Renewal through Weakness: Praying the Prayer of Jehoshaphat

February 17, 2017 admin Blog No Comments dependence, failure, powerless, renewal, vast army, weakness

Where do you search for renewal – from your strength or your weakness? In his book, Made for His Pleasure, Alistair Begg wrote about the overwhelming effect resulting from the death of his mother. He was only 20 years of age! Regarding the incident, he opines that “more spiritual progress is made through failure and tears than success and laughter” (p. 106).

Can you agree that our search is to be dependent upon God in everything? Jesus instructed us to not worry about our life, about what we will eat, drink, or even about how we will be clothed. We are to trust that the Father will take care of us (Matthew 6.25ff). Years ago my Father and I attended a conference and heard Alistair Begg speaking about our relationship with God. His words have often encouraged me: “If dependence is the objective, then weakness is an advantage.”

It is hard to believe that Bruce Wilkinson’s best-selling book – The Prayer of Jabez – was first released way back in April 2000. In the book, Wilkinson encouraged Christians to invoke the simple prayer of Jabez. “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from the evil one.” And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4.9-10, NIV)

In fact, he issues a challenge:

I challenge you to make the Jabez prayer for blessing part of the daily fabric of your life. To do that, I encourage you to follow unwaveringly the plan outlined here for the next thirty days. By the end of that time, you’ll be noticing significant changes in your life, and the prayer will be on its way to becoming a treasured, lifelong habit.

Where do we turn?

My experience over the past decade, however, is that most people are not really ready for greater territory. Most do not want greater responsibility. People are struggling with what they believe to be “a vast army.” It expresses itself in multiple ways: trials, temptations, worries, sickness, dysfunctional marriages, etc., etc., etc. Read the story of Jehoshaphat found in 2 Chronicles 17 – 20. When his father Ada dies, Jehoshaphat begins his reign “devoted to the ways of the Lord” and we are told “the Lord was with Jehoshaphat.” But things changed. He allied himself with a king who did not follow the ways of David, nor seek guidance from God (YHWH).

Chapter 20 begins with a transitional phrase – “After this…” After the defeat of Ahab (and his death), Jehoshaphat was able to escape and return to Jerusalem. He listened to the admonishment of Hanani and repented. He once again began to seek God personally and for his kingdom. But trouble was still to come in the form of a “vast army.” Three groups came to do battle with Judah… “the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites.” We are told that Jehoshaphat was afraid. So what was his decision as the King? He “set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”

The posture of dependence on God comes out in the conclusion of his prayer: “…we have no power to face this vast army that is coming attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20.12, NIV). This is the prayer that I pray on a regular basis. When trouble comes, whether small or “a vast army,” I acknowledge that I am powerless and not all that wise, but my eyes will remain on God!

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Renewed in Communion: “Their eyes were opened”

January 22, 2017 admin Blog No Comments blessed, burdens, communing, communion, deeds, fellowship

Does your knowledge of Jesus include times of communion with him?

“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” (Luke 24.30-31, ESV)

There are elements that make it a very intriguing story! Luke begins by simply telling his readers that “two of them” were headed back home to Emmaus. We are informed later in the story that Cleopas was one of the two. However, it is as if their identity is not that important. The focus is that, like many others, they had travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover.

And they were talking. Talking about all that had happened. In fact, by means of repetition, Luke tells us they were “talking and discussing.” This was not a normal Passover for anyone. The disciples had experienced the full range of emotions. There was the shock surrounding the arrest and the despair of the beatings/crucifixion. Finally the bewildering confusion of the empty tomb. So unique was this Passover that even non-Christian historians, such as Josephus and Tacitus, write about the events that took place (http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/jesus/nonchristianaccounts.html).

While they are walking along the path they are joined by Jesus who enquires what they are discussing. Then the question! Jesus was the only one who truly knew all that had happened. He was the one who knew the depth of meaning behind the events, yet Cleopas asks Jesus, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

Remember, these were “two of them.” They not only knew Jesus, but believed he was a prophet. His words would never be forgotten. Who could forget the many deeds? They even knew about the post-resurrection appearance to the women and the message of the angel. But they did not recognize Jesus. Not even after Jesus took the time to teach them all “things concerning himself” from the writings of Moses through the Prophets.

Their renewal came when Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them. Yes, it was the evening meal. Yet it included an element of communion. Were they present at the feeding of the 5,000 when he “said a blessing and broke the loaves” (Mark 6.41)? Or the feeding of the 4,000 when he took the loaves “and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them…” (Mark 8.6)? Or maybe even at the “Last Supper” (Luke 22.19)? Regardless, whether they were present or were just told the stories, they recognized Jesus in his communing with them.

How do you know Jesus? Do you know about Him? Or, do you have a relationship that involves daily communion? It time for our eyes to be opened. Seek renewal this week by coming to the table and sharing with one another, inviting Jesus to be present, and bearing one another’s burdens!

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Starting Over: Transformed by Renewal

December 31, 2016 admin Blog No Comments happy, New Year's Day, renewal, starting over, transformation, transformed

“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come.” (Job 14.14, ESV)

Does New Year’s Day bring an opportunity for renewal or the continuation of struggles and misery?

Believe it or not, many people are not excited that today is the last day of another year. There are those who wish they could have a little more time to accomplish some of their “resolutions.” For others, it is just that they have no hope that a new year will bring any significant changes. People are miserable. At times they even despair, struggling to know the will of God for their lives.

Job had been through the wringer. First he lost his livestock and servants. Then his children were murdered. Though it was not the final loss for Job, we are told that Satan “struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2.7). Even his “friends” would make false accusations, based on faulty theology. They knew that he had to have some grievous sin that needed to be confessed. If not, he would still be living the ‘blessed’ life. Yet Job remained hopeful.

One of my favorite passages is Romans 12.1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (ESV).

Here we find “hope” for the New Year. We can be transformed! In fact, we are even told how it can take place. True transformation comes “by the renewal of your mind.” It is not about what we may feel or think. Feelings can be fickle and thoughts can be deceptive. Renewing our minds means that we need to be students who are willing to allow God’s Word to transform us. We can know “the will of God,” but only when we are willing to invest the time and energy to internalize the message. This is the image of Ezekiel 3.1 and Revelation 10.9-10 – we need to be devouring the message (“eat this scroll”).

My resolution? To seek renewal… to seek transformation… to take this opportunity of a New Year to start over by means of devouring God’s Word

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Renewal: Fighting against Meaninglessness

August 17, 2016 admin Blog No Comments chaos, despair, evil, meaning, meaninglessness, suicide, worldview

Are ‘dragons’ haunting you?

“The truth of Christianity is that it is true to what is there. You can go to the end of the world and you never need be afraid, like the ancients, that you will fall off the end and the dragons will eat you up. You can carry out your intellectual discussion to the end of the game, because Christianity is not only true to the dogmas, it is not only true to what God has said in the Bible, but it is also true to what is there, and you will never fall off the end of the world! It is not just an approximate model; it really is true to what is there.” (Francis Schaeffer, He Is There and He Is Not Silent, p.16)

There are many people who are searching for meaning; for one reason or another, they have come to the conclusion that life is meaningless. They seek some form of renewal, but they often overlook the importance of a spiritual foundation. When life is viewed as meaningless, it is difficult to find a reason to continue living when times get tough. Such is the current state of affairs in the United States. Look at the opening paragraph of a recent New York Times article titled “U.S. Suicide Rate Surges to a 30-Year High”:

“Suicide in the United States has surged to the highest levels in nearly 30 years, a federal data analysis has found, with increases in every age group except older adults. The rise was particularly steep for women. It was also substantial among middle-aged Americans, sending a signal of deep anguish from a group whose suicide rates had been stable or falling since the 1950s.” ( http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/22/health/us-suicide-rate-surges-to-a-30-year-high.html?_r=0)

The idea that life is meaningless is not foreign to Scripture. “Vanity of vanities, proclaims the “Preacher” of Ecclesiastes. “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Even though it is virtually a superlative, the biblical uses the phrase twice — suggesting that everything in life is to the greatest degree vanity. In fact, the word “vanity” (hebhel) is used thirty-nine times in the book.

Though the primary meaning of the word is “a breath” or “vapor” such as what you might see when exhaling on a cold day, the word is used poetically by the preacher of Ecclesiastes of all that is fleeting, perishable, transitory, frail and unsatisfying. In fact, in context the word suggests the futility of human effort. The verse provides the theme for the rest of the book. In asserting that “all is vanity,” the writer is emphasizing just how mundane human life seems to be. It needs to be remembered, however, that the focus is on man’s works and not God’s works.

Into God’s Word

Despair is not necessary! After s fairly conclusive search for meaning, filled with much that is negative, even the book of Ecclesiastes concludes on a positive note. Listen to his admonition: “The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:11–14, ESV).

Meaning is found is the biblical worldview! It sufficiently accounts for the beginning of all that exists (something out of nothing), for why evil/chaos exists, for how the problem of evil can be corrected, and for the conclusion of all that is material. The answer to meaninglessness is to become intimately connected to the god is “is there and is not silent.” If you have not read Francis A. Schaeffer’s, He Is There and He Is Not Silent: Does it Make Sense to Believe in God?, I highly recommend it!

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Encouragement: A motivation for successful renewal!

June 19, 2016 admin Blog No Comments change, conform, encouragement, humility, interests, sacrificially, transformed, united

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1–4, ESV)

What is it that motivates you? Do you find encouragement in Christ?

In the first verse of this passage (above), Paul gives four motivations. These form the initial part of a first class conditional sentence. Though the word ‘if’ is used, the first-century reader would have known that Paul was assuming these things to be true… there is encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in the Spirit, and affection and sympathy when we are truly living as Christians. The second part of the sentence defines the desired result—unity. One way this is accomplished is provided in verse 3, which prohibits acting from selfish ambition or vain deceit, and calls the reader to humbly place others above self. Paul’s counsel is that there should be concern for the interests of others, in addition to concern for one’s own interests.

The encouragement of seeing Paul and Chauncey getting a pie in the face!

This past week 69 high school age campers made their way to Prairie States Christian Service Camp. It was hot and humid with temperatures in the upper 80’s and lower 90’s. The beds are nowhere near as comfortable as those at home. Though there were several times in which they had freedom to do what they wanted, much of the day involved structured activity. Probably most significant is that they were not allowed access to their telephones. Yet they were able to make it till Saturday morning without any serious behavioral problems, all the while accomplishing some significant goals.

The negative conditions were overcome by following Paul’s admonitions to the Christians at Philippi. They were able to unite together to accomplish a goal. Over $825 was raised for Monterrey Christian Mission. Do the math! Sure, they wanted to see the two leaders get a pie in the face, but it wouldn’t have been possible without a willingness to humbly “count others more significant than [them]selves.” It was only by determining to “look not only to [their] own interests, but also to the interests of others” that they could dig down deep into their pockets and give sacrificially.

In Romans 12:2 Paul calls for us to refuse to be conformed to the world; we are to be transformed. The Greek word translated ‘transformed’ is the source of our word metamorphosis. We are to change that much – from ugly caterpillars to beautiful butterflies. But transformation and growth do not come easy. Paul says that it occurs when we are willing to renew our minds, to change our ways of thinking. We need one another in order to overcome the pressures of the world.

If not the opportunity to slap a pie in someone’s face, what motivates you?

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Forgiveness: An Ingredient for Renewal

May 17, 2016 admin Blog No Comments blessings, forgive, forgiveness, peace, renewal, vengence

Is it too much to suggest that forgiveness is a key ingredient for renewal? Notice how forgiving is one of the items that Jesus calls for us to include at a “good measure.”

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38, ESV)

Maybe you haven’t noticed, but the focus of Scripture lies in the attitude of the forgiver, not in the terms of forgiveness. Rather than waiting for the one who has wronged us, we are to seek the offender and try to get resolution one-on-one (Matthew 18:15ff). As in the teaching of Jesus in Luke 6 (quoted above) or the instructions for dealing with the brother/sister who sins against you, the consistent emphasis of biblical exhortation is on the forgiver doing so freely, generously, willingly, and (of great importance) from the heart.

One example of this sort of forgiveness is found in the story of Stephen (Acts 7:54ff). Luke writes “as they were stoning Stephen,” at the same moment that large rocks were buffeting his body, he found enough strength to forgive his murderers. The forgiveness was both spontaneous and immediate: ^“And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Notice also that despite the trauma of the stoning, Luke portrays Stephen as simply falling asleep; a strange image combining violence and peace. Can you even imagine how Stephen’s act of forgiveness might have affected you?

The human tendency is to pray for vengeance. In fact, such is seen in the death of the Old Testament prophet Zechariah, which provides an interesting contrast with that of Stephen. Like Stephen, Zechariah was stoned. But notice the obvious difference in his dying prayer. Because Zechariah spoke strongly about how the people were breaking the commandments of God, the king ordered his stoning. The chronicler notes: “Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, had shown him, but killed his son. And when he was dying, he said, “May the Lord see and avenge!” (2 Chronicles 24:22) Yes, Zechariah recognized that vengeance belonged to God and he left the matter in the hands of God, but he didn’t seek forgiveness.

For Christians, as we attempt to proclaim the Gospel message, the bar has been raised. As one writer put it, “…there is a higher cause than vengeance to plead for—forgiveness and reconciliation with those who persecute us.” A passage that causes real struggles for many (myself included) is Jesus admonition, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27–28). Once again, Christ gave us the example to follow when, as he was on the cross he was able to look up and pray for the forgiveness of those who had crucified him, as well as those who were mocking. Stephen obviously understood the message.

Forgiveness is an important part of the process of spiritual renewal. Paul would write to the Christians at Colossae, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.” (Colossians 3:12-15, ESV)

As has already been stated above, forgiveness certainly does not come naturally. In fact, forgiveness is often frustrated by negative emotions, such as lingering resentment and/or anger. Sometimes we convince ourselves that we cannot forgive because we do not “feel” like forgiving – and far too often we allow our feelings to control us. But forgiveness is not a feeling. Forgiveness involves a deliberate choice that often runs contrary to our feelings. Our bitter emotions tell us to dwell on an offense. In contrast, forgiveness is a voluntary, rational decision to set the offense aside and desire only the best for the offender. In fact, the writer of Hebrews tells us that those who dwell on the bitter feelings find forgiveness does not come easily. Instead, the root that springs up is a defiling influence that is hurtful not only to the bitter person, but to many others as well (Heb. 12:15).

Forgiveness results in the renewal that comes when burdens are lifted. To grant someone forgiveness when a person asks to be forgiven (repents) is to lift the burden of guilt from that person. But to forgive when forgiveness is not sought brings renewal to the forgiver. It is then that we can enjoy the blessings of our heavenly Father, who promises to pour into our laps a “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over” (Luke 6:38).

By the way, I needed to work through the information in this blog. So I thought I would share it with those of you who are also struggling to forgive. May we together allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts!

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Prescription for Renewal…

May 4, 2016 admin Blog No Comments authority, government, hope, imitate, leaders, prescription, renewal, subject

Where do you find renewal? What is the foundation for your hope on a daily basis? How do you manage to get through each day with all that is going on in our world? I find comfort, encouragement, and a prescription for renewal in the words of Paul to the Christians at Philippi.

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:17–21)

One should not underestimate the importance of hope. Few writers inspire me more than Dostoevsky. His life story brings credibility to his prescription for life, “To live without Hope is to Cease to live.” Or maybe you can identify with Victor Frankl’s prescription, who in Man’s Search for Meaning wrote “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.” The comfort I find in the words of Paul is that, regardless of the result of the political conundrum we are facing, as Christians “our citizenship is in heaven.” My salvation has nothing to do with the political process, nor does any aspect of my hope. Paul reminds us that our Savior – who is also our Lord – is none other than Jesus Christ. Our transformation/renewal will come from him and his power.

Did you notice that he also provides a prescription for renewal? First, we are to imitate Paul and other gifted, spiritual leaders who have demonstrated (“walk according to the example“) their integrity. This is not the only time, nor is Paul the only New Testament writer who encourages us to imitate faithful leaders (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Hebrews 6:12, 13:7; and 3 John 11).

Second, our ‘minds’ are not to be occupied with earthly things and our gods should not be our sensual, hedonistic desires (belly). In no way does this mean that we are not to be responsible citizens. As somebody once said, “We should never be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.” Paul commanded the Christians at Rome to “be subject to the governing authorities” at a time when things were not all that good for the Christians.

Some will make a point that Paul’s basis for the statement is that there really is “no authority except from God.” But do not overlook the fact that he goes on to say that government has “been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1ff, ESV). I do, however, concur with Leon Morris who notes that the word Paul chooses to use is not obey, but “be subject” (submit). Morris goes on to explain: “There is nothing servile about the attitude to authority that Paul is advocating. He simply looks for a due recognition of the subordinate place that is part of the Christian understanding of life. The Christian is subordinate because he recognizes that the brother is Christ’s representative to him, and in a different way the ruler, who is “God’s servant” (v. 4), is Christ’s representative too.” (Leon Morris, The Epistle to the Romans, 461)

Vaclav Havel has reminded us of a very important distinction regarding the true nature of hope: “Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” I must admit that I am not optimistic about the future of our country; I certainly believe that if our nation continues down the path we are headed, things will not turn out well. BUT I STILL HAVE HOPE! I have hope because,

“My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”

And that is the main ingredient in my prescription for daily renewal!

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Life requires a cycle of reNEWal…

April 22, 2016 admin Blog No Comments devotional reading, discipline, fruit, godliness, life, meditation, renewal, solitude, spiritual

It is a story about life: bushes and trees that are always green, yet continually going through a cycle of renewal.

There are a variety of evergreens in our yard. Several are bushes. Some form a line across the front of our house and three others we planted along a line between ours and the neighbor’s yard. Over the past few years we have planted two pine trees in our backyard. One of the trees is almost twelve feet tall. The second is one that we planted as a sprout; it is still less than three feet tall. All of these bushes and trees have in common: even though their shades vary, they are always green and, secondly, they always have the stickiness of oozing sap.

It doesn’t matter if the evergreens are fighting off a cold covering of snow in the winter or enjoying the freshness of a sunny spring day, the green hues and the sap of life are present. There are a couple of other bushes in our yard, but they are not always green. During the winter months they are brown, without leaves or any other sign of life. And, even though we know these trees and the brown lilac bush are still alive, it is the evergreens that always look like they are alive.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of these evergreens when I read a simile developed by the Psalmist concerning the righteous:
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. (Psalm 92:12–15, ESV).

Above my desk there is a small picture painted by Charles ‘Chuck’ Cherry: my friend, bother-in-Christ, and partner in ministry. The scenery includes a plowed pathway with fading footprints through deep snow that continue up a hillside. As the path continues into the background, it divides a forest of dark green pine trees. The contrast is what has always captured my attention – between death and life. In the foreground of the picture there is a tree/bush that is brown and without leaves. The picture presents me with the challenge of moving beyond that which is bland and lifeless, though the travails of deep snow and into the foggy background where one is presented with the flourishing pines that “are ever full of sap and green.”

As I was mowing the yard for the first time this year, It was hard not to notice all of the new growth on the pine trees. Though the trees remained green through the harsh, northern Illinois winter, they too were experiencing a time of new growth and renewal. Without renewal and growth life soon comes to an end. The same principle is true in our spiritual lives. If we are not constantly growing, we are dying; if we are not bearing good fruit, we are not a healthy branch of the vine and pruning is needed.

Even those who always seem to be exhibiting the signs of life through the harshest experiences and trials need a time of refreshment. My dear friend, Cecil Enlow, was truly a righteous man of God. He was still bearing much fruit in his old age. He was a man of the Word; he could respond to any subject you might present by quoting from the Bible. Yet, when you entered his home you would see Christian magazines and Sunday-school books on the table next to his chair. A prayer list was always present for his frequent ventures before the throne of God to present his intercessions and thanksgiving. He was always “full of sap and green.”

It what way are you making sure that you are continuing to grow? What ‘disciplines’ are you utilizing (prayer, fasting, solitude, meditation, devotional reading, etc.) to “train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7)? Is it time to strive to bear the signs of life? Paul would write to the Christians at Rome, “…to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6, ESV). On what have you set your mind?

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The reNEWal of our minds?

April 9, 2016 admin Blog No Comments obedience, renewal, sacrifice, service, study, transformation, worldview

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2, ESV)

In his book, Freedom for Ministry, Richard John Neuhaus reminds his readers of the importance of images or models for thinking – not just as an academic exercise, but as a part of our day-to-day struggle to find meaning and clarity: “Models are crucial to this struggle [to make sense of who we are and what we are doing] because, in a very down-to-earth manner, we all live from models. That is, none of us lives a life of raw facts. We live in a world of interpreted fact, and models are controlling concepts in that interpretation.” (p.38)

In thinking about the “renewal of our minds” and models as “controlling concepts,” it is difficult (if not impossible) to not think in terms of “worldviews,” an integral part of my education at Lincoln Christian College under Dr. James D. Strauss. What is a worldview? It is a mental model of reality — a framework of ideas & attitudes about the world, ourselves, and life, providing a comprehensive system of beliefs. Thus, it is the dominant model for how one views the world in which we all live. Everyone has a worldview (whether realized or not) and worldviews vary in significant ways.

In differentiating religious worldviews, Del Tackett, writing for Focus on the Family, demonstrates the variance as follows: “…a 2-year-old believes he’s the center of his world, a secular humanist believes that the material world is all that exists, and a Buddhist believes he can be liberated from suffering by self-purification. Someone with a biblical worldview believes his primary reason for existence is to love and serve God.” (http://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/christian-worldview/whats-a-christian-worldview/whats-a-worldview-anyway)

So here is the question: To make sure that we are not conformed to this world in which we live, how does the Christian go about the task of being “transformed by the renewal of [our] mind”?

In the Old Testament we are provided the example of Ezra. We are told that Ezra was “a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given” (Ezra 7:6, ESV). What we are not told was just how Ezra came into the favor of King Artaxerxes. Because of their relationship, Ezra’s was granted permission to travel to Judea in order to enforce the law of God among the Jews of that area. His preparation for this service in God’s kingdom involved the renewal of his mind: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel” (7:10). Three elements reveal the secret of his impact, beyond the obvious love he had for God’s Word and God’s people. We are told that he had “devoted himself” to the “study” of God’s law, to its “observance,” and to “teaching” it. Study, obedience, and service!

In the New Testament there is the admonition that Paul gives to Timothy. In the context of false teaching, where error is rampant, Paul exhorts young Timothy: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV). Paul sets before Timothy the goal of serving in such a way that he will gain God’s approval. To accomplish this, Timothy is to handle correctly “the word of truth.” Notice, also, that when he handles the word correctly he will have no need to be unashamed. Once again, we see the need for study and obedience to the imperatives Paul has given, which results in service that is approved.

As a learned rabbi, Paul might have had the example of Ezra in mind, or possibly even Psalm 112:2: “Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.”

Father, help us to have such a love for your Word that we find delight in our studies; help us to posture ourselves by obedience to know your will; and guide us as we seek to serve in ways that will gain your approval. Amen

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The Fire of Zeal and Enthusiasm

March 31, 2016 admin Blog No Comments enthusiasm, fire, renewal, sanctified, transformed, worship, zeal

There is no question that, as Christians, love should be a defining characteristic. But a second, of extreme importance, is that we are to be on fire!

In both the English Standard Version and The New Revised Standard Version, the paragraph heading for Romans 12:8-21 is “Marks of the True Christian.” The paragraph contains instructions as to the characteristics or content of what might be referred to as the sanctified life – some basic characteristics of what Paul would earlier in the chapter refer to as the transformed life. Without any apparent logic as to the order, we are given a list of moral maxims made up of participial phrases, with a few infinitives and imperatives. Most agree the exhortations are to be understood as prescriptive and not just descriptive.

Of particular interest are the admonition (or admonitions) given in verse 11, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spiri fire1 t, serve the Lord.” (ESV) The construction of the verse is interesting. As with much of Paul’s writing, the verse is not a single neat sentence but a string of three short phrases that express three basic Christian states of mind. First, he says that we should not be willing to just get by with as little work and inconvenience as possible. In fact, we are to be on fire! The word translated “fervent” is from the verb zeō, which means “to bubble, to boil, to seethe, to burn.” In other words, in the context of Christian service, we are to be on fire with zeal and enthusiasm.

You understand, I hope, that God really dislikes lukewarm ‘Christians’ who find it easy to just go through the motions. If we are not growing, we are to be pruned; if dead, cut off. We should never settle for that which is comfortable. To the church at Laodicea (and so to us) comes the word, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16, ESV).

The same problem existed in the day of Malachi. At that point, even the priests were guilty. Worship was not what God wanted. The priests were exhibiting a careless attitude toward the Lord and dishonoring his name in the kinds of offerings they were bringing to him. Thus, God calls for someone to step up and close the doors! It would be better if there were no fire than services not on fire with zeal and enthusiasm: “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 1:10–11, ESV).

How would you describe your spiritual life? Read Romans 12:8-21 and rate yourself as to each of the ‘marks’ that Paul provides. It is time for us to be putting off the old and putting on the new! It is time for reNEWal!

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‘Rightings’: A Blog for reNEWal…

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