A former pastor of mine would remind us, when Jesus was an infant He soiled His diapers. I'm sure His digestive system worked like mine does. He burped too. I'm not trying to be vulgar or irreverent. I am trying to “flesh out” Jesus in the flesh.
Another pastor always said that Jesus did not cheat. By that he meant that Jesus lived as a man on this earth. He set aside His deity (Philippians 2:6-9) as the Son of God to walk among us. He did not invoke His deity to overcome sin and temptation, thus "cheating".
My Wednesday Night Group is studying Hebrews. A few verses caught my attention and made me think about Jesus being a man.
Hebrews 2:17,18 says, "Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted."
Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
Hebrews 5:8 says, Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him," (the concept of “being made perfect” carries the idea of being complete).
Jesus was tempted and suffered. We know that in spite of temptation he did not sin. The Scriptures also say that He learned from suffering. What did Jesus have to learn?
I have an idea. Let me know what you think.
Until the birth of Jesus, the triune God never experienced life in the flesh, as man. I know this will offend many. I am not questioning God's omnipotence. Could a perfect God know what life was like for man?
I believe that Jesus had to come and live as a man to experience what we go through. He had to be tempted like us. He did so without sinning. He had to suffer to be made perfect and therefore become the perfect high priest.
As a result He is able to sympathize with us. Jesus experienced pain, joy, anger, temptation, sorrow, fear, probably every emotion we feel. He knew what it was like to be separated from the Father. Again, in all those things he did not sin. He did not cheat. So maybe the fact of Jesus’ suffering completed or made him the perfect high priest to make the once and for all offering for our sins and better understand who we are to come to our aid.
No matter what we are feeling, or what we experience, remember that Jesus went through the same things. Read the verses above again. Look for other verses in the Scriptures that confirm what I'm saying. Share what you find with me. Let's grow together. God bless y'all real good.
(Thanks for your help Rudy.)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Are You Missional?
Well, are you missional? It's the newest buzz word in my world. I would say that I touched on it in my September 7th post, "Set Apart". The best way for me to present it to you is to is to copy an article by "The Blind Beggar" Rick Meigs:
"One important note before you continue: On this website, the term "church" refers to the people of God; the called out ones; those formed for his dwelling and bearers of his presence in the world. It doesn't refer to a building, denomination or physical location. So when you read "church," think of yourself and your faith community, not that building you go to each Sunday.
In an article titled, "The 'Missional Church': A Model for Canadian Churches?" David Horrox writes, "The church should stop mimicking the surrounding culture and become an alternative community, with a different set of beliefs, values and behaviors. Ministers would no longer engage in marketing; churches would no longer place primary emphasis on programs to serve members. The traditional ways of evaluating 'successful churches' – bigger buildings, more people, bigger budgets, larger ministerial staff, new and more programs to serve members – would be rejected. New yardsticks would be the norm: To what extent is our church a 'sent' community in which each believer is reaching out to his community? To what extent is our church impacting the community with a Christian message that challenges the values of our secular society?"
Dan Kimball in "The Emerging Church" (Zondervan, 2003) describes the missional church "as a body of people sent on a mission who gather in community for worship, encouragement, and teaching from the Word that supplements what they are feeding themselves throughout the week."
Both Horrox and Kimball capture much of the essence and heart of what it means to be missional, but can we probe deeper and articulate a more definitive understanding? I think we can and what follows is an imperfect attempt to explore and develop our appreciation of what it means to be missional.
Missional is a Shift in Thinking
But first a necessary word of caution for those who wish to explore and understand what it means to be a missional church or people. Alan Hirsch rightly states that "the word 'missional' over the years has tended to become very fluid and as it was quickly co-opted by those wishing to find new and trendy tags for what they themselves were doing, be they missional or not. It is often used as a substitute for seeker-sensitive, cell-group church, or other church growth concept, thus obscuring its original meaning." As a result, missional is often looked upon as just another phase or program. But we error when we do so for missional is more than just another movement, it is a full expression of who the ekklesia of Christ is and what it is called to be and do. At its core, missional is a shift in thinking. This shift in thinking is expressed by Ed Stetzer and David Putman in their book, "Breaking the Missional Code" (Broadman & Holman, 2006) like this:
From programs to processes
From demographics to discernment
From models to missions
From attractional to incarnational
From uniformity to diversity
From professional to passionate
From seating to sending
From decisions to disciples
From additional to exponential
From monuments to movements
And let me add a couple more to Ed's list:
From services to service
From ordained to the ordinary
From organizations to organisms
Making this shift can be difficult for many (particularly Evangelical Americans), but to fully appreciate what the missional church is, we must look outside of our traditional understanding of how we do church and realign ourselves with the biblical narrative. So, as you consider the following "description," don't attempt to understand it within your traditional framework, shift your thinking.
Description of a Missional Church
-A missional church is a collection of missional believers acting in concert together in fulfillment of the missio dei.1
-A missional church is one where people are exploring and rediscovering what it means to be Jesus' sent people as their identity and vocation.
-A missional church is individuals willing and ready to be Christ's people in their own situation and place.
-A missional church knows that they must be a cross-cultural missionary (contextual) people and adopt a missionary stance in relation to their community.
-A missional church will be engaged with the culture (in the world) without being absorbed by the culture (not of the world). They will become intentionally indigenous.
-A missional church understands that God is already present in the culture where it finds itself. Therefore, a missional church doesn't view its purpose as bringing God into the culture or taking individuals out of the culture to a sacred space.
-A missional church is about more than just being contextual, it is also about the nature of the church and how it relates to God.
-A missional church will seek to plant all types of missional communities.
-A missional church is evangelistic and faithfully proclaims the gospel through word and deed. Words alone are not sufficient; how the gospel is embodied in our community and service is as important as what we say.
-A missional church understands the power of the gospel and does not lose confidence in it.
-A missional church will align all their activities around the missio dei -- the mission of God.
-A missional church seeks to put the good of their neighbor over their own.
-A missional church will give integrity, morality, good character and conduct, compassion, love and a resurrection life filled with hope preeminence to give credence to their reasoned verbal witness.
-A missional church practices hospitality by welcoming the stranger into the midst of the community.
-A missional church will see themselves as a community or family on a mission together. There are no "Lone Ranger" Christians in a missional church.
-A missional church will see themselves as representatives of Jesus and will do nothing to dishonor his name.
-A missional church will be totally reliant on God in all it does. It will move beyond superficial faith to a life of supernatural living.
-A missional church will be desperately dependent on prayer.
-A missional church gathered will be for the purpose of worship, encouragement, supplemental teaching, training, and to seek God's presence and to be realigned with God's missionary purpose.
-A missional church is orthodox in its view of the gospel and scripture, but culturally relevant in its methods and practice so that it can engage the worldview of the hearers.
-A missional church will feed deeply on the scriptures throughout the week.
-A missional church will be a community where all members are involved in learning "the way of Jesus." Spiritual development is an expectation.
-A missional church will help people discover and develop their spiritual gifts and will rely on gifted people for ministry instead of talented people.
-A missional church is a healing community where people carry each other's burdens and help restore gently.
-A missional church will require that its leaders be missiologists.
1. From Brother Maynard
What a Missional Church is Not
-A missional church is not a dispenser of religious goods and services or a place where people come for their weekly spiritual fix.
-A missional church is not a place where mature Christians come to be fed and have their needs met.
-A missional church is not a place where "professionals" are hired to do all the work of the church.
-A missional church is not a place where the "professionals" teach the children and youth about God to the exclusion of parental responsibility.
-A missional church is not a church with a "good missions program." The people are the missions program and includes going to "Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
-A missional church is not about a new strategy for evangelism.
-A missional church is not missional just because it is contemporary, young, hip, postmodern-sensitive, seeker-sensitive or even traditional.
-A missional church is not about big programs and organizations to accomplish God's missionary purpose. This does not imply no program or organization, but that they will not drive mission. They will be used in support of people on mission.
What a Missional Church Looks Like
JR Woodward at Dream Awakener has a perspective on success that really helps my understanding of missional. His post "A Working Definition of Success" provides a working definition of what missional might look like. Here it is:
-Not simply how many people come to our church services, but how many people our church serves.
-Not simply how many people attend our ministry, but how many people have we equipped for ministry.
-Not simply how many people minister inside the church, but how many minister outside the church.
-Not simply helping people become more whole themselves, but helping people bring more wholeness to their world. (i.e. justice, healing, relief)
-Not simply how many ministries we start, but how many ministries we help.
-Not simply how many unbelievers we bring into the community of faith, but how many ‘believers' we help experience healthy community.
-Not simply working through our past hurts, but working alongside the Spirit toward wholeness.
-Not simply counting the resources that God gives us to steward, but counting how many good stewards are we developing for the sake of the world.
-Not simply how we are connecting with our culture but how we are engaging our culture.
-Not simply how much peace we bring to individuals, but how much peace we bring to our world.
-Not simply how effective we are with our mission, but how faithful we are to our God.
-Not simply how unified our local church is, but how unified is "the church" in our neighborhood, city and world?
-Not simply how much we immerse ourselves in the text, but how faithfully we live in the story of God.
-Not simply being concerned about how our country is doing, but being concern for the welfare of other countries.
-Not simply how many people we bring into the kingdom, but how much of the kingdom we bring to the earth.
Who is Behind "Friend of Missional"
Friend of Missional is brought to you by The Blind Beggar. It is a non-commercial, non-profit, non self-promoting venture. I do not claim that these ideas and concepts on the Missional Church are necessarily original to me. Input from many sources and individuals has helped craft this description."
Well, are you missional? I thought there were many good points in this article. It has challenged me to search the Scriptures and really try to understand my role as a part of Christ's body and how I should live my life before others. What do you think? God bless y'all real good.
"One important note before you continue: On this website, the term "church" refers to the people of God; the called out ones; those formed for his dwelling and bearers of his presence in the world. It doesn't refer to a building, denomination or physical location. So when you read "church," think of yourself and your faith community, not that building you go to each Sunday.
In an article titled, "The 'Missional Church': A Model for Canadian Churches?" David Horrox writes, "The church should stop mimicking the surrounding culture and become an alternative community, with a different set of beliefs, values and behaviors. Ministers would no longer engage in marketing; churches would no longer place primary emphasis on programs to serve members. The traditional ways of evaluating 'successful churches' – bigger buildings, more people, bigger budgets, larger ministerial staff, new and more programs to serve members – would be rejected. New yardsticks would be the norm: To what extent is our church a 'sent' community in which each believer is reaching out to his community? To what extent is our church impacting the community with a Christian message that challenges the values of our secular society?"
Dan Kimball in "The Emerging Church" (Zondervan, 2003) describes the missional church "as a body of people sent on a mission who gather in community for worship, encouragement, and teaching from the Word that supplements what they are feeding themselves throughout the week."
Both Horrox and Kimball capture much of the essence and heart of what it means to be missional, but can we probe deeper and articulate a more definitive understanding? I think we can and what follows is an imperfect attempt to explore and develop our appreciation of what it means to be missional.
Missional is a Shift in Thinking
But first a necessary word of caution for those who wish to explore and understand what it means to be a missional church or people. Alan Hirsch rightly states that "the word 'missional' over the years has tended to become very fluid and as it was quickly co-opted by those wishing to find new and trendy tags for what they themselves were doing, be they missional or not. It is often used as a substitute for seeker-sensitive, cell-group church, or other church growth concept, thus obscuring its original meaning." As a result, missional is often looked upon as just another phase or program. But we error when we do so for missional is more than just another movement, it is a full expression of who the ekklesia of Christ is and what it is called to be and do. At its core, missional is a shift in thinking. This shift in thinking is expressed by Ed Stetzer and David Putman in their book, "Breaking the Missional Code" (Broadman & Holman, 2006) like this:
From programs to processes
From demographics to discernment
From models to missions
From attractional to incarnational
From uniformity to diversity
From professional to passionate
From seating to sending
From decisions to disciples
From additional to exponential
From monuments to movements
And let me add a couple more to Ed's list:
From services to service
From ordained to the ordinary
From organizations to organisms
Making this shift can be difficult for many (particularly Evangelical Americans), but to fully appreciate what the missional church is, we must look outside of our traditional understanding of how we do church and realign ourselves with the biblical narrative. So, as you consider the following "description," don't attempt to understand it within your traditional framework, shift your thinking.
Description of a Missional Church
-A missional church is a collection of missional believers acting in concert together in fulfillment of the missio dei.1
-A missional church is one where people are exploring and rediscovering what it means to be Jesus' sent people as their identity and vocation.
-A missional church is individuals willing and ready to be Christ's people in their own situation and place.
-A missional church knows that they must be a cross-cultural missionary (contextual) people and adopt a missionary stance in relation to their community.
-A missional church will be engaged with the culture (in the world) without being absorbed by the culture (not of the world). They will become intentionally indigenous.
-A missional church understands that God is already present in the culture where it finds itself. Therefore, a missional church doesn't view its purpose as bringing God into the culture or taking individuals out of the culture to a sacred space.
-A missional church is about more than just being contextual, it is also about the nature of the church and how it relates to God.
-A missional church will seek to plant all types of missional communities.
-A missional church is evangelistic and faithfully proclaims the gospel through word and deed. Words alone are not sufficient; how the gospel is embodied in our community and service is as important as what we say.
-A missional church understands the power of the gospel and does not lose confidence in it.
-A missional church will align all their activities around the missio dei -- the mission of God.
-A missional church seeks to put the good of their neighbor over their own.
-A missional church will give integrity, morality, good character and conduct, compassion, love and a resurrection life filled with hope preeminence to give credence to their reasoned verbal witness.
-A missional church practices hospitality by welcoming the stranger into the midst of the community.
-A missional church will see themselves as a community or family on a mission together. There are no "Lone Ranger" Christians in a missional church.
-A missional church will see themselves as representatives of Jesus and will do nothing to dishonor his name.
-A missional church will be totally reliant on God in all it does. It will move beyond superficial faith to a life of supernatural living.
-A missional church will be desperately dependent on prayer.
-A missional church gathered will be for the purpose of worship, encouragement, supplemental teaching, training, and to seek God's presence and to be realigned with God's missionary purpose.
-A missional church is orthodox in its view of the gospel and scripture, but culturally relevant in its methods and practice so that it can engage the worldview of the hearers.
-A missional church will feed deeply on the scriptures throughout the week.
-A missional church will be a community where all members are involved in learning "the way of Jesus." Spiritual development is an expectation.
-A missional church will help people discover and develop their spiritual gifts and will rely on gifted people for ministry instead of talented people.
-A missional church is a healing community where people carry each other's burdens and help restore gently.
-A missional church will require that its leaders be missiologists.
1. From Brother Maynard
What a Missional Church is Not
-A missional church is not a dispenser of religious goods and services or a place where people come for their weekly spiritual fix.
-A missional church is not a place where mature Christians come to be fed and have their needs met.
-A missional church is not a place where "professionals" are hired to do all the work of the church.
-A missional church is not a place where the "professionals" teach the children and youth about God to the exclusion of parental responsibility.
-A missional church is not a church with a "good missions program." The people are the missions program and includes going to "Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
-A missional church is not about a new strategy for evangelism.
-A missional church is not missional just because it is contemporary, young, hip, postmodern-sensitive, seeker-sensitive or even traditional.
-A missional church is not about big programs and organizations to accomplish God's missionary purpose. This does not imply no program or organization, but that they will not drive mission. They will be used in support of people on mission.
What a Missional Church Looks Like
JR Woodward at Dream Awakener has a perspective on success that really helps my understanding of missional. His post "A Working Definition of Success" provides a working definition of what missional might look like. Here it is:
-Not simply how many people come to our church services, but how many people our church serves.
-Not simply how many people attend our ministry, but how many people have we equipped for ministry.
-Not simply how many people minister inside the church, but how many minister outside the church.
-Not simply helping people become more whole themselves, but helping people bring more wholeness to their world. (i.e. justice, healing, relief)
-Not simply how many ministries we start, but how many ministries we help.
-Not simply how many unbelievers we bring into the community of faith, but how many ‘believers' we help experience healthy community.
-Not simply working through our past hurts, but working alongside the Spirit toward wholeness.
-Not simply counting the resources that God gives us to steward, but counting how many good stewards are we developing for the sake of the world.
-Not simply how we are connecting with our culture but how we are engaging our culture.
-Not simply how much peace we bring to individuals, but how much peace we bring to our world.
-Not simply how effective we are with our mission, but how faithful we are to our God.
-Not simply how unified our local church is, but how unified is "the church" in our neighborhood, city and world?
-Not simply how much we immerse ourselves in the text, but how faithfully we live in the story of God.
-Not simply being concerned about how our country is doing, but being concern for the welfare of other countries.
-Not simply how many people we bring into the kingdom, but how much of the kingdom we bring to the earth.
Who is Behind "Friend of Missional"
Friend of Missional is brought to you by The Blind Beggar. It is a non-commercial, non-profit, non self-promoting venture. I do not claim that these ideas and concepts on the Missional Church are necessarily original to me. Input from many sources and individuals has helped craft this description."
Well, are you missional? I thought there were many good points in this article. It has challenged me to search the Scriptures and really try to understand my role as a part of Christ's body and how I should live my life before others. What do you think? God bless y'all real good.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Can You Accept This?
In my last post, commenting on God's work of salvation, I stated that all the work was His. Some might say that we have to "accept" it but I disagree. I think it is more like "we don't reject it". It sounds like semantics but let me explain myself.
Psalm 51:5, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." This verse tells us that we are born in sin, all have a sin nature. We are naturally sinners, all of us, from the time of conception.
1 Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned."
Romans 8:10-12, "As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; There is no one who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all gone out of the way; They have together become unprofitable;"
John 15:16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit;"
Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;"
There are many more verses but I will stop there. I will give you my opinion and you can let me know what you think.
Man in his sin has no free will. The "choice" was made at the garden. From that point on his only choice is disobedience.
God in His mercy has given man a gift, the gift of salvation, paid for by the blood of His Son Jesus. The gift is for all mankind.
When I buy a gift for someone, it already belongs to them. Even if I haven't physically handed it to them, it still belongs to them. When I do hand it to them, the only thing they can do is reject it. It is already theirs, they can only reject it.
I see the same thing with God's gift. Man (natural man) can only reject it. However through the work of the Holy Spirit (God) and His Word a change is made and the new man (Spiritual) is able to "not reject it" if you will. Just for the record I believe Christians have free will.
I believe that from start to finish the idea, plan, and work of salvation is God's. If man has a hand in it (he has to "accept it") then it is works righteousness. God bless y'all real good.
Psalm 51:5, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." This verse tells us that we are born in sin, all have a sin nature. We are naturally sinners, all of us, from the time of conception.
1 Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned."
Romans 8:10-12, "As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; There is no one who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all gone out of the way; They have together become unprofitable;"
John 15:16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit;"
Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;"
There are many more verses but I will stop there. I will give you my opinion and you can let me know what you think.
Man in his sin has no free will. The "choice" was made at the garden. From that point on his only choice is disobedience.
God in His mercy has given man a gift, the gift of salvation, paid for by the blood of His Son Jesus. The gift is for all mankind.
When I buy a gift for someone, it already belongs to them. Even if I haven't physically handed it to them, it still belongs to them. When I do hand it to them, the only thing they can do is reject it. It is already theirs, they can only reject it.
I see the same thing with God's gift. Man (natural man) can only reject it. However through the work of the Holy Spirit (God) and His Word a change is made and the new man (Spiritual) is able to "not reject it" if you will. Just for the record I believe Christians have free will.
I believe that from start to finish the idea, plan, and work of salvation is God's. If man has a hand in it (he has to "accept it") then it is works righteousness. God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Religion
I have been intrigued by the following introduction to Hebrews and verses from Romans 14:4, and Colossians 2:6-23. They are taken from Eugene H. Peterson's "The Message/Remix".
"It seems odd to have to say so, but too much religion is a bad thing. We can't have too much of God, can't get too much faith and obedience, can't get too much love and worship. But religion - the well intentioned efforts we make to "get it together" for God - can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us. The main and central action is everywhere and always what God has done, is doing, and will do for us. Jesus is the revelation of that action. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God's action revealed in Jesus. Our part in the action is the act of faith."
That is not the whole introduction but he ends with this, "The focus becomes clear and sharp again: God's action in Jesus. And we are free once more for the act of faith, the one human action in which we don't get in the way but on the way."
Romans 14:4(b) says, "If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help." This is in reference to eating or abstaining from certain foods and expecting others to do the same.
Colossians 2:6-23:
6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
8-10 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.
11-15 Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.
16-17 So don't put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the substance is Christ.
18-19 Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They're a lot of hot air, that's all they are. They're completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.
20-23 So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important."
In my mind these all fit together. I would like to attempt to make sense of what I'm thinking and as always I am open to being corrected if I'm wrong.
I find it interesting that the whole idea, act, and work of salvation are God's. It was His plan and His Son. It was His calling by His Word (the Bible) and His Spirit that lead us to salvation. We had absolutely nothing to do with it. Don't give me that "we had to accept it" stuff either. I don't buy that.
With all that being said, do you think that it is our job to maintain it? Many that do have given us all kinds of rules and regulations to follow. You might say the rules are only there to keep us from going too close to the edge of the cliff. It sounds to me like the Pharisees. Just like them the intention is good but the result is not. We depend on the rules of man to keep us obedient to God. Just tell me what I can do, what I can't do, and what I can get away with. Does the Spirit stop leading after we are saved? Do we somehow lose our ability to hear from God? We heard Him when we were called.
The problem with rules and regulations is that they lead to religion. Earthly things become more important than God's Word. Again, the intention is good but is it good? The church building, the form of worship, worship music, icons, all these things that were intended to represent Jesus have become more important than Jesus and what He taught! Read Isaiah 1:11-17.
My Gerbel friend puts it this way, "Hence we see that Jesus is moving us in "life" (living) as we lay aside our (worthless) man-made 'got to be a better christian' doctrines ....we really have no room to charge one another in silly rituals, nor to be an over bearing parent, to crush a young believer's faith...Nor should we let another crush our Spirit....For I am convinced that we can share God's love and message far more effectively in everyday life than in weekly meetings that close us off from (the outside world), designed to 'empower' us to be stronger, better followers who can strain the gnat but swallow a camel..."
Colossians 2:23 says, " These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting rigor of devotion and self-abasement and severity to the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh." Do you see my thought here? It's okay to say no!
In my Christian walk I have changed my mind about many things. I assume I will continue to as I mature in my faith. I've had many good teachers. I've held on to what they have said and I've differed with them too. It's okay to do that. The Spirit speaks to all that he indwells. He can guide us. The important thing is to let the Bible be your guide. Let what it says speak to you not what it doesn't say. Don't replace God's Word with man's wisdom or rules. It leads to religion. God bless y'all real good.
"It seems odd to have to say so, but too much religion is a bad thing. We can't have too much of God, can't get too much faith and obedience, can't get too much love and worship. But religion - the well intentioned efforts we make to "get it together" for God - can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us. The main and central action is everywhere and always what God has done, is doing, and will do for us. Jesus is the revelation of that action. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God's action revealed in Jesus. Our part in the action is the act of faith."
That is not the whole introduction but he ends with this, "The focus becomes clear and sharp again: God's action in Jesus. And we are free once more for the act of faith, the one human action in which we don't get in the way but on the way."
Romans 14:4(b) says, "If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help." This is in reference to eating or abstaining from certain foods and expecting others to do the same.
Colossians 2:6-23:
6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
8-10 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.
11-15 Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.
16-17 So don't put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the substance is Christ.
18-19 Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They're a lot of hot air, that's all they are. They're completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.
20-23 So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important."
In my mind these all fit together. I would like to attempt to make sense of what I'm thinking and as always I am open to being corrected if I'm wrong.
I find it interesting that the whole idea, act, and work of salvation are God's. It was His plan and His Son. It was His calling by His Word (the Bible) and His Spirit that lead us to salvation. We had absolutely nothing to do with it. Don't give me that "we had to accept it" stuff either. I don't buy that.
With all that being said, do you think that it is our job to maintain it? Many that do have given us all kinds of rules and regulations to follow. You might say the rules are only there to keep us from going too close to the edge of the cliff. It sounds to me like the Pharisees. Just like them the intention is good but the result is not. We depend on the rules of man to keep us obedient to God. Just tell me what I can do, what I can't do, and what I can get away with. Does the Spirit stop leading after we are saved? Do we somehow lose our ability to hear from God? We heard Him when we were called.
The problem with rules and regulations is that they lead to religion. Earthly things become more important than God's Word. Again, the intention is good but is it good? The church building, the form of worship, worship music, icons, all these things that were intended to represent Jesus have become more important than Jesus and what He taught! Read Isaiah 1:11-17.
My Gerbel friend puts it this way, "Hence we see that Jesus is moving us in "life" (living) as we lay aside our (worthless) man-made 'got to be a better christian' doctrines ....we really have no room to charge one another in silly rituals, nor to be an over bearing parent, to crush a young believer's faith...Nor should we let another crush our Spirit....For I am convinced that we can share God's love and message far more effectively in everyday life than in weekly meetings that close us off from (the outside world), designed to 'empower' us to be stronger, better followers who can strain the gnat but swallow a camel..."
Colossians 2:23 says, " These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting rigor of devotion and self-abasement and severity to the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh." Do you see my thought here? It's okay to say no!
In my Christian walk I have changed my mind about many things. I assume I will continue to as I mature in my faith. I've had many good teachers. I've held on to what they have said and I've differed with them too. It's okay to do that. The Spirit speaks to all that he indwells. He can guide us. The important thing is to let the Bible be your guide. Let what it says speak to you not what it doesn't say. Don't replace God's Word with man's wisdom or rules. It leads to religion. God bless y'all real good.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Set Apart
I was at the grocery store today. While I was there I thought I would try to pick out the shoppers that are Christians. I guess there should be something that sets them apart from the unbelievers. A different hair style? Different clothes? Do they buy different items? Smell different? Christians don't smoke so all non-smokers must be Christians. I didn't see anyone carrying a Bible. The cars in the parking lot all looked normal. Some of them had fish symbols on the back, I guess they belonged to the non-smokers.
Please forgive me for being so sarcastic. The point I'm trying to make is this, what does a Christian look like? How are we set apart? There have been times when someone has said to me, "You must be a Christian because you ......... I've also heard, "I thought you were a Christian, why did you .......
We need to get a picture of what a Christian life is and what it is not. It's not a life of strict rules, regulations, dos, and don'ts. That's what the world/unsaved think. Do this, don't do that, don't smoke, drink, or chew, or hang around with women who do. Is that the best way we have to show who Jesus is, what he's done, and why we follow Him? Read Colossians 2:16-23.
1 Peter 1:15 says, "...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." Romans 12:1 says, "...to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..." The question then is this, what does it mean to be holy?
To be holy means to be separated unto God, the result being conduct befitting those so separated. Some Bible translations use the word sanctification. Sanctification is separation of the believer from evil things and ways. I would say set apart from the "world" or "earthly ways".
When I say earthly ways, what am I talking about? There are many Scriptures that tell us. The one that comes to mind for me is this, Colossians 3:5-10. It says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Paul then goes on to say in verses 12-14, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
How important is love? Matthew 22:37-40 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is just like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Of course this love is extended to enemies too. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus says, "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Read 1 Corinthians 13, the "love" chapter, apply it to your life and include your enemies. Wow!
Let me take some lines out of Romans chapters 12-15 to bring this entry to a close. We should not be conformed to this world but transformed by renewing our minds. We shouldn't think too highly of ourselves. Our love should be genuine, outdoing one another in showing honor. We should be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. We should contribute to the needs of the saints and show hospitality. If you are wronged, do not avenge yourself. A Christian overcomes evil with good, feeding a hungry enemy. Pay taxes, revenue, respect, and honor to whom it is due. We should welcome one who is weak in faith. Don't pass judgement on each other over special days, eating, or abstaining from, certain foods. "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." (Rom.15:1,2) We should live in harmony with one another and be servants.
There is so much more. How does all this compare with the wisdom of the world? How does it compare with your experience? Living this way would truly set you apart. I think it would be noticed too. God bless y'all real good.
Please forgive me for being so sarcastic. The point I'm trying to make is this, what does a Christian look like? How are we set apart? There have been times when someone has said to me, "You must be a Christian because you ......... I've also heard, "I thought you were a Christian, why did you .......
We need to get a picture of what a Christian life is and what it is not. It's not a life of strict rules, regulations, dos, and don'ts. That's what the world/unsaved think. Do this, don't do that, don't smoke, drink, or chew, or hang around with women who do. Is that the best way we have to show who Jesus is, what he's done, and why we follow Him? Read Colossians 2:16-23.
1 Peter 1:15 says, "...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." Romans 12:1 says, "...to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..." The question then is this, what does it mean to be holy?
To be holy means to be separated unto God, the result being conduct befitting those so separated. Some Bible translations use the word sanctification. Sanctification is separation of the believer from evil things and ways. I would say set apart from the "world" or "earthly ways".
When I say earthly ways, what am I talking about? There are many Scriptures that tell us. The one that comes to mind for me is this, Colossians 3:5-10. It says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Paul then goes on to say in verses 12-14, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
How important is love? Matthew 22:37-40 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is just like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Of course this love is extended to enemies too. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus says, "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Read 1 Corinthians 13, the "love" chapter, apply it to your life and include your enemies. Wow!
Let me take some lines out of Romans chapters 12-15 to bring this entry to a close. We should not be conformed to this world but transformed by renewing our minds. We shouldn't think too highly of ourselves. Our love should be genuine, outdoing one another in showing honor. We should be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. We should contribute to the needs of the saints and show hospitality. If you are wronged, do not avenge yourself. A Christian overcomes evil with good, feeding a hungry enemy. Pay taxes, revenue, respect, and honor to whom it is due. We should welcome one who is weak in faith. Don't pass judgement on each other over special days, eating, or abstaining from, certain foods. "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." (Rom.15:1,2) We should live in harmony with one another and be servants.
There is so much more. How does all this compare with the wisdom of the world? How does it compare with your experience? Living this way would truly set you apart. I think it would be noticed too. God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
I Confessed Already
Rudy Baga's blog titled "There are two shackles around the ankles of many Christians"(Monday Aug.13), is a must read. I have linked to his blog. With apologies to him, I would like to try and reinforce his article.
1 John 1:9 has lead to a huge misunderstanding. It reads, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This one verse has lead many Christians to think that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven. Note that I said "Christians". These are ones who have already confessed, agreed with God that they were sinners in need of His grace, and received it.
Now, if it's true that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven, then can I assume that all unconfessed sin will not be forgiven? Again I am referring to a Christian. Can I assume that Jesus' blood only covered my sins up to my "birth from above" and after that I have to confess for the sins I commit afterward to be forgiven? If I have one unconfessed sin, I'm going to hell. Is that your understanding?
For the sake of this article I would like to define confession as I believe most Christians would define it. I believe most would define confession as asking forgiveness of sins committed.
[That is not the definition and if you read Rudy's blog, he defines it for you. He says, "First of all the word for “confess” in the original Greek, means to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent, (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). This gives a little different feel than what we typically think of with confession."]
I only bring this up because of a conversation I had the other night. The person I spoke with believes unconfessed sin will land you (Christian) in hell!! I am talking about a born again Christian women who has been a believer for a long time!
When I disagreed with her she immediately asked if I believe in the doctrine of eternal security (once saved always saved). The implication was that I believe a person who has professed faith in Jesus can live a sinful lifestyle and still go to heaven. I was misunderstood. However I am in good company because Paul was misunderstood too. Read Romans chapter six. Verses one and two state, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
True born again believers do not want to live a sinful lifestyle, 1 John 5:18. I am not saying that they don't sin. When Christians sin they can be comforted that Jesus took care of it, 1 John 2:1.
Why do Christians want to be in control of their salvation? Why can't we be comfortable with the work that Jesus did? (I had a pastor friend ask me that question.) As a Christian, did you provide the way of salvation, restoring your relationship with God? Did God not call you? Wasn't it God's work? His plan? His Son? His Spirit? His Word? What makes you think you have to sanctify yourself?
Christian! ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM!!!! Use your freedom to serve. Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, bretheran; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another."
Christians do not need to ask for forgiveness to be forgiven. He remembers our sin no more. Read Psalm 103:11,12. Read Isaiah 1:18. Read Romans 8. However, just like our earthly parents, we feel bad for being disobedient to our Father (one who is "unsaved" wouldn't care). We say I'm sorry ,not for forgiveness, but for peace of mind, or a restored relationship, and we move forward in our walk with Him.
This article didn't quite go in the direction I had planned. I'm guessing that is a good thing. Even so, as always, let me know what you think. God bless y'all real good.
1 John 1:9 has lead to a huge misunderstanding. It reads, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This one verse has lead many Christians to think that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven. Note that I said "Christians". These are ones who have already confessed, agreed with God that they were sinners in need of His grace, and received it.
Now, if it's true that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven, then can I assume that all unconfessed sin will not be forgiven? Again I am referring to a Christian. Can I assume that Jesus' blood only covered my sins up to my "birth from above" and after that I have to confess for the sins I commit afterward to be forgiven? If I have one unconfessed sin, I'm going to hell. Is that your understanding?
For the sake of this article I would like to define confession as I believe most Christians would define it. I believe most would define confession as asking forgiveness of sins committed.
[That is not the definition and if you read Rudy's blog, he defines it for you. He says, "First of all the word for “confess” in the original Greek, means to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent, (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). This gives a little different feel than what we typically think of with confession."]
I only bring this up because of a conversation I had the other night. The person I spoke with believes unconfessed sin will land you (Christian) in hell!! I am talking about a born again Christian women who has been a believer for a long time!
When I disagreed with her she immediately asked if I believe in the doctrine of eternal security (once saved always saved). The implication was that I believe a person who has professed faith in Jesus can live a sinful lifestyle and still go to heaven. I was misunderstood. However I am in good company because Paul was misunderstood too. Read Romans chapter six. Verses one and two state, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
True born again believers do not want to live a sinful lifestyle, 1 John 5:18. I am not saying that they don't sin. When Christians sin they can be comforted that Jesus took care of it, 1 John 2:1.
Why do Christians want to be in control of their salvation? Why can't we be comfortable with the work that Jesus did? (I had a pastor friend ask me that question.) As a Christian, did you provide the way of salvation, restoring your relationship with God? Did God not call you? Wasn't it God's work? His plan? His Son? His Spirit? His Word? What makes you think you have to sanctify yourself?
Christian! ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM!!!! Use your freedom to serve. Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, bretheran; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another."
Christians do not need to ask for forgiveness to be forgiven. He remembers our sin no more. Read Psalm 103:11,12. Read Isaiah 1:18. Read Romans 8. However, just like our earthly parents, we feel bad for being disobedient to our Father (one who is "unsaved" wouldn't care). We say I'm sorry ,not for forgiveness, but for peace of mind, or a restored relationship, and we move forward in our walk with Him.
This article didn't quite go in the direction I had planned. I'm guessing that is a good thing. Even so, as always, let me know what you think. God bless y'all real good.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Lead From the Front
It's amazing, the things I hear that cause me to stop and think. This past Sunday I heard a preacher on the radio say something to the effect of, lead from the front not from behind. That statement really grabbed my attention.The idea is that it is better to lead from the front by example than to lead from behind with a whip.
I decided to discuss it further with my Wednesday night group this week. Two incidents from the Bible came to mind. The first was the woes to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 and the other was Jesus washing the disciple's feet in John 13.
In Matthew Jesus says of the scribes and Pharisees to, "...practice and observe whatever they tell you - but not what they do. For they preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others." Later He says, "..you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in." Are you feeling the love? Are you familiar with this side of Jesus? Wait, there's more.
In verse 23 He goes on to say, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel." You need to go to your Bible and read this. He calls them whitewashed tombs full of dead people's bones, unclean, serpents, and a brood of vipers. Then he asks, "..how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?"
Paul in Galatians asks, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected in the flesh?" We were once "slaves" to the law. We were in "bondage". Does this conjure up images of a slave master standing over you with a whip to keep you in line? In Christ we have been set free!! Amen? Paul goes on to say in Galatians 5:12, "For I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves." How's that for love and tolerance? He's angry!
Leading people from behind with rules, regulations, and restrictions will not work.
Read Colossians 2:16-23, it refers to those things as "human precepts and teachings".
Paul goes on to say, "seek the things that are above", and "Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth."
Jesus lead from the front. Take a look at John 13. This is a familiar passage. This is where Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus finishes the washing and asks them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example."
Paul lead from the front. 1 Corinthians 4:16 says, "I urge you then, be imitators of me." Again in chapter eleven, verse one, he says, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ." In Philippians Paul tells them to "join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."
Timothy was encouraged to lead from the front. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Are you leading from the front? Are you not only following Jesus' example but setting an example for others? Are you loving, merciful, gracious, and kind? Are you a servant? I'm not just talking about serving other believers but also those outside the church. Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus?
I know there's a time to be firm. We cannot tolerate sin in our lives or the lives of other believers. Jesus was firm with the ones who should have known better. We should be too.
I didn't reach this point in my faith because someone stood over me with a whip ready to strike the moment I stepped out of line. I don't have to look over my shoulder, I only need to gaze toward the front. God bless y'all real good.
I decided to discuss it further with my Wednesday night group this week. Two incidents from the Bible came to mind. The first was the woes to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 and the other was Jesus washing the disciple's feet in John 13.
In Matthew Jesus says of the scribes and Pharisees to, "...practice and observe whatever they tell you - but not what they do. For they preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others." Later He says, "..you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in." Are you feeling the love? Are you familiar with this side of Jesus? Wait, there's more.
In verse 23 He goes on to say, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel." You need to go to your Bible and read this. He calls them whitewashed tombs full of dead people's bones, unclean, serpents, and a brood of vipers. Then he asks, "..how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?"
Paul in Galatians asks, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected in the flesh?" We were once "slaves" to the law. We were in "bondage". Does this conjure up images of a slave master standing over you with a whip to keep you in line? In Christ we have been set free!! Amen? Paul goes on to say in Galatians 5:12, "For I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves." How's that for love and tolerance? He's angry!
Leading people from behind with rules, regulations, and restrictions will not work.
Read Colossians 2:16-23, it refers to those things as "human precepts and teachings".
Paul goes on to say, "seek the things that are above", and "Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth."
Jesus lead from the front. Take a look at John 13. This is a familiar passage. This is where Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus finishes the washing and asks them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example."
Paul lead from the front. 1 Corinthians 4:16 says, "I urge you then, be imitators of me." Again in chapter eleven, verse one, he says, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ." In Philippians Paul tells them to "join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."
Timothy was encouraged to lead from the front. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Are you leading from the front? Are you not only following Jesus' example but setting an example for others? Are you loving, merciful, gracious, and kind? Are you a servant? I'm not just talking about serving other believers but also those outside the church. Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus?
I know there's a time to be firm. We cannot tolerate sin in our lives or the lives of other believers. Jesus was firm with the ones who should have known better. We should be too.
I didn't reach this point in my faith because someone stood over me with a whip ready to strike the moment I stepped out of line. I don't have to look over my shoulder, I only need to gaze toward the front. God bless y'all real good.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The Word
A friend of mine made a great comment the other night. He said that he notices an energy that surrounds a conversation that includes the Scriptures. I'm sure many of you have noticed it too. I notice it on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and recently, Thursday nights. I've noticed it at work, on camping trips, and family get-togethers.
The comment made me think of a Bible verse, Luke 24:32, "And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" Just reading that verse and typing it created that energy!
I think most of you know what I'm talking about. God's word is powerful!
Let's look at Psalm 119. "Word" is mentioned thirty-eight times. I could be wrong and I'm willing to be corrected but I think that God's word, statutes, and the Scriptures are basically the same. They all come from God.
What can the word accomplish according to Psalm 119? Let's look at it.
v.9 - cleanse your way
v.11 - keep us from sin
v.16 - give us delight
v.17 - bountiful life
v.25 - revive us
v.28 - strengthen us
v.38 - reverence for God
v.41 - salvation
v.42 - provide answers when taunted
v.43 - provides hope
v.49 - provides hope
v.50 - comfort when afflicted, gives life
v.58 - mercy
v.65 - good dealings with God
v.67 - keeps us from straying
v.74 - joy in fellowship with others who revere God
v.76 - comfort
v.81 - hope
v.82 - comfort
v.89 - stability
v.101 - restrain us from doing evil
v.105 - light our way
v.107 - revive us
v.114 - protect us
v.116 - uphold us
v.123 - perseverance
v.133 - direct our steps
v.140 - time tested, tried (confidence)
v.147 - hope
v.148 - source for meditation
v.154 - revive us
v.158 - disgust of sin
v.160 - source of truth
v.161 - stability
v.162 - joy
v.169 - understanding
v.170 - deliverance
v.172 - proclaim, can't keep silent
John refers to Jesus as the Word. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.......And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
2 Timothy 3:14-17 says, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you have learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Are you feeling it? That's the Spirit working through the Word. God bless y'all real good.
The comment made me think of a Bible verse, Luke 24:32, "And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" Just reading that verse and typing it created that energy!
I think most of you know what I'm talking about. God's word is powerful!
Let's look at Psalm 119. "Word" is mentioned thirty-eight times. I could be wrong and I'm willing to be corrected but I think that God's word, statutes, and the Scriptures are basically the same. They all come from God.
What can the word accomplish according to Psalm 119? Let's look at it.
v.9 - cleanse your way
v.11 - keep us from sin
v.16 - give us delight
v.17 - bountiful life
v.25 - revive us
v.28 - strengthen us
v.38 - reverence for God
v.41 - salvation
v.42 - provide answers when taunted
v.43 - provides hope
v.49 - provides hope
v.50 - comfort when afflicted, gives life
v.58 - mercy
v.65 - good dealings with God
v.67 - keeps us from straying
v.74 - joy in fellowship with others who revere God
v.76 - comfort
v.81 - hope
v.82 - comfort
v.89 - stability
v.101 - restrain us from doing evil
v.105 - light our way
v.107 - revive us
v.114 - protect us
v.116 - uphold us
v.123 - perseverance
v.133 - direct our steps
v.140 - time tested, tried (confidence)
v.147 - hope
v.148 - source for meditation
v.154 - revive us
v.158 - disgust of sin
v.160 - source of truth
v.161 - stability
v.162 - joy
v.169 - understanding
v.170 - deliverance
v.172 - proclaim, can't keep silent
John refers to Jesus as the Word. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.......And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
2 Timothy 3:14-17 says, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you have learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Are you feeling it? That's the Spirit working through the Word. God bless y'all real good.
Friday, June 29, 2007
"Let's Play Bible!"
I called a friend of mine the other night and invited myself over to his house. His wife and my wife were going to attend a meeting one evening that week and I thought it would be a good time to get together and "play Bible".
I like to use that term for Bible study. Think about it. It's a lot of fun playing games. We play cards, we play ball, and we play music. Those things are fun, entertaining! It's fun studying the Scriptures too, so why not call it playing Bible!
There really aren't any rules. It's good to play with a few people so you can hear different thoughts but not too many that the game becomes too chaotic, with lots of rabbit trails. It would also be good to have a few different translations and maybe a reference book or two. The most important resource is the Holy Spirit.
When I arrived at my friend's house, we just sat down and started talking. We discussed "repentance" because that's what my Wednesday group had discussed a couple of weeks ago. It was so much fun. I had a great time. I like the dialogue, the back and forth, anticipating what the Spirit will reveal next.
When the women returned from the meeting, I suggested to my friend that we get together and "play" again. Hey! Maybe next time the ladies can play too!. The "game" is fun for everyone, male or female, young or old, mature or new believer.
Proverbs 9:9,10 says, "Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous and they will learn even more. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement." (NLT)
Acts 2:42 says, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (RSV)
Romans 15:14 says, "I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another." (RSV)
The growth that results from playing Bible are priceless. From my evenings with the Gerbils and challenges from the German, to Bible and Bagel Fellowship, the Wednesday group, and Ballofdirt, I am growing by leaps and bounds. "You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17, The Message Remix Bible)
I challenge you to gather with a friend, friends, or family and play Bible. It's a "game" that will impact your life. God bless y'all real good.
I like to use that term for Bible study. Think about it. It's a lot of fun playing games. We play cards, we play ball, and we play music. Those things are fun, entertaining! It's fun studying the Scriptures too, so why not call it playing Bible!
There really aren't any rules. It's good to play with a few people so you can hear different thoughts but not too many that the game becomes too chaotic, with lots of rabbit trails. It would also be good to have a few different translations and maybe a reference book or two. The most important resource is the Holy Spirit.
When I arrived at my friend's house, we just sat down and started talking. We discussed "repentance" because that's what my Wednesday group had discussed a couple of weeks ago. It was so much fun. I had a great time. I like the dialogue, the back and forth, anticipating what the Spirit will reveal next.
When the women returned from the meeting, I suggested to my friend that we get together and "play" again. Hey! Maybe next time the ladies can play too!. The "game" is fun for everyone, male or female, young or old, mature or new believer.
Proverbs 9:9,10 says, "Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous and they will learn even more. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement." (NLT)
Acts 2:42 says, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (RSV)
Romans 15:14 says, "I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another." (RSV)
The growth that results from playing Bible are priceless. From my evenings with the Gerbils and challenges from the German, to Bible and Bagel Fellowship, the Wednesday group, and Ballofdirt, I am growing by leaps and bounds. "You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17, The Message Remix Bible)
I challenge you to gather with a friend, friends, or family and play Bible. It's a "game" that will impact your life. God bless y'all real good.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Teachable But Not Gullible
In responding to a recent blog post I accused the writer of being immature. Some may have taken my comment as being disrespectful. He is the pastor of a church and many people look up to him. My comment, even though it was harsh, was not meant to be insulting. My hope was that it would be thought provoking.
Many times in the Scriptures believers are referred to as "sons" or "children" of God. Matthew 18:3 says, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Now I ask, do we remain children?
1 Corinthians 3:2 says, "I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not able to receive it."
Hebrews 5:13-6:1 says, "For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about Christ, let us press on to maturity..."
2 Peter 3:17,18 says, "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard, so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
It's obvious from the Scriptures above that there needs to be growth. Why?
Ephesians 4:14 says, "As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;"
2 Peter 3:17 says, "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall away from your own steadfastness."
We need to grow so that we are not deceived. It's easy to take advantage of an infant or someone who is uneducated. When I was a child I believed in Santa Claus, the Easter bunny , and the tooth fairy. Guess what?
When I was an infant in Christ I was told a lot of things about being a Christian, the Church, and my Christian walk. Guess what? Almost thirty years later my relationship with Jesus, the Church, and others is a lot different. I'm still teachable but I'm not gullible.
So, when I accused the pastor of being immature, I was referring to his maturity as a believer. Things will look a lot different to him thirty years from now. I would encourage him and you to pursue the Scriptures, remain steadfast, and to "run with endurance the race that is set before us."(Heb.12:1) God bless y'all real good.
Many times in the Scriptures believers are referred to as "sons" or "children" of God. Matthew 18:3 says, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Now I ask, do we remain children?
1 Corinthians 3:2 says, "I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not able to receive it."
Hebrews 5:13-6:1 says, "For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about Christ, let us press on to maturity..."
2 Peter 3:17,18 says, "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard, so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
It's obvious from the Scriptures above that there needs to be growth. Why?
Ephesians 4:14 says, "As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;"
2 Peter 3:17 says, "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall away from your own steadfastness."
We need to grow so that we are not deceived. It's easy to take advantage of an infant or someone who is uneducated. When I was a child I believed in Santa Claus, the Easter bunny , and the tooth fairy. Guess what?
When I was an infant in Christ I was told a lot of things about being a Christian, the Church, and my Christian walk. Guess what? Almost thirty years later my relationship with Jesus, the Church, and others is a lot different. I'm still teachable but I'm not gullible.
So, when I accused the pastor of being immature, I was referring to his maturity as a believer. Things will look a lot different to him thirty years from now. I would encourage him and you to pursue the Scriptures, remain steadfast, and to "run with endurance the race that is set before us."(Heb.12:1) God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Don't Live There!
Has the Holy Spirit ever put something on your heart that you just had to share? That's what I have been going through for the past couple of weeks. I warn you that it is going to be long (you may want to print it and enjoy it during a more personal time in the powder room) but in the end I believe you will find great joy!
Isaiah 53 from The Message reads:
"Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?"
"The servant grew up before God - a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is , it was our pains he carried - our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him - our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him."
"He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off - and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought to his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true."
"Still it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it - life, life, and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper through him."
"Out of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones", as he himself carries the burden of their sins. Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly - the best of everything, the highest honors - because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch, because he embraced the company of the lowest. He took on his shoulders the sin of many, he took up the cause of all the black sheep."
The absolute violence and sheer wrath that was placed on the servant, Jesus, is overwhelming. God piled all our sins on Him. Words like "beaten bloody", "tortured", and "crush him with pain", paint a vivid picture of the price that was paid for our sins. Sin had to be taken care of so that "life would come". Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages which sin pays is death". If Jesus had not have suffered then "life" could not come.
Could we have paid for our own sins? Could we have died in Jesus' place? No! The sacrificial lamb had to be spotless. Leviticus 1:3,4 says, "If the animal you present is from the herd, it must be male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the Lord.Lay your hand on the animal's head, and the Lord will accept it's death in your place to purify you, making you right with him". Hebrews 9:13-14 reads, "For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God". It had to be Jesus! He is the only one that could have fulfilled the requirement of being without defect.
Jesus died for our sins but it didn't end there. Jesus rose out of the grave! He's alive! Luke 24:2-3 says, "And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body". The two men at the tomb asked the women who were seeking Jesus' body, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" then in verse 6 it says, "Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 says, "For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Now I ask, does God want us (the church, the called out ones) to focus on death or life? Do we walk about in sackcloth and ashes or joy? Isaiah 53:11 says, "Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied." In Hebrews 12 we read that Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross". Now I know that is being said to encourage us to not grow weary or fainthearted in our struggles. It is saying that there is joy in the end. That's where Jesus is, "seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Do you think he's experiencing joy? Do you wonder if He thinks it was worth the price?
I know we are to remember his sacrifice. We do that when we have communion, the bread and the wine, the body and the blood. We can't forget.
I can't back this with Scripture (you may be able to so let me know by commenting) but I think that it is an abomination for a believer to live in sorrow and defeat and not joy and victory! You may as well tell Jesus that His sacrifice wasn't enough to take care of the sins in your life. You may as well tell Him that His resurrection wasn't enough to bring you life. You may as well say that His work wasn't enough to bring you joy (even in suffering James 1:2, 1 Peter 4:13). How dare any believer do that!
Okay, I'll back off a little. We can have moments of doubt, sorrow, guilt, anger, etc. but DON'T LIVE THERE! It's been dealt with! Jesus took care of it! Show the world the power of Jesus and His resurrection by being a living example, His body! This is not "name it and claim it" theology! It is truth! There is joy in the truth. God bless y'all real good.
Isaiah 53 from The Message reads:
"Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?"
"The servant grew up before God - a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is , it was our pains he carried - our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him - our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him."
"He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off - and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought to his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true."
"Still it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it - life, life, and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper through him."
"Out of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones", as he himself carries the burden of their sins. Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly - the best of everything, the highest honors - because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch, because he embraced the company of the lowest. He took on his shoulders the sin of many, he took up the cause of all the black sheep."
The absolute violence and sheer wrath that was placed on the servant, Jesus, is overwhelming. God piled all our sins on Him. Words like "beaten bloody", "tortured", and "crush him with pain", paint a vivid picture of the price that was paid for our sins. Sin had to be taken care of so that "life would come". Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages which sin pays is death". If Jesus had not have suffered then "life" could not come.
Could we have paid for our own sins? Could we have died in Jesus' place? No! The sacrificial lamb had to be spotless. Leviticus 1:3,4 says, "If the animal you present is from the herd, it must be male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the Lord.Lay your hand on the animal's head, and the Lord will accept it's death in your place to purify you, making you right with him". Hebrews 9:13-14 reads, "For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God". It had to be Jesus! He is the only one that could have fulfilled the requirement of being without defect.
Jesus died for our sins but it didn't end there. Jesus rose out of the grave! He's alive! Luke 24:2-3 says, "And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body". The two men at the tomb asked the women who were seeking Jesus' body, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" then in verse 6 it says, "Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 says, "For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Now I ask, does God want us (the church, the called out ones) to focus on death or life? Do we walk about in sackcloth and ashes or joy? Isaiah 53:11 says, "Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied." In Hebrews 12 we read that Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross". Now I know that is being said to encourage us to not grow weary or fainthearted in our struggles. It is saying that there is joy in the end. That's where Jesus is, "seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Do you think he's experiencing joy? Do you wonder if He thinks it was worth the price?
I know we are to remember his sacrifice. We do that when we have communion, the bread and the wine, the body and the blood. We can't forget.
I can't back this with Scripture (you may be able to so let me know by commenting) but I think that it is an abomination for a believer to live in sorrow and defeat and not joy and victory! You may as well tell Jesus that His sacrifice wasn't enough to take care of the sins in your life. You may as well tell Him that His resurrection wasn't enough to bring you life. You may as well say that His work wasn't enough to bring you joy (even in suffering James 1:2, 1 Peter 4:13). How dare any believer do that!
Okay, I'll back off a little. We can have moments of doubt, sorrow, guilt, anger, etc. but DON'T LIVE THERE! It's been dealt with! Jesus took care of it! Show the world the power of Jesus and His resurrection by being a living example, His body! This is not "name it and claim it" theology! It is truth! There is joy in the truth. God bless y'all real good.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
God's Calling
Did I miss my calling? Some members of my family and some friends would answer a resounding "YES!" to that question. I love them and I appreciate what they're saying. I too have have asked that same question of myself. There are times I would have answered yes but in reality the answer is no. I am right where I need to be.
I have a wonderful ministry. I minister to my wife and other family members. I am a part of a small group and I participate in a Sunday morning "Bible and Bagel Fellowship". Twice a month on Sunday evening I worship the Lord, pray, and fellowship with other members of the body.
I minister in other places. I am a missionary to an auto parts warehouse during the week. I get payed to be there! I don't have to raise my own support! I've had a lot of opportunities to share the gospel. I simply live out my faith in front of my fellow workers. Do they notice a difference? Do they ask questions? Have conversations about Jesus taken place? Yes!
I also minister to friends outside the church. We break bread together, we laugh, share life experiences, and occasionally (dare I say it) enjoy a malt beverage together. I am able to share Scriptures when they apply to my life or theirs. They are always receptive. We have built a good relationship and they know I care.
I minister to others too. I've had opportunity to pray for the needs of my neighbors. They have asked my wife and me several times to intercede on their behalf. My interactions with restaurant workers, retail workers, and other "service" workers have opened doors to minister. FOLKS THAT I ENCOUNTER EVERY DAY!!!
Two weeks ago my sister and I met with a friend who was in town for a seminar. We talked about what was going on in our lives. We talked about people we know that are "struggling" with their calling. His conclusion, and we agreed, is that we are to "live our life". There are many opportunities in our day to day relationships to show the love of Christ, to share the Word with others. That conversation was confirmed the other night when another friend approached me with a similar comment.
Once in a while God confirms my calling when I am told, "You are the nicest person I know", or "Thanks for the phone call, I needed it", "You should start a church", or "You missed your calling". Those comments encourage me. They tell me that I am right where I need to be.
This would all be vain babbling if I didn't include Scripture. (Matthew chapters 5,6, and 7), (Micah 6:8), (James 2:14-26), (1 Peter 3:15, 16). I know there are many more. Take time to share the verses that come to your mind, minister to me. God bless y'all real good.
I have a wonderful ministry. I minister to my wife and other family members. I am a part of a small group and I participate in a Sunday morning "Bible and Bagel Fellowship". Twice a month on Sunday evening I worship the Lord, pray, and fellowship with other members of the body.
I minister in other places. I am a missionary to an auto parts warehouse during the week. I get payed to be there! I don't have to raise my own support! I've had a lot of opportunities to share the gospel. I simply live out my faith in front of my fellow workers. Do they notice a difference? Do they ask questions? Have conversations about Jesus taken place? Yes!
I also minister to friends outside the church. We break bread together, we laugh, share life experiences, and occasionally (dare I say it) enjoy a malt beverage together. I am able to share Scriptures when they apply to my life or theirs. They are always receptive. We have built a good relationship and they know I care.
I minister to others too. I've had opportunity to pray for the needs of my neighbors. They have asked my wife and me several times to intercede on their behalf. My interactions with restaurant workers, retail workers, and other "service" workers have opened doors to minister. FOLKS THAT I ENCOUNTER EVERY DAY!!!
Two weeks ago my sister and I met with a friend who was in town for a seminar. We talked about what was going on in our lives. We talked about people we know that are "struggling" with their calling. His conclusion, and we agreed, is that we are to "live our life". There are many opportunities in our day to day relationships to show the love of Christ, to share the Word with others. That conversation was confirmed the other night when another friend approached me with a similar comment.
Once in a while God confirms my calling when I am told, "You are the nicest person I know", or "Thanks for the phone call, I needed it", "You should start a church", or "You missed your calling". Those comments encourage me. They tell me that I am right where I need to be.
This would all be vain babbling if I didn't include Scripture. (Matthew chapters 5,6, and 7), (Micah 6:8), (James 2:14-26), (1 Peter 3:15, 16). I know there are many more. Take time to share the verses that come to your mind, minister to me. God bless y'all real good.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Read All About It!
Have you ever seen a CBD (Christian Book Distributors) catalog? It boasts "more than 5,000 products inside". I think it would be safe to say that at least seventy-five percent of those products are books. That would be 3,750 books. THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY BOOKS!!! Are you thinking what I'm thinking? With that many resources the American Christian should be the best discerning, happiest, healthiest, prayingest, wisest, culturally relevant Christians in the world. Our society should have strong Christian values and our churches should be packed. Right? We have all the answers, right?
We hear about the latest ideas for church growth. It worked well for one church, it should work in all churches. Write a book! House church, cell church, emergent church, mega church, the possibilities are endless. Pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib,
pre-wrath, how's it going to end? Read the book! Are you Calvinist or Arminian? Not many have heard of this, are you a preterist? How did the early church grow without all this information?
All these books can give us things to think about. They can also lead us to over complicate God's Word. We start looking between the lines and pages of the Bible, taking it out of context, in order to find some hidden message.
Can we learn from other books? Sure we can. I would be a liar if I said I wasn't influenced by other writers. However, I'm tired. I'm taking a vacation from other books. Right now I'm going to focus on one book, the Bible.
Remember when you first became a believer? If you are like me, you devoured the Scriptures. I couldn't get enough. Each session with the Word brought fresh meaning to my life. It was a wonderful time.
Maybe I've spent a lot of time in other books so I could get to the place where I am now. I want to return to the simple pleasure of loving Jesus, reflecting His love to others, and living my life in a way that would please God. I want to be a good disciple that disciples others.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."
Maybe if we all would return to our roots, things could be different. Study the Scriptures to find out what is from God and what is from man. Let the Bible be the ultimate authority. Then each day the Lord can add to our fellowship those who are being saved.(Acts 2:47) God bless y'all real good.
We hear about the latest ideas for church growth. It worked well for one church, it should work in all churches. Write a book! House church, cell church, emergent church, mega church, the possibilities are endless. Pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib,
pre-wrath, how's it going to end? Read the book! Are you Calvinist or Arminian? Not many have heard of this, are you a preterist? How did the early church grow without all this information?
All these books can give us things to think about. They can also lead us to over complicate God's Word. We start looking between the lines and pages of the Bible, taking it out of context, in order to find some hidden message.
Can we learn from other books? Sure we can. I would be a liar if I said I wasn't influenced by other writers. However, I'm tired. I'm taking a vacation from other books. Right now I'm going to focus on one book, the Bible.
Remember when you first became a believer? If you are like me, you devoured the Scriptures. I couldn't get enough. Each session with the Word brought fresh meaning to my life. It was a wonderful time.
Maybe I've spent a lot of time in other books so I could get to the place where I am now. I want to return to the simple pleasure of loving Jesus, reflecting His love to others, and living my life in a way that would please God. I want to be a good disciple that disciples others.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."
Maybe if we all would return to our roots, things could be different. Study the Scriptures to find out what is from God and what is from man. Let the Bible be the ultimate authority. Then each day the Lord can add to our fellowship those who are being saved.(Acts 2:47) God bless y'all real good.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
U-Needa Wednesday Group
How could imperfect Christians make a judgement of another believer and apply church discipline? The point here is not the application of discipline (that could be the subject of a future post) but the discussion of the subject itself. It took place last night at my Wednesday group meeting.
Every Wednesday I get together with about eight other people and we discuss God's Word. What is God telling us in the Scriptures? How can we apply it to our lives? Someone shares a concern or a need. We pray for each other. We praise God together. We hold each other accountable. We eat together, watch movies together, and encourage one another. The word that sums it up best is relationship.
Our discussions are sometimes "spirited", sometimes we can get "passionate", we don't always agree, but at the end of the evening we are able to laugh and part as friends ( family). This is real church, this is what it's all about. In my opinion, one Wednesday evening is worth a month of Sunday mornings.
Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in big trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."
1 Corinthians 14"26 says" When you meet together......But everything that is done must strengthen all of you."
There are numerous Scriptures that talk about encouraging each other. After a Wednesday group meeting I am stoked! Fired up! I realize that there are others who genuinely care about me. They challenge me to be the best I can be. They have my back and I have theirs. They can see my ugly side and not judge (although they could) but encourage me to change. I love them, they love me.
I want to encourage you to find or start a group. Sunday morning worship is okay but U-Needa Wednesday group! God bless y'all real good.
Every Wednesday I get together with about eight other people and we discuss God's Word. What is God telling us in the Scriptures? How can we apply it to our lives? Someone shares a concern or a need. We pray for each other. We praise God together. We hold each other accountable. We eat together, watch movies together, and encourage one another. The word that sums it up best is relationship.
Our discussions are sometimes "spirited", sometimes we can get "passionate", we don't always agree, but at the end of the evening we are able to laugh and part as friends ( family). This is real church, this is what it's all about. In my opinion, one Wednesday evening is worth a month of Sunday mornings.
Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in big trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."
1 Corinthians 14"26 says" When you meet together......But everything that is done must strengthen all of you."
There are numerous Scriptures that talk about encouraging each other. After a Wednesday group meeting I am stoked! Fired up! I realize that there are others who genuinely care about me. They challenge me to be the best I can be. They have my back and I have theirs. They can see my ugly side and not judge (although they could) but encourage me to change. I love them, they love me.
I want to encourage you to find or start a group. Sunday morning worship is okay but U-Needa Wednesday group! God bless y'all real good.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Our Easter Basket
I wrote a song ten years ago with the following lyrics:
Christian do you know who you are; By the resurrection of the Lamb; you're more than forgiven, you gain more than Heaven; You are now a new man.
The song was based on a book I read by Bill Gilham titled, Lifetime Guarantee. The following is a partial list taken from Chapter Five, "A "New Man" in an old Earthsuit"
-You are justified and redeemed (already). (Romans 3:24)
-You are free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
-You are sanctified (holy, set apart). (1 Corinthians 1:12)
-You are a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
-You are the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians5:21)
-You are a son and an heir. (Galatians 4:7)
-You are chosen, holy, and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:4)
-You are redeemed, forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7)
There are many more "you ares" but I hope you get the point. Many things happened when Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. Forgiveness, new life, and a restored relationship with God were mentioned in my previous entry. But do you see that there's even more for believers, through Christ?
This past week at our Wednesday Group meeting, we discussed these things. It was exciting to consider the results of Christ's work in light of the Easter season. A woman in our group summed it up in a way that fit the holiday, "This is our Easter basket (from God)".
Thank you Lord that you loved us so much. God bless y'all real good.
Christian do you know who you are; By the resurrection of the Lamb; you're more than forgiven, you gain more than Heaven; You are now a new man.
The song was based on a book I read by Bill Gilham titled, Lifetime Guarantee. The following is a partial list taken from Chapter Five, "A "New Man" in an old Earthsuit"
-You are justified and redeemed (already). (Romans 3:24)
-You are free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
-You are sanctified (holy, set apart). (1 Corinthians 1:12)
-You are a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
-You are the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians5:21)
-You are a son and an heir. (Galatians 4:7)
-You are chosen, holy, and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:4)
-You are redeemed, forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7)
There are many more "you ares" but I hope you get the point. Many things happened when Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. Forgiveness, new life, and a restored relationship with God were mentioned in my previous entry. But do you see that there's even more for believers, through Christ?
This past week at our Wednesday Group meeting, we discussed these things. It was exciting to consider the results of Christ's work in light of the Easter season. A woman in our group summed it up in a way that fit the holiday, "This is our Easter basket (from God)".
Thank you Lord that you loved us so much. God bless y'all real good.
Not Just Life, But A Relationship
The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus is about triumph, a resounding victory of life over death! That's what most people think of when Easter is mentioned, and that would be correct. However, many don't know that it is about a restored relationship too.
I knew someone who said that with most religions we obtain heaven (a joyful afterlife) by being good people in this life. As life progresses, if you do more good things than bad things, don't murder or take advantage of others, help people in need, and are considerate of the environment ( "one" with the universe and others), you are headed to eternal joy and peace with God. Christianity, on the other hand, says we have no chance (on our own).
The Bible says in the book of Romans (chapter 3) that "no one is righteous-not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one." "Their talk is foul, like stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies." "Snake venom drips from their lips." "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." "They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them. They don't know where to find peace." "They have no fear of God at all." Whew! Can it be more plain?
In chapter 5 of Romans it says "When Adam sinned (Old Testament book of Genesis, chapter 3), sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.""Yes Adam's sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God and a new LIFE for everyone." "So, just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us RIGHT STANDING with God and resulting in eternal LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord." Here's the hope, God's grace (undeserved favor).
Apologist Ravi Zacharias said, "Jesus didn't come into this world to make bad people good, He came to make dead people live." The Bible, in the book of John, chapter 6, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." "For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal LIFE."The book of Ephesians in the New Testament of the Bible says, "Once you were dead because of your many sins." "By our very nature we were subject to God's anger." "But God is so rich in mercy, and loved us so much, that even though we were DEAD because of our sins, he gave us LIFE when he raised Christ from the dead." This is his gift to us. HIS Son, HIS gift, HIS work, HIS action, HIS love, HIS, HIS, HIS!!!!! He did it because we can't! WOW!!
I hope this gives you something to think about. Check it out, search for yourself and find the life and a restored relationship with the Creator, God. God bless y'all real good.
I knew someone who said that with most religions we obtain heaven (a joyful afterlife) by being good people in this life. As life progresses, if you do more good things than bad things, don't murder or take advantage of others, help people in need, and are considerate of the environment ( "one" with the universe and others), you are headed to eternal joy and peace with God. Christianity, on the other hand, says we have no chance (on our own).
The Bible says in the book of Romans (chapter 3) that "no one is righteous-not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one." "Their talk is foul, like stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies." "Snake venom drips from their lips." "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." "They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them. They don't know where to find peace." "They have no fear of God at all." Whew! Can it be more plain?
In chapter 5 of Romans it says "When Adam sinned (Old Testament book of Genesis, chapter 3), sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.""Yes Adam's sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God and a new LIFE for everyone." "So, just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us RIGHT STANDING with God and resulting in eternal LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord." Here's the hope, God's grace (undeserved favor).
Apologist Ravi Zacharias said, "Jesus didn't come into this world to make bad people good, He came to make dead people live." The Bible, in the book of John, chapter 6, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." "For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal LIFE."The book of Ephesians in the New Testament of the Bible says, "Once you were dead because of your many sins." "By our very nature we were subject to God's anger." "But God is so rich in mercy, and loved us so much, that even though we were DEAD because of our sins, he gave us LIFE when he raised Christ from the dead." This is his gift to us. HIS Son, HIS gift, HIS work, HIS action, HIS love, HIS, HIS, HIS!!!!! He did it because we can't! WOW!!
I hope this gives you something to think about. Check it out, search for yourself and find the life and a restored relationship with the Creator, God. God bless y'all real good.
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