love - Discipleship Network Forum - The Reimagine Network
2024-03-28T14:09:55Z
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/love
What Are the Underlying Sins Behind Prejudice, Discrimination, and isms Like Racism, Sexism, and Chauvinism?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-are-the-underlying-sins-behind-prejudice-discrimination-and
2019-12-13T13:30:00.000Z
2019-12-13T13:30:00.000Z
Philip Hilliard
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilipHilliard
<div><p><strong>This Week’s Question: What are the underlying sins behind prejudice, discrimination, and isms like racism, sexism, and chauvinism?</strong></p><p> </p><p>Sin, in the Old Testament, was defined by the law (a series of dos and don’ts), and Israelites could not decide which rule, law, or command they adhered to. James reports, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all (<strong>James 2:10)</strong>.” Therefore, one had to follow God’s entire law to be deemed righteous. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, acknowledged He did not come to abolish the law (<strong>Matthew 5:17-20</strong>), but to fulfill it; and in doing so He established a new covenant by which mankind will be judged: <strong>Romans 14:23</strong> teaches, “… for whatever is not from faith is sin.” This New Testament standard differs from the Old Testament in which sin was defined discreetly. Today, those who lack faith in the Godhead, Scripture, or God’s commandment to love – commit one (or more), of the following sins: lust, pride, or fear, which is the basis for this post.</p><p> </p><p><strong>I John 2:16-17</strong> describes sin generally, “For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” John, in this passage, identifies three carnal sins: (1) Lust of the flesh; (2) Lust of the eyes; and (3) Pride. The motive behind lust is envy and one commits lust of the eyes when he/she covets (or desires) what does not belong to them. It may be money, power, possessions, or people (like another’s husband or wife). Whenever that which is coveted is dwelt upon (rather than relegating it to a fleeting thought), a sin is committed. Lust's inherent danger is it entices us to act immorally. Therefore, the commission of a lustful act (whether robbery, infidelity, or surrendering to a vice), is the sin John calls lust of the flesh. Unfortunately, strife (which is <u><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/eritheia.html" target="_blank">defined Biblically as “a partisan and fractious spirit</a></u> which does not disdain low arts”), regularly accompanies envy in The Bible. James addresses the envy/strife tandem by saying, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work (<strong>James 3:14-16</strong>).” Having a lustful heart, whether it is followed by action or not, is condemned by God.</p><p> </p><p>The third sin espoused by John is pride of life which is <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/alazoneia.html" target="_blank">defined Biblically as “an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts</a> in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights.” Pride, in my opinion, is America’s greatest sin, and is a sin many must answer to when he/she comes before God’s judgment. Pride is the spirit that credits Christopher Columbus with discovering an inhabited land that resulted in Native Americans being decimated on their own soil. Pride is the spirit that initiated the slave-trade and relegates African-Americans to second-class citizenship, despite the fact that America’s foundation was built on the backs of this disenfranchised people! And pride is a pervasive spirit behind trumpism, nationalism, racism, sexism and every other ism that plagues Americans from all walks of life, and others around the world!</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>James 2:6</strong> castigates a person who gives favorable treatment to a rich person because he/she is well dressed and accessorized (<strong>James 2:1-3</strong>)! James’ argument is the rich are the ones who oppress, sue, and blaspheme God’s Name. So the question is why do people of humble means cater to tormentors? The answer in one word is lust. The poor lust for the crumbs that can be thrown their way, while minimizing the pain inflicted upon them by the rich and powerful. This scenario may explain why poor whites, en masse, do not stand with African-Americans in their fight for civil rights – gains that, rightfully, would benefit them also! Poor whites, despite their poverty, acquiesce because they still command better jobs, better education, better healthcare, better housing, better prospects for rising above their station, etc., than their African-American counterparts. So the sin of lust is a primary motivator for kowtowing to the rich, but another is pride.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>James 2:2-3</strong> also describes that perpetrator treating a poor person with disdain, while <strong>verse 6</strong> unequivocally states that he/she has contempt for that person. This scenario parallels the attitudes of white nationalists, other hate groups, and <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><a href="https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2018/what-is-white-privilege-really" target="_blank">seems to be of the same ilk behind white privilege</a></span>. Pride enables “privileged whites” to believe they are superior to non-whites (vis-à-vis, African-Americans, Native Americans, and immigrants), and condone inhumane treatment towards these, whom they consider, “pariahs.” Therefore, many rallied to the “make America great again,” campaign slogan, to bolster their power, whether real or perceived! The problem is even that slogan has a prideful undertone! In fact, it sounds very much like the attitude of King Nebuchadnezzar before God changed his heart to that of a beast (<strong>Daniel 4:30ff</strong>). It is interesting that before Nebuchadnezzar’s transformation, Daniel warned him by saying, “Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity (<strong>Daniel 4:27</strong>).” That same prideful spirit also caused the death of King Herod in <strong>Acts 12:21-23</strong>. Hopefully, this knowledge will be a wake-up call for anyone with a prideful heart who wants to do God’s will because “… God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble (<strong>James 4:6</strong>).</p><p></p><p>The sad reality is even poor whites may be tormented by the rich and powerful, but they, too, are tooled with an arsenal that includes torment, and use it against non-whites. The senseless Treyvon Martin killing, the inhumane treatment of border immigrants, and the <u><a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/white-nationalist" target="_blank">steady proliferation of white nationalism</a></u> are further evidences of sin cloaked in white pride and coupled with fear! <strong>John 4:18</strong> teaches “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” To reiterate what was said in an earlier post, the sin of fear is a motive behind the inhumane treatment immigrants experience today; it is also a motive behind the hostility and rage African-Americans experienced during slavery which persists today; and is a motive behind the annihilation of America’s indigenous population. <u><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/22/us/white-americans-minority-population.html" target="_blank">It has been projected that whites will become a minority, in America</a></u>, which is contributing to the unfounded fear some whites in this nation are experiencing.</p><p> </p><p>In conclusion, it can be proven that lust, pride, and fear are the sins behind other forms of discrimination like sexism, chauvinism, and homophobia. However, while John effectively described the sin, he also outlined the antidote for overcoming the sin. In <strong>I John 4:18</strong> he states, “…But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” Love for one’s fellow- man or woman is the perfect antidote for overcoming the sin that so easily besets us: It draws Christ’s Disciples closer to God; It aligns our priorities with God’s priorities; It helps us to see others differently because we understand that we are all in this fight together; and It prepares a home in Gloryland that outshines the sun for Saints who overcome the destructive sins of lust, pride, and fear. James’ summation is this: “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” The truth of the matter is love trumps hate!</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Next Week’s Question: James 2:5 teaches that God has chosen the poor of this world? Why has He done so?</strong></p><p> </p></div>
Since too many have a romanticized view of love, what is love from a Biblical perspective?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/since-too-many-have-a-romanticized-view-of-love-what-is-love-from
2020-03-11T23:43:10.000Z
2020-03-11T23:43:10.000Z
Philip Hilliard
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilipHilliard
<div><p><strong>This Week’s Question: Since too many have a romanticized view of love, what is love from a Biblical perspective?</strong></p><p>Love is one of the three foundational pillars that Christianity is built upon, with faith and hope being the other two pillars. Unfortunately, many claim to be Christians based solely upon their love for God. Nevertheless, from a Biblical perspective these pillars work synchronously and cannot be dichotomized. To be more explicit, true faith is dependent upon love according to <strong>I Corinthians 13:2</strong>, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” In the same vein, genuine hope must be fueled by love according to <strong>Romans 5:5</strong>, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Similarly, faith cannot be divorced from hope because hope is embedded in it according to <strong>Hebrews 11:1</strong>, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In the final analysis, those who claim to have faith without also having hope and love are, in actuality, governed by superstition not faith. Similarly hope that is not accompanied by faith and love is only wishful thinking; and love that is disconnected from faith and hope is mere sentimentality.</p><p>In our last post we identified the fundamental element implied in <strong>James 2:1-9</strong> to be love, and three reasons were discussed to justify its importance: (1) God commands His followers to love; (2) Love is the distinguishing characteristic that separates God’s children from satan’s; and (3) The motive behind a person’s love is more important than that person’s deeds. So what is love? Four types of love are described Biblically and they are: Eros – Sexual or romantic love; Storge – Natural mutual affection or familial love; Philia – Brotherly love that unites true believers; and Agape – The love God has for humankind. Although each has a place in scripture, agape is focused on in this post because it is the love God has for the world, and is the love that His disciples must have for one another for acceptance into His Kingdom. Paul makes this point very clear in <strong>Romans 13:8</strong> when he writes, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”</p><p>So what essentially is agape love? Paul, beginning in <strong>I Corinthians 13:4</strong> describes agape love beautifully: “<strong>4</strong> Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; <strong>5</strong> does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; <strong>6</strong> does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; <strong>7</strong> bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. <strong>8</strong> Love never fails…” Someone once said, “love is what love does,” which confirms the fact that love is not an emotion. Also, it is not rhetoric. Instead love is the mitigating force that controls one’s speech, thoughts, and works. By examining <strong>I Corinthians 13</strong>, it is evident that love forces true disciples to be patient, mild, and kind toward others. It also prevents them from being envious of or hating others; and keeps them grounded whereby they neither think too highly of nor feels the need to elevate themselves. Instead, proper behavior is the modus operandi for disciples because they are not easily provoked into behaving inappropriately. True love causes disciples, by their thoughts, to internalize Paul’s words in <strong>Philippians 4:8</strong>, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.” Meditation, of this nature, prevents true disciples from thinking evil thoughts or gloating when another succumbs to sin. Instead that disciple is happiest when others also stand on God’s truth!</p><p>The bottom-line is since love never ends, it is infinite, has no bounds, cannot be measured, transcends time, and, unlike faith and hope, it is the only pillar that extends beyond this realm into eternity. Therefore, since love is infinite, disciples who have it withstand hardship and adversity because love bears all things! Since love is infinite, disciples who have it recite <strong>Romans 8:28</strong> as their mantra, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” because love believes all things! Since love is infinite, disciples who have it do not allow their circumstances to dictate their actions because love hopes all things! Finally, since love is infinite, disciples who have it are confident of the power behind <strong>Philippians 4:13</strong>, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, since love endures all things! To bring true love to life, love was the force behind the Civil Rights Movement because despite the murders, lynchings, jailings, protests, beatings, discriminatory laws, biased government officials, hosings, dog bites, and sheer humiliation; my forefathers, as a group, knew that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails! They knew it, they lived it, and God delivered to us, as a community, several major victories because of our communal love for everybody!</p><p><strong>Next Week’s Question: The Bible has many vivid examples of love, can you think of any? And if “yes” is your answer, can any Biblical principles be gleaned from them?</strong></p></div>
James 2:5 teaches that God has chosen the poor of this world. Why has He done so?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/james-2-5-teaches-that-god-has-chosen-the-poor-of-this-world-why
2019-12-31T13:00:00.000Z
2019-12-31T13:00:00.000Z
Philip Hilliard
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilipHilliard
<div><p><strong>This Week’s Question: James 2:5 teaches that God has chosen the poor of this world? Why has He done so?</strong></p><p>The story of the rich young ruler is instrumental as a backdrop to this question. The ruler began by asking in <strong>Mark 10:17</strong>, “…what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus, in response, listed several commandments and the ruler acknowledged compliance. Scripture teaches that Jesus’ love for this young man prompted Him to address a deeper issue; one that promises to keep many who claim to be Christ’s followers, out of Heaven – a weak faith! In <strong>Mark 10:22</strong> Jesus said, “…One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” Jesus’ instructions proved too costly for this young man, despite the fact that his Heavenly reward would far eclipse his earthly possessions (see <strong>Mark 10:23)</strong>!</p><p>James does not claim, absolutely, that the poor will inherit the kingdom. Instead, he adds the qualifier, those who are “rich in faith.” To be rich in faith one has to be totally dependent upon Jesus, which disqualifies many “privileged” believers. Putting one's total faith in Jesus means a person cannot rely upon one’s personal traits, assets, or external factors to survive or gain social advantages over another person, race, or group. Common factors used to one’s advantage are gender, race, possessions, class, social standing, ethnicity, family name, position, unfair laws and practices, the criminal justice system, educational systems, and notoriety. If a person systemically capitalizes on such factors to gain an advantage, then his/her dependency is not wholeheartedly on The Lord, and their faith, if any is claimed, is weak.</p><p>That was the sin of the rich young ruler; and we see this scenario being played out in today’s college admissions scandal. We also see it ever present in America’s political, criminal justice, civic, social, and financial institutions. For poor people, who have few social advantages, many have no recourse but to place their welfare squarely in God’s hands out of love for Him and His justice. For that group, <strong>Matthew 6:31-33</strong> is their hope, “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” This deep and unfeigned faith in a loving and caring God was manifested in the rich theology of the Negro Spirituals which survived the slave experience, the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras, and some have been woven into traditional Christian circles. It was also the impetus behind the Civil Rights movement in which protesters (of all races and nationalities), countered bitter hatred and vitriol with faith, hope, and love – the three pillars that undergird Christianity. Oppression, discrimination, and social injustice have historically forced many African-Americans to maintain a strong faith in God’s justice; whether it is realized in this world or the next.</p><p>This unfeigned faith of many African-Americans is also a major factor in why my father, the late Rev. Clarence L. Hilliard, and founder of the church I currently pastor, prophesied that the Black Church, as a group, will lead Christ’s Church Movement in these latter days. Two passages The Lord placed on his heart while unveiling this prophecy are <strong>Zephaniah 3:10,</strong> “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, The daughter of My dispersed ones, Shall bring My offering;” and <strong>Psalm 68:31</strong> “Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.” My father effectively used social action and mentorship to help bridge the racial divide within the Christian Community while simultaneously serving two evangelical associations in leadership capacities: National Black Evangelical Association (NBEA); and National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) – the effects of which are still being realized throughout Chicago and its suburban communities.</p><p>Unfortunately, Many Black churches (but especially the mega- and more prosperous churches), have forfeited its leadership responsibility because they have adopted the ways of the dominant culture, or have figuratively sold their birthright for a mess of pottage (see <strong>Genesis 25:29-34</strong>). But for those lesser churches that continue to put their faith, hope, and trust completely in The Lord; it is quite possible that this prophecy will become reality in a manner that continues to spillover into the evangelical community, and reach those who are burdened by the plight of the poor, powerless, and oppressed here in America and beyond. Nevertheless, the only bond that can keep them unified, as a group, is, they are rich in faith; and therefore, are the rightful heirs to the kingdom of Heaven!</p><p><strong>Next Week’s Question: What is the fundamental missing element implied in this James passage? And why is it so important?</strong></p></div>
What is the fundamental missing element implied in James 2:1-9?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-is-the-fundamental-missing-element-implied-in-james-2-1-9
2020-01-13T14:00:00.000Z
2020-01-13T14:00:00.000Z
Philip Hilliard
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilipHilliard
<div><p><strong>This Week’s Question: What is the fundamental missing element implied in James 2:1-9? And why is it so important?</strong></p><p>The first section of this chapter, <strong>James 2:1-9,</strong> addresses partiality, and included under that topic are discrimination, partisanship, and a host of other divisive ills including racism, sexism, nationalism, chauvinism, jingoism, and a host of other similar beliefs. James criticizes such behaviors, without explicitly stating the root cause. Consequently the question we must consider is what is the fundamental missing element in that passage? It should not be difficult to recognize that love is the missing element (see <strong>James 2:8</strong>)! As stated in an earlier post, the motives behind partiality are fear, lust, and pride; which, according to the Bible, do not emanate from God since lust and pride are denounced repeatedly in The Bible, and Paul, in <strong>II Timothy 1:7</strong>, states explicitly, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” So the real question is why is love so important? From a Biblical perspective, there are many reasons to justify love, but for this discussion we will focus on three: (1) God commands His followers to do so; (2) Love is the distinguishing characteristic that separates God’s children from satan’s; and (3) From God’s perspective, a person’s motive is more important than one’s deeds.</p><p>Let’s start with the commandment. When Jesus was asked, “… which is the great commandment in the law (see <strong>Matthew 22:36</strong>)?” He stated two. Beginning in <strong>Verse 37</strong> “Jesus said, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’" These commandments, according to Jesus, are inseparable and summarizes the entire Bible! The problem is many of Christ’s purported followers are resolved to expend energy building the vertical dimension of love (with respect to God), while ignoring the horizontal dimension, by disdaining one’s neighbor. Once again <strong>I John 4:20</strong> brings clarity to this issue, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” The bottom-line is this: There is no optionality with respect to Christ's followers loving one another despite their differences; It is commanded of them by God!</p><p>The second reason love is important is it clearly identifies God’s true children according <strong>I John 4:7-8</strong>, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” Nicodemus was told by Jesus that no one can either see or enter the Kingdom of God, unless they are born again (see <strong>John 3:3, 5</strong>). To be “born again” means to be “born of God” and requires transformation, since all are born into sin, and thus, are born as minions of satan. However, once someone surrenders their heart, soul, mind, and strength to The Lord, transformation is realized and that person’s life should forever change according to the following: “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (<strong>II Corinthians 5:16-17</strong>). Those who have been transformed view others differently, because The Holy Spirit endows them with a lens of love! The bottom-line is this: God is love, so for anyone to be identified as His child, he/she must have that same impartial love, for others. So how do we know God loves impartially? <strong>John 3:16</strong> teaches that God’s love for the world (which is impartial and unconditional), is the motive behind Him sending Jesus to die for our sins, and His example is the one that must be followed!</p><p>The third reason love is important is God’s children’s deeds must be motivated by love. Otherwise, one’s actions, no matter how beneficial they seem, are meaningless according to <strong>I Corinthians 13:1-3</strong>, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” <strong>Verse 1</strong> and part of <strong>2</strong> speak of spiritual gifts. Within today’s church community, many rely upon their spiritual gifts as evidence that they are children of God. The problem is many do not realize that vertical love for God, without an unconditional horizontal love for one’s neighbor, renders that gift meaningless to its bearer. Can God can still use that person to fulfill his purposes? Absolutely, but with an improper motive, it yields no benefit to the gift’s bearer!</p><p><strong>Verse 2</strong> is interesting because it addresses one’s spiritual walk and ministry, which on the outside appears vibrant, God-centered, and effective according to outward appearances. However God looks into a person’s heart, and if love is missing, then every deed performed in His Name is an exercise in futility because as Paul states, “I am nothing.” Jesus confirmed Paul’s assertion in <strong>Matthew 7:21-23</strong>, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. <strong>22</strong> Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ <strong>23</strong> And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Jesus’ prophecy is a sad commentary for many who put self-interests, partisanship, political ideology, or popular or public opinion above God’s Word and His commandment to love. If love is not the motive behind everything we say, think, or do, then our deeds, no matter how effective they may seem to others, are meaningless!</p><p>In <strong>verse 3</strong> Paul addresses charitable giving and personal sacrifice, which, in the minds of many, should automatically qualify a place in Heaven for the benefactor! Two examples are provided by Paul and both seem commendable. The first is selling all of one’s possessions to feed the poor. But what if that deed, instead of being an act of love, was done to spite someone else; or done just to realize a tax break. Paul declares categorially, “it profits me nothing.” The same can be said for someone who sacrifices their life to save others. What if the person is a suicide bomber, or the act were committed out of vengefulness or hatred towards someone else. If love was not that person’s primary motive, it is a vain exercise from God’s perspective, and will yield the self-sacrificing person no benefit when they come before God’s judgment.</p><p>In many ways <strong>James 2:1-9</strong> is a reflection of American culture. Many, who have superior attitudes, look down upon, castigate, or harm others who they deem their “lessors.” They also actively fight to keep immigrants out of this country, have no compunction about separating families at the border, and immigrants who are fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to enter this country are subjected to inhumane squalor conditions, which has led to several deaths. Also (and this is an unfortunate waste of valuable resources), vast amounts of time, energy, and resources are utilized to keep people of color disproportionately incarcerated, uneducated, financially deprived, and unable to vote. Nevertheless, the hope for those who are poor but rich in faith is found in <strong>Matthew 20:16</strong>, “So the last will be first, and the first last...” In summary, if all who claimed to be disciples of Christ lived according to the golden rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you), and allowed that to be the motive behind everything they said, thought, and did, then this would be a better world because partiality would be a sin of the past since Christ's Disciples are the salt of the Earth and the light of the world (see <strong>Matthew 5:13-16</strong>).</p><p><strong>Next Week’s Question: Since too many have a romanticized view of love, what is love from a Biblical perspective?</strong></p><p></p></div>
What Matters Most to God in a Disciple (Part 9)
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-matters-most-to-god-in-a-disciple-part-9
2018-10-01T01:23:20.000Z
2018-10-01T01:23:20.000Z
Skip Garmo
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/SkipGarmo
<div><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">“Love . . . keeps no record of when it has been wronged” (1 Corinthians 13:5c NLT).</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Love . . . forgives. Graciously.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">As we continue meditating on what matters most to God in a disciple, let’s ponder the scope and path of forgiveness that we began previously.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">God’s Word is clear about His countercultural desire for</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9570814090,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9570814090,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" width="348" height="261" alt="9570814090?profile=original" /></a></span> <span style="font-size:12pt;">us to forgive:</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them</span> <span style="font-size:12pt;">without expecting to be repaid.</span> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will</span> <span style="font-size:12pt;">truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicke</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">d. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">(Luke 6:35-36 NLT).</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”</span> <span style="font-size:12pt;">(Ephesians 4:31 ESV).</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Other questions emerge, in addition to those raised in our previous segment.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">First: Other than other persons, who else might you and I need to forgive?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Many of us need to forgive ourselves. Satan, our accuser (Revelation 12:10), revels in discouraging us with unrelenting accusations, in God’s ear and in our hearts, about one past failure or another.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Other times we blame God, consciously or subconsciously, for emotional or physical pain that we experienced. “God, You gave me an abusive mother and an alcoholic father. It’s no wonder that I’m a wreck. Who I am today is Your fault, not mine.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Whether or not you or I understand a wrenching trauma that we experience, we truly worship when we stand firm on this reality: <em>Since God is sovereign, my response to this situation is more important in His eyes than my situation itself.</em> Forgive Him—as He forgave you.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Second: For God’s glory, Satan’s defeat, and our stewardship of life, how can we “forgive” well?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">1 John 1:9 summarizes the way God forgives us:</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">“He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">That is, we can trust God: (a) to honor His own laws justly, (b) disregard our offenses—because of Christ’s atonement—and (c) purge our record of wrongdoing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">So . . . can those who hurt or offend you or me trust us to stand firm and: (a) honor God’s commands, (b) let go of our anger and vengeance—because of Christ’s atonement—and (c) “keep no record of when we’ve been wronged”? When Satan accuses you or me about some past failure, can we stand firm and resist Satan in the manner of 1 John 1:9?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Privately or with some friends, how would you answer these questions?</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">About Christlike convictions: What does our forgiveness reveal about our trust that God is our Protector and Avenger?</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">About Christlike kindness: On whom are we focusing—and not focusing—when we rehearse wrongs done to us by others?</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">About true worship: How is forgiveness an act of worship?</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Do you want to honor Him, and do what matters most to Him? I do. Let’s forgive others, forgive ourselves, and forgive God as He forgives us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">How do you expect that your commitment to forgiveness will be tested this week?</span></p><p>© 2018 John C Garmo</p></div>
What Matters Most to God in a Disciple (Part 12 - Series Conclusion)
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-matters-most-to-god-in-a-disciple-part-12-series-conclusion
2019-01-01T07:00:00.000Z
2019-01-01T07:00:00.000Z
Skip Garmo
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/SkipGarmo
<div><p></p><p><em>“Follow God’s example . . . and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us. . . . Now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:1–2a, 8b–10</em> <em>NIV</em><em>).</em></p><p> With our Bibles open to 1 Corinthians 13, we began our 12-step meditation about God’s top priority for every disciple with this statement: “The most fulfilling journey in life is the path of a person who has an intimate relationship with God, and who faithfully follows Him. Is it the easiest path to walk? No. Is it the inside track to popularity? No. But is it the inside track to joy? Yes, for eternal reasons.”</p><p> As we now conclude our contemplation, let’s recap several highlight<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9570813895,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9570813895,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" width="326" height="321" alt="9570813895?profile=original" /></a>s and then relate them to eternity:</p><ol><li><em>Our life on earth is mostly about relationships. And our life in eterni</em><em>ty</em> <em>is all about one key relationship: our relationship with God.</em></li><li>Any disciple who focuses only on growing in knowledge and skill will fail sooner or later. Why? Because “Knowledge + Skill – Character => Collapse.”</li><li><em>A true follower of God is known for reflecting His love. The evidence of His love in that disciple will be Christlike character: </em> <em>“Knowledge + Skill + Character =></em> <em>Worship!”</em></li><li>Our <u>walk</u> with God is our greatest <u>witness</u> to the <u>work</u> of God—and our <u>worship</u> of God.</li></ol><p><em> </em></p><p> Looking forward, we learn that our lifestyle values and choices on earth today impact rewards that God wants to give us in heaven tomorrow. For example, He virtually underlines His priority on Christlike character as He identifies various “crowns” that He will graciously grant to us:</p><ul><li>1 Corinthians 9:25 speaks of an everlasting crown for running our race with <u>self-discipline</u>.</li><li>James 1:12 describes a crown for <u>enduring</u> in our walk of love even under great duress.</li><li>2 Timothy 4:8 tells of the crown of righteousness for finishing our race with <u>trustworthy</u> <u>integrity</u>, not compromising our faith.</li><li>1 Thessalonians 2:19 reveals the crown of joy for <u>diligent</u> ministry through which souls are won and faithful walks matured.</li><li>In 1 Peter 5:2–4 we learn of the crown of glory God has for disciples who set examples of <u>kindness</u> as they selflessly care about and help others.</li></ul><p> </p><p> “So . . . what is the bottom line?” you ask. Here’s what matters most to God: His will for you and me is that we make worship a lifestyle; that is, we honor God acceptably with our heart, mind, and strength. That is how we will “walk in love.” His Spirit in us will enable us. Alleluia!</p><p> </p><p>Shall we?</p><p></p><p>© 2018 John C Garmo</p></div>
What Will be the Eternal Destiny of Those Who Actively or Tacitly Benefitted from America's Discrimination?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-will-be-the-eternal-destiny-of-those-who-actively-or-tacitly
2019-11-25T14:30:00.000Z
2019-11-25T14:30:00.000Z
Philip Hilliard
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilipHilliard
<div><p><strong>This Week’s Question: Since prejudice was systemically built into the moral fabric of America, do you think Americans who tacitly or actively profited from that model (past, present, and future), will be damned eternally?</strong></p><p> </p><p>There should be little disagreement between true Disciples of Christ that those who were, are, or will be controlled by prejudice, and therefore discriminates against his/her brother or sister will be damned eternally, if he/she does not repent and experience transformation before death! Their discrimination may be based upon physical, mental, social, ethnic, or a host of other arbitrary characteristics. Discrimination, regardless of the motive, violates God’s moral code! But what about those who support prejudicial acts but does not participate? Or one who neither supports nor participates but still profits from discrimination? What destiny should they expect under God’s judgment?</p><p> </p><p>Let’s confirm the presupposition above by dissecting <strong>I John 4:17-21. Verse 17</strong> teaches, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” This verse confirms what Peter discovered when visiting Cornelius in <strong>Acts 10:34-35</strong>: God does not discriminate among people groups, and that pattern must be adhered to when we come under God’s judgment. John’s affirmation is the righteous, in God’s eyes, must personify Jesus when he says, “as He [Jesus] is, so are we.” According to <strong>John 3:16</strong> God sent Jesus into the world, to save the world He loved, which confirms God does not discriminate since recipients of salvation are open-ended. A tactic, historically used by those who discriminate, is fearmongering which justifies their discriminatory actions. Mr. Trump uses that tactic today, and we saw it effectively used by Mr. Nixon and other world, national, and local leaders.</p><p> </p><p>John challenges that strategy by exclaiming in <strong>I John 4:18</strong> “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” Fear should be easily recognized as a motive behind the manufactured immigrant crisis facing America today, which has led to the inhumane treatment of immigrants. Fear also motivated the hostility and rage African-Americans endured during slavery which persists today. And fear also motivated the displacement and annihilation of Native Americans on their native soil. John linked fear to torment, and torment is the common thread that links these groups together. The great commandment teaches us to love God and our fellow man, but John argues that anyone who discriminates does not love authentically, and affirms that truth in <strong>verses 19-21</strong>: “We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” The net of this discussion is those whose actions reflect their prejudices are doomed to eternal destruction, but what about those who sit tacitly by while others do the dirty work?</p><p> </p><p>Dr. King addresses that group in a quotes which says, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” John also speaks to that group in <strong>I John 3:15-18</strong>, which was cited in our last post. He writes, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” John, in this passage, equates those who are not moved by atrocities and remain tacit -- to murderers; and John categorically affirms that no murderer will receive eternal life. God’s Word unequivocally affirms that it is not okay to sit idly by, attribute blame to others, and wash our hands as if we played no part in this world’s denial of rights to others, due to our lack of participation! Anyone who believes he/she is standing up for Jesus, must also stand up for the rights of brothers and sisters who are discriminated against, even when their characteristics differ!</p><p> </p><p>Finally, what about those who neither participates in nor condones discrimination, but still benefits from it? A popular saying is, “Love is what love does,” and John affirms the substance of that quote. Therefore, it is not sufficient to tell someone we love him or her, without also addressing their pressing needs, especially when it is within our power to do so! The question can be raised, where did John obtain his insight on this matter? The answer is straight from Jesus! Beginning in <strong>Matthew 25:34-36</strong> Jesus teaches, “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” When the righteous declared they had no recollection of ministering to Jesus in that way, Jesus replied in <strong>verse 40</strong>, "... ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” It is clear from Jesus’ teaching, the righteous are not those who love by words, but those who demonstrate his/her love with kind deeds.</p><p></p><p>In the same discourse Jesus castigates those who did not participate in prejudicial actions, but also did not fight for the needs of those who suffered when He said in verses <strong>41-43</strong>, “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’” Social ministry is not an optional service for Christ’s followers to choose to participate in or not. It is the very essence of our faith, and Disciples must actively address societal wrongs. Those who were sidelined in the <strong>Matthew 25</strong> passage also had no recollection of seeing Jesus in need and not ministering to Him. Jesus cleared up that mystery in <strong>verses 45 and 46</strong> when he says, “... ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."</p><p> </p><p>According to Scripture, injustice should not be left for others to fight! It does not matter whether a person participates in prejudicial actions, remains sidelined while it occurs, or merely benefits from it. If he/she is not actively using his/her time, talent, and resources to fight for justice, when it is within his/her power to do so, that person will be forsaken by Jesus and sentenced to eternal damnation!</p><p></p><p><strong>Next Week’s Question: What are the underlying sins behind prejudice, discrimination, and isms like racism, sexism, and chauvinism?</strong></p></div>
Does the Bible Refer to Prejudicial or Discriminatory Actions in Scriptures Other than James?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/does-the-bible-refer-to-prejudicial-or-discriminatory-actions-in
2019-11-12T03:00:00.000Z
2019-11-12T03:00:00.000Z
Philip Hilliard
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilipHilliard
<div><p><strong>This Week’s Question: Does the Bible refer to prejudicial or discriminatory actions in Scriptures other than James? If so, where, and what is the context?</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>No other Biblical writer addresses prejudice or discrimination as comprehensively as James, but other books have nuggets to understand why prejudice and discrimination are anathema to God. <strong>Genesis 1:26a, and 27</strong> are great verses for initiating this discussion, “Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness... So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” The truth is all men, women, and children are made in the likeness of God, so there is no justifiable basis for someone to treat, discriminatorily, another person with different physical or social characteristics.</p><p> </p><p>Peter affirms that position in his visit to Cornelius, “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him’ (<strong>Acts 10:34-35</strong>).” Although Peter’s visit violated Jewish law, he was given clearance by the Holy Spirit to violate that law since Christ broke all walls of separation. Peter justified his visit by saying, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean (<strong>Acts 10:28</strong>).” It seems clear that these words apply to everyone and all circumstances both then and now. Therefore, any intentional discrimination is self-imposed, and pits the perpetrator against God.</p><p> </p><p>Paul used Jesus’ kenosis as a model for others to emulate by declaring, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (<strong>Philippians 2:3-4</strong>). To save a dying world, Jesus shed His divinity to become a servant which is contrary to many today who fight aggressively to maintain his/her power, prestige, and position. The problem is the privileges they may receive in this life will eventually be lost because according to <strong>Matthew 5:5</strong>, it is the meek who will inherit the Earth. The bottom-line is a person should not think too highly of him- or her-self, and should treat all others with respect, honor, and esteem.</p><p> </p><p>John captures the essence of the problem of discrimination as the abandonment of love in several of his first epistle passages. In <strong>I John 2:9-11</strong> he writes, “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves .his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” This proposition is frightening for “Christians” who discriminate because Jesus says (this is a paraphrase), when someone thinks he/she is walking in the light but are actually walking in darkness, how deep is that darkness (<strong>Matthew 6:23</strong>)?”</p><p> </p><p>In <strong>I John 3:15-18</strong> readers are challenged to put love into action when John writes, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” It is important that John equates someone who hates a brother or sister to a murderer, which does not bode well for purveyors of past, present or future discrimination. John also makes it very difficult for anyone who lives according to God’s moral code to remain ambivalent of injustice. John’s charge is to take sides with the needy!</p><p> </p><p>Based upon these passages, more people need the love John wrote about, and the evidence of that love is more people would be engaged in fighting the social ills that have plagued America for hundreds of years. Among them are an ongoing fight for civil rights; immigrant rights domestically and at the border; climate change so the world our children inhabit is livable; and Native American rights since they are the only non-immigrants living in this country! Unfortunately, all that was rightfully theirs was stolen due to the greed, pride, and prejudice that are denounced by the above passages.</p><p></p><p><strong>Next Week’s Question: Since prejudice was systemically built into the moral fabric of America, do you think Americans who tacitly or actively profited from that model (past, present, and future), will be damned eternally?</strong></p></div>
What are the Underlying Problems with Discrimination?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-are-the-underlying-problems-with-discrimination
2019-10-28T11:30:00.000Z
2019-10-28T11:30:00.000Z
Philip Hilliard
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilipHilliard
<div><p><strong>This Week’s Question: There should be little disagreement that discrimination remains a part of the social fabric of America, so what are the underlying problems with showing partiality or favoritism, as commanded by James in James 2:1-9?</strong></p><p></p><p>According to James there are several problems associated with showing favoritism! Nevertheless, the favoritism James describes is not based upon an affinity one person has towards another because of one’s personal knowledge or an interpersonal relationship. Instead it is based upon a prejudicial attitude toward another person’s physical characteristics, which in this case is attire and jewelry (or lack thereof which is discrimination). However, the favoritism could have, just as easily, been precipitated by one’s gender, ethnicity, vocabulary, native language, citizenship, or a host of other factors. When physical factors are the sole basis for how one person treats another, James calls the offending party a judge with evil thoughts (see <strong>verse 2:4</strong>), and the Bible teaches “Judge not, that you be not judged (see <strong>Matthew 7:1</strong>).”</p><p> </p><p>The second reason for not showing favoritism is a person’s actions may pit him/her against God. James teaches in <strong>verse 2:5</strong>, “…Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” Therefore, James identifies the poor who are rich in faith, as God’s chosen people. Thus anyone who offends anyone within that group, especially when the offended party does not retaliate, has to face God’s vengeance according to <strong>Romans 12:19-21</strong>, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”</p><p> </p><p>The third and final reason James offers for not showing favoritism is it violates God’s law. <strong>Verses 8-9</strong> teach, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” Being labeled a sinner or transgressor by God is not a badge of honor, because Scripture teaches, “the wages of sin is death… (see <strong>Romans 6:23</strong>).”</p><p></p><p>Thus, in the final analysis, showing favoritism, irrespective of one’s motive, is dangerous because it is a sin fueled by lust, pride, or fear (to be explained more fully in a future post), and pits the offending party against God for one of three possible reasons: (1) Being an evil judge; (2) Offending God’s chosen people; or (3) Forsaking the law of love. Finally, regardless of the underlying reason one shows favoritism, he/she has “hell to pay” when they come before God’s judgment seat!</p><p></p><p><strong>Next Week’s Question: From a Biblical perspective, what is prejudice or discrimination?</strong></p></div>
What Matters Most to God in a Disciple (Part 10)
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-matters-most-to-god-in-a-disciple-part-10
2018-11-01T17:09:57.000Z
2018-11-01T17:09:57.000Z
Skip Garmo
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/SkipGarmo
<div><p>“Love . . . does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail” (1 Corinthians 13:6 AMPC).</p><p>Throughout this series on 1 Corinthians 13, we see clearly that what matters most to God in a disciple is that person’s <em>agape</em> love. </p><p>Verse six identifies another way in which that love shows. A disciple can be trusted to do what is right and say what is true. That is, this person has <em>trustworthy integrity</em>.<span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9570812266,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9570812266,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" width="349" height="262" alt="9570812266?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p>This disciple does not deceive, does not slander, and does not behave in unwise ways. We can describe “integrity” as “showing we can be trusted to do what is right and say what is true.”</p><p>Earlier in this letter to Corinthian Christians, Paul confronted them with their toleration of—and perhaps their devious delight in gossiping about—something that was blatantly unrighteous: immorality within their congregation (1 Corinthians 5).</p><p>He also called them out on their embarrassing mismanagement of disputes with each other. Rather than settling disagreements within their family of believers, they took each other to court—weakening their witness by airing their dispute in front of a pagan judge and a pagan public.</p><p>“Your lawsuits show that you’ve lost [to Satan] already. Why not be wronged or cheated, rather than retaliate by wronging or cheating your own family of believers?” asked Paul (I Corinthians 6:7–8).</p><p>Here’s some good news in tough situations: When—not if—someone or some situation tests our commitment to do what is right or say what is true, it gives us another opportunity to <em>worship</em>. To worship is to “honor God acceptably with our heart, mind and strength.” When pressured to compromise our integrity, we can worship by standing firm on this reality: <em>Since God is sovereign, my response to this situation is more important in His eyes than my situation itself.</em></p><p>God’s Word is clear about His countercultural desire for us to do what is right and say what is true<em>:</em></p><p><em>Lord, who can dwell in Your tent? Who can live on Your holy mountain?<br /> The one who lives honestly, practices righteousness,<br /> and acknowledges the truth in his heart —<br /> who does not slander with his tongue,</em> <em>who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor,</em></p><p><em>who despises the one rejected by the Lord but honors those who fear the Lord,<br /> who keeps his word whatever the cost,<br /> who does not lend his money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent —<br /> the one who does these things will never be moved.</em> <em>(Psalm 15</em> <em>HCSB</em><em>).</em></p><p>Privately or with some friends, here are several questions to ponder:</p><ul><li>How does our trustworthy integrity reveal our convictions about God?</li><li>On whom are we focusing—and not focusing—when we compromise our integrity?</li><li>How is trustworthy integrity an act of worship?</li><li>How do you expect that your commitment to trustworthy integrity will be tested this week?</li></ul><p></p><p>© 2018 John C Garmo</p></div>
Live a Life of Distinction
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/live-a-life-of-distinction
2019-09-11T03:38:32.000Z
2019-09-11T03:38:32.000Z
Mark A. Pomeroy
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/MarkAPomeroy
<div><p>Larry (not his real name) lived across the street during high school. We played on the golf team together, but Larry was a much better golfer. After I trusted Christ, I share the good news with Larry. He called me soon afterward and said, “Mark, I placed my faith in Christ and am so excited. Can I see you?”</p><p>I couldn’t wait to see Larry. I lived off campus. Larry knocked on my door, and we talked awhile. “Let’s go to a park and share our faith,” Larry said. “Sounds like a great idea,” I said.</p><p>Larry and his father were very close. A few weeks later, Larry called me. “I shared the gospel with my father and he said I’m too fanatical about my faith. Our family doesn’t believe like that. I don’t want my father mad at me!” That’s the last time I heard from Larry. </p><p>Sociologists Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton wrote in their book, <em>Soul Searching</em>, that many people live what they call, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. Faith is reduced to rules for a happy life, religion is a self-help tool, and God is a removed and distant being. This religion won’t offend anyone. </p><p>How can we live a life of distinction so we stay consistent in the midst of persecution while drawing non-believers to Christ?</p><ol><li><strong>Exploit God-provided situations</strong></li></ol><p>One of the Pharisee leaders watched Jesus closely when He asked, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" Jesus healed a man suffering from dropsy. He reasoned that you would pull a son or ox out of a well on the Sabbath (Luke 14:1-6).<span> <u>M</u></span><u>inister to needs that come across your path</u>.</p><ol start="2"><li><strong>Humble yourself</strong></li></ol><p>Jesus spoke a parable to invited guests after noticing they picked places of honor at the table. Instead, He told them to sit in the last place so the master may say, 'Friend, move up higher', resulting in honor instead of disgrace. "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted" (Luke 14:7-11).<span> </span><u>Humble yourself to be exalted</u>. </p><ol start="3"><li><strong>Spend time with the needy</strong></li></ol><p>Jesus told the host not to invite his friends, brothers, relatives or rich neighbors, lest they invite him in return. When giving a reception, invite the poor, crippled, lame and blind to be blessed since they can’t repay. Wait for payment at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:12-14).<span> </span><u>Spend time with the poor, crippled, lame and blind.</u></p><ol start="4"><li><strong>Leave your comfort zone</strong></li></ol><p>Jesus shared another parable about a man who invited many to a big dinner. They made various excuses why they couldn't come: oversaw a piece of land, tried out five yoke of oxen, and married a wife. The master told his slave to go immediately into the streets and bring in the poor, crippled, blind and lame. After finding there was still room, the master said to "go out into the highways and along the hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." None invited shall taste of His dinner (Luke 14:15-24).<span> </span><u>Leave your comfort zone so the poor, crippled, blind and lame can experience a personal relationship with Christ</u>. </p><ol start="5"><li><strong>Make Christ your first love</strong></li></ol><p>To be a disciple, one’s love for Christ is like hate for family and his own life. Being a disciple involves carrying a cross. Count the cost to become a disciple like building a tower or being strong enough to win in battle. Put possessions in proper perspective. Not paying the price of discipleship results in being tasteless and ineffective (Luke 14:25-35).<span> <u>Make Christ your first love in order to influence others</u>.</span></p><p><strong>Action Steps:</strong></p><ol><li>Do I minister to needs that come across my path or walk on the other side to avoid them? </li><li>Am I humble not expecting attention or exalt myself to feel important?</li><li>Do I spend time with the poor, crippled, blind and lame (either physically or spiritually) or only hang out with important and beautiful people?</li><li>Do I leave my comfort zone to help the poor, crippled, blind and lame experience a personal relationship with God or hide away at home, in my office or church building?</li><li>Do I pay the price in loving Christ more than other things or love other things more than Christ?</li></ol><p>I will repent of my sin, ask God to change my heart, and obey Him doing what’s listed first in each question. </p><p>Sync with God app (still being built): <a href="http://www.syncwithgod.com">www.syncwithgod.com</a><br /> Username: abc123 Password: abc123</p><p> </p></div>
What are the Major Issues James Confronts in Chapter 2?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-are-the-major-issues-james-confronts-in-chapter-2
2019-10-20T02:30:00.000Z
2019-10-20T02:30:00.000Z
Philip Hilliard
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilipHilliard
<div><p><strong>Today's Question: Broadly speaking, what are the major issues James confronts in Chapter 2, and what is the gist of his arguments?</strong></p><p></p><p>In <strong>Chapter 2 James</strong> discusses three important correlations that all Christians would do well to heed. The first (<strong>verses 1-9</strong>), addresses the relationship between the rich and poor. James scoffs at Christians who cater to the rich while ignoring the plight of poor people, and speaks of scoffers as unrighteous judges with evil thoughts. He also makes the point that such actions contradict the faith exemplified by Jesus, and redefines riches to no longer be based on material wealth, but on the priceless value of a poor person’s faith. James also teaches that even though it is the rich who oppress and blaspheme, true believers should still love them. Lastly, he informed us that those who put the interests of the rich ahead of the poor, commit sin by their actions.</p><p> </p><p>The second correlation (<strong>verses 10-13</strong>), addresses the relationship between mercy and judgment, and those who fail to extend mercy to others will not receive God’s mercy during judgment! James informs us that it is a fallacy to believe that a Christian can get into Heaven based upon his/her own righteousness, because if a person breaks any part of God’s law, they have broken it all! Therefore, all must come before God’s judgment seat. The difference is the merciful also will receive God’s mercy because mercy triumphs over judgment!</p><p> </p><p>The third correlation addresses the relationship between faith and works, and James nullifies any faith that is based strictly on belief (or mental assent), because true faith impels Christ’s true followers to address the prevailing needs of the downtrodden. That need may be food, shelter, or clothing, but if all a Christian does is pronounce a blessing on that needy person, when it is within his/her power to supply that which is needed, their blessing is meaningless because faith without works is dead! James gives examples of two Biblical characters who were rewarded for living out their faith through action: Abraham and Rahab. And just like a body without any spirit is dead, James teaches that faith without works is also dead, vain, and meaningless!</p><p></p><p><strong>Next Week’s Question: There should be little disagreement that discrimination remains a part of the social fabric of America, so what are the underlying problems with showing partiality or favoritism, as commanded by James in James 2:1-9?</strong></p></div>
What Matters Most to God in a Disciple? (Part 2)
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-matters-most-to-god-in-a-disciple-part-2
2018-03-01T18:38:24.000Z
2018-03-01T18:38:24.000Z
Skip Garmo
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/SkipGarmo
<div><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9570809685,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="200" class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9570809685,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9570809685?profile=original" /></a></span>Part 1 in this series about what matters most to God in a disciple began: “The most fulfilling journey in life is the path of a person who has an intimate relationship with God, and who faithfully follows Him.” Does this seem to you a reasonable description of a true “disciple”?</p><p> </p><p>That description implies a commitment to learning, which includes growing in our <em>knowledge</em> of God (2 Peter 3:18 et al.). “Learning” also includes developing our <em>skill</em> as a disciple, such as our ability to study the Bible, or teach God’s Word correctly and effectively to others (2 Timothy 2:15 et al.).</p><p> </p><p>But the disciple who focuses only on growing in knowledge and skill will collapse—fail—sooner or later: “<em>Knowledge + Skill – Character => Collapse.</em>”</p><p> </p><p>Worse yet, God warns in 1 Corinthians 13 that such a person will lose God’s approval for focusing on secondary matters instead of on what matters most to Him.</p><p> </p><p>So, what <em>does</em> matter most to God in a disciple? 1 Corinthians 13 answers that crucial question: A true follower of God reflects His love in their life. The evidence of His love in that disciple will be Christlike character: “<em>Know</em><em>ledge + Skill + Character => Worship!</em>”</p><p></p><p>Do you know of a 19<sup>th</sup>-century scientist and evangelist named Henry Drummond? He was a young man in Scotland who became a good friend of D. L. Moody and assisted Moody in his evangelistic meetings. He was also a thoughtful author. It brought him wide recognition, and he apparently touched millions of lives through his pen.</p><p></p><p>One of his most significant writings was a booklet titled, <em>The Greatest Thing in the World</em>. It is the result of his study in 1 Corinthians 13 about love. Insightfully, he compares a light beam, a prism, and an array of colors with God’s light, a person’s heart, and <em>agape</em> love. The first is the spectrum of light; the second, the spectrum of love.</p><p></p><p> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9570810089,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="326" height="245" class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9570810089,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9570810089?profile=original" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9570810476,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="326" height="245" class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9570810476,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9570810476?profile=original" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9570810089,original{{/staticFileLink}}"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>God’s love, beaming into the prism-heart of a disciple, reflects outward to others in various “colors” that comprise the “Spectrum of Love.” Those colors are qualities of Christlike character. What a wonder-filled word picture!</p><p></p><p>Christ-follower, dare we get personal for a few moments? If so, please ponder and answer these questions personally:</p><ul><li>Where does <em>agape</em> love rank among the top five priorities of your church?</li><li>Where does it rank among the top five priorities of your church’s discipleship ministry?</li><li>Where does <em>agape</em> love rank among the top five priorities of your life?</li></ul><p> </p><p>In Part 3 of this series we will begin to explore specific characteristics of <em>agape</em> love that God includes in 1 Corinthians 13. Welcome to this journey into what matters most to God about a disciple!</p><p> </p><p>© 2018 John C Garmo</p></div>
Discipling and the Protestant Reformation (Part 2 of 2)
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/discipling-and-the-protestant-reformation-part-2-of-2
2017-11-01T20:10:21.000Z
2017-11-01T20:10:21.000Z
Skip Garmo
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/SkipGarmo
<div><p>I noted in last week’s post that Christianity experienced a seismic paradigm shift when Martin Luther and other reformers essentially zero-based the church’s traditional doctrine of salvation and rebuilt it using only God’s Word—“<i>Sola Scriptura</i>.”</p><p> </p><p>Then I stepped back from the details and considered applying that same strategy to discipling ourselves and others. I asked you, “If we zero-base our understanding of what it means to disciple ourselves and others, and then rebuild our understanding <i>Sola Scriptura</i>, how will our strategies—our “discipleship programs”—differ from what it is right now?</p><p> </p><p>Why ask such a question? Because a recent Barna Group survey of discipleship across America (Dec 2015) alerts us to a disturbing situation: Despite our numerous church and parachurch discipling tools, programs, and activities, research reveals “the disconnect between how people think about their spirituality and what’s actually happening in their lives.” Among their conclusions: “Church leaders and congregants need better methods of thinking about and evaluating their discipleship efforts.”</p><p> </p><p>Our key problem is this: People outside the church see woefully little difference between “Christians” and non-Christians. We need to discern that, acknowledge that, and change that. <i>We need to make disciples who make a difference.</i> Further, we must begin with ourselves, and only then influence others as disciples.</p><p> </p><p>If we apply that zero-based strategy, here is what I envision we’ll remember and return to:</p><ul><li>We’ll honestly and intentionally make love our aim. Agape love is a disciple’s distinctive feature (John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13).</li><li>We’ll more clearly discern the relationship of discipline (e.g., solitude, prayer, memorization) and process (e.g., one-on-one, small group) to outcome (agape love, which shows in our Christlike character). Disciplines and processes are many and flexible; the outcome God desires is fixed. God challenges us in His Word to focus more on <i>being</i> than <i>doing</i>; on becoming more <i>purposeful</i> than <i>process-full</i> (Psalm 19:14; Matthew 15:8-9). And knowledge (e.g., theology) plus skill (e.g., Bible study) minus Christlikeness (agape love) leads to collapse.</li><li>Our testimony—in sharing our faith and in discipling—is more about what others <i>see</i> in you and me than what we <i>say</i> (Matthew 5:14–16). Again, let’s make love our aim. Let’s walk in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1-2; 5:1-2).</li></ul><p> </p><p>This week, 500 years ago, marked the start of the Protestant Reformation. Could this week in 2017 mark the start of a Discipling Reformation? “Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.”</p></div>
Discipling & Harvey
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/discipling-amp-harvey
2017-09-05T23:29:33.000Z
2017-09-05T23:29:33.000Z
Skip Garmo
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/SkipGarmo
<div><p><span class="font-size-3">Our tragic Hurricane Harvey has a golden lining: thousands of people praying, caring, & sharing their faith while working together to rescue lives and meet needs caused by that crisis.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">But what do you suppose will happen when the spotlight shifts to the next public crisis? Yes, you're probably right: Emotion, money, and momentum will move mostly to that next media moment. And then the next one after that.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">As a fellow disciple with you, and in the context of discipling others whom you influence, may I suggest some brief, basic observations and recommendations?</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>7 Observations:</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"> • Many non-Christians are also significantly helping victims of Hurricane Harvey.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> • It is common to care in a crisis.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"> • Although it is both practical and vital for Christians to care in a crisis, that alone does not distinguish Christians from people of other faiths. (Ponder 1 Cor 13:3.) </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"> • Selfless love [agape] -- the "love" in 1 Cor 13 -- is steadfast. It takes that critical 1st step of care, but continues beyond it. This love continues after the media spotlight turns away. That is one of its distinguishing features. Like the steadfast love [hesed] of God toward us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"> • Effective disciples cultivate agape love (1 Cor 13). This alignment of heart/attitude/behavior is directed upward to God as a daily act of personal worship.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"> • But selfless love (secondarily)also provides a distinction, and a model for mentoring other Christ-followers (John 13:35).</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"> • One significant way we can bring a smile to our Father's face is for us, as influencers of others, to pray & plan wisely for the post-crisis phase of this trauma.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;">So . . .</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"><strong>3 Suggestions - Thru your church, parachurch ministry, and/or an informal group:</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"> • As you pray, care, & share in your response to Harvey's tragedies, embrace and embody agape love as an act of personal worship to Him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"> • Model Christlike character [agape] to another of His disciples, mentoring and including that learner as a participant in your response to Harvey.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"> • Plan and delegate where possible the continued discipling of Harvey victims. As God's Spirit works, bring them (1) to faith in Christ and then (2) to maturity in Christ.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;text-align:right;"><strong>Your thoughts on this?</strong> (comment below)</span></p></div>
8 Myths That Eclipse God's Love & Purpose
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/8-myths-that-eclipse-god-s-love-amp-purpose
2017-08-21T16:00:47.000Z
2017-08-21T16:00:47.000Z
Jim Buchan
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JimBuchan
<div><p>While studying the origins of the church at Philippi, I was startled to discover how the story contradicts many of our common misconceptions about the nature of the Christian life. The narrative in Acts 16 debunks at least <b>8 myths</b>—and I bet you’ve believed some of these misconceptions yourself.</p><p><b><i>Myth #1:</i></b> <b><i>As long as you’re well-intentioned in pursuing spiritual activities, any direction is okay.</i></b></p><p>The apostle Paul never intended to plant a church in Philippi. In fact, he had other plans. <b>Plan A</b> was to minister in Asia, but he was <i>“forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia”</i> (v. 6). <b>Plan B</b> was to preach in Bithynia, but God closed that door too. Finally, the Lord spoke to Paul through a dream that he should go to Macedonia, where Philippi is located.</p><p>This story shows that God has a specific plan for our lives, even when it comes to “good” activities like evangelizing and planting churches. Yet it’s bewildering in Acts 16 to see God actually <i>forbidding</i> Paul to preach the gospel if that means going in the wrong direction. While the Great Commission tells us to go into <i>“ALL the world”</i> and <i>“to the ends of the earth”</i> (Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8), God wants to direct us on how to proceed.</p><p><b><i>Myth #2: If you’re a very spiritual person, you’ll always get it right the first time. </i></b></p><p>It would be hard to be any more spiritual than Paul, yet it wasn’t until the <i>third try</i> that he found God’s optimal direction for his life (vs. 6-8). That’s good news for you and me! We shouldn’t despair if we don’t hit the bulls-eye at our first attempt to find the Lord’s perfect will.</p><p><b><i>Myth #3: The most important ingredient in church planting is good preaching.</i></b></p><p>Hey, I’m a preacher, and I certainly put a high value on good preaching. But if you read Acts 16, you’ll see that the secret to Paul’s success clearly was PRAYER, not preaching. He met Lydia (his first convert) at a place of <i>prayer</i> (vs. 13-15), and he was on his way to <i>pray</i> when he cast a demon out of the fortune-telling slave girl (his second convert, vs. 16-18). Then the Philippian jailer (his third convert) was saved after Paul and Silas caused an earthquake through their <i>prayers</i> and <i>worship</i> (vs. 25-34).</p><p>I surely hope your church or evangelistic ministry has great preaching, but these illustrations demonstrate that prayer must be the foundation of everything else we do in God’s kingdom. Without that, our impact on people will be superficial at best. </p><p><b><i>Myth #4: If people are saying the right things, that automatically means they have the right spirit.</i></b></p><p>Oh, how I wish I would have understood this misconception earlier in my ministry! Many preachers, politicians, or church members say all the right things, but they are being motivated by something other than the Holy Spirit.</p><p>Look at what this demon-possessed girl was saying while following Paul and Silas day after day: <i>“These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation”</i> (v. 17). What’s wrong with <i>that?</i> Most pastors would have put her on the front row so everyone could hear her words of affirmation! But Paul discerned that her right-sounding message had originated with the devil rather than the Holy Spirit. Can <i>you</i> tell the difference?</p><p><b><i>Myth #5: If you’re in God’s perfect will, everything will always go great for you.</i></b></p><p>Believing this myth will bring tragic consequences, because it means you’ll also believe the corollary: <i>If things AREN’T going well for you, you must <b>not</b> be in God’s will.</i> What a horrible, yet incredibly common, misconception. Even though Paul and Silas were following the direct leading of the Holy Spirit to minister in Philippi, the result seemed catastrophic. Their clothes were torn off, they were brutally beaten with rods, and they were thrown into prison, with their feet in shackles (vs. 22-24). All this happened <i>because</i> they were following God’s will!</p><p><b><i>Myth #6: Nothing good ever happens after dark.</i></b></p><p>Verse 25 says Paul and Silas received their breakthrough <i>“at midnight.”</i> I love that. Some of God’s greatest miracles seem to happen at our midnight hour—when things look the bleakest and all hope is gone. We may not be shackled in a jail cell, but perhaps we’re imprisoned to an addiction, a health problem, a mound of debt, or a toxic relationship. No matter what the situation may be, the Lord can break off our chains <i>“suddenly”</i> (v. 26).</p><p><b><i>Myth #7: God’s salvation is a fragile thing, easily lost. </i></b></p><p>Paul later described his complete confidence that the One who had BEGUN a good work in the Philippians would also COMPLETE it (Philippians 1:6). Exactly <i>how</i> confident was Paul in God’s ability to care for these new converts in Philippi? In one of the most stunning plot twists in all of Scripture, verse 40 says that after meeting with <i>“the brethren”</i> gathered in Lydia’s house<i>,</i> Paul <i>“encouraged</i> <i>them and departed.”</i></p><p>The <i>“brethren”</i> numbered just a handful of folks at this point, all of them new converts. But instead of staying to care for these baby Christians, Paul and Silas <i>left town!</i> He entrusted them to their Heavenly Father’s care, believing that <i>nothing</i> would be able to separated them from His love (Romans 8:31-39).</p><p><b><i>Myth #8: Everything in God’s kingdom rises and falls on leadership.</i></b></p><p>I’ll admit, there’s a lot of truth contained in this statement, and I’m sure I’ve quoted it myself at times. However, there’s also a misconception here, because we’re often wrong about <i>who</i> is supposed to provide that leadership.</p><p>For example…</p><ul><li>The Israelites could have panicked after Moses died and his unproven understudy Joshua was suddenly in charge (Joshua 1).</li><li>David’s family never considered him a worthy candidate to be the next king (1 Samuel 16).</li><li>All of Jesus’ disciples except John denied and deserted Him, and they certainly seemed to be a bad bet to lead the church and reach the world.</li></ul><p>But the church in Philippi is one of the most remarkable examples of God raising up unlikely leaders. In Paul’s opening greeting to the Philippians (1:1), he refers to the <i>“overseers and deacons.”</i> Isn’t that amazing? When Paul left Philippi, the church consisted of Lydia’s household, the slave girl, and the jailer’s family.</p><p>So where did the overseers and deacons come from? Did they get imported from some Bible college or seminary? Were they transplanted from the thriving churches in Jerusalem or Antioch? Certainly not. These were homegrown leaders.</p><p>My friend, what are you trusting in for your personal fruitfulness or the success of your church? Are you relying on the grace and power of God, or in your own spirituality and the charisma of the human leaders around you?</p><p>Thankfully, Jesus is both the Author and the Finisher of every success story in His kingdom (Hebrews 12:2). Let’s fix our eyes on Him, allowing nothing to eclipse His love and purpose for our lives. </p></div>
Love-Starved & Love-Resistant
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/love-starved-love-resistant
2017-01-31T22:43:32.000Z
2017-01-31T22:43:32.000Z
Jim Buchan
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JimBuchan595
<div><p>I recently discovered a strange phenomenon: People who are the most starved for love usually are resistant to receiving love when it’s offered to them.</p><p>This is like California or Texas after a long-term drought. When rain finally comes, the ground is so hard that it can’t properly soak up the water. Instead of being a blessing, the rain sometimes causes a flood!</p><p>Have you ever tried to show love to someone who was extremely love-starved? If so, the person probably either rejected your love or latched onto it in a completely unhealthy way. If you doubt me on this, talk to some of your friends who’ve ventured into the world of online dating…</p><p>The love-resistant principle is illustrated in the life of one of the Bible’s most fascinating characters, Mephibosheth. This son of Jonathan was crippled at age five and after his father’s death on the same day, he was exiled to a desolate wasteland called Lo Debar.</p><p>One day King David started wondering if any of Saul and Jonathan’s heirs remained, and he was told about this woeful, exiled prince (2 Samuel 9). David was intent on finding this forgotten young man and showing him kindness.</p><p>But although kindness was something Mephibosheth desperately needed, there was just one problem: this crippled son of David’s friend Jonathan was love-resistant. Like a Type 2 diabetic who’s insulin-resistant despite needing more insulin, he was emotionally unable to absorb the very thing he so clearly needed.</p><p>We really shouldn’t be too surprised. For several years this man had grown up in squalor and hopelessness. Lame in both legs, he was completely dependent on others. Day after day, his condition reminded him of his great loss, which occurred at no fault of his own.</p><p>So what happened when Mephibosheth was brought before the king?</p><p><i>Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, “Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?”</i> (v. 8 MSG).</p><p>How sad. After years of deprivation, this dispirited, love-starved man judged himself to be a loser, unworthy of kindness from the king or anyone else. Instead of being heir to the throne, now he felt of no more value than a stray dog!</p><p>Can you blame him? After all, he couldn’t hold a job…couldn’t produce anything…couldn’t even walk! In the eyes of most people in that period of time, he was WORTHLESS, plain and simple—and that’s how he saw himself as well.</p><p>As the story makes clear, Mephibosheth was crippled in both of his feet. But if we read between the lines, we realize that he was even <i>more</i> crippled emotionally. Instead of seeing himself as a prince, he was a pauper, completely unlovable.</p><p>Oh, but David’s love—like God’s love for us—was not to be denied. Despite the deplorable condition of this man, both physically and psychologically, the king persisted in his plan to RESTORE him to what he had lost.</p><p>That’s good news, because we’ve ALL suffered losses of various kinds. Thankfully, King Jesus offers to bring us from Lo Debar, bringing us restoration rather than judgment.</p><p>This story has a beautiful conclusion: <i>“So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table”</i> (v. 13). No longer dwelling in the spiritual wasteland of Lo Debar, the crippled prince once again ate at the king’s table, just like one of David’s sons.</p><p>Are you starving for love today? Remember the story of this dejected young man whose hard emotional shell finally gave way to the relentless kindness of God. When you let the King shower you with His love, it will open the corridors of your heart to experience love from other people as well.</p></div>
Applied Agape
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/applied-agape
2016-07-15T09:37:01.000Z
2016-07-15T09:37:01.000Z
Skip Garmo
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/SkipGarmo
<div><p>I arrived in the Middle East last weekend to spend 35 class hours serving a group of tomorrow's ministry leaders in this region. It is a periodic privilege and responsibility I've enjoyed for most of the past 20 years. Several past students are present colleagues in ministry. How special is that!</p><p>At church, some men asked what this group from six countries will focus on. I replied, "The course is called 'Christlike Character in Leadership & Family.' We'll explore the implications and applications of cultivating lifestyles of Christlikeness as we lead and live. But it is at heart a discipling course focused on 'applied <em>agape.</em>'"</p><p>That two-word term seemed to catch their attention.</p><p>That term captures my attention, too. Why take this special teaching opportunity and dedicate it to "applied <em>agape</em>"? Here's why: God's Word clearly and repeatedly points to the #1 outcome that He desires in and through our lives, churches, and other ministries: <em>agape</em> love. Ponder such passages as 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5, Ephesians 4 & 5, and Revelation 2: "The fruit of the Spirit is love" . . . "If I . . . have not love, I am only a noisy gong" . . . "Walk in a manner worthy of your calling" . . . "Walk in love" . . . "Remember . . . repent . . . and return to your first love."</p><p>Prequels to these words permeate the Old Testament. Check out, for example, Deuteronomy 6:5-6.</p><p>In stark contrast, if data gathered for the Barna/Navigators study of "The State of Discipleship" are reliable, Christians in general are confused about both the meaning and the bottom line--the output--of "discipleship." They often focus so much on processes--which are manifold--that they lose sight of the outcome God desires: a lifestyle of <em>agape</em> love. How God must grieve at our lack of focus.</p><p>I appreciate the many discipling processes that various people and ministries have developed. A variety of flexible, practical discipling process can be useful. But does the program/process that you use make applied <em>agape</em> love the clear and prominent outcome?</p><p>Life is short. As we grow personally and help others do likewise, we honor Him most when our focus is less transactional and more transformational. We dare not fall in love with our diligently developed <em>processes</em> instead of God's most-desired <em>outcome</em>. Let's adjust each of those to their appropriately proportionate share of our emphases as appliers of <em>agape</em> who influence others to do likewise.</p><p>"The main thing is that the main thing remain the main thing!"</p><p>Simple.</p><p>But not easy.</p><p>Your thoughts on this?</p><p></p><p></p></div>
Can You Pass the LOVE TEST?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/can-you-pass-the-love-test
2016-02-16T03:05:43.000Z
2016-02-16T03:05:43.000Z
Jim Buchan
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JimBuchan
<div><p>The Beatles weren’t far from mark when they declared, “All You Need Is Love.” The apostle Paul said practically the same thing in Romans 13:10, saying that <i>“</i><i>love is the fulfillment of the law.”</i></p><p><b><i>So, are YOU in love?</i></b> That’s an important question, and not just in the days surrounding Valentine’s Day. If you’re married, I certainly hope you can say <i>yes</i> to this question, but I’m referring to a love that goes even beyond that—an “in love” state of mind that every follower of Jesus is supposed to experience, whether married or single.</p><p>So how can we go deeper than the world’s superficial concept of being “in love”—typically a phrase used just in the context of romantic or emotional love?</p><p>I decided to do a search on BibleGateway.com and found some fantastic “in love” passages. Here’s a small sample, including my observations about how the principles apply to our lives today:</p><p><i> </i> (Ephesians 5:2).</p><ul><li>Love is not just a feeling or even just a matter of words—it’s something we’re called to <i>walk in</i> and <i>live out</i>. When we do this, our lives will emit the sweet fragrance of Christ instead of less-appealing odors.</li></ul><p><i> </i> (1 John 4:16).</p><ul><li>Since God is love, there’s no way to maintain an intimate relationship with Him without abiding in love. And the word “abide” means that love is not meant to be a sporadic series of emotional, spiritual, or physical encounters, but rather a continual, unending connection.</li></ul><p><i> </i> (1 John 4:18).</p><ul><li>Fear and love are mortal enemies. Fear tries to undercut love, but God’s love can destroy our fears. Let’s not allow fear to hold us back from reaching out in love to others.</li></ul><p><i> </i> (1 Thessalonians 3:12).</p><ul><li>Our love is not supposed to <i>diminish</i> over time—it’s supposed to <i>“increase and abound.”</i> Is that happening with <i>your</i> love?</li></ul><p>Of course, there are many other Bible passages about love. I even noticed this verse saying that <i>“older men”</i> (like me!) are supposed to be <b>in love</b>: <i>“…</i><i> </i> (Titus 2:2).</p><p>So let me ask you again…</p><p><b><i>Are you in love?</i></b> If you still aren’t sure how to answer, I encourage you to take the <b>LOVE TEST</b> in 1 Corinthians 13 (MSG paraphrase). From what we read in the book of Acts, walking “in love” doesn’t seem to have been easy for the apostle Paul. But he realized its importance nevertheless: <i>“N</i><i>o matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love”</i> (v. 3).</p><p>What an incredible statement: Without love, our lives are surely <i>“bankrupt.”</i></p><p>Paul goes on to give us a very detailed description of love’s characteristics:</p><p class="line"><i>Love never gives up.</i><i><br /> Love cares more for others than for self.<br /> Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.<br /> Love doesn’t strut,<br /> Doesn’t have a swelled head,<br /> Doesn’t force itself on others,<br /> Isn’t always “me first,”<br /> Doesn’t fly off the handle,<br /> Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,<br /> Doesn’t revel when others grovel,<br /> Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,<br /> Puts up with anything,<br /> Trusts God always,<br /> Always looks for the best,<br /> Never looks back,<br /> But keeps going to the end.</i></p><p class="line"><i>Love never dies</i> (vs. 4-8).</p><p>How did you do on this <b>LOVE TEST</b>? If you’re like me, you still fall short in many ways. But that’s another thing I like about the song from Brigadoon. Instead of saying we’ve fully mastered this thing called love, it only describes our experience as “almost” like being in love.</p><p>The <b>LOVE TEST</b> ends with Paul’s conclusion at the beginning of the next chapter: <i>“</i><i>Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does.”</i> So true, Paul. So true. </p><p> </p></div>
Love & Other Mysteries
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/love-other-mysteries
2016-02-13T19:30:24.000Z
2016-02-13T19:30:24.000Z
Jim Buchan
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JimBuchan
<div><p>It seems a person of my age should have figured out <i>everything</i> by now. But in some ways the opposite is true—I’m more aware than ever of life’s mysteries.</p><p>The writer of Proverbs 30 seemed to have a similar experience, marveling about the things he couldn’t really understand:</p><p><i>There are three things that amaze me—</i><i><br /> no, four things that I don’t understand:</i></p><p><i>how an <b>eagle</b> glides through the sky,</i><i><br /> how a <b>snake</b> slithers on a rock,<br /> how a <b>ship</b> navigates the ocean,<br /> how a <b>man</b> loves a <b>woman</b></i> (vs. 18-19 NLT).</p><p>This man was humble enough to recognize he didn’t “know it all.” He was still in awe of God’s wonder-filled creation.</p><p>First, he watched an eagle soaring high in the sky, without even flapping its wings. <i>That’s impossible!</i> the writer thought to himself. <i>The eagle is flying higher and higher, without exerting any effort at all.</i></p><p>Of course, eagles are a picture of our lives as believers. The Bible says we can gain new strength and rise up as eagles when we wait on the Lord, relying on His power rather than our own (Isaiah 40:28-31). Just like the mystery of an eagle’s flight, the Christian life is meant to be supernatural and amazing, rather than a matter of strain and struggle (Colossians 1:27).</p><p>Next, the writer of Proverbs 30 sees a snake rapidly slithering across a rock. <i>How does it do that?!</i> he wondered. Snakes have no legs, after all. Like the effortless flight of eagles, the movement of a snake seems almost magical.</p><p>The ability of ships to navigate the oceans was also bewildering for the writer. If ships could only go in the direction of the winds, that would be understandable. However, he observed that ships frequently travel <i>against</i> the headwinds and the ocean currents. They are able to make progress toward their intended destination even when circumstances make matters difficult.</p><p>This is another great picture of the Christian life. We don’t have to drift helplessly in the water, nor must we be blown about by the shifting winds of our culture. Against all odds, we can set our sails to catch the breeze of God’s Spirit, and we can set our rudder to achieve our life’s purpose.</p><p>Finally, the writer comes to the most humbling, most baffling, most incredible mystery of all: love between a man and a woman. Even if you can figure out the wondrous mysteries of eagles, snakes, and ships, only a person of extreme hubris claims to fully understand the dynamics of male-female relationships.</p><p>Well, actually, I <i>used to</i> understand women pretty well—when I was in my twenties and still single! I even recorded a Bible study message explaining it all. Yes, I had women figured out back then, and I was happy to tell anyone who would listen.</p><p><i>Oh well…</i></p><p>Hopefully I’m not the only one who is still struggling with life’s mysteries. Are there still some things “too wonderful” for YOU to understand? If so, that’s fantastic! May you never lose your sense of wonder and amazement. And may you always recognize your need to rely on the Lord rather than on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).</p><p>Remember: In this life we’re destined to merely know <i>“in part”</i> (1 Corinthians 13:9). Someday in heaven, though, we’ll be able to ask God about all the mysteries we were never able to figure out.</p><p> </p></div>
4 Indispensable Ingredients for Holiday Happiness
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/4-indispensable-ingredients-for-holiday-happiness
2015-11-24T21:26:10.000Z
2015-11-24T21:26:10.000Z
Jim Buchan
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JimBuchan
<div><p>Seems like everyone is wishing each other a Happy Thanksgiving, but few people stop their hustle and bustle long enough to consider what a happy holiday entails. We pull out our recipes for pumpkin pie, sweet potato casserole, holiday Jell-O, and eggnog, sure enough. But seldom do we take a similar look at the indispensable ingredients for positive time with our loved ones.</p><p>You may want to add some additional items to this recipe, but here are 4 ingredients I believe are vital to holiday happiness:</p><p><b> <u>LOVE</u>.</b> People have many different definitions of love, of course. One of the most accurate definitions is “seeking the highest good of other people, even at your own expense.” This sets the standard pretty high, doesn’t it? Love isn’t just a warm feeling, but rather a <i>choice</i> to give away part of your life to others.</p><p>The holidays usually provide a real test of whether your love is <i>unconditional</i> or merely <i>reciprocal</i>. Reciprocal love means loving someone back who has already shown love to you. That should be pretty easy! Someone send you a greeting card, so you send them one back.</p><p>However, the test of unconditional loves comes when some of the people you’re celebrating the holidays with have hurt you during the year. Can you forgive and keep loving them? Or will your attitude be icy and callous when you get together?</p><p><b> <u>JOY</u>.</b> I am well aware of all the WORK involved in putting together a Thanksgiving meal—both in the preparation and in the cleanup. But hopefully the work can be <i>joy-filled</i> work, complete with some frivolity and outbursts and laughter. The Bible says a <i>“merry heart”</i> is like medicine for the soul (Proverbs 17:22). A person who cultivates that kind of joyful heart will have a <i>“<b>continual</b> feast”</i>—never needing to wait for a special holiday to celebrate (Proverbs 15:15).</p><p>But let’s be honest: Sometimes the holidays give us special reasons to be sad rather than joyful: the death of a loved one, a marriage breakup, medical concerns, or family members who now live far away. However, that is even MORE reason why it’s so important to tap into God’s supernatural joy, enabling us to dispel any grief or sorrow with a spirit of gratitude and praise.</p><p><b> <u>PEACE</u>.</b> Who wouldn’t like drama-free holidays this year? Yet, since <i>people</i> are involved, you can pretty much bet there will be some measure of drama. The question, then, isn’t whether you’ll be surrounded by some drama at times (you surely WILL be!). The question is whether you will be able to maintain your own peaceful heart, even while many things are swirling frantically around you. If you’re struggling with this, I recommend the prescription found in Isaiah 26:3: <i>“</i><i>You will keep</i><i> </i><i>him</i><i> </i><i>in perfect peace,</i> <i>whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”</i> Keep your heart set on Jesus!</p><p><b> <u>PATIENCE</u></b>. Lots of things can conspire to test your patience during the holidays. Kids misbehave. People show up late. Turkeys take longer than expected to bake. Husbands seem more intent on watching the football games than helping with the preparations and cleanup.</p><p>Since there’s a high probably that your patience will be tested, you might as well take a deep breath and realize there’s no big hurry, after all. And it’s not worth losing your cool just to put someone else in their place (see Luke 10:38:42 if you don’t believe me).</p><p>Perhaps you’ve noticed that these 4 vital ingredients are also the first 4 components of <i>“the fruit of the Spirit”</i> described by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. I point this out as a word of encouragement. For even if you aren’t <i>feeling</i> much love, joy, peace, and patience so far, God offers you an infinite source for finding <i>more</i>. The Christian life is meant to be a supernatural life, and God’s Spirit can fill you will all the missing ingredients you need for a happy holiday season.</p><p>Let me leave you with this paraphrase of Galatians 5:22-23 in <i>The Message</i>:</p><p><i> What happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.</i></p><p>Friend, I pray you have a Spirit-filled Thanksgiving this year. When that happens, your day will be full of love, joy, peace, and patience. What a great new holiday tradition!</p></div>
God's Love Songs
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/god-s-love-songs
2015-02-07T18:36:54.000Z
2015-02-07T18:36:54.000Z
Jim Buchan
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JimBuchan
<div><p>With the approaching of Valentine’s Day, I found myself Googling “The Greatest Love Songs of All Time.” Wow. Pretty interesting list.</p><p>Many of the “secular” love songs could be described as mushy…overly sentimental…even corny. And some of your favorite songs probably didn’t make the list (sorry, but Kenny Chesney’s “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” was overlooked).</p><p>One of the striking things about the tabulation of great love songs is that often they’re just a dim reflection of the kind of love God has <i>for</i> us, and wants <i>from</i> us. After all, the Bible tells us <i>“love is <b>from</b> God”</i> (1 John 4:7). That’s where it comes from. Our Lord is the ultimate Lover and the source of all genuine human love. <i>“We love because He <b>first</b> loved us”</i> (1 John 4:19). And even if you think you’ve got a pretty good supply of human love, it’s destined to run out someday unless you’re connected to the never-ending source of love.</p><p>Perhaps you’ve never really thought of God as the ultimate romantic. But if you take a look at the world’s great love songs, you’ll see they’re often more scriptural than you’ve ever imagined.</p><p>For example, when the Bee Gees asked the probing question “How Deep Is Your Love?,” can’t you hear Jesus asking you about that as well? In John 21:15-17, He asked Peter this question not just once, but three times. And Paul picked up on the same theme when he prayed for you to be <i>“</i><i>rooted and grounded in love…able to comprehend with all the saints what</i><i> </i><i>is</i><i> </i><i>the <b>width</b> and <b>length</b> and <b>depth</b> and <b>height</b>—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”</i> (Ephesians 3:17-19). </p><p>Yes, God’s love is very deep, very wide, very long, and very high. As John Mark McMillan says in his song, “How He Loves,” “if His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.”</p><p>So, I could go on and on about how the world’s love songs reveal the human craving for a love that ultimately must be found in a relationship with God:</p><ul><li>We all want to experience a constant love like Whitney Houston expressed in her song, “I Will Always Love You.”</li><li>We want to experience the transforming love described in Celine Dion’s song, “Because You Loved Me.”</li><li>When we pass through life’s storms, we want God’s assurance that “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”</li><li>We’re desperate to have someone who truly believes in us, even when we don’t believe in ourselves, and Kenny Rogers expressed this well in “She Believes in Me.”</li><li>We need someone who loves us not because we’re perfect, but rather says “I Love You Just the Way You Are,” as Billy Joel and Bruno Mars have sung about.</li></ul><p>Yes, we’re looking for romantic love, but we also need something deeper and more durable than that. We want someone who sees us with <i>grace</i>—“Through the Eyes of Love,” as Melissa Manchester’s beautiful song says.</p><p>However, if your God is just a <i>religious</i> God, it will be pretty hard to see Him in any of these love songs. You definitely wouldn’t want a religious, angry, puritanical God to be your Valentine, would you?</p><p>I’m sure glad God saw to it that The Song of Solomon would make it into the Bible. Lest we think of Him as some distant, judgmental, religious tyrant in the sky, He reveals Himself there as our passionate Bridegroom and Lover, obsessed by our beauty—even when we feel anything but beautiful. And even when we’re down on our luck and down on ourselves, He sings love songs and dances with us (Zephaniah 3:17).</p><p>It’s so cool that Jesus didn’t choose to do His first miracle in a church service. Instead, He turned water into wine at a wedding! (John 2) Ironic as it might sound, Jesus wasn’t nearly as religious as we are. If we could grasp that fact, we would be much better at attracting unbelievers—and especially young people—to the Savior’s unending, sacrificial love demonstrated on Calvary.</p><p>What are <i>your</i> favorite love songs? They probably say a lot about what you need God to do in your heart today. So, go ahead and sing. Go ahead and dance. Throw caution to the wind.</p><p>He’s waiting to be your Valentine.</p><p> </p></div>
Accountability
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/accountability
2013-10-14T15:07:15.000Z
2013-10-14T15:07:15.000Z
Brian Fletcher
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/BrianFletcher
<div><p>Need to Change Something? Find an Accountability Partner (Part 1)</p><p> </p><p>“Ok, I am going to hold you accountable to do what you said you were going to do!” In a tone that never had much grace this is how my friends and I would attempt to “encourage” each other in our walk with Christ and in trying to live out our spiritual disciplines. I used to think that accountability meant railing on someone for not doing what they said they were going to do but then I read something that changed my way of thinking… dramatically. Our Community Group at church has been going through a series entitled, “Instruments in the Hands of the Redeemer.” This Biblically based, gospel-centered study equips people to learn how to minister to others and help them change (i.e. incarnational ministry). This last week we read about accountability. Below is an excerpt from our study guide written by Paul Tripp and Tim Lane. Take a look at it and then see if maybe your understanding of Biblical accountability has changed. This is Part 1. In Part 2 we will look at how this actually looks in holding someone accountable for certain actions. Feel free to leave a comment.</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Accountability <br /></b> As change is applied to daily living, the Bible gives us two things to remember. First, as we help restore a person to where God wants him to be, we should “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). We are also told that we should “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13). These passages have much to offer us as we think about accountability</p><ul><li>Accountability is not about being a private detective.</li><li>It is not about trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit.</li><li>It is not about being someone’s conscience.</li><li>It is not about forcing someone to obey.</li><li>It is not about chasing someone who is running or looking for someone who is hiding.<br /> <br /> Accountability is about providing loving structure, guidance, assistance, encouragement, and warning to a person who is fully committed to the change God is working in his life. Let’s look at these five elements of accountability.</li></ul><p> </p><p>1. <i>Accountability provides structure.</i> Life is often messy and chaotic. Change seems easier when being discussed than it does when being applied to life. Accountability provides an outside system of structure (“Do these things during this period of time”) that can be immensely helpful to the person attempting something for the first time.</p><p><br /> 2. <i>Accountability provides guidance.</i> Often a person will want to do what is right but won’t be sure how to do it. At these times it is a great benefit to have someone standing alongside to provide ongoing wisdom as to the “where,” “when,” and “how” of change.</p><p><br /> 3. <i>Accountability provides assistance.</i> There are times when the person is not able to make the needed changes alone (example: a difficult talk with a wife, friend, child) and he literally needs someone there with him, helping him make the changes that are needed.</p><p><br /> 4. <i>Accountability provides encouragement.</i> Change is difficult and people get beaten down. They are tempted to question their commitments or even to quit. In these times, they need someone they trust alongside them, who knows their situation and who can encourage them to continue.</p><p><br /> 5. <i>Accountability provides warning.</i> There are times when people confess the need for change, but then begin to rebel against it when they realize the cost and work involved. These people need to be warned of the consequences that their disobedience and rebellion will bring. They need to be reminded that they will harvest what they have sown (Galatians 6:7).</p><p><br /> Accountability is not about chasing a person who does not want to change or trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the willingness to provide ongoing help to the person who is fully committed to the “put off/put on” process.</p><p>There are three questions to ask as you seek to provide ongoing</p><p>accountability.</p><p>1. What kinds of ongoing help will this person need?</p><p>2. How often will I need to be in contact with him for change to continue?</p><p>3. Are there other resources in the Body of Christ that would be helpful during this period of change? How can I connect this person to those resources?</p><p>Remember, as the person begins to apply new insights and new commitments to his situations and relationships, it is important to remind him of his identity in Christ and to provide ongoing accountability. <br /> <br /></p><p><b>THE BIG QUESTION: Do you help others bear the burden of change by providing biblical accountability and affirming their identity in Christ?</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>All for Jesus,</b></p><p><b>Fletch<br /></b></p></div>
My Neighbor did the "unthinkable"!
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/my-neighbor-did-the-unthinkable
2013-10-11T16:10:05.000Z
2013-10-11T16:10:05.000Z
Brian Fletcher
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/BrianFletcher
<div><p></p><p>First, you have to understand that my cluster of neighbors are all “do-it-yourselfers”. We cut our own grass, we rent an aeorater together in the fall, we plant, weed, clean gutters, power wash, and even cut down our own trees at times. But the other day while I was walking my dog I saw “the sign” in my neighbor’s yard…”This lawn serviced by Virginia Green Lawn Care.” This is one of those companies that pull up in front of your house, unroll a huge hose attached to a gigantic tank full of chemicals and douse your lawn to kill all the weeds and make your lawn look like a well manicured golf course. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against killing weeds, they are a result of the fall. And of course I am all about making your lawn green and looking great. But it was the fact that my neighbor who loves to spend time in his yard is actually paying a monthly fee to have this done.</p><p>But then it occurred to me…what is it that I am actually so upset about? Is it that my neighbor has more money than I do to make his yard look great and I don’t. Or is it something deeper within my own heart that says, “Hey, I want my yard to look better than everyone else’s, so all the people that drive by will ooh and ahh over my yard and not his. Then something even more profound hit me…why am I so worried about grass? I realize that taking care of the earth, having dominion over all of God’s creation is our mandate but seriously, green grass with no clover? Is that what my heart is concerned about? Shouldn’t I be more concerned about the spiritual well being of my neighbors? (Of course, this particular neighbor is a believer, cherishes his wife, loves his kids and is the nicest guy on the planet. He even lets me borrow his truck for our annual church picnic.)</p><p>I am realizing that there are certain things in my life that really are more important than others. I do need to be reaching out to my neighbors and the other people God has put in my life. My thoughts need to be about relational ministry and how I can share the love of Christ with those around me. I need to be thinking more about how the Scriptures are impacting my ministry and guiding my life.</p><p></p><p>All for Jesus,</p><p><a href="%3Ca%20rel%3Dnofollow%20href="></a>Fletch</p><p><a href="http://www.liveforchristresources.com" target="_blank">www.liveforchristresources.com</a></p></div>
When It's Cold Outside
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/when-it-s-cold-outside
2013-12-14T12:25:40.000Z
2013-12-14T12:25:40.000Z
Jim Buchan
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JimBuchan
<div><p>As temperatures plummet and the news is filled with reports of fierce winter storms up north, I find myself humming the old song, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” And I can’t stop thinking about a simple but profound truth I heard many years ago:</p><p> </p><p align="center"><b><i>In life, we will either be a THERMOMETER or a THERMOSTAT.</i></b></p><p> </p><p> Thermometers merely reflect the temperatures around them. If it’s cold outside, a thermometer will let you know.</p><p> </p><p> It’s not hard to be a thermometer. You just have to report and reflect the conditions around you.</p><p> </p><p> Lots of people are like that. When you ask them hold things are going, they simply give you a weather report concerning their present circumstances. Allowing themselves to be controlled by external situations, their mood goes up and down according to what’s happening around them.</p><p> </p><p> However, some people have learned to be a <b><i>thermostat</i></b> instead. Rather than just accepting and reflecting the temperature around them, they have a way of <i>changing</i> the temperature in every situation they are in. When it’s cold outside, they warm things up. When conflicts arise and relationships get uncomfortably hot, they know how to generate cooling breezes.</p><p> </p><p> Jesus was a thermostat. Although He continually faced icy reactions from the religious establishment, He never allowed His heart to become cold.</p><p> </p><p> Yes, Jesus sometimes gave a weather report about the conditions He saw around Him. But He never left things like He found them. Instead of reflecting the animosity and unbelief He encountered, He brought compassion, faith, and healing.</p><p> </p><p> But Jesus warned about the temptation we would face to become mere thermometers, reflecting the surrounding culture rather than transforming it. <i>“Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold,”</i> He told us (Matthew 24:12).</p><p> </p><p> What a tragic outcome Jesus is describing here. In a day of lawlessness, many people will become calloused and cynical. Surrounded by growing narcissism and self-centeredness, many will allow their love to become cold. Instead of being change agents, people will be like thermometers, swayed up and down by the changing world around them. </p><p> </p><p> Jesus used the Greek word <i>agape</i> for love, so there’s a good chance He had believers in mind here. He was warning that we’ll surely face times when it’s “cold outside,” but we can’t let that change our disposition or ruin our day. Instead, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit, bringing His kindness and warmth into even the harshest weather around us.</p><p> </p><p> The good news is that we don’t have to be helpless victims as the cultural weather changes around us. As salt and light, we can be a positive force in <i>setting</i> the temperature, not just reflecting it.</p><p> </p><p> </p></div>
Discipleship as a PROCESS not an EVENT
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/discipleship-as-a-process-not-an-event
2013-04-23T17:47:24.000Z
2013-04-23T17:47:24.000Z
Jerry Linnins
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JerryLinnins
<div><p>In my vocation, I do problem-solving, performance improvement work. Over the years, I have worked in healthcare, state/federal governments, non-profits, engineering and construction, and biotechnology. One of the biggest challenges I have faced is to get those with whom I engage/consult to see improvement as a process and not an event. Many in the church are likewise disinclined to see discipleship as a process instead preferring to see it as an event. Much like the proverbial child in the backseat of the car on a long trip (to them!), we keep crying out, "Are we THERE yet?!" In our 60 second sound bite, attention deficit, and etch-a-sketch world, it is challenging - at best - to stay on The Way for the long view. So much of the Bible speaks to this proclivity of believers to get weary, want to stop, to turn around and go back to our own personal "Egypt," or to just plant ourselves at some point in development as a disciple that we can look back and see we are "better" than we were (than others are) and that we can look forward and see there is yet a place for us to grow up/in to so we have a built in excuse of, "I'm not THERE yet."</p><p> </p><p>Just me...</p></div>
The God with a Heart
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-god-with-a-heart
2014-08-21T22:03:15.000Z
2014-08-21T22:03:15.000Z
Johnny Russell Almond
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JohnnyRussellAlmond
<div><p style="text-align:center;"> <b>“He who, from zone to zone, Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight, </b></p><p style="text-align:center;"><b> In the long way that I must tread alone, Will lead my steps aright.”</b></p><p style="text-align:center;"><b> (William Cullen Bryant, “To a Waterfowl”, 1818)</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p> Miserable in your circumstances? Feeling nobody understands your heartache or even gives you a passing thought? Skeptics scoffing at your faith stance?</p><p> </p><p> A baby boy’s whimpers awakened sympathy in the heart of an Egyptian princess, so you can be sure your helpless cries touch the loving heart of God. He tracks every one of your woes and bottles all your tears.</p><p> </p><p> The Wonderful Counselor is ready to hear your dilemmas. The Mighty God is able to handle your desperate situation. The Everlasting Father is unfailing in compassion. The Prince of Peace sets your heart at rest in the eye of life’s storms.</p><p> </p><p> The God who moved with Abraham until he found the Promised Land, who laughed with Isaac until he learned to trust, and who wrestled with Jacob until he won a blessing will not break His sacred promise to care for you.</p><p> </p><p> Epicurus said “if there are gods, they do not care for you.” False gods of the heart are incapable of caring, but the God who is love cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).</p><p> </p><p> Aristotle said “it would be eccentric to claim that Zeus loved a human being.” He was right about Zeus, but the God with a heart loves all of us (Psalm 136).</p><p> </p><p> So do not wring your hands in worry—fold them in prayer. Trust God to sustain you in sad and dark times, and keep looking for exit signs from burdensome situations. Dramatic rescue will happen at just the right moment. Heaven’s clock is invisible, but it keeps perfect time. Exodus is certain as sunrise.</p><p> </p><p> <b>“The Israelites groaned beneath their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their pleas for deliverance rose up to God. God heard their cries and remembered his covenant promise. He looked down on the Israelites and felt deep concern for their welfare.” (Exodus 2:23b-25</b> <b>NLT)</b></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Johnny R. Almond</p><p align="center">Christian preacher and writer</p><p align="center">Author, <i>Gentle Whispers from Eternity</i></p><p align="center">This devotion based on Day 38 of <i>Gentle Whispers from Eternity</i>]</p><p align="center"><a href="http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScrripturePersonalized.com/">http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScrripturePersonalized.com/</a></p><p align="center"></p></div>
Is it OK to Love Myself?
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/is-it-ok-to-love-myself
2014-09-03T02:05:11.000Z
2014-09-03T02:05:11.000Z
Delores Liesner
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/DeloresLiesner
<div><p>Is it OK to love myself?</p><p> </p><p>I’m the rope in a tug of war on this issue. Here’s why:</p><p> </p><p>My adulthood and new faith experience both developed at the same time as the find your inner self, please yourself, if it feels good do it, movements. Christian culture reacted in many different ways- mostly with a mighty shove against self-aggrandizement.</p><p> </p><p><b>1.</b> To increase the scope of; extend.</p><p><b>2.</b> To make greater in power, influence, stature, or reputation.</p><p><b>3.</b> To make appear greater; exaggerate: aggrandize one argument while belittling another.</p><p> </p><p>I was raised, as many of you know, with an abusive verbal onslaught branding my mind to believe that I was not only unlovable but a bad seed. I knew then, and now, more than ever, that I was no angel. Yet the slant I’d been taught had me battling for years with these scriptures that seemed to put grace on one end of the rope and what seemed to be only raw truth on the other:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><u>Rom. 12:3</u> For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think <b>more highly</b> of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.</p><p> </p><p><u>2Tim. 3:2</u> For men will be lovers <b>of self</b>, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy (all obviously very bad things)</p><p> </p><p>Then I ran across <u>James 2:8</u> “If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well.”</p><p> </p><p>Well I didn’t love myself.</p><p> </p><p>And I thought that was ok, even scriptural.</p><p> </p><p>So how could I ever obey this commandment to love my neighbor?</p><p> </p><p>In one sense the question was answered with <u>Matt. 7:12</u> “Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them,”</p><p> </p><p>But my early experience taught only self-protection, and I had little trust that I was worth being treated any way other than I’d known most of life.</p><p> </p><p>I was one confused little chick.</p><p> </p><p>Then I experienced both Grace and Truth together in the salvation experience of <u>Rom. 5:8</u> But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that <b>while we were</b> yet sinners, Christ died for us.</p><p> </p><p>I finally more than got it – and knew with certainly that I was truly loved. Now I had something to pass on to others.</p><p> </p><p>Strong’s Concordance became dear as I searched the original meanings behind my questions. That little word “love” had so many nuances, n this verse it derived from an obsolete, seldom used form of <b>etheleo,</b> <i>eth-el-eh´-o</i>, - to determine, to incline myself toward, to choose to prefer others (put them first), to intend to, to delight to, be disposed to please…</p><p> </p><p>It confirmed what I’d known. I could not previously shared what I did not have.</p><p>But wait! I was not “just” to share this with my neighbor. I was to experience it, and revel in it myself (so that) I would be able to share it.</p><p> </p><p>Am I making sense? If I had just gone off and loved my neighbor <b>as</b> I loved myself at the time (even though I had recently begun a personal relationship with the Lord), it could not have been what God intended. How could I love others in truth before I had an idea of what love was? I needed to accept God’s love, soak in it, experience it, and fill up with it, so it would overflow naturally.</p><p> </p><p>I had my first answer.</p><p> </p><p>YES! It not only was ok to love myself, God <i>wanted me to</i> love who he loved (myself). <i>God commanded me to love myself (his creation).</i></p><p><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"></a></p></div>
Love Always
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/love-always
2014-08-27T15:04:48.000Z
2014-08-27T15:04:48.000Z
Johnny Russell Almond
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/JohnnyRussellAlmond
<div><p><b>“Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds.” (Alfred, Lord Tennyson)</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p>The God who is the one and only God does not wish to remain anonymous.</p><p> </p><p>The God who cared for His people in the Old Testament gives His saints today peace in pandemonium, calm in chaos, and courage in valleys.</p><p> </p><p>The God who liberated His people from slavery sent Jesus to unshackle us from sin’s cruel bondage. </p><p> </p><p>The God who observed the misery of His chosen people in Egypt has His eyes constantly on us. He is perfectly aware of our headaches and heartaches, and He deeply cares about our well-being.</p><p> </p><p>The God who led the Israelites through a dangerous wilderness by daily cloud and nightly blaze conducts us through life’s labyrinth by a built-in Guidance System.</p><p> </p><p>The God who changed His people’s diet from unsatisfying fare to Promised Land milk and honey satisfies our appetite for excellent thoughts by His timeless wisdom.</p><p> </p><p>The God who will always be who He has always been has always loved us and always will. So we do not address our prayers “to the God it may concern.”</p><p> </p><p>The God who is love is our Firm Anchor on life’s high seas. He is all we ever really need in life. </p><p> </p><p><b>“I Am the One Who Always Is.” (Exodus 3:14</b> <b>NLT)</b></p><p> </p><p align="center">Johnny R. Almond</p><p align="center">Christian preacher and writer</p><p align="center">Author, <i>Gentle Whispers from Eternity</i></p><p align="center">This devotion based on Day 39 of <i>Gentle Whispers from Eternity</i>]</p><p align="center"><a href="http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/">http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/</a></p></div>
Excerpt from Journey into the Spirit Empowered Life - A Guide to Personal, Family & Community Transformation
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/excerpt-from-journey-into-the-spirit-empowered-life-a-guide-to
2014-05-04T04:12:08.000Z
2014-05-04T04:12:08.000Z
Chris Vennetti
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/ChrisVennetti
<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9570801096,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9570801096,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="400" alt="9570801096?profile=original" /></a></p><p>In connection with <i>The Discipleship Network,</i> Disciple Nations International is offering one free chapter from our book, “<b><i>Journey into the Spirit Empowered Life</i></b> – <strong><i>A Guide for Personal, Family & Community Transformation</i></strong>”. This book offers a very practical guide for experiencing God’s Presence transform our personal lives, marriages, families and out into our spheres of influence. Below we give you a free preview of Chapter 10 entitled, "<strong>Fruit of a Spirit-Empowered Lifestyle - Evangelism, Discipleship & Love</strong>."</p><p></p><p><span style="color:#0000ff;"><strong>Book Description:</strong></span></p><p>Jesus stated that whoever believes in Him would do even greater works than He did because He was going to the Father (John 14:12). With such solid promises from God Himself, why is it that so many sincere Christ-followers feel confined to a life of spiritual mediocrity? How is it that those who have the Spirit of God living in them are failing to live in victory over sin? Why is there so much lack of love and unity among those called to represent God’s life to the world? <br /> <br /><em>Journey into the Spirit Empowered Life</em> is a book that transcends culture, and taps into the deepest desires that God has placed in the human soul. This book addresses some of the hard questions that many Christ-followers have in their hearts but have not found answers to. Through the pages of this book we will seek to break the status quo and enter into a new reality with God that will transform every aspect of our lives.</p><p></p><p><span style="color:#0000ff;"><strong>Endorsements we have received:</strong></span></p><p>"Transformation" and "revival" have become a part of everyday conversation for those who consider themselves as followers of Jesus. However, very few of us are proactively growing in the kind of lifestyle that reflects the image of our Lord. Chris Vennetti provides a clear road map to anyone desiring authentic personal revival that will lead to family, community and national transformation. I highly recommend <i>Journey into the Spirit Empowered Life</i> for such a time as this and to such a person as YOU!</p><p><b>Dai Sup Han, Founder/National Facilitator, Prayer Surge NOW!, Serving with Youth With A</b> <b>Mission</b></p><p></p><p>"Journey into the Spirit Empowered Life will help you discover and cultivate a lifestyle that is totally surrendered to Christ and walks daily in the power of the Holy Spirit."</p><p><b>Dr. Dick Eastman, International President, Every Home for Christ International</b></p><p></p><p>Chris has written a gracious but needed challenge; a call to the radical lifestyle we cannot ignore as we read the scriptures. He has summarized this journey well:</p><p>A truly Spirit-Empowered person is someone with a lifestyle that is radically consecrated to Jesus Christ, and who has learned to live in a place of wholehearted faith in the character, will and ways of God.</p><p>May the Lord use this teaching to transform our view of the Christian life, expand our vision of authentic discipleship, and drive us back to scripture in a way that results in Spirit-led, scripture-fed expressions of God's love in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</p><p><b>Phil Miglioratti</b><b>, National Pastors' Prayer Network</b></p><p></p><p align="center"><span class="font-size-4" style="color:#0000ff;"><b>Chapter 10</b></span></p><p align="center"><span class="font-size-4" style="color:#0000ff;"><b>Fruit of a Spirit-Empowered Lifestyle<br /></b></span></p><p align="center"><span class="font-size-4" style="color:#0000ff;"><b>Evangelism, Discipleship & Love</b></span></p><p class="ListParagraph"> </p><p class="ListParagraph">When we are still bound by our flesh, the world, and the enemy it is difficult to even begin to help others. We lack real authority to call them to be free when we are still living in bondage. As God’s Spirit sets us free we are simultaneously released to be used of God to assist others. As we look at the sphere of influence that God has entrusted to us it is helpful to be equipped in three key areas: Evangelism, Discipleship & Love.</p><p class="ListParagraph"> </p><p class="ListParagraph"><b>A Spirit-Empowered Lifestyle Prepares Us for Effective Evangelism</b></p><p class="ListParagraph"><b> </b></p><p class="ListParagraph"><b>Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2</b></p><p class="ListParagraph"><b> </b></p><p class="ListParagraph"><b>But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,</b><b><sup> </sup></b><b>keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)</b></p><p>While not everyone is called to be an evangelist, as Peter mentions here, we are all called to “be prepared to give an answer” to those who ask us about the hope that we have. Paul speaks of a fearless readiness, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in every situation at any time (Eph 6:19-20). This lifestyle of evangelism is more than simply going on a specific outreach to declare Christ to those who do not know Him, but it speaks of a faith that flourishes in every situation from morning until night. We may share Jesus through our words, as well as through our service. When we are living in victory in our personal lives, we are positioned to be effective witnesses for the Kingdom of God. We should experience a desire to seek opportunities to share the reason for the hope that we have in Jesus. </p><p class="ListParagraph">Living in this way, keeps us from becoming apathetic in our faith, and encourages us to walk in a vibrant intimacy with God that is attractive to those He brings into our lives. We should always look to make the most of every opportunity. Whether that be in the area where we live, a business, a school, while we walk along the way, or whether we are among family and friends at home.</p><p class="ListParagraph"><b> </b></p><p class="ListParagraph"><b>Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,</b> <b>for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.</b><b> Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)</b></p><p class="ListParagraph"> </p><p><b>He who is wise wins souls. Proverbs 11:30</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p>Are we regularly winning souls into the Kingdom of God? Do we live in the awareness that if the souls of those around us do not come to know Jesus Christ that they will spend an eternity in hell? What level of urgency do we have towards the lost? When was the last time we tapped deeply into the heart of God which “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”?</p><p><b> </b></p><p class="ListParagraph"><b>Practical Instructions for a Lifestyle of Effective Evangelism:</b></p><p>- Consider asking God’s Spirit to give you at least 5-10 names of unsaved family, friends and acquaintances that you can be regularly praying for their salvation. Write these names down and keep them in your Bible or in a place where you will regularly see them. Pray for them as regularly as God’s Spirit leads you to.</p><p> </p><p>- Daily make yourself available to be used of the Holy Spirit by letting Him know each day that you are willing to be used of Him to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. As you make yourself available to Him, He will make the opportunity for you to share His message. If you pray this way regularly, you will find amazing doors begin to open to share your faith.</p><p> </p><p>- Consider recording answers to prayer. These big and small victories will serve as an encouragement to keep believing God to use your life as a vessel of His Good News.</p><p class="ListParagraph"><b> </b></p><p class="ListParagraph"><b>A Spirit-Empowered Lifestyle Prepares Us for Effective Discipleship</b></p><p class="ListParagraph"><b> </b></p><p><b>And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,</b> <b>“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.</b> <b>Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20</b></p><p> </p><p>Jesus did not simply ask us to make converts but to make disciples. Jesus told us that the way we are to disciple an individual, our family, and our sphere of influence is a process of teaching them “to observe all that I commanded you”. It is difficult to teach others to observe all that Jesus has commanded us when we ourselves are not yet surrendered to this lifestyle. </p><p> </p><p>When the Holy Spirit begins to bring us through to the reality of a full surrender to His will and ways, we are being prepared to become an instructor of others. As we seek to encourage those around us in a lifestyle of radical abandonment to Jesus, we can take courage from His final statement in Matthew 28 where He promised to be with us “always, even to the end of the age”. </p><p> </p><p>Do not be surprised if your discipleship of others does not look glamorous in the eyes of the world or even the religious system. The religious system of our day often displays a hyped up image of what successful ministry looks. Sadly, this image of being a success in the eyes of other people is often in direct contradiction to the ways of God. </p><p> </p><p>Jesus modeled for us what a life of discipleship looked like. With a massive vision to disciple every nation; He made a very interesting decision to invest the majority of His earthy life in just 12 men. He lived in close relationship with them and taught them His commandments, both through His Words, but most importantly through His Life. In this lifestyle of discipleship, Jesus laid the foundation for His Church. </p><p> </p><p><b>The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p>Paul shared about the need for mentoring and modeling a Spirit-Empowered lifestyle in close relationship with others. This same pattern of discipleship is just as essential today, if we are going to see Christ’s Kingdom established on earth as it is in heaven. The discipleship of our families ought to be our first priority (1 Tim. 3:1-2, 12, Titus 1:6-7). Then we are in a position to disciple every other facet of the sphere of influence that God has entrusted to us. </p><p> </p><p class="ListParagraph"><b>Practical Instructions for a Lifestyle of Effective Discipleship:</b></p><p>- Ask God’s Spirit for His wisdom and timing as to whether He believes you are equipped to begin to step out and disciple others. If our own lives are still in a position of compromise, we would be wise to wait and allow God to disciple us first before we launch out and start seeking to lead others.</p><p> </p><p>- As your life is consecrated and living a Spirit-Empowered lifestyle, begin to ask God how He would have you pour your life into others.</p><p> </p><p>- Trust God to reveal those He wants you to connect with in this way. Learn to allow His Spirit to disciple others through you. This is not a matter of attempting to disciple others in your own strength. It is learning to trust Him to disciple others through you.</p><p> </p><p><b>The Ultimate Goal – A Lifestyle of Unconditional Love</b></p><p class="ListParagraph"> </p><p><b>The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8</b></p><p> </p><p>While there are many fruits of the Spirit, the scriptures are clear that none compare to love. Unconditional or “agape” love has no parallel. This type of love is the greatest measure of our depth of connection with God. God has revealed His loving character to us, and if we desire to properly represent Him to the world, we must tap deeply into His love for us and for others. </p><p class="ListParagraph"> </p><p><b>But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13</b></p><p> </p><p><b>“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”</b><b><sup> </sup></b><b>And He said to him,</b> <b>“‘</b><b>You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind</b><b>.’<sup> </sup>This is the great and foremost commandment.<sup> </sup>The second is like it, ‘</b><b>You shall love your neighbor as yourself</b><b>.’<sup> </sup>On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” </b> <b>Matthew 22:36-40</b></p><p> </p><p>The Spirit-Empowered Life is a life of faith, of hope, and of love, but the greatest indication of being indwelt with the Holy Spirit is our level of love. It is clear that Jesus intended for love to be the primary distinctive that caused the people of God to stand out above every other people on the earth. It was by our love for God and our love for others that Kingdoms would be conquered and nations discipled. Our love for God was to be far superior to our love for any other earthly thing.</p><p> </p><p>The Gospel calls us to die to ourselves, and live for Christ’s purposes. In order to live for His purposes and properly represent Him as His ambassadors we must allow His standard of Love to become our standard of love. We must allow the Spirit of God to remove any root of bitterness that may be there from our past. We must forgive as Christ has forgiven us, and daily ask the Holy Spirit to take us deeper in our understanding of His love for us, and of His love for all men.</p><p> </p><p>(Jesus speaking) <b>“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p>We do not need to look any further than the lack of love in the church in order to see our grievous disconnection from The Vine. God is Love. Whenever an individual lacks love this points to their lack of relationship with the source of all Love. </p><p> </p><p>We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). But what if we have not allowed God to love us? What if we have rejected His love? Then it should be no surprise that many non-believers lack love. They have not received God’s love for them therefore they have no sacrificial love to give to others. </p><p> </p><p>But what about those who claim to follow Christ and yet lack love? What about the many believers who are easily irritated, frustrated, and lack love on a daily basis? Could it be that we too have failed to receive God’s Love for us? </p><p> </p><p><b>Do everything in love. 1 Cor.</b> <b>16:14</b> <b>(NIV)</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p class="ListParagraph"><b>The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Gal. 5:6 (NIV)</b></p><p> </p><p><b><i>When was the last time that you allowed God to reveal to you just how much He loves you?</i></b></p><p> </p><p>Why don’t you take some time right now and stop whatever you are doing and allow the Spirit of God to show you just how much He loves you? Will you let Him do this for you now?</p><p> </p><p><b>Prayer time:</b> <i>God I ask that You would reveal the love that You have for me. (Take time to wait on Him.)</i></p><p> </p><p>I hope that you took the time to allow God to saturate you in His Love for you. This is the most important thing in all of life. God is Love. We can only love others when we have a revelation of His love for us. Love is the most powerful witness to the reality of God. Therefore, allowing God to love us must become top priority in our lives.</p><p> </p><p>From this place of love, we have the Life of God necessary to impact every circumstance no matter how difficult. Love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Love breaths new life into places that were dead. A vast throng in heaven can testify that it was the love of another believer that won their heart over to Jesus. </p><p> </p><p><b>“You have heard that it was said, ‘</b><b>You shall love your neighbor</b> <b>and hate your enemy.’<sup> </sup>But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<sup> </sup>so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”</b> <b> Matthew 5:43-45</b></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In this passage, it is not just any type of love that is being asked for, but Jesus says that we are to have agape love for our enemies. We are to have unconditional love for those who hate us and we are to do good for them. Why? Because God Himself passionately loves those who are His enemies and He expects us to have the same love that He has for those around us.</p><p> </p><p><b>And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 1 John 3:23</b></p><p> </p><p>In the Middle East it is love that triumphs and causes hearts to turn to Christ. In Communist countries, it is love that shines like a bright beacon testifying to the reality of Jesus. In a cold and hardened individualistic culture in the western nations it is love that cuts through the ice and rescues souls from eternal darkness to eternal light. Don’t underestimate the power of love. It is love that compelled God the Father to willingly allow His Son to be killed in our place (John 3:16). It is love that motivated Jesus to willingly lay down His life for humanity. It is love that will bring about the exaltation of Jesus Christ in the nations of the earth. </p><p> </p><p>If we realize that love is the most powerful spiritual weapon, the most effective means of evangelism and discipleship, the most needed and rare resource on the earth, then we would ask ourselves the question: “How do I increase the level of love that I am living in?”</p><p> </p><p>The answer to this question is quite simple. Enter more deeply into the One and Only Person who is Love. Unlike our desire for other spiritual gifts, such as the desire for miracle working power, or a deeper understanding of future events, there are sources of darkness and sources of light. But real, genuine, self-sacrificing, and unconditional love has only One Source. </p><p> </p><p>If we wish to lay hold of more of the most precious commodity on earth, then we must abandon ourselves more completely to Jesus. We must allow His Life to so infill us, that it is no longer us living, but Him Living through us. We must allow Him to love us completely, and allow Him to remove the areas of our lives that are lived in contradiction to His Spirit, so that we are clean and pure vessels. As His Love consumes us, and as we find ourselves willingly melting into Him, our lives will appear as a blazing inferno of love to show the nations that Jesus Christ is alive.</p><p> </p><p>Will you begin to allow His Great Love to consume you? Will you allow Him to fill you with a deeper revelation of His Love for you? Start now and don’t stop until He takes you home to be with Him forever.</p><p> </p><p><b>Conclusion</b></p><p> </p><p>Can you envision this lifestyle of evangelism, discipleship and love, flowing from your personal life into your marriage / parenting? How about your workplace? What about an entire congregation that begins to embrace this lifestyle? What if the Body of Christ in a community or city began to be equipped and sent out to bear this type of good fruit everywhere they went? Could we not see entire cities and nations turned upside down? Let’s allow God to work this good fruit in our lives so that we can begin to share this with others.</p><p> </p><p><b>Discussion Questions:</b></p><ul><li>Do you presently live as though the only reason you are here on earth is to give glory to God? If not, what are some of the common ways that you have been pulled away from living for God’s purposes?</li></ul><p> </p><p>Evangelism</p><ul><li>In what way have you experienced God’s Spirit winning lost souls to Christ through your life?</li><li>How do you believe God’s Spirit wants to win even more souls to Himself through you in the days ahead?</li></ul><p> </p><p>Discipleship</p><ul><li>In what way have you experienced God’s Spirit discipling others in the will and ways of Jesus Christ through your life?</li><li>How do you believe God’s Spirit wants to disciple others even more effectively through you in the future?</li></ul><p> </p><p>Love</p><ul><li>In what way have you experienced God’s Spirit loving others through you? Do you see yourself consistently living in the level of love that Jesus loves? If not, what makes it difficult for you to love others as Jesus loves them? </li><li>How do you believe God’s Spirit wants to love others at an even deeper level through your life in the future?</li></ul><p> </p><p><b>Action Step:</b></p><p>Take time to ask God how He would have you begin to be even more fruitful as it relates to evangelism, discipleship, and love. Write down any immediate action steps that He asks you to take and through prayer and obedience put them into practice.</p><p>Evangelism__________________________________________</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p>Discipleship__________________________________________</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p>Love for others________________________________________</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p> </p><p><b>Prayer Focus:</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p><i>Father God, I need You. It is clear that apart from You that I cannot help others to know You more. You have promised me in Your Word that if I would remain in You that I would bear much for fruit for Your glory. I ask that You would show me how to let my light shine more brightly so that those around me will come to know You. I ask that you would teach me Your ways of discipling others so that you can use me to mature other believers. I believe You to continue to reveal Your great love for me so that I will have an abundance of love to give to others. I ask that You would give me a greater understanding of Your love for those around me. (Continue to pray as God’s Spirit leads you.)</i></p><p>---</p><p></p><p><strong>You can view the opening portion of the book free of charge on Amazon by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Journey-into-Spirit-Empowered-Life/dp/0615978991" target="_blank">clicking here</a></strong> (and then click the "Look Inside" link) The book is available both as a paperback and in a Kindle Edition.</p><p></p><p>Contact us if you have any questions and/or if you are interested in sharing this lifestyle in your location. We host pastors "Vision Conferences" as well as weekend conferences that are open to the general public related to this topic. Contact: office@dninternational.org or visit us on the web at <a href="http://www.dninternational.org" target="_blank">www.dninternational.org</a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div>