5 Reasons To Read The Bible

 

Hey pilgrims…some of us are prepared to read through the New testament in 60 days…In january, many of us plowed through the New testament in 30 days…Although there was not much time afforded to stop and meditate on so much important passages, the benefit was to step back and see a “big picture’ of the New testament gospel message…Starting on Monday, February 28th, we will begin following the reading plan again…If you are interested in receiving daily emails with the passages for each day just contact me  darrelllahay@hotmail.com

It is tragic, and all too obvious that our generation is becoming more and more biblically illiterate. For many wrapped up in modernity, Christianity has been demoted from “The Way” to a mere “spiritual life choice”.  Reading the Bible has become like an elective in Christianity 101..Lame..

Here is a handful of reminders of why reading the Bible is discipline of the greatest importance….

1. It is the only inspired book you will ever read on the earth.

God wrote the Bible. Penned by the faithful under the very guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Scriptures are the reveal the very heart of God. The poetry, chronicles of History, and Prophecies and exhortations are authored specifically for all believers for all time by Jesus Himself. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2. It will grow your faith.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God: Romans 10:17.  As the words of scripture begin to settle in your mind, Your very though life begins to be renewed. Deliverance, healing and encouragement can’t help but happen.

3. It will change your life.

The book of James describes the person who reads the Bible to be like a person who looks in a mirror and see’s their reflection. The bible tells the truth about our nature. It convicts us of sin, shines light into darkness, and exposes the frailty of our humanity. the bible shows us what we really look like, and then challenges us to change into the image of Christ. (James 1:23-25)

4.You will become disciplined

By getting into the “habit” of reading scripture, you develop your spiritual reading muscles. At first, the bible may seem overwhelming in size, archaic in context, and loft in philosophical terms..However, as you press in and read past your comfort zone. the Holy Spirit begins to reveal the truth of scripture to you in ways you never experienced before. Where before there was no appetite, there is now a thirst for the Bible. Reading the bible becomes a “must do” rather than a “I probably should” thing.

5. Jesus expects us read it.

Seriously, if you knew that the creator of the universe took the time to embark on a couple thousand-year writing project and put together a compilation of written works especially designed to instruct, inspire and bless you, why wouldn’t you take time every day to read it?

December 31st | The feast of St. Sylvester

 

Today is Decemebr 31st. New year’s Eve. the beginning of a new year, and a chance to celebrate for many. Around the world, to many who acknowledge various liturgical calendars, today is the feast day of someone a little less popular than Father Time..

Sylvester was ordained bishop over the church in Rome in the year 314.  This Christian brother served the church at a time when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism had provoked great discord. After the peace of Constantine, he contributed greatly to the expansion of the faith throughout the Roman world.. Below is a reading I borrowed from a Catholic Missal:

Collect:
Lord,
help and sustain Your people
as in the days of Bishop Sylvester.
Guide us always in this present life
and bring us to the joy that never ends.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the fountains, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I Myself will be the shepherd of My sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The Church Of The Future…..

Dr. Ted Roberts is an american pastor, and also the founder of Pure Desire Ministries. I have been reading his book and came across this great, straight forward statement on the church…If you are a Pilgrim, well, c’mon and check it out…

“Therefore, the Church of the future, if it is to be effective, must become a place of practical grace. It must be a place where hope is the dominant theme, and denial, especially religious pretending, is nowhere in sight. That’s a challenge for those in leadership, because personal vulnerability is the key issue. Leadership must be characterized by personal honesty that is open and forthright about their own struggles, yet at the same time able to speak from personal experience of the overwhelming victory available in Christ. In other words, servant-leadership will need to be New Testament to the core.”

What do you think the Church of the future should look be like? Leave a comment.

about pain..

“Pain won’t kill you. It will only put lines on your face.”  

                                                 D.D. Lahay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some counsel from the Didache

I’ve been reading through the Didache today (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didache)

Also, known as the Teaching of The Twelve Apostles, this early Christian liturature, likely penned around 100AD, contains, devotional instruction that echoes the Pauline Epitles, as well as a manual for church functions. here is a quick excerpt for you to meditate on:

“By day and by night, my son, remember him who speaks the word of God to
you. Give him the honour you would give the Lord; for wherever the Lord’s
attributes are the subject of discourse, there the Lord is present.
Frequent the company of the saints daily, so as to be edified by their
conversation. Never encourage dissensions, but try to make peace between
those who are at variance. Judge with justice, reprove without fear or
favour, and never be in two minds about your decisions.”

 

 

Happy John The Baptist Day!

Hey Pilgrims!

Here is a quick devotional I found. It makes for a great little read on John The Baptist Day. Enjoy.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Thursday (June 24): “For the hand of the Lord was with him”

Scripture: Luke 1:57-66,80  (alternate reading: Matthew 7:21-29)

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 58 And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechari’ah after his father, 60 but his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your kindred is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all marveled. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him. 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Meditation: Birthdays are a special time to remember and give thanks for the blessings that have come our way. Are you grateful for the ways that God has worked in your life, even from your birth? In many churches of the East and West the birth of John the Baptist is remembered on this day. The friends of Zechariah and Elizabeth marveled at the wonderful way in which God blessed them with a child. This child was destined by God for an important mission. The last verses in the last book of the Old Testament, taken from the prophet Malachi, speak of the Lord’s messenger, the prophet Elijah who will return to “turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6). We see the beginning of the fulfillment of this word when the Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah the marvelous birth and mission of John the Baptist (Luke 1:17). When this newly born child was about to be named, as customary on the eighth day, his relatives quibbled over what name to give him. (Don’t relatives today often do the same when the time comes for naming a newborn?) This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means “the Lord is gracious”. In the birth of John and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin and without hope. John’s miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist’s life was fueled by one burning passion – to point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of God’s kingdom. Scripture tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15, 41) by Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John lept in the womb of Elizabeth as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John and made him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. John was led by the Spirit into the wilderness prior to his ministry where he was tested and grew in the word of God. John’s clothing was reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (see Kings 1:8). John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries when he began to speak the word of God to the people of Israel. His message was similar to the message of the Old Testament prophets who chided the people of God for their unfaithfulness and who tried to awaken true repentance in them. Among a people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to awaken their interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them enough good will to recognize and receive Christ when he came.

What is the significance of John the Baptist and his message for our lives? When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith come “alive” to his promises. Each and every day the Lord is ready to renew us in faith, hope, and love. Like John the Baptist, the Lord invites each of us to make our life a free-will offering to God. God wants to fill us with his glory all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you.

“Lord Jesus, you bring hope and salvation to a world lost in sin, despair, and suffering. Let your grace refresh and restore your people today in the hope and joy of your great victory over sin and death.”

Psalm 139:1-3,13-15

1 O LORD, thou hast searched me and known me!
2 Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; thou discernest my thoughts from afar.
3 Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
13 For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are thy works!  Thou knowest me right well;
15 my frame was not hidden from thee, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.

---

Go to | Daily Reading & Meditation Index |
 (c) 2010 Don Schwager

Tertullian. A Church father’s words on marriage and the role of women in the Church

I was reading some of the writings of Tertullian. Here is a blurb from Wikipedia about him.

Tertullian (ca. 160 – ca. 220 A.D.)^[1], was a prolific early Christian Berber author^[2] and the first to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature. He also was a notable early Christian apologist and a polemicist against heresy. Tertullian has been called “the father of Latin Christianity”.^[3]

Though conservative, he did originate and advance new theology to the early Church. He is perhaps most famous for being the oldest extant Latin writer to use the term Trinity (Latin trinitas),^[4] and giving the oldest extant formal exposition of a Trinitarian theology.^[5]. Other Latin formulations that first appear in his work are “three Persons, one Substance”

I was struck by some of his words in a letter he wrote to his wife. I believe it paints a great picture of Christian love in the context of marriage, and I also believe it provides a great reminder of the important role of women in the church. I will include some of the excerpts below for you to ponder.

PS: If anyone has any opinions on the role of women in the church, or has concerns about women as leaders, I welcome your feedback. I believe that their are some erroneous ideas out there, and that women have been misrepresented and have been denied some God-given destiny within the Body of Christ. I welcome your comments and encourage some healthy, open bible discussion about this topic. Now, here’s Tertullian:

THE BEAUTY OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

How shall we ever be able adequately to describe the happiness of that marriage which the Church arranges, the Sacrifice strengthens, upon which the blessing sets a seal, at which angels are present as witnesses, and to which the Father gives His consent? For not even on earth do children marry properly and legally without their fathers’ permission.

How beautiful, then, the marriage of two Christians, two who are one in hope, one in desire, one in the way of life they follow, one in the religion they practice. They are as brother and sister, both servants of the same Master. Nothing divides them, either in flesh or in spirit. They are, in very truth, two in one flesh; and where there is but one flesh there is also but one spirit. They pray together, they worship together, they fast together; instructing one another, encouraging one another, strengthening one another. Side by side they visit God’s church and partake of God’s Banquet; side by side they face difficulties and persecution, share their consolations. They have no secrets from one another; they never shun each other’s company; they never bring sorrow to each other’s hearts. Unembarrassed they visit the sick and assist the needy. They give alms without anxiety; they attend the Sacrifice without difficulty; they perform their daily exercises of piety without hindrance. They need not be furtive about making the Sign of the Cross, nor timorous in greeting the brethren, nor silent in asking a blessing of God. Psalms and hymns they sing to one another, striving to see which one of them will chant more beautifully the praises of their Lord. Hearing and seeing this, Christ rejoices. To such as these He gives His peace. Where there are two together, there also He is present; and where He is, there evil is not.

shalom | pastor Darrell

A Cloak, Scrolls, and Parchments

“The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”

2 Timothy 4:13

 

I love this verse because it shows the humanity of Saint Paul. After all of his treatment of theology, and ministerial conduct, he makes some very personal requests to Timothy, his son in the faith. I want to quickly highlight these three items paul was requesting and tie them in to three suggestions for any Pilgrim..

Bring me my cloak….

I’m sure that the prison Paul was living in at the time was not one the more comfortable ones that he had enjoyed in Caesarea. It was cold, drafty, and damp. And dark as Paul assuredly read and wrote by candle light. Paul made a humble request to have his cloak. This was a very practical need. The cloak would keep him warm, and healthy. Paul realized the importance of caring for his own body, as the temple of the Holy Spirit. For if his body was sick and debilitated, so too would his study and writing suffer. Pilgrim: take care of your body! 

Bring me my books……

Paul was acquainted with literature of his day. There are many instances in scripture where paul refers to songs, or poetry, or philosophy. Paul was a learned man. We are not certain what these scrolls exactly contained. But safe to say, Paul knew the value of not just writing, but reading and studying. Pilgrims; fill your mind with good books. Don’t waste your time with nonsense or easily digestible “junk media”. Instead, choose good authors, let good books speak into your life. Feed the mind and imagination God gave you by developing a love for reading..

Especially the parchments..

This for Paul, meant the old Testament, with which he was profusely familiar. Study of the Word must never be neglected. Pilgrims, let us not allow ourselves, or another generation to become biblically illiterate! The Word of God is a treasure of promises, lessons, and life-line passages of wisdom. If you love God, you must love His word..

 

 

Three simple reminders…bless you Pilgrims

much love|pd

visit the C’mon Pilgrim website:

www.darrelllahay.wordpress.com

 

 

 

 

burnt?

Tonnes of stuff can be written on the subject of “burn out”. For those of you in the people business, especially ministry, this is a subject worth investigating.

I meet with a large group of local pastors from my community once a month. This last week, 20 or so pastors and myself were privileged to sit under the teaching of Dr. John Auxier. John is the acting president of Trinity Western University, as well as a very qualified and gifted christian counselor.

He shared many items on the danger signs and preventative measures around the area of ministry “burn out”. Below are some of those points I’ve chosen to highlight and briefly expand on..

1. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

God designed your body very specifically. You must get away from the ‘greek’ idea that your physical body is totally separate from your soul and spirit. The truth is closer to a ‘hebraic’ understanding that your body is so interconnected that it operates as one thing. Listen to what your body is reflecting about your spiritual and emotional condition. How is your sleep? too little? Or too much? Are you experiencing aches and pains? emotional highs and lows? Over eating? Poor nutrition? You may be experiencing an overwhelming amount of stress and anger. Pay attention..God may be telling you something through your physical state.

2. LISTEN TO YOUR SPOUSE

Husbands, wives; listen to your partners. God has a tendency to confirm his will through the accord of  a husband and wife. Usually the first person to know about, or suffer from, our faltering burn out state, is our spouse. People, put stock into what your partner says. They care about you, and God may be speaking through them about your condition.

3. LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS

This is along the same vein as listening to your spouse. Hopefully, as a pastor or christian worker, you have a group of people in your life who care about you, and have your best interest in mind. if you don’t have such a group, find one! Listen to them, be honest with them, and prayerfully consider what objective clues they can give you about the shape you are in.

4. FILL THE TANK

As ministers, you may be tempted to be a person who is always “pouring out” and not so much, “pouring in”. I cannot adequately stress the importance of refreshing yourself with Bible Study and meditation, prayer, worship, recreation and hobbies, expression, rest,  or continued education. There are so many great Christian books on leadership, ministry, family, finances, sex, health, and special interests. remember, you cannot give away, what you don’t have..

I hope these things help. Feel free to comment if there is anything you may want to add to this list..

Tyranny Of The Urgent!

This little book is a gem! It was given to me by a pastor years ago, and I have read through it a few times. I intend to pass it on to others. Let me share a blurbious minimus from page eight:

What was the secret of Jesus’ work? we find a clue following Mark’s account of Jesus’ busy day. mark observes that “…in the morning, a great while before day, He rose and went out to a lonely place, and there He prayed” (MARK 1:35). Here is the secret of Jesus’ life and work for God: He prayerfully waited for His father’s instructions and for the strength to follow them. Jesus had no divinely drawn blueprint; He discerned the Father’s will day by day in a life of prayer. By this means He warded off the urgent and accomplished the important.