Christmas is Coming

Hello Classmates!

I am sitting at home on this rainy day here in Clayton instead of celebrating "Christmas in Richmond" with all of Mary's and my side of the family as we've done every year for the past 20 years...You see, Richmond, Woodbridge (Va.) , Manassas (Va.), and Laurel (Md.) all had over a foot of snow, and since that is where the other members of our family were traveling from, we had to cancel the yearly celebration. Bummer.

This lack of a celebration is especially regretable for us because we were not able to see our sister, Melissa (Hartman) and her family here at Thanksgiving either. Melissa works next door to the White House for the Treasury Dept. and could not come down to Clayton to join the rest of us at Thanksgiving because she had to work the next day. These are the down sides of retiring and moving to North Carolina. The good, however, still outweighs the bad.

There, now that I've groused, it's time to comment on tomorrow's lesson about Ruth and Boaz. I was thinking about the concept of a "kinship/redeemer" and the complicated relationship Boaz had with Ruth through Naomi. The society of the time provided for widows, orphans and the poor very effectively, if not efficiently, don't you think?

I think of Boaz as a sort of "patron" or "sponsor" for Ruth. He paid for her redemption from her dire situation by allowing her and her mother-in-law to glean in his fields. I like this idea so much better than today's system wherein we "hand-over the goods" to those in need through a disinterested third party, i.e., the Government through our taxes.

The biblical way seems to allow the person being "redeemed" to take some pride in their part of the bargain because they do some of the work. It is a system that elevates the person's self-respect, instead of stealing it away. I like that. There is also accountability there, which is lacking today. We think we're so smart today with "this program and that program", but really the people of the Bible had the better idea.

You know, it kind of reminded me of the dinner one of the Sunday Night Bible Study classes recently had in the fellowship hall for the families receiving the "Angel Tree" Gifts. It put a face on both the givers and the recipients of God's mercy and grace, and I liked that. I hope we do more of that this season!

Marthann

Reading the bible

posted by David Ashcraft. December 14, 2009

Many of us have made new commitments to live for Jesus, and we know that reading the Bible daily can help us fulfill this commitment. But where do we start? What is a good plan to make the Bible real in our everyday walk?

James MacDonald answers that question in his blog. Take a look and see if it makes sense to you.

A Letter from Jesus about Christmas

from Bob 'Hallisey, December 13, 2009

A Letter From Jesus About Christmas:

It has come to My attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of year, and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival, although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. you can remember Me anything you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish; I actually spoke of that once in a teaching, explaining who I am in relationship to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look it up in John 15: 1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from the 10 items on it:

1. Instead of writing to protest letter objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in the nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year, then follow up. It will be nice to hear from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make a difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary---especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of Mine.

Don't forget. I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember...

I love you,

Jesus

Love one Another

posted by David Ashcraft, December 9, 2009

1 John 4:7. Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God.

I’ve been on the road quite a bit the past several weeks, and the other day as I returned from New Bern, I reflected on this verse. Love one another. John doesn’t say, “Please.” He doesn’t say the other person has to be nice. John simply says, “Love one another.”

I don’t say the words, “I love you” often enough. Not to Mary or our children. Not to friends or to members of Crosswalk. So, without any apology, I say to Crosswalk friends, “I love you.” You are important in my life, and I am thankful that I know you. Your willingness to grow spiritually; your friendly smiles; your willingness to tolerate my sometimes poor lessons are character traits that endure you to me. You cheer me when I am discouraged, and you bring me back down to earth when I fly too high. We are laborers together, and that is kinda neat.

During this Christmas season, reflect on the good things in life. Find something good that God is doing and join in. Show God’s love.

Mannheim Christmas Music

Looking Ahead

posted by David Ashcraft on December 3

In Philippians 3:12-14 Paul says, "I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear friends, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us up to heaven."

I like his last statement - forgetting the past and looking forward. Easy to write but hard to do. Easy to say, "I forgive" but hard to mean it. Easy to say I will forget that stupid decision I made but hard to do. I think that Satan wants to keep us bogged down in the past, wallowing in our self pity or anger or resentment. Paul's encouragement is look forward. I like the verse we had last Sunday in Bible study, "Draw near to God; resist the devil and he will flee from you."

The first imperative in that verse is Draw near to God. When I am close to God, it is much easier to focus on the future because my hope in Him is secure. I know who will ultimately win the battle with Satan. When I am close to God, I am more likely to listen to the counsel of the Holy Spirit - much more likely to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Last Sunday's lesson ended with the "list of 10." Ten things we can do to draw near to God; 10 things we can do that will improve our Christian testimony. I believe the "List of 10" is right on target. My challenge to each of us - let's follow the advice of the list for a month and see what happens. Make notes as you go through the week of events in your life that result from following the "List of 10." Let's share them in class.

James MacDonald on Evangelism_1

James MacDonald was the author of one of our recent studies, Downpour. He recently posted these videos on his blog, and I believe they fit in with the third responsibility of the Sunday School - Winning.

Take A look at the videos and see what you think.

You can view all four on his blog.

Thinking Theologically

November 9, 2009
copied from Chuck Swindoll

I confess to you, at times I've doubted God's purpose and promise. I say that to my own embarrassment. When things hadn't worked as I thought they would, when I received a no instead of a yes or a yes instead of a no as an answer to prayer, when I couldn't unravel a situation and fit it with the character of God . . . those have been times when I've said, "I know down inside this isn't right."

When the bottom drops out of your life,
when hope starts to wear thin,
when human logic fails to make much sense,
think theologically! Read Hebrews 6:17-18. The theological facts are:

1. there is an unchangeable purpose with God, and
2. that purpose is guaranteed with an oath.

It's at this juncture I should add: Don't try to explain it all to someone else. You can't. If you could, you would be God. The only thing you can explain theologically is that the issue you struggle with is part of His unchangeable purpose, guaranteed with an oath, neither of which is a lie. That's theological thinking. As Solomon states so well: "[God] has made everything appropriate in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11a).

Let me give you a syllogism---a theological syllogism:

God is in control of the times and seasons.
Some times are hard, and some seasons are dry.

So the conclusion is:

God is in control of hard times and dry seasons.

We are quick to give God praise when the blessings flow: when the checking account is full and running over; when the job is secure, and a promotion is on the horizon; when the salary is good; when our health is fine. But we have a tough time believing when those things aren't true.

There are benefits that come from thinking theologically, as found in Hebrews 6:18:

So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

One benefit to thinking theologically is you will have "strong encouragement." Logical thinking will discourage you, but theological thinking will encourage you. And you will also have a refuge of hope. Encouragement is the opposite of discouragement. Hope is the opposite of despair. When you accept the fact that sometimes seasons are dry and times are hard and that God is in control of both, you will discover a sense of divine refuge, because the hope then is in God and not in yourself.

In those seasons when it's difficult to see God's purpose and promise, remember where your hope and encouragement are found---in the person and purposes of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Excerpted from Stress Fractures, copyright © 1990 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

Beautiful Prayer

What a beautiful, heart-felt prayer from you. It says what is on my heart and in my mind. My prayer is that God will answer in His infinite wisdom and to his glory the prayer concerns of our class. --Marthann

A Prayer from the Teacher

---posted by DAvid Ashcraft, October 21
Father,

The Bible teaches that you are a spirit - not bound by space or time. You are with me now. You know my concerns, my fears and my sins. You are Holy, and I confess that I don't comprehend the vast gulf between your Holiness and my sinfulness.

I placed my trust more than 50 years ago in Jesus' death on the cross as the reason for my hope for eternal life. And that hope is sure. I do not doubt your Word nor Jesus' death as full payment for my sins. I thank you that you love me enough to continue working on me to make me more like you.

Forgive me when I try to work my plan instead of your plan. Forgive me when I am hurt and offended when my plan is rejected. Forgive me when I try to solve problems on my own without even asking for your help or advice. Continue to mold me into the man you want me to be.

You are all powerful and already have the solution for the problems on my list. Your solution will surprise - maybe shock me; it might even make me sad. I pray for your will in all the problems - "on earth , as it is in heaven." I ask for wisdom so that I will be a part of your solution. Give me patience, a controlled tongue and increased faith.

As I write, I am reminded that I have gossiped when I should have expressed your love for people - some of whom are Christian brothers and sisters. I've had lustful thoughts, and although I haven't dwelled on them, forgive me for any impure thoughts. Forgive me for ignoring you. I am more aware than ever that I can't enjoy the right relationships on earth without having a right relationship with you.

I want to be a man who pleases you in all areas of responsibilities - family, church, friends and work. Don't let me embarrass You.

I close with thanksgiving for your plan of salvation,

for your continued love,

for Mary and our children and their families,

for Christian brothers and sisters

for Bethlehem, and

for taking care of me.

Before we say farewell to Philemon

Over the past six weeks we've been asked to assume the role of Philemon and think about "What will we do with the Onesimus in our own lives?" That has been challenging and insightful for me, but before we move on to the next lesson, I'd like to propose that you ponder this story through the eyes of Onesimus. I've asked myself the questions below and encourage you to do the same. Post your answers below. I'd like to hear what you are thinking.

There are many details of the story that are unclear or lost, and there are some other things, I think, that are worthy of consideration and offer topics for reflection:

• How does Paul find out about Onesimus stealing from and then escaping from Philemon? Did Philemon tell Paul or did Onesimus seek out Paul to tell him what he did?



• Does Onesimus ask Paul to intercede for him or does Paul take the lead in brokering the forgiveness? Did Onesimus even want to go back to Philemon? I'm sure that Onesimus, being a slave, did not know how to write, but it's interesting to me that no where in Paul's letter does he say anything about Onesimus' remorse or even that he wants to be forgiven?



• For a slave, stealing and escaping was a very serious offense. I'm thinking Onesimus was VERY scared of not being forgiven. How many times have we done something wrong and felt the person we wronged would never forgive us? How many times did we avoid asking forgiveness for that very reason?

• If Onesimus didn't return to Philemon, where did he go? What master would take a slave with that kind of record? Or would they? Onesimus became a bishop, so somebody, somewhere gave him a second chance.

• Let's imagine that it was Onesimus who sought Paul to be his intercessor and that in fact he, first, wanted to return and then did return to Philemon. Even with the clever and very logical letter Paul wrote (remember Paul tells Philemon that he's told their mutual friends about this incident and that he'd be paying him a visit soon to check up on the relationship), how do you think Onesimus felt making his way back to his master's home? By law, Philemon had every right to kill him. Onesimus' heart must have pounding through his skin as he knocked on Philemon's door!
  

The "takeaway" of the lesson for me is this:

Yes, we have to be ready to forgive others, even when they hurt us deeply, but it is also, and maybe equally important, to have the courage to seek forgiveness.

How Paul Worked to Overcome Slavery - Philemon

October 5, 2009
The following commentary on Philemon by John Piper, is as good summary of our past few Bible Study lessons. He writes and summarizes much better than I do.

Onesimus was a slave. His master Philemon was a Christian. Onesimus had evidently run away from Colossae to Rome where Paul, in prison, had led him to faith in Jesus. Now he was sending Onesimus back to Philemon. This letter tells Philemon how to receive Onesimus. In the process, Paul does at least 11 things that work together to undermine slavery:

1. Paul draws attention to Philemon's love for all the saints. "I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints" (1:5). This puts Philemon's relation with Onesimus (now one of the saints) under the banner of love, not just commerce.

2. Paul models for Philemon the superiority of appeals over commands when it comes to relationships governed by love. "Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you" (1:8-9). This points Philemon to the new dynamics that will hold sway between him and Onesimus. Acting out of freedom from a heart of love is the goal in the relationship.

3. Paul heightens the sense of Onesimus being in the family of God by calling him his child. "I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment" (1:10). Remember, Philemon, however you deal with him, you are dealing with my child.

4. Paul raises the stakes again by saying that Onesimus has become entwined around his own deep affections. "I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart" (1:12). The word for "heart" is "bowels." This means, "I am deeply bound emotionally to this man." Treat him that way.

5. Paul again emphasizes that he wants to avoid force or coercion in his relationship with Philemon. "I would have been glad to keep him with me...but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord" (1:13-14). This is pointing Philemon how to deal with Onesimus so that he too will act "of his own accord."

6. Paul raises the intensity of the relationship again with the wordforever. "For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever" (1:15). In other words, Onesimus is not coming back into any ordinary, secular relationship. It is forever.

7. Paul says that Philemon's relationship can no longer be the usual master-slave relationship. "[You have him back] no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother" (1:16). Whether he lets Onesimus go back free to serve Paul, or keeps him in his service, things cannot remain as they were. "No longer as a slave" does not lose its force when Paul adds, "more than a slave."

8. In that same verse (1:16), Paul refers to Onesimus as Philemon's beloved brother.This is the relationship that takes the place of slave. "No longer as a slave...but as a beloved brother." Onesimus now gets the "holy kiss" from Philemon and eats at his side at the Lord's Table.

9. Paul makes clear that Onesimus is with Philemon in the Lord. "[He is] a beloved brother...in the Lord" (1:16). Onesimus's identity is now the same as Philemon's. He is "in the Lord."

10. Paul tells Philemon to receive Onesimus the way he would receive Paul. "So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me" (1:17). This is perhaps as strong as anything he has said: Philemon, how would you see me, treat me, relate to me, receive me? Treat your former slave and new brother that way.

11. Paul says to Philemon that he will cover all Onesimus's debts. "If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account" (1:18). Philemon would no doubt be shamed by this, if he had any thoughts of demanding repayment from his new brother, because Paul is in prison! He lives off the gifts of others. Philemon is the one who is to prepare a guest room for Paul! (1:22).

The upshot of all this is that, without explicitly prohibiting slavery, Paul has pointed the church away from slavery because it is an institution which is incompatible with the way the gospel works in people's lives. Whether the slavery is economic, racial, sexual, mild, or brutal, Paul's way of dealing with Philemon works to undermine the institution across its various manifestations. To walk "in step with the truth of the gospel" is to walk away from slavery.

Why We Don't Have Revival

October 5, 2009
Joe McKeever

Dr. Joe McKeever is a Preacher, Cartoonist, and the Director of Missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans.

Ask any church leader why America--or the churches in general or a denomination in particular or all Christians--does not (do not) have revival and the answers will usually come out to something like: "We're not praying," or "We're not praying hard enough," or "This takes prayer and fasting."

Today, I spent an hour on the internet reading some of the hundreds of websites on the subject of revival. Those that attempt to cover the subject of why we are not experiencing revival usually attribute it to sin, complacency, or prayerlessness.

Maybe they're right, but it seems to me those answers are missing the point.

The reason we're not having revival may indeed be that we're not praying for one. After all, Scripture assures us that "you have not because you ask not." (James 4:2)

But that just leads to the question of why we're not praying for revival. The answer, I strongly suggest, is simple: we don't want a revival. We like things the way they are.

I said it and will stand by it: we do not want revival. The churches don't, the church members don't, and very few of the pastors want a genuine Heaven-sent revival.

After all, revival means change, and we don't want change. We're too comfortable the way things are at the present.

I used to have an elderly man in my last church who showed up for services from time to time mainly because of his wife. Once when I was visiting in their home, I learned that five years earlier, he had had a heart bypass operation. His wife said, "And pastor, the doctor ordered him to walk several blocks a day, but he won't do it."

I tried to shame him a little. After all, the walking was for his own good and might prolong his life. He said, "Preacher, the reason I don't walk is simple. Walking interferes with my routine."

His wife scoffed, "What routine! Pastor, he goes to the casino!"

He lived two more years, still spending his days with the slot machines.

That, in a word, is why the great masses of Christians do not pray for nor desire revival: it would interfere with their routine.

By "revival," we mean an across-the-board movement of the Holy Spirit as He touches hearts, changes minds, melts pride, and transforms sinners.

In a revival, the hearts of God's people are broken in repentance and humility, the Lord's people come together in love and service, and the Lord's work of ministry and giving and witnessing and missions moves forward at warp speed.

Now, logically, most Christians would like these things to occur. In our heart of hearts, we know this is what is going to be required for God to transform the modern church and make it once again a missionary organization. We know the people of our community are not going to be reached in numbers big enough to have any kind of impact until the Lord's people have a new touch of God in their lives. And we confess we want that, that we desire revival.

But we don't. Not really.

Everything inside us resists change. Our ego resists Anyone else sitting on the throne over our lives. Our spirit rebels at Another calling the shots. Our bodies are afflicted with inertia, which we learned in the chemistry lab means a resting body prefers to remain at rest.

Now, I've seen revival and perhaps you have, too.

When the Lord's Spirit moves in and begins to touch lives, you can throw away the schedule and the printed order of worship. Everything else goes out the window when the Holy Spirit sets up shop.

People get confronted with their sinful ways. Hearts are broken over their wickedness. Husbands confess to their wives and mothers apologize to their children and children start obeying their parents. Friends reconcile with friends, and then turn to their enemies in humility. Bosses ask employees to forgive them. Employees confess to wrong-doing and face up to their poor work ethic. Pastors get saved; pastors' wives get saved; deacons and their wives get saved.

Tears are shed by the buckets. Prayer meetings become loud and long and unstructured. Meetings get interrupted by church members walking in with a neighbor or co-worker they have just led to Christ.

The pastor is no longer the only one hearing from God. Church members testify of what God told them this morning in prayer time. Those who never headed anything in their lives now find themselves leading Bible studies and witnessing projects. The timid suddenly become outspoken.

The lid is off their faith. They now believe God can do anything and that they can do all things through Him. Nothing is off-limits any more, nothing out of bound, nothing unthinkable. They are free in their giving, loving, serving, and most of all, in their thinking.

Invariably, spectators and outsiders--those untouched by the Holy Spirit and uncertain the Holy Spirit has had any part in these shenanigans whatsoever--condemn the excess, resent the disorder, suspect the new people who have begun coming to church ("Not our kind of people!" and "Let's see if they stick!"), and look for occasions to attack the ringleaders.

Revivals drive some people away from the church. On the other hand, revivals attract a lot of new people in, frequently the kind who've not been brought up in a religious tradition and do not know how to behave in a sanctuary. Revivals disrupt the flow of things, end the tyranny of the calendar and the clock and the Pharisees, and rearrange a church's priorities. Revivals produce an entirely new set of leaders for a church.

In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that revival kills off the old church and leaves an entirely different one in its place.

All of this is painful, uncomfortable, disruptive, and even expensive.

And, being human, we don't like pain, discomfort, disruptions, and expense.

We like our comfort. We prefer our complacency. It feels good to see the same faces at church every Sunday, all of them occupying the same pews they have held down for ages. There's a warmth about sitting in the Bible study class with the same 8 people we've known for years; newcomers and visitors are an intrusion. The pastor may not be saying anything we haven't heard him say time and again, but even the drone of his voice carries a certain kind of comfort, too.

None of this is new. God's people have dealt with this love for laxity and resistance to the Holy Spirit from the beginning.

"An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land:
The prophets prophesy falsely,
And the priests rule on their own authority,
And my people love it so."
(Jeremiah 5:31)

Ah, yes. Something inside our rebellious hearts love it when the preachers and television evangelists say what we want to hear, when they calm our anxieties about the future by their platitudes, when they tell pleasant stories and find just the right interpretation of Scripture to agree with what we had always hoped. We give them our full support when they minimize our sin, omit the need for repentance, and remind us again just how wonderful we are.

Jesus put His finger on the problem when He said, "No one, after drinking old wine wishes for new, for he says, 'The old is good enough.'" (Luke 5:39)

Therein lies the problem. We're satisfied with the old when God wants to do a new thing in our midst. I can hear some church leader say about his congregation, "We may not be doing much, but we're good enough."

And that's the problem.

So, what is the answer if God wants to send revival and we don't want one? Where do we begin to address this stalemate?

I have three suggestions for the people of God, the ones commissioned to represent the Lord on this planet, to bring worship to Him, and to carry His gospel to the ends of the earth. They and only they have a concern with the matter of revival. Revival is only for believers. After all, you cannot revive what never was alive in the first place.

1) REMEMBER THE BIG PICTURE.

The object of spiritual revival is not the emotional outbursts, unstructured services, excessiveness in enthusiasm, bigger budgets, or even the crowded churches which often accompany revival. These things may occur and often do, and they tend to frighten away those of us who like worship to be completely predictable and identical to the way we did things last week.

The whole point of a movement of God's Spirit which we call revival involves great concerns, matters like a) glorifying God in this world, b) magnifying the Lord Jesus Christ, c) the spiritual rebirth of millions of lost people, d) the restoration and health of families, e) the healing of society and the redemption of our culture, f) rescuing the futures of vulnerable little children, and g) reviving and re-aligning the Lord's churches.

When we get hung up on the emotional excesses of revival, we fail to look at the big picture, that the whole point of revival is God transforming this world, one person at a time, for His own purposes and glory.

2) MAKE THE BIG DECISION.

If revival is about re-establishing God's glory and Christ's honor, about transforming lives and homes and churches and society, don't you want that? Surely we do, even though we like our comfort and hate being "messed with," we who call ourselves disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ can be said to desire these things.

In fact, David Mains points to the restlessness of church members today as a sign that God's people are indeed yearning for a genuine revival. He says, "Step one to any kind of revival movement is a deep-seated sense of dissatisfaction with the way things are. People who are already satisfied with life seldom aspire to something more, so I'm glad if there is a restlessness going on."

The kind of restlessness Mains refers to can be seen in the way believers run from one church to another, crossing denominational lines, soaking up Bible studies in conferences, and pressuring their leaders toward more relevant and productive ministries.

Dr. Mains emphasizes that these "yearnings for more than meager fare have a tendency to go in one of two directions. The first is a negative bent and results in a carping or complaining spirit...." The other is to drive us to our knees in praying for a great movement of God's Spirit, a movement we call revival.

If we can admit that we want God's transformation in our world, our institutions, our people, our churches, and our homes, then, where is the starting place to achieving that?

3) PRAY THE BIG PRAYER.

We're now at the point where we can pray for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We can pray for His will to be done in Washington, D.C., as in heaven; in my town as in heaven; in my church, my home, my own life.

That's the simplest definition of revival you'll ever find: God putting into place His will for vast numbers of His people.

And so the prayer we pray for revival may come down to being the simplest prayer one can ever lift heavenward: "Lord, we want thy will. Thy will be done in us."

In so saying, you are handing Him the keys, moving out of the driver's seat, yielding your will to His.

Now, if it happens that the pleasures of this world have you in a death grip and will not let go--you could not possibly imagine leaving home on a Tuesday night and helping at the homeless shelter because you would miss your favorite television show--and you cannot honestly pray for God's will to be done in your life, then there's another prayer for you.

This one is the key to the other. Try praying this: "Father, I cannot say I want thy will to be done in my life. But I wish I could. Therefore, I pray that I will want thy will to be done. I ask you to change my heart and give me a desire for Thee."

Many Christians today have no clue what a critical hour we are living in. The hour is urgent, the Lord is willing, the devil is hard at work, and too many church members are sitting in the grandstands enjoying the view when they should be suited up and on the field.

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion." (Amos 6:1)

One Saturday, the pastor was having trouble with his sermon and decided to go for a drive in the country to clear his mind. Soon he came upon a scene unlike anything he had ever seen. Fire trucks and emergency vehicles were everywhere and crowds were blocking the streets. He pulled his car over to the side and got out. Down the block, a large house was burning down, and everyone was working to rescue the people inside and extinguish the blaze.

Later, when the pastor drove home, he knew he had found exactly what his sermon needed for the next day. Sunday morning at church, he preached the sermon God had given him. Toward the end, he told about driving through the country and coming upon this great old house, of the trucks everywhere and the crowds blocking the street, the frantic activities and the ambulances. To his surprise, the congregation sat there impassively, completely unaffected by his story.

On the way home, the pastor expressed his disappointment to his wife. "The congregation didn't react at all the way I thought they would," he said. "I really thought hearing about that burning house and all would have affected them."

His wife was quiet a moment, then she said, "Well, honey, it might have. And it should have, but for one thing. You forgot to tell them the house was on fire."

Someone needs to tell God's children today that the house is on fire. It's time for us to get up off the couch and get busy.

Forgiving and Forgetting

This is the hardest of all lessons to learn for me in my life because I am blessed/cursed with a long memory of things past. It's great to be able to remember each and every Christmas of your life since age 2, but not so great to remember every single fight your parents had or that you ever had with your siblings or spouse! Belive me, there are things I wish that I could forget. Two of my siblings have actually asked me to relate to them the events of their own early lives (say before age 12), because they say they have no real specific memories of which teachers they had, or what places they visited, or what they got for Christmas in any given year. (I'm sure being at the bottom of the birth order in our large family made memories get confused.)

As I said in class today, the one thing I have learned this year in our Crosswalk class discussions is that God will ease the pain of those memories in our minds if we ask Him to. It does not change the facts of what happened long ago, but it does change our reactions to those long-ago hurts. He truly does "bear our burdens for us", thank God. -- Marthann

God Can Use People Through Relationships

September 19, 2009 by David Ashcraft
God sometimes uses the strangest of relationships to carry out his will.  Philemon was a leader in one of the earliest churches - his story is found in the book of Philemon.  He was a friend of the first evangelist-missionary, Paul.  One of Philemon's slaves ran away, stealing from Philemon, becoming a Christian under Paul's ministry.  He actually became one of Paul's helpers, possibly a young preacher.  Paul used his personal relationship with Philemon and with the slave to encourage the restoration of the relationship between Philemon and the slave.  Paul was able to do this because of his relationship with Jesus.
There are other examples in the Bible of God's will being accomplished through unusual relationships.  Chuck Swindoll relates one, also involving Paul; the incident is found in Acts 19:32-41. Here is my edited version of Chuck's commentary:
If you live intimidated by people, then you need to come to terms with your lack of peace. God is bigger than any person.

You don't need to dread tomorrow. You don't need to dread your uncontrollable circumstances. It's a decision that's called "a frame of mind," otherwise known as leaning on the everlasting Rock.God uses relationships to guide us, protect us and encourage us.  Sometimes we know the people God uses, and other times the one acting at God's direction is unknown to us.

That's what we learn from the life of Paul in Acts 19:21-41.  He faced an uncertain future - 

So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. (v. 32)

Envision this scene. Here's Paul doing that which is right, and here's a group of folks who misunderstand and believe he's doing the wrong thing. They're confused and at odds with each other. A group of about fifty thousand is out there shouting for two hours (v. 34). Then out of the blue, a clerk who is responsible for law and order and keeping people on the right track stands to his feet.

He gets his paycheck from Rome, by the way, and he knows that Rome hates riots. He also realizes this city would soon lose its freedom if order didn't return. And nobody, save Athens enjoyed their freedom more than Ephesus. So he knows he has to calm them down if only to keep himself on the payroll.

The beautiful part is that he doesn't know Paul and Paul doesn't know him, yet God uses him to quiet the multitude. Let's just follow along as he speaks.

"For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess." (v. 37)

That's true!

"So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man [let's do it right], the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly." (v. 38-39)

The reason? Verse 40---Rome is watching!

"For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we shall be unable to account for this disorderly gathering."

"Go home!" Verse 41:

And after saying this he dismissed the assembly.

Who did it? A clerk.

While you and I are panicked, not knowing about our tomorrow, God is moving clerks around His board like pawns. You and I can't see His chess board. We don't know the right moves, because we're not God. All we know is our little square, if that! And we cannot move. "It's tough being a rook held in place by a bishop, ya know." We're afraid we'll get picked off. But there is peace as long as God has some pawns.

He never runs out of pawns. He never runs out of clerks. He doesn't need you to pull it off. He's doing it. When will we ever learn that? And when will we learn that God cannot lose?  And, when will we learn that we are often called to be the clerk that quiets the crowd?

(Chuck and I share this similarity.) I was so uncertain about my future as an adolescent. I stuttered badly and didn't think I'd ever be able to give the time of day, much less deliver a speech. But a "town clerk," my high school drama teacher, saw something in me I didn't see. He helped me through speech therapy. I didn't know how to speak in public. But through him, I learned. Eventually, the uncertainty of my future was turned around. Public speaking was an open door I'd never considered as an even remote possibility. High school teachers, pay attention! You can be a "clerk" on God's board.

How about mothers who have kiddos struggling with who they are and where they're going and what they're doing and why they're important? Moms, in those day-to-day, constant assignments you suddenly become God's "town clerk." As such, you take charge of and free your child so that he begins to grow in confidence and can get on his way in life. It happens through the painful, consistent, daily, constant effort of motherhood. Small wonder it's under attack today!

You who hold any position at work, you who work with anyone (and that's everybody, that's all of us), the Lord wants to use us as the "clerk" in somebody else's need for peace. He simply wants us to be available.

God's will

September 18 by Sandra Stephens
After teaching second grade SS for seven years I found myself feeling that it was time to step down. "How could I do that?", I asked myself. With the exception of an occasional illness and a week end trip every now and then, I had been in the classroom with "my kids" every week and loved every moment of it. The Lord made it very clear to me when He told me to begin teaching, and I prayed that He would make it just as clear if He really did want me to step down.



After much prayer, and being confirmed, I did indeed step down and had to decide which adult class I wanted to attend. After visiting one class (which I totally enjoyed!) I went to Crosswalk. I already had ties there - my husband attended that class before he started teaching again, and I also have lots of wonderful Christian friends in Crosswalk.

I am here to tell you now, this was a good choice. I have learned so much in the 9 months I've been in this class. It's like, when you're hungry, but you don't realize how hungry you are until you smell the wonderful food that's being prepared. I NEEDED to be fed spiritually and each week, I walk away with something. Some weeks it's affirmation, some weeks it's total conviction!



I thank God for the great leadership we have in this class, as well as the awesome members and visitors. God places us where he wants us for a specific reason and I'm grateful that He placed me with this class. I look forward to each week because I know something incredible is gonna take place!



Let's all pray each day that we can be the godly creatures that He would have us to be. Put self aside and minister to someone every day, even if it's just a friendly smile. Enjoy your gift.


in Him,
Sandra Stephens

What did people want from the early church?

Posted September 17 by Michael Palko
That question was posed in class a few weeks ago, and my first response to it was "They wanted a leader." Indeed, most wanted a military coup. Their life was hard. They wanted someone to free them from the oppression that surrounded them and to make things easier. Even Peter, "the rock" on which the church was built had a different idea when Jesus predicted his own death (Matthew 16:22).

However, the more I've thought about that question, I've come to the realization that people in the early church more likely just wanted someone to help them, someone to take care of them. When did Jesus gain followers? When He did something for or gave something to them. John 6:1-14 tells about how people began following Jesus when they saw the "miraculous signs He had peformed on the sick." Then Jesus feed 5000 men (and you know the women and children eat, too). Philip estimated the cost of that would have been more than "eight months' wages." People were in such a frenzy that Jesus had to "withdraw again to a mountain" just to get away and be by Himself.

I think what people in that time thought, or at least hoped, was that by following Jesus their friend and relatives would never be sick again and that they might not have to work so hard, or even at all, to earn the money needed to feed their families. How cool would that be? And while that may have been what lured them to that early church community, I think what they more likely found was that things did get a little easier because "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had." (Acts 4:32).

Church is people. And aren't we just like the early members of the church community? I know I sometimes need help, as much as my "machismo" hates to admit it. I seek (and need) a respite from the demands of work, home, and family. I'm beginning to more clearly see "church" outside of the brick and mortar of "the church." I see it in a neighbor who helped me cut down a tree. I see it in a friend who volunteered to drive my kids home from an activity. And I have started to look for opportunities to do things for others...just because.

I think members of the early church were probably pretty surprised at how their lives changes. They didn't get the military leader that they'd hoped for, but instead their old ways of thinking and acting were attacked and overthrown by the good that comes from sharing and forgiving.

What can you and I do to continue that revolution?

Encounter of Affirmation

September 15 by Marthann Witzig
Today, I happened to be sitting on the wall outside the courthouse in Smithfield. It was a beautiful fall day--warm, balmy and bright. I noticed a lady of about my own age walking slowly towards me. She started to sit down on the wall, and I invited her to move closer to me in order to be in the shade. This meant that the usual "bubble of social space" we all try to maintain would be broken. She gratefully nodded and sat down close to me.

I commented on the beauty of the day, and she agreed, but I could sense a "heaviness" about her. She told me her story as I sat and listened. She had received a telephone call at work during the night telling her one of her sons had been arrested and was in the Smithfield jail. The long-story-short of it is that her oldest son had the unfortunate luck to be with one of his brothers when the brother "kicked in the door of his girlfriend's apartment" last night. (Dianne's "bad choices, bad life--good choices, good life" was ringing in my ears as she told me her son's sad story.)

I asked her name, and she told me it was "Carolyn" (our own daughter's name, for those of you who don't know our daughter). I asked her son's name, which she told me was "Will". Carolyn was very worried about Will because he is mentally impaired and doesn't always understand what is happening to him. She started to tell me how worried she was about how he'd do in jail around other more "experienced" prisoners, and was very afraid for him.

Right then and there, I asked Carolyn if she would mind if I (we) prayed for her son together. I have never in my life done anything like this before, and it surprised even me. I felt the Holy Spririt prompting me (as David reminded us on Sunday; the HS only prompts us to good things). She agreed, and we held hands, sitting next to each other on that wall in front of God and all of the dozens of people going in and out of the Smithfield Courthouse at noon on a Tuesday afternoon. (This part, I did not even think about until just this minute.)

I thanked God for this beautiful fall day, but then went right into praying for his blessings for Carolyn and for Will. I prayed that the Lord would guard and keep Will safe from harm and not let him become afraid. I also prayed for Carolyn to have peace of mind in knowing that Jesus was there with her son in jail at that very moment. I then asked God to be with Carolyn and Will in the coming days and to show His love to her and her family.

This was not something that I could have ever done without the knowledge we have learned at Crosswalk. I praise God for his merciful love for all of us and I will continue to pray for Carolyn and her family over the course of the next few days, especially. Will's court date is on Thursday at 10:00 in the morning. I will always treasure the look of gratitude, and dare I say, "relief" on Carolyn's face when we hugged after praying together.

David, you are right when you say that it is not just the "affirmed" who are blessed when we encourage one another, but the "encourager" as well.

God Bless -- Marthann

God Uses all Of Us

September 14, 2009 by David Ashcraft
Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.
--Acts 6:8
Stephen, the first martyr of the church, died at an early age. This weekend in Raleigh, two young people died in senseless automobile accidents. And by all accounts, the two local people were outstanding Christians. Some might look at the way Stephen and these two people died and think, What a waste! But in the words of Jim Elliot, another young martyr for the faith, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Earlier this summer, we studied about the local church and the talents various members have. We did not spend much time asking questions such as, What kind of person does God look for to use for His glory? What qualifies a person to be selected by God to be His instrument? Is it a towering intellect or how many PhD's person has on the wall? Do you have to be physically attractive? Do you need to be a born leader? How about someone who is a little timid? What about the person who isn't the most physically attractive? What about people whom many would classify as ordinary? Is there a place for someone like that?

As we read throughout the Bible, we find that God uses the most common people to do his work. Ordinary people doing extraordinary work. Many of us in CrossWalk are evidence that God can use all of us. If we are willing to be used.

So why does God do this? We find the answer in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29:Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

Are you willing to be the ordinary person that God chooses to do something miraculous?

Forgiveness

September 8, 2009 by David Ashcraft
Throughout life, accidents happen; people do things unintentionally or intentionally to one another and have to either ask for forgiveness [1] forgive someone. It is easy to become defensive when apologizing – “I apologize even though I wasn’t at fault.” “Look if you want an apology, here it is: here goes, Sorry.” Likewise, when you are the one who has been hurt or taken advantage of, you must forgive – even when the other person has not asked for forgiveness! And, yes, you are right; forgiving someone who has really hurt you isn’t the easy action to take. But it is the Christian response. It is the right thing to do. Why, you might ask? Forgiving one another is taught demonstrated and commanded by Jesus and the inspired writers of the Bible. Let’s take a look at some passages from the Bible.

In Ephesians 4:3, Paul writes, Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you. Note particularly the phrase, “just as Christ forgave you.” Jesus, the Christ, is the example of how we are to live our lives. He left heaven to live on this earth as a man. He was sinless, and yet he was willingly crucified. He was totally innocent of all charges against him and still He was found guilty and hanged on a cross. He was murdered. Just before He died, Luke 23:34 quotes Jesus as he asks God to forgive those who murdered Him, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." So when Paul encourages us to forgive each other as Christ forgave us, he expects us to forgive those who wrongly accuse us; he expects us to forgive those who willfully misuse us.

Paul makes a similar command in Colossians 3:12-14. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Note the phrase, “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Jesus’ death on the cross is the payment for our sins and by that death Jesus forgave all my sins. He forgave all your sins. So, if we are to follow Jesus’ example, we are to forgive those who commit sins against us.

You might say, “But I don’t approve of what that person did to me. It hurt me deeply. It cost me money. It embarrassed me. It wasn’t right.” The Bible does not say that we condone sin or that we approve sin or that we approve a wrong against us. In fact, in Ephesians we find the encouragement - “Instead speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.” We don’t deny the hurt that someone caused us; we can speak truthfully about the hurtful action. But we are to love our enemies and pray for them and yes, forgive them for the hurt they caused us.

Other passages which encourage forgiveness include,

Matthew 5:23-24. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 6:12-15. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[2]

Mark 11:25-26. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you don’t forgive, neither will you Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

All of these passages are Jesus’ teaching on the concept of forgiveness. As you read through them, do they portray forgiveness as just a feeling or as something that requires a deliberate decision? A careful reading will show that forgiveness does in fact require action on our part. And, note that these passages teach that if we are not willing to forgive others, God is not willing to forgive us. That is a very strong statement. Yet it is in the Bible and is a principle throughout the New Testament.

Although not mentioned in these particularly verses, we know that failure to forgive someone can eat us alive internally. We all know people who remain bitter and angry at someone - sometimes after that person has died. The Bible teaches that the better way is to forgive.

---

[1] There are many scripture references to forgiveness: in the Bible. Here are just a few:

Understanding God’s forgiveness should make us more willing to forgive, Romans 12:17-21

Forgiveness means forgetting the wrong committed against you, Psalms 103:12

Forgiveness is the first step in restoring a relationship, Matthew 5:22

Forgiveness is possible only through faith in Jesus Christ, John 20:23

We should grant forgiveness in infinite number of times, atthew 18:22

We should forgive before judging others, John 8:7

Forgiveness is tied to obedience to God , John 8:51

Forgiveness is the key to our relationship with God, Luke 11:4

Forgiveness changes bitterness to joy, Luke 15:30

Jesus forgave his disciples, Matthew 28:10

[2] Forgiveness begins when you choose to treat another person the same way you want God to treat you. It’s when you extend the same underserved mercy god extended to you through the sacrifice of His Son. Forgiveness happens when you let “God be the Judge of another and release all your anger and vengeance over to Him. It means that you set the offender free from the debt they owe you and let them out of the prison of anger you have keeping your heart. Love Dare Bible Study

It's Not About You

Copied from Chuck Swindoll
I need to underscore a foundational fact: God’s goal is not to make sure you're happy. No matter how hard it is for you to believe this, it's time to do so. Life is not about your being comfortable and happy and successful and pain free. It's about becoming the man or woman God has called you to be. Unfortunately, we will rarely hear that message proclaimed today. All the more reason for me to say it again: Life is not about you! It's about God.

How can I say that with assurance? Because of Paul’s response in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:

Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

That’s it! He got it, too. And he went with it for the rest of his days.

When you and I boast of our strengths, we get the credit, and we keep going under our own head of steam. But when we boast in what He is doing in the midst of our brokenness, inability, and inadequacy, Christ comes to the front. His strength comes to our rescue. He is honored.

Don’t miss that point. The very things we dread and run from in our lives are precisely what brought contentment to Paul. Look at the list: I am content when I lose. I am content when I am weak. I am content with insults. I am content when I am slandered. I am content in distresses. I am content with persecutions. I am content with difficulties and pressures that are so tight I can hardly turn around. Why? “Because when I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10). Knowing that brought the apostle, ablaze with the flaming oracles of heaven, to his knees. What a way to live your life—content in everything—knowing that divine strength comes when human weakness is evident.

Paul recommends an attitude of unselfish humility. Quite remarkably, you never read where Paul said to his Roman guard, while he was in prison: “I need you to do me a favor. Next time you happen to be near one of the Emperor’s assistants, urge him to get me out of this dump. I shouldn’t be here in the first place. I’ve been here for one year, seven months, four days, five hours, and nine minutes, and that’s long enough.” Paul’s attitude of unselfish humility prevented him from keeping meticulous records of the wrongs done to him in Rome, or anywhere else for that matter. He was in prison by divine appointment. He willingly submitted to his situation.

Christ modeled the great emptying-out principle that permeated Paul’s remarkable life. If we want to learn contentment, developing an attitude of unselfish humility is the perfect place to begin. Start with your family or neighbors. Model it before your employees or clients. You won’t believe the impact that sort of selfless mental attitude will have on the people. You won’t have to raise flags or pass out tracts. Just demonstrate an attitude of unselfish humility. The results will amaze you.

Paul exhorts believers to have an attitude of joyful acceptance. Paul minced no words about how believers should relate to one another. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15). He sought an attitude of joyful acceptance, free of petty disputes and bickering. He pled for authentic joy. Nothing is more contagious!