Dear Friends,
An historical event becomes a symbol that God will defeat the powers, to fill earth with his glory. “By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.” (Isaiah 45:23) Isaiah’s exodus theme was God’s promise to rid the nations of paganism.
Genesis 1 & 2 reflects ancient themes. It is history written in poetic form, with a flow from chaos to cosmos (order). In Hebrew faith, this order/ goodness/ sabbath was seen in the torah, and the chaos represented the destructive forces of individualism/ hedonism/ paganism/ satanism. Marriage is placed in the narrative as one of the acts of creation, not a subsequent cultural construct. The female and male union to nurture children is humanity made in God’s image, i.e. love is serving others. The text means that the union of one female and one male in lifelong marriage holds back the waters of chaos. Changing this opens the dam wall upon our nations.
At Wurin Alheri, 100 of our school children don’t yet have classrooms. Four classes meet on the balcony in our main chapel. These children are all from terrorised villages with no schools. We have sponsorship for additional classroom construction and have begun work.
The Exodus is a second creation narrative, taking the children of God out of paganism through the waters of chaos. There is a faith conflict with the powers of the world, to establish God’s restorative kingdom of sabbath/ jubilee care. At the Red Sea, nature serves God to extinguish evil. They say the bible is “old school.” No: it is still the inevitable story/ word/ reality that shapes our nations, and we are called as the children of God to herald God’s creation power, reconciling heaven and earth in himself. As we engage these powers with truth, there will be kickback (suffering), but the Spirit makes intercession for us and we are transformed into the image of Christ. (Romans 8:18-21, Ephesians 1:10, 3:10, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21) We are all given the ministry of Noah, bringing the world and its powers through judgement to new life, ultimately to the pinnacle of Hebrew faith: our bodily resurrection. God’s resurrection power, begun in Christ, is the true exodus that fills creation through the church.
A student assistant librarian helps sort shelves at the close of day.
Knowing the trials this involves, since the powers don’t simply concede, but fight to the death, Paul constantly calls us to rejoice. “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” We are urged to allow his promises to fill our heart and give us joy in what we do. When we have God’s joy we don’t even know we are being strong. God takes back his creation. He doesn’t hand it to the devil. There’s no Plan B with God. He placed Israel between many earthly powers to win, while showing his love, to transform the land. The battle is good, because in it he sets us free from self-focus in the Wilderness, to become like him, more than conquerors. To win in love is to be more than a mere worldly conqueror. He sanctifies us as children, heirs of creation, the new Adams (renewed humanity), the meek who inherit the earth.
A staff member gives a student some additional tuition at the student cafeteria.
The church must be involved, engaging the powers with truth and courage, not fleeing from them. This is how the early church overcame Rome, and it is given to us today to do the same.
Here on Africa's gospel frontline, there is no comfort zone. Open Doors states 89% of the lives lost for the gospel worldwide in 2022 were lost in Nigeria. CFM is making a difference, supporting survivors to stand strong in faith, gain education and training and recover independent livelihoods. Join us to help by praying for the team and by sending financial support as God enables.
Love in Christ,
Kent, Ruth and team
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