Focus on Prayer

Some would say Muslim extremists. Others might say apathy. In-fighting among various denominations as well as abhorrent behavior by prominent–and not so prominent–Christians also pose dangers to Christianity. Moral relativism attempts to marginalize absolute truths which leads to rejection of the laws God put in place to protect us.

While all these are legitimate threats to Christianity, there is another threat that stands head and shoulders above them. In fact, Jesus even mentioned it when He taught His disciples to pray.

Materialism.

There is a line of the компютри втора употребаLord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 & Luke 11:2-4) that is usually translated as “Lead us not into temptation” or something close to that. It’s more accurately translated as “Don’t let us enter into materialism.” In the Aramaic language that Jesus spoke, the word for materialism was layered with meanings. It referred to all that was physical–material–in the world, as opposed to spiritual. It implied superficial as opposed to deep. And it meant materialism in the sense that we normally think of it today: consumerism, acquisition of goods. the love of money.

Human bending in that direction was as clear in the 1st century as it is today. The danger is also just as clear.

Unfortunately, it seems that the more we have, the more we want. That’s one of the reasons we see “prosperity preachers” trying to teach ways to use God as a divine vending machine to have our materialistic desires met. Most often, any prosperity that results is in the hands of those preaching this message.

God wants us to be rich, they say. Which is a satanic twisting of the truth into a lie–the devil’s favorite tactic. Yes, God does want us to be rich; He promises us the blessing of riches. But the riches Jesus referred to are spiritual, based on a relationship with Him. There are not aLes jeux sans téléchargement sur Top poker en ligne sont plus rapides, parce qu’ils se chargent directement dans le navigateur. 6-figure income, 3 cars, a 6000 square foot house, a boat, and 2 vacation homes. True riches can only be stored in heaven, and in our heart.

We can feel free to accept material blessings from God. We shouldn’t come to expect them. And above all, we can’t allow the blessing to obscure the source.

By focusing on the material, we remain separated from God. There is no worse place to be. Here on earth, it may be called “The Good Life.” But when we leave the earth for our eternal destiny, that separation is called Hell.

Learn more about the Lord’s Prayer on our web site, right here. And more about the Bible in this book: The 11 Day Path–Overcoming Stumbling Blocks to Belief.

Want to find out? Write down your prayers–all of them–for an entire week. Not just the ones you pray in your regular prayer time, but also the ones you pray during the day as you go about your activities. After you’ve compiled a week’s worth, sit down and read through all your prayers. Try to forget they’re your prayers. Pretend you just came across them on a park bench. While you’re reading these prayers of a “stranger,” ask yourself what this person believes about God. Is there a lot of asking? How much time is spent in thanks? Any complaining going on? About what? Do the prayers represent a personal relationship? When done properly, this little exercise can give you an accurate snapshot of your beliefs about God.

I’m really really uncomfortable with the concept of Jesus claiming to be the one and only way to God. What about all the people who never hear of him? What about all the people who lived before him–like Moses, Elijah, Joshua, etc.? It seems to me we could attract a lot more people into the “fold” if we didn’t turn them off first by claiming it’s our way or the highway.

–Charlie C

Well, not quite.

But he’s not entirely humorless either as some would have him portrayed. I’m afraid there is more than a little misunderstanding and misinterpretation of scripture because people tend to miss it when Jesus has his tongue planted firmly in his cheek.

Should it be a surprise? He was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard. He connected with people of all backgrounds. That tells me Jesus has as rich a sense of humor as he does love, compassion, and understanding. And if you read scripture with that in mind, some of the passages that may have left you scratching your head will suddenly make more sense.

Those passages stand out because they seem to be in such complete opposition to what Jesus says and does (and apparently believes) in other parts of the gospels. Some have suggested these passages were later additions, not things Jesus actually said. Others have offered explanations so convoluted they truly boggle the mind. And some just skip over them entirely. If only they would recognize that Jesus had a sense of humor.

For instance, there is the story of the Gentile woman—a Canaanite—related in Mark 7:25-30 and Matthew 15:22-28. Throughout the rest of the gospels, Jesus showed no hesitation to help anyone who asked and he certainly elevated women’s status in that society by the way he treated them. And he obviously had plans to spread the Gospel beyond just the Jews. (Otherwise he wouldn’t have said “first,” which implies at least a “second.”) So why is he so nasty to this woman? It’s just plain out of character.

Unless we allow for the possibility that there was a twinkle in his eye and perhaps a smile on his face when he said it would be wrong to take food from his children to feed “dogs.” Whether those “dogs” were household pets or—as they were often referred to by the Jews—Gentiles. A humorous expression not reflected in his words—we’ve all done that and seen it done—would explain the immediate rejoinder by the woman about scraps from the table. For which Jesus immediately “rewarded” her by healing her daughter.

I have trouble believing that a woman, a Gentile woman, would respond the way she did if Jesus had been as serious and harsh as his words sound. I have even more trouble believing that a harsh Jesus could be so easily swayed by a simple, clever remark.

But I have no trouble believing that Jesus admired her courage for coming forward and asking, responded with a bit of sarcastic humor, and was pleased that the woman was not only courageous, but clever enough to pick up on it. That’s the Jesus I know and love. The one who loves me.

Please stay tuned for more humor of Jesus.

–Joe Vigliano