Do not forget to remember

During Ronald Reagan's American presidency in the 1980s, his administration came under scrutiny surrounding 'who knew what' about alledged sales of weapons to secure the release of seven American hostages in Lebanon. I noted one media report of the time saying that Reegan had replied to an investigating committee: 'I remembered forgetting being told'. I don't know if he actually made this statement but it illustrates how we often claim we were unaware of something and therefore absolve ourselves of responsibility. How often do we claim: 'I wasn't aware of that' or 'I don't remember being told that'? In the church today it is not credible to claim we are unaware of what we should know to make our lives attractive for others and to cause them to follow our example. 

The apostle Paul tells the Church at Corinth: I do not want you to be unaware (1 Cor. 10v1). In other words, he is writing down advice and wisdom for them which is rooted to examples from the past which can warn and guide them. They are urged to learn from the Israelites who escaped Egyptian captivity but who got stuck in the wilderness, where they grumbled about nearly everything and engaged in all sorts of harmful behaviour and rebellion against God (ref. 1 Cor. 10v8-10). The Corinthians were in danger of repeating these past mistakes through their harmful lifestyle choices and the divisions among them. One message for the church of today is to learn from the church of the past and avoid repeating the same mistakes. We hear it said that hindsight is a wonderful thing and as someone put it: everyone is a genius with the benefit of hindsight! In that case, considering the centuries of church history and what has been documented about it, the church today should be a genius at learning from the past. Sadly, this is not the case a lot of the time. It's as if we forget to remember or, (to return to the Reagan analogy) we suddenly 'remember forgetting being told'. 

We may forget to learn from the past if we believe it has limited use and we can get used to thinking independently of what has gone before and operating in our own self-reliant efforts. Paul goes on to warn those who think they are standing fine to be careful that they don't fall (1 Cor. 10v12 paraphrase). Put another way, self-reliance is unreliable. Paul intends guiding us towards God-reliance instead and in his second letter to the Corinthians reminds them that when God allows us to go through difficult times this often deepens our reliance on Him (2 Cor. 1v8-10) - again, when wrting there Paul retreads that phrase, I don't want you to be unaware (2 Cor.1v8). The good news is that God is faithful and He doesn't allow us to endure more than we can bear and always provides a way through the situation (1 Cor. 10v13 paraphrase and emphasis added).        

I write these comments at the end of another year and we will have our own view of whether or not it is a year to remember or one we'd rather forget. Perhaps the past year has some painful memories for you. I'm not saying we should dwell on the past - that was a problem for many of those Israelites in the wilderness who thought they should give up and go back to Egypt. There are times when God leads us forward and shows us that we shouldn't look back (see Genesis 19- Lot's family rescued from Sodom and Gomorrah). It is not about looking back with longing but rather an awareness of what is to be learned from the past. Even if we are not confident about learning from previous experiences, we can learn immeasurably from those who have already tread similar paths to those before us. It is no coincidence that Paul says twice within the space of a few sentences: these things happened as an example (1 Cor. 10v6, 11). Let us benefit from all the examples we have to draw from so that we never have to claim 'I remembered forgetting being told'. Let it be said of the Church: they do not forget to remember!   

The Necessity of Love

Within the organisation I work for there have been several cuts to funding over recent years. This has meant that a lot of services we used to provide for the community can no longer be guaranteed due to fewer resources. These were activities that were considered 'nice' to do but which didn't have to be done. Put another way, they were the 'luxury' or 'icing on the cake' services that could be discarded without compromising the basic requirements of our role.
A basic requirement of a Christian is to demonstrate the love of God. There are various spiritual pursuits the follower of Christ can be engaged in which are 'helpful' to themselves and others, such as sharing their personal story, encouraging others in faith, and serving on teams within their local church. However, the Bible makes clear that one thing is vital in the life of the believer: to love others, and this is non negotiable:
In his first letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul underlines the necessity of love in a number of ways and sets out his stall at the outset of chapter 13. He remarks that it's no good speaking in the tongues of men and angels but not having love. Without showing love, the Christian is just like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal (v1). Paul goes on that it's no good having prophetic powers and understanding all mysteries and knowledge and having 'mountain moving' faith if love is not evident. Without love we are nothing! (v2) Strong stuff! These striking thoughts are rounded off with the assertion that even if we give everything away to those in need and make outlandish sacrificial gestures in our Christian service but again don't have love, then we gain nothing! Did we catch that: we gain nothing. (v3). From these powerful, far reaching words we learn what it amounts to when there is no love flowing from Christ's followers.

No love =  Plenty of noise but nothing of substance to back it up.

No love = Impressive outward displays of strength, gifting, knowledge and faith but without any real or lasting power. 

Without love flowing from my relationship with God outward towards others I may create a lot of noise, saying and doing a lot of the right things, but my life and witness for the love of God will not have lasting, life transforming impact. People will close their heart and mind to me and the door of their soul. They will want to move away from me and seek escape.
My teenage son plays computer games whenever he is awake and to say that he becomes very noisy when doing this is an understatement. He shouts at the screen and forgets to consider others in the house, especially in the room next door. It is natural to look for space away from this. We have seriously considered sound proofing his room to lessen the impact of the noise on the rest of the household.
When we don't have love for others we may generate noise about Jesus but it only causes people to retreat from us and to soundproof themselves from the message we represent.
Elsewhere in the Bible we are advised that it is no good seeing another believer in need when we are in a position to help and offering no assistance. Indeed, this begs the question - how can God's love be in that person? (1 John 3v17b NLT). The point is reinforced further with a plea for the children of God to stop just saying they love each other but really show it by their actions (1 Jn 3v18). The bottom line is that noise without love is useless and unfruitful.
It is supposed to be the case that God's love has been poured out lavishly in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (see Romans 5v5). Is there evidence of this in our dealings with others, who are drawn to the loving Christian but repelled by the purely noisy one? We should be dripping wet with God's love and others in our vicinity should be getting wet.
Paul prayed that those in the church would overflow more and more with love towards one another as they grow in knowledge and depth of insight (Philip. 1v9). This 'growing' in love occurs as we grow in our walk with God. We need to keep reading the Bible, praying, meeting with other believers and so on, but we must also keep listening to the Holy Spirit within us revealing more and more of God's love and it's implications for each of us. More revelation about what God's love has accomplished in Christ motivates us to action; it compels us, we cannot stand still and do nothing. For example, before I received the Holy Spirit, the Bible seemed little more than words on pages but now the Holy Spirit makes the truths and promises and challenges within it come alive to me and it is not enough to just know what is being said; I am motivated to apply it with strength and passion.
We are strong in God when we are strong in love. Let us go deeper with God and in turn go deeper in His love. The famous pop music group 'The Bee Gees'  had a song called 'How Deep is Your Love?' The challenge for us here is to discover afresh 'How Deep is God's love?' Paul's prayer for the Ephesians (see Eph. 3v14-21) is not a bad place to start. He longs that they grasp how wide and how long, how high and how deep is the love of Christ, and that they know this love that can never be fully understood, so that they will be filled with all the fullness of God (vv18-19). Without love there is no fullness, there is only emptiness! For the Christian, showing the love of God is not a luxury, it is a necessity!
   
 

Knock Knock, Who's there?

This is a question I haven't heard for a while, but when I was a child it was the question that came before someone telling a joke. For example, one of the first times I heard it was when a British TV programme called 'Doctor Who' about a time traveller saving the world was at the height of its popularity. So, the joke would go: (Question) 'Knock knock, who's there?' (Answer) 'Doctor'. (Question) 'Doctor Who?' Believe it or not this was funny the first time I heard it. Sometimes it may feel as though we're playing 'knock knock' with God and not getting the desired response. I'm not sure if God is into telling jokes but he may reply with 'Who were you expecting?' This is partly because we often don't recognise that God is already present in our situation and working his purpose in our lives. Alongside this we can look for him to appear in a way that fits our expectations. When the Old Testament character Job was dealing with extreme suffering he eventually recognised God's intervention in his circumstances but he saw that God had different questions for him than the ones he, his wife and his fairweather friends had been asking (see Job 38 where God answers Job). Without seeking to diminish the anguish caused by suffering, some of the most unhelpful questions we can ask are 'Why God Why', 'When God When' or Where are you God in all of this? These questions form blind spots where we can miss potential blessing from God in the midst of the struggle. There will be occasions when we feel we are wrestling with God for a response to our pain or hurt but sometimes we need to persevere for breakthrough. Jacob declared to God: I will not let you go unless you bless me (Genesis 32v26). This doesn't mean that if we are continuing in suffering it is our fault but that it is important to know the Truth that God is near, that he is working for our good even when it doesn't appear true; Romans 8v28 ...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him... (NIV - emphasis added).

This brings us to the heart of the matter: I have been learning throughout my Christian journey that we are not (despite appearances) in a power struggle! Rather, we are in a truth struggle. A Bible passage which has impacted me lately is Psalm 145v18, The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (emphasis added). One of the magnificent truths from the Bible that believers can enjoy daily is that God is near. Psalm 46v1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present or well proved help in trouble. V1 proclaims The Lord of Hosts is with us. God's message to Joshua when he became leader of the Israelites as they moved from the wilderness to the promised land was I will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1v9b). When Jesus issued The Great Commission to his followers he assured them I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28v20 b). In the book of James we are urged draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4v8). The message coming through is that God is with us, He is near. For the unbeliever God may be viewed as a far away concept, certainly not a God who can be known personally and is involved with our lives. So what makes the difference in the believer's understanding of this? The Bible teaches us about the key role in this of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised he would not leave us as spiritual orphans but would send us the Holy Spirit (see John chs 14 &16). Paul wrote to the church about the indwelling of the Spirit in the life of the believer (see Romans 8). Consequently, instead of questioning if God is near, we can walk in the Truth that he is, as we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us. Romans 15v13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. The Holy Spirit enables our minds to know peace (Romans 8v9) and we can know transformational thinking as we lay hold of Truth when it seems elusive. Psalm 145 v18 suggests the key to experiencing that God is near is in laying hold of Truth. The Holy Spirit enables us to do this. Let us not neglect reading, hearing and meditating on the Truth in scripture and keeping it at the forefront of our minds so that the the Holy Spirt has opportunity to bring it to our remembrance (ref John 14v26 about the Holy Spirit bringing Truth to our remembrance). Instead of us asking God, 'knock knock, who's there', it is God who knocks on the door of our hearts and minds by the power of his Spirit and asks 'Is anyone there?'    

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version.            

Knowing

 

One of the topics that usually comes up in everyday conversation is how people's jobs are going. 'How's work been this week' is a typical question to be asked. Sometimes, people experience uncertainty, whether it's through losing their job or uncertain if they will keep their job after the next company review - a situation I've experienced in the past myself and I've heard work colleagues say 'it's the not knowing I can't stand'. A Christian is supposed to live from the standpoint of knowing what God did through the saving work of Jesus Christ. This was evidence of God's mercy towards us: Romans 12v1 says: Therefore, I urge you...in view of God's mercy... The phrase in view of  hints at keeping something in our vision, holding to it, keeping it at the forefront of our thinking. The passage continues with a plea to live in an attitude of worship to God in view of knowing how He has helped us. It then encourages us to let God change the way you think - Romans 12v2a (CEV).
Herein lies the key to a transformed life from living in a place of  uncertainty to a place of knowing: we have the opportunity to let God change the way we think. God gives us space to choose certainty, to take it or leave it. What takes place in this pause is our choice.

What often happens is that we hear the wrong thing or rather hear it in the wrong way. As soon as we hear an instruction like I urge you from the Bible or one that is prompted in our life, our first thought can be 'regulation', law, another layer of requirement or restriction for us. Then we put pressure on oursleves to perform or to live up to some perceived standard. If we fail to achieve this standard we can feel guilty or unworthy and see ourselves as failing to live a transformed life. This scenario and accompanying mindset illustrates the difference between religion and relationship. Religion = doing things to earn acceptance; Relationship = responding from a place of certainty that we are accepted already. 

Are we responding to God and His revealed truth in Christ from a place of 'knowing' or uncertainty?

The apostle Paul writes to the church at Rome (and all Christians everywhere) about God's sure and certain mercy in Christ, speaking later about those who were like broken off branches being grafted into salvation  (see Romans ch11). Rom12v1 is a challenge to what I call our 'start up view' when we are called to live at a higher level. WE OFTEN START WITH WHAT WE ARE BEING ASKED TO DO, NOT WHY WE ARE BEING ASKED TO DO IT. Paul is urging us to have an earlier and clearer view of what God has done for us and not delay living it out as a present reality. When this viewpoint is our startpoint it empowers us towards a grace response to a gracious and merciful God who sent Jesus to pay the debt of sin we could never pay (ref Romans 3v23). We are being shown here that when we allow the Truth of God's love in Christ to fill our thoughts, then we cannot help but live a life in response. Is it too much to ask to live wholeheartedly for the God who has given so much to us and keeps on giving? LAW DEMANDS A REQUIREMENT FROM US; GRACE EMPOWERS A RESPONSE WITHIN US. Let us start in the right position. Let it be a position of knowing.

Be Reasonable

During a recent visit to a city in England I observed some people in a large open area trying to advertise Christianity to passers by. At some point they got into a discussion with a man and a woman and the discussion became heated. Voices were raised and then the couple who had stopped to speak with the Christians went over to police officers nearby and complained about them. Before I left the area I approached the Christians and offered some encouragement. However, what impacted me most about that episode was a negative rather than a positive. Despite believing that Jesus is the answer for our deepest need, I found myself thinking that the lasting impression for anyone who witnessed that open air 'discussion'  was of people arguing about religion and it not being clear who was in the right. Indeed the Christians may have been perceived as over zealous types and trouble makers.

The experience brought to mind a Bible passage which says if you are asked about your Christian hope always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear (1 Peter 3:15b-16a, NLT). What I had witnessed in that city was a kind of shouting match and this never helps the case for Christianity. It makes Christians look unreasonable. In situations where Christians are argumentative or overly zealous in presenting their faith the conscience will suggest that it is not the best way to sway others to the cause.

In the Bible, when Paul was on trial before a Roman governor for allegedly stirring up trouble when he spoke about Christianity, he was clear that his accusers did not find him arguing with anyone. He states that his conscience is clear (Acts 24: 12, 16). Paul sought to avoid fruitless arguments but neither did he shy away from explaining the reason for the faith within him. When he was later brought before king Agrippa he reminds the king that Christian activity would be familiar to him as it was not done in secret. He asserts that he can speak freely before Agrippa and that what he asserts is not unreasonable. In other words Paul is saying both that he is not a 'crazed' fanatic, going around trying to force his opinion down people's throats, nor ashamed of what he believes and shying away from discussing it in a reasonable manner (see Acts 26).

Paul tells Agrippa his personal story about how he went from being an obsessive persecutor of Christians to a passionate follower of their faith. No matter what struggles the king and his audience may have had with the idea that Jesus could've risen from the dead it was not unreasonable to suppose that some dramatic intervention in Paul's situation had occurred to account for such a turnaround in his life mission. It's almost as if Paul is challenging his listeners: 'how do you account for the change in me?' Paul was able to 'reasonably' explain his faith in Jesus because a 'reasonable' observable change had occurred in him. There is something very powerful for us to take from this: Christians should not simply talk about their faith, it should also be obvious to any reasonable person how their faith has changed them.

We should not be afraid to engage in reasonable debate about Christianity but the debate will be sterile if we do not exhibit the warmth and relaxed freedom springing from a changed life. Christians have something to share and the good news about Jesus is nothing to apologise for. A changed life illustrates this. As Paul reminded us:

I am not ashamed of  this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes (Romans 1v16 NLT).

This is exciting news to share but another reason Christians can become tense and argumentative in sharing the good news is by putting themselves under pressure to win over the listener at the earliest opportunity. I read a lot and for me the best books are the ones that leave you wanting more, not the ones where I'm glad to have reached the end. Sometimes, at the finish of a live music or drama performance the audience is thinking, or in come cases shouting, 'more, more!' When Paul and his companions spread the good news about Jesus from region to region they were sometimes invited to speak further or had enthused a portion of their audience to hear them again (see Acts 13: Pisidian Antioch; Acts 17: Athens).

If people are not won over the first time we share our faith in Christ or even after several exchanges, that's ok. So long as we leave them or a portion of the listeners wanting to hear more. We do this by remaining open and approachable and encouraging people that we are for them and not against them. Christians have a wonderful message to share about God's love and forgiveness revealed through Jesus. That message can be obscured if the messenger comes across as argumentative and unyielding. Put yourself in the position of the listeners and consider what might leave them wanting more.  

The Church believes that faith in Jesus changes lives. The reality is that for those yet to be convinced the message is only as attractive as those sharing it. As Paul advised Timothy, let us avoid foolish arguments that lead to further conflict (2 Timothy 2:23-24). Let us be seen as calm and respectful in telling others about Jesus, knowing an assured and relaxed freedom in conversation that the power of God can work in others as it has in us. Let us help this process, not hinder it. Do not be a troublemaker. Be reasonable!



Image source: https://devontexas.com/2014/08/04/dialysis-and-disagreement/two-cartoon-men-yelling/

The Footsteps of Faith

A scene from the movie 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' has Harrison Ford trying to survive a trial of faith where he steps out to an empty space with a long drop below and seemingly no way across. As he gathers his nerve and takes his first step forward a bridge suddenly appears under his feet and he is able to progress safely to the other side. Although it's a fictional scene, it's often the case that we have to step forward in situations when the way ahead looks uncertain.

I'm a person who likes to know where I'm going. When I'm driving a car I like to have signposts at regular intervals and too often I've found myself in the wrong lane when uncertain about the road ahead.

A guy named Abraham in the Bible had to take a step of faith when given a signpost that was vague to say the least. The signpost more or less said 'go to the place that will be shown to you' (see Genesis 12). How can we believe that we will arrive at a particular place in our lives when the location of that place is unclear? The answer lies in the challenge to take a step and begin moving. When there is movement, there is a chance for success. Abraham set off. He put one foot in front of the other and he left the place he had been staying. He exercised faith and his faith led to movement.

Movement can be difficult if we have become settled and fear change. It means leaving the familiar and finding ourselves in new surroundings and taking on new challenges. In the past I lacked confidence in taking on new challenges. I was happy to settle for comfort not challenge. More recently, my spiritual health has improved as I've taken on new challenges and trusted God to be with me. Abraham left the place he'd grown up in and travelled to become a stranger in a foreign land. Moving in faith is unsettling but faith doesn't grow when we avoid movement.

In Romans 4, followers of Jesus are urged to walk in the footsteps of Abraham's faith. This means not staying where we are. We will not be following anyone's footsteps if we are not moving. Abraham set off and began making progress. Of course he encountered setbacks along the way and so do we when following the footsteps of faith. However, God promises to be with those who trust Him and to help them:

 

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go  (Joshua 1v9).

I recall as a child walking several times on 'stepping stones' over various areas of water and still enjoy this experience if I'm on a woodland walk. Faith in God enables us to see those stepping stones across our path and encourages us to get moving. Let's put on the walking boots of faith and make our way across obstacles we encounter.

I am encouraged and motivated when someone ahead of me during a more difficult part of a walk or mountain trek tells me to 'follow their footsteps'. The footsteps of Abraham reveal footsteps of faith. These are the footsteps God is looking for from us. The Church today must continue to follow the footsteps of faith.



Image source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/taking-leap-faith-clinton-karr

Creating a Disturbance

The news of recent years seems to be littered with stories of protest and unrest. Sometimes it's due to a nation rising up against an oppressive regime. At other times it may involve a march about a particular issue or a public gathering to raise awareness of a person's plight or a perceived social injustice.

These events usually begin with one or more individuals who feel passionate about the cause and who are subsequently stirred into action. This has a snowball effect meaning others who feel strongly about the same thing see the example being set and are persuaded to become involved. I recall watching images of the singer Bob Geldof in 1985 going on radio, TV and wherever he could get his voice heard to challenge Politicians, Pop stars and wider society to donate money and to actually do something to help the people of Africa. He became a force of nature who was so affected by images of children in Africa dying of starvation that he would not take no for an answer when asking those who could afford it to give more time and money to help. The resulting Live Aid concert broadcast around the world set a precedent for more such events to raise money and affected the way we fundamentally view such things.

To influence society about the Christian message I don't advocate that the Church tries to stir up civil unrest to get support for its message or that hard pressure should be put on others to give more time and money. However, that said, the Church is supposed to believe passionately that what people need most is Jesus. During one occasion at a church meeting a personal message was given to me that 'it was time to stand up and be counted'. I've come back to that thought again more recently. It has wider significance for the church as whole. The church is called to be a light and not to be hidden:

Matthew 5v14 You are the light of the world; v16...let your light shine before others

 

The Church has a mission to go into society and impact lives with the good news about Jesus (Matthew 28v18-20). The emphasis is on going where you can be seen not staying hidden. It is about having a presence among people, whereby they know the church is among them and they know what it stands for. Whilst it is good to meet with other Christians to worship and grow in faith, believers need to also go to the 'playing field' and get stuck in.  Bob Geldof got stuck in because he was provoked in his heart and mind to act. He created a disturbance in people's hearts and minds which created a positive disturbance in society. The Church is not supposed to be an institution. It is supposed to help change hearts and minds and in a positive way should be creating a 'disturbance'. There are two essentials for this to happen:

 

1) PRAYING FOR BOLDNESS

 

Peter and John spoke with boldness when they appeared before the religious leaders following their arrest  - Acts 4v13. They had been arrested for talking about resurrection from the dead through Jesus and by this time a great 'disturbance' in people's hearts and minds was occurring as about 5000 men had put their faith in Jesus (Acts 4v2-4).

Paul spoke boldly for 3 months in Ephesus - Acts 19v8. Once again this preceded a 'disturbance' as later on we are informed in a notably understated manner as the city moves towards a riot: about that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way  - Acts 19v23. Paul did not incite a riot but others did as they resisted the message he proclaimed boldly.

 

PRAYING FOR BOLDNESS SHOULD BE A PRIORITY > Acts 4v29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness (emphasis added). 

Whilst there are many open to hearing about faith in Jesus it remains the case that there are varied pressures from society for Christians to be seen and not heard. We must be strong in sharing our faith confidently when the opportunities arise. This confidence increases as we encounter God's presence in prayer and request an infusion of boldness. We can't make things happen for God in our own strength but things will be shaken up around us as people observe boldness in us > Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common (ordinary) men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus  - Acts 4v13 (emphasis and amplification added).

 

2)  RECEIVING BOLDNESS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

Paul and Silas travelled around boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus and some who were jealous described them as men who had turned the world upside down (Acts 17v6b). A sense of this comes across in the various disturbances mentioned throughout Acts but it is also clear that the first believers did not disturb the spiritual landscape on their own - they had help. This help came from the Holy Spirit. It's difficult to read far in Acts without the Holy Spirit getting a mention:

• And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2v4)
• Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said to them...(4v8)
• ...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the Word of God with boldness (4v31b) - notice there is a link between receiving boldness and receiving the Holy Spirit > If we want boldness we need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was aware of this and told his followers that he would not leave them as orphans (John 14v18) and that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, would be sent to them, teaching them all things (John 14v26), bearing witness about Jesus (John 15v26) and challenging the world to repent of sin (John 16v8-9).

So, in addition to praying for boldness, we need to be filled with the Spirit and receive boldness from the Spirit. The Holy Spirit prompts us when to speak and when not to, when to act and when to hold back. In Acts 8, we observe that the Holy Spirit prompted Philip to approach a court official in his chariot and to speak with him. This did not become a forced situation where Philip was 'in this guy's face' but a response to the clear provocation of the Holy Spirit and the official gladly listened to the good news about Jesus. The Holy Spirit is not about shoving the message down people's throats and if Christians are too 'full on' they are not being led by the Spirit. 

 

Personal illustration: If we do not have confidence in our speaking we can still act under the leading of the Holy Spirit. I was recently walking through the town I live in when I passed an elderly man who was leaning on a crutch and virtually clinging to a building in trying to make his way along a street corner. I got some way past him when I sensed the Holy Spirit stop me and prompt me to go back and ask the man if he needed help - it was stronger than a polite notion that I should be kind. Surprise, Surprise, the man gratefully received my assistance across town to his destination. 

 

We can be conscious of the Holy Spirit provoking us on a daily basis to act or speak in line with our revelation of God's love in Jesus and as we respond boldly the Holy Spirit creates a disturbance, breaking up the hard ground in people's hearts and minds, lowering resistance to the good news about Jesus.

 

Bob Geldof was stirred as a normal human reaction to widespread suffering in Africa. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to stir us into action as we are affected by the spiritual bankruptcy of the human condition without knowing Jesus. Go is looking for a sense of urgency in this. Stephen challenged his first century audience about resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7v51). The Holy Spirit has more to show us and the challenge for us is to yield and not resist the Holy Spirit's more. This is a call to the church to move out of the comfort zone, to pray for boldness, and to welcome the Holy Spirit's role in creating a disturbance.