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!

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..

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

Parable of the Sower

God is so great. I was reading an article the other day and God showed me something I had overlooked so many times I was almost embarrassed to admit it. We have all read the parable of the sower I'm sure, but just in case you can't remember it I have posted it below;

Listen; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred.
(Mar 4:3-8)

I have used these verses so many times to illustrate a false convert and that false conversions are possible. Although a person can look and act the part of a Christian for a while in the end their true nature will prevail. The amazing thing about this parable is the fact that is has nothing to do with the false convert and everything to do with the sower. I feel that would be a fantastic reason for these verses to be labeled the parable of the sower.

So many times in American evangelism the attempt is made to try and coerce someone into believing or getting them to shake their head in agreement at the right time while reading certain verses with them as fast as you can so you can move on to the next person and get them to shake their heads. Our part in evangelism is not to get anyone to agree with anything we say and it's certainly not to play God or try and bring conviction, that is the part of the Holy Spirit. Our part in evangelism is simply to do as this parable instructs and sow seeds of the gospel. This sower didn't care what kind of ground the seed landed on he was only doing what he was commanded to do and that is to sow seed to every living creature. Sow the seeds and let God give the increase.

I hear people all the time say, I'm not sure what God's will is for my life. Or, I really want to do something for the Lord but I just don't what to do. May I suggest while your doing whatever it is you do to find God's will you start slinging as much seed out there as you can. Reach into your bag and start throwing seed and let it fall on whatever ground it will and let God be God.

How can crops grow unless a seed is planted, how can someone else water unless a seed is planted, how can God give the increase unless a seed is planted.

Be faithful, and fear not what man can do to you, but fear God. Jesus said the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

Happy sowing.....

Jeremiah 31:1-34

TODAY IN THE WORD

Read: Jeremiah 31:1-34

“There is no want of power in God to cast wicked men into hell at any moment. Men’s hands cannot be strong when God rises up. The strongest have no power to resist him, nor can any deliver out of his hands.”

Jonathan Edwards’ sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” would shock many contemporary audiences. We’ve grown accustomed to preaching that emphasizes themes of God’s love, not His just punishment of sin.

Like Jonathan Edwards, Jeremiah’s preaching ministry also emphasized the violent judgment of God. He suffered terribly for his “gloom-and-doom” preaching, almost losing his life.
How strange the words from Jeremiah 31 must have sounded, then, to the listening crowd. Among vociferous warnings of God’s impending judgment, suddenly Jeremiah’s tone changed. Instead of wrath, he spoke of love. He predicted a future time when God’s blessings, physical and spiritual, will be restored to His people. It seemed incomprehensible among the warnings that Judah would soon be overthrown and taken into captivity.

Jeremiah foretold the coming of a New Covenant, unlike the Old. Formerly, God had led His people by the hand, but His people were unruly children, always tugging and twisting to break free. They had a pattern of disobedience and rebellion. Through the New Covenant, God would bring a people back to Himself who would be faithful. They would not depend on spiritual handholding for their obedience, having instead an internal locus of love and devotion to God. The Word of God would be imprinted on their hearts and their minds.

The New Covenant assures God’s people of His forgiveness and His invitation to return to Him. It declares God’s deliberate act of “remember[ing] their sins no more” (v. 34).

God initiates the New Covenant because of who He is: eternally faithful (v. 3), a loving Father (v. 9), a gracious God (v. 14), and a Promise Keeper (v. 37).

Posted with permission from Moody Bible Institute, Today in the Word.