Come And Dine

That’s what I’ve been working on for about a month. 120 pages of recipes from the ladies of our church, and I typed every one of them. Why? Because it’s difficult to do separately, and I type a lot better than the ladies who sew so beautifully. Their work, and this cookbook, will be available this Saturday at a craft bazaar we’re holding to raise money for some specific mission projects.

Our group’s theme is “Together We Can Change Lives,” and that’s something we really believe. Working together, we can make an impact. That was also the worship service message Sunday – the marriage between church and missionaries. Together, lives are changed.

Services Sunday were all about Missions – we had three missionary families making presentations in three different Sunday School classes as well as during morning and evening services. The morning sermon was given by a missionary to Guatemala that our church provides support to monthly. We have for several years. Missionaries do not do well without the support of churches – Paul’s letters tell us how far back that relationship goes. Churches cannot fulfill the Great Commission without missionaries. Our ministries are different in scope, but just as a marriage, we are better for the relationship.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

“Teach.” Not coerce, bribe, coax, cajole – we are to teach. “All nations.” Not the ones we think “need it” the most, are friendly to us or are closest. All. “Baptizing.” In specifics, too. It takes a reading of all four gospels to see “all things whatsoever I have commanded you,” but He did give the two important ones – and I shared them yesterday in Matthew 22:36-40.

The same word is used in commandments in those verses: ἀγαπάω – agapao. Love – not to be just fond of or affectionate toward, but to love as one loves to breath; to know the love that provides life; the relationship between God and man. A Greek word that is never summed up in a single English word, especially one we use to express feelings for foods, colors or clothing. “I just love that purple hat!”

But – as usual – I digress from my original thought – a cookbook that includes a partial verse from John, chapter 21. It was Jesus’ third appearance following His resurrection. He is on the shore, the disciples have returned to their regular job – fishing. He tells them to cast their nets, which were then filled. Then,

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. (John 21:12 KJV)

They recognized Him. That’s what He expects from us, recognition of our Lord.

John closes that 21st chapter with a verse I believe whole-heartedly, but also believe that in every reading of Bible verses, there is a message and application in our daily lives. Take time to see Him, and the application:

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25 KJV)

What Is Required

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 4:1 KJV)

Paul is writing Timothy, giving instructions on what to do once Paul can no longer offer advice. This letter has been shared for two millennium and continues to be excellent advice. Our ministry may not be the same as Timothy’s, but we all have one and need to be reminded that our authority remains our Lord.

We know what the Lord requires:

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, (Deuteronomy 10:12 KJV)

He reminds us in other verses:

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8 KJV)

He tells us that’s the most important commandment, and with one other all law and prophecy is founded:

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. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

If we can’t get that first one, how can we possible get the second? Just as the lawyer, we tempt our Lord and ask for definitions of "neighbor":

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? (Luke 10:25-29 KJV)

Remember Jesus’ answer in Luke 10:30-37. Mercy. Having compassion when it is within our power to harm. By ignoring the injured man, those who passed by actually harmed him. The lawyer recognized the answer, but we’re not told if he followed Jesus’ instructions:

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:37 KJV)

Sounds simple, doesn’t it. Go, and do thou likewise. See the need, be compassionate, do good instead of nothing and understand that doing so fulfills God’s requirement.

Or – be the gray, shadowed, figure in the above graphic, walking away from God commandments – and His blessings.

God Is Good

There’s a phrase from the movie “God’s Not Dead” that I hear a lot.

God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

This morning I read a quote from Corrie ten Boom:

Often I have heard people say, ‘How good God is! We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the lovely weather!’ Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us. ‘No, Corrie,’ said Betsie, ‘He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.” There is an ocean of God’s love available—there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love—whatever the circumstances.

It comes to me as I’m praying for families in our church – a widow whose brother died from cancer; a daughter whose mother died; a grandfather fighting cancer, another whose heart is healing from surgery; parents with ungrateful children. I know these people, and I know they would assure me, “God is good.”

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)

Really? Betsie – and these others died “according to his purpose”? The best answer to that was written by a loving husband and father who soon would be a widower, “If God Does Not Heal.” It is also in recognition that death awaits all of us:

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27 KJV)

We do feel that the judgment is faced in our lifetime, and that deliverance seems so very far away. Perhaps we should pay more attention to three men who were condemned to death. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego addressed the man who held their lives in his hands, and condemned them for their trust in God:

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. (Daniel 3:17-18 KJV)

Would we be as firm in our belief in His ability to deliver us, but if He did not, would we turn our back to Him? My intentions are to remain firm, and I pray for His strength that in what ever sorrow I face I know that He is good, singing with the psalmist:

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. (Psalms 69:30 KJV)

Differing Opinions

I like this depiction of Luke, and I love the two books of the New Testament attributed to him. He writes to a Friend of God, as Theophilus translates:

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. (Luke 1:3-4 KJV)

and:

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (Acts 1:1 KJV)

It may be that he never met Jesus, but he comes across as one who has interviewed:

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19 KJV)

Reading through Acts, we find a perspective change. We move from third person to first person plural as Luke uses “we” in some travels, indicating he accompanied Paul. A true eye-witness account.

Sunday’s sermon included Acts 13:1:

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (Acts 13:1 KJV)

As you know, I look for background, and noticed in Matthew Henry’s Commentary:

(2.) Lucius of Cyrene, who some think (and Dr. Lightfoot inclines to it) was the same with this Luke that wrote the Acts, originally a Cyrenian, and educated in the Cyrenian college or synagogue at Jerusalem, and there first receiving the gospel.

I was not aware of this before and it raised questions about my long-held thoughts that Luke was a Greek physician. Now, why did I think that? Partly because he was not included in the “circumcision” list:

With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. (Colossians 4:9-11 KJV)

But in a verse with Demas:

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. (Colossians 4:14 KJV)

And again, when Paul is instructing Timothy:

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:9-11 KJV)

I’ve also been influenced by fiction, remembering Taylor Caldwell’s “Dear and Glorious Physician”, published and read when I was in high school. Reviewing reminds me just how fictional it was!

I may have opinions about the author of The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, but the Bible offers facts. My opinions may differ from others, as does Dr. Lightfoot and Matthew Henry, but the Bible presents inspired writings upon which our faith is based. It really doesn’t matter to me which opinion is correct, but it is important to me to know the facts.

Now I want to read Acts more closely, noting where the first person plural places Luke during the chronology. I want to pay attention to who travels with him, when and where. I do not want, ever, to be described as Demas, having loved this present word and is departed.

I’d rather be described, as Luke, being with Paul, or as Mark, profitable for the ministry.

History

You can pick up this book for Kindle or hard copy on Amazon and other sites. I bought mine back in 1976 when I also bought H. I. Hester’s “The Heart of Hebrew History.” The books, according to the author, are not designed to take the place of the Old nor New Testaments, but to give an “intelligent view” of both. The first edition of “The Heart of the New Testament” was 1950. The one I purchased was the 30th edition – so some came out in less than a year apart.

I bought it – and the other – because I wanted to learn more about the Bible and in this book Hester used scripture, assigning specific scriptures to each topic. These were used in courses offering college credits, too. Used in connection with the Bible, I could evaluate his three sections: the introduction to the New Testament; the earthly life of Christ as recorded in the four gospels; the growth of the Christian movement in later New Testament books.

Regardless of whether or not men acknowledge him as Saviour and Lord they must pay tribute to him as the world’s outstanding man.

That’s evident in how many non-Christians quote Him, even when they are vilifying today’s Christians for not living up to His commands. The author admits that some believe the world has:

. . .  outgrown Christ in the present progressive period of history; he has lost his appeal to men, and the future can never be influenced by him and his teachings like past centuries have been.  According to those who hold this view the place of Jesus in the lives of men is steadily diminishing and will continue to decrease in the future.

That was published in 1976, and the division remains the same today. There are believers, and there are non-believers. Every single day  there are people who respond to God’s word, and every single day there are those who reject it. I like what happens when one believes and changes their direction:

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, (Luke 15:7a KJV)

Is it strange to consider that all of heaven is not only aware of us, but rejoices when we decide to live there?

I believe John was aware of this as he explains to us why he wrote about Jesus:

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31 KJV)

John addresses this again, and again:

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:12-13 KJV)

I’m still studying the Bible, and other books that offer insight into God’s word. I still write in this blog about what I read and believe – and will return to doing so more often – as I truly believe a Christian’s witness is important because Christ tells us:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

I will, and He is.

It’s A Dirty Job

If you don’t know the name Mike Rowe, his face might not jump in your mind as being connected, but his show on the Discovery channel was “Dirty Jobs.” For eight seasons Mike got dirty along side workers, doing the jobs they regularly did, and that he chose to do for our entertainment.

But it’s not Mike I have on my mind following Sunday night’s sermon. It’s Joseph.

And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:  (Luke 23:50 KJV).

Apparently Luke respected him. I expect Joseph was used to that as he was a member of the Sanhedrin. Think about that for a moment – those leaders were involved in Christ’s trials. Maybe that’s why Luke next wrote:

(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. (Luke 23:51 KJV)

His actions are included in all four gospels, for he accomplished what none of the others are said to have considered. Neither family nor disciples:

This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. (Luke 23:52 KJV)

He did not “require”, “demand”, “request” but “begged.” Brave enough to face the Roman authority, and humble enough to beg for the body of his Lord. Then, he did the dirty job:

And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. (Luke 23:53 KJV)

I have attended many funerals. A large number of them loved ones, people who were important in my life. I’ve never had to prepare them for their funerals – I don’t know anyone who has. Joseph took the body down and wrapped it linen. The body that had been bloodied by whips and thorns, pierced by nails that held Him to the cross as well as a spear that loosened the remaining fluids and blood following His death.

This was a dirty job. But Joseph was not alone:

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. (John 19:39 KJV)

Yep – the Pharisee who did not understand being born again. The man to whom Christ succinctly wrapped up the gospel:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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 3:14-17 KJV)

Two men who kept their relationship with Jesus hidden are now not only openly acknowledging Him, but are taking His body for burial.

Nothing here indicates they, any more than His disciples, thought about the resurrection. My imagination tells me they were doing the last thing they could to respect a man they respected. They made themselves unclean by their actions, but there’s no indication of regret.

There is also no indication in the Bible what happened to them after the resurrection. Secular history has speculated and there are traditions, but nothing more biblically. Yet, we remember them both, as we should, for the love and respect they held for the Lord we worship.

Should we ever be ashamed to do a dirty job for our Lord? The one who washed His disciples’ feet?

Can You Handle Worse?

Michelangelo’s “Jeremiah”. Sistine Chapel, Vatican

Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? (Jeremiah 12:1 KJV)

Michelangelo painted him in darkness, contemplative, with his head on his hand, not looking up to God or outward to his fellow man. There is no happiness in the book Jeremiah nor its companion, Lamentations. This is the weeping prophet:

Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! (Jeremiah 9:1 KJV)

Even his fountain of tears did not change the hearts of those who heard his message:

Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them. (Jeremiah 11:6 KJV)

May I tell you those words are just as valid today as they were coming from Jeremiah? And, our response:

Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not. (Jeremiah 11:8 KJV)

We no longer have to imagine what is in another’s heart, do we? It is shown in our newscasts,our television shows and the move theaters. It’s written by individuals and shown to the world through social media. Some is uplifting and spiritually encouraging. Some absolutely obeying not.

Yet, they prosper and we ask the same question Jeremiah did – why are they all happy and we are filled with sorrow?

The answer Jeremiah received as not one we want to hear, but may be truth for us today:

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? (Jeremiah 12:5 KJV)

The Pulpit Commentary speaks of this verse:

The opposition to the prophet will reach a still higher pitch; and if he is so soon discouraged, how will he bear his impending trials?

Isn’t that where we stand today? Moral issues have become battles in our country and from a biblical perspective, those battles have been lost. How can we complain to God about these losses when so much is being inflicted on our country – finances, drought, floods, international wars and rumors of wars. What more will we endure? What more are we prepared to endure.

I can’t help but think of Christians in Nineveh as ISIS (or ISIL or IS, whatever they’ve chosen as a label today) offered them conversion, onerous taxation or death. From news accounts, many chose death – or it was chosen for them.

What would we choose? For ourselves? Our family? Jeremiah chose to continue proclaiming God’s words, though none are shown to have listened. None were humbled nor responsive. Yet we, thousands of years later, read Jeremiah, study the words, and look to God for answers.

Or, do we?