Affirmation gives confidence in ministry

NORSK
Yesterday I read how Paul “passed the baton” to Timothy. Paul had on several occasions confirmed Timothy both in personal words and greetings, but also by reminding him of the prophecies made about him. This affirmation gave Timothy authority and confidence for the ministry he had already taken on, and the challenges ahead.

by them (the affirmations) you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience
1 Tim 1:18b-19a

Faith is a precondition for all work in the kingdom of God, and when leadership roles are in focus, it is extremely important that the conscience is a vital part of the decision-making. If not, it can quickly end up with abuse of power. Following up the quoted verse, Paul mentions that some have rejected the conscience. 

These are really difficult verses, where Paul states that he has delivered them to Satan. However, it appears that this is not done in revenge, but rather that it will lead to repentance. This is also God's way of passing judgement. He leaves people to their own lack of judgment and their own misdeeds (1). There are many who then will come to “their senses” and return “home” (2). I have met some of them.

Today I am reminded of the importance to affirm disciples in general and particularly those who are going into special ministries in the Kingdom. They need it to wage the good warfare, having faith and good conscience.

Today 'manna':

By affirmations you may wage the good warfare

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(1) “Since they didn’t think it was worthwhile to acknowledge God, God abandoned them to a defective mind” Rom 1:28a
“Their own way I have recompensed on their heads”
Ezek 22:31
(2) The Parable of the Lost Son

It is about a river

NORSK
… and I believe that there are many depths in this river. 

Again the thoughts go back to the opening of the zonal conference in Athens. Polis and Maria tell about the dream that lead them back to their home country to start the Salvation Army’s mission. The stories are packed with images. They see themselves solely as links in a chain. Yet, the day when the Victoria Square, close to the corps, was filled with several thousand refugees, is a definite turning-point.

Maria describes the stream of refugees as a “river flowing through Europe”, a river of need, longing and hope. Where the need is, there is Jesus, and he needs us. “I will not just put my hand in that river”, says Maria, “I want to swim in it!” – and we who listen, know that she means it.

I see the river streaming from the throne of God, a river that mix with the flood of refugees and communicates faith, hope and love. My thoughts go to Ezekiel 47 and the river of life; the river that grows so big that you eventually have to swim. The water in the river makes dead water fresh, and…

Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.
Ezek 47:9

A river runs through Europe. It is God's time for the nations. It is time for the ‘other’ trinity to reveal himself and spread a holy hope (1).

‘Manna’ for today

I want to be part of the running river!

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(1) = God + disciple + the world