SEEK THE SAVIOR
“This is what [the LORD] showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD asked me, ‘What do you see, Amos?’
“’A plumb line,’ I replied.
“Then the Lord said, ‘Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.’”
Amos 7:7-8
Amos is considered one of the ‘minor’ prophets, minor only meaning that his writing is small compared to such prophets as Isaiah or Ezekiel. The message that he brings is still from God and still true. It is said that Amos prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah, and Jeroboam II in Israel. From Amos 1:1, where he states it is two years since the earth quake during the reign of Uzziah, and the confirmation of this by Zechariah where he also speaks of the earth quake (Zech 14:5), we can deduce that Amos was written at approximately 750 BC. But even though the words he spoke were spoken so long ago, the truth that he prophesied to the people of Israel is still valid for us today.
There are two main points seen as you read Amos 7:1-9, and I want to take a minute to look at both. In verses 1-3, God shows Amos that He is preparing to unleash a swarm of locusts between the king’s share which had been harvested and the second crop that was coming up. As Amos saw this vision, he cried out to God on behalf of the people. “God, if you do this, how will Your people survive?” So God relented. In a second vision, found in verses 4-6, God then showed Amos His judgment through fire. The fire dried up the great deep and devoured the land. But again Amos begged of the LORD, “If you do this, how can Your people survive?” God relented once more.
A third vision was seen by Amos and recorded in verses 7-9. In this vision God stood by a wall that had been built true to plumb. True to plumb means balanced exactly toward the earth’s center of gravity. God was showing Amos a plumb line and spoke to him concerning the fate of Israel. God was about to check Israel’s center of gravity to see if it was in line with His ways. If not, God was not going to spare them a third time. In essence, God had helped Israel to stand tall, but he was looking to see if over time the wall was still in line with His original structuring. If the wall showed to be bowed or bulged, God would knock it down and rebuild it.
Matthew Henry writes, “The Lord now seems to stand upon this wall. He measures it; it appears to be a bowing, bulging wall. Thus God would bring the people of Israel to the trial, would discover their wickedness; and the time will come, when those who have been spared often, shall be spared no longer. But the Lord still calls Israel his people. The repeated prayer and success of the prophet should lead us to seek the Savior.”
Twice, the prayer and petition of Amos spared the people. To us, that should be an indication that a humble prayer of forgiveness followed by a turning from evil and a walking out in God’s ways can indeed lead to mercy on us by God. But then, it is also true, that if we ignore the change that we need to make, God’s mercy will eventually run out. Let us not be ones who forsake the mercy of God, but rather let us be those who cry out in forgiveness, change our ways to match His, and truly seek our Savior.
https://www.onthevanguard.com/
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
GET NAKED
“The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”
Genesis 2:25
So what did you get for Christmas? A new coat, sweater, or scarf? Did you get that pair of boots you were hoping Santa would bring? How about a nice button down shirt? Perhaps you received a dress, or some casual yet nice looking slacks. Maybe you got a pair of those socks which have a place for each individual toe. Well whatever it is, it’s time to take it off. No, not your physical clothes silly, please keep those on. What I’m referring to is shame.
When Adam and Eve roamed the garden, the Bible tells us that they were naked and knew no shame (Gen 2:25). At this time they were not aware of the effects of sin because they did not know of sin. Only one command had been given to them – to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It wasn’t until after they had sinned by eating from this tree that they realized they were naked and needed covering (Gen 3:7).
Now you can’t get more naked than naked, but in both of these verses, the word naked is different. In Genesis 2:25, the word naked is the Hebrew word ‘AROWM which translates into being bare. Adam and Eve were created as naked people. They came into world with nothing; they came bare. This word ‘AROWM is also used in Ecclesiastes 5:15 where Solomon reminds us that as we came into the world bare of anything, so we will leave taking nothing. What we wear on Earth will stay behind. All these things, the toys, and the possessions will not come with us to heaven. This idea reminds me of my grade school days where we learned that the Egyptians would be buried with items that they planned to take into the next life. These earthly possessions never went beyond the grave.
There is a slight difference between the two words, however. The word naked in Genesis 3:7, is the word ‘EYROM which refers to being naked of clothing. While true that we also came into the world physically naked, it is common to be dressed in our Sunday best when we leave. In Ezekiel 16:39, we read prophesy where the people would be striped and left naked. This same act of physical nakedness that would bring shame to the nation was the same nakedness and shame seen by Adam and Eve following their sin.
While I am not suggesting by any means that we strip ourselves of our physical clothes, I am suggesting that we strip ourselves of shame. And shame is just one item of sin’s clothing. We would do well to strip ourselves of guilt, pride, selfishness, lies, and deceit to name but a few. If these sins entangle us, then we should do as the author of Hebrews tells us and strip off the sin that has us bound (Heb 12:1). We cannot run the race for God in the manner of which we are told if we are bound by clothing from the devil’s closet.
It is time that we make the effort to stand naked before God and know no shame, no guilt, and no sins of any kind. Each day is a new day, a new morning, a new entry in the journal of life. Today is the day of God’s salvation, and He wants to save you from the sin that has you bound so that you can stand bare before him. Let’s make the effort of crying out to God for the forgiveness of our sin. Let’s get naked.
“The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”
Genesis 2:25
So what did you get for Christmas? A new coat, sweater, or scarf? Did you get that pair of boots you were hoping Santa would bring? How about a nice button down shirt? Perhaps you received a dress, or some casual yet nice looking slacks. Maybe you got a pair of those socks which have a place for each individual toe. Well whatever it is, it’s time to take it off. No, not your physical clothes silly, please keep those on. What I’m referring to is shame.
When Adam and Eve roamed the garden, the Bible tells us that they were naked and knew no shame (Gen 2:25). At this time they were not aware of the effects of sin because they did not know of sin. Only one command had been given to them – to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It wasn’t until after they had sinned by eating from this tree that they realized they were naked and needed covering (Gen 3:7).
Now you can’t get more naked than naked, but in both of these verses, the word naked is different. In Genesis 2:25, the word naked is the Hebrew word ‘AROWM which translates into being bare. Adam and Eve were created as naked people. They came into world with nothing; they came bare. This word ‘AROWM is also used in Ecclesiastes 5:15 where Solomon reminds us that as we came into the world bare of anything, so we will leave taking nothing. What we wear on Earth will stay behind. All these things, the toys, and the possessions will not come with us to heaven. This idea reminds me of my grade school days where we learned that the Egyptians would be buried with items that they planned to take into the next life. These earthly possessions never went beyond the grave.
There is a slight difference between the two words, however. The word naked in Genesis 3:7, is the word ‘EYROM which refers to being naked of clothing. While true that we also came into the world physically naked, it is common to be dressed in our Sunday best when we leave. In Ezekiel 16:39, we read prophesy where the people would be striped and left naked. This same act of physical nakedness that would bring shame to the nation was the same nakedness and shame seen by Adam and Eve following their sin.
While I am not suggesting by any means that we strip ourselves of our physical clothes, I am suggesting that we strip ourselves of shame. And shame is just one item of sin’s clothing. We would do well to strip ourselves of guilt, pride, selfishness, lies, and deceit to name but a few. If these sins entangle us, then we should do as the author of Hebrews tells us and strip off the sin that has us bound (Heb 12:1). We cannot run the race for God in the manner of which we are told if we are bound by clothing from the devil’s closet.
It is time that we make the effort to stand naked before God and know no shame, no guilt, and no sins of any kind. Each day is a new day, a new morning, a new entry in the journal of life. Today is the day of God’s salvation, and He wants to save you from the sin that has you bound so that you can stand bare before him. Let’s make the effort of crying out to God for the forgiveness of our sin. Let’s get naked.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, AND MYRRH
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11
From the East, wise men came to pay homage to the King. They followed a star in the sky which led them to Jerusalem. As they met with King Herod they questioned where the King of the Jews was born. The response the received was found in the words of the prophet Micah who announced the birth of the Savior would be in Bethlehem. According to researcher Rick Larson who has spent years researching and hosting events concerning the Star of Bethlehem, these wise men were not the typical magicians and enchanters that their name suggested. The term Magi, which we translate as wise men, is the root in which we get our word ‘magic’. However, these men were learned men, and thought to have been from the continuing school of wise men drafted during the Babylonian captivity where Daniel and the three Hebrew boys also studied. With this idea, they would have been instructed in the ways and prophesies of the Jewish race and aware of a coming Messiah.*
But what do we really know about the gifts these magi brought for the baby? We have grown up knowing their names, but do we know why they brought these specific gifts? It has been a question I have pondered as Christmas has come this year and I would like to share a little of my research with you.
The first named gift is gold. It was not uncommon for gold to represent status and richness. The temple was adorned in gold plating, the king’s crown was forged of gold, and the sheer fact of gold coins as money was widely used by many. Ancient Persia exported gold to kings and emperors within Asia and the Middle East, and therefore the fact that the wise men bared this gift made sense. Every king delighted in his worth; every king wanted to be more famous and wealthier than those before him. And so, in honor of the King, gold was brought forth.
Incense, or more commonly, Frankincense, is the second gift laid before the baby Jesus. Frankincense is a gum resin from the sap of a Boswellia Thurifera. These trees are located mainly in the Middle East and Somalia. When the bark is cut, the sap is left to harder for approximately three months before it is then scraped off and grounded into a fine powder. The powder was used for religious ceremonies, as well as in perfumes. Presently it is used in eye liners. This incense, along with myrrh, was extremely valuable along the Middle Eastern and European trade routes of years ago.
Myrrh, in some relation to Frankincense, is also derived from sap. This gum resin is found in the sap of the Commiphora tree found in Arabia and parts of Africa. When the sap hardens, it too is grounded into a fine powder which can then be added to perfumes and incense. It has also been found that myrrh was an ingredient in the ointment used within the context of embalming, as well as a medicine for sores and wounds. Today, myrrh is used in mouthwash, toothpaste, and make-up.
Although we can try to place a reason for each gift and how it related to the life of Jesus, some scholars and pastors simply believe that the gifts were given based on their wealth and popularity of the time. I leave this thought for your debate. But in closing, I want to touch on worth. These gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were common, yet costly in their time. The wise men brought these gifts with no strings attached. They gave Jesus their best. When I read this passage in the Christmas story I am challenged. In my own way and means, I have gifts of value, talents, and time. But the question is am I giving my best to Him? Am I willing to lay down that which is most precious to me in order to worship and honor the King? Oh that my answer would always be, “Yes”.
*http://www.bethlehemstar.net/stage/stage.htm
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11
From the East, wise men came to pay homage to the King. They followed a star in the sky which led them to Jerusalem. As they met with King Herod they questioned where the King of the Jews was born. The response the received was found in the words of the prophet Micah who announced the birth of the Savior would be in Bethlehem. According to researcher Rick Larson who has spent years researching and hosting events concerning the Star of Bethlehem, these wise men were not the typical magicians and enchanters that their name suggested. The term Magi, which we translate as wise men, is the root in which we get our word ‘magic’. However, these men were learned men, and thought to have been from the continuing school of wise men drafted during the Babylonian captivity where Daniel and the three Hebrew boys also studied. With this idea, they would have been instructed in the ways and prophesies of the Jewish race and aware of a coming Messiah.*
But what do we really know about the gifts these magi brought for the baby? We have grown up knowing their names, but do we know why they brought these specific gifts? It has been a question I have pondered as Christmas has come this year and I would like to share a little of my research with you.
The first named gift is gold. It was not uncommon for gold to represent status and richness. The temple was adorned in gold plating, the king’s crown was forged of gold, and the sheer fact of gold coins as money was widely used by many. Ancient Persia exported gold to kings and emperors within Asia and the Middle East, and therefore the fact that the wise men bared this gift made sense. Every king delighted in his worth; every king wanted to be more famous and wealthier than those before him. And so, in honor of the King, gold was brought forth.
Incense, or more commonly, Frankincense, is the second gift laid before the baby Jesus. Frankincense is a gum resin from the sap of a Boswellia Thurifera. These trees are located mainly in the Middle East and Somalia. When the bark is cut, the sap is left to harder for approximately three months before it is then scraped off and grounded into a fine powder. The powder was used for religious ceremonies, as well as in perfumes. Presently it is used in eye liners. This incense, along with myrrh, was extremely valuable along the Middle Eastern and European trade routes of years ago.
Myrrh, in some relation to Frankincense, is also derived from sap. This gum resin is found in the sap of the Commiphora tree found in Arabia and parts of Africa. When the sap hardens, it too is grounded into a fine powder which can then be added to perfumes and incense. It has also been found that myrrh was an ingredient in the ointment used within the context of embalming, as well as a medicine for sores and wounds. Today, myrrh is used in mouthwash, toothpaste, and make-up.
Although we can try to place a reason for each gift and how it related to the life of Jesus, some scholars and pastors simply believe that the gifts were given based on their wealth and popularity of the time. I leave this thought for your debate. But in closing, I want to touch on worth. These gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were common, yet costly in their time. The wise men brought these gifts with no strings attached. They gave Jesus their best. When I read this passage in the Christmas story I am challenged. In my own way and means, I have gifts of value, talents, and time. But the question is am I giving my best to Him? Am I willing to lay down that which is most precious to me in order to worship and honor the King? Oh that my answer would always be, “Yes”.
*http://www.bethlehemstar.net/stage/stage.htm
Friday, December 17, 2010
GOD MY HUSBAND
“’In that day,’ declares the LORD, ‘you will call me my husband; you will no longer call me my master.’”
Hosea 2:16
I know what you’re thinking. Why is he starting out a devotional calling God his husband? I assure you that there is a reason, and I hope to do well to explain this to you today. It is also my goal that you will see the LORD in the same light. However, in order for this thought to make sense, we first must travel back in time and culture.
The Biblical Hebrew gives two words for ‘husband’. The word ‘ISH’ is used most commonly, and describes the connection with his wife, ‘ISHA’, where the two are on the same level. A great illustration of this is seen in God’s words to Adam in Genesis 2:24. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” The ISH respects and views his ISHA as himself, and together they are one flesh. But the second term used is BA’ALIY, which shows the husband as the master and the wife as his servant. Perhaps it is for this reason that Paul wrote Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Let us contemplate just for a moment this thought. Christ loves the church, and gave Himself up for her. Christ came as a servant, not as a master. He came as the ISH, and not the BA’ALIY. It is His love for us through the giving of Himself, both in His serving and in the giving of His life that makes us want to love Him back by the giving of our lives. Is it not true that we love Him because He first loved us (I Jn 4:19)? God never came as the forceful tyrant demanding our love, but rather came as the servant to win our love. I am reminded of Ted Dekker’s Circle series, where the main character of Thomas Hunter wins the love of his bride not by forcing her to love, but by the constant wooing of her in every action done. As I read these books, my eyes were opened to the many ways in which God has wooed me, and allowed me to come to a love for Him as my ISH.
If we look back to the book of Hosea, we see that God had asked Hosea to take a bride who was less than honorable. Gomer, his wife, was a harlot. Coming from the streets where she made her living, she did not view men as ISH but as BA’ALIY. Therefore, as she served Hosea, her love for him was not built on the one flesh idea that God had in mind. After time, she returned to her ways on the street. But God gave a hope to Hosea, and spoke of a day when she would be his wife again, but this time his ISHA. In Hosea 3, God speaks to the prophet to go and buy his wife back. Even though Gomer was his wife and he had the right to lord over her as the BA’ALIY, he went back to her and paid a price in love for her. Although nothing more is written concerning Gomer, I am pretty sure that God’s words came true. In that day she began to call him ‘husband’ and no longer called him master.’
So now this brings us full circle to ourselves. First I speak to the men. Does your wife see you as her ISH or BA’ALIY? Are you one with her, or are you her master? Secondly, I ask the women, how do you see your husband? Does he love you in the same respects as you love him, or are you treated like a genie in a bottle, expected to grant his every desire? And thirdly, I ask us all, is God our ISH or BA’ALIY? My first thought of this as I was researching was in how I pray. Do I come to God with a list of demands and expectations in prayer that He must deliver upon for me to feel His love? Honestly, there are times I do. As humbling as this is to write, I do not always see God as my ISH. But I do not think it was a coincidence that I found this truth in my study. As one who has hopes to marry again and not repeat the same mistakes I’ve made in the past, this truth plays an important role. I must see God as my husband and not my master, just as I must be seen by my wife as her husband and not her master. When it is all lined up between God and us first, then every other part that needs to be aligned will follow. Is God your husband?
“’In that day,’ declares the LORD, ‘you will call me my husband; you will no longer call me my master.’”
Hosea 2:16
I know what you’re thinking. Why is he starting out a devotional calling God his husband? I assure you that there is a reason, and I hope to do well to explain this to you today. It is also my goal that you will see the LORD in the same light. However, in order for this thought to make sense, we first must travel back in time and culture.
The Biblical Hebrew gives two words for ‘husband’. The word ‘ISH’ is used most commonly, and describes the connection with his wife, ‘ISHA’, where the two are on the same level. A great illustration of this is seen in God’s words to Adam in Genesis 2:24. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” The ISH respects and views his ISHA as himself, and together they are one flesh. But the second term used is BA’ALIY, which shows the husband as the master and the wife as his servant. Perhaps it is for this reason that Paul wrote Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Let us contemplate just for a moment this thought. Christ loves the church, and gave Himself up for her. Christ came as a servant, not as a master. He came as the ISH, and not the BA’ALIY. It is His love for us through the giving of Himself, both in His serving and in the giving of His life that makes us want to love Him back by the giving of our lives. Is it not true that we love Him because He first loved us (I Jn 4:19)? God never came as the forceful tyrant demanding our love, but rather came as the servant to win our love. I am reminded of Ted Dekker’s Circle series, where the main character of Thomas Hunter wins the love of his bride not by forcing her to love, but by the constant wooing of her in every action done. As I read these books, my eyes were opened to the many ways in which God has wooed me, and allowed me to come to a love for Him as my ISH.
If we look back to the book of Hosea, we see that God had asked Hosea to take a bride who was less than honorable. Gomer, his wife, was a harlot. Coming from the streets where she made her living, she did not view men as ISH but as BA’ALIY. Therefore, as she served Hosea, her love for him was not built on the one flesh idea that God had in mind. After time, she returned to her ways on the street. But God gave a hope to Hosea, and spoke of a day when she would be his wife again, but this time his ISHA. In Hosea 3, God speaks to the prophet to go and buy his wife back. Even though Gomer was his wife and he had the right to lord over her as the BA’ALIY, he went back to her and paid a price in love for her. Although nothing more is written concerning Gomer, I am pretty sure that God’s words came true. In that day she began to call him ‘husband’ and no longer called him master.’
So now this brings us full circle to ourselves. First I speak to the men. Does your wife see you as her ISH or BA’ALIY? Are you one with her, or are you her master? Secondly, I ask the women, how do you see your husband? Does he love you in the same respects as you love him, or are you treated like a genie in a bottle, expected to grant his every desire? And thirdly, I ask us all, is God our ISH or BA’ALIY? My first thought of this as I was researching was in how I pray. Do I come to God with a list of demands and expectations in prayer that He must deliver upon for me to feel His love? Honestly, there are times I do. As humbling as this is to write, I do not always see God as my ISH. But I do not think it was a coincidence that I found this truth in my study. As one who has hopes to marry again and not repeat the same mistakes I’ve made in the past, this truth plays an important role. I must see God as my husband and not my master, just as I must be seen by my wife as her husband and not her master. When it is all lined up between God and us first, then every other part that needs to be aligned will follow. Is God your husband?
Thursday, December 16, 2010
NO LOOKING BACK
“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Genesis 19:26
The first family dog that I can remember growing up was Tandy. Tandy was a golden retriever mix that had been a birthday gift for my dad. She came from the shelter as a cute little furry puppy and instantly found a place in the family. Outside of the memories of playing together in the backyard, I also remember that she would jump up on and over the fence. Now please understand that our backyard fence was about four feet tall, so it was easy for her to escape. This in fact is what she would do many nights. In the morning we would wake up to knocked over trash cans in the area of where she had ventured off to during the night. It was only a matter of time before neighbors began to complain.
A decision had been made by my parents that rather than building a taller fence, we would look to find a new home for Tandy. Now, just a few years later, we were headed back to the shelter to offer her up for adoption once again. I was saddened. Of course I understood as best I could as a youngster, but it still took a toll on me. With Tandy bathed and ready to go, I got in the car with my mom and we took the long tearful drive. When we arrived at the shelter, I walked with her back to the boarding area for one last hug. The lady assisting assured me that she would be in good hands and that a new owner would be found soon. But as I got back on my feet, and headed to the door, I turned to take one more look. I did not want to let her go.
I share this emotional memory with you not to make you cry, but rather to bring up a point. There are times when looking back to say goodbye is fine, as in the case with Tandy or when saying goodbye to loved ones. But then there are also times when we look back not to say goodbye, per se, but rather because we do not want that season to be done. Let me explain.
In Genesis 19, two angels of the LORD arrive at Sodom with the charge of evacuating Lot and his family before the upcoming destruction. But of the sin that harvested within Sodom and Gomorrah, God made the decision to rain burning sulfur on the cities. Because of Abraham’s plea, Lot and his family were to be spared. Lot gathered his wife, daughters, and attempted to gather the daughters’ pledged men, but the men thought it was only a joke. With time short, Lot then left with only his wife and girls. They quickly set out for the small city of Zoar as God’s fury began to fall.
Only one major demand was made of Lot and his family. “Don’t look back.” It sounded easy and able to be accomplished, yet unfortunately it was not obeyed. As we read in verse 26, Lot’s wife looked back. For her punishment, she became a pillar of salt. It is hard to say why she looked back. Theologians have different answers. Maybe she looked back because she remembered something at home. Perhaps she looked back to see if others had realized it was not a joke and were now following. But for now, let us say that she looked back because she did not want to give up the sin of the city. We know little about Lot’s wife, but I am concerned that if Lot was so quick to offer his daughters to the perverted people (Gen 19:8), could he have also at one time offered his wife? Or could it be that although maybe not a member in that lifestyle, she was still curious as to what she may be missing? I cannot answer that.
What I can answer for is for myself. How many times has God told me to flee from a sinful place to a place of safety? How many times have I come before God to say I am sorry for my sin, only to be involved in it again within a few days? I am no better than Lot’s wife. I should a pillar of salt as well. Look with me at the words of Matthew Henry concerning this verse and the command to not look back.
“Such commands as these are given to those who, through grace, are delivered out of a sinful state and condition. Return not to sin and Satan. Rest not in self and the world. Reach toward Christ and heaven, for that is escaping to the mountain, short of which we must not stop.”
I ask myself, where is it I have stopped? Have I ran to the hills and away from the danger as God has commanded me? Or have I started out toward the hills, but then decided to look back because I did not want to truly let go? We have read it before, “The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Lot’s wife learned this first hand. Let us not learn the same way. Let us not look back in longing for our sin, but rather embrace the eternal life that God offers to a sinner, saved from destruction, and moving forward.
“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Genesis 19:26
The first family dog that I can remember growing up was Tandy. Tandy was a golden retriever mix that had been a birthday gift for my dad. She came from the shelter as a cute little furry puppy and instantly found a place in the family. Outside of the memories of playing together in the backyard, I also remember that she would jump up on and over the fence. Now please understand that our backyard fence was about four feet tall, so it was easy for her to escape. This in fact is what she would do many nights. In the morning we would wake up to knocked over trash cans in the area of where she had ventured off to during the night. It was only a matter of time before neighbors began to complain.
A decision had been made by my parents that rather than building a taller fence, we would look to find a new home for Tandy. Now, just a few years later, we were headed back to the shelter to offer her up for adoption once again. I was saddened. Of course I understood as best I could as a youngster, but it still took a toll on me. With Tandy bathed and ready to go, I got in the car with my mom and we took the long tearful drive. When we arrived at the shelter, I walked with her back to the boarding area for one last hug. The lady assisting assured me that she would be in good hands and that a new owner would be found soon. But as I got back on my feet, and headed to the door, I turned to take one more look. I did not want to let her go.
I share this emotional memory with you not to make you cry, but rather to bring up a point. There are times when looking back to say goodbye is fine, as in the case with Tandy or when saying goodbye to loved ones. But then there are also times when we look back not to say goodbye, per se, but rather because we do not want that season to be done. Let me explain.
In Genesis 19, two angels of the LORD arrive at Sodom with the charge of evacuating Lot and his family before the upcoming destruction. But of the sin that harvested within Sodom and Gomorrah, God made the decision to rain burning sulfur on the cities. Because of Abraham’s plea, Lot and his family were to be spared. Lot gathered his wife, daughters, and attempted to gather the daughters’ pledged men, but the men thought it was only a joke. With time short, Lot then left with only his wife and girls. They quickly set out for the small city of Zoar as God’s fury began to fall.
Only one major demand was made of Lot and his family. “Don’t look back.” It sounded easy and able to be accomplished, yet unfortunately it was not obeyed. As we read in verse 26, Lot’s wife looked back. For her punishment, she became a pillar of salt. It is hard to say why she looked back. Theologians have different answers. Maybe she looked back because she remembered something at home. Perhaps she looked back to see if others had realized it was not a joke and were now following. But for now, let us say that she looked back because she did not want to give up the sin of the city. We know little about Lot’s wife, but I am concerned that if Lot was so quick to offer his daughters to the perverted people (Gen 19:8), could he have also at one time offered his wife? Or could it be that although maybe not a member in that lifestyle, she was still curious as to what she may be missing? I cannot answer that.
What I can answer for is for myself. How many times has God told me to flee from a sinful place to a place of safety? How many times have I come before God to say I am sorry for my sin, only to be involved in it again within a few days? I am no better than Lot’s wife. I should a pillar of salt as well. Look with me at the words of Matthew Henry concerning this verse and the command to not look back.
“Such commands as these are given to those who, through grace, are delivered out of a sinful state and condition. Return not to sin and Satan. Rest not in self and the world. Reach toward Christ and heaven, for that is escaping to the mountain, short of which we must not stop.”
I ask myself, where is it I have stopped? Have I ran to the hills and away from the danger as God has commanded me? Or have I started out toward the hills, but then decided to look back because I did not want to truly let go? We have read it before, “The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Lot’s wife learned this first hand. Let us not learn the same way. Let us not look back in longing for our sin, but rather embrace the eternal life that God offers to a sinner, saved from destruction, and moving forward.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
A GREAT MIRACLE HAS HAPPENED
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”
Psalm 77:11
The final day of Chanukah is here; tonight we light the eighth candle. The story of Chanukah has now been told, and you and I are now able to see the significance of this holiday. Hopefully I have been able to explain the history of this holiday to you, as well as the deeper meanings behind the miracles that took place. There is one more piece of Chanukah, however, that deserves some attention before we end our lesson together.
When shopping in Target on Black Friday, I noticed just the slightest end cap section of blue and silver decorations. There, hanging on the hooks and stacked within the shelves, were dreidels, gelt, miniature menorahs, and boxes of candles. We have already discussed the reason and importance of the menorah and candles, but what is the significance of the dreidel and gelt?
As I sit here now and watch my dreidel spin, I cannot help but become excited. What Hebrew character will it land on? Will it be נ (nun), and I will receive nothing? Or will it be ג (gimel), and I will be able to inherit the entire fortune? It could land on ה (hey), where I will have to be content with half the fortune. Or at worst, I could have to place another piece of gelt back into the pot if I land on ש (shin). In any case, the excitement continues to grow as now the dreidel begins to run out of speed and comes to an end. For me, the end result is נ. I receive no extra chocolate on this spin.
It is said that this Jewish tradition came about during the time the Syrians began to oppress the Jews. As the Torah and its study were banned, secret groups of children and scholars would make their way into the forest. A sentry would be posted to keep look out for any opposing soldiers while the lessons were given. At any time encroachment was feared, the sentry would alert the hidden party. By the time the Syrians approached the undercover school, the books would have disappeared and the children would be found playing with their dreidels.
The dreidels at that time did not have the Hebrew characters on them. That came about after the Maccabees had defeated the Syrians and the temple was restored. But the dreidel has become more than just a game, it has become a remembrance. In the letters of נ ג ה ש we are told a story of God’s wonders. The characters are the first characters of the words Nes Gadol Hayah Sham – A Great Miracle Happened There. The miracle of Chanukah is two-fold. That God could use such a small group of unswerving men to defeat a vast army is a miracle. The fact that one day’s worth of oil could last for eight days is a miracle. All through history, with each attempt made to wipe out the Jewish race, God has brought His protection for His people, and that too is a miracle.
As I sit here spinning my dreidel once more, I am growing anxious once again. What Hebrew character will it land on? My dreidel loses speed and falls flat on the table. I see the ג. I have won it all. But I have won something grander than all the chocolate gelt. I have won the same gift that Joseph brought to his brothers while he reigned second in command in Egypt. I have gained the same gift that Esther brought to her people after approaching the king. I have inherited the same gift that the prophets so boldly declared, even with death starring them in the face. I have obtained the miracle of life and I have won the miracles of God in my own life. Nes Gadol Hayah Sham.
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”
Psalm 77:11
The final day of Chanukah is here; tonight we light the eighth candle. The story of Chanukah has now been told, and you and I are now able to see the significance of this holiday. Hopefully I have been able to explain the history of this holiday to you, as well as the deeper meanings behind the miracles that took place. There is one more piece of Chanukah, however, that deserves some attention before we end our lesson together.
When shopping in Target on Black Friday, I noticed just the slightest end cap section of blue and silver decorations. There, hanging on the hooks and stacked within the shelves, were dreidels, gelt, miniature menorahs, and boxes of candles. We have already discussed the reason and importance of the menorah and candles, but what is the significance of the dreidel and gelt?
As I sit here now and watch my dreidel spin, I cannot help but become excited. What Hebrew character will it land on? Will it be נ (nun), and I will receive nothing? Or will it be ג (gimel), and I will be able to inherit the entire fortune? It could land on ה (hey), where I will have to be content with half the fortune. Or at worst, I could have to place another piece of gelt back into the pot if I land on ש (shin). In any case, the excitement continues to grow as now the dreidel begins to run out of speed and comes to an end. For me, the end result is נ. I receive no extra chocolate on this spin.
It is said that this Jewish tradition came about during the time the Syrians began to oppress the Jews. As the Torah and its study were banned, secret groups of children and scholars would make their way into the forest. A sentry would be posted to keep look out for any opposing soldiers while the lessons were given. At any time encroachment was feared, the sentry would alert the hidden party. By the time the Syrians approached the undercover school, the books would have disappeared and the children would be found playing with their dreidels.
The dreidels at that time did not have the Hebrew characters on them. That came about after the Maccabees had defeated the Syrians and the temple was restored. But the dreidel has become more than just a game, it has become a remembrance. In the letters of נ ג ה ש we are told a story of God’s wonders. The characters are the first characters of the words Nes Gadol Hayah Sham – A Great Miracle Happened There. The miracle of Chanukah is two-fold. That God could use such a small group of unswerving men to defeat a vast army is a miracle. The fact that one day’s worth of oil could last for eight days is a miracle. All through history, with each attempt made to wipe out the Jewish race, God has brought His protection for His people, and that too is a miracle.
As I sit here spinning my dreidel once more, I am growing anxious once again. What Hebrew character will it land on? My dreidel loses speed and falls flat on the table. I see the ג. I have won it all. But I have won something grander than all the chocolate gelt. I have won the same gift that Joseph brought to his brothers while he reigned second in command in Egypt. I have gained the same gift that Esther brought to her people after approaching the king. I have inherited the same gift that the prophets so boldly declared, even with death starring them in the face. I have obtained the miracle of life and I have won the miracles of God in my own life. Nes Gadol Hayah Sham.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
ON DAY 2300...
“He said to me, ‘It will take 2300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconstructed.’”
Daniel 8:14
Because of the uprising of the Maccabees who had had enough, Syria retreated. The enemy who had been prophesied to come by Daniel, had also been prophesied as being firmly stood against. With God on their side, the army of a few hundred defeated the army of thousands. So then, with the Temple recaptured, the clean up and rebuilding process was under way.
The people of Israel began replacing the stone Altar of Burnt Offering with stones which had not been defiled by the pagan practices of the Syrians. In addition to the Altar of Burnt Offerings, the Incense Altar was reconstructed. The Incense Altar had been stripped of its gold plating during the years in which the Syrians defiled it. This altar was to have been continually burning as a symbol of the prayers and intercession being lifted to God by His people. The table for Showbread, representing God’s providence, was also rebuilt. Set up once again with twelve loaves of bread to symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel, the people once again were able to see God as their provider and their Bread of Life. Complete with a renewed interior of the Temple, consecrated courts, and holy vessels, they decorated the Temple with golden crowns and ornamental shields. Perhaps the main portion of the Chanukah story that many are familiar with, however, is the repair made to the Menorah, and the fact that it blazed on with such little oil.
Once the Temple was restored and rededicated, an eight days festival was established. But let us go back again to the time of Daniel and find another piece to our puzzle.
“Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, ‘How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled – the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled underfoot?’ He said to me, ‘It will take 2300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconstructed.’”
Daniel 8:13-14
As we have already seen, the daily sacrifice ordained by God of sheep, goats, pigeons and other animals termed as ‘clean’ was overridden by Antiochus Epiphanes. It was he who declared that only pigs were to be sacrificed on the altar, therefore causing the abomination that causes desolation. However, as we have also already seen, the Syrians were trampled underfoot by the hammering actions of God and the Maccabees. From start to finish, from the first date in which Antiochus Epiphanes began to persecute the Jewish people in 171 BC, until the date the temple was restored in 165 BC, was a total of 6 years and 3.5 months. This length totals 2300 evenings and mornings from desecration to dedication.
In every piece of the Chanukah story we can learn a lesson. What God has been placing on my heart today as I have been writing is simply this - God will always keep His word. To the prophet Daniel he spoke the words of what were to come. These words came true. The Syrians did come and did attack the Jews. Jewish Law was threatened by Greek thought. However, the Jews fought back and 2300 days later, the temple was rededicated. So this causes me to think about what has been spoken by God over me. If God kept His word back in 165 BC, then will He not keep His word now? What is it that God has spoken to you? Hold on to it; hold on to the promise. Dedicate yourself again to Him. For who knows, today may be your day number 2300.
“He said to me, ‘It will take 2300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconstructed.’”
Daniel 8:14
Because of the uprising of the Maccabees who had had enough, Syria retreated. The enemy who had been prophesied to come by Daniel, had also been prophesied as being firmly stood against. With God on their side, the army of a few hundred defeated the army of thousands. So then, with the Temple recaptured, the clean up and rebuilding process was under way.
The people of Israel began replacing the stone Altar of Burnt Offering with stones which had not been defiled by the pagan practices of the Syrians. In addition to the Altar of Burnt Offerings, the Incense Altar was reconstructed. The Incense Altar had been stripped of its gold plating during the years in which the Syrians defiled it. This altar was to have been continually burning as a symbol of the prayers and intercession being lifted to God by His people. The table for Showbread, representing God’s providence, was also rebuilt. Set up once again with twelve loaves of bread to symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel, the people once again were able to see God as their provider and their Bread of Life. Complete with a renewed interior of the Temple, consecrated courts, and holy vessels, they decorated the Temple with golden crowns and ornamental shields. Perhaps the main portion of the Chanukah story that many are familiar with, however, is the repair made to the Menorah, and the fact that it blazed on with such little oil.
Once the Temple was restored and rededicated, an eight days festival was established. But let us go back again to the time of Daniel and find another piece to our puzzle.
“Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, ‘How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled – the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled underfoot?’ He said to me, ‘It will take 2300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconstructed.’”
Daniel 8:13-14
As we have already seen, the daily sacrifice ordained by God of sheep, goats, pigeons and other animals termed as ‘clean’ was overridden by Antiochus Epiphanes. It was he who declared that only pigs were to be sacrificed on the altar, therefore causing the abomination that causes desolation. However, as we have also already seen, the Syrians were trampled underfoot by the hammering actions of God and the Maccabees. From start to finish, from the first date in which Antiochus Epiphanes began to persecute the Jewish people in 171 BC, until the date the temple was restored in 165 BC, was a total of 6 years and 3.5 months. This length totals 2300 evenings and mornings from desecration to dedication.
In every piece of the Chanukah story we can learn a lesson. What God has been placing on my heart today as I have been writing is simply this - God will always keep His word. To the prophet Daniel he spoke the words of what were to come. These words came true. The Syrians did come and did attack the Jews. Jewish Law was threatened by Greek thought. However, the Jews fought back and 2300 days later, the temple was rededicated. So this causes me to think about what has been spoken by God over me. If God kept His word back in 165 BC, then will He not keep His word now? What is it that God has spoken to you? Hold on to it; hold on to the promise. Dedicate yourself again to Him. For who knows, today may be your day number 2300.
Monday, December 6, 2010
HAMMER TIME
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
Matthew 11:12
History shows that a revolution starts when someone crosses the line. For Mattatias and his sons, they were the revolution starters. When Syria invaded the Jewish communities and told them what they could and could not do, it was the Maccabees who stood up and declared ENOUGH! Starting internally by first killing a Jew who complied with Syria, the Maccabees then went after the Syrians themselves. The revolution was under way, and only those who did not renounce the Jewish ways were safe.
Following the death of Mattatias, Judah, his son, rose up and assembled an army to fight against their oppressors. His army was a band of men whose trades consisted of farmers, servants, and common people. This motley crew of men was willing to join Judah and stand up for what they knew was right. They were outnumbered and undersupplied, yet they had one thing that the Syrian army did not. They had God on their side. God plus one is greater than any army of thousands with no God. For with God all things are possible. They marched with the banner “Mi Kamocha B’alim Adonai,” which translates to “Who among the mighty is like you, O God.”
The term ‘Maccabee’ is translated as hammer. How fitting this name as the Maccabees would wait in the hills for their enemy to walk by and then pounce. The wrath they poured out on the Syrians was as the pounding of many nails being driven down by a single hammer. They fought hard in battle, and even though outnumbered 300 to 40,000, God granted victory to the Maccabees. As they stood for God, God in turn stood for them. On the 25th day of Kislev, three years after they had finally had enough, they drove out the Syrians and recaptured the Temple of God. As Daniel had prophesied, “…the people who know their God will firmly resist him” (Dan 11:32).
I ask you today, do you firmly know God? When your enemy comes in and tells you what you can and cannot do, do you sit by and obey or do you, like the Maccabees, get fed up and fight back? It was Jesus who spoke the words, “the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” Are you one if those ‘forceful men’ who strap of the armor of God and march out onto the battle field ready to drive a few nails in the ground? Are you a hammer? I want to leave you with one final re-iterated thought. God plus you is already the advantage over any army. When you have decided that enough is enough, and you are ready to take back what the devil has stolen from you, then join forces with God and see the victory. Wave the banner, and let your motto also be Mi Kamocha B’alim Adonai.
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
Matthew 11:12
History shows that a revolution starts when someone crosses the line. For Mattatias and his sons, they were the revolution starters. When Syria invaded the Jewish communities and told them what they could and could not do, it was the Maccabees who stood up and declared ENOUGH! Starting internally by first killing a Jew who complied with Syria, the Maccabees then went after the Syrians themselves. The revolution was under way, and only those who did not renounce the Jewish ways were safe.
Following the death of Mattatias, Judah, his son, rose up and assembled an army to fight against their oppressors. His army was a band of men whose trades consisted of farmers, servants, and common people. This motley crew of men was willing to join Judah and stand up for what they knew was right. They were outnumbered and undersupplied, yet they had one thing that the Syrian army did not. They had God on their side. God plus one is greater than any army of thousands with no God. For with God all things are possible. They marched with the banner “Mi Kamocha B’alim Adonai,” which translates to “Who among the mighty is like you, O God.”
The term ‘Maccabee’ is translated as hammer. How fitting this name as the Maccabees would wait in the hills for their enemy to walk by and then pounce. The wrath they poured out on the Syrians was as the pounding of many nails being driven down by a single hammer. They fought hard in battle, and even though outnumbered 300 to 40,000, God granted victory to the Maccabees. As they stood for God, God in turn stood for them. On the 25th day of Kislev, three years after they had finally had enough, they drove out the Syrians and recaptured the Temple of God. As Daniel had prophesied, “…the people who know their God will firmly resist him” (Dan 11:32).
I ask you today, do you firmly know God? When your enemy comes in and tells you what you can and cannot do, do you sit by and obey or do you, like the Maccabees, get fed up and fight back? It was Jesus who spoke the words, “the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” Are you one if those ‘forceful men’ who strap of the armor of God and march out onto the battle field ready to drive a few nails in the ground? Are you a hammer? I want to leave you with one final re-iterated thought. God plus you is already the advantage over any army. When you have decided that enough is enough, and you are ready to take back what the devil has stolen from you, then join forces with God and see the victory. Wave the banner, and let your motto also be Mi Kamocha B’alim Adonai.
HAMMER TIME
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
Matthew 11:12
History shows that a revolution starts when someone crosses the line. For Mattatias and his sons, they were the revolution starters. When Syria invaded the Jewish communities and told them what they could and could not do, it was the Maccabees who stood up and declared ENOUGH! Starting internally by first killing a Jew who complied with Syria, the Maccabees then went after the Syrians themselves. The revolution was under way, and only those who did not renounce the Jewish ways were safe.
Following the death of Mattatias, Judah, his son, rose up and assembled an army to fight against their oppressors. His army was a band of men whose trades consisted of farmers, servants, and common people. This motley crew of men was willing to join Judah and stand up for what they knew was right. They were outnumbered and undersupplied, yet they had one thing that the Syrian army did not. They had God on their side. God plus one is greater than any army of thousands with no God. For with God all things are possible. They marched with the banner “Mi Kamocha B’alim Adonai,” which translates to “Who among the mighty is like you, O God.”
The term ‘Maccabee’ is translated as hammer. How fitting this name as the Maccabees would wait in the hills for their enemy to walk by and then pounce. The wrath they poured out on the Syrians was as the pounding of many nails being driven down by a single hammer. They fought hard in battle, and even though outnumbered 300 to 40,000, God granted victory to the Maccabees. As they stood for God, God in turn stood for them. On the 25th day of Kislev, three years after they had finally had enough, they drove out the Syrians and recaptured the Temple of God. As Daniel had prophesied, “…the people who know their God will firmly resist him” (Dan 11:32).
I ask you today, do you firmly know God? When your enemy comes in and tells you what you can and cannot do, do you sit by and obey or do you, like the Maccabees, get fed up and fight back? It was Jesus who spoke the words, “the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” Are you one if those ‘forceful men’ who strap of the armor of God and march out onto the battle field ready to drive a few nails in the ground? Are you a hammer? I want to leave you with one final re-iterated thought. God plus you is already the advantage over any army. When you have decided that enough is enough, and you are ready to take back what the devil has stolen from you, then join forces with God and see the victory. Wave the banner, and let your motto also be Mi Kamocha B’alim Adonai.
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
Matthew 11:12
History shows that a revolution starts when someone crosses the line. For Mattatias and his sons, they were the revolution starters. When Syria invaded the Jewish communities and told them what they could and could not do, it was the Maccabees who stood up and declared ENOUGH! Starting internally by first killing a Jew who complied with Syria, the Maccabees then went after the Syrians themselves. The revolution was under way, and only those who did not renounce the Jewish ways were safe.
Following the death of Mattatias, Judah, his son, rose up and assembled an army to fight against their oppressors. His army was a band of men whose trades consisted of farmers, servants, and common people. This motley crew of men was willing to join Judah and stand up for what they knew was right. They were outnumbered and undersupplied, yet they had one thing that the Syrian army did not. They had God on their side. God plus one is greater than any army of thousands with no God. For with God all things are possible. They marched with the banner “Mi Kamocha B’alim Adonai,” which translates to “Who among the mighty is like you, O God.”
The term ‘Maccabee’ is translated as hammer. How fitting this name as the Maccabees would wait in the hills for their enemy to walk by and then pounce. The wrath they poured out on the Syrians was as the pounding of many nails being driven down by a single hammer. They fought hard in battle, and even though outnumbered 300 to 40,000, God granted victory to the Maccabees. As they stood for God, God in turn stood for them. On the 25th day of Kislev, three years after they had finally had enough, they drove out the Syrians and recaptured the Temple of God. As Daniel had prophesied, “…the people who know their God will firmly resist him” (Dan 11:32).
I ask you today, do you firmly know God? When your enemy comes in and tells you what you can and cannot do, do you sit by and obey or do you, like the Maccabees, get fed up and fight back? It was Jesus who spoke the words, “the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” Are you one if those ‘forceful men’ who strap of the armor of God and march out onto the battle field ready to drive a few nails in the ground? Are you a hammer? I want to leave you with one final re-iterated thought. God plus you is already the advantage over any army. When you have decided that enough is enough, and you are ready to take back what the devil has stolen from you, then join forces with God and see the victory. Wave the banner, and let your motto also be Mi Kamocha B’alim Adonai.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
ENOUGH!
“With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
Daniel 11:32
Over the past four days I have shared with you the miracle of the candles and the dedication of those who chose not to give into the king of Syria. Today I want to reiterate a point made in my first writing. Chanukah is not just for the Jewish people, but for all Christians. For the Christian, this season has true importance. Before the Maccabees, before the king of Syria, and before even Alexander the Great, Daniel prophesied the historic events of Chanukah.
The king of Syria, Antiochus Epiphanes, is recorded to have summoned the powers and courage needed to attack the king of Egypt for a second time. Victory was found the first encounter, and so victory was assumed in a second attempt as well. In this attack, however, he was defeated. His frustrations festered and he looked for a way to vent himself. The venting was acted out upon the Jewish people. It was at this time that the Syrian army began burning down the houses of the Jews, breaking down the city walls, killing many and placing others into slavery, and destroying anyone who would not forsake the Jewish customs and convert to the Greek way of life. Perhaps the best understanding we can have of this situation is found during the reign of Hitler. Both the king of Syria and Hitler shared one common goal, the denationalization of the Jewish people. Daniel recorded these events long before they ever happened.
“At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
Daniel 11:29-32
Daniel warned of a king who would invade the South again, which is Egypt. This second time, however, he found the defeat that was recorded in the Scriptures. As prophesied, the king of Syria came to the Jewish people, those of the holy covenant, to vent his fury. For those who accepted the Greek lifestyles and left behind their Jewish customs, favor was found. For those who resisted, however, death was found.
But what about the abomination that causes desolation? As a Bible student in college, I can honestly say that I had been asked many times what this was. It is only by God’s wisdom and His leading me in this study of Chanukah that I can finally answer this question years later. Going back to our study from yesterday, the king had order a pig be sacrificed in the Temple, its blood be smeared on the walls, and its broth poured on the holy Torah scrolls and stone altar. This act led to a decree that only pigs be sacrificed in the Temple. This act is the abomination that causes desolation. The sacrifice of an unclean animal upon the altar of God was the single act that made the Temple itself unclean.
As the Syrians went throughout the Jewish cities setting up their idols and altars to false gods, they landed upon the town of Modin. It was in Modin that they found Mattatias, the head of a family of priests. As the decree had gone out to sacrifice only pigs on the altar, Mattatias was ordered by the Syrians to follow suit. However, Mattatias, like the rabbi who would not pretend to eat pork, would not forsake his faith. The line had been drawn, and just as Daniel had written, the people who knew their God began to firmly resist the king of Syria. Mattatias and his sons, known as the Maccabees, rose up and declared, “ENOUGH!” The time had come to take back for God what the enemy had stolen.
Isn’t it time for you and I also to take back what the enemy has stolen? How much longer will we sit by and let the enemy drag our souls and our beliefs to hell? How much longer will we tolerate the pressures of change and give in so that we can stay alive one more day? This is the season of miracles, but maybe the biggest miracle to happen for you in this season is in the word ‘enough’. It is time to arise and hear the words spoken by God to Joshua. “’Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you’” (Gen 31:23). Christians arise, it is time the enemy hear our battle cry. ENOUGH!
“With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
Daniel 11:32
Over the past four days I have shared with you the miracle of the candles and the dedication of those who chose not to give into the king of Syria. Today I want to reiterate a point made in my first writing. Chanukah is not just for the Jewish people, but for all Christians. For the Christian, this season has true importance. Before the Maccabees, before the king of Syria, and before even Alexander the Great, Daniel prophesied the historic events of Chanukah.
The king of Syria, Antiochus Epiphanes, is recorded to have summoned the powers and courage needed to attack the king of Egypt for a second time. Victory was found the first encounter, and so victory was assumed in a second attempt as well. In this attack, however, he was defeated. His frustrations festered and he looked for a way to vent himself. The venting was acted out upon the Jewish people. It was at this time that the Syrian army began burning down the houses of the Jews, breaking down the city walls, killing many and placing others into slavery, and destroying anyone who would not forsake the Jewish customs and convert to the Greek way of life. Perhaps the best understanding we can have of this situation is found during the reign of Hitler. Both the king of Syria and Hitler shared one common goal, the denationalization of the Jewish people. Daniel recorded these events long before they ever happened.
“At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
Daniel 11:29-32
Daniel warned of a king who would invade the South again, which is Egypt. This second time, however, he found the defeat that was recorded in the Scriptures. As prophesied, the king of Syria came to the Jewish people, those of the holy covenant, to vent his fury. For those who accepted the Greek lifestyles and left behind their Jewish customs, favor was found. For those who resisted, however, death was found.
But what about the abomination that causes desolation? As a Bible student in college, I can honestly say that I had been asked many times what this was. It is only by God’s wisdom and His leading me in this study of Chanukah that I can finally answer this question years later. Going back to our study from yesterday, the king had order a pig be sacrificed in the Temple, its blood be smeared on the walls, and its broth poured on the holy Torah scrolls and stone altar. This act led to a decree that only pigs be sacrificed in the Temple. This act is the abomination that causes desolation. The sacrifice of an unclean animal upon the altar of God was the single act that made the Temple itself unclean.
As the Syrians went throughout the Jewish cities setting up their idols and altars to false gods, they landed upon the town of Modin. It was in Modin that they found Mattatias, the head of a family of priests. As the decree had gone out to sacrifice only pigs on the altar, Mattatias was ordered by the Syrians to follow suit. However, Mattatias, like the rabbi who would not pretend to eat pork, would not forsake his faith. The line had been drawn, and just as Daniel had written, the people who knew their God began to firmly resist the king of Syria. Mattatias and his sons, known as the Maccabees, rose up and declared, “ENOUGH!” The time had come to take back for God what the enemy had stolen.
Isn’t it time for you and I also to take back what the enemy has stolen? How much longer will we sit by and let the enemy drag our souls and our beliefs to hell? How much longer will we tolerate the pressures of change and give in so that we can stay alive one more day? This is the season of miracles, but maybe the biggest miracle to happen for you in this season is in the word ‘enough’. It is time to arise and hear the words spoken by God to Joshua. “’Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you’” (Gen 31:23). Christians arise, it is time the enemy hear our battle cry. ENOUGH!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
TEMPLE BODIES
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
I Corinthians 6:19-20
The book of Leviticus is considered the most boring book within the Bible. It is in this book, however, that God gives to Moses the Laws in which the Israelites are to follow. As we read through this book, we read the details of the offerings that should be brought to the LORD, the details concerning purification after birth or illness, the punishments of broken Laws, and the outlines for the ceremonies and High Holy Days. Now while we will not find the word Chanukah anywhere in this book, we will find key scriptures that relate to our study of Chanukah today.
In reading Leviticus 11:3, we find that God gave instructions for which animals should be eaten. “You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.” As one who has been embracing his Jewish roots more so this year, I have been more attentive to the foods I eat. Now I am not saying that I eat turkey without the cheese on a sandwich, or eat only veggie pizza, but one meat I have worked hard to stray from over the past months is pork. The problem is pork is everywhere. When I go to McDonald’s with my kids for breakfast, almost every item has either sausage or bacon in it. But the pig is not kosher. “And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you” (Lev 11:7). Recent studies have shown that even when cooking the pig into burnt bacon it does not kill all the bacteria. Pork is also thought by some to be the second leading cause in cancer. There is a reason why God told us to stay away from it.
Now my purpose in the above information is not to guilt or scare you into eating kosher, but rather to explain another significant detail of Chanukah. The Syrian army, led by Antiochus Epiphanes, invaded Jewish communities with the intent of stripping them of the Laws and cultures that made them unique. It was his law that he felt should override God’s, and the customs of circumcision, observing the Sabbath, and keeping kosher should no longer be obeyed. It was in this rampage that the temple was invaded and turned into a shine for Zeus. Knowing that a pig was not kosher, he order a pig be sacrificed in the temple, its blood be smeared on the walls, and its broth poured on the holy Torah scrolls.
Our bodies are the temple of God and should be used to bring Him glory, though. This truth was tested by one of the rabbis in the ‘silent years’ between the Old and New Testament. In the company of many Jews, they placed a feast of pork before him with the instruction to eat. The rabbi denied. It was then suggested by the Syrians to fake that he was eating the pork by placing it next to his lips for all to see. But again he denied. The rabbi chose not to forsake his faith and not to save his life from death while his people sinned in their diet. Angered, the Syrians killed him in front of all those watching.
There are two points that we can walk away with from this story. The first point, again, is the word dedication. Who are you dedicated to? The rabbi was dedicated to God. He probably knew, based on the history of what was happening to the people, that death was to be the end result if he denied the pork. Yet still he honored God by saying no. The second point is that our bodies are the temple of God. How are you honoring God with your body? I am not talking only about your physical diet, but your spiritual diet as well. Are you living spiritually kosher in choosing not to partake in the food of immorality, gossip, or deceit? And when these sins are served before you on a platter for you to feast on, are you willing to risk your life and pass? If you feel as though I am pointing a finger at you, know that I have four more pointing back at me. I will admit that I do not always pass this plate, but as I am learning to pass on pork physically, so I am challenged to pass on sin as well. Let us go forth together with the desire to take a stand against sin and say no, whatever the end result.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
I Corinthians 6:19-20
The book of Leviticus is considered the most boring book within the Bible. It is in this book, however, that God gives to Moses the Laws in which the Israelites are to follow. As we read through this book, we read the details of the offerings that should be brought to the LORD, the details concerning purification after birth or illness, the punishments of broken Laws, and the outlines for the ceremonies and High Holy Days. Now while we will not find the word Chanukah anywhere in this book, we will find key scriptures that relate to our study of Chanukah today.
In reading Leviticus 11:3, we find that God gave instructions for which animals should be eaten. “You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.” As one who has been embracing his Jewish roots more so this year, I have been more attentive to the foods I eat. Now I am not saying that I eat turkey without the cheese on a sandwich, or eat only veggie pizza, but one meat I have worked hard to stray from over the past months is pork. The problem is pork is everywhere. When I go to McDonald’s with my kids for breakfast, almost every item has either sausage or bacon in it. But the pig is not kosher. “And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you” (Lev 11:7). Recent studies have shown that even when cooking the pig into burnt bacon it does not kill all the bacteria. Pork is also thought by some to be the second leading cause in cancer. There is a reason why God told us to stay away from it.
Now my purpose in the above information is not to guilt or scare you into eating kosher, but rather to explain another significant detail of Chanukah. The Syrian army, led by Antiochus Epiphanes, invaded Jewish communities with the intent of stripping them of the Laws and cultures that made them unique. It was his law that he felt should override God’s, and the customs of circumcision, observing the Sabbath, and keeping kosher should no longer be obeyed. It was in this rampage that the temple was invaded and turned into a shine for Zeus. Knowing that a pig was not kosher, he order a pig be sacrificed in the temple, its blood be smeared on the walls, and its broth poured on the holy Torah scrolls.
Our bodies are the temple of God and should be used to bring Him glory, though. This truth was tested by one of the rabbis in the ‘silent years’ between the Old and New Testament. In the company of many Jews, they placed a feast of pork before him with the instruction to eat. The rabbi denied. It was then suggested by the Syrians to fake that he was eating the pork by placing it next to his lips for all to see. But again he denied. The rabbi chose not to forsake his faith and not to save his life from death while his people sinned in their diet. Angered, the Syrians killed him in front of all those watching.
There are two points that we can walk away with from this story. The first point, again, is the word dedication. Who are you dedicated to? The rabbi was dedicated to God. He probably knew, based on the history of what was happening to the people, that death was to be the end result if he denied the pork. Yet still he honored God by saying no. The second point is that our bodies are the temple of God. How are you honoring God with your body? I am not talking only about your physical diet, but your spiritual diet as well. Are you living spiritually kosher in choosing not to partake in the food of immorality, gossip, or deceit? And when these sins are served before you on a platter for you to feast on, are you willing to risk your life and pass? If you feel as though I am pointing a finger at you, know that I have four more pointing back at me. I will admit that I do not always pass this plate, but as I am learning to pass on pork physically, so I am challenged to pass on sin as well. Let us go forth together with the desire to take a stand against sin and say no, whatever the end result.
Friday, December 3, 2010
FRY-DAY
“Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.”
Exodus 27:20
One of the greatest miracles of Chanukah was the fact that the little oil found following the rebellion was enough to last for eight days. There was only enough to last for one day, yet it lasted longer. Chanukah commemorates an oil-based miracle and as such, more of the food eaten during these eight days tends to be fried. Foods such as latkes (fried potato pancakes) or sufganiyot (deep-fried doughnuts) are just two examples of the foods eaten during Chanukah. In today’s brief devotional, I want to take a look at the significance of the oil used to light both the Temple Menorah and the Hanukkiah.
The process of making pure oil was tedious. The one making olive oil would squeeze the olive and place the oil from the olive in one of two places. Only the first drop of oil would be the drop considered for pure oil. This follows the instructions given by God that He should have the first fruits of our labor. As the olive then was continued to be squeezed, the remaining would be placed in a canister for common use.
In reality, both canisters had the same type of oil in them. The oil smelled the same and tasted the same. It would be no different than having two accounts at the bank, if we were to put it into terms we are more familiar with now days. They both have money and both are with the same banking institution. But the difference would be having one marked ‘checking’ and the other marked ‘savings’. The savings is set aside from the account of common use. There is something special about the savings. In many cases this money is put aside for emergencies or for a desire of something special in the future. So it is with these two canisters. One jug was allowed common use while the other was for something special. Both were the same in contents, but the jug of only the first drops was marked with the seal of the high priest, signifying that it was ritually pure.
The rules and regulations of the Jewish people drove the enemy crazy. Because of this, when Israel was attacked, the enemy made it a point to defile and plunder the Holy Temple. In addition to sacrificing a pig on the altar of God, they also smeared pig blood on the walls of the Temple and made sure to defile every canister of pure oil they could find. When the battle had ceased and the Maccabees had been victorious, their mission was to rebuild the Temple and re-dedicate it to God. But as we have already learned, they were short on oil. One single canister was found, still holding the seal of the high priest as pure oil, and that one canister of oil was used to light the Menorah while they began the process of making more oil, also sealed by the high priest.
As this third night of Chanukah is celebrated this evening, I want to leave you with this simple challenge. Perhaps like the temple, you have been ransacked and left for dead. Your oil of gladness has been spilled out and defiled and you question if new life can come. You wonder if you will ever be able to burn with passion again. God is able to do anything. With a small amount God did a miracle with the oil. And with the little passion you still possess for God, He can start a new flame. I encourage you to dedicate, or re-dedicate yourself once again to Him, and watch as the little you have is multiplied during this season.
“Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.”
Exodus 27:20
One of the greatest miracles of Chanukah was the fact that the little oil found following the rebellion was enough to last for eight days. There was only enough to last for one day, yet it lasted longer. Chanukah commemorates an oil-based miracle and as such, more of the food eaten during these eight days tends to be fried. Foods such as latkes (fried potato pancakes) or sufganiyot (deep-fried doughnuts) are just two examples of the foods eaten during Chanukah. In today’s brief devotional, I want to take a look at the significance of the oil used to light both the Temple Menorah and the Hanukkiah.
The process of making pure oil was tedious. The one making olive oil would squeeze the olive and place the oil from the olive in one of two places. Only the first drop of oil would be the drop considered for pure oil. This follows the instructions given by God that He should have the first fruits of our labor. As the olive then was continued to be squeezed, the remaining would be placed in a canister for common use.
In reality, both canisters had the same type of oil in them. The oil smelled the same and tasted the same. It would be no different than having two accounts at the bank, if we were to put it into terms we are more familiar with now days. They both have money and both are with the same banking institution. But the difference would be having one marked ‘checking’ and the other marked ‘savings’. The savings is set aside from the account of common use. There is something special about the savings. In many cases this money is put aside for emergencies or for a desire of something special in the future. So it is with these two canisters. One jug was allowed common use while the other was for something special. Both were the same in contents, but the jug of only the first drops was marked with the seal of the high priest, signifying that it was ritually pure.
The rules and regulations of the Jewish people drove the enemy crazy. Because of this, when Israel was attacked, the enemy made it a point to defile and plunder the Holy Temple. In addition to sacrificing a pig on the altar of God, they also smeared pig blood on the walls of the Temple and made sure to defile every canister of pure oil they could find. When the battle had ceased and the Maccabees had been victorious, their mission was to rebuild the Temple and re-dedicate it to God. But as we have already learned, they were short on oil. One single canister was found, still holding the seal of the high priest as pure oil, and that one canister of oil was used to light the Menorah while they began the process of making more oil, also sealed by the high priest.
As this third night of Chanukah is celebrated this evening, I want to leave you with this simple challenge. Perhaps like the temple, you have been ransacked and left for dead. Your oil of gladness has been spilled out and defiled and you question if new life can come. You wonder if you will ever be able to burn with passion again. God is able to do anything. With a small amount God did a miracle with the oil. And with the little passion you still possess for God, He can start a new flame. I encourage you to dedicate, or re-dedicate yourself once again to Him, and watch as the little you have is multiplied during this season.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
A GREAT LIGHT
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Isaiah 9:2
As I have been studying Chanukah over the past few weeks, I have been experiencing the turning on of many mental light bulbs. I have spent hours researching on the internet and pouring over any material I can get my hands on in order to be knowledgeable and to provide you with a clearer understanding. It was while I was listening to a message by Rabbi Daniel Lappin that God then opened my eyes to the numbers associated with Chanukah. I would like to share the details of what God showed me through this study.
In the Hebrew culture numbers are important. One example is when Jonah was in the fish for three days. Jesus used this example to make it clear that He would be in the grave for three days, and then be resurrected (Mt 12:40). So it is with Chanukah, that numbers are also important. In this season there are three numbers that stand out: 36, 25, and 8. I will do my best to explain these in this brief writing.
Let us begin with 36. On the Chanukah Menorah, or also called the Hanukkiah, there is a place for a total of nine candles to burn at one time. The middle candle is called the Shamash, the server candle. It is this candle that is lit first and then used to light the other candles as they are added to nightly. The candles are placed right to left, but lit by the Shamash from left to right. In Matthew 20:28 we read that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. The Shamash is a representation of Jesus as He came to serve. Isaiah also prophesied that Jesus would be the Light to the Gentiles. Again we see our Lord in this candle as it provides the light of the Light to the others. But how does this relate to the number 36? The Hebrew word for light is named in the Old Testament only 36 times. On the first night of Chanukah the Shamash is lit and one candle. On the second night, the Shamash and two candles. This progression continues until the final night when the Shamash is lit along with all eight candles. By simply adding 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8, we have a total of 36.
Let us now consider the number 25. In the Hebrew calendar, Chanukah begins on the 25th day of Kislev. Now as a lover of history, I enjoy digging in the past to find other incidents they may have happened on the same day years before. For instance, I have found that I share my birthday with Joseph’s brother Simeon, according to the Hebrew calendar (the 28th day of Tevet). I have also found that the day in which Cain killed Able was on the 25th of Kislev. In reading Genesis 4:16, following the murder of Able, Cain went out of God’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, which means wandering. In verse 17, it is recorded that Cain lay with his wife and she birthed a son named Enoch. Cain built a city for Enoch and also named it Enoch. Now this is not the same Enoch who walked with God and was no more (Gen 5:24), but the name means the same, Dedication. Cain made an amends with God and re-dedicated himself to God when his son was born. It is no coincidence then that Chanukah, meaning dedication, began years later following the dedication of Enoch.
Lastly, let us look at the number 8. This one is pretty simple to understand, as we have already seen that 8 candles plus the Shamash can be lit on the Menorah at once. But the traditional menorah only housed six additional candles, not eight. Why then is the Hanukkiah different? After the Maccabees were victorious over Syria, they went back to start the rebuilding process. As they went to light the temple Menorah they discovered that there was only enough pure oil for one day. In their act of honor to God, they decided to light the Menorah anyway. Now keep in mind that Syria had already defiled the temple as we will learn together soon, but to also light the Menorah and run out of oil was defilement. Nonetheless, they lit the Menorah while they worked to produce more pure oil. As we will learn tomorrow, this process took seven days. The Maccabees came in the following morning, fully expecting to the see the Menorah unlit, but a miracle had happened. The Menorah continued to burn. It burned a third day on the same small amount of oil they had started with. It burned a fourth, fifth, and so on. And when the pure oil had completed the process, the Menorah was still burning.
There are many miracles that took place and are now celebrated as part of Chanukah, but I want to draw us back to Isaiah 9:2. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” The miracle may be that a band of brothers few in number defeated an army of thousands. The miracle may be that God proved Himself as the God of more than enough, Jehovah Jirah, and allowed the Menorah to burn way past its true ability. The miracle may be that dedication to God came full circle. What is it that you are in need of this season? What miracle do you desire? A healing, financial help, the ability to overcome an addiction, help in loss or with a broken heart? No matter what it is, we can now see the Great Light. I leave you then with the words of Isaiah 60:1-2. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Isaiah 9:2
As I have been studying Chanukah over the past few weeks, I have been experiencing the turning on of many mental light bulbs. I have spent hours researching on the internet and pouring over any material I can get my hands on in order to be knowledgeable and to provide you with a clearer understanding. It was while I was listening to a message by Rabbi Daniel Lappin that God then opened my eyes to the numbers associated with Chanukah. I would like to share the details of what God showed me through this study.
In the Hebrew culture numbers are important. One example is when Jonah was in the fish for three days. Jesus used this example to make it clear that He would be in the grave for three days, and then be resurrected (Mt 12:40). So it is with Chanukah, that numbers are also important. In this season there are three numbers that stand out: 36, 25, and 8. I will do my best to explain these in this brief writing.
Let us begin with 36. On the Chanukah Menorah, or also called the Hanukkiah, there is a place for a total of nine candles to burn at one time. The middle candle is called the Shamash, the server candle. It is this candle that is lit first and then used to light the other candles as they are added to nightly. The candles are placed right to left, but lit by the Shamash from left to right. In Matthew 20:28 we read that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. The Shamash is a representation of Jesus as He came to serve. Isaiah also prophesied that Jesus would be the Light to the Gentiles. Again we see our Lord in this candle as it provides the light of the Light to the others. But how does this relate to the number 36? The Hebrew word for light is named in the Old Testament only 36 times. On the first night of Chanukah the Shamash is lit and one candle. On the second night, the Shamash and two candles. This progression continues until the final night when the Shamash is lit along with all eight candles. By simply adding 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8, we have a total of 36.
Let us now consider the number 25. In the Hebrew calendar, Chanukah begins on the 25th day of Kislev. Now as a lover of history, I enjoy digging in the past to find other incidents they may have happened on the same day years before. For instance, I have found that I share my birthday with Joseph’s brother Simeon, according to the Hebrew calendar (the 28th day of Tevet). I have also found that the day in which Cain killed Able was on the 25th of Kislev. In reading Genesis 4:16, following the murder of Able, Cain went out of God’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, which means wandering. In verse 17, it is recorded that Cain lay with his wife and she birthed a son named Enoch. Cain built a city for Enoch and also named it Enoch. Now this is not the same Enoch who walked with God and was no more (Gen 5:24), but the name means the same, Dedication. Cain made an amends with God and re-dedicated himself to God when his son was born. It is no coincidence then that Chanukah, meaning dedication, began years later following the dedication of Enoch.
Lastly, let us look at the number 8. This one is pretty simple to understand, as we have already seen that 8 candles plus the Shamash can be lit on the Menorah at once. But the traditional menorah only housed six additional candles, not eight. Why then is the Hanukkiah different? After the Maccabees were victorious over Syria, they went back to start the rebuilding process. As they went to light the temple Menorah they discovered that there was only enough pure oil for one day. In their act of honor to God, they decided to light the Menorah anyway. Now keep in mind that Syria had already defiled the temple as we will learn together soon, but to also light the Menorah and run out of oil was defilement. Nonetheless, they lit the Menorah while they worked to produce more pure oil. As we will learn tomorrow, this process took seven days. The Maccabees came in the following morning, fully expecting to the see the Menorah unlit, but a miracle had happened. The Menorah continued to burn. It burned a third day on the same small amount of oil they had started with. It burned a fourth, fifth, and so on. And when the pure oil had completed the process, the Menorah was still burning.
There are many miracles that took place and are now celebrated as part of Chanukah, but I want to draw us back to Isaiah 9:2. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” The miracle may be that a band of brothers few in number defeated an army of thousands. The miracle may be that God proved Himself as the God of more than enough, Jehovah Jirah, and allowed the Menorah to burn way past its true ability. The miracle may be that dedication to God came full circle. What is it that you are in need of this season? What miracle do you desire? A healing, financial help, the ability to overcome an addiction, help in loss or with a broken heart? No matter what it is, we can now see the Great Light. I leave you then with the words of Isaiah 60:1-2. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
EIGHT DAYS OF LIGHTS
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
John 8:12
Tonight begins Chanukah. Over the next eight devotionals I want to take the time to share with you the history of Chanukah and how it relates to us today. For the Christian it has true importance, and I have been very excited over the past few weeks as I have been studying and preparing these writings. This is the season of miracles, and my expectation is that you will see a miracle in your own life as we venture in this study together. Please understand that I do not have all the answers concerning this holiday, but as God has been showing me what to expect in the days to come, I trust He will also make alive in you.
I first want to take a moment to break down any misunderstandings about Chanukah. Chanukah is not the Jewish version of Christmas. Based on the details we know from the Bible, Jesus would have been born closer to the High Holy season of Sukkot, which places His birth more so around September. However, the custom of decorating our homes with Christmas lights is derived from Chanukah, for it is known by some as the Festival of Lights.
Chanukah is in the Bible and was celebrated by Jesus, Himself. Look with me at John 10:22-23. “Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.” As said, Chanukah is known as the Festival of Lights. It is also known as the Feast of Dedication. If you remember from a devotional back in late October, we looked at the life of Enoch and how his name is translated in the Hebrew as CHANOWK, which means dedicated. Chanukah is derived from this root word, meaning dedication. It was during this Feast that the Jews recalled the victory of the Maccabees over their enemy, and the provision of God to allow the menorah to burn for eight days when there was only enough oil to burn for one night. This was the provision of God, and a celebration of His miracle working power.
The burning candles on the menorah is a reminder to us all, not just the Jews, of God’s provision and the victory won by the Maccabees. It is also a reminder to us, though, that we to need to be dedicated to God. For as we will later see, the Maccabees chased away the forces of darkness with their swords. They grew weary of the ways of Syria and finally declared they had had enough. So it is time for us to dedicate ourselves to God again and chase darkness in our lives away. This is represented as we chase the darkness away with the light of the candles.
But who is the light? Jesus declares in John 8:12, that He is the Light. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We have all been there before, in a spot where we find that our strength is simply not enough to defeat the enemy. It is in those times that God shows that when we are weak, He is strong. It was this same strength from God that allowed the Maccabees, few in number, to defeat the Syrian army. As they stood for the Light of the world, the Light shown through and allowed a great victory.
Countless times throughout the Bible we read of men and women who faced disaster and hardship. Yet as we also see, those who stood up for God’s truth and justice were those who received God’s miracles. As we launch into this season, I want to encourage you to stand up for God’s truth and justice. The enemy will find ways to try to knock you down and take you out. He will work to snuff your flame and deplete you of the oil needed to burn for God. But do not lose heart. Do not stray from the ways of God. Your miracle is coming, and the Light of the world will overcome the darkness at hand. Happy Chanukah to all.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
John 8:12
Tonight begins Chanukah. Over the next eight devotionals I want to take the time to share with you the history of Chanukah and how it relates to us today. For the Christian it has true importance, and I have been very excited over the past few weeks as I have been studying and preparing these writings. This is the season of miracles, and my expectation is that you will see a miracle in your own life as we venture in this study together. Please understand that I do not have all the answers concerning this holiday, but as God has been showing me what to expect in the days to come, I trust He will also make alive in you.
I first want to take a moment to break down any misunderstandings about Chanukah. Chanukah is not the Jewish version of Christmas. Based on the details we know from the Bible, Jesus would have been born closer to the High Holy season of Sukkot, which places His birth more so around September. However, the custom of decorating our homes with Christmas lights is derived from Chanukah, for it is known by some as the Festival of Lights.
Chanukah is in the Bible and was celebrated by Jesus, Himself. Look with me at John 10:22-23. “Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.” As said, Chanukah is known as the Festival of Lights. It is also known as the Feast of Dedication. If you remember from a devotional back in late October, we looked at the life of Enoch and how his name is translated in the Hebrew as CHANOWK, which means dedicated. Chanukah is derived from this root word, meaning dedication. It was during this Feast that the Jews recalled the victory of the Maccabees over their enemy, and the provision of God to allow the menorah to burn for eight days when there was only enough oil to burn for one night. This was the provision of God, and a celebration of His miracle working power.
The burning candles on the menorah is a reminder to us all, not just the Jews, of God’s provision and the victory won by the Maccabees. It is also a reminder to us, though, that we to need to be dedicated to God. For as we will later see, the Maccabees chased away the forces of darkness with their swords. They grew weary of the ways of Syria and finally declared they had had enough. So it is time for us to dedicate ourselves to God again and chase darkness in our lives away. This is represented as we chase the darkness away with the light of the candles.
But who is the light? Jesus declares in John 8:12, that He is the Light. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We have all been there before, in a spot where we find that our strength is simply not enough to defeat the enemy. It is in those times that God shows that when we are weak, He is strong. It was this same strength from God that allowed the Maccabees, few in number, to defeat the Syrian army. As they stood for the Light of the world, the Light shown through and allowed a great victory.
Countless times throughout the Bible we read of men and women who faced disaster and hardship. Yet as we also see, those who stood up for God’s truth and justice were those who received God’s miracles. As we launch into this season, I want to encourage you to stand up for God’s truth and justice. The enemy will find ways to try to knock you down and take you out. He will work to snuff your flame and deplete you of the oil needed to burn for God. But do not lose heart. Do not stray from the ways of God. Your miracle is coming, and the Light of the world will overcome the darkness at hand. Happy Chanukah to all.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
MAN OF NO REPUTATION
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
Philippians 2:5-7
This morning I was thinking back to my mission’s trip experiences. So many good memories. There was the first mission where I smuggled Bibles into China. On the second mission trip I visited Slovakia and Poland where I taught at a pantomime school. My third mission trip found me witnessing first hand God’s power in my own life while in Peru. And my fourth trip to Mexico gave new meaning to the words ‘suffering for Jesus’ as I received stitches in the back of an ambulance…with no numbing agents. Each trip had a highlight, but each trip also had a challenge fully unique of the trips before and after. However, each trip also forced me to come face to face with humility.
I think back specifically to my trip to Peru. This is the trip where I am sure God did the most through me because I allowed and prayed that He would do the most to me. As I have shared in the past concerning this trip, I prayed often that God would give me compassion for these people. There was the excitement of seeing another new country, but my best memories are the recollections of how I was able to help the people.
I remember painting the church building in Huaral, but the paint was like water. There was the time we visited the park to hand out bread and share Jesus in Lima. What about the many schools we visited, or the times we were able to serve with the church while in Arequipa? The children in Nazca who wanted to share their culture through dance with us are another great memory, and a chance to serve them through loving on them. And I still remember how in jungle of Pucallpa we were able to serve not only the Peruvians, but also serve the Wycliffe Bible translators who lived there and worked alongside the people.
Each one of these memories is based on a time of serving. At times I think I am good at it still, only to realize that my serving of others still ebbs and flows and I still have to pray that God will give me the compassion I need to see others as He does. We read that Jesus came not to be served but rather to serve. The King, the true King, came down from Heaven with a mission of serving. He served through acts, words, emotions, but most recognized, through death. He gave us the ability to cheat eternal death by giving us eternal life if we believe in Him and make Him the Lord of our life. He was a man of no reputation.
I have been tossing this around for a few days now, but here is the challenge for today. The holidays are upon us and shoppers are out bustling around in the stores. Many are becoming consumed with ‘the perfect gift’. But here is my thought. Christ drew others to Him because He served. So what if this season we served someone else in the hopes that they would see Christ is us and be drawn to Him. What do I mean? Next time you’re standing in line at Starbucks, buy the coffee of the person behind you. Rake the leaves or shovel the snow of a neighbor for no cost. Offer to babysit a friend’s kids so the couple can be alone for a night. Serving is endless. And don’t do it for what you will get out of it, but rather for God’s blessing on that person. This season, let us become also people who serve, people of no reputation.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
Philippians 2:5-7
This morning I was thinking back to my mission’s trip experiences. So many good memories. There was the first mission where I smuggled Bibles into China. On the second mission trip I visited Slovakia and Poland where I taught at a pantomime school. My third mission trip found me witnessing first hand God’s power in my own life while in Peru. And my fourth trip to Mexico gave new meaning to the words ‘suffering for Jesus’ as I received stitches in the back of an ambulance…with no numbing agents. Each trip had a highlight, but each trip also had a challenge fully unique of the trips before and after. However, each trip also forced me to come face to face with humility.
I think back specifically to my trip to Peru. This is the trip where I am sure God did the most through me because I allowed and prayed that He would do the most to me. As I have shared in the past concerning this trip, I prayed often that God would give me compassion for these people. There was the excitement of seeing another new country, but my best memories are the recollections of how I was able to help the people.
I remember painting the church building in Huaral, but the paint was like water. There was the time we visited the park to hand out bread and share Jesus in Lima. What about the many schools we visited, or the times we were able to serve with the church while in Arequipa? The children in Nazca who wanted to share their culture through dance with us are another great memory, and a chance to serve them through loving on them. And I still remember how in jungle of Pucallpa we were able to serve not only the Peruvians, but also serve the Wycliffe Bible translators who lived there and worked alongside the people.
Each one of these memories is based on a time of serving. At times I think I am good at it still, only to realize that my serving of others still ebbs and flows and I still have to pray that God will give me the compassion I need to see others as He does. We read that Jesus came not to be served but rather to serve. The King, the true King, came down from Heaven with a mission of serving. He served through acts, words, emotions, but most recognized, through death. He gave us the ability to cheat eternal death by giving us eternal life if we believe in Him and make Him the Lord of our life. He was a man of no reputation.
I have been tossing this around for a few days now, but here is the challenge for today. The holidays are upon us and shoppers are out bustling around in the stores. Many are becoming consumed with ‘the perfect gift’. But here is my thought. Christ drew others to Him because He served. So what if this season we served someone else in the hopes that they would see Christ is us and be drawn to Him. What do I mean? Next time you’re standing in line at Starbucks, buy the coffee of the person behind you. Rake the leaves or shovel the snow of a neighbor for no cost. Offer to babysit a friend’s kids so the couple can be alone for a night. Serving is endless. And don’t do it for what you will get out of it, but rather for God’s blessing on that person. This season, let us become also people who serve, people of no reputation.
Monday, November 29, 2010
COVENANT OF THE EYES
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.”
Job 31:1
For today’s devotional, I want to take the time to do a little Hebrew lesson. I realize that to some degree it may be slightly boring, but as God has been showing me, I cannot understand the New Testament without first understanding the words and culture of the Old Testament. With that said, let us dive into the words found in Job 31:1.
In the NIV version, the verse reads, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” This verse was first pointed out to me by a chaplain friend in college. As we pondered this verse together it was clear that God was speaking to us to not look at another person in lust. Simple, right? I recall that my youth pastor while growing up stated that it is not sinful to look at a woman and find her attractive. However, it is the second look, the one done in lust, which becomes sin. I equate this to those old cartoons where a scantily dressed cartoon female would come out and the men watching her sing her jazz tune would turn into wolves and start to act crazy with whistling and drooling. It is a funny relation, but is it not true? I know from my own days of battling this that the spirit of lust is real, and when I am weak it is able to come over me and drive me to do things I look back on and question. It is for this reason alone that Job says, “I made a covenant…”
But let us also take a moment to read this verse in the KJV, which reads, “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Do you see the difference? The beginning segment is the same as they both read a covenant was made with the eyes. If we break this portion down we understand that Job made a BARIYTH, an alliance or pledge, with his ‘AYIN, eyes. That seems straight forward.
Now look at the word for made, KARATH. It means to cut off, as in the cutting off of a body part, to eliminate. If we read this in the Hebrew language, we read, “I cut off (as cutting a body part) as an act of the alliance I made with my eyes…” It takes on a deeper meaning, I think. It is no longer words, but actions…strong actions at that. This is not self-mutilation, but rather a strong visual decree that others see as an agreement we made with God. And it makes more sense when we view it in relation to Jesus’ words concerning adultery in Matthew 5:28-29. “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
The verse continues, though, and states, “…why then should I think upon a maid?” These two translations differ at this point, but the message is the same. While the NIV uses the word ‘look’, KJV uses the word ‘think’. Thinking is translated as BIYN, and is defined as an understanding, consideration, regard, discernment, or instruction. So then, Job tells us his stance taken by letting us know he has “…cut off this temptation as if it were a body part, as an act of the alliance he made with his eyes to not lustfully concern himself with a female”
Our temptation may not be the lustful looking at a person, but rather the lustful looking at anything. We can lust after money, drugs, or possessions. The end is limitless. But here, right now, is the time in which we need to draw the line in the sand. We need to make a covenant with our eyes that we will choose to make an alliance with God that our eyes will not hunger for anything that God does not allow. It is in this time that we must cut off our relationship with the enemy once and for all, as if cutting off our finger or gouging out our eye. It is time we take such a stance against the devil that he knows we are no longer easy bait for him to prey on. It is time that Job 31:1 becomes our battle cry against the shiny, glitter covered, temptations we daily face.
Who will join me in this battle?
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.”
Job 31:1
For today’s devotional, I want to take the time to do a little Hebrew lesson. I realize that to some degree it may be slightly boring, but as God has been showing me, I cannot understand the New Testament without first understanding the words and culture of the Old Testament. With that said, let us dive into the words found in Job 31:1.
In the NIV version, the verse reads, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” This verse was first pointed out to me by a chaplain friend in college. As we pondered this verse together it was clear that God was speaking to us to not look at another person in lust. Simple, right? I recall that my youth pastor while growing up stated that it is not sinful to look at a woman and find her attractive. However, it is the second look, the one done in lust, which becomes sin. I equate this to those old cartoons where a scantily dressed cartoon female would come out and the men watching her sing her jazz tune would turn into wolves and start to act crazy with whistling and drooling. It is a funny relation, but is it not true? I know from my own days of battling this that the spirit of lust is real, and when I am weak it is able to come over me and drive me to do things I look back on and question. It is for this reason alone that Job says, “I made a covenant…”
But let us also take a moment to read this verse in the KJV, which reads, “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Do you see the difference? The beginning segment is the same as they both read a covenant was made with the eyes. If we break this portion down we understand that Job made a BARIYTH, an alliance or pledge, with his ‘AYIN, eyes. That seems straight forward.
Now look at the word for made, KARATH. It means to cut off, as in the cutting off of a body part, to eliminate. If we read this in the Hebrew language, we read, “I cut off (as cutting a body part) as an act of the alliance I made with my eyes…” It takes on a deeper meaning, I think. It is no longer words, but actions…strong actions at that. This is not self-mutilation, but rather a strong visual decree that others see as an agreement we made with God. And it makes more sense when we view it in relation to Jesus’ words concerning adultery in Matthew 5:28-29. “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
The verse continues, though, and states, “…why then should I think upon a maid?” These two translations differ at this point, but the message is the same. While the NIV uses the word ‘look’, KJV uses the word ‘think’. Thinking is translated as BIYN, and is defined as an understanding, consideration, regard, discernment, or instruction. So then, Job tells us his stance taken by letting us know he has “…cut off this temptation as if it were a body part, as an act of the alliance he made with his eyes to not lustfully concern himself with a female”
Our temptation may not be the lustful looking at a person, but rather the lustful looking at anything. We can lust after money, drugs, or possessions. The end is limitless. But here, right now, is the time in which we need to draw the line in the sand. We need to make a covenant with our eyes that we will choose to make an alliance with God that our eyes will not hunger for anything that God does not allow. It is in this time that we must cut off our relationship with the enemy once and for all, as if cutting off our finger or gouging out our eye. It is time we take such a stance against the devil that he knows we are no longer easy bait for him to prey on. It is time that Job 31:1 becomes our battle cry against the shiny, glitter covered, temptations we daily face.
Who will join me in this battle?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
LEECHES
“One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’ But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”
Genesis 39:11-12
I have a crazy hobby; one that most despise. I love to research. Maybe it makes sense as it goes hand in hand with all the writing I do. To me, there is something enjoyable about learning for the first time. Researching new topics and knowing new things not only helps me in Trivial Pursuit, but also feeds my constant desire to be a student. With that in mind, when my son brought home a book about leeches, I had to read it. Ever since watching the African Queen as a child I have been scared by the thought of leeches, so I wanted to get a new and true perspective on these parasites.
When I was reading this book, I found something very interesting. A leech makes a special type of saliva which allows them to drink quickly and painlessly. As they spread this saliva over the area where they will feast, they also spread an anesthetic which stops any pain. This anesthetic then keeps the host from feeling the bite. It is common for leeches to be connected to a person for hours before they are ever noticed or realized. But a second agent is also found in the saliva, one called anticoagulant. This agent prevents the blood from clotting, which in turn becomes like a flowing waterfall of blood for the leech to drink freely from. Once filled, the leech will drop off and be filled for months.
I am reminded of the story in the Bible where Joseph is confronted by Potiphar’s wife. Joseph, being a well built man, was taken notice of by her. When she confronted him and gave her offer of a one night fling, he refused (Gen 39:7-8). She, however, was resilient. Day after day she kept coming to Joseph with her offer, and day after day he kept saying no. Seeing she was constantly being denied, she tried another more forceful approach. With the house fully empty, she waited for Joseph. Catching him in her trap, and catching him by the cloak, she offered again, “Come to bed with me.” No matter how many times she approached Joseph, his answer was always the same. Leaving his cloak behind, he left her once again.
Sin is like a blood sucking animal. At times it comes on with pain, like when bitten by a tick, but in most cases sin is sly. Sin comes in with its flashy appearance and a constant hunger for more. This is the anesthetic and anticoagulant agents that work in tandem toward our destruction. Too many times we do not feel the bite and lose our life sustaining fluid before we even know what is happening. Then when sin has had its fill, we are left feeling empty and void. But we should be on the watch for this parasite. We are charged by God to be on guard. Many times we are not like Joseph and run, but rather allow ourselves to stay in the places where sin begins to suck our life.
The example of Joseph should be the rule and not the exception. We should run instead of entertaining the thoughts and temptations of the flash while unknowingly being bitten and deleted of life. Our task, in Ephesians 5:10, is to find out what pleases the Lord. It is this task that we then must do. But it is this task that we cannot do if we continue to let the parasites drain us. I encourage you to leave the cloak behind if you must, but do whatever is needed to free yourself from the life sucking parasite of sin.
“One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’ But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”
Genesis 39:11-12
I have a crazy hobby; one that most despise. I love to research. Maybe it makes sense as it goes hand in hand with all the writing I do. To me, there is something enjoyable about learning for the first time. Researching new topics and knowing new things not only helps me in Trivial Pursuit, but also feeds my constant desire to be a student. With that in mind, when my son brought home a book about leeches, I had to read it. Ever since watching the African Queen as a child I have been scared by the thought of leeches, so I wanted to get a new and true perspective on these parasites.
When I was reading this book, I found something very interesting. A leech makes a special type of saliva which allows them to drink quickly and painlessly. As they spread this saliva over the area where they will feast, they also spread an anesthetic which stops any pain. This anesthetic then keeps the host from feeling the bite. It is common for leeches to be connected to a person for hours before they are ever noticed or realized. But a second agent is also found in the saliva, one called anticoagulant. This agent prevents the blood from clotting, which in turn becomes like a flowing waterfall of blood for the leech to drink freely from. Once filled, the leech will drop off and be filled for months.
I am reminded of the story in the Bible where Joseph is confronted by Potiphar’s wife. Joseph, being a well built man, was taken notice of by her. When she confronted him and gave her offer of a one night fling, he refused (Gen 39:7-8). She, however, was resilient. Day after day she kept coming to Joseph with her offer, and day after day he kept saying no. Seeing she was constantly being denied, she tried another more forceful approach. With the house fully empty, she waited for Joseph. Catching him in her trap, and catching him by the cloak, she offered again, “Come to bed with me.” No matter how many times she approached Joseph, his answer was always the same. Leaving his cloak behind, he left her once again.
Sin is like a blood sucking animal. At times it comes on with pain, like when bitten by a tick, but in most cases sin is sly. Sin comes in with its flashy appearance and a constant hunger for more. This is the anesthetic and anticoagulant agents that work in tandem toward our destruction. Too many times we do not feel the bite and lose our life sustaining fluid before we even know what is happening. Then when sin has had its fill, we are left feeling empty and void. But we should be on the watch for this parasite. We are charged by God to be on guard. Many times we are not like Joseph and run, but rather allow ourselves to stay in the places where sin begins to suck our life.
The example of Joseph should be the rule and not the exception. We should run instead of entertaining the thoughts and temptations of the flash while unknowingly being bitten and deleted of life. Our task, in Ephesians 5:10, is to find out what pleases the Lord. It is this task that we then must do. But it is this task that we cannot do if we continue to let the parasites drain us. I encourage you to leave the cloak behind if you must, but do whatever is needed to free yourself from the life sucking parasite of sin.
Monday, November 22, 2010
GOD TRUMPS MAN
“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’”
Acts 5:29
Not too long ago, one of those poker tournaments was on TV. Now as one who enjoys a good card game, I can honestly say that I have never gotten into the whole gambling scene. Maybe I am afraid of losing more so than the chance of winning. Nevertheless, I do know how to play and know what beats what. I know that a Full House beats and Flush, and a Four of a Kind beats and Full House. I also know that the great defeat – the winner takes all – is the Royal Flush. The same suited Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and ten in order defeats any other hand the opponent may conjure up. And as I read Acts 5 this morning, I was reminded of the hand we hold when following God.
Where is the point in which we obey God over those put in charge over us? The disciples were preaching about Jesus, as commissioned in Matthew 28:19. It was for this reason that they were thrown in jail. So then the question is asked, should they have obeyed the high priests and his associates, or Jesus? They were visited while in jail by an angel of the Lord who opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. But the angel also re-charged them with the task of telling the people the full message of their new life (Acts 5:20). Once daybreak came, there were the disciples once again preaching in public. Now they were lawbreakers according to Sanhedrin.
Part of me wishes I could have been there to see the faces of the high priest and his staff. Seeing that the jail was still intact, with the doors securely locked and guards remaining at their post with no one inside, would have been a sight. And it wouldn’t be the last jail break that God would perform either. Then someone came over and pointed out that the men who had been inside were now outside, preaching once again. The disciples stood trial before the Sanhedrin and were rebuked. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet you continue to teach and continue to place the blame of this death on us” (Acts 5:28).
The game of poker was again in play. The Sanhedrin held a Straight Flush with the cards stating ‘lawbreaker’. The disciples, however, held a Royal Flush, and trumped all. Peter and the others showed their cards which read, “We must obey God rather than men!” The high priest and his band of men did not like this response and wanted to put them to death at that moment (Acts 5:33), but this action would have to wait.
Trust me, I’m in no way suggesting we should go out and break the rules we are to live within, but there does come a point in which we must obey God as opposed to the rules given by others. When your boss tells you to cheat on the numbers a little, God says, ‘No.’ When you find your spouse cheating and want to do so in revenge, God says, ‘No.’ When tax season approaches and you want to claim that $500 max charity knowing you only gave $100, God says, ‘No.’ It’s not that God is trying to be a party pooper, but God desires obedience. It is in these times then, that the words of Peter need to be the words that we also speak. We must obey God rather than men!
“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’”
Acts 5:29
Not too long ago, one of those poker tournaments was on TV. Now as one who enjoys a good card game, I can honestly say that I have never gotten into the whole gambling scene. Maybe I am afraid of losing more so than the chance of winning. Nevertheless, I do know how to play and know what beats what. I know that a Full House beats and Flush, and a Four of a Kind beats and Full House. I also know that the great defeat – the winner takes all – is the Royal Flush. The same suited Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and ten in order defeats any other hand the opponent may conjure up. And as I read Acts 5 this morning, I was reminded of the hand we hold when following God.
Where is the point in which we obey God over those put in charge over us? The disciples were preaching about Jesus, as commissioned in Matthew 28:19. It was for this reason that they were thrown in jail. So then the question is asked, should they have obeyed the high priests and his associates, or Jesus? They were visited while in jail by an angel of the Lord who opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. But the angel also re-charged them with the task of telling the people the full message of their new life (Acts 5:20). Once daybreak came, there were the disciples once again preaching in public. Now they were lawbreakers according to Sanhedrin.
Part of me wishes I could have been there to see the faces of the high priest and his staff. Seeing that the jail was still intact, with the doors securely locked and guards remaining at their post with no one inside, would have been a sight. And it wouldn’t be the last jail break that God would perform either. Then someone came over and pointed out that the men who had been inside were now outside, preaching once again. The disciples stood trial before the Sanhedrin and were rebuked. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet you continue to teach and continue to place the blame of this death on us” (Acts 5:28).
The game of poker was again in play. The Sanhedrin held a Straight Flush with the cards stating ‘lawbreaker’. The disciples, however, held a Royal Flush, and trumped all. Peter and the others showed their cards which read, “We must obey God rather than men!” The high priest and his band of men did not like this response and wanted to put them to death at that moment (Acts 5:33), but this action would have to wait.
Trust me, I’m in no way suggesting we should go out and break the rules we are to live within, but there does come a point in which we must obey God as opposed to the rules given by others. When your boss tells you to cheat on the numbers a little, God says, ‘No.’ When you find your spouse cheating and want to do so in revenge, God says, ‘No.’ When tax season approaches and you want to claim that $500 max charity knowing you only gave $100, God says, ‘No.’ It’s not that God is trying to be a party pooper, but God desires obedience. It is in these times then, that the words of Peter need to be the words that we also speak. We must obey God rather than men!
Monday, November 15, 2010
ONE NIGHT WITH A PROSTITUTE
“One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her.”
Judges 16:1
I want to start off by saying that I have never been with a prostitute, and I understand this title may take a few people off guard. But as I was recalling the details of the life of Samson, and reading this account in Judges, that word stuck out to me. One could say it is because of my past that the word would pop, but I think it is more of a lesson that God has to at times remind me of. It is not that I am going out looking for someone to be physically intimate with, but rather that I am at times quick to act without thinking my action through. Let me explain.
By the time Samson was lured in by prostitute, he had already been used by God to judge the mis-deeds of the Philistines . Because of his Nazirite vow to drink no fermented drink, eat nothing considered unclean, and not cut his hair, God’s Spirit rested on him. With this Spirit came great strength. When attacked by a lion, he tore it apart with his bare hands (Jud 14:6). When outsmarted in his riddle, he struck down thirty men and stripped them of the belongings to pay his debt (Jud 14:19). In an act of breaking free from bindings, the Spirit of God came upon him and with a donkey jawbone he busted the heads of a thousand men (Jud 15:16). But then he met the prostitute.
There must have been someone watching guard that night, for the story continues that the people of Gaza were tipped off that Samson was in town. They surrounded the place, waiting for just the right time to make their move. When the sun would rise, they would attack. But Samson didn’t wait that long, and in the midnight hour he left town. On his way out, seeing they were trying to trap him, his strength again proved useful as he dislodged the doors of the city gate and made his exit. Samson didn’t stay till morning, but he still stayed too long.
Proverbs 5 tells us of the seduction of adultery. The adulteress looks good. She has sweet words to match her sweet lips. She is trained in seduction and knows just how much to reveal to catch the eyes of the men passing by. As she waves to the men, and giggles, and flirts, she becomes the black widow that invites her prey into her trap. Some fall victim, like Samson, but all are encouraged to resist. Her path leads to death, her steps straight to the grave. It is from her that we are encouraged to run, as Joseph did when seduced by Potiphar’s wife. “Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house…” (Prov 5:8). Who will listen?
Are we any different? We may not desire or accept the offer of a present day prostitute seen on the corner, but do we not pay the fee of the prostitute of sin? Do we not walk into the house of an addiction, or a lie, or a theft, or anything contrary to God’s Word? All sin is the acceptance of one night with a prostitute, and the cost for her pleasure is our death. Yes we have forgiveness through Christ, but let us stop using Him as our crutch and start obeying Him by keeping a path far from sin. And not only should we stay away, but we should help others stay clear of her street. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” (Gal 6:1). Isn’t time that we pay more attention to what road we’re on and steer clear of the red light district of sin?
“One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her.”
Judges 16:1
I want to start off by saying that I have never been with a prostitute, and I understand this title may take a few people off guard. But as I was recalling the details of the life of Samson, and reading this account in Judges, that word stuck out to me. One could say it is because of my past that the word would pop, but I think it is more of a lesson that God has to at times remind me of. It is not that I am going out looking for someone to be physically intimate with, but rather that I am at times quick to act without thinking my action through. Let me explain.
By the time Samson was lured in by prostitute, he had already been used by God to judge the mis-deeds of the Philistines . Because of his Nazirite vow to drink no fermented drink, eat nothing considered unclean, and not cut his hair, God’s Spirit rested on him. With this Spirit came great strength. When attacked by a lion, he tore it apart with his bare hands (Jud 14:6). When outsmarted in his riddle, he struck down thirty men and stripped them of the belongings to pay his debt (Jud 14:19). In an act of breaking free from bindings, the Spirit of God came upon him and with a donkey jawbone he busted the heads of a thousand men (Jud 15:16). But then he met the prostitute.
There must have been someone watching guard that night, for the story continues that the people of Gaza were tipped off that Samson was in town. They surrounded the place, waiting for just the right time to make their move. When the sun would rise, they would attack. But Samson didn’t wait that long, and in the midnight hour he left town. On his way out, seeing they were trying to trap him, his strength again proved useful as he dislodged the doors of the city gate and made his exit. Samson didn’t stay till morning, but he still stayed too long.
Proverbs 5 tells us of the seduction of adultery. The adulteress looks good. She has sweet words to match her sweet lips. She is trained in seduction and knows just how much to reveal to catch the eyes of the men passing by. As she waves to the men, and giggles, and flirts, she becomes the black widow that invites her prey into her trap. Some fall victim, like Samson, but all are encouraged to resist. Her path leads to death, her steps straight to the grave. It is from her that we are encouraged to run, as Joseph did when seduced by Potiphar’s wife. “Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house…” (Prov 5:8). Who will listen?
Are we any different? We may not desire or accept the offer of a present day prostitute seen on the corner, but do we not pay the fee of the prostitute of sin? Do we not walk into the house of an addiction, or a lie, or a theft, or anything contrary to God’s Word? All sin is the acceptance of one night with a prostitute, and the cost for her pleasure is our death. Yes we have forgiveness through Christ, but let us stop using Him as our crutch and start obeying Him by keeping a path far from sin. And not only should we stay away, but we should help others stay clear of her street. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” (Gal 6:1). Isn’t time that we pay more attention to what road we’re on and steer clear of the red light district of sin?
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
STILL SMALL VOICE
“…And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”
I Kings 19:12b-13
I don’t know about you, but I consider myself to be an observant driver. I observe the road and do my best to watch traffic, but I also observe the billboards that I pass to and from work daily. It isn’t that the billboards change daily, but that my attention is drawn to the bright colors and familiar slogans. In a normal day of driving I am reminded to purchase the farmer’s insurance, buy tickets now for the World Famous Rockettes, and gather together for a Wednesday night bible study at the local Baptist church. I am flashed so many different messages that I am drawn away from the real voice that is calling to me – the still small voice of God.
Coming away from God’s awesome display of power over the gods of Baal, Elijah was on the run. Jezebel had heard of the works of God and a message was taken on her behalf stating that Elijah would die within the next twenty-four hours. In fear of life, Elijah fled and eventually came to Horeb. As he spent the night in a cave on the mountain, the word of the LORD came to him. God was questioning why he was there, in Horeb? Elijah explained that for fear of his life, he decided to run away from the very one trying to kill him. It was at that response that God in turn replied that Elijah to go and stand on the mountain as He passed by.
I am not sure how God had spoken to Elijah prior, whether audibly or not, but I am going to imagine it was in some manner of force. I say that because as a great and powerful wind came by, Elijah was looking for God. God was not in the wind, though. In fact God wasn’t in the earthquake that followed either. The fire turned up lacking God too. All these methods would have grabbed my attention, and I like Elijah, would have been waiting for God to speak through some bold and flashy message. Yet I too would have been wrong, for God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice. This whisper demanded reverence and obedience, and he knew it. Quickly Elijah pulled his cloak over his face and stood waiting on God. It was in this exchange of hearts that Elijah shared his fears and God shared His securities. It was here when Elijah received the command to go to the desert of Damascus where soon enough he would find his young apprentice in prophesy, Elisha.
The wind, earthquake, and fire that passed by were simply billboards, nothing more. They carried within them the means of distraction. God wasn’t in these things. Where He was, though, was in the gentle whisper. That same whisper is still a challenge for me today. I know the Bible says that God’s sheep hear His voice and obey, but sometimes I am waiting for God to speak a little more forceful than in a whisper. Sometimes I want the billboard ads of wind, the reminder to purchase through an earthquake shaking, and the glitz of fire. But if I am caught up in only those methods, then I miss the still small voice of God.
I am always challenged in reading this story in the Bible. There is the part of me that thinks that if God really wants my attention, then He should work hard through the crashes and booms to get it. But that’s not always how God works. The truth is that I should be listening for Him so intently that I recognize His gentle voice even when other voices are as loud as thunder. My challenge today is for myself, but you are welcome to call it yours as well. I resolve today to make it a point that I will listen for the whispers of God even when the billboards and noise from the storm sway me the opposite direction. I vow to listen for the small in the big. And I vow to train my ear to hear only God.
“…And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”
I Kings 19:12b-13
I don’t know about you, but I consider myself to be an observant driver. I observe the road and do my best to watch traffic, but I also observe the billboards that I pass to and from work daily. It isn’t that the billboards change daily, but that my attention is drawn to the bright colors and familiar slogans. In a normal day of driving I am reminded to purchase the farmer’s insurance, buy tickets now for the World Famous Rockettes, and gather together for a Wednesday night bible study at the local Baptist church. I am flashed so many different messages that I am drawn away from the real voice that is calling to me – the still small voice of God.
Coming away from God’s awesome display of power over the gods of Baal, Elijah was on the run. Jezebel had heard of the works of God and a message was taken on her behalf stating that Elijah would die within the next twenty-four hours. In fear of life, Elijah fled and eventually came to Horeb. As he spent the night in a cave on the mountain, the word of the LORD came to him. God was questioning why he was there, in Horeb? Elijah explained that for fear of his life, he decided to run away from the very one trying to kill him. It was at that response that God in turn replied that Elijah to go and stand on the mountain as He passed by.
I am not sure how God had spoken to Elijah prior, whether audibly or not, but I am going to imagine it was in some manner of force. I say that because as a great and powerful wind came by, Elijah was looking for God. God was not in the wind, though. In fact God wasn’t in the earthquake that followed either. The fire turned up lacking God too. All these methods would have grabbed my attention, and I like Elijah, would have been waiting for God to speak through some bold and flashy message. Yet I too would have been wrong, for God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice. This whisper demanded reverence and obedience, and he knew it. Quickly Elijah pulled his cloak over his face and stood waiting on God. It was in this exchange of hearts that Elijah shared his fears and God shared His securities. It was here when Elijah received the command to go to the desert of Damascus where soon enough he would find his young apprentice in prophesy, Elisha.
The wind, earthquake, and fire that passed by were simply billboards, nothing more. They carried within them the means of distraction. God wasn’t in these things. Where He was, though, was in the gentle whisper. That same whisper is still a challenge for me today. I know the Bible says that God’s sheep hear His voice and obey, but sometimes I am waiting for God to speak a little more forceful than in a whisper. Sometimes I want the billboard ads of wind, the reminder to purchase through an earthquake shaking, and the glitz of fire. But if I am caught up in only those methods, then I miss the still small voice of God.
I am always challenged in reading this story in the Bible. There is the part of me that thinks that if God really wants my attention, then He should work hard through the crashes and booms to get it. But that’s not always how God works. The truth is that I should be listening for Him so intently that I recognize His gentle voice even when other voices are as loud as thunder. My challenge today is for myself, but you are welcome to call it yours as well. I resolve today to make it a point that I will listen for the whispers of God even when the billboards and noise from the storm sway me the opposite direction. I vow to listen for the small in the big. And I vow to train my ear to hear only God.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
WE SHALL FIGHT
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”
I Corinthians 16:13
On June 4, 1940, as word of the upcoming German attack on the British Isles became known, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered one of the grandest speeches given in World War II. To a weakened French army, a surrendered Belgian army, a proud British army, and any additional army listening, Churchill spoke.
We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France,
we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air,
we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender
As I read these words for the first time just last night, my mind was immediately taken to I Corinthians 16:13. It is here that Paul warns the believer to stand firm. It is in Churchill’s speech that he too warns the British nation to stand firm. A fight was coming, there was no doubt it was coming. But it was not time for the nation to shrink back in the face of the oncoming Nazi regime. It was time to dig the feet in the sand and stand ready to fight.
In Isaiah 51:12, the prophet questions, “Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass…?” I believe it is true that although God has not given us the spirit of fear, we are still easily intimidated by the enemy. It is no different than when a child sees the flicker of lightening and hears the crashing of thunder. Countless times the parent can soothe the child and let them know they are safe, but the fear is still there. It is not that the child does not trust his or her parent, but rather that in that moment something is bigger than the parent. In our moment of attack by the enemy, we fear a ‘something’ bigger.
But let us continue in Isaiah 51. In verse 14 we are promised freedom from our prison and life where we once feared death in our dungeon. How is this so? The answer is in verse 15 and following. God! It is God who brings this freedom. God laid the foundations of the world. God puts His words in our mouth. God calls us His children. And as an angry mama bear runs after the threat to her cub, so God will step on the grass that we are for no reason to be fearful of.
With Christ on our side, we are undefeatable. The people of Britain heard this message given by the Prime Minister, but did they believe it? It is the same message God is giving to the church, but do we believe it? Look…
We [the church] shall go on to the end, we shall fight [against the devil and his cohorts],
[the church] shall fight [in prayer and fasting],
[the church] shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in [the power of God],
[the church] shall defend our [body], whatever the cost may be,
[the church] shall fight [against the devil’s schemes],
[the church] shall fight [against the rulers and authorities of evil],
[the church] shall fight [against the powers of the dark world],
[the church] shall fight [against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms];
[the church] shall never surrender
It is time to put away the fear of the enemy and meet him head on. He only has power over us if we let think he does; if we let him get in our mind. So then, it is time to “be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”
I Corinthians 16:13
On June 4, 1940, as word of the upcoming German attack on the British Isles became known, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered one of the grandest speeches given in World War II. To a weakened French army, a surrendered Belgian army, a proud British army, and any additional army listening, Churchill spoke.
We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France,
we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air,
we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender
As I read these words for the first time just last night, my mind was immediately taken to I Corinthians 16:13. It is here that Paul warns the believer to stand firm. It is in Churchill’s speech that he too warns the British nation to stand firm. A fight was coming, there was no doubt it was coming. But it was not time for the nation to shrink back in the face of the oncoming Nazi regime. It was time to dig the feet in the sand and stand ready to fight.
In Isaiah 51:12, the prophet questions, “Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass…?” I believe it is true that although God has not given us the spirit of fear, we are still easily intimidated by the enemy. It is no different than when a child sees the flicker of lightening and hears the crashing of thunder. Countless times the parent can soothe the child and let them know they are safe, but the fear is still there. It is not that the child does not trust his or her parent, but rather that in that moment something is bigger than the parent. In our moment of attack by the enemy, we fear a ‘something’ bigger.
But let us continue in Isaiah 51. In verse 14 we are promised freedom from our prison and life where we once feared death in our dungeon. How is this so? The answer is in verse 15 and following. God! It is God who brings this freedom. God laid the foundations of the world. God puts His words in our mouth. God calls us His children. And as an angry mama bear runs after the threat to her cub, so God will step on the grass that we are for no reason to be fearful of.
With Christ on our side, we are undefeatable. The people of Britain heard this message given by the Prime Minister, but did they believe it? It is the same message God is giving to the church, but do we believe it? Look…
We [the church] shall go on to the end, we shall fight [against the devil and his cohorts],
[the church] shall fight [in prayer and fasting],
[the church] shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in [the power of God],
[the church] shall defend our [body], whatever the cost may be,
[the church] shall fight [against the devil’s schemes],
[the church] shall fight [against the rulers and authorities of evil],
[the church] shall fight [against the powers of the dark world],
[the church] shall fight [against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms];
[the church] shall never surrender
It is time to put away the fear of the enemy and meet him head on. He only has power over us if we let think he does; if we let him get in our mind. So then, it is time to “be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”
Thursday, November 4, 2010
BREAKING THE CURSE
“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Psalm 91:3-4
William Henry Harrison served as the ninth President of the United States. His term however, only lasted thirty-two days. Coming into office at age 68, Harrison was the second oldest President to serve. On the day of his inauguration, Harrison delivered a two hour speech in the rain without a hat or coat. Some attribute his death from pneumonia to this boyish action, but as medical studies have advanced there has not been shown a link for the bad weather and pneumonia. Harrison’s doctors tried cures such as opium, leeches, and the like, yet within the nine days from the onset to his death, no cure seemed to work. As the President grew delirious, and other ailments arose including jaundice and septicemia, Harrison’s body found itself unable to fight back. It is possible that this sudden death was due to what started out as a simple cold, but is there another reason? Let us look deeper into the life and history of William Henry Harrison.
As a history minor in college, interesting stories of the past always grabbed my attention. Naturally then, when I heard about the Curse of Tecumseh, my ears were opened. While Harrison and Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, engaged against each other at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 over the rights of the Indian land, the battle favored Harrison’s troops. As Tecumseh admitted his defeat at the hands of Harrison, it is said that he spewed out an ancient Indian curse of death over the Great White Fathers, or Presidents. As the exact story of history is unsure, another story suggests that it was the half brother of Tecumseh, the medicine man known as “The Prophet”, Tenskwatawa, who placed the hex in revenge for his leader and brother. While the hex of the medicine man is recorded with more accurate words, stating every President chosen every 20 years will die, we do not know the truth. But, we can see the truth if we look at the history of Presidents who followed.
Starting from the election of Harrison in 1840, who was the first President to die in office, we jump to 1860. As President Abraham Lincoln was serving his second term, elected to do so in 1860, history records his assassination caused by John Wilkes Booth. In the 1880 election, James A. Garfield came into power. In 1881, Garfield was also shot while waiting in a Washington railroad station. His death would come two months later due to the wounds from the incident. The election in 1900 brought William McKinley into office. He too was shot and within a week passed away as a result of the wounds suffered. Warren G. Harding, elected in 1920, suffered a stroke while in office in 1923. As Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected in 1940 for his third term, he found himself next in line for the curse. It was not until 1945, as he served his fourth term, that he suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Most notably was the passing of John F. Kennedy, who was elected in 1960, and was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald.
Whether the curse was called out by Tecumseh or Tenshwatawa, the curse was real. “But wait,” you say, “what happened in 1980?” Elected in 1980, Ronald Reagan took the title of President. The would-be assassin John Hinckley missed Reagan’s heart by one inch in his attempt. The curse was finally broken. Was there a time line within the curse that said it was good only for 140 years? Perhaps. I chose to believe, though, that when true men and women honor God, God protects them. Within the lives of Ronald Reagan who was elected in 1980, and George W. Bush who was elected in 2000, God was not lessened. It is recorded that these two Presidents often consulted with Christian religious leaders such as Billy and Franklin Graham before making weighty decisions. As a result, God honored them and the curse was lifted.
I urge you to consider two things today. One, curses are real. The words we say to others can affect them and as such, it is to our benefit and that of others to button our lip at times. But the second is this. Psalm 91:1 starts out with, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” God will protect us from the fowler’s snare and cover us in His wings when we dwell in Him. In this dwelling His covering exists. I encourage you to dwell in Him.
“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Psalm 91:3-4
William Henry Harrison served as the ninth President of the United States. His term however, only lasted thirty-two days. Coming into office at age 68, Harrison was the second oldest President to serve. On the day of his inauguration, Harrison delivered a two hour speech in the rain without a hat or coat. Some attribute his death from pneumonia to this boyish action, but as medical studies have advanced there has not been shown a link for the bad weather and pneumonia. Harrison’s doctors tried cures such as opium, leeches, and the like, yet within the nine days from the onset to his death, no cure seemed to work. As the President grew delirious, and other ailments arose including jaundice and septicemia, Harrison’s body found itself unable to fight back. It is possible that this sudden death was due to what started out as a simple cold, but is there another reason? Let us look deeper into the life and history of William Henry Harrison.
As a history minor in college, interesting stories of the past always grabbed my attention. Naturally then, when I heard about the Curse of Tecumseh, my ears were opened. While Harrison and Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, engaged against each other at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 over the rights of the Indian land, the battle favored Harrison’s troops. As Tecumseh admitted his defeat at the hands of Harrison, it is said that he spewed out an ancient Indian curse of death over the Great White Fathers, or Presidents. As the exact story of history is unsure, another story suggests that it was the half brother of Tecumseh, the medicine man known as “The Prophet”, Tenskwatawa, who placed the hex in revenge for his leader and brother. While the hex of the medicine man is recorded with more accurate words, stating every President chosen every 20 years will die, we do not know the truth. But, we can see the truth if we look at the history of Presidents who followed.
Starting from the election of Harrison in 1840, who was the first President to die in office, we jump to 1860. As President Abraham Lincoln was serving his second term, elected to do so in 1860, history records his assassination caused by John Wilkes Booth. In the 1880 election, James A. Garfield came into power. In 1881, Garfield was also shot while waiting in a Washington railroad station. His death would come two months later due to the wounds from the incident. The election in 1900 brought William McKinley into office. He too was shot and within a week passed away as a result of the wounds suffered. Warren G. Harding, elected in 1920, suffered a stroke while in office in 1923. As Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected in 1940 for his third term, he found himself next in line for the curse. It was not until 1945, as he served his fourth term, that he suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Most notably was the passing of John F. Kennedy, who was elected in 1960, and was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald.
Whether the curse was called out by Tecumseh or Tenshwatawa, the curse was real. “But wait,” you say, “what happened in 1980?” Elected in 1980, Ronald Reagan took the title of President. The would-be assassin John Hinckley missed Reagan’s heart by one inch in his attempt. The curse was finally broken. Was there a time line within the curse that said it was good only for 140 years? Perhaps. I chose to believe, though, that when true men and women honor God, God protects them. Within the lives of Ronald Reagan who was elected in 1980, and George W. Bush who was elected in 2000, God was not lessened. It is recorded that these two Presidents often consulted with Christian religious leaders such as Billy and Franklin Graham before making weighty decisions. As a result, God honored them and the curse was lifted.
I urge you to consider two things today. One, curses are real. The words we say to others can affect them and as such, it is to our benefit and that of others to button our lip at times. But the second is this. Psalm 91:1 starts out with, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” God will protect us from the fowler’s snare and cover us in His wings when we dwell in Him. In this dwelling His covering exists. I encourage you to dwell in Him.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
DEDICATED
"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."
Genesis 5:24
The Bible tells us little concerning the life of Enoch, but what it does tell us is a lesson we can all learn from. Quite simply, Enoch walked with God and God took him away. But what does that mean? And more importantly, what can we gain personally from mimicking the lifestyle of Enoch?
The name Enoch is translated in the Hebrew as CHANOWK, which means dedicated. Enoch's father, Jared, named his son in faith as one who would be dedicated to a person or being. From the simple statues that follow, we read that Enoch dedicated himself to God. As verse 24 shares, Enoch walked with God. Walked, when translated in Hebrew, is the word HALAK. While the meaning can literally mean 'to walk', it also means to 'live a specific manner of life'. Enoch lived a specific manner of life that pleased God.
Lastly, I want to look at the word 'took'. Again, when looking at the Hebrew, the word 'took' is translated LAQACH. The true meaning of 'took' then is 'to get, seize, acquire, or marry'. When I read that, I immediately thought about how marriage works physically here on earth. When I married in 1998, my then wife took on my name and moved in to my apartment. She became part of me and shared all my things. Here, we can see that because Enoch was dedicated to God and lived a specific manner of life that so grabbed God's attention, God married Enoch and took him away to live with Him in His heavenly home.
Enoch's lifestyle should be one that we adapt as our own. Revelation 3:16 tells us that God will vomit from His mouth anyone who is lukewarm. The preference is to be hot for God. Enoch was hot for God. Passion for God burned inside Enoch as a pleasing aroma that caught God's attention just like the perfume worn by a woman that catches mine.
This is what I desire. I want to burn as a pleasing aroma for God that it is written of me that I was dedicated to God and lived a manner of life specific to God's pleasing that wooed Him, and as such, was taken in marriage by God. But I cannot be pleasing if I hold to sin. This is why it is written in Hebrews 12:1 to throw off the sin that entangles us. Sin makes us smell like manure. I have never once seen on the shelf of a department store the fragrance, Manure. There is a reason...because it stinks! With that said then, why do we walk around with it on, living a double life of saying we are Christ followers yet living in the outhouse?
Perhaps this thought is a little more blunt than I normally am, but I have realized more so in the last few days that I cannot continue to live around the toilet and still expect to smell like roses. It is time that we decide whether we will be hot or cold. And if we chose hot, then burn with passion and in obedience for God. Be dedicated and live a specific manner of life, for God is looking for His spotless bride. I warn you, however, lest you forget, that indecision is also a decision. Chose your dedication wisely.
"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."
Genesis 5:24
The Bible tells us little concerning the life of Enoch, but what it does tell us is a lesson we can all learn from. Quite simply, Enoch walked with God and God took him away. But what does that mean? And more importantly, what can we gain personally from mimicking the lifestyle of Enoch?
The name Enoch is translated in the Hebrew as CHANOWK, which means dedicated. Enoch's father, Jared, named his son in faith as one who would be dedicated to a person or being. From the simple statues that follow, we read that Enoch dedicated himself to God. As verse 24 shares, Enoch walked with God. Walked, when translated in Hebrew, is the word HALAK. While the meaning can literally mean 'to walk', it also means to 'live a specific manner of life'. Enoch lived a specific manner of life that pleased God.
Lastly, I want to look at the word 'took'. Again, when looking at the Hebrew, the word 'took' is translated LAQACH. The true meaning of 'took' then is 'to get, seize, acquire, or marry'. When I read that, I immediately thought about how marriage works physically here on earth. When I married in 1998, my then wife took on my name and moved in to my apartment. She became part of me and shared all my things. Here, we can see that because Enoch was dedicated to God and lived a specific manner of life that so grabbed God's attention, God married Enoch and took him away to live with Him in His heavenly home.
Enoch's lifestyle should be one that we adapt as our own. Revelation 3:16 tells us that God will vomit from His mouth anyone who is lukewarm. The preference is to be hot for God. Enoch was hot for God. Passion for God burned inside Enoch as a pleasing aroma that caught God's attention just like the perfume worn by a woman that catches mine.
This is what I desire. I want to burn as a pleasing aroma for God that it is written of me that I was dedicated to God and lived a manner of life specific to God's pleasing that wooed Him, and as such, was taken in marriage by God. But I cannot be pleasing if I hold to sin. This is why it is written in Hebrews 12:1 to throw off the sin that entangles us. Sin makes us smell like manure. I have never once seen on the shelf of a department store the fragrance, Manure. There is a reason...because it stinks! With that said then, why do we walk around with it on, living a double life of saying we are Christ followers yet living in the outhouse?
Perhaps this thought is a little more blunt than I normally am, but I have realized more so in the last few days that I cannot continue to live around the toilet and still expect to smell like roses. It is time that we decide whether we will be hot or cold. And if we chose hot, then burn with passion and in obedience for God. Be dedicated and live a specific manner of life, for God is looking for His spotless bride. I warn you, however, lest you forget, that indecision is also a decision. Chose your dedication wisely.
Monday, October 25, 2010
WHAT DO I KNOW?
"Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come close to me.' When they had done so, he said, 'I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.'"
Genesis 45:4-5
Have you ever wondered what purpose you serve? I have, and I still do at times. I remember when I went to Slovakia on a missions trip back in 1994. I thought I was going for the purpose of witnessing to others in hopes of being used to bring a few people to Christ. As we were traveling on the city's train with our interpreter, he asked us to look over at a billboard. Written in Slovak was an invitation to all that a team from the U.S. was going to teach a pantomime school. I couldn't believe it because just that fall term I had joined a pantomime ministry at the university. Suddenly I knew more clearly why God had placed me on this team.
I am sure that for Joesph it was quite different, though, in that his answer didn't take just a matter of months to be revealed. Joseph was despised by his brothers and thrown into a pit. As the brothers were considering their next move, a traveling slave trade came by and Joseph was soon added to the mix. Landing in Egypt, Joseph began working for Potiphar. God was with Joseph even though times did not get any easier. Potiphar's wife came on to Joseph and when he did not return the advances, she lied about him and stated that it was him who made the advances on her. This lie landed Joseph in prison.
This is the point where I, had I been in Joesph's shoes, would have really begun to question God. Yet even in prison, Joesph trusted God and did not waver in his faith. For this reason, God gave him favor with the prison warden (Gen 39:21). Prisoners began to trust Joesph and on two accounts shared their dreams with him. It was through the interpretation of the dreams that God once again promoted Joesph. As he shared with the Pharaoh concerning the upcoming abundance and famine, the Pharaoh promoted Joesph to second in command.
All these steps had to take place to bring Joesph to the point of power that he was in as his brothers stood before him asking for help. Not knowing it was Joesph, they came humbly seeking food. Joesph had within his hands now the power to crush them or help them. This is worth thinking about because if Joesph had sought revenge, Israel as a nation could have been destroyed. Yet Joesph did help, and in time revealed himself as their long lost brother. He forgave his brothers for their actions and helped them restore all that the famine had stolen from them.
Joesph's example is great. He never stopped trusting in God, never held anger and revenge in his heart, and never gave in to sin when tempted. What the enemy meant for evil, God used for promotion. What Joesph may not have understood years before, God made fully clear in time. And just as in my situation, the reason for which I thought I was going to Europe was not the full reason according to God.
But the key is trust. I do not doubt that if Joesph had not trusted God and considered taking matters into his own hands, that history may be different than we know. Still, Joesph trusted God and as such God promoted. For us the lesson should be the same. We may be in a mess now or be unsure as to why we are in the place we are in, but as we trust in God and allow Him to work, we too will see that what is meant for our destruction will bring about our promotion.
"Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come close to me.' When they had done so, he said, 'I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.'"
Genesis 45:4-5
Have you ever wondered what purpose you serve? I have, and I still do at times. I remember when I went to Slovakia on a missions trip back in 1994. I thought I was going for the purpose of witnessing to others in hopes of being used to bring a few people to Christ. As we were traveling on the city's train with our interpreter, he asked us to look over at a billboard. Written in Slovak was an invitation to all that a team from the U.S. was going to teach a pantomime school. I couldn't believe it because just that fall term I had joined a pantomime ministry at the university. Suddenly I knew more clearly why God had placed me on this team.
I am sure that for Joesph it was quite different, though, in that his answer didn't take just a matter of months to be revealed. Joseph was despised by his brothers and thrown into a pit. As the brothers were considering their next move, a traveling slave trade came by and Joseph was soon added to the mix. Landing in Egypt, Joseph began working for Potiphar. God was with Joseph even though times did not get any easier. Potiphar's wife came on to Joseph and when he did not return the advances, she lied about him and stated that it was him who made the advances on her. This lie landed Joseph in prison.
This is the point where I, had I been in Joesph's shoes, would have really begun to question God. Yet even in prison, Joesph trusted God and did not waver in his faith. For this reason, God gave him favor with the prison warden (Gen 39:21). Prisoners began to trust Joesph and on two accounts shared their dreams with him. It was through the interpretation of the dreams that God once again promoted Joesph. As he shared with the Pharaoh concerning the upcoming abundance and famine, the Pharaoh promoted Joesph to second in command.
All these steps had to take place to bring Joesph to the point of power that he was in as his brothers stood before him asking for help. Not knowing it was Joesph, they came humbly seeking food. Joesph had within his hands now the power to crush them or help them. This is worth thinking about because if Joesph had sought revenge, Israel as a nation could have been destroyed. Yet Joesph did help, and in time revealed himself as their long lost brother. He forgave his brothers for their actions and helped them restore all that the famine had stolen from them.
Joesph's example is great. He never stopped trusting in God, never held anger and revenge in his heart, and never gave in to sin when tempted. What the enemy meant for evil, God used for promotion. What Joesph may not have understood years before, God made fully clear in time. And just as in my situation, the reason for which I thought I was going to Europe was not the full reason according to God.
But the key is trust. I do not doubt that if Joesph had not trusted God and considered taking matters into his own hands, that history may be different than we know. Still, Joesph trusted God and as such God promoted. For us the lesson should be the same. We may be in a mess now or be unsure as to why we are in the place we are in, but as we trust in God and allow Him to work, we too will see that what is meant for our destruction will bring about our promotion.
Friday, October 22, 2010
LET'S GET DRUNK
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:18
Personally, I am not one who drinks anymore. I have had my moments both in college and after, but since being convicted by the Holy Spirit about my behavior after drinking, I have decided to stop. I remember hearing that people who are drunk get either silly or angry. Unfortunately I was one who would get angry. That being said, I have never physically hurt my children when drunk, but I have seen how my drinking caused fear in them as they were unsure when I would fly off the handle.
I heard a pastor speak this week about being drunk from the passage in Ephesians 5. He took the time to relate the similarities between a physically drunk person verses the spiritually drunk person. While I have no intention of taking his message and calling it mine, I do want to share what God spoke to me as I listened to him speak.
First, as I was growing up I had been told that the term 'be filled' in Ephesians 5:18 was a mis-translation. It was told to me that the verse in the Greek should read, 'be being filled continually'. I took it as truth. But today, I decided to look it up myself. The Greek word here is PLEROO, which means to make full, to cause to abound or supply liberally, to make complete in every particular. This same word is used in Acts 2:2 where we read that suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a mighty wind filling the house where the disciples were awaiting the Holy Spirit. This makes a great deal of sense. Just as the Holy Spirit completely filled the Upper Room where the disciples were, so we are told to allow ourselves to be filled completely by the Holy Spirit. This cannot be a one time thing, because as we pour out, we need to be refilled.
As I sat under the message being preached, God began to challenge me personally as to the level of my fullness. I began to wonder if I am full or empty. I pour out here in these daily thoughts, but am I allowing myself to be refilled? Am I taking another drink of the Holy Spirit? To the best of my knowledge, I think I drink in waves. Maybe better said, I think I am a spiritual social drinker. If we are told to be constantly drunk in the Holy Spirit, then I can honestly say I am not. I drink from the Spirit when things are going bad, but not always when things are going well or average. I am not drinking to celebrate what God is doing, but more often than not I am drinking to pick myself up from where I am.
If we think about it, all our spiritual ancestors were drunks. Obviously the disciples were as they received their first drink at Pentecost, and Paul was as he is the one in Ephesians telling us to get drunk. Jesus was drunk following His baptism (Matt 3:16). With these examples, isn't is wise that we ourselves get drunk? I'm not sure about you, but I am tired of letting the junk of life get me down. As a result, I am going to drink of the Spirit. But I am also wanting to rejoice in the wonders and blessings that God performs for me, so I will drink of the Spirit in celebration. As I stay drunk in the Spirit, not only am I living out the Word, but I am walking in a continual freedom in life. With that said, let's get drunk and meet ON THE VANGUARD!
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:18
Personally, I am not one who drinks anymore. I have had my moments both in college and after, but since being convicted by the Holy Spirit about my behavior after drinking, I have decided to stop. I remember hearing that people who are drunk get either silly or angry. Unfortunately I was one who would get angry. That being said, I have never physically hurt my children when drunk, but I have seen how my drinking caused fear in them as they were unsure when I would fly off the handle.
I heard a pastor speak this week about being drunk from the passage in Ephesians 5. He took the time to relate the similarities between a physically drunk person verses the spiritually drunk person. While I have no intention of taking his message and calling it mine, I do want to share what God spoke to me as I listened to him speak.
First, as I was growing up I had been told that the term 'be filled' in Ephesians 5:18 was a mis-translation. It was told to me that the verse in the Greek should read, 'be being filled continually'. I took it as truth. But today, I decided to look it up myself. The Greek word here is PLEROO, which means to make full, to cause to abound or supply liberally, to make complete in every particular. This same word is used in Acts 2:2 where we read that suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a mighty wind filling the house where the disciples were awaiting the Holy Spirit. This makes a great deal of sense. Just as the Holy Spirit completely filled the Upper Room where the disciples were, so we are told to allow ourselves to be filled completely by the Holy Spirit. This cannot be a one time thing, because as we pour out, we need to be refilled.
As I sat under the message being preached, God began to challenge me personally as to the level of my fullness. I began to wonder if I am full or empty. I pour out here in these daily thoughts, but am I allowing myself to be refilled? Am I taking another drink of the Holy Spirit? To the best of my knowledge, I think I drink in waves. Maybe better said, I think I am a spiritual social drinker. If we are told to be constantly drunk in the Holy Spirit, then I can honestly say I am not. I drink from the Spirit when things are going bad, but not always when things are going well or average. I am not drinking to celebrate what God is doing, but more often than not I am drinking to pick myself up from where I am.
If we think about it, all our spiritual ancestors were drunks. Obviously the disciples were as they received their first drink at Pentecost, and Paul was as he is the one in Ephesians telling us to get drunk. Jesus was drunk following His baptism (Matt 3:16). With these examples, isn't is wise that we ourselves get drunk? I'm not sure about you, but I am tired of letting the junk of life get me down. As a result, I am going to drink of the Spirit. But I am also wanting to rejoice in the wonders and blessings that God performs for me, so I will drink of the Spirit in celebration. As I stay drunk in the Spirit, not only am I living out the Word, but I am walking in a continual freedom in life. With that said, let's get drunk and meet ON THE VANGUARD!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
BOUGHT BACK
"So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek
of barley. Then I told her, 'You are to live with me many days; you must not
be a prostitute of be intimate with any man, and I will live with you.'"
Hosea 3:2-3
There's a story told of a boy who crafted his own toy boat. He took great
concern with all the details involved. At first he worked to find the right type
of wood to use. Then he carefully widdled out the boat's basic design. After
hours of sanding, scraping, chiseling, and fine detail, his boat was ready for
the water.
So excited was he as he placed the boat in the water for the first time. As the
first waves crashed on the bow of his toy boat, his smile grew from ear to ear.
He was so proud of his creation. With a string tied to the rear of the boat, he
lay on his belly on the edge of the dock and watched as the water would take
his boat out and then bring it back in. The waves played this routine over
and over. But as the repetition continued, the boy fell tired and eventually
gave in to sleep.
He woke with a startle as he now heard other voices by the lake side. His
memory then came back to the joy he had been having as he watched his
boat on the ebb and flow of the lake. But then he realized that the string was
no longer in his hand. Panic stricken, he rose quickly and began a search.
The boat was not under the dock, nor along the banks. He even looked out
at the horizon, but the boat was in sight. His panic soon turned to sadness.
With tears flowing down his cheeks, he returned home.
Days passed by and still the pain of loss was felt by him. But as he walked
by the pawn shop, he couldn't help but do a double-take. There, on the shelf
in the window, was his boat. He opened the door with eagerness, setting off
the bells in hysteria. With determination he half walked, half ran to the
counter and exclaimed, "That boat...in the window...its mine!"
Not sure of the full story, the shop owner replied, "We just got that boat in
yesterday. You're welcome to take a look at it."
"No sir, you don't understand. That's my boat."
"I do understand son, and if you would like that boat, you will have to buy
it."
"Buy it?," questioned the boy. Buy something that he himself made?
The owner answered back, "Yes son, you can have it for $8. The work put
into it is so grand that even selling it for $8 is a deal."
As the boy reached into his pockets and began counting his money, the
owner walked over to the window shelf and grabbed the treasure. He laid it
gently on the counter. The boy also laid all his money on the counter, only
to be a dollar and some change short. Seeing the look of hope on the boy's
face, the shop owner agreed to the new price.
Holding the boat tight in his arms, the boy turned to leave the store. As he
opened the door he stared down at his creation and said, "You are my boat
twice. Once because I made you, and second because I bought you back."
In many ways this little story reminds me of Hosea. God had asked to marry a prostitute, and in obedience he did. But as her behavior was so engraved in who she was, she found herself reverting back to harlotry. When God spoke to Hosea again concerning his wife, Gomer, God told Hosea to buy her back. Again Hosea obeyed.
But isn't that the way God works? You see, whether we are the boat, or we are the harlot, the facts are the same. First, God loves us and crafted us as the apple of His eye. However, as we are prone to sin, we like the boat and the harlot drift away from our maker and lover. The awesomeness is that God sent His Son as a payment for us. He gave all He had to buy us back.
The boat was created, lost, and bought back. Gomer was loved, lost in sin, but bought back. We have been fashioned in God's image, have been lost in sin, and have been bought back. It is safe to say then, that the words of the boy are the words that are spoken over us. "You are my child twice. Once because I made you, and second because I bought you back."
"So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek
of barley. Then I told her, 'You are to live with me many days; you must not
be a prostitute of be intimate with any man, and I will live with you.'"
Hosea 3:2-3
There's a story told of a boy who crafted his own toy boat. He took great
concern with all the details involved. At first he worked to find the right type
of wood to use. Then he carefully widdled out the boat's basic design. After
hours of sanding, scraping, chiseling, and fine detail, his boat was ready for
the water.
So excited was he as he placed the boat in the water for the first time. As the
first waves crashed on the bow of his toy boat, his smile grew from ear to ear.
He was so proud of his creation. With a string tied to the rear of the boat, he
lay on his belly on the edge of the dock and watched as the water would take
his boat out and then bring it back in. The waves played this routine over
and over. But as the repetition continued, the boy fell tired and eventually
gave in to sleep.
He woke with a startle as he now heard other voices by the lake side. His
memory then came back to the joy he had been having as he watched his
boat on the ebb and flow of the lake. But then he realized that the string was
no longer in his hand. Panic stricken, he rose quickly and began a search.
The boat was not under the dock, nor along the banks. He even looked out
at the horizon, but the boat was in sight. His panic soon turned to sadness.
With tears flowing down his cheeks, he returned home.
Days passed by and still the pain of loss was felt by him. But as he walked
by the pawn shop, he couldn't help but do a double-take. There, on the shelf
in the window, was his boat. He opened the door with eagerness, setting off
the bells in hysteria. With determination he half walked, half ran to the
counter and exclaimed, "That boat...in the window...its mine!"
Not sure of the full story, the shop owner replied, "We just got that boat in
yesterday. You're welcome to take a look at it."
"No sir, you don't understand. That's my boat."
"I do understand son, and if you would like that boat, you will have to buy
it."
"Buy it?," questioned the boy. Buy something that he himself made?
The owner answered back, "Yes son, you can have it for $8. The work put
into it is so grand that even selling it for $8 is a deal."
As the boy reached into his pockets and began counting his money, the
owner walked over to the window shelf and grabbed the treasure. He laid it
gently on the counter. The boy also laid all his money on the counter, only
to be a dollar and some change short. Seeing the look of hope on the boy's
face, the shop owner agreed to the new price.
Holding the boat tight in his arms, the boy turned to leave the store. As he
opened the door he stared down at his creation and said, "You are my boat
twice. Once because I made you, and second because I bought you back."
In many ways this little story reminds me of Hosea. God had asked to marry a prostitute, and in obedience he did. But as her behavior was so engraved in who she was, she found herself reverting back to harlotry. When God spoke to Hosea again concerning his wife, Gomer, God told Hosea to buy her back. Again Hosea obeyed.
But isn't that the way God works? You see, whether we are the boat, or we are the harlot, the facts are the same. First, God loves us and crafted us as the apple of His eye. However, as we are prone to sin, we like the boat and the harlot drift away from our maker and lover. The awesomeness is that God sent His Son as a payment for us. He gave all He had to buy us back.
The boat was created, lost, and bought back. Gomer was loved, lost in sin, but bought back. We have been fashioned in God's image, have been lost in sin, and have been bought back. It is safe to say then, that the words of the boy are the words that are spoken over us. "You are my child twice. Once because I made you, and second because I bought you back."
Friday, October 15, 2010
HEROES
"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."
Hebrews 10:39
As a child I watched my share of the super hero cartoons. My Saturdays were filled with Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Robin, and even the Wonder Twins. What I saw on TV I would work to re-enact outside later that day. I even remember one time where I had my own version of a Batman super belt. When I got the string hooked just right on the swing set I expected to be yanked up like my hero. Instead, I found myself landing on the ground with a thump. Now days I have the joy of watching my own kids mimic their heroes.
I've come a long way from my superhero days with a blanket tied around my neck as a cape. But I have also come to realize what a true hero is. For that I turn to Hebrews 11. Within these verses is found the shortened list of the real heroes, the Heroes of Faith. Let's take a look.
Hebrews 11:5 tells us of one of the lesser known heroes, Enoch. His super power...pleasing God. Because Enoch pleased God in all he did, he never knew death. Or how about Noah, whose super power was the ability to build a boat the size of an aircraft carrier with wood and pitch (11:7). How can we forget Joseph, who is recorded in Hebrews 11:22 as having enough faith in God's promise to request that his bones be carried to the Promised Land. Joshua had the super power of marching and blowing a trumpet, causing walls to fall (11:30). Rahab had the power of creating an invisible shelter for the spies to hide in (11:31). And let us not forget the strength of Samson (11:32). Yet still other heroes had the powers of kingship, judging, facing lions, being thrown in fire, and escaping a swift sword.
Unlike the X-Men, theses heroes were not mutants, but rather were empowered with a faith in God alone. By the super power of FAITH, these heroes risked their very lives for God. But before this whole list of heroes and powers was written, the author of Hebrews wrote the following.
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Their faith in God gave them the ability to look death in it's eyes and not retreat. They did not shrink back when the lions roared, or giants came, or fire grew hotter. They did not shrink back when stuffed into logs to be sawed in half, or when stones flew, or when chains bound them. These men and women were true heroes, and these are of those whose ranks I long to match now that I am older. It should be no secret, that as I stand on the Vanguard of the life I live, I want by power to be FAITH. And it should not be a surprise when I stand face to face with the enemy and do not shrink back. For as Revelation 12:11 states, they overcame the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. This written testimony of a faith in God in Hebrews 11 is the exact same source of power that I welcome as I make my stand.
What is your super power? Who are your heroes? When confronted face to face with the enemy, will you shrink back or take a stand as those who have gone before you? The power is offered to all; these choice is yours to make.
I challenge you to grab your cape and embrace the power of faith in God alone, and join me ON THE VANGUARD!
"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."
Hebrews 10:39
As a child I watched my share of the super hero cartoons. My Saturdays were filled with Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Robin, and even the Wonder Twins. What I saw on TV I would work to re-enact outside later that day. I even remember one time where I had my own version of a Batman super belt. When I got the string hooked just right on the swing set I expected to be yanked up like my hero. Instead, I found myself landing on the ground with a thump. Now days I have the joy of watching my own kids mimic their heroes.
I've come a long way from my superhero days with a blanket tied around my neck as a cape. But I have also come to realize what a true hero is. For that I turn to Hebrews 11. Within these verses is found the shortened list of the real heroes, the Heroes of Faith. Let's take a look.
Hebrews 11:5 tells us of one of the lesser known heroes, Enoch. His super power...pleasing God. Because Enoch pleased God in all he did, he never knew death. Or how about Noah, whose super power was the ability to build a boat the size of an aircraft carrier with wood and pitch (11:7). How can we forget Joseph, who is recorded in Hebrews 11:22 as having enough faith in God's promise to request that his bones be carried to the Promised Land. Joshua had the super power of marching and blowing a trumpet, causing walls to fall (11:30). Rahab had the power of creating an invisible shelter for the spies to hide in (11:31). And let us not forget the strength of Samson (11:32). Yet still other heroes had the powers of kingship, judging, facing lions, being thrown in fire, and escaping a swift sword.
Unlike the X-Men, theses heroes were not mutants, but rather were empowered with a faith in God alone. By the super power of FAITH, these heroes risked their very lives for God. But before this whole list of heroes and powers was written, the author of Hebrews wrote the following.
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Their faith in God gave them the ability to look death in it's eyes and not retreat. They did not shrink back when the lions roared, or giants came, or fire grew hotter. They did not shrink back when stuffed into logs to be sawed in half, or when stones flew, or when chains bound them. These men and women were true heroes, and these are of those whose ranks I long to match now that I am older. It should be no secret, that as I stand on the Vanguard of the life I live, I want by power to be FAITH. And it should not be a surprise when I stand face to face with the enemy and do not shrink back. For as Revelation 12:11 states, they overcame the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. This written testimony of a faith in God in Hebrews 11 is the exact same source of power that I welcome as I make my stand.
What is your super power? Who are your heroes? When confronted face to face with the enemy, will you shrink back or take a stand as those who have gone before you? The power is offered to all; these choice is yours to make.
I challenge you to grab your cape and embrace the power of faith in God alone, and join me ON THE VANGUARD!
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