11-24-13 “ah” it’s thanksgiving

Scripture                           2 Corinthians 4:13-15 & Psalm 100

Thanksgiving

          Thanksgiving is an occasion when we acknowledge God’s abundant blessings. The Jews also expressed their gratitude to God at various times. Three Hebrew words convey the idea of giving thanks: huyedah, yadah, and towdah.

          Huyedah, found only in Nehemiah 12:8, (The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and also Mattaniah, who, together with his associates, was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.) describes a shout of rejoicing. It is derived from hed, a proclamation. The huyedah was a song of jubilation sung by a choir of Levites assembled for that purpose. The cause of their rejoicing was the recent reconstruction and resettlement of Jerusalem. God had fulfilled his promise to restore the Jews to their land. (We got spirit yes we do! We got spirit, how ‘bout you?)

          Yadah applied to an occasion where God was publicly adored. It is related to yad, hand, in the sense of extending the hand in an act of worship. This was also an organized event led by the Levites (Neh. 11:17; Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Neh 12:46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.).

          Towdah, a participial form of yadah, is the term most frequently employed to express thanksgiving. Towdah was offered in public worship (Lev 22:29 When you sacrifice a thank offering to the Lord, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf.  Ps 100:4  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.) or in private devotions (Ps 69:30

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.). It could be accompanied with sacrifices (Lev 7:15 The meat of his fellowship offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered.) and the payment of vows (Jonah 2:9  But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.). Singing (Ps 147:7  Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.), and rejoicing (Jer 30:19  From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing.) were integral parts of towdah. (Col 2:6-7  So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.) Our prayers are to be offered with a thankful spirit (Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Col 4:2-3  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Philem 4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers).  so that God might be glorified (2 Cor 4:15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.).

          As we sit around the table this holiday, we have a huyedah that only the redeemed can sing. With a yadah, our towdah should resound to the glory of God. Our blessings are greater than those given to the Jews; our thanksgiving should be greater as well.

 2 Corinthians 4:13-15

     It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." (Ps 116:10 I believed; therefore I said...) With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

BACK IT UP    2 Cor 4:7-12

     But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."

“ah” it’s thanksgiving

11-17-13 Unchained Praise

Scripture                                         Ephesians 5:15-20

     Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father ‘for’ (“over”) everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

INTRO TO MY STORY

James 3:9-10

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.   Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

Mouthing off to T.W. Cable (2 1/2 hours 7 different numbers to call)

 

PAUL AND SILAS’S STORY

Acts 16:1-12

He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek.  The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.  Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.  As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.  So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.  When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.  So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.  During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

Acts 16:11-40

From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice."

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole family.

When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace."

But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out."

The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.   They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.

CONCLUSION

The time I got it right

I was 16 and in apparently in tune with Jesus on this particular day.

Tell STORY:  The day I got hit in my PINTO – it was unchained praise.

The time I was in that same car in Peoria Illinois and the Spirit of Jesus kept me from slamming into a concrete wall.

The many times in a tough/dark situation and I chose to praise.  Sometimes I get it right – sometimes I don’t but we all need to increase those times we get it right – better for us and for those around us and all for the glory of God.

James 3:9-10

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.   Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

11-03-13 Mary: Model of Faith

Scripture                                          Luke 10:38-42

Time, Trust, and Worship of Jesus are key ingredients for a person of faith.

Mary, Martha and Lazarus – that is the order we give their names – not the order others view them.

From what  your deacons and staff  learned at a conference yesterday, this family of 3 in Bethany – near Jerusalem, was a part of Jesus’ OIKOS – his 8-15 with whom he may have some influence.  How do I know he was a part of his OIKOS – his familial group?  John 11:5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  Notice that Mary’s name is not given by John.  She holds a special place in Jesus’ heart, but the other disciples don’t seem to give her the credit she deserves.  There are people in your OIKOS that others don’t give them the credit they deserve for how Jesus can work in their lives.  Who are the 8-15 people among your relatives, neighbors, coworkers, classmates that you  would call your OIKOS? Your group? Your family and friends?  Which of them do not currently attend church anywhere?  Maybe you have invited 7 times and they have not responded.  Maybe some thought Mary wasn’t really that interested in Jesus.  In each of our stories about Mary, either Martha or Lazarus is the lead off to the story, but she seems to be at the center of Jesus’ heart.  And it is not how we think a person might or might not respond to Jesus, it is about how Jesus responds to that person.

SCENE 1  Jesus visits the home of Mary, where Jesus becomes her teacher.

Luke 10:38-42      As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. (Could opening her home to him mean to his disciples as well? – makes more sense about the preparations.) She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. (This is the perfect picture of a disciple.) But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" (I don’t think her request for help was out of line – it is what she didn’t say that is off the mark.  What if she had said, “Jesus, I can’t wait to sit and visit with you because I love our time together, but I know that you and the others are hungry, you sit and relax, but if Mary could help me for a few minutes, then we can visit while you eat.”) "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

A person of faith, takes time to visit with and listen to Jesus.

How do we do this? Read scripture, pray and meditate.

SCENE 2  Jesus visits the town of Mary, where Jesus becomes her Savior.

John 11:1-46

Jesus was near the place where John had baptized him.

Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." The one you love (part of Jesus’ Oikos).

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."  Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?" "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

Then Thomas said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. Mary and Martha and Lazarus each have their own Oikos (and each of their Oikos showed up – a larger audience for what Jesus was about to do).  Martha went out to meet Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

28 Martha went back and called Mary aside. "The Teacher is here, and is asking for you." When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. When the Oikos who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Oikos who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.  Jesus wept. (Jesus cares deeply for you)

Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 37 But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" LOOK, some people in your Oikos get who Jesus is, some do not and you are the one who can invite them to see him as Mary was doing at this moment – she didn’t have to convince them, she just needed to get them near him and allow him to draw them to himself.)

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. "Take away the stone," "But, Lord," said Martha, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Notice that Mary does not protest – she trusts Jesus.  Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"  The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."  Therefore many of the Oikos who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.  WHO? The Oikos that visited Mary?  Why, she had put her trust in Jesus and they now saw why and put their trust in him as Savior as well.

SCENE 3  Jesus visits the heart of Mary, where Mary anoints Jesus as Lord.

John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Mary went beyond taking time to visit or even putting her trust in Jesus, she worshipped him – humbling herself before him therefore making him her Lord!

4 But Judas Iscariot objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."  He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

SUMMARY

Mary is one of those people of faith whom we see three times in scripture and learn more about her faith each time we see her:

1)    Mary and Martha – Mary has chosen what is right- spending time with Jesus

A person of faith finds ways to spend time with Jesus

2)    Lazarus has died – Jesus asked for Mary to come to him in her grief.

A person of faith finds ways to trust Jesus even when they don’t understand why.

3)    Mary anoints Jesus Feet – pure worship - A person of faith finds ways to worship Jesus – worship that costs something.

MARY: Amodel of faith for her Oikos and for you and me;     Time (teacher), Trust (Savior), and Worship (Lord) of Jesus are key ingredients for a person of faith.

Friendship of Christ

          I had to write to tell you how much I love you and care for you. Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends; I hoped that soon you’d want Me to walk along with you, too. So, I painted you a sunset to close your day and whispered a cool breeze to refresh you. I waited – you never called – I just kept on loving you.

          As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted to touch you. I spilled moonlight onto your face – trickling down your cheeks as so many tears have. You didn’t even think of Me; I wanted so much to comfort you.

          The next day I exploded a brilliant sunrise into glorious morning for you. But you woke up late and rushed off to work – you didn’t even notice. My sky became cloudy and My tears were the rain.

          I love you, oh, if you’d only listen. I really love you. I try to say it in the quiet of the green meadow and in the blue sky. The wind whispers My love throughout the treetops and spills it into the vibrant colors of all the flowers. I shout it to you in the thunder of the great waterfalls and compose love songs for birds to sing for you. I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and perfume the air with nature’s sweet scent. My love for you is deeper than any ocean and greater than any need in your heart. If you’d only realize how I care.

          My Dad sends His love. I want you to meet Him – He cares, too. Fathers are just that way. So, please; call on Me soon. No matter how long it takes, I’ll wait – because I love you.                                           COMMUNION

              39 years ago tomorrow, I gave Jesus my time, trust and worship and he became my teacher, savior, and Lord. 

share the story behind…Blest Be the tie that binds

Here is a short version of it: Dr. John Fawcett was the pastor of a small church at Wainsgate, and was called from there to a larger church in London in 1772. He accepted the call and preached his farewell sermon. The wagons were loaded with his books and furniture, and all was ready for the departure, when his parishioners gathered around him, and with tears in their eyes begged of him to stay. His wife said, ”Oh, John, John, I cannot bear this.” "Neither can I,” exclaimed the good parson,” and we will not go. Unload the wagons and put everything as it was before.” His decision was hailed with great joy by his people, and he wrote the words of this hymn in commemoration of the event. This song, and ”God be with you till we meet again,” are the most useful farewell hymns in the world.

10-27-13 According to the Faithbook, this, then, is how you should pray

Scripture                                 Matthew 6:5-13 (9-13)

Do you believe in prayer and the power of God to whom you pray?

There was a wonderful, elderly, Christian lady. She had very little money and lived in a rundown house, but she was always praising the Lord. Her only problem was with the old man who lived next door. He was always trying to prove to her that there was no God. One day, as the old man was walking by her house, he noticed the woman through an open window. She was kneeling down in prayer, so he crept over to the window to see if he could hear. She was praying, " Lord, you’ve always given me what I’ve needed." She prayed. "And now you know that I don’t have any money, and I’m completely out of groceries, and I won’t get another check for a week." She continued, "somehow, Lord, can you get me some groceries." The man had heard all he needed. He crept away from the window and ran down to the grocery store. He bought milk, bread, and lunchmeat. He ran back to the woman’s house carrying the groceries. He set the bag down on by her door, rang the doorbell, and hid beside of the house. You can imagine how the woman reacted to seeing the bag of groceries. She threw her hands over head and began praising the Lord. "Thank you Jesus," she shouted. "I was without food and you provided the groceries." About that time the old man jumped out and said, "I’ve got you now." She was too busy shouting thank yous to Jesus to pay any attention. "I told you there was no God," the old man said, " it wasn’t Jesus who gave you those groceries it was me." "Oh no," the woman said. "Jesus got me these groceries and made the devil pay for them." She had the right attitude for God.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory; Forever and ever.  Amen.

Matthew 6:5-13

          "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  Last week we recommended not preaching on the street corners – this week the scripture warns against praying on the street corners – so that we do not make a prideful spectacle of our faith.  Put it in the context of the day when the environment was much quieter – no cars or digital noise devices.  Today instead of a street corner – don’t pridefully put your prayers on facebook making yourself look more spiritual than others.  Then how should we pray?

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  This is not removing corporate prayer – this is talking about individual prayer that would make you seem better than others.  Is there more instruction about how to pray?

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  Even though praying a lot seems spiritual – for the most part, God wants you to get to the point – not like a child who says “can I have this 7 times – instead of once and waiting patiently for the answer. “Can I… huh…can I can I…Huh?”  Is there an example of the kinds of things we should pray for?

9       "This, then, is how you should pray:

1)    "'Our Father in heaven,  Begin your prayer by recognizing God to whom you are praying.  He is your Father - Matt 7:9-11   Which of you fathers, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  Address the Father you are speaking with – most particularly you Father IN HEAVEN.  This is one of the reasons we often close our eyes in prayer – to get them off of earth and the things around us and focus on heaven which we see with the mind’s eye.  We are speaking to the King of Heaven where all authority and power and glory lie.

2)    hallowed be your name,  hallowed means holy = worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness.

3)    10 your kingdom come, We are asking that all that God is and represents in heaven – come here and now.  That heaven not remain distant but real and present in this place or circumstance at this particular moment in  time.

4)    your will be done we relinquish our will to God’s will.  This is a hard thing to pray and harder to accomplish.  We are strong-willed children.  How many children say “I want to do this, but I will do whatever you want my awesome parents?”  That is what we are saying to God.  Jesus said it in the garden – he wanted it a different way, but ultimately wanted to follow his father’s will.

5)    on earth as it is in heaven.  Whatever you have cooking in heaven I want happening here on earth.

6)    11 Give us today our daily bread.  KISS prayer - Keep it Simple Stupid.  Ask God to take care of your daily needs but don’t give him a grocery list a mile long.

7)    12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Forgive me of my sins even as I have forgiven others their sins – make sure you are a forgiving

8)    person if you want forgiveness given to you.  Parable of the ungrateful Servant - Matt 18:34-35 …In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

9)    13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.  In other words, I am not strong enough to resist sin, so don’t even put me in the path of temptation – in fact, deliver me – or keep me far away from the evil one.

KJV adds: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

This is a doxology found in later manuscripts which is not part of the teaching on prayer but adds a nice conclusion to the prayer that is certainly in line with scripture but not a part of the teaching on prayer.  It reminds us of the beginning – who are we praying too?  Our father who is the King of the kingdom with all power and glory forever and ever – Amen – So be it!!!

"THE LORD'S PRAYER"

"Our Father which art in heaven."
--- Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying
--- But you called me?

I didn't call you. I'm praying. "Our father which art in heaven."
--- There you did it again.

Did what?
--- Called me.  You said, "Our Father which art in heaven." Here I am. What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like getting a duty done.
--- All right. Go on.

"Hallowed be thy name."
--- Hold it. What do you mean by that?

By what?
--- By "Hallowed be thy name?"

It means... it means... Good grief, I don't know what it means. How should I know? It's just a part of the prayer...By the way, what does it mean?
--- It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before.  "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
--- Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?
--- What are you doing about it?

Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there .
--- Have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.
--- That isn't what I asked you. What about your temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money - all on yourself.

Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as the rest of those people at church.
---Excuse me. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.
---So could I.

I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I'd really like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.
--- Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and me. Some victories can be truly won. I'm proud of you.

Look, Lord, I need to finish this up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.

"Give us this day our daily bread."
--- You could cut out the bread. It would help you lose weight.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize me day?" Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
--- Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you know. That's what I'm trying to get across to you. Keep praying. I'm interested in the next part of your prayer...

(Pause) Well, go on.

I'm scared to.
--- Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.
--- Try me and see.

"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."
--- What about Ann?

See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories about my family. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her?
--- But your prayer? What about your prayer?

I didn't mean it.

--- Well, at least you're honest. But it's not much fun caring that load of bitterness around inside, is it?

No. But, I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I got some plans for that neighbor.  She'll wish she had never moved into this neighborhood.
--- You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. Think of how unhappy you already are. But, I can change all that.

You can? How?
--- Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be Ann's problem and not yours. You will have settled your heart.

Oh, you're right. You always are. And, more than I want to get revenge against Ann, I want to be right with you. (Pause)...(Sigh) All right.  I forgive her. Help her to find the right road in life, Lord. She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it. Some way, somehow, show her the right way.
--- There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?

Hmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all. I feel pretty great. You know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first time since I can remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest.
--- You're not through with your prayers. Go on.

Oh, all right. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
--- Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?
--- Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and the house needs to be picked up. Also, about the time you spend with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive things, perhaps you should re-think the value of those friendships. Another thing, your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for "keeping up." And please don't use me as an escape hatch.

I don't understand that last part.
--- Sure you do. You've done it a lot of times. You get caught in a bad situation. You get in trouble and then you come running to me: "Lord, help me out of this mess, and I promise you I'll never do it again." You remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me?

Yes and I'm ashamed. Lord, I really am.
--- Which bargain are you remembering?

Well, there was the night that my wife was gone and the children and I were home alone. The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would go any minute and tornado warn-ings were out. I remember saying, "Oh God, if you spare us, I'll never skip my devotions again."
--- I protected you, but you didn't keep your promise, did you?

I'm sorry, Lord I really am. Up until now I thought that if I just prayed the Lord's Prayer every day, then I could do what I liked. I didn't expect anything to happen like this.
--- Go ahead and finish your prayer with the doxology.

“The dox who?

---The last part.

"For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen"
--- Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you. I can see what a mess I've made of my life. And I can see how great it would be to really be one of your followers.
--- You just answered the question.

I did?
--- Yes. The thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you truly love me. And I see that happening between us.

Now there is no telling what we can do together Lord, let's see what we can make of me, OK?
--- Yes, let's see... 

Let us pray together the prayer the Lord has taught us and let us pray it with all the meaning and reality it deserves. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory; Forever and ever.  Amen.

10-20-13 The Bible is pointless…

Scripture                                      Romans 10:1-17

          The Bible is pointless…unless you know Jesus Christ personally.  The point of the bible is Jesus.  Your relationship with him, with his other faith-bearers, and with those who do not yet have such faith. 

The apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans 10:1-17.  The letter was most probably written while Paul was in Corinth, and probably while he was staying in the house of Gaius. There are a number of reasons Corinth is most plausible. Paul was about to travel to Jerusalem, which matches Acts 20:3 where it is reported that Paul stayed for three months in Greece. This probably implies Corinth as it was the location of Paul’s greatest missionary success in Greece.  Erastus, mentioned in Romans 16:23, also lived in Corinth.

The precise time at which it was written is not mentioned in the letter, but was about to "go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints", that is, at the close of his second visit to Greece, during the winter preceding his last visit to that city, which would place it in the mid to late 50’s

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (Paul’s purpose was to see people saved from their sin by placing their faith in Jesus – he desired it and prayed for it.) 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.   Zeal without knowledge is a bullet with direction – it can hit the wrong target and bring death. I have known excited Christians who have done more harm than good because they are so excited to share yet have no knowledge of the truth.)  3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (We have a prime example of establishing your own righteous in our community – and it is easy to see how false it is – yet it has just enough truth to make people believe.)  Christ is the end of the law – there is no 2^nd revelation – no more after him.  Jesus Christ and HIS word His word His word are the final authority – PERIOD – THE END!  Rev 22:18-21  I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.  That’s it – it is finished – there is NO MORE!

5 Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."   6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: (What is that word they are proclaiming?  Paul’s purpose and prayer – that people will be saved from their sins by putting their trust in Jesus!)  9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Confess & believe – it comes from a place of knowledge as well as from your heart) 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (so salvation – being saved from your sin – that which separates you from God and eternal life is believed deeply - in your heart and confessed with your mouth – you must say the words, not just think them.) 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."   12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  (Everyone – your background does not matter – your sin does not matter – your imperfections do not matter – they are all made right in Jesus ALONE)

How do people know about salvation – how do they know to put their trust in Jesus?

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Rom 10:14

keerússontos

kerusso; of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): KJV - preacher, proclaim, publish.)

kerux a herald, (especially of the gospel):

kerugma; a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself): preaching.

15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? (Are all Christians sent to preach? Yes – to a degree.  Is that what this passage is talking about? NO!  It is for those who are appointed by God to proclaim the Good News – the preacher.  Are all preachers ordained by God? NO Are the majority in our churches today ordained by God?  May it ever be so. If the preacher is sent to proclaim good news what is the task of the church?  To get people to where they will hear the good news – the gospel of Jesus Christ.)  As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Is everyone who hears the message going to believe? NO!  But is a person going to believe who has not heard?  16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.  For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

FAITH COMES BY HEARING

ROMANS 10:8-17

It is amazing how little people know about the Word of God, especially here in America where virtually everyone has access to the Bible. This was demonstrated by Tonight Show host Jay Leno. Leno does "man-on-the street" interviews, and one night he asked some young people about the Bible. "Can you name one of the Ten Commandments?" he asked two college-age women. One replied, "Freedom of speech?" Leno said to the other, "Complete this sentence: Let he who is without sin..." Her response was, "have a good time?" Leno then turned to a young man and asked, "Who, according to the Bible, was eaten by a whale?" The confident answer was, "Pinocchio." Such misunderstandings while seeming to be humorous are tragic. The importance of God’s Word is reiterated throughout its pages and no more powerfully than in Romans 10:7 where it states, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"

Evangelist and educator, D.L. Moody  said “I prayed for faith and thought that some day it would come down and strike me like lightning. But faith didn’t seem to come. One day I read in Romans that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” I had up to this time, closed my Bible and prayed for faith. Now I opened my Bible and began to study and faith has been growing ever since.”

Bible: True Bestseller

          Do you have a Bible in your home? Probably. Estimates of the number of Bibles sold during the past century and a half are between 2½ and 3 billion copies.

          The second best-selling book during that time, “Quotations From the Works of Mao Tse-Tung,” had only about 800 million sales.

          Who would even try to guess at the number of Bibles sold before records were kept.

          For some, the Bible has been a dust-collecting furnishing in a home. For others the Bible is truly the Work of God – the Word of life.        There are some for whom the Bible has come at great cost.

Shortly before a crack appeared in the bamboo curtain, a number of letters were smuggled out of cities like Peiking.   The letters were sent to the Far East Broadcasting Company and each pleaded with that agency for a special service. The people wanted the station announcers to read the Bible to them slowly enough so they could write it out in longhand.  The “Gospel by Dictation” program lasted for more than decade.

          The best-selling Bible is everywhere … though the human and financial cost varies greatly … as does the amount of use to which each of us puts in the Bible and the value we place on it.

            A certain pastor traditionally ends all of his home visits by reading a chapter from the Bible and leading the family in prayer.       As one visit was drawing to a close, a woman, smiling with a great show of piety, said to her 3-year-old daughter, “Darling, the pastor is going to read to us. Go and bring Mother the book she loves best.”          The little girl raced from the room and soon returned … with a Sears catalogue.

BIBLE son was sent

Pastor Clifford S. Stewart of Louisville, Kentucky, sent his parents a microwave oven one Christmas. Here's how he recalls the experience: "They were excited that now they, too, could be a part of the instant generation. When Dad unpacked the microwave and plugged it in, literally within seconds, the microwave transformed two smiles into frowns!  Even after reading the directions, they couldn't make it work. "Two days later, my mother was playing bridge with a friend and confessed her inability to get that microwave oven even to boil water.’To get this darn thing to work,' she exclaimed, 'I really don't need better directions; I just needed my son to come along with the gift!'"

Salvation – being saved from our sins has come with an instruction book – the bible, but the instructions, the bible are pointless unless they come to us with the son – that is a true gift.