In celebrating its Centenary, The Institution of Structural Engineers (an international qualifying body for structural engineers) have commissioned the world's leading architectural artist Stephen Wiltshire MBE to produce a drawing featuring iconic structures around the world [see picture]. Stephen, who suffers from autism, produced the drawing from photographic memory of the structures he has seen.....a truly amazing gift!
The Bible says that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." [James 1:1] and "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." [1 Pet 4:10]. I am not sure whether Stephen is a Christian or not; if he is, he would thank our Heavenly Father for the gift of being a brilliant architectural artist. Indeed each of us should give thanks for our gifts and talents which are from above and we should use them to serve others faithfully.
I was sharing with my leaders recently that now we are believers in Christ, our lives take on a whole new perspective. We have a mission on this earth to use our gifts to serve others. I also shared that God allows us to accumulate lessons and experiences in our life journey, which equip us to serve more effectively. These include bad experiences!
Sometimes I am glad that God called me to serve Him when I was relatively advanced in age, by Hope standard that is. :o) I believe my life experience more than compensate for the loss in physical strength. I also believe that, with age, one has more wisdom, understanding and knowledge, which are so essential in building a church in the European context. At least I think so anyway, although my younger European co-workers may not agree. :o)
Because of this, "I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself........The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it." [Ps 89:1-11 NIV]
Sometimes we can feel isolated in the big wide world as Christ followers; that true believers are in the minority. It is therefore amazing to know that "the LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and......that he......redeemed you from the land of slavery.......Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands........He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land-- your grain, new wine and oil-- the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks........You will be blessed more than any other people.........The LORD will keep you free from every disease........." [Deut 7:7-15 NIV]
Although we are a minority in the world that is hostile to Christ, esp. in Europe, we shall not be fearful. We shall hold our heads high and not be ashamed of the Gospel, "for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord,........But join.....in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.....What you heard......keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-- guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." [2 Tim 1:7-14 NIV] Yes, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit will sustain us till the end!
Add to that an attitude of revering our great God, for "he whose walk is upright fears the LORD. A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil........He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." [Prov 14:2,16,26,27 NIV]
Amen!
The Bible says that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." [James 1:1] and "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." [1 Pet 4:10]. I am not sure whether Stephen is a Christian or not; if he is, he would thank our Heavenly Father for the gift of being a brilliant architectural artist. Indeed each of us should give thanks for our gifts and talents which are from above and we should use them to serve others faithfully.
I was sharing with my leaders recently that now we are believers in Christ, our lives take on a whole new perspective. We have a mission on this earth to use our gifts to serve others. I also shared that God allows us to accumulate lessons and experiences in our life journey, which equip us to serve more effectively. These include bad experiences!
Sometimes I am glad that God called me to serve Him when I was relatively advanced in age, by Hope standard that is. :o) I believe my life experience more than compensate for the loss in physical strength. I also believe that, with age, one has more wisdom, understanding and knowledge, which are so essential in building a church in the European context. At least I think so anyway, although my younger European co-workers may not agree. :o)
Because of this, "I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself........The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it." [Ps 89:1-11 NIV]
Sometimes we can feel isolated in the big wide world as Christ followers; that true believers are in the minority. It is therefore amazing to know that "the LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and......that he......redeemed you from the land of slavery.......Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands........He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land-- your grain, new wine and oil-- the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks........You will be blessed more than any other people.........The LORD will keep you free from every disease........." [Deut 7:7-15 NIV]
Although we are a minority in the world that is hostile to Christ, esp. in Europe, we shall not be fearful. We shall hold our heads high and not be ashamed of the Gospel, "for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord,........But join.....in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.....What you heard......keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-- guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." [2 Tim 1:7-14 NIV] Yes, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit will sustain us till the end!
Add to that an attitude of revering our great God, for "he whose walk is upright fears the LORD. A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil........He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." [Prov 14:2,16,26,27 NIV]
Amen!
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