Author: EloquentMuse

But a Sword: Schism of Faith

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“Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn

‘A man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’”

Matthew 10:34-36 & Luke 12:49-53

And thus began the struggle between Jews and Christians (who called themselves the New Israel). Jesus’ death was only the beginning, a battle cry that began a war of faith. Most of His disciples died for their beliefs. Peter and Paul were both martyred in Rome about 66 AD. After Andrew spread the gospel to what is now the Soviet Union, Turkey, and Greece, he was crucified. Thomas traveled with the word through Syria and possibly India where he was stabbed through by soldiers. Bartholomew went to many places including Arabia and Ethiopia, and although the details of his death are unclear, they mostly point to martyrdom as well. James was mostly within Syria, where he was stoned and clubbed to death. Matthias (the replacement for Judas) ministered in Persia (Iran) where he was killed for not sacrificing to their sun god. John was the only one generally accepted as escaping the others’ fate and dying of old age after writing Revelations.

Paul himself, before becoming a Christian, was a very successful hit man against Christians, a hired hand of the Roman empire. The Roman government, although outwardly very tolerant of various religions, hated anything considered superstitious (although what that would mean might change). Many of their emperors would also execute anyone who didn’t follow the Roman practices of sacrifice as not sacrificing to their gods meant possible devastation for everyone.

Christians were greatly persecuted in the early years, eventually enacting some sort of revenge through growing anti-Semitism. There is no clear cut delineation where one side rose as definite victor, but there are certainly eras where Christians or Jews could be considered more as the aggressor or oppressor.

By the Middle Ages, many Christians had fed on a steady teaching that Jews were the devil. Jews were already blamed for everything from pestilence, to upheavals, to diseases. Then, the Black Plague hit Europe.

They didn’t keep very accurate records, but some claimed Jews died at half the rate of others in Europe. The reason for this: far better sanitation practices. Within the book of Leviticus, one can see teachings of washing hands, disposing of human filth and corpses properly, and even determining contagious diseases for quarantine purposes. This made Christians, who generally had very little access to the Bible in their own language, very suspicious.

Pope Clement VI declared Jews were innocent, but most people, who by now resented both the Church and the King, seemed to believe Jews poisoned the drinking wells. In the 1300’s several Jewish communities were exiled and burned to the ground. The town of Mainz defended and killed several attackers, but Christians returned for revenge and destruction. Several communities were destroyed by mobs & some were entirely exterminated. By 1351, there were almost no Jews left in Germany or Low countries.

After the age of enlightenment in the 1500-1600’s, religious ideas began to wane. So, leaders used more secular outlets for anti-Semitism, which brought perverted versions of evolution, used already ingrained hatred and fear of the masses, and created a ticking time bomb that Hitler used to create the Holocaust in the 1930’s.

Is all this what was meant by Jesus when He said He came to bring a sword? Possibly. His life and death created a schism in Judo-Christianity for generations because we’ve had a hard time considering each other brothers and sisters. The problem with this is ironic and obvious: We are all followers of the same God. In the present times, we are experiencing a relatively unusual peace between the two faiths. As the world turns against both Jews and Christians, there is a need for brotherhood as it will only get worse. As it says in Mark 3:25, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

“When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Matthew 27:50-51

Sources:
jewishhistory.org
sixmillioncrucifixons.com
christianitytoday.com
Bible

Holy Spirit – Part II New Testament

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The Holy Spirit breezes his way from the Old Testament to the New. Even while everyone was teaching on the Father and meeting the Son in the flesh, the Spirit sits forefront in every major Biblical story while garnering little attention.

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with Child through the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18

Jesus was born through the Holy Spirit instead of just through the flesh. This points back to the Garden of Eden day when God breathed into Adam and Eve and filled them with the spirit at creation.

“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:6-8

Jesus speaks of this phenomenon. We must choose to be re-born through the Spirit now to receive his guidance. Before our re-birth, we are dead, deaf, and blind, living our life without knowing where our feet are going or whether the ground beneath us will support us as we walk.

“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

The New Testament is about a new Covenant between God and His people.

“But now Jesus has obtained a superior ministry, since the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:6-13 (NT)/Jeremiah 31:31-34(OT)

Now, all people, not just the Hebrews of the flesh, can be considered God’s children and enter into the promises of the Spiritual Israel.

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Romans 9:6-8

So, we all went from the laws of the flesh and covenant of the flesh to laws of the Spirit and covenant of the Spirit, which had in fact been around since the beginning. When Jesus gave his sermon on the mount, he spoke of how “thou shalt not kill” didn’t just mean murder of the flesh, it meant also rage. He stated that adultery was not simply the act of the flesh, it meant also lust for a married person. He was describing the “Spirit” of the law, which had in fact been the intent all along. However, now, our covenant itself centers on the spirit of the law, which can be ascertained by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn’t see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17

In a way, this covenant is stricter than the one before.

This new covenant (or New Testament as you will) is all about the Kingdom of God, which exists as a spiritual community of believers who live their lives in such a way as to reflect the Kingdom of God to come. We are called to bring others into the Kingdom so that they, too, may be guided by the Holy Spirit.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

The entire New Testament is a big arrow pointing to the future, the new heavens and earth that will be a perfection of the Kingdom of God. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, wants everyone to be there where the world will be like a renewed Eden, a fountain of eternal life. He invites the world to His new world, and He wants us to invite others too as we are a reflection of Him. In the end, the Holy Spirit will be there with us as he was in the beginning. The Father, Son, and Spirit being an eternal trio.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star. The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” Revelation 22:16-17

Holy Spirit – Part I Old Testament

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The holy spirit didn’t just pop into existence in the New Testament. It’s been around since the beginning.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2

So, wait, what was the holy spirit doing floating over the barren earth? God was preparing to bring life to his creations! His spirit was present before even mankind. Would you stop at this point for a moment and contemplate this?

The holy spirit in Hebrew is Ruach (breath/wind) Hakodesh (divine inspiration). However, it is also described later as an individual sentient being. A being that existed, along with God (the father) and the Word (the son), before the creation of humanity. God, His truth, His love, and His ways have been around before us. Let’s remember that. God’s holy spirit is Truth no matter what our opinion is; it exists with or without us. However, He’d rather have us with Him.

“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7

Now, the Hebrew word for breath used here was nashamah, which can mean breath or spirit (Strong’s Concordance). Take a look at just one verse (of many) which speaks of the holy spirit as giving life:

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” John 6:63

It’s not coincidence that God also “breathed” a life-giving spirit into humanity. You didn’t think this was just about a physical breath? One idea is that everyone was guided by God’s holy spirit in the beginning. Now, after the fall from Eden, we must be re-born into the spirit to welcome His breath back into our lives. We are literally dead and without breath before we follow God.

Many times, the old testament brings up the subject of the Holy Spirit.

When the world became corrupt just before the Great Flood:

“Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years” Genesis 6:3

When God was preparing His people to create a glorious tabernacle as a sign of their relationship:

“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.” Exodus 31:3

When God led Moses and His people through the desert for forty years:

“You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.” Nehemiah 9:20; also 9:30

When Job and his friends were contemplating Job’s downfall in life:

“But it is the Spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.” Job 32:8

When people made music:

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7

When God promised his downtrodden people that their lives would improve:

“For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear’” Haggai 2:4-5

What are the characteristics of the holy spirit? Well, one thing we can look at is the physical aspect. What the Spirit looks like can be summed up with its name. It is a divine wind, and like any wind, it is a movement that you can feel but can not see. You can see it sway the trees, and when it’s whipped up into a fury, it can pull up houses. However, you can not see it, only what it does and how it feels caressing your cheek.

As far as its other various and complex characteristics, it is referred to in the Bible as the:

Counselor

Teacher

Spirit of truth

Spirit of holiness

Spirit of life

Spirit of glory

Eternal spirit

Spirit of wisdom & understanding

Spirit of grace & supplication

Spirit of son-ship *

Spirit of judgment & fire

Spirit of God/the Lord

When we walk in the guidance of the holy spirit, we can be assured we are living in Truth, not hiding in the darkness of secrets but living in Love of God and others, fully brave, knowing that we are meant for much more than just the day-to-day worries. As children of God (Spirit of Son-ship), we know we are children of the one, true King and are therefore also royalty; therefore, we know we should act accordingly.

This post will be only Part 1. Next week, we’ll go into the Holy Spirit within the New Testament.

*”The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (Abba is the Hebrew equivalent of Da-Da, a child’s way of referring to their father with affection.)

Diving Into the Depths

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The Bible is the Word of God and is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16) to be read under the guidance of the holy spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). The holy book is pretty large (not larger than the Harry Potter series though), and it can be hard to read (if you read the archaic versions). Plus, it can be dull, depending on your taste in storytelling. However, it is the single most influential book in the world, giving birth to religions, innumerable historical events, works of art, and forever imprinting on the minds and spirits of humanity the world over.

Maybe it’d be important to fully read it?

Although I’d referred to and read through much of the Bible from an early age, I’d never completely digested the entire work until I was in my twenties. I’m an English literature major, and the one book all English literature points to – I hadn’t fully read. Add in the fact that I’m a Christian who hadn’t read the entire book on which my faith was based. It made no sense. I read it from front to back, and when I closed Revelations, it was like a spark of joy was in my heart and not just because now I could say I read it. It is a book of hope and love, spanning thousands of years, a story of God’s journey into humanity’s hearts.

I’m not a clergywoman nor have I been to seminary school, but through life experience and studying the Bible since my childhood, I’ve developed some skills – a very particular set of skills… 😉 Some of these skills, I actually picked up while developing my degree in analyzing literature.

When reading the Bible, as with any document, it’s important to understand and keep in mind the speaker, the audience (for whom the speaker intended to impart the information), the time period, the context, and whether the work is literal or symbolic.

Consider the source. The speakers within the Bible were people (imagine that!) with points of view and a different world in which they lived. Remember another post where I said Christianity has open-handed and close-handed issues? Some issues are mandatory for salvation and to be considered a Christian (i.e. Jesus died for our sins). Some issues are gray areas in which opinions may differ (i.e. Christmas should be celebrated). The speakers within the various Biblical books may speak on both types of issues. You need to know (or discover) which is God-mandated and which is opinion. The world in which these speakers lived was so utterly different from our own, from the government systems to the clothes on their backs. Another point about speakers: sometimes, they get it wrong. For example, check out the book of Job and his desperate, confused friends (possibly the most emo book of the Bible, besides Ecclesiastes). Keep in mind the source.

It’s not always about you. Paul wrote many letters to the churches of his time, and they are all necessary to read in order to understand the fundamentals of our beliefs. However, much of what he wrote was to church leaders and concerned the running and organization of physical churches. Unless you are involved in that arena, you’re not his audience. Also, Numbers is mostly a list of names of whom begat whom. It’s a good reference for historians and genealogists but a terribly boring story.

Times are a’changin. Biblical and Rabbinic ideas have generally been at odds with the popular viewpoints of the world since always (source: the entire Bible/Torah/History books and how many deaths, tortures, and general ostracism was faced by believers). It’s a book of rebels and resistance, but it’s also a guidebook on how to be true to God’s principles while living in a dark world, whatever that dark world looked like in that era. Some of what is asked may simply be about not causing weaker believers to stumble in their faith, which differed from time period to time period. See Romans 14:13-23.

Context is of utmost importance. If you randomly pull a verse from the Bible, you may come up with an incorrect conclusion on the main idea it was meant to convey. How about the phrase “Money is the root of all evil.” Nope! That was taken out of context. Here’s the real verse:

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10

Ah, well, that’s a different beast, you see? There is also a time when Paul stated the following:

“I’m telling those who are single and widows that it’s good for them to stay single like me.” 1 Corinthians 7:8

Is he telling you to be alone all your life or become a monk? Read on.

“Nevertheless, each person should live the kind of life that the Lord assigned when he called each one.” 1 Corinthians 7:17

Please don’t stop at one sentence, even if books, articles, or posts like this one is referencing only one. We can’t plop the whole book into the middle of our work. Read the whole paragraph or book. Ideally, read the whole Bible.

Much of the literal vs. symbolic is up for debate. Sometimes, God is riding on a cloud (“the Lord is riding on a swift cloud” Isaiah 19:1) when maybe He wasn’t literally. Does God riding on a cloud change something about your faith or the foundations of your beliefs? If not, have a hardy discussion, but in the end, shake hands and enjoy the Bible for what it is: a work of art manifested by Truth. Some of the Bible has poetry and song, utilizing imagery to convey a message. It’s based in truth, but it’s not always literal – unless you think it is, and we can agree to disagree but still love the same God.

These were just some ideas of things to keep in mind when reading the Bible because you’re totally reading it, aren’t you? Just remember, the Bible is not a single, huge book. It is made up of many books, many writers, many time periods, and the works range from poetry, to records of engineering plans, to genealogical lists, to songs (of romantic love to Godly praise), to short stories, to annals of history, to letters (of friendship, guidance, and journal-type), to prophecies, to records of wise sayings. In a way, it’s both a love letter from God to us and from us to God. Don’t complain that you’re not hearing from God lately; He wrote you a love letter that transcends time and space.

Will you read it?

Science vs Faith

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“A bit of science distances one from God, but much science nears one to Him… The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.” – Louis Pasteur

Can we look more closely at the terms faith and science?

faith – complete trust or confidence in someone or something; strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

science – the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. (Webster)

At first glance, they may seem impossible to coincide. The need for proof and observation contradicts belief without evidence. However, there are many theories in science which are not purely based on observation and experiment such as:

1) The Big Bang
2) Macroevolution
3) Several Physics ideas (i.e. string theory)
4) Several Astronomy ideas (i.e. black-holes)

I believe a better definition of science would be an activity of study arriving at a logical conclusion, based on the available proof. In theory, this means that each person could come up with a different logical conclusion from the same evidence.

Many religions, but especially the Judeo-Christian faith, base their beliefs on faith. We don’t need proof to believe. However, what if God wanted us to study Him, not in order to believe but because of our already existent faith?

God formed us with a brain, eyes, and ears that He continually asks us to use:

“Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?” Mark 8:18

Humanity has a natural, subconscious craving to follow God, whether we actively believe in Him or not. Yet, so many want to take the position that Christianity and science are two distinctly separate modes of thought. What is science but the study of God and His creations?

There are many arguments that advanced science is described in the Bible such as the belief that the Earth is suspended on nothing (Job 26:7), and possibly dinosaurs are described (Job 40:15 & 41:1). Some say that in Genesis 2:21, when God took one of Adam’s ribs to form Eve, the word in Hebrew is curve instead of just rib. They say this may be acknowledgement of DNA. All of these are debatable theories.

Then, of course the whole of Leviticus is a study in psychology, sociology, and medicine. Many cultures at the time had little knowledge of sanitation practices and quarantining infectious diseases, unlike the Hebrews. (On how this saved many Jewish people during the Black Death much later on in history will be discussed in another blog post – stay tuned!)

Nevertheless, it is my belief that to separate science and Christianity is a fallacy and a detriment to humanity. We are made to seek God in many ways, and one of those ways is science. The “natural laws” are a testament to the order God brought out of the chaos. You may find it interesting there are many scientists (Christians and non-Christians) who agree that faith and science can and should mutually exist:

“Sometimes people ask if religion and science are not opposed to one another. They are: in the sense that the thumb and fingers of my hand are opposed to one another. It is an opposition by means of which anything can be grasped.”- Sir William Bragg (physicist, chemist, mathematician)

“The gift of mental power comes from God, Divine Being, and we concentrate our minds on that truth, we become in tune with this great power.” – Nikola Tesla (physicist, inventor, electrical/mechanical engineer)

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” – Einstein (theoretical physicist)

“This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.” – Sir Isaac Newton (mathematician, astronomer, physicist)

“One arrives at the conclusion that biomaterials with their amazing measure of order must be the outcome of intelligent design. No other possibility I have been able to think of…” – Sir Fred Hoyle (astronomer)

“The reason that science works is because God upholds the universe in a consistent and uniform way.” – Jason Lisle PHD (astrophysicist)

There is so much that we don’t know about the world. We have yet to understand the complexities of the human brain, the depths of the oceans, or the outer limits of the solar system. We have not discovered all the plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms on Earth, and there are new ones all the time. We have not yet invented everything or solved the world’s many crises with our limited knowledge. Although we’re forever searching and learning, we will never discover everything as some things in this life are beyond our grasp. In those situations, we must live by faith.

Science is like the brain and faith is like the heart. We never say we only need one or the other; we need both to survive. In conclusion, my scientific theory is that God is the most logical reason for everything that exists, and I base that on, not only the many ways God has touched my life and those around me, but also – faith.

Loving Even The Wolves

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God’s brand of love is crazy. I don’t mean just fantastic crazy, although it is that; I mean genuinely off-your-rocker crazy. Like, if you do ever fully act in the spirit of God’s love, you may be considered lacking sense. Well, that’s the world for you.

See, the world has its own brand of wisdom, which is not God’s. We’ve grown up in it, and throughout our lives have become inundated with it. So much so, that when we really pay attention to this “worldly wisdom,” it makes complete sense.

A few years ago, I was driving to daycare and work with Cadence in the backseat. She was about 3-4 years old at the time. We’d been talking about Jesus’ command to love God and love your neighbor. So, I asked her who her neighbor was. Out came God’s wisdom when she stated proudly, “everyone is!” I was a bit stunned with her words, as I’d never actually told her that. It’s true though, isn’t it?

“But the teacher of the Law wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered, “There was once a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him, and beat him up, leaving him half dead. It so happened that a priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also came there, went over and looked at the man, and then walked on by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he told the innkeeper, ‘and when I come back this way, I will pay you whatever else you spend on him.’” And Jesus concluded, “In your opinion, which one of these three acted like a neighbor toward the man attacked by the robbers?” The teacher of the Law answered, “The one who was kind to him.” Jesus replied, “You go, then, and do the same.” Luke 10:29-37

The teacher of the law was hoping to find out who he needed to love and who he didn’t. Instead, Jesus answered that the teacher of the law needed to be a neighbor himself, helping even those considered an enemy (as Samaritans were at the time).

There’s a good deal of debate around this very subject as concerns immigrants and refugees. Many fear wolves in sheep clothing.

As much as we all hope our government will represent our own tightly-held principles, every country, heck every room with more than one person, holds many points of view. This isn’t about the government, politics, or even what your neighbor is doing. You have little to no immediate control over such things. You do have control over YOU.

Does it sound crazy to hold a hand out to your enemy? Probably so. Yet, God says to do just that:

“Whenever you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, don’t leave it there. Be sure to help him with his animal.” Exodus 23:5

Again:

“If you have enemies who are hungry, give them something to eat. If you have enemies who are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this you will make them feel ashamed.” Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good.” Romans 12:20-21

And again:

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22

And again:

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:27:36

Did you realize that sinners are enemies of God? Do you recall that you’re a sinner? Yet, He loves you. So, whatever you believe the right method is in dealing with the threat of wolves, remember you are a child of God who is called to love like crazy, and “”Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14.

***

For the story of one man in Bible who showed mercy to his enemy and was considered “a man after God’s own heart”:

“The men said to David, “Today is the day the Lord spoke of when he said, ‘I will give your enemy over to you. Do anything you want with him.’” Then David crept up to Saul and quietly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Later David felt guilty because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “May the Lord keep me from doing such a thing to my master! Saul is the Lord’s appointed king. I should not do anything against him, because he is the Lord’s appointed king!” David used these words to stop his men; he did not let them attack Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went his way. When David came out of the cave, he shouted to Saul, “My master and king!” Saul looked back, and David bowed facedown on the ground. He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when people say, ‘David wants to harm you’? You have seen something with your own eyes today. The Lord put you in my power in the cave. They said I should kill you, but I was merciful. I said, ‘I won’t harm my master, because he is the Lord’s appointed king.’ My father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe, but I didn’t kill you. Now understand and know I am not planning any evil against you. I did nothing wrong to you, but you are hunting me to kill me. May the Lord judge between us, and may he punish you for the wrong you have done to me! But I am not against you. There is an old saying: ‘Evil things come from evil people.’ But I am not against you.”1Samuel 24:4-13

Unpopular

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No matter how much we might refute it, much of what we do daily is just an effort to keep from being ostracized from society. We wear clothes, even when it’s too hot; we even wear uncomfortable clothes at times to look good for others or to be “appropriate” during special occasions. We diet or exercise partially just to look pleasing to the eyes of others. We bite our tongue or act polite even when we’re thinking rude and angry words. It’s goes beyond all this. There’ve been studies that show people will give a wrong answer if they’re the only ones in a group thinking of the correct one, just to conform.

One of these studies is known as the Solomon Asch experiment of 1958. Asch arranged for a group of people to meet, all but one told to give a mix of correct and incorrect answers to the questions presented. The questions were obvious and easy, to tell which bars were of equal length. He set it up so that the majority of the conspirators would answer before the test subject in order to find out if he would go along with the crowd. An overwhelming 37 out of 50 conformed and gave an obviously incorrect answer. Afterwards, when asked why, most answered that they knew their answer was incorrect but went along with the rest to avoid ridicule or being thought of as strange. (Check out http://www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html)

This is why it can be so difficult, even in a country with religious freedom, to stand up and speak God’s word. I’ve felt uncomfortable praying aloud with others before; I’ve felt afraid to tell others the Biblical stance on controversial subjects; I’ve felt nervous to even bring up the subject of God in a mixed group. We fear more than just ridicule or strangeness; we fear being alone.

Here’s where you might expect a pep talk on how, as Christians, we can expect God to keep us from such tribulations:

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. But they will treat you like this on account of My name, because they do not know the One who sent Me.” John 15: 18-21

Whelp, no pep talk here. Or, you know what, yes there is. This encouragement is to tell you that there’s something much better than being just one of many.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

For those who can see, they will take heart in you and your courage. For those confused, your actions may be the door that they’ve been knocking on for answers.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Unlike the yoke of the world, whose expectations are excessive, harmful, and never satisfied, follow God who will show you true peace.

“‘Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.” Leviticus 20:26

And, here we are. In Leviticus, God made the distinction of the Levitical Priests and the rest of Israel. They were “set apart,” and were called on to heal, teach, pray, and lead. The Levites were expected to be the epitome of cleanliness and holiness, made as role models not only for the whole of Israel but for every soul in the world. Then, Jesus came and fulfilled the law, allowing everyone, not just Israel to be a part of the tribe of God.

“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5

Now, we are the new priests.

Yes, if you are a child of God, then you are a Levite, one of the new priests in the present world. You are expected to be spiritually clean and holy, a role model bent on healing, teaching, praying, and leading the world to the feet of the one true God.

So, as a priest, you have a responsibility to remain “set…apart from the people to be Mine.” As a Christian, you are not of the world, and that can mean many things.

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15-17

The world here indicates the world without God, the group giving wrong answers. Will you still attempt to conform and reject God?

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22

You know, walk the walk, don’t just talk the talk. If you show up at church and praise God’s ways, then step out of the church door after the sermon and walk down the path of God’s ways. That can mean you are ostracized cause the crowd is going down a different, wider road.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2

The things of the earth are corrupt and have been from an ancient age, but you are a new creation, a priest, a royal child of the one true King. Keep your mind on your purpose. Take off the yoke of the world’s fears, criticisms, and hatred. Speak to the High Priest who is Jesus. There is always love in the eyes of God for you, keep looking His way.

Shun the shunners, and run to the One who will receive you no matter what. With Him, you are enough.

What Miracles?

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The Bible is full of miracles from the creation of the world to the parting of the Red Sea to the Resurrection of Jesus and all the crazy healings done by disciples. Makes the present reality seem a bit dull and empty, doesn’t it?

I’m going to make a bet with you: The vast majority of the people during Biblical times never saw those miracles, experienced them, nor understood that what they were part of was magical, massive, and world-changing. If you personally experienced God’s curses on the Egyptians, walked through the parted Red Sea, were guided by a fire through the desert, and also understood that what you were living was a piece of God’s epic story, would you have made a golden calf and worshipped it the next day?

They were blind, and in many ways, most of us still are.

If you walked with Jesus, would you still doubt in miracles? Surely, you’ve heard of the multiplying of the loaves and fishes. There were four-thousand people waiting to listen to Jesus’ teachings, but they had only seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Somehow, all the people in the crowd ate and were full. There was even seven baskets of leftovers! This was the second time something like this happened. Immediately after seeing this inexplicable miracle, the disciples followed Jesus into a boat:

“So they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread.

Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts? ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?”

“Twelve,” they answered.

“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?”

“Seven,” they said.

Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?'” Mark 8:16-21

Do you understand? Do you have eyes to see and ears to hear? Are you sure you’re not missing the miracles going on around you?

There exists a sect which doesn’t believe in medicine. They will go so far as allow loved ones to die from completely preventable deaths because they feel if God wanted them to live, He would heal them. I personally feel that God makes everything, including the medicines that can so miraculously save your life! Here’s a story I once heard:

There once was a very religious man, and one day the rains became so heavy and long, it began to flood. The authorities called for an evacuation, and most of the residents left. However, this man refused. He said that “God will save me with a miracle.”

The waters rose so high he was forced to sit on his roof. It was then that a raft floated by with a neighbor inside. “Come get into my raft as there’s plenty of room!” He said. The man refused. He said that “God will save me with a miracle.”

So, the neighbor went away. The waters rose so he barely had enough room to keep himself dry. A rescue boat came up with workers inside. “Come get into this boat!” The man refused. He said “God will save me with a miracle.”

After some convincing, the workers went away. The waters rose so high, he was floating with only his head above. A helicopter appeared in the sky. They let down a long rope ladder and called out to him. “We’re here to save you. Get inside!” The man still refused. He said that “God will save me with a miracle.”

The helicopter insisted many times, but seeing that they could not get him up the ladder, they left to find more willing survivors. The waters rose so high, the man did not have the strength to fight the tides or keep himself afloat. As the sun fell beneath the horizon, the man dropped down into the water and drowned. When he died, the man’s soul went straight to the pearly gates where he met God.

Despite his original faith, he was now very angry. “I was a devout follower, and you never saved me with a miracle! You abandoned me!” God shook His head sadly. “I sent four miracles! First, you were warned with an evacuation, next I sent a raft, then a boat, and lastly, a helicopter!”

It’s a miracle, not only that you woke up this morning, but that you exist at all. All of the factors that must come together just so you can be born, breathe, have a heartbeat, and even think are innumerable. When God shaped the sky and set the sun a certain distance from Earth, when He then formed plants and animals for the ecosystem and to sustain us, when He knitted your atoms with DNA specifying the shape of your hips, the color of your eyes, and the personality your soul would hold, He performed miracles beyond our imagining.

If you were able to ask a fish what water is, they probably would say “What is water? Where?” It is so intrinsic to their lives that they may not even notice it anymore. It isn’t that there aren’t miracles anymore or that they are small, maybe it’s because they are so commonplace and numerous that we forget to open our eyes and ears.

What miracles have you experienced? What epic, world-changing miracle are you a part of at this very moment?

Steward of the Kingdom of God

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You’ve probably heard the parable of the talents.

If not, Matthew 25:14-30 tells a story of a traveling master and his servants who remain in his home. They are expected to be stewards of his household while he’s absent, and he gives one servant five talents (a type of currency), one servant two talents, and one servant a single talent. When the master returns, he asks about his money. The one with five talents invested and ended up with ten talents. The one with two talents did the same and ended up with four talents. However, the servant with one talent was afraid that he would lose the only money his master gave him, and he buried it so no one could steal it. The master was overjoyed with the first two, giving them even more (“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’”). Yet he was angered with the last for “playing it safe” and not investing his money.

Honestly, this was always a very confusing parable to me until a friend of mine described one interpretation. The word “talent” in Greek means a measurement, which could be used to weigh a sum of precious metal. Basically, a talent was a certain amount of money. The parable in Matthew is the origin of the use of the word “talent” to mean “gift or skill.”

I have a passion (and hopefully skill) for writing. I have a vivid memory of sitting on the front porch as a child, making up stories with pictures and creating a book. I stapled printer paper with sloppy drawings and declared it a success. At about eleven, I wrote family newspapers, with the very first created on an old typewriter. At about twelve or thirteen, I received my very own computer. That was when poems and short stories started pouring from my fingertips.

God gives us all gifts and talents to steward in His name. This world and our lives (the master’s home) are not ours but His, and our talents are not our own but His given to us for a time. What does it mean to steward? One definition would be:

“One employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts), a fiscal agent, one who actively directs affairs” (Merriam-Webster).

In another words, this parable points toward the responsibility we have all been given to steward God’s things. What are God’s things? That would be everything: time, talents, energy, emotion, material objects (including literal money), and anything else you can imagine. Although we can not see God in the flesh (at least that we are aware of), this is still His world and you merely live in it. So, what does he expect us to do with His things?

Invest it. When you invest in your talents and utilize them for God, He will make it “reap where you don’t sow”, doubling, tripling the effect of your efforts in the world and in your life (like multiplying the fishes and loaves). You utilize the gifts and talents He gives when you:

1) Give credit for their presence to God. Praise and gratefulness will bring not only a healthier, happier attitude, but will bring joy into others’ lives, spreading the blessings of God beyond you. It keeps your eyes pointing to the One responsible for it all.

2) Grow in your skills, but understand you don’t need to be perfect to invest. The third servant only had one skill given to him. Don’t become lazy, static, or fearful. Be always moving, sometimes stretching to the point of discomfort. Ask for God to guide you. As they say, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” You may not be the best but all the better so that your successes will give God the glory, which folds into the next on the list.

3) Use your gifts and talents for God’s glory. This can mean many things. If you are good at cooking, you could volunteer at a soup kitchen or bring hot meals to the infirm or elderly. You could also serve homey dinners to your family and bring chicken soup to your friend when they’re ill. If you are good at compassion, talking, telling jokes, you could be a volunteer at the local hospital, visit nursing homes and hospitals where there are many lonely or in need of entertainment. You could also visit your own grandparents or babysit a child to allow your friend a date night with her husband. If you are good at singing, you could sing Godly songs to the world, whether that’s on stage or in your child’s ear as a lulluby. Basically, whatever you do, let it point to God and his ways of light (truth) and love (compassion and charity).

4) Let them be part of your discipleship. This actually spins off of the last suggestion. When you use your gifts and talents for His glory, you also bring people into a better knowledge of what it means to be a child of God. It spreads His good news of being our savior, and it points to hope in a broken world.

Let me be clear, your skills and talents may exist outside of your paid work. Other times, they’re part of your 9-5. Your talents may exist in your kindness with those going through a tough time, patience with angry customers, and lifting spirits of grieving hearts. Your gifts may include children, spouse, parents, friends, and you are expected to lead, guide toward the truth, love them unconditionally, and raise (children) to be good stewards and disciples themselves.

There’s a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called “Do Everything,” which I believe encapsulates this idea. Whether you’re “picking up toys on the living room floor for the fifteenth time today,” “you may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers,” but it all matters equally in the eyes of God. Do not waste this moment by burying your talent in fear of rejection or using up all of God’s gifts for only your own personal gain.

I’ve felt from a young age that writing is my calling. For this reason, I have started this very blog to use my joy in writing to spread my love of God. What is your talent, and what gifts could you invest today?

Every moment is a gift. Whether sweeping up the school halls or running for president, may you forever remember that God gave you this moment to be a steward of His mansion, and He gave you the talents to invest in spreading the Kingdom of God to the world.

Powerful Connections

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I’m going to let you in on something powerful and amazing.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

God is on your side. He knows more about you and your life than you do. He knows where all the smallest decisions will bring you and your loved ones. He knows your hopes, your dreams, your fears, your regrets, and your deepest darkest secrets.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:26-31

The almighty God who has risen and tumbled nations, can awake the dead, and formed the massive universe with it’s infinite beauty – loves YOU.

He loves you more than you could ever imagine. If you are a mere image of Him, think of how much more He is, how much more He loves. You think you know about all-consuming love, but you have no idea when it comes to Him. He loves you so much, He sacrificed His son for you and calls you (yes, YOU!) His child. The King of literally everything calls you His child.

“‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthian 6:18

You have connections.

So, how you could ever worry about anything? You’re worried about your finances? What is money to God? He owns everything you need and want. You’re worried about relationships? God is all about love and connection. He’s on it. I bet you’ve told your best friend, your co-worker, maybe even the stranger bagging your groceries about your worries. Have you told God? Have you asked for help from God? Have you truly believed that God is bigger than this world and your worries?

One morning, a few days ago, I was struck once again with petty worries about finances. It hit me that I’d never taken this specific issue to God. So, I poured my heart out to God for about five minutes and went about my day. That very afternoon, we had unexpected money show up in our account. To say I was surprised would be an understatement.

This was a need. However, what about something you want? I’ve always felt selfish whenever I ask for something I only want from God. It’s like, He’s providing all my needs, why should I want for more? Let me tell you something, child of God.

God is your heavenly dad, and as a parent He wants your joy and your smile. He wants to be the one who causes it. Bring your desires to God. Understand that sometimes you won’t get what you want. You may not understand why right now, or ever, but some things you want aren’t the best for you. Sometimes, He has something greater in store. Still talk with Him as a child would ask a parent.

A couple years ago, when I was struggling with anxiety issues, I really wanted a window by my work cubicle to see the sunshine and the rain. I felt peaceful anytime I reconnected with the outside world. At the time, there was really only two windows available to cubicles, and those were not possible for those with my job title. Lo and behold, it was a few months later when they started renovations. You won’t believe me. They built windows, and I finally had my window cubicle. The impossible became reality. Such a small desire, and God made it happen. I’m convinced He rebuilt the building just for me.

God transcends time and space. He will provide for you. He’s waiting, arms spread open, for you to run into his embrace. He’s waiting for you to speak to Him exactly what’s on your mind, including all the rage, the tears, and the pain. He wants to connect with you, one-on-one.

Would you talk with Him today, and give Him a piece of your heart? If you want or need something, why wouldn’t you speak to One who owns all?

If you’re interested, here are more verses about this subject:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” James 14:13-14

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6-7

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7

“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.'” 1 Kings 3:5

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20