Word from the Pastor  

Do today, so tomorrow you have.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Is 30:21

 

All of us at least once in life have stood in a important situation and not known what to do. If it's of little importance - no problem - but if it's a vital decision or one that can affect our entire future, we are in trouble. Then, even more, we need guidance. How we'd like to have some sort of direct "hot-line" to the Lord, so he could tell us what to do..

I spoke recently with one of my A-Level students, who still didn't know what to decide about their future and where to go to study. I saw a fear and dilema in his eyes. I could see how he wanted an answer from me, and I know how much I wanted it to be me who could judge accurately in which direction he has most skill, which of his characteristics would lend themselve best to which career path. Of course, I wanted to help with all my heart if there was not one small problem... that's hard to do for students who throughout their entire time at college so ... erm.. hid themselves away from my care (sometimes not present at lectures, sometimes in trouble, and sometimes not...). He just didn't give me a chance to really get to know him, so that I could now help him in his time of need. I just wasn't unfortunately in a position to help him...

But it hit me how this an analogy: Isn't it like that with our relationship with God? Of course, his knows us very well, but do we know him? Do we build our relationship with him in good times to make the bad times fruitful too? Do you today, where things are relatively ok with you, spend quality time with Jesus, in order that he can really "know" you, and you can really "know" him?  Jesus said once that many may hear after death "I never knew you... " (Mt 25:12 ; Mt 7:22) Won't it be tragic for those who think that they are with the Lord... 

So if sometime, my dear friends, you stand before a particular dilema in life; before some big question, of some tough issue over which you cannot sleep - may it be that you have built such a strong and sure relationship with the Lord, built up a solid foundation that you don't have a problem in hearing his voice; his advice; that you can really "know" him and he really "know" you.

And so: "what you need to have done for tomorrow (built a relationship with the Lord) - do today"!

With all my heart

Yours - pastor J.O.

First the Spiritual, then the Physical

(Easter message) Christ has risen! Christ is alive! Christ will come again! The apostle Paul wrote: „I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection .. becoming like him... We live as human beings in two dimensions. One is the human dimension - the visible – the known.  The second is the spiritual dimension beside us -  the world that has influence on us every day and that we are able to influence. Many matter that we see in the visible dimension are only reflection of the spiritual realm. The bible says that, “no-one can enter the house of a strong man unless he first ties up the strong man”. – This is one of the examples of the two worlds effecting each other. That is why we firstly pray for things where we desire to see change, this is why we need to battle in prayer, patience and perseverance in prayer – because the real victory, the real breakthrough first comes in the spirit! Our first victory is won on our knees, and then seen with our eye – this is what is called the working and prayer of faith.

However, would be  able to take any action in faith without a weapon? Could we count on the spiritual and then visible effect of our prayers without Christ’s victory?! Of course not!

It was Christ himself, who through his sacrifice, through his resurrection won for us then right to prayer, gave us the weapon of faith, enabled us to influence spiritual reality! And today when we pray with faith, we can be sure that our Lord honours and blesses our prayer. Today, when we stand in spiritual warfare over our matters, matters of the Kingdom we have the right and the ability, of influencing spiritual matters; of touching the spiritual realm and then awaiting the effects in the visible world!

Dear brothers and sisters! Christ gave us the right to be called „Children of God” and that is what we are! And all this is because he ROSE AGAIN! He conquered death! He overcame the devil. – and he gave us the ability and right to life as conquerors.  This is the Christ I wish you to know this Easter time. That is the Christ we believe in. And may this Christ reign in you and my life this holiday. Above all that which is far more important (not to diminish the holiday) – may he reign throughout the year.  Let us be people who influence our environment through our prayers and attitude of faith! Let us take advantage of the potential and possibilities, the power and might, that we have in Christ. This is what I wish for myself and for you,

Always yours.

Pastor Jacek Orlowski

Can a Christian be a Politician?

I've been thinking recently about the political situation in our country, and was praying for our politicians and leaders (something I do very regularly of course), and I had an opportunity to talk about the country's 'goings-on' with a friend of mine in the week.  I was suprised when I heard them say that I shouldn't get involved in even thinking about such things as I am called to serve 'the Kingdom of God' and not get caught up in such .... political things .... (enclosed within a fair few unmentionable words). I started to think...

Can a Christian be a Politician? For many people there's not an obvious or straightforward answer. Many people out there will repeat, "Politics is dirty, and politicians are thieves!" shouting for emphasis. Others say, "Christians should be dictating to the world how to live, how to be a politician, how to rule, for we are to be the 'head' and not the 'tail'".

I think that the truth, in most situations, lies somewhere in the middle. Have a think: Is it right that we Christians should pass up the world of politics, leaving that section of life as the devil's battle? Should we shut ourselves out from society around us and not be involved in the politics of social action? Is it true that politics is so full of bad things that it's not possible to be an honest politician? And finally, Is it not where there is 'darkness' and 'dirt' exactly the place where there is need for Christ? I beleive we are to pray for our country. I firmly believe that we are to pray for our politicians, and about the politics. I'll go further - I believe Christians should be involved in politics with Godly values, with a declaration of the Gospel, with a righteous attitude and honesty. Is that going to be easy?

Of course not! Is it possible? Of course, yes! Our country needs Christians politicians, with a bold and upright attitude, who are not afriad to say "Yes, I'm a Christian" - or even "I'm a Charismatic believer", "evangelical" or "Pentecostal". Our country needs godly men and women, who will have something definate to say to society, and not only that, who will present unfailingly, not with simply empty words and slogans talking of so called "values" but have the lives and attitudes to back it up. Who is able to have such an attitude, and who has the strength to live such a life and keep going with all the mess around? Only a true Christian filled with the Holy Spirit!!!

Of course, it's a whole other question if our country, our neighbours and countrymen are ready to open the doors to such politicians. Are we ready to enter that sphere of life and stick at it - even when the going is hard?

That's what I pray about, dream about - that such people, mature stable Christians, would be raised up; that we would see godly politicians who serve God and the people of Poland in parliament, ministry offices, counties and cities. I will pray for such people, and if by God's grace I get to meet them then I would count supporting them with all my strength a great honour.

Maybe today we wait.. but tomorrow we will see.

With all my heart
Yours,

pastor J.O.

Old and New things in Him.

Isaiah 30:21 - When I think about the new year many things come to mind: my desire for God to lead me and us with his power; the need for faithfulness in the coming year. Our God is a God of revelation, who speaks, who is not silent, who ”Surely ... does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7) The Bible is a book of God’s revelation to us as he WANTS to speak to us. That’s why we ask him about our needs, believing he answers. That’s why we cry out for him to reveal his plans, as we desire to “go with him and not before him”.

Each year as elders we pray for God to show us the direction to lead this year (2010) and this decade. God in his grace and mercy has shown since last Autumn that he wants to lead us to more mission work in the surrounding towns. He wants to lead us further in his grace, revealing to us and those around his holiness, and demonstrate his goodness in new and old ways! Our God desires for us to be people of faith - and faithfulness in everyday difficulties – people of revelation and people of truth – people living in the power of God in all its aspects! Our God is a bottomless mine of inspiration, limitless source of possibilities, unending sea of encouragement, the deepest sea of love, the strongest anchor, and our surest foundation! Life in him is a great adventure where he continually shows us afresh his goodness!

But as well as moving out into new pastures, God is also the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – a God of old things! The God of faithfulness, the God of order, the God of stability, who values your and my daily faithfulness – without fireworks, without unnecessary exaltation, without hypocrisy and acting! God values our time with the Bible, values your integrity in our daily work, values your willingness to forgive, values your quiet aid to others of which nobody knows, values your standing in prayer, your humility... Yes, God is a god of new things, but is also a god of old, good things which we must not forget and must not ‘devalue’ in the light of ”new” things. Bo nasz.

God is not a magician always entertaining us with new tricks – but is the Sovereign God of power who wants us to seek him with all our hearts – and with all our strength to love the “new things” as well as the “old, good things” and looks for faithfulness in them. I believe that he wants us to “practice the latter, without neglecting the former” (Mt 23, 23). I believe a healthy balance between seeking revelation for today and the internal disciplines of faith and stability, irrespective of the situations, is the key to maturity.

Yours,

pastor J.O.

What is Christmas for you?

Allow me to offer 3 main reflections which I carry on my heart when I think of Christmas. Trevor excellently showed us in his pre-Christmas message what Christmas can show us when we look at it as a manifestation of God's wisdom, God's planning, and God's timing.

There's a whole range of views and opinions when it comes to Christmas-time even among our ewangelical modern churches - from 'couldn't care less' (although that's rare), through absolute rejection, up to a kind of romantic enthusiasm. I'm not going to get into a discussion about the form of our expressions, how it's celebrated in different churches, or traditions, but just allow me to share some reflections which have helped me over the years when it comes to Christmas.

For me, Christmas has three aspects:

Firstly, when I think about Christmas time I aim to ask myself of my real awareness of just what Jezus achieved. In my rushed life, intensive service, constant lack of time, have I started to fall into routine? In such moments I always come do my good God and ask "Restore to me Lord the joy of my salvation!". I know that like the Apostle Paul was concerned, though I can bring good news to many, I myself could be rejected if I don't look after the fire of passion in my heart. That's why at Christmas I remind myself every time that Jesus came because he loves me truely and in a unique way.  You too...!

Secondly, it's a time to be with your closest ones - but without fake pomp and ceremony and without hiporacy. Just to simply be together. I'm happy for the many times I can be with my beloved wife's side of the family, where a simple and straightforward atmosphere is found. I like to talk to me brother-in-law who I see as a good husband and father to his 3 sons. I like listening to his opinions and ideas, for as a young businessman he knows very well what needs to change for Poland to be better... I love to hear how my wife swap ideas with her sister or mother on the subject of polish foods, soups or wintertime.... It's an unforgettable time...

Finally thirdly, it's for me an unbelievable occasion to look at the wonder of God's creation. That God - the creator of our sense of aesthetics - created our beautiful winter and snow. When I llok at everthing - the Christmas tree, the lamps, snow-capped mountains, the city lights etc,etc - I think to myself: Thank you God that you are such an aesthetic and artistic God that you gave us the sense of beauty, that we can enjoy all the things you've created! You've given us a beautiful world, Dałeś nam piękno świata, the grasp of a hand, a family around the table, great tastes and beautiful prayers around the table.. so may Your name in all this be worshipped - today, this Christmas time and tomorrow when it's over and throughout 2010!

With these thoughts I leave you beloved readers.

Yours with all my heart

Pastor Jack Orlowski

What if someone rose from the dead...

 "'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' ...'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'  Luke 16:30-31

The story of the rich man an Lazarus are a fascinating mine of inspiration. Of particular interest to me is that last fragment. Most probably we would answer like that rich man - that if people saw such a supernatural sign that would cause them to believe, to change or get them thinking. But Jesus came to different conclusion - that even 'spiritual' people don't believe if they don't believe scripture.

So what can we learn from this passage?

Firstly, ".. they have Moses and the prophets..."  - this is a foundation, like a rock on which we can stand - Scripture!  We don't have to  consider and search for answers from other areas of our lives for what to do is certain situations - eg. - that we should forgive. We try to explain to ourselves that we are being persecuted, that we are suffering. But Jesus answered straightforwardly, '.. they have Moses and the prophets.." We already have clearly formulated commands in the Word - will we seek other excuses or will we be obedient to Him?

Secondly, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent." God has no desire to negotiate more with us - he has been through pain, the cross, rejection - and gave us a clear example. Often, we ask God about many things of which we have no idea, which we don't want in life, which according to us are bad and bring us pain and suffering. We so much want God to remove them - "Lord, why wont you answer?", we cry. Perhaps God would answer us, "You have moses and prophets - there's the answer, be obedient, suffer with me, stand strong in your faith, be faithful to the end, don't shrink back, keep going - even without signs and wonders - and great will be your reward...(2 Tim 1:8, 1 Tim 6:12, Heb 10:32-29)

And one more reflection: The world today is so mixed up, full of 'philosophy', 'human wisdom' that people think that everything can be dealt with in the mind - even explaining away the Bible. Today, 'white' is called grey or even black. We see it in the areas of homosexualism, abortion, lies, pride etc. If Christians try to speak out against them they are called idiots. Today more and more such issues are so presented in the media - 'Who these days beleives in the Devil?, Who calls homosexualism a sin?... In such a mized up world, even if someone who dies rose from the dead, they would say it's a trick. If the sick are healed they say it's a conincidence. If we call something a sin they will say we are intolerant.

These are the times in which we live... be faithful to the end, stand strong, even when you don't see signs and wonders...

Yours,

pastor Jack Orlowski.