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Archive for the ‘Bible Characters’ Category

Method Or Person

Posted in Jesus, Meditation, Methods, Watchman Nee, tagged on June 2, 2011| 4 Comments »

Watchman Nee

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way…” – John 14:5-6a

While traveling through an airport years ago I was approached by a Hare Krishna devote in his wig passing out books and proclaiming his meditation as the way Jesus recommended. I was a new believer at the time (and feisty) but I knew that wasn’t right — I began following him, witnessing to him about Christ until he left the airport saying, “Man, leave me alone!” (That wasn’t very effective but it was quite a sight and an interesting memory)

Fact it, Jesus never recommend a method or formula, he recommended himself.

Watchman Nee (1903 – 1972), spiritual reformer who spent his last 20 years persecuted in a Communist prison, put it this way:

[T]o believe in the Lord himself, and to believe a formula, are actually two different motions…A method has no power nor effectiveness; for not being Christ, it is simply a dead thing. Every spiritual thing outside of Christ is dead…

The reason for many unanswered prayers and ineffective testimonies is found in our not touching the Lord. We have merely copied the method of others; we have not touched the Lord himself.” – Watchman Nee, Christ The Sum of All Spiritual Things

– fritz@langgang.com

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Paul’s Trouble – Same As Ours

Posted in Difficulties, Paul, tagged , , , , on June 1, 2011| Leave a Comment »

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: – 2nd Corinthians 1:8

There is a bigger story just below the surface in Paul’s message of God’s comfort in stress!

When Paul first started his missionary journey God specifically told him NOT to go to Asia (Acts 16:6)! But eventually he went there anyway and mentions in several of his letters the personal stress and grief from Asia (2nd Timothy 1:15). Hindsight is 20/20 but this wasn’t the only time he pushed when the Holy Spirit said wait. (Acts 20:22-24, Acts 21:4).

It seems to be his way, is it ours? Should it be?

Paul was goal oriented; once set there was little stopping him. His heart was in the right place but his obedience was not always there.

Three (3) things this shows us:

  1. God’s guidance is for our benefit and we should listen more closely.
  2. Even deeply spiritual people have flaws and don’t always listen, bringing them personal grief which could have been avoided.
  3. God uses even our mis-steps to further his kingdom, to use us mightily, to grow us spiritually, and through it all his love comforts.

– fritz@langgang.com
Related Posts:
1 – Better Guidance: April 21, 2011

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Job’s Misunderstanding

Posted in Albert Einstein, Job, tagged on May 31, 2011| Leave a Comment »

The book of Job (pronounced with a long “O”) is viewed as a dreary story raising but not solving a haunting question — Why do good people suffer bad things?

Its writer, a wealthy man with many children, laments he had lived an exemplary life but was abandoned by God in his hour of need. His friends didn’t help much, giving him nothing but platitudes and accusing him of obviously being punished for secret sins. But he had no secret sins — even God said he was a good man! So, we’re back to wondering.

Then a new idea is revealed — a paradigm shift offered by Job’s youngest guest. We overlook the profundity of his words because we, too, are intent on finding the answer we want! Albert Einstein in 1926 once wrote:

Whether you can observe a thing or not depends on the theory which you use. It’s the theory which decides what can be observed.

Job’s youngest friend, Elihu, presents a different theory.

If you sin, what difference could that make to God? … Even if you’re good, what would God get out of that? … The only ones who care whether you’re good or bad are your family and friends and neighbors … God’s not dependent on your behavior. – Job 35:6-8 (Message)

Job, his friends, and we have an underlying premise that we somehow bless God by our faithfulness and that he (or life itself) ought to reciprocate just to be fair! — You don’t think that way?

  • When we take time to pray, do we say to God, “I’m here! It’s a sacrifice on my part, but I’m here so meet with me and bless me for it”?
  • When we read our Bible daily do we think God should be appreciative and should somehow show that appreciation?
  • When we turn the other cheek, share Christ with someone, go to church regularly, even tithe, do we expect that God should reward us for what we are enduring for his sake?

If God did nothing for us he would be completely just and fair for he owes us nothing — Ah, but he does so much!

Your thoughts? Leave a comment.

– fritz@langgang.com.

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