Today in the Word...

I recieved this e-mail the other day from Moody Bible Institute and wanted to share.

Read: Psalm 119:1-88

TODAY IN THE WORD

Our conception of the law, as 21st-century people in the West, typically includes a notion of rules that regulate behavior. We concern ourselves with staying within the rules; for instance, if we’re obeying the speed limit, we expect the police to leave us alone.

This view of the law might work when it comes to the rules of the road, but it’s very misleading for understanding what the law means in the Bible. Although the Hebrew word Torah can refer to the law code given to Moses, Torah doesn’t mean the same thing as our word “law.” Bible scholar William Dumbrell suggests that Torah means “direction for life within the framework of a presupposed relationship.” In other words, the Bible’s view of the law focuses on how we can live life the way that God intended within the context of our relationship with Him. That’s a whole lot more comprehensive—and a better motivation—than a set of “do’s” and “dont’s”! This focus on relationship highlights that obeying God’s law flows from our knowing Him. It’s only because we’re saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus that we can obey His Word.

Psalm 119 is one long meditation on the goodness and perfection of God’s law, also described as “commands,” “decrees,” and “precepts.” Certainly these words tell us what we should and shouldn’t “do,” but, more importantly, they reveal the glorious nature of God and His perfect ways.

The psalmist was so inspired by seeing God’s perfection through His Word that he wrote 22 stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. He starts out by showing that the way to really succeed in life is all about God’s law (v. 1, 9—11). The last part of today’s reading describes the hope that the psalmist has because of God’s Word (v. 81). Now here’s a “framework” for living!

TODAY ALONG THE WAY

As you read through today’s passage, start a list of the framework for living that emerges from these eleven stanzas. For example, those who follow God’s command will not be ashamed (v. 6), and their scorn and contempt will be removed (v. 22). God’s Word strengthens (v. 28), delights (v. 35), comforts, renews life (v. 50), and preserves (v. 88). As you meditate on this passage and the beauty of God’s law, praise Him for the life-giving gift that we find in His rich and deep Word!

Whoa!!!...

Seems like forever since I have posted anything. Seems like forever since I have done anything other than work to be honest. We have had a lot going on at work the past few months and I feel very grateful to be able to complain about being busy. I know in these times there are many who would love to be able to complain about the long hours at work.

Last night was an all nighter and tonight will be too and it will all conclude this Saturday night pulling another all nighter as we migrate that last of the production databases to the new data center in New Jeresey. Seems like we can just about see the light and feel very confident it's not a train coming at us. I know Dreama doesn't like it when I have to work like this but I think she is used to it by now. I have never had a job since we have been married where I worked "normal" hours. I am taking a week off the first week of November and am looking forward to that. It may not be an ideal vacation for some people since I plan to do some side work for a friend of mine at his company. I got a kid in college what can I say....lol

I missed church, both services, for the first time in many months and my prayer and reading time have really suffered. Funny how that always seems to be the first to go when things get busy yet it should be the one thing we cling to the most to keep us going during the times of craziness. It is so easy for me to get side tracked when my focus is shifted off of God.

One last note, pray for Oak Street, there is so much work that needs to be done out there both physically and spiritually and continue to pray for Dee and his health and family.

Last Days...

You can go to any prophecy site or read any "End Times" book and they will all tell you that these are the last days and Jesus can return at any minute. They will point you to all sort of signs in the weather, economy and violence in the world. I believe the only sign we need is that Jesus rose from the grave.

I received this e-mail below in one of my daily subscriptions, and I think it describes a time we are in. If things were bad 400 years ago how much worse are they now? Do you think we are in the evilest of times? I invite you to read some of the new stories online such as a woman in Tyler, TX being arrested for encouraging her 7 and 10 year old children to engage in sexual acts for the entertainment of other adults who paid to come to their house and watch. By the way, the kids were taught these things as young as age 5.

Before God killed off all life with the exception of 8 humans and some animals, the Bible says that mans mind was continually on evil. How close are we now? Do we believe God will judge the ungodly and unrighteous as He did in the past, other than by flood of course? Some of the more charismatic brothers can scream revival is taking place all they want, but I see no hint of man humbling himself before a Holy and Just God with a broken heart and broken spirit turning to God in repentance and faith. As we pass all these people clothed in "religion", clothed in something other than the righteousness of Christ, do we care? Are we doing our part as instructed by God to tell them?

Rom 10:14 How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?

Now for the e-mail-

We should be holiest in evil times. The profaneness of the times should not slacken our zeal--but heighten it. The looser others are -- the stricter we should be. The way to hell is a well-trodden road. "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" Exodus 23:2. Dead fish swim down the stream -- living fish swim against it. Mere professors cut the garment of their religion according to the mode and fashion of the times. Let us keep up the vigor of our zeal, in degenerate times. We should by a holy contrariness -- burn hotter in a frozen age. We live in the dregs of time; sin is grown common and impudent. It is excellent to walk contrary to the world. Let us be as lilies and roses -- among the briars. Sin is never the better because it is in fashion! The impiety of the times, is a foil to set off grace all the more, and give it a greater luster. This plea will not help at the last day-"that we did as most others did." God will say, "Seeing you sinned with the multitude -- you shall go to hell with the multitude!" Oh, let us keep pure among the dregs! Let us be like fish, which retain their freshness, in salt waters. It is better to go to heaven with a few -- than to hell in the crowd! "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:" Matthew 7:13-14

Thomas Watson (1620-1686)

Wating...

Well, here I sit at 3:37 AM waiting for one of three processes to complete that required human intervention due to an error the process could not recover from automatically. I love my job, I love my job......maybe if I say that enough I'll start to believe it. I do like it alot but it's far from love and I am sure I don't show proper gratitude to God for the job he has given me.....

I thought I had some some good stuff to say but it is really hard to concentrate this early in the morning. I Think I'll just stare at the light shining at me from the monitor for now. It's much easier and requires no effort. Hope you all are sleeping well!!!

You...

Now for the link I broke earlier. Enjoy

Hosea..

For my morning reading I have been going through the book of Hosea. I read the first 6-7 chapters but was drawn back to chapter 1 because of the response that Hosea had toward God. It's the same response most of the men and women in the Bible had when God spoke, and that response was obedience. I said most, so don't start throwing out all those that weren't obedient as first.

The thing that jumps out to me in verse 2 of chapter 1 is what Hosea heard from God, "go and marry a prostitute who will have illegitimate children..." Remember this is the first time Hosea heard from God according to the Bible. How much questioning, thinking, praying, asking friends, pastors, small group leaders and mentors would we have to do today in trying to figure out if we had truly heard from God?? Never do I remember in the Bible anyone questioning if they had heard from God, they all knew when God spoke and they responded, some rightly others not.

That bothers me because we are given God's promise that He is the same yesterday, today and forever and I have to wonder how much I have missed out on because I sat and thought, was that God, me or the enemy?? Were these people just way more in tune with God than I am?? Did they have daily distractions and excuses for not spending more time with God??

Maybe my only response should be will this glorify God in some way then follow through with what I feel God is telling me. Could Hosea see God being glorified in marrying a prostitute? I think Hosea knew God had a plan and if this is what He wanted who was Hosea to question..

New Identity

In case you haven't noticed I have changed the name of my blog. I felt as though I had plagiarised Kenneth's blog name and I didn't want to infringe on his rights... I kept the name simple and feel that it more accuratly refelcts who I am and what I'm about. Hope you enjoy future posts.

My Take on Missional

Okay, so I got a friendly reminder today that I haven't blogged lately and with the divorce rate among bloggers as high as it is I thought it wise to say something before I became the next victim of unlinking..... Thanks Julie. And just remember, It would never cross my mind to unlink someone.

On to the real stuff. Although the first paragraph will probably get more comments than what I type below....

I have slowly been trying to digest the whole missional and emergent thing. Actually I should clarify that statement by saying I haven't made it passed the missional stance until now I think. The emergents will have to wait for the time being.

As many know I'm not into a lot of fancy catch phrases and or tag lines. I don't really care if I'm in style or out of style, jeans/shorts and a button down shirt untucked always seem to work well. I see it like this, if I keep my current style long enough before long I will be back in style. I don't keep up with the latest trends in culture either. I drank my first Mocha Latte, ummm, about 1 year ago maybe a year and a half. I think it's about time to try something else but I feel foolish ordering some of these things I can hardly pronounce, carmel mach-ee-ah-toe?? I'll stick with mocha latte for now. I guess some would call me boring which I'm okay with but I prefer no frills or no nonesene. Nor do I want the church infiltrated with gimmicks and programs that try and put a spin on the church to make it seem not so churchy. Or bringing the worlds way's in the church to make people feel better. You know, get them in the door however you can then try to slip in some Bible here and there without trying to offend anyone.

For a while now, 3+ years, I have been hearing words like missional, community, seeker friendly, emergent etc.. all of which placed a huge knot in my stomach every time I would hear them. Of course coming out of the FIMBC, Fundamental Independent Missionary Baptist Church, I thought I was going to hell when I took off my tie and switched to the NKJV. If I walked in the local FIMBC today with my new NET Bible I would probably be stoned.

Anyway, I have been trying to better understand what this actually means. Today I have been reading a book that can be downloaded for free on the web and it has really given me a clear definition of what missional is.

My understanding of missional today is that missional is not something you decide to be. I decided to be FIMB, but missional should be a natural progression to what God wants you to be. Missional is obedience to the commands of Christ in order to experience the power of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Spirit is in turn required for living out God’s mission task in and through the church. Obeying God produces godliness, and godliness leads to further obedience. As our relationship with Christ grows through obedient godliness, we are transformed in the inner man to the point where we desire more and more to experientially identify with the
missionary character of Christ in all circumstances of our lives.

So missional in my mind is nothing more than being like Christ, growing in godliness and holiness. This made perfect sense to me as did what I posted below. Keep reading.

Many missionalist writers consistently use the word missional to basically claim that missional and biblical are synonymous terms. In truth, missional is simply an English word that needs qualification to be of value to the local church. Recognizing the grammatical function of the word missional is pivotal to our discussion on being a missional church. Grammatically, the function of the word missional is clear. Missional is the adjectival form of the word mission. According to the common rules of English grammar, the suffix al converts a noun into an adjective. Mission + al = missional. Adjectives function “to restrict, qualify or limit the meaning of other words or word groups.” Missional then, no matter what noun it is modifying, must qualify the meaning of that noun by referencing God’s mission as defined by Scripture. More specifically, missional limits any noun that it modifies to the temporary mission task of the Church to make disciples of all ta ethne (all peoples) for God’s glory and worship. If the word missional is used in a way that does not reflect the biblical meaning of God’s mission, then it fails to communicate the purpose of God’s mission to form one people for His glory and worship from among all peoples. Therefore,a local church is missional when it intentionally pursues God’s mission for His glory among all peoples by following His patterns and His ways of expanding His kingdom.

Scripture is not a linear, step-by-step plan for doing God’s mission. Instead, Scripture over road spans of time comprehensively reveals patterns and practices that, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, lead churches to be God’s mission force in their community.

The Bible reveals God’s ways and patterns for His people to proclaim His message to non- Christian groups of people so that new, reproducing groups of believers multiply into many new churches. These patterns reflect different, but integrated practices of God’s mission. When followed, they provide local churches the best opportunities to fully experience God’s mission in His way.

Am I missional?? Is missional Biblical? In light of the definition I have posted I would have to say I haven't finished the book yet. Stay tuned.

Taken from the book Pursuing the Mission of God. Downloaded for free from

www.churchplantingvillage.net/atf/cf/%7B087EF6B4-D6E5-4BBF-BED1-7983D360F394%7D/Missional%20BookMaster_FINAL%203_07.pdf

Do you know this Jesus

I had never heard his testimony before. I can relate to where Paul was in life before he was saved. The power of God to change a life is an awesome thing if you will allow Him to.

Woe is me! . . . My eyes have seen the King

Another priceless reminder.

Read: Isaiah 6:1-7

At the conclusion of the book of Job, after all the arguments between Job and his friends, God Himself appeared and asked: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!” Stunned by God’s awesome presence, Job humbly responded: “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know . . . My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (see Job 38—42).

Like Job, Isaiah in today’s reading was overwhelmed. We often think of humility as a “horizontal” virtue, that is, one practiced person to person, but it properly begins as a “vertical” virtue; that is, it depends on an accurate sense of who one is before God. There’s no quicker cure for pride than to compare the mortal to the immortal, the finite to the infinite, the selfish to the loving, and the sinful to the holy! That’s what Isaiah experienced in his call and commissioning to become God’s prophet.

The vision of God was majestic (vv. 1—4). He sat high up on a throne, showing His sovereign authority over all the earth, certainly including one individual like Isaiah. His robe further symbolized His royal grandeur. He was attended by angels called “seraphs,” whose body language proclaimed His holiness and glory. To put an exclamation point on everything, awe-inspiring thunder rocked the temple where Isaiah was.

Isaiah’s response to this vision was complete humility (v. 5). He was engulfed in a sense of his own sin and unworthiness, both as an individual and as part of the community of Israel. He could not answer a call to ministry, or even receive one, until God took the initiative to purify and cleanse him from sin (vv. 6—7). The dramatic picture of a live coal touching Isaiah’s lips reminds us that God’s forgiveness is both painful and powerful.

As we know, confession of sin is a needed spiritual habit in our lives (1 John 1:9). Too often, though, we approach confession the same way we approach petitions, reading a “laundry list” and checking off each item. Today, we suggest having a different kind of time of confession, one done with the attitude of Isaiah. Pray in the “woe is me” spirit that recognizes the chasm between a perfectly holy God and ourselves, and thus cries out for the forgiveness and cleansing only He can give.

Courtesy of Moody Bible Institute
• www.todayintheword.org