THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU.
Have you ever had anyone tell you they were going to do something for you and then they failed to do it?
We all have.
What is your reaction to them when later your paths cross?
Jesus says we should forgive, in the same way that He forgave us our sin.
But forgiveness is not easy.
It wasn't easy for Him, either.
Nevertheless, He did it.
Do you?
Or are you like some people who, once they perceive that they have been wronged, carry that perception forever?
What about people who promise to be somewhere and then don't show up?
Should you let it slide? Or should you bring it up every time his/her name comes up?
Suppose a friend said he was going to give you a gift, and then didn't do it?
Would you hold that against him?
Would you say something like, "Well, now I know who my friends are!"
Shame, shame and double shame on you!
The old addage, "Two wrongs don't make a right," applies here.
If it is true that the other person did not do you right, getting even, or even having a bad attitude, is not the response a spiritual person would have.
What would help you most would be to forget about it.
Yep, just forget about it.
See, it is not your responsibility to help God judge that person for "wronging" you. That's God's job.
Your responsibility is to forgive IN THE SAME WAY JESUS FORGAVE YOU.
Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Colossians 2:13 says, "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins...,
Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
You did not deserve forgiveness.
But you got it.
Now it's your turn.
Give it.
Holding a grudge will come back to bite you.
And it will ruin the testimony you have tried so hard to portray to people.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
MUSINGS ON MINISTRY
Christian Ministry: Discovering the spiritual and other needs of people and taking action to meet those needs.
I was called into Christin Ministry when I was seventeen years old.
Ever since that call, I have served somewhere in the field of ministry.
I have served in churches and in para-church ministries.
There are a lot of things I do not know.
Ministry is something I do know.
Every fibre of my being has been steeped in ministry in one or more of the following areas, sometimes at the same time: Minister of Education; Christian School Administrator; Minister of Music; Minister of Youth and now Minister in Christian radio.
I have also run a successful business.
They are not the same.
Business is business; ministry is ministry and never the twain shall meet.
In fact, if you are a minister of any entity and try to run it like a business, you will ultimately fall flat on your face.
While you can run a business according to God's Word, if you try to run it purely as a ministry, you will fall flat on your face.
Ministry is God driven, and serves people.
Business serves people but is income driven.
Money follows ministry.
Money leads business.
Take Christian radio, for instance.
To succeed, Christian radio must follow ministry precepts.
Every word spoken, every song played, every announcement made must point people toward the Lord, Jesus, Christ, build them up in the body of Christ, give them encouragement in Christ and lead them closer to Him.
The key to finding support for Christian radio lies not in the skillful "selling" of radio time.
In fact, only about one-third of a station's income should come from programmers and underwriters.
Two-thirds should come from the contributions of listeners.
If those two get out of balance, gloom and doom looms.
The secret of support for Christian radio comes from increasing listenership, as only 5% to 7% of listeners will ever give a dime to the station no matter what you do.
To increase listeners, Christian radio MUST:
1. Be involved in the Christian community.
2. Be at every Christian event possible: walk-a-thons; bike-rides; community-wide church events; Christian concerts; Christian Chamber meetings; church worship services and any other place you can find to be.
3. Realize that most of those events will not return a single dollar to the station...they may even cost money, but the exposure will pay off in the long run.
4. Disperse information about the Christian community, as well as community public affairs.
5. Never waste a single moment on activities that do not promote the station to the largest possible segment of the Christian community, it results only in the spinning of the wheels and is a despicable misuse of the resources God has given the ministry. After all radio is not narrow-casting, it is BROADcasting.
6. Get an audience before congregations, where you can tell people about the station, take a brief survey and objectively discover their needs.
You may react, "But I am not interested in those things! They have never made the station a dime! I don't get why they are important to the exclusion of promotions like a good business would do, and like "selling" air time.
Then you have not been called into Christian radio.
It is a different animal, this ministry thing.
It is totally other oriented.
It is NEVER about self and self-preferences.
It is ALWAYS about the needs of the listeners...not the needs one THINKS the listener has, the needs one KNOWS the listeners has.
Ever wonder why God blesses some para-church ministries and not others?
Now you know.
What ever your ministry: Christian radio; food and groceries; soup kitchen; shelter; ministry to foster children and orphans; whatever it is, it must follow the proper precepts or it cannot succeed.
When it does follow the proper precepts...stand back! Get out of the way! God is going to bless your pea-pickin' socks off!
I was called into Christin Ministry when I was seventeen years old.
Ever since that call, I have served somewhere in the field of ministry.
I have served in churches and in para-church ministries.
There are a lot of things I do not know.
Ministry is something I do know.
Every fibre of my being has been steeped in ministry in one or more of the following areas, sometimes at the same time: Minister of Education; Christian School Administrator; Minister of Music; Minister of Youth and now Minister in Christian radio.
I have also run a successful business.
They are not the same.
Business is business; ministry is ministry and never the twain shall meet.
In fact, if you are a minister of any entity and try to run it like a business, you will ultimately fall flat on your face.
While you can run a business according to God's Word, if you try to run it purely as a ministry, you will fall flat on your face.
Ministry is God driven, and serves people.
Business serves people but is income driven.
Money follows ministry.
Money leads business.
Take Christian radio, for instance.
To succeed, Christian radio must follow ministry precepts.
Every word spoken, every song played, every announcement made must point people toward the Lord, Jesus, Christ, build them up in the body of Christ, give them encouragement in Christ and lead them closer to Him.
The key to finding support for Christian radio lies not in the skillful "selling" of radio time.
In fact, only about one-third of a station's income should come from programmers and underwriters.
Two-thirds should come from the contributions of listeners.
If those two get out of balance, gloom and doom looms.
The secret of support for Christian radio comes from increasing listenership, as only 5% to 7% of listeners will ever give a dime to the station no matter what you do.
To increase listeners, Christian radio MUST:
1. Be involved in the Christian community.
2. Be at every Christian event possible: walk-a-thons; bike-rides; community-wide church events; Christian concerts; Christian Chamber meetings; church worship services and any other place you can find to be.
3. Realize that most of those events will not return a single dollar to the station...they may even cost money, but the exposure will pay off in the long run.
4. Disperse information about the Christian community, as well as community public affairs.
5. Never waste a single moment on activities that do not promote the station to the largest possible segment of the Christian community, it results only in the spinning of the wheels and is a despicable misuse of the resources God has given the ministry. After all radio is not narrow-casting, it is BROADcasting.
6. Get an audience before congregations, where you can tell people about the station, take a brief survey and objectively discover their needs.
You may react, "But I am not interested in those things! They have never made the station a dime! I don't get why they are important to the exclusion of promotions like a good business would do, and like "selling" air time.
Then you have not been called into Christian radio.
It is a different animal, this ministry thing.
It is totally other oriented.
It is NEVER about self and self-preferences.
It is ALWAYS about the needs of the listeners...not the needs one THINKS the listener has, the needs one KNOWS the listeners has.
Ever wonder why God blesses some para-church ministries and not others?
Now you know.
What ever your ministry: Christian radio; food and groceries; soup kitchen; shelter; ministry to foster children and orphans; whatever it is, it must follow the proper precepts or it cannot succeed.
When it does follow the proper precepts...stand back! Get out of the way! God is going to bless your pea-pickin' socks off!
Monday, January 28, 2008
A NEW CONNECTION
A few days ago I was blythly recording some Ministry Calendar announcements at the Christian radio station where I work (if you can call what I do "work").
I recorded one that said, "Pianist Joseph Martin will be in concert at Peace Lutheran..."
"Hmm!" I said. "I know a Joe Martin. I wonder if this is he (if this is him? if this be he?...no, that sounds silly)."
Wishing to make Google earn its keep, I searched the World-Wide-Web for Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, found their calendar, on which was a biography of the visiting pianist, the afore-mentined Joseph Martin, including his Email address.
"Worth a try."
So I tried.
Imagine my delighted surprise when I got a response from the artist, himself, expressing his astonishment that I was me (who, by the way, I have always been...or at least for as long as I can remember) and that we were making a fresh connection!
See, Joseph Martin, known to me as Joe, was a member of my youth group when I was Minister of Music, Youth and Education at Parkway Baptist Church in Plantation Florida, a number of years ago that shall remain unnamed.
Although circumstances kept me from the concert, I was able to contact him by phone.
What an absolute trip that was!
I just knew he was destined for musical greatness, because he oozed music from every pore of his being.
It looked funny and smelled odd, nevertheless, it was obvious that music was his essence.
Often, when he got home from school, I would go over to his house for a visit and he would make straight for the piano.
He seemed to enjoy making his fingers express themselves, whatever the musical subject.
Joe is the only person I've ever met who could make playing musical scales and exercises an art-form.
He was also tremendously fun.
We had bunches of Youth types who liked to play football, so I bought a bunch of flag football equipment and we formed a sort of league.
Joe and I would assume the role of "team owners" and use play money to bid on players for our teams.
Then we would gather at the highschool practice field and play flag football.
His team usually won, 'cause I kinda liked to pick those guys (and gals) who often did not get picked.
On one occasion we wanted to see the movie, "Jaws." Joe's girlfriend didn't want to go, my wife didn't want to go, so Joe and I went together.
In other words, we were more than Youth Director and Youth, we were friends.
Life has a way of doing things, and one of the things it did was to move me to another place of service to God.
Joe and I lost touch.
The years have changed us in ways neither of us expected.
You know the drill: age; weight; hair style (or in my case, hair loss).
But we have made a new connection.
For that I praise God!
I really hope we are able to get together from time to time and catch up on each other's life, remember old times and just revel in God's goodness.
He lives far away, but comes to Florida like a magazine...periodically.
So today I say, "Joseph M. Martin...COME ON DOWN!"
I'll buy the coffee.
I recorded one that said, "Pianist Joseph Martin will be in concert at Peace Lutheran..."
"Hmm!" I said. "I know a Joe Martin. I wonder if this is he (if this is him? if this be he?...no, that sounds silly)."
Wishing to make Google earn its keep, I searched the World-Wide-Web for Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, found their calendar, on which was a biography of the visiting pianist, the afore-mentined Joseph Martin, including his Email address.
"Worth a try."
So I tried.
Imagine my delighted surprise when I got a response from the artist, himself, expressing his astonishment that I was me (who, by the way, I have always been...or at least for as long as I can remember) and that we were making a fresh connection!
See, Joseph Martin, known to me as Joe, was a member of my youth group when I was Minister of Music, Youth and Education at Parkway Baptist Church in Plantation Florida, a number of years ago that shall remain unnamed.
Although circumstances kept me from the concert, I was able to contact him by phone.
What an absolute trip that was!
I just knew he was destined for musical greatness, because he oozed music from every pore of his being.
It looked funny and smelled odd, nevertheless, it was obvious that music was his essence.
Often, when he got home from school, I would go over to his house for a visit and he would make straight for the piano.
He seemed to enjoy making his fingers express themselves, whatever the musical subject.
Joe is the only person I've ever met who could make playing musical scales and exercises an art-form.
He was also tremendously fun.
We had bunches of Youth types who liked to play football, so I bought a bunch of flag football equipment and we formed a sort of league.
Joe and I would assume the role of "team owners" and use play money to bid on players for our teams.
Then we would gather at the highschool practice field and play flag football.
His team usually won, 'cause I kinda liked to pick those guys (and gals) who often did not get picked.
On one occasion we wanted to see the movie, "Jaws." Joe's girlfriend didn't want to go, my wife didn't want to go, so Joe and I went together.
In other words, we were more than Youth Director and Youth, we were friends.
Life has a way of doing things, and one of the things it did was to move me to another place of service to God.
Joe and I lost touch.
The years have changed us in ways neither of us expected.
You know the drill: age; weight; hair style (or in my case, hair loss).
But we have made a new connection.
For that I praise God!
I really hope we are able to get together from time to time and catch up on each other's life, remember old times and just revel in God's goodness.
He lives far away, but comes to Florida like a magazine...periodically.
So today I say, "Joseph M. Martin...COME ON DOWN!"
I'll buy the coffee.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
A STUDY IN JOB - Part 4
In our continuing study of Job, we come to the fourth "friend," Elihu.
Elihu stayed out of the fray until the other had exhausted themselves.
Then he stepped in.
We're not sure what he stepped in, but it sure made a mess of things.
Here is how it went:
CHAPTER 32 AND FOLLOWING
Chapter 32 Elihu’s discourse.
He is a Buzite — Buz was evidently an Arab tribe (Genesis 22:21).
Elihu has been one of the auditors to this contest.
He has kept silent because of his youth, though he wanted to speak.
When the three friends have nothing more to say and have lost the contest, Elihu is angry because:
He feels that Job justified himself and condemned God (v. 2). (He had not, of course.)
He feels that the three friends of Job have failed to answer him adequately.
When Elihu finally speaks, he speaks longer than any of the three friends or Job (chapters 32 — 37).
Chapter 33
Elihu maintains that:
God is right in all that He does; (He is, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
God created man (v. 4); (He did, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
God is responsible to no one (v. 13); (He isn't, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
God speaks to man by dreams and visions [before He gave a written revelation] (vv. 14, 15); (He sometimes does, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
God instructs men through discipline (vv. 29, 30). (Sometimes He does, but that is not Elihu's point)
Notice that he suggests the reason for the Incarnation (vv. 6, 7).
Chapter 34
Elihu declares that God never acts wickedly nor commits wrong acts (v. 12). (He doesn't, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
Chapter 35
Elihu reproves Job for inferring that he is more righteous than God (v. 2). (Job did not do that.)
God is teaching Job a lesson, and both Job and his friends missed this truth (vv. 10-12).
Chapter 36
God is the great Teacher (v. 22).
It was said of Jesus, "Never man spoke like this man" [John 7:46].
Chapter 37
Elihu infers that God is too far removed for man to communicate with Him (vv. 22, 23). (Absolutely not true)
However, it is not the greatness and majesty of God that has separated man from Him; it is man’s sin that has caused the disruption (see Isaiah 59:1, 2). (True, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
In all of this, Elihu has been using truths, half-truths and untruths, to beat Job over the head as though he were guilty.
But at the beginning, God said Job was blameless.
Either God was right, or He is not God.
He is God.
Chapter 38
God breaks through and speaks to Job.
During the entire dialogue a storm has been gathering on the horizon. At this point, it breaks with fury.
The crowd scatters and scurries for cover, leaving Job alone with God (v. 1).
Both Job and Elihu had obscured truth with their theories and ideas (v. 2).
God’s appeal to Job is on the basis of His role as Creator.
Remember that this was before there was any written revelation (v. 4).
(Compare Romans 1:19, 20. )
This is a good introduction for every book on geology and origins.
This response (v. 7) predates the creation of man. Actually, man is a "Johnny-come-lately" in God’s universe.
What did the writer of Job or Job himself know about the beauty of a snowflake (vv. 22, 23)?
Chapter 39
God’s wisdom, person, and power are revealed in creation.
Chapter 40
God now demands Job to answer Him (vv. 1, 2).
Job begins to see himself in the light of God’s presence — he is vile.
Job becomes suddenly silent (vv. 3-5).
The storm breaks in all of its fury and God speaks out of the whirlwind. He continues His appeal through creation (v. 6).
Chapter 41
God continues to quiz Job relative to His acts of creation.
Elihu stayed out of the fray until the other had exhausted themselves.
Then he stepped in.
We're not sure what he stepped in, but it sure made a mess of things.
Here is how it went:
CHAPTER 32 AND FOLLOWING
Chapter 32 Elihu’s discourse.
He is a Buzite — Buz was evidently an Arab tribe (Genesis 22:21).
Elihu has been one of the auditors to this contest.
He has kept silent because of his youth, though he wanted to speak.
When the three friends have nothing more to say and have lost the contest, Elihu is angry because:
He feels that Job justified himself and condemned God (v. 2). (He had not, of course.)
He feels that the three friends of Job have failed to answer him adequately.
When Elihu finally speaks, he speaks longer than any of the three friends or Job (chapters 32 — 37).
Chapter 33
Elihu maintains that:
God is right in all that He does; (He is, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
God created man (v. 4); (He did, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
God is responsible to no one (v. 13); (He isn't, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
God speaks to man by dreams and visions [before He gave a written revelation] (vv. 14, 15); (He sometimes does, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
God instructs men through discipline (vv. 29, 30). (Sometimes He does, but that is not Elihu's point)
Notice that he suggests the reason for the Incarnation (vv. 6, 7).
Chapter 34
Elihu declares that God never acts wickedly nor commits wrong acts (v. 12). (He doesn't, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
Chapter 35
Elihu reproves Job for inferring that he is more righteous than God (v. 2). (Job did not do that.)
God is teaching Job a lesson, and both Job and his friends missed this truth (vv. 10-12).
Chapter 36
God is the great Teacher (v. 22).
It was said of Jesus, "Never man spoke like this man" [John 7:46].
Chapter 37
Elihu infers that God is too far removed for man to communicate with Him (vv. 22, 23). (Absolutely not true)
However, it is not the greatness and majesty of God that has separated man from Him; it is man’s sin that has caused the disruption (see Isaiah 59:1, 2). (True, of course, but that is not Elihu's point)
In all of this, Elihu has been using truths, half-truths and untruths, to beat Job over the head as though he were guilty.
But at the beginning, God said Job was blameless.
Either God was right, or He is not God.
He is God.
Chapter 38
God breaks through and speaks to Job.
During the entire dialogue a storm has been gathering on the horizon. At this point, it breaks with fury.
The crowd scatters and scurries for cover, leaving Job alone with God (v. 1).
Both Job and Elihu had obscured truth with their theories and ideas (v. 2).
God’s appeal to Job is on the basis of His role as Creator.
Remember that this was before there was any written revelation (v. 4).
(Compare Romans 1:19, 20. )
This is a good introduction for every book on geology and origins.
This response (v. 7) predates the creation of man. Actually, man is a "Johnny-come-lately" in God’s universe.
What did the writer of Job or Job himself know about the beauty of a snowflake (vv. 22, 23)?
Chapter 39
God’s wisdom, person, and power are revealed in creation.
Chapter 40
God now demands Job to answer Him (vv. 1, 2).
Job begins to see himself in the light of God’s presence — he is vile.
Job becomes suddenly silent (vv. 3-5).
The storm breaks in all of its fury and God speaks out of the whirlwind. He continues His appeal through creation (v. 6).
Chapter 41
God continues to quiz Job relative to His acts of creation.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
TOMATO MINISTRY
Once there was a tomato farmer.
He grew lots of tomatoes.
Then he needed someone to pick the tomatoes.
So, he hired a bunch of tomato pickers.
"You work for me!"
He made certain that every one of them understood that.
Whenever one of the tomato pickers picked a tomato that was not exactly perfect, the farmer yelled mercilessly at them.
"Pick only the perfect tomatoes!" he screamed.
"This is God's tomato farm!" He yelled. "You work for me! You do what I say, when I say, how I say, IF I say."
"Sir," ventured one of the tomato pickers, "I have been picking tomatoes for 26 years. If you only pick perfect tomatoes, they will never make it to market, as they will become over-ripe before anyone can buy them."
"Don't tell me what to pick!" bellowed the farmer. "I've been a tomato farmer for four years. I know what it's about! You have nothing to teach me. And if you did, you would be out of line to try to teach it to me, because this is MY tomato farm. I am the owner. You work for me!"
"O God," the farmer prayed, "Please bless this tomato farm." I dedicate it to you."
"This is God's farm, I tell you. God's farm."
"Now get to work picking, and pick only perfect tomatoes."
The farm's income dropped.
"Oh God!" pleaded the farmer, "I have dedicated this farm to you. It is your farm. Now you must bless it. You promised!"
The farm's income dropped some more.
"What we need is a fresh infusion of money," decided the farmer.
"Who will send money so we can keep this farm and supply tomatoes to the people?"
Nobody sent money. Mostly because the tomatoes were over-ripe at the market, and they did not see the wisdom of supporting a farm that was producing over-ripe tomatoes.
"This is all the pickers' fault. If they would just do what I tell them, and pick only perfect tomatoes, we wouldn't be in this terrible shape!"
"Perhaps I am not yelling loud enough at them."
"I will yell louder and get them to love me."
"Then I will go to the next town and help the people build a road."
"When they see me care about them, and build a road, they will surely buy my tomatoes and my troubles will be over."
"That will cost me money, though. So I will delay paying my workers. They are less important than the roads I will build."
"But sir," said one of the pickers, "What has building a road got to do with growing tomatoes? How will that inspire people to buy your tomatoes?"
"It is God's work," answered the farmer. "Just because it is unrelated to tomato farming is no reason for the people not to buy my tomatoes."
Still, the people did not increase their support of the farm's tomatoes.
The tomato farm lost some more money.
It sure is a good thing the farmer was not trying to run a ministry.
He grew lots of tomatoes.
Then he needed someone to pick the tomatoes.
So, he hired a bunch of tomato pickers.
"You work for me!"
He made certain that every one of them understood that.
Whenever one of the tomato pickers picked a tomato that was not exactly perfect, the farmer yelled mercilessly at them.
"Pick only the perfect tomatoes!" he screamed.
"This is God's tomato farm!" He yelled. "You work for me! You do what I say, when I say, how I say, IF I say."
"Sir," ventured one of the tomato pickers, "I have been picking tomatoes for 26 years. If you only pick perfect tomatoes, they will never make it to market, as they will become over-ripe before anyone can buy them."
"Don't tell me what to pick!" bellowed the farmer. "I've been a tomato farmer for four years. I know what it's about! You have nothing to teach me. And if you did, you would be out of line to try to teach it to me, because this is MY tomato farm. I am the owner. You work for me!"
"O God," the farmer prayed, "Please bless this tomato farm." I dedicate it to you."
"This is God's farm, I tell you. God's farm."
"Now get to work picking, and pick only perfect tomatoes."
The farm's income dropped.
"Oh God!" pleaded the farmer, "I have dedicated this farm to you. It is your farm. Now you must bless it. You promised!"
The farm's income dropped some more.
"What we need is a fresh infusion of money," decided the farmer.
"Who will send money so we can keep this farm and supply tomatoes to the people?"
Nobody sent money. Mostly because the tomatoes were over-ripe at the market, and they did not see the wisdom of supporting a farm that was producing over-ripe tomatoes.
"This is all the pickers' fault. If they would just do what I tell them, and pick only perfect tomatoes, we wouldn't be in this terrible shape!"
"Perhaps I am not yelling loud enough at them."
"I will yell louder and get them to love me."
"Then I will go to the next town and help the people build a road."
"When they see me care about them, and build a road, they will surely buy my tomatoes and my troubles will be over."
"That will cost me money, though. So I will delay paying my workers. They are less important than the roads I will build."
"But sir," said one of the pickers, "What has building a road got to do with growing tomatoes? How will that inspire people to buy your tomatoes?"
"It is God's work," answered the farmer. "Just because it is unrelated to tomato farming is no reason for the people not to buy my tomatoes."
Still, the people did not increase their support of the farm's tomatoes.
The tomato farm lost some more money.
It sure is a good thing the farmer was not trying to run a ministry.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
A STUDY IN JOB - Part 3
This is the sequence of the speeches given by Job vs. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, 3:1 — 32:1 and Job’s responses:
There are 3 rounds of speeches:
(1) By Job, then Eliphaz, and Job answers him;
(2) By Bildad, and Job answers him;
(3) By Zophar, and Job answers him.
This is repeated three times with one exception — Zophar does not give a third speech.
The dialogue is in the nature of a contest.
Under the critical and accusing eyes of his friends, Job finally explodes with his tale of woe and a wish that he had never been born.
Review of Chapter 11
Zophar is the voice of legalism.
Legalism is any set of "rules" that must be followed in order to "please God."
Adherence to a particular pattern of religious practice is legalism.
Requiring a prescribed method of accomplishing something is legalism
Legalism may or may not reference the law.
Zophar is mistaken in his view of God
Sees God as being bound by law…God is not bound by anything.
Speaks dogmatically, but without revelatory authority
Is pretty crude in his comments.
Chapter 12 & 13
Job’s response
Job seems bitter and sarcastic.
Seems to resent the superior claims of his friends (vss 12:1-3)
Calls them "physicians of no value" (Vs 13:4)
Job maintains his faith (Vs 13:15)
B. Do we ever find ourselves under attack by "friends" like Zophar?
Chapter 14
Job’s speech on death.
The stats on trouble and death are 100%
We all undergo trouble.
We all face death
Hope beyond the grave: Christ (Vss 14 & 15)
Chapter 15
Eliphaz’s second discourse.
Calls Job’s words "foolish." (Vs 6)
Defends himself and his two partners friends by reminding Job of their advantage of maturity over him.
He states a great truth, but it is no more applicable to Job than to any other human being.
Chapter 16 & 17
Job labels his friends "miserable comforters"
Job says that if their situations were reversed, he could say the same things about them. (vs16:17)
Job stands on his record (vs 16:19)
Chapter 18
Bildad’s second discourse
Suggests that Job stop speaking and start listning (vs 2)
Since Job is being judged, he has committed some gross and secret sin.
He brings nothing new to the table, but seeks to prove his accusations by being loud and redundant.
Chapter 20
Zophar’s second discourse.
He introduces nothing new.
He rests upon his seniority and resorts to the same legalism.
He still holds to the theory that Job is a very wicked person because of the law that the wicked must be punished (vv. 3-5).
Chapter 21
Job’s answer.
Job is growing weary of their false charges.
He appeals to a higher court (vv. 1-4).
He agrees that the wicked will be punished but insists that this does not apply to his case.
SOME LESSONG TO LEARN FROM ALL OF THIS
Some people seem to believe that they can convince the other person that their point of view is
correct by repetition or volume.
Sometimes we are so convinced of our position that we fail to take in to account what God says (in the Bible says in its immediate context and in the context of the whole).
Sometimes we allow a form of legalism to dictate our arguments.
Our sense of religiosity is not a substitute for the truth of God in Christ.
There are 3 rounds of speeches:
(1) By Job, then Eliphaz, and Job answers him;
(2) By Bildad, and Job answers him;
(3) By Zophar, and Job answers him.
This is repeated three times with one exception — Zophar does not give a third speech.
The dialogue is in the nature of a contest.
Under the critical and accusing eyes of his friends, Job finally explodes with his tale of woe and a wish that he had never been born.
Review of Chapter 11
Zophar is the voice of legalism.
Legalism is any set of "rules" that must be followed in order to "please God."
Adherence to a particular pattern of religious practice is legalism.
Requiring a prescribed method of accomplishing something is legalism
Legalism may or may not reference the law.
Zophar is mistaken in his view of God
Sees God as being bound by law…God is not bound by anything.
Speaks dogmatically, but without revelatory authority
Is pretty crude in his comments.
Chapter 12 & 13
Job’s response
Job seems bitter and sarcastic.
Seems to resent the superior claims of his friends (vss 12:1-3)
Calls them "physicians of no value" (Vs 13:4)
Job maintains his faith (Vs 13:15)
B. Do we ever find ourselves under attack by "friends" like Zophar?
Chapter 14
Job’s speech on death.
The stats on trouble and death are 100%
We all undergo trouble.
We all face death
Hope beyond the grave: Christ (Vss 14 & 15)
Chapter 15
Eliphaz’s second discourse.
Calls Job’s words "foolish." (Vs 6)
Defends himself and his two partners friends by reminding Job of their advantage of maturity over him.
He states a great truth, but it is no more applicable to Job than to any other human being.
Chapter 16 & 17
Job labels his friends "miserable comforters"
Job says that if their situations were reversed, he could say the same things about them. (vs16:17)
Job stands on his record (vs 16:19)
Chapter 18
Bildad’s second discourse
Suggests that Job stop speaking and start listning (vs 2)
Since Job is being judged, he has committed some gross and secret sin.
He brings nothing new to the table, but seeks to prove his accusations by being loud and redundant.
Chapter 20
Zophar’s second discourse.
He introduces nothing new.
He rests upon his seniority and resorts to the same legalism.
He still holds to the theory that Job is a very wicked person because of the law that the wicked must be punished (vv. 3-5).
Chapter 21
Job’s answer.
Job is growing weary of their false charges.
He appeals to a higher court (vv. 1-4).
He agrees that the wicked will be punished but insists that this does not apply to his case.
SOME LESSONG TO LEARN FROM ALL OF THIS
Some people seem to believe that they can convince the other person that their point of view is
correct by repetition or volume.
Sometimes we are so convinced of our position that we fail to take in to account what God says (in the Bible says in its immediate context and in the context of the whole).
Sometimes we allow a form of legalism to dictate our arguments.
Our sense of religiosity is not a substitute for the truth of God in Christ.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA BACTERIA
I would like for a person, who believes that evolutionary forces produced the variety of living things on earth today, to point me to a scientific article demonstrating that any of the trillions to the trillionth power of single-celled bacteria, amoeba, or viruses, having mutated to their hearts'* content, have ever been seen to evolve into anything other than another bacteria, amoeba or virus.
Please include the publication's name, the name of the article and the date of the article.
If is is available online, please give the URL/link.
You may respond in my comments section.
*Yes, I am aware that in a technical sense they do not have hearts as we understand them.
Please include the publication's name, the name of the article and the date of the article.
If is is available online, please give the URL/link.
You may respond in my comments section.
*Yes, I am aware that in a technical sense they do not have hearts as we understand them.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
A STUDY IN JOB - Part 2
As we continue in Job, we find his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, having come to him to "comfort" him, giving speeches to him about what he must have done to bring on the misery he was experiencing.
We know, however, that they were wrong. Job had done nothing wrong. God said so. And if God says so, it does not matter what we think, it is so.
In the final chapter we find God saying of them that He was angry with them because they had lied about Him.
Actually, a lot of what they said contained half-truths and common suppositions about God, but they were using tradition, convention and legalistic arrogance to "beat Job over the head"
Here is the outline of the next several chapters:
BILDAD, JOB AND ZOPHAR
Bildad’s Discourse (Chapter 8)
Bildad’s is the voice of the past.
Depends on man’s traditions (Vs8)
Considers Job a hypocrite (Vs 13)
Claims Job does not know the ways of God (
Job’s reply (Chapter 9)
Bildad has failed to meet Job’s problem (Vs 2)
He needs someone on his side to present his case (9:19, 20)
Notice Job’s heart cry for Christ (Vs 32-35)
Jesus is the mediator between God and man (1Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;…)
God knows that Job is not perfect, but He also knows that Job is not
wicked (Job 10:6, 7).
Zophar’s Discourse (Job 11)
Zophar is the voice of legalism.
He holds that God is bound by laws and never operates beyond the circumference of His own laws.
He accuses Job of covering his sin with words (v. 2).
He assumes the pious position of being on the inside with God while Job is on the outside (vs. 4-11).
He predicts the complete judgment of Job unless he confesses his secret sin (v. 20).
Job’s Reply to Zophar (Job 12)
Job becomes bitter and sarcastic. He resents the superior claims of his friends and their accusations (12:1-3).
Job would bypass his friends and appeal to God directly (13:3).
Chapter 14 — A great elegy on death.
Trouble is the common denominator of mankind (v. 1).
Job knows that death is inevitable and that he must depart from this world (v. 10).
Job has a hope beyond death and the grave (vv. 14, 15).
As we read Job, we are reminded that the hope he has beyond death and the grave is through none other than Jesus, Christ.
He is our only hope...a hope that is steadfast and sure.
Back in Chapter 1:21, Job said the most remarkable thing. He said, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
We are good at the part about "the Lord gave."
When the Lord gives health, we say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."
When the Lord gives wealth, we say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."
When the Lord gives us family, we say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."
But when the Lord does not give us health, can we still say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord.?"
When the Lord does not give us wealth, can we still say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord.?"
When the Lord does not give us family, can we still say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord.?"
When the Lord takes away, can we still say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord.?"
Only if we know Him through Jesus.
We know, however, that they were wrong. Job had done nothing wrong. God said so. And if God says so, it does not matter what we think, it is so.
In the final chapter we find God saying of them that He was angry with them because they had lied about Him.
Actually, a lot of what they said contained half-truths and common suppositions about God, but they were using tradition, convention and legalistic arrogance to "beat Job over the head"
Here is the outline of the next several chapters:
BILDAD, JOB AND ZOPHAR
Bildad’s Discourse (Chapter 8)
Bildad’s is the voice of the past.
Depends on man’s traditions (Vs8)
Considers Job a hypocrite (Vs 13)
Claims Job does not know the ways of God (
Job’s reply (Chapter 9)
Bildad has failed to meet Job’s problem (Vs 2)
He needs someone on his side to present his case (9:19, 20)
Notice Job’s heart cry for Christ (Vs 32-35)
Jesus is the mediator between God and man (1Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;…)
God knows that Job is not perfect, but He also knows that Job is not
wicked (Job 10:6, 7).
Zophar’s Discourse (Job 11)
Zophar is the voice of legalism.
He holds that God is bound by laws and never operates beyond the circumference of His own laws.
He accuses Job of covering his sin with words (v. 2).
He assumes the pious position of being on the inside with God while Job is on the outside (vs. 4-11).
He predicts the complete judgment of Job unless he confesses his secret sin (v. 20).
Job’s Reply to Zophar (Job 12)
Job becomes bitter and sarcastic. He resents the superior claims of his friends and their accusations (12:1-3).
Job would bypass his friends and appeal to God directly (13:3).
Chapter 14 — A great elegy on death.
Trouble is the common denominator of mankind (v. 1).
Job knows that death is inevitable and that he must depart from this world (v. 10).
Job has a hope beyond death and the grave (vv. 14, 15).
As we read Job, we are reminded that the hope he has beyond death and the grave is through none other than Jesus, Christ.
He is our only hope...a hope that is steadfast and sure.
Back in Chapter 1:21, Job said the most remarkable thing. He said, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
We are good at the part about "the Lord gave."
When the Lord gives health, we say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."
When the Lord gives wealth, we say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."
When the Lord gives us family, we say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."
But when the Lord does not give us health, can we still say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord.?"
When the Lord does not give us wealth, can we still say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord.?"
When the Lord does not give us family, can we still say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord.?"
When the Lord takes away, can we still say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord.?"
Only if we know Him through Jesus.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
SOME RADIOLOGICAL THOUGHTS
God called and led me into Christian radio in 1982.
I have worked for WSOR in Ft. Myers, Florida when it was owned by Riverside Baptist Church and was kept on to work for WSOR when it was bought by Moody Broadcasting of Chicago.
In December of 1999 I was named manager of WJYO/WBIY radio in Ft. Myers and LaBelle respectively when it was owned by Taccoa Falls College of Georgia.
I now work for WJYO, now owned by Art Ramos, President and CEO of Airwaves for Jesus, Inc.
You can listen online at www.kingdom.fm.
Over the years I have learned a few things about Christian radio.
I'd like to share some of them with you for no particular reason except that I want to share them.
1. Christian radio is a ministry of the Gospel, in the same way that a church is a ministry of the Gospel.
2. Christian radio must see itself as a ministry, not a business, if it wants to survive.
3. Christian radio is different from secular radio in that regard and in many other ways.
4. Christian radio is governed by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), and is subject to its rules and regulations.
a. Christian radio cannot engage in "consideration," which FCC defines as "money for minutes"
b. Christian radio cannot air spots for commercial entities that call for action on the part of the listener; eg: Christian radio cannot say, "Call......"; "Stop by...." "Go to www....." "Tell them..."
c. Christian radio cannot describe products or services of a commercial entity with qualitative terms; eg: Christian radio cannot say, "They handle fine china and colorful silverware..."; "They sell those heavy duty Ford trucks..."
d. Christian radio cannot air an "inducement to buy;" eg: Christian radio cannot say, "They have a half-price sale in progress..."; or "They're featuring a two-for-one sale..."
5. Christian radio must bring in income, if it is to continue to exist.
6. Christian radio benefits financially in direct proportion to the way it ministers to its listeners.
7. There are lots of good things Christian radio could do that do not result in either more listeners or more income. That does not mean they should not be done, just that it is futile to expect those things to benefit the radio station.
8. To be "successful," Christian radio must do those things that lead to a substantial increase in listenership. Things like:
a. Be involved in the Christian community.
b. Get before congregations with a brief presentation about the station and a short survey of the members.
c. Do remote broadcasts from every community ministry event. (Secular radio stations figured this out long ago...and few days go by that one cannot see a W___ ___ ___ van at some parking lot or another).
d. Visit businesses run by Christians with NO agenda other than letting them know you exist and to find out how you can serve them.
e. Sponsor local events, such as concerts, conferences, etc. that relate to Christian radio. A concert by an artist whose music is not played would be counter-productive.
f. Everything Christian radio airs, whether Bible studies, music or announcements, must point people toward Jesus and/or build them up in Him.
g. In Christian radio, it is never about personal preference. It is always about the spiritual listening needs of the audience, revealed objectively, not subjectively.
9. In Christian radio, stability, integrity and consistency are essential.
10. Christian radio must be dependable.
11. Christian radio must carefully air programs that present the Gospel without introducing doctrinal issues over which the majority of "mainstream," conservative Christians disagree.
12. The music Christian radio airs must be aimed at its demographic 100% of the time.
a. It is a gross mistake to select music that appeals to the younger half of the audience, while offending the older half.
b. It is a gross mistake to select music that appeals to the older half of the audience, while offending the younger half.
c. Christian radio must stress that every song has something to offer to every part of its demographic. Christian radio cannot say, "Here's a song we like, and you're going to listen whether you like it or not." The listener is always in control of his/her on-off switch.
Well, those are some of the things I have learned about Christian radio.
I did not make them up, they were taught to me by people with far greater knowledge than I'll ever have.
And I had the good sense to let them teach me what they know.
That's a good thing.
I have worked for WSOR in Ft. Myers, Florida when it was owned by Riverside Baptist Church and was kept on to work for WSOR when it was bought by Moody Broadcasting of Chicago.
In December of 1999 I was named manager of WJYO/WBIY radio in Ft. Myers and LaBelle respectively when it was owned by Taccoa Falls College of Georgia.
I now work for WJYO, now owned by Art Ramos, President and CEO of Airwaves for Jesus, Inc.
You can listen online at www.kingdom.fm.
Over the years I have learned a few things about Christian radio.
I'd like to share some of them with you for no particular reason except that I want to share them.
1. Christian radio is a ministry of the Gospel, in the same way that a church is a ministry of the Gospel.
2. Christian radio must see itself as a ministry, not a business, if it wants to survive.
3. Christian radio is different from secular radio in that regard and in many other ways.
4. Christian radio is governed by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), and is subject to its rules and regulations.
a. Christian radio cannot engage in "consideration," which FCC defines as "money for minutes"
b. Christian radio cannot air spots for commercial entities that call for action on the part of the listener; eg: Christian radio cannot say, "Call......"; "Stop by...." "Go to www....." "Tell them..."
c. Christian radio cannot describe products or services of a commercial entity with qualitative terms; eg: Christian radio cannot say, "They handle fine china and colorful silverware..."; "They sell those heavy duty Ford trucks..."
d. Christian radio cannot air an "inducement to buy;" eg: Christian radio cannot say, "They have a half-price sale in progress..."; or "They're featuring a two-for-one sale..."
5. Christian radio must bring in income, if it is to continue to exist.
6. Christian radio benefits financially in direct proportion to the way it ministers to its listeners.
7. There are lots of good things Christian radio could do that do not result in either more listeners or more income. That does not mean they should not be done, just that it is futile to expect those things to benefit the radio station.
8. To be "successful," Christian radio must do those things that lead to a substantial increase in listenership. Things like:
a. Be involved in the Christian community.
b. Get before congregations with a brief presentation about the station and a short survey of the members.
c. Do remote broadcasts from every community ministry event. (Secular radio stations figured this out long ago...and few days go by that one cannot see a W___ ___ ___ van at some parking lot or another).
d. Visit businesses run by Christians with NO agenda other than letting them know you exist and to find out how you can serve them.
e. Sponsor local events, such as concerts, conferences, etc. that relate to Christian radio. A concert by an artist whose music is not played would be counter-productive.
f. Everything Christian radio airs, whether Bible studies, music or announcements, must point people toward Jesus and/or build them up in Him.
g. In Christian radio, it is never about personal preference. It is always about the spiritual listening needs of the audience, revealed objectively, not subjectively.
9. In Christian radio, stability, integrity and consistency are essential.
10. Christian radio must be dependable.
11. Christian radio must carefully air programs that present the Gospel without introducing doctrinal issues over which the majority of "mainstream," conservative Christians disagree.
12. The music Christian radio airs must be aimed at its demographic 100% of the time.
a. It is a gross mistake to select music that appeals to the younger half of the audience, while offending the older half.
b. It is a gross mistake to select music that appeals to the older half of the audience, while offending the younger half.
c. Christian radio must stress that every song has something to offer to every part of its demographic. Christian radio cannot say, "Here's a song we like, and you're going to listen whether you like it or not." The listener is always in control of his/her on-off switch.
Well, those are some of the things I have learned about Christian radio.
I did not make them up, they were taught to me by people with far greater knowledge than I'll ever have.
And I had the good sense to let them teach me what they know.
That's a good thing.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
LADY AND GENTLEMEN, WHO ARE YOU, ANYWAY
I long for the day when politicians from all parties will say, "This is who I am and what I stand for. If you like who I am and what I stand for, vote for me. If not, please vote for the person you DO like."
Politician A - I want higher taxes so government can "give" you more services and rights.
Politician B - I like lower taxes so a larger base will mean more income to the treasury and I can "give" you more services and rights.
Politician C - I like having everybody pay a set percentage of taxes, government doing the six things it is supposed to do and keeping out of the things it is not supposed to be into.
Politician D - I like the power and prestige of holding the world's highest office. I'll give you anything you want, and will provide you with a list of things you can want.
Then I could choose intelligently.
Won't happen, though.
Politician A - I want higher taxes so government can "give" you more services and rights.
Politician B - I like lower taxes so a larger base will mean more income to the treasury and I can "give" you more services and rights.
Politician C - I like having everybody pay a set percentage of taxes, government doing the six things it is supposed to do and keeping out of the things it is not supposed to be into.
Politician D - I like the power and prestige of holding the world's highest office. I'll give you anything you want, and will provide you with a list of things you can want.
Then I could choose intelligently.
Won't happen, though.
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