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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| Greek (Western) |
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 To the Western mind, life is dualistic, with a separation between the physical and emotional, and the spiritual.
Spirituality is otherworldly. The emphasis in both teaching and living is to go to heaven where all physical pain and the cares of the world will be left behind. The physical and emotional are regarded as evil, so physical and emotional self-denial is good. Initially, the monastic system grew out of this thinking while today escapism is reflected in the (false) rapture teachings.
Spirituality is considered to be of the mind. Therefore, those who have been trained in theology are considered to be more worthy than those who haven't. This has led to a division between clergy and people, starting with the Roman Catholic Church, and which, formally or informally, still remains today.
We separate the (bad) physical and emotional from the (good) spiritual. So we celebrate the spiritual in church for an hour or two then go back into the world and happily live an unspiritual life.
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| Eastern (Hebrew) |
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 In the Eastern way of thinking spirituality is earthly, not otherworldly.
Man was put on earth to look after it.
Genesis1:27-8
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 Mankind was given comprehensive instructions on how to look after earth, from planting crops, to celebration, to work, to rest, to handling money, and how to take care of the poor. For example.....
Exodus 23:12
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 Appropriate emotionalism was encouraged, along with the physical.....
Ecclesiastes 3:4
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 That the spiritual is a part of this world, is reflected in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. For example.....
1 John 4:9
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 Jesus did not send His disciples to heaven, but into the world, to follow His example.....
John 17:18-19
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 Marriage is perhaps considered to be the most spiritual thing one can do. Sex within marriage is regarded as particularly spiritual, just touching the surface of what our union with the Messiah is to be. We are to participate in the glorious marriage with the Lamb of God.....
Revelation 19:7-8
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 When the Scriptures speak of 'the flesh', they are speaking of our worldly nature, our pre-Christ nature. As Paul said.....
Philippians 3:4b-6
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 Now, although no longer of the world, in our new nature, we are to remain in the world and to be its light. As Jesus said.....
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| SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY |
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1. To accept that the renewed physical and emotional within us is good, is to be celebrated, and not rejected as unspiritual.
2. Forget about the escapism of early rapture teaching. We will meet with Jesus in the sky upon His return, coming to His kingdom on earth with Him. (Matthew 24;30-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
3. To understand that, (and behave like), we are part of His kingdom now being built upon the earth.
4. To live life to the full, spiritually, physically and emotionally, as worthy witnesses of our Lord Jesus in the here and now.
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues..... |
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 ..... looking at WHO DOES IT? .
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 The biggest change of mind we need is to understand that spirituality and life are one, that the kingdom of God is for the here and now.
Can we accept, and act upon, this truth.
IMAGES AND ART: Jerusalem
Mt. Zion
Also known as Mount Sion, the Upper City, the Southwestern Hill
St. Peter in Gallicantu
On the southeastern slope of the hill is one of the traditional locations for the house of Caiaphas. Gallicantu means "cock crowing" and it remembers the three denials of Peter. Built atop the ruins of a Byzantine church and monastery, Catholic pilgrims believe that the prison in which Christ was held is located inside the church. Others believe that a more likely location for Caiaphas' house is in the Armenian property outside Zion Gate.
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
1215. The understanding that Gods kingdom is available now is the greatest motivator of all for keen Christians.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Just jokes: http://www.wwj.org.nz/jokes.php
Waxing Lyrical: http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php
If Only I'd Thought of it: http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php
Laughing at Ourselves: http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php
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May we build His kingdom upon the earth.....