|
|
“I demand justice. I expect justice to be done!” “Dude, get real, you’re guilty.” “Oh, yeah – Lord, please give me mercy.” What is God’s true priority, revenge or reconciliation? I bet you can guess.
Pastor Brian Zahnd, of Word of Life Church, has a great message on forgiveness and justice – The Call To Radical Forgiveness – Part 2: Forgiveness and Justice.
His message speaks much to this issue of justice, and how it relates to forgiveness and grace. True justice is a far more elusive concept than you would think. Is God’s grace unjust? No, Jesus paid the price for every injustice known to man (and God). What is unjust is demanding a limited selective justice. It is either all or nothing, and it is all to be obtained by faith, which works by love.
Through Jesus Christ, the doorway to true reconciliation remains eternally open. Open it for others and it will stay open for you. See also, Mercy – Bending the Rules of God
 We are all front men for the real power players who remain hidden behind the scenes. Watch politics and this becomes painfully obvious. Someone speaks publicly, but they’re speaking for someone else, the one with real power. Depending on who it is, that power is either for good or for evil.
Either we exhibit the Glory and Goodness of the God of Heaven, or we exhibit the selfish greed and evil of the god of this world. There is nothing in between. In the past, it only seemed like there was a middle ground. People appeared to be less extreme, but that was only an appearance. The new polemic is more honest. As Jesus said, “You are either with me or you are against me.” The entire world is aligning on one side or the other. The curtains are being pulled back and we are seeing more and more each day. Before this age is over, we may even get a glimpse of the real players.
God has the power to save and set free. The devil has the power to deceive and control. Faith accesses God’s power and breeds freedom. It trusts God to accomplish things in His way and on His timetable. Evil is manipulative. It forces its way in through intimidation, violence, and deceit.
The Bible says that ‘whatever is in your heart will come out.’ The only way to keep from being deceived is to honestly, earnestly, and continuously read and mediation on the word of God. It is the only Way, and it is our only Hope, but it is a sure Hope.
I am beginning a study on the heart of man. What a fascinating topic! It involves the scriptural understanding of how the spirit, soul, flesh, will, mind, emotions, inner man, etc., all work together.
The Bible says that faith is of the heart (Mark 11:23), but what does that really mean? How can someone without God in their heart be able to believe, i.e., the Centurion (Matt 8:8, 9, 10 and Luke 7:6, 7, 8, 9)? This has always puzzled me, and even goes against some of my current understandings of faith. This just goes to show us that Nobody Has This All Figured Out yet.
In the meantime, read this wonderful article – The Heart – by Pastor Bob Yandian, of Grace Church in Tulsa Oklahoma. Like Pastor Yandian, I was not comfortable with the prevalent view that the spirit (of man) and the heart (of man) represent the same thing. Looking at all the scriptural references to ‘heart,’ you can plainly see that this cannot be the case. Reading his article is what prompted me to start the study.
If you have any thoughts or comments, please send them.
Beggars, Outcasts, and Homeless, such were the forgotten uneducated children in China when the Spirit of God fell upon their humble orphanage, the Adullam Home. The boys spent days in powerful meetings, praying and praising God. Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, they prophesied, saw visions, and discovered how angels operate and protect us, the fate of unbelievers, our future heavenly occupations, the Throne of God, true worship, what happens when we die, and the evil works of demons.
“And your sons shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions.” Acts 2:17
They related their experiences to missionary H. A. Baker and his wife Josephine, who oversaw the orphanage where the children lived. The visions changed the children’s lives and behaviors. Young children (new believers) who were untrained and ignorant of spiritual truths, spoke in the first person of Jesus with such boldness and eloquence, and as powerful as any Old Testament prophet, demonstrating the power of God on those who are surrendered to Him.
H.A. Baker, (1881–1971), was an American author and Pentecostal missionary to Tibet from 1911 to 1919, to China from 1919 to 1950, when he was forced to leave the mainland, and then lived in Taiwan from 1955 until his death in 1971.
Visions Beyond the Veil – Full Book
Heaven and the Angels – Full Book
Visions of Other Parts of the Heavenly City – Full Book
These books are non-copyrighted; they can be distributed freely for non-commercial purposes.
Faithless action is acting on your own outside of God’s direction, grace, and ability. Paul says that, “it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works (self-works).” (Romans 11:6) This type of ‘works’ is called ‘self-works’ because it is the ‘self’ doing the actions, and trusting in those actions. These actions, without God’s initial sanction and continued involvement, are worthless, manipulative, and disobedient.
Action-less faith is having a God sanctioned ability in your heart, and yet not contributing the necessary actions to fully activate it. James says that, “faith without works (corresponding actions) is dead.” (James 2:20) This type of ‘works’ is called ‘corresponding actions’ because the actions are in agreement with faith and actually spring from it. Faithless action is personal action without faith, and action-less faith is faith without personal action.
Actions without faith are sin and faith without actions is dead.
 First, Inception was a great movie; go see it! The Matrix had promise but soon ran out of gas. My fear with Inception is that they will do a sequel and ruin it also. You can only go so far with these concepts without bringing God into the mix.
Imagine you had a kingdom all to yourself, where no one else could intrude. A private place where you could be alone and do whatever you wanted, a place where you could do and have and be whatever you imagined. How would you act? Would you be holy, or would you let the imagination of your lusts be your co-ruler?
Actually, you have this kingdom already. It is in your imagination; in your internal thought life. In this realm, you are the ultimate ruler. This is your personal kingdom, your world. You alone choose what happens in this kingdom. You are the master of all you survey. Is God in there with you? Someday, when you stand before Him, the thoughts of your heart will be exposed.
Rule the internal kingdom of your heart responsibly now so that you will be judged faithful later. Jesus said, “Don’t look here and there and all around, the Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21 NIV – my paraphrase) Act like that is true. Jesus is in there with you. He is walking around in your kingdom, watching, judging, and waiting.
 It has been over 2,000 years since our Lord laid down His life for us and was raised again for our justification. Ever since that time His Church has been waiting for His return (I Thessalonians 4:15, 16, 17). That is when He will gather all true believers together and take them to Heaven for a little party time (Rev. 19:9) while all hell breaks loose on earth. However, in personal terms, the longest any one individual has ever had to wait is not 2,000 years but just one short lifetime. Everyone is only one life span away from meeting the Lord.
In terms of the span of eternity, even the longest living among us are but a mere flash of time away from being with the Lord. In that context, it is true that ‘He is coming soon, very soon.’ Our lives fly by so very fast. Our kids are grown before we know it, and we will stand before Him before we know it.
It may be interesting to note that the church’s perspective concerning the Lord’s return has changed significantly from the time when the New Testament was written. Now, we tend to look at His return as an escape from this world’s evil pressures. When He comes, we will be released from the traumas of this realm, and all the stress that accompanies the end of the age.
The early church was not so focused on the concept of escape but rather on the realization that when we are caught up to be with Him, we will have to stand before Him. This is when we all will give account of all that we did, and did not do, in this life. Each of us will receive an appraisal from God Himself on the performance of our individual walks (II Corinthians 5:10, I Corinthians 3:13, 14, 15). Within the context of Paul’s ‘fear of the Lord,’ (II Corinthians 5:11) this thought should give us pause to reflect on the status of our lives. The thought of the imminent coming of our Lord should bring both wild expectant joy and a somber self-appraisal. The Bible tells us that if one judges himself, he will not be judged (I Corinthians 11:31).
Some may have their lives prematurely cut short, and others may have the blessing of living very long lives, but no matter how long you live, eternity is still right around the corner. And remember, eternity is for eternity. Yogi Berra once said, “It isn’t over till it’s over.” Well, I say, “It’ll be over when it’s over.”
Mankind is at most just one lifetime away from standing in His presence.
by A.W. Tozer
“Men may, and often do, pray without faith (though this is not true prayer), but it is not thinkable that men should have faith and not pray. The biblical formula is The prayer of faith. Prayer and faith are here bound together by the little preposition of, and what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Faith is only genuine as it eventuates into prayer. When Tennyson wrote More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of, he probably uttered a truth of vaster significance than even he understood. While it is not always possible to trace an act of God to its prayer-cause, it is yet safe to say that prayer is back of everything that God does for the sons of men here upon earth. One would gather as much from a simple reading of the Scriptures. What profit is there in prayer? Much every way. Whatever God can do faith can do, and whatever faith can do prayer can do when it is offered in faith. An invitation to prayer is, therefore, an invitation to omnipotence, for prayer engages the Omnipotent God and brings Him into our human affairs. Nothing is impossible to the man who prays in faith, just as nothing is impossible with God. This generation has yet to prove all that prayer can do for believing men and women.”
by George Mueller
The precious Lord Jesus Christ is our friend. Oh, let us seek to realize this! It is not merely a religious phrase or statement, but truly He is our friend. He is the Brother ” born for adversity,” the one who “sticks closer than a brother.” Who will never leave and never forsake us.
How precious even on earth to have a heavenly friend, for this brings the joys of heaven in a little degree into our hearts now. This is just what our heavenly Father desires regarding His children, that they might be as happy as they are capable of being while here in the body. Have we entered into this, that the One who is “altogether lovely” is ready hour by hour, to be our Friend?
When we cannot sleep at night, say to Christ, ” My precious heavenly Friend, wilt Thou give me a little sleep?” When in pain, say, ” My precious heavenly Friend, if it may please Thee, wilt Thou take away this pain? But if not, if Thou sees better that it should continue, sustain, help, and strengthen me, my precious heavenly friend!” When we feel lonely and tired, turn to the precious Lord Jesus; He is willing to be our friend in our loneliness. For sixty-two years and five months I had a beloved wife, and now in my ninety-second year I am left alone. But I turn to my precious Lord Jesus as I walk up and down in my room, and say, ” My precious Lord Jesus, I am alone, and yet not alone, Thou art with me; Thou art my friend; now Lord, comfort me and strengthen me, give to Thy poor servant everything Thou sees he needs.”
Oh, this is a reality, not a fable, that the Lord Jesus Christ is our friend. We should not be satisfied till we are brought to this, that we know the Lord Jesus Christ experientially to be our friend and habitually to be our friend. Just ponder this. Habitually, never leaving, never forsaking us, at all times and under all circumstances ready to prove Himself to be our friend.
He is willing not merely to grant this for a few months, or a year or two, but to the very end of our earthly pilgrimage. David, in Psalm 23 says: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.” Oh, how precious this is. For this “Lovely One” is coming again, and soon. Soon He will come again; and then He will take us home and there we shall be forever with Him. Oh, how precious is that bright and glorious prospect. Here again the practical point is to appropriate this to ourselves. “He is coming to take me-poor, guilty, worthless, hell-deserving me-He is coming to take me to Himself.” And to the degree in which we enter into these glorious things, the joys of heaven have already commenced!
1. Open Bible Before Him, and His Finger Upon That Promise, He would Plead That Promise, and So He Received What He Asked
One of the mightiest men of prayer of the last generation was George Mueller of Bristol, England, who in the last sixty years of his life (he lived to be ninety-two or ninety-three) obtained the English equivalent of $7,200,000.00 by prayer. But George Mueller never prayed for a thing just because he wanted it, or even just because he felt it was greatly needed for God’s work. When it was laid upon George Mueller’s heart to pray for anything, he would search the Scriptures to find if there was some promise that covered the case. Sometimes he would search the scriptures for days before he presented his petition to God. And then when he found the promise, with his open Bible before him, and his finger upon that promise, he would plead that promise, and so he received what he asked. He always prayed with an open Bible before him. – R. A. Torrey on George Mueller; “The Power of Prayer,” 1924 (P. 81)
2. Mueller’s Discovery Was That After Meditating On Scripture He Was More Able to Experience a Meaningful Prayer time
“Reading without meditation is unfruitful; meditation without reading is hurtful; to meditate and to read without prayer upon both is without blessing.” – William Bridge, Puritan Writer
Christian meditation (thinking deeply on Scripture) is “the missing link between Bible intake and prayer.” If there was a “secret” to George Mueller’s prayer life, it was his discovery of the connection between meditation and prayer. Mueller’s discovery was that after meditating on Scripture he was more able to experience a meaningful prayer time. – Donald S. Whitney, “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” (partial quote and partial paraphrase).
|
|
