| SUMMER Newsletter -- Page 2 |
| Spiritual Blessing of Walking with God Walking with God Refers to a Total Christian Lifestyle "Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."(Colossians 1:10) In the Bible, the word 'walk' often refers to a total lifestyle. In Genesis, Enoch and Noah walked with God. "You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess." (Deuteronomy 5:33) In these references and many more, to walk means simply to conduct oneself or live one's life. There are many instructions in God's Word regarding how to walk and live in order to receive spiritual and material blessings from God. For example, the book of Romans teaches that since believers are raised from death with Jesus Christ, they should walk in newness of life, not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Second Corinthians adds that believers are not to walk with unscrupulous conduct or in any deceitful way, but honestly before God and His people -- by faith and not by sight. Galatians recaps Romans and adds specific details. "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) The spiritual blessings are the nine fruits of the Spirit, very desirable qualities of life which are listed in chapter 5, verses 22 and 23. Ephesians teaches principles of conduct for the model church and uses the word 'walk' more than any other epistle. Chapter 2 begins with the believers past, "those who once walked according to the course of this world, but God saved the believer by His grace, His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Chapters 4 and 5 now implore the believer to "walk worthy of the calling with which you were called" and "no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk but to walk in love as Christ also has loved us" to "walk as children of light"" and to "walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise." Christians have a future with opportunities galore to live positive, productive lives. The mission requires living exemplary lives, unwavering, showing love to all, enlightened and enlightening, being meticulous, perceptive and aware. "Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:10) The epistle of 1 John discusses fellowship with God and how to restore broken fellowship. To "walk in the light" is to think and act in alignment and harmony with God and His will, and to "walk in darkness" is to think and act contrary to the Word of God. "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:6, 7) These verses demand the utmost in personal integrity and speak clearly for themselves. To walk in the light is the key to an invigorating, dynamic and rewarding relationship with the Father. God's Word is truth and implies high standards of His perfection with Jesus Christ being the flawless personification of excellence. Anyone can say they walk with God, but God presents the ultimate test: "He who says he abides in Him [God] ought himself also to walk just as He [Jesus Christ] walked." (1 John 2:6) Jesus is the example by which Christians should measure their lives. Enoch walked with God and Noah walked with God, but Jesus walked with God perfectly, without sin. To "walk just as He walked"" is to live moment by moment, hour by hour, and day by day in obedience to God. Today, Christians can "walk by faith and not by sight," walking by the Spirit, enabled and empowered by God. Jesus is the one to follow, one foot in front of the other, one step at a time. "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12) Written by: Pete Miller |
| The Books of the Bible are Interdependent There is a common phrase among people at Christmastime that Jesus is the "reason for the season." The fact is, Jesus is the reason for everything, especially within each book of the Bible. Each book has a type of scarlet thread running through it; a prophetic message that points to the Messiah. That message brings hope into the lives of all who read it: the promised Seed of Genesis will one day crush the head of the demon dragon of Revelation. But the message does not stop there. Everything that occurs in between consists of history's greatest dramas, adventures and love stories, an amazing journey into the heart of God Almighty. Each book of the Bible is dependent on the others for the overall understanding. No book, or even part of a book, should be skipped, or thought of as insignificant. If God chose to have it written, then there is significance. Second Timothy 3:16-17 states that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work". All of the books of the Bible have a distinct purpose, a unified message, and the seal of authority from God Himself. II Peter 1:20-21 says, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." The written Word -- God's revelation to mankind -- was not fabricated by men who had an inkling to write, and nothing but time on their hands. No one could possibly know the mind of God unless God Himself chose to reveal His thoughts, His ways, His will, and the writers of the Word wrote only what the Spirit of God told them to write. In this manner, God communicated His heart to mankind, to be passed down from generation to generation. The Bible is made up of 66 individual books, written by 40 different writers, over a 1600 year period, all with one Author, God Himself. Each book has a distinct Messianic undercurrent, often in surprising locations. The Promised Seed of Genesis is also the Branch of Righteousness in Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 23:5) The kinsman redeemer of Ruth is a foreshadowing of the Redeemer of the Gospels. The star that was to rise out of David in Numbers is also the King of kings and Lord of lords in Revelation. (Numbers 24:17) No other author could fit together a more intricately detailed collection of writings, all with exact, divine cohesion. One book begins where the previous book ended, though it may have been written many years before. No human could possibly design a literary work with the same depth and accuracy as is found in God's plan of redemption and salvation. Details abound in the Bible like no other piece of literature in all of history. War and Peace, Gone with the Wind, the works of Shakespeare, the Harvard Classics, are all overshadowed by the Word of God. It is a privilege to have such an amazing book. No other book has stirred such division, yet brought such unity; caused such controversy, yet inspired such submission. No other spiritual writing has ever stood the test of time, nor stirred the heart of man like the living Word of God. Written by: Amy Miller |
| A brief Overview of the Most-Read Book in the World As the inspired Word of God, the Bible provides the world with a set of standards and principles to live by. The authors were humans who were divinely guided to write words of eternal truths and to communicate the will of God. The Bible tells of real people who help the world understand right from wrong. The Bible is filled with warnings from prophets, wisdom of God, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and writings from Godly men for the benefit of the church. The following are a few more facts about the most-read book in the world. The Bible has: 66 books from Genesis to Revelations 39 books in the Old Testament 27 books in the New Testament 1,189 chapters in total 929 chapters in the Old Testament 260 chapters in the New Testament 31,173 verses in total 23,214 verses in the Old Testament 7,959 verses in the New Testament The most common word in English Bibles is 'and.' The shortest verse in the Bible is two words: "Jesus wept." (John 11:35) |
THE LORD'S PRAYER
The Lord's Prayer Connects Man with God and Offers Up the Sacrifice of Praise
Prayer was going to be a vital part of the success of the future Apostles. For this reason, Jesus took great care to not only teach them the
message of the gospel, but to teach them how to have a personal and intimate relationship with the Father. He did this by teaching them
how to pray, and how not to pray.
Matthew 6 has a few important “don’ts” about prayer. These instructions were coming against the rituals of the spiritual leaders that had
turned prayer into a public display of empty religion. Jesus instructed his disciples to spend time in prayer in private, not on the street
corners to be seen and praised by men.
God took more delight in secret prayer than in public antics. And verse 7 states, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the
heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He showed them an
example of a prayer. This is what is called the Lord’s Prayer. But it was meant to be an example to follow. It was not meant to be
something to simply memorize and repeat daily without thought. All of these “don’ts” led up to a major “do” for the disciples: to pray.
There was a significant and specific purpose behind the time that Jesus took to teach His disciples about prayer. They were twelve men
that had been hand-picked for an incredible mission. They were one day going to be Apostles who would carry the message of the gospel
throughout Jerusalem, Samaria, Judea, and the world. This was a tough assignment. But it would have been even tougher if they did not
know how to access the power and presence of God. Prayer was going to be their ticket for an ongoing relationship with the Father, and
this relationship was what was going to give them success in their future ministries.
The ministry of the Apostles was based on what is called the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded
you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) They had the responsibility of doing for others what Jesus had done for them for three years: they were to
teach the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. This included leading people to the salvation of the Lord, raising the dead, healing the
sick, following the Word of God, and more.
Gone were the days of observing the things of God from a ritualistic viewpoint. No longer was mankind to stand off to the side while a
priest interceded for them. No more substitutions. No more vain regulations. The time had come for mankind to taste and see that the
Lord is good. It was to be a personal experience. And it began with the Apostles. They had firsthand experience when it came to spending
time with God. Jesus was the Word of God made flesh, the physical representation of everything that God is. And upon His ascension,
Jesus promised a replacement, the Comforter, the Spirit of God that would dwell within their hearts. And through prayer, they had direct
access to the throne of God at any time. They could receive forgiveness, healing, strength, affirmation, provision.
But prayer is not to be just a method of receiving. It is first to be a method of offering the “sacrifices of our lips.” (Hosea 14:2) It is an
opportunity to praise God for the things He has done and to worship Him for who He is. It is true that petition is a part of prayer. But it is
not the heart of it. Honoring God and giving him praise should be at the forefront of every Christian’s mind, for without Him life has no
meaning and no purpose. Outside of the Kingdom of God, there is no hope. But those who understand the value of prayer have the
benefit of entering into the presence of God, and leading others to do the same.
Written by: Amy Miller
The Lord's Prayer Connects Man with God and Offers Up the Sacrifice of Praise
Prayer was going to be a vital part of the success of the future Apostles. For this reason, Jesus took great care to not only teach them the
message of the gospel, but to teach them how to have a personal and intimate relationship with the Father. He did this by teaching them
how to pray, and how not to pray.
Matthew 6 has a few important “don’ts” about prayer. These instructions were coming against the rituals of the spiritual leaders that had
turned prayer into a public display of empty religion. Jesus instructed his disciples to spend time in prayer in private, not on the street
corners to be seen and praised by men.
God took more delight in secret prayer than in public antics. And verse 7 states, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the
heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He showed them an
example of a prayer. This is what is called the Lord’s Prayer. But it was meant to be an example to follow. It was not meant to be
something to simply memorize and repeat daily without thought. All of these “don’ts” led up to a major “do” for the disciples: to pray.
There was a significant and specific purpose behind the time that Jesus took to teach His disciples about prayer. They were twelve men
that had been hand-picked for an incredible mission. They were one day going to be Apostles who would carry the message of the gospel
throughout Jerusalem, Samaria, Judea, and the world. This was a tough assignment. But it would have been even tougher if they did not
know how to access the power and presence of God. Prayer was going to be their ticket for an ongoing relationship with the Father, and
this relationship was what was going to give them success in their future ministries.
The ministry of the Apostles was based on what is called the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded
you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) They had the responsibility of doing for others what Jesus had done for them for three years: they were to
teach the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. This included leading people to the salvation of the Lord, raising the dead, healing the
sick, following the Word of God, and more.
Gone were the days of observing the things of God from a ritualistic viewpoint. No longer was mankind to stand off to the side while a
priest interceded for them. No more substitutions. No more vain regulations. The time had come for mankind to taste and see that the
Lord is good. It was to be a personal experience. And it began with the Apostles. They had firsthand experience when it came to spending
time with God. Jesus was the Word of God made flesh, the physical representation of everything that God is. And upon His ascension,
Jesus promised a replacement, the Comforter, the Spirit of God that would dwell within their hearts. And through prayer, they had direct
access to the throne of God at any time. They could receive forgiveness, healing, strength, affirmation, provision.
But prayer is not to be just a method of receiving. It is first to be a method of offering the “sacrifices of our lips.” (Hosea 14:2) It is an
opportunity to praise God for the things He has done and to worship Him for who He is. It is true that petition is a part of prayer. But it is
not the heart of it. Honoring God and giving him praise should be at the forefront of every Christian’s mind, for without Him life has no
meaning and no purpose. Outside of the Kingdom of God, there is no hope. But those who understand the value of prayer have the
benefit of entering into the presence of God, and leading others to do the same.
Written by: Amy Miller
ABOUT PRAYER...
