Prayer life?

How’s Our Prayer Life?

It is my sincere hope that all of us pray to our Father in heaven, and pray often.  The Bible says to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17), and we should remember that this verse is a command from God that he expects us to obey.  Prayer is not an optional thing if we want to be saved; since Christ is “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Heb. 5:9), we must obey the commands to pray often if we want to see Heaven.

Have you talked with your Father in Prayer today?

Have you talked with your Father in Prayer today?

We should also want the Lord to be pleased with our prayers and to answer them.  Have we ever stopped to consider what exactly it is that we pray for?  Have we ever thought about for whose benefit it is that we are praying for?  We should.  Consider the example of Solomon’s prayer and God’s response to it (1 Kings 3:5-14).  He did not ask that God give him a long life, or a lot of money.  He did not ask that God do something bad to his enemies.  Instead, he asked for wisdom and understanding to make the right judgment calls in life.  God was so impressed with this that he not only gave Solomon wisdom, but also granted to him all the things that he didn’t ask for.

We can pray to our heavenly Father about our jobs, our health, our school work, and our finances.  We have the example of a man God called honorable who prayed for these types of things (1 Chr. 4:9-10).  These aren’t bad things to pray about, and praying about such things is certainly better than not praying at all.  However, how many of these things will be with us a century from now?  None!

Let’s remember to pray also for the spiritual, the things that we can keep forever such as love, mercy, humility, understanding, meekness, patience, and honesty.  These are qualities of the heart that truly matter to God and will truly help us reach heaven.  They, rather than our successes in this world, are what matter in the long run.  Remember also that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), so we should pray for the spiritual and physical well-being of others more than for ourselves.
We should all want to get to heaven as our top priority, so let’s make sure we are aiming at the right target by asking for the best things to help us and everyone else get there.  Let’s seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness before all other things, and He will provide the rest (Matt. 6:33).

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Jonas El Profeta

EL PROFETA QUE RETÓ A DIOS – JONAS

La Biografía del Profeta Jonás Podemos encontrar el libro entero es decir cuatro capítulos enteros en los cuales se describen la vida y obra de este personaje Bíblico. Jonás vivió cerca del año 700-780  y el era hijo de Amitaí. En el libro de 2Reyes 14:25 encontramos la misma referencia de Jonás 1:1 en referencia a el origen del profeta, también su ciudad de Gathefer, la cual obviamente es Galilea. Cuando los fariseos hacían acusaciones de Jesús la afirmación que hicieron en Juan 7:52 “escudriña y ve que en Galilea nunca se ha levantado profeta”,  fue nada más y nada menos que una vil mentira, porque Jonás era de Galilea y fue profeta. En la época de Jonás, Asiria era el imperio más poderoso del este. La capital del Imperio Asirio había sido la antigua Nínive, cuyo constructor había sido Nimrod, quien también construyó Rehobot, Resen y Cala (Cala es la única ciudad que en las Escrituras se la llama “ciudad grande”). Es probable que la expresión “aquella gran ciudad” de Jonás 1:2 tenga la misma connotación.

Jonás era un profeta de Dios , sin embargo, mucho más.

Jonás era un profeta de Dios , sin embargo, mucho más.

Jonás había recibido de parte de Dios la comisión de anunciar su un mensaje a aquella gran ciudad, ciudad pagana corrompida y destinada a la condenación eterna, pero Jonás en lo más intimo de su ser no estaba de acuerdo con los planes de Dios de salvar a la nación pecadora. Por esa razón optó por huir a Tarsis, nunca antes un profeta de Dios había tratado de huir al mensaje de Dios. El huye a Tarsis en una nave, la intención del profeta era evidentemente huir de Dios mismo, los marineros le echaron al mar y finalmente Dios prepara un gran pez para tragar a Jonás. Las horas que se mantuvo en el vientre del pez pudieron haber sido las horas más amargas y tristes que un ser humano pudiera atravesar, la desesperación que debió haber sentido no podría describirse con palabras. Luego Jonás ora a Dios y él lo saca del fondo del gran pez, el profeta podría ser descrito como una persona impaciente lo cual lo llevó al punto de retar a Dios con sus acciones. Después de que le aconteció  todo esto, Jonás finalmente estuvo preparado para cumplir con la orden de Dios de predicarle a Nínive: “De aquí a cuarenta días Nínive será destruida” (3:4). Pero después de que el pueblo de Nínive obedeciera  al escuchar las palabras que Jonás traía de parte de Dios, y después de que  Dios cancelara el castigo que tenía preparado para aquella nación, vemos otra vez a Jonás comportándose de una manera arrogante, negativa y pésima ante Dios.Era todo un orgulloso judío, muy disgustado porque  Dios había decidido  obrar a favor de Nínive. Jonás todavía necesitaba aprender que él mismo debía estar feliz por las innumerables ocasiones y pruebas de bondad que Dios había tenido para con él satisfaciendo todas sus necesidades, y debía aprender también que ni siquiera había sido capaz de comprender el deseo que Dios tenía de mostrar su misericordia a favor de las almas de aquel pueblo hundido en el pecado y la condenación. Los cuatro capítulos de este libro muestran en cada uno de ellos un aspecto diferente de la vida del profeta que retó a Dios. En cuanto a su vida personal, no tenemos ningún record si él fue cazado o tuvo hijos, su vida al parecer estaba girando de continuo en Dios, el libro mismo termina de una manera diferente, termina como una historia inconclusa, no hay tampoco record de su muerte o el lugar de su sepultura; pero podemos saber que no fue una historieta nada más, cuando el Señor Jesús hace mención a Jonás en Mateo 16:4 indica claramente que había algo que aprender de él. El profeta que retó a Dios pero de una u otra manera Dios a lo largo del libro se comporto de una manera muy misericordiosa con él, las oportunidades dadas a Jonás y los diálogos con Dios indican que probablemente había algo bueno en el que Dios miraba con amor y por tal motivo lo fue construyendo como el alfarero construye en el barro, la vida y obra de Jonás el profeta que retó a Dios no está lejos de la nuestra.

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Preachers in the Rotation

Preachers in the Rotation

Preachers have qualifications.

Preachers have qualifications.

Elders have their qualifications. Deacons have their qualifications. Preachers have qualifications? Seriously?? Yes seriously. Let’s put things into perspective here. The Bible teaches that a preacher not only has a specific function in the local church, he also has specific qualifications and what this means is that not all the men in the church are qualified to be preachers. Was not the apostles Paul ordained (1 Timothy 2:7)? This means that he was appointed. Appointed by whom? The Bible says, “He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:10-12).We can see here that “evangelists” were among those given by the Lord in the local church with an important function to perform just like the pastors (shepherds) have an important function (Acts 20:28).

So, what are the qualifications of a preacher? Well, evangelists may be young men (1 Timothy 4:12). They do not have to be married (1 Corinthians 9:5) despite the “package deals.” Another qualification is that while preachers do not have any legislative authority like elders do, preachers must speak the word of God with “all authority” (Titus 2:15). Preachers speak the message boldly showing no respect of persons, including elders (1 Timothy 5:19-21). But, why brings up qualifications for preachers? It is because just as there can be “unqualified” elders in the church there can also be “unqualified” preachers and teachers in the church. The pulpit is not designed for a “weekend warrior” nor should elders make the statement, “We have plenty of people who can “fill” the pulpit while we search for a new minister and in fact, we can go many months without a located preacher.” Sadly, I have seen pulpits empty for as long as 8 years. Still, evangelist have a specific work to perform, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). What weekend preacher is going to do this? If anyone is unwilling or unable to perform this work, he should not be a preacher because preaching is not easy. It is not a motivational talk about current events nor is it about fluff. It is about endurance and affliction and that is because a minister has seriously invested his life in service to God and the church. The gospel preacher, no matter how loving and kind he tries to be will find opposition from those, both within and outside the church who do not want to submit themselves to the message of Christ.

So, before becoming the weekend warrior, consider the work of the evangelist. God said, “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:1-4). This shows us that if the preacher is to preach all the word of God then he needs to know the word. He also needs to have some “thick skin” to be able to endure sound doctrine. See, when you preach, the word of God becomes offensive to some both in and out of the church (1 Peter 2:8; 2 Timothy 4). Most Christians have little idea how much pressure a minister is under. As a result of preaching, ministers quit and a lot of them quit because of the constant nagging and complaining from brethren.

Now, let’s consider speaking rotations. Many today believe that the pulpit should be rotated by all the men in the church, in the same way as they would be rotated to lead in prayer or assist in the Lord’s Supper. Men will even say things like, “see, we have lots of talent here. Anyone can preach.” Others believe that the pulpit is where one can work on themselves. Some believe that you do not have to be trained or be a professional to present God’s Word. True. But, a novice should not be in the pulpit anymore than a novice be in the eldership. The pulpit is also not a place to “wing it” nor is it a place to show diversity to diverse people. Sadly, I have heard far too many stories in the pulpit even after the Bible states, “what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:5).You see, preachers are more than just a body behind some wood. Also, preacher are not just God-fearing, Christ-centered people who love souls. Looking at the Bible, preachers are charged that “they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3). Preachers are taught to “teach faithful men to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). Preachers are to “…set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city” which requires a great deal of work (Titus 1:5). A “weekend warrior” cannot do these things because he is not invested in the work.

Local churches should seek to appoint an evangelist who is courageous in preaching the truth. They should give him time to study (2 Timothy 2:15), and freedom to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26).Only those appointed to the position and who have the qualifications should serve as pulpit evangelists. The pulpit is not something that men should be just encouraged to “have a go at.”The destiny of souls, and the motivation of the church is far too vital for this. And, might I add some additional thoughts: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). On top of that, preachers must be an example, “… in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

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Fear: Scared and Alone

I’m Scared and I’m Alone

One Sunday, a group of Christians from our church went to knock on some doors in a local neighborhood.  My partner was a wonderful young man who was energized by a recent campaign that our youth went on.  Our goal was not to knock on a large number of doors, but just to knock on as many doors as we could in the amount of time that we had, which was about 45 minutes.  We ran across several houses where nobody was home, and a couple of houses where the individuals who answered the door smiled and accepted our invitation.

Then we came upon this one house where a seemingly nice lady answered the door.  When she opened the door, she screamed and immediately jumped back.  Sometimes this happens when door knocking, especially when you surprise someone who doesn’t see you, but this woman didn’t get over her start; she was visibly disturbed.  She immediately said that she didn’t entertain guests.  She asked us to leave, and then said, “I’m scared and I’m alone.”

I thought, we’re exactly the people that you need to talk with, but by that time she had closed the door. Before that, accepted a packet of information, and hopefully it will bring her some comfort.  Nevertheless, if she had only been a little more open, she could have received a blessing.  You see there is no reason for anyone to be scared and alone in this world so long as the church of Christ is present.  In fact, the church serves as the very antithesis of her sentiment.  It is a place where individuals are encouraged to be courageous and together with their fellow Christians.  Let’s consider how the church serves as a place to alleviate fear and provide a place for faithful companionship.

First, the church is a place that alleviates fear.  Consider God’s words through the apostle John: “There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:8).  It is great to have a relationship where there is no fear.  Such a relationship can only occur among mature Christians.  Love makes such a relationship possible.  When we know and understand that in the heart of the Christian lies the love of Christ, there is no fear of one another, because we will only see love.  If we don’t see love in the life of our fellow faithful Christians, then perhaps we are seeing our own reflection, our own fears, and our own lack of love.  Indeed, the one who fears is not made perfect in love.  The church is to be that place of love where individuals have the opportunity to learn and grow spiritually.  It is a place of acceptance for those who are willing to crucify themselves to the selfishness of the flesh and follow Christ.  “Perfect love casts out fear.”

Second, based upon the love God the Father and Jesus Christ have for us, we have boldness.  1 John 4:17 says, “Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.”  Without fear in our lives, we can be bold, knowing that God and Christ love us, and want what is best for us.  The Day of Judgment is an event that frightens many, but it does not frighten the Christian.  The Christian knows what is on the other side, and he is ready to embrace it.  With such boldness, there is no terror in life that might threaten Him.  The Psalmist wrote, “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. . . . Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation” (Psalm 91:5-9).

Third, the church is a place for faithful companionship.  The greatest friends I know are members of the body of Christ, the church of Christ.  This does not mean that we don’t have our disagreements; it also does not mean that we don’t chastise one another, but it does mean that we don’t give up on one another.  It means that we stick tight with each other through the tough times, and help one another grow to be more like God.  Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”  Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  This is the kind of commitment that we give and get from those who are faithful members of the Lord’s body.

There is absolutely no reason to be scared and alone in the world when God’s people are available.  However, without the church, and without God, I would be scared and alone.  If you are someone who needs a true friend who will challenge you to grow spiritually, and who will stick with you to the end, find the church of Christ today and do everything you can to love her in your life.

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Take Responsibility

Man Up (Or Woman Up, If That’s the Case)

What started with “the dog ate my homework” has morphed into some insane refusal for many to take responsibility. If a child receives a low grade at school it is not the child’s fault, but rather the teacher’s. If a young person acts up on a youth trip it is not the teen’s fault, but rather the youth leader. If an employee receives a pink slip for not doing his or her job it’s not the employee’s fault, but rather the mean employer. Or if a driver receives a ticket for reckless driving because he or she was texting while driving, it is not their fault, but rather the mean police officer who was trying to reach his or her “quota.”

Man up and take responsibility for what you say and do.

Man up and take responsibility for what you say and do.

Take a minute and listen—really listen—to people today. People shun responsibility like the plague. Don’t believe me? Shadow a parent for one day and listen to how many times the parent will stand up for his or her child, even if the child is blatantly at fault. It is almost sickening at how often (and how easy) we shirk responsibility and instead throw someone else under the bus.

Sadly, even Christians have embraced this worldly mentality. Surely their precious “angels” could not have done anything wrong. And certainly mom and dad are not to blame for anything. Thus the child grows up believing that the way to handle a problem is to blame someone else.

Imagine if Jonah refused to take responsibility. The seas were stormy and the men feared for their lives. The men had cast lots to determine who was at fault and it fell to Jonah. Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” (Jonah 1:8). They continued on by asking why he had done this? A modern-day Jonah would blame God for the storm. Or he would look for fault in the mariners. Or he might even go so far as to blame the ship builder for not building a sturdier boat that could withstand fierce storms.

However, Jonah took responsibility: “And he said to them, ‘Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me’” (Jonah 1:12).

While many have become professional at deflecting blame or shifting attention to someone else, their tactics will not work with God. Paul wrote, “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord,

Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:10-12, emp. added). On that great day it will not be the teacher’s fault, the youth leader’s fault, or the employer’s fault. Rather, the Righteous Judge of the World, who knows all, will judge each according to his or her deeds.

Accepting blame means humbling yourself. It means recognizing you have many imperfections. It means, “manning” up even in a culture that loves to blame everyone else. And while this may leave a bitter taste in the mouths of those who have perfected the art of blaming others, this is also one of the first steps in acknowledging you are a sinful creature in need of the blood of Christ.

A life of blaming others feeds a haughty spirit and causes us to not fully appreciate what Christ did for us on the cross. Commenting on this beautiful gift Paul wrote, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Can you imagine if Jesus had hung on the cross blaming you and me for each one of our sins? Instead, He shouldered our sin and gave us an example.

Responsibility is a hard lesson for many to learn. But better to teach our children responsibility on earth than to have their world rocked in heaven when they try—unsuccessfully—to shift responsibility on the Day of Judgment.

Be honest and ask yourself:

Whose responsibility is it to train up your children?

Whose responsibility is it to go teach the lost?

Whose responsibility is it to work heartily, as for the Lord?

Whose responsibility is it to care for the widows and orphans?

Whose responsibility is it to care for widowed parents?

Isn’t it time we, as Christians, set a different pattern than the world? Isn’t it time we take responsibility?

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