Turning the World Upside Down

I hope you are on a mobile device so you don't have to turn your monitor upside down, but when I saw this, I couldn't help to think of one specific scripture:

These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6b KJV)

Let's back up a few verses.  In Acts 17, we find Paul and Silas (if you don't know who they are, you need to read all the book of Acts up to this point, please) have arrived in Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews. It was their habit to visit Jews to discuss how their Messiah had been born, taught, died, and was resurrected. Often they were not well received.  That still happens today when people with to share the life of Christ as Paul did:

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. (Acts 17:2-5 KJV)

For three weeks - or at least two weeks to cover three sabbath days - Paul preached to them that Jesus is Christ - simply the Greek word for the Jewish Messiah. Paul was very open about what he had seen and heard. For those Jews who knew of Jesus' ministry, certainly they also knew of Paul's battle against Jesus' followers. Yet, Paul had seen this risen Christ and opted to follow him instead of battling him.

Jesus had changed him from Saul to Paul - and in doing so had turned his life upside down. His was not the only person to have that same response. Thus, the Thessalonicans headed to Jason's house, complaining to authorities:

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. (Acts 17:6-8 KJV)

Now, have you heard Paul's testimony? Acts chapters 24-26 give the story of how he gave his testimony as to why he now followed Christ, instead of persecuting His followers. Yes, I could copy a few verses, but it would be better if you read those three chapters in context to better understand. And, my reason for writing this is to get you to read scriptures, but I will add this one additional piece of chapter 17.

After the confrontation at Jason's home, and the complaints of the crowd that these Christians had turned the world upside down, Paul and Silas went to Berea. There the people did exactly what I wish you would right now:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV)

Can you be more noble that those who complain that their world was turned upside down? Can you allow yourself to search the scriptures daily to see if what Paul said were so? Does the Bible leave you with questions, but you continue your life as usual - or does the Bible speak to you, and you find your life changing enough that you feel upside down?

The half has not yet been told. 

Leaving The Track

By Tennen-Gas - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Our Sunday morning bulletin listed the morning message as “Courageous Leadership,” with scripture from Joshua 23. I had my Bible open to the passage when Pastor changed tracks. That’s why I chose the rail yard for this blog’s graphic. There are many ways to switch tracks.

We have lots of thoughts, lots of plans, lots of work done in a specific direction – when something comes along and changes the track we are on. For Pastor, it was the theme from the previous week’s Youth Camp in Pensacola, Florida. Kenny Baldwin, Senior Pastor at Crossroads Baptist Church in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, was the speaker during the week and the them was “Driven.” Pastor Baldwin has preached revival at our church in the past and I’ve found him to be a compelling witness.

Of course, our Pastor could not condense a week’s worth of messages into one Sunday message, but from Philippians 3:4-16, Pastor did give a compelling call to consider our own lives.

First, from verse 10: “That I might know him.” Hearing of Jesus, the messages from others who know Him, or at least say they know Him, can be confusing. Was He a great prophet called by God to change people? Is He a myth, no historical records to back up stories made by a group of men? Was He a man, or was He a God? Why do people pray in His name? No one can begin to answer these questions until they get to know Him and his story.

Paul – who was named Saul – knew of Jesus and those who were called Christian because of a title. He knew them so well that he was determined to destroy them and the testimony they gave of Jesus’ birth, life, death and – of all things – resurrection. Put a stop to them and the stories would die a natural death. However, Paul became the widest-traveled witness to his own knowledge of Jesus. He was the most outspoken Apostle. He wrote to the church at Corinth:

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV)

Paul went from apprehending Christians to determined to know Him.

Second, from verse 12: “I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” That is “I am taken into custody by Christ Jesus.” Ironic, isn’t it? Paul set out to apprehended followers of Christ and ended up “apprehended of Christ.” That’s what we are supposed be, too. As His followers, we are to be caught up in learning about Christ as much as we share what we learn with others.

If you are a Christian, who knows it? How do they know it? Do you know when and why Jesus said:

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9 KJV)

The third point came from verse 14: “I press toward the mark.” This hold the connotation of a race, and race cars, foot race, or even last week’s “Driven,” uses such examples. Paul uses it as his  goal daily in life, consistent in his message to all the cities he visited. I especially love his message on Mars Hill in Athens in Acts 17, before people who had no idea who he was or why he was there? However, his testimony before Agrippa and Festus in Acts 26 is one of the best sermons anyone can give – a first person view of why Paul believed Jesus’ message. What is your own testimony – why do you accept Jesus – or why do you reject Him?

Three simple points – “That I might know him” is how we learn of Christ. “I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” is when we are captured by Him. “I press toward the mark” is how we live with Christ as the motivation in our life.

After considering these three points, where are you in relation to Christ? Why?

How Do We Measure?

This is a carpenter's rule, used in construction. There is also a metal tape measure that rolls into a compact container used for measuring in construction. Which is best? One user wrote:

"I use both folding ruler and retractable tape in my daily work. They are both useful. For accuracy the folding rule is superior."

I suspect there are differing opinions as to accuracy. I was reminded today about what standards we live by when a friend's blog from September 2012 was mentioned:  "Whose Yardstick Are You Using?" Oddly enough, that same month I had written about "Setting Biblical Standards."

There used to be social norms that were widely acceptable, but today those norms no longer exist. There used to be laws that people (for the most part) followed, but today many laws are simply ignored. Does that affect our lives? A verse from my friend's blog tells me that it really doesn't:

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:14-15 KJV)

That peace is for all. Take a moment - is there someone with whom you are not at peace? I certainly have one. Or two. Or maybe more. If I do not feel peace about them, how can I have peace in my life?

And follow holiness? That's another subject my friend's post discussed. Do I know anyone as holy as the one whose name I used to describe my life - Christian. The one who said:

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.  (Matthew 5:46-48 KJV)

That love for everyone is a standard, a rule, by which we are supposed to love all. Not simply family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. All. That's a stumbling point for everyone, isn't it? But it wasn't for Jesus, and that's our standard,  too. Just before He said we were to be perfect, He said:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:43-44 KJV)

When I read that, I think of a photo called "Second Mile" on the website Journeys With The Messiah. Please take a moment to visit the "Second Mile" link and I'd love to hear if you would be able to make the first mile, much less the second. Or if you could turn the other cheek? I've had to give some very serious thoughts about that.

There was a time as a child when I was abused. Later in life I had the thought - would that person be in heaven? And, the answer was "Yes, it is possible." I knew the passages of scripture that convinced me that not only was it possible, it was most likely truth. So what did that mean to me? That God forgives and to be like Him, I was to forgive. What a burden lifted.

Recently a dear family member was physically abused, and I was angered at the liar that chose abuse over the love they had promised. Once again, though, the Lord convinced me that prayer for that individual was necessary. So my prayer list carries the name of a person I do not wish to see, but that I know needs God in their life. That did erase my anger, replacing it with prayer.

I do not believe a person can hold hatred for a person for whom they pray. Can you?

Of course, I'm speaking as a Christian to other Christians. Non-believers would not consider praying. It would seem to be incompatible with their belief system - unless they are willing to try it as Jesus suggested in the Lord's Prayer, or His in the depth of pain as He prayed:

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26:39-42 KJV)

Thy will be done.

Repent – What Does It Mean?

I ran across this word recently, where it was defined as:

A Hebrew word for:  "To turn from the way you were going and return to God for healing, forgiveness, and instruction in righteousness."

But, it was in a meme graphic and I’ve come to not trust those without some research. So, I checked Strong’s Concordance for “repent” in the Old Testament, and did not find Teshuva, but:

H5162    נָחַם    nâcham (naw-kham')
A primitive root; properly to sigh, that is, breathe strongly; by implication to be sorry, that is, (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself): - comfort (self), ease [one’s self], repent (-er, -ing, self).
Total KJV occurrences: 108

Then I tried Google:

Repentance in Judaism – Wikipedia:   Repentance (Hebrew: תשובה, literally, "return", pronounced "tshuva" or "teshuva") is one element of atoning for sin in Judaism. ... Thus, the primary purpose of repentance in Judaism is ethical self transformation.

Then a Jewish source:

The 10 Days of Repentance  YOM KIPPUR
In the Jewish tradition, repentance is called teshuvah , a Hebrew word translated as “returning.” One of the Hebrew words for sin is chet, which in Hebrew means “to go astray.” Thus the idea of repentance in Jewish thought is a return to the path of righteousness.  . . .  The process of repentance, as laid out by Maimonides, includes three stages: confession, regret and a vow not to repeat the misdeed.

Which is exactly the same meaning of “repent” in Christianity – confession, regret for our sinfulness, and a promise to not repeat. Somehow people have problems with all three of those actions – especially the repeating of the error/misdeed/sin.

Take a moment to read about Peter’s promise to never leave Christ’s teaching – and his betrayal that same evening. Rather than give you scripture from all four Gospels (because it is in all four!), you may look them up yourself or read in Wikipedia. 

Every Christian who publicly makes a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as God’s gift to man for the purpose of reconciliation makes just about the same statement Peter did:

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (Matthew 26:33-35 KJV)

I ask you, Christian, have we not done the same? I ask you, non-Christian, doesn’t that confirm that we do not believe? Actually, it doesn’t. It confirms we are humans who need our Lord, even when we don’t act like it. I can assure, a follower of Jesus will repent, will turn and confess – most likely not to the people around us, but definitely to our Lord – for it is against our Lord that we’ve done our sin.

We learn this from David’s example:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV)

The lead in to that scripture is:

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

David had sinned by desiring Bathsheba, taking her while both were married, having her husband killed, then taking her as another wife in a chaotic family because of his multiple wives. Don’t feel self-righteous because our sins do not seem as serious.

Bottom line – have we set the example that helps another person fail? Do our actions keep another from learning of God’s love and forgiveness? Do we need to turn back to His will and righteous path?

Or do we continue in error:

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Luke 17:1-2 KJV)

Is Christ speaking to us as He did to Ephesus?

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Revelation 2:4-5 KJV)

Religion and/or Science?

Portrait of Galileo Galilei (1636), by Justus Sustermans

The Wikipedia article explains how religion and science conflicted with Galileo, to the point that he “was tried by the Inquisition, found 'vehemently suspect of heresy', and forced to recant. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest." Today, we know his theories were correct – and do not conflict with scriptures. What changed? A lot on both sides. But people still see a conflict between the religion and science when the conflict is both more and less. 

John Carson Lennox on “Why ‘Evidence-Based’ Faith Is So Valuable” helps us understand:

“This idea that there is a conflict between science and God cannot be true,” Lennox declared. “Why? Because if you go the very top of science, Nobel prize level, there are scientists on both sides.”
“Let’s take physics. Take Higgs, who won the Nobel Prize for the Higgs Boson — a brilliant physicist and an atheist,” Lennox said. “But William Phillips, a low-temperature physicist, who won the same prize, he’s a Christian!”
So, “there is a conflict — but it’s not between science and God,” Lennox explained, “it’s between theism and atheism — the two worldviews.”

This article came to me the week after our Sunday School study of 2 Peter 1, where we read:

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1:5-7 KJV)

Yes, we are saved by grace through faith. We see that in more than one verse and I’ve used them time and time again. Look them up if you doubt it. Then we add virtue to our faith – meaning we should have high moral values whereby we are living examples.

Then we are to add knowledge. How can that not include the sciences, especially as they pertain to our religion. These are studies that can increase our foundational beliefs, not necessarily wipe them out as sand. Does science really conflict with religion, or is it closed mindedness of people on both ends of the spectrum.

Yes – I am closed minded on one aspect. I believe God is the creator of all, but how I think He might have done it is of no value. In reality, geology does not deny God, but some people who deny God are geologists. And archeologists, geophysicists, chemists, astrobiologists, etc. The fields do not preclude Christians, and Christians should respect those fields.

So, how do we “prove God exists”? Lennox explains:

“When we use the word “proof” [in terms of God’s existence] we mean it in the sense in which lawyers mean it — evidence, pointers, indicators that are beyond reasonable doubt,” the professor noted.
Of course, the natural response from the atheists is that this type of evidence is not extensive enough.

I love the continued quote and his example:

Giving a real-life example, Prof. Lennox said: I’ve been married to the same woman for 50 years. I believe she loves me, I couldn’t prove it to you mathematically — but I’d risk my life on it!”

With that being said, Lennox qualified that “evidence is a hugely important thing,” when it comes to personal faith.

Indeed, even those who are not Christian would understand that blind faith in things or people is foolish and ill-informed.

“Why do I believe my wife loves me? Because I believe there is strong evidence for it,” Lennox explained. “All of us are familiar with evidence-based faith. You’re crazy if you believe things without evidence or trust people without evidence.”

That’s an excellent example because it requires love – on both sides – for that faith to exist.
Think about John’s writings while you consider evidence:

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3:23-24 KJV)

Making A Move

In February my sister joined us in our home. It took more than a day to move, although we all refer to “moving day” as it was a single event. There are adjustments made for some time before that day, and adjustments continue afterward. We had to empty the room she was moving into – she had to pack a home, with a single room in mind upon her arrival. For us heading into the fourth month, it has worked well – but more adjustments are coming and we know that.

How does that fit into a scripture covered in Sunday School?

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: (1 Peter 4:4 KJV)

It’s not a complete thought, is it? Who thinks it strange? What kind of riot? What evil speaking? Just as all scripture, context is very important, so let’s go back to the first verses in chapter 4:

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV)

When we accept God’s gift of salvation through faith in Christ, our goal becomes following His example, thinking of what He taught, ceasing from the sins He defined. We no longer list the rest of our time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. Before we became Christians, we sinned in the categories Peter listed.

Lasciviousness = indicates sexual interest or expressions of lust or lewdness. Can we go a day without seeing such an expression?

Excess of wine = drunkenness. alcoholism. Which may not show up in front of us, but don’t we see the results in broken lives and families?

Revellings - If you go out to celebrate your graduation and you are drinking, partying and having a great time, this is an example of when you are revelling. So, what’s so wrong with that? Take a look at the definition from the Free Dictionary = “A boisterous festivity or celebration; merrymaking. [Middle English revelen, to carouse, from Old French reveler, to rebel, carouse, from Latin rebellāre, to rebel; see rebel.]” Goes much further than celebrating a milestone event, doesn’t it? 

Abominable idolatries = according to Quora, a detestable thing or idol, an unclean thing, an abomination, detestation. 2. Strong's definition: filth, an idolatrous object. Yet we use “idol” to denote a celebrity or a television show, right?

We do some of these things daily, without giving consideration to the fact that we should move away from them, becoming closer to what God has laid out for our lives. We should no longer live without Christ in our lives – and many of us have accepted that. In today’s world we are mocked, called hypocrites, people speak evil of them, and in some places in the world people are killed simply because they are Christians.

Peter says the people who do those things will think us strange when we don’t run around with them after accepting Christ.

When a convict finishes his time in prison, he is encouraged to stay away from the people he was running around with when he was arrested. In most cases, they were doing the same thing then – and would be doing similar when the convict is released. Going back to the same lifestyle and same friends can result in the same ending.

Lifestyle changes are necessary when we make a move. Especially when we purpose in our hearts to live our lives as followers of Christ. What we do as Christians impacts other persons’ concept of Christianity. Learning how to reflect Christ requires learning about Him. The first place to look is the Bible, the scriptures that convinced the Bereans. We have more now than they did – we have the first person accounts of men who walked with Jesus, recorded His words, saw Him die, and experienced His resurrection.

Take time to read Peter’s two books, then read John’s three, beginning now. Then go back and begin with Matthew and read the remainder. You’ll find love, He promised.

'Tis The Glory Hallelujah Jubilee

Last week I woke with one phrase – and the accompanying music, but only to that one phrase – running through my mind – “…. glory hallelujah jubilee!” No, the exclamation point isn’t in the lyrics, which I finally found, When They Ring the Golden Bells by Daniel de Marbelle.

The copyright for the CD is dated 1972. While I know I’ve had it – original cover copied for the graphic above – for decades, I’m not certain when. Only when I was gifted an iPod in 2001 and put a lot of gospel music on it did I listen to music regularly as I drove to and from work – an hour each way for the next five years.

So it’s been over ten years since I’ve played this CD – and that one line surfaced. I couldn’t even hum the whole song, couldn’t remember the rest of the lyrics, but it wouldn’t leave me until I found the CD. Of course, those words weren’t in the title, but as soon as I read that title the music came back and I could search for the full lyrics.

A very good example of what goes into our mind stays there.

Much is written about nothing being erased from the internet – but it is even more truth that nothing is erased from our memory, unless it is through traumatic brain injury. With a brain tumor, I’m well aware of that! What does go into our brain will resurface, thus the Bible has specific verses about the subject.

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (Psalms 101:3 KJV)

There are wicked things we may choose to read or watch. There are wicked things we may bring into our minds, that become part of our memory, that may come out when we least expect it.

The Bible has suggestions for what we should be taking in, and returning to others:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

It’s not necessary to ask “What would Jesus do” in any given situation when we know what He did – and we learn that from reading the Bible. We are able to choose what we do, think, or say by measuring by the verse above.

Why am I thinking about this today? Because I stopped reading a book that was not written with the above in mind. It was so vile in the first chapters that I skipped to the end to see if virtue was shown, and it was not. In what I read was no violence, no cursing, but there were several actions of the following highlighted words, including a death that was the mystery to be solved:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV)

If I take all that in, and the book does not include justice achieved, virtue exampled, or God is not praised, what have I gained? And if I speak it aloud, what is the value? Why should I have it in my memory:

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. (Matthew 15:11 KJV)

The Bible has stories about all the works of the flesh as well as the fruits of the Spirit. From King David we know about adultery, strife, and even murder – but we also have stories of truth, faith, and repentance in one man’s life story. Saul/Paul gives us hatred, strife, and murder – balanced with lots of love and good report following his meeting with the resurrected Christ. These are in my memory, and every time I read biblical stories I learn more, and am able to apply them in my own life.

All of these thoughts as a result of one remembered line that I recalled in my sleep. What are you putting in your memory  banks?