Asides

April 25
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Uncategorized Aside

“Those who heard this asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’”  (Luke 18:26-27, NIV)

To live as if all things are possible with God is the natural habitat of the Christian disciple. It should disturb us when we realize that we have either not put God into the equation; or that we have adopted the thought that something — anything — is too big for God.

The number of things that are humanly impossible are innumerable.  The number of things that are divinely impossible is zero! – Luther

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April 24
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“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:20-21, NIV)

What may be regarded by the common person as foolishness is tactical brilliance in the eyes of God.

Today’s scripture is a blueprint for how the Christian disciple is to engage his or her adversary.  The benefit of this counterintuitive approach is two-fold: (1) It confounds the enemy beyond words, and; (2) It assures the positive notice of our heavenly father.

To act in this way toward our enemies requires faith in God, and courage. Do not be ashamed or afraid to stand firm and fast wherever it is that God has directed.  – Luther

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April 23
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“Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.’” (Luke 17:20-21, NIV)

Resist the urge to make the kingdom of God real “out there” before it has become real “in here.”

In today’s scripture reading, Jesus tells us that His kingdom is personal, not geographical; spiritual, not temporal; hidden from natural observation, yet growing by leaps and bounds within the life yielded to Him.

As much as some of us might want to “Christianize” (or “spiritualize”) the law, the government, the marketplace, the neighborhood, and the school — as the Pharisees desired to do in Jesus’ day; it always becomes a fool’s errand when such changes are imposed from outside. Change that is positive, lasting, spiritual, and liberating always begins within an individual — and manifests itself in the choices that that individual makes.

Is God’s rule (kingdom) growing within you?  – Luther

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