An encounter and experience with God is always a personal event, an answer that is by its nature, a person's free act in response to the gift of Faith, Hope, Love. An age without faith is an age of superstition. Religious belief is so essential to the heart that once it is cast aside, some form is called in to fill the void. Thoughts, Words and Deeds are indeed, the creative force. In fact, our every thinking, doing, and action are the result of our encountered and experienced with God, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, the three things that last: Faith, Hope, Love are our spirited virtues.
Saint Paul's testimony - The Conversion of Saul - Meanwhile Saul was still breathing threats to
slaughter the Lord's [Lord Jesus Christ] disciples. Saul had gone to the high priest and asked for letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, that would authorise him to arrest and take to Jerusalem any followers of the Way, men and women, that he could find.
Suddenly, while Saul was travelling to Damascus and just before he reached the city, there came a light from heaven all round him. He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' he asked, and the voice answered, 'I am Jesus, and you are persecuting me.' Get up now and go into the city, and you will be told what you have to do.' The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless, for though they heard the voice they could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but even with his eyes wide open he could see nothing at all, and they had to lead him into Damascus by the hand. For three days he was without his sight, and took neither food nor drink.
A disciple called Ananias, who lived in Damascus had a vision in which he heard the Lord say to him, 'Ananias!' When he replied, 'Here I am, Lord', the Lord said, 'You must go to Straight Street and ask at the house of Judas for someone called Saul, who comes from Tarsus. At this moment he is praying, having a vision of a man called Ananias coming in and laying hands on him to give him back his sight.'
When he heard that, Ananias said, 'Lord, several people have told me about this man and all the harm he has been doing to your saints in Jerusalem. He has only come here because he holds a warrant from the chief priests to arrest everybody who invokes your names.' The Lord Jesus Christ replied, 'You must go all the same, because this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before pagans and pagan kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he himself must suffer for my name'. Then Ananias went, He entered the house, and at once laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on your way here so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit'. Immediately it was as though scales fell away from Saul's eyes and he could see again. So he was baptised there and then, and after taking some food he regained his strength. - Acts 9:1-19 -
Saint Augustine of Hippo 'Confessions' boasting of God's glory are some of the example of God's greater glory. Their testimony, and being the Lord Jesus Christ special witnesses, and their conversion to Christianity are indeed awesome and extraordinary. Thus, in all honesty, I can never be able to systematically or orderly shared and boast about God. Thoughts, Words, and Deeds are indeed, the creative force. In fact, our every thinking, saying, doing, and action are the result of our encountered and experienced with God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, the three things that last: Faith. Hope. Love. are our spirited virtues.
In other words, 'Conversion' involves the surrender of emptying oneself, in spirit, body, mind, intellect, and having faith and love in God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Before anyone can fully comprehend or understand why he and she became a Christian convert, he and she is required to testify because the practice of boasting and sharing the joy of one's conversion to Christians has been regarded the tradition. An encounter and experience with God is always a personal event, an answer that is by its nature, a person's free act in response to the gift of Faith, Hope, Love.
Historic events or natural phenomenon which appear to violate natural laws and accomplishment that brings laws and accomplishment that brings welcome consequences are refers to 'Miracle.' Miracles in the Old Testament (Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible) are connected especially with the great events in Israel's [Jacob's] history. That is, the call of Abraham, the birth of Moses, the Exodus from Egypt, the giving of the Law, and entry into the promised Land. This miracles are for salvation but God also acts in history for judgement.
The plagues of the Exodus showed God's sovereign power in judgment and salvation. In parting the water, God showed His love and protection for Israel as well as His judgment on Egypt for its failure to recognize God. During the wilderness journey, God demonstrated His love and protection in supplying the daily food, 'Manna.' "Another critical period in Israel's history was the time of prophet Elijah, the champion of Israel. Elijah controlled the rain and successfully challenged the pagan priests of Baal." - 1 Kings Chapter 17,18,19 -
In the Old Testament, God revealed Himself as Lord over nature, as Saviour of Israel, and as Judge of the nation's enemies. Miracle, like these were not as frequent during the days of the writing prophets. But one unusual miracle was the recovery of prophet Hezekiah as well as the miracles in Jonah and Daniel. In fact, prophecy itself can even be interpreted as a miracle, and God revealed Himself during this time through the spoken Word.
As with the Old Testament, the New Testament miracles are essentially expressions of God's salvation and glory. Why did Jesus perform miracle? Jesus answered this question Himself. When in prison, John the Baptist sent some of his disciples to Jesus to see and check if Jesus was "the one who is to come" - Matthew 11:3 - Jesus told them to inform John the Baptist of what He had done: "Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me." - Matthew 11:4-5 -
With these words, Jesus declared that His miracle were the fulfillment of the promises of the Messiah's kingdom as foretold by prophet Isaiah - Isaiah 24:18-19; 35:6; 61:1 - Jesus' miracles were signs of the presence of the kingdom of God. - Matthew 12:39 - This theme of the miracles pointing to the kingdom of God was developed and deepened especially in the Gospel of John. Apostle John presented the miracles of Jesus as 'signs' and 'spiritual truth.' - John 2:1-11; 4:46-54; 5:1-18; 6:1-21; 9:1-41; 11:1-57 -
Every miracle phenomenon or story was a sign that God's salvation was present. But not only did the kingdom come; it came in great power, because the dead were raised and Satan was bound.
Your dead will come to life,
their corpses will rise;
awake, exult,
all you who lie in the dust,
for your dew is a radiant dew
and the land of ghosts will give birth. - Isaiah 26:19 - Luke 7:11-17; 17:11-19 -
Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out of the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, 'It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils that he casts out devils.' Others asked Jesus, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? Since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils.
Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.
'When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, "I will go back to the home I came from." But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied, it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they go in and set up house there, so that the man ends up by being worse than he was before.'
Now as Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, 'Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!' But he replied, 'Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!' - Luke 11:14-28 - Mark 3:22-30 - Matthew 12:22-32 -
'Make a tree sound and its fruit will be sound; make a tree rotten and its fruit will be rotten. For the tree can be told by its fruit. Brood of vipers, how can your speech be good when you are evil? For a man's words flow out of what fills his heart. A good man draws good things from his store of goodness; a bad man draws bad things from his store of badness. So I tell you this, that for every unfounded word men utter they will answer on Judgement day, since it is by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words condemned.' - Matthew 12:33-37 -
Witness is used in connection with the distinctively religious message of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. God witnesses to the believer about His assurance of salvation: The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. - Romans 8:16 - In other words, a person who loves God and who believes that God has guided his and her life's most important decisions are considered model of God's witnesses. Apostles, prophets, and all those whom God loves are the Lord Jesus Christ special witnesses. However, the command to witness in Acts 1:8 has great implications for all believers.
Jesus replied, 'It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.' - Acts 1:7-8 -
In other words, 'Conversion' involves the surrender of emptying oneself, in spirit, body, mind, intellect, and having faith and love in God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Before anyone can fully comprehend or understand why he and she became a Christian convert, he and she is required to testify because the practice of boasting and sharing the joy of one's conversion to Christians has been regarded the tradition. An encounter and experience with God is always a personal event, an answer that is by its nature, a person's free act in response to the gift of Faith, Hope, Love.
In the Old Testament, God revealed Himself as Lord over nature, as Saviour of Israel, and as Judge of the nation's enemies. Miracle, like these were not as frequent during the days of the writing prophets. But one unusual miracle was the recovery of prophet Hezekiah as well as the miracles in Jonah and Daniel. In fact, prophecy itself can even be interpreted as a miracle, and God revealed Himself during this time through the spoken Word.
As with the Old Testament, the New Testament miracles are essentially expressions of God's salvation and glory. Why did Jesus perform miracle? Jesus answered this question Himself. When in prison, John the Baptist sent some of his disciples to Jesus to see and check if Jesus was "the one who is to come" - Matthew 11:3 - Jesus told them to inform John the Baptist of what He had done: "Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me." - Matthew 11:4-5 -
With these words, Jesus declared that His miracle were the fulfillment of the promises of the Messiah's kingdom as foretold by prophet Isaiah - Isaiah 24:18-19; 35:6; 61:1 - Jesus' miracles were signs of the presence of the kingdom of God. - Matthew 12:39 - This theme of the miracles pointing to the kingdom of God was developed and deepened especially in the Gospel of John. Apostle John presented the miracles of Jesus as 'signs' and 'spiritual truth.' - John 2:1-11; 4:46-54; 5:1-18; 6:1-21; 9:1-41; 11:1-57 -
Every miracle phenomenon or story was a sign that God's salvation was present. But not only did the kingdom come; it came in great power, because the dead were raised and Satan was bound.
Your dead will come to life,
their corpses will rise;
awake, exult,
all you who lie in the dust,
for your dew is a radiant dew
and the land of ghosts will give birth. - Isaiah 26:19 - Luke 7:11-17; 17:11-19 -
Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out of the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, 'It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils that he casts out devils.' Others asked Jesus, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? Since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils.
Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.
'When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, "I will go back to the home I came from." But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied, it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they go in and set up house there, so that the man ends up by being worse than he was before.'
Now as Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, 'Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!' But he replied, 'Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!' - Luke 11:14-28 - Mark 3:22-30 - Matthew 12:22-32 -
'Make a tree sound and its fruit will be sound; make a tree rotten and its fruit will be rotten. For the tree can be told by its fruit. Brood of vipers, how can your speech be good when you are evil? For a man's words flow out of what fills his heart. A good man draws good things from his store of goodness; a bad man draws bad things from his store of badness. So I tell you this, that for every unfounded word men utter they will answer on Judgement day, since it is by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words condemned.' - Matthew 12:33-37 -
Witness is used in connection with the distinctively religious message of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. God witnesses to the believer about His assurance of salvation: The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. - Romans 8:16 - In other words, a person who loves God and who believes that God has guided his and her life's most important decisions are considered model of God's witnesses. Apostles, prophets, and all those whom God loves are the Lord Jesus Christ special witnesses. However, the command to witness in Acts 1:8 has great implications for all believers.
Jesus replied, 'It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.' - Acts 1:7-8 -
** - The Credulity of Unbelief - An age without faith is an age of superstition. Religious belief is so essential to the heart that once it is cast aside, some form is called in to fill the void. Unless the house is tenanted with goodness, seven devils worse than the first come in to dwell there. When minds abandon their concern about final destiny, they substitute for the mystery of what happens after death, the mystery of how someone was murdered. But the mystery there must be. At the end of the twentieth century we find ourselves in a era of superstition in which minds believe everything as fanatics and quacks become shrines of worship and objects of adoration.
** - The Credulity of Unbelief - An age without faith is an age of superstition. Religious belief is so essential to the heart that once it is cast aside, some form is called in to fill the void. Unless the house is tenanted with goodness, seven devils worse than the first come in to dwell there. When minds abandon their concern about final destiny, they substitute for the mystery of what happens after death, the mystery of how someone was murdered. But the mystery there must be. At the end of the twentieth century we find ourselves in a era of superstition in which minds believe everything as fanatics and quacks become shrines of worship and objects of adoration.
Whence came the millions to accept the superstition of Nazism, Fascism and Communism if it were not from an emptiness of soul brought by a loss of faith? The essence of political superstition is the identification of the political and the sacred, as the essence of economic superstition is the Communist identification of the labouring class and Messianism. It was the great boast of the eighteenth century that "God" and "the supernatural" would be exorcised by an exposure to light. But what happened with the rejection of religious faith was the upsurge of political superstitions which came very close to making the world a madhouse.
If there is not one great Face of Love that bends over mankind, its troubled mind will fill it with a thousand horrible masks. When religion is strong, it purges the unconscious mind of all those which psychoanalysis tries to expunge in the soul without faith. Even when psychoanalysis does effect what it calls a "transference" of the mental state, it never appeases the hunger of the soul for something spiritual and beyond self to adore and worship. Faith in a human being is not like sawdust in a doll. You cannot rip it open, shake out the sawdust on a couch, analyze its tree origins, put it back and make a new creature.
The thirsty traveller in the desert who mistakes a mirage for an oasis is superstitious. He has abandoned reason and sees a dream for a reality. So our twentieth century, impatient with its long voyage on the sea of life, after having denied a port and thrown away the compass, has turned clouds into islands and fog-banks into imaginary continents. Denying God, we seem to find it necessary to make gods, not out of gold and silver and clay, but out of science, psychology and economics.
Quite apart from the theology of it, the psychological fact stands out that those who have a deep and profound faith in Christ, the Son of God, are less likely to make unmanly submission to unworthy pretenders. This has been proven in thousands and thousands of cases in which Christian missionaries during times of persecution withstood their persecutors while those without faith succumbed. Freedom from dependence on "phonies" is purchased by loyalty to Truth and Love.
The grave danger of loss of faith is not only that others will arise to insist on dominating us, but that our wills will become so weak and our minds so confused as to insist on giving assent. Two women, after undergoing "brainwashing" in a political prison, were finally released. Both women returned to the relative freedom of their homes and families; in a few weeks they asked their captors to return them to prison because they wanted to be dominated. Superstition manifests itself not only in credulity, but also in servility. Scripture says the "last times" will be characterized by a refusal to endure sound teaching.
Many live under the illusion that their rejection of religious faith is a proof that they are immune from credulity. The truth is that they too accept authority, but it is the vague, vaporous, anonymous authority of "they". "They" are wearing green, and the like. Who are "they"? The person of faith at least knows the One Whose guidance he accepts. Few things are more strange than the eagerness with which many so-called educated people swallow the dicta of a mere human being, and swear by his glory. Great indeed is the void left in the heart by the exile of Christ.
** BY VENERABLE / ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN (1895-1979)
Whence came the millions to accept the superstition of Nazism, Fascism and Communism if it were not from an emptiness of soul brought by a loss of faith? The essence of political superstition is the identification of the political and the sacred, as the essence of economic superstition is the Communist identification of the labouring class and Messianism. It was the great boast of the eighteenth century that "God" and "the supernatural" would be exorcised by an exposure to light. But what happened with the rejection of religious faith was the upsurge of political superstitions which came very close to making the world a madhouse.
If there is not one great Face of Love that bends over mankind, its troubled mind will fill it with a thousand horrible masks. When religion is strong, it purges the unconscious mind of all those which psychoanalysis tries to expunge in the soul without faith. Even when psychoanalysis does effect what it calls a "transference" of the mental state, it never appeases the hunger of the soul for something spiritual and beyond self to adore and worship. Faith in a human being is not like sawdust in a doll. You cannot rip it open, shake out the sawdust on a couch, analyze its tree origins, put it back and make a new creature.
The thirsty traveller in the desert who mistakes a mirage for an oasis is superstitious. He has abandoned reason and sees a dream for a reality. So our twentieth century, impatient with its long voyage on the sea of life, after having denied a port and thrown away the compass, has turned clouds into islands and fog-banks into imaginary continents. Denying God, we seem to find it necessary to make gods, not out of gold and silver and clay, but out of science, psychology and economics.
Quite apart from the theology of it, the psychological fact stands out that those who have a deep and profound faith in Christ, the Son of God, are less likely to make unmanly submission to unworthy pretenders. This has been proven in thousands and thousands of cases in which Christian missionaries during times of persecution withstood their persecutors while those without faith succumbed. Freedom from dependence on "phonies" is purchased by loyalty to Truth and Love.
The grave danger of loss of faith is not only that others will arise to insist on dominating us, but that our wills will become so weak and our minds so confused as to insist on giving assent. Two women, after undergoing "brainwashing" in a political prison, were finally released. Both women returned to the relative freedom of their homes and families; in a few weeks they asked their captors to return them to prison because they wanted to be dominated. Superstition manifests itself not only in credulity, but also in servility. Scripture says the "last times" will be characterized by a refusal to endure sound teaching.
Many live under the illusion that their rejection of religious faith is a proof that they are immune from credulity. The truth is that they too accept authority, but it is the vague, vaporous, anonymous authority of "they". "They" are wearing green, and the like. Who are "they"? The person of faith at least knows the One Whose guidance he accepts. Few things are more strange than the eagerness with which many so-called educated people swallow the dicta of a mere human being, and swear by his glory. Great indeed is the void left in the heart by the exile of Christ.
** BY VENERABLE / ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN (1895-1979)
- WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY - Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!
Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 -
If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 -
I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -
Your generous contribution and support is profoundly cherish. I sincerely pray that: God blessing be upon you, always. Amen! Bank transfer: Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah - Public Bank Berhad account no. 4076577113 - Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY -
Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!
Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 -
If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 -
I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -
Your generous contribution and support is profoundly cherish. I sincerely pray that: God blessing be upon you, always. Amen! Bank transfer: Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah - Public Bank Berhad account no. 4076577113 - Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
No comments:
Post a Comment