Apollos

I've been reading about Apollos, Aquila and Priscilla in Acts 18 and I am struck by their relationship. 

Apollos was an 'eloquent' man, 'competent in the scriptures', he had, 'been instructed in the way of the Lord' and 'spoke boldly'. He was a confident, knowledgeable preacher. That's what you want in a preacher right? Someone who knows what they are talking about and who is confident in it? 

Yet, he was missing something. Aquila and Priscilla heard him speak, and realised he hadn't quite got a full grasp of, 'the way of God'. It was obvious to them through listening to him that he'd not quite understood all of what following God meant. So, what did they do? Did they heckle him, publicly correct him, tell other people of his error? No, they, 'took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately'. They showed respect and kindness, they didn't shout him down or publicly shame him, even though some of what he was saying wasn't quite right. Instead they recognised that this man, Apollos, had a lot going for him. They saw his potential, and they directed him to understand God better. How loving is that. They took time and effort so that Apollos would have a greater ministry than before, and so that he more fully understood what he was preaching.

On the other side, we have Apollos. Apollos allowed Aquila and Priscilla to instruct him, to teach him. The powerful preacher humbled himself, he was teachable. 

I admire these three, because they show a depth of relationship, a kinship, that we often miss. 

They watched out for each other, in a loving, caring, non-judgemental way. They were not afraid to point out errors or misunderstanding, in fact they faced them. They all responded so well to each other. 

This is something I need to learn. I hate being told I'm wrong. I hate it. I don't respond well to someone pointing out when I've not got something right (even though half the time I probably know they're right). I hate it because I feel judged. I feel like I'm not good enough and I feel a failure and I feel rejected. 

So I'm asking myself, how do I respond like Apollos?

I don't have the answer, I'm just asking the question.

I know I need to grow through this. I want to be confident enough in myself to accept that it's ok to not be right 100% of the time. 

It takes great strength to be able to accept correction. Maybe I'm not that strong despite how I might appear. 

Please God,

Help me to be more like Apollos, less like myself. Help me to accept the Aquillas and Priscillas in my life to guide me where I need it. Help me to not be brittle or defensive, but to be strong enough to admit that I'm not always right, that I do have more to learn and I need people to help me. 

Next Steps

Acts 16:6-10

'6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.'

When I read the above section of verses, I noticed four things; perseverance, problems, process and promise.

We are all on a journey, this journey of life, and like any good journey there will be ups and downs. 

The guys making the journey above certainly hit problems. Initially, everywhere they tried to go the door shut. Do you ever feel like that? No matter how hard you try things don't work out? Problems! 

Yet these men, they didn't give up - they persevered. The places they'd tried to go to must of taken months to travel between if not longer, but they kept going. That must of been hard, frustrating, disappointing, yet they persevered through the process. 

How did they do it? 

I don't know that there's any easy answer here, but they must of had faith. If you read before this chapter, you'd soon realise these men were faith-filled, spirit-filled men of God who knew their mission. I'm sure they got grumpy and despondent along the way, who wouldn't? But they kept going, they persevered through the problems. 

These men knew they had been called to preach the gospel, they knew that was their mission, so, they stepped out and did it. They took logical, practical steps towards this purpose. God had called them to do something and they faithfully took their next steps. I admire the fact that they didn't give up. 

God may of called you to something and it seems really hard work, well, you're in good company! I'd encourage you to keep persevering, if God has called you, whatever He has promised will come to pass.

When God speaks, His promises will be fulfilled. It might take time, it might cost, it might mean hardship, but it will happen. I still have promises that are yet to be fulfilled, but I'm certain they will happen because God says so. The question is, what am I doing about it in the mean time? Am I taking steps of faith towards these promises?

So, today as you read this, consider your journey of life. Where are you heading? What is the next step in your process to reach the promises of God? 

Family Faith Adventure

Over the summer I felt like I wanted to be on a family faith adventure. I don't know if it was a word from God, but it was something that I felt and that kept cropping up. 

I love God and I love our family. What I really want is for my kids to know God. Not just know of God, or understand theories about God, but to KNOW Him for themselves. When they pray I want them to expect answers. 

When they have troubles I want God to be their first port of call. 

When they celebrate - to acknowledge God's hand in it. 

I want them to step out of themselves and experience God. So that they have no doubt to his reality, to his care, to his power, influence and infinite love. 

This is what I want for my kids. I know if they have a relationship with God, then their lives will be alright. It doesn't mean that life will be easy for them, but they will grow, they will be ok.

So, over the summer I was thinking about this and I thought, what greater way for our kids to experience God than to go on an adventure with him. All of us together. Learning, strengthening and struggling along way. What better way for them to see God at work than to go on a family faith adventure? 

I had no idea if this was possible, or how it would come about, but it was something that I thought about and prayed about. 

It is also something that challenges me. Going on a faith adventure means stepping out of your comfort zone. It means you can't do it by yourself, you've got to trust God because you can't do anything else! 

It's scary and it means I've got to do some scary things. I've got to put myself out there. I've got to overcome some fear, I've got to step into things I've not done before, or maybe even things I've failed at. When you exit the comfort zone, you can no longer trust in yourself but in God. 

So, now it seems that this family faith adventure is launching - planting a church in Sittingbourne in 2018. This seems like an exciting prospect, but it's also pretty scary. (How do you even start a church?) This is going to challenge me and my family. It's going to mean upheaval and strain and overcoming barriers. It's going to mean recognising I can't do it all but trusting God can. It's going to mean being an example to my kids in a scary way, to do what scares me. To take chances and opportunities that I wouldn't normally. It means I'm going to have to have security in God my father rather than myself. 

Am I ready for this kind of challenge? 

Are YOU ready to be challenged and exit the comfort zone? 

Don't Disqualify Yourself

This week I have been thinking about how easy it is to disqualify ourselves. It's so easy to think we are not good enough, or that we don't have life sorted enough to do x, y or z. We can feel like we are not smart enough, good enough, or have enough to do specific things. How come we judge ourselves so harshly? 

Last week a couple of things happened in our family that I found it hard to deal with, I was feeling really hurt and let down. Then this question popped into my mind, "how can you think about planting a church when your own family has trouble?". 

It is easy to question our abilities, our family's capacity. It's easy to have a list of reasons to disqualify ourselves. 

I didn't really entertain this question too much, why? Well, because we believe God has told us to go. We believe God wants us to stretch ourselves. 
If you're like me, a christian, then He has called you for more than the easy life. 
Yes, we are not qualified. I have no clue how to build a church (- does anyone?) Our family in its make up is different from most others, and it's not always easy. 

However....

Our trust is not in ourselves.

We believe God has asked us to step out, to go somewhere new to show who He is. We don't have to be perfect to do that. In fact it's probably better if we are not, otherwise how will anyone relate to us?! 

God has qualified us with the call He has given us. So who are we to disqualify ourselves? 
God knows what is best for us personally and as a family, He would never ask us to do something that would destroy us. He is a good and faithful God. 

Whatever God has called you to do, go ahead and do it. Don't disqualify yourself. If God has told you to do/not do something, trust Him that He knows what's best and He is faithful. It's much more scary to NOT do what He's said than to get on and do it! 

He won't let you down. He has qualified you. 

Simple but effective

Over the festive period I have watched a few films; Martian, Happy Feet and The Last Jedi amongst them. 

What I have noticed is that they all have a clear theme. Strange when they are completely different types of film, but they all clearly show that our actions have an effect on others. 

What we choose to do or not do has an effect on those around us; our friends, family, neighbours and even those we don't really know. 

I'll give you an example; when we moved into our current house, I decided that I would say hello to people as I walked by. Simple, uninspiring really right? 

Now, four years later, we know a few neighbours, there are the 'regulars' I see and have a quick chat to, and I now have friends amongst those I stopped to speak to. How did it all start - It was as simple as saying Hello. You don't know what difference a simple action like that can make to your life or anyone else's. It was a small thing for me to do, maybe a bit weird, but it has effected lives. Maybe not in a deep, profound way, but it is true, our actions effect others. 

I know it's a simple example, but even simple small decisions can have an impact.

I realise this is the time of year when many people are making resolutions, and some can seem inspiring (yet overwhelming). So, if you're planning a change this year, why not make it a simple one. Even the small simple changes can have an impact on yourself, those around you and even your neighbourhood. 

Happy New Year People X

What's your legacy?

What's your legacy? 

What are you known for? 

How would people describe you?

When you answer those questions, are you satisfied with the responses? Is this how you want to be known? 

This week I came across this verse in Acts:

'for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.' (11:24)

Now that is a way to be known! 

I wish people would say that about me - People don't, I wish they would. 

So, why am I not known to be like that? Probably because I don't show it. If I want to be known as good, full of the Spirit and faith, then I need to live it. I need to be aware of what I'm demonstrating every day, and to make bold choices to live how I want to be known.

How do you want to be known? 

Start living the legacy you want to leave. 

Ananais

Acts 9:10-18

there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 

I love this little story about Ananais. I am struck by his obedience. He is obedient even in the face of mortal danger. He knows of Saul. The infamous Saul who has authority to throw Christians in prison, torture them or even have them killed. This is the man Ananais is told to go to. 

I'm not surprised he questions God about it! It's like he's saying - "I've heard of this guy - he could kill me"! God doesn't soothe any fears Ananais may have, He just tells him to go. God explains who Saul is going to be, not who he is now. That's one of the amazing things about God, He sees our potential, he doesn't see what we are stuck in or how awful we believe we are, he sees who we are going to become. 

Anyway, back to Ananais. He's clearly spending time with God, having a vision, experiencing the Holy Spirit. He is a Christian, who, even if he is scared of the persecution going on, is still living life with God, praying, spending time with Him regardless. Now, he's had this vision. God has commissioned him with an important task. One which could go wrong, horribly wrong, but Ananais doesn't falter. When God tells him to go, he goes. What beautiful trust in God Ananais has. He knows Saul's reputation, but he doesn't hold back, because God's reputation is better. Ananais shows great trust and confidence in God, he goes and does what God has told him to.

Ananais goes off to meet up with the tormentor and murderer of God's people. 

Then, when he meets him, he calls him 'brother'! Wow! That bit shocks me. This man of God goes up to someone who is the enemy of God's people and calls him brother! Ananais has no more proof that anything has changed in Saul other than what God has said. What God has said is enough. Ananais doesn't go with prejudice, with pre-formed ideas of who he's going to meet or what is going to happen. It seems Ananais is completely aware of the transforming work God is capable of. He accepts that this man who has been responsible for the capture, torture, and death of other Christians, possibly even friends or family, can be transformed. Ananais obeys God above any fear, but not only that, he accepts Saul as family. Ananais firm faith means that he understands how lives can be transformed. He prays for Saul, Saul is healed, and then he baptises him. What an incredible transformation in a matter of moments! 

Would this of happened if Ananais hadn't been obedient, accepting, unprejudiced? If Ananais went thinking there's no way God could change THIS man, would this chain of events happened? 

We all have preconceived ideas about situations and people, but let's be like Ananais. Let's trust God in any situation, even the scary ones, that He can change outcomes and expectations. God is incredibly surprising and no-one is out of his reach, so let us be obedient and trust that God knows what he's doing - who knows who's lives could be changed through us?!