(Originally Written September 13, 2011 in the Journal)
St. Peter learned discipline through suffering.
God is opposed to the proud. When you put someone else down you are opposing God, not the other person.
God gives grace to the humble. Humble yourself and God gets on your side.
I need to work on this Lord. Forgive me of my pride.
Hebrews 12 - A word of encouragement: do not despair in the face of God's discipline for God disciplines those He loves.
Showing posts with label Suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suffering. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Brief Notes on City of God - Book III
(Originally Written June 10, 2008 in the Journal).
Notes on City of God, Book III
Augustine
Book III
We must be especially on guard against evils that affect the character and mind.
The Romans worshipped their gods to secure the insignificant and deceptive happiness of this world; but where were those gods when their worshippers suffered the ills of this world?
Notes on City of God, Book III
Augustine
Book III
We must be especially on guard against evils that affect the character and mind.
The Romans worshipped their gods to secure the insignificant and deceptive happiness of this world; but where were those gods when their worshippers suffered the ills of this world?
A Bitter Prayer
(Originally Written June 10, 2008 in the Journal)
Lord, you are Holy and Grand. All things are yours for you have created all. Your works are known in every heart though they are only acknowledged as your works by few. Yet you extend your love to all. How merciful is the Lord of lords, the true and only God?
Lord you know my heart and mind. It is plain to you that I suffer and am in agony. There is no secret between us. How could I hide anything from you? The sins and temptations of the flesh are numerous in me. Though I am forgiven, I am still culpable. Lord forgive me of these sins and remove this self-destructive desire from my heart. I want to seek you fully.
Lord I do not know what you want me to do. I have a wife who no longer wants to be my wife. She has mistreated me and abused me. Lord, I do not wish vengeance or retribution. What I wish is for a reuniting that is pleasing to you and a love that is a witness to the glory of the Lord.
Heavenly Father I made a vow to love and cherish this woman for all of my days. I did not seek to break that vow. It is in your power to soften her heart to me. It would be an easy thing for you. Only the soft whisper of your voice would change it all. I ask with all of my heart and soul that you would have mercy on us and reignite this union. Grant us a happy, fulfilling marriage that is glorifying to you.
Lord I also ask you make it clear to me your desires for this summer. If New Horizons is where you want me open that door. I will follow you where you lead me. Please open my eyes and ears so I can follow you. I love you Lord. Instruct me in truth and wisdom so I may be upright and blameless in your sight.
The Lord came to me and said, give me your heart. I told Him it was His and I gave it freely - though occasionally it strays, it always returns to Him.
The Lord came to me and said, give me your mind. I told Him it was His and I gave it with no complaint. Though it occasionally wanders, it always returns to pondering the mysteries of the Lord.
The Lord came to me and said, give me your soul. I told Him it was His and I humbled my pride and released it to Him. Though occasionally it serves its own will, it always returns and submits to the will of its true mater, who is the Lord.
The Lord came to me and said give me your body. I told Him it was His and though I paused at the request I gave it. Occasionally my body falls to the temptations of the flesh, but His mercy forgives me of my sins and my body returns to God, to be His temple.
The Lord came to me and said, give me your hopes, dreams and ambitions. I choked on this request. My foolish pride swelled up and rebelled. I went on my own and I failed, again and again. I called out to the Lord and begged for mercy. He spoke to me in His calm, quiet way. He said, give me your hopes, dreams and ambitions and I will give you dreams you cannot even fathom. I will give you endless hope and my ambitions will replace yours. Still this was a hard and bitter pill for me to swallow. But I relented. I gave God my hopes, my dreams and my ambitions. Though I knew I would feel empty without these, the Lord has filled me to the brim. Yes, I admit my sin. That pride I swallowed tends to be regurgitated and the old fights within the glorious new and I falter. But, the new is stronger because it is Christ and I humble myself before the Lord.
The Lord then came to me and said you have given me your heart, your mind, your soul and your body. You have forsaken yourself, the one defiled by sin and death for the gift of everlasting life I have given you. You have bowed to my will. This is good. I am the sovereign Lord and for you to be justified in faith I need your all. Fear seized my body. What more do I have to give?
The Lord said to me, give me your wife, the one you love. Tears streamed from my eyes as if a river had burst a dam. My heart split in two and I fell to the floor in a heap. I prayed to God in fear and a lack of understanding. It was my very God who had joined us, who had fostered this love and now He demanded a sacrifice of it. I offered all else in futility. Still the Lord spoke, give me your wife.
Bitterly and with hesitation I am granting his request. I feel like Abraham must have when the Lord told him to sacrifice Isaac. I do not know if there will be any rams for a substitution for me. But in faith, I trust the lord my God. Trouble has been sitting in wait, pursuing every footstep of mine since I was young. When I stray to the left disaster comes. When I stray to the right calamity comes. When I step back I stumble into strife. When I hesitate and pause I am overtaken by my pursuers. Therefore, I will step forward.
My courage fails me. I am paralyzed in fear. But an inner peace, a peace that passeth all understanding stirs hope in the very depths of my soul. I pray that I do not choke it out with the concerns of my daily life and that I can keep my eyes fixed on that which is eternal. The Lord has a plan for me, though I do not know what it is. May I store up my treasures in heaven, so that I do not fall into sin by loving what I have here to the detriment of my love of God.
Lord look upon me with grace. Though you alone are worthy of my praise and adoration, what you ask of me is great and difficult. I can forsake wealth and honor, these are of no consequence to me. Though I struggle with the sins of the flesh, this is of no real importance. Knowledge I hold in high esteem, but would willingly be considered a fool for you. But to sacrifice this marriage at your feet is a bitter pill to swallow. Her love and acceptance of me was something that I had never known before. Her care for me, even as sparse as it has been recently brought me to new heights. I can endure years of torture and pain, hunger and humiliation just to hear a single kind word from her. Lord what you ask for is great indeed. But if this is what you require of me I give it. Comfort me in your Word. Instruct me in Truth so that I may better serve you.
Lord, you are Holy and Grand. All things are yours for you have created all. Your works are known in every heart though they are only acknowledged as your works by few. Yet you extend your love to all. How merciful is the Lord of lords, the true and only God?
Lord you know my heart and mind. It is plain to you that I suffer and am in agony. There is no secret between us. How could I hide anything from you? The sins and temptations of the flesh are numerous in me. Though I am forgiven, I am still culpable. Lord forgive me of these sins and remove this self-destructive desire from my heart. I want to seek you fully.
Lord I do not know what you want me to do. I have a wife who no longer wants to be my wife. She has mistreated me and abused me. Lord, I do not wish vengeance or retribution. What I wish is for a reuniting that is pleasing to you and a love that is a witness to the glory of the Lord.
Heavenly Father I made a vow to love and cherish this woman for all of my days. I did not seek to break that vow. It is in your power to soften her heart to me. It would be an easy thing for you. Only the soft whisper of your voice would change it all. I ask with all of my heart and soul that you would have mercy on us and reignite this union. Grant us a happy, fulfilling marriage that is glorifying to you.
Lord I also ask you make it clear to me your desires for this summer. If New Horizons is where you want me open that door. I will follow you where you lead me. Please open my eyes and ears so I can follow you. I love you Lord. Instruct me in truth and wisdom so I may be upright and blameless in your sight.
The Lord came to me and said, give me your heart. I told Him it was His and I gave it freely - though occasionally it strays, it always returns to Him.
The Lord came to me and said, give me your mind. I told Him it was His and I gave it with no complaint. Though it occasionally wanders, it always returns to pondering the mysteries of the Lord.
The Lord came to me and said, give me your soul. I told Him it was His and I humbled my pride and released it to Him. Though occasionally it serves its own will, it always returns and submits to the will of its true mater, who is the Lord.
The Lord came to me and said give me your body. I told Him it was His and though I paused at the request I gave it. Occasionally my body falls to the temptations of the flesh, but His mercy forgives me of my sins and my body returns to God, to be His temple.
The Lord came to me and said, give me your hopes, dreams and ambitions. I choked on this request. My foolish pride swelled up and rebelled. I went on my own and I failed, again and again. I called out to the Lord and begged for mercy. He spoke to me in His calm, quiet way. He said, give me your hopes, dreams and ambitions and I will give you dreams you cannot even fathom. I will give you endless hope and my ambitions will replace yours. Still this was a hard and bitter pill for me to swallow. But I relented. I gave God my hopes, my dreams and my ambitions. Though I knew I would feel empty without these, the Lord has filled me to the brim. Yes, I admit my sin. That pride I swallowed tends to be regurgitated and the old fights within the glorious new and I falter. But, the new is stronger because it is Christ and I humble myself before the Lord.
The Lord then came to me and said you have given me your heart, your mind, your soul and your body. You have forsaken yourself, the one defiled by sin and death for the gift of everlasting life I have given you. You have bowed to my will. This is good. I am the sovereign Lord and for you to be justified in faith I need your all. Fear seized my body. What more do I have to give?
The Lord said to me, give me your wife, the one you love. Tears streamed from my eyes as if a river had burst a dam. My heart split in two and I fell to the floor in a heap. I prayed to God in fear and a lack of understanding. It was my very God who had joined us, who had fostered this love and now He demanded a sacrifice of it. I offered all else in futility. Still the Lord spoke, give me your wife.
Bitterly and with hesitation I am granting his request. I feel like Abraham must have when the Lord told him to sacrifice Isaac. I do not know if there will be any rams for a substitution for me. But in faith, I trust the lord my God. Trouble has been sitting in wait, pursuing every footstep of mine since I was young. When I stray to the left disaster comes. When I stray to the right calamity comes. When I step back I stumble into strife. When I hesitate and pause I am overtaken by my pursuers. Therefore, I will step forward.
My courage fails me. I am paralyzed in fear. But an inner peace, a peace that passeth all understanding stirs hope in the very depths of my soul. I pray that I do not choke it out with the concerns of my daily life and that I can keep my eyes fixed on that which is eternal. The Lord has a plan for me, though I do not know what it is. May I store up my treasures in heaven, so that I do not fall into sin by loving what I have here to the detriment of my love of God.
Lord look upon me with grace. Though you alone are worthy of my praise and adoration, what you ask of me is great and difficult. I can forsake wealth and honor, these are of no consequence to me. Though I struggle with the sins of the flesh, this is of no real importance. Knowledge I hold in high esteem, but would willingly be considered a fool for you. But to sacrifice this marriage at your feet is a bitter pill to swallow. Her love and acceptance of me was something that I had never known before. Her care for me, even as sparse as it has been recently brought me to new heights. I can endure years of torture and pain, hunger and humiliation just to hear a single kind word from her. Lord what you ask for is great indeed. But if this is what you require of me I give it. Comfort me in your Word. Instruct me in Truth so that I may better serve you.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Brief Notes on Ezra
(Originally written June 9, 2008 in the Journal)
Lord I feel deflated, defeated and dejected. The hope in my heart is failing. My strength has left me. Lord see my heart, my soul and my mind, they lie prostrate before you. Will you show me pity? Will you extend your grace?
How long oh Lord must I suffer, whether justly or unjustly? How long will you afflict me? The pain is temporal, but real. The Christian does not allow himself to be driven to the depths of despair by the ills of this world, nor does he cherish the goods of this world because he looks to the eternal and has an endless supply of joy. The Lord is joy. Halleluiah! May all men be so fortunate as I am to see the Lord and know that He is good.
But Lord, my vision is weak. I am near sighted and hampered by this world. This world is the world you have made; it is blessed by your very hand. Though we have polluted it with strife and sin, it still points to your amazing craftsmanship. Lord lift up my eyes to you. May you remove my near sightedness so that I can see your glory.
Show me the path you wish me to walk. Make it plain and clear so that even I, the lowest of minds, may see it.
"So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:7-8).
Lord everyday I try to have sought you. Some days I feel close to you. Other days I feel you are aloof and hide your face from me. Do not turn from me. Your love is all that sustains me. Without that I will surely die! Lord look to your servant here and grant him mercy. Grant me clemency and pardon me of my many iniquities.
See, I walk the narrow path. I walk straight and upright, trying to swerve neither to the left nor the right. I seek righteousness, not for my own sake, but so that your glory may be magnified.
Who am I that the Holy Father, creator and Master of all, should notice me? I am nobody. I am less than that. Even still you speak to me as a son? Do not hide your voice from me, but speak to my heart and I will listen. Remove the stiffness of my neck. I humble myself before you. I ask not for riches or wealth, but only simply to hear your voice and understand your words. You are my treasure. You are my hope, my joy. I give you all that I am, a small gift I know. But, all I have is yours. Counsel me with your words and soothe my anger, fear and despair with your voice.
Notes on Ezra
Chapter 1 - King Cyrus of Persia released the Judahites after years of captivity. He sent them back to rebuild the Temple, which Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed.
Chapter 2 - 42,360 men returned to Judah from exile. When they returned to Jerusalem they gave a free-will offering to the house of the Lord.
Chapter 3 -
They restored the altar of the Lord and began to offer holocausts on it as prescribed in the Law of Moses. Then they laid the foundation for the new temple. Some cried for the old Temple. Others rejoiced for the new.
Chapter 4 -
Men of Israel came down to Judah and demanded they be let to help rebuild the temple. When they were refused they acted to stop the rebuilding process.
Artaxerxes stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem because the men of Israel tricked him into thinking that Jerusalem would stop paying tribute once the city was rebuilt.
Chapter 5 -
Haggai and Zechariah urged the people to keep rebuilding in the name of God. When the enemies of Jerusalem learned this they sent another letter to the king of Babylon to halt the rebuilding.
Chapter 6 -
King Darius of Babylon issued a decree stating that the Temple should be rebuilt and that any men who interfered with it should have his house reduced to rubble and be impaled on a beam from his own house. The Temple was completed in the sixth year of the reign of Darius. The people then celebrated Passover.
Chapter 7 -
Ezra, a descendant of Aaron came to Jerusalem from Babylon. The hand of God was upon Ezra, who was a scribe. Ezra was put in charge of the Judahites by King Artaxerxes of Babylon.
Chapter 8 -
Ezra gathered many Israelites with him, but no Levites were found so he sent for some. Ezra and his followers arrived in Jerusalem safely and presented the gold and silver from Artaxerxes to the Temple.
Chapter 9 -
Ezra denounced the intermarriage between the Israelites and the surrounding peoples.
Chapter 10 -
The men who had taken foreign wives sent them away, along with all the children born to them.
Lord I feel deflated, defeated and dejected. The hope in my heart is failing. My strength has left me. Lord see my heart, my soul and my mind, they lie prostrate before you. Will you show me pity? Will you extend your grace?
How long oh Lord must I suffer, whether justly or unjustly? How long will you afflict me? The pain is temporal, but real. The Christian does not allow himself to be driven to the depths of despair by the ills of this world, nor does he cherish the goods of this world because he looks to the eternal and has an endless supply of joy. The Lord is joy. Halleluiah! May all men be so fortunate as I am to see the Lord and know that He is good.
But Lord, my vision is weak. I am near sighted and hampered by this world. This world is the world you have made; it is blessed by your very hand. Though we have polluted it with strife and sin, it still points to your amazing craftsmanship. Lord lift up my eyes to you. May you remove my near sightedness so that I can see your glory.
Show me the path you wish me to walk. Make it plain and clear so that even I, the lowest of minds, may see it.
"So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:7-8).
Lord everyday I try to have sought you. Some days I feel close to you. Other days I feel you are aloof and hide your face from me. Do not turn from me. Your love is all that sustains me. Without that I will surely die! Lord look to your servant here and grant him mercy. Grant me clemency and pardon me of my many iniquities.
See, I walk the narrow path. I walk straight and upright, trying to swerve neither to the left nor the right. I seek righteousness, not for my own sake, but so that your glory may be magnified.
Who am I that the Holy Father, creator and Master of all, should notice me? I am nobody. I am less than that. Even still you speak to me as a son? Do not hide your voice from me, but speak to my heart and I will listen. Remove the stiffness of my neck. I humble myself before you. I ask not for riches or wealth, but only simply to hear your voice and understand your words. You are my treasure. You are my hope, my joy. I give you all that I am, a small gift I know. But, all I have is yours. Counsel me with your words and soothe my anger, fear and despair with your voice.
Notes on Ezra
Chapter 1 - King Cyrus of Persia released the Judahites after years of captivity. He sent them back to rebuild the Temple, which Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed.
Chapter 2 - 42,360 men returned to Judah from exile. When they returned to Jerusalem they gave a free-will offering to the house of the Lord.
Chapter 3 -
They restored the altar of the Lord and began to offer holocausts on it as prescribed in the Law of Moses. Then they laid the foundation for the new temple. Some cried for the old Temple. Others rejoiced for the new.
Chapter 4 -
Men of Israel came down to Judah and demanded they be let to help rebuild the temple. When they were refused they acted to stop the rebuilding process.
Artaxerxes stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem because the men of Israel tricked him into thinking that Jerusalem would stop paying tribute once the city was rebuilt.
Chapter 5 -
Haggai and Zechariah urged the people to keep rebuilding in the name of God. When the enemies of Jerusalem learned this they sent another letter to the king of Babylon to halt the rebuilding.
Chapter 6 -
King Darius of Babylon issued a decree stating that the Temple should be rebuilt and that any men who interfered with it should have his house reduced to rubble and be impaled on a beam from his own house. The Temple was completed in the sixth year of the reign of Darius. The people then celebrated Passover.
Chapter 7 -
Ezra, a descendant of Aaron came to Jerusalem from Babylon. The hand of God was upon Ezra, who was a scribe. Ezra was put in charge of the Judahites by King Artaxerxes of Babylon.
Chapter 8 -
Ezra gathered many Israelites with him, but no Levites were found so he sent for some. Ezra and his followers arrived in Jerusalem safely and presented the gold and silver from Artaxerxes to the Temple.
Chapter 9 -
Ezra denounced the intermarriage between the Israelites and the surrounding peoples.
Chapter 10 -
The men who had taken foreign wives sent them away, along with all the children born to them.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Brief Notes on City of God - Book 1
(Originally Written June 4, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on City of God by Augustine
Introduction
"The great lesson of the City of God is that out of all things come good" (Augustine, ix)
Book I
Great effort is needed to convince the proud of the power of humility.
The city of this world seeks to dominate but is dominated by its lust for domination.
"God's providence constantly uses war to correct and chasten the corrupt morals of mankind, as it also uses such afflictions to train men in a righteous and laudable way of life, removing to a better state those whose life is approved, or else keeping them in this world for further service" (Augustine, 6).
It is foolish to trust in gods who can be conquered and yet saved by man's hands. A god ought to be unconquerable and capable of saving man, not the other way around.
The god of Rome would have perished long ago if the Romans had not so painstakingly preserved them.
It is foolishness for men to blame the collapse of Rome on Christ when they invoked his name to save their very lives! The fall of Rome was brought about by their corrupt morals.
In the sack of Rome, the savagery of war was tempered by something new: Christianity. Pagan and Christian alike were spared in the temples of Christ. How then can Christ be blamed for the fall of Rome?
The mercy of the Lord extends to both the good and the bad. This is so the wicked can repent and come to the Lord, for God waits for all men to come. Some choose to harden their hearts, but that is their own task for destruction.
The mercy God extends will someday in the future only extend to those who accept Him.
God has willed that temporal goods and temporal evils will befall good and bad alike.
"The good man is not exalted by this world's goods; nor is he overwhelmed by this world's ills" (Augustine, 13-14).
Not all evil doing is punished in this world. Some punishment is stored up for the final judgment.
God punishes some sin in this world so that the belief in providence never ceases.
God rewards some good deeds here so that we do not believe God has no concern for temporal blessings, but other good deeds have blessings that are bestowed after this temporal life is done.
Though the suffering of the good and evil are alike, the sufferers are different. The wicked curse God under affliction; the good offer prayers to Him.
"Stir a cesspit, and a foul stench arises; stir a perfume, and a delightful fragrance ascends. But the movement is identical" (Augustine, 14).
The suffering of Christians have caused their moral improvement because they viewed them with eyes of faith.
Christians suffer justly when they do not admonish sins, for not to admonish sin is a sin itself.
The good and bad suffer because though they do not live equal lives, they both love this temporal world too much.
The worldly advantages of life are not discreditable in themselves. What is discreditable is when the Christian is unduly attached to those advantages.
The Christian loses nothing in the deprivation of temporal goods. A man can be poor in life, yet rich in spirit. A Christian ought to be content with that they have and bless the Lord for it.
Those Christians who grieve the loss of their temporal goods, though they do not love them as much as they love Christ, can learn how much sin they have committed in losing those temporal things. These Christians refused to be taught by words and so God taught them by experience.
Christ condemns the desire for riches, not the opportunity riches afford.
Those who suffer torture who have no wealth on account of wealth confess Christ. If the torturer is not swayed the tortured will still be justly rewarded in heaven.
The only thing that makes death an evil is what comes after death. We ought not worry about death because all die; we should instead focus on our destination after death.
We need not worry over the body of a man who has died. Those who can kill the body have no power over the soul. The saints who have fallen but not been given a proper burial will still be resurrected.
Suicide is never justifiable.
Purity is a virtue of the mind, not the body.
Courage endures evil, but does not condone it.
We cannot commit suicide for the Bible says we cannot kill (which implies a human being) and to kill one's self is to kill a human being.
Not all homicide is murder. God orders killing, but when He does so the man does not do the killing. He is just an instrument of God. He is like the sword that God is wielding.
Though gods may be false, worship of those gods can be sincere.
The judgment of God is inscrutable and His ways are mysterious. Sometimes we cannot comprehend why we suffer, but we can take consolation in the fact that Divine Providence is at work.
God always works suffering to result in our justification or our correction.
The saints ought not to regret this temporal life for it is their schooling for eternity.
Those who rebel against the Christian era do so that they may indulge themselves in extravagant sin.
The Church has members hidden amongst the world as the Church has ungodly hidden in its midst. But, God knows these men.
The city of God and the city of man stand interwoven and intermixed, awaiting separation on the Judgment Day.
Notes on City of God by Augustine
Introduction
"The great lesson of the City of God is that out of all things come good" (Augustine, ix)
Book I
Great effort is needed to convince the proud of the power of humility.
The city of this world seeks to dominate but is dominated by its lust for domination.
"God's providence constantly uses war to correct and chasten the corrupt morals of mankind, as it also uses such afflictions to train men in a righteous and laudable way of life, removing to a better state those whose life is approved, or else keeping them in this world for further service" (Augustine, 6).
It is foolish to trust in gods who can be conquered and yet saved by man's hands. A god ought to be unconquerable and capable of saving man, not the other way around.
The god of Rome would have perished long ago if the Romans had not so painstakingly preserved them.
It is foolishness for men to blame the collapse of Rome on Christ when they invoked his name to save their very lives! The fall of Rome was brought about by their corrupt morals.
In the sack of Rome, the savagery of war was tempered by something new: Christianity. Pagan and Christian alike were spared in the temples of Christ. How then can Christ be blamed for the fall of Rome?
The mercy of the Lord extends to both the good and the bad. This is so the wicked can repent and come to the Lord, for God waits for all men to come. Some choose to harden their hearts, but that is their own task for destruction.
The mercy God extends will someday in the future only extend to those who accept Him.
God has willed that temporal goods and temporal evils will befall good and bad alike.
"The good man is not exalted by this world's goods; nor is he overwhelmed by this world's ills" (Augustine, 13-14).
Not all evil doing is punished in this world. Some punishment is stored up for the final judgment.
God punishes some sin in this world so that the belief in providence never ceases.
God rewards some good deeds here so that we do not believe God has no concern for temporal blessings, but other good deeds have blessings that are bestowed after this temporal life is done.
Though the suffering of the good and evil are alike, the sufferers are different. The wicked curse God under affliction; the good offer prayers to Him.
"Stir a cesspit, and a foul stench arises; stir a perfume, and a delightful fragrance ascends. But the movement is identical" (Augustine, 14).
The suffering of Christians have caused their moral improvement because they viewed them with eyes of faith.
Christians suffer justly when they do not admonish sins, for not to admonish sin is a sin itself.
The good and bad suffer because though they do not live equal lives, they both love this temporal world too much.
The worldly advantages of life are not discreditable in themselves. What is discreditable is when the Christian is unduly attached to those advantages.
The Christian loses nothing in the deprivation of temporal goods. A man can be poor in life, yet rich in spirit. A Christian ought to be content with that they have and bless the Lord for it.
Those Christians who grieve the loss of their temporal goods, though they do not love them as much as they love Christ, can learn how much sin they have committed in losing those temporal things. These Christians refused to be taught by words and so God taught them by experience.
Christ condemns the desire for riches, not the opportunity riches afford.
Those who suffer torture who have no wealth on account of wealth confess Christ. If the torturer is not swayed the tortured will still be justly rewarded in heaven.
The only thing that makes death an evil is what comes after death. We ought not worry about death because all die; we should instead focus on our destination after death.
We need not worry over the body of a man who has died. Those who can kill the body have no power over the soul. The saints who have fallen but not been given a proper burial will still be resurrected.
Suicide is never justifiable.
Purity is a virtue of the mind, not the body.
Courage endures evil, but does not condone it.
We cannot commit suicide for the Bible says we cannot kill (which implies a human being) and to kill one's self is to kill a human being.
Not all homicide is murder. God orders killing, but when He does so the man does not do the killing. He is just an instrument of God. He is like the sword that God is wielding.
Though gods may be false, worship of those gods can be sincere.
The judgment of God is inscrutable and His ways are mysterious. Sometimes we cannot comprehend why we suffer, but we can take consolation in the fact that Divine Providence is at work.
God always works suffering to result in our justification or our correction.
The saints ought not to regret this temporal life for it is their schooling for eternity.
Those who rebel against the Christian era do so that they may indulge themselves in extravagant sin.
The Church has members hidden amongst the world as the Church has ungodly hidden in its midst. But, God knows these men.
The city of God and the city of man stand interwoven and intermixed, awaiting separation on the Judgment Day.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Brief Notes on The Epistle of Barnabas
(Originally Written June 3, 2008 in the Journal)
The Epistle of Barnabas seems to have been written between 70 - 200 A.D. It is not believed that this Barnabas is the same Barnabas as Paul's companion.
The Epistle of Barnabas
"For on the way of righteousness I have had the companionship of the Lord" (Early Christian Writings, 159).
There are three principles of the Lord:
1. Faith
2. Hope
3. Love
The Lord has made known to us that He has no need of oblations and sacrifices. The Lord seeks us to give to the needy and give the Lord a contrite heart as sacrifice.
We as Christians are not to withdraw within ourselves and live in solitude. We must make ourselves into the temple of the Living God.
The Lord sanctified us by the remission of our sins in His death.
Ruin justly awaits those who know the way of Holiness but choose the way of Darkness.
The prophets of Israel can only be understood through their fulfillment in Christ Jesus.
Though Jesus Christ was fully God, He came into this world as a man and suffered so that His affliction would win life for us.
Moses spoke of the dietary laws for which the Israelites understood carnally, but we, as Christians, understand them spiritually.
There are two ways of teaching, two wielders of power: the light and the darkness.
To follow the Way of Light is to give glory to Him who redeemed you from death. The Way of Light is never marred by hypocrisy. The Way of Light loves its neighbor more than itself.
"Never do away with an unborn child, or destroy it after its birth" (Early Christian Writings, 180).
"Whatever experience comes your way, accept it as a blessing, in the certainty that nothing can happen without God" (Early Christian Writings, 180).
Be as pure as you can. Detest evil. Be generous. Do not come to prayer with a bad conscious.
The Way of Darkness is defiance of God. Those in the Way of Darkness are sunk in sin.
The Epistle of Barnabas seems to have been written between 70 - 200 A.D. It is not believed that this Barnabas is the same Barnabas as Paul's companion.
The Epistle of Barnabas
"For on the way of righteousness I have had the companionship of the Lord" (Early Christian Writings, 159).
There are three principles of the Lord:
1. Faith
2. Hope
3. Love
The Lord has made known to us that He has no need of oblations and sacrifices. The Lord seeks us to give to the needy and give the Lord a contrite heart as sacrifice.
We as Christians are not to withdraw within ourselves and live in solitude. We must make ourselves into the temple of the Living God.
The Lord sanctified us by the remission of our sins in His death.
Ruin justly awaits those who know the way of Holiness but choose the way of Darkness.
The prophets of Israel can only be understood through their fulfillment in Christ Jesus.
Though Jesus Christ was fully God, He came into this world as a man and suffered so that His affliction would win life for us.
Moses spoke of the dietary laws for which the Israelites understood carnally, but we, as Christians, understand them spiritually.
There are two ways of teaching, two wielders of power: the light and the darkness.
To follow the Way of Light is to give glory to Him who redeemed you from death. The Way of Light is never marred by hypocrisy. The Way of Light loves its neighbor more than itself.
"Never do away with an unborn child, or destroy it after its birth" (Early Christian Writings, 180).
"Whatever experience comes your way, accept it as a blessing, in the certainty that nothing can happen without God" (Early Christian Writings, 180).
Be as pure as you can. Detest evil. Be generous. Do not come to prayer with a bad conscious.
The Way of Darkness is defiance of God. Those in the Way of Darkness are sunk in sin.
Brief Notes on The Epistle to Diognetus
(Originally Written June 3, 2008 in the Journal)
The Lord is good and faithful, merciful and just. He fills my cup when it is empty and restores me to health when I am sick. Though my world collapses around me, I stand firm for my feet rest upon the Rock. Give me strength to make it through today Lord. Grant me the wisdom to follow you. May you treat my enemies severely in your time, but give me the grace to treat them with love. Lord be with her. Do not cut her off form you. She seeks that which she knows not. Though you know perfectly well she seeks you in the wrong places. Guide her aim to you. Fill her cup and restore her to you. If it is in your will restore her to me as well. Teach me today Lord that I may be more fit to serve you.
Notes on Early Christian Writings
The Epistle to Diognetus is a treatise that was most likely written between 120-200 A.D. Diognetus seems to have been a Greek official and a pagan who had an interest in Christianity.
The Epistle to Diognetus
The author starts by criticizing idols as they are made by man with perishable substances. The fact is that these gods could be refashioned into everyday, common items. "In a word, are they not, one and all, nothing but dumb, blind, lifeless things, without sense, without movement, rotting and decaying?" (Early Christian Writings, 143). It is interesting that the gods made of stone and pottery are left unprotected, but those of gold and silver are guarded. This shows that the material is even more valuable to you then the gods themselves.
The Jews, while serving the true God, make use of the absurd rituals of the pagans. If these rituals are absurd to stone, lifeless things, then who could expect the living God to see them as acceptable?
"One party, it seems, makes its offerings to creatures which cannot partake of the gifts, the other to the One who needs none of them" (Early Christian Writings, 144).
The unique things of Christians is that they live among their people, but are citizens of heaven. "They obey the prescribed laws, but in their own private lives they transcend the laws. They show love to all men - and all men persecute them" (Early Christian Writings, 145).
Christians are to the world as the soul is to the body. The soul is through the whole body and likewise Christians live throughout the world. The soul is in the body but does not form part of it. So too are Christians in the world but not part of it. The soul is immortal but must live in the mortal body, so too the Christian.
It is the moral duty of a Christian not shrink from sufferings and persecutions.
There is no compulsion found in the Word of God. He came to save us by persuasion, not compulsion.
The more the Christians suffer, the more men join their ranks.
Christianity is not the product of man, but of God.
Only through faith are we permitted to know God.
The Lord was loving and long-suffering toward mankind.
The wickedness of the masses was covered by the Innocence of Jesus Christ. The Lord set out from the beginning to exchange the Holy for the wicked because He loves us so.
God has not willed man to be imitators of Him.
"Without knowledge there can be no life, and without life there can be no trustworthy knowledge" (Early Christian Writings, 150).
The Lord is good and faithful, merciful and just. He fills my cup when it is empty and restores me to health when I am sick. Though my world collapses around me, I stand firm for my feet rest upon the Rock. Give me strength to make it through today Lord. Grant me the wisdom to follow you. May you treat my enemies severely in your time, but give me the grace to treat them with love. Lord be with her. Do not cut her off form you. She seeks that which she knows not. Though you know perfectly well she seeks you in the wrong places. Guide her aim to you. Fill her cup and restore her to you. If it is in your will restore her to me as well. Teach me today Lord that I may be more fit to serve you.
Notes on Early Christian Writings
The Epistle to Diognetus is a treatise that was most likely written between 120-200 A.D. Diognetus seems to have been a Greek official and a pagan who had an interest in Christianity.
The Epistle to Diognetus
The author starts by criticizing idols as they are made by man with perishable substances. The fact is that these gods could be refashioned into everyday, common items. "In a word, are they not, one and all, nothing but dumb, blind, lifeless things, without sense, without movement, rotting and decaying?" (Early Christian Writings, 143). It is interesting that the gods made of stone and pottery are left unprotected, but those of gold and silver are guarded. This shows that the material is even more valuable to you then the gods themselves.
The Jews, while serving the true God, make use of the absurd rituals of the pagans. If these rituals are absurd to stone, lifeless things, then who could expect the living God to see them as acceptable?
"One party, it seems, makes its offerings to creatures which cannot partake of the gifts, the other to the One who needs none of them" (Early Christian Writings, 144).
The unique things of Christians is that they live among their people, but are citizens of heaven. "They obey the prescribed laws, but in their own private lives they transcend the laws. They show love to all men - and all men persecute them" (Early Christian Writings, 145).
Christians are to the world as the soul is to the body. The soul is through the whole body and likewise Christians live throughout the world. The soul is in the body but does not form part of it. So too are Christians in the world but not part of it. The soul is immortal but must live in the mortal body, so too the Christian.
It is the moral duty of a Christian not shrink from sufferings and persecutions.
There is no compulsion found in the Word of God. He came to save us by persuasion, not compulsion.
The more the Christians suffer, the more men join their ranks.
Christianity is not the product of man, but of God.
Only through faith are we permitted to know God.
The Lord was loving and long-suffering toward mankind.
The wickedness of the masses was covered by the Innocence of Jesus Christ. The Lord set out from the beginning to exchange the Holy for the wicked because He loves us so.
God has not willed man to be imitators of Him.
"Without knowledge there can be no life, and without life there can be no trustworthy knowledge" (Early Christian Writings, 150).
Monday, June 2, 2008
Notes on Polycarp
(Originally Written June 2, 2008 in the Journal)
Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna, appointed there by the apostle, St. John.
Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians
He warns the Philippians against the vapid discourses of the vulgar (heresies and the philosophies of the pagans).
A man's mind should always be bent on faith, hope and love of God and Christ, and love of neighbor.
He warns that troubles stem from the love of money. He warns against loose living.
"If we pray to the Lord to forgive us, we ourselves must be forgiving" (Early Christian Writings, 121).
We must not associate with hypocritical Christians.
We must imitate the patience of Christ and if we must suffer than we ought to give glory to God for it.
Keep yourself from even the slightest taint of wrong.
What am I to say Lord? I have been made a fool, a disgrace, There is no love or respect. I am chastised for every action, for every word. The Lord has called me to love a woman who despises me. Turn your eyes upon me in mercy. Lord, my heart is failing. I have no joy in me. Why do you so easily take what I hold most dear? Lord I give it to you willingly, though I choke back these tears. My soul is in utter anguish and my heart aches with such tenacity I know not how to describe it. I see the world mocking me and jeering. There is no comfort, no solace. Even bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh is of no comfort. She causes me such strife and pain.
Where are you Lord? I call out in utter despair and do not hear your voice. I do not feel your warm embrace. My eyes well with tears and stream down my face. I am no man, I am but a lost child. When will you raise me up? How long oh Lord must I suffer? Will you allow the enemy to tear me apart? If so then give me the strength to endure in your Holy name. Make my misery and down fall so public that the whole world will know it that I may be a testimony to you. Lord how do I thank you for this? How do I praise your name when you bring ruin upon me? I offer not lip service, but genuine faith. Praise be to the Lord for He is good. Though we may be afflicted and suffer cruel injustice, we are redeemed by the blood of Christ. None of us Lord is perfect, all deserve a sinner's death. Yet, you in Christ Jesus our Lord and savior made us blameless in your sight. The Lord is truly faithful. Though all mankind forsake me, I will rejoice gladly for the Lord shall never leave me.
She is leaving today Lord. Watch over her and draw her back to you. Do not let her fall into temptations. Do not afflict me any more. Love her as you do and show her mercy and kindness. Circumcise her heart and mind and ears. May she come to see you as I do and better, for I am but beginning to see you. Bless her in all she does and if it is your will restore her to me, for I love her dearly.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
A young man named Germanicus was martyred at the hands of beasts. He was offered out of this death on account of his youth, but dragged the beast nearer to him to speed to God.
Quintus of Phrygia went voluntarily to the slaughter, but lost heart at the sight of the animals. He recanted and offered incense to the false gods of the Romans. For this reason, and for the fact that it is contrary to the gospel, men ought not offer themselves up spontaneously.
When the men caught Polycarp they were surprised that the death of such an old man was such urgent business. The governor asked Polycarp to renounce Christ, or even just utter "down with the infidels" to be free of punishment. But, Polycarp swept his hand at the heathen crowd and uttered "down with the infidels". The governor then threatened Polycarp with beasts and Polycarp called them up. He threatened Polycarp with fire and still Polycarp showed no fear. He was 86 years old at this time. Polycarp then prayed to God as he was attached to the pyre. The fire was lit, but would not burn high enough to kill Polycarp. Polycarp was then stabbed to death. The blood of Polycarp poured out of his body and put the flames out and the crowd was amazed.
Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna, appointed there by the apostle, St. John.
Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians
He warns the Philippians against the vapid discourses of the vulgar (heresies and the philosophies of the pagans).
A man's mind should always be bent on faith, hope and love of God and Christ, and love of neighbor.
He warns that troubles stem from the love of money. He warns against loose living.
"If we pray to the Lord to forgive us, we ourselves must be forgiving" (Early Christian Writings, 121).
We must not associate with hypocritical Christians.
We must imitate the patience of Christ and if we must suffer than we ought to give glory to God for it.
Keep yourself from even the slightest taint of wrong.
What am I to say Lord? I have been made a fool, a disgrace, There is no love or respect. I am chastised for every action, for every word. The Lord has called me to love a woman who despises me. Turn your eyes upon me in mercy. Lord, my heart is failing. I have no joy in me. Why do you so easily take what I hold most dear? Lord I give it to you willingly, though I choke back these tears. My soul is in utter anguish and my heart aches with such tenacity I know not how to describe it. I see the world mocking me and jeering. There is no comfort, no solace. Even bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh is of no comfort. She causes me such strife and pain.
Where are you Lord? I call out in utter despair and do not hear your voice. I do not feel your warm embrace. My eyes well with tears and stream down my face. I am no man, I am but a lost child. When will you raise me up? How long oh Lord must I suffer? Will you allow the enemy to tear me apart? If so then give me the strength to endure in your Holy name. Make my misery and down fall so public that the whole world will know it that I may be a testimony to you. Lord how do I thank you for this? How do I praise your name when you bring ruin upon me? I offer not lip service, but genuine faith. Praise be to the Lord for He is good. Though we may be afflicted and suffer cruel injustice, we are redeemed by the blood of Christ. None of us Lord is perfect, all deserve a sinner's death. Yet, you in Christ Jesus our Lord and savior made us blameless in your sight. The Lord is truly faithful. Though all mankind forsake me, I will rejoice gladly for the Lord shall never leave me.
She is leaving today Lord. Watch over her and draw her back to you. Do not let her fall into temptations. Do not afflict me any more. Love her as you do and show her mercy and kindness. Circumcise her heart and mind and ears. May she come to see you as I do and better, for I am but beginning to see you. Bless her in all she does and if it is your will restore her to me, for I love her dearly.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
A young man named Germanicus was martyred at the hands of beasts. He was offered out of this death on account of his youth, but dragged the beast nearer to him to speed to God.
Quintus of Phrygia went voluntarily to the slaughter, but lost heart at the sight of the animals. He recanted and offered incense to the false gods of the Romans. For this reason, and for the fact that it is contrary to the gospel, men ought not offer themselves up spontaneously.
When the men caught Polycarp they were surprised that the death of such an old man was such urgent business. The governor asked Polycarp to renounce Christ, or even just utter "down with the infidels" to be free of punishment. But, Polycarp swept his hand at the heathen crowd and uttered "down with the infidels". The governor then threatened Polycarp with beasts and Polycarp called them up. He threatened Polycarp with fire and still Polycarp showed no fear. He was 86 years old at this time. Polycarp then prayed to God as he was attached to the pyre. The fire was lit, but would not burn high enough to kill Polycarp. Polycarp was then stabbed to death. The blood of Polycarp poured out of his body and put the flames out and the crowd was amazed.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sermon notes on Suffering
(Originally Written May 25, 2008 in the Journal)
Pastor Nace Lanier, Burke Community Church Sermon Notes
Devotion is the Christ-centered life (godliness).
God will give you more than you can handle.
Abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul (I Peter 2:11-12 paraphrase).
Submit in public life.
Christians have a responsibility beyond the church. We ought to work even with non-Christians toward moral goals.
Submit in private life.
Grin and bear your suffering, mindful of God. If you suffer while mindful of God it is great and powerful. If you suffer without being mindful of God, then it is worthless.
We suffer as Christians. Suffering is to be accepted and embraced.
"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21).
God gives us more than we can handle so that we trust in Him alone.
Thank you Lord for this morning's service at Burke. How coincidental was the sermon subject would be suffering. Obviously, that is a bit sarcastic because with you there is no coincidence, all is ordered.
Lord I submit myself to you. I am your willing servant. I give you all that I have and all that I am. Remember me as you look upon this wreckage of a man. Lord show me how I may follow Christ's footsteps. Show me the continuing path to you. I will walk neither left nor right, but straight and narrow.
Be with my grandmother as she is suffering physical pain with a broken back. Lord heal her wounds and comfort her as she takes the last steps on her journey to you. Be with her in that hospital bed. Send down your angels to minister to her body and soul. I beseech you Lord and call on your good will to hear and answer this prayer.
Lord as always your will be done.
Pastor Nace Lanier, Burke Community Church Sermon Notes
Devotion is the Christ-centered life (godliness).
God will give you more than you can handle.
Abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul (I Peter 2:11-12 paraphrase).
Submit in public life.
Christians have a responsibility beyond the church. We ought to work even with non-Christians toward moral goals.
Submit in private life.
Grin and bear your suffering, mindful of God. If you suffer while mindful of God it is great and powerful. If you suffer without being mindful of God, then it is worthless.
We suffer as Christians. Suffering is to be accepted and embraced.
"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21).
God gives us more than we can handle so that we trust in Him alone.
Thank you Lord for this morning's service at Burke. How coincidental was the sermon subject would be suffering. Obviously, that is a bit sarcastic because with you there is no coincidence, all is ordered.
Lord I submit myself to you. I am your willing servant. I give you all that I have and all that I am. Remember me as you look upon this wreckage of a man. Lord show me how I may follow Christ's footsteps. Show me the continuing path to you. I will walk neither left nor right, but straight and narrow.
Be with my grandmother as she is suffering physical pain with a broken back. Lord heal her wounds and comfort her as she takes the last steps on her journey to you. Be with her in that hospital bed. Send down your angels to minister to her body and soul. I beseech you Lord and call on your good will to hear and answer this prayer.
Lord as always your will be done.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
The Objectivist Ethics - 3
(Originally written June 29, 2006 in Book 3)
The Objectivist Ethics
Ayn Rand
The social principle of objectivist ethics is that since man is an end in and of himself, and every man is such an end, one ought not ever sacrifice one's self to others, nor ever sacrifice another to himself.
"The achievement of his own happiness is man's highest moral purpose" (Rand, 27)
Linehan - If happiness is the highest form of morality, then let us live as children and pursue nothing but folly. Let us be controlled by whims. There is nothing happier than a smiling child.
"Happiness is the successful state of life, suffering is the warning signal of failure, of death" (Rand, 27).
Emotions - automatic results of men's value judgements integrated by his subconscious; they are the estimates of that which furthers man's values or threatens them.
"Since man has no automatic knowledge, he can have no automatic values; since he has no innate ideas, he can have no innate value judgments" (Rand, 28).
Man's cognitive ability and emotional mechanism are tabula rasa at birth. Then the cognitive faculty provides its contents.
For those who choose values of mysticism (religious values) "his alleged happiness is the measure of his success in the service of his own destruction" (Rand, 28).
Happiness for the mystic cannot be truly called happiness or pleasure because it is merely a relief from his perpetual state of terror, which he has chosen to thrust himself into.
John Galt - "Happiness is a state of non-contradictory joy - a joy without penalty or guilt, a joy that does not clash with any of your values and does not work for your own destruction... Happiness is possible only to a rational man, the man who desires nothing but rational goals, seeks nothing but rational values and finds his joy in nothing but rational actions" (Rand, 29).
Maintenance of life is the pursuit of happiness.
While achieving happiness is the ultimate good, doing whatever makes one happy is following whims and living in the moment pure, true happiness is grabbed solely through rationality.
Hedonism is not the goal.
Happiness is the purpose, not the standard of ethics in objectivism. Whereas happiness is the standard in hedonism.
Hedonistic and altruistic ethics produce moral cannibalism.
Human good does not require human sacrifice because rational interests of men do not clash.
"The principle of trade is the only rational ethical principle for all human relationships, personal and social, private and public, spiritual and material. It is the principle of justice" (Rand, 31).
Linehan - There is no love then. Love, true love, by nature, is selfless. Therefore it cannot be rational. This is absurd. Love is not a barter system.
One must only seek to be loved for their accomplishments, not their flaws.
Linehan - Love is the exchange of soul to soul connections in spite of flaws, not a degradation of the man or woman for being flawed.
Only rationally selfish beings are capable of love. Self-esteem precedes love.
Knowledge and trade are the two great values of human society.
"The basic political principle of the objectivist ethic is no man may initiate the use of physical force against others" (Rand, 32).
The role of government is to protect man's rights, i.e., protect him from physical violence.
"Without property rights, no other rights are possible" (Rand, 32).
Capitalism, pure laissez-faire, is the only politico-economic system which fits the objectivist ethic. If man is to have a future as man, then this system must be implemented.
The three great ethical systems, the mystic, the social and the subjective have caused the mess humanity is in today.
Immorality is not the cause of our present destructive world; it is the moralities being practiced that have caused it.
The rejection of altruism is man's only hope for salvation.
The Objectivist Ethics
Ayn Rand
The social principle of objectivist ethics is that since man is an end in and of himself, and every man is such an end, one ought not ever sacrifice one's self to others, nor ever sacrifice another to himself.
"The achievement of his own happiness is man's highest moral purpose" (Rand, 27)
Linehan - If happiness is the highest form of morality, then let us live as children and pursue nothing but folly. Let us be controlled by whims. There is nothing happier than a smiling child.
"Happiness is the successful state of life, suffering is the warning signal of failure, of death" (Rand, 27).
Emotions - automatic results of men's value judgements integrated by his subconscious; they are the estimates of that which furthers man's values or threatens them.
"Since man has no automatic knowledge, he can have no automatic values; since he has no innate ideas, he can have no innate value judgments" (Rand, 28).
Man's cognitive ability and emotional mechanism are tabula rasa at birth. Then the cognitive faculty provides its contents.
For those who choose values of mysticism (religious values) "his alleged happiness is the measure of his success in the service of his own destruction" (Rand, 28).
Happiness for the mystic cannot be truly called happiness or pleasure because it is merely a relief from his perpetual state of terror, which he has chosen to thrust himself into.
John Galt - "Happiness is a state of non-contradictory joy - a joy without penalty or guilt, a joy that does not clash with any of your values and does not work for your own destruction... Happiness is possible only to a rational man, the man who desires nothing but rational goals, seeks nothing but rational values and finds his joy in nothing but rational actions" (Rand, 29).
Maintenance of life is the pursuit of happiness.
While achieving happiness is the ultimate good, doing whatever makes one happy is following whims and living in the moment pure, true happiness is grabbed solely through rationality.
Hedonism is not the goal.
Happiness is the purpose, not the standard of ethics in objectivism. Whereas happiness is the standard in hedonism.
Hedonistic and altruistic ethics produce moral cannibalism.
Human good does not require human sacrifice because rational interests of men do not clash.
"The principle of trade is the only rational ethical principle for all human relationships, personal and social, private and public, spiritual and material. It is the principle of justice" (Rand, 31).
Linehan - There is no love then. Love, true love, by nature, is selfless. Therefore it cannot be rational. This is absurd. Love is not a barter system.
One must only seek to be loved for their accomplishments, not their flaws.
Linehan - Love is the exchange of soul to soul connections in spite of flaws, not a degradation of the man or woman for being flawed.
Only rationally selfish beings are capable of love. Self-esteem precedes love.
Knowledge and trade are the two great values of human society.
"The basic political principle of the objectivist ethic is no man may initiate the use of physical force against others" (Rand, 32).
The role of government is to protect man's rights, i.e., protect him from physical violence.
"Without property rights, no other rights are possible" (Rand, 32).
Capitalism, pure laissez-faire, is the only politico-economic system which fits the objectivist ethic. If man is to have a future as man, then this system must be implemented.
The three great ethical systems, the mystic, the social and the subjective have caused the mess humanity is in today.
Immorality is not the cause of our present destructive world; it is the moralities being practiced that have caused it.
The rejection of altruism is man's only hope for salvation.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Notes on John Piper
(Originally Written March 17, 2006 in 3 Subject)
Let The Nations Be Glad
John Piper
Chapter 2: The supremacy of God in Missions through prayer
Life is war. God supplies the needs to be in the war and to win it. The supplier gets the glory.
Life is war because the devil attacks faith. Paul uses the Greek word to fight to tell the Christians how to live for God. Paul repeatedly uses warfare imagery in his writings. The folly of most Christians is that they do not have a wartime mentality. They are at ease and have let their guard down. They are susceptible to the enemy's attacks.
Until Christians adopt a wartime mentality they cannot pray effectively. Prayer is using the sword against the enemy. If we do not feel that we need a sword, then we cannot pray correctly. God answers prayer to equip His soldiers.
Prayer is ineffective because Christians have no urgency. God has sent us on a mission and promised to back us up with prayers. All we have to do is adopt a wartime mentality. The end of the war is known: God will win.
Prayer was the reason the Early Church grew so rapidly. The Early Church had a wartime mentality and a sense of urgency.
Jesus tells us to pray in His name. He has all the authority in Heaven and on Earth. God's goal will come through prayer.
Prayer is important to missions, but it is not the work of missions. The Word of God is, and the Word of God cannot fail. The work of missions is to preach the Word of God. Prayer supplies the preachers with the necessary tools to preach.
Chapter 3: The supremacy of God in missions through suffering
Since life is war, suffering is inevitable. The Bible constantly talks about how suffering brings joy. Christ suffered on the cross for us as the ultimate substitution for eternal damnation, not as a substitution for suffering in life. Christ is our pattern for existence, therefore, our suffering is normal and to be expected.
God does not simply allow suffering, He appoints it. "Why does God allow this? No, that is not quite the right question. We have to ask, why does God appoint this?" (Piper, 84). He appoints it for six reasons:
1) Suffering deepens faith and holiness
2) Suffering makes your cup increase
3) Suffering is the price of making others bold
4) Suffering fills up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions
5) Suffering enforces the missionary to go
6) The supremacy of Christ is manifest in suffering
Chapter 4: The Supremacy of Christ as the conscious focus of all saving faith
Is Jesus Christ the only hope for man? This question asks three things:
1) Will anyone experience eternal conscious torment under God's wrath?
2) Is the work of Christ necessary for eternal salvation?
3) Is it necessary for one to hear Christ's message to be saved?
Urgency is lost if any of these three questions is answered with a 'no'.
1) Hell is real. It is everlasting, unquenchable and an eternal fire. It is punitive.
2) Christ's work is universal. The resurrection is the only answer for human misery.
3) Now that Christ has been revealed, He is the only way. Those who fear God without believing in the name of Christ cannot receive forgiveness for their sins, which is crucial to being saved. People who have not audibly heard the gospel have heard it according to Psalms 19:4. "Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun".
Let The Nations Be Glad
John Piper
Chapter 2: The supremacy of God in Missions through prayer
Life is war. God supplies the needs to be in the war and to win it. The supplier gets the glory.
Life is war because the devil attacks faith. Paul uses the Greek word to fight to tell the Christians how to live for God. Paul repeatedly uses warfare imagery in his writings. The folly of most Christians is that they do not have a wartime mentality. They are at ease and have let their guard down. They are susceptible to the enemy's attacks.
Until Christians adopt a wartime mentality they cannot pray effectively. Prayer is using the sword against the enemy. If we do not feel that we need a sword, then we cannot pray correctly. God answers prayer to equip His soldiers.
Prayer is ineffective because Christians have no urgency. God has sent us on a mission and promised to back us up with prayers. All we have to do is adopt a wartime mentality. The end of the war is known: God will win.
Prayer was the reason the Early Church grew so rapidly. The Early Church had a wartime mentality and a sense of urgency.
Jesus tells us to pray in His name. He has all the authority in Heaven and on Earth. God's goal will come through prayer.
Prayer is important to missions, but it is not the work of missions. The Word of God is, and the Word of God cannot fail. The work of missions is to preach the Word of God. Prayer supplies the preachers with the necessary tools to preach.
Chapter 3: The supremacy of God in missions through suffering
Since life is war, suffering is inevitable. The Bible constantly talks about how suffering brings joy. Christ suffered on the cross for us as the ultimate substitution for eternal damnation, not as a substitution for suffering in life. Christ is our pattern for existence, therefore, our suffering is normal and to be expected.
God does not simply allow suffering, He appoints it. "Why does God allow this? No, that is not quite the right question. We have to ask, why does God appoint this?" (Piper, 84). He appoints it for six reasons:
1) Suffering deepens faith and holiness
2) Suffering makes your cup increase
3) Suffering is the price of making others bold
4) Suffering fills up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions
5) Suffering enforces the missionary to go
6) The supremacy of Christ is manifest in suffering
Chapter 4: The Supremacy of Christ as the conscious focus of all saving faith
Is Jesus Christ the only hope for man? This question asks three things:
1) Will anyone experience eternal conscious torment under God's wrath?
2) Is the work of Christ necessary for eternal salvation?
3) Is it necessary for one to hear Christ's message to be saved?
Urgency is lost if any of these three questions is answered with a 'no'.
1) Hell is real. It is everlasting, unquenchable and an eternal fire. It is punitive.
2) Christ's work is universal. The resurrection is the only answer for human misery.
3) Now that Christ has been revealed, He is the only way. Those who fear God without believing in the name of Christ cannot receive forgiveness for their sins, which is crucial to being saved. People who have not audibly heard the gospel have heard it according to Psalms 19:4. "Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun".
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Can Man Live Without God? Chapters 10-16
(Originally written September 21, 2005 in Book 1).
Can Man Live Without God?
Ravi Zacharias
1994
Chapter 10 - Love's Labor Won
Components of meaning:
-Pursuit of wonder
-Knowledge of truth
-Love
-Security
The consummation of love comes in young adulthood.
Chapter 11 - Crossing the Bar
The search for security comes in maturity.
Chapter 12 - Getting to the truth
Modern times has seen the death of truth because truth is absolute and all absolutes are nowadays discredited. That's an absolute spoken to discredit all other absolutes. Ironic isn't it?
Three tests to see if a system is true:
1) Logical consistency
2) Empirical adequacy
3) Experiential relevance
Chapter 13 - Humanity's dilemma
Man is not intrinsically good and any optimistic philosophy that bases their views on this presupposition is sadly proved wrong by history time and time again.
The heart of man is desperately wicked.
Christianity insists God created man to be equal in dignity and essence, but not all ideas are equal. Some ideas are better than others.
"Greatness in the eyes of God is always preceded by humility before him".
Conviction of sin comes when we compare ourselves to God. Earthly greatness comes when we compare ourselves to other's low standards.
Chapter 14 - The Philosopher's Quest
Out of diversity comes unity.
The Trinity is diverse and unified. It is diverse in their personalities and unified as an all-powerful, all-loving God.
One of the great longings of humanity is to worship. Worship should involve both the spirit and truth.
Worship needs the constraints of truth so it doesn't become superstition or be reduced to mere ceremony. The truth which defines and creates something to worship is God.
Worship is coextensive with life.
Worship provides unity within all of life's diversity. It gives life the necessary tools for the ultimate fulfillment.
The pattern for unity in diversity is the Trinity.
The philosophical quest for truth and the answer of unity is found in Christ.
Chapter 15 - The Historian's Centerpiece
Christ fused the past, the present and the future together to form a Holy lifestyle. It remembers the past and looks to the future, but it acts during the present.
Christ's death provides the key to life.
Chapter 16 - The believer's treasure
"Why are we so unhappy" (as a society)? "We are a troubled civilization because the loss of a moral and spiritual center" (Zacharias, 169).
The difference between manmade utopias and heaven is the cross of Christ. Christ took on all the pain and suffering so that we could go to heaven. In manmade utopian settings suffering and pain is eliminated without being accounted for.
Can Man Live Without God?
Ravi Zacharias
1994
Chapter 10 - Love's Labor Won
Components of meaning:
-Pursuit of wonder
-Knowledge of truth
-Love
-Security
The consummation of love comes in young adulthood.
Chapter 11 - Crossing the Bar
The search for security comes in maturity.
Chapter 12 - Getting to the truth
Modern times has seen the death of truth because truth is absolute and all absolutes are nowadays discredited. That's an absolute spoken to discredit all other absolutes. Ironic isn't it?
Three tests to see if a system is true:
1) Logical consistency
2) Empirical adequacy
3) Experiential relevance
Chapter 13 - Humanity's dilemma
Man is not intrinsically good and any optimistic philosophy that bases their views on this presupposition is sadly proved wrong by history time and time again.
The heart of man is desperately wicked.
Christianity insists God created man to be equal in dignity and essence, but not all ideas are equal. Some ideas are better than others.
"Greatness in the eyes of God is always preceded by humility before him".
Conviction of sin comes when we compare ourselves to God. Earthly greatness comes when we compare ourselves to other's low standards.
Chapter 14 - The Philosopher's Quest
Out of diversity comes unity.
The Trinity is diverse and unified. It is diverse in their personalities and unified as an all-powerful, all-loving God.
One of the great longings of humanity is to worship. Worship should involve both the spirit and truth.
Worship needs the constraints of truth so it doesn't become superstition or be reduced to mere ceremony. The truth which defines and creates something to worship is God.
Worship is coextensive with life.
Worship provides unity within all of life's diversity. It gives life the necessary tools for the ultimate fulfillment.
The pattern for unity in diversity is the Trinity.
The philosophical quest for truth and the answer of unity is found in Christ.
Chapter 15 - The Historian's Centerpiece
Christ fused the past, the present and the future together to form a Holy lifestyle. It remembers the past and looks to the future, but it acts during the present.
Christ's death provides the key to life.
Chapter 16 - The believer's treasure
"Why are we so unhappy" (as a society)? "We are a troubled civilization because the loss of a moral and spiritual center" (Zacharias, 169).
The difference between manmade utopias and heaven is the cross of Christ. Christ took on all the pain and suffering so that we could go to heaven. In manmade utopian settings suffering and pain is eliminated without being accounted for.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
A new covenant with the Lord
(Originally written July 20, 2005 in Talks With God)
II Corinthians 1-5
Why do I suffer what I cannot bear?
II Corinthians 1:9 "Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on our selves but on God, who raises the dead."
II Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Show me how to a minister of the New Covenant. Help me to strive for what is unseen and not for what is seen. For I know that what is unseen is eternal and I want what is eternal, but I still crave what is worldly. You said through Paul that no men will be tempted beyond what he can bear and you will always offer a way out. Make your way out obvious and known to me.
Lord, why am I losing my focus? Why can I not keep my eyes fixed on the task at hand? Where is my mind wandering to? help me to see only what you want me to see; help me to hear only what you want me to hear; help me to think only what you want me to think; help me to do only what you want me to do.
II Corinthians 1-5
Why do I suffer what I cannot bear?
II Corinthians 1:9 "Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on our selves but on God, who raises the dead."
II Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Show me how to a minister of the New Covenant. Help me to strive for what is unseen and not for what is seen. For I know that what is unseen is eternal and I want what is eternal, but I still crave what is worldly. You said through Paul that no men will be tempted beyond what he can bear and you will always offer a way out. Make your way out obvious and known to me.
Lord, why am I losing my focus? Why can I not keep my eyes fixed on the task at hand? Where is my mind wandering to? help me to see only what you want me to see; help me to hear only what you want me to hear; help me to think only what you want me to think; help me to do only what you want me to do.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Isaiah 55-66 & prayer
(Originally written July 17, 2005 in Talks With God)
I have been reading Isaiah 55-61 when I got to 62:1. "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch." Lord, through these last chapters you have been telling Israel of all these new nations who will go to Zion and work for your glory. You tell me in 56:3, that I (a foreigner) who has and continues to bind myself to you (the Lord) can not say, "surely the Lord will exclude me from His people" in truth! Lord, I bind myself to you today as I have recently in other words. Surely, you will include me in your people.
I feel incredible peace when you are with me. I am in Zion; I am in Jerusalem when I am serving you. I pray and beg you for your mercy! I beg and pray you will speak to me as you promised in Isaiah 62:1. I asked for righteousness many times recently. Isaiah 62:1 assures me that you are answering prayer! I love you Lord! You are all to me! You have become my only refuge in this place. I will run to you in fear, in sadness, in joy and in praise for all of my days.
I will fall short Lord. This breaks my heart. No one knows me, no one cares for me, no one loves me like you do. I wish I could say the same for my knowing, caring and loving for you, but, I can't because I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough for you.
But you, you draw me back because I have no where else to turn to. You are the only never failing comforter, father, king, savior and God. I want to be faithful to you and love you the way you love me. I simply cannot do it and I am sorry. I offer you this imperfect love of mine, in the hope that you will make it perfect. I will fail, but through your strength I will return and pay restitution for my failings.
Isaiah 65:9 (prayer verse) "Do not be angry beyond measure, O Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people".
Isaiah 66:2b (goal verse) "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word"
Lord, Isaiah has been read. Lord why must I, like the Israelites suffer so greatly? I know it is so that you can shine so incredibly bright. I am not extremely happy about this suffering, though I know I should be. Help me to rejoice in suffering, for I know it leads to perseverance, character and to hope, which comes from you and does not disappoint. I have seen it work. I have seen it work in me this summer. I have more hope than I have had since working at Miracle Camp. I have felt the Holy Spirit more this summer, then the years since working at Miracle Camp.
Is it that I am rejoicing in suffering, but not in the rejoicing that is earthly? Grant me your wisdom Lord. Let all that I have read in Isaiah this month stick. As I continue to read your word, impart more wisdom, but do not let it replace this you have granted me. Hear my prayer oh God. I love you!.
I have been reading Isaiah 55-61 when I got to 62:1. "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch." Lord, through these last chapters you have been telling Israel of all these new nations who will go to Zion and work for your glory. You tell me in 56:3, that I (a foreigner) who has and continues to bind myself to you (the Lord) can not say, "surely the Lord will exclude me from His people" in truth! Lord, I bind myself to you today as I have recently in other words. Surely, you will include me in your people.
I feel incredible peace when you are with me. I am in Zion; I am in Jerusalem when I am serving you. I pray and beg you for your mercy! I beg and pray you will speak to me as you promised in Isaiah 62:1. I asked for righteousness many times recently. Isaiah 62:1 assures me that you are answering prayer! I love you Lord! You are all to me! You have become my only refuge in this place. I will run to you in fear, in sadness, in joy and in praise for all of my days.
I will fall short Lord. This breaks my heart. No one knows me, no one cares for me, no one loves me like you do. I wish I could say the same for my knowing, caring and loving for you, but, I can't because I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough for you.
But you, you draw me back because I have no where else to turn to. You are the only never failing comforter, father, king, savior and God. I want to be faithful to you and love you the way you love me. I simply cannot do it and I am sorry. I offer you this imperfect love of mine, in the hope that you will make it perfect. I will fail, but through your strength I will return and pay restitution for my failings.
Isaiah 65:9 (prayer verse) "Do not be angry beyond measure, O Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people".
Isaiah 66:2b (goal verse) "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word"
Lord, Isaiah has been read. Lord why must I, like the Israelites suffer so greatly? I know it is so that you can shine so incredibly bright. I am not extremely happy about this suffering, though I know I should be. Help me to rejoice in suffering, for I know it leads to perseverance, character and to hope, which comes from you and does not disappoint. I have seen it work. I have seen it work in me this summer. I have more hope than I have had since working at Miracle Camp. I have felt the Holy Spirit more this summer, then the years since working at Miracle Camp.
Is it that I am rejoicing in suffering, but not in the rejoicing that is earthly? Grant me your wisdom Lord. Let all that I have read in Isaiah this month stick. As I continue to read your word, impart more wisdom, but do not let it replace this you have granted me. Hear my prayer oh God. I love you!.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Romans 1-7 & a prayer
(Originally written July 10, 2005 in Talks With God)
I believe you have answered my prayer! I will talk to Zack about a position for evenings and weekends. If this is not your will for me to work, close that door. Thank you Lord.
I was really moved by the sermon this morning. God you are glorious. You are amazing and I am in awe of you. I truly love you with all of my heart, not only in words. I have a deep, burning desire to serve you. Back in a moment, but first...
But even with that desire I am faulty. I have a hard time controlling my impulses. Help me to overcome my impulses. Lord I am willing but I am weak. Help me and please forgive me of my sins. I know sin has consequences and I am willing to accept mine. Forgive me Lord.
Back to this morning's message though. I am inspired to read Romans. I will split time between it and Isaiah if you don't object. I love you Lord.
Romans 2:29b "Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God"
Lord let me not seek praise from men, but let me seek glory for the kingdom of Heaven. This way I can have my reward in Heaven. I seek riches and praise and I desire glory and honor. But let me receive such things from you. For as man's knowledge and wisdom is foolishness to you, so are such things. Money, power and authority are temporary. Let me live a life that warrants glory for you and eternal life for me.
Romans 3:23-24 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus".
Lord, I am full of sin. I fall short of your glory on a daily basis. Your grace is what gets me through day by day. Every breath is a gift from you. Let me lean on you for strength and redemption. Let me prosper so that the kingdom of Heaven may grow. Make me as Paul in this verse:
Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God"
Let it be written in your heart that I can be a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be a disciple of the Almighty God and set apart for the will of God. Let it be written in your eternal heart, not for my sake, but for the sake of your Holy Name. Let it be a glorious victory over evil for you. For you have called a wicked man, such as me, out of sin. Let it be known on this day, July 10, 2005 that I have answered your call the same call given to Abraham thousands of years ago. I will serve the true Lord. I lay my life down at your feet. I sacrifice my hopes, desires and dreams to do your work. Not for my glory will work be done, but for the Glory of God.
Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is because of Him that I will not only accept but rejoice in suffering. All of my life I have induced my own suffering. Had it not been for my foolish decisions I would not be humble enough to accept my calling of servitude. Without the Holy Spirit, I would be a bitter, bitter person. I have suffered so little compared to some but it is enough to have put me on my knees. And instead of laying down in defeat you have raised me up for victory. This accomplishment is not mine, but fully and only yours. I am excited to see more victories for you and ready to learn from my own failings. If I were not so imperfect Lord you could accomplish so much through me. Not for my glory but for yours. Help me to become more righteous so that the kingdom of Heaven can be more glorified.
Lord I am shaking with nervous excitement over your Word. I can barely hold it in. I live through Jesus who lives eternally! Sin lives in me, but I have died to sin. Because of the grace given to me, by Jesus christ I am alive and well! The sin in me will never die, but I will die to sin, so that I can live in righteousness. I cannot do what I want to do, which is good, because the sin is stronger than me. But I do what is good because He who dwells in me (Jesus Christ) is stronger than me and has defeated sin. All the good that is accomplished through my wretched body is because the Holy Spirit, given to me by Jesus Christ, is shining through the darkness of my sin. Keep peeling away the darkness of sin in my life so that I may be transparent and the light of the Holy Spirit can fully shine in me. Accomplish your goals, win your victories, shine your eternal light! I will fail and sin will overtake me, but you who have shown grace to me are stronger than the sin that plagues me. I will strive to follow the Holy Spirit so that I can be made righteous. By being righteous you will win many victories through me. I, in the flesh, am not fit to do your work, but the Holy Spirit, whom you have sent to me can accomplish great things. Use my body as a vessel to achieve your glory. I am ready to be pruned and stripped of iniquities, however painful the process may be. Give me strength to stand through this. Grant me courage to pursue this. Grant me your wisdom to continue to ask for what seems painful.
I believe you have answered my prayer! I will talk to Zack about a position for evenings and weekends. If this is not your will for me to work, close that door. Thank you Lord.
I was really moved by the sermon this morning. God you are glorious. You are amazing and I am in awe of you. I truly love you with all of my heart, not only in words. I have a deep, burning desire to serve you. Back in a moment, but first...
But even with that desire I am faulty. I have a hard time controlling my impulses. Help me to overcome my impulses. Lord I am willing but I am weak. Help me and please forgive me of my sins. I know sin has consequences and I am willing to accept mine. Forgive me Lord.
Back to this morning's message though. I am inspired to read Romans. I will split time between it and Isaiah if you don't object. I love you Lord.
Romans 2:29b "Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God"
Lord let me not seek praise from men, but let me seek glory for the kingdom of Heaven. This way I can have my reward in Heaven. I seek riches and praise and I desire glory and honor. But let me receive such things from you. For as man's knowledge and wisdom is foolishness to you, so are such things. Money, power and authority are temporary. Let me live a life that warrants glory for you and eternal life for me.
Romans 3:23-24 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus".
Lord, I am full of sin. I fall short of your glory on a daily basis. Your grace is what gets me through day by day. Every breath is a gift from you. Let me lean on you for strength and redemption. Let me prosper so that the kingdom of Heaven may grow. Make me as Paul in this verse:
Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God"
Let it be written in your heart that I can be a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be a disciple of the Almighty God and set apart for the will of God. Let it be written in your eternal heart, not for my sake, but for the sake of your Holy Name. Let it be a glorious victory over evil for you. For you have called a wicked man, such as me, out of sin. Let it be known on this day, July 10, 2005 that I have answered your call the same call given to Abraham thousands of years ago. I will serve the true Lord. I lay my life down at your feet. I sacrifice my hopes, desires and dreams to do your work. Not for my glory will work be done, but for the Glory of God.
Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is because of Him that I will not only accept but rejoice in suffering. All of my life I have induced my own suffering. Had it not been for my foolish decisions I would not be humble enough to accept my calling of servitude. Without the Holy Spirit, I would be a bitter, bitter person. I have suffered so little compared to some but it is enough to have put me on my knees. And instead of laying down in defeat you have raised me up for victory. This accomplishment is not mine, but fully and only yours. I am excited to see more victories for you and ready to learn from my own failings. If I were not so imperfect Lord you could accomplish so much through me. Not for my glory but for yours. Help me to become more righteous so that the kingdom of Heaven can be more glorified.
Lord I am shaking with nervous excitement over your Word. I can barely hold it in. I live through Jesus who lives eternally! Sin lives in me, but I have died to sin. Because of the grace given to me, by Jesus christ I am alive and well! The sin in me will never die, but I will die to sin, so that I can live in righteousness. I cannot do what I want to do, which is good, because the sin is stronger than me. But I do what is good because He who dwells in me (Jesus Christ) is stronger than me and has defeated sin. All the good that is accomplished through my wretched body is because the Holy Spirit, given to me by Jesus Christ, is shining through the darkness of my sin. Keep peeling away the darkness of sin in my life so that I may be transparent and the light of the Holy Spirit can fully shine in me. Accomplish your goals, win your victories, shine your eternal light! I will fail and sin will overtake me, but you who have shown grace to me are stronger than the sin that plagues me. I will strive to follow the Holy Spirit so that I can be made righteous. By being righteous you will win many victories through me. I, in the flesh, am not fit to do your work, but the Holy Spirit, whom you have sent to me can accomplish great things. Use my body as a vessel to achieve your glory. I am ready to be pruned and stripped of iniquities, however painful the process may be. Give me strength to stand through this. Grant me courage to pursue this. Grant me your wisdom to continue to ask for what seems painful.
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