Tag Archives: Christian

Learn for keeps

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The Holy Spirit depicted as a dove, surrounded...

The Holy Spirit depicted as a dove, surrounded by angels, by Giaquinto, 1750s. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I understand the need to learn.  And some are fast learners while others are slow learners.  I understand this. But I am perplexed.

Can someone tell me why, with the Holy Spirit as our teacher, we continually look too man for answers?

“Should I do this or that?  Is it acceptable to think this way or should I think that way?  When should I pray?  Why is it necessary to pray at all?”

The questions abound.  But such people are not looking for answers.  They are looking for someone else to “Christian” for them.

Now see that’s what I don’t get.  When it is so much easier to eat from the stock of your own kitchen then to walk 6 miles to get a cup of sugar from a neighbor.  Far too many are engaged in the labour of irresponsibility.

If you are one of those that reads this I urge you to get out of that occupation.  Don’t be lazy with your mind.  Instead enhance your curiosity.  The joy we will have can not belong to another.

You’re a Christian, huh?

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Happy Tears - old man [12]

Happy Tears – old man [12] (Photo credit: Zuhair Ahmad)

How can it be described?  How can words express the surprise, peace, acceptance, and tears that appear when the Lord Jesus comes to touch and whisper love to us?

 

One moment you’re living your life.  The next moment you’re on your knees sobbing like a little child.  His touch is that powerfully packed with love.  But how can it be described?

 

You think you’re a Christian.  I won’t take that away from you.  In fact, you might be the very brother or sister I will live next to for eternity.   But can we talk about what can be expected by those who say they love the Lord of Life?

 

Have you shed tears like that?  Have you ever been in a setting and found yourself filling with appreciation about the things of God?  What did you do?  Did you shut them down lest anyone see a drop of emotion manifest itself on the outside of your body?  Or did you let it consume you, knowing that what is unseen and unheard will be visible to all and yelled from the roof tops?  But those are things of the flesh.  Those are things we can accomplish.

 

I’m pointing to that specific and immeasurably different experience we strive to express when we have been touched by the Lovely One.  I will restrain my fingers here.  For I was about to dive into psalm about Him.  What good would that do if you haven’t experienced His nearness yet?

 

Instead, I will testify that there is a touch of God in this world!  He is not distant!  “In Him we live and move and have our being.”  Our souls are dark and willingly hide from Him.  But open yourself to the Lord of Life.  Hope, dream, expect and pray that He will touch you.  He is willing.  He is simply waiting for the proper moment.  It will be a moment when you least expect it.  And He will whisper His love and understanding to you.  Tears WILL flow.

 

By His Grace.

He

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Before he sinned, He saw the truth.

As he prayed, He watched in silence.

God gave way to sins of youth.

Then came morning and found him silent.

What could possibly be spoken?

Over time a tear develops.

God stood near, that tear a token.

The Lord’s his God because He cares.

Not just for the sake of religion.

The Living God lives within.

That’s why the man is called a Christian.

Familiarity Breeds Contempt

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“Why, I remember you when you were just a boy.  You couldn’t even tie your shoes.  And you’re gonna give me a ticket for speeding?  You ought to learn some respect for your elders son”!

I don’t know where, but I’m sure that has been said thousands of times to thousands of men.  And why not?  Men do it to God all the time.  Why not do it to men?

A man is given authority to accomplish the will of leaders in society, and evil hearts have utter contempt for him.  Others, on the other hand, respect the uniform, position and instilled authority.  It is rare to find that respect among those who knew the man before he was given such power.

“Only in his hometown, among his own relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor”, said Jesus.

“Jesus”, people say.  “Isn’t that the name of the one the Christians worship”?  Or the people say among themselves, “Jesus, isn’t that the babe in the manger in the Christmas story”?

Familiarity breeds contempt.  But only among those who are only willing to accept others according to their own perception.

If you limit Jesus to His earthly persona, you will hate Him.  But if you give thought to His rightful claim as the Son of God, you open the door to eternal life.  Quite the vast difference in outcome, isn’t it.

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And He was amazed at their lack of faith”.  Doesn’t that sound like familiar territory?  Isn’t that the America most have come to know, trust and love?  So, “America” has become their replacement for God.  We could then conclude the nationalism is god to most Americans.

Yep, familiarity does breed contempt.  What will be the likely outcome?  Answer that yourself.

Just as an aside: I was raised in America. I have run around in its streets. I have been part of celebrations. And I have been taught her standards. You could say that I am familiar with America. But, after learning about the Lord Jesus, I have developed a certain contempt for America. Perhaps it shows………..

By His Grace.

What it is man…………….

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Chevy Chase said “Become the ball”.  Then he would say, “Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana”. It’s just a movie, isn’t it?  But does anything happen in this world that doesn’t have some deeper meaning? We laughed at that, but few would laugh at the deeper meaning I have in mind.

I asked the man once if he were a Christian, he answered yes.  The reason I asked is because I sensed that he was not. Now that’s just not fair of me is it?  But the man was lacking some tell-tale signs that he might be a Christian.

Where was the praise and glory for Jesus in his conversation? And where were the distinctly different behavior patterns? Where was the focus on heaven and heavenly things instead of the things of this world?

Far too many think that Christianity is a belonging. That is to say belonging to a group or being called by a certain word.

But Christianity is not a belonging it is a becoming. By the power of Christ in us, we become more and more holy.  Set apart for the kingdom of God. By degrees we choose less and less to mimic the actions of this world and more and more to mimic the actions of the Savior Jesus, the Christ of God.

Our testimony is that God transforms us from sinful wicked men to more and more holy and godly men. If anyone tells you differently, or does not include the teaching of holiness, beware.

Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about.

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There’s so much to say and learn and study about the gospel. You could read a certain passage in the Bible 500 times, and time 501 you would come up with an entirely new insight.

That’s the way it was for me when I read about the crucifixion of Jesus this morning. Just when you get to the point where Jesus dies, hundreds of holy men come out of their graves and go through the city.

Before my mind could go with Jesus into the grave to wonder what happened there, my eyes and feet go with these men into the city!

Their salvation was proved to them they were raised from the dead and they will never die again! They have what we pine for. No longer do they work out their salvation with fear and trembling.  They are before the Lord forever.

And because of their witness, I am set to the task again to consider, have I secured the salvation I so dearly desire?

Do you think it’s odd to hear a Christian question his salvation? If you think its odd you are not familiar with the following verse:  “Make every effort to enter for many I tell you I will try but will not be able to”.

Bottom line response from the reading this morning: I am pleased and shocked and terrified and put to sober mind to reconsider my salvation.