LAST LESSONS #194 — LAST LESSONS — ACCOUNTABLE

“Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God….” Romans 3:19

This weekend we will be having a Rafiki board meeting. Rafiki is accountable to the board. That’s good because every ministry should have accountability built into its organization. Karen Elliott, Rafiki’s CEO is especially accountable to the board because she represents Rafiki to the board.

When a church pastor is not accountable to anyone, you can be sure that eventually the church will suffer.

When a president of a country is not accountable to anyone but makes executive orders on his own, you can be sure that eventually the country will suffer.

In families, the children should be accountable to their parents. If parents do not insist that their children are accountable to them, the children will have problems with authority the rest of their lives.

Everyone should be accountable to someone now because some day we will all stand before the Lord our God and be accountable to him. When I see the evil in our country as babies are aborted, as children are trafficked, as innocent people are shot and killed, I take comfort only in the fact that those who are guilty of such things will be judged by God. They are accountable to him!

Who are you accountable to, and who is accountable to you? If you are not accountable to any human being, be careful because sooner or later you will fall. On the other hand, if there are those who are accountable to you (such as your children, your students, or your employees) make sure that you hold them accountable. That’s your job and you are accountable to God to do it.

LAST LESSONS #193 — LAST LESSONS — NOT YET

“Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin that clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith….” Hebrews 12:1-2

So the Lord did not take me home. Not yet. That means that he must still have something for me to do. I have been listening to hear what it is. Maybe more than one thing. I know I need to still do something with our Rafiki Classical Academy, I need to do what I can to get Sunday School materials to the Anglican church in Tanzania, I need to encourage art and music in our RICE buildings in all our countries. Besides those things that I should finish in Rafiki, I need to help my children and grandchildren in whatever ways I can to develop their gifts and to use them for God’s glory.

I know that God puts everyone on earth for his purposes. Do you know what God wants to do through you? Maybe not. As I look back over my life, I usually did not know why God put me in certain circumstances, made me go through certain difficulties, or encouraged me to get certain training. It was only later that I would say, “Oh, that’s why that happened!!”

I have said it many times, but the verse that I cling to is Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Yes, each one of us has a purpose for living. We have things to do, and we best try to ask God what they are and get busy!

LAST LESSONS #192 — LAST LESSONS — GOD'S GRACE

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

I’m sorry I missed last week but I was in the hospital. Shortness of breath put me there for a week but I’m okay now and in re-hab. Not sure how long I will be here but I’m sure God has a reason for my being here.

I know my stay in the hospital was to show me his grace.

1. I was able to meet Abel Biri the CEO of the hospital. He is from Ethiopia and has been to the Rafiki Village there. He has also been to Rafiki’s Home Office. Such a nice man.
2. I was able to see my son-in-law (Dr. Duane Cook) in his place of work as the head of the cardio-vascular surgery department at that same hospital and I could see him.
3. I met the sweetest kindest people who took such good care of me.
4. The doctors found out what was wrong with me and what options I have at my age of almost 95.
5. I knew that the Lord was with me all the time.

My stay in the re-hab place has been showing me his grace.

1. I was able to meet the CEO of the place who is a Nigerian who knows about Rafiki in Nigeria.
2. My family has been taking wonderful care of me. My daughter Kathy has been constantly available and so loving.
3. Mostly I have been quiet. Something I have needed for a while. I have had time to listen to God in what he is telling me to do. He is showing me some surprising things.

I’m not sure how many more (if any) blogs I will write. Maybe I’ll try to get to 200!

But I know that God’s grace is sufficient for me for anything he wants.