Thought for the day: INCREASE THE CIRCLE OF OUR FRIENDS ETERNALLY.
I can't believe how fast this week is flying by! This week we are concentrating on something we all know something about: Work. We are being taught by Professor John Lennox and discussions are led by Ian Smith and Rich Jasper. John Lennox is Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and an Adjunct Professor at the Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics. He is also a Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green-Templeton College, Oxford. His most recent books include 'Seven Days that Divide the World', 'Gunning for God', and 'Stephen Hawking and God'. He has debated a number of the world's leading atheists including Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Peter Singer.
I am going to try to summarize the key points to our lectures and discussions that you might also find to be helpful and thought provoking. I love John's technique of interaction with our group.
First question: Why work? Because God himself is a worker. He created the universe. Genesis 2:2
"And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done and he rested on the seventh day from all of his work."
His highest work was the creation of man and woman, or human beings. Genesis 2:7 "and man became a living being."
God is still working for our and other's redemption. John 5:17 "Jesus answered answered them, 'My Father is working still, and I am working.'
What is life? What does it mean to be fully alive? We are more than just a physical being. What are some ways that we are more than just a physical being? What is the essence of being fully alive?
God took pleasure in his work. He said "It is good." Do we take pleasure in our work?
Why do most people work? Most people work to put food on the table and to have shelter, clothing, and pay the bills.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 says "If anyone will not work, let him not eat." Yet, Matthew 6:25 and 33 says
"I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, not about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well."
Do you work to live or live to work?
How do you resolve the tension between if you don't work, you don't eat and what Jesus says about not worrying about food, etc.?
The crucial issue for the Christian is attitude. Trusting God is at the heart of everything.
So, what is the Christian work ethic or motivation for work? 1. to see God work through us to establish or grow His kingdom in His world 2. our work experience is one of the ways that we learn about God's rule or kingdom work in our life and grow in His righteousness.
All work is sacred. God has given all work a supreme value.
Colossians 3:23 "Whatever your task (or work), work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men."
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
The workplace is the training ground for God's training in righteousness. Working teaches real responsibility before God and His ways.
So to summarize: There is the Christians's GOAL of work and then there are the BY-PRODUCTS of work:
GOAL of work: Experiencing and learning God's authority, morality and faithfulness in my life so that I can serve others. (Matthew 6:33)
BY-PRODUCTS of work: food, clothing, housing, other needs
THE DISCIPLINE OF PRAYER: Amy Orr-Ewing
4 types of prayer from the model of The Lord's Prayer in Luke 11
1. Contemplative prayer: Pray to our personal Father (Abba) Father; contemplate who God is and contemplate who we are; we are the adopted children of God; we belong to God (Our Father); we have become a new creation.
2. Petitionary prayer: We are asking for his agenda, not ours: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done;" we are shaped by his agenda; idolatry is coming up with our own idols and asking them to bring things to us or for us, but they have no power.
3. Personal prayer: "Give us each day our daily bread;" I do not or will not rely on my intellect, my wealth, my looks, my ............; we recognize God's sovereignty, we relinquish our self-reliance.
4. Confessing prayer: "Forgive us our sins;" "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
Practical ways to pray:
1. Pray the scriptures: it's ok to pray the words of others
2. Prayer walking: retreating into God's creation--praying while you walk
3. Practical prayer: Practicing the Presence of God by Bro. Lawrence: finding joy in his presence.
4. Meditative prayer: Christian meditation is to meditate on God and who he is and his truth or you can meditate on a scripture passage or verse
5. The quiet time: daily time of prayer and the studied Word
6. Family prayers: Who are the people that make up my "household"?
7. Soaking prayer: a longer time in God's presence--maybe listen to a book of the Bible on recording, reflect and pray
8. Intercessory prayer: consistent and faithful prayer for people we know, naming them before God and praying over their situation
9. Prayer journaling: how God communicates with us; answered prayers
10.Corporate prayer: prayer at church, work, with others
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