Do I believe because I understand?

Anselm of Canterbury wrote, "Nor do I seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand. For this too I believe, that unless I first believe, I shall not understand." 

                He obviously understood 1Co 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  Without believing we cannot understand.    Many times understanding comes from the experience of putting into practice the principles of God’s Word.   But if we try to understand to believe we will miss it because that is not how understanding comes.   Believe, act, understand.   We say that we believe the principles of God’s Word but fail to act upon them.   Wouldn’t our actions cry out unbelief?  One reason that the Lord Jesus did not many miracles in Nazareth was because of their unbelief.   

                Anselm went on to say,  "I hold it to be a failure in duty if after we have become steadfast in our faith we do not strive to understand what we believe."  This is why Paul told Timothy in 2Ti 2:15 to  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”   So, believing brings action, and God gives understanding.  Upon understanding I have greater knowledge for greater action to please God.   Brother and sister, are you studying God’s Word with hungry mind and spirit?         

Respect your Elders!

Remember being told that when you were young?   There is a Biblical precedent for it….  Le 19:32 “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.”  Respect would be standing up when they approach, listening when they speak, heeding their advice, and speaking well of them.    Respect would be seeing them not as a bother or an obstruction,  but a blessing, a guide, a friend.

                One more passage…..  Le 20:9 “For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.”  Our parents would be “our elders.”  God speaks here specifically of the offspring of a man and woman.   Notice that it does not give an age limit.   To speak evil of our parents when we are older is equally evil. 

                Yet I suppose our response to those older than us speaks volumes of a person’s nature.   What kind of person would be disrespectful to the older man?  Not a kind one.   Who wouldn’t listen to their advice?  – a proud one.   Who wouldn’t speak will of them? – the rebel.   Are we not to avoid these? 

                Today, let us go to a godly one that is older than us and shake their hand warmly and thank them for their godly example.   It will bless them as well as direct our thoughts in humble gratitude, which pleases our Heavenly Father.   

Now go and please the Lord!

Psalm 37:8

Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Stop and think about it for a minute!   Why do we become angry? And then take it into our hands?   Is it not because we believe that if we don’t stand up for ourselves and our rights no one else will?  Not even God?   So we find ourselves working (now admit it!) vengeance.   This verse set in the midst of “fret not” and “Trust in”  reveals that anger is because we do fret and not trust.   Do we trust God to be just and judge properly?    Do we believe (trust) that God will restore what has been taken from us by the unjust?   It may not be “things” that they take from us.   It may be an attack on our dignity, integrity, or our goodness.  It will take humility, patience, and trust  to put away anger.  

                In 1991, when we entered the Gulf War, we told Israel not to fight that we would defend them.   Israel was attacked, and the United states deployed the patriot missile defense system.   No doubt it was hard for Israel to be attacked and not retaliate.   But they obediently trusted in the Americans.   This is what God calls us to do.  Don’t get angry, trust God to work for us.

Ps 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Thanks Clarence

God’s Word is important.    It is important enough to memorize in the day and meditate upon at night.  Thanks Clarence for challenging us with Psalm 100!

Ps 100

1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

January Youth Ice Skating

The ice skating activity was put on by Seth, Joann, Joel and Jenny.

Here are some pictures!

Church Work Day - Kitchen Addition