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Archive for the ‘Belief’ Category

[W]e look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. – 2nd Corinthians 4:18

How does God expect us to see something that can’t be seen? We do it all the time when we read a book, talk to friends, hear a lecture, even when daydreaming – how do you think we do that? We use our imagination!

Visualizing in the mind and heart what is desired (or feared) but not seen, is a gift of God. Though it has been abused and misused it can be brought back into captivity to Christ (2nd Corinthians 10:4-6) and used for its intended purpose – to enable us to anticipate, endure, and prepare for what time and space prevents us from seeing right now. Because it is imagined doesn’t mean it is false, it can be more true than what we think we see!

Begin using godly imagination to “see” what God says is all around us – his care, his kingdom, his promises. You could start here:

[Y]e are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. – Hebrews 12:21-24

Visualize the throne, see the city, see the church and the people and the angels, and Jesus. Imagine yourself there – what would you say, what would you do? Start using your imagination to see what God says is there – it will be more accurate than the façade this world is offering.

– fritz@langgang.com

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Two quick stories about Jesus with the same lesson:

The first, after feeding the multitude, Jesus sent his disciples ahead of him by boat but they ran into trouble. A terrible storm was sinking their boat when, to their shock, Jesus was walking past them on the water. Mark records that detail the others missed.

“…about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But they saw him” – Mark 6:48

The second story involved two lesser known disciples who encounter the risen Lord without recognizing him. They walked and talked but then

“[as] they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: … he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us” – Luke 24:28-29a

Without some sort of personal response it seems Jesus is quite content to pass right on by.

Don’t let him do that!

Blind Fanny Crosby put it this way in her famous hymn:

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.

Refrain

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Refrain

Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?

Refrain.

– fritz@langgang.com

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A Million Flies

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

While there is an “Our” aspect of following Christ and though in the Bible the word for “Saint”  is always plural, there is a personal aspect that dare not be minimized.

He is not just “Our” shepherd but “Mine” and he leads me.  It is not wrong to be confident in that; the group is not always the safest place nor always faithful. My crusty old uncle used to say, “Eat garbage, a million flies can’t be wrong!”

There comes a time to walk through things alone but never truly alone, He is there to lead, protect and comfort.

Be individually true to him with an honest faith and clear conscience even if that means not feeling truly a part of many nice groups.

– fritz@langgang.com

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