Praying "In His Name"

 Our first inclination usually is to pray in a way that fits with what we think is best, or according to the results we desire. For example, if we are in pain, or receive an unfavorable diagnosis, we will usually immediately pray for God to take away the pain or completely heal whatever is ailing us. We pray for our circumstances to change.
 
It is not wrong to pray for these things, but it would be better to pray something like this:

 
Lord, I know you have a purpose for everything you bring into my life, and my prayer is that you would be glorified in whatever way seems best. Please teach me what you want me to learn from this so that my faith will grow. Please help me to see what your sovereign purposes might be, so that I may rejoice in your plan and rely upon your grace. But Lord, if it would be pleasing to you, I do ask that you would bring relief from this pain and healing from this hurt, for this is my desire. Either way, I trust you and I pray that your will be done. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

This, I believe, is a healthy way to pray. It may not be perfect (I am growing in my understanding of how to pray), but it does display trust, teachableness, and reliance upon God. It also seeks to humbly accept his sovereign plan, whatever that may be. At the same time, there is no hesitation to ask God for the desire of your heart, knowing that if God’s answer is no, or not yet, God will give sufficient grace to meet the challenge.
 
Our goal in prayer is to see God glorified no matter what. Our goal is to see things his way, so that our will aligns with his. And once this happens, our prayers are filled with power. They will be answered, and with confidence we can say, “We know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:15). This, my friend, is what it means to ask “in his name.”

- Eric J. Bargerhuff, The Most Misused Verses in the Bible, 2012.

Church History 1: The Contrast between Free Church And Established Church

What exactly did legal establishment mean? It is so far removed from our own experience that we may not realize what an intensive role the government played in administering the churches. Typically, the state collected tithes (which all citizens were legally required to pay, whether they attended the established church or not). The state also laid out new parish boundaries, subsidized new church construction, maintained parish properties, paid clergymen’s salaries, hired and fired them, and even took measures to suppress dissenters. (Baptist preachers, for example, were sometimes jailed and beaten. Yes, here in America!) Finally, in many states, government positions were limited to church members—there were religious tests for office.

It might seem that having the government on their side would have given the established churches quite an edge, and to some extent it did. But ultimately, it weakened them. Monopolies tend to be lazy, whether we’re talking about businesses or schools or churches. The established clergy often lived like members of the gentry (the class that did not work but lived off of investments and rents), enjoying ample time for leisure activities. For example, in Scotland’s state church, which was Presbyterian, Thomas Chalmers observed that after holding worship services, “a minister may enjoy five days in the week of uninterrupted leisure.”

By contrast, the evangelical ministers were enthusiastic activists, throwing themselves into ceaseless efforts to spread the gospel. They set up additional worship services, started Sunday schools, taught Bible classes, made personal visits, established charities, and founded missionary societies. Chalmers himself later became an evangelical, after which he is reputed to have visited 11,000 homes in his Glasgow parish during a single year! Becoming an evangelical made a significant difference in one’s style of ministry.

People at the time were keenly aware of the difference in ethos. A document from 1837 (after all American churches had been disestablished), describes the vivid contrast between America’s free churches and England’s established church. Having seen both firsthand, the writer observed that legal establishment made the clergy “indolent and lazy,” since a person with a guaranteed income would never “work as hard as one who has to exert himself for a living.” As a result, the writer concluded, the Americans had a threefold advantage: “they have more preachers; they have more active preachers, and they have cheaper preachers than can be found in any part of Europe.”

A monopoly faith breeds religious indifference not only among the clergy but among members as well. This is one reason rates of religious adherence were lower in colonial days than we typically suppose. A modern analogy might be societies like Sweden where everyone is putatively Lutheran, or Italy where everyone is Roman Catholic. The level of religious participation in these countries is astonishingly low compared to that in America.

Finally, the established churches tended to be the first to drift into theological liberalism. The wealthier the church, the more likely its clergy were to enjoy social status and formal academic training—and thus also the more likely to welcome the liberalism emerging from European universities at the time. Well before the American Revolution, leading scholars at Harvard and Yale had become Unitarian. Instead of exhorting their congregations to repent and be saved, they delivered elegantly styled lectures on “reasonable religion,” with the supernatural elements increasingly stripped away. When the First and Second Great Awakenings broke out, the liberal clergy firmly opposed them, declaring themselves on the side of “Reason” against the revivalists’ “religion of the heart.”

That was a sure recipe for failure. It is a common assumption that, in order to survive, churches must accommodate to the age. But in fact, the opposite is true: In every historical period, the religious groups that grow most rapidly are those that set believers at odds with the surrounding culture. As a general principle, the higher a group’s tension with mainstream society, the higher its growth rate.

- Nancy R. Pearcey, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, 2004

 

The Essential Components of Slavery

As a matter of fact, the fundamental aspects of slavery are the very features of our redemption that Scripture puts the most stress on. We are chosen (Eph. 1:4 – 5; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:9); bought (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23); owned by our Master (Rom. 14:7 – 9; 1 Cor. 6:19; Titus 2:14); subject to the Master’s will and control over us (Acts 5:29; Rom. 6:16 – 19; Phil. 2:5 – 8); and totally dependent on the Master for everything in our lives (2 Cor. 9:8 – 11; Phil. 4:19). We will ultimately be called to account (Rom. 14:12); evaluated (2 Cor. 5:10); and either chastened or rewarded by Him (Heb. 12:5 – 11; 1 Cor. 3:14). Those are all essential components of slavery……

 

There are at least six Greek words for “servant,” and doulos is not one of them. For example, diakonos (from which our word deacon is derived) means “servant.” Oiketes speaks of a domestic servant. Pais denotes a young boy who runs errands. Huperetes (usually translated “minister”) literally signifies a low-level servant who pulls an oar on the lower deck of a large ship. Leitourgos, also meaning “minister,” designates someone who performs some kind of religious service. Therapon, used of Moses in Hebrews 3:5 (“faithful in all His house as a servant”), refers to a dignified kind of high-level service. And there are several more specific Greek words that describe service in terms far loftier and more respectable than doulos. 

 

Doulos speaks of slavery, pure and simple. It is not at all a hazy or uncertain term. It describes someone lacking personal freedom and personal rights whose very existence is defined by his service to another. It is the sort of slavery in which “human autonomy is set aside and an alien will takes precedence of one’s own.” This is total, unqualified submission to the control and the directives of a higher authority — slavery, not merely service at one’s own discretion.

 

As Harris points out, “there is an important difference. A servant gives service to someone, but a slave belongs to someone.” It is not merely a nuance. Scripture repeatedly and emphatically places Christians in the latter category: “Do you not know that . . . you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:19 – 20). We have a Master who purchased us (2 Peter 2:1). To be specific, we were purchased for God with the precious blood of Christ (Rev. 5:9). This is the very essence of what it means to be a Christian: “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Rom. 14:7 – 9).

 

 --- John F. MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith?. 2009

The Gospel Jesus Proclaimed

The church in our generation has reduced all of saving faith and Christian discipleship to a thoughtless (but more politically correct) cliché: “a personal relationship with Jesus.” The ambiguity of the phrase reflects the destructive vagueness with which evangelicals have been handling (and mishandling) the gospel for the past several decades. As if Christ could be someone’s intimate friend without being that person’s Lord……

 

Listen to the typical gospel presentation nowadays. You will hear sinners entreated with words like, “accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior”; “ask Jesus into your heart”; “invite Christ into your life”; or “make a decision for Christ.” You may be so accustomed to hearing those phrases that it will surprise you to learn that none of them is based on biblical terminology. They are the products of a diluted gospel. It is not the gospel according to Jesus.

 

The gospel Jesus proclaimed was a call to discipleship, a call to follow Him in submissive obedience, not just a plea to make a decision or pray a prayer. Jesus’ message liberated people from the bondage of their sin while it confronted and condemned hypocrisy. It was an offer of eternal life and forgiveness for repentant sinners, but at the same time it was a rebuke to outwardly religious people whose lives were devoid of true righteousness. It put sinners on notice that they must turn from sin and embrace God’s righteousness. It was in every sense good news, yet it was anything but easy-believism.

 

Our Lord’s words about eternal life were invariably accompanied by warnings to those who might be tempted to take salvation lightly. He taught that the cost of following Him is high, that the way is narrow and few find it. He said many who call Him Lord will be forbidden from entering the kingdom of heaven (cf. Matt. 7:13 – 23).

 

--- John F. MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith?. 2009

A List of Medical Specialists and What They Do

Allergist or Immunologist - conducts the diagnosis and treatment of allergic conditions.Anesthesiologist - treats chronic pain syndromes; administers anesthesia and monitors the patient during surgery.

Cardiologist - treats heart disease

Dermatologist -treats skin diseases, including some skin cancers

Gastroenterologist - treats stomach disorders

Hematologist/Oncologist - treats diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues (oncology including cancer and other tumors)

Internal Medicine Physician - treats diseases and disorders of internal structures of the body.

Nephrologist - treats kidney diseases.

Neurologist - treats diseases and disorders of the nervous system.

Neurosurgeon - conducts surgery of the nervous system.

Obstetrician - treats women during pregnancy and childbirth

Gynecologist - treats diseases of the female reproductive system and genital tract.

Nurse-Midwifery - manages a woman's health care, especially during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.

Occupational Medicine Physician - diagnoses and treats work-related disease or injury.

Ophthalmologist - treats eye defects, injuries, and diseases.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon - surgically treats diseases, injuries, and defects of the hard and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and jaws.

Orthopaedic Surgeon - preserves and restores the function of the musculoskeletal system.

Otolaryngologist (Head and Neck Surgeon) - treats diseases of the ear, nose, and throat,and some diseases of the head and neck, including facial plastic surgery.

Pathologist - diagnoses and treats the study of the changes in body tissues and organs which cause or are caused by disease

Pediatrician - treats infants, toddlers, children and teenagers.

Plastic Surgeon - restores, reconstructs, corrects or improves in the shape and appearance of damaged body structures, especially the face.

Podiatrist - provides medical and surgical treatment of the foot.

Psychiatrist - treats patients with mental and emotional disorders.

Pulmonary Medicine Physician - diagnoses and treats lung disorders.

Radiation Onconlogist - diagnoses and treats disorders with the use of diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, sound waves, radioactive substances, and magnetic fields.

Diagnostic Radiologist - diagnoses and medically treats diseases and disorders of internal structures of the body.

Rheumatologist - treats rheumatic diseases, or conditions characterized by inflammation, soreness and stiffness of muscles, and pain in joints and associated structures

Urologist - diagnoses and treats the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive system

from http://www.jmu.edu/esol/specialist_list.htm

Tricky Phrases

1. Lover 情人（不是：爱人）
2. Sporting house 妓院（不是：体育室）
3. Dead president 美钞（不是：死了的总统）
4. Service station 加油站（不是：服务站）
5. Rest room 厕所（不是：休息室）
6. Busboy 餐馆勤杂工（不是：公汽售票员）
7. Dry goods <美>纺织品 <英>谷物（不是：干货）
8. Heart man 换心人（不是：有心人）
9. Tea shop 茶馆；小吃店（不是：茶叶店）
10. Senior citizen 老年人（不是：高级公民）
11. Wash one’s hands 上厕所（不是：洗手）
12. A busy body 爱管闲事的人（不是：忙人）
13. A black sheep 害群之马（不是：一只黑羊）
14. Be taken in 受骗，上当（不是：被接纳）
15. Pull sb’s leg 开玩笑（不是：拖后腿）
16. African American 美国黑人（不是：非洲美国人）
17. Eat one’s words 收回前言，改正错话（不是：食言）
18. Mad doctor 精神病科医生（不是：发疯的医生）
19. Eleventh hour 最后时刻（不是：十一点）
20. Personal remark 人身攻击（并非个人评论）
21. Sweet water 淡水（不是：糖水或者甜水）
22. Confidence man 骗子（不是：信得过的人）
23. Criminal lawyer 刑事律师（不是：犯罪的律师）
24. Dressing room 化妆室（不是：试衣间或者更衣室）
25. Horse sense 常识（不是：马的感觉）
26. Capital idea 好主意（不是：资本主义思想）
27. Familiar talk 庸俗的交谈（不是：熟悉的谈话）
28. Black tea红茶 (不是：黑茶）
29. Green hand 新手 （不是：绿手）
30. Have a fit 勃然大怒（不是：试穿）
31. Black art 妖术（不是：黑色艺术）
32. White coal （作动力来源用的）水
33. Chinese dragon 麒麟（不是：中国龙）
34. Red tape 官僚习气（不是：红色带子）
35. China policy 对华政策（不是：中华政策）
36. White man 忠实可靠的人（不是：皮肤白色的人）
37. Black stranger 完全陌生的人(不是：陌生的黑人)
38. Eat ones words 收回前言（不是：食言）
39. An apple of love 西红柿（不是：爱情之果）
40. Handwriting on the wall 不祥之兆（不是：大字报）
41. Bring down the house 博得满堂喝彩（不是：推倒房子）
42. Blind date（由第三者安排的）男女初次见面（并非盲目的约会或者是瞎
43. 约会）
44. Roadside business 汽车饭店；汽车旅馆；汽车影院（不是：路边店 ）
45. American Dream 美国的生活方式，美国人的自由民主观念（不是：美国梦）
46. Yellow book 黄皮书（法国政府报告书，以黄纸为封，不是：黄色书籍）
47. Blue stocking 女学者，女才子（不是：蓝色长筒袜）
48. American beauty 一种玫瑰，名叫美丽动人（不是：美国美女）
49. English disease 软骨病（不是：英国病）
50. Indian summer 愉快宁静的晚年（不是：印度的夏日）
51. Greek gift 害人的礼品（不是：希腊的礼物）
52. Spanish athlete 吹牛的人（不是：西班牙的运动员）
53. French chalk 滑石粉（不是：法国粉笔）
54. In ones birthday suit 赤身裸体（不是：穿着生日礼服）
55. Make ones hair stand on end 令人毛骨悚然，恐惧（不是：令人发指，气愤）
56. Think a great deal of oneself 高看或者看重自己（不是：为自己想的很多）
57. Pull up ones socks 鼓起勇气（不是：提上袜子）
58. Have the heart to do 用于否定句，忍心做（不是：有心做或者有意做）
59. What a shame 多可惜，真遗憾（不是：多可耻）
60. You don’t say 是吗？（不是：你别说）
61. You can say that again 说的好（不是：你别说）
62. I haven’t slept better 我睡得很好（不是：我从未睡好过）

THE FOUR P’S

Preach - pastors must give ourselves to preaching, not programs; and that’s why we need to be teaching our congregations to value God’s Word over programs.  Preaching the content and intent of God’s Word is what unleashes the power of God on the people of God, because God’s power for building His people is in His Word, particularly as we find it in the Gospel (Rom. 1:16). God’s Word builds His church. So preaching His Gospel is primary.

Pray -  Prayer shows our dependence on God. It honors Him as the source of all blessing, and it reminds us that converting individuals and growing churches are His works, not ours (1 Cor. 2:14-16; 3:6-7).

Personal Discipling Relationships - discipling can function as another channel through which the Word can flow into the hearts of the members and be worked out in the context of a personal fellowship.

- The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel