Got Fruit ?

I want to offer my apologies to the readers as I haven’t written much of my own thoughts over the past month.   I’ve been  distracted by a few things and didn’t really have a lot to write about.  The latter most likely a result, in part, to slacking in a regular Bible reading and study time.  Hopefully the “sluggard” phase is behind me and I’ll be able to resume with more posts and thoughts on a regular basis. 

With that out of the way…

A few weeks ago, I came across a Pyromaniacs post (by Dan Phillips) that critiqued a chapter of How Then Should We Choose?.  I haven’t read the book, and most likely won’t; though not as a result Phillips’ critique.  I mention all of this because the author(s) of the chapter in question are Richard and Henry Blackaby, writers of most of the devotionals posted on “ Got Fruit? ”.  I won’t go into in-depth personal commentary of Phillips’ assessment; partly because I think he sincerely makes a valid argument to be discerning and, Phillips’ critique isn’t the gist of today’s post.  Furthermore, I’ve not taken any of the Blackaby devotionals in the same context that Phillips uses in his critique, which he does explain as limited to the 1 chapter of the book. 

1st Thessalonians 5:19—24
19Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.

23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Of the points and critiques that Dan Phillips makes in his post, the one that’s continued to roll over in my mind for the past two or so weeks has been the idea of experiencing God.For the record.  I’ve never had an experience whereby God audibly spoke to me.  No booming voice with a subtle English accent like that from the Ten Commandments; no burning bushes nor burning furniture in my apartment for that matter.  Now could God reveal Himself to me or to whomever He desires to in such a manner?  Well, He is God, so I suppose that it is within the realm of possibilities; if God chooses to do so.  Oh yeah, no out of body experiences, teleportation or projection of my inner self to some other worldly realm either.  At least none that I can recall; though my medications have been producing some very trippy dreams of late, but that’s another story.

I recall the early days of “my rededication” walk to the Lord; being spiritually immature at the time I made the short-lived mistake of buying into some experience based philosophy from a book I picked up at a “Christian” book store.  By experienced based, I mean books, seminars, conferences,manuals and whatever else propaganda that claims to “teach” one how to experience God and or His presence in a physical manifestation.  By God’s grace and His Word, He saved me from going down what I fear would have been a spiritually corrupt road. 

“God is not a genie in a bottle that we can conjure up out of our will.”

When it comes to “experiencing” God, I’ve come to understand that particular phrase using the following examples…

When someone reaches out to you, be it spiritual uplifting, a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen or the provision of physical needs ie; food, clothing and shelter;consider that you might just be experiencing God as He works His will through them by way of their actions/responsiveness to His Holy Spirit.  To use God’s words though…

Matthew 25:31-46
”…37"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’…”

Jeremiah 31:3
3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
       "I have loved you with an everlasting love;
       I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

It would seem that too often our mindsets can become such that we are in expectation of The Lord manifesting Himself to us ala Moses on Mt. Sinai with the burning bush, that we overlook the “not so spectacular” ways that He might express Himself to us.  Maybe it’s through something as “silly” as an archaic book  written by primitive folk ages ago?  Perhaps it’s through the compassion one expresses while doing volunteer work for the needy, or just giving of one’s material wealth for the sake of others?

1st John 4:8;16
8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
      God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Grace and peace be with you.

"Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us."
~John Stott

Grace and peace be with you.

Exposing Dead Faith

First, a  “thank you” to my friend and sister in Christ, Carol; for sending the following video.

Secondly; I do hope that Mr. Forbes is not merely paying lip service.

Psalm 33
1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars [a] ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.

9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-

15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Grace and peace be with you.

And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan , as the Lord had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel , and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged.
Joshua 4:8

Spiritual memory is crucial in the Christian life.  Do you vividly recall times when you know God spoke to you?  It would be tragic if, in your haste to advance in your Christian faith, you neglected to leave spiritual markers at the key crossroads of your life. Without the help of these markers, you will lose your spiritual bearings. The Israelites experienced a tumultuous pilgrimage. Their doubt that God was powerful enough to give them victory cost them forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Then God miraculously parted the waters of the  Jordan River so they could pass over and continues their conquest. God knew that at times the Israelites would face intimidating enemies and would need a reminder that He was powerful enough to protect them.

The Israelites might be tempted to think they made a mistake entering Canaan. For this reason God instructed them to build a monument on the banks of the Jordan River. Whenever they returned to this spot, they would see the monument and be reminded of God’s awesome power. This marker would give them confidence to meet the new challenges they faced.

A spiritual marker identifies a time of decision when you clearly knew that God guided you. Can you remember the moment you became a child of God? Were there specific times when He called you to His ways of living? Can you point to times when He clearly guided you in a decision? Were there times when He spoke powerfully to you about a commitment you should make?  Keep track of these important moments! Regularly rehearse them and notice the steady progression in the way God has led you.  This will help you understand God’s activity in your life and give you a sense of direction as you face future decisions.

Henry and Richard Blackaby
Experiencing God Day-by-Day