2x4 to the head

Posted On Sunday, July 3, 2011 at at 6:47 PM by Mark  

Bobby's message this morning was titled Are you listening to God? (1 Sam. 3) Samuel was 8 or 9 years old and was listening for God, as instructed by Eli. Eli, by the way, wasn't. God spoke to Samuel.
Just now I read, "There's a price to be paid. Are you willing to pay it? Cancel every responsibility in your life other than what you believe to be God's will for you. Deliberately refuse any engagement which will keep you from meditation on His Word. We are living in an age which has lost the art of being silent with an open Bible and waiting for God to speak." - Alan Redpath's Victorious Christian Living.

I like that God hits me in the forehead with a 2x4 as needed. I don't necessarily like that it's needed.





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A sorta thanks to Harold Camping

Posted On Friday, May 20, 2011 at at 8:47 PM by Mark  

Everyone's writing about it...why shouldn't I? Harold Camping has predicted May 21, 2011 as the rapture. Doubtful. Though, it could be tomorrow. I see no reason why it can't be. Most people are saying it can't be because Mr. Camping said it is. I don't think that disqualifies the day as if the Father is in heaven going, "Oh, great. Now I have to change the day. Good thing I was the only one who knew. At least I don't have to un-tell anyone." If he were right, doesn't change a thing. Harold Camping won't be standing at heaven's gate saying, "I told you so." It would amount to a lucky guess. But then, maybe God won't allow anyone to publicly guess the date and make a mockery of His Word to those who are left. Those who are left are pretty likely to make a mockery anyway.
Isn't it fun to see what goes on in my head all day?
Anyway, despite not believing Mr. Camping, I find myself asking if I'm actually ready. And then Bible study on Wednesday...same thing (and WOW, I'm so grateful that Nick is with us.).
Does God use people like Mr. Camping to remind us to look up? I get really busy with everyday life. I study the Bible. I go to church. I serve. But am I looking for Jesus through all that? I'm really not...not like I should. I ABSOLUTELY want Him to rescue me. Especially lately at work. I'm in a "I hate my job" cycle right now. There is way too much to do and the company knows it and flat out does not care. When I ask for help setting priorities and expectations I get almost no answer. So, I want Jesus to call me home. But not because I want to be with Him. Or not just because. That's where I want my heart to be. Wanting just Jesus. Just because He's the savior of my soul. Not because He can rescue me from my current troubles.
I've never been one to sit and ponder Heaven. I'm not sure why. I tend to be a pragmatist. It's how my mind works. But that gets in the way of what could be an amazing time of fellowship with the Lord. Contemplating and meditating on eternity with God. In His presence. Worshiping Him. Surrounded by His love. I mean...is there anything "practical" about that? No. But is it amazing? Encouraging? Worth thinking about? Uh, YES!

So, thanks (sorta) Mr. Camping. While you are totally wrong about so many things with respect to your prediction, perhaps you made some people think more seriously about the Rapture and how we are indeed approaching the end of the world.

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I've never known a light bulb to make a sound

Posted On Sunday, March 13, 2011 at at 7:15 PM by Mark  

My wife and I recently refinanced our home to get away from an evil bank and have our mortgage at the bank we use. So I had to call the insurance company for some paperwork. I met the nicest lady on the phone. Her name is Pat. We were lamenting technology while we waited for her computer to catch up with her request and I mentioned that I still write with paper and pencil when I study the Bible. When she heard me say that, she asked if I was a believer, to which I replied, "Yes." So we talked about how the Lord brings people into our lives every day and how that can be so encouraging sometimes. When I mentioned that I teach a Bible Study at work, we started talking about witnessing at work. Apparently some of her friends get kinda militant and tell her she should be standing in the aisles shouting, "Repent!" She disagrees. Me too. My Bible sits on my desk and I read it during lunch, when I get a lunch. I don't tend to hit people with it. I'd rather be an example. Be the best employee I can be. Be compassionate to coworkers. Handle the stress without a meltdown.
That's what Pat is like. She was completely polite, helpful and cheerful while we were on the phone...and that was before she knew I was a Christian. And she left me with what she calls a Pat-ism. While her friends were telling her that she should be shouting from the rooftops, she reminded them that...
"I've never known a light bulb to make a sound."


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Why the scourging?

Posted On Sunday, December 19, 2010 at at 3:17 PM by Mark  

I wasn't going to go to church this morning. I'm really not feeling well. But, my middle son was singing a song with the Sunday School class, so I wanted to go. I'm glad I did (as usual).

Pastor is going through the Gospel of Mark. We're nearing the end. He was teaching chapter 15 today. Mostly concentrating on the utterly ridiculous "trial" of Jesus before Pilate. I mean, please. The chief priests violated nearly every rule of the Jewish law surrounding trials and accusations. Toward the end of service, Pastor talked a little about the scourging of Jesus.He didn't go into it much other than to ask, "Why the scourging when Jesus was going to be crucified?" Why did the Father allow him to be scourged as well? There's quite a bit of prophecy talking about it, so you know it has to happen. But why? Pastor gave the answer I have heard whenever the question is asked. "Because that is what my sin deserved." While I agree, I think there's more. When I watched the Passion - which I can't get through - I was sickened by the beating and scourging scene. Not the blood. With any movie which has a scene like that in it, there's one in Casino too where a guy gets beaten nearly to death with a bat, for some reason the part that gets me is I associate with the victim. You know, imagining what the person must be going through. Don't ask me why I do this, I have no idea. In the Passion, they show Jesus being beaten with rods and then the scourging. He's basically turned to hamburger. And at one point, I thought it was over until they show the guard (or whoever he is) motion to turn Jesus over and continue the scourging to his belly. When that part started, I couldn't watch. What came to mind was not only why did He do this for me, but, "How does one human being do that to another?" Pilate's motivation may have been to try to get the priests to relent, but the men doing the scourging simply didn't care. Perhaps they used the excuse that they were following orders. But scripture says they mocked, spit, punched, etc. They enjoyed it.
And I think that's one reason why Jesus was scourged. To demonstrate what man without God is capable of. We are NOT moral. We do NOT have any good in us. Only in the absence of God could a man disregard one of God's creations in such a way.
And then God began to point out to me how I treat my kids. Especially my eldest. I yell a lot. They misbehave, I yell. God told me that when I do that, I am scourging my kids. I am thinking of myself and what I want them to do or how I want them to act. They don't need to be treated that way. Yes, it's my job to discipline them and to raise them to be respectful, obedient, etc. But I am the grown up and a mature Christian. I should be demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit even in disciplining the kids.
They are God's creation and need guidance, not a scourging.


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My notes from Jude

Posted On Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at at 4:11 PM by Mark  

I'm teaching a bible study at work. We did Jude first, so I thought I'd post my notes.


Jude
This book is a warning about the apostate teachers that will be prevalent in end times. I don’t think there’s much question that this has begun to come to pass. Lots of non-sense going around. Jude will tell us early in the book to be serious about the faith. To guard against these people who make their way into churches and try to draw people after themselves. He gives some history on what’s happened to them in the past. He describes what they are like and he tells us what’s going to happen to them in judgment. He closes by telling us how to defend against the apostate – namely to be grounded in the word and to perform the work that God has put you here to do. As I went through this, I seemed to get side-tracked by the service theme. I know for me, the best way to keep growing is to keep serving. If you’re not serving you’ll end up focused on yourself and while you may not be lined up with the apostate, you will be vulnerable. The apostate isn’t necessarily the obvious sham. Satan more clever than that. Jude describes them as hidden reefs. You don’t even see them until they smash your ship. Staying in service, in God’s will, is one of the best defenses against them because you are being built up so you will be less likely to fall for any of their tricks.

v1 written to believers (preserved, called)
Preserved – How are we preserved? B/c you said a prayer? B/c you go to church?
NOPE: It’s b/c you do what He says.
        Deut 6:24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
        Ps 37:27-28 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
Called – what does it mean to be called? It actually means a lot of things.
        1. Having your eyes opened. Eph 1:18-19 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Why?
        2. You are called for a reason. That’s a good thing. Gives you purpose.
        Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
         We each have a particular vocation (job) that we are gifted for. Everyone’s is unique. Even if it’s the same gift or job, the performing of it will vary based on the individual and how the Holy Spirit sees fit for that time/place/situation. (1 Cor 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.) This is a whole separate topic…not sure it’s appropriate here. Rom. 12:4-8.
        3. To be glorified in eternity. How much God loves you is:
2Th 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
        This is also the process we go through while we are on the earth. The perfecting of the saints. You were called to assist other Christians in their perfection…completeness, being all you are supposed to be in Christ and for His kingdom. Again, not just waiting around for Jesus to call us to Heaven.
        4. According to God’s plan and purpose before the world began.
2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2Ti 1:10  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
2Ti 1:11  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
        This starts to morph into a gifts of the spirit or predestination discussion…more dangerous ground I will only cover if you want me to. Suffice it to say that there has been enough division in the body of Christ over gifts & predestination that I am not sure I want to go there right now. There’s always a lot of jealousy, manipulation and division when the false teachers (what this book is about) get going on these topics. And they use them to tear up the church.
        I’d rather encourage everyone to choose to live for Christ and find their gifts and use them. I’m not convinced you’ll be satisfied until you do.
1Co 9:16  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!


v3 Earnestly – with passion, with a sense of urgency.
        Our society is chipping away piece by piece at the Gospel. Some of that is because we allow it in the church as well. (Remember what this book is about…apostates)
        Contend – fight for. Not just defending. Be instructed and built up. Then beware of the false teachers and take them on. Does that mean face to face confrontations? I don’t know. I’ve done that and I think all I did was prove Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee. One very effective way to contend with these individuals isn’t taking them head-on. It’s using your gifts to build up others. If you share the truth with someone who’s been lied to, they will notice the difference. And the Holy Spirit will reveal to them the truth.
 How do you do that? By being grounded in the gospel and having as your goal the perfecting of the saints around you. Anyone not sharing that goal is a false teacher and their teachings will become clear because they contrast the truth. The gospel and a self-seeking heart are mutually exclusive.

v5. The Lord did not allow the doubters to go into the promised land.
        Psalm 106 recalls the praise-complain cycles of Israel. But God never turns away from them, or from us.

v7 Sodom and Gomorrah are a temporal example of the eternal punishment awaiting the ungodly.

v8 Unlike Michael, these people rely on their own authority. They think they have power or a system or a method, etc.
But even Michael admits his power comes from the Lord.

v10 some people just don’t want to listen to reproof. They think they know what’s best. So they go off doing “what’s right in their own eyes.” and are destroyed.
        Prov. 3:5 Lean not on your own understanding.
        Prov. 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

v11 Balaam Numbers 22
        Balak sends his messengers to Balaam to ask him to curse Israel. He doesn’t go, so Balak sends a second group with more honor than the first. This time, Balaam goes, against God’s wishes. So God sends an angel to block his path. Balaam is so messed up with his greed that he doesn’t even see it. The donkey does and runs into the field. Balaam hits the donkey. The angel ends up in a narrow path so the donkey just hits the deck. Balaam yells at the donkey, “I wish I had a sword so I could kill you.” Now the donkey speaks to Balaam, “Hey, I’ve always been good to you. Why do you think I’ve turned my back on you for no reason?” Balaam answers the donkey, “No.”
Then his eyes were opened and he sees the angel with a sword in his hand. YIKES! I’ll go back if you want me to. The angel sends him on. He gets to Moab and he and Balak build 7 alters, do sacrifices. Then Balaam prays and God gives him a word. He goes back to Balak and speaks the word which is a blessing on Israel. This happens three times. But Balaam goes home with nothing. He went seeking gain and got nothing.

Korah – Numbers 16. Korah and his sons didn’t think Moses was all that. They wanted to be priests. So they did what they wanted. So God told Moses to warn everyone not to stand so close to Korah and his sons’ tents. And the earth opened up and swallowed Korah and his 2 sons.

v12 spots – hidden reefs or rocks
Clouds without water – that’s not really a cloud at all.
Trees without fruit. Remember the fig tree in Mk 11. It looks like a fig tree, but it should have fruit.

v15 So, do you think there’s a point here?
UNGODLY! Not people falling down, making mistakes, but getting up, dusting off and getting right with God and proceeding on in their walk. That’s anyone. The apostate lives in sin without remorse. Convinced that his own way is better than God’s.

v16 Beware the flatterer.
        Draw the distinction between flattery and encouragement. Flattery is a compliment with a price tag on it. Time will always work out the flatterer. Eventually, this person will get around to asking you for something. If you decline, they become angry and sometimes vengeful. If the compliment was really meant as an encouragement, your not doing what he wants won’t bother him. He’ll be in touch with the Holy Spirit and know that God will provide another way.

v20 similar to v3

v21 looking = Hoping for, waiting anxiously for

vv22-23 these deal with having discernment of how to handle people differently. Being sensitive to the person’s individual situation and needs.
        GOAL: Always wanting to build the person up.
                        Helping to perfect the saints.

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How do I know if I am saved?

Posted On Thursday, September 9, 2010 at at 2:19 PM by Mark  

This question plagues people. Especially those used to works-based religion. But I just read 2 Peter 1:1-10.
It seems pretty clear. We are given everything we need pertaining to life and godliness through the knowledge of him that called us. That's God. How do we know God? Through Jesus. Watch what He did, how He acted. He's the human definition of the character of God.
Verse 5-7 say to add to your faith in Jesus virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity.
Verse 8 says that if you have these things in you, you won't be unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus.

I looked up some of these things in the dictionary.
Virtue - a : conformity to a standard of right : morality b : a particular moral excellence. 
Knowledge -  the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association
Temperance - moderation in action, thought, or feeling 
Patience -
1: bearing trials calmly or without complaint
2: forbearance under provocation or strain
3: not hasty or impetuous
4: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
5a: able or willing to bear
Godliness - devout to God
Brotherly Kindness - putting others first (my definition)
Charity - Love



So, if we have things things in our lives consistently (v8 "and abound"), we will be getting to know our Lord and Savior and we can be sure that we are abiding in Him and have eternal life. I'm glad it says "and abound" because that works out whether I am trying to do this in my own strength. For surely if I do I fail.
Anyway, I read that and thought I'd share.


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What I learned today

Posted On Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at at 9:18 PM by Mark  

 A couple of things have conspired today to make me write this post. Not the least of which was a friend who said, "I haven't seen anything new on your blog lately." Quite true. I haven't made time. Well, I am now.
Another friend, who I haven't seen in a while, posted a song for me on facebook. An amazing song by MercyMe entitled Be My Love. The song is about Jesus asking his disciples, that's you and me if you are a follower of Jesus, to be His love to this world. I would buy their new album just for that song. It's that good, or it is to me because it has a lot of meaning since my friend sent it to me. So then I got to thinking about the song and am I being His love. Certainly I study about it and have for many years. But it's been on my mind that I don't do anything about it. So, until I "do" something, which has to do with me getting involved at church, I can be His love to the people around me. In whatever way the Holy Spirit prompts me throughout the day.

Also today, God revealed to me that I have, or have begun, to experience Romans 8:28. A while back, I left a church that a bunch of people I was close to had started. Most of those people had already left for one reason or another. I don't see or talk to most of those people often. We all went in different directions. As I exchanged emails with the friend who shared that song with me, I was lamenting that I missed my friends and I wish we were all together still. But then the Holy Spirit showed me that perhaps we were being sprinkled like the salt we are supposed to be. So that rather than staying all huddled together, this bunch of mature Christians has been spread out to help the younger. I thought I was being kooky when I wrote it, but she says no...that's the Lord.

So, then I'm reading Jesus Freaks by DC Talk (stop laughing). And after one of the stories, it's about martyrs, was a question and a verse. Question: What does a Jesus Freak do when betrayed by someone close to them? They show them God's love.
Verse: Love [God's love in us]...takes no account of the evil done to it - pays no attention to a suffered wrong...Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything [without weakening]. 1 Cor. 13:5,7 (Amplified version).
How I read that is, "Get over it." Stop holding on to the past. Forgive, move on. Be used of God. Because, if you can't, how can you do the first thing I showed you - Be My Love?


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