A War For Your Soul-regular version from Erisai Films on Vimeo.

‘The Ultimate Goal Campaign’, which began on June 4 and runs until July 12, involves hundreds of Christians sharing their faith through ‘the beautiful game’.

With distribution of Gospel tracts, evangelistic soccer camps and ministry to prisoners all planned, the size of the outreach almost matches the scale of the tournament.

Amongst the throngs of fans arriving in South Africa are thousands who come from countries where access to the Gospel message is limited. OM teams involved in the Ultimate Goal Campaign are therefore using South Africa’s religious freedom to share their faith with those who may have never heard the Gospel properly explained before.

At the same time, the outreach programme is extending to some of South Africa’s neediest communities. During specially organised football camps, orphans in the country’s townships are learning both soccer skills and about a father in Heaven who loves them. Other teams will meanwhile bring a message of hope to South Africa’s prostitutes, HIV/AIDS patients and prison inmates.

All those joining the Ultimate Goal Campaign are receiving Biblical teaching about the Great Commission and practical training in how to share their faith.

Furthermore, many of the outreach activities are being coordinated with the assistance of local churches. This connection helps the participants from outside Africa, including several from the UK, quickly adapt to sharing Christ in a way that is both culturally appropriate and relevant.

The involvement of South African Christians also facilitates the follow-up of those who express an interest in knowing Jesus more.

Each year, hundreds of Christians from the UK join a short-term mission trip organised by OM. Ranging in length from one week to six months, these programmes are open to those aged 18 and over, and many outreaches include options for families or church groups.

Source: www.uk.om.org/shorts

Christian fathers have privileged responsibilities and the greatest of these is to model the fatherhood of God. But what is He like?

A father is not merely a man who has begotten a child. Unfortunately in many situations it is nothing more than the title of a male parent, a name on a birth certificate. Fathers have obligations to guide and influence the spiritual, intellectual and emotional development of their children. In fact they have the right and authority to do this. 

The father-image we project onto the first person of the Trinity is often influenced by our childhood experience of paternity. Unfaithful (adulterous) fathers have abandoned children. Indifferent fathers have ignored their offspring. Callous fathers have compared their children unfavourably with others. Uncaring fathers have made their children feel unwanted. Brutish and alcoholic fathers have beaten and abused their little ones. Domineering fathers have controlled their progeny. Doting fathers have pampered and spoiled children who needed not to be indulged but disciplined. But the pain and problems caused by these evils must not eclipse the biblical portrait of our Father in heaven. 

It is crucial, therefore, that as Christian fathers we portray the biblical characteristics of the heavenly archetype. When we consider the paternal aspects of Godhood we realise what a tremendous responsibility it is to model the exemplary fatherhood of God. Fathers may feel discouraged in the face of such a daunting challenge. We are frail, feeble and flawed whereas He is fantastic! 

Our heavenly Father is not aloof or unapproachable. Rather He is alert to our needs and accessible. “…since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place… let us draw near to God” (Hebrews10:19-22). He is not preoccupied and He will not be perplexed by our concerns. He is interested in us and cares enough to listen. We should, therefore, have that childlike “cheek” that is fearless in the confidence of love.  

He is a faithful father who will never reject us. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,” (Hebrews13:5). We have that constant companionship that inspires confidence in His presence. Even when we are disloyal He remains constant because it is His nature. “If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself”’ (2 Timothy 2:13). In Revelation 19:11 we see how fidelity in name and nature are inextricably linked. “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” This same point is emphasised in Exodus 34:5-6: “Then the Lord came down…and proclaimed His name…The Lord … the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” 

What a beautiful image of God this presents to us! Anger is not a knee-jerk reaction with God. He does not have an anger hair-trigger. His wrath is only aroused after His vast patience has been exhausted and even then His response has the best interest of His children at heart.     

Our heavenly father is fair. A sense of grievance has been engendered in many children not because their fathers punished them, but because discipline was administered unfairly. He disciplines in love. Hebrews 12:5-11 outlines God’s purpose in discipline. It is not to satiate His anger but to strengthen His adopted sons: “…the Lord disciplines those He loves… for our good, that we may share in His holiness.” 

Love is always the context in which He chastises those whom He cherishes. He is not a disciplinarian and neither is He reluctant to reprimand where appropriate. In the words of the hymn “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven,” we can truly sing that He is “slow to chide and swift to bless.” In fact He does not chide. He corrects. He does not nag. He negotiates, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD” (Isaiah1:18). Thus punishment is part of our heavenly Father’s provision for our perfection. 

If we really want to know what our heavenly father is like, we have to look to Jesus because “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John10:30). 

The attributes of God that are spoken of in abstract terms in Scripture are animated in the person and work of Christ. As Christians we bear that noble name! The family likeness should be evident in our character and conduct and fathers should strive to ensure that the family honour is maintained. 

He provides for all our needs. As Barnabas and Paul proclaimed to the crowds in Acts 14:17, “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Such generosity! He spared nothing. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). His provision is gracious beyond comparison.    

His presence guarantees our protection.  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence” (Psalm 91:1-3). He is our defender and deliverer.    

Our heavenly Father freely gives advice: “You guide me with your counsel” (Psalm 73:24). And He comforts us: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). 

This brief sketch points the way forward for fathers. We should be to others, especially our children, what He is to us as a Father.  

Kieran Beville is pastor of Lee Valley Bible Church (Baptist), Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland. 

Source: Christianity.ca- Originally published on the Delve Into Jesus website, June 2010.

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A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you.

“The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED.

I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you.

I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.

Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by — still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however… He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil – He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right.

He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful — in all shapes and sizes.

Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back.. “My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,” said the CEO. “Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!”

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front.

Jim was terrified. He thought, “The CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!”

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed – Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, “Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!”

Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed.

“How could he be the new CEO?” the others said.

Then the CEO said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead – it was not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.
When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you.

Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!”

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

* If you plant faith in God , you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later..

“Whatever You Give To Life, Life Gives You Back”