Mountains

 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  (2 Corinthians 5:7)

The Devotional last night from "40 Days with Jesus" by Sarah Young said that when we focus on the looming mountains, we may end up stumbling on our current path by not looking at where we are going.   And, it's even possible that our path may eventually lead us away from those mountains.

It's a good reminder to walk by faith; and not worry about climbing mountains we may not even end up facing.

Acts 9 - Conversion of Saul

Saul was so zealous in his persecution of the Church, that he even headed to Damascus, 160 miles away armed with letters from the high priest authorizing him to take prisoners back to Jerusalem.  Yet, on the road to Damascus, Saul met Jesus and learned that persecuting the Church is really persecuting Jesus Christ the LORD.   After days of blindness, praying, and not eating or drinking, Saul received his sight back, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and was baptized when God sent Ananias to him.   After his conversion, Saul's life was completed turned around.   Instead of persecuting the Church with the authority of the Jewish leaders, the Jews now sought to kill him for preaching that Jesus is the Son of God; and it was the disciples of the Church who would help him escape, both in Damascus and Jerusalem.

We see that God uses people like Ananias, the disciples of the Church at Damascus, and Barnabas to help Paul during his conversion and in his initial walk with Christ.  By being obedient to God and being willing to help Saul, these people were able to enable Saul to fulfill God's calling for him as a "chosen instrument to proclaim [His] name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel." (Acts 9:15b)

Amazing Life of Grace

"My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace"

This chorus from Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" song says essentially what my pastor has been preaching in his latest series in Galatians on "The Amazing Life of Grace" - that we have freedom in Christ, and are not bound by the chains of legalism nor of the condemnation, guilt, or shame of sin.   "We are declared righteous by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone!"

By the principle of logical consistency, Paul showed in  Galations 5:3, that those who insist on obligation to the law, would need to obey the whole law; and cannot stumble in even one part of it.  But, the reality is "we are just not that good"; and no one can ever "pay his own way".

"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"  (Galatians 2:21)

Marriage

In a California Family Council letter, Ron Prentice gave some good points for traditional marriage:

• The laws of nature (and nature’s God) attest to the biological inter-relationship intended between man and woman.  This is the only human pairing that can procreate.
• Over the course of thousands of years, man-woman marriage has been replicated in diverse and separate cultures. In other words, marriage is not specific to one religion, and has been historically honored by non-religious groups.
• Marriage is not a right, but a privilege created by societies and governments for benefit to their common good and generational stability.
• The best environment for any child is in a functional family with both a mother and a father.

"Not surprisingly, the objective research stated above aligns with a biblical worldview."

Community Groups Series 4 and 5

I just realized that I didn't blog after session 4; so, I'll just combine that entry with the one for the latest session on 5.

In session 4, we were challenged with the idea that there are some parts of the "American Dream" that may not be so consistent with our values.  While the "equality of opportunity that permits any American to aspire to high attainment and material success" is great,  focusing only on "personal happiness and material comfort" can conflict with the eternal perspective.  Three principles we should remember are:

1. It's not our money; it's God's
2. We are entrusted with it; not entitled to it
3. God expects us to invest in His kingdom

We are to be wise stewards of the Time, Treasures, and Talents He has entrusted to us.

In session 5, we are challenged with the statistics that show that there is a hole in the Church.  Only 2 percent of the 2 percent given in tithe go to missions; but, while we have awareness, access, and ability, we often find excuses or lack the will to help.   Malachi 3:8-12 gives a different perspective on the tithe - that by not giving, we actually "rob God".  When the people of Israel turned away from God, they withheld the tithe, which had the purpose of supporting the priests and spiritual leaders; and providing for the needy. Thus, without the tithe, the Levites had to work, and thus abandon their religious duties, and the needs of the poor went unmet as well. 

What a difference we could make for the kingdom of God, if we all brought "the whole tithe into the storehouse".

Acts 8, Part 2

Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch provides examples of effective evangelism:

• Being sensitive and obedient to God's leading 
• Initiating with good opening question 
• Answering questions directly and starting from where the person is at 
• Using Scripture and focusing on Christ  

When called to leave his amazing ministry in Samaria to go to the old desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza, Philip didn't give excuses or question why.  Through his obedience, he was able to lead the Ethiopian Eunuch to belief in Christ; and Historians cite the Ethiopian Eunuch as one who spread the Church into Africa.

Christian Classic Tour

What a blessing it was to attend the Christian Classic Tour concert last night with Christian artists Steve Green, Twila Paris, Michael Card and Wayne Watson; and with Dick Tunney as Musical Director and Pianist.  These are artists I grew up listening to, and I have always loved their music.

Michael Card talked about his study of the Gospel of Luke, and of the background passage to Jesus' washing the disciples feet.   Washing of the feet was a visual example of Jesus' response to the disciples' discussion about who was to be the greatest (Luke 22:24).  And in John 13:8, when Christ came to Peter, he said the word that should never be used when addressing the LORD, "No".  

Wayne Watson's music shows what a wonderful story-teller he is.   There are so many of his pieces that were so meaningful, like his classic Watercolor Ponies.  Somewhere in the World reminds me to keep waiting and praying.  Touch of the Master's Hand encourages me that God can use me and "play beautiful music" through of my life.  "Friend of a Wounded Heart" is so touching.  And "For Such a Time as This" always reminds me to always be ready to be used of God.

Twila Paris started with "Warrior is a Child".  She then shared the story of what her mother-in-law said to her son right before she was to leave this world - that we should not go about doing whatever we want but to seek God's Plan for our lives.  And she sang "How Beautiful". 

Steve Green, with his powerful voice, sang gloriously with the full orchestra and choir.  He sang "Find us Faithful" and told the story that as children, we tried to earn "stars" for things we did; and somewhere along the way thought that translated to how we live for God.  But, no, it is by faith in HIM alone that we have salvation.

Throughout the evening, the music just gave me goose bumps, once again hearing such great Christian music in person; with such powerful Scripture-based messages.