The Inspired Word of God

Luke 11:28

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

Our denomination has a number of issues. One of the issues we seem to have is a different understanding of the Bible. For me – it is very clear – the Bible is the inspired – inerrant – infallible Word of God.

For some – the Bible is a good book where God’s Word can be found. Those who believe this way also think new revelations – new experiences – can supersede the Bible. The Mormons – for instance – believe the Book of Mormon supersedes the Bible. Others believe that the Holy Spirit is giving new revelation that supersedes the written Word. Of course – I do not agree with these understandings. I believe that the Holy Spirit will help us understand the written Word of God and that no revelation from the Holy Spirit will conflict with the written Word of God. The Holy Spirit will remind us of the teachings of Jesus and continue to teach us – but not in a new revelation that is contrary to the written Word.

I was communicating on social media the other day with someone who sees things different than I do. This person used to attend a church where I served. We have remained friends over the years – even though we differ – a great deal – on certain positions of the church.

The Bible is the Word of God. John records Jesus putting it this way – John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

God Must Be Shaking His Head

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Create in me a pure heart. The elections always test our society. Some people are extreme to the left and some to the right. Some cannot stand opposing opinions. If one party wins the Presidency or gains seats in Congress – some will gloat. The other party typically does the same if they win or gain seats. I – personally – have a hard time with anyone who simply votes one party. I also don’t appreciate politicians that simply vote with their party. I wish we could vote for who we believe will do the best for our country – rather than simply for a party. Ideology is one thing – what is best for our country – might trump ideology. No one party has the right answers on every issue. Oh – what God could do if the people of America had a pure heart – to vote and to lead. God must be shaking His head – not only with Americans – but with the whole world.

Create in me a pure heart. The United Methodist Church is dealing with a schism. Part of the issue is that the denomination has a deep divide between the progressives and the orthodox members and clergy. We have a Book of Discipline – but currently – some are picking and choosing what they wish to follow and hold others accountable to it seems. Rules are meant to be followed – or changed if you can get the majority to support the change. Rules are not to be ignored or trampled upon. Calling a meeting for holy conferencing and then declaring God wasn’t present when the vote doesn’t go your way is less than genuine. I’m sure there are some issues where we could come to agreement. I’m sure the progressives or the orthodox folks don’t have all the right answers. Oh – what God could do if the people of the UMC – members – pastors – bishops and others had a pure heart – to vote and to lead. God must be shaking His head – not simply at the Methodists – but have you seen lately just how many denominations there are in the world (many Christian by name)?

A Pure Heart

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I love the Psalms and today’s verse is one of my favorites. Here it is in partial context.  Psalms 51:1-12 – ¹ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. ² Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. ³ For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. ⁵ Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. ⁶ Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. ⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. ⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. ⁹ Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. ¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. ¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

This week I have been trying to stay away from negative people and negative situations. My wife encourages me – almost everyday – to be loving and positive. It hasn’t been easy – and I have to accept part of the blame. Not only have I run into negative people this week – but I have not always been positive myself – and part of the reason is my heart (not the blood pump but my inner self). So – I pray this morning – and often – for a clean heart. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Full Of Grace

Colossians 4:6

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Rarely do we all agree on everything. I’ve been married nearly 42 years and I believe my wife and I are a good match – but – we don’t agree on everything. As a matter of fact – there are quite a few things where we do not agree – yet we try to be full of grace when we talk to each other. We can differ on things and still be full of grace.

Rarely do we all agree on everything. I have a friend named Bob. We agree on a lot of things. We attend the same church and the same Bible Study – and we agree on a lot. But – when it comes to baseball – he is a Yankee fan and I root for the Orioles. We’re even going to a game together soon – when the two teams play at Camden Yards. I hope we can root for our teams and be full of grace toward each other. We can differ on things and still be full of grace.

Rarely do we all agree on everything. I try to watch various news shows/reports. I get several reports online. I read them and try to make my own decision about things. But – it is so hard these days – because the news is so full of political slants. If we watch FOX News and CNN for instance – we might think they were reporting on different worlds. One seems to be very conservative – and one seems to be very liberal – traditional and progressive – right and left – even (sorry for the political view here) Republican and Democrat. How about just the news? How about telling us the story without your political slant? How about being full of grace – even for subjects or people you do not agree with – even in the least? We can differ on things and still be full of grace.

Can God Heal Our Nation?

John 3:16-17

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

It is no secret – I like golf. Golf just doesn’t always like me. I can play nine holes at par or close to it and on the next nine holes – I can shoot 9 over.

I enjoy playing golf and the friends with whom I play. Some say – golf is a good walk in the outdoors – spoiled. Not me! I love the nature in golf – but I also like the game itself. I plan to improve my game in retirement (like I inter every year). With my weight loss and knees feeling some better – I plan to get back to walking the course too. I usually play better when I walk the course – and the weight loss (36 pounds from my max with more to come) should help. I’d like to play in the 70’s (not the temperature folks) on a regular basis. I’ve shot a few rounds in the 70’s this summer. this summer on a regular basis. Last summer I didn’t hit the 70’s at all and played mostly in the mid 80’s. We shall see! I shot an 75 a few weeks ago.

I do what some think the most boring thing imaginable – I watch golf on TV (I’d rather be playing – but I do enjoy a good match on TV from time-to-time). When you watch golf – many times in the crowd around a tee-box – you see someone with a sign that simply says John 3:16. The assumption is that most people know what that verse says – or maybe it will cause them to go and look it up. It is part of this morning’s passage. John 3:16-17 – ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.