Asides

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

The thought of Oswald Chambers on the latter half of this scripture is particularly appropriate to consider when we are in the routines of daily living.

Says Chambers: “Sometimes it is not difficulty that makes me think God will forsake me, but drudgery. There is no Hill Difficulty to climb, no vision given, nothing wonderful or beautiful, just the commonplace day in and day out – can I hear God’s say-so in these things?”

The truth of life is that most of the days of our lives will not be spent in the valley of difficulty or frustration; nor on the mountaintop of excitement and personal achievement — but on the plains of our routines. 

The reality is that if we can hear and obey God in the mundane places, where our senses are blunted by the routine of living; we will certainly hear Him when our senses are most attuned to Him in the valley or on the pinnacle.  

Use the long, level, boring, spaces in your life to cultivate your relationship with our heavenly Father.  – Luther

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“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17, NIV)

Another thought on this passage of scripture, also cited on the previous day: “The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him.”

We sometimes think it strange when our view of a particular matter seems so at odds with the point of view of those who do not know Jesus. Try the view of forgiveness: The Christian disciple is always ready to forgive and reconcile; the world-wise person sets a line past which forgiveness and reconciliation is impossible.

Do not think it strange that the world neither sees the value of forgiveness, nor understands why anyone else would: The world neither sees Him, nor knows Him.  But you, faithful disciple of Jesus, do see Him; you do know Him; and while the world may not see Jesus, the world does see you.

Let your light shine! – Luther

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“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17, NIV)

I’ve forgotten my wallet. I’ve forgotten my cellphone. I’ve forgotten my attache case; but I’ve never once forgotten my heart, my lungs, or even my “who knows what it does” appendix. All of these latter-named items are securely within us. 

So it is with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus tells us that He is here to help us forever; that He lives with us; and that He lives within us. 

How cool is that? We have an eternal Helper. He lives with us.  He lives within us; as surely and securely as our physical organs. 

The Holy Spirit is not merely a gift from God; He is the gift of God. We can never lose this gift, but we can choose not to allow Him to help us — but why would we do that?   – Luther

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