The "Sermon On The Mound" (Matthew 5,6 and 7) is the most beautiful expression of "Perfection" in our lives. And yet, "Western Christianity" seems to negate rather than emulate the Divine teachings of CHRIST. Do we really "Believe" (NO do we Really Know) that the substance of Morality is more powerful against "evil forces" than the substance of "Wealth and Military Strength"? Do we "seek FIRST the Kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness"? The actuality of an appeal to the heart never fails, because it bursts forth the compassionate love that is the hope for all mankind. Are we really "ONE NATION UNDER GOD" when "WE ARE NOT ONE WITH GOD"? THE SERMON ON THE MOUND; THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD.
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Do we seek to let our "accomplishments" or "lack of accomplishments" define who we are? Can our SOUL be defined "INTELLECTUALLY"? Mark 8:36, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his SOUL?" Who we are in the silence of our thoughts, singing from the over flow of inward energy, or gazing into the skies with GRATEFULNESS and not wonder; is who we are. We define the "accomplishments" GOD has permitted us to achieve. Do we define them as Blessings that Glorify HIM, or "accomplishments" that glorify us? WHO WE ARE ALONE WITH GOD IS WHO WE ARE. When difficulty comes we are consoled with these words, "these are opportunities, not problems". How do difficulties change us for the better, is it some "predestined Plan" to cause us enough pain to bring us close to GOD? Or, maybe our trials, difficulties or "opportunities" come from our own desires. No matter what else is going on around, about or with us; nothing satisfies our longing and desire for the TRUE JOY that comes from HAVING THE COMPLETE GOOD. Our heart desires a HIGHER PLACE WITH GOD. Our heart desires more because we are not satisfied with our RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD NOW. Maybe our heart seeks a relationship with GOD that leaves nothing more to be desired. The next time we experience some "Bad Times"; MAYBE IT'S NOT PUNISHMENT, MAYBE IT IS GOD ANSWERING OUR OWN HEART'S DESIRES (Psalm 37:4).
When we were created, GOD also provided us someone with witch we shared one Heart and one Soul; we were not our own and everything was in common (Acts 4:32). And when we are not physically together, we still talk to them in our minds and thoughts. YES, WE ARE NOT COMPLETED UNLESS WE SHARE. "GOOD" IS NOT AS GOOD UNLESS WE CAN SHARE IT; AND "BAD" IS NOT AS BAD WHEN WE CAN SHARE IT. GOD GAVE US, ONE HEART AND SOUL, SO WE COULD SHARE HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
Does our Christianity have no substance? As professed "Followers of CHRIST", do we live more like CHRIST? Do we live our Faith without "adulterating" it or "watering it down"? In short, do we "dilute" our Belief to conform to the world to "preach" SALVATION? Do we reduce Christianity to an emotion to be felt, an institution in which to belong or a ceremony to undergo? And why are we afraid to read and study "non-Christian" religions? Is it because we hear "SOME" TRUTH in it and become fearful? JESUS said, "I come not to destroy but fulfill". Hosea 10:12, "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap steadfast LOVE....for it is time to seek the LORD..." Isn't TRUTH found anywhere, the TRUTH that points to HIM WHO IS TRUTH? "For GOD did not give us a Spirit of fear, but that of POWER AND LOVE".
Have we considered that "BARRIERS" keep us from "drawing" nearer to GOD; and to each other? Does not Forgiveness, Accepting Forgiveness, and Forgiving, remove both Spiritual and Personal BARRIERS in any relationship? And, how can we Forgive, Be Forgiven and Accept Forgiveness without Love? Are we not brought NEAR TO GOD nor dwell in HIS COURTS (Psalm 65:4) because we do not have the SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE because of HIS unlimited Kindness and Mercy? Are we so "hardened" and "fearful" that we don't think we can be FORGIVEN because we don't FORGIVE? GOD REMOVES THE BARRIERS through LOVING FORGIVENESS and puts us in HIS COURTS where we actually meet OUR LIVING GOD. OH LORD, WE BELIEVE; HELP US WITH OUR UNBELIEF. NO MORE BARRIERS.
The Greatest Dramas, Action and Love Stories ever presented are in the Bible. Yet, we prefer to repeat stories about "The Great Pumpkin", "Santa and his Reindeer" and "Snow White and the seven Dwarfs". Not only do we tell these stories, but we even go as far, as to try and convince the listeners that the man with "flying reindeer" IS REAL. Do we not tell Biblical stories of Love, Faith, Integrity and Forgiveness because they would expose us as hypocrites? Is it easier to live a lie and convince others of its TRUTH? Isaiah 7:14, "...Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call HIS name Immanuel". WHERE ARE THE STORY TELLERS THAT REMOVE THE BARRIERS?
Preaching on "Street Corners" as though ALL CREATION were listening; but passersby don't stop to hear. An empty Chapel provides a vacant pulpit where the GOSPEL MUST BE PREACHED. A blank sheet of paper that is waiting for an INSPIRED DEVOTIONAL. Do these disciples measure the success of their efforts by the number of people sitting in the pews shouting AMEN? Do these SAINTS measure the effectiveness of their INSPIRATIONS by the number of responses they receive. Or is their speech and message a demonstration of the SPIRIT and POWER, (1 Corinthians 2:4)? Where are the Preachers, Teachers and Disciples that preach and teach from the PURE OVERFLOWING JOY OF KNOWING JESUS? WHERE ARE THE MESSENGERS THAT REVEAL THE TRUTH, LIKE LIGHTNING BOLTS FROM HEAVEN?
Sometimes we "have it, sometimes we don't". Sometimes we "feel" close to GOD, sometimes HE'S no where to be found. We try to "obey" HIM, even when we really don't want to. Reluctantly "following" implies that there is some sort of pressure, fear or coherenceing making us do it. Is this the time we are not close to HIM? Maybe obeying is more than just doing; Maybe it is AGREEING WITH AND "LOVING THE LOVE" where we "WILLFULLY AND JOYFULLY" FOLLOW. Are theses the times "we feel CLOSE TO HIM"? Philippians 2:21, "For they all seek their own interests, not those of JESUS CHRIST". MAYBE IN ORDER TO OBEY, WE MUST AGREE WITH GOD.
Why, when we experience the power and JOY of the Peace with GOD, does it "fade" away? No matter how hard we try, or sacrifices we make, IT'S GONE. 1 Samuel15:22, "Has the LORD as much delight in sacrifices as in obedience....behold to obey is better than sacrifice." After we are through whatever crisis we have experienced, and we have a "glimpse" of HIS PRESENCE, do we STAY OBEDIENT where nothing is Greater to us than GOD? Non-cooperation with evil is as much a command as is cooperation with good. Do we have conflicting gods that require sacrifice; or ONE TRUE GOD that loves obedience?
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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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