What We Live For

I need to stop just being alive, and start living for!

Suffering the Unbelieving Attacks

Scripture:
How lonely sits the city
that once was full of people!
How like a widow she has become,
she that was great among the nations!
She that was a princess among the provinces
has become a vassal.
Lamentations 1:1

Observation: The writer of Lamentations introduces the entire topic of this book thusly ... "how lovely sits the city that once was full of people". This is a lament about the destruction of Jerusalem. The reasons for the destruction of known ... the people turned from God, so the Lord himself coordinated the destruction of all of Israel and Judah. However, this book can be read as if it is an ode to Jerusalem.

Application: I once started reading a book about the history of Jerusalem, which was written by a Muslim. I stopped very shortly into it when I discovered the 500 page book was going to spend ~3 pages discussing the history of the city from 1,500 BC to 60 AD, ~10 pages discussing 1948 to present, and the rest discussing the period between. I am paraphrasing, but the author dismissed the biblical historical record of the city with the following argument:

-- The entirety of scriptures is NOT the word of God, but is actually a history of Jerusalem.

-- We know every historical element mentioned in scriptures is proven false.

-- Therefore we know nothing true about Jerusalem during this period and cannot rightly study it.

It occurred to me that this is how almost every attack against Christianity is structured. First, they inaccurately paraphrase something about our faith and belief. This may be a misquoting of scripture, improperly contextualizing quotes or facts, or flat-out misrepresenting the truth. Second, they attack that inaccurate paraphrase with evidence. That evidence may range from very good and strong science, to completely incorrect historical information. Finally, declaring they have demonstrated the inaccurate paraphrase to be false, the dismiss all relevance of God, Jesus, and Christianity.

This is what the above-referenced author did. He misrepresented the content and theme of scripture (it's a history of a city, not the word of God demonstrating his love, mercy, and plan for human redemption), made a false declaration (historical information in scripture has been proven wrong, which is not true even IF the point of scripture were to document history), therefore the scriptures are a worthless source of information and without them nothing can be known about this time period.

Everyone who publicly and aggressively attacks Christianity on television or the internet seems to begin by declaring "what the bible says" and doing so completely inaccurately. I could list 100 falsehoods such people declare to begin their attacks. From there, they can easily present the 'wrongness' of such beliefs, and thus conclude that Christians are ... deluded, dangerous, vile, ignorant, intolerant, and any range of other marginalizing attributes.

I do hope such people repent and discover Jesus as their Lord and savior. However, if they persist, I release them to their doom.

Prayer: Lord, if I lament for the greatness of my nation, it does not mean that my life exists to only advance and serve my nation. My life's purpose is to worship you. May I do so all the better understanding your truths. Amen.

Corrupting the Purity of Faith

Scripture: For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they may become sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:13b-15

Observation: As Paul reenforces the actions to be taken by Titus on Crete, he discusses those who are believers yet rebel against proper teaching. Mostly, these are Jews. They pay attention to "Jewish myths" and to commandments given to them by non-believing Jews ... in other words, likely mixing Jewish custom and ceremony with Christian faith in a way that is causing doubt in true faith in Jesus.

This leads to an observation, that to the pure (sound believers in Jesus) all things are pure, but to the corrupt (those who prioritize myths and practices and customs and ceremonies as part of their faith) and the unbelieving (non believers) nothing is pure. In the case of understanding goodness in the world, Paul states that total disbelief in Jesus, AND belief that is intermixed with procedural requirements and practices, create the same mindset ... a corrupted idea of purity/goodness.

With faith, purity is determined by alignment to Jesus Christ, his teaching, and the practices of love and mercy. However, add anything else into the mix - like requirements of sacrifice, cleansing procedures, or prescribed words to say before an action - and purity now requires a determination outside of Jesus. And these are commandments added through attempted observation of God's commands, which Paul himself likely enforced at one time! Adding other practices - whether they are faith, government, or culturally based - is at least just as corrupting.

Application: We have many, many debates in modern society that Christians are turning into Christian debates. Some are political, some are cultural. All are outside of Jesus' teaching and his words about love and caring for others. And interestingly, all the resulting debate about such issues boil down to debates about "purity" ... what is good, what is right, what is loving ... what is pure.

If we focus on the mission of loving others in the name of Jesus, we will find the purity of things and goodness of things. If we focus on procedural correctness, rituals, traditions, myths, and debates, we will interpret nothing as good. This mindset reflects our own corruption.

Prayer: Lord, today I pray for brothers and sisters struggling with corrupted debates in their minds. They are losing focus on your love. None of us can understand everything going on in the world today, but you can give us simple and clear instructions. May we all have ears to hear you, Jesus. Please give us all your loving word today. Amen.

Yet Another Impossible Outcome

Scripture: I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea before your very eyes for all the wrong that they have done in Zion, says the Lord ...
No stone shall be taken from you for a corner
and no stone for a foundation,
but you shall be a perpetual waste,
says the Lord.
Jeremiah 51:24,26

Observation: At the time this was written, the Babylonian/Chaldean empire was the ruling empire of the known world. Babylon was a mighty city with "hanging gardens" considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. Meanwhile, Zion was burned and in ruin, Jerusalem was effectively a pile of rubble, and the entire nation of Israel and Judah had been abandoned and evacuated by force. Yet Jeremiah is declaring not only that Israel and Jerusalem will be sustained, but that Babylon will eventually be wiped from the entire face of the earth, even going beyond this by stating that Babylon/Chaldea won't even be the foundation for any future empire or race.

Today, Jerusalem is alive and well, one of the major cities of the world. Many of the major cities of ancient Israel/Judah still exist. This is true despite the 70 year exile of the Old Testament, and despite a subsequent 1,900 year time in history in which Israel did not exist. Meanwhile, Babylon is long gone. It was abandoned and ruined. It's an archeological dig site. Less than 300 years after this writing, the 'ethnicity' of Chaldean was eliminated entirely, with no people-group today recognized as direct descendants.

No contemporary of Jeremiah, looking at circumstances, would have predicted anything close to this reversal, yet it happened both decisively and permanently.

Application: I am reminded today that the very existence of faith in Yahweh is proof of the existence of Yahweh, due to the unfathomable history of earthly resistance to him and the radical survival of that faith. In Israel, we see a single family that has been sustained through Millenia while massive empires and people-groups have radically attacked them, then been erased from the face of the earth. In Christianity, we see a faith that has prospered beyond any belief system in the history of mankind, despite active and open attacks against the lives and livelihoods of its believers.

Impossible, unimaginable outcomes come to pass when it comes to God, often with God declaring that the impossible will occur in advance.

There is no cornerstone from the Babylonian empire. This is a cornerstone of my faith in the Lord God almighty found in that fact.

Prayer: Lord, you are the Lord of hosts, the Lord that sees to it, the Lord our banner, the Almighty creator. May my faith be evident this day and every day. Amen.

Join in the Suffering

Scripture: Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:8

Observation: Writing from prison in Rome, Paul urges Timothy - and by this letter, all believers - to join with him "in suffering for the gospel" if that is what is required for the courage to spread the good news of Jesus.

He understands well that many people don't just resist the good news, but even fight against it, and that therefore telling the good news brings hardships. He also knows that some believers, who still do believe in Jesus and worship the Lord, yet take measures to avoid hardships and punishment, even to the point of keeping their distance from associating with Paul (he calls out the church leaders in Asia for this in v15). Yet he encourages true believers to not only not avoid hardships, but to embrace them if they do in fact come upon you. He knows that these hardships can be part of the Lord's plan to advance the gospel, as was true even in this immediately circumstance as Paul's imprisonment was part of a motion to bring faith to the entire Roman empire and eventually the totality of the "western world".

Application: I have said this before ... I believe persecution and hardships lie in store for American Christians within my lifetime. I have experienced minor persecution, and seen how matters of belief are now regarded by our society. It will get worse.

Who will join with Paul in this suffering for the gospel? While I don't want to suffer, I will never forsake Jesus, and I will stand and acknowledge my faith in any circumstance. There will come a time when doing so will bring some kind of judgement and punishment upon me ... I am willing to receive that, for I agree with Paul that I will not be ashamed of Jesus nor his testimony that lives within me, and I will rely on the power of the Lord in all things.

Prayer: Lord, I say it again, I do not look forward to nor want to receive persecution for my faith in you. However, I know I already have to a small degree, I know more is coming, and I will not be afraid. May thy will be done until the day of your return. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Disputes About Words

Scripture: Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 1 Timothy 6:3-5

Observation: Paul emphasizes for Timothy the primacy of the word of God, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. These teachings we know to be simple ... to love others, and to obey the scriptures, which themselves are summarized as simply to seek justice, show mercy, and be humble. However, even the early church recognized that there were people who desired to debate issues, just like the Pharisees did (and Paul being a former Pharisee knows this well).

People who debate topics and issues have a "morbid craving for controversy" and look for "disputes about words". In other words, these types of debates are born out of negative emotions like envy and suspicions, and thus are designed to advance one person either in position, authority, or worldly gain.

Application: As I consider this, I see that every attack that has come against the leaders of our church - including my wife - have come from someone who was themselves seeking a way to be considered to be an elevated leader. They are people who, without any acknowledgment by ordained church leaders, call themselves elders and prophets/prophetesses; they declare their gifts and authority without any spiritual evidence and in fact with proof that they are false. They do these things because they want to influence policy, direction, message, and teaching in order to advance some belief that is NOT part of the simple words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thinking back, this is true of ... EVERY such situation. In every case, those engaging in accusations and debate were declaring their "godliness" in an attempt to assume some gain, and their approach was to create controversy and disputes over the petty use of words.

And in every case, when church leaders rejected the idea of engaging in such petty debates, those people ... left. Further evidence that what they were seeking was not an understanding of Jesus, but some benefit they perceived in having the debate itself.

There is both comfort and sadness is knowing that these internal church issues affected saints like Paul and Timothy, and have existed for millennia.

Prayer: Lord, it is certainly true that your Church should be of one unified mind, that being in the likeness of Christ Jesus. But you also certainly know that your created humans are unlikely to ever reach such a state until we are perfected in Christ in heaven. May we continue to avoid disputes about words, and remain focused on your simple and clear teaching as the primary purpose of our earthly lives. Amen.

Active Rejection of God's Word

Scripture: Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other insolent men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to settle there’; but Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us, to hand us over to the Chaldeans, in order that they may kill us or take us into exile in Babylon.” So Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of the Lord, to stay in the land of Judah. Jeremiah 43:2-4

Observation: Even those who survive the Babylonian cleansing of Judah refuse to obey the Lord in any way. They have seen everything Jeremiah said come true, ask for the Lord's advice, and immediately declare him a liar. They are promised safety in Judah, and to themselves be able to sustain the Israeli people, and instead they choose to flee to Egypt where they are promised certain death. Once in Egypt, they then refuse to honor God at all and instead actively persist in their idol worship practices (chapter 44).

This is the truth of about the nature and condition of the Israelites ... they are not ignorant of the Lord's instructions, but rather they actively and repeatedly - with forethought and stubborn insistence - reject the word of the Lord.

Application: This is when I fail the worst ... when I actively and intentionally reject God's instructions. I do this too often, where I know I should or shouldn't do something, and act the opposite. Like Paul, I refuse to do what I love, and instead do what I hate.

I must absolutely change this, or destruction is promised to me.

Prayer: Lord, I ask for your forgiveness for my sins and wrongdoings. I am a flawed, sinful, and weak person, who can do nothing without your spirit and your strength and your love. I ask that you not just take my hand so I won't stumble, but carry me when I am falling. I need you, Jesus. Amen.

Blessing with Words Fitly Spoken

Scripture:
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
are faithful messengers to those who send them;
they refresh the spirit of their masters.
Proverbs 25:11-13

Observation: For three verses, the proverbs tell of the value of the spoken word. True words, wise rebukes, and accurately reported news carry the worth of beautiful riches, personal adornments, and life-giving refreshment. While the value is for the receiver of the words, the charge is upon others to deliver good words ... to give a word "fitly spoken", or a wise rebuke, or a faithful message.

Application: This is a double-edged lesson for me. I have been greatly harmed by the words of others, however I am far too casual in my harsh words to others.

I desire to love others, so I should consider how I may give them ... words fitly spoken. The care for others is first and foremost in our words, which can harm or can bless, and the blessing of words comes in their accuracy, their truth, their wisdom, and their timeliness.

I sincerely wish I could give others better words than I often do.

Prayer: Lord, my tongue is a terrible thing, I know. I say many things that harm others. Please forgive my careless words, and help me to love others through the thoughtful use of truthful, honest, caring words. Amen.

The Mystery of the Paradox

Scripture: Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great:
He was revealed in flesh,
vindicated in spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among Gentiles,
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16

Observation: Paul uses these words to summarize the "great mystery" of Christianity. We have faith in Jesus, who was and is:

-- Exists as human, but also fully exists as a spiritual being

-- Seen by angels, but also known about by all mankind

-- Known throughout the human world, but also living in heaven

The mysteries are perceived paradoxes, but they become understood in the context of the promises of God. There were always promises of a savior who was both ... the eternal lord over mankind, and himself a human ... one who reigns forever but is killed as a sacrifice ... one who is the heir of Adam and David but salvation to gentiles.

Jesus had to be a paradox, which is why he could not be well understood before his time. It is why he is not intuitively understood today. It is the ultimate mystery, that there were conditions of Messiah that were impossible, and yet made possible by God.

Application: It is true that faith is believing without understanding. There are many elements about God I do not completely understand. However, one thing I do understand is that the Lord made a series of promises that were impossible to fulfill ... then successfully fulfilled them. It may be a mystery, but it is true, and it is my faith.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your protection and safe travels. Please continue to help me grow in my faith and understanding, and discover more and more about your mysteries and your promises. Amen.

Becoming Cursed and Abhorred

Scripture:
Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations.
Proverbs 24:24

Observation: Within the wise sayings regarding honesty and partiality in judging is this statement about wickedness. This is pretty clear ... anyone who declares wickedness as good or innocent will themselves be cursed.

This is the exact charge levied by the Lord in Jeremiah 23. The Lord calls out how the prophets of Samaria sinned by prophesying in the name of Baal. However, he then declares that the prophets of Judah now do something even worse ... they "walk in lies" and "strengthen the hands of evil doers" (v14). They say to those who hate God "it will be well with you" and to those who follow their own will instead of the instructions of the Lord "no calamity will come upon you" (v17).

In other words, they approve of acts of wickedness by giving "words" from the Lord that support activities that are not consistent with the word of the Lord. The wise writer of Proverbs knew what would come next, which is curses and shame such that they will be abhorred by nations. Jeremiah says the same, that the Lord is against these prophets, and they will be cast out and endure everlasting disgrace and shame.

Application: I am so afraid that our entire society has entered this phase in our rebellion against the Lord, that we declare those who hate the Lord to be good. Our leaders declare as good and even protect those who perpetuate acts in violation of the Lord's instruction, ensuring it will be well with them and no calamity will come upon them.

Are we in actually a cursed and abhorred people? Is our nation about to become a disgrace, a byword, a taunt?

We are not a nation chose by the Lord to be his priests. However, we are a nation established by the hand of the Lord, and with original values by Christ. We have abandoned those values, and now gone beyond the evil of Samaria - worshiping our own gods - to the evil of Judah, which is declaring proper and even sanctified that which is wicked. We have dismissed God's word for our own definitions of good and truth and knowledge.

How do we return from this precipice?

Prayer: Lord, I pray today for our nation. We are lost. May we find our way back to you. And if we do not, may you have mercy on the remnant who devoutly believes in you and your word. Amen.

Clarifying Concepts of Blessing

Scripture:
The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
but the earth he has given to human beings.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any that go down into silence.
But we will bless the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 115:16-18

Observation: This passage is a promise of blessing. In verses 12-13, the psalmist declares that blessing is promised to everyone who fears the Lord, both great and small. In 14-15, he states the blessing will belong to us and our families, and they will be both earthly and heavenly blessings. However, here in verse 16-18, there is a clarification of that earthly versus heavenly delineation.

The Lord commands all things. However, he has given the earth to humans ... a fact we already knew from Genesis. In this manner, on earth humans have free will to do as they please, which includes deciding to disobey the Lord and to even completely turn away from him. These people are dead. They do not praise the Lord, and thus when they die they do not ascend into a heavenly home with the Lord, but rather they "go down into silence". While these people may find earthly blessings - good lives as defined by human terms - hear on the human-managed earth, they will not receive the promised blessings of the Lord.

Those who bless the Lord on earth will not go down into silence; we are promised blessing, and that blessing is given to us here are earth ("from this time") and into an eternal life in heaven ("on and forevermore").

Hallelujah!

Application: I declare, praise the Lord!

Yes, I desire the Lord's promised favor and blessing, here and for eternity. I also know that, due to God's granting of the earth to humans, not everything in life on earth will ever be perfect. Humans are allowed, by God's love for them, to do as they please, and I know well that sometimes others will be pleased to harm me and my family. However, that does not change God's love and blessing. In fact, it makes the future blessing of heaven all the greater, as I cannot now even comprehend how wonderful God's perfect blessing must be!

I declare, praise the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, while I know the issues of this world, I lean into your promised salvation and blessing. I thank you that Jesus provides the ability for me to make clear my faith in you and cover my failings, so that I may find you in every aspect of life. I look forward to heaven, while serving you hear on earth this day. Please give me my daily bread, forgive my sins, and allow me again to praise you with all my heart. Amen.