And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (II Corinthians 3:18).
Spiritual formation is a fashionable topic these days. It would be a mistake to think that Spiritual formation is not occuring if the church is not specifically programming for it. I have been involved in Christian ministry for nearly fifty years. One of the things I know about living the Christian life and the life of the church is that is cannot be done by our own "steam." If Holy Spirit is not in us, molding, shaping, empowering and leading us, all of our programming is simply perpetuating a social club or a service organization.
Certainly, Holy Spirit will not be present where disrespect, gossip, fighting, selfishness and immorality are present, but I do understand that we can assume Holy Spirit's active presence when a place is made for Him. Having said that, I'm going to share ten verbs from the New Testament that describe Holy Spirit' work in our lives and in the church.*
1. Holy Spirit fills us (Ephesians 5:18). 2. Holy Spirit teaches us (John 14:26).
3. Holy Spirit reminds (John 14:26). 4. Holy Spirit guides us (John 16:13).
5. Holy Spirit searches (I Corinthians 2:10-11). 6. Holy Spirit testifies to us (Romans 8:16).
7. Holy Spirit helps (Romans 8:26). 8. Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Ro. 8:26-27).
9. Holy Spirit convicts (John 16:8). 10. Holy Spirit enlightens (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*These verbs were taken from an article in the Christian Standard (Feb. 2013) by J.K. Jones
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
YOUR ATTITUDE IS SHOWING
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).
The third in a series of sermons from Philippians is about attitudes. How would you define attitude? If one is in aviation, attitude, or the position of the airplane means everything--it is the difference between flying safely or crashing. It is a little tougher to define what a human attitude is. I have read a half dozen different definitions in dictionaries and on line and each one has a little different shade of meaning. But one thing is consistent with the attitude of an airplane; it is the difference between flying safely or eventually crashing. More than any other factor, attitude determines a person's success.
Here is my definition of attitude that, I think, is true to the grammar of the scripture text and fits human experience as well: Attitude is a settled way of thinking and feeling that is reflected in a person's behavior. Attitude is not simply a result of intelectual exercise, emotion is involved as well. And, it should be mentioned that, sound thinking drives healthy emotions rather than emotion driving the thinking. If a person is primarily emotionally driven, crashing and burning is a virtual certainty.
Attitude development is a project that a Christian should work on each day, checking our thoughts and feelings so that they are consistent with the word of God. In verse 5 Paul strongly suggests that you check your attitude with Christ's. If one's attitude conforms to the attitude of Christ then: . . . the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (4:7).
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).
The third in a series of sermons from Philippians is about attitudes. How would you define attitude? If one is in aviation, attitude, or the position of the airplane means everything--it is the difference between flying safely or crashing. It is a little tougher to define what a human attitude is. I have read a half dozen different definitions in dictionaries and on line and each one has a little different shade of meaning. But one thing is consistent with the attitude of an airplane; it is the difference between flying safely or eventually crashing. More than any other factor, attitude determines a person's success.
Here is my definition of attitude that, I think, is true to the grammar of the scripture text and fits human experience as well: Attitude is a settled way of thinking and feeling that is reflected in a person's behavior. Attitude is not simply a result of intelectual exercise, emotion is involved as well. And, it should be mentioned that, sound thinking drives healthy emotions rather than emotion driving the thinking. If a person is primarily emotionally driven, crashing and burning is a virtual certainty.
Attitude development is a project that a Christian should work on each day, checking our thoughts and feelings so that they are consistent with the word of God. In verse 5 Paul strongly suggests that you check your attitude with Christ's. If one's attitude conforms to the attitude of Christ then: . . . the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (4:7).
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Thursday, October 03, 2013
TEARS OF JOY
. . . always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:4-6).
I'm working on the 2nd in a series of sermons from the book of Philippians. In the first, I pointed out that the Church, and individual Christians, are out-posts of Heaven. Like the city of Philippi was an out-post of Rome, committed to Roman law, culture and defense, so the Church, and its members, are committed to Jesus Christ, his law, his culture and his defense--For our citizenship is in heaven . . . (3:20).
The 2nd in the series, I am looking at joy as the theme. How are we able to be joyful in the face of adversity? The culture of Christ is not one of "gloom and doom" in times of adversity and trials, but of optimism and joy. I will freely admit that there are times when the trials come that we are "misty optics" rather than "optimistics" as we look at life through a vale of tears. In a recent Christian Counseling Today I read an article written by Gary Oliver called, Lessons Learned from the Doorstep of Death. In it he chronicled the deaths of his dad, wife, son, sister and his own personal battle with cancer. As a result of his tribulations, Dr. Oliver shares this wisdom, I have discovered there is a big difference between surviving and thriving and know Christ did not die and rise again for us to merely survive. Just treading water is not what He meant by "becoming more than conquerors." (emphasis is mine)
In faith we draw on a resevoir of Divine grace, hope and fellowship so that we can live out our days, until His return, with joy. The Christian does not deny the pain of tribulation in his life, but, while acknowledging it, chooses to be joyful because Christ is working in us and he will keep his promises.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
I'm working on the 2nd in a series of sermons from the book of Philippians. In the first, I pointed out that the Church, and individual Christians, are out-posts of Heaven. Like the city of Philippi was an out-post of Rome, committed to Roman law, culture and defense, so the Church, and its members, are committed to Jesus Christ, his law, his culture and his defense--For our citizenship is in heaven . . . (3:20).
The 2nd in the series, I am looking at joy as the theme. How are we able to be joyful in the face of adversity? The culture of Christ is not one of "gloom and doom" in times of adversity and trials, but of optimism and joy. I will freely admit that there are times when the trials come that we are "misty optics" rather than "optimistics" as we look at life through a vale of tears. In a recent Christian Counseling Today I read an article written by Gary Oliver called, Lessons Learned from the Doorstep of Death. In it he chronicled the deaths of his dad, wife, son, sister and his own personal battle with cancer. As a result of his tribulations, Dr. Oliver shares this wisdom, I have discovered there is a big difference between surviving and thriving and know Christ did not die and rise again for us to merely survive. Just treading water is not what He meant by "becoming more than conquerors." (emphasis is mine)
In faith we draw on a resevoir of Divine grace, hope and fellowship so that we can live out our days, until His return, with joy. The Christian does not deny the pain of tribulation in his life, but, while acknowledging it, chooses to be joyful because Christ is working in us and he will keep his promises.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
CLEAN UP YOUR PLATE, IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up and fill twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten (JOHN 6:12-13).
Feedstuffs is a newspaper for agribusiness that I receive each week. In a recent issue Rod Smith wrote a column called, "Food waste astounding." He begins the column with these words and basic statistics: In a day and time when agriculture is under increasing pressure to produce 70% more food for 30% more people in 40 years, it's incredible that one-third of food production is wasted every year, yet that's the estimate from the U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization. That's a lot of waste!
Waste is part of living in a fallen world; it can never be eliminated. Nevertheless, it should be a high priority to reduce it as much as possible. In America we have been bountifully blessed, so much so that American waste as much as 40% of their food and food waste is the largest single kind of waste entering land fills. If just 25% of what is wasted in America and Europe could be reclaimed there would be enough to solve world hunger.** I might add that politicians are the biggest obstacle to solving world hunger.
Jesus did not believe in wasting food. That which was left from the multiplication of the loaves and fishes was saved to be distributed to the poor and needy. Christians must understand that it does make a difference to someone else in the world if they waste their food.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe
**food waste expert Tristram Stuart
Feedstuffs is a newspaper for agribusiness that I receive each week. In a recent issue Rod Smith wrote a column called, "Food waste astounding." He begins the column with these words and basic statistics: In a day and time when agriculture is under increasing pressure to produce 70% more food for 30% more people in 40 years, it's incredible that one-third of food production is wasted every year, yet that's the estimate from the U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization. That's a lot of waste!
Waste is part of living in a fallen world; it can never be eliminated. Nevertheless, it should be a high priority to reduce it as much as possible. In America we have been bountifully blessed, so much so that American waste as much as 40% of their food and food waste is the largest single kind of waste entering land fills. If just 25% of what is wasted in America and Europe could be reclaimed there would be enough to solve world hunger.** I might add that politicians are the biggest obstacle to solving world hunger.
Jesus did not believe in wasting food. That which was left from the multiplication of the loaves and fishes was saved to be distributed to the poor and needy. Christians must understand that it does make a difference to someone else in the world if they waste their food.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe
**food waste expert Tristram Stuart
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
A TASTE OF NEW WINE
Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now (John 2:10-11).
The United States has a long-standing tradition of temperence. We owe the Methodist circuit riding preachers a debt of gratitude. They recognized what unrestricted consumption of home-brewed alcohol was doing to children and families. They preached against it and worked for legislation against it. Thomas Welch was a Methodist minister who started making non alcoholic grape juice with which to celebrate the Lord's Supper.
Today, within the Stone-Campbell restoration movement, there are quite a number of preachers, ministers and pastors who regularly drink alcoholic beverages. The purpose of this bullet is not to consign such leaders to hell, but it is intended to remind each one of their responsibility to be an example. I have known of such drinking leaders who, when they go on paid leave to a Christian convention, will, skip the convention to celebrate their "freedom in Christ" by partying and drinking. They wouldn't be employed at my church very long. The Church must be a safe place for addicts and sinners!
In the United States, each year approximately 80,000 deaths are directly attributed to alcohol consumption. Gun violence, domestic abuse, automobile accidents all increase as alcohol consumption increases. Because of how alcohol effects the brain, one under the influence KNOWS what he is doing, he just doesn't care. There are 14 million alcohol addicts in the United States. The cost of alcohol to the U.S. economy is about $230 billion dollars each year. Is it any wonder that Solomon warned his sons, 'Do not even wish you could have some wine' (Tom Steele paraphrase of Proverbs 23:31).
I do not believe Jesus consumed wine with alcohol. I know there are scholars who will "guffaw" this and think I am ignorant, so be it. But I am willing to do a word-study with you if you like.
Experts say that the use of yeast for making alcoholic wine has been around since about 4,000 BC. That is fairly consistent with the Biblical record of Noah's wine making. Generally, from the beginning to the end, the Bible takes a dim view of alcohol consumption, but commends those who abstain. Among those are the Rechabites of Jeremiah 35 of whom God said they "shall never lack a man to stand before me" because they obeyed the command of Jonadab, their father, to not drink alcohol.
What would Jesus do?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*It's just an opinion of mine that the water Jesus turned to wine was what wine will be in the new creation.
The United States has a long-standing tradition of temperence. We owe the Methodist circuit riding preachers a debt of gratitude. They recognized what unrestricted consumption of home-brewed alcohol was doing to children and families. They preached against it and worked for legislation against it. Thomas Welch was a Methodist minister who started making non alcoholic grape juice with which to celebrate the Lord's Supper.
Today, within the Stone-Campbell restoration movement, there are quite a number of preachers, ministers and pastors who regularly drink alcoholic beverages. The purpose of this bullet is not to consign such leaders to hell, but it is intended to remind each one of their responsibility to be an example. I have known of such drinking leaders who, when they go on paid leave to a Christian convention, will, skip the convention to celebrate their "freedom in Christ" by partying and drinking. They wouldn't be employed at my church very long. The Church must be a safe place for addicts and sinners!
In the United States, each year approximately 80,000 deaths are directly attributed to alcohol consumption. Gun violence, domestic abuse, automobile accidents all increase as alcohol consumption increases. Because of how alcohol effects the brain, one under the influence KNOWS what he is doing, he just doesn't care. There are 14 million alcohol addicts in the United States. The cost of alcohol to the U.S. economy is about $230 billion dollars each year. Is it any wonder that Solomon warned his sons, 'Do not even wish you could have some wine' (Tom Steele paraphrase of Proverbs 23:31).
I do not believe Jesus consumed wine with alcohol. I know there are scholars who will "guffaw" this and think I am ignorant, so be it. But I am willing to do a word-study with you if you like.
Experts say that the use of yeast for making alcoholic wine has been around since about 4,000 BC. That is fairly consistent with the Biblical record of Noah's wine making. Generally, from the beginning to the end, the Bible takes a dim view of alcohol consumption, but commends those who abstain. Among those are the Rechabites of Jeremiah 35 of whom God said they "shall never lack a man to stand before me" because they obeyed the command of Jonadab, their father, to not drink alcohol.
What would Jesus do?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*It's just an opinion of mine that the water Jesus turned to wine was what wine will be in the new creation.
Thursday, September 05, 2013
COMMUNION: LET US USE WHAT JESUS USED
Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (I Corinthians 5:8).
Recently, I had the opportunity to teach a class of 5th and 6th graders about communion, as a result, it made me think that it is important for all to understand. A couple of points about communion that are important for Christians to understand are what the elements were that Jesus used to institute the memorial and why.
When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper he used a couple of the elements of the passover meal that he and the disciples were eating (Read Matthew 26:26-29). The bread that Jesus used was unleavened bread. Leaven, throughout the Scriptures, is symbolic of sin. The Jews were to search out all leaven in their houses and dispose of it at this time. The spread of leaven is subtle, but it always spreads. It is symbolic of sin's influence, relentless and malignant.
The contents of the "cup" that Jesus used was nonalcoholic wine, "fruit of the vine." I say this with confidence that what was used to celebrate the Passover, and what Jesus used to institute his memorial was not wine as we think of it today. Making wine with alcohol required yeast, otherwise known as leaven. The same leaven that makes the bread ferments the wine. It would not have been on the passover table.
The body that was broken for us and the blood that was shed for us was without sin. The emblems that are used in this memorial should not be that which contain the symbols of sin.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Recently, I had the opportunity to teach a class of 5th and 6th graders about communion, as a result, it made me think that it is important for all to understand. A couple of points about communion that are important for Christians to understand are what the elements were that Jesus used to institute the memorial and why.
When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper he used a couple of the elements of the passover meal that he and the disciples were eating (Read Matthew 26:26-29). The bread that Jesus used was unleavened bread. Leaven, throughout the Scriptures, is symbolic of sin. The Jews were to search out all leaven in their houses and dispose of it at this time. The spread of leaven is subtle, but it always spreads. It is symbolic of sin's influence, relentless and malignant.
The contents of the "cup" that Jesus used was nonalcoholic wine, "fruit of the vine." I say this with confidence that what was used to celebrate the Passover, and what Jesus used to institute his memorial was not wine as we think of it today. Making wine with alcohol required yeast, otherwise known as leaven. The same leaven that makes the bread ferments the wine. It would not have been on the passover table.
The body that was broken for us and the blood that was shed for us was without sin. The emblems that are used in this memorial should not be that which contain the symbols of sin.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Saturday, August 31, 2013
GOOD TO SEE AN OLD BROTHER
It is good to see a cherished brother or friend not often seen (a paraphrased proverb somewhere in the Bible).
To make this a matter of historical record, my brother Kieth made a quick visit to Iowa, visiting friends and relatives. His wife Vonda was unable to accompany him. Helen and I took him to Sutherland's finest dining establishment (The Old P.O.) for supper. It was a good good time talking memories, philosophy, theology and family systems. We hope something like this happens again.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
To make this a matter of historical record, my brother Kieth made a quick visit to Iowa, visiting friends and relatives. His wife Vonda was unable to accompany him. Helen and I took him to Sutherland's finest dining establishment (The Old P.O.) for supper. It was a good good time talking memories, philosophy, theology and family systems. We hope something like this happens again.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Saturday, August 24, 2013
THE MIDDLE EAST: THE TRUE FACE OF ISLAM
You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:16).
Islam reveals its true face in the Middle East. What has followed in the wake of Islam is war, famine, pestilence and death. Egypt, at least, has had the sense to reject the Muslim Brotherhood.
When a counselor counsels, the actual behavior of the client reveals the nature of the client more than anything the client says. Likewise, the actual result of a belief system reveals its true nature. It clearly is on display in the Middle East.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*It must be added: There are apparently peaceful Muslims, but they will not speak up when atrocities happen. They will not condemn the sensless slaughter of innocents. They remain silent either because of fear or because they approve in their hearts what is going on.
Islam reveals its true face in the Middle East. What has followed in the wake of Islam is war, famine, pestilence and death. Egypt, at least, has had the sense to reject the Muslim Brotherhood.
When a counselor counsels, the actual behavior of the client reveals the nature of the client more than anything the client says. Likewise, the actual result of a belief system reveals its true nature. It clearly is on display in the Middle East.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*It must be added: There are apparently peaceful Muslims, but they will not speak up when atrocities happen. They will not condemn the sensless slaughter of innocents. They remain silent either because of fear or because they approve in their hearts what is going on.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
AN EXAMPLE TO MICAH
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). Sunday, the 18th of August, 2013 my newest grandson was dedicated to the Lord. Grandson, Micah, is going to be a fine servant of the Lord as he grows in wisdom and stature and in favor of God and man. I am not going to absolutely guarantee outcomes, but if Micah's parents and grandparents keep their vows, Micah will have a solid foundation on which to build his life. One of the absolute essentials in successful child rearing is congruence--congruence between what a parent says he believes and how he acts. If a parent says he believes one thing and behaves in a different manner, kids will spot those inconsistencies and conclude the parent's values are not that important. Eventually, everyone differentiates from their parents, they take ownership of the values they have. A child will depart from the way he should go if parents do not live in the way they say they believe. Our Father's Blessings, Tom
Thursday, August 15, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHT: HELP ME TO SEE
. . . let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us . . . (Hebrews 12:1).
I have been reading through the book of Hebrews in my daily Bible reading. The translation of the Bible I am using is the New American Standard Version. The author strongly urges us to let go of our sins which trip us up as we live for the Lord. We know what sin is--the Bible defines them. What isn't so easily understood are the "encumberances". Encumberances are not sin, but they are, nonetheless, obstructions and burdens that hinder our service to the Lord and cloud our witness as we live our Christian lives.
Encumberances are not so easily defined. What might be an encumberance to me might not be one to you. It might be a good thing that is taking the place of a better thing. It might be placing undue importance on things that do not matter that much. I am not going to be specific beyond this unless someone would ask me. It could have to do with money and debt. It might have to do with sports or politics. It might have to do with hobbies and entertainment. It might have to do with employment or even have to do with church work.
Since this is a more personal matter to which one might be blind, it is essential to ask God to help you to see and understand the encumberances to our Christian lives.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
I have been reading through the book of Hebrews in my daily Bible reading. The translation of the Bible I am using is the New American Standard Version. The author strongly urges us to let go of our sins which trip us up as we live for the Lord. We know what sin is--the Bible defines them. What isn't so easily understood are the "encumberances". Encumberances are not sin, but they are, nonetheless, obstructions and burdens that hinder our service to the Lord and cloud our witness as we live our Christian lives.
Encumberances are not so easily defined. What might be an encumberance to me might not be one to you. It might be a good thing that is taking the place of a better thing. It might be placing undue importance on things that do not matter that much. I am not going to be specific beyond this unless someone would ask me. It could have to do with money and debt. It might have to do with sports or politics. It might have to do with hobbies and entertainment. It might have to do with employment or even have to do with church work.
Since this is a more personal matter to which one might be blind, it is essential to ask God to help you to see and understand the encumberances to our Christian lives.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
Saturday, August 10, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16).
One of the foundation stones of the reformation is, "the priesthood of all believers." It is based in I Peter 2: 9 which says, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. This was written to Christians in general, not to a specific class of clergy. The reason this is important to bring up is that it isn't just clergy who can offer up effective prayers. In the New Testament God makes no distinction between clergy and laity. Every Christian has the responsibility to pray for each other and to share the gospel with others. Granted, there are differences of spiritual gifts, but God hears the prayers of each committed Christan whether he or she is "clergy" or "laity."
I tell you all this because it is important for you to understand that your prayers prayed in faith are just as effective as any pastor, priest or pope!
Love & Prayers;
Tom
One of the foundation stones of the reformation is, "the priesthood of all believers." It is based in I Peter 2: 9 which says, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. This was written to Christians in general, not to a specific class of clergy. The reason this is important to bring up is that it isn't just clergy who can offer up effective prayers. In the New Testament God makes no distinction between clergy and laity. Every Christian has the responsibility to pray for each other and to share the gospel with others. Granted, there are differences of spiritual gifts, but God hears the prayers of each committed Christan whether he or she is "clergy" or "laity."
I tell you all this because it is important for you to understand that your prayers prayed in faith are just as effective as any pastor, priest or pope!
Love & Prayers;
Tom
Saturday, August 03, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: PRAY WITH AUDACITY
And he cried, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Luke 18:38-39).
Because we are humans, we will make mistakes when we pray; we might ask for things that are not theologically correct. That's okay. I believe God welcomes passionate mistakeness more than luke-warm correctness.
In 1540, Martin Luther's great friend and assistant, Frederick Myconius, became sick and was expected to die within a short time. On his bed, he wrote a loving farewell note to Luther with a trembling hand. Luther received the letter and instantly sent back a reply, "I command thee in the name of God to live. I still have need of thee in the work of reforming the church. The Lord will never let me hear that thou art dead, but will permit thee to survive me. For this I am praying, this is my will and my will be done, because I seek only to glorify the name of God." One week later, Myconius recovered and died two months after the death of Luther (I found this story in a sermon by Peter Marshall--it is supposed to be historically accurate).
What audacity! Audacity is boldness and brashness. It is willing to ask for outcomes that cannot succeed unless God is in them. Have you prayed with audacity lately? Be done with praying wimpy prayers!
Love & Prayers,
Tom
Because we are humans, we will make mistakes when we pray; we might ask for things that are not theologically correct. That's okay. I believe God welcomes passionate mistakeness more than luke-warm correctness.
In 1540, Martin Luther's great friend and assistant, Frederick Myconius, became sick and was expected to die within a short time. On his bed, he wrote a loving farewell note to Luther with a trembling hand. Luther received the letter and instantly sent back a reply, "I command thee in the name of God to live. I still have need of thee in the work of reforming the church. The Lord will never let me hear that thou art dead, but will permit thee to survive me. For this I am praying, this is my will and my will be done, because I seek only to glorify the name of God." One week later, Myconius recovered and died two months after the death of Luther (I found this story in a sermon by Peter Marshall--it is supposed to be historically accurate).
What audacity! Audacity is boldness and brashness. It is willing to ask for outcomes that cannot succeed unless God is in them. Have you prayed with audacity lately? Be done with praying wimpy prayers!
Love & Prayers,
Tom
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: WHAT DOES ANSWERED PRAYER LOOK LIKE?
"What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:11-13). * Answered prayer takes some surprising turns, but they always work out for God's glory and our blessing--even when the answer is, "No!" * Answered prayer can come disguised as hard work. God promised Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:6 "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace to it!'" (Zechariah 4:6ff). The rebuilding of the temple was an answer to the prayers of the Jewish people. God said He would help in the building--in fact, if it weren't for the the power of God it never would have been rebuilt. The Jews had no money, no tools, no weapons, but they worked. And, with God's provision, after 20 years of hard work and toil, in faith, the temple was built. It was an answer to prayer. * What I am trying to say is that sometimes God's answers to our prayers might not be what we expected, but they will always bless us. Prayers for wisdom, for example, might be answered with a disciplined study of the Bible in a Bible study group. Prayers for healing might be answered by following a disciplined life style. * Sometimes answered prayers meet our expectations, sometimes they do not. Before we assume the prayer is unanswered or the answer is, "No" we need to take a closer look and see if God has placed some resources at our disposal to use in making our request happen. * Love & Prayers, Tom * **For me, the answer to my prayers is the lovely and gracious Helen who has been a blessing to my life for 43 years.
Friday, July 26, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: HOW TO GET YOUR PRAYERS ANSWERED
When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash ourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good . . . (Isaiah 1:15-17).
The one who asks, "How can I get my prayers answered?" is one who doesn't understand the importance of relationship with God and what it means to pray in Jesus' name. First, it must be understood that God can respond to the requests of anyone in any way he chooses. There are many testimonies of desperate sinners who have been answered in miraculous ways when they prayed--God is free to answer in any way he sees fit. God can answer prayers, "yes" or "no," or he simply may refuse to listen or ignore the prayers of the unrepentant. How has he been responding to you?
When you can relate to God as "daddy, daddy,"(Romans 8:15) you are well on the way to praying prayers that can be answered in a positive way. Children know what their dad's values are. Children, being immature, sometimes make foolish requests of their dads, but they also know this: "And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him" (I John 5:14-15).
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it (John14:13-14). Praying in Jesus' name is not a way of ending your prayers so that you will get your prayers answered--it is not magic. Rather, it is first an acknowledgement that it is through the grace of Christ Jesus that we are able to come to the throne of grace at all. It is also in the character of Christ that we come to our Father too, making our requests to God. God wants us to ask (James 4:2), but I just happen to believe that he wants us to ask thoughtfully in the character of Jesus. The answer to one of Jesus' prayers was "no." The answer to some prayers of yours may be, "no," but you will know that all of your prayers are answered.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
The one who asks, "How can I get my prayers answered?" is one who doesn't understand the importance of relationship with God and what it means to pray in Jesus' name. First, it must be understood that God can respond to the requests of anyone in any way he chooses. There are many testimonies of desperate sinners who have been answered in miraculous ways when they prayed--God is free to answer in any way he sees fit. God can answer prayers, "yes" or "no," or he simply may refuse to listen or ignore the prayers of the unrepentant. How has he been responding to you?
When you can relate to God as "daddy, daddy,"(Romans 8:15) you are well on the way to praying prayers that can be answered in a positive way. Children know what their dad's values are. Children, being immature, sometimes make foolish requests of their dads, but they also know this: "And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him" (I John 5:14-15).
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it (John14:13-14). Praying in Jesus' name is not a way of ending your prayers so that you will get your prayers answered--it is not magic. Rather, it is first an acknowledgement that it is through the grace of Christ Jesus that we are able to come to the throne of grace at all. It is also in the character of Christ that we come to our Father too, making our requests to God. God wants us to ask (James 4:2), but I just happen to believe that he wants us to ask thoughtfully in the character of Jesus. The answer to one of Jesus' prayers was "no." The answer to some prayers of yours may be, "no," but you will know that all of your prayers are answered.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: WHY PRAY?
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
The question has been asked many times, "Why pray? God knows what we need before we need it so why doesn't he just give it? Not only that but, God's mind can't be changed once he has determined something so isn't prayer just futility?" Pardon me for saying it, but questions like these are indicative of the relationship of the person who is asking with God. They see God only as useful if he gets them out of the jam they are in right now.
Prayer is necessary for relationship with God. In a letter written to Christian folks the Lord said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Similarly, in Isaiah 1:18 the Lord extends the invitation, "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord." God is not there only to save us from hell and to get us out of jams. God is there to have a relationship with you and me. The closer the relationship, the more we will become more and more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). We should pray because God wants us to, and we will be blessed because of it.
Prayer also draws Christians closer to each other. In Matthew 18:19 Jesus tells us, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my father in heaven." Prayer isn't something that is done only alone in your prayer closet, it is something we should do together as well. We should at least agree about the things that we need to pray about in church so that as a body we can pray together. As a result it will draw us closer together and closer to the Lord. No one will then be able to say, "It was my prayer that brought about this powerful answer," but only, "It was our prayers that God heard and answered." One of the good things about agreement in prayer is that others can help the one requesting see the true need for prayer, not just the emotional desire. We should pray to deepen our relationship with others.
In sum, those who see God only in utilitarian or fatalistic terms, do not have a relationship with God. God calls us into relationship with Him--that is His desire. Without prayer your relationship with God and others will be shallow.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
The question has been asked many times, "Why pray? God knows what we need before we need it so why doesn't he just give it? Not only that but, God's mind can't be changed once he has determined something so isn't prayer just futility?" Pardon me for saying it, but questions like these are indicative of the relationship of the person who is asking with God. They see God only as useful if he gets them out of the jam they are in right now.
Prayer is necessary for relationship with God. In a letter written to Christian folks the Lord said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Similarly, in Isaiah 1:18 the Lord extends the invitation, "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord." God is not there only to save us from hell and to get us out of jams. God is there to have a relationship with you and me. The closer the relationship, the more we will become more and more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). We should pray because God wants us to, and we will be blessed because of it.
Prayer also draws Christians closer to each other. In Matthew 18:19 Jesus tells us, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my father in heaven." Prayer isn't something that is done only alone in your prayer closet, it is something we should do together as well. We should at least agree about the things that we need to pray about in church so that as a body we can pray together. As a result it will draw us closer together and closer to the Lord. No one will then be able to say, "It was my prayer that brought about this powerful answer," but only, "It was our prayers that God heard and answered." One of the good things about agreement in prayer is that others can help the one requesting see the true need for prayer, not just the emotional desire. We should pray to deepen our relationship with others.
In sum, those who see God only in utilitarian or fatalistic terms, do not have a relationship with God. God calls us into relationship with Him--that is His desire. Without prayer your relationship with God and others will be shallow.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
Saturday, July 20, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: WHAT IS PRAYER?
Pray like this: Our Father who art in heaven . . . (Matthew 6:9).
I'm putting a few thoughts together for a prayer ministry that will be meeting at my church each Monday evening. What I am writing here will not be the final form, but I find that writing out a few of my thoughts helps me to think more. The next few posts are a part of my thinking process, so here we go.
A simple dictionary definition of prayer is that it is a solemn request for help from God or an expression of thanksgiving to God. From the model prayer the Lord Jesus gave us, prayer is also an acknowledgement of who God is--He is holy and he is our Father. By implication, God is our creator and redeemer. Prayer, then, is not just asking and thanking, it is acknowledging the relationship that God wants to have with us.
Prayer is an exercise of faith. First, it is a part of the body of faith that is to be believed and obeyed. Second, God is a spirit, He cannot be seen, touched, smelled, tasted or heard unless He wills it. Thus, whether it be in church, at home or in the forest, that prayers are getting a listening higher than the treetops is a matter of believing God's word. But the Bible tells us that the just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38). We cannot have a relationship with God unless it is by faith. One of the ways that faith grows is through prayer.
How is your prayer life--is your faith growing?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
I'm putting a few thoughts together for a prayer ministry that will be meeting at my church each Monday evening. What I am writing here will not be the final form, but I find that writing out a few of my thoughts helps me to think more. The next few posts are a part of my thinking process, so here we go.
A simple dictionary definition of prayer is that it is a solemn request for help from God or an expression of thanksgiving to God. From the model prayer the Lord Jesus gave us, prayer is also an acknowledgement of who God is--He is holy and he is our Father. By implication, God is our creator and redeemer. Prayer, then, is not just asking and thanking, it is acknowledging the relationship that God wants to have with us.
Prayer is an exercise of faith. First, it is a part of the body of faith that is to be believed and obeyed. Second, God is a spirit, He cannot be seen, touched, smelled, tasted or heard unless He wills it. Thus, whether it be in church, at home or in the forest, that prayers are getting a listening higher than the treetops is a matter of believing God's word. But the Bible tells us that the just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38). We cannot have a relationship with God unless it is by faith. One of the ways that faith grows is through prayer.
How is your prayer life--is your faith growing?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
HOME FROM VACATION 2013
When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him . . . (Luke 4:42).
Even Jesus needed some time off, though His times off were short. Every year the Tom and Helen Steele family attempts to round up as many children and grandchildren as can come and do a family vacation together. This kind of togetherness helps to integrate inlaws and grandchildren into the Steele family system--at least we have not scared anyone away yet, though we might have come close this year.
We rented two cottages near the northern-most tip of Michigan's lower peninsula on Black Lake. The trip to Black Lake included driving a lot of miles on two-lane roads through Wisconsin's and Michigan's rural areas. That was a treat because of the beauty of those states. We stayed the night in Green Bay, Wisconsin the first night. We football fans could not stay the night without visiting Lambeau Field--it would be a sin not to visit. None of our family are "Packer" fans, but we were inspired, none the less, by the great tradition of the Packers.
The next highlight of the vacation was crossing the Mackinac bridge. The Mackinac bridge is the third longest suspension bridge in the world. Including approaches, the total length of the bridge is a bit more than 5 miles long. The height of the roadway above the water at its highest point is 200 feet and, depending on wind strength, the bridge can sway as much as 35 feet. So, to me, it was an adventure just to cross the Mackinac bridge.
The time we had together on vacation was priceless. It will be a dynamic in the formation of the lives of our grandchildren. Hopefully, the faith in Christ that is lived out in their grandparents and parents will take root and grow in their lives too.
On the way home we stayed the night in Elkhart, Indiana, very close to South Bend and Notre Dame University. Though none of us are fans of the "Fighting Irish," the men among us could not not visit one of the revered sites of college football. Our visit to the campus was inspiring and makes for a more favorable perspective of Notre Dame University and football.
Much more could be said about vacation, but we arrived safely home for some much-needed rest.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*If you are planning a vacation, the Mackinac area is a great place to go--it will be a "Moment in Time" that will not be forgotten. We spent a day on Mackinac Island and it was an enjoyable historical experience.
Even Jesus needed some time off, though His times off were short. Every year the Tom and Helen Steele family attempts to round up as many children and grandchildren as can come and do a family vacation together. This kind of togetherness helps to integrate inlaws and grandchildren into the Steele family system--at least we have not scared anyone away yet, though we might have come close this year.
We rented two cottages near the northern-most tip of Michigan's lower peninsula on Black Lake. The trip to Black Lake included driving a lot of miles on two-lane roads through Wisconsin's and Michigan's rural areas. That was a treat because of the beauty of those states. We stayed the night in Green Bay, Wisconsin the first night. We football fans could not stay the night without visiting Lambeau Field--it would be a sin not to visit. None of our family are "Packer" fans, but we were inspired, none the less, by the great tradition of the Packers.
The next highlight of the vacation was crossing the Mackinac bridge. The Mackinac bridge is the third longest suspension bridge in the world. Including approaches, the total length of the bridge is a bit more than 5 miles long. The height of the roadway above the water at its highest point is 200 feet and, depending on wind strength, the bridge can sway as much as 35 feet. So, to me, it was an adventure just to cross the Mackinac bridge.
The time we had together on vacation was priceless. It will be a dynamic in the formation of the lives of our grandchildren. Hopefully, the faith in Christ that is lived out in their grandparents and parents will take root and grow in their lives too.
On the way home we stayed the night in Elkhart, Indiana, very close to South Bend and Notre Dame University. Though none of us are fans of the "Fighting Irish," the men among us could not not visit one of the revered sites of college football. Our visit to the campus was inspiring and makes for a more favorable perspective of Notre Dame University and football.
Much more could be said about vacation, but we arrived safely home for some much-needed rest.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*If you are planning a vacation, the Mackinac area is a great place to go--it will be a "Moment in Time" that will not be forgotten. We spent a day on Mackinac Island and it was an enjoyable historical experience.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
PROMISE, NOT PERFORMANCE
That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants (Romans 9:8).
What a privilege to be a child of God! One is not a child of God because of the color of skin, the amount of money, power or beauty that is possessed. One is not a child of God because of apparent fulfillment of the good works of the Old Testament Law. One is a child of God because of faith in Christ. That is the promise of God . . . for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Romans 10:10).
What a person believes changes his life. If a person believes and there is no life change, does he really believe?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
What a privilege to be a child of God! One is not a child of God because of the color of skin, the amount of money, power or beauty that is possessed. One is not a child of God because of apparent fulfillment of the good works of the Old Testament Law. One is a child of God because of faith in Christ. That is the promise of God . . . for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Romans 10:10).
What a person believes changes his life. If a person believes and there is no life change, does he really believe?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
MUSING ON THE 4TH OF JULY
A city set on a hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14).
A person who "muses" is one who thinks deeply. Right now my mind is exhausted so I do not know if I am capable of thinking deeply, but the question has crossed my mind today, "What would the world be like if America would never have come into existence?" It is not difficult for me to believe that the world would have progressed little from the time of the forming of America until now. I do not believe that the world would have continued on, progressing as though America had no influence on the progress of nations.
Without America, Hitler would have won. Without America, the Soviets would have won. Without America, the Islamists would have won--oh wait, that one isn't over yet. In any of these cases, freedom would have been killed and the vast majority of humanity would be living in slavery. Freedom is rare! It is precious! It is not free!
The Lord has said that man does not live by bread alone. A tyrant can feed his people, but without freedom they can never really live and thrive. The freedom that Americans enjoy has fed the aspirations of the peoples of the world. The basis of that freedom is the rule of law, law founded on the God of the Bible. Laws of purely human origin are arbitrary and unlawful, but laws based in the character of God are truly lawful. What has made America exceptional is that, for the most part, America is a nation of the rule of that kind of law.
Times are changing. American jurisprudence is becoming more and more arbitrary. Becoming as the other nations of earth, the light of America is going out, then what will the world be like?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
A person who "muses" is one who thinks deeply. Right now my mind is exhausted so I do not know if I am capable of thinking deeply, but the question has crossed my mind today, "What would the world be like if America would never have come into existence?" It is not difficult for me to believe that the world would have progressed little from the time of the forming of America until now. I do not believe that the world would have continued on, progressing as though America had no influence on the progress of nations.
Without America, Hitler would have won. Without America, the Soviets would have won. Without America, the Islamists would have won--oh wait, that one isn't over yet. In any of these cases, freedom would have been killed and the vast majority of humanity would be living in slavery. Freedom is rare! It is precious! It is not free!
The Lord has said that man does not live by bread alone. A tyrant can feed his people, but without freedom they can never really live and thrive. The freedom that Americans enjoy has fed the aspirations of the peoples of the world. The basis of that freedom is the rule of law, law founded on the God of the Bible. Laws of purely human origin are arbitrary and unlawful, but laws based in the character of God are truly lawful. What has made America exceptional is that, for the most part, America is a nation of the rule of that kind of law.
Times are changing. American jurisprudence is becoming more and more arbitrary. Becoming as the other nations of earth, the light of America is going out, then what will the world be like?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
THE RIGHT PEOPLE
. . . the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).
About 15 years ago, while I was in graduate school, I hired a cattleman to sell my cattle for me on a commission basis. He told me that Canton, South Dakota was where the market for my calves would be "hot." So, the day before the sale we loaded a "pot" load of 600 pounders and shipped them to Canton.
I had a morning class at the seminary in Sioux Falls, but it would be no problem to make it back to Canton for the sale at 1:00. When I drove into the parking lot of the sale barn there were only a half dozen cars and pickups there and I thought, "Oh joy! I looks like I'm going to lose my shirt today!" With only a few bidders on my calves I thought the price they would bring would be very low and when one only gets paid once a year it is import to get the most out of them.
It turned out that it was a "hot" market! I made some money that day. Though there were only a few people in the sale barn, they were the right people; the people who wanted calves to feed and were willing to pay good money to get them. I have often thought of that experince when I read this parable of Jesus on the parable of the sower and soils (Luke 8: 4-15). The concern of the preacher is not primarily how many people there are to preach to, but that they be the right people, the ones with sincere hearts who desire God in their lives. We often equate success in pastoral ministry with large crowds of people, but it seems to me that our prayer should be that the gospel would be planted in the hearts of the right people, whether the crowd be great or small.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
About 15 years ago, while I was in graduate school, I hired a cattleman to sell my cattle for me on a commission basis. He told me that Canton, South Dakota was where the market for my calves would be "hot." So, the day before the sale we loaded a "pot" load of 600 pounders and shipped them to Canton.
I had a morning class at the seminary in Sioux Falls, but it would be no problem to make it back to Canton for the sale at 1:00. When I drove into the parking lot of the sale barn there were only a half dozen cars and pickups there and I thought, "Oh joy! I looks like I'm going to lose my shirt today!" With only a few bidders on my calves I thought the price they would bring would be very low and when one only gets paid once a year it is import to get the most out of them.
It turned out that it was a "hot" market! I made some money that day. Though there were only a few people in the sale barn, they were the right people; the people who wanted calves to feed and were willing to pay good money to get them. I have often thought of that experince when I read this parable of Jesus on the parable of the sower and soils (Luke 8: 4-15). The concern of the preacher is not primarily how many people there are to preach to, but that they be the right people, the ones with sincere hearts who desire God in their lives. We often equate success in pastoral ministry with large crowds of people, but it seems to me that our prayer should be that the gospel would be planted in the hearts of the right people, whether the crowd be great or small.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
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