Prayer etc.

As I ready for a Tues AM departure on Sept. 1, I thank God for a season of transition these last two months. I thank Him for His provision of a restful place to lodge, and for the opportunity to visit my declining mother many times. I am grateful for all the individuals, families and groups I have had the privilege and joy of interacting with this summer. Today marked one last hurrah until I return (God willing) to NE in the spring. Our Lord brought saints together from four different home groups in the greater Boston area to a park in Cambridge, MA. Most had not met previously but our membership in God's family as brothers or sisters of Christ provided a quick rapport. I am encouraged by this beginning and pray that it will lead to closer relational bonds between these saints.

If I may request anything from you, it is your prayers. In many ways this represents uncharted territory for me. In other ways I feel like God has created me for this specific ministry. Pray I will fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. (Heb. 12:2) and point others towards Him. Pray that I am responsive to the Holy Spirit, speaking when I should, listening when I should, praying often. May I glean from those I encounter so that I can pass that on to others. May I walk in the balance of love and truth with humility of heart and mind.
May our God bless all of you abundantly in His love and grace.

Crest of the Wave

Having just returned from three days of visiting saints in Rhode Island, Maine and Mass. I feel like i am on the crest of a huge wave of God's anointing. What incredible fulfillment to sense that one is right where God wants one, doing those good works He has prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Instead of trying to make things happen, I am experiencing God doing it, such a natural flow of sensing when to listen, when to speak, what to say, what not to say. As I interacted with individuals, families and groups, I had a stronger sense than ever before of how precious God's family is to Him. What makes this more amazing is the fact that I had not met most of these brethren before, or had only met them once.
Some highlights: Listening to the testimony of a young woman who was going to receive baptism the next day- watching the wonder & delight of people receiving revelation from God- seeing the Holy Spirit stirring up people's hearts- hearing a brother tell me that he had grown two years in the Lord in the last two months. I am reminded of a family whose son had grown up in Florida and then moved to Maine when he was six or seven, and the wonder that he expressed on seeing and feeling snow for the first time. That's how I feel as i watch Jesus working in people's lives.

God yearns for us to know Him as He knows us. I believe that our personal relationship with God is the essence of true Christianity. Like everything else in the Christian life, it is appropriated by faith. Three major things hinder or block our relationship with God. If we don't truly believe that God loves us personally then we will have no incentive to even try to know Him. Why would we want a relationship with anyone if we don't believe that they care for us? The second problem is sin/disobedience. In essence, by sinning, we are saying to God that we really don't want the relationship, that we would rather go it alone. The third is ignorance of God's revelation of Himself in the Scripture. Although God can and does reveal Himself to us in many ways, the Bible is the most reliable and comprehensive. (Your word is truth in John 17:17) He has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. (John 16:13) It is through reading and study of the Word that God convinced me, after many years, that He did love me more than I can comprehend or imagine.

Because people continue to ask me about it, I have expanded my response to the question, "How is your ministry supported," the third in the section Frequently Asked Questions, found elsewhere in this blog. God has provided a means for people to give anonymously if they desire.

Your prayers are needed and appreciated. When one becomes fruitful, it attracts our adversary's attention. i anticipate attack, but "The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Jesus and His people

I believe that those who are adopted into the family of God have three primary relationships. The first is a personal relationship with God. The second is with the believers with whom we fellowship on any regular basis (spouse/family/friends/local church etc.). The third is with the Body of Christ as a whole. When we move from theory to practice I find that the second one usually outweighs the other two by a considerable margin. This results in severe problems. As I continue in my walk I discover that most believers have had what I call the "inevitable bad church experience." Let me hasten to say that this can happen just as easily in a house church as in a traditional one. Some people have had multiple bad church encounters in which they felt, rightly or wrongly, that they had suffered marginalization, mistreatment or even abuse. Many people's faith does not survive. They may reject Christ outright, they may have private interaction with Him that no one else really knows about, or they may travel from one setting to the next searching for a "good" church.
Drawing from my own lengthy experience in this, and observation of many others over the decades, may I suggest the following. We will never have a healthy relationship with anyone if we don't have one with God first. Instead of expecting individuals or groups to fulfill our needs, heal our wounds, and help us live fruitful, blessed lives, we need to abide in Christ first. People will always disappoint us. In the last ten years or so, I have made it a practice to say to people with whom I am becoming friends, that i won't meet their expectations. that I will offend them or do or say something I shouldn't simply because of my humanity. In contrast, God, if properly understood, will never disappoint although we may not get what we desire.
If we cultivate a relationship with Jesus, then we will desire to share that with others who know Him. We will want to give (in a multitude of ways) what God has given to us. Sadly, most Christians attempt to receive from God's people what only He can give. I did it for a long time.

Two Weeks Away

In two weeks, God willing, I hit the road for full time itinerant ministry. Jesus has blessed me with a two month transitional period, an opportunity to recharge spiritually, receive physical rest, and handle logistical details. In addition to fellowship with a number of individuals and families, I have had the blessing of gathering with groups of saints in Manchester, Enfield, Stafford Springs, Waterford, Willimantic, and Lebanon Connecticut; Monson, Boxborough, Whitinsville, Sutton, Cambridge and Medford, Massachusetts, and in Rhode Island. Future anticipated stops before I depart include home gatherings in R. I. and Maine.
I am truly appreciative of all the help and encouragement I have received from numerous people in this time. From Bible studies to meals to help with technology, and much else, the saints have stepped forward to minister to my needs. I am particularly thankful for all the encouragement you have given me with regard to this blog. A number of brethren have indicated that God has used it to minister to you.
Looking to the future, the best way to help is through prayer. I won't bear good fruit without it. The major ongoing problem resides in my technological illiteracy. For example, I seem to have lost 2 computer documents that I access on a regular basis. The other major request is that i hear and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Let me know your prayer needs as well. I believe that will comprise a significant portion of the ministry. Abiding in Christ, rick

The Prayers of Paul

One of the most fruitful studies I have ever done explored Paul's recorded NT prayers. I find it instructive to reflect on the differences between how we pray and how he did. One strength of a participatory gathering comes from praying for one another. The saints that I visit make it a point to discover the needs and intercede to God for them. However, the majority of these focus on health issues or other personal needs. While I believe this valid- the apostles prayed for people and saw them healed- I think it incomplete. Even granting that most of Paul's epistles were written to groups of saints. I think a perusal of his prayers yields a different perspective.
For example, in Romans 1: 8-12 we see him writing that he thanks God for their faith, proclaimed throughout the world. He asks that he may impart spiritual gifts to them, and for mutual encouragement. Romans 15:5-6 asks God that the Romans might live in harmony with one another, so that they may glorify Him together. In 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 Paul thanks God that the Corinthians were enriched in all speech and knowledge. 2 Cor. 13:7-9 expresses the hope that the Corinthians will do what they should.
An expanded prayer beginning in Ephesians 1:15 asks that God may give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that the Ephesians may know the hope to which they are called, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of his power towards those who believe. In Ephesians 3:14ff Paul prays that the saints may be strengthened with power through His Spirit in their inner being, and may have strength to comprehend the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God.
These and other recorded prayers (e.g. Phil 1:9-11, Colossians 1:9ff, Colossians 4:12, 1 Thess 1:2-3, 1 Thess 3:9ff, 2 Thess 1:3, 2 Thess 1:11-12, 2 Thess 3:5) paint a different picture than we are accustomed to see. A quick synopsis of themes includes the following: faith proclaimed, faith in Jesus, growth in faith, mutual encouragement, harmony, glorification of God, thanksgiving, restoration, love for the saints, wisdom,revelation,power, spiritual strength, approve what is excellent, knowledge of His will, pleasing Him, bearing fruit, increasing in knowledge, maturity and assurance, faith, hope and love, blameless in holiness.
Brethren, let us expand our horizons beyond our physical and material needs to the true spiritual riches, which are eternal.

Gleanings

One of the convictions i hold is that anyone in whom the Holy Spirit dwells (1 John 4:13) has something to offer other saints. While i may not agree with everything a person may assert, I hope i am hearing what the Spirit is saying through that person. I call this gleaning.
One recent gleaning i received I have never heard before. A brother Matt in Ct. expressed a parallel between the tablets of the testimony (10 Commandments) lodging within the ark of the covenant as opposed to being written on its sides, and the Word of God written on our hearts. "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Ps. 119:11) Obvious and profound, yet I don't remember anyone ever having said it in almost forty years.

Also had the privilege of attending a wedding of a young brother and friend named Rob. God continues to fascinate me. As an unmarried brother, I sometimes find it odd that He has given me any number of young men to interact with on the subject of marriage. In fact, praying for young men and occasionally young women, to find godly spouses comprises a growing part of the ministry He has granted me. For those whom God has not yet given a mate let me offer a few reflections.

Develop a friendship first. This is the soil from which a healthy marriage can grow. The powerful romantic fantasy that our entire culture fabricates leads to disillusionment and myriad woes. Do group activities before doing anything as a pair.
You will marry a person, but marry into a family. In most cases they have provided both the genetic and the environmental inheritance for your spouse. They have developed an unwritten way of relating that they know better than you. Spend as much time with them as possible to understand how they have influenced your prospective mate.
If possible get to know your prospective spouse's parents. They are the best guide to what your spouse will be like in thirty years or so. Do you like what you see?
If you want a godly mate, then you need to cultivate godliness in your own life.
Speaking of cultivating, a pleasant speaking voice is a plus. You will want your spouse to listen to you for a long time.
Most important of all: Receive God's love for you personally. Most people have difficulty with this. Human love is too weak to cope with the onslaughts of the pagan society in which we live, one hostile to God and His ways.
Opposites attract. I question whether they stay attracted. I advocate finding someone with as many similarities as possible.
Once married, it is imperative that both husband and wife establish godly friendships with other people. Far too many men count their wife as their only real friend. If problems occur, they have no one to provide encouragement.
God's heart is lifelong, monogamous marriage between a man and a woman for those who marry. As a single man, i don't believe everyone needs to get married, and I think i'm in the best company with Jesus and Paul.

Musings on Sin... and Grace

As I enter the second, and last, month of my transition before hitting the road on September 1st, i am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with Jesus. My mother's condo has a enclosed sun porch that lends itself to one on one time with Him. As I come to Him, each day differs but one theme repeats itself. I have hesitated to mention it but will give it a try.
The Bible speaks with utter clarity that before we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit Titus 3:5NKJV) we are sinners. (disobedient to God) "But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
As I enter the presence of an infinitely Holy God, I desire cleansing of my current sin. We are told to confess our sins (which requires humility and attacks our pride) and He will cleanse us. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9) Often times I wonder if I have anything else to offer Him but my sin. I think we can be oblivious to our own rebellion and depravity. It is when we draw closer to God, and He to us that our sin is highlighted in contrast to His perfection. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8) Pondering the reality that my usual offering to God is the sin that I am asking Him to remove leads me to the staggering wonder of grace.
His grace redeemed me decades ago but He continues to extend it to me. My mother lives in a nursing home, unable to bathe herself. People are paid to do it for her but God bathes me in His grace without charge. I need to forsake my pride, confess and turn from my sin, and receive His washing in humility. Father God, I ask that you will give me further revelation of your heart in this.

When God orchestrates things

Just received an apt and timely reminder from a brother whom the Lord has called into itinerant ministry like He has me. Ross said to listen and wait on the Lord, that what we do will not be random but purposeful. I've just experienced His leading in a way only He does.
When I lived in Boston I developed a friendship with a Christian brother named Jake, who had his own auto mechanic shop. He worked on my car for several years. What a rare jewel a trustworthy, competent Christian auto mechanic is. Now that i live two hours from Boston, i needed to find someone local. I contacted a brother who lives near me for his advice. He suggested a brother named Sanford, whom I had met a couple times in years past. I had no idea that he was a auto mechanic by trade. Contacted him, went to his place, and discovered that the Lord had just moved him out of a situation in which he would not have had any time to work on my car to one in which he could. Although we really didn't know each other we had good fellowship. It turned out that he facilitated a home group down the street. I asked if I could visit. He said sure & asked if I could share something from the Word. Two themes have been percolating in my heart for a long time. I've reflected on, prayed about, spoken to others, and taught parts of it but never together.
So last night I had the opportunity to worship & have fellowship with these saints, plus a nice healthy dinner. Those who teach know that sometimes it just flows, and it really poured out. When the Spirit takes over, and we are just the vessel, it's an awesome experience. I shared on the related themes of the Bride of Christ, and the Lord's Supper as a preview of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
The opportunity to get to develop some trust and relationship with this group opens the door for me to pray for them, and interact via e-mail, phone, or in person in the future. I got to do what God wants me to do, they expressed their appreciation, and all because i needed an oil change and a tire rotation.
Their heart of hospitality ("Welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed you, to the glory of God Romans 15:7) opened the door for a relative stranger. This is crucial for small, often isolated home groups.