St Timothy Presbyterian Church in Toronto: Sermons

Galatians 6:1-5

Bearing one another's burdens It's a beautiful principle. We would all agree. It's harder to carry out in practice. I've got my own burden to deal with. I don't have time or the energy for someone else's!

The reality of bearing one another's burdens becomes most real in a community like this. We don't get to choose who comes and goes. The stranger I see in front of me is supposed to be my neighbour, my brother or sister in Christ. If I want to make it as convenient as I can for myself, I can just ignore them or keep them at bay if they inconvenience me. But if I want to truly live out the calling to bear one another's burdens, then I can't do that. I have to live with them and journey with them side by side, no matter how different or difficult they are. It is a beautiful principle, but harder to live out in practice.

We learned that when we come to know Christ, our hearts of stone turn into hearts of flesh. Hearts of flesh make room for others. I reflected on this more. What allows us to make that room for others in our hearts?

Gentleness. When we meet Christ, we experience his gentle hands touching and softening our hardened hearts. Christ fills us with the spirit of gentleness so that we can extend the same grace to the people around us.

That is what St. Paul experienced on the road to Damascus. To a dogmatic and zealous individual, Christ appeared. But Christ didn't condemn him or punish him. He simply spoke to Paul in a gentle voice

Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? (Acts 9:4)

Christ's soft and gentle touch was what broke Paul's hardened heart. It crushed him. But it changed him for good.

The life-changing journey that St. Paul went through was not that he was a bad person and then turned into a good person. He was hard-working and did good things. He was blameless under law. But until he met Christ, he knew nothing except himself. As long as he lived morally and rightly, that was all that mattered. Others who fell short of his standards, he condemned. Once he met Christ, he not only had to embrace his own shortcomings, but he had to make room in his heart to embrace the shortcomings of others as well.

In Christ, he found his calling to bear one another's burdens. With the spirit of gentleness he received, that's what he lived throughout his life. When things turned sour or bad, he didn't run away. When people attacked him, he didn't retaliate. No matter how difficult it was, he took time to understand them, care for them, and embrace them as Christ did. To the Galatians, he preached what he lived

My brothers and sisters, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1, 2)

Gentleness doesn't come from having sentimental feelings about the other person. Then we will never be gentle with our enemies. Gentleness comes from our concrete experience of Christ's love. Gentleness is the defining mark of a Christian. Gentleness is the fruit of the Spirit. Gentleness fulfills the law of Christ.

Let us begin each day by asking Christ to fill us with the spirit of gentleness. This is connected to yesterday's reflection on prayer. If anxiety and fear breed hostility and aggression in our hearts, with peace comes gentleness. There's the saying, Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. We never fully know what someone else is going through. But we are all dealing with our own burdens in life. No matter how they may seem on the outside, the other person is just as fragile and vulnerable like me. And I'm probably just as difficult as they are.

Instead of jumping to assumptions based on what we see on the surface, let us relate to each other with gentleness. With warmth, openness, sensitivity and care. With the help of the Spirit. We will then be able to bear one another's burdens. That is what it means to be a body of Christ.

Guided Prayer Time

Anything we say and do flows directly from our hearts. How we relate to others reflect what is going on in our hearts. To live in harmony, we need to bear one another's burdens. To bear one another's burdens, we need the spirit of gentleness. Let us ask God to mold our hearts as we begin today so that we may be gentle with those around us.

The post Bear One Another with Gentleness appeared first on St Timothy Presbyterian Church.

Philippians 4:4-7

Last night, we looked St. Paul's life and his journey through his letter to the Philippians. Today's passage comes from the end of the same letter. He stresses the importance of prayer.

Prayer was important to St. Paul. For him, it wasn't an act of religious piety. Prayer was central to his journey of knowing Christ and his power. It was the bedrock of his life. That's why he urged those to whom he sent his letters to pray. To the Thessalonian community, he also wrote

Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Prayer shouldn't remain a concept. Otherwise, we will never pray. We know we should, but it will just be a nice idea. Yes, we reflect on prayer in a setting like this. It is important to have a good understanding of prayer. But ultimately, prayer has to be LIVED. It has to be an integral part of our journey of knowing Christ and his power.

Prayer is not necessarily the words we say. Neither is it a means of getting God to do what we want. God already knows what is on our hearts before we say a word. Prayer has to do with connectedness. Prayer is giving our complete and undivided attention to God.

That is why we often find praying difficult. Our minds are so distracted and divided. It takes effort to bring ourselves to God. We are too tired to do anything else.

But no one ever said praying would be nice, comfortable and easy. St. Paul asked three times that his thorn be removed. Jesus even struggled when he prayed. He felt like he was being pulled in many directions at once. He strained to keep God as the focus of his prayer. Not my will, but yours be done. Yet when he finally fixed his eyes not on his thoughts but on God, he found the strength to carry on in his journey. He found peace that made all his fears and worries lose their grip over him. Later, he promised the same peace to those who were feeling anxious and afraid.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

We have already been given the gift of peace in Christ. But we often lose sight of this precious gift because our eyes turn elsewhere.

In that sense, giving our attention to God is trusting wholeheartedly in God's goodness. It is choosing to put our trust in God over anything else that might demand our attention. So simple yet difficult. But I believe that is the essence of prayer. St. Paul tells us today

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7)

We don't need to worry about what we are going to say. When we come to God in prayer, we are already letting our requests be made known to him. God sees and hears our hearts.

Strive to render your mind deaf and dumb at the time of prayer and then you will be able to pray. (Evagrius Ponticus)

Focus on God. Retreat to God's safe and comforting arms. Abide in his goodness. Let nothing else get in the way. Peace of Christ will slowly settle into our hearts. It will guard our hearts and minds. We may not understand it rationally, but we will experience its presence and power in our lives. It will brighten our outlook for today.

Guided Prayer Time

As the song goes, let us turn our eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of his glory and grace.

Whatever worries, concerns and fears you may come to this place with, leave them in God's hands. God's goodness is greater than any of our fears and worries. Yes, we don't know what today will bring. But with peace that God gives, we can go into today with hope. Let the peace of Christ settle into your hearts and strengthen you as you begin today.

The post Prayer Brings Peace appeared first on St Timothy Presbyterian Church.

Romans 5:1-8

We Will See

Hope is a wonderful thing. Without hope, we cannot survive. Since we see a bright tomorrow, we can survive dark today. When our tomorrow is gloomy, it is that much harder to live today.

So, the secret of living a healthy life is always to see the bright tomorrow. Tomorrow is not here yet. So, as far as tomorrow is concerned, it is always your attitude.

Tomorrow may bring sadness. Yes, it is possible. Tomorrow may bring disaster. Yes, it is possible. Tomorrow may bring tragedy. Yes, it is possible.

There is a Chinese word which is very interesting. I taught the word to people in Madagascar. They loved it. They went around, saying, . It's called The word comes from this story.

There was an old man who lived in the Former Han Dynasty. He had a horse. One day, this horse ran away and he lost the horse. So, the village people came and told him how sorry they were. The old man responded, Oh well, we will see.

The next day, the horse that ran away came back with another horse. The village people came and told the old man how lucky he was. The old man responded, Oh well, we will see.

The next day, the son was riding the horse and he fell from the horse and broke his leg. The village people came and told the old man how sorry they were. The old man responded, Oh well, we will see.

The next day, the war broke out and all the young men of the right age were drafted to go to war. But he didn't have to go to war because he broke his leg. The village people came and told the old man how lucky he was. The old man responded, Oh well, we will see.

From this story, the word came.

Not only we don't know what is waiting for us tomorrow, but also we don't know how tomorrow will bring another tomorrow. Tomorrow may bring sadness, but the sadness may bring another joy. Tomorrow may bring disaster, but the disaster may bring another luck. Tomorrow may bring tragedy, but the tragedy may bring another blessing.

A Strong Perspective

Life is a perspective. It is important to have a strong perspective. Don't be shaken by what is happening right now. Have a strong perspective.

That is what we see in today's passage.

St. Paul had a strong perspective.

we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Romans 5:3, 4)

He believed that even sufferings will create hope within him. He can even boast in his sufferings. That is a strong perspective.

He saw everything in the perspective of hope. Hope is not merely about having positive outcome for tomorrow. In hope, he saw all things would work out for good. In hope, he was prepared to deal with all kinds of situations.

Paul's hope did not depend on his calculation of the possibility for tomorrow. Paul's hope did not depend on his feeling about tomorrow. Paul's hope depended totally and solely on God's love for him.

This is what he said.

hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

His hope was deeply rooted in God's love. Hope is not about how we feel about future. It is not about how our present situation looks good. It is about God's commitment for us that comes from his love.

Let's have this kind of hope. It will give us a strong perspective for tomorrow.

The post Hope Makes You Strong appeared first on St Timothy Presbyterian Church.

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

The Beginning

Recognizing that I need help is the beginning of everything. It is the beginning of change. It is the beginning of healing. It is the beginning of becoming righteous.

It is a very simple statement and simple attitude that we can have. And yet the result is powerful.

The woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years experienced healing. She had nothing to show for and she did nothing to deserve healing. The only thing she had was this attitude.

I need help.

The result was phenomenal. She was not just physically healed. She became free from social isolation. During Jesus' time, woman's bleeding was considered dirty. So once a month, women had to go through the humiliation of feeling dirty. It was not a good thing to do to a human being. But this woman with haemorrhages had to live with it not just once a month but every day of her life. Sometimes our culture can be cruel and quite oppressive. If our culture is cruel and oppressive, then we should be bold enough to change that. Now she became free from the social stigma.

She experienced a life-changing miracle. It was simple. Her attitude of I need help is all she needed.

The same thing happened to the second story. The daughter of a leader of the synagogue. She was dead. But the father did not give up. He came to Jesus. He came with this simple attitude.

I need help.

His simple plea of I need help saved his daughter. He experienced the wonderful miracle of having back his daughter.

The woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages and the leader of the synagogue had this simple attitude.

I need help.

This Simple Request

Your prayer should be simple. Lord, I need help. You don't need to say anything more. You don't need to say a long prayer, using fancy words.

When you live your life with this simple attitude, your life will become very simple and amazingly, you will experience the wonderful mystery of God.

You don't need to impress anyone. You don't need to prove yourself to others. You don't need to show how great you are.

You simply come to God and say I need you. You simply come to others and say I need you.

Do you know how European church started? Very simple. It started with this vision. St. Paul's original plan was to go to Asia. But he saw this vision at night. This was the vision.

During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us.'(Acts 16:9)

Macedonia was Europe. Come and help us. With this simple request, the whole Europe became the Christian country.

Lord, help me. That is the attitude of asking for mercy. I have nothing to give you. I have no sacrifice to present to you. I come simply because I need your help.

But God likes that. Matthew tells us this.

I desire mercy, not sacrifice. (Matthew 9:13)

That was how Matthew felt when he was first called. Matthew was a tax collector. Everybody hated tax collectors. They took advantage of people financially. They were like thieves. To make money, to be rich, they threw away their dignity and personal integrity. They lived their whole life with this sense of being dirty and impure. Like the woman who had suffered from haemorrhages. The woman for the wrong reason. But Matthew, maybe, for the understandable reason.

When Jesus called Matthew, he was quite surprised. He was so honoured. Jesus' calling was a pure honour.

Matthew didn't deserve to be a disciple of Jesus. He did too many bad things to people. And he knew that too. And yet, this great teacher called him to follow him.

He experienced the mercy of God. What Jesus said at that moment was so powerful to him.

For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners. (Matthew9:13)

Matthew remembered this moment so vividly. It was Matthew who wrote this gospel. That phrase cut to the heart of Matthew. Matthew changed forever. He was only a tax collector but he wrote this master piece, called the Gospel According To Matthew. It became the Bible for us. The power of mercy. He learned the power of mercy.

True Righteousness

Jesus said this.

Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. (Matthew 9:13)

Pharisees did not have the clue of what their own prophet, Hosea said. What I just quoted was quotation from Hosea. They didn't live with the attitude of I need help. They had the attitude of I am righteous.

We are righteous not because we are clean and sinless but because of God's mercy, we can stand before God as a righteous person.

True righteousness begins with I need help. From that true righteousness, the wonderful and powerful miracles can happen.

There is a clear difference between the righteousness that I built with my own power and the righteousness that is given to me as a gift.

Jesus explains this contrast with his parable.

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.

But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner! I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.'(Luke 18:9-14)

God wants true righteousness. True righteousness comes from the recognition that I am a sinner and I need help. When you experience God's forgiveness, you become truly righteous.

I talked about entitlement attitude and indebted attitude last week. False righteousness makes up entitlement attitude but the true righteousness creates indebted attitude.

Healing and Reconciliation

True righteousness does not make you judgmental but compassionate. From this compassion, healing can happen. You receive mercy and you become merciful to others.

That was what Jesus said.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Eg) I attended this forum last Thursday.

Stories of two women

Robi Damelin and Laila AlShekh

Laila – Palestinian woman

Robi – Israel Woman

Laila lost her son. Israel solider threw tear gas at her village and it affected the lungs of Laila's son. He was only 6 months old. She wanted to go to hospital but she was stopped at check point. By the time, she went to the hospital, it was too late. The baby died.

Robi's son was an Israel soldier and he was a very kind soldier. But he was shot to death by a Palestinian sniper.

They both struggled with their horrible reality. But instead of taking the way of revenge, they took the way of mercy and forgiveness. That is true righteousness. From this righteousness, came the healing.

They both work for healing of over 600 families who have lost immediate family members to the ongoing conflict and work together for reconciliation and a just resolution to the conflict.

False righteousness brings division and violence but true righteousness brings healing and reconciliation.

God desires mercy, not sacrifice.

The post I Need Help appeared first on St Timothy Presbyterian Church.

Matthew 28:16-20

Together in Partnership

I told you last week that there is a project of translating the Bible in their tribal languages. It has been translated into two languages and they will do two more translation in the future. Each translation project costs U$100,000. One person donated U$100,000 and U$300,000 were raised. The Rev. Ohm said he would donate again. There are a lot of good and generous people in the world.

People in Madagascar couldn't do this alone. We need a partnership. This world is deeply connected. It is not that western countries do the mission for the developing countries. The attitude of colonial mission should not be the model we should follow any more. We work together in partnership, using each other's strengths and resources. People in Madagascar are doing much better in terms of mission than those who live in North America. But they need financial resources. So we help them and enable them to do what they do well. We are enablers. We have to look at mission in a new way. It is true that there had been many problems with the idea of mission traditionally. But Jesus' Great Commission is still important to us.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)

Matthew 28:18-20 is often called the Great Commission. It is a term coined by the great missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, who said,

The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.

Just as the sun does not forget a village just because it is small, we do not want to ignore the people of any small language group who have not heard the gospel. That's why we wanted to translate the Bible in their tribal languages. When I was a chair of the Asian Centre at Knox, there was a man who was translating the Bible into Hakka tribe in Taiwan.

This Bible is specifically edited to reflect African situation in their commentaries and a little stories. The Rev. Ohm's name is written in the first page. Because this project was done by Leadership International which helps many African projects. The leader of the Leadership International came to Madagascar last year and he had a heart attack. We all prayed for his safety. With God's help, he was Ok.

Gifts From God

The Great Commission is a precious statement. It is what gives us the purpose of life. Because of this Great Commission, we have come to know Jesus Christ, and believe in him, and have eternal life. There were people who took this Commission seriously enough that they gave their lives to fulfill this Commission. That was how the good news came to us. We owe them.

St. Paul lived with this indebted feeling. This was what he said.

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish (Romans 1:14)

Of course, he didn't borrow money from them. He is a debtor of God's grace and his way of paying back the debt was to share the gospel with Greeks and barbarians, the wise and the foolish. He lived his life with this indebted feeling.

Yes, we are all debtors. God has provided so much for us. All the good things that we enjoy – we have received from God. Material wealth, our children, our health, our good living condition, our security. Not only that. Peace we feel. Love that we experience. Forgiveness that we enjoy. The hope for the eternal life. These are all free gifts from God.

We don't need to pay back. But deep in our heart, we have this appreciation. That appreciation is what Paul was talking about. He was so appreciative that he said he was a debtor. I think that is the best way to describe our deep appreciation. Yes, we are debtors.

Not because we have to pay back, but we want to pay back out of gratitude. Those who are in difficult situations. We are debtors to them. Those who are experiencing injustice in life. We are debtors to them. The natural environments that was destroyed and exploited because of human greed. We are debtors to them. Those who don't know the good news. We are debtors to them.

People in Madagascar live with that attitude. I thanked them personally for taking time out and helping me. They always said, No I thank you. They live with this indebtedness. And they all took this Commission seriously. I could see that. They gave their life to carry out this Commission. My translator was so happy seeing the students learning so much and he told me what students told him with excitement.

Indebtedness

Entitlement attitude should not be a Christian attitude. I am having what I am entitled to have. I am enjoying things that I am entitled to enjoy. That is not a Christian attitude. The attitude of indebtedness should be a Christian attitude. The disciples carried out the Great Commission with this indebted feeling.

We sing this song.

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of His grace.

Even if we have a thousand tongues, it is not enough to praise God with them. That is the indebtedness.

This great commission is the honour to keep, not a burden to carry.

David Livingstone, who spent his life as a medical missionary and explorer of Africa, said,

If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honour, how can a commission by a heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?

The fact we can live a missional life is our honour. It is our privilege.

I won't say it will be always easy. At times, it may be difficult.

But this is what Jesus promised.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

Jesus promised that he would be with us. It is the inner presence of Christ that motivates us, empowers us, and provides us with the energy. It is the best way to experience the presence of Christ. You do mission and you will experience the presence of Christ.

Follow Christ

Being a Christian means to be a disciple. Discipleship means basically following Christ. To follow Christ, you have to know what Christ wants from you. Have a relationship with Christ. Daily walk with him. Then you will be able to know what Christ wants from you.

There is a proverb from Cote d'Ivoire

No tree produces fruit without first producing flowers.

In the same way, your relationship with Christ has to flourish first, then you can see the fruit of knowing what Christ wants from you.

Don't follow your common sense. Don't follow your feelings. Don't follow others. Don't follow your instincts.

Follow Christ. Know his words. Let Christ shape you.

I heard that there are 22 people going to Sioux Valley. I heard that 14 people registered last Sunday.

When you go there, go with the indebted attitude. Listen to them. Listen to their hurt and pain. Listen to the injustice they experienced. Be in solidarity with them. Show them that they are not alone. There are people who care.

Build relationship with Christ. Daily walk with Christ. He will shape you. He will let you know what you need to do.

Life is about following Christ. Don't waste your life, chasing after illusive dreams. Follow Christ. Fix your eyes upon Christ. He will show you the way to the fullness of life. You will become much happier. You give what you have but it is mystery that you become fuller. You give but you receive much more than what you give. That is what spiritual life is. Find the secret of spiritual life. Mission has to come from this spiritual life. Mission is a channel of God blessing us.

The post The Great Commission appeared first on St Timothy Presbyterian Church.

Acts 1:8

The Ends of the Earth

Acts of Apostles was written by Luke. When Luke wrote this book, there was no such thing as Christians. They were all Jews. But they were different from the majority of other Jews. They believed that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. So, we call them Messianic Jews. They were a very small group. After Jesus died, only 120 people gathered together to pray. A very small, insignificant group.

But Luke had a great vision. He had a vision that there will be God's witnesses not only in Jerusalem but to the ends of the earth. He believed in what Jesus said.

This was what Jesus said.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

What Jesus said came true. There were witnesses who went to the ends of the earth. What started with prayers of 120 people changed the whole world. Starting from Rome, the whole world changed. All Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and Madagascar that I went to.

FJKM Church

Slide: Church Picture

The picture you see is FJKM church in one of the villages where I taught. On the building, it says 1859. But the church officially began in 1968. FJKM means Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar. It has been a member of WCC since 1969.

This church is the biggest denomination as the reformed church in Madagascar. They have 6 million members. The Rev. Njato who organized this whole mission is a minister of 20,000 members. They have 5 separate services. It was 15,000 member church when I went last time and it grew.

I don't know how Luke had this big vision. He was like a prophet. That itself was a miracle. He didn't believe in the power of 120 people. He didn't believe in the power of 4 million or 6 million people. He believed in the power of the Holy Spirit.

You can see that in today's passage. He said, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you become a witness. That is what the Holy Spirit does. When you receive the Holy Spirit, you want to be a witness. And you will live a life of being a witness. Being a witness means simply to share what God has done in your life.

The Desire to be a Witness

I went to two places: Ambatondrazaka and Fianarantsoa. Since we didn't have enough time, we had to take a small plane when we got there. It's only 400 Km but it takes 20 hours by a car. On the way back, we came by a car.

Slide: Pilot from Sweden and a young mother from Holland.

They are all there because they want to be witnesses.

Every year, the church the Rev. Njato serves sends 50 lay missionaries. When they first started this project, they asked for help and so our church financially helped them. You see pictures on the way to the fellowship hall. Now, they are sending 200 people. They are just church members. Some of them are professors, engineers, teachers, and there are also who are not educated. They take vacation and go there to help establish a church.

In Madagascar, there are a few big cities but there are also so many small villages. There is no road to get there. So, you have to go there by Helicopter and there is a Heli Mission. Or some places, you go by a boat. These lay people want to be witnesses and that's why they get trained and go to rural areas. I helped them again with the fund you provided for me.

Just to take us around, two people took their vacation and drove us. One was a professional soldier and the other was a taxi driver by profession. One person took a week's vacation to do translation for us. They were all church members. For them, serving is their life. Serving for Christ is what they do.

They do this with the desire to be witnesses. That is the proof of having the Holy Spirit within them. The proof of having the Spirit is not about having supernatural gifts or speaking in tongues but having the desire to be a witness. Luke believed in this power. And we have seen this power throughout Christian history.

Passion

I went to train seminary students. FJKM has 4 seminaries. And there is a Faculty of Theology in Antananarivo. You study 3 years in these seminaries but they have to study at the Faculty of Theology for their final year. Then you go out and practice one more year. Then you can become a minister.

There are 7,200 churches in the national church but only 1,500 ministers. In Ambatondrazaka, there were 69 students and 77 students in Fianarantsoa. There were more female students in both seminaries. Their studying environment was not very good. They all live there. In a small room, 6-8 people live together. Not many facilities.

Slide: Washroom

But they all have this desire to be witnesses. They didn't mind their difficult circumstances. They had this passion to be witnesses.

Slide: Students

They could overcome all their difficult situations with this sole desire to be witnesses. When I taught them, they said they never heard this kind of teaching. They all learned Synoptic problems but first time, they were able to see Jesus portrayed in each gospel differently. They were so happy. The principal came to me with tears and said, are you gonna teach only 4 books. Teach us more. Come back next year. What they wanted was not money or material.

I went to their library. Only very old French books. I couldn't see any new books. Archaic books. They don't have a computer and so they write their paper by hand and go to the village and get it typewritten, paying. They could not even do the research.

So with the fund you gave me, I helped them set up a computer system. The church the Rev. Njato serves has many computer technicians and so they will set up for them. Several years ago, I brought many books in one of their theological seminaries and I could see them with our church name. They need more resources. Around the seminaries, they own a huge land. Students all learn how to do agriculture because when they go out, they have to teach people how to do effective agriculture. Their ministry will not be just teaching the Bible. There are many tribal languages. The Rev. Ohm raised U$100,000 and translated the Bible in Cianaca language. One person donated $100,000. They had worship service in their own language, using their own Bibles. Even at the seminary, there were people who spoke Cianaca language. So, we brought Bibles to the library.

I saw so many people who wanted to live as witnesses. They came from all over the world. Our life has to be a life of being a witness. God still works through you. You experience every day how God takes care of you and you experience his grace daily. You need to share that with others. That is what it means to be a witness.

God Works Through You

Years ago, when I went to Knox College, I once invited international students to my small apartment. I met a man from Madagascar then. We talked a lot. And he was teaching at Faculty of Theology. All the professors of two seminaries I served learned from him.

We don't know how God works in our lives. You need to be a witness to those around you but you also have to remember to be a witness to the ends of the earth. To experience that, Elder Daniel and his wife, Grace went this time. They stayed with me for the first week and they went to a different place in the second week. Daniel's brother's work has to do with agriculture and he is willing to help. So, Daniel did a presentation to people who can use Daniel's help.

Thank you for praying for us. I could feel your prayers there. You have made this mission possible through your personal help, mission dinner and prayer. Without your desire to be witnesses, this mission would not have been possible.

Before I left, one old lady from KSM told me that there would be an explosive effect. I said at that time, let's see whether what you are saying is a prophecy. It did have a very powerful impact on them. What God does Mysterious If you have a desire to be a witness, God can do a great work through you. What the Spirit did through disciples and St. Paul, he will do it through this church.

The post Be My Witness appeared first on St Timothy Presbyterian Church.

1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11

Fiery Ordeal

Our passage today begins with this verse:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12)

Peter's community is going through something very difficult. To grasp what that is, we need to unpack the context a little bit. Peter is writing to a community of mostly Gentiles. Before they became Christians, they used to be a part of their communities. They lived the same way as them. They were insiders in the culture and community. But everything changed after they met Christ. After meeting Christ, they found their reason for living. The way they thought changed. The way they behaved changed. The people they hung out with changed.

When people change, it disturbs those around them. It disrupts the equilibrium. It is unsettling. Their change attracted hostility. It aroused suspicion. They became marginalized in their own communities. The people are going through a very hard time. They are second guessing themselves.

But Peter has a message for them:

But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. (1 Peter 4:13-14)

Rejoice. Your are blessed.

Love and Suffering

Peter is telling them to embrace suffering and hold fast to what they had found in Christ

When you love something, you suffer. This is a universal truth. When you truly love something and give of yourself to it, it will bring suffering. Parents' suffering: parents love their children, but that love brings suffering. When your children suffer, you suffer. But suffering borne of love bears the fruit of life. God loved the world so much that he sent his only son, Jesus. Jesus' suffering in love saves us, gives us life.

To meet Christ is to experience fullness of God's love – to be enveloped by love. Love is what brings life. Love makes things come alive.

To really live, need to be driven by love. If you haven't found something or someone to love, then you haven't found a reason to live. Calling: unique way in which love is manifested. Love is universal, calling is unique. The shape that love is manifested in each person is unique. Calling is your special unique contribution of love to the world that only you can contribute. It's not about your job, but how you live your life and bless others. That is unique to you. I am a minister by job, but my calling is not so much about the duties I perform. It is about who I am. Who I am comes through in how I do my job and relate to others. Ultimately, it is me as a person who is called to love regardless of whether I'm a minister or not, not me as a minister. We are all uniquely created to offer our unique contribution of love to this world. When we are in Christ, we discover who we are. In Christ's love, we find our unique expression of that love.

But that love brings about suffering. Peter's community found this love in Christ, but they were suffering from the hostility from others.

Hostility

When you experience hostility, it does something to you. Weakens your resolve. Makes you doubt yourself. Instead of feeling free to love, it makes you fear, becoming driven by the need to be accepted and blend in.

Discrimination and prejudice have corrosive effects. It makes you feel like what you have to offer is not worth much. Not only that, but that it's undesired. When you're made an outsider, it eats away at your sense of self-worth. Many of you experienced that. That is what is pernicious about racism: you are made to feel that you are less valuable and have less to offer simply by who you are in appearance or background.

Rejection and prejudice can distort who you are. You become very defensive: try to prove yourself and show how special you are, or hide who you are and try to blend in. Avoid difference and run away from what's unique about yourself. Bury your unique contribution of love. To be driven more by calculation than by love

To live life that's true requires courage. You need to be willing to face the fire that can come your way. You need to face the fiery ordeals that Peter is talking about. These fires will test who you are and what you're made of.

Peter is trying to forge a new identity for those who are in Christ. It's a new identity sealed in his blood. The blood that came from his suffering. We are those who share the sufferings of Christ. Those sufferings give us life. We too take up the path to the cross that Jesus took. We have faith that we will rise with him and share in his glory

Yes, rejection by others takes its toll on us. Even the resurrected Jesus retained the marks on his hands and his sides he received during his crucifixion. We too rise again with Christ, but our marks remain.

My inability to function normally in white settings. Awkward, self-conscious, can't be fully myself. Permanent limp in my sociability. Used to be down on myself about it. But now I accept it and embrace it. By grace, God uses my infirmities for his good purposes

Driven by Love

God does not use us in spite of our infirmities, God uses us because of them. Our infirmities are the raw materials that God takes to make something beautiful. Our hurts and pains are reshaped into fuel for love. They are never gone, but they become repurposed and refashioned to bless others. That is the wonderful gift of grace. Grace gives us new life

I am thankful for Peter's letter of exhortation. He's telling us to hold fast to our convictions. Find your reason to live, and be strong. I want us at St. Timothy to be confident in Christ. To be driven by love, not by fear or calculation. I want us to take risks and put ourselves out there; to stick our necks out for love and what we believe in. Let us live boldly and courageously! That is the life God desires for us in Christ

He knows the journey is difficult. So he offers words of comfort as well.

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Yes, our God cares for you. While we are going through the fiery ordeal, our God cares for us and will take care of us.

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11)

The post Embrace Suffering appeared first on St Timothy Presbyterian Church.

John 14:15-21

An Anchor

Happy Mother's Day. In our church, we celebrate our parents once a year, so I will say, Happy Parents' Day . We celebrate parents because they are anchors for their children. It is not so much what you do for them that matters. It is your presence.

Your presence is the anchor for your children as they grow up. Your presence allows them to grow securely into who they are supposed to be. Your presence is the safe space in which they blossom. Your presence is the place from which they venture out into the world. Your presence is their anchor. That is the greatest thing you can do for your children – be an anchor for them through your presence.

An anchor keeps a boat securely moored. It keeps the boat safe at harbour when storms hit. It keeps it from drifting out to sea and getting lost. It keeps the boat calm and steady so it can get ready to sail.

Just like a parent, Jesus was the anchor for his disciples. They left everything to follow him. He was the one in whom they pinned all their hopes. They sat at his feet as he taught. They were beside him as he healed people. They felt purpose and meaning in his presence. He was their true anchor. But now, Jesus is talking about his departure. It's making them very uneasy.

Jesus makes them a promise:

I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. (John 14:18)

To be orphaned is to lose the anchoring presence that parents provide.  Orphans are very vulnerable. The disciples were feeling very vulnerable. What would they do if he was gone?

But Jesus is promising that he will not leave them alone. He will come back to them. He will come back, but the manner in which he'll come back is very mysterious.

In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. (John 20:19)

They didn't understand what Jesus meant. What Jesus says is very mysterious. What does it mean that the world will no longer see him, but that they will? Jesus is promising his continuing presence with them, but not in the way they had experienced up to now. Until now, they had been with him physically, and his physical presence had been their anchor. Jesus is talking about a different kind of presence. He's talking about a different reality. A spiritual presence in a spiritual reality.

This was difficult for them to understand.  It's difficult for us to understand. In our contemporary, scientific, technological age, reality for us has become only what we see with our eyes and what we can touch. Reality is what we experience on the surface. Reality is logical and what we can make sense of. So the anchors we seek are concrete, tangible, and make sense. Health, wealth, job, family and friends. These are anchors we can see and that make sense.

But spiritual people have known that reality is not only what we can see or touch. It is not just what our analytical minds can deduce. There is a great reality beyond what we see. We may not see it with our eyes, but it is just as real. Spirituality is being in tune with what is real but not visible to our eyes. Spiritual growth is about cultivating eyes to see this greater reality. Pastor Dave is a very observant guy – maybe that's why he's a pastor. He went to Germany for his sister's wedding. He was at the airport for the first time since the pandemic began. There were so many people – everyone going off to their destination. When we're there, we're just focused on where we're going. We go, check in our luggage, wait, then board the plane. But in order for each person to get where they're going, there are so many things happening behind the scenes. There are so many people involved, so many systems at play, so much coordination that takes place, to get each person where they need to go. We don't really think about any of that. We don't see everything that happens behind the scenes. But all of what happens behind the scenes is real. We couldn't travel without all of that.

Spiritual Reality

That is what spiritual reality is like. It is all the things happening beyond the sight of our eyes. We may not see or notice it, but they are very real nonetheless. Being spiritual is to see what we don't see. Beneath everyday life, there are many things happening. There are things happening in your heart. Things based on your interactions and experiences. Someone around you might behave in a strange way, but underneath the surface, there's a lot happening. Beneath and beyond the reality we see is a spiritual reality hidden from our eyes but that is real nonetheless. A spiritual person learns to detect and discern these things.

While Jesus was with the disciples, they were not very spiritual people. His physical presence was their anchor. They saw the wonderful things he was doing but did not understand the deeper meaning of them. But Jesus was preparing them to be spiritual people. He said this:

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

He was preparing them for a spiritual presence in a spiritual reality.

Our circumstances can take away our anchors at any time. Our health, our wealth, our reputation, our relationships. Our material reality is affected by material circumstances. If you anchor yourself only in what can crumble, that is not a solid existence. When they become shaky, you will be shaky. Many traditional anchors have been crumbling and people are very affected by it.

Spiritual reality is not affected by outward circumstances. Jesus promised his spiritual presence to be with them forever. That spiritual presence would be their anchor. This is an anchor that no material reality can take away. Whatever the circumstances, the Spirit is with us. Whatever we're going through, the Spirit of God is present with us. Not even death itself can take away this anchor. God is with us now and forever.

This is what the disciples experienced at the resurrection:

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20)

Behind locked doors Jesus came to them.

Resurrection is to experience the mysterious reality of God's presence that becomes your true solid anchor.

When you experience the spiritual presence of the living God, it doesn't matter what you're going through. There may be many storms going on in your life. But at your core, at the center of your existence, there is the calming presence of God. This presence gives you peace. That peace shelters you from the storm. You can even set sail through the storms. You can do so because you have the power of God that comes with God's presence.

Through The Storms

When God is with us, we have a power that is much greater than our own. We have God's power that propels us. It is like a boat that has a motor. We are the boat, but God's power is the motor that is attached to the boat. It is God's power, but we are attached to it. On its own, the boat cannot surmount and overcome great waves and storms. But with the motor that is the power of God, the boat can propel right through the storms. The path may be rocky, but we have power to propel through it. When God is present in us, we have this power of God – divine power. The power of God manifests in our lives when the presence of God is alive in us.

There's a Mother's Day story in today's Toronto Star that illustrates everything I've reflected about. It's the story of someone named Danielle Kane. On July 22, 2018, someone went on a shooting spree in the Danforth. 2 people were killed and 13 injured. Danielle Kane was one of those injured. She was out with her longtime boyfriend.  She was a nurse and heard that someone had been hurt. Went out to help – as soon as she opened the door, gunman was there and shot her. Broken ribs, lungs filled with blood, bullet in her spine. Medically induced coma for 11 days. One of her vertebrae shattered. Had to stabilize spine by fusing two other vertebrae. Over three operations, also repaired injuries to abdomen. Paralyzed from waist down. After recovery, two months at rehab institute to manage pain and get used to living in wheelchair. Relationship couldn't withstand the trauma – they broke up. Two months later, the pandemic hit. All alone, she had lost all the anchors that had held up her life: career, mobility, relationship, hopes for family and children. Deep depression. But somehow, something changed. She recalls with clarity the day that things changed. Feeling overwhelmed, she called out to God for help, pleading for relief from the isolation and loneliness. She did this even though at the time she considered herself an atheist. Looking back, she doesn't know why she turned to God. All of her friends and family had been there to support her, but she hadn't felt comfort from them. She says this: I was at the end of myself. I was very desperate and entertaining thoughts of self-harm. I said: God, if you are real, I really need you right now because I can't do this on my own.' All I can say is that I felt this feeling of peace, and the anger and bitterness I had from struggling so much in my situation just went away. I can't really explain it except that I felt like God was here to help me. That was her ...

John 14:1-14

Uncertainty

Last few weeks, I have encountered many deaths. It is sad to witness the passings of people with whom I have had a close relationship. Not only that, I also have heard from people who are going through illness that makes their future very uncertain. I received a Kakao message from a person I haven't seen some time. He asked for prayer. He was diagnosed with cancer and asked me to pray for him.

To all of us, life is very uncertain. More uncertain, especially for those who are going through a difficult time.

But my friends, the truth is our life has been always uncertain. We always lived with the uncertainty. We don't know our future. That is what life is. God made it that way.

Proverbs said,

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. (Proverbs 27:1)

James said,

Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.'Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. (James 4:13, 14)

We do not know what tomorrow will bring. That is the undeniable truth. Ancient people knew that. It didn't change in our modern time.

Unfortunately, this gives us anxiety. It troubles our heart.

We Don’t Know About Tomorrow

In the last few days of Jesus' life, his disciples felt very uneasy. We see that very clearly in today's passage. Today's passage is called Farewell discourse. This is Jesus' final words to his disciples. He knew he was going to die soon and so he wanted to say goodbye to his disciples but at the same time, he wanted to say a few words to them.

The disciples sensed that something bad was coming. Their future was not clear. Jesus kept talking about going to the father. This made them feel very uncomfortable.

Finally, Thomas asked this question.

Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? (John 14:5)

The disciples were scared. When something bad is coming, we all sense it. They all sensed dark clouds coming over them. They depended on Jesus all this time and now they sensed that he might no longer be with them. They could not think of their lives without Jesus. They all followed Jesus and Jesus showed them what to do. If Jesus were not with them, they wouldn't know what to do. Threats and dangers – they felt them.

Sensing their anxiety, Jesus said this.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1)

Uncertainties of life will never disappear from us. You will always face uncertainties of life. No one lives with certainty. No one knows what holds tomorrow.

We see a movie where people come from the future and know exactly what would happen in a few minutes. When we see that, we say, oh that's nice. But it is only a fantasy. We don't know about tomorrow. Everyone is on the same boat.

Live With Faith

FACING UNCERTAINTIES OF LIFE, ARE YOU GOING TO LIVE WITH ANXIETY OR ARE YOU GOING TO LIVE WITH FAITH?

These are two roads ahead of you. You have to choose. Depending on which road you choose, your life will turn out very differently.

Jesus clearly told us to choose to live with faith.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1)

Jesus is saying to the disciples to choose to live with faith when your future is uncertain. Don't let your hearts be troubled. Choose to live with faith. That is what Jesus wants us to do.

I don't know what holds my tomorrow. But I know who holds my tomorrow. I may not know about tomorrow, but I am going to live today with faith in God who holds my tomorrow.

I am going to Madagascar tomorrow. I don't know clearly what is waiting for me. I don't know what God is going to reveal to me. But I will go with faith in God who holds my tomorrow.

When you have this faith, worries disappear. There is nothing to worry about tomorrow. Do what you have to do today.

That is what our Lord Jesus taught us.

So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:34)

You have the energy only enough to deal with today's trouble. You don't have the energy to worry about tomorrow. When you start worrying about tomorrow, it will start damaging your soul.

Confidence In God

Don't you have to plan for tomorrow? Of course, you do. You have to plan for tomorrow. Planning for tomorrow is different from worrying about tomorrow. Planning for tomorrow means to take tomorrow positively. Worrying about tomorrow is taking tomorrow negatively. Planning for tomorrow means to invite tomorrow. Worrying about tomorrow is avoiding tomorrow. You can plan for tomorrow because you don't worry about tomorrow. When you have faith, you can use all your energies for planning not for worrying.

But when you plan for tomorrow, keep this in mind. You plan it but it is God who makes it happen.

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

So don't worry whether your plan will work out or not. You plan it but leave it in God's hands.

When you live with faith, you will have confidence. Confidence not in your own power but confidence in God's power.

This is what Jesus said to the disciples.

I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. (John 14:13, 14)

What a powerful promise. When you face tomorrow with faith, you can dream big. Because Jesus will provide what you ask for. You can even dream about unthinkable things.

That was what Jesus said to the disciples.

Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these (John 14:12)

The disciples actually did greater works than what Jesus did. Jesus did great miracles and taught wonderful truths. But his ministry was limited in the Jewish land. He could have been easily forgotten after time passed. But it was the disciples who carried on. It was the disciples who made Jesus' name great. They were able to do that through the spirit of Jesus.

Jesus left his spirit to the disciples. That Spirit is given to those who believe in Jesus. Through that spirit, they were able to do greater works than what earthly Jesus did.

I am very excited to go on mission. On one side, I am a little uneasy. But the excitement is much much greater than the uneasy feeling. I am excited not because I have so much to give. I am excited because the Spirit would work through me. I am more excited because Daniel and Grace are going with me.

Last time: computer, books.

Thank you for your support.

Don't worry about anything. Give freely. That is the blessed life. God is the provider and you are the giver.

That is what life of faith is all about. Give, give, and give.

The post God Who Holds Tomorrow appeared first on St Timothy Presbyterian Church.

John 10:1-10

Abundant Life

Life is about giving. It is not about taking. Good life is a life of giving. There is a joy in giving. There is a secret of happiness hidden in the life of giving.

This is what Jesus said.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

He gave us the abundant life. Abundant life is a life of giving. Your life is so filled with God's blessings that it overflows. That overflowing is giving. You don't give from scarcity. You give from the abundance.

Abundance is not necessarily the abundance of material. That is not what Jesus is talking about. Those who followed Jesus did not become rich materially. But they had the abundant life. Abundance is the quality of your heart. It is the quality of your existence.

This is what St. Paul said.

Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

That is what abundant life looks like. It doesn't depend on the material abundance.

The Path of Taking

A few weeks ago, a person came to me and told me after the service. Rev., if there is anybody in HiC who needs help, let me know. I can help. I am a counsellor. That is the attitude of giving. Your heart is filled with God's blessings and it overflows.

When you don't have abundance in your heart, you cannot give. All you can think about is taking. Because you feel you are lacking. You feel empty inside. That empty void within you drives you to want to take more. But the truth is it cannot be filled by having more.

If you take the path of taking rather than giving, you will become very unhappy. The more you try to take, the more unhappy you will become. I don't know why this is the case but that is what I see both in me and in others.

Someone said this. While reading books or articles, I have a habit of writing down phrases I like. I don't know where I read it but it was good so I wrote it down in my notepad.

Gratitude flows from the recognition that who we are and what we have are gifts to be received and shared.

The recognition that who we are and what we have are gifts – THAT FILLS OUR EMPTY VOID. When we have that recognition, we experience our deep void being filled and the gratitude follows.

We often forget about the givenness of life. We did not make everything possible on our own. We did not achieve everything that we have. Important things in life are given. The air we breathe. Beautiful trees and flowers. Sunshine we enjoy. Rain that blesses the land. These are all given. These are gifts of God.

We did not become who we are on our own. It is not all about our achievement. There were a lot of people who have helped you to become who you are. Your parents, your friends, your colleagues, and even strangers.

When you recognize that who you are and what you have are gifts to be received and shared, you will thankfully share what you have. That is life of giving. That is what abundant life looks like. You give not because you have to or because you feel guilty. You give because you love to. As you received good gifts from life, you want to share these gifts with others so that they may also experience the goodness of life.

When you take the path of taking rather than giving, you become smaller and smaller. Your existence will be shrunk up. You become a needy person. Very focused on yourself. Always think about yourself. You become a prisoner of yourself.

That is not who we are. We are more than that. We are created in God's image. Our God is abundant God. All the good gifts overflow from God. God is always giving.

For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)

He even gave his only Son for us. Jesus came to give us life, the abundant life.

God is all about giving. We are created in God's image. Overflowing abundance – that is who we are. You are much more than selfish people who always want to take. You are generous people who are filled with God's abundant blessings.

Self-Transcendence

There was an American psychologist who studied human needs.

His name is Abraham Maslow

He came up with a pyramid that describes the hierarchy of human needs. And he put self-actualization at the top. At the bottom, there are physiological needs. (Safety, Love and belonging, Esteem ) Physiological needs are predominant in infancy and early childhood. But for the mature adult, the need of self-actualization is strong. Self-actualization is living out your full potential.

But near the end of his life, he amended his pyramid, realizing that there is another step to the top after the self-actualization. That is self-transcendence.

Self-transcendence is thinking about others more than your needs. Other people. Nature. Even cosmos.

Life of transcendence is life of overflowing. You transcend your own personal concerns and needs and see your life from a higher perspective. Joy, peace, and gratitude come from this level.

This theory was already well spoken 2,000 years ago by our Lord, Jesus.

Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:24, 25)

Explain about hate.

You don't become poorer by giving. You become richer by giving.

The Beauty of Giving

God will provide what you need. He has already provided what you need to live abundantly. There is nothing for you to worry about. Jesus taught us not to worry about what to eat and what to wear. God will take care of our needs.

This is what St. Paul said.

And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

God is your provider and now you are a giver. When the relationship between you and God becomes like this, you are right on the path of giving. You will harvest lots of joy, peace, and gratitude. Your life will be filled with laughter.

Sometimes your giving can be taken advantage of. So we are cautious. It's good to be cautious.

I once met a woman who needed help. She said her monthly government assistance didn't come in. She had two children. Her children needed food. So I gave whatever I had in cash, about $40. Later, I thought that wouldn't be enough and so I bought some groceries and went to the address she gave me. There was no such address.

So it is good to be cautious. But don't let that take away your spirit of giving.

There is a beauty of giving.

The post Life Is About Giving appeared first on St Timothy Presbyterian Church.