Nehemiah

Ooops, I have them out of order biblically, but they are chronological. Nehemiah fits after Esther, though the description could fit a number of nations:

The nation was in crisis. Drought brought a lack of food, though the very wealthy and those in political power were able to take care of themselves. Workers were spending so much time on rebuilding that they had no time to gather their own food. Landowners had mortgaged their homes and farms because of the drought and were unable to pay back, losing their homes, income and heritage. Taxes, too, were high. The nation came to Nehemiah crying out against those in power, their own people, asking for help:

And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. (Nehemiah 5:1-4 KJV)

How different is that from today?

Nehemiah’s reaction is much as ours is today, too:

And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. … Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? (Nehemiah 5:6, 9 KJV)

It does make a difference how others perceive us. Our actions reflect upon on our beliefs, our morals, the very fabric of our lives – whether as a family, a community or a nation. How do we wish others to see us? Fractured and vulnerable, or strong and working together?

Nehemiah set the example for the nation.

Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. (Nehemiah 5:14 KJV)

Unlike previous governors, Nehemiah did not take what was due him, laboring instead along side his people people. That gave him the opportunity, the right, to ask those in power:

Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. (Nehemiah 5:11 KJV)

Following his example, their response was:

Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. (Nehemiah 5:12 KJV)

Those who do so can pray with him as he did in the chapter’s close:

Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. (Nehemiah 5:19 KJV)

Esther

Sunday we leave the historical books and move into Esther. Well, it’s historical, too – but it has several differences from those we’ve read for the past several weeks. Books and movies have told, retold and romanticized the young girl and the mighty king. The 2006 “One Night With The King” is the latest movie. I have my own favorite scenes just from reading the book.

I admire Vashti’s refusal to respond to the king’s command:

To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. (Esther 1:11 KJV)

Talk about a trophy wife! For seven days male guests have been drinking:

And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. (Esther 1:7 KJV)

And now the king wants her to show up just to show off? As a result of her refusal, she never saw the king again:

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. (Esther 1:19 KJV)

So the search for a replacement begins:

And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. (Esther 2:3-4 KJV)

The story continues with love, hate, intrigue, murder – plots thick enough to keep books and movies coming for thousands of years.

God is not mentioned in Esther. His name does not appear in the book at all. Israel is not mentioned. Jerusalem is mentioned only describing Mordecai:

Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity (Esther 2:6a KJV)

Esther is the first book in the Old Testament that uses the word Jew. Esther is neither a judge of her people, nor a prophet. When she becomes queen, it is not as a queen of Jews. There are many things that set this book apart from the others.

Worth the time to study? Absolutely!!! God’s planning is evident in the events. Allow God’s work to be done through us, or watch it work through another and be forgotten:

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 KJV)

Not Forsaking

Have prayer meetings been held in your home? David and Mary Jones in San Diego hold them, and may not be able to in the future, according to Fox News (but not to be found on CBS, CNN or MSNBC)

"On Good Friday we had an employee from San Diego County come to our house, and inform us that the bible study that we were having was a religious assembly, and in violation of the code in the county." David Jones told FOX News.

"We told them this is not really a religious assembly — this is just a bible study with friends. We have a meal, we pray, that was all," Jones said.

"The implications are great because it’s not only us that’s involved," Mary Jones said. "There are thousands and thousands of bible studies that are held all across the country. What we’re interested in is setting a precedent here — before it goes any further — and that we have it settled for the future."

That’s San Diego – California. In the good old US of A. Remember a rather short document that includes as its first amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Can you imagine living in an American city where religious meeting in one’s home is taxed as well as regulated? You see, a city official told the Jones’ that if they pay several thousand dollars for a permit, such meetings could be held. Perhaps there is a good lawsuit pending here. How about re-reading that paragraph just above – the one with the word “free.”

That amendment gives us the right to comply with the New Testament exhortation:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25 KJV)

We are given examples of opening our homes to the church:

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (Acts 2:46 KJV)

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:42 KJV)

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. (Acts 12:12 KJV)

The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1 Corinthians 16:19 KJV)

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. (Colossians 4:15 KJV)

Need we a reminder?

What Do You Think?

Jesus asked the Pharisees a question that is raised today when men hear of Him:

Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. (Matthew 22:42 KJV)

He was asking their opinion of the expected messiah – not whether the Pharisees thought of Jesus as being the Christ, but a generic question, “Who is the messiah’s father?”

By saying “David,” they were not expecting a new son from a dead king, but that the messiah would be a descendant of King David (which the genealogies in Matthew and Luke show for both parents.) However, that creates a small problem, which Jesus addressed:

He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? (Matthew 22:43-45 KJV)

Today, their answer remains:

And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. (Matthew 22:46 KJV)

The answer lies in the gospels:

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 16:16-17 KJV)

But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:61-62 KJV)

Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
(Luke 22:67-68 KJV)

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)

We, as the Greeks who came to worship, still ask of our pastors, preachers and teachers:

Sir, we would see Jesus. (John 12:21b KJV)

Then, we must answer the question: … What think ye of Christ? (Matthew 22:42a KJV)

Paradox

Jason Pugh’s sermon Sunday night touched on how paradoxical Christianity is. How we look so odd to those not familiar with our lives.

We expect adults to become children.

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3 KJV)

We expect the great to become humble:

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4 KJV)

We expect them to understand that to save their life, they most lose it:

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 16:25 KJV) (That one is of such importance that it is repeated in each of the gospels – Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24.)

We expect those who have nothing to be able to give:

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6 KJV)

We expect belief without seeing:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

We know they hear foolishness:

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV)

We speak of thirst and water:

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV)

The best we can hope for is that the Holy Spirit is preparing their hearts and that we follow Peter’s example:

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)

Prepare for the questions!

The World

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)

It is in this belief that missionaries carried the message further and further from Jerusalem. It is this belief that shared the gospel message that

… 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)

Around this world people come together on the first day of the week to celebrate the miracle of Christ’s resurrection. They read from God’s word. They sing songs from their own and from others generations and cultures.

It touches people I may never see face-to-face, but share a moment or two each week through the internet. I read their blogs, they read mine. I see their photos, they view mine. I learn of their lives, they learn of mine. And in many instances, we share the love God has shown to us, holding it up for others to see.

We are told Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (Matthew 5:14-15 KJV)

But sharing this information is not what the gospel is about. The word ‘share’ is not found in the King James Version. What we are told to do is ‘give’ as He has given to us. We are not to keep a portion for ourselves, but to give freely, as He has given to us.

We are promised rest: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 KJV) I need to provide rest for those who need it, too.

We are promised accountability: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36 KJV) I need to be accountable for my words and my actions.

We are promised the ability to give what we have: Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6 KJV) I need to look beyond wealth and give of God’s love.

Jesus spoke of the greatest gift:

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (John 4:10 KJV)

Paul found it, recognized it, and gave it on to us:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

That is the message our world gives. It was freely given to us and is available if thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (John 4:10 KJV)

Memorial Day 2009

CNN’s Rachel Rodriquez called and asked to use a photo and comments I wrote about Captain John Clarence Blickensderfer. You can find the first page of the Memorial Day memories here http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/22/memorial.day.irpt/index.html.

Jack’s photo is the first on the second row, and his story is on the timeline at 1944. That will take you to his photo and a short article.

We remember Jack each Memorial Day, and share his memory with others. Jack was co-pilot of one of the planes that crashed at Hoorn, Holland, 7 July, 1944. The loss of a single soldier costs families their future

Today, he is honored, as are all of those who died defending our nations.

The graciousness of southern ladies has been noted for generations. Northern ladies have shown centuries of hospitality.

And in 1866 they combined their attributes to honor fallen heroes.

Petersburg, Virginia, is recognized as the place where a school teacher and her students placed flags upon the graves of Confederate soldiers. Mrs. Jonathan Logan (wife of the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic Association after the war) noted this honor and encouraged participation. General Logan officially proclaimed the first Memorial Day, May 30, 1868. Although recognized throughout America during the next century, it was 1971 before our government set it as a national holiday.

General Douglas MacArthur’s farewell speech was given to the cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point May 12, 1962.

He spoke to duty, honor and country. According to him, “…unbelievers will say they are but words, but a slogan, but a flamboyant phrase. Every pedant, every demagogue, every cynic, every hypocrite, every troublemaker, and, I am sorry to say, some others of an entirely different character, will try to downgrade them even to the extent of mockery and ridicule.” And, they have, continuing to do so.

MacArthur continued: “The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training - sacrifice. In battle and in the face of danger and death, he discloses those divine attributes which his Maker gave when he created man in his own image. No physical courage and no brute instinct can take the place of the Divine help which alone can sustain him. However horrible the incidents of war may be, the soldier who is called upon to offer and to give his life for his country, is the noblest development of mankind.”

Christ’s words confirmed this: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 KJV)

MacArthur’s words are as valid today as in 1962: “Let civilian voices argue the merits or demerits of our processes of government. Whether our strength is being sapped by deficit financing indulged in too long, by federal paternalism grown too mighty, by power groups grown too arrogant, by politics grown too corrupt, by crime grown too rampant, by morals grown too low, by taxes grown too high, by extremists grown too violent; whether our personal liberties are as firm and complete as they should be.

“These great national problems are not for your professional participation or military solution. Your guidepost stands out like a tenfold beacon in the night: Duty, Honor, Country.”

Our soldiers have understood, as “…civilian voices argue the merits or demerits of our processes of government…”,

We offer our soldiers medals for their valor, honor for their courage. Let us always offer them our respect, our thanks and our love, for their sacrifice. This year, as decades past, we will specifically remember the sacrifice given by Captain John Clarence Blickensderfer, a 20-year-old US Army Air Corps pilot who did not return from a bombing run.

Please pray for the families who continue to live with loss. And for the men and women who continue to stand in harm’s way.