2016 BBC Christmas Party

Rupert graciously arranged to have our food catered by Schindler's.
MMMM delicious!

Russel led a devotional.

Readings from OT prophecies and NT fulfillment.

Jake's baptism

Christmas sing-a-long

Philippino group-sing

Noel from India sang us a Indian song.

Alex from Ukraine sang a Russian Christmas song.

Teshome from Ethiopia sang a traditional Christmas song.

IT IS DONE REV16:17

We had an interesting experience one day last week on the subway. While we sat down, a young lady came to stand in front of us. The pockets of her coat had the words IT IS DONE REV 16:17 so we used it to ask a question which led to further conversation. I think maybe I started off by pointing out the words to Mark. Mark then asked her straight up in Chinese “Are you a Xn?” She stated “no” then he proceeded to point out the words. In the conversation we tried to explain that those words came from a book in the Bible called Revelations. On her phone dictionary she typed in revelation. I said yes, though I knew that wasn’t the correct explanation. I briefly explained that Revelations is a book in the Bible and many books make up the Bible with chapters and verses. I explained about the idea of the Bible being like a big story that has many stories that grow into a climax of Jesus, then has a resolution - much like the plot of a novel.  She told us that some American teachers had  taught her Bible stories and she likes the Bible stories but that she didn't want to be a Xn. She thought the words IT IS DONE meant that the Bible is finished, no one can add to it. Although that fact is true and the words IT IS DONE in Revelation 16:17 refer to God’s seven bowls of judgment poured out on the earth, I tried to point her to the idea of IT IS FINISHED - Jesus’ completed work on the cross for salvation. I had a hard time explaining that concept. She also didn’t understand the 16:17, thinking that it meant 4:17pm.  In the end, I encouraged her to read the Bible, especially since she already knows some of its stories.  Interestingly, the whole time Mark and I had this conversation in English, I noticed some people across the aisle listening intently. We learned that she uses the English name of Crane – like the bird. I pray that God will use curiosity to open her eyes to his word and that she will be free like a real bird.

Battlefield

One day recently at the gym I took my Kindle and read all of Ephesians while using the treadmill. It took about 15 minutes. I gained a new perspective on Ephesians by reading the whole thing straight through. Paul begins by gloriously recounting our spiritual blessings in Christ – our election, our adoption, Jesus’ grace, our redemption, our forgiveness, God’s eternal purpose, our salvation, our inheritance. So many RICH blessings. Paul goes on to say how he prays for the saints in Ephesus. He gloriously expounds our salvation through faith by grace, which thus joins the Gentiles and Jews together through that faith in Christ. He then explains how we live that faith in our daily lives – how our lives change (putting off the old, putting on the new), how our character changes, how our relationships change. He ends his letter to the Ephesians with the armor of God. And this is what struck me most – this life, this new life in Christ, is a battle. From Ephesians 6¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.. Yes, I’ve read this section thousands of times before, but somehow in reading it all at once, I ‘got it’. The whole progression of God’s blessings in Christ leads to the battle with evil and we must stand firm in the Lord. I think so many times we read smaller portions of Scripture and we lose the whole. When God gives blessings and He works, Satan is right there attempting to devour like a lion. Satan doesn’t want us to enjoy God’s blessings, change our character, or have a new life. The spiritual battle isn’t out there; it’s here, it’s near, and it’s real.