Thursday, November 17, 2011


Calmed and Quieted Soul

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.  (Psa 131:2)

‘Surely’ is a certainty and being in a state of doubtlessness that we can attain as God’s child. It is not to be considered waveringly but steadfastly. Our certainty is not in ourselves but because we are ‘rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith’ (Col 2:7), abounding with thanksgiving because it is a done deal. There isn’t a need to ask if we can; faith is bringing into substance that we can, in Christ. If we say we will ‘try’, then it is of the flesh and not of the Spirit (Eze 36:27). There is a cause because the Spirit is effectual.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.  (Php 4:9)

We will subconsciously enter into the Shalom of God. There is an overwhelming benefit of experiencing the Peace of God as well as having the God of Peace being with us. We become what we feed our minds (Phil 4:8). Fill our minds with truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness, good report, virtuous and praise worthiness. Regurgitate on these things. The only things is of any worth has the essence of Christ in them. Be utterly dependent on Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and we will know how to deal with the rest (Matt 6:33). Defeat begins in the mind; we have the God given privilege as sons to be overcomers.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Consistency
Oswald Chambers


Beware of being obsessed with consistency to your own convictions instead of being devoted to God. If you are a saint and say, “I will never do this or that,” in all probability this will be exactly what God will require of you. There was never a more inconsistent being on this earth than our Lord, but He was never inconsistent with His Father. The important consistency in a saint is not to a principle but to the divine life. It is the divine life that continually makes more and more discoveries about the divine mind. It is easier to be an excessive fanatic than it is to be consistently faithful, because God causes an amazing humbling of our religious conceit when we are faithful to Him.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Indecision in Religion 
Asahel Nettleton

 
The State of the Church and Coming Judgment (Excerpt)
A.W. Tozer

 

Thursday, November 03, 2011


True Knowledge is in Keeping His Commandments

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  (1John 2:4)
  
Liars face a terrible end in judgment (Rev 21:8). What is worst than being deceived is self-deception. Our glorious destiny is independent on if we know Him, but rather if He knows us (Matt 7:23). There is so much emphasis on the love of God in the antinomian gospel, however it is in keeping His commandments that the love of God is made complete and full in us (1 John 2:5).
  
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  (John 14:6)

The way to salvation is only one; the path of salvation is based on truth. Without truth we are liars and sons of the father of it (John 8:44). Therefore we can be either abide in truth or abide in lies. Truth is precise, not gray but black or white. Truth is a sword that divides that which is self centered and that which is of the Spirit. Truth stands the test of time. Truth is neither a philosophy nor ideology. Truth brings life. Truth is Jesus Christ.

To obey is to love God. We do not obey to be loved by God. Obedience is bringing into reality His promises. Not obeying so that we can receive His promises. Obedience brings us into great knowledge. We do not know we if can walk until we start walking (John 5:9). God never contradicts, He reveals Himself through truth. Practice the truth and we will receive greater revelational light (1 John 1:6).

Friday, October 28, 2011


Deterrence to Fulfilling Our Spiritual Destiny

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.  (Act 21:13)

Reality cannot be the reason not to continue on in faith. Faith is beyond seeing the natural, but the ability to behold our spiritual destiny and whole heartedness to substantiate the things God has laid hold of us. Don’t let situations, fear, danger and uncertainty deter us. If we are not willing to lay our lives down and rise to the occasion in fulfilling the purposes of God in and through us, He will not fail, He will raise another (Est 4:14). Natural reality can never stop God from intervening in human affairs for His glory, it is whether we are willing to avail ourselves to be vessels of honor for His divine purposes. Following Jesus would mean heartaches to loved ones and ourselves, don't let these be the enemy in fulfilling our spiritual destiny.

Saturday, October 22, 2011


True Measure of Life

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.  (1 John 3:14)

Don’t measure existence of the life of Christ in any fellowship by the amount of spiritual activity. It is not how much faith that bears witness of the disciple but how much love toward each other (John 13:35). Even faith requires action. We love one another not because we agree in a matter or share common interests. We love because we are brethren. To love the brethren is to over look each other faults and shortcomings, ‘love covereth all sins’ not some sins (Prov 10:12). This is the cross we ought to bear. This is the walk we ought to walk after the footsteps of the Master (1 John 2:6).

We want God to love us. Selfishness is when we don’t share the love of God with others, especially of the household of God. We know the love of God because Jesus laid down His life for us, similarly the outworking of the love of God toward the brethren (1 John 3:16).

Christian love is practical not just talk (1 John 3:18). Don’t just say that we love one another, show it. We know that the love of God dwells in us by ensuring our brethren have what we have.  Sin is shutting up compassion and selfishly hoarding for ourselves. The true measure of Christ life in us is when we love unconditionally, not wanting anything in return. God gave, so do we in like manner.

Friday, October 14, 2011


Integrity
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.  (Psa 101:2)

A disciple is not passive otherwise we would have been created as mindless automatons. Work out the little the Lord has built in and He will work in more of Christ nature, lest spiritual laziness and passivity set in. A son of God has to’ will to do’ (John 7:17), don’t say ‘I will do as He moves me’. God will never move us; He moves and the sheep follows.

Integrity is to adhere to God’s moral principles which are evidenced by our behavior in light of public eyes or in secret. It soulish to do the honorable in public to garner honor from man (Matt 6:4, 6, 18), seek God’s approval by carrying the same moral stature in private. It is in the private when our thoughts and actions will be tested and judged. Integrity need to be demonstrated consistently in the light of man’s eyes and in the light of God’s eyes.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.  (Prov 11:3)

A child of God who lives in integrity in God’s light has the reward of a pure conscience toward the Lord and others (1 John 1:7). There is unwavering security even in the midst of external storm. There is a peace that surpasses human understanding. Steadfastness because one is anchored in the Savior and the pathway of our pilgrimage is very clear with a certain glorious end. Conversely those who transgress against the rule of integrity will bring about self destruction.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011


Lust Kills Compassion

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (1Jn 2:16)

What massive consumerism did was to create a superficial 'need' for things. Things have become so part of us that has defined our culture of narcissism. Fellow human suffering and especially that many are travelling the broad way to destruction is no longer a cause for concern as long as 'I' can keep my toys and play them.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  (1Jn 3:17)

Not having compassion to the poor and needy is blindness. It is looking at gratifying self that is the cause for blindness. ‘I’ want to be loved, ‘I’ need attention, ‘I’……there is a grave concern that ‘I’ is satisfied. This is a big deception because the ‘I’ can never find its fulfillment (Prov 30:15). How can God pour His love to this generation? It is only to the cross bearers who deny lust of things and undeniably choose simplicity which is in Christ (2 Cor 11:3).

Friday, October 07, 2011


Fearing God

But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.  (Luke 12:5)

The warning was not an apostolic or prophetic one, but from the Lord Jesus Himself. Fearing God is not to be misunderstood lest it can bring about an unrealistic form that could lead to the pride of pseudo spirituality. For some rejecting what God commanded because its misinterpretation resulting in cowering and coldness, void of lovingkindness. Without the fear of God, there is a danger of subconsciously denying the reality of hell, likewise also denying the existence of Kingdom of God. This denial is to say that God is not just, hence claiming blasphemously that God doesn’t judge.

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?  (Psa 34:12)

On the contrary, fearing God is demonstrated in the most practical way (Psa 34:11-14). This way that the Lord has paved for us is always for good not for evil (Psa 34:12). It benefits us, putting us in the light of having more to gain. Resolve in prayer to fear God, not being double hearted about it (Psa 86:11). Fearing God benefits others and brings the Shalom of God into relationships (Eph 5:21). Wholeness in relationship will flourish with the fear of God. This peace will be the outworking of our lives to place us in the glorious position to be called a child of God in His Kingdom (Matt 5:9, Rom 14:17).

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Monday, October 03, 2011

Love Where You Are Not Respected 
Oswald Chambers

 

Friday, September 30, 2011


Hardening Our Hearts

And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts….  (Mar 3:5)

More often than not the cause of Jesus grief wasn’t among the unreligious, but among those who have knowledge of the Word and even His disciples. Not among the ignorant, but among the informed. The opposition Jesus had was almost always in everyday circumstances. God will confront us in the daily working out of our lives to see if the knowledge and mountain top experiences lasts and deeply rooted. Spirituality requires an expression in the natural, never to be experienced and left behind at the mountain top experiences.

Few like confrontation, especially if truth is directed toward us. Never say that we will readily believe everything the Lord and His Word says. There is a danger in thinking that believing is a result in knowledge and spiritual experiences. Belief becomes reality when the knowledge is worked out in daily application.

Jesus will come to challenge everything we believe in to see if we believe in Him. Is it prayer, the Word, good works versus Christ and Christ alone? Is He our exceedingly great reward? He will confront us because He is a jealous God. Confronting us to reveal what is our truest affections.

Hardening our hearts is to be unbelieving (Matt 6:14). He will come to right us, are we willing to receive His correction?  Continue in the place of meekness and humility so that when the Holy Spirit brings light into areas of our darkness, pride or poor character which we may never know existed, yielding to allow the Potter to do all that is necessary to transform and conform to His image. Though painful, sons of God are always ready to expose all of their insides to God’s refining fire.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Thursday, September 22, 2011


The Cross, True Discipleship


…….. let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. (Mat 27:42)

The cross is a stumbling block and foolishness; firstly it is an open display of meekness and lowliness void of worldly pomp and glory, secondly, human understanding and reasoning resist the cross (1 Cor 1:23). The cross can be averted on these two counts. It is easy to reconcile that the cross of Christ is the entrance for our salvation, however do we believe Jesus when He says ‘the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord’ (Matt 10:24)? Acceptance of salvation of the cross of Christ is palatable, simultaneously the pilgrims progress requires a cross bearing life.

In denying this narrow and difficult way (Matt 7:14) the devil will be our insurmountable nemesis. If the choice is to follow the cross bearing way of the Master, the devil would not be a problem (Rom 16:20). Very quickly there will be a discovery that self is the greater enemy of the salvation of our soul (Matt 16:22-26). Peter knew the cost of discipleship but desired to avert the way (as we often do), hence daring to rebuke his Lord. Denying the cross is satanic in nature which goes against every grain of the will of God (Matt 16:23).

In order for the manifestation of life of the Son of God, the old man has to be put to death. Remove the filth that the Holy can be poured in. The old man and its lustful appetites wars against Christ nature, how can the two mix and find its homogeneous form? The Christian life is black or white, not gray.

Salvation is free. The cost of discipleship is high. It will cost us everything in exchange for son-ship (Php 3:8).

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Difficult Way to Life / The Broad Way to Destruction 
Matthew Henry

 

Monday, September 19, 2011

Cross Evasion: The Subterfuge of our Modern Christianity
Art Katz



God’s actual visitation, the coming of Himself, and the form that it took, and the way that it was culminated in His crucifixion, death, burial  and resurrection has got to be the single greatest epochal event in the whole history of the human race.  I marvel that the nations are completely oblivious to that fact, and that the Jewish people themselves have found a way to remove the event from their own consideration.  But even in Christendom the event has become modified, sentimentalised, trivialised, cheapened, and rendered almost into a “non-event.”  There are unplumbed meanings in the cross that wait to be unearthed, or we will remain participants with those who seek to modify and remove the cross of its content and power—even in our ignorance. 
“Nothing reveals the falsity of man more than the evasion, the side-stepping of man from God, and from the crucified Christ” (See footnote).  In other words, by side-stepping the crucified Christ, we reveal that man is, in his very nature, a liar, phoney, false, and flees from truth.  What shall I say about my own Jewish people?  The event took place in our history; our Messiah, in our Jerusalem; and yet we rejected Him, and made of His life a non-event, as if Jesus was some kind of pitiful Presumer who ran afoul of the political authorities and had to suffer their judgments.  We missed the entire truth of His coming, as the very Son of God, as Sin-Bearer, fulfilling a necessary sacrifice that no animal could provide, and was Himself both the sacrifice and the High Priest—and we suffered the consequences for our dismissal of Him.

Thursday, September 15, 2011


Spiritual Journey

They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. (Psa 145:7)

What are the most important milestones of our Christian pilgrimage? It is easy to recall what God has done 'for' me, but have we considered and able to give praise to our gracious Savior for what great things the Lord has done 'in' me? His benefits are tremendous for He commands His loving kindness over us (Psa 42:8), do we recall His faithfulness in the evening years (Psa 92:2)?

.........few and evil have the days of the years of my life been........(Gen 47:9)

What has God done in Jacob’s life to transform him to Israel? He was a man who lived for himself, selfishness and deceitful. His respond to the beginning of God building into him was to build a monument out of his pillow (Gen 28:18). At his return to the same starting point he built an altar (Gen 35:3, 7). First it was a vision of the Lord’s lovingkindness to preserve him, the latter an altar to recall of His faithfulness. First it was a monument of haphazard and shabby from what he had used and the latter an altar of worship. The Lord had stripped him of self confidence, then worship out of deepest recesses of what God has built into Him poured forth (Php 3:3). Out of such a life comes an ability to bless others and not self (Gen 47:10) because he has been dealt with by the Blessor and taken on His imange. He saw the dealings of the Lord in His life as the righteousness of God. Declare of His right doings, for He is not concern with our comfort but desire the fruit that abounds to our account. God only bother with sons (Heb 12:6).

Friday, September 09, 2011


Innocence, the Beginning to Spiritual Victory

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. (Psa 8:2)

What are the things that proceed from our mouth? Does it cause a stir to the spiritual environment in which we speak into (Matt 21:15), or the devil isn’t too bothered. The Father is looking for children in His quiver that has the spiritual stature to unashamedly ‘speak with the enemies in the gate’ (Psa 127:5) and to ‘possess the gate of his enemies’ (Gen 22:17).

Babes are not those who have towering physique nor exceptional vocal volume, but a company of believers that have the innocence, not in the sense of ignorance but in the sense of harmlessness (Matt 10:16) or gentleness (Php 4:5). Untainted by the world and living the realm of the Father’s love; whose eyes are fixed and unfazed by the glitter of the temporal (Psa 123:2). Suckling that feed on one life giving source (1 Pet 2:2), whose palate has not touched that which defiles. It is from such mouths that the Lord can use to still the enemy and the avenger unto spiritual victory.

Have we been winning spiritual battles lately? If not, check out what do we regard in our heart (Psa 66:18) and our secret desires (Prov 9:17). Not only God know, the devil does to.

Friday, September 02, 2011


Discipline

Before I was afflicted, I did err; but now I observe Thy word. (Psa 119:67)

Godly discipline or His dealings is a reality in following Christ that we cannot and should not avoid. We have to submit to the boundaries that the Lord has set for us (Gen 3:3). It is for our own good. Disobedience is our choice and so is bearing the cross and following Jesus daily (Luke 9:23). We disobey because we don’t believe the full extent of His Word. God rules by His Word, but if necessary the rod is applied (Prov 20:30). We disobey because it is our will we desire to exercise over His.

…… My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him (Heb 12:5)

It is the ‘flesh’ in us that resist God’s discipline and it should be tested to the very limits of the human soul. That is precisely the work of the cross so we reach the bottom of the barrel and reckon ourselves dead indeed but alive to Christ (Rom 6:11). Whenever we resist and do not submit ourselves under the mighty hand of God we despise the dealings to us as sons (1 Pet 5:6). It takes meekness and humility to accept His dealings. We can avert His dealings, but we also avert being a son.

The cross is a choice we chose to carry. No one lays it on us but our loving Savoir. It is the building in us Christ character and to learn of Him (Matt 11:29). How much are we willing to yield? The more we yield the less the striving. The end is that we observe His Living Word that has been worked in being worked out (Php 2:12, 13). It is His working in, His dealings that will align us to His Word. His Word Who become flesh that ‘as He is, so are we in this world’ (1 John 4:17), now not after He returns.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Excerpt From 'The Salvation of the Soul'
Watchman Nee
Chp 3, Its Manifestation: The Kingdom


When the Son of God was on this earth, the cross was the only thing that He had as a possession; all the rest He borrowed. The manger was borrowed, the inn was borrowed, the ass on which He rode to Jerusalem was borrowed, the room in which He ate the Passover feast was borrowed, and finally the tomb in which He was buried was borrowed. Everything in the world except the cross was borrowed by the Lord. Yet how very unlike Him we are!

Monday, August 22, 2011


Being Living Patterns

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Php 4:9)

Many are willing to be consultants with regard to the Christian life because it lack the responsibility (1 Cor 4:15). Godly fathering takes maturity. Desire to mature beyond overcoming the evil one, being strong in the faith and having the abiding Word (1 John 2:13, 14) that is a depth farther than experiencing victory, believing and having our minds transformed (Rom 12:2). It is a depth of relationship with the Father of fathers. A father is called one by virtue of reproduction.

There are spiritual fathers and non spiritual ones (John 8:44) where the former is one where truth of the Word is demonstrated. Truthful in the sense of us being consistent and not living double lives. Natural children can be confused by the double lives parents demonstrate. An inconsistent standard set in morals, values and virtues can lead to disillusionment and many a Christian children have walked out of their faith in Jesus when they grow up.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (Php 3:17)

Spiritual fathers live their daily lives by carrying their own crosses and single mindedly following their master daily. Walking is a simple everyday necessity in our conduct with regard to all aspects of the mundane as well as the extraordinary occurrences. Spiritual fathers whose eyes set on one Good Shepherd and not flippant about choosing their heroes or beliefs.  Our confidence of being a good father to both physical and spiritual children does not lie in our ability or experience. It is a relationship yoke with the Savior and walking to the same end (Php 3:21). It is a relationship that continues to yield everything to the Master and laying down of self daily. 

Friday, August 19, 2011

Thursday, August 18, 2011


Guidance

For such is God, our God, for ever and ever; He will guide us eternally. (Jewish Publication Society, Psa 48:14)

Can we fathom that God is our Elohim, the Supreme Creator is our portion and we have become His? He even considers details of our being that we are ignorant of (Matt 10:30). He who feeds the fowls of the air yet a sparrow falling to the ground is within His will (Matt 10:29). Knowing His will is not an elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It is as real as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. He governs over all and able even to subdue all things unto Himself (Php 3:21).

It is not an issue of whether He is able; it is whether we like children willing to believe Him with regard to all things.  Not reckless and blind by presumptuously thinking that God will shield us from every danger due to our imprudent conduct (Matt 4:7). A faith that is founded on knowledge of the Truth which has led us to reckon our self will dead. It is a calculated death according to the standards of the cross we chose to bear (Luke 9:23). A cross not forced upon, but of our own choosing to take up or not, the laying down our will. Not some form of self imposed religion by inflicting pain in the name of self righteousness.

A laid down will takes us to a position as a meek son of God that can be lovingly led by the Good Shepherd unto eternity. We will find that our life is unlike vapor, but glorious.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Seek to Stop Sinning or Have I stopped Sinning?
Oswald Chambers


"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." (1 John 3:9.) 


Do I seek to stop sinning or have I stopped sinning? To be born of God means that I have the supernatural power of God to stop sinning. In the Bible it is never - Should a Christian sin? The Bible puts it emphatically- A Christian must not sin. The effective working of the new birth life in us is that we do not commit sin, not merely that we have the power not to sin, but that we have stopped sinning. 1 John 3:9 does not mean that we cannot sin; it means that if we obey the life of God in us, we need not sin.

Thursday, August 11, 2011


Generosity

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.(Mat 6:22)

One of the biggest enslaving idol today is called mammon. Jesus has a lot of things to say about money; He warns of the danger of the love of it (Matt 6:24, 1 Tim 6:10) and provides a solution. No one can be more practical in handling issues as with our Lord.  In this context, Jesus is saying that love of money can cause us to lose focus and not be singular with regard to Him as our Light. We can become blind to people around us in greater financial need and become inward looking. The remedy is stated in the preceding verse ‘herefore when thou doest thine alms’ (Matt 6:2). He did not use the word ‘if’ but ‘when’. God allowed poverty (1 Sam 2:7) to exist along with those who have more than enough (the rich) that His mercy may be manifested through the generosity of His saints (Matt 5:7).

….. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
(Psa 41:1)

The trap of this form of idolatry brings, interestingly is darkness to the body. Show mercy that we will receive mercy, which is how He works (Psa 41:1-3). In our generosity we exemplify our trust in Him ‘who giveth us richly all things to enjoy’ (1 Tim 6:17); in this our getting more than enough (richness) ‘he addeth no sorrow with it’ (Prov 10:22). The problem of inability with regard to the issue of generosity is the issue of contentment (1 Tim 6:8). Poverty is the state of the mind, not the state of being (2 Cor 8:2).

Tuesday, August 09, 2011


Faithful in What He Givs Us

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Mat 25:21)

Above all, the Lord is looking for faithfulness in our being and faithfulness in our doing with regard to the things that He has given us, not what things we conjure up out of ourselves. Whatever He bestows upon us is not for our safekeeping but to be multiplied and presented back in full to Him. This Multiplication is not for our own kingdom building plans, but dying to ambition of the self and having only His Kingdom in mind. Bearing fruit of which is of Him not that which represent us (Gal 5:22).

Keep good accounts of what He bestows, we mustn’t be careless. Work out what He has put in (Php 2:13), to the degree we have attained, walk by them (Php 3:16). Live in constant urgency, looking for His coming as though it is the next moment. Yet living each day faithfully, in patient endurance in all that life will throw at us though it is ‘after a long time’ (Matt 25:19). Don’t let go of what He gave, but multiply. Add on; faith, to faith virtue, etc (2 Pet 1:5). Faith without working it out is dead.

The Lord will do the accounting, it is faithfulness He desires.  Faithful only in what He gave, anything else extra is not credited. The end of faithfulness is to enter into His Joy and greater rule. Count all else loss, take on what He gives. Rule or take action over the ‘very little’ (Luke 19:17) He gives to us, in that He will multiply it back to us.

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Transcendent Life
Watchman Nee


And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. (Mat 5:41)


Our transcendency is before the Lord for no one demands more than the Lord. The most people can demand is only one mile, but what Lord requires is the second mile.


May the Lord’s hand be on me. If I lose all, I will not be able to lose any more. When I am totally dead, I will not be able to die further. As long as I may yet die, I have not died enough. Since I may still lose, I have not lost enough. I am willing to increase the Lord’s hand on me, rather than to lighten it.


If we are able to stand on the Lord’s side and deal with ourselves, we will never entertain the thought of revenge on others.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Burden or Life



My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; (Pro 2:1)



The Torah and the Sermon on the Mount can either be viewed as a heavy burden or we see the grace to abundance of life. If the Commandments are considered information on what we ‘should be’ and what to shun, then we have an unbalanced view of a tyrannical God. His commandments are never meant to be grievous (1 John 5:3).


Experiencing abundance of life comes by taking the first few steps of obedience in faith than realization that we can do it because it is by His grace. We should not ask for evidence before we keep what He says, but believe without seeing by doing first, in that we will be blessed (John 20:29); ‘in keeping of them there is great reward’ (Psa 19:11).