Thursday, November 23, 2017

Reflection - Breaking free from our illusions


Source (book): "Finding rest for the soul", Chapter One, Question 3, Page 32.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


As in the story of Zacchaeus, Jesus also knows each one of us personally.
PHOTO: As in the story of Zacchaeus, Jesus also knows each one of us personally. He knows all about us - our hang-ups, sins, fears, and aspirations. Just as Jesus asked Zacchaeus to come down from the tree, He asks us to come down from our tenuous perches in life and to find rest in Him.

When Jesus calls us to come to Him, we are hearing from the One who will inherit all things. We are receiving an invitation from the Christ who is our true inheritance for all time and eternity. We need His healing touch, but we are holding on to something so tightly that it prevents us from holding on to Jesus, the true Treasure of life.

Like Zacchaeus, we should release our grip on impermanent accumulations in life. By receiving the wisdom to give up our grip on material things, we could hold on tightly to the only One who could give us all things in the eternal future.
Picture posted by informativa.ba on 08 October 2016 at 11:48
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PZjuJNK3m7sOzcUtXrrJ-KSy418Guix0w5cPu8fSvLF0YOF4OTl1wL4yNWhyvtuQaKb5yax-I2l47Kuqm6uxb_FZ_jAvRWnZP6lAmif3TirM6mUBXxatm-gnrjbChg2n7tWeSGagziQ/s1600/747909_Z2I2MK7F8RNCBI3DEVWZCSIP27I1AB_clouds_flight_flying_girl_rainbow_sky_1d4b40cd608f452f438682_H120631_L.jpg
http://upload.informativa.ba/gallery/747909_Z2I2MK7F8RNCBI3DEVWZCSIP27I1AB_clouds_flight_flying_girl_rainbow_sky_1d4b40cd608f452f438682_H120631_L.jpg
http://informativa.ba/2016/10/08/nesretna-sam-ali-ga-volim-od-ljubavi-je-nesto-vaznije-znate-li-sta


Is there an area of your life that needs a healing touch from Jesus, or needs to be saved by His redeeming hands? Are you holding on to something so tightly that it prevents you from holding on to Jesus, the true Treasure of life?
Breaking Free from Our Illusions [1]
The Bible tells us of one man who thought he possessed everything he needed, realised he didn't, and thus was able to hear Jesus' call.

The story of Zacchaeus - Jesus knows him
Luke 19:1-9 tells the story of Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector who lived in the ancient town of Jericho. When Jesus visited the town, Zacchaeus - a short man - climbed a tree to get a view of the special visitor. Perhaps Zacchaeus was just curious. Or perhaps he felt that he lacked peace and real satisfaction despite his wealth, and believed that Jesus might be able to help him in some way. So when Jesus stopped below the tax collector's strategically-chosen tree, told him to come down, and asked to stay at his home, both Zacchaeus and the people around them were shocked. How did Jesus know the man's name? And why did Jesus want to stay with a sinner?


The story of Zacchaeus - Jesus knows him
PHOTO: The story of Zacchaeus - Jesus knows him
When Jesus visited the town, Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector - a short man - climbed a tree to get a view of the special visitor. When Jesus stopped below the tax collector's strategically-chosen tree, told him to come down, and asked to stay at his home, both Zacchaeus and the people around them were shocked. How did Jesus know the man's name? And why did Jesus want to stay with a sinner?
Picture posted by Deborah Sanders on 21 February 2015, originally shared by Reza Afshar - Is Jesus calling you ? if so.... are you following? 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxowxqFQAHCP0_99GIYOsCbWElXyPy2UHg38NzV2y9KjAEAgxpcQO9Z8j_3Psq9JQWKMfXJ0hcjXDwFCOk0-fAU6KgOqpmFBLbd9rCk7GNgYxV1j9ZWPwzSNnFNSKFwEoKMdxIUYL7a1A/s1600/zacchaeus+painting.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8L-SBrn2u_Q/VOhjLZ4ty_I/AAAAAAAAIlU/Gb3pcRG-pYc/w2042-h3262/zacchaeus%2Bpainting.jpg
https://plus.google.com/103297258476860189420


Jesus knows us too
Jesus' invitation to Zacchaeus, however, should not surprise us. He knows each of us personally, and He knows all about us - our hang-ups, sins, fears, and aspirations. Just as Jesus asked Zacchaeus to come down from the tree, He asks us to come down from our tenuous perches in life and to find rest in Him.

Received the wisdom to give up grip on material things
When Zacchaeus came down from his tree, he found a new life. He vowed to give away any ill-gotten gains. His grip on impermanent accumulations in life was loosened when he met the true Heir of all things. He received the wisdom to give up his grip on material things, so that he could hold on tightly to the only One who could give him all things in the eternal future.


Received the wisdom to give up grip on material things
PHOTO: Received the wisdom to give up grip on material things
When Zacchaeus came down from his tree, he found a new life. He received the wisdom to give up his grip on material things, so that he could hold on tightly to the only One who could give him all things in the eternal future.
Just as Jesus asked Zacchaeus to come down from the tree, He asks us to come down from our tenuous perches in life and to find rest in Him.
Picture posted by Michael K Sanders on 30 January 2011
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K2WAKxTkZO3Elhbjt2gBaVnxWZKBUsfVIaJHYzUbebO5g8zb4NjUxsckre0_UW2C1phvwVXbCLtv4xts-TzOsACUeQeko3cKOaNQvlW-t75nNaL8OfVpGI5xqyvULS2HFrWzrrfpi4I/s1600/jesus_119.jpg
https://michaelksanders.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/jesus_119.jpg
https://hismessageforyou.com/2011/01/30/yes-its-that-simple-see-and-hear-this-morning/


Christ is our true inheritance for all time and eternity
When Jesus calls you to come to Him, you are hearing from the One who will inherit all things. You are receiving an invitation from the Christ who is our true inheritance for all time and eternity.


Christ is our true inheritance for all time and eternity
PHOTO: Christ is our true inheritance for all time and eternity
When Jesus calls us to come to Him, we are hearing from the One who will inherit all things. We are receiving an invitation from the Christ who is our true inheritance for all time and eternity.
Posted by kattikko on 28 April 2012, Welcome to Hugs From Above
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-hTDYc3sh5gi8PJZJiuPePHa6fYBVQGWDdoo8P3Hc_DaVV3APJOG_1r34wgLWcqIFpj0euz1BZwiWrZo7bYz9nwdjQLwyKSxsIAO81-mLCoL50i7XrscQgVy77BLGgy1YB5KF5TFkF0/s1600/767008960_7001.jpg
https://hugsfromabovedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/767008960_7001.jpg
http://hugsfromabove.com/2012/04/28/welcome-to-hugs-from-above/
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2015/10/reflection-remember-jesus-christ.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2016/10/reflection-king-and-his-bride-psalm-45.html
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2017/02/reflection-say-yes-to-dress-ezekiel-16.html
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2017/09/reflection-miracle-of-tabitha-in-bible.html


Is there an area of your life that needs a healing touch from Jesus, or needs to be saved by His redeeming hands?

Poor Physical Health
PHOTO: Poor Physical Health
Picture posted by emaze.com
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YS57mAS3Xox3GkRx0Y4Tfahx9395u9eIvXo21zieh7TwmZ1xAJyAb9FWQT-WM47wtKl_201eqD_y8wQz3c2A_TvGsSQCO3aOqYlxK6QdVX-0dOE4pXhFQgX6J__lAH-lJI8oRtqMDH4/s1600/d206e2f1bbca713f4558b6d0e3cd51ac.jpg
https://userscontent2.emaze.com/images/8051d429-e432-4b5f-8783-5f93dd4c9c61/d206e2f1bbca713f4558b6d0e3cd51ac.jpg
https://www.emaze.com/@AZZRZRWF/Untitled

Poor Physical Health
  • Diabetes – High sugar level, High blood pressure and High bad cholesterol
  • Kidney function deteriorating
  • Cardio problem – irregular heart beats
  • Low blood counts
  • High potassium
  • Deteriorating eye-sight
  • Broken teeth
  • Tiredness
Uncomfortable financial situations
PHOTO: Uncomfortable financial situations
Picture posted by lottyearns on 16 May 2016 - Embarrassing money situations . . . . 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUq38x3vH-oc2Bc8tXq1-x9mJBi6vyFU1Todo33sRXzRN-Esg1RcOQL1a53TkgHB3dX_38qgXCT-5R_74Ijf2S1DeMJft0dD-WslCw7ddnlcdoorHfH7BlVJg1eV2LV333cE-1CNnD28/s1600/deal-pic18.jpg
https://i1.wp.com/www.lottyearns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/deal-pic18.jpg?w=550
http://www.lottyearns.co.uk/2016/05/16/embarrassing-money-situations/

Uncomfortable financial situations
  • Insufficient income
  • High medical costs
  • Increases in taxes – higher living expenditure
Stock and Shares Prices
PHOTO: Unable to keep up with the world's demand
Picture posted by BrowseToKnow.Com
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXsF8lVw0vzJILmbZPqgeLmb-p88vKg59EzDQyZ6Or5qcW7fmTDS3jq4iQlI2iyDAZuSGzhNnfHaYJkcOFUsEwX9vZkql1BpXg7CdkVlyz97Tp34gp68XLaTZOsaPQJFb8MbJ6LRbIMI/s1600/image008.png
http://www.browsetoknow.com/MultiMedia/Resources/Clipart/Concepts/image008.png
http://www.browsetoknow.com/MultiMedia/FormLoadClipart?PicURL=Concepts/image008.png


Unable to keep up with the world's demand
  • More reliance on hand phone
  • Transport system, especially MRT, more aggressive and complicated for elderly
  • More typhoons, earthquakes, floods, fires, disasters, haze and accidents
  • Lesser suitable jobs for middle-age, seniors and elderly
  • More complicated to learn technology
  • Lesser patience from employers, managements and co-workers
  • Higher expectation on productivity, efficiency and outputs
  • Increase in unhappiness, workload and undesirable situations in workplaces
  • Insufficient supports and protections from superiors


Are you holding on to something so tightly that it prevents you from holding on to Jesus, the true Treasure of life?
 
Fearful of Church's discipline and culture
  • Afraid to attend church’s activities
  • Expecting troubles from church activities
  • Unable to say “No” to church activities, functions and events
  • Unholy or not holy enough
  • Unable to sing during worshipping God
  • Feeling tense and uncomfortable while in church
Fearful of Church's discipline and culture
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, You know each one of us personally. You know all about us - our hang-ups, sins, fears, and aspirations. Please help us to come down from our tenuous perches in life and to find rest in You. Help us to release our grip on impermanent accumulations in life.
We need Your healing touch, but we are holding on to something so tightly that it prevents us from holding on to You, the true Treasure of life. Only by receiving the wisdom to give up our grip on material things, could we hold on tightly to You, the only One who could give us all things in the eternal future. Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture posted by Alchetron on 16 March 2007 - Premonition (2007 film), face-in-trees-illusion
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykJsMv8djfRoAueC4M3yQW28kKsZwXTtAaXIFP8MvRIYzUs-R8tGinlrPYlehAOV3mUf3DEwkK_EE2s0FiYmFOaIFrUIpRfvECNUvFI1gNWm3SE0otlTQim1qkauToJI0F6oxLgvkhyphenhyphenw/s1600/Premonition-2007-film-images-4a0c7340-c4f6-4115-a7ba-9f4a861f06f-1.png
https://alchetron.com/cdn/Premonition-2007-film-images-4a0c7340-c4f6-4115-a7ba-9f4a861f06f.jpg
https://alchetron.com/Premonition-(2007-film)#-

Reflection - Breaking free from our illusions
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012




Reference
[1] From "Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, Copyright © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-1-62707-709-5, Part I: Come to Me, Chapter One "Who is Calling?", Page 31-32.

New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV
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