11-7-2020 Joseph’s Dream

No, I don’t mean the sheaves.  Not that Joseph.  I mean Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth.

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus happened.  When His mother Mary had been espoused (engaged) to Joseph, as they were not yet living together, she was found to be with child of the Holy Ghost.

Her husband Joseph was a just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

But while he thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (Isa. 7:14).

And she shall bring forth a son whom you shall name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.” 

 Now all this was done so that the word of the prophet of the Lord might be fulfilled which was:

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is interpreted ‘God is with us’”

Then being raised from his sleep, Joseph did as the angel said and took upon himself his wife.

And he did not know her until she had brought forth her first born son and named Him ‘Jesus’.

In those days, families would arrange marriages between a man and a woman.  I guess this was kind of like an engagement for Joseph and Mary as they were not living together as man & wife, that is until he brought her into his home. 

It was during this engagement period that Mary was found to be pregnant.  We know that when the angel told Mary she would have a child, she replied that she had not been in an intimate relationship with any man, how could this be (Luke 1:34)?  A woman, untouched by any man and now is with child, how could this be (conceived, of course, by the Holy Ghost)? 

How did God create the world?  He spoke and the Holy Ghost put His Words into action (Gen. 1:1-31) so God spoke and put His Word into Mary’s womb.  In the natural, though pregnant, she remained a true virgin!

Let’s take a closer look at Joseph.  Joseph knew that, if he brought Mary’s condition to public knowledge, people who engaged in pre-marital or extra-marital activities could be stoned – to death (John 8:3-11).  He wasn’t going to let this happen.  So, before anybody else could realize what had happened, he brought her into his home as his wife – knowing that she was with child.  Realizing the lack of virginity in a wife, a Jewish man could divorce his wife (Deut. 22:13-30, 1 Corinth. 7:32-40, Matt. 19:7-9).  Joseph did not, but kept Mary.  He decided to keep her as his wife though all he had was the angel’s word. The angel’s word was from God.  Dare I say that Joseph believed God? 

Now, the angel says two things to Joseph about Jesus.  First, Joseph is told to call his, yet to be born, son “Jesus”.  This is New Testament so the word used for Jesus is the Greek word ‘Iesous’ (G2424) which is derived from the Hebrew word ‘Yeohowshuwa’ (H3091) and ‘yasha’ (H3467).  Today, so we see it as Jesus, meaning ‘God-saved’ and ‘preserve, save, get victory’ (respectively from the Hebrew root).  So we translate Jesus as savior.  Second is Emmanuel which Matthew translates for us as ‘God is with us’.  The base words here are ‘Emmanouel’ (G1694) & Immanuwel (H6005), either of which is a combination of im (H5973) and el (H410) which mean ‘with us is God’.

Understanding that this was prophecy from Isaiah, Joseph, believing prophecy, took Mary as His wife (so none could accuse her) and did not have intimate relations with her until after Jesus was born.  No chance of misconstruing who was, or was not, the father.  Mary was a virgin before conception until after the time that Jesus had been born.

Though people may assume that Jesus was the son of Joseph (Matt. 13:54-57).  Joseph knew who Jesus’ real Father is and Mary was spared the disgrace of being accused (therefore stoned).

Now, Jesus also knew who His real Father is.  When He was about twelve, his family had gone to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the Passover and after, when they had travelled about a day, headed home, they realized that Jesus wasn’t with them.  Not finding Him with any of the other relatives, they went back to Jerusalem and found Him talking with the doctors (G1320 – didaaskalos -  doctor, teacher, master).  Mary explained that they were worried about Him, but Jesus asked “Why were you looking for me?  Didn’t you know that I should be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:42-49) Jesus spoke not of His step-dad but, of course, His real Father.

So, now, when we look at the two names the angel of God gave to Joseph we draw a conclusion that, from the Old Testament, God is with us and in the New Testament, to save us.  In short, God, Himself, came in the flesh to save us from our sin!  You ask “How can this be?”  Can we separate Father from His Word which is put into action via the Holy Ghost? 

An example from my youth.  A bunch of us were together.  I think I was saying that I could take a punch to the gut, so one of the boys punched me in the stomach.  It knocked my breath out – completely.  My lips moved, but no sound came out.  I was trying to tell them that I was OK, just trying to get my breath back.  Father used this incident to explain (later) how Father, Son and Holy Ghost work together.  We know that when someone speaks to us, the breath from their mouth carries that sound to our ears.  The outer ear funnels that sound into the middle ear which stimulates the inner ear causing vibrations enabling us to hear the noise or words.

Briefly, God speaks.  What does He speak?  What do we speak when we talk?  Words!  Our breath carries our words to others so they can hear what we say.  If you will, our breath puts our words into action.  Now, the only action our words can take is to enable someone else to hear what we say.  When we speak, we stimulate the air around us.  If you will, that means our words ‘shift’ the atmosphere.  God, being God, when He speaks Words, His breath (the Holy Ghost) shifted not only the atmosphere but everything that was, bringing everything into being, existence.  The big difference is that it takes some sort of physical action to back up the words when we speak (James 2:17-19).  When Father speaks, the Holy Ghost shifts the atmosphere to accomplish what Father has said.  All we do is moves the air around us.  When God speaks, the Holy Ghost moves everything to accomplish God’s Word.  We should be careful of what we say, though, for we don’t know when words will come to pass (Prov. 18:21).  God’s Words don’t come back void (Isa. 55:11) and whether we realize it or not, He honors our words and brings them into being. 

Joseph had a dream.  He did as the angel directed so our Lord could be born into this world, as a human, to redeem us from our sins.  Joseph’s dream helps us to understand John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and he Word was God.”

Joseph of Nazareth had a dream, or a vision (if you will).  His dream fulfilled prophecy that God (Himself) was coming into this world to redeem us back into His kingdom!        

Concerning his bride to be, Joseph did right in the sight of God.  He chose to keep Mary as his wife even though the law allowed him to ‘dump’ her.  Joseph demonstrated that he was most likely to follow the ‘Spirit’ of the law rather than just the ‘letter’ of the law.  We may conclude that Joseph was not just a ‘just man’ but a righteous man therefore a good role model for the child Jesus.

Just something to think about in respects to the unity of the Godhead and how Father works in our lives.  And, being righteous through Jesus Christ, maybe we should be following Joseph’s example.  Hmmmm?

Amen

 

10-24-2020         The Gift

 

Matt. 2:9-11                Magi bring gifts

Gal. 5:22-23                Fruit of the Spirit

Rom. 11:29                  Gifts are given without repentance

Rom. 12:5-9                Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinth. 12:1-12       More gifts

1 Peter 4:7-11             How to minister

 

Understand that when the magi came to the young child Jesus, they brought Him gifts, gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Gold is a gift fit for a king, but it also provides for the family of the king so that they would not have to worry about where they would live or what they would eat.  They would have enough.  Yet, don’t forget, Joseph was a carpenter (Mat. 13:55) so he did not live lavishly on what the magi brought but he also worked for a living.

Frankincense is an oil with a wood, spicy aroma.  It may have medicinal qualities which aid in arthritis, the digestive tract, asthma, oral health and even some cancers. 

Myrrh is a gummy resin used in perfumes, medicines and incense.  It has been used as an antiseptic, healing salves and has analgesic properties (eases pain).  It has also been used as an ingredient in anointing oil.  The ancient Romans also used myrrh to mask odors from burning flesh (in executions).  When Jesus came into Bethany, Martha declared that Lazarus had been dead for four days and surely his body was stinking (John 11:39-44) and yet Jesus called Lazarus forth, alive and whole.  Myrrh may also have been used to cover the odor from decaying bodies.  This may have been part of the spices the women mixed to anoint Jesus’ body with, after His burial, when they returned after the Sabbath (Matt. 23:52-24:3).

So, through the gifts of the magi, Jesus’ family had financial support and health, healing and, possibly anointing for burial.

Don’t forget that the greatest gift we have from our heavenly Father is the ‘breath of life’ and man has been giving gifts of thanksgiving, back to Lord. That is for what He does for us since Adam.

However, I’m not talking about us giving, but what Father has and continues to give us.  God’s first gift to us is the ‘breath’ of life.  He breathed life into Adam and He continues to give us more gifts to operate in this world around us.  Let’s take a quick look at some of them.

When we read Galatians, one might say “Wait a minute, that’s fruit, not gifts!” 

Look at the world around us and ask yourself, in the world, how much true love is there?  What has happened to joy?  Peace? Who puts up with their neighbor’s antics for long?  I’m not talking about ‘joking around’ but putting up with stuff that really grates our nerves.  How many good and gentle people are in the world today?  Yes, we can find some (PTL), but how many?  Where has goodness gone?  Who truly trusts God in ‘ALL’ things?  How many of us insist on being dominant in any situation, instead of approaching others in humility and respect, looking for common ground?  Do we always exhibit self-control – instead of always wanting to strangle the *?! out of somebody, do we look for an appropriate solution?  These qualities come from God and are enhanced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  So, aren’t these gifts, as well?  These ‘gifts’ are increased within us as we walk with the Lord.  They are ‘gifts’ from God which exhibit the inner man, our relationship with our Lord.

Paul tells us, in the book of Romans, that the gifts of God are given without repentance.  This helps us to understand why it is that people who don’t know Jesus still can sing really good, others can teach, give awesome speeches, care about others, etc., but when Father inhabits those gifts in His children He can carry them to a much higher level, especially when we glorify Him.  

God gives us gifts according to His will, as also listed in the book of Romans.  Gifts He wants us, as individuals, to have.  Does everybody have the same gift?  Does only one person have all the gifts?  We are mentioning only a few gifts here yet the United Nations estimates over 7.8 billion people worldwide.  The need for gifts? 

Even Jethro (father-in-law of Moses) realized that Moses needed help in ministering to the people and encouraged Moses to appoint help (Exod.18:12-26).  God knows that only one person cannot minister to the world.   Now, we all can serve in any of these gifts, but only to the degree which Father has given each one of us.  God gives us, whom He loves, a level faith to prophecy (give direction), minister (serve needs), teach, exhort, rule (govern or be in charge) and mercy.  Now, all of these qualities are good to have, but God gives special portions to those whom He calls and/or anoints to special situations. 

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that we are the body of Christ and the body has many gifts flowing within it to help the whole body grow strong and do our Father’s will.

If we wonder if our gift is flowing in God’s will, ask yourself one question ‘do I consider Jesus a curse (to man), that is, does He go against religious beliefs?  Or should I say contrary to what scriptures say?  If I do, I’m not motivated by the Holy Spirit, for He doesn’t nor will He call Jesus accursed.  Jesus IS the Word of God and the Word was made flesh and they called His name Jesus.  If Jesus is going against scripture, He’s going against Himself!  Can’t happen!  If He should, He would be denying Himself as well as our Father (John 17:19-21, Matt. 3:16-17)!

Now, understand that there are different gifts but they are given by the same Spirit.  They may be manifested in different ways but have the same Lord and they are given to edify the whole body of Christ.  These Spiritual gifts are: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues (heavenly language for prophecy) and the interpretation of those tongues. [Note that ‘tongues is also for edifying the individual (1 Corinth. 14:4).] 

God gives these gifts to whomsoever He will, whenever He will to accomplish His work in the body, even in the world.  Again, Father can take individuals to whatever level He has intended for them.  The church should be one body though it has many members.  I’m not talking about just a single fellowship, but the entire body of Christ.  Yes, individual fellowships need these gifts in operation but every Christian denomination should also be working together, as well,  to accomplish God’s will in this world.  Is this happening?  I’m not talking about a megachurch here.  As individuals work together to help a fellowship, all those fellowships should work together for the growth of the whole body, the church!

Peter gives us some further insight as to how these gifts should operate. 

Peter first tells us to take our relationship with the Lord seriously.  After all, our eternity, and for those whom we influence, is at stake.  He tells us to watch to see what is going on around us so we can know and pray for what’s happening with people and situations.  He encourages us to express love within our own ranks because love covers a multitude of sins.  Therefore we should confess our sins, one to another.  At least between individuals.  Once we’ve realized that we’ve wronged someone, we need to go ask forgiveness.  Should we be the one wronged, we give that forgiveness from our heart.  As that love overflows, help others because we want to, not because we have to.  As the good stewards returned to their Lord with more than what he originally left them in charge of (Matt. 24:14-30).  Share the gift which God has given us with those around us.  Father will reward us.

When we speak, we should remember to ask Father to guide our speech.  When we minister, minister with the ability God has given us.  All done for the glory of God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, because the Holy Ghost is alive and well within us.

Remember, the gifts are nothing without love and love comes from our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who has taken residence within our hearts via the Holy Ghost.

This entry is not to explain how all the gifts function, but to help you become aware of what they are and the purpose of these gifts – to edify the church!  To minister to the needs of the entire body.  To help people, by listening to the Holy Ghost, discover the way into the kingdom of God.  Then, grow strong in the Lord!

Father will give each of us a special gift in which only we (as individuals) can minister in the way God has given us.   Five unique gifts (not the only gifts) are the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher (Eph. 4:11-16).  That gift may intended to minister to only one soul or it may be destined for 100’s, 1000’s or even 1,000,000’s.  The greater the responsibility, the greater the anointing.  We won’t know where we stand until we get started. 

The gifts are not to show other people ‘how great’ we are, but point them into a closer walk with our Lord.  We do know that Father desires us to always operate under His guidance (via the Holy Spirit within us) so His will, will be done.  How are we ‘fitting in?

Amen

9-29-2020        Remembering Malachi?

 

Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament.  There is discussion as to whether this was the prophet’s name or a title, “the messenger’.  Nonetheless, he was most likely a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah in the 5th century BC (that is the 400’s).

Because the book is short, four chapters long (our count, the bible wasn’t divided into chapter and verses until the 13^th and 16^th centuries (respectively)), so it was not considered a major prophetic book.

And I have to admit it, I never really paid much attention to Malachi until recently.  Probably, like many, I was familiar with Malachi 3:8-10 but I never realized how powerful this book is in the other 85% of this and the other 3 chapters.   Nor how relevant it is for today, beyond tithes and offerings.

The author points to the coming of our Lord Jesus and His return.

He speaks of coming judgment and the sparing of Israel.

He speaks of being cleansed and purified.

Malachi goes on to describe the blessings and benefits of getting back on track (should we stray).  Father also has our backs so we don’t lose what He has given us.

But, hold on!  Malachi doesn’t stop here. 

Like Israel, have we spoken ‘against’ God?  Have we declared it useless to serve God?  Where is God when we need Him?  What do we gain by being obedient to His word?  Where is our joy?  Do we exalt the proud or esteem those who do wickedly against the Lord?

God takes note of those who truly serve Him and spares them.  Just as Abraham spared his son Isaac.  As we seek the Lord,  there will be no doubt who is with the Lord and who is not.  Remember the sheep and the goats?

We’re looking specifically at chapter three, so read on!

1          Behold, I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way for Me and the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to His temple.  Even the messenger in whom you delight shall come says the Lord of hosts.

2          But who may abide in the day of His coming?  Who shall stand when He appears?  He is like the refiner’s fire and the washer’s soap.

3          And He shall sit as the refiner and purifier of silver and He shall purify the sons of Levi, purge them as gold or silver that they may offer their offerings to the Lord in righteousness.

4          Then shall the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant to the Lord as in the days of old, the former years.

5          And I will come near to you to judgment and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers, the false swearers,  those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, the fatherless and those who turn strangers away and don’t respect me says the Lord of hosts.

6          For I am the Lord and I do not change.  Therefore sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7          Even from the days of your fathers, you have strayed from My ordinances and have not kept them.  Return to Me and I will return to you says the Lord of hosts.  But you said how shall we return.

8          Will a man rob God?  Yet, you have robbed Me.  You say how have we robbed you?  In tithes and offerings.

9          You are cursed with a curse because you have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10        Bring all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in My house and in so doing, prove Me says the Lord of hosts and see if I will not open the windows of heaven to you and pour out more than enough blessing to you. 

11        I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground (endeavors) neither will your vine cast her fruit before it’s time in the field, says the Lord of hosts.

12        All nations shall call you blessed for you shall be a delightful land says the Lord of hosts.

13        Your word has been strong against Me says the Lord.  Yet you say how have we spoken against You?

14        You have said that it is vain to serve God and how do we profit by keeping His ordinances?  And we have walked as if in mourning before the Lord of hosts.

15        And now we call the proud happy, yes, we even lift up those who work wickedness, even those who tempt God are delivered (escape –judgment by our hand).

16        Then those who respected the Lord spoke to one another and the Lord took notice and heard and a book of remembrance was written before him (those) who respected the Lord and thought upon His name.

17        They shall be mine said the Lord of hosts.  In the day when I make up My treasures, I will spare him as a man who spares his son who serves him.

18        Then you shall return and discern between righteous and wicked, between he who serves God and he who does not.

I started this presentation with a bunch of questions.  Now I’m going to raise some more!

I’m only presenting a synopsis of what Malachi says here in chapter three.  To take this passage concept for concept would take a lot of space because there is so much that could be said.  So -

Who is our Lord going to cleanse?  Of course, Malachi is speaking to Israel, the church of the Old Testament.  We are of the New Testament, covered by grace right?  Supposedly, we have picked up the banner of our Lord and ae carrying it forward.  Not bound by the ‘old’.  Now, wait a minute.  Jesus came to fulfill the law, not do away with it.  Israel did works to assure salvation, we are saved (by grace) so we do he works because our faith has brought us unto salvation.  Faith without works is dead.  Right?  How will people know that we are saved if we don’t do the works of God?  Actions speak louder than words?  The apostle Paul gives us several lists of those who will not enter into eternity, substantiating some of what Malachi says in these verses.  Sooo …

How many in today’s church have fallen away from God’s ordinances, laws and statutes?  How many have decided they do better in the world than under God’s wing?  How many in today’s church attend a fellowship simply because they think they should and not because they truly love the Lord?  I heard, in my youth, “you have to go to church in order to be a well-rounded person.”  Observe then and think about it.  God told the prophet Jeremiah (in part) to tell Israel that He’s going to deliver judgment because of their wickedness.  Why?  Because there were those who had forsaken Him, offered their incense (praise) to other gods and decided to worship the works of their own hands.  This was the church in Jeremiah’s day.  Today, Christianity is the church, but the church surely isn’t guilty any of these things.  Right? 

Jesus told His disciples that there would first be falling away, before He comes back for us.  Today’s church hasn’t fallen away, has it? 

Jesus also reminded His disciples to do what God told Israel “love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength!”  What was that first word?  Heart!  Jesus berated the scribes and Pharisees because, even though, the said and did the right things their hearts were far from Him.  They were merely performing rituals. 

When our heart is right, we will do those things that please the Lord.  Husbands, don’t you endeavor to do those things which please your wives?  Wives, don’t you try to please your husbands? Get the picture?

The world has continually drifted away from God since man was booted out of the garden in
Eden.  The church has been up and down ever since, whether trying to live by what God told man in the beginning, following the Ten Commandments as given through Moses or the adjustment into true love through Jesus Christ.

The church has done the same thing Israel has done – despite grace.  Just remember, again, Jesus didn’t do away with the Law, He reinforced it through love land grace.  In the Old Testament, as long as the church didn’t do evil they were OK.  Jesus says that should we consider doing it even without any action, we are still guilty.

Israel knew that when they truly repented the evil they did, God would forgive them.  That hasn’t changed.  When we truly repent, God forgives us, as well.  We just leave that which was broken behind.  It should no longer be a part of our lives.  Then press forward in our walk with the Lord.

Do you see any parallels between 4000 BC & 2000 AD?  (OK, for nitpickers – BCE & ACE, I choose to acknowledge the “year of our Lord – ‘Anno Diem’ and not the ‘common era’)

God is always the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.  He never changes.  However, man is constantly changing, through the ages, through the generations, even within a single life.  Man is with God, strays, repents and comes back.  Reading about Israel in the Old Testament implies that this could happen even multiple times.  With true repentance come true forgiveness.  When we are honest in repenting, God is faithful to forgive and forget. 

We need to focus on the Lord and should we slip, get back on track and keep pushing forward.  Go back and read the chapter again and ask Father “Where do I fit into all this?”  Listen and examine yourself.  Be honest then refocus on the One who desires us to be in eternity with Himself.  In the gospel of John, to paraphrase Jesus’ words ‘Father, I would that they (the believers) would be one with Me as I am with You’.  We become one by living, not just with Him, but in Him.

Amen

 

Erdman’s Handbook to the Bible, 1937

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malachi

 

9-26-2020 The Love “Quotient

           God so loved me (the world)

1 John 4:1-8

Don’t believe everything you see or hear but try the spirits to see if they are of God.  Many false prophets have gone out into the world.  But every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come in the flesh is of God and if it doesn’t confess that Jesus has come in the flesh it is not of God.  And this spirit of denial (even in the apostle John’s time), the anti-christ, was already in the world.  We are of God so we have overcome these spirits because He who is in us is greater than that which is in the world. 

Those who are in the world do and say things of the world and the world hears them.

Hey!  We are of God and those who know God hear us but those who don’t know God won’t hear us either.  We are able to distinguish the spirit of truth from the spirit of error (thank you Holy Spirit). 

Beloved, let us love one another because love comes from God so when we love that means we are born of God and know Him.

Those who don’t love don’t know God for God is love! 

What’s love got to do with?  Everything!

Jesus berated the scribes and Pharisees for even though they did ‘right’ things, they did them for the wrong reasons.  The ‘church leadership’ did things ‘for’ the people for personal profit, personal gain or personal recognition.  They loved themselves more that the people for whom they were responsible.

When we truly love somebody, we put their needs ahead of our own desires.  We determine what is right and press in that direction. 

Now, I’m not saying we neglect ourselves for if we don’t love ourselves, how can we possibly love anyone else?  We first have to have Jesus in our heart (via the Holy Ghost), then we ’become’ the image of God as His love grows in us.  We were originally made in God’s image (Gen. 3:26).  God is love therefore His true image is love.

Consider the parent/child relationship.  When we are born, what can we do for ourselves?  As the song ‘War’ says “absolutely nuthin’!”  We can see, hear, touch and sense land wiggle.  We can’t talk but we can communicate via vocal emissions – we cry.  Mom & dad have to discern “Am I hungry?” “Need my diaper changed?” or do I just need a hug?  They take care of my total existence.  As I grow, I learn to roll over, crawl, walk and eventually run.  Through observation and encouragement I learn to communicate through words and not just sounds.  I learn to dress myself, feed myself and (if you’re like me) how to irritate people (lol).  Mom and dad teach me to do things for myself.  Loving myself is learning how to brush my teeth, comb my hair, take a bath (hey!  I took one last month!  Whatta ya mean I need another one already!)  I learn to respect myself so I learn to take care of myself.  I learn to love myself.  I am a human being created in the image of God!

As I grow, I learn that everyone has had to learn these things.  So I learn how to respect other people and their being.  I don’t like it when people try to hurt me so I decide not to hurt them.  I learn to help people when they need help and when I need help, it comes.  And so on.  I also discover that as I do good things to people, good things will come back to me!  Every time?  No.  I learn that not everyone has had a peachy creamy life and they don’t always respond the way I expect them.  Yet, I also find, there are others who are just plain evil.  So, I treat everyone as I expect to be treated, with respect.  Irregardless of who they are or how they treat me. 

I expect to become the best person I can be.  Maybe even become the person God expects me to be.  I Learn the things that I can do well and those things with which I probably need help – then receive it. 

I find that loving myself is an expression of love.  So if I want to learn more about love, I have to go to the source.  

God is love.     

So what greater source is there to learn about love?  He created everything.  He is love, therefore He passes His love on to us. 

His Holy Spirit shares four aspects of love:  first, God loves me, second, I have to love myself, third, I have to give love back to God and fourth I do (in part) by loving others.

If I can’t believe and accept that God loves me, the other three will never happen.  So, I learn how does God love me so how do I come by that knowledge?

First I see love in the beauty of the world in which we live.  Someone had to create all this beauty.  Of course, depending on where I live my concept of beauty may vary.  Yet I find that I can find beauty in the sky, the mountains, the forests, flowers, by the lakes, in the city, in a basement.  It’s there, we just have to look.  God wants us to appreciate His creation, even the things that we may not consider everything as lovely.

People may tell me about God’s love, but, then I have to believe what they say.

I can read the bible, but then I have to believe what the bible says.  Did you know that the bible is God’s love letter to man?  In it He describes the many expressions of His love and how we can, or should, interact with it.  For God so loved the world, He gave (came as) His only begotten Son …

And prayer.  My personal communication with the creator of all things.  Yes, Father tells us to gather together so we can praise and worship Him in community but He longs for that personal time with us.  The time we bare our souls to Him and seek His consolation, help and direction.    Where we tell Him how much we appreciate, respect and love Him – one on one, mano e mano, face to face (so to speak) just Him and me.    

As Father interacts with me through my seeking Him in prayer, reading the bible and other people, I find that He really loves me and He seeks a deeper relationship.  Consider the apostle John, who at the last supper, laid his head upon Jesus’ chest.  John implies that he and Jesus may have had a very close walk, together (John 20:2).   I learn to love the Lord more and more through my prayer, the bible and other people.  I have come to learn that indeed, God loves me.  God so loved me, He came into this world in Jesus Christ that with my acceptance of Him, I and anyone who receives Him, can be with Him throughout all eternity.

Once I  R-E-A-L-L-Y learn that God loves me, I realize that I have to learn to love myself.  It’s one thing to learn about God’s love – how things should be, it is difficult to return that love, or show it to others. 

“You have the face only a mother could love.”  A simple phrase.  One intending to bolster confidence.  Even if nobody else loves me, mom still does.  Unfortunately, that phrase has always stayed, at least, in the back of my mind.  For whatever reason, I rationalized that nobody else could really love me, only mom. 

Yes, in many areas I have been reasonably successful.  I lifted weights in competition (Olympic style) and was reasonably successful.  Never won any titles and never lifted the ‘big’ weights for my weight class even though I was a lot stronger than what I actually lifted. 

On the job, I did my job well enough that my co-workers and those with whom I interacted trusted me to always get the job done and help others to resolve issues.  I actually had a very good reputation on the job.  The big difference on the job is that I worked for the Lord and not just the FDA, who employed me.

The greatest gift I ever had was back in high school.  In my senior year a sophomore wrote in my yearbook “to a senior who always had time to talk with me”.  His name was John.  Let’s put this into perspective.  This comment was written nearly sixty years ago!  Even today, I appreciate his remark.

I was in a certain Pentacostal church I was in a couple of decades ago.  We were in a praise and worship and things had quieted down, waiting on the Lord.  Someone gave a prophetic word in his spiritual language and again there was silence, for a long time.  I heard some words in my heart, but I kept silent because I was fairly new at this church and quite frankly, I was a nobody.  What right did I have to speak out.  Finally someone else spoke some encouraging words.  Immediately I also heard “”That’s not what I said!”  Again, I still didn’t speak out, for the afore mentioned reason.  I never did tell anyone what I had heard and I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit for some time after.  ‘nuff said.

Father is still working on me to speak what He gives me and not be concerned about what anybody else thinks.  Still, today, should I be in a room filled with pastors, bishops, prophets, etc. I’m still a little inclined to hold my peace, thinking the Lord would surely speak through them before me.  But I am learning.

I  am still growing.  God will stay with us and work with us so we can become ALL that He expects from us.

Even if I intellectually understand God’s love, if I don’t truly love myself, how can I give love back to God?  So how do I do it?

Prayer is the first aspect of returning love to God.  Prayer is communicating with our Lord. Prayer requires that I spend time with Him.  In today’s world we can communicate with others via phone, email, text, etc., but here’s a hint:  Father desires personal contact, not long distance, but face to face.  Obviously we can’t jump into heaven and say “Hi Dad!”, so Father wants us to sit down in a quiet place and focus on Him.  He wants us to share our heart, mind, our soul.  He desires us to be honest and open.  When we hurt, He will comfort us.  Should we be angry (even at Him) He will bring us peace – in our heart and our mind.  He also desires for us to acknowledge Him for who He is and what He has done.  We appreciate it when others appreciate us.  do we think God is any different?

Communication is a two-way street so we also have to listen.  Father talks with us through our prayers, reading the bible and talking with other brothers and sisters in the Lord.  At times, He even reveals things to us through the world around us – birds, animals, weather, situations.  We do have to look and listen.

The prophet Daniel prayed 3 times each day.  We do have to find time in our busy schedules.   We may start with just a few minutes but don’t be surprised that time will stretch out.  We allow His love to work, not only in us, but through us to those whom we encounter.  We will see our desire to be with Him growing and He will show us different ways to express our love –writing, singing, a musical instrument, drawing or even just ‘plain’ talking’.  We just ask the Holy Ghost to be with us and guide us in whatever we do so we can do it better and come to know that we are pleasing our heavenly Father. (amen?)

We also give back to God through our tithes and offerings.  In the Old Testament, God supported His church through tithes and offerings and that continues today.  Individual churches can’t survive without support.  Like you and me, the church also has bills as well as ministries.

In this world, another way to show our love for God is to love those around us.  Jesus tell us that whatever we do to the least in the kingdom (our brothers and sisters in the Lord), we do unto Him.  Jesus takes our outreach to others personal as well as what they do for us.  In the gospels, Jesus talks about caring for the widows and orphans.  Visiting the sick and those who are incarcerated.  Notice, He didn’t specify the reason for being in jail.  He talked about feeding the hungry and providing clothes for the needy and so much more.  Those of us who are found doing these things discover that we please God. 

Does this mean we do these things 24/7?  If we did, we would quickly burn out.  But as Father presents the situation before us, we do that with which is within our capabilities when Father asks.  Should I spend myself completely, what have I left to share?  God has given us ‘common sense.  Use it so all can be blessed. 

Remember, the early church brought their tithes and offerings into the apostles who then distributed it to those in need.  When we act as a team, people are better served.

So we find that love has four aspects: 1) love God, 2) love ourselves, 3) give back to God and 4) do for others as we are able.

We also discover that our support of the church we attend enables it to continue to bring the Word of God and minister to the congregation and those who need help.

All of this should be done willfully and from our hearts always asking the Holy Ghost for direction and help in whatever we do. 

What does love got to do with it?  EVERYTHING!

 

9-15-2020 Little Lost Lamb

Luke 15:1-7

1          When the publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him.

2          And the scribes and Pharisees murmured saying “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3          Then Jesus spoke this parable to them saying

4          “Which of you having a hundred sheep and losing one, doesn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go looking for the one which is lost, until he finds it?

5          And when he has found it, lays it on his shoulders and rejoices?

6          And when he gets back home, he calls his friends and neighbors and says rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7          I tell you, likewise, there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more so than over the ninety-nine persons who don’t need repentance.

Understand, the Old Testament was written to Israel so they could/would keep God’s standards.  The New Testament is written to the Christian church, for the same reason with a clearer understanding. 

So, today, I suggest that too many in the church have become like the little lost lamb.  Maybe even worse!  Perhaps more like the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ time! 

How many would be offended if I said “God hates religion”?  It is true.  Yet I suspect many would be offended.

Jesus berated the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy.  They sat in Moses’ seat because they directed the church in the ways it should go.  Jesus says “Do what they tell you, but don’t do what they do for they don’t do that which they say, themselves.” 

I worked with a man years ago who was very good at telling others to do, but he could not show us how, for He, himself couldn’t do it.  The scribes and Pharisees were a bit different.  They knew what and even how, they just plain didn’t want to do it.  They were more interested in how they looked before people.  They preferred the most honored seats and recognition at gatherings and they didn’t truly care about the people (Matt. 23:1-39), only how those people would see and receive them.

Have you seen those in the church who just have to be acknowledged or recognized for what they do?  Hey!  Look at what I am doing (or did).  Ain’t I great!  Give me a big pat on the back, puleeze!  Do you notice some people just seem to always hang around the pastor or other church leaders – not really doing much. Just hanging round (it’s who you know and not what you know, right)?  Do you know people who always seem to be busy “at” the church, but not necessarily “in”?  They ‘do things’ but there is real commitment.  Do you now people who “like” to show off their bible knowledge?  Do they know what the words mean?  Or just what they say?

Religion is practicing a particular set of rules, rites or rituals but does not require a personal commitment.  Just do what we say and you’ll be OK. Does ‘works’ ring a bell?

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not knockin’ being active in the church.  I realize the stages of our own spiritual growth.  We ARE to encourage our brothers and sisters in the church and as we all seek to draw closer to the Lord, we will find ourselves doing things for and working with others – for God’s glory!  I am challenging the reason some people have.  Do we do things to get that ‘pat on the back or do we ‘do’ to please our heavenly Father?  Jesus, Himself, recognized that, at times, people do the right things but for the wrong reasons.  Their heart is far from Him (Matt. 15:8).  Paul encountered the woman with a divining spirit who taunted him “These men are the servants of God who show the way of salvation!”  Her intent was to create doubt in the people’s minds so even though she spoke the truth, she did it  in a deriding way, as if to say “Yeah, right.” (Acts 16:17)

Religion is exercising rituals, etc. with no necessary commitment other than ‘to do’.  However faith is doing things because of our commitment to the Lord. It come from our heart as we make decisions to follow Him.

We have one master and teacher and that’s Jesus.  So we should do, as the early disciples did, share what Jesus gave them to edify others.  He has also passed that on to us. 

We should always remember that whatever we do (careers, chores, mixing with others) we should do as unto the Lord.  That is, as if we were doing it ‘for’ God.  Whatever we do, we do to glorify His name.  To please Him.  In pleasing Father, we automatically please those around us (bosses, coworkers, family, friends, etc.).  We learn how and then live our lives as Father expects us to live – in His love. 

There was a movement back in the 1990’s called WWJD (what would Jesus do).  Especially today, we may do well to think about that before we do anything or even open our mouths.  Of course, to follow the example, we have to learn what Jesus would have done.

When I worked at the Food and Drug Admin. (FDA), I started off in the Generic Drugs document room.  I was part of the staff processing drug applications for ‘professional’ (scientific) review.  We received original applications and then subsequent amendments until the drug was approved.  Even once approved, companies were required to submit reports of annual distribution of the drug as well as all changes to the drug itself, its manufacturing procedures, manufacturing facilities, etc. for FDA approval.   

The companies were required to have a ‘cover letter’ with any submission describing the purpose of the document.  This is where things became interesting for us clerks.  We had codes and definitions indicating how to code a document for proper routing to reviewers .  However, at times, the companies weren’t so clear on a document’s purpose.  There were a few companies that seemed to insist that all those cover letters had to say was “Please add this to our application.  Thank you.”  Needless to say, some documents were a snap to prepare and forward while others required considerable more effort to determine proper coding and routing.

I got to the point where I didn’t mind processing the easy documents, they were basically ‘in and out’, but the more involved documents?  Well,  . . . get the picture?

One day, sitting at my desk, I was grumbling, to myself, about the tough ones when I heard a voice within saying “Give Me the job!”  Huh?  I knew Who said it so I replied “OK, Lord, it’s Yours.”  I gave Him my job and that was the day I quit working for the FDA and started working for God.  Don’t misunderstand me, I was still at the FDA for about another twenty years, but it was with my decision, my attitude changed.  I had a job to do and I would do it to the best of my ability, period.  My good reputation grew and our job description was changed which gave us greater advancement possibilities.  Within a few years, I was offered a position (still at FDA) teaching and monitoring ‘contractors’ to do the job I had been doing and again, more opportunities for advancement arose.  Coincidence you say?  I don’t think so.

Giving Father my job, I set myself aside and performed my duties as He would expect me to.  No more grumbling but thanking Him for the opportunity or challenge. 

The government pay scale had 18 GS pay levels, 1-18.  The last five grades required college for either management or scientific skills.  At OGD, I started as a GS4 & retired a GS 12.  I say this to point out that when we do things for God, good things happen!  After all, go-o-d is just an extension of God, right?  I might add, in English, the opposite also works well – ‘evil comes from the devil’!

In the past, I was inclined to ‘fudge’ the truth pertaining to situations with which I didn’t want anyone else to realize my involvement.  Just a ‘little white’ lie.  Okay, there are no “little white” lies.  An untruth is a lie.  One day as I pondered why things didn’t always go the way I thought they should, the Holy Spirit convicted me of what I had been doing.  God is truth.  Jesus is God, therefore Jesus is truth.  As a Christian, I’m supposed to reflect the values Jesus taught, right?  Again, I had to change ‘my’ attitude. No hidden secrets.  Speak truly.

In the parable, the sheep are the church (OT).  The shepherd didn’t go out to see if he could find just any lamb out in the wilderness to add to his flock.  This lamb had strayed from his flock.  The ‘poor little’ lamb had strayed from the things it had been taught and, like the prodigal son, set out on his own – vulnerable to any predator out there.  Unfortunately, the farther we stray, not only do we become more and more vulnerable, but we also begin to lose sight of our foundation and the things that protect us.  Before, I thought the little sheep as a ‘lost’ soul who needed God.  Partially right.  But it was a soul which had been a part of the flock, then wandered from its foundation.

There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents and comes into the kingdom of God.  How much greater then is that joy when a member of the ‘flock’ strays, repents and comes back?

As with the prodigal son, the little lamb reconnects with Father’s love and once again abides in His safe haven.

The father of the prodigal son welcomed his son back home, with open arms, restoring him back into the family.  We don’t know why the little lamb strayed off but we do know that he, too was restored joyfully back into the flock.

Even though the little lost lamb can be applied to those who never knew God, it does more to show God’s love for those who may have strayed from Him and have been ‘found’ (brought back). 

Jesus tells us that, in the church, there are souls devoted to Father.  There are souls who are there simply because it’s a good place to be.  As a youth, my mom told me I needed church to be a well-rounded person.  And, yes, the enemy even sows tares into the church solely to cause disruption to hinder God’s kingdom. 

As I said, the Old Testament was to guide Israel (the church, Israel) while the New Testament is for those who have accepted Jesus into their heart.

When we accept Christ, we don’t become instant Christians, but it is the first step in our growing journey with the Lord.  Remember that should we stumble (sin), we confess, repent from our heart and renounce what we said or did, Father is faithful and true to forgive us (little lambs)  our trespass then forget it.  He puts it behind His back and restores us back into His fellowship (Isa. 38:17).  I speak from experience.

When we stray from God, we are the little lost lamb, but lost only until we decide to come back into HIs fold.

Amen