In preparation for a weekly Bible study in which we are working our way through the book of Acts, I was reminded of something that can get lost in the shuffle of growing and maintaining churches.
As the 18th chapter moves into the 19th, we encounter Apollos. He is described as being an "eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures." Moreover, "being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John."
This description of him reminds me of many people who grew up like I did with an emphasis on the primacy of the Bible, accepting Jesus to have your sins forgiven, being baptized for repentance (John's baptism), and then doing the best you can in your own strength to limp to the gates of heaven to present your permanent ticket for entrance. Acts 18:25 had said Apollos has a "fervent spirit," but that was merely a human zeal. Obviously, when Aquila and Priscilla took him aside and shared with him "the way of God more accurately" (18:26), they taught him about the Holy Spirit, which is then the emphasis at the beginning of chapter 19.
When Paul referred to Apollos in 1 Cor. 12, it is clear that he had become well known to the Corinthian church and carried a similar status to that of Paul himself. While we do not know much more about Apollos, he must have had the same emphasis on Holy Spirit that Paul did. If we come short of this emphasis, we keep people in the humanistic effort to do the best they can and miss the reasons Jesus said it was better for Him to go to the Father and send to us the Holy Spirit (John 14-16).
The Gospel is neither complete nor accurate without daily input and empowerment by Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
"Unbelievable"
Yesterday we had a wonderful gift from the Lord. Our grandson, Nicolas (Joseph and Heather's 9 month old) was born with a blocked artery last November. At age 5 days he had to have by-pass surgery with the understanding that they would have to go back periodically to do a balloon procedure in order to clear out scar tissue and allow for growth.
Over the past month tests have indicated it was time for this procedure. So, yesterday they began the procedure, BUT the Doctor stopped because there was no scar tissue where he had seen it during the tests. He said he couldn't believe it. Of course, it is exactly what we had prayed for.
As we shared this great news with people, almost everyone said, "Unbelievable.......no, wait a minute. It's not unbelievable, it's what we asked for from God." It was interesting that most of us responded with "unbelievable." It was the people of faith who quickly realized what they had said and corrected it.
These people know the truth of what Jesus said in Matthew 12:33-37 about the power and importance of our words. It is so important that we listen to what comes out of our mouth because if it is not of the Lord, we need to work on our heart.
Over the past month tests have indicated it was time for this procedure. So, yesterday they began the procedure, BUT the Doctor stopped because there was no scar tissue where he had seen it during the tests. He said he couldn't believe it. Of course, it is exactly what we had prayed for.
As we shared this great news with people, almost everyone said, "Unbelievable.......no, wait a minute. It's not unbelievable, it's what we asked for from God." It was interesting that most of us responded with "unbelievable." It was the people of faith who quickly realized what they had said and corrected it.
These people know the truth of what Jesus said in Matthew 12:33-37 about the power and importance of our words. It is so important that we listen to what comes out of our mouth because if it is not of the Lord, we need to work on our heart.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Lord's Sabbath
When I was a boy, my sister (9 years older than I) made most of what she wore. Often she sewed on Sundays to which an aunt would say, "You're going to have to undo all of those stiches someday in heaven for going against the Sabbath."
Recently, I was reading Brennan Manning's Abba's Child and was interested in his chapter on
"The Pharisee and the Child," which had a focus on the Sabbath. He pointed out that the intent of the Sabbath was not so much about a lack of work (rest) as it was to remember the sovereignity of God with His rulership and stewardship; to memorialize the covenant relationship God has with His people; and, to join Isaiah in making it "a day of delight."
Reflecting on this reminded me of a study and practical application we did on the Sabbath that was a real turn around and foundation setting time in our family. The study involved seeing what God did on His sabbath in Genesis 2:2-3. He rested from His work, not all work, just His. He reflected on what He had done and blessed (sanctified) what He had before Him. In our family we put this into practice by taking an evening every week in which we asked everyone to reflect back on the previous week (particularly as it related to their walk with the Lord) and share it with the family. Then they shared what lay ahead for the coming week. It is amazing how this stimulated each of us to listen to what was going on in other people's lives and make sure we were able to report how we were allowing the Lord to be a part of our own lives. By looking forward we knew what each person's schedule looked like and how to be praying for one another.
Finally, the most important thing we took from the Lord's first Sabbath was the need to bless. After everyone had shared, I would speak a blessing over Betty and she would do the same for me. Together we blessed each of the children for the week ahead. The married couples spoke blessings over each other, since they had already established their own household.
Imagine what it would have been like to grow up hearing your parents speak a blessing over each other and you every week. Practicing "The Lord's Sabbath" of reflection and blessing turned our family around and the Sabbath became a highly anticipated time rather than a dreaded, dull, legalistic experience full of condemnation and guilt.
Recently, I was reading Brennan Manning's Abba's Child and was interested in his chapter on
"The Pharisee and the Child," which had a focus on the Sabbath. He pointed out that the intent of the Sabbath was not so much about a lack of work (rest) as it was to remember the sovereignity of God with His rulership and stewardship; to memorialize the covenant relationship God has with His people; and, to join Isaiah in making it "a day of delight."
Reflecting on this reminded me of a study and practical application we did on the Sabbath that was a real turn around and foundation setting time in our family. The study involved seeing what God did on His sabbath in Genesis 2:2-3. He rested from His work, not all work, just His. He reflected on what He had done and blessed (sanctified) what He had before Him. In our family we put this into practice by taking an evening every week in which we asked everyone to reflect back on the previous week (particularly as it related to their walk with the Lord) and share it with the family. Then they shared what lay ahead for the coming week. It is amazing how this stimulated each of us to listen to what was going on in other people's lives and make sure we were able to report how we were allowing the Lord to be a part of our own lives. By looking forward we knew what each person's schedule looked like and how to be praying for one another.
Finally, the most important thing we took from the Lord's first Sabbath was the need to bless. After everyone had shared, I would speak a blessing over Betty and she would do the same for me. Together we blessed each of the children for the week ahead. The married couples spoke blessings over each other, since they had already established their own household.
Imagine what it would have been like to grow up hearing your parents speak a blessing over each other and you every week. Practicing "The Lord's Sabbath" of reflection and blessing turned our family around and the Sabbath became a highly anticipated time rather than a dreaded, dull, legalistic experience full of condemnation and guilt.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Just Jesus
I have a good friend who is an aerospace engineer. Obviously, he if very intelligent and very technical. When it comes to life and the Lord, he has a statement that keeps ringing in my ears: "When it is all over, we will realize how simple things really are."
So often we complicate what the Lord has made so easy. I know that, as a teacher, I am always trying to help people walk through the steps of solving a problem, understanding a doctrine, or communicating their thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, it seems as though that often complicates things for them because of the tendency to become legalistic about what we learn. Instead of seeking the Lord's simple situation for every situation, we try to force new things into old solutions - in the words of Jesus, putting "new wine into old wineskins."
The other day I was reading the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8. Like so many other instances in Acts, Philip simply "preached Jesus to him," and he became a believer looking to be baptized. I don't know exactly what Philip preached to him, but I have a hunch it was very simple and only involved the birth, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. He probably didn't teach any theology, harp on any doctrines, or give any "steps" to be taken. He just "preached Jesus" and Holy Spirit did the rest. It's not unlike Paul saying that all he wanted to know was Jesus and Him crucified.
I find myself praying, "Lord, help me just preach the simple message of Jesus and leave the rest to You." Before I can do that I must say, "Lord, help me just truly know Jesus, not all the explanations about Him, just Him."
So often we complicate what the Lord has made so easy. I know that, as a teacher, I am always trying to help people walk through the steps of solving a problem, understanding a doctrine, or communicating their thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, it seems as though that often complicates things for them because of the tendency to become legalistic about what we learn. Instead of seeking the Lord's simple situation for every situation, we try to force new things into old solutions - in the words of Jesus, putting "new wine into old wineskins."
The other day I was reading the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8. Like so many other instances in Acts, Philip simply "preached Jesus to him," and he became a believer looking to be baptized. I don't know exactly what Philip preached to him, but I have a hunch it was very simple and only involved the birth, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. He probably didn't teach any theology, harp on any doctrines, or give any "steps" to be taken. He just "preached Jesus" and Holy Spirit did the rest. It's not unlike Paul saying that all he wanted to know was Jesus and Him crucified.
I find myself praying, "Lord, help me just preach the simple message of Jesus and leave the rest to You." Before I can do that I must say, "Lord, help me just truly know Jesus, not all the explanations about Him, just Him."
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Don't Just Do Something
Today I am reminded of a truth I need to practice more regularly.
We've all been told, "Don't just sit there, do something!" Unfortunately, some of us make that a theme for life and spend an awful lot of time doing "dead works," doing something to appear busy or at least avoid being idle. By contrast I like the saying, "Don't just do something, sit there!" This is valuable when sitting there involves waiting on the Lord or entering His peaceful rest. It's painful to think of the times I've been busy doing something and missed what the Lord really wanted me to do, even though the thing I was doing was a good thing.
The problem was that I was doing what seemed good or right, but never took the time to seek the Holy Spirit and hear my assignment for the time. Jesus said it is better for us that He left and sent the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). He goes on to say that the Holy Spirit will speak to us what He hears (verse 13).
As a I child, I was taught to "stop, look and listen" before stepping into a street. That's not a bad idea before stepping into the new "streets of life" of life we face throughout the day, as we walk out our lives. That will enable us to "walk according to the Spirit" the way Paul entreats us (Galatians 5:16, 25).
We've all been told, "Don't just sit there, do something!" Unfortunately, some of us make that a theme for life and spend an awful lot of time doing "dead works," doing something to appear busy or at least avoid being idle. By contrast I like the saying, "Don't just do something, sit there!" This is valuable when sitting there involves waiting on the Lord or entering His peaceful rest. It's painful to think of the times I've been busy doing something and missed what the Lord really wanted me to do, even though the thing I was doing was a good thing.
The problem was that I was doing what seemed good or right, but never took the time to seek the Holy Spirit and hear my assignment for the time. Jesus said it is better for us that He left and sent the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). He goes on to say that the Holy Spirit will speak to us what He hears (verse 13).
As a I child, I was taught to "stop, look and listen" before stepping into a street. That's not a bad idea before stepping into the new "streets of life" of life we face throughout the day, as we walk out our lives. That will enable us to "walk according to the Spirit" the way Paul entreats us (Galatians 5:16, 25).
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A Child of God
I remember the first time John 1:12-13 really dawned on me. It says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Several things hit me: 1) I had rights. All of my life, even as an adult, I had felt as though I did not really have a right to speak up or act without someone's permission. Needless to say, I was pretty weak and sick. When it dawned on me that I had become a child of God, I realized that I had the right to exist and fulfill all of those hopes and dreams stirring on the inside of me. I realized that they were not just a source of conflict, but a calling by God to fulfill purpose and destiny that He had place in me. 2) I realized that I had truly been born again, no longer limited by my human genes and experiences. I was "a new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). I was not bound to repeat the things my family had done and taught because now I was part of a new family. I had taken on a new DNA.....the DNA of Christ. 3) All of a sudden the times Jesus spoke positively about being childlike made it alright to play, have a simple faith in Him without complicated explanations of unexplanable things, have my needs met, and not have to carry everyone else's problems. I didn't have to be tough because my Big Brother Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to do that. 4) Being "saved" meant more than avoiding hell and going to heaven by believing in Jesus. Believing in His name meant becoming like Him by being "born again." Believing was more than a mental exercise, it was a new existence.
WOW!! I'm so thankful to be born of God just like Jesus was. My life is different not by my strong, stubborn will and hard work, but by the new life I have in Him. It makes me have to ask the question, "Have you been born again, or are you just a believer?" Jesus' intent if for you to become a child of God with new rights, new spiritual "genes," new freedom to be childlike, and move toward your personal purpose and destiny by the power of His Spirit working in you.
Several things hit me: 1) I had rights. All of my life, even as an adult, I had felt as though I did not really have a right to speak up or act without someone's permission. Needless to say, I was pretty weak and sick. When it dawned on me that I had become a child of God, I realized that I had the right to exist and fulfill all of those hopes and dreams stirring on the inside of me. I realized that they were not just a source of conflict, but a calling by God to fulfill purpose and destiny that He had place in me. 2) I realized that I had truly been born again, no longer limited by my human genes and experiences. I was "a new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). I was not bound to repeat the things my family had done and taught because now I was part of a new family. I had taken on a new DNA.....the DNA of Christ. 3) All of a sudden the times Jesus spoke positively about being childlike made it alright to play, have a simple faith in Him without complicated explanations of unexplanable things, have my needs met, and not have to carry everyone else's problems. I didn't have to be tough because my Big Brother Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to do that. 4) Being "saved" meant more than avoiding hell and going to heaven by believing in Jesus. Believing in His name meant becoming like Him by being "born again." Believing was more than a mental exercise, it was a new existence.
WOW!! I'm so thankful to be born of God just like Jesus was. My life is different not by my strong, stubborn will and hard work, but by the new life I have in Him. It makes me have to ask the question, "Have you been born again, or are you just a believer?" Jesus' intent if for you to become a child of God with new rights, new spiritual "genes," new freedom to be childlike, and move toward your personal purpose and destiny by the power of His Spirit working in you.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Avoiding Good Things
As I read 1 Peter 2:8 the other day about Jesus being "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense," which He said would even crush some, I was reminded how often we are guilty of AVOIDING GOOD THINGS.
In church we work hard not to offend people, which can be good unless they are offended because we simply speak the truth of God's Word with an attitude of genuine love. In fact, people often "rebuke the spirit of offense," when in reality Jesus has said He will be offensive to many. His offensive truth is a good thing that will set someone free and help them overcome, if they will submit to the truth. We are guilty of avoiding this good thing, when we are overly concerned about offending someone or even rebuke a spirit that is of the Lord. Of course, we are instructed not to offend, but that is about us not being offensive in our attitude and actions. The truth is that the word of the Lord may be an offense and should not be avoided.
I also was reminded that we often avoid "splitting up," when it may be something God can use. For instance, Paul and Barnabas split over John Mark and were even contentious about it (Acts 15:36-39). The result was that there were two mission teams that went out rather than just one. That was a good thing. It would have been nice for Paul and Barnabas not to be contentious, but a good thing came out of it.
These kinds of thoughts make me stop and think about what kinds of "Good Things" I might be avoiding. It is like the purpose of pain, which we often avoid or mask. Pain serves the purpose of warning us, but if we avoid or mask it, we put ourselves in danger of injury.
In church we work hard not to offend people, which can be good unless they are offended because we simply speak the truth of God's Word with an attitude of genuine love. In fact, people often "rebuke the spirit of offense," when in reality Jesus has said He will be offensive to many. His offensive truth is a good thing that will set someone free and help them overcome, if they will submit to the truth. We are guilty of avoiding this good thing, when we are overly concerned about offending someone or even rebuke a spirit that is of the Lord. Of course, we are instructed not to offend, but that is about us not being offensive in our attitude and actions. The truth is that the word of the Lord may be an offense and should not be avoided.
I also was reminded that we often avoid "splitting up," when it may be something God can use. For instance, Paul and Barnabas split over John Mark and were even contentious about it (Acts 15:36-39). The result was that there were two mission teams that went out rather than just one. That was a good thing. It would have been nice for Paul and Barnabas not to be contentious, but a good thing came out of it.
These kinds of thoughts make me stop and think about what kinds of "Good Things" I might be avoiding. It is like the purpose of pain, which we often avoid or mask. Pain serves the purpose of warning us, but if we avoid or mask it, we put ourselves in danger of injury.
Monday, August 11, 2008
First Blog
As I write my first blog, I sense a recovery of something lost a long time ago. God put within me an ability and a desire to communicate with people in a "KISS" fashion. Keeping it simple enough for anyone to understand keeps it simple enough for me to understand. For years I wrote and then produced a daily radio "thought for the day" that kept me fresh and received positive feed back from a number of people. Of course, experiences like the one with the lady who said rather loudly in a store, "Oh, I get up with you every day," also kept things humorous.
So, on this first Monday, I'm excited about a "restart" in my life. I pray anyone reading this will take a minute to evaluate anything they might need to "restart/recover" in their lives. I kind of feel like the "prodigal son" Jesus talked about. He had wandered pretty far away, but his father (God) was ready and waiting for him to come home and pick up where he left off. Today is just a day to come home and clean up so we can begin in earnest tomorrow.
So, on this first Monday, I'm excited about a "restart" in my life. I pray anyone reading this will take a minute to evaluate anything they might need to "restart/recover" in their lives. I kind of feel like the "prodigal son" Jesus talked about. He had wandered pretty far away, but his father (God) was ready and waiting for him to come home and pick up where he left off. Today is just a day to come home and clean up so we can begin in earnest tomorrow.
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