“I am a move of God!”

Last week God blessed us richly during the Officers’ Development Conference in Eastern Europe. The last time all officers in the territory took part in this kind of event was in 2013, so it was great to have an opportunity to meet in this way. Anointed by The holy spirit, our guests, Commissioners Heidi and Brad Bailey, shared from their knowledge, experience and hearts in a way that moved us all. The theme for the conference was related to our focus on momentum, and in one of the sessions Commissioner Brad shared this quote from William Booth:

“I am not waiting for a move of God; I am a move of God!”

A vital part of the DNA of a disciple of Jesus is captured in this statement. God is the impulse, and a disciple moves on that impulse and becomes ‘a move of God’!

Paul was very clear that his identity is in Christ, but also focused on the fact that Christ lived in him:

… it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Gal 2:20

During the conference last week, we used the song “We are Jesus in our time!” (1), which I wrote in 2014 together with Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek (2). The text tries to capture the mystery that you and I are his body in the world today and the radical conclusion is that we therefore become ‘Jesus’ in our time right where we are.

On the day of Pentecost God moved in such a way that I do not need to wait for another move. When we have received The holy spirit, he lives in us and we can all say:

‘Manna’ for today:

I am a move of God!

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(1) Jesus in our time

When Jesus comes to town and passes down my local street, 
Will my neighbours even notice the event?
Yet there's an awesome mystery that all believers meet:
It is me, it is me he has sent!

Our Master has a strategy,quite radical, by far:We are 'Jesus' (3x) In our time, Where we are.

When Jesus takes the risk of using me and you today,
I can hardly understand it, but he dares!
Thank God, he's also promised he will guide us on our way,
So I know, so I know that he cares.

When Jesus asks me to reveal his love for all to see,
Will my answer be reliable and true?
'When I walk through your town' he asks 'wherever you may be,
Will they see, will they see me in you?'

(2) Link to the sheet music

Whose gift is it?

NORSK
When I am teaching on the subject of spiritual gifts, I have on rare occasion used questionnaires which are created to help people to find their gifting. The reason why it has become rare, is that I think that their usefulness is limited. The questionnaires are good because they demystify the subject; and they are good because they contribute to keeping a focus on an important resource available for all Christians.

However, I am afraid that they can limit the Spirit’s work in and through us by focus on “What is your spiritual gift?” Because is a spiritual gift really my gift?

Yes, I know that Peter said to the lame man:

“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Acts 3:6

But I am convinced that Peter did not consider it to be his gift. He was 100% dependent on the Spirit.

When people ask me if I have any spiritual gift, I prefer to answer “No”. Because even though people have been healed as a result of prayer, it has nothing to do with me. If it had, it should have happened every time I prayed for healing. Spiritual gifts belong to the Spirit.

Paul saw several people healed when he prayed for them, but I am sure even he many times did not see the result he wanted – I am sure he had prayed for Timothy’s stomach trouble without success (1). He had also health issues himself (2) – and even though I believe his ‘thorn in the flesh’ refers to persecution, his prayers were answered with: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (3)

PauI prophesied, but even so, he was aware of the limitations:

We know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, what is partial will be brought to an end.
1 Cor 13:9-10

The perfect is yet to come, but that did not stop Paul, nor should it stop us searching for the gifts, because:

‘Manna’ for today:

The Spirit is perfect, and it is in him we move.

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(1) 1 Timothy 5:23
(2) Galatians 4:13-15
(3) 2 Corinthians 12:9

Why did God choose The Salvation Army? #3

NORSK
I believe God chose The Salvation Army because he needed not only the prophetic voice of those whose hearts were fully committed to him, but also their prophetic actions. I guess that many who read ‘their prophetic actions’, immediately think about the social ministry of The Salvation Army. This is of course very important, but in this field we are far from being lonely activists. Down through the history of the Church, many Christians from different traditions have had focus on the diaconal side of Christian living, and in doing so contributed to making the faith credible.

I believe God chose to strengthen and bless William and Catherine Booth, because he saw the potential of Catherine’s prophetic voice and action, and that William would be ready to support her. So I think the third answer to the question above is:

3) God chose TSA because everyone who receives the call has the same right to ministry(1)

This view is closely related to holiness simply because there is no holiness outside of Christ. Paul describes our status in Jesus Christ in this way:

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal. 3:28

In other words, it is contradictory to holiness and to the essence of what Jesus is all about if people in a church are limited because of their race, social status or gender. In our movement a saved person from the gutter or the prison, should be worthy the same trust as a saved person with a spotless record and university degrees. In fact, sometimes it has taken longer for representatives from the latter group to be accepted, which was the case for Samuel Logan Brengle.

The same attitude of equality relates to ethnic background and to gender. When we read the history of the Church, a general observation is that women have not been treated as equal to men with regard to the right to ministry.

I am convinced that it has been in the devil’s interest to keep it this way. Therefore, God chose to bless TSA because he wants to mobilize women, single or married. This is still a challenge even in our own movement. There is a tendency to give the leading positions to men rather than women. This tendency becomes particularly evident when appointments are given to married couples. So, for the sake of the mission and a desire to keep God’s blessing upon our movement, we are now making efforts to ensure that our rules and practices are in line with the rules and practices in Christ.
‘Manna’ for today:

What is right in Christ, is right in the church

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(1) The whole series:
# 1 God chose TSA because of people with a calling and a passion!
# 2 God chose TSA because we focus on the fact that everyone is called!
# 3 God chose TSA because everyone who receives the call has the same right to ministry
# 4 God chose TSA because we focus on the content of the baptism and the agape meal,

# 5 God chose TSA because we have a holistic view

The important identity - a time for everything *

NORSK
Yesterday, I wrote about confident identity and confirmation. Identity is about who I am. When the identity is threatened, it is easy to get into a position of defence. The safer I am in my identity, the greater threats I can handle.

The question of identity is complex because we often have many roles. For example, I'm happy to be Norwegian, but that does not mean that it is better than having a different nationality. I'm glad to be a man, but that does not mean it's better than being a woman.

In Christ, we are 'one' (2), and the amazing thing is that this “identity of unity” does not wipe out diversity. On the contrary. Because we are united in Christ there is an acceptance of differences and diversity.

In the dialogue with the disciples before the crucifixion, Jesus was clear on his own identity and that he was confident with regard to the suffering that he soon should face. The same confidence can be mine when I have my identity in him:

“Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16: 32b-33

‘Manna’ for today

Identity in Christ gives peace at heart

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(1) One family, with Norwegian identity and a Danish citizen in the middle. Congratulations, it was a great confirmation, Adam!
(2) Gal 3:28 
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the ime between Easter and Pentecost

He does it anyway ... - a time for everything *

NORSK
Today, I return to the theme of ‘praying in the name of Jesus’, because it is important, and because Jesus returned to the theme himself:

In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
John 16:26

I think Jesus primarily is speaking about the fact that after ‘that day’ we have direct access to Father. After ‘that day’, his role as a ‘mediator’ is not necessary in my interaction with God. For, as Paul wrote: “A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one” (1). The role of Jesus as a mediator was necessary for my salvation and my new life in Him. However, where the new life lives, there is direct access to the whole deity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

Nevertheless, it is comforting and good to know that:

Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Rom 8:34b

Even though I do not need to use him as a mediator, he still continues to intercede for me. The Spirit does the same, and ‘in the name of Jesus’, my spirit can pray together with them ‘through wordless groans’ (2).

‘Manna’ for today:

In the name of Jesus: ‘wordless groans’. Amen!

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(1) Gal 3:20
(2) Romans 8:26
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the ime between Easter and Pentecost 

Expert help with correction of mistakes

NORSK

I am aware of the fact that I make a lot of mistakes. Allow me to limit the example to the “art of writing”. On my present PC, I have not been able to get the spelling control work in Norwegian when I write a Word-document, which is the base-document for my blogging. So, even though I proof-read, mistakes slip through and disturb the point I want to make. I have sought expert help, but so far without success.

In the childhood of IT-technology, the user-guides for software were often called ‘bibles’. They contained advises when something had gone wrong and needed to be corrected. I think this is a neat introduction to today’s expert advice from Paul:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for … rebuking, correcting … 2 Tim 3:16-17

I am impressed by how Paul was consistent in the way he gave advise. This trait is also seen in his focus on the role of the Spirit in the process of leading people to the truth. This is definitely true for the God-breathed Scriptures, which often will prove to be sufficient as far as people seek guidance there. However, situations will occur when God has to use an individual to lead people “back on track”. For this person it is equally important to be God-breathed, as it is for the Scriptures he or she relates to. Paul wrote about this too:

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
Gal 6:1

I am convinced that if we gave more room to the Holy Spirit, there would be fewer mistakes both in the first line and in the support systems of the church.

‘Manna’ for today

It is all about more room for the Spirit

Reflect on what I am saying

NORSK
Is this instruction an expression of arrogance, or does this clear message Paul gave Timothy contain more information than the first obvious interpretation?

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
2 Timothy 2:7

I admit that I am fascinated by Paul. He is a complex individual, and sometimes he makes statements that may seem a little arrogant. However, arrogance does not match the overall picture I have of him. He admitted openly that “now I know in part” (1), and on one occasion, he also indicated that he shared his personal judgement, and continued with “and I think that I too have the Spirit of God” (2). This last statement may indicate that it is a response to one or more who were of a different opinion and who used the argument “and we have the Spirit of God!”.

It is interesting that we can have strong disagreements, yet have the same Spirit. Paul had been in such situations on several occasions (3). Perhaps there had been a disagreement between him and Timothy too?

But he did not ask more from Timothy than just to reflect on what he wrote. He left it to the Lord to give Timothy the insights he needed, and I think Paul was humble enough to acknowledge that these insights could be different from the ones he had received himself.

‘Manna’ for today:

I will reflect on the word, and the Lord will give the insight I need!

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(1) 1 Cor 13:12
(2) 1 Cor 7:39-40
(3) See e.g. Acts 15:37-41 and Galatians 2:11-14

Join in suffering!

In Christian faith there are many mysteries, and suffering is one of them. Although Pa­ul, through his ministry saw many people healed from diseases and different kinds of suffering, he was very clear that he did not consider the life of a disciple to be a life without suffering. He had experienced a lot of suffering, persecution and torture, but also physical suffering caused by disease (1). 

In his letters to Timothy, Paul touched this theme several times, even as an encouragement to join in suffering as a part of the mission:

“join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:8b

The big difference between suffering in general and the suffering Paul wrote about, is that it is linked to the gospel, and the gospel is linked with power. After his salvation, Paul never doubted the power of the Gospel (2). Facing suffering, or the "thorn in the flesh", which is probably a reference to all the persecution he endured, he experienced that "power is made perfect in weakness" (3).

Many people have made the same experience. They are never stronger than when they are weak. I have also been there. It's a strange place to be, but God is there.

'Manna' for today:

I am strong when I am weak.

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(1) Gal 4:13-14
(2) Rom 1:16
(3) 2 Cor 12:9

What about “everything else?”

NORSK

If everything that is not vital is taken away, and I am left with "the gospel in a nutshell" as described yesterday's reflection, what about “everything else”? I must admit that this question is one of the most challenging questions I have as a Christian leader, and it is also one of the areas where Paul may seem like an enigma.

When I interpret Paul, it can be confusing if one passage is read in isolation. Paul is very concerned that we are no longer under the law but under grace (1), but in the next moment, he makes clear exhortations with regard to interactions between Christians. I find this in many of his letters. One example: To the Corinthians he wrote:

God has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Cor 3:6

However, no other church received so much rebuke from Paul as the Corinthians. He confronted them in strong words for their lifestyle, influenced by adultery and internal conflicts – or to use my phrase: "everything else."

“Everything else” does not concern the foundation of salvation, it is about living. That does not necessarily make it simpler, because some behavioural matters are culturally determined, while others may be pragmatic and strategic choices for achieving the most important goal.
 
Paul’s letter to Philemon proves this. It reveals that Paul sees the "master" Philemon and the "slave" Onesimus as equal brothers in Christ, but he hesitates to ‘order’ Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother and not as slave, but he appeals to him to do it on the basis of love (2).

I think it is because transformed people will transform society gradually. The history of revivals show that transformed people can revolutionize a society. While revolutions caused by political revolt, does not have the same effect on the people inflicted.

This is important to keep in mind when I look closer at the interaction between Paul and Timothy. Tomorrow will look at some exhortations about church life.

'Manna' for today:

The less important must never overshadow the most important

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(1) Gal 5:6

(2) Philemon1:8-10