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Posts Tagged ‘Faith’

Letter or Spirit?

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 20, 2008| Leave a Comment »

Jesus’ teaching on this subject endows us with tremendous freedom and undeniable responsibility. While lifting the tradition of outer behavior, he lays on us the requirement of right thinking and feeling. So we must not only do the right thing, we must do it with the right heart and for the right reason. It is when we turn to God  that we can successfully search our hearts, minds and soul for the true spirit in all we do.

Still searching,

Z Gardener

Letter or Spirit?

Jesus made a special point of discouraging the laying of emphasis upon outer observances; and, indeed, upon hard-and-fast rules and regulations of every kind. What he insisted upon was a certain spirit in one’s conduct, knowing that when the spirit is right, details will take care of themselves. Yet, in spite of this, the history of orthodox Christianity is largely made up of attempts to enforce all sorts of external observances upon the people.

 
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life (2 Corinthians 3:6).

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Jesus’ Teaching

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 19, 2008| Leave a Comment »

If all those who find themselves unable to accept the existence of God would study Jesus’ teachings and apply his lessons and wisdom to their lives for even one week, I believe they would be unable to remain in their unbelief. Seeing is believing.

In Belief,
Z Gardener

Jesus’ Teaching

            Jesus explains what the nature of God is, and what our own nature is; tells us the meaning of life and of death; shows us why we make mistakes; why we yield to temptation; why we become sick,and impoverished, and old; and most important of all, he tells us how all these evils may be overcome, and how we may bring fulfillment into our lives, and into the lives of others.

 
            Jesus warns us, not once but often, that obstinacy in sin can bring very severe punishment, and that a man who parts with the integrity of his soul—even though he gain the whole world—is a tragic fool. But he teaches that we are only punished for—and actually punished by—our own mistakes; and he teaches that every man or woman, no matter how steeped in evil and uncleanness, has always direct access to an all-loving, all-powerful Father-God, who will forgive him, and supply His own strength to him to enable him to find himself again.
 
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him (1 John 2:29).

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What Did Jesus Teach?

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 16, 2008| Leave a Comment »

If we listen to follow the words of the greatest teacher, the lessons we learn will do more to change our lives for the better than anything else we could do.

Still listening,
Z Gardener

 

What Did Jesus Teach?

            Jesus Christ is easily the most important figure that has ever appeared in the history of mankind. This is true whether you choose to call him God or man. His life and death  and teachings have influenced the course of human history more than those of any other man who ever lived. There can hardly, therefore, be a more important undertaking than to inquire into the question of what Jesus really did stand for.

 
What did Jesus teach? What did he really wish us to believe and to do? How far does the Christianity of today present his message to the world? What did Jesus teach?
 
…for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21).
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:12).
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it (John 14:14).

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Dig Deeper

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 15, 2008| Leave a Comment »

Each step we take in our spiritual journey is filled with unlimited potential. Each day that we spend in search of spiritual discernment and in harmony with God brims over with miracles and answered prayers. It is the metaphysical equivalent of hitting the lottery each day or buying the next big stock super performer every time. In the material world, each day without new spiritual growth and commitment is inherently limited and likely to be pretty much like the next. Daily prayer and seeking God’s will each day unlocks infinite power and possibilities that are unavailable otherwise. Or as a popular cartoon character once to said, “to infinity and beyond”. 

Still digging,
Z Gardener

Dig Deeper

 The study of the Bible is not unlike the search for diamonds in South Africa. At first people found a few diamonds in the yellow clay, and they were delighted with their good fortune, even while they supposed that this was to be the full extent of their find. Then, upon digging deeper, they came upon the blue clay, and to their amazement found as many precious stones in a day as they had previously found in a year.

 
In your exploration of Bible Truth, see to it that you do not rest satisfied in the yellow clay of a few spiritual discoveries, but press on to the rich blue clay underneath. The Bible, however, differs from the diamond field in the sublime fact that beneath the blue clay there are more and still more and richer strata, awaiting the touch of spiritual perception—on and on to Infinity.
 
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33).

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Cast Thy Burden

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 14, 2008| Leave a Comment »

One of the most difficult aspects of living in harmony and with peace of mind is the refusal to worry and to be anxious. The world around us drives us to fret and fear and we use these reactions as negative reinforcement for avoiding trouble or as self-correction techniques. We do not have to worry or be anxious to be responsible people. In fact, most of the time such activities become self-fulfilling prophecies. In every instance, such behavior corrodes our energy, diverts us away from positive action to address our trouble or concern and freezes us up in our troubles. Such behavior is the equivalent of emotional and spiritual rust. When we trust God and follow His instruction to rejoice and be glad in all things, it is a spiritual lubricant like spraying our spirits with WD-40. It frees us to think, act and live smoothly and efficiently and will reduce all of the friction and corrosion in our lives, hearts and minds. If we refuse to succumb to worry and fear, our positive energy is multiplied and our drag and resistance is reduced.

Still lubricating,

Z Gardener


Cast Thy Burden
            Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).

 
We sometimes hear the expression used, “ cast the burden,” and it is useful to consider what this phrase really means. Used intelligently, it is one of the great keys to spiritual victory. To cast the burden means really to insist upon harmony and peace of mind, and to cease from worry and anxiety there and then.
 
If, when you are faced with trouble, whether it be old or new, you can affirm positively the harmony of being and then refuse to reopen the case, no matter how much fear may urge you to do so, you have cast your burden upon the Lord, and you will win.

 

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Prayer As Treatment

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 13, 2008| 1 Comment »

How wonderful it would be if we could change things for the better, heal the hurts and right the wrongs. Well, if we truly accept the words of the Bible, we can do such things. It will require looking past the appearance of things and their immediate effect upon us. A bad job, hurt feelings or even great tragedies can be overcome when we turn to God and believe that we can do all things through him. As we bring God into the equation, our faith is imbued with infinite power and our thoughts become more powerful than that difficulty which we face. It is then that we can know with certainty that we can overcome any difficulty. Prayer is the key to opening this power and using that power to change things that appear beyond our control.

Overcoming,
Z Gardener

Prayer As Treatment

            Treatment is a psycho-spiritual term that means knowing the spiritual truth about any person or situation. If, like most people, you believe that appearances are realities and that they cannot be changed, then you cannot give a treatment. But if you believe that the Bible is right when it says,

 
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…(Proverbs 23:7).
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement (John 7:24).
 
Then it is in your power to change anything for the better and to heal most things. Begin every treatment (no matter how many you may give) by saying:
 
I can overcome this difficulty.

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How to Destroy Your Health

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 12, 2008| Leave a Comment »

How easy it is to get upset, eat poorly, sleep little, stay uptight and take care of everything except yourself. After all, this is the modern life and we really don’t have any choice, right? Wrong. The life we live is about the only thing in this world we do have the ability to control. If we make an affirmative decision today that we will take control of our lives and with God’s help and direction, follow his will, then all these things we must to do be and stay healthy will come to us. Our world will yield to our will when it id based on God’s will for us. We should ask ourselves, “how much good can we do for our families, friends and business associates if we are tired, sick, weak and angry?” The answer is clear.

In health,
Stan 

How to Destroy Your Health

            Get emotional and excited over every trifling occurrence, especially if it is no concern of yours.

 
Eat and drink indiscriminately. Your stomach is only a sink, anyway, and being made of cast iron, will stand anything.
 
Cut down your sleep. This is an excellent way to undermine the nervous system.
 
Never relax. That would give the body a chance to recuperate. Avoid all exercise. Exercise promotes circulation.
 
Read as much as you can about diseases and ailments. Your public library will carry many suitable books.
 
Discuss your own ailments at great length and, if you have had an operation, give dramatic little lectures about it at every opportunity.
 
Take good care of your dog, and your horse, and your automobile, but neglect your body. The Bible says that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and to go against the Bible is always a good shortcut to trouble.
 
…If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which  is right in his sight, and wilt put none of these diseases upon thee
…for I am the Lord that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26).

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How to Keep From Growing

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 9, 2008| Leave a Comment »

How many times have each of us said one of the things below? Why? Because growth is change and change puts many of us outside our comfort zone. Even the most adventurous among us seek the comfort and the security of a stable environment. Yet growth demands change, and if we are to experience it we must forego the warm and undemanding bed of mediocrity. And, we must not settle into the cozy recliner of self rationalization, excuses and finger pointing. It is when we face the stiff winds of personal responsibility, clear self analysis and humility that we experience new growth and expand our horizons.

Against the wind,

Z Gardener

How to Keep From Growing

            Never be original. Find out what is usually done and copy that. Realize that you have nothing more to learn. This will destroy all danger of success.

 
Sneer at those who are more successful than yourself.
 
Tell yourself that it is now too late, and that you really did not have the proper equipment; and it will be especially helpful to keep saying that people are against you.
 
Never learn from experience. Keep on doing the same fool things time after time.
 
Never wait to hear the other side of the story. Knowing both sides will only unsettle your mind.
 
Use your wit destructively. Be smart at the expense of absent people.
 
Stand on your dignity. Never forget that you have a position to keep up.
 
Try to get everything cheap. Study and practice to become the perfect “chiseler.” This will build an invincible poverty complex.
 
…the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness (Proverbs 12:23).

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How to Fail In Everything

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 8, 2008| Leave a Comment »

The surest way to destroy ourselves is to destroy everything around us. If we want to ensure our own failure, all we must do is ensure the failure of those people and things we touch. Then if we refuse to accept personal responsibility, fail to plan for better things and deny the help and existence of God, we can be assured that troubles and failure will become a permanent part of our lives. The choice is ours to make. Will we chose the Garden or the desert?

Choosing the Garden,
Z Gardener

How to Fail In Everything

            Knock everything systematically. No matter what you hear of, deprecate it and predict the worst.

 
Mind everyone else’s business. This will insure your neglecting your own.
 
Never perform today what you can possibly postpone until tomorrow.
 
Leave the important things to someone else instead of seeing to them personally.
 
Have no organized arrangements. Trust to luck for everything.
 
Be a sanctimonious humbug, and when you bungle things say it is “the Lord’s will” or that the trouble is that you are too good for your surroundings.
 
Sit down and wait for something to turn up.
 
Finally, conduct your life in all respects as if there were no God.
 
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
(Psalm 39:8)

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How To Be Unhappy

Posted in Good Morning, tagged , on May 7, 2008| Leave a Comment »

We spend a lot of time in these morning thoughts about living joyfully in the Garden God gave us. These next few mornings we will reflect on how to assure unhappiness and sorrow in our lives. While not uplifting, these observations are meant to be instructive and preventative. Hopefully they will help us avoid the most common pitfalls and help us realize the true path to joy through following God’s will for our livers.

Z Gardener

How To Be Unhappy

            Sit down quietly where you are not likely to be disturbed. Relax the body – and begin to think about yourself. Every time your thoughts wanders to something higher, bring it back gently but relentlessly.

 
Think about the past. Think over all the mistakes you have made, going right back to childhood. Think over all the opportunities you have missed and the time you have wasted. Especially think of all the occasions upon which you have been badly treated.
 
Think about your body and wonder if your age or your job or the climate isn’t beginning to tell. See if you cannot discover a pain or an ache somewhere.
 
Think about finances and if they are going well now, insist that this is probably too good to last.
 
In any case, think about yourself, that is the main point, and if you will keep this up faithfully for fifteen or twenty minutes, there can be no doubt about the result.
 
Seest a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than him (Proverbs 26:12)

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