Biddeford Church of Christ

On Wednesday of this past week, as I was working on and preparing for Sunday morning bible class, I came across a passage that seemed to speak loudly to me at this time.  It is found in Romans 12:10-13 and reads as follows, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”  This is in part the result of being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” mentioned back in v2 of this chapter.  As may have already guessed, what stood out to me were this simple, yet provoking exhortation; that is, “continuing steadfastly in prayer.”  What does that mean?

The language of “continuing steadfastly in prayer” is powerful.  The NIV uses the word “faithful” while the KJV uses the word “instant.”  It means to give constant attention to a thing.  Maybe this is the reason the ETRV translates this, “Pray all the time.”  I am truly humbled by this idea, for even though I am focusing on this class about prayer, I find it all too easy to get preoccupied, distracted by things that on the surface appear so important.  Do you battle with that in your life?

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything

give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                           1^st Thessalonians 5:16-18

Our understanding of prayer and its importance is directly linked to the transformation of the mind.  Remember, it is that changing of what we think that enables us to “know what things are good and pleasing to God and what things are perfect” (Romans 12:2, ETRV).  It is Paul’s exhortation to the church in Ephesus to “find out what is acceptable (NIV says, pleasing) to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10).  It pleases God when His children go to Him in prayer.

So, how can we “continue steadfastly in prayer”?  I think in part, the transformation of the mind enables us to create new habits.  Someone has explained a habit as “an act repeated so often as to be done involuntary; that is, without a new decision of mind each time it is done.”  Many of us can list some of our habits, especially the routines we have at the beginning of our day.  Even when it comes to prayer, we have habits: like praying before a meal.  Nothing wrong with that, but I am talking about more personal times when we pray.  In Mark 1:35 we find Jesus getting up early to pray.  I wonder if that was His habit?

One thing is for sure, the emphasis that God appears to put on the act of prayer goes beyond the flare prayers of our everyday life.  Those are good and necessary, but when looking at the life of Jesus, there appears to be more to it.  Do you yearn for a deeper prayer life?  I know I want to grow in mine.  So, let’s start to develop new habits concerning prayer.  Set aside time, substantial time, to go before the throne of God and beseech Him.  One thing is for sure, He will be pleased by our efforts

Dennis

You may recall that our theme for this year, found in Lamentations 3:22-23, finds its roots during a desperate time in Israel’s history.  Because of their rebellion, God’s people were thrust into slavery and overwhelming despair.  Lamentations 1:1, “How lonely sits the city that was full of people!  How like a widow is she, who was great among the nations!  The princes among the provinces has become a slave!”  What a tragic scene.  History shows us that God’s people seem to go in cycles; living lives committed to their Lord and then getting caught up in the broken and dark world around them.  The whole scene of our theme verse is a story of God’s unwavering love for His children, doing all He can, even the tough things like discipline, to turn His children back.

He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;

He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them

as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord

an offering in righteousness.

                                                                     Malachi 3:3

While I was thinking about this, I heard some discussion about the letter of Malachi and the sad state of affairs that were once again taking place with God’s people.  Although there could be much to reflect on from this little book, my attention was drawn to the verse above as it describes the care of God towards His rebellious people.  Although the image given may not always be due to rebellion, as we will see in a minute, the desired goal of our Lord remains constant; that is, our personal growth to serve Him more fully in our lives.

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;

I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

                                                               Isaiah 48:10

The first picture that comes to mind is that of a refiner and purifier who sits as he patiently tends to the process of readying the silver for use.  The word translated “refiner” is used in other places.  For instance, in Psalm 66:10 the ETRV says, “God tested us, like people test silver with fire.”  The word carries with it the idea to “strain” or “sift.”  The refiner, as he works the silver through the use of heat, is seeking to separate the lead sulfide ore from the silver.  The heating process would change the lead sulfide to lead oxide, which in a powered condition would be blown away with the use of hot air.  Great care is needed by the purifier in order for the desired product to be revealed.  This, of course, is the next part of the picture we see in Malachi 3:3.  God is working to bring about change in His people, especially the priests of the Old Testament, who have defiled their duties as prescribed by God.  Thus, the refining process had a purpose; that is, “that they may offer to the Lord an offering of righteousness.”  God was seeking to bring out the best that is in His people, even when they have lost sight of their potential.

Take away the dross from silver, and it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.

                                                                                                                        Proverbs 25:4

As Christians, we are more than familiar with the verses that speak of such refinement.  Bible verses like James 1:2, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…” or 1^st Peter 1:6, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials…” quickly come to mind.  In them, we realize that God, the Refiner, is still in the refining business.  He is either seeking to direct us back or make us more of what we can be to the glory of His name.  Our prayer to You O Lord, is when the hot air of adversity blows across us, that what remains is a more perfect image of You.

Dennis

It is fair to say that there are many influences in the contemporary era which can distract a Christian from their purposed walk.  The amount of entertainment media which is available at our fingertips is at a quantity that is unprecedented in history.

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

                                             -Psalm 1:2 NIV.

If we are taking time to consume media, we are also probably missing out on a chance to be in God’s word.

An almost infinitesimal percentage of this, mostly digital, content is of a type that could be considered Godly.  Many of us are even consuming some of this audio/visual digital media on devices that are donned with a bitten apple.  Maybe we should see that as a warning label to use the device carefully before proceeding.

The majority of music created by the current and previous generation does not have the purpose of edifying believers or of worshipping God.  The inappropriate language and lyrics can take up valuable memory space in a Christian’s brain.  Even ‘country music’, which got its start with gospel lyrics and simple-living themes, has been corrupted by modern ‘values’.

Television and movies, besides generally being wasters of time, have the severe side-effect of desensitizing us as individuals and as a society.  They normalize violence, deviant behavior, sexual immorality, and foul language.  While the Bible does not specifically warn us about consuming modern media forms, it certainly does warn us of the sin it can promote.

Another issue that God’s word does specify to be mindful of is the company we keep…

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”

                              1Corinthians 15:33 NKJV

Friends may engage in behavior that is sinful…

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”

                      Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV

Family members may use language that is vile…

“… now you must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips”

                         Colossians 3:8 NIV

Coworkers dispense jokes that are anything but clean…

“… neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting…”

                         Ephesians 5:4 NKJV

Be careful, brothers and sisters, what you spend time doing, and who you are spending time with.   The Creator and Sustainer of all things warns us that

“… Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” 

                                      James 4:4 NIV

        Abraham

For the last couple of weeks, we have spent some time being reminded about how we can be empowered to let go of our past and live in Christ with confidence today while having the hope of tomorrow.  Whether it be the “forgetting and reaching” of Philippians 3:13, or the acceptance of God’s complete forgiveness for those in Christ, which we considered last Sunday from 1^st John 1:5-10, God wants us to live in freedom from our past.  He knows that to experience the true nature of the abundant life Jesus speaks of in John 10:10, our past truly needs to be water under the bridge…our bridge.

With that said, I want to consider one more idea when it comes to the image of “water under the bridge”; that is, the issue of our need to forgive others, something I spoke on just a few months ago.  My desire to speak about it again has been stirred by my study of what Jesus taught the disciples early on in His ministry concerning how to pray.  Remember these words from Jesus, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).  So critical to the disciples walk that Jesus would go on to say in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  This whole line of thought begs the question, “Am I willing to forgive those in my past?”

And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but

they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

                                                                                         Acts 9:26

When Jesus taught about prayer, He included within it those words that speak of the disciple’s willingness to embrace the task of forgiving others because of their own forgiveness by God.  This word debt is self-explanatory, caring the meaning of that which is owed.  It drives home the simple fact that someone can “owe me” because of something they have done.  Saul owed the early church big time!  Families split, lives lost, so much hurt they suffered and now, you want us to give you a big hug and sing “Kumbaya, My Lord” together.  It’s not happening…right?  The debt Saul (soon to be named Paul) owed was enormous and virtually impossible to pay back.  The only solution for him, for them, was God’s road of forgiveness. It is a road that must be traveled.

This is why, although I know it is a command, I see it as a necessity, essential to the wellbeing of the disciple.  It is not simply something God is commanding us to do, but there is a reason behind it.  When the actions of others are allowed to build up in our lives, not permitting them to be water under our bridge, we change.  How one might ask?  Well, the decision to not forgive another only enables the heart to become bitter, defiling it over time (Hebrews 12:15).  The scary thing is, that we often times don’t even realize it is happening.  Maybe that is why Jesus taught His disciples then, and us now, to be mindful of our need to forgive in prayer.  I can understand the words of the apostle found in Luke 17:5 after Jesus taught again on the subject of forgiveness, “Increase our faith.”

To be forgiving, we must walk in confidence of our own forgiveness.  Paul would exhort the church in Colosse to be forgiving “even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13).  So, do you walk in His marvelous forgiveness today?  If so, is there someone in your past who owes you a debt?  God invites you to release that debt and live fully in the beauty of forgiveness.

Dennis

It is hard to believe that we are already in the month of September with schools starting and fall knocking on the door.  It has been a very busy summer for many of us and the next few months, at least for our church family, has several things which are worthy of mentioning that we will be involved in as the year comes to a close.  So, I thought that instead of a typical article, I would make note of several of those events.

Annual Free Car Wash – This will be taking place Saturday, September 14^th from 9 am to 2 pm.  If you would like to help out, contact Angel or Matthew to let them know.  Note, the rain date is the following Saturday, September 21^st.

Annual Fall Workday – This will be held on Saturday, October 12^th.  There will be various projects to do which could use your helping hands.  Sign-up sheet on the back board by the recording station.  Also note that the rain date for this event is the following Saturday, October 19^th.

Skate for the Light Night – Typically held at the Happy Wheels in Portland, this event is an alternative to the traditional trick or treat on October 31^st which lands on a Thursday this year.  More information to come when available.

Thanksgiving Baskets – Gathering names and bringing in food for thanksgiving baskets.  This is always a wonderful opportunity for us to help those in need.  More information to come soon.

Yankee Swap – Always a fun time where we exchange those infamous gifts, share a great meal and spend some wonderful time together.  The great thing about this, is that Brad and Brenda want to come and be a part of it.

With these things in front of us, the closing of 2019 looks exciting filled with great opportunities to serve.  Along with that, I can’t help but look backward and realize the helping hands and efforts to serve those around us.  Here are just a few things which have taken place:  Congregational Breakfast – The Ladies Day – Spring Workday – Work and Worship Week – Moving the Shaws and more.  What is important about each one of these is the people behind them which make them all possible.  It causes me to think of Ephesians 4:16 from the ETRV, “The whole body depends on Christ.  And all the parts of the body are joined and held together.  Each part of the body does its own work.  And this makes the whole body grow and be strong with love.”

Thanks to all those who make what we do so special.  Each of us play a significant role in helping us be the Body of Christ which God so desires.  Let’s finish the year with loving zeal to glorify our Savior Jesus Christ.  And may our Lord bless us as we set our sights on 2020.

Dennis

I am sure you have heard it before, or better yet, maybe even said it, “That’s all water under the bridge.”  I want to deviate from the topic for this year and speak about the profound power of the past.  It has been said, “if you wish to live in the present, you have to work through your past.” The word “past” is compelling; most of the time, we understand it to be something distant. The sentence you just read is history, the past, buried within the recesses of your mind for possible use in the future.  Okay, I don’t want to get all philosophical on you.  My point is simple, what happened in the past, whether years ago or just a minute ago, can impact us whether we realize it or not.

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting

those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…

                                                                                                                               Philippians 3:13

In this verse from the apostle Paul, two words stand out that gives some insight into how one might work through their past so that they can live in the present and be excited about the future.  First, there is this idea of forgetting.  The ETRV says, “I forget the things that are past.”  Water under the bridge…right?  The word means the sense of neglecting, no longer caring.  Pat Harrell gives us insight by explaining the opposite of forgetting, “To remember something was to lift it out of the dead past and to thereby make it a dynamic force in the present.”  In his book entitled, Learning to Love, Willard Tate talks about something called self-talk.  He writes, “Whatever the mind attends to, it considers; whatever the mind does not attend to, it dismisses; whatever the mind attends to continually, believes; and whatever the mind believes, it eventually does.”  The NKJV of Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”  Paul’s history cluttered with the arrogance of a law keeper (Philippians 3:3-6), perpetrated horrible acts against the early church (Acts 7 & 8).  What sort of self-talk could he have used to remind himself of the dreadful things he did. What kind of self-talk do you use?

What is interesting about the Greek word translated forgetting is that it is a present participle; which means, forgetting is a process.  What can help us in that process is found in the next word I want to consider; that is, reaching.  This word carries with it the idea of to stretch out to or towards.  Listen to the ETRV, “I try as hard as I can to reach the goal that is before me.”  God is revealing to us through Paul that this forgetting and reaching takes concerted effort and time.  Pat Harrell makes this powerful comment on this, “Paul was in effect, refusing to permit the past to dominate the present.  Forgetting the past, he orientates himself to the future.”   With what was Paul occupying his mind?  What was he reaching so hard to attain?  “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

With Paul’s past littered with sufficient reasons to suffocate his newfound life (and hope) in Christ, you can imagine what his self-talk could have been?  But he refused to be held captive to that past.  It was water under the bridge.  What do you reach for most often when it comes to identifying yourself?  What thoughts echo through the recesses of your mind?  Have the turbulent waters of your past made it under the bridge?

Heavenly Father, we thank You for your patience with us as we strive towards one day being with You.  Help us, empower us to forget the past that seeks to keep us in bondage and release us to be all that we can be for You.  Amen.

Dennis

For many of us who have grown up in the church or have been part of the church for many years or have simply been involved with religion, the characters of the bible seem almost iconic.  Who do you think of first?  Moses and the crossing of the Red Sea, Daniel in the lion’s den, how about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace.  Or maybe it is someone like Ruth or Mary, the mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus.  Sometimes when we look at those we read about and listen to the amazing faith and godliness which they portrayed, we place them on pedestals, seemingly beyond anything we might be able to exhibit in our lives.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours…

                                                      James 5:17, NKJV

The prophet Elijah is one of those “iconic” characters in the bible.  In 1^st Kings 17-19 we read of some of his life and service to God.  In chapter 17:17-24 we read of him praying to the Lord on behalf of a widow whose son had died, resulting in God raising him from the dead.  In chapter 18:20-40 Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal (450 of them) to call on their gods and he will call on God and see whose altar would be consumed by fire.  Of course, you know the outcome.  Then, there is the event which James speaks of that actually starts in chapter 17:1 where Elijah says, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my words.”  This man, who seemed to have such a powerful connection with God is no different from you or me!  I like how the ETRV translates James 5:17, “Elijah was a person the same as us.”  He had no special power or inroads to the great I am.  What he did have, is something we all can have; that is, conviction that God is listening and working in the life of the believer.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:16, NKJV

As James pens these words to Christians, he uses the example of Elijah to encourage them to be vigilant in prayer.  Prayer makes a difference!  Your prayers make a difference!  Sometimes, we need to be resilient in prayer for the answer does not come so quickly, like in the case of Elijah.  He prayed for the rain to return, but it took seven times before his servant came back with the news that “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” (1^st Kings 18:44)

Think about it, Elijah is no different than any of us who are in Christ.  Like him, our prayers can be powerful.  The ETRV translates the later part of James 5:16, “When a good person prays hard, great things happen.”  Lord, help us to have a faith that is convinced that great things can happen when we seek You out in prayer.

Dennis