Questioning God in the midst of life's circumstances?

Today’s reading: Job 9, Job 10, Acts 13, Acts 14 NIV     

SCRIPTURE
“how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?” - Job 9:2 NIV

OBSERVATION

Good question Job!  How, can you ask that in the midst of your circumstances?

Ever been confused in the midst of your circumstances?  I bet Job was.  Job’s story, is one of his trials at the hands of Satan, in the face of life’s darkest challenges, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a didactic poem or a poem that appeals more to reason which is set in conversational language. The over-riding and oft-asked questions asked in the book of Job are, "Why do the righteous suffer?" “Do we really have the freedom to choose?”  “Do God really hear and care for us in the midst of our suffering, trails, hardships, etc...?” “Why do I feel like God is no-where to be found at times?”  etc.... ....

This morning I read a short story on Facebook that an old friend Sarah Lee Jimenez (formerly Sarah Atkinson) posted entitled, “When your hut is on Fire.”

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost.

He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?" Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island!It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

Moral of the Story:
It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad or things have caused undue stress, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain, suffering, or stress. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Today, I’ve been reminded that in the face of discouragement I’m the only one that can change my perception, viewpoint, state of mind, emotional state, and spiritual state.  How? Honestly.... Holding fast to God & not tossing in towel.  Over the last four years, I’ve walked alongside my wife through post dramatic stress disordered, unemployment, relocation, the loss of family members, a dislocated shoulder injury (no ins to pay), our sons mountain bike accident, and just weeks ago my wife, two children, our nephew where rear ended in a car accident (all are okay).... through all that life seemed to uncaringly roll on and over me at times.... 

APPLICATION

Get up and give life both barrels; especially, when I’m feeling totally dismayed! 

(Someday’s that equal simple getting up, breathing, and going for a walk)

1. Hold fast to God’s word via daily interacting with Him - through journaling (interaction).
2. Exorcise.  Why? To feel good, burn off stress, release adrenaline, self-care, and because it fills me up.
3. Hang around others that “fill me up” verses “deplete” me.
4. Live within the “Margins” of life - allowing time to breathe and walk.
5. Continue to fight and be a dream chaser. (Personal list: Husband, Father, Son, Friend, Care, Education, Sprint, Tin, & Olympia Triathlons, Soccer, Missionary, Home owner, etc...)
6. Process things within forward thinking (pausing and fast forwarding the tape prior to making a decision w/ self, family, and trusted friends)
7. Remember: Why do we fall?  So that we can learn to pick ourselves up....
8. Why is life so challenging and hard at times?  Because it is.... .... and God never promise anything different.

PRAYER 

Lord, at time I feel so dismayed!  I ask that you would help me to listen and obey during the best and worst of times that I might grow in my knowledge, devotion, and love of you. Help me continue to to step out in faith as I hold fast to You in the midst of reality. Holding fast to You no matter what life tosses at me.  Here I am once again trusting You with my life, family, and future.... - Trevor

Additional Background on Job:

The book of Job tells the story of an extremely righteous man named Job, who was very prosperous and had seven sons and three daughters. Constantly fearing that his sons may have sinned and "cursed God in their hearts", he habitually offered burnt offerings as a pardon for their sins. The "sons of God" and Satan (literally "the adversary") present themselves to God, and God asks Satan his opinion on Job. Satan answers that Job is pious only because God has put a "wall around" him and "blessed" his favorite servant with prosperity, but if he lost his possessions, then he would curse God. God gives Satan permission to test Job's righteousness.

All of Job's possessions are destroyed; the 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys carried off by Sabeans, the 7000 sheep were burned up by 'The fire of God which fell from the sky,' the 3000 camels were stolen by the Chaldeans and the house of the firstborn collapsed, due to a mighty wind, killing all of Job's offspring, but Job does not curse God but instead shaves his head, tears his clothes and says, "Naked I came out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return: Lord has given, and Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of Lord."

As Job endures these calamities without reproaching God, Satan solicits permission to afflict his person as well, and God says, "Behold, he is in your hand, but don't touch his life." Satan, therefore, smites him with dreadful boils, and Job, seated in ashes, scrapes his skin with broken pottery. His wife prompts him to "curse God, and die" but Job answers, "You speak as one of the foolish speaks. Moreover, shall we receive good from God and shall not receive evil?"

Three friends of Job, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, come to console him. (A fourth, Elihu the Buzite (Heb: Alieua ben Barakal the Buzite), begins talking in Chapter 32 and plays a significant role in the dialogue, but his arrival is not described). The friends spend seven days sitting on the ground with Job, without saying anything to him because they see that he is suffering and in much pain. Job at last breaks his silence and "curses the day he was born."

God responds saying that there are so many things Job does not know about how this world was formed or how nature works, that Job should consider God as being greater than the thunderstorm and strong enough to pull in the leviathan with a fishhook. God then rebukes the three friends and says, "I am angry with you....you have not spoken of me what is right."

The story ends happily with Job restored to health, with a new family and twice as much livestock.

What would be your life application to this text?

Overcoming the defeats of disobedience.

Today’s reading: Luke 22 NASB
SCRIPTURE 
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” - Luke 22:61-62 NASB

OBSERVATION
Background: It was at the Passover Celebration, Peter boldly committed to live and die for Jesus.  Why at the Passover?  What is a Passover Celebration?

Called Hag HaMatzot (festival of Matza) in the Torah, the commandment to keep Passover is recorded in the Book of Leviticus: “In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month between the two evenings is the lord's Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the lord; seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work. And ye shall bring an offering made by fire unto the lord seven days; in the seventh day is a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work.” (Leviticus 23:5)
The biblical regulations for the observance of the festival require that all leavening be disposed of before the beginning of the 15th of Nisan. An unblemished lamb or goat is to be set apart on Nisan 10, and slaughtered on Nisan 14 "between the two evenings", a phrase which is, however, not defined. It is then to be eaten "that night", Nisan 15, roasted, without the removal of its internal organs with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Nothing of the sacrifice on which the sun rises may be eaten, but must be burned. The sacrifices may only be performed in a specific place prescribed by God (for Judaism, Jerusalem, and for Samaritans, Mount Gerizim). Regulations pertaining to the original Passover also include how the meal is to be eaten: "with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the lord's passover" (Exodus 12:11).
Some of these details can be corroborated, and to some extent amplified, in extrabiblical sources. The removal (or "sealing up") of the leaven is referred to in the Elephantine papyri, an Aramaic papyrus from 5th century BCE Elephantine in Egypt. The slaughter of the lambs on the 14th is mentioned in The Book of Jubilees, a Jewish work of the Ptolemaic period, and by the Herodian-era writers Josephus and Philo. These sources also indicate that "between the two evenings" was taken to mean the afternoon. Jubilees states the sacrifice was eaten that night, and together with Josephus states that nothing of the sacrifice was allowed to remain until morning. Philo states that the banquet included hymns and prayers.
The Biblical commandments concerning the Passover (and the Feast of Unleavened Bread) stress the importance of remembering: “And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt; and thou shalt observe and do these statutes." (Deuteronomy 16:12) Exodus 12:14 commands, in reference to God's sparing of the firstborn from the Tenth Plague: “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to the lord; throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” Exodus 13:3 repeats the command to remember: “Remember this day, in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, for by strength the hand of the LORD brought you out from this place.”
Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, which typically falls in March or April of the Gregorian calendar. In accordance with the Hebrew Bible, Nisan is the first month of the Hebrew calendar's festival year.[6] Passover is a spring festival, so the 14th day of Nisan begins on the night of a full moon after the vernal equinox. To ensure that Passover did not start before spring, the tradition in ancient Israel held that the first day of Nisan would not start until the barley was ripe, being the test for the onset of spring. If the barley was not ripe, or various other phenomena indicated that spring was not yet imminent, an intercalary month (Adar II) would be added. In Israel, Passover is the seven-day holiday of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, with the first and last days observed as legal holidays and as holy days involving abstention from work, special prayer services, and holiday meals; the intervening days are known as Chol HaMoed ("Weekdays of the Festival"). Diaspora Jews historically observed the festival for eight days, and most still do. Reform and Reconstructionist Jews and Israeli Jews, wherever they are, usually observe the holiday over seven days. The reason for this extra day is due to enactment of the Sages. It is thought by many scholars that Jews outside of Israel could not be certain if their local calendars fully conformed to practice of the Temple at Jerusalem, so they added an extra day. But as this practice only attaches to certain (major) holy days, others posit the extra day may have been added to accommodate people who had to travel long distances to participate in communal worship and ritual practices; or the practice may have evolved as a compromise between conflicting interpretations of Jewish Law regarding the calendar; or it may have evolved as a safety measure in areas where Jews were commonly in danger, so that their enemies would not be certain on which day to attack.

Bottom line: Passover (Hebrew, Yiddish: פֶּסַח Pesach, Tiberian: [pesaħ] ( listen), Modern Hebrew: /ˈpesaχ/ Pesah, Pesakh, Yiddish: Peysekh, Paysakh, Paysokh) is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.

Okay.  Why did Peter make such a bold statement?  Honestly, that’s one for Peter to answer.  My option - because Peters a man. As he makes a public declaration committing to live and die for Jesus, Peters quickly quieted by Jesus saying that Peter would deny Him.

I wonder what Peter’s body language conveyed to Jesus and the other onlookers. I can see him with sword drawn, on top of the table boldly declaring his willingness to die for Jesus!  Then slowly stepping down as Jesus states the opposite.  I wonder what Jesus’ eyes looked like (compassionate or fierce) as He corrected Peter’s courageous confession?  In the midst of their encounter and during the meeting of their eyes - after Peter denies Jesus (3) three times, just as He said Peter would. Peter must’ve felt sick inwardly - realizing that he did not live up to his bold, courageous declaration! Bitter weeping, uncontrollable feeling of being condemned. Peter’s denial of Jesus would be a mentoring lesson used by God, to develop his heart into one of the fiercest disciples who ever lived!

APPLICATION
There’s hope for me. There are times I’ve walked in Peter footsteps bolding declaring my commitment to Christ and then theirs moments where I seem to deny Jesus. How? By not responding in boldness to His promptings to witness to people - to strangers - even to non Christian friends. I say that I would die for Christ - but would I? What does death hold? I’m I more contend here and now than my desire to be with God in heaven?  YES!

I want to live differently by growing in boldness and confidence in Jesus. Even overcoming the defeats of disobedience's: mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How do I overcome them?
Being honest with myself.
Praying for boldness, backing it with personal action.
Baby steps of achievable action.

Truth: My faith is lived out & reviled in the midst of my daily reality.

PRAYER
I ask that you would help me to listen and obey that I might grow in my knowledge and love of you. Help me continue to to step out in faith as I hold fast to You in the midst of reality. - Trevor

Pretend, Pretending, and Deceit. Is it wrong or okay? Does it depend upon the circumstances?

Today’s reading: Word Study “Pretend” NIV
SCRIPTURE 
“As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them.” - Genesis 42:7 NIV

“12 David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. 13 So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. 14 Achish said to his servants, “Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me?” - 1 Samuel 21:12-14 NIV

“1 Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. 2 So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead. 3 Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth.” -2 Samuel 14:1-3 NIV
“One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” -Proverbs 13:7 NIV

“Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.” - Luke 20:20 NIV
“In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow.” - Acts 27:30 NIV

OBSERVATION
Is pretending right, wrong, or indifferent? Is pretending different than dreaming? Through-out my childhood society attempted to install in me that “pretending” was something permissible but someone that one should “grow out” of - aka? “Pretending” was deemed socially unacceptable.  However, in my personal attempts to define word / concept - I frequently found it’s definition coming up alongside “one’s dreams / aspirations.”
Okay, let’s go Wiktionary (Wikipedia’s dictionary).  Pretending, is the act of imagining; make-believe.
Let’s keep digging.  The root word, “pretend” is from Anglo-Norman pretendre, Middle French pretendre (French prétendre (“to claim, demand”), from Latin praetendere, present active infinitive of praetendō (“put forward, hold out, pretend”), from prae- (“pre-”) + tendō (“stretch”).

To pretend may be presented as,
To claim, allege, especially when falsely or as a form of deliberate deception. [from 14th c.]
To feign, affect (a state, quality etc.). [from 15th c.]
To lay claim to (an ability, status, advantage etc.). [from 15th c.]  
To make oneself appear to do or be doing something; to engage in make-believe.  

Why would people “pretend”?  Why would God direct people to “pretend”?  What’s the difference in Tekoa pretending (2 Samuel 14:1-3 NIV) and total deceit?  If David wouldn’t have “pretended” to be insane [deceiving his enemy] would he still have become a King (1 Samuel 21:12-14 NIV)?  Because of the past pain Joseph’s brothers cased him, he “pretended” to be a stranger to them and spoke harshly. So, then is “pretending” a tool used to physically and emotional protected us? (Genesis 42:7 NIV)

History is filled individuals the “pretenders” some have done a tremendous amount of harm while others have accomplished a immense amount of good.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian and martyr. He was a participant in the German resistance movement against Nazism and a founding member of the Confessing Church. He was involved in plans by members of the Abwehr (the German Military Intelligence Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
In November 1932 (before the Nazi takeover), there had been an election for presbyters and synodals (church officials) of the German Landeskirche (Protestant established churches). This election was marked by a struggle within the Old-Prussian Union Evangelical Church between the nationalistic German Christian movement and Young Reformers — a struggle which threatened to explode into schism.

Hitler now unconstitutionally imposed new church elections in July 1933. Bonhoeffer put all his efforts into the election, campaigning for the selection of independent, non-Nazi officials.

Despite Bonhoeffer's efforts, in the rigged July election an overwhelming majority of key church positions went to Nazi-supported German Christians.[13] The German Christians won a majority in the general synod of the Old-Prussian Union Evangelical Church and all its provincial synods except Westphalia, and in synods of all other Protestant church bodies, except for the Lutheran churches of Bavaria, Hanover, and Württemberg. These bodies the opposition regarded as uncorrupted "intact churches", as opposed to the other so-called "destroyed churches".

In opposition to Nazification, Bonhoeffer urged an interdict upon all pastoral services (baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc.), but Karl Barth and others advised against such a radical proposal.[14] In August 1933, Bonhoeffer and Hermann Sasse were deputized by opposition church leaders to draft the Bethel Confession, a new statement of faith in opposition to the German Christians. Notable for affirming God's faithfulness to Jews as His chosen people, the Bethel Confession was however so watered down to make it more palatable that later Bonhoeffer himself refused to sign it. In September 1933, Bonhoeffer and his colleague Martin Niemöller helped form the Pfarrernotbund — a forerunner to the Confessing Church that was to be organized in May 1934 at Barmen in opposition to the German Christians.[15]

Although not large, the Confessing Church did represent a major source of Christian opposition to the Nazi government. The Barmen Declaration, drafted by Barth and adopted by the Confessing Church, insisted that Christ, not the Führer, was the head of the church.

For a year and a half, Bonhoeffer was imprisoned at Tegel military prison awaiting trial. There he continued his work in religious outreach among his fellow prisoners and guards. Sympathetic guards helped smuggle his letters out of prison to Eberhard Bethge and others, and these uncensored letters were posthumously published in Letters and Papers from Prison. A guard named Corporal Knobloch even offered to help him escape from the prison and "disappear" with him, and plans were made for that end. But Bonhoeffer declined it fearing Nazi retribution on his family, especially his brother Klaus and brother-in-law who were also imprisoned.[28]

After the failure of the July 20 Plot on Hitler's life in 1944 and the discovery in September 1944 of secret Abwehr documents relating to the conspiracy, Bonhoeffer's connection with the conspirators was discovered. He was transferred from the military prison in Berlin Tegel, where he had been held for 18 months, to the detention cellar of the house prison of the Reich Security Head Office, the Gestapo's high-security prison. In February 1945, he was secretly moved to Buchenwald concentration camp, and finally to Flossenbürg concentration camp.[29]

On April 4, 1945, the diaries of Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, head of the Abwehr, were discovered, and in a rage upon reading them, Hitler ordered that the Abwehr conspirators be destroyed.[30] Bonhoeffer was led away just as he concluded his final Sunday service and asked an English prisoner Payne Best to remember him to Bishop George Bell of Chichester if he should ever reach his home: "This is the end — for me the beginning of life."[31]

Bonhoeffer was condemned to death on April 8, 1945, by SS judge Otto Thorbeck at a drumhead court-martial without witnesses, records of proceedings or a defence in Flossenbürg concentration camp.[32] He was executed there by hanging at dawn on April 9, 1945, just two weeks before soldiers from the United States 90th and 97th Infantry Divisions liberated the camp,[33][34] three weeks before the Soviet capture of Berlin and a month before the capitulation of Nazi Germany. Like other executions associated with the July 20 Plot, the execution was particularly brutal. Bonhoeffer was stripped of his clothing and led naked into the execution yard, where he was hanged with thin wire for death by strangulation. Hanged with Bonhoeffer were fellow conspirators Admiral Wilhelm Canaris; Canaris' deputy General Hans Oster; military jurist General Karl Sack; General Friedrich von Rabenau;[35] businessman Theodor Strünck; and German resistance fighter Ludwig Gehre. Bonhoeffer's brother, Klaus Bonhoeffer, and his brothers-in-law Hans von Dohnanyi and Rüdiger Schleicher were executed elsewhere later in the month.

The camp doctor who witnessed the execution wrote: “I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer ... kneeling on the floor praying fervently to God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the few steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.”[31]

Did you get that!!!??!!

Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor who was involved in plans to assassinate Adolf Hitler!  Was Bonhoeffer “pretending” to be a pastor or was he an assassin? Can an individual be both?  How does this line up biblically Old and New Testament?  How did Bonhoeffer process this?

APPLICATION
To pretend or to deceive - Is it wrong or okay? Does it depend upon the circumstances? In other words is “pretending” okay? If yes, when is it permissible and when is it NOT? When does “deceiving” / “pretending” cross over to “logical” justification - and at what point does that become wrong? Does this seem difficult to anyone else? The fact remains that many esteemed people within the bible and through-out history have not been one hundred percent (100%) upfront all the time.  Where does “pretending” cross the line of “trust”?  I’m sure Jesus’ initial response to all my questions is one of Him gently chuckling and smiling as I actively wrestle out my faith (our at least that’s what I picture). Rather than grumbling, arguing, or getting frustrated, I’m choosing to move forward in my relationship with Jesus as I question many socially / biblically imposed concepts.

PRAYER
Lord, I praise you for your power and goodness to those that walk in faith. I ask that you would help me to listen and obey that I might grow in my knowledge and love of you. Help me continue to to step out in faith as I hold fast to You in the midst of reality. - Trevor

Not in alinement: Requests & Answers

Not in alinement: Requests & Answers



Today’s reading: Luke 17 NASB
SCRIPTURE
As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.” Luke 17:11-14

OBSERVATION
Has God ever asked you to do something and you refused to do it out of fear, insecurity, or whatever “logical” justification you could muster up? Or, have you ever made a request to God and when you discovered that His answer required you to do something illogical, uncomfortable, or difficult you gave up because it didn’t make sense or was just too inconvenient? I’ve definitely been there before. Jesus was on an important mission headed toward Jerusalem, and along the way he was interrupted by the shouts of 10 men. These men weren’t requesting food, or water, or clothes but a rather strange request of mercy. Upon closer inspection, it was obvious that these men had leprosy, a terrible disease, and were crying out for healing. Now, I would wager to say that they didn’t expect the response that was to come, for more reasons than one, but immediately Jesus looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” Huh? He didn’t say you’re healed, he didn’t say your sins are forgiven, and he didn’t cast out any demons. He simply directed them to see the priests. Can you imagine what they must have been thinking? “See the priests? A lot of good that will do us! We’ve already seen the priest, the doctor, and the healers, and no one has been able to help. I guess He’s not as powerful as we thought.” I’m not sure they reacted as I would have, but what I do know is that all 10 chose to listen and obey. At Jesus’ word, they turned and went, and “as they went”, they were all healed. His request seemed completely illogical, going against common sense and reason. They needed healing, and they were directed to visit their pastor? Does that seem difficult to swallow for anyone else? The fact remains that as they went, as they obeyed, as they stepped out in trust and faith they were cleansed. I’m sure Jesus’ initial response wasn’t what the 10 wanted, or even expected, but rather than grumbling, arguing, or getting frustrated, they chose to obey and would never be the same.

APPLICATION
How many times have I made a request of God and when the answer didn’t meet my hope or expectation I got mad and gave up? It’s scary to think how many times God’s power and release were waiting just around the corner, but my lack of obedience caused me to forfeit the outpouring. The Divine miracle of healing came when the 10 coupled their faith with action. They chose compliance over complaining and submission over sniveling, and their lives were changed in an instant. The power, the authority, and the compassion of Jesus were revealed to those that believed and yielded to His command. Today I will choose to step out in faith, obedience, and gratitude, as I respond to His love.


PRAYER
Lord, I praise you for your power and goodness to those that walk in faith. I ask that you would help me to listen and obey that I might grow in my knowledge and love of you. Help me to step out in faith regardless of the request or the cost that my life might glorify you. - Trevor

More than a children's story

Today’s reading: Luke 2 NASB

SCRIPTURE 

“ Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.  While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” -Luke 2:1-20 NASB

OBSERVATION

I’ve heard this story countless times.  And if I’m to be 100% honesty - to some unknown degree to me our western culture has transformed this precious story about God into a common folklore.  Taking a most precious story about God’s love, hope, & grace -- and giving it a common place as if it was a mere children’s story.  This story is so much more than a mere children’s story.  It the Bible was read verse bye verse and not skimmed through it’s modern day rating would be “PG-13” if not “R”. What? Why? Battle’s, bloodshed, anger, hate, deception, love, reconciliation, unity, etc.... Honestly, if it was told / read within that light - IT’S CAPTIVATING!  However, at most churches it’s dumbed down, censored.... Why? I’m not sure...  

Okay, now what? - What comes next?  In the midst of my pondering, I hear the words of a trusted friend Richard Berry, “what’s the better question....” If I’m are attempting to take something that is common and make it precious again what questions do I need to ask and have answered?

How did this happened?  

That good - but I think there is a better question.

How can we not allow precious things to become common?  

That’s also great question.

What was God’s purpose in sending His son?

Now that’s a question worth exploring! What was God’s purpose in sending His son?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” - John 3:16-17

“Not to perish” it not merely physical death as we think of it.  The greek text communicates a much bigger picture.  One the takes in a physical aspect of death but focuses on the aspect of eternal separation.  So that “to perish” or “to die” would accurately be interpreted as to be separated forever / eternally separated and “eternal life” would then also convoy a principle of eternally being with the one that supplies life. 

What answers to my question can I establish from this text?

God’s purpose in sending His son was for me:

• to not be eternally separate from Him (“not perish / die”)
• to be eternally with the giver or source of life.

Another text I need to look at in attempting to answer my question is: 

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law & the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” -Matthew 5:17

What is the Law or the Prophets?

The Law, is the whole body of the Mosaic legislation - 28+ laws are given through out the 1st five books of the bible (called the Torah) including the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:3-17 (look them up).

What answers to my question can I establish from this text?

-God’s purpose in sending His son was for us to fulfill the Law & the Prophets; so that, we would not have to be conscious of our failure to keep God’s commands.  

So, why is it important to us that Christ fulfilled the Law?

-Because the Law demands for me to make a payment for each law or command I’ve broken and face the terrible consequences wrath of God -- possibly eternal separation from Him. 

-In modern terminology for not honoring God, would be translated - “breaking the law” or “sin”

James 4:17 defines “sin” as “to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Romans 3:23 states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” 

As an individual I live by the gracious judgment of God declared from heaven, so the sentence of the Law is overruled and reversed. “He that believe on the Son has eternal life” -John 3:36.

Once the Gospel has been received by an individual and they discover an eternal peace from death and the terrors of hell, the Spirit’s influence is felt.  By no means am I saying that I will stop wrestling with the issues life tosses at us.  It’s through the issues that God preciously invites me into a genuine growing relationship - one that involves all the ups, downs, and aspects of a relationship.  Its through my relationship with Him that His Law begins to live in mankind’s heart; I begin to loves it, delight in it.  It’s through the point relationship that Eternal life begins here, and continues as I journey through out this life.

APPLICATION

When I open God’s word I often need to take the “Perspective” of a student sitting at the feet & learning from master teachers - struggling to not allow their voices to fall on deaf ears - fighting to not allow God’s word become “common story” when it holds a key with eternal significance. What can I walk away with?

A question. A daily challenge.  How am I going to make my relationship with God “Precious” / “Valued” verses just another common thing I do? 

PRAYER 

I’m amazing at the simplicity and priceless work You accomplished on the Cross.  Thank you, for speaking directly to me as I choose to sit at Your feet - thank you for empowering me (us) with the incredible gift of “freewill.” Help me daily aline my heart, my mind, and my life to You - Jesus.  Help me make time for that which is most important - TIME W/ YOU.  Continue to refine and guidance my heart & mind - thank you for being a God that daily gives me great life lessons. Honestly, YOUR word is one of the most difficult books to read and at the same time the MOST REWARDING - Thanks. - Trevor

Authentic vs Pretentious Living Requires Listening & Responding

Today’s reading: Psalm 81 NASB
SCRIPTURE  Authentic vs Pretentious
“....He will established it for a testimony in Joseph when he went throughout the land of Egypt.  I heard a language that i did not know; “I relieved his shoulder of the burden, his hands were freed from the basket.  You called in trouble and I rescued you....I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” -Psalm 81:5-6,10 NASB

“.... but my people did not listen to My voice, and Israel did not obey Me. So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own devices. Oh that My people would listen to Me.  That they would walk in My ways!.... Those who hate the Lord would pretend obedience to Him and their time of punishment would be forever.  But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.....” -Psalm 81:11-13 // 15-16 NASB

OBSERVATION
Psalm 81 is consider to be one of the twelve Psalms of Asaph.The Psalms of Asaph (לְאָסָף) were composed in the northern territories of Israel during Biblical times. They underwent some redaction after 722 BC, but appear to have been intact by the post-exilic period. The origin and identity of the person of Asaph is ambiguous, and it is difficult to know whether or not there was an identifiable progenitor for this family name. The Asaphite priests had a pre-exilic role to provide musically-based or induced prophecy, and a post-exilic role singing praise to God.
As I read this Psalm 81 verses 5-6,10-13, & 15-16 stood out in the midst of a key principle of Listening: Comprehension vs. Hearing appeared.
Let’s go, Psalm 81:5-6,
Here, I found the Psalmist referencing how God established Joseph’s testimony (life’s story).  Joseph went from a brother to an out cast - from a slave to ruler.  As I attempt to engage the text, I find myself attempting picture Joseph’s circumstances.  Emotionally broken (sold into slavery by his own brothers), physically weary (traveled hundreds of miles by foot with little nourishment or care), and mentally challenged (struggled to learn the Egyptian language).  How many times did Joseph call out to God?  How long did Joseph pray before God answered? ....before Joseph’s burdens were lifted? ...before his hands were freed? 
To often I picture God’s relief coming immediately.  To often I visual God swooping down like SUPERMAN “to save the day” within the moment.  The truth - God provides relief within His timeframe and not mine.  Why? I don’t know.  No matter the timeline - the end result speaks loudly as God did bring Joseph up from the land of Egypt - and God will save me.
Let’s go, Psalm 81:11-13 // 15-16,
Between verses 10 and 11, I came across an interesting grammatical transition.  What?  From a focus on Joseph moving to a focus on the nation of Israel as a whole.  This is noted in the following grammatical phrases, “My people,” “My voice,” “Israel,” and “Me.”  Wow!  The Psalmist is paralleling Joseph’s life and the National of Israel within a ‘real-time’ comparison.
Within Psalm 81:11-13 and 15-16 a few key phrase stand out,
“My people (Israel) did not listen to My voice....” -vs 11
“Israel (my people) did not obey Me.” - vs 11
Then what happened?

“So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own devices.” - 12

Wow, this sounds a bit like a few sections of my life’s story!  Respectable guidance from my dad, a close mentor, an old friend, and what do I do... not listen!  What are the results of not listening?  Discovering things through consequences / the hard way.

Let’s continue in Psalm 81,
“Oh that My people would listen to Me.  That they would walk in My ways!” -vs 13.  As I read these words my heart broke and my mind honed in as I related to God’s heart ache as a father.... as I once again got a glimpse of what I took my father through....

The Psalmist concludes by saying, “Those who hate the Lord would pretend obedience to Him and their time of punishment would be forever.  But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.....” -vs 15-16.  “....pretend obedience....” According to Wikipedia “A pretender is one who claims entitlement to an unavailable position of honour or rank. The original meaning of the English word pretend, from the French word prétendre (from the Latin prae-tendo lit. "to stretch out before" means "to put forward, to profess or claim"; this predates today's more common English meaning of "pretend", which is to claim falsely.”

....I’ve “pretended obedience” to God. Why?  I choice self gratification over God’s guidance.
When did I realize I was “pretending obedience” to God?  I knew it from the moment I mentally made the decision. When I choose to sin - I choose to enter a state of “pretending obedience.”

During that season, God allowed me to see things (in my life) which made me sick to my stomach!

APPLICATION
The importance of daily interactions with God via reading the Bible.
Reading (check). 
Listening & responding (Importance of slowing down and writing out my thoughts / interaction with the text via observations / applications).
As I allow God’s word (the Bible) to read me it keeps me Authentic vs Pretentious.

PRAYER
Jesus, once again, I’m amazing at the simplicity and priceless work You accomplished on the Cross.  Thank you, for speaking directly to the culture / time when you walked the earth - thank you for empowering me (us) with the incredible gift of “freewill.” Help me daily aline my heart, my mind, and my life to You - Jesus.  Help me make time for that which is most important - TIME W/ YOU.  Continue to refine and guidance my heart & mind - thank you for being a God that daily gives me great life lessons. ThankYOU. - Trevor

Helpful links in overcoming “pretentious living”: www.xxxchurch.com, www.x3pure.com, www.x3watch.com, www.relevantmagazine.com, http://developer.enewhope.org/api/bible.php

A Lesson From Apocalyptic Literature: .... .... ....

Today’s reading: Revelation 3:19-22 NASB

SCRIPTURE

¹⁰ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently....” -Revelation 3:10 NIV

“¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. ²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” -Revelation 3:19-22 NIV

OBSERVATION

The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation" (an interesting historical side point: the author himself did not provided the title). It is also known as the Book of the Revelation of Saint John the Divine or the Apocalypse of John, (both in reference to its author) or the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ (in reference to its opening line) or simply Revelation, (often dubbed "Revelations" in contrast to the singular in the original Koine) or the Apocalypse. The word "apocalypse" is also used for other works of a similar nature, and the genre is known as apocalyptic literature. Such literature is "marked by distinctive literary features, particularly prediction of future events and accounts of visionary experiences or journeys to heaven, often involving vivid symbolism." The Book of Revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the New Testament canon, though there are short apocalyptic passages in various places in the Gospels and the Epistles.  Revelation brings together the worlds of heaven, earth, and hell in a final confrontation between the forces of good and evil. Its characters and images are both real and symbolic, spiritual and material. Revelation's cryptic nature makes the book a source of controversy among scholars who try to interpret its meaning and its message. Nevertheless, it has not only endured, but captured the imagination of generations of Bible students, both professional and lay readers alike. The author, named John, has traditionally been identified with John the Apostle, to whom the Gospel of John is also attributed. Historical-critical scholars, however, generally conclude that the author did not also write the Gospel of John. Most scholars think that Revelation was written near the end of the 1st century.

Almost every time, I read this finial book of the New Testament: Revelation.  I pause and pray.... ....  Why? The material, symbolism, and confrontation between good and evil are enchanting!  The text of Revelation enthralls, engrosses, and almost hypnotizes my mind with questions and fascination - that’s why I pause and pray.  I need God to guide and direct me.  I need Him to keep me from going down a miscellaneous rabbit trail - this is where Revelation 3:10 & 19-22 stood out.  Scripture interprets Scripture: A.K.A. What within Revelation symbolism verifies God’s Word?   

¹⁰ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently....” -Revelation 3:10 NIV

“¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. ²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” -Revelation 3:19-22 NIV

APPLICATION

1. “.... you have kept my command to endure patiently....” -Revelation 3:10 NIV

• To holdfast to God’s commands with “post cross” ramifications:

1. “You (Trevor) shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” - Matthew 22:37 NASB
2. “You shall shall your neighbor as your yourself.” - Matthew 22:39 NASB
3. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20

1. “endure patiently....” - Revelation 3:10 NIV

1.  ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. ⁸ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,^[a^] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ¹⁰ He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, ¹¹ as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. ¹² Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity^[b^] and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. ¹³ For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, ¹⁴ as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.” - 1 Corinthians 1:3-14 NIV

1. “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” -Revelation 3:19

• Scripture interprets Scripture: A.K.A. What within Revelation symbolism verifies God’s Word? 

1.  “⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
      and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
   ⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
      and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” ⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” - Hebrews 12:4-11

PRAYER 

Jesus, thank you for taking the time to speak to my heart & engage my mind.  I find myself grateful that you meet me where I’m at.  I’m amazing at the simplicity and priceless work You accomplished on the Cross.  Thank you for speak directly to my heart.  It seems that as I slow down to read Your read - it reads me.  Help me daily make time for that which is most important - TIME W/ YOU.  Continue to refine and guidance my heart & mind - thank you for being a God that daily gives me great life lessons. ThankYOU. - Trevor

“¹ Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^[a^] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^[b^] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[c^] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

 ⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” -Romans 5:1-11