It is not too late to put together a group for Small Group Explosion! If you can H.O.S.T. then let me or Pastor John know. The materials are ready to go. I am very excited to create our first Small Group curriculum for our church. It is simple, but very engaging.
I am trusting God for some great testimonies by the end of October!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
TOP 10 LIST ON SUNDAY
Don't miss church this Sunday! We have a great top ten list from men's retreat you will not want to miss.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
We Have It By Faith
Many of you are asking where we are in purchasing a new location for church. The answer is I don't know the timing. What I do know is that God has given us what we need. Let me give you a run down.
1. We have pledges from The Journey Capital Campaign totalling $282,000.00. Our goal is $300,000.00. We need new pledges on October 30th, Celebration Sunday.
2. We have $82,000.00 in the building fund so far this year.
3. Our building is up for sale.
4. We have saved a large sum of money for down payment or renovations.
5. We have already made two offers.
I am not going to post all the exact numbers on the Internet, but suffice it to say, if several very realistic elements will come together in the next month we can buy the building we want.
Here is the tough news. I could have written this exact same post five weeks ago! It is as if there is some kind of hold-up in the process. I don't know what it is. I am working on this process almost every day for at least an hour, yet we don't have forward movement. What is the solution?
We need to pray! We need God to move us.
1. God moved Israel out of Egypt not only because of his promise that Abraham's kids would live in a foreign land for 400 years, but because in Exodus 3:7 God says, "...I have heard them crying out..." Start crying out with me and your Elders.
2. God always provides a place for his people.
It was the provision of the Garden of Eden.
It was the promise of land in the Old Testament.
It is the promise of Jesus as he left the earth in John 14.
It is the promise of God for us following the rapture.
It is the promise of God in the New Heavens and New earth.
God has a place for us. It is a place that is not just big enough, but big enough to fulfill his mission for us, to reach all nations and reach our region for Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. In Isaiah 49:20 God's people call out, "This place is too small." God's will is for us to be fruitful as a church and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it. That means that we need more space.
We need to earnestly pray! I challenge you to pray these Scriptures with me. Pray the promises and principals of God with me for the move that we need immediately.
1. We have pledges from The Journey Capital Campaign totalling $282,000.00. Our goal is $300,000.00. We need new pledges on October 30th, Celebration Sunday.
2. We have $82,000.00 in the building fund so far this year.
3. Our building is up for sale.
4. We have saved a large sum of money for down payment or renovations.
5. We have already made two offers.
I am not going to post all the exact numbers on the Internet, but suffice it to say, if several very realistic elements will come together in the next month we can buy the building we want.
Here is the tough news. I could have written this exact same post five weeks ago! It is as if there is some kind of hold-up in the process. I don't know what it is. I am working on this process almost every day for at least an hour, yet we don't have forward movement. What is the solution?
We need to pray! We need God to move us.
1. God moved Israel out of Egypt not only because of his promise that Abraham's kids would live in a foreign land for 400 years, but because in Exodus 3:7 God says, "...I have heard them crying out..." Start crying out with me and your Elders.
2. God always provides a place for his people.
It was the provision of the Garden of Eden.
It was the promise of land in the Old Testament.
It is the promise of Jesus as he left the earth in John 14.
It is the promise of God for us following the rapture.
It is the promise of God in the New Heavens and New earth.
God has a place for us. It is a place that is not just big enough, but big enough to fulfill his mission for us, to reach all nations and reach our region for Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. In Isaiah 49:20 God's people call out, "This place is too small." God's will is for us to be fruitful as a church and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it. That means that we need more space.
We need to earnestly pray! I challenge you to pray these Scriptures with me. Pray the promises and principals of God with me for the move that we need immediately.
Men's Retreat
I am so proud of the men of our church!
We went to our District Men's Retreat this weekend. We won the award for the largest group at the retreat! But I am proud of our men for a much greater reason.
Over and over this weekend, I was complimented on the men of our group. Some were on the worship team and that is an obvious way to get a few compliments, many of them may be simply courtesy. But, in all honesty, our guys can really lead worship with a real anointing.
The compliments that meant the most were the ones that cam out of nowhere, and noticed very small things. I had several people comment on the positive and joyful attitude of some of the men including, Lance Langenberg, Steve Siebert, and Bill Taylor. I had a pastor comment on the amazing camaraderie they noticed in our men and how it bridged the age gaps. Another pastor commented on how well our men jumped in to serve the food at breakfast and work in a needed area. I was most excited at the great attitude of our men who competed in the competitions. We got second in everything (3 on 3, 3 on 3 under 30, 5 on 5, volley ball, tug of war, even in the canoe race, we got second. We just prefer others in love :).
Finally, I am so pleased that we had some great times of prayer. One young man received a vision for his vocation. I think that God did some miracles in some marriages this weekend. I know that God did more than I can know about with a group like ours. Praise the Lord!
We went to our District Men's Retreat this weekend. We won the award for the largest group at the retreat! But I am proud of our men for a much greater reason.
Over and over this weekend, I was complimented on the men of our group. Some were on the worship team and that is an obvious way to get a few compliments, many of them may be simply courtesy. But, in all honesty, our guys can really lead worship with a real anointing.
The compliments that meant the most were the ones that cam out of nowhere, and noticed very small things. I had several people comment on the positive and joyful attitude of some of the men including, Lance Langenberg, Steve Siebert, and Bill Taylor. I had a pastor comment on the amazing camaraderie they noticed in our men and how it bridged the age gaps. Another pastor commented on how well our men jumped in to serve the food at breakfast and work in a needed area. I was most excited at the great attitude of our men who competed in the competitions. We got second in everything (3 on 3, 3 on 3 under 30, 5 on 5, volley ball, tug of war, even in the canoe race, we got second. We just prefer others in love :).
Finally, I am so pleased that we had some great times of prayer. One young man received a vision for his vocation. I think that God did some miracles in some marriages this weekend. I know that God did more than I can know about with a group like ours. Praise the Lord!
Halarity in Devotions
Our family devotions are every morning at breakfast. Today we ate eggs and toast, a banana, and orange julius. Following the food we read, we are in Proverbs 17. Verse 21 says, "...there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool." All parents need to read this verse to their kids (even if they are adults) and talk about what it means. We did today.
I asked, what does it mean that parents of foolish people have no joy?
Gabe said, "It means that the parents feel bad."
I said, "Give me more, explain HOW do they feel bad?"
Elizabeth said, "REAL bad!"
We laughed for a long time on that one. At least my first grade daughter was listening.
I asked, what does it mean that parents of foolish people have no joy?
Gabe said, "It means that the parents feel bad."
I said, "Give me more, explain HOW do they feel bad?"
Elizabeth said, "REAL bad!"
We laughed for a long time on that one. At least my first grade daughter was listening.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Evil and Enemies #2
In Matthew 5:38-48 Jesus tells us how to respond to evil and our enemies. though you may not like having enemies, the truth is that by taking a stand for principals that are Godly, will will likely have enemies. In Romans 12:18, the Bible tells us to live at peace with all people, but there is a disclaimer added, because some people don't want to be at peace with you! "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people." Our job is to live at peace, but obviously that is difficult because we can't make others be peaceful to us.
In verse 38 Jesus says, "You have heard that is was said..." Again, he does not say, "It is written..." as he does when he quotes Scripture. Why not? Because he quotes a Scripture and adds the traditional rabbinic addition to the passage, "'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."' Leviticus 19 says, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself, I am the LORD." Notice that in the Old Testament passage, there is not an instruction to, "hate your enemy." So, where does the Bible say to hate your enemy? No where!
Again, Jesus is contrasting what the Bible actually says with what the Jewish tradition was teaching at that time. A tradition had arisen based on some of the rules intended to keep the Jewish family pure that eliminated Gentiles from the definition of, neighbor. This is why the story of the Good Samaritan was so striking in its day and place. The neighbor was not Jewish.
Jesus then sets a new rule. True Godliness is not tested by how well you treat those who love you, but by how well you treat those who hate you. God himself is our ultimate example. While we hated him, while we were still sinners, while we were rebellious and fighting against him, Christ died for us, the ungodly. With God as our example of how to be gracious and yet full of truth and holy principal, we can treat others likewise. First, we can be people who are full of truth and purity. We can hold to principal and choose not to approve of evil. Second, we can be gracious to those who are evil toward us or pressure us to fall head-long into approving of their evil.
In verse 38 Jesus says, "You have heard that is was said..." Again, he does not say, "It is written..." as he does when he quotes Scripture. Why not? Because he quotes a Scripture and adds the traditional rabbinic addition to the passage, "'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."' Leviticus 19 says, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself, I am the LORD." Notice that in the Old Testament passage, there is not an instruction to, "hate your enemy." So, where does the Bible say to hate your enemy? No where!
Again, Jesus is contrasting what the Bible actually says with what the Jewish tradition was teaching at that time. A tradition had arisen based on some of the rules intended to keep the Jewish family pure that eliminated Gentiles from the definition of, neighbor. This is why the story of the Good Samaritan was so striking in its day and place. The neighbor was not Jewish.
Jesus then sets a new rule. True Godliness is not tested by how well you treat those who love you, but by how well you treat those who hate you. God himself is our ultimate example. While we hated him, while we were still sinners, while we were rebellious and fighting against him, Christ died for us, the ungodly. With God as our example of how to be gracious and yet full of truth and holy principal, we can treat others likewise. First, we can be people who are full of truth and purity. We can hold to principal and choose not to approve of evil. Second, we can be gracious to those who are evil toward us or pressure us to fall head-long into approving of their evil.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Evil and Enemies #1
In Matthew 5:38-48 Jesus talks to us about how to respond to evil and to people who are determined to be our enemies.
Jesus begins by referring to a quote, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'" It is a quote from three possible places (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; or Deuteronomy 19:21). In Deuteronomy the wording "...eye for eye..." is clearly intended as a stiff deterrent to criminality. If a false witness arises and his or her testimony puts an innocent person in the place of punishment, then the exact same punishment is to be given to the false witness! In the other two locations the eye for eye and tooth for tooth principal is not in the context of revenge, but fairness. If your enemy injures your son for instance and you are really mad, justice does not mean that you can kill him in revenge. It sets a rule that disallows escalation of conflict (only an eye for an eye). The idea that, "You hurt me and I am going to kill you (or hurt you more than you hurt me) for what you did!" is not in the heart of God.
The statement and ethical value that had been derived from, an eye for an eye, over the years actually created revenge, rather than alleviating revenge as it was intended to do! Even in the way we use the term, "eye for eye and tooth for tooth" today, we refer to it as an acceptable form of revenge, "It is OK for me to hurt them back because..."
Jesus points to the spirit of the Law. In God's law there is grace. Jesus does not tell us to not resist evil and give into temptation, but he says, do not resist an evil person. You do not have to pay back what they have done to you. In fact, if they press you for one thing graciously give them two things. Jesus asks us to actually be graciously giving to our enemies. In referring to a legal battle, Jesus says to settle matters quickly with your adversary on the way to court. Here he goes a step further to suggest that you offer a little extra to settle the matter. Could it be that peace with your neighbor is more important to God than money?
So, how do we respond to evil people and evil actions.
1. As much as it depends on you, live at peace with all people.
2. Settle matters quickly.
3. Be gracious, even to your enemies.
4. Do not be overcome with evil, but over come evil with good.
Jesus begins by referring to a quote, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'" It is a quote from three possible places (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; or Deuteronomy 19:21). In Deuteronomy the wording "...eye for eye..." is clearly intended as a stiff deterrent to criminality. If a false witness arises and his or her testimony puts an innocent person in the place of punishment, then the exact same punishment is to be given to the false witness! In the other two locations the eye for eye and tooth for tooth principal is not in the context of revenge, but fairness. If your enemy injures your son for instance and you are really mad, justice does not mean that you can kill him in revenge. It sets a rule that disallows escalation of conflict (only an eye for an eye). The idea that, "You hurt me and I am going to kill you (or hurt you more than you hurt me) for what you did!" is not in the heart of God.
The statement and ethical value that had been derived from, an eye for an eye, over the years actually created revenge, rather than alleviating revenge as it was intended to do! Even in the way we use the term, "eye for eye and tooth for tooth" today, we refer to it as an acceptable form of revenge, "It is OK for me to hurt them back because..."
Jesus points to the spirit of the Law. In God's law there is grace. Jesus does not tell us to not resist evil and give into temptation, but he says, do not resist an evil person. You do not have to pay back what they have done to you. In fact, if they press you for one thing graciously give them two things. Jesus asks us to actually be graciously giving to our enemies. In referring to a legal battle, Jesus says to settle matters quickly with your adversary on the way to court. Here he goes a step further to suggest that you offer a little extra to settle the matter. Could it be that peace with your neighbor is more important to God than money?
So, how do we respond to evil people and evil actions.
1. As much as it depends on you, live at peace with all people.
2. Settle matters quickly.
3. Be gracious, even to your enemies.
4. Do not be overcome with evil, but over come evil with good.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Small Group Explosion!
October is Small Group Explosion! I am very excited about growing new Small Groups. So far, we now have two new Small Groups that will start in October. One is going to be on Monday nights at David McKim's house.
This week I will finish the DVD studies that we will giving out to the small groups. I am so excited for you all. Both new small groups are already inviting people from outside our church to attend and become involved in their group. That is amazing!
This week I will finish the DVD studies that we will giving out to the small groups. I am so excited for you all. Both new small groups are already inviting people from outside our church to attend and become involved in their group. That is amazing!
More Mountain Top Livin'
Enemies and Evil
This week in Mountain Top Livin we are going to look at Matthew 5:38-48 and talk about responding to enemies and evil.
In 9th grade I encountered this guy in PE class who was in 10th grade. One day as we played football he walked up from behind me and hit me. Then he started yelling at me. I don't have the slightest idea why. Didn't know then, never found out later. Then for several days in a row, as we played football the same thing would happen. In between plays of out touch football game he would walk up all tough and mean and push me, hit me and say whatever (I don't remember anything he said, like it really mattered).
He was smaller than me so it was kind of like this little yappy dog bothering me. But, two things kept me from slugging the guy. First, our school had a policy that if there was a fight, both people would be suspended regardless of who started things. I saw several times, people suspended for defending themselves. Second, his friends were all huge! I mean really huge, and when I was a freshman I was 5 foot 9 and 120 lbs. of long distance runner. I knew that if a fight started that his friends were dumb enough to take advantage and beat on a little guy.
At the end of the semester I went into the coaches office for the ceremony of turning in the locker padlock and receiving of the grade. I walked into that little stinky office filled with furniture made of sheet metal from the 1950's and stood before the hulky coach Johnson (coached defensive team in football, wrestling team, and sprinters in track). I handed him my padlock and then waited.
He looked at me and said, "Scheperle, I don't know why you never turned around and clocked that guy. I was waiting for it all year. I would have never turned you in, and you would have never gotten in trouble for it. I am going to give you an A in this class just for self control."
I learned an important less that day. As I walked out of the office I knew that the strongest person was not the one who pushed the other around all year, the strongest person was the one who chose to respond with wisdom and self control.
This week in Mountain Top Livin we are going to look at Matthew 5:38-48 and talk about responding to enemies and evil.
In 9th grade I encountered this guy in PE class who was in 10th grade. One day as we played football he walked up from behind me and hit me. Then he started yelling at me. I don't have the slightest idea why. Didn't know then, never found out later. Then for several days in a row, as we played football the same thing would happen. In between plays of out touch football game he would walk up all tough and mean and push me, hit me and say whatever (I don't remember anything he said, like it really mattered).
He was smaller than me so it was kind of like this little yappy dog bothering me. But, two things kept me from slugging the guy. First, our school had a policy that if there was a fight, both people would be suspended regardless of who started things. I saw several times, people suspended for defending themselves. Second, his friends were all huge! I mean really huge, and when I was a freshman I was 5 foot 9 and 120 lbs. of long distance runner. I knew that if a fight started that his friends were dumb enough to take advantage and beat on a little guy.
At the end of the semester I went into the coaches office for the ceremony of turning in the locker padlock and receiving of the grade. I walked into that little stinky office filled with furniture made of sheet metal from the 1950's and stood before the hulky coach Johnson (coached defensive team in football, wrestling team, and sprinters in track). I handed him my padlock and then waited.
He looked at me and said, "Scheperle, I don't know why you never turned around and clocked that guy. I was waiting for it all year. I would have never turned you in, and you would have never gotten in trouble for it. I am going to give you an A in this class just for self control."
I learned an important less that day. As I walked out of the office I knew that the strongest person was not the one who pushed the other around all year, the strongest person was the one who chose to respond with wisdom and self control.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Some more Mountian Top Stuff!
Since I will be out of the pulpit again this week, I am going to post my sermon on the blog again. This week we are going to look at and study Matthew 5:38-48.
I strongly encourage you to keep up with the sermon series this week. Last week's message is completely posted. Mountain Top Livin' is honest living. Let's be Christians who keep their word. Let us be marked by simple honesty.
This weeks message focuses on how to respond to people who are evil, hurt you, attack you, or consider you their enemy. This is going to be good stuff!
Men's Retreat Week
This Friday through Sunday is our annual men's retreat. Each year a group of our men travel to Cross Point Retreat Center for this event put on by the Southern Missouri District of the AG, Men's Ministry. To see where we are going and who we will be hanging out with this weekend, check out the links!
I am very excited that we now have 26 men from our church who will be at retreat. It is going to be fun, but I also think that it will be life changing for us. God is going to answer some prayers this weekend.
On Sunday, I will stay for the final retreat service. Pastor John is returning to speak on Sunday. Kristen Temple is leading worship Sunday morning at church and Tony and our men are leading worship at retreat on Sunday morning.
I am very excited that we now have 26 men from our church who will be at retreat. It is going to be fun, but I also think that it will be life changing for us. God is going to answer some prayers this weekend.
On Sunday, I will stay for the final retreat service. Pastor John is returning to speak on Sunday. Kristen Temple is leading worship Sunday morning at church and Tony and our men are leading worship at retreat on Sunday morning.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Mountian Top Livin' #4
In Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus speaks to us about honesty and speaking frankly.
Learn to Say No.
Jesus says, "let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" We work pretty hard at honesty and keep our word when we say "Yes." The trouble is that we may say "Yes," too often. We have a tendancy to become over taxed by saying only "Yes." It is time to learn to say "No."
The worst example is watching politicians. Durring campaign time the word is "Yes." But then later when it is time to work together and make the tough decisions that are not popular with many the answer is "No." It is easy to pick on politics, but is it touigher to pick on our own version of the same tactics.
How often do parents fall into the trap of saying "Yes," to too many things that the kids want? My kids are little and so I am still learing a lot. Last year a successful pair of ministry friends told me about the two sport rule, and for the other friend it was a one sport rule. They determined before all the sporting possibilites stared that their kids would get to choose one or two sports per year. They knew the danger of saying yes to all the sports possibiliteis. So, they clearly helpd the kids to learn not to say yes to all possibilites.
How often do we fall into the trap of saying yes to too many jobs. Not just at church, but maybe in a civic club or even in our jobs. One of my core values is that God gives every believer the ability to balance their commitments to God, church and their community. God is my first priority, my wife is second, my kids are third, and my calling from God is next. Everyting else is balanced after that. I am so serious about this that I joined the Optimist club in town just to show the church that you can keep these tings in balance. This year I am the club President (only for 15 more days, term is up).
One way to see if you are saying yes to too much is to measure your margins. How much space in your life is not occupied by the text of your promises? Do you have down time to rest and hang out with your kids and grandkids. If you don't have free time for your spouse and children, you may not have enough margin. If your job and family take over and there is no room for church then somethign is out of balance the other way.
Let's mke sure that we say "Yes" to what we can really do a great job at and what we must do a great job at.
Learn to Say No.
Jesus says, "let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" We work pretty hard at honesty and keep our word when we say "Yes." The trouble is that we may say "Yes," too often. We have a tendancy to become over taxed by saying only "Yes." It is time to learn to say "No."
The worst example is watching politicians. Durring campaign time the word is "Yes." But then later when it is time to work together and make the tough decisions that are not popular with many the answer is "No." It is easy to pick on politics, but is it touigher to pick on our own version of the same tactics.
How often do parents fall into the trap of saying "Yes," to too many things that the kids want? My kids are little and so I am still learing a lot. Last year a successful pair of ministry friends told me about the two sport rule, and for the other friend it was a one sport rule. They determined before all the sporting possibilites stared that their kids would get to choose one or two sports per year. They knew the danger of saying yes to all the sports possibiliteis. So, they clearly helpd the kids to learn not to say yes to all possibilites.
How often do we fall into the trap of saying yes to too many jobs. Not just at church, but maybe in a civic club or even in our jobs. One of my core values is that God gives every believer the ability to balance their commitments to God, church and their community. God is my first priority, my wife is second, my kids are third, and my calling from God is next. Everyting else is balanced after that. I am so serious about this that I joined the Optimist club in town just to show the church that you can keep these tings in balance. This year I am the club President (only for 15 more days, term is up).
One way to see if you are saying yes to too much is to measure your margins. How much space in your life is not occupied by the text of your promises? Do you have down time to rest and hang out with your kids and grandkids. If you don't have free time for your spouse and children, you may not have enough margin. If your job and family take over and there is no room for church then somethign is out of balance the other way.
Let's mke sure that we say "Yes" to what we can really do a great job at and what we must do a great job at.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Mountian Top Livin' #3
Here is the second truth we learn from Matthew 5:33-37 and Jesus teaching on honesty.
Don't Make Foolish Promises
In Judges 10 we find the story of Jephthah. He was a man who was a mighty warrior. He was called upon by the nation of Israel to led them into battle against their military enemies. In Judges 11:30 he made a vow to the Lord. "If you give me the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return...I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." God gave him victory, because God was gracious to Israel, not because of his foolish vow to God. When he arrived home in victory, the first thing out of his door was his teen age daughter excited to see her father!
The daughter knew the importance of keeping our vows and promises to God. Here response was,
"...you have given your word to the Lord, do to me as you promised..." What! Are they crazy. God clearly says in his law that we are not to sacrifice our children to any God or gods.
The moral of the story is in Proverbs 13:3, "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." When you make statements of what you are going to do, you better be ready to do it. Here are some very painful examples.
1. Don't threaten your kids with punishment and possibilities that are wild and ridiculous. If you threaten your kids with a course of action, make sure it is a discipline that you WILL follow through with. You will do them great emotional harm with threats of them loosing your love and provision. You will also do them great harm warning them forever about the disciplinary consequences, while (in your lack of self-discipline) never making those consequences come true.
2. Don't promise people help or payment that you are not sure that you can give to them. When or if you fail, you hurt them deeply. You also can develop a reputation of being the person in your group that never follows through. It is a great way to loose friends and a horrible witness to those who are looking to your example of what it means to be a Christian.
3. Don't make crazy vows to God. Some Christians have as parts of their essential doctrines the process of making vows to God. But, in those vows, there are many situations where individuals are forced out, kicked out or escape from those vows. Why make a vow to God that you don't have the power to keep. If you feel led to ministry or a ministry, understand that it is the leading of God for you at this time of your life and that his leading can change. I think his calling will not change, but understand the difference. I think that making marriage vows are acceptable. They are vows to another person and vows to God at the same time. They are acceptable only because of the nature of marriage. It is intended to end only at the death of one of the two. However, I think that if you write your own vows you need to think through what you are promising to God and your spouse before you make that vow.
4. Finally, we must realize that if we make a promise to God of any kind, we can only keep it by his power, not our own. God, I promise to follow you. I promise to never do that thing again. I promise to change what I say. God, I promise to witness. The list can go on and on. Whatever you promise God that you will do or not do, you will only accomplish by his help and grace.
Don't Make Foolish Promises
In Judges 10 we find the story of Jephthah. He was a man who was a mighty warrior. He was called upon by the nation of Israel to led them into battle against their military enemies. In Judges 11:30 he made a vow to the Lord. "If you give me the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return...I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." God gave him victory, because God was gracious to Israel, not because of his foolish vow to God. When he arrived home in victory, the first thing out of his door was his teen age daughter excited to see her father!
The daughter knew the importance of keeping our vows and promises to God. Here response was,
"...you have given your word to the Lord, do to me as you promised..." What! Are they crazy. God clearly says in his law that we are not to sacrifice our children to any God or gods.
The moral of the story is in Proverbs 13:3, "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." When you make statements of what you are going to do, you better be ready to do it. Here are some very painful examples.
1. Don't threaten your kids with punishment and possibilities that are wild and ridiculous. If you threaten your kids with a course of action, make sure it is a discipline that you WILL follow through with. You will do them great emotional harm with threats of them loosing your love and provision. You will also do them great harm warning them forever about the disciplinary consequences, while (in your lack of self-discipline) never making those consequences come true.
2. Don't promise people help or payment that you are not sure that you can give to them. When or if you fail, you hurt them deeply. You also can develop a reputation of being the person in your group that never follows through. It is a great way to loose friends and a horrible witness to those who are looking to your example of what it means to be a Christian.
3. Don't make crazy vows to God. Some Christians have as parts of their essential doctrines the process of making vows to God. But, in those vows, there are many situations where individuals are forced out, kicked out or escape from those vows. Why make a vow to God that you don't have the power to keep. If you feel led to ministry or a ministry, understand that it is the leading of God for you at this time of your life and that his leading can change. I think his calling will not change, but understand the difference. I think that making marriage vows are acceptable. They are vows to another person and vows to God at the same time. They are acceptable only because of the nature of marriage. It is intended to end only at the death of one of the two. However, I think that if you write your own vows you need to think through what you are promising to God and your spouse before you make that vow.
4. Finally, we must realize that if we make a promise to God of any kind, we can only keep it by his power, not our own. God, I promise to follow you. I promise to never do that thing again. I promise to change what I say. God, I promise to witness. The list can go on and on. Whatever you promise God that you will do or not do, you will only accomplish by his help and grace.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Mountian Top Livin' #2
In the last entry I introduced you to Matthew 5:33-37. Now let's draw some thoughts from it.
Be Honest
This is pretty simple. The spirit of the law and the focus of Jesus teaching is that we live as honest people. That means, don't craft your words to mean two things knowing that someone will take the wrong meaning, yet you can claim to be honest with them. Making your yes, yes and your no, no means, be clear and honest. Don't try to hide the truth.
Real honesty also means that we are not stretching or shrinking the truth. Often deception is accomplished be making the story less than it really was, or more than it really was. When we talk about others errors, we tend to stretch. When we talk about our own errors we tend to shrink. either way, stretching or shrinking the truth, putting on the spin, is obviously for our benefit and can often be extremely selfish. Sometimes this practice is also linked with gossip and telling stories about others.
Proverbs 12:19 says, "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment." Your dishonesty will catch up with you. But when you speak honestly, you have nothing to fear, your words can stand the test of scrutiny and examination.
This is really a very simple truth, be honest.
Be Honest
This is pretty simple. The spirit of the law and the focus of Jesus teaching is that we live as honest people. That means, don't craft your words to mean two things knowing that someone will take the wrong meaning, yet you can claim to be honest with them. Making your yes, yes and your no, no means, be clear and honest. Don't try to hide the truth.
Real honesty also means that we are not stretching or shrinking the truth. Often deception is accomplished be making the story less than it really was, or more than it really was. When we talk about others errors, we tend to stretch. When we talk about our own errors we tend to shrink. either way, stretching or shrinking the truth, putting on the spin, is obviously for our benefit and can often be extremely selfish. Sometimes this practice is also linked with gossip and telling stories about others.
Proverbs 12:19 says, "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment." Your dishonesty will catch up with you. But when you speak honestly, you have nothing to fear, your words can stand the test of scrutiny and examination.
This is really a very simple truth, be honest.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Mountain Top Livin' #1
Mountain Top Livin' - Keep your word.
The text for this message is Matthew 5:33-37. Here Jesus addresses the concept of honesty and truthfulness in our dealing with others. Jesus refers to a command that we are not to break our oaths that are made in God's name. Again the trouble here is that Jesus is not addressing their treatment of a single Scripture, but a tradition that looked at the Scriptures and created loopholes.
For instance, in the ten commandments God says, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16). In Leviticus 19:12 the command is "Do not swear falsely by my name..." In all the Old Testament passages regarding oaths and giving testimony, the spirit of the law is that we are to be truthful.
In the traditions that Jesus was addressing a system had been developed where oaths taken in God's name could never be withdrawn but oaths taken in the name of some created thing could be withdrawn at a latter time and were less morally binding. Apparently this opened the door to some trickery and word crafting that essentially worked on the side of the sly person who wished to be deceptive or half hearted in their commitment.
In response to this confusion Jesus says, simply let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no. Anything more than that comes from the evil one. some have taken this to mean that Christians can never take any oath. Others have said that placing ones hand on the Bible (a created thing) in a pledge or swearing to tell the whole truth would be legalistically prohibited. I personally don't ever see a need to place my hand on the Bible to make a promise, but I am not radially against it. On the other hand, I would not ever make a promise or statement emphasised with, "I swear to God." I think that the term, "So help me God." which a prayer for help can be suitable.
Out of this troubling tradition that Jesus responds to and based on some Bible examples, we can draw some very important truths about what we choose to say as believers. In the next few entries I will elaborate on some of those truths. Stay alert for the upcoming entries!
The text for this message is Matthew 5:33-37. Here Jesus addresses the concept of honesty and truthfulness in our dealing with others. Jesus refers to a command that we are not to break our oaths that are made in God's name. Again the trouble here is that Jesus is not addressing their treatment of a single Scripture, but a tradition that looked at the Scriptures and created loopholes.
For instance, in the ten commandments God says, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16). In Leviticus 19:12 the command is "Do not swear falsely by my name..." In all the Old Testament passages regarding oaths and giving testimony, the spirit of the law is that we are to be truthful.
In the traditions that Jesus was addressing a system had been developed where oaths taken in God's name could never be withdrawn but oaths taken in the name of some created thing could be withdrawn at a latter time and were less morally binding. Apparently this opened the door to some trickery and word crafting that essentially worked on the side of the sly person who wished to be deceptive or half hearted in their commitment.
In response to this confusion Jesus says, simply let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no. Anything more than that comes from the evil one. some have taken this to mean that Christians can never take any oath. Others have said that placing ones hand on the Bible (a created thing) in a pledge or swearing to tell the whole truth would be legalistically prohibited. I personally don't ever see a need to place my hand on the Bible to make a promise, but I am not radially against it. On the other hand, I would not ever make a promise or statement emphasised with, "I swear to God." I think that the term, "So help me God." which a prayer for help can be suitable.
Out of this troubling tradition that Jesus responds to and based on some Bible examples, we can draw some very important truths about what we choose to say as believers. In the next few entries I will elaborate on some of those truths. Stay alert for the upcoming entries!
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