Spiritual snacks

The more the flesh is wasted by affliction, so much more is the spirit strengthened by inward grace.(CIoC) Again, is this true? Do we need physical afflictions to grow spiritually? The true stories of William Wilberforce in his fight against the slave trade as depicted in the movie Amazing Grace ; of Joni Eareckson Tada in her struggle to handle a diving accident as depicted in the movie Joni;     and of Catherine Booth , a co-founder of the Salvation Army suggests that their physical afflictions gave them the opportunities to make significant contributions to society, yet what does scripture say about this? And what happens now that our inventions are speeding up the healing process?

And the higher a person has advanced in the Spirit, so much heavier the crosses one oftentimes finds, because the grief of one’s banishment increases with one’s love of God. (CIoC) S A 2 Wow, is it really true? The closer you are to God the harder it is? I know folks at the top have to make tougher decisions for the sake of the whole like a parent disciplining, but what about team work and the body of Christ?   How should discipline work in the body of Christ?

Christ’s whole life was a cross and martyrdom; and do you seek rest and joy for yourself. (CIoC) S A 2 This is an example of an author’s interpretation.   I don’t see Christ’s whole life as a cross and martyrdom.   I see Him forming relationships with folks in many aspects of society.   I see folks getting jealous and worried about their leadership ability because folks were following the God/man Jesus even though He didn’t have the qualifications they thought one should have.   I see a person in love with His Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I see the power of the Holy Spirit in His resurrection.   Read the biographi...

No person has in one’s heart sympathy with the passion of Christ as one who has suffered like Him. (CIoC) S A 2 Christ hardly ever asked for things for Himself.   Two notable times was when He asked His friends, His disciples, to pray with Him because God was asking Him to do something He didn’t want to do. And the other time was when He asked God to help us get along. I wonder how we’re doing in our current day.   Are we willing to pray through the tough things with Jesus?   Are we willing to be part of the answer to His prayer for church unity?

Sometimes you may seem forsaken of God, sometimes you shall be troubled by your neighbours; and, what is more, oftentimes you shall be wearisome to yourself. Neither can you be delivered or eased by any remedy or comfort; so long as it pleases God, you must bear it. (CIoC) S A 2 The allegory of Pilgrims Progress and/or the Narnia series may be beneficial here.

Go where you will, seek whatever you will, you shall not find a higher way above, or a safer way below, than the way of the holy cross. (CIoC)

In the cross is salvation, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection against our enemies, in the cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the cross is strength of spirit, in the cross the height of virtue, in the cross the perfection of sanctity; Take up therefore your cross and follow Jesus, and you will go into life everlasting. (CIoC)

For many this seems like a hard speech, “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus”  Saint Matthew  16:24   But much harder will it be to hear the last word “Depart from me, you cursed one, into everlasting fire” Saint Matthew 25:41   Why then do you fear taking up the cross which leads you to a Kingdom? (CIoC)

Where is one to be found who is willing to serve God for nothing? (CIoC) S A 2 At the Salvation Army! It’s a great way to learn and meet different folks.  

S A 2 Aren’t folk to be called greedy who are ever seeking consolations? Do they not show themselves as lovers of themselves rather than of Christ, who are always thinking of their own profit and advantage? (CIoC) If someone is spinning like this these steps maybe helpful. Click on the following link: Christian discipleship steps

O how powerful is the pure love of Jesus which is mixed with no self-interest or self-love! (CIoC) S A 2 Watch a gospel DVD on the biography of Christ  (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)  and watch for how Jesus interacts with the various folks including His Father.