Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Book Review - FIRSTHAND by Ryan and Josh Shook

FIRSTHAND
By Ryan and Josh Shook

Ryan and Josh Shook are two brothers that were raised as sons of a preacher.  Yet in their life as teens, they began to loose their faith.  They felt it was a coattail faith from their parents and not their own.  As they began to feel the emptiness of spirit, they realized they needed a firsthand faith, a faith that was all their own.  Feeling that others experience this, as well, they wrote this book in hopes of helping whoever might be going through this borrowed faith.

Following are some of the quotes from their book:  We can’t be filled with God until we are emptied of ourselves.  We are free to make our own choice but then we are bound by the consequences and so have lost that freedom.  Real change comes from the inside and not what we look like on the outside.  God wants my heart, not my actions; however when He has my heart, actions will flow.

Discussion, examples, and Scriptures are involved with each of the above statements and more.  They define secondhand faith as a faith that is absorbed in yourself.  A firsthand faith moves you out of selfishness and into the lives of others as you encounter God’s grace.  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. 



FILL MY CUP, LORD - 7

FILL MY CUP, LORD- 7
Marilyn Barber
As printed in The Voice of Evangelism

Up to this point, we have cleaned our cup that it might be filled with godly things that would please our Lord.  Love, humility, kindness, forgiveness/forbearance, and self-control have been put into our cup (life) so far.  How willing have we been to keep away those things of the world that would deter us from accomplishing this task?

Willingness is an important characteristic for a Christian to have.  First, we have to open our eyes to see what needs to be done.  Perhaps we can see what needs to be done and maybe even appreciate the ones that are doing it.  However, do we ever think of helping?  Are we willing to put forth the effort or are we just going to sit by the wayside to watch others do the work?  Our Lord needs a lot of willing workers for His kingdom.  There is much to do.  It all takes effort with willingness.

Much can be accomplished with those who are willing.  Ex.35:29   God had commanded the Israelites through Moses to do certain work.  All the Israelite men and women who were willingand it was done!  Skilled people to whom the Lord had given ability were summoned for a task—who were willing to come and do the work.  Ex.36:2   Solomon was exhorted to serve God with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind.  This is found in 1 Chron.28:9.  Things we want to do often need to be set aside if we are truly going to put Christ and His church first in our lives.  Matt.6:33   Are the words seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness words with meaning by which we live or just nice words that maybe we have memorized.

Zeal follows willingness.  If we are willing with zeal, then we are eager to do what is good for Christ gave Himself to redeem us.  Titus 2:14    No dragging of our feet.  We are not only willing but eager and want to serve the Lord with zeal, enthusiasm, and joy.  We take our strength from our joy in the Lord.  Neh.8:10   We are not working for this person or that person, we are working for the Lord.  So whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  Col.3:23,24

All of us are different.  We have been endowed with different gifts and abilities.  We are not expected to do something for which we have not been given the ability to do, but too often we say, “I can’t”.  The desire is not there to learn or develop a skill or talent that may not be realized.  The Corinthians were given opportunity to help the Christians in Jerusalem financially.  This statement might apply with many opportunities of various kinds.  2 Cor.8:11   Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your  means.  Jesus knows our “means” and our limits.  However, we cannot excuse ourselves from what we know we could do.

Do we realize that we can lay up treasure for ourselves in living a life of service to our Lord?  1 Tim.6:18,19   Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds…they will lay up treasure for themselves…for the coming age.   We never do what would be called a good deed for our own glory.  Jesus made that clear in the Sermon on the Mount.  Let your light shine before men—what is our light?  The deeds, words, and attitudes that are shown before men.  What is the purpose?  To glorify your Father who is in heaven.  Matt.5:16  

Whatever we do for the Lord in never in vain.  Our work for the Lord needs to be bountiful (abundant) since we know it is not useless.  …always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.  1 Cor.15:58  

We work for the Lord as individuals, but do we ever think of our part in the corporate church of the world?  How are we impacting the world or our community for Christ?    The  symbolism of a body is used for the church corporate.  Are our “joints” becoming immobile?  Does our arm work but not our leg?  Eph.4:16   …according to the working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body…Is our lack of willingness to work with zeal and eagerness dwarfing the congregation where we reside?  May it not be!  Paul prayed that the Colossians would be fruitful in every good work.  Col.1:10   Jesus is well aware of our works individually as well as corporately.  Rev.2:2   I know your deeds and your toil, and your perseverance…As long as we are able, we keep working for the Lord.

This study would not be complete without mentioning the fact that works or good deeds will not save us.  The world holds many good people that are very prolific in good deeds; but they have not been covered by the blood of Jesus to be saved from their sins of which we are all guilty.  Rom.3:23   We cannot carry these sins to our grave or we pay for them ourselves.  Rom.6:23   Christ died that we would  not have to die.  Rom.5:8,9   We can be made right in God’s sight through putting on Christ in immersion.  Our old self dies and we have a new life in Him as our sins are forgiven.  Rom.6:3,4; Acts 2:38

So where does this leave the value of good deeds with willingness, eagerness, and zeal to perform them?  Grace has been shown to us by providing a way of salvation but now since we are His workmanship, we are created in Christ Jesus for good works.  Eph.2:8-10   We are now God’s instruments.  Rom.6:13   God uses us for righteousness.

James explains how our works or good deeds show our faith.  It is not enough to just consent to a truth.  We show that we really have a strong faith when we put that into action.  Examples are given of Abraham and Rahab.  James 2:21-26   For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

As we eagerly and willingly work for our Lord, what a blessing it is to know that He does not forget.  Heb.6:10   May we keep serving our Lord until the end, never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor.  Rom.12:11 








  

Saturday, July 20, 2013

FILL MY CUP, LORD - 6

FILL MY CUP, LORD
Marilyn Barber
As printed in The Voice of Evangelism

How our cup needs to be filled with self-control!  This is not an easy one but it involves so many facets of our life.  The need for self-control not only involves the physical and material part of life but in concerns of the spiritual side of life as well. Self-control is also not only needed but very necessary.

Let us begin with the physical part of life.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  (Ps.139:14)  God made us and we need to take care of our bodies.  We pollute our bodies with things that cause addiction.  It does not begin that way and there may be no intention of such ever happening—but it does.  “Just once.”  “Just try it.”  “Everybody else does it.”  “It won’t happen to me.”  As a Christian it is better to be innocent in what is evil.  (Rom.16:19)  There is no profit in dabbling in alcohol, nicotine, and drugs.  A problem now is overuse of pain medications.  When necessary it is important to use them but caution must be taken.

Today bodily exercise is a big thrust.  It is true that it is important to our health.  Every year research is finding results in different ways in which exercise will benefit us.  To develop good habits of exercise takes a great deal of self-control.  We set our minds in determination and do it.  However, it is important to remember the exhortation of Paul in 1 Tim.4:8.  For bodily exercise profits a little but godliness is profitable for all things.

Obesity causes many health problems today.  This partners with the lack of exercise but it is associated with what we eat—both in kind and amount.  Great self-control is necessary to get our diets in control.  Again we give ourselves these little messages:  “Tomorrow I’ll start;” “I love this;” “Just a little.”  Just a little starts a desire for more.  This is a proven fact.  Gain self-control to take care of the body God has given you.

We now want to think about material things.  It is important that we have self-control over money matters.  It is very easy to think of the items on sale that “we could use” and not what we need.  If we are not careful, we have surpassed the money that belongs to the Lord and foolishly purchased items that will become of little value in a short time.  God comes first.  Do we trust that He will provide our needs?  (Mal.3:8-10) 

Without self-control we become obsessed with many things—clothes, shoes, DVD’s, books, tools, gadgets, and—STUFF.  Just ask someone who has had to store their goods to be safe during a flood.  Many decide that there are items that have not been used and they don’t move them back.  We can do without so many of the things we store away because “someday we might need them”.  That is why the storage units have grown so much in number.  Job lost everything and what was his answer.  (Mal.1:21,22)  We cannot take anything material with us.  God owns it all and allows us to use it.  We need self-control over the material things of life.

Now let us think of self-control over spiritual matters.  What could be more important.  If we do not have control over our time, spiritual matters may receive little of it.  Count the number of hours (or minutes) spent with God verses the time spent in entertainment.  Seriously, we might be surprised how this shows what we put first. 

The time spent in Bible study, meditation, and application to our life may explain our spiritual growth or lack thereof .  Before we became Christians, we walked in darkness but now God made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  (2 Cor.4:6)  This light of knowledge comes from His Word which we are to study to show yourselves approved unto God. (2 Tim.2:15)  The Word is powerful for it is the power of God for salvation.  (Rom.1:16)  The Word pointed us to salvation but it also reveals how to please our Lord for the remainder of our life.  It shows all to us.  (Heb.4:12)   We can’t read a few verses and believe we have studied.  It takes self-control to allot time in every day for Bible study.

The attitude of prayer needs to be in our heart at all times.  (1 Thess.5:17)  Time needs to be set aside each day for prayer with thanksgiving.  How often Jesus set aside time for prayer with His Father!  It wasn’t a prayer for a few minutes but all night.  We may not spend all night in prayer but God answers prayer.  Perhaps a list would help.  We repent through prayer.  We ask for guidance through prayer.  We pray for spiritual and physical needs of others through prayer.  This not only includes individuals but also congregations and foreign works.  There is so much for which to pray.  We can pray anytime, anywhere, and for anything but we must realize that it is within God’s will.  Our obedience also makes a difference.

When saints are gathered together for worship, all Christians should be there if possible.  Sometimes it takes self-control to choose worship over an event we wish to attend.  Again, what comes first?  In attending we stimulate one another to love and good deeds.  We also encourage one another.  (Heb.10:24,25)  Our commitment to the Lord shows as we are present with the saints.  A lady of 88 years of age walked over 3 blocks with her cane so she wouldn’t miss prayer meeting and Bible study.  Most of the distance was uphill.  Is Jesus pleased with our commitment in this way?

It takes self-control to curb our speech and anger.  (Jam.1:19; Eph.4:26)  Some find it a way to show off if they can tell the business of someone else.  They become busybodies.  It can turn into gossip and even slander.  Could we tell Jesus what we repeat to others and would He be pleased?  We are held accountable for every word spoken.  (Matt.12:36)

We must use self-control concerning our thoughts for thoughts turn into words and action.  (Prov.23:7)  We can destroy a profitable life by dwelling on negative thoughts.  “But I can’t help it!”  With prayer and self-control we can help it.  Our thoughts need to be on the true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and whatever is of good report and excellent as well as those things that are worthy of praise.  Dwell on these things. 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

FILL MY CUP, LORD - 5

FILL MY CUP, LORD
Marilyn Barber
As printed in The Voice of Evangelism

How have I made people feel when I left their presence?  This is kindness.  Even in instances of edification and exhortation, has gentleness been used?  We need to find kindness in our cup or spiritual lives.

In the Old Testament the word “lovingkindness” is used in regard to God.  Ps.103:8   Compassion and graciousness goes side by side with lovingkindness as does love.  To be truly kind we build on that love that hopefully is already in our “cup”.  God feels for our needs in His compassion.  As we have compassion on all with whom we have to do, we need to feel deeply for their needs materially, emotionally, and spiritually.  As we have this compassion for their needs we will show kindness to them.  We will be warm-hearted, courteous, and considerate.  This is a trait we need as a child of God.

In the Song of Moses he reiterated the many things God had done in his lovingkindness.  Ex. 15:13   Nehemiah mourned over the destruction of Jerusalem and prayed to God for the Israelites.  He beseeched God to hear because of His lovingkindness toward those who love Him and keep His commandments.  Neh.1:5   As the foundation of the temple was laid after returning from Babylon, the people sang praises to God and His lovingkindness.  Ez.3:11   God loves but also is kind.

God’s lovingkindness extends to those who keep His Word.  Ps.25:10   God sees our affliction and problems for He knows our every need.  Ps.31:7   Not only does God see our affliction but He forgives as we confess our sin.  Ps.51:1; Ps.86:5   God is so good to us in His lovingkindness that we need to praise Him with David for His lovingkindness is everlasting.  Ps.100:5   May we rejoice as He exercises lovingkindness on earth.  Jer.9:24

As we think of God’s kindness to us, how can we extend that kindness to others?  We pass by many that are longing to be “found” and yet we do not even recognize their very existence.  May God open our eyes to see the needs of others.  They may dress in a different way or act and speak in a way unpleasing to us but they need Jesus.  If we turn our back on them, we have done a disservice to them.  Kindness with a smile and a desire to find their need and then extend a helping hand may be the first step toward teaching them about the Lord.

Jesus went about doing good.  Acts 10:38   Jesus’ first miracle was one of kindness in saving face for the groom.  Jesus saw the need and then fulfilled it.  Think of the lepers, the blind, the crippled and many others that experienced not only the healing but the kindness of Jesus as He saw their need.  There were occasions of those who mourned as loved ones faced death and He brought them back to life.  Jesus was kind.

At times—many times—we are so committed to our own agenda that we do not notice the needs of others.  It is true that we do not want to meddle but we often hide behind this as an excuse to not employ acts of kindness.  If we are willing to wrap ourselves around the lives of others in kindness, it will be normal for them to receive help from us.  Never do we want to become stuck in our own comfort zone.

Kindness is listed as a quality to be desired by a Christian and one in which to grow.  In listing some of the hardships Paul had experienced, he then goes to the qualities needed.  Kindness is one of these in spite of the way one is treated.  2 Cor.6:6   As we may face opposition, our words need to show kindness.  Gal.5:15   In order to be “right” or to “have the last word” we forget kindness and we also forget the fact that we will be held accountable for every word we say.  Matt.12:36,37  

If we live by the Spirit, then we need to walk like it.  Gal.5:25   Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit or the result that comes from walking in the Spirit.  The Spirit will help us develop kindness but it is important that we have that desire to obtain kindness.  As Christians we put on (clothe ourselves) with a heart of kindness.  Col.3:12   Just as our physical heart is the center of our physical being, so our spiritual heart is the center of our spiritual being and God knows our hearts.  Lk.16:15   Kindness is to be a quality that is in our heart—not just for an outward show but a quality that is heart-felt.

Kindness is a quality deeply engrained in the life of a Christian.  This has to be true in the family.  Many can be so kind to those outside of the home.  They want a good reputation.  However, when it comes to the family inside of the home, their guard is let down and we treat them in any way we feel at the moment.  Does Christ not live in our home?

As we love those outside of Christ, we must show kindness for love is kind.  1 Cor.13:4   We will not have an opportunity to lead them to Christ if they cannot see the kindness of Christ in us.  We can be kind in material needs.  1 John 3:17   As we show concern for their emotional needs such as in the loss of a loved one, the comfort of God can be given to them.  Kindness with gentleness is important in dealing with their spiritual needs.  We need to be ready with knowledge of the Scriptures or at least to lead them to someone who can help them see the Light.  1 Pet.3:15

Kindness toward our brothers and sisters in Christ is highly important.  Jhn.13:35   Those outside of the church see this love which comes with kindness.  It makes a big difference in the way they look at the church.  See what Peter says about brotherly kindness.  2 Pet.1:7   This is one of those important qualities in a Christian’s life that will not only shine Jesus to the world but will bind us together as one.

Let us fill our cup with kindness as Paul exhorted the Ephesians Christians. 
Be ye kind to one another…Eph.4:32








Saturday, July 6, 2013

Book Review: Reflections on the Life of King David

REFLECTIONS OF THE LIFE OF KING DAVID
By David Mills

This book is very worthwhile in the study of King David.  The author, David Mills, has given intense study to harmonize the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.  The first part of the book is devoted to this harmonization with notes as to the source of his findings.  For a person that seriously studies the Scripture, this endeavor is very rewarding.

The second part of the book gives reflections as well as applications to our lives today.  These become devotional in nature at times and give a very profitable source of lessons to be used in teaching God’s way through the life of King David.  In Mills’ reflections various notes on the culture in King David’s day are also added to make a very interesting addition.


I would highly recommend this book both for concentrated study in harmonizing the books regarding the life of King David as well as a basis of teaching material that can easily be applied to our lives today.

Friday, July 5, 2013

FILL MY CUP, LORD - 3

FILL MY CUP, LORD - 3
Marilyn Barber
As printed in The Voice of Evangelism

As we think of filling our cup (life), let us consider humility as an important character trait for a Christian.  If we could achieve real humility, what a difference it would make in our congregations, neighborhoods, families, and in the brotherhood.  Too often we think we are the one with wisdom and knowledge for our idea is the best.  We forget from where our abilities and knowledge originated.  It certainly wasn’t from us but from our Lord who made us and gifted us.  1 Cor.4:6,7   Furthermore, He did the same for our brother. 

So what does it mean to be humble?  Several phrases are used in definitions but two of them seem to fit the Scriptures we will be using.  They are “make low” and “make small”.  Another might be “bow down”.  In Lev.16:30-31 God made a permanent statute.  It involved the day of atonement, (the cleansing of their sins) and the day of rest.  It was to humble their souls.  David humbled his soul with fasting and prayer.  Ps.35:13

Our Lord set the example for us to follow.  Phil.2:6-8   He left a throne of glory to come to earth as a human being, first as a babe born in the lowliest place imaginable.  We dress it up in our manger scenes but there were animal smells and whatever comes with an occupied barn.  Mary and Joseph had very little and what they had during Jesus’ early years came from hard work.  This was the Son of God!

As He went about the countryside in His ministry, He had no place to lay His head.  Lk.9:58  His chosen twelve were common men as fishermen, etc.  A summary of his ministry is made in Acts 10:38 as Peter was preaching Jesus to Cornelius.  Even in His Triumphal Entry He rode on a lowly donkey, not a white horse with saddle.  His humility is expressed in Zech.9:9.  Just the night before His crucifixion, Jesus performed a very complete type of humility as He stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples.  This was one of the lowest tasks of a servant.  Jhn.13:4,5   Then He was crucified as a criminal,  No glory in that.  And we have the audacity to think we are “something”.  We are nothing except through our Lord and Savior.  Tears of repentance should follow.

Jeremiah warns of boasting which would be opposite of humility.  Jer.9:23,24   We boast in the Lord and live to His glory, not our own.  The arrogant man will be humbled and the Lord ALONE will be exalted.  Isa.2:11   Humility is required by the Lord if we would walk with Him.  Mic.6:8   Our Lord who made all things in His glory and majesty looks at us and what does He want to see.  He searches for the humble and contrite of spirit and the one who trembles at His Word.  Isa.66:2  

As Abraham bowed down in spirit (humbled himself) and said he was nothing but dust and ashes, he pled with God to save Sodom if those who were righteous could be found.   Is it possible God is looking for the humble, penitent, and those who tremble at His Word?  Perhaps this is what God seeks in our country today.  A country consists of individuals.  We matter.  2 Chron.7:14   Are we filling our cup with humility?

Are we teachable?  God teaches the humble His way.  Ps.25

Moving Forward Book Review

MOVING FORWARD
By Everett L. Worthington Jr.

This book gives six steps to forgiving yourself and breaking free from the past.  Everett Worthington does this by relating two very difficult incidents in his life that causes great difficulty in achieving self-forgiveness.

Dr. Worthington not only uses methods of psychology but uses truths of Scripture to bring a person out of self-condemnation and be able to repair relationships with others and the relationship of self with God.

A person must be able to receive God’s forgiveness in order to forgive self.  If it is possible, confession to a person harmed, apology, and restitution must be made to repair relationships.  Even after this is done, thoughts may dwell over and over in the person’s mind of the incident which occurred.  These must be resolved to move on with life. 

REACH is used to overcome emotional self-forgiveness.  Dr. Worthington uses this acrostic to give five steps to achieve this emotional self-forgiveness.  This leads to rebuilding self-acceptance which has vanished from the beginning of the initial problem. 

The last step includes the resolve to live virtuously.  Many Scriptures are used as well as quotations from various people to convince and produce success in this difficult endeavor.  The desire is to leave a life of self-blame and shame and move on to a positive and productive life.  I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.