Asking the "Tough Questions" Series - Part II

Am I A Student of the Word? II Timothy 2:15 tells us; “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (ESV) Do I rightly handle the word of truth? What does it mean to rightly handle the word of truth? Paul begins to deal with false teacher beginning in chapter two and verse fourteen. He completes his thoughts about false teachers in chapter three verse nine. Paul demonstrates that false teachers are devastating and destructive in the body. He shows that they are argumentative and wrangle over words. As a matter of fact Paul states that false teachers quarrel or fight about “words.” Of course we know that the outcome of such behavior is division, confusion, and destruction to a church. On the other hand, God expects his workman to be different. We who handle the word of God must labor diligently with great effort to properly interpret or divide the word. This means that we must be able “to cut straight or to cut straight ways.” We have the idea that we are able to proceed on straight paths or to hold a straight course. This word is the equivalent to doing right. So we must be able to make straight and smooth “cuts” or interpretations of the word and to handle the word of God correctly, being able to teach the truth directly and accurately. The workman who interprets the word does not change, mutilate, distort, or pervert the word of God. The end result will be that we are approved by God. Our word approved is a great word with a rich meaning. The word means “accepted, pleasing, and acceptable”, particularly of coins and money. Donald Barnhouse makes this comment about “approved” In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool. When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were comparatively soft and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of shaving down the coins then in circulation. But some money changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money. They were men of honour who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation. Such men were called "dokimos" or "approved"

So, the question is still before us to answer. Am I A Student of the Word? Do I rightly handle the word of truth?

Summer Time Blues?

Summer is certainly here, particularly this past week in the Northwest. Temperatures are far above my comfort level! Yet, setting aside rising thermometers and overworked air conditioners, summer is a time when it seems like there is not enough time for me.

There are so many projects that need to be done and so many things that need attention. Between yard work, home repair, car maintenance, and personal projects, necessary things can get lost. I struggle to maintain proper priorities during the summer. Beautiful days and warm temperatures call me to be lazy, to spend more recreational time than normal causing some important things like blogs, reading, prayer, and other spiritual exercises to be relegated to second place.

Weeding the yard and weeding my soul are both important enterprises, and making time for both is my challenge. God has given us days with more daylight, days with less rain, and warmer temps, all of which are wonderful gifts - yet greater temptation for me.

I trust that as you enjoy your summer that you have developed priorities to accomplish all that needs to be done and maintain your close walk with your Lord. I wold be interested to hear of some of your projects and how you exercise discernment in priorities.

May God bless us richly this summer and keep us from any summer time blues of ignoring Him and any spiritual disciplines!

To God all Praise and Glory!

"Let them thank the LORD for steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!" (Psalms 107:15 ESV)

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"

"All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above"by Johann J. Schuetz, 1640-1690

1. All praise to God, who reigns above, The God of all creation, The God of wonders, power, and love, The God of our salvation! With healing balm my soul He fills, The God who every sorrow stills,--To God all praise and glory!

2. What God's almighty power hath made His gracious mercy keepeth; By morning dawn or evening shade His watchful eye ne'er sleepeth; Within the kingdom of His might Lo, all is just and all is right,--To God all praise and glory!

3. I cried to Him in time of need: Lord God, oh, hear my calling! For death He gave me life indeed And kept my feet from falling. For this my thanks shall endless be; Oh, thank Him, thank our God, with me,--To God all praise and glory!

4. The Lord forsaketh not His flock,His chosen generation; He is their Refuge and their Rock, Their Peace and their Salvation. As with a mother's tender hand He leads His own, His chosen band,--To God all praise and glory!

5. Ye who confess Christ's holy name, To God give praise and glory! Ye who the Father's power proclaim, To God give praise and glory! All idols under foot be trod, The Lord is God! The Lord is God!To God all praise and glory!

6. Then come before His presence now And banish fear and sadness; To your Redeemer pay your vow And sing with joy and gladness: Though great distress my soul befell, The Lord, my God, did all things well,--To God all praise and glory!

Asking the “Tough Questions” Series Part I

Am I godly? Do people consider me to be a godly person? Titus 2: 12 reads, “…training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self–controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” (ESV) What does godly mean? Godly or godliness has reference to a manner of life that is centered on God which is characterized by devotion, holiness, and reverence toward God. We can even say that godliness is a combination of an attitude of devotion to God which results in conduct that is conducive to the attitude of devotion. The Greek word from which we derive godliness or even piety from is eusebeia. Its original meaning gave the idea of the appropriate attitude that inspired reverence and awe toward and of God. It actually comes from a word that means “to step back” or “to keep a distance.” Almost no one likes to have people violate their “space.” We all have a comfortable distance that we place around ourselves where we want other people to stay out of. When people cross that imaginary line, we become uncomfortable and we expect them to “step back and to keep the proper distance from us.” Most people do, they will step back and keep a “respectable distance” because they “respect” us – not because they worship us or are awed by us. Due to respect and decorum they will step back. Even though we are welcomed to come and to even come boldly in to the presence of God, we come with respect and awe and fear. We come with a proper attitude of reverence and awe because those attitudes are the proper response to his character. Godliness, which is to characterize our lives honors God as both Creator and as Redeemer. Godliness springs from our faith in Christ Jesus and this faith is then expressed in our daily living. The essence of the Christian life is godliness.

So, as I think on these things, I am compelled to ask myself the tough question, do people think I am godly? Do I exhibit the characteristics of a godly man?

A Word to the Wise

It is so crucial that we, as members of the body of Christ guard ourselves from becoming points of disagreement or division within our respective churches. Individual local bodies of believers are characterized by a great diversity in personalities, persons, and opinions. We must always be aware how important it is to strive for unity and the bond of peace in our own particular fellowship. The importance of this responsibility can not be overstated! It goes without saying that there will be various opinions on any number of topics. We must guard against dividing the body by how we hold and voice our differences. Differences in opinions can lead to sin. Holding differing views on certain subjects can lead to an unloving attitude towards those who may not believe as we do. Failing to be fully matured or perfected in our opinions and judgments can lead to the following sin in our body: Pride – we begin to think that we are right and others are wrong Critical Spirit – we begin to criticize others for not seeing things as we see them Looking down on those who disagree – we think more highly of ourselves and less of others, and treat them with disdain or disrespect Gossip – our critical spirit seeks release by our tongue and we gossip to others about them and how wrong they are Unfortunately the end result is division, quarrels, and the dilution of the power of the cross of Christ. Let’s take a word to the wise and seek agreement and unity in Christ rather than personalities, persons, and opinions!

Where Are The Equipping Shepherds?

The job description of a shepherd is really not that deep or detailed. The job description is not “rocket science.” I would not argue nor would I propose that the qualifications for an equipping shepherd is not far more sweeping, strenuous, serious, and stated than the actual duties. Paul was very direct when he gave to Timothy and Titus the qualifications of the man who desired to shepherd God’s people. Those qualifications should not be discounted, diluted, discarded, or disregarded! In the fourth chapter of Ephesians, Paul tells us clearly that Christ, himself, gave some very important and valuable gifts to the church of which he was the head. The passage is familiar to most; Christ gave to the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, and depending on how you interpret tous de poimenas kai didaskalous, shepherd-teachers or shepherds and teachers. Christ gave such gifts for the building up of the church spiritually. God, in His infinite grace gave through Christ men who would accomplish his sovereign decree that those whom he redeemed would be conformed to the image of His dear Son. His Son, Paul writes is the measuring stick, the standard, or the marker by which our growth in likeness is to be measured. The job description (don’t discount or disregard the qualifications) is very simple. Equip the saints! Build up the body! Train, disciple, develop, discipline, and provide what is necessary to be conformed to the image of Jesus is the duty of the equipping shepherds! Equip elders, equip deacons, equip teachers, and equip the saints – through a godly example, godly exhortation, and godly exposition. The question begging to be answered then is equipping them for what? Believers must be equipped in the following areas: Understanding how to pray according to the will of God Proper understand of the privilege of giving Effective Witnessing Living in Christ, worthy of their calling Conqueror sin Devotions Studying the word Understanding of the hope to which they have been called Realizing the riches of Christ’s inheritance in the saints Understanding the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us The lambs, sheep, and people of God need to be shepherded and equipped in such a manner that they are no longer immature, no longer tossed about by every new or deceptive teaching, they need to be able to speak biblical truth in love and to grow up in every way into Christ! This is hard work, isn’t it? That is why so few pastors are true shepherds. Today we face a crisis in the body. Men are not being recognized and developed as shepherds, they are being trained as professional entertainers, businessman, entrepreneurs, and CEO’s. Look at and meditate deeply on the following passages: Galatians 4:19 – “…my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” Colossians 1:24-2:3 – “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”

Where are the equipping shepherds?

113 Year Old Vapor

World’s Oldest Man in the World Died Saturday The headlines read that the world’s oldest man died on Saturday, July 18, 2009. Naturally there are a number of reasons that we should certainly take note of this monumental event and person. It seems that Henry Allingham lived to be 113 years old. He was honored as a veteran of WWW I and a member of the Royal Air Force. The news reported that he used his last years to remind people of the sacrifices of human lives that were killed in what is called “the great war.” He is lauded as a great and last spokesman for a terrible war. Let’s however, keep this event in perspective. Admittedly 113 years is a very long time compared to the average life span of human beings, we must keep in mind that as God sees it, it is still a vapor. In comparison to eternity, 1000 or 10,000 years from now, 113 years will seem like a vapor. Mr. Alllingham’s long life is now over. What did he accomplish for eternity? Did he learn to number his days? Did he obtain a heart of wisdom? We certainly do not know, nor am I in any position to make a judgment. For the record, that is not my intent. We all need to celebrate his life and accomplishments, particularly as a veteran who fought to preserve freedom and to save the lives of countless other human beings. Yet at the same time, we need to be reminded once again, that our life is like a mist. Like a mist we appear for a very short time on this earth and then like a mist our life vanishes.

Whether it be 1, 10, 20, 54, 70, 80, 92, or 113 years, in comparison to eternity, our life is a mist. Remember, ask God to teach you to number your days, not in how many you are going to have, but in realizing the shortness and brevity of our life so that we may be given a heart of wisdom by God.