God - Give Me A Vision? Yes - it can and will happen!

It is interesting that every time I mention the need to consider evangelizing (whether at home or abroad – wherever God directs) people blanch and balk. Building God’s house is something that should be foremost in our minds and we should be asking ourselves how we can be of use to God in doing that. Instead, we have become contented sheep in a pasture. I am not saying that everyone is like this – but the majority of response is always the “don’t bother me” or “I evangelize by my life and example.” So, here is a question – Is this what God wants? Would want you to say? The Attitude that God wants you to have?

“Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your law.” 

Psalm 119:18

The Bible is filled with hundreds of examples of people being given a vision, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Jonah, Micah and more. Seeing God’s vision for your life is not a crazy thing, and many times not even miraculous. God often uses a mental picture to clarify the next step He wants you to take. I admit, that there are differences in people and the way that they think. Many are visual thinkers, able to read and picture the story in your mind. For others, this is harder and you tend to think in words and logic. For the visual thinker, seeing God’s vision is a Technicolor experience. But what if you’re not a visual thinker? How do you get God’s vision if you’re not a visual thinker?

The same way that you do anything else that you do respecting God – “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth (2 Tm.2:15).”  After you've read the Bible and ask God, “God, is there anything you want me to see from this? Is there anything I need to know that I’m not thinking about?” And then you wait.  James 1:5 says, “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.”  God wants you to ask him for advice, and he wants you to be specific and He’s waiting for you to ask!

Psalm 119:18 is a verse you should memorize: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”  Every answer to every problem you have or will encounter is in the Bible.  But you've got to read it, study it, memorize it, and meditate on it, and with that seek God’s vision for your life or even if it is  just for today.

What is keeping you from seeing what God wants you to do and then rising up to do something about it? What vision has God given you? What do you think you’re supposed to do about it? James 1:5 “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.”

Jim

Mary Did You Know.....about the Holy Spirit?

Lately, we have been studying about the Holy Spirit in our meetings and it has been an interesting one. In this process arose a question. Did Mary, the mother of Jesus know about the Holy Spirit? Luke 1:35 states, Luke 1:35 states, "The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God." So the answer is yes, but what are the intricacies of this passage? What does what the angel said mean?

Throughout the scripture, the Holy Spirit is always in a role of sanctification and setting apart things for specific uses. This instance is no different. Notice that the passage states that the Spirit would "overshadow" her. This is the same word used when Jesus states his famous lament over Jerusalem, that He would protect her as a mother hen would protect her chicks (Lk.13:34). From the start when the angel reveals this to her, the Holy Spirit is already at work in this process. Instances where we would say in today's time, "Wow, they were lucky" the scripture shows us that behind the scenes it is the Holy Spirit that moves to protect her. 

• An angel appears to Joseph in a dream to tell him to take Mary as his wife and not to put her away as society of that day would have demanded (Mt.1:20).
• The child would be born "of her" which is a significant statement. It takes a man and a woman to conceive a child, a fact all too prevalent in our society today. Yet, this is NOT the case with Jesus. Ph'p 2 and John 1 both state that Jesus left being in the form of God to take on a human form. Mary was the vessel through whom this would happen. But not as common births would go. Lk.1:34 - even Mary asks how this is going to happen, and once again we are back to vs.35 where we are told it is the Holy Spirit working within her to make this happen. Think about this - the same Holy Spirit that in Genesis moves on the face of the deep to create the worlds that exist even today, is the same Holy Spirit that brings this about in Mary. Jesus was indeed as Paul states in Gal.4:4, "born of a woman" because there was no man involved.

It was for this reason, that Jesus was called by men, “the Son of God” (Is.7:14). We know it is because Jesus left being in the form of God to take on the form of a man, and the Holy Spirit that makes the circumstances for this happen. It would be this instance with Mary, that Jesus would be the fulfillment of scripture as manifested “Emmanuel” or as the translation is, "God with Us." This is a statement of prophesy made more than 500 years before it would happen. The concept that God would leave heaven and come walk among us as humans, which is just what Jesus did (Jn.1:1-14; Ph'p.2). These circumstances, revealed in such a simple sentence indeed make one call out because of them, "God is WONDERFUL IN HIS COUNSEL." Indeed, even if we foo foo creation, one can only look at the circumstances of Jesus' birth and proclaim that "GOD IS MIGHTY!" That this event now 2000 + years ago would make Jesus the "Father of Eternity" for us all. That a small baby if people would just hear his Word, be the Prince of Peace for us all.

And he dreams of hopes unspoken

When the tears of man will cease

And his mother holds him closer

For he is the Prince of peace

"The Prince of Peace," 

by TransSiberian Orchestra

Merry Christmas,

Jim

Sucking Sour Persimmons

“The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” 

Rom.14:17

Have you ever noticed in the lives of most “believers” the one thing that seems missing is joy? We start off life as a believer as a new being, free from sin, forgiven and alive in Christ. But, what happens to that joy that we started with? Why is it that when you talk to many believers – especially about coming to God's house regularly or for some just getting through a day, you would do better to suck on a sour persimmon?

The easiest thing for us to lose as believers is our joy.  AND – it can be lost in the simplest of ways and with the simplest of things. You can lose it with one phone call or email, a letter or conversation. And there are a lot of people who are conspiring to rob it from you. Jeremiah the prophet said in Lamentations 5:15, “There is no joy left in our hearts”  Cranky Christians are a bad witness and look like they've been baptized in vinegar because they’re never really smiling, have no happiness and rather than give reason for the hope that is in them have people avoiding them because the feel like they are going to get their head chewed off. 

God wants us to be witnesses with our countenance of the JOY that can be found in Him. Paul states in Rom.14:17 “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” The sad thing is that many “mature” Christians have lost their joy and don't even know it.  They've become so addicted to living the soured life that they can't see the unspeakable joy that God has right in front of them. And – like an addict, they will not admit that they have lost it.  Has there ever been a point in your life when you were closer to God than you are right now? Has there ever been a point in your life when you were more joyful in the Lord than you are right now? If so, what caused you to lost that?

Did you know that it’s quite easy to get your joy back, too? The first step you need to do is admit you've lost it. Yes...you made a mistake, you didn't do EXACTLY what God wanted you to do or be how God wanted you to be – even though you made a good show of it. That said - Now is the time to make the change.  You can ask God about it; HE IS waiting to help you. David did this in Psalm 51:12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation”  Did you know that God will do that?  Do you know that if you ask, God will GIVE you the Holy Spirit if you are seeking for it and wiling to take the opportunity God will bring before you?  Jesus said in Lk.11:13, “As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks.”

So, what has changed  about your spiritual walk and quiet time with God since you first heard His voice? What are the things that are robbing you of your joy in Christ?  This is always a season of change, a chance to begin anew again. But you don't have to wait for a New Year's Resolution to do this. You can start right now. 

Jim

Book Review: Jesus Continued: Why the Spirit Inside You is Better Than Jesus Beside You

Book Review: Jesus Continued: Why the Spirit Inside You is Better Than Jesus Beside                        You 

                       by: J.D.Greear

This book has been a good and interesting read. I have read several on this subject ranging on each pole of the subject, from conservative to out there. I found this book to be a good well rounded consideration of the Holy Spirit.  I have to admit up front that I was a little disturbed at the title until I considered what Jesus said. Then, the book became a journey for me to consider how the Holy Spirit works and manifests in my own life. I found myself renewed, both in what I already knew and what I was considering in the chapters of the book along with the Scriptures.  Well written Mr.Greear.

This said, I did find myself wanting more out of certain chapters or references.  Perhaps this is where personal investigation should take place. I liked the fact that he continually references Jesus’ own words and refers to the gospels. Perhaps the most important statement in the book, is that it is about God’s ability to work in us, not our own abilities, power or potential. I think I better understand now Paul’s sentiments that he learned to rejoice in his weakness.  I recommend this book to you heartily. I don’t believe you will be disappointed.

Spiritual Gifts - How to Grow Them

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Gal.5:22,23

As we spoke about this last Sunday, I thought it expedient to write about it for this article, as well as the fact that it is a time of the year that we are considering gifts to each other and other people that we know. Spiritual gifts are gifts of yourself, which God’s Spirit has brought about in you and your heart.  Gifts like this require us to dig deep within our hearts and cultivate the right atmosphere for them to grow.  When there are no roots, or in shallow soil, it may initially sprout and look good, but it doesn't last. The plants wither quickly because they don’t have roots. This is readily seen in Jesus’ statement regarding the parable of the sower.

“The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don’t have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up”

 Luke 8:13

Many times we hear God’s Word and may even get excited about it, but we don’t allow it to change us. But we don’t take the time to let it sink in. How do you develop spiritual roots? There are two ways that I am aware of 

1. Taking daily time with God and His Word 
2. A weekly (or even more often) small group time with other believers.

These are the only ways that the roots can reach your spirit and at the same time find the nurturing food required to produce the fruits that the Spirit can bring forth.

If you’re not spending time with God on a daily basis, you’re going to dry up and blow away when Satan comes around and applies pressure. Satan knows your weak points and targets them with stealth - you won’t be able to handle it. You've got to make a daily time with God to listen for Him and His voice. Whatever it takes to keep the focus on God, do it! Crucial to this is spending time with people who Love God! Nobody has a complete perspective on life. Every one of us has blinders on. The people in your weekly gathering can see things in your life you can’t see. That’s why we need each other! You learn from the people God’s family as you encourage each other and your roots go deeper. You want to be a person with deep spiritual roots so that when a spiritual recession comes and lasts several years, you’re able to keep bearing fruit and people will find in you a reason for hope.  

So, some questions to ask yourself may be:

• How does your schedule need to change so that you can spend more time with God?
• What things do you need to follow through with that will help you not only grow deeper but grow richer in God’s Spirit?

Jim

Blocking God

Ever wondered what the world would be like if everyone shared the Spirit of God within them?  Ever since the beginning, God put part of Himself in us (Gen.2:7) and has wanted to be part of us and have a relationship with us since. God has done many wonderful miracles for people to show us that He is God, He loves us, and that His way is the better choice of this world. Even the most drastic thing of all, to give His only Son (Jn.3:16), to show mankind that He loves us. 

For "church folk" this should be a given. At one point in our lives, we said that we understood this. That God was missing from our lives, our lives were a shipwreck, and that we wanted God to come into our lives and hearts. Then....something happened or happens. We take the relationship for granted, we no longer "feel" the need to be so dutiful to pursue a close relationship with God and as long as God is hanging in the shadows, we're in control of things. We'll drag God out if we need Him, but we begin to treat Him like the unwanted relative in the room.  Sometimes we never give God a chance to talk to us. We've made up our minds. We want to do what we want to do, not what God wants us to do. Our hearts are hardened, and we’re unwilling to listen and just don't care. When we close our hearts to God, we cannot hear God's voice calling to us. But if you really want to hear from God you have to understand what is keeping you from from God. They have been with us since Eden.  

1. Pride. Thinking that we don’t need God in our lives and that we can handle things ourselves. Pride keeps us from being open to the possibility that God might want us to choose another path. 
2. Fear. Just like Eden, people can’t hear God speak because they’re afraid (Gen.3:10) to hear God speak. We're afraid that God will see, what we think we have hidden - but God already knows (Heb.4:12; 1 Jn.3:20) 
3. Bitterness. When you hold on to hurt, resentment, or a grudge, then you’re not going to be able to hear God, because your heart has grown cold and made you defensive, even to God’s love.(Eph.4:31; Heb.12:15)
4. Resentment. Resentment is a self-inflicted wound that allows people or things from your past to  to hurt you today. Rather than let go and forgive and get on with your life, These things hold us back like boat anchors.

Jas.1:21,22 states, "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." 

“receive with meekness” in this passage means you let go of your pride, fear, bitterness and resentment. To stop trying to figure it out on your own and open your mind and heart so that you can hear from the Lord (Heb.4).

Jim

Ever Thought That God Has Faith in YOU?

I have people ask me all the time, “How do you know good steel from inferior steel when making a knife?” The answer is relatively simple – the one that has the most purity of steel, that contains the least alloys, the one that has the dross removed – that is your best blade steel.  It is material that is pliable enough to be worked, molded, shaped and honed.

The same is true regarding a Christian.  Peter wrote, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Pt.3:21).”  The first step is admitting my sin and state of loss without Christ, then professing Him in answer to my heart’s cry for salvation by being immersed into His death (Rom.6:4). While this is indeed the first and best step, it is by far not the end. The difference between faithful people and unfaithful people is unfaithful people give up at the first sign of difficulty. Faithful people are persistent. Faithful people don’t know how to quit.

   

God is more interested in what you’re becoming than what’s happening to you. God often allows trials, troubles, tribulations, and problems – not to torment us but to bring out of our lives those things that we do not need in an eternal soul and to teach us diligence, determination, and character. That problem you’re going through right now? It’s a test of your faithfulness. Will you continue to serve God even when life stinks?  When you feel like you’re ready to toss in the towel, here are a couple of scriptures to keep close by your side:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).

“For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”(2 Cor.4:15-18)

When it comes to you, and Satan comes before God and accuses you and says, “God - you’ve put a hedge around _____ I can’t get to him/her. But I bet if I could, they would deny you to your face!” remember that God is not “betting” that you will lose. He is confident, that YOU will remain faithful, true, and come out on the other side better than when you began. God – has faith in you!

Jim

NOW? or THEN?

There was a famous Harvard study once, that proved a direct connection between long-term thinking and success. If you had an ultimate goal in mind and paced yourself to that goal, you would achieve it, if it was practical. “For a Christian, this should be easy,” you might state. Yet, we must remember that it the persistence that wins. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Endurance is a key word here, because without it the race isn't won. Many think that because eternity is so far distant, we need to focus on the here and now. To an extent, this is true. We do have to live every day. However, we should not make the mistake of the barn builder in Lk. 12:20, to whom God stated “This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ The more focused on short-term gain, the more likely they were to fail. Those who focus on right now without a healthy respect for what is striving to be achieved in the distant future are doomed to be unsuccessful and fail.

Living with eternity in mind you can handle the momentary problems that come your way. It is the focus on the prize ahead, that makes your current pain and problems but petty interferences to be overcome. It’s not easy to be a believer, to do what’s right and definitely at times not easy to tell others about Jesus. But the benefits of following Jesus and obeying what he teaches will far outlast the pain. Paul reminds us, “Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory. I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:17-18).

Use your talents, time, treasure, and influence for God’s purposes, and you’ll be rewarded for those choices both now and in eternity. Paul says we’ll be rewarded in Heaven for what Jesus did: “We will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him.”

Think about it. If you change your thinking from the clutter of the day to the rest of Heaven, what is really important in life? I believe you will find a lot of things not as important as we make them, and that where eternity is concerned it is the things of spiritual value both now and in the world to come that are important.

Jim

Book Review: Companion To The Old Testament, by:Ted Leach

Book Review: Companion To The Old Testament, by:Ted Leach

This book reminds me of Halley's Bible Handbook, a neat quick reference guide to have in a library. This book I found to be a brief yet interesting guide to the Jewish concept of the Bible, it's customs and times. I've been studying these things deeper, especially in review for classes I do currently O. The Old Testament. I wish that I had this guide sooner in that process. While I found myself wishing that this book went into more detail , I had to remind myself that it is a companion book. This said, don't go away thinking that this book isn't without it's resources. It is well referenced, footnoted, and thought out. I found these extremely valuable, almost as interesting as the book itself. There were quick questions at the end of the chapters so it can be used as a study guide for a class, or personal study.

Negatives? Only in trying to make the book more than it is designed to be. I recommend the book for a quick reference. It is good for your library and I don't  think you will be disappointed.

DO IT SELF!!! - NOT!!!

But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,  and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Eph.4:20-24

Willpower! Do it myself!  Ingrained within us from babyhood, it controls us the majority of our lives. When a youth with someone to guide us, it can be a good thing. Yet when we start to get into adulthood,  willpower while still good can become a detriment. There will be times, when you need more power than just willpower in your life. You are going to need God’s power.  This is why God has given us His Spirit, fulfilling his promise of John 14 (Rom.5:5, 8:15-16,26-27, 14:17; 15:13; Gal.5:22; Phi.2:1) so that we do not  have to do it alone. 

How does God produce the fruit in your life? Not by willpower. You don’t go out and say, “I’m going to be a more patient person!” You and I both know that doesn't work. Ask any addict and they will tell you at some point they tried to quit and couldn't.  It was only when they surrendered their desire for God's with the express wish that God do it because they couldn't, that they could quit and get their lives back to normal. The Holy Spirit has to grow it on the inside. You try to say, “I’m going to be more loving. I’m going to be better at not losing my temper.”  It doesn't work that way.  Fruit can only come from the inside (Mt.15:11; Mk.7:15) — his Spirit living through you.

The natural question here, is how does the Spirit do this? How does the Spirit of God work in our lives. Many would say, "by the written word of God dwelling in you."  This is crucial and true.  The actual answer is gradually, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:18 )." You didn't collect your hurts, habits, and hang-ups overnight. It took you a long time to get where you are and the way you are!  When you've had a problem, attitude, mind-set, etc. for YEARS, it is going to take time and God's Spirit to overcome.  A "PAT" answer to a question that everyone wants to hear, even the quotation of a bible verse is not necessarily the best answer. Until you peel the layers back to find the root cause and let God help you in doing that, you will never truly surrender to God (Mt.11:28-30).   The Holy Spirit works within us to become gradually more and more like him. Your character is the sum total of your habits. Your responsibility is to develop new habits to change the old, so that the fruit you bear is not of yourself, it is because God is living in you (Gal.2:20).

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?   Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.  - Rom.7:15-25

Jim

A Man Learn's Peter's Lesson

Peter was a man of natural curiosity that at times got him in trouble. This, as well as his mouth, were constant stumbling blocks for him. Even after Jesus' resurrection, Peter wants to know, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus has to remind Peter, that the status of others is not important. What is important is that WE follow Him (Jn.21). 

Once, there was a man who worked in a large nuclear facility, where his job was to micro inspect piping and tubing that carried contaminated liquid under extremely high pressure. These could be used only for short periods, and in the days before robots,  this man had to examine by eye and camera ever surface interior and exterior of the pipe for any flaws. He was a master at his job, often seeing and catching the most minute things that others often overlooked. Everyday, 8 hrs. a day, 6 days a week he did this. Nothing would get by him on his watch, his job was extremely important. Unfortunately, he carried his job home with him. Nothing got by him there either.  He was a master at pointing out flaws, and his family was certainly full of them. From keeping house to table manners, everything was subject to micro-inspection, down to the flaws in any character trait. After all, he was a master. It was his job to point out such things so they could be repaired, so that everything could be perfect, so that the machine could function perfectly on his watch.  Even down to his diet, everything had to be perfect. A perfect balance of vegetable and protein, no cholesterol laden fats, artificial anything was allowed. Perfect portions, perfect times, everything had to be by the standards, there could be no flaws. Even at work, he told his friends about the flaws in their diets and how they should not be eating the things that they were because they would die early, cause damage to their hearts, or some other malady. 

One day he had gone to work as usual. Today was his time to "walk the line," as they called it. To visually inspect the lines, and there was over a mile of them. Hard hat, and safety gear on, everything perfect - he set out on his inspection. Just a quarter of a mile into the inspection, something began not to feel right. He tried to make it to a call box for help, but didn't make it. If it were not for a friend who had seen him on a monitor, he would not have made it. He woke up in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. After some time, the doctor came in and told him that he was fortunate. He had a main artery that was clogged and a simple stint surgery was all that would be required. However, rather than be relieved, he was aghast. "How could this be," he asked the doctor. "My diet is perfect, everything is portioned, only eaten at certain times! he protested." "What about those fools that eat fried chicken, thinking it's healthy when its laden with chemicals and fats that will kill them?"  The doctor smiled and replied, "It is your health about which you should be concerned, not theirs. Yes, they have their flaws, but you see, I'm a master physician. I see all the flaws and I know how to fix all of them - including yours.  The man protested with an indignance, "I watch my diet sir! I exercise regularly, I do everything RIGHT and by the book!"  The doctor replied, I would expect nothing less from a flaw finder such as yourself. However, where as you can only see the flaws on the surface, you cannot see the ones hidden within your own cells. Your own body's tendency to react to the things you eat, even by the book has caused your problem. It is not with others you should be looking for flaws, it is within your own self. It is not important what they do, it is important what you do. 

"...the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,"

Rom.3:22-24

Jim

Book Review: Rhythms of Grace Discovering God’s Tempo for Your Life

Book Review:

Rhythms of Grace 

Discovering God’s Tempo for Your Life

By Kerri Weems

This has been an interesting book, especially from the light of realigning yourself with God in your life. I was anticipating a book for women, but was pleasantly surprised at how Ms. Weems wrote the book. I had never considered the Sabbath, or the Lord's day as a heartbeat for the believer. I knew it to be expected, but I missed the rhythm aspect. So, Kudo 1. I followed the rest of the book with interest, and having been in both the ministerial world as well as the secular world I could relate to how the world gets us out of rhythm. Her introduction in the chapters to the main points, invites the reader to investigate further at their own pace. Kudo 2! Finally, the end of the book lists additional resources so that the reader can investigate further. Kudo 3!

Negatives? Only minor. There were parts of it I did consider dry and I guess because I have read dozens of “self help” books there were parts that followed this format. That said, she kept to her point of keeping rhythm to God's beat.

My recommendation – its a good book and the reader would do good to have it in their library. And with that, I bid you Shabbat Shalom!

TRENDING

The trend to follow the crowd is strong. We find a peer group that goes along with some of our ideas, then instead of thinking for ourselves and reasoning things out to conclusions, we go along with the crowd. After all, all of the people can't be wrong can they? Just do what every other person is doing. Yet what’s popular today won’t be popular tomorrow. Basing your life on popular culture is like trying to build a house or building on a foundation that constantly moves and shifts. It will crack and crumble before your lifespan ends.

In this same vein of reasoning, is to do something because that's what Grandpa did, Grandma, or whoever in your family. That does make a little sense - tradition becomes what it is because it works, yet there is no reasoning to go beyond that. The confidence is in society tradition or family tradition as something that is always right. And to some degree, it may be. But when we make tradition, just because it is tradition – law, then we have overstepped the bounds God has given us as Jesus taught, we start putting more importance on the tradition than we do the word of God (Mk.7:8).

Another vanity in this realm of thought is that something is right because of intellectualism. I have thought it out, I have reasoned, therefore I know. Lot of “I's” in there aren't there? “There is a way that appears to be right,but in the end it leads to death,” states Prov.16:23. Even the genius falters at times. Intellect isn't a surety that it is right. Some of the smartest people that have been, have denied God.

Then there are those that base what they do on what “feels” right. Yet, feelings lie all the time! We lie to ourselves more than anyone else. Look at 2 Thess.2 and you will see how gullible we truly are in this area. Solomon, regarded as the man of wisdom in the bible, was led astray by his own gullibility to feelings. Read Ecclesiastes and you will see how much of a quagmire feelings can become, and for some it is a path of no return. If some are fortunate, they will heed Solomon's advice in the end of the book, when he tells us “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Eccl.12:13,14).”

The Psalmist echoed the sentiment a long time ago, when he stated, “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.(Psa.104,105).” God's word and only God's word is the only sure thing that there is to base life upon.

Culture changes, traditions grow stale, reason can be faulty, and emotions lie. Yet God’s Word never changes. We may not always understand it, or always like it. It won’t always be politically correct, yet, it’s the only thing stable enough to bring peace to our chaotic lives. You can’t become what God wants you to be on a faulty foundation. Perhaps it is time to open the one book that can help you find peace.

Jim

Mk.14:43-50

There are three actions emphasized in Mark’s narrative that warrant further investigation.

1.      The kiss of Judas. Mark uses the normal word for kiss, which means "to love," in telling of the arrangement Judas had made with the chief priests. They were to seize the one whom he (Judas) kissed. In the actual moment, when Judas carries this out, Mark uses an different form of that word, that means a prolonged kiss, a lover's kiss -- a deliberate, prolonged, apparently loving act, yet done with cold determination to accomplish his own purpose. We shudder at the thought and speak with disgust at those who would do such a thing. Yet, this same heart can exist within us, and at times we do the same type of thing – especially in mob mentalities. We “sacrifice” someone with “a word of kindness.” Then leave them to vultures who do nothing but tear and rend.  Judas “Thought” he was doing right. I wonder what he was thinking when he hung himself over what he had done after the fact.
2.    The second emphasis in this paragraph is on Peter's “defense.”  Peter is in this passage, trying to make a show of carrying out what he resolved. He grabs the sword and, as the priests and soldiers move in on Jesus, he slashes away. But so poor is his aim that all he does is lop off the ear of the high priest's servant. That is such a beautiful example of the flesh at work! We may strike out in our attempts to carry out our purposes, but all we accomplish is the lopping-off of somebody's ear. Attempts to do what we think is right -- but it is not of the Lord. We have all done this. The glorious thing, Luke tells us, is that Jesus reached out and touched that servant and healed his ear. How many lopped-off ears have we been responsible for during our lifetime that Jesus has to come behind us and heal because we thought we were doing what is right. 
3.       The third emphasis in this passage is the sudden flight of the disciples. They all forsook him. I am sure this means that, at that moment, after three-and-a-half years, all their confidence that Jesus was indeed the Messiah suddenly forsake them. His willingness to give himself over without any resistance into the hands of his enemies and his refusal to defend himself in any way becomes, in their eyes, tantamount to his renunciation of being the Messiah. Now it is every man for himself, and so they flee. In Luke's account of the resurrection, remember that as two disciples walked along the road to Emmaus, a stranger appeared, a man whom they did not recognize, and they discussed with him the events that had taken place in Jerusalem. They said to him, concerning Jesus of Nazareth, "We had hoped (notice the past tense) that he was the one who would redeem Israel," (Luke 24:21a RSV). Their hope was gone, so they forsook him and fled.  And thus the smiting of the shepherd resulted in the scattering of the sheep.

Mark adds what is almost a postscript in Verse 51 “And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.” (Mk 14:51-52)  Whoever this young man is, it is explaining to us how we get the account of Gethsemane. None of the disciples could have given it. Eight of them were in a part of the garden some distance from Jesus. Three of them were close to him, but they were sound asleep and could not have heard the crying and the prayers; they did not see the angel come and minister to him. But somebody was watching. A certain young man (perhaps Mark himself), was there watching the whole thing and gave us the story, that we might have hope in the hour of our Gethsemane. This account can help us when we feel that we do not want to do what God tells us to do, and we are confident that somehow we can work it out in our own strength. In that hour, this account to reminds us that we can as the scripture states, “come to the throne of grace and find mercy and grace to help in time of need."

Someone may be in Gethsemane's Garden right now. Are we Judas, Peter lopping off ears, the running disciples – or maybe even the young man? There may be some who have just come through it. Will we open our eyes and hearts to understand this passage? We have one who is the shepherd of the sheep, risen from the dead, who goes before us to meet us. The shepherd upon whom we can rely, to whom we can go in the hour of anguish and find the strength -  to do what we do not want to do to obey when we would rather do something else.

Jim 

I KNEW YOU!

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." 

Jer.1:5

Purpose - we need it. All of us wants to know that we are useful in life in someway, that our lives are not all just a waste. We are not robots on an assembly line, doing the same tasks, the same way, everyday. We were created unique and approach things from different mindsets, experiences and determinations. Yet, this is not an excuse for abhorrent behavior by sayng, "God made me this way!"  All sinful desire and sinful behavior no matter how small or deviant comes from within man (1 Jn.2:3,16) and ultimately finds its home in the evil one (Jn.8:44). God did not make us the way we are, that is not what Jeremiah says.  Evil - sin is a choice and been such since the days of our creation.  So, let's see what Jer.1:5 is saying that God knows, and what He did create us for.

1. I knew you  in this passage does not mean mere acquaintance. It is a statement of choice as a consequence of knowledge. This parallelism of contrast is frequent in the poetical books of the Bible (Psa.1:6;  Gen.18:19; Amos 3:2) and shows God's knowledge of what kind of people we can be if we choose to and set our minds to it. 

2. I consecrated you  “to set apart” from a common to a special use; hence arose the secondary sense, “to sanctify,” both in a ceremonial and moral way. It is not God keeping Jeremiah from ever sinning as some would have it mean, but that because of Jeremiah's character separated hims to be His spokesperson not merely the Hebrews, but also the nations hostile to them (Jer.25:12-38; 27:1-21; 46:1-51:64).

3. I appointed you - God had a purpose for this kind of person. The same as God has always had in men like Noah, Moses, Abraham, Daniel, and many others, who because of their character God saw something special.  

What we need to understand here, is that we do not have to be a "special" someone in order to be used by God. It is not the glitz, glamour, money, popularity that God looks for (1 Sam.16:7; 2 Cor.10:7). It is the heart, your soul, your spirit that God looks at. What we need to understand is that it is God's will that will always be done. We can either be useful to that cause, or we can be used for that cause. Just as God chose Jeremiah because of his spirit for good, God also chose Pharaoh of Egypt for his spirit to demonstrate what if we will not allow God to use us for God - He will use us in our evil to accomplish His will to bring about good.  

The question we need to ask ourselves, is what kind of spirit do we have?  "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.(Eph.2:10)" 

Jim

The Jesus Code by O. S. Hawkins

The Jesus Code by O. S. Hawkins 

 I'll state off the bat, I'm impressed. When reviewing books, you have some degree of control in title selection but you never really know what you're getting until it arrives. The first glance, I thought I would be disappointed as I have seen books in this format before and after a few chapters in found myself sighing - Ya, Ya. I was pleasantly surprised! First chapter, hmmmm, interesting. Second chapter, that's  a good thought! Third chapter, this is down right interesting. I'll let you read the rest. I have found this a delightful read for beginner or veteran alike. It does not presume to indoctrinate you, and doesn't treat you like you don't know anything. The questions presented are engaging, valid, and worth considering by all stages of faith.  Now someone may say, "Yeah, you're  just saying that cause you're reviewing the book."  

Yes, there is a lot of positive here, but that's  because I haven't found a negative. I give this book top rating and from me that isn't easy. I have the tendency to be critical.

If you're debating on getting this book, don't! It is well worth having in you're library.

Prepared to Answer

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Pet.3:15)

This advice is given by Peter in his encouragement to the Christians of his day as they came in contact with people on a day to day basis. Many read this scripture and experience fear. Fear that they have to become bible scholars in order to teach someone.  Unfortunately, this is a fear that has been instilled into believers for over 1800 years, when religious leaders told people like you and me that we could not do this because we were not “professionals,” or part of what became known as the “Clergy.” This however is NOT biblical teaching.  Paul considered himself a “brother” and “fellow servant” with Tychicus (Col. 4:7). The same was true for Paul and Epaphras (Col.1:7). Ephroditus was Paul’s “brother, co-worker and fellow soldier” (Ph’p.2:25). Paul and Timothy called themselves the “servants” of the Corinthian church (1 Cor.4:5). Peter viewed Silas as his “faithful brother” (1 Pet. 5:12). The apostles never talked in terms of “us” and “them” in the context of serving Christ. They considered themselves to be fellow laborers with all believers in the church.

The truth is, that everyone you come in contact with needs a reason for hope.  We all want the world to be a better place, yet, few do anything about it to make it better for someone other than themselves. That is why Peter states what he does. Christians should be and appear in public to be people that look beyond life and its drudgery to something better.  A happiness in their step, a smile on their face, an encouragement in their talk.  The hope that best helps people is the hope from somebody who says, “Been there, done that.”

Most think “give an answer to every man” in Peter’s passage means they have to explain why Jesus died on the cross, quote Scripture verses from memory, and know a bunch of Greek or Hebrew. We are not Lawgivers – there is only one with that authority – Christ (Jas.4:12).  We are not Attorneys or Lawyers of the Bible, again, that role belongs only to Jesus (1 Tim.2:5).  It’s not your job to convince people to accept Christ, and try as you can you cannot convert anyone (1 Cor.3:7). God does that. So what does this mean? It means simply that you tell others what has given you hope, a reason to smile, an outlook that today is good even though it has evil things in it.  He wants you to say, “Pain really got my attention. Let me tell you what I learned. I learned that God is all I need. You don’t know God is all you need until God is all you’ve got. I learned that God’s going to hang with me no matter what.” You simply share what you have learned through your own difficulty and experience. You tell people what changed you!

We all recognize others that have difficulties by the looks on their faces, the demeanor they carry – that “aura” that says “I need a friend right now.” What are the good and bad experiences in your life that God can use to impart hope with someone else? That’s what God wants you to do.

Can you think of one person in your life that you can share experience from your life with this week?  

Jim

The Grand Scheme of Things

It has been intriguing lately, to see how bent out of shape people get over various things.  You know, the things that we have determined to be our "causes."  Those things we like to nit pick - flaunt, create miniature tornadoes over.  You should buy this particular brand of car, vote for this particular person because they belong to this or that party.

Isn't it interesting though, the things that centuries of biblical writers have shown us that God is interested in. There is a lot that is shown about what people chose and how people acted. Yet, in it all, what is truly important is revealed by God over and over again.  

• "so that I walked contrary to them and brought them into the land of their enemies—if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity"  Lev 26:41
• "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite." Isa 57:15
•  "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Mic 6:8). 
• For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Tit 2:11,12
• But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. Jas 4:6-10

These are just a few of the places where it shows where God wants the emphasis.  It is us - our hearts, our actions, our spirits that are important.  In all of Saul of Tarsus' causes, in all of his stampeding pretense of righteousness, it is on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus that God tells Saul, "You've got it wrong Saul."  Act 9:5  "And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM Jesus whom thou dost persecute; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."  It is not important to kill people just to be right. It is not important that my way is right and because I'm right you're wrong.  Its not important who rules what, who has the best car, what the best deodorant is, even whose bible is better. What is important is that if your life is not walking with God, treating others with kindness and justice in this world and by the changing of your own heart making the world a better place to live, then like the mass of humanity - we've missed the boat.  

Banners? Causes? Parties? Brands? Monies? all have their place in life. Some have them, some don't. But the truth is, if you do not have your health - these are meaningless. If you do not have your spirit walking humbly with God, these are nothing.  Would you give your eyes for your cause? Would you go blind for it? Would you willingly accept a life threatening disease in exchange for your brand, your money, your politics?   Jesus said it this way,   What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul? Mat 16:26

Jim

Sep 23, 2014
Sephardic kitchens welcome the new year with deeply symbolic and celebratory Rosh Hashanah dishes
By Deena Prichep

JEWISH MEDITERRANEAN FALL ROSH HASHANAH SEDER
Credit: Katie McBride

Every year, I hold an epic, table-groaning, far-too-many-chairs-stuffed-into-the-house Passover Seder. There’s something about sitting down and lighting the candles, about creating a moment that reaches back through time and out to everyone else who is doing, and has done, the same. And, of course, making variations on the same food. But recently I learned that Passover isn’t the only Seder holiday. Within the Sephardic tradition—the Jews of the Iberian peninsula, and post-1492 expulsion, the surrounding areas—there’s a second Seder holiday: Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Most American Jews are familiar with the practice of eating apples and honey on the holiday, hoping to imbue the coming year with a touch of sweetness. But in Sephardic circles, the food traditions are more formalized and ornate, culminating in a full-on Seder plate. While the Passover Seder commemorates historical events (i.e. quick-baked matzo for the hasty Egyptian exodus), Rosh Hashanah Seder dishes represent biblical verses of hopes for the coming year. And because this tradition comes from the sunny kitchens of North Africa and Western Europe versus the spice-poor land of gefilte fish, these ceremonial dishes are rich and vibrantly flavored—perfect celebration food.

Rosh Hashanah Seder dishes represent biblical verses of hopes for the coming year. This year Rosh Hashanah begins the evening of September 24, and my friend Renee Ferrera, whose family comes from the Isle of Rhodes in Greece—a place once known as "Little Jerusalem," with a formerly thriving Jewish population, and a unique culinary crossroads of Greek, Turkish, Italian and Jewish cuisine—is kind enough to let me into her kitchen as she prepares the feast, a mix of simple fresh fruits and more ornate, mezze-style turnovers, each with its own ceremonial contribution.

As in the Eastern European Rosh Hashanah tradition, apples are eaten either fresh or made into sauce, along with the region’s sticky-sweet dates. And pomegranates, which not only represent a sweet new year, but are rumored to have the same number of seeds as there are Torah commandments (613), ensure the coming year will be equally full of good deeds. Many other dishes feature ingredients that sound like words for the good things one seeks in the year to come: There are leeks, whose Aramaic name sounds like the Hebrew word for "cut off" (exactly what we hope for all ill-wishers in the coming year), and a whole animal head for good luck at the "head" of the new year. Ferrera uses fresh scallions, as well as meat-stuffed whole onions, in place of the leeks, and while a sheep’s head used to be traditional, Ferrera goes with the more Northwest-appropriate (and more palatable) smoked salmon cheeks.

But it’s the phyllo-wrapped turnovers that I can’t get enough of. Some are filled with pumpkin, whose Arabic name is a play on the Hebrew word for "calling out" your good deeds. Others are filled with seasoned ground beef and topped with sesame seeds for an increase in blessings and virtues (a directive, thanks to translation and regional differences, also represented by fenugreek and beans). Spinach, symbolizing the "beating down" of enemies, is mixed with feta and Romano cheese and wound into a curled boyo pastry, from a family recipe that Renee's cousins make together en masse for the holidays, turning the kitchen into a well-oiled production line that would do their grandmothers proud.

Unlike the Passover seder, with its ritualized service and stories that unroll over the course of a few hours, the Rosh Hashanah Seder doesn’t feature much narration—the foods themselves tell the story. There are the traditional blessings, with a nod to the symbolism of each dish. Then friends and family sit down together to share in the good food and company—two things we hope to have in abundance in the year to come.

Artful Words

Discovering His Image: Exploding From the Inside Out by Jennifer Payne

I first became interested in poetry as a literature in High School, and thanks to my professor in college I got tuned in to classic poetry. I found it like art, full of color and expression. I became interested in poetry from a biblical perspective in the Psalms, once again allowing myself to become pulled in the words into the colorful world of extreme full emotion.  I say this to say, that while I love good poetry, I just as easily distaste bad poetry. It takes a lot for me to like a poem. There is so much to it. It has to be well written, expressive, colorful, pulling the reader into its depths. When I received this book, I admit skepticism. I opened and read, the first one - good one. Next one. ..hmm. ..third one, wow these aren't bad. Next morning in my morning personal time I had read an entire chapter. I was hooked...and still am.
Now, all of this said, understand that if you aren't into poetry this probably isn't for you. But if you find yourself in need of a boost, a lift to your morning or need some artful expression to go with your morning coffee - get it. You won't be disappointed.

Take a Deep Breath and Count to FOUR!

                

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Jas 1:19-21

This passage is interesting because of what it teaches about attitudes and approaches to life – especially for the person who strives to walk with God in life. James has a quality about teaching without a lot of fluff, and getting down to bare metal.  Yet this is what is needed sometimes because the world has many distractions and noises that can make living a moral – spiritual life difficult.  Let’s consider his statements above a little more closely.

1.     In life, speaking out first is not always a good thing. This is especially true if you with regard to hearing God’s voice in all of the things that go on in life.  “Quick to listen slow to speak,” is simply good everyday advice.  We aren't listening if we are talking, and we aren't learning if we are not listening. If you don’t believe you can learn anything from God, take time to read the book of Job.  Job was a godly man, yet stumbled into being “too big for his britches” like most of us do. In the last chapters of the book, God sits Job down to see if Job really “knew it all” or, was adequate enough to make the judgments and rationalizations that he was making.  I find it interesting that Job’s response is “Who am I to answer you? I did speak once or twice, but never again…You asked why I talk so much when I know so little. I have talked about things that are far beyond my understanding." (Job 40:4,5;  42:3).  
2.     “Slow to become angry” – again, good practical everyday advice.  Even the world has teachers that tell you that you have to be calm.  Going back to our point above, you can’t hear God when you’re angry, and you can’t find peace with others by being angry. Disposition can set the tone for what comes, and angry words only stir up strife. We have to learn to keep a lid on things. As one of the favorite kids shows teaches even the toddlers, “When you feel so mad and you want to ROAR. Take a deep breath and count to four!” Especially with regard to hearing God, the best advice is  “Sit down, and shut up.”
3.          Life has many pitfalls and traps, and we can’t avoid those traps if we dabble our toes in their streams. You need to get rid of the stuff that stinks in your life and sometimes that can be painful. Evil wouldn’t exist if there weren’t aspects of it if even in some bent or twisted way people found enjoyable. We don’t think about serial killers, molesters, deviants as enjoying what they do. While it may not be the act itself, a lot of times it is simply the thrill of it or the thrill of believing that they’ve gotten away with it.  We aren’t serial killers, but evil – sin is like that in all of us. We either enjoy the act, the thrill of the act, or the thrill of thinking we have gotten away with it.  I can’t accept that which will save me until I understand that I need to be saved because I am dying or drowning in my wrong. This requires humility, which is what James says.

Why do you these things are such difficult things to practice? What can we minimize our distractions so that we can listen? What is the emotional and spiritual garbage that is keeping you from hearing God’s voice today? What new habits can you develop to prepare your to hear God? 

Jim

Friends or Boat Anchors?

"If you what to learn to hurt someone, first you must learn to heal them.”  This quote comes from a renowned martial arts teacher and speaks a volume of truth, because he knew that the time you take to learn to heal, will diminish the feel for the need to hurt.   It is also good advice spiritually, that we learn how to teach someone to see the truth, before we speak words of condemnation. It is also good advice for ourselves, when we realize that we are our own worst critics and judges. Often it is our own temptation, defect, fault, fear, worry, loneliness etc., that you’re never going to get rid of it on your own. We only heal when we are honest with ourselves, God and others. James 5:16 is one of the best passages for your spiritual health and holiness as you get over your habits and hang-ups: “Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed” Revealing your feelings and emotion is the beginning of healing.  A person is on the road to recovery when you learn to open the closet door where the boogeyman hides and expose him as your own fear and fault that needs to be addressed. The moment you can do that and are willing to take steps to do something about it, you humble yourself, and God gives grace to the humble. This is the hardest step for some of us because it really hits our pride and literally starts churning your stomach to even think about it.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” We were made to need each other.  Problems and sins make us feel isolated and alone but the truth is that we were never meant to face your problems or your sins by yourself.  We need each other.  If all you want to do is be forgiven, tell God. But if you want to be healed, consider sharing it with God and others.  Sometimes, we just want and need someone to talk to. What kind of people do you think God wants you to share your sin, worry, and fears?  Stop to consider the “friends” you have. Are they encouraging you to change and become better or are they anchors keeping you steeped in the wrong you are trying to get out of?  

• Psa.141:5 “Let your faithful people correct and punish me. My prayers condemn the deeds of those who do wrong, so don't let me be friends with any of them.”
• Prov.28:7 “It makes good sense to obey the Law of God, but you disgrace your parents if you make friends with worthless nobodies.”

So, who are the people in your life who fit that description? Remember Paul’s advice, 1 Cor.15:33.34 “Don't fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you.  Be sensible and stop sinning. You should be embarrassed that some people still don't know about God.”

Jim