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vshelley @ iprimus.com.au
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Personal Musings on Life and the "Word"
There's only one way to dispel darkness - turn on a light!
Jesus said "I am the light of the world..."(John 8:12)
What does that tell you about the world today?!
Sometimes, when I look into a starry sky, I think, "How could anyone have created all this." Then, when I look again, I think, "How could anyone believe all this happened by chance." O Lord my God, how great thou art!
MEETINGS & LIFE
A firm believer in modern translations of the Bible into everyday language, which is after all what Jesus spoke in, I have figured that there must be a modern translation that a lot of people are reading that I haven't heard of. In the KJV, John 10:10 is translated as ".. I am come that they might have life, and
that they might have it more abundantly." The modern translation seems to read, "I have come that they might have meetings, and that they might have them more abundantly." Now I'm not a Greek scholar so I don't know what the actual word is, but I'm sure that 'life' doesn't equal 'meetings' and I sure as heck know that most 'meetings' don't equal 'life'.
PEACE: If you asked someone in the world what PEACE is, they would probably say "Peace is the absence of conflict". In fact that's just how the Oxford dictionary describes it.. 'freedom from war', 'freedom from civil disorder', 'a treaty', also 'quiet', 'tranquility', 'in a state of friendliness' - and many more.
For Christians it is something totally different yet includes all of these.
Peace is harmony between God and man; Peace is an eternity with God; Peace - Shalom - is wholeness. Jesus said we would have a counselor, the Holy Spirit, who would be in us and with us (John 14:15-26) - God in us! No wonder in v27 Jesus said "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives..." Ephesians 2:13-14
again shows that our Peace is Jesus Christ because he has reconciled us to God. Ph 4:7 - Biblical Peace transcends all understanding.
Peace is not the absence of conflict - we will know trials and tribulations - it is
a relationship - wholeness in God through Jesus Christ.
Many wars have been fought throughout the ages in 'God's Name' to bring peace and throw down despotic rulers - but His Peace "is not as the world gives"!!! Are you
ready to accept it?
Matthew 5:3-10 The BEATITUDES
Because theirs is the kingdom of heaven, the poor in spirit will be blessed.
Because they will be comforted, those who mourn will be blessed.
Because they will inherit the earth, the meek will be blessed.
Because they will be filled, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be blessed.
Because they will be shown mercy, the merciful will be blessed.
Because they will see God, the pure in heart will be blessed.
Because they will be called the Sons of God, the peacemakers will be blessed.
Because theirs is the kingdom of heaven, those who are persecuted because of righteousness will be blessed.
A great curse of our age has been the UNISEX movement. God did not come to make us into a 'person of God'. He did not create us as 'person and person'. He created us as 'male and female' - man and woman - and He wants us to be fulfilled as men and women - equal
but different - just as the Godhead is equal but different.
A friend once complained, "You never hear the dawn chorus these days". My answer to that was, "You never get up early enough these days to listen to it!". I'm a morning person. I wake at dawn. Believe me, the dawn chorus is alive and well. To me, it always has been, is, and will be, a spiritual experience - listening to that
joyous cacophony of sound that greets the new day. Remember the song - "Morning has broken like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken like the first bird..." I know the scientific explanations about birds singing to declare their territory, but when you listen to it in the fresh new dawn you just have to liken it to a song of praise to God for the new day. Just think of it, as the dawn creeps steadily across the land, so does this
chorus of praise. Across the fields, the mountains, the towns and villages, and even in the heart of the biggest concrete jungle.
Yes, the dawn chorus is alive and well. Why not make that little bit of extra effort tomorrow morning and rise to listen to it.
Jesus often spoke in parables or allegories. He used life and nature to illustrate truths and the heart of God. Let me tell my allegory based on the dawn chorus.
I believe a pattern for our life and worship is clearly set before us. Consider the birds if you will. At the breaking of dawn their first action is to sing and praise. Although they all sing a different song the harmony they create is the greatest symphony ever heard. However, do they continue like this all day, doing nothing else? This dawn chorus
of praise lasts only about 30 minutes. Then their work day starts. No idleness here. In earnest they work to build nests or to feed their families and themselves, stopping only in the hottest part of the day to rest. Throughout the day though, every so often a bird will stop it's labours to pause and sing forth again it's song of praise. Then once again at dusk the symphony starts again. At the close of day praise and worship is again
offered up.
As I write this I don't know that I have to offer much of an explanation or application to our own lives. All I ask is that you think upon this and let the Spirit of God speak to you about your own daily life and priorities.
Isaiah 61: 1-3 The ANOINTING
The Spirit of the LORD is upon me. How do I know? Because,
the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor and,
he has sent me to -
bind up the brokenhearted,
proclaim freedom for the captives,
proclaim release from darkness for the prisoners,
proclaim the year of the Lord's favour,
proclaim the day of vengeance of our God,
comfort all who mourn,
provide for those who grieve in Zion,
bestow on them -
a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and
a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
The brokenhearted, the captives, the prisoners, the mourners, the grievers; they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendour.
These are my own thoughts and mental meanderings on life and God. If you like them or if they have blessed you or spoken to you in any way, please email me and let me know. If you violently disagree with anything I have written, then hey, just remember freedom of speech.
