tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49816445656180321662024-03-13T19:13:54.768-04:00Wilson MinistriesJourney with usPaul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-43701643690201811462017-08-26T11:56:00.001-04:002017-08-26T11:58:20.933-04:00YOU WILL SEE YOUR TEACHER<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">From Isaiah 30, CEB</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Though the Lord gives you the bread of distress and the water of oppression, your teacher will no longer hide, but you will see your teacher. If you stray to the right or the left, you will hear a word that comes from behind you: “This is the way; walk in it.” </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fear is a terrible thing! It is especially fearful to be new at school as a child, and then have no parent to comfort. In war torn countries, sometimes children are given a crust of bread to hold for the night, so they would know there would be something to eat in the morning.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Imagine the experiences of the Israelites over the years when they were headed for the Promised Land. They often felt they had been abandoned. If this was true about the entire nation of several hundred thousand, how about the family, or individual?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">What beautiful words to such a person or group, ". . . your teacher will no longer hide, but you will see your teacher." Jesus encounters the same when he tells the disciples, "It is I, be not afraid!"</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I remember being left alone to care for my younger brother in Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa, with a kerosene stove for warmth. My parents were working on official records of district churches. (We had no central heat.) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">During the night, the wick began to smoke, and my baby brother's cough awakened me. I scrambled for light, and found the room and adjacent rooms filled with smoke. I was frightened. Thank God, by that time we had a reasonable telephone service, since we were near Johannesburg, and I was able to get in touch with my parents, who came immediately to help. "Your teacher will no longer hide, but you will see your teacher." </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is an amazing promise that came many years after the wandering of Israel in the desert. Things were beginning to make better sense to those who prophesied, as well as to those to whom they prophesied. But as is often the case - the darkest hour is just before the dawn.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is a promise for every Christian that can be seen many places in scripture, especially the Psalms.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In distress - you will see your teacher! What a deal! What a promise!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Many that read this will recall seeing the emblem of a "serpent on a pole" on medical facilities, perhaps even their own doctor's office. That ancient emblem comes from the experience of ancient Israelites in the desert on their way to Canaan, when, after a victory in Hormah, (Numbers 21:6), they grumbled against God about the food they were eating. Grumbling like this was a constant problem with the Israelites. Finally God felt it was time for them to be taught in a way they could "see".</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Repeatedly, Moses had complained about this grumbling, so God sent "fiery serpents" in discipline. Many died as a result. It did not take long for the Israelites to malign the character of God, as well as Moses, due to the discipline of snakes.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">God's remedy was for Moses to make a pole, cast a bronze serpent for it, so that the Israelites could look at it.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">When they started to do this, they were not only healed of snake bite, but it was no longer a problem to them . . . except when they began to worship this bronze serpent as an idol in Hezekiah's time.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Why is this significant? Throughout scripture God was training people for the time that Jesus Christ, God's Son would be sent for the sin and sin of the human race. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Once He came, all of the training "props" were taken away, and the principles began to shine through.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The idea that needed to be taught and re-taught was simply that the key to any discipline of the Lord, is to understand why He sent it, and then fix one's eyes on Him, and the things He tells us to keep our eyes upon. As Israel they looked at the bronze serpent on the pole, they would no longer fear the bite of the snakes.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Perhaps there is a parent reading this who told a child, "If you don't quit crying, I'll give you something to cry about!"</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">What about these emblems in the medical profession? Why are they placed in prominent places? As God taught Israel, very often diseases come because we look everywhere but to God for basic provision. When we look at the serpent on the pole - the serpent is dead, and made of brass. If God is the Provider, and discipline comes - there must be an offense. Looking at the pole reminds us of who Jesus Christ is, and what He came to do.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking at Christ, studying Him, studying His life, getting to know Him better, getting to know God his Father better, helps us to realize how much bigger He is than simply saying "yes" to a few questions, and going to church. Why? We are a dying human race, but this is our opportunity to see our lives as "seeds", to plant in fertile soil for time and eternity. (Matthew 13:37-38)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Is this fertile soil the brokenness that Christ was hinting about in Matthew 9:12-13?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thus, it is the "reverse" of grumbling that must be practiced. We are sheep. We are broken as well as lost, due to sin. The basic design of a sheep is much like a cow - a ruminant animal. A pig doesn't do that. Farmers know this principle very well - especially those who have sheep.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">A</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">s far as attending church doesn't "fix" a person any more than a hospital, clinic, or local doctor's office does. It is understanding another's definition of what could be wrong, and seeing that doctor or medical practitioner's perspective. It is then an agreed-upon remedy is brought alongside to facilitate healing. This also is the true function of the church. An old friend of mine once said, "Churches aren't for people that are healthy, they are hospitals for sick folk." Psalm 141:5. Hebrews 10:24.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Snakes are generally not aggressive, unless cornered. Thus, looking to Christ is the answer! It solves the problem.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This now becomes the basis of Christian meditation. In your private time with the Lord in prayer and faithful study of the Word, you see a verse or two that hit sore areas of your life. You look intensely for Christ in that passage, and in others like it that you can read, study, memorize, and study. Perhaps the problem has become more than you can bear. Search His Word prayerfully, looking for scriptures that draw you in, and attract you. Treat them like Moses' burning bush in the desert. (Exodus 3:5)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Write down these thoughts, "look at them often"! Look at them and "chew on them". Meditate on them. Study word meanings. Apply the truths directly, and write out insights. Speak about them among those you trust.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It is Christ who keeps His people from snake-bite! Now you can truly "see" your teacher, as illustrated above.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">An old song says, "I've a message from the Lord, Hallelujah, it is only that you Look and Live!" The song was based on Christ's explanation of this story. John 3:14-16. </span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-54000829474110455282017-07-04T14:42:00.002-04:002017-07-07T11:59:12.542-04:00THE EMPTY HEART<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">By Paul Wilson, July 4, 2017</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">Is it not interesting that
the “Jesus around us today, the body of the living Jesus Christ” treats things
differently than we often do, when encountering someone who has lost their way.
And, looking around, it appears that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything
but God </i>is the “thing to do”, to get us back on track</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">A certain man asked Jesus
about these kinds of things one day, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit
eternal life?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Why do you call <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me </i>good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good--except
God alone. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You know the commandments: “Do not commit adultery, do not murder,
do not steal, do not give false testimony</span>, honor your father and mother.’” “All
these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said
to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the
poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">follow</i></b> me.” When he heard
this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at
him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a
rich man to enter the kingdom
of God.” Those who heard
this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men
is possible with God.” Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">follow</i></b>
you!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or
wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will
fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal
life.” Luke 18:13-30 (NIV)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">I am sure you, too, have
an assessment of some kind. I know I do. God has led me to a lot of wonderful
writers over the years. You will hear of one of them at the end of this
article.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">I find it interesting that
Jesus does not accept the compliment that was offered the wealthy man. This
means he is still searching eternal life after he had become wealthy enough to
turn down a personal invitation by the Christ Himself to follow Him! Do we want
eternal life? Do we realize that we have temporal life as an opportunity to do
something about the nature of this priceless Gift.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">Here is one small example
that a businessman taught me: When you borrow something, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always return it better than you found it!</i> (This dear friend had
borrowed a car to loan me, and it gave <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him</i>
20x20 vision as to how I treated borrowed goods! I also learned that if I did
not practice that I would find it would be required anyway!) (Luke 17:10)
(Matthew 25:25)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">The knowledge that you are
living your life well, and doing what you know you should be doing – the true
contentment and/or peace that comes from God by the sacrifice of Christ,
(Romans 8), confirms your spirit as nothing else c.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">Why would this rich young
ruler feel short-changed?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">Is not the answer found in
these words, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to
the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">follow</i></b> me.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span>What is this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">One Thing?</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="a">
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;">Recognizing the ownership factor – everyone <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">has</i> something to sell; </span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;">Recognizing the profit factor – selling all
of what you truly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have,</i>
actually profits you as well as another;</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;">Recognizing what hinders truly following Christ,
and what actually lays up treasure in Heaven</span></li>
</ol>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">I have been in ministry of
various types for more than a half of a century. I have been a musician;
missionary in South Africa;
and pastor of four churches in the US. I have also worked in the
Funeral Business part time, as well as a Coordinator in an Automotive company mailroom.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;">The temporal reward of
these pictures of my life’s calling fade as my tenure on earth comes to a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0px;">close
– but this scripture says to me as well as to everyone else:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0px;">We all have something to sell to someone. It
is probably not what you think it is right off hand;</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0px;">We all have something that will profit
someone. You may not want what I have that will really profit you;</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0px;">What I have to sell; what profits you; and
what must be recognized as such, helps us all to comprehend what it means
to follow Christ.</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;">James said it well, “Elijah
was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did
not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the
heavens gave rain, and the</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;"> earth produced its crops. My brothers, if one of you
should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this:
Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and
cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:17-20
(NIV)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">Recently I wanted to encourage
someone to care for the property they had just acquired. So, one day when he
was polishing his automobile, I complimented him, telling him that I loved
keeping my cars spotless as a young person. I recommended that he learn more
about character, and look up an old recorded series by Earl Nightingale, online,
“Lead the Field”, and do just that with his care of things like automobiles and
property.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">Since it was good, but
without adequate mention of the Christian Faith, I felt a twinge of condemnation
in my heart that told me I had not thought of surrounding his life with prayer,
asking the Lord to sell my experience with this His profit, when I felt I had
not treated the truth that well. After all, every good and perfect gift comes
from above – the Father of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i>
Lights.” (James 1:17)</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">As I prayed for him, I
sensed that the Lord wanted me clean the alley side of that same property while
praying for him forgivingly, since I felt it was a problem to me and others. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">I was amazed at what
happened. First, a friend helped him put up brand new fencing without a word
from me, and Detroit Energy decided to do a massive clean-up of the trees that
had overgrown power lines in that entire area . . . which also included another
neighbor’s tree that had overgrown our property! Was this an accident? No, it
was profit on my investment of what was already mine, because of Christ, but
what Christ wanted to belong to all, which also encompasses a lot of what Earl
Nightingale had to say with the series, “Lead the Field”. There is an mp3
recording of the original records available on Amazon! Find it for yourself if
you wish, and you may like it enough to buy it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin: 0px;">I was blessed by having it
in my possession for a few years, and eventually gave it away, because Christ
is the Greatest Treasure of all!</span>Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-21035832018253741362016-08-25T10:48:00.000-04:002016-08-25T10:59:21.563-04:00SOME MAY - OTHERS CANNOT<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> A twelve year old turned trustingly to his dad, "Dad, I need a new pair of shoes! See, the heels are not wearing evenly." </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (This reflection comes from a time when leather shoes with rubber heels were far more common than the "discard" sports shoes of today's culture.)</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fully expecting the problem to be solved with a new pair of shoes, the child accompanied his dad to the store, and looked at new shoes longingly. His dad's conversation took an unexpected turn. "Either you did not sell my son a good pair of shoes, or you misfitted him, and I want you to make it right!"</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> The store owner was certainly not expecting this approach, for he was enjoying his prosperity in the small town in central United States. His was the only shoe store for miles around.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> He had an answer, however, "We sell the best shoes in this part of the state! Furthermore, we always fit them right! Sir, I can sell you a new pair of shoes, or repair your son's shoes at a fee, but I owe you nothing!"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> The dad was firm, and he repeated the statement, "No sir, either the shoes are flawed, or you misfitted him." There was no arrogance or annoyance in the dad's voice, only firmness. But the son thought his dad was angry at the storekeeper. He fully expected the two men to get into at least a </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">verbal assault of one another. He was amazed, however, when the store owner agreed to repair the shoes. They agreed on a time.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Either the dad had sensed a lack of service integrity in the store owner, or was training his young son in a life of faith. Time would tell. A story that will take reflection teaches this principle. Read Isaiah 7:1-9.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I have often wondered how the boy got home. Did he walk barefooted to the car, or did his dad feel sorry for both concerned and buy a second pair of shoes, to make sure that this conversation was about business, and not personal issues? I don't know.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Dad was on a trip somewhere when the son had to face the store keeper in order to pick up his shoes. He had no money to pay, so was not in a position to agree with the store keeper's assessment of his dad, but had to listen to the disgruntled statement about his dad.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Many years later, dad reminded his son . . . "Ownership and Management are not about control, but about service! Son, store ownership is a trust given to serve the need that is prevalent - whether to sell, provide access to a special design for tired, injured feet, or simply to help them find out where that need can be met!"</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> This is not just a business principle to gather wealth, but reflects the nature of Christ, Himself. When it appears that all in life has gone wrong for a season, and the "store front" of your life is in shambles, remember that it could be that your service quotient is in need of repair. This is where the wise virgins of Matthew 25:8-10 did the only thing that could work for the foolish virgins. They were hopeful that they would be able learn the lesson in time. But, it was too late to change their viewpoint of opportunity. The bridegroom came while they were away.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> While King David was hiding from his enemy Saul, (who was attempting to save his own kingdom from inevitable take-over), David expresses an amazing prayer in Psalm 54:1-7, that demonstrates how to get help from God, Himself, during such a crisis!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Jonah did not like being put in a crisis he couldn't handle on his own, but found out that he was God's choice, like it or not. Apparently he did not realize that the choice of apparent safety was not nearly as secure as bearing the right message for the right reasons. Proverbs 23:1-3.</span></div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-83525006280892583502016-08-22T19:33:00.002-04:002016-08-22T19:33:52.800-04:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">We’ve Been Robbed!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; text-indent: 0.5in;"> The
bedroom door opened, and my wife said, “We have been robbed!” She continued,
“Our neighbor said our garage door is wide open, and has been for two hours!
They first thought that we may been in the garage ourselves, but finally suspected
the worst, and rang the doorbell repeatedly to attract attention. I knew I had
heard something strange outside, but had not investigated!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> I rubbed my eyes, trying to make sense out of things. It
was 1:00 a.m. I was not very happy about being short-changed in my sleep. I
knew I had to investigate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> I discovered that the side door had been forced open. Three
pieces of equipment had been stolen, one of them quite expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Knowing a little of the nature of forgiveness, I forgivingly
asked the question, “What do you do when someone throws the equilibrium of life
off like that? Explode with anger? Call the Police? See if you can follow
footprints, etcetera? Fix the damage enough so you can attempt to go back to
sleep again?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Is
there not a better way to balance the scale? Whether right or not, I responded
by doing my best to repair the door sufficiently so it would at least close and
lock. I then attempted to go back to sleep, but sleep eluded me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; text-indent: 0.5in;"> The
next morning in the police report, I realized that it would have been helpful
to call the police. This way they could have inspected for fingerprints, and
look for other things out of order. It was too late.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> In the process I also discovered that our small car had also
been dented in the process of theft. Also, two of the stolen items were not
complete. That is, they now had one part and I the other. Neither of us could enjoy
that particular piece of equipment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Why would someone
do that? Honesty allows a person to enjoy what they purchase, receive or own.
Dishonesty and theft will not allow a person to enjoy it. It often does not occur
to someone to think things through. This means it hurts both parties concerned.
If you do something good in secret, someone often surprises you in doing
something special for you. Why don’t people remember that the same principle, applied
in reverse, will eventually even the score in stolen goods?</span></div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-81781628691506487522016-04-04T14:47:00.001-04:002016-04-04T14:51:11.262-04:00<st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">EXPANSE</span></st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Genesis 1:6-8</span></st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13><span style="font-family: "georgia";"> (<st1:translation_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on">NET</st1:translation_smarttag_s_13>
Bible) “God said, “Let there be an expanse<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[1]</sup></i>
in the midst of the waters and let it separate water from water.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So God made the expanse<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[2]</sup></i> and separated the water under the expanse from the
water above it. It was so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8 God called<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[3]</sup></i> the expanse “sky.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">The sky as we know it in
our human experience, (firmament, expanse, dome, open space), is considered by
most as a tangible thing, yet by experience it is hardly that. It cannot be
touched, and yet we know and experience its presence.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Yet, considering what it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does</i> for the human race, there are a lot
of beautiful lessons to be considered. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Some have indicated that
it has been used to speak of the gold that has been hammered into the features
of an idol. If considered that way, it takes on the meaning of the atmosphere
that is especially designed to protect, nourish, and demonstrate the handiwork
of God.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">This became precious to me
when I considered the larger sense of God’s work. The children of <st2:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st2:country-region> experienced a special protection in <st2:city w:st="on">Goshen</st2:city>, while in <st2:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st2:country-region>;
The children of <st2:country-region w:st="on"><st2:place w:st="on">Israel</st2:place></st2:country-region>
experienced the cloud and the pillar of fire in the desert; After the flood
upon the earth, God placed a rainbow there to assure God’s people that the
earth would never experience this particular kind of threat any more. (Genesis
9:13)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">From the sky, or from such
a place as the <st2:city w:st="on"><st2:place w:st="on">Niagara Falls</st2:place></st2:city>
observation tower, it can be observed that the rainbow is a perfect circle. The
rainbow is also proof of a prism effect on the sun’s harsh rays. I find it fascinating that it can picture a covenantal relationship of a man and wife in a wedding ring, if they desire to do so.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">We see a cloud re-appear
in the <st2:street w:st="on"><st2:address w:st="on">Holy Place</st2:address></st2:street>
in the <st2:city w:st="on"><st2:place w:st="on">Temple</st2:place></st2:city>,
speaking the same truth. It was alluded to in <st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on">Nehemiah
9:19</st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13>, when the walls of <st2:place w:st="on"><st2:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st2:city></st2:place> were being rebuilt. It was
re-experienced on the Mount of Transfiguration when Jesus appeared Peter, James
and John. <st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on">Matthew 17:5</st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">All of these can
illustrate the marvelous truth that God cares about who and what He considers
to be His property.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">There is a remarkable
reminder of this in outdoor weddings, when an arch is placed over the couple,
referring to the “cloud” of a covenantal relationship.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Do you and I really
understand firmament, canopy, expanse, cloud of God’s presence in our lives? Do
we experience it in the areas that we consider important in our lives? <st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on">Hosea 6:3</st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13> seems to suggest that we can know
these answers as we follow closely to Him, and get to know Him better. <st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on">Luke 11:52</st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13> implies that the religious
leaders, who had not been living close to God, had robbed the “key” to this
knowledge from the people.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Jesus also shows how a
study of the clouds can be used to predict weather patterns. If the protection
or provision is there – there is safety. Jesus then said, “How is it that you
do not discern this time?” (Luke 12:56)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1</span></sup></i><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> “EXPANSE – FIRMAMENT”:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Canopy - Original meaning. Expanse. The
original word is sometimes used for the gold or silver covering on an idol. See
Psalm 19:1 </span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 10.0pt;">2</span></sup></i><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> “EXPANSE – FIRMAMENT”:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ibid </span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 10.0pt;">3</span></sup></i><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> “CALLED”:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God gave this “expanse”, “firmament” or “canopy”
- a name, and that was “sky” “Heaven”.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-68389378422226745572016-01-05T18:46:00.000-05:002016-01-05T18:53:47.423-05:00Google<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Jesus was amazed</b>!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was <b>amazed</b> at
disciple Nathanael’s surprise at what Jesus knew, “‘How do you know me?’
Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig
tree before Philip called you.’” . . . “Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told
you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.’”
(John 1:48-50)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was <b>amazed</b> at
the faith of the Gentile centurion, who reminded Jesus that all it took was a
word to get obedience from soldiers, therefore he trusted Him to declare his
servant well. “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the
crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith
even in Israel.’” (Luke 7:9) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was <b>amazed</b> at the
response of a Greek woman to comparing her to a scavenging dog, “ . . . a woman
whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his
feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to
drive the demon out of her daughter. ‘First let the children eat all they want,’
he told her, ‘for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to
their dogs.’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘but even the dogs under the table eat
the children's crumbs.’ Then he told her, ‘For such a reply, you may go; the
demon has left your daughter.’” (Mark 7:25-29)
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was <b>amazed</b> to
find the disciples sleeping when he was personally in need, and when he was
about to experience the most critical time of his career – his crucifixion –
demonstrating God’s Redemptive plan of History! (Luke 22:46)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of these things point to the fact that it took a while
for Jesus in his perfect humanity to catch on to His father’s heart in his
calling, and perfectly human state – but when he did – He died for it, which
was God’s will for you and I! He learned obedience by the things He suffered.
(Hebrews 5:8)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is this not any true parent’s love for a child?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But Zion said, ‘The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has
forgotten me.’ ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no
compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget
you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls (your normal
securities) are ever before me.’” (Isaiah 49:14-16) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The heart of Jesus relates to the best parent there has ever
been! A grandparent loves to watch the development of a grandchild,
particularly if there are interests that are somewhat similar. Therefore, quite
often they are the most qualified to help in situations that are bigger than
the parents have been given the grace to handle!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For example, I knew my grandparents prayed, but I was amazed
when my paternal grandfather prayed for us while missionaries in South Africa,
and sent a letter that he had done so. “I have prayed clear through for you”.
It was very important to me, for it came at a very difficult time in our
experience as missionaries.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is written all over the pages of scripture!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The disciples had observed Christ at prayer – and were
amazed at the fruit of the disciplines of his prayer life. Lepers healed; Blind
people seeing; Difficult encounters resolved. On it goes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since Jesus had understood their needs at the Father’s hand,
they soon found their own hearts desperately longing, crying out to know the
secret/s of prayer demonstrated in Jesus. Eventually they put a handle on it,
“Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus then spoke the words most of us have memorized,
“Lord’s Prayer”, thus teaching them the essence of prayer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus an outline is all we need, to go along with the vision
of Christ we have experienced. He knows us much more than we know! This is what
the apostle Paul wanted to happen most in his life. (Philippians 3:10)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Prayer
is directed to the Father of All – who is in Heaven;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Prayer
is directed to call attention to God’s Name, Reputation or Fame;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Prayer
is directed to the need for His Kingdom to increase;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Prayer
is directed to wanting His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Prayer
is directed to asking Him for basic needs such as daily provision;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Prayer,
to the outworking of our salvation, and is now directed to asking Him to
do what we need to be doing anyway – with what is obvious around us; When
we forgive, we are then qualified to worthily receive His forgiveness in
situations, as we “flesh out” His will on earth; (1 Corinthians 8:3) with
(Genesis 6:8) God “chose Noah”! Amazing, indeed! He saw that he did more
than “put up” with the evil around him prior to the flood, he was willing
to learn at the hand of God, and saved his family and animals from the
flood!</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Prayer,
is directed to the danger of this journey to the heart of God, which will
allow testing for authenticity of the intimate experience with God;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Prayer,
is directed to the most important of all deliverances – from the evil one;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Prayer,
is experiencing His Kingdom, Power, and Glory in our lives.</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Our Father, Who art in Heaven; Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy
Kingdom Come; Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day
our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, and
the Power, and the Glory, forever. Amen. (Quotations from New International Version)<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">a Blog this'</a>Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-25050574509441062072015-12-31T14:56:00.000-05:002016-01-05T18:53:03.902-05:00Have you ever had darkness argue with the light when it was turned on? It seems incredulous!<br />
<br />
Why is it then, when it comes to experiencing insight, or an “aha” moment, (which is related to light), we don’t seem to have a problem with casting it aside. Of course, not every thought that comes our way qualifies as an “insight”. To make my point, when a blind man walks across a busy intersection with a white cane, but dutifully stops at a red light, we are amazed, but that is not really insightful. We know that that once the light of his eyes had been taken away, he still had the power of insight, which came from reflection on other sources of reflection on the movement of traffic and the voices of people.<br />
<br />
I think this fascinating.<br />
<br />
Yes, an insight can also cause problems – but most of us would agree that sometimes that is the very thing that works!<br />
<br />
I asked a friend in the electrical business to explain how light impacts darkness, and he had a very simple reply: “View darkness as the absence of light, as you would cold, which is basically the absence of heat.”<br />
<br />
My mind clicked – if that is true, and we choose to stay in the dark, we cannot help but receive light, even if we are choosing to reject it. Why? The very decision to reject it proves light of some kind or another – and this time that light is in us. But someone also said, if the light that we have within becomes darkness there is a major problem! It is like salt without savor, as Jesus points out.<br />
<br />
I heard someone say it this way – “It really is ok to talk, and even to talk with yourself – even answer yourself, but something is wrong if you have to ask, ‘huh’ in reply!”<br />
<br />
Have you ever shopped in an area of the store where lights were burned out? Why would that irritate you and I? We like to have light on something that we perceive will cost us in a way that we will perceive (there it is again) in some way. (Less money in our pocket, or less value for amount spent.)<br />
<br />
To expand the horizons of my thinking, I am beginning to read the Book of Genesis in the Bible out loud. There I read that “darkness was on the face of the deep”, until God said, “Let there be light.” I also know that God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. I have also read John with new interest.<br />
<br />
All He has to do is show up – and light has impacted darkness. <br />
<br />
Ultimately, then, if darkness is powerless, anything that happens can be traced to light in some way . . . even if it is misperceived, and we get more darkness to deal with.<br />
<br />
I find it intriguing that Jesus, Himself, said He was the Light of the World. Why does the Bible say this about both God and Jesus? Are they related in some way?<br />
<br />
When Jesus came to our world, the world did not comprehend him. At least this is what the Bible says in the beginning of St. John.<br />
<br />
We are drawn to light by nature . . . whether it is natural light, the light of insight, or the effect of light – enlightenment.<br />
<br />
Light is still the ultimate Cause. Just for fun, why not read Genesis 1 and John 1, and reflect on the word “light” as you find it there. Draw your own conclusions, giving proper place to light and its effect.<br />
<br />
Did you happen to think of anything else in the process? Why? Is that also related to the impact of light?<br />
<br />
Why not assess a problem in this manner – considering that light is behind the problem in some way?<br />
Just thinking . . . Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-28322302899505302792015-01-15T09:06:00.003-05:002015-01-15T09:06:33.655-05:00No, Its a SUITCASE!My wife and I have been privileged to attend a Wesleyan Church event in Orlando, Florida called the "Gathering".<br />
<br />
This opportunity came completely by surprise. I have also encountered other surprises on this trip! <br />
<br />
I had been praying about a difficult situation, and the Lord surprised me by showing a new meaning behind a well-known slogan, "Safety is no accident". Now, I know all too well, that, contrary to popular opinion, you cannot always operate safely. However, the slogan itself is no accident either! If you act wisely, according to standards that have been put there because of the experience of countless others, the statement embodies a great truth.<br />
<br />
It was around about that time that I encountered a young family in the hallway of the hotel where we were staying. A mother was pushing a baby buggy with a brand new baby. I congratulated her, and then saw that her husband and a little boy were following behind. The little boy was wheeling a huge suitcase for a little boy, and I said, "Wow, what a heavy load for a little boy!" Both parents smiled, but the little boy had a different response.<br />
<br />
Correcting me very quickly and firmly, he said, "No, it is a SUITCASE!"<br />
<br />
I had to sit up and take notice - how often life appears to be a disaster everywhere we look, and we think, "I cannot operate safely in this kind of an environment", until a child corrects us!<br />
<br />
"No, it is a SUITCASE!"<br />
<br />
Looking at me intently, the little boy continued . . . "The only trouble is, it keeps falling down!"<br />
<br />
Oh my, another insight on top of the first one!<br />
<br />
Then the Holy Spirit said, "Remember, Paul, every burden is a suitcase that tells us we are headed for a world beyond today!"<br />
<br />
It was shortly after that that the hotel music system played, "Beyond the Sunset". How do massive hotel chains think of a Christian who needs a reminder of God's providence? Oh, I know that it may have been just the melody, not a Christian song.<br />
<br />
But it is still something to think about. I am sure a lot of people will have explanations . . . but don't we often see His great providence in little things if we have the heart for it!Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-44819984196081387872014-12-25T19:16:00.000-05:002014-12-25T19:16:48.309-05:00NEW CAR, CHEAP SHOES & A BENT BUMPER
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Even though I have been in
ministry for many years, there are still some passages that I have not really
“seen” and “comprehended”. God sometimes assigns someone else to introduce me
to them. One such passage I read of in Mark Batterson’s book, “In a pit with a
lion on a snowy day”.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The man’s name was
Benaiah, who had the honor of being David’s personal body-guard. 2 Samuel 23
describes him as being “the son of a valiant man, . . . who had done many acts,
including the slaughter of two lionlike men, and slaying a lion in a pit on a
snowy day. He challenged a “good” Egyptian, (apparently one who trusted more in
his spear than the Lord), overpowered him with a staff, then killed him with
his own spear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mark Batterson quotes Antoinede
Saint-Exupéry before the first chapter, “You are responsible forever for what
you have tamed.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">T</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">his seems to imply that if
we have been given special abilities to be “of value” for our own sakes, it
means we are then responsible to God to learn and discover God’s ways to
conquer future giants for His glory! (Proverbs 30:22) This is especially true
if we have accepted the provision of God’s love for salvation. (1 John 1:9)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Unfortunately this is
impossible if we do not comprehend and follow after God’s own heart, who gave
His own son on our behalf. The “heart” is the key to life, but if we do not
comprehend “God’s heart”, we can easily miss vital lessons.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Unfortunately I speak best
from my own experience in things like this. I was reminded of it when I picked
up my diary, written in South Africa in the early 1970’s, where we pastored a
church in Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">More interested in the
vehicle, than in wisdom at that time in my life, I decided to offer to take my
wife and boys from Brakpan to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The
Bunny Park” </i>in Benoni for a picnic, giving them a chance to see and pet the
animals. I was wearing a brand new pair of cheap shoes that I had bought on a
“blue-light” special for $1.77 before leaving the U.S.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Since I was getting used
to the car, plus not being familiar with the spongy feel of the shoes, I ran the
new vehicle into a tree! There was much more damage to my prideful heart than
to the vehicle, so I had to swallow my pride, and acknowledge that I had to
live with it! We drove it for nearly four years like that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Jesus described this kind
of problem as “straining at a gnat, while swallowing a camel!” By implication I
personalized Proverbs 23:5 like this, “Will you set your eyes upon that which
is really nothing? Apparent wealth tends to sprout wings that will enable it to
fly as an eagle toward heaven.” Apparently this is the reason Jesus did not
involve himself in legal cases. See Luke 12:15.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">All power comes from God.
A crisis with our own power, or ability to cope, gives us the opportunity to
call upon God, through the provision of His great love! But, he may expect more
honor from us than using a cheap pair of shoes to brag about it! No, cheap
shoes weren’t the problem, but rather a cheap attitude towards a trust!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-76681895174755249252014-11-18T11:50:00.002-05:002014-11-18T13:05:11.838-05:00Finding Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4Y6vjPgO4M/VGt3Orb6lmI/AAAAAAAAAR8/P0aAKZ48CjI/s1600/THERMOMETER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4Y6vjPgO4M/VGt3Orb6lmI/AAAAAAAAAR8/P0aAKZ48CjI/s1600/THERMOMETER.jpg" height="200" width="161" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is 11<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>o </sup>F, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and it is mid-November in Detroit, Michigan! My body isn’t ready for this yet! Ready or not, the cold is coming! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is the same way with relating to others. They are either “cold or hot”. Like it or not, we cannot chose all our relationships. This means we will need to deal with the matter of forgiveness sooner or later. It was designed that way by God. Perhaps this is a significant part of relating to our Lord in a “hot or cold” way. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This morning someone asked me, (after a disappointing experience), “How does a person have proof they have forgiven someone?” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In answering I was reminded of the Lord's Prayer, (Luke 17:1-6), given in response to a similar question, verbalizing a need to pray more effectively, like John the Baptist's disciples had been experiencing. John the Baptist had challenged them to be authentic with their lives. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I simply quoted the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing the phrase, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, (or the evil one.)” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We can tell if we have really forgiven another, by observing where our Heavenly Father leads after we have declared forgiveness with our mouths. He does not tempt, but may lead us into areas that are tempting. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The prodigal, (Luke 15:17), started the road to forgiveness when he found himself coveting the material wealth his father had accumulated, rather than his father, himself. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately, he did it in covetousness! He eventually forgave completely when he realized that he was operating out of the vacuum and desperation of his own heart, rather than Who had made his father wealthy. When he “came to himself”, and went back home . . he found his father had changed (had he really?), and his brother needed to change as well. (Would he be willing?) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I find it fascinating to realize that the one in the more desperate situation, spiritually, is the very one who is allowed to “get by” with the unheard of, until someone more devoted is challenged with something far less significant. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spiritual poverty is found among those closest to the Lord - that the rest of the world might believe! (These often include those who are rich in faith. This treasure of Grace is found in old clay pots, 2 Corinthians 4:7!) If Peter had not seen his own failure in the midst of his strategies, and observed Jesus healing the ear of an obedient servant of the High Priest, he would have missed another amazing proof of Who Jesus really was!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">
</span>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-S4Y6vjPgO4M%2FVGt3Orb6lmI%2FAAAAAAAAAR8%2FP0aAKZ48CjI%2Fs1600%2FTHERMOMETER.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4Y6vjPgO4M/VGt3Orb6lmI/AAAAAAAAAR8/P0aAKZ48CjI/s1600/THERMOMETER.jpg" -->Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-79409305141156661132014-09-01T20:08:00.003-04:002014-09-01T20:20:54.948-04:00I WANT A HOLE ON TOP<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He stood tall and addressed the barber
with a straight face, “I want a haircut just like my dad’s!”
Dad wasn’t there, so he replied, “And what kind of haircut does
your dad have?” Without hesitation he said, “He has a hole on
top!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We laugh –
but it is not new. Jesus’ comment to leaders who were doing as
little as possible in matters of justice, mercy and faith said, “You
blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” Matthew
23:24 (ESV) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Their spiritual
lives had a "Hole on Top".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Its just
another way of describing laziness of heart and spirit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus
addressed the question of our life-span in much the same way, perhaps
spreading his little finger and thumb to demonstrate a cubit –
which was about eighteen inches, “And which of you by being anxious
can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able
to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?”
Luke 12:25-26 (ESV). The writer to the Proverbs said the same thing
in a different way, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not
know what a day may bring.” Proverbs 27:1 (ESV)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Thus a lazy
person works harder to keep out of work, than to actually do it. It
is surprising how little it takes to turn the tide. Someone, when
asked about the concept, said, “Work fascinates me, I can stand and
watch it for hours!” “A lazy person says, ‘There’s a lion
outside! I’ll be murdered in the streets!’” Proverbs 22:17.
(ESV) “In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven men who can
answer sensibly. Proverbs 26:16 (HCSB)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="__DdeLink__5_1466771287"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="__DdeLink__3_1466771287"></a>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But, today I want to dig a little deeper,
to share my amazement at the simplicity of what Jesus said, “So
also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the
kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 12:31-34, ESV) “But rather seek ye
the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom.”</span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hear this,
“It is your Father’s good pleasure!” He loves this! He longs to
make giving people out of us; He says to sell what we <i>have</i> in
order to be sure that we have the medium of exchange in our hands –
also described as alms – in order to turn these “things” into
expressions of heartfelt provision. It can be either the actual thing
or its worth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Look at
what God gives in exchange for this gesture, (which is also
demonstrated in James 1:27): Moneybags that don’t get old; treasure
in heaven that does not fail; a place where thieves do not approach,
and where moths do not eat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">James 5
indicates that if the children of God do not treat possessions in
this way, they take the witness stand against us. Funny how idols
mock us like this! They “burn the flesh with fire”, which God
wants to turn into the peace of His provision, by providing the needs
of the heart! (James 4:3)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Note in
particular, the next statement, “For where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also.” (Verse 34) The whole point of the passage
is that we turn what we have for a short time, into what will last a
life-time, and eternity. This takes thinking, praying, and loving –
giving it our hearts.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Here is one
way that it can work – We sell something with the heart purpose of
love – keeping only what such an “exchange” will bring in
“buying power” for the gift of love. If circumstances control the
price – you will be amazed what a small amount will buy on the
recipient’s behalf - since it is all about the heart, and love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Doing it in
a spirit like this, causes an admiration and appreciation that cannot
be matched anywhere! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When
covetousness is our focus, it shouldn’t surprise us that the
heavens take on the image of an idol to be enslaved to. But when God
who created life and “all things for us to enjoy”, becomes our
model and opportunity to foster faith in others, it is amazing what
we will experience in our own daily lives!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The
heavens declare the Glory of God, the firmament, (expanse, covering,
somewhat like the silver covering of an idol), shows His handiwork.”
(Psalm 19:1) As we, too, declare the Glory of God, the expanse shows
His handiwork in our lives!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Heart
change equals vision change. But, it is obviously more than that –
Love begins to shine through as we change to this focus. Ironically I
will need to “catch up to love”, but “love will also catch up
with me!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">How much better to complete the work started
in us by faith, thus covering our heads with Christ's "Helmet of
Salvation", by having a heart of love. (Ephesians 6:17)</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-77563202452793264132014-01-06T16:32:00.000-05:002014-01-06T17:25:00.453-05:00EACH NEW MORNING HAS NO CLOUD<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I’m
going to stay at this until I’m done”, I promised myself, “. .
. even if it takes me until 2 tomorrow morning!” True to my own
heart, I did get it done! However, in the morning, I reviewed the
completed project only to find two or three glaring mistakes! I
groaned, “If I didn’t have the energy to complete the task, why
was I given the energy to destroy it!” I knew better than complain
to God, but didn’t know how to deal with my own failure, thus it
ended up in a complaint anyway! Moses had this problem when he was
called to set God’s people free from Egyptian bondage. (Exodus
4:10-11)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He had a “night” of forty years after the murder of an
Egyptian. When morning came, it was filled with the clouds of doubt!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Quoting
Lucy Maud Montgomery in “Anne of Avonlea”, the second story in
the ever-popular “Anne of Green Gables” series, Russ Lawson of
Daily Encourager writes, “Every day is brand new, with no </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">mistakes.” <a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4981644565618032166#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></sup></a>
</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The book
begins, “Anne is . . . ready to begin a new life teaching in her
old school. She’s as feisty as ever and is fiercely determined to
inspire young hearts with her own ambitions. But some of her pupils
are as boisterous and high-spirited as Anne, and so life in her
Avonlea classroom becomes a lesson in discovery and adventure.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Insights
like this in life lurk in surprising places!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I have
repeatedly been delighted and surprised that such “conventional
wisdom” was actually hidden in the Bible long before this
inspirational statement. Delighting in God’s Word brings such
things to my heart. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Here are
some places I have seen it,</span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God’s
compassions are “ . . . new every morning: great is your
faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23 NKJV)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">His
answer is heard in the morning . . . “Listen to my voice in the
morning, Lord.” (Psalms 5:3 NLT)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Each
morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (Psalms
5:3 NLT)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It’s
not important who does the planting, or who does the watering.
What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.” (1
Corinthians 3:7 NLT)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He is
the One that provides seed, increases resources, then brings the
harvest. “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and
then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase
your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in
you.” (2 Corinthians 9:10 NLT) </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The
morning is the product or fruit of the night before . . . the reason
we are warned not to go to sleep with an angry heart. The morning
represents the fruit of the previous night’s heart exercise.
(Psalm 4:4) (Ephesians 4:26) Countless people have advised, “Why
don’t you sleep on it?”</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The
activities of a given day have an affect on the next. Whether we
like it or not, the heart of any given day is the material God uses
to create the new one. The created order itself is always perfect,
even though it is dealing with “less than perfect” investments.
I find it dismaying at times that the brand new cells of my body
carry only the tendencies of the old. Many years ago I learned to
say, “I have 220 lbs of new cells, but they all think that they’ve
got to be fat like their predecessors!”</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The
very name of the morning, is “Day”, (Genesis 1:5) This is
repeated for each created day, It starts with the “heart” for
the coming “day”, calling it “Evening”. The “fruit” of
one’s heart is a special gift to use for each new day! (A concept
God caused me to reap many years ago in what today is known as
“IBLP.org”) </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Descriptive
names are given to both sad and joyful experiences. Sad experiences
are those that express disappointments, and Joyful experiences are
those that express God’s blessing.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You may be
saying, “But you have said nothing about a morning’s ‘lack of
clouds’ . . . new days ‘do’ have clouds! In fact I’ve just
experienced the worst possible morning ever!” The answer is rather
basic: “God’s Created Order leaves us with an aching heart. But
given the understanding of the Great Redemption Story it will equal
‘no clouds’ in each new day”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Begin the
day in the evening. Let your empty heart repeat the effective
medicine of scripture that you keep thinking of as you go to sleep.
Cry for God’s heart to be revealed to you in the morning.
Frustration at night will only cloud the morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Embrace the
day in the morning, thanking God for what appears to be a cloud! It
is God who creates and sustains us. He knows we will fail. His laws
are changeless. He wants to show us that clouds do not destroy the
sun. The clouds caused by determination alone, mercifully protect us
from ourselves until we are ready for the sun in all its glory, or we
wouldn't even try! (Psalm 19:5) (2 Corinthians 12:7)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Avonlea-Lucy-Maud-Montgomery-ebook/dp/B00BSS8WUS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389033675&sr=8-2&keywords=anne+of+avonlea">http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Avonlea-Lucy-Maud-Montgomery-ebook/dp/B00BSS8WUS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389033675&sr=8-2&keywords=anne+of+avonlea</a> </div>
<br />Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-89150133929970731132013-12-13T16:36:00.000-05:002013-12-13T19:16:15.768-05:00THE LOST GLASSES<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Proverbs 29:5 (esv): “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.” Matthew 23:24 (esv): “Woe to you . . . you tithe . . . and have neglected . . . weightier matters . . . justice and mercy and faithfulness . . . straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I am so grateful for Otto Koning, a missionary to (Dutch) New Guinea. Many years ago he shared the story<b> </b>of how he was finally able to grow pineapples in extremely difficult soil, only to have the natives on the compound steal them while claiming innocence, and calling him an angry missionary. All of this while trying to preach the Gospel and win them to Christ! <a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4981644565618032166#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It was his victory in Christ, through acknowledgement of the ridiculous nature of situations he got himself into that prepared me for the following events.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I was getting ready to go and get repair quotes on our car. (This was after someone had pulled out of a filling station and run into our car while trying to retrieve a recently purchased soft drink that had fallen from its perch!)</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I was glad that no one was hurt. However, I wasn’t that happy with the insurance “red tape”. Since basic insurance is required by law, I knew I had to agree with the Lord that it really was possible for me to have a balanced spirit!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Before leaving, I shaved and used the toilet. I grabbed my glasses, while flushing the toilet, only to lose my grip on them, and drop them in the toilet as it flushed!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The sheer ridiculousness of the incident had made me laugh! I grabbed an older pair of glasses and headed out of the door to get the quotes. The first collision repair facility had just lost their body repairman. The second one was very thorough in every detail, while charging a high price for the repair. He did offer to do extra touch up on the vehicle without charge if he got the job. The third one was quite innovative, and said he could fix it for almost half the price.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now”, I thought, “I still have to figure out what to do about the glasses.” However, the Lord wanted me to trust <i>Him</i> for wisdom. (James 1:5) Since He had already given victory in my spirit when I was able to laugh, I now had the practical problem in my hand. With most things I can face who I am, because I am a Christian, bought with the price of Calvary. But when it comes to true wisdom, I hate to admit that sometimes I make decisions that are not really that wise. I had to confess my problem to my best friend, my wife! The advice quickly came that the glasses needed to be fished out.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I am not a toilet repairman by experience or trade, so I did not have an arsenal of tools for the occasion. A coat hanger is really too stiff, and a regular “snake” has no hook. But as I prayed for wisdom, the idea came to me that I should use one of the coat hangers that have a cardboard tube at the bottom. I knew the wire was softer, and that there were hooks on each end. I took it apart, inserted one end and kept turning it around, pulling as I did so. Presto, there were my glasses!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The only damage was the death route for my pride, and a scratch outside of the line of vision on my glasses!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I hate to admit that I still fall for flattery! This is why the verse I quoted at the start is so applicable to this scene. The worst mistakes in life are those that we felt we had already learned! The worst kind of flattery is self-flattery! 2 Corinthians 10:12 warns us not to compare ourselves with ourselves. The net for my feet was right there to catch me in my failure! </span> </div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Unfortunately a partner of this problem is personal disciplines without overall wisdom. This is why this is such a funny story. It ended right for a change! The victory of Romans 8 is not possible until we recognize this law of the spirit.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus told a story in Luke 16 of how true kindness to those who have to live with the kind of person we really are, is still the best in the end!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4981644565618032166#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/rYM-4mGYzzE">http://youtu.be/rYM-4mGYzzE</a> </span> </div>
</div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-68070970225564800952013-08-26T21:10:00.003-04:002013-08-26T21:10:59.804-04:00"If Money could Talk"<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">You’ve heard them before –
but maybe you’ve never heard these:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Money talks, but all mine
ever says is ‘good-bye.” (Unknown Quotes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Money talks - everything
else walks.” (African-American Proverb Quotes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">“When money talks – no one
notices what grammar it uses.” (Unknown Quotes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Put not your trust in
money – but put your money in trust.” (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., <i>“The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table.”)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">“If you would know the
value of money, go and try to borrow some; for he that goes a borrowing goes a
sorrowing.”(Benjamin Franklin, <i>“Poor
Richard’s Almanac.”)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">“A nickel ain't worth a
dime anymore.” Yogi Berra<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">“A man can no more make
money suddenly and largely, and be unharmed by it, than one could suddenly grow
from a child's stature to a man's without harm.” (Henry Ward Beecher, <i>“Proverbs from <st2:city w:st="on"><st2:place w:st="on">Plymouth</st2:place></st2:city> Pulpit”)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Too many people spend
money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people
they don't like.” (says wise man Will Smith.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Let’s think about the
subject a little. If “Money Talks”, what does it say.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Several months ago, on a
morning walk, I saw a gutter full of pennies – there were at least 150 of them!
That money said, “I would like to go in the Penny Offering at Church!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Several mornings ago, I spotted
a nickel on a sidewalk – then another – then another. That money seemed to say, “You had
better watch more closely! Don’t you remember that the news spoke of someone recently dropping $1 bills on the sidewalks?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Two weeks later, I spotted
a shiny copper penny on the street at a pedestrian crossing. I was riding a
bicycle, and felt like picking it up – until I remembered how easy it is for a motorist
to be preoccupied with sending a text message.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The money that <st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on">Proverbs 13:11</st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13> describes, says, “If I come
easily, I disappear quickly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The money that <st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13 w:st="on">Ecclesiastes 5:11</st1:bcv_smarttag_s_13> describes, says, “When I
increase, watch out for those that demand or need it more than you!”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">If the money that Emanuel
Ninger, (1887), hand painted, could speak, it would say, “Why would you, a
master artist, deceptively paint counterfeit $50 dollar bills in your attic,
when you have portraits in your attic worth more than $16,000 at public
auction! You are robbing yourself! Don’t forget that someone else might pick up
on a careless oversight – by handling your money with wet hands!” His arrest
and notoriety earned him the nick name “Jim the Penman” in the press. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Ultimately, money is God’s
idea in order to facilitate the exchange or trade of goods and/or services that
God had entrusted people with. It is meant to “come alongside”. Another way of
saying it is that it purports to assign material value to intangible substance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">No wonder Jesus was so
disappointed in the response of the young ruler who came to him seeking to
inherit eternal life, (apparently as an extension of, or addition to) his
earthly wealth. He knew that ultimately both parties would lose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In the ruler’s earthly mind,
the shiny, surface expression of wealth was true wealth. But, his soul disagreed! Jesus loved him, and gave his honest appraisal of the need. Jesus
offered him a quick way to get started on it all by selling his goods, and helping
to alleviate the needs of the poor, thus investing in the true wealth of the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">eternal
world – true “substance”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">. But, he would not. (Luke 18:18-27)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In this case, the true wealth
that Jesus knows deep within, cries out to the ruler about his foolishness!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Or, another way of saying
it is, “Do not be too hasty in picking up a beautiful copper penny in front of
a car, when the apparent wealth of the driver is blind to its power to
demonstrate poverty and/or wealth. Rather commit the keeping of your wealth to the One
who sees all needs!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">How many pennies would it take
to meet your eternal need<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-82461939544283182632013-03-20T10:41:00.000-04:002013-03-20T10:55:09.642-04:00WHY WOULDN'T HE?“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13 (esv)<br />
<br />
It was my chance! I was going to be the guest speaker for a church in Indiana. It didn’t take long to realize that I didn’t have that much to say! Frantically, I paged through my Bible and landed on Jesus words on prayer in Matthew 7:7 and Luke 11:5-13.<br />
<br />
My whole sermon could not have lasted more than ten minutes.<br />
<br />
What amazed me is that the scripture was there for me! Someone also told me later that they never forgot that message, and promptly repeated my outline to me, verbatim!<br />
<br />
Recently I was asked to critique and publish a manuscript about a person’s journey to wholeness and healing through the message of the Lord Jesus Christ. That initial format appeared on <a href="http://www.runjohnnyruntojesus.blogspot.com/">Run Johnny Run to Jesus</a>.<br />
<br />
Next, I knew that I had set up a precedent. What I said with my mouth required me to walk in faith as well! (Proverbs 16:26) Since my friend knew nothing about publishing, and I knew a little, I had to practice the truth of my first sermon. I had to ask Him as I asked questions; do research as I explored what they had to offer; and I had to work through logistics and pricing. But that was all!<br />
<br />
It was then that the truth of what Jesus had said impacted me. If God could use my own father, (who is now 96 years of age), why wouldn’t God, himself, back him up? He had done it before countless times, and he could do it again as I looked for a publisher.<br />
<br />
It was then that I found <a href="http://www.instantpublisher.com/">Instant Publisher</a>, and after acquainting myself with self-publishing, ended up with the book. I believe God placed them in my path! Every aspect of the experience has been rewarding!<br />
<br />
“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)<br />
<br />
Thank you, “Instant Publisher” and all of your employees, for being a blessing to me, in meeting the needs of a friend! I don’t think you will lose your reward!<br />
<br />
Paul WilsonPaul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-86904684764935245342013-01-30T07:03:00.000-05:002013-01-30T07:03:31.707-05:00FAITH“Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21 (HCSB)<br />
<br />
It was one of those moments! <br />
<br />
Having heard about the man called Jesus, he thought it might be worth a try to see if He just might be able to do something about the desperate problem he had been having with his son.<br />
<br />
It is likely that he had to do some research to find where Jesus would be that day, but after checking around, he was soon on his way. He was tired of dealing with the boy’s problem.<br />
<br />
What he may not have known, however, was that Jesus, Himself, had slipped away for a while. He had gone up a high mountain along with his closest confidants in the group of disciples, leaving the others behind. It was a special moment for the foursome as God showed them His heart!<br />
<br />
As for the rest of them, an old king reflects, “Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 6:9)<br />
<br />
“What made them so special to go with him up the high mountain?”<br />
<br />
When God looks for faith, presumption and unrealistic expectations quickly surface. I remember what happened while Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments. It wasn’t a pretty picture!<br />
<br />
The other disciples had been with Jesus. They had seen Jesus do it many times. Why not show who they really were? As luck would have it, the problem might disappear as well! However, the man, himself, may have been wondering why they were attempting what Jesus, himself had been doing. Needless to say, neither the group, nor the man, were satisfied with the outcome.<br />
<br />
As the foursome came down from the high mountain, they approached the comrades that they had left behind, and saw a crowd gathered. The religious people were involved in a dispute.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, when the whole crowd saw Him, they were amazed and ran to greet Him. Then Jesus wanted to know what they were arguing about.<br />
<br />
A man out of the crowd answered Jesus, saying, “Teacher, I brought my son to You. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.” <br />
<br />
Jesus gives a stinging rebuke to the entire age group! I even bite my own upper lip as I remember similar rebukes in my own walk with the Lord! “Better an open reprimand than concealed love.” (Proverbs 27:5)<br />
<br />
“You unbelieving generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to Me.” So they brought him to Him. When the spirit saw Him, it immediately convulsed the boy. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.<br />
<br />
Jesus looks the father in the eye, and asks for some history about the problem. “How long has this been happening to him?”<br />
<br />
“From childhood,” he said. “And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”<br />
<br />
Jesus then addresses the issue of faith, “‘If You can’? Everything is possible to the one who believes.”<br />
<br />
The father of the boy immediately cries out in recognition of what Jesus is saying, “I do believe! Help my unbelief.”<br />
<br />
The scripture record continues with the story. When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly coming together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!”<br />
<br />
Then it came out, shrieking and convulsing him violently. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus, taking him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.<br />
<br />
After He went into a house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”<br />
<br />
Jesus explained that faith prays, and faith also sees God’s heart for the need. <br />
<br />
The disciples that had been left behind that day did not realize that the man really did not trust them. They needed to pray before undertaking such an exercise, and they needed to understand God’s heart and the heart of the boy.<br />
<br />
And He told them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer [and fasting]a.” <br />
<br />
An authentic faith matched with a verified authentication of the action of a supernatural God, is what brings Him into action!<br />
<br />
An old song comes to mind, “Do you know my Jesus? Do you know my Friend? Have you heard He loves you, and that He will abide till the end?”<br />
<br />
a From Mark 9:14-29 [Other mss omit bracketed text] (Italicized remarks are quotes from the Holman Christian Standard Bible)<br />
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-81673578464317929522013-01-01T15:36:00.000-05:002013-01-01T15:40:18.389-05:00ALWAYS TAKE FAITH WITH YOU“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5a)<br />
<br />
Obedience always goes hand in hand with faith. Faith has to do with what captures our heart. Obedience adds integrity and gives faith its stability. (2 Peter 1:5). But, obedience must have faith to undergird it before it is valid. Otherwise it could be very dangerous.<br />
<br />
In other words, obedience is no better than its ultimate object.<br />
<br />
God also knows! Faith is born when one senses that its object is exactly what it was made for!<br />
<br />
I sensed amazement for the first time this year at the response of Zacharias to the angel when he announced the birth of John the Baptist! It is so different from Mary’s response. The responses are similar, but close scrutiny shows that Zacharias did not have faith, while Mary did. To Zacharias, the angel Gabriel had messed up his pre-planned order of worship, just to tell him they were going to have a child! He was upset, and demanded an explanation!<br />
<br />
“. . . Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” (Luke 1:18-20 esv)<br />
<br />
In direct contrast, Mary gets a visit from the same angel, Gabriel, with an even more astounding announcement, that she would bear a son without knowing a man in an intimate relationship. Listen to her response, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34 kjv) The angel then explained what would happen, giving sufficient information to quiet her heart with peaceful rest.<br />
<br />
It is a lesson in faith! Zacharias did not believe, so demanded proof. To give Zacharias a little room, we need to remember he didn’t do this “priest thing” that often, so was ill-equipped, when facing the angel. Did he think that angels were figurines on top of temple furniture? It looks like he had not done his homework in matters of faith prior to showing up for his appointed time as high priest. <br />
<br />
By direct contrast, Mary did believe, and simply asks “how”? There is immense safety in her question, since that demanded an answer worthy of royalty!<br />
<br />
When faced with unusual situations in life, I am finding the need to learn to be more consistent in asking myself if I am always addressing the question of faith. We would save ourselves a lot of trouble if we would do just that! Zacharias could not speak until they brought the young child to the temple for the rite of circumcision, and the naming of the child. It was then that he obeyed the angel’s instruction and named him, “John”. Faith had won its day! <br />
<br />
We would do well to bring our struggles, questions, insights and ideas before the Lord, and ask Him about our faith. When we have difficulties, and situations that will not go away, we can ask what God wants to accomplish through the scene, and ask Him to train us in matters of faith.<br />
<br />
Many years prior to this, God was preparing Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. He was struggling with faith issues, (Exodus 6:30). He acknowledges that he has uncircumcised (kjv), or faltering (niv) lips. This meant that there was trouble in his heart concerning faith. Isn’t it amazing that he knew that God was at work everywhere around him, but he still couldn’t trust him? It shouldn’t really surprise us. Moses had bought into Egyptian ways so much, that when he murdered the Egyptian, he subconsciously communicated that this was how he would free the Israelites. That was not faith, that was compensation. God’s chosen people knew that it would be God who set them free – not another tyrant, no matter how deserving of death! Proverbs 30:10 warns that we dare not accuse a slave to a master, lest we be found to be the guilty party.<br />
<br />
We would save ourselves so much trouble if we addressed the issue of faith first, rather than try to solve problems in our own way!<br />
<br />
Many years later, as they entered Canaan, when Joshua was by Jericho, an angel appeared to him with a sword in his hand. He asks where he comes from, and finds out the source of this confrontation. It was then that he was instructed to treat the place as holy ground. (Joshua 6:15)<br />
<br />
Many years later, a farming family, Nabal and his wife Abigail, along with their hired hands, were having a feast at sheep shearing time. It was soon after God had instructed Samuel to anoint David to replace King Saul. However, while Saul was still king, David and his men were protecting the borders of the land. Consequently, David and his men thought they had the right to enjoy this farmer’s feast since he and his men were protecting them, a great service! David sent his men over to the plantation, and they ran into an angry Nabal who would not let them anywhere near! When David heard of it, he did not inquire whether this was a faith issue or emotional. Even though in the right, he decided to proceed on his own and fight! Abigail steps in just in time, provides for them, and sends them on their way. Later, the next morning, when Nabal had sobered up, Abigail told him what she had done. Now Nabal was both frightened of David and his men, as well as angry about the situation, and died! (From 1 Samuel 25)<br />
<br />
In spite of this earlier experience, David still made the same mistake as Nabal did, when he tried to patch up his affair with Bathsheba. He hid the affair, murdered her husband, Uriah, then took her as his wife. When learning of her pregnancy, he murdered her husband, Uriah. God wasn’t to be outdone, however, since God’s enemies now had great cause to blaspheme God, He took the child!<br />
<br />
This Christmas and New Year’s, may every battle we face, be a faith battle, remembering that the victory ultimately belongs to Him!<br />
<br />
Every “sea” in 2013 begs to have someone bring it down to size! In Peter’s heart on stormy Galilee one night, he knew that if the Lord Jesus would give him permission to walk on it, he would be invincible. He was right! But, he had to have more than permission – which is external in nature. He had to have persevering faith, which placed the boat, the sea, and the situations at hand, under his control, as delegated by Christ. That is persevering faith! It is a faith intertwined with God’s vision for lives in the present and the future!<br />
<br />
I pray that you will join me in praying that God will give us such a year in 2013!<br />
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-42884132258278568612012-11-15T13:22:00.000-05:002012-11-15T14:18:27.115-05:00The Engine LIght<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMAO-PSdr6M/UKU-1MX2R9I/AAAAAAAAAEU/zZCjAf6aMpU/s1600/checkengine3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMAO-PSdr6M/UKU-1MX2R9I/AAAAAAAAAEU/zZCjAf6aMpU/s1600/checkengine3.jpg" /></a><br />
(Proverbs 3:6) “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”<br />
<br />
I had just bought a later model used car. On a trip to Indiana for Thanksgiving, the amber “engine light” came on. I had been used to driving older cars, so this was a new experience to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This amber “engine light”, differs from vehicle to vehicle, but promises customers a safer and better driving experience, and helps to address problems earlier, and more efficiently for a broad range of problems. For this reason sometimes repair facilities struggle more to find solutions.<br />
<br />
That particular Thanksgiving, I spent most of the day at the dealership, only to discover that the computer itself had incorrectly turned the light on. The manufacturer paid the bill.<br />
<br />
The conversations that I had with several people while waiting, helped me to realize that my own spiritual “engine light” was on, and God was taking my life a new direction.<br />
<br />
The working of God’s spirit can sometimes be like an “engine light” in our lives. Jesus experienced this when a woman touched the hem of his garment, and he felt power drain from his spirit. We are all spirits, who happen to have bodies, and they can be directed towards evil or good.<br />
<br />
I was being introduced to this as a “new dimension” in the Christian life.<br />
<br />
For example, I was surprised recently to see that the Bible says that a person of great wrath also has great confidence. Confidence alone, then, does not guarantee that you are operating according to God’s ways. (Proverbs 14:16) In other words, things can appear well without any indication of anything being wrong – but it is helpful to know that there are times when this may be the case.<br />
<br />
God is holy, and will always be angry at sin. But the beauty of walking close to the Lord, is that you can learn to recognize his “slightest whisper”!<br />
<br />
The root cause of all suffering on earth is the problem of sin. Since sin has been dealt with at the cross of Jesus Christ, what is left is a restored relationship with the Heavenly Father. Faith is what brings this about. But since sin is at the core of our entire human existence, outside of the cross, and the operation of grace necessary for all aspects of this new life, it is becomes a daily challenge!<br />
<br />
Fortunately, our pain during these times becomes a picture of what a vehicle is supposed to be like, and attracts more assistance. Our pain draws the Savior!<br />
<br />
As I write this, even our little Shitzu dog decided that it was time to get some exercise. I had not done this since yesterday morning. She actually seemed quite vicious as she was playing with me.<br />
<br />
How do we know what is happening? We simply develop a regular routine for “checking in with Him”, so as to keep the “engine light” functioning appropriately.<br />
<br />
I saw a few fascinating verses in scripture recently that underline this truth for me. The Lord knows what is going on. (2 Peter 2:9) In fact he can be recognized by what He evaluates in our lives, and the lives of those who walk away from Him. (Psalm 9:16).<br />
<br />
The thing left, then, is to live our lives from these “roots” upwards and away from things that are dangerous to our “vehicle” – away from the contamination that addressed our lives early on, and from the time when they first began to influence our hearts away from Him.<br />
<br />
All we have to do is to . . . acknowledge Him!<br />
<br />
I needed to say it in that automobile dealership that day, and I also needed to say it to myself this morning, “Paul, in all of your ways make sure that you make His ways known, in what you acknowledge, and what you do, and he will act as director of your paths, and make them straight!<br />
<br />
Is your “engine light” on? (1) If it is giving out false information – take it the “Manufacturer”, and get it replaced with the “Word of God”; (2) If it is correct, align your life accordingly; (3) If someone else needs your understanding, share with them. (1 Peter 3:15)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-40729507954980093782012-08-28T12:32:00.000-04:002012-09-16T08:01:15.363-04:00“What do you want me to do for you?”<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It was half-time. The
Twins were playing the Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit. The man went to the
refreshment stand in order to purchase a pop for his handicapped friend, and a
bottle of water for himself. Desiring to be good to his friend, as well as
quench his own thirst, he had already decided to have a good attitude towards
the significantly higher prices of soft drinks and water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He was surprised at the
refreshing attitude of the clerk at the counter, “What do you want me to do for
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It occurred to him that
when people are willing to have an attitude of service, they are far more
likely to be treated as a good customer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Farmers can teach us much
by a service approach to the food needs of people. For example, Psalm 126:4-6
demonstrates that the Israelites saw hope for aching hearts in captivity, when
they related it to a farmer’s attitude, “Return our people from exile, Adonai,
as streams fill vadis in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with cries
of joy. He who goes out weeping as he carries his sack of seed will come home
with cries of joy as he carries his sheaves of grain.” (CJB)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Interestingly, a friend
had just sent me an e-mail indicating that he had seen Jesus from a new light,
as he responded to blind Bartimaeus when he used those very same words, “What
do you want me to do for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">As I studied the 10th
chapter of Mark to review the story, I was surprised that the Lord would remind
me of a principle I have often seen in the Gospels: Jesus’ words to religious
leaders were often followed by a miracle illustrating the same point!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Jesus actually used the
same phrase, “What do you want me to do for you”, in addressing James and John,
Zebedee’s sons, who had just asked to sit on his right and left hand in his
coming glory!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Isn’t it ironic that they
wanted a little favor – that of sitting on His right and left hand in the
kingdom – when he was about ready to die as a seed in their perception of
eternal life, and in preparation for an eternal kingdom! That is like asking
for a pair of glasses when you cannot see at all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Someone reminded me a few
days later of the remarkable resemblance of the words of John F. Kennedy, in
his inaugural address on Friday, January 20th, 1961, “Ask not what your country
can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Jesus’ gentle reminder
comes back, “What do you want me to do for you?” In fact, Jesus reminds us that
a desire to be first, implies that we should be asking others how we can make
them first. It is, after all, the “Golden Rule”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The implication of this
section of scripture is that people can be blind in more than one way! James
and John were blind when it came to the real reasons for positions of trust.
They were blind to Jesus’ ultimate mission – to pay the price of redemption,
and save the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">They would also
demonstrate, with the other disciples, that they did not understand that
physically blind people, like the rest of us, could be blind to their own
attitudes that tend to surround handicaps. For example, Bartimaeus didn’t even
treat Jesus as one who could actually do something about the problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So how does this apply to
other areas of life? When facing any kind of a crisis, would it be good to view
the Lord as the One who asks to serve us in our crisis? When running short of
funds, does He not ask first how he can serve us, then shows us what is
involved? When in an emotional crisis, is it not appropriate to tell him the
whole story, and then allow Him to show us the way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Crisis experiences are
sometimes reflections of what is really going on in the background. We become
frantic trying to fix the small problems that tend to keep arising. It can be
like trying to tighten a misaligned nozzle on a hose, after the water is
already turned on! Stop, turn the water off so as to care for the small problems,
and the irritation goes away. That is so often the case in prayer. He longs to
serve us, so that our lives are useful and not in total disarray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The heart craves the
satisfaction that only godly contentment can provide. It keeps relentlessly
seeking our souls. Saint Augustine wrote, “Our hearts are only satisfied when
they are satisfied with God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">King David pursued many
things passionately, including women, kingdoms, and power. His pursuit had its
effect on succeeding generations, as borne out in his son, Solomon. His thirst
was not quenched until he fell to his knees and admitted that he needed to
passionately pursue the touch of God more than these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">His thirst was not
quenched until he was brought to the place of falling on his knees to admit the
main need – the touch of God. John Wesley said that we should not “seek a
ministry”, but rather the “fruit of a disciplined life”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He writes in Psalm 63, “O
God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you, my soul thirsts for you.” When God
is seen clearly, the hope that our world seems to promise comes into focus. “My
soul longs for you,” writes David, “in a dry and weary land where there is no
water.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Jesus once said to anyone
who would listen, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink.”
Generations of thirsting pilgrims have prayed that all would find their way to
these waters: “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may
have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high
and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
(Ephesians 3:19)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-36621700867864317352011-09-14T08:18:00.001-04:002012-01-08T22:23:21.408-05:00WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO SHOW FOR IT?This was a most probing question my father-in-law would ask his daughters after they had completed a baby-sitting job; summer job; or some other money-making opportunity. His children have continued asking this of their own children.<br />
<br />
It reminded me of a question I had been asked as a teenager, by the single missionary who had been left in charge of the mission in Mt. Frere, South Africa, while my parents were away, on mission business.<br />
<br />
“I want you to help me select special gifts for our special Bible class promotion coming up in a week. I want them to be wise and useful in their lives.” She later reported to my parents that I had “passed the test”. (Just barely, in my opinion!)<br />
<br />
My prayers about a recent, special concern were not being answered. I found myself asking the same question, but with its own personal twist. “With all you have invested to be ready for such a time as this, what have you got to show for it?”<br />
<br />
As King David looked at the unfolding drama of his son, Absalom, he no doubt asked a similar question, “What have I got to show for all of this? Just give me my son back!” In the end, his heart could utter nothing else than a helpless wail, “O my son, Absalom, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33)<br />
<br />
I have thought about that question off and on for many years, and often wondered how my father-in-law got that from scripture. I knew better than to question his wisdom, because I was quite sure he knew what he was talking about! After all, he had done pretty well in raising his daughters, one of whom I wanted as my wife. (I knew it “had” to be in scripture!)<br />
<br />
As I was working on projects around the home recently, a flash of insight came and I saw a connection between that statement and what Peter said in one of his epistles:<br />
<br />
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” (1 Peter 3:13-16 esv)<br />
<br />
“. . . be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience . . .”<br />
<br />
My father-in-law was requiring his daughters to be able to answer the question, “How will this, (job, position, purchase, right, etc.), give you an answer for your personal hope, and the hope of others? What have you got to show for it?”<br />
<br />
Regret, frustration, complaining, etc., are horrible enemies, and basically come from ourselves. <br />
<br />
When Israel began to listen to the law of God being read by Ezra, in the newly restored city of Jerusalem, under Nehemiah, they began to weep. Nehemiah told them that strength was found in joy, not in weeping. God had engineered the rebuilding of the walls. The law was being read again. They had begun to see where the failure was. This was no time to weep, but rather rejoice. (Nehemiah 8:10)<br />
<br />
I began to realize that I have always been the most concerned when I truly felt a problem had been left up to me. We are overcome because we see our own failures, but see no responsibility towards God, and the amazing provision He has given us. “Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe! Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow!” Could this be one reason why no answer will come? This question can be asked of anything that we desire in our world – whether it is a purchase, a position, or a legitimate desire.<br />
<br />
What can we do to fix the problem? Or, “What have you got to show for it?”<br />
<br />
One is to “make ends meet”, in a world fraught with challenges along the way. As my sister-in-law would say, “Do what you got to do, and live with it!”<br />
<br />
The other is that we might use what we have been given as eternal treasure, a “trust”.<br />
<br />
The apostle Paul put it this way, “Still, I want it made clear that I've never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I'm not writing now to get something. I'd rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or impugn my motives. If I proclaim the Message, it's not to get something out of it for myself. I'm compelled to do it, and doomed if I don't! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I'd expect some pay. But since it's not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don't even have to pay my expenses! 1 Corinthians 9:15-18 The Message (MSG)<br />
<br />
The prophet Samuel’s robe tore, as King Saul, Israel’s first king, grabbed it when he began to walk away. Saul had disobeyed God’s specific instructions, keeping the best for himself. “Since all you want is the stuff, the kingdom has been taken away from you.”<br />
<br />
Its almost as if I hear Samuel saying, “I hear the bleating of sheep and the lowing of oxen. Show me, oh King, how this “stuff” brings hope to you, and to God’s people, especially since God had told you to destroy it all!” (1 Samuel 15) As I recall, “stuff” had been Saul’s problem even from the time of his anointing to be the king, in trying to please his dad, when his dad was more concerned about he, himself! (1 Samuel 10:22)<br />
<br />
I find it ironic that Saul’s spirit betrayed itself in yet another encounter. This time it was with the Philistines, where he couldn’t wait for the prophet Samuel to turn up for the worship service, and his excuse was, “I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.” (I Samuel 13:12) Even worship had become a drudgery, and something that he had to force himself to do.<br />
<br />
It is as if the Holy Spirit was saying, “Show me how your job, activity, frustration, etc., provides something you need more than what you already have in God. Show how you can experience personal Christian hope, demonstrate genuine love, and bring these to someone else who crosses your path.”<br />
<br />
Jesus may as well have asked the rich young ruler the same question, as he refused to sell all he had in order to follow the Lord Jesus, “What do you have to show for the kingdom of God?” (Matthew 19:20) <br />
<br />
The same God who had allowed him to have a lot of “money and stuff”, would care for those needs outside of the “virtual security” he was now experiencing.Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-82972970562442481002011-06-11T19:41:00.003-04:002011-06-20T08:15:26.643-04:00POWERFUL PRAYER SEEN IN THE PERSISTENT WIDOW AND HEARTLESS JUDGELuke 18 English Standard Version (ESV)<br />
<br />
The Parable of the Persistent Widow Reaping in joy what you have sown in tears.<br />
<br />
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”<br />
<br />
“Elias [Elijah] was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” (James 5:17-18 KJV)<br />
<br />
This parable, contrary to what it seems to suggest on the surface, is not merely a sales pitch for persistence. The persistence in this story is more like a contention than a recommendation to persist. But, it is not just a contention either, because the widow is not shown as being all “bent out of shape”! She is tenaciously determined! What made her this way? That seems to be the point of this parable.<br />
<br />
She knew that this judge could do what she wanted! He was experienced. He had dealt with this kind of thing before. He had told her! Jesus had said that the judge needed to be heard! (verse 6)<br />
<br />
Jesus often used parables, especially among religious leaders, in order to help them see, when they were really blind. (Matthew 13:13)<br />
<br />
Here Jesus uses a parable to teach God’s power, and the key to it. Elijah, in the Old Testament, although used mightily of God to discipline the nation of Israel concerning their idolatry, did not comprehend how much it would cost him emotionally, until he found himself running in fear from the idolatrous queen, herself!<br />
<br />
“When the illusion of control disappears, we become men and women of prayer.” RT@MattChandler74 (Twitter)<br />
<br />
What is a parable anyway? It is a brief but clear story, occasionally written in poetic form. It illustrates an instructive principle, life lesson, or universal truth, such as those found in scripture. A parable is a type of analogy.<br />
<br />
The word “parable” comes from the Greek παραβολή (parabolē), meaning “comparison, illustration, analogy”, It sketches a setting, describes an action, and shows the results. It often involves a character facing a moral dilemma, or making a questionable decision and then experiencing the consequences.<br />
<br />
It would serve us well to remember that Jesus said in Mark 4:13 that all parables have the concept of “sowing and reaping” hidden in them. We therefore need to look for the truth of “sowing and reaping” in this parable. The widow saw the truth of this resource, experienced its growth in her perception, and comprehended that continued persistence with an unjust and uncaring judge, would pay off in the end. In this way, the widow’s perception of the answer to her need seems to prove light, or discernment.<br />
<br />
Let us consider the words, “a certain city”. It was a specific city. Was this parable meant to be a picture of God’s dealings with Israel’s religious leaders, the cry of those affected by this, and the spiritually “widowed” in the city of Jerusalem, and the answer of the sending of the Lord Jesus Christ to redeem them?<br />
<br />
After the coming of Christ, the objective is much bigger than just the ancient state of Israel, but rather the true Church, the redemption of those He draws to Himself, as demonstrated in the Book of Acts.<br />
<br />
So the parable can demonstrate the inner ache of the spirit, as it longs to see the release of a transformed heart responding to the grand purpose of redemption.<br />
<br />
Therefore, to capture the main lesson of this parable, could not this “certain city” be like any spiritual stronghold that Christians may experience in their souls? Or, to put it another way, the “certain city” could be any significant issue that you have.<br />
<br />
Or, to put it in the words of the scripture passage, as we shall see at the end of the passage, the Judge of the Universe will avenge his elect of their adversary, when faith has immobilized the unjust judge!<br />
<br />
But, this particular judge did not fear God nor did he respect people. He had scrutinized her carefully. He was not going to let go of this lightly. This had made her check her heart out many times. She had tried good attitudes, and good strategies, but none had worked. All that was left was her own inspired view of the answer. This was beginning to serve her well, because Satan, himself, can come as an “angel of light”. God’s light is greater!<br />
<br />
This “heart” discernment is designed to lead to further understanding, and a conviction that there may be resources to meet this need. This may well be an opportunity to experience the power of God, comprehended in the vision of the heart, the very authority needed for God’s answer.<br />
<br />
Was it then faith that drove the woman to camp on the doorstep of this judge? If so, then Faith is much more than a wish, or a positive mental attitude. It is knowledge of an existing truth, having its source as the very heart of God! This kind of faith is conceived in the heart of God, implanted in the heart, and is able to save one’s soul. (James 1:21) As the understanding of the Word of God made personal to us expands, (Psalm 119:96), (Psalm 138:2), it includes amazing wonders. <br />
<br />
Knowing the truth, and seeing God apply it in the midst of adverse surroundings sets us free.<br />
<br />
Is this not a parable in one’s experience of “unanswered prayer”? Is Jesus telling us that often we are driven by the fierce winds of our lusts?<br />
<br />
Why else would he tell us not to be fainthearted in prayer, when futility lingers in mechanical answers to such questions?<br />
<br />
In Luke’s record, just prior to this, Jesus shows how the loss of faith, as explained above, assigns us with loads we cannot possibly carry, which end up drowning “in an ocean” with a stone attached. He then demonstrates how a forgiving spirit is critical to faith, but who can forgive without first being forgiven? Finally, he demonstrates how ingratitude relates to unanswered prayer, indicating that if we were not a benefactor, we could never benefit another.<br />
<br />
Jesus deals with these things, it seems to me, to keep people on praying ground – (1) Don’t lose faith, for without it there are loads we cannot possibly bear, and oceans that we cannot possibly swim; (2) Always remember your first role is as “light” in a dark world, to meet the need of the human heart with the message of the Gospel; (3) Stay on forgiving ground, thus consistently keeping flow of the Holy Spirit working; (4) Keep gratitude. Remember that we gained nothing on our own initiative in our world!<br />
<br />
Some situations we all face are simply “unjust”. Yet, ironically, hidden deep in our experience of God in our lives, is the insight made real by faith. <br />
<br />
Ironically, we are commanded to pursue God’s heart-joy in these kinds of situations. How can joy occur if there has not first been faith? Matthew 15:8; Philippians 1:20-21. In other words, there has to be gain! <br />
<br />
Years ago Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote a book entitled, “When Bad Things happen to Good People”. TV Weather anchor, Chuck Gadicea, in reflecting on the title, at Livonia Prayer Breakfast, 2011, noted that Harold did not say, “Why”, but, “When”! We will all face situations, which are a sort-of parable of life, in and of themselves.<br />
<br />
The Samaritan woman was saying, in so many ways, “Give me the music of an authentic life of praise to God! This Man before me is expressing the truth, and I know it. I am going to check this man out who offers me living water at this well!” Having had to deal repeatedly with bad deals in her own life, five husbands, finally ending up with a live-in boyfriend; lame excuses of the “where and how”, from so-called “religious people”, she tries it once again with Jesus. “You speak of this living water, Jesus, but I want to know where we are supposed to worship.”<br />
<br />
She had seen the “spirit” of things, and the “truth” of things, in her experience of life. Jesus the Messiah, who had the answer to those questions, challenged her futile resources – the well in Samaria, and her five husbands! She was truly a widow in the deepest sense of the word. Finally the "judge" released control, when the greater showed Himself to be there.<br />
<br />
She knew that this was the Spirit of the Messiah, sent to a lost and dying world. Justice was served, as Jesus explained this to her understanding!<br />
<br />
It is no accident that she began spreading the good news of Jesus everywhere!Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-23331999520435327132011-05-27T11:29:00.002-04:002012-04-04T09:34:31.451-04:00PRAYING AS WE OUGHTMary, Martha and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. Jesus was right, when he said he had no place to lay his head. God gave him the experience of a sense of “home” in their hearts as he stayed with them. They were just ordinary people, given extraordinary hearts by God the Father, in their care for Jesus.<br />
<br />
They may have received some of their inspiration in practicing hospitality from the woman in ancient Israel, who, along with her husband, provided a special room for Elisha and his servant to stay. (2 Kings 4).<br />
<br />
If that were the case, it does seem to me that they could have learned something from her attitude when the son God gave her, died, and God used the prophet to bring him back to life, proving that we are all spirits that happen to have bodies, and that is what matters in the end.<br />
<br />
This experience wasn’t only for Jesus. God never wastes anything. His first object was to demonstrate His wonderful heart to his own Son, and then to Mary, Martha and Lazarus. <br />
<br />
It should not surprise us that Mary, Martha and Lazarus, in addition to the Lord Jesus, (Hebrews 5:8), had personal needs that God was working on. The ministry of Jesus in their home would draw their hearts towards Him.<br />
<br />
Mary wanted to learn how Jesus thought and felt, why he did the things he did, how He “ticked”. She wanted to hear his words and his teaching. So, Mary came across to others as being lazy as she sat there at Jesus feet. <br />
<br />
Martha, however, seemed to want to gain personal credibility with their Guest, for her own diligence, so frantically did all she could. As she did, she complained about her sister, Mary, to Jesus, while she sat there at His feet. Definitely a diligent person, with everything organized, Martha tended to come across as very domineering. <br />
<br />
Not much is said about Lazarus. We do get the sense that Jesus was especially drawn to him. Perhaps it was because Lazarus had a special need to understand his special calling to go through sickness and death, in order to demonstrate the resurrection experience, demonstrating both Jesus' love for him and the glory of God.<br />
<br />
Did God also allow this pain to show Jesus his own Father’s love for what he was about to go through very soon? Jesus was God, but also perfectly human. He still had to suffer in order to understand the world he lived in, his co-workers and family. He had to learn obedience through the suffering he experienced. (Hebrews 5:8 as mentioned above)<br />
<br />
Thus, God, knowing all of their needs, was intricately involved in all of their lives. In the midst of ministering to this family, His love would draw them all into comprehending the ultimate meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus.<br />
<br />
Martha, however, doesn’t seem to make any connection between the loving support of Jesus for Mary’s time at His feet, and the sickness of her brother, Lazarus. She sends a message, “Tell Jesus, that the one he loves is sick.” (John 11:5)<br />
<br />
We may see what is going on, but does Martha, or Mary? What if your friend sent a message to you about their sibling with a message like that? “Go tell my friend that the one he loves is sick!” Where is the “heart” in that? Is it really possible that she doesn’t really like her brother that much?<br />
<br />
But Martha and Mary themselves may be shocked at this suggestion. Of course there is the human side! They may have been simply appealing to Jesus to acknowledge that Lazarus was also his friend. "Jesus, remember that he is your friend, too. Why didn't you come to heal him? In this way they may have been trying to persuade him to restore him to life on that basis, like the disciples said to Jesus during a storm, "Jesus, don't you care if we all die?"<br />
<br />
Jesus did care - because our passage declares that he wept. But, my heart would not allow me to skip over a possible cynicism that may have been lurking here. The human heart is totally sinful without the saving work of Calvary. That was what God the Father was preparing them all for. Have we ever prayed the way Martha and Mary did? Have we prayed that way for a family member? Someone even in the church?<br />
<br />
“Dear God, the one that 'you' love, really could use a little of your help today!”<br />
<br />
Does that really acknowledge who God is in the plan of Salvation?<br />
<br />
This whole experience can teach us something about prayer. I realize that Jesus was not yet glorified, and sitting at the right hand of God, so it is not a perfect example. However, to those who God has revealed Himself to, we can see that this was God the Father's plan, and the Son's objective.<br />
<br />
Why did Martha say it that way? Did she really love her brother? Did she really see what was happening? Did she need all of this interest and forgiving love from Jesus so that she would learn love for her brother? Considering her announcement of Lazarus’ sickness to Jesus – was that really as nice as it could have been?<br />
<br />
After what seemed to be a lengthy delay, Jesus arrived, and Martha didn’t waste any time telling him what she thought, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.”<br />
<br />
Jesus explains what is about to happen, but does she really get it? “Your brother will rise again!” “I know . . . at the last resurrection”, she replied.<br />
<br />
Apparently she really had started thinking things through in her relationship with her siblings, because she goes to call Mary. That I find amazing, as she seems to put words in her sister’s mouth, “He is calling you.” She seems to be actually treating her sister differently than when Jesus had been in town before. Could this actually be the genesis of faith with her? Could this be her first real comprehension of God's nature demonstrated in Jesus?<br />
<br />
When Jesus is around, and he demonstrates something bigger, everyone seems to get nervous. This was true in his earthly life, and his life through the Spirit. Why is that? Is it the power of the influence of the Heavenly Father, emanating through Jesus?<br />
<br />
Oh, not in the ordinary sense of the word – but sort-of like the disciples were when Jesus had overheard their discussions on who would be the greatest in the coming kingdom. “What were you talking about by the way?”<br />
<br />
Surely Martha’s family had heard Jesus preach as well – which means that it is quite possible they had heard his advice on more than one occasion, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)<br />
<br />
In other words, this family had been drawn to Jesus, and desired to be good to him. However, God the Father, working through Jesus the Son was doing much more for them than they ever dreamed. Would they understand? Would they change? It seems to me that they were already changing, perhaps more than they recognized.<br />
<br />
He had sown enough love into their hearts, that they immediately turned to him when they got in trouble! They admitted that he was desperately needed!<br />
<br />
But were they really convinced? Are we? We are really good at hiding, aren’t we, when we feel threatened.<br />
<br />
Slothfulness, (the old word), or spiritual laziness, under God’s scrutinizing and discerning eye, cannot follow through with original plans in the presence of a deeply discerning Jesus. (Proverbs 12:27)<br />
<br />
They had an opportunity right in front of them, to begin to reap a little of that which the Lord considers to be precious, the true “substance” of a diligent person. Would they accept the challenge? (Proverbs 12:27)<br />
<br />
This “substance”, “bottom line”, “core” issue of life is pictured in Hebrews 11:1, where it speaks of the actions of faith. Our spirits, or lives, tend to have no spiritual substance when they are not related to God’s love demonstrated in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Christian faith. We mistakenly regard things that typically separate us from God, as true “substance”, when it really is “iniquity”! (Psalms 66:18) "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:"<br />
<br />
Have you ever expressed the reality of Jesus by imagining that he was sitting across from you, and talking to you? I learned to do this after the Holy Spirit had reminded me of a child-hood lie to my mother, when she was already gone. Someone had suggested that I sit down on my bed, and put a chair close by. There, in a prayerful atmosphere, I could invite Jesus to be present as I talked to my mother, baring my heart to her, and asking Jesus to make it all into a prayer, since ultimately sin is always against God in the end. (Psalm 51:4)<br />
<br />
My heart is still stirred when I see how bored and distracted Martha seemed to be when she first sent this critical message to Jesus – that is, to Someone whom she knew had first hand knowledge of working with the Divine, and it was concerning her only brother!<br />
<br />
Viewed this way it seems sort-of pathetic doesn’t it? Let us put it in a practical way, “Go tell the doctor that my brother, the one who he thinks is so special, is sick!” What is wrong with this picture?<br />
<br />
We know that Jesus dearly loved the three of them. It seems to me, however, that Jesus answers Martha’s request in much the same way as she had originally conveyed the information of his sickness to him. Is this also a part of the reason why he stayed two more days in the place He was? Martha had to acknowledge who she was, in order to express her need.<br />
<br />
When Martha met him, she said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Yet even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.” Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha still didn’t get it, however, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”<br />
<br />
“This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, prayer can be this way. But, it doesn’t need to be. If we are loved that much, why do we act like this?<br />
<br />
But Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”<br />
<br />
Having said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”<br />
<br />
Why did she do that? Perhaps in the back of her mind she thought that her sister would know what was going on, while she didn’t. Or, was she just beginning to see for the first time what was actually happening, and wanted to hide?<br />
<br />
When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw Him, she too fell at His feet and told Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died!” She had spent time at Jesus’ feet prior to this, but was also struggling in attempting to understand the dynamic of what was going on.<br />
<br />
Jesus groaned at all this, upset at everyone's unbelief. Is it really possible that they still don’t get it? Unbelief pervaded the whole atmosphere. The Jews that were there, and even his own disciples there with him did not believe. He was upset, but without sin.<br />
<br />
When Jesus heads towards the tomb, having asked where they laid him, Martha gives personality to the corpse in the tomb, “Lord, he already stinks. It’s been four days.” Perhaps something inside of Jesus says, “That’s not Lazarus, the spirit of life is gone!”<br />
<br />
He weeps because he loved him – he had lost a friend; He weeps because he is upset that it has taken so long to convince people of the reality of the world of faith; He weeps because he has to bring Lazarus back into this world of pain! He weeps because he would never put someone else through that kind of pain, without the ultimate reason of showing the path of true life. Jesus cares when our heart is pained too deeply for mirth or song! (Psalm 116:15)<br />
<br />
Jesus now takes up the original sentiment of the message he had originally received, giving the message back essentially as it had originally come to him, “Father, I thank You that You heard Me. I know that You always hear Me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so they may believe You sent Me.”<br />
<br />
Even Jesus’ closest friends had not comprehended who He was!<br />
<br />
After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth.<br />
<br />
As a part of the training in matters of faith, Jesus leaves the obvious task of facing their prior unbelief to them, “Loose him and let him go.”<br />
<br />
Somehow I think that they all needed to see the spirit of Lazarus as a gift that the living God had given specifically to them, not someone that only Jesus could love for their sakes!<br />
<br />
By God honoring their faith in His love for Lazarus, they had no choice now but to obey him, as regards Lazarus, by the process of unwrapping his grave clothes both practically and spiritually. <br />
<br />
Here Jesus demonstrates love from a totally different viewpoint. It is the love that Adam missed in his relationship with Eve. He took the forbidden fruit from her, that represented the lie of Satan, rather than share the love he had for his relationship with God, by sharing a deeper explanation of that experience. "Eve, God gave you to me, and wants to bless us more than we both dream possible. If he said we shouldn't touch the fruit, it means that there is something infinitely greater out there that we are not recognizing!"<br />
<br />
Again, can we learn something about prayer here? The next time we are faced with an experience in life similar to this, could we pray, “Lord, you care about my brother, because you care about me, and those around me. Please heal my brother for your sake, those around me, and me!” (From John 11)<br />
<br />
The apostle Paul goes even a step further - He ties all of this in to the future as well!<br />
<br />
“We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:23-28) <br />
<br />
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-11712899569193126332010-10-04T12:11:00.000-04:002010-10-04T12:11:16.175-04:00Hi! You chose a beautiful day to walk!The comment came from a man delivering a notice of service suspension. The one walking had stopped him briefly to ask if he knew a friend from the same place of employment. The one walking had been listening to an mp3 player on a beautiful fall day. Motioning towards his headset, he asked, “What are you listening to?”<br />
<br />
“I’m listening to the Book of Revelation”, he replied. Then, without giving him a chance to explain why he had asked, he continued, “I am listening to it, hoping the Lord will help me understand it better so that I can communicate the heart of its message better in a Bible Study group tonight.”<br />
<br />
(He was also thinking to himself, “I am also here because someone didn’t call back to explain why they didn’t call back after a reminder of an appointment, only to find out that their young family had experienced the loss of a pet in the middle of the night. A part of the time spent in the middle of the night, was to explain how the pet would not come back.)<br />
<br />
The man making the delivery said, “It sure looks like that Revelation is being fulfilled right in front of our eyes these days, doesn’t it! We are in troubled times. This reminds me that I also have unfinished business with God.” Then, thoughtfully, he said, “By the way, while you are walking, will you please pray for me?”<br />
<br />
“I certainly will! In fact, I can do it for you right now!”<br />
<br />
“Oh no! No! No!”, he stammered loudly, “Um, Um, I really need to be going now. I am supposed to be working. I really have my own private way of praying anyway!”<br />
<br />
As he started the truck, he said, “But, I still do want you to pray for me as you walk. Will you?”<br />
<br />
“I’ll be glad to! Have a great day!”<br />
<br />
The conversation was over almost as quickly as it had begun, and the man went on his way.<br />
<br />
As the walker resumed his exercise, he began to pray for the gentleman, and began to marvel at how the whole incident had occurred. <br />
<br />
1. Curiosity had led to the incident. One was trying to understand the deeper message of Revelation, after an appointment had fallen through. The other desired to be kind to someone being given a warning, while also trying to find peace with his Maker. He was surprised at what the one walking was doing at the same time.<br />
2. It was obvious that both were seeking the Lord. The Bible record has many stories of those who sought truth in God, and how they had met those who sought God’s word in order to have a heart for truth.<br />
3. Both were at wits-end corner. <br />
4. Both were attempting to understand the other person’s point of view.<br />
5. Both were attempting to keep a “heart” secret. The man in the truck wanted answers to his prayers, but was afraid that he wouldn’t be accepted. The man walking was seeking God’s heart, not wanting to hinder someone’s search for truth. (Luke 18:10)<br />
6. Both were attempting to live obediently, under authority. In this process, we learn to discern the difference between position and character. As they met, they both discovered.<br />
7. The man walking remembered Matthew 8, where a centurion told Jesus about his compassion toward his suffering servant, asking Jesus to heal him. When Jesus offered to go to his house, he said he wasn’t worthy. Instead he told him that a simple word would bring the healing needed. Rather than condemn the man for not trusting Him, Jesus commended his faith, and spoke the word, and the servant was healed.<br />
<br />
Which one do you identify with? One speaks of despairing hope, and the other of hopeless despair. Could it be that the Lord Jesus Himself, by the power of the Holy spirit arranged the entire incident?Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-66104600539229095822010-09-30T11:26:00.001-04:002014-09-01T20:22:34.468-04:00<a href="http://www.youversion.com/free-bible/wilson-ministries">http://www.youversion.com/free-bible/wilson-ministries</a>Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981644565618032166.post-148038830121690152010-09-20T17:39:00.000-04:002018-10-20T21:56:57.861-04:00Do you Want to be Well?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">As we entered the area in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jerusalem</place></city> close to the Sheep Gate, our tour guide said, this is what is called, “The Pool of Bethesda”, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Greek from Aramaic Beth hesda, meaning, "house of grace").</i> This was a spring-fed pool with five porches where invalids waited their turn to step in the water that was supposed to have had healing virtue when angels troubled the waters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I was surprised, thinking, “This is nothing like I had imagined it to be!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I mused, “I guess there are blind spots in more places than just driving in automobiles!” I just wasn’t making the connection between the old and the modern! The original design of the human mind is good, but not always accurate in terms of a change in culture! This is especially true if the Lord Jesus, Himself, has a special ministry for a man at that pool!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">As I tried to imagine what it must have been like for this man who had been there for 38 years, (John 5), my mind went back to the hundreds of times I had played the piano, sung, and ministered in convalescent homes over the years. Gathered together in more modern facilities, the story was the same. Pitifully they would explain to me that they would soon be out, once their family had a place for them to stay; or once the medication they were taking would take effect, or the right doctor would come to see them. It seemed to me that in a sense they were all “waiting for the moving of the water”, the “angel that would go down and stir up the water for their cure, and someone to help them get there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">In this pitiful scene, Jesus comes by and asks him if he wants to get well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">My mind dutifully fills in the rest of the picture again, this time a little more accurate, as I imagine his reply, “Did you ask me if I wanted to get well? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why do you think I am waiting here?</i> The water has amazing healing properties when the angel stirs up the water. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I just can’t get people to help me get down there in time!”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Jesus statement now begins to really haunt him, “Do you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i> to get well?” Several thoughts loom up and clamor for attention, “No one helps me when the water is troubled.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Much like the sensation of someone telling us that a taxi has arrived, the voice of Jesus rings clear, but full of acceptance, “Get up, pick up your bedroll and walk!” Amazingly he thinks, “Why, yes, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really do want</i> to get well!” He picks up his bedroll and suddenly discovers that he can walk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">In the midst of all this, we need to remember that things are not that different today. What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“is”</i> different is the presence of the Lord Jesus as he stops by the pool and asks the man if wants to be well!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">It is all too easy to say, “But Jesus cares about sick folk, he is always around places like this. He cares, and we need to care.” That is true, but why would Jesus do it with this man, and not in other cases?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I think there are some folks that are willing to suffer for grander causes, such as seeing their family develop Christian character by modeling what they gave their lives for in the first place. Sure it’s painful, but if it helps to inspire their children and grand children to keep thinking of the legacy they are leaving, they may say, “I’ll suffer and pray, as an illustration of what Jesus did for me on the cross, in implicit trust in the Father.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Other folks really do want victory over themselves, and their tendency to displease the Lord, in spite of their pain. They want to joyfully accept their circumstances, and be ready for that celestial city.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">We need to remember that the curse of death that all are under is permanent. The answer to it is really eternal life, and the ability to address our earthly sojourn in life with that hope.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">As I looked at the massive pillars, and the ruins of what had been a beautiful health spa, I thought, “What had been a beautiful, but temporary resting place, had suddenly become a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">parking lot!”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Once again I hear the clarion call of Jesus’ words, “Do you want to be well?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">As the man leaves the area, he encounters some professionals who challenge his healing, “It is illegal for you to pick up your bed-roll!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">“What? Illegal to be made well?” You almost hear him mutter under his breath, “I am sick of things that do nothing to make a person any better!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Jesus later meets the man and tells him not to sin any more, lest something worse happen to him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">The man had no authority problems – people who were “control freaks”, so to speak, who had authority problems themselves, had failed to acknowledge their own weaknesses in not telling the sick to call upon God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">It seemed that the reason the man got well, was because he had a God-ordained mission that was to demonstrate that God was bigger than any program.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Accountability and programs are helpful, but always have limitations. They are not the ultimate cure, only places to serve one another in love. Christ is still the Author of all life!</span></div>
Paul D Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198996795487578381noreply@blogger.com0