Orange Moon Thursday, July 22, 2021 "Heavenly and Earthly"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Heavenly and Earthly"

    You've likely heard the saying, "He's so Heavenly minded, he's no earthly good" (there's even an old song by the title).      Nothing could be further from the truth.  Of course, it is more than possible to possess a false Heavenly mindedness, which certainly renders the bearer of little use to God or man.  However, a true focus on spiritual realities will lead to a great earthly significance and benefit in both time and eternity.  Indeed, consider the One who comprises the very heart and essence of our faith:

    "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).

   The most Heavenly-minded man who ever lived - the Lord Jesus Christ - lived most of His life in a manner that apparently seemed more earthly than overtly spiritual.  Scripture records only one account of our Lord actively communicating God's truth during the first thirty years of His life, when He was twelve.  He did not begin to perform miracles until His thirtieth year.  Furthermore, when His ministry began, His own brothers were shocked by what He did because they did not know who He was (Luke 2:46-47; John 2:11;  7:5).  This limited record suggests the Lord Jesus lived in a manner that likely seemed far more earthly than Heavenly to those with whom He lived.  Being who He was - the God who became man, and the man who remains God - we can be sure our Savior accomplished earthly good beyond imagining, while the Heavenly remained largely veiled during much of His life.  

   "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" (John 21:25).

   What trail of earthly footprints mark the paths the Lord Jesus trod during the thirty years He lived in the world before His ministry began?  We do not know.  However, of this we can be sure: the most Heavenly minded man who ever lived did more earthly good than any other man who ever lived.  He lived with and for people in ways that involved His hands as well as His heart.  He now lives and walks in those who trust Him (II Corinthians 6:16).  Thus, a genuine experience of the Lord Jesus will find us with a gaze set toward Heaven, but with feet solidly planted on the earth as we seek to be of much earthly good in ways that reflect "the Word… made flesh."  

"We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

(II Corinthians 4:18)

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men."

(Galatians 6:10)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. 

(Proverbs 3:5-6).

    

   

  

   

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