As I thought more about the question Joe Bob asked on Sunday about finding the time for reflection given the busy lives we all have, I have to admit, it has really struck a cord with my spirit.
First off, I really have to admit, that I don't give this a top priority in my daily routine. As much as I know I should, it is not there.
Secondly, it really does need to be there. I did start this morning off with some scripture reading and about 3 minutes of prayer. However, I really need this to be an intregal part of my daily routine and habit. I really need to be intentional about this.
Has anyone any thoughts or experience on how best to do this? What has worked for you?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Faith Alone
Gal. 3:6-96The Scriptures say the same thing about Abraham: "Abraham believed God, and God accepted Abraham's faith, and that faith made him right with God". 7So you should know that the true children of Abraham are those who have faith. 8The Scriptures, telling what would happen in the future, said that God would make the non-Jewish people right through their faith. This Good News was told to Abraham beforehand, as the Scripture says" "All nations will be blessed through you." 9 So all who believe as Abraham believed are blessed just as Abraham was.
The Image here paints a vivid....picture... in the mind does it not? Looking at it invokes my imagination to role play the scene with my only son and myself as the characters and it begs the question: Would I do it? Would I even put my son on the altar and consider it, much less raise my arm with dagger in hand? How strong is my faith? My mental responce is usually "I don't think so Tim."
Question:
How can a Christian tell when he or she has stopped living by faith and started relying on "the flesh"
Saturday, June 26, 2010
How To Focus On God When Times Are Tough
I really enjoyed all 44 minutes of this video, but specifically I wanted to share with you all what really stuck out to me and applied to me the most. Please go to the 30 minute point in the video and watch until about 35 minutes. I think you'll have to copy the link and paste it in your address bar.
http://theresurgence.com/rc-sproul-full-interview
I really liked when he talked about praying and how it helps him quit worrying about his personal problems and helps him focus on God and what He gives us.
http://theresurgence.com/rc-sproul-full-interview
I really liked when he talked about praying and how it helps him quit worrying about his personal problems and helps him focus on God and what He gives us.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Galatians 1:10-2:10
I will not be there this Sunday since I am out of town, so here are my thoughts on this week's section of Galatians.
I've heard many times that Christianity is "just another religion". What Paul is saying is that Jesus is above any culture or religion, and He has authority over all. It’s important that Paul tells them that what he is preaching he did not make up. That is what separates Christianity from every other religion. Other religions are philosophies of men speculating about God. Christianity, though, is about God revealing himself to us so that we know who He is without a doubt. Paul doesn't want people to listen to him because he is anything special or great, but because Jesus sent him.
I’ve talked to people that have the view that Christianity is nothing more than just another form of philosophy. But if it was just another form of philosophy, then we would be able to change Jesus and his teachings because He would be “just another philosopher or teacher”. Paul says that Jesus is God, and when Jesus speaks he speaks with authority.
Another thing I used to struggle with and have seen others struggle with is admitting that other people with different philosophies and religions are wrong. They’ve been very nice, sincere people with good morals and values. But as we know, good qualities aren’t what save us. We’re saved by grace through faith. Just because someone is passionate about their belief doesn’t make it the truth. That is what Paul is saying when he said he was zealous for the traditions of his fathers.
I think sometimes it can be hard to fully understand what is happening at this point in history. Having zeal for something means that you are willing to really commit yourself to it and suffer consequences because of it. We live in such a convenience oriented society that it is hard to understand this. What Paul is doing here would be like someone coming to the U.S. and saying that we don’t need to speak English or have Capitalism or democracy anymore. He is saying that all we need is Jesus.
People love traditions. A lot of religion has become nothing more than traditions. It’s not that traditions are bad, but if they are without Jesus then they have no value. I’ve also struggled with having beliefs, causes, philosophies, and views and forgetting about Jesus. Once again, without Jesus they are worthless.
Recently I heard that one of the greatest arguments for Christianity is that it is not about man searching for God, but that it comes from God. It is not given to us because of anything we do. It is not a culture and not just a church. It is a living God working through His children giving them principles, guidance, teaching, and freedom. We live by grace and the Holy Spirit.
I am continuing to see that Paul’s message is simple. It’s about Jesus. The way the message is communicated and lived out might look different from person to person, but that is ok as long the message is the same. It’s not about rituals and traditions. It’s not about a checklist. It’s not about do’s and don’ts. Its justification and sanctification occurring by grace through faith. It's all about Jesus.
I've heard many times that Christianity is "just another religion". What Paul is saying is that Jesus is above any culture or religion, and He has authority over all. It’s important that Paul tells them that what he is preaching he did not make up. That is what separates Christianity from every other religion. Other religions are philosophies of men speculating about God. Christianity, though, is about God revealing himself to us so that we know who He is without a doubt. Paul doesn't want people to listen to him because he is anything special or great, but because Jesus sent him.
I’ve talked to people that have the view that Christianity is nothing more than just another form of philosophy. But if it was just another form of philosophy, then we would be able to change Jesus and his teachings because He would be “just another philosopher or teacher”. Paul says that Jesus is God, and when Jesus speaks he speaks with authority.
Another thing I used to struggle with and have seen others struggle with is admitting that other people with different philosophies and religions are wrong. They’ve been very nice, sincere people with good morals and values. But as we know, good qualities aren’t what save us. We’re saved by grace through faith. Just because someone is passionate about their belief doesn’t make it the truth. That is what Paul is saying when he said he was zealous for the traditions of his fathers.
I think sometimes it can be hard to fully understand what is happening at this point in history. Having zeal for something means that you are willing to really commit yourself to it and suffer consequences because of it. We live in such a convenience oriented society that it is hard to understand this. What Paul is doing here would be like someone coming to the U.S. and saying that we don’t need to speak English or have Capitalism or democracy anymore. He is saying that all we need is Jesus.
People love traditions. A lot of religion has become nothing more than traditions. It’s not that traditions are bad, but if they are without Jesus then they have no value. I’ve also struggled with having beliefs, causes, philosophies, and views and forgetting about Jesus. Once again, without Jesus they are worthless.
Recently I heard that one of the greatest arguments for Christianity is that it is not about man searching for God, but that it comes from God. It is not given to us because of anything we do. It is not a culture and not just a church. It is a living God working through His children giving them principles, guidance, teaching, and freedom. We live by grace and the Holy Spirit.
I am continuing to see that Paul’s message is simple. It’s about Jesus. The way the message is communicated and lived out might look different from person to person, but that is ok as long the message is the same. It’s not about rituals and traditions. It’s not about a checklist. It’s not about do’s and don’ts. Its justification and sanctification occurring by grace through faith. It's all about Jesus.
The Judaizers in life
So the Judaizers hear about Christ moving in the lives of the Gentiles of the Galatian churches, and of course this will not do they could not have the Holy Spirit just freely moving unchecked (are you getting the sarcasm). In a nutshell they travel from Jeruselem to Galatia to set the saints straight with circumcision and eating the right stuff and observing the traditions. Oh and by the way they needed to let them know how fake Paul is and how he was not commissioned by Christ like the 12 were. Surely our theology is not so highly evolved over 2000 years later that we are above this style of attack, so here is the question:
Who are the Judaizers of your life or our times and what are they saying about our gospel?
Who are the Judaizers of your life or our times and what are they saying about our gospel?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
A Little Exploration
This question can be a loaded one or a sensative one at best, or so it is in my case. Faith is essential in realizing Christ and his nature; -
Jhn. 20:29. Then Jesus said to him (Thomas, one of the 12, was not there the first time Christ appeared to the disciples and declared that he would not believe till he could put his finger in the nail wounds and his hand in the spear wound.) "You believe because you have seen. Blessed are those who believe with out seeing me." NLT or another translation: "...even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." The Message
- Much of the time I woould like to see Jesus manifest himself in tangible black and white ways, like pills to cure my unbelief. " Write it on the wall God", "Speak audibly to me", " Heal this person (or me) immediately Lord". It is obvious that Christ is still in the miracle/supernatural business. So what is he communicating to Thomas? To me? To me I think it is something like this: " Joe Bob, I was here in the beginning, I am here now, I will be here tomorrow. Stay with me because I never have nor will I ever leave you. Know me, talk to me. Give all praise, glory and honor to your father in heaven. Love my children. You will see my face and my wounds. So here is a question to the group:
When did Christ first become real to you - more than just a name or an idea?
Jhn. 20:29. Then Jesus said to him (Thomas, one of the 12, was not there the first time Christ appeared to the disciples and declared that he would not believe till he could put his finger in the nail wounds and his hand in the spear wound.) "You believe because you have seen. Blessed are those who believe with out seeing me." NLT or another translation: "...even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." The Message
- Much of the time I woould like to see Jesus manifest himself in tangible black and white ways, like pills to cure my unbelief. " Write it on the wall God", "Speak audibly to me", " Heal this person (or me) immediately Lord". It is obvious that Christ is still in the miracle/supernatural business. So what is he communicating to Thomas? To me? To me I think it is something like this: " Joe Bob, I was here in the beginning, I am here now, I will be here tomorrow. Stay with me because I never have nor will I ever leave you. Know me, talk to me. Give all praise, glory and honor to your father in heaven. Love my children. You will see my face and my wounds. So here is a question to the group:
When did Christ first become real to you - more than just a name or an idea?
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Urgency of the letter to Galatia
Galatians 6:11 - "See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!"
Not to diminish any of Paul's other letters, but I continue to find it interesting that he wrote this letter by himself as opposed to using a scribe like he did for other letters. It was so important/urgent that this letter got to Galatia as soon as possible. You can sense how worried he is for the people of Galatia and how concerned he is for the health of their church.
Not to diminish any of Paul's other letters, but I continue to find it interesting that he wrote this letter by himself as opposed to using a scribe like he did for other letters. It was so important/urgent that this letter got to Galatia as soon as possible. You can sense how worried he is for the people of Galatia and how concerned he is for the health of their church.
Acceptable For Some, Not For Others
I want to first say that this is something I have been studying and meditating over the past few weeks, so that is why it is fresh on my mind.
Lois mentioned that early on in her walk with Christ she struggled with other Christians being allowed to do things that she believed were wrong. I also struggled with this growing up in a very strict, legalistic denomination. Her mentioning this topic made me think of something, but we ran out of time.
I admit and agree up front that some things are simply not acceptable if you are a Christian. As Christians, we need to be examples of Christ and have that determine what is acceptable and what isn't.
Romans 13:1 says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities," so as Christians we are called to obey the law that the government has established.
But in the next chapter, Romans 14:1-8 says,
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
I see the issue being this: Do I belong to the Lord? Do I love God? Does God love me? Am I a child of God? If so, it is ok to disagree with a fellow Christian and accept that they might do something different than me. But we shouldn't divide over the issue. I believe Paul is saying that God loves all Christians, forgives all Christians, adopts all Christians, and we should simply love each other and not fight over disputable matters.
We all need each other. Weak people need stronger people so that they can become stronger. Strong people need weak people so that they can learn humility, how to serve, and how to give up their freedom.
In Romans 14:9-12 it says,
"For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."
So, we shouldn't judge each other on these disputable matters. Now, if it is in the Bible, that's different. If it is in the Bible, then we are called to hold one another accountable. But on matters that are not in the Bible, we shouldn't judge each other. There still needs to be freedom. It is no longer about who's right and who's wrong. It is about each person's conscience. If you have a strong conviction that for you something is a sin, then as a fellow Christian I should respect your conviction. That doesn't mean I have to have the same conviction, though.
I think this is where verse 13 applies, "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way."
It is a mutual thing. We shouldn't make up rules for each other. In doing so, we are causing the other person to destroy their conscience.
As Guy always says, "There is a God, and I'm not Him and neither are you." We cannot make up rules for other people. All we can do is read our Bible, pray, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. We can all still love each other with our different consciences, while belonging to the Lord. We don't cause each other to stumble or lose our freedom in Christ.
Romans 14:14-23 say, "As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."
I'll close this blog post by trying to lead it back to Galatians. There are really only two gospels. One is a gospel of works, which is a false gospel. This is what had been preached in Galatia after Paul left. The true gospel is that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and none of us have any righteousness of our own. We are only righteous because Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead, not because any of us are great or do anything to earn our salvation. This is where we get justification and sanctification occurring by grace through faith. It's all about Jesus.
Lois mentioned that early on in her walk with Christ she struggled with other Christians being allowed to do things that she believed were wrong. I also struggled with this growing up in a very strict, legalistic denomination. Her mentioning this topic made me think of something, but we ran out of time.
I admit and agree up front that some things are simply not acceptable if you are a Christian. As Christians, we need to be examples of Christ and have that determine what is acceptable and what isn't.
Romans 13:1 says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities," so as Christians we are called to obey the law that the government has established.
But in the next chapter, Romans 14:1-8 says,
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
I see the issue being this: Do I belong to the Lord? Do I love God? Does God love me? Am I a child of God? If so, it is ok to disagree with a fellow Christian and accept that they might do something different than me. But we shouldn't divide over the issue. I believe Paul is saying that God loves all Christians, forgives all Christians, adopts all Christians, and we should simply love each other and not fight over disputable matters.
We all need each other. Weak people need stronger people so that they can become stronger. Strong people need weak people so that they can learn humility, how to serve, and how to give up their freedom.
In Romans 14:9-12 it says,
"For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."
So, we shouldn't judge each other on these disputable matters. Now, if it is in the Bible, that's different. If it is in the Bible, then we are called to hold one another accountable. But on matters that are not in the Bible, we shouldn't judge each other. There still needs to be freedom. It is no longer about who's right and who's wrong. It is about each person's conscience. If you have a strong conviction that for you something is a sin, then as a fellow Christian I should respect your conviction. That doesn't mean I have to have the same conviction, though.
I think this is where verse 13 applies, "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way."
It is a mutual thing. We shouldn't make up rules for each other. In doing so, we are causing the other person to destroy their conscience.
As Guy always says, "There is a God, and I'm not Him and neither are you." We cannot make up rules for other people. All we can do is read our Bible, pray, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. We can all still love each other with our different consciences, while belonging to the Lord. We don't cause each other to stumble or lose our freedom in Christ.
Romans 14:14-23 say, "As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."
I'll close this blog post by trying to lead it back to Galatians. There are really only two gospels. One is a gospel of works, which is a false gospel. This is what had been preached in Galatia after Paul left. The true gospel is that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and none of us have any righteousness of our own. We are only righteous because Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead, not because any of us are great or do anything to earn our salvation. This is where we get justification and sanctification occurring by grace through faith. It's all about Jesus.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Galations 1:1-9 Thoughts & Questions
1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia:
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
No Other Gospel
6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
No Other Gospel
6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Galations Study
Hey Everyone!
We discussed starting a blog so that we can throw around our thoughts and questions. As mentioned by Don in order to get as much as we can out of this we must be connected so this blog will be a tool for us to do so. Please feel free to start a new thread or comment on a previous thread.
I'm looking forward to living life together. I would ask however that we keep this blog to members of our group at the moment. My fear is that to many people may prevent discussion from developing or cause the topic to be side tracked.
We discussed starting a blog so that we can throw around our thoughts and questions. As mentioned by Don in order to get as much as we can out of this we must be connected so this blog will be a tool for us to do so. Please feel free to start a new thread or comment on a previous thread.
I'm looking forward to living life together. I would ask however that we keep this blog to members of our group at the moment. My fear is that to many people may prevent discussion from developing or cause the topic to be side tracked.
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