Pursuit of Knowledge vs. Love of Truth

There’s an icebreaker game that I’ve played at different business meetings or training classes.  Maybe you’ve played it before as well.  Here’s how it works:  Each person takes their turn sharing three things about themselves.  One of the three things shared is NOT true.  The rest of the group has to determine which one of the “factoids” is untrue.  It’s harmless enough and the icebreaker serves its purpose, usually, of getting people to open up and talk to each other.  This simple game reminded me of the dangers we face in the world that we live in today.

You and I live in a day of unprecedented information.  Everywhere we turn there is information bombardment.  At our fingertips, through smartphones, tablets and computers, we have a plethora of knowledge.  In less than 100 years we’ve gone from newspaper and radios to a world of data download and push notifications.  Events that would take at least 1-2 days to reach our eyes or ears in the past are now at our disposal in minutes, even when they happen on the other side of the world.  One recent ad even mocks delayed information with lines such as “that was so 11 seconds ago.”

This constant availability of knowledge hasn’t curbed our desire for more information.  In many cases, it has whetted our appetite to know, hear or see some new thing.  Even though separated by centuries, this pursuit of knowledge sounds eerily similar to what is described in Acts 17.

¹⁸ And some also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him and began to engage in discussion. And some said, What is this babbler with his scrap-heap learning trying to say? Others said, He seems to be an announcer of foreign deities—because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

¹⁹ And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus [Mars Hill meeting place], saying, May we know what this novel (unheard of and unprecedented) teaching is which you are openly declaring?

²⁰ For you set forth some startling things, foreign and strange to our ears; we wish to know therefore just what these things mean.

^21 (For the Athenians, all of them, and the foreign residents and visitors among them spent all their leisure time in nothing except telling or hearing something newer than the last.)(AMP version)

This scripture setting speaks of the danger I was reminded of in the simple icebreaker game that was played.  When provided with multiple pieces of information that all seem credible, or that all seem far-fetched, it is extremely difficult to discern the truth.  In some cases, it causes one to question whether any truth exists at all.  It is a subtle, drawn-out ploy of the enemy of our soul.  Overwhelm with information, give an insatiable desire for more “knowledge” and in so doing, dilute the ability to discern truth.

We readily grab snippets of information from Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, CNN, Fox, USAToday, Huffington, Google, Wikipedia, money blogs, car blogs, health blogs, food blogs…and the list goes on and on.  So easily, and with limited filters or thought, we allow our minds to be filled with this world’s knowledge.  On the surface it seems so harmless. It is easily justified as “a means of staying connected” or “finding inexpensive ways to decorate” or “keeping up with the news” or ______________. (You fill in the blank) Somehow there is a transition from finding information to information overload.  Rather than shutting it off we become numb and gluttonous all at the same time.  It’s the trap of “telling or hearing something newer than the last.”

Please look at those three verses again, especially verse 18.  Do you see why some said he was a “babbler” and a “setter forth of strange deities?”

IT WAS BECAUSE HE PREACHED JESUS AND THE RESURRECTION!

The Epicureans and Stoicks, philosophers, men filled with worldly knowledge of the day, viewed the preaching of Jesus and His resurrection as babble, scrap-heap learning and the setting forth of strange gods.  There excessive in-gathering of information had diluted their ability to recognize truth!  In their pursuit of this world’s knowledge they lost sight of the value of truth.

Consider this: With the lightning speed that “news” is now communicated via the multiple means already mentioned, how do we know if it’s true or not.  By the time something is realized to be untrue it is “so last week’s news” therefore no one pays attention to the retraction or correction.  As a result, the misinformation (aka lie) is perpetrated and truth is of little value because it isn’t current once discovered.  

THE RESULT: THE LOVE OF TRUTH IS LOST AND REPLACED BY A PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE

There are warnings throughout scripture.   

See II Timothy 3:12-15, Matthew 24:3-5, 10-14, 23-24 and II Thessalonians 2. 

Each one is letting us know the dangers of deception and the dangers of losing a love for truth.

There is no doubt that I use and am thankful for the ready access to information provided in today’s world.  It’s important that I temper my pursuit with hard, honest questions.  Some of which can only be answered through spending time in prayer and the Word.

Here are a few questions I like to ask myself:

o    Is my time best spent pursuing this information?

o    How well do I know the source of this blog, article or reference?

o    Am I giving more time to knowledge pursuit than I am giving to biblical pursuit?

o    Am I pursuing worldly knowledge or God’s Kingdom knowledge?

Why is all of this so important you might still ask?  Let’s look at the very next verse in Acts 17.  I believe it will help answer that question.

²² So Paul, standing in the center of the Areopagus [Mars Hill meeting place], said: Men of Athens, I perceive in every way [on every hand and with every turn I make] that you are most religious or very reverent to demons.(AMP version)

In the Athenians pursuit of knowledge they failed to realize what they were entertaining. 

I’m thankful that we live in an age of increased knowledge.  It has opened doors to spread the Gospel like never before.  Let us not allow the gift of knowledge to become the detriment to life as Adam and Eve did.  Let us pursue knowledge as the Holy Spirit leads.  Above all, let us learn well from Peter & John in Acts 4:13.  They were “ignorant and unlearned” but people took knowledge of them that THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS. He is the way, the TRUTH, and the life!

I'm Not a Big Believer in Personal Soul Winning

There's a man I met a few months ago who we'll call Ricardo. (Not his real name, but, you knew that.) We first met in a home with about 20 other people that had showed up for a home bible study.  This wasn't your typical Sunday or mid-week crowd, that may be why I was so excited to be there.  Ricardo & his girl friend, "Cindy", showed up late.  We had already ate some food and L.R. was teaching the study already.  People sat around the small, dimly lit living room on couches and wooden folding chairs from the 50's.  A few stood in the small kitchen looking through the doorway to see and to listen.  Since Ricardo was late he and his girl friend sat in the narrow, dark hallway off to the side of the kitchen in front of the bathroom.  Both he and she are in their late 30's, early 40's, which made them part of us older people that were there.  Three or four of the late teen, early 20-something guys that were there were obligatorily attending so that they could receive MMA training after the study.  This was a MIXED group to say the least.

The BEST part: Sinners outnumbered Saints.  Ideally, our churches should be representative of the cultures, peoples, & ethnicity of the cities we are in.  In the cities we work in, sinners outnumber saints.  It was reflected in this night's crowd, but, I digress.  Back to Ricardo and Cindy.

They sat through the study.  He interrupted with a question from time to time.  He was definitely not shy.  He may have been slightly intoxicated.  Not real sure.  There's some things I know that he and Cindy both were.  They were hungry, broken, empty and searching.  It was undeniable.

L.R. finished the bible study.  At his request, I made a few comments from the couch and then L.R. asked if anyone wanted to be prayed for.  Ricardo got up, walked from the hallway into the living room area, stepped between legs and stood in front of L.R. and S.G.  He talked about not getting it right but needing to.  He was as open and honest about his condition as anyone could be.  We began to pray, he began to weep.  Many in the room bowed their heads respectfully, unsure of this process they had never witnessed before.  Jesus Christ was ministering.

Ricardo & Cindy showed from time to time but never really stuck.  She was desperate for him to change for fear of death.  He was known to get involved in altercations and gang violence is rampant in the communities he walks in.  Cindy's desperation turned to frustration at times. He would get prayed for when he made periodic appearances. She was seeing more and more in the word.  Four weeks ago, we baptized Cindy, along with three others, in Jesus name in the front yard of that same house.  Ricardo wasn't there to witness it.

Friday night, while in a church service, I received a text from S.G.  It read "Pray for 'Ricardo' shot himself."  My mind raced.  I wanted to race out of the service.  (Don't judge me now.  You've checked your phone in service before.)  What did the message mean?  How was he?  What happened?  Where is he?  Questions of concern flooded my mind for fear of a soul that could slip through the grasp of grace.

It turns out that Ricardo had shot himself in the leg and foot with a sawed off shotgun.  I'll spare you the details, but he did just finish his 4th surgery yesterday with more to come.  I stood in the hospital with Cindy on Saturday.  Ricardo was in and out of it.  I talked to him, prayed to God for his healing, pleaded for his soul.

My phone rang last night on the way home from a bible study.  It was Ricardo on the line from his hospital room.  He wasn't even aware I had been there a few days before.  He spoke.  I wept.  He wept.  I spoke.  Above all, God ministered.  It's a turning point.  I believe that, by faith, with all that is in me by the power of Jesus Christ.

I've realized something through this road with Ricardo.  I'm not a big believer in PERSONAL soul winning.  I believe in it - sure, BUT, I'm a HUGE believer in CORPORATE SOUL WINNING.

Paul said, "Apollos planted, I watered, but God gives the increase."  In Acts 8, Philip preached, healed, baptized.  Peter & John came and prayed and people received the Holy Ghost.  People that came to Priscilla and Aquilla's house were touched by more than just those two people in the church.  I believe in GROUP soul winning.

You see, I didn't teach Ricardo his first bible study.  S.G. did.  I'm not the only one who visited Ricardo in the hospital.  More than five others have.  His life has been specifically touched with the word and prayer by at least eight or nine people with the same compassion and cause.  Why?  Because we all believe IT TAKES A CHURCH TO WIN A LIFE to Christ.  Not a building, but a group of people with a clear focus on reaching people and leading them to Christ.  No one is concerned with who gets the credit.  Ricardo's not my recruit or his recruit or her recruit.  Let's just get people to Jesus.

In S.G.'s home where I first met Ricardo, we've baptized nine people in the last month.  This past Tuesday night, after my wife and I left S.G.'s home, I received a text from him.  It read "Travis & John received the Holy Ghost."  I'll update you when Ricardo receives the Holy Ghost.  You know it's just a matter of time when a whole group of people are reaching, teaching, giving and praying for him.

I Love Math

With school starting back, my thoughts have been on the three R's lately.  You know, Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic.  (Who ever thought of calling them the three R's wasn't a spelling major, that's for sure!)  I've especially been thinking about Math.  It was always my favorite subject in school.  I can hear some of you through cyberspace saying "Ugh!" and "You're crazy!"  Think about this for just a moment and you'll understand some key reasons why I loved math. 

First and foremost - MATH DIDN'T HAVE GRAY AREAS!

• In 1st grade - 2 + 2 = 4
• In 5th grade - 2 + 2 = 4
• Believe it or not, even when new math after I graduated  - 2 + 2 = 4

You can probably figure out that I hated English. ('I' before 'E' except after.... Drove me crazy!) Math was not given to any private interpretation. In math, we all understood and agreed (sometimes after a little debate) there was only one answer.

The 2nd reason I loved math is because there were formulas.  There was always a pattern, a process or a principle that helped you determine the answer.  Once you understood, believed and followed the formula you could solve more complex questions.  Remember adding double, triple and quadruple digits?  Once you grasped the concept of addition and carrying it didn't matter how long the numbers were.  You just stuck to the principle you learned.  Ahhh, math.  Now that's a subject that's easy to love.

The final reason I loved math is really just a combination of the first two reasons.  The lack of gray areas and the principle of formulas remained whether it was addition, subtraction, multiplication, division... As a matter of fact, the same principle of formulas remained in Algebra (stop all the groaning), Geometry, Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus (that's as far as I got in High School).  You see, the principle of success didn't change because the problems became more complex.  You simply had to be willing to stay with the teacher long enough to learn the process.

Can you see the math in God's Word?  Think about it with me for a few minutes.

• God's Word doesn't have gray areas.  It's not given to any private interpretation. (2 Peter 1:20)
• No matter how difficult or complex life's challenges and problems, once you learn the principles you can always come through with the answer. (Note: Important to stay tuned in to the teacher to learn the process!)
• The word of God is full of formulas.  Simple, direct, applicable formulas.  When learned and followed you always arrive at the Answer. Let me finish out with a few formulas I've found for you to think on.

Formulas:

• Jesus + you = Majority
• Jesus + you + belief = All things are possible  (Mark 9:23)
• Jesus + you + me = 10,000 of the enemy to flight (Deuteronomy 32:30)
• 1 Cross + 3 Nails = 4 Given (John 3:16, Luke 23:34)
• Death + Burial + Resurrection = Saving Message (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
• Repentace + Baptism in Jesus Name = You will receive gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38)
• One of my personal favorites -  JESUS in me > he that's in the world (1 John 4:4)

You may have noticed, every "math" problem presented above has a common denominator.  JESUS.  He is the Answer.

I'd welcome your comments and ADDitional formulas you've gleaned from the Bible in the comments section below.  Have a blessed Back to School season.

Let the Wind Blow

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." - Jesus Christ in John 3:8

"The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where its going.  So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." - AMP

The wind.  There is no identifying precisely where it will come from and its destination can't be determined.  Its effects are evident.  The activity of it is undeniable.  It can be heard, but not seen.  It can be harnessed, but not controlled.  It can be gentle and strong; and accomplish much in either form.

Is it any wonder that Jesus likened His Spirit to the wind?  But wait, He didn't stop there.  He was so direct and bold to say that every one that is born of the Spirit is like the wind.  EVERY ONE that is born of the Spirit.  What's He suggesting?  Is He saying that the Spirit-filled, His body - the church, is just all over the place?  Of course not.  He is giving us a clear understanding of how He designed the Spirit-filled church to function.

In central WA near Thorpe there is a hillside covered with 100+ foot tall windmills.  They stand firm like soldiers in a company waiting for the blowing of the wind.  Their blades outstretched like arms begging the wind to come their direction.


These turbines have been strategically placed to capture the wind when it blows. As their symmetrical blades are rotated by the wind they are generating power to places unseen.  Ironically, there are times when the blades simply stand still.  No movement.  No wind.  It's an interesting design to say the least.  These turbines are created to start moving when the wind hits a certain velocity, but they are also designed to shut down when the wind exceeds a certain velocity.

Why is that?

Great question!

The answer is quite simple.  While the blades are made to capture the wind, the windmills have a huge problem.  They can not move across the landscape with the wind.  Try as they might, they are fixed in their position.

Yes, they are strategically positioned to capture the wind, but they are not capable of flowing and going with the wind.  Because of their fixed position, when the velocity of the wind increases they must shut down.  Failure to shut down in a strong wind can cause damage to all around.  As beautiful as the clean energy they generate is, their fixed position is designed to draw power from the wind by resisting the wind.

It's absolutely true that they are fulfilling a purpose, but they are going nowhere.  They are meeting a need, but their fixed position limits their ability to be consistently effective. They are set in their position and must now simply wait for the wind to pass from time to time.

Is it possible that Christ's church, His body of Spirit-filled believers, has become like this mass of windmills?  Is it fixed in it's position and only interested in the wind to generate power? 
Does it have no interest to flow and move with His Spirit beyond pre-determined parameters?
Has it been designed (not by Him) to shut down when the wind blows too strong because the fixed position is actually a resistant to the moving of His Spirit?

Consider an alternative wind capturer.  A ship with many sails.  It's design is not meant to merely gain power from the wind, but to be taken by and with the wind.  It's creation is not for the purpose of staying put.  One writer expressed it like this:

"A ship is safe in harbor, but that is not what a ship is designed for."

The ship gets direction from light, maps, reference points and the like.  But, never forget, the ship is dependent on the wind. All of the movement is dependent on the wind.  It's speed is determined by the wind.  Proper positioning is critical to allow the wind to take it to it's destination.

Yes, the seas can be rough.  Ships can be turned and tossed.  Rest assured that the one who controls the wind also controls the waves.  Doesn't it make sense to set sail and allow the wind of His Spirit to direct His body where He wills?

Throughout the book of Acts it's evident that His church moved with His Spirit.  That didn't always mean physical relocation, but rather a constant moving where His Spirit led to be in front of people.  The church wasn't and shouldn't be "tossed about with every wind of doctrine", but it must be mobile and willing to move with and when and where His Spirit leads.

Consider Acts 2:2-4.
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Some modern day methods would say "put up a sign and start services in the upper room."  Is it any wonder the church went almost three hundred years from house-to-house and grew by thousands? 

Consider Philip in Acts 8:26-27 & 37-40.
Consider Paul & Timothy in Acts 16:6-10

There are over six billion souls in the earth today.  The Spirit of God will blow where it wills.  Will the church be fixed in it's locale or move with His Spirit? 

Which will the church of 2011 be? 

If it's a Spirit-filled church it's already determined by Jesus Christ.

"The wind blows where it wills.  You hear its sound, but you can't tell where it's coming from or where it's going.  So is EVERY ONE that is born of the Spirit."