RELATIONSHIP in 2007
By Dick Evans
As we start this New Year, I believe we should reevaluate relationship.
Relationship is defined in Encarta as a significant connection or similarity between two or more things, or the state of being related to something else. As Christians, we speak about our relationship with God. Those who consider themselves to be born again, say their walk with Christ is not about religion, it is about relationship.
With this in mind, it does not matter which religious group we belong to; what brick and mortar church building we attend each week. What matters is our personal relationship with Christ, our walk with Him each day. Church is the body of Christ; the gathering of two or more believers.
Some believe their relationship with God is centered on time spent in “the Word”. By this they are referring to the Word of God, the Bible as we know it. They bicker back and forth as to translations to use and often refer back to the original text to accurately discover what the original author meant to say to his intended audience. Their relationship is with the Word of God.
Each book of the Bible was penned by man, inspired by God. However, are we not reading about another human being's relationship with God? I believe we are. As we read his book, we discover more about his relationship with God. In a similar way, as we read current day Christian literature and listen to sermons available in all forms, we receive further insight into the relationship those authors have with God.
What we should want is our own relationship with the living God. Yes, we are to be in the Word daily. The Word is Christ, He is in us, and we are in Him. Is reading the Bible the same as being in Him? I do not think so. I believe one way God speaks to us today is through His written Word. It does not matter which translation we use. He knows and will direct us to the scripture pertinent to our situation for today. Be it NIV, NLT, KJV, NASB, NKJV, or any other, He knows how to communicate to us. He knows how to reveal to us a Word for today, a Word to guide us, to instruct us, to comfort us, or to encourage us.
I am not trying to tell you not to read and study the Bible. Nor am I inferring you should stop reading or listening to wisdom from other Christians; not at all. In all we do, God can bring revelation to us. He can take the worldly means of communication and point us to His truth.
Being religious is not bad unless it is a replacement for relationship with Jesus Christ. Daily reading of His word is necessary, but should not be mistaken as having that relationship. Reading other authors or listening to them is good, but is not a replacement for reading and studying His Word for you. He wants us to grow in Him. To do that we must communicate with Him; we speak to Him and listen to His answer. And always rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you into all Truth.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
POPUPS
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NLT Hebrews 13:8 )
One annoying aspect of some web sites is the way other screens filled with ads pop up as you are working. Because of this nuisance, the latest browsers include a popup blocker feature. Often this eliminates some windows we really do want to pop up, so we have to learn how to turn the feature off and on.
Soon after Jesus left, new religions began to popup. They purported to be believers and followers of Jesus, but they added their own twist. Some differences had to do with their culture, and others from their previous pagan traditions. Encarta tells us religion is a set of strongly held beliefs, values, and attitudes one lives by. It also states that it is a particular institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine. We usually think of the institution. Catholicism is what we think of as the first organized Christian religion. Then years later, there was another popup, the protestant religion, and then one popup after another right up to today.
Jesus did not tell us to believe in an institution. He said we were to follow Him and be guided by the one He sent, the Holy Spirit. Man added the religious component. Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday, and He will never change. We have to stop looking for the latest popup and go back to just listening to the Holy Spirit as we walk out each day.
When it comes to Windows or worship, we need to keep our popup blockers on.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NLT Hebrews 13:8 )
One annoying aspect of some web sites is the way other screens filled with ads pop up as you are working. Because of this nuisance, the latest browsers include a popup blocker feature. Often this eliminates some windows we really do want to pop up, so we have to learn how to turn the feature off and on.
Soon after Jesus left, new religions began to popup. They purported to be believers and followers of Jesus, but they added their own twist. Some differences had to do with their culture, and others from their previous pagan traditions. Encarta tells us religion is a set of strongly held beliefs, values, and attitudes one lives by. It also states that it is a particular institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine. We usually think of the institution. Catholicism is what we think of as the first organized Christian religion. Then years later, there was another popup, the protestant religion, and then one popup after another right up to today.
Jesus did not tell us to believe in an institution. He said we were to follow Him and be guided by the one He sent, the Holy Spirit. Man added the religious component. Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday, and He will never change. We have to stop looking for the latest popup and go back to just listening to the Holy Spirit as we walk out each day.
When it comes to Windows or worship, we need to keep our popup blockers on.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
TUG OF WAR
Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. (NLT Hebrews 12:14)
Most outings include many competitive games to play. Usually found are horseshoes, volleyball, and often tug of war. The later is simply a rope. One team grabs an end and the other team grabs the other end. Both teams pull with all their might trying to cause the other team to fall or be dragged over a middle line.
It is easy to say you want to go to heaven, but not as easy to live a holy life. It is like that game of tug of war--the world on one side and our desire to follow Christ on the other.
We spent most our life on the other side. We know many of the team members and are even trying to convince them to switch sides. The activities they are into are the ones we always had fun with. Temptation is great to go back, if just for a little while. What could it hurt?
The choices we make do count. It is important for us to try to live in peace with everyone, and to try to live a clean and holy life.
Is going over to the other side worth the possibility of not seeing the Lord?
Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. (NLT Hebrews 12:14)
Most outings include many competitive games to play. Usually found are horseshoes, volleyball, and often tug of war. The later is simply a rope. One team grabs an end and the other team grabs the other end. Both teams pull with all their might trying to cause the other team to fall or be dragged over a middle line.
It is easy to say you want to go to heaven, but not as easy to live a holy life. It is like that game of tug of war--the world on one side and our desire to follow Christ on the other.
We spent most our life on the other side. We know many of the team members and are even trying to convince them to switch sides. The activities they are into are the ones we always had fun with. Temptation is great to go back, if just for a little while. What could it hurt?
The choices we make do count. It is important for us to try to live in peace with everyone, and to try to live a clean and holy life.
Is going over to the other side worth the possibility of not seeing the Lord?
Friday, November 24, 2006
FAULTS
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (NLT Colossians 3:13)
Software companies work hard at the creation of new applications for us to enjoy. The biggest at this time is Microsoft and many of us use Windows and Office just about every day; some all day long. New versions are in the making and should hit the retails stores soon. In an effort to remove all the faults, beta versions have been available as free downloads for months. These versions admittedly contain faults and it is the job of the beta tester to use the product and report the issues as they occur.
Even after the new software is released to the general public, faults will be discovered. As they surface, fixes will be created and downloaded to our machines. An old term for these faults in programming is the computer bug. Fixing bugs requires patches and as an application gets older the patches pile up until a new version of the software is released.
Encarta defines fault as a personal shortcoming, a failing, or character weakness. Although it may be difficult to admit it, we all come with faults. Some of our faults came as part of our DNA or our original programming; the result of generations past. Others faults are the result of choices made in our past. Our character is made up of the original programming plus the patches applied over the years.
When we gave our life over to Jesus, we became born again and a new version of the programming was downloaded to us. However, the old version is still trying to remain active. It is as if we have a dual boot system with two operating systems trying to be in control. When we boot our computer, we have the choice of which operating systems boots. In our lives, we choose which program to run—the old man or the new.
The old man still has faults. We sometimes do not even recognize the faults in our self. We like who we have become and expect others to be just like us. Their faults bug us. Why do they have to be like that? But, it is okay for others to have faults. The Lord forgave us our sins, our faults, and we need to make allowance for others.
Which programming are you allowing to boot today?
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (NLT Colossians 3:13)
Software companies work hard at the creation of new applications for us to enjoy. The biggest at this time is Microsoft and many of us use Windows and Office just about every day; some all day long. New versions are in the making and should hit the retails stores soon. In an effort to remove all the faults, beta versions have been available as free downloads for months. These versions admittedly contain faults and it is the job of the beta tester to use the product and report the issues as they occur.
Even after the new software is released to the general public, faults will be discovered. As they surface, fixes will be created and downloaded to our machines. An old term for these faults in programming is the computer bug. Fixing bugs requires patches and as an application gets older the patches pile up until a new version of the software is released.
Encarta defines fault as a personal shortcoming, a failing, or character weakness. Although it may be difficult to admit it, we all come with faults. Some of our faults came as part of our DNA or our original programming; the result of generations past. Others faults are the result of choices made in our past. Our character is made up of the original programming plus the patches applied over the years.
When we gave our life over to Jesus, we became born again and a new version of the programming was downloaded to us. However, the old version is still trying to remain active. It is as if we have a dual boot system with two operating systems trying to be in control. When we boot our computer, we have the choice of which operating systems boots. In our lives, we choose which program to run—the old man or the new.
The old man still has faults. We sometimes do not even recognize the faults in our self. We like who we have become and expect others to be just like us. Their faults bug us. Why do they have to be like that? But, it is okay for others to have faults. The Lord forgave us our sins, our faults, and we need to make allowance for others.
Which programming are you allowing to boot today?
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
GENEROSITY
You are generous because of your faith. And I am praying that you will really put your generosity to work, for doing so you will come to an understanding of all the good things we can do for Christ. (NLT Philemon 1:6)
Paul wrote this letter to Philemon for the express purpose of encouraging Philemon to forgive his slave, who had run away. Philemon was a wealthy member of the Colossian church, which met in his house.
Paul begins by telling Philemon he is generous. Then he goes on to tell Philemon he must put that generosity to work. This can seem confusing. Is he or is he not generous?
Generosity is an attribute of Christ. When we become born again, we take on the attributes of Christ. That is, our new man has the attributes of Christ. I am generous because of who I am in Christ. This does not mean my earthly walk is evidence of that generosity.
The second sentence is the key. As we intentionally step out in faith, putting those attributes of Christ to work, we will take them on in the natural and come to an understanding of what we can do for Christ.
Paul is explaining to Philemon that as he chooses to become generous, he will become generous like Christ.
Faith is an action word. We must put our faith out in front of us; we must choose to use the attributes of Christ in our daily life knowing, in faith, that they are ours to use. As we are generous by choice, we become generous by nature.
As we walk in faith, we take on more of His attributes, and our character changes from that old man to the new man we really are--that born again child of God.
You are generous because of your faith. And I am praying that you will really put your generosity to work, for doing so you will come to an understanding of all the good things we can do for Christ. (NLT Philemon 1:6)
Paul wrote this letter to Philemon for the express purpose of encouraging Philemon to forgive his slave, who had run away. Philemon was a wealthy member of the Colossian church, which met in his house.
Paul begins by telling Philemon he is generous. Then he goes on to tell Philemon he must put that generosity to work. This can seem confusing. Is he or is he not generous?
Generosity is an attribute of Christ. When we become born again, we take on the attributes of Christ. That is, our new man has the attributes of Christ. I am generous because of who I am in Christ. This does not mean my earthly walk is evidence of that generosity.
The second sentence is the key. As we intentionally step out in faith, putting those attributes of Christ to work, we will take them on in the natural and come to an understanding of what we can do for Christ.
Paul is explaining to Philemon that as he chooses to become generous, he will become generous like Christ.
Faith is an action word. We must put our faith out in front of us; we must choose to use the attributes of Christ in our daily life knowing, in faith, that they are ours to use. As we are generous by choice, we become generous by nature.
As we walk in faith, we take on more of His attributes, and our character changes from that old man to the new man we really are--that born again child of God.
THE EXAMPLE
For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I ask you to follow my example and do as I do. (NLT 1 Corinthians 4:15-16)
We have thousands of books and videos and programming to teach us all we could ever want to learn. But there is not one as worthwhile as the example someone we are in relationship with sets for us.
Show and tell is an exercise used in grade school. The students bring their favorite toy, a pet, or something else to class and share their excitement about this item. By showing someone else the love they have for that pet, another gets excited about having one of their own.
People do not become stronger Christians because of what we tell them. We must be an example in all we do and say. We teach by example.
Words by themselves can be taken the wrong way. Meant well, they might trigger some previous event in the receiver and take on an entirely different meaning. What we think should be projecting love might be sending a different message. As they see us show His love to others and to them, misinterpretation is less likely to occur. Instead of relying on past experiences to interpret, our example is creating new experiences for them.
Jesus was an example for all who followed Him and Paul an example for the gentiles. The Christ in us is that same example for all we are in relationship with. As we live our lives, we tell others by our words and our actions, about the living Jesus.
Be an example for someone you know today.?
For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I ask you to follow my example and do as I do. (NLT 1 Corinthians 4:15-16)
We have thousands of books and videos and programming to teach us all we could ever want to learn. But there is not one as worthwhile as the example someone we are in relationship with sets for us.
Show and tell is an exercise used in grade school. The students bring their favorite toy, a pet, or something else to class and share their excitement about this item. By showing someone else the love they have for that pet, another gets excited about having one of their own.
People do not become stronger Christians because of what we tell them. We must be an example in all we do and say. We teach by example.
Words by themselves can be taken the wrong way. Meant well, they might trigger some previous event in the receiver and take on an entirely different meaning. What we think should be projecting love might be sending a different message. As they see us show His love to others and to them, misinterpretation is less likely to occur. Instead of relying on past experiences to interpret, our example is creating new experiences for them.
Jesus was an example for all who followed Him and Paul an example for the gentiles. The Christ in us is that same example for all we are in relationship with. As we live our lives, we tell others by our words and our actions, about the living Jesus.
Be an example for someone you know today.?
Friday, November 03, 2006
OPPORTUNITY
Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. (NLT Ephesians 5:16)
When we are rearing our children, we encourage them to do good by the words we say and by our expressions. They do not have to be rewarded with a special treat. It is our genuine praise they treasure more any physical things.
The same is true with our pets. Our dog treasures the touches she receives from us and feels good when we tell her she is a good dog. She does good because she knows it pleases us.
There are many opportunities for us to do good every day. How about slowing down and letting that car merge in front of you instead of speeding past them. Next time you see someone waiting to walk across the street, stop and let them go even if there is no one coming behind you. Open the door for the person behind you at the market and let the person with one or two items get ahead at the checkout line, and do it with a smile.
Do it because you can, because you know you should do good every day. The opportunities are there, all we have to do is grab hold of them. As we do, the Holy Spirit will open doors for us to share the gospel message. Just wait and see it happen.
Did you grab hold of an opportunity today?
Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. (NLT Ephesians 5:16)
When we are rearing our children, we encourage them to do good by the words we say and by our expressions. They do not have to be rewarded with a special treat. It is our genuine praise they treasure more any physical things.
The same is true with our pets. Our dog treasures the touches she receives from us and feels good when we tell her she is a good dog. She does good because she knows it pleases us.
There are many opportunities for us to do good every day. How about slowing down and letting that car merge in front of you instead of speeding past them. Next time you see someone waiting to walk across the street, stop and let them go even if there is no one coming behind you. Open the door for the person behind you at the market and let the person with one or two items get ahead at the checkout line, and do it with a smile.
Do it because you can, because you know you should do good every day. The opportunities are there, all we have to do is grab hold of them. As we do, the Holy Spirit will open doors for us to share the gospel message. Just wait and see it happen.
Did you grab hold of an opportunity today?
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