Thursday, July 8, 2010
Love everyone. We must love everyone not minding the status, gender, tribe, Nationality, or colour. It is only when we love everyone, that there can be harmony in the world. We should tolerate our fellow humans and be patient with them. Nevertheless we must not codole laziness and ungodliness. Posted by Beauty Atagana.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Faith is not something you work on, or work up!
When we get to know Christ, as is our privilege to know Him, our lives will be lives of continual obedience.
Many people are confused as to the relationship between faith and works? Just how is one saved? "Believe in Jesus" is the common response. But how does one "believe" in Jesus? Is this an act of sheer spiritual willpower? Do you just force yourself to believe?
I remember asking this question, "What does one do to believe in Jesus?" I was told as a response, "Give your heart to Jesus." "How do I give me heart to Jesus?" I asked. "Come to the foot of the cross," was the response. Frustrated with the metaphors, I asked "How do I come to the foot of the cross?" The circular answer was, "Give your heart to Jesus." I am an engineer and like things concretely defined. Answering my questions with metaphors, much less a circle of metaphors, frustrates me to no end.
So, finally, after years thought, reflection, and advise from trusted counselors, I have come up with the following outline. Please forgive any theological nuances, as I am not a professional theologian.
1. All human beings (save Christ, the Eternal Son of God) are born sinners with a sinful nature that separates us from God. Even though a baby might be too young to willfully sin, they are still born with a sinful nature. In other words, it is your sinful nature that gives rise to sins. You sins do not make you a sinner, but the fact you were born a sinner gives rise to your committing sins. As a result, we all need to be saved. This was accomplished through Christ's atoning, substitutionary death on the cross. (cf. Rom. 3:23 - 26)
2. Salvation is, and has always been, by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone. I.e., salvation has always been through the gospel. In OT times they did not know the coming Redeemer by the name "Jesus Christ", but they knew the gospel in some form or fashion. (cf. Heb. 3:1 - 4:2)
3. Grace means "unmerited favor." Faith means "trust, based on evidence, that result in action." As for the relationship between faith and works, John Calvin hit the nail on the head I think when he said "It is faith alone that saves, but the faith that saves is never found alone." That, in my opinion, is the best one-line resolution between Paul (cf. Rom 3:20) and James (Jas 2:24).
4. Salvation consists of three things: (a) Justification, (b) Sanctification, and (c) Glorification.
(a) Justification -- is going from being a condemned sinner to a saved sinner. It is the righteousness of Christ, none of our own, put to our account. In other words, it is Christ's imputed righteousness. It is obtained by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone. It's function is to save us into heaven.
(b) Sanctification -- is typically called "spiritual maturity" nowadays. In short, it is growth in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, wherein, among other things, we overcome our sinful habits and we (hopefully) sin less and less as we become more spiritually mature. It is the righteousness of Christ, none of our own. In other words, it is Christ's imparted righteousness. It is obtained by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone. It's function is to bring glory to God (i.e., "so that they might see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.").
We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. Hence, I strive to keep the Ten Commandments for this reason, i.e., as the result of my salvation, not the cause of my salvation.
(c) Glorification -- Is when Christ returns, raises the dead in Christ and takes both the raised and living saints to heaven in our immortal bodies. It is obtained by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone.
Or, in short, Justification is freedom from sin's condemnation, Sanctification is freedom from sin's power, and Glorification is freedom from sin's presence ... all of which are accomplished by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone. I can no more raise my self from the dead by my own efforts than I can justify or sanctify myself by my own efforts.
Lastly, how is this faith obtained? I like the following explanation.
Faith is a gift. It is not something you work on or work up. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Faith is not spiritual wishful thinking, or forcing yourself to believe by sheer willpower and turning off the intellect. Faith is trust, based on evidence, that results in action. Faith in Christ is trust in Christ, based on evidence, that results in action.
However, even though faith is a gift, is there any role the individual plays in faith? Yes, and here is the analogy I like (albeit it is imperfect):
How does one get to trust anyone? By getting to know them. And if they person is trustworthy, all you have to do is get to know them, and you cannot help but to trust them. Similarly, if that person is untrustworthy, all you gotta do is get to know them, and you cannot help but to not trust them. And one thing I find in my Bible is the premise that Jesus Christ is absolutely trustworthy.
So, how does one get to have faith (trust) Jesus? By getting to know Him. How does one get to know Jesus? Just like with anyone else. You talk to them. They talk to you, And you go out and do things together. You will then get to know them. How does one talk to Jesus? Prayer. How does Jesus talk to you? Bible study. How do you go out and do things together? Christian fellowship, church, mission activity, etc.
Or, as one of my favorite pastor's puts it: Prayer, fellowship, and tell someone else what you got out of the first two.
Many people are confused as to the relationship between faith and works? Just how is one saved? "Believe in Jesus" is the common response. But how does one "believe" in Jesus? Is this an act of sheer spiritual willpower? Do you just force yourself to believe?
I remember asking this question, "What does one do to believe in Jesus?" I was told as a response, "Give your heart to Jesus." "How do I give me heart to Jesus?" I asked. "Come to the foot of the cross," was the response. Frustrated with the metaphors, I asked "How do I come to the foot of the cross?" The circular answer was, "Give your heart to Jesus." I am an engineer and like things concretely defined. Answering my questions with metaphors, much less a circle of metaphors, frustrates me to no end.
So, finally, after years thought, reflection, and advise from trusted counselors, I have come up with the following outline. Please forgive any theological nuances, as I am not a professional theologian.
1. All human beings (save Christ, the Eternal Son of God) are born sinners with a sinful nature that separates us from God. Even though a baby might be too young to willfully sin, they are still born with a sinful nature. In other words, it is your sinful nature that gives rise to sins. You sins do not make you a sinner, but the fact you were born a sinner gives rise to your committing sins. As a result, we all need to be saved. This was accomplished through Christ's atoning, substitutionary death on the cross. (cf. Rom. 3:23 - 26)
2. Salvation is, and has always been, by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone. I.e., salvation has always been through the gospel. In OT times they did not know the coming Redeemer by the name "Jesus Christ", but they knew the gospel in some form or fashion. (cf. Heb. 3:1 - 4:2)
3. Grace means "unmerited favor." Faith means "trust, based on evidence, that result in action." As for the relationship between faith and works, John Calvin hit the nail on the head I think when he said "It is faith alone that saves, but the faith that saves is never found alone." That, in my opinion, is the best one-line resolution between Paul (cf. Rom 3:20) and James (Jas 2:24).
4. Salvation consists of three things: (a) Justification, (b) Sanctification, and (c) Glorification.
(a) Justification -- is going from being a condemned sinner to a saved sinner. It is the righteousness of Christ, none of our own, put to our account. In other words, it is Christ's imputed righteousness. It is obtained by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone. It's function is to save us into heaven.
(b) Sanctification -- is typically called "spiritual maturity" nowadays. In short, it is growth in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, wherein, among other things, we overcome our sinful habits and we (hopefully) sin less and less as we become more spiritually mature. It is the righteousness of Christ, none of our own. In other words, it is Christ's imparted righteousness. It is obtained by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone. It's function is to bring glory to God (i.e., "so that they might see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.").
We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. Hence, I strive to keep the Ten Commandments for this reason, i.e., as the result of my salvation, not the cause of my salvation.
(c) Glorification -- Is when Christ returns, raises the dead in Christ and takes both the raised and living saints to heaven in our immortal bodies. It is obtained by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone.
Or, in short, Justification is freedom from sin's condemnation, Sanctification is freedom from sin's power, and Glorification is freedom from sin's presence ... all of which are accomplished by grace through faith alone in the work and Person of Jesus Christ alone. I can no more raise my self from the dead by my own efforts than I can justify or sanctify myself by my own efforts.
Lastly, how is this faith obtained? I like the following explanation.
Faith is a gift. It is not something you work on or work up. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Faith is not spiritual wishful thinking, or forcing yourself to believe by sheer willpower and turning off the intellect. Faith is trust, based on evidence, that results in action. Faith in Christ is trust in Christ, based on evidence, that results in action.
However, even though faith is a gift, is there any role the individual plays in faith? Yes, and here is the analogy I like (albeit it is imperfect):
How does one get to trust anyone? By getting to know them. And if they person is trustworthy, all you have to do is get to know them, and you cannot help but to trust them. Similarly, if that person is untrustworthy, all you gotta do is get to know them, and you cannot help but to not trust them. And one thing I find in my Bible is the premise that Jesus Christ is absolutely trustworthy.
So, how does one get to have faith (trust) Jesus? By getting to know Him. How does one get to know Jesus? Just like with anyone else. You talk to them. They talk to you, And you go out and do things together. You will then get to know them. How does one talk to Jesus? Prayer. How does Jesus talk to you? Bible study. How do you go out and do things together? Christian fellowship, church, mission activity, etc.
Or, as one of my favorite pastor's puts it: Prayer, fellowship, and tell someone else what you got out of the first two.
Why Does God Permit Wickedness and Suffering? (Part 2)
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WHY DOES GOD PERMIT WICKEDNESS & SUFFERING ? (Part 2)
By Arthur Zulu
Wickedness has a long history. As old as the history of man on this planet -- 6,000 years.
So, in a sense there is nothing happening now that has not happened before. Long before the Twin Towers collapsed, long before the war on terrorists, and long before the Israelis and the Palestinians began to send each other to untimely graves, the history of man right from Bible times has been a tale of misery and woes.
Consider our first parents, Adam and Eve. Their suffering knew no bounds. Adam was to till and plough the ground before he could eat. (0nly God knows how he made his farm implements). And Eve was to suffer terrible pains during child birth. That was not enough. They would have to die!
Murder also was present in the beginning. Cain killed his brother Abel. His offence? God accepted his sacrifice. David, the King murdered Uriah and took his only beautiful wife, Bathsheba. And this, despite all the many wives of David! Add to this the killing of Christian martyrs like Stephen, and God�s prophets to make the homicide scenes complete.
Also violence is not new. Nimrod the great hunter was a violent man who opposed God. He even initiated the construction of a mighty tower in Babel. And then came the Nephilims. These were violent giant offsprings resulting from the marriage between angels from heaven and beautiful women on earth. In fact wickedness was so rife in those days that God regretted making man in the first place.
What of rape? When you hear about a serial rapist, that one may be borrowing a leaf from Lot�s daughters. These beautiful girls had their father, Lot, drunk with wine, raped him and had children for him (what a shame!) And beautiful easy-going Dinah, too, was raped by Schechem. And her brothers went on a killing spree!
Even oppression and injustice are not new. The Egyptians made the Israelites slaves in the land of Egypt. They were makers of bricks and builders of cities. And in order to suppress the Israeli population, their male children were killed at child birth! Naboth, a property owner in Israel also experienced oppression and injustice when King Ahab and his wicked wife, Jezebel had him killed, and seized his vineyard.
What about hatred? Is it a new phenomenon? No. Two fleshly brothers, Esau and Jacob hated each other to death. And do you know the origin of the hatred? Jacob buying Esau�s first born birthright with a pot of porridge. Ridiculous? Maybe.
Further down in this list, Joseph�s brothers hated him, sold him into slavery, and was taken to Egypt because of jealousy. King Saul hated David to death because he got more praises for war victories. And Haman plotted the extermination of the Jewish race in Persia during the reign of Ahaseurus. Why? Because Mordecai, the Jew refused to bow down to him.
Even war as one historian said, has been �a constant in history� . God himself destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha. The Israelites fought many wars against the inhabitants of Canaan and occupied their lands under God�s direction. Even God allowed the nation of Israel to be later destroyed by Babylon, and Babylon itself was later destroyed by the Persians. Again, when the church Holy Fathers abuse children, newsmen go to town. But do you know that the sons of high priest Eli -- Holpni and Phinehas, who also were officiating priests, were having sexual intercourse with women right before the temple? The Israeli men abused, maltreated and divorced their wives on flimsy excuses in Bible times. Even some burnt their children in sacrifice to idols, while others killed and ate theirs!
What is more? Of course the list is endless: Delilah betrayed Samson, her husband to the Philistines; Achan stole dedicated spoils of war in Jericho; the sons of Korah rebelled against the leadership of Moses; the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites, and Ananias the thief and Peter the Apostle, lied.
Now God has permitted and is still allowing these bad things to happen in our time. Why does he permit it? But before we answer that question, let us first find out if God exists. (To be continued)
WHY DOES GOD PERMIT WICKEDNESS & SUFFERING ? (Part 2)
By Arthur Zulu
Wickedness has a long history. As old as the history of man on this planet -- 6,000 years.
So, in a sense there is nothing happening now that has not happened before. Long before the Twin Towers collapsed, long before the war on terrorists, and long before the Israelis and the Palestinians began to send each other to untimely graves, the history of man right from Bible times has been a tale of misery and woes.
Consider our first parents, Adam and Eve. Their suffering knew no bounds. Adam was to till and plough the ground before he could eat. (0nly God knows how he made his farm implements). And Eve was to suffer terrible pains during child birth. That was not enough. They would have to die!
Murder also was present in the beginning. Cain killed his brother Abel. His offence? God accepted his sacrifice. David, the King murdered Uriah and took his only beautiful wife, Bathsheba. And this, despite all the many wives of David! Add to this the killing of Christian martyrs like Stephen, and God�s prophets to make the homicide scenes complete.
Also violence is not new. Nimrod the great hunter was a violent man who opposed God. He even initiated the construction of a mighty tower in Babel. And then came the Nephilims. These were violent giant offsprings resulting from the marriage between angels from heaven and beautiful women on earth. In fact wickedness was so rife in those days that God regretted making man in the first place.
What of rape? When you hear about a serial rapist, that one may be borrowing a leaf from Lot�s daughters. These beautiful girls had their father, Lot, drunk with wine, raped him and had children for him (what a shame!) And beautiful easy-going Dinah, too, was raped by Schechem. And her brothers went on a killing spree!
Even oppression and injustice are not new. The Egyptians made the Israelites slaves in the land of Egypt. They were makers of bricks and builders of cities. And in order to suppress the Israeli population, their male children were killed at child birth! Naboth, a property owner in Israel also experienced oppression and injustice when King Ahab and his wicked wife, Jezebel had him killed, and seized his vineyard.
What about hatred? Is it a new phenomenon? No. Two fleshly brothers, Esau and Jacob hated each other to death. And do you know the origin of the hatred? Jacob buying Esau�s first born birthright with a pot of porridge. Ridiculous? Maybe.
Further down in this list, Joseph�s brothers hated him, sold him into slavery, and was taken to Egypt because of jealousy. King Saul hated David to death because he got more praises for war victories. And Haman plotted the extermination of the Jewish race in Persia during the reign of Ahaseurus. Why? Because Mordecai, the Jew refused to bow down to him.
Even war as one historian said, has been �a constant in history� . God himself destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha. The Israelites fought many wars against the inhabitants of Canaan and occupied their lands under God�s direction. Even God allowed the nation of Israel to be later destroyed by Babylon, and Babylon itself was later destroyed by the Persians. Again, when the church Holy Fathers abuse children, newsmen go to town. But do you know that the sons of high priest Eli -- Holpni and Phinehas, who also were officiating priests, were having sexual intercourse with women right before the temple? The Israeli men abused, maltreated and divorced their wives on flimsy excuses in Bible times. Even some burnt their children in sacrifice to idols, while others killed and ate theirs!
What is more? Of course the list is endless: Delilah betrayed Samson, her husband to the Philistines; Achan stole dedicated spoils of war in Jericho; the sons of Korah rebelled against the leadership of Moses; the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites, and Ananias the thief and Peter the Apostle, lied.
Now God has permitted and is still allowing these bad things to happen in our time. Why does he permit it? But before we answer that question, let us first find out if God exists. (To be continued)
Faith under fire!
If God's Church refuses to stand up and speak out and quit cowering behind the pulpit and only preaching to a converted audience (shamefully few others know about us) - turning this world right side up with our God-given talents, means and message - we'll suffer the same destruction decreed upon our unrepentant peoples. As this link proves, time is fast running out. The Scripture also says "the righteous are as bold as a lion." Is that why the Church of God hasn't roared and let everyone - from the least to the greatest - know what the Bible prophesies is coming? Where is the THUNDER before the STORM?
Fa ith under Fire
About the author: David Ben-Ariel, a Christian-Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall, shares a special focus on the Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out http://beyondbabylon.blogspot.com">Beyond Babylon
Fa ith under Fire
About the author: David Ben-Ariel, a Christian-Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall, shares a special focus on the Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out http://beyondbabylon.blogspot.com">Beyond Babylon
Gladness
Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day.
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her.
For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD ... Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls.
Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day.
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her.
For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD ... Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls.
Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
How to protect our environment
As we all know , the population of our world is getting larger and larger .black hublot The world is getting crowded . And the environment is also getting worse and worse . Recently , how to protect our environment has been brought into focus .
As you can feel it , summer is getting warmer and warmer . Winter is getting colder and colder . What leads to this phenomenon ? In past few centuries , with the Industrial Revolution has been carried out , many countries has developed their industry . It produced many poisonous gaps . This phenomenon was worse in the Second Industrial Revolution . With the development of economy and technology , our environment is being destroyed by human beings . what is the problem if we do harms to our environment continuously ? Firstly , it can lead to acid rain . Acid rain which corrodes most of plants and buildings , was caused by the a great amount of acidity substance which was made by industry . Secondly , the poisonous chemical substance will destroy our land especially insecticides .hublot chronograph Last but not least , the pollution of the air is the most important one . We can't live without air . But our air quality is getting worse and worse . For instant , Guangzhou has been Dust-haze for a few days . People have to wear gauze masks to protect their breath system from being infected .
So how can we protect our environment ? As the old saying , the environment is our home , so it depends on us . First at all , we should protect our air . We don't release so many poisonous gaps . These gaps will do harm to our atmosphere . It is the main cause for summer is getting warmer and winter is getting colder . What's more , we should save water . Do you know the quantity of water is less and less ? We can't live without water . No water , no life . In addition , the factories should stop voiding poisonous gasps and water directly . It will pollute rivers , lakes and seas .
World is only one . Earth is only one . Atmosphere is only one . Environment is only one . If we don't stop destroying our only environment ,hublot watch our environment will retaliate us , such as it will be many extreme climate , no water to drink , no food to eat . We will die if we live without good environment !
As you can feel it , summer is getting warmer and warmer . Winter is getting colder and colder . What leads to this phenomenon ? In past few centuries , with the Industrial Revolution has been carried out , many countries has developed their industry . It produced many poisonous gaps . This phenomenon was worse in the Second Industrial Revolution . With the development of economy and technology , our environment is being destroyed by human beings . what is the problem if we do harms to our environment continuously ? Firstly , it can lead to acid rain . Acid rain which corrodes most of plants and buildings , was caused by the a great amount of acidity substance which was made by industry . Secondly , the poisonous chemical substance will destroy our land especially insecticides .hublot chronograph Last but not least , the pollution of the air is the most important one . We can't live without air . But our air quality is getting worse and worse . For instant , Guangzhou has been Dust-haze for a few days . People have to wear gauze masks to protect their breath system from being infected .
So how can we protect our environment ? As the old saying , the environment is our home , so it depends on us . First at all , we should protect our air . We don't release so many poisonous gaps . These gaps will do harm to our atmosphere . It is the main cause for summer is getting warmer and winter is getting colder . What's more , we should save water . Do you know the quantity of water is less and less ? We can't live without water . No water , no life . In addition , the factories should stop voiding poisonous gasps and water directly . It will pollute rivers , lakes and seas .
World is only one . Earth is only one . Atmosphere is only one . Environment is only one . If we don't stop destroying our only environment ,hublot watch our environment will retaliate us , such as it will be many extreme climate , no water to drink , no food to eat . We will die if we live without good environment !
Significance of Charity in Todays World!
Charity is one of such words which cannot be explained in a sentence or a couple of words. The dimensions to the meaning of charity are vast and dense and hence, that is the reason the word in itself carries a whole lot of meanings which, of course, is only in the best interests and goodwill. Charity is a kind of a very soft word which in all sense can only spell goodness.
We have all heard from before that Charity begins at Home. Well, the concept is true to every inch and the real reason for this is that the need to indulge in charity cannot suddenly be inculcated into a person at any part of his/her life. A very simple yet broad and apt meaning of the term would be the act of giving which would benefit the population to a large extent. As it is clearly stated in the meaning, the sense of giving should have to be taught in kids from the time they are young which will in turn, help them to grow up into kind-hearted people with the urge to be able to give enormously to the people who would be grateful to receive help and support.
However, with giving there is a slight alternation from the usual form of giving. You cannot be generous with your family member or friends and be called a charitable person. Charity is the form of help you are giving a person who is in dire need of the same. Charity has to be appropriate with the suffering of the poor and has to support them in any way possible so as to help them to come out of their grief. For instance, you cannot give expensive clothing to a hungry person wherein the needs of the disadvantaged and your charity do not match.
In todays world, with the rising number of natural calamities and man-made catastrophes, millions of people are in need of help and support so as to restore their lives back to normalcy. There are charitable organizations to support and help almost all the types of suffering people. Like there are various organizations that spend enormous amounts of money for womens education. The recent calamity of the earthquake on Haiti has awakened several organizations to provide charity towards the sufferers of this unfortunate incident. Also, you would be surprised to find the count of charitable organizations fighting against all the deadly diseases in todays world which in turn helps the poor patients to get the right medical attention in order to help through their times of crisis.
Charitable institutions are found in wide abundance which sees to the growth, education and welfare of abandoned children. Charities for animals are a wake-up call to each and every member of the society that there are millions of animals who even though cant speak yet need love affection and support.
Charity should certainly begin at home, from a very young age, because from childhood, a person should be aware of the integrity in charity and to give happily to the needy is the most important way to be close to God.
We have all heard from before that Charity begins at Home. Well, the concept is true to every inch and the real reason for this is that the need to indulge in charity cannot suddenly be inculcated into a person at any part of his/her life. A very simple yet broad and apt meaning of the term would be the act of giving which would benefit the population to a large extent. As it is clearly stated in the meaning, the sense of giving should have to be taught in kids from the time they are young which will in turn, help them to grow up into kind-hearted people with the urge to be able to give enormously to the people who would be grateful to receive help and support.
However, with giving there is a slight alternation from the usual form of giving. You cannot be generous with your family member or friends and be called a charitable person. Charity is the form of help you are giving a person who is in dire need of the same. Charity has to be appropriate with the suffering of the poor and has to support them in any way possible so as to help them to come out of their grief. For instance, you cannot give expensive clothing to a hungry person wherein the needs of the disadvantaged and your charity do not match.
In todays world, with the rising number of natural calamities and man-made catastrophes, millions of people are in need of help and support so as to restore their lives back to normalcy. There are charitable organizations to support and help almost all the types of suffering people. Like there are various organizations that spend enormous amounts of money for womens education. The recent calamity of the earthquake on Haiti has awakened several organizations to provide charity towards the sufferers of this unfortunate incident. Also, you would be surprised to find the count of charitable organizations fighting against all the deadly diseases in todays world which in turn helps the poor patients to get the right medical attention in order to help through their times of crisis.
Charitable institutions are found in wide abundance which sees to the growth, education and welfare of abandoned children. Charities for animals are a wake-up call to each and every member of the society that there are millions of animals who even though cant speak yet need love affection and support.
Charity should certainly begin at home, from a very young age, because from childhood, a person should be aware of the integrity in charity and to give happily to the needy is the most important way to be close to God.
How attitudes to Family, Marriage and Divorce have changed
Attitudes to family, marriage and divorce have changed over the last century. Here we look at how different aspects of family life are seen compared to the past.
Marriage
In the past people married at a much younger age on average than they do today. Marrying in your late teens or early twenties was the norm. Most people got married as this is what was expected of you, and people rarely considered not doing so.
Many fewer decide to marry these days. Many make the conscious decisions not to as they prefer to remain more independent. This can be the case for both genders. Some would argue that people wait to meet the right person now, whereas before they would marry the first person who came along.
Living Together while not Married
In the past it was not socially acceptable for unmarried couples to live together. It was seen as wrong and was therefore extremely rare. It is possible that this contributed to early marriage.
Unmarried couples living together has almost become the norm now. Many decide to see how they get along living together before they decide to marry. It is also common for couples to live together, and possibly have children, without ever getting married. They live the same way as a married couple without ever making it official.
Children
It used to be rare for people not to have children. Most people would conform to a very specific lifestyle, marrying young and having children soon after. Hardly anyone had children before marriage, and it was even rarer for people to do this by choice.
Nowadays it is not uncommon at all for people to have children without being married and this is not seen as a big issue by most. Sometimes parents live together as a family with their children without being married, while others are single parents. Not everyone decides to have children either. It is no longer seen as something you must do so it has become more of a choice.
The Role of Women
A hundred years ago, the role of women was very specific. They were expected to marry, have children, and not work. Their role was to look after the home and their children while men went out to work.
Women's role in family life, and life in general, now depends on the individual person and her circumstances. Many still crave the traditional lifestyle of marriage and children, but many make other choices. There are many more career women; some are working parents while others don't have children at all. The role of men is also less rigid, and it is much more common than it used to be for Mothers to go to work while Fathers stay at home.
Divorce
Divorce was once illegal so wasn't an option at all. Even once it did become legal it was rarely considered and was deemed a sin by many.
Now it is much more common for a variety of reasons. Attitudes have completely changed and divorce is seen as perfectly acceptable for those in an unhappy marriage and there is no longer the same stigma attached to it. Although some think of the increase in divorce as a negative, it could be argued that it is better than remaining unhappy. It is also practically easier with family law having changed to make it easier for those seeking a divorce.
Marriage
In the past people married at a much younger age on average than they do today. Marrying in your late teens or early twenties was the norm. Most people got married as this is what was expected of you, and people rarely considered not doing so.
Many fewer decide to marry these days. Many make the conscious decisions not to as they prefer to remain more independent. This can be the case for both genders. Some would argue that people wait to meet the right person now, whereas before they would marry the first person who came along.
Living Together while not Married
In the past it was not socially acceptable for unmarried couples to live together. It was seen as wrong and was therefore extremely rare. It is possible that this contributed to early marriage.
Unmarried couples living together has almost become the norm now. Many decide to see how they get along living together before they decide to marry. It is also common for couples to live together, and possibly have children, without ever getting married. They live the same way as a married couple without ever making it official.
Children
It used to be rare for people not to have children. Most people would conform to a very specific lifestyle, marrying young and having children soon after. Hardly anyone had children before marriage, and it was even rarer for people to do this by choice.
Nowadays it is not uncommon at all for people to have children without being married and this is not seen as a big issue by most. Sometimes parents live together as a family with their children without being married, while others are single parents. Not everyone decides to have children either. It is no longer seen as something you must do so it has become more of a choice.
The Role of Women
A hundred years ago, the role of women was very specific. They were expected to marry, have children, and not work. Their role was to look after the home and their children while men went out to work.
Women's role in family life, and life in general, now depends on the individual person and her circumstances. Many still crave the traditional lifestyle of marriage and children, but many make other choices. There are many more career women; some are working parents while others don't have children at all. The role of men is also less rigid, and it is much more common than it used to be for Mothers to go to work while Fathers stay at home.
Divorce
Divorce was once illegal so wasn't an option at all. Even once it did become legal it was rarely considered and was deemed a sin by many.
Now it is much more common for a variety of reasons. Attitudes have completely changed and divorce is seen as perfectly acceptable for those in an unhappy marriage and there is no longer the same stigma attached to it. Although some think of the increase in divorce as a negative, it could be argued that it is better than remaining unhappy. It is also practically easier with family law having changed to make it easier for those seeking a divorce.
Don't Be Stupid - Get Knowledge Too!
In the second epistle of Peter we have a statement that scares most Christians and presumably all fundamentalists. We're told that to our FAITH that we are to add KNOWLEDGE! The increasing problem that today's world presents to us is that more and more knowledge is available 24/7 and much of the new understanding is banging against our walls of fanciful faith.
Let's be honest, most Christians (and those of other religions as well) are AFRAID of adding KNOWLEDGE that does not conform to or add to our existing BS (belief systems).
The writer of Hebrews (chapter 5) cautions us about living on the tit too long. When we should be maturing, adding knowledge to our faith, eating the MEAT of the rhema word, we prefer not to CHEW the word, but to sip the nectar of the breast. Feed me, feed me, I don't have time, nor the inclination to go looking for the meat of true spirituality. Let me stay as a child and believe in Jesus Christ. Don't try and feed me the meat of an historical Jesus and how that differentiates from a spiritual Christos.
It's really scary where we want to stay. The song reminds us, " I shall not be moved."
Alvin Boyd Kuhn writes seven decades ago, "Faith alone will never develop your divinely desired perogative of conscious cooperation with the will of the Deity. It will help you as a child, but when you become a man you must put away childish things and learn to stand in the consciousness of your participation in the intelligent mastership of your own evolution." Can you read that again slowly and get the import of those words?
The MIASMA of today's religious dynamics is toxic, and it is killing off many before they even get seriously started on the spiritual journey, the search for the Holy Grail, the return of the prodigal son, and development of who it is that we are at the core of our being: spiritual children of the Creator-Consciousness-God.
Only LOVE (unconditional at that) can awaken us to our true identity!.
About the Author:
As a spiritual-futurist, I have a BA degree majoring in history. One cannot know the future without knowing the past which holds clues to what is on the horizon. The world is in such a rapid expansion of knowledge that we are close to entering a tipping point that will forever change earth as we know it.
Let's be honest, most Christians (and those of other religions as well) are AFRAID of adding KNOWLEDGE that does not conform to or add to our existing BS (belief systems).
The writer of Hebrews (chapter 5) cautions us about living on the tit too long. When we should be maturing, adding knowledge to our faith, eating the MEAT of the rhema word, we prefer not to CHEW the word, but to sip the nectar of the breast. Feed me, feed me, I don't have time, nor the inclination to go looking for the meat of true spirituality. Let me stay as a child and believe in Jesus Christ. Don't try and feed me the meat of an historical Jesus and how that differentiates from a spiritual Christos.
It's really scary where we want to stay. The song reminds us, " I shall not be moved."
Alvin Boyd Kuhn writes seven decades ago, "Faith alone will never develop your divinely desired perogative of conscious cooperation with the will of the Deity. It will help you as a child, but when you become a man you must put away childish things and learn to stand in the consciousness of your participation in the intelligent mastership of your own evolution." Can you read that again slowly and get the import of those words?
The MIASMA of today's religious dynamics is toxic, and it is killing off many before they even get seriously started on the spiritual journey, the search for the Holy Grail, the return of the prodigal son, and development of who it is that we are at the core of our being: spiritual children of the Creator-Consciousness-God.
Only LOVE (unconditional at that) can awaken us to our true identity!.
About the Author:
As a spiritual-futurist, I have a BA degree majoring in history. One cannot know the future without knowing the past which holds clues to what is on the horizon. The world is in such a rapid expansion of knowledge that we are close to entering a tipping point that will forever change earth as we know it.
Love is Not
Love is not irritable or resentful. Love is not easily annoyed, nor is it bitter or indignant. We could add that love is not cynical either, in that cynicism is closely related to irritability and resentment. This means that these characteristics are expressions of faithlessness. Faithlessness often expresses itself as irritation and resentment. Faithlessness is often bitter and indignant, and conversely, to be bitter and indignant are expressions of faithlessness. Of course, those who are bitter and indignant often slide into cynicism, which is a another expression of faithlessness.
Interesting, Paul may have had the ancient Greek Cynics in mind when he penned this verse. Cynicism originated in the philosophy of a group of ancient Greeks who rejected all conventions, whether of religion, manners, housing, dress, or decency, and advocated the pursuit of virtue in a simple, unmaterialistic lifestyle. The ancient Cynics almost sound spiritual to our Modern ears, but not to Paul's. Paul rejected the cynical rejection of the world. Christian spirituality is not a matter of rejecting the world. Christianity is not found or expressed through a rejection of the world. Of course, Christians reject sin, but not the world. God loves the world. Life as we know it is not possible apart from the world.
When we think of the world we think of John 3:16, and yet to really understand John 3:16 we need to hear it in context.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God" (John 3:16-21).
We are not called to hate the world -- sin, yes, the world, no. We must remember that God intends to change the world by eradicating sin. So, we must not become cynical, even in the midst of a world where there are very good and sound reasons for cynicism. Cynicism, not the world, must be rejected. Christian love is the antidote to cynicism. Christian love is not irritable or resentful, even in the face of irritability and resentfulness. It is not cynical, even in the face of cynicism. Love turns its back on irritability and resentment, and refuses to engage or express them, regardless of our personal feelings.
Love, as Paul has defined it here, is not a function of feelings. Christian love is simply not subject to human feelings. Rather, love is a commitment, a commitment to Christ first and foremost and then to His people, come what may. Love is commitment to biblical principles regardless of how we feel in the moment. Love understands that its commitment to these things -- to Christ, to God's people and to Scripture -- is greater than life itself. Love understands that commitment to Christ will survive this temporal life and continue into eternity.
Paul goes on to say that love "does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6). Other translations translate the Greek word as "unrighteousness" or "iniquity." Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. Love does not rejoice in iniquity. The word literally means injustice. Love hates injustice, unfairness, unrighteousness and iniquity. But love loves truth -- verity, equity, fairness, justice and righteousness. And how could it be otherwise? Because true love loves Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is the manifestation of verity, equity, fairness, justice and righteousness. Because Christians love Christ first and foremost, they love these things -- the things of Christ -- first and foremost, more than other things. Christians rejoice in these things. These things provide joy for those in Christ.
This great Love Chapter provides a call to faithfulness that cuts through the fog of theology and doctrine without denying or belittling theology and doctrine. It makes Christian love real, more than words, more than feelings, more than commitment to an ideal or a cause. "And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments" (2 John 1:6).
Interesting, Paul may have had the ancient Greek Cynics in mind when he penned this verse. Cynicism originated in the philosophy of a group of ancient Greeks who rejected all conventions, whether of religion, manners, housing, dress, or decency, and advocated the pursuit of virtue in a simple, unmaterialistic lifestyle. The ancient Cynics almost sound spiritual to our Modern ears, but not to Paul's. Paul rejected the cynical rejection of the world. Christian spirituality is not a matter of rejecting the world. Christianity is not found or expressed through a rejection of the world. Of course, Christians reject sin, but not the world. God loves the world. Life as we know it is not possible apart from the world.
When we think of the world we think of John 3:16, and yet to really understand John 3:16 we need to hear it in context.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God" (John 3:16-21).
We are not called to hate the world -- sin, yes, the world, no. We must remember that God intends to change the world by eradicating sin. So, we must not become cynical, even in the midst of a world where there are very good and sound reasons for cynicism. Cynicism, not the world, must be rejected. Christian love is the antidote to cynicism. Christian love is not irritable or resentful, even in the face of irritability and resentfulness. It is not cynical, even in the face of cynicism. Love turns its back on irritability and resentment, and refuses to engage or express them, regardless of our personal feelings.
Love, as Paul has defined it here, is not a function of feelings. Christian love is simply not subject to human feelings. Rather, love is a commitment, a commitment to Christ first and foremost and then to His people, come what may. Love is commitment to biblical principles regardless of how we feel in the moment. Love understands that its commitment to these things -- to Christ, to God's people and to Scripture -- is greater than life itself. Love understands that commitment to Christ will survive this temporal life and continue into eternity.
Paul goes on to say that love "does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6). Other translations translate the Greek word as "unrighteousness" or "iniquity." Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. Love does not rejoice in iniquity. The word literally means injustice. Love hates injustice, unfairness, unrighteousness and iniquity. But love loves truth -- verity, equity, fairness, justice and righteousness. And how could it be otherwise? Because true love loves Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is the manifestation of verity, equity, fairness, justice and righteousness. Because Christians love Christ first and foremost, they love these things -- the things of Christ -- first and foremost, more than other things. Christians rejoice in these things. These things provide joy for those in Christ.
This great Love Chapter provides a call to faithfulness that cuts through the fog of theology and doctrine without denying or belittling theology and doctrine. It makes Christian love real, more than words, more than feelings, more than commitment to an ideal or a cause. "And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments" (2 John 1:6).
God's Timetable
've heard an expression many times over the years: God is never late. On the other hand, perhaps, a good expression for us would be: we are never patient. So how can we figure out God's timetable?
First, let's admit that we really are impatient. We have become a product of our modern conveniences. We microwave "instant" foods that are ready to eat in mere seconds.
It irritates us if our two hour flight, that takes us hundreds of miles in less than two hours, is delayed by ten minutes. We expect our fully cooked "fast food" to be ready by the time we get to the pick up window.
These and many more examples that you can probably think of, show clearly that we have lost a lot of patience. And so many times when it comes to asking God for something, if it doesn't happen very quickly we get frustrated.
So, when you pray and petition God for something, how long are you supposed to wait? Is He going to answer? Could I please take a quick peek at His timetable on this one?
Too often people just think that God either doesn't hear their requests, or that He just doesn't want to answer them. Some often wonder if maybe they haven't been good enough for Him to respond in kind.
No one knows God's timetable. In fact, honestly, there is a lot we don't know about God. He says in the Bible, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." So, maybe we ought not to be so presumptuous to think we have God all figured out.
Let's take this position. In the situations that we are faced with in our own lives, there is nothing too hard or too big for God. If we don't take that position, then it is pointless to continue this discussion. God is indeed unlimited in His ability and resources.
Let's also take the position that God does not lie. The Bible says that His ears are open unto our prayers. So we know that every time we pray and ask Him for His help, He indeed hears us.
A man who lived in the 1800's by the name of George Mueller, set out to show people that God answers prayers. He had already seen this in his own life, but wanted to give people something tangible that they could see so that they too could tap into answered prayer.
His plan was to establish orphanages for the many homeless children in Great Britain. He believed that God would provide everything he needed without having to ask anyone for contributions. He did just that for 64 years.
During that time he built The Orphanage Campus at Ashley Down, where it is reported that he cared for and educated over 18,000 children. He educated over 100,000 more in other schools at the Orphanage's expense and distributed hundreds of thousands of Bibles and countless tracts, in addition to supporting hundreds of missionaries.
He never ever asked for one penny from anyone. His children never missed a meal, and he never had a debt. Perhaps regarding God's timetable, a quote by Mr. Mueller would be helpful.
"I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk, when I lie down, and when I rise. And the answers are always coming. Tens of thousands of times have my prayers been answered. When once I am persuaded that a thing is right, I go on praying for it. The great point is never to give up till the answer comes. The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer; they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God's glory, they should pray until they get it."
When it comes to God's timetable, let's not get impatient. Let's stay persistent in prayer. As Jesus said, we ought not to faint in prayer. And, let's keep looking and expecting an answer, no matter how God chooses to get the job done.
First, let's admit that we really are impatient. We have become a product of our modern conveniences. We microwave "instant" foods that are ready to eat in mere seconds.
It irritates us if our two hour flight, that takes us hundreds of miles in less than two hours, is delayed by ten minutes. We expect our fully cooked "fast food" to be ready by the time we get to the pick up window.
These and many more examples that you can probably think of, show clearly that we have lost a lot of patience. And so many times when it comes to asking God for something, if it doesn't happen very quickly we get frustrated.
So, when you pray and petition God for something, how long are you supposed to wait? Is He going to answer? Could I please take a quick peek at His timetable on this one?
Too often people just think that God either doesn't hear their requests, or that He just doesn't want to answer them. Some often wonder if maybe they haven't been good enough for Him to respond in kind.
No one knows God's timetable. In fact, honestly, there is a lot we don't know about God. He says in the Bible, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." So, maybe we ought not to be so presumptuous to think we have God all figured out.
Let's take this position. In the situations that we are faced with in our own lives, there is nothing too hard or too big for God. If we don't take that position, then it is pointless to continue this discussion. God is indeed unlimited in His ability and resources.
Let's also take the position that God does not lie. The Bible says that His ears are open unto our prayers. So we know that every time we pray and ask Him for His help, He indeed hears us.
A man who lived in the 1800's by the name of George Mueller, set out to show people that God answers prayers. He had already seen this in his own life, but wanted to give people something tangible that they could see so that they too could tap into answered prayer.
His plan was to establish orphanages for the many homeless children in Great Britain. He believed that God would provide everything he needed without having to ask anyone for contributions. He did just that for 64 years.
During that time he built The Orphanage Campus at Ashley Down, where it is reported that he cared for and educated over 18,000 children. He educated over 100,000 more in other schools at the Orphanage's expense and distributed hundreds of thousands of Bibles and countless tracts, in addition to supporting hundreds of missionaries.
He never ever asked for one penny from anyone. His children never missed a meal, and he never had a debt. Perhaps regarding God's timetable, a quote by Mr. Mueller would be helpful.
"I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk, when I lie down, and when I rise. And the answers are always coming. Tens of thousands of times have my prayers been answered. When once I am persuaded that a thing is right, I go on praying for it. The great point is never to give up till the answer comes. The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer; they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God's glory, they should pray until they get it."
When it comes to God's timetable, let's not get impatient. Let's stay persistent in prayer. As Jesus said, we ought not to faint in prayer. And, let's keep looking and expecting an answer, no matter how God chooses to get the job done.
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