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.
Friday, June 29, 2007
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)