The quote from A Tale of Two Cities, "it was the best of times and it was the worst of times" is an appropriate description of this past month since my last posting. The anticipated visit by some friends was very much on my mind and deterred me from a focus on the visit to Interlaken, Switzerland, which our church had provided for my wife and me. However, the day of my arrival in Switzerland, I was reminded of the joy it is to be a part of the International Baptist Convention and to be the pastor of the International Baptist Church of Munich. Meeting old friends, and the fellowship we enjoyed with new ones, was an encouraging experience. The opportunity to travel around the lakes and view the beauty of our Lord's creation and to enjoy laughing with friends from all across the convention was truly refreshing and energizing.
The first evening of the conference worship set an expectation of tremendous teaching and preaching from the word of God. The remainder of the services did not disappoint. Each time either Stuart McAllister or Anthony Carter spoke, I was lifted in spirit and edified in my relationship with our Heavenly Father in Christ Jesus. There were many times the Holy Spirit challenged me in the word. These moments required that I spend time reflecting and praying. This resulted in much encouragement and a strengthened hope and faith in the Lord. There was also need for repentance and planned adjustments in my life, as I continue life with the Lord.
The promises of God for our church were renewed in my heart and in my mind. I was encouraged to remember the joy that is available to Christians, even in the midst of the life’s struggles.
The week was not without difficulty. However, the teachings of the apostle Peter, in I Peter 1:3-9, continue to be true. It is in our trials of various kinds that our faith is purified—the dross of selfishness and misguided priorities or attitudes surfaces. The real motives for our actions, even our ministry involvements, become apparent; and we are required to look to the Lord for forgiveness and encouragement in our personal growth. His faithfulness in both serves to strengthen our faith.
Another passage I reflected on is Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In Philippians 4:4-9 Paul gives us three important aspects of remaining steadfast in the Lord. First, rejoice in the sovereignty of God, knowing He relates to His children in steadfast love. This knowledge is the source of our strength, joy, hope, and help. Then Paul encourages us to manage life by faith in the Lord, who has so powerfully demonstrated His love for us. Paul says we are to seek the Lord, who is our resource, through prayer, supplication, and with gratitude whenever the daily experiences, or great struggles or disappointments tempt us to anxiety. Seeking the Lord in these ways enables us to receive the peace that God bestows— peace which we do not understand but can experience. In verses 8 and 9 Paul challenges us to remember that knowing the presence of God in our lives is a matter of where we set our minds. We can choose to set our minds on the negative experiences and realities of a very corrupt world, or we can choose to set our minds on those things which are pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. To choose the latter is to choose to know the Presence of the God of Peace in our lives.
Let us abide in the best of times and in the worst of times.
The first evening of the conference worship set an expectation of tremendous teaching and preaching from the word of God. The remainder of the services did not disappoint. Each time either Stuart McAllister or Anthony Carter spoke, I was lifted in spirit and edified in my relationship with our Heavenly Father in Christ Jesus. There were many times the Holy Spirit challenged me in the word. These moments required that I spend time reflecting and praying. This resulted in much encouragement and a strengthened hope and faith in the Lord. There was also need for repentance and planned adjustments in my life, as I continue life with the Lord.
The promises of God for our church were renewed in my heart and in my mind. I was encouraged to remember the joy that is available to Christians, even in the midst of the life’s struggles.
The week was not without difficulty. However, the teachings of the apostle Peter, in I Peter 1:3-9, continue to be true. It is in our trials of various kinds that our faith is purified—the dross of selfishness and misguided priorities or attitudes surfaces. The real motives for our actions, even our ministry involvements, become apparent; and we are required to look to the Lord for forgiveness and encouragement in our personal growth. His faithfulness in both serves to strengthen our faith.
Another passage I reflected on is Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In Philippians 4:4-9 Paul gives us three important aspects of remaining steadfast in the Lord. First, rejoice in the sovereignty of God, knowing He relates to His children in steadfast love. This knowledge is the source of our strength, joy, hope, and help. Then Paul encourages us to manage life by faith in the Lord, who has so powerfully demonstrated His love for us. Paul says we are to seek the Lord, who is our resource, through prayer, supplication, and with gratitude whenever the daily experiences, or great struggles or disappointments tempt us to anxiety. Seeking the Lord in these ways enables us to receive the peace that God bestows— peace which we do not understand but can experience. In verses 8 and 9 Paul challenges us to remember that knowing the presence of God in our lives is a matter of where we set our minds. We can choose to set our minds on the negative experiences and realities of a very corrupt world, or we can choose to set our minds on those things which are pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. To choose the latter is to choose to know the Presence of the God of Peace in our lives.
Let us abide in the best of times and in the worst of times.
