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by Calven Celliers Deep inside each and every one of us is an awareness that we are on this planet for a purpose greater than just having a career, loving our families, and being upstanding citizens. You and I were made for a mission. God is at work in the world, and He wants us to join Him. Our mission as believers is a continuation of Jesus’ mission on earth. Former pastor of Willow Creek Community Church Bill Hybels is quoted as having once said, “God wants us to become contagious Christians – His agents, who will first catch His love and then infectiously offer it to all who are willing to consider it. This is His primary plan, the one Jesus modelled so powerfully, to spread God’s grace and truth person to person until there’s an epidemic of changed lives around the world.” I remember when I was growing up, we were frequently taught that we as believers needed to share our faith with others. Though the prospect of “cold turkey” evangelism could be scary, we were told to do it because God had commanded it and because it pleased Him. I’m probably guilty of even preaching this myself from time to time. But how’s this for a different take on the matter; Evangelism is something we do because of who we are. As believers in Jesus Christ, you and I have been reconciled to God through Christ’s death on the cross. We are now his agents of reconciliation, ambassadors for Christ, who are carrying out his mission in the world. Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke, “16 No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.” (Luke 8:16NLT)  The truth is, many Christians feel intimidated when we read a verse like this one from the Gospel of Luke. You might picture a pastor preaching the Good News or a missionary spreading the Word of God far and wide, but you don’t feel qualified to do the same. Let me assure you, words can be a powerful and effective way of communicating the message of the Gospels, but preaching or talking about our faith aren’t the only ways to convey the Good News. Many believe that St. Francis of Assisi is purported to have said, “Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” Upon closer investigation, however, I was surprised to discover that he did not, in fact, say this. At least not as far as we know. However, the saint’s actual words were far more nuanced: “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” Look closely at the language in today’s verse: “…its light can be seen by all…” Jesus is telling us that our actions – what others see – can be just as powerful and impactful as what they might hear from…

Guest Postby John Doyle"...this one thing I do, forget the things of the past and move on to the things of the future. I press on towards the prize of the High calling of God in Christ Jesus..." (Philippians 3:13b-14)I am sure that there were times in the Apostle Paul's life when the past would flow into his mind and he would wonder how could he have done such a thing or been involved in the persecution of the early Christians. When these things came to his mind I am sure he would reflect on this verse of scripture and also be reminded of that precious verse he wrote in Philippians 1:6, "And I am sure of this, that He Who began a good work in me, will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."We all have things in the past that we wish would go away but they don't and sometimes the Devil reminds us of them to try and keep us from a closer walk with the Lord. So how do we forget the things of the Past? The easiest and most important thing to do is to choose not to remember them!As Paul grew in his faith and began to be a great ambassador for Christ those things of the past faded away as he "moved on to the things of the future" v13. His future, and ours, are all in the hands of the Lord when we walk in His ways by faith.The Apostle Paul knew from Gods Word, just as we do, that he would face "trials and temptations" but he choose to "PRESS ON" towards the PRIZE. What would be his prize? As we study the life of Paul in the Word of God we have to come to the conclusion that his Prize, apart from eternity with his Lord and Saviour was the "Prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."So what is this "High Calling"? When we give our lives to Christ we also receive a High calling to follow Him all the days of our lives, facing the trials and knowing through it all we have an eternal destiny with our higher calling to Eternity.Pressing on is a real challenge to us all in these days of the Lockdown and all that is going on in the world around us. Pressing on means literally "to continue moving forward faithfully and consistently" by faith in Christ alone.So let's put the things of the past behind us, let's focus on the future and let's together in Christ PRESS ON to that prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.I’m pressing on the upward way,New heights I’m gaining every day;Still praying as I onward bound,“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”Lord, lift me up, and let me standBy faith on Heaven’s tableland;A higher plane than I have found,Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.I want to live above the world,Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;For faith…

by Graham MolIn 2 Kings chapter 22 we find the story of Josiah, king of Judah. Josiah was a king who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He sought after God and worked to undo much of the evil that had been done under his father's and especially his grandfather's reign as king. He took down many of altars to false gods and destroyed the idols. He also initiated repairs on the temple in Jerusalem during which the Book of the Law was found, that is the Pentateuch which includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. What this implies is that under the reign of the wicked and wayward kings, the Law of God was not wholly observed. Now that the book was found it was read out to the king who was deeply convicted and grieved because of the sin of the nation. 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” (2 Kings 22:11-13)It was when the Law was read out to him that Josiah saw clearly how sinful the nation had become. Although I'm sure he knew that the people were not perfect, their idolatry was apparent, he may have thought that it wasn't too bad. Only in comparison to the commandments and standards of how God's people should live did it become clear just how short they fell in reaching that mark.Sometimes it's the same with us. We have a picture of ourselves in our minds, an impression of how we are, how we are doing as followers of Christ. This impression or picture is not always that realistic. When we read the Bible, when we read God's Law, it is like looking in a mirror that shows us the honest truth. I came across an article at thehopeproject.com that really brings this point across well:As we study the Bible, we learn that the Law is like a mirror – for both God and man. In the Law, we see a true reflection of God’s character. That reflection reveals that God is holy and righteous. But in the Law, we also see a true image of ourselves. Our inability to keep the Law reveals our inadequacy, for the Law clearly reveals that we do not measure up to God’s standard of holiness and righteousness. Something in us prevents us from measuring up, and according to Romans 3:20, that something is sin.A mirror can be helpful to show you if your face needs washing. But it cannot…