The following is an updated letter I have mailed to the church family in the past in response to the tragedies experienced by members of the church family. It is included here to help you in your relationship to God as we tackle the problem of evil in the world.
Dear Church Family,
Some of you are teachers and leaders. Many of you are parents. All of you will need to deal sooner or later with the question of how a good God can allow bad things to happen.
Following are a few pastoral and biblical perspectives which I encourage you to consider as you communicate with your children, students, colleagues and friends about why tragedy happens.
1. God didn’t do it. He doesn’t bring about tragedies. He allows them.
In a broken world broken things happen. God prefers to give us free will as
opposed to creating us as puppets on a string. This allows therefore for human error, failure, sin, brokenness and pain.
2. God never wastes a hurt. He is totally and only good, and He has a future and a hope for every person, none excluded. ( see Jeremiah 29:11) All any of us needs to do is to accept it, believe it, and follow Jesus, the One who puts it all back together.
3. There are no satisfactory answers to the question “why.” The jar will never comprehend the mind of the potter. (see Isaiah 29:16) Most of the answers that we give to the question “why” end up being trite, or wrong, or a misrepresentation of God.
4. Avoid seeking blame or “justice.” As painful and difficult as it is to do (for some almost impossible) forgiveness heals, blame kills. No amount of human “justice seeking” will heal. The legal system may need to come into play at times, but extreme effort is required to dislodge seeds of bitterness from the heart. They grow and poison and eventually kill.
5. Be real. The “why” question, although unanswerable, is great as a cry of anguish. The Psalms are full of all the contradictory human emotions of pain, hope, anger, sadness, joy, bitterness and love. You can openly bring it all to God. When you’re real God has “raw” material to work with and heal.
6. Talk with your children and friends.
7. Pray and never give up. (Luke 18:1) God heals. Those who have not been physically healed will have been healed in the next life. They are now with God in Paradise. Let’s thank God that you and I can have that healing too.
But do pray for physical healing, also for spiritual and emotional strength for the family and friends of those facing pain. God has His best in store for all of us and prayer makes a huge difference. Sometimes our biggest failure is that we stop praying too soon. Where we are today is not the end of the story. God has good chapters for each of our lives, which He has yet to write.
8. “Spiritual warfare” is a biblical metaphor and it is real. Evil exists as does the “evil one”. There is a force (Jesus named it Satan) outside of ourselves which seeks to destroy God’s creation and that includes people. God has conclusively dealt with it on the cross, which means resurrection and restoration, not defeat, are the end of the story.
9. Yet the best way to frame suffering is not to focus on the evil but on what God is doing through it all. What I see is God turning many, many of us more and more to dependence on Him, into deeper and more intense prayer, and into a deeper personal experience of Him. That is a fantastic outcome. It is the outcome that, of all outcomes, is most fully life-giving.
10. None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. Assuming we’ll be here tomorrow is presumption. Each of us needs to learn better to live in the “now” and be genuinely grateful for it.
11. For me, the most important thing is that all those who have allowed Jesus to connect them to Himself will see each other again. Each of us can have a reunion with loved ones we have lost. “If for this life only we have hope . . . . we are a pretty sorry lot.” (see I Corinthians 15:19) The longer I live the more true I know this to be.
Your fellow believer,
Pastor Jeff
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October 29, 2009
What Do Prayer Studies Prove?
When a landmark study suggests that intercessory prayer may actually hurt patients instead of help them, you have to wonder.
Gregory Fung and Christopher Fung posted 5/15/2009 09:03AM
Should your doctor prescribe prayer as part of your treatment? According to a study of 1,134 physicians this past December by Health Care Direct Research, the majority of doctors (70 percent) believe miracles are possible today. Yet fewer than 29 percent believe that the outcomes of medical treatments are related to "supernatural forces" or "acts of God."
Studies on prayer in medicine have a way of demarcating the battle lines between saints and skeptics: Christians long for scientific proof of the efficacy of prayer. Critics, waiting for the opposite, hope to undermine religious faith. For better or worse, we have seen many attempts to measure the healing effects of intercessory prayer. The first known studies were published in 1873 by English polymath Francis Galton. He found no statistical evidence that prayer prolonged life or reduced stillbirths (though his findings would not meet today's criteria for a controlled prospective study).
More recently, various prayer experiments have caught the attention of evangelicals who are eager to show a positive connection between faith and science. One that generated particular excitement was Randolph Byrd's 1988 study, which observed 393 patients admitted to the coronary care unit of San Francisco General Hospital. About half of the patients were prayed for by "born-again Christians with daily devotional prayer and active Christian fellowship in a local church." The other half served as a control group (they received no prayer). In this study, the prayer group significantly outscored the control group.
Byrd's published report received criticism on a number of fronts, however, including possible unintentional unblinding (for example, the research assistant who knew which patients received the special prayers also collected the clinical data), and non-independent outcome variables. The latter involved the observation that most of the 6 of 29 variables in which the prayed-for group fared better were probably interrelated (meaning the 6 variables could have influenced each other).
The effect of these and other methodological problems has been to render Byrd's paper too murky to serve as evidence of God's direct activity in healing. Such controversies have been par for the course when it comes to prayer experiments: too few patients; unblinded researchers or subjects; invalid outcome measures; inappropriate statistical methods; randomization problems; and suspected outright fraud. (For a detailed analysis of many previous prayer studies, see our website IntercessoryPrayerStudies.com.)
A Celebrated Study
Three years ago, however, results from a landmark study carefully designed to put the debate to rest went public. The study received some attention at the time, but seemed to have escaped the notice of many Christians, probably because of its surprising—and for Christians, disturbing—conclusions. The Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP), conducted under the auspices of Harvard Medical School, was by far the most comprehensive of its kind. The study required 10 years and $2.4 million, and was mainly underwritten by the John Templeton Foundation, a supporter of studies that explore the intersection between religion and science.
STEP was simple and elegant, conforming to standard research norms and protocols: 1,802 patients, all admitted for coronary artery bypass graft surgery, were divided into three randomized groups. Two of the groups received prayer from committed Christians with experience praying for the sick. But only one group's members knew they were being prayed for. The result: The group whose members knew they were being prayed for did worse in terms of post-operative complications than those whose members were unsure if they were receiving prayer. The knowledge that they were being prayed for by a special group of intercessors seemed to have a negative effect on their health
The two groups that were unsure of whether they were receiving prayer were also compared. One group actually received prayer (the same group mentioned above), while the other did not. This time, the group that had received prayer experienced more major complications than the group without additional prayer. In other words, the study seemed to show that prayer—at least prayer from strangers—might be bad for one's health. The results were disappointing to those who had hoped to see the positive effects of additional intercessory prayer. (They also may have been surprising to skeptics who were expecting no effect at all.)
Many have questioned the validity of the study, including the authors themselves, who worried that "… being aware of the strangers' prayers … may have caused some of the patients a kind of performance anxiety. It may have made them uncertain, wondering, am I so sick that they had to call in their prayer team?" Evangelicals' responses have included the observation that many of the patients, after all, were either praying for themselves or had friends and family praying for them (96 percent reported having others praying for them). This reality could drown out any effect of the additional prayers. Other Christians claim that intercessory prayer investigations are problematic, given the various New Testament examples of physical healing through direct, in-person prayers—a scenario that would be impossible to test in any double-blind way. A third response has been, as one high-profile hospital chaplain said, that "God is not subject to scientific research."
C.S. Lewis anticipated a carefully designed prayer study, but did not think it would show any positive, measurable "results." "The trouble is that I do not see how any real prayer could go on under such conditions," Lewis said. "Simply to say prayers is not to pray; otherwise a team of properly trained parrots would serve as well as men for our experiment." He argued that this approach to prayer treats it "as if it were magic, or a machine—something that functions automatically"—an accusation unintentionally but prophetically aimed at STEP and the other well-meaning attempts to measure the effects of prayer. If Lewis is right, such attempts always end up trying to measure something more akin to magic than a real movement of God.
Ironically, STEP actually supports the Christian worldview. Our prayers are nothing at all like magical incantations. Our God bears no resemblance to a vending machine. The real scandal of the study is not that the prayed-for group did worse, but that the not-prayed-for group received just as much, if not more, of God's blessings. In other words, God seems to have granted favor without regard to either the quantity or even the quality of the prayers. By instinct, we might selfishly prefer that God give preferential treatment to those who are especially, deliberately, and correctly prayed for, but he seems to act otherwise.
True to his character, God appears inclined to heal and bless as many as possible. It is as if he can barely restrain himself—though he often does—from supernaturally intervening and disrupting the nature of the universe to care for those he loves, whether they acknowledge it or not. Did God answer the prayers of the study's official prayer teams? Yes. But more than that, he answered the prayers of the patients, of their friends and relatives, and perhaps even of those who may not have known they were praying.
Why Pray?
If this is true about our God, then a nagging question arises: "Why put so much effort into praying if God is already so generous?" This is another way of asking the real but unspoken question: "What is the minimum required of me to get my prayers answered?" Such questions expose the weakness of our modernist desire to know if prayer "works." In finding that God is in fact constantly answering prayers, we stumble upon the deeper and more disturbing reality that his answers often don't give us the where, when, or how that we originally sought.
Scripture attests to this reality. God, for example, answered Israel's prayers for release from Pharaoh's hand, but his answer—when it finally came—was unexpected, unpredictable, and anything but tame (as a generation left in the desert could attest). His answer to Israel's prayers for release from Caesar's grip proved even more unanticipated and, for many, simply unacceptable. Thus, it is no surprise that Jesus taught us to pray "thy will be done," as he himself prayed all the way through Gethsemane. In all this, we discover that our obsession with whether prayer works is the wrong question. We know prayer works. The real question is, are we prepared for God's answer?
Not surprisingly, those who were prepared for God's answer to Israel's cry for the Messiah were people who prayed. Anna the Prophetess, who spent the bulk of her life worshiping in the temple, was one of the first to recognize him. Lydia, who saw the truth of the gospel and opened the door to Philippi, was in the right place at the right time because she was praying. Thus, we pray not only because God answers our prayers. We also pray so that we might recognize and receive God's answer, know how to respond, and perhaps see God himself.
Most physicians believe in miracles, and in the cause-and-effect reality of their jobs. Miracles happen, but they happen to all because we are loved by God, whether we are in rebellion or not. What is left to physicians, and to us, is how we will respond. We would be wise to avoid magical or mechanical claims about the gospel. STEP encourages us to believe that God is eager to answer our prayers with seemingly little regard for our competence in prayer or, at times, even our orthodoxy. This ought to give us confidence to act, believe, and work alongside the good and generous King, who calls us to advance his kingdom, bring healing to the world, and pray.
Gregory Fung studied biochemistry at Harvard and is currently the Boston divisional director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Christopher Fung is a pathologist and a member of LaSalle Street Church, Chicago. They are son and father, respectively.
When a landmark study suggests that intercessory prayer may actually hurt patients instead of help them, you have to wonder.
Gregory Fung and Christopher Fung posted 5/15/2009 09:03AM
Should your doctor prescribe prayer as part of your treatment? According to a study of 1,134 physicians this past December by Health Care Direct Research, the majority of doctors (70 percent) believe miracles are possible today. Yet fewer than 29 percent believe that the outcomes of medical treatments are related to "supernatural forces" or "acts of God."
Studies on prayer in medicine have a way of demarcating the battle lines between saints and skeptics: Christians long for scientific proof of the efficacy of prayer. Critics, waiting for the opposite, hope to undermine religious faith. For better or worse, we have seen many attempts to measure the healing effects of intercessory prayer. The first known studies were published in 1873 by English polymath Francis Galton. He found no statistical evidence that prayer prolonged life or reduced stillbirths (though his findings would not meet today's criteria for a controlled prospective study).
More recently, various prayer experiments have caught the attention of evangelicals who are eager to show a positive connection between faith and science. One that generated particular excitement was Randolph Byrd's 1988 study, which observed 393 patients admitted to the coronary care unit of San Francisco General Hospital. About half of the patients were prayed for by "born-again Christians with daily devotional prayer and active Christian fellowship in a local church." The other half served as a control group (they received no prayer). In this study, the prayer group significantly outscored the control group.
Byrd's published report received criticism on a number of fronts, however, including possible unintentional unblinding (for example, the research assistant who knew which patients received the special prayers also collected the clinical data), and non-independent outcome variables. The latter involved the observation that most of the 6 of 29 variables in which the prayed-for group fared better were probably interrelated (meaning the 6 variables could have influenced each other).
The effect of these and other methodological problems has been to render Byrd's paper too murky to serve as evidence of God's direct activity in healing. Such controversies have been par for the course when it comes to prayer experiments: too few patients; unblinded researchers or subjects; invalid outcome measures; inappropriate statistical methods; randomization problems; and suspected outright fraud. (For a detailed analysis of many previous prayer studies, see our website IntercessoryPrayerStudies.com.)
A Celebrated Study
Three years ago, however, results from a landmark study carefully designed to put the debate to rest went public. The study received some attention at the time, but seemed to have escaped the notice of many Christians, probably because of its surprising—and for Christians, disturbing—conclusions. The Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP), conducted under the auspices of Harvard Medical School, was by far the most comprehensive of its kind. The study required 10 years and $2.4 million, and was mainly underwritten by the John Templeton Foundation, a supporter of studies that explore the intersection between religion and science.
STEP was simple and elegant, conforming to standard research norms and protocols: 1,802 patients, all admitted for coronary artery bypass graft surgery, were divided into three randomized groups. Two of the groups received prayer from committed Christians with experience praying for the sick. But only one group's members knew they were being prayed for. The result: The group whose members knew they were being prayed for did worse in terms of post-operative complications than those whose members were unsure if they were receiving prayer. The knowledge that they were being prayed for by a special group of intercessors seemed to have a negative effect on their health
The two groups that were unsure of whether they were receiving prayer were also compared. One group actually received prayer (the same group mentioned above), while the other did not. This time, the group that had received prayer experienced more major complications than the group without additional prayer. In other words, the study seemed to show that prayer—at least prayer from strangers—might be bad for one's health. The results were disappointing to those who had hoped to see the positive effects of additional intercessory prayer. (They also may have been surprising to skeptics who were expecting no effect at all.)
Many have questioned the validity of the study, including the authors themselves, who worried that "… being aware of the strangers' prayers … may have caused some of the patients a kind of performance anxiety. It may have made them uncertain, wondering, am I so sick that they had to call in their prayer team?" Evangelicals' responses have included the observation that many of the patients, after all, were either praying for themselves or had friends and family praying for them (96 percent reported having others praying for them). This reality could drown out any effect of the additional prayers. Other Christians claim that intercessory prayer investigations are problematic, given the various New Testament examples of physical healing through direct, in-person prayers—a scenario that would be impossible to test in any double-blind way. A third response has been, as one high-profile hospital chaplain said, that "God is not subject to scientific research."
C.S. Lewis anticipated a carefully designed prayer study, but did not think it would show any positive, measurable "results." "The trouble is that I do not see how any real prayer could go on under such conditions," Lewis said. "Simply to say prayers is not to pray; otherwise a team of properly trained parrots would serve as well as men for our experiment." He argued that this approach to prayer treats it "as if it were magic, or a machine—something that functions automatically"—an accusation unintentionally but prophetically aimed at STEP and the other well-meaning attempts to measure the effects of prayer. If Lewis is right, such attempts always end up trying to measure something more akin to magic than a real movement of God.
Ironically, STEP actually supports the Christian worldview. Our prayers are nothing at all like magical incantations. Our God bears no resemblance to a vending machine. The real scandal of the study is not that the prayed-for group did worse, but that the not-prayed-for group received just as much, if not more, of God's blessings. In other words, God seems to have granted favor without regard to either the quantity or even the quality of the prayers. By instinct, we might selfishly prefer that God give preferential treatment to those who are especially, deliberately, and correctly prayed for, but he seems to act otherwise.
True to his character, God appears inclined to heal and bless as many as possible. It is as if he can barely restrain himself—though he often does—from supernaturally intervening and disrupting the nature of the universe to care for those he loves, whether they acknowledge it or not. Did God answer the prayers of the study's official prayer teams? Yes. But more than that, he answered the prayers of the patients, of their friends and relatives, and perhaps even of those who may not have known they were praying.
Why Pray?
If this is true about our God, then a nagging question arises: "Why put so much effort into praying if God is already so generous?" This is another way of asking the real but unspoken question: "What is the minimum required of me to get my prayers answered?" Such questions expose the weakness of our modernist desire to know if prayer "works." In finding that God is in fact constantly answering prayers, we stumble upon the deeper and more disturbing reality that his answers often don't give us the where, when, or how that we originally sought.
Scripture attests to this reality. God, for example, answered Israel's prayers for release from Pharaoh's hand, but his answer—when it finally came—was unexpected, unpredictable, and anything but tame (as a generation left in the desert could attest). His answer to Israel's prayers for release from Caesar's grip proved even more unanticipated and, for many, simply unacceptable. Thus, it is no surprise that Jesus taught us to pray "thy will be done," as he himself prayed all the way through Gethsemane. In all this, we discover that our obsession with whether prayer works is the wrong question. We know prayer works. The real question is, are we prepared for God's answer?
Not surprisingly, those who were prepared for God's answer to Israel's cry for the Messiah were people who prayed. Anna the Prophetess, who spent the bulk of her life worshiping in the temple, was one of the first to recognize him. Lydia, who saw the truth of the gospel and opened the door to Philippi, was in the right place at the right time because she was praying. Thus, we pray not only because God answers our prayers. We also pray so that we might recognize and receive God's answer, know how to respond, and perhaps see God himself.
Most physicians believe in miracles, and in the cause-and-effect reality of their jobs. Miracles happen, but they happen to all because we are loved by God, whether we are in rebellion or not. What is left to physicians, and to us, is how we will respond. We would be wise to avoid magical or mechanical claims about the gospel. STEP encourages us to believe that God is eager to answer our prayers with seemingly little regard for our competence in prayer or, at times, even our orthodoxy. This ought to give us confidence to act, believe, and work alongside the good and generous King, who calls us to advance his kingdom, bring healing to the world, and pray.
Gregory Fung studied biochemistry at Harvard and is currently the Boston divisional director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Christopher Fung is a pathologist and a member of LaSalle Street Church, Chicago. They are son and father, respectively.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
“the very word of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT)
Do you believe that that Bible is the “very Word of God”?
It really is a quite audacious claim isn’t it? Paul, a “mere man” in his own words, writing to some new believers in the city of Thessalonica, claiming that what he said was the “very Word of God”.
Here’s how I understand this and I recommend this understanding to you. Paul was a brilliant and devoted scholar of the Bible, which for him was the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible. When he personally met Christ on the Damascus road and subsequently began to live the reality of Christ in him and he in Christ, he then studied the Old Testament anew. His enlightened eyes and mind saw the foreshadowings of Jesus the Messiah in every section of the Hebrew Bible. He then began to proclaim everywhere what God had shown him. This revelation from God about the truth of Jesus in Scripture, taught through the experience of man who personally experienced the living Christ, later recorded in letters becomes a huge portion of what Christians call the New Testament.
“The very Word of God” in Paul’s letters is not God doing the actual writing (for example, Islam claims that Gabriel dictated to Mohammed), rather it is God’s revelation through God’s Holy Spirit through a faithful human being whom God chose to use and who was on the scene during and after the life of Christ and who was among the apostolic witnesses the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Do you believe that that Bible is the “very Word of God”?
It really is a quite audacious claim isn’t it? Paul, a “mere man” in his own words, writing to some new believers in the city of Thessalonica, claiming that what he said was the “very Word of God”.
Here’s how I understand this and I recommend this understanding to you. Paul was a brilliant and devoted scholar of the Bible, which for him was the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible. When he personally met Christ on the Damascus road and subsequently began to live the reality of Christ in him and he in Christ, he then studied the Old Testament anew. His enlightened eyes and mind saw the foreshadowings of Jesus the Messiah in every section of the Hebrew Bible. He then began to proclaim everywhere what God had shown him. This revelation from God about the truth of Jesus in Scripture, taught through the experience of man who personally experienced the living Christ, later recorded in letters becomes a huge portion of what Christians call the New Testament.
“The very Word of God” in Paul’s letters is not God doing the actual writing (for example, Islam claims that Gabriel dictated to Mohammed), rather it is God’s revelation through God’s Holy Spirit through a faithful human being whom God chose to use and who was on the scene during and after the life of Christ and who was among the apostolic witnesses the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Monday, October 26, 2009
October 26, 2009
"The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (TLB)
This verse perhaps more than any other spells out the benefits of reading the Bible.
Actually our church is continuing it's involvement with the REVEAL survey (a study to discover what really helps people grow spiritually) which our church family took a few years ago. As more churches are surveyed, and number of those surveyed has grown into the many tens of thousands, one finding stands out above all others.
"By far the most catalatytic practice that any Christ Follower canengage in, regardless how new one is to the faith, is Bible reading."
I hope many of you take advantage of this opportunity to create your own personalized online Bible study and then use it regularly. You will find that getting God's Word into your mind, heart, and life will accelerate your life with God and other people like nothing else has.
http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/
This verse perhaps more than any other spells out the benefits of reading the Bible.
Actually our church is continuing it's involvement with the REVEAL survey (a study to discover what really helps people grow spiritually) which our church family took a few years ago. As more churches are surveyed, and number of those surveyed has grown into the many tens of thousands, one finding stands out above all others.
"By far the most catalatytic practice that any Christ Follower canengage in, regardless how new one is to the faith, is Bible reading."
I hope many of you take advantage of this opportunity to create your own personalized online Bible study and then use it regularly. You will find that getting God's Word into your mind, heart, and life will accelerate your life with God and other people like nothing else has.
http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/
Saturday, October 24, 2009
October 24, 2009
“as a father treats his own children. We pleaded . . . ., encouraged . .. and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy”
Paul felt responsible for the spiritual lives of the Thessalonians. Do you feel responsible for the spiritual lives of those in your unique sphere of influence?
There’s an awesome question right at the beginning of the Biblical narrative (the Bible is one continuous story and together describes a worldview that is intended to inform every Christian). It is this, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Well am I? Are you? Cain was certainly complaining to God, that he can’t be responsible for his brother. We live in a world which, despite the claim of unprecedented global connectedness, is more disconnected than ever. The more that technology connects us in some ways, the more it disconnects in the ways of the heart.
I think God put Cain’s question in the Bible so that you and I have to ask this question too. People need people. That means someone needs me. God set it up that way which means I’M RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHERS! I Think that’s the biblical message.
Am I praying for those in my sphere of influence and beyond? Am I asking how they are doing spiritually? Do I want them to know and respond to the Gospel. Do I feel responsible for their eternal destiny?
These are good questions aren’t they?
Paul felt responsible for the spiritual lives of the Thessalonians. Do you feel responsible for the spiritual lives of those in your unique sphere of influence?
There’s an awesome question right at the beginning of the Biblical narrative (the Bible is one continuous story and together describes a worldview that is intended to inform every Christian). It is this, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Well am I? Are you? Cain was certainly complaining to God, that he can’t be responsible for his brother. We live in a world which, despite the claim of unprecedented global connectedness, is more disconnected than ever. The more that technology connects us in some ways, the more it disconnects in the ways of the heart.
I think God put Cain’s question in the Bible so that you and I have to ask this question too. People need people. That means someone needs me. God set it up that way which means I’M RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHERS! I Think that’s the biblical message.
Am I praying for those in my sphere of influence and beyond? Am I asking how they are doing spiritually? Do I want them to know and respond to the Gospel. Do I feel responsible for their eternal destiny?
These are good questions aren’t they?
Friday, October 23, 2009
October 23, 2009
“we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. . . . .”
This is an incredible statement. Let me ask you, how your life been most impacted by others? Is it the information they imparted? Is it the advice, help, money, material items, opportunities they gave you? Maybe their impact has to do with encouragement, belief in you or “straight shooting” input into your life.
Here’s what I think. All of the above matters, but more than anything else my life has been shaped by those who “shared their lives” with me. People who were just there, who’s spirit touched my spirit and something real and life impacting happened. In particular when a Christ follower shares his or her life with me, it’s not just my spirit and their spirit connecting, but it’s Christ’s Spirit, connecting with my spirit, touching and receiving Christ’s spirit in them connected to their spirit. In short, Christ’s Spirit to Christ’s Spirit. This is Biblical Connection.
The phrase “one another” occurs 51 times in the New Testament. That’s the Biblical word “koinonia”, Holy Spirit infused fellowship.
Mostly it’s just doing life together. I guess it can happen to a degree through letters, facebook or twitter, but only to a degree. I think there’s power in “sharing our very lives” which ultimately means life to life, face to face, person to person.
Do you “share your very life” with others?
This is an incredible statement. Let me ask you, how your life been most impacted by others? Is it the information they imparted? Is it the advice, help, money, material items, opportunities they gave you? Maybe their impact has to do with encouragement, belief in you or “straight shooting” input into your life.
Here’s what I think. All of the above matters, but more than anything else my life has been shaped by those who “shared their lives” with me. People who were just there, who’s spirit touched my spirit and something real and life impacting happened. In particular when a Christ follower shares his or her life with me, it’s not just my spirit and their spirit connecting, but it’s Christ’s Spirit, connecting with my spirit, touching and receiving Christ’s spirit in them connected to their spirit. In short, Christ’s Spirit to Christ’s Spirit. This is Biblical Connection.
The phrase “one another” occurs 51 times in the New Testament. That’s the Biblical word “koinonia”, Holy Spirit infused fellowship.
Mostly it’s just doing life together. I guess it can happen to a degree through letters, facebook or twitter, but only to a degree. I think there’s power in “sharing our very lives” which ultimately means life to life, face to face, person to person.
Do you “share your very life” with others?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
October 22, 2009
“What joys await the sower and the reaper, both together!”
The reaper of this spiritual harvest derives satisfaction from bringing others to experience eternal life.
Sometimes Christians excuse themselves from witnessing by saying that their family or friends aren't ready to believe. But our excuses don't stand up very well before the example of the Samaritan woman, who spoke to the very people most likely to reject anything she had to say. Her message was attractive because she described how Jesus had met her needs; she did not attempt to expose their needs.
Jesus made it clear that a continual harvest awaits reaping. Don't make excuses. If you are watchful and available, you will find people ready to hear God's Word.
The reaper of this spiritual harvest derives satisfaction from bringing others to experience eternal life.
Sometimes Christians excuse themselves from witnessing by saying that their family or friends aren't ready to believe. But our excuses don't stand up very well before the example of the Samaritan woman, who spoke to the very people most likely to reject anything she had to say. Her message was attractive because she described how Jesus had met her needs; she did not attempt to expose their needs.
Jesus made it clear that a continual harvest awaits reaping. Don't make excuses. If you are watchful and available, you will find people ready to hear God's Word.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October 21, 2009
“We pleaded with you, encouraged you”
No loving father would neglect the safety of his children, allowing them to walk into circumstances that might be harmful or fatal. In the same way, we must take new believers under our wing until they are mature enough to stand firm in their faith. We must help new Christians become strong enough to influence others for the sake of the gospel. We can do this by helpful instruction and supporting encouragement. We must also warn them of pitfalls and temptations that they will face. Quite often they will need correction and rebuke. A good disciple, just like a good father, will not neglect to use discipline when needed.
No loving father would neglect the safety of his children, allowing them to walk into circumstances that might be harmful or fatal. In the same way, we must take new believers under our wing until they are mature enough to stand firm in their faith. We must help new Christians become strong enough to influence others for the sake of the gospel. We can do this by helpful instruction and supporting encouragement. We must also warn them of pitfalls and temptations that they will face. Quite often they will need correction and rebuke. A good disciple, just like a good father, will not neglect to use discipline when needed.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
October 20, 2009
I respect so much the many of you who coach little league sports, who are team moms, who go to school board meetings, who are highly involved as volunteers in the schools, and so much more.
These are your “fields of harvest”. These places where you are likely to meet those who are “far from God’ are places of involvement which have an eternal purpose. You are not there by accident. God has made you in such a way that you can influence others for Christ in a way that no one else can. He has given you special abilities and a special personality which can connect with others in the sphere of influence which he has given you.
Be encouraged. “It is God who is at work in you to will and to do His good will.” Philippians 2;13. God has you where he wants you. He wants you to know and believe that and then to thank him for the opportunities he’s given you and then to ask him to use you as an influencer for Christ wherever you are.
These are your “fields of harvest”. These places where you are likely to meet those who are “far from God’ are places of involvement which have an eternal purpose. You are not there by accident. God has made you in such a way that you can influence others for Christ in a way that no one else can. He has given you special abilities and a special personality which can connect with others in the sphere of influence which he has given you.
Be encouraged. “It is God who is at work in you to will and to do His good will.” Philippians 2;13. God has you where he wants you. He wants you to know and believe that and then to thank him for the opportunities he’s given you and then to ask him to use you as an influencer for Christ wherever you are.
Monday, October 19, 2009
October 19, 2009
“among”
The statistics are discouraging. The average person, after having become a follower of Christ, has within two years almost no remaining friendships outside of the church.
We tend to congregate together and then stick together. Of course there is much good in this but it prevents us from being “among”, from being “salt and light”
Christ followers are sent, each and every one of us. We are “sent” to some place in the world where we are supposed to influence lives for God in Christ.
“We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too”
This is not easy to do. It’s much easier to write a check than to share my life.
Our family has sponsored a Compassion child for well over 20 years and the most difficult part of the sponsorship is writing him letters which information about our family and life. The check matters immensely, but our lives matter too. It is in the day to day of one’s life with God that Christ incarnated is experienced.
It’s struggle but it’s a primary struggle, one which we must not cease engaging.
Are you among others who are far from God? Do you share your life with any of them?
The statistics are discouraging. The average person, after having become a follower of Christ, has within two years almost no remaining friendships outside of the church.
We tend to congregate together and then stick together. Of course there is much good in this but it prevents us from being “among”, from being “salt and light”
Christ followers are sent, each and every one of us. We are “sent” to some place in the world where we are supposed to influence lives for God in Christ.
“We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too”
This is not easy to do. It’s much easier to write a check than to share my life.
Our family has sponsored a Compassion child for well over 20 years and the most difficult part of the sponsorship is writing him letters which information about our family and life. The check matters immensely, but our lives matter too. It is in the day to day of one’s life with God that Christ incarnated is experienced.
It’s struggle but it’s a primary struggle, one which we must not cease engaging.
Are you among others who are far from God? Do you share your life with any of them?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
October 17, 2009
“all he says is purest truth”
Sincerity and truth are extremely valuable because they are so rare. Many people are deceivers, liars, flatterers; they think they will get what they want by deception. As a king, David certainly faced his share of such people, who hoped to win his favor and gain advancement through flattery. When we feel as though sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence, we have one hope — the word of God. God's words are as flawless as refined silver. So listen carefully when he speaks.
Sincerity and truth are extremely valuable because they are so rare. Many people are deceivers, liars, flatterers; they think they will get what they want by deception. As a king, David certainly faced his share of such people, who hoped to win his favor and gain advancement through flattery. When we feel as though sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence, we have one hope — the word of God. God's words are as flawless as refined silver. So listen carefully when he speaks.
Friday, October 16, 2009
October 16, 2009
“Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, for then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”
Everyone hates hypocrites. Most people have a sixth sense which allows them to “smell out” a hypocrite when they encounter one.
I’m fascinated with the success of Mitch Williams (the “wild thing”) as a sports analyst. He’s the one who threw the home run to Joe Carter in the 1993 World Series which cost the Phillies a championship.
One would think he’d be reviled forever in this city of rabid angry fans. But it’s exactly the opposite. The city loves him and so do I. He is simply honest. He tells it like he sees it and makes no excuses.
No excuses. He owns up. He admits failure and takes whatever blame he deserves. He doesn’t blame others, or circumstances.
I wonder if he’s not a personification of fans’ self perception when they are at their best. He gives each of us permission to own up to our own failures, admit them, come clean and move on.
In short he gives fans the possibility of becoming something other than a hypocrite.
The truth is that we don’t have a whole lot of options. Each of us fails every day. We either cover it up and act like we’re something better, which is ultimately hypocrisy, or we “fess up”.
Jesus, said don’t try to look like something you’re not. No one likes it in you and it’s a bad witness to others.
Don’t try to look godly even when you’re doing godly things. Don’t brag about your good deeds. Do them secretly.
God knows you inside and out. What’s real in you will sooner or later be revealed, probably much sooner than you think.
Everyone hates hypocrites. Most people have a sixth sense which allows them to “smell out” a hypocrite when they encounter one.
I’m fascinated with the success of Mitch Williams (the “wild thing”) as a sports analyst. He’s the one who threw the home run to Joe Carter in the 1993 World Series which cost the Phillies a championship.
One would think he’d be reviled forever in this city of rabid angry fans. But it’s exactly the opposite. The city loves him and so do I. He is simply honest. He tells it like he sees it and makes no excuses.
No excuses. He owns up. He admits failure and takes whatever blame he deserves. He doesn’t blame others, or circumstances.
I wonder if he’s not a personification of fans’ self perception when they are at their best. He gives each of us permission to own up to our own failures, admit them, come clean and move on.
In short he gives fans the possibility of becoming something other than a hypocrite.
The truth is that we don’t have a whole lot of options. Each of us fails every day. We either cover it up and act like we’re something better, which is ultimately hypocrisy, or we “fess up”.
Jesus, said don’t try to look like something you’re not. No one likes it in you and it’s a bad witness to others.
Don’t try to look godly even when you’re doing godly things. Don’t brag about your good deeds. Do them secretly.
God knows you inside and out. What’s real in you will sooner or later be revealed, probably much sooner than you think.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
October 15, 2009
“don't let anyone know about it”
When Jesus says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, he is teaching that our motives for giving to God and to others must be pure. It is easy to give with mixed motives, to do something for someone if it will benefit us in return. But believers should avoid all scheming and give for the pleasure of giving and as a response to God's love. Why do you give?
It's easier to do what's right when we gain recognition and praise. To be sure our motives are not selfish, we should do our good deeds quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas: generosity (Mat 6:4), prayer (Mat 6:6), and fasting (Mat 6:18). Those acts should not be self-centered, but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. The reward God promises is not material, and it is never given to those who seek it. Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice. With your next good deed, ask, "Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?"
When Jesus says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, he is teaching that our motives for giving to God and to others must be pure. It is easy to give with mixed motives, to do something for someone if it will benefit us in return. But believers should avoid all scheming and give for the pleasure of giving and as a response to God's love. Why do you give?
It's easier to do what's right when we gain recognition and praise. To be sure our motives are not selfish, we should do our good deeds quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas: generosity (Mat 6:4), prayer (Mat 6:6), and fasting (Mat 6:18). Those acts should not be self-centered, but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. The reward God promises is not material, and it is never given to those who seek it. Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice. With your next good deed, ask, "Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?"
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14, 2009
“We didn't have any hidden motives”
This pointed statement may be a response to accusations from the Jewish leaders who had stirred up the crowds (Acts 17:5). Paul did not seek money, fame, or popularity by sharing the gospel. He demonstrated the sincerity of his motives by showing that he and Silas had suffered for sharing the gospel in Philippi. People become involved in ministry for a variety of reasons, not all of them good or pure. When their bad motives are exposed, all of Christ's work suffers. When you get involved in ministry, do so out of love for Christ and others.
This pointed statement may be a response to accusations from the Jewish leaders who had stirred up the crowds (Acts 17:5). Paul did not seek money, fame, or popularity by sharing the gospel. He demonstrated the sincerity of his motives by showing that he and Silas had suffered for sharing the gospel in Philippi. People become involved in ministry for a variety of reasons, not all of them good or pure. When their bad motives are exposed, all of Christ's work suffers. When you get involved in ministry, do so out of love for Christ and others.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
October 13, 2009
“we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
An ambassador is a representative of his home country living in another country. One of his really big jobs is to know and love the citizens of the country where he lives, yet represent his own country in the best possible way.
We live in a world that is currently not God’s home country. We are actually citizens of God’s Kingdom and we are functioning as his ambassadors. As such we must love the country, region, locale, to which God has assigned us and we must, at the very same time, do all we can to make our “home country” and Him who presides over that country look awfully good to others.
“Lord, help me to have ‘people eyes’, to love people, to notice them. Lord, help me to have an outward countenance that makes the inner reality of my love for you. Lord, do whatever you need to do within me to make me a witness in whom others sense an irresistible draw to You.” Amen
An ambassador is a representative of his home country living in another country. One of his really big jobs is to know and love the citizens of the country where he lives, yet represent his own country in the best possible way.
We live in a world that is currently not God’s home country. We are actually citizens of God’s Kingdom and we are functioning as his ambassadors. As such we must love the country, region, locale, to which God has assigned us and we must, at the very same time, do all we can to make our “home country” and Him who presides over that country look awfully good to others.
“Lord, help me to have ‘people eyes’, to love people, to notice them. Lord, help me to have an outward countenance that makes the inner reality of my love for you. Lord, do whatever you need to do within me to make me a witness in whom others sense an irresistible draw to You.” Amen
Monday, October 12, 2009
October 11, 2009
“Never once did we try to win you with flattery”
Manipulation is one of the most common of human sins.
We manipulate others to achieve outcomes by outright lies, shading the truth, flattery, subservience, brashness, fear, monetary influence, praise, pretense and so much more.
This is why Jesus said, “let your yes be yes and you no be no. Anything more than this is of the devil”. He meant that we must trust God. We must simply do our best to speak with pure motives and then let the chips fall where they may.
I try very hard to make the Gospel intelligible to others so that lack of understanding is not a barrier to others. But it is very easy to cross the line into trying to make the Gospel palatable to others. The Gospel should be shared with others lovingly, clearly, intelligently, personally, but not with anything that smacks of manipulation. The gospel can and will stand on it’s own and on it’s reality and vitality within you.
Manipulation is one of the most common of human sins.
We manipulate others to achieve outcomes by outright lies, shading the truth, flattery, subservience, brashness, fear, monetary influence, praise, pretense and so much more.
This is why Jesus said, “let your yes be yes and you no be no. Anything more than this is of the devil”. He meant that we must trust God. We must simply do our best to speak with pure motives and then let the chips fall where they may.
I try very hard to make the Gospel intelligible to others so that lack of understanding is not a barrier to others. But it is very easy to cross the line into trying to make the Gospel palatable to others. The Gospel should be shared with others lovingly, clearly, intelligently, personally, but not with anything that smacks of manipulation. The gospel can and will stand on it’s own and on it’s reality and vitality within you.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
October 10, 2009
“God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly”
Why are so many of us so reluctant to talk about Jesus and God with others? There are some very good reasons to be concerned of course, not the least of which is the growing public perception that anyone who talks about Jesus or even Christianity must be a judgmental, right wing nut case.
However notice the rest of today’s verse:
“in spite of great opposition”
There has always been opposition to God and there always will be. Yet if Christians are not out there setting the record straight, who will?
We must speak about our faith, do so freely, but never with acrimony or judgmentalism, or put downs of others of differing views, or with arrogance or, in my opinion, threats of hell (though hell is real, fear evangelism only lasts as long as the fear lasts). Evangelism is about the love of God.
Paul said it well, “speak the Truth in love”.
When was the last time you asked God to lead you to speak of Him to someone who is far from God?
Why are so many of us so reluctant to talk about Jesus and God with others? There are some very good reasons to be concerned of course, not the least of which is the growing public perception that anyone who talks about Jesus or even Christianity must be a judgmental, right wing nut case.
However notice the rest of today’s verse:
“in spite of great opposition”
There has always been opposition to God and there always will be. Yet if Christians are not out there setting the record straight, who will?
We must speak about our faith, do so freely, but never with acrimony or judgmentalism, or put downs of others of differing views, or with arrogance or, in my opinion, threats of hell (though hell is real, fear evangelism only lasts as long as the fear lasts). Evangelism is about the love of God.
Paul said it well, “speak the Truth in love”.
When was the last time you asked God to lead you to speak of Him to someone who is far from God?
Friday, October 9, 2009
October 9, 2009
“the coming wrath”
“Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NLT)
The “day of the Lord” is the time of Jesus’ second coming. It is when evil will finally be destroyed and God’s Kingdom will be established here on planet earth. Believers will be resurrected with new bodies and will live on a renewed, restored, and reconstituted earth.
Right now the world wide church is engaged in the task of eradicating evil, bringing others to salvation, and growing them into mature co-workers with God in restoring the world for good.
But today, or tomorrow, or next month or 2012 (there’s a new movie coming out) or 2050 or 2400 or whenever, Christ will come back and complete the restoration of the world.
Are you ready? Are you in collaboration with evil or with God? That which is not of God will be destroyed along with all those who cling it. Those who belong to God will be restored to a new world.
Where is my hope? It is in the realization that the sin and evil which are part of my soul have been forgiven through Christ’s work on the cross.
My task therefore is to remain “in Christ” and seek to share that salvation message with others and to join God in His mission to heal the world until Jesus comes and finishes the job.
“Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NLT)
The “day of the Lord” is the time of Jesus’ second coming. It is when evil will finally be destroyed and God’s Kingdom will be established here on planet earth. Believers will be resurrected with new bodies and will live on a renewed, restored, and reconstituted earth.
Right now the world wide church is engaged in the task of eradicating evil, bringing others to salvation, and growing them into mature co-workers with God in restoring the world for good.
But today, or tomorrow, or next month or 2012 (there’s a new movie coming out) or 2050 or 2400 or whenever, Christ will come back and complete the restoration of the world.
Are you ready? Are you in collaboration with evil or with God? That which is not of God will be destroyed along with all those who cling it. Those who belong to God will be restored to a new world.
Where is my hope? It is in the realization that the sin and evil which are part of my soul have been forgiven through Christ’s work on the cross.
My task therefore is to remain “in Christ” and seek to share that salvation message with others and to join God in His mission to heal the world until Jesus comes and finishes the job.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 8, 2009
“Other people tell us”
After Paul, Silas, and Timothy visited Thesslonika they traveled south to Corinth. Apparently many from Thessalonika had preceded them, because the city was abuzz with the news of new Thessalonikan followers of Christ.
What do others say about your life and about your faith in Jesus Christ? Do others know what you believe and where your hopes allegiance lie? We certainly don’t want to bludgeon people with our version of the Gospel, but sharing the Gospel must be more than deeds. Although our desire should be that something about our lives should be irresistible because God is irresistible, people also need to hear words within the context of genuine friendship.
What part of my interaction with others outside the faith speaks of my love of God and my hope that others can come to know and love Him too?
After Paul, Silas, and Timothy visited Thesslonika they traveled south to Corinth. Apparently many from Thessalonika had preceded them, because the city was abuzz with the news of new Thessalonikan followers of Christ.
What do others say about your life and about your faith in Jesus Christ? Do others know what you believe and where your hopes allegiance lie? We certainly don’t want to bludgeon people with our version of the Gospel, but sharing the Gospel must be more than deeds. Although our desire should be that something about our lives should be irresistible because God is irresistible, people also need to hear words within the context of genuine friendship.
What part of my interaction with others outside the faith speaks of my love of God and my hope that others can come to know and love Him too?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
October 6, 2009
Winston Churchill, when speaking to a school at an ominous time in the early 1940’s, when London was being bombed by the Nazi Luftwaffe (airforce) and things were looking bleak, he simply said, "Never, never, never, never, never, never, never give up."
Never give up! Don’t quit. Keep on keeping on with your hourly times of focus on God, this Scripture reflection, journaling, anything you can do to be in the presence of God, let him guide and fill you and do your best to align your actions with Christ’s intention.
Don’t quit. “press on to hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of you”. Can you think of a more wonderful combination of encouragement, call to action, and security and hope, “he has taken hold of you”. He won’t let go. Go all out for Him and the purpose for which he has taken hold of you.
Never give up! Don’t quit. Keep on keeping on with your hourly times of focus on God, this Scripture reflection, journaling, anything you can do to be in the presence of God, let him guide and fill you and do your best to align your actions with Christ’s intention.
Don’t quit. “press on to hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of you”. Can you think of a more wonderful combination of encouragement, call to action, and security and hope, “he has taken hold of you”. He won’t let go. Go all out for Him and the purpose for which he has taken hold of you.
Monday, October 5, 2009
October 5, 2009
I cannot think of a better passage to read than this one about the essence of the Christian life. Paul had met God. But he wouldn’t boast about it. He wouldn’t talk about the details. He never said, “look what I’ve got and you need to have the same experience that I did”.
Instead he would only boast of his weaknesses. He spoke of weaknesses actually given to him by God to keep him humble! Can you thank God for that which keeps you humble?
God has graciously given me this ability. Yes I still whine at times, but gratitude always wins me over sooner or later. And that ability is a gift from God. I am grateful for everthing that God has allowed in my life, because God never wastes a hurt or even a sin.
Notice this unbelievable verse:
"The things which are done in secret are shameful even to speak of; but anything shown up by the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated is itself a light." Ephesians 5:12-14 (NJB)
“anything illuminated is itself a light” another translation says “anything illuminated (even sin) turns into light”
Wow.
Here it is again. Each time (God) said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Instead he would only boast of his weaknesses. He spoke of weaknesses actually given to him by God to keep him humble! Can you thank God for that which keeps you humble?
God has graciously given me this ability. Yes I still whine at times, but gratitude always wins me over sooner or later. And that ability is a gift from God. I am grateful for everthing that God has allowed in my life, because God never wastes a hurt or even a sin.
Notice this unbelievable verse:
"The things which are done in secret are shameful even to speak of; but anything shown up by the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated is itself a light." Ephesians 5:12-14 (NJB)
“anything illuminated is itself a light” another translation says “anything illuminated (even sin) turns into light”
Wow.
Here it is again. Each time (God) said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
October 4, 2009
Take this opportunity to get to know your Bible. Here’s Luke’s account (Dr. Luke wrote Acts) of Paul’s experience in Philippi. You’ll notice that Paul’s brief comments to the Thessalonians were an understatement!
Paul and companions cross the Agean Sea from Asia (Turkey) to Europe . . . . . .
“From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice." 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family. 35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." 36 The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace." 37 But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out." 38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left." Acts 16:11-40 (NIV)
Paul and companions cross the Agean Sea from Asia (Turkey) to Europe . . . . . .
“From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice." 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family. 35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." 36 The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace." 37 But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out." 38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left." Acts 16:11-40 (NIV)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
October 3, 2009
“The Lord's message rang out”
“Rang Out”. Isn’t that an awesome phrase? The Lord’s message reverberated. I think of a rock concert where the band’s music pulsates. Attenders feel its power. They are physically moved and they begin to move to it’s beat. Something like that must have happened in Thessalonica when they received the word with power. And the power they felt, experienced, received “rang out” reverberated to countless others, so much so that when Paul got Corinth in Achaia (southern Greece which was another country at that time) people were already talking about God’s work in Thessalonica!
Wouldn’t you love for your life to be one of overflow, having experience receiving God’s word with power? Ask for this, just ask and don’t quit until God gives you what He wants to give you. Then receive and don’t keep it to yourself.
I like to skip stones and I imagine my poor but God filled life touching others like the stone hit’s the water and leaves ripples going out, so that it’s not just a touch but it has reverberating effect. And each touch of the stone to the water brings more of the reverberation of the power of the Holy Spirit.
I fall so short of this, but it’s what I imagine and it’s what I want. I imagine this happening when I see each of my family members at home, or each of those I encounter at church.
Isn’t that a beautiful picture of the Christian life? Do you want this also? Ask, ask, keeping asking and never quit. God may delay, even a long time, but whoever knocks, the door is sooner or later opened.
“Rang Out”. Isn’t that an awesome phrase? The Lord’s message reverberated. I think of a rock concert where the band’s music pulsates. Attenders feel its power. They are physically moved and they begin to move to it’s beat. Something like that must have happened in Thessalonica when they received the word with power. And the power they felt, experienced, received “rang out” reverberated to countless others, so much so that when Paul got Corinth in Achaia (southern Greece which was another country at that time) people were already talking about God’s work in Thessalonica!
Wouldn’t you love for your life to be one of overflow, having experience receiving God’s word with power? Ask for this, just ask and don’t quit until God gives you what He wants to give you. Then receive and don’t keep it to yourself.
I like to skip stones and I imagine my poor but God filled life touching others like the stone hit’s the water and leaves ripples going out, so that it’s not just a touch but it has reverberating effect. And each touch of the stone to the water brings more of the reverberation of the power of the Holy Spirit.
I fall so short of this, but it’s what I imagine and it’s what I want. I imagine this happening when I see each of my family members at home, or each of those I encounter at church.
Isn’t that a beautiful picture of the Christian life? Do you want this also? Ask, ask, keeping asking and never quit. God may delay, even a long time, but whoever knocks, the door is sooner or later opened.
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 2, 2009
It will always be true that Christians will suffer. Christ does not promise an escape from suffering, rather improbable help, peace and even moments of joy in the midst of it. Remember how Paul yearned, “I want to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings".
One of you recently wrote to me from a devotional by Charles Stanley, “Every morning when you and I wake up, we are at war. Many believers simply fail to take this reality seriously” When we speak about the battle between God and the forces of evil we are in the middle because Satan’s battleground is humanity, you and me. We live in the midst of a very real and very personal battle that we must fight. Often our defeats are simply a failure to recognize this truth.
Jesus faces the realities of this battle and therefore so also everyone in whom Christ lives.
This is why it is so critical that you remain in Christ, through the “60 60” experiment (one person does it with reminders from his GPS). Through this daily reflection, through daily Bible reading, and continual prayer. Jesus said his yoke is easy and gentle (Matt 11), but only when we are yoked and walking with him step by step, not when we are pulling the other way.
When we are in step, then moments of joy will arise, moments of serendipity will come, God will make ways where there is no way.
One of you recently wrote to me from a devotional by Charles Stanley, “Every morning when you and I wake up, we are at war. Many believers simply fail to take this reality seriously” When we speak about the battle between God and the forces of evil we are in the middle because Satan’s battleground is humanity, you and me. We live in the midst of a very real and very personal battle that we must fight. Often our defeats are simply a failure to recognize this truth.
Jesus faces the realities of this battle and therefore so also everyone in whom Christ lives.
This is why it is so critical that you remain in Christ, through the “60 60” experiment (one person does it with reminders from his GPS). Through this daily reflection, through daily Bible reading, and continual prayer. Jesus said his yoke is easy and gentle (Matt 11), but only when we are yoked and walking with him step by step, not when we are pulling the other way.
When we are in step, then moments of joy will arise, moments of serendipity will come, God will make ways where there is no way.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
October 1, 2009
The following is from a devotional entry by Oswald Chambers:
"Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19
There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played;
He never risked, he never tried,
He never sang or prayed.
And when he one day passed away
His insurance was denied;
For since he never really lived,
They claimed he never died!
We are told that in order to have an amazing life we should go sky diving, travel the world, and experience all that we can. But the real secret to an extraordinary life is heeding the call of Christ and following Him wherever He leads. Sadly, many of us miss out on this life because we are almost persuaded, but ultimately we choose to do what we want to do.
When we put off the invitation of salvation through Christ Jesus, tell the Lord we'll start serving Him tomorrow, or ignore the Holy Spirit's prompting to live a more godly life, we are missing out on really living.
Let us not miss one more moment. When we hear God's calling in our life, let's dare to see what He has in store for those who choose to live life to its fullest with Him!
"Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19
There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played;
He never risked, he never tried,
He never sang or prayed.
And when he one day passed away
His insurance was denied;
For since he never really lived,
They claimed he never died!
We are told that in order to have an amazing life we should go sky diving, travel the world, and experience all that we can. But the real secret to an extraordinary life is heeding the call of Christ and following Him wherever He leads. Sadly, many of us miss out on this life because we are almost persuaded, but ultimately we choose to do what we want to do.
When we put off the invitation of salvation through Christ Jesus, tell the Lord we'll start serving Him tomorrow, or ignore the Holy Spirit's prompting to live a more godly life, we are missing out on really living.
Let us not miss one more moment. When we hear God's calling in our life, let's dare to see what He has in store for those who choose to live life to its fullest with Him!
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