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1 Books by Rodney Osborne for sale CHRISTIAN BIKER A Christian Riders Fellowship Publication ISSN (Online) Vol. 2.13, January/February 2017 ISSN (Print) Ut, He was with me Strangers & Aliens Top row titles: $15 each Bottom row: $25 each The Parallax The Parallax Mk.II Wasted Pain Order from: If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, you can do so, right now, right where you are, by placing faith alone in Christ alone. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (Joh 3:36). This is your opportunity. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Rom 10:13) If you made this decision, let us know so we can send you some helpful information. Contact Us Give us a call for more information about our services and products Christian Riders Fellowship Mob christianridersfellowship777@gmail.com In This Issue Total ban on Platitudes, Bible Teaching: Mental health according to James (final), Rides, Meets & Church, 5000 Bikers in the Bible, Crash cards. Christian Biker 2.13 Page 1

2 Tis the season for New Years Re-solutions, most of which are no better a solution than the previous years. Many re-do this every year and in defense of their previous failed attempts, they come up with stronger ways of re-setting the old ones and creating new ones. Social media has provided a platform where we can broadcast lists of goals, affirmations and platitudes that we have every intention of seeing through. We use our technology to create these words in fancy fonts and pretty pictures in the background, as if this improves the chances of success. We will print them out and stick them to our mirrors so we can daily tell ourselves just how great we are. We will make a recording and listen to it every night as we go to sleep. The above is laced with sarcasm, and to be fair, the non-christian world should not be treated so without at least equal sarcasm directed to Christians who dress up their yearly platitudes in Christian garb. Turning a bible verse into a platitude is a blatant misuse of Scripture. While it is a good thing to know which verses help in specific situations, rattling them off a hundred times a day, or even once every day is about as helpful as having a hip pocket in a pair of under pants. It seems the Scriptures are being used as a kind of insurance claim where the claimant can demand that the insurer pays up when Scripture is used in prayer, God is held accountable to do as His word says. Now, the use of Scripture is a good thing, but not to hold God to His Christian Biker is published by Rodney J. Osborne. All material in Christian Biker is protected by the Commonwealth Copyright Act No material may be reproduced without written consent. Distributed by Christian Rider Fellowship. ISSN: Christian Biker 2.13 Page 2 writing this letter, this was a common medical practice administered by a physician. It is outside the pastor-teachers scope of operation to medicate or advise against medicating anyone else. Physicians are doctors of the body. Pastor-teachers are doctors of the soul. The believer in this verse has been to the physician, has taken medication and has been told that the doctors or medications can do no more. It is at this point that the pastor-teacher is called in. Verse 16 also requires some corrective explanation. It is not too uncommon to see believers confessing their sins to one another without realising that this verse says no such thing. The prayer is that of the right pastor-teacher. The confessing, which means to acknowledge or to admit to the specific sins (vs.9 &12) is that of the believer. To one another is only to the one involved (privately) or to the right pastor-teacher (Ps.51:3-4). The rule-of-thumb for sin confession is directly to God (rebound 1Jn.1:9). The exception to this rule is here in this verse. Since the soul condition is so sick, this believer cannot utilise rebound and the mediation of the right pastorteacher will be effective, resulting in healing. Some translations use the fervent prayer which can be misleading to say the least. In the Greek text, fervent is not even there. The presence or absence of fervency in this prayer makes absolutely no difference to the outcome. It is the righteousness of the prayer that makes all the difference. The difference is that this prayer has great power as it is working (energeo effectual). The last two verses tell us of the fantastic ministry of the right pastor-teacher to the mental illness sufferer. Summary: Looking at the epistle of James as though he were writing to believers experiencing mental illness we can see descriptions of numerous conditions that can be identified with mental disorders, and how devastating mental illness is to the believer s life. James also has a great deal to say about the solutions, peppered throughout the letter, for this believer as well as appropriate pastoral care. Christian psychiatrist, John White, discovered the solutions that James discusses when writing The Masks of Melancholy, 1988, as cited in Timothy Kellers book; Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, page 290. I spent weeks, morning by morning, making meticulous notes, checking historical allusions in the text, and slowly I began to sense the ground under my feet growing steadily firmer. I knew without any doubt that healing was springing from my struggle to grasp the meaning of the passage. If sufferers have any ability to concentrate, they should do solid, inductive Bible study rather than devotional reading, because in most depressed people, devotional reading is stopped all together or degenerated into something unhealthy and unhelpful. (Keller 2013, 290) The first & second part of this series on James can be downloaded with Christian Biker &2.12. Go to: for all issues of Christian Biker and other bible studies. Christian Biker 2.13 Page 15

3 of many seemingly unrelated doctrines found in the Bible. Part of being longsouled is the continuous intake of Bible doctrine, stopping only when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. The focus is on the maintenance of soul health. The illustration of the farmer informs the dipsuchos believer that there is healing available in the early (near future) and the late (return of Christ) by becoming makrothumeo. Where pain is wasted, the time is redeemed. The early rain (doctrine) brings stability and the late rain (doctrine) maintains stability. James cements this concept bluntly by stating in verse eight the makrothumeo will establish (stabilise) your hearts (souls). Furthermore, James brings in a sense of urgency: for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Time is limited and it needs to be redeemed whilst there is still time. Thus is the solution to dipsuchos. Now, from verse nine James turns to verbal dipsuchos. Given the seriousness of verbal dipsuchos, James says grudge not or stop venting, complaining, and criticising one another so that you won t be condemned or disciplined (James covers three types: a] sin unto death, b] illness, c] national catastrophe). This is a particularly firm word for those who are in the habit of speaking before thinking, or reacting before responding. The sentence in verse nine is completed When depressed, pray. When manic, praise. in verse twelve. Verse ten and eleven are a parenthesis to show a contrast. Taking Job as an example of patience (longsouled) in the midst of suffering. Behold in verse eleven means to see we count, add up all the facts in the Word of God and come to a conclusion (see 1:2). This is a counting of Bible doctrine previously taken into the soul - ye have heard (been taught and understood) and have seen (applied) how Bible doctrine gives fortitude (endure), constancy, stability and makrothumeo. From verse thirteen James writes a prescription for the dipsuchos types discussed so far. Any believers that are suffering (undergoing hardship, suffering trouble), they should stop the identified negative behaviour and let them keep on praying themselves. It does not say keep on asking for prayer or, seek out counselling or, turn to substance abuse. It is the individual s prayer that is in view here. Any believers that are cheerful (great happiness) is to sing praises. Just to sing is nothing more than positive expression. Singing praises is a spiritual activity from the soul. Let us say that this prescription is written for the believer with bipolar disorder. When depressed, pray. When manic, praise. This believer is in a dire situation and is sick (1:1, getting weaker all the time, hopeless, powerless, and dying). James instructs to summon the elders. The word used here for elder is not the more commonly accepted view of the position of elder. It refers to the right pastor-teacher. It is plural, not because a group must be summoned, but because James is writing to many believers in many locations who all have a right pastor-teacher. (See Acts 20:17-28). Let your right pastor-teacher pray a biblically based prayer (because this believer has not acquired or retained Bible doctrine). The term anointing with oil requires corrective explanation. At the time of Word. Rather to help us avoid praying amiss. Don t misunderstand, the intent is pure, but the method or motivation is questionable. One such example was a list of statements that started with I will never confess again that, followed by a supporting verse. Never becomes a very short time when this list is read the second, third, time, for every time it is read, it is also confessed again. It begs the question: why do we do these things? Do we think verbal repetition gives our words any more life changing power? Do we just do it to feel better? Do we do it to deny or alter that which is really in our souls? The truth is, that which resides in your soul will come out of your mouth and actions despite how regularly and fervently you say the words contrary to the contents. The soul is not designed to change by what is spoken out. It is designed to change by what is written there-in. Speaking out is likened to using a defense mechanism. We are trying to defend ourselves through positive speech or thinking, a method unfortunately originating from a misguided minister. The soul is not designed to change by what is spoken out. It is designed to change by what is written thee-in. It is hoped that these defense mechanisms will prevent us from reacting badly, cure our lack of self-esteem, and prevent our tendency to impulsive behavior and failures. There are 20 such defense mechanisms listed in The Parallax Mk.II (see back page for how to get a copy) and the following ones come under this subject. Defense mechanism 3. Denial: a false per ception of r eality. A combination of self-justification and self-righteousness. Defense mechanism 4. Dissociation: trying to out run the problem. Defense mechanism 5. Idealism: attributing exaggerated positive qualities to self or others. Christian Biker 2.13 Page 14 Christian Biker 2.13 Page 3

4 These defense mechanisms are not the way (according to the Bible) for Christians to do life. In the book The Parallax Mk.II there are ten problem solving devices outlined. If any believer wants to start this year well and finish it in a far better place than they are right now, learning to apply these devices will do it. In brief, these problem solving devices are: 1. Rebound (1Jn.1:9; 1Cor.11:31-32) 2. The filling of the Holy Spirit (Eph.5:18) 3. The Faith-Rest Drill (Heb.11:6) 4. Grace Orientation (2Cor.12:8-10; 2Pt.3:18) 5. Doctrine Orientation (Ps.119:11; Lam.3:21-25) 6. Sense of Personal Destiny (Jer.29:11; Mic.6:8; Heb.9:27-28) 7. Personal Love for the Father (1Jn.4:19) 8. Impersonal Love for Humanity (1Jn.4:19) 9. Sharing the happiness of God (2Cor.12:10; Phil.4:11) 10. Occupation with Christ (1Cor.2:16; Mar.13:33-36; Lk.12:36-37; Phil.1:21) Each of these problem solving devices are described in greater detail in the book The Parallax Mk.II. There is also an on-line course: The Means available at to learn more. bruised soul. The healing instructions are found in Colossians: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17) Words and deeds of the dipsuchos believer can be extremely difficult to deal with, however, the believer has a God who already knows what he says and does when in dipsuchos. His understanding far exceeds ours and His grace is sufficient. In chapter 5 James sums up his letter to the dipsuchos believers, expressing the seriousness of their condition and the solution, the deliverance and restoration process travelled one day at a time. James illustrates by using the wealthy because the principle is easily understood. People often associate money with happiness and rarely poverty with happiness. The result of seeking happiness through anything of ourselves (eg. money) is a breaking out with howling and screaming over the calamities and miseries that come upon the dipsuchos believer. It is not the money or And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17) any other good thing that causes such screaming, but the lack of capacity for the use of it the way it is designed for. Very frustrating. Verse 2: riches can be replaced with security, profession, relationships, selfesteem, pleasure, sex, drugs or anything else used in the frantic search for happiness. The verse explains the same result. All these are corrupted or rotten. The only thing a rotten dipsuchos will produce out of anything (good or bad), is that which is taken into the soul. Verse 3 continues to describe what the dipsuchos believer produces. The gold and silver represent fine things that tarnish (2Tim2:17) and rust is not rust, for gold and silver do not rust. The word is better translated as poison. Fine things in the hands of the dipsuchos believer is venom to their soul. One clear evidence that identifies the dipsuchos believer is everything they touch rots and their soul is poisoned by it. Not only does the riches of the unstable believer bring them to mental illness, they inflict misery and suffering on others. James (vs4) illustrates this by showing how this believer cheats people out of their wages or just deserves. They use their Christianity as a front for making money or having their way and habitually defraud others. Care should be taken in reading Lord of sabaoth which is not a misspelling of Sabbath. Saboath means armies, which brings the verse to mean that the Lord of the armies will violently discipline these unstable believers. Verses one to six can also see hoarding (2, 3), exploitation (4), extravagance (5), and oppression (6), all functions of mental illness. James gives the solution to these conditions: Be patient means to be long-spirited or long-souled. The solution to the doublesouled (dipsuchos) is to become long-souled (makrothumeo). James provides a hint as to the meaning in the next phrase, until the coming of the Lord. Not only will all mental illness be healed at the coming of the Lord, but James is mentioning one Christian Biker 2.13 Page 4 Christian Biker 2.13 Page 13

5 Though verse 15 is what the dipsuchos believer ought to do, their mental illness robs them of the power to do so. The fifth category of distraction is a distracted perspective. Role model arrogance comes in here, as does unrealistic expectations, rejection, mental attitudes, and authority problems, political and racial problems. The stable believer has a humble attitude towards authority. He submits, a word by which you recognise authority without becoming degraded to God. Humility here is the recognition of the authority of Christ and submitting to Him by the consistent intake of Bible doctrine (2Cor.3:16). Most believers would rather pray, sing or discuss things with counsellors than actually turn to the Word of God. That is not to say that there is anything wrong with these things, however they don t solve any problems, especially mental health problems. The point here is that it takes humility to put a good thing (in our own opinion) aside for a better thing (divine opinion). How to humble yourself before the Lord is found in 1 Peter 5:5-6 and Proverbs 3:34. This involves putting self under discipleship, the authority of an appointed pastor-teacher. Being a disciple means being a student. Being a student assumes teach-ability, without which there can be no humility. The person who is teachable recognises the authority of the teacher and in this context the authority of the Word of God, the mind of Christ. Mental illness has a devastating effect on what is verbalised (11). It also devastates the daily activities attempted (13ff). The text speaks specifically about conducting business but we can generalise it by saying it is conducting the business of life, what we do daily. Since all earthly life is a vapour (15), we are told what we should do with our vapour. Instead of the secular, the believer is to choose the spiritual (Rom.12:2). Instead of acting in a state of instability, going from here to there, the believer ought to say, if (maybe or maybe not) the Lord wills (intends) not our will, we will live and do these things. Instead of what I will do, it is what He would do. To know His will, the believer knows His Word. The Lords will is important, for its fulfilment is the only reason the believer is permitted to live another day. The this in verse 15 is spiritual growth from Bible doctrine. The that is action that comes out of spiritual growth and is considered divine good. To do that without the this reduces divine good to human good (1Cor.3:12-15). Though verse 15 is what the dipsuchos believer ought to do, their mental illness robs them of the power to do so. Instead, in the present time and continuously, they brag and boast arrogantly about their deeds (16). This is not just boasting of personal achievements, but also giving verbal expression to how others should conduct their lives. The dipsuchos believer is, in himself, powerless to convert his deeds into productivity. Keller points out, using Isa 42: 3a a bruised reed he (God) will not break that a bruised reed, it means a stalk of grain that has been broken at an angle it is never going to produce grain. And yet does what no one else can do. He can heal it so it produces (Keller, 2013, 243) The Holy Spirit can do what the dipsuchos believer, the counsellor, the therapist or psychologist cannot do. The Holy Spirit can bring life back into that CRASH Caution don t put yourself in danger Road what is your exact location Accident how many vehicles involved Serious is anyone unresponsive Help don t move the casualty. Call triple zero (000) or 112 (mobiles) Get your Crash Card from Comes with a card on which you can enter your emergency information to be placed in the lining of your helmet and a red sticker to be affixed to the right side of the hel- There is a word for that! Atrabilious: Gloomy, morose, melancholy, morbid, irritable, bad-tempered, splenetic. Aeonian: Eternal, everlasting It would be fair to say that before I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, I was a atrabilious sort of fellow. That all changed when I received aeonian life. Christian Biker 2.13 Page 12 Christian Biker 2.13 Page 5

6 Community Bible School Christian Riders Fellowship initiative Providing free on-line courses with a strong focus on Bible teaching. click on the Community Bible School tab and complete the form to enroll. It s really that simple! Ten Signs of the End of Times available now! NEW in 2017 The Soldiers Armor Request this study by sending a message to: christianridersfellowship777@gmail.com Christian Biker 2.13 Page 6 mary relationship is with Jesus Christ, goes out and shares that primary relationship status, with the world. Any believer who willingly, is disposed to, intents or has decided to keep on being a friend (lover) of the world makes himself, causes himself to be an enemy (to hate, an adversary, alienated from the source) of God. Verses 5 & 6 literally says, Do you, the dipsuchos believer subjectively think, have the opinion of or presume that the Word of God is not enough? Or is it that you don t believe it? Or do you think it doesn t mean what it says about jealousy? The Spirit dwells within the spirit of the believer so that all can know Him through Scriptures (Jn.14:17). God yearns to see believers live in stability according to His Word. Principles (7-10) The stable believer has a humble attitude towards authority. He submits, a word by which you recognise authority without becoming degraded, to God. Submission to God, by the way is how the stable believer resists the devil causing him to flee. When the believer rejects the authority of God s Word, the devil attacks and destroys the soul, resulting in psychosis. The devil is not a name. It means slanderer, gossiper, maligner, a traducer, and false accuser. It is these things that the believer can resist by submission to God Verse eight contains the prescription for recovery from mental illness. The dipsuchos believer must draw near to God (approach, come near). The concept is fellowship with God. The rest of the verse tells how to do this. First, cleanse which in a word describes the rebound technique found in 1 John 1:9, the hands (used here to say clean up the way things are done). Since God cannot have fellowship with sin, rebound is the only way to have close fellowship with Him. Second, purify which is done through the study of and obedience to the Word of God (1Pt.1:22) Drawing near to God is so much more than entering a great time of worship, which stimulates a highly emotive state. It is drawing near When the believer rejects the authority of God s Word, the devil attacks and destroys the soul, resulting in psychosis. to His thinking, the mind of Christ. This can be likened to being so close to another that their thoughts are known. The thoughts of God are recorded in the Bible. Your hearts is used to say, sanctify and clean out the pollution in the soul. James now prepares the reader for five categories of distraction to be discussed as the letter progresses. Category one is distraction from the Christian way of life. This involves negativity towards Bible doctrine, lack of spiritual self-esteem, legalism, failure to execute God s plan for themselves, Christian service, neglect of life s responsibilities, inover-head service, and Christian fellowship. Category two is the distraction of carnality. This involves giving in to the patterns of lust, involvement in worldly activities, and degeneracy. Category three is emotional distractions. Fear, hatred, guilt and self-pity is involved. Perhaps less sinister but a distraction still. Category four: distracted priorities. This can be manifest in social, mental, marital, service, pleasure, or in time management. Christian Biker 2.13 Page 11

7 In the fourth chapter James provides hindrances to the mentally stable life (1-5), some principles (6-10), and how mental illness effects just about everything the believer does or tries to produce (11-17). Hindrance of Lust The word lust or passions is the state or condition of experiencing pleasure for any reason that fills those estranged from God. Giving in to these lusts results in being entangled in perpetual dissatisfaction and frustration. These vices Mental Health according to James By Rodney Osborne (A section summary from Rodney s new book Wasted Pain.) James chapter one: The first key to mental health is spiritual self-esteem, not to be confused with self-esteem. Also, the appropriate response to adversity is applied Bible doctrine, effective prayer, the real meaning of double-minded, stress in the soul is the cause of mental illness, a recovery plan for those suffering with mental illness, the type of church service that helps. Chapter two and three begins with a dipsuchos (double-souled) believer illustration of the unstable discriminating usher in the church. The importance of spiritual self-esteem, in contrast to personal development self-esteem is emphasised. James spends a great deal of time discussing the difference between faith and works. James then discusses some factors that effect mental health: a] attitude to authority, b] Tongue control. This is followed with instructions for mental stability. range from unrestrained sexuality through to lack of discipline to a selfcentred indifference to ones fellow human beings. Lust here is acting on that passion. When believers come to church to gratify themselves, interfering with others, conflict results, both internally and corporately. The next two verses are often used for instruction in prayer, however a word study and context check reveals these verses have more to do with frustrating distractions and it s hindrance to the stability of the believer. The distractions in verse two are lust, criminal activity, jealousy, and quarrelling with other believers. These four distract the believer from that which is needful prayer. If they, the dipsuchos believers, do pray (vs3), it too adds to the frustration because the prayers of the frustrated, the craving prayers are not answered in the way desired. Verse three is about the ineffective prayer. Ineffective because it is used out of the wrong motivation, which is to take the answered prayer and squander it on lust. Now, if ten Christians were to be selected randomly and asked what lust means, nine would say it has something to do with the sexual desire for another person, normally the opposite sex. They would be at least one eleventh part correct. Lust is an uncontrolled, craving, compulsive desire for: power, approbation, social life, sex, chemical, monetary, ambition/competition, crusader/ protesting, revenge, crime, and pleasure. Seeking any satisfaction in a state of frustration is asking amiss. The word amiss or wrongly means to ask badly, diseased, evil, miserable, and sick. Anything sought out of mental illness will not work out, resulting in increased frustration. Hindrance of friendship with the world (4:4) This describes the believer, whose pri- Christian Biker 2.13 Page 10 Share this Magazine Please tell others about Christian Biker, and encourage them to visit our site to download past and future issues. Print out as many copies as you like and give it away. a copy to your contacts Refer them to: ordpress.com for more information Associations, Clubs, and Groups Directory (To be listed here, Name, , website, city & state, and contact number.) Christian Riders Fellowship Illawarra, NSW christianridersfellowship777@gmail.com Web: christianridersfellowship.wordpress.com Apostles CMC Penrith, NSW apostlescmc@gmail.com God s Squad CMC International sydney@gscmc.com Web: Soldiers of the Cross CMC Illawarra, NSW southernstardeveloments@gmail.com 5,000 Bikers in the Bible Christian Riders Fellowship is creating a register of Bikers who are in a bible study every week. The goal is to have 5,000 Bikers in the Bible every week Australia wide recognised on this register. Individuals and groups can register by (christianridersfellowship777@gmail.com). The details you need to provide are name, indicate whether individual or group, Town/suburb/ city, contact number or address. Go to for more information and bible study resources. Let s light up Australia Your Association, club or group details can go here (no charge). Send us your details now: christianridersfellowship777@gmail.com Christian Biker 2.13 Page 7

8 CHRISTIAN BIKER MAGAZINE IS GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THESE CLUBS/ GROUPS TO THIS MAGAZINE ( ) 2016) Runs, Rides, Meets & Church Christian Riders Fellowship: Rodney for details: Soldiers of the Cross Bible Study: Monday nights (1st & 3rd) Camden, Monday nights (2nd & 4th) in Wollongong. Call for details. Open & Combined BBQ: Last Monday of every month. Rodney for details. Apostles open meeting: Friday nights 6.30pm, 97 Gascoigne Street, Kingswood. Serving every Thursday night at Kingswood Railway station with the street feed held by "Christ Mission Possible" and we also Serve one Friday every month with "Hands and Feet Ministries" at Martin Place and Tent City at Central Railway. God s Squad (Sydney) : BIBLE STUDIES Wollongong: Monday evenings: Contact Bill: bill@gscmc.com, Sylvania: Thursday evenings: Contact Garry garry@gscmc.com, Hornsby: Tuesday evenings: Contact Fred: fred@gscmc.com, St Clair: Alternate Thursday evenings: Contact Neil: neil@gscmc.com, SHED NIGHTS: Londonderry: Alternate Thursdays alternating with St Clair bible study: Contact Michael mike@gscmc.com OPEN RUNS: Shall be advertised on Facebook, EVENT AND GENERAL EN- QUIRES: sydney@gscmc.com Does your club or group have rides and meetings that you would like to invite others to? Send in the details: christianridersfellowship777@gmail.com Christian Biker 2.13 Page 8 Christian Biker 2.13 Page 9