Perry started a new series yesterday at NewSpring called Make War based on the story of David and Goliath found in 1 Samuel 17. He had 4 points about what God has saved us from. Unfortunately I can only remember point 1 - the power of sin; point 2 - a meaningless life; and point 4 - religion. Maybe point 3 will come to me as I type. My notes are still in the car and I'm not going out in the snow to get them.
And of course these are the 3 points that really spoke to me. I have read any number of times various passages in the Bible that tell Christ followers sin is defeated but that has not always been a reality in my life. However, I do have victory now - not at some unforeseen time in the future or when I get to heaven. Jesus defeated sin and death and the Holy Spirit gives me the same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead. But I do have choices to make. God provides a way out - always - when I am tempted but am I will to take the way out? Or do I want to wallow in my sin and not experience the victory that is mine?
In Ecclesiastes Solomon talks about the meaningless life. He also comes to the conclusion that God is of utmost priority. We are to provide for our families and encourage our children and enjoy the blessings God has given us but when those things become the focus of our life rather than the worship of God, life becomes meaningless. We will not be judged on how much money we make or how new our car is or how big our house is or what college we attended or what football team we pull for but for the way we have touched the lives of those around us.
Ah...religion. Paul was VERY religious but was not a Christ follower. It was not until he surrendered his life to Christ by confessing Jesus is Lord and believing God raised Him from the dead that he learned that religion is not worth a hill of beans. In fact the Greek word skubalon used by Paul and translated as rubbish in this passage actually means the excrement of animals or dung. So religion counts for nothing but a personal relationship with the living Lord Jesus counts for everything.
Sunday was a great day. I am so excited about this series and can't wait to hear what Perry will say over the next 5 weeks.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Silence
It has been snowing here in Upstate South Carolina since about 1:00 AM this morning. There's about 6" of snow in the yard and it's still coming down. What was falling softly down earlier is now falling sideways as the wind picks up. We have been told this will change to sleet and/or freezing rain later in the day so I guess this will be with us for a few days. I think the science of weather forecasting has improved a lot because our local meteorologists have been dead on with the Christmas day snow and this one.
I really do not like cold weather - give me hot any day!! But one thing I like about the snow is the silence that it creates because people are home, indoors and not out hurrying here and there. There is a major highway about 200 yards from my back door across the creek and up a wooded hill. I've become used to the sounds of the highway and don't generally notice them. But today I really noticed the lack of highway noise. I like that!
There are no children in my neighborhood and not many of the "I just HAVE to get out and drive in this snow" type people so there is not the usual traffic in front of the house either. Just snow and quiet.
Yesterday at church my Prayer Team Leader was talking about the need for a Sabbath rest. Today is a perfect day for that - a day to read God's word and pray and contemplate His activity in my life, both what He's brought me through and where He's taking me next.
Some people have to go to work no matter what but when home is the option, what better way to spend it than with God. And my cat. And a cup of hot tea.
I really do not like cold weather - give me hot any day!! But one thing I like about the snow is the silence that it creates because people are home, indoors and not out hurrying here and there. There is a major highway about 200 yards from my back door across the creek and up a wooded hill. I've become used to the sounds of the highway and don't generally notice them. But today I really noticed the lack of highway noise. I like that!
There are no children in my neighborhood and not many of the "I just HAVE to get out and drive in this snow" type people so there is not the usual traffic in front of the house either. Just snow and quiet.
Yesterday at church my Prayer Team Leader was talking about the need for a Sabbath rest. Today is a perfect day for that - a day to read God's word and pray and contemplate His activity in my life, both what He's brought me through and where He's taking me next.
Some people have to go to work no matter what but when home is the option, what better way to spend it than with God. And my cat. And a cup of hot tea.
Friday, January 7, 2011
They Supposed
I wonder how many times arguments in families or businesses or churches occur because someone supposed a person had done or said something. How many times could the disagreement be averted if people just talked?
When Paul was arrested in the temple in Jerusalem, he was purifying himself according to the Jewish custom and was with other Jews. But the men who were opposed to Paul had seen him earlier with a man from Ephesus and supposed Paul had brought him into the temple. Since the man was not a Jew, this would be defiling the temple. But Paul hadn't done it. The man in question was not in the temple and had not been brought into the temple by Paul.
This made me think about my own relationships. Have there been times I been angry with someone because I supposed they had acted when I didn't know for a fact? Have churches ever split wide open because people were acting on gossip or supposition with knowing the truth?
Sometimes we're afraid to ask, "Did you say..." or "Did you do..." We can build whole scenarios around false assumptions. But in addition to asking for the truth we also need to ask does it matter. Is this issue important enough to cause a rip in the fabric of my relationships? Most of the time, probably not. Maybe I have a pride issue that is bigger than the "supposed" actions of another.
When Paul was arrested in the temple in Jerusalem, he was purifying himself according to the Jewish custom and was with other Jews. But the men who were opposed to Paul had seen him earlier with a man from Ephesus and supposed Paul had brought him into the temple. Since the man was not a Jew, this would be defiling the temple. But Paul hadn't done it. The man in question was not in the temple and had not been brought into the temple by Paul.
This made me think about my own relationships. Have there been times I been angry with someone because I supposed they had acted when I didn't know for a fact? Have churches ever split wide open because people were acting on gossip or supposition with knowing the truth?
Sometimes we're afraid to ask, "Did you say..." or "Did you do..." We can build whole scenarios around false assumptions. But in addition to asking for the truth we also need to ask does it matter. Is this issue important enough to cause a rip in the fabric of my relationships? Most of the time, probably not. Maybe I have a pride issue that is bigger than the "supposed" actions of another.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Am I a Threat to Evil
In Acts 19:11-16 we read the story of the sons of Sceva who were Jewish exorcists trying to drive out evil spirits by invoking the names of Jesus and Paul. The evil spirit said I know Jesus and recognize Paul, but who are you?
So what about me? No I don't go around trying to drive out evil spirits but am I known as a threat to those evil spirits conducting their warfare in the heavenly places?
What is there in my day to day life that is driving back the forces of the evil one? Who is crossing over from death to life because of my influence in their lives? How am I rattling the gates of Hell and helping to rescue those who are floundering in their faith - or have no faith at all?
In asking am I threat to evil I guess I'm really asking am I making a difference in anyone's life? Or am I just coasting along, content that I'm on the narrow road to life? This passage says it's a hard way. Is there anything "hard" in my walk through the narrow gate?
So what about me? No I don't go around trying to drive out evil spirits but am I known as a threat to those evil spirits conducting their warfare in the heavenly places?
What is there in my day to day life that is driving back the forces of the evil one? Who is crossing over from death to life because of my influence in their lives? How am I rattling the gates of Hell and helping to rescue those who are floundering in their faith - or have no faith at all?
In asking am I threat to evil I guess I'm really asking am I making a difference in anyone's life? Or am I just coasting along, content that I'm on the narrow road to life? This passage says it's a hard way. Is there anything "hard" in my walk through the narrow gate?
Political Correctness
I got an e-reader for Christmas from my son and his family. It came with 100 free books - those old books that have no copyright restrictions. One of the books I read was the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It had been many, many years since I'd read it so I was a little shocked to see the word "nigger" (or rather the N word as we say today) in the text maybe 4 or 5 times. I don't recall how many times it was there, but not much.
That word was NEVER allowed to be spoken in our home even though I grew up in the South of the 50's before the days of Civil Rights. My parents believed the word was an unkind, derogatory expression and as such was unworthy to come from the lips of a Christ follower because God created ALL people and ALL races.
So it came as no surprise to me that I saw on the news just yesterday that someone is re-writing Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn to take that word out and use the word slave in it's place. But now I can't remember if the person referred to was actually a slave or not in the story. I guess calling someone a slave is less inflammatory today than using the N word.
But it is not just the social commentary fiction of Mark Twain that has recently jolted my brain with political correctness - or incorrectness as the case may be.
I downloaded an epub copy of the NIV Bible, published by Zondervan in 2010. As I started reading in Matthew, something kept gnawing at me as not right as I read the familiar stories. I finally figured out that it is the political correctness of the text. Because I normally read the English Standard Version and my printed copies of the NIV are older, I was not aware of the NIV removing the male pronouns and changing the text to the plural they, their, them. So a passage I am used to reading that says, "...if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" now reads "...whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
In all the years of reading the Bible as a child, I never doubted that God's word, God's promises, God's love, God's salvation was for me as a female even though the pronouns in the Bible were all pretty much male. And that made me wonder about the insecurities of our day that make people want to change all sorts of texts to make them feel better about themselves. Not that it's necessarily wrong just wondering why we feel the need to do it.
That word was NEVER allowed to be spoken in our home even though I grew up in the South of the 50's before the days of Civil Rights. My parents believed the word was an unkind, derogatory expression and as such was unworthy to come from the lips of a Christ follower because God created ALL people and ALL races.
So it came as no surprise to me that I saw on the news just yesterday that someone is re-writing Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn to take that word out and use the word slave in it's place. But now I can't remember if the person referred to was actually a slave or not in the story. I guess calling someone a slave is less inflammatory today than using the N word.
But it is not just the social commentary fiction of Mark Twain that has recently jolted my brain with political correctness - or incorrectness as the case may be.
I downloaded an epub copy of the NIV Bible, published by Zondervan in 2010. As I started reading in Matthew, something kept gnawing at me as not right as I read the familiar stories. I finally figured out that it is the political correctness of the text. Because I normally read the English Standard Version and my printed copies of the NIV are older, I was not aware of the NIV removing the male pronouns and changing the text to the plural they, their, them. So a passage I am used to reading that says, "...if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" now reads "...whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
In all the years of reading the Bible as a child, I never doubted that God's word, God's promises, God's love, God's salvation was for me as a female even though the pronouns in the Bible were all pretty much male. And that made me wonder about the insecurities of our day that make people want to change all sorts of texts to make them feel better about themselves. Not that it's necessarily wrong just wondering why we feel the need to do it.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Little Things
Barnabas, the son of encouragement, found Paul when he was still isolated from the apostles. He introduced Paul to them and stood beside him during the time when people remembered Paul as the persecutor. They spent a lot of time together doing ministry. Then one day they had a "sharp disagreement" and Paul took Silas and went one way while Barnabas took John Mark and went another way.
In talking about this story, someone said I guess we know who made the right choice meaning Paul because he went on to be "famous" and Barnabas and John Mark are not heard from again. That statement has always bothered me because notoriety is not necessarily an indication of God's blessing.
Of course Paul WAS God's chosen instrument to take the gospel to the Gentiles and has a standing among the early church leaders that few can compare to because of his obedience to God's call. But it is also generally assumed that the Gospel of Mark was written by this same John Mark that Paul rejected but Barnabas encouraged. It is also generally believed that this was the first written account of Jesus' ministry circulated among the new churches.
There are things that I do, and others do as well, little things to encourage someone. Praying for someone. Giving tithes and offerings to God through His church. Being dependable to fulfill ministry roles I've agreed to. Loving on my family in various ways. A card or an email sent. Little things that may never get noticed by anyone but Jesus. No one knows what impact those little things may have in someone's life.
Obedience is the goal - obedience in all things, whether they are little things or very big things. Listening to God's voice and then acting on what I hear.
In talking about this story, someone said I guess we know who made the right choice meaning Paul because he went on to be "famous" and Barnabas and John Mark are not heard from again. That statement has always bothered me because notoriety is not necessarily an indication of God's blessing.
Of course Paul WAS God's chosen instrument to take the gospel to the Gentiles and has a standing among the early church leaders that few can compare to because of his obedience to God's call. But it is also generally assumed that the Gospel of Mark was written by this same John Mark that Paul rejected but Barnabas encouraged. It is also generally believed that this was the first written account of Jesus' ministry circulated among the new churches.
There are things that I do, and others do as well, little things to encourage someone. Praying for someone. Giving tithes and offerings to God through His church. Being dependable to fulfill ministry roles I've agreed to. Loving on my family in various ways. A card or an email sent. Little things that may never get noticed by anyone but Jesus. No one knows what impact those little things may have in someone's life.
Obedience is the goal - obedience in all things, whether they are little things or very big things. Listening to God's voice and then acting on what I hear.
Monday, January 3, 2011
God Grants Repentance
I've been reading Acts for several days now. Acts 11:18 is the end of Peter's story to the Apostles in Jerusalem about his trip to the Gentiles and God's revelation to Peter that salvation is available to all...even the Gentiles.
Today we would say, well, duh! But in those days they really believed salvation was only for the Jews. However, we are just as guilty of sitting in our little cocoons and being content and not reaching out to those around us because God wouldn't want to use ME to reach THEM. "Them" being those we think of as beyond God's reach because their lives are so screwed up or people we assume are okay even though they may be totally un-okay because they have no relationship with Jesus or maybe we just don't like them so we can't be bothered.
Yesterday in a clip from Andy Stanley at the NewSpring Leadership Conference, Andy said the church is not for church people. He asked how many church people were in the church when Jesus launched the church? And the answer is...Zero!
So, how am I going to be available to be used by God this year? What am I willing to do, where am I willing to go, what expense am I willing to bear to see God grant repentance to those I come in contact with?
Open my eyes, my ears, my heart to You, O Lord, that I might see as You see, hear Your direction, love as You love to be Your agent for change in the lives of those around me.
Today we would say, well, duh! But in those days they really believed salvation was only for the Jews. However, we are just as guilty of sitting in our little cocoons and being content and not reaching out to those around us because God wouldn't want to use ME to reach THEM. "Them" being those we think of as beyond God's reach because their lives are so screwed up or people we assume are okay even though they may be totally un-okay because they have no relationship with Jesus or maybe we just don't like them so we can't be bothered.
Yesterday in a clip from Andy Stanley at the NewSpring Leadership Conference, Andy said the church is not for church people. He asked how many church people were in the church when Jesus launched the church? And the answer is...Zero!
So, how am I going to be available to be used by God this year? What am I willing to do, where am I willing to go, what expense am I willing to bear to see God grant repentance to those I come in contact with?
Open my eyes, my ears, my heart to You, O Lord, that I might see as You see, hear Your direction, love as You love to be Your agent for change in the lives of those around me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)