7/28/13

From Gary... The proof of loyalty


Today, my dog Pal peed on the rug.  Needless to say, I was unhappy; especially since I had just taken him out for a long walk and he did his "business" outside, again and again.  So, since he obviously does not have this house training thing down, I will just have to give him a little more supervision.  He will be disciplined in this way until he "gets it".  However, aside from this little hiccup in his life here, he is a great dog.  And one of the most loving creatures I have ever known (and so, by the way is our other dog Buddy).  When I saw the above picture on facebook the other day, I related to it "big time" because this is the way my dogs are with me.  By their actions I know that have great affection for me.  Considering these things, I asked myself the question: How does God really know that I am his disciple?  One way is listed in the following verse...

John, Chapter 8
 31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.   32  You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 

God's word directs, defines and describes a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth.  The Holy Scriptures lead us into the truth and that truth is genuine freedom.  Freedom bought with the price of the sacrifice of God's CHRIST!!!  There are times when it seems that obeying God's word is a hard thing to do, but in reality- it is NOT!  May God help me and all who read this blog to realize that we need to follow Jesus mentally, emotionally, and as a matter of practicality. We need to be bonded in heart to following God,  just as the pictured dog is bonded to his owner, but MORE!!!  Only, don't sleep on your keyboard- you will break it!!!

From Bill Dayton... ENCOURAGEMENT IN SUFFERING



ENCOURAGEMENT IN SUFFERING


In 2 Thessalonians we find that the Christians were still suffering under great persecution. Not only this, but there were those within the body who were claiming that Paul had revealed the Lord’s pending return would be very soon. Our brethren were confused and frightened. In response to these issues, Paul wrote his second letter.
Paul begins by reminding them that their persecution was because of their faith in Christ. Paul encourages them in the effective spiritual practices that can greatly aid them in overcoming the devouring and deceitful schemes of our enemy Satan and his workers on earth. (1 Peter 5:7-8, 3 Cor. 11:3). Paul expresses himself in words of constant thanksgiving to God for His great gift of salvation. He would encourage them by saying: “In everything give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:18) This would naturally be done through constant prayer.
Prayer does change things even if it is merely our mindset concerning our circumstances as God reveals His greater purpose and as we grow in trusting faith. Another aspect of spiritual warfare is found in praising our God. Remember Job? In spite of his great pain and loss he would say: “Blessed be the name of the Lord”

Question: Is your faith growing? Is your patience increasing? Are you better equipped to share your faith? Has God been faithful to never leave you even when we sometimes leave Him? Rejoice! Keep on praying, keep on praising and enjoy the encouragement of spiritual victory every day!

From Jim McGuiggan... WE WOULD SEE JESUS

WE WOULD SEE JESUS

Many years ago in a far away land I got behind a pulpit and the first thing I noticed was the sign: SPEAK UP. I learned later that there was some problem with the audio system. I'm glad I didn't know that until later. I understood the sign metaphorically and thought I was being told to so speak that people would be uplifted by being enriched with gospeling. A great word of exhortation that, for what else are preachers called by God to do? To seduce entire congregations, or segments or individuals within congregations, with our oratory, elegance, education, cleverness, humor, flair, passion, or whatever, is just that—seduction. 
It's not less than that but it's more than that! It's robbery! It doesn't matter that people committed to our care by God as ministers of his Word—it doesn't matter that they don't always know that when they gather together as God's people they need a steady diet of GOD—it's what they need whether they know it or not! And when those who are entrusted with the privilege and responsibility to offer that rather than some substitute they're more than robbing the people—they're mugging them. 
Teaching institutions that so shape their ministers of the Word that those ministers think their business is to "educate" or "inform" or "make them think rationally" are hurting God's people and as a consequence are hurting the world God so loves that he sent his Son to bring them life!
We don't want to be educated unless education is immediately linked to our coming to know GOD. We don't want to be informed unless information brings us more and more into the presence of GOD. We don't want to think rationally unless rationality is immediately connected with knowing GOD for it is in knowing GOD that we live! John 17.3
We don't mind ministers of the Word being educated if it helps them to minister THE WORD. We're not interested in nor do we need to know that the minister is well-read in the fields of rhetorical, literary, redactional, hermenutical, epistolary or other criticism. If all his study doesn't enable him to bring us into the presence of the GOD who is his God and ours—A pox on his education! We don't need him to be ignorant, we fully expect him to be better-read than we are and we'd find it hard to bear if he got the bulk of what he had to say from LEAVE IT TO BEAVER or FRIENDS or the ANDY GRIFFITHS SHOW or the READER'S DIGEST. We want him to spend prayerful time with the biblical text and listening to others who do the same so that he can bring it to us in the 21st century. 
But when he gets behind the pulpit he isn't just another husband or father or friend or sibling or somebody's son! And if he doesn't know that he ought to know it! [Schools again—we have no quarrel with homlietics classes, no dispute about the value of classes on pedagogy but if these classes are nothing but wise advice on "how to" say what you will say they're grooming "talkers" and "communicators" rather than "preachers".] 
It makes no difference if the assembly is tiny and rural rather than huge and urban; it makes no difference if the people in the assembly are too busy to learn or to be interested in learning the high tech stuff that the city dwellers must and choose to learn—whoever they are, what they need to hear is rich truth about GOD for it is in his name that they confront and defy "the world" with a Story! In the pulpit we're to hear a declaration of war against despair, injustice, oppression, betrayal, violence, cruelty, distortion, greed, war-mongering and every other form of evil that frightens and enslaves humanity. And against all that we don't offer "a better way to pursue moral excellence"! We offerGOD, the God who relentlessly pursues humanity to redeem and restore; a God who in faithfulness to his creation purpose has come to us in and as Jesus Christ and who will right all wrongs. [He will! He will right ALL wrongs. Think noble things of God!] 
The pulpit is not the preacher's "stage" on which he is to perform [nor is the platform the "stage" on which worship leaders and choirs are to let us see how much they love God]. Preaching is another act of God's people in an eschatological battle against satanic and demonic powers and the preacher in preaching is, at that moment, leading the charge. In such moments he is making it clear that the true and worthy Lord is Jesus, the Son of God, and that the satanic and demonic powers are the usurpers!
But the preacher who is about his business does more than confront and denounce "the world" in the name of God and his People. Like a skillful poet he gives the trustful hearers the vision of a new world, GOD'S world, God's new creation. Preachers and poets are like seers, they see things the rest of us can't see without help. The "world" that is satanic and anti-God is real [see 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; John 12:31; James 4:4] but so is God's world. In and through Jesus Christ God has brought about a new creation and all who have been drawn to and embraced Jesus live in the new creation. In and through Jesus God has crucified "the world" {Galatians 6:14] and the preacher helps God's People to see the new world. He helps them rejoice in it, to see its glory, to delight in its freedom and to learn the life direction and behavior of that new world. 
In another place and another time I stepped behind a pulpit that had a sign attached, a phrase from John 12.21: 
                                               WE WOULD SEE JESUS! 

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Finding A Way In The Will Of God (Romans 1:10)


                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

                Finding A Way In The Will Of God (1:10)

INTRODUCTION

1. "What is God's will for my life?"
   a. What devout person has not asked a question like this?
   b. Often asked even pertaining to mundane things like one's career,
      where to live, etc.
   -- How can we live in harmony with the will of God?

2. Paul mentioned his desire to live in harmony with God's will...
   a. As he made plans to visit his brethren in Rome
   b. As he prayed regarding such plans - cf. Ro 1:9-10
   -- He sought to "find a way in the will of God" to come to them

[Paul's comments provide an opportunity for us to consider some thoughts
related to the will of God, especially on how to determine God's will
for our lives.  It might be of benefit to first review some...]

I. FACETS  OF GOD'S WILL

   A. THERE IS GOD'S PROCLAIMED WILL...
      1. God has made His will known in many respects - e.g., 1Th 5:18;
         1Pe 2:15
      2. This He has done through revelation
         a. By sending inspired prophets in the past - He 1:1
         b. By sending His own Son - He 1:2
         c. By having the Spirit guide the apostles - Jn 16:12-13; e.g.,
            1Co 14:36-37
      3. It is this proclaimed will of God that we must do to be saved
         - cf. Mt 7:21
      -- That which is essential to know, God has revealed through
         Scripture - 2Ti 3:16-17

   B. THERE IS GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL WILL...
      1. God acts providentially in our lives, as implied in our text
         - cf. Ro 1:10; also 15:32
      2. For such reason we are to pray regarding our plans - cf. Jm 4:
         13-15
      3. Our requests are answered as it may suit God's will - cf. 1Jn 5:14
      -- We may not have certainty as to what is God's providential will
         for us

   C. THERE IS GOD'S PERMISSIVE WILL...
      1. God allows things to happen that are not necessarily according
         to His desired will
      2. He permits people to sin and even hurt other people
         a. He is not pleased, and will one day render judgment - Ac 17:
            30-31
         b. He is able to fulfill His own will, despite such rebellion
            - cf. Isa 10:5-7
      3. God permits people to do things that are indifferent to Him
         a. There are some matters of indifference to God - e.g., Ro 14:
            5-6
         b. Likewise, some decisions we make might not really matter to
            God
      -- Thus not all choices please God, nor are they necessarily
         required by God

[With these thoughts in mind, let's now consider some thoughts on...]

II. FINDING GOD'S WILL

   A. FOCUS ON THE PROCLAIMED WILL OF GOD...
      1. I.e., study diligently to learn what God has revealed
         a. If you don't embrace and practice the revealed will of
            God...
         b. ...what difference does it make to seek areas of God's will
            unknown to you?
      2. The value of focusing on the proclaimed will of God
         a. We will not be ignorant of what is essential for us to know
            and do
         b. We can avoid choices that are clearly contrary to God's will

   B. SEEK ADVICE FROM OTHERS...
      1. Discuss your alternatives with older, mature Christians - Pro
         11:14; 12:15
      2. Consult the wisdom found in the Bible (especially in books like
         Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)

   C. ASK GOD FOR WISDOM...
      1. I.e., pray diligently for the ability to discern wisely - Jm 1:
         5-8
      2. Wisdom is that spiritual insight that enables you to evaluate
         situations clearly, and helps utilize what options and
         abilities you have
      3. Use such wisdom to eliminate what appears less acceptable

   D. COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD...
      1. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord's sake - cf. Ps 37:5-6,
         23-26
      2. Make your plans subject to God's will, both proclaimed and
         providential - Jm 4:15
         a. Give God permission to close the door on your choice if that
            is His will
         b. If He closes the door on your choice, look for alternatives

   E. OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER...
      1. God is not like a train; he is able to run on more than one
         track
      2. A choice may not be between good and bad, but between good and
         better
      3. God can use us in many different ways
      4. If need not choose right away, wait; that will give you time to
         grow and gain wisdom
      5. Whatever your hands finds to do in your existing circumstances,
         do it with all your might

CONCLUSION

1. Our goal should be to "stand perfect and complete in all the will of
   God" - cf. Col 4:12
   a. Especially as it pertains to the proclaimed will of God
   b. Even as much as possible in the providential and permissive will
      of God

2. Epaphras' desire for his brethren serves as a good example; as does
   that of our Lord...
   a. Who taught us to pray, "Your will be done on earth as it in
      heaven" - Mt 6:10
   b. Who Himself prayed, "Not as I will, but as You will..." - Mt 26:
      39-42

Are you seeking to "find a way in the will of God" as it pertains to the
plans in your life?


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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