Peace
12.07.2010
Romans 8:6 says, "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
Let's start with the obvious, the conjunction of opposites, "but" lays out that no one can be both carnally minded and spiritually minded at the same time. They are mutually exclusive and we must pursue one or the other.
Secondly, it is not our mindset that determines whether we have death, or peace and life. Rather, the mindset only reveals the reality of one's spirit in connection with the Holy Spirit . . . whether we're dead or alive.
Thirdly, knowing we're alive in Jesus brings us peace.
This brings us to the conclusive question. Do we have peace in God and are our lives a reflection of that peace.
Just a thought . . .
Let's start with the obvious, the conjunction of opposites, "but" lays out that no one can be both carnally minded and spiritually minded at the same time. They are mutually exclusive and we must pursue one or the other.
Secondly, it is not our mindset that determines whether we have death, or peace and life. Rather, the mindset only reveals the reality of one's spirit in connection with the Holy Spirit . . . whether we're dead or alive.
Thirdly, knowing we're alive in Jesus brings us peace.
This brings us to the conclusive question. Do we have peace in God and are our lives a reflection of that peace.
Just a thought . . .
Ready To Depart
11.15.2010
In Luke chapter 2 verses 25-35, we are introduced to a man by the name of Simeon. Many people paint him as an old man who was feeble and was ready to die. Yet when we read the passage in it's fulness, Scripture does not paint this picture at all.
To start with there is no mention of his age so to get any idea of the sort is based on human presupposition and not on the Word of God. There is no mention of physical problems and therefore his wanting to die. In fact, all that is stated is that he would not see death until he saw the Messiah. However if we focus on what is said we can learn a lot from this man.
One out of every one person dies. In fact, on average 6,000 people will die today in America alone! However, the sad fact is that many of them are not "ready"to depart. Why? Because the have not met the Lord's Christ. This is clearly evident because we don't see many people serious about God and His business. What about you? Are you ready to depart? Have you met the Lord's Christ and the salvation that only He can bring?
To start with there is no mention of his age so to get any idea of the sort is based on human presupposition and not on the Word of God. There is no mention of physical problems and therefore his wanting to die. In fact, all that is stated is that he would not see death until he saw the Messiah. However if we focus on what is said we can learn a lot from this man.
- Simeon was a man who was led by the Spirit of God
- Simeon was a man who taught other's the Word of God
- Simeon was a man who was obedient to the Will of God
- Simeon was a man who came to see the "Salvation of God" in the person of Jesus
- A prisoner being set fee
- A ship being untied from the pier to set sail on the open ocean
- The taking down of a tent when we intend to leave and not return
- But probably the most meaningful to me, is a beast of burden who has been tied to the plow and working tirelessly, finally being unhitched from the load it was carrying and allowed to graze freely in an open field.
One out of every one person dies. In fact, on average 6,000 people will die today in America alone! However, the sad fact is that many of them are not "ready"to depart. Why? Because the have not met the Lord's Christ. This is clearly evident because we don't see many people serious about God and His business. What about you? Are you ready to depart? Have you met the Lord's Christ and the salvation that only He can bring?