When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. — 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV)
Lord, may I continue to grow in You, and put away my childish impulses.
Well, I’ve been reading, but haven’t been blogging. Bad Jon. We’ll let the bible verse plugin do the work on these days:
I’ve also participated in a couple of really good discussions. First in my Wednesday class, we discussed the first video in ‘The Man I Want To Be’. The video was titled A Man Who Believes, and I was blessed to have two of the men who joined engage in the questions, and get into their hearts, and discuss the “pep-talk” video that encourages us to live each day for Christ.
Last night our Thursday group got back into the bible study meat that I really enjoy. Angie was kind enough to let me borrow her iPhone, and I used that to read and search the scriptures. Kinda handy, but turning pages is probably better. The discussion was awesome.
I have an annoying habit of pushing back against dogma, my hope is to tear apart something so we can better understand it when its put back together (kinda like my approach to electronics — that often have non-optimal results). This past week I’ve been stuck on something in the Daily Walk devotionals, which strikes me as a bit dogmatic. So keep me honest.
The Christian faith is founded upon promises that are contained in a unique book. That book is the Holy Bible. The Bible is a roadmap for life here on earth and for life eternal. As Christians, we are called upon to study its meaning, to trust its promises, to follow its commandments, and to share its Good News. God’s Holy Word is, indeed, a transforming, life-changing, one-of-a-kind treasure. And a passing acquaintance with the Good Book is insufficient for Christians who seek to obey God’s Word and understand His will.
emphasis mine.
Why am I a bit disgruntled with that last sentence? It smacks a bit of scripture worship, instead of God worship. I have a very high view of Scripture. I agree totally with the first portions of that paragraph quoted from above, with a caveat. The caveat is reading scripture is a dead-end, unless you’re allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you its treasures. Pharisees were experts on scripture, but as a group — spiritually dead (ask Paul).
Scripture without Christ (and Scripture is all about Christ) is dead. Want proof, google ‘Atheist Bible’. Some where, some one has compiled a list of scriptural contradictions and have read the Holy Bible with spiritually dead eyes, and as woodenly literal as most atheists claim a ‘fundie’ would read it. They’ll use the same words in which believer’s draw life, and use it to discredit, attack, and blaspheme. (sounds familiar? the Pharisee’s always tried to trap Jesus with scripture too…)
The point is, we need to read the scripture with grace healed eyes, with the blood of Jesus still cleansing our souls, with his redeeming water of life filling our mouth. Without trusting God, faith in Him, his word is dead. Read scripture, as if your sitting on his lap, reading to Him, as your children read their first book, looking up to Him as you read, so he can smile and nod, or gently correct, or guide you to the next great part in his wonderful opus.
We are blessed, indeed, that we can have our own personal copy of God’s word to take with us wherever we go (even in our phones). For centuries believers studied scripture through the filter of a priesthood, not having access to the words themselves, and often unable to read them. Today we must ensure when we read God’s Word, we open our hearts to his council, and let him continually heal us.
I read day 14, but passed on blogging it. It was the sabbath. Really. (okay, so I read it this morning, okay? so stop with the furrowed brow, critical eye thing, m’kay? *)
So getting back on the horse, here is Day 15:
All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. And be kind and compassionate for one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. — Ephesians 4:31-32 (HCSB)
This is a verse that changed the way I communicated. I read it first over 8 years ago, and was struck that so much of my communication was wrapped up in bitterness, I often wrote sarcastic insults, or ignorant slander. It came across completely rude, and looking back I was embarrassed by my tone, and it brought shame not only to my self, but to the Lord. Which is why we must strain to let go of the old self, and embrace the new self. Being kind and compassionate, forgiving — those actions are often foreign to us, in our selfishness we want to hold on to our hurt. That is ultimately harming ourselves.
Yesterday we studied Matt 18:22ff — the parable of the unmerciful servant — and had a really good discussion about forgiveness. Later that night we had a double dose of forgiveness teaching in our ‘Men are like Waffles — Women are like Spaghetti‘ small group. It certainly is clear that God forgives us, so we can forgive others. The study last night had a six step vertical forgiveness process, that showed forgiveness as an act of the will, separated from the act of reconciliation. Forgiveness is for our benefit, it doesn’t require any action on the other party (reconciliation requires repentance, and I think that’s usually two-sided repentance, since rarely is there harm done in only a singular one action way), it doesn’t require you forget or just let-it-go, instead you need to embrace the hurt a bit, then give it piece by piece to God, placing it in the proper perspective. He can only forgive others, because God first forgave us.
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord, and not for me. — Colossians 3:23 (HCSB)
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence, and if there is any praise — dwell on these things. — Philippians 4:8 (HCSB)
What if we did dwell on these things? What do we often dwell on instead? These things seem pleasant, why do we so often dwell on the unpleasant?
My friend debily had a post last week entitled Threads of Gratitude, which Angie read, but I skimmed. To my chagrin, I don’t dwell enough on the gratitude I have for my wife, my family, my friends, my church, my country. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for all those things, but I don’t dwell on them. Too often I dwell on the small number in my check balance, or the low level of gas in my car, or the long to-do list at work and at home. When I would do better to dwell on all the wonderful things that each day, week, month, year brings.
So I’ll just do that. m’kay. (My wife tried to bully me into listing my top 5 things I was grateful for, but thhhhbbbpppptt on her!)
Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23 (HCSB)
Taking up a cross has a much different meaning today, than in Jesus’ time on earth. In Jesus time it meant you’re on your way to a torturous death. It is a bit of a warning, following Jesus means you won’t be living for yourself anymore, it means you’ll die to your self, and follow Christ. Regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the pain, the humiliation — carry your cross, go take it to Calvary, where Jesus conquered death, and was raised to his proper position of Lord of all.
Do I do that?
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name. O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness everynight. –– Psalm 92:1-2
Okay, thanks for the 2×4. I don’t get to my devotional til almost lunch time, and this is the verse.
🙂
At least it was just a little tap, that mean Charles Stanley didn’t have to rub salt in the wound.
A person with no devotional life generally sturggles with faith and disobedience. — Chareles Stanley
And you know what, after 11 days, I’m finding fatih and obedience a bit easier. You should try it.
Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” — Mathew 14:27 (HCSB)
How often does He speak this to us, in our times of uncertainty, and we don’t hear Him? How often do we miss putting our trust in him, instead of quaking in fear of uncertainty. He who calms the winds and seas is calling to us, to not be afraid, to have courage, to trust in him. May He be my strong tower today.
Most likely MSNBC will squash this YouTube video, because Newt is spot on in rebutting the argument that Obama’s experience in running a campaign is larger than Sarah Palin being a governer.
Newt on the Thrillah from Wassila – Sarah the Impaler
The reporter asking the question, and getting Newt’s response was golden, “um-er, back to you Keith.” Making Keith say he’ll look into it. Okay, great because Olberman is fair and balanced… and remember when the question was posed to Obama, he skipped the top of Governor Palin’s resume, and skipped down to her two terms as Mayor of Wassila, Alaska.
Dude, she’s Governor. Of Alaska. That big state up there with a whole heck-a-lotta oil, and not to mention CRAB. (Sorry, shoutout to my Biggest Deadliest Catch hommies — If Sarah get’s elected can she put Edgar Hansen in the Department of kicking uppity Senators’ asses?)
hat-tip ( Kim@Wizbang )
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. — Proverbs 16:23
This is as important to remember when we’re speaking to strangers as well as family and friends. I sometimes let familiarity excuse me from watching what I say, either out of anger or humor. It’s better to listen and understand before speaking, and let my words be healing with wisdom, rather that scalding with sarcasm or scorn.
The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful — James 5:16 (HCSB)