Iron Sharpens Iron

I asked Darrell to prepare a word for the brethren.  So this word is fresh out of the savage lands of Africa to inspire and challenge us. Thanks Darrell. Oh and sorry for the American spell check changing some of the spelling of your words like realised to realized.

Extract
'This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to be my disciples.' John 15:8

Discussion
Rob suggested I read, 'Leadershift.' In it the author outlines how he measures success in ministry. He is weary of numbers as many wacko cults attract huge amounts of followers. He considers ministry a success if fruit is being produced in the lives of people (check out John 15). Fruit can be defined by character growth (Fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5) and taking part in good works that glorify God and transform the lives of people around us  (I think between Titus and John this point is made).

A couple weeks back I took stock of my life and realized I have, of late, very little fruit to show for my existence. I have also been experiencing almost no fellowship with God. After some prayer, thought and a bit of reading I believe that this is directly related to holiness. One of the things God does when he wants to get us fruitful is deal with the dirt in our lives. As for fellowship with God we all know by now sin hampers it.

The Challenge
Think about God. Think about the fact that he is Holy, totally pure, totally perfect, lives in unapproachable light, is bigger than the universe, and think about the fact that because of Jesus and the cross we sinful humans can commune and with this Holy God

Prayer
Father help us to catch a glimpse of the fact that you are a Holy God.

Darrell O’D