Feelings Or Love--Potential Enemies

"There was reclining on Jesus' breast one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved."  (John 12:23)

You know as well as I that the prevailing definition of "love" is "a feeling."  Songs, e.g., "True Love," "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing," or the phrase in the old song, "my heart skips a beat every time we meet," all reveal the philosophy that love is mostly feelings. Then there are the poems, movies, etc.  All of the aforementioned reinforce the pervasive belief that love is predominantly a feeling.

In contrast, there is what I have been asserting for a long time, that "love" is a verb, a "work," if you will.  It is not something we feel, but something we do.  You can "fall in love" and fall out of love, that is, if love is a feeling.  If, on the other hand, love is a verb, something I do, a "work," if you will, then there is never a "falling out" of, "do unto others."

As I read our text today, the thought occurred to me that many have a conflict with the term, "one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved."  If love is a feeling, then I can understand that.  If love is a deed, however, it changes some things.  Could it be, "....whom Jesus loved", means that John was more "available" to Jesus, pressed in more than the others, made opportunities for the expressions of Jesus' love more frequent because he did not, "follow afar off," but was the one who, probably more than once, was found, "on Jesus' Breast."

A part of this misconception of love can be found in the popular translation of John 3:16, "God so loved the world...."  The, "so," there is the problem.  It implies degree or the "how much" God loves.  Jesus' love knows no "how much."  The Love of the Blessed Trinity is Eternal Love; hence, "God loved the world thus," or, "this way-- He gave...." is the best translation of John 3:16.  You will recall the oft quoted phrase, "God demonstrated His Love at the Cross."  In other words, God's love is not "talk" love, but "doing" love.  Now I am not saying that there is no "feeling" in the Godhead.  My attempt is to get us out of Hollywood love into Jesus' Demonstrated love.

I also read today in Malachi that "troubling" statement, "Yet I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau."  I am thinking of what I have written about love could also apply to hate.  Maybe it is not so much here a "feeling" but an act, consequences perhaps which fell upon the two brothers, consequences which came from their heart-attitude of life and towards God Himself.  "To be continued."

Father, in Jesus' Name, teach me more and more how to always be, "reclining on Jesus' Breast."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Your Statutes (Words) Are My Songs...."

"Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage."  (Psalm 119:54, NASB)

We can forget that the Book of Psalms is a book of words to sing.  Most of early Presbyterian hymn books were comprised of Psalms.  One author said that, "as tastes in music began to change," well, we all know what happened.

The psalmist says that, "the Words of God," are, "my songs."  I have sung portions of the Bible which are not in the Psalms.  I even used to sing "prophetic words."  Let me write that great statement again, "Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage."  This is fellowship, which is defined as, "participation," in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus, "The Word of God," is the song I sing.

Here are some different perspectives on our text using, "words," for "laws," etc. "No matter where I am, Your Words fill me with songs" (CEV).  "Your Words are the songs I sing wherever I am living" (ERV).  "Your Words have become like psalms to me in this place where I am only a foreigner" (GW).  "During my brief earthly life I compose songs about your Words" (GNT).  One more-- "Your Words are the theme of my song during my earthly life," literally, "in the house of my sojourning" (HCSB).

This should be the "theme" of the Twenty-First Century Church.  Nothing wrong with "personal testimony" songs, but they should only be "supplements," not replacements. Jeremiah 15:16 declares, "Your Words were found and I ate them, and Your Words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your Name, O Lord God of hosts."

Father, in Jesus' Name, give me more and more Your Songs.  Amen.

Idols That Breath Oxygen

"Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them....You who fear Him, trust in the Lord...."  (Psalm 115:8 & 11a, NIV)

The context is speaking of the rejection of the Lord God for the idols of, "the nations."  Beware!  Most of these idols breath oxygen, permeate the media, and attempt seduction of the Church.  Most of modern idols are in the "white noise" of which Mumford wrote in the article which I sent yesterday.  And, it is a current plague in Christendom. 

It is not only the incessant flood of the 24/7 news, the incessant "talk show" mumbo jumbo, but also the flood of the cliche-mentality infecting many of today's church-goers.  They can't hear from our Lord Jesus Christ because they are in a swamp trap of what others continually tell them is the secret to "victorious Christian living," the expert "how-to" gurus.  Such people just repeat what these "experts" say, and call it "the word of the Lord."  This is extremely dangerous for the future of those so enslaved. 

We need to think for ourselves, read for ourselves, and pray ourselves.  This is not a call to some sort of "rugged individualism," nor a rejection of gift-ministry-teaching, nor refusing to gather regularly with other Followers of Jesus Christ.  But if today's Church is going to hear Jesus "speaking" to us, we need to have in reality, and not in talk only, a "personal relationship with Christ."  When some leader has too much influence, and dare I say it?-- admiration from his/her followers, the danger increases greatly that a people will emerge in Christendom who are nothing but clones of the latest whatever.

The article which I have sent to our News Blog, and am heartily recommending, reveals just how much the world culture has bought into the deception and lies of others.  Read it and you may gain some more understanding of what I am attempting to relate.  Lies come easy.  Truth comes in great warfare.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "keep me near the Cross, there a precious fountain...."  Amen.

****************

There is something going on in South Africa which I predicted decades ago.  You will mostly likely never hear this in the media.  Read it at:

jhs58.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Books And Chapters--Sentences and Phrases"

"'But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay.  For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say,' declares the Lord."  (Ezekiel 12:25, NIV)

 "Whereas My prophetic words have been books and chapters, they are now sentences and phrases," or, "As I have spoken in books and chapters, I am now speaking in sentences and phrases."  This is the essence of the word which I received around 01:30 yesterday morning.  Our text came to me as I considered that "word."  I believe there is somehow a connection.  The CEB translates today's text as, "I am the Lord!  The Word that I speak is the Word that I will speak!  It will happen and be delayed no longer."  I believe that the last sentence, particularly, is key. 

That moment yesterday was similar to the "word" which I received about the Lord Jesus speaking to Job, "out of the whirlwind."  This, now, is twice I have had this experience in the last couple of weeks.  I just pray that I hear clearly and obey whatever Jesus is saying.  Could this be a "limited" version of, "....what the Spirit is saying to the churches"?

I encourage you to listen for and to the Holy Spirit.  As this age draws to a close, I think we can expect more of, "the Word of the Lord," coming to His Church.  Such "speaking" will be to confirm the Scriptures and the prophetic utterances from, "In the beginning."  Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Head of the Church, will be enabling His Church to navigate the increasing turbulent waters in the days just before His Second Appearing by such words, "....to the churches."  These are indeed sobering, and at the same time, glorious days.

Father, in Jesus' Name, You know how "unprepared" I feel for these "days."  I just thank You that You are speaking, warning and encouraging me.  Amen.

*****************************

Keep the Senate Hearings for the Supreme Court Nominee, Judge Kavanaugh, in prayer.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2