THE BIBLE
In my THOUGHT for today I want to make very plain the basis for my interpretation of the Bible. It is very simple. It is written and I accept it as it is written.
There are passages that I do not understand. I accept that. God has not given me permission to change words so that it becomes something that I can understand. I can only study and pray that God will reveal His Truth to me, and grant me the wisdom to understand it.
There are passages I may not agree with. I accept that. I cannot discard those passages. I cannot say that they do not apply today. I cannot change them to make them more acceptable to society. To those who say that this or that passage no longer applies, then don’t you have to say that about the entire Word of God?
Many times Jesus or the Apostles say, "It is written..." and then proceed with a quote from the Old or New Testament. They accepted it; can I do any less?
New translations have often given me problems as the new wording often weakens the original message and gives rise to false teachings, or at the least, misunderstandings. Some argue that there must be more new translations reflecting the language and the culture of the people who read it.
Far too many have tried to adjust the Bible to fit their lives. It is much more difficult, but I pray that I can adjust my life to fit God’s Word.
IT IS WRITTEN -- I ACCEPT IT.
God’s Peace. See You At The House.
01/29/07
IT IS WRITTEN, PART 2 - I TRY TO LIVE IT
"Faith without works is dead" is an oft quoted Biblical statement. This is what I mean when I say that -- It is written and I try to live it.
To say that you accept the written Word of God and then to not act on it, to not live it, is to reject it
Everything else that we accept in faith, without doubt, we act upon it, we live it.
If I believe that a chair is there to sit on, I sit on it. I don’t leave it to collect dust, I don’t put it in storage, I use it.
I believe that a car is to be driven. I don’t let it sit and rust. I proudly drive it and show it to others.
Why is it so hard to do the same thing with God’s Holy Word? Why do we hide it? We should not be ashamed of God’s Word. We need to Live God’s Word, to show it off with pride that others might see how much joy there is in Living in Christ.
It is for this reason that I offer a "Suggestion for Living" each Devotion that I write and post on the Prayer and Devotion page.
It is for this reason that I have a "Living The Devotion" section for each devotion in my book, WHAT? GOD! YOU WANT ME TO DO SOMETHING.
IT IS WRITTEN -- WILL YOU LIVE IT?
God’s Peace. See You At The House.
01/30/07
IT IS WRITTEN, PART 3 - GODSPEAK
"Godspeak" is a term that I like to use to describe my conversations with God. Godspeak is naturally talking to God or thinking about God in everything that you do. Godspeak is something that comes to young children, but then is lost. Sometimes it is lost because it is discouraged or even laughed at. When little children are taught to pray, they often want to add other names to the "God Bless list." Sometimes their additions are pets, other times people or things that the adult might not think appropriate. Maybe the child is told that we don’t pray for that, or we don’t bother God with that because He is too busy. They soon learn not to bother God unless it is really important.
Somewhere along the line it seems these Words of Jesus were forgotten, "Suffer the Little children to come unto Me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God."
Later in life it is important for us to relearn to use Godspeak, to speak to God in a natural, conversational way. If you do not pray or if your prayers are limited to the formal table prayer, nighttime or morning prayer, consider making Godspeak a part of your life. Godspeak is simply talking to God at many different points during the day.
Begin the day by thanking him for your night of rest and asking His guidance through the day. As you go through the day, thank Him for the good things such as the sunshine, the rain when it is needed, for the friend that you see or talk to at some time of the day, for the good news that you read or hear about, for each good moment. At the same time when troubles jump out at you, when errors are made by you or another, when you are hurt by a comment, a bad decision, when a friend turns against you, talk to God about that also. At the close of he day, don’t forget to review the day and thank God for all of the help, guidance and love you have received from Him.
At first you may wonder if God really listens. You will wonder because this is something new and different in your life. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. This does not only require formal prayer, it also includes a life where God is invited to be involved in all that you do. The more you talk to God about daily life decisions, I am confident that the more you will be aware of His presence and guidance in your life.
Godspeak then is the way I talk to God in prayer throughout each day and the Words that I feel, sense or hear God speak to me. Throughout Scripture we are told to hear the Word of the Lord and we are encouraged to bring our cares and our joys to Him. To use formal prayer is a start to use Godspeak, to talk to God all through each day, can be a real Blessing.
Don’t parents and children gain much from talking to each other? Give yourself a chance to experience that same gain that comes from Godspeak, talking with your Heavenly Father
GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.
01/31/07
IT IS WRITTEN, PART 4 - GOD THINKING
Yesterday I wrote about Godspeaking -- being in prayerful communication with God throughout the day. There is a similarity between Godspeaking and Godthinking, yet there is a difference. You can only live a life of God Thinking if you have the solid foundation of God Speaking.
Many times I have enjoyed hearing Jake Hess sing on the Gaither Gospel Homecoming Hour. One of songs that I always looked forward to him singing contained the words, "Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door."
Prayer (Godspeaking) is the foundation on which Faith (Godthinking) can move the mountains. When our days are filled with prayers giving thanks and seeking guidance and forgiveness, in time we find ourselves thinking about God throughout the day as in living, without asking, the "What Would Jesus Have Me Do" theme. But even more than that, we may well find we can do the impossible, at least what others would call impossible.
Here is an example. God told Noah, build an ark. The people laughed. Impossible, Noah, there’s no water here. Noah’s Godthinking allowed him to not only build the ark on dry land but also to safely sail away when the floods came.
Maybe this is a better example. There was a young boy. His name was David. His brothers and others were engaged is a major dispute with the "Giants" from a nearby area. The main "Giant" was destroying David’s people. As the "Giant" trod slowly toward them, all knew that they were doomed. Would they all be slaughtered by that big man with his weapon? What would happen to their families? David had heard the stories of faith and the promises of God that had been passed down generation after generation. David evidently had a strong faith, a Godthinking that led his life. He took out his slingshot, picked up a stone. The "Giant" charged on. David's people told him to run, to get out of he way. David stood there, raised his slingshot and fired. The stone flew at a great speed and hit the "Giant" in just the right place. The "Giant" fell to the ground, the battle was over. David may have been the hero, but it was his faith, his Godthinking, that pushed away all fear, all of the odds against victory and allowed him to sling that stone.
As you walk through life do you ever have thoughts like these, I should go to see (NAME) who is in the hospital, nursing home or shut in at home. Then you think, I don’t have time. I should go and volunteer at the Homeless Shelter, the Food Kitchen, the Care Facilities, the Tutoring Program, but I don’t have time. I should invite my neighbor, my coworker, my bowling partner to go along to church with me, but I don’t have the nerve. I believe that you are saying NO to the Faith given to you by the Holy Spirit. Every time we say NO to Godthinking we are allowing Satan (the "Giant") to take another step forward in His attempt to eliminate those who believe in God.
We have a choice. If we accept the Bible as it is written, if we build a solid foundation on prayer (Godspeaking) we will find that our faith (Godthinking) will lead us to joys, victories and relationships that are beyond our imaginations OR you can do as most do, look at what faces you and say, Keep coming "Giant" I give up.
Don’t give up, you have too much to lose. Turn to God and accept Him as your Savior and ask that He would fill you with Godspeaking and Godthinking.
GOD’S PEACE SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE
02/01/07
IT IS WRITTEN, PART 5 - PRE-TREATING THE ROAD
Here in Northwest Ohio the various Highway Departments have been treating the highways with a solution many hours before a snow or ice storm is expected to arrive. On most occasions this has worked well in keeping the initial precipitation from building a layer of ice on the road.
I find this to be a good illustration relating to the importance of knowing that FAITH is the treatment God has given to us through the Holy Spirit. This pre-treatment of FAITH rejects many temptations from entering our lives. Just as the highway departments have to continue these treatments, we must also. The highway department waits until weather radar tells them the storm is coming. We know that Satan tempts us every day and every day we must make sure our FAITH has been strengthened and not weakened. The highway department may run out of their supply of solution; we will never run out of FAITH as long as we daily seek God’s presence and guidance in our lives. Ephesians 6:10-20 may be helpful in considering this thought for today.
GOD’S PEACE SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE
02/02/07
IT IS WRITTEN, PART 6 - NOW IT MAKES SENSE
This is the sixth and final part in this series that I have called, "IT IS WRITTEN." If we ACCEPT God’s Word as it is written, if we seek to LIVE His Word as He teaches us, if we use GODSPEAK--that is grow in our Prayer Life so that speaking to God is a natural part of EVERY hour of our life, if we use GODTHINK--that is thinking about what God would have us do in every action of our life, and if our FAITH grows and grows and rejects the attacks of Satan, then IT ALL MAKES SENSE.
In the early years of my ministry I was taught that there were hymns that were just NOT to be used in a Worship Service. One of those was a hymn that was a favorite of so many, but was not allowed in our hymnal.
It was ‘IN THE GARDEN." The beautiful words of the refrain "AND HE WALKS WITH ME, AND HE TALKS WITH ME AND HE TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN." were considered to be theologically incorrect. I never learned the fancy "Theological" words unless I needed them for a test question at the Seminary. Such words are meaningless to most people. It had something to do with the concept of being buddy buddy with Jesus; walking and talking with Him was not acceptable.
The more I accept His Word as it is written, the more I try to Live His Word as He directs me to live, the more I spend time speaking to God and thinking about Him, the stronger my faith becomes, and then it all makes sense. Everyday that I seek to live in His Name, I know that He walks with me, I know that He talks with me, and O the joy, O the sense of love that I feel when I know that He calls me His own.
GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.
02/03/07
THERE IS STILL TIME, OR IS THERE?
As I write this, in preparation for posting on Sunday morning, Saturday
morning is slowly changing to afternoon. It is important for you to have
this information so that you will know the weather information will be
based on forecast and not on fact. By the time this is posted and you read
it on Sunday, I will know if the forecast was correct.
When I drove to town this morning, it was obvious that people had taken
the forecast for a Winter Storm very seriously. The grocery store parking
lots were filling fast. If the forecast for up to a quarter inch of ice
and then heavy snow/slush come true, extra groceries are needed as travel
will become hazardous. All who live here know that they should always have
a week’s supply of food and water on hand, but it seems when a storm is
coming, there is always a long list of things that we MUST have.
Emergency Preparedness people tell us to have supplies on hand. We hear
the warning, but say "There is still time.
Media forecasts alert us of the major storm coming and tell us to be ready
in the next 12 hours. We hear the warning, but say "There is still time."
The winds begin to blow, the rain or snow cascades down, visibility drops
to near zero, and there are some things I really need. I think ‘There is
still time" and then I wonder, "or is there?"
Our Lord has said, "Watch, therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour
when the Son of Man will return." We know that "watch" means to prepare,
to be ready, to look for something that you know is coming. Because that
warning was given so long ago, we say, "There is still time."
And then one day we will suddenly see a cloud racing toward earth, and
Jesus will be on that cloud as He promised. Before those words, "There is
still time" can even be thought, there will be no more time. Those who
have not prepared, have not "watched," will only know the torments of Hell
and not even have a glimpse of the joys of eternity.
The next time you use the phrase "There is still time" about anything, be
sure to add these three important words, "or is there?"
GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.
02/25/07
