A Nightmare

After awaking once in the night, it took a while to get back to sleep. I spent that time praying – for a child who had lost her mother, and two mothers whose children had left home for a life that went against their parents’ teachings.

I woke next from a dream where I was speaking of our Lord to a lady in whose home I was visiting. She listened while busy with preparations for her own worship service. I mentioned a scripture and she replied, “I don’t believe in scriptures. The Bible isn’t really God’s word, it was written by men. We reach God through the prophet.”

I stood amazed and wondered how I could reach her, then we went with her family to their worship center. It was all made of brick, the building, which had lots of angles, but no windows, the walks, which slanted to where we could not stand up straight, then dipped so that water stood. “This is all wrong,” I said, but the people around me did not understand. Their prophet designed the building – it had to be right.

When I woke, the dream remained, as did the desire to reach that hospitable lady. My scriptures had no meaning for her or the other followers of her prophet.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:26-27 KJV)

How could I tell the dream lady – or any real person – that even large brick buildings can be built on sand? Then I thought of the verses that came before the building parable:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15 KJV)

Thank God we’ve been given a way to know those people who make promises for our future that seem so wonderful!

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. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:16-20 KJV)

If the Bible is not to be believed, at least take time to look at the fruit. Is it sweet, or bitter? Does it nourish, or take away? Does it wither without fulfilling promises?

Each of those -  the ones who promise our future will be better with them - calls for us to live a specified lifestyle, follow their rules, and gives reasons for doing so. Look deeply, long term, at the families already there – at the individual lives – and place a value on their fruit. Do not tell me that is ‘judging’ them. It is no different than picking fresh, attractive, fruit at the grocery.

What fruit will be picked?

Make Them Run

… Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (Habakkuk 2:2 KJV)

That was used in a message from Joe McGee Ministries that my niece reposted on FB. I don’t know another thing about his ministry – but I really like this verse.

Yes, I read it this past year when I read the Bible through – but it didn’t strike me then the way it did this week. Write the vision. Make it plain. So plain that when it’s read it makes the reader run!

Wow, wouldn’t anyone like to write such a message? Make it unambiguous, plain as the nose on your face, no question about it, understandable. I haven’t read many of those, and the ones I have read come from the Bible.

My favorites are “God created” and “God so loved the world.” Those are pretty plain to me. “Without him was not any thing made.” Very clear, isn’t it?

We know almost nothing about Habakkuk beyond the three chapters under his name. He does not give his tribe, nor his father’s name. We don’t know the town he called home, though many of the prophets were so identified. He spends the first chapter pretty much complaining that the Lord wasn’t paying attention to spoiling and violence, strife and contention. Judgment was required. Sounds fairly modern, doesn’t it. After complaining, Habakkuk writes:

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. (Habakkuk 2:1 KJV)

After railing against God, Habakkuk is going to watch what happens – even though he knows that there’s a strong likelihood he’ll be punished. Instead, he’s given instructions:

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:2-4 KJV)

The vision is written. It is plain. It hasn’t happened yet, but it is the truth, not a lie. Wait for it. Live by faith.

Did I miss something? Isn’t that the message? And, isn’t it pretty much the same message Christ left with us? There is more to come, that’s the truth. Wait for it and live by faith. Why do we have such a hard time with this truth – isn’t it basically the same message Abraham received? Why do we just have to have it NOW!!!!!?

O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2 KJV)

Can we pray Habakkuk’s prayer? Can we wait, justly, in faith?

His Story

This is a capture of a graphic that made the e-mail rounds, and is making them again.  This particular one was available through The Tennessee Mint and the Artist is Joe Castillo. A quick glance at the picture gives you a man’s portrait. A closer look tells the story of a man’s life.

Joe has updated that man’s face – click on the graphic and it will take you to his website. There are several of his works available for purchase. The updated picture of this man gives a great deal more detail of His life.

Since we’ve just come from celebrating His birth, we have now through March to concentrate on His life and His teachings before facing His death.  Our joy comes on March 31 when we celebrate His resurrection.

You see, though His birth did have a few more attention getting details than most births, it’s what happened after His death on the cross that separates what we believe from others. We believe Jesus died on the cross, was buried and lives still. As the Pharisees, we believe in the resurrection. Paul tells what it is without that:

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (1 Corinthians 15:14 KJV)

We’ve not only accepted Pascal’s wager that there is a God, we’ve come down on the answer that states unequivocally that:

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)

To believe John 3:16, one must also accept:

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18 KJV)

And, we must accept His response to the woman at the well in Samaria, who knew of the Messiah:

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:26 KJV)

The very same man who told priests in the synagogue that Isaiah had prophesied of Him:

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:21 KJV)

What part of this is found to be unbelievable? Even without empirical evidence, is this more difficult to believe than scientific conclusions based on an earthbound mankind?

We use scientifically trusted instruments to postulate theories of things we cannot see. We conclude the reality based on mathematical equations trusted through centuries of use – yet we deny the spiritual. Somehow we overlook the failures of science but never overlook a perceived spiritual failure. Is that fair? Must we believe only what we see?  If so, how can the non-scientist trust science that we have not, cannot see?

God has made promises. They have been kept. 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

See the story in Castillo’s portrait, then get to know the man and His life. Seek Him.

Service

As the new year began, I spent some time catching up on blogs. I’d missed a few during the holidays, and it’s always a blessing to revisit my favorites.  One is Deborah’s Journey, though she has a couple of others, it was here I read of her verse for the year, Joshua 24:15b.

She had a lovely graphic, but I wanted to use her link and verse quickly, so I needed one without waiting for permission. I stopped by another favorite blog (both are on my side bar), Bran Made Tags. Sometimes months go by without an update there – but scrolling through offers tons of beautiful graphics.  I didn’t have to scroll, though. Top of the latest blog – there it was. 

I saw the rooftops first, and thought, “Wow, that would be just right. I can change the verse …”, but I didn’t have to. There it was, the verse we should all use during 2013:

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:14-15 KJV)

It’s the close of the campaigns, the close of his career. He’s lived through the wilderness, fought for the land of promise and now he shows his determination to continue to be of service to his Lord, whatever might come.

He recognizes that others may not. They came through the same hardships, survived the same battles, or were born a generation later and see only the promises. Some will determine that evil does come when serving the Lord. They will seek other pleasures. They will turn away from God’s service, forgetting they are where He brought them.

What is the service He requires?  Later, by another, we’re told:

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)

It’s the humbleness that gives us such problems, isn’t it? We have a tendency to take pride in what we do, forgetting that God has a specific purpose for us. When we quench the spirit, thwart that purpose, things become less clear and much more chaotic. Decisions are harder, temptations stronger. When all we need to know is:

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)

In spite of the many biblical promises fulfilled by men who did fear God and keep His commandments – as well as the examples of those who did not – we forget our duty and neglect our service. Will we serve our Lord in 2013?

How’s Your God Attention Span?

The link will take you to Amazon.  A couple of times this book was free for Kindle readers, and may be again. It’s a teacher’s view of his class, and I enjoy reading the stories.  I just finished the chapter “Ray’s Math Homework.”

Ray knew he was unable to work through math equations. He was just bad at math, unable to grasp understanding. His mother was hoping for a D this year – it would be an upgrade from before. As the story develops, we discover Ray’s problem isn’t math, it is his attention span.

Since I usually look for biblical applications to every day life, this one was a given – we see ourselves unable to work through problems in our daily lives. Perhaps our own problems are more indicative of attention span than anything else.

Don’t we expect instant response to our own problems? When that doesn’t happen, we blame God for not taking care of us? We expect an immediate response to a problem that took years to create, and we expect it from a God to whom a thousand years is but a day.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8 KJV)

Then, when the answer is not what we want, not what will bring us happiness, we blame God for what’s wrong in our lives. The very same God that we believe:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)

Look at Eve.  She believed God but so easily gave in to what she saw in front of her rather than the words she knew and the Creator she walked with. She took time to consider her choice:

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6 KJV)

Satan didn’t say one word to Adam. Not one single temptation did Satan lay before Adam. All it took was his best friend’s urging to enjoy what was good, pleasant to the eyes and was desirable to make him wise.

How many of us fall for these ideas from our own friends?

How long is our God attention span? Long enough to keep away from temptation?  Long enough to wait through a lesson from Him? Long enough to learn what He has in store for us – even if it takes years?

Or, must we have the desirable thing now?

Treasure

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (Luke 9:24-25 KJV)

In 1961 the US Army recalled thousands of reservists to active duty. We were among many who reported to Fort Polk, Louisiana, in response to a crisis in Berlin. We were renters, so we lost no home. Others did. We were employees, we did not lose a business. Others did. A lot was given in the service of their country, for their fellow countrymen.

What about those who would follow the Lord, but find they love what they are losing more than they love the path He chose for them? I think that’s what is meant in the above verse by life – the current way we’re living, the standards we desire, the income to buy what we like – if we leave Him to save that, what have we lost?

Can we follow Jesus’ words?

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:33-34 KJV)

I can’t. I honestly cannot sell all that I have. I’ve convinced myself that it would not be good stewardship to sell our home and expect God to actually provide my daily bread. I turn to Paul for part of that justification:

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (1 Timothy 5:8 KJV)

Yet, Jacob’s descendants were asked to do that very thing – leave their homes in Egypt and follow Moses. Where do we put our trust? What treasures are we losing? Are we listening to God or ourselves?

Think of missionaries, pastors, the church staff that you know. They followed God’s call. Their salaries do not match those in the secular world, do they? These men, these families, have given their lives to the service of our Lord. They have not sought earthly treasures – but they’ve been promised a crown. Peter wrote of them:

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:2-4 KJV)

I believe it is good for all of us to pray for those called to be leaders in His service – the Peters and Pauls of our generation, the men who shepherd the Lord’s flocks. Those who fulfill their service most assuredly deserve that crown of glory – a true treasure.  Pray that they will continue to feed the flock of God among us.

Pushing

After Christmas, a friend placed a very uplifting post on Facebook. Yes, she celebrated Christmas with children and grandchildren, but the previous year also held great loss for her family:

Sometimes I just have to push past the feelings and make the choice and it all works out in time

It is a choice – something I’ve tried very hard to get across for years now – that we make daily. How do we face life?

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 KJV)

Joshua did not threaten to kill every Israelite that chose not to serve the LORD. He did not tell them horrible things would happen to them. He did make his choice known.

There are times when it is necessary to “push past the feelings”, though. Not just feelings of loss and make the choice to rejoice, as my friend did, we also have to push past feelings of bitterness to find life’s sweetness. We have to push past feelings of anger or hurt and choose forgiveness. We have to push past feelings of fear and choose trust.

We have to do all of this pushing ourselves not just with our relationships with fellow man, but with God. We have to push past our own feelings for temptations to place our lives in God’s hands.

Too often we hold on to feelings of anger or hate and withhold our forgiveness of others. We judge their hurtfulness to be greater than we can bear. We are wrong.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 KJV)

We all need God’s forgiveness, for how we treat our fellowman is how we treat God:

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 25:40 KJV)

We need to push against feelings that tend to separate us from God and keep us from providing fruit of the spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)

The previous verses in Galatians 5 give a much longer list for the works of the flesh. Some of them will provide worldly gain, but will certainly quench the spirit.

Daily – we must realize that this isn’t a once in a lifetime event as salvation is. Daily we make decisions about what fruit we provide. Jesus didn’t hold that information back from anyone:

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23 KJV)

Tomorrow I’ll look at the next verse.