“The thoughtful person finds herself asking important questions. If Jesus’ ethic speaks of loving one’s enemies, why are we praying for American soldiers but not their victims? Why are we passionate to protect life in the womb but often apathetic about the plight of single moms trying to raise infants without health coverage or access to living wage employment? Why are we working just as hard as everyone else to perpetuate an American dream that results in our 5 percent of the world’s population consuming 26 per cent of the world’s resources? When thoughtful Christians articulate these questions, they are too often told to stop thinking so much and get with the program.”
Richard Dahlstrom
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Rescue
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13)
In Galveston,Texas those who ignored the order to evacuate from Hurricane Ike’s fury now have to be rescued from waist-deep water. Reporters and observers have been quick to point out that these “determined” residents have put the “first responders” at risk. While it is true that they have needlessly endangered themselves and others, I was impressed by the response from a spokesman for some of those “first responders”. He gently said, “Our job is to rescue, not to judge.” What a refreshingly mature response!
Isn’t that the response we Christians should have toward unbelievers—those who have not yet heeded God’s warning and offer of safety? Paul said that it wasn’t his business to judge the world. (I Cor. 5:12) Even Jesus, the Creator of everything (Col 1:16) and eventual* judge said that he didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it. (John 12:47) Jesus response was and ours should be, “Our job is to rescue, not to judge.”
*Eventual is the key word here. Jesus will be the judge of all things and “the saints” will judge the world with him (John 5:27-30; I Cor. 6:2) but not until the “end”.
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. (I Cor. 4:5)
In Galveston,Texas those who ignored the order to evacuate from Hurricane Ike’s fury now have to be rescued from waist-deep water. Reporters and observers have been quick to point out that these “determined” residents have put the “first responders” at risk. While it is true that they have needlessly endangered themselves and others, I was impressed by the response from a spokesman for some of those “first responders”. He gently said, “Our job is to rescue, not to judge.” What a refreshingly mature response!
Isn’t that the response we Christians should have toward unbelievers—those who have not yet heeded God’s warning and offer of safety? Paul said that it wasn’t his business to judge the world. (I Cor. 5:12) Even Jesus, the Creator of everything (Col 1:16) and eventual* judge said that he didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it. (John 12:47) Jesus response was and ours should be, “Our job is to rescue, not to judge.”
*Eventual is the key word here. Jesus will be the judge of all things and “the saints” will judge the world with him (John 5:27-30; I Cor. 6:2) but not until the “end”.
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. (I Cor. 4:5)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
God's Pruning
Have you ever heard someone exclaim (or write), “ I was cut to the heart by what I read in Scripture”? If you’re like me, it’s been a very long time since you have. In the last several years, people I’ve encountered have been more likely to instead say, “God is teaching me so much through this sickness that I wouldn’t have learned any other way. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.“(John 15:1-3) Since the Greek words for “prune” and “clean” come from the same root, Jesus was saying that his word had pruned them already and they apparently didn’t need any other. If we stay in the Word (continually reading the New Testament and making the teachings our way of life) we won’t need any other kind* of “pruning” either. Sure, the Lord uses every situation, turning what the devil meant for evil into good,(see Romans 8:28) but it’s so much better to let the Holy Spirit convict and teach you through the Word of God.
*Persecution for Jesus’ name's sake is the kind of trial that God uses for chastening us and building character. Look for future posts on this.
Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.“(John 15:1-3) Since the Greek words for “prune” and “clean” come from the same root, Jesus was saying that his word had pruned them already and they apparently didn’t need any other. If we stay in the Word (continually reading the New Testament and making the teachings our way of life) we won’t need any other kind* of “pruning” either. Sure, the Lord uses every situation, turning what the devil meant for evil into good,(see Romans 8:28) but it’s so much better to let the Holy Spirit convict and teach you through the Word of God.
*Persecution for Jesus’ name's sake is the kind of trial that God uses for chastening us and building character. Look for future posts on this.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Judgment, Hurricanes & New Orleans
God's Judgment? Once again, a large hurricane was headed for New Orleans and once again I’ve heard Christians assess it as God’s judgment. I’m ashamed to hear God’s people, who have been generous recipients of god’s mercy deny it to others! In 2005, I wrote an e-mail response to the the judgment-by-e-mail that circulated like buzzards when Katrina did it’s damage. I’m repeating it here, now because the Biblical issues haven’t changed.
On God’s Judgment
By Joan C. Thomson
Autumn 2005
When Katrina headed for New Orleans, I grieved and cried out to God for mercy. Thankfully it “weakened” to a category 4 hurricane from a huge “5 1/2”!
As a teen visiting several times with my family, I knew New Orleans as a beautiful city with huge sprays of magenta bougainvillea trailing over wrought iron balconies. Artists set up their easels in Jackson Square. Royal Street hosted antique and gift shops one after another while a streetcar ride through St. Charles garden district was a delight. Beautifully landscaped courtyards with fountains peeked out through passageways and the food was renowned. And yet, most people only know about Bourbon Street. I’ve been there, too. It is horrible—once you see past the continual carnival atmosphere, but it’s only one part.
I’ll miss the good parts of New Orleans (as it was) yet after Katrina hit I began to hear (as usual) speculation about whether the hurricane was God’s judgment on the area. So I looked for commonality between New Orleans, Gulf Port and Mobile (another beautiful city). New Orleans and Gulf Port have in common newly acquired big gambling while Mobile taught New Orleans how to Mardi Gras (literally). Even as I found these parallels, the Holy Spirit began to convict me. IF God were judging these cities on the grounds of such wickedness, THEN we’d better pray for lots of places! My dad agreed as he enumerated the types of legal gambling in Texas. Was it Mardi Gras? —many US cities have it, as do many throughout Europe. Was it the homosexual parades? Many US cities have those too, including Charlotte.
But even Sodom and Gomorrah had Abraham to intercede for them. God would have relented for even ten righteous people. We can be sure that most places have at least ten! If it was God’s judgment, where were the intercessors? I read an exhortation that said more changes aren’t seen in particular groups because instead of praying for them, we Christians are too busy throwing stones.
Was it God’s judgment? That is for God to say. Even Jesus said, “For I did not come to judge the world but to save it.” (John 12:47b) Judgment will come at the end. “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.” (I Corinthians 4:5) Paul said that we aren’t to judge the world at all. “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?” (I Cor. 5:12) Yes, I’m aware of the verses that say we will judge the world. Notice that they are written in the future tense.
Jesus warned against our passing judgment on those who are the victims of disaster when He said, “Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:4,5) That puts us all in a difficult situation since, if there is to be any judgment, it starts with God’s people. “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God…” (1 Peter 4:17) But guess what? The context has nothing to do with “natural disasters” but persecution for being a Christian. V13 “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”
We’re a lot less likely to pray for a person or place if we’ve made up our minds that God is judging them.
One reason I’ve been so distressed over Katrina’s devastation of the Gulf Coast is that I knew a hurricane could just as easily have hit Galveston and Houston, the city in which I was born and lived until 1985—over half my life. My husband lived most of his life there as well. Our families are there still. Now here we are a few weeks later with Rita bearing down on Galveston and Houston. Yes, Houston has its evil and plenty of it but that doesn’t mean that everyone who lives there is evil.
I’m ashamed to hear Christians saying that Rita should veer over to New Orleans and “finish the job”. Please don’t react to events in an uninformed manner—please base all your opinions, thoughts and comments on the Word of God for it’s the only worthy standard. “But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36) When you feel the urge to point the finger—PRAY INSTEAD.
On God’s Judgment
By Joan C. Thomson
Autumn 2005
When Katrina headed for New Orleans, I grieved and cried out to God for mercy. Thankfully it “weakened” to a category 4 hurricane from a huge “5 1/2”!
As a teen visiting several times with my family, I knew New Orleans as a beautiful city with huge sprays of magenta bougainvillea trailing over wrought iron balconies. Artists set up their easels in Jackson Square. Royal Street hosted antique and gift shops one after another while a streetcar ride through St. Charles garden district was a delight. Beautifully landscaped courtyards with fountains peeked out through passageways and the food was renowned. And yet, most people only know about Bourbon Street. I’ve been there, too. It is horrible—once you see past the continual carnival atmosphere, but it’s only one part.
I’ll miss the good parts of New Orleans (as it was) yet after Katrina hit I began to hear (as usual) speculation about whether the hurricane was God’s judgment on the area. So I looked for commonality between New Orleans, Gulf Port and Mobile (another beautiful city). New Orleans and Gulf Port have in common newly acquired big gambling while Mobile taught New Orleans how to Mardi Gras (literally). Even as I found these parallels, the Holy Spirit began to convict me. IF God were judging these cities on the grounds of such wickedness, THEN we’d better pray for lots of places! My dad agreed as he enumerated the types of legal gambling in Texas. Was it Mardi Gras? —many US cities have it, as do many throughout Europe. Was it the homosexual parades? Many US cities have those too, including Charlotte.
But even Sodom and Gomorrah had Abraham to intercede for them. God would have relented for even ten righteous people. We can be sure that most places have at least ten! If it was God’s judgment, where were the intercessors? I read an exhortation that said more changes aren’t seen in particular groups because instead of praying for them, we Christians are too busy throwing stones.
Was it God’s judgment? That is for God to say. Even Jesus said, “For I did not come to judge the world but to save it.” (John 12:47b) Judgment will come at the end. “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.” (I Corinthians 4:5) Paul said that we aren’t to judge the world at all. “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?” (I Cor. 5:12) Yes, I’m aware of the verses that say we will judge the world. Notice that they are written in the future tense.
Jesus warned against our passing judgment on those who are the victims of disaster when He said, “Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:4,5) That puts us all in a difficult situation since, if there is to be any judgment, it starts with God’s people. “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God…” (1 Peter 4:17) But guess what? The context has nothing to do with “natural disasters” but persecution for being a Christian. V13 “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”
We’re a lot less likely to pray for a person or place if we’ve made up our minds that God is judging them.
One reason I’ve been so distressed over Katrina’s devastation of the Gulf Coast is that I knew a hurricane could just as easily have hit Galveston and Houston, the city in which I was born and lived until 1985—over half my life. My husband lived most of his life there as well. Our families are there still. Now here we are a few weeks later with Rita bearing down on Galveston and Houston. Yes, Houston has its evil and plenty of it but that doesn’t mean that everyone who lives there is evil.
I’m ashamed to hear Christians saying that Rita should veer over to New Orleans and “finish the job”. Please don’t react to events in an uninformed manner—please base all your opinions, thoughts and comments on the Word of God for it’s the only worthy standard. “But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36) When you feel the urge to point the finger—PRAY INSTEAD.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Generational Curses
Generational curses are blamed for everything these days. So often when I ask for healing prayer, if I mention the “G” word (genetic), or for no particular reason, the person praying will launch into praying against “generational curses”, the concept based on the second commandment, which says that since “God punishes the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generations,” any problem a person has results from some sin, known or unknown, that their ancestor committed. The remedy, according to the teaching's adherents, consists of anything from personally repenting of that sin to undergoing five-hour rituals to undo their ancestors' Masonic involvement. One person told me that someone who prayed for her discerned witchcraft in her family all the way back to the eleven hundreds—for which she had to repent. People mean well (I think) but I’m amazed at the angry responses to my pointing out what the scripture truly says.
The second commandment and several other passages in the Bible really do say that:
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, Exodus 20:5
So what’s the problem? God in his mercy and grace didn’t leave us there! Even as far back as Ezekiel’s time, God stopped passing the blame through the generations!
"Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father? Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. " Ezk 18:19-20
This entire chapter is clearly about individuals not bearing any guilt but their own. Ezekiel was looking forward to the day when Jesus would bear the curse of sin and death, including the generational curse, for us.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Galatians 3:13
Hallelujah! Jesus has already done it!!! We who follow Jesus are no longer under the Law! Each person is only responsible to repent for his or her own sins and Jesus’ death and resurrection have won us forgiveness! We don’t need any rituals to “break off” such curses; the New Testament never even suggests such a thing! Even in the Old Testament, God had Ezekiel rebuke the Israelites for saying such a thing.
The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:" `The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'?As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. 4 For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die. EZE 18:1-4
This is a very serious issue since the kinds of curses that people should be concerned about are the ones that come from trying to be justified by the Law (Mosaic).
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." GAL 3:10
But what about genetic diseases? I’m not a genetic scientist but I can be reasonably sure (and fervently hope) that if a person’s parent has a disease it’s not a sure thing that they will contract it also. If a person knows that a genetic tendency runs in their family they will do well to take precautions such as eating a healthy diet and exercising. I realize that this part is oversimplification but I do know that we who follow Jesus are not required by any curse to contract these things!!
Yes, sometimes curses do harass people for other reasons but that’s another matter. God no longer punishes the children for the sins of their fathers! We are FREE in Jesus!
The second commandment and several other passages in the Bible really do say that:
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, Exodus 20:5
So what’s the problem? God in his mercy and grace didn’t leave us there! Even as far back as Ezekiel’s time, God stopped passing the blame through the generations!
"Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father? Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. " Ezk 18:19-20
This entire chapter is clearly about individuals not bearing any guilt but their own. Ezekiel was looking forward to the day when Jesus would bear the curse of sin and death, including the generational curse, for us.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Galatians 3:13
Hallelujah! Jesus has already done it!!! We who follow Jesus are no longer under the Law! Each person is only responsible to repent for his or her own sins and Jesus’ death and resurrection have won us forgiveness! We don’t need any rituals to “break off” such curses; the New Testament never even suggests such a thing! Even in the Old Testament, God had Ezekiel rebuke the Israelites for saying such a thing.
The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:" `The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'?As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. 4 For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die. EZE 18:1-4
This is a very serious issue since the kinds of curses that people should be concerned about are the ones that come from trying to be justified by the Law (Mosaic).
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." GAL 3:10
But what about genetic diseases? I’m not a genetic scientist but I can be reasonably sure (and fervently hope) that if a person’s parent has a disease it’s not a sure thing that they will contract it also. If a person knows that a genetic tendency runs in their family they will do well to take precautions such as eating a healthy diet and exercising. I realize that this part is oversimplification but I do know that we who follow Jesus are not required by any curse to contract these things!!
Yes, sometimes curses do harass people for other reasons but that’s another matter. God no longer punishes the children for the sins of their fathers! We are FREE in Jesus!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Sola Scriptura
Childhood books urged me, “If you believe hard enough, whatever you wish for will come true!” Oh, how I wanted it to be so but there was always an adult around to assure me of what I had already sensed, that it just wasn’t. Later as a teen I discovered that “faith can move mountains” and began to pray in faith and received amazing answers. I learned though that faith and belief, unlike “wishing upon a star”, worked only on those things that God had promised in his word.
Sola scriptura, scripture alone, was Martin Luther’s insistence that all authority for a Christian’s life was based not on what some religious leader found advantageous, not on tradition but only on the Word of God—the Bible. Today, people tell me, “Well, I believe …”, fill in the blank with whatever they’ve been taught by “someone I respect”—therefore-it-must-be-true, without taking time to be like the Bereans who “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11) Paul wasn’t threatened, so why do Christian teachers feel threatened today? Or perhaps the person believes, "God wants me to be happy,”
making it convenient to divorce their husband or wife, regardless of what God has already said on the subject.
Just believing something, anything does not make it so. Exercising faith in God, based on his word already expressed in the Bible does!
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)
Let’s move those mountains of sickness, poverty, evil and unbelief! Anyone game?
Sola scriptura, scripture alone, was Martin Luther’s insistence that all authority for a Christian’s life was based not on what some religious leader found advantageous, not on tradition but only on the Word of God—the Bible. Today, people tell me, “Well, I believe …”, fill in the blank with whatever they’ve been taught by “someone I respect”—therefore-it-must-be-true, without taking time to be like the Bereans who “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11) Paul wasn’t threatened, so why do Christian teachers feel threatened today? Or perhaps the person believes, "God wants me to be happy,”
making it convenient to divorce their husband or wife, regardless of what God has already said on the subject.
Just believing something, anything does not make it so. Exercising faith in God, based on his word already expressed in the Bible does!
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)
Let’s move those mountains of sickness, poverty, evil and unbelief! Anyone game?
Monday, August 11, 2008
Christians and “The Law” (of Moses)
Saturday, a store manager told me that an item I had always found there was no longer stocked but she encouraged me to “keep checking because everything old is new again.” I was amused since my first thought was, “That means me!” Many old things (and people!) are still good and don’t need to be replaced just because something newer, flashier or more technologically up to date comes along. My grandmother’s cheese grater still grates and my late twentieth century phones can still connect me to any other phone in the world—without all the fancy features and up-charges.
However, bringing some old things forward is not only inappropriate but can be harmful, as when Christians try to put other Christians “under the Law”. Of course, I’m referring to the Law of Moses, given to Moses by God for the Jews. Even a rabbi told me that Jewish people are the only ones who God expects to follow the Law. But for all who follow Jesus, the Law was fulfilled by his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead! (Romans 10:4) and we are “not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14) Yet, Christians often still insist on requiring each other (sometimes even themselves) to be “under the Law” in various forms. Some insist on the Ten Commandments, others on tithing and still others that God punishes sins “to the third and fourth generations”.
The apostle Paul severely chastised the Galatians for following teachings that put them under the Law. He called it, “deserting the one who called you” (Gal.1: 6) “turning to a different gospel, which is no gospel at all”. (Gal. 1:7-9) Paul quoted the Law itself in saying that anyone who relied on the Law was under a curse for not keeping the entire Law—all 613 parts! (Gal. 3:10) Strong words! But they’re not mine. They’re the Word of God. God is very serious about grace—it cost Jesus a lot.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)
I’ll be writing more detail on this subject in weeks to come, and don’t worry, I’ll address as well the overdose of grace that leads to license.
However, bringing some old things forward is not only inappropriate but can be harmful, as when Christians try to put other Christians “under the Law”. Of course, I’m referring to the Law of Moses, given to Moses by God for the Jews. Even a rabbi told me that Jewish people are the only ones who God expects to follow the Law. But for all who follow Jesus, the Law was fulfilled by his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead! (Romans 10:4) and we are “not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14) Yet, Christians often still insist on requiring each other (sometimes even themselves) to be “under the Law” in various forms. Some insist on the Ten Commandments, others on tithing and still others that God punishes sins “to the third and fourth generations”.
The apostle Paul severely chastised the Galatians for following teachings that put them under the Law. He called it, “deserting the one who called you” (Gal.1: 6) “turning to a different gospel, which is no gospel at all”. (Gal. 1:7-9) Paul quoted the Law itself in saying that anyone who relied on the Law was under a curse for not keeping the entire Law—all 613 parts! (Gal. 3:10) Strong words! But they’re not mine. They’re the Word of God. God is very serious about grace—it cost Jesus a lot.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)
I’ll be writing more detail on this subject in weeks to come, and don’t worry, I’ll address as well the overdose of grace that leads to license.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
God's Will for Your Life
We Christians are always wondering, ”What is God’s will for my life?” Many books and workshops are eagerly sought in this mysterious quest. We think, “I just know the answer is out there somewhere, if only I could find the right formula…” Some tell us to follow our dreams while others say, “Do what you’re good at” and still others say that you never quite know because God may change it minute by minute. But God isn’t capricious--constantly changing nor is he holding out on you, keeping some big secret from you. In fact, he so much wants you to know what he wants for your life that he had it written down for you even before you were born!
As I recently wrote to a young friend, God doesn’t have a different will for each person, his will for all of us is written in the Bible (with an emphasis on the New Testament). Of course, there are details that will vary such as timing and location, etc. I’m in no way dismissing the leading of the Holy Spirit! But the first place the Holy Spirit will lead you is to that which has already been said. Do you remember your mother ever saying, “Now what did I already tell you?”
One question that comes up among young people and increasingly among the not so young is, “Am I ‘called’ to missions?” The answer is simple—yes. Jesus said,” Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19) Every Christian is called by Jesus to take the good news of his kingdom to the nations though the nations or “people groups” may very well be in your city. Your role may be to help someone else travel, supporting them in (fervent!) prayer and finances until you can take a more active role.
What field should I work/major in? Which job should I aim for?” are two other questions that confront most of us at an increasingly earlier age. Your number one calling is to be a disciple of Jesus who makes other disciples (this certainly includes worshipping him) so your primary concern should be in taking a job that doesn’t so fill your time that there’s no time left for following Jesus in every way,and gathering with other believers (this does not necessarily mean committee meetings!). You already know from scripture without having to wonder (I hope!) that it should be work that honors God and doesn’t dishonor him. There is an old teaching that all work a Christian does honors God—sorry, there’s no way that being a stripper or a manufacturer of products that harm people will ever honor God.
These are just a couple of the questions many of us have about God’s will for our lives. I’ve only skimmed the surface, but my aim is to send you back to God’s Word to get the foundational knowledge of his will—you may be surprised at how many of the details fall into place once you do. More later…
As I recently wrote to a young friend, God doesn’t have a different will for each person, his will for all of us is written in the Bible (with an emphasis on the New Testament). Of course, there are details that will vary such as timing and location, etc. I’m in no way dismissing the leading of the Holy Spirit! But the first place the Holy Spirit will lead you is to that which has already been said. Do you remember your mother ever saying, “Now what did I already tell you?”
One question that comes up among young people and increasingly among the not so young is, “Am I ‘called’ to missions?” The answer is simple—yes. Jesus said,” Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19) Every Christian is called by Jesus to take the good news of his kingdom to the nations though the nations or “people groups” may very well be in your city. Your role may be to help someone else travel, supporting them in (fervent!) prayer and finances until you can take a more active role.
What field should I work/major in? Which job should I aim for?” are two other questions that confront most of us at an increasingly earlier age. Your number one calling is to be a disciple of Jesus who makes other disciples (this certainly includes worshipping him) so your primary concern should be in taking a job that doesn’t so fill your time that there’s no time left for following Jesus in every way,and gathering with other believers (this does not necessarily mean committee meetings!). You already know from scripture without having to wonder (I hope!) that it should be work that honors God and doesn’t dishonor him. There is an old teaching that all work a Christian does honors God—sorry, there’s no way that being a stripper or a manufacturer of products that harm people will ever honor God.
These are just a couple of the questions many of us have about God’s will for our lives. I’ve only skimmed the surface, but my aim is to send you back to God’s Word to get the foundational knowledge of his will—you may be surprised at how many of the details fall into place once you do. More later…
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
Today, Jerusalem is once again in grief and turmoil after a horrible attack by a Palestinian bulldozer driver, who rammed two buses, knocking over one, squashed cars (apparently with people in them), damaged buildings, killing three people and injuring forty-five others. This was a horrendous deed. Perhaps it was terrorism, as it’s currently considered, or maybe a man let his anger against those he believed to be oppressive occupiers overtake him.
My prayer (in addition to praying for the wounded and families of those who died) and I hope you will pray with me, is that Israel won’t commit a greater wrong and retaliate ten or even a hundred fold against everyday Palestinians as they have in the past. They already shot the man dead. Every time Israel blasts rockets into Palestinian homes or orders tanks rumbling over Palestinian streets, squashing cars and buildings, everyday Palestinians are damaged, as are Palestinian Christians.
I love Israel and know that the Jews are still God’s chosen people but nowhere does the Bible say that a political state of Israel can do whatever it pleases to other people and be blessed by God. There are not two Yahweh’s, one that says “Exact vengeance!” and another who says through Jesus, “Love your enemies.” The Christians do not participate in the violence but they are often the brunt of it.
When I read Brother Andrew’s book, “Light Force” (with co-author Al Janssen) my worldview was knocked on end! I was grieved and astounded to discover the oppression that Palestinians, even Christians experience at the hands of Israel, that they show no concern for our brothers and sisters in the Palestinian church. In fact, the church asks, “Why are American Christians always for Israel, no matter what they do?’ and “Where is the church in the West when we suffer so? Why don’t they speak up? Don’t they care about us?” “Everyone wants to come see the ancient stones, why don’t they come see us ‘living stones’?” I urge every Christian to read “Light Force” for true understanding of how to pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
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