Tag: gospel

  • Changed From the Inside – Good News

    backyard with a skiff of snow

    Good morning, it seems like forever since we last chatted. Here in BC, it was the Family Day long weekend, so there have been no Gleanings since Friday.

    We got a skiff of snow last night. Most of it is already gone except for some shady spots on the lawn. It melted into thick, scraper-resistant ice on the windshield, making it harder than usual to get the car ready for Kathy to go to work. I found myself mumbling, rather than being grateful, to live in a place where snow is rare.

    Ooops!

    How easy it is to slip back into old habits, whether it’s grumbling or something else. I’m grateful that God is so patient with us and never gives up on His promise to conform us into the image of Jesus.

    I can’t generate enough willpower to break all the old fleshly ways under my own strength. I need Holy Spirit power to break me through. Fortunately, he dwells in all believers.

    If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,  to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17

    He transforms us from the inside out. Those are the places we can’t reach ourselves. We can modify our behaviors to some degree by willpower alone, but real transforming power comes from deep within.

    Sometimes, he changes us instantaneously, and at others, it is a long process. I can be a slow learner.

    I am grateful that I didn’t have to change and get my life cleaned up before approaching His throne of Grace. I would never be able to do it without the imputed righteousness of Christ. 

    He sees me covered by the blood and growing, and that pleases Him. He hears the Spirit groaning when I don’t even know what to pray for, and He answers.

    I’m not all that I will be, but I’m far from what I was. All of that is His work in me (and you).

    I’m learning to repent more quickly, and I’m likely to stand longer between falls, and that’s progress.

    Praise god for the changes He is making in us all.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Some other reading

    Thunderggs – a hidden beauty

    The Gospel – the best news

    Trust God

  • 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