THE POWER OF APPRECIATION CAN HELP ANYONE BECOME CHRISTLIKE - PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - Part X

Who does not like to be appreciated ? To be appreciated is not necessarily the same thing as being praised. Praise may at times have some undesirable side effects but proper appreciation can strengthen and motivate. The consciousness of being appreciated is a wonderful stimulus and satisfaction. To appreciate means to value and to be appreciated is one of life's most satisfying joys. Satisfying joys give vigor to the mind and health and vital energy to the body. Who knew that appreciation was so important to health ? Certainly Jesus Christ did. Notice how He reemphasizes the worth of every human being - But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7) God desires to be appreciated too and the appreciation of His character is another fundamental principle which will aid in obtaining the victory over sin.

APPRECIATION OF THE CHARACTER OF GOD AND OF CHRIST

a) God desires from all His creatures the service of love--service that springs from an appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service. God does not force the will or judgment of any. He desires that the creatures of His hands shall love Him because He is worthy of love. He would have them obey Him because they have an intelligent appreciation of His wisdom, justice, and benevolence. And all who have a just conception of these qualities will love Him because they are drawn toward Him in admiration of His attributes.

b) In the Bible, Jesus is symbolically represented by a variety of beautiful illustrations. He is referred to as the "Bright and morning Star" and the "Pearl of great price." The whole Bible contains revelations of the character of Christ that can only be treasured and valued by those who continually see more and more clearly the desperate selfishness of their own hearts apart from God's grace. When we are fully awake to our own sinfulness, we shall appreciate Christ.Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, sin will become hateful to us.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. (Matthew 6:24)

c) Moral power increases by dwelling upon the goodness, beauty, mercy, and love of Christ.

d) God has granted freedom of will to all, endowed men with capacity to appreciate His character, and therefore with ability to love Him and to choose His service. Loving God or rejecting His love would not be possible without freedom of choice. 

e) When the sinner has a view of the matchless charms of Jesus, sin no longer looks attractive to him or her; for he/she beholds the Chiefest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely. The more one studies the character of Christ, the more attractive will He appear. The more attractive Christ appears, the less appealing sin becomes and the more we are preparing to spend eternity with God as our lives are brought more into harmony with heaven.

John 3:16,12:32,14:15,21,23/

Psalms 45:7,97:10,107:43/

Matthew 12:30,22:37,13:45,4/

Romans 6:18.20/Isaiah 26:3/

Ephesians 3:14-19/Proverbs 3:31/

Philippians 1:22,3:8,13,14,4:13

Deuteronomy 30:19/Revelation 22:16/Joshua 24:15/Mark 12:30

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 9 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blogs...

DON'T BE IN A HURRY TO DIE - TRUE HEALTH CARE REFORM - HEALTH INSTEAD OF DISEASE SERIES #8

Some time ago, I was speaking with a man about health and I remember one of his comments to me. He said - " Well we all have to die of something." In reply I said to him - "Yes that may be true but who says that we have to be in a hurry."

This is what it seems like today in society. Many people are either consciously and deliberately or ignorantly hurrying toward the grave. This death wish might very well be just a symptom of a deeper, more important issue. A hurting, broken heart and a lifetime of attempts to medicate the pain. The fallen state of human nature and its helplessness to change self-destructive habits apart from the grace of God in Christ.

CBS carried the news story about scientists who found that junk-food addicted rats would rather starve themselves than eat healthy food. -http://cbs2chicago.com/watercooler/rats.food.addiction.2.1597432.html

How is it with us ? Some of us are really so addicted to nutritionally deficient food that we actually imagine physical suffering if we have to make any radical lifestyle change or adopt a more healthy diet as part of the daily routine on a permanent basis. Likewise, just as it is true physically so it is true spiritually that many human beings including many professed Christians would rather die than give up cherished habits and lifestyle practices under the mistaken notion that Jesus died on the cross so that we would not have to change our habits.

Notice God's purpose regarding physical and spiritual health -

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 2

Again, the Bible makes plain that it is God who has the highest regard for our physical and spiritual well-being - Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases. (Psalms 103:2,3)

It is folly to believe that any human being could have a greater care for our spiritual and physical well being than our loving Creator who gave up His only begotten Son that we might have an opportunity to receive everlasting life through faith in Him. Why is it that many distrust the Manufacturer when it comes to the care of their health ? His understanding is infinite (Psalms 147:5) Take a look at a few examples of the love of God for us as He shares His foresight and insight for our best interests and far in advance of our time.

In the Bible God says it is not good to drink (fermented wine or strong drink) alcoholic beverages -(Proverbs 20:1/Isaiah 5:11/Mark 15:23)

Modern science discovers - Alcohol Amount, Not Type -- Wine, Beer, Liquor -- Triggers Breast Cancer-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070927083251.htm

Link Between Alcohol And Cancer Explained: Alcohol Activates Cellular Changes That Make Tumor Cells Spread-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026172052.htm

Alcohol Consumption Increases Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence, Study Finds-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091210125540.htm

In the Bible God says that it is better to have only a few possessions and to be humble, self controlled, slow to anger than to be proud, mighty and full of travail and having an irritated or annoyed spirit - (Proverbs 16:19,32/Ecclesiastes 6:9, 7:8)

Modern science discovers - "Antagonistic People May Increase Heart Attack, Stroke Risk - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816162633.htm

In the Bible, God says a broken spirit and sorrow of heart have a powerful negative influence upon the body. (Proverbs 15:13, 17:22)

Modern science discovers that- Depression as Deadly as Smoking, Study Finds -http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094933.htm

In the Bible God says - we should eat what is good; for strength and not for gluttony

Modern science discovers - New Intervention Program Promotes Healthy Dietary Choices During Infancy -http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100713011043.ht

In the Bible God says -Human beings can be influenced to choose right or wrong and choosing to do right can make a person physically stronger. (Job 17:9/Proverbs 16:9/Isaiah 9:16)

Modern science discovers - Being Naughty or Nice May Boost Willpower, Physical Endurance -http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100419151114.htm

Moral Judgments Can Be Altered: Neuroscientists Influence People’s Moral Judgments by Disrupting Specific Brain Region -http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100329152516.htm

All of these principles pertain to physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The current widespread ignorance regarding the laws of health has resulted in the establishment of a counterfeit health care reform system that will do nothing to address the true causes of the crisis which made necessary the reform in the first place. As society continues to accept more counterfeit reforms in exchange for the principle of the cross of Jesus with its appeal for self denial and self control over the appetite, a way is being prepared for the acceptance of future counterfeits of even greater consequence.

The true solution to the health care crisis, real estate crisis and educational crisis is not Super-Nanny government but basic education in the principles of health and self-government by the grace of God through faith in Christ. Recklessness in physical habits tends to recklessness in morals.

If we really want to begin reforming health care in this country, it could start with a massive deliberate and intelligent educational program aimed at speaking to the root of skyrocketing costs – health habits of Americans. It should be a program that visits each home and family with the hopeful message of restoration possibilities through radical lifestyle changes adjusted to the individual pace of those who participate.

The only hope of better things is in the education of the people in right principles. Let physicians teach the people that restorative power is not in drugs, but in nature. Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system.

Since disease results from violating the laws of health, it is very important that everyone know and understand the laws of health and strive by the grace of God to live in harmony with them.

These 8 laws may be found detailed at - http://www.issues-of-life.com/Health%20Issues.html

Any person who examines these laws will quickly recognize the lifestyle habits which he or she has adopted that are contributing to disease. This is the first step towards identifying the cause of disease and making an effective treatment possible.

By attempting to put into practice anything that you have read in this article you release Tyrone Keels from any responsibility for the results if you are dissatisfied with the outcome.

Read the full disclaimer for health issues at

http://www.issues-of-life.com/Web%20Pages%20-%20Health%20Disclaimer.html

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

DOES YOUR LIFE HAVE MEANING - SIGNIFICANCE AND VALUE ? - TO KNOW GOD IS TO LOVE HIM - Part 2

Whether you are Myspace Mad or a Facebook fiend, if you are among those who frequently check in with these social networking websites, then identifying what's at the center of your life may at times be a challenge. Some people feel as if their day to day living has no real significance and so they are in search of something but they don't know what. Others find meaning for their lives in the things that they do or the places that they go. Many have no conscious dignity of character or wonder what the purpose of life is. For a great majority of people, life is defined by the relationships they have, don't have or have had. Do you know the reason why a living, ongoing relationship with God and Jesus Christ is so important to us as human beings ?

WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW GOD

1. Our lives are pure only when we are under the control of GOD and happy only when we are in communion with HIM. Human beings were created by God to enjoy only those things that do not violate the conscience. Because of an inherited bent towards sin and selfishness, we enjoy the opposite. There is a greater tendency to gratify the senses and please oneself which grows uncontrollable if it continues unchecked. While there is in many hearts a desire for good, as human beings we are generally inclined to enjoy those things that are not pure and those things that violate the conscience but the evidence is clear...after all is said and done, we still are not happy...

2. "Like our SAVIOUR, we are in this world to do service for GOD. We are here to become like GOD in character, and by a life of service to reveal HIM to the world. In order to become like HIM and to reveal HIS character, we must know HIM aright. We must know HIM as HE reveals HIMSELF." No one can serve God right and reveal His character with a mere intellectual or mental knowledge of God. Only a personal experience with the transforming love of God that influences the thoughts and feelings in the right direction is properly called knowing God or a knowledge of God. Only an experimental knowledge of God transforms a person and reaches others.

3. "A knowledge of GOD is the foundation of all true education and of all true service." The absence of humility and the predominance of pride in modern society would be done away with were human beings to begin education with a knowledge of themselves as they really are in the sight of God. Education that separates the thoughts and feelings from the Creator is positively dangerous.

4. "Transformation of character, purity of life, efficiency in service, adherence to correct principles, all depend upon a right knowledge of GOD." In connection with the grace of God, knowing that God is love and that He loves each person individually and personally is motivation and inspiration and empowerment for the highest character development.

5. "The value of man is estimated in heaven according to the capacity of the heart to know GOD." If human beings could not know God, then we could not know eternal life and of all the realities that exist in human minds, eternity in the presence of eternal love is the ultimate reality and God's reality which is really the only reality that matters in the end.

John 15:10,11/Jeremiah 9:23,24/1 John 4:8/2 Corinthians 4:5-7/Psalms 147:5/Proverbs 2:3-6,9:10,1:7/Colossians 2:3/Romans 11:33

ULTIMATE END RESULT OF KNOWING GOD

"To know GOD is eternal life"

Personal knowledge of God gained by actual experience with Him in prayer, in assisted living and in reflecting the image of Jesus Christ to others.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU hast sent." John 17:3

"According as HIS divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of HIM that hath called us to glory arid virtue." 2 Peter 1:3 .

The ultimate purpose and result of an ever increasing knowledge of GOD is godliness, eternal life---salvation.

"Look unto ME, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am GOD, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:22

"Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to GOD through CHRIST."

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from a study entitled, "To Know God Is To Love Him." Look for more pages from this study in future blog posts...

LET'S START AT THE BEGINNING - HOW TO BE A MAN - HOW TO BE A WOMAN - 1

There is your view, there is my view and then there's God's view. It is taken for granted that most everyone of adult age and reasoning comprehends what it means to be a man or woman. One common definition found in the dictionary and the minds of most people is a male or female individual of the human race, of adult growth or years. This is the generally understood meaning. God's definition of a man or woman differs somewhat from this. It is the purpose of this series of posts to explore, understand and inspire appreciation for God's view of manhood and womanhood and to create a desire to be as He intends that human beings should be through the grace of Christ. The word man as used in many Bible verses often refers to mankind or the human race and therefore includes both men and women.

While scientific teachings acknowledge no specific objective or ultimate plan for the human race, God makes clear that He made man and woman for a purpose. The fulfillment of this purpose was to be the aim and joy of human beings. It is failure to recognize and conform to God's purpose for life that leaves human beings empty and without a compass in this world ever seeking to fill the void with inadequate and often self-destructive substitutes. There are literally thousands upon thousands who can explain the purpose of life with no more than the words "to be happy."

Many misunderstand the object for which they were created. It was to bless humanity and glorify God, rather than to enjoy and glorify self. Only by understanding God's purpose for creating human beings and giving us life can we truly see that the plan of salvation encompasses more than simply forgiveness of sin. It includes restoration from sin's power as well.

When Adam came from the Creator's hand, he bore, in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker. "God created man in his own image" (Gen. 1:27), and it was His purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image--the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator

Above all lower orders of being, God designed that man, the crowning work of His creation, should express His thought and reveal His glory, and it was His purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image--the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator. Hence we see, that the purpose for which human beings were created and the ultimate purpose of life is - to continually reflect more and more of the image of the Creator expressing His thoughts and revealing His glory.

What is man, that thou art mindful of him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. (Psalms 8:4-8) These verses may lead us to consider man as God made him and as he is now.

MAN/WOMAN AS GOD MADE THEM

When God had made man in His image, the human form was perfect in all its arrangements, but it was without life. Then a personal, self-existing God breathed into that form the breath of life, and man became a living, breathing, intelligent being. All parts of the human organism were put in action. Man came from the hand of God perfect in every faculty of mind and body; in perfect soundness, therefore in perfect health. All his faculties were harmonious. In all his emotions, words, and actions, there was a perfect conformity to the will of his Maker. His nature was in harmony with the will of God. His mind was capable of comprehending divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions were under the control of reason.

Woman, as God made her, was a perfect and lovely image of the divine ideal of womanhood. She was noble, perfect in symmetry, and very beautiful. When God created her, He designed that she should possess neither inferiority nor superiority to the man, but that in all things she should be his equal. Her heart had the glow of healthful feelings and the tint of her complexion was soft and radiant being untainted by no artificial cosmetic. She had a well-balanced mind and a pure character, reflecting only the true, the good, and the beautiful. She was not loud, forward nor presumptuous but poised, modest and morally charming.

Someone may ask how it is possible to know what the first man and the first woman were like. It all depends upon who you trust for your information. According to the Bible, they were created in the image of God. They reflected His character - they were pure and sinless because God's character is pure and sinless.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:27,31)

After each day of creation, God saw that what He had done was "good." After creating man, He viewed this work as "very good." If God says something is very good, that is exactly what He means.

MAN/WOMAN AS THEY ARE NOW

Here is where most human beings, including many religious people are deceived concerning human nature. The heart of man is by nature cold and dark and unloving; Man's wisdom is untrustworthy. Man is fickle, filled with self-esteem, pride, and selfishness. By nature man has no love for God. It is not natural for him to think of heavenly things. The natural heart is at enmity against God, and will resist the clearest evidence of truth. It is ever pleading in favor of worldly customs.

Man is worshiping the reflection of his own image. The nature of man is in opposition to the divine will, depraved, deformed, and wholly unlike the character of God expressed in his law.

Selfishness is the essence of depravity, and because human beings have yielded to its power, the opposite of allegiance to God is seen in the world today. Nations, families, and individuals are filled with a desire to make self a center. The human heart is naturally inclined to idolatry, self-gratification and self-exaltation.

In the scenes that transpired at the judgment hall, and at Calvary, we see what the human heart is capable of when not under the influence of God's Spirit.

Jeremiah 17:9/Mark7:21,22/Galatians 5:19-21/Romans 1:26-31/2 Timothy 3:1-5/Matthew 24:12

RETURNING TO GOD'S PURPOSE FOR CREATING MAN AND WOMAN

Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man. It was to restore this that the plan of salvation was devised and a life of probation was granted to man. To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created is the great object of life--the object that underlies every other. (Romans 8:28,29/Ephesians 2:10,1:4,5/2 Timothy 1:9)

This series of studies will be continued in subsequent posts.

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from part 1 of a study entitled, "How To Be A Man - How To Be A Woman" Look for more pages from this study in future posts...

IT'S WHAT YOU KNOW AND IT'S WHO YOU KNOW THAT MATTERS - PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - Part IX

In the competition for Miss Teen USA, Miss South Carolina attempted to answer a question and in doing so she demonstrated that at times, "what you know" really does matter. Her reply has had more than 43 million views and she has been condemned and judged by many as lacking vital knowledge. It is not known how many viewers would have been able to answer the same question that was given to her. On the other hand, we also have words of Jesus to consider emphasizing the importance of "who you know" Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23) Jesus describes religious people who never really knew Him as is evidenced by the Lord's statement that He never knew them. A theoretical or mere intellectual knowledge of God and Christ will never transform the character of the one who does not have a practical experience in the application of Bible principles for daily living. If God is good all the time, why not have a preference for Him all the time ? In other words, why do we not choose to allow the principles of His word to govern our choice of leisure, recreation and relationship activities. Why is He not the center of our joy and living ?

Many people know a lot of things and some people hardly know anything but very few people know much about the most important things in life. Very few really know God as it is our privilege to know Him. The more satisfied anyone is with himself and his present knowledge, the less earnestly and humbly will he or she seek to be guided into all truth. Truly knowing God is an educational relationship process which involves more than seeking intellectual stimulation or emotional ecstasy. As one comes to know God more, the inclination to sin is lessened and the desire to do right is increased and this is manifested in words and actions.

While worldly education prepares one to help build the national economy, true education embraces not merely a training of the intellect, but is a symmetrical development of all the powers--physical, mental, and moral. It is the inculcation of those ideas which will impress the mind and heart with the knowledge of God the Creator and Jesus Christ the Redeemer.

A student may go through all the grades of the schools and colleges of today. He may devote all his powers to acquiring knowledge. But unless he has a knowledge of God, unless he obeys the laws that govern his being, he will destroy himself. The so called "higher" education of the world in no way inspires obedience to the laws of God or the development of a Christlike character.

The educational curriculum that lays great stress on memorizing, produces a class of conservative people who are more inclined to trust society's institutions rather than the simple words of God. Such are more easily led by human authority and scholarship than by the wisdom of God. Indeed, any knowledge upon any subject that references from inspirational sources will be typically viewed with skepticism while that which is chiefly a product of the highest human reasoning is readily accepted.

Notice, the type of reasoning that God encourages - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD (Isaiah 1:18)

The highest education will be that which will teach our children and youth, our teachers and educators, the science of Christianity, that will give them an experimental knowledge of God's ways, and impart to them the lessons which Christ gave to his disciples of the paternal character of God. Obtaining an experimental knowledge of God comes by wearing the yoke of Christ.

There is no education to be gained higher than that given to the early disciples, and which is revealed to us through the word of God. To gain the higher education means to follow this word implicitly; it means to walk in the footsteps of Christ, to practice His virtues. It means to give up selfishness and to devote the life to the service of God. Higher education calls for something greater, something more divine, than the knowledge to be obtained merely from books. It means a personal, experimental knowledge of Christ; it means emancipation from ideas, from habits and practices, that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness, and which are opposed to loyalty to God. It means to overcome stubbornness, pride, selfishness, worldly ambition, and unbelief. It is the message of deliverance from sin. It may be wisely interwoven with any other study or discipline by the Christian teacher.

In this post we continue learning the principles which inspire and make possible the victory over sin and selfishness.

PRINCIPLES THAT ASSIST IN OBTAINING THE VICTORY

PRINCIPLES THAT STIMULATE OR INSPIRE A DESIRE FOR VICTORY

#2 SEEKING TO KNOW GOD AND CHRIST

a) The less we meditate upon Christ and His matchless love and the less we are assimilated to His image, the better will we appear in our own eyes, and the more self-confidence and self-complacency will we possess.

b) The one who talks most familiarly with his divine Leader has the most exalted conception of His greatness and is the most obedient to His commands.

c) The experimental knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent, transforms man into the image of God. It gives to man the mastery of himself, bringing every impulse and passion of the lower nature under the control of the higher powers of the mind.

d) It is essential to our eternal well-being to know more of God; for love to God depends on a conception of His goodness. His excellence, and a knowledge of His will.

e) It is necessary to know God in order to be attracted to him.

f) When the transgressor becomes acquainted with GOD, and experiences HIS love, it produces in his heart a hatred for sin and a love for holiness.

g) The more we know of God, the higher will be our ideal of character and the more earnest our longing to reflect His likeness.

2 Peter 1:2,3:18/Proverbs 9:10, 16:22, 19:27/John 17:3, 15:10/2 Timothy 3:7,16/Genesis 2:17/ Job 22:21/1 John 2:3,4, 3:6,24, 5:2/Jeremiah 9:23,24/Isaiah 1:17,46:8/Matthew 11:29, 7:13,26 /Hosea 4:1,2 /Romans 1:28/Philippians 3:8/Colossians 2:8/Mark 7:9/2 Corinthians 3:18/Revelation 2:5,3:3/Luke 8:21/James 1:22,23/Exodus 23:2/

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 9 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blogs... If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.