From the Word

We’ve all gotten back from breaks before and heard conversations like this: “How was break?”

“Too short!”

This goes for Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break, three-day weekends, Winter and Summer Breaks. Why is it that so often, we are not refreshed by vacations from school, no matter how long they are?

In the first post of this series, we learned about the necessity of asking in faith when we pray. The next lesson James teaches us about prayer is to ask with right motives.

You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? (James 4:2b–5).

In Part 1 of this series of blogposts, we learned about the need for Christians to open their eyes and ears and use discernment. So, once we've done that, once we begin to see the hatred toward God that surrounds us, what do we do? Well, what did Elihu do? He got angry...

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord. James 1:5-8

As the CNCF upperclassmen study the book of James this semester, I’ve been struck by the specific lessons James provides on the subject of prayer. The first lesson we learn is that we must pray in faith.

You may have seen this video from Jefferson Bethke. His main point is that Jesus came to abolish religion. Are some of his points in this video true? Sure enough. Are some of his points totally against Scripture and Christ’s teaching? Sure enough.

Bethke is speaking against hypocrisy and legalism. The Bible teaches that an external formalism with no faith in God and no love to God is no good. However, Bethke does not stop at denouncing hypocrisy and legalism. He throws the baby out with the bath water when he gets to talking about his hatred of religion...

Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is a holiday for giving thanks. We remember to be thankful for our family, our friends, our homes, our nation...but what in the world does it mean to be thankful?

Dictionary.com says that "thank" means "to express gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment to." To? To what? To whom? We know we're supposed to be thankful for things, but thankful to?

How important is it to seek heavenly rewards? According to the Word of God, it is a must: “Whoever would draw near to God must believe…that he rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Without believing in and seeking rewards, we can’t draw near to God.

This semester we have been studying the men and women of faith in Hebrews 11. What motivated them to perform their great acts of faith? Only one thing: they were seeking heavenly rewards.

On Good Friday, those who were able at ClearNote Church (and by extension, CNCF) fasted. Its primary purpose was to seek God in an especially focused way. Having been strengthened spiritually through this time, it is important to remind ourselves after the fast of some realities that were made clear during fasting, so that we can go forward with a renewed and increased knowledge of God:

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (Jn 6:51).

Last year about this time Amanda and I had about 15-20 students (and some non-students) in our home to celebrate Good Friday. We began by reading this passage from Luke 24:

'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?' And beginning with Moses and the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

This scene takes place on the road to Emmaus, shortly after Jesus' resurrection. Why is Jesus rebuking His disciples? Apparently, His crucifixion is all over the Old Testament Scriptures. And it should be obvious. What else can He mean by calling them foolish and slow of heart?

But let me ask you a question: when you read the Old Testament, is it obvious to you that Jesus would come and suffer and enter into His glory? Maybe not. But it really is there, if you have eyes to see it.

As you celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus this weekend, here are some Scriptures for you to meditate on that trace the thread of the suffering Messiah from Genesis to Revelation: