"And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
A better translation for this verse puts it this way: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
An Aha moment! You know what I mean, a time when a piece of the puzzle fits into place, and you suddenly see something that you never saw before? It could be as simple as getting stuck filling out a crossword, and then just like that, you see what letters are missing, but more to the point of this blog an Aha moment is one where a Spiritual truth is opened up for you to see for the first time, and you now see something more profound than you had before, and it can be something that will forever change your way of thinking.
That Spiritual truth begins for the first time by seeing for the first time the reality that there IS a Spiritual Truth!
Since the beginning of this blog I have focused on the fact that we are Spiritual beings on a Human Journey, thus the blog title. The focus is on the Spiritual part rather than the human part, because we are indeed Spiritual beings FIRST and foremost! It is very easy to forget that, as we are often so distracted, and concerned with the human part of living! While we are busy about the task of making a living, and fullfilling obligations, and interacting with others, and living daily life, it can be a constant struggle to keep it forefront in our minds that we are Spiritual beings first, and that each of the human experiences we have are for the maturing of our Spiritual man!
The problem with that is that we slip into a lower realm of thinking! Someone has aptly called it "stinking thinking." This is where we begin trying to adapt our Spiritual walk to help us with our human walk. Think of most of the prayers you have made lately. "Dear God please help me to do this or that.... " and the this or that has only to do with our earthly needs or wants. Not that there isn't a place for that too, but really don't prayers like that put our focus in the wrong place? What did Jesus say? "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:33 (Now, as a side note I would like to mention that we are to seek His righteousness, and not our own.) Do you see the highest order of priorities?
What is the purpose of our human existance? Fake it till we make it? Just live a decent life? Hang in there till we get to heaven? What about the noble idea of living a sacrificial life for others? If you were to ask me, my answer would be no to all.
I will tell you something about a recent Aha Moment for me. I watched a Christian movie the other day called "To Save A Life." One of the lines by a youth pastor in the movie that struck me the most was "Life is a journey; but not to a destination, but rather to a transformation." A journey to a transformation! Aha!!
You see, even I think I get caught up in thinking that the purpose of our Human Journey is a destination. The very word journey even conjures up in our minds going from point A to point B. And point B is the destination. Now, I am begining to change my focus to the fact that the point is not a destination but the purpose of God, is not to drag us through all sorts of trouble just to get us to some heavenly location, or destination, but rather it is to TRANSFORM us!
Be TRANSFORMED in the SPIRIT of your MIND! One dictionary definition of transform is: "to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation" Think about that! How about we tweak that definition a bit and add a spiritual context and suggest that it means to "cause (our human mind) to undergo genetic transformation into the mind of Christ." Phil. 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" A genetic transformation! A transformation in our genes, or as Lynn Hiles has said it, "To be Re-GENE-erated.
Can you imagine how drastically our lives would change if we began to see everything from the point of view, that God was purposing every detail of our lives in this human journey in order to bring about a spiritually genetic transformation!! And not only if we saw it that way on occasions, but in fact knew it so fully that it changed the way we saw everything that took place both (what we think is) good and bad? Now that would certainly be a life changing Aha Moment!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Content In Any And Every Situation
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phil. 4:12
This verse came to mind during a conversation I had over lunch, with a friend from work. We had just come back from a perfect day of flying. The sky was blue; the wind was calm; the air was smooth. It was just as he prayed it would be, and as much of a perfect day for flying as could be asked. When we landed he took me for a tour of his house before we went out to eat and during such time, he mentioned a few times about how blessed he was, and indeed he had every reason to say so.
I have had many spiritual conversations with him at work, and so it was not out of place for us to have one even then. He started by telling me of a pastor who had preached on the subject of grief, and how it is natural for us to grieve the fellowship, even though we would rejoice knowing they are in heaven.
I said that it reminded me of what Paul had said, that "we grieve, but not as those without hope." Pretty good from memory, considering the verse from 1 Thess 4:13 says: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." I posed the question then whether there was even more of a purpose that God might have by our human grief over the passing of someone from this earth. I did not have an immediate answer myself, but it is to consider that nothing of God is without purpose, and not always having to do with just this earthly existence. To sum it up rather crudely one might say we are Training for Reigning.
The point being that there is a purpose to our Spiritual existence that is enhanced by our human existence! Thus the connection to our being On A Human Journey.
I then reminded him of his saying that he was blessed because of all the good things that God had provided for him, and then I asked him the same question I silently asked myself. My question was whether he would consider himself still blessed if God took it all away? Do we only count ourselves blessed because of material wealth, and a life of ease? - Consider Job.
That was when several verses came to mind. The one mentioned above, and also Luke 12:15 "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." What I was thinking about this verse was not that he was being covetous, but rather that the abundance of things we possess is not always a true indication of God's blessings, and the lack thereof is not an indication; as many think; that God is withholding His blessings. God's blessings are really not about abundant possessions, but rather to be content whether in abundance or in want.
As I was speaking to him, it was more for my consideration than for his. I am definitely not Being Content In Any And Every Situation. I am certainly not suffering with lack, but I have not been very content lately even with abundance! If we trust in abundance, then it is never enough to satisfy! How much IS enough?
Well, how high are your expectations? 1 Tim. 6:8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." This does not include the latest electronic gadget, nor even affording flying lessons! Ouch. :-) But it does reduce things to the basis for Being Content In Any And Every Situation.
In the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 6 Jesus tells us not to even worry about food and clothing! 31:Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." Then in verse 36: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof."
I cannot say that I have a complete balanced understanding of how all of these deep spiritual truths apply to our human existence. We are saving for retirement, not a lot, but some. We do have a reserve of money for emergencies but everything lately seems to be an emergency. We are paying our bills. Perhaps the full meaning is to not take undue thought for the future, so much so that it interferes with your trust in: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
Great wealth can be a blessing or a curse depending on the relationship one has with the Creator of the Universe. Great poverty can be a curse or a blessing for the same reason. All we have to do is to learn the same secret that Paul learned, and then it too will not matter whether we are abased or in abundance, because we have indeed learned how to Be Content In Any And Every Situation.
This verse came to mind during a conversation I had over lunch, with a friend from work. We had just come back from a perfect day of flying. The sky was blue; the wind was calm; the air was smooth. It was just as he prayed it would be, and as much of a perfect day for flying as could be asked. When we landed he took me for a tour of his house before we went out to eat and during such time, he mentioned a few times about how blessed he was, and indeed he had every reason to say so.
I have had many spiritual conversations with him at work, and so it was not out of place for us to have one even then. He started by telling me of a pastor who had preached on the subject of grief, and how it is natural for us to grieve the fellowship, even though we would rejoice knowing they are in heaven.
I said that it reminded me of what Paul had said, that "we grieve, but not as those without hope." Pretty good from memory, considering the verse from 1 Thess 4:13 says: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." I posed the question then whether there was even more of a purpose that God might have by our human grief over the passing of someone from this earth. I did not have an immediate answer myself, but it is to consider that nothing of God is without purpose, and not always having to do with just this earthly existence. To sum it up rather crudely one might say we are Training for Reigning.
The point being that there is a purpose to our Spiritual existence that is enhanced by our human existence! Thus the connection to our being On A Human Journey.
I then reminded him of his saying that he was blessed because of all the good things that God had provided for him, and then I asked him the same question I silently asked myself. My question was whether he would consider himself still blessed if God took it all away? Do we only count ourselves blessed because of material wealth, and a life of ease? - Consider Job.
That was when several verses came to mind. The one mentioned above, and also Luke 12:15 "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." What I was thinking about this verse was not that he was being covetous, but rather that the abundance of things we possess is not always a true indication of God's blessings, and the lack thereof is not an indication; as many think; that God is withholding His blessings. God's blessings are really not about abundant possessions, but rather to be content whether in abundance or in want.
As I was speaking to him, it was more for my consideration than for his. I am definitely not Being Content In Any And Every Situation. I am certainly not suffering with lack, but I have not been very content lately even with abundance! If we trust in abundance, then it is never enough to satisfy! How much IS enough?
Well, how high are your expectations? 1 Tim. 6:8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." This does not include the latest electronic gadget, nor even affording flying lessons! Ouch. :-) But it does reduce things to the basis for Being Content In Any And Every Situation.
In the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 6 Jesus tells us not to even worry about food and clothing! 31:Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." Then in verse 36: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof."
I cannot say that I have a complete balanced understanding of how all of these deep spiritual truths apply to our human existence. We are saving for retirement, not a lot, but some. We do have a reserve of money for emergencies but everything lately seems to be an emergency. We are paying our bills. Perhaps the full meaning is to not take undue thought for the future, so much so that it interferes with your trust in: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
Great wealth can be a blessing or a curse depending on the relationship one has with the Creator of the Universe. Great poverty can be a curse or a blessing for the same reason. All we have to do is to learn the same secret that Paul learned, and then it too will not matter whether we are abased or in abundance, because we have indeed learned how to Be Content In Any And Every Situation.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
He Will Direct Your (Flight) Path
Last weekend Cindi and I traveled back to my home town in Ontario Canada to pick up my dad and bring him here for a week's visit while we are on vacation. While there, it happened that there was a conference at a church on the Six Nations Indian Reserve. We have been to the church many times before, and have come to know the pastor and his wife very well, so it was great to get to see them again, and go to a couple of the services. Lynn Hiles was the Saturday evening minister, and if you have never heard him preach then by all means check out his web site, and make use of what ever he offers there; I can guarantee you will be blessed! Sunday morning was another message given by Dr. Kay Fairchild, and you will find a gold mine of excellent teaching at her web site here.
I tell you all of this in part to say that during Dr. Kay's message she mentioned about the familiar bumper sticker "God is my Co-pilot", and of course she said that it was wrong theology. I talked to her afterward and told her that I had seen another bumper sticker that said "If God is your co-pilot, you are in the wrong seat!"
I also told her that at the same time she mentioned the bumper sticker and I had remembered the other one, that the Lord had brought to mind an aviation rule that I think adds to the analogy of "who is flying the plane" so to speak.
One of the first things you learn as a student pilot is that there can only be ONE person who is flying the plane at a time. This is to prevent the situation where each pilot would say "I thought YOU were flying the plane!" In order to establish who has the controls, there is what is called a "positive exchange of controls". For example, if a student is flying the airplane, and the instructor wants to take the controls, then he will say "My airplane." upon which the student will then say "Your airplane." The instructor can then repeat "My airplane." At that point, the control is now in the instructor's possession. There has been a positive exchange of controls. The one who has the controls is called the Pilot in Command, or PIC.
The same is in reverse. The instructor can hand the controls back to the student by saying "Your airplane." And the student then has to say, "My airplane." Now, the instructor can say to the student, "Do you want to fly now?" and the student can answer in the affirmative, but the instructor cannot give up control, until the student responds that it is his airplane. There has to be that positive exchange of controls verbally expressed.
This is the same verbal exchange even with two licensed pilots. And it should be noted here as well, that most airplanes, and ALL trainers have full dual controls. The plane can be flown from both the right and the left seat. Most if not all instructors will fly from the right seat, and the students and standard pilots will fly from the left seat.
What makes this even more analogous is the fact that since there is dual controls, then when the stick or rudder is moved on one side, it also moves the stick or rudder on the other side. This allows the student to lightly handle the controls in the beginning and follow along with the instructor to get the feel for how to handle the controls even while the instructor is still in control.
Depending on how far you want to take this analogy, can you at least see the point that it is best to let God control your life? If you want to take it further, which is the reason for this post, I think all too often we want to "fly our own life".
I guess you could say then that most people who doubt the existence of God think that they learned to fly by themselves, and that there is no instructor! Others, and even some Christians know that there is an instructor, but they do not trust his ability to fly, or they are sure that they are supposed to be PIC, except when they get in trouble, and then they are willing to hand over the controls.
It has been said that we are In Training for Reigning. Meaning that we are learning through our life experiences things that are necessary for us to know for when we reign and rule with Him...(as Him?) How much easier would it be now if we let God be PIC, and we just follow with Him lightly on the controls, and enjoy the experience of learning to live our life to the fullest! Trust Him in all your ways and He Will Direct Your (Flight) Path!
I tell you all of this in part to say that during Dr. Kay's message she mentioned about the familiar bumper sticker "God is my Co-pilot", and of course she said that it was wrong theology. I talked to her afterward and told her that I had seen another bumper sticker that said "If God is your co-pilot, you are in the wrong seat!"
I also told her that at the same time she mentioned the bumper sticker and I had remembered the other one, that the Lord had brought to mind an aviation rule that I think adds to the analogy of "who is flying the plane" so to speak.
One of the first things you learn as a student pilot is that there can only be ONE person who is flying the plane at a time. This is to prevent the situation where each pilot would say "I thought YOU were flying the plane!" In order to establish who has the controls, there is what is called a "positive exchange of controls". For example, if a student is flying the airplane, and the instructor wants to take the controls, then he will say "My airplane." upon which the student will then say "Your airplane." The instructor can then repeat "My airplane." At that point, the control is now in the instructor's possession. There has been a positive exchange of controls. The one who has the controls is called the Pilot in Command, or PIC.
The same is in reverse. The instructor can hand the controls back to the student by saying "Your airplane." And the student then has to say, "My airplane." Now, the instructor can say to the student, "Do you want to fly now?" and the student can answer in the affirmative, but the instructor cannot give up control, until the student responds that it is his airplane. There has to be that positive exchange of controls verbally expressed.
This is the same verbal exchange even with two licensed pilots. And it should be noted here as well, that most airplanes, and ALL trainers have full dual controls. The plane can be flown from both the right and the left seat. Most if not all instructors will fly from the right seat, and the students and standard pilots will fly from the left seat.
What makes this even more analogous is the fact that since there is dual controls, then when the stick or rudder is moved on one side, it also moves the stick or rudder on the other side. This allows the student to lightly handle the controls in the beginning and follow along with the instructor to get the feel for how to handle the controls even while the instructor is still in control.
Depending on how far you want to take this analogy, can you at least see the point that it is best to let God control your life? If you want to take it further, which is the reason for this post, I think all too often we want to "fly our own life".
I guess you could say then that most people who doubt the existence of God think that they learned to fly by themselves, and that there is no instructor! Others, and even some Christians know that there is an instructor, but they do not trust his ability to fly, or they are sure that they are supposed to be PIC, except when they get in trouble, and then they are willing to hand over the controls.
It has been said that we are In Training for Reigning. Meaning that we are learning through our life experiences things that are necessary for us to know for when we reign and rule with Him...(as Him?) How much easier would it be now if we let God be PIC, and we just follow with Him lightly on the controls, and enjoy the experience of learning to live our life to the fullest! Trust Him in all your ways and He Will Direct Your (Flight) Path!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
What'd He Say??
I drive a tractor trailer these days pulling a set of double trailers to Ohio and back, most of the time traveling with two or three others. During the trip we keep in touch using the CB radio, and on the four hour drive each way, there is plenty of time for some witty banter back and forth! Sometimes the person being verbally picked on will respond as if he didn't hear what was said by answering in a whiny voice "What'd he say?"
It got me thinking that sometimes we might respond to God's directions to us the same way. All too often Christians are taught to pray, but are never taught to listen! And it is a crying shame that is the case. The problem comes from not always knowing when He is talking to you, and not knowing how to be sure you are hearing from Him. But I can tell you from experience, there is nothing so satisfying as knowing beyond a doubt that you heard from God, and then following through with what He told you.
This blog is one case and point. If you haven't already done so, then go back to the first couple of posts, and read how it started. I am convinced that it was a result of sensing the Spirit's leading and direction to do this, and the belief that I was hearing from God within. I am hoping that these posts bear fruit for others, as they are doing an inner work with me, even as I write them.
I am well aware of the long span of time between posts, but, I am also intent on writing what I feel led by the Spirit to write, instead of just my own thoughts. Every time I try to write something else, it is very difficult to word it right, and I can't settle my thoughts enough to write it clearly. The result is that are a few drafts waiting to be finished. Besides, what would you prefer to read?
That being said, and continuing on this theme of hearing from God, there is a recent example I would like to present. Without going into too much personal detail, there is a very significant almost company wide dissatisfaction with management. Much of it has to do with a lot of sacrifices of pay and benefits we have had to make. In our local area there has not been much of a selection for alternative jobs up until recently. What has changed has been an influx of gas companies offering decent money and benefits for drivers, and the need they have for a great number of experienced drivers to hire. There have been a few drivers that have already made the transistion, and a few more that are weighting their options very carefully, and considering it for themselves. Some of these drivers have more than 10 years seniority.
In a recent conversation with one of the drivers asking if I was considering it, I answered that I was, but that I did not want to do anything without hearing from God first. He is a Christian, so I knew he would at least understand my intent. He was considering it more seriously, and did not know what to do.
A couple of days past, and we got a chance to talk on the CB while we were traveling together, and he said that he still was not sure what to do. He said he thought a lot about my telling him that I wanted to hear from God first. He was concerned about not knowing for sure if God was telling him anything, and that he was just not hearing it, or if God was just not saying anything. He did not want to go against God's will, but did not know how to know if he was or not.
During the course of our conversation, I cited some personal examples of times I heard from God, and then it became very clear to me while I was speaking to him that I was hearing from God as I was speaking! I did not say that I was hearing from God on this for him, but I think he sensed it that way anyway. What I said was the following, in a nut shell:
"As long as you are unsure of what to do, then God is not telling you to do anything, so just stay put. Don't make any decisions about any changes yet. You can check out all the information you want about the other job you need to know to make an informed decision, but do not make any changes yet. At some point, something will happen that will take away all of the confusion in your mind, and it will become very clear as to what you are to do. When that happens, you will know it, and be at peace about your decision, and then you will know that you heard from God. It may be to stay put, and it may be to change jobs, but you must wait until whatever happens that makes it clear in your mind what direction you are to go, and then you will know you heard from God. Until then, wait. Sometimes it is all about the right timing."
After that, he indicated that it helped him just hearing me tell him those things. I believe it was a word of wisdom for him from the Lord. Perhaps it is also helpful to a reader of this post? Are you wondering about what to do? Do you have a decision to make, but are not sure of what to do? You want to know what God has to say, but you are not sure you would even know if He is speaking or not! Be at peace. The Creator of the Universe, the Maker of all things that are made, knows your thoughts before you even think them, and also knows how to speak in such a way that you can hear, and knows how to direct in such a way that you will follow. Just be willing to listen. Just be willing for Him to lead, just be willing to follow. God can direct you in many different ways, and when you know for sure that He is indeed speaking, it is such a delight! It comes with practice, each time adds to your experience of walking and talking and hearing from Him. Eventually you might never have to ever wonder: "What'd He Say?"
It got me thinking that sometimes we might respond to God's directions to us the same way. All too often Christians are taught to pray, but are never taught to listen! And it is a crying shame that is the case. The problem comes from not always knowing when He is talking to you, and not knowing how to be sure you are hearing from Him. But I can tell you from experience, there is nothing so satisfying as knowing beyond a doubt that you heard from God, and then following through with what He told you.
This blog is one case and point. If you haven't already done so, then go back to the first couple of posts, and read how it started. I am convinced that it was a result of sensing the Spirit's leading and direction to do this, and the belief that I was hearing from God within. I am hoping that these posts bear fruit for others, as they are doing an inner work with me, even as I write them.
I am well aware of the long span of time between posts, but, I am also intent on writing what I feel led by the Spirit to write, instead of just my own thoughts. Every time I try to write something else, it is very difficult to word it right, and I can't settle my thoughts enough to write it clearly. The result is that are a few drafts waiting to be finished. Besides, what would you prefer to read?
That being said, and continuing on this theme of hearing from God, there is a recent example I would like to present. Without going into too much personal detail, there is a very significant almost company wide dissatisfaction with management. Much of it has to do with a lot of sacrifices of pay and benefits we have had to make. In our local area there has not been much of a selection for alternative jobs up until recently. What has changed has been an influx of gas companies offering decent money and benefits for drivers, and the need they have for a great number of experienced drivers to hire. There have been a few drivers that have already made the transistion, and a few more that are weighting their options very carefully, and considering it for themselves. Some of these drivers have more than 10 years seniority.
In a recent conversation with one of the drivers asking if I was considering it, I answered that I was, but that I did not want to do anything without hearing from God first. He is a Christian, so I knew he would at least understand my intent. He was considering it more seriously, and did not know what to do.
A couple of days past, and we got a chance to talk on the CB while we were traveling together, and he said that he still was not sure what to do. He said he thought a lot about my telling him that I wanted to hear from God first. He was concerned about not knowing for sure if God was telling him anything, and that he was just not hearing it, or if God was just not saying anything. He did not want to go against God's will, but did not know how to know if he was or not.
During the course of our conversation, I cited some personal examples of times I heard from God, and then it became very clear to me while I was speaking to him that I was hearing from God as I was speaking! I did not say that I was hearing from God on this for him, but I think he sensed it that way anyway. What I said was the following, in a nut shell:
"As long as you are unsure of what to do, then God is not telling you to do anything, so just stay put. Don't make any decisions about any changes yet. You can check out all the information you want about the other job you need to know to make an informed decision, but do not make any changes yet. At some point, something will happen that will take away all of the confusion in your mind, and it will become very clear as to what you are to do. When that happens, you will know it, and be at peace about your decision, and then you will know that you heard from God. It may be to stay put, and it may be to change jobs, but you must wait until whatever happens that makes it clear in your mind what direction you are to go, and then you will know you heard from God. Until then, wait. Sometimes it is all about the right timing."
After that, he indicated that it helped him just hearing me tell him those things. I believe it was a word of wisdom for him from the Lord. Perhaps it is also helpful to a reader of this post? Are you wondering about what to do? Do you have a decision to make, but are not sure of what to do? You want to know what God has to say, but you are not sure you would even know if He is speaking or not! Be at peace. The Creator of the Universe, the Maker of all things that are made, knows your thoughts before you even think them, and also knows how to speak in such a way that you can hear, and knows how to direct in such a way that you will follow. Just be willing to listen. Just be willing for Him to lead, just be willing to follow. God can direct you in many different ways, and when you know for sure that He is indeed speaking, it is such a delight! It comes with practice, each time adds to your experience of walking and talking and hearing from Him. Eventually you might never have to ever wonder: "What'd He Say?"
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Please Pardon My Dust
When a store or some establishment is under going a repair or upgrade while still open for business, that they will often post a sign that says: "Please Pardon Our Dust - Under Construction."
As I thought about that sign this week, it dawned on me that it is a sign which would rightly fit around the neck of most all of us in more ways than one. What immediately came to mind was the fact that we were created from the dust of the earth. "And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Gen.2:7 It reminds me of the little boy who asked his mom if it was true what he was told in Sunday school, that we came from dust, and when we die, we will return to dust? His mom answered yes, and then asked why he wanted to know. The boy said, "Cause, I just looked under my bed, and if that is true, then someone is either comin' or going!"
Now, as I have written before, the bible uses symbolic language to convey a much deeper truth, and if you are willing to search it out, many spiritual truths can be discovered. "It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings [is] to search out a matter." Prov. 25:2. In this case, dust is symbolic of the carnal nature of man. Man was formed from the dust of the earth. The earth is that lower region of existence. Not lower as in height, but rather in realm of existence. It is the realm to which man was cast for his disobedience to God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return." Gen 3:19
God had planted two "trees" in the middle of the Garden where He placed man to dwell. One was the tree of Life, and the other being the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Notice that it is not a tree of good and evil, but rather a tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Before I go any further, I should tell you that I do not believe that they were literal trees in a garden. That too is symbolic. Consider the words of Jesus in reference to a person being good or evil, He said "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matt. 7:20 Now, was He talking about people walking around with real fruit hanging from their limbs? Of course not, it is in reference to their deeds, which in return is a result of their inner nature: a nature that is dependant still on eating from the tree of Life, or the tree of the knowlege of good and evil.
There is much that can be said about that, but the one point I want to make comes from what God said to the serpent in the Garden. "And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: " Gen 3:14.
If you will notice, that God said the serpent is to eat dust. Put that together with the fact that dust is symbolic of the carnal nature of man, and you now understand what is the purpose of the devil! The devil's purpose is to eat your dust! To consume your carnality! That is ALL that he can do! Jesus said "for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." John 14:30 There was no carnality in Jesus for the devil to lay hold of; nothing for him to consume.
As for us, that is where our battle lies; in our carnal nature; that which is at emnity with God. The more that we eat from the tree of (His) Life within us, the more like Him we become, and the less serpent food we produce, and the less often we will have to ask others to "Please Pardon My Dust"
Sunday, May 29, 2011
$100 Hamburgers.
Actually, it was more like $100 breakfast! What do I mean by that? Well, it is a term that describes a fly-in fund raising lunch or breakfast, that is hosted by a particular airport. The idea that pilots will spend $100 to fly their airplane to an airport to have a $6 hamburger or in this case; breakfast! Today, another pilot and I flew from Lock Haven Pa. (KLHV) to Wellsboro Pa. (N38). He flew us there, and I flew us back.
Wellsboro is home to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and the airport is known as the Grand Canyon airport. Lock Haven used to be home to the Piper airplane factory, and is known as the William T. Piper Memorial airport. There is also a Piper Museum across the road at the west end of the airport.
While we were enjoying our $100 breakfast, I mentioned that it was 9 years ago this weekend, that I first moved across the border. I know, it is another reason to celebrate Memorial Day eh? He asked if I met my wife here, or how it was that I came to move here. I told him that I met her on an internet web site, then I clarified it to say that it was actually a Christian message board, and not a web based dating service. I continued by saying that Cindi and I posted messages and responded to each other's posts, and then emailed each other after a while, and then continued from there.
He said, "Is that your way of telling me you are a Christian?"
I said, "No, that is my way of telling you how I met my wife!"
That little beginning led to an interesting conversation. I thought he might say that he was a Christian too, but it was the opposite of that. He said that he is not a Spiritual person. He then asked me what I thought of judgement day that was supposed to happen on May 21st. I said, "Oh ya, now the guy is saying that it will take place in October, but actually Judgement day actually took place 2,000 years ago on the cross!"
I said that most people think that we are on some spiritual journey, but that I believe we are Spiritual beings on a Human Journey. (See why I chose the name for this blog?) He denied that he was spiritual at all, and I was not wanting to argue with him, but I just told him that he was whether he knew it or not; which he denied some more. I did jokingly tell him that after we die, he will come up to me and say, "Do you remember that day in Wellsboro, I guess I was wrong, I am a spiritual being after all!" haha.
At one point, I told him that on several occasions over the past 30 years or so, I have specifically heard the voice of God. Of course the next question was whether I was sure it was not my own voice, and I confirmed to him that I was sure. It was not audible for anyone else to hear, but it was unmistakable that it was indeed the voice of God.
I put it into pilot terms. I said, look at it this way, when we flew into this airport, the radio is tuned to 122.8 and with that, everyone here can listen to what you have to say, and you can listen to what they have to say. But if you are tuned to 122.7, you can talk all you want, and no one will hear you, and you could not hear anyone else. Now, in God's case, he tunes to whatever frequency you can hear, and then gets your attention, and then tells you to tune your radio to 122.8 so you can know what is really going on.
We kept the conversation fairly light, and I finally told him that I was not interested in convincing him of anything... it was not my job to do that. But, I also think that we left it open to further discussions later on. That is my hope. I am more than willing to discuss with anybody what I believe to be true as long as they are interested in hearing it, and even sometimes when they are not. Ha. Isn't that what witnessing is all about anyway?
I Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
To every man that ASKS YOU; is something that is easy to overlook. Now, the secret is to get them to ask you! haha. Well, it has been said that you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. That's not true. You can always put salt in their oats. (see, the salt makes them thirsty, and they want to drink.... supposedly of their own "free will".... but that is another post. :-))
Well, perhaps in the mean time, God will add some salt to our discussion to spark some more conversations along this line, and who knows, that at a future get together he might get to know that he is a Spiritual being after all. It might even be at another fly-in $100 Hamburgers.
Wellsboro is home to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and the airport is known as the Grand Canyon airport. Lock Haven used to be home to the Piper airplane factory, and is known as the William T. Piper Memorial airport. There is also a Piper Museum across the road at the west end of the airport.
While we were enjoying our $100 breakfast, I mentioned that it was 9 years ago this weekend, that I first moved across the border. I know, it is another reason to celebrate Memorial Day eh? He asked if I met my wife here, or how it was that I came to move here. I told him that I met her on an internet web site, then I clarified it to say that it was actually a Christian message board, and not a web based dating service. I continued by saying that Cindi and I posted messages and responded to each other's posts, and then emailed each other after a while, and then continued from there.
He said, "Is that your way of telling me you are a Christian?"
I said, "No, that is my way of telling you how I met my wife!"
That little beginning led to an interesting conversation. I thought he might say that he was a Christian too, but it was the opposite of that. He said that he is not a Spiritual person. He then asked me what I thought of judgement day that was supposed to happen on May 21st. I said, "Oh ya, now the guy is saying that it will take place in October, but actually Judgement day actually took place 2,000 years ago on the cross!"
I said that most people think that we are on some spiritual journey, but that I believe we are Spiritual beings on a Human Journey. (See why I chose the name for this blog?) He denied that he was spiritual at all, and I was not wanting to argue with him, but I just told him that he was whether he knew it or not; which he denied some more. I did jokingly tell him that after we die, he will come up to me and say, "Do you remember that day in Wellsboro, I guess I was wrong, I am a spiritual being after all!" haha.
At one point, I told him that on several occasions over the past 30 years or so, I have specifically heard the voice of God. Of course the next question was whether I was sure it was not my own voice, and I confirmed to him that I was sure. It was not audible for anyone else to hear, but it was unmistakable that it was indeed the voice of God.
I put it into pilot terms. I said, look at it this way, when we flew into this airport, the radio is tuned to 122.8 and with that, everyone here can listen to what you have to say, and you can listen to what they have to say. But if you are tuned to 122.7, you can talk all you want, and no one will hear you, and you could not hear anyone else. Now, in God's case, he tunes to whatever frequency you can hear, and then gets your attention, and then tells you to tune your radio to 122.8 so you can know what is really going on.
We kept the conversation fairly light, and I finally told him that I was not interested in convincing him of anything... it was not my job to do that. But, I also think that we left it open to further discussions later on. That is my hope. I am more than willing to discuss with anybody what I believe to be true as long as they are interested in hearing it, and even sometimes when they are not. Ha. Isn't that what witnessing is all about anyway?
I Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
To every man that ASKS YOU; is something that is easy to overlook. Now, the secret is to get them to ask you! haha. Well, it has been said that you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. That's not true. You can always put salt in their oats. (see, the salt makes them thirsty, and they want to drink.... supposedly of their own "free will".... but that is another post. :-))
Well, perhaps in the mean time, God will add some salt to our discussion to spark some more conversations along this line, and who knows, that at a future get together he might get to know that he is a Spiritual being after all. It might even be at another fly-in $100 Hamburgers.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The End Is Near!! (or is it?)
Well, since I am writing this blog post, and you are reading this blog post, it has become obvious that the world did not come to an end like was predicted to happen yesterday. Some nutty pastor got a lot of press claiming that Sat. May 21st at 6:00 would begin the end of the world. It got a lot of media attention, and became the "water cooler topic" for a few days.
None, but the most ardent followers gave the prediction any credibility, but the ones who did believe it, seemed to believe it enough that they committed all of their resources into spreading the warning. It is reported that all of their money was spent on advertising judgement day, and the end of the world. If nothing else, you have to give them credit for their commitment to their belief, however misguided it is.
Part of what struck me the most in this story is the fact that these people believed their message was the truth so totally, that they were willing to sacrifice everything they owned in order to warn others! The other part that struck me in this story; and the motivation for my writing this post; is that I found it rather odd, that the verses I heard quoted and often misquoted as arguments against what this pastor preached about the end of the world, were just as misinterpreted, and misguided as the pastor's were! And that of all of the Christians that came out against this pastor and his prediction, none of them are as committed to what they believe to be true! Oh sure they would quickly state what they believe to be true, is indeed the truth, but none that I know are so commited to the fact that they are right, that they would risk everything in order to share it with others.
You have heard the saying "Put your money where your mouth is" as a way of telling people that their belief must cost them something if they are wrong, as proof of their own commitment to their belief. No one can fault these people for not being committed to their belief.
What I did hear and read were a lot of quotes and misquotes from the bible to try to show how wrong these people were; and indeed they were wrong; but why? And what is right? The church system for the most part teaches a literal interpretation of prophecy, and eschatology, (which is a study of end times). But is the church system any better at providing answers to such things? Not from my observations it is not!
Consider the Y2K scare. Of course you can buy the volume of books written about that subject for less money than the cost of the paper it was written on! And believe it or not there was a Y1K scare too. I guess some will have to wait a little more than a year from now before they realize there is not much truth to the end of the world scenario predicted by the Myan calendar either, and then come New Years day 2013 a new future end of the world date will be predicted and believed by a new group of people.
Others will be smarter than that and will quote once again, that the end will come when you least expect it, and since they expect it, then they are mistaken! Really? Or the most popular reason was "no man knows the day nor the hour". So, they are obviously not decieved, but then they will explain their version which usually has some agreement with the authors of the "Left Behind" series where there is an escape plan for the Christians with a Rapture, and an anti-Christ, and one world governments, and one world leader, and seven years of tribulation, and judgment and a firey torture for eternity for everyone who was not smart enough to believe before it was too late! (excuse me while I puke!)
I am so disgusted by Christians will tell you on one hand that God loves you, but are so willing to believe that this same God is as fickle as they are with His love, that He would think nothing of sending you to an eternal torture with out thought.... and then they go about their business as if it is no big deal to them!
I am reminded of a pastor I have met and come to know, named John Gavazzoni. He tells of a conference he was to speak at one day, and as he had his message all prepared to tell the people about the hell they would face if they did not believe; he said that God spoke to him and said "Do you really believe that about Me?" From that point on, he studied to find out that what he had been taught all along, and what he had taught as well about hell, was completely wrong!
But suppose you do believe what the church system teaches about the end of the world is true. My question is, how much are you willing to stake for your belief? How interested are you in the lost souls that will spend an eternity in a firey torment? Are you willing to sacrifice anything for someone else to be spared such a hideous future? I don't mean giving a dollar to a beggar on the street, or leaving a tract in a bus station. But consider these people who predicted the end of the world would take place on May 21st 2011, which was yesterday as I write this, and who spend all of their savings to share their belief. What is your commitment?
Don't forget, that the end of life on this earth comes to each one of us at some point. We do not have to wait until the whole world ends, to know that individually, it ends for each one of us at some moment, and many times without warning! Do you care? Are you committed? Or is it possible, that just maybe, the TRUE nature and character of God is not really as much of a monster as you have been taught?
Perhaps, just maybe, God IS love, without condition, without end, and that His Mercy IS everlasting! Not just for a select few, but for every last one of His creation. "The earth is the Lords, and the foulness thereof, the world and ALL they that dwell therein." How many does ALL exclude?
Perhaps it is true that "the love of God leads men to repentance." Perhaps it is true that the end is near for some, but not the end as we might think, but rather the end of an old life, and the beginning of a New Creation. Perhaps, The End Is Near!! (or is it?)
None, but the most ardent followers gave the prediction any credibility, but the ones who did believe it, seemed to believe it enough that they committed all of their resources into spreading the warning. It is reported that all of their money was spent on advertising judgement day, and the end of the world. If nothing else, you have to give them credit for their commitment to their belief, however misguided it is.
Part of what struck me the most in this story is the fact that these people believed their message was the truth so totally, that they were willing to sacrifice everything they owned in order to warn others! The other part that struck me in this story; and the motivation for my writing this post; is that I found it rather odd, that the verses I heard quoted and often misquoted as arguments against what this pastor preached about the end of the world, were just as misinterpreted, and misguided as the pastor's were! And that of all of the Christians that came out against this pastor and his prediction, none of them are as committed to what they believe to be true! Oh sure they would quickly state what they believe to be true, is indeed the truth, but none that I know are so commited to the fact that they are right, that they would risk everything in order to share it with others.
You have heard the saying "Put your money where your mouth is" as a way of telling people that their belief must cost them something if they are wrong, as proof of their own commitment to their belief. No one can fault these people for not being committed to their belief.
What I did hear and read were a lot of quotes and misquotes from the bible to try to show how wrong these people were; and indeed they were wrong; but why? And what is right? The church system for the most part teaches a literal interpretation of prophecy, and eschatology, (which is a study of end times). But is the church system any better at providing answers to such things? Not from my observations it is not!
Consider the Y2K scare. Of course you can buy the volume of books written about that subject for less money than the cost of the paper it was written on! And believe it or not there was a Y1K scare too. I guess some will have to wait a little more than a year from now before they realize there is not much truth to the end of the world scenario predicted by the Myan calendar either, and then come New Years day 2013 a new future end of the world date will be predicted and believed by a new group of people.
Others will be smarter than that and will quote once again, that the end will come when you least expect it, and since they expect it, then they are mistaken! Really? Or the most popular reason was "no man knows the day nor the hour". So, they are obviously not decieved, but then they will explain their version which usually has some agreement with the authors of the "Left Behind" series where there is an escape plan for the Christians with a Rapture, and an anti-Christ, and one world governments, and one world leader, and seven years of tribulation, and judgment and a firey torture for eternity for everyone who was not smart enough to believe before it was too late! (excuse me while I puke!)
I am so disgusted by Christians will tell you on one hand that God loves you, but are so willing to believe that this same God is as fickle as they are with His love, that He would think nothing of sending you to an eternal torture with out thought.... and then they go about their business as if it is no big deal to them!
I am reminded of a pastor I have met and come to know, named John Gavazzoni. He tells of a conference he was to speak at one day, and as he had his message all prepared to tell the people about the hell they would face if they did not believe; he said that God spoke to him and said "Do you really believe that about Me?" From that point on, he studied to find out that what he had been taught all along, and what he had taught as well about hell, was completely wrong!
But suppose you do believe what the church system teaches about the end of the world is true. My question is, how much are you willing to stake for your belief? How interested are you in the lost souls that will spend an eternity in a firey torment? Are you willing to sacrifice anything for someone else to be spared such a hideous future? I don't mean giving a dollar to a beggar on the street, or leaving a tract in a bus station. But consider these people who predicted the end of the world would take place on May 21st 2011, which was yesterday as I write this, and who spend all of their savings to share their belief. What is your commitment?
Don't forget, that the end of life on this earth comes to each one of us at some point. We do not have to wait until the whole world ends, to know that individually, it ends for each one of us at some moment, and many times without warning! Do you care? Are you committed? Or is it possible, that just maybe, the TRUE nature and character of God is not really as much of a monster as you have been taught?
Perhaps, just maybe, God IS love, without condition, without end, and that His Mercy IS everlasting! Not just for a select few, but for every last one of His creation. "The earth is the Lords, and the foulness thereof, the world and ALL they that dwell therein." How many does ALL exclude?
Perhaps it is true that "the love of God leads men to repentance." Perhaps it is true that the end is near for some, but not the end as we might think, but rather the end of an old life, and the beginning of a New Creation. Perhaps, The End Is Near!! (or is it?)
Sunday, May 8, 2011
The Old Is Passed Away
In my last post, I mentioned about Jesus having died for the sin of the world, and that there is no depth to man's evil, that Jesus Christ's redemption by the cross does not go deeper yet! There is not sin so sinful, that the blood of Jesus does not wash clean, and as white as snow.
One example that seems to have most people confused, or unsure is often cited as being what about Hitler? And perhaps even now, Osama bin Laden has met his earthly demise, (or, so they say) then where does he end up? Well, the list goes on as to who some people think deserve an extended punishment even to eternity, and those who perhaps deserve to be cut a break. Like I said, it is sort of having God grading people based on a curve.
However, when I wrote what I am convinced to be true without a doubt, I was pretty sure I was not clear in my meaning. Since then I received an email from Roy, a long time friend, who added some comments to what I wrote, and I thought they so wonderfully clarified my meaning, that I wanted to write this post so I could share them with anyone who would read this blog. What follows is what he wrote.
The Adolph Hitler that had party to all that he did in this life will be so thoroughly changed by Christ he will no longer exist in his old nature and state, isn't that true? So,the old Hitler won't be in heaven if you look at it in a certain way. If any man be in Christ the old nature has passed away and all things have become new.....As with you and I, what we once were we are no more. We are being changed in degrees to new creatures that are and will be unrecognizable to even ourselves in the future! I have been changed by Him so much from what I was as a young man.....This is what many don't understand, don't you agree? That the old Hitler truly will never see "heaven" but a new creature raised up in him. Many don't see this process and don't see it yet...
This is truely the key to understanding such a great mystery of what happens to each one of us! Behold all things become new, because now, or later... in this life or the next.... The Old Is Passed Away!
One example that seems to have most people confused, or unsure is often cited as being what about Hitler? And perhaps even now, Osama bin Laden has met his earthly demise, (or, so they say) then where does he end up? Well, the list goes on as to who some people think deserve an extended punishment even to eternity, and those who perhaps deserve to be cut a break. Like I said, it is sort of having God grading people based on a curve.
However, when I wrote what I am convinced to be true without a doubt, I was pretty sure I was not clear in my meaning. Since then I received an email from Roy, a long time friend, who added some comments to what I wrote, and I thought they so wonderfully clarified my meaning, that I wanted to write this post so I could share them with anyone who would read this blog. What follows is what he wrote.
The Adolph Hitler that had party to all that he did in this life will be so thoroughly changed by Christ he will no longer exist in his old nature and state, isn't that true? So,the old Hitler won't be in heaven if you look at it in a certain way. If any man be in Christ the old nature has passed away and all things have become new.....As with you and I, what we once were we are no more. We are being changed in degrees to new creatures that are and will be unrecognizable to even ourselves in the future! I have been changed by Him so much from what I was as a young man.....This is what many don't understand, don't you agree? That the old Hitler truly will never see "heaven" but a new creature raised up in him. Many don't see this process and don't see it yet...
This is truely the key to understanding such a great mystery of what happens to each one of us! Behold all things become new, because now, or later... in this life or the next.... The Old Is Passed Away!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Grades Based On The Cross!
Every once in a while I get a particular inspiration to write a blog post on a particular subject. This is one of those occasions. It happened while I was driving home from work, and was listening to The O'Reilly Factor on my Sirius radio. It was about half way through the program, and I just caught a minute at the end of a segment with Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son. I think the segment was in response to an earlier day in which I caught the last minute of an interview with another minister on the program who seemed to be supporting the fact that there was no hell.
Bill O'Reilly is a Catholic, and will often state his Catholic beliefs as fact when a religious subject comes up. He was quick to dismiss that there was no hell. He is convinced that someone like Hitler could not possibly be in heaven, and the very idea of God being able to "let" him in was unthinkable. He confirmed his beliefs in the interview with Graham when he said that God gave everyone a free will, and we are all free to choose, and we suffer the consequences of our choices, and it's all up to us what we do.... yada, yada, yada. Of course Graham agreed.
Well, statements like that always get my goat! My mind was forming all kinds of arguments countering such ridiculous assertions! When you think about it, Hitler did not personally kill six million Jews. I don't know that he personally killed anyone! He ordered it, but if people did not carry out his orders, then none of it would have happened. And not a few carried out those orders. But Hitler is the only one people blame.
It also got me to thinking that if people are responsible for the choices they make because they all have free will, then is there a difference between the choices a person makes who grows up in a privledged home, with happy loving parents, and a good education, and their needs and wants taken care of, and someone else who grows up in a poor home, with a drunken father, and a drug addicted mom, who is beaten, and barely fed, and left alone, abandoned?
Take any extremes you want. But to make a statement that everyone has a free will and is responsible for the choices they make, as if everyone starts off from an even playing field is not truthful with the facts! Of course, they would have to admit that not everyone has the same upbringing, and are not all treated the same, with the same influences in their life, so then the answer must be then that everyone would be judged according to the choices they make based on their circumstances. That is the only way they could seem to be fair.
I then thought to myself that if such would be their answer, then would it mean that they think God grades peoples actions based on a curve? You don't have to be perfect, you only have to be above the average?
Then immediately my thoughts went to an answer in response, (and I sincerely believe these thoughts were birthed in my spirit inspired by His Spirit within me), and I thought "No, God grades based on the cross!"
If Hitler is in hell because of what he did, then what Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough!
Did you get that? Read it again..... If Hitler is in hell because of what he did, then what Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough!
But what Jesus did not the cross WAS ENOUGH! It satisfied all the requirements for sin. The wages of sin is death, and Jesus died for every man! There is nothing else required. It is not Jesus and.... anything. It is not Jesus and your being good. It is not Jesus and your reading your bible. It is not Jesus and your praying. It is not Jesus and your trying to obey the Ten Commandments!
"Yes! But they have to accept it", you say.
"Oh, they will."
"Not everyone does", you say.
"Oh yes they do!" I reply.
What most people seem to believe is that God is finished dealing with His created beings during their mortal life on this earth, and after that ends, there is nothing else that He can do to influence or alter our lives during or after, but that is simply not accurate to scriptural truth! We all know the verse from Philippians 2:10,11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." It is EVERY KNEE and EVERY TONGUE that is bowing and confessing! The only way that is possible is if He reveals Himself to everyone, and there is no way that one single person is capable of resisting God revealing Himself! It is simply not possible!
Oh, you might resist a "salvation sermon being preached in church. You might resist a Christian getting in your face, and warning you about your path to hell unless you pray this prayer. You might even resist what you know to be a true voice within of God Himself speaking to you. But to think that your puny will and resistance is any match for a single moment of direct revelation of God, is delusional at the very least.
Oh, but the argument goes on to suggest that God is a gentleman, and would not interfere with your free will, and does not go where He is not wanted. He would not force Himself on anyone. Oh really?? That is your idea of a gentleman? To design a place of eternal fiery torment and torture, and then require people with questionable information to give their life over to someone whom they do not know, and do not trust, or He will throw them into a fiery pit. But He would not want to force Himself on anyone because He is a gentleman!
It is this silly notion of a free will that has many people confused. It is not to say that we do not have a will, but our will is subject to the greatest amount of influence. Will we do good or evil? What is the greatest influence on our choice? The bible is clear, that our will is in bondage to unrighteousness, as long as we are a slave to sin. Once we become believers, then we become a servant to righteousness.
Besides all of this, the fact remains that we are not saved by our righteousness, but by His! God does not keep Hitler out of heaven because of what he did, but rather lets him in because of what Jesus did! "Hitler doesn't deserve it" you say? Well, neither do you! And it is not a question of deserving anything! Grace is a free gift! Faith is a gift as well! "We are saved by grace through faith and THAT not of yourselves it is a gift of God." What is a gift of God? FAITH. The very faith that you believe with is the gift your are given. "Lest anyone should boast." There is no boasting in your believing if the fact that you believe because you were given that faith to believe.
Christians come up with some of the strangest statements sometimes, thinking that they qualify for God's favor based on their own actions, and others deserve God's judgment based on their actions otherwise. Perhaps we think that God hates the same people we do. Better yet, maybe we should start loving the same people God does instead! Who do you think that leaves out? Read John 3:16
I will discuss this more in future posts, but for now aren't you glad, when you really consider it that God does not grade us on a curve but rather Grades Based On The Cross!
Bill O'Reilly is a Catholic, and will often state his Catholic beliefs as fact when a religious subject comes up. He was quick to dismiss that there was no hell. He is convinced that someone like Hitler could not possibly be in heaven, and the very idea of God being able to "let" him in was unthinkable. He confirmed his beliefs in the interview with Graham when he said that God gave everyone a free will, and we are all free to choose, and we suffer the consequences of our choices, and it's all up to us what we do.... yada, yada, yada. Of course Graham agreed.
Well, statements like that always get my goat! My mind was forming all kinds of arguments countering such ridiculous assertions! When you think about it, Hitler did not personally kill six million Jews. I don't know that he personally killed anyone! He ordered it, but if people did not carry out his orders, then none of it would have happened. And not a few carried out those orders. But Hitler is the only one people blame.
It also got me to thinking that if people are responsible for the choices they make because they all have free will, then is there a difference between the choices a person makes who grows up in a privledged home, with happy loving parents, and a good education, and their needs and wants taken care of, and someone else who grows up in a poor home, with a drunken father, and a drug addicted mom, who is beaten, and barely fed, and left alone, abandoned?
Take any extremes you want. But to make a statement that everyone has a free will and is responsible for the choices they make, as if everyone starts off from an even playing field is not truthful with the facts! Of course, they would have to admit that not everyone has the same upbringing, and are not all treated the same, with the same influences in their life, so then the answer must be then that everyone would be judged according to the choices they make based on their circumstances. That is the only way they could seem to be fair.
I then thought to myself that if such would be their answer, then would it mean that they think God grades peoples actions based on a curve? You don't have to be perfect, you only have to be above the average?
Then immediately my thoughts went to an answer in response, (and I sincerely believe these thoughts were birthed in my spirit inspired by His Spirit within me), and I thought "No, God grades based on the cross!"
If Hitler is in hell because of what he did, then what Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough!
Did you get that? Read it again..... If Hitler is in hell because of what he did, then what Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough!
But what Jesus did not the cross WAS ENOUGH! It satisfied all the requirements for sin. The wages of sin is death, and Jesus died for every man! There is nothing else required. It is not Jesus and.... anything. It is not Jesus and your being good. It is not Jesus and your reading your bible. It is not Jesus and your praying. It is not Jesus and your trying to obey the Ten Commandments!
"Yes! But they have to accept it", you say.
"Oh, they will."
"Not everyone does", you say.
"Oh yes they do!" I reply.
What most people seem to believe is that God is finished dealing with His created beings during their mortal life on this earth, and after that ends, there is nothing else that He can do to influence or alter our lives during or after, but that is simply not accurate to scriptural truth! We all know the verse from Philippians 2:10,11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." It is EVERY KNEE and EVERY TONGUE that is bowing and confessing! The only way that is possible is if He reveals Himself to everyone, and there is no way that one single person is capable of resisting God revealing Himself! It is simply not possible!
Oh, you might resist a "salvation sermon being preached in church. You might resist a Christian getting in your face, and warning you about your path to hell unless you pray this prayer. You might even resist what you know to be a true voice within of God Himself speaking to you. But to think that your puny will and resistance is any match for a single moment of direct revelation of God, is delusional at the very least.
Oh, but the argument goes on to suggest that God is a gentleman, and would not interfere with your free will, and does not go where He is not wanted. He would not force Himself on anyone. Oh really?? That is your idea of a gentleman? To design a place of eternal fiery torment and torture, and then require people with questionable information to give their life over to someone whom they do not know, and do not trust, or He will throw them into a fiery pit. But He would not want to force Himself on anyone because He is a gentleman!
It is this silly notion of a free will that has many people confused. It is not to say that we do not have a will, but our will is subject to the greatest amount of influence. Will we do good or evil? What is the greatest influence on our choice? The bible is clear, that our will is in bondage to unrighteousness, as long as we are a slave to sin. Once we become believers, then we become a servant to righteousness.
Besides all of this, the fact remains that we are not saved by our righteousness, but by His! God does not keep Hitler out of heaven because of what he did, but rather lets him in because of what Jesus did! "Hitler doesn't deserve it" you say? Well, neither do you! And it is not a question of deserving anything! Grace is a free gift! Faith is a gift as well! "We are saved by grace through faith and THAT not of yourselves it is a gift of God." What is a gift of God? FAITH. The very faith that you believe with is the gift your are given. "Lest anyone should boast." There is no boasting in your believing if the fact that you believe because you were given that faith to believe.
Christians come up with some of the strangest statements sometimes, thinking that they qualify for God's favor based on their own actions, and others deserve God's judgment based on their actions otherwise. Perhaps we think that God hates the same people we do. Better yet, maybe we should start loving the same people God does instead! Who do you think that leaves out? Read John 3:16
I will discuss this more in future posts, but for now aren't you glad, when you really consider it that God does not grade us on a curve but rather Grades Based On The Cross!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
I'll Take You Back
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43
No, the title of this post has nothing to do with some cheesy country and western song! ha. What it does have to do with though is another thoughtful insight into something that I saw with a new understanding. It came from one of the messages that was preached during the conference we were at in Lake City TN. What was particularly interesting to me was a comment made almost offhandedly during the message that caught my ear, and it cleared up something that has been somewhat of a mystery to everyone I know including me up until now. That is, if you accept my explanation of its meaning.
This insight has to do with the meaning of the words of Jesus to the thief on the cross as quoted above. "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." The concern from some has to do with the placement of the comma. The suggestion is that since the Greek language does not include punctuation in it's writings, then perhaps the translators made a mistake in where they placed the comma. One such discussion is detailed at this web site located HERE. Either placement of the comma presents several Theological difficulties, but as I will show you, that is a distraction from the real meaning of what Jesus was saying.
The Theological question is raised as to whether Jesus was saying to the thief "I am telling you this today (comma) you will be with me in Paradise" in order to suggest that there is some future time in which the thief would be with Him. Or if the comma reflects the intent that it was actually that day in which the thief would be with Him in Paradise.
On the one hand, if Jesus was saying that since they would both be dead before the day was through, and that since their Spirits would be leaving their bodies at the moment of their death, then the thief would be with Him in Paradise that very instant, then what about the fact that it could be argued there is contradictory evidence of Jesus going to heaven the moment He died? Even more so, what about the fact that it would not be until Jesus actually rose from the grave, that He was able to accomplish the full measure of our salvation! Consider what Paul said in Rom.4:25 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
On the other hand it does not make sense for Jesus to say to the thief that He is telling him this fact today, as if there was some sort of question about when He is speaking! I think it is grammatical gymnastics to try to suggest such an answer in order to solve other Theological problems.
Neither answer ever really sat very well with me, and not only that, Jesus' use of the word Paradise never made sense either. Why would He say that as opposed to the word Heaven? It never made sense to me, and every explanation I have heard or read had never solved it to my satisfaction until this past week! The two words are not synonymous thus the first clue to the theological answer.
The meaning of the Greek word Jesus used is from the Strongs 3857. paradeisos Of Oriental origin (compare pardec); a park, i.e. (specially), an Eden (place of future happiness, "paradise") -- paradise. This compares to the Garden of Eden in Genesis.
With that in mind, what Jesus did in His death on the cross is to reverse what Adam did by his sin in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve lived in Paradise. Their disobedience caused not only them, but the whole human race to be expelled from Paradise. Jesus' death on the cross restored what Adam lost.
The words of Jesus to the thief on the cross was not just to the thief, but to the whole human race. It is as if it were a declaration what His death would accomplish! His death would reverse the curse! His death was the wages paid for the sin of the world! The wage of sin is death. Jesus paid those wages for EVERY man!
Don't you see now that the verse that is so often misunderstood in Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" is answered by the very next verse... "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;.." And by the way, if there is any question about the use of the word many there, it is the same many that is refered to who Adam brought into sin. The same many made unrighteous by Adam is the same many made righteous by Christ.
What Jesus was saying to the thief was not that He was going to take him to some literal physical location! Goodness sakes! So many Christians have some literal mansion on a hill top idea of heaven as if there is some tangible physical location to live somewhere over the rainbow! You see, I knew that already, I just never put it together until that day when it clicked into my understanding. I almost jumped out of my seat!!
Jesus was not confused about what He meant either. He did not mean to say heaven, and said paradise by mistake as some might think. What He was really saying is that His death would restore what Adam lost. That His death would so pay for the sin of the world that our relationship with God would be as it was in Paradise before the fall. But what really made it click for me was remembering the words to a song that my good friend Gary Sigler would play as a sort of theme song on his taped messages. Click the link to hear the song.... The words are written beneath.
I'll Take You Back
I’ll take you back to where you were in Me
before the fall of man.
I’ll restore your soul. I’ll reconcile your heart.
I’ll give you back your true identity.
I’m removing the veil from your eyes
so that you can clearly see
you will be with Me in paradise
on this earth you’ll walk with Me.
If this has sparked an interest to read more, then the following is a link to a message on this subject by Gary Sigler that I recommend reading. It might just change your life!http://newlifeinternational.faithweb.com/STHolyOfHoliesSigler.html
We have yet to fully comprehend what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and the effects it had on the whole human race! Most preachers give Adam all the credit for getting us into this "mess" but fail to understand the full extent of cross! Perhaps from now on, when you read that verse, or hear it being preached, instead of thinking that Jesus was taking the thief to some literal heaven, you will now realize He was talking to the whole human race saying "I’ll take you back to where you were in Me before the fall of man."
No, the title of this post has nothing to do with some cheesy country and western song! ha. What it does have to do with though is another thoughtful insight into something that I saw with a new understanding. It came from one of the messages that was preached during the conference we were at in Lake City TN. What was particularly interesting to me was a comment made almost offhandedly during the message that caught my ear, and it cleared up something that has been somewhat of a mystery to everyone I know including me up until now. That is, if you accept my explanation of its meaning.
This insight has to do with the meaning of the words of Jesus to the thief on the cross as quoted above. "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." The concern from some has to do with the placement of the comma. The suggestion is that since the Greek language does not include punctuation in it's writings, then perhaps the translators made a mistake in where they placed the comma. One such discussion is detailed at this web site located HERE. Either placement of the comma presents several Theological difficulties, but as I will show you, that is a distraction from the real meaning of what Jesus was saying.
The Theological question is raised as to whether Jesus was saying to the thief "I am telling you this today (comma) you will be with me in Paradise" in order to suggest that there is some future time in which the thief would be with Him. Or if the comma reflects the intent that it was actually that day in which the thief would be with Him in Paradise.
On the one hand, if Jesus was saying that since they would both be dead before the day was through, and that since their Spirits would be leaving their bodies at the moment of their death, then the thief would be with Him in Paradise that very instant, then what about the fact that it could be argued there is contradictory evidence of Jesus going to heaven the moment He died? Even more so, what about the fact that it would not be until Jesus actually rose from the grave, that He was able to accomplish the full measure of our salvation! Consider what Paul said in Rom.4:25 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
On the other hand it does not make sense for Jesus to say to the thief that He is telling him this fact today, as if there was some sort of question about when He is speaking! I think it is grammatical gymnastics to try to suggest such an answer in order to solve other Theological problems.
Neither answer ever really sat very well with me, and not only that, Jesus' use of the word Paradise never made sense either. Why would He say that as opposed to the word Heaven? It never made sense to me, and every explanation I have heard or read had never solved it to my satisfaction until this past week! The two words are not synonymous thus the first clue to the theological answer.
The meaning of the Greek word Jesus used is from the Strongs 3857. paradeisos Of Oriental origin (compare pardec); a park, i.e. (specially), an Eden (place of future happiness, "paradise") -- paradise. This compares to the Garden of Eden in Genesis.
With that in mind, what Jesus did in His death on the cross is to reverse what Adam did by his sin in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve lived in Paradise. Their disobedience caused not only them, but the whole human race to be expelled from Paradise. Jesus' death on the cross restored what Adam lost.
The words of Jesus to the thief on the cross was not just to the thief, but to the whole human race. It is as if it were a declaration what His death would accomplish! His death would reverse the curse! His death was the wages paid for the sin of the world! The wage of sin is death. Jesus paid those wages for EVERY man!
Don't you see now that the verse that is so often misunderstood in Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" is answered by the very next verse... "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;.." And by the way, if there is any question about the use of the word many there, it is the same many that is refered to who Adam brought into sin. The same many made unrighteous by Adam is the same many made righteous by Christ.
What Jesus was saying to the thief was not that He was going to take him to some literal physical location! Goodness sakes! So many Christians have some literal mansion on a hill top idea of heaven as if there is some tangible physical location to live somewhere over the rainbow! You see, I knew that already, I just never put it together until that day when it clicked into my understanding. I almost jumped out of my seat!!
Jesus was not confused about what He meant either. He did not mean to say heaven, and said paradise by mistake as some might think. What He was really saying is that His death would restore what Adam lost. That His death would so pay for the sin of the world that our relationship with God would be as it was in Paradise before the fall. But what really made it click for me was remembering the words to a song that my good friend Gary Sigler would play as a sort of theme song on his taped messages. Click the link to hear the song.... The words are written beneath.
I'll Take You Back
I’ll take you back to where you were in Me
before the fall of man.
I’ll restore your soul. I’ll reconcile your heart.
I’ll give you back your true identity.
I’m removing the veil from your eyes
so that you can clearly see
you will be with Me in paradise
on this earth you’ll walk with Me.
If this has sparked an interest to read more, then the following is a link to a message on this subject by Gary Sigler that I recommend reading. It might just change your life!http://newlifeinternational.faithweb.com/STHolyOfHoliesSigler.html
We have yet to fully comprehend what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and the effects it had on the whole human race! Most preachers give Adam all the credit for getting us into this "mess" but fail to understand the full extent of cross! Perhaps from now on, when you read that verse, or hear it being preached, instead of thinking that Jesus was taking the thief to some literal heaven, you will now realize He was talking to the whole human race saying "I’ll take you back to where you were in Me before the fall of man."
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Can You Say Amen?
I mentioned in an earlier post that one meaning behind the word Amen is "That is my voice". The idea being that what you are saying amen to is so in tune with your own thoughts, that it is as if your words are coming out of the other person. I have had an Internet friend named Roy since the mid 90's who is one of those people that almost always speaks with "my voice"! When he speaks I hear my words come from his mouth. When he writes he puts my thoughts into words. The following is his response to my last post edited only with the greetings and the salutation. It so much expressed my heart that I got his permission to include it in this blog, but at the same time I think I could have plagerized it, and claim it as my own and not be found guilty anyway! Ha.
"I have heard some say that we are past limiting "the Christ" to just referring to Jesus. They say that all people have "Christ," an anointing from God potentially. We are commissioned to speak to that anointing in others and encourage it, call it forth, so to say. There are elements of truth to this way of thinking but for me such thinking also falls short on many levels. I am in agreement that His anointing has been realized by some as the Father has given them light and power to see. All others do potentially have this anointing as well and the potential will come to fruition at a time of the Father's choosing. But, why would I want to distance myself from expressing Jesus' name as I grow to understand that His anointing will be realized by all people? I have heard some say we have simply grown past the need to express His name. Those I have heard say such have a variety of reasons why we should be quieter concerning His name. Some seem to imply that it is needless to distress a Buddhist, Muslim, or some other that appears to be manifesting His Spirit though they don't acknowledge Him by name. Some of these that they are convinced are operating in the same Spirit will even vehemently resist His name....
First off, I can surely see His Spirit moving in some that don't acknowledge His name. The Lord did say that publicans and sinners would enter the kingdom before many of the Jews of His day and in that spirit of thinking I can see where some move in His Spirit, even in the nature and character of Jesus, that don't acknowledge His name. However, I am far from convinced that it is in the volume of peoples and numbers that some believe it is. And, if these are moving in His Spirit, why would I want to stop short of telling them, even gently and with great patience, about this Jesus that they are unknowingly following? Some say that they have been poisoned by what they have seen from a false Christian religion and church. That is probably true in many instances but wouldn't it then fall on us that know Him better, by His grace, to even more tell them of Him to give them proper witness of Who He is? In other words, I don't think that the best answer is to just fall silent concerning telling of Jesus just because these have possibly been shown an improper witness. To me, the more excellent approach would be to humbly desire to speak of Him properly towards these thus replacing the evil witness with the good....
Again, some would say we are just past speaking of Him by name. But, to have this view we must also move past the clear examples in the New Testament which I know some have. Many have found that the only way to support their new beliefs is to jettison many scriptures. Because the clear teaching of the New Testament is an ever increasing exaltation of that name.
Some would say that "Jesus" isn't even the name in the original manuscripts. They would go back through Latin,Greek, and Hebrew and point out this thing and that thing to come to the proper spelling and pronunciation. What a great deal of energy they would expend to argue in the wrong spirit of things! The point is the Spirit behind our reasoning, I think. In all of these exercises why would folks be moved so mightily to do so much to finally deflect attention. glory and honor to that name? I would think His Spirit would be moving us more and more in a direction that would exalt that name, lift it up, not divert attention from it.
Finally, some would say they have moved past Jesus because they are now in direct relationship with the Father and have no need of going through Him. They will even sight a few scriptures to give credence to this stance. It is hard for me to believe they are using these scriptures in the true Spirit they were intended to be used. Again, why would any scripture be written with the proper intention being to divert us away from Jesus in any way? I am of the belief that the true and proper interpretation and application of any New Testament scripture would be to draw us evermore toward Him for when we see Him we see the Father.
I could go on but I think you get the jest of what I believe. I also have many thoughts that tie in with these concerning the current rush of many that claim the UR belief toward complete inclusion at this time. I don't believe we are in the time of complete inclusion. i believe the Lord will save everyone, "each in His own order,"but, this isn't presently the time for many and a proper understanding of what the Lord is doing at this time is extremely important toward proper growth. I have many thoughts and scripture along those lines.....
Also, I have many thoughts that tie into all this concerning 'loving everyone" as this also is one of the great cries of the day.....Many of these say that "God is love so all I have to do is love everyone." First off, what is love? Love expressed in each individual circumstance and situation is different. It is not always just "being kind" or "being gentle." Actually, in some instances, being kind and being gentle may not be the best representation of love at that moment. And, if that is true, one may not be expressing the presence of God at that moment. Some peoples and some circumstances call for us to be a rock of offence, and, that would be the true expression of God and love at that moment....But this brings us back to the evils of this rush toward complete inclusion out of season. The only way to include everyone at this time is to come close to saying "anything goes" and, while the Father calls all to Himself just as they are you better believe He will work to change them as He works to change us. And, often He will call us to be the ones He speaks change through. But, some don't really want to deal with that....
I have much more to say on these things. The calling of the Sons will swing back into balance at some point. Every high place will be brought low and every low place exalted. Many have been so hurt by past experiences they can't get past all of that right now. Some hunger for the wrong things mistaking doing good from the tree of good and evil for His life."
I know that when I read this email it put into words my same thoughts and understandings. What about you? Can You Say Amen?
"I have heard some say that we are past limiting "the Christ" to just referring to Jesus. They say that all people have "Christ," an anointing from God potentially. We are commissioned to speak to that anointing in others and encourage it, call it forth, so to say. There are elements of truth to this way of thinking but for me such thinking also falls short on many levels. I am in agreement that His anointing has been realized by some as the Father has given them light and power to see. All others do potentially have this anointing as well and the potential will come to fruition at a time of the Father's choosing. But, why would I want to distance myself from expressing Jesus' name as I grow to understand that His anointing will be realized by all people? I have heard some say we have simply grown past the need to express His name. Those I have heard say such have a variety of reasons why we should be quieter concerning His name. Some seem to imply that it is needless to distress a Buddhist, Muslim, or some other that appears to be manifesting His Spirit though they don't acknowledge Him by name. Some of these that they are convinced are operating in the same Spirit will even vehemently resist His name....
First off, I can surely see His Spirit moving in some that don't acknowledge His name. The Lord did say that publicans and sinners would enter the kingdom before many of the Jews of His day and in that spirit of thinking I can see where some move in His Spirit, even in the nature and character of Jesus, that don't acknowledge His name. However, I am far from convinced that it is in the volume of peoples and numbers that some believe it is. And, if these are moving in His Spirit, why would I want to stop short of telling them, even gently and with great patience, about this Jesus that they are unknowingly following? Some say that they have been poisoned by what they have seen from a false Christian religion and church. That is probably true in many instances but wouldn't it then fall on us that know Him better, by His grace, to even more tell them of Him to give them proper witness of Who He is? In other words, I don't think that the best answer is to just fall silent concerning telling of Jesus just because these have possibly been shown an improper witness. To me, the more excellent approach would be to humbly desire to speak of Him properly towards these thus replacing the evil witness with the good....
Again, some would say we are just past speaking of Him by name. But, to have this view we must also move past the clear examples in the New Testament which I know some have. Many have found that the only way to support their new beliefs is to jettison many scriptures. Because the clear teaching of the New Testament is an ever increasing exaltation of that name.
Some would say that "Jesus" isn't even the name in the original manuscripts. They would go back through Latin,Greek, and Hebrew and point out this thing and that thing to come to the proper spelling and pronunciation. What a great deal of energy they would expend to argue in the wrong spirit of things! The point is the Spirit behind our reasoning, I think. In all of these exercises why would folks be moved so mightily to do so much to finally deflect attention. glory and honor to that name? I would think His Spirit would be moving us more and more in a direction that would exalt that name, lift it up, not divert attention from it.
Finally, some would say they have moved past Jesus because they are now in direct relationship with the Father and have no need of going through Him. They will even sight a few scriptures to give credence to this stance. It is hard for me to believe they are using these scriptures in the true Spirit they were intended to be used. Again, why would any scripture be written with the proper intention being to divert us away from Jesus in any way? I am of the belief that the true and proper interpretation and application of any New Testament scripture would be to draw us evermore toward Him for when we see Him we see the Father.
I could go on but I think you get the jest of what I believe. I also have many thoughts that tie in with these concerning the current rush of many that claim the UR belief toward complete inclusion at this time. I don't believe we are in the time of complete inclusion. i believe the Lord will save everyone, "each in His own order,"but, this isn't presently the time for many and a proper understanding of what the Lord is doing at this time is extremely important toward proper growth. I have many thoughts and scripture along those lines.....
Also, I have many thoughts that tie into all this concerning 'loving everyone" as this also is one of the great cries of the day.....Many of these say that "God is love so all I have to do is love everyone." First off, what is love? Love expressed in each individual circumstance and situation is different. It is not always just "being kind" or "being gentle." Actually, in some instances, being kind and being gentle may not be the best representation of love at that moment. And, if that is true, one may not be expressing the presence of God at that moment. Some peoples and some circumstances call for us to be a rock of offence, and, that would be the true expression of God and love at that moment....But this brings us back to the evils of this rush toward complete inclusion out of season. The only way to include everyone at this time is to come close to saying "anything goes" and, while the Father calls all to Himself just as they are you better believe He will work to change them as He works to change us. And, often He will call us to be the ones He speaks change through. But, some don't really want to deal with that....
I have much more to say on these things. The calling of the Sons will swing back into balance at some point. Every high place will be brought low and every low place exalted. Many have been so hurt by past experiences they can't get past all of that right now. Some hunger for the wrong things mistaking doing good from the tree of good and evil for His life."
I know that when I read this email it put into words my same thoughts and understandings. What about you? Can You Say Amen?
Monday, April 4, 2011
Many Ways To The ONE Way
For those of you who have been following my writings, this will be the first in more than a month, and for that I am sorry for the delay. I do have some half written posts that are still in the "oven" of my thoughts that I hope to finish soon. In the mean time, there are a couple of freshly baked thoughts to write about now. For those of you who are newly visiting, then there has been no delay for you to be concerned with! You can sit and enjoy good eating right away! ha.
Cindi and I have just returned from our vacation where we spent most of the time at a ministry conference in Lake City TN. hosted by Justin Phillips pastor of Lake City Christian Fellowship. We went there last year, and were happy to be able to do it again this year.
While there was a lot going on during the several days of the conference, there were a couple of particular insights which stood out to me in a more significant way. That is what I want to focus on for the next couple posts.
The first has to do with a conversation I had with one of the ministers that stemmed from the interest I had to buy one of his books. During the course of our short conversation, we talked about the difference between some new age folk that believe there are many ways to God, and the fact that we agreed that there is really only ONE way to God through Jesus Christ.
After I sat down, my thoughts pondered on some of the things we discussed, and during that pondering it was as if the Lord showed me a picture in my mind's eye of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. This illustration serves the purpose to show an idea of what I saw in my thoughts.
I know from previous studies that when the Children of Israel were traveling with Moses in the wilderness, and they set up camp, the Tabernacle was set up, and the twelve Tribes were specifically arranged in position around the walls of the Tent. I also know very well, that the Tabernacle and every detail is significant as a symbols of the Gospel.
There is no need for me to discuss all of the details, but only to point out a few things to illustrate what I saw in my mind. The first thing to take note of is that there is only one entrance into the Tabernacle, and the first item of furniture you would see is a brazen altar, next you would see a laver for washing. Then there is an entrance into another tented room, which is the Holy Place, where there is a candlestick on one side, and a table of bread on another and in front of another room within the room, is an altar of incense. Inside that smaller room which is the Most Holy Place, is the Ark of the Covenant, where there was the presence of God. There was only one way, and only one person, (the High Priest) allowed to get into the presence of God; that is until Jesus. And Jesus fulfilled all of the symbolism of the Tabernacle within Himself!
Okay, so with that being said, here is my point in a nutshell. While anyone could come to the Tabernacle from anywhere in any direction.... there is still only one entrance, and only one way through into the Most Holy Place wherein dwelt the Presense of God!
The title of this post is what the Lord said to me. There are many ways to the ONE way! Jesus said, No man comes unto the Father but by me. God may draw many people from all different walks of life, from all different religions, from all over over the world.... But there remains only ONE WAY that anyone will ever get into His Presense, and that is through the sacrifice Jesus accomplished on the cross!
Every knee will bow, and every tongue (joyfully) proclaim that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!
Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Baptists, Catholics, or even atheists, or New Agers, take note... There are many ways to get to the only ONE Way!
Cindi and I have just returned from our vacation where we spent most of the time at a ministry conference in Lake City TN. hosted by Justin Phillips pastor of Lake City Christian Fellowship. We went there last year, and were happy to be able to do it again this year.
While there was a lot going on during the several days of the conference, there were a couple of particular insights which stood out to me in a more significant way. That is what I want to focus on for the next couple posts.
The first has to do with a conversation I had with one of the ministers that stemmed from the interest I had to buy one of his books. During the course of our short conversation, we talked about the difference between some new age folk that believe there are many ways to God, and the fact that we agreed that there is really only ONE way to God through Jesus Christ.
After I sat down, my thoughts pondered on some of the things we discussed, and during that pondering it was as if the Lord showed me a picture in my mind's eye of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. This illustration serves the purpose to show an idea of what I saw in my thoughts.
I know from previous studies that when the Children of Israel were traveling with Moses in the wilderness, and they set up camp, the Tabernacle was set up, and the twelve Tribes were specifically arranged in position around the walls of the Tent. I also know very well, that the Tabernacle and every detail is significant as a symbols of the Gospel.
There is no need for me to discuss all of the details, but only to point out a few things to illustrate what I saw in my mind. The first thing to take note of is that there is only one entrance into the Tabernacle, and the first item of furniture you would see is a brazen altar, next you would see a laver for washing. Then there is an entrance into another tented room, which is the Holy Place, where there is a candlestick on one side, and a table of bread on another and in front of another room within the room, is an altar of incense. Inside that smaller room which is the Most Holy Place, is the Ark of the Covenant, where there was the presence of God. There was only one way, and only one person, (the High Priest) allowed to get into the presence of God; that is until Jesus. And Jesus fulfilled all of the symbolism of the Tabernacle within Himself!
Okay, so with that being said, here is my point in a nutshell. While anyone could come to the Tabernacle from anywhere in any direction.... there is still only one entrance, and only one way through into the Most Holy Place wherein dwelt the Presense of God!
The title of this post is what the Lord said to me. There are many ways to the ONE way! Jesus said, No man comes unto the Father but by me. God may draw many people from all different walks of life, from all different religions, from all over over the world.... But there remains only ONE WAY that anyone will ever get into His Presense, and that is through the sacrifice Jesus accomplished on the cross!
Every knee will bow, and every tongue (joyfully) proclaim that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!
Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Baptists, Catholics, or even atheists, or New Agers, take note... There are many ways to get to the only ONE Way!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Passed With "Flying" Colors
Local Trucker Trades 18 Wheels for Two Wings
For more information, contact Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Chief Flight Instructor
Office (570) 748-3725, Cell (570) 419-1229, email fly@AvSport.org
Lock Haven, PA, 26 February 2011 – Culminating six months of flight training during which he flew nearly every weekend, Keith McAndrew, a Williamsport truck driver originally from Ontario, Canada, today passed his FAA practical exam, becoming a fully licensed Sport Pilot. McAndrew, 53, completed his training at AvSport of Lock Haven, the sport aviation training center established a year ago on the William T. Piper Memorial Airport. His oral and flight examinations were conducted by Art Tarola, an FAA designated pilot examiner from Allentown PA, under the supervision of AvSport adjunct flight instructor John Spencer.
"Keith was an ideal student,” stated Spencer. “He displayed first rate enthusiasm and an excellent work ethic. His flying skills and overall knowledge of the pertinent information gave true credence to thework he put into learning to fly."
“It’s been a pleasure working with Keith these past six months,” said Prof. H. Paul Shuch, AvSport’s founder and Chief Flight Instructor. “He is a seasoned skydiver, which gave him extensive aeronautical experience prior to commencing flight training. I knew he was going to do well on his practical test when he missed but a single question on his FAA written exam.”
While McAndrew says he found learning to fly to be more challenging than at first he thought it would be, he relates that “each accomplishment was more satisfying than I expected as well. The first unassisted take-off is an experience I will never forget. The first unassisted landing, even more so. The first solo stands alone as the greatest sense of accomplishment in the training process! It is at that point that you really get the sense that you are actually becoming a pilot. Once you experience solo flight for the first time, that is all the encouragement needed to do whatever it takes, to continue until you can do it all of the time with your own pilot's license.”
AvSport is registered with the US Transportation Security Administration as an approved Alien Flight Student Program provider. Although a permanent US resident, McAndrew is still a Canadian citizen. Obtaining the required TSA approvals delayed his flight training by about a month. The TSA closely scrutinizes all foreign nationals who seek to learn to fly in the US.
The Sport Pilot license is the newest portal of entry into the world of aviation, allowing prospective pilots to become licensed in half the time, and at half the cost, of the traditional Private Pilot license. Sport pilots fly for fun, and are restricted to flying simple, safe, low performance aircraft that comply with the Light Sport rule. They are allowed to carry a single passenger, flying in uncongested airspace, during daylight hours, and only in good weather conditions. Piper Memorial Airport is the ancestral home to the legendary Piper Cub, arguably the world’s first sport plane. Modern Light Sport aircraft allow pilots to recapture the bygone fly-for-fun Cub era,with increased reliability and improved safety.
DOWNLOADABLE PHOTO: http://www.avsport.org/photos/students/Keith+Art.jpg CAPTION: Newly licensed Sport Pilot Keith McAndrew receives his Sport Pilot license from FAA designated pilot examiner Art Tarola at AvSport of Lock Haven.
For more information, contact Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Chief Flight Instructor
Office (570) 748-3725, Cell (570) 419-1229, email fly@AvSport.org
Lock Haven, PA, 26 February 2011 – Culminating six months of flight training during which he flew nearly every weekend, Keith McAndrew, a Williamsport truck driver originally from Ontario, Canada, today passed his FAA practical exam, becoming a fully licensed Sport Pilot. McAndrew, 53, completed his training at AvSport of Lock Haven, the sport aviation training center established a year ago on the William T. Piper Memorial Airport. His oral and flight examinations were conducted by Art Tarola, an FAA designated pilot examiner from Allentown PA, under the supervision of AvSport adjunct flight instructor John Spencer.
"Keith was an ideal student,” stated Spencer. “He displayed first rate enthusiasm and an excellent work ethic. His flying skills and overall knowledge of the pertinent information gave true credence to thework he put into learning to fly."
“It’s been a pleasure working with Keith these past six months,” said Prof. H. Paul Shuch, AvSport’s founder and Chief Flight Instructor. “He is a seasoned skydiver, which gave him extensive aeronautical experience prior to commencing flight training. I knew he was going to do well on his practical test when he missed but a single question on his FAA written exam.”
While McAndrew says he found learning to fly to be more challenging than at first he thought it would be, he relates that “each accomplishment was more satisfying than I expected as well. The first unassisted take-off is an experience I will never forget. The first unassisted landing, even more so. The first solo stands alone as the greatest sense of accomplishment in the training process! It is at that point that you really get the sense that you are actually becoming a pilot. Once you experience solo flight for the first time, that is all the encouragement needed to do whatever it takes, to continue until you can do it all of the time with your own pilot's license.”
AvSport is registered with the US Transportation Security Administration as an approved Alien Flight Student Program provider. Although a permanent US resident, McAndrew is still a Canadian citizen. Obtaining the required TSA approvals delayed his flight training by about a month. The TSA closely scrutinizes all foreign nationals who seek to learn to fly in the US.
The Sport Pilot license is the newest portal of entry into the world of aviation, allowing prospective pilots to become licensed in half the time, and at half the cost, of the traditional Private Pilot license. Sport pilots fly for fun, and are restricted to flying simple, safe, low performance aircraft that comply with the Light Sport rule. They are allowed to carry a single passenger, flying in uncongested airspace, during daylight hours, and only in good weather conditions. Piper Memorial Airport is the ancestral home to the legendary Piper Cub, arguably the world’s first sport plane. Modern Light Sport aircraft allow pilots to recapture the bygone fly-for-fun Cub era,with increased reliability and improved safety.
DOWNLOADABLE PHOTO: http://www.avsport.org/photos/students/Keith+Art.jpg CAPTION: Newly licensed Sport Pilot Keith McAndrew receives his Sport Pilot license from FAA designated pilot examiner Art Tarola at AvSport of Lock Haven.
A Dream Come True
If you have been following any of the blog posts I have written up until now, you would not have to read very many to know that I have been training to get my pilot's license. It was a process that began back near the beginning of July 2010, and came to it's successful conclusion as of late Saturday afternoon November 26 2011, having passed both a couple of hours oral test, and then a 1.4 hour flight test.
It is something I had wanted to do for years but neither had the time, nor the money to learn. Instead for a period of about 15 or more years I spend many weekends jumping out of airplanes rather than flying them. I began that sport in Oct. of '85, and last jumped about six years ago with a total of almost 1100 jumps!
When I related some skydiving stories to a customer on one of my routes, he indicated that he and his buddy had made a number of jumps, and then went on to take flying lessons. Well, I said that is something I have always wanted to do, and that conversation stirred within me a renewed desire to fulfill that dream.
During the long July 4th weekend, I went to the local airport and talked with an instructor there, and yet he just seemed so busy with other things I did not get the impression he would have much free time to train me when I was available. Then I remembered reading an article in the paper a few months before of a flight instructor who just opened a new flight school called Avsport with a web address and contact information.
I called up the instructor, who booked me for an introductory flight for the following Saturday. The introductory flight serves as the first lesson for those who are interested in training. Well, I was hooked, and so I wrote the check that would pay for the first series of lessons to start me on the path to making my dream come true.
Well, right off the bat there was a delay of several weeks because I am a Canadian citizen, and I needed approval with the TSA! Then there are delays because of weather, there are delays because of working during the week, and only having weekends. I took a weeks vacation the end of August, and got 5 lessons in that week which really helped my progress! There were delays because of instructor commitments, some delays because of airplane maintenance, and one or two delays because of my own commitments, or even other students being trained at the same time.
However, I stuck with it. And as some students graduated, and the weather changed in the late fall, I became one of the few left still willing to fly during the cold winter days! Cold weather is the best air to fly in, and some of the smoothest air, since it is more dense, and there is not the thermals that cause turbulence And so, back in mid November, I did my first solo, which I wrote about and you can read HERE and HERE
When I finally completed all of my training, it then became necessary to arrange for my practical test, which is commonly referred to as a "check ride". I called the examiner, and we agreed to try to make it the first available flyable weekend day. Well, that did not happen right away. All of a sudden, the weekend weather did not cooperate, and it was forecasting rather iffy conditions for this past weekend too.
Then added to the mix was the fact that on Friday when I went to work, they cancelled all of the driver's routes because of the weather, and put us on an "on call" basis for Saturday! So, the weather forecast improved, but I did not know if I would be forced to come in to work, and Sunday did not look good weather wise, and it had already been three weeks since I last flew! I did not know when I went to bed, whether I would be working or flying the next day. More sure I would be working than flying.
Well, as it turned out, work gave me the option of coming in or not, and I turned it down so I could fly, and the weather turned out perfect for flying! Almost too perfect since the examiner had to find ways to challenge me during the flight portion so as to not make the test too easy to pass. And let me say it was NOT easy to pass what so ever!
More of the details I will describe in a new post very soon, but for now let me just end by saying, that I was also trying to keep in mind the thoughts I wrote about in my previous posts concerning God's will, and WWJD, and trying to put that perspective into practical Human Journey practice! I did not know how it was all going to turn out. I did know I really wanted to get my check ride over and done with, and not delay any longer, but I also knew that God was intimately involved in using every detail as teachable moments, as well as surprising me with the satisfaction of a long awaited Dream Come True!
It is something I had wanted to do for years but neither had the time, nor the money to learn. Instead for a period of about 15 or more years I spend many weekends jumping out of airplanes rather than flying them. I began that sport in Oct. of '85, and last jumped about six years ago with a total of almost 1100 jumps!
When I related some skydiving stories to a customer on one of my routes, he indicated that he and his buddy had made a number of jumps, and then went on to take flying lessons. Well, I said that is something I have always wanted to do, and that conversation stirred within me a renewed desire to fulfill that dream.
During the long July 4th weekend, I went to the local airport and talked with an instructor there, and yet he just seemed so busy with other things I did not get the impression he would have much free time to train me when I was available. Then I remembered reading an article in the paper a few months before of a flight instructor who just opened a new flight school called Avsport with a web address and contact information.
I called up the instructor, who booked me for an introductory flight for the following Saturday. The introductory flight serves as the first lesson for those who are interested in training. Well, I was hooked, and so I wrote the check that would pay for the first series of lessons to start me on the path to making my dream come true.
Well, right off the bat there was a delay of several weeks because I am a Canadian citizen, and I needed approval with the TSA! Then there are delays because of weather, there are delays because of working during the week, and only having weekends. I took a weeks vacation the end of August, and got 5 lessons in that week which really helped my progress! There were delays because of instructor commitments, some delays because of airplane maintenance, and one or two delays because of my own commitments, or even other students being trained at the same time.
However, I stuck with it. And as some students graduated, and the weather changed in the late fall, I became one of the few left still willing to fly during the cold winter days! Cold weather is the best air to fly in, and some of the smoothest air, since it is more dense, and there is not the thermals that cause turbulence And so, back in mid November, I did my first solo, which I wrote about and you can read HERE and HERE
When I finally completed all of my training, it then became necessary to arrange for my practical test, which is commonly referred to as a "check ride". I called the examiner, and we agreed to try to make it the first available flyable weekend day. Well, that did not happen right away. All of a sudden, the weekend weather did not cooperate, and it was forecasting rather iffy conditions for this past weekend too.
Then added to the mix was the fact that on Friday when I went to work, they cancelled all of the driver's routes because of the weather, and put us on an "on call" basis for Saturday! So, the weather forecast improved, but I did not know if I would be forced to come in to work, and Sunday did not look good weather wise, and it had already been three weeks since I last flew! I did not know when I went to bed, whether I would be working or flying the next day. More sure I would be working than flying.
Well, as it turned out, work gave me the option of coming in or not, and I turned it down so I could fly, and the weather turned out perfect for flying! Almost too perfect since the examiner had to find ways to challenge me during the flight portion so as to not make the test too easy to pass. And let me say it was NOT easy to pass what so ever!
More of the details I will describe in a new post very soon, but for now let me just end by saying, that I was also trying to keep in mind the thoughts I wrote about in my previous posts concerning God's will, and WWJD, and trying to put that perspective into practical Human Journey practice! I did not know how it was all going to turn out. I did know I really wanted to get my check ride over and done with, and not delay any longer, but I also knew that God was intimately involved in using every detail as teachable moments, as well as surprising me with the satisfaction of a long awaited Dream Come True!
Friday, February 25, 2011
WWJD? How You Can Know!
What Would Jesus Do? If you read this post to the end, I will tell you how Jesus knew what to do, and how you can know for sure how you can do the same thing!
Four words defined by the acronym WWJD. Four letters that have been written on signs and walls, rocks and overpasses, wrist bands and tags, bracelets, and jewelry worn by Christians as a reminder for them to stop and consider what Jesus would do if He were put in that situation, and then they are to remember to respond the same way. That is what is commonly taught. But, unless you know how Jesus knew what to do, you will never know What Would Jesus Do so you could do the same thing yourself.
I read a book many years ago called In His Steps. It is a fictional story of a group of people who gathered at a weekly bible study, and one day challenged themselves to live every day for a week asking themselves in every situation "what would Jesus do?" and then following that answer no matter what the consequences. It is kind of the original WWJD scenario played out. That is what is commonly taught.
Let me put it this way.... what is NOT commonly taught is that the Adamic man asks WWJD! The religious man asks WWJD! The imitator asks WWJD! The natural man asks WWJD. The carnal man asks WWJD. These are not different men, they are different names for the same man. The problem is, that there is no way for that man to come up with a correct answer! "Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7 The carnal man may ask WWJD, but he can never know, he will only respond with whatever his selfish, sinful, guilty mind can imagine. The natural man does not want to please God! He wants to please himself, by showing his ability to live a religious life apart from God's interference.
He may do what is generous. He may do what is kind. He may do that which is brave, or kind or gentle or loving, or self sacrifical but that is no guarantee that is what Jesus would do. And it is more likely it is not since there is no way he can know while he is at emnity with God.
What is NOT commonly taught is that our Christian walk is not to be a result of our trying to figure out what Jesus would do by a process of what we think is the best course of action, and then do that. Our Christian walk is supposed to be a result of our nature so changing because of His life being lived through us, that we don't have to ask what Jesus would do, but rather we would just do it naturally! THAT is the difference!
What is not commonly taught is the difference that Life of Jesus makes within the New Creation man! Most Christians never learn what actually took place when they prayed to let Jesus come into their heart, that is why they live like they are the ones defeated; not the enemy. Most Christians are don't understand that while things may have appeared to remain no different than 5 minutes before they prayed, the fact is that a mighty miracle took place in that moment! The Apostle Paul says it this way "all old things are passed away, and behold ALL things become new! 2 Cor. 5:17
The New Creation man does not need to ask WWJD. Why not? Because Jesus said: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." John 16:13
Okay, so we all want to live a life that is pleasing to God. We all want to do the right thing. We all want to say the right thing at the right time. We all would like to know how to know what to do..... Here is the secret... it is to do the same thing that Jesus did so that He knew what to do. And what is that?
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 8:28,29 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."
That is it right there! That is the secret to ALWAYS know what to do the same as Jesus knew what to say and what to do. Only say those things you HEAR the Father say, and only DO those things you SEE the Father do.
Oh what? It is not that easy? I never said it was easy. Was the life of Jesus easy? No, of course not, but we think we should have it easier than He did? Jesus often spent the whole night in prayer. When was the last time we did? Not to see His hand, but to seek His face?
Don't worry, just because I know the secret; just because I know what to do, does not mean that I follow His example all of the time, and only speak and do what I hear and see the Father say and do. But knowing what the secret is does for the most part keep me from doing what is commonly taught, and allow me to do what is uncommonly taught in a particular situation.... WWJD?
And sometimes; (far fewer times than I would like) I will "hear" the Father say something, and then I will say it, and since He only speaks words of Life, then when those words are spoken, they come to pass! And sometimes; (in my spirit) I will "see" what to do, and then I will do it, and that which gets done comes to pass.
We do have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. We CAN know what to do. I Cor.2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." Now you know, next time you are wondering WWJD? How You Can Know!
Four words defined by the acronym WWJD. Four letters that have been written on signs and walls, rocks and overpasses, wrist bands and tags, bracelets, and jewelry worn by Christians as a reminder for them to stop and consider what Jesus would do if He were put in that situation, and then they are to remember to respond the same way. That is what is commonly taught. But, unless you know how Jesus knew what to do, you will never know What Would Jesus Do so you could do the same thing yourself.
I read a book many years ago called In His Steps. It is a fictional story of a group of people who gathered at a weekly bible study, and one day challenged themselves to live every day for a week asking themselves in every situation "what would Jesus do?" and then following that answer no matter what the consequences. It is kind of the original WWJD scenario played out. That is what is commonly taught.
Let me put it this way.... what is NOT commonly taught is that the Adamic man asks WWJD! The religious man asks WWJD! The imitator asks WWJD! The natural man asks WWJD. The carnal man asks WWJD. These are not different men, they are different names for the same man. The problem is, that there is no way for that man to come up with a correct answer! "Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7 The carnal man may ask WWJD, but he can never know, he will only respond with whatever his selfish, sinful, guilty mind can imagine. The natural man does not want to please God! He wants to please himself, by showing his ability to live a religious life apart from God's interference.
He may do what is generous. He may do what is kind. He may do that which is brave, or kind or gentle or loving, or self sacrifical but that is no guarantee that is what Jesus would do. And it is more likely it is not since there is no way he can know while he is at emnity with God.
What is NOT commonly taught is that our Christian walk is not to be a result of our trying to figure out what Jesus would do by a process of what we think is the best course of action, and then do that. Our Christian walk is supposed to be a result of our nature so changing because of His life being lived through us, that we don't have to ask what Jesus would do, but rather we would just do it naturally! THAT is the difference!
What is not commonly taught is the difference that Life of Jesus makes within the New Creation man! Most Christians never learn what actually took place when they prayed to let Jesus come into their heart, that is why they live like they are the ones defeated; not the enemy. Most Christians are don't understand that while things may have appeared to remain no different than 5 minutes before they prayed, the fact is that a mighty miracle took place in that moment! The Apostle Paul says it this way "all old things are passed away, and behold ALL things become new! 2 Cor. 5:17
The New Creation man does not need to ask WWJD. Why not? Because Jesus said: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." John 16:13
Okay, so we all want to live a life that is pleasing to God. We all want to do the right thing. We all want to say the right thing at the right time. We all would like to know how to know what to do..... Here is the secret... it is to do the same thing that Jesus did so that He knew what to do. And what is that?
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 8:28,29 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."
That is it right there! That is the secret to ALWAYS know what to do the same as Jesus knew what to say and what to do. Only say those things you HEAR the Father say, and only DO those things you SEE the Father do.
Oh what? It is not that easy? I never said it was easy. Was the life of Jesus easy? No, of course not, but we think we should have it easier than He did? Jesus often spent the whole night in prayer. When was the last time we did? Not to see His hand, but to seek His face?
Don't worry, just because I know the secret; just because I know what to do, does not mean that I follow His example all of the time, and only speak and do what I hear and see the Father say and do. But knowing what the secret is does for the most part keep me from doing what is commonly taught, and allow me to do what is uncommonly taught in a particular situation.... WWJD?
And sometimes; (far fewer times than I would like) I will "hear" the Father say something, and then I will say it, and since He only speaks words of Life, then when those words are spoken, they come to pass! And sometimes; (in my spirit) I will "see" what to do, and then I will do it, and that which gets done comes to pass.
We do have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. We CAN know what to do. I Cor.2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." Now you know, next time you are wondering WWJD? How You Can Know!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Not My Will But Thine Be Done
Of all of the times I have heard someone say "Not my will buy Thine be done." I don't know if I have ever known that person to know what the Father's will was in the matter! What they seem to be doing is just resigning to a "whatever" sort of attitude, a sort of giving up any resistance to some inevidable outcome! One thing for sure, is they are not submitting to the will of God as in coming into agreement with any sort of revealed purpose.
We remember very clearly the story of Jesus in the garden on the night of His betrayal praying earnestly to His Father that the cup of suffering that He was to partake of would pass from Him, if there was any other way to accomplish this redemptive plan for mankind. The submission of Jesus to the will of the Father was summed up by His saying, "Never the less, not my will, but Thine be done."
Jesus knew what the will of the Father was! Jesus was actually praying that some other way of accomplishing the same outcome that bypassed His suffering, and crucifixion take place, but it was the will of the Father, and Jesus knowingly submitted Himself to that revealed will.
It is my firm belief that it was at that moment, that Jesus won the battle over any struggle otherwise. That is why He did not have to resist the guards when they arrested Him. That is why He did not have to consider responding to the accusations in that Kangaroo court. That is why He could stand silent before Pontius Pilate! That is even why He did not call 10,000 angels to rescue Him! When He prayed "Not my will but Thine be done." There was nothing that could have stood in the way after that from seeing the will of the Father carried out.
But suppose it was like it is for most people. Suppose He did not know what the will of the Father was. Suppose He just said those words submitting His will to the Father's without knowing that He was supposed to suffer and be crucified. Perhaps then, every opportunity that came for Him to escape from such an outcome would be considered. Is this the Father's will? Is THIS the Father's will? What about this?
Do you remember the story of the man who sat in his house when a storm came. The radio announced everyone to leave, but he said he would wait for God's will to be accomplished. Then the street flooded and he went on the roof, and a boat came, and he said he was waiting for the will of God to be accomplished. Then a helicopter came and he turned them away, and finally he drowned. When he met God face to face, and asked why God's will was thwarted, when he waited faithfully, God said well I sent the radio warning and the boat and the helicopter!
Unless you know what God's will is, then how can you pray "Thy will be done?" This came to light for me a number of years ago when I was talking with a dear lady whose grandchild had some serious medical problems. She said "Well, God's will be done". Well, all of a sudden the Spirit of the Lord rose up within me, and I asked her what was God's will for her grand child? She said she did not know. I told her that she had better find out! Perhaps she could discover that God's will was for that baby to live, and then she was to go to that room and speak those words of life over that baby! Perhaps all that was needed was for someone to declare outloud words of Life when all around the child they were speaking death. Go and speak with authority "You shall LIVE and not die! But speak it with knowledge of what the will of God is first!"
That is what the purpose of prayer is anyway! Prayer is not to get our wishes fulfilled, but rather to line up our will with His; It is for us to come into agreement with the plan and purpose of God, so that there is only ONE will, and we are ONE in mind and purpose. THERE is where the battle is won! There is where we can relax about the outcome no matter what it is. It does not have to appear as though it is the right way, or the best way.... I mean really... look at Jesus' last day's events. The fact is, that no matter how it looked on the outside, the end result is a perfect outcome in which all of the variables and options have already been considered, and there is no other way with a better permanent solution.
Think about that next time when events are transpiring, and you don't know what to do. Rather than haphazardly submitting to an unknown plan and purpose, find out what God's will is FIRST, then you can with trust, and faith, and peacefull assurance pray "Not My Will But Thine Be Done"
We remember very clearly the story of Jesus in the garden on the night of His betrayal praying earnestly to His Father that the cup of suffering that He was to partake of would pass from Him, if there was any other way to accomplish this redemptive plan for mankind. The submission of Jesus to the will of the Father was summed up by His saying, "Never the less, not my will, but Thine be done."
Jesus knew what the will of the Father was! Jesus was actually praying that some other way of accomplishing the same outcome that bypassed His suffering, and crucifixion take place, but it was the will of the Father, and Jesus knowingly submitted Himself to that revealed will.
It is my firm belief that it was at that moment, that Jesus won the battle over any struggle otherwise. That is why He did not have to resist the guards when they arrested Him. That is why He did not have to consider responding to the accusations in that Kangaroo court. That is why He could stand silent before Pontius Pilate! That is even why He did not call 10,000 angels to rescue Him! When He prayed "Not my will but Thine be done." There was nothing that could have stood in the way after that from seeing the will of the Father carried out.
But suppose it was like it is for most people. Suppose He did not know what the will of the Father was. Suppose He just said those words submitting His will to the Father's without knowing that He was supposed to suffer and be crucified. Perhaps then, every opportunity that came for Him to escape from such an outcome would be considered. Is this the Father's will? Is THIS the Father's will? What about this?
Do you remember the story of the man who sat in his house when a storm came. The radio announced everyone to leave, but he said he would wait for God's will to be accomplished. Then the street flooded and he went on the roof, and a boat came, and he said he was waiting for the will of God to be accomplished. Then a helicopter came and he turned them away, and finally he drowned. When he met God face to face, and asked why God's will was thwarted, when he waited faithfully, God said well I sent the radio warning and the boat and the helicopter!
Unless you know what God's will is, then how can you pray "Thy will be done?" This came to light for me a number of years ago when I was talking with a dear lady whose grandchild had some serious medical problems. She said "Well, God's will be done". Well, all of a sudden the Spirit of the Lord rose up within me, and I asked her what was God's will for her grand child? She said she did not know. I told her that she had better find out! Perhaps she could discover that God's will was for that baby to live, and then she was to go to that room and speak those words of life over that baby! Perhaps all that was needed was for someone to declare outloud words of Life when all around the child they were speaking death. Go and speak with authority "You shall LIVE and not die! But speak it with knowledge of what the will of God is first!"
That is what the purpose of prayer is anyway! Prayer is not to get our wishes fulfilled, but rather to line up our will with His; It is for us to come into agreement with the plan and purpose of God, so that there is only ONE will, and we are ONE in mind and purpose. THERE is where the battle is won! There is where we can relax about the outcome no matter what it is. It does not have to appear as though it is the right way, or the best way.... I mean really... look at Jesus' last day's events. The fact is, that no matter how it looked on the outside, the end result is a perfect outcome in which all of the variables and options have already been considered, and there is no other way with a better permanent solution.
Think about that next time when events are transpiring, and you don't know what to do. Rather than haphazardly submitting to an unknown plan and purpose, find out what God's will is FIRST, then you can with trust, and faith, and peacefull assurance pray "Not My Will But Thine Be Done"
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Ever Watchful Over His Works
It has been several weeks since my last posting for several reasons, and all of the reasons can be summed up by just saying, there has been a lot of happenings on this human journey of mine. All of these happenings have demanded much of my time; not all of them have been pleasant.
My job is the biggest demand on my time, and this year I will be working more hours than before. Also, I have completed my flight training, and am now waiting for the chance to take my practical test for my license. The weather this weekend made that not possible, and so next weekend is a hopeful expectation.
The unpleasant events started with an accident I had on the way to work a couple weeks ago. It had snowed, with freezing rain that night, and in the morning after passing someone on the road, I lost control, slid sideways into a guard rail, and was bounced into a ditch on the other side. We thanked God I was unhurt. The car however, was severely damaged and needed to be replaced!
It was an old car, with lots of miles, so it was not a terrible loss, but a loss none the less. It was not worth trying to fix the damages, so it became necessary to buy another car. This was a Wednesday. I took that day off, and the following two days, and decided on a good used car that we could afford. On the way to work the following Monday, I ran over something in the road which damaged the alloy rim, and blew the tire! There was another time consuming task to replace that at a $430 expense.
Okay, so things happen, and surprisingly enough both Cindi and I were able to take it all in stride after some thoughtful reflection. A few days later, and the new car was now giving me transmission problems. It would not shift into the higher gears. As it turns out, the transmission fluid was low, and just needed a top up. But as you can imagine, we were more than a little concerned when these costly troubles were going to end. I felt a little like Job, who had one bad report after another one, until he lost everything. I figured if I started getting boils, then I would really start worrying!! haha.
There is always more details to tell, but for the purpose of this blog, these experiences suffice as an example of some of the troubles that we all can face from time to time. We are, after all, on this Human Journey, but we are first and foremost Spiritual Beings, and sometimes that can get lost in our thinking while our flesh is demanding so much attention!
On the Wednesday night of the accident, I could not get a wink of sleep. My mind was tormenting me with negative thoughts of condemnation! Not only did I question my ability to ever drive again, but also any ability I have to fly! In my saner moments I realized what I always knew, that God is sovereignly in control of every detail of event of every moment of every day! So then, my thoughts turned heavenward, asking "What do you want from me? What am I to do? What is your purpose? What is your will?"
I did not hear a voice. I did not get an inner witness to an answer. Most of the time, that is the way it seems to work. The answers do not always come right away. Many times there is silence. And in that time of silence, there is reflection, and in that time of reflection, there is insight, and with that insight comes peace.
That peace is one of inner calmness, and is not dictated by outward circumstances. That peace is such that it can settle the mind of the flesh. The Psalmist David writes "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Psalm 42:11
It is a peace that comes from His Spirit rising within your spiritual being, to spread confident assurance of an intimately loving heavenly Father Ever Watchful Over The Works of His Hands.
My job is the biggest demand on my time, and this year I will be working more hours than before. Also, I have completed my flight training, and am now waiting for the chance to take my practical test for my license. The weather this weekend made that not possible, and so next weekend is a hopeful expectation.
The unpleasant events started with an accident I had on the way to work a couple weeks ago. It had snowed, with freezing rain that night, and in the morning after passing someone on the road, I lost control, slid sideways into a guard rail, and was bounced into a ditch on the other side. We thanked God I was unhurt. The car however, was severely damaged and needed to be replaced!
It was an old car, with lots of miles, so it was not a terrible loss, but a loss none the less. It was not worth trying to fix the damages, so it became necessary to buy another car. This was a Wednesday. I took that day off, and the following two days, and decided on a good used car that we could afford. On the way to work the following Monday, I ran over something in the road which damaged the alloy rim, and blew the tire! There was another time consuming task to replace that at a $430 expense.
Okay, so things happen, and surprisingly enough both Cindi and I were able to take it all in stride after some thoughtful reflection. A few days later, and the new car was now giving me transmission problems. It would not shift into the higher gears. As it turns out, the transmission fluid was low, and just needed a top up. But as you can imagine, we were more than a little concerned when these costly troubles were going to end. I felt a little like Job, who had one bad report after another one, until he lost everything. I figured if I started getting boils, then I would really start worrying!! haha.
There is always more details to tell, but for the purpose of this blog, these experiences suffice as an example of some of the troubles that we all can face from time to time. We are, after all, on this Human Journey, but we are first and foremost Spiritual Beings, and sometimes that can get lost in our thinking while our flesh is demanding so much attention!
On the Wednesday night of the accident, I could not get a wink of sleep. My mind was tormenting me with negative thoughts of condemnation! Not only did I question my ability to ever drive again, but also any ability I have to fly! In my saner moments I realized what I always knew, that God is sovereignly in control of every detail of event of every moment of every day! So then, my thoughts turned heavenward, asking "What do you want from me? What am I to do? What is your purpose? What is your will?"
I did not hear a voice. I did not get an inner witness to an answer. Most of the time, that is the way it seems to work. The answers do not always come right away. Many times there is silence. And in that time of silence, there is reflection, and in that time of reflection, there is insight, and with that insight comes peace.
That peace is one of inner calmness, and is not dictated by outward circumstances. That peace is such that it can settle the mind of the flesh. The Psalmist David writes "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Psalm 42:11
It is a peace that comes from His Spirit rising within your spiritual being, to spread confident assurance of an intimately loving heavenly Father Ever Watchful Over The Works of His Hands.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
What Is Uncommonly Taught
It has been a couple of weeks since my last post. I have begun writing the post I had in mind to write several times since then, and for some reason it seems to refuse to be written! With every post that I have written up till now, each one would almost write themselves so to speak. Even if it changed course from what I had originally thought to write when I sat down, by the end of writing, I was sure I had written what I was supposed to write after all, and any changes I made after was only to clarify some wording.
I have been more busy as of late with my job now requiring much more of my time, but I do not think that is what is preventing me from posting. As I have written from the beginning, there has been an inner witness within that has prompted me not only to begin this blog, but also with every post that I have written. And while I was sure of the topic for the next post, as often as I have tried, I cannot seem to get a confirmation within as to how to put into words what is in my thoughts.
As soon as I can be at peace about what I need to write, I will post it soon... I hope.
I can say that the topic is WWJD. Simple enough, if only I was to write what is commonly taught, but if you have read any of my posts by now you would know that I write What Is Uncommonly Taught!
I have been more busy as of late with my job now requiring much more of my time, but I do not think that is what is preventing me from posting. As I have written from the beginning, there has been an inner witness within that has prompted me not only to begin this blog, but also with every post that I have written. And while I was sure of the topic for the next post, as often as I have tried, I cannot seem to get a confirmation within as to how to put into words what is in my thoughts.
As soon as I can be at peace about what I need to write, I will post it soon... I hope.
I can say that the topic is WWJD. Simple enough, if only I was to write what is commonly taught, but if you have read any of my posts by now you would know that I write What Is Uncommonly Taught!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The god Of This World
II Cor. 4:4 "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
If you study the life of Paul the Apostle, it won't take long before you come to know that he was a very Orthodox Jew; one who held himself to the highest standard of keeping the law. Little did he know, he was blind to the fact that he could not keep the law without fault, and that all of his efforts were not going to make him righteous in the sight of God.
The Law demands perfection, not just the highest effort! Do you see that? Fullfilling the Law is not graded on a curve! I remember growing up and being told that we are just to do the best we can and that will be good enough. God looks at your sincerity. He knows we are not perfect, and so He will judge the evil people like Hitler and send them to hell, but as long as you keep most of the 10 commandments the best that you can, you will get to go to heaven.
Many Evangelical Christians believe that you must accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior before you can go to heaven, and that God is hoping to get as many people saved as He can before He decides to end it all, and give up on the rest of creation. The thinking is that He is expecting the Church to spread the Gospel to the world, to give everyone a chance to hear, so they can make a decision to accept or reject Him, before He can be justified to send them to hell, for their rejection.
I know these things because I spent many years in the church system! Not unlike Paul, I was blinded to the truth of a religious system of works. Blinded to the truth of the Absolute, Unfathomable, Irrevocable, Unchangeable, Mercy, and Love of God for ALL of His Creation!!
As you read on in the book of Acts, you will see that Paul (who was called Saul at the time), with great zeal, was intent on stopping this new movement of believers in Jesus as the Messiah! He believed that he was doing a great service for God. On his way to Damascus, filled with purpose to kill more of these believers, Jesus appeared to him, and changed his heart so dramatically, that he became the greatest spokesman for the Gospel that ever lived!
I used to wonder how that was fair?? I thought that if God appeared to everyone the same as He did to Paul, then who would ever reject Him? Every incident in the Scripture where we read of even an angelic presence appearing before someone, we see them falling prostrate on the ground! I used to wonder how God could appear before some, and they would be saved, and not appear before most, and then send them all to hell for rejecting Him, ...who they do not know...and consider that fair? If He was so interested in everyone being saved, then why wouldn't He just appear to everyone the same and then see if any would reject Him?
Some would quote Jesus and say John 20:29 "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." Okay, but what about those who have not seen and not believed? How is that fair to send them to hell? Some would say that satan battles God for their soul, and wins what might be considered the majority of creation!
Now, the explaination I have heard about the verse I quoted at the top, is that Satan is the god of this world, and that it is he who has blinded the hearts and minds of men so that they would not believe. But I have come to know that is NOT the truth.
For the purpose of this post, I will not discuss now what I believe about Satan, but I do not believe Satan is what is referred to as the god of this world. Simply put, I believe Adam is referred to as the god of this world!
Think about it. When God created Adam, He gave him dominion over all of creation! Dominion! Not meaning to dominate creation in a servile manner, but rather to look after and care for the needs of creation. God created man in His image and likeness... cut from the same substance as Himself... created to be a god (small "g") like Himself and given charge of creation to dress it and to keep it. That dominion was never taken away! Instead, the so called fall took place, and the bonds of relationship were broken, and man was then forced to till the ground by the sweat of his brow. There is so much here to comment on; so many spiritual truths; but let me say that man was not cursed, the ground was cursed, it was just that the man now had to work it with labor instead of just keeping it.
For further proof, I will quote two other passages. The first from the Old Testament, and the second is confirmed by the words of Jesus who quoted the Old Testament verse.
Psalm 82:6 "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."
John 10:34,35 "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;..."
This post would exceed its intent to qualify these verses as being in context, and proof of my point, I will let the reader prove or disprove for themselves. One only needs to seek the answer from God to see if these things be true.
Having said all of that, since Adam was given dominion, and then a "wall of separation" was put in-between God and man, so that man was not able to exercise that dominion in the way in which it was designed, then man ever since has been blinded by the fact that they think their own labor and works will get them back into fellowship with God! THAT is the religious nature!
Religion is the greatest sin of all! When Paul said that he was the chiefest of sinners! 1Tim. 1:15 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." Was he exaggerating? No, he was talking about his trying to justify himself to God blinded to the truth by having confidence in his flesh because of his religious works. That is what made him the chiefest of sinners. He recites those things in the following verses to make a point. Phil.3:4-7 "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ"
The god of this world, the Adamic man, the natural man, the vail of flesh; however you want to refer to it; this is what blinds the eyes of man so they cannot see the Truth. It is only when God sheds the light of revelation upon each individual will they ever be able to overcome that blindness and have their eyes open to see the Truth. No need to blame satan for unbelief! No need to suggest the devil made me do it! Now you know why there is unbelief.... it is because the Adamic man is The god Of This World.
If you study the life of Paul the Apostle, it won't take long before you come to know that he was a very Orthodox Jew; one who held himself to the highest standard of keeping the law. Little did he know, he was blind to the fact that he could not keep the law without fault, and that all of his efforts were not going to make him righteous in the sight of God.
The Law demands perfection, not just the highest effort! Do you see that? Fullfilling the Law is not graded on a curve! I remember growing up and being told that we are just to do the best we can and that will be good enough. God looks at your sincerity. He knows we are not perfect, and so He will judge the evil people like Hitler and send them to hell, but as long as you keep most of the 10 commandments the best that you can, you will get to go to heaven.
Many Evangelical Christians believe that you must accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior before you can go to heaven, and that God is hoping to get as many people saved as He can before He decides to end it all, and give up on the rest of creation. The thinking is that He is expecting the Church to spread the Gospel to the world, to give everyone a chance to hear, so they can make a decision to accept or reject Him, before He can be justified to send them to hell, for their rejection.
I know these things because I spent many years in the church system! Not unlike Paul, I was blinded to the truth of a religious system of works. Blinded to the truth of the Absolute, Unfathomable, Irrevocable, Unchangeable, Mercy, and Love of God for ALL of His Creation!!
As you read on in the book of Acts, you will see that Paul (who was called Saul at the time), with great zeal, was intent on stopping this new movement of believers in Jesus as the Messiah! He believed that he was doing a great service for God. On his way to Damascus, filled with purpose to kill more of these believers, Jesus appeared to him, and changed his heart so dramatically, that he became the greatest spokesman for the Gospel that ever lived!
I used to wonder how that was fair?? I thought that if God appeared to everyone the same as He did to Paul, then who would ever reject Him? Every incident in the Scripture where we read of even an angelic presence appearing before someone, we see them falling prostrate on the ground! I used to wonder how God could appear before some, and they would be saved, and not appear before most, and then send them all to hell for rejecting Him, ...who they do not know...and consider that fair? If He was so interested in everyone being saved, then why wouldn't He just appear to everyone the same and then see if any would reject Him?
Some would quote Jesus and say John 20:29 "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." Okay, but what about those who have not seen and not believed? How is that fair to send them to hell? Some would say that satan battles God for their soul, and wins what might be considered the majority of creation!
Now, the explaination I have heard about the verse I quoted at the top, is that Satan is the god of this world, and that it is he who has blinded the hearts and minds of men so that they would not believe. But I have come to know that is NOT the truth.
For the purpose of this post, I will not discuss now what I believe about Satan, but I do not believe Satan is what is referred to as the god of this world. Simply put, I believe Adam is referred to as the god of this world!
Think about it. When God created Adam, He gave him dominion over all of creation! Dominion! Not meaning to dominate creation in a servile manner, but rather to look after and care for the needs of creation. God created man in His image and likeness... cut from the same substance as Himself... created to be a god (small "g") like Himself and given charge of creation to dress it and to keep it. That dominion was never taken away! Instead, the so called fall took place, and the bonds of relationship were broken, and man was then forced to till the ground by the sweat of his brow. There is so much here to comment on; so many spiritual truths; but let me say that man was not cursed, the ground was cursed, it was just that the man now had to work it with labor instead of just keeping it.
For further proof, I will quote two other passages. The first from the Old Testament, and the second is confirmed by the words of Jesus who quoted the Old Testament verse.
Psalm 82:6 "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."
John 10:34,35 "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;..."
This post would exceed its intent to qualify these verses as being in context, and proof of my point, I will let the reader prove or disprove for themselves. One only needs to seek the answer from God to see if these things be true.
Having said all of that, since Adam was given dominion, and then a "wall of separation" was put in-between God and man, so that man was not able to exercise that dominion in the way in which it was designed, then man ever since has been blinded by the fact that they think their own labor and works will get them back into fellowship with God! THAT is the religious nature!
Religion is the greatest sin of all! When Paul said that he was the chiefest of sinners! 1Tim. 1:15 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." Was he exaggerating? No, he was talking about his trying to justify himself to God blinded to the truth by having confidence in his flesh because of his religious works. That is what made him the chiefest of sinners. He recites those things in the following verses to make a point. Phil.3:4-7 "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ"
The god of this world, the Adamic man, the natural man, the vail of flesh; however you want to refer to it; this is what blinds the eyes of man so they cannot see the Truth. It is only when God sheds the light of revelation upon each individual will they ever be able to overcome that blindness and have their eyes open to see the Truth. No need to blame satan for unbelief! No need to suggest the devil made me do it! Now you know why there is unbelief.... it is because the Adamic man is The god Of This World.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The God We Worship
As I have said from the beginning in these posts, that we worship the God of our understanding. The idea is that we can only worship the God that we know. Most times the God that we know comes from an incomplete understanding of who He is based upon a faulty understanding of those who would pass on to us those short comings which they themselves possess. Their short comings founded in traditions, and prejudices etc. come from their teachers, and so on down the line.
Consider a pastor who has gone to a particular Bible College. The classes that he attends; the things that he is taught; the learning that goes through are specifically designed by whatever belief system that school puts forth in its curriculum. That makes sense of course, but consider this... a mathematics teacher from one school teaches the same mathematics as any other teacher in any other school. 2+2=4 is the same no matter who teaches it. However, a Biblical professor from a Baptist school will teach a different theology than a professor in a Catholic school, or a Pentecostal, or any of the others.
Each teacher passes on what they themselves have come to believe as truth about God. Saying so, betrays the fact that I also, in the cyber pages of this blog do the same. These things I write are that which I have come to believe with full conviction of their truth. And of course the reader him or herself, will also have to come to a conviction of what they believe to be true as well.
The one saving grace in all of this is that it is indeed the will and purpose of God who gives unto each of us the measure of faith that we possess, and what ever measure of revelation He has deemed to be good in His eyes. Line upon line. Precept upon precept. Here a little. There a little. Each revelation of truth compounding on the revelation preceding it. One thing for certain is that God will let us believe what He wants us to believe in order to bring us to the place where He desires to bring us. Ultimately it is to Himself so that He will be All in All. But in the mean time, there is no limit to the creative ways and means He uses to accomplish His objective.
What I did not consider in all of this detail until earlier this evening is what about those who claim to NOT believe in God? Of course they are mistaken. But not just about the reality of God's existence; most, I think do believe in a God of their understanding, yet they do not recognize that truth. What do I mean by that? Simply put, many who say they do not believe in God, or who deny the saving power of Jesus Christ are not so much rejecting God nor Jesus, but rather they are rejecting the distorted image that is presented to them!! This distorted image of God does not coincide with what ever measure of truth that is within them, and they are rejecting the distorted image, still looking for that which is true.
This is something that we must consider when we "witness" to others. Are they rejecting Jesus, or just your message about Jesus? Is what you are telling them biblical truth, or just church doctrine? Does what you share about their relationship with Jesus reflect His unconditional love, or is it conditional based on something they have to do in order to reap the benefits? Oh, it doesn't have to be much, things like: go to church; read your bible every day; pray a sinner's prayer; pay tithes; quit smoking; no swearing..... the list goes on and on. And while all of these things are good, none of them are necessary for salvation!
The fact is that as Paul the Apostle says, we are saved by Grace THROUGH FAITH and THAT not of ourselves, NOT of works lest anyone should boast. Now, most Christians would whole heartily agree with that, and even quote it, yet how many times would they think it was THEIR own decision to follow Jesus that saved them? Don't you see, that it would be boasting in your choice if it were so that saved you? Don't you see that it is even FAITH that is a gift of God!
Okay, then if God is responsible for even giving the faith needed to believe before someone could be saved, then what about the people who God did NOT give saving faith to? Ah, good question. I am glad you asked.
There are two schools of thought about this. No actually three! The fact is that I have even gone through the process of the first two in order to arrive at the third. I will explain in more detail in another post, but I will say this... One thought is that we make the choice to believe or reject God, and if we reject God then we are lost for eternity. Another thought is that God created some "elected" to be saved aside from any choice on their part, and the rest He purposed to be lost for eternity. The third option, and the one I whole heartily support with great conviction, is that there will NOT be one single person created that has ever lived, nor will ever live that will ever be lost for eternity!!
The first two doctrines get it wrong because they believe in error that God's love for mankind; God's commitment to salvation; God's dealing with His creation all ends with mortal death. Meaning that once we have breathed our last, then in whatever spiritual condition we find our self in at that moment is the way we will remain for eternity, and if we are saved, then we go to some place called heaven, and if we are not believers, then we go to a place of eternal fiery torment!
The third choice, and the one that I have believed since about 1993 when I first learned of it, is that God is not finished dealing with us during this mortal life time! God will lose NONE of His creation! EVERY knee in heaven, and on earth, and beneath the earth, shall bow and every tongue shall joyfully proclaim that He is Lord! That does not leave anyone out. And it is simply not true, nor is it reasonable to suggest that once some knees have bowed, that God will reject them, and say that it was not soon enough!
Our understanding of who God is comes from the degree of revelation He has purposed to give to us. The degree of revelation He has purposed to give to us is determined by His own design and plan for our lives. The fact that the revelation we have is incomplete, does not mean that He will not also give us more understanding, and at each stage of the process we continue; to the measure that we are given; that we would worship the God we understand, and more so to understand The God We Worship!
Consider a pastor who has gone to a particular Bible College. The classes that he attends; the things that he is taught; the learning that goes through are specifically designed by whatever belief system that school puts forth in its curriculum. That makes sense of course, but consider this... a mathematics teacher from one school teaches the same mathematics as any other teacher in any other school. 2+2=4 is the same no matter who teaches it. However, a Biblical professor from a Baptist school will teach a different theology than a professor in a Catholic school, or a Pentecostal, or any of the others.
Each teacher passes on what they themselves have come to believe as truth about God. Saying so, betrays the fact that I also, in the cyber pages of this blog do the same. These things I write are that which I have come to believe with full conviction of their truth. And of course the reader him or herself, will also have to come to a conviction of what they believe to be true as well.
The one saving grace in all of this is that it is indeed the will and purpose of God who gives unto each of us the measure of faith that we possess, and what ever measure of revelation He has deemed to be good in His eyes. Line upon line. Precept upon precept. Here a little. There a little. Each revelation of truth compounding on the revelation preceding it. One thing for certain is that God will let us believe what He wants us to believe in order to bring us to the place where He desires to bring us. Ultimately it is to Himself so that He will be All in All. But in the mean time, there is no limit to the creative ways and means He uses to accomplish His objective.
What I did not consider in all of this detail until earlier this evening is what about those who claim to NOT believe in God? Of course they are mistaken. But not just about the reality of God's existence; most, I think do believe in a God of their understanding, yet they do not recognize that truth. What do I mean by that? Simply put, many who say they do not believe in God, or who deny the saving power of Jesus Christ are not so much rejecting God nor Jesus, but rather they are rejecting the distorted image that is presented to them!! This distorted image of God does not coincide with what ever measure of truth that is within them, and they are rejecting the distorted image, still looking for that which is true.
This is something that we must consider when we "witness" to others. Are they rejecting Jesus, or just your message about Jesus? Is what you are telling them biblical truth, or just church doctrine? Does what you share about their relationship with Jesus reflect His unconditional love, or is it conditional based on something they have to do in order to reap the benefits? Oh, it doesn't have to be much, things like: go to church; read your bible every day; pray a sinner's prayer; pay tithes; quit smoking; no swearing..... the list goes on and on. And while all of these things are good, none of them are necessary for salvation!
The fact is that as Paul the Apostle says, we are saved by Grace THROUGH FAITH and THAT not of ourselves, NOT of works lest anyone should boast. Now, most Christians would whole heartily agree with that, and even quote it, yet how many times would they think it was THEIR own decision to follow Jesus that saved them? Don't you see, that it would be boasting in your choice if it were so that saved you? Don't you see that it is even FAITH that is a gift of God!
Okay, then if God is responsible for even giving the faith needed to believe before someone could be saved, then what about the people who God did NOT give saving faith to? Ah, good question. I am glad you asked.
There are two schools of thought about this. No actually three! The fact is that I have even gone through the process of the first two in order to arrive at the third. I will explain in more detail in another post, but I will say this... One thought is that we make the choice to believe or reject God, and if we reject God then we are lost for eternity. Another thought is that God created some "elected" to be saved aside from any choice on their part, and the rest He purposed to be lost for eternity. The third option, and the one I whole heartily support with great conviction, is that there will NOT be one single person created that has ever lived, nor will ever live that will ever be lost for eternity!!
The first two doctrines get it wrong because they believe in error that God's love for mankind; God's commitment to salvation; God's dealing with His creation all ends with mortal death. Meaning that once we have breathed our last, then in whatever spiritual condition we find our self in at that moment is the way we will remain for eternity, and if we are saved, then we go to some place called heaven, and if we are not believers, then we go to a place of eternal fiery torment!
The third choice, and the one that I have believed since about 1993 when I first learned of it, is that God is not finished dealing with us during this mortal life time! God will lose NONE of His creation! EVERY knee in heaven, and on earth, and beneath the earth, shall bow and every tongue shall joyfully proclaim that He is Lord! That does not leave anyone out. And it is simply not true, nor is it reasonable to suggest that once some knees have bowed, that God will reject them, and say that it was not soon enough!
Our understanding of who God is comes from the degree of revelation He has purposed to give to us. The degree of revelation He has purposed to give to us is determined by His own design and plan for our lives. The fact that the revelation we have is incomplete, does not mean that He will not also give us more understanding, and at each stage of the process we continue; to the measure that we are given; that we would worship the God we understand, and more so to understand The God We Worship!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)