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The Bible – Some Background
1/25/2010 9:10:24 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Bible


Today we examine the book and how it is organized.

The Bible means the book. It is the Christian’s written Word of God, and it actually contains the 66 books found in the Old and New Testaments.
The two major divisions of our Holy Bible are the Old Testament and the New Testament. Let’s explain this first basic order of the book. The word “testament” more commonly referred to a “covenant” in Biblical times. So, these two major sections of the Bible represent two covenants – two special relationships between God and people.
Old Testament – this represents the initial covenant between God and Abraham (and later Abraham’s descendants). The Old Testament tells the story of the Jews and their ancient worship of God.
Throughout the Old Testament, we read of God’s promise to his people that a Messiah would come. The Messiah would establish a new covenant with God’s people.
New Testament – these books tell the story of the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the birth of his church.
Now let’s break each of these covenants (Testaments) down into their basic parts.
Old Testament – these scriptures are recognized as God’s word and covenant by both Christians and Jewish people. The original text was written in two languages. These were Hebrew and Aramaic. The scriptures were written in the timeframe between 1500 B.C. to 400 B.C. The books fall into three basic sections:
The Torah – the first five books of the Old Testament. They are sometimes referred to as the five books of Moses. The Torah contains the teachings about the law.
The Prophets – these books include the historical and prophetic books, such as Joshua, Isaiah, etc. (19 books in all)
The Writings – this set of books include the Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, etc. (12 books in all)
New Testament – the story of Christ and the basis for our Christian faith. This was written originally in Koine (common) Greek. The writing occurred between the years 40 A.D. and 100 A.D. We will consider it in a few separate sections.
The Gospels – the first four books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These describe the life and death of Jesus through the individuals lenses of four authors.
The Acts of the Apostles – our description, written by Luke, of the early church history following the resurrection of Jesus. It is a critical record from wish we can learn much about how the church functioned per Christ’s instructions through the apostles.
Writings of the Apostles – these early church leaders, especially the early missionary Paul, provided us with lots of written instruction about Christian life.
The Revelation of John – this of course is another writing of the apostle John. We separate it because of its distinct content and purpose.
The next time we will look at how the books were selected, and when.

Blessings,

Larry

 

The Holy Bible
1/18/2010 7:48:29 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Bible


The Bible – God’s Holy Word

Our precious instruction from the Master – it is here that we now turn our attention for several posts over the next couple of weeks. Here is the game plan, although we might move and/or add posts as your questions and thoughts come in.
Background – we will consider some basics about how the Bible is organized, starting with the distinctions between the Old Testament and the New. Then we will look at the parts that both consist of.
Timeline – over what time was the Bible written?
Selection of the books – when and by who were decisions made about which books would be in the Bible?
Differences in content – what is the controversy over the Apocrypha, those additional books that are included in the Roman Catholic Bible’s Old Testament? 
Substantiation – How do we know that the Bible is true?
Tradition versus Scripture – In early church history, before the official selection (canon) of the Bible as we know it, what was the role of “church tradition,” and does it still have a role?
How do we use it? – How does it help us to sort through and find answers to life’s questions?
Interpretation – we will look at a simple, yet solid, process or model to help us as we strive to interpret scriptures correctly.
It should be an interesting discussion. We will strive to describe key points in plain language. The goal is that we will all understand with more clarity how to use the Scriptures and how to better represent God’s truth to others.
Please join in the conversation.

Blessings,

Larry

 

More Instructions on Prayer
1/13/2010 3:03:26 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

prayer


Jesus had more advice for us about prayer. We have been talking about “how” to pray. He also warned us about how “not to pray.” Let’s see a few verses. 

Mt 6:5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
 
Some people back then, just as some do now, pray to make themselves look important in the eyes of others.
 
That really isn’t the point, is it?
Praying together at church, in groups, in our families, it can be really great.  We just need to keep it simple and keep it focused on Christ.  When you have the chance, lead prayer with others.  Just keep it:
  • Authentic – from your heart
  • Simple – use simple language that expresses what you feel
  • Inclusive – pray on the issues that the group cares about
Some people have a wonderful gift for leading prayer – they bring us closer to God’s Holy Spirit as they pray.  Perhaps you have that gift.  Develop it with humility.  It can be a blessing to many.
Next post we are going to begin a short series on the Word – the Holy Bible.
Blessings to you,

Larry

 

Prayer – Listen to God
1/8/2010 10:23:47 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

prayer


Prayer should not be a one-direction communication, where we simply unload all of our stuff on God. Yes, He listens to us, but we also should use our prayer time to listen to Him. But, how? That is what we will wrestle with today.

The Bible shows us powerful examples of when God’s voice was audible and clear, such as when He was trying to make an impression on the disciples Peter, James and John when Jesus was transfigured before them.
Mk 9:7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
Jesus taught us that as his followers we would “hear” his voice and follow him.
Jn 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me 
And we know that the Holy Spirit is the helper sent to us by God to help us listen and learn.
Jn 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
And prayer should engage us with the Holy Spirit.
Jude 1:20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  
Perhaps you have known people that seem to have the direct line to God. Somehow they have a capacity to hear almost directly what He has to say to them. I know some people with this ability. One friend in Afghanistan, for example, just seems to hear the Lord with remarkable clarity and ease.
However, many of us, and certainly me, can struggle with the listening part of prayer. It can be difficult to listen and hear, and then discern what is God’s message, or what is simply the mind wandering as you struggle to pray.
There is no formula for this, but here are a couple of things that can help.
  1. Accept silent time in your prayer. If we are filling the void with all of our words, His words can’t come through.  
  2. If you think your mind is wandering, examine what your mind wanders to. Could that be something that God is urging you to pray about. For example, if we have something that we are worrying about, that is an easy target for your mind to drift to. Examine that thing. If you are worried about it, perhaps God is prompting you to pray more about it.  The best cure for worry is to put it before the Lord.
  3. Listen for God’s promptings in your most recent activities. In your prayer time, think about what has occurred today, or perhaps yesterday. Can you see any hints of God’s hand in those events? In particular, was there anything that occurred recently that you shrugged off as “coincidence” or “luck” or perhaps “chance?” Maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was God’s Holy Spirit giving you some subtle nudges and help.  Pray about it, for clarity in His voice.  Listen for what He might be telling you through those things in your recent activities.
Adjust some of your daily prayer time for listening, trying these techniques to better tune in.  With practice and discipline, your sense of hearing Him will improve.

Have a blessed day,  

Larry

 

The Lord’s Prayer as a Model
1/2/2010 5:21:11 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

prayer. Lord's prayer


This time we will look at the prayer that Jesus taught to his followers as a model that can guide some of our private time in prayer with God. 

Anytime I am struggling to find the words I want and feel to pray, I start with this model. My prayer then comes easily.
 
Christ did not tell his disciples this is “what” you should pray. He taught them that this is “how you should pray.”
 
Mt 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
 
We can consider each line, and then simply expand our personal prayer on the theme of that line.
 
“ ‘Our Father in heaven,
 
Pray about how you recognize that God is God. He alone is our Father in heaven. We do not have and do not desire any god except our true God. Pray this with intensity.
I also pray to God about how small I am. I tell Him that I know in my heart that he is the Creator. I own the fact that I am only the created. He is powerful. I am not. I need him. Without him, I am nothing. I can do nothing without him.
 
hallowed be your name,
 
Praise his name. This is a natural continuation of how our special prayer began. Call him by some of the names we use in the Bible – “wonderful”, “counselor”, “redeemer”, “Savior”, “almighty”, “all powerful”, and the only God. I love to raise my hands and just pour out my love for him, calling and describing him in all of these names and descriptions. He is so Great! Tell him how you feel about his greatness.
 
Mt 6:10 your kingdom come,
 
Tell him how you long for Christ’s return. But also, this is a time to talk about what you can do to help this life on earth move toward being like his kingdom. Every time we are sharing the gospel, spreading his precious Word, we are working on expanding his kingdom right here on earth.
 
your will be done
 
In all that we pray, we can recognize and tell God that most important is his will in our lives. Sometimes we may not be asking for what is best, what is aligned for his will and plan for our life. We can own that in our prayer. In all that we ask, we can express to him that his will is our dearest desire. This is just as Christ prayed in the garden of Gethsemane just before his crucifixion. Mt. 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

on earth as it is in heaven.
 
Again we pray that we might help in making this place, this world, more like heaven through our actions and the love of Christ that we share with others. He loves us so much. Every time we share the love of Christ, we make earth more like heaven. Pray that God will use you to do this.
 
Mt 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.
 
Pray thanks to God for all that he has provided to you and your family. This is also a wonderful time in your prayer to express your needs to him. He always listens. Talk to him specifically about your needs and desires. He knows your needs. An interesting element of this is that when we pray in detail about our needs and desires, we better understand them ourselves. It is as if this time allows God to clarify things in our hearts.
 
Mt 6:12 Forgive us our debts,
 
Pray for forgiveness of your sins. Own your faults and mistakes. Repent. Ask for his help to prevent you from repeating sins. The more specific you pray about your sins, the more you will gain in understanding about God’s will for you to work on removing those sins from your life.
 
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 
Talk with God about people that you have had problems with. Tell him about those who have hurt you and done damage to you or your family. Ask him to help you forgive those people, honoring the pattern he set by forgiving us.
 
Mt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation,
 
Tell God about things in life that are tempting you. Again, if you pray about specifics, He can help you clarify your understanding of the challenges and pitfalls that you face in life.
 
but deliver us from the evil one.
 
Pray for his help in keeping you from sin. Admit to weaknesses. Pray for his strength to sustain you in all things.
 
Following the model that Christ taught will give you more than enough to have your meaningful time in prayer to God.
 
Feel free to talk all things out with him. Make it a part of each day.
 
Next time we will look at other helpful instructions by Jesus regarding this important part of our life – our prayer life.

Larry

 

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