Obey the Unknown
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called . . . . And he went out, not knowing where he was going. —Hebrews 11:8
Just last night Brad and I were talking about 'the unknown' in a manner of speaking. One very exciting part about this moment together is that there are things that are known- our love for each other... but there are also unknowns that we'll learn about each other, that we'll experience as the Lord leads us. And I pray that we obey... leaving fear behind... because perfect love drives out all fear.
Follow the Unknown
50 Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. 51 Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed."
52 When Abraham's servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 53 Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. -Genesis 24:50-53
Laban and Bethuel, Rebekah's relatives were so very obedient in following the Lord. This passage particularly makes me think of things that are "of the Lord." So many people have told me that they see Brad and myself and know that it is "of the Lord," though they each use their own turn of phrase. Some call it a "very special relationship," others comment that "God brought us together," or "the Lord led us to one another." In my humble opinion, this is very true.
But, it's also true that in many ways you can see something that's "of the Lord." Even a person that's on fire for God... you can tell by their joy and love and their lives that they are "of the Lord." Lord, I pray that you make it true that this relationship, that my life, that everything about me is "of the Lord." Guide me this year... as I seek to follow your leading.
Ask the Unknown
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. -Matthew 7:7-12
This year I am seeking. Seminary? Job? PhD? I'm looking into all three options, but most of all I ask you, Lord. Sometimes it seems like there are so many changes happening. There is so much that is so unknown. But everyone who asks will receive, and everyone who seeks will find. So, Lord, I stand hear asking for your guidance, seeking your wisdom, and knocking on the doors that you would have me enter into this next year. As the song goes, "Take my hand and lead me, Father."
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Worry v. Intentionality
15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die." And as she sat there nearby, she [d] began to sob.
17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."
19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
-Genesis 21:15-21
Again, Hagar is off by herself. Poor Hagar... she's someone I certainly don't envy. She's banished by Sarah to the desert along with Ishmael, because Ishmael was making fun of something, as kids often do. (Seems quite childish of Sarah if you ask me.) But, again God proved Himself to be "the God who sees her." He saw her and provided water for them, and was with the boy as he grew up. We cry and worry, and sometimes we forget that God has always been here for us... that we have no reason to worry. It is all in God's hands. Yes, sometimes things hurt and cause us to cry. Yes, sometimes things are difficult and cause us stress... but as Christians, we have the overriding assurance that
God is good
All the time.
All the time
God is good.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.-Matthew 6:25-34
This beautiful verse on worry is a part of the Bible that I need to read more often than I do. In fact, I think I might need to pint it out and just read it each morning. I think my difficulty in dealing with worry and anxiety may hail from my overconsciousness and slight perfectionism (with certain things). I want to do everything as best as I can, especially when it involves others, which it usually does. And I want to live my life as well as I can- with intentionality in the way I live each day, in the money I allocate to certain things, the time I devout to certain goals, everything. And that makes me somewhat overly-critical and worried about how I'm doing... measuring up only to my own self-determined criteria, but that is often the harshest.
I believe there's a fine line between living intentionally- trying to make an effort to live lightly on the earth (eat locally, recycle, reuse), serving others and God- and not worrying too much about it. We make an effort and give ourselves to the Lord, knowing that He will use us if we give our hearts to Him. And it will never be enough to earn our way into Heaven... that is a gift from our Lord... along with the assurance that can ease our minds and our hearts... if we only let Him free us from worry.
17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."
19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
-Genesis 21:15-21
Again, Hagar is off by herself. Poor Hagar... she's someone I certainly don't envy. She's banished by Sarah to the desert along with Ishmael, because Ishmael was making fun of something, as kids often do. (Seems quite childish of Sarah if you ask me.) But, again God proved Himself to be "the God who sees her." He saw her and provided water for them, and was with the boy as he grew up. We cry and worry, and sometimes we forget that God has always been here for us... that we have no reason to worry. It is all in God's hands. Yes, sometimes things hurt and cause us to cry. Yes, sometimes things are difficult and cause us stress... but as Christians, we have the overriding assurance that
God is good
All the time.
All the time
God is good.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.-Matthew 6:25-34
This beautiful verse on worry is a part of the Bible that I need to read more often than I do. In fact, I think I might need to pint it out and just read it each morning. I think my difficulty in dealing with worry and anxiety may hail from my overconsciousness and slight perfectionism (with certain things). I want to do everything as best as I can, especially when it involves others, which it usually does. And I want to live my life as well as I can- with intentionality in the way I live each day, in the money I allocate to certain things, the time I devout to certain goals, everything. And that makes me somewhat overly-critical and worried about how I'm doing... measuring up only to my own self-determined criteria, but that is often the harshest.
I believe there's a fine line between living intentionally- trying to make an effort to live lightly on the earth (eat locally, recycle, reuse), serving others and God- and not worrying too much about it. We make an effort and give ourselves to the Lord, knowing that He will use us if we give our hearts to Him. And it will never be enough to earn our way into Heaven... that is a gift from our Lord... along with the assurance that can ease our minds and our hearts... if we only let Him free us from worry.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
God Loveth Adverbs: It's Not What You Do, It's How You Do It
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. -Colassians 3:12-17
Reflection from ODB
The Puritans wisely sought to connect all of life to its source in God, bringing the two worlds together rather than dividing them into sacred and secular. They had a saying, “God loveth adverbs; and careth not how good, but how well.” Adverbs describe verbs—our words of action and activity. The proverb implies that God cares more about the spirit in which we live than the concrete results.
This reflection rings true for me for several reasons. First of all, I love the fact that it mentions adverbs. (I recently did an entire project on that.) However, I'm also excited about the fact that it emphasizes that 'it's not what you do- it's how you do it.' One of my strong points is discipline... so I'm very going about doing things faithfully. But sometimes I lose the heart of what I'm doing for the 'doing' of it. I can't see the forst for the trees... or in this case, I can't see the adverbs for the verbs. This morning this is a beautiful reminder to do with all my heart... to live and love and serve God with adverbs.
It's How You Believe
Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master [d] is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD ? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh."
But he said, "Yes, you did laugh."- Genesis 18:10-15
God knows our heart. God knows when we doubt, just like Sarah. And why? Why did she laugh? Why did she doubt? I have to admit I've had my moments too. There are moments when I felt that I would never meet someone, and perhaps that would be the best for everyone. But, God must've been shaking His head and saying, "Why do you laugh, Katie? Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Nothing is impossible for Him, and I need to believe even when it's hard... that He will help me to be all that He needs me to be.
It's How You Obey
16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!"
23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. -Genesis 19:16-17, 23-26
This is a rather scary passage... the fact that even just looking back caused Lot's wife to turn into a pillar of salt. I think sometimes people use this verse as an excuse. They avoid going into ministry or various positions, because they think...well, if I turn back I'll be disobedient. The fact is that not following at all is even more disobedient. Lot's wife would've surely perished in the fire of the cities if she had never left, never followed at all. But following God requires an honest seeking of His will for our lives.
It's How You Give, Pray, Fast
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. -Matthew 6:1-2
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. -Matthew 6:5
16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.- Matthew 5:16
Matthew is all about the heart of the matter, as we read yesterday. It's no longer just about the rules... but it's about understanding the deeper meaning and purpose behind those rules. All of these acts: giving, praying and fasting are meant for God. We should not do them in a way that displays them before other people in vanity, show and boasting. Instead, if we keep them hidden between our heart and the Lord's, our manner (adverb) matching with our action (verb).
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. -Colassians 3:12-17
Reflection from ODB
The Puritans wisely sought to connect all of life to its source in God, bringing the two worlds together rather than dividing them into sacred and secular. They had a saying, “God loveth adverbs; and careth not how good, but how well.” Adverbs describe verbs—our words of action and activity. The proverb implies that God cares more about the spirit in which we live than the concrete results.
This reflection rings true for me for several reasons. First of all, I love the fact that it mentions adverbs. (I recently did an entire project on that.) However, I'm also excited about the fact that it emphasizes that 'it's not what you do- it's how you do it.' One of my strong points is discipline... so I'm very going about doing things faithfully. But sometimes I lose the heart of what I'm doing for the 'doing' of it. I can't see the forst for the trees... or in this case, I can't see the adverbs for the verbs. This morning this is a beautiful reminder to do with all my heart... to live and love and serve God with adverbs.
It's How You Believe
Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master [d] is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD ? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh."
But he said, "Yes, you did laugh."- Genesis 18:10-15
God knows our heart. God knows when we doubt, just like Sarah. And why? Why did she laugh? Why did she doubt? I have to admit I've had my moments too. There are moments when I felt that I would never meet someone, and perhaps that would be the best for everyone. But, God must've been shaking His head and saying, "Why do you laugh, Katie? Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Nothing is impossible for Him, and I need to believe even when it's hard... that He will help me to be all that He needs me to be.
It's How You Obey
16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!"
23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. -Genesis 19:16-17, 23-26
This is a rather scary passage... the fact that even just looking back caused Lot's wife to turn into a pillar of salt. I think sometimes people use this verse as an excuse. They avoid going into ministry or various positions, because they think...well, if I turn back I'll be disobedient. The fact is that not following at all is even more disobedient. Lot's wife would've surely perished in the fire of the cities if she had never left, never followed at all. But following God requires an honest seeking of His will for our lives.
It's How You Give, Pray, Fast
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. -Matthew 6:1-2
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. -Matthew 6:5
16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.- Matthew 5:16
Matthew is all about the heart of the matter, as we read yesterday. It's no longer just about the rules... but it's about understanding the deeper meaning and purpose behind those rules. All of these acts: giving, praying and fasting are meant for God. We should not do them in a way that displays them before other people in vanity, show and boasting. Instead, if we keep them hidden between our heart and the Lord's, our manner (adverb) matching with our action (verb).
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
A Demanding/Forgiving God
Forgiving
5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 7 He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it." 8 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" --Genesis 14:5-8
In this passage, it's important to note that Abram 'believed the Lord.' He believed that God would keep His covenant with him. However, only one chapter later, Abram laughs when He says He will bless Sara with a child. Still, He forgives Abram's unbelief in this instance and does bless Him with a child named Ishmael, and does make a great nation of Abraham.
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. -Matthew 5:1-11
Thinking about the Beatitudes, it's important to consider the context. Before Jesus, people relied on the book of laws to tell them who was and wasn't blessed. Those laws provided them with a way to classify and categorize people in terms of their 'goodness.' Today we use money or power or prestige to create similar hierarchies. But, here Jesus says, that's not true. You can't judge whether or not your brother or sister is blessed, because blessed are the meek, blessed are the peacemakers. Note that Jesus doesn't state that the rich are not blessed. He doesn't state the captains of armies are not blessed. It seems to suggest a shift in our thinking that we can't come up with judgments and classifications, because 'anyone can be blessed by the Lord our God.'
7 The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?"
"I'm running away from my mistress Sarai," she answered.
9 Then the angel of the LORD told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her." 10 The angel added, "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count."
11 The angel of the LORD also said to her:
"You are now with child
and you will have a son.
You shall name him Ishmael, [a]
for the LORD has heard of your misery.
12 He will be a wild donkey of a man;
his hand will be against everyone
and everyone's hand against him,
and he will live in hostility
toward [b] all his brothers."
13 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen [c] the One who sees me." 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi [d] ; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
-Genesis 16:7-14
I loved this verse as I read it again this morning. I love to think of the love and care that God showed to Hagar. He saw her sadness, and He went to her. He was the God who saw her. And even though she shouldn't have run from her mistress, God gave her direction, sent her back, and had mercy upon her. I thank the God who sees me at all times.
Demanding
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. -Matthew 5:13
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:20
Although God is a forgiving god, He is also demanding... warning us that we cannot lose our saltiness or we will be 'good for nothing' and 'thrown out and trampled by men.' Our flavor and our salt come from the power and working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. That is why this year I'll work on rededicating my life to Him... letting His flavor be present in my life.
Also, we need to still uphold the law to a high degree... even higher than the Pharisees. Jesus came to give grace, but also to challenge us not to abandon the law... but to think above and beyond the law... with the love that He gives us.
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[a] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart Matthew 6:27-28
33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. -Matthew 6:33-37
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[c] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. -Matthew 6:38-42
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[d] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[e] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. -Matthew 6:43-45
These familiar verses are especially familiar to Brethren kids. "You have heard that it was said,... but I tell you" verses. In the words of the cook Emerill Lagasse, Jesus kicks it up a notch! We shouldn't just walk one mile, but two miles. Offer not just your tunic, your cloak as well. And do not avoid certain swear words... avoid all swear words! We are now given an indeterminant amount of grace, but also a higher and more challenging law... a law that calls us to always give more, be better, to be 'perfect, therefore, as our Heavenly Father is perfect.'
5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 7 He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it." 8 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" --Genesis 14:5-8
In this passage, it's important to note that Abram 'believed the Lord.' He believed that God would keep His covenant with him. However, only one chapter later, Abram laughs when He says He will bless Sara with a child. Still, He forgives Abram's unbelief in this instance and does bless Him with a child named Ishmael, and does make a great nation of Abraham.
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. -Matthew 5:1-11
Thinking about the Beatitudes, it's important to consider the context. Before Jesus, people relied on the book of laws to tell them who was and wasn't blessed. Those laws provided them with a way to classify and categorize people in terms of their 'goodness.' Today we use money or power or prestige to create similar hierarchies. But, here Jesus says, that's not true. You can't judge whether or not your brother or sister is blessed, because blessed are the meek, blessed are the peacemakers. Note that Jesus doesn't state that the rich are not blessed. He doesn't state the captains of armies are not blessed. It seems to suggest a shift in our thinking that we can't come up with judgments and classifications, because 'anyone can be blessed by the Lord our God.'
7 The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?"
"I'm running away from my mistress Sarai," she answered.
9 Then the angel of the LORD told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her." 10 The angel added, "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count."
11 The angel of the LORD also said to her:
"You are now with child
and you will have a son.
You shall name him Ishmael, [a]
for the LORD has heard of your misery.
12 He will be a wild donkey of a man;
his hand will be against everyone
and everyone's hand against him,
and he will live in hostility
toward [b] all his brothers."
13 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen [c] the One who sees me." 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi [d] ; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
-Genesis 16:7-14
I loved this verse as I read it again this morning. I love to think of the love and care that God showed to Hagar. He saw her sadness, and He went to her. He was the God who saw her. And even though she shouldn't have run from her mistress, God gave her direction, sent her back, and had mercy upon her. I thank the God who sees me at all times.
Demanding
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. -Matthew 5:13
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:20
Although God is a forgiving god, He is also demanding... warning us that we cannot lose our saltiness or we will be 'good for nothing' and 'thrown out and trampled by men.' Our flavor and our salt come from the power and working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. That is why this year I'll work on rededicating my life to Him... letting His flavor be present in my life.
Also, we need to still uphold the law to a high degree... even higher than the Pharisees. Jesus came to give grace, but also to challenge us not to abandon the law... but to think above and beyond the law... with the love that He gives us.
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[a] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart Matthew 6:27-28
33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. -Matthew 6:33-37
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[c] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. -Matthew 6:38-42
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[d] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[e] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. -Matthew 6:43-45
These familiar verses are especially familiar to Brethren kids. "You have heard that it was said,... but I tell you" verses. In the words of the cook Emerill Lagasse, Jesus kicks it up a notch! We shouldn't just walk one mile, but two miles. Offer not just your tunic, your cloak as well. And do not avoid certain swear words... avoid all swear words! We are now given an indeterminant amount of grace, but also a higher and more challenging law... a law that calls us to always give more, be better, to be 'perfect, therefore, as our Heavenly Father is perfect.'
Monday, January 4, 2010
Put Me in My Place
A problem often results when we confuse the beauty of a personal relatioship with God... with making God into a person, forgetting to recognize His overriding power and glory and holiness. We need to continually recognize our own humility... and ask God to put us in our place, as His humble servants.
As Small
16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." -Genesis 9:16
The flood which wiped out almost all of creation is a crystal clear example of God's power. It reminds us of how small and fragile we are in the scheme of things. I had a very vivid reminder of this yesterday. Driving up to Houston to worship with the Irvington Iglesia del Nazareno, Brad and I both recognized a huge black something that had fallen off of a truck at the same moment. A motorcycle was in the left lane, and he just barely was able to put on the brakes and veer to the shoulder of the road in time. A close call, and we both whispered a prayer of thanks that we were both ok. It just hit me again. We're so small. We don't even need a flood to take us over. A mere obstruction in the road can be the end. But God promised to take care of us and keep us safe... never again to send a huge flood. And although we might not always be safe from accidents, we have the ultimate life insurance... eternal life with our heavenly Father.
As an Adopted Child of God
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. -Matthew 3:7-10
While sometimes we think we're bigger than we are, sometimes we also believe we're more special or priveledged than we are. This is somewhat falling away in today's society. But some cultures still have very vivid class and caste distinctions. Even in the US, we have upper, middle, lower class distinctions. But, John the Baptists reminds that with Jesus we are no longer subject to the stratification set up by our family heritage. God can and does 'raise up children for Abraham' from stones... tiny building blocks of our faith.
As Less Capable
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." -Genesis 11:5-7
As a linguist, this story is quite confusing. How could it be that 'nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them'? I wonder what this 'same language' was. Does it refer to what we think of as language? Perhaps it doesn't, since we who speak what we call 'the same language' of English or French or Spanish do not always understand each other or communicate clearly. Perhaps this 'same language' had much more to do with the open and transparent communication between the different parties. Whether it was due in part or in whole to the Lord, we need to harness our ambitions and recognize that we are not capable of such lofty feats as building a tower to reach the heavens, nor are we worthy of such a place.
As a Humble Servant to Worship Him
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'[a]" ... 7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[c]" ... 10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[d]" - Matthew 4:4,7,10
It's interesting to once again look at the Devil's 'temptations.' What the Devil promised was- satisfaction of earthly human needs (food), power (ordering something to be done), and worldly desires (riches, money, etc). But none of that is what we are to seek. Each one of these personally fulfilling promises of earthly desires, power and worldly desires tempts us to perceive ourselves as a different place in the world. That is why it is harder for the rich man to enter heaven. He perceives himself as having a different place than as a humble servant of the Lord our God.
As Small
16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." -Genesis 9:16
The flood which wiped out almost all of creation is a crystal clear example of God's power. It reminds us of how small and fragile we are in the scheme of things. I had a very vivid reminder of this yesterday. Driving up to Houston to worship with the Irvington Iglesia del Nazareno, Brad and I both recognized a huge black something that had fallen off of a truck at the same moment. A motorcycle was in the left lane, and he just barely was able to put on the brakes and veer to the shoulder of the road in time. A close call, and we both whispered a prayer of thanks that we were both ok. It just hit me again. We're so small. We don't even need a flood to take us over. A mere obstruction in the road can be the end. But God promised to take care of us and keep us safe... never again to send a huge flood. And although we might not always be safe from accidents, we have the ultimate life insurance... eternal life with our heavenly Father.
As an Adopted Child of God
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. -Matthew 3:7-10
While sometimes we think we're bigger than we are, sometimes we also believe we're more special or priveledged than we are. This is somewhat falling away in today's society. But some cultures still have very vivid class and caste distinctions. Even in the US, we have upper, middle, lower class distinctions. But, John the Baptists reminds that with Jesus we are no longer subject to the stratification set up by our family heritage. God can and does 'raise up children for Abraham' from stones... tiny building blocks of our faith.
As Less Capable
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." -Genesis 11:5-7
As a linguist, this story is quite confusing. How could it be that 'nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them'? I wonder what this 'same language' was. Does it refer to what we think of as language? Perhaps it doesn't, since we who speak what we call 'the same language' of English or French or Spanish do not always understand each other or communicate clearly. Perhaps this 'same language' had much more to do with the open and transparent communication between the different parties. Whether it was due in part or in whole to the Lord, we need to harness our ambitions and recognize that we are not capable of such lofty feats as building a tower to reach the heavens, nor are we worthy of such a place.
As a Humble Servant to Worship Him
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'[a]" ... 7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[c]" ... 10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[d]" - Matthew 4:4,7,10
It's interesting to once again look at the Devil's 'temptations.' What the Devil promised was- satisfaction of earthly human needs (food), power (ordering something to be done), and worldly desires (riches, money, etc). But none of that is what we are to seek. Each one of these personally fulfilling promises of earthly desires, power and worldly desires tempts us to perceive ourselves as a different place in the world. That is why it is harder for the rich man to enter heaven. He perceives himself as having a different place than as a humble servant of the Lord our God.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Wherever You Go
Wherever You Go
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go. —Genesis 28:15
I remember learning this verse when I was very very young in Vacation Bible School in a little song. Happy and carefree as we sang it, it gives me that feeling to read it again now... "I will be with you, wherever you go, wherever you go says my Lord!" Why do we worry about the future, when we know that He'll be there. It's amazing, because this is just what I needed to read this morning. Thank you, Father. Excited about following You and putting my life in Your hands, but a little nervous about the uncertainty of it all, not being able to plan everything out or make a home near my home. But, we'll follow Your will for our lives, and You'll keep us wherever we go.
Even When We Cause Him Pain
9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"
"I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
10 The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."
13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."
15 But the LORD said to him, "Not so [e] ; if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over." Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the LORD's presence and lived in the land of Nod, [f] east of Eden. -Genesis 4:9-16
This summer I gave a message on "my brother's keeper," but this morning I'm struck by God's reaction to Cain. The Lord is in pain... the child he loves has been killed, and his blood "cries out to [Him] from the ground." But, despite Cain's sin, God is merciful. He promises to be with Cain wherever he wanders, as a mark that He will put on Him. I'm curious what it means that Cain went out from the Lord's presence.
Also, it's remarkable that Cain recognizes that this is more than he can bear! I wish we all realized how awful a fate it is to be hidden from the Lord's presence. Perhaps then we would seek him more.
5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the account of Noah.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. -Genesis 6:5-9
And in Noah's time again, man caused the Lord pain. In fact, He was "grieved that He had made man on earth, and his heart was filled with pain." God could've just stopped it all right then and there. But again, He saw Noah who was blameless and righteous, and He chose to have mercy on Him. He watched over Noah and his family they were, in spite of the flood that He was sending, God made sure that it wouldn't destroy this God-fearing family.
And He Guides Us
13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." -Matthew 2:13-15
19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."
21So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene." -Matthew 2:19-23
And while God will always be there for us wherever we go, Matthew 2 reminds me that we are responsible for staying close to God. I'm amazed at the faith of this young family that just follows so obediently. There's no hesitation. It doesn't say... "after talking it over," "after considering the options awhile," "after a break or a vacation." They know that God has been faithful in their lives and trust that He will continue to be faithful. It somewhat puts me to shame, because God has been soo faithful in my life... yet I often hesitate to do what I feel He's calling me to. But not this year.
Lord, I pray that You would speak to me. Tell me where to go and I will go. Ask me to get up and I will. Tell me what to do, and I will obey You faithfully. I trust in You... help me to hear Your call for my life once again, Lord. What I want is for You to use my life. Take my life, Lord, because I trust You and know that even though it might make me nervous You will be with me wherever I go. And through You, I can do all things.
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go. —Genesis 28:15
I remember learning this verse when I was very very young in Vacation Bible School in a little song. Happy and carefree as we sang it, it gives me that feeling to read it again now... "I will be with you, wherever you go, wherever you go says my Lord!" Why do we worry about the future, when we know that He'll be there. It's amazing, because this is just what I needed to read this morning. Thank you, Father. Excited about following You and putting my life in Your hands, but a little nervous about the uncertainty of it all, not being able to plan everything out or make a home near my home. But, we'll follow Your will for our lives, and You'll keep us wherever we go.
Even When We Cause Him Pain
9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"
"I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
10 The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."
13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."
15 But the LORD said to him, "Not so [e] ; if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over." Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the LORD's presence and lived in the land of Nod, [f] east of Eden. -Genesis 4:9-16
This summer I gave a message on "my brother's keeper," but this morning I'm struck by God's reaction to Cain. The Lord is in pain... the child he loves has been killed, and his blood "cries out to [Him] from the ground." But, despite Cain's sin, God is merciful. He promises to be with Cain wherever he wanders, as a mark that He will put on Him. I'm curious what it means that Cain went out from the Lord's presence.
Also, it's remarkable that Cain recognizes that this is more than he can bear! I wish we all realized how awful a fate it is to be hidden from the Lord's presence. Perhaps then we would seek him more.
5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the account of Noah.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. -Genesis 6:5-9
And in Noah's time again, man caused the Lord pain. In fact, He was "grieved that He had made man on earth, and his heart was filled with pain." God could've just stopped it all right then and there. But again, He saw Noah who was blameless and righteous, and He chose to have mercy on Him. He watched over Noah and his family they were, in spite of the flood that He was sending, God made sure that it wouldn't destroy this God-fearing family.
And He Guides Us
13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." -Matthew 2:13-15
19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."
21So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene." -Matthew 2:19-23
And while God will always be there for us wherever we go, Matthew 2 reminds me that we are responsible for staying close to God. I'm amazed at the faith of this young family that just follows so obediently. There's no hesitation. It doesn't say... "after talking it over," "after considering the options awhile," "after a break or a vacation." They know that God has been faithful in their lives and trust that He will continue to be faithful. It somewhat puts me to shame, because God has been soo faithful in my life... yet I often hesitate to do what I feel He's calling me to. But not this year.
Lord, I pray that You would speak to me. Tell me where to go and I will go. Ask me to get up and I will. Tell me what to do, and I will obey You faithfully. I trust in You... help me to hear Your call for my life once again, Lord. What I want is for You to use my life. Take my life, Lord, because I trust You and know that even though it might make me nervous You will be with me wherever I go. And through You, I can do all things.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010 Treasure Hunt: Discovering Marraige through Eve & Mary
If you seek [wisdom] as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord. —Proverbs 2:4-5
ODB tells the following story:
On January 1, 2008, Keith Severin and his 7-year-old son, Adrien, agreed that they would spend at least 15 minutes every day that year searching together for treasure. Carlos Alcalá’s article in the Sacramento Bee described how they went out each day in every kind of weather to see what they could find. A year later their collection of coins, golf balls, recyclable bottles and cans, and various other items had yielded more than $1,000. In the process, they enjoyed many hours of companionship and fun.
If we decided to spend 15 minutes a day searching for treasure in the Bible, what would we find? Solomon wrote: “If you seek [wisdom] as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. . . . Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path” (Prov. 2:4-5,9).
For me, 2010 will be another wonderful treasure hunt... seeking God's wisdom... for me for at least 30 minutes a day in prayer, reading, and reflection... especially important for me right now as I need to understand 'every good path' and ask God for His guidance.
Discovery 1:
Eve: A Suitable Companion
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."...
But for Adam [j] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs [k] and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib [l] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman, [m] '
for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. -Genesis 2:20-25
From the very first marraige in the Bible, we can learn a lot about marraige. The reason for marraige was to find a suitable helper.
First, God realized that humans have this innate tendencies for loneliness, that we don't want to be alone, that we want to be with someone, to share our lives with someone. "God saw that that it [was] not good for man to be alone." (Note that this companionship can come in many forms- friends, family, church, etc. But the first relationship we see here is what we would liken to present day marraige.)
Also, unlike the other animals, a suitable helper couldn't simply be 'found.' A treasure hunt wouldn't suffice. So, a helper needed to be created. Formed from a part of the same flesh and bones, God went through the process of a new creation. That's how important this helper was.
And, the narrator notes that this important union is the reason why man and woman unite and leave father and mother and become one. Here we note that they weren't ashamed of their nakedness, but I believe it's also important to be shameless in many other respects. Shame makes us cover mistakes and aspects of ourselves, feelings and thoughts become hidden away. But being truly open and transparent and unashamed leads to openness in the relationship.
Discovery 2:
Mary: Filled with the Holy Spirit
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins." -Matthew 1:18-21
One thing I recognize here is something that has changed recently. Mary was "pledged to be married" to Joseph. She wasn't yet married to Joseph. But, even so, they refer to 'breaking the engagement' as "divorcing" Mary. Now, we would be hard-pressed to hear anyone make reference to a broken engagement as a 'divorce.' But that was how serious the commitment was at that point.
Also, I never realized that the angel never forced or commanded Joseph to take Mary as his wife. He merely states, "Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife." The decision was up to him. That was how much he loved Mary, or perhaps the angel's visit finally convinced him of how special she was. The woman with a child, Joseph still loved her.. and proved his love even more in taking her and her child Jesus and his newlywed who couldn't yet be "his."
ODB tells the following story:
On January 1, 2008, Keith Severin and his 7-year-old son, Adrien, agreed that they would spend at least 15 minutes every day that year searching together for treasure. Carlos Alcalá’s article in the Sacramento Bee described how they went out each day in every kind of weather to see what they could find. A year later their collection of coins, golf balls, recyclable bottles and cans, and various other items had yielded more than $1,000. In the process, they enjoyed many hours of companionship and fun.
If we decided to spend 15 minutes a day searching for treasure in the Bible, what would we find? Solomon wrote: “If you seek [wisdom] as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. . . . Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path” (Prov. 2:4-5,9).
For me, 2010 will be another wonderful treasure hunt... seeking God's wisdom... for me for at least 30 minutes a day in prayer, reading, and reflection... especially important for me right now as I need to understand 'every good path' and ask God for His guidance.
Discovery 1:
Eve: A Suitable Companion
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."...
But for Adam [j] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs [k] and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib [l] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman, [m] '
for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. -Genesis 2:20-25
From the very first marraige in the Bible, we can learn a lot about marraige. The reason for marraige was to find a suitable helper.
First, God realized that humans have this innate tendencies for loneliness, that we don't want to be alone, that we want to be with someone, to share our lives with someone. "God saw that that it [was] not good for man to be alone." (Note that this companionship can come in many forms- friends, family, church, etc. But the first relationship we see here is what we would liken to present day marraige.)
Also, unlike the other animals, a suitable helper couldn't simply be 'found.' A treasure hunt wouldn't suffice. So, a helper needed to be created. Formed from a part of the same flesh and bones, God went through the process of a new creation. That's how important this helper was.
And, the narrator notes that this important union is the reason why man and woman unite and leave father and mother and become one. Here we note that they weren't ashamed of their nakedness, but I believe it's also important to be shameless in many other respects. Shame makes us cover mistakes and aspects of ourselves, feelings and thoughts become hidden away. But being truly open and transparent and unashamed leads to openness in the relationship.
Discovery 2:
Mary: Filled with the Holy Spirit
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins." -Matthew 1:18-21
One thing I recognize here is something that has changed recently. Mary was "pledged to be married" to Joseph. She wasn't yet married to Joseph. But, even so, they refer to 'breaking the engagement' as "divorcing" Mary. Now, we would be hard-pressed to hear anyone make reference to a broken engagement as a 'divorce.' But that was how serious the commitment was at that point.
Also, I never realized that the angel never forced or commanded Joseph to take Mary as his wife. He merely states, "Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife." The decision was up to him. That was how much he loved Mary, or perhaps the angel's visit finally convinced him of how special she was. The woman with a child, Joseph still loved her.. and proved his love even more in taking her and her child Jesus and his newlywed who couldn't yet be "his."
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