Monday, May 08, 2006
It's A New Day
You are invited to visit me at my new home on the web. I've been busy getting the posts ready and I'm ready for some guests. Since I haven't heard from you in a while why not take a moment to enter into Our Father's House International Ministries new cyber presence. I'm looking forward to your visit.
Last Chance
It’s Saturday May 6th, 2006 in Bethany, NC. The clock is ticking. Mother’s Day is approaching. This may be your last chance to decide how you will celebrate the one who birthed you. Are you prepared? How will you honor your mother? How will Jesus honor his?
A few miles from the city limits of Fayetteville,NC, the home of the Fort Bragg Air Force Base, the sleepy community of Bethany parked a military tank. It is a constant reminder when I come and go home of the time we are in and the ticking of the clock. A portable billboard advertises community affairs. One day it herald an invitation to attend a play at a local church I was intrigued with the stark contrast and captured this photo. The black letters “LAST CHANCE” against a white billboard took on a new level of intensity in front of the tank. Signs of war and impending threats are everywhere. Is the church in dress rehearsal waiting for the entertainment to begin? Or are we in bootcamp learning to use our weapons of war?
I’ve been laying on a gurney for hours too dazed to go far, too wounded to ignore the message. “Last Chance” The billboard’s empty today but the remembrance lingers. The church is at war. Causalities abound. No one is exempt. Not even me. It’s hard to discern who is acting out a part in a play and who is preparing for war? I walked out of a pastor’s office yesterday afternoon with a pierced side. Oh, struggling one, I was battling for your freedom. I insisted each soldier needed to learn to unlock the code of the Government Issue manual themselves. Even in a Broadway production you have to learn your own lines. ”Other programs have been introduced”, came his response. “and I’m certified to train.”
But sir, “Their questions and their cries tell me they don’t understand. Let’s try a different approach.”
I learned the key to the manual and found how to dig my own fox hole during a time of enemy invasion. I didn’t have to wait until the instructor had time for me. I would have been dead by now if I had.” Oh hungry one, Your cry and my desire had a head-on colloision with his disdain. “Give me a business plan. Who’s going to finance it?” It was obvious from his answers his eyes were closed to the sign and the incessant ticking of the clock. “Last chance.” The church is at war. The enemy has infiltrated our ranks. Sometimes they are right in our own home, our own church.
Mary of Bethany in Luke 10 could well have seen a similar banner the day Jesus frequented her house. She was loved by him but she never took her relationship for granted. It could be her “Last Chance” invitation. Her only opportunity to master the code of her Master. She too found the enemy lurking behind the curtains with an imposter-issued screenplay. “Let me entertain you.” Martha recited her lines as she auditioned for the lead role of the PLAY. But Mary wasn’t playing, not with her relationship with the Lord. She took her cues from Him and Him alone. What do you do when one member of the house, the church, the ministry jockeys for position and the other insists on being trained to hold the Government Issued sword. Any one can recite the lines but can you wield a sword you do not cling to?
The only way out of the house of misery, as Bethany was known, was to choose between religion’s entertainment and uncompromised commitment to the Commander and Chief. Mary felt the side piercing confrontation when the PLAY is staged in her own house. Martha stood in defense of position while Mary chose to sit for defense of the gospel. War, crisis and trials force us to acknowledge the sign of the times. When our eyes open to the desperate urgency priorities must shift. Dishes, dusting and disorder must wait. Sitting at the feet of the Master can not. This could be the last chance to get his code of conduct for the times. We are at war.
The persecuted church in China knows how to survive. You go underground. The early church went house to house. Why? Organized religion and the government of man is rift with imposters. They insist "the PLAY must go on". They beat, stoned and imprisoned anyone who lifted up the true Commander and Chief. Devotion to HIM and His Word meant the final curtain call for their PLAY. They refused the manual of war and discarded with disdain any threat of interruption. They knew their lines. They would not, under any circumstances, give up their lead role.
On the other hand those committed to MANUAL labor, working in concert with the Army Commander were spurned as outcasts. They endured trials, mockings and persecution because they lived, breathed and slept the Word of God. They were looking for every opportunity to present it, proclaim it and see that those who were suffering from stage clerics were set free. Not everyone holding services in paid for facilities and packed out crowds is set for the defense of the gospel. Some are standing in public pulpits to kill us with unbelief. They say, “You are not walking by faith because of where you live and the car you drive.” Is it any different than Martha’s words to Mary? Was she not judging Mary’s faithfulness?
Who is judging yours?
As a minister are you being marred or marked by those you encounter. Are you being judged by the car you drive or the integrity of the Word you deliver? Have you considered the Lord may be purposefully allowing you to drive that car so that you see for yourself the measuring stick of elite imposters? Are the words, “You’re not walking by faith because of where you live.” a mar or a mark? Do they mark you as one who has joined the ranks of Paul, “I know how to abound and how to be abased?” Or do they alert you to enemy opportunists who have not unlocked the code of the government issue manual themselves.
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Heb 11:36-40
My battle-weary friend, if wanderers, prisoners, destitute and afflicted men obtained a good report through faith let me assure you your material possessions nor your circumstances are faith-level measuring devices. Where you live, the clothes you wear or the car you drive are not success indicators. Do not be deceived. We are at war. We must seize what may be our last chance. Do not allow the deceitfulness of riches to choke the Word.
How can signs of war, weaponry and government issue manuals have anything to do with the countdown to Mother’s Day? What do the two have in common? How will Jesus honor his mother during the day of celebration? The Government Issue manual holds the secret key.
My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Luke 8:21
The Commander and Chief has spoken. Are you HIS mother hearing and doing the Word or vying for the lead role in the stage play Entertainment Today? This could be your last chance to choose.
A few miles from the city limits of Fayetteville,NC, the home of the Fort Bragg Air Force Base, the sleepy community of Bethany parked a military tank. It is a constant reminder when I come and go home of the time we are in and the ticking of the clock. A portable billboard advertises community affairs. One day it herald an invitation to attend a play at a local church I was intrigued with the stark contrast and captured this photo. The black letters “LAST CHANCE” against a white billboard took on a new level of intensity in front of the tank. Signs of war and impending threats are everywhere. Is the church in dress rehearsal waiting for the entertainment to begin? Or are we in bootcamp learning to use our weapons of war?
I’ve been laying on a gurney for hours too dazed to go far, too wounded to ignore the message. “Last Chance” The billboard’s empty today but the remembrance lingers. The church is at war. Causalities abound. No one is exempt. Not even me. It’s hard to discern who is acting out a part in a play and who is preparing for war? I walked out of a pastor’s office yesterday afternoon with a pierced side. Oh, struggling one, I was battling for your freedom. I insisted each soldier needed to learn to unlock the code of the Government Issue manual themselves. Even in a Broadway production you have to learn your own lines. ”Other programs have been introduced”, came his response. “and I’m certified to train.”
But sir, “Their questions and their cries tell me they don’t understand. Let’s try a different approach.”
I learned the key to the manual and found how to dig my own fox hole during a time of enemy invasion. I didn’t have to wait until the instructor had time for me. I would have been dead by now if I had.” Oh hungry one, Your cry and my desire had a head-on colloision with his disdain. “Give me a business plan. Who’s going to finance it?” It was obvious from his answers his eyes were closed to the sign and the incessant ticking of the clock. “Last chance.” The church is at war. The enemy has infiltrated our ranks. Sometimes they are right in our own home, our own church.
Mary of Bethany in Luke 10 could well have seen a similar banner the day Jesus frequented her house. She was loved by him but she never took her relationship for granted. It could be her “Last Chance” invitation. Her only opportunity to master the code of her Master. She too found the enemy lurking behind the curtains with an imposter-issued screenplay. “Let me entertain you.” Martha recited her lines as she auditioned for the lead role of the PLAY. But Mary wasn’t playing, not with her relationship with the Lord. She took her cues from Him and Him alone. What do you do when one member of the house, the church, the ministry jockeys for position and the other insists on being trained to hold the Government Issued sword. Any one can recite the lines but can you wield a sword you do not cling to?
The only way out of the house of misery, as Bethany was known, was to choose between religion’s entertainment and uncompromised commitment to the Commander and Chief. Mary felt the side piercing confrontation when the PLAY is staged in her own house. Martha stood in defense of position while Mary chose to sit for defense of the gospel. War, crisis and trials force us to acknowledge the sign of the times. When our eyes open to the desperate urgency priorities must shift. Dishes, dusting and disorder must wait. Sitting at the feet of the Master can not. This could be the last chance to get his code of conduct for the times. We are at war.
The persecuted church in China knows how to survive. You go underground. The early church went house to house. Why? Organized religion and the government of man is rift with imposters. They insist "the PLAY must go on". They beat, stoned and imprisoned anyone who lifted up the true Commander and Chief. Devotion to HIM and His Word meant the final curtain call for their PLAY. They refused the manual of war and discarded with disdain any threat of interruption. They knew their lines. They would not, under any circumstances, give up their lead role.
On the other hand those committed to MANUAL labor, working in concert with the Army Commander were spurned as outcasts. They endured trials, mockings and persecution because they lived, breathed and slept the Word of God. They were looking for every opportunity to present it, proclaim it and see that those who were suffering from stage clerics were set free. Not everyone holding services in paid for facilities and packed out crowds is set for the defense of the gospel. Some are standing in public pulpits to kill us with unbelief. They say, “You are not walking by faith because of where you live and the car you drive.” Is it any different than Martha’s words to Mary? Was she not judging Mary’s faithfulness?
Who is judging yours?
As a minister are you being marred or marked by those you encounter. Are you being judged by the car you drive or the integrity of the Word you deliver? Have you considered the Lord may be purposefully allowing you to drive that car so that you see for yourself the measuring stick of elite imposters? Are the words, “You’re not walking by faith because of where you live.” a mar or a mark? Do they mark you as one who has joined the ranks of Paul, “I know how to abound and how to be abased?” Or do they alert you to enemy opportunists who have not unlocked the code of the government issue manual themselves.
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Heb 11:36-40
My battle-weary friend, if wanderers, prisoners, destitute and afflicted men obtained a good report through faith let me assure you your material possessions nor your circumstances are faith-level measuring devices. Where you live, the clothes you wear or the car you drive are not success indicators. Do not be deceived. We are at war. We must seize what may be our last chance. Do not allow the deceitfulness of riches to choke the Word.
How can signs of war, weaponry and government issue manuals have anything to do with the countdown to Mother’s Day? What do the two have in common? How will Jesus honor his mother during the day of celebration? The Government Issue manual holds the secret key.
My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Luke 8:21
The Commander and Chief has spoken. Are you HIS mother hearing and doing the Word or vying for the lead role in the stage play Entertainment Today? This could be your last chance to choose.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Bible Study: Where Do I Start?
“I don’t know where to start.”
The statement was made in a matter of fact fashion. But I heard the undercurrent. I could not mistake the cry nor ignore the anguish. This morning during my quiet time they echoed into my own heart’s cry to the Father. I was moved by your words. Moved enough to take action.
I remembered thoughts from Luke 1:1-4. A physician takes action. His mission: to bring certaintanty to one man. To accomplish his mission he writes, “That you might know the certainty.” He was obviously moved by one person’s cry as well. This morning the two statements intersect. Yours, "I don't know where to begin." and Luke's. He chose to write a letter. So have I. Why? So you can be certain of the starting point.
We gathered for a luncheon after Sunday morning service. The topic quickly turned to the Word of God. Hunger was apparent, both natural and spiritual. We sat masking our eagerness to eat under the guise of socially accepted behaviour the aroma tempting us from the kitchen. We silently monitored our impatience. The sound from our stomachs, however, exposed the truth. Regardles of our bridled tongues each of us knew we were ravenous. It didn’t matter where we started. We wanted to know WHEN do we start. Let the where follow at the table. Just let me see the spread.
Our readiness to partake of this Southern cooking was strikingly similar to a deeper more silent groaning from within. “Teach me to study the Word.” That hunger intensified as we fellowshiped over a meal. The mouth-watering morsels soon filled us. The undercurrant, however, was unmistakable. “I’m not going to be fuly satisfied until I study the Word for myself.”
I’m encouraged this morning as I pick up my pen and glide across the blank page. Like Luke I’ve chosen to write to someone who needs a starting point. Theophilus needed a letter. A letter from someone who could satisfy his silent hunger. He needed that information on paper so he could fellowship at the table of certainty. That’s my desire as well this morning as I rise to the challenge of passing on to you the answer to that knawing question, “Where do I start?”
Let’s start with the cry. When I get really quiet allowing the words to replay I hear more than actual wrods. I hear the almost restrained low-level panic of someone keenly aware of a deficiet in their life. Someone who is crying out for truth. At the same time there’s an obvious twinge of “I’m alone in this. I don’t have a teacher.”
Well, I have good news for you on all counts. For starters, “I’ve been there.” Knowing I needed to study the Word I approached a leader in my church some thrity years ago. “How do I study the Word?” Their reply was like hitting a brick wall, “You just study.” Like everyone was born with this fully operationally study skill except me. I wanted help. I knew I needed help but my cry was ignored. At least in the ears of the one I had looked to for help.
Perhaps that’s why I can’t ignore the inner cry I heard in your words yesterday at lunch. It caused me to remember my own cry, the anguish and the sense of abandonment I felt when I heard those words, “just study”. Is this what we say to a first grader? Do we tell them just study without some form of understanding? Of course not.
I can not remain quiet to your cry nor ignore your statement. I must write and answer the real question embedded in your words. “Who will teach me?” Sometimes we’re afraid to ask the question openly because we’re convinced we have some learning disability that disqualifies us from being accepted in a normal class setting, whatever normal may be. So we hide behind the curtain afraid to ask for a teacher for fear they’ll condemn us for wanting to be taught. Like we were some how passed over or excluded from the class everyone else took. Or worse yet should have already taken the course.
Let me ease your mind. You’ve not been passed over nor excluded. There is a teacher standing by to instruct you. I’m quite certain you’ve been introduced to this person before. Perhaps your introduction didn’t include a complete resume of qualifications and work history. For those of us who have sat under his tutelage we no longer refer to him as a teacher. We don’t even call him a good teacher although he is. He’s not even a great teacher. He is The Great Teacher. And guess what? He’s conducting classes near you, like right along side you. His mission statement can be summed up with single focus. He is sent to teach you.
According to John’s gospel the Great Teacher has a responsibility. He’s been given a job, commissioned from heaven and assigned to you. His job description is written. Here’s what you can expect Him to do for you.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. Jn 16:13-15
Now that’s good news! The Holy Spirit is under a divine mandate to walk along side you, show you where to start and, if that’s not enough,, he’s responsible for getting you into the truth. What does that mean to you? “Relax, The Lord takes care of you.” (Ps 116:7 NCV) He is responsible. He is your guide. He is your teacher. Doesn’t that lift the burden from your back? I thought it would. What happens now? It’s simple. Just sign up for the course and let the word speak.
Just like any other course you just have to show up for class. Let Him know you are submitting to his leadership and allow Him to answer your questions and prepare you for the tests.
I have found some basic exercises profitable in positioning myself to be taught. For starters,I use a read the Bible through in a year system. When I begin my devotional time I read a section of the Old, a portion of the New, a measured dose of the Psalms and a sprinking of Proverbs. That becomes my daily vitamin pack to make sure I get some basics. I use The One Year Bible published by Tyndale. I rotate the translations yearly. This gives me an overview. As I’m reading I make note of any passage that may jump out. That's where I begin my study, with a quickened word. This portion of my devotional time is for intake. My study time is much more structured and requires a greater degree of focus and intensity.
In my next letter I’ll introduce you to some other Bible Study tools and give you a little kick start to get you to the banqueting table for fresh baked bread.
Feel free to leave you comments or ask a question by using the comment button below. I’m looking forward to sharing with you more and watching you glean from the rich storehouse of God’s Word.
The statement was made in a matter of fact fashion. But I heard the undercurrent. I could not mistake the cry nor ignore the anguish. This morning during my quiet time they echoed into my own heart’s cry to the Father. I was moved by your words. Moved enough to take action.
I remembered thoughts from Luke 1:1-4. A physician takes action. His mission: to bring certaintanty to one man. To accomplish his mission he writes, “That you might know the certainty.” He was obviously moved by one person’s cry as well. This morning the two statements intersect. Yours, "I don't know where to begin." and Luke's. He chose to write a letter. So have I. Why? So you can be certain of the starting point.
We gathered for a luncheon after Sunday morning service. The topic quickly turned to the Word of God. Hunger was apparent, both natural and spiritual. We sat masking our eagerness to eat under the guise of socially accepted behaviour the aroma tempting us from the kitchen. We silently monitored our impatience. The sound from our stomachs, however, exposed the truth. Regardles of our bridled tongues each of us knew we were ravenous. It didn’t matter where we started. We wanted to know WHEN do we start. Let the where follow at the table. Just let me see the spread.
Our readiness to partake of this Southern cooking was strikingly similar to a deeper more silent groaning from within. “Teach me to study the Word.” That hunger intensified as we fellowshiped over a meal. The mouth-watering morsels soon filled us. The undercurrant, however, was unmistakable. “I’m not going to be fuly satisfied until I study the Word for myself.”
I’m encouraged this morning as I pick up my pen and glide across the blank page. Like Luke I’ve chosen to write to someone who needs a starting point. Theophilus needed a letter. A letter from someone who could satisfy his silent hunger. He needed that information on paper so he could fellowship at the table of certainty. That’s my desire as well this morning as I rise to the challenge of passing on to you the answer to that knawing question, “Where do I start?”
Let’s start with the cry. When I get really quiet allowing the words to replay I hear more than actual wrods. I hear the almost restrained low-level panic of someone keenly aware of a deficiet in their life. Someone who is crying out for truth. At the same time there’s an obvious twinge of “I’m alone in this. I don’t have a teacher.”
Well, I have good news for you on all counts. For starters, “I’ve been there.” Knowing I needed to study the Word I approached a leader in my church some thrity years ago. “How do I study the Word?” Their reply was like hitting a brick wall, “You just study.” Like everyone was born with this fully operationally study skill except me. I wanted help. I knew I needed help but my cry was ignored. At least in the ears of the one I had looked to for help.
Perhaps that’s why I can’t ignore the inner cry I heard in your words yesterday at lunch. It caused me to remember my own cry, the anguish and the sense of abandonment I felt when I heard those words, “just study”. Is this what we say to a first grader? Do we tell them just study without some form of understanding? Of course not.
I can not remain quiet to your cry nor ignore your statement. I must write and answer the real question embedded in your words. “Who will teach me?” Sometimes we’re afraid to ask the question openly because we’re convinced we have some learning disability that disqualifies us from being accepted in a normal class setting, whatever normal may be. So we hide behind the curtain afraid to ask for a teacher for fear they’ll condemn us for wanting to be taught. Like we were some how passed over or excluded from the class everyone else took. Or worse yet should have already taken the course.
Let me ease your mind. You’ve not been passed over nor excluded. There is a teacher standing by to instruct you. I’m quite certain you’ve been introduced to this person before. Perhaps your introduction didn’t include a complete resume of qualifications and work history. For those of us who have sat under his tutelage we no longer refer to him as a teacher. We don’t even call him a good teacher although he is. He’s not even a great teacher. He is The Great Teacher. And guess what? He’s conducting classes near you, like right along side you. His mission statement can be summed up with single focus. He is sent to teach you.
According to John’s gospel the Great Teacher has a responsibility. He’s been given a job, commissioned from heaven and assigned to you. His job description is written. Here’s what you can expect Him to do for you.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. Jn 16:13-15
Now that’s good news! The Holy Spirit is under a divine mandate to walk along side you, show you where to start and, if that’s not enough,, he’s responsible for getting you into the truth. What does that mean to you? “Relax, The Lord takes care of you.” (Ps 116:7 NCV) He is responsible. He is your guide. He is your teacher. Doesn’t that lift the burden from your back? I thought it would. What happens now? It’s simple. Just sign up for the course and let the word speak.
Just like any other course you just have to show up for class. Let Him know you are submitting to his leadership and allow Him to answer your questions and prepare you for the tests.
I have found some basic exercises profitable in positioning myself to be taught. For starters,I use a read the Bible through in a year system. When I begin my devotional time I read a section of the Old, a portion of the New, a measured dose of the Psalms and a sprinking of Proverbs. That becomes my daily vitamin pack to make sure I get some basics. I use The One Year Bible published by Tyndale. I rotate the translations yearly. This gives me an overview. As I’m reading I make note of any passage that may jump out. That's where I begin my study, with a quickened word. This portion of my devotional time is for intake. My study time is much more structured and requires a greater degree of focus and intensity.
In my next letter I’ll introduce you to some other Bible Study tools and give you a little kick start to get you to the banqueting table for fresh baked bread.
Feel free to leave you comments or ask a question by using the comment button below. I’m looking forward to sharing with you more and watching you glean from the rich storehouse of God’s Word.
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