Before the advent of aircraft and spy satellites it was a great strategic advantage for an army to have command over the high ground of the battlefield. From these heights the general could discern the movements of the enemy forces and position his own troops to the greatest advantage. Without this perspective a commanding general was nearly blind to what the enemy was doing.
As we enter a new year it is my hope that all of us will be found standing on higher ground spiritually. It is only from this "vantage point" that we will be able to "see" what is happening in our world and act or react in an appropriate manner. The spiritual "high ground" is our knowledge of and committment to abide in the doctrine of Christ and His Word. I quote a great Christian admired by millions.
"Every spiritual problem is at bottom theological. Its solution will depend upon the teaching of Holy Scriptures plus a correct understanding of that teaching. That correct understanding constitutes a spiritual philosophy, that is, a viewpoint, a high vantage ground from which the whole landscape may be seen at once, each detail appearing in its proper relation to everything else. Once such vantage ground is gained, we are in a position to evaluate any teaching or interpretaton that is offered us in the name of truth." A.W. Tozer
We have been warned that perilous times will come. We need that "high ground" perspective.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
The Wonder of Christmas
The wonder of Christmas is often depicted by the sparkeling eyes and broad, expectant smile of a child getting ready to take off the beautiful paper and ribbons from the gifts left under the Christmas tree by Santa Claus.
The true wonder is that the Creator of the universe divested Himself of His glory (not His diety) and came into the world, born in a humble stable, by a virgin, Mary.
He came as the GIFT of God. "For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Jesus GAVE His life as an atoning sacrifice for your sins and mine, and now offers the GIFT of forgiveness and reconciliation with God, the penalty for our transgressions having been fully paid for by His death on the cross.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
The true wonder is that the Creator of the universe divested Himself of His glory (not His diety) and came into the world, born in a humble stable, by a virgin, Mary.
He came as the GIFT of God. "For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Jesus GAVE His life as an atoning sacrifice for your sins and mine, and now offers the GIFT of forgiveness and reconciliation with God, the penalty for our transgressions having been fully paid for by His death on the cross.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Monday, December 6, 2010
How Can You Tell if It's True Love?
Months ago in a piece titled, "The Hormonal Choice" I wrote about the "love cocktail" of hormones which generate the feelings we so often associate with love. (Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at http://2knowthetruth.blogspot.com ). True love cannot be reduced to feelings alone. True love is a lot deeper than feelings and remains when feelings are absent. For example: During a crisis we become absorbed with the circumstances around us which, in turn, control our feelings. The death of a child often ruins a marriage because the feelings of grief overwhelm the feelings of love for the spouse.
True love exists even when there are no "feelings" of love present and actually it is during these times that the evidences of true love are on full display. What then are the evidences of true love?
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." The New Testament 1 Corintians 13:4-8
If you think deeply about the above quote, you will notice that true love, rather than being a "feeling" is demonstrated by choices we make and actions we take. We can say that LOVE IS A CHOICE to act in a certain way whether or not loving feelings are present. It's easy to say, "I love you". A bit harder to prove it by what we choose to do and say.
True love exists even when there are no "feelings" of love present and actually it is during these times that the evidences of true love are on full display. What then are the evidences of true love?
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." The New Testament 1 Corintians 13:4-8
If you think deeply about the above quote, you will notice that true love, rather than being a "feeling" is demonstrated by choices we make and actions we take. We can say that LOVE IS A CHOICE to act in a certain way whether or not loving feelings are present. It's easy to say, "I love you". A bit harder to prove it by what we choose to do and say.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Seven of the Most Dangerous Lies Your Spiritual Mentor May be Telling You
I just read an article about lies doctors tell their patients. The patient is trusting that he will be told the absolute truth about an illness, it's cause, it's treatment, and the probable course and chance of recovery. For various reasons doctors may not speak the truth about one or more of these. For example: He may not actually know for sure what is happening and makes a "diagnosis" which, in reality, is just a guess; he may not want to give false hope or depressing news; he may not be aware of a new treatment or doesn't believe in a certain treatment. etc.
Most of us, at some time in our lives, have had a "spiritual" question and have sought an answer from a spiritual leader. Here are seven of the most dangerous lies being told. Lies which could have eternal consequences.
The Lie: Don't be so hard on yourself, you're putting yourself on a guilt trip.
The Truth: There is such a thing as false guilt, but there is also real guilt that needs to be dealt with now, in this life, before it's too late.
The Lie: Religeon is just man's attempt to find answers to the unanswerable and to find some kind of meaning in life. It is man made. Someday soon we will no longer need it. Don't take it so seriously.
The Truth: There is an "Intelligence" reflected in all of creation and especially the highest creation, man. It is reasonable to assume that this Intelligence, God, would communicate with man, and He has in many ways. His inspired scripture, The Holy Bible, is His only guidebook to a relationship with Him and a for a meaningful life.
The Lie: It doesn't really matter what you believe. Just try to live a good life.
The Truth: It really does matter what you believe. You can't turn your back on the true God, make Him to be something He isn't, ignore His communications and not suffer the consequences.
The Lie: You're OK. I'm OK, we're all OK.
The Truth: We're not OK. We have all sinned against an infinitely Holy God.
The Lie: There are many roads to the top of the mountain. All of them are ok.
The Truth: Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me."
The Lie: The Bible is full of untruths and contradictions.
The Truth: There are some things difficult to understand, but no errors or contradictions.
The Lie: Jesus did not suffer the wrath of God on the cross to atone for your sins. We don't really know how God takes away our guilt.
The Truth: Jesus died on the Cross for your sins and mine in order to satisfy the infinite justice of God. If there was another way for man to be saved from his sins, Jesus would not have died the humiliating and terrible death by crucifiction.
Don't believe the lies and more important, don't tell them to others who may be seeking answers. The worst thing you could do to a person with a serious illness would be to tell them that they are ok and deny them the very thing that would cure them.
Most of us, at some time in our lives, have had a "spiritual" question and have sought an answer from a spiritual leader. Here are seven of the most dangerous lies being told. Lies which could have eternal consequences.
The Lie: Don't be so hard on yourself, you're putting yourself on a guilt trip.
The Truth: There is such a thing as false guilt, but there is also real guilt that needs to be dealt with now, in this life, before it's too late.
The Lie: Religeon is just man's attempt to find answers to the unanswerable and to find some kind of meaning in life. It is man made. Someday soon we will no longer need it. Don't take it so seriously.
The Truth: There is an "Intelligence" reflected in all of creation and especially the highest creation, man. It is reasonable to assume that this Intelligence, God, would communicate with man, and He has in many ways. His inspired scripture, The Holy Bible, is His only guidebook to a relationship with Him and a for a meaningful life.
The Lie: It doesn't really matter what you believe. Just try to live a good life.
The Truth: It really does matter what you believe. You can't turn your back on the true God, make Him to be something He isn't, ignore His communications and not suffer the consequences.
The Lie: You're OK. I'm OK, we're all OK.
The Truth: We're not OK. We have all sinned against an infinitely Holy God.
The Lie: There are many roads to the top of the mountain. All of them are ok.
The Truth: Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me."
The Lie: The Bible is full of untruths and contradictions.
The Truth: There are some things difficult to understand, but no errors or contradictions.
The Lie: Jesus did not suffer the wrath of God on the cross to atone for your sins. We don't really know how God takes away our guilt.
The Truth: Jesus died on the Cross for your sins and mine in order to satisfy the infinite justice of God. If there was another way for man to be saved from his sins, Jesus would not have died the humiliating and terrible death by crucifiction.
Don't believe the lies and more important, don't tell them to others who may be seeking answers. The worst thing you could do to a person with a serious illness would be to tell them that they are ok and deny them the very thing that would cure them.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
dot, dot, dot; dash, dash, dash; dot, dot, dot
Dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot. ...---...
Does this have any meaning to you? Well, if you are over 50 years old it is full of meaning and just hearing this strange "code" conjurs visions of storm tossed ships on the high seas in danger of sinking. Morse telegraph code for the letters
"S", "O", "S" which mean "Save our ship".
Today with G4, Smart phones, satellite communication and the "world wide webb" there is a generation of young people who don't know what "telegraph" or "Morse code" are. If you ask them what dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot means they may tell you they think it is something from Harry Potter.
There was a time when everyone knew the meaning of SOS. We were taught that someday, if we were in danger, this could save our lives.
There is another "life saving message" that is being forgotten in America and Europe. It is the message from our Creator who says, "Your sins have separated you from Me. My Infinite Justice and Holiness demands a penalty which you cannot pay so I came to earth and took the penalty upon myself in the Person of Jesus Christ. If you will receive Him as your Savior and Lord then you will be saved from the guilt and penalty of your sin because the penalty has been paid in full."
That the Son of God, Jesus, could take upon himself the penalty for your sins and mine is not an archaic message. It is the only pathway to eternal life.
Believe it, receive it. It will save your life.
Does this have any meaning to you? Well, if you are over 50 years old it is full of meaning and just hearing this strange "code" conjurs visions of storm tossed ships on the high seas in danger of sinking. Morse telegraph code for the letters
"S", "O", "S" which mean "Save our ship".
Today with G4, Smart phones, satellite communication and the "world wide webb" there is a generation of young people who don't know what "telegraph" or "Morse code" are. If you ask them what dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot means they may tell you they think it is something from Harry Potter.
There was a time when everyone knew the meaning of SOS. We were taught that someday, if we were in danger, this could save our lives.
There is another "life saving message" that is being forgotten in America and Europe. It is the message from our Creator who says, "Your sins have separated you from Me. My Infinite Justice and Holiness demands a penalty which you cannot pay so I came to earth and took the penalty upon myself in the Person of Jesus Christ. If you will receive Him as your Savior and Lord then you will be saved from the guilt and penalty of your sin because the penalty has been paid in full."
That the Son of God, Jesus, could take upon himself the penalty for your sins and mine is not an archaic message. It is the only pathway to eternal life.
Believe it, receive it. It will save your life.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Are you committing the sins of Sodom? Take the test - it might surprise you.
Q.1. Comparing yourself to the 1 billion half starved, poverty stricken Asians and Africans, do you think you might be considered a proud person?
Q.2. Do you have more than enough to eat every day? If you are 1 lb. overweight the answer is yes.
Q.3. Do you have a lot of spare time? There are 168 hours in a week. If you have a 40 hour work week there are 128 hours remaining. Sleep 8 hours a day? You have 72 hours left. That's almost half a week. What do you do with those 72 hours? Watch tv? Play video games? Shoot hoops? Hang out?
Q.4. What exactly are you doing for the poor and needy? A 5 dollar turkey once a year? Your generousity overwhelms me.
Now read the "other" reasons why God sent fire and brimstone down on Sodom.
MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR ALL OF US TO DO A SERIOUS SELF EXAMINIATION AND REARRANGE OUR PRIORITIES. WE MAY BE GIVING AN ACCOUNT BEFORE THE "BEMA" OF CHRIST SOONER THAN WE THINK.
Ezekiel 16:49
"Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."
Q.2. Do you have more than enough to eat every day? If you are 1 lb. overweight the answer is yes.
Q.3. Do you have a lot of spare time? There are 168 hours in a week. If you have a 40 hour work week there are 128 hours remaining. Sleep 8 hours a day? You have 72 hours left. That's almost half a week. What do you do with those 72 hours? Watch tv? Play video games? Shoot hoops? Hang out?
Q.4. What exactly are you doing for the poor and needy? A 5 dollar turkey once a year? Your generousity overwhelms me.
Now read the "other" reasons why God sent fire and brimstone down on Sodom.
MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR ALL OF US TO DO A SERIOUS SELF EXAMINIATION AND REARRANGE OUR PRIORITIES. WE MAY BE GIVING AN ACCOUNT BEFORE THE "BEMA" OF CHRIST SOONER THAN WE THINK.
Ezekiel 16:49
"Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Nose of the Camel
Have you heard the story of the bedouin who found himself out in the middle of the desert on a very cold night? He unloaded his gear from his camel, pitched his tent, cooked a very meager dinner then curled up under some blankets and tried to go to sleep. It wasn't long before the camel stuck his nose between the tent flaps and pleaded, "Master, it's terribly cold out here and I worked so hard for you all day. Please let me warm up my nose for awhile." The bedouin thought to himself, "Yes, the poor thing has had a hard day. I should let him warm his nose, that's the least I could do to thank him for his labor." So he let the camel warm his nose and soon the bedouin was nodding off to sleep. After a short while he heard a noise and looked up to see the camel had pushed his entire head into the small tent. "Hey, what are you doing?" he shouted. "Please Master", said the camel, "My ears were freezing. Be so kind and let me warm up my ears for awhile." The bedouin thought, "I'll be nice to him. It is a very cold night." So he let the camel leave his head in the tent. It wasn't long before he was awakened again and found the camel had now pushed his front legs and shoulder into the tent. "Oh, please Master. Just let me warm my feet. It's freezing out there."
You get the drift. Before the night was over the bedouin was sharing his little tent with a big stinking camel and there was no way he could get him back out into the cold air.
This story is ancient. It has been told over and over to childen, families, individuals, tribes, organizations and yes, even to churches to illustrate how important it is to be discerning with regard to what you are willing to accept.
2 John 10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house" (or tent)
You get the drift. Before the night was over the bedouin was sharing his little tent with a big stinking camel and there was no way he could get him back out into the cold air.
This story is ancient. It has been told over and over to childen, families, individuals, tribes, organizations and yes, even to churches to illustrate how important it is to be discerning with regard to what you are willing to accept.
2 John 10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house" (or tent)
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