THE LOVE OF JESUS CONSTRAINS ME...

I'm off to India tomorrow, leading a mission team with my friend Ben Gates from IPFW university in Fort Wayne, USA. He's bringing his family and students with him, and we'll be partnering with my great Indian friend Pastor Prasad. I'm taking money for our school, for the leprosy church that we visit, and for a motorbike so that Sagar, our Ignite India youth director, can visit the rural villages more effectively.

The Lord has been filling me to the brim lately with inspiration and insight, so although India is always physically demanding my spirit will be strong!

A highlight of the Elim national conference last week was the worship concert by Godfrey Birtill- he's a very English style of worship leader and already his latest live album has become a fixture on my iPod. You can catch some more reflection on the Elim conference on my Third Day pastor site.

Last night at City Temple we were treated to an evening with Bill Wilson from Metro Ministries in New York.

Bill preached on this verse:

2Cor. 5:14 For Christ’s love constrains us..

Bill focused on the dictionary definition of 'constrains' and unpacked what it meant to be motivated by the love of God.

1. Constrain means to 'force movement', so connecting to the love of God means that you will be moved, you will powered to move, you will be on the move, you will be someone who has to GO.

2. Constrain also means 'to keep you away from other things', so God's love will not only make you do the things you know will please him but also will prevent you from coming close to doing the things that you know offend God.

3. Constrain also means 'to keep you in', so the love of Christ keeps you in the work of God, the will of God, his plans and his purposes. Despite hardship and persecution, our commitment will always be stronger than our emotion.

I'm aiming to be constrained, compelled and controlled by the love of God during my trip to India. I'm taking my laptop so hopefully should be able to post some blogs and some photos.

Comments

[Joan]

God Bless you Nigel!
We will be praying and are eagerly awaiting wonderful testimony of the glory of God!

[Teresa (auntie gomer)]

Praying for you.