Everywhere in our country the healthcare debate continues to rage. I recently heard a commentator ask, rhetorically, “What would Jesus say?” As he continued, he stated that Jesus did not ask for health insurance cards, that He was not concerned with people paying Him for healing, and that He did not turn anyone away. As the political environment has changed in this country, it has become necessary for believers to address political subjects because we carry a banner of righteousness that must not be furled and put away for the sake of political correctness or avoiding offense. As to what Jesus would say, I do not know. I am not Him. However, I do know what His Word says. This radio commentator was “concerned” with the helpless, the sick and those who are unable to help themselves.
Immediately, my spirit rose up within me and I wanted to ask him, what about the unborn? Jesus usually looks past the whiners, the complainers, and those with an agenda to the truly helpless and those who are truly unable to help themselves. I do not know what Jesus would say, but I know from scripture, that while He loves me, He must be more concerned right now with the slaughter of innocents than with the structure of my health plan.
In Genesis 4:10, God, confronting Cain over the murder of Abel, tells him, “Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground.” God does not mention hearing Abel’s cries, but does say that He hears Abel’s blood crying out. Those of you who hurt over the abortions in this country, I assure you that God hears the cry of their blood and He is not ignoring it. We know that the blood of the innocent has God’s ear because Hebrews chapter twenty-four says that the blood of Christ cries even louder than that of Abel’s.
Leviticus 17:14 states, “the life of any creature is in its blood.” An embryo, a child in the womb, has a blood line. This goes beyond the physical. The fetal baby’s blood connection is spiritual as well as physical. The blood has a spiritual quality to it. That is why God hears the cries of the blood of the innocent.
What would Christ say in our current healthcare debate? Maybe He would look past the debaters. Maybe He would look past conservative and liberal. Maybe while the healthcare debate is important to Him (because it is important to his children) He would recoil at the notion of being dragged into the political facade.
Maybe He would address the innocent whose blood cries out to Him and say, “I alone created your inner being. I knitted you together inside your mother. Your bones were not hidden from me when you were being made in secret. Every day of your life was recorded in my book before one of them had taken place. How precious are my thoughts concerning you” (Paraphrased from Psalm 139).
-Pastor Jason Greene
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
On How to Study the Bible...
Or, What You've Been Missing on Wednesday Nights...
Over the past few months I've been teaching a class on how to study the Bible. What follows is a summary of that class, in case you weren't able to make it.
First, here is a basic outline of steps for studying a passage:
Studying a passage:
I. Find a passage - find something that sticks out to you, whether it’s confusing or compelling. Try to focus on a few verses. Usually the size of a paragraph is about perfect. Normally, your Bible will indicate a paragraph break by the verse number being in bold text.
Example: 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (In this example verse 9 demonstrates a paragraph break by the number 9 being in bold text)
I. Forget everything you know about it (and everything related to it) - It’s important that we don’t just reinforce our beliefs, but rather allow the text to confront or confirm them. This is both the most difficult and most important part of the process. We are not studying the Bible to support our existing ideas, but to discover it's meaning (even if it contradicts our existing beliefs).
II. Read the text - focus on becoming familiar with it’s tone, only taking notes on what sticks out the most to you.
III. Read the text again - Take notes.
IV. Read the larger context - Take notes. By this I mean read the surrounding texts. Try to read the entire book, but in the event that it is too lengthy (Isaiah, Psalms, etc) read a few chapters ahead, and a few chapters after.
V. Read the text one more time – Now that you have a good idea of the passage, and it's context, you are better suited to determine which words and phrases are worthy of further research.
VI. Research Key Words and Phrases – using whatever resources at your disposal, study the aspects of the texts that you have determined to be relevant in step VI.
Here's a list of resources: All range from $18-25 a piece.
Dictionary of Paul and his Letters → Has entries pertaining to anything to do with Paul.
Bible Background Commentary → Has Cultural and Historical information sorted by Bible Reference
Finally, here's some advice about Bible study.
I. Study authors in scripture that have written multiple parts of the Bible.
1. Paul wrote everything from Romans to Philemon
2. Luke wrote both The Gospel of Luke and Acts
3. John wrote The Gospel of John, I-III John, and Revelation
It helps to study these authors, because it's easier to establish their vocabulary. By that I mean we can see how they use particular words in particular contexts. The additional material helps us better understand the author, and therefore better understand their intended meaning.
I. Study the New Testament.
II. - I am not saying the Old Testament isn't relevant. It is actually incredibly relevant. However, it's easy to be discouraged studying the Old Testament, because it is more foreign by nature, and therefore harder to understand than the New Testament. Once you gain some confidence in Bible study from the New Testament, move on to the Old Testament. Also, once you are more familiar to the Theology of the New Testament, you will have a better appreciation for the Old Testament.
-Ryan Lytton
Over the past few months I've been teaching a class on how to study the Bible. What follows is a summary of that class, in case you weren't able to make it.
First, here is a basic outline of steps for studying a passage:
Studying a passage:
I. Find a passage - find something that sticks out to you, whether it’s confusing or compelling. Try to focus on a few verses. Usually the size of a paragraph is about perfect. Normally, your Bible will indicate a paragraph break by the verse number being in bold text.
Example: 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (In this example verse 9 demonstrates a paragraph break by the number 9 being in bold text)
I. Forget everything you know about it (and everything related to it) - It’s important that we don’t just reinforce our beliefs, but rather allow the text to confront or confirm them. This is both the most difficult and most important part of the process. We are not studying the Bible to support our existing ideas, but to discover it's meaning (even if it contradicts our existing beliefs).
II. Read the text - focus on becoming familiar with it’s tone, only taking notes on what sticks out the most to you.
III. Read the text again - Take notes.
IV. Read the larger context - Take notes. By this I mean read the surrounding texts. Try to read the entire book, but in the event that it is too lengthy (Isaiah, Psalms, etc) read a few chapters ahead, and a few chapters after.
V. Read the text one more time – Now that you have a good idea of the passage, and it's context, you are better suited to determine which words and phrases are worthy of further research.
VI. Research Key Words and Phrases – using whatever resources at your disposal, study the aspects of the texts that you have determined to be relevant in step VI.
Here's a list of resources: All range from $18-25 a piece.
Dictionary of Paul and his Letters → Has entries pertaining to anything to do with Paul.
Bible Background Commentary → Has Cultural and Historical information sorted by Bible Reference
Finally, here's some advice about Bible study.
I. Study authors in scripture that have written multiple parts of the Bible.
1. Paul wrote everything from Romans to Philemon
2. Luke wrote both The Gospel of Luke and Acts
3. John wrote The Gospel of John, I-III John, and Revelation
It helps to study these authors, because it's easier to establish their vocabulary. By that I mean we can see how they use particular words in particular contexts. The additional material helps us better understand the author, and therefore better understand their intended meaning.
I. Study the New Testament.
II. - I am not saying the Old Testament isn't relevant. It is actually incredibly relevant. However, it's easy to be discouraged studying the Old Testament, because it is more foreign by nature, and therefore harder to understand than the New Testament. Once you gain some confidence in Bible study from the New Testament, move on to the Old Testament. Also, once you are more familiar to the Theology of the New Testament, you will have a better appreciation for the Old Testament.
-Ryan Lytton
Friday, August 21, 2009
What are you looking for?
Little thought today is given to wisdom. Our world looks at outward beauty, fame, position and many other things.
In Job 28:12 “Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live? No mortal knows where it is. It cannot be found in this world of the living…15 You cannot obtain it with solid gold or buy it for any amount of silver…20 “Where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live? It is hidden from the eyes of every living being, hidden from the birds in the air. Decay and death say, ‘We’ve heard rumor about it.’ “God understands the way of it. He knows where it lives because he can see to the ends of the earth and observe everything under heaven…28 ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.’”
What are you searching for today; the things that will soon decay, silver, gold, or position? I challenge you today ask the Lord to help you to find His wisdom. Then find someone to share it with.
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom.
James 1:5 If any lack wisdom let him ask.
James 3:17 Wisdom from above is pure
Praise God He shares His wisdom to us!
-Carolyn Hanneman
In Job 28:12 “Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live? No mortal knows where it is. It cannot be found in this world of the living…15 You cannot obtain it with solid gold or buy it for any amount of silver…20 “Where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live? It is hidden from the eyes of every living being, hidden from the birds in the air. Decay and death say, ‘We’ve heard rumor about it.’ “God understands the way of it. He knows where it lives because he can see to the ends of the earth and observe everything under heaven…28 ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.’”
What are you searching for today; the things that will soon decay, silver, gold, or position? I challenge you today ask the Lord to help you to find His wisdom. Then find someone to share it with.
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom.
James 1:5 If any lack wisdom let him ask.
James 3:17 Wisdom from above is pure
Praise God He shares His wisdom to us!
-Carolyn Hanneman
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
More of the Word...
I have been teaching from the book of Mark chapters 1-3. Learning and receiving from my students is a blessing. We have been looking at Jesus' Authority (power, right, and privilege) in preaching, teaching, forgiving sins, healing diseases, casting out demonic spirits, and being Lord of the Sabbath.
Our Sunday is a day of worship, rest and refreshing. Or minds, emotions, and body need rest and refreshing. Our spirits and mind need renewal and instruction from the Word. Should we not submit to Jesus' authority in our lives?
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 says, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
Romans 12:1,2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed my the RENEWING of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God."
Yes, I LOVE the WORD!!!
Psalm 119:48 says, "My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I love; and I will meditate in Thy statutes."
Psalm 63:4 says, "Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy Name."
The Word is not boring!
Jesus said in John 6:63, "My Words are spirit and life..."
Thanks for reading.
I love you.
Are you submitted and committed to Jesus???
- Jean Ratcliffe
Adult Bible Teacher
Our Sunday is a day of worship, rest and refreshing. Or minds, emotions, and body need rest and refreshing. Our spirits and mind need renewal and instruction from the Word. Should we not submit to Jesus' authority in our lives?
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 says, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
Romans 12:1,2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed my the RENEWING of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God."
Yes, I LOVE the WORD!!!
Psalm 119:48 says, "My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I love; and I will meditate in Thy statutes."
Psalm 63:4 says, "Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy Name."
The Word is not boring!
Jesus said in John 6:63, "My Words are spirit and life..."
Thanks for reading.
I love you.
Are you submitted and committed to Jesus???
- Jean Ratcliffe
Adult Bible Teacher
Monday, August 10, 2009
Reliance on God vs. Relaince on conventional wisdom...
I was driving home from work one day, and felt confident that God was asking me to buy a lottery ticket. I didn’t feel as though it was a command. It seemed more like a suggestion. Being ever curious, I pulled off at the next exit and purchased a $1 scratch ticket. To my surprise, I won $1. I marveled at the ‘chances’. While walking towards my car, I considered buying a second ticket. I walked back into the store and purchased one more $1 scratcher. This one yielded no financial gain. As I walked to my car, $1 poorer, I asked God why he suggested I pull off the road. He spoke to me clearly, “I wanted to remind you that I can and will provide for you when it is needed.”
My wife and I both recently took heavy pay cuts to move to Virginia. Most people assume that the cost of living difference is substantial enough to compensate for our lost wages. It isn’t. I suppose we were both left better jobs than we realized at the time. Conventional wisdom would dictate that we stay where the money is. Post-move, that same wisdom would declare our decision a mistake, a worthy candidate for regret. Conventional wisdom would then be wrong. We followed the voice of the Lord. He wanted us out here. Since we’ve been here, I’ve visited family I haven’t seen in 10 years. I’ve spent quality time with family that has since gone on to be with Jesus. Moving out here has been the correct decision for us.
I don’t say all this to defend our decisions to you, but rather to encourage you to loosen your reliance on conventional wisdom. Not everything that looks good is good. Not everything that looks bad is bad. God uses circumstances in our lives to bring about His will, whether it is a lottery ticket, or a cross-country move. He doesn’t always make sense to us, but it is always worth the investment.
-Ryan Lytton
My wife and I both recently took heavy pay cuts to move to Virginia. Most people assume that the cost of living difference is substantial enough to compensate for our lost wages. It isn’t. I suppose we were both left better jobs than we realized at the time. Conventional wisdom would dictate that we stay where the money is. Post-move, that same wisdom would declare our decision a mistake, a worthy candidate for regret. Conventional wisdom would then be wrong. We followed the voice of the Lord. He wanted us out here. Since we’ve been here, I’ve visited family I haven’t seen in 10 years. I’ve spent quality time with family that has since gone on to be with Jesus. Moving out here has been the correct decision for us.
I don’t say all this to defend our decisions to you, but rather to encourage you to loosen your reliance on conventional wisdom. Not everything that looks good is good. Not everything that looks bad is bad. God uses circumstances in our lives to bring about His will, whether it is a lottery ticket, or a cross-country move. He doesn’t always make sense to us, but it is always worth the investment.
-Ryan Lytton
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