"PRIDEXTOMY" Boasting in foolishness? 4th Sunday after Epiphany, January 30, 2011

The 4th Sunday after Epiphany, January 30, 2011: "Pridextomy!" Boasting in foolishness?
This week we will study St. Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. The 1st chapter introduces St. Paul's purpose for writing. In the first part of this chapter verses 1-17 he really shows how foolish it is to see the Body of Christ, His Church, divided. He then goes on in the lesson for verses 18-31 to show how foolish our message is to the world. The Cross: a "stumbling block" to the Jews who were waiting for the amazing Messiah that would come to conquer and bring in a great age of victory to the Jewish nation over Rome and every other nation. A perfect time of peace and prosperity. They did not see the "suffering servant" of Isaiah as a picture of the Messiah.The Cross: "foolishness" to the Gentiles. People who look at the world by the level of wisdom, strength and money etc..They can't understand how people could see victory in this despicable gross torture of the crucifixion? So Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, reminds us that our God's foolishness is wiser than man's wisdom. His weakness stronger than man's strength. This is from God's words to Isaiah in

Isaiah 55:8-9(New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

May we understand that we have nothing in which to boast! I get so tired of churches and christians who make Baptism which is totally God's work as in Genesis 15 when He makes the first Covenant with Abram, be about the amount of water or what we say and/or do! We can see in 1 Corinthians 1 that St. Paul is helping us to have a "pridextomy" so that we may in humility confess: "It is all about God, as is everything we do!" So "Therefore it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD'" 1 Cor 1:31
Tomorrow we will receive all that we boast about from our LORD, HIS presence, HIS promise, HIS power, HIS Supper! Praise that Lord and GLORY (boast) in HIM! 

The Final Life Shape #8: The Octagon: the 8 "P's" of Mission

Life Shape # 8 The Octagon: The 8 “P’s” of MISSION

The octagon has an evangelistic meaning: “evangelism” the sharing of GOOD NEWS will take on a new perspective as one learns to discover the Person of Peace and how the process works from God’s perspective.

The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road. “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. –Luke 10:1-6

The destiny of the church is directly tied to how passionate she remains to her mission. We are to participate in Jesus’ command to go into all the world and make disciples according to the model Jesus has given. In the gospels we see Christ evangelizing, but He did not look like most people do it today.

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” –Mark 10:17-25

In the story of the rich young ruler, Mark tells us that Jesus genuinely loved him, but He also let him walk away. Michael Simpson in Permission Evangelism has an interesting point… Why did He not try harder to win this man that at first seemed so eager? Jesus could have discussed with him the area of riches that kept him from Jesus. Jesus did not run after him because He already knew the man’s heart. Jesus knew and let him walk. Jesus never ran after anyone, but made Himself available to those who were willing to seek the way to God, the truth about God, and the life found in God.

In John 4:35, Jesus tells His disciples to look up for the harvest is plentiful. Disciples through the ages have made the mistake of thinking that if they just work harder that harvest will come sooner. Look back at the circle and find a kairos moment, then go through the steps of observation, reflection and discussion to find out where the harvest is. Find that place where the greatest level of receptivity is present and spend your time there. Sounds a lot like Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God, to find out where God is working and join Him there.

Person of Peace – Finding the Open Person, or the Gatekeeper:

As the disciple enters a house, the Person of Peace is the one who is prepared to hear the message of the kingdom and the King. Our prayer needs to be that God would bring across our path the Person of Peace. No amount of coercion on our part can make someone a Person of Peace. This is the job of the Holy Spirit; He alone prepares the heart for the message of Christ.

The Third Article of the Creed in Luther’s Small Catechism Of  Sanctification.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian (catholic, meaning universal) Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean?-- I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.
Paul found the Person of Peace in Acts 16. Unable to go to Asia or Bithynia, they heard the Macedonian call toward Philippi. While there he found Lydia, the dealer in purple cloth, who turned out to be a gatekeeper to many others in the area. While in the Philippian jail, the jailer became a Person of Peace and his whole household, probably including children and infants, were baptized. This is someone whom God has prepared for that specific time. We can’t force the door open, but we must not be distracted so that we miss the doors that are open.

These are things to keep in mind as you look for the person of peace:

Time – There are specific times and places where the harvest is ripe. Not all people of the culture are ready, keep looking. Ask God to help show us when and where the people are ready. Become involved in sowing and reaping. We are to discern the condition of each person’s soul.

Team – Our inward relationships lead to our outward ministry. We are not called to go it alone. The mission-minded church will develop a team strategy for evangelism. Paul had Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke and Titus.

Target – Jesus was strategic in His outreach. He knew His disciples could not be in all places at once, so they focused on the lost sheep of Israel. Concentrate on receptive peoples and not force ourselves on those not willing nor ready.

Task – How do we accomplish the task of finding the Person of Peace? The Person of Peace will 1) welcome you (if not you are to shake the dust off your feet), 2) listen to you (those listening to you are listening to Jesus), 3) serve or support you (we must allow this person of peace to do this). Start within your existing circle of influence and relationships. (sometimes those who are being drawn don’t sound welcoming at first)

Trouble – If the teacher is not welcomed, don’t expect that the students will be welcomed either. Expect trouble in our lives. It is not “if” but “when” trouble comes. Our mission into the world has not changed.

As you continue toward the mission God has called you into, keep in mind these issues:

1.      Presence: Jesus is Where You Are – we are to act as Jesus would act and speak as Jesus would speak. We are Jesus “with skin on” for the people in a situation. We model Jesus in every situation. BECOME: our desire to grow in sanctification and Christ-likeness. Being Christ-like at work may help you identify the “Person of Peace” who may be speaking in a positive way while others are complaining.

2.      Passing Relationships: The Sprint – these relationships are those we meet in passing, only once or twice; the gas station mechanic, the store clerk, the stranger in line at the bank, the waitress or waiter at lunch. We must realize that not all relationships lead people to profess Christ as their savior. Allow some to plant, others to water, and others to reap the harvest.

3.      Permanent Relationships: The Marathon – these are family members and close friends with whom we may spend extended periods of time. It is still important not to force the gospel on this group, but we all too often leave this group out of our intentional witness. Jesus in Nazareth. (Mark 6:1-6 and Luke 4:16-30)

4.      Proclamation as Identification: Many pastors have the opportunity to present the gospel at events like weddings and funerals; there are often non-believers present. This is fine as long as we understand that it will not convince anyone that is not ready to receive the message. Proclamation works to help identify the person of peace, then enter into relationship with them. LOVE YPSI, gentle words about the Kingdom being near. Wearing a cross and sharing the gospel if necessary, use words.

5.      Power: Feeling the Presence: Jesus often used the power of God to produce what we see as miracles to find the Person of Peace. Praying for the sick and seeing a miraculous healing may reveal a Person of Peace, whether the one prayed for or simply someone watching. Our God is an awesome God. He will do things to create awe in those who have yet to commit their hearts to him. Luke 4 Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law and then in verse 40: “Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Jesus and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” We want to be a healing place and we believe and expect it! Talk with people and add Jesus to the conversation. John Wimber: Power Evangelism and Power Healing.

6.      Perception: Feeling the Temperature – we must be spiritually sensitive to situations and circumstances. After relational encounters, ask the temperature of the people in this setting. What may be the signs that someone is interested in learning something about the spiritual realm or about eternity? We should pray for more of the gift of discernment for us and those who are around us in ministry.

7.      Preparation: Moving People Along the Scale of growth– this is like cultivating soil and planting seeds in advance of the harvest. Our words may help turn someone else’s soil, then someone else will come to water or harvest. We must learn to identify the role of pre-evangelism, the events that help move someone toward a positive response to the Holy Spirit drawing them to Christ.

8.      Person of Peace: the final “P” is the Person of Peace. On the symbol it is the Place ready to receive the KEY. Christ is the KEY! The Church is given the Office of the Keys. This is the way Jesus taught us to live and share our faith in the one task we are given in Matthew 28:18 “to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES.” This is the person who the Holy Spirit is working on and who is waiting for us to “Be” Christ’s ambassadors and witnesses in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Michigan and the World. It is not dependent on us, but the Lord is asking us to walk through our life with our eyes open and our ears listening to the Spirit as he reveals to us the Person of Peace.

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE OF PEACE IN YOUR LIFE??

January 16: VITAL SIGNS OF BEING ALIVE! LIFESHAPE #7 HEPTAGON

LIFESHAPE #7 HEPTAGON: ALIVE! VITAL SIGNS to a Vital life and healthy church

God’s people are a living organism subject to the same principles of growth that apply to all living things. MRS GREN can help us grow a healthy faith walk and a healthy church; practicing the principles of a vital life. WE ARE CALLED TO BE FULLY ALIVE!

You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. — 1 Peter 2:4-5:

Christian health, as well as Church health and growth are all about life, the body being an organism rather than an organization. Many churches put the cart before the horse by building facilities and programs before they have adequately taken care of the needs of the people. The cart will not get things moving, the horse will. We need to feed and care for the horse, but instead much of our energy goes into the cart (and the horse ends up too weak to pull the cart). The cart is easier to take care of; we can paint it, decorate it, show it off. Horses tend wander off or perhaps don’t respond the way we want. Ask yourself, “How good is a cart when the horse is dead?”
We deceive ourselves with the attitude, “If you build it they will come.” Every church is one generation away from extinction, and today’s generation wants to see living stones.
Meet MRS GREN: VITAL SIGNS
In England they learn these seven processes in understanding the human body. Biology has taught us there are seven characteristics that identify all living organisms. Let’s look at each one and discover spiritual truth about growth.
Movement: shows you are not dead – Movement is a response to stimuli, we see it in the animal world all the time. If out in the open, an animal will move to safety when a predator is discovered. Animals move when stimulated by an outer (danger) or inner (hunger) force. The Old Testament is full of patriarch, prophets and people on the move. At the Red Sea the people stopped moving. How easy is it to stand still (static) in what we know, regardless of how unfulfilling, rather than to move into the great unknown. Moses tells them to stand firm while God tells them to move on. God uses many ways to stimulate His people; His Word, His Spirit, persecution. The Church of Acts was first and foremost a movement: Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Matt 28:18 “Therefore GO..
Respiration: breathing God’s breath – Breathing is not synonymous with respiration. The process is dependent upon oxygen being released into the body so it can function properly. The process is natural for most organisms, but not all. Some have bad breathing due to illness, lack of exercise, pollution, a tantrum of holding your breath. God’s breathing releases His power in our lives. Inhale His Spirit and exhale His will. God pours out His Spirit as we see in the Old Testament as the Hebrew “ruach” and the Greek “Pneuma” this is God’s visitation on HIS people. Martin Luther described his basic relationship with God as “breathing.” St. Paul probably meant this when he encouraged us to Walk in the Spirit! Galatians 5 ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Sensitivity: the pentagon at work – The body is a unit working together. Sensitivity plays a vital role in our receptiveness to stimuli. The church needs people who are sensitive to the pains of others (pastor); sensitive to sight, foresight given by God (prophets); sensitive to the needs and hurts of others in hearing, listening, instructing (teachers); sensitive to speech, sharing the good news (evangelists); sensitive to sniffing out staleness and knowing when to move out into new areas (apostles). This is why I like being part of a “sacramental” church: we get to experience (feel) the “real” presence of Christ with ALL of our senses in His Word & Sacraments. St. Paul uses the senses when referring to our conscience which Hebrew people understand to be in our guts. For ex. without sensitivity we end up as in 1 Tim 4:2 with “seared consciences.” In Paul’s time the seat of emotion was in the intestines, which we westerners call the “heart” for ex: Phil. 1:8 “I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ” (KJV) or Philemon 20 “refresh my guts!”
Growth: the result of a healthy life – Growth is an expression of life; all living things grow. If the church stops growing; it will die. No growth is a sign of decay and death. The lesson of the semi-circle is to prune branches, to cause more growth. God brings growth, not by our efforts: 1 Cor 3:6-9 “⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”& Gal.2:19 “They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.”
Reproduction: creating the future – This is different from growth in that it is a multiplication of an organism. In our spiritual life God takes HIS words (the gospel) and fuses them with one who has a heart open to this good news to make a new spirit. Reproduction; one Christian becomes two. These will gather together in small groupings called a “church.” Reproduction is a sign of life. Unhealthy specimens generally don’t multiply, it is the healthy ones that carry on the species. In Europe children, teens and young adults no longer attend church because Christians in Europe have forsaken the reproduction of themselves into the next generation. In John 21 when Jesus re-commissions Peter: he tells him to “feed my lambs” showing the importance of the next generation. This is so important to the Great Commission of making disciples. All resources go to the new generation? What does this look like for us?
Excretion: a cleansed life – YUK!! Every heart builds up a collection of junk that needs to be emptied through the process of repentance and God’s discipline. 1 John 1:9 “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” or Hebrews 12:6 “because the Lord disciplines those he loves” If we don’t, it is the same as a body not ridding itself of waste it has accumulated; it will bring discomfort, disease and eventually death. The toxins are called the “root of bitterness,” according to the writer of Hebrews 12:15. We must forgive others in order to excrete the bitterness or it will make us unhealthy. In John 13 Jesus taught the importance of cleaning what is dirty. We must not embrace wickedness but excrete it to remain healthy. Matt 18, following this to the extent beyond just personal, dealing with the sin in the church!
Nutrition: the obedience diet – Living things must take in nutrients or they will die. Jesus is the bread of life, so to live we must dine on His words and Sacrament. Jesus said that His food was to do the will of the Father (John 4). We receive our adoption as Children of God through water and the Spirit, in Baptism and receive our spiritual food in God’s Word and the Lord’s Supper. To be healthy we are encouraged to remain in balance UP, IN and OUT.
The Growth Cycle of the Church: VITAL SIGNS
God designed for us to be social creatures, living in community.(extended family) Moses and Jethro had a conversation about the management of people and leadership. Once discovered what Moses was doing, Jethro replied:
“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” –Exodus 18:17-23
As we look forward to the Ministry of Cross & Resurrection in 2011 we recognize that to be healthy in these seven areas of vitality we must diversify the leadership and equip everyone to lead and do the work of ministry. This is why we are striving to be the “visible presence” of the Kingdom of God in our community by helping people BELONG, BELIEVE, BECOME.
Jesus had a similar pattern: sending out the disciples in twos, He called a team of 12 out of the 72, there were 120 gathered at Pentecost in the midst of 3000 being saved that day. There were seven men of good reputation “Deacons” appointed to serve the widows overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Today we have the opportunity to focus on the development of clusters, the extended family sized between 20-40. We have a great opportunity at our EMU site and ALIVE! Site in Tecumseh to raise up people who carry this vision and are capable of overseeing these groups and the long-range task of building communities. It is a great time to be in MINISTRY!
As an example in our EMU Ministry: University age: “Millennials.” Who are the Millennials?
(from an article by Thom Rainer in Christianity Today)
As a reminder, the Millennials are America’s largest generation, over 78 million in number. They are slightly larger in number than the well-documented Baby Boomer generation.
The Millennials were born between 1980 and 2000, though our research included only the older portion of this generation, those born between 1980 and 1991. The study included demographic sampling that well represents the generation in total.

The leadership factor: "What Millennials Want in their Leaders."

   1. Mentoring. This generation has great respect for those older than they are. Most of them have good relationships with their parents. They have learned from older people all their lives, and they don’t want to stop now. They want to be led and taught in their places of work, in their churches, and in their families. They particularly want to learn from couples who have had long and successful marriages. Many Millennials see such examples as heroes to emulate.
   2. Gentle spirit. This category is easier to describe by what Millennials do not want in leaders. Divisive, loud, and acrimonious persons turn them off. They loathe politicians and political pundits who scream at each other. They are leaving churches to some extent because they see many Christian leaders as negative and prone to divisiveness. They are repulsed by business leaders with harsh and autocratic spirits.
   3. Transparency and authenticity. I wish Jess and I had counted the number of times that Millennials used the word "real" to describe leaders they want to follow. As one Millennial told us, her generation "can smell phony and pretentiousness a mile away." They don’t want phony; they want authentic. They don’t want pretentious; they want transparent.
   4. Integrity. The Millennials are weary of politicians who don’t keep promises. They are tired of Christian leaders who fail basic moral standards. They are fed up with business leaders who are more concerned about personal gain than serving others. They want leaders with integrity.

Looking for a few good leaders:
The Millennial generation has much to offer. As a whole, they desire to serve others. Most of them are very family oriented. And they really want to listen and learn from others. Indeed they are looking for a few good leaders to follow. When they find them, they will follow with commitment and enthusiasm.
Are we going to be HEALTHY at see all of the marks of MRS. GREN working well at C & R? This is my prayer and hope for us! Time for us to check our VITAL SIGNS!

January 9 LIFESHAPE # 6 Hexagon for the Baptism of our Lord Sunday

On Wednesday we had a great service for Epiphany Eve talking about the True light revealed in Christ and reflected through us to the world. Today we will learn about our relationship with the our Lord in Prayer:

LIFESHAPE #6 THE HEXAGON: THE POWER OF PRAYER IN OUR LIFE & CHURCH:

Martin Luther taught in the Small Catechism, and by example, the importance of praying the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, as well as other prayers. Learning to pray according to the model Jesus gave us in the Lord’s Prayer will renew our personal and church’s prayer life. 80 percent of books on prayer written by introverts. Jesus helps us understand the “Shema:” Deut: 6:4-9 & 11:13-21 ( http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Torah/The_Shema/the_shema.html ) which teaches us that the relationship we have with God is like a father and his child being taught the law. We can walk with Him on the road and engage Him in conversation:
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, 4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.” — Luke 11:1-4

The disciples were full-time students, learning practical faith by watching Jesus in action. We are not told to pray for everything we need for the rest of our lives, but only for today. Using the Model Prayer of Jesus found in the Sermon on the Mount, let us learn to pray as Jesus did.
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. — Matthew 6:9-13
We hear in the Gospel lesson today how God the Father, ripped heaven open and spoke the truth of His relationship with Jesus Christ, His Son, and us through Baptism: “This is MY Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased!” Matthew 3:17. Knowing this special relationship we have we should learn to pray as Jesus instructed. His disciples were watching him and they wanted to learn how to pray like him. He was asked and they even said that he should teach because John taught his disciples. Jesus taught the very simple way: It is noted that Jesus’ high priestly prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed followed this pattern. JOHN 17.
The Hexagon in the Lord’s Prayer:
OUR FATHER: Our Father in Heaven – Here is an important relational concept: Father. Jesus used the Aramaic word “Abba,” meaning Daddy. This implies the intimacy we have with God. Jesus is teaching us to have this right relationship that He enjoys with the Father, which transcends physical presence. (This is eternal life, that they know You, the one true God – John 17:3)
These notes are from Luther’s Small Catechism on the Lord’s Prayer:          Introduction
Our Father who art in heaven. What does this mean? God would [with this little introduction] tenderly urge us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so that we may ask Him confidently with all assurance, as dear children ask their dear father.
OUR FATHER’S CHARACTER: May Your Name Be Kept Holy – God is very close yet different. We offer reverence and respect to our God who is holy. We acknowledge that He is what we desire to be; we long for Christ-likeness. The second commandment in Luther’s explanation is not just misusing God’s name, but we should call upon Him in every trouble, pray, praise and give thanks. Isa 43:6-7 We are created to glorify and honor (hallow) God! Jesus in John 12:27-28 says: “it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify thy name!”
The First Petition. Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean?--God's name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may become holy among us also. How is this done?-- When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we as the children of God also lead holy lives in accordance with it. To this end help us, dear Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than God's Word teaches profanes the name of God among us. From this preserve us, Heavenly Father.
OUR FATHER’S KINGDOM: May Your Kingdom Come Soon. May Your Will Be Done on Earth As it is in Heaven – Our Father is not just a King, He is the King. We want His kingdom to advance in this world. We desire what You desire. (Glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began – John 17:5). Best defined: “I WANT WHAT YOU WANT DADDY!” we pray “what you’ve done in heaven to remove sin and sickness and sadness and suffering and all that other stuff—let that be seen here on earth” This is what Jesus meant when He says “the kingdom of God is at hand.” That is what we want as children of God and Cross & Res to be the “visible presence” of the Kingdom of God in our community! Kingdom and Kingship are the same and we submit to the KING of KINGS.
IN LEARNING THE HEXAGON THE SECOND & THIRD PETITION ARE COMBINED IN OUR FATHER’S KINGDOM
The Second Petition. Thy kingdom come. What does this mean?--The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also. How is this done?-When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and yonder in eternity.
The Third Petition. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. What does this mean?--The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also. How is this done? When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.
OUR FATHER’S PROVISION: Give Us Today the Food We Need – Human beings are needy creatures, and we admit it; food, water, shelter, health, emotional and spiritual needs. Whatever the hunger, He provides. (Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You – John 17:7). Manna in the desert was every day, we want a Sabbath manna, a double portion. Hear the importance of this in Proverbs 30:7-9 “…give me only my daily bread..” Our Father’s provision is abundant and He will provide for our needs. Read: Matthew 6:25-34.
The Fourth Petition. Give us this day our daily bread. What does this mean? God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all wicked men; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it, and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving. What is meant by daily bread? Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.
OUR FATHER’S FORGIVENESS: Forgive Us Our Sins As We Have Forgiven Those Whose Sin is Against Us – God has given us some territory that is ours, and we often stray from the territory on to land that belongs to someone else and we incur a debt we cannot pay. When we transgress against another we are saying, “God, what You have given to me is not enough” and we must seek forgiveness. Lord, keep us from being indebted to You in withholding forgiveness from others. (I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do – John 17:4).
The Fifth Petition. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. What does this mean? We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor deny such petitions on account of them; for we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much, and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we verily, on our part, also heartily forgive and also readily do good to those who sin against us.
OUR FATHER’S GUIDANCE: Don’t Let Us Yield to Temptation – now the prayer is dealing with our relationship with the Father, and then those around us. Here it changes to where we go out into the world with God’s message. Take us into the world to do Your work, but give us the strength to be in the world but not of the world. (Sanctify them by the truth, Your word is truth – John 17:17). This is where the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18 is important.
The Sixth Petition. And lead us not into temptation. What does this mean? God, indeed, tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and gain the victory.
OUR FATHER’S PROTECTION: Rescue Us From the Evil One – There is an enemy of our soul, who desires that we participate in what is evil. If we are led astray, we will actually end up in the hands of the evil one. The thief comes to kill and destroy, but Jesus came that we might have life. (My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one – John 17:15).
The Seventh Petition. But deliver us from evil. What does this mean? We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from all manner of evil, of body and soul, property and honor, and at last, when our last hour shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself into heaven.
Amen. What does this mean? That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promised that He will hear us. Amen, Amen; that is, Yes, yes, it shall be so.

As we learned in the Triangle, we can couplet these so we may better remember them as UP, IN and OUT:

OUR FATHER’S CHARACTER AND KINGDOM AS UP

OUR FATHER’S PROVISION AND FORGIVENESS AS IN

OUR FATHER’S GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION AS OUT

Can you think of ways you can use this as an example of how to pray? Each of these 6 simple phrases are deep and we can spend hours, as Jesus, Martin Luther and others have in talking to our KING. I hope we will be followers who strive to live as Jesus showed us and taught us. Examples: Sticking points: As you pray through this prayer, watch and wait—anticipate that God wants to speak to you through one of these areas. As you pray you may be led to think about the huge stack of bills on your desk waiting to be paid or the person who is ill etc.. These are sticking points, pause when you feel this pull on your heart and take time to remember OUR FATHER’S PROVISION and spend time here to GROW! SO LET US PRAY!!

The Second Sunday of Christmas, January 2, 2011 "What is your Stature?"

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52

We see this conclusion to the story of Jesus staying in Jerusalem while his parents and family head back to Nazareth. They find him in the temple after looking for three days. He submits to them and then returns to Nazareth where he grows in wisdom and stature.

Today on this Sunday after New Year's Day, the second day of the Year of our Lord 2011 we are asking ourselves "what is our stature?" Princeton Wordnet defines it as: 

Definitions of 'stature'

Princeton's WordNet

1. (noun) stature
high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
"a man of great stature"

2. (noun) stature, height
(of a standing person) the distance from head to foot

When we think about "Stature" we may only think of someone's height, but when we look at the word here in Scripture the context suggests so much more. Humility, obedience, faithfulness, grace, all come to mind when we think of what the Holy Spirit was saying through Luke in this story of the boy Jesus at 12 years of age.
We will look at Solomon in 1 Kings 3:4-15 and his humility in asking for discernment and wisdom instead of personal wealth etc.. We look at St. Paul's words in Ephesians 1:3-14 that we are chosen, adopted, receiving a lavish gift of Grace and the Holy Spirit. When we realize who we are and to whom we belong does it effect our stature? Did this Christmas help us to better understand the love the father has for us and therefore grow our stature by His Holy Spirit? Let us grow in Christ, HIS wisdom, grace and stature today and throughout 2011.