tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12245427673968640252023-06-20T21:41:06.210-07:00Partnering 24/7TJ MacLesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187275686945138783noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-70877518731949807192019-07-23T12:05:00.000-07:002019-07-23T12:05:54.898-07:00Scattered “One-Minute Sabbath”<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On the sixth day,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> God fashioned His crown-jewel in His image. He declared that</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> we were</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">“ <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>very</u></b>
good.” </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On our first full day
together, we rested in God’s</span> <span lang="X-NONE">full satisfaction (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Sabbath</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE">”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> Ge</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">n</span><span lang="X-NONE"> 2:2-3). </span><br />
<span lang="X-NONE"></span><br />
<span lang="X-NONE">God </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">still
invites His people</span><span lang="X-NONE"> to set aside ourselves</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> regularly during our</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">daily activities </span><span lang="X-NONE">to
enjoy His presence</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Scattering short</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">“</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One-Minute </span><span lang="X-NONE">Sabbath</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">s</span><span lang="X-NONE">”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> throughout our daily rhythms is a
simple aid to</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> touch base with Him </span><span lang="X-NONE">throughout our active days, even in the humdrum and mundane of our
journey. Practicing this for 60-seconds will move both our heart and body more
into alignment. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In my first year,
I wish someone had taught me these</span><span lang="X-NONE"> three </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">interconnected responses. They especially help
when I feel stress</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><br />
<ol>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">To reduce stress, begin by <span style="color: orange;"><b>rubbing your palms gently together</b></span>. Place them in any comfortable position, still touching palms together. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God seems to have put natural healing in our hands (Jesus laid hands on as He healed). This focuses</span><span lang="X-NONE"> the energy in our hands to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">help “reboot” our physical bodies and mind and </span><span lang="X-NONE">defuse stress. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now</span><span lang="X-NONE"> take <span style="color: orange;"><b>three </b></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>deep,</b></span></span><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: orange;"><b> cleansing “belly breaths”</b></span> in </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">with your diaphragm </span><span lang="X-NONE">and </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">one long exhale</span><span lang="X-NONE">. Repeat </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">this</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">sequence</span> <span lang="X-NONE">three times.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Don’t rush.</span><span lang="X-NONE"> Controlled power breathing interrupts the stress cycle, similar to how power aerobics works. This keeps the mind and body functioning at optimum. Tests show this can lower blood pressure, promote feelings of calm and relaxation and help us de-stress</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. This brings</span><span lang="X-NONE"> in oxygen for healthy cells and releases carbon dioxide. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As you breathe in, <span style="color: orange;"><b>set</b></span></span><span style="color: orange;"><b><span lang="X-NONE"> your heart and mind on </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God-Reality</span></b></span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Intentional meditation</span><span lang="X-NONE"> on Scripture </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">transforms</span><span lang="X-NONE"> us at </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the</span><span lang="X-NONE"> core</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> of our being <span lang="X-NONE">(Psalm 1:2-3; Joshua 1:8).<span lang="X-NONE">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt 45pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">As you breathe in</span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE">, think “Father,” “Son,” and “Spirit” with each of your three
breathes, one after another. Or focus on an aspect of God’s provision that is
crucial to you at this time, like faith, love and hope, the fruit of the
Spirit, Zephaniah 3:17, or…. Remember, </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">deliberate focus on </span><span lang="X-NONE">God and His provision are more
important than doing<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“One-Minute
</span><span lang="X-NONE">Sabbath”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> spot-on. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt 45pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">As you breathe out</span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE">, </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">push out all the air
as you </span><span lang="X-NONE">focus on the one stress or negative you want to
get out of your body. Name it as you </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">exhale </span><span lang="X-NONE">since He cares so deeply for you</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (</span><span lang="X-NONE">1 Peter 5:7</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">)</span><span lang="X-NONE">. If no stressor, </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">focus on God again:</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">“Fill me up with Your presence.”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="font-family: inherit;">T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #47 in my book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </i>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <i>"more than Bible studies"</i> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
</ol>
Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-75924659241803936982018-05-20T03:31:00.000-07:002018-05-20T03:31:26.344-07:00MORE!
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Some who have read this far
may think the picture I have drawn for this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all-in
</i>life is some sort of 21<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> century marketing hype for Jesus. You
may have watched other Christians or been one yourself for a long time, and
this is not your experience. Instead of letting Scripture cut across the fiber
of our flesh, we unknowingly attempt to bring Christianity down to our
experience. If so, each of us now knows too much to fool ourselves any longer.
And if we can’t get <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">out of</i> life, then
let’s plunge fully <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">into</i></b> life. Experiment for one year <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>as if</u></i> this is all true. It is! Plus much <span style="color: orange;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">more</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I have not always walked
out this journey well. Discouragement still plagues me at times, yet I have
learned to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“bounce well.”</i> Certainly,
I have attempted to be faithful on my journey. However, God’s steadfast
faithfulness keeps me on track, not my performance. In God’s big-picture move
through history, He always works through a remnant, a smaller part of the
whole, those who are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all-in</i>. For
instance, Jesus poured His life into the Twelve, focusing on the few in order
to reach the many. Make no mistake. Jesus passionately pursues the entire world
to restore each one to intimacy with His Father. His strategy, however, focuses
on the committed remnant with full allegiance,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>trained to see beyond today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As I reflect on my life,
the best summary of my journey is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong><span style="color: orange;">“more.”</span></strong>
</i>Not more that I receive since I believe we received all we ever need at
salvation. But <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>“<u>more</u>”</strong></span> </i>that we
appropriate or fully embrace. Reflect. </span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If God is Father, Son and Spirit, full of eternal life, love and light, and we are His image-bearers, it only makes sense if we intend to grow into Christlikeness that God will reveal <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: orange;"><strong>more</strong></span></u>.</i></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If God’s Word is His Love-letter to His Bride where we hear His voice and feel His heartbeat, then there is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><strong><span style="color: orange;">more</span></strong></u> </i>for us there.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If we are servant-warriors of the King of kings and He has given us His delegated authority, then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: orange;"><strong>more</strong></span></u> </i>open doors await us.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If God instantly restored us as His beloved children and His beautiful bride when we came to Christ, then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: orange;"><strong>more</strong></span></u> </i>is available in relationship with Him and with others.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If God causes all things to work together for good for His people, then as we penetrate the depths of trials and tough times in our lives, He has <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: orange;"><strong>more</strong></span></u> </i>good treasures for us.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If His initiating first-love constantly pours into our lives like the sands of the sea, as I respond with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Here I am, Lord. I’m all-in with You,”</i> we will experience <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: orange;"><strong>more</strong></span></u></i> of His surrounding love.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One great danger in the Christian life is to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“settle.” </i>If God is the God of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>“more,”</strong></span> </i>then the only sane response is: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Full allegiance, Jesus!”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #50 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA. You may want to explore <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-19907756889225423892018-05-19T01:42:00.001-07:002018-05-19T01:43:52.519-07:00All-in Wholehearted Allegiance<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A diligent social research
scientist studied people for ten years. Paraphrasing her three-fold conclusion:
(1) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“wholeheartedness” </i>provides the
most crucial key for healthy lives since people exist for connection; (2) a deep sense of shame debilitates people, breaking connection and
undermining wholeheartedness; (3) most conclude the world is unsafe. </span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kudos on
excellent observations…directly from Genesis 1-3! The Fall severed this
connected relationship, resulting in guilt, shame and a deep sense of
unworthiness (Gen. 2:25). God designed us to give Him full allegiance
(wholehearted). In turn He gives us <u>Himself</u>, which includes healthy
connections with people, freedom from shame and a safe haven. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kudos, yet she appears to have no compelling answer how we live a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">wholehearted</b> life. And more
particularly, wholehearted <u>toward</u> Whom?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As we begin to answer
life’s two essential questions more accurately (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What is God like? “How does this God see and know me?”</i>), we move
towards a healthier, more connected life. When we see God as He truly is, we gladly
commit our full allegiance to the King of all kings. We are all-in, wholehearted,
which is the only completely sane response to three such amazing Friends
(Romans 12:1). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In Genesis 3, Satan
deceived Eve with three implied questions. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Am
I enough?” “Am I worthy?” “Am I loveable as I now am?” </i>Eve dialoged with
our enemy. She falsely answered all three, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“NO.”
</i>She attempted to carve out <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">her own </b>answers
separate from God, eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The
serpent deceived Adam and Eve to grasp for what God had already freely given them
as their heritage. This same deceitful strategy lies at the heart of sin today,
our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">illegitimate</i> attempt to meet <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">legitimate</i>, God-given needs in our own
way and with our own resources. As God’s redeemed children, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">we must know ourselves as God does,</b> or we
will fall for the devil’s traps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In a word, God wants us to
be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wholehearted</i> for Him. If we answer
any of the three questions above in the negative, it undermines God’s provision.
Then we believe God failed us in some way. Especially in tough times, we must
know God is our all in all. Jesus shouts, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Yes,
you are more than enough, worthy because of Me!”</i> </span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Knowing ourselves as unconditionally
loved transforms the way we look at God, ourselves and the world. It releases
our God-given creativity and ingenuity, turning us</span><span lang="X-NONE"> into
agile, servant-first prepared </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">influencers</span><span lang="X-NONE"> with the skill of learning on the fly. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Develop </span><span lang="X-NONE">confidence </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">that you (and others trained like this)</span><span lang="X-NONE"> learn to process new info and </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">make course adjustments, working </span><span lang="X-NONE">toward
solutions </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">to</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">each</span><span lang="X-NONE"> problem</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> on our journey</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Have it all, Lord!”</span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #49 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-42369832538935023392018-05-18T06:03:00.003-07:002018-05-18T06:03:36.997-07:0090 Minute Extended Time of Prayer
<span lang="X-NONE">Come with a heart
prepared for worship. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Perhaps fast
a meal. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Keep short accounts with God. Come
unencumbered, without your to-do list or thoughts of what you have scheduled
next. Don’t bring a mobile device or other distractions</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Do </span><span lang="X-NONE">bring a Bible,
notebook, writing device and perhaps some water to drink. Feast on how
satisfied our Family-of-Three is with you. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And arrive</span><span lang="X-NONE"> a few minutes early</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> so you are not rushed</span><span lang="X-NONE">.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Begin on time with ten minutes of worship by “popcorn” praise to
God. Pray short bursts of prayer praise and thanksgiving, focused on who God is
and what He has done. Or a CD with worship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Then read a Psalm around the group. Note quick “uplifts” to share
as popcorn responses with the group. This is fast paced, about ten minutes
total just to prime the pump, although you may want to begin your private time
with more time in this <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Break up into space where you will not be interrupted in your
private prayers, thirty minutes. Don’t go so far that you don’t get back in
time. Don’t pair up. This is for you and God alone together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">a. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Private
prayer of praise</span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE">: Tell Him how very much you adore
Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">b. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Listen</span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE">: Take some time interspersed throughout (more if you do alone) so
God can speak to you. Expect your Father to speak and journal it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">c. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Confess</span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE">: Hopefully you have come without unresolved issues between you and
God. Confess how very much you need God and give yourself to Him. At times, He
reveals what we are unaware of. Make it right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">d. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Ask</span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE">: For purpose, clarity, priorities; for family, friends, your
needs…or whatever else is on your heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">4. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Call the group back to debrief together, about twenty minutes. How
did you hear God’s voice in your private time of prayer? Our confidence rests
more in His ability to speak than in our expertise to hear. What did this
focused time of prayer mean for you? Could an extended time of prayer be
something you may want to add to your normal rhythm of life? If so when and how
often?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">5. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Finish with the remainder of the time (twenty minutes) interceding
together for each other and for the spiritual life of the church and city. Keep
your prayers focused on personal requests. Feel free to pray more than once. Pray
conversationally, meaning we pray for a person or topic for a while, like we
converse with one another, before moving on to a different topic and person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">6. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Whomever is leading, watch the time so that we dismiss on time
after 90 minutes, honoring others’ time. Some may want to voluntarily hang out
longer, which is fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #48 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-90287181526026620572018-05-16T06:16:00.000-07:002018-05-16T06:16:02.595-07:00Jesus Invites Us into His Epic Crusade
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In Matthew 28:18-20, our
Commander-in-Chief issues our marching orders, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“make disciples of all people groups.” </i>Many call this the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Great Commission” </i>because it’s so crucial
to understand our call, even though it’s one of five commissions. Notice first
the context. Jesus had just been raised from the dead through the power of the
Father, breaking the chains of death. Through faith in Jesus Christ, a sure way
now exists for the Father to restore relationship. Before His death, Jesus had
instructed the eleven disciples to return to Galilee after His resurrection.
What a bold statement for one about to die! And they obeyed, some worshipping
Him and some doubting, just like us today (Matthew 28:16-17).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First focus on the two <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“bookends”</i> that surround the one command
to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“make disciples.”</i> Jesus has
universal authority throughout all space and time. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“therefore” </i>in verse 19 implies what other Scripture makes clear.
Jesus now delegates His authority to His people. We carry His authority. Jesus
then concludes with the encouraging words that He is perpetually present
wherever we go and whatever we do and say (28:20). What assurance, His
authority and His presence until the end of the ages!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This commission only has
one command, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“make disciples of every
people group,” </i>with three descriptors showing us how to do this. In the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
century, a disciple was one who learns from a person in an interactive,
question/answer, life-to-life way, rather than only from books or in classrooms.
The world was Jesus’ classroom so He taught both formally and informally on the
go. Jesus discipled the Twelve in primary groups of three or four (gathered
together as the Twelve). What He taught flowed from who He was, so they saw Him
up-close-and-personal. They were changed as they beheld (2 Cor 3:18). Jesus’
strategy is timeless, working to make disciples in any culture at any time
since the world is on His heart. And how can we make learners or followers of
Jesus today?</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Evangelize</strong></span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“go”</i>): The Father sends us to live life outwardly as His witnesses in the world, just like He sent His Son, Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Enfold</strong></span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“baptize”</i>): Baptize means to plunge fully in. Our water baptism testifies that we belong to God through faith in Christ. For the church body, baptism signifies this person is immersed or enfolded into our faith-community for mutual support/care.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Equip</strong></span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“teach to do”</i>): Not just teaching information; a lifestyle of willing obedience to multiple other followers (Ezra 7:10). </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jesus’ simple plan is
spiritual multiplication with a solid spiritual DNA. Four grow together, then
become 16; 16 to 64 in three spiritual generations, multiplying faith-communities
as small as 3-5 people. Are you becoming more like Jesus and bringing others
along with you? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #46 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-52191999225847513572018-05-15T05:27:00.000-07:002018-05-16T06:16:15.720-07:00Three Dynamic Pictures<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">New believers in the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> century</span><span lang="X-NONE"> responded quickly </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">out
of Christlike character with</span><span lang="X-NONE"> the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>upward</strong></span></i> response (worship</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">/prayer</span><span lang="X-NONE">), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>outward</strong></span></i> response (</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">mission</span><span lang="X-NONE">), and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>inward</strong></span></i> response (agile disciple-making</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> in community to mature and multiply</span><span lang="X-NONE">). </span><br />
<span lang="X-NONE"></span><br />
<span lang="X-NONE"></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Who
would have thought that this one generation would indirectly impact hundreds of
millions to follow Jesus?</span> </span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="WordSection1">
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our Team-of-Three</span><span lang="X-NONE"> plants </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His people</span><span lang="X-NONE"> in soil </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">with all
three “cultures” or “nutrients” necessary for </span><span lang="X-NONE">thriving
growth.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Community</span></u><span lang="X-NONE"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong><span style="color: orange;">inward</span></strong></i> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">response of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Family,</b>
cultivating us as beloved children, training</span><span lang="X-NONE"> together
for the </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="X-NONE">Family
</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">biz” with community- and
Word-based growth fused with the Spirit</span><span lang="X-NONE">). </span><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mission</span></u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>outward</strong></span></i>
</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">response of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kingdom</b>, thrusting</span><span lang="X-NONE"> us out into the world </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">as
servant/warriors with full allegiance</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">to</span><span lang="X-NONE"> our Team-of-Three</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">on our quest to
battle for the hearts of the lost world of people). <u>Worship</u> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>upward</strong></span></i> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">response with the picture of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Marriage</b>,
</span><span lang="X-NONE">emphasizing personal intimacy with God, His
availability and connectedness). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As you develop spiritually,
the catalytic intersection of all three together becomes a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“force multiplier.” </i>No wonder God’s plan is not just to add
disciples, but to multiply disciples as we form faith-communities like our
Family-of-Three. <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Like his Master before him,
Paul built through small, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">primal</i>
groups, from the bottom up, life-on-life.</span></span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The fruit of an apple tree is not ultimately an apple, but other apple
trees. The fruit of a community is other communities. Jesus’ ministry sweet
spot is both<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> wide </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> deep</i>, His </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">“miracle grow!”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Intend to reproduce!</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">As His people, we are caught up into </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God’s</span><span lang="X-NONE"> plan </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">for the ages. He invites us into </span><span lang="X-NONE">the awesome privilege to partner with </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Him</span><span lang="X-NONE">…before we fully
understand Him and His plans. Our little stories now have eternal meaning
because they are lived out within His eternal story</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, a ministry that is both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wide </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> deep</i></span><span lang="X-NONE">. The same God who spoke the entire universe into existence <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">desires</i> to partner with </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">us </span><span lang="X-NONE">in Jesus’ ongoing </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">epic crusade</span><span lang="X-NONE"> as </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">one of His </span><span lang="X-NONE">intimate
allies. His unfinished mission defines our destiny together s</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ince He uses us as His touch and His voice to
draw others in.</span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We undermine the mystery
and God’s power to transform if we undervalue either of the three dynamic pictures.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>This healthy blend of all</span><span lang="X-NONE"> three responses flow</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ing</span><span lang="X-NONE"> from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Christ in us, our
life”</i> are essential.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">Insist</span>
</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">on compassionate<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <u>mission</u></i>; </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">invest</span> </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">in intimate<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <u>worship</u></i>;</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">inflame</span> </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">life-on-life<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<u>community</u>. </i>As we experience</span><span lang="X-NONE"> His pulsating
life</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> as lifelong <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">life-</i>learners and doers, pass it along.
God intends to use you and me since He</span><span lang="X-NONE"> created us</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> as fully engaged</span><span lang="X-NONE">
partner</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">s. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who is God now highlighting to you?<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></i></span></div>
</div>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #45 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-32161138716802773102018-05-14T04:11:00.001-07:002018-05-14T04:11:40.751-07:00Judging or Discerning?
<span lang="X-NONE">In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus teaches on a very
crucial topic for interpersonal relationships<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. Judging</i> is a big-time community breaker. Judging shuts down
openness in the one being judged and severely hampers the one judging from
experiencing life to the full. When we judge, we “play God,” usurping God’s
unique role as the One and Only Judge. He is the only One who can both love and
judge at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Jesus begins in 7:1-2 by simply commanding us
not to judge…no exceptions. Judging injures all parties. We will be judged by
whatever measure we use in judging others. What a powerful motivation! Which of
us wants to be judged by others? Judging has at least two clear marks. </span></div>
<ol>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Judging</span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> imposes our own standards on others, even if we Christians quote our personal interpretation of Bible verses.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Judging</span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> evaluates the other negatively, speaking down on or against them, even if only in our hearts (James 4:11-12).</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">God designed us as image-bearers to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">observe</i> accurately, leading to healthy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">discernment</i>. In Matthew 7:20, Jesus
instructs His people to discern true from false believers by their fruit. God
designed us to observe and test ourselves and others against a life lived out
like Jesus so we may grow. We must observe/discern or we cannot practice the NT
commands of Galatians 6:1 and Matthew 18:15.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Since the Fall in Genesis 3, observation now easily
degenerates into devastating judgment. So how do I differentiate between
observing/ discerning and judging? </span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">In the humorous story in 7:3-5, Mr. Plank <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">observed</i> a speck in the eye of Mr.
Speck. The observation was accurate. Jesus commanded Mr. Plank <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>first</u></b> to discern the plank in
his own eye to develop compassion, or he is a play actor (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“hypocrite”)</i>. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First </b>discern
and<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>deal quickly with our own stuff.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Does observation <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>first</u></b> turn within, using the event as a mirror to reflect on
my inner life (discern) or<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u> first</u></b>
look down on the other (judge)?” </i></span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Judging or discrimination holds this <u>against</u>
them; discernment holds it <u>for</u> them to help. Release life by asking: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What is their real need?”</i> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Then</u></b> Mr. Plank sees more
accurately to come alongside Mr. Speck to help him align with God’s ways, if he
is willing (7:6). We desperately need others to speak life into us (Gal 6:1). </span></div>
<ol>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">Judging</span> </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">imposes our values on others; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">discerning</span> </i>looks through God’s perfect standard to focus on what is clear and crucial.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">Judging</span> </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">unfavorably places us above the other; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">discerning</span> </i>agrees<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>that we are still in-process; then builds up others as <u>equals</u>.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">Judging</span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> eyes unseen motives (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You meant to…”</i>); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">discerning</span>, </i>visible fruit. Only God is able simultaneously to love and judge.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #43 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-17954311008543140092018-05-13T04:29:00.002-07:002018-05-13T04:29:53.905-07:00Four Soils of the Heart<h3>
<span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">It’s crucial how we listen as we study
Scripture.</span> </span></h3>
<span lang="X-NONE"></span><br />
<span lang="X-NONE">As an illustration, look at the parable of the four soils in Mark 4.
Jesus finishes the parable by calling His disciples to listen attentively
(4:9). When His disciples were alone with Jesus, He took the initiative to
explain the parable</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (His way of
training them after the “basics”). This parable is so crucial that Jesus
explained: </span><span lang="X-NONE">if </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His disciples</span><span lang="X-NONE"> have difficulty understanding <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>this</u></i>, how could they understand <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>any</u></i> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">teaching</span><span lang="X-NONE"> (4:14)?</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">The seed
is the Word of God </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">sown</span><span lang="X-NONE"> into people, with four different conditions of their heart</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> in this particular season</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> God’s Word, His
Love-letter to us, is sown:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">First</span>, </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">along </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">a <u><span style="color: #783f04;">trampled</span></u></span><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: #783f04;"> path</span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Over the years, the</span><span lang="X-NONE"> enemy of our soul </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">has </span><span lang="X-NONE">incited people to
trample </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">on hearts</span><span lang="X-NONE">. Jesus says that Satan comes and </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">snatches</span><span lang="X-NONE"> away the Word as soon as they hear</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, before it germinates</span><span lang="X-NONE">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Second</span>, </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">on <u><span style="color: #7f6000;">shallow soil</span></u> where the rock beneath the thin layer of
soil has not been broken up to allow the roots to sink deeply. They initially
receive the Word with joy, but quickly turn away when hard times come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Third</span>, </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">on <u><span style="color: #7f6000;">distracted soil</span></u>. The soil is fertile and so bears fruit. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Fruit is</span><span lang="X-NONE"> quickly
choked </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">though </span><span lang="X-NONE">by three very common practices in our society. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">worries</i> of this life; </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the</span><span lang="X-NONE"> deceitfulness of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wealth</i>; </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the</span><span lang="X-NONE"> desires for other <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">things</i>.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Fertile soil
will grow more than just good seed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Fourth</span>, </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">on <u><span style="color: #7f6000;">good soil</span></u>. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They</span><span lang="X-NONE"> have prepared their hearts to hear, accept</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">and
respond, thus producing</span> <span lang="X-NONE">a </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">flourishing</span><span lang="X-NONE"> crop of
fruitful increase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">What is
the state of your heart as you approach God’s Word?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Which <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">one</b> soil best represents your heart <u>today</u>?
________________________ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span><span style="color: #7f6000;"><strong><u>Trampled Soil</u></strong></span>: Satan immediately comes alongside and </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">you listen to Satan’s whispered</span><span lang="X-NONE"> lies. “You </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">will</span><span lang="X-NONE"> never understand this.” “Others maybe; not you” </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You are not enough.” “You don’t measure up.”</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: #7f6000;"><strong>Shallow Soil</strong></span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE">: Have you allowed the tough times of </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">your past or present</span><span lang="X-NONE"> life to make you bitter or better? We all experience the hot water of trials…none are exempt. Place an egg</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> potato</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> and coffee beans</span><span lang="X-NONE"> in the same hot water</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One</span><span lang="X-NONE"> hardens</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> one softens</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> and one releases flavor</span><span lang="X-NONE">. What is the state of your heart? Has it been cultivated and prepared for a rich harvest by good responses to tough times?</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<u><span lang="X-NONE"><strong><span style="color: #7f6000;">Distracted Soil</span></strong></span></u><span lang="X-NONE">: Is your life full of worries</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> about tomorrow</span><span lang="X-NONE">, chasing after wealth and a desire to have more stuff than you now have? </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">very common societal goals will </span><span lang="X-NONE">crowd out the Word of God </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in our hearts </span><span lang="X-NONE">so </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">truth</span><span lang="X-NONE"> does not have room to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">flourish in us</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: #7f6000;"><strong>Fruitful Soil</strong></span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE">: This is what Jesus is after, a life that produces a 30</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-, </span><span lang="X-NONE">60</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-</span><span lang="X-NONE"> and even 100-fold increase in what He sows.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">God’s grace </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">provides what is necessary for us to be able to respond quickly</span><span lang="X-NONE">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #42 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-13008749288341256342018-05-12T05:38:00.000-07:002018-05-12T05:38:11.135-07:00God’s Amazing Grace
<span lang="X-NONE">Webster’s 1828 </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dictionary</span><span lang="X-NONE"> defines grace as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The free unmerited love and favor of God,
the spring and source of all the benefits men receive.”</i> God’s </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">many faces of </span><span lang="X-NONE">grace is
like the dew. It covers and drenches His people</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> as we rest quietly</span><span lang="X-NONE">, bringing vitality to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">all</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> God first pours</span><span lang="X-NONE"> out</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> His grace</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(his action-love) </span><span lang="X-NONE">to us in salvation. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then into every aspect of our journey to enable
us to do life. Grace is God’s unearned and undeserved favor, contrasting with
our performance. </span><span lang="X-NONE">A performance</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-to-please</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">mentality can </span><span lang="X-NONE">never fully satisfy </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">our</span><span lang="X-NONE"> inner ache for God.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">God designed humanity to be most alive when we
live </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in full allegiance</span><span lang="X-NONE"> to Him. It’s God’s amazing grace that fuels this process, like
high-octane gasoline fuels a high performance auto. God’s grace transforms us</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, </span><span lang="X-NONE">sustaining us in the
ups and downs of our journey, in times of </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ease</span><span lang="X-NONE"> and also during fiery trials and gnarly
temptations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our entire life is a gift
of His grace. At salvation, God plants us into His amazing grace, His rich soil
for flourishing growth (Romans 5:2). </span><span lang="X-NONE">Ephesians </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1:3-13 </span><span lang="X-NONE">is unparalleled</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> in its description of provision from </span><span lang="X-NONE">the Father, Son and Spirit</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> initiating to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">freely give </span><span lang="X-NONE">all we need for our </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">life and godliness</span><span lang="X-NONE">.
Three times Paul drives this home with: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“To
the praise of His glorious <u>grace</u></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span></u><span lang="X-NONE">”
</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We can also fall short of
God’s grace by not fully embracing it, experiencing roots of bitterness instead
of His lavish grace (Heb. 12:15). And God designed our lives with certain
portals that are wide open to receive God’s outpoured grace. So I encourage us
all to cooperate by developing habits that fully align with our design (I call
them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“transforming responses”</i>). Here
are a few “means of grace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span lang="X-NONE"><ul>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>Study God’s Word,</strong></span> </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">learning to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">saturate</span><span lang="X-NONE"> our lives </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">with Scripture</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>Meditate on Truth</strong></span>, </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">taking time to reflect so it penetrates deeply.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>Practice Relationship-Based Prayer</strong></span>, </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">joining God as we <u>adore</u> Him and <u>ask</u> for His desires and our needs in life.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><strong><span style="color: orange;">Fasting</span></strong>, </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">saying “no” to something in our lives in order to focus intensely for a time on what God has laid on our hearts.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>Solitude and Silence</strong></span>, </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">blocking out the hurry and scurry of life to rest quietly in God’s awesome presence, scattering <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“One-Minute Sabbaths” </i>throughout our days and weeks.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>Serving Others</strong></span>, </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">since God is a Giver at heart. He uses <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our</i> measure of generosity as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His</i> measure to pour back into our lives (Luke 6:38). Serving itself <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is </b>its own reward.</span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Of course, even as we focus
on God’s amazing grace, it’s</span><span lang="X-NONE"> equally important to be
full of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">both</i> grace <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> truth</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (John 1:14)</span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Joy and freedom are the keynotes so develop</span><span lang="X-NONE">
good habits </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">as</span><span lang="X-NONE"> a response to the grace-laced life of Jesus</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, rooting ever more deeply into the soil of
amazing grace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #42 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-21377254297076514642018-05-11T04:51:00.000-07:002018-05-11T04:51:27.901-07:00Knowing God’s Will<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>Do you want to know God’s will?</strong></span> </span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If so we must
first answer this question. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Why</u></b> do I want to know God’s
will?” </i>To <u>decide</u> if I want to do it? Or to actually <u>do it quickly</u>? </span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">We will struggle
to know God’s will as long as we believe we cast the final vote. God is in
charge not us. Everything our loving Father does leads us by the hand to know
our Family-of-Three more easily and return His love more readily. This loving
relationship is the good goal and end of our life. All of our choices are
means, steps toward enjoying and partnering with God. With our end-goal now
clearly in sight, we are able to tackle the art of decision-making. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Filter
One</span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: orange;">: </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">God’s
Character</span>: </b></span></i><span lang="X-NONE">God will never call us to do
anything contrary to who He <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">really</b> is.
No wonder why we need to sharpen our answer to the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> essential
question: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What is God like?” </i>If the
choice or opportunity violates God’s true revealed character, do not pursue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Filter
Two</span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE">: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">God’s
Love-letter, the Bible</span>:</b></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> God does not hide His
will <u>from</u> us but <u>for</u> us. So in His Word He reveals a number of
specifics from Scripture that tell us His will (some, not all). We don’t have
to guess. Major on pursuing these. We know for certainty these are God’s will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text-Number" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="X-NONE">Salvation and Sonship (1
Timothy 2:4, Ephesians 1:5); </span></div>
<div class="Text-Number" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="X-NONE">Saying thanks, praying and
rejoicing always (1 Thess. 5:16-18);</span></div>
<div class="Text-Number" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="X-NONE">Sacrifice </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">toward</span><span lang="X-NONE"> sanctification
(Romans 12:1-2, 1 Thess. 4:3); </span></div>
<div class="Text-Number" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="X-NONE">Submission (1 Peter 2:13-15); </span></div>
<div class="Text-Number" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="X-NONE">Suffering (1 Peter 4:19); yes,
God invites us into a fuller life; </span></div>
<div class="Text-Number" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="X-NONE">Supplication for those in
authority (1 Timothy 2:2-3 + 8);</span></div>
<div class="Text-Number" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="X-NONE">Serving others (Ephesians
6:6);</span></div>
<div class="Text-Number" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="X-NONE">Spirit filled living
(Ephesians 5:17-18).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Filter
Three</span></span></u><span lang="X-NONE">: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">More
General</span>: </b></span></i><span lang="X-NONE">In deciding between two good choices:
</span></div>
<ol>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><u>Research</u> the issue since God has given us minds to use. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><u>Ask counsel</u> from appropriate people. I don’t ask, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">should</b> I do?” </i>Rather, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“From your view, what have I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">overlooked</b> anything?”</i> </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Trust your “reasoning heart.” Psalm 37:4
states: when we delight ourselves in God, He gives us the desires of our heart.
<strong>Why?</strong> </span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Now our heart-desires align with His. Don’t be tripped up by an OT view of
our hearts as untrustworthy (Jeremiah 17:9). In Christ, God has redeemed and
restored His image-bearers. The NT now calls God’s people holy and complete. We
have the mind of Christ and everything pertaining to life and godliness…and
also are still in-process. Are you consistently delighting yourself in the
Lord? Then trust your “reasoning heart.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<u><span lang="X-NONE">Bottom-line</span></u><span lang="X-NONE">:
our Father loves us intensely and has our best on His heart. I trust His
ability to speak more than my ability to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #41 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-72176602703269429252018-05-10T06:59:00.001-07:002018-05-10T06:59:36.801-07:00Radical Change from OT to NT
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Since <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“we become what we behold,” </i>it’s important for us to develop a
healthy view of the relationship between the OT and the NT. God progressively
revealed His heart and ways over time in the OT, then leaped forward with the
revelation of His Son in the NT. </span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Until Jesus’ birth as the incarnate Son, aspects
of God’s character and humanity’s purpose remained hidden in mystery. So the NT
builds upon the OT like adulthood builds upon our childhood. Read the OT,
inserting yourself into the story in your imagination to learn how to live…in
part (1 Corinthians 10:6+11 for a lens into the OT). And also know that in these
days God has spoken even clearer through His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3)
so don’t rest satisfied in an OT faith.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Paul demonstrates this radical change from the
OT to the NT with three powerful <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span style="color: orange;"><strong>how
much more</strong></span>” </i>arguments in 2 Corinthians 3:7-11. Paul’s argument recognizes
Moses as one of the great OT figures of faith. Then he argues from the most
astounding event in his eventful life, when God spoke face to face with Moses
and gave him the tablets of the Ten Commandments. When Moses came down from the
mountain, his face glowed with the reflected glory of God (Exodus 34:29). </span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If the Law that brought death came with glory, then the NT ministry of the Spirit will be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>even more</strong></span> </i>glorious (3:7-8).</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If the OT ministry that condemns is glorious, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>how much more</strong></span></i> glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness (3:9-10).</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">If what was fading away was glorious, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>how much greater</strong></span></i> is the glory that lasts forever (3:11).</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Yes, in time gather a good working knowledge of
the OT because the OT launches the NT. But make our priority to soak in the NT.
Get key books under your belt as a priority, which the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/engage-bible/disciplemaking-companion/" target="_blank">DiscipleMaking Companions</a>” </i>aim to do.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “Christ
in us”</i> depicts our source of all effective life and ministry. It’s the
resurrected life of Jesus within that flows out of our hearts to touch others.
Make the life of Jesus your lifelong passion. Note a few of the promises below,
and start gathering your own words from the Lord. </span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Are you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">insecure</span>? </i>Your God will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">Inadequate</span>?</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> You can do all things through Christ (Phil. 4:13). </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">Guilty or Shameful</span>?</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom. 8:1). </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">Worried</span>?</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> God has offered to trade His peace for our anxiety <br />(Phil. 4:6-9; 1 Peter 5:7; John 14:27). </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">In doubt</span>?</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> God provides wisdom for the asking (Jas 1:5).</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">Overwhelmed</span>?</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> God never gives us too much (1 Cor. 10:13).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #40 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a></span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-27199295684837682382018-05-09T04:04:00.002-07:002018-05-09T04:04:18.637-07:00“In Adam” or “In Christ”
<span lang="X-NONE">I invite you to marinate in Romans 5</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">:15-19 with me. As time permits, also soak in </span><span lang="X-NONE">chapters 5-8</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, one of
the most important passages in Scripture</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">These
words have awaken</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ed</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">my heart to</span><span lang="X-NONE"> a profound
awareness of my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">union with Christ</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">received as an initial gift of God at salvation</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Not as a theological
construct, but as a power-point on my Christian journey. This releases in me</span><span lang="X-NONE"> a </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">more </span><span lang="X-NONE">peaceful, secure rest and a less hurried rhythm to life</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Paul </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">reflects </span><span lang="X-NONE">back </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">on</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the
key chapters of </span><span lang="X-NONE">Genesis </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1-</span><span lang="X-NONE">3</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> the </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">creation and </span><span lang="X-NONE">Fall of humanity. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In</span><span lang="X-NONE"> a real sense, the rest of the Bible is a commentary on these three
chapters</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, particularly Romans 5</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Adam as God’s representative chose to disobey
God (Genesis 3) with crushing consequences to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">all </span><span lang="X-NONE">humanity and to all the universe. At that
time, the entire human race was in Adam and Eve. Since they were
constitutionally changed (Genesis 5:3), all their </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">offspring down through today</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">have been</span><span lang="X-NONE"> born into </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">this same </span><span lang="X-NONE">fallen
humanity. Adam’s race is</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> now</span><span lang="X-NONE"> fallen, separated from God, radically different than God intended.
This </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="X-NONE">solidarity</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> of
humanity is the only basis by which we can </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">now </span><span lang="X-NONE">be rescued and restored</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> in our solidarity as one <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“in Christ.”</i></span><span lang="X-NONE"> Paul writes that through
faith in Christ </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">we gained access </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">“into this grace in which
we now stand”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> (Romans 5:2)</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. This is true of the entire new race <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“in Christ.”</i></span><span lang="X-NONE"> He
then follows up with a five-fold contrast of what we lost in Adam</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> through his disobedience</span><span lang="X-NONE"> and </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">what God reversed</span>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="X-NONE">in Christ</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> through His obedience</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The choice:</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">existing</span></u></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in Adam </i>or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>living</u></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> in Christ </i>because of our 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> birth.</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><em><span style="color: red;">In Adam</span></em> all died through his trespass, but <strong><span style="color: orange;">in Christ</span></strong> God’s overflowing, “much-more” grace abounded, bringing life, 5:15. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;">In<em> Adam</em></span> judgment brought just condemnation, but <span style="color: orange;"><strong>in Christ</strong></span> the free gift brings justification, paying sin’s penalty in full, 5:16. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="X-NONE"><em><span style="color: #cc0000;">In Adam</span></em> death reigned over all, but <span style="color: orange;"><strong>in Christ</strong></span> God’s people reign in life, 5:17. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;"><em>In Adam</em></span> condemnation came for all, but <strong><span style="color: orange;">in Christ</span></strong> justification and life are available for all, 5:18. </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">In Adam many were made sinners, but in Christ many
are made righteous, 5:19. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To which race of people do
you belong?</span><span lang="X-NONE"> The old humanity <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in Adam </i>brings the penalty of death and the new humanity <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in Christ </i>gifts us with the unmerited
favor of every spiritual blessing. Every person is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in Adam </i>by birth, but not all are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in Christ</i> by new birth<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>It
takes an act of faith to be rescued from the dominion of darkness and death and
transferred into the Kingdom of </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His
dear Son. Once we are in, then we learn to walk <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“in the Spirit” </i>and not after our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“flesh” </i>or self-life (Romans 8).</span> <span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #39 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-36690181310265314832018-05-08T05:49:00.003-07:002018-05-08T05:49:53.892-07:00Meet Jesus in the Gospel of Mark
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mark was the first of the
Gospel writers to write down the oral story of Jesus’ life. Mark 1 is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BIG-Story</i> that makes sense of life as we
fully abandon ourselves to Jesus. Trace these themes through Mark and see how
attractive Jesus is. Gazing on Jesus in the Gospels puts flesh on God. As we
respond to Him, He won’t leave us unchanged.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Jesus restores God’s original Eden-plan for
humanity</span></strong></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> (1:9-13). </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With Jesus’ baptism, Mark deliberately points us back to the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
creation in Genesis 1 & 2 and God’s intent for humanity. The same Three
Persons were active in speaking the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> creation into existence, God
the Father, God’s Spirit who fluttered or hovered over the water, and Jesus,
the Word (see John 1:1-2 + 14).</span><span lang="X-NONE"> Jesus demonstrated His
full abandonment to His Father, just like baptism does for us today. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Like Jesus, we also</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">live under</span><span lang="X-NONE"> an “open
heaven” </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">with </span><span lang="X-NONE">immediate access to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the</span><span lang="X-NONE"> Father’s </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">love and
acceptance</span><span lang="X-NONE"> and the Spirit’s power. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Notice. </span><span lang="X-NONE">At once the
Spirit sent Jesus into an alone place to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">test these fresh expressions of life,</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">like with us</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;"><strong><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Jesus brings the inbreaking Kingdom of God</span></strong></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> (1:14-15, 1:21-34).</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mark describes Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, inbreaking into history. His arrival creates a sense of
crisis as He ruptures the status quo.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “Gospel”</i>
or “Good News” means history-making, life-shaping news, not daily news, and
calls for decisive action (note the use of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“immediately”
</i>in Mark). </span><span lang="X-NONE">Jesus embodies God’s Kingdom</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">right to rule. So His arrival launches God’s restoration plan for all
that was lost in Genesis 3. Jesus walked through life <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all-in</i> with His Father and the Spirit (Acts 10:36-38). He drew
people to Him as He patiently shared His Father’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>words</u> </i>and demonstrated their authenticity with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>works</u> </i>of compassion and power. Jesus’
Kingship calls each of us to live <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all-in</i>
to His loving sovereignty</span><span lang="X-NONE">, </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">and</span><span lang="X-NONE"> the Father sends
us </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">just </span><span lang="X-NONE">as
He</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> sent His Son (John 17:18; 20:</span><span lang="X-NONE">21).</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Jesus establishes His </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">new </span><span lang="X-NONE">Family</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> of God</span></i></strong></span><span lang="X-NONE"> (1:16-20).</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jesus ushers us into His new creation Family, available for all who give
ourselves fully to Jesus. This restores relationship with the Father. Then He
trains up His band of brothers as His new Family (3:33-35) to follow Him in the
“Family business” of winning and multiplying disciples, or followers (1:16-20;
see also chapter 2 for the same themes). Jesus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“focuses on the few to reach the many,” </i>with the world always on
His heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;"><strong><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">4. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Jesus draws strength from time with His
Father</span></strong></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> (1:35-37).</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Like Jesus, our</span><span lang="X-NONE"> true Source of love and power
is intimacy </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">fostered through</span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">leisurely</span><span lang="X-NONE"> time
alone with the Father with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“one foot
raised”</i> for action</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Jesus
retreated to prayer with His Father to prepare for more action, drawn into a
rhythm of life determined by being in the Father’s presence.</span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #38 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-10575344183561563032018-05-07T07:05:00.002-07:002018-05-07T07:05:29.222-07:00Natural Adult Learning
<span lang="X-NONE">Research points to at least <span style="color: orange;"><strong>four key factors</strong></span> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">releasing</span><span lang="X-NONE"> inner
motivation </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in adult learners. The
catalytic interconnection of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all four</i>
accelerates learning </span><span lang="X-NONE">and inspire</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">s</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Christians</span><span lang="X-NONE"> to become lifelong </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">life-</span></i><span lang="X-NONE">learners</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span></span></b><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Relevance</b></span>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Demonstrating value by relating learning to life: </i></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This</span><span lang="X-NONE"> desire to find
meaning is fundamental to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">all </span><span lang="X-NONE">humanity. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In</span><span lang="X-NONE"> particular</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">adult</span><span lang="X-NONE"> learners dislike
busywork. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Propel</span><span lang="X-NONE"> learning <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>out of</u></i>
the formal </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">setting</span><span lang="X-NONE"> into our real-life experience, connecting truth with daily life. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jesus’ whole world was a learning laboratory. </span><span lang="X-NONE">We cannot respond to life and remain unchanged. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Adults </span><span lang="X-NONE">possess a
strong need</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> to </span><span lang="X-NONE">shape the course of our lives in relevant </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ways</span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bringing</span><span lang="X-NONE"> these
experiences back </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">debrief </i>in</span><span lang="X-NONE">
group releases life and learning in </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">us
and in </span><span lang="X-NONE">others.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">Such an environment
where meaning-making promiscuously roams about </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">births</span><span lang="X-NONE"> surprising </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">changes</span><span lang="X-NONE">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span></b><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">J</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">oy
& Fun</span></b></span><span lang="X-NONE">: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nurturing
positive attitudes towards learning:</i> Our attitude predisposes us in a
certain direction, positively or negatively. Particularly since many western
Christians have negative past experiences with learning, positive, realistic
expectations are essential at the beginning. Encourage in one another a
favorable outlook towards learning</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.
This </span><span lang="X-NONE">often comes as a playful sense of joy and
expectancy is re-introduced. Provide a basis for hope</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. This</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">perspective engages their will to take ownership, </span><span lang="X-NONE">a key to learning</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,
releasing pleasure…and fun</span><span lang="X-NONE">! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span></b><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">B</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">elonging</span></b></span><span lang="X-NONE">: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Connecting with each other
accelerates growth: </i></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God
designed us as social beings. On</span><span lang="X-NONE"> the horizontal plane,
</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">perhaps </span><span lang="X-NONE">nothing
is quite as powerful as</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
</span><span lang="X-NONE">community. Creating </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">a safe</span><span lang="X-NONE"> environment</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> of mutual cooperation</span><span lang="X-NONE">
in which </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">we all</span><span lang="X-NONE"> feel respected and </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">valued
</span><span lang="X-NONE">develops a relaxed, stimulating place to learn.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">As
mutually-accepting, encircling partners, we care as much about the learning of
our peers as we do about our own. This fluid, playful, inclusive collaboration
with one another develops a different relationship with discovery, frees us to
tell our 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>-person stories, enhances retention, opens up rich
possibilities for relevant action, and maximizes growth as we become
influence-able influencers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">4</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span></span></b><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>C</u>ompetence</b></span>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Experiencing growing competence in skills, values, and/or character
powerfully motivates learning: </i>As image-bearers, God created us to rule</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (Genesis 1:26-28). We</span><span lang="X-NONE">
explore and perceive, evaluate and change our surroundings like a thermostat</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, not a thermometer that only measures the
surrounding environment</span><span lang="X-NONE">. Growing competence taps into
our God-given yearning to promote positive effects</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> and</span><span lang="X-NONE"> to experience
significance. Success</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> to learn
something useful</span><span lang="X-NONE"> cultivates expectancy for continued
success. So early-on in the process, encourage incremental, easy-to-learn, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“quick-hits”</i> success.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Success begets
success.</span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #37 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-14863088500424592722018-05-06T06:56:00.003-07:002018-05-06T06:56:47.095-07:00The Drama of the Ages<h3>
<span style="color: red;"><span lang="X-NONE">Many feel </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">they</span></span><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: red;"> live unfulfilled, disconnected lives in an
unsafe world.</span> </span></h3>
<span lang="X-NONE"></span><br />
<span lang="X-NONE"></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Every society seeks
answers to this colossal struggle between good/evil. Like a drama with seven
acts, </span><span lang="X-NONE">Jesus came </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">and brought a new kind of life to fulfill God’s original design and
intent.</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This astounding
life-to-death-to-life drama is simple enough to diagram on an envelope.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> ACT: <u>PRIOR</u></strong>:</span><strong> </strong></span><span lang="X-NONE">The relational God</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, Father, Son and Spirit,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> is the </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">eternal </span><span lang="X-NONE">Creator &
King of all, both in the heavens and on earth</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He has always existed before time as a
Community-of-Three</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What
God creates reflects who He is. </span><span lang="X-NONE">God is relational at
His core, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i> (6 times in the
creation account), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">great</i> (God spoke</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">;</span><span lang="X-NONE"> it happened), and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">generous</i> in His bounty (vast variety in
creation).</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> ACT: <u>CREATION</u></strong></span></span><span lang="X-NONE">: </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This generous, loving God created the universe
as the theater of His glory, placing His crown-jewel in the center. </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God initiated to create image-bearers, vessels
as much like Him as created beings could be. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why?</b> To receive and give away His life and love. God created
humanity </span><span lang="X-NONE">for </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(1) </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">relationship</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> (image/likeness),</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (2)</span>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">purpose</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> (cultivating our unique world of people to release life), and</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (3)</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">to be blessed</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span> </i><span lang="X-NONE">God’s </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">drama of the ages</span><span lang="X-NONE">
begins with this “original goodness” as His Eden-intent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><i><span style="color: blue;"><strong><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> ACT: </span><u><span lang="X-NONE">FALL</span></u></strong></span><span lang="X-NONE">: Part of God’s creation
rebelled against their King and Creator, choosing to go rogue.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i> </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i><span lang="X-NONE">A third of the angelic beings followed
their leader, Satan, in his rebellious coup against God.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Sin seeks to pull others down. So</span><span lang="X-NONE"> God’s arch-enemy deceived the crown-jewel of God’s creation</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> at the point of God’s simple test of love and
obedience (Gen 2:16-17). All</span> <span lang="X-NONE">humanity joined Satan’s
rebellion</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, pulling down all of
creation with them since God delegated rule to humanity</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">This choice </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">to join
Satan’s coupe </span><span lang="X-NONE">fractured who we are as image-bearers,
separating us from God’s life</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">removing</span><span lang="X-NONE"> our
“original goodness,” and making us less human than God </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">designed</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">Satan </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">then usurped </span><span lang="X-NONE">humanity’s
</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">forfeited trusted </span><span lang="X-NONE">rulership </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">over the
earth</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(Eph. 2:2).</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;">4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> ACT: <u>TESTING</u></span></span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">: </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">From Genesis 4 until the coming of Jesus, God
initiates to demonstrate His faithfulness despite the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">un</b>faithfulness of His people. </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Humanity is now born in <u>Adam’s</u> likeness and image (Genesis 5:3),
a distortion of God’s original intent. Read the repeated cycle of humanity in
the Old Testament (OT) as they fail every test. Even though God blesses His
people, their eyes wander, turning to their own ways. When the weight of their
fractured lives becomes too heavy, they cry out to God. God then faithfully and
patiently intervenes… until His people turn away again. Humanity repeatedly
proves it cannot lead a satisfying life on his/her own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> ACT: </span><u><span lang="X-NONE">RESTORATION</span></u></span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">: Because of God’s
compassionate heart, King Jesus invaded His world to pay the greatest price
imaginable to restore humanity</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. </span></i></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Only the Creator could </span><span lang="X-NONE">stand </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in the place of His creation</span><span lang="X-NONE">, providing the </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">unique</span><span lang="X-NONE"> way back to the Father’s heart. Jesus came</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> from heaven</span><span lang="X-NONE">, lived
and died, and was raised by the Father’s love </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">and power </span><span lang="X-NONE">to make relationship with God
accessible for all. Through these acts</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> of full abandonment to the Father</span><span lang="X-NONE">, Jesus
defeated Satan</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> and made His
eternal life and authority available to all by faith</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Only</span></u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you</b> can keep <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you</b> from God. As we</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">give
our full allegiance</span><span lang="X-NONE"> to our Creator and King, </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He breaks </span><span lang="X-NONE">the chains
that bound, </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">restoring</span><span lang="X-NONE"> us to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the</span><span lang="X-NONE"> Father’s love.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The
rescued then become the rescuers as </span><span lang="X-NONE">Jesus calls
together a multi-generational, multi-racial Kingdom army</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> to restore the world of people to Him</span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all-in</i></span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">as we</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">become</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">more </span><span lang="X-NONE">like Jesus</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> in both our being and our</span><span lang="X-NONE"> doing</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> out of our
restored image.</span> <span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;">6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> ACT: </span><u><span style="color: orange;">PARTNERSHIP</span>:</u></span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We now live in the gap between Jesus’ smashing
victory and its consummation. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Jesus now calls each of
us to merge our small stories into His one Big-Story by responding to Jesus
with: “</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I give you my wholehearted allegiance</span><span lang="X-NONE">, my
King!”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><span lang="X-NONE"></span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">At the instant of
faith (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">faith</i> = resting our lives
completely on Jesus), we receive His life in full, authentic life with His
delegated authority, like in </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Genesis
1</span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the
instant of faith, God restores His</span><span lang="X-NONE"> original design and
purpose for His crown-jewel, restoring spirituality, calling us to belonging and
purpose, releasing true beauty and engaging us in His battle for justice.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">God’s
call is </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">to </span><span lang="X-NONE">something greater than ourselves, something worth investing our </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">entire </span><span lang="X-NONE">lives into. Now
God has placed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>all</u></i></b> His people in strategic place</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">s</span><span lang="X-NONE"> to actively invite
those in our sphere of influence to join Jesus in this epic adventure. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We must be</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">all-in </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">since
battlefields do not have bleachers for spectators. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> ACT: </span><u><span lang="X-NONE">CONSUMATION</span></u></span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">: </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">W<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">e eagerly await the great
Day of the LORD when Jesus returns again, triumphant in His great power and
glory.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">At that</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">time, He will bring completion to all He began
in the Garden…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PLUS!</b></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On this Day of the
Lord,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> God will reward His people and punish those who
chose to rebel.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">His </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup></span><span lang="X-NONE"> Coming will restore the full Reality of His creation-intent</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> since</span><span lang="X-NONE"> Jesus’ victory
over God’s arch-enemy was full and final.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">Satan is defeated</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> but not yet
destroyed</span></i></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“already, but not yet”</i> of the Kingdom of
God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Commission: </span></b><span lang="X-NONE">Until Jesus returns again,
God’s people stand in His authority at the intersection of the clash between
the Kingdom of God and the dominion of Satan. Partner with </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jesus</span><span lang="X-NONE"> in this warfare</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (1:38-39)</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #35 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and <em>"more than Bible studies"</em> that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-90071542166331033772018-05-04T00:39:00.003-07:002018-05-04T00:39:40.729-07:00Primal R-B-I Groups
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK4"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At our
core, we are </span><span lang="X-NONE">a relational people of God’s presence</span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> with His
Word as revealed by His Spirit as our authority</span><span lang="X-NONE">. God’s
plan </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">calls His people to something beyond ourselves. </span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Since God is the original <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">primal </i>group of three, we <u>gather</u> </span><span lang="X-NONE">together</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">primal
</i>groups of three or four for healthy training and transformation, and <u>scatter</u>
to give it away to others. Like Jesus practiced, Paul explains these three
essentials of small group dynamics to the three-week old believers in 1
Thessalonians.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Relational</span></span></u></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">
connection</span></span></u> </i><span lang="X-NONE">(</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1:6a,</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">“You
became imitators</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE">): Young
Christians need authentic</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, </span><span lang="X-NONE">though imperfect</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, </span><span lang="X-NONE">models of what this Christian life looks like</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> embodied</span><span lang="X-NONE"> in real life</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">incarnational</i>)</span><span lang="X-NONE">. We need to feel the total acceptance and candid honesty of Jesus
through a flesh-&-blood person who can touch us with God’s </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">love and joy, </span><span lang="X-NONE">grace
and peace. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Spirit of God
equips us</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">as we journey as closely
knit <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“primal groups”</i> on mission
together. We learn as we candidly open </span><span lang="X-NONE">ourselves up to
</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">know and to </span><span lang="X-NONE">be known</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">sacrificially serving </span><span lang="X-NONE">the
best of others. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Biblical</span></span></u></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">
responsiveness</span></span></u> </i><span lang="X-NONE">(</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1:6b, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">“…
you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE">).</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Spirit uses both community and the Bible to
mature us.</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We study in private to
bring this fresh fruit to the community. And the more experienced come
alongside to help the less experienced. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Experiencing
promised freedom comes through the pathway of knowing/doing His Word (the</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> design of the</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Compassions” </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">facilitates this). </span><span lang="X-NONE">Do
the two-step with a Scriptural text in</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> interactive,</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">community</span><span lang="X-NONE">-based learning. Ask <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What?</i>
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now</span><span lang="X-NONE">
what?”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>What</u></i>
does it mean? </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now</span><span lang="X-NONE"> what</span></u></i><span lang="X-NONE"> is my response to this revelation? Paul taught these young
believers to be do-ers of the Word from the start. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Spiritual experience arising out of the Word
inspired by the Spirit connects faith to our whole lives. Tap </span><span lang="X-NONE">into the variety of insights </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">each unique person has. Now the Spirit teaches us </span><span lang="X-NONE">to see the world and our lives more like God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">Intentional mutual-ministry</span></span></u></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(1:7, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the
Lord’s message rang out…”</i>):<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span><span lang="X-NONE">From </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">day one</span><span lang="X-NONE">, these young believers possessed an eager, joyous, almost
happy-go-lucky expectancy </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">as they
put </span><span lang="X-NONE">their faith</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> into daily practice</span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">become</i>
disciples (learners) by obeying so we can <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>make</u>
</i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <u>multiply</u> </i>disciples by
intentionally passing along to others whatever we have experienced. Like Jesus,
they rested in the Father’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">first-</i>love,
heard His voice and did it. </span><span lang="X-NONE">The 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> century
church was</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">intentionally busy about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Family business,” </i></span><span lang="X-NONE">a worshipping people</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
in mission. Wherever these believers went, they told others about what they had
experienced. This sense of Spirit-led spontaneity with intentionality frees us
to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“do for one what we would like to do
for many,” </i>passing on our small bit.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #34 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-79836720104969716792018-05-03T07:08:00.003-07:002018-05-03T09:53:50.938-07:00The Incarnation of Jesus: Jesus Embodied Authentic Life<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">What was your initial response when you
previously read </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">my</span><span lang="X-NONE"> words describing God as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Trinity”
</i>and</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> read</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">“incarnation”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> above?</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">Puzzlement! Confusion! Impossible to understand! Impractical!
Theological lint! Or perhaps accurate, but having little essential connection
with daily lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">The only complete revelation of life is through
a life. God must come as man to bring His </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">eternal </span><span lang="X-NONE">life all the way to us. Theologians use
the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">incarnation, </i>that is</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> God becoming </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">fully </span><span lang="X-NONE">man (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="X-NONE">infleshing</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE">)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> without</i> ceasing to be God.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Jesus came to earth as the unique Son of His
Father. He is fully God, unlike us, yet also fully man, like us, oh mystery.
Why the incarnation, the Son of God, leaving heaven to become man? In short, Jesus</span><span lang="X-NONE"> wanted to be with us and to share </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His </span><span lang="X-NONE">life with us.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
He didn’t come alone. Jesus brought His relationship with his Father to us.</span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I began to see from
Scripture that the Trinity and the incarnation together are the only adequate
viewpoint from which to grasp an accurate, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">high</b>
view of redeemed humanity. This lens (mental map or worldview) now influences
how I look at every aspect of Christianity, from doing church and family, to
evangelism and discipleship, and extending to every aspect of my life. Marvel
as you read John 1:1-18.</span></div>
<div class="WordSection1">
<ol>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">In the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>incarnation</strong></span>, </i>God clearly displayed that the One God in the OT has always existed as plurality, one God in three persons, called Trinity (1:1). Jesus is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Word,”</i> who was with God and is very God before time.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">In the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>incarnation</strong></span>, </i>Jesus became flesh and blood to become the perfect sacrifice for our sins and to restore us to the Father’s heart (1:4-5+9-13). Jesus brought the same life as the Father. This life is the light of all men, having the power to dispel darkness in our inner lives. In the First-Adam all die; Jesus, the Last-Adam, brought life as a life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:22+45). Calculate the high value that the Father places on humanity by weighing the value of His payment to redeem us, the painful death of His unique Son.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">I</span><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">n the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>incarnation</strong></span>, </i>Jesus comes as the Model Man, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Second Man</i> (1:14; 1 Cor 15:47), the first real man since Adam’s Fall in Genesis 3. He <em>embodied </em>what authentic human life looks like. The life of Jesus in the Gospels reveals God’s creation intent for humanity, living a life like Jesus. </span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">In the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>incarnation</strong></span>, </i>Jesus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“explained”</i> who His Father is (John 1:18). Jesus is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being”</i> (Hebrews 1:3). If we have really seen Jesus as He truly is, we have seen the Father (John 14:9). Fully God; fully man; restoring man back to God’s Eden-intent, home in our good Father’s presence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #33 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-4679180387281641952018-05-02T01:41:00.000-07:002018-05-02T01:41:08.794-07:00The Relational Trinity<br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Early-on in my Christian
life, I was taught a solid view of the Trinity, although attempting to mentally
grasp it bankrupted my human logic. The Bible teaches that the</span><span lang="X-NONE"> Trinity </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">is</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">one</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> in essence or nature, although existing as three separate, yet
completely equal and divine persons</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(possessing unique
God-life).</span> <span lang="X-NONE">The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are
each unique persons. All partake of the same infinite, eternal, uncreated
God-nature</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> co-equal in every way.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the time, I tucked this
belief in the back of my mind with little impact on my day-to-day life. Yet now
I see </span><span lang="X-NONE">this Three-in-One Reality </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">as</span><span lang="X-NONE"> the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>central</u></b> concept in all of
Scripture, the single<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">-</i>most
integrating truth in all of revelation.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This is the image in which all humanity has
been created to be His intimate allies.</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<div>
</div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As I began to look at life
through the lens of Genesis 1 and 2, the Spirit of God revealed what I had minimized
for decades! This one God </span><span lang="X-NONE">is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>relational</u></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>at His core, existing in community life
as<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Us” </i>before creation</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (Genesis 1:26-28)</span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relational</i>
Community, freely giving co-love to one another, living authentically in
harmony with Himself. He is altogether loveable and attractive, always doing
what is right and good because He is right and good. The Trinity is our model
for community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">The Trinity discloses the fullness of life in
eternal relationships and never-ending community. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In attempting to bend our minds around the
Trinity, at the very least the relational Trinity is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">equally </i>God in an indivisible <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unity</i>
with the incredible <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">diversity</i> of the
Father, Son and Spirit. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Both/And/And! </i>So
three</span><span lang="X-NONE">, inseparable, indivisible, essential concepts
from Scripture form our understanding of God as </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">relational </span><span lang="X-NONE">Trinity. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong><span style="color: orange;">Equality</span></strong></i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>Diversity</strong></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: orange;"><strong>Unity</strong></span></i><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All</span><span lang="X-NONE"> three </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">are </span><span lang="X-NONE">non-negotiable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>Equality</strong></span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> – all three Persons are equally and eternally divine in essence, glory, power and attributes, yet not excluding a difference in order or roles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: orange;"><strong>Diversity</strong></span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> - God exists eternally as three distinct Persons in intimate, cooperative relationship with each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><strong><span style="color: orange;">Unity</span></strong></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> - one and only one true and unique God</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> exists</span><span lang="X-NONE">, complete in every way. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">equality </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">diversity</i> in this </span><span lang="X-NONE">Community</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-of-Three</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">exists in</span><span lang="X-NONE"> united essence. His <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Us-ness”</i> is </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Equality-&-Diversity</span><span lang="X-NONE">-within-an-incredible-Unity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span lang="X-NONE">Let’s</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> also </span><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not forget how radical the concept of Trinity
was to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jesus’ followers, all Jews</span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It scandalized their
Jewish upbringing while ravishing their believing hearts. These </span><span lang="X-NONE">early disciples <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">experienced</i>
God’s Three-ness</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, struggling</span><span lang="X-NONE"> to make sense of it</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,
like we do today. Yet this inability to categorize did not interfere with their
intimate experience of this relational Reality, the image in which God
fashioned us</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span>
</span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #32 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
I also blogged additional thoughts on this transcendent, yet foundational, Reality standing at the center of the universe in another blog called <a href="http://beholdingthetrinity.blogspot.com/">http://beholdingthetrinity.blogspot.com/</a>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-2334394313374565982018-05-01T03:27:00.002-07:002018-05-01T03:27:30.627-07:00Keeping Short Accounts with God & Others<br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<span lang="X-NONE">When I sin against another on my journey of
life, how do I respond? Don’t ignore it, brush it off, or minimize our sin. Own
it…quickly. All sin is first and foremost against God so keep short accounts
with both God and with others. Rush to God and deal with it quickly. Why
attempt to excuse it and hang on to the death-like results from sin anyway?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Even with the tremendous resources in the
Triune God, we are still in-process. We possess a “shadow-side” that blocks the
light of God’s love at times. Still, don’t buy into the devil’s </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">deceit</span><span lang="X-NONE"> since <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“there is now no condemnation for those in
Christ Jesus” </i>(Romans 8:1). Our Team-of-Three never winks at a response
that dims His image in us, no matter how “small” to us. We are too precious to
our Father to </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">allow</span><span lang="X-NONE"> us </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">to </span><span lang="X-NONE">settle. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God</span><span lang="X-NONE"> is also never surprised, making provision before we even sin to
forgive that specific sin and to deal with the root cause (1 John 1:9). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Most all</span><span lang="X-NONE"> sin is an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">illegitimate</i>
way of meeting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">legitimate</i>, God-given
needs, a counterfeit. Confess means to say the same thing about our act of sin
as God does</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Sin</span><span lang="X-NONE"> grieves God, </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">injures</span><span lang="X-NONE"> us, undermines relationships within community and clouds our
testimony in the world. In short, sin stinks! Because of His character (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“faithful and just”</i>), when we make a
clean breast of our sins, God (1) forgives our sins</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> and (2) deep
cleanses us at </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the</span><span lang="X-NONE"> core level of all </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">our
</span><span lang="X-NONE">wrongdoing. So boldly approach God with transparent
honesty</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in every event</span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He stretches out His arms to welcome </span><span lang="X-NONE">us in. Don’t hide! Instead prosper (Proverbs 28:13)! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Then we ask the person we sinned against to
forgive us, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">unless</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> this could
be harmful <u>to </u></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">him/her</span></u></i><span lang="X-NONE">. As
Christ has forgiven us, </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">taking on
our</span><span lang="X-NONE"> debt</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
and bringing it to the cross</span><span lang="X-NONE">, so we ask forgiveness of
those we sinned against. Jesus illustrates through a story how essential </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">this </span><span lang="X-NONE">is for growth. As
central as worship is, Jesus tells us we cannot worship rightly unless we seek
to be reconciled with those </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">who
have something against us</span><span lang="X-NONE">. Of course, only one side
lies within our control…asking the other to forgive </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">us</span><span lang="X-NONE">. We come to them
with godly sorrow</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, grieving</span><span lang="X-NONE"> for how we hurt them (2 Corinthians 7:10). If the other also
responds, the circle of life is then reunited, restoring</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> fuller</span><span lang="X-NONE"> unity to the
body (John 17:20-23). </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">However,
this</span><span lang="X-NONE"> begins with you. Go quickly. Keep short accounts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">In </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">many</span><span lang="X-NONE"> offenses, both parties may have responded improperly. Ask
forgiveness for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> your part, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">only</i> your part. Their part is not your
responsibility, at least not now. What if the other refuses to listen or be
reconciled? That is God’s responsibility; fully take care of your contribution
and leave the rest to God. God is serious about growing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And He will also
deal with the other in the best way for growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #31 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-64185987982134585362018-04-30T05:00:00.001-07:002018-04-30T05:01:32.219-07:00Four Sources of Trials<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">If a man tied us down,
flashed a bright light in our face, slashed us with a knife and took all our
money, what do we call him?</span> </span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It depends on whether it happened in a dark back
alley or in an operating room. One is a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">thief</b>
trying to destroy us and the other is a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">doctor</b>
working for our best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If we see trials akin to a
back alley, we may question God’s heart: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“When
a trial hits me, how do I know God isn’t angry and just punishing me?” </i>Satan’s
henchmen enjoy pushing us around to separate us from our unchanging help, God
Himself. Lean in close to God like David in Psalm 13:1-2 (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“How long, O Lord…?”</i>) and Jesus in Gethsemane (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Father, take this cup of the cross from me, if possible”</i>). Awareness
of these four sources of trials has helped me navigate rough waters…if I don’t
linger too long on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“WHY?”</i> but
move quickly to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“WHO?”</i></span></div>
<ol>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Jonah Trials</span>: </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">we may suffer for our own disobedience to God’s spiritual and natural laws and for our sins and stupidity.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Satan’s Trials</span>: </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">Christians may also suffer because of faithfully following Jesus without compromise, doing good in a world with a serpent/dragon/roaring lion seeking to devour us.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Genesis 3 Trials</span>: </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">we all suffer as human beings because we live in a fallen world alongside fallen humanity.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">Job Trials</span>: </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">Christians also experience trials directly initiated by God to train us as His child for our highest and best.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">The first two sources have different responses:
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>repent</u></i> and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <u>rebuke</u></i>;<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>simply<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <u>receive</u></i> the last two.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Think of trials as a workout to become
a top-tier athlete. God’s plan purposely bends us and shapes us so we are changed
by His love into the image of His Son, Jesus (Rom. 8:29). God uses the kind of
things we would never choose to bring about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good
</i>in our lives. God <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is </b>good and so
can only do good, though it may not always seem so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">When a “tornado” storms into your life, how
will you respond? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Lord, help me to
actively lean into Your loving presence while also honestly facing the
devastation of the turmoil swirling around me.”</i> </span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">This avoids the pitfall of <span style="color: red;">denial</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(“It’s not really so bad.”)</i> </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Also of a <span style="color: red;">victim/martyr</span> spirit <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(“I always get the short end.”) </i></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">Also of <span style="color: red;">discouragement/depression</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (“What’s the use in trying.”) </i></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">And it avoids the pitfall of <span style="color: red;">passivity</span> leading to disengagement <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(“Well, there’s nothing I can do anyway.”) </i></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Thessalonian believers
were only 3-weeks old when his enemies drove Paul out. He wrote back to them,
reminding them of what he had <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">already</b>
taught them on trials (1 Thess. 3:3b-4). So take one difficult trial from your
past. Spend time to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Treasure Hunt,” </i>mining
God’s good He brings out of the bad. Then <u>reframe</u> the painful event with
God’s light</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #30 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-6202623084254003762018-04-29T03:01:00.003-07:002018-04-29T03:01:37.515-07:00A Healthy Perspective on Tough Times
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Over the years,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> I have grown certain that every circumstance in my life is an
invitation to grow from a loving God. Trials are “super-charged” </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">with </span><span lang="X-NONE">rich
possibilities to break long standing habits. First and foremost, trials </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">illuminate</span><span lang="X-NONE"> the “gaps”
in my life so I might partner with God to transform my mind (Romans 12:2;
Ephesians 4:23). </span></div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"></span> </div>
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">First</i></b>, the “gap” between what God is really like and my
perception of Him. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Second</i></b>, between how God knows me and how I </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">see</span><span lang="X-NONE"> myself. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Third</i></b>,
between how God sees His world of people and how I see them so that I might
better serve those around me.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Put eggs, potatoes and
coffee beans into hot water; eggs harden, potatoes soften, and coffee beans
release flavor into the hot water. Heat reveals what’s inside. James 1:2-18 is
a great place to begin seeing God’s invitation to full life in tough times. </span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">1. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;">Trials invite me</span></span><span lang="X-NONE"> into
great joy as I face them squarely</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(not the trial itself, but the opportunity for
change latent within as we turn to God), </span><span lang="X-NONE">2</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">2. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">God releases an ability</span> for me to wait long
enough in the heat of the testing of my faith for Him to further His work of
maturing me,</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">3-4</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">3. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">Trials
display “gaps”</span> in my life so in faith I will ask my generous Giver for
practical wisdom to discern the <u>source</u> of the trial and my <u>response</u>
to close these “gaps</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE">”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(four</span><span lang="X-NONE"> sources</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> of “crisis of
faith”),</span> <span lang="X-NONE">5-8</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span><span style="color: blue;">4. <em>Trials</em></span></span><span><em><span style="color: blue;"> come impartially</span> </em><em>and </em><em>uniquely
to all</em>, 9-11</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">5. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">After</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"> standing through the trial, “<u>treasure hunt</u>”</span> within the trial to
discover God’s crown of life and then <u>reframe</u> the event with this good</i>
(Heb</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span><span lang="X-NONE">
12:2b; Rom</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span><span lang="X-NONE"> 8:28), 12</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Trials are
temporary; the results eternal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">6. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">Never
blame-shift</span>, especially toward God since He is not in the tempting-business</i>,
13</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. We empower trials as we set
our focus on them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">7. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Under
pressure, <span style="color: orange;">my self-life is forced out of hidden darkness</span> into the open</i></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Now I have the choice to stop my self-life
from birthing more sin and deathlike events in me since God wastes nothing</span><span lang="X-NONE">, 14-15</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">8. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">Trials
are fertile soil for the Evil One to deceive me</span>, unless I hang onto God’s <u>goodness</u>
with one hand (“good & perfect”) </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">and</span><span lang="X-NONE"> His <u>greatness</u>
with the other</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> (He sovereignly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“chose,”</i> 18), 16-17</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">9. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: orange;">Expect</span></span><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: orange;"> God to birth
fresh life</span> in me through His Word</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(so </span><span lang="X-NONE">dive into </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">your</span></b><span lang="X-NONE"> “deep wells” </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">of</span><span lang="X-NONE"> Scripture during </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">these</span><span lang="X-NONE"> fluid times</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">)</span><span lang="X-NONE">, 18</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trials are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">super-charged</i>. They are pregnant with <u>opportunities</u>
for change…and also with the <u>danger</u> to spiral down if we focus on
ourselves or our turmoil (these two words are combined in the Chinese word for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“crisis”</i>). Develop godly passions,
aligning with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“expulsive power of a
new affection.” </i>What does God want to gift you with through these tough
times? Lean into Jesus now. Learn to navigate in the calm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #29 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><br />Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-70727047114318345112018-04-28T07:09:00.002-07:002018-04-29T02:50:53.113-07:00A Golden Key for our Lifelong Journey<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">C.S. Lewis calls change our
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“golden key” </i>to unlock treasures on
our journey in life. Since we all are still very much in-process, we <u>must</u>
change if we are to grow and not settle. My Christian life began by stepping
through a gate by faith, leading to an upward journey (Matt. 7:13-14), with
twists and turns and plateaus. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Later on my journey, I came
to another narrow gate where God posed the same question: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Will you trust Me in this ‘crisis of faith’ or settle for the broad
pathway?”</i> If the answer is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“yes,” </i>we
push through the gate and continue to ascend on our journey. If <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“no,” </i>the pathway winds back for a while
on a broad path until we find ourselves at the same gate again. I’m a
pragmatist. A loving, patient God does not back off necessary change in me. Life
is easier if I say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“yes” </i>the first
time instead of going through pain again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Every <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“crisis of faith” </i>includes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">endings
</i>of good things we wish to hold on to and a time of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">transition </i>before getting to the <u>better</u> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">new beginnings. </i>You will shortly learn that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>things can become enemies of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">best</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>And God never allows too much in our lives, even when it feels
like it (1 Cor. 10:13).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On our journey, how will we
know which choices to make to keep in step with the Spirit? Let me give a
three-fold lens. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">First,</i> Jesus is the
Model Man, the Second Man (1 Cor. 15:4). Do what He does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">First</span>,</i> Jesus is the
Model Man, the Second Man (1 Cor. 15:4). Do what He does.</span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">Forgive others as Jesus forgives us</span> (Eph. 4:32).</span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">Accept others as Jesus accepts us</span> (Rom. 15:7), although accepting does not necessarily mean approving all they do.</span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">Love others the way He loves us</span> (1 John 4:19).</span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">Show mercy, not judgment, like Jesus does to us</span> (Jm 2:12-13).</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Second</span>, </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jesus instructs
His people to treat others like we would like to be treated (Matt. 7:12). Ask, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“How would I like another to treat me in a
similar situation?” </i>Then treat them with a similar respect and care.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Third</span>, </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in 1 Corinthians
Paul gave the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> century believers four questions as general tracks
to run on in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“grey areas.” </i>In these questionable
areas, we make choices where no clear Scripture directly applies. Paul begins
with our vast freedom in Christ, not limitations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All things are lawful for me, but <span style="color: blue;">not all things are profitable</span> (<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1 Cor. 6:12a). Ask: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">Is the choice beneficial for me</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">/others?”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All things are lawful for me, but <span style="color: blue;">I will not be mastered by anything</span> (6:12b; 10:23a). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Will I be brought into bondage?”</i></span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All things are lawful for me, but <span style="color: blue;">not everything builds up</span> (10:23a). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Does this choice build up me and others<span style="color: black;">?”</span></i></span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Will my choice accurately reflect God’s glory?”</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (1 Cor. 10:31).</span></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #28 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></div>
Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-34189719252461624292018-04-26T06:53:00.000-07:002018-04-26T06:53:27.216-07:00Work as Worship & Mission<br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">From the first days of
knowing Christ, I could not get enough of the Bible and talking to others about
Jesus. Church leaders told me, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“God must
be calling you to be a pastor since you have such a passion for Jesus.” </i>Well,
I was reading the book of Acts at the time, describing the <u>whole body</u>
called to minister like this. I remember thinking, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“We should all have this passion. I’ll be a Christian accountant and
show people this normal Christian life for Christian business people.”</i>
Shortly after, I went off to school to learn to understand the Bible better so
I could share as a businessman. For the next forty years, my occupations wove
in and out of the church world as pastor and missionary and also the business
world as manager and accountant. I was equally comfortable in both.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At a mission’s conference a
few years before I retired, I heard a pastor say,</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"> “20% of the people do 80% of the work in the church</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">…and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that’s about right.</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The </span><span lang="X-NONE">other
80% </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">should be</span><span lang="X-NONE"> actively responding to God’s call to
the work-world.”</span></i><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This surprised me, and drove me into Scripture to see what it says about
our work world. Most all Bible events happened in normal life or in the
marketplace, not in the religious setting. What portion of our waking hours</span><span lang="X-NONE"> during our work week</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
are we at work?</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If we live <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all-in</i> for Jesus, it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">must</b> also include our work-world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In Genesis 1 & 2 prior
to the Fall, God designed each to work, caring for and cultivating what is
around us (Gen. 1:28; 2:8, 15). As a good gardener, we find our special way to
cultivate our God-given <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“garden plot” </i>of
people so life flourishes. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Every moment in the
work-place </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">can be</span><span lang="X-NONE"> pregnant with possibilities</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. So</span><span lang="X-NONE"> work with tip-toe expectancy, patiently
ploughing and cultivating, weeding and seeding our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“garden</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> plot.</span><span lang="X-NONE">”</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ephesians 6:5-8 uses the
lowest working class in their society (slaves) to illustrate our attitude
toward work. Over and above finding meaning in work, we <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">bring</b> meaning <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to</b> work
because we bring the light of Jesus (I like Matthew 4:16, the light of Jesus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dawns</i> through our lives). Serve our
bosses <u>wholeheartedly</u> with competence and enthusiasm, giving them a full
day’s work for a day’s paycheck. And we also worship the Lord our God at work
as we walk out authentic Christianity, serving others as we would Christ. This
revolutionary 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> century perspective sets us apart to make a
difference in the circle of the world we touch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Text" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE">What could happen if we trained ourselves to
infiltrate our work-world as competent workers</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> who bring the light of Jesus with us? When</span><span lang="X-NONE"> we
see our work as worship, we respond as a priest, a bridge-builder</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> from God to others</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> We bring</span><span lang="X-NONE"> God’s
presence with us</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“naturally supernatural”</i> way,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> without </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">judgment</span><span lang="X-NONE"> and with </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">generosity
in</span><span lang="X-NONE"> service.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #27 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-24225756124768416122018-04-25T03:06:00.000-07:002018-04-25T03:06:10.014-07:00Farming & Fishing for Men<h3>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">How did Jesus connect with the lost?</span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></span></h3>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><h3>
</h3>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He related with people through leisurely conversations and
compassionate responses. Jesus looked for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“echoes
of a Voice”</i> that pointed back to our Eden-design to connect others with His
Father’s love through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">presence, power, </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> proclamation </i>evangelism<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(1 Thess. 1:4-5). </span><span lang="X-NONE">T</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">he NT uses the
pictures of farming and fishing to convey this patient process. </span><span lang="X-NONE">No pressure. No coercion. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We can all patiently farm and fish today. </span><span lang="X-NONE">In Colossians
4:2-6, Paul provided his </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">window
into how to touch our world of people around us with </span><span lang="X-NONE">the
life of Jesus. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Touch</span><span lang="X-NONE"> the world with God’s heart</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> in these three ways</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">1. The
Touch of our Prayer</span> (4:2-4): </span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: black;">Devote our lives to
prayer because prayer knows no bounds of either time or place. This prayer is
warfare prayer and takes intense effort and focus. With </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">“one foot raised”</span> </i><span style="color: black;">in anticipation, pray relentlessly for God to
open doors into hearts and give us words to share. Look for God’s fingerprints
on the lives of the lost with tiptoe expectancy since God is here (John
5:17+19). </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;"><span style="color: blue;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">2. The
Touch of our Lives</span> (4:5): </span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: black;">Although the touch of
our prayer reaches the ends of the world in an instant, nothing impacts people
more powerfully than our ministry of presence empowered by the Spirit. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: black;">First</span></u><span style="color: black;">,</span> </i><span style="color: black;">live wisely in all our
responses, at work and at play, as we shop and do life. When we stand for
Christ, people watch, especially when tough times hit.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: black;">Second</span></u><span style="color: black;">,</span> </i><span style="color: black;">make the most of our opportunities. These are the
same ones for which we prayed in the</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> “touch
of prayer.”</span></i><span style="color: black;"> God has placed us in the exact right place. Think of our normal
week. Where do we rub elbows with those who need Christ? Also, keep alert for
key transition events like early marriage, pregnancy, raising children, a
layoff or marital tensions. God often uses these to open the hearts of the
lost.</span></span></span></div>
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</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">3. The
Touch of our Words</span> (4:6): </span></span></i><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: black;">How do we answer those
who ask about our faith (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“answer
everyone”</i></span><span style="color: black;">)?</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: black;">First</span></u><span style="color: black;">,</span> </i><span style="color: black;">initiate
conversations with others, even strangers (this stretches me!)</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: black;">Second</span></u><span style="color: black;">,</span> </i><span style="color: black;">learn to graciously turn
conversations to spiritual connections with winsome words.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> <u>Third</u></span><span style="color: black;">,</span> </i><span style="color: black;">season our conversations with “salt” so they become
thirsty for more spiritual Reality. Put a comma in every relationship, not a
full stop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="X-NONE">God has given <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you</b> a</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> unique</span><span lang="X-NONE"> life-story to share with others. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So truthfully tell those around you what has happened in you</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(</span><span lang="X-NONE">develop your
three-minute testimony using</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">“Telling
My Story”</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> in the Appendix</span><span lang="X-NONE">)</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Depend on the Holy
Spirit to touch a sense of need in people, needs like an eagerness for caring
relationship, longing for significant purpose, yearning for their intrinsic
beauty to be noticed, and crying out for justice (all <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“echoes of God’s Voice,” </i>God’s image, marred but not destroyed). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #26 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224542767396864025.post-67386668344181927722018-04-24T07:10:00.000-07:002018-04-24T07:10:55.555-07:00Equality, Diversity & Unity in Community<br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One of the channels through
which we experience God’s strong grace (His action-love) is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">koinonia </i>in community. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Koinonia </i>is more than socialization.
It’s a partnership, a sharing in common of the very life of Jesus, like the
interaction within the Trinity as His image-bearers. That is why we are called
to a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New <u>Testament</u> </i>(which
means <u>covenant</u>). In a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">covenant, </i>people
have become one with each other in Christ. The world trumpets our differences;
the Bible our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">equality, </i>than
celebrate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">diversity </i>supporting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unity. </i>Eph. 4:1-16 begins with our equality
as image-bearers, while valuing all three, leading to mutual ministry<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>like the Trinity.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE"><span style="color: blue;">1. Embrace <u>Equality</u></span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></i></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(4:2)</span><span lang="X-NONE">: Paul describes
two pairs of transforming responses </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">flowing
from an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">equality</i> as image-bearers</span><span lang="X-NONE"> (4:2). </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Since we <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">are</b> equal, approaching others from
equality connects. </span><span lang="X-NONE">Ephesians 1-3</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> remove</span><span lang="X-NONE"> any need for
self-protective responses</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> to prove
we are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">equal</i></span><span lang="X-NONE">.
</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We are all image-bearers with
equal worth, all still in-process. Now we</span><span lang="X-NONE"> are free to
serve the highest good of others, which promotes trust, the essential soil for </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">community relationships.</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(1) </span></b><span lang="X-NONE">We know who we are (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">humility</i>)
and respond </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">more </span><span lang="X-NONE">like God does (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gentle</i>,</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> considering others,</span><span lang="X-NONE">
not rough or self-assertive). </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We</span><span lang="X-NONE"> are strong enough to use our strength </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">for </span><span lang="X-NONE">others. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If</span><span lang="X-NONE"> we experience
insult or injury in community, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(2) </span></b><span lang="X-NONE">we are able to
be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">patient</i>, extending </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">space</span><span lang="X-NONE"> to unpleasant
people. We <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">forbear</i> foolishness </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in</span><span lang="X-NONE"> others without
whining (when wronged</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, </span><span lang="X-NONE">forgive </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">and do</span><span lang="X-NONE"> them good). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">2. Maintain </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Unity</span></u></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></i></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(4:3-6)</span><span lang="X-NONE">:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Paul<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
</i>then </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">describes</span><span lang="X-NONE"> a </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God-birthed, </span><span lang="X-NONE">seven-fold unity in 4:3-6. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No</span> <span lang="X-NONE">external uniformity, but rather a
foundational unity </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in which</span><span lang="X-NONE"> all are aligned with the Lord and so</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> are also</span><span lang="X-NONE"> aligned with each other.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><span lang="X-NONE">We </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">embrace</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">this</span><span lang="X-NONE"> seven-fold treasure</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
of unity</span><span lang="X-NONE">, and also </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">battle</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">to keep</span><span lang="X-NONE"> it. Great power has always been released through unity since the
Trinity is the most basic element in the universe. Our enemy also knows the
power in unity full well. Satan’s primary </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">weapons</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">erode </span><span lang="X-NONE">unity by sowing “community breakers” </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">so keep working hard to preserve unity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">3. Celebrate our </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Diversity</span></u></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></i></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(4:7-11)</span><span lang="X-NONE">: God wants
what we willingly give. So Paul calls us to go <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all-in</i> with God and others with </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">our</span><span lang="X-NONE"> unique</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, one-of-a-kind</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE">diversity</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span> </i><span lang="X-NONE">He has given</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> unique resources to</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">all </span></b><span lang="X-NONE">His image-bearers </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(</span><span lang="X-NONE">represented </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in part
here </span><span lang="X-NONE">by spiritual gifts, 4:7+11)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> Now, this is </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">crucial</span><span lang="X-NONE">. In this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">diversity, </i>Paul
includes the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">same</i> people as in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unity. </i>In other words, the same buy-in
is expected of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every one</i> of God’s
people, not just the smaller number of positional leaders. As one new man,
Jesus Christ eliminates the barrier of distinction and creates a community of
equals (2:12-22). The passage</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> then</span><span lang="X-NONE"> points to full participation of each part</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (4:16) so we</span><span lang="X-NONE"> dare not
hold back </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">whatever</span><span lang="X-NONE"> part God has given us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">T<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his is Reflection #25 in my book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Stones-Living-Jesus-Peter-ebook/dp/B075W5Y744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Foundation Stones</a>. </em>I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, <a href="http://www.jimfredericks.com/">www.JimFredericks.<span style="background-color: white;">com</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span>Jim Frederickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087966193525068396noreply@blogger.com0