Spiritual People TAKE TIME!

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.

                                                                                                                               Mk.1:35   

It is a fact of the Bible, that spiritual people take time to personally meet with God, in quiet one on one sessions. Jesus himself, chose early morning times as indicated by Mark's reference.  Many godly men and women rose early to meet with God. Among these are

• Abraham (Genesis 19:27)
• Jacob (Genesis 28:18)
• Moses (Exodus 34:4)
• Job (Job 1:5)
• Hannah and Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:19)
• David (Psalm 5:3; 57:7,8)
• Isaiah (Isaiah 26:9)
• Ezekiel (Ezekiel 12:8)

Now, you might be saying, "I can't do things like that early in the morning - I'm not a morning person."  I can relate to that. Often I can't begin to function or even think until I have the first cup of coffee down.  The best time is when you are at your best! Give God the best part of your day, when you are the freshest and most alert. Do NOT try to serve God with your "leftover" time, as that can become an excuse not to do it. Remember, too, that your best time may be different from someone else’s. For the time you choose to be effective, you must select a specific time to meet with the Lord each day and decide how long it should be - then commit to it!  Whatever time you set, be consistent in it. Schedule it on your calendar and make an appointment with God as you would with anyone else.  You make time for them, so make time for God outside of worship times and meal times. Then look forward to it, and don’t stand him up. We don't like it when someone stands us up when they have scheduled our time to meet with them. A stood-up date is not a pleasant experience for us, and Jesus does not like to be stood up either. So make a date with him, and keep it at all costs.

How much time should you spend with the Lord?  If you’ve never had a consistent appointment with God before, you may want to start with a minimum of seven minutes (Robert D. Foster, Seven Minutes with God, NavPress, 1997) and let it grow naturally. Aim to eventually spend not less than 15 minutes a day with the Lord and you may even find that 15 minutes is not enough.  Eventually, it will depend on you and your own schedule. 

 Whether you agree with the doctrines of these men or not, it seems significant to me that John Wesley,  spent two hours daily in prayer and commonly stated that ‘God does nothing but in answer to prayer.’ Martin Luther said, ‘If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.’

So, what say you? Jesus did it. Major biblical figures did it. Noted religious men of the past did it. What about you? What are the things that you regularly put before or in place of time that you should be spending with God? What steps will you take today to re-prioritize your day so that God has the first and last word?

Jim

Old Habits DIE HARD!

It is said that old habits die hard. I can attest to that, because it took me a while once I became a Christian, to cull out old habits that were not godly. I had a new spirit, a new identity and I did not want the old one showing up anymore. 

We often build our identities around our defects. We say, “It’s just like me to be ...” and “It’s just the way I am.” Is it? Often statements like this are just an excuse to refuse to let go of your habit, your hurt, or your hang-up - and is marking you for who you are. Bad habits slow down your spiritual growth and deceive us into thinking we're changing when we're not.  Paul wrote "You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits.  Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy. (Eph 4:22-24)." 

It is only when God is allowed to shine the light of his truth on our faults, failures, and hang-ups can we begin to work on them. This growth cannot happen unless and until we develop a humble, teachable spirit.  Godly habits take time to develop and your character is the sum total of your habits. You can’t claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest - including being honest with yourself.  Paul wrote to Timothy, "Be careful about the way you live and about what you teach. Keep on doing this, and you will save not only yourself, but the people who hear you. (1Tim. 4:16)." 

Your habits define your character and who you are. Developing a Christlike character means that I must cultivate good habits, and practice them — and that takes time sometimes even years or a lifetime!  James wrote, "But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget. (Jas 1:25)."  In doing so, we develop character and spirit building traits. Peter wrote, "Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love. If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. (2 Pet.1:5-8)." 

• What spiritual habits do you need to practice more intentionally?
• Many people are aware of their strengths. Are you equally aware of your weaknesses?
• What are you doing today to improve your spiritual habits?

Jim

“Every man under his vine…” | Ferrell's Travel Blog

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“Every man under his vine…”

Posted on January 20, 2013 | 2 Comments

A biblical way of describing a time of peace and prosperity is expressed in the following passage describing the time of King Solomon.

And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba,every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon. (1 Kings 4:25 ESV)

It is not uncommon in the middle east to see vines used as a shade. Sometime the vine runs up the side of a house and covers a porch on the roof. When I saw this single vine by itself in front of the theater at Miletus I could not help but think of the biblical saying. I asked my traveling buddy, Leon Mauldin, to make a picture of me sitting under my vine.

I can imagine a person sitting under the vine in the late summer and enjoying the fresh grapes from the vine.

Sitting under the vine at the theater of Miletus. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

Miletus is the city where the Apostle Paul met with the elders from the church at Ephesus as he returned to Jerusalem at the end of his third journey (Acts 20).

The prophet Micah used the same illustration to describe the nature of the Messiah’s kingdom.

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, 2 and many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; 4 but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. (Micah 4:1-4 ESV)

Wisdom Is Including God!

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him. 

James 1:5

Wisdom!  Putting into practical use what is learned.  So, when James says what he does regarding asking for it, let us think for a moment - that what one is asking God for is not just knowledge, but also how to make practical use of that knowledge in everyday life. Many people  start out well, but they end up going poorly because they don't plan for the pitfalls, nor do they pause to learn from the experience to gain wisdom. God says that the wise man looks ahead.

We all face pitfalls as we make plans. Distractions, doubt, tempting shortcuts, and delays all arise to circumvent our path to wisdom. The question is - will we learn from our experience?  Take a look at Noah. He had pitfalls after God told him to build the ark, but he overcame them gaining experience as he did so. As a result through planning, persistence, and faith, Noah accomplishes a seemingly insurmountable task. This does not mean that God will give you the task of building an ark, but it does show us the value of vision coupled with faith. Noah had the insight to look ahead. So too, should we look ahead when make plans. This is faith - this is wisdom. Not only will we be prepared to spot the pitfalls when they come into our lives; we’ll also be prepared to apply the antidote to the pitfalls of life. Proverbs 14:8 "The wisdom of the cautious makes him know where he is going, but the folly of fools misleads them."

• What goals do you have? 
• Have you asked God to help you establish these goals?
•  What are the lessons from your last 10 years that you can apply to your next decade?
• What spiritual goals and improvements have you sought?

Joshua told Israel, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  Josh. 24:15  

The first step in wisdom?  Prov.9:10 " The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."   Start here and  you’ll be ready to learn how to handle the pitfalls that could potentially keep you from getting where you need to be. Mt. 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." 

Looking ahead with God, is better than walking a day without Him. 

Jim

Why I don’t believe in grace. | Stuff Christians Like – Jon Acuff

Why I don’t believe in grace. | Stuff Christians Like – Jon Acuff:

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Why I don’t believe in grace.

January 9, 2013 in serious wednesdays with 121 Comments

The other day, Ray Lewis, played his last game in Baltimore’s stadium. After 17 wildly successful years, he’s retiring.

At the end of the game, he took off his jersey to reveal a shirt that said, “Psalms 91.”

I smiled at that. But then deep in my heart, I thought, “Yeah, but that guy was part of a double homicide. Whatever.”

And there it is.

I don’t believe in grace.

Or, I believe in it for me, and people who have sinned like me. But there’s a whole lot of people I don’t think deserve grace.

The problem is that, when we talk about grace, we often don’t use one of the most important words to describe it.

We say, “Grace is powerful and free and beautiful and amazing.” But we leave out one of the key descriptors of grace.

The truth is, grace is offensive.

Grace offends in its’ generosity.

Grace offends in its’ availability.

Grace offends in its’ depth.

Grace offends in its’ unwillingness to be controlled or owned or manipulated.

Grace is offensive, and when I see people who I think don’t deserve it, I am reminded of ultimately how desperately I still need it.

Ophel Excavation 2012 | Ferrell's Travel Blog

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Ophel Excavation 2012

Posted on January 8, 2013 | 1 Comment

Amir Kohen Klonymus, Area A supervisor of the Ophel Excavation, shows a few of the items found in a fire pit at the Ophel Excavation in December. You may find it difficult to understand his English, but stay with the 11 minute video, past the family visit of some sponsors of the dig, to the summation by Prof. Eilat Mazar.

I think anyone who has seen any part of the excavation areas on the south side of the Temple Mount will enjoy this video.

This video and others are available on the blog of The Key to David’s City here.

The photo below shows a portion of the Ophel Excavation.

Ophel Excavations – View East. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Jothan, king of Judah (740-732 B.C.), is said to have built extensively in the area known as Ophel.

He built the Upper Gate to the LORD’s temple and did a lot of work on the wall in the area known as Ophel. (2 Chronicles 27:3 NET)

Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace

Rather than write my usual article, I thought I would simply put the words/lyrics of a song by Chris Tomlin based off of the older version of Amazing Grace with a different chorus.  It speaks its own volume.

"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

 My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine

But God, Who called me here below

Will be forever mine

For those wishing to hear the song and watch the official video for it you can view it on Youtube at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-4NFvI5U9w

Jim