What Did Jesus Do?

The “What would Jesus do?” question remains. Every once in a while we can see a bracelet here or a t-shirt there with WWJD on it. It is a reminder for Christians to think about their own actions in terms of how Jesus would handle it, and act accordingly. It came from the sub-title to Charles Sheldon’s book “In His Steps.” More than a hundred years hasn’t changed Sheldon’s question, nor it’s application to our lives.

I have another question, though. What did Jesus do? Check out what God told the Israelites to look for in a prophet. How does Jesus stack up against God’s criteria?

If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)

Did Jesus give signs, do wonders? Did His prophecies come to pass? Most certainly, yes.

Did Jesus tell us to go after other gods? Just as most certainly, no.

Jesus spoke before all men the first, and greatest, commandment, confirmed by He who said I am the LORD thy God (Exodus 20:2a):

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:36-38)

To accept Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, our Lord and Savior, we must accept the God of Abraham, father of all mankind, creator of all. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

God, who speaks things into existence. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)

The same God who was well pleased. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)

Jesus consistently gave God the glory for His actions and His words. His model prayer closes with a request for our lives and the source of the answer: 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 6:13)

Only after checking out what Jesus did do can we ask ourselves the question, “What would Jesus do?” and come close to the answer for our own actions.

By the way, following in His steps as our example is scripturally correct.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)

Can You Stand?

Pews vary from church to church. I have been on solid wooden pews, folding chairs, molded plastic chairs, theatre seating – even seats that rocked. Our own pews are solid wood with cushioned seats and back. Quite comfortable.

My usual seat is on the south side, end of the third row. We didn’t start there, but we’ve been there for several years now. We’re seated at the beginning of the service, usually stand for the first hymn, seated for the choir’s singing, then standing again for later hymns. At times, we stand for the reading of God’s word. Not for every verse in Pastor’s sermon, but for the reading of full passages at the start of a sermon.

I do hope that you have been in a church where you’ve been asked to stand upon the reading of God’s word. There is a Biblical precedent.

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: (Nehemiah 8:4-5 KJV)

Doesn’t that sound much as our services? Can you visualize your preacher, standing behind a wooden pulpit, opening the word of God? The congregation standing at attention in respect? Not as long as these people stood, though. Think of a service with multiple speakers and see if you can come up with as many names as spoke during this one:

Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. (Nehemiah 8:7 KJV)

They did what we need to hear today.

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. (Nehemiah 8:8 KJV)

I feel blessed to attend a church whose pastor does speak distinctly from the pulpit, gives the message sensibly and opens our understanding to the reading of God’s word. That’s the purpose of a preacher. Praise for those who do so, for their people shall rejoice, then return to their homes for what could be describing today’s Sunday dinner.

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV)

Take time to plan for the next Lord’s day. Look forward to singing songs of praise, hearing the reading of His word, listening for the understanding and standing in respect, praise and awe of the One who created us all. It would be a good habit to make, since we’ll all be doing it one day.

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:7 KJV)

(The photo is cropped from an unknown source. My apologies for not having that information)

Lest Thou Forget

View from Clitheroe Castle

A question arose as to the source of verses I post. Not that they don’t come from the Bible, that’s obvious. I give chapter, verse and version of the Bible I read. The best answer is that they come from experiences.

I do not have a daily devotional reading plan, there’s not a book or pamphlet I’m reading through. There aren’t specific books or chapters I follow. Often I look for a Biblical application to a personal situation, or one that applies for a good friend of mine. Reading the Bible and prayer with our Lord is the best source of answers to life’s problems, whether they are mine or someone I love. In those instances, a good concordance – or e-Sword with its marvelous search options – will take me to verse with words that tie into the train of thought.

Another excellent source are verses given during services. Sometimes they are the verses the preacher uses in his sermon. Such are verses I’m re-reading this morning.

They were used by a missionary couple leaving this weekend for England. Missionaries to England. That thought seems strange to me. During the 19th century there were so many strong preachers in England – Charles Haddon Spurgeon comes to mind first. The preceding century brought John Wesley. Before that, the drive for religious freedoms sent ships to establish colonies in the Americas. It appears that drive to worship has been lost.

These missionaries are going not to build new churches in a country that does not have them, but have been called to assist churches that are dying. From a 2007 Sunday Times article about English churches: "Thousands of churches face closure, demolition or conversion in the next decade, leading to the demise of some branches of Christianity in Europe, according to experts. In some parts of the country, former churches are being turned into centres of worship for other faiths. A disused Methodist chapel in Clitheroe on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales is the latest, destined to become a mosque for the town’s 300 Muslims."

The article continues, stating that more than 70 per cent of the population consider themselves to be Christian, many holding membership in the Church of England. However, one tenth of them attend church.

The text the missionary used was from Deuteronomy’s sixth chapter, verses 1 through 25. What caught my eye most is:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 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 6:4-7 KJV]

What failures we parents are when they do not teach this diligently to our children in our own homes. We should be doing so when we sit with them, when we walk with them, when we talk with them. We should be praying when we close the day and when we open it, and share that with our children.

Mine are gone from home. That does not mean I cannot teach them, though. I am so blessed to be with two of my children in church services where the word of God is taught. God forbid that I should ever forget to teach of Him.

Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, [Deuteronomy 6:12a KJV]

Home Building

When we aged women get our marching orders from Titus 2, we need to consider this verse from Proverbs.

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. (Proverbs 14:1 KJV)

We need to understand what constitutes wisdom. Solomon knew it would provide much for him and his people, so he sought it, asked for it.

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. (2 Chronicles 1:10-12 KJV)

Perhaps he learned from his father, who wrote:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:10 KJV)

He described it often in Proverbs, even repeating part of his father’s words:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 KJV)

Women begin work on their houses when they are too young to consider what it takes. That’s when they need the aged women – and men. They should be learning from their parents and their teachers the qualities they want ten years later in their lives. Do they want their husband to have a college degree? They need to consider he might want the same in his wife. Do they want to live in a home they own? The need to learn how to be frugal and manage their own finances – then look for that quality in the men they meet.

I had a cousin who said he wanted to marry a woman just like his mother, one who cooked, cleaned, sewed and saw to it her children went to church every Sunday. Unfortunately, he met his future wife in a bar – a place his mother would never go.

When I watch our Junior and High School girls spend thoughts, time and energy on boys their own age I am struck by the waste. A few understand that life is much more than focusing on one at this age. Those girls – and boys – are quite content to enjoy activities in groups. Sure, there may be one that stands out as special for them, but it’s not time yet to be selecting one for a lifetime.

To do that selecting too young and outside God’s will, the plucking at the house begins and that can bring it down. Instant gratification does bring lifetime consequences. There are some things that should be done first.

… 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. (Matthew 6:3b2-33 KJV)

Grayheaded

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. [Psalms 71:18 KJV]

Since I am now grayheaded, this prayer is ever so appropriate! I’ve grown old and gray, grown past:

Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead. [Jeremiah 2:9 KJV]

I am now in the stage of pleading with the Lord for my children’s children’s children. The older ones are reaching the age where they understand that they must be accountable for their actions and that they are responsible for the consequences. That brings them to a non-Bible term, the age of accountability.

One of David’s children died before that age.

Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. [2 Samuel 12:21-23 KJV]

And a grown child, quite accountable for his actions, who died in rebellion with his father.

And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! [2 Samuel 18:31-33 KJV]

This was not a short mourning, either.

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! [2 Samuel 19:1-4 KJV]

My son did not come to know the Messiah as his savior until twenty years after he was baptized. His going forward then was a desire to do as others rather than the conviction of his need and the understanding of his actions. His adulthood remained troubled and unstable. After twenty-some years of praying specifically for his salvation, he told me that he knew how important religion was to me, it just wasn’t to him.

Religion? That’s not important at all. Why do people think it’s “religion”? Because they haven’t come to the convicting realization that it is a personal relationship with the God who created and loves us.

When my son did, he called and said, “I understand.”

So, “this generation” now pleads with the Lord for “every one that is to come”, knowing that their decisions will be just as personal.

Psalms 86

Spending a bit of time in the Psalms is good for the soul. David, who knew the height of power also knew the depths of despair.

Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. (Psalms 86:1-2 KJV)

Still the prayer of so many of us today who realize how greatly God has affected our lives.

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. (Psalms 86:3 KJV)

Do we cry for His mercy, or do we present a list of demands to meet our own goals and desires?

The center of this Psalm rings with beauty for all.

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. (Psalms 86:9-13 KJV)

Several times David asks to God to teach him, these and more:

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. (Psalms 25:4 KJV)

Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. (Psalms 119:12 KJV)

The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. (Psalms 119:64 KJV)

David, as we do now, was aware he had much to learn. Beset by enemies, he turned to God for help. Aware of his shortcomings, he turned to God for mercy.

O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid (Psalms 86:14-16 KJV)

David closes with a request I do appreciate. One I would pray for.

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. (Psalms 86:17 KJV)

Not that I think there are those who hate me, but there are so many who despise Him and heed not His word. Yet, I understand that there are those, as Christ’s disciples, who do not understand.

Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? (Mark 8:18 KJV)

Remember – He promised those who seek Him will find Him.

Tosca Lee's "Demon: A Memoir" - I've read it now.

From advertisement of Tosca Lee's book on LifeWayStores.com, a retail outlet

I’ve completed reading Tosca Lee’s “Demon: A Memoir.” I wrote of it in an earlier blog. I do recommend it. Once again I found it offered free for the downloading. There’s a link on her website, under the “Acquire” tab.

Lee’s presentation of creation, disobedience and subsequent activities of a fallen angel compels us to read. Fortunately, that compulsion is broken into digestible portions by a current story line that also retains our interest. Otherwise, I would have been overwhelmed by the lack of hope the demon exhibits.

In all honesty, it would be a better read by those who do believe what the Bible tells us about God, creation and mankind. It helps to have some background, though this story does stand on its own. Tosca wrote:

"I have based Lucian's account of pre-fall bliss on a widely but by no means universally held understanding of Ezekiel 28:11-19. Some commentators view this passage as a literal lament or prophecy against the ruler of Tyre, a wealthy Phoenician city in what is now Lebanon. Others believe the prophet addresses the power energizing the throne of Tyre--Lucifer himself. Advocates of this second interpretation cite the fact that the king is referred to as having dwelt in Eden, been an anointed Cherub, been created (rather than propagated) and as having been blameless since his creation. This is the interpretation I chose to underpin my fictional imagining of Lucifer's pre-fall existence.

"I have supplemented my imagining of Lucifer's fall with a similar interpretation of Isaiah 14:12-14, wherein the 'son of the morning' states his intention to ascend to heaven with five famous 'I wills.' Again, this is a widely but not universally-held understanding of this passage, which on the surface laments the prophetic fall of the pagan king of Babylon, a contemporary of the prophet."

Here Lee touches on something non-Christians point to and say that we must be wrong. There are many instances in the Bible where there are not “universally held understandings.”

There are some universally held understandings within believers. First and foremost is that God created the heavens and the earth. The creation of mankind, his fall and provision of a savior are true. These are described in the book. And the demon really doesn’t like the idea of these lesser beings holding God’s attention.

The demon’s story is well told. I must admit some pity, for a time, for this creature that had so much and now was confined to remembering its past, sharing that remembrance with a being made from dirt. The demon views these creatures with great disdain, which makes us wonder why it is so intent on having its story told. What purpose can be achieved?

The answer should raise questions for each reader.

For those who do not believe in angels, heavenly or fallen, or for those who believe neither in heaven nor hell, perhaps the questions are easily ignored.

Yet, in this demon’s tale is seen the beauty of creation, the hope of eternity and the emptiness of its loss.

A thought-provoking book. Are you ready to think?