Acquainted with Grief
What I’ve begun to realize is that when Jesus says we are to count the cost in Luke 14:28, He is saying more than I’ve considered. One of the things He is implying is that the cost of following in Jesus’ footsteps involves being willing to allow God to create within us the same unrestrained compassion that existed in Jesus. Think about what that means. It means that often, our efforts to reach people will be stymied by those we are trying to help see the light. It means they might ignore us, laugh at us, attack us verbally (or even physically), castigate us, make fun of us, label us something we are not and more.
Unrestrained Compassion
Jesus’ heart of unrestrained compassion knew what people needed and in effect, knew what they were seeking even if they did not fully comprehend it themselves. He was angry at what sin had done to their hearts and minds as well as the world in general. He was angry that this world was under the sway of the evil one. Yet, what overwhelmed Him was His deep sense of compassion that literally rose up from His bowels and yet, was met with resistance, complacency and even rebellion leading to outright rejection. He knew they were spiritually blind and He so desperately wanted them to see the truth…but they were unwilling.
Burdens We Unnecessarily Carry
The other day, in church, as our pastor walked up the two stairs to the platform, I pictured Jesus sitting on those steps and me walking over to Him. I took a seat on the floor and looked up at Him. He looked at me and sincerely and compassionately asked, “Fred, how are you doing?” This was not a vision. It was my imagination, yet it concurs with Scripture because of how much He cares about you and me. He didn’t ask me because He wouldn’t have known. It was His way of drawing me out, telling me it was safe to share with him by deepest, darkest thoughts and concerns. He knows them already yet does not reject me.
He Empathizes with Us, Pt 2
n my last article, I spoke of being in the Word. No one will completely master His Word in this life though I’m amazed at the ability of some to quote it verbatim. If we are honest with ourselves, we will be forced to admit that we probably do not read or study it enough. We also do not likely apply ourselves to memorizing parts of His Word to carry it in our hearts at all times. We may not even think about it or contemplate it enough throughout each day. We become what James 1:24 says; we look in the mirror, walk away and immediately forget what we look like. It takes effort to dwell on, contemplate and remember God’s Word even after we are done reading it and walk away from it.
He Empathizes with Us, Pt 1
As a Christian, do you find yourself not talking to Him about what concerns you, preferring instead to keep it to yourself and handle things on your own? How can we think we will get to know Him when we do that? God allows trials and issues to come our way so that we will take them to Him, so that we can see Him actually work in our lives. When we see Him moving and taking care of things, this increases and strengthens our faith in Him.
Do We Christians Do This?
By the time of Malachi, Israel had literally become numb toward God, having gotten to that point by deliberately and continually moving from faithful and obedient to becoming full faithless and disobedient. They eventually became bitter toward God. Can you imagine that? They actually harbored animosity and bitterness toward the God who had rescued them from Egypt and many troubles after that.
Don’t Take My Word for It
We need to remember that it is those people who lied to us about the mRNA jab that are also warning us about healthy alternative healing products like DMSO, Chlorine Dioxide and GSE. I’m encouraged that more and more doctors like William Makis, Pierre Kory and others are stepping up to provide insight into this world of natural wonders versus Big Pharma’s chemical romance.
Can We Avoid Being Anxious?
Over the years, as I have faced situations that have caused anxiety in me, sometimes, I have submitted myself to the Lord for His keeping and His guidance. On other occasions, I have only half-heartedly done this and it usually resulted in works of the flesh. The problem for me has usually been the fact that I tend to feel as though I’m sinning because the anxiety is getting to me. Doesn’t the Bible tell us that God will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is set on Him (Isaiah 26:3)? So when I’m not at peace within, I feel as though I failed. This is wrong. When we are not at peace within, it essentially means that God is trying to get our attention so that we can bring our cares and concerns to Him for Him to deal with for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Easter Blessings and Death of a Heretic
Easter’s resurrection of our Lord proved that perfect love conquers all evil. The grave could not keep Jesus. He arose due to His sinlessness and deity. He lives due to His sinlessness and deity. He loves due to His sinlessness and deity. He is God, very God, who took on the outer “robe” of humanity in order that He would perfectly fulfill the will of His Father and offered His life not only as a model of how we should live, but as a perfect substitution for us (Philippians 2), so that we personally, do not have to pay that price. He died so that we can gain eternal life and it is by faith in His propitiation that we find solace, comfort, eternal life and full acceptance by the Father.
A Few Health Hacks
All of this may seem too good to be true, but again, there is clinically-based evidence that these outcomes exist when stimulating the Vagus Nerve using a TENS unit (or other techniques, like previously discussed breathing exercises). One strong caution of course, is that prior to using any type of electrical device to stimulate the Vagus Nerve, it is strongly recommended that a person discusses the option with their physician. TENS Units are not for everyone and depending on a specific malady present in a person, a TENS Unit may do more harm than good. Please read the linked articles thoroughly and bring any questions/concerns you might have to your doctor to discuss.
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