Reflection -- Material Rewards

Material Rewards

 

Last week a colleague shared about the rewards of a pastor in a pastoral training. The training brought confidence and eyes on God, our giver.

 

Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. (Mathew 19:27-29)

 

While he was teaching I am reminded of another comment from a relative. She said, "You are involved in God's ministry. You will have rewards in heaven". That is true. But it is very true that God provides plenty even when ministering. I said whenever I teach two to three day seminars in our churches, the first day we do not have much foods supplied, but from the second day onwards you have plenty. In one of the churches, on the second day, someone brought a bottle of milk, another fresh fish from river, other vegetables. So for two of us who went to teach, we had more than enough.

 

Yesterday I had an interesting witness. In a church where we teach regularly as we waited for others to arrive one man pushed a bicycle into the church carrying a bag of paddy. That was the first I ever saw someone pushing a cycle right into the church. In addition, many families have brought rice. My other colleague also went to teach in two churches yesterday and he brought back two small bags of rice and vegetable.

 

We keep all these collections in a "Pastor's House". We are yet to appoint local pastors. In the meantime, we keep that and use whenever we visit or we have guests.

 

This is other side of blessing for being a teacher of God's Word.

 

Liahey

 

 

Carpenters

About this time last year I desperately needed a working table and I went to at least three carpenters/workshops at Miao. Two works from home and another in a workshop.

 

For the first time I observed a common characteristic among them was unhurried approach. They explained slowly and clearly. They would think slowly and speak. They were very calm and very systematic. And without doubt they wanted to take sufficient time to complete making the table – minimum one month. Finally I settled down to a person who promised to do within two weeks and paid my advance.

 

Then I thought every job requires a particular type of people and temperament to be effective. Those carpenters are really good in their profession, but may perform poorly in others.

 

Another reminder for me to position myself in areas I am good. And I should focus in them.

New Trails As Always

Dear friends,

Recently I have this thought that have encouraged me to look up to God for answers and opening. Hope you find this helpful too. Share your reflections as well.

Liahey

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New Trails As Always

The trail we travel daily connects between the two roads via a nao ghat (boat crossing over a river) to a village.

As it happens every year, the trails are washed off by heavy torrential rains. So the normal trail we travel are damaged but people always found new sideways. They would clear bushes, dug ground, remove stones, whatever it takes, to make new roads. Although there are slight diversions, we still have a way to get around.

About 3 weeks now since I was observing this while the new trails were still fresh. I thought, if the roadblocks are removed and created new ones in the physical sense, how much truer in the spiritual area where we have the power of God.

Adding to this thought came alive the words of the famous song "God will make a way" by Don Moen:

God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way

   

While this thought is still active in my mind, several incidents came up that deserve prayer God's alternate solution, new roads:

• A relative who faces serious marital problem. Unless God works we don't see steps to healing and restoration to their happy reunion.

• The community we minister faces enormous pressure. The Central Govt granted them Indian citizenship but the State Govt does not want to do so. Hence they are wedged between the two opposing powerful forces. In the meantime, they suffer most. I encouraged Christians from the community to ask God for God's solution for their cries.

 

I would like to keep my eyes on the One who creates new ways when other options are not in sight.