There is much to thank and praise God for after such a wonderful church camp at El Rancho in Waikanae last weekend.
We asked God to grow our church community as Morning and Night Church come together, getting to know one another and work out how they might serve and bless each other as we all mature in Christ. We asked that God would transform us through his Spirit as we read his life giving word. We also asked that we would have fun together enjoying the good things that God has made.
God certainly heard and answered these prayers!
A particular highlight for me was the Question & Answer session with Jay on Sunday night. It was so encouraging to see many of us wrestling with God's word, trying to understand what it means and what it looks like to put it into practice.
A challenge that I've taken away from the Bible talks on the Book of Judges is the ongoing temptation to 'be like the nations' around us. The bright lights and the shiny promises of this world can be so tempting. The desire to fit in and to not stand out as a follower of Jesus seems like the easier option most of the time.
But the cautionary tale of the Book of Judges is that when the people of God follow the world around them they very quickly descend into chaos, sin and destruction.
Thanks be to God that he has sent a rescuer and leader in Jesus! One who saves us from the consequences of our failure and also shows us a better way.
In Hebrews 11 a few of the judges get a mention in the long list of examples of faith. And the writer concludes with this in chapter 12,
'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.'
When tempted by the world, when looking for a leader to follow, God has given us Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith! So do not lose heart!
If you missed camp and would like to hear Jay's excellent talks, you can get them here.
Grace and Peace
Andrew