Spiritual Ponderings

Beyond belief. What might that mean? Does it imply that we move beyond rationality into a blind faith based on nothing but sheer will power? Or does it mean we already have what we have longed for and no longer need to look forward to it? None of those are what I have in mind. What is coming to my attention is a subtle way in which Satan can sometimes sidetrack those of us who sincerely long to know truth more clearly. That is certainly a noble desire and one that I wish everyone would share. But our pursuit for truth can evolve into an obsession that becomes more self-focused than God focused, the original Source from which all truth must come. Let me explain a little. There have been many who after coming to believe that Scripture is God's depository of truth for this world, pour themselves into intense study of the Word of God to discover truth for themselves. Again, that is not necessarily a bad thing. We are instructed to study the Scriptures to come to a knowledge...

My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) As I was getting up this morning this verse began running through my mind in response to worries that were trying to impress themselves on me. As I dialogged with God about this I began saying things like this. “God, I want to know how to access Your riches, to embrace Your riches, to appropriate Your riches, to receive Your riches, not just talk about them. Teach me how to do this for Your name's sake.” A few minutes later I picked up one of the morning devotionals that I am reading this year and discovered confirmation that it was God who had implanted this thought in my mind. Several of the key thoughts in this message had already been spoken to my heart as I had been discussing this with God while I was waking up. Here is what I read. Come to Me with a thankful heart, so that you can enjoy My Presence. This is the day that I have made. I want you to rej...

Labels are extremely appealing crutches, shortcuts that allow prejudice to flourish without being questioned. This is what fuels nationalism, patriotism and many other 'isms where hatred of outsiders becomes a virtue and is seen as honor. Labels are used in racism and for every form prejudice. Because of this we should view them with extreme suspicion and with great awareness of the high risks involved. Labels. Truth in advertising. Faith. What do these have in common? We come to trust certain brands of things that we purchase for the quality that we expect from them. Labels have to do with reputation, and reputation can readily be manipulated and leveraged. Large companies invest millions of dollars and pay great attention to the reputation to protect their brand name, their label. All of us are aware of the dynamics of labels and the good and harm that can come about as a result. The news is full of stories both good and bad about issues swirling around labels, wheth...

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8) Although this verse has been something of an enigma to me all of my life, I do not want to try to unpack that again from the direction of whether Jesus ever made a mistake or not. Rather, what comes to my mind this morning is the contrast between the kind of obedience that Jesus demonstrated and taught about, and the kind of obedience that I always assumed was expected of me, both by God or from those in authority over me. I suspect there is much to learn in this. The other verse that was impressed on me almost immediately was this one. Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will ...

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8) Although this verse has been something of an enigma to me all of my life, I do not want to try to unpack that again from the direction of whether Jesus ever made a mistake or not. Rather, what comes to my mind this morning is the contrast between the kind of obedience that Jesus demonstrated and taught about, and the kind of obedience that I always assumed was expected of me, both by God or from those in authority over me. I suspect there is much to learn in this. The other verse that was impressed on me almost immediately was this one. Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will ...

And He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. " (Luke 22:36) Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34) These verses used to really puzzle me as I suspect they have done for millions of people. This first verse was something Jesus said as He opened up His heart to His disciples for the last time in the upper room just before His death. We are not alone in puzzling over this, for the disciples who heard Jesus say this were just as baffled about what He must mean. In fact, they responded by informing Him of how many 'swords' they already had to which Jesus responded that it was enough. So, was Jesus actually talking about physical swords when He said these words? Did Jesus really want them to go out right then and try to buy some swords from their Roman occupiers so they coul...