Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:04:09 -0600 Lynn A. Williams http://mr-turniphead.xanga.com/ Podcast Maker v1.4.1 - http://www.lemonzdream.com/podcastmaker If Our Hearts Condemn Us, Will God? Life zooms at us from every conceivable direction at the speed of light, with its frightening and bewildering issues and relationships. We could use some help grappling with all of these complexities. It may catch us completely off guard and shock us to learn that God, it turns out, is for us and not against us as we have very naturally supposed! It is not obvious, but behind the scenes, He is busy conditioning our hearts for life's vital relationships, determined to bring us safely through the gauntlet to be at Home with Him. It is a long harrowing journey—but one well worth traveling! "If Our Hearts Condemn Us…" was written with these struggles--struggles of the heart in mind and the safe passage Home that results. Our Heavenly Father is fully intent on providing and revealing the way in surprising methods suited to each one of us, for we are His precious sons and daughters. Each 'chapter' in this book may be read together in succession with the others, or as separate 'stand alone' selections. They are individual vignettes pointing to one overarching theme: Life--life as God created it and intends that it be lived by every single one of us! Paradoxically, He moves to teach us the 'jist' of this life through the very lives that we are living! en-us Copyright 2014 Lynn A. Williams jalexander4@comcast.net http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50987588/LAWCover.jpg http://mr-turniphead.xanga.com/ 144 144 Christianity no Lynn A. Williams 01 - If Our Hearts Condemn Us...Will God (Signature Essay) The norm in this world is that because life is so tough and difficult, we need to live lives that are just as tough with no apologies, regrets or sense of responsibility for anything we do. However, some people with extremely sensitive and gentle hearts seem to be perpetually consumed by guilt and regret. They constantly "feel the sentence of death" even when that is a totally inappropriate response. Forgiveness or spiritual and emotional healing seem like an impossibility. How can we assume responsibility for our inappropriate behavior, and at the same time experience a sense of healing and peace that is really our birthright as image bearers of God‘? Scripture references: II Corinthians 1:9, I John 3:18-20, Psalm 78:39, Romans 7:24, 25-8:4, Matthew ll:28~30, Ephesians 1:6, Romans 8:31-35, Colossians 3:3, II Corinthians 1:19-22, I John 3:21-24 and Romans 15:13 http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/01HrtCndmn.mp3 Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:42:00 -0500 no 00:11:23 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 02 - If Our Hearts Congratulate Us...Will God? The self-condemning heart has two faces- the down-trodden, guilt-ridden-- self deprecating face described in the first essay and the self-congratulating face that is really a cover- a front to disguise the universal frailties of the human heart. It is used to not only hide from others, but also from oneself. Unforgiveness is often a manifestation of the self-condemning heart which is either unable to accept forgiveness or extend it. What a dilemma-- to be totally immobilized out of guilt, anger and fear on the one hand, or to be rendered completely ineffective because of arrogance and pride on the other. Scripture references: Psalm 32:1-6, Romans 3:23, Matthew 18:21-25, I Jolm 1:8-l0 and Psalm 51:1-5. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/02HrtCongrat.mp3 Sat, 25 Jan 2014 10:19:00 -0500 no 00:07:42 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 03 - Going Home to 'Face the Music' The Jewish population of Tarsus in Celicia had closely followed the career of the rising star of their hometown favorite sons. Saul (later to be known as the great Apostle Paul} was rapidly advancing through the ranks of the most educated and brilliant doctors of the Law in faraway Jerusalem. It is likely he had become a member of the the Sanhedrin, the highest ruling body dictating religious policy for Judaism. Yes, the people of Saul's hometown knew he was destined for great things. But something happened-- he had met an extraordinary man, Jesus of Nazareth and suddenly everything had changed. This eminent scholar was no longer on the 'fast track‘ of Judaism. Instead, he was back home in Tarsus mending and making tents for a living. The hometown folks saw his unfulfilled promise and were probably daily reminders of his apparent fall from greatness. However, God put the next ten years Saul spent in Tarsus, to good use just as he does for us when we feel we have been put on the shelf and see little productivity in our lives. Scripture references: Acts 9:l -30, 11:22-26 and Galatians 1:14-2:1. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/03GoingHmeFce.mp3 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 16:39:00 -0500 no 00:06:20 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 04 - The Tangled Fishing Line [These thoughts were shared with the people of the Marysville Church of Christ March 26, 1995, the day before Dean Williams‘ funeral]. “Praise be to God who comforts us in all our trouble, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." We get ourselves in all sorts of messes- messes that at times seem so tangled and twisted that it feels like nothing we do will unsnarl the hopelessly tangled web we have created. We are backed into the corner with no where to turn, we think. But God is there with the ability and willingness to graciously intervene and again set things right in our lives! Scripture references: II Corinthians 1:3-5, II Corinthians 1:8-ll and II Timothy l:l2. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/04FishngLne.mp3 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 07:19:00 -0500 no 00:05:34 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 05 - The Torn Curtain The curtain in the tabernacle built by Moses and the temple built by Solomon was the dividing line between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place where God's presence was represented by the mercy seat resting on the ark of the covenant. Only the high priest bearing the blood of a sacrifice was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place, and that only once a year. The curtain separated the holy/sacred from the profane. Until Jesus' death (the force that ripped the curtain from top to bottom), humanity's relationship with God seemed formal, distant and fear inspiring. The curtain had been torn-- and that has all been changed!! Satan's best efforts to destroy Jesus (or at the very least keep him ‘bottled up‘ in heaven) has failed miserably and the torn remnants of that curtain is a triumphant reminder that heaven is in our midst! Scripture references: Matthew 27:50-51, Exodus 19:20-25, Exodus 26:33, Leviticus 16:1-34, Hebrews 9:11-14, 10:8-10, 19-23; Colossians1:21-22, II Corinthians 5:17-19, Gcnesis1:1-31, Acts 10:9-28, Acts 2:17-21, Revelation 21 :3, II Corinthians 6:16 and Ephesians 4:22-24. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/05TornCurtn.mp3 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 13:21:00 -0500 no 00:06:33 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 06 - Of Fish and Men For some reason we have problems with people who don‘t 'look like' us or don't fit in or seem flawed or imperfect. Like the fish in my childhood aquarium that picked at less healthy fish until they died, we often hassle, isolate or attempt to destroy those who don't conform to our ideas of what is ‘normal’ or acceptable. The disciples of Jesus displayed this same tendency of intolerance, but nothing could have prepared them for the ‘zinger’ Jesus lobbed at them. Scripture references: Mark 9:38, Romans 3:9-19, Romans 3:21-23, Galatians 5:15, Hebrews 12:12-13 and Matthew 12:20. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/06OfFshMen.mp3 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 12:03:00 -0500 no 00:06:02 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 07 - The Power of Naming [Confession] Humanity was originally created to have dominion over God's creation. The primary tool of this power? Naming! Ironically, the power extends beyond the created order over even our sins is rendered impotent until we begin to name/claim them as our own. This is called 'confession'. We are dominated by our sins to the extent that we refuse to 'name'/confess them. Power over our guilt before God 'kicks in' only when we begin to take responsibility for those sins. Scripture references: Genesis 2:19-20, Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 12:3, I John 1:7-10 and Romans 8:13-1?. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/07PwrOfNamng.mp3 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 06:25:00 -0500 no 00:06:27 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 08 - The Subtle(?) Miracle of Jesus' Death-[A short story] It is not in the living, but in the dying that the true mettle of a person is seen and known. This was especially clear to Longinus, the Roman Commander eventually charged by Pilate to execute a young rabbi from Galilee. He had been among the four other Centurions traveling from Ceasarea to bolster the contingent of Roman soldiers already entrenched in the Jewish city of Jerusalem. They would be needed to prevent or quell any disturbances among the Jews that might occur during the feast of the Passover, one of their most sacred celebrations of the year. This Jesus had caused quite a stir among both the common people and their leaders in his claim to be their long awaited Messiah who would usher in the kingdom of God. In little over three years, he had traveled throughout the land teaching an inward piety and accountability to a personal God, while his words of reform seemed to undermine and even run counter to the authority of the Jewish leaders. Were they not misrepresenting the God they claimed to faithfully serve. And Jesus backed up his claims, doing some amazing deeds which many claimed were miraculous. As a result, he had won the hearts of the common people wherever he went and cast doubt and suspicion among their leaders. Eventually the Pharisees and chief priests reached the mutual conclusion that something simply must be done--and quickly! Jesus' arrest and appearance before the high Jewish court, and later before Pilate and King Herod in the dead of night, was highly suspect. But the rulers among the Jews were pressing their agenda forward. Jesus was a menace to both the Jews and the Romans and he must die! And through every low-handed trick in the book and false accusations, they were able to manipulate and maneuver Pilate, Rome's representative in Jerusalem into the untenable position which made Jesus' death feel like the only reasonable option. And so here was Longinus and his contingent of solders at the place of the skull, carrying out the orders of Pilate in putting Jesus' to death on a Roman cross. This was not an uncommon experience at all for him and his men since they had presided over many crucifixions like this one before. And yet from the very beginning, he was quickly finding out that nothing about this crucifixion was normal or routine at all! Scripture references; John 7:32-46, Matthew 26:57-27:54, Luke 22:54-23:47 and John 18:12-19:30. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/08SubtlMirJesDeath.mp3 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 20:51:00 -0500 no 00:23:48 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 09 - The Power of Divine Acceptance "l have some good and some bad news." A statement such as this and the immediate typical response is to warily await the anticipated ‘punch-line‘ of a bad joke where everything eventually tips in favor of the ‘bad news’. Jesus confronted a Samaritan woman with a similar scenario, but unlike the usual outcome of such a combination, though the ‘bad news' had been clearly brought out into the open, the ‘good news' of the promised living water far outweighed the bad news of her notoriously sinful life. Even though she had been 'found out' by Jesus, for the first time in her life, she was released from her sordid past and experienced life as God had intended it all along. Scripture references: John 4:1 -42. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/09PwrDivneAccpt.mp3 Sat, 18 Jan 2014 12:21:00 -0500 no 00:07:06 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 10 - The Divine Power of Acceptance Though we don't have a clue what became of the man that was involved, the woman caught in this very act of adultery was dragged into the temple courts before the eminent rabbi known as Jesus. The Pharisees felt they had the 'perfect' setup to entrap Jesus. Being quite aware that He had been ‘spouting off‘ about mercy, compassion and forgiveness for weeks now, the time had come to see just what He would have them do with this guilty woman! Moses had made it clear that such a violation of God's law which this woman had obviously broken, should have meant certain death. There was no 'wiggle room' for Jesus to avoid condemning her to death. They finally had Him!--Or did they’? Scripture references: John 8:1-I 1. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/10DivnePwrAccpt.mp3 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 15:44:00 -0500 no 00:05:11 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 11 - "Are You Interested in Genealogy?" Researching one's family history, though a lot of hard work, can be fun--that is, until a real 'stinker' turns up. Who really wishes for family connections to the likes of a Charles Manson or Benedict Arnold? Because family relationships are set for life (we have no choice), sometimes we become very uncomfortable with those connections that we cannot control or change. The Apostle John stated: "Our fellowship [relationship] is with the Father and with his Son..... We have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin." Scripture references; I John 1:3-7, John 1:13 and John 3:5-8. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/11InterstedGen.mp3 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:35:00 -0500 no 00:05:27 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 12 - Interpreting Paul by Jesus Usually the best way to learn st new task or job is to observe someone else doing it. For some reason, reading a job description or "assembly instructions" can leave us with wrong impressions, not always because of inaccurate information, but often ‘because of our inability to accurately understand them. Jesus came for the purpose of ‘fleshing out‘ in His person and life how he wants us to live out our lives for Him. It is our sole responsibility as His "learners" (disciples) to intently study how He lived, so that we might learn1 how to live well. Scripture references; II Corinthians 6:16b-l8, II Corinthians 6:14, Luke 7:36-40, John 3:1-2, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 6:33, II Corinthians 6:15-I6, l Corinthians 3:5-9, Hebrews I2:2-3, I John 2:6 and II Corinthians 5:21. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/12InterpPaulJes.mp3 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 17:35:00 -0500 no 00:11:58 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 13 - "Some Said it Thundered!" So often we have missed the very clear or obvious. Once, in the midst of a teaching session, God spoke directly from heaven; responding to a brief moment of prayer from Jesus. Most of the people who were assembled with Jesus, missed it. They dismissed it as the distant rumbling of thunder or the musings of an angelic being. Often we hear only what we want. The art of accurate hearing/listening must be carefully cultivated lest we miss the quiet and often subtle voice of God speaking to us in His word and through the circumstances and lives of those who rub shoulders with us each day. Scripture references; John 12:27-32, Mark 4:23, Luke 8:18, l Kings 19:11-13 and Revelation 22:17. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/13SomeSdThnder.mp3 Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:00:00 -0500 no 00:05:07 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 14 - "I Believe, Help My Unbelief!" A father brought his son to Jesus. He had been driven to despair because the child had been severely afflicted with an unclean spirit from early childhood, The attempts of the disciples to cast out the demon ended in futility. Once the man had finally gotten his son before Jesus, the cry of the father responding to Jesus was astounding: “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” This heart cry of a broken father for his child captures so well what it means to be human before God. Scripture references; Mark 9:14-Z7, v.24 and Luke 22:31-34. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/14IBelHlpUnBelf.mp3 Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:11:00 -0500 no 00:03:59 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 15 - The Tension Between Grace and Truth For people who seek to retain a strong sense of integrity in their lives, the temptation to cal1 ‘a spade a spade‘ is intense. How can a person ‘shoot straight' with people in all honesty and still retain a sense of gracious gentleness? Relationships are important- even the ones we may deem to be less than desirable or important to us. Imagine how difficult it must have been for the perfect Son of God to come to earth and live among grossly ‘less-than-perfect' humans like ourselves. How was it He was it possible for Him to consistently 'grace' the lives of people who rubbed shoulders with Him from day to tiny’? Scripture references; Matthew 11:16~l 9, John 1:14, II Peter 1:3-8, Ephesians 4:15 and Romans 12:17-21. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/15TensnBetwnGrTr.mp3 Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:07:00 -0500 no 00:06:36 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 16 - Gospel Serum The Apostle Paul was transparent proclaimer of the Gospel. ‘Even though he claimed to be an official representative Jesus Christ not in the least inferior to the most prominent Apostles or leaders of Christ's body, he quite openly confessed that he did not deserve that high calling. He said; "By the grace of God I am what I am." Paul didn't stop there either. In Romans 7: Paul listed his many human frailties and inadequacies. He described a person full of confusion, self-contradiction, despair and helplessness. Despite the risks he took in disclosing who he really was, he knew other believers needed a sense of encouragement and hope that the Gospel serum would provide. Scripture references; II Corinthians 11:21-29, vs.11-13, Philippians 3:4-7, I Corinthians 15:9-11 and Romans7:14-25. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/16GosSerum.mp3 Sun, 12 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:08:58 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 17 - Just What is it God Wants, Anyway? What does God want from us anyway‘? To what extremes must we go to secure God's favor‘? Often we impose upon ourselves and others, endless lists and rules that must be done to please God. We have to do better or try harder or jump through all sorts of hoops until finally we are completely overwhelmed and defeated. Paul makes it clear in his letter to the Philippians that the Lord wants only of us today what we are able to give him today whether it is large or small. Abraham's experience with God from the very beginning of his sojourn on to its end may be a blessing in helping us understand and "taste that the Lord is good" as we walk along in the path of our lives. Scripture references; Micah 6:6-8, Philippians 3:15-16, Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 22:1-l9, Psalm 34:8, Revelation 3:20, John 16:12 and Matthew 11:28-30. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/17WhGdWntAnywy.mp3 Sat, 11 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:11:05 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 18 - The Kingdom is Here-- Change! Despite the reality that significant character change in our lives seems to be completely beyond our reach as humans, Jesus demanded that people who would he His disciples must change; “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This was the constant theme in both John the baptist and Jesus‘ ministries. Is this an unreasonable and unrealistic demand? How is this to be accomplished so that Christ might be honored and lifted up in our lives‘? Scripture references; Romans 7:I4-24, 8:1-17, Matthew 3:2, Mark 1:14-15, Romans 12:2, Acts 11:18 and Romans 12:1. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/18KgdmHereChng.mp3 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:09:18 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 19 - Heart Disobedience The two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu were priests in the newly established tabernacle, a sort of transportable place of worship that the people of lsrael were to resort to while they travelled in the wilderness between Egypt and Palestine. As priests, their duties included the daily burning of incense in the holy place of this sacred tent. Unfortunately they deviated from the prescribed practice of obtaining fire from the altar of burnt ofl'ering to perform this rite instead., they used "unauthorized fire" and were immediately consumed by fire sent from God. It seems the idea that God would not tolerate the slightest variation from what He commanded in the law of Moses is so obvious. However, the story which Leviticus 10: recounts, did not end with Nadab and Abihu. The other two sons of Aaron (Eleazer and Ithamar) were also priests in the tabernacle and they too had violated the law, but the outcome was completely different. The quality of the hearts involved seems to be likely the key element of distinction between the two sets of brothers. Scripture references Leviticus 10:1-5, 6:24-29, 10:12~20, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 12:3-4, Acts13:22 and Matthew 15:7. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/19HrtDisObdnce.mp3 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:11:57 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 20 - Hezekiah's Gift-[a short story] Shimea, a sheep herder from the Northern kingdom of Israel learned of the invitation of Hezekiah, the young ruler of Israels Southern neighbor and rival nation of Judah, from a courier traveling north through the land. Ignoring the decades of hatred and hostility, the young king welcomed everyone from the North to come to Jerusalem to the newly refurbished temple to share in celebrating a special feast called the Passover. At first Shimea thought it absolutely ludicrous to entertain any thought of travel1ing such a distance to a foreign land into the midst of the enemy. However, as he heard the other shepherds speak derisively of Hezekiah and his invitation, it was as if a great fire had been kindled in his heart and be knew that he and his family must make this trip to the South! Who could have imagined the tremendous gift Hezekiah unwittingly had given to Shimea and the others from the North? They anxiously travelled the distance to offer worship, with their alienated brothers in the South, to the ‘Fear Jacob‘. Scripture references; Psalm 123:1-8, The Septuagint Version. Greek and English, p.776 http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/20HezGift.mp3 Wed, 08 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:40:08 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 21 - Heart Obedience Our God has never demanded cold-- methodical conformity or compliance to His commands from us humans. We couldn't comp1y with all of them even if He had! Our best efforts to please Him will always fall flat on its face and that and because of the limitations of our humanity. Two women at different times in Jesus‘ ministry went to great expense in their attempts to honor Him. Unlike Abraham, who had a good understanding of what Gad wanted from him, these two women with their limited knowledge, did only what they thought might please God by anointing Jesus' body with jars of expensive perfume. Jesus was pleased. Scripture references;Romans 3:23, Luke 10:25-28, Luke 7:36-50, Mark 14:3-9, Galatians 3:9, Genesis 22:1-4, Hebrews I1:7, Genesis 22:9-12, Romans 4:16 and Luke 8:15. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/21HrtObdnce.mp3 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:07:22 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 22 - “Tell Me; Is it from God or Man?” Jesus has always had a way of challenging people's thinking. On one occasion He asked about the authority of John the baptizer had in demanding that people he baptized. He asked the Jewish teachers of the law; "John's baptism-was it from heaven, or from men?" These teachers, feeling the ‘heat’,replied, "We don't know!" In like manner. people today are confronted as well with Jesus and His expectations in regard to baptism.Jesus and the writers of Scripture definitely had some things to say about it. From Jesus’ perspective,where does baptism fit in? "Tell me, is it from God or man?" Scripture references;Mark I l:27-33, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-I6, Ephesians 2:8-10, Mark 1:4-5 and John 4:1-2, Acts 19:1-7 (also note Colossians 2:12 and Romans 1:3-4), I Peter 3:21 [KJV], Romans 6: 1-7, Colossians 3:9-11 and I Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27, Philippians 1:20-21, Romans 6:17-18, Luke 7:29-30 and Acts 2:41. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/22TellFrGdMn.mp3 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:09:11 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 23 - Religion; An Enemy of Christ? Religion is our intense effort to be good enough for God. However, the Gospel which is the message of what God has and is doing for us through Christ Jesus, makes it clear that our best efforts will always miss the mark of God's perfection. Religion can be useful when it urges us to move ever forward toward God and His Christ. It becomes a crutch-or worse--a substitute for God when devotion to it obscures our vision of Christ and encourages us to cling to it for our source of security. strength and identity. Scripture references; Luke 5:27-32, Romans 8:1-4, Luke 9:49-50. Philippians 3:12-16, Luke 17:7-10, John 15:5, James 1:27 and Hebrews 12:2. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/23ReligEnmyChr.mp3 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:08:56 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 24 - The God of Life It may be surprising, but the God of heaven is not primarily a God of ‘the churches' so much as He is the God of life- of relationships with individual people. Yahweh God establishes covenants (relationships) with flesh and blood people, not inanimate, cold and unfeeling institutions. God established His covenant with the nation of Israel, but that relationship was sustained and maintained though a willingness to be in relationship with Him and the responsible behavior of the individuals belonging to it. The circumstances surrounding Achan in Joshua 7: point to the truth of that reality. Scripture references: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Genesis 17:1-2, Genesis 28:13-15, Genesis 28:17-22, Joshua 7:1-26,John 10:10,I Timothy 6:19,Ephesians 5:23, Matthew 18:20, I John 1:6-9 and II Corinthians 5:10. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/24GdofLfe.mp3 Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:07:46 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 25 - Israel's Idolatry; And Our Own Israel's first experiences with Moses' God. the God of heaven, proved to be more than they felt they could bear. To provide themselves with a safe buffer. Aaron, who was Moses‘ brother, cast a golden calf idol for them to worship. We all seek to be insulated from the intensity of close encounters with God. We desire a controllable level of involvement with God.A keen sense of relationship without the responsibility is what we want. Like the people of Israel, we use the 'things' in our lives as substitutes for God. They provide intense feelings and sensations without the intensity of relationship. Scripture references;Exodus 12:3l-14:31, Exodus 19:14-20,Exodus 20:19, Psalm 115:1-8, Jeremiah 3:24 and Psa1m 106:37-38. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/25IsrIdolOurOwn.mp3 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:08:28 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 26 - Knowing Who We Are At Jesus' baptism, the Spirit had descended and the Father proclaimed from heaven; "You are my Son .... With you I am well pleased." Jesus was thus armed with this affirmation from the Father as satan attacked His sense of identity in the wilderness--and that made all the difference in the world! As satan questioned His identity (“If you are the Son of God…."), Jesus was unmoved because He knew who He was! Is this one of the primary reasons we have such difficulty dealing with satan and sin in our lives? How would the affirmation ofGod's Spirit. in our hearts that we are His beloved sons and daughters affect our warfare with satan? Would the fact that our identity is secure before God. Our Father have any effect in our resistance against satan and his assault upon us?Would it be even profound and earth-shaking to us? Scripture references; I John 2:16.Matthew 4:1-I1. John 13:1-5, Matthew3:l3-17, Mark1:9-13,I John 4:4, Genesis 1:27, II Peter 1:3-8, Luke 18:9-14, John 3:1-8, II Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:15-17, I John 1:7-10, II Corinthians 3:8, Colossians 3:9-10, Philippians 4:13, 1 John 3:1-3 and Isaiah 26:3. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/26KnwngWhoAre.mp3 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:08:44 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 27 - "Who Can Forgive Sins But God?" Were the teachers of the law right?They had heard Jesus with their own ears forgive a man who was paralyzed.And then saw Jesus restore strength to his legs so that he could get up and walk.The experts in the law were probably right--only God had both the power and ability to forgive sins, and they accused Jesus of blasphemy.Jesus responded to their rebuke by simply asking the question; “Which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say 'Take up your bed and walk'? Forgiveness is n divine tool which has the power to renew and revitalize relationships that have become old, stale: and broken through wear and tear. Scripture references: Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 18:21-22 and II Corinthians 5:l6-2l. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/27WhoForgveSinsGd.mp3 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:07:07 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 28 - Immanuel, "God with Us" Jesus has always confronted people with the reality of who he is. Who did He claim to be? Did His life buck up His claims?Was He a liar and a cheat; a deceiver, who drew thousands into His fantastic schemes?Was He honestly deluded into thinking He was more than he was?Was he simply a great teacher or philosopher? Who did people who rubbed shoulders with Him daily, think He was? They, after all, were really in the best position to know. They saw Him, heard Him and touched Him for over three years. Scripture references; Matthew 16:13-17, John 1:1-4, 14, I John 1:l-4, John 8:48-59, II John 7, John 2:13-16, Hebrews 4:15, II Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 2:5-8, Galatians 3;13-14 and Psalm 23:4-6[a paraphrase]. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/28ImmanGdWthUs.mp3 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:09:50 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 29 - ‘Fellow Boating’ Whether we want to admit it or not, we are all ‘fellows in the some boat‘. No matter how careful! or precise we attempt to be, our humanity guarantees it.And so do the Scriptures; "'There is no one righteous, not even one‘ -so that every mouth may be silenced ... and held accountable to God." We attempt to distract each other from our own imperfections and failures by pointing the finger at others. Ultimately, however, God is not distracted and we can only deceive ourselves for just so long. We need a Savior and a Deliverer.He has come in the person of Jesus Christ and he places us 'fellows' in the same boat of redemption, empowerment and confidence in Him. Scripture references; James 2:8-9,Romans 3:4-9, James 2:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 7:24-8:4, Ephesians 2:14-18, Romans 3:21-22 and I John 1:7. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/29FellwBoatng.mp3 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:09:50 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 30 - An Improbable Longing How frustrated and defeated Moses must have felt as the people of Israel who had only recently been powerfully delivered from their bondage under Pharaoh, incessantly whined and complained to Him. He felt all alone as if he had single-handedly brought this huge company of people out of Egypt. Even though seventy elders had been empowered by God to help him, he expressed a desire that all of God's people would live in the power of God‘s Spirit. As outlandish as this might have seemed, it was exactly what Yahweh God intended with His new covenant in Christ. He has written it upon every heart with his Spirit. Scripture references; Numbers 11:4-6, 4-I5, 16-17, 24-30, Joel 2:28-32, Jeremiah 31:31-34, II Corinthians 3:3, I John 2:20-27, Romans 8:26-27, John 6:45 and Luke 6:39-45. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/30ImprobleLgng.mp3 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:13:02 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 31 - The Offspring of God In Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost Following Jesus‘ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all people. A completely new era or world had come in which Yahweh God through His Spirt invaded the world for everyone’s good. The Spirit continued Christ‘s indiscriminate work of blessing all people of all nations regardless of who they were. The Apostle Paul affirmed the truth of a quote from a pagan poet who declared that we are the offspring of God. It is critical that the gift of God's Spirit be accepted within, lest His anger be incurred and we be destroyed in our way (Psalm 2:12). Scripture references: Acts 2:1-3. 16-21. 36-41. John 3:1-5. l4:l6-20. Acts I7: 27-31. Matthew 5:45, Luke I5:2 [KJV], Matthew 11:18:19, Mark 12:l3-I4, John 14:16-19, Psalm 139:7-12, Acts 7:51 , James 4:l~6 and I John 3:1-3. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/31OffSprngGd.mp3 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:11:45 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 32 - The Man Without a Party Jeans didn't fit! He was not a party man and He seemed to have the closest affinity to people who were outcasts and outsiders. Jesus connected them to Himself and His heavenly Father. The attempts of His disciples to make Jesus ‘respectable’ by putting Him into a well defined religious 'box' were continually thwarted by Jesus. He would not be limited to the confines of one religious system or another. And He came to deliver those who would Follow Him, not only from their hopeless sinfulness, but also from the tyranny of religious thinking and living. He would have us also to become a people 'without a party' 1ike Himself. Scripture references; John 7:46, 18:37, Matthew 22:15-I6, Luke 9:58, Hebrews 13:11-12, John 8:, 4:, 9:, 9:35-38, Matthew18:20, Luke 9:51-55, 49-50, I Corinthians l:10-I3, 3:5-8. Ephesians 1:10. 2:14-18 and Hebrews 13:12-13. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/32ManWthoutPrty.mp3 Thu, 26 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:13:02 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 33 - "What is Truth?" Like Pilate who was confronted and wrestled with the very nature of truth, so must we. Is truth relative--something subject to manipulation or modification according to our wants or supposed needs? Or is it an inflexible reality? Jesus, who is our standard to measure and define what truth or reality is, has never changed. He is constant. Only by seeing life through His eyes and according to His perceptions, can we experience a sense of stability that is less and less effected by the mere whims of the unprincipled human heart. ‘You will know the truth--the truth that will set you free.' Scripture references; John 18:33-38, 19:12-16, Matthew 27:24-26, John 12:1-8, Matthew 26:6-13, Matthew 16:25, John l4:16, II Peter 3:8, I Corinthians 8:1, John 8:31-32, 36, II Timothy3:7 and Colossians 2:17. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/33WhIsTrth.mp3 Wed, 25 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:11:42 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 34 - "They Understood the Times" Shortly after King Saul's untimely death, more and more people of the nation of Israel abandoned the rule of his son, Ish-Bosheth in favor of David's fledgling kingdom. Among them were 200 leaders of the tribe of Issachar "who understood the times and knew what Israel should do." Their allegiance to God was unquestioned, but their loyalty to King Saul and his house, they finally realized, had been misguided. God wanted them to turn from the one kingdom to another. These men of foresight, faith. courage, wisdom and discernment came to understand what was important and real—what should be kept and what had to be released. They came to clearly see the path that must be taken. Today, the 'times' arc constantly shifting and thus people who have 'the Issacha revision' are of immeasurable value to the Kingdom of God. and his truth must never change though our understanding and perceptions of those realities may. Scripture references; II Samuel 3:1, I Chronicles 12:32, Matthew 3:2 and 4:17. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/34ThyUndrstdTmes.mp3 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:09:09 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 35 - Friendly Fire Isn’t Friendly! It is a universal reality—we humans do not have a good grasp of what it takes to live in peace with each other. ‘Friendly fire’ occurs when people who are mistakenly identified and attacked as the enemy though they are not. It is not limited to the battlefield and there is certainly nothing 'friendly' about it! It happens way too often that people whom God recognizes as His own become the victims of fellow believers. They are viewed and treated as if they are the enemy-as if they are the devil incarnate. Our spiritual warfare is to be carried on against the real enemy whom Paul in his letter to the Ephesians identifies as satan. Is it possible to target satan without also targeting his victims? Is there any way to distinguish and separate the two? Putting on the mind of Christ seems to be a key element in successfully opposing satan and his schemes without also being guilty of ‘friendly fire‘ on those for whom Christ died. Scripture references; Romans 3:17, 1 Timothy 6:12, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Peter 5:8-9. Jude 22- 23, John 16:l-2, Mark 9:38-41, James l:20. Ephesians 6:10-18, Hebrews 4:12-I3, Colossians 4:6, II Corinthians 10:3-6, Philippians 2:1-5, Luke 6:31 and Isaiah 2:3-5. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/35FrndlyFreNtFrdly.mp3 Mon, 23 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:13:27 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 36 - "I Am Too Sacred for You!" The Pharisees, who exercised extreme care in strict adherence to the finer points of Moses' law and the traditions of the fathers, tended to be presumptuous, arrogant and self-righteous. They considered themselves to be God's gift to humanity!'! They displayed an arrogance that revealed a contempt for the very holiness that belonged to God and those who seek to walk after Him. This holiness of heart profoundly effected how one behaved. Though the common people generally held the Pharisees in very high regard, Jesus stripped away the veneer of their presumed holiness and uprightness, and exposed them for what they were-- sinners in need of the deliverance and righteousness that only God could bestow upon them through His Christ. Scripture references; Romans 2:17-24, Luke 18:9-I2, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 23:1-4, Matthew 21:28-32, Isaiah 65:1 -5, Isaiah 66:1-2, Psalm 34:18, Matthew 21:43-44 and Luke 18:l3-I4. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/36TooScrdForYou.mp3 Sun, 22 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:08:00 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 37 - Anonymous Servanthood The brothers of Jesus, who at first did not believe His claim to be God's Messiah, suggested that if He were to get any notoriety as a Rabbi, He needed more publicity. He had to get out into the open, mingle among the people and the 'press the flesh‘. But Jesus‘ style should have precluded that anyone outside of Palestine should know who He was. He shunned the limelight and, in fact, encouraged people not to publicize the marvelous deeds He had done and the gracious words He had spoken. And yet He has become one of the most well known persons of history, and that, without any of the common efforts that humans exert to become well known among people. Jesus attempted to maintain a 'low‘ profile and He encourages those who would follow alter Him to adopt that same style that we might call 'anonymous servanthood.' Scripture references; John 7:3-5, Mark l:40-45, Mark 5:21-24, vs.35-43, John 5:30, Luke 18:35-43. Luke 10:25-37, Mathew 25:3I-46, Matthew 7:2l-23 [KJV], Luke l3:20~21, 1 Corinthians 15:58 and Matthew 6:1-6. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/37AnonymsSrvnthd.mp3 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:08:46 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 38 - Old Way of the Written Code Jeremiah the prophet, anticipated a time when those who walked after God would not be treated as slaves or little children whose every action are closely watched, supervised and regulated. There would come a time when a new covenant/relationship was to be established that naturally engendered life and freedom instead of death, fear, restraint and limitation. Because Jesus has done for us what we never could or would, the constant pressure for us to ‘perform' [function] perfectly for him is no longer a part of our lives. We no longer feel compelled to serve Him out of obligation or duty to some law or rule with the dread of dire consequences looming over our heads if we fail to comply completely. Instead, we are free to love and serve Him with our whole being out of gratitude to Him, according to the very best of our ability. We have been set free from the 'old way of the written code to serve in a completely new way--the new way of the Spirit. Scripture references; Isaiah 9:2-7, Jeremiah 31:3l-34, II Corinthians 3:3-6. Luke 5:33-36, James 2:10. Romans 7:12-14, Galatians 3:21-24, Galatians 2:l4-21, Romans 7:6, 8:1-8. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/38OldWayLaw.mp3 Fri, 20 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:10:43 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 39 - Fighting the Madness with Madness It was madness for Vedran Smailovic to play a cello on the streets of war-ravaged Sarajevo while bullets whistled by and bombs dropped all around him. But it was a madness borne of sadness, sorrow, despair and even courage and love that compelled him to risk his life. It would not change what had happened in that city--it would not bind the wounds, stop the violence, eliminate the hatred or feed the hungry. But the madness and futility of war had to be answered and Vedran chose tn respond with madness itself! The war we have been caught up in with satan is beyond intelligent understanding. He is intent on disrupting and destroying all of our relationships--with God, each other, our environment and even our own selves! It is madness! And the response seems to be as crazy and mad as the conflict itself! Scripture references; Philippians 2:1-5, Romans 12:3-13, Mark 3:20-21, Luke 12:47-53. II Corinthians 9:7-8, 5:13-I5 and 10:2-5. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/39FghtMdnss.mp3 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:10:53 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 40 - ‘Cookie Cutter’ Christians or the New Creation? We may not like it, but kingdom people are hardly ever going la look like each other—certainly not like 'us'. They will be as diverse as the fish that may be caught in a large net that has been lowered into the sea and is pulled along in the water. The message of the Gospel in its very nature has a universal and cross-cultural appeal. People who respond to it will bring with them into the kingdom the whole 'bag' of realities that define who they are-- both the essential and incidental. The truly astonishing and wonderful thing: is that our Lord accepts and uses what we bring to Him and transforms these worthless trinkets into qualities. vessels and tools of honor, beauty and usefulness in His kingdom. In the midst of our diversity, the great God of heaven molds us into the image of His Son without destroying the essence of who we are! Scripture references; Matthew l3:47-57, Philippians 2:1-5, Acts 2l:l7-26, Acts l5:l-11, Romans l4:1-6, I Corinthians 11:17-33, Judel2, Revelation 5:9-10, 11 Corinthians l2:7-10, Colossians 3:7-11, Galatians 3:26-28, II Corinthians 5:11-18, Galatians 6:15, Colossians 3:l2-15 and Galatians 3:21‘. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/40CookieCtterChris.mp3 Wed, 18 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:12:02 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 41 - Living in the ‘Here-and-Now’ Long before Jesus' late arrival following the death of His good friend, Lazarus, the same tortured thought had been tumbling inside the heart of both sisters of the dead man. How many times in the last three or four days had they rehearsed it to each other before Jesus came? At last He was there and that anguished lament gushed forth: “Jesus, If only you had arrived sooner, your dear friend, Lazarus would still be alive!” Both Mary and Martha were focused on either the past (if only) or the future (I know in the last day he will live again). In an amazing manner, Jesus brought them both back to the present reality where life ultimately must be lived--I am the resurrection and the life... … And in a matter of moments, Jesus' words rang true for them as never before! Scripture references; John 11:1-44. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/41LvngHereNw.mp3 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:04:37 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 42 - The DNA of the Gospel-The Mount Sermon The Mount Sermon (Sermon on the Mount), being foundational for the Christian faith, could easily be thought of as the DNA of the gospel. All basic doctrines and themes of Jesus Christ and His kingdom message though perhaps not specifically mentioned, are there encapsulated in the great principles Jesus expressed in this lesson. A friend of mine once said; “Anyone who reads the Sermon on the Mount and comes away unaffected or with a smug attitude, has either misread or completely misunderstood it's intent.” Jesus' words are not merely a series of sublime or fine sounding principles. They are to be learned and heeded! And once a person understands the total impossibility of what is expected, this sermon directs him or her to the only One who can make it all possible—Jesus, the Master and Christ of God! Scripture references; Matthew 5:-7:, Luke 9:23-25,Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 6:30, Matthew 3:2, 4:17 and 10:7, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 5:3-6, Matthew 5:7-12, Matthew 5:7-12 and Matthew 5:3-4. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/42DNAofGosMtSrmon.mp3 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:07:36 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 43 - What's an Elephant Like? The students from a school for the blind just returning from a petting zoo where they had experienced what an elephant was like, came away with a vague notion, but no one student had the complete picture. Each student had touched different parts of the elephant (the legs, side, trunk, etc.). And so the students individually offered a very limited understanding of an elephant. Taken together, their perceptions offered a better, but still incomplete comprehension. Our complete understanding of truth/reality, both individually and collectively is always going to be limited and to some degree, even skewed. Only the omniscient God understands all things absolutely and entirely. He alone is the Master of reality. It is essential, however, for everyone of us to understand how vitally important it is to be willing to communicate with each other what we have learned about life while also understanding that the things we mutually learn from each other is not enough! Unless we permit all of what we glean from each other to be tempered by what our Heavenly Father wants to reveal to us, we will become just as limited and short sighted as those students from the school for the blind were in their understanding of what an elephant is like! Scripture references: Acts 17:27-28, Acts 8:26-38, Acts 18:24-28, Luke 6:39-40, John 6:45, II Corinthians 3:14-16, II Corinthians 3:17-18, Acts 17:10-12 and II Corinthian 4:6. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/43WhsElephntLke.mp3 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:12:20 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 44 - The Living Word When it comes to dealing with the living God, the Creator of the universe, all peoples everywhere tend to 'shrink' back or withdraw to a perceived 'safer' distance. Fear is usually the norm and so there are all sorts of techniques to avoid getting too close. The people of Israel retreated from close proximity to Moses' God after He had rescued them from Egyptian slavery and abuse for hundreds of years. It was simply mind boggling! Instead, they chose to ask Moses to deal directly with Yahweh God for them in receiving His commands and teaching. As these statutes and commands from God became a sacred book designed to point the people to the God who longed to nurture and love them, the people of Israel instead came to substitute their relationship with Him in favor of a relationship with this sacred book. And the resulting effects became devastating. A sacred book could never do for the people what a sacred person could. But so long as the people used the Scriptures to shield themselves from God instead of drawing them closer to Him, they would never truly see what life was about and the up close and personal relationship they could have had with Yahweh. The Scriptures accomplish their purpose when they successfully introduce us to the Living Word of God who is the perfect and full expression of the living God: “the Immanuel” who is “God with us.” Scripture references; John 9:39-40, John 5:16, Exodus 19:16-19, Exodus 19:12-13, Exodus 20:18-19, John 9:1-41, John 9:28-29, John 5:45-47, Matthew 13:13-17, I Peter 1:10-12, II Timothy 3:10-17, Romans 10:4, Galatians 3:23-25, Hebrews 7:17-22, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 2:9-10, John 20:30-31, John 21:24-25, John 1:29, John 1:1-5,14 and John 12:20-22. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/44LvngWd.mp3 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:15:03 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 45 - A New Beginning for an Old Man--The New Birth The new birth is about a new beginning and for an old man like Nicodemus, this was a hard pill to swallow. He was now a respected leader, a teacher of the law among the people of Israel. You would think he would be well acquainted with what Jesus was telling him, but apparently he didn't have a clue. Jesus had said; “You must be born again into the kingly rule”(kingdom). This was to be a spiritual birth in contrast to the natural birth that all who are alive experience: “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit--You must be born again.” It is interesting to me that Jesus compares the spiritual birth into the kingdom to the physical birth into this world. There are some valid comparisons to be made. And whether we be seasoned scholars like Nicodemus, or novices to the ways of God, it is vital that we like him, come to sit at the feet of the Master of life to learn all we can about the Life that Jesus gives--the abundant life! Scripture references; John 3:1-15, I John 5:6-8, Acts 26:14, Acts 9:1-19, James 2:14-19, Hebrews 11:6, Mark 16:16, John 1:10-13, Luke 8:4-15, Romans 6:1-7, John 19:38-42. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/45NwBegnningFrOldMn.mp3 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:14:11 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 46 - "You Have Made Them Equal to Us!" The big emphasis we hear now days is: “Equality--We want everyone to be equal!!” We say we want to have a level 'playing field', but we don't, not really. We want to be MORE equal. We actually want a 'leg up' on everyone else. This was the same reality manifesting itself among the disciples of Jesus who were constantly arguing among themselves as to who would be the greatest in Jesus' kingdom. The mother of James and John attempted to arrange the top two slots beside Jesus among His disciples, for her own two sons. And the other followers of Jesus were absolutely livid with her and James and John. I suspect their indignation had more to do with the fact that they themselves had been 'trumped'--beat out by a woman! Any one of them would have jumped at the chance to occupy that coveted position. Like the disciples, we want to be 'first', and detest sharing that position with anyone else who fails to measure up to our standards of what people should be in the sight of God. Like the Pharisees who withheld religious acceptance to anyone who failed to keep the law as fastidiously as they, we withhold any semblance of acceptance to people who cannot measure up to our level of devotion and faithfulness to God. But Jesus told the story of the workman in the vineyard to deal with such an elitist attitude that really isn't that uncommon among believers. The bottom line is that God has made us equal to each other in a world where nothing is equal! Scripture references; Matthew 20:20-28, Matthew 19:30-20:16, Luke 18:10-14, Matthew 21:28-32, Matthew 21:33-45, Matthew 8:5-13, Romans 14:1-15:13 and Matthew 20:27-28. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/46YouHveMdeEqualUs.mp3 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:11:10 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 47 - “Who is My Neighbor?”d If we were to ask the same question the expert of the law asked Jesus, like him, we might use it as a subterfuge to avoid the responsibility of caring for others. It is all too easy to constantly look around for victims to help who only match up closely with the one in Jesus‘ story only to shrug our shoulders in resignation (actually. with a sense of relief) when we fail to find one who really fits the description. However, on this occasion, Jesus refused to answer the lawyer's question. Instead, He turned everything on its ear by changing the question. To paraphrase it, Jesus asked; "Who was this man's neighbor-who helped him?" And He asks the some question today; “To whom are you being neighbor?" That transforms the whole focus of the search! Instead of looking out around us, we are compelled to look deeply within so as to flush out the true motives for how we conduct ourselves among others--especially those who have become the victimized by life. Scripture references: Luke 10:25-37' and Philippians 2:4. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/47WhoMyNeighbr.mp3 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:05:29 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 48 - Bound by Love Almost invariably the uppermost things that come into the mind of someone coming to the end of his/her life are what are considered the most important. And so Jesus who “... knew that the time had come for him to leave the world and go to the Father... [and]... having loved his own who were in the world.., showed them the full extent of his love.” After washing the feet of His disciples and offering the 'sop' to Judas, Jesus prayed what is known as His high priestly prayer. In part, He said, “I pray... for those who believe me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you... so that the world may believe that you have sent me.... May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me...“ It was completely clear to Jesus that the success of His message to the world depended entirely on how seriously His followers took the number one reality of God: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God... is one.” It is a sad commentary that for the most part, strategies among believers, to keep unity and harmony have more frequently failed than succeeded. The key, of course to all of this is love which we are totally unable to manufacture in our relationships with each other. It comes when we make ourselves available as open vessels to receive the love that our Lord pours into us through His Spirit, for the fruit of the Spirit is love! Scripture references; John 13:1-5, John 17:20-26, Deuteronomy 6:1, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:3, Matthew 10:34-39, Jude 3-4, Romans 16:17-19, Titus 3:9-11, John 16:7-11, I John 1:1-10, Ephesians 4:3-6, Colossians 3:12-15, Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:1-2, John 11:52, Romans 5:5, Song of Solomon 8:6-7 and Philippians 1:27. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/48BoundByLve.mp3 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:12:29 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 49 - A Place of Refuge We all need a place where we can retreat-a place of safety, rest and even refuge from the turmoil, hassles and dangers of the world 'out there.' And just like the guilty among Israel needed cities of refuge in Palestine, places where they could flee to be safe from the 'avenger', we too have that kind of a need. We long for a 'safe place' from life's brutal dangers and realities--because life itself often has a way of sucking the very life out of life. And it doesn't help that the people we often depend on the most, turn out to make life even more difficult for us. Jesus saw this in His day as He walked the congested streets of Jerusalem and the dusty roads of Palestine. He saw the crowds... [and] had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Though we cannot deny out guilt (we too are responsible for the death of the Lamb of God), we need a place of rest and shelter in a dangerous and imperfect world that demands its 'pound of flesh', but Jesus still beckons to us to come to Him all of us who are weary and burdened with toil and worry, for He is gentle and humble in heart and will provide rest for our souls. Scripture references; Numbers 35:6-28, Matthew 11:28-30, I Samuel 22:1-2, I Samuel 23:14-18, Matthew 9:35-37, Matthew 23:1-4, Mark 4:30-34, I Timothy 6:5-6, Matthew 11:12, Luke 16:13-17, Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 9:51-55, Matthew 10:16, Matthew 18:19-20 and Ezekiel 34:1-31. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/49PlceRefge.mp3 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:12:43 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 50 - Truth is Always True Truth is no respecter of persons. Just because someone happens to be an underhanded unscrupulous scoundrel does not mean that some of what he says may very well be true. It was the case with Caiaphas, who spoke the truth about Jesus' sacrificial death even though, as high priest, he helped make Jesus' death possible. The truth comes in many different ways from many diverse sources. The Psalmist said that even “the heavens declare the glory of God... [without] speech or language”.., [and] their words [go] to the ends of the world.” Since we are all immersed in reality every single day of our lives, it becomes the common province of everyone. It comes to us in the form of events, people, circumstances and relationships--in life itself. Expanding our awareness and appreciation for life is a key to assimilating and using more and more truth for our own good and the good of others. Therefore it is essential that we be willing to accept God's gift of truth even when the bits and pieces come to us even from sources that we may consider to be less than pristine or orthodox. It's true! No matter the source, truth is always true! Scripture references; John 11:45-50, John 11:51-53, Philippians 1:12-17, Philippians 1:18, I Corinthians 13:1-3, Psalm 19:1-5, Luke 8:4-15 and I Corinthians 3:4-9. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/50TruthAlwysTrue.mp3 Sun, 08 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:12:17 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 51 - The Man of Reality This is about David and a story his prophet friend, Nathan told him. The prophet told him that there was a very poor man who owned an ewe lamb which he treated as if it were his only child. Living next door was a very wealthy man who owned an abundance of sheep and cattle. A guest came to visit the rich man, and instead of laughtering one of his own many herds or flocks, the poor man's ewe lamb was taken and dressed out for the feast given in honor of the visitor. David was enraged, stating that this man deserved to die. Nathan simply replied; “You are the man.” He informed David that he taken Uriah's beautiful wife, Bathsheba, and had Uriah killed at the hands of the Ammonites who were then at war with Israel. Though David was Nathan's king, able to do most anything he wanted, the story teller had courageously spoken the truth and David accepted it with the humble response; “I have sinned against the Lord.” It was said in ancient times that David was a man after God's own heart. Why? Because he loved the truth even when that truth hurt him deeply. We are challenged to be like him. And when we can embrace the truth in the midst of extreme pain and suffering, we become people of reality who have been set free by their Lord and Master. Scripture references; John 3:19-21, II Samuel 11:1-27, II Samuel 12:1-25, I Samuel 13:13-14, John 7:16-18, Luke 11:9-13, James 3:13-14, Romans 1:18-19, John 14:6 and John 8:31, 36. http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/51ManOfRealty.mp3 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:10:22 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams 52 - First Sunday in Heaven This short story compares the colorful life of Jacob, the son of Isaac, and his struggle with God, and compares it to the story each one of us lives out in our own lives. There are so many corollaries and connecting junctions in Jacob's experiences that sound so much like our own. Though he was the 'heel-catcher', the trickster--even the shyster, and it looked like he might be able to have it all, he came to the place where he was confronted with who he really was in the eyes of God and in that moment he was compelled to acknowledge that he had failed and was nothing without his God. In that moment when he felt defeated, was when he found his destiny and the real meaning for his life.., a lot like us! http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/52FrstSundyHeavn.mp3 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:16:22 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays Lynn A. Williams Acknowledgements Acknowledgements http://www.whitestonecomputers.com/AudioFiles/IfOurHearts/53Acknowledgements.mp3 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 06:49:00 -0500 no 00:04:16 Lynn Williams, Hearts Condemn, Devotional, Book of Essays