guest blog

Guest Postby Herman GroenewaldI have been following some of the Lausanne Movements’ (Connecting influencers and ideas for global mission) writings end excerpts from their group meetings and discussions.I cannot help but pass this on for others to read and to follow the work of this forum for World Evangelization.It is incumbent for us as part of God’s Church in the world to further the Gospel Message and to be aware of what God is doing in His World. Often we become short sighted and focus on our own immediate world or circle of friends and family and forget about the fact that we are part of the greater family of God and his work.Our task is our part in God’s Mission in the world.I have extracted some of the notes from the Lausanne Movement that gives focus’ and attention to World Evangelization.~ Herman GroenewaldReconciliation as the Mission of God“A New Vision, a New Heart, a Renewed Call” “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female,  for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:27-28[1]Our Common CallReconciliation is God’s initiative.  The Church is called to be a living sign of the one body of Christ.  Reconciliation is at the heart of the gospel and the church’s life and mission, and is integral to evangelism and justice.  Reconciliation is a deep and costly process, and requires humility, forgiveness, courage and patience.  We need to be committed to pursuing God’s reconciling mission in a world of broken relationships and destructive conflicts.Our CommitmentsPray for one another and for the Church;Practice confession and forgiveness in our personal lives, seeking healing;Stay in touch and gather to tell our stories, discern, help each other, learn about and lament destructive divisions and conflicts, and seek and celebrate signs of hope;The Lausanne Movement wishes to establish a network to forward relationship and partnership. and invite Christians across the world to join the Lausanne Movement Forum for World EvangelizationAdvocate and speak prophetically for justice and reconciliation, including engaging church, civic, and political leaders, without compromising our biblical convictions;Contribute and share resources;Research, publish, communicate, and disseminate;Work humbly together as servants to seek the church’s renewal and to help mobilize the global Christian community to be partners in God’s reconciling mission. Internet link for more information about the Lausanne Movement: https://lausanne.org/content/lop/lop-51-reconciliation-as-the-mission-of-god 

Guest Postby Dave GriffithsEvery year Christians pause to remember an event that changed history. Whether you call it Easter or Resurrection Sunday, it’s a day of rejoicing.  An amazing account of the Lord Jesus’ victory over the grave.Ever since the empty tomb was discovered, when Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead.  This is the central tenet of Christianity.Why do Christians believe  Jesus literally and bodily rose from the grave? The answer to this crucial question is found by scrutinizing the first hand testimony of those who experienced the event as recorded in the New Testament. Mary Magdalene was the  first to tell Jesus’ disciples of the empty tomb she has discovered earlier in the morning. “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him” ( Jhn.20:13). While she was there, she came face-to-face with Jesus, but failed to recognize Him, yet as soon as He spoke, she immediately recognized Him.She heard His voice.She saw His face.She touched His glorified body.        He was Alive!Later that day, He appeared to people who were walking home from Jerusalem. He decided not to reveal Himself until He reminded them of the witness of Moses and the prophets. As they walked, they listened to Him as He expounded to them the Scriptures, the things concerning Himself. (Luke24:27) The risen Jesus was alive and walking with them. After accepting an invitation to stay at their home, Jesus joined them for the evening meal. He took bread, blessed it, and broke it and gave it to them. Then, their eyes were opened and they knew Him.He was later seen by 10 disciples, and, although the doors were locked, He suddenly appeared in the room with them. (Jhn. 20:19)  He showed them the scars on His hands, feet, and side.Eight days later, He appeared again and challenged Thomas to feel His wounds, verifying He was alive.The next time His disciples saw Him, they were in Galilee where Jesus cooked them breakfast from fish they had caught. When the apostle Paul recounted the events surrounding the resurrection, he reminded his readers, “He (Jesus) was seen by over 500 brethren at once”.The resurrection was not an ethereal or spiritual event. Jesus rose physically and bodily from the dead, and the facts are available for the world to see:He was crucified in Jerusalem.He was placed in a tomb in Jerusalem that was guarded by the Roman military.Three days later, the tomb was empty.He appeared in His resurrected body to the disciples and large groups of people in the environs of Jerusalem numerous times for 40 day after His resurrection. (Acts 1:3).The disciples began proclaiming His resurrection in Jerusalem.After the apostle Peter preached in Jerusalem, 3000 believed in the resurrection. The number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem and the evidence showing Jesus rose from the dead was so compelling, they were convinced, and they believed.The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is a non-negotiable foundational tenet of Christianity.  The historical record is available for investigation. The evidence…

Guest Post by John Doyle  Does the Bible Instruct Us to Forgive and Forget, The answer is clearly in Gods Word. If someone were to ask you to make a list of all of the people that hurt you or your family in past years, you will probably write out a long list of those who have caused you pain. These may even be family members, or friends, co-workers, even people from Church. So many friendships have been broken because of cruel words and actions that have left those who have been hurt feeling betrayed. Maybe your one of these people. It seems you never forget the hurt or the pain someone has caused you. Those feelings run deep. But how does the Lord want us to respond to people who hurt us? Does the Bible instruct us to forgive and forget? We can turn to the Bible for answers to this question. The phrase “forgive and forget” is not found in the Bible. However, there are numerous verses commanding us to “forgive one another" Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” A Christian who is unwilling to forgive others will find his fellowship with God hindered and it may reap bitterness. Luke 6:27-36 (Please read this) also speaks on this issue. In some areas of Christian life we struggle to find out how God wants us to respond, but that’s not the case here. God’s instructions are detailed. Jesus said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28). In the following verses, Jesus gives several specific examples of how to treat those who have hurt you, and He concludes with, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). The supreme standard is set here. Its not easy and it goes against how you may feel emotionally but its the Jesus way because "He is the Way, Truth and Life." It’s important that we apply Godly wisdom to all relationships we’re in. There are times when we will allow ourselves to endure unnecessary pain in relationships because we believe it’s our duty or because it brings us to a place of Meekness that honours the Christ in us. While God instructs us to take up our cross and follow Him, it’s important to discern what God is telling us through the pain we’re experiencing. The closer you become to reading and meditating on the Word of God, the more God will speak to you about the relationships you’re in. He may be calling you to realign some relationships. You may be around people who negatively influence your life. Painful words and violent tempers can create traps in your life that God may not be calling you to be part of. When you seek God concerning your relationships with others, you may also begin giving less of…