Process Spirituality: part 2

And while we are in Process we abide in Faith, Hope & Love

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Abiding in Faith

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25
These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Consider the timeless words of AW Tozer.

A real Christian is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for one whom he has never seen; talks familiarly every day to someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest; richest when he is poorest; and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live; forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes knowledge. The man who has met God is not looking for anything; he has found it. He is not searching for light, for upon him the light has already shined. His certainty may seem bigoted, but his assurance is that of one who knows by experience his religion is not hearsay. He is not a copy, not a facsimile. He is an original from the hand of the Holy Spirit.

Now true Biblical Faith contains a number of components.

Faith Component 1: Knowledge – we must learn what God has revealed about Himself, ourselves and the world we live in

Faith Component 2: Trust – we must respond to how God has revealed Himself with Belief

Faith Component 3: Action – we must Obey what God has revealed about Himself and His expectations for our lives

Abiding in Hope

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Hebrews 11:25-26

There are Those with No Hope

There are Those with a Misplaced Hope

There are Those with ill-defined Hope

And then there are Those with Proper Hope

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, Hebrews 6:18-19
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 1 Peter 2:6
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Abiding in Love

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

FAITH	LOVE	HOPE
Appropriated in the PAST	Active in the PRESENT	Anticipating the FUTURE
Forgiveness & Grace (Gospels)	Love & Community (Acts)	Purpose & Hope (Epistles)
Salvation	Sanctification	Glorification
Positional (deliverance from the penalty of sin)	Progressive (deliverance from the power of sin)	Ultimate (deliverance from the presence of sin)
Significance	Satisfaction	Security
Hindsight	Insight	Foresight
History	Our story	His Story
Humility	Obedience	Trust
Knowing	Doing	Being
Mind	Will	Emotions
Seeing	Acting	Expecting
Life	Love	Light

 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Process Spirituality: part 1

Process VS Product / Being VS Doing

In our culture, we increasingly tend to be human doings rather than human beings. The world tells us that what we achieve and accomplish determines who we are, but the Scriptures teach that who we are in Christ should be the basis for what we do. The dynamics of growth are inside-out rather than outside-in. Process spirituality is about becoming faithful to the process of life rather than living from one product to the next. It also focuses on what it means to abide in Christ and to practice His presence.  Learning to ABIDE in Jesus is EVERYTHING!!!

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

First of all there is Process VS Product

 “To live in the past and future is easy.  To live in the present is like threading the needle.” Walker Percy

Many people have NO Idea where their path (process) is taking them, so it is better to choose what we want to create than to focus on avoiding what we don’t want

God invites us into a Step-by-Step Journey

and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Acts 9:2

But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Acts 19:9

About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. Acts 19:23

I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, Acts 22:4

However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, Acts 24:14

Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." Acts 24:22

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

and along the Journey God wants us to Grow in His Grace

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:34-35

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 1 Peter 2:2

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:14

Holistic Spirituality: Stewardship & Purpose part 6

The follower of Jesus owns nothing, we are but stewards for the Master.  In the Scriptures this idea is put forth in plain teaching and many stories.  There was a master who went away on a far journey….

As stewards for Jesus we swim upstream against a materialistic culture that foolishly thinks that “he who dies with the most toys wins” instead of the way it really is: “He who dies with the most toys… leaves them all behind, and there is no Uhaul trailing the hearse.”   So stewardship means…we own nothing, God owns it all, use it wisely for Him.   

Stewardship of Your home

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.
So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, Genesis 39:4-6

Stewardship of Your Time

Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

Stewardship of Your Talents

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Corinthians 4:7
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. Romans 12:6
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." Romans 15:2-3

Stewardship of Your Treasure

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:17
and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1:21

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; Psalm 24:1
You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." Deuteronomy 8:17

Stewardship of Truth

But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Stewardship of Relationships

"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. John 5:28-29
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2

Stewardship of Other Areas

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:13

 

So what should be our Purpose?  Our Primary Purpose should be to know and Love God followed by a Secondary Purpose – to know and love others

Global Purpose 1: Loving God completely

Global Purpose 2: Loving Myself Correctly (image of God, grow in humility & obedience)

Global Purpose 3: Loving Others Compassionately (see people as God sees them, to the best of our ability: Saved /Lost)

The Pearl

"I want this pearl. How much is it?" "

Well," the seller says, "it's very expensive."

"But, how much?" we ask. "Well, a very large amount."

"Do you think I could buy it?"

"Oh, of course, everyone can buy it."

"But, didn't you say it was very expensive?"

"Yes."

"Well, how much is it?"

"Everything you have," says the seller.

We make up our minds, "All right, I'll buy it," we say.

"Well, what do you have?" he want to know.

"Let's write it down." "Well, I have ten thousand dollars in the bank."

"Good- -ten thousand dollars. What else?"

"That's all.. That's all I have."

"Well, I have a few dollars here in my pocket."

"How much?" We start digging.

"Well, let's see--thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred, a hundred twenty dollars." "That's fine. What else do you have?"

"Well, nothing. That's all."

"Where do you live?" He's still probing.

 "In my house. Yes, I have a house."

"The house, too, then." He write that down.

"You mean I have to live in my camper?"

"You have a camper? That, too. What else?"

"I'll have to sleep in my car!"

"You have a car?"

"Two of them."

"Both become mine, both cars. What else?"

"Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?"

"Are you alone in this world?"

"No I have a wife and two children....."

"Oh, yes, your wife and children, too. What else?"

"I have nothing left! I am left alone now."

Suddenly the seller exclaims, "Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine--wife, children, house, money, cars--and you too."

Then he goes on. "Now listen--I will allow you to use all these things for the time being. But don't forget that they are mine, just as you are. And whenever I need any of them you must give them up, because now I am the owner."

from Juan Carlos Ortiz,Disciple

Holistic Spirituality: Relationships, Work & Society Part 5

Holistic Spirituality: Relationships, Work & Society

Holistic Spirituality is worked out in three areas, 1^st in Relationships.  There are 3 Relationships in our lives, though we may or may not have all three.

1. The Husband-Wife Relationship

1 Corinthians 7:7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 2:23-25 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Ephesians 5:31-32 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
This is a profound myster--but I am talking about Christ and the church.

2. The Parent-Child Relationship (T-I-M-E)

Psalm 127:3-5 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Isaiah 38:19 The living, the living--they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

3. Friendship Relationships

Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you-- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

The 2^nd Area is Work, which theologically is better identified as a Vocation or our Calling from God.

Genesis 2:5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground,

Genesis 3:8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

Ephesians 6:5-8 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,
because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

The 3^rd Area is Society, which we are to be Salt & Light.  Influence that is both External & Internal.

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 2:15-17 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

1 John 3:17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 4:20-21 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Philippians 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

 

Holistic Spirituality: part 4

As we continue to consider Holistic Spirituality and having an Integrated Life, consider some of the facets that we almost daily face.

1. The Lie of Compartmentalism

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, Colossians 3:23

2. The Focus of Our Heart

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

3. Splendor in the Ordinary

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:25-29
And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." John 8:28-29
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

4. Temptations to Lose Our Focus

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, Ephesians 3:17

The subtle challenge at every turn of Materialism

Pleasing others: looking for Honor in the sight of others (Fear of Man)

5. Seeing Life from the Other Side

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26-27
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33

To become a disciple of Jesus is to accept now that inversion of human distinctions that will soon or later be forced upon everyone by the irrestible reality of his kingdom. –Dallas Willard

6. The Highest Ambition

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 3:10
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. Romans 6:5
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. Romans 6:8

7. A Single-Minded Pursuit

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2

8. Jesus Christ: a component of Life or the Center of Life?

some early moring encouragement

In my devotions this morning I read the following by AW Tozer, may it encourage you as well.

 

Problems and Pressures: by A.W. Tozer

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35)

Jesus did not promise any of us that consistent Christian living would be easy! He did not promise a release from daily problems and pressures. He did not promise to take us to our heavenly home on a fluffy pink cloud! We live our lives in the knowledge of the grace of God, but we dare not forget that our Lord came to die for us and to express the never-changing moral and redemptive will of God for His people. Before we condemn the Jews of Bible history for their failures, we must be sure that we are not overlooking spiritual and moral shortcomings of our own! As Christian believers, you and I must be careful about the reasons we give for not heeding God's Word and God's warning from heaven. Have we taken His grace seriously enough that we have sought forgiveness for spiritual carelessness, indifference and apathy?