Wavering? Torn Between Possibilities?

“Pilate Washes His Hands” - James Tissot

There are times in our lives when we are faced with major decisions. There are possibilities in either direction we might select, and pitfalls. Both have unknown possibilities. We need a bit of wisdom to know what to do. Considering James’ first chapter is a good start. Verses 1-4 are an introduction from James to the twelve tribes followed by a request for patience during trials. Then this:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 KJV)

Matthew Henry, in his commentary, gives us this:

We should not pray so much for the removal of an affliction as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And who is there that does not want wisdom under any great trials or exercises to guide him in his judging of things, in the government of his own spirit and temper, and in the management of his affairs? To be wise in trying times is a special gift of God, and to him we must seek for it.

From my own experience, we are much more apt to request the removal of any affliction than to accept it and use it to God’s glory. We’re often too busy looking for a way out and if there isn’t one, turning it over to God because it is too hard for us to “fix.”

Unfortunately, most of the time we are asking for a “fix” for the consequences of our own actions – personal and made without asking God’s help. It could have been much better if we had asked for wisdom in making decisions, then used His guidelines to implement that decision.

The Greek for “double minded” is δίψυχος, used only twice in the Bible, and only in James. In addition to “wavering” and “doubting”, it also means “divided in interest.” Christians usually are divided between this world and what God has promised us. John was aware of this:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:15-16 KJV)

So was Paul:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJV)

But I believe their words came from Jesus:

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:14 KJV)

Use God-given wisdom to make decisions while living in this world, but keep those decisions focused on God’s eternal planning – which includes each and every one of us.

Following Instructions

This QuiltFOX Design pattern looks lovely, doesn’t it. The pattern tells me there are two top squares, mirrored, as well as two bottom rectangles, also mirrored.  That means that the center piece and the next round on the top are the same (unless, like me, you choose a material that points to the left or right), but from there on, each piece mirrors the other side. Also, keep in mind that each quadrant has 20 pieces.

For someone used to creating quilts, set up to do it several hours each day – this may be easy. I’ve lost my way several times. The first time was with the first set of directions. Fortunately, before I cut fabric, the designer provided an update that was much more explanatory.

However, this morning I sewed three pieces incorrectly and will have to get out the seam ripper and make corrections. Which, of course, reminded me that God is forgiving with us, but the incorrect items in our lives must be fixed or things will never fit.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:36-37 KJV)

But (I can hear yours just as easily as I said mine) they were wrong! Why should I be forgiving when it hasn’t even been requested?! Yes, I put emphasis on my sentences. I was emphatic that THEY WERE WRONG! Perhaps it was personally vindictive. Well, He covered that, too:

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:35 KJV)

That’s sufficient, isn’t it? Nope. And it all has to do with love:

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15 KJV)

Fortunately, we start with just two. Everything else should be based on these:

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)

Does that mean we are supposed to put up with sinfulness? Again, Nope:

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (Mark 6:11 KJV)

Jesus said that to His disciples as they went out to teach. If people will not heed His commandments, the judgment will be God’s, not ours. We may know it will come, we may tell them what will come, but the telling must be done with love. Remember Luke 6:35 above and Matthew 5:44 –  for enemies, or even friends who despitefully use you.

Remember, our own forgiveness can come from within ourselves.

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. (Luke 11:4a KJV)

Tell It To Jesus

The Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Eames Rankin, D.D., LL.D., of Charlestown, Massachusetts spoke at Wheaton College Commencement in 1869. The College history includes:

Born in Thornton, New Hampshire on 2 January 1828, Thornton graduated from Middlebury College in 1848.  He read theology at Andover, and was pastor of the First Congregational Church of St. Albans, Vermont from 1857 to 1863, and subsequently was pastor of churches in Lowell and Charlestown (Winthrop Church), MA, Washington, D.C., and Orange, NJ.  Rankin served as chaplain of the United States House of Representatives. He was Professor of Pastoral Theology at Howard University, and served as Howard University's President from 1889 to 1903. Rankin died in 1904.

He wrote numerous hymns. One is titled “Out of My Darkness Into Thy Light” but I know it as “Jesus I come.” Another has but one title, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” But my favorite is the graphic above – “Tell It To Jesus.” That’s so very biblical:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 KJV)

Please note that neither labor nor burden are taken out of the equation. We will continue to do both, but we will have rest. The next two verses tell us that we will take on additional responsibilities, too:

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29-30 KJV)

He doesn’t promise to wait until we’re rested, either. Also, we are to accept His yoke without laying down our own. After that we take time to learn of Him.  Unfortunately, we too often find His burden confusing because we do not take that next step and learn about Him. He knows all about us, though, and He wants to talk with us. He gave an example in the Lord’s 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)

Go over those verses once more, please, and think about the words, the order and the reasoning behind them. They have meaning and they have power. Did you say them – or did you pray them?
Did we include ourselves when thinking of “earth”, “our debts”, “forgive our debtors,” “us” for both leading and deliverance? Do we really want His kingdom to come? Do we believe He has a kingdom? That He is all power? That all glory belongs to Him? If not, we’re just saying – not praying.

Looking up the word “pray” and you’ll find it 39 times in the KJV gospels. The first six are words Jesus spoke, and the seventh begins a story I love:

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:23 KJV)

Can you imagine how few times He had alone? The disciples were out in a boat while he prayed, alone. A storm rose – they say that can happen quickly on the Sea of Galilee. He came walking to them and the men feared that sight as much as the storm. Peter called to join Him and started out, failing, calling out “Lord, save me!” Jesus stopped the failure, provided the salvation:

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him,

That must have been a wondrous thing for Peter to experience – Jesus taking his hand in salvation! Awesome – until the next part of the verse:

and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
(Matthew 14:31 KJV)

Peter told Jesus he wanted to walk out to Him; Jesus said, “Come”; Peter took first steps, then feared instead of focusing on and talking to Jesus. Don’t blame Peter until we can do better, right?

Bread of Life

In case you weren’t aware, that’s my logo. I created it many years ago and have no reason to change it. Unfortunately, I’ve misfiled the nice, large, clean graphic and only have this one.

The two verses are important to me. Luke 11:3 is part of the example Jesus gave us for the Lord’s prayer. John 6:48 is part of a larger lesson on belief and everlasting life along with His confirmation that His life is the bread of life. I could have included Matthew 4:4, Jesus’ answer to Satan when He was offered bread from stone.

More than three hundred verses in the Bible contain 361 references to bread. It was important to the living. Not as important, however, as the message carried by the man who said He was the bread of life:

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:25-26 KJV)

He tells her – and us – that He is the expected Messiah. Isaiah looked forward to Him in Isaiah 53:1-10 and others, including Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus read Isaiah’s prophecies and told a synagogue congregation:

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:17-21 KJV)

That’s what’s behind John 6:48, fulfillment of scripture. the unspeakable gift of God. So much more than the manna provided to the Children of Israel, Jesus provides life everlasting. But much happened in that day of John’s sixth chapter, beginning with people following Him in a multitude because He healed people. Look back at my blog “The Bible Said He Did” for that description.

There were so many people, hungry people, and He was aware:

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. (John 6:5-6 KJV)

What He would do would feed five thousand people, and it was considered a miracle. I’m certain were it to be repeated today, it would be considered a miracle. A man who walked dusty roads, preached astonishing doctrine, amazingly healed people, fed five – and three – thousand people, was followed by multitudes and yet people today think He sits on a throne in heaven, uninterested in our lives. Perhaps we should consider:

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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 2:2-3 KJV)

The question to me is – how neglectful have I been? I am the only one who can consider, answer and respond. Are you able to do the same about the man who said “I am the bread of life”?

How Literate Are You, Biblically?

None of my Bibles look like this. One of my husband’s does, though – except there is a middle column with reference numbers and scripture connections. There are millions of different styles of Bibles, only unopened ones from the same printing are just alike. As soon as the box is opened, most get some writing  in them. Some as presentations for an achievement, a lot for family occasions. At our church, newly baptized members are given one as a gift from the church. I’ve wondered about the percentage of use afterward.

One I’ve had for about 40 years is highlighted and noted. That was before I started keeping a notebook – and started using a tablet with a digital Bible. My digital Bible is highlighted and notes are often added, but the notebooks keep more info than the Bible now.

From February 14 of this year, my notes include using tools. My husband uses tools to create furniture. Several pieces in our home, including an oversized nine-drawer chest of drawers. I love them! I have some ceramic items that carry memories, and I must admit I use a number of tools to make quilts, so I use them, too.

The Bible is a Christian’s best tool. The purpose of this tool is to point people to God. How can we use this tool without study and instruction?

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

There are many ways to grow Bible usage – daily readings is excellent. I recommend YouVersion apps for specific topical reading – and these apps have no ads:

A free Bible on your phone, tablet, and computer. YouVersion is a simple, ad-free Bible that brings God's Word into your daily life.

For more in-depth studying, I recommend e-Sword. which also has apps for iPhone and computer. I regret it is not yet available for Google store, but it is much more comprehensive by offering commentaries. As with YouVersion, the app, Bible and some other resources are free. As with Olive Tree, more versions and resources cost. Items without copyright are free – newer versions and books cost.

No – old does not mean outdated. Somethings are always appropriate:

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)

Did you know you were to teach, talk or how often? Do you know what words were commanded to be taught and discussed? That’s part of being Bible literate.

Bible literacy also includes knowing what God expects us to do.

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)

Do you know where our Lord said obedience was more important than sacrifice? Do you know where Jesus said “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears,“ or what scripture He just read – or where He read it? If not, why not?

No – this is not simply for Christians. Anyone who denies there is a God deserves to know why they believe there is not a God. More importantly, Christians should be able to explain why - and what - they do believe.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15 KJV)

Reasonable, But . . .

No, my topic is not Zechariah’s first vision of horses, although those are interesting subjects. This happened to be the most interesting of the Zechariah graphics on Commons. What I want to think about today is in Zechariah’s seventh chapter where people came to the priests and prophets with a question:

And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? (Zechariah 7:3 KJV)

The question really is: We’ve done this for many years, commemorating the burning of the temple. Should we still do it? The equivalent happens here in the United States (probably worldwide) when holidays come.

Should we commemorate Thanksgiving? After all, it was an invasion by Europe and eventually destroyed cultures. Why hold that memory. Frankly, that’s a bleak picture. That holiday does have roots in factual history, those who first came where here for freedom to worship and it took decades for adventurers to join in, once such a beautiful land became well known. Why not continue to give thanks? My family does, and will continue to do so for reasons behind our own faith.

For these Jews questioning priests, the Lord had an answer that fits for me, too:

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? (Zechariah 7:5 KJV)

The reason God gives here can serve for me, too. I celebrate certain holidays because they are important to my belief in God, not for men.

In the next verses, God explains specifics for the memorials under question. Then comes verses where God gives specifics as to what should be done. The actions are applicable to any time, any people:

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. (Zechariah 7:9-10 KJV)

That is found across the Bible and are included in Jesus’ doctrine. The apostles repeated them and John used them as examples of faith:

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:15-18 KJV)

Unfortunately, the apostles’ teachings, Jesus’ preaching of doctrines, even God’s word to prophets usually ends up with:

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 7:11-12 KJV)

Will we encounter that great wrath from the most powerful source? Will we respond in the same way, and will he, as here:

Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: (Zechariah 7:13 KJV)

How reasonable is it for us to expect God to respond to our cries to Him -- when we ignore His words to us?

Notes on Note Taking

My father was a note taker. The habit started when he was a teen and survived a traumatic brain injury that affected his short term memory. He would study each morning, take notes and eventually was valedictorian of his graduating class. Twenty years later, when he went to work for American Airlines, he kept a notebook with daily tasks to be certain he accomplished them all. One of the last things he used in 2000 was a small old notebook where he wrote down the jobs he had, from picking cotton to American Airlines Security, followed by retirement. I picked up some of his habit.

I take notes. From these notes come almost all I write here, though some catch my attention on the ‘net. I keep sermon notes – usually three times a week, sometimes more, sometimes less, but always there are reminders of scriptures and references of things I think are important. My current notebook begins December 3, 2015 when we were studying Proverbs chapter 18. I noted several verses, but marked:

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (Proverbs 18:13 KJV)

When reading a commentary on this verse I found a reference:

Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men's hands. Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke. Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk. Ecclesiasticus 11:8

Along with an explanatory note about the Apocrypha in the original 1611 King James Bible, removed in 1885. And, there was a note in the commentary – originally in Latin, but I found a translation:

The one who decides in any case, without hearing the other side of the question, though he might determine justly, is not therefore just (Seneca)

Research takes multiple paths and keeping notes on those paths (the reason for taking them, the results of taking them, and the changes caused/not caused) are important. I know that from my genealogy research but particularly for my Bible study and research.

Another example is in older GPS instructions for finding the First Baptist Church of Cottondale. The earliest online mapping apparently thought the street address being in Paradise also placed this church in Paradise. As John Wayne used to say, “Not hardly.” Taking someone else’s word, no matter how technologically/scientifically advanced, sometimes sends us in the wrong direction.

Jesus gave us some specific travel advice:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

“Strait” does not mean “straight.” It means “… limited spatial capacity; narrow or cramped.” Sort of the same as narrow “… limited in extent, amount, or scope; restricted.”That could be why followers of Christ are often called narrow-minded. We do decline to accept the widened view of “anything goes,” or as the Bible puts it:

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. (Deuteronomy 12:8 KJV)

Yet, they did:

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 KJV)

Until even Solomon notes:

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15 KJV)

Do be cautious about that counsel. We can find people that agree with us – just ask the question on FB or Twitter and thousands will agree that the moon is made of green cheese. Seek wise counsel for wise counseling. Especially as it refers to God:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Matthew 7:15-17 KJV)

How’s your fruit?