to check if they’d overcome and some have said that certain things are just a test. Well, not all tests are from God. Sometimes, we cause our own failures and downfalls by putting ourselves in situations that we could’ve avoided. So let it go and stop deceiving yourself, just don’t do it. Don’t watch that thing, don’t speak to that person, don’t go to that place and don’t have that conversation. Sometimes, the test is whether you will leave or whether you will allow sin to have a chance.

 

  • Watch what you allow into your mind. Be careful of the things that you watch and listen to. It’s what you feed yourself that grows within you. So if you feed yourself with the things of the world, your flesh will grow stronger. However, if you feed yourself with the word of God and the presence of God, your spirit will grow. It’s in growing spiritually that you’re able to guard your faith in university and anywhere else. So it’s important that you feed yourself with the word of God instead of the things of the world so you don’t lose your strength in Christ.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay in Christ. It’s important that you remember that our salvation was gained by grace and not by power. For lack of a better term, in order to “keep” your salvation, it is only by the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance. So keep speaking to God and when He speaks back, listen and obey. Be sensitive to the Spirit of God and He will direct your path and keep you from falling. Ask the Holy Spirit for help and He’ll direct you to the right people and the right places. Ask Him to give you the right mindset and heart for God.
  • Remind yourself of why you’ve chosen to love God. If you feel like Christianity was forced on you because of your family or background, evaluate your life and your faith and draw closer to God. Find the reason why you’re with God and remind yourself of the benefits of being in Christ. At the end of the day, nothing in this world is worth losing our connection to God.

 

Why Take the COVID-19 Vaccine – When God Heals?

Chinedu Agwu
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Why Take the COVID-19 Vaccine – When God Heals?

Early January in 2020, the world was struck by the COVID-19 virus which devastated many lives. Various methods of management were implemented to manage the outbreak ranging from the use of drugs like antivirals and dexamethasone to rapid COVID testing and preventative measures using supplements such as zinc and vitamin D, to homemade herbal remedies.

During the summer of 2020, there was a race to produce an effective vaccine to combat this virus; Moderna, Astra Zeneca and Pfizer were successful in creating this.  The COVID vaccine has been a topic of division since its genesis, a point of contention even within the Christian community. There is the debate that the vaccine is God-inspired, while some believe taking the vaccine will defile the temple that is our bodies and since God heals, why take the vaccine? This article will delve further into this topic.

The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [do anything else] if it makes your brother stumble or hurts his conscience or offends or weakens him. Your personal convictions [on such matters]—exercise [them] as in God’s presence, keeping them to yourself [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].”

Romans 14:21-22

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Let us not put God in a box

The view that God heals and there is no need to take the vaccine is a slightly controversial one. One thing to make clear is that ‘healing’ is restorative/curative whereas the vaccine is preventative and not perfect at all. So it is not an accurate/balanced comparison. However, in the Bible, there are various methods God uses to display His glory when healing sick people.

With a word/instruction

  • Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” (John 5:8)

With mud, spit and washing

  • Man born blind man (John 9:6-7)

Full immersion in water

  • Naaman cured of leprosy: “So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times” (2 Kings 5:14)

Laying hands

  • “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.” (Luke 4:40)

Touching of a garment

  • But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’” (Luke 8:43-48)

Here we see the vast range of ways God’s power was/is transmitted. We also see how God is not limited by any element or method to carry out His purpose in healing. Obviously, the methods stated above were quite specific to Jesus and were used by Him to prove His command, authority and sovereignty over everything; be it mud and spit to heal or by mere words.

Interestingly, some of those who are against the use of the vaccine to protect against COVID are happy to still use antibiotics, painkillers and other forms of treatment for diseases. So, the stance against the COVID vaccine could be solely due to the novelty of it whilst for some, they may be against any man-made medication completely.

Reasons why some may choose not to take the COVID vaccine

There is an intersection between faith and science. Since we serve a creative God who created the heavens and the earth, it is no surprise that He could inspire His creation to create more things for the earth! Nevertheless, some concerns expressed pertaining to why some people choose not to receive the COVID vaccine are valid and require attention too, they are listed below:

  • Concerns about impact of the vaccine on their health for example those with hypersensitive immune systems/allergies who are prone to anaphylaxis shock
  • Pharmacological reasons, where drugs/medication have no effect on the receptors in their body.
  • The fear of the unknown- needing more time to review the vaccine and it’s after effects.

This being said, there should be no judgement or condemnation towards those who have decided to take the COVID vaccine. One should take time to carefully reflect on their reasons as to why they choose to decline the vaccine- when it has been provided to the population as a protective aid against a virus that has killed millions. Admittedly it can be confusing, especially when some churches are being used as vaccination centres whilst some churches are anti-COVID vaccine, hence why it is so important to make spirit-led decisions in this season and do our own research via accredited sources.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you

James 1:5

When we don’t know what to do, we pray, and we ask God for wisdom, to reveal His perfect will to us and guide our decision making. In this modern world, we are bombarded with real and fake news which can be overwhelming. As humans navigating this life, we don’t have all the answers, but as Christians, we step out in faith. Concerning the COVID-19 vaccine, we can only follow our own personal convictions whilst being mindful of how we interact with/talk to people who have/haven’t had the vaccine.  In this season, we pray for more God-inspired wisdom, inventions and solutions to the world’s problems. Our God heals but His power can also work through medicine too, He has NO limits!

Can My Ordinary Life Still Bring Glory To God?

Chinedu Agwu
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Can My Ordinary Life Still Bring Glory To God?
Prefer to listen? Listen here!

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.- 1 Corinthians 10:31

As Christians who have a loving and intimate relationship with God, naturally we want to live a life that brings glory to Him and the question “am I doing enough?” can often creep in. We may look at great evangelists such as Reinhard Bonnke or Billy Graham and think in order to live life to the fullest for God, we need to be a missionary travelling the world. In all honestly, as Christians, we have been called to carry out the Great Commission and make disciples of men (Matthew 28:16-20), where or how we do this is not fixed! So, the question is, how can we best serve God where we’re at and how we are? We won’t all be able to travel around the world to share the gospel, as amazing as that is, so how can we be evangelists in our home, community, or workplace in the country we currently dwell?

Be Mission-Minded

Mission-minded, what is that you ask? Well, it is a renewing of the mind as we partner with God and ask Him to reveal His plan and purpose for us where we are. It happens we come to the realisation that as Christians who possess the holy spirit, we are Kingdom carriers and have the privilege of ushering in the presence of God where we are. Be it with friends in the gym, coffee with a neighbour or supporting a colleague at work. All God asks of us, is to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to be used by Him (Romans 12:1) and in doing this, we can be sent to carry out His good work on earth (Ephesians 2:10). As a consequence of having a mission mindset, we become Christian men and women who live a life that is radical and zealous for the Lord.

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What can obstruct us from seeing our environment as a mission field?

Having a mission mindset is great and propels us forward, however, it is easy to be discouraged as you run your race. Especially if you are comparing your calling/mission with another Christian. Below is how we can compare ourselves with others:

Sacred vs secular

  • There be a false belief that the job you do as a plumber, football coach or lawyer is secular and not sanctified by God.

Important vs menial

  • There may be a false belief that the 9-5 job you do is menial in comparison to those who are missionaries

Ordinary employment vs kingdom ministry

  • You may think that the job/profession you work in is common and ordinary, compared to those who serve in ministry full-time. Like their job is more impactful.

Comparison of calling

  • Another dangerous thought is comparison of calling, some brothers/sisters in Christ have been called and equipped to go out to nations and preach the gospel and worship. While others have been called to do the same in schools, streets or youth clubs in their home country.

This is not an exhaustive list, but just highlights some unhelpful thoughts that could prevent us from having a mission mindset. That is why it is so important to have a prayer life and hear personally from God, He is the good shepherd and will show you what He has deposited in you to fulfil your purpose on earth.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea

Habakuk 2:14

Friend, I want to let you know that we can all be part of God’s story and a great plan, no matter where we are in the world. We can still be a part of the movement of the church into society and being the hands and feet of God. You have been equipped with all you need, you’re exactly where you need to be for this season, so go forth and make disciples!

Suggestions:

Bible plan – Scattered Servants

Do You Fear The Lord?

Jerry Koo
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Do You Fear The Lord?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the Lord” is something that people don’t think about as much. Even as Christians, our predominant view of God being this loving Father that forgives our sins, sometimes leads us to shun the view that God is someone that is to be feared and show reverence to. And the more we shun it or avoid it, the more misconceptions we have about it. By doing so, we rob ourselves of endless wisdom and peace that comes from knowing Him and forfeit such knowledge. Hence why we must explore this theme of “the fear of the Lord”, whilst addressing these questions: What does the life of a person who fears the Lord look like? And what makes them fear the Lord?

But first, let’s go to Exodus and observe what a life that doesn’t fear the Lord looks like.

The life of a person that doesn’t fear God

Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time, I have sinned”, he said to them,” The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.”

Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the Lord. The thunder will stop, and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.”

– Exodus 9:27-30

This discourse took place after the seventh plague, the Plague of Hail. Pharaoh has witnessed countless times the frightening power and glory of God, but time after time, he hardens his heart and does not obey God. This time was no different. Though his speech displayed fear, his heart’s posture was not in line with his words. The following verses say, “as soon as the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again” (Exodus 9:34) Just as Moses said to Pharaoh, “You and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.”

This section gives us two important pieces of information:

  1. The fear of the Lord is not just paying lip service to God whilst it’s not reflected in our actions.
  2. The lack of fear of the Lord is not because of the lack of understanding of who God is.

Pharaoh witnessed first-hand what God can do, yet, even after the final plague, when all the firstborns of Egypt were killed; his heart was still as hard as a rock, and he did not fear God. Fear of God that comes from the fear that something bad is going to happen to you is not true fear of God and its not sustainable as displayed in Pharoah here “as soon as the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again” (Exodus 9:34) What motivates true fear of the Lord then? Let’s go to Genesis and observe the life of Abraham.

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The life of a person that fears God

“When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son”

– Genesis 22:9-12

When God tested Abraham’s faith by telling him to sacrifice Isaac, he obeyed God, and He said to him, “Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, you only son” (Genesis 22:12) In contrast to Pharaoh, Abraham demonstrated his fear of the Lord with action and his life testified it. But let’s have a closer look. What motivated this fear of the Lord? Was it fear that something bad will happen to him? No, the Bible tells us, Abraham’s motivation for obeying God was faith. “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son.” (Hebrews 11:17)

The fear of the Lord comes from faith

So, what fuels us to fear the Lord? It should be our faith in him. Both Pharaoh and Abraham knew about God and knew what He is capable of doing- but both had completely different responses. Pharaoh had his eyes only on himself, refusing to accept God’s way and trusting in his own ways. While Abraham trusted in God’s way and lived a life with the fear of the Lord. Acknowledging God’s way is better than his, Abraham was not motivated by fear of something bad happening to him if he didn’t obey- but obeyed because he had faith in God’s way.

To conclude, “the fear of the Lord” is a lifestyle that acknowledges God’s way is better than ours showing reverence to Him in everything we do. It is reflected in our daily decisions, actions and not just word only. The main motivation that enables us to live a life with “the fear of the Lord” is faith, as shown in Abraham’s life in contrast with Pharoah’s.

Hence how do we find “the fear of the Lord”? We seek for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, dig through our Bibles and hunger for His wisdom (Prov 2:3-6). Proclaiming that our ways are foolish and his ways are perfect, coming to His presence with all humility. Then we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God, for he is the source of wisdom and delights in giving it freely. Let’s begin our journey to learn how to live a lifestyle with “the fear of the Lord”.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting University

Oluwaseyi Sobogun
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5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting University

Congratulations! You are going to university or beginning a degree course. This can be a daunting experience with many unknowns as it is a journey to unfamiliar settings and a new environment. Although all exciting, we must be guided through this stage as it can, and will most likely, shake our comfortable foundations. On the other hand, it can provide numerous opportunities to establish community, make new friends and discover priorities. So with that in mind, here are a few things that can help you stay rooted.

1. Don’t be afraid to stand out

We are children of God, through Christ, saved by grace (Gal. 3:26). If we are unsure about who we are, this is a reminder. Jesus died for our sins on the cross of Calvary, He chose death so we can be dead in our sins. Then He resurrected so we can be alive in Him to live as new creations, set apart from the world (Rom. 6:1-11). We are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14), we cannot be conformed by the world. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Rom 12:2). It can be easy to blend in, especially on a campus of over 10,000 or more students. However, we have been called to stand out. It may feel like there is no one else thinking like us or who is seeking the Lord earnestly, but that is not true!

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2. Community matters

This leads to the next point which is community. I would say this is one of the most important aspects of the university experience, regardless of location. Who we surround ourselves with will have a drastic impact on our lives over the next 3-4 years, or even longer, as we tend to maintain contact with our university friends afterwards. So, who are we allowing to have an influence on us?

Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good character

1 Corinthians 15:33

Our community is vital. If you already have a strong community, you should remain as close to them as possible. Having said that, we need community in our immediate proximity. It can be isolating trying to walk this journey alone, or at distance, because truthfully we were not meant to (Ecc. 4:9-10). There is strength when we find others to walk together and so many societies and groups exist for like-minded people. Our first interactions may not be with Christians but we should ensure those we interact with the most share our values or at least have mutual respect and understanding. At the same time, do not allow yourself to be negatively influenced to commit sin under any circumstance. University doesn’t stop us from being who we are, and the best place to find community is within a church.

3. Find a local church early

At first, this may be a difficult task and we may feel more reluctant to attempt this task, especially if we have an established church community back home. Nonetheless, we need somewhere in our immediate surroundings to build relationships, have close fellowship, and discipleship, with accountability. The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for many of us to attend services online, but it is important to find a local church. We know the value of physical relationships, contact and in-person connections. We should not neglect this once we move away to university.

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near

Hebrews 10:25

Research and have a read of this article (A Guide to Finding a Good Church) to help in finding a suitable church to attend. Try to do this very early on in your arrival to build a habit of regular attendance before everything else takes over.

4. Know your priorities

The reason you are where you are right now is as a result of a choice, a decision made about the university and course. And everything has been ordained under Gods plan for your life to bring you to this location, for this purpose (Est. 4:14). Our hard work and dedication at this moment to our course and degrees can be an act of worship to God. We can reflect Christ through how we behave at university and how we conduct ourselves throughout our degrees. Therefore, we should not underestimate the influence our lifestyle, living for the glory of God, can have on others. (1 Tim. 4:12).

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

1 Corinthians 15:58

5. Enjoy the experience

Living for the glory of God, saved by the wonderful grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing eternity is our promise is a joy to behold (Rom. 5:2). When we are working unto the Lord and not man (Col. 3:23), we can relax. Why? Because we are not seeking approval or trying to set a standard, we work from a place of approval, we work for God and we enjoy the work of our hand (1 Thess. 2:4). There is a lot to be experienced at university, we should enjoy it. But never forget, our true enjoyment is when we see Jesus face to face and we hear, well done good and faithful servant.

To Those Who Feel Far Away From God

Jerry Koo
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To Those Who Feel Far Away From God

Yes, God has made me realise my utter incompetence to earn salvation through my works. I am brought to my knees when I think about this free gift of faith that is given by God. That there is now no condemnation and for just as Christ died, I have died to sin and now I am alive in Christ. I am now a follower of Christ and live for him and him alone. But! Why do I live as if I haven’t received this faith, I still continue my old sinful lifestyle as if nothing has changed? I still panic and am anxious when things are looking bad in my life. Where is my faith? How do I practice my faith and walk in the way of the Lord?

What is the nature of faith?

Well to answer that, we need to know what the nature of faith is. Is it something that comes into practice automatically, like the central heating once we set it to a certain temperature it just automatically heats up when needed or is it a conscious action that we need to continuously practice? The Bible answers that question in Luke 8:22-25.

“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying,” Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him”

Luke 8: 22-25

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Faith is an action

This is a well-known scenario where Jesus and His disciples were on a boat and a storm came and the disciples panicked and woke Jesus up. Jesus after rebuking the winds and the waves, He asked the disciples where their faith was. What is fascinating about this question is that where Jesus asks “Where is your faith?”, implies that Jesus knew that they had faith, as we all know is a gift from God, but where was it? The disciples didn’t practice their faith and instead panicked. If faith was an automatic thing that kicks in when we have trial and tribulation, the disciples wouldn’t have been in trouble in the first place. They wouldn’t have panicked and Jesus wouldn’t have needed to ask them, “where is your faith?”

The verses show us that faith isn’t passive but rather an action- it needs to be practised. The next question we should ask is, how do we practice our faith then? We are able to find the answer using the same few verses by observing what the disciples didn’t do.

Reminding ourselves who God is

The disciples saw the storm and as it grew heavier and heavier, they started to panic, and they didn’t realize that they didn’t really have a reason to panic because Jesus Christ was in the boat with them. They had forgotten the miracles, the love, and authority they witnessed first-hand and panicked as the trial came.

How often that is the case for us as Christians, when things are not going our way or things suddenly happen, we tend to forget what God has done throughout our lives and start panicking. How often do we forget all about God in our daily lives as we go about our lives as faithless people and put our faith for show only when Sunday comes?

That is the time we need to ask ourselves “Where is our faith?” and stop to remind ourselves of who God is. That He is all sovereign and nothing is beyond His control and He cares for His children, and remind ourselves of who we are. We are God’s children that are redeemed by the blood of Christ and we live for him. We are ambassadors of Christ, and “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

May our faith dictate every action in our daily lives, and the key for doing so is through growing in understanding of who God is through the Bible. Building a relationship with Him and reminding ourselves constantly; What a great God we have.

Failure is Not The End of Gods Plan

Oluwaseyi Sobogun
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Failure is Not The End of Gods Plan

Nobody likes to fail. Failing can be more difficult to comprehend when we have worked hard towards the goal, exam or test and it doesn’t work out. It is disheartening and we are well within our rights to be upset. But what if there is a greater opportunity to trust God in our failures. This is an article to help you find hope and trust in God despite failure. Also, show how our failure does not mean the end of Gods plan for our life.

Failure happens

I have failed. I have failed an exam, I failed a subject and I have failed on numerous other occasions. Failure can leave us without any hope or belief in our own abilities or the plans of God. It can even be easy to blame God during our failures as to ask “why did I fail when you have a plan?”. However, what if this failure was the moment that birthed our testimony? There are examples of God using the failings of people in the bible to launch them into purpose. I am not saying that we should fail on purpose, so God can use it, but I am saying, when we do fail, God can and most definitely will use it as failure can be a catalyst for change.

Truthfully, as much as we attempt to categorically avoid it, there may come a point in life where we fail something. The aspiration is that we have a hope greater than our failures and we are not defined by them. We fail only one moment or situation or test, not life. We do not have to constantly carry out failures. As the Word says to lay our burdens down (Psalm 55:22), we can lay our failings too. And we should. 

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

Finding Hope

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, failed a crucial test at the moment where it seemed to matter the most. In Marks gospel, Peter and the other disciples are with Jesus, eating the Passover meal (Mark 14:22-26). As Jesus explains what is to happen and how everyone will fall away, Peter speaks up vehemently declaring that although everyone will leave, He will not (v.31). The test placed before Peter was if despite what the Lord had said, He would stick to His word. Later in the chapter, the moment of the test arrives and unfortunately, Peter denies Jesus (v.70). He fails this test. We can see Peters dismay at the outcome even though He believed He was prepared (v.72). Sadly, we can be as prepared as possible yet still fail. Nevertheless, this example is reassuring because of the close relationship between Peter and Jesus. We too have a closeness with Jesus through our salvation which is why we can learn from this story.

For Peter, this failure may have seemed detrimental to completing the purpose Jesus had previously declared over his life when He said, “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). And sometimes failing can cause us to believe we will not meet expectations and start believing we cannot access God’s best. However, on Jesus’ return, He restores Peter and lets Him know he can still be the rock, by asking Him to feed his sheep, then to follow Him, as before. To Jesus, the plan remained unchanged and Peter’s purpose was still the same.

Trusting God

Although Peter was upset at the events that had transpired, once Jesus assured him of the plan over his life, Peter let go of his failure. He walked into the purpose, with what I could only assume was more solid determination, to become one of the founding people in the Christian faith. The book of Acts documents how he boldly declared the name of Jesus and preached the gospel through adversity. We cannot allow ourselves to wallow in our failures when we believe in an omnipotent, omniscient God. 

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Numbers 23:1

No failure can get in the way of an almighty God. His plans are for good, not to harm us, to give us a hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). There is hope in Jesus Christ, a future in eternity and a promise that God will work all things out for our good, even if it does not feel like it. Trust God in your failure, let Him show you what He can do.

How Do We Respond to the Situation in Afghanistan?

Chude Obuaya
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How Do We Respond to the Situation in Afghanistan?

In the last couple of weeks, the news has been dominated by the hostile takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban. The images that have surfaced as the situation unfolds has been distressing. Thousands are flocking to Kabul airport in the hope of fleeing the country, women and children are locking themselves in their homes and fatal casualties have occurred due to Taliban violence; the scenes are nothing short of horrific. There is much discussion as to whether the US government made the right decision of withdrawing their troops. Additionally, there is a long history of tension between those pro- and anti-Taliban within Afghanistan. The complexity of this historical tension and its present out-workings are beyond the scope of this article. However, we do not need an in-depth understanding of the circumstances to clothe our hearts with compassion. Image bearers are currently in a position where they are helpless and at the mercy of terrorists. How will we respond?

War Against Indifference


In this age of social media, we are likely to encounter more information than ever before. World events that will not make mainstream news we encounter by scrolling through our Twitter feed. Having access to so much information can be helpful because it enables us to engage with people and communities, we would otherwise be ignorant of. Having access to so much information can be harmful because our initial concern can descend into indifference. If a photo or video becomes too distressing, we can just close the page and move on, forgetting that we saw such horrific scenes. Now, whilst I am not encouraging endless absorption of traumatic content, I would like to alert us to the danger of indifference. When we do encounter these traumatic events, what do we think? Do we see the sufferers (and the perpetrators) as image-bearers (Genesis 1:26)? Or is it simply none of my business? Are we plagued with individualism, the endemic pervasive within contemporary culture? I would like to cast our minds to the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Three men saw a man in need. Two of the men responded to the need with indifference, The other responded with compassion (Luke 10:31-33). Which one are we? When we see the images that surface from the scenes in Afghanistan, how do we respond – with indifference or compassion?

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

What Can I Do?


There are 3,545 miles between the UK and Afghanistan. Even those most passionate about social justice can feel increasingly powerless to create change. Whilst this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are some suggestions as to what Christians can do to support those in need.


1. Develop good theology on the Imago Dei. This might seem like a strange way to start, but it is arguably the most important step to take. Every single human that has ever been created has been made in the image of God, to reflect and behold the glory of God. So, wicked acts against humans ultimately declare the heart of the person towards God. Since humans are the crowning point of creation, to destroy or diminish what God created is to say I hate God and His glory. To be indifferent towards the crowning point of creation is to say I don’t care about God or His glory. Is this you?


2. Pray. You may not have the resources to help refugees escape from Afghanistan, but you can pray. Prayer is the means by which God providentially acts within the affairs of humans. In Luke 18, a widow pleaded incessantly to a wicked judge to grant her justice against her enemy. She pleaded until the judge gave in. If consistent pleading can change the heart of a wicked judge, what will the consistent pleading of the righteous cause a virtuous Judge to do?


3. Give. Where our treasure is there our hearts are also (Matthew 6:21). Whilst praying is paramount, it can be used as a copout. What we give our money to, usually indicates who our god is. Find reputable charities or churches that are doing ‘on the ground’ work to support the refugees fleeing the country or the residents remaining in Afghanistan.


4. Lament. Indifference doesn’t always come from a lack of care externally but also from a lack of care internally. Consuming significant amounts of traumatic content without processing the information is not good for our soul. We have emotions not to control us but to direct us to the One who can help us make sense of all the noise. Lament says instead of being angry about God, I will take my anger to God, allow Him to comfort me and finally lead me on the path to hope. If you need to lament, spend some time in the Psalms. It will do your soul much good.

There is so much wickedness in this world and at times it can be overwhelming. Whilst we may be overwhelmed, we will overcome. Victory is ours through Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:14). Sin and Satan will not get the last laugh. Whilst we await that final victory, let us not meander our way to the finish line. We have too much hope to be indifferent.

Your Spiritual High Will Not Last

Chude Obuaya
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Your Spiritual High Will Not Last

Growing up in a Pentecostal church there was much emphasis on experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. There were often deliverance services, all-night prayer and worship conferences to achieve this goal and refresh the believer. This desire remains amongst many Christians. Christians desire to be spiritually filled during an event or service that will spur them into a deeper, more consistent walk with God. However, this event – a “spiritual high” – often does not last and many Christians revert to square one. Christians are then left scouring for the next opportunity to regain that spiritual high they felt. Were we made to wait for tangible experiences of the Holy Spirit to feel empowered to live out the gospel imperatives or are we able to live empowered irrespective of these experiences?

How Quickly We Forget

A common theme throughout the Scriptures is the forgetfulness of God’s people. In the Old Testament, Israel (God’s covenant people) often forgot the faithfulness of God and reverted to sinful pleasures that God delivered them from (Deuteronomy 9:7-8, Isaiah 51:12-13). In the New Testament, the Epistles continuously exhort the churches addressed to put off the old self and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10). These reminders are necessary since God’s covenant people, both old and new, often forget the faithfulness of God in the past. One place in scripture where this is evident is in the book of Judges. Shortly after Joshua died, God commissioned the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites so they could obtain the land promised to them (Judges 1:1-2). The Israelites fail to obey God and do not drive the inhabitants out of the land (Judges 1:27-34). An angel of the Lord then appears to the Israelites to declare judgment on the people as a result of their disobedience (Judges 2:1-3). Upon hearing these words, the Israelites cry out in repentance and attempt to appease God with sacrifices (Judges 2:4-5). Whilst Joshua was alive the people obeyed God (Judges 2:7), once he died a whole generation grew that didn’t know God nor the works He had done (Judges 2:10). It was as if the Israelites were in need of constant spiritual highs to remain faithful. So, not only did their forgetfulness adversely affect their generation, but it also affected the next.

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

We Must Remember

If we rely on spiritual highs, we will miss out on the day-to-day power that is readily available through the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended, He said that He won’t leave us as orphans but that there was a Helper that was on the way (John 14:15-18). This promise should drive us to hope because we don’t have to experience God in part but in full. We don’t have to settle for moments of the tangible presence of God at a conference or a worship night, to feel empowered to live holy lives. God does not save us and then leave us to our devices, granting us crumbs of His presence to empower us for a short while. God fills each saved one with Himself, so each believer has unhindered access to the same Spirit that raised Jesus (Romans 8:11).

We are promised that each day if we walk with the Holy Spirit, we will not gratify the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). We are promised that when resources are low, we don’t have to fret because God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:8). We are promised that when we feel that the world is against us, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ (Romans 8:37-38). The message of the gospel is not that you get moments of freedom, but that in Christ you have total freedom. You don’t have to wait till the next revival night at your church to experience the intimacy that Jesus promises. Instead, the scriptures remind us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Spiritual highs won’t sustain you, but if you’re in Christ, God will.

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