5 posts tagged “faith”

It is interesting in talking with an Atheist, when you bring up the question, “Well, where did the all the matter/energy come from to form this primordial egg that exploded in a “big bang”?”  There immediate answer is, “Where did God come from?”  The Theist (a belief in God…as opposed to Atheism), will answer that eternity by definition is not only in a “eternity future”….but “eternity past”.  This is in direct opposition to the basic scientific understanding of entropy that sees both a beginning and ending of all things. (Uniformitarianism). Second, as a scientist will admit, a belief in God regardless of the many assumptions of logic and evidence that point to a creator ultimately is an act of faith.  God by definition, both transient and immanent, (omnipresent), is outside of what we perceive as time, therefore God has no beginning or ending.  Where a scientist must base his belief on evidence (the scientific method of observation, recording and experimentation)… a Theist does not have that requirement.  Therefore the question to an Atheist of “Where did the matter/energy come from”? is quite appropriate and requires an answer based upon known scientific principals and empirical evidence.  But the question to a Theist of “Where did God come from”? not only does not require an answer but is based on an ignorance of basic theology and is merely a diversion, because science has no answers to this question of our universes initial advent.  Remember, the study of origins as presented by scientists (and in our public school textbooks) is more than a biological process.  It is presented as a process that:

1)      Brought time, space and matter into existence from nothing.

2)      Organized that matter into galaxies, stars, and at least 8 planets (Pluto and four other solar system bodies now being classified as “dwarf stars”) as well as other observed objects and phenomena.  This is referred to as cosmic evolution.

3)      Brought about life on at least one of the planets from nonliving matter. This is referred to chemical evolution.

4)      Caused the living creatures to be capable of an interested in reproducing themselves.

5)      Caused that first life form to spontaneously diversify by total random chance into different forms of living things, from simple one celled organisms into more complex forms such as plants and animals on earth today.  This is referred to as biological evolution.  Somehow this hypothesis must also account for thought, intelligence and creativity.

This is why a $250,000.00 reward is still ( since 1990) available to anyone that can prove evolution…ie: “that the universe came into being by itself by purely natural processes so that no appeal to the supernatural is needed.  This offer of $250,000.00 by Dr. Kent Hovind is to anyone who can give empirical evidence of evolution.  The inability to do so demonstrates that the hypothesis of evolution is nothing more that a religious belief.  (www.drdino.com)

This is a poem my wife picked out...it is such a blessing.  It appears in my sons obituary on:  http://www.legacy.com/dfw/Obituaries.asp?Page=SEARCHRESULTS   Click on View/ Sign Guest Book.

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, ""I welcome you.""

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......""My day was not in vain.""
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)

Be Not Weary In Well Doing

Isaiah 40:31  “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.”

Galatians 6:9  “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

I am reminded of an incident that happened about 3 years ago while here at work.  I was in a reception area taking to a friend of mine about my new little grand-daughter.  Outside the lobby a Carter BloodCare Mobile was parked for a blood drive that day at the facility.  One of the staff for the blood drive, a young lady in her twenties, was standing about 10 feet away from us, I assumed waiting for someone.  My friend asked, as I was a new grandfather, if I remembered what it was like with small children anymore.  I told him that just between he and I, …I use to be “Gabby The Mime” here in Fort Worth and entertained children at the local hospitals for many years.  About that time the young lady from the blood drive mobile, pushed my friend aside….pointed a finger at me and said, “You are Gabby the Mime?”  I jokingly said…”Well, it depends…there isn’t an attorney involved in that question is there?”  At that time I noticed half of her face was covered with terrible scars.  She told me that 20 years prior, she had been attacked by a pit bull, who tore off half her face.  She was only 6 years old.  She remembered that I had come to her room and done a small show for her…and made her pink poodle balloon animals.  She had gone through over 40 surgeries in the last 20 years but had never forgotten that time we spent together at the Children’s Hospital.  What are the chances that after 20 years, we would meet face to face. 

Sometimes we get to plant, sometimes to water and sometimes we get to harvest… but together we share in the joy of touching a life with Gods love and compassion.  “For in due season….we shall all reap, if we faint not.”  One person can make a difference.  One person can be a light to so many in darkness as we allow the light of Christ to shine through us and in us. 

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

I have always been surprised at how some Christians interpret the scriptures to fit their doctrine, instead of the scriptures being their doctrine.  As an example, I was once told by a Christian brother, who was very knowledgeable of the Bible, that the wine in the Bible that Jesus drank was non-alcoholic.  This is a perfect example of someone looking at the Bible with a preconceived belief and then interpreting the scriptures to fit that belief.

I explained that the people of that time did not have refrigerators, ice boxes, BHA preservative or Welches grape juice.  The only method of preservation they had was place the juice of the grape in a wine sac and add sugar and a little yeast.  The fermentation process preserved the wine.  The problem is not the alcohol in the wine but its abuse.  “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the spirit.” (Eph 5:18)  You can’t be drunk on Welches.  He had been taught that if you got 10 feet from a wet wine cork you were in sin, so he had to interpret the wine that Jesus drank as non-alcoholic.  You can see the problem with this faulty exegesis.

In the same fashion are those that claim the “Spiritual Gifts” passed away with the death of the last apostle.  Where did they get that?  It’s not in the Bible.  Most will try to use 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 to give an excuse for their lack of faith or their particular church doctrine,  explaining that when the New Testament canon was established the gifts were no longer needed, and passed away.  As you read the text, you can see how it is far beyond any stretch in exegesis to come to that conclusion.  “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (1 Corinthians 13:10), does not refer to the Bible but the second coming of Christ.  Whi is “perfect”, Christ himself.  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;  (Hebrews 5:9)  The next verse in   1 Corinthians 13:12, speaks about seeing Jesus face to face.  “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

First, let’s look at the “Gifts”.  The greek word for gifts is “Charisma”, whose root word is “Charis”…the word for grace.  This is why many call them “gifts of grace”.  There are three different categories of these gifts are found in the epistles of: 1^st Corinthians, Romans and Ephesians.  These categories are: “Manifestation or Charismatic Gifts”, “Motivational or Operative gifts” and “Ministerial or Administrative gifts”. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

It is important to remember than the instruction that the Bible gives regarding the function and use of the “spiritual gifts” is given by Paul to the members of the body of Christ…the church.  There purpose is also spelled out in the scriptures.

Ephesians 4:12-13

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

In other words, the “spiritual gifts” were given to the members of the body of Christ to equip them in their mission to reach a world with His message of forgiveness, love and grace.  To bring His light to a world in darkness.

As we get closer to the end times, can you think of any other time when we would need those gifts more than now?  I am glad the Lord is “the same yesterday, today and forever”. (Hebrews 13:12)  As a matter of fact God says he won’t take away the “spiritual gifts”.

Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.”

Let’s look at these “spiritual gifts”.  A manifestation gift is a temporary supernatural physical capability (there is an exception to this), given at a specific time ….and for a specific purpose.

The nine manifestation gifts are:  the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophesy (that is a forth-telling, not necessarily a fore-telling), discerning of spirits, tongues (speaking in a language unknown to the speaker…may or may not be an human language), and interpretation of tongues (if tongues is spoken in the congregation, it  should be done only with interpretation …otherwise will not people think you are “mad”).   1 Corinthians 14:23, “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

I know, what do I mean  by a non-human language.  1 Corinthians 13:1,

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”  

 The gift of tongues is the biggest obstacle with some believers and non-believers.  Everyone of  these other manifestation gifts can be seen exhibited at some time in the Old Testament.  But God wanted to do a “new thing”. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

He would take control of the most unruly portion of man’s being.  After all, it was the power of the tongue in a lie that got us into this mess to begin with.  James expounds on this in his whole  3^rd Chapter. 

“And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:  But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”  (James 3 :6-8)

Now this “gift of tongues” is both a temporary supernatural capability which is given at a specific time…and for the purpose of edification of the body of Christ.  (1 Corinthians 14:27) “If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret.”  (1 Corinthians 14:22) “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.”  So when tongues is used in the congregation it is for the purpose of prophesy (a forth-telling of the things of God) and edifies (lifts up) the Body of Christ.  That is why there must be interpretation, otherwise no one knows what was said. 

But tongues can also be a very private “prayer” language, that is just between you and God.  This gift is not temporary but is permanent.

(1 Corinthians 14:2)  “For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”

Some call this “praying in the spirit” as the Spirit makes intercession for us, as describes in Romans 8:26. 

Many have difficulties with the other manifestation gifts too, especially healing and miracles.  They seem to forget that they might be perfect gifts but in very imperfect vessels.  So, when people ask why are some people healed and some are not, they are forgetting that God does things for His purposes and His timing to His Glory.  The only time we are going to know those answers are when we leave this world and are translated into the next.

God has always desired to work through the faith of those who follow Him.  He doesn’t have too.  After all He is God.  But He does that for our benefit.  He does it to help us grow up to become more like Jesus. 

(2 Corinthians 3:18), “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

The next group of giftings are found in the letter to the Romans 12:6-8 and include:  Prophecy,  Ministry, Teaching,  Exhortation, Giving, Leading and Showing Mercy (Compassion).  These are the “Motivational or Operative Gifts” .  Again remember Prophecy does not necessarily speak about a fore-telling but usually a forth-telling of the things of God.  Unlike the Manifestation Gifts, these are permanent giftings.  Where a person can flow in the Manifestation gifts as God places you with different people and circumstances, these other two areas of gifts are blended with your natural talents and abilities.

The last group, the “Ministerial or Administrative Gifts”  is also called the five fold ministry:  Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher.

I hope some of this has been interesting, educational and answers some questions regarding this important part of the Biblical Christian experience. 

What is Prayer

Prayer is not about influencing God.....but allowing God to influence us. Far to often we fill the air with noise,

convinced that God is impressed with our words.  In truth, what God is listening to is our hearts.  Prayer is the

practice of the presence of God.  It is a place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted and supplication is made.  It is

 a place of total honesty and trust. Prayer is a place of admitting our need, of adopting humility and claiming

dependence upon God.  The proper attitide of prayer is not the attempted manipulation of God.  It is the bringing of our

fears, concerns, worries and questions to the One who has the answers.  The point of prayer is not to tell God what

 we want, but to recieve what we need.  It is not about approaching God with our demands but listening for Gods

leading. It is not seeking our will but learning to discern God's will.  Prayer is not about me....its about God.  God's

plan will be done with you....or without you.  But he knows our needs and even our desires... and desires you to be

part of that plan.