A HABIT OF PRAYER

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 ESV)

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35 ESV)

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11:1-4 ESV)

            These past few years have included several amazing visits to the Holy Land, experiences hardly occurring to those visiting the country of Israel. An expression used in the Bible to communicate the width and breadth of the land is “from Dan to Beersheba.” I have seen the ancient ruins of both cities, yet have gone far beyond Dan to the foothills of Mount Hermon, a few miles from the Syrian border, and far beyond Beersheba to the shores of the Red Sea, minutes away from Egypt.

            My travels have included many ancient sites not visited by most tourists, such as the ruins of Bethel, Shiloh and Samaria and numerous others. Standing on Mount Gerizim and viewing Mount Ebal, the site where the tribes of Israel affirmed their commitment to God after the conquest, fulfilled a deeply held desire. Just west, at the bottom of Mount Gerizim, lies Jacob’s well. The valley lying between the two peaks is the ancient site of Shechem

            Visiting the cities of Hebron, King David’s first capital and Abraham’s final resting place, and Bethany, where Lazarus was called back to life, as well as the seaport community of Eilat, located near the ancient site of Ezion-geber where the exotic treasures of Solomon entered the country, were spiritually moving.

            Taking early morning runs along the Sea of Galilee, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea, as well as along the ancient path to Emmaus, where the resurrected Lord met two disciples traveling home from Jerusalem, was refreshing. Hiking the cliffs of Mount Arbel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and the cliffs of En Gedi, where David fled from Saul, overlooking the Dead Sea, was invigorating. Swimming in the Sea of Galilee, wading in the Red Sea, splashing in the Mediterranean Sea and floating in the Dead Sea was fun.

            Doing prayer walks throughout Jerusalem and at the Temple Mound, including on top of the wall surrounding the Old City, was stirring. Traversing the tunnel built by Hezekiah, bringing fresh water into Jerusalem to the pool of Siloam, while singing songs of praise was stimulating. Journeying down into the Kidron Valley from the Eastern Gate and walking the steep upward road to the upper ridge of the Mount of Olives, praying for the peace of Jerusalem, was encouraging.

            Celebrating Christmas on Bethlehem square, Good Friday near Calvary, and Easter at the Garden Tomb was inspiring. The sermons by a clergyman from England during the Good Friday noon communion commemoration and the Easter morning resurrection celebration were profound and life-changing.

            I have visited with a variety of wonderful people throughout the country. Initially, my contacts were mostly with Israelis but eventually met and visited with an equal number of Palestinians. They too have proven to be very gracious and hospitable. My most recent trip included going to a family’s winter home in Jericho for a delicious feast and memorable night with special friends.

            At Mount Gerizim I met a genuine Samaritan living in the last known Samaritan village, located near the top of the hill. Only a few hundred of them exist worldwide, mostly in this town.

            Yet not until my latest trip did I finally meet and visit with a Jew living for Christ. People in America call them Messianic Jews but they do not go by that title in Israel. They refer to themselves as Jews who believe in Jesus because the other name offends the Orthodox Jew. I asked how many are living in the nation and was told only around 23,000, an infinitesimal amount of the population. Most of them live in a community west of Jerusalem. I asked in what ways are they reaching other Jews for Christ and was told they do not believe in proselytizing. In other words, no evangelism is being done by them.

            If you meet a Christian in Israel, most likely they are Palestinian. Approximately thirty percent of the Palestinians living in the town of Nazareth are believers in Christ. Approximately twenty-five percent living in Bethlehem are Christians. (I was privileged to speak at a gathering of believers in the city just over a year ago.) And approximately thirty percent of them living in Jerusalem believe in Jesus. One town in the West Bank is known as a Christian community. Yet, unlike what is occurring among Jewish people, many Palestinian believers are fearlessly, actively and aggressively telling the story of Jesus to their family, friends and neighbors.

            I have benefited from many valuable lessons while talking and listening to the people living in the Holy Land. In my conversation with the Jewish follower of Jesus an interesting piece of information was mentioned. People did not gather to pray at the synagogue during the time of Christ. In fact, prayer never occurred in the local synagogue. Corporate prayer only took place at the Temple in Jerusalem, mostly during Jewish festivals. The rest of the time everyone prayed privately, done in solitude (“lonely places” and “closets”). After the destruction of the Temple, synagogues in the region were constructed facing Jerusalem and prayer began occurring in the facilities.

            Churches promote prayer meetings and rightfully should. Attending a prayer service at Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York revolutionized my approach to overseeing prayer gatherings. Their services are designed and dedicated to occur on an uncommon day and for lengthy times, disrupting schedules and inconveniencing participates. Yet sincere dedication to pursuing and conversing with God reaps marvelous results, heavenly outcomes that are filled with wonder. Just ask Jim Cymbala.

            The nightly prayer meetings held throughout the first full week of each new year at the two churches I led in Chicago, Northwest AG and the Stone Church, were crowded and filled with the sound of earnest pray-ers crying out to God. The gatherings were often loud and occasionally messy, but no messier then the lives being transformed at the altars.

            My wife and I recently attended a prayer gathering that meets a few times during the year for the expressed purpose of praying over the hot spots of the world. We plan to make these gatherings an ongoing part of our calendar, a high priority.

            Yet various prayer gatherings should never take the place of personally praying and privately conversing with the Lord in an individual prayer setting.

            About a year ago I added an end-of-day prayer walk to my schedule. Just before dinner I journey through various parts of the neighborhood praying for others. With Sunday evening services no longer promoted and losing availability, a prolonged prayer walk occurs during the conclusion of my Rest Day, giving additional focus to praising God, praying in the Spirit and addressing various needs.

            This Fall Brenda and I stayed with friends whose home is beautifully nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Each morning included a personal prayer walk. I felt liberated to loudly sing to the Lord among the pine trees, serenading whitetail deer and wild turkeys (And possibly a few mountain lions and other critters). I came back from these walks divinely strengthened and spiritually refreshed.

            Are you praying without ceasing? Are you in constant communication with the Lord? Life consists of habits, both good and bad. Until prayer is a well-established routine and a part of your lifestyle, its genuine fruitfulness will most likely not be noticeable.

            The great people of prayer in the Bible were people with a fixed prayer habit.  David had the practice of “evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.” (Psalms 55:17) Daniel was “three times a day… on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God.” (Daniel 6:10) Unless you develop a prayer habit, you tend to become delinquent in praying.

            The following are a few suggestions to help you build consistency in praying:

            Allow Scripture to shape your prayer life, such as “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV) And, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

            Consider developing definite prayer objectives, regularly highlighting different aspects of spiritual formation. For example: Sunday – spiritual cleansing; Monday – giving thanks; Tuesday – general request; Wednesday – spiritual empowerment; Thursday – scripture prayers; Friday – special needs; Saturday – spiritual fruit. Unusual seasons will occur as the Holy Spirit burdens you along certain avenues for extended periods. Move with the Spirit and set aside any previously charted course.

            Develop the habit of waiting on the Lord. (Isaiah 40:31) Waiting is long on listening and short on speaking, implying a readiness to obey. Waiting also involves drawing nearer to God through meditation and contemplation, musing over the Lord and His word.

            Finally, pray in the Spirit. (Jude 1:20, 1 Corinthians 14:14-15) The blessing of this grace-gift assures prayers dealing with the events shaping your life are perfectly expressed.

Get busy praying

            Prayer is not answered because a follower of Jesus knows everything there is about prayer. Prayer is satisfied and petitions are accomplished because they know the One to whom it is addressed. Prayer is a love matter. The highest form of prayer is love coming from two hearts, blended together and beating as one.

            God hears the panicked cry for help, and delivers from disaster and calamity. Yet to set someone free from tribulation only for them to settle back into an apathetic routine is not His purpose for answering prayer. Establish a habit of praying, especially as you start the year 2016.

CHRISTMAS: A FRESH WORD

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-2, 10-14 ESV)

            Have you ever thought of what it was like in Israel before Jesus came? The Jewish nation had not received a fresh word from the Lord for 450 years. The last prophet of the older covenant, Malachi, spoke four centuries before Jesus was born. 

            In comparison to the rest of the world, the United States is a relatively young nation. Double the length of time the country has existed and this is how long since the tribes of Israel had heard a fresh word from God. The people living with the promise existed on a hope not based on a current encounter with the Lord. They lived by an obedience void of a recent experience with their Redeemer from oppression and bondage.

            Today the Holy Spirit abides in those following Jesus, yet Israelis did not have this special blessing. The Holy Spirit did not reside in believers until after Jesus ascended into Heaven, fifty days after dying on the Cross.

            Does ancient Israel’s situation relate to current circumstances? Possibly! Presently many followers of Jesus are as thirsty and hungry for a fresh word from God as the people of Israel must have been just prior to the day of Pentecost. If contemporary believers find themselves starving while having the presence of the Holy Spirit, then the Jewish people must have been famished to the point of death. Discouragement was most likely a defining factor of their era.

            Look at the scenario from another perspective. What occurs when believers gather to worship on a Sunday morning? They sing as a means of bringing themselves into harmony with one another, united in thought by the lyrics of songs. They give an offering as a means of reflecting a core value of God who gave with supreme liberality. They pray as a means of communicating to the Lord about His nature and their needs. They examine Scripture to hear from God, becoming reconciled in heart, soul, and body. Yet everything is done with reliance upon the Holy Spirit who dwells within and guides worshipers to the Heavenly Father.

            Gathering to worship is one way to experience a fresh word from the Lord. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, followers of Christ regularly come together to gain a relevant message from His throne. Yet Israel went centuries without such a blessing when they gathered. God’s people went so long without a word from Him that they did not recognize the Incarnate Word when Jesus came.

            Time and distance impacts an awareness of God. The longer the interlude without a fresh word from the Heavenly Father the more difficult it is to recognize when a divine visitation takes place. Frequently failing to attend church dulls the senses from knowing when God speaks. The gathering is weekly, not monthly or only during established holidays.

            Are you in need of experiencing a fresh word from the Incarnate Word? Are you able to recognize a divine word when it comes? A couple of clues out of the Christmas narrative can help you answer the question.

A fresh word establishes peace

            The angels proclaimed on the first Christmas morning, “Peace on earth.” They could make this pronouncement because they knew Jesus as the Prince of Peace. A world in conflict, or a nation in conflict, or a community in conflict, or a person experiencing inward conflict can have peace restored through Jesus, the Incarnate Word.

            Peace is the result of grace, meaning to bind together. The peace that comes from the unmerited and unearned love of God can weave a fragmented soul with wholeness, a peace beyond full comprehension. You can recognize a fresh word from God for it is saturated with peace.

            In everyone is a potential civil war of divergent drives. On an increasing level people feel like a rubber band being stretched in every direction. The Word made flesh brings an end to turmoil and inner conflict. The past becomes forgiven, He controls the present, and He shows the way into the future.

A fresh word establishes joy

            A favorite song during the holiday season is “Joy to the World.” This can only be sung because Jesus has come. He is the joy of the annual celebration – not Christmas trees and lights, Christmas gifts, Christmas cards and well-wishes, Christmas gatherings and programs, or Christmas cheer.

            Nehemiah reveals the importance of possessing divine joy: “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Joy is based on reconciliation with God and the personal empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Such joy acts as a fortress, guarding you from the troubles and temptations contained in each and every day. Such joy acts as the power and motivation to persevere through the challenges of living. You can recognize a fresh word from God for it lifts your spirit to supreme heights of joy.

            Elton Trueblood, a classic writer of eternal truths, wrote, “The Christian is joyful, not because he is blind to injustice and suffering but because he is convinced that these, in light of God’s power, are never ultimate.”

            A mother and her daughter, dressed in shabby clothes, were standing outside the Daley Center, near the Marshall Fields’ department store in downtown Chicago, admiring the manger scene on the square. The setting was elaborately portrayed with Mary and Joseph, the baby Jesus, and Wise Men bringing lavished gifts. The little girl kept staring at the face of Mary, depicted in a very innocent and pure appearance. Finally, she said, “She’s so beautiful but she does not know the pain and trouble we have.” The figurine did not give an accurate interpretation, nor the completed story.

            Christmas is a divine testimony to every impoverished little child that He does know the pain and trouble people face. God sent His Son to die and knows exactly the hurt and sorrow of life. He recognizes, understands, and cares. And He also has the power to turn all grief into joy.

A fresh word establishes righteousness

            Righteousness means being in a right relationship with God. The chief reason why Jesus came on the first Christmas morning was to restore everyone into a suitable standing with the Heavenly Father.

            Out of rebellion, also called willful disobedience, a relationship with God became marred with shame, beginning in the Garden of Eden. The current condition of the soul is causing a sense of impending doom, feeling a great dread with regards to life after death. Living without Jesus is troubling by the inevitability of the present life coming to an end. Through faith in Christ a relationship with God can be made right. You can recognize a fresh word from God for it brings you into an eternal relationship with Him.

            An ancient proverb states: “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in character. If there is beauty in character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”

            The Incarnate Word restores a right standing with God, bringing order to every dimension of life.

A fresh word

            Current events reveal a world in desperate need of a fresh word from God. People need the peace He provides, the strength of His joy, and a right standing with Him. And God in these last days is speaking through His Son, the Incarnate Word.

            Are you keeping your experience with the Incarnate Word alert and current? Has staleness developed in your heart? Has peace and joy been lost? Then most likely a right standing with God has diminished or disappeared. Make things right with Him this Christmas season, then join the angels in worship of the soon coming King. He is coming again.

            The Incarnate Word wishes to give you a fresh word. I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

WHEN WE GATHER

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17 ESV)

“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV)

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:6-13 ESV)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 ESV)

“When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:26-33 ESV)

            A survey was given years ago to a group of believers asking what changes they would like to see in their church. The most requested item was changing the format of the worship services. Does the structure need to change or do people need to know the why and ways of its design? Are people actually needing a better understanding of the purpose for gathering together?

            By virtue of current social trends believers are geared to view a church gathering as an entertainment venue – comprised of a stage containing actors with a viewing audience watching their performance. Yet the stage in a church facility is actually a conductor’s platform, the people sitting in the auditorium are the actors, and God is the audience. Worship is not about being a spectator of a spectacle. Worship is about meaningful participation, something undertaken more than watched.

Churches normally promote and advertise Sunday morning gatherings as the worship hour. Is this the only time people give expression to their faith in God?

Before worship can be a weekly event, it must become a lifestyle. Although the following Scripture verses are not about worship, they may be the greatest verses on the subject. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV) Worship is expressed in whatever you do. Believers are worshipers long before gathering.

            What makes coming together for expressing adoration to God a critical component of transformation? What are believers trying to accomplish by joining ranks from time to time?  What is the significance of a weekly demonstration of love?

I attend a church that does not post an order of service, yet the structure is very predictable and with good reason. Taking away as much Christian jargon as possible, gathering on a consistent basis is for the expressed purpose of people speaking to God and God speaking to people. These two ingredients must be fulfilled for a gathering to have value. The sequence in which this occurs is people asking for an audience with God and He responding to their desire for a town hall meeting with the Ruler of the universe.

At least six activities are prescribed in Scripture for creating two-way communication at a gathering between God and His followers. Three deal with people speaking to God and three with God speaking to people.

People speaking to God

            Music! Music is designed to open all your senses to God as you enter into His royal chamber.

            “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” (Ephesians 5:19 ESV) Music is the cry of the soul for an encounter with the Lover of the soul. The music portion of a gathering is often referred to as worship but is only one expression of adoration.

            Songs are often considered controversial because musical preference and taste is extremely diverse. In church music some people gravitate toward simple little ditties while others adore didactic melodies. Unfortunately, some even worship their own worship style, which occasionally leads to conflict called “worship wars.”

            The controversy goes deeper than various musical arrangements. The struggle is between an experiential and cognitive approach to praising God. Some people gravitate more toward feeling, while others are more inclined toward knowing.

            When a person says, “Pastor I love how contemporary choruses make me feel,” they are revealing a natural propensity to worship experientially. When someone says, “Pastor I love the good teaching found in classical hymns,” they naturally prefer a cognitive approach to worship. Yet the goal is the same, musically declaring to God a desire for an audience with Him.

            Prayer! “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:1 ESV)

            Corporate prayer is devoted to conversing with God about current issues, laying down burdens, confessing shortcomings, and expressing gratitude for everything. The gathering is naturally conducive for dialogue with the Lord about roadblocks preventing a sense of His presence. You are clearing up obstacles hampering the clear sound of His voice.

            Offering! “A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18 ESV) Money can be a great hindrance to experiencing an audience with the Lord. Wealth easily takes His place within the inner being. Yet generosity makes you master instead of servant of riches.

            God takes note of tangible gifts and will not be a debtor to anyone. When it comes to offerings the focus is not about equal but rather proportionate giving. Paul wrote about the amount of a gift being in ratio to the income God provides. The entranceway to His presence is abundant to those who are generous.

            These three components of gathering have to do with people speaking to God.

God speaking to people

            Scripture reading! The Bible is God’s word and helps you to discern His voice over all the other influencers of life.

            Many things endeavor to speak to you but you can only know when He is speaking by learning the pattern of His voice acquired by studying the Bible. No one should ever minimize the significant role of the public reading of Scripture when gathering together.

            In the last decade the amount of Scripture reading by those following Jesus has diminished. When talking to others about their spiritual journey, neglecting a regular time in the Book often surfaces. Sadly, the only Scripture many believers are exposed to is at church gatherings. If this aspect of worship becomes minimized a major means of hearing from God will be lost.

            I make it a point to start every blog and every chapter of my books with Scripture, sometimes large amounts, knowing God speaks through the written word.

            Manifestations of grace gifts! “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25 ESV) God wants to bring a specific word to people gathered in His name and often does so through supernatural grace-gifts, furnished to motivate and stimulate everyone present.

            A declared word by an exhorter/teacher. “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV) Exhortation is the foremost way God instructs followers of Jesus.

            Preaching is a form of the prophetic, anointed by God to strengthen and comfort. Preaching is the art of making God’s word applicable to everyday life, involving training and correction, rebuking and encouragement.

            These three components of gathering have to do with God speaking to people.

Bridges with God

            Water baptism! The believer makes a public confession, strengthening faith. Water baptism is the Biblical declaration of entering a relationship with God, the beginning of an obedient walk.

            Communion! The person makes a personal confession, nourishing faithfulness. Communion is the Biblical declaration of an ongoing relationship with God, the continuation of an obedient walk.

Bridges with people

            Greeting others! To greet those worshiping alongside of you keeps before you the reality of not being an island unto yourself. Others love God with you. Protect yourself from gaining an Elijah syndrome, thinking you are the last one still concerned about God and His reputation.

            Announcements! Can anything spiritual be associated with announcements?  Absolutely! Announcements show the link to community, what the Bible calls koininia (fellowship).

            “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” (1 Corinthians 12:24-25 ESV) Information about ways to connect with others who follow Jesus helps fulfill many other individual and group needs.

The gathering

            Worship must be first expressed by lifestyle. The gatherings, the weekly assembly, is not the sole environment for expressing adoration, yet is an important demonstration of love.

            Regularly participate with reverence and devotion in the Scriptural components of people speaking to God and God speaking to people. And when you have entered into an audience with the Lord and He has spoken into your life, only one thing remains: Quickly respond and experience additional transformation. In times past this was referred to as the altar call and associated with walking to the front of the auditorium. Whether a person comes forward or stays seated everyone must give an answer to the issues God is addressing in the gathering.

            Elevate in 2016 the role of the weekly assembling together! Regularly come together with others throughout the entire year, ready for a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 ESV)

            The focus last time was on the human conscience. This critical component of the inward nature must be influenced by Scripture in order to become an effective tool for shaping behavior. The daily practice of spending time in the Book is essential. Give more attention to reading God’s word in 2016.

            What other spiritual matters should be considered and possibly address next year?

            Those following Jesus have an assignment. Go! Everyone has a world to reach. Believers are to represent Jesus in their world of influence. Many have great influence and others little but everyone has some. How well are you representing Him?

            Influence is both seen and heard. When overseeing a local church, I ended every Sunday morning worship service praying a prayer of blessing. Part of the blessing regularly heard each week was, “Lead us to people who need to see and hear about You and in the power of the Holy Spirit help us to tell them what you have done in our lives.”

            The story of Jesus is not a recitation of Scripture. The message of Christ is your life. Reflecting Him before others is your witness. You are His testimony. Memorizing the Scripture verses in the scripted “Romans Road” and the “ABC of Salvation” will not impact as much as a transformed believer in Christ living by faith, day in and day out.

            When I was overseeing a church in a northwest suburb of Chicago, Bill Hybels was a neighboring pastor. He is a nice guy with a genuine love for people and a real concern about their relationship with God.

            Bill tells a story of a time when he had about 45 seconds to give a small group of nonbelievers the reason for becoming a follower of Jesus. These were people he became acquainted with out of a mutual love for boating. They had observed him in action and were interested about his take on Christianity.

            He told them, “Well, first you’ve got to realize the difference between religion and Christianity. Religion is spelled D-O because it consists of things people do to try to somehow gain God’s forgiveness and approval. The problem with religion is that you never quite know when you’ve done enough. It’s like being a salesman who knows he must meet a quota, but is never told what the quota is. We can never be sure when we’ve actually done enough. Worse yet, the Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that we can never do enough. ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’

            “Christianity, on the other hand, is spelled D-O-N-E. Christ has already done for us what we could never do for ourselves. Jesus lived a perfect life and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty owed for our sins and shortcomings. To become a real Christian, we must humbly receive God’s gift of forgiveness and ask Him to lead our lives. God accepts us as children of God based on what Jesus has done for us and begins to change us from the inside out.”

            His brief presentation is nicely arranged and easily understandable, yet more important is people seeing the nidi-gritty of living in a wayward world with an another world kind of faith. Bill got their attention because he spent time with them and they became curious about what made him tick.

            Jesus describes the best way of revealing to others a relationship with God by using two everyday components of life, salt and light.

Salt

Your life is to be fashioned after salt. Two major uses of salt are flavoring and food preservation. You are a seasoning and stabilizing agent. You are to safeguard your testimony from things that are tasteless (“no good”) and decaying (“need to be thrown away”).

Salt is a symbol of durability. Moses wrote, “All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the LORD I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD for you and for your offspring with you.” (Numbers 18:19 ESV)

            Salt is also a symbol of value. Paul wrote, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6 ESV)

            As a seasoning your faith in Jesus should counteract blandness and make others crave abundant life. Your faith should cause others to desire Jesus.

            As a preservative your love for God should counteract the rottenness of life that impacts everything and everyone.

Jesus mentions salt can lose saltiness. Have you lost spiritual desires, a sense of sorrow over sin, a longing for righteousness and purity, and a lack of concern for the unchurched?

            The issue of salt is an either/or scenario. You are either salty or good for nothing.

One final thought about a salty testimony: Salt enhances healing and causes pain, sometimes simultaneously. No one can predict the outcome of your witness, yet this fact should not be used as a hindrance to testifying about your Lord and Savior.

Light

Your witness is also fashioned after light, a symbol of illumination. Followers of Jesus are to guide others to a transforming relationship with God. Your witness should be highly visible, clearly seen by everyone. Taking a low profile is actually not possible if genuinely following Jesus.

            Sometime ago I needed to use public transportation on a one-way journey. The return trip was already arranged. Instead of air or rail transportation I decided to use standard bus service.

            Bus passengers are a different type of clientele, and the experience as well as the various conversations were fascinating. The topics of interest were not what is typically heard at airports or on airplanes. People also appeared much more talkative to each other on a bus.

            My appearance was extremely casual, not unlike the other bus passengers – well-worn blue jeans, discount store sweatshirt, older jacket and cap. My luggage was a standard backpack containing everything for the ride. Nothing about me communicated being a credentialed minister or church leader.

            My first bus was late arriving at a bus station where I was to connect with one heading to my destination. They rerouted me to a terminal a couple hundred miles away for another bus going to the same location. The revised trip required a late night arrival and early morning departure at a terminal in a major city. I spent the night slouched over a table in a booth at the dining area, covered with a blanket from my backpack.

            Occasionally I would awake only to see an older black woman constantly looking my way. Yet I continued to drowsily sleep throughout the night.

            The next morning the woman boarded the same bus I was taking and we ended up sitting next to each other. She was very kind and friendly, heading to Brooklyn, New York. In the course of our casual conversation she said, “You’re a pastor aren’t ya? I decided to watch out for you last night and make sure you weren’t bothered by anyone.” I was appreciative but equally surprised by her comment.

            To this day I do not know how she determined my profession, except for the fact that believers illuminate Jesus wherever they go. Your life in Christ is not lived in concealment. Grace is as conspicuous as a city built on a hill. Your declaration of faith makes it virtually impossible to avoid the curiosity and sometimes scrutiny of others.

Jesus mentions light in a house. Your testimony starts at home. Those closest to you should be the first to benefit from your relationship with God. They should be able to quickly verify that what others see in public is the same in private. His unmerited favor should first be a part of your home before shining on others.

A major aspect of an illumined testimony is shedding light on the sorrow of living outside a relationship with God. Is the triumph of Kingdom living visible to those experiencing the tragedies attached to rebellion and pride? People desperately need to witness your compassionate acts of grace in the midst of their troubles.

            Your devotion to God is done in secret but benevolence to others is practiced openly.

Influence

            What does salt and light have in common?  They enhance and lend influence. How are you influencing others toward a meaningful relationship with God? Are you an active agent of divine grace, causing a desire in others to love Jesus as well as illuminating the roadway to salvation?

            Most of my life was spent standing on a platform in a church building helping people know the one True God of Scripture. My witness was predominately in a relatively sheltered and controlled environment. Although my ministry is presently more with a pen than from a pulpit, helping others in a local faith-community still has a very special place in my heart.

            Establishing a new church was my final church assignment, requiring me to supplement family income. I began helping students and aiding parents in the areas of education and sports. My ministry had transitioned primarily into public settings.

            The kinds of people I was in regular contact with were very different than in church ministry. I saw firsthand how much had changed since becoming a fulltime minister. My exposure to the unchurched in their setting showed how the local church has become increasingly ineffective in telling His story to the average person on the street. The first-contact, frontline believers in Christ must become more real in their beliefs and more authentic in their behavior, both visually and verbally. Peoples destiny is at stake!

            Be a thirst agent! And shed light on Jesus! Give greater attention to your witness of Christ in your world of influence in 2016. Fulfill your calling to His assignment.

THE HUMAN CONSCIENCE

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:14-18 ESV)

            As a little boy I often heard said, “Let your conscience by your guide.” Seems good on the surface but is that sound advice? Is the conscience a reliable measurement tool for determining conduct? Do cannibals feel remorse killing and eating humans? Probably not, unless of course they did a lousy job preparing a tasty meal! (I know, a bad joke! J)

            The human conscience is groomed by the home of origin, the education received, the books read, the movies watched, the people associated with (both good and bad), the personal desires, and the choices made that drive actions.

            Those who have read my book TEN Words, Reflections from the Ten Commandments know how Christ became a meaningful part of my life in my teen years. Immediately I sensed the three destructive habitual acts of vulgarity, lying and stealing needed to end if there was going to be special empowerment and abundant life in Him.

            My mind-set about deception and stealing before making a decision to follow Jesus was not guilt. My feelings about lying and pilfering were more in line with ecstasy for getting away with a clever tale and not being caught in a creative shoplifting effort.

            In a rebellious world recalibration is necessary before the conscience can aid conduct. Paul mentions a weak conscience, seared conscience, clean conscience, and good conscience. Peter also writes of a good conscience. What is the condition of your conscience?

            The word conscience is used 32 times in the New Testament and not once in the Old Testament. The term is defined as a knowledge or feeling of right and wrong, with a compulsion to do right.

            The first recorded illustration of conscience is when God required the first man to refrain from eating from a certain tree. As soon as Adam recognized his disobedience he felt shame, a form of guilt. When God’s directives are followed there is a sense of completeness and orderliness. Yet when His plans are not followed a conscience awareness of reproach and rejection is experienced.

            Since the rebellion in the Garden of Eden everyone is dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1) The entire make-up of the original creation has become disoriented, darkened, and depraved. Through transgression the human conscience has become untrustworthy and unreliable.

            Scripture describes the present condition: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12 ESV)

            On account of the rebellious, proud, and sinful nature the conscience is perverse, which causes people to excuse themselves for their actions while accusing others for similar actions. Guilty people often feel better by watching others fail. A poor or weak conscience often manifests itself in a judgmental attitude. The shamefaced gossip attacks others for doing what he or she would like to do, or may possibly be doing clandestinely.

            What makes the conscience usable for achieving meaning and purpose, fulfillment and satisfaction? Only by placing faith in God does the conscience revert into a reliable source for impacting behavior.

            Scripture reveals how the conscience becomes reshaped to do what it was designed to do, how it becomes able to fulfill its intended purpose.

A purified conscience

            “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14 ESV)

            The Spirit of God applies the atoning blood of Calvary and purifies the conscience of those following Jesus. The conscience once filled with erroneous values, wrong judgments, and inaccurate concepts is cleansed and corrected. The blood of Jesus cancels the past, wipes the present clean, and starts a person in a righteous direction toward a perfect future.

A renewed conscience

            “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV) Attitudes and actions become synchronized with God. The inward character experiences divine conformity.

            Faithfully and repeatedly reading the Bible is the leading component in the process. What does God say about life? Knowing accurately and perfectly the insight of Scripture causes an intuitive knowledge of right and wrong.

A Spirit-led conscience

            The Holy Spirit raises the follower of Jesus to greater heights.

            “And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16 ESV)

            “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.’” (Isaiah 48:17-18 ESV

            “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 ESV)

            His directives and directions restore peace and cancels guilt. The heartfelt desire to make decisions solely by the promptings of the Spirit causes an inward drive to keep the conscience lucid before God and clear before others.

            “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 ESV) Where there is guilt there is no peace and where there is peace there is no guilt.

Usable conscience

            Paul does emphasize doing and abstaining from things “for conscience sake.” (1 Corinthians 10:25, 27) Yet this is only possible when the conscience is pure, having been renewed and made steadfast by presence of the Holy Spirit.

            Ask the Lord to reshape your conscience. Give the daily reading of Scripture your highest priority. Make this divinely given element of the inward nature an effective tool. He wants to use your conscience to steer you on right paths.

SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. (Psalm 92:1-2 ESV)

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. (Psalm 95:1-7 ESV)

            When Thanksgiving approaches, most people list things they are thankful about – possessions, profession, and physical condition. There is nothing wrong with being glad for belongings, job, and health but have you considered the spirit of thanksgiving? I am not referencing a ghost as in Dickens’s Christmas Carol, but a frame of mind, a grateful outlook.

            The Apostle Paul challenged follower of Jesus to be “content in whatever circumstance.” Are you constantly giving thanks as you go through various situations?

            What occasionally slips into the soul and replaces a spirit of thanksgiving?

Spirit of intolerance

            Intolerance is often noticeable while driving. Across this great nation people use hand language while on the road. In the Dakotas, where there are very few cars, a smile and wave regularly comes from behind the windshields of passing vehicles. In Chicagoland, where there are massive numbers of vehicles, an occasional frown and clench fist is more commonplace, or a worse form of visual expression (you can figure out what worse means).

            I learned a new definition for the words split second shortly after moving to Chicagoland. A split second is the time between a traffic light turning green and someone behind you honking their horn.

            Intolerance is also seen while shopping. Some clerks, to the detriment of the store, act as if they are doing you a favor helping you, their facial expression showing inconvenience and discuss. Sometimes sarcasm rises within me, rattles within my mouth, and wants to come out. Should I apologize for interrupting them from stacking sweaters so I can purchase one? A sarcastic remark would not improve their actions.

            Equally sad are customers treating clerks as second class citizens, not worthy of civility and good manners, even while shopping for the holiday promoting goodwill and joy.

            Intolerance of others is everywhere. How do you look, speak, or act toward others?

Spirit of hopelessness

            With the amount of stress people carry, depression is a chronic problem. Professional therapy is reaching new heights. Pastor counseling calendars are filled. Unfortunately many people base happiness on happenings, and life is not happening the way they want.

            Some give suicide serious consideration, a permanent solution to a temporary problem. The epidemic is impacting every age group – teens, young adult, middle age, elderly. The seeming hopelessness of the world is terrorizing the minds of many.

Spirit of indifference

            An “I don’t care” attitude (a defense mechanism, a form of self-protection and self-preservation) is regularly seen in people’s behavior, giving testimony of a deficiency in genuine community. Focus is more on self, on self-esteem and self-worth, with little regard for those sharing life with them. Yet every personal action and attitude toward others affects you, even the action of indifference.

            Many may be thankful for things but are not generally thankful. Intolerance, hopelessness and indifference indicate the spirit of thanksgiving is missing. Yet only out of a grateful heart does life have meaning.

Studies of thanksgiving

            Jesus is the Author of thanksgiving. On the night He was betrayed, He took bread and gave thanks. With foreknowledge of his sacrificial death He was thankful, not for the cross but for the love of the Heavenly Father.

            The pilgrims conducted the first American thanksgiving celebration. They lost 47 people the previous winter, one-half of the original number. Thirteen out of eighteen wives died. Three children died. Only three families remained unbroken. The first harvest was meager. Yet they hosted a thanksgiving celebration. They were not thankful on account of circumstances. They were grateful for being a colony under God in a new land and glad for the newfound freedom to express faith in Him.

            President Abraham Lincoln founded the first national day of Thanksgiving. Elton Trueblood wrote Abraham Lincoln: Theologian of American Anguish and commented that Lincoln never saw the Southern States as an enemy but as disillusioned and disgruntled members of the Union. They could reject him as President but he would not reject them. He did not perceive himself the leader of the North but as one placed under God to work toward the preservation of the nation. The focus of the proclamation for a day of thanksgiving, held the fourth Thursday of November, was not for the North to win but for restoration.

Thanksgiving

            You are a specially created component of a great mosaic, designed by God. Your life is part of a master plan and every situation you face contributes to His finished portrait. Be thankful for all the circumstances completing the picture.

            I graduated from high school when only 17 years old. Shortly afterwards I had to either enlist or become drafted into the Arm Forces. I entered the Air Force at age 18. Eight months later I was stationed in an Asian country on the other side of the International Dateline. The only communication to home was by letters sent by mail. No other form of contact existed, such as quick and easy phone service, emails, Skype, or Face Time.

            My Thanksgiving meal was in the Chow Hall with a couple of guys I had only met a couple months earlier, one from Philadelphia and the other from Detroit. The foods and conversations were very different than back home in Seattle. Television only offered extremely old reruns, not football.

            December 25 was just a day on the calendar. In order for the kitchen crew to have time off for Christmas the Chow Hall served leftovers. The special Yuletide meal was served a couple days earlier. Airman spent the day sitting in the barracks doing nothing.

            Very early in life I came to realize contentment and joy needed to come from something or someone more constant and sure than circumstances and things. Only Jesus is unchanging – the same yesterday, today and forever. Only He can completely satisfy the human condition.

            If on Thursday you are fortunate to be with family then have a great time. But if on Thursday you have to be alone, or work, then do not let that deter you from having a grateful heart and joyful countenance.

            Go ahead and list things that make you thankful if you want. Yet the things of the world will pass away and are unimportant. Take on a spirit of thanksgiving that transcends today and enters eternity.

            Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day. Why not make it a yearlong observance?

REDEMPTION

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:44-53)       

            The story of redemption can be considered in three stages: The Old Testament reveals God the Father planning and preparing. The Gospels reveal God the Son accomplishing. And the New Testament reveals God the Spirit applying and effecting.

            Jesus came into the world in a special way and returned to the Father when His mission was accomplished. Similarly, the Holy Spirit came in a special way and is now fulfilling His mission on earth. What happens when His mission is accomplished?

The foretelling of redemption

            The gospels record John the baptizer announcing the coming of the Messiah. The name Jesus is especially significant to His earthly mission. The construction-craftsman Joseph was told, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus [Joshua, “the Lord saves”], for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost.

            As John the baptizer announced Jesus, Jesus announced the Holy Spirit. “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you … But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:15-18, 26)

            “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-15)

            The disciples were troubled at the thought of Jesus leaving – their Master, Mentor, Messiah. The Holy Spirit came to personally fill the emptiness in their lives after His departure, a special infilling rendered impossible while the Son was with them. The mission of the Holy Spirit is to come alongside to counsel, comfort, instruct, and intercede.

            The Holy Spirit is continuing the earthly mission while Jesus engages in a heavenly ministry. The twofold work of advocacy is presently taking place. Jesus pleads the case (Advocate) of His followers before the Father, while the Holy Spirit provides sound counsel and expert guidance (Advocate).

The advent of redemption

            Jesus came at a definite date in history. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5) His advent was at a perfectly timed moment for the special purpose of redeeming and adopting.

            The advent of the Holy Spirit followed shortly after the ascension of the glorified Jesus to heaven. The Apostle John explains in his narrative, “Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:39)

            Like Jesus, at a uniquely appointed time the Holy Spirit came. “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4) The Feast of Ingathering defined the purpose for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The embodiment of redemption

            By coming to earth born of a woman Jesus was God Incarnate. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) The tabernacle of Glory on earth became manifested in the bodily presence of Christ.

            By coming on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit is manifesting God Incarnate through the Church, the body of Christ. “In whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:21-22) The Church is presently the tabernacle of Glory on earth, currently under construction and one day made complete.

            Jesus finished the work of redemption in a human body and the Holy Spirit applies the work of redemption in the body of Christ, with Jesus being the Head. The assembly being gathered throughout the earth is to manifest the splendor of the risen Savior.

The ascension of redemption

            When Jesus completed His mission on earth He “ascended higher than all the heavens.” (Ephesians 4:10) He did not simply vanish as a disembodied spirit. He physically ascended. (Luke 24:51)

            The resurrection and rapture of the church, the body of Christ, is directly linked to the Holy Spirit. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

            “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

            The ascending of the church from the earth is synchronized with the descending of the Lord from the heavens for a meeting in the air, Head and Body joining together in celebration of true life. The fashioning of the church “in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27) is complete, then conclusively sealed and delivered to the Father with sounds of praise and triumph.

            When the Holy Spirit completes His mission on earth, will He then return to the Father at the ascension of the body of Christ, the rapture? “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

            Whether the Holy Spirit is present on earth during the Great Tribulation is an occasional discussion point among those following Jesus and is not emphatically indicated in Scripture. Will life on earth be similar to older covenant times, prior to Christ’s first appearance? Will the attention of God return to the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the completion of His plans to them?

            When the world enters the final chapter of retribution (Revelation 16), an epoch of reckoning and reprisal, there appears to be no help or Helper, and life will be torturous. No level-headed person will want to be here.

Full redemption

            The Holy Trinity is involved in redemption – the Father plans, the Son effects, and the Spirit applies. The Father testifies of the Son, the Son testifies of the Father, and the Spirit testifies of Father and Son.

            The Holy Spirit is at work to bring about the completion of redemption, and the body of Christ is the testimony of redemption. In light of the second coming, the Spirit desires to mightily advance the cause of Christ in and through you. Be filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit. Be actively a part of completing the mission.

GREAT PROBLEM, GREATER HELP, 12

“Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.” (Genesis 11:7-9 ESV)

  “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4 ESV)

 “There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me … For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also … For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:10-11, 14-15, 33 ESV)

            The day-of-Pentecost experience is about empowerment for service, given to followers of Jesus that prayerfully ask for the Heavenly promise. Much of the controversy surrounding the Blessing centers on speaking in tongues. Of the nine manifestations of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) the gift of tongues is the only one bringing personal edification.

            Many people attend Pentecostal churches in order to benefit from things associated with the immersing nature of the Holy Spirit, such as experiential rather than only cognitive worship. Although every believer needs the fullness of the Spirit, some just want selected benefits.

            At the age of 16 I visited a Spirit-filled church in Seattle. The well-to-do congregation gathered in an upscale part of the city, the University district. Approximately a thousand people attended on Sunday mornings. They wore stylish clothing, drove pricey vehicles, and lived in attractive homes located in well-manicured neighborhoods. These were not the typical attendees of Pentecostal churches, more associated with lower income people.

            The expressive worship was uplifting yet almost seemed out of character with their social status. They sang with enthusiasm and prayed with authority. During my visit, as the congregational singing was coming to a close, a distinguished gentleman in the balcony began speaking in tongues. He simply spoke a firm, clear and pure utterance, given by the Holy Spirit instead of through the normal processes of human reasoning. What followed was an interpretation (not a translation) from another believer in the auditorium.

            As a guest at the church, the experience surprised me but did not alarm me. A sense of genuineness and reality came over me and made me more curious about Christ. The gift of tongues has the ability to generate belief as well as confirm the presence of God.

            Many statements are made about speaking in tongues from various perspectives:

            A psychological perspective describes it as “fabricated speech in a strange tongue, occurring chiefly in states of religious ecstasy but found also in psychopathic cases.”

            An anthropological perspective describes it as “unintelligible extemporaneous postbabbling speech that exhibits superficial phonologic similarity to languages without having consistent syntagmatic structure and is not systematically derived from or related to known languages.”

            Yet the Greek word glossa used in Acts 2:4 denotes a “program of intelligible sounds produced by the physical organ inside one’s mouth when it is under intelligent control.”

            So why should believers manifest the gift in tongues?

Speaking in tongues is a means of reflecting a new image

            The human tongue reflects the inner-person.

            “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good….” (Psalm 34:13-14 ESV)

            “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle….” (Psalm 39:1 ESV)

            “[They] whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless….” (Psalm 64:3-4 ESV)

            Proverbs makes comments about speech:

            “An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips….” (Proverbs 12:13 ESV)

            “…the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” (Proverbs 15:28 ESV)

            “…the mouth of the wicked [only speaks] what is perverse.” (Proverbs 10:32 ESV)

            Jesus mentions speech:

            “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34 ESV)

            “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth … But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:11, 18 ESV)”

            James records some observations about speech:

            “And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (James 3:2 ESV)

            “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life….” (James 3:6 ESV)

            Every time people gossip, speak half-truths, make derogatory remarks, or express vulgarity they are saying more about themselves than about others. As an organ of speech the tongue mirrors the inner condition. The propensity for speaking evil is great and must be guarded against. The tongue is the part of the body whose control signifies the control of the whole person.

            Speaking in tongues gives testimony of a new Lord in residence and a new nature being built up in Christ.

Speaking in tongues is a reversal of Babel

            Three characteristics were part of the Tower of Babel. (Genesis 11) The people moved east to a plain in the land of Shinar in disobedience to God. They attempted to reach greatness using manmade materials and individual efforts. Their actions led to disunity and confusion.

            When in disobedience human language deteriorates and becomes mere babble. Since the Tower of Babel the human race has not only been speaking different languages but also babbling.

            Paul wrote to Timothy that speech void of the Spirit is worldly fables, empty chatter that spreads like cancer. In other words, babble! (1 Timothy 4:7, 6:20)

            The outcomes at the Tower of Babel were reversed at the Feast of Pentecost. They stayed in Jerusalem in obedience to the Lord. Instead of seeking greatness by human effort they waited for the promise of the Father, the clothing of divine power. Their actions led to unity and harmony.

            Babel was a place of disorder, yet throughout the book of Acts the church is described as of one mind, one heart and one purpose. The Lord restores order out of chaos.

            Speaking in tongues is a testimony of moving from babbling to simplicity. The manifestation testifies of moving from rebellion to submission, shifting from the tower of confusion to the upper room of confidence.

            Communicating to God in a heavenly language suspends worldly nonsense and synchronizes life in Christ. Speaking in tongues is not a ritual recall but an edifying experience, clearing up indecision and insecurity.

Speaking in tongues is not irrational but super-rational

            Scripture records the content of tongues is “speaking the mighty deeds of God” (Acts 2:11), a transcendent praise that goes beyond ordinary capacity and expression. Speaking in tongues enables a believer to convey His splendor in words beyond human comprehension.

            God always understands the language of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:2) and always listens (1 Corinthians 14:28). Speaking in tongues is a gift to a person’s spirit that bypasses human comprehension. The inner spirit intermingling with the Holy Spirit communicates to the Lord, unhindered by flawed wisdom and limited understanding.

            What was the Apostle Paul’s opinion and instructions about speaking in tongues? “Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts … I want you all to speak in tongues … if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also … I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.” (1 Corinthians 14:1, 5, 14-16, 18 ESV)

            Is there a therapeutic dimension to tongues?

            Becoming built up by super-rationally expressing the mysteries of God is the Scriptural element. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

            Opening all aspects of the outward and inward person to Jesus is the theological aspect.

            Could a psychological feature be an ongoing integration of the human personality? Is the total psyche (the conscience, subconscious, and unconscious) going through defragmentation and recalibration? Is a restoring of unity to the inner person becoming enhanced and enriched by this manifestation of the Holy Spirit?

            When not knowing how to pray, God provides the means. When not knowing what to pray, God provides the direction. Speaking in tongues gives divine enlightenment.

Speaking in tongues is a liberating phenomenon

            Two older covenant festivals are associated with fifty, the fiftieth day after Passover known as Pentecost and every fiftieth year after entering the Promise Land known as Jubilee. (Leviticus 25)

            In the Year of Jubilee property was liberated from toil and freed to return to the original owner. All slaves were released from bondage. What a terrific picture of the manifestation of tongues!

            The 13^th Century churchman Thomas Aquinas wrote, “Jubilation is an unspeakable joy which one cannot keep silent, yet neither can it be expressed…it is beyond comprehension.”

            Speaking in a heavenly language is jubilating, liberating the believer from one of the toil aspects of prayer – knowing what to say. It frees the person to fully express joy and thanksgiving to the Lord, and releases the believer from the bondage of limitations.

            “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV)

Tongues

            Speaking in tongues is a means of reflecting a new image, reverses the events of Babel, is a super-rational experience, and a liberating wonder. From heavenward perspectives the manifestation of tongues is not controversial but brings wholeness to life. As with every component of faith, this grace-gift is indispensable.

            Some have said to me, “I believe speaking in tongues is genuine but just not for me.” The book of Acts reveals they were all filled and all spoke in tongues.

            Pride and sometimes doubt prevents believers from experiencing various dimensions of eternal living. Be assured, the day-of-Pentecost phenomenon is genuine and for all who love God and seek to live fully for Him.

            Is pride holding you back from this blessing? The very nature of pride opposes heavenly qualities and is the barrier to all spiritual advancement. Humbly ask and receive this priceless edifying gift of the Spirit.