There is nothing like reading the Word and a song pops up in your head. Music is a gift from God that I don't think we can thank Him enough for. What a blessing to help memorize!
John Foreman has multiple songs that ring in my head when reading Scripture.
God is my shepherd, I won't be wanting.
He makes me rest in fields of green, and quiet streams.
Even while I'm walking through the valley of death and dying.
I will not fear cause you are with me, you're always with me.
Shepherds staff comforts me....
So uplifting to the soul!
He also writes of this life in ways that bring to our minds the "ought-i-tude" I like to call it. We ought to think on these things; "a mirror is much harder to hold," "Learning How to Die," and so many more.
Thank God for language that expresses only the surface of the truth that lies at the feet of our lives' purpose. Thank God for His Spirit who intercedes for us as our words cannot express even the slightest of what He deserves.
But oh the mercy that follows us...just as the song also says "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wisdom from King Solomon and the pen of Paul
These two writers wrote some of my favorite passages; they are simple, to the point and very applicable!
Proverbs says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. SO we know that as we revere our God and come to know Him all the more we will indeed increase in wisdom.
As we lead our lives, or follow them, we find that through the mundane and cyclical pattern that it rolls on it can be a bit tolling on our bodies and minds. I've also been reaffirmed by the messages by my father in law Ken Rudolph, as he spoke recently on the Lord's Prayer and the part we must beg God daily for our daily bread in a world where we are so in need of His help. Give us this day our "daily bread! And lead us not into temptation!" and so on. We cannot get away from the curse in this world yet can and must cling to the hope, truth and wisdom that helps us along and that gives us joy amidst it all!
Ecclesiastes also says that in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases in knowledge increases sorrow. I think this is because just as we are more aware of the curse around us, the hope of our present life fades extremely so and thankfully especially in comparison with the only joy that can be found eternal; that is in Christ. At least we have this hope! Without it we would be better to be ignorant and pretend throughout our innocent little lives that everything is fine or at least in our ignorantly blissful little minds. All until the end it would be at least; then there would be the greatest tragedy of all! We must then live in light of the truth that Christ brings us, that He Himself is our wisdom.
So then the way we ought to live and how it is to look among this fallen world is clearly expressd through the pen of the apostle Paul as he writes about the wisdom of this world and how God really crushes it in comparision to the greatness of his power and knowledge that supercedes all.
Our minds cannot fathom it all, and that is where faith trumps out the fear of the unknown and where the miraculous accomplishes things not fully known to man. His wisdom is a treasure we ought to seek for continually and the wisdom and attainment of worldly acceptance is relentlessly empty.
“For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” …. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
“And my speech is not with human wisdom..” (1 Corinthians 1 and 2)
So let us then not toil as we often do in despair of the curse brought onto our lowly earth and bodies, but rejoice in the hope that we were created with purpose for someone greater and higher and wiser than we even know, yet have the hope of knowing greater as we seek Him and can be found fully in Him forever and ever! Eat, drink and enjoy the labor of your hands; or else truth be told, life will be miserable!
Proverbs says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. SO we know that as we revere our God and come to know Him all the more we will indeed increase in wisdom.
As we lead our lives, or follow them, we find that through the mundane and cyclical pattern that it rolls on it can be a bit tolling on our bodies and minds. I've also been reaffirmed by the messages by my father in law Ken Rudolph, as he spoke recently on the Lord's Prayer and the part we must beg God daily for our daily bread in a world where we are so in need of His help. Give us this day our "daily bread! And lead us not into temptation!" and so on. We cannot get away from the curse in this world yet can and must cling to the hope, truth and wisdom that helps us along and that gives us joy amidst it all!
Ecclesiastes also says that in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases in knowledge increases sorrow. I think this is because just as we are more aware of the curse around us, the hope of our present life fades extremely so and thankfully especially in comparison with the only joy that can be found eternal; that is in Christ. At least we have this hope! Without it we would be better to be ignorant and pretend throughout our innocent little lives that everything is fine or at least in our ignorantly blissful little minds. All until the end it would be at least; then there would be the greatest tragedy of all! We must then live in light of the truth that Christ brings us, that He Himself is our wisdom.
So then the way we ought to live and how it is to look among this fallen world is clearly expressd through the pen of the apostle Paul as he writes about the wisdom of this world and how God really crushes it in comparision to the greatness of his power and knowledge that supercedes all.
Our minds cannot fathom it all, and that is where faith trumps out the fear of the unknown and where the miraculous accomplishes things not fully known to man. His wisdom is a treasure we ought to seek for continually and the wisdom and attainment of worldly acceptance is relentlessly empty.
“For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” …. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
“And my speech is not with human wisdom..” (1 Corinthians 1 and 2)
So let us then not toil as we often do in despair of the curse brought onto our lowly earth and bodies, but rejoice in the hope that we were created with purpose for someone greater and higher and wiser than we even know, yet have the hope of knowing greater as we seek Him and can be found fully in Him forever and ever! Eat, drink and enjoy the labor of your hands; or else truth be told, life will be miserable!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Understanding our salvation
So how do we know we are moving? How do we know our Christian walk isn't just something we've taken ahold of, like a kite in the wind, yet just plopped down to sit rather than run to watch it fly.
It's kind of like a ship. When we ride on a ship we know we are moving because everything we pass gets closer and eventually passes on. It is the same with life; we move because life changes around us and those objects or circumstances that arise may even be too close for comfort, yet will indeed pass away if we steer straight and don't allow them to be a boulder to crash into.
God promises to carry us through if we take ahold of what He says. He tells us in Romans through the pen of Paul, that as Christ endured suffering even to death, He has risen to brings us life and that through Him we are MORE than conquerors. Nothing will be able to separate us; life or death, angels or demons, anything present or to come, the greatest heights or depths, nor any other thing created by the hand of God Himself will be able to separate us from Him and His love.
So then our movement comes from the hand of God as from His hand came everything that is as Hebrews says "God who spoke through prophets and now His Son whom is appointed all things through whom He made the worlds." Also, the Psalmist expresses in this reality of God, that His works are manifold and in wisdom have been made. "The earth is full of His possessions,..living things both small and great."
We know if we steadily trust His hand, that when life happens we have THE source of it to draw from. Hopefully we will draw from it every day to keep our well full of water so that should a drought occur, we will not thirst.
We know that when sin rears it's ugly head also, the truth of God's word will not return void, and His Spirit Himself will intercede for us when we have not the words. He is our helper who abides with us forever; whom the world cannot receive because it knows Him not. We know Him because He dwells in us and will not leave us (John 14). God also reveals His many wonders to us through His Spirit. "For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of man but his own spirit? Even so no one knows the things of God except His Spirit. We have this Spirit from Him, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God!"
How beautiful are the words of God to those who believe!?
This is how we understand our salvation; while day by day His mercies pour over us to reveal once again His greatness and power, our finiteness is seen and our therefore need for such a Savior. When our minds can't comprehend this, we can bow our knees and pray for one another as Paul did that God would grant to us the riches of His glory to be strengthened with His might and that He may then dwell with us while being rooted in such a great love. We know the message of the cross is foolishness to the world but to those who believe it is the power of God!
We know that love is what makes the world go round and pretty much solves all problems. The root of our sins stem from a lack of love so often, yet when we grasp how wide the love of God is, we are able to cope with the fact that there is no one that can love us more than Him we need not rely on men for this fulfillment.
We can then go forth pouring out His love on others, which will then enable the world to spin again. If we sit to long and wait for anything to move we will grow stir crazy. We must then be proactive in stirring up love amongst one another as love covers a multitude of sins and surpasses any attempts that this world and their forces of evil and egotism can approach.
After all, it is the God of heaven and earth, the LORD almighty who created all including love itself, and who is able to accomplish more than we could ask or think.
So help us God, to understand the salvation you've freely given us and the love that accompanies it which is able to conquer all!
It's kind of like a ship. When we ride on a ship we know we are moving because everything we pass gets closer and eventually passes on. It is the same with life; we move because life changes around us and those objects or circumstances that arise may even be too close for comfort, yet will indeed pass away if we steer straight and don't allow them to be a boulder to crash into.
God promises to carry us through if we take ahold of what He says. He tells us in Romans through the pen of Paul, that as Christ endured suffering even to death, He has risen to brings us life and that through Him we are MORE than conquerors. Nothing will be able to separate us; life or death, angels or demons, anything present or to come, the greatest heights or depths, nor any other thing created by the hand of God Himself will be able to separate us from Him and His love.
So then our movement comes from the hand of God as from His hand came everything that is as Hebrews says "God who spoke through prophets and now His Son whom is appointed all things through whom He made the worlds." Also, the Psalmist expresses in this reality of God, that His works are manifold and in wisdom have been made. "The earth is full of His possessions,..living things both small and great."
We know if we steadily trust His hand, that when life happens we have THE source of it to draw from. Hopefully we will draw from it every day to keep our well full of water so that should a drought occur, we will not thirst.
We know that when sin rears it's ugly head also, the truth of God's word will not return void, and His Spirit Himself will intercede for us when we have not the words. He is our helper who abides with us forever; whom the world cannot receive because it knows Him not. We know Him because He dwells in us and will not leave us (John 14). God also reveals His many wonders to us through His Spirit. "For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of man but his own spirit? Even so no one knows the things of God except His Spirit. We have this Spirit from Him, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God!"
How beautiful are the words of God to those who believe!?
This is how we understand our salvation; while day by day His mercies pour over us to reveal once again His greatness and power, our finiteness is seen and our therefore need for such a Savior. When our minds can't comprehend this, we can bow our knees and pray for one another as Paul did that God would grant to us the riches of His glory to be strengthened with His might and that He may then dwell with us while being rooted in such a great love. We know the message of the cross is foolishness to the world but to those who believe it is the power of God!
We know that love is what makes the world go round and pretty much solves all problems. The root of our sins stem from a lack of love so often, yet when we grasp how wide the love of God is, we are able to cope with the fact that there is no one that can love us more than Him we need not rely on men for this fulfillment.
We can then go forth pouring out His love on others, which will then enable the world to spin again. If we sit to long and wait for anything to move we will grow stir crazy. We must then be proactive in stirring up love amongst one another as love covers a multitude of sins and surpasses any attempts that this world and their forces of evil and egotism can approach.
After all, it is the God of heaven and earth, the LORD almighty who created all including love itself, and who is able to accomplish more than we could ask or think.
So help us God, to understand the salvation you've freely given us and the love that accompanies it which is able to conquer all!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Gospel in Les Miserables
This movie was the first of many in a long time that caused me to weep. I watched as a depraved man, a thief, was shown mercy which began for him a life of showing the same mercy while paying others back for the gratitude he had for a man and his wife whom not only spared his freedom, but gave him above and beyond what he deserved to show him mercy.
He then began a life of honesty and generosity. He was a “changed man” as he’d claimed he would be, and yet there were of course, still the consequences of his former sin which he had to live with. While his life was sought extensively by the ‘evil one,’ he lived in peace knowing he’d covered his bases; yet this evil one was out to prove him wrong. He did feel a deep sense of remorse for his past, and was willing to take the charges, should they be proved against him while others were potentially put to the stake for being mistaken with his actual account. He rescues many from failure and hardship, and the very life and nurturing of an orphan he promised to care for. He takes what his past represented and attempted to spare her life from anything close to it, yet goes to the extreme as sadly so many overly fearful though loving parents mistakenly do. He wants to hinder this child from the world and its ugliness, but the day comes where it is not possible. What he could have done was teach her the truth and how to combat the harsh realities of life with the power of God. However, while they do break out into reality, and life makes for harder decisions, his honor keeps him to the end. He does what he can out of love; having been a receptor of such deep mercy and grace, he then extended it on to many generations.
His attempt at reviving the life and love of one whom was shown no mercy for her sin, showed a beautiful picture of what some of the world would see as unjust. Our very God is just yet the justifier too, and we know His hand to be perfect in our lives when others may see it as not right in their own eyes.
The evil man in this movie was so bound by sin, and the law he felt he must keep that he showed no mercy even when such a changed and blameless man was snow before him. He could not get past it, and his wicked schemes did not let him rest until they lead him to death, as sin we know always does.
In the end, our main man goes free; and walks away down a road and info a flock of birds that then fly up into the air, representing the likeness his heart clearly felt as his burdens and weight of the past sins in his life too, flew away.
Many times his life was pictured to me as Christ’s while though he was a sinner, he had come back to repentance and changed and though still sought after, he was always willing to give up his life and freedom for others. You can’t help but love him as all main characters, especially with such renovated and pure motives for the well being of others. And you can’t help but despise the disgusting man who sought his life, as his lack of mercy was so relentless and unjust. Sin does this to our lives, as is vies to strangle us with every ounce of strength it holds on our life. We must run from it, and know its end.
We must pour mercy on those who need it, as we’ve been shown this great mercy! And never forget the unconditional love we’ve been shown; as there is NO greater love than that one should lay his life down for his friends. God in Christ Jesus did this, and His very life was laid on our account, to forever wash us clean. Our slates are new; what can we do but show mercy today!?
He then began a life of honesty and generosity. He was a “changed man” as he’d claimed he would be, and yet there were of course, still the consequences of his former sin which he had to live with. While his life was sought extensively by the ‘evil one,’ he lived in peace knowing he’d covered his bases; yet this evil one was out to prove him wrong. He did feel a deep sense of remorse for his past, and was willing to take the charges, should they be proved against him while others were potentially put to the stake for being mistaken with his actual account. He rescues many from failure and hardship, and the very life and nurturing of an orphan he promised to care for. He takes what his past represented and attempted to spare her life from anything close to it, yet goes to the extreme as sadly so many overly fearful though loving parents mistakenly do. He wants to hinder this child from the world and its ugliness, but the day comes where it is not possible. What he could have done was teach her the truth and how to combat the harsh realities of life with the power of God. However, while they do break out into reality, and life makes for harder decisions, his honor keeps him to the end. He does what he can out of love; having been a receptor of such deep mercy and grace, he then extended it on to many generations.
His attempt at reviving the life and love of one whom was shown no mercy for her sin, showed a beautiful picture of what some of the world would see as unjust. Our very God is just yet the justifier too, and we know His hand to be perfect in our lives when others may see it as not right in their own eyes.
The evil man in this movie was so bound by sin, and the law he felt he must keep that he showed no mercy even when such a changed and blameless man was snow before him. He could not get past it, and his wicked schemes did not let him rest until they lead him to death, as sin we know always does.
In the end, our main man goes free; and walks away down a road and info a flock of birds that then fly up into the air, representing the likeness his heart clearly felt as his burdens and weight of the past sins in his life too, flew away.
Many times his life was pictured to me as Christ’s while though he was a sinner, he had come back to repentance and changed and though still sought after, he was always willing to give up his life and freedom for others. You can’t help but love him as all main characters, especially with such renovated and pure motives for the well being of others. And you can’t help but despise the disgusting man who sought his life, as his lack of mercy was so relentless and unjust. Sin does this to our lives, as is vies to strangle us with every ounce of strength it holds on our life. We must run from it, and know its end.
We must pour mercy on those who need it, as we’ve been shown this great mercy! And never forget the unconditional love we’ve been shown; as there is NO greater love than that one should lay his life down for his friends. God in Christ Jesus did this, and His very life was laid on our account, to forever wash us clean. Our slates are new; what can we do but show mercy today!?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Markers of Sanctification
It is such a blessing to be known by God, and personally know Him.
When situations beyond our control spin new things in and out of our lives, it gives me peace knowing there is absolutely nothing I can do to prevent what God has planned; if i try it will just be harder on me:)
I am encouraged that through job situations and highs and lows, we can embrace each change that comes as a way to say "God knows" and "I" do not. He has it all worked out and when I try to make things happen that are not meant to be, I will just fall flat on my face. Sensing Him and trying to follow His steps laid out before us are sometimes clear, sometimes not. I think our clarity is fogged by our own desires sometimes though, and we only keep ourselves from seeing further. I love that as a follower of Christ we are given His Spirit to us as a helper. As Jesus said in John 14 "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance things I said to you. Peace I leave with you, not as the world gives..." and later "These things have I spoken, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
1 Corinthians 2 also tells us that "God has revealed (the things He is preparing for us) through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God." What greater joy can we have than that!? Our Creator has given us truth beyond ourselves to give us incite into His wisdom and knowledge; of course not yet complete, but something to be hoped for in the coming of the redemption of the purchased possession, as it says in Ephesians 1. Such wonderful things to be hoped for!
I know now that as He gives me grace to respond how I would not otherwise on my own accord, when difficult circumstances arise, I can give Him all the glory for He has enabled me to do so. It is not I, but Christ who lives in me. "This is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?!"
AMEN.
When situations beyond our control spin new things in and out of our lives, it gives me peace knowing there is absolutely nothing I can do to prevent what God has planned; if i try it will just be harder on me:)
I am encouraged that through job situations and highs and lows, we can embrace each change that comes as a way to say "God knows" and "I" do not. He has it all worked out and when I try to make things happen that are not meant to be, I will just fall flat on my face. Sensing Him and trying to follow His steps laid out before us are sometimes clear, sometimes not. I think our clarity is fogged by our own desires sometimes though, and we only keep ourselves from seeing further. I love that as a follower of Christ we are given His Spirit to us as a helper. As Jesus said in John 14 "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance things I said to you. Peace I leave with you, not as the world gives..." and later "These things have I spoken, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
1 Corinthians 2 also tells us that "God has revealed (the things He is preparing for us) through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God." What greater joy can we have than that!? Our Creator has given us truth beyond ourselves to give us incite into His wisdom and knowledge; of course not yet complete, but something to be hoped for in the coming of the redemption of the purchased possession, as it says in Ephesians 1. Such wonderful things to be hoped for!
I know now that as He gives me grace to respond how I would not otherwise on my own accord, when difficult circumstances arise, I can give Him all the glory for He has enabled me to do so. It is not I, but Christ who lives in me. "This is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?!"
AMEN.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
A place to live
It is awesome to have moved into a place we can call our own. We all want that right? Well as much enjoyment as it is so wake up to your own place, schedule, letting nothing else controling your surroundings, and to use beautiful things unwrapped after a three year period in storage, I feel so grateful for what I know I do not deserve, while even a bit hesitant to allow myself entitlement to it.
There is much we don't need- I LOVE the less is more principle. I hate the American "I need more and bigger!" mentallity. God help us not even gradually let our hearts reach that point. I know we will always work to beat our greedy hearts into submission to Christ's call on our lives to lay down whatever this world longs for us to cling to. Yet, I am thankful He reminds me daily I don't deserve any of it- that it ALL is His, and that I must know that stuff does NOT equal happiness; it only begets more desire. "The eyes of man are never full" a favorite Proverb wisely states it.
Many people never dream of "owning" what we do. And as I feared my own impending doom of "losing" it all the other day due to leaving our stove burner on:/ I was so thankful for God's gracious hand in preserving "our things" and kept my conscious thankful notion that all things are from Him, for Him, and must be given back to Him.
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"
There is much we don't need- I LOVE the less is more principle. I hate the American "I need more and bigger!" mentallity. God help us not even gradually let our hearts reach that point. I know we will always work to beat our greedy hearts into submission to Christ's call on our lives to lay down whatever this world longs for us to cling to. Yet, I am thankful He reminds me daily I don't deserve any of it- that it ALL is His, and that I must know that stuff does NOT equal happiness; it only begets more desire. "The eyes of man are never full" a favorite Proverb wisely states it.
Many people never dream of "owning" what we do. And as I feared my own impending doom of "losing" it all the other day due to leaving our stove burner on:/ I was so thankful for God's gracious hand in preserving "our things" and kept my conscious thankful notion that all things are from Him, for Him, and must be given back to Him.
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Eat, Pray, Love
I entirely agree with the title of this movie; but in drastically different measures than intended by the author. The woman here, who sets out to find what she 'really' wants in life, finds that thorough enjoyment of giving into every indulgence her heart desires, leads her onto the road of true happiness; or so she thinks. While leaving the 'love of her life' as we've seen oh too many times before, she sets out to pursue religion, seclusion, and flat out pure hedonism at it's heighth. A natural tendancy, sure, many have. To 'listen to your heart' as the popular 80's sing star Roxette puts it, brings you to what YOU really want in life, disregarding all the broken relationships of those you've committed to, now severed on your behalf. Something I think we've actually been warned against, if we actually take heed.
The Bible says it best, in that true love, everlasting love "endures all things, hopes, forgives, believes,"...and so on. We are so susceptable to pursuing things that don't last, to love the things which produce yes happiness, but inevitably fade. Our God is to be worshipped first of all, and then enjoyed THROUGH the world which He created. As in Romans it says that "What may be known of Him is manifest in us, for God shows it to us. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are seen, even His eternal power and Godhead; so we are without excuse...but although many know God, we often do not glorify Him as such, are not thankful, but are futile in thought. Our foolish hearts can be so dark, and as the world claims to be wise, foolishness is the actual state. Then while changing the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man...we exchange the truth of God for a lie, worshipping and serving creature rather than Creator; who is (or SHOULD be) blessed through our lives forever." (Romans 1)
Our worldy love and worship is so contrary to what I've come to know through the words of our Lord and Savior from whom perfect love is given. He's given us life through Himself, which was ordained before time, from God the Father from whom also proceeds every perfect gift. (Hebrews and Matthew)
So then "to be carnally minded is death. But to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans) So to think upon ourselves and our ever pressing urgent needs, desires, and wants leads only to a life of narcissism. We get trapped within ourselves to believe this way of life, yet we so long for peace. So where does this peace come from?
One source, a true source. A reliable source; not some figment of our imaginations, serenity through quiet, or chanting to a god who is dead. We have hope in God, THE God whose Holy Word says He created heaven and earth, us, calls us as His own, and "desires that none should perish, but come to repentance." We seek fulfillment in life, and He says "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." He also says that "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." (John)
So when we set out to 'find ourselves,' our source of life, and purpose therein, where do we find it but outside of ourselves of course. Serving and loving others surely produces joy, regardless of your reasons for it. But where does this service come from? Emptying of self is a gift from God who Himself was "emptied and poured out as an offering" for us, but for HIS glory. He humbled Himself through Jesus' life, whose live's we are to emulate, doing "nothing out of selfish ambition, but considering 'others better than ourselves,'" as He did. (Philippians).
So go out into all the world; travel, eat, enjoy new people, places, cultures, and nations. But give thanks to God our Father who created it all, and to whom all should give glory to and for. And then also set out to pray, that the eyes of your understanding be enlightened; to know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints; the exceeding greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all power and dominion, and every name that is named forever."
And finally love, and pray that He will grant you such according to His glory, to be strengthened with might though His Spirit in the inner man, that He may dwell in your heart through faith; being rooted and grounded in this love, able to comprehend with all the saints what the width and lenghth and depth and heigth is, that is the love of Christ which passes all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
If we live this, we will be able to eat of His gifts, pray to Him Him for all things, and love as He loves; which proves no selfish thing, but endures forever. This is the greatest of all, and what truely brings about the peace and hope in life we are all searching for.
AMEN
The Bible says it best, in that true love, everlasting love "endures all things, hopes, forgives, believes,"...and so on. We are so susceptable to pursuing things that don't last, to love the things which produce yes happiness, but inevitably fade. Our God is to be worshipped first of all, and then enjoyed THROUGH the world which He created. As in Romans it says that "What may be known of Him is manifest in us, for God shows it to us. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are seen, even His eternal power and Godhead; so we are without excuse...but although many know God, we often do not glorify Him as such, are not thankful, but are futile in thought. Our foolish hearts can be so dark, and as the world claims to be wise, foolishness is the actual state. Then while changing the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man...we exchange the truth of God for a lie, worshipping and serving creature rather than Creator; who is (or SHOULD be) blessed through our lives forever." (Romans 1)
Our worldy love and worship is so contrary to what I've come to know through the words of our Lord and Savior from whom perfect love is given. He's given us life through Himself, which was ordained before time, from God the Father from whom also proceeds every perfect gift. (Hebrews and Matthew)
So then "to be carnally minded is death. But to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans) So to think upon ourselves and our ever pressing urgent needs, desires, and wants leads only to a life of narcissism. We get trapped within ourselves to believe this way of life, yet we so long for peace. So where does this peace come from?
One source, a true source. A reliable source; not some figment of our imaginations, serenity through quiet, or chanting to a god who is dead. We have hope in God, THE God whose Holy Word says He created heaven and earth, us, calls us as His own, and "desires that none should perish, but come to repentance." We seek fulfillment in life, and He says "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." He also says that "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." (John)
So when we set out to 'find ourselves,' our source of life, and purpose therein, where do we find it but outside of ourselves of course. Serving and loving others surely produces joy, regardless of your reasons for it. But where does this service come from? Emptying of self is a gift from God who Himself was "emptied and poured out as an offering" for us, but for HIS glory. He humbled Himself through Jesus' life, whose live's we are to emulate, doing "nothing out of selfish ambition, but considering 'others better than ourselves,'" as He did. (Philippians).
So go out into all the world; travel, eat, enjoy new people, places, cultures, and nations. But give thanks to God our Father who created it all, and to whom all should give glory to and for. And then also set out to pray, that the eyes of your understanding be enlightened; to know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints; the exceeding greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all power and dominion, and every name that is named forever."
And finally love, and pray that He will grant you such according to His glory, to be strengthened with might though His Spirit in the inner man, that He may dwell in your heart through faith; being rooted and grounded in this love, able to comprehend with all the saints what the width and lenghth and depth and heigth is, that is the love of Christ which passes all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
If we live this, we will be able to eat of His gifts, pray to Him Him for all things, and love as He loves; which proves no selfish thing, but endures forever. This is the greatest of all, and what truely brings about the peace and hope in life we are all searching for.
AMEN
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