He's Too Bright To Look At

Let The Son Shine On You!

Let The Son Shine On You!         *

Let The Son Shine On You!

Let The Son Shine On You!

 

Exodus 33:19-22                               *

 *

The LORD replied (to Moses), "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live." The LORD continued, "Look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

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I've heard people who are wondering if there is a God say, "If God wants us to know He's here, why not show Himself!"  Now we know why God has not done that.       

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God's ways are so much higher than ours....and His presence much more spectacular than ours as well. I used to tell my kids, "He's too bright to look at."

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Everything about God is much greater. He is not of this world at all. In the areas of our daily lives....what we do...what we think...where we go...most of the things we do we don't question. Yet it is time for Christians to ask God to help us to deliberately be open to question...even those things that we've put high up on the shelf of acceptable things. The things that have been put up on a special shelf where the things go that 'just seem so right and don't need any scrutiny!'                                           

*                                                           *

God is pure light. He has no darkness in Him at all...and His aim is to continue to perfect us so that we become more and more and more...and more like Him. I think that our carnal mind kinda thinks that there are some things that to God are negotiable. Which means we're thinking that our ways, the carnal ways we are used to, are not all bad. That we can go ahead and mix our opinions and feelings in with God's.

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We think we can go ahead and see scripture thru "church doctrine glasses". But, light and dark will not and cannot mix. Which means we don't expect God to submit to our will or ways....no, we submit to His. If we are growing, then some of the things we are thinking will surely be from God...but we still must be willing to allow everything to be exposed to the light, and stay in the light. We are to learn to see God, scripture, life and any other thing there is to see - thru the "glasses" of the Holy Spirit, Who is pure light.

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God wants us to become familiar and comfortable with allowing God to shine His light on every single thing in our lives. However, this is probably the hardest thing for us humans to do. Adam and Eve made this evident that the human nature's first reaction to being found out is to run away, then become defensive and then dive headlong into denial...so, we just try to avoid having any light shine on us in the first place.

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However, what's funny about this...as I have experienced this personally many times...is trying to only allow certain things to be exposed to the light...ha!..this is about impossible! Because when you walk into a room and turn on the light, everything is exposed! Oh, well, except those things that have intentionally been put in places where the light cannot easily get to.  Like those things that are behind closed doors, or are hidden in drawers...even then we know that God can still see them. But, as in Adam and Eve's case, God wants us to deliberately take everything out of the drawers and the closets instead of running away.      

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Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light--

Ephesians 5:14 
For it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

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Scary?? It should not be...because if we have been perfected in love, then we will not fear. We will know that there is no condemnation for those who are His. We will know that He shines the light for our good, and not to condemn us.

      *                                                                                                              *

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

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Romans 8:1
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

God's Ways -vs- Our Ways Pt 1

 

 

Isaiah 55:9
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

 

If there would be one question to ask yourself...when reading scripture...when deciding how to handle specific situations...when thinking your thoughts...when opening your mouth...it would be, how different are God's ways than mine?

 

We were each created in God's image...however, the fall fell hard! It twisted, corroded and brought death to everything. It affected each person down to the cellular level. We have been profoundly affected by the fall. When God said to our predecessors that we would know (in the fullest sense of the word) the difference between good and evil, He was right!! From Hitler (at least closest to the worst evil) to babies being born with every abnormality imaginable (some of what evil has done)... evil is here.

 

We were created to live in a perfect world...and scientists even say the heart that beats in our chest was constructed so well that it was meant to beat indefinitely. But of course, with all that is against that happening, our bodies give out long before indefinitely rolls around.

 

Yes, the oceans and the universe still have untold possibilities for exploration...yet, scientists also say that the human brain has such an amazing capacity that we may never reach the end of what we can learn about it.

 

Yes....we were created in God's image, yet the fall corrupted what God created. Our nature, that was created in His image became corrupt...which of course affected how we think. This is why it is so important to question how much we want God's will more than we want our own. Because if we truly, down deep, really want what suits our own will, then that is what we will find. If we only want what feels familiar and easier, then that is what we'll find...as the old nature is what we are used to. 

 

Galatians 5:13-26

13You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don't turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love. 14All of the law is summarized in a single statement, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

 

 

15But if you criticize and attack each other, be careful that you don't destroy each other.

 

16Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants.

 

 

17What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don't always do what you intend to do. 18If your spiritual nature is your guide, you are not subject to the law.

 

 

 19Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, 20idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I've told you in the past and I'm telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

 

 22But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires.

 

 

25If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature. 26We can't allow ourselves to act arrogantly and to provoke or envy each other.

 

 

 

Then, it is important as well to question our own interpretations of what God is saying in scripture...along with learning to trust God's Holy Spirit more than we trust our own inklings. Then in time, it will be hard to tell where our inklings end and the Holy Spirit's leading begins...because we want what God wants more, and have practiced distinguishing between good and evil. ~ Between what God wants and what our old nature wants.  

 

Hebrews 5:14
Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults--that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil.

 

John 7:17
If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.

 

 

So, what is God's #1 will for all His children? God's ways are so much different than the ways of the corrupt nature, to the point where they are quite evidently the opposite. Then, what is the opposite...or what are we to do instead?

 

 

Look again at Galatians 5:13-14

13You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don't turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love. 14All of the law is summarized in a single statement, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

 

 

Yes, love. Self-interest is at the root of the old nature, not other-interest. This is not saying we can't love at all, but our first and most comfortable inkling is self-first...and depending how we were raised and how much evil has already had an influence, our inkling might be self-only.  

 

However, God didn't say to stop this sin or that sin...or to do this practice or that ritual...or to be godly or righteous...no, He said, "Rather, serve each other through love."

 

Loving others with God's love is not comfortable or logical for our carnal nature...but it is God's most important ethic. 

 

Mark 12:31

The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”        

John 14:15

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."        

1 Cor. 16:14

"Let all that you do be done in love".        

 

 

But, how about our sin? Don't we need to address that? Loving is fine, but how about SIN! My sin and their sin! I know this is also a concern, but God has a way to deal with sin that is unfamiliar to our carnal nature as well...that also involves love, so we'll talk about that next time...altho as you study and read through all the love verses (the ones above and in the URL below), you'll see much of the answers there...

 

Blessings!!

 

 

http://www.openbible.info/topics/love

Who Is The Enemy?

 

Are people our real enemies? No.

 

John 3 :16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes...

1Thessalonians 5:9     

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.       

2 Peter 3:8-9

8Dear friends, don't ignore this fact: One day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9The Lord isn't slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to come to repentance.

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However, how are we to handle those with whom we have put in that 'camp'...with whom we call enemy? Whether they have actually come into our home and hurt us or they have done something that is quite contrary to our beliefs. Whatever they have done, God does not want us to stoop to a fleshly level. He wants us to maintain our walk in the Spirit as we trust Him to take care of the things our carnal nature would want us to  fret about. "The just will live by faith".

 

Galatians 5:19-24          

Now the works of the flesh are evident:...enmity, strife...fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions...and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ...   

     

Proverbs 17:14         

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. 

       

Romans 12:17          

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

 

Matthew 5: 39-48

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Who is our real enemy? As you see in the following verses, our real enemy is in the spiritual realm, not the physical. So trying to fight the devil's works with tangible weapons just gets us involved in the works of the flesh (Gal.5:19)...so, we become a partner in the 'dance' the true enemy is trying to start.

 

He is all about destruction and the best thing he can do is to start a fire under our carnal nature, lie to us and get us involved in operating in the flesh and devouring one another...and keep us far from our primary task, which is to produce good fruit...to carry-out the new commandment, so as to draw people to Christ.

 

As we can also see,  the fight is comprised of both offensive and defensive battle...and it is God, as we spend one on one time with Him, who will teach us to do this spiritual warfare. Our enemy loves to see our carnal nature show itself, and hates peace, faith, truth and of course the name of Jesus Christ.

 

Psalm 144:1   

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;

 

Ephesians 6: 10-20

10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

 

13Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God 18Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. 19And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should

 

 

John 4: 24

God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

 

 

 

 

Who Is This Jesus?

 

 The world has lots of heros. Who's yours? A little boys ask mommy to tie a long red scarf around his neck, then spreads his arms and 'flies' around the room to emulate his hero...swooping down to 'save the day!'. At school the next day a fireman visits, then this same little boy dreams of fighting fires someday.

 

 

 

How many little boys dream of being like Jesus someday? Caring about those who the world threw away? Actually touching people's hearts for God? Swooping in and rescuing everyone from the Pharisees??

 

 

 

Is Jesus your example as well as your Savior? Could you be the example for this little boy. The one who sparks his heart to want to be like Jesus someday? 

 

 

 

Well then, have you watched how Christ walked and talked with people? Have you read about the actual people that He took the time to stop and deeply care about...you know, those that others would pass on by? Have you witnessed so many of the times when His love opened hearts...so truth could make it's way in?

 

 

 

Oh, yes! Have you read about Pauls Hero?  Paul is so confident of His Hero Jesus, that He says that we can emulate him because He emulates Christ. 1 Cor. 11:1

 

 

 

 

 

 So the question is; is He a Hero that's strong enough to do anything and save anyone...no matter how deep the sin?? Can you trust Him that much...so much that you are willing to emulate Him by giving each step you take to Jesus? Cause you know -- He might just lead you to care about someone you might have otherwise overlooked! Are you willing?

 

 

 

But is this hard? Jesus said He'll lead and His burden is light...honestly, all we do is turn our eyes upon Jesus and trust Him to lead...every step...everyday. He is more than a Hero!

 

 

 

Heb. 3:1
"Therefore, holy brethren, sharers with others in a heavenly invitation, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest whose followers we profess to be."

 

 

 

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will

Grow strangely dim in the

Light of His glory and grace."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The song here is my all time favorite from the 70's. The person who recorded this on video also recorded a short excerpt of a sermon at the beginning...but it's apropos. The singer is Larry Norman, and the lyrics I thought were on the screen, are now below :).

 

Who was and is Jesus? Some say He was an outlaw.

 

 Some say he was an outlaw,

that he roamed across the land,
With a band of unschooled

ruffians and few old fishermen,
No one knew just where he came

from, or exactly what he'd done,
But they said it must be something

bad that kept him on the run.

 

Some say he was a poet, that

 he'd stand upon the hill
And  his voice could calm an angry

crowd and make the waves stand still,
And he spoke in many parables

 that few could understand,
But the people sat for hours

 just to listen to this man.

 

 

Some say a politician who

spoke of being free,
He was followed by the masses

 on the shores of Galilee,
He spoke out against corruption

 and he bowed to no decree,
And they feared his strength

 and power so they nailed him to a tree.

 

 

Some say he was a sorcerer, a man of mystery,
He could walk upon the water,

he could make a blind man see,
And he conjured wine at weddings

and did tricks with fish and bread,
That he talked of being born again

and raised people from the dead.

 

Some say he was the Son of God,

 a man above all men,
And he came to be a servant and

to set us free from sin,
And that's who I believe he was 

yes, that's what I believe,
And I think we should get ready

 cause it's time for us to leave

 

If The World Was For Sale 'Finale'

Taste and see that the Lord is good!

 

So, why were we created in the 1st place? To delight the whims of a god? To be his plaything...or his experiment? To know and understand this answer takes faith, knowing and understanding scripture and more than anything, tasting and seeing for yourself that God is good.

 

 

 

Since God is good, then His intentions were good in creating us...and like a good and loving being, He can't just sit and stew in His own love. Love is just not made up that way. If love is all about self...then it is not love. But love, even if it is eros love (romantic/physical) or philo love (friendship), it still involves another person. 

 

Agape love - God's love, is however not centered on what I can get out of it like the other 'loves' are. It thinks of the other as much as it thinks of itself. If I am hungry, then it is very possible that you are hungry too. So, it centers on the other AS much as it thinks of itself. I cannot go on and be there for you if I don't nourish myself, but then after I am nourished, you are next.  

 

Agape, however, also goes one step further. As it will sacrifice itself for you if need be. So, it does have the ability to also think more about you than it does itself...although on an everyday basis, it has to think of itself too so it continues to exist so as to be able to serve.

 

We were created in God's image...and because Christ was the exact representation of God, observing and following how Jesus did things, will give us the perfect example of how to live so as to grow closer and closer to be what we were intended to be.

 

Ephesians 5:2
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

 

1 Corinthians 11:1
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

 

Paul followed the example of Christ, which is why he could say in his letters to imitate him.  Being an island all on our own when doing anything in this Christian life will lead us in the wrong direction. Christ...His Example and His Spirit within us... has to always be our destination and the One we look to as our guide. A guide when reading and trying to understand scripture, a guide when figuring out how to minster to different kinds of people, a guide when learning how to love, a guide about anything!

 

Trying to do it on our own without Jesus, even with someone else's bible training under our belt, will still be endeavoring to decipher spiritual things with human thinking. God is alive and well, and must always have the last say. 

Here are the 1st three installments to this "finale" posting. ~

http://aroundeverycornerat.blogspot.com/2012/12/if-world-was-for-sale-pt-1.html

http://aroundeverycornerat.blogspot.com/2012/12/if-world-was-for-sale-pt-2.html

http://aroundeverycornerat.blogspot.com/2012/12/if-world-was-for-sale-pt-3.html

If The World Was For Sale Pt 3

 

As we talked about before...we can do nothing to save ourselves. No good deeds or good behaviors, nor ceasing of bad ones can save us. Eternal life in heaven is not only too expensive for us to ever be able do anything to warrant it, BUT it has also already been paid for by God Himself.

 

 

So, again, from what we talked about before, what does God want from us now that we are completely accepted by Him? If we cannot add one ounce to our salvation...then what does God want?

 

 

God says that He disciplines those He loves. Like a good parent, He wants the best for us and therefore wants us to keep learning and growing...and even to the point where he will allow us to come to the end of ourselves if we are so bull-headed that we won't learn any other way.  

 

Job was a man that did everything right...his behavior was impeccable. Yet God needed to get down into his heart and show him that being perfectly good is not the be all, and end all.  Job thought that he had attained...but God wanted to show him that as he preached right living, that the world and all it's inhabitants were passing him by.

Yes, because his knowledge of the law and his outward behaviors were perfect he felt as though he had attained, yet he knew very little about the life around him. God said to him in Job 38, "Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me since you know so much! Who decided on it's size? Certainly you would know that! And have you ever ordered the Morning, "Get up!", or told Dawn, "Get to work!"?

 

 

Earlier in Job 35, Elihu spoke to Job about relying on his impeccable behaviors, "Look up in the sky and see the clouds high above you. If you sin what do you accomplish against Him? If you never sin and are always good, is this some great gift to Him? What can you possibly give Him? "

Then God goes on to say to Job, that many people don't whine and complain about where God is when they are suffering...so, why is he?

 

Maybe he is whining because he thinks he's someone that does not deserve it....as compared to others? 

 

Even tho the peoples sins and how they were living were where Job's focus had always been...God's focus is always on the heart 1st. Therefore it is Job's heart that God is concerned about, and where his heart is towards all those hurting people...and not about how much better his behavior is than theirs. God is more interested in our heart condition then our exterior condition. What good is it if we are doing all the 'right' things on the outside, but still have a heart not softened and given completely over to God on the inside?

 

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.

 

Joel 2:13  Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Finally, in Chap. 42, Job sees that as he lived and preached righteousness, that he was missing life and overlooking people...and was thinking that he was doing something extraordinary for God by being so good and doing all the 'right' things.

God is after our heart 1st and foremost. More then anything, that we see beyond our own nose...that we love as He commanded. Then our behaviors in time will begin to come in line with what love does and doesn't do ~ and then we are changed. God's love is powerful and begins changing both the lover and the lovee.

 

Even More About A Lil' More



John 10:9, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

Proverbs 6:6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!

 

 

 

Jeremiah 8:7 Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the LORD.

 

 

Job 8:14
His source of confidence is fragile; what he trusts in is a spider's web.

 

 

 

Ephesians 4:14
Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

 

 

Isaiah 53:6
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.

 

 

John 10:3+4
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

 

 

Matthew 13:31
Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.

 

 

Matthew 13:44
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

 

 

1 Corinthians 12:12
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

 

 

Jeremiah 17:7-8
"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

 

 

 

The above are just a few of the scriptural metaphors I found...lessons are all around us.

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It never ceases to amaze me how much God has given us!! He has been more than faithful to give us everything we need to know of His existance...as well as His love and of all the knowledge and wisdom needed. He has given us Himself in Christ Jesus, His Spirit, A new nature, His written word, His creation and the body of Christ. 

 

 

 

 

Joshua 21:44
The LORD gave us peace on every side, just as he had promised our ancestors. Not one of our enemies are able to oppose us—the LORD placed all of our enemies under our control.

 

 

 

 

He has equipped us on every side. Not one area of our lives has been forgotten. We have all we need for life and Godliness. We have so much that has been created for us and given to us...to enjoy and to learn from...if we desire to have ears to hear and eyes to see.

 

 

 

 

Lessons ARE all around us....can you share something you've learned from what's around and in you?

A Lil' Side Note

 Well, maybe not a lil' :).

 But I wanted to say something about what I see so often during the holidays...conflict. Arguments and controversies over how...and even if we should be celebrating Christmas.

 

 

The following text in 1 Timothy 6: 3-21 reminded me of these things as I was reading it today. Reminding me what the important things are, vs what just causes arguments. ~ Especially after what we had just talked about in the last couple of posts, how nothing we do or don't do so as to earn a right standing with God will earn us a right standing with God. 

 

 

 Then, as we read through this text it speaks about gain...how (by arguing or causing conflict) and then why (by thinking only of self/gain) we attain it...then how it all comes down to contentment and realizing that God already gives us all the things we need ~ and all things to enjoy! So, why argue? People who like to argue are most likely into doing it because of self-interest.

 

 

So, if we truly are saved...completely saved...by the work Jesus did ~ and not by our abilities to have all the correct doctrinal beliefs yet (as this happens through time and growth) and not by not celebrating Christmas and not by not having a tree and not by...well, not by anything we do or don't do >> then why not enjoy the things God has given us to enjoy?

 

  God tells us in Romans 1:18-23 that it is already in our hearts to learn about who He is through his creation...although some have chosen to dismiss this and worship the creation instead of the Creator. We can see how great God is, what kind of nature He has, and what kind of life He wants for us through what He has created.

 

 

...as in the Christmas tree. Of course through the centuries people have used the evergreen tree in various ways and as a symbol of many different things...as God tells us in the Roman's verses...but we are to see it the way that it was intended, for God's glory. Evergreen for me, for instance, and to various Christian traditions means and stands for life everlasting. God and then life with God, means living forever. Through the harshness of winter when some barely see the sun, to the delights of summer when the sun is ever shining...nothing stops the evergreen from living ~ from being ever-green. As nothing stops God and His people from living forever...because God is 'ever-green/always alive'. 

 

 

Everything was created for His glory and are gifts to us to appreciate and enjoy...and no matter how rich we get, money will always be a poor substitute for what God has already given us.  I hope and pray we keep this going with how we live our lives...and are witnesses of His life and His truths that we see in Jesus, in scripture and are all around us every day in His creation.

 

 

3Whoever teaches false doctrine and doesn't agree with the accurate words of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teachings 4is a conceited person. He shows that he doesn't understand anything. Rather, he has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words. This produces jealousy, rivalry, cursing, suspicion, 5 and conflict between people whose corrupt minds have been robbed of the truth. They think that a godly life is a way to make a profit.

 

 

6A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have.7We didn't bring anything into the world, and we can't take anything out of it. 8As long as we have food and clothes, we should be satisfied.9But people who want to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin. 10Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief.

 

 

11But you, man of God, must avoid these things. Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight for the Christian faith. Take hold of everlasting life to which you were called and about which you made a good testimony in front of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony in front of Pontius Pilate, 14I insist that, until our Lord Jesus Christ appears, you obey this command completely.

 

 

 

Then you cannot be blamed for doing anything wrong. 15At the right time God will make this known. God is the blessed and only ruler. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16He is the only one who cannot die. He lives in light that no one can come near. No one has seen him, nor can they see him. Honor and power belong to him forever! Amen.

 

 

17Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share. 19By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves which is a good foundation for the future. In this way they take hold of what life really is.

 

 

 

20Timothy, guard the Good News which has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless discussions and the claims of false knowledge that people use to oppose [the Christian faith]. 21Although some claim to have knowledge, they have abandoned the faith. God's good will be with all of you.

 

 

 

Along this same line, I'd like to share with you what I've written in my other blog (about children and parenting issues)...as I am beginning to post some of the curriculum I've written that comes from this same premise...of learning from God's creation.  http://www.hearawhisperat.blogspot.com/p/program-we-learn-from-spiders.html

 

If The World Was For Sale Pt 2

Galatians 5: 2 + 13-26

2Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you.
 

13For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

 

 14For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

 

15But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. 16Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants. 17What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don't always do what you intend to do. 18If your spiritual nature is your guide, you are not subject to Moses' laws. 19Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, 20idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I've told you in the past and I'm telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires. 25If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature. 26We can't allow ourselves to act arrogantly and to provoke or envy each other.

 

 

 

Continuing from the last posting....I talked about the immense worth of eternal life in heaven, and the high price that was already paid by God Himself when He sent His Son.

 

 

 

So what now? OK, then if I don't have to do anything...I mean not a diddly-squat...then what do I do now as a person who's salvation has already been completely paid for?? Hmmm?

 

 

 

To explain a little further - up in verse 2 St. Paul says that what used to make a person right with God before Jesus, won't do it now. If you read more of Galatians you'll see him saying that all circumcision does now is cut into the body. Then if you continue to read you'll see it reiterated in different ways that anything we do...good deeds, rites, sacrifices, anything! to try and be right with God....to try to pay some of the price of salvation...makes Christ's work on the cross of no benefit. It's either one or the other....no fence sitting.

 

 

 

OK...now...what IS it that we do now? How about ceasing sin in my life? Doing good things...rituals and the like won't do it, but maybe if I'm good, that will help!? So, if I work hard not to swear, not to think bad thoughts and to stop gossiping, along with thanking God that I'm not like those sinners over there! - maybe that will do it? Nope again. A resounding NOPE. Being good or not being good won't pay for it either.

 

 

 

Remember this verse in Ephesians 2:8?
"God saved you through faith as an act of His kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God."

 

 

Now with this in mind, look up in verse 13 & 14...God has given us eternal life. This eternal life gives us freedom from having to work for our salvation. A freedom that we will continue to learn about...and experience as we grow. However, the main purpose for this freedom is not to only use it for our own self-interests.

 

 

 

Lets imagine you work for a boss that made you work your tail off in order to keep your job. But then she hires more help and tells you that you can now have the freedom to take some days off...what would you do with this new found freedom?

 

 

During the time of the law...and even now in the lives of those who spend so much of their time trying to mind their P's & Q's, and making sure they don't step out of line...following all the laws took a lot of time and energy, with very little time for anything else. But now we are set free from all that...

 

 

 

So, what do we do with this new found freedom? God says to use it to serve. To love our neighbor as our self. Yes, and since we also read in scripture that His yoke is easy and His burdens are light...and that He wants an abundant life for us...and then up in verse 14 that we are to love others as we love ourselves...then at least three things are apparent. That we are not to neglect ourselves and serving others is not as hard as we may think, along with it being a part of how God brings us an abundant life.

 

 

In Pt 3 we will talk more about verse 14 on down...

 

 

Blessings!!

 

 

Do you have any verses to share?

 

 

If The World Was For Sale - Pt 1

Let's say one day as you're watching the news a special news report comes on, saying that the world is for sale...well, actually, it is up for auction. The bills of many of the 1st world countries are way overdue, and so for the world to continue running it will have to be sold to the highest bidder.

During this surprising news flash a list of the people that have already placed their bid is put up for all to see. It's an impressive list of who's who. Then across the screen you see that this newscast is a rerun of a previous broadcast.  Hmmm....so, this means it hasn't sold yet. Then you pick up today's paper and see that the UN continues to say that when they add things up that there still is not enough money offered in any one bid to even begin to cover the cost of the whole world.

I am not sure if anyone has ever tried to calculate what the price would be of the whole world....but, in my mind it would probably be incalculable.


The value of this world and all of the life on it...immeasurable.



The beauty and the wonders of this created world are so amazing it would be about impossible to figure out it's worth.

Now think about heaven and eternal life. If God can create such temporal, yet precious wonder here...and then considering what we know about eternal life, and then heaven by reading in Revelations 21-22...the latter has got to be more costly than life here on earth has ever been.

So, imagining this...the worth of what is to come...as well as God already telling us that He took it upon Himself to pay for it by sending His own Son....how can we ever even think of trying to pay it back in any way??

I remember a Pastor speaking one time about our salvation and Christ's payment for us. He said it came home to him during a summer when he was asked by a church member to spend some time with her son as he was really struggling. So over that summer he took time at least every week. He took him places and basically spent very good quality time with him.

At the end of the summer he got a thank you card in the mail, which he appreciated...yet, it also had a $10 bill in the card too, which he said felt just like a slap in the face. He said that after all the energy, time and caring he spent (and money too) on this young man, that $10 was all it appeared to be worth to her.

He told us that no matter what her intention (which after thinking about it, he realized she didn't mean to imply that it wasn't worth very much), this was however a good lesson for him about the worth of salvation and God's grace and the price that had already (and completely) been paid for it. God showed him that when we try to pay God back for His free gift, it is like we are whittling it down to human level, and as something that is not worth as much. We would also not be fully acknowledging or paying attention to what Jesus went through to pay for it...as though he still didn't pay the full price, so we have to add to it.

Pt 2 coming soon....