A Thought from Nature

A Thought from Nature

My neighbor has bamboo plants growing around his pond; you know, the kind of tall rods people still use for fishing poles.

How can it bend in the wind or with a fish on a line and not break?

If you will look on the inside of the pole, it has banded, strong sectional parts, spaced separately but clinging to each other.

Sometimes you have to live life in well-defined compartments, clinging together in order to go with the flow.

Where is God Taking You Now? Jan.29

Where is God Taking You Now?

Search daily for the Spiritual Graces that come from exercising your spiritual gift.

Ask: What is God’s specific Grace given me today?

If it is hope, spread hope.

If forgiveness, pass out forgiveness.

If joy, make someone delighted.

If generous, give something away.

God's Ends/Means Struggle Jan.28

God’s Ends/Means Struggle

Lord’s Prayer of Luke 11:1-4.

Covers two Issues:

1.)         God’s Arena

a.   Our Father

b.   His Name

c.   His Kingdom

d.   His Will

2.)         Humanity’s Area

a.   Give us

b.   Forgive us

c.   Lead us

d.   Deliver us

When we recognize and submit to God’s means, we receive correct ends.

Three Witnesses Jan.27

Three Witnesses

1 John 5:8,

“For there are three that bear witness, the Spirit and the water and the blood; and all the three are in agreement.” [NASB]

The Spirit is the all-encompassing Father.

The water is His everlasting Word to be absorbed.

The blood is Holy Spirit operating, flowing through us now.

Jesus is the embodiment of all these.

Part-Time Self Jan.26

Part-time Self

Someone said, “I’ll give more to God and the church when I get my credit cards                         caught up.”

Part-given Self to Christ remains a secretly divided Self.

You cannot serve God and mammon.  [ Mt.6:24]

7 Sins Crucified Jesus Jan.25

Seven Sins Crucified Jesus

1.)         Fickle Friendship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judas.

2.)         Biased Thinkers. . . . . .  Class Religious leaders.

3.)         Envy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Priests.

4.)         Moral Cowardice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pilate.

5.)         Race prejudice. . . . . . . . . . . . .Roman soldiers.

6.)         Indifference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Multitudes.

7.)         Original Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Us.

All Time Covered Jan.24

All of Time Covered

The Past:     WE have a second chance.  1Peter1:3

The Present: We receive an incorruptible inheritance.  1Peter1:4

The Future:   We rest in the fact God keeps us with His power. 1Peter1:5

Stopping at a Green light Jan.23

Stopping at a Green Light

In your Christian growth, perhaps you’ve experienced something wonderful.

Luke 9:33, “…Master it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah__not realizing what he was saying.”

But we cannot stay lazing in that experience and stop growth for the Kingdom. People behind us get irritated if we stop at a green light.

Dilemma of Gethsemane Jan.22

The Dilemma of Gethsemane.

What was the true dilemma of Garden of Gethsemane?  [Mt.26:36-46]

Did Jesus have to experience something like sin?

Jesus prayed 3 times to have the cup passed from him and each time went back to his disciples for encouragement who slept instead of prayed.

Down deep, in the recesses of the perfect man, I think Jesus knew he had to go to the cross, so what was the grief that caused him to feel “very sorrowful?” The actual pain of the Cross would have been enough, but there was more.

Here was His dilemma: Jesus came to save man from sin and here he was having to go through an event [the cross] that would actually cause men to sin, even his disciples. The cross experience would split the veil in the temple and literally cause men to have to take sides about God. He knew he would cause some to sin [including Judas] by doing what the Father asked. This may be one reason he asked was there some other way.

Through this struggle, he felt the basic sorrow of sin and had to bear this burden alone.

After what must have been the most agonizing moments, with amazing effort, he was able to say “not my will, but the Father’s will be done.”

This establishes Him as the Christ forever. He totally willed to the Father by feeling the sin without being actually sinful in nature. WE can never fully understand this, but trust by faith.

Jesus feels the emotional pain again, on the Cross, when he cries out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is; My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

During the time of the Cross event, God the Father was saying to the world: “You may break the back of my Son, but I will in turn break your heart.”

The first shall be last; the greatest the smallest; the sinless the sinner. God’s ways are not the same as man’s solutions.

Who is Your Onesimus? Jan.21

Who is your Onesimus?

[Philemon 1:18]

       

Today, think of that person out there who may have wronged someone, but has repented.

You are to take up his or her cause and give them support.

Spiritual Gift Search Ideas Jan.20

Spiritual Gift Search Ideas

1).    Place yourself in a condition to seek gift clarification.

1.)         Spiritual gifts are not some kind of special magic, coupled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can simply empower individuals who are more aware and cooperating with gift.

2.)         Pay attention to Christian friends who say, “You seem to have the gift of---------.”

3.)         Notice especially what you constantly talk about, like the poor, money, mercy, Bible, so on.

4.)         Pay attention and ask trusted church leaders what they see as your gift.

5.)         There is a difference between Biblical, spiritual gifts and natural talents, although both can coexist. To be able to sing is a talent and not necessarily a spiritual gift, although it can be used to enhance spiritual conditions. Singing may be connected to the basic ministry/service gift.

6.)         The seven gifts above are simply a list of foundational spiritual gifts. Out of these can come many applications. For instance, a teacher may teach and not have a classroom. A giver can give other things besides money. A minister might not pastor a church but be an excellent hospital visitor. There are other Biblical lists, like 1 Cor.12:1-12 which are not covered in this section of work.

7.)         Words are sometimes unclear, like is the mercy in Ro.12 the same mercy In Mt.5? The Greek words are very close if not the same. My distinction is the mercy as spiritual gift [Ro.12] you receive at salvation when the Holy Spirit enters. It is foundational and basic to your nature for life. The mercy in Mt.5 becomes a learning quality for all Christians to grow. We move in and out of it with different experiences, along with the other growth characteristics. The person with Romans kind of Mercy gift will have it filtering through everything done. And yet Apostle Paul reminds us 1 Cor.12:4 “…..there are different spiritual gifts…..” [God’s Word Translation].

Spiritual Gift Search Continued Jan.19

[Spiritual Gift Word Search Continued]

 Jan.19

4.) Exhorts [NKJ] Exhorts, Encourages [AMBT] Exhorts [KWSB] Gr. Parakkletos from parakaleo, to call to; he who has been called to help.In the word is a helper, an advocate, a pleader, even legal advisor, one who comes forward on behalf of another. [KWSB, Key Word Study Bible, p.1864].

5.) Gives [NKJ] Contributes [AMBT] Gives with Liberality [KWSB] Gr. Haplotes; simplicity, purity, sincerity, faithfulness.    The idea of this word is to be faithful and benevolent in giving. It is moral sense of giving plentifully. [KWSB, p.1809].

6.) Leads [NKJ] Superintends [AMBT] Leads with diligence [KWSB] Gr. Proistemenos or proistemi, lead, rule. This word is not used often but implies one who is meticulous and thorough leader; one who is an astute administrator. [My interpretation from Nestle Interlinear Greek-English New Testament].

7.) Mercy with cheerfulness [NKJ] Mercy with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness [AMBT] Mercy with cheerfulness [KWSB] Gr. eleeo with hilarotes, jovial kindness. This word speaks of benevolence and compassion involving thought and action, to extend help for any consequences of sin or from misfortune. [KWSB, p.1830-31].

[More to continue]

Spiritual Gift Search Jan.18

Spiritual Gift Search

[Detailed Word Approach] 

When accepted Christ as Savior, you received the Holy Spirit. [1Cor.3:16; 2Cor.6:16; 2Cor.13:5]; not since you believed but when [Acts 19:2.]

Spiritual Gifts are Mentioned: Rom.12:6-8; 1Cor.1:1-11; Eph.4:11-12; 1 Cor.12:1-12, other partial lists.

Seven basic gifts in Romans 12: Quotes from New King James [NKJ], Amplified Bible [AMBT], and Key Word Study Bible [KWSB].

1.)         Prophesy [NKJ] [AMBT] [KWSB]; Gr: propheteia, a prophetic work or rank, often associated with diakonia, ministry or serving.

A prophesy is something that any believer may exercise as telling forth God’s Word. [Key Word Study Bible, KWSB, p.1872].

2.)  Ministry [NKJ] Practical Service [AMBT] Service [KWSB] Gr: diakonia, serviceable labor, assistance. [KWSB].

A ministry/service involves compassionate love towards the needy within the Christian community. Every business, every calling so far as its labors benefit others is a diakonia. Paul and Luke use the word to designate the vocation of those who preach the Gospel. 2Tim.4:5, Acts 20:24 and 28. [KWSB, p.1821].

3.) Teaches [NKJ] Teaches [AMBT] Teaches [KWSB] Gr: didasko: Instruct by word of mouth.

Inherent in the word is the meaning to influence the one who is taught, shape the one taught by communication of knowledge. [KWSB, p.1823].

(MORE CONTINUED TOMMORROW)

A Remembrance Jan.17

A Remembrance

I stood gawking through the proverbial glass window at my new grandchild. Years had passed since I stood in a place like this. I was reminded how that tiny pink wriggling of hands and feet could possibly sustain life. I was reminded how this true miracle interrupts daily living each day. We just don’t pay attention. But I was transfixed, glued to the spot, literally, with my nose against the glass.

My mind advanced forward with tunnel vision. I began to day-dream. Would she pursue an education? Would she marry and have children and grandchildren of her own? What would be her pain? Would this little girl really know me?

Abruptly, I jerked away from the window. Quickly, I wiped slobber off the glass, glancing around to see if anyone saw me. Then a very strong impression bombarded my thinking. As a Christian, I did not have to know the future. God doesn’t really want that for us because it would nullify faith. He wants us to “faith” life wherever we find it.

Happy is the person who knows where true life comes from and goes with the heavenly flow.

What If? Jan.16

What if:

Just like the scripture implies that all our prayers will be heard [Rev. 8:3, “…that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar…”]

*What if they were also answered?

Just like we forget which scriptures match with what verses:

*What if in heaven we will spend eons connecting verses of Old and new Testaments and what they meant?

*What if in heaven we discover so much was given our credit when we really did not deserve it?

*What if we discover everything lost that was truly valuable?

*What if the afterlife is so magnificent we cannot record all the what ifs?

What if……….

Refreshing Practice Jan. 15

Refreshing Practice

Practice Breathing                                                 

        Inhale name, Jesus, and then, exhale the word corruption.

Do this over and over.  Breathe in Jesus. Exhale word corruption. Do this to remember Jesus is the Way and Peace.

Use this when stress presses in, when anxiety grips you and when you try to fall asleep.

Satan's Shopping Mall Sermon

Satan’s Shopping Mall Sermon

(1)        Blessed are the totally aggressive for they get the best deals.

(2)        Blessed are those who think of nothing but the next good sale.

(3)        More blessed are the rich in pocket.

(4)        Blessed are those truly happy to spend.

(5)        Blessed are those who feel you outwitted the other person.

(6)        More blessed are those who can shove the most.

(7)        Blessed are those people emotionally driven by money.

(8)        More blessed are the ran-sackers of the merchandise.

(9)        More blessed are those who can return an item they really broke.

  

Surprised by Truth Jan.13

Surprised by Truth

Jesus made everything and everything has his stamp on it.

“All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”   John 1:3, NASB.

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.”    John1:10, NASB.

“Everything came into existence through him. Not one thing that exists was made without him.   John 1:3, GWT, God’s Word Translation.

“He was in the world, and the world came into existence through him. Yet, the world did not recognize him.”   John 1:10, GWT.

“And He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. For by Him all things were created in the heavens and the earth, visible and invisible, whether throne or dominions or rulers or authorities----all things have been created by Him and for him.”  Col. 1: 15-16, NASB.

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature and he upholds the universe by the word of his power……”

 Heb.1:1-3, ESB, English Standard Bible, [bold mine].

       

        The scripture does not say Jesus made some things and not others. It does not say he made just reasonable things, unemotional things, or avoided craziness to happen in the world.

Purposes of Life Jan.12

PURPOSES of life for a Christian

What shows the purpose of life?

You have been shown by example: the main stream of life-purpose continues as love and light. Even with all of life’s struggles and dilemmas, The Holy Spirit displays meaning to help you realize someone loves you unconditionally.

Can all your mistakes really be taken care of sufficiently? 

The scripture reveals the secret---forgiveness is the central core of love. Freedom follows closely. Any given day you can start over with fresh anticipation.

How can you keep going sometimes when you’re so tired?

You have the power of the plus-factor from the grace of God. His limitless grace gives you the faith you need to endure, get better, or reach some new potential for Him.

What is the true purpose of your living in this world dimension?    

The world offers you adventure, some growth, some school.  But the Kingdom of God among the hearts of people becomes your true schoolroom. Each day class begins.  Each end of day brings rest, class can end. But the Holy Spirit does not rest as you do. He still teaches you in your sleep.

Balance of Senses Jan.11

Without balanced senses, the enemy pride sneaks in.

5 Associates of Pride.

1.   Seeing……One’s looks…pride of face…Mt.6:28.  Adornments.

2.   Hearing….Religion…pride of grace…Lk.18:9-14. Separatists.

3.   Feeling…..Country…pride of place…Jn.17:15-19. Avoidance.

4.   Tasting…..Food…pride of waste…Acts.12:21-23. Power.

5.   Smelling…Body…pride of race…Acts 23:7-9. Materialists.

Note: All senses CAN HAPPEN AT ONCE OR SINGLE OCCURRENCE.

Physical and Spiritual Senses Jan.10

Body and Spirit Connections:

5 Physical Senses Connected to Spiritual Action

1. Seeing……….Dreaming, no time limit.

2. Hearing……..Music, universal penetration.

3. Feeling……..Creativity, Imagination.

4. Tasting………Flavor, attitudes, values.

5. Smelling…….Aroma, praying, incense.

5 Spiritual Results of Spiritual Senses.

1. Seeing………….New insight, imaging.

2. Hearing………..Singing, playing instruments.

3. Feeling…………Innocence, emotional creativity.

4. Tasting…………Meditation, Contemplation.

5. Smelling………Awe, wonder, worship, prayer.

God's Glory Jan.9

God’s Glory

        We hear about God’s glory and pass over it as quickly as we read some scripture. Is it the flashing brilliant light that blasts out of the Ark of the Covenant? Is it the fire of the burning bush? Is it the glowing face of Stephen about to be stoned? I’m sure God’s glory can present itself wherever and whenever it chooses.

And yet, the Apostles Peter, Paul, and John indicated on many occasions, we are to somehow give glory to God. Does He need more? It remains an extended kind of glory we are to give and we should not pass over it or make it too confusing.

“The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory. It was the glory that the Father shares with his only Son, a glory full of kindness and truth.” [John 1:14, GWT, God’s Word Translation, bold mine].

We are to distribute kindness.

We are to give away truth.

Attention Getter Jan.8

An Attention Getter

We don’t see or use the word pre-eminence much anymore. And yet, in Colossians 1:17-18 Christ is pre-eminent. He holds everything [not just some things] but everything together.

He is first born from the dead so He can begin everything.

What does this mean for us?

Every skin cell, every breath, every thought, sight and sound of our bodies belong to Him.

We must fall on our knees and give up the American independence instilled in us and yield to the truth that we now belong to Jehovah through Christ.

He can love, keep us, help us be competent in this world.

Spiritual Gifts Jan.7

Do you suppose one day we will discover there is a very large room in heaven that contains powerful gifts Christians never received?   

1 Cor.12:31

Hope that Never Fades Jan.5

Hope that Never Fades

[Psalm 90:12-17; 91:1-2]

We often find ourselves in pockets of pessimistic persuaders. We bump into people and systems that tell us “It can’t be done.” The world around us projects fearful crisis every day.

And yet, as practicing Christians, we are to live as people of hope.

The Psalmist looked out over a scene of tragic disappointment and failures.

He pictures in his mind human life at a beginning and at an ending. As he views so much apparent failure, his optimism fails him for a time.

But as he looks and draws near to the end of life, somehow from within, he proclaims the words which prevent complete despair.

Deep down, he realizes that a work of God may seem a failure, which one may live and die having what seemed to accomplish little, there exist others to speak and take up the work. He sees beyond failure and concludes that any work of God cannot fail.

He gives us three messages of undying hope:

1] Any work for God succeeds somehow.

2] Dutifully doing the work strengthens us.

3] God’s Hope remains eternal.

What Mystery? Jan.6

Three Stages of the Mystery

What is the greatest mystery?

Col.1:27, “ to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”[NASTB]

(1). “To whom God willed to make known…”

The fact Jehovah engaged His creation: Incarnation, Crucifixion, and even His departure.

(2). “…what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles…”

Establishes Christ’s residence in the believer: Resurrection and Ascension.

(3). “…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

The experience of Christ continuing in us now all the way through to glory of heaven.

We maintain the assurance of Christ weaving through our love issues now and throughout eternity…..hope eternal.

Blog Change for New Year

To all concerned........I'm changing my blog to a new approach. Thank you for your patience until I get it done.

See: NotesfromTomY.blogspot.com.