MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST: April 21, 2008

I was taken a bit by today’s devotions. I undertook this year to go through MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST though it has not been as “enlightening” as I had hoped. Maybe it is that I am not putting into it as much as I could or that I am not ready for it or maybe have passed it by (I say that with much humor!) Yet, as in the past I do not get too much out of daily devotions.

Saying that though today I read and was fascinated by it as I stated as it spoke to my heart. I hope it blesses you today as it blessed me.

NOW DON’T HURT THE LORD!
Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not
known Me, Philip?
John 14:9

Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us – astounded at how un-simple we are. It is opinions of our own which make us stupid, when we are simple we are never stupid, we discern all the time.

Philip expected the revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in the One Whom he knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be, it is now; we look for it presently, in some cataclysmic event.

We have no reluctance in obeying Jesus, but it is probable that we are hurting Him by the questions we ask. “Lord, show us the Father.”

His answer comes straight back – “There He is, always here or nowhere.” We look for God to manifest Himself to His children: God only manifests Himself in His children. Other people see the manifestation, the child of God does not. We want to be conscious of God; we cannot be conscious of our consciousness and remain sane. If we are asking God to give us experiences, or if conscious experience is in the road, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus because they are not the questions of a child.

“Let not your heart be troubled” – then am I hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? If I believe the character of Jesus, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to perturb my heart, any morbid questions to come in? I have to get to the implicit relationship that takes everything as it comes from Him. God never guides presently, but always now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the emancipation is immediate.

MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST: April 21, 2008

I was taken a bit by today’s devotions. I undertook this year to go through MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST though it has not been as “enlightening” as I had hoped. Maybe it is that I am not putting into it as much as I could or that I am not ready for it or maybe have passed it by (I say that with much humor!) Yet, as in the past I do not get too much out of daily devotions.

Saying that though today I read and was fascinated by it as I stated as it spoke to my heart. I hope it blesses you today as it blessed me.

NOW DON’T HURT THE LORD!
Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not
known Me, Philip?
John 14:9

Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us – astounded at how un-simple we are. It is opinions of our own which make us stupid, when we are simple we are never stupid, we discern all the time.

Philip expected the revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in the One Whom he knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be, it is now; we look for it presently, in some cataclysmic event.

We have no reluctance in obeying Jesus, but it is probable that we are hurting Him by the questions we ask. “Lord, show us the Father.”

His answer comes straight back – “There He is, always here or nowhere.” We look for God to manifest Himself to His children: God only manifests Himself in His children. Other people see the manifestation, the child of God does not. We want to be conscious of God; we cannot be conscious of our consciousness and remain sane. If we are asking God to give us experiences, or if conscious experience is in the road, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus because they are not the questions of a child.

“Let not your heart be troubled” – then am I hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? If I believe the character of Jesus, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to perturb my heart, any morbid questions to come in? I have to get to the implicit relationship that takes everything as it comes from Him. God never guides presently, but always now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the emancipation is immediate.

Great Article by Jon Trott on "Authority"

““Authority”: who has it, who doesn’t, and how can we tell the difference? In the blogosphere, and perhaps even moreso within the “Christian” blogosphere, that issue can become quite compelling.When I began thinking about blogging on the word “authority,” I immediately pulled up the Webster’s Dictonary definition. Why? Because Webster’s to me is a quick and usually trustworthy source for understanding a word’s historic roots and present meaning. That is, for me Webster’s is normally authoritative regarding word definitions. But by so saying, I am not truly sure I stand on solid ground. Is Webster’s the or even an authority on the meaning of “authority” (or any other word)?” (read more here)

Great Article by Jon Trott on "Authority"

““Authority”: who has it, who doesn’t, and how can we tell the difference? In the blogosphere, and perhaps even moreso within the “Christian” blogosphere, that issue can become quite compelling.When I began thinking about blogging on the word “authority,” I immediately pulled up the Webster’s Dictonary definition. Why? Because Webster’s to me is a quick and usually trustworthy source for understanding a word’s historic roots and present meaning. That is, for me Webster’s is normally authoritative regarding word definitions. But by so saying, I am not truly sure I stand on solid ground. Is Webster’s the or even an authority on the meaning of “authority” (or any other word)?” (read more here)

Great Quotes: The Wrong Kind of Teachers

The Wrong Kind of Teachers
By A.W. Tozer

The newborn Christian finds himself alive with a sweet, enjoyable kind of life that he accepts naively, almost unconsciously. To him everything is simple and immediate. He knows no intermediary. Christ is to him on an infinitely higher level what its mother is to a baby–warmth, nourishment, protection, rest and an object of satisfying affection.

Right here is where the wrong kind of Bible teacher can do his damage. The first thing he does is to destroy the new Christian’s simplicity. He introduces something between the Christian and Christ. He makes him Biblo-centric instead of Christo-centric. (And there is a difference, let no one deceive you.) The Spirit-anointed Bible teacher will so teach the Word as to keep it transparent, so as to allow it to be what it always should be, a kind of burning bush which God indwells and out of which He shines in awesome splendor. The beholder sees the bush, it is true, but the object of his interest is the Presence, not the bush. The wrong kind of teacher gets so technical about the bush that the fire dims down and the light ceases to fall on the Christian’s face.

That is what the gentle cynic meant when he said “before he has met too many Bible teachers.”

As for “too many church members” spoiling the new Christian’s happiness, it is the result of disillusionment pure and simple.

Great Quotes: The Wrong Kind of Teachers

The Wrong Kind of Teachers
By A.W. Tozer

The newborn Christian finds himself alive with a sweet, enjoyable kind of life that he accepts naively, almost unconsciously. To him everything is simple and immediate. He knows no intermediary. Christ is to him on an infinitely higher level what its mother is to a baby–warmth, nourishment, protection, rest and an object of satisfying affection.

Right here is where the wrong kind of Bible teacher can do his damage. The first thing he does is to destroy the new Christian’s simplicity. He introduces something between the Christian and Christ. He makes him Biblo-centric instead of Christo-centric. (And there is a difference, let no one deceive you.) The Spirit-anointed Bible teacher will so teach the Word as to keep it transparent, so as to allow it to be what it always should be, a kind of burning bush which God indwells and out of which He shines in awesome splendor. The beholder sees the bush, it is true, but the object of his interest is the Presence, not the bush. The wrong kind of teacher gets so technical about the bush that the fire dims down and the light ceases to fall on the Christian’s face.

That is what the gentle cynic meant when he said “before he has met too many Bible teachers.”

As for “too many church members” spoiling the new Christian’s happiness, it is the result of disillusionment pure and simple.

Great quote! G.K. Chesterton

“If there were no God, there would be no atheists.” G.K. Chesterton

Great quote! G.K. Chesterton

“If there were no God, there would be no atheists.” G.K. Chesterton

Great Quote ~ John Wesely

Are you persuaded you see more clearly than me? It is not unlikely that you may. Then treat me as you would desire to be treated yourself upon a change of circumstances. Point me out a better way than I have yet known. Show me it is so, by plain proof of Scripture. And if I linger in the path I have been accustomed to tread, and am therefore unwilling to leave it, labour with me a little; take me by the hand, and lead me as I am able to bear. But be not displeased if I entreat you not to beat me down in order to quicken my pace: I can go but feebly and slowly at best; then, I should not be able to go at all. ~ John Wesley

Be Blessed!
iggy

Great Quote ~ John Wesely

Are you persuaded you see more clearly than me? It is not unlikely that you may. Then treat me as you would desire to be treated yourself upon a change of circumstances. Point me out a better way than I have yet known. Show me it is so, by plain proof of Scripture. And if I linger in the path I have been accustomed to tread, and am therefore unwilling to leave it, labour with me a little; take me by the hand, and lead me as I am able to bear. But be not displeased if I entreat you not to beat me down in order to quicken my pace: I can go but feebly and slowly at best; then, I should not be able to go at all. ~ John Wesley

Be Blessed!
iggy