God's created order

[bcool]

Most of us recognize God's created order in the natural laws of the universe. They all have authority over our lives whether we admit it or not. Why do you suppose I choose not to jump off the Sears Tower? There are at least a couple of good reasons why I won't of course. In everyday life, gravitation is most familiar as the agent that gives weight to objects with mass and causes them to fall to the ground when dropped. And believe you me, after 1,450 feet down, my mass would create a mess at the foot of the Sears Tower! Hence, I recognize that gravity is a part of God's created order and it is in my best interest to submit to its authority in my life.

It is trusting in God that is carefully insisted on in Proverbs 3:5, in contrast with independence, as the basis of happiness and moral order in the world. God has authority over our lives. The heart is the central seat of all spiritual soul-strength; to love God with the whole heart is to concentrate the whole inner life on the active contemplation of God, and thereby being motivated to do His will.

Now I certainly can attempt to defy this authority, but if I do, my life will look very messy at the bottom.

-Brad

[Keith]

Aug 15, 2011 11:16:33 GMT -6 bcool said:

...I recognize that gravity is a part of God's created order and it is in my best interest to submit to its authority in my life.

I agree in total with the premise of your message Brad, we must submit to God's authority to enjoy a happy life. But brother, the older I get the more I refuse to accept my submission to the authority of gravity. I accept it, but I don't like it. ;D

[Murph]

"Now I certainly can attempt to defy this authority, but if I do, my life will look very messy at the bottom"

Agree with that 100%. Going against the Lord's authority is like running a stop sigh. You can do it, but sooner or later there is gonna be a wreck!

As for the messy bottom, I agree with Keith...gravity in middle age will create a messy bottom...it is a "spreading problem." ;D

[bcool]

Christians with a sense of humor. I knew I liked this place!
(by the way, I looked all over the Bible and I can't seem to find
where it says that 60 is the new 40?)


----
Oh and Brother Keith...may I remind of you of Leviticus 11:9-10 or Deuteronomy 14:9-10! Dipping your lobster in butter still doesn't grow fins and scales.

[bcool]

On a somewhat more serious note....


My self-will rooted in my own calculations resists the wisdom and instruction of God which are intended to restrain my volition for the good. I end up making all sorts of bad decisions in my life and experience needless self-induced misery. So when we read “Do not lean on on your own understanding” in Proverbs 3:5, we are presented with an intended comparison: relying on one's own understanding is compared to leaning on something that is unreliable for support. We get this sense from the Hebrew verb for “trust” and how it is used occasionally to portray trusting in the unreliable (cf. Proverbs 11:28). But suddenly here, the author inserts an unquestionably secure and reliable object to “trust”, namely, “the LORD.” From God alone comes true prosperity, true help. He knows the right way to the right ends. He knows what benefits us. He is able to free us from that which does us harm: therefore it is our responsibility and our safety to place our confidence wholly in Him, and to trust not to our own judgment.

It is trusting in God that is carefully insisted on here, in contrast with independence, as the basis of our happiness and order in the world. The heart is the central seat of all spiritual soul-strength; to love God with the whole heart is to concentrate the whole inner life on the active contemplation of God, and ready motivation to do His will.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6).

We do not lean on our own understanding in the devil's world. The proper weapons of our warfare exist only in the sphere of the the Holy Spirit's control of our lives where we are redeeming the time (Ephesians 5:16). The proper place for us in this warfare is inside the will of God which foremost is the heart that is willing to be willing. The definite purpose of standing firm in our faith against the Adversary is for the glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ. We bring glory to His name by using the weapons and the power (the filling of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God) that God has made available for us.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).


Do you know who speculates all the time and fixates on every lofty thing? That inner brat---the inner child does! Why do you suppose there are so many verses in the Bible about growing up? The inner child whines 'I want what I want when I want it!' The inner child is always afraid. This child was hurt at one point and is convinced that everyone is out to hurt him some more. The inner child cannot trust because he is consumed by fear. Hey you little inner child---if you want something to fear, here you go: “Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1).

We also need to recognize who it is that delights in inciting us against God's Word....

'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me;
you do not have in mind the things of God,
but the things of men'" (Matthew 16:23 NIV1984).

Brad

[Bud]

Yes that "inner brat"that "unruly child"consumed with fear and yet so dependent on the weapons of the flesh for wisdom and understanding and a place to lean.I lean on the flesh because of my immaturity,but do I realize I'm immature and caught up in my narcissism.This child in me certainly doesn't want to admit it.I lean on my understanding until the "gravity" of the situation convinces me otherwise,then I scream out in fear because my dependence on the flesh has again let me down.Then I grow a little (at my snails pace) as my leaning proves untrustworthy and I reach out for the proper weapons.


And the warfare continues.


Thanks Brad for all the reminders,You're a blessing.

[Keith]

Aug 16, 2011 3:57:13 GMT -6 bcool said:

Oh and Brother Keith...may I remind of you of Leviticus 11:9-10 or Deuteronomy 14:9-10! Dipping your lobster in butter still doesn't grow fins and scales.

True, but the Lord, not the butter, makes it slide down much easier.

"Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." (Matthew 15:11)

[bcool]

well sure---if you're gonna rightly divide the word of truth...then I guess....go ahead and eat your lobster with luscious drawn butter. Hmm!

[Keith]

Next time I'll bring you back the shell. You can boil it down for mild bisque. ;D