So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6-7
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
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Hebrews 1:1-4
The Supremacy of God's Son
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the Heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Christ is the image of God, having the form of God. Christ is the seen image of the unseen God.
He is Infinite made finite, that the finite would inherit eternity. God made man, that man would be united with God.
The Gnostic would argue that Christ was absolutely holy and would not take the form of flesh. But we believe that Christ loved us so much that He would become fully God and fully man for our sakes.
Indeed, as John the Baptist would say, BEHOLD! Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! We say Amen to John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, as He would say in response, BEHOLD! Behold, behold, what manner of love the Father has given unto us!
1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
With all that is going in in Social Media and everywhere else around the world, I see that you truly cannot be absolutely sure - like 100% sure - of what you see. Pictures can be photoshopped. Dead celebrities can be holographically revived. Written words can be twisted. Flavors and smells can be extracted. Spoken words can be manipulated.
Back then it was just the future that was uncertain for most, but nowadays it looks like even the integrity of past and the present are compromised.
We've come to a time where facts are questionable... But right now it seems as if nothing has changed regarding our own stance when it comes to Christ - we do not deny the facts as they are presented. What we do, as cultural observers, is to observe the facts as they come, even analyzing them further, with the confidence we have in truth - and not just any other truth, but the living Truth, who is none other than Christ.
Indeed, before Abraham was, He was there. Before the foundations of the earth, He was there, and He was indeed the Alpha, the Aleph. Through Him all things were made, and by Him we have been saved.
The life of Christ within us causes us to birth our visions from and to eternity, and finite effects and results follow inevitably. It is so humbling to consider this approach instead of what we have been taught, to base and set our goals on the finite facts, and when everything falls into place, that's when we throw in, 'To God Be The Glory.' It ought to be different this year 2017. Our movement, our purpose, our being, our meaning have all been founded on a timeless and boundless love, free-flowing in and through us because of Christ. In other words, if we are to set any goals and visions, we ought to do so coming from Eternity, to Eternity - what a leap from what we see! Oh, to truly walk by faith, and not by sight!
Setting goals and establishing visions based on what the world calls 'reality' is actually already stressful enough.. Would we be crippling ourselves further, therefore, by establishing our game plans and strategies on an absolutely higher perspective, from eternity?
No, brethren, we are to rest! We are to rest, because it is Christ who encompasses all of eternity, all of infinity! For us to grasp forever on our own would certainly lead to (1) a superficial, shallow perspective, and/or (2) a broken existence. What grace is there in Christ, because He would not leave us, and He speaks to us! We can cry out to Jesus, but knowing that He is with us silences us eventually, keeping us expectant for truly wise counsel.
Plans are established by counsel;
by wise guidance wage war.
Proverbs 20:18
We are thankful to God for Christ, who makes sense of all things more and more as we ponder on His beautiful Truths.
Back then it was just the future that was uncertain for most, but nowadays it looks like even the integrity of past and the present are compromised.
We've come to a time where facts are questionable... But right now it seems as if nothing has changed regarding our own stance when it comes to Christ - we do not deny the facts as they are presented. What we do, as cultural observers, is to observe the facts as they come, even analyzing them further, with the confidence we have in truth - and not just any other truth, but the living Truth, who is none other than Christ.
Indeed, before Abraham was, He was there. Before the foundations of the earth, He was there, and He was indeed the Alpha, the Aleph. Through Him all things were made, and by Him we have been saved.
The life of Christ within us causes us to birth our visions from and to eternity, and finite effects and results follow inevitably. It is so humbling to consider this approach instead of what we have been taught, to base and set our goals on the finite facts, and when everything falls into place, that's when we throw in, 'To God Be The Glory.' It ought to be different this year 2017. Our movement, our purpose, our being, our meaning have all been founded on a timeless and boundless love, free-flowing in and through us because of Christ. In other words, if we are to set any goals and visions, we ought to do so coming from Eternity, to Eternity - what a leap from what we see! Oh, to truly walk by faith, and not by sight!
Setting goals and establishing visions based on what the world calls 'reality' is actually already stressful enough.. Would we be crippling ourselves further, therefore, by establishing our game plans and strategies on an absolutely higher perspective, from eternity?
No, brethren, we are to rest! We are to rest, because it is Christ who encompasses all of eternity, all of infinity! For us to grasp forever on our own would certainly lead to (1) a superficial, shallow perspective, and/or (2) a broken existence. What grace is there in Christ, because He would not leave us, and He speaks to us! We can cry out to Jesus, but knowing that He is with us silences us eventually, keeping us expectant for truly wise counsel.
Plans are established by counsel;
by wise guidance wage war.
Proverbs 20:18
We are thankful to God for Christ, who makes sense of all things more and more as we ponder on His beautiful Truths.
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email me at jibee@rocketmail.com.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you His Shalom. - Numbers 6:24-26