Friday, June 26, 2009
FLOW
"Flow" is the title of our summer teaching series. It revolves around living life in the stream of the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:38). The title is also ironic because we need to get back in the flow of dialoging on the blog! I'm looking forward to some good questions and answers. This post will serve us the end of this week and heading into next. God bless us all as we seek to follow the leading of the Spirit in our lives. May God's presence be overwhelming in our lives.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
good message last sunday...
How do we apply this to our lives?
Good question Bob. Sorry for not checking back in on the blog to see that you posted a question!?!?!
The application is primarily in understanding that intimacy and abundance in our lives is not so much a matter of doing, but being. In the process of being Spirit filled, we will accomplish all that necessary through His empowerment and guidance. The question then becomes, how do keep ourselves in the flow of the Spirit? The first step is realizing that we ALREADY have the Spirit in us. This means our task is really about getting out of the way and removing hindrances (i.e. selfishness, business, lack of listening...basically sin in its various forms). The believer's natural state is intimacy, it actually takes a measure of work to fight against Him. Think of it this way...it isn't necessary for us to create intimacy with God (in fact we can't), we just need to experience it.
Yesterday's lesson reminded me of our Church. Not very large, but God uses it in a big way. I think that way we know it is God accomplishing many things.
Great explanation.
I was reading the readings in Phillipians and noticed Paul reached Caeser's household. He mentions the saints in Caeser's household. I knew he went before Caeser, but did not know he reached anyone for Jesus. I just thought that was interesting.
I was reading the reading in Luke this morning and almost jumped out of my seat. Luke 18:1 reads "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always Pray and never give up. "
In other words - Keep Praying Until!!
I am a few days behind in my reading so sorry if everyone has moved past this and on to Ezra.
This morning I read in Matthew 23: 9 where Jesus is saying not to call anyone on earth 'father' for you have only one Father and He is in heaven. It bothers me when I here priests addressed as 'father'. Does anyone know why this is done? I read from two translations and my study Bible notes and there was no comment about this.
I have had it explained to me, but it is still not clear. An explanation would be interesting. Also, I was reading our new reading and it reminded me of things in our country now. The people had turned away from God. It reminded me of a need in this country for God.
Jesus is teaching about attitude and pride and not particular language. He is using hyperbole (exaggeration) to make a point. In v. 7 Jesus indicates that these are not simply terms of endearment, but rather terms of authority that the Pharisees and scribes love to be called. He is warning against desiring admiration and accepting reverence that is only due the Lord.
As for priests being called father...I'm not a fan of it (there are dangers, exactly like the temptations the Pharisees had surrendered too), but the rationale is present in the Bible. Check out 1 Cor 4:14-15. This is one of many passages that describe spiritual relationships in familial terms.
Post a Comment