Do we have to have an Epiphany or Revelation to read the Bible? Do we have to go BEYOND LOGIC to accept GOD'S TRUTH? LOGIC is the "convincing forcefulness of the inexorable TRUTH". LOGIC is the LAW of RIGHT THINKING. Isaiah 5:20, "To say that right is wrong or that wrong is right, is a matter of wrong sinful thinking in itself", Psalm 50:21, "Right thinking, about things of GOD is not only proper, it is required..." The laws of LOGIC are therefore, not external to GOD; but dependent upon GOD. The Law of LOGIC is derived to understand TRUTH; The Law of TRUTH is derived from GOD'S HOLY CHARACTER. LOGIC TO BE LOGIC is its HARMONIOUS DEPENDENCE UPON TRUTH. YES, THE BIBLE IS LOGICAL.
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Having not seen my brother for a long time, as we shook hands, and I gave him a "hug and a kiss". He pushed me back and said, "REAL MEN DON'T HUG AND KISS"! To my surprise, even today's most "approved Christian authors" emphasize that certain "acts" are to "be hidden" because a person who was aware of this fact about Christianity would be less likely to become a Christian. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12, "...Be of good comfort, of one mind, live in peace and GOD'S peace shall be with you. Greet one another with a Holy Kiss." How can we not rejoice when all offences are forgotten and forgiven? How can we not Celebrate when there is nothing but Peace and Goodwill? How can we keep from "Bursting" out with GOD'S LOVE when we are OF ONE HEART? Maybe, just Maybe, REAL MEN DO GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH A HOLY KISS, BECAUSE A REAL MAN HAS NO DOUBT.
Has the Passion of our FAITH settled into THE CLAM CERTAINTY of the Presence of JESUS? Acts 4:11, "This JESUS is the stone that was rejected by you...which has become the Cornerstone". JESUS can be the "Stone" which some stumble over; or HE can be the "Stone" that is the FOUNDATION. A wicked heart is offended by the teachings of JESUS, while these same teachings are promises of COMFORT to others. Too hard to follow, or a source of Great Comfort? THE PASSION IN OUR HEARTS BECOMES THE CALM CERTAINTY.
BORN AGAIN in the Holiness and Innocence of GOD'S Love, Hungered and Thirsted for HIM more, STUDIED AND STUDIED to gain more KNOWLEDGE, until all of the FACTS left NO ROOM FOR LOVE. Is studying the Bible the pursuit and accumulation of facts about GOD; or is it the ABSORBING AND DISSOLVING one's inner self into the WILL OF GOD? Does the "taking in" of GOD'S WORD go beyond STUDYING? Instead of "MEMORIZATION", the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WORD IS "INTERACTION". GOD'S WORD is "...a light unto my path..." (Psalms 119:105); it is "...instruction for righteousness..." (2 Timothy 3:16); and it is "...ALIVE..." (Hebrews 4:12). GOD'S WORD is an INTERACTION OF RADIANT ENERGY NOT AN ACCUMULATION OF "LOVELESS FACTS".
WHAT WE DO IN THE NAME OF GOD! Since when do my prayers only get answered if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within FIVE MINUTES? When Worship and Praise become a "Burden", it is no Worship or Praise at all. Do we robotically recite a repetitious prayer, genuflect at a Church pew or "take shortcuts" in Meditation? When we try to maintain a relationship with GOD in a "Have to" basis, instead of "Want to" foundation we no longer "...Praise our GREAT LORD WHO is to be greatly Praised" (Psalm 145:3). When we are no longer in Awesome WONDER or Humble ADORATION of GOD , we no longer JOYFULLY CELEBRATE our GREAT LORD in Worship and Prayer. When we take "Shortcuts" in Prayer and Praise because IT HAS BECOME A BURDEN OR BOTHER, WHY BOTHER AT ALL?
How many times have we "dreaded" doing something so much that when we kept putting it off, we began to procrastinate even more? By putting it off, the "job" appeared even greater than before. John 4:31, "...I have food to eat of which you do not know..." Then, when we could not "put it off" any longer, we asked GOD to help us do it! To our surprise, we began to do the task even better than we had planned, the formidable burden became a source of Perpetual Energy. The more we worked, the greater the energy and the better we performed. When we do something with GOD, we begin to understand, "I HAVE FOOD TO EAT OF WHICH YOU DO NOT KNOW.
"...You shall hear a word behind you, saying, this is the way, walk in it..." (Isaiah 30:31). We hear the VOICE telling us what to do; but we are not sure if it is GOD'S VOICE or OUR VOICE. Does the instruction agree with the Bible? It is GOD'S VOICE. HIS voice gently enlightens and calls to the SOUL; or in the case of "UNBELIEF" "it is sharper than a two-edged sword...dividing asunder of SOUL and SPIRIT". GOD is alive, and discerns the thoughts of the Heart. When our thoughts and desires agree with the Bible; GOD'S VOICE AND OUR VOICE ARE ONE; AND WE NO LONGER HAVE TO WONDER.
A "Snare" is a hidden trap designed to catch its prey. Although the trap is hidden, a "lure" which is a visibly attractive, is used to TRICK the prey into entering the trap. Deuteronomy 12:30-31, "...take heed to yourself that you are not ENSNARED...that you shall not worship the LORD your GOD in that way..." When we strip away the gaiety and feasting from HALLOWEEN is it nothing more than false worship? Do we honor spiritual beings that are not GOD? Does GOD EVER, in any way, tell us to honor the spirits of the dead? Have we been TRICKED into following an ATTRACTIVE LURE that has ENSNARED us? THIS ADDS A WHOLE NEW MEANING TO "TRICK OR TREAT".
An old dog and a man of equal years are walking. They shared thoughts and observations without words or commands. They are not wishing for the youth of "former times" nor "dwelling on sins of the past" (Isaiah 43:18). They are living today, the present, the now "making the best use of time, (Colossians 4:5). They are so "Joyful as though living a "constant prayer and giving thanks in their circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:16). They are not complaining about the "shortness of their steps", instead Praising GOD for each step. It is a time they are thinking about "whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is lovely...they are thinking about such things" (Philippians 4:8). This comes not from their own efforts, it is GOD Blessing them with a "GLIMPSE OF ETERNITY", "because they are filled with Joy in HIS presence, (Psalm 16:11). THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE....(Psalm 118:24). AND THIS ALL CAME FROM GOD, WITHOUT THEIR OWN EFFORT.
Do we ever get annoyed when we call for help on something and the person on the other end is "reading a Script", which does not help us at all? Are we just "Call Center Christians" reading a "script" so we don't have to answer questions we don't know? Can we even imagine walking into a "Bible Study", talking on the street or going to Church and hear, "We're going to read the Bible together and answer your questions". When in reality, their questions are our questions too. Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to ME and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things..." Our Faith grows stronger, wading through the unknown, un-treaded paths with someone. When is the last time we really read the Bible to find an answer to our situation; to answer someone's "tough" question; or Pray for wisdom? Are we just "CALL CENTER CHRISTIANS" OR ARE WE READY TO ASK; WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?
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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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