So You Want "Understanding"?

"I understand more than the elders ('ancients') because I obey Your precepts."  (Psalm 119:100, HCSB)

Try this:  "I understand...because I obey...." 

Now the natural mind might argue with this.  It would say that we need "book larnin," degrees, or just think that some people are smarter than others, so we might as well accept it.  No.  Jesus Christ Himself, "The Word of God," tells us that, "I understand...because I obey Your precepts," viz., "Word."

We once counseled a woman who was more interested in telling us her problems than getting an answer.  When a brief moment appeared which indicated she really did want some relief from her life maladies, I said to her, "I would like you to read 5 Psalms and 1 Proverb a day for the next month.  Then, let's get together again."  Only a camera would explain her reaction.  Too many people seeking "help" in life get speculation, shrouded, religious psycho analysis.  But I once did a marriage seminar and took the class through 1 Peter.  A couple later said that when I announce our "study book," they thought, "What does that have to do with marriage."  They confessed to getting great help for their marriage; go figure.    

One simply cannot, "obey," what one does not know.  I have said and written many times that I have very little "understanding" of the Universe, life in Jesus Christ, His Church, His Kingdom.  Whatever "understanding" I do have is in the, "God-Breathed," Words.  The Word translated, "understand," in our text is from a Hebrew Word which means, "to discern."  O, so wait a moment!  Most people think that discernment is some deep looking stare, someone's ability to "read" a situation or some one.  Again, not so.  Divine understanding comes from Jesus' Words.  Read on; obey on.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You are continually exposing religious myths.  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

My Take On Pharisees And Sadducees

"And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.  For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection-- and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both."  (Acts 23:7, 8)

It seems as though the Pharisees believed the Bible; the Sadducees didn't.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, obviously very open to the "things of God."  Nicodemus recognized Him in Jesus Christ.  He had questions.  So who doesn't?  John tells us that through it all, Nicodemus, the Pharisee, ruler in the Sanhedrin, was at the cross with Joseph of Arimathea.  The New Birth obviously "took."

To be someone who always doubts because he cannot comprehend is a terrible way to live.  I have said many times before that if "believing" means fully understanding, fully grasping, then I don't believe.  Believing for me is accepting.  Nicodemus said to Jesus, "How can these things be?"  Good question.  But then, we find him at the Cross.

Are you struggling with Sadduceeism, struggling with life's unanswerable questions to the point that you cannot surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ, beginning each day with Paul's question to Jesus, "Lord, what would you have me to do?"  It's okay, you know, if you don't understand everything.  Just live as the hymn says, "I Surrender All."

Romans 11:33 in the Interlinear Greek says, "O the depth of wisdom and knowledge of God How unsearchable the judgments of Him and untraceable the ways of Him."  The Word for, "unsearchable," means, "cannot be searched into, inscrutable, unfathomable."  The Word for, "untraceable," means, "that cannot be explored, incomprehensible."  Nicodemus, the Pharisee, accepted this reality.  Sadducee people will not.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to walk the way of Nicodemus.  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

My Take On Pharisees And Sadducees

"And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.  For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection-- and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both."  (Acts 23:7, 8)

It seems as though the Pharisees believed the Bible; the Sadducees didn't.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, obviously very open to the "things of God."  Nicodemus recognized Him in Jesus Christ.  He had questions.  So who doesn't?  John tells us that through it all, Nicodemus, the Pharisee, ruler in the Sanhedrin, was at the cross with Joseph of Arimathea.  The New Birth obviously "took."

To be someone who always doubts because he cannot comprehend is a terrible way to live.  I have said many times before that if "believing" means fully understanding, fully grasping, then I don't believe.  Believing for me is accepting.  Nicodemus said to Jesus, "How can these things be?"  Good question.  But then, we find him at the Cross.

Are you struggling with Sadduceeism, struggling with life's unanswerable questions to the point that you cannot surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ, beginning each day with Paul's question to Jesus, "Lord, what would you have me to do?"  It's okay, you know, if you don't understand everything.  Just live as the hymn says, "I Surrender All."

Romans 11:33 in the Interlinear Greek says, "O the depth of wisdom and knowledge of God How unsearchable the judgments of Him and untraceable the ways of Him."  The Word for, "unsearchable," means, "cannot be searched into, inscrutable, unfathomable."  The Word for, "untraceable," means, "that cannot be explored, incomprehensible."  Nicodemus, the Pharisee, accepted this reality.  Sadducee people will not.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to walk the way of Nicodemus.  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

Others Need Your Testimony

"And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?'  So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?'  And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'"  (Acts 22:7, 8)

We read Paul's testimony in Acts 22.  He repeated it often throughout his life, his missionary activity, his epistles.  Too many today are using cliches which others have invented as clever ways to share, "the faith of Jesus."  That does not work. 

You and I are called to bear witness to Jesus by what the Bible says, and, "the Word to which [we bear] witness."  Yes, each testimony honors what the Bible says, and each person's unique testimony is so vital to reaching others.  Perhaps this is one reason we have four Gospel accounts.  Jesus has done, and is doing something in you which has "life" for those someones who are going through similar life experiences.  People need to hear "your story!"

I guess the short of it today is: Tell others what Jesus has done and is doing for you, not so much what He has done and is doing for others.  The former should always have precedence over the latter.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "If it had not been [You] Who was on [my] side when," life, "rose up against [me], life, "would have swollowed [me] alive."  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