God-Breathed!

Soon after moving to North Carolina in 2014, I got into the habit of listening to one of the conservative cable news channels while I helped to get my wife, who was dealing with the encroaching symptoms of Alzheimer’s, ready for the day.  I had purchased a small 22-inch flat screen TV and set it up on the top of our six-drawer dresser in our bedroom in the apartment we were renting.

That TV moved, along with the rest of our stuff to the house we purchased toward the end of the next year.  By that time, I was also making it a daily habit to peruse the mainstream news sites online, in order to compare their reporting with that of the conservative channels.  What I immediately noticed was that the coverage and reporting of major news events were totally different.

This was especially evident during the 2016 Presidential campaign.  I remember commenting to my wife on many occasions, saying “You know… we watched that speech last night and the reports from the mainstream media outlets sound like they are describing a totally different speech!”  There were times I just shook my head in amazement declaring, “He didn’t say that” or “How did they get that interpretation of what he said?”

Well… it took me awhile, by I finally understood that they were reacting to the news through their own preconceived narrative of the situation.  Whether it was right or wrong didn’t seem to matter… as long as it fit into the narrative that they chose to accept.

I have also learned over the years, that this is a similar way in which many people think about, look at or even read the Bible.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that,

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way,* so that the man of God may himself be complete and may be perfectly equipped for every good work.”**

These verses are very easy and simple for me to believe and act upon in my daily life. For Piper and I, our response to the Word of God was very child-like and uncomplicated.  God said it, that settled it and therefore we believed it!  But the same cannot be said for many other people.

To some, with their preconceived narrative of the Bible, this book is just an old, confusing, outdated journal that was written thousands of years ago and has no place in today’s modern, high tech and liberal thinking society.  To others it is seen as a good book that’s filled with lots of nice and encouraging saying that make people temporarily feel better when in the midst of difficult times.

But then to others who tend to take it more literally, like my wife and I, it is a living, breathing, life-changing powerhouse of truth that guides, directs and empowers lives in any year, in any season… in the present and throughout the times and events to come!

We’ve spent the last few weeks in our posts discussing the importance of KNOWING the NAME of Jesus.  We studied from Philippians 2:9-11 were the Apostle Paul taught us that God gave Jesus the NAME that is above every other name in existence, and that at the mention of that NAME every knee must bow in submission to it.  We also learned that just before Jesus ascended into heaven that he gave us Christians the legal rights to the use of that NAME in the course of our daily lives as we live and spread the Good News of the Gospel message.

A few points that caught my attention in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 above, is first of all, the revelation that the scriptures are “God-breathed” and therefore useful for our everyday lives.  The term “God-breathed” or “is given by inspiration of God” as rendered by the King James Version, is literally defined by the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, as meaning,

“Filled with the breath of God’ so as to be ‘living oracles’”

So, first and foremost, when one approaches the Bible they must understand and read the scriptures from the point of view that they are GOD-BREATHED and LIVING ORACLES coming directly from the throne of God and are… clearly relevant and miraculous purposeful for our lives TODAY!***

The second part that spoke to me, as I’ve been studying these verses, is that after the author explained all that the scriptures can do for us, Paul basically tells us that whether that happens or not in our lives… is STRICTLY up to US!  Notice he declares,

“so that the man (or woman) of God MAY himself (or herself) be complete and MAY be perfectly equipped for every good work.”

The word “MAY” in the Greek means that it “may, might, could, would, must” and is possible”**** to happen in our lives - as we decide to not only agree with it… but also to put it into regular practice in our daily lives.

And then in perfect association with these two points, Paul speaks of being “perfectly equipped for every good work.”  A little research shows that the word “perfectly” in this usage is only found in this particular verse in the entire New Testament.  And it is defined as being “fresh, complete, fitted and exactly for the purpose of the moment.”*****

Therefore, Paul not only tells us that the scriptures are good for all kinds of personal growth, wisdom and training, but are also able to give you fresh, directions and or words of wisdom, comfort and encouragement that are fitted exactly for the purpose of the moment you find yourself in!  Have you ever been at a loss for words in a needful situation?  I sure have… but it is exactly for times like these when the Word of God intercedes in our hearts and gives us the right words to minister to the person and or situation at hand!

Let’s face it… if you want to use the NAME of Jesus to change situations in your life… you have to KNOW Him… and you only get to know Him through regular and consistent fellowship with the “God-breathed, living oracles” of Jesus as discovered in His “living and active” Word!

Sounds like a successful plan, doesn’t it?

Have a great weekend, and as you do… stay alert and EXPECTANT for the “living oracles” that He just might want YOU to share with OTHERS!

 

*The Message Bible

**Weymouth New Testament

***You may recall that the book of Hebrews also confirms this truth by declaring that “God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions.” (God’s Word ©)

****Strong’s and Mounce

*****Strong’s and Cambridge

Metamorphosis!

I was thinking back over this last weekend of how my life took a totally different path than that of my brother and sister… when… to the initial concern of my family… I began to attend a Protestant church (and, come to think of it, concern from Piper’s parents as well… because of my Catholic up brining!). 

I had always had a heart, or I guess you might say an interest in the activities of the church and in God Himself.  With that in mind… being raised in a devout Catholic family and attending the majority of my elementary years in Catholic schools… I naturally considered entering the priesthood at one point in my young life.

My parents were very involved in the churches we attended and had become good friends with one of the parish priests.  He was a frequent guest at gatherings my folks would hold at our house and I had the pleasure of getting to know him on a personal level… therefore, I got to see the priesthood not only from the school and church point of view, but also in the community and as a friend.

I even got to visit a Catholic Seminary, but somewhere along the line I had a difficult time understanding the theology that as a priest… I could never get married, have children and enjoy the full and rich family life that I had been raised with.

Well, that initial personal experience in my quest for seeking meaning for the things of God in my life stuck with me for years.  Then if you were to fast forward almost ten years, you’d find me in a wonderful relationship with a lovely young Christian gal who introduced me to God through a very personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  It was through her that I finally felt the hunger for the things of God in my life coming into a sense of deep satisfaction.

The writer of the Biblical book of Hebrews wrote to the early church, as recorded in Hebrews 3:14 saying,

“We have become partakers of Christ’s character if we hold firmly till the end to the confidence we initially had in the truth about God, revealed by Christ.” (The Remedy)

In this portion of scripture, the author explains to his readers, that in order to be a regular partaker of Christ’s character, they need to stay excited about and growing in their individual knowledge of the truth of God in, for and through their daily lives.  He encourages them to remember the initial, life changing experiences they had with God, to hold firmly to the truths that spoke to their hearts and to keep growing in their personal faith from there!

Like I said above, I often time recall my early times in seeking meaning for God in my life as a young elementary student in Catholic school, but the two initial experiences that became a firm foundation for my Christian walk, happened years later as I dove head first into the Christian faith with my girlfriend and then fiancée.  The first remembrance occurred one night in our Junior College days, after being at a church event with Piper, when I returned home to my parent’s house, excitedly closed my bedroom door, got on my knees and… as I explained to the Lord that night… just to be sure… asked Jesus into my life as my personal Savior and Lord.*  It was a wonderful night… one that I’ll never forget.

The second came a year or two later following our time at Chico State, a few months before our wedding date, when I had, once again, just returned home to my parent’s house from another church event with Piper.  I had no sooner closed the door to my room and plopped down on the bed, when I felt the incredible presence of the Lord fill my room.  And while I didn’t see any tangible evidence of what was going on… the feeling of His sweet presence seemed to engulf the room and I could hardly move!

I don’t remember how long it lasted, but I do recall that it was overwhelming to me.  I felt like I could physically reach out and touch Him!  But all I could do was smile and praise the Lord!  I don’t think that I slept much that night, but after work the next day… I couldn’t hardly wait to go pick up Piper and tell her all about it!

So yeah, I often think back on those two initial experiences that made a permanent mark on my young heart… but I have also learned of the need to continually build upon those initial experiences and stay a student of the life-changing and ever fresh, new and dynamic truths I regularly find in the Word of God. 

Hebrews 3:14 encourages us to hold firmly to the confidence we have in the truth that we know about God as we’ve learned through His Word.  And how does one do that?  Well, Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 to,

“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (KJV)

When we confess Jesus as Lord and personal Savior of our lives, our dead spirits are born again… but not our minds.  Therefore, we have to teach our minds how to think and act as our newly found faith in God and the truth of His Word commands us to… and that doesn’t happen overnight, but takes a continual, firm and dedicate effort that will span the rest of our lives on this earth!  But don’t take me wrong here… if your anything like me… it is actually a very rewarding, fun and exciting experience that Piper and I always like to refer to as our Adventures in Faith!

This verse tells us to not be CONFORMED to this world, with CONFORMED translated in the Greek as “to fashion one’s self in accordance to something or someone.”  And in this case, it refers to someone fashioning themselves to be like and/or acceptable in the world’s eyes.  In today’s terminology, one might say to be considered as to be WOKE.

Whereas on the other hand, Christians are directed to be “TRANSFORMED” by the renewing of your mind.   The actual Greek word being “metamorphoō” which is where we get our English word “Metamorphose” which describes the physical process of metamorphosis.  In the original Greek, the word is defined as “to change into another form” and/or “to undergo a spiritual transformation.” (Thayer’s and Mounce)

I guess you could say that while to CONFORM is of the head… to TRANSFORM is a permanent change of the heart.  2 Corinthians 5:17 informs us that,

“Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.” (God’s Word ©)**

According to the Word of God, when we become Christians, the process of metamorphosis begins and we become a new creature but, like any other newborn, we have to nourish ourselves in order to grow up in the faith and “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect (or mature) will of God.”***

So… What are some of the initial experiences in your life that are foundational to your Christian walk today?  It’s always important to remember those special times that marked our lives… but even more important to keep building on the foundation that you have established in the past.

Have a great week ahead… and as you do… Keep EXPECTING God’s BEST… and then pass it on to others!

 

*See: Romans 10:9

**See: 2 Corinthians 5:17 – KJV

**Romans 12:2

What Are You Wearing?

I’ve often told the story of my late wife Piper’s and my first official date, when she and I had prearranged to meet at the first school dance during our senior year in high school.  We had only been hanging out together for a short period of time when the dance occurred and most everything about our potential relationship was still pretty new and untested… But then… she walked across the dance floor and came over to me.  To say that she looked stunning in her short skirt, white long sleeve sweater and that all engaging smile of hers… would do a great injustice to the moment!  From that point on… there was never a question about my affection, devotion and love toward her… or her toward me.

What I quickly ascertained about Piper was that she was a very joyful, giving and confident young lady… who never tried to be anyone else… but herself!  One could say that she always “put on” or “clothed” herself as Piper… who was a happy, strong Christian woman. 

Whether it was the unusual way in which she felt the beat and danced at that first dance that night, or how she was comfortable wearing her athletic shoes with a long dress* as we walked around the campus at Chico State University a few years later, during the school’s Pioneer Days Celebration… she was never one to fall for the many passing clothing fads throughout the years, nor for some of the unbiblical trends that popped up during the Charismatic Movement that we were actively involved with in the 70’s and 80’s. Piper always tended to present all that she did by what she believed was morally, ethically and biblically right for her.  And while she also had a very adventurous side to her… there were definite lines that she would NEVER cross.

The Apostle Paul in our foundational scripture from our last blog post, declared in Galatians 3:17 that,

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (KJV) 

I like the way, the somewhat recently published Remedy New Testament states this particular verse by saying,

“for all of you who have immersed your minds and hearts into the truth of God as revealed by Christ, have had your characters changed, and—like a new set of clothing—replaced with the character of Christ.” 

And in Hebrews 3:14, the author goes into a little more detail explaining,

“We have become partakers of Christ’s character if we hold firmly till the end to the confidence we initially had in the truth about God, revealed by Christ. (The Remedy)

As Piper was comfortable and confident to put on clothes that best suited her personal character, tended to best present her petite size and stature, as well as her fit figure... we Christians are encouraged by the Word of God, to “put on” or “clothe ourselves” with the “character of Christ.”

In regards to this thought, Albert Barnes in his 1832 commentary entitled “Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible” wrote,

“We are spiritually united to the Saviour. We become one with Him. We partake of His spirit and His allotments.”

What these portions of scripture (in agreement with many others throughout the New Testament) are telling us… is… that as we clothe ourselves with the character of Christ, we have all of the “allotments” or resources and duties** of Christ at our disposal!  And as was Paul’s overriding message to the church in Galatia, we access and/or activate those resources into our daily lives just as we did our salvation and baptism… “by GRACE through FAITH alone”***

You see… these are spiritual giftings that can only be received through God’s spiritual portal of GRACE and our active, expectant and now FAITH**** that we stand on throughout the course of our lives.  And while there will be times when everything in the natural looks, sounds and feels exactly opposite to what you are believing for (that is in agreement with God’s Word) we can stand confidently in the truth of God and His Word, and eventually see the working of His resources manifested into our lives!

Isn’t God Good!  (psst… the answer to that statement is a resounding YES!)

So… What are you going to wear today? 

One of my ALL–TIME favorite scriptures (probably the very first one I ever memorized) is found in Paul’s letter to a young struggling Pastor in 2 Timothy 1:7 where Paul boldly encouraged his son-in-the-Lord declaring,

“For God did not give you a character of insecurity, doubt and fear, but a mind and character of confidence, power in the truth, love, and self-control.”           (The Remedy) 

I can’t tell you how many times in which I have stood on the truth of that scripture from the Word of God, since I first discovered it when participating in a men’s Bible Study at Piper’s American Baptist Church in the mid-1970’s!  And you know what?  It has NEVER failed me yet! 

And God will do the same for you!

Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are today!  We are in the midst of a beautiful, sunny and deep blue skied day out here in northeastern Oklahoma!  Except for the blustery wind… it kind of reminds me of our weather where Piper and I grew up and raised our family in northern California! 

So… as you enjoy your weekend, remember to clothe yourselves with the character of Christ… and thereby walk victoriously through every situation that presents itself to you!

 

*Although this is a common practice today, it was quite unusual back in 1974.

**Oxford Online Dictionaries

*** Introduction to the book of Galatians in the NIV Study Bible, © 2002, Zondervan

****See: Hebrews 11:1 - KJV

It's All Part of the Family (Name - pt4)

I don’t think that I had ever been more excited than the night I was to ask Piper to marry me, back in the summer of 1973.  I had it all planned out.  I would take her to our favorite restaurant, get seated in one of their private booths and when the time was right, take out the tiny jewelry box that I would cleverly hide in my boot and ask her to marry me… to which she would instantly reply with tears in her eyes… a resounding “YES!  I will marry you, Jim.”

Well… as with the best of plans… it didn’t quite happen the way in which I had repeatedly dreamed it.  The restaurant did not take reservations and being as it was a packed weekend evening, they could not hold a booth for us and seated us at a tiny table… practically on top of the table next to us in the midst of the dining area.

So, as you can imagine… that wasn’t going to work and I quickly devised another plan where I could propose to her in the privacy of my MGB in the parking lot… not quite as romantic… but then again… we did spend a lot of time in the car after dates for the last 3 years!  Anyway… I clumsily pulled the little box out of the top of my boot (there’s not a lot of room in an MGB), slowly opened it up, looked deeply into her mesmerizing brown eyes and asked her to marry me… to which she replied… no wait… she didn’t reply with any words but instead… burst out laughing!

I have to admit that her reaction did perplex me a tad, but she quickly gained back her composure and with tears in her eyes… gave me a resounding “YES!” and the rest is history!

I was reminded of the events of that wonderful night as I continued my study on the NAME of Jesus.  In Galatians 3:17 the Apostle Paul tells us,

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (KJV)

Some literal translations of the Bible, as well as other verses that relate the same message, state Paul’s meaning as being baptized into the NAME of the Lord Jesus.*  E.W. Kenyon** explains how these verses relate to my experience with Piper in 1973.  He wrote,

“Baptism in this sense (in Galatians 3:27), is equivalent to marriage.  When the wife puts on marriage, she takes her husband’s name and enters into her husband’s possessions and has legal rights in his home.  So, when the believer is baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus, he puts on the name of the Lord Jesus… and takes on his legal rights and privileges in Christ.”

As I prayed over these truths, I also began to realize that in marriage, the wife is also baptized or immersed into the husband’s family traditions, lifestyle and culture… just as the believer is with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

When Piper married me, she became a vital part of a 100% Italian family where the men adored their wives, honored and respected them and encouraged and supported them in the pursuit of their dreams and the development of their gifts and talents.  It was an example that I had witnessed throughout my childhood with my grandfather, my dad and my uncle. 

In my family upbringing, the wives were the crown jewel of the marriage and within the family unit.  And that is exactly what I purposed to do with Piper throughout the 48 years of our dating days and marriage… and everything I had and gained through the years was equally available to her.

As a Christian baptized into the NAME of Jesus, you and I have that same kind of involvement and rights in the NAME of Jesus!  Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary tells us that the NAME of Jesus Christ includes,

“the word and/or doctrine of Christ and the distinctive privileges of the gospel of Christ.” (Strong’s word number G5547)

I John 4:17 declares that,

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.” (KJV)

So… if you didn’t know this before… you know it now!  And this new understanding should greatly enhance your prayers, your self-worth and the way you look at and live your daily lives!

What do you think about that?

Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the seasonal change from winter to spring and give glory and honor to God for His rights and benefits that are yours in the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ!   And YES… there is more to come on this subject…

 

*See: Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5, I Corinthians 1:13

** The Wonderful Name of Jesus by E.W. Kenyon, thirty-first printing © 1998, Kenyon Gospel Publishing Society.