"SPIRITUAL INSIGHT from..." Keith Giles

Is Jesus’ teaching on non-violence really practical? The real question is, “Is anything Jesus taught practical?”

Is it practical to love your enemies? Is it realistic to bless those who curse you? Is it convenient to turn the other cheek?

This is not the point. The point is that if you are calling yourself a follower of Jesus and you’re refusing to do what He said, you’re not actually following Jesus. You’re fooling yourself.

Non-Christians don’t seem to have a problem seeing Jesus as a non-violent messiah. He sort of invented the concept in the Western world. Even Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. point back to Jesus as their guide when it comes to the practice of non-violent resistance and radical love in action.

Only Christians (especially those in America) seem unable to see Jesus for who He really is – the leader of a non-violent movement based on His original example of love and self-sacrifice.

Most Christians will bristle at that last sentence because I have neglected to mention the Deity of Christ. But I think the real reason some people want to point to Christ’s deity is so that they can disqualify themselves from obeying Him.

See, if Jesus was God and if He was perfect then that explains how He could do all those wonderful things like forgiving His enemies and loving those who hated Him and laying down His life for others. That also means that if the only way He could do all of that is because of His Deity then I am exempt.

However, Jesus was pretty clear that He really did expect us to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, forgive others, and let go of our worldly possessions in order to embrace the glorious riches of His Kingdom.

It should not come as any surprise to us that the teachings of Jesus are at odds with the conventional wisdom of the day. It’s the Gospel of the Kingdom. It’s upside down in comparison to the world we live in.

Jesus calls us to love our enemies because He has a plan to release the transformative power of love into those situations. Jesus wants to invade the lives of those people who hate you. He wants to show them the power of His love, and your loving response in the face of their hate is the catalyst that brings transformation.

And, while we do not follow Jesus based on whether or not his teachings are practical, the truth of the matter is that history proves to us that nonviolence does work. It has been the catalyst to many historical civil rights movements around the globe for centuries now, from Liberia, to India, and Africa - even in America.

Are the teachings of Jesus practical? Yes. But even if they weren't our calling is to obey Jesus without questioning His authority or doubting His wisdom.

-kg

“SPIRITUAL INSIGHT from....”

Dallas Willard -   re YOUR NEW LIFE
 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“‘The real issue in your new life is - what are you going to do with your whole life – all day, every day?’ If you want to know how to do that, you begin to become a disciple of Jesus. You will trust Jesus to the extent that you believe that He knows what is best about everything, and you will want to learn from Him. That means how you manage your studies, your business, your home, your friendships, etc., - all come under His control and authority. That is the path of a disciple.”

“SPIRITUAL INSIGHT from...”
Larry Crabb

“Did it ever cross your mind that you are here in this world in order to understand who the Lord Jesus Christ is & to know Him personally, and for no other reason?”

"Spiritual Insight from..." BONO

"Spiritual Insight from..." 
BONO

from  frankviola.org    -50 favorite blogs

       Bono on Jesus: Is the Lead Singer of U2 the New C.S. Lewis?

Bono is a fascinating book, especially for U2 fans. What follows are some excerpts where Bono talks about Jesus.
Some have been so impacted by his answers that they are calling him the new C.S. Lewis.

From Bono:
“My understanding of the Scriptures has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love. What does that mean? What it means for me: a study of the life of Christ. Love here describes itself as a child born in straw poverty, the most vulnerable situation of all, without honor. I don’t let my religious world get too complicated. I just kind of go: Well, I think I know what God is. God is love, and as much as I respond [sighs] in allowing myself to be transformed by that love and acting in that love, that’s my religion. Where things get complicated for me, is when I try to live this love. Now that’s not so easy.
There’s nothing hippie about my picture of Christ. The Gospels paint a picture of a very demanding, sometimes divisive love, but love it is. I accept the Old Testament as more of an action movie: blood, car chases, evacuations, a lot of special effects, seas dividing, mass murder, adultery. The children of God are running amok, wayward. Maybe that’s why they’re so relatable. But the way we would see it, those of us who are trying to figure out our Christian conundrum, is that the God of the Old Testament is like the journey from stern father to friend. When you’re a child, you need clear directions and some strict rules. But with Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship, for, as in the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross.
Religion can be the enemy of God. It’s often what happens when God, like Elvis, has left the building. [laughs] A list of instructions where there was once conviction; dogma where once people just did it; a congregation led by a man where once they were led by the Holy Spirit. Discipline replacing discipleship. Why are you chuckling?
It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.
I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace. You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
That’s [the stupid stuff] between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.
But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled . It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.
No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher.
I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this.
So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here.

The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched
If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s— and everybody else’s.

So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it.”
~ Bono

NOT GUILTY

“SPIRITUAL INSIGHT from...”

Marva Dawn

In quoting from her Lutheran liturgy, Marva writes “As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”

“What a colossal Joy it is each week then to hear these words of assurance.... That is the most powerful liberation one could every receive!”

Whaaat? Is that true? - Then I remembered something I had been teaching recently:

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8.1

God has given the verdict -”NOT GUILTY” even before we commit the sin, and even without the preceding confession of the Lutheran liturgy.

 

BELIEVE IT! ENJOY GOD'S FORGIVENESS - NOT SATAN'S ACCUSATIONS!

(Romans chapter 8.1 perhaps should be the last verse of Romans chapter 7 – Paul's struggle and plea for deliverance -Romans 7.24) -chapter and verse divisions are not inspired!!!!!!!!

“SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS from...”
Watchman Nee


Matthew 11.28-30 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest.
Place my yoke on yourself and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls, because my yoke is pleasant, and my burden is light.”


“What is it to be yoked to the Lord? It implies willing, contented cooperation with him in the divine plan. Of course the yoke limits the ox; it cannot wander all over the field as it pleases, but must take a straight line forward. That way the work gets done.... And here is the value of the lowliness of heart that does not think big, ambitious things of itself, but is willing for any place God appoints, even though it be at the very bottom.”
In this chapter of Matthew we see the apparent frustration of the Lord's public ministry, in that only ordinary & disreputable people had understood and responded to it. “How undignified!” we might exclaim. But no: “I thank you, O Father,” were his words, “for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.” ...He was perfectly willing for what God has ordained. Now the question is, “Are we content to accept his limitations and go along with him?” For the deepest rest is “rest for your soul.”
                                     from “Table in the Wilderness”


Matthew 11.25,26 “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work.” -Jesus (in “The Message”)


Matthew 11.28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life. I will show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you will learn to live freely and lightly.” -Jesus (in “The Message”)


-dh

SPIRITUAL INSIGHT from WATCHMAN NEE

“Spiritual Insight from....”
WATCHMAN NEE


“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Lord is understanding.”
Proverbs 9.10


“Folly or wisdom? The question hinges simply on procrastination or prompt obedience. Some of us are parents and have children. How greatly those children can differ in temperament! One will obey at once; another will think that by putting it off he can avoid the need to do so. If that is indeed the case, and you are weak enough to allow him a loophole for escape, then the one who procrastinates is in fact the wise one, for he succeeds in doing nothing. But if your word holds and ultimately must be obeyed, then he is certainly the wiser who faces the issue squarely at once.
Get clear about the will of God.


If God's words can be discounted (ignored), then you might not be foolish to try to escape their implications; but if God is an unchanging God with an unchanging will, then be wise; act now; redeem the time.”

• from “A Table in the Wilderness” (Emphasis added)
  

James 1.5 is important in getting “clear about the will of God”. -”...if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.” (Also read the whole passage - James 1.2-10)


If we wait for a bolt of lightening or a clap of thunder, or a very clear, specific command before we act in obedience to what we know we should do, then we will do very little to contribute to God's kingdom or His will. God has not promised that kind of guidance, although at times he does guide clearly and specifically.


But He has promised His wisdom for us to make the right decisions as we go through the details of life.


dh




Bayombong
Harms' news, November 12, 2013


Hi - we got home from Manila Sunday afternoon (Sunday early AM in Canada). The only effect of the storm for us was to delay our travel home for one day.


STORM

I think Manila was about 500km away from the storm center, but Manila and our area, (another 271 km north) seemed to be on red alert. We had a nice day for extra shopping for Sally, and another good day to come home a day later.


Being out of touch Saturday night, then travelling Sunday, we did not get info about the large scale tragedy resulting from the storm until Monday morning.


I got a letter regarding the storm from a friend about an hour ago and will include it here:
As you know a super typhoon has hit central Philippines causing unbelievable damage and loss of life. This is such a poor part of the country. Many folks are fishermen and farmers - their livelihood is gone as boats have been destroyed and fields damaged. Many folks live in shacks of bamboo - their homes have been crushed by incredible winds and water surges. Many folks are too poor to prepare for any kind of disaster, not even being able to  stock up on drinking water.  
     After living in the Philippines for 20 years, I grew accustomed to the annual typhoons, but this one was anything but usual. Every year many people die in the floods and lose their homes. The government has always had a hard time caring for its people and been unable to distribute aid efficiently.  Many of the poorest people are neglected. Please pray that this time the government will be more prompt and capable in assisting its people.
       Let's pray for the Filipino people as they mourn and grieve, as they begin to assess the loss, as they distribute aid, as they care for the sick and injured. Let's pray for the church that it might be a light of comfort and compassion amidst a world of destruction and chaos.
        Love and blessings, Lynn



SURGERY

Regarding my hip surgery, the recovery is going well. I have already graduated from walking with a walker and can now get around with only a cane. Eight hours travel on Sunday was tiring but I am functioning well, considering that a hip joint implant is major surgery.


DOMINIQUE

While we were in Manila we received information that Dominique, the son of Swiss missionaries with 6 children, who came to work with us briefly 24 years ago is nearby with his Filipina wife Zaihra, on vacation from Switzerland.
We were able to get in touch with them and have breakfast at the place of Zaihra's family on our way to Bayombong. Since we were there with our SUV and our driver, Sally convinced them to come with us to see the town where Dominique's family had been & also to see the Banaue Rice Terraces with Ermie, whom Dominique remembers for his time here in 1990


BLOG


I am not deciding to blog because everyone else is doing it, but in order to share with you some things God has shown me, without making our newsletters into sermons. I trust that the blogs do not become sermons either. Devotionals perhaps.


“Spiritual Insight from....” will be on my old blogspot account, but with NEW CONTENT. Perhaps some family and ministry news, BUT sharing insights from some of my “MENTORS” (mostly authors whose books have given me valuable input which I had not seen from my own Scripture readings.) I plan to put these on my Facebook page also together with reference to:


dennissallyharms.blogspot.com


We praise the Lord of good results from the surgery and a measure of recovery already. Please pray for those who have been affected by the latest storm to attack the Philippines. It is so easy just to change channels on the TV when the problem is so overwhelming – but there are many believers working with relief agencies and many churches who are dynamic witnesses for Jesus by their giving and caring for their neighbors. We may not be able to help directly or pray specifically, BUT WE CAN PRAY FOR GOD'S COMFORT FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING AND FOR THE EXPANSION OF GOD'S KINGDOM,EVEN (or ESPECIALLY)
in times like this when the testimonies of the believers who are in the same tragic circumstances can show that God does make a difference in our lives.


Please pray also for the parents and brothers and sisters of Dominique. Their lives have been a struggle in many ways since they were here.




Keep praying




Dennis & Sally Harms




“Evangelical Christian Ministries” at (ICMS)

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN MISSION SERVICES
Box 24, Stn. A
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada V2T 6Z4                                                                    www.ICMSgo.com