We are not threatened when our Faith is challenged; we are threatened when our Fear is exposed. It is not that others know our thoughts, or even the Truth of our actions that define us. We are defined by the presence or absence of LOVE. 1 Timothy 1:5, "...the object and purpose is LOVE, which springs from a pure heart, a good conscience and SINCERE FAITH". Are we capable of saying NO from our deepest conviction, instead of saying YES in order to please, or even worse, to avoid perceived trouble? A coward is incapable of exhibiting LOVE; THE PRESENCE OF LOVE IS THE ABSENCE OF FEAR. A PURE HEART ABOUNDS IN LOVE, AND WE ARE NO LONGER THREATENED.
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Just when we think "WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS"; something happens that "HUMBLES" us beyond our natural and unnatural willingness to be HUMBLED. It doesn't just "touch" our Soul; it "Surrounds", "Absorbs" and "Transforms" until there is nothing of "ourselves" left. Someone requests that YOU Pray for them. Their request is so "REVELATIONARY", so "NONSELFSERVING" and so "SACRED" that we do not feel worthy to be mentioned in the same "BREATH OF PRAYER". James 4:6, "But HE gives more grace...GOD resists the proud, but gives grace to the HUMBLE". JUST WHEN WE THINK WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS; WE ARE ASKED FOR A "BREATH OF PRAYER".
John The Baptist was talking with two of his Disciples and he looked as JESUS walked by and said. "Behold THE LAMB OF GOD" (John 1:36). That is how John described JESUS and that was WHO JESUS was to John. WHO IS JESUS TO US? Is HE THE ULTIMATE TRUST? Then why don't we follow HIS instruction? Is HE FULL OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR US? Then why aren't we Faithful to HIM? Is HE everything we are not? Is HE the TRUTH whose name is too Sacred to speak because our thoughts cannot describe HIM? Do we have the FAITH to know JESUS personally? Does HE give us the POWER to live HIS WORD Faithfully? Does HE complete us in such a way we want to tell others about HIM? WHO IS JESUS TO YOU? If Islam, Christianity and Judaism all have the SAME GOD; why is HE telling us all DIFFERENT THINGS? Do we not hear, or choose to not hear, what GOD has to say because we "Filter" HIS MESSAGE? Do we "change" HIS MESSAGE by "Filtering it down" with tradition, theology non-Biblical rules? How can ALL THREE RELIGIONS claim Abraham as a Patriarch and have such different beliefs about GOD? Romans 4:3, "For what said the scripture? Abraham believed GOD, and it was counted to him for righteous". Abraham was raised in a "religious" home; and yet, he rejected religion in order to pursue a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
Do we leave it up to others to tell us about GOD and explain Salvation; thinking that is knowing GOD? Do we "create" elaborate "missions" and projects on our way to Heaven while our neighbor goes hungry? Do we think elaborate structures of "brick and mortar" are more GODLY Temples than our Heart and Soul? 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Know you not that you are the temple of GOD, and that the SPIRIT OF GOD dwells in you"? Thinking we learn everything about GOD in Church and Missions, is like thinking ALL WISDOM COMES FROM THE CLASSROOM.
We have been "conditioned" to believe that it is impossible to distinguish Christians from Non Christians by the lives they live. I contend that when we meet a CHRISTIAN we Immediately, instantly and Divinely know, and DISTINGUISH THEM from Non Christians. Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things become new". Maybe there are "fewer" CHRISTIANS than all Religions like to claim. WHEN WE MEET A CHRISTIAN, WE KNOW IT.
By reading the Scriptures we become so renewed that all nature around us is renewed and in harmony with us. The sky is more blue and the grass is a deeper green. We have fire in our SPIRIT, a cool breeze in our SOUL and our HEART is content. We really do "regard" our neighbor as we "regard" ourselves. THAT'S WHY THERE IS SO MUCH CONFUSION IN THE WORLD. Is self-love sinful or natural? Think about the things we say and think about ourselves; Stupid, Dumb or I'm Just Not Good Enough. And, Self-love is not natural because we "are naturally dead" in trespasses and sin. When we are finally driven to the "End of Ourselves", we are "Driven to the CROSS" to know the ability to LOVE. Only reconciliation to the FATHER through CHRIST are we able to LOVE AT ALL. This Personal Relationship with GOD makes it impossible that we could LOVE GOD and not ourselves. "Whoever does not love, does not know GOD" (1 John 4:8). And, "...Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). How can we Love GOD and not ourselves, who are made in HIS image? How can we "Love" ourselves without Loving GOD. WE CAN'T DO ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER; and that is being driven to the END OF OURSELVES which DRIVES US TO THE CROSS.
Do we Christians speak with "authority"? Or do we "support" our statements with quotes from other "authorities"? Is our Confidence in the Character and Promises of GOD (FAITH) enough for us to BELIEVE AND SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY? Scripture tells us that "true Faith works through Love" (Galatians 5:6). Do we SPEAK TO OURSELVES and others with the supreme intimate authority of LOVE. FAITH HAS ITS POWER THROUGH LOVE, GOD HIMSELF. "It is not you speaking, but the SPIRIT of your FATHER speaking through you" (Matthew 10:20). DO WE SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY, OR WITH QUOTES FROM OTHER AUTHORITIES?
Do we enjoy the "interruptions" in life? Going to work early, so we can catch up or get ahead, but have to shovel snow first. Did we "enjoy the interruption" or did we just hurry through, to get on with more pressing matters? Do we remember a time when we were so close with GOD; MIND, BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT, no matter what happened in our lives? Do we remember "sitting at the LORD'S feet, listening to HIS teaching"? Martha complained to JESUS about Mary, Luke 10; "...do YOU not care that my sister has left me to serve alone..."? JESUS replied, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but ONE thing is necessary, Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her". Do we "see through" the BUSYNESS" TO ENJOY THE GOOD PORTION, THAT CAN NOT BE TAKEN AWAY?
When we "teach", we too learn the deepest depths of what we are "teaching". The penetrating questions we receive are not met with fear and doubt, but with Confidence and LOVE. 1 Thessalonians 3:12, "May the LORD make you increase and abound in LOVE for one another..." When JESUS tells us to "go into all nations...and teach them to obey the WORD OF GOD"; is HE teaching us, as well as others, GOD'S GIFT of GRACE and constant sanctification which pleases GOD and gives HIM GLORY? Are we being transformed in CHRIST through a life lived according to the HOLY SPIRIT? ARE WE TO TEACH, AND LEARN, THEOLOGY AND FACTS; OR TEACH AND LEARN LOVE.
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About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
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