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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: gospel

  • The True Miracle Cure – The Gospel

    The True Miracle Cure – The Gospel

    An AI-generated photo-realistic image of a patent medicine bottle, "Uncle John's Miracle Cure."

    I’ve been down with a bit of a bug since late last week. Mot enough to be really sick, just enough to feel tired, miserable, and sorry for myself. I’ve mostly isolated myself to keep from sharing it with others. I’m sure it will run its course in a few days. In the meantime, I’ll stay housebound. Now, the funny thing about being under the weather is that immediately, well-intentioned and compassionate people have the cure.  We all know that one miracle cure.

    Use these essential oils. Take this herb. Smoke this wildflower. Try the newest wonder drug. Kiss a toad whose mother was conceived under an oak tree during a full moon. Some of these wonder cures may even work, in some circumstances, for some people., and I always appreciate the caring behind the suggestion.

    I’m reminded of the words of Charles Dudley Warner from “My Summer in a Garden.” “This soothing syrup is said to contain no opium or anything that could possibly injure the tenderest infant. It is recommended for children of all ages. It is sure death to worms. It allays irritation, assists digestion, and cures wind colic. It regulates the function and promotes natural, healthy sleep. It is pleasant to take and is perfectly harmless. It is good for everything, and it does nothing, – and is good for that too.”

    Sometimes we treat Jesus as the miracle cure all. Yes, all things are possible with Christ and prayer, but that doesn’t mean we always get what we want, when we want it.  Sometimes His plan includes some suffering, persecution, and trials. Please note I don’t consider the bug to be either suffering or a true trial, even if it’s inconvenient.

    To paraphrase an old thought, God is not committed to your immediate comfort, but to your eternal conformity to Christ — and that conformity is your truest happiness. It isn’t that He doesn’t want us to be “happy” or “healthy,” it’s just that His benchmarks are much higher than ours. He can and does heal. He can alleviate every form of suffering. Sometimes that’s not what is best for us.

    What is it that God desires? We are set apart for Christ, to become like Him.

    “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29

    “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

    He wants us to be like Jesus. What an incredible thought. We will never be God but we can be Jesus-like in mind, heart, and character. Now that makes me happy despite feeling sorry for myself over this bug. He is our literal miracle cure.

    Hold fast, my dear friends. Everything you are going through has a purpose and God will complete His work in you.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Stormy Seas – Calming the storm
    The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear
    The True Miracle Cure – The Gospel
    A long but vitally important list
  • Vantage Point – From the eyes of God

    Vantage Point – From the eyes of God

    lake and surrounding country from hilltop

    I stood at the bottom of the hill and looked around. I could see a pretty view of parts of the lake, but most of it was out of my line of sight. As I climbed. At times, I could see more of the lake. At other times, the trees blocked my view, and I couldn’t see any of it. It all depended on my vantage point.

    Finally, after about two hours of hiking, I reached the viewpoint at the summit. The view was breathtaking. Not only could I see the entire lake, but also many of the nearby farms and the forested hills. Looking up, I could see a huge expanse of sky.

    The scenery hadn’t changed, only my vantage point; my ability to see it did.

    I thought of God’s view of the world. Being outside of time and space and omnipotent. He can see every detail all at once. He sees our victories and joys as well as our failures and sorrows. He sees the hidden thing that we would never share with others. He sees no matter the lighting conditions, dark and daylight are the same from His vantage point.

    He sees us at our most unlovable and rebellious and still loves us. I’ve seen myself at my most unlovable, and it amazes me that He could love me. Sometimes I don’t even like myself, let alone love myself. I think most of us have those moments.

    For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:5-8 ESV

    From His vantage point, He sees something worth loving and saving. Only He alone knows what that is.

    I’m grateful that He saw something in me that I couldn’t see. I’m amazed that He would want reconciliation with a habitual sinner like me. I’m surprised and astounded that He can love me.

    Yet it’s true. The Bible declares it so. Jesus came and died for that very reason. He came to set us free.

    Praise God for His mercy, grace, and love.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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    The gospel – the best news

    Through the eyes of God