Eyeballs Can't Play Baseball

Most people are aware that the Scriptures were not written in English. They were written predominately in Hebrew, followed by Greek (not contemporary Greek but an older version of Greek), and a few portions in Aramaic. There is, however, another language that God commonly uses but is sometimes overlooked. It is the language of sarcasm. It is the language some of the prophets use and is commonly used by the Apostle Paul and the writers of the New Testament. God's Word is far more humorous and sarcastic than we may often think. Do you really think human beings came up with word plays, hyperbole and sarcasm while God stood amazed at the corruption of communication? If the Scriptures are truly God's Words, then sarcasm is one of the languages He chose to communicate in.

The Apostle Paul uses this exceptionally well as he writes to the believers in Corinth. Having been blessed with a sarcastic gene, I appreciate Paul's words and wonder why I am often the only one chuckling when the passage is read. The issue Paul deals with in 1 Corinthians 12-14 has infiltrated and infected the Messianic community (often called the church) for generations. It is simply the desire to be noticed or to be in charge. It is the disease Lucifer lost the battle to in Isaiah 14. The ego, "I first" disease. It was passed onto James, John, and their mom in Matthew 20:21 when she asked the Lord to seat one son on His right and the other on His left. "Just let my sons be recognized as your favorites." It still seems that so many want to feel important by having the appearance of some public or obvious gift. God's perspective is that we are all vital to the work of His Body for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 12:14-21 is a part of Paul's sarcastic rant. His point is that we have many parts in one body. We cannot discard any part as unnecessary or unimportant. It is also true that we can't all want to be the same part. Perhaps this will make Paul's illustration a bit more real to you. Many of us have had the opportunity to stand in a line to get picked to be on a team, perhaps, baseball. The team captains start with what appear to be the most valuable and then the less athletic ones. In this line there is a large eyeball. No arms, legs, or head, just an eyeball that rolls up to the line. No one wants to pick him. He can keep his eye on the ball but he can't swing. The body has to be more than an eyeball to function. Eyeballs can't play baseball. This is Paul's illustration. Let your imagination flow just a little. Come on, doesn't this rate at least a little smile? The illustration is funny; lighten up, enjoy God's humor. Then land on His point. We are all important. We are all vital to the work of the kingdom. It seems we often have more mouths than feet. Or lots of activity but so little heart. 

We are either numb, naive, or callous to the reality of Paul's illustration of the body. Paul pointedly says, "That there should be no schism in the body but the members should have the same care one for another. And when one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it" (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). We suffer when we are divided. We suffer alone when we are not connected. We all suffer when a part does not do their part. Your choice to skip out on times of corporate worship and ministry is wounding both to you and the body. We are mistaken if we think we can approach our connection to a local body cavalierly or as one of convenience. Your absence wounds the body and makes it less effective for God. Your "Church Hopping" denies ministry stability and leaves each assembly suffering from your frivolous acts of amputation. Worst of all, it causes the building of God's kingdom to suffer. If you are a hand or a foot or a liver, or whatever part God has made you, you are needed. You are essential. If you are disconnected, everyone pays a price. You and everyone else suffers. Remember eyeballs will never play baseball.

Rethinking Pleasure

Do you seek after pleasure? Pleasure is one of those words sort of co-opted by the world and Greek thought. Pleasure is often associated with some sort of sensuality or passion. With that ingrained into our thought patterns we who have chosen to follow Messiah shun such pride and pleasure. After all we know that, "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Doesn't the feeling of pleasure border on pride? I mean, isn't getting a sense of pleasure in accomplishment robbing God of His glory? It is all supposed to be  about Him, right? Isn't the feeling of pleasure in contradiction to that? There are those God ordained times of feeling pleasure in the confines of the covenant of marriage, but, what about the rest of life?

In my forty plus years of ministry it is my observation that much of the time we, as followers of Christ, struggle with the pleasure thing. Many of us carry the darkness of worldly pleasures that scarred us in a life before we knew Messiah. Occasionally haunted by pleasures we would like to forget we find protection in avoiding pleasure all together. There is the "Joy of the Spirit" that we are allowed to enjoy. However, the truth is, that joyful experience is hard to grasp, explain, and hold onto. What does God think of pleasure?

To begin with God designed us to know and experience pleasure. From the depths of emotional intimacy to the day to day reality of life with Him, pleasure is in God's plan. The Greek word charis is often translated "grace". We know that God is gracious and that "By grace you are saved, it is a gift of God" (Eph. 2:8). Also we are to be, "to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6). We know that He is the source of this grace for, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, ... full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Grace is undeserved favor from God.What we may not realize is that pleasure is also a possible translation for charis. Charis is that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, as well as favor, bounty and benefit. The "undeserved favor" is a little shallow as a definition, even though it is true. One who understands grace should also understand and share in the pleasure of God.

If you add just a little ending to charis you end up with charisma the word translated as "gift". God has supernaturally graced you with abilities for mutual pleasure with Him. Be it service, giving, leadership, hospitality, faith, teaching, or any of the Spiritual gift you find in the Scriptures, you have been graced by the Lord to possess them. God has also graced us with talents and abilities. Talents are abilities that are simply a part of how God designed you. Be it music, writing, woodworking, art, you simply "have a knack". The talent can be refined with instruction However, you are just adding some polish to what is already there. Abilities are things learned, like adding and subtracting. Whether supernaturally given, innately a part of our design or learned, they are all gifts from God. They all afford the opportunity to experience His pleasure.   

Let us be honest for a moment. Have you ever,written, composed, drawn, baked, built, or sung something and the thought comes to your head, "Whoa, that was really good." or "That looks amazing." Then felt just a twinge of guilt for your self glorification? "Wait a minute, this is supposed to be about God, I can't take credit for this." Maybe. However, maybe what you just experienced is the pleasure of God in what He has done in you. I know there is always a danger of being arrogant and self absorbed, however, I believe we need to leave room for the gracious pleasure God grants us to experience. There are times when I write something and say to myself, "That is really good." I have begun to listen to the still small voice in my spirit that says, "You're right, that was good." 

I have five children all talented, gifted, and having differing abilities. I feel pleasure in seeing them use these abilities that have been graciously bestowed upon them by the God who loves them. I feel pleasure in their art, music, writing, vocals, deep thoughts, and exuberant expressions of joy. Why would I think my Heavenly Father would feel less about me? God has given me all things to enjoy, to take pleasure in. How dry we make our "prideless" lives to be. Are we missing the shared pleasure in what our Creator has graced upon us? 

I may be wrong but I believe God finds pleasure in seeing me use the gifts, talents,and abilities He has graced upon me. I believe it is okay for me to share in that pleasure. There are times I really like what I write. Not boasting and no pride intended. I just feel His pleasure. What do you feel when you use your gifts?

A Present From God

Do you like to receive presents? It seems most people do. They usually surround some celebration or memorable event. Some are shared by a community, like Christmas; however, most are focused upon more personal things. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and graduations come to mind. On a spiritual level we may be grateful for the gift of life through Messiah Jesus or the gift of an answered prayer. Presents are things that come undeserved. They are not earned or are some kind of reward. God's presents are given just because He gives. It is who He is. 

Special days and memorials highlight the presents the Lord has bestowed upon us. Good Friday followed by Resurrection Sunday remind us of His gifts to us as well as Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. God's Word is replete with festivals and feasts that serve to remind us of the many things God has done for us and given to us.

2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us, “In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Salvation or deliverance is a great gift from God. In the context of the passage Paul is admonishing the believers in Corinth to not assimilate into the degraded culture that surrounds them. The present given by God is deliverance from such things. The world engages in a never ending assault upon our lives and our spirits. At times it can feel overwhelming. In the remainder of chapter 6 Paul documents the variety of attacks that plague those who desire to walk in the truth of the Gospel and with the Messiah. It reminds us that our Lord warned that the enemy of our soul has come to "steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). It can be an imposing thought as we enter each day.

However, we need not be dismayed, for 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us of the gift God has given us through Yeshua our Messiah. Actually it is the present. Every day is the acceptable time for our deliverance. Every day is the day of salvation. It is not tomorrow, for we cannot know that tomorrow will be ours. Yes, we plan and anticipate but there are no guarantees. Likewise, we can do nothing to change the past. We can change course or seek forgiveness for wrongs done, but the events of the past are unchangeable. We may live with the consequences but we do not live in the past. At least we should not. I do know people who try to live in the past or let the events of the past rob them of the present. The present is very much that. A present, a gift, from God. Each day is a new opportunity. Each day brings salvation or deliverance from the very hand of God. 

Perhaps this comes with the passing of years, the appreciation for each day as a present for God. Every day has new mercies (see Lamentations 3:22-23) and new deliverance. Presents are given to celebrate some joyful event. I guess that makes each day given an event worth celebrating. I do not make light of those times of pain and sorrow, however, they should be events that pass and heal with the present of each new mercy filled day. We train our children to be grateful for presents they have received. How much more appropriate is it for the children of God to enjoy and express appreciation for each present He graciously bestows upon us. 

We should learn from the past and hope for the future, but oh how we should enjoy the present from the Lord God with each morning sunrise (or evening sunset if we follow a Hebraic day). Life is to be celebrated. We must not let the past rob us of the present God has given or allow anxiety of the future to steal the joy of the gift of the moment. I used to have a little card sitting on my desk that simply said, "life is not lost in days but moment by moment". How easy it is to take the Lord's present gift for granted and lose life moment by moment. The other half of John 10:10 tells us, that He came that we may have life, and have it in abundance. 

What are you doing with God's present? It wasn't meant to be opened tomorrow. Now is the accepted time, the present is the time of deliverance. So, celebrate the present God gave you. It is a gift from Him to be enjoyed today.

Leaven Lessons

How important is leaven to you? Bread, donuts, sticky buns, pizza crust, even some pastas have leaven. It is in most of the baked goods we consume. It is not a bad thing. It actually makes food it unites with better. For the most part I am not a big bread eater, unless it is pizza dough. Well, there is this really good rosemary, olive oil bread that makes amazing toast. I can sit for a moment, eyes closed, inhale deeply and allow my olfactories a moment of ecstasy. Most would admit that there is something comforting about the smell of fresh baked bread. Bread is one of those staples of life. Leaven helps make that possible.

God talks a bit about leaven, however, not always in the most complimentary ways. Yeshua told his disciples, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" (Matt. 16:6). The Apostle Paul gave a similar warning in 1 Cor. 5:6-7, "Your glorying is not good. do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened."

Leaven often refers to sin or impurity and always points to the nature of leaven to spread and permeate things it is joined with. We are warned how sin can do that to us. It tends to sneak in and then try to permeate who we are. But leaven is not always seen as evil. Yeshua borrowed the properties of leaven when speaking of His Kingdom: "Another parable spoke he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened" (Matt. 13:33). The promise is that God's Kingdom, in God's time, will permeate the world. The question is, are we being permeated by sin or by preparation for the kingdom?

Back in the days of Moses, God introduced a new use of leaven, or rather the non-use of leaven. Following Passover, when all leaven had been removed from the house, God's people were to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days of avoiding eating anything with leaven. Lots of Matzo. Technically, the passages only prohibit the consumption of leaven. It does not say that all you could eat was unleavened bread, so it appears that meat, fruits and vegetables might be allowed. However, many Jews restrict their diet to just Matzo for the week. As a Gentile I had not observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread. What benefit could there be in going a week without my usual fare of leavened products? Still, it was God's idea, so I thought I would join my Jewish friends and avoid leaven for a week. I did eat other stuff, like meats and vegetables, but avoided consuming anything with leaven in it.

It can be pretty amazing what your brain and body do when you decide not to eat something. Bread and pizza smell incredible. Even leavened stuff I never eat took on a strange appeal. Throughout the week I was reminded over and over again of the danger of sin mixing into my life. It made me consider everything I ate, from fruit to junk food. My mind reviewed the events of Passover several times a day. I thought more of God and sin and His deliverance that I had for a while. Just by avoiding leaven.

One of the lessons I was reminded of is the remarkable integration of my being. God did not design us with individual compartments. We often speak of our mind, will, emotions and body as almost separate entities. Our Lord said, "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" (Mark 14:38). Indicating that the spirit and flesh are connected. Weakness in our flesh has an impact on our spirit. What we do physically touches how we think and how we feel. A good physical workout can leave us mentally and emotionally refreshed. Not eating leaven put the integration of my being on display before me in a remarkable way. My random mental activity went something like this:  

"I am hungry, but don't eat leaven, by the way, how is your purity going? Okay, and I know I am delivered like Israel was... by the blood of the Lamb, who warns me of the dangers of sin while delivering me from death. Sooo, are you really hungry? Maybe a little fasting would be good for your body. Let's just have a glass of water. Put down the M & Ms and walk away. Take a moment and thank the Lord for all you have, rather than what you don't have. Remember the simple act of denying yourself is the call of Messiah on your life. What would Jesus do is more than a bracelet. Hmmm, maybe God has a bigger point to make in my life than just not eating leaven. Maybe that has always been the case."

My leaven-free week has actually been very encouraging. It has been mentally, spiritually, physically, even emotionally satisfying. It has reminded me of how every part of who I am is connected to every other part. My physical state touches my mind, spirit and emotions. My will, exercised in successfully passing over leaven, strengthened my will to pass over some of the temptations and attitudes that invade my life. There has been no "down side" to the unleavened week. I am grateful for the Spirit's prompting and my decision to give my will a bit of exercise for the week.

Now I wonder, "what has God hidden in all those other feasts and festivals in His Word." I am wonderfully saved by grace through faith alone. However, it seems the Lord may well bless us for simple observation of things He provided so Israel would not forget the God who delivered them from the hand of Pharaoh. There truly is a depth of riches in the memorials the Lord has given. Perhaps we are missing more than we think as we run from Torah. Maybe next year you too will be prompted to go "unleavened" for a week. In the meantime I am off to find some of that rosemary, olive oil bread.