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INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever thought of effective prayer as actually being composed of a quartet? A quartet is made up of four distinct persons. Each participant has a specific voice part to contribute to making harmony. Traditionally a quartet is composed of an Alto, Tenor, Bass, and Soprano. In the traditional Gospel Quartets and Barbershop Quartets, there is a lead singer. Because, as a rule, the human voice has a limited range, the various voice types aren’t able to successfully sing outside of their range. In order to have perfect harmony, each member of the quartet has a specific part he must sing. Each quartet member has a responsibility to learn the song, practice it, and work with the other members of the quartet. Together, “they make a beautiful harmony.”
GOD’S PRAYER QUARTET:
In the “effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man” (James 5:16), there are four participants who make up a quartet of prayer. Each one has a specific responsibility in creating a camaraderie which contributes to the answering of prayers. Here are the four quartet members.
The Father’s Role:
It is our heavenly Father who has ordained every aspect of prayer. He is our leader. Jesus said when we pray we must direct our prayers to the Father in heaven: In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9).
The Role of Christ:
In the quartet of prayer, the Father has ordained that His Son, Jesus Christ, be the sole mediator between man and the Father. The apostle Paul wrote: “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, that Man Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 2:5).
The Role of the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit who is a member of the prayer quartet is rarely every acknowledged when we pray. The apostle Paul says the Spirit is actually involved in interpreting our prayers when we pray: “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). The Spirit uses the word to help us (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
The Role of Man:
The other three members of the prayer quartet are always ready to perform their part in the concert of prayer. It is the fourth member of the quartet, man, who must activate the prayer concert. Paul wrote: “I desire therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting” (1 Timothy 2:8). This is an amazing responsibility God has given a man.
J.J. Turner, Ph.D.
READ ANY GREAT BOOKS LATELY? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Years ago if I had written this article I would have titled it Christians Are Reader. My experiences now with some Christian, which include leaders and preachers, reveal a lack of reading. Talking to bookstore managers confirm that men aren’t buying books like they once did, and the books they are buying now are “fluff and puff”—shallow content. The good news is that women are buying more books, thus the rapid increase in the publishing of books designed for ladies.
Men aren’t reading because they don’t have time, as some claim. They have time but they spend it on computer websites, IPad, cell phones, social media, video games, watching TV, etc. Homes which once had bookcases filled with books that were read, now are filled with pictures, plaques with sayings, and a few unread classics; even Bibles.
I confess that I am writing this article with a bias. I am a readaholic! When I am asked, which I often am, what’s the greatest thing you learned during all your education? I answer quickly, “The greatest thing I learned in school was in the first and second grades. I learned how to read.” Reading opened up the whole world to me, from A to Z. It created an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I average reading a couple of books each week on a variety of subjects, obviously, the Bible is always first on my daily reading list.
Some books, such as novels, I read simply for pleasure, others I read take me into academics subjects. Some cause me to examine my politics and cultural involvement. Some create a spirit of debate as I doubt and challenge content. I mark in books and take notes. I use quotes and illustrations from books I read. Books of humor help me to loosen up with laughter. Books on Bible subjects challenge my exegetical skills as I search to see if “those things are true.”
A lack of desire to read as well as a lack of reading skills is showing up more and more in Bible classes and public assemblies. Some children have a reluctance to attend Bible classes because of a fear of being asked to read. Men decline to read Scriptures because of poor reading skills. Many ties those who read in public mispronounce simple words, mumble, read too rapidly, etc.
The literacy level continues to drop in our country and is evidenced in congregations. In a post by Reading By Phonics.com, under the title Top 10 Reasons Why Kids Can’t Read: The Not-So-Shocking Reading and Literacy Statistics, the following results were given:
Did you know that 67 % of all grade 4 students in
The US cannot read at a proficient level? According
To the National Assessment of Educational Progress
(NAEP), 34 % cannot achieve the lowest basic level
Of reading skills. Unfortunately, it’s not just the
Americans that have reading problems—this is really
A global issue, at least in all major English speaking countries:
*43% of Canadians are considered semi-illiterate
*42% of students in the UK leave school without
achieving a basic level of functional English
*33% of year 5 students in Australia do not meet the
benchmark literacy skills
Since the Bible is a document to be read, it is obvious that a person must know how to read in order to know, learn and practice what God has commanded. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth” (John 8:32). Want to hear something that is surprising? It is amazing how many Christians, even leaders and preachers, who have not read the Bible from Genesis through Revelation.
The Bible emphasizes the reading of Scripture:
1. 1 Timothy 4:13, “Till I come, give attention to READING, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
2. John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
3. Acts 8:30, So Philip ran to him, and heard him READING the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are READING?”
4. 2 Timothy 4:13, “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the BOOKS, especially the parchment.”
5. Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is he who READS and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep those things which are WRITTEN in it; for the time is at hand.”
6. Ephesians 3:3, 4, “how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which when you READ, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).”
7. 1 Peter 1:10, 11, “of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ Who was in them…”.
8. Acts 13:15, “And after the reading of the Law and Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, ‘Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on’”.
9. 1 Thessalonians 5:27, “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be READ to all the holy brethren.”
10. Matthew 19:4, And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not READ that He who made them at the beginning, ”made them male and female”’”?
There is no question nor doubt that the Bible ought to be the number one priority on our reading list. In the early years of our nation, when school was conducted in church buildings, the Bible was the major textbook for learning to read and write. In time the function was turned over to the government, which now makes it criminal to read or pray in public schools.
We need to start a revival of reading in the church. It needs to start with the leaders. Since the Bible places an emphasis on reading, why can’t we teach our youth, and older members, how to read? The sequence is simple: First, we learn to read and second we read to learn.
What we are reading shows up in our lives. Emerson wrote, “If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.” Jim Rohn was right when he said, “The book you don’t read won’t help.” And Margaret Fuller was on target when she said, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” “It is what you read when you don’t have to,” wrote Oscar Wilde, “that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.”
Think about these words of Ray Bradbury: “There are worse crimes than burning books, one of them is not reading them.”
I encourage you to take a few minutes and browse in my book stores listed on this site. You will find numerous subjects that will edify, educate, and contribute to your growth in Christ.
DEFINITION:
Webster: “a religion that is considered or held to be false or unorthodox, or it members.”
Theological: “In the context of traditional doctrines and practices of biblical Christianity, a cult is a group that believes and practices beliefs that are contrary to the (1) Divinity, (2) eternal existence (3)incarnation, (4) virgin birth, (4) exclusive saviorhood, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ. Plus many other teachings and practices that contradict the Bible (e.g. 66 books).
21 CHARACTERISTICS OF A CULT:
A cult associated with “Christianity” may be identified, according to basic definitions, by one or more of the following characteristics:
- Usually identified by a human founder: (1) Joseph Smith, (2) Charles T. Russell, (3) Mary Baker Eddy, (4) Ellen G. White, (5) Sun Myung, (6) Jim Jones, (7) Ron Hubbard, (8) Hare Krishnas, etc.
- Members are taken though a psychological indoctrination (“brain washing”).
- Their belief system is characterized by closemindedness and a superiority complex.
- Members tend to be antagonistic and rejecting of others who don’t share their beliefs.
- A high level of intolerance toward any position, doctrine, or practice not like theirs.
- Most cults were founded by persons—men and women—who claimed to receive divine authority, revelation, and appointment by God or angels. Some claimed to be God or a god.
- Most cults are apocalyptic believing in the future there will be some cataclysmic, Armageddon, or other major event that only faithful members will survive, etc.
- A cult member will usually stop studying with you if you don’t readily accept their teachings or ask questions they cannot or don’t know how to answer. They are always right, you are always wrong.
- Most members accept organizations teaching without questioning. Usually afraid to question.
- There is usually a national headquarters that controls members and practices.
- There is usually a magazine, book, Bible translation, radio and TV programs to propagate teachings.
- Beliefs are propagated by outreach and “evangelism” efforts (door-to-door, street corners, etc.).
- Members are required to participate in various programs—disciplined if don’t.
- Members support with time, money and participation.
- Some cults emphasize a strong ethic and morality; some just the opposite. Some are inconsistent.
- Some practice “anti-government” and “anti-medical” behavior (Reject all holidays, blood transfusion).
- Have a form of discipline, shunning, and shaming of “unfaithful” members.
- They have members, like all groups, who aren’t faithful to teachings and practices.
- Members are isolated and prohibited from marrying or dating a “heathen”, “unbelievers”, etc.
- Bring reproach on the simplicity of the Gospel, worship, and Divinity of God, etc.
- Perpetuate behavior that brings “persecution” proving they are right and approved by God.
READ: Galatians 1:8, 9; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4; Romans 1:14-16.
In 1937 an Italian, Carlo Collodi wrote the Adventures of Pinocchio, the story of a puppet carved by the old wood-carver named Geppetto. The puppet is brought to life by the blue fairy, who promised Pinocchio he could become a real boy if he proves himself “brave, truthful and unselfish.” As he meets various characters he lies and his nose grows longer. Through the year the name Pinocchio was become synonymous with lying.
In recent years the media has created an award called the Pinocchio Award. It is awarded through checking the statements made my politicians, scientists, and other disciplines to document the facts as true or false. Based on the perceived seriousness of the words or issues in question, facts are checked for accuracy and truthfulness; then an award ranging from one to four, with four being the most severe is awarded.
In order to continue placing a high and godly value on truth and truth telling –“Buy the truth and do not sell it (Proverbs 23:23)—take a few minutes and honestly respond to the following observations about yourself:
YOU MIGHT BE A CANDIDATE FOR A PINCCHIO AWARED IF . . .
- …you stretch the truth
- …you bend the truth
- …you twist and torture the truth
- …you pervert the truth
- …you deliberately change the truth
- …you refuse to acknowledge the truth (cf. John 8:32)
- …you refuse to stand for the truth (don’t want to be involved, “leave well-enough alone”)
- …you refuse to support the truth (keep silent, argue against it, etc.)
- …you deliberately deceive people (pattern of lifestyle, hypocrite, etc.)
- …you intentionally reject the truth (afraid of the consequences)
- …you hurt others by lying (out of anger, dislike, protect self, etc.)
- …you make dishonest gain or acquire a position by lying
- …you have secret and clandestine behaviors
- …you lie under oath, on contracts, about taxes, etc.
- …you trick people with misinformation (“half-truths”, concealment, lies, etc.)
- …you cannot stop lying—pathological personality issue (need professional help, etc.)
- …you continually make a joke out of the truth (try to dilute the effect of truth)
- …you avoid exposure to truth (don’t want to hear it)
- …you justify telling a falsehood or a lie (“Don’t want to hurt feeling,” “best for them”, etc.)
- …you cannot discern error from truth (cognitive disability)
- …you never, ever admit you are wrong nor made a mistake (a form of narcissism, pride, etc.)
- …you have a secret agenda you are hiding or pushing
- …you are contradicting God’s word—THE TRUTH (John 8:32, 36).
- …you don’t like to be around persons who stand for the truth or tell the truth
- …you keep silent when you should speak up for the truth (may be interpreted as supporting)
- …you pervert God’s word to prove or sustain your position or beliefs
- …you mix truth with error—just enough to get by or pass inspection (know how to play system)
- …you attack a person’s character when he or she tells the truth (“can’t trust them”, “liar”, etc.)
- …you had rather be “liked” than known as a “truth teller and supporter of truth”
- 3…you want to impress others and stay in good with them (“keep friends at all cost”)
You hold in your hand a small book that is powerful enough to turn an unhappy marriage into a joyful and re newed adventure. As the title says there are 101 dynamic marriage promises in this book. This is more than just a list of nice promises one may take or leave. These are promises that every married couple or couple thinking about mar riage, need to take seriously.
I have been married to the same woman for more than 50 years. Like most marriages we have had our ups and downs. I wish, however, I had known and applied these 101 promises early in our marriage. The good news is it’s not too late.
Whether you have been married one day or decades, you need to look seriously at these promises. If you are engaged or contemplating marriage in the future you would be wise to begin making some of these promises now; as well as knowing what some of the promises are you need to make once you are married. Knowledge is power only if used properly.
This list of 101 marriage promises has grown out of my own marriage, 48-years of ministry, counseling married couples, pre-marital counseling, earning a master’s and doctorate in counseling, teaching workshops and seminars, and writing several books on marriage, family, and parent ing. I am pleased to share these promises with you I believe if these promises are made and kept every couple can experience Brownings’ promise, Come grow old with me, the best is yet to be.
If you are serious about having a successful and happy marriage, this book is for you. If you are not, please pass it on to someone who is serious.© Dr. JJ Turner and ©Jeremiah Institute - All Rights Reserved (usage)