…How anxious we are to see ‘fruit’.  When a little appears we tend to brag about it, show it off to our colleagues, write letters about it and even photograph it: because it seems to justify our existence to others and ‘make it all worthwhile’.  But we do not need to justify our existence.  God called us and will use us when and how He wants.  Dare we say that to obey Him is not worthwhile?

Let us work at what is in front of us to the best of our endeavours, not broken down by our own weakness—nor letting what is not being done press too hard upon us, for this is God’s responsibility and not ours.

When we have tried our utmost and done our best, we shall still be unprofitable servants, but was it not those same ‘unprofitable servants’ who heard the Lord’s ‘Well done’?

(Who’d STAY a missionary?  Helen Morgan)

You are writing a Gospel, a chapter each day,

by the deeds that you do and the words that you say.

Men read what you write — distorted or true;

What is the Gospel according to you?

The seminar concentrated on our relationships with God, others, and how Satan may attempt to disrupt relationships.  Some of the key points I took home from the weekend focused on our responsibility as Christians to go and try to make a relationship that is hurting or in conflict better.  The responsibility is not only for the person who committed a wrong to forgive, but also the person that was wronged to go share how they were hurt (Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 18:15).  This is also above and beyond the commandment by God to make every effort to keep unity in relationships (Ephesians 4:3).   I think this generally is a very unnatural approach to dealing with hurt relationships; most people commonly run away, try to ignore, or assign blame when confronted with hurt and conflict.  The true Biblical approach is to see the conflict as an opportunity and assignment from God which can produce spiritual growth through the discovery of sinful attitudes and practices.

Ultimately, the only answer for relational healing is through forgiveness.  Forgiveness involves releasing another of a liability, canceling a debt, offering a pardon without resentment or desire for revenge.  Completely reflecting what Jesus did in love for every sinner by dying on the cross.  I pray that I can continue to learn how to apply this throughout my life since it is impossible to live life without relationships!

John 13:34-35  ”A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Bill thinking over an inquiry during the Q&A time.

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American and Taiwanese Eric with a student from Taiwan University.

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Navigator staff from around the island and US at lunch.

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‘Sisters’ from Taichung, Changhua, and Jhongli.

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Bill, Cathy, Terri, and Dave receiving a thank you from Terry (co-president of the Taiwan Navigators).

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”  (Colossians 2:6-7)

God gives us the same command in his Word that a coach would communicate to his players but with the powerful testimony of eternal life.  He does not want any of his children, or people, to be separated from him any longer, but to begin knowing him through the sacrifice and victory over death by his Son.  It is painful to see his creation settle for something less than his perfect designs while clinging to sin. Rather, he wants those who put their trust in his salvation to grow in the likeness of Christ Jesus.

As God continues to lead our church in Changhua to share the Gospel with family, friends, classmates, neighbors, and co-workers with the vision of many more new believers in Jesus over the next few years, we also want to look to the basics to build a good foundation in each of our lives.  Recently, throughout all of the church small groups and student Bible studies, we have started an initiative to build discipleship skills into each of the members in hope that they will grow stronger in their personal relationship with God and also be able to share about who God is and how to know him with others.  One of the tools we are starting to use is The Navigators “New 2:7 Series.” There are three books in the series: Growing Strong in God’s Family, Deepening Your Roots in God’s Family, and Bearing Fruit in God’s Family.

It is crucially important to be able to look into God’s Word for growth, searching the Scriptures to learn about who God is, his salvation, his promises, his will, and his plan.  As well as learning to apply the Word into daily life, by memorization, mediation, and prayer.

Our prayer for the next few years is that God will work in us as we take time to build tools into our daily lives.  Also we hope God will work through our lives so more people will worship him in Changhua and throughout Taiwan!

New 2:7 Series (US Navpress)

New 2:7 Series in Chinese (Taiwan Navigators)

LIVE THE NEW LIFE        

Christ the Center

• 2 Corinthians 5:17  Galatians 2:20        

Obedience to Christ

• Romans 12:1  John 14:21        

The Word

• 2 Timothy 3:16  Joshua 1:8        

Prayer

• John 15:7  Philippians 4:6,7        

Fellowship

• Matthew 18:20  Hebrews 10:24,25        

Witnessing

• Matthew 4:19  Romans 1:16