tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-168059302024-03-14T00:39:43.034-07:00(Insert Creative Name Here)Because creativity is not one of my strong pointsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-23810759683287785532014-12-21T04:59:00.001-08:002014-12-21T04:59:28.095-08:00Smite Buttons and Dirty ClothesIn his commentary on the Letters of John for the NIVAC Gary Burge from Wheaton College shared an experience that broke my heart. It read:
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Last spring I was explaining to an introductory New Testament class Paul’s view of grace as it appears in Galatians…. Then I tried an experiment. I asked all forty students to write a one-page essay analyzing whether their lives had been shaped by the threat of law or the wonder of God’s grace. I was devastated by the results. Over 90% of the class admitted privately that the possibility of God’s disfavor and wrath had shaped their Christian outlook since childhood. God’s unending love was not foremost in their minds, but his possible displeasure was. Christianity, they reported, was really about following the rules. When I told them it was not, you could hear a pin drop. Some privately commented that this was the first time they had heard such “good news… The following was written by a 21 year old student who is a strong, knowledgable evangelical… ‘I feel like God punishes me for sins all the time. I feel that there is always something I am being punished for. I know that is impossible because there are not enough minutes in the day for God to punish us. I probably should not call it punishment, but that is the way I feel about God’s justice. I know of God’s love and blessings for me and for that I am eternally grateful and thankful. But I live with this fear that one mess-up and I will be punished again.’ After one such explanation of God’s unmerited love, a mature student told me, ‘I’ve never heard anything like this before.’” </blockquote>
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These words hit home to me in part because I have the same view of God. I must do good so as to avoid His wrath. It is as if the Far Side Cartoon depicting God is sitting in heaven in front of his computer watching our lives, just waiting to press the giant “Smite” button in front of him is true. He is just waiting for us to screw up so that he can “get us.”<br />
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And how often is our obedience of God motivated by fear. As if God is not some sort of cosmic bully intimidating us into submission. That isn’t the type of submission that brings Him the most glory. CS Lewis once stated, “You cannot by law make man good.” He is right. Law doesn’t change your heart. You obey the law because you fear the consequences. You are afraid of the speeding ticket, a night in jail, or a hefty fine so you drive the speed limit, you don’t steel from the store, and you don’t vandalize public property.<br />
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But your heart is no different. In fact, Paul argues in Romans 7, the law by itself triggers rebellion. Be honest: You push the speed limit. You take some office supplies from the storage closet. You would do things differently if you weren’t afraid there was a cop around the corner.<br />
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What Jesus does for us is not like the law. It is a different motivation. The law pointed to our need for a savior, sure, but once the savior comes there is no condemnation for those who are found in Him (Romans 8:1).<br />
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Because of Christ, obedience doesn’t come because of fear of God’s punishment. It comes out of a sense of gratitude for what Christ did for us. It comes because the love he has shown us is so great that it overflows into the way we interact with others. Our love of God is not a fear based morality. Instead it is motivated by his grace and righteousness.<br />
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I am off on Fridays, and often I find myself doing the laundry at our house. It is amazing how many clothes 2 little girls can go through. The other day I was picking up a pair of pants in my oldest daughter’s room and noticed that they were inside out. I picked them up and simply told her that it would really help me if she would do her best to keep them right-side-out. That way, I wouldn’t have to fix them before I washed them. I didn’t make a rule. I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t threaten to take away her iPod or TV time if she didn’t comply. Just a simple statement, I turned and walked out of the room. I didn’t think anything about it.<br />
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Until a couple of days ago.<br />
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My wife, Jodi was in a hurry preparing the girls for bed. Bath-time and brushed teeth were the agenda of the moment. As Jodi was preparing bath water she noticed Emma very carefully taking her pants off. She was going slowly and making sure that her pants didn’t turn wrong-side-out. Jodi chuckled and asked her what she was doing, and she matter-of-factly told her about our conversation.<br />
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As Jodi walked in the living room to share her recent encounter with our daughter I couldn’t help but swell with pride. Sure, I could have made a rule. I could have made threats. I could have established a law in our house with consequences so great that I could force my little girls into submission.<br />
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And they would have complied. And I would have gotten what I wanted.<br />
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But her obedience was not because she feared repercussions. Her obedience was because she wanted to please me. Her obedience was because she loved me. And she knew that I loved her.
And that brings her daddy joy.<br />
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I think God is like that. I think that when we obey him, not because we fear his smite button, but because we are filled with his great love, and filled with the same love for him— it brings our daddy joy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-1191905508642855292014-12-16T14:06:00.000-08:002014-12-16T19:35:07.074-08:00Has anyone in born in the 2nd half of the 20th century ever whitewashed anything?I honestly wouldn't know what it was if it wasn't for Mark Twain.<br />
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I like to drink coke. By coke, I'm not necessarily meaning Coca Cola, but carbonated beverages in general. I drink them too much. I've just about decided to switch to diet cokes, or water, for my health. But I'll probably just keep pumping good old fashioned fructose corn syrup into my body, slowly killing my pancreas and kidneys. <br />
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So today, I was sitting at my desk enjoying a nice cold Coca Cola. It's Christmas time so the can has Santa on it. Aside from the Polar Bears or cans commemorating an Auburn national championship, it is my favorite Coke can... it makes me feel festive.<br />
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Then I glanced at the clock, it was time for me to go and pick up my children at school. In fact, it was about 5 minutes past when I'm supposed to leave. I jumped up, grabbed my keys and wallet and ran out the door.<br />
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But my mind was still working on whatever essential project that I was working on while back in my office. I cranked my Yukon, and tore off out of the parking lot toward the school. As I turned onto Bethlehem Rd I reached down into the console cup holder and grabbed the red can that was sitting there. Placing it to my lips and taking a giant swig I came to realize that this was not the coke I had been drinking in my office. But a coke that I had not finished and left in my car... last week.<br />
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It was like a mixture of dirty water mixed with awfulness. It wasn't entirely warm, since it had been hovering just above freezing all day outside, but it wasn't entirely cold either. <br />
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I nearly wrecked the car, set the can back down and uttered my discontent aloud.<br />
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I looked down at the can. It looked like the one sitting on my desk. The advertisement was the same. There stood Santa staring back at me. But the promise of soda refreshment was never realized. Inside the can was a flat, rotten version of the promise. <b>It was flat out gross.</b><br />
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In Matthew 23:27-28 Jesus says to the Pharisees, <i>"Woe to you, scribes, pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."</i><br />
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Just for your information, whitewash is a solution of lime and water used for painting walls white. Essentially, Jesus is saying that you can put lipstick on a pig, but behind the facade its still a pig.<br />
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I wonder how many of us are just like that. We dress up in our nicest clothes and apply the most appropriate social filters to our tongues when we come to church or come around our church friends. We learn to speak the lingo, we learn when to stand and sit, how to get our kids to Kids Worship, and even put some money in the plate every now and then. <br />
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But then we walk away from the church context and the filter comes off. And the true climate of our heart is exposed.<br />
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We are often no better than the pharisees. We look right. We say the right things. But inside we are unchanged. We are hypocrites. We are filled with lawlessness.<br />
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We look ok. But what is inside is just <b>flat out gross</b><br />
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God, may our lives reflect your grace. Change the climate in our hearts as you continue to transform us into the pattern of your Son, Jesus. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-89557487048378948222014-11-10T10:13:00.000-08:002014-11-10T10:22:33.757-08:00The Story Before the Story: Part 3-- The Price to be PaidGrace is free. <br />
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I'm so thankful that its free. I'm thankful that I don't have to be good enough to find God's favor. I'm thankful that I don't have to earn his love. I'm thankful that He loved me so much, that He acted on my behalf-- even when I was steeped in sin-- and saved me from myself.</div>
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But Grace isn't cheap. In order to restore a right relationship between you and God, a penalty had to be paid. More specifically, your penalty had to be paid. A debt was owed that you couldn't fix.</div>
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And so Jesus paid for it on your behalf. By dying on the cross. A cross that your own sin condemned you to carry.</div>
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Grace is freely given by God, but it wasn't free... it was paid for by Jesus.</div>
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And when we share with others about receiving this wonderful Grace bestowed upon us by a loving God, we tend to want to err on the side of it being free. Requiring nothing of you but a repentant heart and a humble spirit.</div>
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But we leave out a very important part. Yes we are saved by Grace alone, but a saving Grace, is never alone.</div>
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In other words, Grace changes you. When you receive it, you are never the same.</div>
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After Jesus finishes his humility lesson with the Pharisees, and warns them about missing God's invitation into he banquet, he then begins to explain to them about this free, but not cheap grace, and how it changes you. In particular, how it changes your priorities.<br />
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<b>Luke 14:25-27</b><br />
<b><i>Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."</i></b><br />
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Now, some enemies of the Bible have taken this as an attack on the family. But we have to take into consideration the entire testimony of scripture. Jesus clearly teaches that you are to honor your father and mother (see Matthew 15:4), so there must be something that the modern reader is missing.<br />
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The term here translated "hate his own..." is not meant to be taken literally, but is a Hebrew idiom expressing comparison. In essence Jesus is saying in order to be his disciple, he (Jesus) must become your single most important priority.<br />
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The gravity of this teaching sometimes gets lost in our modern culture, where familial relationships can be strained and where selfishness seems to trump the love that we are instructed to show our fellow man. But to a Hebrew reader, this statement would have been paradigm shifting. In that culture, your relationship with your family would trump all other relationships. Jesus is now asking them to do the exact opposite. He must be first.<br />
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And in making this statement, Jesus draws us into a great tension. As Bob Utley puts it, "Grace initiates and provides, but receivers must make a life-altering, priority choice."<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">Luke 14:28-33</span></span></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">"For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? <span style="color: #5c749a;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, </span><span class="vnum" id="verse_987030" style="border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5c749a; cursor: pointer; line-height: 23.0399990081787px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0.15em 0px 0px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ </span><span class="vnum" id="verse_987031" style="border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5c749a; cursor: pointer; line-height: 23.0399990081787px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0.15em 0px 0px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? </span><span class="vnum" id="verse_987032" style="border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5c749a; cursor: pointer; line-height: 23.0399990081787px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0.15em 0px 0px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. </span><span class="vnum" id="verse_987033" style="border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5c749a; cursor: pointer; line-height: 23.0399990081787px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0.15em 0px 0px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."</span></span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">Essentially, when you become a follower of Jesus, it demands a shift in priorities, thinking, worldview. Everything changes. Perhaps it doesn't all change at once, but becoming more Christ-like is what we have been called to do. I'm afraid that too often, well-intentioned pastors leave this part out. As a result, we have built churches that are full of people who simply want just enough of Jesus to save them from Hell, but not enough to actually change the way they live.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;"><b>Salvation is free... but it will demand your life. You need to know the cost before you take the plunge.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">I can remember when it dawned on me how cheap we had made God's grace. I was leading in Vacation Bible School and was listening to a presenter present the ever famous ABCs of salvation. Don't get me wrong, the ABCs are a great tool to <b>help explain</b> to children repentance from sin and salvation in Jesus Christ. "A" stands for Admit. I must admit that I'm a sinner. This is great because unless we know our need for a savior, then the Good News isn't good news its just OK news and OK news doesn't save you. "B" stands for Believe. I believe that when Jesus Christ died on the cross he did so to pay my debt that I have incurred for my sins. Then comes the letter "C." All the curriculum makes "C" stand for Confess. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord then you will be saved (See Romans 10:9). But perhaps we should begin (and I have) teaching it differently. "C" stands for Commit. That means that I'm committing my life to following him. I'm making him my number 1 priority. He is first. He is the boss (This, in my simplistic opinion, is the modern equivalent of the word Lord... we don't live in a feudal system anymore, and it is difficult for some people to grasp the concept of Lordship). I look to him, first. I'm with Jesus. He is, to put it in the songwriter's words, my all in all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">Grace is free... but make no mistake about it, it will cost you everything-- and that's a good thing!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.0399990081787px; text-indent: 21.5999984741211px;">And this text, sets the stage for my favorite Bible lesson in all of God's word. Luke 15.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-40718076913766650022014-11-03T07:18:00.001-08:002014-11-10T10:22:09.598-08:00The Story Before the Story: Part 2--Don't Miss the InviteI think that Jesus' lecture on humility must have been a little bit uncomfortable. I mean, can you imagine how the host felt, or how individuals who had jockeyed for position at the table must have felt when this carpenter/rabbi from Nazareth starts calling you out on your bad behavior. It must have felt a little bit like the time you asked that woman when her baby was due only to have her tell you that she wasn't pregnant.<br />
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AWKWARD.<br />
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And so you can imagine that the conversation needed to be diverted quickly. So we find a Pharisee doing what Pharisees do best-- they turned it back to "churchy talk." (Actually, Pharisees weren't the only people particularly skilled at this, just see the woman at the well in John 4 when Jesus points out her sinful lifestyle. She's pretty quick to bring up "churchy talk" as well.)<br />
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<b>Luke 14:15</b><br />
<b><i>When one of those who reclined at the table with him heard these thing, he said to him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!"</i></b><br />
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What? <br />
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My wife accuses me of not hearing her. She doesn't accuse me of not listening to her. Any fool can see that I'm listening to the words that she is saying. What my wonderful wife is getting at when she says I'm not hearing her, is that I'm not understanding the intention, heart, or emotion behind the words. In other words, she is talking, I'm listening, but we aren't communicating.<br />
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Here Jesus is laying some great theological truth about how we should interact with one another. He is implying truths about the character and nature of God himself. The Pharisees and religious elite are listening. But they aren't hearing him. And this comment reveals either their lack of intellectual ability to draw conclusions from Jesus words, or their sheer lack of desire to believe this man sitting in front of them.<br />
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But regardless of this fact, Jesus will not be deterred. Much like with the woman at the well, Jesus takes their misguided statement and uses it as a teachable moment.<br />
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He tells another story.<br />
<br />
<b>Luke 14:16-24</b><br />
<b><i>But he said to them, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go examine them. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'God out quickly to the streets and lanes in the cities, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done and still there is room.' and the master said to the s servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.</i></b><br />
<br />
As I write this, I just accepted an invitation to a free luncheon at the Tyson Foods plant here in Union City. I never pass up an opportunity for free food. <br />
<br />
I can't imagine why these men would accept the invite, and then when the time comes, ask to be excused. Aside from the honeymoon guy, I can't think of an acceptable reason to avoid a banquet like this.<br />
<br />
But there is more to the story that meets the eye. As Jesus is talking with the Pharisees, one mentions, the Kingdom of God. It was (and is) popular tradition to equate the Kingdom of God with a great feast. Personally, I like the analogy, because I love food-- but the Jews knew very well what Jesus was talking about when he began referencing this great banquet to which many were invited.<br />
<br />
It wasn't about a meal at a Pharisee's house. This was about the coming Kingdom of God.<br />
<br />
Jesus states that many (including the Pharisees) were invited, but when those first invited ignore the invitation or blow off the event, then the master invites those least likely to have been invited before.<br />
<br />
And it ends with a chilling statement. None of those invited before will taste the feast.<br />
<br />
In short: If you miss the invite, or blow off the party-- you don't get a second chance.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><br /></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-87272877250658448202014-10-29T18:36:00.002-07:002014-10-29T18:36:51.770-07:00The Story Before the Story-- Part 1<b>The Bottom of the Pile</b><br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I am amazed at how God inspired his word to be written. Each verse finds itself placed specifically in a larger section, which often are divided into chapters and found in complete books or letters written by men thousands of years ago. Each book then finds itself in a broader meta-narrative that spans the entire collection of writings from Genesis to Revelation perfectly telling one story. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">A story of redemption.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">A story about sinful men, who, in spite of their best efforts cannot rectify their broken relationship with God.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">And a story about a God who relentlessly pursues these men, even though they don’t deserve it.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">That having been said, the very unique thing about Luke chapter 15 is that it finds its place in this story, immediately following Luke chapter 14. It sounds intuitive to say. It seems like any first grader with any ability to count could lay this deep theological truth in your lap. But too often in society, we are led to believe that all there is to a story is 22-minute bit of film seen on a popular sitcom, or a 30-minute sermon given by a pastor. But ask any Hollywood writer, or any well-prepared preacher and you will soon discover that there is much more going on behind the scenes. There is more to the story. There is back story; there is context.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i>And so, before we dive into losing, and looking, and partying. We must begin with the story behind the story.</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>Luke 14:1-2</b></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b><i>One Sabbath, while he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees they were watching him carefully. </i></b></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The story begins with Jesus at a feast. The Bible tells us that he is at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees. He is obviously a person of importance. He is a powerful leader in the community and a member of the religious elite. When it came to bubbles of power, in the Jewish world, they were all present in this room. Apparently, it must have looked like some kind of political conventions. I imagine a room where people didn’t really like to be around each other, but put on a smile and shook hands and jockeyed for position so that their picture could be made with the President. And the reason they have gathered together? To watch Jesus. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Does Jesus know this? Of course he does, but none the less he is there— in the midst of this political-religious battle of egos. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">And then Jesus does something, that is both amazing and just a bit funny. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>Luke 14:3-6</b></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b><i>And behold there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. And he said to them, “which of you , having a son or an ex that has fallen into a all on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” And they could not reply to these things.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Knowing it is the sabbath, and knowing that he was surrounded by a group of individuals who had just gotten finished straining the gnats out of their wine for fear that they might accidentally break the law— Jesus asks them a question about the Law. And then (in their eyes) he breaks it.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Of course it isn’t against the law to heal someone on the Sabbath. But to the Pharisees, Jesus’ actions must have created an turmoil known only by the likes of Dave Ramsey at a MasterCard convention.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">They were so confused the Bible says that they don’t even reply. In fact it says they couldn’t.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i>But Jesus was just getting started.</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>Luke 14:7-10</b></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b><i>Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. </i></b></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">He then started calling them out. Starting with his host. He points out that they weren’t at this meal in order to experience fellowship with one another. They simply wanted to see what Jesus might do, and be seen by others watching to see what Jesus would do.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b><i>He who exalts himself will be humbled. He who humbles himself will be exalted. </i>(vs 11)</b></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<b><span class="s1"></span><br /></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The idea being planted in the Pharisees head is simple. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Making it to the top of the social ladder doesn’t get you closer to God.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Your position in society, in the church, in your job, in the government— even your ability to adhere to the rules— none of that matters when it comes to God’s love. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">In fact, when it comes to God’s economy, there is only One at the top. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">And it isn’t us.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>If you want to really know what is on God’s heart… you can't just look at the top of the heap; you have to look at the bottom of the pile.</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-6641611855051080702014-08-06T14:16:00.002-07:002014-08-06T14:19:42.992-07:00Are You Going To Sit Down?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-MbzYY-I5vQbMYWJPFmzCh4x8lyd7fbn83Jlfo_cCPSlLRvgeGTo6PxIirxtcPlr4q1KxbZsadfoJVIT6qISq6JJo22W2v4aTdG0um-J3nCYrpsSSUZGh2HHW1lpd3sbHSKE/s1600/relax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-MbzYY-I5vQbMYWJPFmzCh4x8lyd7fbn83Jlfo_cCPSlLRvgeGTo6PxIirxtcPlr4q1KxbZsadfoJVIT6qISq6JJo22W2v4aTdG0um-J3nCYrpsSSUZGh2HHW1lpd3sbHSKE/s1600/relax.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
Ok, I've had enough. Please stop posting pictures of your feet while you recline in a chair, relax on a beach, or swing in a hammock. I'm a red blooded American that really doesn't have time to relax, so I'd appreciate you not rubbing it in my face.<br />
<br />
We have two kids. They both are in gymnastics. They both have practices twice a week for 3 hours. They are both in school. They have homework, people! And my wife is a school teacher which means for 10 months of the year she is grading papers and writing lesson plans, and the other two months are spent researching better ways to teach those smelly-underdeveloped frontal lobes called middle schoolers how to conjugate verbs and write essays.<br />
<br />
The other night, it all came to a head at our house. We had just spent all day rushing about from obligation to obligation and had (finally) gotten the girls to bed. It was around 9pm and Jodi began preparing for the next day when I asked her this question: <b>"Are you going to sit down?"</b><br />
<br />
My wife is an amazing woman, she is able to do so much, with so little help from me. I'm amazed by her ability to do. But I'm afraid that <b>my question diagnosed a bigger problem</b>. We don't take enough time to really... I mean REALLY... rest-- we honestly don't have the time.<br />
<br />
And the problem doesn't just exist in my house. It's a national epidemic. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #424858; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">A new survey of employees finds that only 25 percent of employees with paid time off took all of their vacation days last year. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #424858; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">What's worse, 15 percent took none of their vacation days at all.</span></blockquote>
It appears that we are so afraid that we might miss something. So afraid that our kids might miss something. So afraid that we will be left out. So afraid that we won't live our lives to the fullest. So afraid that we may get passed over for the promotion, lose the big deal, or disappoint our bosses that we refuse to even take off the time that has been promised to us. On average, the American worker receives only 13 days of vacation time annually. Compare that to countries like Germany, Britain, and France that receive over 3 weeks of paid time off, and some developed nations that allow for up to 4 consecutive weeks of vacation during the Summer.<br />
<br />
<b>But I'm in the ministry</b>-- the Devil doesn't take a day off. <b>But should Europe really be our model?</b> <b> But I really love my job-</b>- I don't mind working. <br />
<br />
First of all, the Devil shouldn't be your role model. <br />
<br />
Secondly, I get it, Europe doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to fiscal development... but what if they are on to something, the medical studies seem to back them up. <br />
<br />
Lastly, I would be willing to bet that you could do your job better with a fresh mind and relaxed body.... just sayin'. And if you're like me, what that means is a vacation where I actually... well... rest. My last vacation involved us visiting friends in Texas. We stayed in another person's house (and they were very gracious to let us have their own bed) and then frantically drove all over the DFW metroplex to make sure that we saw everyone that we needed so see. It was frantic. Then, just as my mind was beginning to shut off work mode (I still checked emails and texts and Facebook messages while on this said vacation), it was time to load back up in the car and head home. I have never taken more than 1 week off at a time. I suppose I'm too afraid the world would stop spinning if I didn't answer my phone for a week. <br />
<br />
Let's be honest, peeps. We have created idols of ourselves. We certainly take ourselves too seriously, and we absolutely believe that we are more important than we really are.<br />
<br />
Ouch! That hurt a little bit.<br />
<br />
Now, if you're not a follower of Jesus Christ, then what I'm about to say here is optional. If you are a disciple of Jesus, then you have to listen and apply this simple truth to your life:<br />
<br />
<b>THE BIBLE COMMANDS US TO REST.</b><br />
<br />
Yep, its one of the big 10. Jesus would clarify this Old Testament Commandment in <b>Mark 2:27. </b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPBp74_l07Ed3ejZsXwkJZyv49wzWp93LiQ2F6C7HXOnxLvYiw2w4VNxVMaqJNPFVrYdTv_83hNuZNXPz6kO7HHcyovuW6xzmEchTeKeCt1ga0owNxoqba0vr0wG7G1b_yyVx/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPBp74_l07Ed3ejZsXwkJZyv49wzWp93LiQ2F6C7HXOnxLvYiw2w4VNxVMaqJNPFVrYdTv_83hNuZNXPz6kO7HHcyovuW6xzmEchTeKeCt1ga0owNxoqba0vr0wG7G1b_yyVx/s1600/photo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><b> "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"</b></blockquote>
Let me sum this up in the Jeremy International Version: God built in some rest time for YOUR OWN GOOD. He didn't create rest time because you needed a time-out. He didn't create rest time because He needed a nap. He created rest time because He created your body, and He knows what you need!<br />
<br />
Perry Noble in his book <i>Overwhelmed</i> says it best: <b>"The Bible calls those who will not work lazy, but it calls those who will not rest disobedient."</b><br />
<br />
So, perhaps I shouldn't be so upset with all the pictures of relaxing feet. In fact, maybe I should find a hammock- or a beach- somewhere close and finally sit down myself. I suppose this will have to do until then!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-89259454919796771992014-05-08T08:08:00.002-07:002014-05-08T08:14:36.694-07:00I think she's doing a pretty good job...Well, Mother's Day is Sunday, and this morning as I sauntered over to the store to pay my annual tax to Hallmark I had a little bit of time to reflect on the events of last night.<br />
<br />
Every night, we go through a very familiar routine at our house that involves some Bible reading, prayers, and various tucking in rituals. Last night, Emma, my 9 year old had something to tell me.<br />
<br />
There was a little boy in her class that had been bullying her and her friends at school. <br />
<br />
As she began the story, I immediately was filled with an angst that can only be understood by over-protective parents like myself and mama bears. I imagined phone calls to the teacher, and other parents. not to mention various anti-bullying campaigns on multiple social media outlets-- but for the time being, I figured I would just listen to her story.<br />
<br />
I'm glad I did.<br />
<br />
She continued that one of her friends had gone to the teacher to tell, and the little boy became angry. He made a couple statements like "I wish I had never been made!" and "I wish I wasn't on this big ball of crap!"<br />
<br />
I then watched as my daughter's eyes filled up with tears. She told me that she went to him and said, <b>"God had made him very special, and for a very special purpose, and God had made this world for us to enjoy." </b><br />
<br />
Then, in an effort to sound parental-- not wanting to pass up a teachable moment-- I encouraged my daughter to remember that no matter what people say or do, there is almost always something more going on. There is probably a story.<br />
<br />
And she said, <b>"Everyone has a story, dad."</b><br />
<br />
<b>It appears that she wasn't going to miss out on that teachable moment as well.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4csoBVnUXtWoK8drm1jwE_i9vzgiAF8Am3jkUwMmLxAJE79PfYEiX1O7gz-y2O_FvaOlgVqkxn8-19LkMb4RA06_z7f7-QYVsqIexhm4VucDY2MaqBqgL2tkrTPEKK2ySRNM8/s1600/1422533_10201397044300360_439826272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4csoBVnUXtWoK8drm1jwE_i9vzgiAF8Am3jkUwMmLxAJE79PfYEiX1O7gz-y2O_FvaOlgVqkxn8-19LkMb4RA06_z7f7-QYVsqIexhm4VucDY2MaqBqgL2tkrTPEKK2ySRNM8/s1600/1422533_10201397044300360_439826272_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
I then left the room only to find my her mother busily cutting up fresh fruit to go in our daughters lunches for the next day. Jodi was in a rather foul mood for some reason... now I know, husbands, its never a good idea to ask why your wife is in a foul mood for fear you may be the reason, but I asked anyway.<br />
<br />
<br />
She actually had begun to believe that she was failing as a mother. Due to some of the events in the day that led to both of her girls crying, she had decided to place blame on herself and bear the burden of their tears. She explained that she just had experienced some parenting fails.<br />
<br />
So I shared with her Emma's story. <b> I think she's doing a fabulous job</b>.<br />
<br />
She gets up early and prays for our family<br />
She tirelessly cleans and cooks<br />
She handles the household finances-- well I might add<br />
She fixes boo boos and owies<br />
and kisses foreheads and bruises.<br />
She runs bathwater and rinses hair<br />
She can french braid anything in any way.<br />
She drives the safest swagger wagon around putting more miles on our van than most over the road truck drivers put on their big rigs.<br />
From gymnastics to dance to art to playtime<br />
To a faith that has been passed on to the next generation<br />
And is being passed on to their friends...<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.jodipowell.net/">Jodi Powell</a>... you are an amazing mother!</b> Don't ever forget it. God has placed that inside of you, and I love watching you daily navigate the difficult waters of motherhood. There is no one that I would rather raise my children with than you.<br />
<br />
Happy Mother's Day,<br />
--Jeremy<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-56077330511556651742014-04-22T13:03:00.001-07:002014-04-22T13:03:46.778-07:00Latest Offering from Platt... food for thought<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/k22HizakN9I" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-50198654093947577632014-04-22T12:50:00.003-07:002014-04-22T12:50:49.752-07:00Leadership FailIt is impossible to lead out of a position of authority. A dictator will get people to obey him, but a dictator will never get people to follow him. It is only when a leader finds himself oriented as a servant that he gets people to follow. Only then are they willing to sacrifice, serve, and go. Only then will they follow. Once they see the man who has all of the power and authority wash their feet, then they will follow.<br />
<br />
I'm afraid too many leaders have fallen short of their goals because of this fact. I'm afraid that often I have fallen short of this truth. Often leaders have sought to rule rather than to lead. They have sought to exert authority rather than to humble themselves and serve.<br />
<br />
<b>John 13:3-5</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Jesus, knowing that the Father had <b>given all things into his hands</b>, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe then with a towel that was wrapped around him.</i></blockquote>
If anyone could have exercised authority it would have been Jesus. After all, all things had been given into his hands. The pecking order was established. He was the most important, most powerful, most influential person in the room. But he chose not to lead out of a position of authority, Lording it over his followers as the Gentile leaders did. Instead, he humbled himself and began to serve. Jesus understands that it is impossible to lead out of a position of authority, but a leader that orients himself as a servant first will have more followers than he knows what to do with.<br />
<br />
I'm afraid that many in our businesses and churches have forgotten this. They attempt to exert authority because of a title, or a position, while refusing to serve alongside their employees or members. If you want to gain influence, you have to first wash feet. If you want people to follow and respect you, then grab your towel.<br />
<br />
--JeremyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-77580274495583063032014-03-17T20:20:00.001-07:002014-03-17T20:23:36.490-07:003 Things I Learn From Moses About Leadership-- Part 3: We MUST Invest in the Next Generation<b>Deuteronomy 34:9</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.</i></b></blockquote>
I can remember a senior pastor for whom I worked once remarking about the young men on his staff. He clearly recognized God's leadership on their lives, and he certainly was grateful to have them on his staff, but there was a pressure that he felt by the "Young guys knocking on the door!"<br />
<br />
It certainly is easy to be a bit intimidated by the next generation. Their ideas are different and a bit more radical than you are comfortable with. They move faster, listen to different leadership mentors, read different publications... well... just about everything they do is different.<br />
<br />
Andy Stanley once made the statement (and I'm paraphrasing) "The next generation will always figure out how to reach the next generation. As senior leaders we can either fight them, or fund them."<br />
<br />
Moses understood that God wasn't going to allow him to take the Jews into the promised land. It would be easy at this point to throw his hands up in disgust and fade away into history. But he doesn't. He cares so much about the Hebrews that in Numbers 27 he asks God to appoint a leader to take over after he is gone. God commanded him to take Joshua, lay his hands on him, and then invest in him. And Moses does what is commanded.<br />
<br />
As leaders we must be willing to invest in the next generation of leaders. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it can be frustrating. Yes, we may not always understand their mindsets or methods.<br />
<br />
But they are the future.<br />
<br />
And if we really care about the people God has entrusted us to lead, then we will take time to empty our cup into the cups of the next generation, so that they might lead our people to the next level.<br />
<br />
The next generation is the future. We can either fight them, or fund them.<br />
<br />
--JeremyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-26021235516785843952014-03-12T08:23:00.001-07:002014-03-12T08:23:28.929-07:00Only a parent with kids can understand this!There are times when I think I'm a pretty awesome parent. Then I see a video like this and realize that I have high standards to live up to. Check out the daughter in the background ignoring her parents as they... well... check this out.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gavEC5aWAzM" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-42559290077129903212014-03-05T11:05:00.000-08:002014-03-06T05:14:37.165-08:003 Things I learn from Moses about leadership-- Part 2: You may not
always get to enjoy the fruit of your laborThis one just stinks.<br>
<br>
My wife, Jodi (check her out on www.jodipowell.net) is an amazing cook, which, being Baptist comes in handy. Everyone in our denomination knows the social convention for mourning, celebrating, and Tuesday is food-- and we enjoy plenty of it.<br>
<br>
Imagine my wife slaving over a hot stove, making one of our favorite foods-- butterscotch brownies. We don't get them very often, so when we do it must be a special occasion such as a birthday or Christmas or the new DSW opening up in Brookwood Village. I don't know how long it takes to prepare and make them, but based on the frequency of their appearance at my house-- approximately 6-8 months.<br>
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Now back to my story-- imagine her working hard... stirring batter, dirtying bowls, opening who knows how many jars-- only to pack up the fruits of her labor, in a tub and give them all away.<br>
<br>
That just seems preposterous. Surely she might save one for herself! No one would do such a thing. Perhaps she is making a second batch for her and her family to enjoy.<br>
<br>
Unfortunately, there are times when Jodi spends hours in the kitchen laboring over a meal-- only to not taste a bite of it.<br>
<br>
As leaders, we must be prepared and understand that we may not always get to experience and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Moses sure didn't.<br>
<br>
<b>Deuteronomy 34:4</b><br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And the Lord said to him, This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give it to your offspring.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.</i></blockquote>
<br>
Think about this for a minute. God calls Moses in a burning bush-- away from the sweet life tending flocks for a man name Jethro (I mean, who doesn't want that gig?). He empowers him to speak to Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world. He empowers him to perform a whole host of miracles and plagues including, but not limited to the 10 plagues on Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, Manna from Heaven, Quail for meat, water from a rock (Twice)-- all with the express purpose of bringing his people into the Promised Land. No doubt Moses thought a lot about the end goal; the reason why he worked so hard, interceded on behalf of the people, and put up with all the grumbling. No doubt he longed for the day when he would get to experience and enjoy the reward for his faithfulness. The fruit of his labor.<br>
<br>
Guess again.<br>
<br>
I can only imagine the bittersweet emotion felt by Moses on the top of Mount Nebo. As he looked out over the vast amount of land that God had set aside for His people, he must have felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. He must have felt an enormous trust in God, as he had once again come through on his promise. But nonetheless-- a longing for more must have filled Moses' heart.<br>
<br>
In Deuteronomy 3:23-25 Moses records his pleading with God to change his mind-- a cry to reconsider... and God saying "No."<br>
<br>
I'm sure David felt something similar when God told him that his son, not him would build the temple. If David doesn't think about it, I sure do-- every time I refer to "Solomon's" temple.<br>
<br>
As leaders, we have been called to lead those entrusted to us, but our leadership is always temporary. We will play a role in leading our people through only part of their journey, and sometimes... maybe most of the time... that involves a lot of "the valley of the shadow of death" and little of the "green pastures."<br>
<br>
But as leaders, we are called to be servants. To elevate the needs of the people ahead of our own. This is why David raised the funds and developed the plans for the Temple, even though he wouldn't get his name on a plaque by the door. It is why Moses continued to lead faithfully even after God told him his punishment for his disobedience. It is why we lead with diligence even when we know we may not get to experience the end that God has in store for His people.<br>
<br>
I was just talking to Lisa, one of the church secretaries here at FBCH. We were talking about church growth and how God is blessing our congregation. Even though our current leadership has been able to see God's blessing and experience the "growth," FBCH has had 28 other pastors besides myself in their nearly 100 year history. Countless lay leaders and deacons. Numerous secretaries, worship leaders, youth ministers, custodians and pianists who have all labored and led. Their contributions are no less valuable than any of ours... we simply get to reap a portion of the reward.<br>
<br>
As leaders, we must realize that we may never get to enjoy the results of our labor on this side of Heaven. And that's OK-- perhaps the next guy will!<div><br></div><div>--Jeremy </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-67664761798022958562014-03-05T08:30:00.000-08:002014-03-05T08:30:14.696-08:003 Things I Learn from Moses about Leadership-- Part 1: Fair Ended in the Garden of EdenSo I consider myself a leader. Every day I wake up and bear the leadership burden for my family and congregation. Now I may not be the best leader.... but none the less, more often than not in my life, I've found myself in positions where I have to lead.<br />
<br />
That having been said, I take a lot of time reading leadership books-- books written by Christian leaders (including some authors that I disagree with), and secular leaders (as all truth is God's truth). Additionally, the pages of scripture are filled with accounts from real-life leaders who experienced success, failure, heartache, and depression.<br />
<br />
This week, I've been thinking an awful lot about Moses-- in particular, the end of Moses' life as recorded in Deuteronomy 34. Here are some things that this text teaches us about leadership<br />
<br />
1) Leaders are held to a higher standard. It isn't fair, but it's true<br />
<br />
<b>Deuteronomy 34:1-4</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Then Moses went up form the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the plain, that is the valley of Jericho the city of palm treas as far as Zoar. And the Lord said to him, This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give to your offspring.' <b>I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.</b></i></blockquote>
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Why wouldn't God let Moses enter the promised land? Deuteronomy 32:51 tells us why... <i>"because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you didn't treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.</i><br />
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What God is referencing here is an event that is recorded in Numbers 20. The people of Israel were thirsty and they began to grumble again. God told Moses to speak to a rock and cause it to yield its water, but instead Moses strikes the rock twice with his staff. Because he disobeyed God, Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land.<br />
<br />
Really?<br />
<br />
It seems to me like this is cruel and unusual punishment. You wanna talk about rebellion? About a disregard for God? Look no further than the people of Israel. How many "Back to Egypt" committees have been formed? How many golden calves have been made? How many times have God's people openly refused to trust in Him and His provision or find contentment in his provision while wandering in the wilderness?<br />
Yet Moses, in a moment of weakness, probably filled with frustration because of the hardness of Israel's heart-- taunted by shouts and requests and threats and grumbling, makes a mistake and disobeys.<br />
And he isn't allowed to finish the task that God had called him to do.<br />
<br />
Wow.<br />
<br />
I picture Moses sitting at a press conference table making a statement like, "Water! We're talking about water? Not idolatry! Water?" (vague Allen Iverson reference that was much funnier in my head)<br />
Moses even pleads with God to change his mind (Deut. 3:24-25); but God-- much like a determined parent-- ends the conversation quickly.<br />
<br />
A great Christian leader and pastor once said, "Leadership is a stewardship... you're accountable," and like it or not we are held to a higher standard. It isn't fair... but it is.<br />
<br />
Often my daughters will find themselves in particular circumstances that would be deemed unfair by any court or parent in the world. Abbi gets to have a friend spend the night, but Emma can't. Emma gets to go on a field trip, but Abbi can't go. One gets invited to a birthday party at a local pool and the other one has to stay home. These are good teachable moments for my girls. Life isn't fair. God isn't fair. Fair ended in the Garden of Eden.<br />
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And as leaders we are held accountable for how we lead. For the example we set for our people.<br />
<br />
And I don't think I would have it any other way. To lead the way that Jesus led we must do so by example, and we are not above repercussions that occur because of our sinfulness.<br />
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This is the burden of leadership. It is what we take upon ourselves when we take the staff of God and accept His call on our lives.<br />
<br />
It isn't fair... but it is.<br />
<br />
--Jeremy<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-35944739198415224782014-02-27T20:27:00.001-08:002014-02-28T09:52:36.815-08:00When life is a hassle......Birthdays are really important to females with the last name Powell. At least the ones in my house. Honestly, just about every holiday is a big deal. We put up our Christmas tree on November 14. Really... I'm not kidding.<br>
<br>
Today was no different as we celebrate my daughter Emma's 9th birthday. <br>
<br>
So I don't know why I was surprised when my youngest daughter, Abbi, came running into my bedroom at 5am-- one and a half hours before I normally drag my tired hiney out of bed. She was so excited when she saw Emma's birthday present in the living room, a brand new, 4-story cage for her pet chinchilla Chili.<br>
<br>
So you don't know what a chinchilla is? Its a South American rat. Big ears, squirrel like tail, red bug eyes, fur softer than you could possibly imagine, and the ability to poop his body weight every 30 minutes. Still can't picture it? Here is Chili the chinchilla.<br>
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So its some ungodly hour where I'm not certain that I'm a Christian; I've been awakened long before the alarms on my clock and phone- yes, I have to set two alarms DON'T JUDGE ME-- have gone off, and I stumble half asleep into the living room of my home where I see my daughters happily, and loudly playing with a white Mexican rat that is pooping all over my carpet.<br>
<br>
I didn't get frustrated when Chili got free the first time. Jodi very calmly reached down and picked him up, instructing Emma that she was to pay attention so he wouldn't get loose in the house. Because everyone knows that it's next to impossible to corral a rodent that only responds to commands in the Spanish language.<br>
<br>
But when my newly crowned 9 year old was distracted once again and Chili made a bolt for freedom like a East German taking a running leap at the Berlin Wall-- it began to get under my skin. Immediately the little rodent took a quick jump underneath his brand new cage. He then promptly began chewing on the curtains, because everyone knows that chinchillas love the taste of synthetic fabrics. He darted under the end table and then under Jodi's chair before I could get up from the couch. I'm quickly trying to engage my mind as to how to capture the escaping pet while Emma and Abbi increase the volume of their voices and the quickness of their movements. Jodi is helpless. She sits in her chair realizing that if she moves she could step on Chili and put a bow on the worst birthday and most useless present ever.<br>
<br>
Luckily I had the forethought to put the dog out before the chase began, and then cornered the rat in the kitchen catching him and returning him to the cage.<br>
Very angrily I slammed the wire metal door to the cage and huffed as I plopped back down on the couch. Emma simply responded... "well... ok."<br>
<br>
Now I'm hacked. I'm just happy I didn't yell.<br>
<br>
Doesn't she know that I'm tired?<br>
Doesn't she know that I had a long day yesterday, and will have to work today?<br>
Why couldn't she just pay attention?<br>
Why couldn't she be responsible?<br>
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr<br>
<br>
And then I took a deep breath.<br>
And I looked at my girls.<br>
And I was overcome with how much I love them.<br>
And I felt a little bit like a tool for being put out.<br>
<br>
Frankly, I'm put out a lot.<br>
<br>
I don't like hassles, and too often I look at my girls, my family, my job, the people I serve, and life in general as hassles. I don't think I'm the only one, but that doesn't excuse my attitude of viewing God's blessings as burdens. I think that it's human nature to be drawn inward, to make ourselves the most important person in the world and to be put out when we have to sacrifice time, sleep, money, or influence for someone or something else.<br>
<br>
And when I think about our natural propensity to think of ourselves before others, I'm reminded of how God's love for us is never wavering-- no matter how irresponsible or sinful we've been. Or how much of a hassle we can be.<br>
<br>
<b>Romans 5:6</b> says this:<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.</i></blockquote>
I'm thankful or the love that God shows me in spite of my selfishness. And I'm thankful that He is at work in me, conforming my life to the pattern of His son Jesus. And as I grow to become more Christlike then I know that I'll be a more godly parent, a more godly husband and a better representative of the gospel that has saved me.<br>
<br>
Today, pray that we will learn to love as God loves, serve as God has served, and represent His gospel in such a way that points others to Him.<br>
<br>
--Jeremy<br>
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<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-91596656637110672062014-02-13T10:17:00.002-08:002014-02-13T10:17:32.018-08:00The Battlefield of the MindI know I shouldn't say that....<div>
I know I shouldn't go there...</div>
<div>
I know I shouldn't do this...</div>
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<br /></div>
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But...</div>
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<br /></div>
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I can't tell you how many times I've had that conversation within my head. I find myself in a situation that I have intentionally tried to avoid. I find myself on the verge of a fight with my wife. I'm on the edge of snapping with my children. I enter into a discussion that should have never been started and now I'm on the precipice of screaming as I grow more and more exasperated. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In each case, I know the godly thing to do. I realize what I should do. I know that I should walk away, shut up, write the check, count to ten.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But too often I don't.</div>
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Then in the aftermath of tears, slammed doors, bad decisions and hurt feelings the guilt creeps in. The conviction of once again falling short. Once again making a massive mistake. Once again disappointing God by failing those around me and by failing myself.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
It's frustrating isn't it. To know the right things but somehow avoid them anyway? In times like those it makes me thankful for Paul:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Romans 8:15-25</b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing that I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. <b>Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? <i>Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.</i></b></blockquote>
If Paul is a wretched man because of this war that is waging within him, then I doubt there is much hope for you or me. The war of sanctification (becoming like Christ) is a conflict that rages inside of every believer. A struggle that begins upon conversion and continues through until your time on this earth is over. There are days in which your progress is measurable, times in which is merely creeps forward, and times where you experience setbacks. <br />
<br />
But we do not fight and struggle alone.<br />
<br />
The war that is fought on the battlefield of the mind is won not through our own efforts but through Christ's work on our behalf.<br />
<br />
Thanks be to God for the cross. Thanks be to God that he fights for me. Thanks be to God, that though we struggle now... the battle isn't over... and the war has already been won.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-64073056289136264052014-02-04T16:40:00.003-08:002014-02-04T16:40:33.225-08:00Hello my name is Church...Awesome blog post from the <a href="http://theunappreciatedpastor.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/hello-my-name-is-church/">Unappreciated Pastor</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-7219304123467717512014-01-20T11:25:00.001-08:002014-01-20T12:59:52.323-08:00Just Playing Around with the BoxMy daughters are spoiled. I supposed there is really just no way around it. I am an only child, and on my side of the family they are the only grandchildren. They pretty much get what they want. I have decided that something happens to the brain chemistry of grownups when they become grandparents. Once they hold that grandbaby for the first time they cease being the people that raised us and begin being some sort of money-spending, tree-house building, pool-installing, hide and seek-playing adult that exists only to make their grandkids life better and my life more difficult.<br />
<br />
This last year for Christmas my father and his wife (GranDan and Annie) bought my girls a bean bag to go downstairs in our game room. When they arrived at Christmas and saw the bean bag, they were frustrated that it wasn't big enough to seat both of their grandbabies, so they promptly hopped on line and bought another one.<br />
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<br />
When the bean bag arrived, my youngest daughter was there to help us pull it out of the box. "I'm going to play in this box GranDan!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. Never mind the expensive and glorious contents of the box, she was so enamoured with the packaging that all she could think about what drawing on, cutting up and taping shut the various openings that the box had to offer. We actually spent the better part of one Friday putting the two bean bag boxes together, cutting a passageway between the two and stringing up Christmas lights to illuminate the inside. It was a mansion that would have made any hobo proud. I placed a picture of one of our early prototypes below (when there was just ONE box and a Moser light on the roof)<br />
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And my girls played and played and played and played in these boxes. In fact, they are still taped together with Christmas lights aglow in my basement right now!<br />
<br />
Meanwhile... the true gift. The real treasures sit underutilized and unused in the next room. Upstaged by the packaging in which they came.<br />
<br />
I can't help but think that the Church is kind of like that as well.<br />
<br />
At my first full-time ministry gig we engaged in a sort of "worship war" over the style of music that should be played in the worship services. As you can imagine (and have probably lived out in your own church) there were many different opinions as to which style of music was the most appropriate. I can recall sitting down with one of my Sr. Adult Sunday School classes as they emotionally lobbied for the old hymns to make a comeback. I asked the class, what is it that you like about those songs? Why is it that this style appeals to you. The response back was nearly unanimous-- we love the deep theology of the hymns. They actually meant something! Hearing this was a breath of fresh air! If we could just use some of thee lyrics then, in a re-packaged, more modern format then certainly that could appease everyone. And so we took some older hymns and re-couched them with more modern chord-progressions, and performed them with a full band.<br />
<br />
And they still weren't pleased.<br />
<br />
Why? They had told me that it was all about the lyrics... it was all about the theology. But unfortunately, it never is. It's all about the packaging.<br />
<br />
And just like a kindergartner playing with the box that once housed the expensive toy, the packaging had drawn our attention away from the real gift... and the real message.<br />
<br />
Nearly 10 years later, I'm afraid that not much has changed. In many churches there is a large preoccupation with the packaging, rather than the gift of the gospel. In our consumer based society we shop churches like we do car insurance looking for one that has the right programs, the right music, the right pastor, the right dress-code, and the nicest, newest building. Looking for the box with the best looking logo, rather than the one containing the best quality message.<br />
<br />
As parents, we look at our children ducking in and out of an imaginary fort made out of boxes and we smile. Certainly there is no harm in the packaging... but there is also an emotion running through us all that makes us shake our head in shame. The object of value-- The object that should demand our attention lays unnoticed amid torn wrapping paper and garbage bags filled with bows... they are just too preoccupied to notice.<br />
<br />
I wonder if God ever feels that way when we bicker over the packaging? We argue and fight about carpets and lighting and smoke and video feeds... meanwhile the gospel sits unnoticed in the corner of our sanctuaries.... we are just too preoccupied to notice.<br />
<br />
--Jeremy<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-53882848421032134952013-12-02T11:57:00.001-08:002013-12-02T11:57:29.591-08:00Its a dog eat dog world out there, and I'm wearing milk bone shorts!When I took my first job in the ministry, I had little idea what I was doing. Honestly, I still don't know much about what I am doing. And 12 years into my ministerial career and 6 years into my first pastorate I find myself realizing that seminary didn't prepare me for all that I would encounter as I sought to disciple the saved and evangelize the lost.<br />
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Sure, I spent countless hours learning Hebrew and Greek, reading the Church Fathers and their views of theology. I learned how to exegete scripture from some of the best professors in the country (if not world). In short, Seminary did a wonderful job of preparing me to handle the Word of God (for which I and my congregants are eternally grateful), but a rather poor job of preparing me to handle the People of God.<br />
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Apparently, the pastorate looked a little different 30 years ago than it does today. Check out Thom Rainer's article laying out <a href="http://thomrainer.com/2013/12/02/seven-ways-pastoring-has-changed-in-thirty-years/">7 ways pastoring has changed in thirty years.</a><br />
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I would add to this already great article a few things that I've learned over the years:<br />
1) I never thought I would need legal counsel. I have honestly considered going and getting a law degree (which probably wouldn't prepare me to be a lawyer any more than seminary prepared me to be a pastor) simply because I had no idea how many different legal issues my church and my congregants would face. From lawsuits, to convicted sex offenders, to issues that I can't even mention here. It would be nice to have had some legal training.<br />
2) I never thought that I would have to run a business. Like it or not the Church is more like a business than most in our congregations would like it to be. Sure, our bottom line isn't to make a profit, but we still have employees, must obey tax laws, maintain the buildings on our campus, recruit and train and place hundreds of volunteers, and manage a budget.<br />
3) Counseling. I am amazed at how much counseling I do, and how under-prepared and unqualified I am to do it. I recall Andy Stanley, the pastor at Northpoint Church in Atlanta making the statement that he was more of a consultant than a counselor, and often that is how I feel. Not only am I seriously lacking in listening skills (a discipline that I, and my wife, pray improves), but I lack the tools necessary to help someone overcome deep seated issues. I can, and do, point them to scripture, but most of the time in my context a lack of biblical knowledge isn't the issue. Its a lack of know-how in the direct application of the scripture to your life, and although I can offer some practical applications, I find myself referring a number of people to a professional counselor. Now this type of outsourcing is good, and encouraged by professors in seminary. But most of the time when I refer people, they either 1) don't go or 2) can't afford it, or 3) only want to talk to me. A little more help in school would have been greatly appreciated<br />
4) Marketing. A course in Photoshop would have been helpful! How about web design or screen printing? In a world where branding is so important, and marketing is so important, I felt grossly under-prepared. No longer will the name First Baptist Church just automatically draw people into your services. Now the name may actually turn some people off. It's all about logos and websites and social media.<br />
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But then again, since most of us pastors only work 2 days a week, it isn't that big of a deal that we don't have these skills, we can just use our down time to take an online course or watch a Youtube video! <br />
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-- Jeremy<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-58950632295820648792013-11-06T10:01:00.000-08:002013-11-06T10:01:28.274-08:00AmazingOn Wednesday nights at FBCH we have been teaching through the book of Amos. As I was re-familiarizing myself with the text this week I noticed Amos interceding on behalf of Israel in chapter 7.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"O Lord, please forgive! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!" <b>Amos 7:2b</b></blockquote>
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"O Lord, please cease! How can Jacob stand? He is so small! <b>Amos 7:5</b></blockquote>
Even more remarkable, God honors the intercession of Amos and relents.<br />
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Amazing.<br />
<br />
But when you start to think about it, prophets often beg for mercy on behalf of God's people.<br />
Moses does in Exodus 32:11 and Numbers 14:11-20<br />
Jeremiah does in Jeremiah 15:1 and 18:20<br />
Ezekiel does in Ezekiel 9:8<br />
Daniel does in Daniel 9:15-19<br />
Jesus intercedes for those who are killing him in Luke 22:34<br />
And Paul tells us that even when we don't know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf Romans 8:26-27<br />
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God desires for us to come to him with the desires of our hearts. To plead for the hearts and lives of those that are around us. To beg for mercy for those that don't deserve it, or have not earned it.<br />
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And the Bible gives reason to believe that God hears and responds to our prayers. Just check out these verses:<br />
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Amos 7:6; Genesis 18:22-32; Numbers 14:11-20; Joshua 7:6-13; 2 Kings 22:19-20; Ps 106:45; Jeremiah 18:1-16, 26:3, 13, 19; and Jonah 3:10<br />
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I am amazed that we have the privilege of going to God with our intercessions. I am blown away that he hears our prayers and responds to them!<br />
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Have you ever wondered why we don't intercede more than we do? We have a God who modeled intercession (Jesus); actively intercedes (The Holy Spirit); and responds to our prayers!<br />
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Amazing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-89220253165286757962013-10-16T06:52:00.002-07:002013-10-16T06:52:32.379-07:00Blinded by the Fame?I often struggle as I read the Gospels. It is very easy for me to become frustrated with the likes of Peter, James, and John who looked into the face of Jesus every day-- and missed it more often than they got it. But as I reflect, I realize that I shouldn't be too quick to pass judgment on them-- after all, I know the end of the story, they were living it minute by minute. Truth be told, I probably wouldn't have been a disciple of Jesus at all... not even an obscure one that's hardly ever mentioned in scripture. I'd probably have been a Pharisee. I don't like that fact, but it's probably true.<br />
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What I am amazed at, as I read the Gospels, is Jesus' patience with his semi-loyal band of zealous followers. Time and time again he speaks words of truth concerning the Kingdom of God, time and time again they find themselves confused, misinterpreting, and disobedient. In those moments, though there may be a sharp rebuke, we see a patient Jesus-- much like a patient father-- re-explaining, re-focusing, and loving his disciples.<br />
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One such instance occurs on Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem. Joining in with crowds of pilgrims traveling to the Holy City for the Passover festival, Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for what was to occur upon their arrival.<br />
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<b>Mark 10:32b-34</b><br />
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<i>... and taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him, saying, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him, and kill him. And after three days he will rise.</i></blockquote>
I have two daughters, and as a pastor, they often find themselves in situations where they are asked to act much older than they are. Emergency hospital visits, visiting the home of someone struggling with God, or countless other such events bring rise to the need for preparation. I can't tell you how many times I've sat down with my girls and explained to them what was going to happen, and how they were expected to respond. It can be a very intense moment as a father. <br />
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I can only imagine the intensity of this emotion-filled minute Jesus shares with his disciples.<br />
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He's going to die. It's going to be bad. I just want to give you a heads up. Don't be surprised.<br />
But don't worry, this isn't the end... I'm going to rise from the dead!<br />
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Now, if your teacher, mentor, and friend had come to you and told you that he was going to die, but then be raised again.... how would you respond? Look at how the disciples respond.<br />
<br />
<b>Mark 10:35-37</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grand us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." </i></blockquote>
Now don't be mistaken. I don't think that James and John are being escatological here. I don't think they are talking about a future, heavenly glory. The Jews had no concept of a two-time messianic arrival. There was no way for them to be thinking of any other Jesus-filled kingdom than the Kingdom that he was going to introduce in Jerusalem when he arrived. Now, if Jesus was talking about his death... well.... then... someone needs to be in charge. Someone needs to be the go-to guys.<br />
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Hence the request-- Jesus, place us as number 2 and number 3 so that once you're gone.... we will be in spotlight. Jesus was about to pay the ultimate price for mankind's sin-- and all they can think about is their own personal glory.<br />
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It hurts my heart to say this. But most of the time I'm no different.<br />
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Jesus has placed before my eyes the very Word of God, and has charged me to carry it to my congregation and the world. And yet, if I'm not careful, the applause that my heart longs for is not the applause of my creator, but his created.<br />
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And I don't think I'm alone.<br />
What do you think? How easy is it for us to satisfy the desire for the applause of mankind? How easy is it for us to seek to please other people around us, our spouses, children, co-workers, neighbors, friends, rather than to seek to please God?<br />
<br />
<b>Galatians 1:1</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Paul, an apostle--<b> not from men nor through man,</b> but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.</i> </blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-68954703052993509692013-10-09T09:06:00.004-07:002013-10-09T09:06:58.442-07:00Thoughts on Pastor Appreciation MonthThis from The Unappreciated Pastor over on wordpress. This hits a little close to home:<br />
<a href="http://theunappreciatedpastor.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/some-thoughts-on-pastor-appreciation-month/">http://theunappreciatedpastor.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/some-thoughts-on-pastor-appreciation-month/</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-8892174570980069142013-10-09T07:33:00.000-07:002013-10-09T08:11:13.506-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fbchayden.com/"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRgUsrg9tg-ob28JaxcoSmevdCOqgcIm3gP8u3bJBtyA0snsRX1qd1S-W2c39rd5tHSRFDkThJfDlokXb6xqdQqD2cBZ62cHqz6xlXlpVBCt1BWQp_1nVOt2a4Dl9_gi5-Snv/s320/BibleReadingLogo+copy.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
So <a href="http://www.fbchayden.com/">FBCH</a> has embarked on a journey in 2013-- a journey where we are pulling our Bibles off of the shelf and reading them. We call it <a href="http://fbchayden.com/events">the 2013 Challenge</a>. Every now and then, the Holy Spirit takes over, and we end up with a coincidence like this one. <br />
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Today's scripture reading is actually my sermon text for Sunday. Check out what <a href="mailto:becky@fbchayden.com">Becky Faulkner</a>, our childrens minister had to say on the church's blog "<a href="http://fbchayden.com/events">The 2013 Challenge</a>" about 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Vs 19 says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” We have spent a good bit of time as a staff, talking about the Holy Spirit. I have come to realize that I can be pretty in touch with the Holy Spirit in my own life and that makes me feel like maybe I am doing something right, BUT I also have come to realize that I can just as easily “quench” it. When I don’t raise my hand in worship even though I am feeling led to. When I don’t consult with the Holy Spirit before I make a decision I know I shouldn’t be making alone. When I don’t spend time in prayer and focus with the Holy Spirit. All of these things build up. Eventually I realize that I have pushed that voice inside me so far down that I can barley hear it. Does that ever happen to you? I know that getting back into my routines and back in touch with that voice isn’t easy but it is always possible and most definitely necessary if we want to experience the true gift God has given us. He wants us to be happy. He wants our decisions to be easier (not easy!) to make. He wants us to have more joy in everything we do. He gave us the Holy Spirit as a guide to make all of that possible.<br />
Have you spent your 5 mins with God, asking Him to “silence all other voices but his?”<br />
Becky</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-31998614214402082912013-10-08T11:00:00.002-07:002013-10-08T11:00:50.650-07:00The Ghost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fbchayden.com/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0g2YmXp9_YRxRibynzwinGR97XjWqlE6x2CbVnsXCf07wukDbDy1sbrrJBZGQA22Y9R6vbVIBx27d-uq0BfsiQs77l8k7B2wVu_AL7RPZaEwRGplZL0PdaPTfYKdiD2F6M_dg/s320/Ghost_Banner_1_preview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't like scary movies. I won't even watch the trailers for the scary movies that they preview at the theaters. I don't understand people that make or watch the television shows chronicling the haunted histories of Civil War battlefields, or 19th century hotels. And on the rare occasions when I find myself camping in the woods around a campfire, I absolutely detest the person that puts a flashlight up to their face and begins to tell ghost stories... about events they portray as real... in THESE VERY WOODS!</div>
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So you can imagine my anxiety when, as a child, I came to church and sang songs about the Holy Ghost. Even after the terminology changed, and the name "Holy Ghost" was replaced with the less-intimidating "Holy Spirit," I was uncomfortable by the idea of God dwelling in me.</div>
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I'm almost ashamed to admit it. Maybe its because I'm a control freak and the Holy Spirit is uncontrollable. Maybe its because I like a fair amount of predictability in my life and the Holy Spirit is rather unpredictable. Either way, uncomfortable is the best way to describe my emotions for a good portion of my life.</div>
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And I don't think I'm alone. As I have prepared for the current sermon series that we are in at <a href="http://www.fbchayden.com/">FBCH</a> I have talked with a good number of people that are quite unaware of or mistaken by the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives... and that makes them just a little bit uncomfortable.</div>
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And that is why we are embarking on this 4 week journey. (As if the depths of the Holy Spirit can be uncovered in a matter of weeks!) Regardless of the seeming futility, we are going to see if we can't uncover some truths and correct some untruths regarding the Holy Spirit's role in our wold and lives. If you would like to listen to the sermon series as we progress, you can download audio <a href="http://fbchayden.com/sermon-series/The%20Ghost">here</a>. If you would like to watch the services either streaming live (Sunday mornings at 8am and 10:30am) or on recorded video click <a href="http://fbchayden.com/live-stream">here</a>.</div>
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So why the web entry? As I was preparing for this series, I came to the realization that the Bible has much to say about the Holy Spirit-- much more than I will say over the course of a 4 week series. I also became aware of how difficult it was to find a good comprehensive look at the scriptures discussing the Spirit. So, I'm going to provide you some resources over the next few weeks. Beginning with what the Bible has to say about the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Who is the Holy
Spirit<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1)<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--> The Holy Spirit is completely God</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Matthew
28:19</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Acts
5:3-4</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->1
Corinthians 3:16</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Is
omnipresent</div>
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</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Psalm 139:7-8</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->e.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Is
omniscient </div>
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</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->1 Corinthians 2:10-11</div>
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<b>What does the Holy
Spirit do?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]-->Plays a role in creation</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Genesis
1:2—The Spirit of God hovers over the face of the deep</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Job
33:4—Elihu says...</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]-->Directs God’s salvation history</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Acts
in conjunction with Jesus Christ—</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Matthew 1:18-20—conception</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 3:22</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->John 1:33</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Directs
the words and actions of God’s people</div>
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</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Mark 12:36</div>
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</span>ii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Mark 13:11</div>
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</span>iii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 1:67</div>
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</span>iv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 4:1</div>
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</span>v.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 10:21</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>vi.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 12:12</div>
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</span>vii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 1:2</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>viii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 4:8</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>ix.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 4:25</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>x.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 13:2</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xi.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 13:4</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 15:28</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xiii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 16:6</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xiv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 19:6</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Plays
a role in the salvation of the lost by filling believers</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Matthew 3:1</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Mark 1:8</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 1:15</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>iv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 1:41</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>v.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 1:67</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>vi.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 2:25</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>vii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 3:16</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>viii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 11:13</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.75in; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.75in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>ix.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->John 20:22</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>x.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 1:5</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xi.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 2:38</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 4:8</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xiii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 4:31</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xiv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 5:32</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 6:5</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xvi.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 7:55</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xvii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 8:15,17</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xviii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 9:17</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xix.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 10:44,45,47</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xx.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 11:24</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xxi.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 13:8, 52</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xxii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 15:8</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xxiii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 19:2</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xxiv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Romans 15:16</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xxv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 11:15—Refilled?</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xxvi.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 13:9, 52—Refilled?</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>xxvii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->1 Corinthians 6:19</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]-->Works in the Life of the Believer</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Encouragement</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 9:31</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Comforts</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->John 14:26</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Convicts</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->John 16:7-8</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Intercedes
on our behalf</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Romans 8:26-27 </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->e.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Reveals
God’s plan and reminds us of his words</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luke 2:26</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->John 14:26</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 1:16</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>iv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 20:23</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>v.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Ephesians 3:5</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->f.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Gives power and spiritual gifts for
accomplishing God’s Work</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 1:8</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 2:4</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 2:33</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>iv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 10:38</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>v.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Acts 20:28</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>vi.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->1 Thess 1:5</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>vii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Hebrews 2:4</div>
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So take comfort: 1 John 4:4 Greater is he who is in us….</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-67235295551679438752012-07-17T10:32:00.000-07:002012-07-17T11:26:48.094-07:00<br />
Exodus 14:1-4<br />
The the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord,” And they did so.<br />
<br />
My two little girls are just now learning how to swim, a skill who’s necessity has been made more urgent by a purchase of a house located on a lake. In our minds, we are wanting to be responsible parents, by not intentionally placing our children in harms way. In short, we wouldn’t want our children to experience danger, so we make every effort to protect them.<br />
<br />
This is a trait that God seems to share with us, as he brings his people of Israel out of Egypt. In Exodus 13:17, we are told that God did not lead them by the way of the Philistines, although it was a closer/shorter route, because the Egyptians had many fortifications along this route, and Israel would have to fight their way out of Egypt.<br />
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But in chapter 14, we see an interesting change in philosophy. God tells his people (who were on their way out of Egypt, to turn around, and to encamp with the sea blocking their way of escape from Pharaoh. Then, through a chain of events that we don’t fully understand, but that involve both Pharaoh and God hardening Pharaoh’s heart, the King of Egypt thinks that they are hemmed in, and begins to pursue them.<br />
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As I read this, I was shocked. God intentionally put His people in harms way. He told them to turn back,<br />
and then sent Pharaoh in pursuit.<br />
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Why would he do this? He gives us the reason. Look at verse 4, The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.<br />
<br />
First of all, we know the story, we know that God parted the sea and drowned the Egyptians. But <span style="background-color: black;">underlying this story is a truth about the character of God that I don’t think we should miss.</span><br />
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<b>God is more concerned about his glory, than he is about our safety.</b><br />
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I find this interesting, because one of the most repeated prayer requests that I hear in church today is for safety. <br />
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We pray for safety of missionaries<br />
We pray for safety of our short-term mission teams<br />
We pray for safety as we travel to the beach<br />
We pray for hedges of protection (Whatever that means) around our kids<br />
We pray for angels to guide us and to keep us safe<br />
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But God seems to be much more concerned about His glory, than he is our protection. The early church seemed to understand this (Read Acts 4:23-31); perhaps we should take notice…<br />
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Join us this Sunday at FBCH (<a href="http://www.fbchayden.com/">www.fbchayden.com</a>) or watch us live on the web (<a href="http://www.haydentv.com/">www.haydentv.com</a>) at 10:30pm as we unpack this EPIC story of the Old Testament.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805930.post-29081456727229095512011-09-19T10:41:00.001-07:002011-09-19T10:41:06.439-07:00Number 6: “There is no ‘rapture’ in the Bible.”<p>Here Stockin words his statement in such a way that although there is some truth to his argument, the truth does not logically lead to his conclusion.</p> <p>Let me explain.</p> <p>He begins his argument by stating that the word “rapture” does not appear at all in the Bible.  This is correct.  In fact, there are a number of terms that theologians use to describe the teachings of scripture that do not appear themselves in scripture.  For instance, no where in scripture does the word “Trinity” appear, yet the consistent testimony of scripture attests to the triune nature of God.</p> <p>The word “rapture” also falls into this category.  It is not found in scripture, and on this note I would agree with Stockin.</p> <p>However, Stockin then draws a conclusion from this fact that is less than logical.  The last paragraph in his argument is as follows: “Simply put, the “Rapture” is not biblically supported, and is a very modern Christian precept with a history going back only to the 19th century.  So where did Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins get their “Rapture” ideas that spawned 16 best-selling novels?  Like most Christian dogma it’s pure imagination, and very little Bible.”</p> <p>Mr. Stockin couldn’t be more wrong.  Although the word “rapture” doesn’t occur within the pages of scripture, it is a concept that is discussed throughout its pages.  The second coming of the Messiah is a major theme of the New Testament, and the reunification of Christ with His Church is a major part of His return.</p> <p>I’ll quote 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17</p> <blockquote><dl><dt><i><b>For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.</b></i></dt></dl></blockquote> <p>But if one passage isn’t enough…. how about these:  1 Corinthians 15; John 14:3; Matthew 26:29; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; Jude 14; and 1 Thessalonians 3:13 ought to be a good place to start.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558087544757608457noreply@blogger.com0