"So the LORD God said to the serpent, 'Becuase you have done this, Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.'"
Genesis 3:14
A few weeks back when I was in worship at church, we sang a song that grabbed my attention. The title is Seas of Crimson, and the lyrics read:
"For every curse, You're the cure / For every sickness, You're the Healer
For every storm, You're the calm / For all that's lost, Oh what a Savior"
Now I cannot state whether the writter of the song, or even the worship leader leading me, had this in mind when it was sung, but when I joined in to worship singing these words, God spoke to me.
If you look at the word CURSE and the word CURE, you find that all the letters are the same and in perfect order. The exception, however, is the letter S. If you take the S out of the word curSe, you end up with cure. And then I felt God speaking that the S in curSe was representative of the snake, the enemy himself.
Look with me at Genesis 2 and you find that God makes the beautiful Eve for the manly Adam. They are given the freedoms of the garden with no knowledge of sin. The only rule laid before them was to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But move ahead just a chapter and we find in Genesis 3 the snake, crafty in his ways, twisting the words that God spoke just enough to intice. With Adam at her side, Eve ate the fruit and shared it with Adam. The cure, life in the Garden of Eden and afternoon walks with God, was suddenly taken away because the curSe slithered in.
How many other times can we look at see curses popping up in our lives? It seems we are bombarded with the curse of poor self-esteem, anger, or lack of finances. But what about the curse of infirmity? Or how about the curse of bad luck. Or dare I say, how about generational curses as a whole. In all these areas and so many more, the snake has slithered his way into the lives of people simply to bring their demise. Yet what should our response be?
According to the song, for every curse Jesus is the cure. To me, that simply means that to break the curSe I need to get the S out. I need to get the snake out! I need to not allow the enemy to come in and shift my stance on God's Word. If Eve had done what Jesus did in Matthew 4 and used God's truth against the serpent instead of allowing her mind to be twisted, then the curse would be been broken before it started. While this piece of Biblical history cannot be changed for Eve, it can be changed for us. Because Jesus Christ broken the power of the enemy's curse, we can walk in freedom.
I urge you, take the S, the snake, out of your life and allow God to provide His cure. Get the snake out! Remove his ability to enter your life so that the curse will stop, and the cure will begin.
https://www.onthevanguard.com/
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Friday, September 4, 2015
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FORTY
The following is based on a series of studies I did during the summer of 2012. At that time I felt an urge to review the Bible from beginning to end, and take note of the number 40. As these recent days have passed by, however, I have felt that it was time to take a new look at the significance of the number “forty”.
FORTY
You may or may not know this, but numbers are important when it comes to the Word of God. For instance, a quick look at the number three and you may see it to mean “entire”. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, making up the entire God-head. In Hebrews 13:8, we read that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever/tomorrow.” Jesus also rose from the dead on the third day, showing the entire work of the enemy defeated. We can look at seven the same way. Seven is known as “spiritual perfection”. In Genesis 7:2, Noah is instructed to take seven of every clean animal into the ark and only two of every unclean animal. God rested on the seventh day as we also are commanded to (Ex 20:8-11). On and on we could go concerning the number seven. So as you can see, numbers are important. But I want to direct your attention to a number that you may not think of right away. I want us to look at the number forty.
Now we are not going to take forty days to learn about the number forty, but I again want to bring this number to the forefront. The reason why is because we are currently in the Jewish season of Teshuvah. To give a quick understanding of Teshuvah, every day for forty days, the shofar is blown as a wake up call for all people to repent and seek God for forgiveness. This season ends with Yom Kippur, which is the holiest of all Jewish holidays. What we chose to do concerning the horn’s blast is between us and God.
But why does Teshuvah last forty days, and is the number forty really all that special? To answer that I point out that the number forty is named in the New International Version of the Bible 141 times. That is quite a few times for us to just sweep this digit under the rug. Yet, did anything of significance happen concerning forty? I bring your attention now to Genesis 7:4. “’For in seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; I will wipe out every living thing that I have made from the face of the earth.’” It is here that Noah hears from God that He is sending a flood to wipe away the sinful people, and that through Noah, and because of his devotion, the world would be renewed. The rains that were to come would last forty days and forty nights.
An important piece of data to understand is that forty in the Bible is referred to as a time of testing, trial, probation, or chastisement, but not judgment. A forty day, month, or year period ends with a period of restoration, revival, and renewal. We see this also in the events following the flood, where the earth was reborn.
So then, why does Teshuvah last forty days? According to Jewish tradition, Teshuvah is a sort of death and rebirth. This season is likened to the forty weeks it takes for a human fetus to be formed within the womb. This then is a season of moving past the barren, dead womb and into a time of new life. More so, it is a season of our awakening from the sleep of our sinful ways and into the ways of our God. The shofar is blown daily in these forty days, serving as our alarm clock to wake up from the sinful slumber we are in. Do we really need forty days to repent and confess our sin; to prepare ourselves? Maybe this is better answered by again looking at the meaning of forty. I can confess my sin now, but who’s to say that on day ten I will not move back into my sin. I need to stand in these forty days, to be reminded with each daily blast of the shofar of the trial I am in, and the victory I want to see. Relief from my sin may come on day one, but restoration is proved on day forty-one.
LIFESTYLE OF FORTY
All through life we see the details of forty. We claim “Life begins at forty.” And whether talking concerning the 40 weeks for the baby or the forty years for the person, this is a true statement. But why forty? It is said that it takes 21 days to form a habit, but it takes 40 days to form a lifestyle. Let us look now at the lifestyle that God was outlining for His people, then, in relation to His servant Moses.
After leaving the land of Egypt, Moses led the people from Rameses to Succoth, and then on to Etham on the edge of the desert before eventually landing at the waters of the Red Sea. As ordered by God, Moses stretched out his staff and the waters parted, allowing all of Israel to pass. After defeating the Amalekites, and learning a few lessons from his father-in-law, Jethro, the nation rested at the base of Mount Sinai. It was here that the people received the Ten Commandments and the instruction for the Tabernacle, for it was here that Moses left the camp and met God on the mountain for forty days and nights. “The Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights,” (Ex 24:18). In this alone time with Adonai, Moses was being given the download of the ages. Every blueprint for the Tabernacle, and every stitch concerning the garment of the priest was being explained to Moses. Yet when he descended down the mountain, his eyes landed on the sights of the people worshiping an idol. In anger he destroyed the image (Ex 32:19).
According to tradition, it was on the 17th of Tammuz that Moses descended and saw the golden calf. History would later show that this date became associated with all sorts of calamity for the nation of Israel. It is thought by many that in Exodus 32:30, when Moses states he will go before God to make atonement, that Moses may have again remained on the mountain top for another forty days. The Bible is unclear of this fact, but we do know that Moses did ascend in Exodus 34:28, separate from speaking to the people again in Exodus 33:4. It was in this time that again God continued in the giving of the blueprints for the lifestyle He desired. Details concerning the Ark, the lamp stand, and the altar to name but a few were given in precise order, as they would be used to draw His people to Him.
So here is a question I have for you as we consider once more this number, forty. What lifestyles have you formed? In the winter of 2012 I took part in my first 21 day, water only fast. Personally, the fast helped me to make a habit in the way I sought God during the day, listened for His voice, and searched His ways. But I want more. I want a lifestyle change and not just a habit change. I do not want only to form a standard prayer time, but rather I want to create a lifestyle of prayer. I want to form a lifestyle of drawing close to Him, of removing any part of ‘me’ that gets in the way and prevents me from truly knowing Him. I want to go up the mountain and like Moses, speak with Him. This is not a charge for a “40 Day Challenge”, but rather a challenge for you to look at the lifestyle you are living in. Perhaps, like me, you desire more.
NOTEABLE FORTIES
We have already seen how the number forty played a part in the lives of Noah and of Moses, but I want us to take a look at a few more people and events where the number forty is concerned. Again, remember that forty is a number related to testing and trials, and as we will see, these people and events found their share of testing in the forties. Let us begin back in Genesis.
Following the flood which we have already talked about, the next ‘forty’ is found in Genesis 25:20. It is here we are told Isaac was forty years old when he wed Rebekah. In the next chapter over we read that Esau was forty years old when he married Judith and Basemath, much to his mother’s disgust (Gen 26:34). And completing the book of Genesis, we read that as Jacob was in Egypt when he passed away, the custom of Egypt was for him to be embalmed. This process took a full forty days (Gen 50:3).
While those events may not seem off-hand like times of testing and trials, these next few definitely are. Forty years the nation of Israel wandered in the desert because of the spies response concerning the Promise Land after their return forty days later (Num 13:25). This meant that for forty years the people ate the same meal of manna and quail. That alone would be enough to test me. Yet in the end, God comforted His people in Deuteronomy 2:7 by letting them know He had provided for them during the full forty years. With this, they entered the land and were renewed. I think it also good to point out here that Moses was forty when he left Egypt on his own. Forty years later he returned for God’s people. And forty years following still, he looked from afar into the Promise Land as the people entered. Joshua also said in Joshua 14:7 that he was forty when as one of the spies, he surveyed the land. This then places him at eighty when he took over as the commander of the Israelite people.
In Judges 3:11 we read that the land of Israel had rest for forty years following the death of its judge, Othniel, and the stand he led the nation in. At the end of Deborah’s song in Judges 5:31, we see another forty year rest as again the land began its revised stand for God. Following the leading of Gideon (Jud 8:28), another period of rest for forty years was found in the land. But in Judges 13:1, we find that because the people forsook the ways of God, they were slave to the Philistines for forty years. Following the stand of Samson to break this forty year time of testing, events led to Eli being judge for forty years as recorded in I Samuel 4:18. All these past events lead us to I Samuel 17:16. “Meanwhile, the Philistine approached with his challenge every morning and evening for forty days.”
It wasn’t until just recently this verse jumped out at me. For forty days already, the army of Israel stood at attention to hear the condescending blasphemy of the giant, Goliath. For forty days he spit out his usual chant of defiance against God and His people. But what Goliath did not know, was that the day David arrived was day forty-one. Remember, forty is equated with testing, trial, probation, or chastisement. For forty days the men of Israel were being tested in the Valley of Elah. Guess what Elah means. Elah is the Aramaic word for ‘awesome’, its origin meaning ‘reverence’, and is one of the names of God. Goliath and his fellow soldiers were standing in the Valley of an Awesome God. An awesome God He was indeed, for on this forty-first day, His Spirit came over David and the victory over the giant was had. Remember again that following a forty day, week, year, or anything period comes forty-one, which means restoration, revival, and renewal. Israel had just walked into their time of renewal.
Maybe right now you feel like you have been standing face to face with Goliath. Perhaps you feel as though you have been tested for forty days yourself. Maybe forty years. But I urge you to notice where you are standing. You may find that you have been standing in the Valley of Elah. And looking at your calendar, you may realize that today is day forty-one. Prepare yourself, then, for you are about to see His Spirit move you into a period of restoration, revival, and renewal. Are you ready for it? I know I am.
Going on, King David ruled for forty years (I Kin 2:11). His son, Solomon, also ruled for forty years (I Kin 11:42). Additionally, one other king is credited as ruling for forty years, that being Joash (II Kin 12:1). In I Kings 19:8 we read that with the angel of the LORD coming a second time to Elijah to provide for him food and drink, the meal was enough to suffice him for forty days while he went toward Horeb. God called Ezekiel to do something bazaar in Ezekiel 4:6, commanding him to lay on his right side for forty days to bear the guilt of the house of Judah. And finally, in the book of Jonah, we read that the prophet who first protested, was now in Ninevah declaring that in forty days God was going to overturn Ninevah to its enemies. The city took this personally, and as a whole they sought God in teshuvah and God relented.
EAGLES AND FORTY
There is no coincidence that forty is such an important number in the Bible. But did you know that forty also links the Bible to eagles? Let me explain. In Isaiah 40:30-31, we read, “Young men may grow tired and weary, even the fittest may stumble and fall; but those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength, they will soar aloft as with eagles’ wings; when they are running they won’t grow weary, when they are walking they won’t get tired.” Now in addition to researching the number forty, I have also researched on eagles. Check this out. When an eagle begins to feel old, he will fly up to the mountain and get as close as he can to the sun. Then, one by one he will begin to pluck out each feather. It is said that the eagle is not concerned with the pain in this process, as much as he is the progress in this process. Then, newly de-feathered, the eagle bathes and waits. Animal scientists have studied this behavior and have found that the waiting process is purposed, and that it takes forty days for the re-growth of new feathers. Forty days! When the feathers have grown back, the eagle is renewed in strength and ability.
How does this relate to us? I am glad you asked. I know for myself I have times when I feel ‘old’, especially now that I am 40. There are times when my spirit feels weak, weary, and unable to keep pace. It is in these times that so as the eagle goes up the mountain toward the sun, that I need to find myself going up the mountain to the Son. My strength can only come from Him. But, I cannot have renewed strength until first I remove the ‘feathers’, or the weights that hold me down. These need to be removed, one by one, regardless of how much they hurt or how bald I may look. It is only in striping these feathers that I will find the renewed strength I so long to have. Yet as the feathers do not grow back on the eagle overnight, so I must remember that they will not also grow back on me overnight. It is a time of waiting for the new feathers to come in. It is a time of decision, where lifestyle is reborn.
JESUS AND FORTY
As we come close to wrapping up our study, I want us to look at the number forty and how it relates to Jesus, Yeshua. There are two specific instances relating our Savior with this number, and my goal is to look at both. However, in both I think you also will see that this number is in fact related to the testing and trials that we have learned it to relate to.
We start with the events following Jesus’ baptism. Matthew 3 concludes with Jesus coming out of the waters of the Jordan and having the Spirit come upon Him as a dove, and the voice of the Father declaring His pleasure in His Son. Then in chapter 4, we are told that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. “Then the Spirit led Yeshua up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Adversary. After Yeshua had fasted forty days and nights, he was hungry,” (Matthew 4:1-2).
Before we go on, let us define a few words in the Greek concerning this portion of scripture. First, I think it is good for us to define ‘wilderness’. In the Greek this is EREMOS, meaning a solitary, lonely, or uninhabited place. Second, let us define ‘tempted’. This is the word PEIRAZO in the Greek, and its meaning is one of a trying to see if a thing can be done, a malicious test, or a testing for the purpose of determining quantity and behavior. In short, then, we see the Spirit leading Jesus into a solitary time and place to determine through the malicious tactics of the enemy just what Jesus was made of. When offered the ‘things’ of this world, would Jesus buckle under the pressure, or buckle up in character?
After a time of forty days of being tested, with the enemy offering food, safety, and the kingdoms of this world, and all the while Jesus overcoming each temptation with the Word, the enemy left him alone (Mt 4:11). I would like to point out real quick the relationship between this event and the words of James 4:7. When we resist the enemy, he will flee. It was in this season, these forty days, that the enemy wanted to see what Jesus would do. In His weakness, the enemy probably expected Jesus to give it to the temptation. Yet He held His ground and fought with the Word when the enemy came at Him. Jesus showed not a habit, but a lifestyle. Still, let this also be a reminder to us in our times of testing that God’s Word remains our weapon.
Lastly, I want us to look at Acts 1:3. Following the death of Jesus we read that He appeared to the disciples and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive over the course of forty days. As we just read, Jesus Himself was tested for forty days, and now we see that the disciples were being tested for forty days. The fact that Jesus had to convince the disciples it was Him speaks volumes. Yet Jesus gave proofs, TEKMERION, the assurance that He was surely and plainly known with evidence to support Himself. In these forty days following Jesus’ victory over death, He made it His mission to prove that He was the fulfillment of Scripture.
So what does this say to us? Perhaps in reading this you have seen yourself. Maybe you have realized that you are in a time of testing. As shared, you may be on day one, or day forty. In any case, day forty-one is close at hand, and so is your renewal. But, maybe like the eagle, it is time for you to fly to a place where you are closer to the Son, strip yourself of you, and allow the refreshing and renewal that only He can give.
FORTY
You may or may not know this, but numbers are important when it comes to the Word of God. For instance, a quick look at the number three and you may see it to mean “entire”. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, making up the entire God-head. In Hebrews 13:8, we read that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever/tomorrow.” Jesus also rose from the dead on the third day, showing the entire work of the enemy defeated. We can look at seven the same way. Seven is known as “spiritual perfection”. In Genesis 7:2, Noah is instructed to take seven of every clean animal into the ark and only two of every unclean animal. God rested on the seventh day as we also are commanded to (Ex 20:8-11). On and on we could go concerning the number seven. So as you can see, numbers are important. But I want to direct your attention to a number that you may not think of right away. I want us to look at the number forty.
Now we are not going to take forty days to learn about the number forty, but I again want to bring this number to the forefront. The reason why is because we are currently in the Jewish season of Teshuvah. To give a quick understanding of Teshuvah, every day for forty days, the shofar is blown as a wake up call for all people to repent and seek God for forgiveness. This season ends with Yom Kippur, which is the holiest of all Jewish holidays. What we chose to do concerning the horn’s blast is between us and God.
But why does Teshuvah last forty days, and is the number forty really all that special? To answer that I point out that the number forty is named in the New International Version of the Bible 141 times. That is quite a few times for us to just sweep this digit under the rug. Yet, did anything of significance happen concerning forty? I bring your attention now to Genesis 7:4. “’For in seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; I will wipe out every living thing that I have made from the face of the earth.’” It is here that Noah hears from God that He is sending a flood to wipe away the sinful people, and that through Noah, and because of his devotion, the world would be renewed. The rains that were to come would last forty days and forty nights.
An important piece of data to understand is that forty in the Bible is referred to as a time of testing, trial, probation, or chastisement, but not judgment. A forty day, month, or year period ends with a period of restoration, revival, and renewal. We see this also in the events following the flood, where the earth was reborn.
So then, why does Teshuvah last forty days? According to Jewish tradition, Teshuvah is a sort of death and rebirth. This season is likened to the forty weeks it takes for a human fetus to be formed within the womb. This then is a season of moving past the barren, dead womb and into a time of new life. More so, it is a season of our awakening from the sleep of our sinful ways and into the ways of our God. The shofar is blown daily in these forty days, serving as our alarm clock to wake up from the sinful slumber we are in. Do we really need forty days to repent and confess our sin; to prepare ourselves? Maybe this is better answered by again looking at the meaning of forty. I can confess my sin now, but who’s to say that on day ten I will not move back into my sin. I need to stand in these forty days, to be reminded with each daily blast of the shofar of the trial I am in, and the victory I want to see. Relief from my sin may come on day one, but restoration is proved on day forty-one.
LIFESTYLE OF FORTY
All through life we see the details of forty. We claim “Life begins at forty.” And whether talking concerning the 40 weeks for the baby or the forty years for the person, this is a true statement. But why forty? It is said that it takes 21 days to form a habit, but it takes 40 days to form a lifestyle. Let us look now at the lifestyle that God was outlining for His people, then, in relation to His servant Moses.
After leaving the land of Egypt, Moses led the people from Rameses to Succoth, and then on to Etham on the edge of the desert before eventually landing at the waters of the Red Sea. As ordered by God, Moses stretched out his staff and the waters parted, allowing all of Israel to pass. After defeating the Amalekites, and learning a few lessons from his father-in-law, Jethro, the nation rested at the base of Mount Sinai. It was here that the people received the Ten Commandments and the instruction for the Tabernacle, for it was here that Moses left the camp and met God on the mountain for forty days and nights. “The Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights,” (Ex 24:18). In this alone time with Adonai, Moses was being given the download of the ages. Every blueprint for the Tabernacle, and every stitch concerning the garment of the priest was being explained to Moses. Yet when he descended down the mountain, his eyes landed on the sights of the people worshiping an idol. In anger he destroyed the image (Ex 32:19).
According to tradition, it was on the 17th of Tammuz that Moses descended and saw the golden calf. History would later show that this date became associated with all sorts of calamity for the nation of Israel. It is thought by many that in Exodus 32:30, when Moses states he will go before God to make atonement, that Moses may have again remained on the mountain top for another forty days. The Bible is unclear of this fact, but we do know that Moses did ascend in Exodus 34:28, separate from speaking to the people again in Exodus 33:4. It was in this time that again God continued in the giving of the blueprints for the lifestyle He desired. Details concerning the Ark, the lamp stand, and the altar to name but a few were given in precise order, as they would be used to draw His people to Him.
So here is a question I have for you as we consider once more this number, forty. What lifestyles have you formed? In the winter of 2012 I took part in my first 21 day, water only fast. Personally, the fast helped me to make a habit in the way I sought God during the day, listened for His voice, and searched His ways. But I want more. I want a lifestyle change and not just a habit change. I do not want only to form a standard prayer time, but rather I want to create a lifestyle of prayer. I want to form a lifestyle of drawing close to Him, of removing any part of ‘me’ that gets in the way and prevents me from truly knowing Him. I want to go up the mountain and like Moses, speak with Him. This is not a charge for a “40 Day Challenge”, but rather a challenge for you to look at the lifestyle you are living in. Perhaps, like me, you desire more.
NOTEABLE FORTIES
We have already seen how the number forty played a part in the lives of Noah and of Moses, but I want us to take a look at a few more people and events where the number forty is concerned. Again, remember that forty is a number related to testing and trials, and as we will see, these people and events found their share of testing in the forties. Let us begin back in Genesis.
Following the flood which we have already talked about, the next ‘forty’ is found in Genesis 25:20. It is here we are told Isaac was forty years old when he wed Rebekah. In the next chapter over we read that Esau was forty years old when he married Judith and Basemath, much to his mother’s disgust (Gen 26:34). And completing the book of Genesis, we read that as Jacob was in Egypt when he passed away, the custom of Egypt was for him to be embalmed. This process took a full forty days (Gen 50:3).
While those events may not seem off-hand like times of testing and trials, these next few definitely are. Forty years the nation of Israel wandered in the desert because of the spies response concerning the Promise Land after their return forty days later (Num 13:25). This meant that for forty years the people ate the same meal of manna and quail. That alone would be enough to test me. Yet in the end, God comforted His people in Deuteronomy 2:7 by letting them know He had provided for them during the full forty years. With this, they entered the land and were renewed. I think it also good to point out here that Moses was forty when he left Egypt on his own. Forty years later he returned for God’s people. And forty years following still, he looked from afar into the Promise Land as the people entered. Joshua also said in Joshua 14:7 that he was forty when as one of the spies, he surveyed the land. This then places him at eighty when he took over as the commander of the Israelite people.
In Judges 3:11 we read that the land of Israel had rest for forty years following the death of its judge, Othniel, and the stand he led the nation in. At the end of Deborah’s song in Judges 5:31, we see another forty year rest as again the land began its revised stand for God. Following the leading of Gideon (Jud 8:28), another period of rest for forty years was found in the land. But in Judges 13:1, we find that because the people forsook the ways of God, they were slave to the Philistines for forty years. Following the stand of Samson to break this forty year time of testing, events led to Eli being judge for forty years as recorded in I Samuel 4:18. All these past events lead us to I Samuel 17:16. “Meanwhile, the Philistine approached with his challenge every morning and evening for forty days.”
It wasn’t until just recently this verse jumped out at me. For forty days already, the army of Israel stood at attention to hear the condescending blasphemy of the giant, Goliath. For forty days he spit out his usual chant of defiance against God and His people. But what Goliath did not know, was that the day David arrived was day forty-one. Remember, forty is equated with testing, trial, probation, or chastisement. For forty days the men of Israel were being tested in the Valley of Elah. Guess what Elah means. Elah is the Aramaic word for ‘awesome’, its origin meaning ‘reverence’, and is one of the names of God. Goliath and his fellow soldiers were standing in the Valley of an Awesome God. An awesome God He was indeed, for on this forty-first day, His Spirit came over David and the victory over the giant was had. Remember again that following a forty day, week, year, or anything period comes forty-one, which means restoration, revival, and renewal. Israel had just walked into their time of renewal.
Maybe right now you feel like you have been standing face to face with Goliath. Perhaps you feel as though you have been tested for forty days yourself. Maybe forty years. But I urge you to notice where you are standing. You may find that you have been standing in the Valley of Elah. And looking at your calendar, you may realize that today is day forty-one. Prepare yourself, then, for you are about to see His Spirit move you into a period of restoration, revival, and renewal. Are you ready for it? I know I am.
Going on, King David ruled for forty years (I Kin 2:11). His son, Solomon, also ruled for forty years (I Kin 11:42). Additionally, one other king is credited as ruling for forty years, that being Joash (II Kin 12:1). In I Kings 19:8 we read that with the angel of the LORD coming a second time to Elijah to provide for him food and drink, the meal was enough to suffice him for forty days while he went toward Horeb. God called Ezekiel to do something bazaar in Ezekiel 4:6, commanding him to lay on his right side for forty days to bear the guilt of the house of Judah. And finally, in the book of Jonah, we read that the prophet who first protested, was now in Ninevah declaring that in forty days God was going to overturn Ninevah to its enemies. The city took this personally, and as a whole they sought God in teshuvah and God relented.
EAGLES AND FORTY
There is no coincidence that forty is such an important number in the Bible. But did you know that forty also links the Bible to eagles? Let me explain. In Isaiah 40:30-31, we read, “Young men may grow tired and weary, even the fittest may stumble and fall; but those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength, they will soar aloft as with eagles’ wings; when they are running they won’t grow weary, when they are walking they won’t get tired.” Now in addition to researching the number forty, I have also researched on eagles. Check this out. When an eagle begins to feel old, he will fly up to the mountain and get as close as he can to the sun. Then, one by one he will begin to pluck out each feather. It is said that the eagle is not concerned with the pain in this process, as much as he is the progress in this process. Then, newly de-feathered, the eagle bathes and waits. Animal scientists have studied this behavior and have found that the waiting process is purposed, and that it takes forty days for the re-growth of new feathers. Forty days! When the feathers have grown back, the eagle is renewed in strength and ability.
How does this relate to us? I am glad you asked. I know for myself I have times when I feel ‘old’, especially now that I am 40. There are times when my spirit feels weak, weary, and unable to keep pace. It is in these times that so as the eagle goes up the mountain toward the sun, that I need to find myself going up the mountain to the Son. My strength can only come from Him. But, I cannot have renewed strength until first I remove the ‘feathers’, or the weights that hold me down. These need to be removed, one by one, regardless of how much they hurt or how bald I may look. It is only in striping these feathers that I will find the renewed strength I so long to have. Yet as the feathers do not grow back on the eagle overnight, so I must remember that they will not also grow back on me overnight. It is a time of waiting for the new feathers to come in. It is a time of decision, where lifestyle is reborn.
JESUS AND FORTY
As we come close to wrapping up our study, I want us to look at the number forty and how it relates to Jesus, Yeshua. There are two specific instances relating our Savior with this number, and my goal is to look at both. However, in both I think you also will see that this number is in fact related to the testing and trials that we have learned it to relate to.
We start with the events following Jesus’ baptism. Matthew 3 concludes with Jesus coming out of the waters of the Jordan and having the Spirit come upon Him as a dove, and the voice of the Father declaring His pleasure in His Son. Then in chapter 4, we are told that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. “Then the Spirit led Yeshua up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Adversary. After Yeshua had fasted forty days and nights, he was hungry,” (Matthew 4:1-2).
Before we go on, let us define a few words in the Greek concerning this portion of scripture. First, I think it is good for us to define ‘wilderness’. In the Greek this is EREMOS, meaning a solitary, lonely, or uninhabited place. Second, let us define ‘tempted’. This is the word PEIRAZO in the Greek, and its meaning is one of a trying to see if a thing can be done, a malicious test, or a testing for the purpose of determining quantity and behavior. In short, then, we see the Spirit leading Jesus into a solitary time and place to determine through the malicious tactics of the enemy just what Jesus was made of. When offered the ‘things’ of this world, would Jesus buckle under the pressure, or buckle up in character?
After a time of forty days of being tested, with the enemy offering food, safety, and the kingdoms of this world, and all the while Jesus overcoming each temptation with the Word, the enemy left him alone (Mt 4:11). I would like to point out real quick the relationship between this event and the words of James 4:7. When we resist the enemy, he will flee. It was in this season, these forty days, that the enemy wanted to see what Jesus would do. In His weakness, the enemy probably expected Jesus to give it to the temptation. Yet He held His ground and fought with the Word when the enemy came at Him. Jesus showed not a habit, but a lifestyle. Still, let this also be a reminder to us in our times of testing that God’s Word remains our weapon.
Lastly, I want us to look at Acts 1:3. Following the death of Jesus we read that He appeared to the disciples and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive over the course of forty days. As we just read, Jesus Himself was tested for forty days, and now we see that the disciples were being tested for forty days. The fact that Jesus had to convince the disciples it was Him speaks volumes. Yet Jesus gave proofs, TEKMERION, the assurance that He was surely and plainly known with evidence to support Himself. In these forty days following Jesus’ victory over death, He made it His mission to prove that He was the fulfillment of Scripture.
So what does this say to us? Perhaps in reading this you have seen yourself. Maybe you have realized that you are in a time of testing. As shared, you may be on day one, or day forty. In any case, day forty-one is close at hand, and so is your renewal. But, maybe like the eagle, it is time for you to fly to a place where you are closer to the Son, strip yourself of you, and allow the refreshing and renewal that only He can give.
Friday, August 28, 2015
LOOKING IN THE MIRROR
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
II Corinthians 3:18
Every morning I find myself set in a routine of waking, showering, and dressing for the day. Every morning I take off my sleep clothes in exchange for clean clothes. Every morning I let the water run a minute or two while I stare in the mirror to determine if I need (or want) to shave for the day or not. Every morning I go through the same steps to come to the same result.
Today, though, was slightly different. While I still woke and all, I found myself starring at my reflection just a few minutes longer while the water from the shower hit the tub and glided down the drain. What was I looking at? At first it was my facial hair...I haven't shaved since Sunday and the hair above my lip is starting to curl in on the sides. It pokes me a little. Then I moved to my head to see how long my hair there was. It has been almost a week since I buzzed my head and it is growing quicker than I wish. After careful consideration of all I could see in the mirror, I felt in my spirit a prompting, a nudge so to say. What about your heart?
The reflection I see in the mirror is a reflection of me. Good or bad, perfect or blemished, the person physically looking back at me from the mirror is myself. But I want my reflection to be of Christ. As stated in an old song by the Allies, "I want the world to be looking at You when they're looking at me." Still, in order for the world to see something worth seeing, I need to be something worth being. Now please do not read that wrong, I am not saying this is all works related. What I am saying, however, is that when I look in the mirror and still see more of myself than of Christ, something is seriously wrong.
I read in II Corinthians 3:18 that I am being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory. So exactly how is this happening? Do I just wake up one day and suddenly look Christ-ly? Wish that was the case, but unlike Spiderman, I wasn't bit by some God-spider and woke up with abs. In order for me to reflect Christ I must allow myself to be transformed by Christ. I do this by allowing Him to remove all the places that do not give Him glory. In a way it is like plastic surgery. I see a defect, I make an appointment with the doctor for it to be fixed or removed, then I have a more perfect body. So then like with Christ, I see a defect - I have anger issues. I make an appointment with the doctor - I come before God in prayer and honestly take time in His presence, many times as a repeat client, until finally the blemish, the sin, the weakness is removed. I have a more perfect body - I reflect a positive piece of the overall image of who He is.
Becoming like Christ is not a one time visit, though, much like going to one counseling session is never enough to solve years of conflict. Even in my times of being counseled, it seemed as though when one issue was getting better, a new issue was arising. It wasn't that the counselor wanted to drain my pockets by pointing out my every flaw, but that their goal was my overall health. So with God, when one issue is getting better God will suggest another area that we too need to work on. For me I have seen how God has worked to show me I need help with my anger, then begin also to work with unforgiveness, self-esteem, and my treatment of others to name a few areas. Lest I think I will ever be perfect while on earth, I can at least rest assured that I am a work in progress, and God longs to work His perfection in me.
So in coming back to what I saw in the mirror today, I may have areas where my reflection does show a hint of Christ, but until all of me reflects Christ, I have work to do. Therefore the remainder of II Corinthians 3:18 is true for me, this transformation comes from the Lord, aided by the Spirit. I must be willing to lay myself down to God's knife and allow Him to perform the surgery needed on me, piece by piece. The end result will be a reflection of Him. The end result of reflecting Him is what I desire.
II Corinthians 3:18
Every morning I find myself set in a routine of waking, showering, and dressing for the day. Every morning I take off my sleep clothes in exchange for clean clothes. Every morning I let the water run a minute or two while I stare in the mirror to determine if I need (or want) to shave for the day or not. Every morning I go through the same steps to come to the same result.
Today, though, was slightly different. While I still woke and all, I found myself starring at my reflection just a few minutes longer while the water from the shower hit the tub and glided down the drain. What was I looking at? At first it was my facial hair...I haven't shaved since Sunday and the hair above my lip is starting to curl in on the sides. It pokes me a little. Then I moved to my head to see how long my hair there was. It has been almost a week since I buzzed my head and it is growing quicker than I wish. After careful consideration of all I could see in the mirror, I felt in my spirit a prompting, a nudge so to say. What about your heart?
The reflection I see in the mirror is a reflection of me. Good or bad, perfect or blemished, the person physically looking back at me from the mirror is myself. But I want my reflection to be of Christ. As stated in an old song by the Allies, "I want the world to be looking at You when they're looking at me." Still, in order for the world to see something worth seeing, I need to be something worth being. Now please do not read that wrong, I am not saying this is all works related. What I am saying, however, is that when I look in the mirror and still see more of myself than of Christ, something is seriously wrong.
I read in II Corinthians 3:18 that I am being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory. So exactly how is this happening? Do I just wake up one day and suddenly look Christ-ly? Wish that was the case, but unlike Spiderman, I wasn't bit by some God-spider and woke up with abs. In order for me to reflect Christ I must allow myself to be transformed by Christ. I do this by allowing Him to remove all the places that do not give Him glory. In a way it is like plastic surgery. I see a defect, I make an appointment with the doctor for it to be fixed or removed, then I have a more perfect body. So then like with Christ, I see a defect - I have anger issues. I make an appointment with the doctor - I come before God in prayer and honestly take time in His presence, many times as a repeat client, until finally the blemish, the sin, the weakness is removed. I have a more perfect body - I reflect a positive piece of the overall image of who He is.
Becoming like Christ is not a one time visit, though, much like going to one counseling session is never enough to solve years of conflict. Even in my times of being counseled, it seemed as though when one issue was getting better, a new issue was arising. It wasn't that the counselor wanted to drain my pockets by pointing out my every flaw, but that their goal was my overall health. So with God, when one issue is getting better God will suggest another area that we too need to work on. For me I have seen how God has worked to show me I need help with my anger, then begin also to work with unforgiveness, self-esteem, and my treatment of others to name a few areas. Lest I think I will ever be perfect while on earth, I can at least rest assured that I am a work in progress, and God longs to work His perfection in me.
So in coming back to what I saw in the mirror today, I may have areas where my reflection does show a hint of Christ, but until all of me reflects Christ, I have work to do. Therefore the remainder of II Corinthians 3:18 is true for me, this transformation comes from the Lord, aided by the Spirit. I must be willing to lay myself down to God's knife and allow Him to perform the surgery needed on me, piece by piece. The end result will be a reflection of Him. The end result of reflecting Him is what I desire.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS
“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.”
Psalm 32:1-2
This week I have found myself in a place of thought. It’s not too hard to do as I think I am truly unable to shut my brain off. But my thoughts this week haven’t been about my paper that is due for my Master’s, or of my finances, or even of what I will do on my next day off. My thoughts have been about forgiveness, or better yet, the joy forgiveness brings.
I was listening early this week to a message I preached last summer. I know, you may think it a little strange, but I go back and listen to myself for one main reason. I want to make sure I am living what I preach. I want to make sure it cannot be said of me that I am a hypocrite. So with this being the case, I went back and listened to a message I shared titled, “Breaking Chains and Smashing Idols”. In listening I found myself getting excited by my own words, sharing with the people that we must stop bowing down to the idols of our life, and instead get rid of them as kings Hezekiah and Josiah did. These kings refused to let the high places stay up and made it a point to destroy them all.
Now if you know me, you probably also know at least a portion of my past and the addictions that used to have their way with me. You may also know some of the pains I have suffered. It has been years since all this transpired, but it has only been recently that another wave of reality concerning God’s forgiveness has washed over me. It reminds me of King David in Psalm 51. David, after sinning with Bathsheba and working to hide his sin by killing her husband, has been found out and confronted by the prophet. From here we assume that he cries out to God and asks for forgiveness. He wants God’s mercy in blotting out his sin. The price for David’s sin cost him a child, as sin will always have consequence, but forgiveness was given.
I too have been forgiven, and I can assure you that my sin has cost me more than I wanted to pay. But I can also say to you that had I not known this sin, I may not have fully known God’s forgiveness, nor would I be sharing with you what I am now. You see, David makes a comment to God in Psalm 51:13 that following God’s forgiveness, he will teach sinners of His ways, and they too will turn to Him. In many ways this is what I have been striving to do in these writings and in the words I teach with. I have been forgiven by God when really I should have received death (Rom 6:23). Having God’s forgiveness has been my joy; and having this recent reality of forgiveness again has only served to bring a renewed joy. And why not? How freeing it is to know that sin has no hold on me. How joyful I am to know that the death that once crept into my bones now cannot creep in. How awesome I feel knowing that I am in right relationship with Him again.
From Psalm 51 it is assumed that David wrote Psalm 32, the teaching of others that he promised to do. David took the time to share with others how sin was killing him on the inside, but how God’s forgiveness when his sin was confessed brought life back into his being. Below I leave for you the beginning verses of a translation of the Hebrew that I have researched for myself. Oh how I pray that you also will know the joy of forgiveness.
How happy is the one whose rebellions are pardoned, burnt away even, whose offenses are covered! How happy is the one whose mischief the LORD does not interpenetrate them with, and in whose spirit there is no treachery!
While I held my peace and kept practicing in secret my silence, the strength found in my bones began to decay from all day moaning. Day and night your hand literally and figuratively was burdensome on me; the moisture in my body converted to that found in a summer’s drought.
Then I recognized how my offense was hurting me and I no longer concealed my mischief. I said, “I will throw up my hands and throw out my rebellion before you LORD.” And you, God, carried off and burnt away the punishment of my offenses.
Psalm 32:1-5
Psalm 32:1-2
This week I have found myself in a place of thought. It’s not too hard to do as I think I am truly unable to shut my brain off. But my thoughts this week haven’t been about my paper that is due for my Master’s, or of my finances, or even of what I will do on my next day off. My thoughts have been about forgiveness, or better yet, the joy forgiveness brings.
I was listening early this week to a message I preached last summer. I know, you may think it a little strange, but I go back and listen to myself for one main reason. I want to make sure I am living what I preach. I want to make sure it cannot be said of me that I am a hypocrite. So with this being the case, I went back and listened to a message I shared titled, “Breaking Chains and Smashing Idols”. In listening I found myself getting excited by my own words, sharing with the people that we must stop bowing down to the idols of our life, and instead get rid of them as kings Hezekiah and Josiah did. These kings refused to let the high places stay up and made it a point to destroy them all.
Now if you know me, you probably also know at least a portion of my past and the addictions that used to have their way with me. You may also know some of the pains I have suffered. It has been years since all this transpired, but it has only been recently that another wave of reality concerning God’s forgiveness has washed over me. It reminds me of King David in Psalm 51. David, after sinning with Bathsheba and working to hide his sin by killing her husband, has been found out and confronted by the prophet. From here we assume that he cries out to God and asks for forgiveness. He wants God’s mercy in blotting out his sin. The price for David’s sin cost him a child, as sin will always have consequence, but forgiveness was given.
I too have been forgiven, and I can assure you that my sin has cost me more than I wanted to pay. But I can also say to you that had I not known this sin, I may not have fully known God’s forgiveness, nor would I be sharing with you what I am now. You see, David makes a comment to God in Psalm 51:13 that following God’s forgiveness, he will teach sinners of His ways, and they too will turn to Him. In many ways this is what I have been striving to do in these writings and in the words I teach with. I have been forgiven by God when really I should have received death (Rom 6:23). Having God’s forgiveness has been my joy; and having this recent reality of forgiveness again has only served to bring a renewed joy. And why not? How freeing it is to know that sin has no hold on me. How joyful I am to know that the death that once crept into my bones now cannot creep in. How awesome I feel knowing that I am in right relationship with Him again.
From Psalm 51 it is assumed that David wrote Psalm 32, the teaching of others that he promised to do. David took the time to share with others how sin was killing him on the inside, but how God’s forgiveness when his sin was confessed brought life back into his being. Below I leave for you the beginning verses of a translation of the Hebrew that I have researched for myself. Oh how I pray that you also will know the joy of forgiveness.
How happy is the one whose rebellions are pardoned, burnt away even, whose offenses are covered! How happy is the one whose mischief the LORD does not interpenetrate them with, and in whose spirit there is no treachery!
While I held my peace and kept practicing in secret my silence, the strength found in my bones began to decay from all day moaning. Day and night your hand literally and figuratively was burdensome on me; the moisture in my body converted to that found in a summer’s drought.
Then I recognized how my offense was hurting me and I no longer concealed my mischief. I said, “I will throw up my hands and throw out my rebellion before you LORD.” And you, God, carried off and burnt away the punishment of my offenses.
Psalm 32:1-5
Thursday, July 23, 2015
TAKING A LOOK AT EPHESIANS 5 part 1
Back in the summer of 2012, I found myself having quite a bit of time on my hands. So what did I do with that time? A chunk of it was spent with my kids obviously. But with the kids going back and forth between their mom’s house and mine, I found myself also with a great deal of alone time. It was in these times I made it my goal to limit my television usage, and open the Bible more. So I did. I opened and began to study one of my favorite books of the Bible, Ephesians. As I was studying, I began to focus in specifically to chapter 5.
I remember during my junior year of college one of the guys in my class came up to me and told me that he had a word for me. I was a little hesitant as to what he may say, but I listened. His words were simple. “God wants you to read and live Ephesians 5.” A little perplexed, I went back to the dorm that night and skimmed through it. Of all the verses that I saw on the page, my eyes landed on the part concerning a husband and wife and right away I thought he had missed it. How could it apply to me since I was not married, or even dating anyone at that time. Over the course of my life since then, my eyes have read the words of Ephesians 5 so many times that I probably could quote it. And following my divorce I have read it even more. There are so many truths within just this chapter beyond that of marriage, and so many lessons we should learn when deciding to do what Jesus would do.
Wow, I had so much to learn back then. I would like to think I have learned it all now, but the great thing about God’s Word is that because it is living and active, we can never get enough. It gets in us, to the core, changes us if we allow it to, and then comes back to do the process all over. So with this background, and in humility myself, I submit to you what God has shown me, verse my verse, from Ephesians 5.
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“So imitate God, as his dear children…”
Ephesians 5:1
Consider this, Jesus is the standard, not the exception. Therefore His ways are the ways we should follow instead of avoid. In John 5:19, Jesus spoke that He did only as He saw His Father doing. “…Whatever the Father does, the Son does too.” In Ephesians 5:1, Paul then encourages us to do likewise and follow in the ways that we see the Father doing as well. So then in order for us to do what Jesus would do, we need to seek Him and ask Him what He would do. I know this principle goes a little off course in some circles, but this is the path to blessing.
And consider also the fact that our previous timeline in God’s kingdom doesn’t prove we know what we are doing. What I mean by this is that just because we may have been raised in the church doesn’t mean that every action we do is right. Look at Isaiah 56:1-2 as an example. The passage starts out stating to observe justice and do what is right. Then in verse 2 it tells us one of the things that is right according to God, which is the keeping of the Sabbath. When was the last time you kept the Sabbath? Guess what, I’m Jewish and I still struggle with keeping the Sabbath correctly. The Sabbath is supposed to be a day of rest and recollection of the awesomeness of God, yet I find myself struggling to keep from using it to get my week’s grocery shopping done. So then if I ask myself the question of what would Jesus do on the Sabbath, I am pretty sure I would not hear Him answer, “Go shopping.” I would hear Him answer to reflect on Him, study His Word, and bathe in His presence. That is what Jesus did.
To imitate God in a world and time that seems to be so far from knowing God’s true will takes us asking Him exactly what it is He wants us to do. We are to measure ourselves based on His Word, get back to His statutes, and perform according to His morals. But in a time when even “Christians” are giving over to premarital sex, affairs, drunkenness, pride, and idol worship, I venture to say we have no idea what it means to be a God-follower. Quite honestly, I am sick of this being the way my life goes. I am sick of saying one thing and living another. Jesus did what He saw the Father do. Jesus lived out love, lived out obedience, and lived out the morals and standards that His Father put in place. That is the life I want to live going forward. And that is the life we are all encouraged to live based on Ephesians 5:10. It is time to return to what pleases Him.
It was in 1897 that Charles M. Sheldon wrote the book, In His Steps. At its time, the book began to change the world of its readers, forcing them to question with the characters, what would Jesus do? Doing what Jesus would do will not make us popular, nor will it make us even liked in many cases. But it will make us think and hopefully change our ways if we allow it. Should you come along in this concept, I cannot tell you what Jesus would counsel you in your position, nor can you in mine. Yet be sure that we each will have a cross to bear in this decision. Many will take challenge of asking this question and then soon give up. Some will last a week; a few maybe the month. Jesus lived this as a lifestyle, not a fad. I pray that we too will be those who embrace the question of what would Jesus do.
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“…and live a life of love, just as also the Messiah loved us, indeed, on our behalf gave himself up as an offering, as a slaughtered sacrifice to God with a pleasing fragrance.”
Ephesians 5:2
In Ephesians 5:2, we see that one of the ways we can imitate Him and do what He would do is in love. We are to live a life of love and imitate His actions. This one can be hard because as a human I do not always want to love people. Truth be told, I am in a constant battle against my lack of desire to be an extrovert. Having been hurt and rejected by people who I trusted, it is easier for me to put up walls and live my hermit lifestyle. But this is one area specifically where I find myself asking, “What would Jesus do?” Yes there are scriptures that point to Jesus secluding Himself, but in each of those instances it was to get away for times of refreshing and prayer. His reason for being alone is not the same reason I do it. And if I want to follow His example, I feel I must work to step outside of my fears.
I must give myself as an offering to Him. I must be willing to invest myself in the pattern of what He would do. I am reminded of the banner in a church I once saw that read, “Invest, Invite, Include.” It is a simple message. It is a message stating exactly what Jesus did. And it is a message that challenges me if I want to walk in His ways. I must love others enough to invest myself in them and Christ did, giving of Himself constantly. I must love others enough to invite them into my home, to my church, to my friendship, just as Christ did. And I must love them enough to include them in the patterns and steps of the Father, again as Christ did.
So concerning the way I act, in asking “What would Jesus do,” I am confident that He would love others. And Does not I John 4:18 remind us that there is no fear in love, for perfect love drives out fear? Jesus would, and did, live a life of love. This is the lifestyle I want to mimic.
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“Among you there should not even be mentioned sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or greed; these are utterly inappropriate for God’s holy people.”
Ephesians 5:3
To be honest with you, one of the greatest challenges for many in answering a question such as what Jesus would do is based on Ephesians 5:3-5. The challenge is for there not to be even a mention of sexually immorality. The NIV states a hint of. The word in the Greek is ONOMAZO, meaning the naming of or to be given name to. As ones who follow in the steps of God, as His imitators, we are not to let there be the name of sexual immorality, impurity, or greed of any amount in our lives. Additionally, as we will see, there is to not be obscenity, stupid talk, or course language flowing from us as these habits too are not the way of God.
But what exactly do these traits encompass? Let us work to define the three traits in Ephesians 5:3. Sexual immorality is the Greek word PORNEIA. Guess what word we get today from this Greek root. Pornography. Defined more directly, this word includes illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, and any act of sex done unto a pagan god or idol. This seems pretty cut and dry, yes? Yet how many churches have opened their doors to ministers and staff who publically admit this as their lifestyle? No offense, but I do not want to attend a church where my pastor is gay. I have a strong feeling that God’s hand of blessing is not on that church. Now I am not saying that church should not welcome these people in, as we all need Jesus, but I am saying I would not want this hint leading me in my walk with Christ and encouraging me to be like God.
Additionally, we are not to let there be any kind of impurity. In the Greek this is the word AKATHARSIA, meaning uncleanness of body, but also impurity of lustful, luxurious, or profligate living of impure motives. In Romans 1:24 this same word is used when Paul writes that God gave the unclean over to their impurities of lust within their hearts. If we fail to get the impurity out now, as Jesus would do, then our fate too can be sealed in our being given over to our flesh.
Greed is the third named character here that there should not be a hint of in our lives as people who imitate God and do as Jesus would do. Greed is the Greek word PLEONEXIA, and is more rightly defined as covetousness or the deep desire to have more. Greed is what got David in trouble with Bathsheba as his desire was for her. Greed birthed the actions of taking what was not his and killing her husband to make it right. Greed is what gets so many of us in trouble still as it paves the way for us to reason why we should have what others have. Looking at Romans 1:29-32, greed is one of the named evil traits that is worthy of death.
I want to do as Jesus would do. I want to be an imitator of God. I want to be a fragrant offering unto Him. But I cannot be this if I allow the name of such sins to spot my life. I cannot be fully walking in His ways if my name is still on the party list with sexual immorality, impurity, and greed. These things must be banished from our lives. If they were no part of Jesus’ life, then why should we allow them to be part of ours? Let us divorce these traits, once and for all! I am pretty sure that is what Jesus would do.
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“Also out of place are obscenity and stupid talk or coarse language; instead, you should be giving thanks. For of this you can be sure: every sexually immoral, impure or greedy person – that is, every idol worshipper – has no share in the Kingdom of the Messiah and of God.”
Ephesians 5:4-5
So we have looked at the terms in verse 3, which I believe were well needed definitions as we have tended to conform our personal definitions to that of our rational. But if we are going to do as Jesus did and walk in His way, then we must understand the terms and boundaries according to Him. We must stop trying to fit God in our box and instead place ourselves within His freedoms. I understand it may sound strange to equate His ways with freedom, but only in Him do we have all we need. Only in walking in His steps will we find the fullness of life that we search for. And so, Ephesians 5:4-5 continues from where we left off in helping us to see what traits we need to delete from our current lifestyle.
The passage continues on with next telling us that obscenity is out of place. Obscenity in the Greek is AISCHROTES and means filth. Filth is out of place in the Kingdom. As one who has moved from one apartment complex to another in times past, I can attest to the fact that my units had filth. Now when the furniture was in its place, the unit looked clean. But as I moved the furniture from the unit into the truck, I began to find the trash and overall junk that was tucked and hidden in between the furniture and walls. I was amazed at how much filth there was. And I am just as amazed at how much filth I find when I begin to ask Jesus what He would do in my situations. For so long I have been trained in thinking that my ways were right. While they didn’t hurt anyone, they also weren’t the true version of what God commands. The filth found needs to be removed, and fast!
Stupid talk and course joking are named as well. MOROLOGIA, or foolish talking, and EUTRAPELIA, which is facetious humor and the trying to be funny, are also characteristics that Paul warns us against. These are not the behaviors that God is involved in and should not be the behaviors that we too are involved in. Instead He urges us to live in a place of giving thanks. This word in the Greek is EUCHARISTIA, which we derive the word Eucharist from. The Eucharist is also commonly known as the Communion, which in and of itself is the giving of thanks for the sacrifice of Christ. So instead of all this pointless and degrading talk, we are to fill our words with thanks.
In putting it all together starting from the beginning of Ephesians 5, we see we are to mimic God as children who love their parents do. We are to live a life of love and let this be our trademark. We are to do away with the sexually immoral behavior, the impurities, the greed, and the inappropriate talk that comes from our mouths. Instead we are to speak thanksgiving to our Father. All these other sins and behaviors lead only to one thing – idol worship. Too many already worship the body, worship the profligate living of impure motives, and worship what they feel they need. But Paul writes that in the Kingdom of God this bowing down unto idols of any sort has no place.
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“Let no one deceive you with empty talk; for it is because of these things that God’s judgment is coming on those who disobey Him. So don’t become partners with them!”
Ephesians 5:6-7
Have you ever stopped to think of how many partnerships you are involved in at one time? As I walk through my duties of the day I am reminded that I am a partner with my wife and children, with my bank, with my employer, with my school, and with my dog. To each of them I have made a commitment. To my wife and children the partnership reads that I will love and protect them, help them grow in God, and meet their needs. To my bank the partnership includes paying my bills only when there is enough cash in my account. To my employer I have agreed to show up to work on time, do a job far exceeding that of my pay, and represent the company name well. To my school the partnership states that I will come to class, ready to learn, and show respect to my fellow students. And to my dog, the partnership includes me feeding him and being there to pet him when needed. Granted in all these there is more to the partnership than what is on the surface, but I am sure you can relate with what I am saying.
Of course there are other partnerships one enters in life. As such, sometimes we enter into a partnership with reasoning and deliberation, and other times in haste. But despite how we enter into it, the question is if we are entering into the right relationship. In these verses I find a warning given by Paul concerning partnerships. We have already seen the danger of partnering with sexually immorality, impurity, greed, filth, and stupid talk. Here, though, we see another area where we are cautioned to partner, that being in empty talk.
As we have looked at the Greek in all the other warnings found in Ephesians 5 so far, we look here as well. Empty talk is KENOS in the Greek. Further defined, ‘kenos’ is anything that is devoid of truth. Paul used this same word in I Corinthians 15:14 when he spoke that if Christ had not truly risen from the dead, then all the preaching he had done so far would have been just empty of truth. But the truth was Jesus did rise from the grave. Paul’s speech then was founded on truth and not lies. So here also Paul is saying that every word that proceeds from our mouth should be founded on truth. We are not to be cheated and beguiled with these empty words, which lead to God’s judgment, but rather are to be built up with true words.
Paul’s final warning as found in verse 7 is not to be partners with those who fit the description of the terms found in verses 3 thru 6. We are not to join in with the sin of sexual immorality. We are not to sign a contract with the sin of impurity. We are not to shake hands with greed. We are not to collaborate with filth and stupid talk. And we are not to associate with empty, truth-lacking words. Being in agreement with these things only brings about God’s ORGE, His temper, for these things are sin. These things steal us away from Him, the Truth, and connect us with sin, which is disobedience.
We are to be imitators of God, connecting and partnering with truth instead of lies. Far too many of us for far too long have forsaken what Jesus would do for what we want to do. How can we call ourselves Christ followers if we are not following His example? Nowhere in the Bible does it say “Be an imitator of yourself,” because left to yourself you fall into sin. Let us draw the line in the sand, divorcing our partnership with sin and re-entering into a partnership with God. Let us imitate Him only.
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“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…”
Ephesians 5:8
My personal testimony is not a secret to many, nor do I want it to be. I want people to know that the same God who lifted me out of my addiction can also rescue them. It was while going through my struggles that I was hooked up with a counselor named John. John had a way of getting me to open up and think about what I was doing, how it was hurting people, and how to refrain from continuing. In one of our sessions he pointedly questioned, “When do you find yourself acting in this behavior?” I didn’t have to think long since I knew the answer. In my case, I almost always acted out when I was either alone or when it was dark. Like a roach sneaking out in the shadows, I would dig in my trash so confident that no one would see me.
It is in Ephesians 5:8 that I see who I was – one in darkness. For far too many years than I want to remember, I lived in darkness. But this word means more than just living with the lights off. Darkness, SKOTOS in the Greek, means the night, but also a blindness or ignorance of the divine things. This word is usually always connected with ungodliness or immorality. In my case it most definitely was. I was living as one embracing the darkness, bowing down to my idols, and willingly surrendering to sin. In no way was I doing what Jesus was saying. In fact, I was blatantly turning my back on Him.
What happens to the roach when the light is turned on? It is exposed. It normally tries to run for cover. I too was exposed in time. It took a few major personal earthquakes to get my attention. A miscarriage, a lost job, and finally a separation later, I was left alone because of my exposure. Bored out of my mind I began to read anything I could get my hands on and in that action I began to have the lights turned on in other areas as well. It was because of these lights that I sought counsel from John and began to see more of how much I had deceived myself. The darkness did nothing for me except ruin my eyesight. But as the lights were physically, and spiritually, turned on again I saw what I had been trying to hide. I began to stare deep into the light until finally I walked once more in the light. I became again one who was united with the Lord and was walking in His PHOS, His glow, His fire, and His emission of truth.
If we want to do as Jesus did, then we must grab hold of what Paul is saying in Ephesians 5:8. We must come out of the blind ignorance that we have allowed ourselves to be captive to, and walk in His emission of truth and light. Our life must be defined by our walk that we are to be imitating. Our walk is to be one that progresses in His ways, is regulated according to His standards, and is conducted according to His disciplines. In order to be His TEKNON, His intimate children and offspring, we must be children of the light! Jesus walked this pattern, and with His help we can as well. With His help we can be children of the light.
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“…for the fruit of the light is in every kind of goodness, rightness and truth – try to determine what will please the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:9-10
Are you a lover of fruit? I am. There are not many fruits that I will not eat, but I will say my favorites happen to be berries. There is nothing like a fruit salad of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, dusted with a little bit of sugar, to make my day. The problem is, I also like donuts and bagels and cinnamon rolls, and more often will eat those for breakfast instead of the healthy items. Maybe that partially explains why I still need to lose a few pounds. But if we take this same concept of my breakfast menu, and look at it with spiritual eyes, we may find a parallel truth in Paul’s words.
In Ephesians 5:8, we see Paul encourages us to be children of the light. In verse 9, he continues this thought by encouraging us in the fruit of the light. Now we defined from the Greek the word light as PHOS, meaning a glow, a fire, and an emission of truth. So if we understand what light is, then let us make sure we understand what fruit is. The word is KARPOS and means literal edible fruit, but also the fruit of one’s loins, the offspring that originates from something, and the praises which are presented to God as an offering. I believe it is safe to say that all four of these definitions fit here. The edible or physical fruit of God is goodness, rightness, and truth. The fruit of His loins is the same. The offspring of God again is goodness, rightness, and truth. And finally, our praise as offered to God should be the return of goodness, rightness, and truth.
But what are goodness, rightness, and truth? The fruit of goodness, or AGATHOSUNE in the Greek, is the upright manner of heart and life. We have before us the task of living an example of Christ before others, and showing them the same goodness that Christ showed to us. This is how we do what Jesus would do. When we determine what pleases the Lord, and walk it out, we are walking in the uprightness of heart and life as defined in this fruit. Rightness, or DIKAIOSUNE, is the state of integrity, virtue, correct thinking and acting, and purity of life. This clearly defines the example that Christ saw in His Father and lived out. This also is the model that we are to follow after. We are to walk in this pure state since we have been challenged to imitate God. And lastly, let us define the fruit of truth. ALETHEUO, meaning to be and speak only what is valid truth. When was the last time we went a full day walking in 100% truth?
To be children of the light we must walk in these fruit of the light as our example did. But how? I know you may be thinking as even I am, “I know I can’t do it so why even try?” Let us not give up. Honestly, I cannot live a life of goodness, rightness, and truth…without His help. I think that is where verse 10 comes into play. We are to determine what pleases God. We are to DOKIMAZO, to examine and scrutinize what is acceptable in God’s view. And how do we do that? Easy. We ask Him. Remember, Jesus did only what He saw the Father do. He knew His Father that well. We too know some of what God expects of us, but in the areas we are unsure we are to ask Him.
God, help us not to be too proud or self-reliant that we do not ask You what You would do. We want to please you and live a life worthy of being called a God-Follower. Help us then to walk in the ways of goodness, rightness, and truth, the fruit of light.
I remember during my junior year of college one of the guys in my class came up to me and told me that he had a word for me. I was a little hesitant as to what he may say, but I listened. His words were simple. “God wants you to read and live Ephesians 5.” A little perplexed, I went back to the dorm that night and skimmed through it. Of all the verses that I saw on the page, my eyes landed on the part concerning a husband and wife and right away I thought he had missed it. How could it apply to me since I was not married, or even dating anyone at that time. Over the course of my life since then, my eyes have read the words of Ephesians 5 so many times that I probably could quote it. And following my divorce I have read it even more. There are so many truths within just this chapter beyond that of marriage, and so many lessons we should learn when deciding to do what Jesus would do.
Wow, I had so much to learn back then. I would like to think I have learned it all now, but the great thing about God’s Word is that because it is living and active, we can never get enough. It gets in us, to the core, changes us if we allow it to, and then comes back to do the process all over. So with this background, and in humility myself, I submit to you what God has shown me, verse my verse, from Ephesians 5.
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“So imitate God, as his dear children…”
Ephesians 5:1
Consider this, Jesus is the standard, not the exception. Therefore His ways are the ways we should follow instead of avoid. In John 5:19, Jesus spoke that He did only as He saw His Father doing. “…Whatever the Father does, the Son does too.” In Ephesians 5:1, Paul then encourages us to do likewise and follow in the ways that we see the Father doing as well. So then in order for us to do what Jesus would do, we need to seek Him and ask Him what He would do. I know this principle goes a little off course in some circles, but this is the path to blessing.
And consider also the fact that our previous timeline in God’s kingdom doesn’t prove we know what we are doing. What I mean by this is that just because we may have been raised in the church doesn’t mean that every action we do is right. Look at Isaiah 56:1-2 as an example. The passage starts out stating to observe justice and do what is right. Then in verse 2 it tells us one of the things that is right according to God, which is the keeping of the Sabbath. When was the last time you kept the Sabbath? Guess what, I’m Jewish and I still struggle with keeping the Sabbath correctly. The Sabbath is supposed to be a day of rest and recollection of the awesomeness of God, yet I find myself struggling to keep from using it to get my week’s grocery shopping done. So then if I ask myself the question of what would Jesus do on the Sabbath, I am pretty sure I would not hear Him answer, “Go shopping.” I would hear Him answer to reflect on Him, study His Word, and bathe in His presence. That is what Jesus did.
To imitate God in a world and time that seems to be so far from knowing God’s true will takes us asking Him exactly what it is He wants us to do. We are to measure ourselves based on His Word, get back to His statutes, and perform according to His morals. But in a time when even “Christians” are giving over to premarital sex, affairs, drunkenness, pride, and idol worship, I venture to say we have no idea what it means to be a God-follower. Quite honestly, I am sick of this being the way my life goes. I am sick of saying one thing and living another. Jesus did what He saw the Father do. Jesus lived out love, lived out obedience, and lived out the morals and standards that His Father put in place. That is the life I want to live going forward. And that is the life we are all encouraged to live based on Ephesians 5:10. It is time to return to what pleases Him.
It was in 1897 that Charles M. Sheldon wrote the book, In His Steps. At its time, the book began to change the world of its readers, forcing them to question with the characters, what would Jesus do? Doing what Jesus would do will not make us popular, nor will it make us even liked in many cases. But it will make us think and hopefully change our ways if we allow it. Should you come along in this concept, I cannot tell you what Jesus would counsel you in your position, nor can you in mine. Yet be sure that we each will have a cross to bear in this decision. Many will take challenge of asking this question and then soon give up. Some will last a week; a few maybe the month. Jesus lived this as a lifestyle, not a fad. I pray that we too will be those who embrace the question of what would Jesus do.
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“…and live a life of love, just as also the Messiah loved us, indeed, on our behalf gave himself up as an offering, as a slaughtered sacrifice to God with a pleasing fragrance.”
Ephesians 5:2
In Ephesians 5:2, we see that one of the ways we can imitate Him and do what He would do is in love. We are to live a life of love and imitate His actions. This one can be hard because as a human I do not always want to love people. Truth be told, I am in a constant battle against my lack of desire to be an extrovert. Having been hurt and rejected by people who I trusted, it is easier for me to put up walls and live my hermit lifestyle. But this is one area specifically where I find myself asking, “What would Jesus do?” Yes there are scriptures that point to Jesus secluding Himself, but in each of those instances it was to get away for times of refreshing and prayer. His reason for being alone is not the same reason I do it. And if I want to follow His example, I feel I must work to step outside of my fears.
I must give myself as an offering to Him. I must be willing to invest myself in the pattern of what He would do. I am reminded of the banner in a church I once saw that read, “Invest, Invite, Include.” It is a simple message. It is a message stating exactly what Jesus did. And it is a message that challenges me if I want to walk in His ways. I must love others enough to invest myself in them and Christ did, giving of Himself constantly. I must love others enough to invite them into my home, to my church, to my friendship, just as Christ did. And I must love them enough to include them in the patterns and steps of the Father, again as Christ did.
So concerning the way I act, in asking “What would Jesus do,” I am confident that He would love others. And Does not I John 4:18 remind us that there is no fear in love, for perfect love drives out fear? Jesus would, and did, live a life of love. This is the lifestyle I want to mimic.
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“Among you there should not even be mentioned sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or greed; these are utterly inappropriate for God’s holy people.”
Ephesians 5:3
To be honest with you, one of the greatest challenges for many in answering a question such as what Jesus would do is based on Ephesians 5:3-5. The challenge is for there not to be even a mention of sexually immorality. The NIV states a hint of. The word in the Greek is ONOMAZO, meaning the naming of or to be given name to. As ones who follow in the steps of God, as His imitators, we are not to let there be the name of sexual immorality, impurity, or greed of any amount in our lives. Additionally, as we will see, there is to not be obscenity, stupid talk, or course language flowing from us as these habits too are not the way of God.
But what exactly do these traits encompass? Let us work to define the three traits in Ephesians 5:3. Sexual immorality is the Greek word PORNEIA. Guess what word we get today from this Greek root. Pornography. Defined more directly, this word includes illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, and any act of sex done unto a pagan god or idol. This seems pretty cut and dry, yes? Yet how many churches have opened their doors to ministers and staff who publically admit this as their lifestyle? No offense, but I do not want to attend a church where my pastor is gay. I have a strong feeling that God’s hand of blessing is not on that church. Now I am not saying that church should not welcome these people in, as we all need Jesus, but I am saying I would not want this hint leading me in my walk with Christ and encouraging me to be like God.
Additionally, we are not to let there be any kind of impurity. In the Greek this is the word AKATHARSIA, meaning uncleanness of body, but also impurity of lustful, luxurious, or profligate living of impure motives. In Romans 1:24 this same word is used when Paul writes that God gave the unclean over to their impurities of lust within their hearts. If we fail to get the impurity out now, as Jesus would do, then our fate too can be sealed in our being given over to our flesh.
Greed is the third named character here that there should not be a hint of in our lives as people who imitate God and do as Jesus would do. Greed is the Greek word PLEONEXIA, and is more rightly defined as covetousness or the deep desire to have more. Greed is what got David in trouble with Bathsheba as his desire was for her. Greed birthed the actions of taking what was not his and killing her husband to make it right. Greed is what gets so many of us in trouble still as it paves the way for us to reason why we should have what others have. Looking at Romans 1:29-32, greed is one of the named evil traits that is worthy of death.
I want to do as Jesus would do. I want to be an imitator of God. I want to be a fragrant offering unto Him. But I cannot be this if I allow the name of such sins to spot my life. I cannot be fully walking in His ways if my name is still on the party list with sexual immorality, impurity, and greed. These things must be banished from our lives. If they were no part of Jesus’ life, then why should we allow them to be part of ours? Let us divorce these traits, once and for all! I am pretty sure that is what Jesus would do.
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“Also out of place are obscenity and stupid talk or coarse language; instead, you should be giving thanks. For of this you can be sure: every sexually immoral, impure or greedy person – that is, every idol worshipper – has no share in the Kingdom of the Messiah and of God.”
Ephesians 5:4-5
So we have looked at the terms in verse 3, which I believe were well needed definitions as we have tended to conform our personal definitions to that of our rational. But if we are going to do as Jesus did and walk in His way, then we must understand the terms and boundaries according to Him. We must stop trying to fit God in our box and instead place ourselves within His freedoms. I understand it may sound strange to equate His ways with freedom, but only in Him do we have all we need. Only in walking in His steps will we find the fullness of life that we search for. And so, Ephesians 5:4-5 continues from where we left off in helping us to see what traits we need to delete from our current lifestyle.
The passage continues on with next telling us that obscenity is out of place. Obscenity in the Greek is AISCHROTES and means filth. Filth is out of place in the Kingdom. As one who has moved from one apartment complex to another in times past, I can attest to the fact that my units had filth. Now when the furniture was in its place, the unit looked clean. But as I moved the furniture from the unit into the truck, I began to find the trash and overall junk that was tucked and hidden in between the furniture and walls. I was amazed at how much filth there was. And I am just as amazed at how much filth I find when I begin to ask Jesus what He would do in my situations. For so long I have been trained in thinking that my ways were right. While they didn’t hurt anyone, they also weren’t the true version of what God commands. The filth found needs to be removed, and fast!
Stupid talk and course joking are named as well. MOROLOGIA, or foolish talking, and EUTRAPELIA, which is facetious humor and the trying to be funny, are also characteristics that Paul warns us against. These are not the behaviors that God is involved in and should not be the behaviors that we too are involved in. Instead He urges us to live in a place of giving thanks. This word in the Greek is EUCHARISTIA, which we derive the word Eucharist from. The Eucharist is also commonly known as the Communion, which in and of itself is the giving of thanks for the sacrifice of Christ. So instead of all this pointless and degrading talk, we are to fill our words with thanks.
In putting it all together starting from the beginning of Ephesians 5, we see we are to mimic God as children who love their parents do. We are to live a life of love and let this be our trademark. We are to do away with the sexually immoral behavior, the impurities, the greed, and the inappropriate talk that comes from our mouths. Instead we are to speak thanksgiving to our Father. All these other sins and behaviors lead only to one thing – idol worship. Too many already worship the body, worship the profligate living of impure motives, and worship what they feel they need. But Paul writes that in the Kingdom of God this bowing down unto idols of any sort has no place.
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“Let no one deceive you with empty talk; for it is because of these things that God’s judgment is coming on those who disobey Him. So don’t become partners with them!”
Ephesians 5:6-7
Have you ever stopped to think of how many partnerships you are involved in at one time? As I walk through my duties of the day I am reminded that I am a partner with my wife and children, with my bank, with my employer, with my school, and with my dog. To each of them I have made a commitment. To my wife and children the partnership reads that I will love and protect them, help them grow in God, and meet their needs. To my bank the partnership includes paying my bills only when there is enough cash in my account. To my employer I have agreed to show up to work on time, do a job far exceeding that of my pay, and represent the company name well. To my school the partnership states that I will come to class, ready to learn, and show respect to my fellow students. And to my dog, the partnership includes me feeding him and being there to pet him when needed. Granted in all these there is more to the partnership than what is on the surface, but I am sure you can relate with what I am saying.
Of course there are other partnerships one enters in life. As such, sometimes we enter into a partnership with reasoning and deliberation, and other times in haste. But despite how we enter into it, the question is if we are entering into the right relationship. In these verses I find a warning given by Paul concerning partnerships. We have already seen the danger of partnering with sexually immorality, impurity, greed, filth, and stupid talk. Here, though, we see another area where we are cautioned to partner, that being in empty talk.
As we have looked at the Greek in all the other warnings found in Ephesians 5 so far, we look here as well. Empty talk is KENOS in the Greek. Further defined, ‘kenos’ is anything that is devoid of truth. Paul used this same word in I Corinthians 15:14 when he spoke that if Christ had not truly risen from the dead, then all the preaching he had done so far would have been just empty of truth. But the truth was Jesus did rise from the grave. Paul’s speech then was founded on truth and not lies. So here also Paul is saying that every word that proceeds from our mouth should be founded on truth. We are not to be cheated and beguiled with these empty words, which lead to God’s judgment, but rather are to be built up with true words.
Paul’s final warning as found in verse 7 is not to be partners with those who fit the description of the terms found in verses 3 thru 6. We are not to join in with the sin of sexual immorality. We are not to sign a contract with the sin of impurity. We are not to shake hands with greed. We are not to collaborate with filth and stupid talk. And we are not to associate with empty, truth-lacking words. Being in agreement with these things only brings about God’s ORGE, His temper, for these things are sin. These things steal us away from Him, the Truth, and connect us with sin, which is disobedience.
We are to be imitators of God, connecting and partnering with truth instead of lies. Far too many of us for far too long have forsaken what Jesus would do for what we want to do. How can we call ourselves Christ followers if we are not following His example? Nowhere in the Bible does it say “Be an imitator of yourself,” because left to yourself you fall into sin. Let us draw the line in the sand, divorcing our partnership with sin and re-entering into a partnership with God. Let us imitate Him only.
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“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…”
Ephesians 5:8
My personal testimony is not a secret to many, nor do I want it to be. I want people to know that the same God who lifted me out of my addiction can also rescue them. It was while going through my struggles that I was hooked up with a counselor named John. John had a way of getting me to open up and think about what I was doing, how it was hurting people, and how to refrain from continuing. In one of our sessions he pointedly questioned, “When do you find yourself acting in this behavior?” I didn’t have to think long since I knew the answer. In my case, I almost always acted out when I was either alone or when it was dark. Like a roach sneaking out in the shadows, I would dig in my trash so confident that no one would see me.
It is in Ephesians 5:8 that I see who I was – one in darkness. For far too many years than I want to remember, I lived in darkness. But this word means more than just living with the lights off. Darkness, SKOTOS in the Greek, means the night, but also a blindness or ignorance of the divine things. This word is usually always connected with ungodliness or immorality. In my case it most definitely was. I was living as one embracing the darkness, bowing down to my idols, and willingly surrendering to sin. In no way was I doing what Jesus was saying. In fact, I was blatantly turning my back on Him.
What happens to the roach when the light is turned on? It is exposed. It normally tries to run for cover. I too was exposed in time. It took a few major personal earthquakes to get my attention. A miscarriage, a lost job, and finally a separation later, I was left alone because of my exposure. Bored out of my mind I began to read anything I could get my hands on and in that action I began to have the lights turned on in other areas as well. It was because of these lights that I sought counsel from John and began to see more of how much I had deceived myself. The darkness did nothing for me except ruin my eyesight. But as the lights were physically, and spiritually, turned on again I saw what I had been trying to hide. I began to stare deep into the light until finally I walked once more in the light. I became again one who was united with the Lord and was walking in His PHOS, His glow, His fire, and His emission of truth.
If we want to do as Jesus did, then we must grab hold of what Paul is saying in Ephesians 5:8. We must come out of the blind ignorance that we have allowed ourselves to be captive to, and walk in His emission of truth and light. Our life must be defined by our walk that we are to be imitating. Our walk is to be one that progresses in His ways, is regulated according to His standards, and is conducted according to His disciplines. In order to be His TEKNON, His intimate children and offspring, we must be children of the light! Jesus walked this pattern, and with His help we can as well. With His help we can be children of the light.
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“…for the fruit of the light is in every kind of goodness, rightness and truth – try to determine what will please the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:9-10
Are you a lover of fruit? I am. There are not many fruits that I will not eat, but I will say my favorites happen to be berries. There is nothing like a fruit salad of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, dusted with a little bit of sugar, to make my day. The problem is, I also like donuts and bagels and cinnamon rolls, and more often will eat those for breakfast instead of the healthy items. Maybe that partially explains why I still need to lose a few pounds. But if we take this same concept of my breakfast menu, and look at it with spiritual eyes, we may find a parallel truth in Paul’s words.
In Ephesians 5:8, we see Paul encourages us to be children of the light. In verse 9, he continues this thought by encouraging us in the fruit of the light. Now we defined from the Greek the word light as PHOS, meaning a glow, a fire, and an emission of truth. So if we understand what light is, then let us make sure we understand what fruit is. The word is KARPOS and means literal edible fruit, but also the fruit of one’s loins, the offspring that originates from something, and the praises which are presented to God as an offering. I believe it is safe to say that all four of these definitions fit here. The edible or physical fruit of God is goodness, rightness, and truth. The fruit of His loins is the same. The offspring of God again is goodness, rightness, and truth. And finally, our praise as offered to God should be the return of goodness, rightness, and truth.
But what are goodness, rightness, and truth? The fruit of goodness, or AGATHOSUNE in the Greek, is the upright manner of heart and life. We have before us the task of living an example of Christ before others, and showing them the same goodness that Christ showed to us. This is how we do what Jesus would do. When we determine what pleases the Lord, and walk it out, we are walking in the uprightness of heart and life as defined in this fruit. Rightness, or DIKAIOSUNE, is the state of integrity, virtue, correct thinking and acting, and purity of life. This clearly defines the example that Christ saw in His Father and lived out. This also is the model that we are to follow after. We are to walk in this pure state since we have been challenged to imitate God. And lastly, let us define the fruit of truth. ALETHEUO, meaning to be and speak only what is valid truth. When was the last time we went a full day walking in 100% truth?
To be children of the light we must walk in these fruit of the light as our example did. But how? I know you may be thinking as even I am, “I know I can’t do it so why even try?” Let us not give up. Honestly, I cannot live a life of goodness, rightness, and truth…without His help. I think that is where verse 10 comes into play. We are to determine what pleases God. We are to DOKIMAZO, to examine and scrutinize what is acceptable in God’s view. And how do we do that? Easy. We ask Him. Remember, Jesus did only what He saw the Father do. He knew His Father that well. We too know some of what God expects of us, but in the areas we are unsure we are to ask Him.
God, help us not to be too proud or self-reliant that we do not ask You what You would do. We want to please you and live a life worthy of being called a God-Follower. Help us then to walk in the ways of goodness, rightness, and truth, the fruit of light.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
BELIEVE YOU RECEIVE
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24
I must admit that lately I have been awestruck with details I have been learning about the late George Mueller. Mueller was born in 1805 and passed in 1898, at the age of 92. He saw the great awakening first hand in 1859, worked alongside such ministers as D. L. Moody and Charles Spurgeon, and is said to be the inspiration for the missionary Hudson Taylor. However, what Mueller is best known for is the details of his life in Bristol, England, and the work he accomplished with the orphans there. It is said that he built five large orphan houses that accommodated for well over 10,000 orphans throughout his entire life. According to sources, Mueller stopped receiving a salary in the final 68 years of his life, praying that God would supply both his needs and for the needs of the orphanages. Converting currency, it is estimated that the equivalent of millions in today’s currency were prayed in for the needs, as he never took out a loan, and neither he nor the orphans were ever in lack.
Previous to my recent research on Mueller, I knew very little about this man of God. In reading about him and in pieces of his autobiography, it is said that Mueller shared his needs with no one but God, thus allowing his faith to grow in God’s provision. Still, it was only while reading through a study early this week that I read an account that challenged me in my faith, and I would like to share it with you.
“On another occasion, so the story goes, George Mueller was on his way to Canada to keep an appointment he was sure was in God’s will. As the ship which was bringing him from England entered the St. Lawrence River it ran into a heavy fog. George Mueller went to see the captain, a Christian friend of his. ‘Tell me, Captain,’ he said, ‘will we arrive in time for my meeting?’ The captain, looking out at the fog from the bridge, replied, ‘Not unless the weather clears at once.’ George Mueller was a man who knew how to talk to God so he suggested that they pray. In simple terms he reminded the Lord of his appointment, of his assurance that the appointment had been in the will of God; he then requested that the fog be removed. When he had finished, the captain was about to pray when he felt a hand on his arm. ‘Don’t you pray, Captain,’ said George Mueller. The captain looked up in astonishment. ‘Why not?’ he exclaimed. ‘For two reasons,’ said George Mueller. ‘In the first place you do not really believe God is going to take away the fog and in the second place it has already gone.’”
So I must admit again that while reading this story, I was challenged. The line that got me was, “…you do not really believe God is going to take away the fog…” I began to contemplate, how many times have I prayed, but not really expected God to do what I prayed for? This answer would be more than I care to admit. When I pray for my sick children, do I really believe the fever will just leave? When I pray for funds in order to pay that one last dangling utility bill, do I honestly expect that provision will come from God rather than my getting a second job? When I pray even for the needs of others, do I find myself praying just to say I prayed, or do I have faith to know with all certainty that God will answer?
The Bible is clear in how we are to pray. We are to believe. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). Believe here in the Greek is the word PISTEUO, meaning to have faith, give credit to, or entrust. This is the same word used in John 11:25, where Jesus, comforting the sisters of Lazarus, states that He is the resurrection and the life, and “…he that PISTEUO in (Him), though he were dead, yet shall he live.” It is only in having this belief in Christ that things prayed for can be received.
Another instance of this word is found in John 3:16. While this is a verse we probably all know, let us take a moment still to look at it with our new found understanding. We read that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever PISTEUO in the Son will have eternal life. Again we see this concept of believe and receive. When we have faith, or entrust our lives to the Son, then we receive the gift of eternal life.
If Mark records Jesus telling us to believe so we will receive, then why is it still so hard for me at times? Let’s dig a little deeper. The word PISTEUO is derived from the word PISTIS, which we may be more familiar with. We read of PISTIS in Ephesians 6:16, where we read of taking up the shield of faith. Is it safe to assume that there are times when I have dropped my shield? I know that sounds a little odd, but it is an honest question. Are the times when I pray and do not honestly expect an answer to come not only in times when I am going through the motions, but also in times when I have actually dropped my faith, my belief that God will do what I am praying for?
Only in our belief do we receive. But please do not read into this that I am suggesting God is our own personal vending machine. What I am suggesting is that we have a faith like that found in the example of George Mueller. His needs were met as a result of his strong faith in knowing God would provide. So should it be for us, that our faith rests in God to provide. God may chose to use an outside source, a second job, or even a raven to provide, but the receiving must begin with the believing.
Mark 11:24
I must admit that lately I have been awestruck with details I have been learning about the late George Mueller. Mueller was born in 1805 and passed in 1898, at the age of 92. He saw the great awakening first hand in 1859, worked alongside such ministers as D. L. Moody and Charles Spurgeon, and is said to be the inspiration for the missionary Hudson Taylor. However, what Mueller is best known for is the details of his life in Bristol, England, and the work he accomplished with the orphans there. It is said that he built five large orphan houses that accommodated for well over 10,000 orphans throughout his entire life. According to sources, Mueller stopped receiving a salary in the final 68 years of his life, praying that God would supply both his needs and for the needs of the orphanages. Converting currency, it is estimated that the equivalent of millions in today’s currency were prayed in for the needs, as he never took out a loan, and neither he nor the orphans were ever in lack.
Previous to my recent research on Mueller, I knew very little about this man of God. In reading about him and in pieces of his autobiography, it is said that Mueller shared his needs with no one but God, thus allowing his faith to grow in God’s provision. Still, it was only while reading through a study early this week that I read an account that challenged me in my faith, and I would like to share it with you.
“On another occasion, so the story goes, George Mueller was on his way to Canada to keep an appointment he was sure was in God’s will. As the ship which was bringing him from England entered the St. Lawrence River it ran into a heavy fog. George Mueller went to see the captain, a Christian friend of his. ‘Tell me, Captain,’ he said, ‘will we arrive in time for my meeting?’ The captain, looking out at the fog from the bridge, replied, ‘Not unless the weather clears at once.’ George Mueller was a man who knew how to talk to God so he suggested that they pray. In simple terms he reminded the Lord of his appointment, of his assurance that the appointment had been in the will of God; he then requested that the fog be removed. When he had finished, the captain was about to pray when he felt a hand on his arm. ‘Don’t you pray, Captain,’ said George Mueller. The captain looked up in astonishment. ‘Why not?’ he exclaimed. ‘For two reasons,’ said George Mueller. ‘In the first place you do not really believe God is going to take away the fog and in the second place it has already gone.’”
So I must admit again that while reading this story, I was challenged. The line that got me was, “…you do not really believe God is going to take away the fog…” I began to contemplate, how many times have I prayed, but not really expected God to do what I prayed for? This answer would be more than I care to admit. When I pray for my sick children, do I really believe the fever will just leave? When I pray for funds in order to pay that one last dangling utility bill, do I honestly expect that provision will come from God rather than my getting a second job? When I pray even for the needs of others, do I find myself praying just to say I prayed, or do I have faith to know with all certainty that God will answer?
The Bible is clear in how we are to pray. We are to believe. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). Believe here in the Greek is the word PISTEUO, meaning to have faith, give credit to, or entrust. This is the same word used in John 11:25, where Jesus, comforting the sisters of Lazarus, states that He is the resurrection and the life, and “…he that PISTEUO in (Him), though he were dead, yet shall he live.” It is only in having this belief in Christ that things prayed for can be received.
Another instance of this word is found in John 3:16. While this is a verse we probably all know, let us take a moment still to look at it with our new found understanding. We read that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever PISTEUO in the Son will have eternal life. Again we see this concept of believe and receive. When we have faith, or entrust our lives to the Son, then we receive the gift of eternal life.
If Mark records Jesus telling us to believe so we will receive, then why is it still so hard for me at times? Let’s dig a little deeper. The word PISTEUO is derived from the word PISTIS, which we may be more familiar with. We read of PISTIS in Ephesians 6:16, where we read of taking up the shield of faith. Is it safe to assume that there are times when I have dropped my shield? I know that sounds a little odd, but it is an honest question. Are the times when I pray and do not honestly expect an answer to come not only in times when I am going through the motions, but also in times when I have actually dropped my faith, my belief that God will do what I am praying for?
Only in our belief do we receive. But please do not read into this that I am suggesting God is our own personal vending machine. What I am suggesting is that we have a faith like that found in the example of George Mueller. His needs were met as a result of his strong faith in knowing God would provide. So should it be for us, that our faith rests in God to provide. God may chose to use an outside source, a second job, or even a raven to provide, but the receiving must begin with the believing.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
I WILL RESCUE HIM
“’Because he loves me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.’”
Psalm 91:14-16
About four years back now my kids and I were in the car, driving from getting breakfast to going to get haircuts. We were enjoying ourselves, talking, and singing with the radio. I watched as the light at the intersection turned yellow and I began to slow down knowing red was soon to come. However, the truck behind me failed to see the color change and when he did, found it too late to hit his brakes fully. From behind we were hit, pushing our car fully through the intersection. As we later found out, the man in the truck was watching activity on the side of the road and not in front of him. And by God’s protection, no one was coming as we hurled through the intersection. While the event scared both my kids and I, we were safe, protected, and thankful. In that moment, even while shaking a bit from the collision, we knew God had rescued us from something far worse.
The truth is God protects us more than we probably realize. As we read in Psalm 91, when we stay in His shelter and under His covering, He upholds His promise of protection. But today, let us define further our protection. And what better a way to do so than with a promise from God that we will be protected. It is in the final three verses of Psalm 91 that we read, “’Because he loves me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.’”
There are so many words in this section that we could define, but I promise I will only hit the words that call out the loudest. The first of those is ‘love’. This word in the Hebrew is CHASHAQ. It is not the gushy puppy love feeling, but rather is defined as being attached to or long for. This is a love that comes over the course of time, and my first thought of this expressed in reality is of my parents who, through all life served them, stayed together for 39 years before dad passed away. The greatest testament of their love was seeing mom care for him the final few years of his life while he battled ALS. I can almost see God looking at us and seeing that same depth, and as such, vowing to protect and care for us as well. It is because of this love that God determines He will deliver us and answer us when we cry out to Him.
But notice how God says that He will deliver and honor those who call on Him in trouble. The word for ‘deliver’ is CHALATS, meaning to remove and to equip. Likewise, the word ‘honor’ is the word KABAD, meaning to be made abundant and glorified. In troubled times when we call out, God promises to equip us with what we need while the removal is being done, and then glorify us both in and after the battle. With long life we are ‘satisfied’, SABA’, fulfilled to the fullest capacity, and shown salvation.
This act is more than just a military action where the goal is to rescue the POW. This act is far greater than simply a plan. This act is a promise, and it is a promise from the One who knows no limits. In listening to a Newsong song recently, I heard the words, “Who can do the things that You can? / If it’s impossible, Lord You know the way.” In our moments of entrapment by the enemy, it is God who finds a way to rescue us. Let us then be those who love God, fall under His protection, and reside in His shelter.
I pray the truth of these verses will change your life as it has been doing in mine recently.
Psalm 91:14-16
About four years back now my kids and I were in the car, driving from getting breakfast to going to get haircuts. We were enjoying ourselves, talking, and singing with the radio. I watched as the light at the intersection turned yellow and I began to slow down knowing red was soon to come. However, the truck behind me failed to see the color change and when he did, found it too late to hit his brakes fully. From behind we were hit, pushing our car fully through the intersection. As we later found out, the man in the truck was watching activity on the side of the road and not in front of him. And by God’s protection, no one was coming as we hurled through the intersection. While the event scared both my kids and I, we were safe, protected, and thankful. In that moment, even while shaking a bit from the collision, we knew God had rescued us from something far worse.
The truth is God protects us more than we probably realize. As we read in Psalm 91, when we stay in His shelter and under His covering, He upholds His promise of protection. But today, let us define further our protection. And what better a way to do so than with a promise from God that we will be protected. It is in the final three verses of Psalm 91 that we read, “’Because he loves me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.’”
There are so many words in this section that we could define, but I promise I will only hit the words that call out the loudest. The first of those is ‘love’. This word in the Hebrew is CHASHAQ. It is not the gushy puppy love feeling, but rather is defined as being attached to or long for. This is a love that comes over the course of time, and my first thought of this expressed in reality is of my parents who, through all life served them, stayed together for 39 years before dad passed away. The greatest testament of their love was seeing mom care for him the final few years of his life while he battled ALS. I can almost see God looking at us and seeing that same depth, and as such, vowing to protect and care for us as well. It is because of this love that God determines He will deliver us and answer us when we cry out to Him.
But notice how God says that He will deliver and honor those who call on Him in trouble. The word for ‘deliver’ is CHALATS, meaning to remove and to equip. Likewise, the word ‘honor’ is the word KABAD, meaning to be made abundant and glorified. In troubled times when we call out, God promises to equip us with what we need while the removal is being done, and then glorify us both in and after the battle. With long life we are ‘satisfied’, SABA’, fulfilled to the fullest capacity, and shown salvation.
This act is more than just a military action where the goal is to rescue the POW. This act is far greater than simply a plan. This act is a promise, and it is a promise from the One who knows no limits. In listening to a Newsong song recently, I heard the words, “Who can do the things that You can? / If it’s impossible, Lord You know the way.” In our moments of entrapment by the enemy, it is God who finds a way to rescue us. Let us then be those who love God, fall under His protection, and reside in His shelter.
I pray the truth of these verses will change your life as it has been doing in mine recently.
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