A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.
But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'
It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Abide
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).
As recorded in John 14-16, many of Christ's last words to His disciples as He was about to leave them regarded abiding. The word meno occurs 18 times in this discourse and is translated not only "abide," but also "remain," "dwell," "continue," and "be present." Let us look at what He told them about abiding while He was "yet present" (14:25) with them.
First: "the Father . . . dwelleth in me" (14:10), "I am in the Father, and the Father in me" (v.11). That is, they are one and the same, inseparably abiding together, giving great power to those believing on Him (v.12).
Furthermore, the very Spirit of God, the "Comforter," will "abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive . . . but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (vv.16-17). "I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you" (v.20).
Abiding in Him, as we see in our text and in verse 7 (as opposed to the tragic end of those who "abide not" |v.6|), brings forth much fruit, and that fruit shall "remain" (v.16).
There is one requirement -- that we keep His commandments (14:23 and 15:10), and if we do so, we will "continue" and "abide" in His love (vv.9-10). "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (v.11).
Not only are we to abide while in this world, but throughout eternity. "In my Father's house are many mansions |same root word, meaning abiding places|: . . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (14:2-3). JDM
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Practicing for Divorce
In popular media and culture, dating is represented as a game that starts in the teenage years and continues throughout your unmarried (and sometimes even married) life. The world makes it seem that if you are not dating, then there is something wrong with you.
In essence, revolving door dating is practicing for divorce.
Think about it. You begin building one relationship until it looses its luster, then there's a breakup and a jump right into another relationship.
The question is, are you dating in order to get to know someone better and give into their life, or are you dating because of how it makes you feel?
Some folks like the thrill of getting to know someone new and getting to talk endlessly about themselves to someone else. They bounce from relationship to relationship leaving a piece of themselves behind each time.
All too often people enter into relationships because of something they need from another person.
Seek first the Kingdom of God. Build your relationship with God before anything else.
Entering into a relationship based on need is a recipe for disaster.
If one or both are taking from the relationship, they are working to tear it down.
A relationship can only work if both participants are giving into the relationship.
Of course, if all you have to give is yourself, you will eventually give yourself out...
Turn to God as the supplier of your needs. God gives us more than we need and fills our cup to overflowing. Out of the overflow, we give to others.
When both folks are giving into the relationship, then it builds the relationship.
Before you enter into a relationship and marriage, be sure the other person understands this concept.
Once in a covenant relationship, then it is very difficult if both participants are not giving into it. It will take a lot of prayer, perseverance and counseling to keep going.
Note: The above is targeted primarily for those who are not married. Married folk can see this article: Love is a Choice
In essence, revolving door dating is practicing for divorce.
Think about it. You begin building one relationship until it looses its luster, then there's a breakup and a jump right into another relationship.
The question is, are you dating in order to get to know someone better and give into their life, or are you dating because of how it makes you feel?
Some folks like the thrill of getting to know someone new and getting to talk endlessly about themselves to someone else. They bounce from relationship to relationship leaving a piece of themselves behind each time.
All too often people enter into relationships because of something they need from another person.
Seek first the Kingdom of God. Build your relationship with God before anything else.
Entering into a relationship based on need is a recipe for disaster.
If one or both are taking from the relationship, they are working to tear it down.
A relationship can only work if both participants are giving into the relationship.
Of course, if all you have to give is yourself, you will eventually give yourself out...
Turn to God as the supplier of your needs. God gives us more than we need and fills our cup to overflowing. Out of the overflow, we give to others.
When both folks are giving into the relationship, then it builds the relationship.
Before you enter into a relationship and marriage, be sure the other person understands this concept.
Once in a covenant relationship, then it is very difficult if both participants are not giving into it. It will take a lot of prayer, perseverance and counseling to keep going.
Note: The above is targeted primarily for those who are not married. Married folk can see this article: Love is a Choice
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Loving Yourself
One of the dogmas of psychology is to "love yourself first", that before you can take care of others you must first take care of yourself. That we need lots of personal time and should take ourselves shopping and make sure we take time to do things for ourself.
I have even read where some say that Jesus even promoted the concept that the "love of self" should be the basis for loving others.
This is something that sounds good and sells well. It is a way that seems "right" and tickles our ears because it is something we want to hear. It is something that gives us permission to treat ourselves. Besides, how can we take care of others if we don't take care of ourself first.
Interestingly enough, I can find this nowhere in the bible.
Matter of fact, if I leave behind all of the pop psychology and pop christianity and just look to God's Word, I find just the opposite.
In fact, we are to deny ourselves. I find that we are to seek first God's kingdom. The first commandment is to love God with all our heart and strength. Second is to love others.
What we need is to focus first on God and executing the responsibilities of a good steward of what God has given to us, and then we can trust that God will take care of our needs.
The most important thing is to know that God loves us, and that He fills us with His love to overflowing. That He gives us more than we need, and out of the excess we in turn bless others.
When we get "exhausted", it is not because we haven't allocated enough "personal time", it is because we have not been looking to God to fill us to overflowing with life and life more abundantly. It is because we have been walking in the flesh, trying to do things in our own strength. It is because we have not been walking in the spirit and depending on God's strength. It is because we have pursued happiness in the accumulation of things instead of seeking the Joy of the Lord that is to be our strength.
When we get all wrapped up in ourselves, we make for a pretty small package.
I have even read where some say that Jesus even promoted the concept that the "love of self" should be the basis for loving others.
This is something that sounds good and sells well. It is a way that seems "right" and tickles our ears because it is something we want to hear. It is something that gives us permission to treat ourselves. Besides, how can we take care of others if we don't take care of ourself first.
Interestingly enough, I can find this nowhere in the bible.
Matter of fact, if I leave behind all of the pop psychology and pop christianity and just look to God's Word, I find just the opposite.
In fact, we are to deny ourselves. I find that we are to seek first God's kingdom. The first commandment is to love God with all our heart and strength. Second is to love others.
What we need is to focus first on God and executing the responsibilities of a good steward of what God has given to us, and then we can trust that God will take care of our needs.
The most important thing is to know that God loves us, and that He fills us with His love to overflowing. That He gives us more than we need, and out of the excess we in turn bless others.
When we get "exhausted", it is not because we haven't allocated enough "personal time", it is because we have not been looking to God to fill us to overflowing with life and life more abundantly. It is because we have been walking in the flesh, trying to do things in our own strength. It is because we have not been walking in the spirit and depending on God's strength. It is because we have pursued happiness in the accumulation of things instead of seeking the Joy of the Lord that is to be our strength.
When we get all wrapped up in ourselves, we make for a pretty small package.
Monday, January 29, 2007
New Revealations
A question came up concerning "if the gifts of the Holy Spirit (including prophecy) were still available, then why shouldn't we seek out 'new' revelations about and from God?"
This has often been used as an argument by those who want to say that healing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are all passed away and not available to the church today. They say that once the Bible was completed, then we didn't need gifts like prophecy, etc.
The thing is, it says nowhere in the Bible anything about the gifts stopping or any criteria for them being superseded any time before Jesus returns.
However, it does say in Revelation something about the completeness of scripture:
Rev 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
This makes the Bible the basis for testing all doctrine. We should carefully examine all of our doctrines, traditions, beliefs, and interpretations to make sure they square with the full counsel of God's Word.
The Holy Spirit is here to lead us into all truth. However, God does not contradict Himself. The Holy Spirit will not give someone a revelation, prophecy, or instruction that goes counter to scripture or preaches "another gospel".
The manifestations and gifts of the Holy Spirit have not faded away or stopped with the death of the last Apostle. They are still available to all who take God at His Word and believe.
Prophecy is basically just a message from God. The role of prophecy today is not to reveal "new truths". But prophecy can help us to see things in God's Word that we might have missed or misunderstood before. We just must be sure to study and show ourselves approved before accepting any "new" doctrines.
Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone") is the assertion that the Bible as God's written word is self-authenticating, clear (perspicuous) to the rational reader, its own interpreter ("Scripture interprets Scripture"), and sufficient of itself to be the only source of Christian doctrine.
Scripture has one interpretation, but can have many applications.
This has often been used as an argument by those who want to say that healing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are all passed away and not available to the church today. They say that once the Bible was completed, then we didn't need gifts like prophecy, etc.
The thing is, it says nowhere in the Bible anything about the gifts stopping or any criteria for them being superseded any time before Jesus returns.
However, it does say in Revelation something about the completeness of scripture:
Rev 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
This makes the Bible the basis for testing all doctrine. We should carefully examine all of our doctrines, traditions, beliefs, and interpretations to make sure they square with the full counsel of God's Word.
The Holy Spirit is here to lead us into all truth. However, God does not contradict Himself. The Holy Spirit will not give someone a revelation, prophecy, or instruction that goes counter to scripture or preaches "another gospel".
The manifestations and gifts of the Holy Spirit have not faded away or stopped with the death of the last Apostle. They are still available to all who take God at His Word and believe.
Prophecy is basically just a message from God. The role of prophecy today is not to reveal "new truths". But prophecy can help us to see things in God's Word that we might have missed or misunderstood before. We just must be sure to study and show ourselves approved before accepting any "new" doctrines.
Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone") is the assertion that the Bible as God's written word is self-authenticating, clear (perspicuous) to the rational reader, its own interpreter ("Scripture interprets Scripture"), and sufficient of itself to be the only source of Christian doctrine.
Scripture has one interpretation, but can have many applications.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Reminders
Psalm 101:3a: "I will place no wicked thing before mine eyes."
Job 31:1: I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?"
I Thessalonians 5:21,22: "Test all things. Hold fast what is good. Abstain from all forms of evil."
I Peter 5:8,9: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
Hebrews 12:14: "Pursue holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."
Job 31:1: I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?"
I Thessalonians 5:21,22: "Test all things. Hold fast what is good. Abstain from all forms of evil."
I Peter 5:8,9: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
Hebrews 12:14: "Pursue holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."
Monday, January 08, 2007
Blessed to be a Blessing
This nation has been blessed in order that it may be a blessing.
We have have been blessed with such freedom and the ability to participate in our government. In reviewing the history of societies, nations, kingdoms, and empires, this form of government is extremely rare -- and the instances where it has existed in the past, it was relatively short lived.
Even most so-called democracies in today's world are really more socialistic than democratic.
We have have been blessed with such freedom and the ability to participate in our government. In reviewing the history of societies, nations, kingdoms, and empires, this form of government is extremely rare -- and the instances where it has existed in the past, it was relatively short lived.
Even most so-called democracies in today's world are really more socialistic than democratic.
On Christian Political Involvement
There has been a lot of buzz lately about whether or not Christians are too involved in politics -- and even whether or not Christians should be involved in politics at all.
A rather convenient coincidence that it became a widespread discussion during the year leading up to the 2006 mid-term elections. Looking back, it is apparent that a coordinated campaign was launched with the goal to disenfranchise the Christian conservative vote in order to win more liberal seats in congress.
The response is that Christians are no where near involved enough in the legislative process of this country.
The balance to that is, for all the time we spend on political involvement, we should have already spent more than double that building up our faith, sharing the Gospel, and demonstrating love for one another.
I'm not talking about legislating morality or creating laws to force everyone to believe the same as we do. Many activities we should be involved include:
1) Ensure that our freedoms are not eroded away
2) Hold government and criminals accountable for behavior
3) Debate of moral issues to raise awareness
4) Defend those abused by power
The real purpose of our engagement with society is to wake people up to their sin by being salt and light, and then sharing the gospel of Jesus with them.
A rather convenient coincidence that it became a widespread discussion during the year leading up to the 2006 mid-term elections. Looking back, it is apparent that a coordinated campaign was launched with the goal to disenfranchise the Christian conservative vote in order to win more liberal seats in congress.
The response is that Christians are no where near involved enough in the legislative process of this country.
The balance to that is, for all the time we spend on political involvement, we should have already spent more than double that building up our faith, sharing the Gospel, and demonstrating love for one another.
I'm not talking about legislating morality or creating laws to force everyone to believe the same as we do. Many activities we should be involved include:
1) Ensure that our freedoms are not eroded away
2) Hold government and criminals accountable for behavior
3) Debate of moral issues to raise awareness
4) Defend those abused by power
The real purpose of our engagement with society is to wake people up to their sin by being salt and light, and then sharing the gospel of Jesus with them.
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