Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life.
I used to enjoy times of Bible discussion when I attended many Bible conferences in Sudan, between 10 and 30 years ago:
FOCUS,
Repairers/Faith Inst. (Mufid Farid),
Wells of Salvation (Mourice Moussa),
SIM Arabic Ministries (the late Alfred William Mussad),
KEC (Sharief Ramsis),
SPEC (Nagi Konagi),
Gereif Bible School. The list goes on.
I found it stimulating to ask, and to be asked, questions about the Bible and its meaning for today:
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1:1-‐3,
(New Living Translation).
Trees
Most, if not all, of us see trees every day we live. As well as giving us shade, fruits or medicinal leaves in due season, possibly saleable wood for manufacturing or at least burning, and being a great object for children (especially boys?) to climb, these trees are an illustration given us by God. Trees show us what every Christian life should be like.
Our text begins with what we should not be like.
Do not listen to those who only follow the wisdom of the world. It has its own value, but not taken just by itself. It must always be tested by God’s words in Scripture.
Do not be influenced by those who are godless in their decision making.
Do not be aligned with those who privately or publicly scorn Jesus Christ and Christianity. Politely and graciously decline any involvement with them.
Instead, we must be those who study to discover God’s will and God’s ways for us to make all of life’s major decisions.
Reading and sharing the meaning and application of God’s word to today’s life, is God’s way to run a country, God’s way to lead a local Christian church, God’s way to be head of a Christian family, and God’s way to play your part in influencing your wider community.
Jesus said: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock”, Matthew 7:24.
August 2012.
Comments