The Spirit came, a rushing mighty wind; filling us and flowing out of our belly a river of living water. The enemy comes in like a flood, the narrows hinder flow; then the Spirit of God lifts up a standard, He flits away the mighty waters. Martin Luther wrote in song, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” And of our enemy he wrote — “One little Word shall fell him.” “Peace be still,” Jesus commanded the storm at sea. “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 “Lord, we are weak and frail, Helpless in the storm Surround us with your angels Hold us in your arms. Our cold and ruthless enemy His pleasure is our harm Rise up, oh Lord, and he will flee Before our Sovereign God” “Our Great…
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“Survival of the fittest” is a mantra of the extremely observant. But, is empirical evidence the same as truth? On two levels, no. First, it contradicts the Bible, “The kingdom of God comes without observation. (ocular evidence) Luke 17:20 But secondly, even the best observationist can only find seeming truth. Why? Because our observations are only as true as we abide in The Truth. In this inner abiding is where I can be aware of the world at a level outside of myself, or, unfortunately, I actually create my own world, unknowingly. Charles Darwin (biologist and evolution’s greatest contributor), saw a problem: ” if…men were reared under precisely the same conditions as hive-bees, there can hardly be a doubt that their unmarried females would, like the worker bees, think it a sacred duty to kill their brothers, and mothers would strive to kill your fertile daughters, and no one would…
“Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art, Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence, my light.” Be Thou my wisdom, Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee, Thou with me Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou with me dwelling and I with Thee one. Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for the fight; be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight; Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high-tower; raise thou me heaven-ward, O Power of my power. High King of heaven, Thy victory won; may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Son; Heart of my own heart, whatever befall; still be my vision, O Ruler of all.” I’ve always loved the words of this song; So much content , So much meaning — “My best thought, Thy presence, my life, My wisdom, My true word,…
Life can turn out a “no thanks” or a silent thankless response, or an angry disapproval. It can conjure up hate or produce joy. “Our actions affect other humans, animals, birds etc. — most times their “space” gets invaded. Yes, the fellow inhabitant’s plans explode, thoughts implode and provisions delay as faith decays. “you did them wrong!” (sarcastically speaking). Contrarily, love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, bears up; love never fails. “But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if there are languages, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be brought to an end.” “For our knowledge is imperfect, and so is our prophesying; but when the perfect state of things is come, all that is imperfect will be brought to an end.” 1Corinthians 13:9-10 For us, “imperfect” means partial, apportioned, a little at a time. Precepts (building blocks),…
Everywhere people create — everywhere art displays — everywhere self-expression thrives. Well not everywhere! In some instances your self-realized man or woman cannot display. Not with controlling governments, controlling religions, controlling families or controlling educational institutions does the freedom to “love yourself” avail. We can all expose ourselves on social media. Hooray! Hooray yes, till we get a peek at some of the so-called “art” exhibited of others. If you are like me, you have a continual sense of anxiety about, “what will be allowed next?” or what is the next crazy item that will be applauded by the culture. There seems to be only token regard for those offended by the “freedom of others.” In 2 Corinthians Paul is pressed by this church to become angry with them. Nevertheless he pleaded with them, in letter form, to manage their own matters and issues rather than make him become the…
I’m 66 now. What have you learned? I became a true and regenerated grace-bought believer when I was 25, so I got 41 years in the Family of God. Since then I have learned, but more importantly unlearned a lot. Unlearned? Yes, I have unlearned through the many God-workings, (mainly his Word and also trials and tests.) Oh, you have learned how to use the system, take advantage of resources? Yes and no — I have learned how to understand and decipher God’s systems and ways, mostly. Tell us. Well, God’s ways, it has been said, are mysterious, and I agree. But their mystery wants a revelation, and this brings us to the “trial” or “test.” The test is this: As God brings certain mysterious flaws and sins to light in your heart, (through adversity), are you willing to honestly name them back to Him? God calls and waits. See,…
And “I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith — as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my…
Martha received him into her house. Sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. Martha was dragged about with much serving. Martha said, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and disturbed about many things (needy). But one thing will supply the need: Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:37- Sisters fighting? No, pictured are 2 kingdoms at war. A highly motivated agenda vs. A highly relaxed “it is finished” positioning. Anxiety-fueled unsettledness vs. rest-filled right-mindedness. Disturbed resentment vs prioritized excellence. slavish pose vs friendly exchange superficial honoring vs. heart honor Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,…
The American Civil War tipped the scales for sad stories, many of which wrench the heart, even today. It reveals an era stacked with gloomy playing cards, cheerless scarecrows, heartsick yarns, and war-torn dilapidation. These are flora and fauna, these essentiality. The distinctive dream-escapee tasted life till it died; the bursting of bubbles, the swipe of found-less islands. Enheartenment looks not like a gratuity, windfall, or sweepstakes hit. It is not about happiness, joy, bliss or blessedness. Inflated words solicit us to their lip-service. Instead, a tidbit inspirits, a morsel of food enraptures, and a mere scent sends goose bumps up and down the neck. True love breathes not much in these parts, only in diminished silhouettes; all numbed down, reductionism dulls the culture, drives the humdrum, heats the monotonous day. War has come, Gung-ho! — but we are not ready, we have no guns; for soldiering, no skill-set. Go, the politician’s incite…
Was Jesus ever sad? Isaiah 42:4 prophetically shows Him unfailing and in-discouraged. In chapter 53, He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He wept more than once prior to His agony — at the grave of his friend and on the overlook of Jerusalem. Perhaps it was vexation which He experienced. I sense a frustration for man’s unbelief. Jesus came unto His own, but His own received Him not. Could we say that the experience of becoming man taught the Savior some hard lessons? He was despised and rejected of men. To what sense, to what rationale do men reject goodness? Is it fear, is it deception, is it a dumb spirit? To what degree do men not comprehend their disease, and so seek healing? To what quirk of psyche do men love darkness rather than light? This last one gives an explanation; “because their deeds were evil.”…