Friday, August 27, 2010
Global Ministry Center
http://www.ncnnews.com/nphweb/html/ncn/article.jsp?id=10009517
As a denomination of 2 million members in 156 world areas, there are conversations on a variety of topics taking place within the Church of the Nazarene.One discussion centers on "emergent" or "emerging" churches. This subject creates confusion and conflict in some circles. There are several issues related to "the emergent church." Some are helpful and positive; others are problematic and troubling. This is compounded because those who self-identify as "emerging" reflect a wide array of positions and perspectives and differ among themselves. There are authors with a significant readership who readily identify themselves as "emergent church leaders." They are aware of the Church's need to increase its engagement with society. Some are completely orthodox in their theology and views of Scripture, but others embrace positions that the Church of the Nazarene would view as unorthodox and therefore unacceptable.
Some of our pastors, superintendents, and lay members believe that there is a certain segment within the Church of the Nazarene who is embracing a new movement" filled with risks to our theological coherence as a denomination. They fear this direction will only serve to undermine the Church of the Nazarene with heresy. Their concerns are seemingly reinforced by a few "emergent" leaders who have made statements that to them are troubling. These comments reflect theological positions denying several of the basic tenets of Scripture and orthodox Christianity as held by the Church of the Nazarene in our Articles of Faith.
There are others within our denomination, including pastors, superintendents, and scholars, who view the concept of an "emerging" church as a positive and hopeful expression of what it means to be the Church. They are seeking to genuinely come to terms with ministry in a complex and rapidly-changing culture. Their goal is to demonstrate the relevance of biblical truth through incarnational and transformational living. This latter group is deeply committed to the authority and infallibility of the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives, communities, and nations. They are often engaged with the brokenness in society through active, compassionate ministries working diligently to bring renewal, conversion, and transformation.
The Board of General Superintendents neither endorses nor affirms "emergent churches" or leaders who are not orthodox in their theology. The recent statement issued by the BGS clearly articulates the position of the board in completely embracing the Articles of Faith, the values, and the mission articulated in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene. (See "BGS Statements" on the nazarene.org web site.) The involvement of many Nazarenes in this conversation reveals a sincere desire to embrace our missional objectives. They are attempting to reach the emerging cultures around us while clearly articulating an orthodox interpretation of Scripture and theology.
John Wesley, founder of Methodism and a firm believer in the power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify and cleanse the heart of all unrighteousness, was intentionally and forcefully engaged in the social needs around him. In that same tradition, P. F. Bresee established the first "Church of the Nazarene" with a focus on both the physical and spiritual needs of people while calling men and women to make a total commitment to Christ and to the fullness of the Spirit in cleansing and heart purity. This is the objective toward which Nazarenes, including those engaged in ministry to emerging cultures, are committed.
Any conversation of this nature carries with it the risk of being misunderstood or being classified with positions that are not healthy or appropriate. Issues involved in discussions such as these are often complex. The communication is sometimes at inappropriate volume levels. Nonetheless, it is our hope and prayer that those in the Church of the Nazarene who are engaged in this conversation will do so with grace and humility. We believe it is possible to move beyond mischaracterizations, embrace what is legitimate, and reject any unorthodox positions without hesitation. The Board of General Superintendents is engaged in study and conversations with numerous Nazarene scholars, pastors, districts superintendents, and laity on this subject. Each general superintendent continues in prayer and in a careful search for what is true and best in all things related to Scripture and mission. While the Board does not embrace anything that is heretical it does encourage healthy conversations among Nazarenes who are part of a holiness and Great Commission church. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ who lived, died, and was resurrected to save the lost and broken of the whole world. He is coming again, to set to right all things. The mission He gave to His Church was to announce and embody the Kingdom, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, and to visit the sick and imprisoned. His mission is our mission as well.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Emergent Church
I found the following statement on the emergent church from the Board of General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene to be reassuring. One of the main values of this article is that it helps us understand that we cannot paint all who use emergent language with just one brush:
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Unity before during and after Diversity
For 40 days, I have been immersed in what I have come to call "The Promise of July 2, 2010." On That date - in my morning prayers - God spoke to me (not in an audible voice, but I'm just as certain it was him!) the word: "The kingdom of heaven is near." Since that time, He has been confirming and defining just what that means. It is exciting to see the picture develop before my spiritual eyes.
As I prayed earlier this week, God used some passages from Romans 4, The Message, to encourage my faith: "He [Abraham] didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. he plunged into the promise and came jup strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said... Abraham entered into what god was doing for him, and that was the turning point."
At Bethel Nazarene Church we have been praying about obtaining two modular classroom units. At a meeting leading up to our decision, I was asked, "How will you determine what God's will is?" To which I reponded, "I must trust the Holy Spirit to speak to and through The Church.
There is a process that we have been going through:
As I prayed earlier this week, God used some passages from Romans 4, The Message, to encourage my faith: "He [Abraham] didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. he plunged into the promise and came jup strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said... Abraham entered into what god was doing for him, and that was the turning point."
At Bethel Nazarene Church we have been praying about obtaining two modular classroom units. At a meeting leading up to our decision, I was asked, "How will you determine what God's will is?" To which I reponded, "I must trust the Holy Spirit to speak to and through The Church.
There is a process that we have been going through:
- The leadership was made aware of the availability of the modular units.
- The board was given all available information and asked to pray in prepration for a board meeting.
- The congregation was informed and asked to pray as well.
- An informal committee worked together to gather details and costs associated with moving and setting up the modular units.
- The board the was given that information and they were asked to vote on what to do. The board voted to recommend to the congregation that we procure the units. The date was set for the congregational meeting.
- We are now waiting for the congregation to speak (vote) to the issue.
At the board meeting, I shared with our church leaders the following...
It is important that - whatever we decide tonight - we remain united. I must trust that the Holy Spirit speaks in our deliberations and decision as much as He does in my own personal opinion. You must trust that the Holy Spirit speaks in this process as much as He does in your individual opinions. We must respct the Holy Spirit in each other and ultimately in us as a group.
As I have oten said, we must guard against "sanctifying" our opinions." Then, if it doesn't go "my way" I can be OK with it. I can rest knowing that the Lord has revealed His will through the collaboration of the Body. That is how I can then say, "I support the board fully in the direction we have set." And, I can say it honestly. As a matter of fact,I must say it honestly. There must be full support of all our decisions by every member of the board - even by those who are absent! That is how much we must trust the Holy Spirit's work in us. We owe as much to the church. For, if we cannot surrender our wills, how can we ever expect our congregation to do so?
Our people deserve to know that each of us has had a chance to:
- pray
- think
- consider
- express and
- participate (vote)
Then, they deserve to know that the Holy Spirit is so at work in each of our hearts that we - after making a decision (voting) - can set aside human opinions in favor of diving wisdom.
We will be reaching a conclusion tonight about these modular classrooms. Before we do so, however, we must all reach the conclusion that - whatever the outcome - we will wholeheartedly support the will of God revealed through The Church.
Some of you may be thinking,"OK, Pastor, but what do you think? We would like to hear." (Or maybe not! It's a dream all pastors have!)
I have hesitated to express muy opinions too strongly on most issues. I am new here at BNC. You have been here much longer than I and know the people and the community. I have to trust you - and the Holy Spirit in you - to help me hear from God. That said, I don't want to use it as a cop-out either. I will tell you, then, that I am in favor of obtaining these modular classrooms. i feel that God - through the growing awareness of "The Promise of July 2, 2010" - has indicated to me to go ahead and get both units.
Now, we may arrive at a different conclusion tonight. But wherever we end up together I pledge the full force of my support behind the decision that you make.
That concludes my remarks to the board before we entered into the discussion about the modular units. And, as I indicated above, the board voted overwhelmingly to obtain the units.
Now it is up to us - the board and pastor - to reiterate the same sentiment. We have done our best to arrive at a recommendation. You have helped us by your prayers. We must now surrender even this decision to the will of God as revealed through His Church!
What a place to be! What release from worry! What relief knowing that God has it under control. Hallelujah! What freedom is ours in Christ!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Where art thou?
In the beginning days of human history, God went looking for Adam, calling out "Where art thou?" (Genesis 3.9, KJV). Has the questioned changed much over the course of human history?
This past Sunday I referenced Mark 1.21-22 in my sermon: "They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching..."
"They went into the synagogue…" They went to the place where God’s people were meeting. We approach church attendance so lightly these days, but I believe Jesus still has the same habit and pattern: he goes to church on Sunday!
"The people were amazed at his teaching..." Who was amazed? It was the people "in church" on the Sabbath! Now, I know that the church service is not the only place we will find Jesus. But, our casual approach to the services of the church belies an underlying sentiment that missing church is not such a big deal. We won't miss much.
That is troubling on a couple levels. First, it is an indictment against the leaders of the church. It should cause pause to pastors, board members, Sunday school teachers, praise team members. Those of us who pray, plan, and present the services of the gathered Church must feel the sting of rebuke.
But, it is also an indication of spiritual hunger and thirst on the part of this generation. It seems we don't care if we miss Jesus! We know that Jesus said that when even just two or three gather together in his name he is there in the midst of them. But we - for some reason - choose to limp along in our spiritual lives… It’s because we are not serious or we’re not hungry enough to go where Jesus said he would be…
Oh Church! We want to be amazed, but where are we when our Amazing Lord shows up? Like an old preacher friend of mine used to say, “I don’t want to miss. I’m afraid they will ‘cut the cake!’”
They say it’s a generational thing or a post-modern thing… But, I say it has more to do with our spiritual appetites! The early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching… But within a generation the church had to be chided: Do not forsake assembling together as some are in the habit of doing…
You want God to bless your house? Sundays ought to find you in his house! You want to be amazed at Jesus? You need to be where he is! With the Church!
Where art thou?
This past Sunday I referenced Mark 1.21-22 in my sermon: "They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching..."
"They went into the synagogue…" They went to the place where God’s people were meeting. We approach church attendance so lightly these days, but I believe Jesus still has the same habit and pattern: he goes to church on Sunday!
"The people were amazed at his teaching..." Who was amazed? It was the people "in church" on the Sabbath! Now, I know that the church service is not the only place we will find Jesus. But, our casual approach to the services of the church belies an underlying sentiment that missing church is not such a big deal. We won't miss much.
That is troubling on a couple levels. First, it is an indictment against the leaders of the church. It should cause pause to pastors, board members, Sunday school teachers, praise team members. Those of us who pray, plan, and present the services of the gathered Church must feel the sting of rebuke.
But, it is also an indication of spiritual hunger and thirst on the part of this generation. It seems we don't care if we miss Jesus! We know that Jesus said that when even just two or three gather together in his name he is there in the midst of them. But we - for some reason - choose to limp along in our spiritual lives… It’s because we are not serious or we’re not hungry enough to go where Jesus said he would be…
Oh Church! We want to be amazed, but where are we when our Amazing Lord shows up? Like an old preacher friend of mine used to say, “I don’t want to miss. I’m afraid they will ‘cut the cake!’”
They say it’s a generational thing or a post-modern thing… But, I say it has more to do with our spiritual appetites! The early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching… But within a generation the church had to be chided: Do not forsake assembling together as some are in the habit of doing…
You want God to bless your house? Sundays ought to find you in his house! You want to be amazed at Jesus? You need to be where he is! With the Church!
Where art thou?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tribute to a Friend
One of my dearest friends on earth passed away Monday morning. Don was a giant of a man: a man of faith, wisdom and insight; a philosopher and a scholar until the day he died. He finally succumbed to age and Parkinson’s. He was my kids’ grandfather-in-residence while we were raising our girls far away from family. We joined together with him and Marian, his wife, and two of his daighters as they were planting the Nazarene Church in Laurinburg, NC. That was the church I was in when God called me to preach.
Don’s shadow was the one resting over me as I prepared for ministry. Much of what I am today as a pastor can be traced directly to the sharp insight, challenging words, and skillful hands of Don Ekis. I have never gotten away from those probing conversations. Nor do I ever want to. Last spring, Lana and I planned to see him on our way to SC. When I contacted Marian, she responded, we are leaving that very day to go to Texas to be near Carolyn. Oh, no! I didn’t want to think of it, but I felt in my heart, “I’ll never see Don on this earth again.” Still, I held some glimmer of hope that somehow, somewhere, sometime, I would. On Monday, that hope was gone. It was over.
But, that hope is in heaven with Jesus! I will have to await my own arrival there for another conversation. But, thanks be to God, in Jesus it’s never over!
The Bible teaches us that God is leading us “in triumphal procession.” He is changing us from glory to glory. What was the former glory is nothing compared to the surpassing glory that is ahead. Thanks, Don, for showing us the way.
Don’s shadow was the one resting over me as I prepared for ministry. Much of what I am today as a pastor can be traced directly to the sharp insight, challenging words, and skillful hands of Don Ekis. I have never gotten away from those probing conversations. Nor do I ever want to. Last spring, Lana and I planned to see him on our way to SC. When I contacted Marian, she responded, we are leaving that very day to go to Texas to be near Carolyn. Oh, no! I didn’t want to think of it, but I felt in my heart, “I’ll never see Don on this earth again.” Still, I held some glimmer of hope that somehow, somewhere, sometime, I would. On Monday, that hope was gone. It was over.
But, that hope is in heaven with Jesus! I will have to await my own arrival there for another conversation. But, thanks be to God, in Jesus it’s never over!
The Bible teaches us that God is leading us “in triumphal procession.” He is changing us from glory to glory. What was the former glory is nothing compared to the surpassing glory that is ahead. Thanks, Don, for showing us the way.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wisdom
In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable to teach us about the Kingdom of heaven:
When I was a child I learned the little chorus at Vacation Bible School: "Give me oil in my lamp; keep me burning..." I'm glad that I was taught that song. That is a good sentiment for children of the Kingdom to have.
Do you have oil in your lamp? If you are wise you do. If you are wise, you will seek to understand just what that means and how you can accomplish it in your life.
God does not move on our timetable. As a matter of fact, he is not nearly as concerned about time as we are. He often delays his movement, but never without reason. As you wait for him to fulfill his purpose in your life, keep on trusting him - and keep oil in your lamp! Through a steady diet of prayer and God's Word you will keep your lamps filled. Prayer and God's Word are the jars in which we carry the oil of God's Spirit. If we fill up at the beginning of the day, we will have enough to get us through the day and the long night. But be careful! Do not think that you can do it just once and be done. When our lamps burn, they consume oil. We must fill them each and every day!
I have a friend who is facing a trial similar to the one I faced in 2008. When I saw him at a recent conference he shared with me all that has happened. My heart was broken, both for him and his wife and family, but also for my own sake as I relived the dark days from my past in his story. How similar are our stories! I was able to tell him that God is faithful! I remember how hard it was in those days - without any knowledge of what my future held and feeling forgotten by The Church. Yet in the dark night, God had not forgotten me. His presence sustained me. How? Through prayer and the Word of God. I literally spent hours with God each morning. But, oh how rich my life became! What a habit developed in my life! While it seemed to take way too long for me, the oil never ran out, and my hope was never depleted!
Take heart, my friend. God is with you and at the end of the long night the bridegroom will arrive. Keep your lamp filled!
1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
When I was a child I learned the little chorus at Vacation Bible School: "Give me oil in my lamp; keep me burning..." I'm glad that I was taught that song. That is a good sentiment for children of the Kingdom to have.
Do you have oil in your lamp? If you are wise you do. If you are wise, you will seek to understand just what that means and how you can accomplish it in your life.
God does not move on our timetable. As a matter of fact, he is not nearly as concerned about time as we are. He often delays his movement, but never without reason. As you wait for him to fulfill his purpose in your life, keep on trusting him - and keep oil in your lamp! Through a steady diet of prayer and God's Word you will keep your lamps filled. Prayer and God's Word are the jars in which we carry the oil of God's Spirit. If we fill up at the beginning of the day, we will have enough to get us through the day and the long night. But be careful! Do not think that you can do it just once and be done. When our lamps burn, they consume oil. We must fill them each and every day!
I have a friend who is facing a trial similar to the one I faced in 2008. When I saw him at a recent conference he shared with me all that has happened. My heart was broken, both for him and his wife and family, but also for my own sake as I relived the dark days from my past in his story. How similar are our stories! I was able to tell him that God is faithful! I remember how hard it was in those days - without any knowledge of what my future held and feeling forgotten by The Church. Yet in the dark night, God had not forgotten me. His presence sustained me. How? Through prayer and the Word of God. I literally spent hours with God each morning. But, oh how rich my life became! What a habit developed in my life! While it seemed to take way too long for me, the oil never ran out, and my hope was never depleted!
Take heart, my friend. God is with you and at the end of the long night the bridegroom will arrive. Keep your lamp filled!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thoughts to Encourage
Need some encouragement? Need to boost your faith? Turn to 2 Corinthians! I did!
"This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead" (2 Corinthians 1.9b). I read this verse a few weeks ago as I was spiritually preparing for our Sunday service. I had asked people to pray for miracles of healing and deliverance. These wourds encouraged me as I remembered that answers to rayer come about not by my strength but by God's power! And, since God raised jesus from the dead it stands to reason that he can answer any prayer we present to him.
I had also read: "Our hope for you is firm" (2 Corinthians 1.7a). What an encouragment as I prayed for the people of my parish. I have a firm hope for them because God raised Jesus and he also raises us!
And finally: "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4.7). Don't panic or get discouraged over the weaknesses of the body, the vagaries of disease, the limitations of the mind, or the processes of aging. All these evidences of our "clay jars" serve to remind us that the power to work miracles is in God and not in us. How freeing when we realize that we can't do so many things. It's up to God! If we will let it, our very bodies' decay testifies to the power of God... Even in their weakness and mortality they point us to our sure and certain hop!
"This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead" (2 Corinthians 1.9b). I read this verse a few weeks ago as I was spiritually preparing for our Sunday service. I had asked people to pray for miracles of healing and deliverance. These wourds encouraged me as I remembered that answers to rayer come about not by my strength but by God's power! And, since God raised jesus from the dead it stands to reason that he can answer any prayer we present to him.
I had also read: "Our hope for you is firm" (2 Corinthians 1.7a). What an encouragment as I prayed for the people of my parish. I have a firm hope for them because God raised Jesus and he also raises us!
And finally: "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4.7). Don't panic or get discouraged over the weaknesses of the body, the vagaries of disease, the limitations of the mind, or the processes of aging. All these evidences of our "clay jars" serve to remind us that the power to work miracles is in God and not in us. How freeing when we realize that we can't do so many things. It's up to God! If we will let it, our very bodies' decay testifies to the power of God... Even in their weakness and mortality they point us to our sure and certain hop!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
He Had to Go
Well, that was quick. General McChrystal returned today and resigned today. While it was unfortunate that this happened at such an inopportune time, it was necessary for him to go. I'm glad he resigned. His behavior was an embarrassment to the American military. He may not have said extremely incendiary things himself, but he allowed an environment of disrespect to grow under his command. In the military, respect of command is extremely important.
I may not support everything that President Obama does, but here is one thing where I am behind him completely. He did the right thing. McChrystal had to go. Had President Obama failed to "accept his resignation" he would have critically undermined his already weakened ability to lead.
Lack of support of leadership is addressed in the Bible. I read just this morning that I am to: "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith... Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us [leaders]" (Hebrews 13.7, 17-18a). Paul was very supportive of the idea of giving support to leadership: "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (Romans 13.7). Also: "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you" (1 Thessalonians 5.12).
These verses give us the biblical counsel regarding leaders. It's not our job to "fix" our leaders. We are to:
I may not support everything that President Obama does, but here is one thing where I am behind him completely. He did the right thing. McChrystal had to go. Had President Obama failed to "accept his resignation" he would have critically undermined his already weakened ability to lead.
Lack of support of leadership is addressed in the Bible. I read just this morning that I am to: "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith... Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us [leaders]" (Hebrews 13.7, 17-18a). Paul was very supportive of the idea of giving support to leadership: "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (Romans 13.7). Also: "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you" (1 Thessalonians 5.12).
These verses give us the biblical counsel regarding leaders. It's not our job to "fix" our leaders. We are to:
- Remember them (Hebrews 13.7)
- Obey them (Hebrews 13.17)
- Pray for them (Hebrews 13.18)
- Respect them (Romans 13.7 and 1 Thessalonians 5.12)
I've been in a position where those who report to me have failed to follow this biblical instruction. It always leads to confusion and pain. I also have been in positions where I could not stay because I was unable to follow one or more of these guidelines. Rather than making a fuss, I quietly sought to move out of the situation.
That is what McChrystal should have done. Instead of allowing - even encouraging - a culture of disrespect, he should have cleaned it up or gotten out long ago. Now we are extremely disadvantaged in a sensitive time in the prosecution of the war in Afghanistan. We can only pray that more lives won't be needlessly lost because of this extreme lack of judgment.
We should take a lesson from this moment in history, remembering this in our church relationships as well as our families and places of employment: Remember, obey, pray for and respect our leaders.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Today’s Reflection:
In the devotion book On the Road – which I am reading with my two sons-in-law – Marshall Duke has an article, “Are You Hurricane Ready?” He concludes with “Better check your armor, for certainly a storm is brewing.” Wise counsel. I wrote the following (plus some other stuff) to Jon and Eric.
I remember something I read years ago when I was studying for the ministry. The author said something like this, and I paraphrase: Where you think you are the strongest you are the weakest. You need to be aware that Satan will attack you there because you don’t feel you need to defend that area. I didn’t believe it at first, but years of experience – both as a pastor and as a man trying to follow God – have shown me how right he is. I have learned that it is where I may feel safest that I need to pray most faithfully, “lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.”
Several years ago I began praying – daily – that God would deliver me from certain things. The list started small – I think three things. Soon I added three more things. The funny thing was – I didn’t feel like I could stop praying about the first three. Over the past 5 or 6 years, I have added things occasionally. I actually have a list of them in my prayer book – just the first letters – so it maintains my privacy. I’ve prayed them so much, though, I have them memorized. It is humbling to know that I need so much grace! Today, I have 21 – that’s right 21! – things that I pray for victory over daily.
I use the Lord’s Prayer as my outline for prayer each day. When I get to the part where I pray, “and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,” I pray, “God deliver me from the evils of…” and then I recount each of the 21 things before God. God is helping me, daily, but I continue to need his strength and deliverance. I am so weak, but Jesus is so strong!
I hope you have a wonderful day. And, don’t forget to pray as Jesus taught us: “Lead us not into temptation.”
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Ezekiel 36.25-27: I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws
In the devotion book On the Road – which I am reading with my two sons-in-law – Marshall Duke has an article, “Are You Hurricane Ready?” He concludes with “Better check your armor, for certainly a storm is brewing.” Wise counsel. I wrote the following (plus some other stuff) to Jon and Eric.
I remember something I read years ago when I was studying for the ministry. The author said something like this, and I paraphrase: Where you think you are the strongest you are the weakest. You need to be aware that Satan will attack you there because you don’t feel you need to defend that area. I didn’t believe it at first, but years of experience – both as a pastor and as a man trying to follow God – have shown me how right he is. I have learned that it is where I may feel safest that I need to pray most faithfully, “lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.”
Several years ago I began praying – daily – that God would deliver me from certain things. The list started small – I think three things. Soon I added three more things. The funny thing was – I didn’t feel like I could stop praying about the first three. Over the past 5 or 6 years, I have added things occasionally. I actually have a list of them in my prayer book – just the first letters – so it maintains my privacy. I’ve prayed them so much, though, I have them memorized. It is humbling to know that I need so much grace! Today, I have 21 – that’s right 21! – things that I pray for victory over daily.
I use the Lord’s Prayer as my outline for prayer each day. When I get to the part where I pray, “and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,” I pray, “God deliver me from the evils of…” and then I recount each of the 21 things before God. God is helping me, daily, but I continue to need his strength and deliverance. I am so weak, but Jesus is so strong!
I hope you have a wonderful day. And, don’t forget to pray as Jesus taught us: “Lead us not into temptation.”
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Ezekiel 36.25-27: I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
It’s Not My Job to Entertain You!
Today’s Reflection:
I am reading the devotion book On the Road with my sons-in-law, and we have entered into a thirty day prayer covenant. Today’s devotion on page 21: “Raging Against Wise Judgment” was certainly challenging for father-in-law to son-in-law covenanters! Though the author talks about sexual temptation in his article, the Apostle James certainly doesn’t limit his passage to that narrow focus:
James 1.13-15: When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
How hard it is to refuse to entertain the temptation! My natural desire says: I want to be angry! I want to keep that money I received by accident. I want to talk about my neighbor. But this passage does not let us off the hook ,does it? We, as Christian men and women, must refuse to even entertain the temptations that confront us every day due to our human desires. They become evil desires when we let them drag us away from our pure intentions and entice us to entertain the temptation. Even if I don’t act on the temptation, James says entertaining it is evil and it brings forth sin.
Before they ever become temptation, say to your desires: “It’s not my job to entertain you!” God, keep us pure!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Ezekiel 36.25-27: I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws
I am reading the devotion book On the Road with my sons-in-law, and we have entered into a thirty day prayer covenant. Today’s devotion on page 21: “Raging Against Wise Judgment” was certainly challenging for father-in-law to son-in-law covenanters! Though the author talks about sexual temptation in his article, the Apostle James certainly doesn’t limit his passage to that narrow focus:
James 1.13-15: When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
How hard it is to refuse to entertain the temptation! My natural desire says: I want to be angry! I want to keep that money I received by accident. I want to talk about my neighbor. But this passage does not let us off the hook ,does it? We, as Christian men and women, must refuse to even entertain the temptations that confront us every day due to our human desires. They become evil desires when we let them drag us away from our pure intentions and entice us to entertain the temptation. Even if I don’t act on the temptation, James says entertaining it is evil and it brings forth sin.
Before they ever become temptation, say to your desires: “It’s not my job to entertain you!” God, keep us pure!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Ezekiel 36.25-27: I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Don't Get Bogged Down in the Blame Game
Today’s Reflection:
John 9.3 says, “This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”
Jesus and his disciples were walking along and had come across a man born blind. The disciples were concerned with finding out who was responsible. “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Jesus told them they were looking at it all wrong.
We look at things all wrong so many times. Like the disciples, we try to assign blame and negative responsibility to “the man born blind” or to “his parents” for his condition. That is a
What a great lesson for us today. Wherever we are, we are. Wherever the blind man is, he is. From this moment forward we can concern ourselves not with judgment and criticism, but with seeing God do a new thing in our lives or in the lives of those around us who are “born blind.”
My prayer for today is that God’s work will be displayed and that his glory will be revealed in our lives. What a great perspective! What great hope!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Psalm 119.11: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
John 9.3 says, “This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”
Jesus and his disciples were walking along and had come across a man born blind. The disciples were concerned with finding out who was responsible. “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Jesus told them they were looking at it all wrong.
We look at things all wrong so many times. Like the disciples, we try to assign blame and negative responsibility to “the man born blind” or to “his parents” for his condition. That is a
- Backward looking
- Blame seeking
- Burden bearing
- Forward looking
- Forgiveness granting
- Faith resting
What a great lesson for us today. Wherever we are, we are. Wherever the blind man is, he is. From this moment forward we can concern ourselves not with judgment and criticism, but with seeing God do a new thing in our lives or in the lives of those around us who are “born blind.”
My prayer for today is that God’s work will be displayed and that his glory will be revealed in our lives. What a great perspective! What great hope!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Psalm 119.11: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Monday, January 4, 2010
A New Format for a New Year
Today's Reflection:
I have decided to make a change to my blog in 2010 to reflect a change in my personal reflection time. This year, I am not attempting to read the Bible through as I normally do. Instead, I have committed to the Lord to read the New Testament through each month: 12 times through Matthew-Revelation in 2010. I’ve done that once before, and while it is a challenge, it is very rewarding. With that in mind, I have decided not to publish daily scripture readings. I will continue to post a scripture to memorize.
If you would like to join me in the challenge to read the NT through monthly, here is the schedule I have laid out for it:
God bless you as you read his Word!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Psalm 119.11: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
I have decided to make a change to my blog in 2010 to reflect a change in my personal reflection time. This year, I am not attempting to read the Bible through as I normally do. Instead, I have committed to the Lord to read the New Testament through each month: 12 times through Matthew-Revelation in 2010. I’ve done that once before, and while it is a challenge, it is very rewarding. With that in mind, I have decided not to publish daily scripture readings. I will continue to post a scripture to memorize.
If you would like to join me in the challenge to read the NT through monthly, here is the schedule I have laid out for it:
- Week 1: John and Matthew
- Week 2: Mark and Luke
- Week 3: Acts through 2 Corinthians
- Week 4: Galatians through Jude
- Week 5: Revelation (Have to squeeze it into week 4 in February, as there are exactly 4 weeks in that month!)
God bless you as you read his Word!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Psalm 119.11: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
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