Taking a leap of faith isn’t easy. However, the more we walk with our Lord the better we get to know Him and trust in His faithfulness. So when it comes to taking either little leaps or “The Leap” it will come more and more easier to do.
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But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. (Acts 4:17-21 ESV)
There were two things on my mind when I read this article, actually four, the last two being don’t cry, and you have to share this. The first however was more of a prayer. I asked God to please keep this little one strong and let his family continue to be an encouraging support system for his faith. I can only ask that you do the same. The other thing that came to mind was the verses above! This is only proof that the spirit of the Pharisee never left! However, thanks be to God neither has the Spirit of Christ!
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10 ESV)
“Lord help me to maximize every moment!”
Amen.
Just the other day, I went with my husband for a sporadic drive, in search of a good fishing hole for himself and the boys. Somehow we ended up at the J. Thurmond Dam at Clark Hill’s. The view was so peaceful and the water was so very still.
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Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
(Romans 13:8-10 ESV)
More Christians need to hear this. Don’t let your hearts grow cold during these times of testing. Our duty is to love, even the unlovable. Don’t let your light go out. Wake up and keep watch and don’t forget to keep extra oil on hand.
With MUCH love! God Bless!
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 2 Corinthians 5:16
How many of us still look at one another from a worldly point of view? As we take heed to ourselves and to the world around us this seems to be the norm, but why? It’s one thing to be an unbeliever and have this kind of perspective because this is to be expected of those in the world. Like it states in John 8:44,
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
When Jesus spoke these words he was confronting a crowed of heckling non-believers. However, in Matthew 16:23 Jesus is speaking to Peter, who is a believer, in much the same fashion.
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.
In other words Peter was only seeing things from a worldly point of view. Although from a solely human perspective, he appeared to be sincerely concerned but he did not, nor could he at the moment, see the big picture since at that time the Holy Spirit was not given to them.
However, we who are Christians now can not claim to have the same problem as the disciples did before Jesus’ death. So we should have a clear view of the bigger picture. Something the Devil doesn’t have because He refused to hold on to the truth, for there is no truth in him. In other words he could not take hold of something that did not take a hold of him which in this case is the truth. What is truth but the person of Jesus Christ. Like Paul said,
…but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12.
For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he (Jesus) had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:16-17
God took a hold of us through Christ. This is something he has done for us not angels and especially not the fallen variety. So the evil one’s point of view is still and forever will be skewed and he is determined to pass this poor vision on to everyone else. However, God has given us his Holy Spirit so that his children and him could be of the same mind through Christ.
For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:11
So with the Spirit we have a higher perspective then the world or at least we ought to. We shouldn’t be regarding anyone from a worldly point of view.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3
The Pulpit Commentary puts it like this,
Know no man after the flesh. It is a consequence of my death with Christ that I have done with carnal, superficial, earthly, external judgments according to the appearance, and not according to the heart.
So if we have the Spirit why do we still regard others from a worldly point of view? Placing value on ones wealth or the lack thereof, how they dress, how they look, the color of their skin, and so on. I believe the answer lies in the second part of that verse.
…Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
2 Corinthians 5:16
I think most believers intellectually regard Christ just fine. It’s only when it comes to principle does what we know fall short in action. We have to grow to the point where what we know in our minds becomes what we believe in our hearts.
When we sit and talk with our spiritual brothers and sister about such matters we would all say ‘Yeah’, nod our heads and say ‘that is right, that’s what the word says and I believe it’. We would be all in agreement but nevertheless we would get up from that discussion and walk away and hardly get to see what we believe lived out. We become like that man who looked into the mirror.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James 1:22-25
Are we seeing Christ in the right light. Are we still seeing him from a worldly perspective?
He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.Isaiah 53:3
If we don’t see Christ in the right light, we will never see others or ourselves for that matter in the right light. If we don’t comprehend what was entailed in that wondrous phrase “It is finished!”
The Pulpit Commentary puts it like this,
To St. Paul Christ is now regarded as far above all local, national, personal, and Jewish limitations, and as the principle of spiritual life in the heart of every Christian. In the view which he took of his Lord St. Paul henceforth has banished all Jewish particularism for gospel catholicity. He regards Christ, not in the light of earthly relationships and conditions, but as the risen, glorified, eternal, universal Savior.
Do we share the same view? Not only in our mind but in our hearts? We need to pray that our hearts be aligned with Christ. We need to be able to see with his eyes, hear with his ears, touch with his hands, go where he leads, with a heart filled with his love so we will no longer see Christ or each other from a worldly point of view.
…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and IN all.
Ephesians 4 :1-5
Let us look at our brothers and sister in a new light. Let us push past the outward shell and see them not with our human eyes but as God our father sees them as he peers into their heart. We are his children, heirs to the throne. Let us act as such.
Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
2 Corinthians 5:11-12
God is good all the time
And all the time God is good.
He has always taken care of me
Just like a loving father should.
I’m far from perfect but I’m surely loved.
A sinner brought close on the wings of a dove
To the creator of earth and the heavens above,
To bathe in His mercy, to be washed in His Love.
Joy sings deep down in my soul
knowing Someone greater then I is making me whole.
The work isn’t mine, it is surely the Lords
To cut and divide with the word of His sword.
He chases off the wicked shadows
That try to deceive
Wanting to plant deceptive seeds
That produce only weeds.
But Jesus is the gardener
Of my fragile soul
With the fire that burns in His eyes
He fights back the bitter cold.
He is the mighty shepherd of my precious heart
At the very end of me is where he always starts
The shining light in my deepest dark
Who has promised that nothing
Could ever keep us apart.
His love is unstoppable
His forbearance, a magnificent wonder
Raining down all manner of blessings
With compassion as containable as peals of thunder!
One Day I will gaze upon your glory
As I stand in the light of your grace
Hand in Hand
Eye to Eye
Face to Face.
Who is like you, Dear Lord? No one, no, not one it is you who stands alone.
Who is good like you, Beloved? No one, no, not one!
You are One!
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone.
Mark 10:18
My foot is slipping, save me Lord!
I call out to You my precious savior to preserve my life.
Hear my cry, turn Your ear to me.
Your humble servant comes seeking Your help.
Your word promises me if I seek I shall find.
So I am assured that I will find perseverance in You indeed.
Your providence is my fortress.
You hold me up, You are The Rock of my salvation
that follows me throughout my life
gifting me with the life giving water that renews my spirit.
You are the foundation in which I stand.
For there is no stability found in me alone.
I am weak and fragile, I get weary and fall asleep.
I make mistakes, and I stumble and fall.
But I find my strength in you, my God!
Your mighty hands sustain me
You hold me together. You call out to me and I awake.
You right my wrongs, and left me up on wings like eagles.
You place me on higher and solid ground.
You make my path wide.
Tie me to Your hip Lord, keep me from wondering
too far away.
You know my heart Lord, so let me live in Yours.
Let Your forbearance pour down on me like gentle rain.
Let Your grace and mercy cover me
like a pure white gown sprinkled with Your blood.
Cocoon me within Your agape love!
My soul is betrothed to You, my King, my Beloved.
Have patience with me dear God!
Deal with me in Your loving kindness.
Be gentle with me as You mold me in Your hands.
Remember that I am only human, dust upon Your scales.
A fallen branch snatched from the fire.
A flower You have masterfully made
here today, gone tomorrow.
“When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.” Psalm 94:18 (KJV)
I come to sit and to be still in your presence.
I need your peace Lord, I seek your essence.
Worn out and tired I feel myself growing weak
I kneel down before you, I need deep to speak to deep.
If I have grown deaf Lord, give me ears to hear
Your words of power that shatters each and every fear.
In you I’m home never am I alone, although I may ache and sometime groan
I know your Holy Spirit speaks for me through each and every moan.
I am here Lord, take my hand and lead me on
Through this broken dark tunnel that leads to dawn.
But until the day comes when the sunlight hits my face
Keep me close as we venture through this seldom traveled and lonely place.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (ESV)
Fruit of the Spirit 