Being a Christian
While some Christians are able to testify to a moment when their faith in Christ began, not all Christians can do so. Some have been brought up in a Christian home, and their faith seems to have been part of their life since it began. For others, faith has developed slowly over time rather like a gentle dawning on an overcast day compared to a sudden flash of light.
The good news is that no experience invalidates another. Sudden conversion or quiet, both are to be celebrated. What is important is that we are able to live out our Christian faith with a sense of God's presence and blessing. Often people speak about being a Christian as being on a journey. One of the post-easter accounts in the gospels tells of two people who were lost in thought and conversation when a third person joined them. The writer implies that they were disciples of Jesus who had become disappointed and confused by what other disciples were saying about the resurrection. The third person (Jesus) opened their eyes to passages in the Hebrew scriptures that foretold the suffering and resurrection. Their hearts burned within them.
The actual moment that Jesus joined the journey is unknown and irrelevant. What is important was that they welcomed his presence with them, and listened to what he had to say. Jesus longs to encourage and excite us, assuring us of the reason he died on the cross and has a plan for our lives. Have you already welcomed his presence? If not, you could do so now.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being willing to die for me at Calvary. I am grateful that you once said that you would never turn away anyone who came to you. I ask you to forgive my sin. Please come into my life and help me to walk with you. Aman.
Nurturing Faith through the Bible
The Bible is vital for nurturing and growing in faith. Jesus valued the Hebrew scriptures and often quoted them. We have those same scriptures in the Old Testament, plus we have the four gospels, the account of the early Christians and the letters that were written to them to help their knowledge and faith in Christ develop.
Bibles come in a variety of translations. It is important that you have access to a Bible with contemporary English. I would be happy to give you advice and might be able to help you source a Bible you will enjoy reading
This is God's Word, and reading it is essential for sustaining our faith. If we have invited God into our lives then we need to learn from him. Being in a church where good preaching and teaching takes place is a privilage to be eagerly grasped. But it is not always immediately available to rural Christians. Of course, there are plenty of resources on the internet, but I could not recommend many of them. So you might need some advice if you have to rely on the internet. There are also good resources in print from such organisations as Scripture Union. Many rural Christians find these daily Bible notes extremely helpful.
Once a week we hold a Bible Discussion where ordinary Christians meet online for an hour to read together and then discuss parts of the Bible. We explore who wrote it and what it would have meant at the time, and what it means for us today. These are interacive and ideal for people with little or no faith and also for people who have been Christians for many years. The conversation is free from judgment so questions and comments from all participants are welcome. If this sounds like something you might like to try click the link below. There is no cost; joining in is absolutely free.
Click here to find out more about the Bible Discussions.
Nurturing Faith through Prayer
Prayer doesn't have to be complicated. There are no special word you need to use. Think of it as a polite and friendly conversation with someone who cares about you deeply.
God longs to hear from you, so pleas don't keep him waiting. Tell him your joys and your sorrows, tell him you hopes and your fears. There is nothing out of bounds when it comes to prayer. In the New Testament letter to the Christians in Philippi, the apostle Paul wrore,"Do not worry about anything, but pray about everything",
God never ignores sincere prayers. He might say "Yes", "No" or "Not now", but he will asnswer.
Prayer is not a one-way activity. Far too often we rush in with our list of requests when God longs for us to be still and quiet some times enough to be conscious of his presence and his voice. Learning to discern what God is saying only comes from spending time with him.
Thanksgiving is important. Spend a few moments reflecting on what God has been doing in your life, It's good to appreciate God for who he is to you: a loving Father, a sacrificing Saviour, and an indwelling Holy Spirit. So, who he is and what he has done.
Praying for others is important too. Who in your family and neighbours needs your prayers. What world events should you be praying about? Take time to pray for the people in your church or fellowship groups. I would be very grateful if you would pray for me and what I seek to do through Rural Christian. You can sign up to receive news from time time.
If you are struggling when it comes to praying, do please feel free to use the Contact form on the webite. I will do what I can to help you.
Nurturing Faith through Fellowship
The Christian life is all about community. We are not intended to exercise our faith in isolation. So the first thing I would like you to do is to tell me bout your church life and other ways in which you are experiencing fellowship with other Christians.
If we are fortunate, our Christian friends encourage our faith and may be able to teach us more. If you really feel on your own, I would love to hear from you and will treat an email from you in confidence.
Good friends also know how to tell us if we are wrong in some way. That can be a great way to learn humility. You may also be able to help them. Remember that conversations should be about encouragement, or exhortation or edification. We all need building up, stirring up and cheering up occasionally.
Being part of your local church is important if it is possible. Together we are witnesses to the gospel and to the kingdom of God. If you have to go outside the village to find fellowship and resources to help you grow in faith, please try to find a way of being part of your local church as well. They may need your fellowship.
Our Bible Discussions have developed into wonderful times of fellowship. We encourage one another to read scripture, we share encouragements and concerns, and we pray for one another. You are very welcome to join these discussions. You might also find opportunity for fellowship in informal gatherings with other Christians where you work or in school or college.
The person who wrote the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament included these words, " Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day [Christ's return] approaching. "