@FirstChurchofJerusalem
Today's Early Church Wisdom
“For the Gentiles, hearing from our mouth the words of God, are impressed by their beauty and greatness: then, learning that our works are not worthy of the things we say, they turn to railing, saying that it is some deceitful tale. For when they hear from us that God says: ‘No thanks will be due to you, if ye love only those who love you; but thanks will be due to you, if ye love your enemies and those that hate you’—when they hear this, they are impressed by the overplus of goodness: but when they see that we do not love, not only those who hate us, but even those who love us, they laugh at us, and the Name is blasphemed.”
~ The 2nd Epistle of Clement (140-160AD)
This week's Psalm is Psalm 31 'My Rock, My Shield, My Song'

Seek His Counsel & Do His Will

People sometimes fall into one of two diametrically opposed theological traps. Some over emphasise God’s active control of events in creation to the extent that there is no longer a place for free will. Others minimise it, seeing God as somehow standing on the sidelines watching, but not getting involved. Both are errors that damage the lives of those who hold them. An honest reading of Scripture reveals that God cares deeply, and He is actively involved in creation, yet His perfect will is not yet fully done on earth. This is why Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). God has a will concerning all things, and if we choose to spend time with Him in contemplative prayer, listening to His voice, He will reveal aspects of that will to us, that we may walk in it and fulfil the Divine purpose for which we were created and brought to earth (Zechariah 12:1). Regarding God’s counsel, Isaiah describes God as “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:10). In a world of lies and deceit, here is solid advice and perfect guidance. As we follow His guidance, we can be sure that His purposes in and through our life will stand today, tomorrow, and forever.