The Greatest Life Ever

God is looking for?

I have spent the day in prayer for the church I pastor, it's leadership, staff and my family.  It has been very rewarding.  One of the most grabbing moments of the day was when read from one of my favorite authors, E.M. Bounds and his book "Power through Prayer".  I have quoted him directly.  Since he lived in the 1800's the language will reflect that.  It's interesting to hear him speak of the problems of and the solutions needed in the 1800's and how they most certainly apply today.

E.M. Bounds wrote, "We are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or organization.  God's plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else.  Men are God's method.  The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men...The glory and efficiency of the gospel is staked on the men who proclaim it...What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.  The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men.  He does not come on machinery, but on men.  He does not anoint plans, but men-men of prayer."

I kneel convicted.  Pray.  Pray.  Pray.

Maybe it's Time to Build Fences like Jesus did

I came across something the other day that made me think about fences and how they are used to keep someone or something separated.  Fences are barriers that keep neighbors apart or people from interacting with each other.  Fences are self imposed obstacles of separation.  And when used in conversation "fence" is typically used in a negative fashion.  "We need to tear down those fences that keep us from..."  I've been a proponent of tearing down fences that get in the way of sharing the love of God with others.  But, I'm also a proponent for building fences as well.

Constructing fences actually helps me to live a better life.  Now, I'm not talking about going out with post hole diggers, a sack of concrete, a wheel barrow and a post.  I'm referring to fence building Jesus style. The Jewish Rabbi's and other teachers built "fences" around the Torah and it's commandments to help keep them from breaking the commandments.  "Fences" are like the warning track on a baseball field that tells an outfielder that he or she is getting close to the wall and if they're not careful will run into it and maybe even hurt themselves. "Fences" were designed to help people live a holy life by warning them that they were getting close to committing sin.  "Fences" were tools for holiness and righteousness.

One well known example of fence building involves Jesus.  In Matthew 5:27 Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’  And then he goes on in verse 28, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."  

This is fence building Jesus style.  What Jesus has done here is build a fence to help trip one up before adultery is actually committed.  In Jewish style he was saying that if you've thought about another women you are getting close to running into the wall.  To avoid committing adultery it helps not too think about it.  "If one stays far away from sin by not crossing the boundary line, then one will not transgress a commandment." (Meet the Rabbis, Brad Young, pg. 208)  As such the Jewish Rabbi's would create a series of fences or reminders designed to keep a person from committing sin.

I suspect that there is an area in everyone's life where building a fence could be very beneficial.  What might that be for you?  Identify a sin that you struggle with the most in your life and then ask the Holy Spirit to help you set up a series of fences that would help keep you from crossing the line.  It really will make for a better life.

I Don't Get No Respect - God

Rodney Dangerfield is one of Jay Leno's favorite comedians.  When I think of Dangerfield I think of his one liner jokes that begin with the phrase, "I don't get no respect..." and then he goes on tell explain what he means with a joke.  He can be very funny as well as very crass.  But, that's beside the point. 

God has brought to my attention that there are times He feels like Rodney Dangerfield in that He doesn't get the respect He should from those who worship Him.  For example I've heard young and old alike in the church respond to something with, "Oh my God!" or "God!"  And most recently with the texting craze some will txt "OMFG!"   For those who don't text much, "OMFG" has several connotations to it.  The watered down version is "Oh my freakin God".  

The bible says in Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." (NRSV)

More and more I appreciate our Jewish heritage in this regard.  God's name is so holy that they can not spell it out completely and if it's written down, it can not be removed or erased.  The name of God is so sacred that it's not even pronounced.  Instead of referring to God as YHWH or Yahweh during prayer they call God Adonai.  And if they want to reference YHWH in a coversation with another they will use the word "Hashem" which means "the Name." 

How do you use the name of God?  Have you used it in an unworthy manner?  If so, then why not take two little steps to rectify it?  First, ask God to forgive you for using Hashem in an unworthy manner.  And secondly, invite the Holy Spirit to work in your heart to enable you to be obedient to this command from God's Torah from now on. 

Doing this will help you to have the best life ever.

May you be covered by the dust of The Rabbi, Jesus.