I don’t often use these pages to ask for personal prayer, but for those of you so inclined, I have a special request. This week will culminate more than 40 years of Biblical study and spiritual pursuit in a series called “The Jesus Lens: Reading Scripture in Light of the Revelation of Jesus.” I’m going to be recording it later this week in Indianapolis with some 30-40 people who are coming to be part of the audience. After we process the audio and video, we will make it available through this website like we do Transitions—free of charge. We want people to be touched by this series to engage the Scriptures with passion and joy.
Unfortunately many people who go on a relational journey with Jesus soon discover that part of the religion they’ve been sold is a misinterpretation of Scripture that is often distorted by the needs of religion either to promote fear or conformity. Turned off by the academic quibbling of many scholars and the arrogance that doctrinal discussions often foment they dismiss the value of Scripture thinking it either old-fashioned or irrelevant to their walk. They come away from reading it too often condemned and confused by the religious voices that still play in their heads. After all in his last words to his disciples in the upper room, Jesus didn’t tell us he would leave us a book to interpret and obey, but his Spirit to guide and empower us.
Others, seem to worship the Bible as a replacement for their own relationship to Jesus. They seem to worship the Scriptures and their interpretation of it, rather than let it guide them to the only one who has life for us. They have gotten lost following the dictates of a book rather than knowing him and being transformed by his power and wisdom.
I used to teach a 33 hour class helping people find the keys to unlock the incredible wisdom and power of Scripture. I don’t have that much time with people any more, but I have restructured that material into an 8-hour teaching series that I hope will accomplish much of the same objectives. I’m going to do 24 20-minute segments so that small groups can play it and discuss it togeteher. In addition I will be including over 50 pages of notes and diagrams to help people in their personal engagement with God in the Scriptures.
I am more excited about this than anything I’ve done in a long time. The wealth of Scripture’s pages has informed my journey throughout my life and underscore everything that I look to share with others. However, I’m also aware that doing this in a studio with the necessary time constraints so it can be video recorded is not the most conducive venue for the conversation I’d love to have. In addition, there is much going on around me that seeks to compete for the attention and passion I want to give to this. And I don’t think any of that is not without the participation of the enemy that would love to disrupt this.
So, if you have some extra time and energy in your prayers this week, especially on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday when we’ll be taping, please ask Jesus to make himself known in this project and fill it with his light and wisdom. Some of this content I’ll be teaching for the first time, but it has guided my own engagement with Scripture for the past two decades. I have come to some conclusions about this book that may be controversial in some quarters (surprise, surprise!), but in the end I want to do honor the Lord’s truth in it all. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated and I am certain they will make a difference.
And when we get back, please be patient. It is going to take a while to get the video edited and the audio culled off for a new Lifestream Podcast page where we’ll be able to put recordings like this so people can easily download them for listening on their mp3 players.
Wayne – I look forward to this. As I’ve de-toxed from religion and the need to be right in my doctrine, I’ve found the Scriptures to stir up too much of the old sludge in my tank, and I at this point in my journey cannot read them like I used to. I an defensive towards people that only use Scripture to speak for them and take many passages horribly out of context to prove their point. I see too many people I love have a higher value and relationship with a book rather than the man that wrote it. It’s given them excuse to not love and not be aware of the Spirit himself. I know that God is consistent, and that the God I know as love will certainly reveal himself through that lens as Scripture is revealed in it’s entirety, not just in bits and pieces.
I feel ya Bob. I have a hard time as well when I open the bible. I studied the bible for years with other people trying to convince them to adhere to a bunch of rules and rituals instead of using the scriptures to help them know Him. I can’t wait for this to come out Wayne. We have a small group that meets in our home often and this will be great to discuss together. We’ll be praying for you.
Thank you for this labor of Love….I will be praying for you all and so look forward to studying along with you. Transitions have been a blessing to my family and I have made many copies to share with others. It is gracious of you to offer these free to all…..
Blessings,
Ro
You definitely have my prayers, I am hungrily looking forward to this series. Even before discovering Lifestream, Father had begun showing me His passion and love expressed in the OT instead of the old angry guy that many people still see. I have often found it difficult to show others what I have found coming through the text. I’m hoping therefore that I will gain some new means to better articulate the wonderful God I am finding. Thanks for taking on this task. A blessings on your efforts Wayne.
Wayne – I look forward to this. As I’ve de-toxed from religion and the need to be right in my doctrine, I’ve found the Scriptures to stir up too much of the old sludge in my tank, and I at this point in my journey cannot read them like I used to. I an defensive towards people that only use Scripture to speak for them and take many passages horribly out of context to prove their point. I see too many people I love have a higher value and relationship with a book rather than the man that wrote it. It’s given them excuse to not love and not be aware of the Spirit himself. I know that God is consistent, and that the God I know as love will certainly reveal himself through that lens as Scripture is revealed in it’s entirety, not just in bits and pieces.
“All scripture is to be interpreted in light of Jesus Christ.”
I learned that statement of faith as a child, and I still believe it with all my heart. It is a message I grew up with, but has sadly gotten lost along the way. That’s why I’m really excited that you are doing this project.
My prayer of words would likely end up being a worry list. So if I may, I’ll just join my heart with yours and trust that God knows how to make all this happen…
I feel ya Bob. I have a hard time as well when I open the bible. I studied the bible for years with other people trying to convince them to adhere to a bunch of rules and rituals instead of using the scriptures to help them know Him. I can’t wait for this to come out Wayne. We have a small group that meets in our home often and this will be great to discuss together. We’ll be praying for you.
Thank you for this labor of Love….I will be praying for you all and so look forward to studying along with you. Transitions have been a blessing to my family and I have made many copies to share with others. It is gracious of you to offer these free to all…..
Blessings,
Ro
You definitely have my prayers, I am hungrily looking forward to this series. Even before discovering Lifestream, Father had begun showing me His passion and love expressed in the OT instead of the old angry guy that many people still see. I have often found it difficult to show others what I have found coming through the text. I’m hoping therefore that I will gain some new means to better articulate the wonderful God I am finding. Thanks for taking on this task. A blessings on your efforts Wayne.
“All scripture is to be interpreted in light of Jesus Christ.”
I learned that statement of faith as a child, and I still believe it with all my heart. It is a message I grew up with, but has sadly gotten lost along the way. That’s why I’m really excited that you are doing this project.
My prayer of words would likely end up being a worry list. So if I may, I’ll just join my heart with yours and trust that God knows how to make all this happen…
I indeed pray blessing on this project – it is needed.
Richard Wilson
I indeed pray blessing on this project – it is needed.
Richard Wilson
Thanks so much for doing what you do. You have my prayers! I have a hard time reading the scriptures because I used to be a pastor who used the bible as a replacement for God. After my encounters with the God journey and you that is no longer the case, I now am coming to know Him, but I long to read the scriptures in light of who Jesus is. Many of your comments have helped me and i am really looking forward to this. My Jesus and his truth shine like a lighthouse through this recording, and my you relax and enjoy the process!
Thanks so much for doing what you do. You have my prayers! I have a hard time reading the scriptures because I used to be a pastor who used the bible as a replacement for God. After my encounters with the God journey and you that is no longer the case, I now am coming to know Him, but I long to read the scriptures in light of who Jesus is. Many of your comments have helped me and i am really looking forward to this. My Jesus and his truth shine like a lighthouse through this recording, and my you relax and enjoy the process!
Committed in prayer for you Wayne, & for this project, particularly through the next 3 days. Asking God to override the plans & the “script” wherever needed to most accurately & effectively reveal His truth & Jesus’ heart through the Scriptures. Praying for clarity, insight, ease, efficiency & enjoyment as you teach, tape & edit. May the Spirit’s lead be as clear as day, and may the countless things that seek to distract you from this endeavor be powerless to do so. Most importantly, may many come to know Christ more fully and relate to Him more intimately through every stage of The Jesus Lens. I’m excited & expectant to eventually take it in myself, and I’m so grateful for all you do to lead others to the joy & freedom found only in Him. Blessings and love to you & Sara.
Committed in prayer for you Wayne, & for this project, particularly through the next 3 days. Asking God to override the plans & the “script” wherever needed to most accurately & effectively reveal His truth & Jesus’ heart through the Scriptures. Praying for clarity, insight, ease, efficiency & enjoyment as you teach, tape & edit. May the Spirit’s lead be as clear as day, and may the countless things that seek to distract you from this endeavor be powerless to do so. Most importantly, may many come to know Christ more fully and relate to Him more intimately through every stage of The Jesus Lens. I’m excited & expectant to eventually take it in myself, and I’m so grateful for all you do to lead others to the joy & freedom found only in Him. Blessings and love to you & Sara.
What an incredible weekend with you & Sara and the “studio audience”. I have so much to unpack and think and pray about.
What a wonderful journey this has been.
Blessings to you both!
Barry
What an incredible weekend with you & Sara and the “studio audience”. I have so much to unpack and think and pray about.
What a wonderful journey this has been.
Blessings to you both!
Barry
This would be a very valuable resource in Asia. Pray that the Lord will use this and prosper it. We certainly need to be freed from reading scriptures with religious lens, and find in it life indeed. Look forward to its production.
This would be a very valuable resource in Asia. Pray that the Lord will use this and prosper it. We certainly need to be freed from reading scriptures with religious lens, and find in it life indeed. Look forward to its production.
SO excited to listen… Can’t wait!
SO excited to listen… Can’t wait!