An African Church Service
Christ Movement Ministries in Roquetas del Mar, Spain is an African church that we visited one Sunday morning.
Pastor Nathaneil Ikeh from Nigeria spoke on Godly Rejection with a text from Judges chapter 11.
The pastor preached about how many people in Africa are rejected by their friends and family because they became Christians. “The reason we must be rejected by our families is because of the divine deposit of Jesus in our lives.” He also said, “Do not allow the rejection you receive from your family, your friends and others to weigh you down.” “You are a divine child of God.” “There is a divine touch of God in your life.” “Let them [family, friends, etc.] know that you are a divine child of God.” You are a divine instrument.” Pator Ikeh read from Judges 11 the story of Jephthah the Gileadite warrior. He was rejected by his family and then later they asked him to be their commander so that they could fight the Ammonites. Pastor Ikeh encouraged the African congregation that maybe one day their families will say they are the leader of their family or the commander in chief.
Worship Song:
“I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand it
No matter what may come my way
My life is in His Hands.
“With Jesus I can make it
With Jesus I can stand it
No matter what may come my way
My life is in His Hands.”
Closing Prayer:
“When men and women reject us may it be for your glory, let them reject us that your mission may be completed.”
It was an amazing experience to hear these people who have experienced rejection like most Americans cannot even fathom, encourage one another in continuing to serve the Lord. We prayed, along with them, that one day they would have the opportunity to lead the very people who rejected them because of their relationship with Christ, to a personal relationship with Christ for themselves.
King of the Jungle
Recently we took what Megan calls “a home school field trip.” We went to what one might consider a “Spanish zoo.” We had a great time seeing lots of different animals. On the way there we listened to an appropriate song by Steven Curtis Chapman. I hadn’t heard this song in a long time and the words seem to jump out at me. I am so thankful that we know who is King of this jungle!
King of the Jungle by Steven Curtis Chapman
“Well, the day is just begun and I’m already running late
With two many irons in the fire and too much on my plate
I’d be pulling out my hair if I could just get one hand free
And I’d stop this world if I could find the key.
Chorus:
“What I feel is telling me I’m going crazy,
But what is real, says God’s still on His throne
What I need is to remember one thing
That the Lord of the gentle breeze is Lord of the rough and tumble
And He is the King of the jungle
“People say this world’s a jungle and sometimes I must admit
I’d be scared to death if I did not know who was King of it
But the truth is God created this whole world with his own hand
So everything is under His command
Chorus:
“What I see is telling me this world’s gone crazy
But what is real says God’s still on His throne
What I need is to remember one thing
That the Lord of the gentle breeze is Lord of the rough and tumble
And He is the King of the jungle
Reprise:
“He’s King of creation,
Ruler of earth and the sky and the sea
He’s always in control
He is the King of kings
He’s sitting on the throne
He is the King of kings!
Deuteronomy 4:39 “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.”
Deuteronomy 10:17a “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome”
Does Your Donkey Talk?
Balaam was an interesting guy – even before his donkey started talking. When he was first asked to visit King Balak, his response was one I want to learn: “’Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God,’” Numbers 22:18. Oh, that we might live our lives in absolute surrender to each and every plan that God has for our daily lives, that we might not do or say anything great or small that would go beyond the commands or even desires of our God.
Later in the story, Balaam goes with the men to visit King Balak riding on his faithful donkey. Many know the story of how the donkey sees the angel of the Lord three times and tries to stray from the path, each time suffering a beating from his master, until finally in verse 28 the Lord opens the donkey’s mouth and she speaks to Balaam – finally getting his attention. Then in verse 32, “The angle of the Lord asked him, ‘Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.’” As I read these words, I wonder how many times we continue down a reckless path, not heading or being sensitive to the gently nudging of our Lord. I want to pay attention to what the Lord wants me to do each day in such a way that he does not need to cause my donkey to talk to get my attention. As we strive to live the abundant life that comes through absolute surrender to each and every plan that the Lord has for our lives, I pray that we will seek His will in such a way, but if we miss even the smallest direction, I hope that the donkey will talk to get us back on track.
