Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has

Transcription

1 PRESSING ON... Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. Phillipians 3:13-15 The Apple of His Eye NEWSLETTER PO BOX 6977 ST. LOUIS MO steve.cohen@appleofhiseye.org March 2016 PRESSING ON IN CHRIST This year, 2016, marks my 40 th anniversary in missionary service. I praise God for this milestone and the wonderful opportunities for witnessing and equipping people to witness over these four decades. When I turned the page on my calendar to mark 2016, I knew that we were in for quite the roller-coaster ride: 1. Our Board is helping us to frame a new mission effort, a first for the LCMS, in Israel. This will mean great opportunity to reach our people where the Gospel was first presented. 2. Nancy s mother was diagnosed with stage four cancer in December. Nancy and her daughter, Toi, went to Denver to care for her in hospice care at her home. Her mother was ushered into the presence of the Lord on February 28 th and a God honoring memorial service was held on March 3 rd. 3. Leah, our son Micha s wife, has been through the ringer and back, as Micha battles Huntington s Disease. He has been in and out of the Hospital since August. As of this writing, he is back in again. 4. While at the Best Practices conference, I was approached my Merrill, a Jewish man who works in Denver. He grew up in a Jewish home on the east coast, and he wanted to hear my story. We spoke for over a half hour before my presentation: Leading intentional Personal Encounters with the Gospel. Merrill sat in to hear what I had to say. Imagine that, someone unsaved hearing how others can share the Gospel with them. Merrill later told Pastor Schrank about our discussions and Pastor Schrank was rejoicing as they have been praying for his salvation for many years. Please pray for Merrill. 5. I have been working with pre-seminary students at Concordia University to encourage them in mission mindedness and personal evangelism. They were so excited they have offered to help sponsor a Jewish evangelism workshop to invite the larger community to take part. We are pressing on, looking forward by God s grace, empowered by His Spirit under girded by the prayers and support of our precious mission partners. Let s strain forward together for the sake of the lost that they might be found in Christ. THE APPLE OF HIS EYE - PO BOX ST. LOUIS MO 63123

2 BEST PRACTICES By Steve Cohen I was privileged to give four workshops at the Best Practices Conference in Phoenix in February of this year. This was the third year in a row that The Apple of His Eye was present to encourage and network with leaders from around the country. Nearly 2,000 attended this year s event/ This is a key event for us in the LCMS! Former Synodical President, Dr. Jerry Kieschnick, recently wrote: Several years ago Rev. Dr. Jeff Schrank, pastor of Christ Church Lutheran (that s the congregation s actual name, not Christ Lutheran Church) in Phoenix had a brainstorm. After a financially profitable summer church camp at Christ, Pastor Schrank was faced with the challenge and opportunity of doing something meaningful with the proceeds. The answer was Best Practices for Ministry (BPM). It s a three day conference in Phoenix, in February, and is regularly called a free conference. That simply means registration is free, meals are free, sessions are free. Speakers and presenters receive no compensation or expense reimbursement. Attendees pay their own transportation and lodging expenses. The rest is free BPM is undoubtedly the fastest growing movement in The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Attendance has grown from around 500 the first year to nearly 2,000 five years later. The meetings, worship times and presentation sessions are all held on the church campus. Arrangements, food preparation, meal service, table and chair setup, cleaning, logistics, technical support, registration, and the rest of the many moving parts of this conference are handled by members of the staff, who are ably supported by many congregational volunteers. It s a well-organized machine, led by staff member Nancy Barton.

3 I m calling BPM a coalition, synonyms for which include alliance, partnership, association, federation, etc. It s a group of pastors, commissioned ministers, lay leaders, women and men who spend time and money with one goal in mind: Learning how to address the ministry challenges presented by 21st century people who simply think and act differently than most people in my parents and grandparents generations, even in my generation and perhaps also in yours. Don t let the informal, fun filled, casual atmosphere mislead you into thinking nothing substantial is occurring at BPM. On the contrary, presentations are focused on a wide variety of mission and ministry challenges and opportunities. It s neither advertised nor intended to be a theological symposium. It s a Best Practices for Ministry conference. The people who come represent what I believe is the heart of the LCMS. They leave BPM with renewed vigor, refreshed spirit and rededicated zeal for Gospel proclamation. Here s a wistful thought. What if our national Synod convention more nearly resembled a Best Practices Conference, not necessarily in form but in stimulation, motivation and inspiration? This year, I was privileged to give four workshops: * How the Biblical Festivals can enhance ministry in your church * Understanding God s covenants as part of our Jewish roots * Missions stemming from the local church a guide to moving forward * Sharing our faith through personal encounters with the Gospel

4 When words fail by s. cohen For Leah... 12/27/2015 Life is hard, then you die Says the bumper sticker I saw years ago If the saying is right, then is life a lie So says the one who from the Bible truths did outgrow Life give us problems some impossible, some not so hard Encountered through the years and dodge them we can t Without Someone to direct us to be on our guard We end up shouting at the wind in one giant rant Why words fail us and we can not clearly say How the depth of our sorrow binds us like strong forged chains BUT God is watching us by night and by day Offering Himself to share the burden and pains God s word never fails us this much is true We should run into his waiting arms full of mercy and grace He invites us to live life more than just make do He offers abundance of joy and peace throughout life s long race Fail, we will, if we try to fix our sin and be restored Knowing that our deeds will never be enough to get To our heavenly Father, He alone is worshipped and adored Be still and know that in God alone can we be all set Written for Leah Cohen just after an extremely challenging episode in caring for Micha as he battles Huntington s Disease. Yes, words will fail, but God knows the heart He opens the path from earth to Heaven Come to Him now he has done His part And when our words fail He will answer every question. We love you Leah! Psalm 130

5 Thank you so very much for the prayers your lifted up to heaven for Nancy and her mother, Donna Yanz. Nancy went to Denver to care for her mother on January 13th. While there many deep heartfelt conversations took place retoring and deepening their relationship. Donna was in hospice care at home during her last weeks. There were some very challenging times, and as the end drew near, Nancy wanted to honor her mother s wish that she not leave her and be present when she is promoted to heaven. Nancy honored that wish and was at her side, along with Toi, her granddaughter and Marianne, her daughter-in-law and Jill, Nancy s sister. Donna left us at five in the morning with music ascending. Nancy prayed that Donna wold be peacably taken home and indeed she did with the fmaily there to speed her on her way. Following family notifications, the care givers at the funeral home came to take Donna. They laid her on a gurney wand wheeled her to the awaiting hearse. Just as the vehicle drove out of sight, a white dove flew overhead. While doves are common in many places, Denver is not one of them, especially in February. Perhaps this was a sing from the Lord that He has overseen Donna s hoegoing. May God bless you greatly for investing yourselves in our lives during this time of transition and change. Pray especially for Nancy and her family as they remember and as they mourn. In Y shua - Steve Cohen 1 Cor 15:58

6 Spiritual Maturity Spiritual maturity is a process that begins when a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior. He or she is born again of the Holy Spirit and then chooses to live in Christ. The Apostle Paul said that spiritual growth is an ongoing process. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14). Even the Apostle Paul had not arrived, yet he continually pressed toward the prize. Therefore, in order for Christian maturity to develop in your life, you must make a choice to learn God s Word, allow God to renew your mind, and then be obedient to what you learn. Romans 12:1-2 says, Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Spiritual Maturity - Accomplishing Growth What are the marks of spiritual maturity? Spiritual maturity is learning how to walk in obedience to God. It is making the choice to live by God s viewpoint rather than your human viewpoint. Galatians 5:16 and 25 give the key, So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. The word walk in verse 16 is from the Greek word peripateo, which means to walk with a purpose in view. The word walk in verse 25 is translated from another Greek word stoicheo and it means step by step, one step at a time. It is learning to walk under the instruction of another. That person is the Holy Spirit. Since believers are indwelt by the Spirit, they should also walk under His control. How can you learn to walk in the Holy Spirit s control? You study God s Word! 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17 instructs us, Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. This is good practical instruction on how you become spiritually mature. It is not done by osmosis, but it is done by choosing to apply God s Word in everyday circumstances. As you walk step-by-step, applying God s Word to your life, you will grow spiritually. Spiritual maturity should be a priority for you. Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:13-14). As a believer, you are not to be milk-fed. Instead, you are called to chew on the meat of God s Word. Discover God s truth by in-depth Bible study and feed yourself spiritually. Then apply that sustenance to your life as you walk in the Holy Spirit. Spiritual Maturity - Living In Christ In order to experience spiritual maturity, you must also understand that growth comes by grace and it is God alone who is your resource. 2 Peter 1:3-9 reminds you that God is the source. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. When you became a child of God, you were given all you need in Christ to become a spiritually maturing believer. However, you are responsible to make a choice! Will you choose to use and apply God s principles to your life? The wonderful thing about being in submission to God s maturing process is that you will be changed! You don t have to worry about becoming mature. God does the changing! He will conform you to the image of Jesus Christ as you humbly surrender to His Holy Spirit and learn His Word. Hebrews 13:20-21 says, May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

7 A new Pew Report has just been released on the the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. This is a very thorough survey of ideas and attitudes across the four major groups of Jewish in Israel. Israeli Jews based on age, gender, education, ethnicity (Ashkenazi or Sephardi/Mizrahi) and other demographic factors. For example, Sephardim/Mizrahim are generally more religiously observant than Ashkenazim, and men are somewhat more likely than women to say halakha should take precedence over democratic principles. But in many respects, these demographic differences are dwarfed by the major gulfs seen among the four religious subgroups that make up Israeli Jewry. Self-categorization of Jews in Israel Nearly all Israeli Jews interviewed in this survey self-identify as Haredi, Dati, Masorti or Hiloni. Here s a brief description what the survey shows about these categories. of Haredi (9% of Jews, 8% of all Israeli adults) Though often translated as ultra-orthodox, the Hebrew word Haredi literally means trembling or fearing God. The survey shows that Jews who describe themselves as Haredim are generally highly observant of Jewish religious law (halakha), and they express a strong preference for a state in which religious law would take precedence over democratic principles. Dati (13% of Jews, 10% of all Israeli adults) Literally meaning religious, Dati is sometimes translated as modern Orthodox. The survey finds that most Datiim are traditionally observant (keeping kosher and observing the Sabbath, for example). But they are more integrated into Israel s overall society than Haredim, and Dati men are much more likely than Haredi men to have served in the Israeli military. Masorti (29% of Jews, 23% of all Israeli adults) Translated as traditional, Masortim occupy a broad middle ground between Orthodoxy and secularism, and they report widely varying levels of observance. In terms of their religious beliefs and practices, Masortim are the most diverse of these four self-defined types of Jews. Hiloni (49% of Jews, 40% of all Israeli adults) Though nominally secular, many Hilonim observe some religious traditions, such as keeping kosher and fasting on Yom Kippur. But they generally oppose the Orthodox rabbinate s control over marriage and divorce, and they say democratic principles should take precedence over religious law. Here is the link to the full report:

8 Our deep thanks go to Rev. Robert Roegner (Above right), Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Winghaven (St. Louis area)missouri for hosting a Passover Seder at their church on March 9. This was a very special event and thanks especially to Ginny Jahnke (lower left) for overseeing the details of the beautiful setup of the tables and making this event so special. Also thanks to Elle, lower right, center, for helping with the readings of the Four Questions. She also found the Afikomen in the search after supper. I negotiated with her for the return of the Afikomen, at first offering one dollar, and then settling for five dollars. She received the gift and promptly placed it in the offering basket for the church to use for future mission work. Great going Elle!!!

9 We seek your mission support at this time. Three times a year, the people of Israel were called up to Jerusalem to replenish the storehouses with the gifts for uses in the Temple. The priests were dependent upon the people so that they could minister on their behalf. Your over-and-above mission support at this time will help us replenish the storehouses as we expand the horizons for ministry. We will be going to Israel in the near future to explore some invitations for partnerships there and then we will be going to Hungary and Germany to discuss ministry opportunities. Please stand with us now by your support through our on-line giving page on our web site or by mailing a gift to our administrative center in Brentwood, Tennessee. Thank you!!! Our web link is: Our Mailing address is: The Apple of His Eye PO Box 1649 Brentwood TN