I am writing this contemplation to encourage myself —since this remains one of my biggest challenges. I am increasingly aware that if I am to experience the righteousness, peace and joy of kingdom living, I can no longer live in either the past or the future. It would startle us to know how much of our time, energy and thought life is spent on regretting the past (what we have done or what someone has done to us) and worrying about the future. Even the scientific world is acknowledging that almost all illnesses (both mental and physical) are stress related. And stress is nothing more than emotional tension caused by concern about the past or future.
“In” the World, But Not “Of” It
Just as we Christians do, the Scriptures refer to the world
rather loosely to mean the universe (God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth
— Acts 17:24 (KJV)), but most often as something we don’t want to be a part of. When speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus said, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world
(John 8:23). And of His disciples He said, They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world
(John 17:16).
Born Again
We first hear the term used by Jesus as He was speaking with Nicodemus:
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
God Is One
All of orthodox Christianity is based on the belief that Jesus was a blood sacrifice offered by God to appease His wrath against our sin and enable Him to forgive and accept us into heaven when we die —if we say the right prayer which proves that we have accepted that sacrifice on our behalf.
Christ Jesus, the Mediator
1Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
What Is Faith?
Judge Not by Appearances
Last night I had the opportunity to prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God
(Romans 12:2). And of course I did that by renewing my mind
to the truth —rather than what appeared
to be the truth (John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.).
But What About …?
Each of us has within ourselves what we call a paradigm —a way of looking at things. When we encounter information that doesn’t fit into our paradigm, we immediately want to discount it and usually become quite defensive. It is distressing to have our paradigm challenged. That is why birds of a feather flock together,
why we tend to stick with those people who think as we do. We all like to remain in our comfort zone.
Listening to the Holy Spirit
When Jesus was teaching, He would often say, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear
(Matthew 11:15).
In the letters to the seven churches recorded in the book of Revelation, the ascended Christ would end each letter with, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
(Chapters 2-3).
Dare We Trust God for Our Physical Well-Being?
Note: This contemplation should be read after reading Belief in Two Powers and Should I See a Physician?
We all know that the Scriptures tell us that we were healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1Peter 2:24) —though the translators substituted the word griefs
for diseases
in Isaiah 53:4: (KJVS) Surely he hath borne our griefs [Strong 2483: malady, anxiety, calamity: —disease, grief, (is) sick(-ness)]. And we are aware of the extraordinary promises concerning our health and well-being contained in Psalm 91, only one of which is no evil shall befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling
(v 10).
Continue reading “Dare We Trust God for Our Physical Well-Being?”