Embrace the Within no. 105

"What God has written he has written not for our opinion but for our obedience."

John Blanchard

I don’t get to choose what parts of the Word I follow if I am going to follow the Word. And sometimes that means struggling with aspects of God that I don’t fully understand. The great thing is that I don’t have to totally understand anyone to love them or obey them.

I don’t totally understand my wife. BUT every day I choose to love her. I don’t totally understand my children BUT every day I choose to love them. And I don’t totally understand my parents BUT every day I choose to love them. The same is with my heavenly Father and family. I will not fully understand God this side of eternity BUT every day I choose to love and obey Him.

“And it came to passe whe the Angels were gone away from them into heauen, that the shepheards sayde one to another, Let vs goe then vnto Beth-leem, and see this thing that is come to passe which the Lord hath shewed vnto vs. So they came with haste, and founde both Marie and Ioseph, and the babe laid in the cratch. And when they had seene it, they published abroade the thing, that was tolde them of that childe. And all that heard it, wondred at ye things which were tolde them of the shepheards.”

Luke 2:15-18 GNV

It’s rather certain that the shepherds did not totally understand what was going on that night. As we read about the disciples, there are many times noted in scripture where they didn’t totally understand. BUT they obeyed in spite and despite their confusion.

Life is confusing. And any number of logical explanations for human behavior is going to just lead us down a path of more questions. Relying on our understanding and the understanding of this limited mind is never going to bring us any peace or joy. I wandered down that road of philosophy and psychology for many years with only frustration and disappointment in people.

God never disappoints me. Sometimes I am confused, sometimes I am concerned, and oftentimes I am surprised BUT I am never disappointed.

“And be ye doers of the word, and not hearers onely, deceiuing your owne selues. For if any heare the woorde, and doe it not, he is like vnto a man, that beholdeth his naturall face in a glasse. For when he hath considered himselfe, hee goeth his way, and forgetteth immediately what maner of one he was. But who so looketh in the perfect Lawe of libertie, and continueth therein, hee not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the woorke, shalbe blessed in his deede.”

James 1:22-25 GNV

I don’t need to understand everything to obey. I can’t spend my time just hearing the Word. I have to take action. SHEMA is not just hearing, SHEMA is an action. I hear the Word and I do the Word. That is how the world will see Christ.

I can spend all my days locked away in a room reading and studying and trying to get everything perfect and just right BUT if I never take that knowledge out into the world, then what was the point. Discipleship isn’t done on Sunday, it is done daily. Discipleship isn’t reading and praying, it is applying the lessons of reading and praying. I am only the example I share. My discipleship is only as good as my actions.

So, instead of worrying about getting every little piece of doctrine worked out to perfection, which is futility, let me focus on doing what I know God wants from me. And that is to love Him and obey Him. I show that by walking in love with the world.

Grace and Shalom this week. Shalom to your home. Bless your being. The reign of the Lord is now. Be a blessing to the Lord and others.

#ThinkBetter#BeBetter#NoGodsNoMasters#NoKingButChrist#MyNepheshMyChoice#ChristsLifeMatters#EmbracetheWithin#NotMyWayYHWH#GodKnows

Embrace the Within no. 103

"We need the true Christmas, 'Bread of Life'; we need 'Jesus a Saviour'…. Let us embrace the Gospel…. Let us believe and rejoice… [and] heartily welcome the 'glad tidings.'"

Charles Bullock

I had another conversation with my cousin this weekend that did not turn out the way I planned. They never turn out the way I plan. For the past decade or so, we have been at odds over our political outlook and, not until recently, did I find out that he also considers himself a Christian. Now, how could I over the past decade not have any idea of that. Well, his outward example to me does not show the good news or glad tidings of the Way.

'Ye are the light of the world. A citie that is set on an hill, cannot be hid. Neither doe men light a candel, and put it vnder a bushel, but on a candlesticke, and it giueth light vnto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heauen. '

Matthew 5:14-16 GNV

Before I returned to following Christ, I would have long arguments with him and try to prove him wrong. What a pointless use of my time. Over the past few months of rededicating myself to studying the Word and following Christ, my perspective of all those things we used to argue about have changed with so much of my life as well. And once I started to see the error of my Ways, I went around the InterWebs and life and apologized for the way I used to act.

It was not enough for me to ask God for forgiveness for all the dumbheaded things I did, for all the stubborn and foolish things I said, and for all the problems I caused so many people. I needed to bring my message of forgiveness to as many folks as I could. So, Lord knows, there were a lot of people I couldn’t reach and a lot that I did. And, on a side note, if you would like an apology from me and I overlooked you, then please reach out. And my cousin was one of those folks that I asked for forgiveness which began a conversation about Christ.

'But seeke ye first the kingdome of God, and his righteousnesse, and all these things shall be ministred vnto you. Care not then for the morowe: for the morowe shall care for it selfe: the day hath ynough with his owne griefe.'

Matthew 6:33-34 GNV

Now, I will spare you the details of this conversation that again descended into insults and misunderstandings. However, I was not throwing insults or using profanity or getting angry as I once would have with a drink in my hand and laughter in my heart. I was sober and respectful and offered the Word, sometimes literally. I say that not to praise myself because it is only through Christ that I changed my actions and thoughts BUT through all that I had some time to reflect about forgiveness.

When I asked those folks for forgiveness for what I had said and done and thought, I was asking God for forgiveness all over again. I was talking to one of His created images that I had wronged. And through that action of asking for forgiveness, I was again trying to make things right with God. And I think that all too often we overlook the created works that we interact with daily. And we overlook that only through service to them are we showing obedience to God. Only through looking for the best of them are we showing respect to God.

I asked my cousin if he respected me and the short version of that response was no. And that was when my heart really knew he was in trouble. Our society in America is all about earning respect BUT that isn’t how respect works. We can freely choose to give respect to all just like Christ did. He even respects us when we do the wrong thing like the story of the rich young ruler. He thought he was doing everything he needed to follow Christ BUT he couldn’t let his possessions get out of his way. Sometimes our own will is the possession that won’t get out of the way. So, I pray that we truly find forgiveness from Christ and we truly find forgiveness from each other by letting go of what separates us from Christ.

'And Iesus looked vpon him, and loued him, and sayde vnto him, One thing is lacking vnto thee. Go and sell all that thou hast, and giue to the poore, and thou shalt haue treasure in heauen, and come, follow me, and take vp the crosse. But hee was sad at that saying, and went away sorowfull: for he had great possessions. '

Mark 10:21-22 GNV

Grace and Shalom this Sabbath. Shalom to your home. Bless your being. The reign of the Lord is now. Be a blessing to the Lord and others.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #NoKingButChrist #MyNepheshMyChoice #ChristsLifeMatters #EmbracetheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH #GodKnows