The Harvest Quest
A Quest for The Renewal of the Nations till .
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How are we blessed by God?

10/6/2013

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John ch 6:5-8
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

In attended a service this morning, and it was very meaningful. A young preacher in his third year at Regent's Bible College delivered the sermon from the verses I have quoted.

His approach was not the usual. He spoke about the feeding of the five thousand around the  boy's actions! The boy brings his entire ration. Five loaves and 2 small fish. John writes that the loaves were made of Barley. Poor peoples food, usually used for animal feed.

How we underestimate small things. The important thing is that God looks at the offering of our hearts. We may not be powerful teachers, preachers or highly educated, but required to give sacrificially, such as we have. And Jesus received it and multiplied it to feed thousands. Don't devalue or underestimate what God will do with such as you have to bring of yourself.  God will bless others through such means and so we are blessed by a faith that grows.

Humanly speaking, we would have dismissed the little boy and his humble ration. Especially in our rationalistic age! God chose the foolish things to bring blessing. A wiry boy called David, became King. God saw looked within Gideon, and saw a mighty person of valour.  Again, as mentioned elsewhere on this website: St Paul writes to the Corinthians: " So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! "

How frequently do leaders in the churches devalue people and their gifts. So often overlooked due to lack of education,  position in the corporate world. I don't think God is impressed when titles and letters behind a person's name are criteria for service! "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."(2Cor4:7)

A Hymn ci

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Loyalty to Christ?

2/6/2013

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"Or am I still trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
-- Galatians 1:10

A difficult period for the Galatians, facing external pressures to conform to the old established tradition. Conform to a new form of Phariseeism - conform to what the most eloquent speakers say. Which develops into an us and THEM situation, condescending by nature.We face the same issues today.

The Church is tempted to follow majority opinion, what is acceptable to the culture, society, our social standing Pleasing people rather than God. Paul speaks in his letter about the evil ways of the present age. It is not the obvious things that can distract us from pleasing God, but the subtle, subliminal conditioning we my live under.  What is considered " normal" in our community, local folk customs and acquired religion,fears to be seen reaching out to the unlovely, the outcast or someone not of our social standing. What will our community think. "We have never done this before!"

It is costly to follow Christ and obey. Believers suffering persecution over the ages and today attest to this. The all- embracing love of God in Christ is sacrificial. The true fast as in Isaih 58. (Read the Homepage statement again) We want revival the easy way. It's easy to spiritualize and be comfortable.

The text clearly stated that we can't be people-pleasers,  peace-keepers AND a true follower of Christ. When we constantly conform, we cease to be a disciple!?

What is Holy Spirit prompting you to do? Jesus said he only did what the Father told him. When we do and offer God's love in this way, then people will believe us. We should not have a problem with our church communities growing. When we are together as the local church, living in selfless LOVE, our message will speak to a the larger community that hungers for authenticity.
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Launch Of New Website - The Harvest Quest.

18/5/2013

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A short first post to say after many weeks the site is launched. I have not been hugely active in the online social networks at all, so this is really the first venture. I hope to post items of interest regularly - thoughts, reviews, challenges, resources and events. I would appreciate relevant feedback, comments and input.

Every blessing,
Chris
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    Chris is an ordained minister from South Africa, living in Scotland and has been in the United Kingdom for over 16 years.

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