We MADE IT!!! Through another year by the Grace and Mercy of our Lord Jesus. Thank you Lord! Thank you Father! Thank you Holy Spirit!

Supernaturalism. When we left off in the November article, I promised that I would discuss in a bit more detail the concept of supernaturalism and its very real impact on how we live our lives. Just to reprise the November article for a moment; in that piece I said:

“The impact of Humanism in our families and in our churches is both obvious and shocking. It ‘man centered’ paradigm causes us to consult our own prejudices and feelings for guidance in everyday life. The Word of God says that ‘… in HIM we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:28). But, the word of MAN says “… if it feels good – do it!”…regardless of the consequences of such a self-centered philosophy.”

As hinted at in the above quote, the “practicing” of supernaturalism requires that we give up our own opinions and live by the opinions of our God. I know that this sounds “good” but, in practice, it annoys us at the very core of our being. After all, did not our God endow us with “free will”? He did. And are we not therefore ENTITLED to our own opinions? Not necessarily. When our opinions are in conflict with the nature and person and even the very Word of our God then our opinions must be speedily and decisively abandoned!

Let me give you a very personal and recent example of what I am saying. On Saturday November 26, I awoke to the news that Fidel Castro had died. My immediate reaction was something to the effect of … “Well, HE just split hell wide open!”. It was not with a little self satisfaction that I quite literally “rejoiced” at the demise of this despicable dictator. Having spent most of my adult working years in Miami, I had much interaction with the people there who were of Cuban extraction. I was well aware of their hatred for Fidel (which they harbored with good “reason”), and I ADOPTED their feelings for this man. But in the midst of enjoying my self-righteous reaction to Fidel’s passing, I heard the Holy Spirit say to me “… and how do you think that Father feels about this?”

Ouch. Without even having to think about it, I immediately knew, and even felt, the sadness of the Fathers heart. HE did not rejoice at the death of Fidel Castro … he was GRIEVED by it! Since this was so contrary to my own very human reaction I immediately recoiled from the idea that Almighty God – MY FATHER – held a very contrary view. However I immediately thought of the scripture that says:

 “…  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live …” (Ezekiel 33:11). And again in 2 Peter 3:9 He says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” I think that ALL means ALL. Therefore our God wants even the very WICKED to repent and to be saved. When they refuse and they die in their sin, then the very WILL of GOD has been frustrated. This cannot and does not please the Father. It GRIEVES Him.

There are, I am sure, many instances that you could cite in your own experience where a cherished opinion or attitude or action ran counter to those of our Father. When these occur, we must joyfully bow our knee and take to heart as our own HIS opinions. 

Supernaturalism. It requires that we live and move and have our being in Him. And when that occurs then what we call the “Supernatural” will become natural for us. 

We really have no reasonable choice in this. For if we choose to live only in and by the “natural” then we will of necessity come into conflict with what Father wants. His thoughts and ways are most definitely NOT our thoughts and ways … unless of course we accept and adopt HIS way. The Supernatural Way. 

So let us not, insofar as it is possible, allow Fathers heart to be broken! Determine that TODAY you will look for and take every opportunity to witness to a lost and dying world of men and women. If we fail to do this, then the death of every unsaved sinner will continue to cause our Father pain and we, ultimately, will be held responsible for the blood of the sinner (Ezekiel 33:6). 

Father. please help us, in every circumstance, to see and hear You. Our desire is to live for you and to please you. We will do so as you give us supernatural wisdom and guidance by your Holy Spirit. Forgive us, Father, when we live and move and have our being is anyone OTHER than you. Please continue to lead and guide us in our every thought and deed.  Help us to be changed, from glory to glory, into the very image of the Lord Jesus (2Cor 3:18) so that, by our life and our witness, we may turn many to righteousness.

Be blessed my friends as you practice Supernatural living!

Bill