Healing at the Cross Posts

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” Ephesians 3:10 I have borrowed two short stories to help us see both our identity and purpose. Dr. Jack Hyles was going to college and pastoring a church on the weekends. Every Monday morning his teacher, doctor Bruce, would ask the students to get up and talk about what they did over the weekend. Doctor Hyles stood up and said, “well I have this little church down in…..” ” Sit down”, doctor Bruce said. “I don’t want to hear about it.” all the other men in the room were allowed to go on with their reports. The next week, doctor Bruce asked the same question and doctor Hyles stood and said, ” our little church…..” “Sit down,” I don’t wanna hear from you,” doctor Bruce shouted…

“And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.  And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. “ Mark 16:5-8  Trembling and astonished, the were all dumbfounded, but the young man singles out Peter and sites him by name. Yes, even Peter was to be told and invited to Galilee. He had denied any acquaintance with Jesus just a few days prior. “Then a…

 “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:25-27 A life of integrity requires attention to heart, speech, eyes, and conduct. J,F and B Lets condense the thought: Luke teaches us, For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Luke 14:28-30 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 “Or what king, going to make war…

“Of this good news I have been appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. This is why I am suffering so, but I am not ashamed of it, for I know whom I have trusted and I am absolutely sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” 2Timothy 1:11-12  “O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:  Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.” Psalm 66:9  Friends, it is our soul which must be kept. But what can we discern about its proper state? Well, when thoughts are established, our way is brought to pass, and surety and confidence emanate of it, God is keeping my soul! The Bible teaches such. But, there is a danger — and we must guard our hearts with all diligence. See Proverbs…

Proverbs 29:18  Without a Vision is a people made naked, And whoso is keeping the law, O his happiness! YLT Chesterton talks about “nature.”” He says, “it won’t work to form our ideas from some principle found in nature, for the simple reason that (except for some human or divine theory about nature) there is no principle in nature.” “He goes on to say, “there is no equality in nature, neither is there any inequality. “Both need, says Chesterton, some “standard of value.” He illustrates: Some try to project “aristocracy” onto the anarchy of the animal world. But, both aristocracy and democracy are human ideas, and both say something about “value.” “Nature doesn’t say that cats are more valuable than mice.” “Nature has no comment on the subject.” “You can’t say there is victory or superiority in nature unless you have some doctrine about what things are superior.” “You can’t say…

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. Jonah 2:8 I wondered how much God protects my life through mercy and decided to explore contrasting words and concepts. Somehow I hope to gain insight and be drawn closer to the Savior. In Jonah “lying vanities” stand in juxtaposition to The Lord’s humble bowing in kindness toward undeserved ones made worthy. Only a lie — conceited, unsuccessful, useless, idle, worthless, foolish, silly — could negate or exclude the very nature of God Supreme. So mercy is opposite of my empty concepts. Next, “Mercy rejoices against judgment” so teaches James 2:13. Sundering separation stands aloof from our mercy from God. A quote from Paul goes, “who can separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:35 “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” The list is just starting. “Death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor…