Campus Blogs

There is a reason so many Christian men and women hang on to the guilt of their sin even though they know about God’s total forgiveness. There is someone who does not want you to be free; his name is Satan. He does not want God to have the glory shown through the miracle of forgiveness. He would much rather Christians walk in a cloud of shame instead of dancing in freedom and praise. Not only is Satan called the father of lies, he is also called the accuser. His job description is to make you feel guilty. Revelations 12:10 tells us that Satan accuses us before God day and night. Can you hear his voice accusing you?Embracing God’s forgiveness may be a theological concept, but it can also have practical implications for your daily life. We want to share with you three steps you can take to find freedom from the enemy’s accusations. STEP 1: Recognize the Voice When you have thoughts that bring on condemnation, can you tell the difference between God’s conviction and Satan’s accusations? God convicts us of sin for the sake of leading us to freedom. Our enemy taunts for the purpose of keeping us in bondage. One way to discern the voice of God is to distinguish between guilt and shame. Guilt is related to what we have done; shame speaks condemnation over who we are. When God convicts us, we may feel guilty for our sin, but along with that conviction is the invitation to confess our sin and to embrace the forgiveness Jesus offers. Satan’s accusations inevitably lead to shame—an overriding sense of help-lessness and oppression. He will convince you that there is no positive way forward and that you can do nothing to be free. God longs for you to know and receive His forgiveness for your past. Satan wants you to dwell on how bad you are. His flaming arrows (Ephesians 6:16) make you doubt that God could or would completely forgive you. Satan will discourage you with thoughts like these: What you did was so bad. You can never be a true Chris-tian with a past like yours. When you discern the condemning voice of your enemy, remember that God would never cover you with shame. His voice always offers freedom. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). STEP 2: Remember the Cross Satan’s accusations feel powerful because in one sense, they ring true. In our sinful state, we are not worthy of fellowship with God. As the Bible says, we have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). If it were not for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we would be forever burdened with the condemnation of sin. Satan desperately wants you to forget the cross. He’s happy for you to wear one around your neck or hang one in your house, as long as you don’t remember that Jesus’ death on the cross forever cancelled sin! “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). When she remembered the cross, Lorraine refused to believe the enemy’s lies. She responded, “Satan, you are right. I am a murderer, but that isn’t how God sees me. I have been cleansed, forgiven, and clothed in the righteousness of my Savior.” When Satan accuses you of your past, remind him that your sins have been for-given by God. You are FREE! You are FORGIVEN! STEP 3: Declare the Truth When you feel the sting of accusation and guilt, what do you do? You pull out the enemy’s fiery dart and throw it back at him! You refuse to believe his lies and you declare God’s truth out loud, “There is no condemnation for me because I’m in Christ Jesus” (paraphrase of Romans 8:1). In the powerful passage about spiritual warfare, Ephesians 6, we are told to put on the armor of God and then to stand. In fact, we are encouraged “to stand” three times in those few verses (Ephesians 6:11, 13, 14). Holding the shield of faith in our left hand and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, in our right hand, we stand. And just as Jesus did when Satan tempted Him (Matthew 4), we declare Scripture in response to Satan’s taunts: “Satan, you don’t want me to forgive other people or myself because you don’t want me to be free. You want me to be in bondage. You are not going to outsmart me. I am familiar with your evil schemes.”3 When guilt whispers condemnation, what do you do? You worship your King, who forgave you and brought you out of darkness into His glorious light. And you sing His praises loudly! When you are refusing and resisting the fiery darts of the enemy, worship is a wall of protection around your soul. So worship, declaring the truth of God’s great love for you! Forgiving yourself may bring about the breakthrough you have been looking for. Your fear of intimacy or determination to stay in control—are they rooted in bondage to the guilt of past sin? How would your life be different if you were truly free? Love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). Do you believe this? In Surprised by the Healer, readers heard what Lorraine said, “A time comes to let yourself off the hook.” The name of Lorraine’s hook was abortion. What is the name of yours? Will you name your hook and agree with God that it is time to tear up the record of your wrongs? Will you pray?                  

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther, Dr. of Theology, planted on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, in Saxony, Germany, 95 theological theses for discussion and debate. It was the standard academic procedure for announcing a debate. Soon, very soon, his words (not couched in formal academic prose and occasionally satirical and acerbic) would be printed in many different cities, would be read across Europe, and would be used to challenge traditional church teaching and leadership. He understood himself to be a faithful Christian, and Catholic theologian, and later a reformer of the one true church. But sometimes his pen ran away with him. And he was pushed to opposition. He became a leader in his local area, a writer and thinker of great power, one sought out by many from distant places for advice and counsel, and for others an example of pride and an enemy of the peace of the church. He was a genius, and a problem. The times were ripe for reform. The church needed reform. Many did not respect the early sixteenth century papacy, often with good reason. Reform movements were already active in Italy and among Catholic lay and clerical leaders across Europe, but much of it was unknown outside of small circles. Christian Humanist reform in the writings of some like Erasmus could be sincere, pious, but also satirical and biting. Germany was not always friendly with Italy. Lay people were increasingly asserting their influence and authority. Luther's words hit a cord that resonated beautifully and powerfully among many. Some latched on to them for their own, less than devout purposes. Those famous words and phrases that were used to summarize his teaching and have since characterized the protestant tradition came from his pen: sola fides (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), sola scriptura (scripture alone), the freedom of the Christian, the priesthood of all believers, alien righteousness, simultaneously just and a sinner. Even when misunderstood and misused they held great power. He recounted his spiritual anguish and joy, his personal experience under law and grace. His teaching reflected in a personal and direct way what others came to see as their own experience. He left the monastery. He married and he and his wife, Katherine von Bora, raised a family. He was a devoted father. She managed the home, an old monastery, and what became a large hostel and educational operation, and shared in his work. He remained a professor until his death. Only a genius, a rare soul, coins the terms and recounts the experiences with and through which others begin to understand their own experience, reinterpreting ancient texts and finding those texts, the Scripture, alive with new meaning and new hope. But he did not appeal to everyone. How could a new teaching just appear? By what authority did he speak? Even his friends and teachers found him a mystery. Soon there were many new versions of the Christian faith. He wondered at the end of his life if perhaps he might have been wrong or pushed too hard. While he unleashed a new understanding of the Christian life that developed in multiple ways among different theological traditions which looked back to him for inspiration, his writings were used to encourage violent rebellion. He looked to the nobility to lead reform. Princes would fight against the Emperor and claim Luther's teaching as the rightful faith of their regions. Cities would reform and change their laws based on his teaching, or at least their interpretation of his teaching. Some would say he did not go far enough. Peasants would revolt, and Luther would call upon the prince to put them down with immediate force. And those different theological traditions looking back to him would fight against each other. Those battles, those very literal wars, and persecution and execution of those who believed differently would be factors in the loss of faith of a formerly unified Christian Europe, and the development of a more skeptical and rational way of living in the world. They would also lead to calls for tolerance, from the faithful and from the skeptical. By any measure we choose, Martin Luther, and the Reformation he unleased were among the most creative and influential persons and movements known in the history of the Church, Europe, the West and the World. We do well to celebrate the Reformation, Luther and those who came after him, and to attempt to understand how it has shaped us and our faith as well as some of the darker moments of our history. There are many ways to get in touch with our Reformation Heritage. I will write about some of them throughout the year. But two immediately available ways might be intriguing as a start. A number of us will be touring Reformation Europe in June of 2017. There is still room on the tour. What a way to learn and enjoy some time together! See details at FPU 500th Anniversary Reformation Tour and for more information FPU Website 500th Anniversary Reformation Tour. See also my Facebook page. The Christian History Institute publishes a weekly blog called "Reformation Thursday." You can subscribe to it here: Reformation Thursday Blog Signup. For an earlier reflection anticipating the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation, here is an earlier Reformation posting on how the Reformation might be experienced at FPU.

One of the greatest privileges I have as a University Pastor is upholding the doctrinal position of our Institution. This great ministry founded long ago by pilgrims of the faith, who had a vision for making disciples excites me to no-end. The same Jesus that they fell in love with and followed to the end of their earthly-lives, I too am in love with and obey with every area of my life. We are Anabaptist Christians. “The word ‘Anabaptist’ was first used to describe 16th century reformers who insisted on believer’s baptism rather than infant baptism (and emphasized the separation of church and state).  Like our forefathers in the faith, we believe that God’s people are made new in Jesus and are to grow as followers and learners (disciples) of him (Mark 8:27-38; Matthew 5-7).  Jesus followers announce and publically celebrate their decision to join the family of God by being baptized (Acts 8:34-38; Romans 10:9-10).  We intend to demonstrate faithfulness to God as we practice holy living and mutual accountability (1 Peter 1:15-16; Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-2), worship together in community (Hebrews 10:25), and join with God to accomplish his mission (Matthew 18:15-20; Matthew 9:37-38; 1 Corinthians 9:22).  Our authority comes from Scripture and is interpreted within the community of believers as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit (Acts 15).  Our mission comes from Jesus’ Great Commandment and his Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  We are called to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:34-40), to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and to make peace through reconciliation with God, ourselves, our enemies, and God’s creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Matthew 5:38-42).  Our mission will almost always be counter-cultural because our allegiance is to the Lord Jesus.  The kingdom he proclaims puts us in tension with the culture around us which often demands allegiance to other people, governments and temporal values.” [USMBhttp://www.usmb.org/menus/what-we-believe.html] Here at Fresno Pacific University, we proclaim a biblical understanding of God that is both “Evangelical” and “Anabaptist.”  We continually seek a biblical vision of the work and mission of Jesus for individuals and for the world.  Our ministry commitment is to be kingdom agents in the world, in a dark and dying world, being faithful to God until he comes for us. Core Convictions We are a believer’s church:  to deal with our human sinfulness, we teach conversion to new life through faith in Jesus Christ and practice baptism as a public sign of personal commitment to Jesus as Savior and Lord. We are Bible-centered: we accept the Bible as the inspired and authoritative word of God, seeking to obey its teaching, as illumined by the Holy Spirit and interpreted in the Christian community. We emphasize discipleship: we seek to live as authentic followers of Jesus in our daily lives, orienting our lives around Jesus’ teaching and model. We value Christian fellowship: we believe the church is a biblical and mutually loyal community that expresses itself in worship, fellowship, accountability and witness. We are mission-minded:  we share our faith by telling others about the Good News of Jesus and serving others in our neighborhoods and around the world, in obedience to Jesus’ Great Commandment and to the Great Commission. We seek peace: we believe the Bible invites us to be at peace with God and with others, even our enemies. We cultivate healthy relationships: we are committed to choices that produce wholeness, healing, joy and peace in all relationships    

1. Prayer Promises

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Psalm 145:18,19 “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him. He will also hear their cry and save them.” Proverbs 15:8b “…The prayer of the upright is His delight.” Isaiah 45:11 “Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel…ask of Me of things to come concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.” Isaiah 65:24 “It shall come to pass that before they call I will answer; and while they are still speaking I will hear.” Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” John 14:13,14 “And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name I will do it.” John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.” John 16:23,24 “…Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you…ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helps 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.” 1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to his prayers.” 1 John 5:14,15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

2. Principles of Prayer

The Principle of Faith: “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22) “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up…” (James 5:15a) The Principle of Priority: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud.” (Psalm 55:17) The Principle of Adoration: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing…Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (Revelation 5:12,13) “Enter into His courts with praise…” (Psalm 100:4) The Principle of Confession: “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) The Principle of Supplication: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men.” (1 Timothy 2:1) Supplication – specific requests. The Principle of Thanksgiving: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6) “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4)

3. Prayer Problems

The Problem of Wrong Relationships: With God: “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18) With family: “Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them (wives) with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7) The Problem of Pride: “There they will cry out, but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not listen to empty talk, nor will the Almighty regard it.” (Job 35:12,13) The Problem of Hypocrisy: “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of streets, that they may be seen by men.” (Matthew 6:5) The Problem of Wrong Motives: “You ask and you do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3 The Problem of Lack of Forgiveness: “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, ten come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23,24) The Problem of Lack of Compassion: “Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and will not be heard. (Proverbs 21:13) “…This is the fast that I have chosen…share your bread with the hungry, and bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked cover him…Then you shall call and the Lord will answer.” (Isaiah 58:6,7,9) The Problem of Failing to Forgive: “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, ten come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23,24) Author Unknown  

  Our Great God and father thank you for the precious privilege, to be present here in this place, thank you for the new beginnings on this journey. We praise you for your mercy, kindness and Grace. Holy Father, we honor you today for what you are doing in the life of our University. Thank you for answering our prayers. May your name be glorified because of the service in this place…We love you Yahweh and are committed to you. We ask for your blessing now upon our work, for every student, staff, faculty and administrator. May Your Spirit direct us and guide us. Bless all present as they serve you in a dark world. We need you now, be glorified by our lives. We pray these things in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and May the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit, rest, rule and abide upon this community this semester. AMEN