"The Sweetest Gift of All"

The Christmas Celebration has come and gone. Relatives are heading home and the tree is a little bare. For many the Christmas celebration is bittersweet. It is a time to celebrate the Savior's birth, however it can be a time of reflecting upon the shadow of the loss of a loved one. A spouse, parent, child, friend, the ones passed on who leave that vacant spot on Christmas day. A good friend shared a music video that speaks to that reality. It was a source of comfort for me. Perhaps it will be for you as well. Consider it a belated Christmas gift from Torah Paranoia.

Christmas all Year Long

Tis that most wonderful time of the year. We are in the midst of what has become known as the Christmas season. It is a time of peace on earth and good will toward men, just ask anyone in retail. It is a time of confused celebration and traditions that have questionable origins. Even the time of the celebration of the Lord's first advent comes from Constantine's desire to somehow blend Christianity with the solstice celebration. The Scriptures give us no definitive time of the Savior's birth but it was not December 25th. More likely the spring time so some find the celebration unseemly. They have a feeling of pride that they reject this holiday and all of it's pagan roots and traditions. I have written before that celebrating the birth of the Savior seems like a good thing. It is a good thing to remember that John 3:16 is true. God did did love the world and did give His only begotten Son so we could believe and have life eternal. That, in and of itself, is a reason to bring God praise and a cause for celebration.

One of the common marks of the Christmas season is that of giving. We buy gifts to exchange and little things to tuck in those stockings hung with care. Thanks to Samaritan's Purse, many now give shoe boxes filled with fun stuff so children around the world can experience Gods love. We give change to the chilly folks ringing the bell outside grocery stores and shopping malls so the Salvation Army can spread God's care. We may exchange names as a "Secret Santa" in the place we work. These are all good things. Our God is a giving God. He gives the sun and the rain. He gives life to the fields and brings the harvest. He gives hope and joy and the fruit of His Spirit into the barren lives of His children. He gives comfort to the wounded and forsaken. For those who believe that Messiah Jesus has come, giving is one of the most powerful tools available to reveal the Son of God.

Giving in the simplest and most practical moments of life has multiple benefits and can cause a ripple effect in making the Savior real. For the giver, it is a reminder of God's sacrifice and gift to us. For the recipient there is a little joy added to their lives and a little light to shine into their darkness. I am aware that life is short and that we want to be efficient in the use of what time God has given us. However, maybe we need to remember that it really is God's time given to us. It is really not our own. It is a gift to be shared with others. So perhaps our goal should be to give up that prime parking space and enjoy a brisk walk from the distant parking lots while humming a Christmas carol on the way. It is a time to help someone unload their overloaded cart and then take the cart back to the store. Time to hold open a door, put a dollar in a kettle and smile a lot. take God's time to surprise the person ahead of you in the checkout line and let them go first. Even if their seventy-two items seems to outweigh your seventeen. Ask how their shopping is going. Take note of the contents of the cart and comment on how much someone will enjoy the choices they made. They may be resistant to step ahead of you but you can gently persuade them to take your spot. Imagine the conversation they will have when they share the story at home of how someone put them first. Be the thankful encourager to the retail associate. They really are making your life easier by working that day. Watch their countenance change when you express your gratitude for being there and wish them a Merry or Blessed Christmas. I for one want to be the story of the kind and grateful customer when they get home rather than the irritated, grumpy demanding one. All five of my children and my wife have worked retail. My wife and daughter still do. I get to hear the stories of the outrageous and demanding people who set out to ruin their day. However, I also hear of the kind, patient and pleasant folk who appreciated them for their help. Which one does God want you to be?

Whether you enjoy the season or are somewhat offended by the questionable roots and history that surrounds this time of year, the celebration should not rob you of the opportunity to let some light shine in the darkness. Take a queue from Linus and read the account from Luke chapter two and let this be what Christmas is all about. You can read it again in April when the event is more likely to have occurred. In fact you could read it once a month just as a way to refresh the wonder of Messiah's arrival and the joy it brought to simple shepherds just outside Bethlehem. We could actually celebrate Christmas everyday of the year. Always being giving to those around us. Always offering a helping hand to the guy trying to tie a mattress onto his Prius outside of Sam's Club or hep the woman with her seventy-five pound bag of kitty litter. Philippians 2:3 gives us the plan, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." Putting others first. That is what the Lord did for us. Remember the story? He left the glories of heaven and took on the form of a child. Born to a poor young woman in a stable there in Bethlehem. No glitz, no glory, just a few shepherds reporting a multitude of the heavenly host singing, "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, good will toward men". It really is good news of great joy for all people. A joy we can share all year long by simply giving others the gift of being more important than ourselves. Humble service when we shop, when we drive, when we park our cars, when we hold a door or help the little league youngster with a $20 donation as we leave the grocery store and watch their eyes light up. The joy of Christmas giving can be ours every day of the year. 

I Never Want to "Get Over It"

We live in a world that abounds with comings and goings. The truth is, things in life are subject to change. From the simple things that wear out, like the toaster oven, refrigerator or technology that seems to come and go overnight. These sort of things are fairly easy to deal with. Most of us do not develop a deep meaningful relationship with a blender, though I have known people to get pretty attached to their cars. However, when it comes to people that is a different story. The comings and going of people can be more challenging to deal with. Social media can ease the parting with face-time and Instagram. But, no amount of technology can help when the parting comes through death. Death is a very real part of the lives we live. And with the passing of years it becomes an all too frequent visitor. It is these times of loss that we are called to cope with. We have grief ministries, and stages of grief and reminders that, "Time heals all wounds". Well, maybe time just dulls the pain a little. By the grace of God healing does come, yet the scars may linger longer than we thought possible. Well meaning friends are there to encourage us to move on. To get on with life and, with time, to get over it. Initial grief and sorrow is expected and comfort is readily available. That first anniversary of the passing often comes with comforting words and empathy. However, beyond that we are expected to get past the loss and begin to start fresh. With the Lord's help, of course.

But what if, in some ways, we are not supposed to get over it? What if God has other ideas of what to do with loss? The Apostle Paul tells those in Thessalonica, "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13). So we are not to sorrow as those who have no hope. Yet, we are allowed to sorrow. We are allowed to fell sadness. And there does not seem to be some set time limit as to how we can feel this way. I do not see a "Well, it's time to get over it. You've felt sad long enough." I am not talking about a debilitating grief that makes us bedridden as we wait to die. There is, or should be, some expected healing from God's Spirit as we cope with the loss. However, deep relationships are replete with abundant triggers of memories and special thoughts of the one who is gone. As believers, we know where our loved one is. We have the hope of the resurrection, we know they would not want us to be consumed with sorrow. However, are we intended to just get over years of special occasions that are special only to the ones who shared the moment?

I for one do not want to get over it. I am past the sorrow of a lost friend, at least for the most part. I have the full comfort of what God has provided. However, there are times when I miss the, "I am so frustrated right now!" phone call. I miss long talks in the parking lot. I miss knowing someone always has my back. I miss Dunkin Donuts conversations, ice cream at Friendly's and knowing he was just around the corner. I don't get sad quite the way I did at first but I never want to become calloused to the memories that somehow keep the friendship alive. We were not designed by God to go through life alone. I am blessed with a loving, remarkable, supportive, wife, and she is cute on top of that. I cannot imagine life without her. I have also been blessed with a number of friendships, some more like brothers than friends. However, I have only been blessed once with the kind of friendship that has been taken from me. I do not want to get over it. It was a special gift and blessing from the Lord. I want to treasure the memories. Be prompted to relive some moments when we laughed, enjoyed some music and were burdened for our children.  I want to celebrate some answers to prayer that we shared before he went home. I want to feel the prompting to pray for his wife and children and grandchildren, just like when he was here.  I am beyond grateful for the years of friendship and having a brother in the Lord that I may never experience again. So, no, I don't want to get over it. I want to treasure it. I want to remember it for even the pain of loss is something we had shared before. He was truly a gift from God. Why would I ever want to get over it?

"Pray on Purpose"

Most of humanity wants to believe they are here for some kind of purpose. Preferably one that has an enough of an impact that we are remembered by those we care about. A life that lacks purpose can lead to depression and diminishes the value that should be ours. The God who created us did so on purpose. He gave you life on purpose and wants you to both realize and enjoy your purpose for being here. Over the past few blog posts we have been reviewing Matthew 6:9-13, commonly known as the Lord's Prayer. As we come toward the end of our study we find this final phrase, "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." You will not find it as easily in the NIV or ESV Bible translations for there is some academic question as to whether the phrase belongs. We are going to accept the long standing tradition and include it. The point here is not to enter into a discussion concerning textual criticism but to recognize that the closing phrase is a pretty good way to end any prayer. If you do not think it belongs you can find the same encouragement elsewhere in Scripture.

If we take this instruction seriously we will not only have a prayer to follow we also have purpose in life. Fellowship with our Heavenly Father is rewarding, comforting, and provides direction. The truth that the God of all creation finds great pleasure in having you as a child and looks forward to talking with you is a pretty good way to boost your personal value quotient. This Heavenly Father also has a kingdom yet to come, as well as a kingdom in the present. Our prayer for this kingdom to advance calls us to be involved as kingdom citizens. We also partake in the power provided to advance this kingdom. Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” To provide a witness of an eternal kingdom with no death, pain, or sorrow, seems like a rewarding purpose for life. The reminder of power also points back to the "daily bread" phrase where we were prompted to reflect on our dependence and God's constant provision. God knows our needs and has the power to provide. In a world filled with reasons to feel insecure we have assurance that the Lord is involved, He is aware and He cares for His children.

God's glory is likewise never ending. Colossians 3:4 tells us we will share in that glory, "And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." The wonder of Who the Lord is, is also ours to share in. 1 John 3:2, "Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is." We shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. Quite the promise. Our call, our purpose, is to be involved in His kingdom, His power and His glory, forever. Not a bad purpose. In all we do, in all we say, in the life that He has given to us we have a purpose. We set His name apart as a name above all names. We labor, with joy, to see His kingdom advanced. We rest in His daily provision as we provide for others. We forgive in such a way that others can see how God forgives. We overcome tests and temptation by coming to Him for protection and rest. We are not just looking to the here and now for purpose but a purpose that is forever. Amen!

Escaping the Evil

How do you go about escaping the evil that rolls over us from the corrupt and fallen world that we inhabit? The Lord's direction is to make this a matter of prayer. Matthew recorded these instructions for us in Matthew 6. A pretty familiar passage that we refer to as the Lord's prayer. Praying to our heavenly Father is a positive activity. This model prayer encourages us to ask for some pretty common things, like bread, as well as some challenging things concerning His Kingdom and forgiveness. The disciples lived in very difficult times. The government of Rome was oppressive and demanding. Taxes were high and freedoms were being eroded. Most religious practices surrounding the disciples were a violation to all they held as sacred. The roadways and cities held many dangers. Robbery and assault were common. You did not travel alone, for there often were threats from wild animals and thieves. Luke 10 reveals those dangers in the story of the abused man and the good Samaritan. Evil was common and came in a variety of forms and from all directions. It should not be a surprise that this prayer includes instruction on deliverance from evil.

"But deliver us from evil" is a request that gets directly to the point. The NIV and NKJV translations add the word "one", personalizing the evil that assaults us. The added word is meant to help, however, it may diminish our struggle rather than clarify the assault. You could argue that all evil comes from the evil one, however, much of what we struggle with has become a part of the world we live in and is not personal attack by Satan, himself, on our lives. It would serve us well to take a deeper look at the words used here in Matthew. The Greek word for deliver here is, rhyomai, It means, to draw to one's self, to rescue. It is not the common Greek word, sōzō, often translated "save". Here in Matthew the request is to be drawn near to the One who can rescue us from evil. To be pulled in close to a place or person who can protect us, rescue us from the evil that we encounter all the time. It is may be a bit more relational than sozo. In the midst of our daily, moment by moment struggle with evil we need to be drawn near, to be protected, rescued from evil. This is not unlike what our Lord shared concerning His people in Luke 13:34, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!" We need to be drawn close under His wings to be protected, the question might be, are we willing?

What kind of evil does the Lord suggest we need to be rescued from? The Greek word here is, ponēros. The meaning of the word is pretty broad, meaning, pressed and harassed by labors, bringing toils, annoyances, perils, hardships, even disease or blindness. It is to be weighed down by all the trouble of the world. To be compressed and feel like there is no way out. Evil confines us and can rob us of the freedom to enjoy all that God has so graciously given us. We need deliverance, to be rescued, to be protected, from this kind of evil all the time. This evil is not just from the evil one; it comes from living in a fallen and broken world. I can generate this evil on my own. If we are honest, there are times when we need to be delivered from ourselves. To be delivered from past mistakes and failures that oppress and hem us in and keep us from moving forward with the Lord. Just as we need daily bread, we need daily deliverance. We need to take shelter under His wings or the evil that pervades our existence may crush us. 

The remedy to evil is His presence. The closer we are to Him the greater our protection. This does not mean that we will skate through life problem free. the Scriptures make it clear that struggles and pain are a part of this life. It does mean we do not have to go through it alone. There is security in the Lord even in the darkest of times. There are tests and trials that God allows to build my faith and encourage my faithfulness. However, I am certain that they will be easier to endure under the shelter of His wings. Today I need to be delivered from evil. I would guess that you do as well.

   

God's Leading Me Where?!?

Have you ever asked God for direction? Have you asked Him to lead you in the right path, to make the right decisions? Most of us have, be it direction for a job, school, church to attend, place we should live, even who we should marry. We are encouraged to ask, to pray for direction even to follow David's example in Psalm 25:4, "Make me know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths." It seems reasonable that we would want to be on the right path. Asking the Lord to keep us on the right path is a pretty common request. However, have you ever thought about asking God to not lead you? In this series of posts we have been considering the instructions Rabbi Jesus gave to His disciples. The phrase we consider today is an unusual request. The disciples are instructed to ask God, their Father in heaven to not do something.

The phrase is, "And do not lead us into temptation" (Matthew 6:13a). Why do we specificity need to ask God to NOT lead us into temptation. Why would God lead us there? I thought James wrote that this couldn't happen? James 1:13 says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone." If God does not tempt anyone, then why are we instructed to ask Him to not lead us there? Perhaps a look at the Greek words will shed some light on this apparent dilemma. The Greek word translated "lead" is eispherō, It means to lead or to bring in. It appears only seven times in the New Testament. Here in Matthew 6, and in Luke 11, the other version of the Lord's Prayer, where it is translated lead. The other five instances the word is translated "brought" as in Luke 5 where they "brought" the paralyzed man to Jesus. Either way Matthew's record of this prayer is that God would not lead or bring us into temptation.

The real help comes from understanding the word translated "temptation". This is the Greek word, peirasmos. It does indeed mean temptation; however, it is also commonly translated test or trial. A test or trial may be a positive thing or a negative thing. It depends on where it comes from and how we respond. Satan brings temptations to wound us and to draw us into sin. We are not exempt from these things. Messiah had this experience. Luke 4:13 records the encounter between the Lord and the devil in the wilderness, "Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time." This temptation was meant to harm. Peter gives us another perspective. 1 Peter 1:6, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials." We rejoice in spite of the trials that come upon us. James takes it a step further telling us, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (James 1:2). It is through trials or temptations that we grow in patience and strength in the Lord. Peter tells us that these trials are to be expected. "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (1 Peter 4:12). Trials are God's way of bringing us to maturity. Resistance will build our "faith muscles". It is through these kinds of temptations that we gain strength as we trust and depend upon the Lord.

We cannot void these faith building experiences. They are God-designed to help us grow in faithfulness and patience as well as having the experience to help others as they travel down their path with the Lord. Our experience can help them in their spiritual journey. This is the positive aspect of those trials and temptations. Yet, we all know that we have weaknesses that can tempt us to stumble. Those temptations can lead us into wrong thinking, wrong decisions and sin. James made that clear. It is, therefore, wise to ask the Lord to protect us from exposures to those weaknesses, those temptations. Lord as you lead me through this day do not let my path wander into areas where I will fall into destructive temptations. Instead deliver me. Which is what we will look into next week.

Temptations, trials, and tests will come. Count on it. The question is what will you do with it? We want to depend upon the Lord and know success and victory. However, some times the best victory comes from avoiding the battle where we are vulnerable to fail. Asking our Heavenly Father to not lead us toward paths of temptation but to protect us and lead us in the paths of righteousness is a prayer worth praying.

Self Impossed Destruction

What are the greatest threats to your life? We may look at the world and come up with an imposing list as we see raging forest fires, erupting volcanoes, unstable economies, wars and rumors of wars. The world can be a pretty threatening place. However there may be even greater threats much closer to home. Threats that can grow within our very souls. Quiet thoughts that fester like silent cancers quietly destroying our lives. The past few posts here at Torah Paranoia have been a review of, what is commonly known as, The Lord's Prayer. In Matthew 6 and again in Luke 11, we find some instructions on prayer from Rabbi Jesus, our Messiah. Today's portion may well be the most challenging and the most important. Matthew 6:12 reads, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Luke's version in 11:4 is as follows, "And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us." Asking the Lord for forgiveness is a pretty common prayer for most believers. However, there is more to this prayer than asking forgiveness.

The Lord instructs His disciples to ask forgiveness based on the attitude of forgiveness that is already at work in their lives. We are to ask God to forgive us in the same fashion that we have and are forgiving others. We are asking God to follow our example of forgiveness. Our desire is that God, Himself, will model His forgiveness after our forgiveness of others. Forgiveness is a huge deal to God. He knows that lack of forgiveness leads to bitterness which will poison our lives. Lack of forgiveness is incredibly destructive. Back in the days of David, David had a trusted advisor named, Ahithophel. You will find the account in 2 Samuel 16. David's son, Absolom, is trying to kill David and take the throne by force. Ahithophel sides with Absolom to the point of asking to be the one to personally kill David. Why would this close friend and advisor to King David want to see David dead? If you check out the genealogies you will find that Bathsheba is his grand daughter. The woman David took, had her husband killed, and the result was that Ahithophel's great grandson died. Those are some pretty hefty sins to forgive. Ahithophel's counsel to Absolom is rejected so he kills himself. Actually, his unforgiving heart bred a bitterness that was waiting to take his life all along.

Forgiveness is so important God recorded a personal letter from the Apostle Paul to his friend Philemon that is a letter calling for forgiveness. A slave Philemon owned, named Onesimus, has apparently stolen from him and run away. Most guess that Onesimus was a trusted house servant so the violation to his master, Philemon, is no small matter. Onesimus has come to faith under the ministry of Paul. Paul sends him back to Philemon interceding on behalf of Onesimus. Philemon is asked to put Ephesians 4:32 into action, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

The Lord, Jesus, also shares a parable about forgiveness that has some unsettling words. It is a tale of a man who owed his lord a massive debt. He pleads for forgiveness and that is granted. The forgiven man then assaults a fellow servant who owes him pennies and has him thrown in prison. When the master finds out this unforgiving servant is also cast into prison. The account in in Matthew 18. The point of the parable comes in verse 35, “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Our forgiveness is also to be generous, seventy times seven to begin with (Matthew 18:22). Forgiveness is not optional it is required of the children of God. We are to reflect our Heavenly Father's heart of forgiveness before we ask for forgiveness for ourselves. If we do not forgive, we are told God will not forgive.

I have been in ministry long enough to see the instructive power of an unforgiving heart. I have seen families torn apart as one spouse cannot forgive another. Children haunted by wounds they will not release. Churches have been torn apart by the bitterness of an unforgiving spirit. A lack of forgiveness is also a sign of pride. Pride is a partner with a lack of forgiveness that leaves untold numbers in its ruinous wake. The unforgiving one is never satisfied and often fails to see their own life sucked down into darkness. It is a tragic waste of life.

If there are unhealed wounds that are preserved by unforgiveness it is time to let them go. Death in some measure awaits the bitter soul. Do not let pride keep you from His grace. God does warn us that, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble " (James 4:6). It is time to forgive, so that God can forgive and pour out His grace upon your wounded heart. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." is no small thing before the God Whose name we are to hallow, to honor, to respect. Your Heavenly Father waits to brings to bring His forgiveness to you. This time it depends on you.

Daily Bread or What's For Dinner?

What things are on your daily prayer list? Maybe members of your family, someone struggling, your nation, these are all important and even have some Biblical support. What about bread? Jesus told His disciples that their prayer was to include this request,"Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). Praying to and honoring our Heavenly Father seems appropriate. Praying for His Kingdom and will to be done seems like that should be a priority as well. But daily bread? I mean, this does not seem like a real problem for most of us. Bread is readily available in a variety of shapes, flavors, with and without gluten. Then add pastries, donuts, bagels, and desserts and I have more bread than I should even eat. At the time of the writing of Matthew bread was a needed staple of life. There were occasional famines however, with the size and network that was the Roman Empire, bread could usually be found. So why would the disciples be instructed to pray for bread every day?

Bread was actually a pretty big deal when Rabbi Jesus spoke these words. Bread meant a great deal to the Jews. There was the Feast of Unleavened Bread that they were required to keep. The traditional Seder meal had a focus on the bread. The Feast of Tabernacles was a reminder that God had provided bread, manna, everyday for forty years as they wandered in the wilderness. Bread was simply woven into Jewish society and culture in a way that elevated this common food to something that carried a special meaning several times a year. Jesus, would refer to himself as "The bread of life" in John 6:35, and "the bread that comes down from heaven" (John 6:41). We remember the Lord's death with the breaking of bread, as He instructed us to. God uses bread to illustrate the common and basic needs of life. He lets us know that this bread is also true of His Son. Meaning our very lives are dependent upon God's Son.

Praying, "Give us this day our daily bread" can actually be a very meaningful prayer. Bread is essential for survival. Starvation is not a pleasant thought. However, the application of the prayer goes well beyond what is for dinner. It ca be a reminder of just how dependent we are upon the Lord to provide for us. Every breath, every heart beat, is a gift from Him. When we come to a place where we think little about our daily needs we can miss the reality that we really are totally dependent upon our Heavenly Father and His Son for everything in life, and the life yet to come. We also miss how remarkably gracious He is, how dependable and trustworthy He is. The reason I do not think much about bread is due to the fact that it is always available. Just as the True Bread form Heaven is with me every moment of every day. Perhaps, there is a good reason to place this request into our daily prayers. God's faithfulness can easily be overlooked and even forgotten. He is my bread of life every day of my life. It seems to me that the Lord is directing us to pause during our busy days and thank God for the wonder of His daily Bread. It certainly couldn't hurt. It might even help to remind us of the constant care of our Heavenly Father.

Do We Really Want God's Kingdom?

We are told we should pray and probably feel like we may not pray enough but, did anyone give you a tutorial on prayer when you began your walk with Him? If not, you re not alone. Even the disciples of Rabbi Jesus looked for direction. Even if you think you have prayer down to an art, there are likely some things you can glean from these instructional verses found in Matthew 6. We looked a bit deeper into verse 9 recognizing the balance between God as Abba Father and the holiness of His name. What follows is probably the most difficult aspect of the Lord's instruction on prayer. It seems pretty safe on the surface. However, if we return it to the context of a Jewish rabbi speaking to his Jewish disciples and a whole lot of Jewish people on a hillside, we may find that it takes us where we do not want to go. Maybe it will give us some second thoughts about praying for God's kingdom to come.

Matthew 6:10 is as follows, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"(KJV). Do you pray for God's kingdom to come? Would you like to be living in that kingdom now? There is a glorious future to be had when the Lord Messiah rules and reigns, but, what about today? Do you really want to be involved in Kingdom living today? The Jewish disciples were certainly interested in the Kingdom of God. They had waited for generations for Messiah, the anointed one of God, to come and establish that kingdom. Their hope was that this rabbi they followed was indeed the long anticipated deliverer. However, their expectation was that of an earthly kingdom where Messiah would rule with power and authority. Israel would have all of their promised land and would never be sub-servant to anyone ever again. They would be free from Roman tyranny and be the unrivaled world power. We also wait in expectation for that kingdom. We know that it will come, in God's time. So we are in agreement with those first century Jews up to this point. "Even so, come Lord Jesus" is a pretty good prayer in the light of the condition of the world today.

Kingdom living does have a few perimeters that the disciples understood as well. "Thy will be done" is a directive we should also place in context. The disciples and the Jews on the hillside know what God's will was. He had written it down for them back at Mount Sinai. It was known as Torah. It's application and consequences were recorded and exemplified in the Writings and the Prophets. God's will for His people was to follow His directions and instructions as to how best to live. These were God's commandments and directives. They were not suggestions or a list of things to pick and choose from. For the disciples to pray, "Thy will be done" was to express their desire to be obedient to Torah and obedient to all God had revealed concerning life and worship. God had not left them in the dark and unlike the gods and goddesses worshiped by the surrounding nations, God's directions were firm and consistent. They knew what God, their Heavenly Father, required of them.

This prayer for the application of God's Word and will was not just for the Jews but "on earth as it is in heaven". It iis to apply to the whole earth. God's will is always done in heaven, there in His dwelling place. His angelic messengers do what He tells them to do. There are times when God takes counsel from those in His heavenly court (see 1 Kings 22:19-22) however, His word is final. The disciples are instructed to pray that the will of God, obedience to His commandments and instructions, become world wide and followed without question. We know that a time is coming when Messiah will reign over all the earth. We also know that, at that time, His Word, meaning Torah, will be universally obeyed as well. Jeremiah 31:31-34 makes that clear. Having Torah written on everyone's hearts and in our minds is an aspect of His coming kingdom.

The question for us is what do we do with this now? Was this prayer just for the Jewish disciples and the Jews who listened to the words of Messiah? Do we really want to pray that God's will, revealed in Torah and God's Word, be obeyed in our lives and the lives of those that inhabit this planet? Perhaps, we can conclude that this is a prayer for life in the coming kingdom. "Thy will be done", as the disciples would have understood it can't possibly apply to believers today, can it? Or maybe God's will has changed. We are told the Law does not apply to those under grace. Now we just need to love God and love people like Jesus said in Matthew22:37-39. You know, where He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. But, how do we know how to love God and people? Matthew 22:40 helps us out, these two commandments are a summary of Torah and the Prophets. We can find all the details as how to love God and people there. If it only applied to us.

The reality is we agree with most of those 613 directives the rabbis have found in the Law and the Prophets. Remove those directives given specifically to the Levites and those pesky dietary laws and we, as modern followers of Messiah, are in agreement far more often than we might think. If we applied just the basic Ten Commandments world wide this might be a nicer planet to live on. It might even feel a bit like heaven on earth. Maybe, "Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" isn't such a bad prayer after all. 

Tender Father or Distant God

They say familiarity breeds contempt. Which is a way to warn us that we can get used to things and take them for granted. If you were asked to quote Matthew 6:9-13 you might pause for a moment. Perhaps even wonder what these verses might be. However, you could most likely quote them with just a little prompting. "Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Sound familiar? Perhaps you know a more modern translation like "Our Father who is in heaven, holy is Your name." There is a strong possibility you are familiar with the passage, you just usually do not quote the chapter and verse. The Lord's prayer, or perhaps the disciple's prayer, is one of the most commonly known passages in all of Christendom. No matter if you are Catholic, Orthodox or some flavor of Protestant, this is a passage we can quote together. The words were provided by Rabbi Yeshua to His disciples when they asked Him how to pray. It was not an unusual request. Jewish rabbis often taught their disciples prayers to recite and model prayers to follow. It is a good prayer. But, has it become so common that we do not really take the time to consider what the Lord was teaching?

Referring to God as Father was not a new concept for the Jews. In Psalm 86:5 David writes, "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation." Speaking of Solomon, God tells David, "I will be his Father, and he shall be My son" (2 Samuel 7:14).  God has been the One who has repeatedly rescued Israel; He is their tender Father. He also disciplined them as a loving father. Hebrews 12:7 reminds us of that truth, "It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" The Apostle Paul proclaims that we can see God as our intimate father, calling Him Abba Father, a most familiar name not unlike our word "daddy". God is our tender and compassionate father who is there to care for us, encourage us, correct us and to love us unconditionally.

Knowing humanity as well as He does, Messiah Jesus, gives us more than a reminder of God's tenderness as a father. Jesus also gives us a reminder of God's majesty. This is the God of the Heavenlies. He is the God who is above all and oversees all. He is not the god of a nation, He is the God of the universe and beyond. The worlds cannot contain Him. This truth cuts both ways, He is that God and Father who has the power and presence to care for us like no other. He is not the god of the Romans, or the Philistines made of wood or stone. No, He is the God of creation Who is also our loving Father. It should give us great confidence in prayer and security as we move through each day. However, Jesus reminds us that even though God is our Father, He is not to be taken lightly or for granted. The God of the heavens is also holy.

The Greek word is, hagios, the companion Hebrew word is, qodesh, they both mean to separate or to be set aside. To be sacred, set apart from what is common. God is not to be treated profanely. He is not to be seen as common or ordinary. He is not to be viewed as just another being. This father is unique in His majesty and glory. In Isaiah 43:15, God reminds Israel of Who He is, for Israel has forgotten and treated the Lord with contempt. "I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King." The disciples would be well familiar with Exodus 20:7, the third commandment, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain." God's name is to be exalted above all names. His name is not to be used profanely. Saying,"Oh my God, the traffic was terrible" is not a prayer. I am not sure replacing "God" with "gosh" is that much better. The disciples had great respect for God's name. It was holy, set apart, from all other names. It was never even spoken so to be sure not to use it in a common fashion. It should be held in reverence by us as well. We can take comfort in God as our Father, however, we should never get used to Him, in the sense that He is just another being we occasionally pray to. He is both tender and Holy. His name is to be held in high honor. When was the last time we let the wonder of all God is touch the depth of our souls at the mere mention of His name?

The danger we may face is treating our heavenly Father as we might treat our earthly fathers. Letting some distance build up and communication break down. As an earthly father, time with my children is precious. Communication is treasured. Unlike the days when our Lord gave His disciples this prayer our families are scattered. Our days are overflowing. Our schedules overloaded and our "to do" lists unending. Relationships suffer. It has become a part of life. It may leave us with times when, as full as life is, people seem distant. Generations no longer surround the family farm. Regular "family time" becomes an event rather than the routine. Our culture and society has made texting and an occasional e-mail a substitute for family intimacy. We may schedule a moment or two for touching base now and then, but it is difficult to experience that real communication the old close community had to offer. It is not by intent or design. It is just how life has evolved in much of the world. 

The same can become true with our Heavenly Father. Schedules get tight and, as a father, God understands and is forgiving, treasuring the time we have for Him. However, taking the time to truly fellowship with the Holy One of Israel may be more than we can fit in. God is so much more than just your tender, forgiving, heavenly dad. He is to be held in awe and worshiped in humility. The simple mention of His name should fill us with a little sense of wonder. If you feel that the God of Heavens is a bit distant. it unlikely that He is the one who moved away. Messiah Jesus knew that His followers needed the balance of a Heavenly Father and a Holy God if they were to grow in grace and holiness themselves. He is your tender Father; do not allow Him to become your distant God. 

Have You Made Yahweh Into a Greek God?

How much does the culture you live in impact the way you believe and behave? Culture is hard to escape. From birth we are not just exposed we are indoctrinated to a particular way of viewing things. It becomes who we are. Be it America, Russian, from Nigeria or the Philippines, the culture you were reared in is intricately woven into how you think and often how you behave. For those who live in Europe and America we are the product of Greek thought. It is not something most of think about. However, that ingrained culture does touch who we are. For the most part this is pretty benign. The basis for much of our government is of Greek origin. As is much of our value structures and even some of our architecture. However, when it comes to matters of faith and belief in Yahweh and Messiah Jesus it has the potential to rob us of the relationships that the Lord has reveled to us in His Word.

I would guess that most of us have some admiration for people like Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David and a whole series of Prophets. Their recorded lives show a relationship with God that we might long to know. As I have written before, it is easy for us to get things out of balance. It is not that what we hold to is necessarily wrong, just out of balance at the expense of other truths. Greek thought, from those like Aristotle and Plato, saw the divine as unknowable and unattainable. God was completely "other". We are mortal flesh bound entities with a plethora of limitations. God is a Spirit being removed from the confines of the physical and tangible. It is true that Yahweh is far greater than we are. He is Creator we are the created. His ways are beyond ours and the Apostle Paul tells us, in Romans 11, that His ways are past our understanding. There is no real argument there, yet have you really looked at the interaction between God and those folks we admire from the Scriptures?

God comes looking for Adam and Adam hides, then blames Eve and in essence God, (The woman You gave me) for the problem. Abraham negotiates with the Lord over the fate of Sodom. Moses, the friend of God,  intervenes on behalf of the Israelites implying that his Friend, God, is acting rashly. God changes His mind based on the argument from Moses. David tells God to rescue him based on the idea that dead men cannot praise Him. The Prophets question God's directives be it Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Joel or Habakkuk. These men had no apparent problem calling God out on things that they didn't understand or disagreed with. They treat God as if on human terms. God was One who could be talked to, disagreed with, even challenged to reconsider something that seems out of line or an overreaction. The personal conversations recorded for us can seem pretty bold, perhaps even lacking reverence. After all His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts above ours. We do not have a right to question. Do we?

Have we made God so "other", like the Greek philosophers, that we have sacrificed this kind of intimacy and confidence in coming to the Lord with our brokenness, disappointments and questions. Have you ever told God, "You can't do this, it will diminish your Name before  the nations". Or told God you will not let go until He blesses you. Do we keep God at an arms length out of respect or because our Greek culture tells us God is really not approachable? Does our cultural comfort level keep us from the same intimacy and friendship that we see in the lives of Abraham and David? I do not mean that we foster an attitude of arrogance or disrespect. However, if you have a very good and intimate friend you know that you have a lot of freedom to ask questions, question what they are doing and to seek counsel knowing they want the best for you. Isn't that something to be desired from the One Who is to be closer than a brother?

I often wonder what the nights were like around the campfire as Jesus and His disciples talked and joked about the days events. Those intimate times with the Master. The informal conversations that were just among friends. Times when questions could be asked away from the crowds and the business of the day. Shouldn't there be an element of that in our quiet times with the Lord? A closeness that says "I do not understand" or even, "You know Lord, your name is being down trodden because it seems You lack the will to act". Hezekiah takes that approach in 2 Kings 19. Judah is in trouble but Gid's name is at stake. Do we sacrifice that friendly relationship as we keep this completely "other" being in such a state of awe that He is somewhat unapproachable? Have we exchanged the God of the Bible for a colder more distant, more Greek, version of Who He really is and longs to be for us? 

Quiet Desperation

How desperate are you? In our plastic Christian bubbles we like to claim that we have all we need in Messiah, Jesus. Life is not perfect, however, we are doing okay. We pray, read the Word, sing the praise songs, and attend our local church, at least when we can. The are a multitude of responsibilities and directions we are pulled toward. God must understand that sometimes, well, there is not enough time to do all that I would like in the spiritual side of my life. We sing along with Micheal W. Smith declaring that God is the very air we breath and how we are "desperate for You", whenever we can carve out the time. The pace of life is my greatest nemesis. Oh, there are other issues that sap my vitality and temp me to bang my head against a wall, however, not having time for God to be the "air I breath" tops my list. I actually get paid to study, pray and talk to people. So how could this ever be a problem?

In reality, I am my own worst enemy. I accept responsibilities and make commitments that suck up time and energy. I do, occasionally, marvel that God has graciously allowed my aging body to do the stuff I do. The growing wood pile for winter is just one thing this mortal flesh is capable of doing. As well as lawn care, home repairs and working to move sixteen truckloads of mulch that found its way to our church property. No exaggeration, sixteen dump truck loads of mulch. There is also the emotional drain of the coming and going of people I care about. I wobble in and out of the disciplined life I long to enjoy. Its just that stuff keeps getting in the way. Things like people and car trouble, and rain, and the need to prepare to feed the wood stove. And did I mention people? People I care about and enjoy and like to talk to and spend time with and do projects with and watch meaningless movies with and that other stuff we do.

 I also spend quality time staring into empty space or reading commentaries three times because there seems to be a disconnect between my optic nerve and the rest of my brain. Ummm, what was I saying, there was this cool looking squirrel outside the window. No, I do not suffer from ADD it was just a really provocative squirrel. I can understand the Apostle Paul's apparent frustration recorded in Acts chapter seven. Not doing what I want, distracted from what I long to do. Sometimes it is sin or temptations or struggles with the haunting past. However, lots of time it is just the brainlessness of life that causes me to get quiet and just want some revelation from the Lord. Not a big lightning bolt, I do not want to get hurt, something more on the line of static electricity so I know He is there and I am still in His care. Do not get me wrong, I am not discouraged or depressed, just feeling pressed more often than I would like. Life is actually pretty good. Just too much of it.

It seems that the society we live in gives little time to be desperate for God and lots of time to live in quiet desperation. Perhaps it is time to cut back on the calendar, the activities,the projects, maybe even a little less stuff of people and allow our spirits to know how desperate we really may be. Every breath actually is a gift from God. He actually is the reason we breath. And we would be lost without Him, if we took the time to notice. I know the issues. Understand the overload. And it is likely I will still understand the problem next week. Desperate for Him or just quiet desperation. Which will you choose?

Feeling More Like Jabez than Abraham

When was the last time you carefully read and contemplated the "Heroes" of Hebrews 11? It is an amazing list and succinct account of so many faithful ones that have gone before us. Followers of Yahweh who trusted and obeyed. It seems there was no easy road for any of them. In spite of hardship and delayed promises they maintained their faithful journey with the Lord. Now we know they were flawed and often times broken examples of what it is to be Godly, yet the writer to the Hebrews reminds us that they were, overall, steadfast. Even though some were cut in two, or died yet waiting, they continued their walk with God.

I have never been asked to sacrifice my son on an alter, or look to a land promised but never received. I have never gone through the Red Sea with Egyptians in pursuit. I have never been tortured refusing deliverance so I would receive a better resurrection. I have never faced the mocking of a trial or been slain with a sword. I have been pretty comfortable in life, never destitute or really afflicted. I honestly like looking at all this from a safe distance. I do look at life as a treasure given by God, so it is His and not mine. I do have a faithful yet imperfect walk with my Savior and cannot imagine myself denying Him is some official court proceeding. I am blessed and encouraged by His Word and promises. I ponder what it will be like to wander the golden streets of a New Jerusalem. However, I must admit I have times of quiet discontent. It is a bit unreasonable when I see the way God answers and provides.

Perhaps you have moments like Abraham and I do. You know, Abraham that remarkable man of faith and faithfulness. Leaving the security of home to live as a Bedouin much of his life and passed on that Bedouin lifestyle to a few generations yet to come. The Abraham who looked at the practical reality of life and responded to God with, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir" (Genesis 15:3). God's promises seemed a bit out of reach. After all Abraham is in his later years and has a wife past child bearing years. God's answer is to promise Abraham that, after four generations, or 400 years, his descendants will inherit the land promised to Abraham. No children makes it hard to to be the "father of multitudes" and 400 years before the promise comes true is a long time to wait. Abraham will have become a part of the dust of the promised land before any of his, yet to be produced, off spring will lay claim to it. Waiting for God to do what is promised is not always easy. I do not like to wait.

I know that the Lord wants to build His church. He wants to see disciples made and His Word proclaimed. That seems pretty clear in the Scriptures. He has called me and given me a gift to teach. That also seems pretty clear both from my experience and the confirmation of others for some forty plus years. So, I study, pray, prepare and teach week by week. And wait for that increase that seems like it should come. I do not want to wait for the harvest to come four generations from now. I want to see many lives changed, souls delivered, families rescued and God's community of believers multiply soon. Today would be good. I admire the list in Hebrews eleven, I just do not want to be on that list. I want to see God move now. I empathize with Jabez and his cry for blessing and increased borders. I might feel blessed to know that generations from now God will move, however, my real desire is more of a right now today move on His part.

I trust in the God who delivered me and gave me life. I am blessed with a wife and children that love me and Him. I have seen God's hand move in the lives of many and have witnessed His healing power in the broken lives that often surround me. But, like Abraham, I wonder about the wait. I wonder about the timing of God's blessing. I am not excited to think of myself as the faithful servant of Hebrews eleven that never saw the fruition of his labor. I have, however, walked long enough to know this is not my call. It is His. And I am His and that is all that really matters. Still, today I feel more like Jabez of 1 Chronicles 4 than the Abraham of Hebrews eleven. Bigger borders of ministry now rather than in 400 years just sounds better to me.   

No More Goodbyes

Can you imagine what it might be like to experience the reality of 1 Corinthians 13:12? The Apostle Paul writes these comforting and compelling words, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." Oh, to see Him face to face! Yes, that will be glory for me. No more shrouds of sin or doubt. Just me and my Lord, standing face to face. It is a bit intimidating, however, I believe the overpowering presence of His love and grace will wash away that apprehension and like Mary Magdalene, I will cling to the one who rescued me from death and the pains of this world. But for now, like Bart Millard, of the band, "Mercy Me", I can only imagine what it will be like to be surrounded by His glory.

I have written before of some of the challenges of being called to a "people ministry". It comes with the joys and sorrows of sharing your heart with other human beings. It is a life filled with hello's and goodbye's. In the quiet moments, like now, sitting alone with my thoughts and computer at 2:00 a.m., I can reflect upon what the Lord has allowed, without interruption.  In forty years of ministry there have been many hellos and goodbyes. Some more permanent than others. Within the past fourteen days I have said goodbye to three remarkable and Godly women who were nearly old enough to be my mother and so deeply committed to the Lord that they serve as an example of what it is to walk with God. These goodbyes were difficult, yet not completely unexpected. Their race had been run, their course finished and the words, "Well done, My good and faithful servant", greeted them as they entered into glory. However, these are not the only goodbyes I have faced.

The other goodbyes ought to be easier for they are the ones that only involve location. We live in a society where that is simply a reality of life. Jobs change, people retire, family situations require moves and adjustments. We will promise to keep in touch and to touch base with facebook and emails, however, the human contact will be lost. The weekly hellos and smiles cannot be fully captured on Instagram or an attached photo to the text message. The humanness of the relationship will suffer loss. It simply cannot be avoided. And such is life. People come into your circle of ministry and become friends. You see them grow in grace and in their commitment to the Lord and His ministry, and then it is off to Kentucky, Florida, the Carolinas, Texas or some other place too many miles away to have that personal touch in life. It is true some just move across town or feel directed to another church fellowship, but, the loss is the same. Relationships come and grow and then often move on. It is to be expected and is somewhat understandable; it still carries that taste of losing something treasured. These are harder, for the loss lingers, knowing those relationships are just out of reach.

I have had brothers and sisters in Christ make those moves. Some on to glory, some across the country, some just down the road. Each one takes a little part of me and leaves a little hole that will not be filled this side of glory. Soon a young sister in the Lord, perhaps daughter is a more accurate term, will make such a move. Her dad, who knows the reality of 1 Corinthians 13:12, was far closer than a friend. She is more of a daughter than just another member of our church fellowship. I have watched her grow, and stumble, and then blossom in the wonder of God's grace as I have prayed for her. She will be a remarkable blessing in her new home and location. A little part of me will go with her, as it has with the others whose lives God has allowed me to share. It is one of those bittersweet moments of watching a butterfly stretch their wings and fly away to new horizons and new experiences with the Lord. Yet, life will be a little diminished for the parting. It always has been and it will always be that way if we allow our hearts to be knit to another for a time. It is not an easy thing but is is more rewarding than guarding your heart and finding you have lost the opportunity to love like Jesus loves.

Seeing Messiah face to face is my greatest anticipation when I arrive in glory. The second has been captured by a "Rascal Flatts" music video. "Here Comes Goodbye" is one of those emotionally powerful presentations that captures the reality of loss unlike most videos I have seen. For me, the greatest message of the video does not come from the song but from a scene at the end of the video. Looking toward eternity the question is asked, "What's it like?" The little boy replies, "There are no more goodbyes". Rascal Flatts, "Here Comes Goodbye". No more goodbyes. That too, will be glory for me. 

The Cross, Our New Bronze Serpent

Have you ever been surprised by the illustrations Messiah, Jesus, used to explain things? He seems, at times, to use references from the Scriptures that I never would have chosen. In John 3 our Lord decides to use this reference to help Nicodemus understand who He, Messiah, is and why He has come. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up" (John 3:14). The reference comes from the events recorded in Numbers 21. The children of God had rebelled and poisonous serpents were biting and killing the Israelites. God instructed Moses to fashion a serpent out of bronze and attach it to a pole. All who looked upon it and believed God would be delivered from death. In the same way all who will look upon Messiah, the One lifted up, and believe God will likewise be delivered from death. The down side to the Numbers story is revealed to us years later in 2 Kings 18. It is recorded that Judah's King, Hezekiah, destroys all of the idols, high places and the bronze serpent for people had come to bow before it and offer incense before it. The symbol had become an idol.

Have you noticed that the truth of some Scriptures become more apparent over time? I have quoted Ecclesiastes 1:9 more often than I can remember, at least the last part of the verse, "And there is nothing new under the sun." We seem to make the same mistakes, follow the same bad directions, accept the same wrong conclusions and do the same stupid things that have been done or said in previous generations. This is true in much of life and it can be true for those who are followers of Yahweh and Yeshua, His Son, our Messiah. We tend to allow church traditions and manufactured theologies to become "truth" to the point that, should someone question their validity, they are branded a heretic. If the judgement is not that severe they are dismissed as those who have invalid thoughts and ideas. We just carry on with the same traditions and make them holy and sacred while we dismiss the dangers. This post has been sitting on the back shelf of my mind for some time. I have hesitated to write and post this for the topic has become one of Christianity's most sacred idols. The danger is placed in God's Word beginning in Numbers 21 and not coming to a conclusion until 2 Kings 18.The sacred bronze serpent.

We no longer enshrine the bronze serpent. Some of us would be hard pressed to find the story to begin with. However, we have a new bronze serpent, a new sacred shrine to bow before. That figure, symbol, shrine, and icon is the cross and it has held its grip on Christianity from the fourth century. Tradition holds that Constantine the Great had a vision in October 312 AD. The vision of a cross and the words, "In this sign conquer". So inspired by the vision Constantine did just that. His following military campaigns were a series of decisive victories while the cross was adopted on his banners and his armies' shields. As Constantine's influence spread so did the symbol of the cross. It was Constantine who called for the meeting of the  Nicene Council who gave us the Nicene Creed, a statement of the basic fundamentals of Christian faith. Constantine had no small impact on what was to become the church. Now the cross has been embedded into all who would refer to themselves as Christians. The word is often the subject of our hymns and praise songs. The message is clear. Our faith is based on and tied to the cross in no uncertain terms. Yet, this emphasis is simply lacking in our Biblical texts. We sing the songs and recite the words with little thought as to their accuracy in comparison with the Scriptures.

All of the occurrences of the "cross" in the Gospel accounts are references to the idea of death. We are told to take up our cross and follow Him, meaning to die to ourselves and to live for Messiah. Paul makes reference to the cross only ten times in all of his writings, and only in five of his thirteen letters. Nine of the ten are clear references to the Lord's crucifixion, His death on the cross. The only other occurrence comes from the writer to the Hebrews and this too is a reference to the Lord's crucifixion and death. The message is that of Christ's death, not of Christ's cross. No offense intended, but our hope is in the resurrection, not in the cross. The early followers of Messiah understood the horror of the cross, the crucifixion. No one left Golgotha with the idea of turning this hideous instrument of death into a religious icon. No one thought of making little bronze and silver replicas to be sold as necklaces and earrings. No, those ideas came many years later. Once again, no offense intended to David Crowder, but his song, "My Victory", seems to miss the point. The lyrics proclaim, "The cross meant to kill is my victory". I understand the thought, and our victory certainly rests in Messiah Jesus. However,  the cross meant to kill did just that. It killed Messiah. Brutally, horribly, in agonizing and unfathomable pain the cross did its work. And Jesus died. just like thousands before Him and thousands that would follow. The Romans had an insatiable thirst for this torturous means of execution. We tend to polish the symbol and ignore the agony. My victory and yours, came three days later when the tomb burst open and the angels proclaimed, "He is not here, He is risen, just as He said". The horror of the cross was a means to an end. He is risen, the grave no longer holds its victory.

We decorate our meeting places and ornament our lives with crosses of bronze and silver. Yet, we seldom reflect on the true picture of the cross and the events that surround it. Mel Gibson's, "Passion of the Christ" gives us a taste. but even that falls short. I have heard evangelicals criticize the Catholics and Orthodox believers for their crucifixes. Stating that our Savior is no longer on the cross. True, but His cross was not polished gold or ornately encrusted with precious stones. At least our Catholic friends have not lost sight of His agonizing death.

The cross as a symbol has its place. However, when it becomes a sacred shrine I fear we are moving toward worshiping a bronze serpent. The symbol is not at fault, our enamored attachment to it may well be an issue. Some time ago I attended a evangelistic meeting. At the front of the stage was a large cross made of polished hard wood. The message was spoken and the invitation was given to come and kneel at the cross. Ask Jesus to be your savior and you could know you had eternal life. I was honestly a bit surprised that the neither the message nor the invitation said much about the resurrection. All those who went forward got a New Testament and a bookmark with a little bronze cross to tack on their shirt. A polished icon, a symbol, a religious shrine to look upon and be reminded that Jesus died for their sins. The proclamation has no emphasis relating to the resurrection. As long as we can look to the bronze cross we can know we are okay. We can be assured of life eternal. The actual events of the crucifixion have been sanitized and the resurrection marginalized.   Perhaps we need to remember Paul's words to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 15:14 & 19, "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

Our hope, our victory, is in the reality of a risen savior. He is alive and sits on the right hand of the Father, interceding for us day by day. May we take care that we do not find ourselves bowed down and worshiping the bronze cross instead of the risen Savior.        

Do You Really Worship?

Many of us have had the experience of attending a service where the music and lyrics have been particularly moving. Our response might be that it was a very good worship experience. It may well have been, or it might have been a moving emotional experience. Music is a powerful gift from God. David was brought to play music to sooth Saul's spirit when the distressing spirit came upon Saul. The Scriptures hold an entire collection of Psalms to be sung at particular times when God's people gathered to celebrate the prescribed feasts and festivals. However, praise is not always worship. In fact there are times when the two have little to do with each other. It seems that many churches apply considerable effort to prepare the atmosphere for the greatest emotional impact possible from the music and praise service. Dimmed lights, proper sound, slide shows to compliment the music with beautiful or emotionally charged visuals, and power point presentations all designed to touch our hearts and spirits. None of this is bad, but is it worship?

When God tells us something it is wise, even our responsibility to listen and obey, If He reiterates it we should certainly take note. If He determines to tell us the same thing three times in three different ways it would seem reasonable to be sensitive to what the Lord has told us. God does this through David's pen, or quill, as David calls God's people to come to sing, praise, and also to worship the Lord. Psalm 95 is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving. It is also a call to worship. Psalm 96:6, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." David tells us to worship, bow down, and to kneel before the LORD. What we may not see is the reiteration of the same call for submission.

Worship is the Hebrew word shachah, which means to bow down or prostrate oneself. David follows this with, kara, which also means to bow down, followed by, barak, meaning to kneel, bow or to bless. All three carry the idea of yielding, submitting, and coming in obedience to one who is superior. Psalm 95:8-11 challenges us to avoid having hard hearts like those who were disobedient back in the times of Moses. Back when God's people refused to go into the land. Obedience, was essential to enter God's rest and to know God's peace and favor. It is also essential for entering into true worship. All the praise and stirring of our emotions may help us feel good, however, without humble obedience it is just noise. It is from humble bowing to the person of God, recognizing His absolute authority that real worship come to be. It is from this state that praise springs forth. Emotions may be involved in that response, however, without an attitude of submissive obedience we have never entered into worship. David provides three reminders of this humble attitude in this one simple verse.

Paul gives us similar directions in 1 Corinthians 13. He speaks of agape, the sacrificial love that comes from an obedient and submissive relationship with God. This kind of love places God and others before our own wants and desires. Without this, God focused, passion, our words, even words of praise, are just noise. Samuel confronts Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22, reminding him that, " Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." We are called to give God praise, even a sacrifice of praise, We are also called to obedience. Being deeply moved by the words and music of a God honoring composition is certainly a good thing. We just need to be certain that we also come in worship, meaning humble submission and obedience as well.   

Theological Nursery Rhymes

How does your brain work? Some people seem to have similar brain patterns and thoughts that are easily shared. I have found that to be true with a few friends and even some of my past professors. We just seem to be on the same wave length. It can be encouraging and a bit eerie from time to time. Approaching forty-one years of marriage, Debbie and I know each other pretty well. However, we do not think the same. I do share similar brain patterns with two of my daughters, which may not be all that beneficial for them as my brain seems to ponder things that most people never think about. Today's post holds no deep theological thoughts. Instead it holds some random things that entered my mind and bounced around just for fun. I have no real reason for sharing them other than it seems life is to be enjoyed. If God designed me this way perhaps He intended me to plague others with some occasional cerebral anomalies. If you are looking for some deep spiritual truth or an interesting thought from Scripture you will have to wait for the next post. If you are daring you can read on. So welcome to my world, as bizarre as it may be.

In reading the account of Moses in Exodus I was struck by the record of Moses absorbing the Shekinah glory of Yahweh. He had to wear a veil so he did not scare the rest of the Israelites. My questions are, "Did his wife need him sleep in another tent so she could get some sleep?" "Did she ever use Moses' face as a lamp so she could see to sew or find something?" "Did she tell him not to slip in to say good night to his sons so he would not wake them or freak them out with his shining face?" I asked these questions of my church family and found I was alone in even thinking such thoughts. Have these questions ever occurred to you or am I really out here by myself?

I have read more commentaries and books on theology than I can count. The truth is I continually add to the collection partly for sermon research and partly because I enjoy the stuff. I have found that many theological writers are unnecessarily technical. It seems they are either trying to impress you with their vocabulary or obscure the fact that their argument is pretty weak. Sometimes they analyze and make connections that border on fantasy.  So, another random thought that wondered into my brain is, "How do theologians handle things like nursery rhymes?" Do they just automatically follow the same mindset as they recite these little children's verses to their own children? Would the result be something like this?

Okay, Adam, you pick out the book for bed time. Ahh, "Favorite Nursery Rhymes", a good choice. We begin with a review of the entire text of the first rhyme. "Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon. the little dog laughed to see such a sport and the dish ran away with the spoon." "Hey" is likely an imperative; thus we can conclude that this is a command or an intense call to pay attention to what is to follow. The "diddle, diddle" may be a scribal error or a reduplication for emphasis. The real question is, "what is a diddle". From the context it likely refers to common people. Diddle could be a variation of little, meaning small or insignificant. The "cat and the fiddle" is a candid reference to Nero, the evil Caesar who persecuted Christians. This reveals that "diddles" is a code word for believers at this time of great trial. The "cow jumped over the moon" represents the rise in the cost of dairy products, meaning the high cost of the common necessities of life. The "little dog laughed" is an illusion to Gentiles who did not believe; they laugh at the plight of the Christians and followers of Yahweh. "Sport" refers to the horrible games at the Roman Coliseum where gladiators fought to the death and Christians were fed to the lions. Finally, "the dish ran away with the spoon" highlights the empty dishes and spoons caused by the famine back in the first century. So many empty plates and spoons compelled people to flee Rome just to find food to eat. Adam, we can be glad we don't live in such times. The times of the early church were filled with oppression and violence. Well, the next rhyme is about babies being cast to their death from the tops of trees. Perhaps it would be best to skip that one for now. In fact it is time to sleep, so sleep tight, don't let those bed bugs bite. Hmm, I wonder what the significance and the underlying meaning is for the bedbugs? I will have to give that some thought. Good night, Adam.

There are so many more we could analyze but, by now, you may be wondering a bit about my synaptic processes. Perhaps, I should find other things to think about when I am stuck in traffic or mowing the lawn. These mental exercises may actually be as warped as my thoughts on Christmas songs. Then again, this is how the good Lord wired me, so how bad can it be?   

Lynn and Rare Friendships

How closely are you tied to your community? Not meaning just the town you live in but the community of believers that you worship with. Our tendency is to keep a little protective distance between us and most of the rest of humanity. It seems neighbors are not what they used to be. Growing up in rural PA we had some physical distance between us and our neighbors. However, we knew them all. The retired guy with the pristine wood piles, the Polish neighbor with the thick accent, the folks down the road with kids we played with and the farmer up the road with the fruit stand where we caught the school bus. Neighbors do not seem quite so close today. We know some of them yet most keep the moat around their suburban castle intact and the drawbridge protected. Except for the couple next door. Pete and Lynn have been there for many years. A couple of good neighbors and friends. A few years ago Pete passed on. It was July fourth, not a day of celebration that year. This past week his beloved Lynn joined him and my life got a bit emptier.

Pete had a bit of a rough exterior but a generous heart and a rich devotion to Lynn, the only woman he ever loved. I met him on his back deck shortly after we moved in, twenty years ago. I was in my back yard when I heard a loud gunshot. I went next door to check it out and found it was just Pete protecting his garden in an ongoing war with the woodchucks. Their numbers had just dropped by one. Pete hunted, fished, and had his garden protected by a fence and his shotgun. Lynn was cut of a similar mold. I always figured if everything collapsed economically I would follow them into the woods, for they clearly were survivors. Lynn was also a devoted part of our church family. The church parsonage sits next to their house, so they had been privy to a series of pastors who came and went as their ministry changed. We moved in with our five children twenty years ago so Lynn and Pete had first hand experience of watching our children grow and being good and helpful neighbors.

Lynn was special. If Pete had been King Lemuel of Proverbs thirty-one, he would have found a virtuous wife in Lynn. Though she was not perfect, she certainly met the criteria Lemuel's mom laid out for him. Pete could trust Lynn in everything for she always did him good. She sewed, rose early, took care of her household, and worked with her hands. She was a great shopper and prepared great meals. She could make a dollar go a long way and still fill her kitchen with delightful and savory smells. She loved plants and simple things in life. She was strong of body and of will. She spoke of wisdom mixed with kindness, She was blessed by the sons she so deeply loved and was a blessing to them, and to their children and their children's children. Her husband. Pete, was honored by her life, she was generous and above all, loved the Lord and His people.

She was not Wonder Woman, then again, maybe she was. At least she had the Wonder Woman pose down to a science. She loved the "Star Wars" movies and was always ready to critique the latest film. She supported my kids as they took mission trips and progressed in their musical endeavors. She was simply fun to be around. And she always sent me borderline insulting Birthday cards. They were always fun as well. She respected me as her Pastor and treated me like a friend. She was more than special, she was more than just a neighbor. She was a dear sister in the Lord. It is difficult to say good bye.

Are You a Gnostic Christian?

Do you have a personal relationship with God? Is God honestly beyond you? Are you, as a mere mortal, not able to truly understand the divine?  Are you looking forward to shedding this sinful, corrupt body and going to heaven? If so, have you ever wondered if any of these ideas are really Biblical? It might be that these thoughts are not as clear cut as we might think. There are elements of an old philosophy that may well have infected what we assume is Christian thought. Back in the days when Jesus, Messiah, was walking the earth there was a growing movement among the Greek intellectuals. It was about a special higher knowledge. A spiritual knowing that is beyond this material world. The Greek word for knowing is ginōskō where we get the term Gnosticism. It was an issue in New Testament times as gentiles came into the Messianic community. Today's question is, "Did we ever escape it?"

Very briefly, Gnosticism taught that there was a higher knowledge that we should strive for. It held that the material, especially the fleshly bodies we have, are intrinsically evil. They were also not really related to the reality yet to come. Thus, the body was to be either beaten into submission or you could do anything you wanted with this body as it did not relate to the "real world" of higher knowledge. Morality was irrelevant for this branch of Gnosticism. The higher knowledge was both unknowable and completely personal. Your higher knowledge may not be the same as anyone else and it would be hard to share, as this knowledge was on a spiritual plane above this unwanted physical world. The goal was to shed this mortal body and join in the "one" consciousness in the heavenlies. There you would be free from the pain, sorrow, limitations, and corruption of this world and this mortal body. There you would be with the unknowable, completely other, "god", who gave you this higher knowledge.

Aspects of this may seem familiar to you. God being so far above us He is not truly knowable. After all "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD" (Isaiah 55:8). And we all can relate to the awful nature of the flesh, Romans 7:5, "For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death." We have all been told that we need a personal relationship with the Lord, one that is uniquely our own. No one has the right to question your decisions if you feel you were directed by God to do it. We sing that "this world is not our home" and that "heaven is a wonderful place". Heaven, that place up there with streets of gold and no more fleshly problems or limitations where we can be with the One true God forever. Then we will understand and know the unknowable. We are currently stuck where, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). Oh to put off this sinful flesh, go to heaven, know God, and be free from this physical body and to experience spiritual glory.

So, how are we different than the Gnostics? It seems we do what mankind often does by getting things out of balance or hanging onto tradition without considering Scripture. It is true that we sin and that sin takes a toll on our physical bodies. However, God says that, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). And, 1 Corinthians, "do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" The Apostle Paul's illustration of the "Body" representing the church seems to indicate that the body is a pretty amazing thing. How can we say life is precious and then talk about how corrupt our bodies are? These physical entities that God has designed and given to us are truly fearfully and wonderfully made. They are the vessels of God's Spirit to do God's work here and now. Paul's use of the "flesh" is more about the evil we do with these bodies rather than the bodies themselves.

Speaking of the "body" illustration, where did this profoundly personal relationship with God thing come from? It is true that God loves us as individuals, However, most of what we see in Scripture is how we relate to others. We never sin in a vacuum. Our behavior is either beneficial or detrimental to those around us. Just look at the chaos of David's family after his sin with Bathsheba. Or check out the result of Achan's sin in Joshua chapter 7. Defeat of an army, dead Israelites, discouraged people and the death of Achan's family. His relationship was not so isolated and personal with the Lord that it did not touch the lives of others. Our God is knowable. He reveals Himself to us. We may not always understand everything; however, we know of His mercy, creative power, His justice, His love and the giving of His Son. He does communicate with us and has given us a series of books to explain Himself to us. He has given us directions and instructions as to how to best live and to commune with Him and be a community with other people. He is not completely other or unknowable.

By the way, you will not always have this physical body but you will have a physical body that lasts forever. You are not some spiritual entity trapped in this fleshy container longing to get free. The new body you have will still work and do things for God. You will not dwell in heaven but on a new earth in the new Jerusalem. That is where the streets of gold are. Sorry, no streets of gold in heaven. We may be built for glory, however, that glory is here and now as well. What you do now matters.

Have we, as followers of Messiah, that Christian community you may belong to, allowed Gnostic flavors to be incorporated into our faith? It is true that Paul looked forward to being with the Lord, yet, he would chose to stay here to minister to the Philippians.  The vast majority of Scripture is about living here and now. We know little of heaven or eternity or even that of the new heaven and new earth John speaks of in Revelation 21. Life is not all about limitations, sin, and pain. It is about glorious service to God and others. It is seeing the revelation of the knowable God all about us every day. It is being grateful for the amazing bodies He has blessed us with. Life is very little about longing for "heaven" and a whole lot about living for Him now. Don't let Gnostic influences deny the life of glory God has for you today. It seems we need to put heaven on hold and go do something to advance His kingdom and encourage His people. That should be way more enjoyable than whining about our corrupt bodies while we wait in despair to go to some  place we conjured up to be heaven.

Empty Hands For God

Do you ever wonder where some of our Christian habits come from? I have been giving a little thought to the prayer ritual that has been a part of the western church for a very long time. I have sat through innumerable altar calls where we were told to have every eye closed and every head bowed so someone could sneak up a hand unnoticed to be prayed for or to be "saved". Where in the world did that come from? Not from any Scripture I am aware of. It does not seem to be the call to, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). It was more like "Let me sneak into the kingdom unnoticed". I don't find that anywhere either. Another question I have is why the folded hands routine. We folks from a western culture teach this to children at a very early age. "No cookie until the head is bowed and hands folded and we thank Jesus for this wonderful provision of artificial colors and sugar." The bowed head is well attested to. The tax collector in Luke 18:13 was ashamed to even look to heaven as he cried out for God's mercy. The word "worship" means to bow down or to prostrate oneself and prayer can be an act of worship.

Some of us do lift our hands up in worship. Others find this uncomfortable for traditional reasons far more than Biblical ones. However, lifted open hands in prayer is not a western thing to do. A number of more eastern cultures follow this tradition which we do find in Scripture. David tells us in Psalm 132:2, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD." Jeremiah agrees, "Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven" (Lamentations 3:41). And for those who need a New Testament verification Paul tells Timothy, "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Timothy 2:8). I understand that body position is not a requirement for God to hear us. He hears whenever we cry out, but perhaps David and the Apostle Paul are onto something here.

Lifting empty hands that are set apart for God seems like a pretty good symbolic gesture. Putting on display that I am open to receive whatever the Lord has for me. Also, making it obvious that I come empty handed, nothing hidden, nothing to offer as a bribe. Just me in my need, in my praise, or with thanksgiving. How does God place things into hands tightly folded? It may seem like a bit of a psychological ploy to sit quietly with palms open and slightly raised as you pray, however, it may change your attitude just a bit when you come to your Heavenly Father. Just to show, through your body language, that you are open to whatever the Lord has for you.

The danger with anything we do is to turn what could be a help in our communion with God to something else. We could turn it into an element of pride, "I pray Biblically 'caus I lift my hands". Add in a bit of judgement toward others and your holy hands are pretty soiled. We might allow ourselves to feel God is now, somehow, more attentive or even obligated to answer just because we are following Jeremiah's example. Yet, even with these potential dangers, perhaps a little change in position could breathe some new life into our prayer times.

One thing we know, and that is God desires to commune with us in prayer. Sometimes a small thing can remind us of how frail and dependent we are and how willing He is to place just what we need on our open hands.

Christians Should Not Get Married

Why would you ever want to get married? It is true that God instituted the whole idea of marriage and family from back in Genesis two. He created one man and then seeing it was not good for man to be alone created one woman to be his ideal helper and partner for life. It was not all that complicated. However, as is true with pretty much everything, humanity has been consistently corrupting the simple plan. Multiple wives came pretty early and with that competition for affections. Rivalry between siblings that ended up in death and destruction. Still, it is God's remarkable plan and His picture of His relationship between Himself and His people, be it Israel or the followers of Messiah. Unfortunately, what we see around us is a picture so distorted it borders on blasphemy and a profane practice that dishonors the Lord.

This is obviously a generalization for there are a great many God honoring marriages that give a great picture of how Christ loves the church. I have been blessed with over  40 years of marriage to a remarkable woman. She has served with me in the rearing of five children and all these years of ministry. I have friends who are celebrating those 25th,30th,45th, and even 50th anniversaries. Some marriages hold the picture of Christ's love and commitment pretty well. Yet, there are so many that have fallen off track. Being a pastor I have the great joy of seeing committed couples take those precious vows before the Lord, family and friends and then stay the course. I have been around long enough to see many of them last and grow to honor the Lord and be a delight to His eyes.

However, these are not the only ones I see. I believe the issue may be that couples may get married for the wrong reasons. One is, sort of contractual. They decide these are the specifics and expectations that need to be met and if there is eventual failure then the option to dissolve the contract is only reasonable. The other big one is love. Lots of couples marry for love. To be loved and to feel love for another. This has the danger of  a feeling based relationship. If my feelings change then it is time to look for the exit. The most successful marriages have a different foundation. It is simply, "How can we bring God glory and serve Him together?" If that is not the focus and reason behind the union the opportunity for failure is lurking in the shadows. Service for others, especially your spouse, is the key to growing in the agape lasting love that we see in Christ's commitment to us. Christ came to serve, not to be served. We need the same motivating factor in our lives.

The most common reason for marriage failures that I have encountered over the past several years among believers is the feeling that someone's "needs" are not being met. The "needs" issue is convenient for it can be remarkably vague. It usually means that in some way I do not feel fulfilled. You are my marriage partner so that is your responsibility. You have failed.  The little disappointments build, are catalogued, and often magnified by one partner or the other and escape is the new motivation. It is often the case that there is no hope for repair or reconciliation. The list is embedded and grows with each effort or failure. "I can change, just give me the opportunity." "If you could be different you could have changed long ago and chose not to. Now I have another reason to be disappointed and hurt." This death spiral is hard to defeat. Marriage is about having my needs met, I do not feel that way, God would not want me to go through life unhappy, so I am out of here. If the foundation had been serving God and their spouse, it is far less likely to take  that descent to the black hole of disappointment, turned to anger, turned to bitterness.

For believers, marriage is a decision to become a servant. To see that it is God who put this concept together, so it is God's reputation that is on the line. Each failed marriage is an opportunity to highlight God's failure. If He were really loving and cared then my marriage would have lasted. Why should I be devoted to serve a God who lets me feel this way? I have a right to have my "needs" met and the spouse God gave me failed so God gave me the wrong spouse. If children are involved they now also have a reason to see God as an inept failure. They have a reason for anger toward this failed God to fester. Satan is the victor and the world has no vision of what it is to know that Christ loves His church.

Christian marriages fail at a slightly higher rate than non Christian marriages. Christians seem to come with expectations that God has provided them with one who will meet all their felt needs. They will know love that comes unconditionally while their own service is optional or conditional. Maybe it would save God's reputation and His picture of Christ's love for the church if believers just stayed single. They could be loved by others without any expectations of sacrificial service on their own part. And if they felt their needs were not being met they could just go to another church. No need for embarrassment or some messy separation. We do that pretty well already. Maybe we need to look at the foundation we will build upon before we make that marriage commitment. If service is not our motivation then maybe it is not time to say yes to marriage. As much as I find great joy in performing marriage I also have known way too much pain in seeing marriages fail. Maybe it could save the Lord and us a lot of disappointment and pain.