What Meeting?

Jesus Appears to Thomas, by Jacek Andrzej Rossakiewicz

I like the Quaker way of calling services ‘meetings.’  Somehow it seems more scheduled, more attentive.  Then I thought about those who miss meetings.  In our corporate world, missing a meeting moved us out of the picture for a while.  We didn’t see the facial expressions that accompanied the new ideas being thrown out for discussion.  We missed the discussions, too.

Then, I thought of Thomas.  He missed one important meeting! Perhaps he should be excused, it was a Sunday evening, and every knows that it’s only necessary to attend one service on Sunday.  I had one person ask me, “What do you do so bad on Sunday afternoons that you have to go back to church that night?”

I might miss something.  Thomas did.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. (John 20:24 KJV)

I wouldn’t want to miss a single meeting with Jesus.  But this one was momentous – it was Resurrection Sunday.  The doors were shut, the disciples had gathered in fear and Jesus appeared.  Thomas missed it.
And, he didn’t believe it happened when he was told!!  He demanded proof.

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. (John 20:25 KJV)

Seeing wouldn’t be believing, Thomas said.  He needed more proof than just that.

It took another week, the disciples are gathered again and the doors once again closed against outsiders. Thomas is with them.  This time he’s the center of attention:

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. (John 20:27 KJV)

Please note that we are NOT told he did so.  There is no description telling how Thomas reached out and touched those wounds.  Instead, he speaks:

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. (John 20:28 KJV)

The next verse speaks of us – those who have not heard Jesus’ spoken words, have not seen the resurrected Lord, were not given the Great Commission in person.  The ones who have also said “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29 KJV)

I have not seen Him except as a reflection with those who love and serve Him, yet I have believed.  Yes, I am blessed.  And, the day will come when I do meet Him.

An Unempty Church

Last Thursday morning our church was a bee hive of activity.  The final cleaning before the dedication of our remodeling project was well under way with four worker bees scrubbing away. Another two were buzzingly rehanging plaques in a lovely arrangement, two two were returning the Ladies classroom to it’s previous order, while the nursery was retrieving its goodies from that temporary quarters.  Most of the cleaning crew left on vacation and missed out on their own work Sunday morning!  But the rest of us rejoiced in the newness.

While part of this was going on, there were two people in the front of the sanctuary, taking a moment’s respite to pray.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20 KJV)

Not only in His name, but in His house.  I know these two, and their prayers are not confined to His house.  Nor do they require companionship to speak to their Lord in prayer.  What they do realize, though, is His commitment to be in the midst of them when they are two, together.

Christ prayed alone more often than not.  There are examples in the Gospels over and over again where He left companions and prayed, even at the last in Gethsemane:  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39 KJV)

Jesus not only gave examples of prayer, but suggested a place:  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6 KJV)

Yet, when He is in the midst of us, as we gather in His name, we are wont to speak with Him.  We should prepare ourselves, too:  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25 KJV)

The verse before this speaks of receiving our desires.  It will seem to many that it is not a valid promise – they have asked, and not received their desires. There are two things we must remember:

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalms 37:4 KJV)

and, the close of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane:

… thy will be done. (Matthew 26:42 KJV)

When God is our heart’s delight, He is also our desires and His will is the most important thing in our lives.

Our strongest desire will be to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind.  That desire will be fulfilled and we will know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)

So, find yourself a prayer partner, whether it be for a few moments or longer opportunities.  Gather those who will sit in the midst of their Lord’s love, for the time is closer today than ever before and we know not what tomorrow brings.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25 KJV)

Confirmation Bias

Cropped from MSNBC European news screen July 23.

Want to know how our Muslim neighbors feel when reading some headlines about Muslim extremists?  Just ask me after reading this sub-headline.

I have been aware of ‘confirmation bias’ studies, and I’m certain many look upon my blog as being the result of searches on my part to confirm beliefs I’ve held for decades.  I think it would be good to take a serious look at ‘confirmation bias’ in order to look both sides of any issue.  Especially within the current climate of social and political polarization, going far beyond religious polarization.

Several resources on confirmation bias studies quote Wickens and Hollands (2000, p. 312) defining CB as being the process:

“…for people to seek information and cues that confirm the tentatively held hypothesis or belief, and not seek (or discount) those that support an opposite conclusion or belief.”

Industries are built on confirmation bias. The media, print and online, use it.  To the detriment of many who have beliefs we hold to be fundamental, not wishing to see the word used as a label.  It does not have to be that way.

I was blessed with the opportunity to work with a very diverse group of people – with at least one similar goal:  To create revenue for the international company that employed us in order to have them continue in business and continue to employ us.

We came from different continents, countries, societies, religions and totally different biases!  If we could not get past our own confirmation bias, how could we work together?  Was it necessary for any one of us to relinquish our fundamental beliefs? Of course not.

We retained our differences.  And we retained our respect for our co-workers without changing ourselves.  A cube-mate knew I believed his homosexuality was defined as sin by scriptures in the Old and New Testament. He most certainly did not.  Differences did not require changes in either of our lives in order to work together.  A teammate kept his Quran in his office, just as the Bible resided in mine.  We discussed social issues and religion without rancor, without defining labels. The examples from this one work group could run on and on.

Yet, in each example, no matter that we looked for as confirmation of our belief system, we found no need to destroy the other’s.  That does not hold true for extremists who will not allow others to retain differing beliefs.

Extremists exist within any belief system, whether social, political, or religious. They need no other descriptive label than “extremist”. They are often violent, be they left, right, religious, atheist, race conscious, ad infinitum.

A study of scripture can help us all:

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:5 KJV)

As Christians, we can do that when we realize that God is in control.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. (1 Samuel 2:3 KJV)

Read the instructions!

Mike Mislan is a Friend on Facebook.  He is a missionary and has his own website:  MIKE MISLAN In The Philippines. He is also a student.  We know that because he recently had this Facebook Status, along with an explaining Comment:

A STUDENT'S HORROR! "Please REWRITE ALL reports. Carefully read and reread instructions until you have mastered them and follow instructions in every detail."

That was the reply I received, after I sent in some school work for grading. I thought I had done a great job. But after I double-checked their handbook and materials, I found I had been pre-warned: "Please read carefully and remember these instructions." This sentence was followed by eight paragraphs which explained it all in perfect detail. After I saw my negligence and apologized, the school had added: "We understand, this is common among our students. May God bless you!"

In the same way, God gave us Written Instructions which we are to master in every detail. We are to understand and obey His Written Instructions, without adding, subtracting, compromising or making exceptions. It makes no difference if we are Pastors of large churches, missionary church-planters with many ministries, Sunday School teachers or simply new converts just starting out in our walk with Him.

What do our Christian Report Cards look like? How do we know if we aren’t even reading the instructions?  Paul’s instruction to Timothy is just as relevant to us:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

I met a man who said he had read, and had determined that the Bible could not possibly be correct by the time he finished Exodus.  I regret that he did not complete reading the Bible and get to the end of the story.  In fact, I find that a chronological reading of the Bible is just as interesting a study as in the authorized layout of books.

We should be following the Berean’s example, search scripture daily:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV)

Realize, too, that the scriptures searched in Berea were those of what we call the Old Testament, the Tanakh of the Jews. God’s word is open to everyone.

Early on we are told to love Him:  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV)

Later on we are told why:  We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 KJV)

How do we get this good report?  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. (Hebrews 11:1-2 KJV)

How do we get this faith?  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

With Friends

This is posted late Thursday evening simply because we’ll be at a hospital by 8:00 Friday morning, and it’s over an hour drive to get there. When I told my friend we would drive (across a couple of counties and several incorporated cities) to be with her, she wrote:

I REALLY, REALLY appreciate you and [Beloved Husband] coming to sit with me. Dr. said surgery would take two hrs. I was so afraid I would have to go thru this alone.  That's good friends!!!

It is our pleasure, for our friend and her beloved husband. There are so many things we should not face alone.  A loved one’s surgery rises to the top.  Monday an elderly (yep, older than I am!) lady in our church had two stents inserted.  A couple from our Thursday dominoes group was right there with her husband during the procedure.

This is a beautiful ministry that is so gratefully appreciate, and just takes some of our time.  How willing are we to give it? Only to friends? Then how do we get to be friends?

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: (Proverbs 18:24a KJV)

The first verses of Mark 2 tells of four friends who tried to get through a crowd so that Jesus could heal the one they carried.  Unable to do so, they went to the roof, broke open the roof and let their friend down in front of Him.  Would we bring our friends to Jesus?  What did He say we are to tell our friends?

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. (Mark 5:19 KJV)

Can we tell of great things the Lord has done for us?  I can, and I hope though this blog I’ve told of His love, His plans, His sacrifice, His giving His life for me, and all of His other friends. How do we get to be Christ’s friends?  In His own words:

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (John 15:14 KJV)

How Close?

Copy of billboard placed by GodSpeaks.com

How closely did you look at the Ten Commandments when I posted on them last week?  Did you look up the scripture references, or just see the words I typed (and the ones I copied)? Only portions of verses were used.  As each one is studied, there is more information to be considered.  Today I’m thinking about:

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7 KJV)

Of the four dealing with our relationship to God, this one spells out consequences. The graven image commandment does mention visiting iniquity on future generations, but this one gets personal and speaks judgmentally.

It’s a simple statement to begin with.  Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.  That’s usually where we stop.  We look at the commandment, not the consequences.  It says the LORD. That’s who will hold us guilty for taking His own name in vain.  Others may call attention to inappropriate language, but when it comes to His name, He determines guilt.

There are so many ways of breaking this commandment, too.  Matthew Henry’s Commentary listed a few:

[1.] By hypocrisy, making a profession of God's name, but not living up to that profession. Those that name the name of Christ, but do not depart from iniquity, as that name binds them to do

[2.] By covenant-breaking; if we make promises to God, binding our souls with those bonds to that which is good, and yet perform not to the Lord our vows, we take his name in vain  

[3.] By rash swearing, mentioning the name of God, or any of his attributes … to no good purpose.

[4.] By false swearing, which, some think, is chiefly intended in the letter of the commandment 

[5.] By using the name of God lightly and carelessly, and without any regard to its awful significancy

And you thought it was just using curse words!!  We should use God’s name as though He were standing beside us and we were introducing Him to those with us.

Ooops, I’m sorry – some of my readers doubt His existence. They cannot visualize Him standing beside me, as I can.  I would then expect them to respect my belief that He is and not take His name in vain, just as I would expect them not to denigrate a family member to me.  That would be rude, and I expect my friends to be publically polite.

What?  You say, “But you write of Him here so often!  Every day you have something to say about Him or His word. If I’m here, I see it.”  Yep – sure do.  And, while I appreciate very much those who stop by and read, that’s why I write this blog.  This is my response to:

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32 KJV)

I do pray that my readers will be there with me.

Are You Called?

If you are saved – yes, you are called. With a holy calling.  If you haven’t found your calling yet, you haven’t spent time with your Bible.
 
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9 KJV)

When we spend time reading in prayer, we find what God has in mind for us – and each follower of Christ has a calling.  While some are similar in nature, none are exactly the same.  Some have multiple jobs. Paul wrote, to all of us, and to specific people:

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV)

A loving letter from a preacher to a young man he’s mentoring. We can find the same today in many churches – can we find it in our own? Do we expect it only from our preachers? From men who have a way with words?

I pray not.

Every adult in our church can provide guidance for new Christians – especially for teens. And every adult is needed to do so for so many reasons. We are admonished to do so.

For the men: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (Titus 2:2 KJV)

Truthfully, guys, are you strong in all of these qualities? Are they apparent to the teens in the congregation?

For the ladies, Paul even explains the expected results:  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5 KJV)

Are we gals living these qualities as well as teaching them? Teen years are difficult. They can be more difficult for a Christian teen determined to respond to peer pressure in a Godly manner. The same holds true for all new Christians as they move from newly baptized and grow with Christ. The active support of these ‘aged’ men and women should be available to them without the asking.

Why do all of this? Among the many answers Paul has written, here are two from the same books:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV)


Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13 KJV)

How about a prayer for those who answered His calling:

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:  (2 Thessalonians 1:11 KJV)