·         LEAVE VENGENCE TO GOD

Paul wrote, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Rom. 12:14) … “Do not repay anyone evil for evil” (17) … “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men” (18). Those pastor’s sons ought to have known that Paul explicitly forbids the believer taking personal vengeance (19a). Wrath and vengeance are prerogatives of God (19b) which he delegates to civil government (Rom. 13:4), not to the individual. This is not new. It has always been so for the people of God (Deut. 32:35).

·         DO GOOD FOR YOUR ENEMY

Again Paul writes, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” (Rom. 12:20). But this too is not unique to the “Christian dispensation”. It has always been the believer’s duty to behave so (Prov. 25:21, 22). This proverb was written by King Solomon who wrote, in Ecclesiastes 3:8, “There is … a time for war and a time for peace.” He lived under a law which allowed a man to use deadly force to defend his property (Exodus 22:2) and spoke both of defending the needy and crushing the oppressor (Psa. 72:1-4).

·         A TIME FOR WAR?

Scripture cannot contradict Scripture. Paul’s injunction to do good to one’s enemy implies that there are at least two different categories of enemies. The first is like an angry neighbour whose settled disposition is against you. He or she snipes at you and is always on your case. Such a person may be won over by your acts of kindness – and if not the Lord will reward you. This is a far cry from prohibiting one from defending oneself or one’s family against a mugger or a rapist or defending one’s country against a foreign invader: such a time may well be a time for war.

We will have a closer look at what Jesus had to say next time.

He says that goals are usually said to be “long-term”, “mid-term”, and “short-term.” They should begin with “eternity”.

When it comes to eternity he suggests we consider two questions which will help us focus upon our goals for eternity (to be honest, I have edited the questions slightly to reflect my own theological bias):

• Do you know for sure that you have “eternal life”?

• If God were to ask you, “Why should I let you into My Kingdom?” what would you say?

When it comes to our Long-Term Goals, North asks us to participate in something of a mind game. “Imagine your 70th birthday party.” [Editors note - for some of you it may have to be your 90th!]  “The family has gathered. You are to give a 7-minute speech on what you have accomplished, how you accomplished it, and why you think you made the correct choices. What will you say?”

I would add, What Bible verses (If any) will you use to back up what you are saying?

After what may have been years of searching, Solomon summed up the meaning of life this way: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

How do your long-term goals measure up to this?

“Sunday schools seem set for the chopping block. Education Minister Chris Carter has confirmed that a gathering of three children under adult supervision constitutes an early childhood education unit, so must be fully licensed. That would see Sunday schools follow gym creches into oblivion.

National Party Associate Education spokeswoman Paula Bennett says that is silly, as often parents are in the same building or just next door. She says parents know what is best for their children.

Paula Bennett says Sunday schools are perfectly safe environments, where parents know exactly what their children are doing.”

It is probably a beat – up; an off hand remark latched on to by the opposition to score political points. It does however show how fragile our Christian freedoms are.

Our Advent Christian brothers and sisters in Myanmar are experiencing persecution at present. They are being forced to meet in secret. If they are found and sent to jail it is likely that they will never return.

Hebrews 13:3 tells us:  “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”

We should also remember in prayer those who are suffering, not because of human governments, but because we live in a sin stained broken world where sickness and death hold sway.

As Paul said, we Christians are the body of Christ, here at home together or around the world: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1Cor. 12:26).  

We also talked about the need for leadership and the further development of leadership training resources. We were all challenged to follow Jesus’ “Servant Model of Leadership” and in turn challenge others to do likewise.

 ”You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45).

This is quite a calling!

Here the supermarket security guards carry guns. “Kid, move away from the lollies!” Here the trolleys have four wheels which move in all directions making the trolleys weave all over the aisle (at least when I’m driving). It does however make it easy to get out of a tight corner. The check out queue operates on the same rules as the road, if you can get your nose in front you have right of way.

Coke is here as it is everywhere! The Supermarket prices (when translated into NZ$) don’t seem so different to the prices at home. Without really thinking, I asked Rhonda Walsh how many Filipinos can afford to live. The answer is, of course, that many Filipinos have never been to the Supermarket. They buy their food at the markets.
It’s like two separate worlds! One world, when you strip away all the incidentals, is very similar to mine. The other, I can hardly imagine. The little I have seen of this other world, however, is enough to convince me that I am very blessed.