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…
Healing at the Cross Posts
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…
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. Luke 5:37 -38 From “The Freedom of the Christian Man” by Helmut Thielicke we have an explaining of the parable of Jesus from Luke. He says, “the appeal to freedom becomes good news only when our existence is given a new foundation and then we are enabled to be free.”” …only if his mind is given the dignity of being a maker of decisions…”” …he makes decisions because a decision has been made concerning him.” Beloved, unless a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Another quote from the same source goes: “… for the person who has not been made free to love, freedom is something that demands too…
The Bible shies not away from graphic language when speaking of the devil’s work. Here are a few examples: Daniel 7:25 “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High …” Isaiah 59:19b ” …When the enemy shall come in like a flood …” Revelation 12:10b ” … for the accuser of our brethren … which accused them before our God day and night.” Like a flood with a torrent of words and accusations, our enemy rides the waves of high things directed at and purposed to make mincemeat of the believer’s mind. There is a lie in his right hand, a false scenario, a fabrication of truth. Very believable are the lies since the fallen nature of man has a capacity to worry, to be anxious, fearful. Sadness can overwhelm us, unforgiveness plagues us, doubt distracts us. Cares…
Once upon a time I scheduled a Heart Catherization. No heart problems had been found in the echo-cardiogram –EKG had also been fine. Cat-scan had revealed nothing heart wise and stress test was inconclusive. Concerned because of some chest pain when hiking, I persevered through these tests at the request of my appointed Cardiologist. I was sure nothing would become of the current exam. I awoke to the gentle doctor’s straight but assuring face. His message was simple, “there is nothing we can do for you here.” “Stints are not possible; you have two total blockages and one 90%” “What do you suggest?” was my astonished response. “You might consider by-pass surgery.” I hesitated, “how does that happen?” “Hang on for a minute.” The kind doctor left the room. He reappeared, “do you want to go tomorrow?” “yes.” So began my journey defining year in the month of March. Whisked…
They tell me of a peace that passes understanding –a certain discernment, a spiritual insight, an intuitive state. In it abides happiness, joy, love, and well being. Imagination births this blessed sphere, God lives in it, sorrow is dismissed, the two cannot co-exist. Christmas ignites itself abroad it and excites good emotions; purity and blessedness. We are closing in on home. Fantasy? Not if we have ever been touched by an angel, or even a fellow person. Perhaps we have encountered the Christ and been swept off our toes into an euphoric joy. Doesn’t this “condition of being” pass understanding? But how real are these states of soul? Are they not dangerous? Answer: not if they are founded in the objective truth. Can there be falsehood in them? Yes because ” the Christian admits the universe has many miscellaneous parts, just as the sane man knows he is complex.” G.K.…
My foot stands in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. Psalm 26:12 Psalm 27:11 is a prayer, “Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.” ‘Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,…
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. “Matthew 11:28-30 Rankin Wilbourne wrote a book called, “Union with Christ.” In a certain chapter in the book, Wilbourne talks about the modern secular Western mindset. Quoting others, he sites a few descriptions. , “the Big me,” “the I world, ” the age of the selfie.” ” This mindset assumes we each have a true, authentic self, hidden within us and the path to human flourishing involves discovering and expressing that true self. ” This is, “the official dogma of all Western societies,” so says a Professor, Barry Schwartz. Our culture complies with this mindset also: Even our Supreme Court says,…
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.1Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. As a man or woman awaken, it could seem to be a move from one life into a new. A make-believe scenario must be replaced with a real-life picture, and this takes place in the minds of men. For the believer in Christ, we wake up to real life salvation and to righteousness. These are facts of our new-born standing which never change. However, our dream states often do not include these unbreakable truths, and make-believe images cling to our memory centers…
“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:29-32 “The idea here is, that there is a close and intimate union between the Christian and the Savior – a union so intimate that they may be spoken of as “one.’” Barnes 1Corinthians 6:17 adds,” But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. “ Rankin Wilbourne defines union with Christ as follows: “. . . union with Christ means that you are in Christ and Christ is in you” .In four verses, Colossians 3:1-4, Paul hints…