Guest Blogger Walter Aiken: The Myth-Understanding

Once upon a time, in a place far away, a story was told.  It wasn’t just any story, not folklore, certainly not imaginary, but a factual account based upon historical events.  Then that story was retold.  Then it was told again, and again, and again.  In Portuguese, there’s a saying that “one who tells one, adds one,” meaning that we all tend to slightly alter stories, rarely intentionally, in the retelling.  

Oops, it happens.

Aesop gave us fables, Puccini composed operas, Robert Frost wrote poetry and I write E-quippers.  With this one, I’m inviting you to think with me on some thoughts that I’ve been pondering for quite a while.

Jesus said, “You do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Matt.22:29)  Mistakes are made when we have “miss takes” on factual evidence.  Beginning with an erroneous premise leads to false conclusions.  Sadly, when flimsy “think-ology” replaces Biblical theology, people are “tossed to and fro, carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph.4:14)  

Our roots MUST keep going deep and deeper into God’s Word if we’re to have any expectation of growing deep and deeper in knowing Him.

HOWEVER, there are a few glaring “myth-understandings” of His Word that have crept in among us.  (Let me strongly affirm, avow, declare and emphasize with all confidence that I KNOW God’s Word stands forever!  Not a shadow of doubt, nary even a wisp, about the infallibility of The Bible as given to us by our Savior and Lord.  Questioning a translation, by no means, means i’m questioning Him.)

How many think that young David, the shepherd, killed Goliath, the Philistine giant, with a sling and a stone?  We’ve heard the story time and again, from Sunday school, to VBS, even from preachers in their pulpits and some actually believe it.  (Don’t think I doubt the true account.)  

David DID slay Goliath, just not as some imagine.  If we stop at I Samuel 17:50, then we haven’t read the whole story.  In 17:51, David took Goliath’s sword from its sheath, “slew him, and cut off his head therewith.”  Yes, he “got stoned” but then lost his life by the very weapon he’d planned to use against the Israelites!  JUSTICE.

How many times have we heard of Jonah and the whale?  Innumerable!  The whale encounter happened to Captain Ahab (not in The Bible) resulting in a less than desirable ending.  Jonah was swallowed by a FISH.  

I studied over 50 English versions of Matthew 12:40, finding “fish” (29 times); “whale” (14); “sea monster” (10); “animal” or “creature” (once per).  BUT in Job 1:17, all these 50-plus versions used “fish” to translate the Hebrew word “dag”.  How easily misinterpretations lead to a myth-understanding.

Jonah is factual, actual, historical and the events occurred exactly as God has declared.  Jonah was called to be a missionary.  He attempted to outrun God’s presence.  No soul can escape an OMNIPRESENT Creator.  

The heart of the story of Jonah is not about a fish.  The heart of the story is about God’s heart for lost people who need to hear His message of forgiveness and redemption.  

Another “myth-understanding” – How many believe that we’re saved by faith?  (Please don’t stop reading just yet.) Yes, we are saved in Christ!  And, indeed, “without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God.” (Hebr.11:6)  Good works don’t bring us to faith, yet faith must result in good works. (James 2)  

The Bible’s clear. We’re saved by GRACE (Eph. 2:8).  Saved by Jesus’ gracious sacrifice on the Cross.  When we emphasize we’re saved by faith, then that faith waivers, some imagine that we can lose our salvation.  But we have an incorruptible inheritance, undefiled, never fading, reserved in Heaven, KEPT by the power of God. (I Peter 1:4,5)  Let us not “myth” the truth that our salvation is thru God’s love!

Sometimes we meet folks who “myth-understand” the Great Commission, thinking that Jesus’ words, “Go ye, therefore” are akin to a drill sergeant barking, “A-ten-hut! Forward! March!”  The verbs “going, baptizing, teaching” are present, active, indicative.  To “make disciples” is the imperative.  

“Therefore” refers to the “before” (in 28:18) “ALL authority” is Mine, both in Heaven and on earth.  We understand better when we hear Jesus saying, “Therefore, going . . .”  We’re called to evangelize along the way, wherever we might be.  

Our CO-mission is the mission of making disciples.  Crossing foreign borders doesn’t turn a Christian into a missionary, yet missionaries feel driven to cross borders.  

The commission is NOT just for some, not even for most, it’s for ALL of the redeemed.

How many believe that Saul, going to Damascus, intent on murdering disciples of Jesus, “fell off his horse” when confronted by the Lord?  Okay, read Acts 9:3-9 and find me the animal.  The Bible affirms that Saul fell to the ground, got up from the ground and was led by the hand into the city.  BUT there aren’t any horses!  Even one of my seminary students wrote, “We, like Saul, must fall off our horse for God to get our attention.”  Some folks ride high horses, but I don’t think that’s what is meant here?!

When “tradition” is met by “Truth” we find ourselves in a dilemma of (1) rethink our traditions or (2) rewrite the truth.  The latter option leads only to more “myth-understandings”.  Thus my encouragement is re-read, re-think, re-consider these things.

Thanks especially for reading these thoughts up to this point.  Please understand that my aim was for us to look at familiar stories from their BIBLICAL basis.  It was never my intention to offend, never to cause any doubts about my steadfast confidence in the faithfulness of our Lord.  As Job said, so I affirm that “i KNOW that my Redeemer lives!”  The Lamb of God who offered His life for our salvation is The Lion of Judah who lives and reigns forevermore.  Let us know Him and make Him known, ALWAYS!

“The world passes away, and its lusts, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (I Jn.2:17)

Soli Deo Gloria,

Walter

(The above was excerpted from Walter Akin's newsletter, THE E-QUIPPER 58 – Such a Myth-Understanding! – July 2017. Walter is a Global Outreach in Brazil. You can read more about his ministry with this link: Walter Aiken)

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lease like and share if this blog post has touched your heart. It extends our digital reach in significant ways. Thank you.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Ministry to the Minister

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line

A Week's Worth of Missionary-ness

19 August 2016

I've known about Global Outreach International for more years than I'll say right now. When I was just a girl, I volunteered with them in Honduras for three months. It was a life-changing adventure. I came home full of dreams of spending most of the ensuing years on the mission field.

But life...

Life and sin got in the way of those dreams.

It seemed like a crazy number of years later when Steadman Harrison (Global CEO) and I first discussed my digital efforts. "We'd love to partner with you," he told me the first time back in April. "You're a digital missionary," he assured me in June. I didn't know what partnering with me meant, but somehow, he encouraged me along until I was convinced.

I'm still in awe of how God orchestrated this whole process. 

One week after completing missionary orientation, nothing is like I expected it to be. Truly, I assumed I would be working from the comfort of my screened porch, more often than not in shorts and t-shirt.

Every time I walked down the hall at MOT, however, a strange thing happened when I passed the second office on the left. Something in my heart whispered, "That's your office." 

I didn't really want it to be, but the voice in my heart would not be denied. Finally, I prayed, "Lord, if this office business is from you, don't just tell me. Tell Global, too." 

He did.

Late Friday afternoon, that Voice was joined by the voices of Stan May (board member), Rory Tyer (VP of Marketing), and Steadman Harrison (CEO). Suddenly, I found myself as a "funded missionary" at the Home Office ministering in areas of Prayer and Discipleship. 

(In case you're wondering, a funded missionary is one who raises their own support via those who partner financially in order to have a salary and fund their ministry projects)

So far this week I've spoken on prayer to a precious group of believers at Sherman Baptist Church. They joined with me in praying big for this hurting world of ours, and I'm thrilled and encouraged by their willingness to step outside their comfort zone.

I've prayed with countless hurting people here in the second office on the left, and I've prayed with even more out in the community.

I've prayed for and encouraged missionaries around the world via email correspondence on a daily basis. 

I've continued my outreach of discipleship, traveling over the digital highway this week to Germany, France, China, Portugal, Russia, Canada, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Kenya, Belgium, Latvia, and (of course) the United States. 

There've been thousands of views as people have read about the salvation of surrendering to Christ, overcoming a stagnant spirit, sharing the love of God with those around us, and joining in the mission of God to help those in the midst of disaster in Louisiana.

The Hosea study is still ongoing. There have been many views there, as well. Dozens of people have now completed the entire study and even more are still progressing through. 

This "in your place, at your pace" course has allowed people around the world to participate in discipleship training. Since the Hosea study began May 1st, we've had participants from the United States, France, Germany, Portugal, Nicaragua, Ireland, Canada, Latvia, Malaysia, and Spain. 

Discipleship Training has reached literally around the world.

It's been an exciting week, but my life as a missionary has just begun. I'd love for you to join with me as a team member in this amazing adventure.

Here are a few ways you can help:
1) Pray for me every day. If you can only do one thing to help, this is the "one thing" I desperately need you to do. Please pray that I'll be faithful to the work, that I won't be overwhelmed by the need, and that I'll be efficient, compassionate, and creative in how I share the love of Christ.
     
2) Like and share blog posts. This is critical, because it extends my digital reach more than you can imagine. Be sure to pray for the reach of those posts and that they will be like arrows to the heart of the readers, pricking them to move closer to our Lord. 

3) Lend a helping hand. Prayer warriors, I'd love for you to join with me on our knees to pray for the needs of missionaries and for those who are hurting throughout this world. Contact me and we'll schedule a time to pray. (lhollis@globaloutreach.org)

4) Give financially if you can. First, give your tithe to your church. If God moves you to share with this organization or to support my mission endeavors, you can do that in several ways.
online at:  http://globaloutreach.org/north-america#/leanna-hollis/ 

(My account number is 4841) You can donate by bank draft, debit or credit card, or PayPal.
via mail: Checks should be made out to Global Outreach International with my account number (4841) in the "for" line. Mail them to:
     
     Global Outreach International
     P.O. Box 1
     Tupelo, MS 38802

When you give, pray that those dollars yield a harvest of lives that are transformed by the love of Christ. (Global is a 501-C3, ECFA-approved organization, so your dollars are tax-deductible.)

5) Participate in discipleship training and encourage others to participate, as well. It's not too late to start the Hosea study (lessonsindiscipleship.blogspot.com). Don't forget: It's in your place, at your pace. This study lends itself to group study as well, so considering inviting your church to join you in Hosea. An in-depth study on the book of James is scheduled to begin in early 2017, so plan to take advantage of that opportunity.

6) If you need a speaker for an event, consider inviting me. I'm happy to share about what God is doing in this place, teach from Scripture, or help as needed. 

Less than a week into this, I've realized one important truth. Being a missionary is nothing like I expected. It's much better. Harder. Sweeter. 

This has been a big change for me, but it's been worth it. I've touched lives around the world from the second office on the left. I've seen God move hearts in ways I could never do on my own. 

Before He left, Jesus told His disciples to go. Make disciples. Teach them to obey. Be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts the earth. (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8) That's exactly what I, the most unlikely of missionaries, have done. The grace that has made this possible astounds me. I hope I never get over it. 

As I reminisce about the events of this first week, I have to wonder what the next month, the next year will bring.
If it's anything like the last few days, I'm not sure I can imagine what next year will bring. This transition is an exciting time. Thanks for sharing the adventure with me. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11 nasb

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Failed Missionary: Loving and Helping Louisiana
Here's the prayer guide link: The Prayer List

#Gospel #Christian

Sending the Seventy, part 2

Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (Luke 10:1-2 NASB)

In the previous post, we looked at the two areas of responsibility for the harvest. There are those that go to gather the harvest (the uttermost ends of the earth) and those who stay at home and pray. Those who pray and those who go make a perfect team to get the job of harvest done. 

On closer inspection, we find that Jesus' instructions about praying for the harvest were first directed to the seventy, the "sent ones". It turns out that the ones who go have a big job of intercession, as well. Why? It is not because they are somehow "better". They are not better at faith, in their Christian life, or in their prayers. It is simply much easier to pray with insight when you are "on site", isn't it? Seeing the need helps us to better understand what it will take to meet the need and gives us a better understanding of how to pray. 

This is the idea behind "prayer walking". Intercessors go to a specific town or area of a town, walk through, and pray as they walk, allowing the Holy Spirit to prompt their heart as they see the needs with their eyes. In a way, the on site sight brings greater insight. That's an awkwardly complex sentence that conveys the idea behind prayer walking. It's praying with your eyes wide open to see the needs around you. 

When Jesus sent the seventy, they were to go to the towns and villages where He was going. At that time, His going had flesh and blood restrictions. Because he was wrapped in flesh, He could not be everywhere at once. Now, because of His Holy Spirit, our omniscient, omnipresent Lord is everywhere at once. No matter where we go, He precedes us, and that means everywhere is a potential harvest field. Even if we never leave our home town, there is a harvest just waiting for those serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. Look around. There are multitudes of people who need Jesus all around us and they are waiting for those of us who know Him to make the introduction. 

In our family, we usually make a donation in honor of our family members at Christmas rather than elaborate gifts, and we will continue that tradition again this year. As I'm writing this morning, it seems that a gift of harvesting might be the one gift that would most please our Lord. Walk or drive through your town, eyes wide open to see the needs around you. As you see those needs, pray that God will send someone to meet the need. Pray for each home, each family. Pray for the homeless, the lonely, the grieving. Pray for the lost, those who are wandering from their faith, those who are wondering about faith, and those who are certain about their faith. Pray that God will send exactly who He wants to meet the need, bring the Word, provide comfort and tangible goods. Pray that He will send someone to tell the news about Jesus. Don't be surprised, though, if the one He sends is you. 

There is a harvest, and we are the ones who are called to bring it in. Open your eyes, reach our your hands, and get your feet on the ground. Someone is waiting for you to introduce them to Jesus. 

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The new book, The Waiting: When the Answer to Your Prayer is Delayed and Your Hope is Gone, as well as The Clay Papers and The Road to Bethlehem (an advent devotional guide) are now available at http://www.leannahollis.com/online-store/ Get your copy today.