Missy

Would you join me for a moment to pray for a mother of three small girls standing in need. This week she left her husband and those beautiful babies to join her sister in a world that beckons with the escape of drugs.

As Samuel said for his people, we can do the same for those in need:

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. (1 Samuel 12:23-24 KJV)

Christ promised us He would pray for us:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16 KJV)

Though He knew we did not understand what we believed, and that our belief could flee:

Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. (John 16:30-32 KJV)

We have the opportunity to stand in His stead, seeking reconciliation:

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV)

For this young mother, and others we know who need, we can do as Paul wrote:

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (Colossians 1:9 KJV)

Then, again, we can pray this for each other:

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: (2 Thessalonians 3:1 KJV)

Each of us, at one time or another, errs. God knows this:

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20 KJV)

Prodding

I imagine a perfect world quite differently from anyone I know. So does everyone else on the planet! But the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine imagines a thin one that doesn’t need a great deal of food production, according to The Sun.

“Each fat person is said to be responsible for emitting a tonne more of climate-warming carbon dioxide per year than a thin one.

“The scientists say providing extra grub for them to guzzle adds to carbon emissions that heat up the world, melting polar ice caps, raising sea levels and killing rain forests.”

LSHTM’s Dr. Phil Edward said, “It is also much easier to get in your car and pick up a pint of milk than to take a walk.” From my home, the nearest milk vendor is six miles away. With apologies to Dr. Edward, I do not look upon a twelve-mile hike for milk as exercise.

Live Science headlines: Are Fat People Destroying Earth? Their final paragraph, with one word removed: “The big question society now faces — one only breezed by in this week's flap — is whether … people should be prodded into behavioral changes for the greater good,”

That question raises so many others: All people? Who determines which people? Who determines the greater good? Who does the prodding? Who chooses the prodders? How far do prodders go? If people do not respond to prodding, what happens next? Think maybe mankind is going a step or two too far?

As a believer, I understand Christ’s words to mean that this world is not everlasting:

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33 KJV)

Among His words are admonitions to leave care in God’s hands:

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:31-34 KJV)

Do we live without such cares? Hardly. The next meal, clothing, they do make a difference in our lives. He knows we need them. Follow His will and all these things shall be added unto you. Did you get that? Added. We’ll receive in addition to our basic needs. We’ll receive what He promised:

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:10a-11 KJV)

David Sings

David was willing to share his most personal conversations with His Father. As we read his Psalms, we find him speaking to God in all phases of his life. Some of his Palms are in the hearts of people around the world:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1 KJV)

We know David as beset by enemies:

LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. (Psalms 3:1 KJV)

He felt secure with his God:

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:8 KJV)

He spoke to God daily:

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalms 5:3 KJV)

David knew his own weaknesses, and understood that God knew them, too:

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. (Psalms 6:2 KJV)

David spoke to God of others:

Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever. (Psalms 28:9 KJV)

From father to child, the lessons go forward:

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. (Psalms 145:4 KJV)

The Psalms end with one not attributed to David, but includes thoughts an words he used in others:

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalms 150:1-6 KJV)

I appreciate David’s finding words that fit together so beautifully to express what we feel today, too.

Sumitted?

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:21-25 KJV)

Context is so important when reading scripture.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:17-23 KJV)

You see, by some men's standards, I would not qualify as a wife who submits to her husband simply because I do not submit to all men. I am respectful, but if there is a subject under discussion, most likely I have an opinion. I do share my opinions.

My pastor and I view some scripture differently. I am not afraid to discuss these differences with him, with great respect for his educational focus on Bible study. Our youth pastor is well versed in scriptures, too. We both learn from our discussions. Both of these men hold my respect -- first because of their commitment to God's calling in their lives. What they have chosen has awesome responsibilities for other's eternal lives.

Yet, when it comes to my own husband, I open more in discussions. I expect that he will be able to explain. And, he does -- just as Christ explained His public parables in private to his disciples. That, to me, is an expression of love.

For some men, a question constitutes a lack of submission. I am so grateful that it was not so with Christ. Thus I feel my husband does love me as Christ loves the church. That is an awesome example of how much love God has to give His children. And, an awesome responsibility to share it.

Conversations With God

There’s a big push about certain conversations with God. That’s not for me. What another person makes into a career is not how I see God speaking.

The Bible, considered by Christians to be the words of God to mankind, does not include many conversations between God and mankind. God’s primary communication with mankind was through a prophet, a ‘man of god’ and usually the words He used were commands or questions, as in Job.

He did walk in the garden of an evening with Adam and Eve, but they tossed that away for a taste of forbidden fruit. Mankind still does that.

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8 KJV)

The voice of God comes in many ways – in a burning bush: And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. (Exodus 3:4 KJV)

To Job, out of a whirlwind, with questions: Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. (Job 38:1-3 KJV)

Elijah listened through earthquake and fire, only to hear a still, small, voice: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12 KJV)

Isaiah exhorted others, as I do for you: And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. (2 Kings 20:16 KJV)

In so many instances, those words were condemnations of the recipient’s turning away from God. How much better would it have been to have heeded Isaiah’s words:

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:16-17 KJV)

His Son taught how to speak to Him in prayer: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)

Religious Principles

“Recollect the civil and religious principles and hopes and expectations which constantly supported and carried them through all hardships with patience and resignation.

"Let us recollect it was liberty, the hope of liberty, for themselves and us and ours, which conquered all discouragements, dangers, and trials."

President John Adams 1735-1826

Many wish our founding fathers not to have had religion in their lives. Yet the above is but one example of the importance religious principles held. Their principles were included in their political writings, such as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

“Article II. It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship.”

Appears there remained ties to the principles of the Mayflower Compact when the above was written. Appears someone was familiar with scripture when it comes to duty:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV)

Connecticut wasn’t too far behind, including the phrase: “administer justice according to the Laws here established, and for want thereof, according to the Rule of the Word of God”

Predating both, the Iroquois Confederacy lived a constitution that included: “The rites and festivals of each nation shall remain undisturbed and shall continue as before because they were
given by the people of old times as useful and necessary for the good of men.”

Today, many wish politicians would not display their religion in their lives. Many current politicians write laws diametrically opposed to their chosen religion’s beliefs, teachings and basic doctrines.

Is it true they do so separate their religion from their daily lives, or do their daily lives reflect their true religious principles? Frankly, I prefer the openness of those who fought for the right to include religion in our nation’s written history. Written, in many places, literally in stone.

Ignore them, change them, erase them, and this is no longer the same nation. Let us remember the Biblical admonition:

Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. (Proverbs 22:28 KJV)

This, let us teach our children.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV)

Shaping Attitudes

A friend sends me In Touch devotionals on a regular basis. Today’s had the following:

“Staying young while growing old begins with your mind. Never stop listening to the Lord and learning from His Word. Allow godly thinking to shape your attitudes. Be thankful, keep laughing, and rejoice in your Lord.”

As I read it – and agreed with it!!! – I realized that I also live it. I am growing old. That’s not a bad thing, for I’ve become a Titus 2 aged woman. There were times in my life where I stopped listening to our Lord. What a stagnant, over-busy time that was.

When I returned to listening, and learning from His word, things changed in my life. Others in our family listened and learned, too. Not from me, but from many others adept at godly thinking. As individuals, we changed; as a family we changed dynamically.

The Bible has much to say about godly thinking:

But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. (Psalms 4:3 KJV)

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. (Psalms 32:6 KJV)

Along with godly thinking comes rejoicing:

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. (2 Corinthians 1:12 KJV)

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (2 Corinthians 7:9 KJV)

We are thankful that:

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, (2 Peter 2:9a KJV)

There’s always His word to remind us how to live:

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (Romans 12:12 KJV)

Paul was clear as to where our thoughts should be:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

As Christ ended His example of the Good Samaritan, so I end this example of godly attitudes:

Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:37 KJV)

More?

Why do we continually ask for more?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. (Acts 16:31-32 KJV)

That’s the continuation of Christ’s words:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Yet, we become Hezekiah in II Kings 20, as he lay dying and was promised an additional fifteen years - repeated in Isaiah:

And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken; (Isaiah 38:7 KJV)

Hezekiah wanted more:

And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? (2 Kings 20:8 KJV)

Jesus, walking up and down Israel healing the sick, preaching God’s word, and the religious asked for more:

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. (Mark 8:11-12 KJV)

Doesn’t matter whether we’re the religious looking for a sign or the logical looking for a reason – we want more:

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (1 Corinthians 1:22 KJV)

Why continue to request more? Especially when there are other questions remaining:

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3 KJV)

One Size ...

... does not fit all.

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. (Jude 1:22-23 KJV)

When sharing the gospel with others, Jude gives us a couple of examples with differing approaches.

I appreciate his beginning with compassion. I enjoy receiving compassion myself and believe I should be able to pass it along to others.

Yet there are other instances when much more effort is needed – when we fear for our loved one’s soul.

I had a pastor once who invited the youth to his home. There were hot dishes with alcohol burners sitting on metal trays on the dining table. A jostle, spilled alcohol and a fire spread across the trays. Knowing how quickly the fire could spread, pastor grabbed the tray by its handles and headed for the kitchen sink. The fire was controlled and smothered, but his hands were burned. Hands plunged into a bowl of ice, he was taken to the hospital.

When asked about his bandaged hands during the following week, I heard him explain that he had seen someone in need and he thought of Jude 23 – pulling them out of the fire.

When I read this, I do not see where we are to generate fear in the one in danger, but fear within ourselves. Often we’re afraid to speak up. We’re concerned with how we’ll appear. We might be looked upon as nosy and interfering.

We’re also afraid of the fire. It beckons with color and warmth, promising comfort yet burning with its touch. We’re afraid it will entice us until we, too, are enveloped in the flame. We forget that He is capable of protecting us as we follow His command to pull them out of the fire.

Why? Jude has that answer, too:

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25 KJV)

I like the idea of being presented faultless.

A Prayer For Me

What would you pray for someone you loved? Paul prayed for the church at Colosse:

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:9-16 KJV)

Paul prayed that they might be filled with the knowledge of his will.

That they might have this knowledge with all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

That they might walk worthy, be fruitful in good work and that they would increase in the knowledge of God.

I know that I would appreciate this prayer being prayed for me. And it is my joy to know that there are people praying such for me.

To appreciate this prayer, however, it is necessary to be able to give thanks unto the Father, which hath made us. It is necessary to believe that by him were all things created and that they were created for him.

And, that would include me –one recipient of this wonderful prayer.

Peter Pays Paul ...

… a compliment:

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:15-18 KJV)

Though Peter knows that Paul’s epistles contain words hard to be understood they are no different than the other scriptures that the Lord has given to help keep us from being led away with the error of the wicked.

There’s not a New Testament verse that uses both of their names, yet both were given direction to preach the gospel to us, the gentiles.

When Peter begins a wonderful sermon, he speaks of me:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34-35 KJV)

Paul, too, speaks beyond his people to encompass the gentiles:

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46 KJV)

All that is required of us is that we grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If we do that, it follows that He will receive glory both now and for ever.

Amen.

Seeds

The process is so simple. It has been occurring for millennia. Yet the majority of people in the world today do not grow productive gardens. For those that do, the seed is planted. What it was, dies. What it is going to be, grows. The Bible outlined it for us:

… for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7 KJV)

In our current economy, many are turning to an economic victory garden. Edible landscaping has been around for years, but many are no longer looking into it, but are planting their seeds. Other sites propagate similar plant planning.

Most of the time, Christ spoke in parables. His disciples didn’t understand, so He explained that it was for a very good reason:

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (Matthew 13:10-14 KJV)

To His disciples, and to us, He explains:

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (Matthew 13:18-19 KJV)

Not all seeds will grow – for a variety of reasons. Jesus’ seed parable made use of many of those reasons:

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (Matthew 13:20-21 KJV)

Sometimes the plant grows quite well, but there is no harvest:

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22 KJV)

With preparation and care-taking, there is a harvest:

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:23 KJV)

How’s your garden?

Did You Think I had Moved...

... and left no forwarding address? My apologies. I also post on Multiply and utilize the mirror posting offered there to update this Blogspot. Obviously, it's not working -- at least since April 8.

I'll check into it. In the meantime, the missing ten days can be read at:
http://blicktx.multiply.com/journal

Thanks for your patience!

Different

Easter is different.

Christians celebrate His birth – but everyone is born. A multitude of angels, some shepherds, even a few magi makes His different, but not all that different, really.

Christians celebrate His life – but many others have similar messages that bring good things to the lives of those who follow their precepts. That doesn’t make Him different.

Christians remember His death – but all men die. Some old and natural, some young and tragic. Even the method of His death was not different, He was only one of three on that hill.

Easter is the difference.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6 KJV)

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. (Mark 14:28 KJV)

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. (Mark 16:6 KJV)

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, (Luke 24:6 KJV)

Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. (Luke 24:34 KJV)

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. (John 2:22 KJV)

This is the base of Christianity. He is risen. That, and that alone, makes Easter different.

Paul wrote of what it would be like, if it were not so: But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (1 Corinthians 15:13-14 KJV)

The choice is ours. Do we stand with those who loudly shout: he is risen, The Lord is risen indeed.

I have, I do, I will.

End Times

The Newsweek article headlines: The End of Christian America. Note that there is no question mark following the headline. Before reading it, don’t get your hopes up that Christianity is disappearing in America, neither fear that it is true.

Even after reading the opening remarks quoting the Southern Baptist Convention president, do not begin burial plans.

The same site also headline linked: Is this the End of Traditional Country Music?, but when reaching the page, the headline there read: Murder on Music Row and the article decried the changes in country music, not its death. Note that here there is a question mark.

Same with the other “End …” article. It appeared as though Newsweek got a bit stuck on End times and neither Christianity nor country music will disappear any time soon.

Those headlines do catch the eye, and the writers are both informative and entertaining – which keeps us checking for the whole story, making their page hits rise.

The first article used the phrase nothing new under the sun, a contraction of:

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9 KJV)

I agree. Joash wasn’t concerned about God being able to take care of Himself, and that which is His. He wasn’t as certain about Baal:

And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. (Judges 6:31 KJV)

Centuries later, Gamaliel expressed that God was still able to take care of Himself, and that which is His. Gamaliel’s uncertainly had to do with Christianity:

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5:39 KJV)

Both their answers are sufficient for me.

Have A Blessed Day

I hear “Have a blessed day,” very often. I have done so, very often.

I have been so blessed. Beginning with God keeping His promise, to Abraham and to me:

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:8 KJV)

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29 KJV)

Jesus promised: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15 KJV)

I do. Yet, at times I speak as Nicodemus: Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? (John 3:9 KJV)

Or the father who said, … with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:24b KJV)

I have come to know that: We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 KJV)

John wrote of Him toward the very end of his life:

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5 KJV)

Yes, before I count the blessings of family, friends, neighbors, shelter, church and so much more each day, I know I will have a blessed day. May yours be so, too.

Palm Sunday

“God is not what you imagine or what you think you understand. If you understand you have failed”.– St. Augustine.

I believe that is true. How I see Him is not as important as how you see Him. With growth, there are continual changes in our perception.

Palm Sunday He was welcomed as king. Though He had been speaking of what was to come:

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. (Matthew 16:21 KJV)

Though they had Peter’s experience as an example:

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Matthew 16:22-23 KJV)

It was so much easier – powerful and awesome, too – to accept Him as king:

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. (Matthew 21:8-9 KJV)

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. (John 12:13 KJV)

Less than a week later, He fulfilled the prophecy -- despised and rejected of men:

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3 KJV)

How do we imagine Him now? Is He esteemed? More importantly, how should we see Him?

Core Message

Biblical scholar Rachel Havrelock states in an interview: “The core of Jesus' message was directed to the economically downtrodden, the poor farmers, laborers and others who had little power in their own lives. Jesus presented a radical social proposition that meant society could be reconfigured to allow for less inequity and more sharing.”

I must have missed that as His core message. Instead, I read of everlasting life as His reason for being here:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17 KJV)

Yes, He taught us how to live the Kingdom of Heaven lifestyle while we are here:

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:37-40 KJV)

If one looks only for an historical Jesus with a mind centered on today’s societal ills, perhaps this message comes through as being the core of His ministry. But Jesus said there were things to be done, and others that should not be left undone:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23 KJV)

I hear an eternal spiritual message in addition to a temporal one:

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24 KJV)

Do I believe that God can lift those Havrelock lists who (as she states) lack power? Absolutely. Any differently than He did two thousand years ago? Not until His return. His purpose until then?

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)

According to Christ, angels are aware of this:

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10 KJV)

Come now, let’s make some angels joyous!!!! And, let’s pay attention to both temporal and spiritual, these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Passover

This week Texas House Speaker, Joe Straus, instructed committees to wrap up work April 8 in time for members to observe Passover, which begins at sundown that day.

From Genesis to Daniel the Children of Israel were reminded that they were brought forth from Egypt by the Lord, their God. I like Jeremiah’s descriptions:

And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror; (Jeremiah 32:21 KJV)

Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God: (Jeremiah 11:4 KJV)

Moses, though, explained it succinctly:

And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. (Exodus 12:24-27 KJV)

God’s people were so much in the wrong place, but Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. (Exodus 1:8 KJV) and God had plans for them elsewhere.

Since that first Passover, mankind has endeavored to explain not only the how, but the why. Without concern for the answers, the event is remembered, discussed and celebrated. For a variety of reasons.

Many enjoy dinner, games, songs that are millennia old. One site I found both educational and entertaining (http://www.happypassover.net/) is very detailed in providing Passover history, crafts, music, recipes, poems, customs – and mentions Passover in relation to Christians.

I see Passover as being for the children more than adults. The adults, though are responsible for its success:

And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. (Exodus 13:8 KJV)

The youngest child asks, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” God has provided the answer.

What God Can Do

Do you get tired of waiting for prayers to be answered? John 11:1-46

Do you reach the point, that Martha did, where you knew it was too late? Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. (John 11:21)

The sisters had sent word to Jesus much earlier. Even when He received the word, He tarried another two days. John makes no mention of a message in return. The worried sisters received no response from the one person they believed would make a difference.

Surely, we’re the same. We know what the situation is, we know (for the most part) what needs to be done, we’ve asked the Lord for help. And there is no response.

But He tells us to pray. He gave us the example for prayer. He told us if we ask, we shall receive. If we seek, we shall find. But there is no response.

When He tells the disciples Lazarus is dead, I doubt they believed Him. They were aware: Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. (John 11:5)

Right after they are told Lazarus is dead, Jesus tells them He’s glad. Glad?!?!?

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. (John 11:15)

How better to prove to all that the power Christ has is not limited. We cannot conceive of His abilities. Only He can show us, and only He determines how much we are to know.

I do not understand why we attempt to limit him, as Martha did, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

Jesus proved her wrong by answering her desires, not her request. She knew what she believed: Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. (John 11:24-27)

He knew what He could do: And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, (John 11:42-44a)

Do not place limits. Let Him do as He will in our lives.

Redeemer

Yesterday I wrote of a father’s love. Job loved his children so much that he continually sacrificed for them, just in case one of them might have silently sinned. It would appear that none of them openly rebelled against God or their father:

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. (Job 1:5 KJV)

Yet they were taken from him.

We read Job’s first chapter, verse 14 And there came a messenger unto Job; 16 While he was yet speaking there came also another; 17 While he was yet speaking there came also another; 18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another.

Four messengers and Job was bereft of all material goods, and his ten children that he tried so hard to protect.

Yet he could respond to those who believed all of this was the result of Job’s own life that he had an eternal redeemer:

Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: (Job 19:23-26 KJV)

God doubled Job’s material wealth – and gave him ten children:

So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. (Job 42:12-13 KJV)

I believe, as Job, that yet in my flesh shall I see God and when I do, I shall see Job and his twenty children, for they were doubled, just in different places.

It’s a short book – take time to enjoy its lessons.