Seconds: May 2013

Monday, May 27, 2013

The Story Chapter 18 / There Will Be a Day When You Feel Like You “Fit”

Sometime after Adam and Eve committed their world-changing act of disobedience in Garden of Eden, I can imagine Adam walking with his young sons Cain and Abel. They happen to pass by the ruins of the Garden of Eden. One of the boys asked their father, “What’s that?”

Adam replied, “Boys, that’s where your mother ate us out of house and home.”

A lot happens in Scripture following the time Adam and Eve took that bite of fruit that gave mankind perpetual indigestion. As a result, they attempted the first cover up. But since their leaf loincloths were not very practical, God sacrificed an animal to clothe them. The pair was banished from the Garden and began life anew as exiles away from their homeland.

It wasn’t the only time God’s people lived as exiles. They spent a few summers in Egypt. Then more wandering in the wilderness of Sinai. Later, the Babylonians captured the nation of Judah and deported its people to captivity.

The first group deported included the young, elite men who would be trained as leaders. In that group were Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Shadrach, and Azariah. They were given the Babylonian names of Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego. (If you decide to give your child a Babylonian name, you might try “Intobedwego.”)

While in exile these young men lived powerful, purposeful, prayer-filled lives. They remained on a diet that helped them find more energy than other workers. They prayed to their God when they were told not to. They were bold to do what was right regardless of the obstacles placed in their path. And they made a difference.

It may be difficult to put yourself in their shoes, but according to 1 Peter 2:11-12 those who follow God today are exiles too. Peter writes: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the Gentiles that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

You may have days when you just don’t seem to “fit” in this world and that’s a good thing. It’s simply because as a child of God you don’t. You were made to live with him. Until we are home in heaven, you and I are exiles. Until then, we have things to do. We can add some good to this life so that others can get a glimpse of God. We can make a difference.

According to Peter there will be a day God will “visit” us. That’s when the exile will end. And that’s when you and I will “fit.”

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Trials

Trials. No one likes them. Not the ones we hear about on the news or read about in the newspaper, and certainly not the personal trials and/or a tribulation in our own lives. However, they are put on us for so many different reasons, but the main one is for our good or betterment – even though we may not see or understand or even feel that while it is happening.

I quit my job back in March of this year. At first it seemed like the “right” thing to do. I thought I would easily be able to find another job quite quickly. However, that was Not part of God’s plan. Instead, it is now May and I am still unemployed. However, God is working all of that out. He is providing in ways I did not even consider as possibilities. More on that later…but I will preface with, “…nothing is impossible with God.”

I have been participating in the women’s Monday night Bible studies since I became a member of NBCC

back in October 2011. It has been such a blessing in SO many ways. If you have thought about joining “the next study”, but have yet to do so – perhaps this is the catalyst for you to reconsider and just do it.

Some people may think that the Old Testament doesn’t really apply to us anymore, and that even though the stories are good to hear from time to time that they don’t really apply to us anymore since we are under the New covenant. Well, I’m here to tell you that they do. We have studied Nehemiah, Deuteronomy and are currently going through Malachi. With the trial I am facing right now, these studies (that we have been going through over the last several months) have been SO in tune with my situation – even to the point of me going through a week’s worth of homework and thinking to myself, “This doesn’t apply to me” – and then during the discussion finding some insight that does SO very much apply. The revelations are astounding.

I am finding myself in my current situation recalling things discussed and learned during Nehemiah and Deuteronomy that at the time seemed to have a different meaning, and now seem to completely apply to me personally in my current situation as well. And, even now with Malachi, I am seeing the situation with the disputations between God and his people completely applying to where I am now (and my questions to God).

Basically ladies, if you think the studies won’t apply to you – you’re wrong. Even if they don’t apply in your current situation, like they are with me and mine, they may. It may be 3 weeks, 3 months or 3 years from now (or they may not be about you – they may be for the benefit of someone you know or love or come in contact with) –but a the end of the day – there is definitely something to be learned and realized and applicable to all who attend and participate. I strongly encourage you to attend and broaden your walk.

I have learned that I am passionate about missions and helping/serving people (Nehemiah). I have learned about my walk with God and how obedience and humility and His sovereignty (it’s not about us – but us fully surrendering and living to worship and glorify Him) are keys to having the fulfilling relationship with Him (and reaching our “promised land”) (Deuteronomy). And, I am currently seeing my own disputations with God (due to my own personal situation) and how that compares to the Israelites, and how much God truly loves us and wants to shower His great love all over us if we would just trust and obey (Malachi) – and I’m sure I will learn more as we continue through the study. I could bore you with all the details of my situation and the spectacular ways that God is addressing each issue and concern that I have, but I think if you look back at your own lives and situations – you can see those for yourself. In the end, I am realizing that He DOES have a plan and sometimes part of that plan is going through some stuff and attending a Monday night study (even when you don’t feel like it). I would not trade the relationships and true friendships that have been forged with these ladies for anything. It is a wonderful time of sharing and being open to learn in ways that may not be traditional. We are vulnerable, transparent, open and honest and most of all loving and caring. Who would want to miss out on all of that?

Pam Rosky

Monday, May 20, 2013

The Story Chapter 17 / Be Available for God’s Assignment for You

Sally Edwards is a highly esteemed third grade teacher at Jacksboro Elementary in Texas.[1] She was preparing her students for the TAKS test and compiled an exam to prepare them for it. There were twenty questions. Number eleven on the test was this question: “List in any order the four seasons.”

A whopping 67% of her 3^rd grade students answered: “Dove season, deer season, duck season, and turkey season.”¹

I don’t know what season of life you are in, but I do know this. God has something for you to do. He did for Jeremiah. He told Jeremiah he had a work for him to do. His assignment? Stand in the rubble of Jerusalem and weep. He was also told the people would not listen to him.

That was it. And oddly enough, Jeremiah did it. As the people of Judah were leaving Jerusalem in single file as captives, Jeremiah stood weeping and reminding them that God would bring them back with these words: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23).

God had something for Jeremiah to do. And he has something for you to do too. In the New Testament book of Ephesians the apostle Paul writes to the church, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God created in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).

In God’s employment contract for us today, he does not ask us to be successful by the world’s standards but rather to be faithful to him to do good things. God is not so much concerned about your ability as he is your availability.

Just like Jeremiah, God is calling you to play a role in his Grand Story. It may be that this is your time to change the direction of your family. Turning from a focus on you alone to a concerning yourself with the things of God. It may be that God is calling you to reach out to a neighbor. Perhaps he is laying on your heart a ministry where there is a need you can’t even see at the moment.

Whatever season of life you are in God is calling you to make a difference. And he is desiring to equip you to make that difference. Right now. Today. Are you available for his purposes?

[1] Story told by Randy Frazee in The Story sermon, Chapter 17.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Praying for the Kingdom: North Korea

COUNTRY	North Korea
DESCRIPTION	North Korea’s isolated regime is the most oppressive in the world. North Koreans are indoctrinated with an ideology called “Juche,” a philosophy of self-reliance that centers on worship of the country’s leaders. Following Kim Jong Il’s death in December 2011, power was transferred to his son, Kim Jong Un. Jong Un seems determined to carry on his father’s duties and policies. North Korea maintains one of the world’s largest standing armies. Category: Restricted Nation Religion: Cheondogyo (compulsory state religion) 99.5%, Christian 0.5% Ideology: Juche/Communism Head of State: Marshall Kim Jong Un North Korea is the worst perpetrator of persecution against Christians in the world. Christians are tortured, imprisoned and murdered. Private, non-state-sanctioned religious activity is prohibited. Anyone discovered engaging in clandestine religious activity is subject to arrest, torture or even public execution. Under Juche, the only acceptable religion is Cheondogyo, or “Kim-Il-Sung-ism.” However, the North Korean government is careful to maintain a facade of religious freedom with four “show” churches in its capital city. When Christians are executed, they are typically charged with being spies or being involved in illegal activities. As many as 100,000 believers are thought to worship secretly. Experts estimate that of the hundreds of thousands incarcerated in labor and concentration camps, about 30,000 are Christians. Religious prisoners are typically treated worse than any of the other inmates. Possessing a Bible, saying the words God or Jesus and meeting together are all offences punishable by death. VOM supports radio broadcasts into North Korea and participates in balloon launches that carry the gospel message and literature into the country.
RELATED LINKS	Persecution.com Story - North Korea: Persecution to Continue Persecution.com Story - North Korea: Fax threatens VOM project Persecution.com Story - North Korea: Bibles Fall Like Rain PrisonerAlert Prisoner - Son Jong Nam PrisonerAlert Prisoner - North Korean Prisoners BiblesUnbound Operation - NK - Inroads #4 BiblesUnbound Operation - NK - Inroads #3 BiblesUnbound Operation - NK Inroads #2

Monday, May 13, 2013

A Thought about Mothers

Anthony Campolo, The Power Delusion

Too many times women are made to feel that they should apologize for being mothers and housewives. In reality, such roles can be noble callings. When I was on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania , there were gatherings from time to time to which faculty members brought their spouses. Inevitably, some woman lawyer or sociologist would confront my wife with the question, "And what is it that you do, my dear?"

My wife, who is one of the most brilliantly articulate individuals I know, had a great response: "I am socializing two homo sapiens in the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the teleologically prescribed utopia inherent in the eschaton." When she followed that with, "And what is it that you do?" the other person’s "A lawyer" just wasn’t that overpowering.

Mothers are certainly a force of influence in the lives of children.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Sharing Your Faith

QUESTION:

HOW AND WHEN DO WE START A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE? SHOULD WE WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO BRING UP CHRISTIANITY?

ANSWER:

I would say that if your Christian faith is real to you then it will be a natural part of who you are. This means you don’t need an excuse to talk about Jesus, but that He is a natural part of your life and a natural part of conversation. Of the two articles above, I like the “Overflow if Your Heart Rule.” If Jesus is at the center of your life, then He will come out in normal conversations. Now I’m not saying that you say things like, “Hey I am going to the grocery store… pray to the Lord that I get there safe and back again. Send the angel of BOGO with me.” It will be more natural. Perhaps someone is sharing an issue they are having with a child. Pray with them about it. Don’t just say you will pray for them… actually pray for them. Maybe someone is talking with you about weight loss or another struggle they are having. When you share about your similar struggle, don’t leave out the spiritual aspect that is so important to you. Talk about how you pray or read the Bible for guidance. So I would say the short answer is always be ready for a conversation (Colossians 4:6) and you never have to wait to bring up your faith.

The HOW is a little different. The best way to bring up faith is to ask questions. When you ask people questions, this allows you an opportunity to share.

For example, a friend is telling you about discipline problems with their child or grandchild. You would normally ask, “What have you tried so far?” or “What advice have you gotten thus far?” or even better “What books have you been reading about discipline and kids?” You are being a good friend by helping them investigate what is going on. The opportunity will present itself… Why not also add, “Are you a person of faith, what does your faith tell you?” If they don’t have any faith… BAM… there is your opportunity to share with them from the Bible some perspectives on raising kids. Or if you don’t know that (let’s be honest, you probably won’t be that prepared), you could share how in tough times you rely on God. The best HOW way of introducing faith into conversations is through questions with a point.

Examples of questions with a point (the point being eventually you can talk about God):

How are you making through this tough situation?

Have you tried praying about this… are you a praying person?

Do you think much about spiritual things?

Additional resources:

http://awhitestoneblog.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/ways-you-can-talk-about-jesus-with-anyone/

http://www.teamsoc.net/index.php?page=26780

Troy Borst

Christian Education Minister

If you have a question about Scripture, please email me at troy.borst@newbeginningscctampa.org

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Praying for the Kingdom: Kazakhstan

COUNTRY	Kazakhstan
DESCRIPTION	Kazakhstan is the second largest country among former Soviet republics, after Russia. Its president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has been in office since Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991. Ethnic Kazakhs, who make up only a slight majority, practice Islam loosely. Other ethnic groups practice Sunni Islam, Russian Orthodoxy and Protestantism, among others. Category: Restricted Nation Religion: Muslim 53.7%, Christian 12.2% Ideology: Islam Head of State: President Nursultan A. Nazarbayev The country’s religion law includes strict registration procedures for churches and stiff penalties for noncompliance. Only the traditional religious groups may practice freely. Religious groups are required to register with the government, and unregistered religious activity, private religious education, proselytism and the production of religious literature are forbidden. Christian converts face harassment from authorities, devout Muslims and family members. VOM is involved with the printing and distribution of Christian literature.
RELATED LINKS	Persecution.com Story - Kazakhstan: Pastors Fined for Praying Persecution.com Story - Kazakhstan: New Anti-Religion Laws Persecution.com Story - Kazakhstan: Small Churches Banned Be-A-Voice Prayer Bulletin - Kazakhstan Be-A-Voice Prayer Bulletin - Kazakhstan Refugee

Monday, May 6, 2013

The Story Chapter 16 / Adopt a Revolutionary Motto for Your Life

In the early formation of our nation George Washington had the opportunity to become king of the burgeoning nation. But given the young nation’s experience with England and because he had a robust prayer life he knew there was only one King, so he declined the offer.

The people of the land apparently knew the same. “In a 1774 report to King George, the Governor of Boston noted: ”If you ask an American, who is his master? He will tell you he has none, nor any governor but Jesus Christ.” The pre-war Colonial Committees of Correspondence soon made this the American motto: "No King but King Jesus."[1]

The story of God’s chosen people might have gone very differently had they chanted the same motto. Instead, they wanted a king. Over the period of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah there were thirty-eight kings. Only five of them were good. Of the others a refrain heard throughout the Old Testament goes like this: “They did evil in the eyes of the Lord.”

Prophets appeared exhorting the people to turn back to God. God spoke through one prophet—Isaiah—to tell the people of Judah that they would be captured and deported to Babylon but afterward he would bring them back home. The purpose? “Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed. Then the whole human race will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob” (Isaiah 49:23).

In Isaiah 53 the prophet depicts the coming Messiah. “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53: 2, 3). God did not want the people to miss him. But they did. And still do.

Our nation would have gone a much different route had Washington agreed to be king. But he seemed to know what many others didn’t. When we displace God on the throne of our lives, the outcome will go horribly wrong. But when we put God on the throne in our lives, we put ourselves in the best possible position for godly success.

Maybe our American ancestors knew the best way to start a revolution. Adopt the motto “No King but King Jesus” in your life. See what changes that ignites in your life.

[1] Idea from Randy Frazee’s sermon on The Story, Chapter 16. Reference from “Is America a Christian Nation?” CARL PEARLSTON http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/politics/pg0040.html

Friday, May 3, 2013

More Than You Can Bear

QUESTION:

If “God will never give us more than we can bear,” why does life seem so hard sometimes and I get depressed? Some people kill themselves. Why is that verse in there?

ANSWER:

“God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Bear”

Do you think that’s true? Does it have a biblical basis? Actually not. We actually misread the verse and think that “God will not give us more hardship in this life than we can bear.” Some would point to 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you but what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way of escape so that you can stand up under it.”

God will never allow you to experience temptation that is too much to bear. This verse refers to solicitation to sin and enticement to do evil. Temptations are not necessarily related to troubles, trials, and suffering. If the intent is to say that God will never allow his people to have more trouble than they can bear, it would seem to contradict what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:8, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia . We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.”

ESV - “…utterly burdened beyond our strength”
NKJ - “…beyond measure, above strength”
NLT - “…crushed and completely overwhelmed”

It got so bad for Paul that he thought he’d never live through it! He faced hardships that were more than he could humanly handle. While his suffering was certainly severe, it was not unique. Any of us may some time experience troubles beyond what we are able to bear.

What we do have is hope in Jesus Christ, prayer, a church family, faith, and a peace that passes all understanding which are all promised to us to help in times of trouble.