Tags
discerning the spirits, ears of the heart, enlightened, eyes of the heart, light, love, Martin Luther, Scripture, the Bible, the Kingdom of God, the Word of God, Worms
Empty-minded Susanne again…..Hell-bent on writing…..but WHAT?
Hmm………… I think I could write about the connection between The Eternal Word of God (Rev 19:13) that is Jesus Christ, the spoken prophetic word of God (cf. Acts 8:14, for example; Rev 20:4), and the written word of God, the Bible (2 Tim 3:16).
From my own experience I fully endorse that we should seek Christ first. If we have come to know Him, that is, to love Him who is LOVE, He prompts us to study the Bible, and thus end up loving His Word, too [no Bible reading plan necessary, then 😉 ]. Actually, who would not love the words written by the one whom he or she deeply loves? Has anyone ever fallen in love and NOT loved a letter written by their lover?
I believe it is possible to know the Bible without knowing Him, but never vice versa, i.e., knowing Christ without an increasing understanding of Scripture. Knowing Christ means that we have been given God’s inner life in the Spirit (Rom 8:1-17, Gal 5:16-26) that cannot be seen from the outside, for it is hidden inside of our own spirit. It is an entirely new life, a Christ-centered, prayer-based and Spirit-driven life.
When God has opened the eyes and ears of our hearts – by His Spirit – we can also see Him who is risen with our inner eyes (Jn 16:16) and hear His voice not only by reading the Bible, but directly perceivable to our spiritual ears. The apostle John mentioned seven times in the Book of Revelation that it is possible to hear God’s voice, for instance here,
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 3:22 ESV)
However, Jesus during His time on earth also reaffirmed that it can be really God’s will (!!) that some people may hear His spoken prophetic words with their physical ears, yet do not understand what He is talking to them. For it is written,
“But he said to them, “It has been given to you to know the secret of the Kingdom of God, but to those others, it is spoken in an allegory, that while seeing they will not perceive, and when hearing, they will not understand.”” (Lk 8:10 Aramaic Bible in Plain English)
The last Scripture clarifies that we need Christ’s Spirit to enlighten our hearts so that our minds can transcend its human – excuse my diction – extremely limited birdbrain nature. 😉 If we have been indeed enlightened by Christ’s eternal light (Jn 8:12), we are eventually able to discern the spirits whenever we hear people talk or when we read something. Always and, in fact, without further reflecting on what we perceive, we KNOW the truth. Thus God’s voice can be heard everywhere, through every human being and through His whole Creation, too. We finally realize that God never stopped speaking, but instead, that He is talking to us all the time because our “conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit” (Rom 9:1 NIV).
I’d love to conclude with Martin Luther’s famous words that he spoke at Worms in German and Latin when they wanted him to recant his “heretic” beliefs. He said,
“Since your majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason–I do not accept the authority of popes and councils for they have contradicted each other–my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me. Amen.”
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Regarding the prophetic word of God that speaks TODAY, I thought I could link to my other blog where I posted a poem that deals with the very issue of prophecy. If you like, see The Prophet’s Call.
By the way, if you follow my link, you’ll also find there another link to a haunting video my hubby Paul made which I had decided to post as an emphasis of my poem. However, you could also directly watch the video here http://plus.google.com/photos/117402800056446018172/albums/6006350349564394769/6006350351369318098.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pat Orr said:
Good word. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You’re welcome, Pat. 🙂
LikeLike
kenneth dawson said:
yes Sue from my experience I tried to live biblical for the first 26 years of my Christian experience and one day the lord showed me how bad I was failing he woke me up to his indwelling and my death on the cross and then the bible became a love letter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Thank you for your beautiful comment, Kenneth! 🙂
By the way, as you mentioned having tried to live biblically – as we probably all did, didn’t we – I was reminded of my godmother who died last week.
She was buried yesterday and I heard people say that she would have “earned to be with God” and that she would “surely be in Heaven with Jesus” because she was such a good person and did so many good things for her family, for the church, and for others.
Although I agree that she was a wonderful person, very gracious and open-hearted, I would never dare say that any of these characteristics could ever be a free pass for heaven. If not because of Jesus having died for our sins on the cross – as you said, my brother – and because of God’s mercy shown through that sacrifice toward us, who could ever have dreamed of being blessed with eternal life?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Georgia B. said:
Martin Luther is my favorite historical person. If I could choose to meet someone from the past, it would be him. Loved learning about him in my Reformation class in college. Love this quote from him. I remember seeing the old black and white film of his life, and I got chills during that moment when he speaks those words while on trial.
Great post. It’s stirred up a necessary longing in me to know my Bible more. I think of two people I respect the most… a mentor friend at church and my mom, both who know their Bible’s so well, but are also in tune with God’s voice through prayer and their desire to know Him better. Often, through our recent loss, my mentor at church has recited so many wonderful passages that spoke to our pain, loss and deep questions about God and how we could see him in light of what we were facing. It made me want to know God’s word that well and be able to help or bless others with the words found in it. Anyway, before I ramble on further {which I could easily do}, I’ll just wrap it up with a thank you for another great post. Following along here now, and looking forward to reading more.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You’re most welcome. Thanks so much for your encouragement and for following my blog, dear Georgia! 🙂 Just started following your blog, too (wanted to give you a like there but couldn’t find a LIKE button…?)
I was glad to hear that Martin Luther’s film touched you so deeply that you even got chills while watching. Clearly a sign God gave you, I believe.
You made me smile with saying this, “Anyway, before I ramble on further {which I could easily do}…”
Actually, I was really glad that you told me some things about you and I would love to hear more from you in the future. It is easier to get to know someone if they share honestly their thoughts and feelings – and you did. I so much appreciate your comments on here, Georgia! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
PS
Just found out that I could give you LIKES when I load your blog articles in my WP Reader, Georgia! I hope you see them at least in your inbox (if not on your blog). 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Georgia B. said:
Speaking of Martin Luther, when I was in Germany with my college choir in ’93, I got to to to the Wittenburg Castle where he translated the Bible, and also to the church where he nailed the 95 Theses on the doors. I did see a few other Luther-related sites, but those two were the most impressionable. I had such a wonderful time there… really, one of the best months of my life. Every bit of German was so wonderful to me. I didn’t want to leave and have always wanted to go back. Perhaps my roots were calling me there and that is why I felt so at home, as both my mom and dad’s families came from Germany. You’re English in your writing is so proper, I have to wonder if you are a native of Germany {that knows English quite well}, or if you are and American living abroad. Ha. Not that I should talk about proper English. Actually, mines great. I’m just a terrible typist. Reading back over my comments from yesterday, I found so many typos. Ackkk!! Oh, well. Hopefully you didn’t form a bad impression based on my typing flubs. I even had an apostrophe in “Bibles” when referring to them as plural, and not possessive. Wow… and I pride myself on having good grammar. It’s actually very good. I just type too fast and never check what I write before publishing comments. =)
I suspect that over time, I’ll learn more about you and you will learn more about me through our blogs. I look forward to that! I’ll be suer to click on the Martin Luther tag to my left as I type, too. He had quite the feisty and witty personality. I always love to read about him. =)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Georgia B. said:
hahaha… see? “got to to to the Wittenburg Castle”
oops.
…got to GO to the Wittenburg Castle.
=)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Michael said:
Georgia, I am so glad you found my blog and we made contact and that you have met Susanne as well. This thread is such a blessing to me!
Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Dear Georgia,
Just tell me if you want to rather see it corrected in your comment. Would be no prob! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Georgia B. said:
ha. thanks. if i ever commit that egregious of an error, i will ask you to correct it. little typos, i can live with. =)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You’re welcome, Georgia. Typos are normal, I feel…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Actually, your witty comment made my day, Georgia. 🙂
I was glad to read that you love Germany and Wittenberg which is indeed called “Luther’s Town”. And you have German roots? That was wonderful to hear for me!” ❤
As far as I'm concerned, I was born in Germany and I am a native German speaker, having some French roots only. Indeed, you were the third person that asked me whether I was an American who lived abroad. Although I am married to Paul who spent the first 7 years of his life in Chicago (Illinois), we never speak English with one another because he is no longer used to speaking it. Only my MIL and I sometimes talk English on the phone when others who listen should not understand what we are talking about. 😉 By the way, Elli is a native German as well, yet emigrated in the 1950's and lived for more than a decade in the States. After her husband Paul Schuberth had died, she had to struggle for existence as she came back to Germany with her two little boys Paul and his younger brother James.
Thanks for the compliment regarding my English skills. I admit that I am simply a woman who loves foreign languages – that's the whole mystery. I am glad that I can help children in school who have some problems (am giving tutor lessons if needed, this afternoon in English again).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Georgia B. said:
well, the coincidences just keep on coming. i was born in chicago and lived there until i was 4 years old. the rest of my life up until this point, i have lived only an hour away from chicago. chicago still remains one of my favorite cities of all that i have ever visited. love the story of your MIL. that’s pretty cool that she returned to homeland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Coincidence, coincidence … 😉
Thanks for your sweet response, Georgia. Will tell my MIL what you wrote on here and I am sure she will be pleased with your comments! 🙂 Actually, she is still longing to visit the States once again (turns 80 this year).
Love,
Susanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
Small world, you two! My wife, Dorothy, was born in Chicago and live right across from the Capone Grocery which was ran by Al Capone’s parents back in the 40’s when she was there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
BIG GRIN
A very small world, Michael, indeed! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fred Thoren said:
I really enjoyed this. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You’re welcome, Fred.
LikeLiked by 1 person