Great to have you back. How is life? Pretty hectic I'd bet. Probably have quite a few activities and interests going on, as well as the random acts of love and kindness that life will throw your way.
With all of the commotion, how can we really "Be still and commune with God"? How important in your life is it to get good directions? Don't we really want to know where we are going, and how to get there? We like to be in charge and therefore, somewhat independent. The truth is that we are not independent. In fact we were not designed to be so. God made us for fellowship with Him, and later, for fellowship with others (see Eve). So, if we are to be in fellowship, doesn't that require some attention and time?
Oh great, you say, more of my schedule consumed by another activity. I would suggest that this activity is the most important and can be the most productive you undertake. Daily, yes I said daily, devotions are key. A devotion need not be a complex, in depth study or analysis. The k.i.s.s. principle allows us to be simple and direct. Allow God to meet with you where you are. You will need to listen though.
We can read in Exodus about how God caused Moses to be cast out into the wilderness as a shepherd for 40 years. Moses was not the person for the task at hand until he had learned true fellowship and oneness with God. It was a process over time.
I believe God is putting us through a process as well. Priorities....where do ours lie? The events and activities we undertake today, will those matter in a week? A month? A year? Multiple years? Think about what will matter and last.
Piling onto our plate of activities with another is not a good idea. Allow yourself to empty some non-priority items off the plate. Allow others to be of service. Focus on first things first. When unpacking from a shopping chore, we usually put the milk and other perishables away first. Don't get caught up cleaning off a shelf in the pantry for the rice when the milk sits on the counter and spoils in the hot sunlight.
Kinda preachy I know...but important. Your plate only comes in your size, so switching that out really isn't an option. One needs to be more purposeful on what they put on the plate.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Temperature Matters!!
Well now, what could that title possibly mean? Temperature of what?
I am referring to 3 spiritual temperature settings of your faith:
1. Hot-someone on fire for the Lord....eager and hungry to learn more
2. Cold-someone who against spirituality, or rejects the Bible as false
3. Lukewarm-someone who professes with their mouths, yet has not actions or fruit
Of the three, the lukewarm is the scarriest. This person has been exposed to the truth, but doesn't really care or feel any urgency to either know more or pass it on to others. This is a big problem in our church body today.
Oswald Chambers notes in Utmost for His Highest on Sept 27, "Once the call of God comes to you, start going and never stop". He uses 3 references from the gospel of Luke, 9:58, 9:59, and 9:61 to show different individuals who profess a desire to follow Jesus, but must first attend to other things. The response of Jesus is that doing those other things does not matter and the person should push that aside to follow him. Seems kinda harsh, but the point is "If the Spirit of God brings to your mind a word of the Lord that hurts you, you can be sure that there is something in you that He wants to hurt to the point of its death".
We must remember that God's ways are not our ways. We have limited understanding of God and His purposes for our lives. Lukewarm followers are like the people in that example in Luke who feel the need to do other things before following.
Our faith should not be based on emotion. Though, emotion will be part of the driving force. Obedience is crucial. If you are feeling cold or even mildly warm, get a wake up call. This is serious stuff!!!
Plug in, be of service. Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, VA had a great mission statement a few years ago, "Seek Him constantly, Serve Him faithfully and Share Him boldly". Great advice for us to follow. More on that to come.....
I am referring to 3 spiritual temperature settings of your faith:
1. Hot-someone on fire for the Lord....eager and hungry to learn more
2. Cold-someone who against spirituality, or rejects the Bible as false
3. Lukewarm-someone who professes with their mouths, yet has not actions or fruit
Of the three, the lukewarm is the scarriest. This person has been exposed to the truth, but doesn't really care or feel any urgency to either know more or pass it on to others. This is a big problem in our church body today.
Oswald Chambers notes in Utmost for His Highest on Sept 27, "Once the call of God comes to you, start going and never stop". He uses 3 references from the gospel of Luke, 9:58, 9:59, and 9:61 to show different individuals who profess a desire to follow Jesus, but must first attend to other things. The response of Jesus is that doing those other things does not matter and the person should push that aside to follow him. Seems kinda harsh, but the point is "If the Spirit of God brings to your mind a word of the Lord that hurts you, you can be sure that there is something in you that He wants to hurt to the point of its death".
We must remember that God's ways are not our ways. We have limited understanding of God and His purposes for our lives. Lukewarm followers are like the people in that example in Luke who feel the need to do other things before following.
Our faith should not be based on emotion. Though, emotion will be part of the driving force. Obedience is crucial. If you are feeling cold or even mildly warm, get a wake up call. This is serious stuff!!!
Plug in, be of service. Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, VA had a great mission statement a few years ago, "Seek Him constantly, Serve Him faithfully and Share Him boldly". Great advice for us to follow. More on that to come.....
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Feeding Sheep
Greetings again!
Sheep are disgusting animals in many ways. They stand out in the elements, in the mud and don't even wear deoderant. According to Wikipedia, sheep are raised for fleece, meat (lamb, hogget or mutton) and milk. A sheep's wool is the most widely used animal fiber, and is usually harvested by shearing. Sheep have a tendency to congregate close to other members of a flock. Sheep are frequently thought of as extremely unintelligent animals. A sheep's herd mentality and quickness to flee and panic in the face of stress often make shepherding a difficult endeavor for the uninitiated.
They do, however, know the sound of their shepherd's voice. Sheep can recognize individual human and ovine faces, and remember them for years.
Ok, great info on sheep....but....what does that have to do with anything?
Jesus tells Peter in John 21:17 to "Feed my sheep". Now we know that Jesus was not a shepherd, so just what sheep was he talking about to Peter? Us, of course. We are His sheep. The feeding we need is spiritual, not physical.
If Jesus was telling Peter to pass on the lessons He had taught to the disciples to others, are we to do the same? How? After all, most of us are not pastors. We don't even play one on TV or Sunday mornings.
We all do have gifts from God though. Some gifts are teaching, some are organizing and some are just saying hello and greeting others. We can feed Jesus' sheep by being willing to step out in faith and use those gifts. John Ortberg (recent small group study) tells us to "Get out of the boat"! We should be willing and ready to leave our so called "comfort zone".
We might ask ourselves....what if they reject me, or mock me, or tell me I'm doing it wrong. What if they don't. What if they are receptive. You might never know unless you are willing to take the chance. You might just reach someone who needed to be reached.
You might not become a pastor, but the Bible is filled with examples of non-pastoral people who God used for His great purposes. Take some time to seek these people out in the Word. You can start with the cast of Genesis....remember, Aaron was the priest, not Moses.
Sheep are disgusting animals in many ways. They stand out in the elements, in the mud and don't even wear deoderant. According to Wikipedia, sheep are raised for fleece, meat (lamb, hogget or mutton) and milk. A sheep's wool is the most widely used animal fiber, and is usually harvested by shearing. Sheep have a tendency to congregate close to other members of a flock. Sheep are frequently thought of as extremely unintelligent animals. A sheep's herd mentality and quickness to flee and panic in the face of stress often make shepherding a difficult endeavor for the uninitiated.
They do, however, know the sound of their shepherd's voice. Sheep can recognize individual human and ovine faces, and remember them for years.
Ok, great info on sheep....but....what does that have to do with anything?
Jesus tells Peter in John 21:17 to "Feed my sheep". Now we know that Jesus was not a shepherd, so just what sheep was he talking about to Peter? Us, of course. We are His sheep. The feeding we need is spiritual, not physical.
If Jesus was telling Peter to pass on the lessons He had taught to the disciples to others, are we to do the same? How? After all, most of us are not pastors. We don't even play one on TV or Sunday mornings.
We all do have gifts from God though. Some gifts are teaching, some are organizing and some are just saying hello and greeting others. We can feed Jesus' sheep by being willing to step out in faith and use those gifts. John Ortberg (recent small group study) tells us to "Get out of the boat"! We should be willing and ready to leave our so called "comfort zone".
We might ask ourselves....what if they reject me, or mock me, or tell me I'm doing it wrong. What if they don't. What if they are receptive. You might never know unless you are willing to take the chance. You might just reach someone who needed to be reached.
You might not become a pastor, but the Bible is filled with examples of non-pastoral people who God used for His great purposes. Take some time to seek these people out in the Word. You can start with the cast of Genesis....remember, Aaron was the priest, not Moses.
Monday, September 19, 2011
But I'm not a pastor.....
Ok, how many of us are apprehensive at getting involved in a church group because "we are not pastors".....
I know it kept me back for quite some time. After all, what could I possibly offer? What if someone were to ask me a Biblical question that I could not answer.....what if what if what if.
I do know how to play with kids (I'm still one).....and I do know how to talk to others about sports, food and the weather. I can ask someone where they are from or what kinds of hobbies or interests they enjoy. Starting simple, meet them where they are at. We all have some experience in something. We CAN relate to others!
Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well. He did not preach a sermon to her or give her deep theological points to ponder.....or did he? He asked her simple questions....sort of meeting her where she was. He was able to tell her something about herself, not because he was omnicient, rather he could see into people by their actions, behaviors and talk. Why would a woman come to the well during mid-day. Because other women from the town would not be there then. Jesus knew her pain as an outcast....his own family thought he needed to be brought home at one point. Jesus had experience with people such as her.
We sometimes fail to understand just how much we have to offer. If we were ever kids (most of you were/are), we might be able to conjure up a memory or two of how we used to play, then use that as a basis for talking to a child today. Don't preach to them, play with them. Make believe.
People don't care about how much you know, until they know about how much you care.
No one wants someone preaching to them (even in blog form), unless they have signed up for a lecture.....do people really pay attention in church? So, don't preach....meet instead.
We all have a gift of something to share. Our experience can be mightier than any sermon. An example of this would be a man who had never rode a bike, but read lots of materials and information on bike riding. A 10 year old had ridden several bikes and knew the thrill of the wind rushing through their hair and the pain of a crash and skinned knee. Which one could better explain how to ride a bike.
Don't be afraid...take a chance. Often your audience will be in need of what you have to say, or they might ignore you.
Go ahead.
I know it kept me back for quite some time. After all, what could I possibly offer? What if someone were to ask me a Biblical question that I could not answer.....what if what if what if.
I do know how to play with kids (I'm still one).....and I do know how to talk to others about sports, food and the weather. I can ask someone where they are from or what kinds of hobbies or interests they enjoy. Starting simple, meet them where they are at. We all have some experience in something. We CAN relate to others!
Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well. He did not preach a sermon to her or give her deep theological points to ponder.....or did he? He asked her simple questions....sort of meeting her where she was. He was able to tell her something about herself, not because he was omnicient, rather he could see into people by their actions, behaviors and talk. Why would a woman come to the well during mid-day. Because other women from the town would not be there then. Jesus knew her pain as an outcast....his own family thought he needed to be brought home at one point. Jesus had experience with people such as her.
We sometimes fail to understand just how much we have to offer. If we were ever kids (most of you were/are), we might be able to conjure up a memory or two of how we used to play, then use that as a basis for talking to a child today. Don't preach to them, play with them. Make believe.
People don't care about how much you know, until they know about how much you care.
No one wants someone preaching to them (even in blog form), unless they have signed up for a lecture.....do people really pay attention in church? So, don't preach....meet instead.
We all have a gift of something to share. Our experience can be mightier than any sermon. An example of this would be a man who had never rode a bike, but read lots of materials and information on bike riding. A 10 year old had ridden several bikes and knew the thrill of the wind rushing through their hair and the pain of a crash and skinned knee. Which one could better explain how to ride a bike.
Don't be afraid...take a chance. Often your audience will be in need of what you have to say, or they might ignore you.
Go ahead.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
What's In It For Me?
Common question many of us ask in almost everything we do in life.....What's in it for me?
It seems on the surface that this is not an unfair question. After all, what motivates us? I suggest it is because we will receive some benefit. You will not intentionally do something that will make everyone mad at you or cause yourself pain. We often are motivated to do something because of the rewards or feedback.
How do we approach God? Do we approach Him as a genie, requesting our wishes to be granted, or as an IRS agent, ready to audit us in judgement? Do we ask permission or guidance, or merely forgiveness or approval of our actions.
Tough questions for me to deal with. I want to be prosperous and successful, but what really is a measure for those? I want to be comfortable and have an easy life....but that really isn't what Christ has called us to.
I was reading in Jonah this morning. Jonah was a prophet of God whom God sent to preach a message of repentance to the archenemy of Israel, Nineveh. This was the capital of Assyria, in modern day Iraq. (There is truly nothing new under the sun eh?). Nineveh was a ruthless and sinful place that caused much suffering to the Israelites. God, wanting to show His love and mercy, ordered Jonah to Nineveh to preach a message of repentance to save the Ninevites from destruction. This might be equated to God sending you to present day Iran to preach forgiveness. Would you go? Well, neither did Jonah. He fled the other direction. (It is a good and easy book to read....so I will not consume you with the details). The point of the book is that God can give forgiveness and mercy to whomever he chooses. Jonah, wanted revenge, he wanted his idea of justice against the enemy to be carried out. Upon his preaching this message reluctantly, he wanted to know what was in it for him.
The last line of the book of Jonah is piercing even for us today. Jonah 4:11 states, "And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Do we think that way towards our enemies...or do we want OUR justice and righteousness....What is in it for us?
It seems on the surface that this is not an unfair question. After all, what motivates us? I suggest it is because we will receive some benefit. You will not intentionally do something that will make everyone mad at you or cause yourself pain. We often are motivated to do something because of the rewards or feedback.
How do we approach God? Do we approach Him as a genie, requesting our wishes to be granted, or as an IRS agent, ready to audit us in judgement? Do we ask permission or guidance, or merely forgiveness or approval of our actions.
Tough questions for me to deal with. I want to be prosperous and successful, but what really is a measure for those? I want to be comfortable and have an easy life....but that really isn't what Christ has called us to.
I was reading in Jonah this morning. Jonah was a prophet of God whom God sent to preach a message of repentance to the archenemy of Israel, Nineveh. This was the capital of Assyria, in modern day Iraq. (There is truly nothing new under the sun eh?). Nineveh was a ruthless and sinful place that caused much suffering to the Israelites. God, wanting to show His love and mercy, ordered Jonah to Nineveh to preach a message of repentance to save the Ninevites from destruction. This might be equated to God sending you to present day Iran to preach forgiveness. Would you go? Well, neither did Jonah. He fled the other direction. (It is a good and easy book to read....so I will not consume you with the details). The point of the book is that God can give forgiveness and mercy to whomever he chooses. Jonah, wanted revenge, he wanted his idea of justice against the enemy to be carried out. Upon his preaching this message reluctantly, he wanted to know what was in it for him.
The last line of the book of Jonah is piercing even for us today. Jonah 4:11 states, "And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Do we think that way towards our enemies...or do we want OUR justice and righteousness....What is in it for us?
Friday, September 9, 2011
What is Fellowship?
Greetings once again....What is fellowship you ask?
As one of the fingers/pillars of this model, fellowship is an important part of how the Christian life works.
Fellowship could be as simple as becoming involved in your weekly church service. There will always be a need for ushers, greeters, teachers, nursery workers, etc... Once you are involved, you will be amazed at how engaged you become.
A key point about fellowship is that no one of us (even current company included) know all the answers. We need people in our lives that have the experience and knowledge that we lack to help us in making good decisions, as well as to help us understand difficult Bible passages and teachings. It has been said that a person could read a book about riding a bike, but until the wind whips through the old helmet (safety first) and the thrill of balancing on thin wheels hits, you really don't know how to ride a bike.
In Acts 8:28, Phillip meets up with an Ethiopian traveler who is on his way back to Ethiopia from a spiritual pilgrimmage. The Ethiopian is reading scripture aloud, when Phillip inquired if he knew what he was reading. The Ethiopian replied, "How can I unless someone explains it to me".
I suggest that we are in the same boat/carriage as the Ethiopian. That is why we need fellowship. We need people we can trust and confide in. Accountability if you prefer.
This does not come easy or quickly. Relationships must be built over time. In order to trust others, we must allow others to trust us.
How can I make this happen you ask? How do any of your relationships work? Spending time together, common interests, etc. Being purposeful.......
I challenge you to be purposeful in fellowship this very week. Approach your pastor and introduce yourself. Say hello to someone you migh have seen at work, in church, or some other organization that you have notice before and would like to know better. Perhaps someone with more life experiences than you (I did not say older).
Don't expect deep rooted relationships to develop overnight. But do not run from your part or responsibility in them when they do. To get a friend, you first have to be a friend.
As one of the fingers/pillars of this model, fellowship is an important part of how the Christian life works.
Fellowship could be as simple as becoming involved in your weekly church service. There will always be a need for ushers, greeters, teachers, nursery workers, etc... Once you are involved, you will be amazed at how engaged you become.
A key point about fellowship is that no one of us (even current company included) know all the answers. We need people in our lives that have the experience and knowledge that we lack to help us in making good decisions, as well as to help us understand difficult Bible passages and teachings. It has been said that a person could read a book about riding a bike, but until the wind whips through the old helmet (safety first) and the thrill of balancing on thin wheels hits, you really don't know how to ride a bike.
In Acts 8:28, Phillip meets up with an Ethiopian traveler who is on his way back to Ethiopia from a spiritual pilgrimmage. The Ethiopian is reading scripture aloud, when Phillip inquired if he knew what he was reading. The Ethiopian replied, "How can I unless someone explains it to me".
I suggest that we are in the same boat/carriage as the Ethiopian. That is why we need fellowship. We need people we can trust and confide in. Accountability if you prefer.
This does not come easy or quickly. Relationships must be built over time. In order to trust others, we must allow others to trust us.
How can I make this happen you ask? How do any of your relationships work? Spending time together, common interests, etc. Being purposeful.......
I challenge you to be purposeful in fellowship this very week. Approach your pastor and introduce yourself. Say hello to someone you migh have seen at work, in church, or some other organization that you have notice before and would like to know better. Perhaps someone with more life experiences than you (I did not say older).
Don't expect deep rooted relationships to develop overnight. But do not run from your part or responsibility in them when they do. To get a friend, you first have to be a friend.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Why Now?
Ok, the question has been asked, why now? Why would someone want to post a blog in September 2011? I'm gonna tell ya.
The purpose of this is to reach out to several people at one time to start a dialogue or conversation. I believe many Christians are confused about what being a Christian is all about. I'm not an expert, but I do play one in this blog. Actually, this is more questions to start that conversation with a few experiences sprinkled in.
You might have prayed the sinner's prayer, decided to make a commitment to Jesus, are attending a church and trying to read the Bible. But you don't feel any different yet. You have not had your "burning bush" moment. Does that mean you are not saved?
I believe the Christian walk is one that will grow over time. You are no more saved after years of following Christ than you are when you make that decision, however, you understand that decision better, and hopefully, you will bear fruit in that time. Fruits being love, gentleness, patience, self-control, etc...
I am merely writing out suggestions that will help someone (including myself) to take those toddler steps after that decision. I suggest a 5 pronged approach (there is no set way of this). The 5 points are:
1. Prayer
2. Using tools (Bible, concordance)
3. Fellowship (church attendance, group study)
4. Experience (you actually have experiences in life that can help others)
5. Thinking of others
Think of each prong as a finger on your hand. Look at your hand and remember to be purposeful in doing those things. If you get lost, or even don't know how to handle a situation, look at your hand and pick a finger to start with.
Being purposeful on a daily basis means thinking of the 5 fingers and trying to do one of them. This will not in itself earn you salvation (that is from God's grace alone), but it might help you understand it better.
So, over the next few blog posts, I will go into more detail on each finger/prong/point. Please feel free to chime in with your input, questions, and comments.
Thanks, keep reading and God bless!
The purpose of this is to reach out to several people at one time to start a dialogue or conversation. I believe many Christians are confused about what being a Christian is all about. I'm not an expert, but I do play one in this blog. Actually, this is more questions to start that conversation with a few experiences sprinkled in.
You might have prayed the sinner's prayer, decided to make a commitment to Jesus, are attending a church and trying to read the Bible. But you don't feel any different yet. You have not had your "burning bush" moment. Does that mean you are not saved?
I believe the Christian walk is one that will grow over time. You are no more saved after years of following Christ than you are when you make that decision, however, you understand that decision better, and hopefully, you will bear fruit in that time. Fruits being love, gentleness, patience, self-control, etc...
I am merely writing out suggestions that will help someone (including myself) to take those toddler steps after that decision. I suggest a 5 pronged approach (there is no set way of this). The 5 points are:
1. Prayer
2. Using tools (Bible, concordance)
3. Fellowship (church attendance, group study)
4. Experience (you actually have experiences in life that can help others)
5. Thinking of others
Think of each prong as a finger on your hand. Look at your hand and remember to be purposeful in doing those things. If you get lost, or even don't know how to handle a situation, look at your hand and pick a finger to start with.
Being purposeful on a daily basis means thinking of the 5 fingers and trying to do one of them. This will not in itself earn you salvation (that is from God's grace alone), but it might help you understand it better.
So, over the next few blog posts, I will go into more detail on each finger/prong/point. Please feel free to chime in with your input, questions, and comments.
Thanks, keep reading and God bless!
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