Check out this post from Sky Parker on how the Seven-day experiment affected his life...


Here's a summary of the time I spent with God to help renew my mind and transform my life that I'd like to share with the group to remind and encourage...

I chose an exchange life devotional on "Identity" written by Dr. Stephen Phinney from the Institute of Ministry. Here are some scriptures that I found valuable to me and the truths from these scriptures that I paraphrased and restated from the study:

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

I hope my spirit, soul and body will be made complete until Jesus comes to greet us in His second coming. He will get me through all of my struggles with temptation. This is a promise and commitment to me by God.

"Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21

The Lord's promise with me comes through the blood of Jesus Christ. He has equipped and empowered me to accomplish His will in my life. This promise will "seal the deal" in all of my warfare activities.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him is the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

My resources are limitless in Christ Jesus. God eve cares about the small and insignificant things in my life.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Philippians 4:23

God's grace is never going to change - no matter what I choose to do in walking after the flesh.

"Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." Colossians 4:17

God wants me to step into the ministry that He has called me to fulfill. That doesn't mean that I have to quit the business I have built, but it certainly means that He wants to use my work to accomplish His mission for me and those around me.

"Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful." Titus 3:13-14

One of the easiest and most beneficial ways of reaching out to others in need is helping other ministry leaders accomplish the work to which God has called them. I need to find out what my Church's pressing needs are then give -- time, effort, money, material possessions, skills, or whatever I have to offer. This way the people and ministries I believe in can be fruitful and multiply the works of God.

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!" 2 Thessalonians 3:16

As God allows circumstances to flood my world, I need cling to the peace in Christ. He has already promised me that He will be with me through it all. I won't look behind me, but just fix my eyes on Jesus and He will direct me in all of my plans.

"Guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called 'knowledge'-- which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you." 1 Timothy 6:20-21

God wants me to put up a shield around the people, places and things He has entrusted to me. I need to apply what I have learned and not slip back into worldly discussions and arguments that are falsely called "knowledge".

"But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth." 2 Timothy 4:17

Jesus Christ has a mission to stand with me and strengthen me in all of my ways. He wants me to proclaim all of what He has shown me to others and LIBERATE THIS GENERATION TO FOLLOW HIM WITH ME. He wants all others in my life to hear and experience the freedom I have been given. I was rescued; now I need to go help others be rescued!

"Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say." Philemon 1:21

I take great confidence in what God has done for me. I am a victor in Christ Jesus! God has done a mighty work in my heart and life. I should embrace His Truth with a great deal of joy! I give God all the glory and authority to rule my life each day!!!

7-Day experiment

Hey Poiema Peeps:

It was cool to see how many of you were interested in spending regular time with God this week as an opportunity to see God renew your minds and transform your lives. So how is it going? How can I help? If you haven't started yet - go for it! I am praying for you.
john

The Rhythm of Confession

Several people wanted to talk further about the discipline of confession after the service on Sunday night. Such a powerful gift from God that allows us to continually draw near to the throne of grace, especially after we stumble. We simply need to agree with God about our sin and dive into the forgiveness that surrounds our souls in Christ. In this way, we return to God after pushing Him away and enjoy renewed closeness with Him. What questions or comments do you have about the discipline of confession?

Pastor John

WWJD with Alcohol

Kevin Boyd commented to the post on alcohol as follows:

The only sin I see is the consumption of alcohol that cost less than 3.99 a six pack. Here are some examples: Bud Light, Miller Light, Coors Light... you get the idea. So expand your horizons and find a "good" beer. For you new people venturing away for the first time, try a Sam Adams seasonal. I believe the Summer Ale is in season right now. Have fun and remember, you don't get good at it unless you practice.

Boyd's comment is hilarious and underlines a key issue in this debate. The fact is in John 2, Jesus made wine, lots of wine, at the end of a seven-day wedding when people had already had plenty of opportunities to drink wine. He did so, not so that people would abuse it - though some probably did. He created wine (and tasty wine I am sure) because wine is a drink of celebration and Jesus is all about life. The bible never categorically prohibits drinking alcohol, but it does promote moderation in this and all other areas of life.

Questions: Which is worse for the body and/or soul - gluttony or drinking moderately? Which is a bigger problem in our culture? In the American Church?

I'll be at Four Peaks Brewery Thursday night at 8 if you want to talk more about it. Cheers!

pastor john

What about Alcohol?

I am posting a comment from another thread regarding alcohol and the Christian. I want to hear what all of you have to say on this hot button issue. Sky Parker wrote:

Alcohol consumption... definition of moderation? Should we consume alcohol at all? If so, what moderation is acceptable? What does the Bible say? We know drunkenness is a sin. I pulled the following text out of an online story:

"Church belief concerning alcohol consumption includes three classic positions: abstention, moderation and prohibition. Prohibitionists believe the Bible forbids any alcohol consumption since it is thought to be inherently evil; therefore, any consumption would be immoral.

There is logical inconsistency within this view because whenever wine is referenced negatively in the Bible it is always fermented; however, when it is a positive reference, or consumed by Jesus Christ and the apostles, it is always unfermented. Prohibitionists (almost always) use ad hoc arguments, and distort the testimony of the Bible and antiquity.

Abstentionists believe the Bible does not specifically forbid alcohol consumption, but abstain for the sake of prudence. Certainly some in the church abstain for personal reasons, but it cannot be said such practice is demanded in the Bible.

A common abstentionist myth is regarding the production of wine in the ancient world. One example is the claim that grape juice was often boiled until the liquid evaporated to prevent fermentation. Any grape juice that fermented was always diluted from three parts water to one part wine, or even 20 parts water to one part wine, which would make the alcoholic content negligible. Therefore, wine today is not the same as wine in biblical times.

The truth is some of the wines were stronger in alcoholic content than those today and were best consumed diluted with water. Not only does the abstentionist position distort the historical and linguistic scholarship, but also - and most importantly - the sufficiency of the Bible for faith and practice since it is the extra-biblical conviction of the abstentionist that is authoritative. It is curious that the Bible never makes a distinction between so-called "safe/non-sinful" diluted wines and so-called "unsafe/sinful" undiluted wines, especially when the only biblical reference to diluted wine (viz. by the prophet Isaiah) is a condemnation.

Moderationists believe alcohol consumption is acceptable before God if consumed prudently and moderately. Alcoholic beverages can be and are abused, just as any other good gift from God can be and are abused. Since Satan cannot counterfeit God's good gifts, he will encourage abuse and so seek curse upon it.

However, the command of the Bible is moderation if alcohol is consumed. The church must not belittle the moral responsibility for personal sin by holding something external responsible. Alcoholic consumption may occur in faith and according to the directives of the law of Christ. The matter of alcohol consumption within the limitations of the Bible is simply a matter of discretion and personal taste.

Prior to the 1800s, there was nearly universal agreement by every denomination of orthodox Christianity regarding the moderate consumption of alcohol for health and pleasure. Condemnation of the moderationist position is maintained through the capricious rejection of centuries of church history - and most importantly, the assertions of the Bible - by granting priority instead for an ascetic fundamentalism that is deemed a greater standard of holiness and prudence than the Bible.

The plain teaching of the Bible concerning the moderate consumption of alcohol should promote church integrity and unity rather than spirited disagreement that is often manifested in contention and strife among the body of Christ.

The church's unity in belief and practice must be based upon the Bible solely. To demand abstinence and prohibit moderate alcohol consumption as a matter of faithfulness to God not only conflicts with the biblical and historical record, but also would be indictments upon Old Testament saints, the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles and unanimity of 1,800 years of church history.

The prohibitionist position that all alcoholic beverages are inherently evil, and that any use is therefore sinful, pronounces a curse upon God's blessing, and regards God's blessing in this matter to be a curse.

The abstentionist position often neglects biblical teaching of maturity and personal responsibility in regard to matters of church liberty. The Bible consistently condemns drunkenness (alcohol abuse) as sin, but never condemns use of alcohol (medicinally or moderately) as evil.

Scripture declares wine specifically is a good gift from God. The Bible and the entire Christian tradition have sternly condemned the sin of drunkenness - as should the church not only in Effingham, but also anywhere in the world.

As a component of God's creation, alcoholic beverages are something that may be enjoyed to the glory of God in moderation for both health and pleasure and with a thankful heart.

Ron J. Bigalke Jr. (M.Apol., M.Div., M.T.S., Ph.D.) is an author, lecturer and pastor. He is director of Eternal Ministries Inc. based in Rincon."

I personally like to enjoy a dark, red, non-fruity glass of wine with dinner occasionally or a dark, oatmeal stout with a burger "in moderation for both health and pleasure and with a thankful heart"

What do you think?

Why Pray Anyway?

Hey everybody:

The following are my comments to a post on prayer. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Pastor John

Anonymous said...

Dear Poiema,

I have a burning question that I have been wanting to ask you . . . Prayer . . . Why do you pray? If God know what the future holds then why? I know the main foundation of prayer is that it is our way of talking with Him, communing with Him and keeping that intimate relationship open. Though where I seem to falter is when a person is ill and people gather in pray what good are we actually doing. If God is all knowing then wouldn’t he already know if that person lives or dies, does God ever take into consideration our prayers and our wishes? And if not then why do we pray for other people and ourselves?

June 10, 2008 8:45 AM

Poiema Pastor said...

This is a very good and highly practical question. I think we have to begin by asking "what is prayer?" At its core, what is the essence of prayer? Thoughts?

pastor john

June 10, 2008 10:24 AM

Anonymous said...

Pray at its core is to worship God and to meditate on Him and what he does for us. I believe in miracles and I believe that pray can help. It is God’s will that we pray and keep the faith by praying for the hungry and the poor. Maybe praying is not so black and white but a middleman to be with God and to do God’s will.

June 11, 2008 11:49 AM

Poiema Pastor said...

I agree. Prayer is fundamentally our life line with God. Prayer is the means by which our soul communes with Him. This is why the Lord's Prayer (a model prayer outline in Matthew 6) focuses on our union with God and submission to Him. Sometimes it is easy to reduce prayer to communicating our wish list to God. We can start to think that if God doesn't answer a particular prayer as we would like, then He must not be listening, doesn't care, or that our prayers are meaningless. I find it interesting that Jesus promises that God answers every prayer with a resounding "yes" (see Matthew 7:7-11). The challenge for us to receive His answer, even when His "yes" doesn't match up with ours.

The longer I walk with God, the more I understand that His will and purposes are best for me. Therefore, even when I don't get the "result" from prayer that I might have desired, I know that my prayers are always effective in drawing me closer to the Lord and cultivating God's will in my life.

Much more to say on the topic. I'll stop for now.

The Jesus Revolution

He caused a massive spiritual earthquake that altered the landscape of the spiritual realm and reshaped eternity itself. It was the greatest revolution of all time. All other revolutions must be measured against the revolution brought by the Son of God when He who left heaven to seek and destroy the works of the devil, that He might seek and rescue those under sin's rule. Through His perfect life and sacrificial death, Jesus Christ, the greatest of all revolutionaries, disarmed the evil one, ended his reign of terror, and declared victory over the darkness by condemning the sin that once condemned us.

This Sunday we will discover the Jesus revolution comes with an invitation for us to rise above the fall and taste real life - fully human life. Every political coup or struggle for freedom and power betrays the human longing for the freedom, peace and community that only our Champion could bring. He conquered the sin that drives our selfishness, greed and discontent. He invites us now to encounter a revolution of the soul; and to embrace the privilege of advancing His unstoppable revolution that will one day fill the earth. Interested? See you Sunday morning at 10am

pastor john