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4 Things the Bible Should Do

12/15/2014

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Every time you read the Bible, four things should happen.
1. Information - you are informed about something ie. Jesus was born in Bethlehem
2. Illumination - you have more than information, something new has become clearer to you ie: a soft answer turns away anger
3. Revelation - you have truth revealed to you - ie parables about a lost sheep, lost coin and lost sons show that the LORD greatly cares about spiritually lost people being found
4. Transformation - you are changed by what you have read ie: you stay calm during conflicts because you learned that a soft answer turns away anger

Does your Bible reading do these things in your life?
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Not Torturing the Torturers

12/12/2014

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The recently released CIA report released by the Senate Select Committee of Intelligence gave stark details about CIA's interrogation practices. The enhanced techniques were used on suspects held after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The media ranges from outrage to support of the methods, depending on their audience.

I began thinking about the way enemies of Israel were treated in the Old Testament. There was often a brief interrogation followed by a brutal killing of a captured enemy. In light of the 2,996 lives that were lost in the suicide attacks, strong force used on suspects seems justified.

Now, let us consider Jesus' words about treatment of enemies: Do not repay evil for evil. Turn the other cheek. Love your enemies. Quite a contrast from treatment you read God directing kings and leaders in the Old Testament.

What is a biblical response to how the CIA should treat prisoners being interrogated?
You and I are spectators on the sidelines regarding the CIA's techniques.
More importantly, how do you treat those who are in conflict with you at work, school, neighborhood or among your family?
Bitter and brutal or forgiving and loving?
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A Used Cell Phone and a Birth in a Simple Stable

12/10/2014

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The cell phone had worn keypads. It could not delete all the "pocket pictures" it had taken, had no working ring tones and had well scratched screen.  The battery life was short. The recharge port was so worn that you had to position it just right or it would not charge. I was just waiting for it to die.It never did. It has lasted two years longer than I believed it ever would or could last.

Yesterday, I got a newer, free phone. A person at my wife's workplace was throwing their phone away and offered it to her before chucking it. Connie knew it was far better than my current phone, so she brought it home. I transferred my SIM card and am pleased as punch with my "new" phone.

Simple treasures, life's pleasures.
Simplicity is a good thing to seek out during the busy holiday season.
Jesus was born in a simple stable. Mary and Joseph were common people.
Shepherds, who were the blue collar labor force at that time, were the first to see the Messiah.

Jesus did not own land, a business, or a home. He rode on a borrowed burro at His final entrance into Jerusalem.

What would it look like to go simple this year at Christmas?

Less preparation?
Less cleaning?
Less shopping?
Less cooking?


Consider going simpler this Christmas and see if it opens new doors of joy into this holiday season.
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More Christ in Christmas #2 Let's Talk

12/9/2014

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The best way to deepen a relationship is by spending time with one another and talking with one another. The best way to have more Christ in your Christmas is by spending time with Jesus and saying, "Let's Talk".

Max Lucado wonders if Joseph talked to god the night Mary was going into labor. In his book, He Still Moves Stones, Lucado imagines Joseph asking God if this is how the Savior of the world was supposed to enter the world - alone in a stable.

Jesus' disciples saw and heard Jesus praying to the Father. They also knew how the religious leaders prayed with fancy words and repetitious phrases that were said to impress others. The disciples knew that John the Baptizer taught his disciples how to pray and they asked Jesus if He would teach them to pray.

The Lord's Prayer is an example of how to talk to God.
Use Luke 11:1-4 as a template of talking to God this Christmas season.
Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught His disciples to pray."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say: ""Father, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come.
3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.""

An easy way for me to remember to pray is ACTS.
Adoration - Father, You are holy
Confession - forgive me
Thanksgiving - thank you for all you have done
Supply - give me what I need for today

Put more Christ into your Christmas by saying, "Let's Talk" to the Lord every day.
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More Christ in Christmas

12/2/2014

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The push of Christmas shopping, baking, making and preparing for 'the big day' often overshadows the main reason for the season, Jesus. This year, I want more Christ in my Christmas and perhaps you want that also.

I was challenged by a college student who was home over the holiday break a couple years ago. He was working out in the high school weight room where I noticed what I thought was a tatoo on his shoulder. A closer look revealed a welt in the shape an outline of a fish. I asked him to tell me about it and his reply inspired me.

"I grew up going to church and being good for my family. In college, I could be whoever I wanted to be and do whatever I wanted to do. Finally, I told my roommates that either I was going to stop going to stop pretending to be a Christian and go all in or I was going to quit believing in Jesus altogether. all in our out."
The clank of weights seemed to fade as he continued talking.
"My other roommates felt the same way. That day, we committed ourselves to going all out for Jesus. As a way of sealing our promise we had a contest of making the best fish shape out of a wire coat hanger. The winning entry was heated over the flame of our stove until it was red hot and we branded each others arm."

When I think of more Christ in Christmas, I think of the welt branded in the shape of a fish on a young man's shoulder. I am provoked to love deeper, live stronger and be filled with more of Christ in my life.

Perhaps, this is what the apostle Paul is writing about in Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

How intentional is your commitment to having more Christ in Christmas?

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    Mark Radeke

    Husband of one, father of five, pastor and friend of many.

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