RELATIONSHIP WITH FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT (PART TWO)

RELATIONSHIP WITH FATHER, SON, 

AND HOLY SPIRIT

(PART TWO)

By Dwight Cunkle

"What good does it do to speak learnedly 

about the Trinity if, lacking humility, 

you displease the Trinity?" 

T.A. Kempis

I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, And give the godless world evidence [to believe] That you've sent me and loved them the same way you've loved me. I have made your very being known to them-Who you are and what you do-And continue to make it known, So that your love for me be in them Exactly as I am in them. (Jn 17:23, 26)

... Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. "The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen. (Matthew 11:27 MSG)

Personalize these verses by speaking directly to the three Persons of the Holy Trinity:
[Holy Spirit, You…] will honor  and  glorify Jesus, because [You] will take of (receive, draw upon) what is (in Jesus) and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to (us). (Jn 16:14)

Jesus, It is You who show us the Father.
Holy Spirit and Jesus, help us to know Father God with You.

Father God... (that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give (us) a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of (our) hearts enlightened, that (we) may know what is the hope to which he has called (us), what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward (us) who believe, according to the working of his great might (Ephesians 1:17-19 ESV)

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, fullness of God that fills us in love, unifies us in love and through the church will fill the whole earth with your glory and goodness in love, we abide in holy fellowship and oneness with You. We enter into conversation with You. Open our ears to hear and respond.

BE AWARE, UNDERSTAND, TAKE ACTION

BE AWARE, UNDERSTAND, TAKE ACTION

By Dwight Cunkle

When a person decides to know; love God and do his will they experience both resistance and help. Discerning the enemy’s tactics help us resist him and go further on with Jesus.

Examples of enemy resistance from the world, flesh and devil include the following:

-Unsettling anxieties, diminishing peace
- Diminishing energy and strength to do the good
-Sadness and discouragement without knowing why
-Dullness, hardness or lack of motivation to pray, lack of interest in spiritual life, losing heart
-Obstacles and difficulties in daily life and temptations which add up to come against us with negative self-talk; “How can I continue to do good?” or, “Look what you are giving up or won’t be able to do.”
-False reasonings bring confusion, hopelessness, failure: “It’s my fault that I am not better because I should be”
-Feelings of division, unresolved hurts, critical spirit, judgments, negative interpretations of what others think, loneliness or feelings of being misunderstood.
-Fears: of failure, of rejection, of the devil or more resistance, or even fear of success and the responsibility



Examples of how God’s grace and good spirits help us overcome: 

-Experience God’s love uplifting us in faith, hope, joy, peace (even if only briefly)
-Courage to face the enemy’s resistance and continue God’s will
-Strength of God’s love lifting the heart
-Consolations of God’s love giving a new ease and increase in love for others which also uplifts us
-Tears of comfort from the movement of God’s love and closeness or overwhelming gratitude for his love in Jesus
-Inspirations, illuminations and spiritual clarity to see and overcome confusion
-Quiet Strength and peace of heart even in activity
-Grace removes obstacles, inspires an gives hope
-Faith and joy uprising in the midst of the enemy’s taunts

Go further on with the resurrected Christ and resist

the desolations of our enemy whom he has defeated.

KEEP THE “MUSIC PLAYING” IN OUR LIVES

KEEP THE “MUSIC PLAYING” 

IN OUR LIVES


Jesus is Alive!

By praying and reading his word daily we can personally feel the effects of his presence and voice in our lives. Jesus appeared to more than 500 people post-resurrection. Because of his resurrection, there are, by some counts, as many as 2 billion Christians in the world today. Here is a list of Jesus’ appearances:
1. Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene, shortly after his resurrection. See Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18.
2. Jesus appears to the women returning from the empty tomb. See Matthew 28:8-10.
3. Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. See Mark 16:12,13; Luke 24:13-35.
4. He appears to Peter. See Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5.
5. He appears to his disciples, in Jerusalem, while Thomas is absent. See Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23.
6. Jesus again appears to his disciples, in Jerusalem. This time Thomas is present. See John 20:24-29.
7. Jesus appears to his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. See Matthew 28:16; John 21:1,2.
8. Jesus is seen by 500 believers at one time. See 1 Corinthians 15:6.
9. He appears to James. See 1 Corinthians 15:7.
10. He appears to his disciples on a mountain in Galilee. See Matthew 28:16-20.
11. He appears to his disciples, blesses them, and ascends into heaven. See Luke 24:50-53.
12. He also appears to Paul, on the road to Damascus. Acts 9:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8.
By George Konig www.konig.org

FORGIVENESS IS CENTRAL TO MAKE THE JESUS SHIFT

FORGIVENESS IS CENTRAL TO MAKE THE JESUS SHIFT

By Dwight Cunkle

Part eleven based on The Anger Trap by Dr. Les Carter

It shouldn’t take bone cancer to heal us
of relational cancer

     Like you, I have many memories of the agony of broken relationships which could have been avoided if we had chosen to learn how to practice assertive anger (truth in love). One example is the relational pain I had caused my sisters and I am sure my own parents by withdrawing from them, moving away, and being judgmental and self-righteous toward them. It was not until we shared the care of our father during his final weeks of battling painful bone cancer that I reconciled and began to feel close again to my sisters. In the days of dad’s lingering pain I felt the Lord say to me, “He is filling up the mystery of sharing in my suffering for my body.” His pain gave opportunity to heal our relational pain. But I had to make the “Jesus Shift” to acceptance and ask and receive forgiveness.

Anger and frustration comes in conflict not because we want to fight but because
we want closure and connection.

If your brother is offended at you go and try to make it right with him before trying to bring sacrifices to God (Mt 5:22-23) 

If your brother has sinned against you go to him privately and try to restore the relationship. (Mt 18:18-19)

      If we would just practice the two above Scriptures so much unnecessary pain could be avoided.

     Just as there are both healthy and unhealthy ways to express anger, there is also healthy and unhealthy guilt. Godly sorrow produces intense remorse over our sin and intense motivation to be forgiven and restored. This kind of agony is a gift of God’s mercy leading to true repentance.

     Bad guilt is condemning like shame. It leads us to turn inward but not deep enough-it only focuses on self. Narcissistic introspection won’t restore our soul anymore than blame and holding onto offense. Good guilt directs us to the cross and deep into the core of our spirit where Christ dwells. There He heals and restores.

     The peace which follows from this grace enables us to accept others, ask and give forgiveness. Especially in this season, may God grant us good guilt, reconciliation and peace.

PAIN ALSO SERVES A PURPOSE

PAIN ALSO SERVES A PURPOSE

By Dwight Cunkle

Part ten based on The Anger Trap by Dr. Les Carter

Last week we looked at “myths” that can cause unhealthy and anger-either hidden and passive or openly
aggressive.

Believing and demanding wrong ideals leads to disillusionment, vows like “I will never…” and bitter-root judgments which poison our interpretation of others.

“I need people to treat me fairly,” needs replaced with,“I can manage my anger despite others’ flaws.”
“Being forceful is a sign of strength,” can be replaced with “Gentleness and listening humbly show strength.”
“Accepting or showing weakness means defeat,” Can be replaced with, “Accepting mine and others’ weaknesses the maturity and emotional health I want.”

A key is to not build my self-esteem on what I think I deserve or what privileges to which I feel entitled. As we saw in this past election that always leads to anger and poor decisions. It is healthier to focus on my responsibilities which means I also need to face and accept pain. People who are often hurting others have probably not come to terms with their own inner agony.

Pain can have a redemptive purpose-protecting us from worse injury to ourselves and others.

The cross is the place for our pain since Jesus bore it. The cross is the place of exchange of our rights for his good.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Let pain bring you to Christ’s wounds. Come to Jesus’ side and ask healing from deep wounds. Ask grace to give and receive forgiveness.  Exchange life with Jesus.

WHY PEOPLE REMAIN TRAPPED IN ANGER

WHY PEOPLE REMAIN TRAPPED IN ANGER

By Dwight Cunkle

Part eight based on The Anger Trap by Dr. Les Carter


Eph 4:25-27 25 ...each of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer the question of love and boundaries. The social outcast (Samaritan) had plenty of reason to avoid the stranger in the ditch. The religious persons in the story passed on by, but he was willing to be interrupted (he went near to the one in need and touched him). The Samaritan chose to get involved (inconvenience changed his plan). He personally invested his own resources without expectation of being paid back. He could have reacted with judgment and anger and self-protection but instead he modeled love. He extended his personal boundary to include a stranger from a group different than his own, and he acted in compassion. 

To be a good neighbor means to be free from prejudice, past hurts, and to be willing to allow God to open my heart to receive and to give His agape’ love.
Review from previous weeks:
Understand the positive purpose of anger.
Become aware of the choice to handle anger in a healthy or unhealthy way: assertiveness combined with sensitivity to others. Choose not to suppress anger, be openly aggressive or resort to passive-anger (silence, poor work ethic, complaining, making excuses, blaming others, feeling like a victim, feeling sorry for myself or shunning accountability.
How am I influenced by family patterns to treat me and others with respect or defensive reactions?
Become aware of insecurity, pride, self-absorption, fear of being disrespected or devalued as a person, and myths I may believe about anger.

The purpose of anger is to preserve or protect. Anger is tied to the craving for love, admiration and significance-sometimes it is a cry to be relieved from pain of insecurity, pride, self-absorption, fear.

BE ANGRY BUT DON’T SIN (PART THREE)

BE ANGRY BUT DON’T SIN (PART THREE)

 
By Dwight Cunkle

based on The Anger Trap by Dr Les Carter

The purpose of anger is to preserve or protect.

The problem with anger is that Sin enters when we act out angrily without respect or sensitivity to others. (Common sense dictates how we treat an intruder or enemy on the battlefield  but I am talking about normal day-today conflict resolution with people around us.)

Trained Incompetence—generational patterns of iniquity
Few people were trained how to handle anger and frustration in positive assertive ways during their childhood. Generational patterns of moodiness and self-protective reaction become entrenched like curses: “demolition derby arguing”, or passive aggressive behavior (“silent treatment” or “saying ‘Yes’ while meaning ‘No’,” procrastination, not finishing work, doing work without excellence, etc...).

Common excuses we use include: “that’s just the way I am,” or “if you had been treated the way I have…” or  there may be a physiological problem like a depletion of serotonin in the brain.The message many received is “just stop feeling that way,” instead of hearing, “tell me more about what happened and what might help.”

The model often was “do as I say not as I do.” We can tell a child their angry action was bad but are they imitating us whining, bickering or suppressing anger?

Then we grow up without being trained how to handle emotions: to slow down, listen, think and make careful choices in how to manage life’s challenges. We don’t realize that we actually need a “plan” beforehand about how to communicate and resolve problems. In most situations anger warrants careful exploration of cause and consequence but do we do it?

Contemplative Thinking:
No matter our age and experience we can choose to learn how to think differently about our feelings and make better choices., rather than just reacting on impulse and out-of-control. Then I can learn to discern the spirit-source/direction. 

Does my anger in this instant have a legitimate cause and do I have a way to communicate how I feel (not just attack)?

How can I respond in a way consistent with life goals, values and Jesus’ commands about relationships?

HOW’S YOUR SIGNIFICANCE TODAY?

By Richard Lineberry

Much time and energy is spent these days by educators of the young to try to persuade them that their lives are to be meaningful.  It seems like the breakdown of families and absentee fathers is taking a great toll on us.  Many people feel nothing but emptiness and worthlessness.

Our longing for significance doesn’t just hit us when we turn into adults.  It’s inborn.  The relationship with parents, family and friends help to satisfy it to some extent.  Our vocation and daily activities add a little bit to the longing also.  But we are more complicated than that. 

Lasting significance at the deepest human  level, however, can only be achieved through a close and loving experience with God.  He didn’t create man from the dust and then say, “Ok, now go do your own thing.”  We were made to have fellowship and friendship with this eternal Father in heaven.  Animals can’t do it; only people are made for it.  It takes time to develop but nothing else can take its place.

The popularity, wealth and fame the world offers is fleeting and temporary.  Wealth can leave us in a moment.  Having a famous name is short lived because people’s interests are short lived.  Our inner desire to know that we are of eternal value goes beyond the physical realm and anything else the world can do for us. 

God’s Son came to earth to remind us that we were important to the God that made us.  We were not made for nothing or just to endure a miserable existence.  Rather, His love and closeness produces a freedom and joy that nothing else can provide.  In learning to commit ourselves to Christ and serving others as He did, all the need for significance you could have will take care of itself.  Just try it!

The Apostle Paul gives us a great prayer that helps us draw closer to the God who gives significance. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.                                                                          II Corinthians 13:14

First Church of Post Eden OR

Covenant Love and Life

No surprise that Adam and Eve did not go to church. They didn’t have “devotions” or praise and worship services and never had to sit through a sermon or read a book. WOW-does that sound like paradise?

What did they have? HMM, let’s see… they walked in close proximity with God each evening—face to face as it were. Their  devotion was to keep and tend the garden of God. Their worship was to obey. Their knowledge of God was to  fill the earth by bearing fruit in what they did. God blessed them. They didn’t have a Bible study but they experienced the “GOOD” which God had created and they participated in the re-creation and re-formation of the earth.

Until they fell. They sinned when they believed the lie that they were supposed to be like God and could be like God on their own, instead of trusting and obeying God. They trusted themselves to satisfy themselves and please God and others, or else control them. From then on they had to hide and pretend and blame and control and put on “religion.”

I imagine they could have “formed” something like the “First church of Eden.” They could have made up a liturgy using trees and fruit. They might have made up songs like “I’ll fly away to the garden of Someday,” or, “Hold the fort ‘til the Super Seed comes to replant us in heavenly Glory.”

Covenant—God’s form of relationship, worship and life

God, the Judge of the distorted Form, gave them a form of worship which would shape them for redemption (to be bought back, brought back, re-formed). He gave them a tabernacle and system of sacrifices to prepare them for the Ultimate Sacrifice, the Son of God. He gave them a way to cover their guilt and heal their distorted souls.

God offered them & us relationship with Him through covenant.  He made the rules, gave them priests and prophets, apostles and pastors, spelled out the consequences of their disobedience, then satisfied the demands of the law and paid for our sins (see Abraham in Gen 15). When we receive Christ, are born into his kingdom and enter into his covenant, He involves us in his great joy of co-mission with him to heal and re-from the earth. Together in Christ we can live Covenant life.     

-PD

Are we Incarnational or Attractional or BOTH

Are we Incarnational or Attractional or BOTH?

Sunday messages can be viewed online here Message from Gary Cake

Or request a CD from Rick O’Hara or Ryan Ellis

How do we feel and how do we respond to Gary's message on us being “incarnational instead of attractional?” He said our programs and plans are neither the problem nor the answer but our mindsets are. Are we intentional about being “with” people—being “present” to them during the week? We are hospitable people when they visit us but are we relational and "missional" in our mindset to go be with and be where Christ’s presence is needed by others? Richard said this, “The "meat is in the street." Jesus “encountered” the Samaritan woman at the well by speaking honestly yet with love.

So what is our heart and mindset in doing Whiz Kids, "adopt a block" prayers, Oct 9 Kaiser School work day, Trunk or Treat, Food Drive and Neighborhood Sunday, challenging men together inviting them to Ziklag and emotionally connecting with women by inviting them to Women Walking With God group?

Is our heart and mind to win the lost and make disciples...

How do we feel about this? What do we feel?

I think we do feel life growing (the body grows as every member participates in relationship and love-as growing in body ministry and prayer Sun AM and small groups).

The fruit of this increased sense of ownership and growing participation does help us feel the power and faith of the Lord for incarnational ministry does it not?

How do you feel about this? Do we feel growing love and faith in Christ?

On a personal note, I look forward daily to the question, "What are You thinking of me now Lord? What are You thinking of us? What are you thinking of those around me and what does this make me feel? What do I want to do as a result? I want to follow You, Lord, and be both attractional and incarnational.”