As a result, they have narrowed knowledge to an examination of matter. The physical and the material is the only worthwhile subject of study. But there are limits to physical explanations. Life reduced to the physical leads to fatalism. Because we have no observable evidence of life beyond death (if we arbitrarily exclude the resurrection of Jesus), there is nothing to look forward to in the future but extinction.
Read moreWhile Elijah repeats his assurance that he will not leave Elisha, he also paradoxically asks him, "What can I do for you before I am taken from you?" He knows he is going to die and leave Elisha physically, but he will not leave him spiritually. In fact Elisha asks for a double portion of his spirit - his continuing presence in his life. Here we have an awareness of the communion of saints, the ongoing relationship of time and eternity, earth and heaven, that is present in the Spirit of God.
Read moreThe metaphor Paul uses is very graphic. The church is the Body, animated by the Spirit, under the headship of Christ. It is the Body of Christ in the world. The work of Christ in the world is done by the body, by all Christians working together in one organic unity. The body is made up of many parts: just as we have different bodily parts so we have different parts of the church body. Each is connected to the other, and all need one another.
Read moreScripture is pretty clear about the tithe being 10%. Naturally, that is where our sophistry begins. We recall that back in Moses' day there was no government, no taxes, no welfare to fund. So, 10% before or after taxes? Of course, if all churchgoers actually gave 10% to churches, then local church communities could actually fund many government services, including welfare for the needy.
Read moreBasically, the idea that God does hide himself speaks of the freedom of God. He is free to make himself fully present if his people truly seek him: "Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found." Yet he retains the freedom to hide himself, if it means he would have to come to his people in vengeance and with judgement.
Read morePerhaps we need to see here the discipline of God's providence. I refer to God's lesson of detachment. One of the great feasts of the Jews was the Feast of Tabernacles. It marked the completion of the harvest of fruit, oil, and wine. Historically, it commemorated the wanderings in the wilderness. For one week, Jews were required to leave their houses and to dwell in booths made from the boughs of trees. What it taught was detachment from possessions and their earthly homes.
Read moreWhat more perfect prayer of repentance is there than that. "Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord." We can learn two things from this prayer.
Read moreBut, back to the angels. What did their availability signify in the garden that night? Just as Jesus battled in prayer and prepared himself for the ordeal of Good Friday, so the availability of angels signifies the cosmic battle to come. They were God's support troops preparing to surround Jesus on the cross, where the battle was not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Read moreAs we get older I can understand how many of us get to the point where we just don't want to have to go through certain health things again. Allow such thoughts to linger and our zest for life would soon evaporate. The other year my wife's mother had some life threatening health issues. And she's only 86! She finally resolved the dread of going though all that health stuff again with the simple realization that she needed to just live each day as a God's gift.
Read moreIf we don't then there is a danger we just forget that God did something good and start taking it for granted. Of course, God may continue to help "fix" things, but if we never make a conscious effort to thank him for each thing, we start to "expect" some sort of (God?) escape and start becoming fearful lest our good "fortune" should cease.
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