Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Pray without ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJ 17. pray without ceasing, That's it. Whole verse. Pray without ceasing.
This directive is actually just one in a list given to the Thessalonians by Paul at the close of his letter. By my count there are fourteen requests given in this flurry by Paul. It almost seem like something you my hear a caring mother say to her son as he leave the nest for college. "Be safe, study hard, make sure you don't forget to call, get plenty of sleep and so on. Remember, Paul is writing a letter, not chapter and verse of the cannon of Scripture. While we no longer (at least in most western societies) "greet each other with a holy kiss" we do accept the principle and also take the rest of Paul's instructions as good advice today.
I have wondered though sometimes verse 17. pray without ceasing is what most people quote on a regular basis. My belief is that while all the requests make perfect sense praying on a regular basis requires us to form a habit. The other requests seem to start out from being somewhat passive in nature (more based in principle). Then, move to very active in nature but not habitual. 12. recognize those who labor among you. 19. Do not quench the Spirit. 20. Do not despise prophecies. 21. Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22. Abstain from every form of evil.
Once principles are ingrained in us they do not fade away easily. That is why we are told to Proverbs 22:6 NKJ Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Even modern research states that while a child may rebel from his parents in the adolescent years. They tend to return to the values they were taught as children later in life. (I intend to write about this later and provide some references)
The more active requests made by Paul like 25. Brethren, pray for us. 26. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. are meant for the readers of Paul's letter. Not for the reader of Scripture.
Habits on the other hand can be formed and lost in a matter of days. My youth pastor used to teach us that a habit can be formed or lost in 21 days. We need to continually encourage each other to "pray without ceasing". Otherwise we can easily fall out of habit.
Part two coming soon to a computer screen near you.
This directive is actually just one in a list given to the Thessalonians by Paul at the close of his letter. By my count there are fourteen requests given in this flurry by Paul. It almost seem like something you my hear a caring mother say to her son as he leave the nest for college. "Be safe, study hard, make sure you don't forget to call, get plenty of sleep and so on. Remember, Paul is writing a letter, not chapter and verse of the cannon of Scripture. While we no longer (at least in most western societies) "greet each other with a holy kiss" we do accept the principle and also take the rest of Paul's instructions as good advice today.
I have wondered though sometimes verse 17. pray without ceasing is what most people quote on a regular basis. My belief is that while all the requests make perfect sense praying on a regular basis requires us to form a habit. The other requests seem to start out from being somewhat passive in nature (more based in principle). Then, move to very active in nature but not habitual. 12. recognize those who labor among you. 19. Do not quench the Spirit. 20. Do not despise prophecies. 21. Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22. Abstain from every form of evil.
Once principles are ingrained in us they do not fade away easily. That is why we are told to Proverbs 22:6 NKJ Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Even modern research states that while a child may rebel from his parents in the adolescent years. They tend to return to the values they were taught as children later in life. (I intend to write about this later and provide some references)
The more active requests made by Paul like 25. Brethren, pray for us. 26. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. are meant for the readers of Paul's letter. Not for the reader of Scripture.
Habits on the other hand can be formed and lost in a matter of days. My youth pastor used to teach us that a habit can be formed or lost in 21 days. We need to continually encourage each other to "pray without ceasing". Otherwise we can easily fall out of habit.
Part two coming soon to a computer screen near you.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
National Day of Prayer
Today is the National Day of Prayer. Have you prayed yet?
I have been aware of the controversy surrounding this day since I was in Jr. Hi. Not much has changed. I do not want to delve to deeply into the political sphere. I keep up to date on politics but I have decided not to blog for the purpose of sharing those ideas at this time. On occasions where politics and religion intersect though I will reserve the right to blog when it strikes my fancy. As it does now.
Most in the religious community know that many of the colonists came to this country seeking freedom to express their religious views without reprisal from Government or Church. They came seeking tolerance. Today it seems that tolerance is under attack. When the National Day of Prayer was passed all who voted were in favor.
Here is a little history about The National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer was created by congressional resolution in 1952 and signed into law by President Harry Truman. It has no government funding, and organizing is left to private groups.
What drives people whose way of displaying tolerance is to attempt to erase religion from society. The latest group to attack the National Day of Prayer is the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). Here is what they stand for. "The nonprofit Freedom From Religion Foundation works to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism, and to promote the constitutional principle of separation between church and state"
As I looked more at the site I found that they believe they are on the cutting edge of societal evolution. I have taken this directly from their website's about page:
The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion. In modern times the first to speak out for prison reform, for humane treatment of the mentally ill, for abolition of capital punishment, for women's right to vote, for death with dignity for the terminally ill, and for the right to choose contraception, sterilization and abortion have been freethinkers, just as they were the first to call for an end to slavery. The Foundation works as an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church.
WOW... This is what drives them. It's about fear of religious minded individuals being apart of the government in any way. They see people free of religion as freethinkers. And, it will take a society of "freethinkers" to fulfill their agenda. I won't to go into all of their so called achievements, but it was the church and not them to take the lead on prison reform, voting rights for women i.e. the Wesleyan Church, and slavery (William Wilberforce another Wesleyan/Methodist) . I'll concede abortion to them. The church loves kids.
While I said I do not dedicate this blog to writing about politics I strongly believe that Christians must be politically active. Or, we will watch our freedoms erode away. Unfortunately, there are many people in our society who believe like The Freedom From Religion Foundation. While the first groups who crossed the pond came over for freedom of religion, people like the Freedom From Religion want exactly what their name says. They seek a world absent of religion and they are praying each day for just that. They just pray to judges and politicians instead of God.
If Christians will not be active in government the prayers of groups like The Freedom From Religion will come true.
I have been aware of the controversy surrounding this day since I was in Jr. Hi. Not much has changed. I do not want to delve to deeply into the political sphere. I keep up to date on politics but I have decided not to blog for the purpose of sharing those ideas at this time. On occasions where politics and religion intersect though I will reserve the right to blog when it strikes my fancy. As it does now.
Most in the religious community know that many of the colonists came to this country seeking freedom to express their religious views without reprisal from Government or Church. They came seeking tolerance. Today it seems that tolerance is under attack. When the National Day of Prayer was passed all who voted were in favor.
Here is a little history about The National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer was created by congressional resolution in 1952 and signed into law by President Harry Truman. It has no government funding, and organizing is left to private groups.
36 U.S.C. § 119 : US Code - Section 119: National Day of Prayer
"The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals."
What drives people whose way of displaying tolerance is to attempt to erase religion from society. The latest group to attack the National Day of Prayer is the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). Here is what they stand for. "The nonprofit Freedom From Religion Foundation works to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism, and to promote the constitutional principle of separation between church and state"
As I looked more at the site I found that they believe they are on the cutting edge of societal evolution. I have taken this directly from their website's about page:
The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion. In modern times the first to speak out for prison reform, for humane treatment of the mentally ill, for abolition of capital punishment, for women's right to vote, for death with dignity for the terminally ill, and for the right to choose contraception, sterilization and abortion have been freethinkers, just as they were the first to call for an end to slavery. The Foundation works as an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church.
WOW... This is what drives them. It's about fear of religious minded individuals being apart of the government in any way. They see people free of religion as freethinkers. And, it will take a society of "freethinkers" to fulfill their agenda. I won't to go into all of their so called achievements, but it was the church and not them to take the lead on prison reform, voting rights for women i.e. the Wesleyan Church, and slavery (William Wilberforce another Wesleyan/Methodist) . I'll concede abortion to them. The church loves kids.
While I said I do not dedicate this blog to writing about politics I strongly believe that Christians must be politically active. Or, we will watch our freedoms erode away. Unfortunately, there are many people in our society who believe like The Freedom From Religion Foundation. While the first groups who crossed the pond came over for freedom of religion, people like the Freedom From Religion want exactly what their name says. They seek a world absent of religion and they are praying each day for just that. They just pray to judges and politicians instead of God.
If Christians will not be active in government the prayers of groups like The Freedom From Religion will come true.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I am a Christian because...
1 Peter 3:15 CJB but treat the Messiah as holy, as Lord in your hearts;s while remaining always ready to give a reasoned answer to anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you - yet with humility and fear,
Part of being a Christian is being able to intelligently and respectfully communicate the gospel message. Can you do it? As a Christian who has been to bible college I still feel a little queasy about discussing the need for others to "be saved."
I don't have any problem sharing why I have faith in Christ. I remember what Christ has done in my life to make me put my faith in Him. I don't have any issues with knowing the bible. Even before bible college
I read the word, and I felt empowered if someone were to ask me questions concerning it. You don't need to have an advanced degree in biblical studies to understand God's message to us. God did it that way on purpose so we could all pick it up and learn. In ancient times God's words were passed down orally because most did not read, or have access to writings of any kind. Through life's trials I am continually learning to rely on the Holy Spirit's promptings in my life. I do everything
I can to make my answers relevant to the audience. A great example of this in the bible can be found in
Acts 17:23 NIV For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. I pasted the better part of the story at the bottom of the blog if you are interested in reading.
Last of all, don't worry if everyone you come accross does not accecpt the prompting of the Spirit. Many will not, but for those who do it will be due to the fact that you have allowed the very same God who created the universe and His ressurection power flow through you.
I hope my homeletics professor would be proud.
18. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20. You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." 21. (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 22. Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 24. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us 28. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' 29. "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill. 30. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." 32. When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." 33. At that, Paul left the Council. 34. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Part of being a Christian is being able to intelligently and respectfully communicate the gospel message. Can you do it? As a Christian who has been to bible college I still feel a little queasy about discussing the need for others to "be saved."
I don't have any problem sharing why I have faith in Christ. I remember what Christ has done in my life to make me put my faith in Him. I don't have any issues with knowing the bible. Even before bible college
I read the word, and I felt empowered if someone were to ask me questions concerning it. You don't need to have an advanced degree in biblical studies to understand God's message to us. God did it that way on purpose so we could all pick it up and learn. In ancient times God's words were passed down orally because most did not read, or have access to writings of any kind. Through life's trials I am continually learning to rely on the Holy Spirit's promptings in my life. I do everything
I can to make my answers relevant to the audience. A great example of this in the bible can be found in
Acts 17:23 NIV For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. I pasted the better part of the story at the bottom of the blog if you are interested in reading.
You might be interested to know that not all were willing to accept their message as relevant as it was. There are no guarantees. You must simply be ready to share. I am sure you have figured out the points outlined above that can help you.
In order for you to be ready you must:
- Remember what God has done in your life that keeps you believing. One of the things counselors do to help in marriage counseling is to have the couple remember why they were attracted to each other in the first place.
- Read the bible. Even a basic understanding will help you be prepared when the time comes.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit to give you the courage and words to speak that will make the difference.
- Make your message revelent to the audience. Again, Paul's message in Acts 17 is a great example of this.
Last of all, don't worry if everyone you come accross does not accecpt the prompting of the Spirit. Many will not, but for those who do it will be due to the fact that you have allowed the very same God who created the universe and His ressurection power flow through you.
I hope my homeletics professor would be proud.
18. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20. You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." 21. (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 22. Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 24. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us 28. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' 29. "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill. 30. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." 32. When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." 33. At that, Paul left the Council. 34. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Purpose of You
I believe God works in mysterious ways, at least to us. I have recently been thinking of my purpose in life. Two of the bloggers I follow and a couple of sermons I have watched while at my night job have been dealing with the purpose of our lives. One wrote that he wanted "to be free of the kingdom of me".
The statement really struck me. I don't want to follow a Jesus I have created in my own image. I am sure Jesus feels the same way. I have to say though for the past two years while I have been working two to three jobs at a time to provide for my family. I struggle to keep a clear perspective of Christ's true image and His purpose for me.
If you feel as I do you want to follow Christ as He is and not as you would have Him to be. This is true even in times of great struggle. We must remember that Christ put on the humility of humanity and suffered the greatest hardships of all. We should also accept that those hardships were part of the purpose the Father had for Him.
So it is with us. Each hardship is designed to not only fulfill the purpose He has for us. Each hardship is actually part of the very purpose God has for us. It is up to us to allow God to let these trials shape us.
What will you make of your trials? Will you put up walls around your "kingdom of me". Or, will you "carry your cross" and follow in the path of Jesus.
Sounds romantic doesn't it. Fulfill your purpose through great suffering. Sign me up... Can I have another Sir... Part of the purpose of you is to suffer hardships. I had a neighbor ask my wife "why are you still Christians?" This concerning the struggles we have faced over the past years. My wife's answer was "faith". to our neighbor, we seemed too peaceful to her. Even though it's a difficult time we have faith that Christ is helping us. Imagine how difficult the struggle would be without the peace that Christ was giving us? Even though I am ready for trial to end at any time, it is wonderful to know that this time has been a witness to our neighbor.
The purpose of you, among other things, is to be pleasing to Him in times of distress as well as in times of triumph. A daunting task indeed. Your purpose is more that a profession. It is more than a single triumph or defeat. It is a culmination your whole existence. Don't try to see it as an arrival to some mystic mountain top. Your purpose is the mystic journeys you take between the mountain tops. I pray that you are filled with a sense of Christ's peace as you continue to discover the purpose of you.
The statement really struck me. I don't want to follow a Jesus I have created in my own image. I am sure Jesus feels the same way. I have to say though for the past two years while I have been working two to three jobs at a time to provide for my family. I struggle to keep a clear perspective of Christ's true image and His purpose for me.
If you feel as I do you want to follow Christ as He is and not as you would have Him to be. This is true even in times of great struggle. We must remember that Christ put on the humility of humanity and suffered the greatest hardships of all. We should also accept that those hardships were part of the purpose the Father had for Him.
So it is with us. Each hardship is designed to not only fulfill the purpose He has for us. Each hardship is actually part of the very purpose God has for us. It is up to us to allow God to let these trials shape us.
What will you make of your trials? Will you put up walls around your "kingdom of me". Or, will you "carry your cross" and follow in the path of Jesus.
Sounds romantic doesn't it. Fulfill your purpose through great suffering. Sign me up... Can I have another Sir... Part of the purpose of you is to suffer hardships. I had a neighbor ask my wife "why are you still Christians?" This concerning the struggles we have faced over the past years. My wife's answer was "faith". to our neighbor, we seemed too peaceful to her. Even though it's a difficult time we have faith that Christ is helping us. Imagine how difficult the struggle would be without the peace that Christ was giving us? Even though I am ready for trial to end at any time, it is wonderful to know that this time has been a witness to our neighbor.
The purpose of you, among other things, is to be pleasing to Him in times of distress as well as in times of triumph. A daunting task indeed. Your purpose is more that a profession. It is more than a single triumph or defeat. It is a culmination your whole existence. Don't try to see it as an arrival to some mystic mountain top. Your purpose is the mystic journeys you take between the mountain tops. I pray that you are filled with a sense of Christ's peace as you continue to discover the purpose of you.
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