Month: April 2024

Before the Cart

I am grateful for the provision Jesus has made for citizenship in the kingdom of God.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:1

Me: Good morning, Father!

Abba: Good morning, Jon!

Me: In English, the first word in John 14:1 implies that the state of my heart is under my control. Is that the intent?

Abba: It is, but I want you to understand more carefully, because you take the “Let not” as the primary instruction in the passage.

Μὴ (Not, lest) ταρασσέσθω (let be troubled, disturb, agitate) ὑμῶν (of you) ἡ (the) καρδία.(heart).

The first word has more depth than simple negation. If you take “let not” as a command, you are not wrong, exactly, but not seeing My full revelation. I do want you to have peace. The heart is where peace resides. Consider carefully the “lest” aspect of Μὴ. The sense is more explanatory. Jesus is saying, “Lest you be disturbed or agitated, you believe, in the Father and in Me.” The thing that is commanded, because of My loving desire for you, is the “believing”. The “letting” is taken care of in the “believing”, more accurately, in the object of your belief.  I Am precisely NOT saying, “Get control of your heart’s condition by some nebulous means, and that will help your believing”. Nor, “Get peace in your heart and belief in Jesus will come.” That would be “putting the cart before the horse”, so to speak.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

Verse twenty-seven repeats verse one, in reverse order. Lest (See what I did there?) you miss the point, Jesus is making it clear that peace is in Him. Further, that He is giving it to “believers”. The “let not” language is exactly as in verse one: “I am giving you the same peace that is in Me lest your heart be troubled or afraid”.

So, the question is whether the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) is the dominant state of your heart. If it is not, what unbelief is blocking the promise?

Me: Thank You Father! I love You!

Abba: You are welcome! I love you!

Graphic depicting some aspects related to the mind, heart, and spirit.

Cart image from Michael Porter, Pexels.com

In the Heart

I am grateful for the magnificent glory of Your creation, how it speaks of your limitless wisdom and power!

The transgression of the wicked saith in my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. Ps 36:1

Wrongdoing  speaks to the ungodly within his heart… NASB

I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked… NIV

To the Chief Musician, a Psalm of David, the servant of YAWEH. An oracle concerning the transgression of the wicked within my heart: [There is] no fear of God before his eyes. [Hebrew interlinear translation from Bible Hub].

Me: Good morning, Father!

Abba: Good morning, Jon!

Me: Father, it seems to me that this is one of those passages where the New American Standard Bible takes liberty with the translation in the attempt to adhere to more modern English. There are, according to the Englishman’s Concordance, seventy-eight instances of libbî. From a quick survey, all these instances appear to be translated “my heart”, except this one verse by the NASB. At least there is a footnote which admits “another rendering is my heart”.

Abba: While it is true that the heart of the offender is bent, (Ps 14:1 – The fool says in his heart there is no God”. Even this Psalm (36) says, “he plans wickedness on his bed”.) The translation “my heart” makes clear that in the heart I revealed this truth to David (and to you).

I Am Spirit (John 4:24). It is in your (redeemed) spirit that you hear what I Am saying to you. Look at James 1:14 – A man, however, is tempted by his own desire, being drawn away and enticed… What is he drawn away from? Is it not from what I Am saying to him? Is it not from My will for him? Is his own desire not doing the speaking? Does he not first have to come to the state where there is no fear of Me before his eyes?

Rather, let your desire be for Me. Turn your heart to My words and walk with Me. Let My words fill your heart and proceed from your mouth. I will develop your faith and make your way prosperous (Joshua 1:8).

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30

Me: Thank You for these insights, Father! I love You!

Abba: You are welcome! I love you!

Graphic depicting some aspects related to the mind, heart, and spirit.

Eclipse Trip

Location slightly south of the maximum line off Hwy 67, Just north of Hwy 60 in SE Missouri. Travel distance was 425 miles, one way. We drove through the Mark Twain National Forrest on the way down from Iowa, so that was a bonus.

View of the solar corona taken with a Cannon Rebel T6 and 75-300mm zoom lens at maximum (no special filter needed at totality).

This protective lens fit nicely behind my regular glasses. It worked a lot better for me than the cardboard-framed disposable solar viewing glasses. It is made in the US.

Since the next North American total eclipse is expected in 2044, we thought we would make the effort this time. It was a chance to witness the magnificence and precise balance and order God created for our benefit!

Postscript – Given Over

Photo by Gabriele Brancati on Pexels.com

Postscript added to last post, instead of writing a new one. Seemed like it was better there than here. Praising Jesus for His guidance! He is the reason the truth is steadfast! – Jon