Hi Everyone

Here’s this month’s Gone Fishin’ Newsletter.

Every month a team from our fellowship at Calvary Wellington heads out to our regular fishing holes – the Naenae Market and Hillary Court shops, or the Hutt Riverbank Fruit and Vege Market. There we share the Gospel to those in our immediate community. 

Once a month I publish a simple newsletter that is distributed to the fellowship (or for anyone else who stumbles across this website), as a way of encouragement, and as a tool to equip us to be better evangelists.

You can read the last Field Report from Easter Outreach 30/3/24 here.

Enjoy!

Gone Fishin’ Monthly Newsletter – April 2024

“Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Let not the foot of pride come against me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

There the workers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been cast down and are not able to rise.”

(Ps 36:10-12).

 Hi Everyone

I trust you took your opportunities and were all able to share the good news of the Gospel over Easter!

We had a great time at the Easter Outreach last month. Read the Easter Gone Fishin’ Field Report from 30/3/24 here.

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One thing we can often take for granted as Christians is how God providentially protects those he loves. This narrow path we walk is hard enough to navigate, yet we make it so much harder by wandering around and falling into one of two ditches: the ditch of naivete, or the ditch of narcissism.

 The Ditch of Naivety

 “Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,

And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.” (v10)

A child is a delicate being. We see them as very sweet and curious. However, they don’t understand the dangers lurking around. Their innocence can be their undoing without an adult nearby to hold their hand and steer them in the right direction. There are always multiple hazards within arm’s reach, and it is an unloving parent or guardian who recklessly leaves their innocent child to fend for themselves without supervision.

Not cherishing the protection of God on your Christian walk can be hazardous. Babes in Christ (new Christians) can often underestimate the spiritual forces at play on their journey in this life. Satan “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet 5:8), and we do ourselves a disfavour to not be wary of him.

So how can we know in and of ourselves, and show others how to stay protected from the evils of Satan and this world? Well, we read that God show His lovingkindness to those who know You”.

So we must know Him. Our ultimate trust must be in Him, and in Christ. If not, then we cannot rely on God’s protection for anything.

Is your trust in Christ, or are you relying on your own self-awareness in this life? If we are trusting ourselves, then we are like a little child playing on the motorway – sooner or later, we will be destroyed.

We stay close to God by studying His Word, by praying and submitting our petitions to Him, and donning our spiritual armour. God promises to never leave or forsake us (Heb 13:5), and we would be foolish to forget that.

Do you see a new Christian floundering in their walk, oblivious to the dangerous spiritual forces at play? Then get alongside them. Hold their hand and walk alongside them. You will both grow together as you help each other!

The Ditch of Narcissism

 “Let not the foot of pride come against me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

There the workers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been cast down and are not able to rise.” (v 11-12).

On the other extreme, a boastful person is not one we endear ourselves to. When someone constantly talks about how strong they are in themselves, we all roll our eyes, knowing that there will inevitably be someone or something stronger than them ready to knock them down a peg or two. It is a foolish person indeed who thinks they are immune to all the dangers of Satan, and of this world. They will be “cast down and are not able to rise.”.

Not understanding your shortcomings can hold devastating consequences. Thinking we are wiser and more powerful than the devil is like firing a popgun at a tank. His teeth will tear us apart. 

So how can we protect ourselves and others from the sin of pride and over-confidence? Well, we humble ourselves to God alone. We ask for His protection. We submit to His will, praying “Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.”. Pride is always at the root of all sin, and it takes a humble heart for God to tear it out. If we trust in ourselves, then sooner or later we will be destroyed.

Do you see a fellow Christian prideful in their walk, thinking they can conquer the world on their own? Then draw alongside them. Pray for them, and with them. Show them through scripture that anything but trust in God alone will end in turmoil. Fight alongside them!

As I mentioned earlier, this Christian life and walk is hard enough.

But nonchalantly ignoring the dangers either through ignorance or insolence will just compound our problems. Let us stay on the narrow path, with our eyes fixed on God alone as the one who guides and protects us!

I’ll see you all at my place at 10am on Saturday for prayer before heading down to the Naenae shops!

Blessings,

Craig.

Witnessing Tip: Have an eternal perspective!

As Christians, we know that this world is not our home.

One day we will be called to glory, never again able to share the Gospel with our friends and loved ones.

So let’s make the most of our opportunities!