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Incorruptible Day 2 Temporary Residents: Digging Deeper

November 6, 2018 by Dr. Leslie Umstattd Leave a Comment

Incorruptible Day 2 Temporary Residents: Digging Deeper

Dr. Leslie Umstattd

November 6, 2018

Believe,Courage,Digging Deeper,Faith,Follow,God,Hope,Identity,Kingdom,persecution,Promises,Provider,Relationship,Return,Scripture,Truth,Wisdom

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Temporary Residents"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Peter 1:1-2

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
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The Original Intent

1) Who are the elect exiles?

Peter is writing this letter to a group of believers who are in what is modern day Turkey. These believers refused to join in the practices of the world around them. They were separated and exiled because of their faith. These followers were not in their home land, but had been kicked out and exiled as Christians.

Other translations use the words: sojourner or aliens. The main take away from this passage is Peter wrote to those who were far from home.  

The Everyday Application

1) Who are the elect exiles?

As we read this passage, we must personally identify with this statement. This world is not our home, but rather a temporary place of residence until Christ returns. 

Peter called upon the “exiles” to abstain from the “passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:10-12) for the sole purpose of pointing those around them to Christ.

We are the exiles of this age, pointing people to Him, the one true God and Redeemer. He has given us a promise in the Holy Spirit until He returns to sustain us, to enable us, and to live as exiles until we go to our eternal home. 

The Original Intent

2) What is the Dispersion?

The Dispersion references Jewish believers living in Gentile countries (ie: not Israel). Some were carryovers from the Jewish exile we learn about in the Old Testament. Some came to foreign lands through persecution.

The Dispersion laid the ground work for the spread of Christianity because believers were spread throughout modern day Turkey and Europe.

In the original context, Peter would have been specifically talking about Jewish believers, but as he came to understand the Gospel included both Jews and Gentiles, the Dispersion, in a boarder context, would have included Gentile believers as well.  

The Everyday Application

2) What is the Dispersion?

Just as we identify as exiles in a foreign land living in a temporary residence, we can also identify as dispersed believers. The idea of living in this world but not of it, forms a boundary for us as believers. We are to be resident aliens just as the dispersed believers of the days of old, living their lives in pursuit of Christ as residents in a world that consistently pushes back and challenges beliefs. Yet we are also aliens, knowing there is so much more.

We live in both realms– as residents pursing Christ in our everyday lives, yet as aliens longing, hoping, and having complete faith He will return to finish what he started 2000 years ago and bring us home! 

The Original Intent

3) What do we learn from this passage about the recipients of this letter?

We learn they were believers who knew the Father, had the power of the Spirit, and desired to live obedient to Christ because they had been sanctified and saved. 

In this letter, Peter is reminding his recipients of those indestructible truths. 

The Everyday Application

3) What do we learn from this passage about the recipients of this letter?

For a very long time, humanity has longed to be in the presence of Christ. As we read a letter that was written almost 2000 years ago, the plight of the dispersed believers desiring to be home does not fall on deaf ears or hard hearts. Rather, we can read this letter and grasp as believers what it means to be “resident aliens” in a world that neither loves our Lord nor, at times, loves us because we serve Him.

Our one desire should be to point others toward Christ until He returns to take full ownership of this world back. The war is won, we know the ending! 

In the meantime, just as believers before us, we pursue Christ in full obedience, knowing the hope of our future is indestructible!   

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Exiles
We have heard the term, but what does it mean? For the Christians in the first-century church in Jerusalem, it meant they were hated and persecuted to the point of being driven from their homes and communities into the wild areas of modern-day Turkey. This persecution took our Lord Jesus to the cross, where He willingly laid down His life for us. The same religious leaders who led the charge against Jesus then focused on His followers (Acts 8:1-4). It is to these exiles Peter wrote.
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Posted in: Believe, Courage, Digging Deeper, Faith, Follow, God, Hope, Identity, Kingdom, persecution, Promises, Provider, Relationship, Return, Scripture, Truth, Wisdom Tagged: believers, dispersion, exile, faith, followers, God, hope, letter, persecution, practices, Return, scripture, Truth

Roads Day 13 True Hope In An Age Of Enlightenment

September 26, 2018 by Sara Cissell Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 16:16-19 
Romans 5:1-11
1 Peter 1:13-25 

Roads, Day 13

As I researched New Age beliefs,
I pondered the draw of these religious practices.

The New Age religion is actually a mix of several religious mindsets that have been categorized under the umbrella of New Age.
The New Age category is identified by two main characteristics:
1) Unity that will bring about societal and spiritual transformation and
2) Practices that will bring about individual spiritual transformation as a precursor to a larger, corporate unity and breakthrough.
Enlightenment is said to come from practices involving (but not necessarily limited to): channeling, astrology, crystals, tarot cards, psychics, and even in some cases drug usage. This is a broad overview, so New Age practitioners may use a variety of methods with the main overarching goal of spiritually reaching higher as, individuals, in order to corporately become unified.

The more I read about the desires behind the beliefs,
the more I recognized those hopes within myself.
How I would love to see a world in which we walked in unity!
Can you imagine people all moving together as one to eradicate 
racism, 
hunger, 
human trafficking,
and so many other social injustices?
What a powerful force that would be!

There was another civilization who felt their cohesive unity could accomplish their own brilliant plans.
Their fatal flaw? Pride.
Blindsided by their own arrogant pride in thinking they, in their sinful humanity, could set out to accomplish their plans and make themselves their own god,
were ruined.
Just look at the outcome at the Tower of Babel. (Genesis 11:1-9)

The more I envisioned the power of unity becoming a reality
through the methods of my own individual enlightenment,
the more I recognized I was the flaw in the logic of this plan.
Or at least, the recognition of my own, fallen, sinful humanity, revealed the flaw.

The idea of working as one, unified group sounds great… until I actually think through what it would take in order for it to be an ongoing, success.
And there, the hope of success falls short.

How do I know? 
First, I am a people watcher.
This is one of the reasons that I love to travel. Airports and destinations thrill me as I get to observe and meet new people, places, and cultures. I have experienced beauty and growth; I’ve seen human nature shine in all of its glory, both good and bad.
I’ve witnessed the kind person helping the mom traveling with kiddos.
I’ve also seen the woman moving through the airport crowds as though she were a human battering ram. 

In all of my experiences,
I have never met a perfect person or a perfect team of people.

Even teams that gel for a season eventually fall short in some way.
If that weren’t the case, the same teams would consistently win the Super Bowl, World Series, or the NBA finals. All of those teams moved with a singular goal in mind of functioning to the best of their abilities as a team, in order to win the ultimate championship. 
Even so, there were errors and failures in the midst of those journeys, and that was with everyone agreeing to the same rules of the game and methods for winning! Putting players from different sports on the same team and expecting them to win the championship, likely won’t yield the desired results.  

Second, I know my inner thoughts.
I have walked with the Lord for several years, yet I still sin.
I’ve grown immensely through His Spirit making me new, and my struggle against certain sins are less, but I have not (nor will I ever, at least on earth) arrive at a point of perfect sinless living or attain godlike equality.
I know my failures and shortcomings.
I know my pet peeves that challenge me to work well with some individuals.
I know the times I have allowed my sin to fracture teams and hurt those around me. I know I am a sinner, and no effort on my part will ever make me good enough to reach a great spiritual enlightenment on my own.  

Third, I believe the Bible is true and that Jesus is alive.
I have experienced the impact of the Holy Spirit dwelling within me as He has made me new. His movement in my life, and in other Christians, have continuously proven the Word to be true. I have seen people encouraged by the Word of God and promises revealed through it coming to pass. I have walked through dark times, and been buoyed by hope solely found in my relationship with Jesus.
Because I have experienced all of this with Jesus,
I cannot comprehend a hope-filled life without Him.  

As we move through our days, may our walk with the Lord
be the defining hope of our lives.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life,
and it is only through Him that we can experience fulfillment.
The journey will never be boring!  

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Posted in: Believe, Dwell, Enough, Faith, Follow, God, Good, Gospel, Hope, Power, Relationship, Selfishness, Sin, Struggle, Transformation, Truth, Unity, Wisdom Tagged: hope, mix, New Age, practices, pride, selfishness, Sin, social injustice, spiritual transformation, Truth, unity

Roads Day 8 How Much Is Enough?

September 19, 2018 by Guest Writer Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 2:1-10
1 John 2:1-6
John 1:1-18 

Roads, Day 8

Imagine a young woman named Fatima who grew up in the Islam faith. 
As far back as she can remember, she has seen her mother quickly cover her head, kneel on her prayer rug, and pray five times a day during the namaz (required memorized prayers).

She has watched her brothers being sent to the Imam (EE-mom) weekly to learn recitation of the Quran in Arabic. Arabic wasn’t Fatima’s native language and though poorly understood, was necessary for recitation as it was chosen by Allah.

On Fridays, her brothers and Father proudly wear their white caps and Kurtas (long shirt) and pray at the mosque.

Fatima’s mother has strictly taught her to keep her skin covered in front of men, following the example of Prophet Mohammad’s wives. Allah’s command is for women to be modest so as not to entice men. She regularly hears her parents sneering at their unbelieving neighbors who eat unclean pig, drink forbidden alcohol, and flaunt their women instead of protecting them.

As Fatima seeks to obey the principles of Islam, she sees how this pleases her parents and she is filled with pride. The more she denies herself with fasting from “worldly” desires, the more she is seen as righteous. She feels a strong sense of pride in being Muslim. 

This is a common picture for an Islamic family today.
Taking pride in their religion is taught from a young age as Muslims are family and community based. Their communities are centered around mosques; religious practices are outward, not private or personal.

The biggest difference between Christianity and Islam is how Jesus is understood.  Muslims are taught Jesus was a great Islamic prophet.
Believing Jesus is the Son of God will send you to hell. (Quran 5:72)
Christianity believes Jesus is the Son of God and belief in Him, as being fully God, will save you from Hell and grant forgiveness.

What does this mean in everyday life?
Since Islam does not believe in Jesus as Savior, good works attain salvation.
Salvation in Christianity is based on grace and faith alone, with no good works in order to be forgiven. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
How will we know if our good works have finally achieved salvation?
How much “good” is good enough?
And, of course, there is the constant pressure to perform and perform, better and better.  

In my conversations with girls like Fatima, I have often asked,
“What happens to you after you die?”
They respond, “I will go to heaven if Allah wills.”
When I ask, “How do you know if Allah wills it?”
They shrug their shoulders saying,
“We cannot know for sure. 
We hope our good works outweigh our bad, 
and hope Allah will be merciful.”

These words break my heart!
Our gracious, loving God has given us His truth that we may indeed know for certain He will rescue our souls for eternity!

The Qur’an teaches that in the last day, Allah will bring out a scale, weighing good versus bad deeds. Many hope their prayers and rule-keeping to be enough to grant acceptance by Allah on judgment day. 

All religions and belief systems, except for one, are the same as Islam;
they are man-made,
relying on our ability to work for forgiveness and eternal security.

That one that’s different?
It’s Christianity!
The Bible teaches faith in Christ’s work on the cross for eternal salvation is,
and will always be,
enough to cover the sins of the truly repentant heart.
This stark contrast between true Christianity and all other religious belief systems, including Islam, should give us confidence as we share our faith with others!

One reason Christians feel inadequate, even scared, to share the Good News with Muslims is because they aren’t sharing regularly with anyone.

Learn to share the Gospel and begin sharing 
with everyone God puts in your path!
As evangelism becomes more natural, through faithful obedience and dependence on God, you will be able to adapt and adjust to whatever religious or spiritual background you encounter.  

There’s no silver bullet in how to share with a Muslim, but Christianity and Islam share much common ground we can utilize to begin and continue spiritual conversations.

Both religions believe in creation, monotheism, similar prophets, Torah/Psalm/Injeel (New Testament), many of God’s qualities (such as omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence), and many things about Jesus (such as His virgin birth, no sin, many miracles, His ascension to heaven, and His future return to earth). 

Want to help a Muslim understand the gospel?
Intentionally make a friend!  
Because Muslims practice their faith in community, many immigrants to America feel isolated. Take this opportunity to disprove any wrong presuppositions they might have toward Christianity as they get to know you.

What does that mean practically?

Humanize them!
These are the faces of individuals with many of the same problems as you:  finances, marriage, raising children, workplace difficulties, etc.
Invite them over for birthdays, holidays, and special events.
Start regularly praying for specific concerns they have.  

As your friendship grows, be intentional to share the Good News both directly and indirectly.
This isn’t time to shy away until you “know each other better”.
Direct sharing is as simple as sharing your Gospel-focused story of how Jesus remade you! As you gain their trust, you can ask what they believe about Jesus, Christianity, and the Bible. Not all Muslims believe the same way. This will provide opportunities to humbly use God’s Word to correct wrong understanding of Christian principles and beliefs.

Indirect sharing can be accomplished by drawing them into your everyday life. Allow them to witness the sincerity of your faith in the way you treat your spouse, children, and time spent in worship and prayer. Don’t pull away from your regular spiritual practices out of fear of offending your Muslim friends.  

There is a good chance that a woman like Fatima lives near you.
Be intentional, share in her life, faithfully pray for her, and speak of Jesus often with reverence and love, using Bible stories about Him.  At the appropriate time, you can gift a Bible in her heart language (the New Testament, Psalms, and the first five books of Old Testament are acceptable portions of Scripture in Islam).
Then, if she is willing, teach her how all the books of the Bible fit together!
Just as Islamic women are proud of their religion, let us also be unashamed of the Gospel of Christ! 
Let’s pray for boldness in reaching Muslims around us, in order to bring them into eternal Christian community!
Because Jesus is more than enough!

*Written by Janna Comfort 

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Roads Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Roads!

Posted in: Believe, Birth, Comfort, Community, Enough, Faith, Follow, Forgiven, God, Gospel, Grace, Jesus, Meaning, Missing, Prayer, Roads, Scripture, Significance, Sin, Truth, Wisdom Tagged: Allah, believe, Community, differences, hell, Islam faith, Jesus, please, practices, prayers, prophet, save, Sin, strict

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