Food That Satisfies

After Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well (John 4), his disciples urged him to "eat something." But he said to them, 'I have food to eat that you know nothing about.'"

These words of Jesus did not indicate that he had a granola bar packed away in his knapsack. Nor a Snickers bar hidden in his back pocket. And even as the disciples questioned if someone had brought Jesus food, he continued by saying,  “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. (John 4:34) 

Jesus' spiritual food was to be actively doing the will of God. How can working fill you up? Doesn't working deplete you and make you hungry? Evidently Jesus was tapping into a different meaning. 
"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (John 6:27)

Have you ever completed a job, then sat down with great satisfaction of a job well done? You just feel like you couldn't have done any better. The job is done. Your work is finished. What a feeling of accomplishment! 

Jesus said the harvest is plentiful and the crop is ready for eternal life (John 4:35). As more and more people listened to his teaching and began to follow Him, He was fed. God's will was that no one be lost. Jesus was leading people away from themselves and into a selfless cross-bearing life. 

Review of Exodus: Gods and Kings

I watched the movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings" this week. It's described as a "Biblically-inspired epic fantasy" by Wikipedia. At least they are honest about it. It's "Biblically-inspired" but NOT Biblically accurate. These movies, and I'm referring to other so called "Biblically-inspired" movies such as "Noah" and "Left Behind," leave a disturbing sense of foreboding judgment due to the tampering with the inerrant Word of God, the Bible. 

Two striking inaccuracies from Exodus are: the character of Moses and the depiction of the crossing of the Red Sea.

It seemed throughout the entire movie that Moses was NEVER on-board with God and his plan. He never bought in. He never experienced the life transformation that God brings a person through (burning bush for Moses), in preparation to use mightily for His glory and purpose. We become His vessel as we submit to His Lordship.

The crossing of the Red sea was just inaccurate. It was a miracle and not the result of some earthquake producing resulting in a tsunami. They crossed over on "dry land" and didn't wade into waist-deep water. Moses was not consumed by the returning waves either. He LED the people to freedom. The waters that returned killed everyone who were still in the seabed. He wouldn't have survived.

The problem I have with these movies is the tolerance that they are creating in the minds of people. It began with "The DaVinci Code" years ago. They encourage people to think outside the pages of the Bible. To say, "maybe it could have happened that way" and then ultimately, "well, who knows how it happened!" "No one knows" And it boils down to the atheist agenda of believing and accepting anything you want. Truth is diluted to the point of no longer being recognized.

I hesitate to try to interpret some verses in the Bible, due to their connection with judgment, but as I watched Exodus: Gods and Kings my mind drifted to Revelation where John wrote:

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19 ESV)

It may be fine to fill in storylines with your imagination as to how events could have happened historically ("Son of God," "A.D."), but don't straight-out change the facts that are already in place. The Bible is history and NOT fiction. I think it should be treated that way. Write a fictional story if you like. Make it into a movie even. But don't mix it with the Bible nor call it a "Biblically-inspired fantasy." Biblical fantasy is a contradiction in terms. Same as truth and a lie.

Disappointment with A.D. Miniseries

The TV miniseries, A.D - The Bible Continues, on NBC has been disappointing in some ways. Granted, the acting is very good. The plot is intriguing. But after painfully enduring recent Hollywood release "Noah" and it's departure from scripture, I had hoped that A.D. would remain true to the Bible. I believe you can use creative license and still stay true to scripture. Sadly, it hasn't happened. Here are three departures from the Bible in A.D. that bother me. 

The Character of Peter

Prior to encountering Jesus on the shores of Galilee, Peter was an impetuous fisherman known for speaking before thinking. However, the book of Acts depicts Peter having been changed from the inside out through Jesus' teachings and the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet in A.D. we see Peter again and again confronting Saul face to face in some sort of pre-heavyweight title fight stare down.

In one scene, Peter sets up a petroleum filled trench to light afire as Saul and his cronies come for the Christians in their impromptu camp. As Peter ignites the gas/oil mixture he shouts, "Now we'll see whose flame burns the brightest!" That's totally out of character for the new Holy-Spirit filled Peter.  This is the man who wrote, "love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing because to this you were called..." (1 Peter 3:8b-9)

Peter was bold and courageous preaching to thousands publicly, in the temple courts, and before the Sanhedrin. Yet when confronted by the authorities, he remained meek and passive. 

Camp of Christians not Biblical

The camp of Christians set up outside Jerusalem supposedly by Peter and the other apostles is not found in the Bible. In fact, quite the opposite is shown in the book of Acts. From Acts 2 we see Jews who had come from "every nation under heaven" (2:5) present, being baptized (2:38) and logically returning back home after Pentecost. They didn't stay in a Christian compound worried about the Jews finding them. The Christians who lived in Jerusalem met daily in the temple courts and from house to house (5:42). Again, we don't see everyone huddling up together in a camp, but rather boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead (4:2).

Omissions of Powerful Conversions

Nothing inherently wrong here, just disappointed in what has been omitted from A.D. The creative license to weave the conflict between Christians, Jews, and Zealots may be entertaining, but to do so at the cost of leaving out powerful conversions, is disheartening. 

Peter's sermon (Acts 2) and subsequent baptisms of 3,000 people was only hinted to. 2,000 more people came to Christ at Solomon's Porch (4:4). The Samaritan's came to Christ after the church in Jerusalem was persecuted and scattered (8:1). Philip was instrumental in preaching in Samaria (8:5,6). And while the scene involving Simon the Sorcerer was given a lot of airtime, it should be noted that Simon wanted to buy the powers of Peter and John, not Simon. Peter and John could give the Holy Spirit by placing their hands on people. Simon sought to buy this power and was rebuked for wanting to do so. 

I'm anxious to see how A.D. will treat Philip and the Ethiopian as well as the conversion of Saul. I would not discourage anyone from watching A.D., but watch it with your Bible open. 

Created to Live

Facing the death of a loved one is never easy. The pain we feel is the absence of that friend or family member. Like the loose thread we pull from a sweater, we do not know when our life on this earth will end. This sobering fact, makes life precious, priceless, and meaningful. David wrote in the Psalms:

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Psalm 139:13,14

 It was God's plan from the beginning of time to create you, patiently weaving your physical body together like one knits a sweater or a pair of mittens. "Fearfully made" to place within you a respect for dangerous situations so as to not naively enter in unguarded. "Wonderfully made" to reflect the wisdom, skill, and brilliance of our maker.

As we live out our days on this temporary sphere, it behoves us to remember that,

"...we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." 

Ephesians 2:10

You are God's workmanship fashioned by the skill of His hands. You're on display for all to see His talent and creativity. Born again through Jesus Christ, we no longer live for ourselves, but for a much higher purpose - that of reflecting or glorifying God!

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a map and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

Yet, our time here is brief, passing quickly, with no reverse nor replay button available. Life only moves onward, forward; and while our physical bodies wear out, our spiritual eternal souls, become more aware that what lies beyond this carnal existence is not only far superior, but also eternal.

When we finally do breath our last breath in this body, we can know it's only a transition from the temporary to the eternal. Our citizenship is realized in that moment! Real life begins. Paul says in Philippians that "our citizenship is in heaven" and in 1 Thessalonians "you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope."

Comfort can come from knowing our loved one has simply gone ahead of us. We do grieve because they are no longer with us, but we have a promise and a hope that we, too, will one day follow in their path to be welcomed into our eternal home.

Baptism - The Forgotten Step

This summer my family plans to attend not one but two Christian music festivals - The Big Ticket Festival in Gaylord, MI and the Unity Festival in Muskegon, MI. While I enjoy the music greatly, I don't look forward to the multitude of "alter calls" given both by featured speakers and the bands themselves. Inevitably every music set and every message culminates with an invitation to "pray the sinner's prayer." The popular "sinner's prayer" as it is advocated as an invitation to make Jesus your Lord and Savior unfortunately is not found anywhere in scripture.

What I believe those Christian artists and speakers are trying to communicate is just one of the Biblical based steps to becoming a Christian - the step of Confessing Jesus as Lord, master, and boss of the rest of your life. That's wonderful and necessary. However, if we are simply asking people to recite a couple phrases and leading them to understand they have committed to a sacrificial Christian life, we are being highly deceptive.

"Salvation," "Getting Saved," "Coming to Christ," "Becoming a Christian" or whatever term you chose to use MUST include four non-negotionable steps: Faith (John 3:16), Repentance (Acts 3:19), Confession (Romans 10:9-10), and Baptism (Mark 16:16). Biblical teachers do a good job talking about the need for belief or faith in order to accept Christ. They occasionally teach on repentance of our sins prior to knowing Jesus. And of course, confession, normally spoken in the form of a prayer, is included. Sadly, however, Christian baptism has become the forgotten step to salvation. If practiced at all, it is often an afterthought to the salvation process.

How did this happen?  How did we lose the importance of baptism in Christianity? Everett Ferguson in Early Christians Speak: Faith and Life in the First Three Centuries writes that baptism began to be forgotten "in the early second century when certain influential Christians taught that baptism must be presided by a period of instruction, prayer, and fasting." This trend grew worse in the third century as Believers were being forced to wait 3 years to be baptized! Today, churches may forget altogether to even require a new convert to be baptized!

The Bible is very clear that baptism is the moment our sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48; Acts 22:16), depicting our separation from the world (1 Cor. 10:1-2), a death to the old man of sin (Romans 6:1-4), a cutting off of the sinful body of flesh (Colossians 2:11-12), clothing ourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27), and saving us (1 Peter 3:20-21)! We dare not leave out this vital key to our salvation in Christ.

The upcoming TV series event, A.D. - The Bible Continues, will be depicting stories from the first 10 chapters of Acts. If executive producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey stay true to scripture, it should be an eye-opening program for many believers. Why? Because every salvation story in the book of Acts includes baptism!

Just flipping through Acts, where the early church started, we find 3000 baptized on the day of Pentecost (2:38-42), 2000 were baptized at Solomon's Porch (3:1-4:4), the Samaritans were baptized (8:4-25), and the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-40) was baptized as soon as he spied water!

The only conversion in the book of Acts that scholars confuse on baptism is Saul of Tarsus. That confusion stems from the understanding of when Saul, later called Paul, was converted. Many will claim he was converted on the road to Damascus when he saw the light and heard the voice of Jesus (yet none will say we are converted this way today). However, they leave the account too early. On the road to Damascus, Saul is instructed to enter into the city and there he would be instructed on what to do. It was there that Ananias healed him of his temporary blindness and baptized him (9:17-18; 22:16) for the forgiveness of his sins.

As we share our faith with others, may we leave behind the traditions of man, and include that which was part of those salvations in the first church - including baptism.

Get out of your "cave!"

Elijah was a great prophet of God in the Old Testament. He was known for battling the false prophets of Baal. He was a miracle worker through the power of God. He was fed by ravens. Having fasted 40 days, he became a front runner of Jesus Christ himself. If anyone in scripture had reason for great, unswerving faith, it must have been Elijah!

Yet, we find in 1 Kings 19:9-18 a story of the mighty prophet basically whining that he was all alone in following Jehovah God. He says in verse 10, "...I am the only one left..." He claimed his own people, the Israelites had rejected God's covenant and torn down the very alters where they were to worship Him. And to top it all off, they were out to kill him!

This is when God intervenes and has Elijah "Go out and stand on the mountain" so that He might pass by. You are probably familiar with the story. First, there was a "Great Wind" that tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks, but God wasn't in the wind. Then there was a "Earthquake" but God wasn't in the earthquake. This was followed by a "Fire" but God was not in the fire. Finally, there came a "Gentle Whisper" the kind that required silence and a cessation of activity to hear. This is where God finally spoke to the prophet.

We've always focused on the aspect of silence and solitude as necessary in our lives to hear God's voice. And while this is truer now more than ever, I am curious what it was that God said to Elijah after he got his attention.

"What are you doing here?" God asks Elijah

When God spoke to Elijah with the "sound of a gentle blowing" (NASB), He asked, "What are you doing here?" Leading me to look back at the passage to see where he was. Verse 13 says that Elijah "went out and stood at the mouth of the cave." But wait a minute, wasn't Elijah instructed to "go out and stand on the mountain?" How did he get back in his cave!! The very same cave he was staying in before God spoke with him! If we look even further back in the context, we find that Elijah was even suicidal, praying that he might die. So in this context, God asks Elijah, "What are you doing here" in this cave?

In summary, Elijah claims he was the only one still zealous for God. Saying that everyone else has left the faith and deserted him. What Elijah didn't know was that there were still thousands of faithful followers of God. He was not alone! God's word to him was then, get back to work. Don't hide your light in a cave! Get back to the business of a prophet by anointing Hazael King over Aram. I'll take care of your enemies.

Today, you may find yourself in your own "cave" cowering from family members, co-workers, or just the world in general. You may feel you are all alone in your faith in God. And that everyone is out to attack you. You may feel beaten down, overwhelmed, and tired out. Your "cave" is the only place you feel secure.

Well, first of all you need to know that you are not alone. God has Christians all over your town, your country, and the world who still seek to follow Him with all their hearts. 

Secondly, Christians are not reborn through the power of the resurrected Jesus Christ to just hole up and live quiet lives of isolation and seclusion. Jesus compares us to a light shining His love for all to see.  And salt permeating our surroundings with the seasoning of a life changed.

Venture out of whatever "cave" you may find yourself holed up in today, and know you are not alone. Get back to church. Talk with God through prayer. Be available when the Spirit prompts you to action. You'll find your life suddenly filled with a new light and love that transcends anything this world can offer!

Kalkaska Team takes mission trip to Sonlight Ministries in Haiti

A team from Kalkaska, led by Tim and Anita Severance, recently returned from the third-world country of Haiti on a short-term missions trip. They ministered with Sonlight Ministries, one of several missions supported by the Kalkaska Church of Christ. Sonlight Ministries includes an English Immersion Academy for grades Preschool through 12th, Sonlight Bible College, and Sonlight Church which recently moved into their new facility, the SonCenter.

Stobert Dental in Port-de-Paix, Haiti

The team supplied dental care to over 300 students, workers, and others in and around the mission. The dental team was led by Drs. Troy and Carrilyn Stobert and assisted by Michelle Price and Anita Severance.

Matt Price, Mike Fitzgerald, and Scott Severance all worked alongside Mission Founder, Roger Alexander, to provide maintenance to the mission.

Veryna Flores, Charla Reimer, Sidney Price, Kaylin Severance, Emma Price, and Kyra Stobert all assisted in the Sonlight Academy classrooms during the week.

The afternoons were spent exploring and experiencing the country, it's culture, language, and people. 

Monday the team traveled by Haitian taxi (motorbike) to the Market downtown where they witnessed a funeral procession, visited the Catholic Church, and experienced the state run hospital.
Tuesday, a mountain hike proved to be more than anyone bargained for when the small group came upon a voodoo ceremony and were even allowed to photograph part of it!
Wednesday, they took a tap-tap (pick-up truck) to the House of Hope where they held babies and played with children.
Thursday, the group visited KCC's Familystuf/Kidstuf's newly sponsored child, Jemima Jonquille, at her home.
Friday, the team visited a Haitian home and went on a fishing trip with the locals.

Here are some of the team's comments from Facebook about the trip.

"This country is so full of beautiful people, beautiful culture, and beautiful land. I cannot wait to return!"

Sidney making faces with Preschooler Elizabeth

 - Charla Reimer

"Beautiful country, beautiful people."

-Sidney Price

"What a great experience this trip was!!"

-Mike Fitzgerald

"I can't look at things the same ever again. Monday at work was rough. There is so much we take for granted in this country. While we live in our own little bubbles of comfort there is real poverty and suffering out there. The poorest family I know would be rich in Haiti. I mean I got to see kids play with Legos for the first time and they were 1st graders! 

Veryna tutoring Sonlight Academy students

It was amazing! People with no shoes, covered in dirt, and hungry were everywhere. There's no trash pick up and waste just flows out onto the streets while little kids walk barefoot through it. 

Haiti has my heart. The people are friendly and loving, people are close, the children have respect and many have a deep love of God. The place is beautiful, and people cherish the small things and stick together. I found myself wanting to stay there forever."

-Veryna Rogers (Flores)

For a more detailed report on this mission trip and a Haiti Medical mission trip with Dr. Richard Hodgman, join us Sunday morning, November 16th at 10:00 AM at the Kalkaska Church of Christ.