1/25/12

hard to perceive, easy to understand


At first glance, I thought this was Russian, then I looked a little closer.  This is English, but right to left and BACKWARD.  Frankly, I was a little surprised that I could read it, but it wasn't easy.  I do know someone for whom it would be easy however.  Brian is his name and he could read things upside down or sideways with ease.  Like reading this, he was talented in many ways, especially with understanding group dynamics and predicting what people would do BEFORE they would do it.  We all have our own gifts, but I must confess that the one I admire the most (which barely comes in first over the many contenders) is intelligence.  So, I thought of Sergius Paulus once again...

LITV: Acts Chapter 13

[7] He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This one having called Barnabas and Saul to him, he sought to hear the Word of God. [8] But Elymas, the conjurer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. [9] But Saul, who is also Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and looking intently on him, [10] he said, O son of the Devil, full of all guile and of all cunning, enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? [11] And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun until a time. And instantly a mist and darkness fell on him, and going about he sought some to lead him by the hand. [12] Then seeing the thing happening, the proconsul believed, being astounded at the doctrine of the Lord.

It is fashionable today for those in Academia to look down on Christianity and portray Christians as being less than gifted with intelligence.  No, that's not quite right... they think Christians are stupid.  They are wrong!!!  On the contrary; being able to perceive the value of eternity over this temporal existence is a true sign of understanding.  Consider Sergius Paulus for example.  He was a proconsul.  Now, that was a position of great importance in the Roman empire; you had to have something on-the-ball to be one.  He did.  I know of no where else in the Bible where someone is called intelligent, not even the great counselor Ahithaphel from the old testament. When the proconsel saw the power given to Paul, he believed.  And not just the power, but the doctrine as well!!!  Not all of us may be blessed with great intellect or the ability to read from unusual perspectives, but we can understand truth and that is what is really necessary.  

Remember this passage from the book of Corinthians:

WEB: I Corinthians Chapter 1

[26] For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; [27] but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; [28] and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: [29] that no flesh should boast before God. [30] But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: [31] that, according as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

Rejoice in whatever gifts God has given you and be happy!!  Even if you are seemingly "very ordinary", you ALWAYS HAVE THE LORD TO BOAST ABOUT and that is more important than any mere "gift"!!!!!

Are you ready for your journey into eternity by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/ready.htm



The most important question I can think of... Gary