MINISTRY NOTES

Week of April 11, 2010

Hi Everyone,

Is all religion in Christianity bad? Absolutely not! Many religious rules and traditions are based on what Jesus and God teach. God said, "You must not have any other gods except Me" [Exodus 20:3 (ICB)]. Having another god includes worship and obeying. If you obey rules and teachings of a church, denomination, person or the bible (bibliolatry), you may be obeying them instead of God. Yes, people will develop teachings and doctrines to make it seem like it is of God to obey their teachings or every word you read in the bible, including where Paul says a woman should have her hair cut off if she prays with her head uncovered (1 Corinthians 11:5-6). In my lifetime I have observed a Pentecostal denomination very happy because they were accepted by evangelical denominations and main line liturgical denominations happy because they received a degree of acceptance (shared communion) by other liturgical denominations. Seeking approval of other Christians may just compound errors or be like inbreeding. It is better to seek approval of God by following what God and Jesus teach. Often people are clueless about God and frequently try to explain God based on their doctrines instead of remembering that God said, "For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts" [Isaiah 55:6 NKJV]. This weekend in my city (Tulsa) they are having a world conference of Pentecostal/charismatic leaders. They are considering it historic as they have a leader from Rome with the largest denomination in Christianity included with their speakers. To best understand the Holy Spirit, it is good to review John 14 and 16 where Jesus promises He will ask His Father who will send the Holy Spirit. Jesus also describes some of the main purposes of Holy Spirit, along with Acts 1:8. Remember the old cliché, "Focus on the Giver instead of the gifts".

Marriage Workshop Moment

To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or entice you to experience our Workshop

"Remember, all marriages can be better, if you use what you learned."

One time I stated that I consider it was a bad witness for me if I go to places that promote alcohol, like when they have "Bar" in their name. A man at Church said to me, "You will miss out on lot of good food". That's my problem not his. If a wife is late to work, that is the wife's problem not her husband. If a husband doesn't like to play golf and his wife think he should. That is the husband's concern not the wife. We need to be careful how we talk to our spouse. When we marry someone we marry them as is, we don't marry them to change them. It is important how we talk to our spouse. Avoid character assassination that implies things can't change. For example instead of saying to your spouse, "You are a slob" it is nicer to say, "It bothers me when you leave your dirty underwear hanging on the door knob". Avoid saying harsh words to your spouse. Remember Jesus said in Matthew 5:22 (NIV) "…anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." When you have trouble with name-calling or character assassination, it may be a good time to call time out and discuss the subject using the Speaker Listener Technique.

The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage. Jesus said, "all things are possible with God", Mark 10:27 NIV). As the spouse that is trying to make your marriage better, you can be careful not to tell your spouse what you think they ought to do. You can say how you feel with out name-calling or character assassination. Remember Jesus encourages us to "Treat others as you want them to treat you" (Luke 6:31 TLB).

A Psalm for reflection "Praise the Lord! My whole being, praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praises to my God as long as I live." Psalm 146:1-2

Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).

A Jesus Teaching:

Praise God

When Jesus was born the shepherds saw a large group from heaven "praising God"1. When Lazarus was raised from the dead Jesus said "thank You"2 to God. Shortly after, when Jesus was going into Jerusalem people begin to "praise God" for all that Jesus had done. Some religious leaders present encouraged Jesus to tell them to keep quite and Jesus responded, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out"3. Do you ever feel so full of praise for God that you cannot keep quite? After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, we are told that the followers spend their time continually "praising God"4.

Back in February I injured a foot and couldn't get it in a tennis shoe but I could wear a hiking boot and I could walk and with God's persistent encouragement I started and finished a Marathon. I could cross train riding a bike and over a week ago I did my first bike time trial since 2004. A few days ago I ran for a mile for the first time in over a month. I praise God that I can walk, ride a bike and now run again. There are people that cannot walk or ride a bike. I met a middle-aged man (my age) at the bike race that said he wasn't able to run anymore and shared medical details. Some people complain about going to work, praise God for your job- there are people who don't have a job to go to. Recently I shared about having the first flowers of spring blooming in my front yard and praising God for them. A few years ago we lived in a neighborhood where if you saw a flower in the morning, the kids on the way home from school would pick it in the afternoon. I praise God that the kids in our neighborhood do not pick my flowers. When I get in my car, I praise God that I have a car to drive, so I do not have to ride my bike.

When I go to church, I praise God that I can. There are countries where people are not allowed to worship God openly. When I turn on a light, I praise God because there are people who do not have electricity. When I run or bike ride, I frequently use out door restrooms. When I use a warm, clean, private indoor restroom, I praise God because there are people who do not have indoor restrooms or private ones. I praise God that Jesus is alive and that He is a personal friend. Many Christians this time of year talk about an empty tomb as proof that Jesus is alive. Just like I can tell you my wife is alive because I talk to her, I can tell you Jesus is alive because I talk to Him and He talks to me and takes care of me. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me"5. I praise God for Jesus as he has helped me know God and helped me know that I can live forever with Him. What do you praise God for?

Let's pray;

"God help us to remember to praise You for everything, even when we don't understand why something happened. Help us to know Jesus is alive by talking personally with Him. We praise and thank you for blessing us, in Jesus name, amen."

1. Luke 2:13

2. John 11:41

3. Luke 19:37-40 (NIV)

4. Luke 24:52

5. John 10:27 (NAS)