I was reading the gospel of Matthew yesterday and thinking about what a privilege it is to be a disciple of Jesus. I recalled my experience of about 20 years ago when I worked for a man who was a New Age baby boomer. He opened a restaurant in Sedona and hired the best chef, a great wait staff and me! I assisted in his office. The way he dealt with stress and business mishaps intrigued me. He would often advise: “Don’t worry, life is universally balanced. The largest galaxy to the smallest particle of matter is in harmony with the universe and totally balanced.”
Tell that to the people of Japan, or Haiti! I don’t know about you, but I need a savior when my world goes crazy. New Agers believe that God and nature are one because God cannot be separated from nature. To them it isn’t necessary to have a personal relationship with God because they believe we all are part of the universe and part of God.
So getting back to my study of Matthew 16, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter replied: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." I think right now we are in a good season of the Christian calendar to think about Jesus in these weeks before Easter and reflect on the truth of who He is.
I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, and I admit stressfull circumstances arise, and I feel overwhelmed at times. It's then that I remember His words: “In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” No, I’m not one with the universe but I’m reliant on the one who created it. That is truth.
Tell that to the people of Japan, or Haiti! I don’t know about you, but I need a savior when my world goes crazy. New Agers believe that God and nature are one because God cannot be separated from nature. To them it isn’t necessary to have a personal relationship with God because they believe we all are part of the universe and part of God.
So getting back to my study of Matthew 16, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter replied: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." I think right now we are in a good season of the Christian calendar to think about Jesus in these weeks before Easter and reflect on the truth of who He is.
I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, and I admit stressfull circumstances arise, and I feel overwhelmed at times. It's then that I remember His words: “In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” No, I’m not one with the universe but I’m reliant on the one who created it. That is truth.
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It never ceases to amaze & amuse me the many ways in which the world takes hostage whatever suits their fancy. It becomes just one more brand of truth. Often it sounds good, and sometimes it even has a ring of truth. That's the trouble with deception. It's just so ... deceptive!
ReplyDeleteThank God He is Sovereign, and even nature yields to His purposes.
Great reminders here, Mary!
Hugs,
Kathleen
great post, Mom!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
This is wonderful Mary! I just copied it and my hubby read it, and he loved it too. We spent some time in Santa Fe over the past few summers, and there were so many new age people who sing that same song of "harmony"... and I don't think they have a clue how lost they are.
ReplyDeleteI am also reliant on the one who created the universe... the safest place to be.
Happy Sunday!
xo
So true, so true.
ReplyDeleteAnd He is our truth, our refuge, our defender and our joy!
He is the Christ! So thankful to know Him and to be able to read about Him on your blog.
ReplyDeleteLife is hard. How grateful I am to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I don't know how people get by without Him.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and love,
Debbie
I can't even imagine living life as some do with their belief systems....to look to anything other than Christ is sooo beyond comprehension. To have the safety, security and trust that NO MATTER WHAT~ we have HIM, we have HOPE, we have an Eternal home in which we will dwell and praise our Father Forever and Ever!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Mary! Have a blessed weekend
It's so hard to wrap our brains around such devastation in Japan...I am praying for everyone there...Do I feel like a tiny grain of sand on the beach right now? Yes, I do...I wish I had words to heal their hurt and prayers so powerful to stop these after shocks.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a beautiful Sunday and thank you for this post.
XO
I pray that people who don't have the Lord in their life will realize that they need a relationship with him personally. Thank-you for this post today.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Ginger
Another 'home run', Mary ... I feel so blessed to come here and be lifted up!
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful day!
The words of Desiderata are re-packaged and people are just so gullible to believe whatever sounds cool or in...to their own perdition. It does help to have an unwavering faith in the One who created everything and gave order, even though we do not see it with our physical eyes.
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for Japan now... but Jesus also told us that when we see these things happening we are to rejoice for the time of our redemption draws nigh.
I really loved this post, Mary. We do need a personal relationship with our Creator so that we can truly rejoice and not fear in the midst of what is happening.
Love
Lidj
really good post. My world did go crazy...I needed Him to fix it...and give me hope. I found out...He always comes through and holding onto Him..is like holding onto the best anchor possible. thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteYES! YES! YES! This is truth. We need a Savior and He is Christ, the Lord.
ReplyDeleteYes, we will have suffering in this world. And it comes for many reasons. (We just covered that in church this morning and I can hardly wait to write on it.) But Jesus and His Holy Spirit walk through it with us. He never leaves us.
Great word!
Blessings,
Janis
Ah..."life is univerally balanced."
ReplyDeleteThe whole earth is crying out for the Savior. My heart aches for those who survived the Tsunami in Japan.
There seems to be a lot of 'unbalanced.' But God is in control. And I believe with all my heart that He will bring good what was meant for evil...
Some of the most encouraging words from the Bible as far as I'm concerned:
ReplyDelete"I have overcome the world."
Yes, Lord - now with Your strength, could You please help me overcome a little bit, too?!
GOD BLESS!
Hi Mary -
ReplyDeleteThank you for this heart moving message of truth. I apppreciate it.
You expressed, "Peter replied: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
That is one of my favorite scripture passages from our Lord's Word.
I love your stand for Christ, Mary.
This message inspired and encouraged indeed.
Thank you for sharing this insight. The New Age movement has done so much harm. It is so very sad.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd drop by again to let you know that you won the drawing at my blog for Ann Voskamp's book, "One Thousand Gifts."
Congratulations! And thank you for commenting and joining my circle of encouragers.
Blessings,
Janis
Beautifully sweet words indeed.
ReplyDeleteI am contacting everyone as a reminder and an inquiry to see if they're attending the AZ blogger's luncheon on March 26th as I have to call the tea room on in the next few days with a head count.
Details are on the Monday (3-14) post of my blog.
If you are attending please leave a comment on that post.
Thank you and be blessed!