PERSPECTIVE on Trust

Learn to trust nobody but yourself.

The above is a perspective in life that is easily attained.  There are life encounters where people have left you hurt, devastated, embarrassed, robbed of soul, or some other crushing experience.  It is easy to gravitate to such a philosophy toward all people.  Simply we have troubled hearts when we trust in no one, we are hopeless. 

Without trust, there is no room for faith.  Without trust, the lack of faith cannot build a relationship.  Without the trust to build relationship there is no us; there is only you, alone, in a life of loneliness.  By yourself there is only emptiness, that void where trust, faith, oneness has been forbidden to enter.  Such a trust is faithless, lending one to no hope.  Consider the fullness of what the statement “to trust nobody but yourself” is lying to yourself, to trust no one includes yourself—do you want that life?    

Lacking trust is being empty.  To “trust nobody” removes any opportunity to be filled by the fruit of trust which is allowing someone to befriend, love, and care for you.  Jesus said, in John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” He said that just before he spoke of the promise of heaven, to which he said, “if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”   This is a huge trust issue.

I’m praying that “the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).  …  If you cannot trust those who love and care for you, you are alone in a bleak life. If you cannot trust Christ Jesus, you are alone eternally, separated from God—that is what hell is.

Trusting in Christ,

Owen <><

“Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence.”  ~ Augustine

 

 

 

HE Said, we said

… on faith

 

“According to your faith will it be done to you.”  ~ Jesus Christ ... Matthew 9:29

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”

~ Apostle Paul ... Romans 1:17 (He quoted Old Testament prophet Habakkuk 2:4)

“We live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, …”  ~ Apostle Paul ... 2 Corinthians 5:7-8a

“Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld …”   

~ The Prophet Jahaziel ... 2 Chronicles 20:20

Daily living by faith on Christ is what makes the difference between the sickly and the healthy Christian, between the defeated and the victorious saint.   ~ A.W. Pink

"Many things are possible for the person who has hope.

Even more is possible for the person who has faith."   ~ Brother Lawrence

Thinking God can is no better than crossing your fingers; that’s not faith. 

  

Knowing that God will is faith.  Faith is the confidence in the unseen things.

~ Owen Mannin

Have a wonderful day and embrace Faith in Christ alone, with assurance,

Owen <><

 
and ..... "You must have faith in God."  ~ A. B. Simpson

Will To Be Full

The Lord whispered,:

“I cannot pour my Spirit into a sieve, only into a bowl, a bowl willing to be filled and pour out onto others.” 

 

I remember how the prophet Zechariah had a vision and visitation by an angel (Zech. 4:1-6). The angel awakened him from sleep and asked, “What do you see?” Zechariah answered what he had seen in his dream, "I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it, with seven channels to the lights. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” Yet Zechariah had to ask the angel the meaning. 

Literally the message was a word from the Lord Almighty, saying that things are accomplished, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” or as the Message paraphrases, “You can't force these things. They only come about through my Spirit.” (v. 6) 

The key, as a follower of Christ, being filled with his Spirit is this:

 

What God has given you must be captured, as in a bowl, so that you can faithfully share, pour out God to others.

 

This is why God’s Spirit empowers your life, so you can be an influence upon those in the dark and with an unquenchable thirst when without God. Things of the Spirit of God are to be accomplished, and can only be accomplished by his power. You and I cannot be complacent to God’s presence, allowing all that He is to drip out and not be of use, thereby we are a mere sieve, screen not holding the Holy Spirit within your spirit, mind, actions, life … then in weakness doing things on your own. God has placed His Spirit in you, with the Word of the Gospel of Christ’s Salvation , and the mercy, grace, and love of sharing the salvation of Jesus; He who came to “Seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

 

That is what we do for the Almighty, and we can’t do it by our human strength.

 

But we are to be like an ark, a vessel, a bowl formed and filled by God Himself—therein is the strength, ability, knowledge, and all things good that are the power of God. Then, when you are like “a bowl willing to be filled and pour out onto others” the power of the Holy Spirit is the enabling to do so; that is when you and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13, NKJV).

 

Owen <><

Perspective on Anxiety

Timothy Keller points out that, “Anxiety is always the result of a collapsing false god.” Too often we focus on our perspective of status, seeing ourselves as rich or poor, graceful or clumsy, beautiful or ugly, athletic or unfit, respected or disliked, or whatever we allow to be assigned to us.  No matter our status, soon to follow are its fruit:  doubt, fear, pressure, anxiousness … which is anxiety. 


Anxiety is the hole of emptiness in one’s soul, dug by whatever reason we accept as the fact of our status in life.  That is what replaces God with the god of emptiness and anxiety; the evil one who takes pleasure in destroying you.  

Beth Moore adds, “The enemy of our souls is a false prophet. Don't let him taunt you with graceless dread and doom toward your future if you belong to Jesus.”

Living life in a way of truly enjoying the peace and fullness of Christ begins when you are not “anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil 4:6).   When faithfully focused on God as provider, as our all and all, we begin to follow Jesus’ teachings, that there is no need to "worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear” (Luke 12:22-23), nor is there need to “worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt 6:34).   Be confident in the one true God, He who has filled your emptiness with his Spirit, removing all that induces fear.  Don’t empty yourself of God by filling yourself with the promises of the false prophet, the wants and desires of the deceiver’s lie of satisfying peace – that’s your false god.

Owen <><

Influence the World (Part 1)

Jesus said, let “all the world” hear “the good news” and, that “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…,” (Mark 16:15-16).  In saying this, Jesus expressed his desire that His followers are to be change agents for the Kingdom of God — our purpose in this world we live.  

But, do you and I really want to change this world that we not only love but complain about?

Do we what change so bad that we are willing to share with someone what it takes to be changed? 

 

Change in Christ is a way of life that isn’t burdensome, in fact Jesus says it is a gentle life when we follow his ways (Matt. 11:30).  As His followers, we have a burden that is not heavy, but a complete joy, that burden is to change the world by sharing the good news, the gospel, of Christ – that is to tell someone about salvation in Christ, being a witness of Jesus.   

 

 

We cannot keep the good news Jesus Christ a secret in our minds, our private place, our close community of people.  It is not a matter of your personality either, because “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Tim 1:7). 

 

A follower of Christ is promised “power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses,” said Jesus, in your home town, to nearby nations of people you accept or hate, in fact an ability to witness to share the good news of Christ, even to “the ends of the earth” – the whole world (cf., Acts 1:8) when opportunity arises or when specifically sent by God.    

Owen <><

 

Do you want world change, or your own security?   

HE Said, we said …

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
~ Psalm 119:105, King David

“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

~ Romans 15:4; Apostle Paul

“If you have a Bible that's falling apart, you'll have a life that's not.” 

~ Adrian Rogers

“When you give your attention to the Word of God, every other area in your life will be successful.”

~ Gloria Copeland

If the Bible is a cornerstone of our life journey, we’ll discover that how we live will reflect the Bible’s answers and that will mean less turmoil along the path we take.  We will have a life that is consistent, it's as Bully Sunday preached, “The inconsistency is not in the Bible, but in your life.”  ~ Owen Mannin

 

Owen <><

Myth or Breath?

The Bible isn’t a true book; it’s merely a collection of ancient myths; or it is absolute truth.

As a book written by people long ago, the Bible, or Scriptures, would merely be history laced with mystical lore. Had men penned what is the Bible by their knowledge and imagination, then all it would be is myth.  The breath of God, his Spirit, uttered every word into existence. 

 

With that, from beginning to end it is absolute Truth. We cannot accept God’s salvation without accepting His being Creator and dealing with the issue with sin he placed in

Scripture, to deny any of what God has breathed into Word is to deny all.  So, it is either not true and a myth, or complete truth and what eternal salvation is built upon.

So, it is myth, or the God Life breathed truth that “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Because God is living and breathing he gave us the “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  

 

~ 2 Timothy 3:15-16

 

By His Word,

Owen <><

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pssst, I have a Secret

“The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you.”  ~Jesus, Mark 4:11

We all love our secret family recipe, a secret fishing hole, exploring a secret passage, being a kid with a secret knock and code word, and especially, letting a secret out – then pretending we didn’t mean to.  A good thing about the Gospel is that Jesus is up front.  The secret is not to be kept, but to be shared.  After all it is the good news of Jesus — the eternal peace, by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone.

A “secret”, in Greek, musterion, has a meaning “to shut the mouth,” … Jesus has done the opposite.  Jesus has given us the secret, it is obvious that there is no need for a shut mouth… the secret is out!  We too, like Jesus are to go and share the good news to others of how to be blessed by the mercy, grace, and presence of Christ Jesus.  And, that is not done with a shut mouth, but by divulging the secret without hesitation.  

Don't trust me, I don't keep Jesus' secret,  Owen <><

 

Matt 28:19,
Mk 16:15,
Acts 1:8,
Rom 10:14-15

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus Lifts You Up - To Life

Jesus assures us that, “By standing firm you will gain life” (Luke 21:19). 

 

Our Lord and Savior promises to those who are obedient to him protection.

... No, this isn’t just following rules, but living the Gospel, the “good news of Jesus Christ” which includes having a life to live that pours out of abundance—as Jesus said, “I have come that they [you, followers of Christ] may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10), which is an abundance of peace, joy, and the fullness of God’s Spirit giving you rest.

Yes, that involves an eternity in heaven.  But, best of all and interestingly, it involves our life on earth.  So, as your day, week, months of life become overrun with stress, loss, and heartache; overload at work or sorrow from what is the result of our world in which we live—know this: Christ’s Spirit is but a whisper away, as is the response of God’s servants, such as this one.  You have great abundance and strength of our Lord God Almighty at your disposal, seek his feet and he will lift you up.

In Christ,

Owen <><

Are you a Leonard?

Someone named Leonard may not sound like a suave, polished individual of knightly demeanor.  Nonetheless, Leonard is an old English name that is descriptive of an individual noted for “lion strength” (or, bold as a lion).  It implies one who will boldly, ferociously stand his ground to protect those who are weak from a threat, evil.  Leonard is the one who will put his life in jeopardy for another.  Thus, we who trust in “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” Jesus Christ, are not overwhelmed, but victorious over the Evil One (Rev. 5:5).  As a “lion of strength” Jesus was bold as He stood his ground and placed in his life jeopardy for you and I upon the cross.

Are you a Leonard?  No, not the Lion of Salvation, but someone with a boldness of “lion strength,” who will stand your ground as a follower of Christ.  To follow is to have a life that reveals Christ’s Spirit in you—His power that brings boldness and strength.  A lion of God does not consider any jeopardy by evil; because the strength of the Holy Spirit enables you to be a witness of the gospel of Christ (Acts 1:8).  The Lion rose victorious that you may live in the strength and boldness of the Lamb.

Bold as a lion,
Owen <><

“The wicked man flees though no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” ~ Proverb 28:1

What We Receive From God Is Not Ours To Keep

When in Christ, we are a vessel being filled and overflowing with what is God’s.  As the Lord pours into us, so do we pour out all that the Spirit has given.  Do not worry nor be stingy, you cannot empty what God has to give! 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives,
so also through Christ our comfort overflows. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

In your worst times Christ has lifted you up, in another’s worst time, we are to pour out that same gift to encourage another.  God’s children have by grace and mercy received His Spirit, which fills us with “all comfort” now and for eternity.  The Spirit of God manifests in each believer a bounty of wonderful spiritual gifts (cf., 1 Cor. 12:1-11) that reveal God’s power – His bestowal exceeds what we as a vessel are willing to use. 

 

To those who have been freely given much, to them comes great responsibility, Jesus reminds you and I that, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” (Luke 12:48).  In our life, full of His Spirit, Jesus reminds us, that “as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew10:7-8 NKJV).

 

Are you only a receiver – a taker – or are you a giver, one overflowing of Christ’s Spirit?  Being crucified to Christ is not being dead, but resurrected to life, and in power having Christ flow over into our lives then, flooded with Christ, we “freely give!”

 

Overflowing,

Owen <><

Perspective: Power or Talk

Christ Jesus has commissioned with his authority, and endowed with power those who are his servants, Christ’s followers. It is for the sake of the Gospel and doing what matters!

You can have rational arguments about Christ, or reveal his power to the sick, possessed, and destitute.    

When in Christ we can pray over the sick, who are then raised and healed; we can pray over the possessed, who are then set free of evil spirits, and we can pray over the destitute, who then receive hope and release form affliction—the authority and power of Christ over the world of Satan is realized. In the Spirit’s power is influence to receive healing, freedom, and hope, such as no mere talk can bring.  A touch by the Holy Spirit's power reveals more than words.

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." 
~ 1 Corinthians 4:20 

Perspective: You can have rational arguments about Christ or reveal his power to the sick, possessed, and destitute. What they see will be the power of Christ, and the Kingdom of God will have gained another child.

In His Power, Owen <><


Scripture:
Authority of Christ: Matt. 28:18, 2 Cor. 5:19b-20      
Power: Mark 16:17-18, Acts 1:8

Being In God’s Corner

I’ve heard of God’s “corner” of the earth, of the challenge of you or I being in his corner.
Ever wonder where that corner, that spot is at? 

I have property, my own little corner of the world.  But, do I have control over any corner of the world?  Is being in God’s corner a spot as insignificant as where I stand in a boxing ring? 

I do know this, no matter what corner of the world I am in—God is there.  It does not matter if "I am in His corner or not!"  He has sovereignty over every nook, cranny, and corner of the world, to include you, me, … all nations of people… the demons as well.

 

God does not have a mere corner.  God has all that there is because, “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).  God is with you and me now ... here, over there, everywhere … in good and bad times … everywhere, all the time.  He is more than a corner, he reigns over all four corners and all above and below, all places and things!  God has promised you, when he came down to us as the incarnate Christ Jesus, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20b). 

 

To this my heart rejoices, as the heavens declare, "Hallelujah!

For our Lord God Almighty reigns” (Rev. 19:6) … all gory to God!

In all corners, and more,

Owen <><

God reigns over the nations;

God is seated on his holy throne.
~ Psalm 47:8

For goodness’ sake!

“For goodness’ sake” is a frequent figure of speech or idiom for surprise, astonishment, or even annoyance that people express where I live.  But, what is goodness, and since it is possessive who is goodness?  I think down deep most people are in the image of goodness, after all, we’re created in the “image of God” (Gen. 1:27) and everything God made was “very good” (v. 31).  But, we have two issues.  One, people messed up and we have a sinful, bad, nature (Rom. 7:18).  Two, we view others as a “good” or “bad” person, “for goodness’ sake,” if we’re created good, then who is this “goodness’ sake” or purpose or benefit we are to be concerned about?   

In our daily conversation, figures of speech and thoughts we have removed God, or Christ; the One who’s sake or purpose or benefit is of concern to you.  So, who is in the phrase “goodness’ sake” is identified by Jesus, in that “No one is good — except God alone” (Mark 10:18). 

When we remove the sake, benefit, purpose in our life “for God’s sake,” “for Christ’s sake” from out of our language, we have removed the Lord from our life, our worldview and culture.  What is left?  Nothing of goodness remains in us.  When we receive Christ, when we truly follow Jesus, it is then, and only then, the Holy Spirit can live in us and for God’s sake, the benefit of his glory.  In Galatians 5:2, Paul reveals that the fruit of God’s Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,...” and such is reveled with Christ’s Spirit in us —“And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us” (1 John 3:24).          

 “For Goodness’, Christ’s sake,” be who and what God created you to be.  

Owen <><  

Protected From Evil

Someone demonized isn’t a demon.  A demonized person is someone attacked by a demon—they may be possessed, indwelled by an evil spirit … or they be oppressed, assaulted in their soul, mind—but, that does not make them evil of themselves.

 

 


They are the victim of the evil one who wars against God’s goodness.  The angles of evil—demons and their master—seek to destroy God’s beautiful creation, people, who were made in the Lord’s divine image. 

The pride of the evil one is a burning flame of desire to go to war against all that is good and righteous.

Because of that, “there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.” —Rev. 12:7-8

 

That war wages today, the battlefield is our world, the victims are those created in God’s image, you, me, yes everyone. Be assured, Jesus has prayed for those who are His.  To the Father he prayed, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”  ~John 17:15-16

In Jesus’ prayers,

Owen <><

In the Midst of God’s Will

"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will
but to do the will of him who sent me."
~ Jesus, John 6:38

Jesus rattled the disciples with a truth for those who are a truly his followers, that you‘d be persecuted for his Name sake (John 15:20). 

As you're seeking God’s will, will you be able to accept it, what ever it is?  Jesus was in the midst of God’s will when he prayed, "may your will be done" (Matt 26:42); that was just before being kissed by the betrayer.  Jesus was smack dab in the middle of God’s will, when he was nailed to the cross.

Following Jesus is not a blind faith, but purposeful and passionate obedience wrapped within the Comforter's peace and hope.
 
Owen <><

Leaving My House

Then each went to his own home. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
John 7:53-8:1

Each person who “went to his own home” were people like many of us today, more at ease with status quo of society, they were Pharisees, those who rejected Christ Jesus.  We need to decide, to either go “to your own home” – go your own way – or you go the way of Christ.  Is it easier to go with the crowd, to go with the flow, to be socially right, politically correct, … to be in agreement with those who disagree with the Lord God; those who reject Jesus? 

 

Where are you going today?
To the ease of your home and the worlds comfort ... or … up the mountain where Jesus has gone? 

Can we together go up the mountain to be in prayer and with compassion to received God’s Spirit in strength and power; that we can bring others from their home and into the Kingdom of Heaven. 
 

It may be uphill, but the view, once at the top, is glorious.  
“But Jesus went …” …  “But I am going …” 

Leaving my house,  

Owen<><   

Keep Your Line in the Water

I love to fish. No matter the fish size, species, or water environment.  Trout in small mountain streams, smallmouth bass in rivers, bluegill in farm ponds, black bass in reservoirs, pike in glacial lakes, and Snook, reds, shark, rays, or tarpon in saltwater.  Now, picture in your mind a place that is unique in its beauty to the eye. Now, picture fishing there and understand that no matter the type of water, there are has basic rules catching fish – current, cover, drop-offs, and the most important thing, key to catching fish, you have to have a line in the water. 

The picture of keeping your line in the water is the key for good fishermen.  That is why, as Jesus walked along the shore the Sea of Galilee he called out to two brothers, Peter and Andrew holding the line as they cast their net.  His words were also our call, “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  

Jesus wants followers to adapt to the environment or culture, as we bring the same gospel message of salvation—the mission of all who claim to be Christ followers. A bad example was Jonah.  Jonah’s problem wasn’t being swallowed by a fish, oh no, it was that he hated the people who needed him to bring them the message of God.  Jonah refused to step into the big picture and keep his line in the water, being disobedient to God’s call, word, and mission.

On following Jesus,    

Owen <><

What to Wear?

Robert Colman notes that, “Reflective man produces new philosophies; it is only regenerate man who holds the clue to a society that is really new.”  The regenerate person is renewed, born again of Spirit, they are the person who will “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Col 3:10). 

The philosophies of man births only ills and sufferings that society’s institutions were to heal.  A society that wears Christ is one where we are not reflecting on mankind’s philosophies, but where we “do by not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but [are] transformed by the renewing of your mind,” to be like Christ, knowing “what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2-3).

It would be a renewed society, community in which to “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13:14).

 Owen <><

God is my Co-Pilot

Having served with the Air Force I often heard the faithful phrase “God is my co-pilot.”

The phrase expresses faith in God being with you—to help and protect you—it is a comforting testimony.  Military pilots fly risky missions to accomplish orders given by commanders, but they are alone after take-off because their commander stays behind. 

On such a mission one needs God alongside.  God has a mission and sends us out to fulfill His will on that mission, His mission is also risky—it is a spiritual war that rages where angels and demons have taken flight.

As a Christ follower we take part in God’s mission.  Unlike the military pilot, who goes out alone on mission, you have God’s Spirit with you.  God is without worry of compromise for his own safety by being with you, not as co-pilot, but Lord and King.  this was revealed when Jesus was tempted by Satan and when He suffered upon cross—then as now, God is faithfully present with His faithful followers.

Christ then is next to you, in fact, in you, not as a back-up, not as a co-pilot, not as a ready reserve, but as Lord of Lords who comes with power upon you to carry out His mission.  All we have to do while on mission is remember the words of Jesus, “obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20).      

Owen <><