Modern Reformer
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  • My Blog
    • Helping in Turkana
    • Iceland overview
    • Day 1 in Iceland
    • Photos from the Amsterdam Trip
    • Trip of a Lifetime
    • Our Journey
    • This World Stinks
    • The Elements Shall Melt
    • False Prophets- - AMEN!
    • Death of the Church
    • Who was the last prophet sent by God?
    • Write the Vision
    • Fast Food Christians
    • Jesus Wept
    • The Demise of the Protestant
    • Considering Memorial Day
    • Judas
    • The Downfall of a Civilization
    • Divine Business
    • A Futuristic Short Story
  • Questions
    • Prophecy >
      • What is the point of the "Great Tribulation" if all of the Christians will be raptured?
      • How Do We Prepare for the Great Tribulation?
      • Many preachers say Jesus is coming soon, while there are no clear signs of it. Is it a scare tactic to make people do what they want?
      • Is it true that the Bible says that no one goes to heaven until Jesus comes back?
      • What does the Bible say about Jesus' Second Coming?
      • When does the 2nd Resurrection Take Place?
      • How will Jehovah God save Israel when he brings all nations against it ?
      • When the kingdom of God is established, in what manner ( physically or ?? ) will everybody who obeys Jehovah God will become like Adam ( they will no longer be males and females but all males ) ??
      • Spiritually, What are we on the verge of?
      • When did the 70 years desolation spoken by Jeremiah begin?
      • What is meant by Rome being called the Antichrist?
      • In the book of Daniel 11:21-24, is the despicable man that is mentioned here was Antiochus Epiphanes IV?
      • What is the difference between the Babylonia that were mentioned in the Old Testament and the Babylonia that was mentioned in the book of Revelation?
      • What are the comparison of the verses Ps 83:1-8,Ez 38:7-16, Zech 14:2-3,and Rev 20:8-9--are they the same in meaning?
      • Of that Day and that Hour
      • How Will Jesus' Second Coming Happen?
      • Will the End Times Battle Be Fought With Weapons
      • Biblically speaking what will the world be like after Armageddon?
      • End Times and Sodom and Gomorrah?
      • At which trumpet will Michael and his angels boot Satan and his angels from heaven to earth?
      • When does/did Jesus Christ's reign as King of God's Kingdom start?
      • Is the Beast in Revelation the Antichrist?
      • Jesus Would Return as He Left?
      • What do you think Jesus meant that if God had not shortened those days, no flesh would survive?
      • What are You Looking Forward To?
      • Is This the Beginning of the Apocalypse?
      • What does Jesus Mean When He Says This?
      • Evidence of the Signs of the Times?
      • What will the Kingdom Accomplish?
      • How Will the Scoffers Feel when Jesus Comes?
      • What is the Significance of the Word "Presence."
      • Why Does My Mom Say We are in the Last Day?
      • What Exactly do People Think the Apocalypse is?
    • Doctrine >
      • Can a person worthy of Heaven be OK with others going to Hell?
      • Can the theory of "being born a sinner" and the theory of "age of accountability" exist at the same time? How and why?
      • According to the Bible, why is everyone born a sinner?
      • Do those don't hear about Jesus go to hell?
      • How is Christ the Wisdom of God?
      • Why does the Soul of the Dead Sinner need to be Oppressed?
      • What did Jesus mean when He said: The Way, the Truth, the Life?
      • Is the Fire of Hell Literal? Why?
      • Did Jesus Redeem Everyone? Is Everyone Saved?
      • If a baby or infant died ....he'll become an angel?
      • What is Biblical Faith?
      • Do You Believe in Hell?
      • Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism, which is more important?
      • Question on Death, Sleep, Resurrection?
      • What is the soul?
      • The Rapture
      • Is John the Baptist going to heaven?
    • General Questions >
      • How can the Gospel transform individuals and the society today?
      • Why are dogs not allowed in heaven according to the Bible?
      • Question about Islam and Christianity
      • Is a Person Who Hasn't Heard About Christianity a Sinner...?
      • Are Saints in Heaven Free...?
      • Question on John the Baptist
      • Thief on the Cross Question
      • Does the Bible has a mention about the secret societies like...?
      • Is the Garden of Eden still on earth (hidden from mankind ) ?
      • Does the Bible prove all other religions false?
      • Why do Muslims hate Jews ?
      • What do you think of the Interpretation of Gen. 2:17?
      • Did God Hate Esau from the Womb?
      • What is your opinion of the theological terms kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God?
      • ​Please can you explain Colossians 2:14-17, where it's says "do not let anyone judge you"?
      • What do you mean by Regeneration..?
      • Is it literally mean that Turkey is the seat of Satan?
      • I'm a Christian but I don't like to go to church...I pray and read my bible in the house....what the bible teaches about fellowship?
      • Abraham the father of Isaac and Ismael...he was Jew or Hebrew..?
      • I'm a believer. I pray that I might win in lottery,sweepstakes, casino...I won....is this a sin?
      • Please Explain Romans 10:9,10
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What is the Purpose of Satan?
      • Why would God do this? And then punish Israel for it?
      • Is the Roman Catholic Church a true church established by Jesus Christ?
      • What is Heaven Like?
      • How long (on average) does it take one to join your religion?
      • Is a judge performing his duties in a courtroom violating Jesus' command, "Do not judge"?
      • How is it that even the demons "knew Him to be the Christ." How did they know?
      • Who is Jesus claiming to be in John 8:24 and what does it mean to "die in your sins"?
      • Does the Bride of Christ have to die first?
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What about Holidays?
      • What is a Biblical Family?
      • How do We Treat Family Members Who Say They are Christians but Don't Acts Like It?
      • What is the Second Death?
      • Question on the Parable of the Two Sons
      • Christ came that we would have life abundantly correct?
      • Who is the Son of Perdition?
      • What are your thoughts on Psalm 137:9?
      • What is the difference between the DOOR in Rev 3:8 and the DOOR in Rev 3:20 ?
      • Out of the Seven Churches in Revelation, which would you say is the closet to your church?
      • What is the main message in the book of Amos, what value does it hold for today’s modern society?
      • Gospel of Thomas question:
      • Question on Tithing
      • Are some people never going to be resurrected from the dead?
      • Does God Love Unconditionally?
      • What Percentage of the Bible Do You Have to Know?
      • Do you keep the Sabbath?
      • Why was Man Excluded Because No Wedding Garment?
      • It is the Day of Atonement...Will you offer a prayer & agree in prayer for their salvation?
      • Did Noah Keep Bees in the Ark?
      • As the Pope's 9-letter surname, Bergoglio, has the word GOG bang in the middle of it, I wonder if biblical?
      • Who is Peter talking about in 1 Peter 4:18?
      • What is the purpose of pigs?
      • Please explain how the meek inherit the earth?
      • Do You Know the Names of Jesus' Two Sheepfolds?
      • Is Jesus in His Human Body in Heaven?
  • Meditations of Joy
    • Overcoming Lack of Confidence to Connect and ‘Fit In’ Part 1
    • All Things in the Name of Jesus
    • The Treasured Life
    • Afflicted in Faithfulness
    • Making All Things New
    • Instinctive Trust
    • #721 Extracting the Precious from the Worthless
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism and Conflict Part 2
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism Part 1
    • Facing Change and the Unknown in Confidence
    • Glorify Thy Name in us, O LORD
    • Remembering Who We Are
    • Deliverance through Overwhelm
    • Finding Stability
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited)
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father Part 2
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father
    • The Expanse of Jesus Prayer
    • The Reality of the Joy Set Before Him
    • The Determination To Do His Will
    • Choosing the Will of the Father
    • He Sustains the Weary with a Word
    • I am willing
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40.27-31 my own Part 2
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40:27-31 my own
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 5
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 4
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 3
    • #698 Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1 A Dear Brother wrote out the main things he was learning in the past year. As I read them I realized that that the Lord was teaching me along similar lines. First he shared: 1. “God’s
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times Part 2Blog
    • Humble Yourself Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times
    • Thriving in the house of God
    • Living the Divine Dimensions of Their Love
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 2
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 1
    • Dealing with ‘What If’ Part 1
    • Abiding in Their Love
    • Serving by Night
    • Serving By Night
    • Tenacious Love Part 2
    • Tenacious Love Part 1
    • Reverence for God is an Access to Wisdom and Confidence
    • The Practice of Praise
    • Separate the Precious from the Worthless
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 2
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 1
    • #676 Only One Thing is Necessary
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 2
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 1
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 2 In the Care of the Shepherd
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 1 in the Hands of the Potter
    • The Choice to Rejoice
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 3
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 2
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 1
    • Courage to Go Forward
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 3
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 1
    • The Holy Ground of Challenge
    • What We Remember, What We Forget
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 3
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 2
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 1
    • Paul’s focus in Prison: Part 6b Resurrection power Beyond Our Comprehension
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: In Awe of His Resurrection Power Part 6aBlog
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: Part 5a Never give up praying for one another!
    • Paul's focus in Prison: Part 4 Guarded!
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 3 Going forward with Passion
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 2
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison Part 1
    • LIVING Hope and Joy
    • Arms Wide Open
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited from 2017)
    • “Yet Thou art Holy”
    • Resolutely Going Forward
    • Passover Love
    • Praying for a Word to Give the Weary
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 2
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 1Blog
    • A Night Journey to Peace Part 2
    • A Night Journey to Peace
    • Trusting His Choices
    • Peace Amid the Storm
    • Love is Patient
    • Proving His Name to His Glory
    • Watching in Hope
    • Glorifying His Name Begins with the Realm of Thought
    • "Father Glorify Thy Name"--Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 3 (A roadblock to be aware of)
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 2 (Practical application)
    • Father, Glorify Thy Name
    • Finding His Joy
    • The Blessing of Over-and-Over-Testings
    • Redefining Our Perception of Rejection
    • The Source of all Encouragement
    • Casting our Care and Leaving it There
    • Setting our Face Like Flint
    • Accepting God’s Will for our Beloved Brethren
    • Our Home in Every Challenge: Seeing Beyond the Illusion
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Sure Proof of His Divine Provision
    • Some Lessons from David in Absalam's Rebellion and Unresolved Conflict
    • His Glory: Permission to Prune
    • His Glory: A Call to Re-focus
    • Trade in the Old Thinking for a New Song!
    • A Practical Look at the Armor of God
    • Resting in His Provision
    • His Perspective from the Heights, Borne on the Wings of the Eagle
    • What Would Jesus THINK?
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 2
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 1
    • The Joy of His Love Empowering us to Love Part 2
    • The Joy of Overcoming Irritation: Divine Love Empowering us to Love Part 1
    • The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Sending Portions!
    • Finding Joy Part 2b: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Eat and Drink!
    • Finding Joy Part 2a: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength
    • Finding Joy: The Joy Set Before Us Part 1
    • The Refuge of His Wise and Loving Power
    • Facing the Challenge in the Beauty of Holiness
    • Facing the Challenge with Praise, Prayer and Perspective
    • Enthroning Him upon our Praise
    • Yet You Are Holy
    • Yet You are Holy
    • Another Look at “Arise, Let us go hence”
    • “My Peace” When We Feel Alone
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 5
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 4
    • My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 3
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 2
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 1
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze of Love Part 2
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze
    • Trusting Enough to Get Out of the Boat
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting His Provision in the Process Part 2
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting that what He allows is GOOD.
    • He Knows What We Need, a Call to Praise Amid the Unknown!
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • The Creative Deliverance That Surrounds Us
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 4
    • #547 How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 3
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 2
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 1
    • Our Prayerful Song in the Midst of Whatever Happens
    • #543 What Brings Us Peace No Matter What Happens
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking Part 2
    • He Restores my Soul
    • “Look up and Let Go”
    • Nothing Shall Offend
    • Moment by Moment Deliverance from Fear
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance Part 2
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst Every Circumstance
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’ Part 2
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’
    • Run through the Open Door
    • Dwelling in ONE Master
    • Dwelling in His Shadow and Watching from the Wings
    • Dwelling in the Obedience of Christ
    • Overcoming Some Old Habits of Thought
    • Setting our Minds for Surrender Each Morning
    • Some of Peters Advice for Relationships in these Last Days
    • What Helps us to Accept Every Experience
    • His Leading through the Valley
    • Being His Valiant Warrior
    • Our Valiant Warrior
    • Living Deep-rooted Attachment in Christ
    • Keep on Sowing!
    • Surely the LORD is in the place
    • Red Sea Advice Part 4 The Red Sea Response
    • Red Sea Advice Part 3 The Red Sea Reaction
    • Red Sea Advice Part 2
    • Red Sea Advice Part 1
    • A Call to Peace
    • But Then on The Third Day
    • He Endured the Cross Part 3 Psalm 22 NIV
    • He Endured the Cross Psalm 22 Part 2
    • He Endured the Cross Part 1
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 3
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 2
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 1
    • The Yoke that Gives Us Rest
    • Proper Use of limitation, A Call For Balance
    • Another Lesson in Making Room for Their Surpassing Power Through the Proper Use of our Limitations
    • The Posture of Waiting and Trust that Allows Him To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power 2
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • WE will get through this!
    • Delight to do His will
    • I Know the Plans I Have for You
    • But for a Moment
    • Wake me up, Lord
    • We are a Team!
    • When we feel alone
    • The One Next Step
    • Trusting the Love that Stabilizes Us Through Every Storm
    • Triumph Over Appearance
    • The Joy of His Abundance
    • Express Gratitude
    • Numbering our Days
    • Expressions of His Love
    • The Breadth of His Provision
    • His Faithfulness Behind Every Challenge
    • He Stands at the Door of our Hearts
    • Your Tender Mercies Give Me Life
    • The Craftsmanship of His Workmanship in us
    • With You Wherever You Go
    • Listening to His Voice Amid the Physical Challenge of Shingles
    • A Refuge Better than People Pleasing
    • My Prayer in the Morning
    • They Will Not Prevail
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • How To Be a Refuge Like Him
    • A Very Present Help in Trouble
    • How to be a Refuge Like Him
    • Humble Yourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • On Which Side Will We Dwell?
    • The Light That Shines on Our Challenges
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 6
    • Plow My Thoughts
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 5
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 4
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 3
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 2
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts
    • Stand in Awe in the Midst of Depression
    • Patient Waiting in the Face of Challenge
    • Our Expectation and Refuge in the Face of Fear
    • His Way of Escape
    • Healing the Root of Fear pt 2
    • Healing the Root of Fear
    • Weeding Day
    • Another Aspect of Wash Day!
    • Wash Day!
    • The Cup of Blessing Which We Bless
    • Our Abba Father
    • Accepting the Gift and Passing it On
    • Accepting the Gift of His Training
    • Open Our Eyes to See
    • The Breath of Forgiveness Part 2
    • The Breath of Forgiveness
    • Living Each Moment for Him
    • Diamonds in the Night
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 7
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 6
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 2
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 1
    • Faithful in the Hour Part 1
    • Delight in His Delight
    • The Beauty of Brokenness Surrendered to Him
    • How to Never Give up Part 2
    • How to Never Give UP part 1
    • Whatever We Do Part 2
    • Whatever We Do
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Tested by the Word of God
    • Waiting on the LORD
    • My Dad Road Sign
    • The Amazing Privilege of Being Coached by the Most High God
    • Casting Both Circles of Care Upon Him
    • The Heart of Deliverance
    • Say Amen!
    • Amen
    • Trusting Where He Leads
    • Made Strong to Listen
    • This is Who I AM
    • The Mindset of Deliverance
    • Strongholds
    • Your Love Has Conquered My Resistance
    • Our Stability Amid These Times and Seasons of Change
    • Precious in the Sight part 2
    • Precious in the Sight of the Lord
    • His Battle
    • Looking to Him
    • Proving Him Holy
    • Rejoice in the Road
    • The Divine Ectetera
    • Waking up to Hope in God in the Present Moment
    • Hiding His Word in Our Heart
    • The Power of Acceptance
    • The Power of Listening From His Love
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight (In Relationships)
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight Part 2
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight
    • The Past and Present Reality of Deliverance
    • Willing To Trust
    • Quieting the Noise So We Can Hear His Knock and Receive Feasting in Place of Empty Snacking
    • An Olive Tree in the House of God
    • Our Choice at Break of Day
    • From Accusation to Acclamation
    • The Pure Joy of What Is
    • Arise and Eat
    • Power Over the Pit
    • His Altar (The Dimensions of Love)
    • Living The Dimensions of Love
    • The Dimensions of Love
    • All My Springs are in You
    • Crucified with Christ--A Prayer
    • Psalm 22 on the Cross to the Ninth Hour
    • The Mind of Christ Revealed on the Cross Part 2
    • The Mind of Christ as Revealed on the Cross Part 1
    • Stop and Savor His View
    • The Final Hymn
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 3
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 2
    • Keeping the Power of the Father and the Son part 1
    • Father Glorify Thy Name
    • She Has Done What She Could
    • The Megaphone of God
    • Teach me to be an influence that honors You
    • Fill Me with Your Willingness and Skill
    • The Greatest Reality Amid any Overwelm
    • Seeing Something New
    • Trusting Him Anew
    • The Power of the Yoke of Jesus
    • How to be Humble
    • Building Faith to Prepare for Any Collision
    • Opening the Door of our Language to God
    • Safe in His Compassions
    • Who He Is in Every Experience
    • Continual Praise
    • Beside Still Waters
    • Faith and Hope in the Midst of Challenge
    • The Beauty of Flaw Wrapped in Perfection Revisited
    • Empowering Love
    • Discovering the Hidden Treasure
    • Thoroughly Known
    • Very Present Help
    • Not by Might
    • Under His Wings I Trust
    • Aiming at Eternity
    • What to Forget, What to Remember
    • Ready to Turn My Life Around for God
    • Triumph Over Circumstances--Don't Kill the Messenger
    • Waterlogged and Triumphant
    • Escape from Stress When We Don't Understand
    • Escape from Stress, Equipped with Hinds Feet
    • Surely the Lord is in the Place
    • Escape from Stress When We Fail part 2
    • Escaping from Stress When We Fail part 1
    • Escape From Stress When We don't Understand
    • From Stress to Peace Part 1
    • Step by Step Escape from Stress
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • Overcoming Illusion
    • The Blessing of Overwelm
    • Jesus is the Door
    • In Perfect Faithfulness
    • The Space to Choose
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • The Voice of our Risen Lord
    • Passover Perspectives: A Night of Watching
    • Passover Perspectives: The Protection of the Father in the Midst of the Cross
    • Passover Perspectives: The Deliverance that will Never Be Forgotten
    • Passover Perspectives: No Fear
    • Passover Perspective: The Far Reaching Power of His Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives: Living Unleavened
    • Passover Perspectives: Eating on the Run
    • Passover Perspectives: The Fires that Proved Him Faithful
    • Passover Perspectives: The Power of his Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives Exodus 12: The Keeping of the Lamb
    • Passover Perspectives: A collective celebration
    • Passover Perspectives: A New Beginning
    • A Prayer for God's Glory
    • Road Sign
    • The Beauty of Perfection
    • Every Hour
    • What will we put in the Relationship Box?
    • Discovering His Everlasting Love
    • His Timing and Strength in Every Phase of Life
    • Trusting Him in Every Valley
    • Trusting the One Who Pours the Cup
    • Smallest Beginning, Greatest Gift
    • Thoroughly Known, Thoroughly Pursued
    • Red Sea Rule #10
    • Red Sea Rule #9
    • Agreeing with God
    • Red Sear Rule #8
    • Red Sea Rule #7
    • Red Sea Rule #6
    • Red Sea Rule #5
    • Red Sea Rule 3 & 4
    • Red Sea Rules #2
    • Red Sea Rules--part 1
    • What Great Honor
    • What do you see?
    • The Power of a Living Faith
    • Awe for God in the Face of Fear
    • No Trial Will Ever Be Too Severe
    • The Work of the Gardener and the Architect
    • Wisdom Out of the Whirlwind
    • Hold On
    • Dwelling in Hope: The power of what we expect and believe
    • Conflict as a Call to Loving Action
    • Trusting His Infinite Wisdom
    • Emotion Management through The Power of Discretion
    • Do Not Delay; The Golden Moments Fly
    • Delight in the Lord
    • Loving New Part 2
    • Loving New
    • To Change the Paradigm
    • My Yoke is Easy, My Burden is Light
    • The Way of Escape
    • Equipped to Face Whatever Comes
    • Time to Trust part 3
    • Time to Trust part 2
    • A Time to Trust
    • Words of Wisdom
    • Wake Up New and See the Bigger Picture
    • Weeping and Finding
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • His Seamless Garment
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • Compelled by Love
    • Test of the Dream Part 3B
    • Test of the Dream --Part 3
    • Test of the Dream --Part 2
    • The Test of the Dream
    • The Love of God in Christ--part 2
    • The Love of God in Christ
    • Shedding Light on Discouragement
    • No More Re-Runs and No more Previews
    • No More Re-Runs
    • Triumph of Trust
    • With You Always, Day by Day
    • Triumph over Temptation
    • Step by Step
    • The Lord, My Confidence --part 2
    • The Lord, My Confidence--part 1
    • Seeking the Face of God and Christ
    • My Always Faithful God
    • The Answer to Overwhelm
    • Every Knee Shall Bow
    • Free to Experience the Intentions of God
    • Finding Bread at Midnight
    • Faithful Wounds
    • Battlefield Strategies
    • Take Time to Be Kind
    • Oh Magnify the Lord with Me by the Power of Thanksgiving
    • What do You Expect?
    • Unlikely Battlefield Strategies Part 2
    • The Miracle of Acceptance
    • Crisis Control
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • The Power of Pure Choice in Christ
    • Let the King of Glory In!
    • Whose Wall Do I Trust?
    • The Power of Thanksgiving
    • The Postures of Possiblities
    • If You Trust Me Let Go
    • Barefoot!
    • Holy Ground: Accepting the Mission
    • Holy ground: Facing the Fire
    • After the Battle
    • Accessable
    • Surrender in Awe and Wait in Joy
    • The Strength of our Spiritual Root System
    • Space to Trust
    • Full of Sap Part 3
    • Full of Sap Part 2
    • Full of Sap
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 3
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 2
    • Mind of Mature Persistance
    • Expect the Unexpected
    • Hearing Through the Ears of Jesus
    • Our Memorial Legacy: Keeping the Feast
    • Our Memorial Legacy
    • The Heart of the Father
    • The Cattle on a Thousand Hills
    • Patient with Process
    • He is Risen! Continue to Seek
    • Never Out-Numbered--Never Give Up!
    • Never Out-Numbered
    • Gathering Forces No Match For the Lord of the Harvest
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice – A Testimony
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice on the Cross
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 8
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 7
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 6
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 5
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 4
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THE ROYAL LAW—THE GOLDEN RULE.


MATT. 7:1-14
 
"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."
 
IN THIS lesson we have another leaf from our Lord's great Sermon on the Mount. This is not a sermon to sinners but to the Lord's consecrated people; and although there were multitudes within the hearing of our Lord's voice, all of whom belonged to the typically consecrated nation, yet our Lord addressed himself specially to his twelve chosen disciples, who were being particularly and fully instructed, that they, under the spirit dispensation soon to be inaugurated, might become the twelve foundations of the heavenly Kingdom, represented symbolically in the New Jerusalem of Revelation.--Rev. 21:14.

True, many of the features of this Royal Law were then and still are sound advice for all who can receive them; but the fact remains that comparatively few are blessed with the opening of eyes and unstopping of ears to permit their appreciation of these holy pearls of truth; and assuredly they were addressed to and intended for only those who could receive them. Thank God for the good hope that ere long, the Kingdom being established, all the blind eyes shall be opened, all the deaf ears shall be unstopped, and that in God's "due time" these precepts of the Golden Rule of Love will be appreciated by all and be applicable to all—whether they respond to them or reject them.

Following our Lord's example and injunction, we are endeavoring to set meat in due season, "things new and old," before the household of faith, the children of the Kingdom, and not before "dogs"—those who are still outside of divine favor, who have not yet received the grace of God and been adopted into His family and constituted sons. These precious truths are pearls of great price—of great value—to those who have the hearing ear and the understanding and appreciative heart—those who have been begotten of the spirit and are "new creatures in Christ Jesus," and seeking to live the new life. We do not attempt to present these matters to the brutish, the swinish, knowing that they would not appreciate them; but would merely feel a disappointment and resent our good intentions to our injury. Our Lord points this out later on in the discourse (verse 6), and his words are in full accord with those of Solomon, "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee."--Prov. 9:7,8.

It is to the household of faith, then, that the Lord says, "Judge not that ye be not judged." It is useless that we give this advice to others than the pupils in the school of Christ, for not having put themselves under the instruction of the great Teacher it gives evidence that his instructions are not appreciated by them. But all true disciples (learners, pupils) should give earnest heed to this injunction, and should understand that it contains a very important lesson, which unlearned will render them unready for the great examination, unready for graduation, unready for the Kingdom; because in their examination this will be one of the tests. If they have been fault-finding, cynical, hypercritical, etc., judging others harshly and uncharitably, it will be a clear token that they have not developed the spirit of Christ, the spirit of love,—which is full of kindness and consideration: hence such would be judged or condemned as unfit for the Kingdom, for according to our way of judging others we will be judged—since nothing else will better demonstrate our true spiritual condition,—the presence or absence of love.

Whatever measure of mercy and generosity we mete out to others will be the measure of divine mercy that will be extended to us. If all the Lord's people could have well impressed upon their hearts this lesson from the great Teacher's lips, how wonderfully it would affect their attitude toward others, in thought as well as in deed; how generous, how forgiving, how sympathetic for the weaknesses of others they would become; how the spirit of love would grow in their hearts and manifest itself in their words and deeds!
 
RAFTERS IN THEIR EYES.
————--
Emphasizing this lesson, our Lord suggests that those who are always finding fault with the "brethren" who, like themselves, are seeking to walk in the narrow way—who can never see the noble efforts of the "brethren" to copy the Master, but are continually picking at them, are the very ones who have the greatest of faults in themselves,—lovelessness. The exaggeration of our Lord's words of reproof to this class seems to imply a vein of sarcasm, for literally he says, Why do you stare so at your fellow who is troubled with a grain of sawdust in his eye, while you have a whole rafter in your own eye? All the "brethren" are more or less troubled with difficulties of one kind or another, weaknesses of the flesh,—because all have the treasure of the new nature in imperfect earthen vessels—marred by original sin. "There is none righteous, no, not one" absolutely perfect. Yet the brethren whose hearts are full of love, even though they have sawdust in their eye of faith, or intellectual discernment or spiritual discernment, and perhaps also splinters in their hands, which affect all the deeds of life, and render their work imperfect, and though many of them have splinters in their feet also, so that their walk is by no means perfect, as they would desire it to be—yet if they have the spirit of faith and of love and of sympathy, the spirit of Christ, they are his, and far more acceptable to him than any could possibly be who are devoid of the spirit of love and sympathy, and who therefore in this parable are represented as wholly perverted in their judgment of others, because possessing so little of the Lord's spirit and so much of the spirit of the Adversary—the great "accuser of the brethren."

This loveless, fault-finding, brethren-accusing class the Lord denominates hypocrites. Why? Because in finding fault with others they are evidently wishing to give the inference that they are not afflicted with the same malady of sin themselves; they evidently wish to give the impression that they are holy, and since they know in their own hearts that this is untrue, and that they have many failings, many imperfections—therefore their course is hypocritical, false, deceptive, displeasing to God. Their claim that their fault-finding is prompted by love for the erring and a hatred of sin is deceptive and hypocritical as our Lord's words clearly show. Otherwise they would find plenty to do in hating and condemning and battling with their own sins and weaknesses;—casting out their own rafter of self-conceit and hypocrisy. The experiences thus gained would make them very tender and merciful and loving in their assistance of others.

All of the "brethren" should carefully view this picture which our Lord portrayed, and should note well to see whether or not they have any of the evil disposition of heart—fault-finding, nagging, harsh criticism and denunciation—different degrees of the same fault. If they find any trace of such a "beam" of lovelessness and self-conceit in their spiritual eye, they should go at once to the great Physician and have it thoroughly eradicated, that they thus may speedily become gentle, sympathetic assistants to the "brethren," and be prepared as successful surgeons and physicians for the great work of the Millennial age—the kindly and sympathetic opening of the blind eyes of humanity and the healing of all the wounds of sin.
 
 
TYING GRAPE CLUSTERS TO THORN BUSHES.
————--
But while we are not to judge our "brother," who with us professes to be endeavoring to walk in the footsteps of our Master, and who gives any evidences at all of sincerity in the matter, we nevertheless are to do a certain kind of judging as respects mankind in general. Elsewhere the Lord intimates that "by their fruits" we are to "know" grapevines from thorn-bushes, and figs from thistles. And in this sermon he intimates that we are to judge or discern as between the brethren and "dogs" and "swine"—the selfish, the sensual, who mind earthly things and who have never been begotten of the spirit of God. We may know these by outward evidences, for "If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his;" and if he is none of his, not a branch of the Vine, we are not to waste our time in trying to tie onto him bunches of the fruits of the vine. We are not to attempt to deceive others or ourselves by helping to counterfeit the true holy Spirit in the selfish, unregenerate world. We are not to expect that this class, whose appreciation is only for earthly things, to appreciate holy, heavenly things, any more than we would expect that dogs would appreciate the difference between meat from the butcher-shop and the holy, consecrated meat eaten only by the priesthood. We are not to expect that the swinish and groveling, who think only of money and the things of this life, would appreciate the pearls of truth which are so precious in the sight of the brethren, begotten of the spirit.

This does not mean that we should never bring holy things to the attention of those who are not the Lord's consecrated people; but it does mean that a mere presentation of the first principles of righteousness and truth should quickly manifest to us those who have an ear for the truth, and those who have not,—that finding the hearing ear we might give diligence to serve it, and finding the ear closed we might cease to waste our time, knowing that the effort would be fruitless as respects the calling of this Gospel age—to saintship, to the divine nature, to joint-heirship in the Kingdom. The Millennial age will soon be ushered in, and that will be God's time for breaking the hard hearts, for opening the blind eyes, and unstopping the deaf ears.
 
Indeed, in some respects the efforts which have been expended upon the "dogs" and the "swine"—the thorn-bushes and the thistles, endeavoring to tie to these various imitations of the fruits of the spirit of Christ, and to make the meat of the household palatable to them, have been positively injurious to the Lord's cause. The "brethren" have been neglected in the endeavor to feed the "dog" class; the making ready of the Bride for the Bridegroom, and adorning her with the pearls of truth, has been neglected in the endeavor to interest the "swine" in the pearls. The real value of the true vine, in producing good fruit, and the wide difference of nature between it and a bramble bush, has been greatly obscured by the appropriation of the vine's natural fruitage to the bramble. Let us not be wise above what is written; let us attend in the present time to the work which God has appointed for this age, and leave to his appointed time the general work for the world of mankind.
 
HOW TO OVERCOME LOVELESS SELF-CONCEIT.
————--
Returning to the lessons which the "brethren" must learn, and possibly having specially in mind the correction of the tendency to judge one another, our Lord gives instructions how these wrong qualities may be eradicated. We are to ask of the Lord the needed measure of love and sympathy which will hinder us from judging others, and which will help us in correcting our own defects. If we ask sincerely, truly, we will receive His grace and help in this direction. And while asking, it is our duty to be seeking the things which we lack, the holy Spirit of love to fill our hearts; and if we seek it we shall find it. We are to knock upon the Lord's store-house of grace and blessing by continued efforts, as well as prayer without ceasing, and as a result it will surely be opened to us. The asking, the seeking, the knocking, will all imply faith in the Lord, which will be pleasing in His sight, and it will also imply faithfulness on our part and a desire to be conformed fully to the Lord's will. And these good desires of our hearts shall be gratified, because, as an earthly parent would respond to his child's request for earthly food, so will the Lord respond and supply grace in every time of need to His children. He will not deceive us nor give us evil things, when we desire the good, but will do for us exceedingly abundantly more than we could ask or think; for is not our heavenly Father much better than any imperfect human father could possibly be?

Luke's reference to this discourse (11:13) declares that the good thing that God will be pleased to give these asking, seeking, knocking ones, is His holy Spirit. And this is exactly what is needed, as an offset to the unholy, unloving, selfish, judging and fault-finding spirit of the flesh, which must be cast out. The antidote for the poison is that we should be filled with the holy Spirit, the spirit of love, for "love worketh no ill to his neighbor;" love "suffereth long and is kind;" love "is not puffed up" to see the faults of others and to be blind to its own; it "vaunteth not itself" to be a general critic, fault-finder and "accuser of the brethren." Love is sympathetic, helpful, the spirit of God.--1 Cor. 13:4; Rom. 13:10.
 
 
"WORKING IN YOU THAT WHICH IS WELLPLEASING IN HIS SIGHT."--HEB. 13:21 .

"Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them." The word "therefore" shows the connection between this and the preceding features of the lesson: it signifies that this will be a test or rule by which we may discern when and to what extent we are misjudging the motives of others, and officiously endeavoring to perform the very delicate operation of removing their splinters. This verse is therefore known as the "Golden Rule,"—the rule which God would have His people use in respect to all the affairs of life—especially in their relationship and dealings with the "brethren." When disposed to find a fault, or pick a flaw, when disposed to condemn another or to criticize another's faults, or to hold him up to odium, we can generally know of the propriety or impropriety of so doing or thinking by asking ourselves the question: Would I wish the brother to do, to say or to think thus respecting me, if I were he and he were I?

This rule, closely followed, will very generally be a guide, and yet we have known instances in which the Lord's people seemed so anxious for an excuse for slander, for evil speaking, for gossip, that they found some kind of a way of excusing themselves for the violation of the Golden Rule, even when they remembered it and at heart wished to obey it. Let us be very careful, dear brethren, how we handle the Lord's rule—that we do not handle the Word of God deceitfully—that we do not blind and deceive ourselves respecting its true importance—that we do not thus vitiate and impair our consciences—that we do not thus thwart our prayers for the holy Spirit. For the holy Spirit can flow into our hearts only as the channel is open; and the channel can be kept open only by keeping this Golden Rule continually at work at its full gauge. This Golden Rule and all these lessons, that seem so new because presented by the great Teacher in a clearer and sharper light than ever before, were nevertheless the gist or essence of the Mosaic Law, and of the Lord's teachings through the prophets.
 
NARROW IS THE WAY.
————--
Our Lord intimates that such a life of carefulness respecting not only our actions but also our words and even our very thoughts (which are the springs from whence proceed our words and actions) will be a very "narrow way"—a difficult way. And yet it is the only way by which we can hope to enter into the life and Kingdom of joys which are now set before us in the Gospel call. The broad way, the easy way, the selfish way, the worldly way, does not lead to the Kingdom: on the contrary, it leads to death—to the Second Death, to utter destruction. The many are going in that way now, and only the few find and enter into the straight gate and narrow way to the Kingdom and its glory, honor and immortality.

This does not, however, either say or imply that the present age is the only one in which any opportunity will be given to escape the destruction toward which the broad way and the world tend; though it is the only way now open. The Word of the Lord elsewhere points out to us that after the select little flock, the elect Church, the Bride, the body of Christ, shall have been selected from amongst mankind—composed of those who seek and walk in the narrow way—after these shall have been glorified with the Redeemer, will come a time when, in the Lord's providence, a grand highway of holiness shall be opened to the world of mankind, during the Millennial age. While it will be an upward way and not a downward one, so that it will require effort to walk thereon and to attain to the full restitution, the prize at its further end, nevertheless it will be very different from the narrow, the difficult way now open before the elect church, God's peculiar people. It will be a way of righteousness, but not a way of sacrifice, as is the present narrow way, which thus selects the "royal priesthood," each one of whom must present his body a living sacrifice, in order to make his calling and election sure.

No lions shall be in that grand Millennial highway; nothing to hurt or destroy or intimidate from well-doing; nothing to seduce or to devour as a prey those who seek to walk righteously and to come back into harmony with the Lord; whereas all these besetments are now about us, because Satan, the prince of this world, is still unbound. (Isa. 35:8,9; Rev. 20:2.) All who now enter the "narrow way" are compelled to fight a good fight, to contend earnestly for the faith, to resist the devil, if they would secure the greater "prize" of our high calling. We must not only contend with the weaknesses of the flesh, which we have inherited, but we must also wrestle with wicked spirits in exalted places (Eph. 6:12), but the Lord giveth us the more grace, that thereby we may come off conquerors through him who loved us and bought us with his own precious blood.--1 Tim. 6:12; Jude 3; Jas. 4:7; Rom. 8:37.

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