Worldview: Fire of God or Philosophies on Man?

I have been fascinated as I have traveled on this journey with Jesus at how very much He has changed my world view. Beginning that day when He reached out to me and rescued me from the mire and dust to see how many false things I believed about the world around me, the nature of people, their and abilities, as well as, the spirit realm.

I experienced something as a young believer who was passionate about following Jesus that changed the way I saw and experienced the world around me and within me. Today we would call what happened to me a Biblical immersion (immerse: reflexive verb to become completely occupied with something, giving all your time, energy, or concentration to it). Every day for months I immersed myself in the Word of God reading the Bible and praying for hours about what I had read everyday. This total emersion not only illuminated (transitive and intransitive verb to provide somebody with knowledge or with intellectual or spiritual enlightenment) me but challenged everything I believed, everything I understood and the way I interacted with the world and everyone in it. Every thought, action and belief came under the conviction and illumination of the Holy Spirit. I spent many and hour repenting and grew in grace and truth. This process did not stop but has has continued for many years now and I have come to understand that my World view has continuously been changed and molded as I have submitted myself, my experiences and beliefs to God.

Another significant part of my transformation was the Christ like love and wisdom of my first pastor, his wife and the church they led. Pastor Jim and Julie Maley and the people of what is now the Pueblo Christian Center taught me by example what the Good News of Jesus looked like in everyday life.

My journey as a believer has also been shaped by others in the Kingdom of God who have written books which are important in adding to or understanding of what we are a part of and just how our Worldview impacts our usefulness to God. One of the many books that have impacted me is below.

This book opened my eyes to the area of Worldview many years ago and is still around, now in its 4th addition. James Sire's "The Universe Next Door" is a wonderful resource and should be mandatory reading for all Christians who interact with anyone who was not been raised in the Church. Sub titled 'A Basic Worldview Catalog' the reader of this book is treated to insights, such as how the Church's weakened Spiritual state led to the rise of false religions and a dependency on science as the underpinning of mankind’s belief systems.

If you want to know more go to the IVP web site http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2780 or the Equippers Tool Box @ http://equipperstoolbox.blogspot.com/

The primary reason for mentioning this book is the comparison of the transformational results and power of a Biblical immersion in the Word and Spirit of God and the contrasting de-transformational results of a life which is not filled with the truth and power of God.

When Jesus came he spent three plus years proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Many could not or would not allow their worldview to be changed by the truth and power He proclaimed through a life that did the will of the Father and that was empowered by the Holy Spirit. One of the most fascinating Biblical accounts of Jesus' impact on people is the aacount of the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Lk 24:13-18
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a
village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were
talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they
talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and
walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things
that have happened there in these days?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a
prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The
chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and
they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to
redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took
place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb
early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that
they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our
companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it
is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it
and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each
other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the
road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Their hearts burned within them! The fire of God not only illuminates it also burns away the impure and all that is not of God.

Will you allow God to immerse you in His Word and Spirit, allowing His Spirit to illuminate and burn away all that is not of Him?

Your World View will Change to His World View even as Moses' was changed when he spent 40 days and nights in the presence of God!!

The light of His glory will not fade, but it will transform us as we immerse ourselves in His Word and Spirit continuously!

Contending With God

The LORD said to Job: Job 40:1-1440:1
2 "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!"
3 Then Job answered the LORD:
4 "I am unworthy — how can I reply to you?I put my hand over my mouth.
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer — twice, but I will say no more."
6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:
7 "Brace yourself like a man;I will question you,and you shall answer me.
8 "Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
9 Do you have an arm like God's,and can your voice thunder like his?
10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath,look at every proud man and bring him low,
12 look at every proud man and humble him,crush the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave.
14 Then I myself will admit to you Job that your own right hand can save you. NIV

What Do Three Former Presidents Have In Common?

A preacher of Jesus Christ untarnished by a political agenda, his name, Billy Graham.

I had the opportunity to watch the Billy Graham Library dedication on TV the other day and there they were Bush the senior, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter all praising this humble man of God in their own unique way.

There was Billy looking more like an Old Testament prophet than a 21st Century Evangelist. His long white hair catching the light as if the Glory of God had become visible upon him. Then there were the three presidents, each one with good memories of Rev. Graham and his ministry to them. They were doing what the Bible instructs us to do, "Give honor to whom honor is due."

In a day when believers seem more captured by the politics of the day then the power that has made this man able to minister the Good News to more people than anyone else in history, there he sat frail in body but strong in God!

Then there were the three presidents, each one with good memories of Rev. Graham and his ministry to them. Emotion flowed from them as they shared stories of their time with Billy.

Maybe we need to consider the life and ministry of Billy Graham if we want to truly see our world changed for the better. His single focus on obeying God's will for his life will one day soon cause him to hear the father say, "well done you who are a good and faithful servant."

We have many choices to make each day on how we will spend our life and resources, May God help us to make choices that see the accomplishment of the agenda and work of His Kingdom. I am not saying that a Christian should not be involved in politics. I am saying, our life should be totally His and not our own.

Not everyone is called to be an evangelist, but we are all called to please the one who created us. So, let us each carry out the call He has given us and may we do so, with all our mind and heart and soul!

Thank you God for Billy Graham's example and life!

Equipper