Bread of Life Kids Korner

One Very Cold Winter Day

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Jack and Jan lived in a cabin in the edge of the woods with Ma and Pa. They liked all of the seasons each year; the flowers blooming in spring, the walks through the nearby meadow down to the creek to swim in summer, and the falling leaves from their maple trees in autumn. But their favorite time of year was winter. They liked to slide off the roof into the snowdrifts. And to have contests with their neighbors on who could build the best, funniest or scariest snow people.

But this winter was the coldest they had ever seen. It had gotten so cold on Christmas Eve during that first snowstorm that everything was frozen solid. It was so cold that the water pipes under their cabin were frozen. They probably wouldn’t have running water in their house again until the spring thaw came. Jack and Jan hadn’t been out side in a week. They were so sad about their confinement that they sat around the cabin just moping and board.

But today Ma came up with a plan to conquer their boredom.
“Jan, Jack come in the kitchen. I have an idea.”

“Oh Ma, we want to play outside in the snow.” Jack & Jan said, “We can’t play in the kitchen. There is no snow in there to make snowballs or ice caves. Do we have to?”

“Yes you do,” Ma replied.

So Jack and Jan went into the kitchen where Ma was sitting at the table. She had a bowl full of something that looked a lot like snowballs, yet it wasn’t cold. Ma had made a large batch of salt dough for them to play with.

“I made warm snowballs for you,” Ma said. “Come and have a snowman contest at the table.”

Jack and Jan sat there making snow people, animals, and other figures all afternoon. When they were done for the day Mother put the unused dough in a canning jar with a lid closed tight and stored it in the root cellar for another day. But Jack and Jan had kept their figures. Ma baked them so they would dry.

The next day Ma, Jack and Jan made some paint to paint their figures with. When the children were through with their painting she stored the jars of paint in the root cellar also for the next snowstorm.

Jack and Jan played with their figures throughout the winter on the days it was too cold to play outside. They never forgot the inside snowman contest they had during that very cold winter day.

~*~

Mothers; here are the recipes for salt dough and home made tempera paint that you can make with your children on a cold winter’s day or any day that you need an indoor project for them to keep them busy.

Bake-able “Salt Clay”
Use cookie cutters or mold Salt Clay by hand, then bake in a 300 degree oven for use in creating refrigerator magnets, jewelry, ornaments, key chains, necklaces, and more.

Stir together:
2 cups plain flour
1 cup salt
1 to 1 ½ cups cold water
2 tablespoons cooking oil

Knead well until it forms a soft ball. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil, make the shapes you want, and bake in the oven at 300 degrees until hard (about one hour). You can use food coloring to color dough before you shape it, or paint it afterwards. A finishing coat of shellac or clear acrylic will make your salt clay projects last longer.

~*~

Homemade Tempera Paint

Mix together:
½ teaspoon vinegar
½ teaspoon cornstarch
10 drops food coloring

1. Put vinegar, cornstarch, and food coloring in the small container with a lid [like an old baby food jar].
2. Shake. If the mixture is too thick, add a little vinegar. If the mixture is too thin, add a little cornstarch.
3. Use like you would tempera paint.
4. Repeat this process to make all the colors you want for your project.

Timid, Terrified, Taffy

2011-01-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

I once knew a timid turtle named Taffy. Taffy was fearful of many things – some said of everything. If there was a breeze in the meadow, Taffy hid among the tall grass. If a twig cracked under her feet along the path, Taffy darted into her shell until she “felt” the danger had passed. So Taffy went about most of her life hiding. She had carefully concealed places of refuge scattered throughout Mournful Meadow and surrounding Pulse Pounding Pond where she lived and worked each day. And she always had her shell, that hiding place that she carried around with everywhere. This hiding place is rock hard and she could crawl inside it in the blink of an eye when there was no place of refuge close at hand.

My terrified little turtle friend was tortured in her heart of hearts by all of this fear. At times it was totally paralyzing and caused her to retreat into her shell for many days at a time. Even after the threats of danger had passed, Taffy might spend hours or even days in her fortress trying to gain just an ounce of courage to face the world again so that she could pop her head out of her shell and return to the task she had been set upon before the threat had appeared.

Even with all the imaginings of terror and the real dangers that swirled about her each day, these seemed as nothing in comparison to Taffy’s biggest fear of all that lived deep in her heart of hearts. This was the fear of being forever alone. Taffy had a desire for a great and lasting friendship, someone to walk beside her on the pathways. A turtle to share her deepest thoughts with, the joys and sorrows she encountered in the moments between her torments. But Taffy “feared” this friendship was never to be!

One day as Taffy was crossing Mournful Meadow she was nearly to her destination when a fierce storm blew up. Taffy had been on her way to the Berating Birch at the far side of the meadow when the winds began to blow. Being a turtle Taffy wasn’t built for speed in her flight, so she wandered just off the path and ducked into her shell to wait out the blast. Darkness quickly engulfed our weary wanderer; a darkness that was so penetrating Taffy could feel it in the utmost parts of her being.

The darkness grew in intensity and the winds in power and might that Taffy was suddenly airborne and blowing about in the midst of this terrible storm that had come over her without a moment’s notice. But Taffy had no more room for fear at that moment; she was bent on her survival. And yet, there was nothing she could do to better her situation or to put a stop to the raging storm that was blowing her about in its wake.

There in her very first moment of reckoning Taffy remembered a song she had heard long ago when she was but a pre-hatch waiting for her chance to break forth into the world. It went like this:

Hush my children, don’t you cry.
The Master’s coming by and by
To care for those He calls His own
And bring them safely to His home

Hush my children, don’t you weep
The Master’s here your soul to keep
He’ll pick you up if you do fall
If only on His name you call
Fear no more my little ones
The Master’s here, new life’s begun
Trust Him with your every need
In His new life you will succeed

As Taffy rolled over and over in the winds the words of this song kept echoing within her pounding heart. Taffy didn’t know who had sung this beautiful chorus to her when she was an egg-encased turtlelette, but they were very soothing to her heart and calming to her fears. She had never met or heard of this “Master” but she sure wanted to meet Him. There in the deep darkness of her shell amidst the dark and stormy tempest Taffy started talking to “The Master.” Bu the storm was very loud and she wanted to be sure that He could hear her every word through it all, so Taffy didn’t talk in her usually timid, quiet little voice, no Sir! She yelled at the very top of her voice and with every ounce of strength within her Taffy made her thought known to the “Master.”

While Taffy shared all of her fears with the Master she began to hear a “voice” in her heart of hearts. It spoke soothing words of comfort to her soul and brought peace deep within her being. This was the voice of the Master doing within her exactly what the words of that calming chorus had said He would do.

When the storm was finally over and Taffy was once again on solid ground she found herself in a place she had never seen before. It was a wide grassy area with beautiful flowers everywhere and a brook meandering through it to refresh the plants and animals that lived there. Taffy walked down to the brook to get a drink of its cool waters. As she sat there resting a Shepherd appeared and sat down beside her. Previously His being so close to Taffy would have terrified her very much, but that was before the storm. Now she casually looked up at Him and invited Him to join her there beside the brook. So the Shepherd began to speak to Taffy. His words were sweet to her ears and spoke of love and life as she had never heard of them before. But it wasn’t His words that caused Taffy to listen so intently, it was His voice. It was the very same voice that she had heard through al the stormy blast singing that calming chorus into her heart over and over again as she spilled out all of her deepest fears to the Master of the song ringing in her heart and mind. He had come to take her home with Him.

While they walked the path together through the grassy place the Master told Taffy it was called the Peaceful Pasture and the brook was called the Calming Creek. The waters of this creek flowed down the heights from the fountain in the middle of the Master’s own garden. They were the very waters of life that refreshed all who would drink from them. On their travels to the Master’s home He asked Taffy many questions and taught her much that she would need to know on their journey.

Today Taffy has many friends and talks to them all as they travel to the Master’s home. But she has yet to meet that one special friend who will take her hand and heart walking forever beside her as they complete the journey together with the Master to His home. And though there are still dark days along the path, the fears do not bring the terrors Taffy knew in the days before the great storm. For she knows the Master is close by to help her in her time of need, even if He is unseen. And He will ever calm her fears and bring her safely through her dark days. And with every passing day the dark times become fewer and farther apart.

Lessons from our fears:
We have all been afraid from time to time.

What are you afraid of?

What do you think causes our fears?

Who puts these fearful thought into our minds?

How can we overcome our fears?

Who will take them all away?

Memory Verses:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 1:18 (KJV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear! Psalms 46:1b – 2a (KJV)

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105

Who is “Perfect Love”? __________.

He is our light in the darkness and our strength when we have none. So when we have fear in our hearts if we call on Jesus, He will hear us and take our fears away.

Lydia and Joy Stealer

2011-01-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

Lydia is a servant of the Most High. She is very conscious of being open to His leading her into various ministry opportunities. Even her job in the working world allows her to come into contact with many people in person in her work place, as well as on the phones, helping them with their find solutions for many for their daily problems in the words of the Book.

Most people who had met Lydia would say that she was a very happy person. So full of laughter and good cheer that she almost always wore a smile on her face and sang songs of the Most High wherever she went.

Living in the city of the Most High was a criminal named Joy Stealer. Now the Joy Stealer was a loyal servant of the Enemy of the Most High. His crime was to take away the happiness and good cheer of all the servants of the Most High, thus getting them to leave His service and wander aimlessly among the Wastelands of Despair. In this way he added to the followers of the Enemy.

For many years Joy Stealer had followed the servants of the Most High weakening their defenses and throwing stumbling blocks into their paths, and he was very good at his job. But he try as he might Joy Stealer could find no way to break down the defenses of Lydia and take away the happiness she had flowing forth through her life. So Joy Stealer sought the help of other servants of the Enemy. He sent minor slaves to spy on her day and night to learn what could be used against her to make her falter in her service to the Most High.

Darkness and Depression each found places of rest among the folds of Lydia’s robes. They rode along with her for many days making notes to take back to Joy Stealer. After about two weeks of this research to find a chink in Lydia’s armor Darkness and Depression reported back to Joy Stealer their findings.

“Master,” Darkness started, “We have found no failing in her that you may exploit.”

"What!” yells Joy Stealer, “Than why have you returned?”

“Well, Great One,” Depression continued, “She has no weakness, however we did notice that she ALWAYS wears an MP3 player with stereo headset over her ears.”

“That’s right,” Darkness agreed, “she listens to the music of the Most High both day and night continuously. She never removes the speakers from her ears.”

Now Joy Stealer had an idea. “I will plug her ears so she cannot hear the music of the Most High. She will think that her MP3 player has quit functioning and look for another. While she is seeking I will fill her life with so many of these people she is so willing to be of assistance to that she will be totally overwhelmed and exhausted and her loyalty will slowly begin to falter.

After getting a good nights rest, Joy Stealer began this new tactic to attack Lydia and turn her from the service of the Most High. He began it very slowly, blocking her hearing for just an hour or two at a time until by the end of the first week he had totally blocked the music from her ears altogether. In the second week he started adding more and more responsibilities and people with needs in her path that she had to take care of.

The smile was now starting to fade from Lydia’s face and the songs of joy had all but vanished from her heart. By the end of the third week exhaustion was taking a toll on her physical well-being. She wasn’t sleeping well at night, as the toils of the day wouldn’t leave her mind. She wasn’t eating properly either, as the constant turmoil was keeping her stomach rolling and nothing tasted good in her mouth any more. Joy Stealer had done his job very well thanks to the research of Darkness and Depression. So well even that he had brought them back to Lydia to place her in such a state of gloom that she would forever forsake her job of service to the Most High.

But the Most High was not one to accept the loss of even one of His subjects without a fight. He sent His Son, Peace Giver, to personally sing in the ears of Lydia His most precious songs of comfort and joy. To Peace Giver the Most High gave the gift of invisibility so that Joy Stealer could not see or detect His presence. This allowed Him to stand right behind Lydia and sing right in her ears. Joy Stealer couldn’t hear Peace Giver’s singing either for he had no peace in his being. Only those who chose service to the Most High and had made a place for peace to live in their hearts could hear the music of the Most High. This gave Peace Giver the clear advantage in the battle for Lydia’s mind, and He made full use of this advantage.

Peace Giver sang his songs of comfort and joy loudly and constantly in Lydia’s ears. He had no need for rest or food as he was sustained totally by the love of the Most High. During this battle for her mind, Lydia didn’t realize that the music of the Most High had disappeared from her hearing. She had thought that the MP3 player had malfunctioned, so she thought to replace it. But no MP3 player seemed to play the songs of the Most High that she had long cherished, so she gave up on trying to replace her player and gradually dismissed the lack of it’s music. It wasn’t that any of the equipment was faulty; it was the plugs put in place by Joy Stealer that filtered out the music. But Peace Giver was there singing all the while.

Lydia finally got so sick and tired that she began to call out to the Most High for health and strength. This prayer started cracking the plugs placed in her ears by Joy Stealer. Now Lydia began hearing strains of the songs sung in her ears by Peace Giver. Her body was very weakened from the many weeks it had been deprived of its music. Her mind was tense from it’s over working to meet the needs of those she had thought placed in her path by the Most High – yet which were in truth the trap of Joy Stealer. But hope was beginning to return with the renewed connection to the missing sounds of the songs she had long been accustomed to hearing both night and day for all the years of her service to the Most High.

Although she had been sharing her trials with her mentor, Mrs. Calming Comforter, Lydia had found no peace in Calming’s words with out her music.

Today as she left her office for a weekend retreat at the Sea Shore, the plugs that had blocked the music fell from Lydia’s ears and she could clearly hear the beautiful voice of Peace Giver singing to her the precious songs of the Most High. Joy Stealer had lost the battle for Lydia’s mind – and ultimately for her service. She has now recommitted herself to the job given her by the Most High of serving those of His kingdom in the solving of their problems, whatever they may be. And she has again in place the headset of her MP3 player so that she can hear, night and day, the songs of the Most High, especially those she had heard sung personally by Peace Giver as He sang in her ears during the battle fought for her mind and her service.

Joy Stealer has been sent out of the city of the Most High to wander with his cohorts Darkness and Depression in the Wastelands of Despair until the end of all time when they three would join the Enemy in the pits of Hell for Eternity.

~*~

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:22-24

In this New Year, may you find your joy in Jesus!

Jesus

Others

You

A perscription for True Joy!

Sean Patrick, Yvan and the ‘Good Boy Oil’

2010-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

This story was inspired by real events, although it is a true work of fiction.

Today I want to tell you all a story that was told to me by a very special Grandmother, her name is Grandma Wood. One day Grandma Wood was taking care of two small boys; Sean Patrick and his cousin Yvan. Grandma was in the kitchen baking cookies for the boys and watching them out the window over her kitchen sink between shuffling the batches in and out of the oven. As she watched Grandma stitched a sampler, she was trying out a new pattern for her web site.

Sean Patrick and Yvan played among the trees, rocks and bushes of the back yard; they were a little more rough and tumble than Grandma had seen them when she watched them before. Part of their play included wrestling Jata, Grandmas dog. They would pretend he was a bull and they were going to rope him. Yvan played real rough with Jata and made him howl, whine and run away to hide; he snuck in the doggie door in the laundry room and ran to hide under Grandma’s bed.

Sean Patrick and Yvan continued to play rodeo among the trees and rocks when Yvan decided to rope Sean Patrick. The rope hit him in the face and sacred Sean making him fall down on his knees. Sean went crying into Grandma’s kitchen with bruised knees and a swollen eye from Yvan’s rope trick. He was crying he ran fight into Grandmas legs which were shrouded in her long apron. Sean Patrick hugged Grandma’s knees and sobbed until she picked him up in her arms to see the extent of his wounds. She wiped his tears and bandaged his knees and sat him on the couch to wait for her return.

Grandma went to the back door and called Yvan inside to sit down for a time out. She explained to him that it wasn’t nice to hurt other people or even our pets at any time. And playing rough in the backyard should never cause us to make others cry. Yvan listened to Grandma Wood and said he was sorry to Sean Patrick and to Jata. Then Grandma Wood told the boys a story about when Jesus lived in Israel. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead, he even gave sight to one who was born blind. But the boys liked the story of the Lost Son best.

This boy had taken his part of his family fortune and moved away from home. In a far away city he made many friends with all of his new wealth, but when the money ran out, so did all his friends. Then there came a famine in that country and our boy had no money, no food and no friends. So he went job hunting in order to eat and stay alive. But the only job he found was on the farm of a Pig Herder. He carried slop and pods out to the corrals where the pigs were penned up and dumped the slop and pods in there troughs; [the NIV say that he fed them corncobs with their slop] and he would have eaten them right bedside those pigs to keep from starving to death. When this son got to thinking and got tired of his grumbling stomach he decided to go home. He practiced the apology speech he would give to his father all the way home.

When this boy was down the road from his father’s house, though it was still a long way off; his father was standing in the road watching for him. That father saw his son when he was barely a dot on the top of the hill several miles away. As he came closer the father ran down the road to meet him. When they met in the road the father hugged the stuffing out of his son. This made it very hard for him to recite the speech he had worked on during his long walk home. When father and son had come into the yard the father ordered them to clean and dress the son in his best clothes and to kill the calf he had been fattening up for a feast. They were going to celebrate his son’s return, for he had been as good as dead until he came home. Grandma explained to the boys that when people were being celebrated many times they would pour olive oil on their heads to honor them. This made the boys laugh. Sean Patrick said, ‘maybe now the boy would be good now since he had oil poured on his head.’

After story time Grandma let the boys go back outside to play. While they were playing tag that afternoon Yvan was a much better boy. He didn’t try to hurt Jata or Sean Patrick any more. At dinner Sean Patrick told Grandma Wood, momma and papa about Yvan being a better boy. Then he said, ‘I think Papa Jesus poured some good boy oil on Yvan just like the father in the story did to his son.’ This made all the grown-ups smile for it was simple, but oh so true!

Are you covered with the ‘Good Boy / Good Girl Oil’ of Jesus?

Memory Verse:
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
Hebrews 1:9 NIV

Faithless Faith ... Or Was She?

2010-08-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

Related Verses:

Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:25-28 NIV.

Faith was a little girl in our neighborhood. She was seven years old and went to Sunday school with her family every week. But Faith had a very big problem; she didn’t have any REAL faith in her heart.

Faith could say all the memory verses the teacher taught in her class each Sunday with only a little coaching. She knew all the Bible stories and could recite John 3:16 with no help at all. What Faith didn’t know was that Jesus could, and really did, answer prayers. So Faith didn’t trust him to listen to her when she was in trouble and needed help.

One beautiful day Faith had finished all of her school lessons early and Mother let her go out into the backyard to play in the garden. Faith enjoyed walking down all the paths that ran through the garden. She loved pulling up the weeds and watering the plants that grew vegetables and flowers. And while she wandered through the garden Faith snag all of the songs she learned in Sunday school and Church. This particular day Faith was singing ‘Jesus loves me’ and she began to wonder if Jesus really did love her. In fact she wondered if he even knew she existed. And if He knew her and loved her; why did He?

The farther she walked through the garden, the closer she got to the big, Dark Woods that ran behind her father’s property and butted right up to their garden paths. The closer she got to those woods, the more she just knew that Jesus didn’t care about her even a little bit.

Very soon Faith looked around her and found that it had grown very dark. She had walked from her family’s garden paths right out into the middle of the Dark Woods. Now she was lost. Faith began to get scared, so she sat sown on a rock and started to cry. It seemed to Faith that she had been sitting on that rock crying for a very long time. Suddenly she had a thought, which she spoke out loud:

‘No one knows where I am.’ She said. ‘Mother thinks that I am still playing in the garden, wandering among the paths and pulling weeds among the plants and flowers.’ This made her cry all the more.

Just then Jesus spoke to Faith as she sat there crying on the rock. He said; ‘Faith, you are not lost. I know exactly where you are. I always have! If you will trust me with your whole heart, I will lead you home.’

‘Whh, who are you?’ Faith asked, a little scared.

‘I am Jesus, who you were singing about a little while ago,’ He replied. ‘And who wrote all those stories you hear in Sunday school. I know the way home and will walk beside you all the way. Will you follow me?’

‘But, Jesus I can’t see you,’ she cried. ‘How will I know which way to go?’

Jesus answered softly, ‘Faith, you can hear my voice in your ear and you will feel my presence in your heart. And I will lead you right back to the garden paths that you were walking just a little while ago.’

‘OK, Jesus I will follow You.’ She answered.

‘Faith,’ Jesus said, ‘I want to lead you all the time, for the rest of your life. Not just today to get you safely home. I want you to follow me every day no matter where you go or how big you get. Because I want you to walk with me all the way to My home and live with Me forever, even when this world comes to an end and this life is over. Will you follow Me, Always? Will you listen to my voice each and every day?’

‘Yes, Jesus,’ She said, gladly. ‘I will follow You everywhere You want me to go. And I will trust You to always know what is best for me. I am ready to listen to Your voice.’

Faith did listen very closely to Jesus’ voice and He got her home just in time for dinner.

At the dinner table Mother and Father asked Faith what she had done with her afternoon it the garden. She told them of the weeds she pulled and the flowers she picked, but mostly she shared with them about getting lost in the Dark Woods and was sitting on the rock crying for the longest time. The Faith told Mother and father about meeting Jesus there in the Dark Woods. Jesus spoke to her and told her all about how He wanted Faith to trust Him and let Him lead her home; and not just home, but for the rest of her life. That’s when Jesus led her right back to the garden paths in their backyard. Mother and Father listened to all Faith had to say.

After dinner Father went to the piano in the family room and played a beautiful hymn all about walking in the garden with Jesus and talking with Him there in that garden. Afterward he explained to Faith how that when we pray, talking to Jesus and spending time listening to Him, it is just like spending time with Him in that beautiful garden in the song.

You know those of us who grew up in Church all started our Christian walk, our new life in Jesus, much like Faith. We know about God. We have heard all of the Bible stories and sang all of the songs. We might even have memorized a bunch of memory verses. But we don’t KNOW Jesus, until there comes a day when we are lost in the dark, all alone and crying. It in that day the Jesus introduces Himself to us. He may whisper in our heart with His still, small voice or put us in a position where we have to trust that He will show us the way out. Whatever way He chooses, it is ALWAYS exactly the best way for us to learn He loves us and has our best interests in mind.

I hope your story ends up like Faith’s did. Mine has. I was just like Faith, lost in my sin and darkness. But Jesus found me in that moment and led me back to His pathway of life, and I followed Him. I still follow Him everywhere He leads me, I always will! Will You?

Memory Verse:
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NIV.

Jesus Feeds the Multitudes

2010-03-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

After hearing of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus and His disciples went into a desert region by ship. The Crowds learned that they were leaving and quickly followed on foot out of the cities all along the way. Seeing the great multitude that had gathered, Jesus had compassion on them and healed all that were sick among them and taught them many lessons of His heavenly kingdom.
The day was quickly drawing to an end the people began to get restless. They had been quietly listening to Jesus teach for many hours without a meal break to run into the nearest village for a sandwich and a cool drink of water.

The disciples came to Jesus saying, ‘Lord, this is a desolate place and it is getting late. Send this crowd away so that they can get into the villages before dark and get a meal for their journey home.’

But Jesus said, ‘They don’t need to go away, you give them something to eat.’

'But Lord, there are so many and we don't have enough to feed them all.' They answered, 'there are about 5000 men here, not counting the women and children. It would take more than a month's wages to feed then all. We only have one small boy's lunch.'

'What do you have?' He asked.

'Only five small loaves of bread and two wee fish. What is that among so many?'

'Bring them to me,' Jesus said.

The disciples did as Jesus asked.

Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. When all was calm He looked up into heaven, blessed and broke the fishes and the loaves into pieces and gave it to the disciples to distribute among the people.

When all were satisfied the remanents were gathered into the baskets. The disciples were shocked. There were twelve baskets FULL left over.

Jesus sent His disciples into the ship and sent them ahead of Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while he dismissed the crowds home. After all were on their way, Jesus went up the mountain by Himself to pray.

Learning Compassion from Jesus:

Memory Verse:
Psalms 103:13 NIV: As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

Compassion is seeing the needs of others as if they were your own and longing to meet them. At the beginning of our story Jesus sees the needs of all of the people in the crowd. His heart begins to weep over their need, so he heals all that are sick and broken among them. He continues this work of ministry and teaching all day and when darkness starts to fall He again has compassion on them and provides for their physical hunger, much as He had been doing for their spiritual hunger all day.

Jesus often had compassion on those who followed Him as He ministered around Israel. He healed their sick, commanded demons to leave people, made blind eyes see and lame legs walk and many other things. In fact in His very first miracle Jesus met the needs of a young couple celebrating their wedding day by making water into wine.

Jesus expects us to have compassion on those we come in contact with, too. We may not have the gift of healing or casting out demons, but we can meet the needs of others in a very real way just like Jesus did all those years ago.

When a friend is lonely, we can smile and give them a listening ear to hear their story. We can hold the hands of one who is in the hospital or of a family member who is waiting for news of one who is there for treatment. We can take dinner to a new mother. Or baby-sit for a family who may need a date night and can’t find a sitter, or is not able to pay for one. We can take a box of groceries to a family who has empty cupboards.

These are all simple things that we can do to show compassion to those we know and love as well as a stranger who may knock on your door looking for some help. Ask Jesus to open your eyes to see the needs of those He wants you to show compassions on. Not only will you bless them, but you will find that in blessing someone else, God will turn the blessings around on you, too.

I found this to be very true in my own life. Last year during the holiday season I learned that two of the ladies I worked with were struggling with meeting the needs of their households and Christmas was going to be just another day of the week for them. But I was able to share their needs with our church body and in that way help them with their need for food. Then I shared out of my pocket a little money to provide a Christmas gift for each family member in those two homes. Though it wasn’t much, it meant a lot to those households. And it meant a lot to me to be able to share my little bit with others. I know I was just as blessed as those I had shared with and all because I had compassion on those I knew needed a helping hand.

This is exactly what Jesus did for those in the crowds that followed Him. He saw their needs and He met them, because He felt compassion on the people.

If you want t read this story in your own Bible, you can find it in Matthew 14:13-18

Learning Gentleness With Paul

2010-02-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Paul was writing to the people in the churches of Thessalonica that he had established during a previous missions trip. He was teaching them more lessons of the Christian faith after he had left their towns. Paul starts off his letter by saying that when they visited their towns, their trip was not a failure. They had met much opposition, but they still continued sharing the Gospel.

Paul continues, ‘God has tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with His message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God’s approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.’

Paul wanted them to know for a fact that they were God’s messengers and had only given them His messages. Paul chose his words very carefully. He didn’t want to appear to be better than anyone else or to offend them by any form of harshness. Paul wrote in an attitude of gentleness so that he could assure these young believers.

Paul went on to say; ‘You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn't have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God's Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.’

These brothers and sisters were very new believers and Paul wanted them to know in the kindness way possible that he had shared only God’s truth with them and did not require them to support him and his companions while they were young in their beliefs. Paul was instructing these new believers much like our physical parents raise up our younger brothers and sisters; with gentleness and in word their youth can quickly grasp and understand. He walked them through their ‘Foundations of Faith’ with all the care that any loving parent would do with their own child – much the way our Pastor has been doing for us as we have been taking our refresher course on this subject over the past several months during our Wednesday night Bible Discussion Classes.

LEARNING GENTLENESS:

Memory Verse:
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5 NIV

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Philippians 4:5 KJV

What is gentleness? www.dictionary.com says it is the act of being kind, amiable or agreeable. My Bible dictionary gives the definition of Gentleness as mildness combined with tenderness. That is a pretty good one; for if you are being gentle you have a mild manner or temperament and a tender heart. This is exactly how Paul was writing to the Thessalonians; with a mild manner and a tender heart. It is how Jesus treated those that He was ministering to. In fact he gave us the perfect example of gentleness in the Gospels; I will quote the passage from Mark 10-13-16, NIV: "People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."

Jesus expects us to be child-like in our faith and attitude; for children will believe what they are told – unless you have proven you can’t be trusted. They will also treat each other with kindness, unless severely provoked. In fact, bullies are MADE not BORN. A child usually will not mistreat others unless he lives in a place where treating others badly is the ‘norm;’ abusive children are children who are or have been abused.

There is a saying that was tossed about a lot when I was a child, it said; ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Sounds like it was taken from the Bible, doesn’t it? But is isn’t; although the principles it uses are biblical. But Paul tells us in Romans 12:10; ‘Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another…’ The NIV says it more clearly; ‘Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.’

If we are devoted to each other in brotherly love and honor others above ourselves, we will always be gentle in our dealings with other people. This is the Gentleness that we should learn from Paul as he mimics what he has learned from Jesus, our Lord!

Ephesians 4:32 says; 'And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.' KJV

'Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.' NIV

This is the practice of gentleness.

Until next time!

~ Leigh ~

Learning Mercy With David

2010-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

1 Samuel 24:2-22 KJV:
Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. After whom is the king of Israel come out? After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea? The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? Wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house. And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

The setting for this story is the hill country of En Gedi. This is a village in the foothills west of the Dead Sea directly across the Sea from where the Arnon River empties into it. David was running from King Saul in fear for his life. Saul had lost favor with God and was oppressed by a demon that inflicted him with fits of rage. Saul knew that God was going to give the kingdom of Israel to David, so when the rage began to attack him, he would strike out at David. He had thrown spears at him on two occasions and chased him throughout the countryside of Israel. This is where we find Saul today.

David and his band of mighty men were hiding in a cave just above the sheepfolds of the village of En Gedi. Saul and the Army of Israel received word of David’s location when they returned from chasing the Philistines. They set off at once to capture David as Saul was still seeking to kill him.

Saul and the army have just arrived in the foothills of En Gedi when Saul needed to relieve himself. The Bible says he went into the very cave that David and his men were hiding in. David was in the rear of the cave when his men brought him word that Saul was also in there cave. With his men egging him on to kill King Saul, David snuck up on him and cut a piece from the hem of his robe. But David’s conscience started convicting him because he had cut Saul’s robe. So he rebuked his men saying, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." NIV. So David’s words were enough to restrain his men from any evil plots against King Saul.

Saul left the cave and started on his way and David followed him. When Saul was a distance from him David yelled out, "My lord the king!" Saul turned to look behind him and David bowed low to the ground in respect of his king. Then David said, "Why do you listen when men say, 'David is bent on harming you'? This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.' See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you. "Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand."

When David has finished speaking these things to Saul, he replied, is that your voice, David my son?" And he wept aloud. "You are more righteous than I," he said. "You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. You have just now told me of the good you did to me; the LORD delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family." And David gave his word of honor to King Saul that he would not destroy his descendants when he became king of Israel and Saul went on his way home again. But David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Learning Mercy:

Memory Verse: Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 KJV

Saul had made many attempts at killing David already and is again roaming the hills in search of his life. While Saul is relieving himself in the cave where David is hiding, David’s men are trying to talk him into killing Saul in order to save his own life. But David listens to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit and chooses to honor God and show Saul mercy instead. So what exactly is MERCY, anyway?

Dictionary.com gives the following definitions for mercy:
1. Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.
2. The disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.
3. The discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, esp. to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. An act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
5. Something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.

OK, so this isn’t’ the clearest or easist way to learn what mercy is. Simply put, mercy is giving someone something he doesn't deserve; like Jesus did for us when He gave us Salvation, but we deserved death. David could have killed Saul in ‘self defense’ as Saul had already shown his bent toward killing David by throwing spears in his direction. But David chose to spare Saul’s life instead. David was merciful toward Saul because he was anointed by God as Israel’s king.

Ok let’s look at an example of mercy closer to home. If you are playing with your brother and he takes away the truck you are playing with, the first thought you might have would be to go hit him and take it back, right? This is the attitude David’s men had when they were trying to encourage him to kill King Saul. Jesus would rather we walk away and play with a different truck instead of punching our brother in the nose. Walking away is practicing mercy because it would be giving him what he didn’t deserve – peace instead of punching. By all the world’s standards your brother deserved to be punched and have several bruises, but by choosing to walk away we are acting as Jesus would act. We are giving mercy.

There are instances were fighting is acceptable, for instance if you are a soldier and you are sent off to war – that is totally different from punching your brother. Jesus said in one of His sermons; ‘blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.’ Matthew 5:9 KJV

So, show Mercy, be Peacemakers, and follow Jesus everyday and everywhere!

Until Next Time!

~ Leigh ~

Learning to Worship with Mary, Jesus’ Mother

2009-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Luke 1:26-56
   "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

   Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
   And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
   And Mary said, my soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house."

This story takes place in the countryside of Israel; first in the small town of Nazareth, Mary’s home town, and later in the hill country of Hebron [Joshua 21:8-11] and the home of Zacharias and Elisabeth.

Mary was a young lady in Nazareth. She was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter who also lived in Nazareth. The Bible says that Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel in the sixth month; this would be the sixth month of the Jewish calendar [civil] – the month of Adar. He entered the house and said to Mary; "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

When Mary saw him, she was troubled by his greeting and wondered at what it meant.

But Gabriel said to her; "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a Son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

He answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elisabeth your cousin is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

Mary said to the angel, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

After this conversation with the angel Gabriel, Mary hurried off to Hebron to visit her cousins Elisabeth and Zacharias. When she arrived and was greeted by Elisabeth, the baby inside her leaped for joy and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit when she heard Mary’s greeting.

And Elisabeth said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

At hearing Elisabeth’s greeting Mary began singing in worship to God. Here is her song:

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." Verses 46b-55 NIV

Mary stayed in the home of Elisabeth and Zacharias for three months and then returned to her home in Nazareth.

Learning to Worship:

Memory Verse: O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. Psalms 95:6 KJV

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalms 95:6 NIV

So what does it mean to ‘worship’ God? www.dictionary.com has the following definitions:
Noun [person, place or thing]:

1. Reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.

2. Formal or ceremonious rendering of such honor and homage: They attended worship this morning.

3. Adoring reverence or regard: excessive worship of business success.

4. the object of adoring reverence or regard.

5. British, beginning with a capital W; a title of honor used in addressing or mentioning certain magistrates and others of high rank or station (usually prec. by Your, His, or Her).

Verb [action word]:

1. to render religious reverence and homage to.

2. to feel an adoring reverence or regard for (any person or thing).

3. to render religious reverence and homage, as to a deity.

4. to attend services of divine worship

5. to feel an adoring reverence or regard.

While these definitions are accurate, they do not explain well what it means to worship. When we go to church we have a part of the service called the ‘worship service’, it is a time dedicated to ministering in music and singing songs of praise and adoration to Jesus. This time of music puts us in the right frame of mind for listening to the message the pastor is going to share. Worship can also be sharing the deepest feelings from our hearts with words of poetry or stories. To simplify, worshiping God is doing anything that shows Him how much we love Him. I often sing to Jesus throughout the day, write Him poetry and stories, and sometimes share my thoughts in a journal; writing love letters to Him. In journaling, I feel more like I am talking to God than when I speak or pray. My letters are very intimate and personal. I feel like I am really touching His heart with my own. This is what worshiping Him is all about – touching the heart of God with ours. And that is what Mary was doing when she broke out in song when she met her cousin Elisabeth and heard her greeting.

Mary’s heart was exploding with joy to the Lord, and for good reason. She had been visited by the angel Gabriel and told she would be having God’s baby – the Messiah that had been told about since Adam and Eve had been removed from the Garden of Eden. The angel had also told her she was highly favored and blessed by God. Now I don’t know about you, but to me having an angel stand in my house and talk to me doesn’t happen every day. This would have been scary and exciting all at the same time. And then to be told that you were the girl GOD had chosen to bring His Son, His Salvation for the world, to life would be even more frightening. Another thing that might have been scary to Mary was the fact that Gabriel knew that her cousin Elisabeth, who was old and thought unable to have children, was already in her sixth month of her pregnancy. These things had been sitting in her mind for days as she walked [or rode a camel or donkey] into the hills of Hebron to visit her cousin Elisabeth.

By the time she got to Elisabeth’s home, she had overcome her fear and her heart was exploding with love and joy to God for all He had told her. So when she heard Elisabeth’s greeting Mary couldn’t hold her feelings inside any longer and she sang them to God from her heart. What a great example of how we are to worship God.

So if you ever feel like singing to Jesus, writing Him stories or poetry – or even love letters, feel free and belt out a good one! He is ready and waiting to hear from you at ANY time. And remember, God told us to ‘Make a JOYFUL noise’ [Psalms 100:1] not a perfect one!

Until Next time!

Leigh

Learning Obedience With Abraham

2009-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Genesis 22:1-19:
And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba

~*~

The setting for this story in the land of Canaan. Abraham has been traveling through the countryside for a number of years as a stranger in a place that would later become the inheritance of his descendants and called Israel after his grandson.

Abraham has received a word from God requiring him to go to a place away from his settlement to offer Isaac, his first born son of his wife Sarah, as a sacrifice unto the Lord. The Bible says that God was tempting Abraham by telling him to sacrifice Isaac. The Strong’s concordance gives the definition of the word translated ‘tempt’ can also be translated as to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test. I think a better way to read this verse is; ‘And it came to pass after these things, that God did test Abraham …’ God wanted to Abraham to know if he were totally committed to doing whatever was required by the Lord, so He asked Abraham to give up his promised child; the only son that he and Sarah would ever have together. So God sent them on a trip to Mount Moriah. Abraham took with him some servants with his donkey to carry the wood, fire pot and provisions for their journey and headed off toward the mountains.

After they had traveled three days Abraham told the servants to wait there with the donkey for their return, he and Isaac would journey on to make the offering. Abraham laid the firewood on Isaac’s shoulders and he carried their provisions and the fire pot while they continued their trip to the place of the sacrifice where they would worship God. As they traveled Isaac became curious. He questioned Abraham as follows, ‘Father we have the wood for the fire and the firepot, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’

Abraham answered, ‘My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.’ He said that God, Himself, would be the lamb for the sacrifice. He spoke this to his son to assure him that God would provide, but he also prophesied of Jesus dying on the cross many years later. God did indeed become the perfect lamb without spot or blemish, sacrificed to ‘… take away the sins of the world.’

Isaac trusted his father’s word and the two of them continued on to the appointed place for their offering. When they arrived on the mount Abraham built an altar for the burnt offering and laid the wood in order on it. Next he tied Isaac like he would have a sheep or goat that was to be offered, much as the cowboys do when they are roping calves for branding.

Most Bible storybooks show Isaac as a small child during this story, yet in the previous chapter of Genesis it tells of the marriage of his half-brother Ishmael. In ancient days men usually didn’t marry until they were about 30. If Ishmael, being 13 years older than Isaac, had married at 30, Isaac would be 17 when that marriage took place. This would mean that Isaac was not a small child, but nearly a man when his father bound him for the offering. Isaac willingly allowed his father to prepare him for death on that altar. He did not speak out, try to fight him off or even try to run away. He went in the same manner as Jesus did, just as Isaiah would predict about Jesus in Isaiah 53:7b; ‘he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.’

When Abraham had Isaac laid out on the wood Abraham raised the knife in his hands and was about to strike the killing blow when the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"

“Here I am,” he replied.

"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Genesis 22: 11-12 NIV.

Then Abraham looked up that there caught in the thicket by its horns was a ram. Abraham released Isaac and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering to the Lord in Isaac’s place. That day Abraham gave that place the name ‘Jehovah Jireh,’ which mean The Lord will provide. And there is a saying through out the land that goes like this; ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’

The angel of the Lord called again to Abraham there and said; ‘"I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." Genesis 22:16-18 NIV.

After the sacrifice Abraham and Isaac returned to the servants they had left in charge of the donkey and they all returned to Abraham’s settlement in Beersheba.

LEARNING OBEDIENCE:

Memory Verse:
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15 KJV

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15 NIV

What does it mean to be obedient, or to obey? At www.dictionary.com they give the definition of ‘obey’ as; to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of: as to obey one's parents. To obey God is just like obeying our parents; it is to do everything that He has asked us to, without question and without delay. And perfect or complete obedience would be to do it the very first time.

How did Abraham show his obedience to God? Abraham willing did what God asked him to do. He took his only legitimate son, Isaac, and went to sacrifice him as a burnt offering to God. He would have gone through with this and put Isaac to death had God not interrupted him and supplied the ram instead. Abraham didn’t waver in his obedience at all. He knew that if Isaac were killed, God would bring him back to life so that the promises God had given would all come true. The Bible tells us this in Hebrews 11:17-19; ‘By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.’

How do we show our obedience to God? First by being obedient to our parents, they were God’s first gift to us and He told us in the bible that if we obey our parents we would be given long life on the earth.

Ephesians 6:1-3 KJV ‘Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.’

Jesus even says in our memory verse that if we love Him we will want to obey His commandments. Obedience out of Love is the best kind, for our motives are pure. We are not looking for anything in return, only the smile on the face of our Lord.

Walk all your days in obedience to Jesus and He will always walk with you!

Until next time!

Leigh

Take Time to Sit, Listen and Learn

2009-10-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

The Story of Mary and Martha

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42

The setting for our story in the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary in the village of Bethany. This is where Jesus and His disciples often went for a little rest and respite from the crowds that followed them. Martha welcomed them into her home [Some scholars feel it was called her home as she was probably a widow, others say it was that she was the oldest sibling]. In those days a part of being ‘welcomed’ as a guest was to have your hot, tired feet washed off in a basin of cool water. This was to relieve your weariness and to remove the dust of the road before it could be tracked through the house. Visitors of the same or lower social standing washed their own feet in the basin offered by a servant. Those of slightly higher social status had their feet washed by a servant. But those of high social status or very special guests had their feet washed by the person they had come to see. So when Martha welcomed Jesus into her home, she would have washed his feet as he entered.

Today’s visit is just like many others that have gone before; Martha is in the kitchen supervising the preparation of the meal that will soon be served to the people assembled in the front room listening to Jesus teach. Lazarus, Jesus’ disciples and the other invited guests were sitting around the room on various cushions. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, was sitting on the floor at Jesus feet listening to Him teach. Martha was hurrying around trying to make sure that everything was in perfect order for her guests, but she was getting no help from Mary in getting these things done. Her request to Jesus makes it sound as if she were frustrated and a bit short tempered.

In fact the Bible says she was ‘cumbered.’ The Strong’s Concordance gives the definitions of cumbered as; 1.) To draw around, to draw away, or to distract; 2.) To be driven about mentally, to be distracted; or to be over-occupied, too busy, about a thing. Martha was too concerned with the earthly matters, such as food for her guests. She said; "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" Verse 40, NIV.

Jesus response to her was that of a loving Father. "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Verse 41, NIV.

Jesus was telling Martha that though eating was of importance to one’s physical body, of more importance was the feeding of one’s spirit with the Word of God. Mary had chosen to sit and feed her spirit the food from Heaven spoken by Jesus. Jesus wasn’t going to reprimand Mary or send her off to help Martha, as He knew that Mary had chosen that which was of greatest importance.

Learning to Feed the Spirit:

Memory Verse:

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:2-3 KJV

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV

Like our memory verse says we need to feed our spirit’s with spiritual milk, just like a baby drinks milk to help it grow until it has reached a more mature place and can take solid food. This is what Jesus was trying to get across to Martha when He told her that Mary had chosen that which was of greater importance. Mary was new to her relationship with Jesus and wanted to spend as much time in His presence as she could, so she set aside the things she would normally have taken care of in the home to spend time with Jesus.

We also need to set aside the things of our normal life in order to make a time to feed our spirit the words of Jesus and to learn about His kingdom life. How can we do that in the busy world we live in? We could get up a few minutes earlier and spend time in prayer and reading His word each morning before we begin our day. I usually do this and take 15-30 minutes to read from the Bible and pray before I even get out of bed in the morning. On Saturday I will usually do my ‘quiet time’ for an hour or more before I start any weekend projects, etc. As beginners in this area, you may find that reading 1 or 2 verses at a time and praying for 5 minutes is what you can handle to start with. This is a very good place to start. As you get further in your relationship with Jesus you will want to increase your amount of both reading and prayer time. Ask your parents or pastor for where they think you should begin reading. If they have no suggestions, I would start in the New Testament book of John to begin with then move through the other three gospels [Matthew, Mark and Luke].

When I was a little girl we had a chorus that said; ‘For health and strength and daily bread, we praise your name oh Lord.’ All three of these are necessary for our bodied and our spirits to grow up to be what God has called us to be. If we neglect our physical bodies we can get sick and eventually die. The same is true for our spirits, if we do not feed them the word of God we cannot grow stronger in Him. Eventually our spirit will die to the things of Jesus, just like our body dies when we don’t feed them. So feed your tummy when you are hungry, and remember to feed your spirit, too! And you will, ‘… grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.’ 1 Peter 3:18

Until next time!

~ Leigh ~

A Loyal Servant

2009-09-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

The Story of Job – Very Condensed

Job’s story is in the Old Testament. He wrote a whole book on his trials and triumphs. Let’s take a journey back to ancient times in Mesopotamia and the land of Uz. According to my research Uz was a country that belonged collectively to the tribes of Ammon, Moab and Edom and covered the region from Damascus in the north to Edom in the south. According to historians the Land of Uz was founded by a man named Uz, who was the son of Aram. Now that we can find this land on our papyrus map, let’s take a look at the life and times of Job.

Job was a man that the Bible calls ‘perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed [shunned] evil.’ He had seven sons and three daughters, and much wealth. The Bible says that he had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 1,000 oxen, 500 female donkeys and a ‘…very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.’

Now the Sons of God came before Him to present themselves and Satan was there in His presence also. And God asked Satan, ‘Where have you come from and what have been doing?’

Satan’s answer was, ‘I have been on earth walking back and forth across the land.’

And God asked, have you taken notice of my servant Job, there is none like him in all the earth; he is a perfect and upright man and shuns evil?’

Satan replied, ‘does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t you put a hedge of protection around him, his household and all that he owns? You have blessed all that he does so much that his flocks and herds have spread across the land. If you would only stretch out your hand and strike everything that he owns, surely he would curse you to your face.’

The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but do not lay a finger on the man himself.’ Then Satan left God’s presence.

One day when Job’s sons and daughters were having a celebration in the home of his oldest son, a messenger came to Job and said, ‘The Sabeans have attacked your herds, taken captive all of the donkeys and oxen, and killed the servants with their. I am the only one who has escaped to tell you.’

While he was still speaking another servant arrived and said, ‘The fire of God fell from the sky and has burned up all the sheep and servants, and only I have escaped to tell you.’

While this second servant was still speaking another messenger arrived and said. ‘The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties swept down on your camels and carried them all away and I alone have survived to tell you about it.’

Before he had finished speaking another messenger arrived and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were celebrating in your oldest son’s home when a mighty wind came up from the desert and struck the four corners of his house. It collapsed on them and they are all dead, I alone have escaped to tell you of it.’

When Job had heard the news all the servants had brought him, he fell on his face before God and worshiped Him saying, ‘Naked I came into the world and naked I shall leave it. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.’

Job did not sin when he heard this bad news, for he did not accuse God of any wrongdoing. This was the first test Job was given to prove his loyalty to God.

On another day the angels of the Lord came to present themselves before the Lord God, and Satan came too. And the Lord asked Satan, ‘Where have you come from and what have been doing?’

Satan Replied, ‘I have been on earth walking back and forth across the land.’

And God asked, have you taken notice of my servant Job? There is none like him in all the earth; he is a perfect and upright man and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, even though incited me against him to ruin him for no reason.’

Satan replied, ‘A human will do anything to save his own life. But what do you think will happen if you reached down and took his health away from him.’

God said, ‘All right. You can do as you please to Job, but you can’t kill him.’

So Satan left God’s presence and struck Job with painful boils from head to foot. They itched and oozed so badly that he took a broken piece of pottery to scrape himself as he sat on a trash heap among the ashes.

Job’s wife came out to him an taunted him by saying, ‘Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Why don’t you just curse God and die?’

But Job replied, ‘You are talking foolishly, woman. We take the good days from God – why not accept the bad days as well as the good?’

Never in all his hardships did Job speak anything against the Lord God.

About this time Job was joined by three of his friends who had heard of the hard times that had come upon him. Each of them traveled from his own country –Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuhah, and Zophar from Naamath. They set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When the got close enough to see Job they didn’t even recognize him due to the terrible boils that had covered his whole body; so they began to weep aloud, tore their clothes and put dust on their heads to symbolize that they were in mourning for him due to health conditions and the terrible losses he had suffered. They sat on the ground beside him for seven nights and days, no one saying a word, because they saw the greatness of his suffering.

On the eighth day Job spoke out cursing the day he was born saying, “May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, 'a boy is born!’ That day—may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it,” and many other such curses that were common in his country at that time.

When Job finished cursing his birthday Eliphaz began to speak after requesting Job’s permission, ‘Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed …consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?

When Eliphaz finishes Job replies, “If my misery could be weighed, if you could pile the whole bitter load on the scales, it would be heavier than all the sand of the sea! Is it any wonder that I'm screaming like a caged cat? The arrows of God Almighty are in me, poison arrows—and I'm poisoned all through! God has dumped the whole works on me…”

Next Bildad starts in on him saying, ‘How can you keep on talking like this? You're talking nonsense, and noisy nonsense at that. Does God mess up? Does God Almighty ever get things backward? It's plain that your children sinned against him— otherwise, why would God have punished them? Here's what you must do—and don't put it off any longer: Get down on your knees before God Almighty. If you're as innocent and upright as you say, it's not too late—he'll come running; he'll set everything right again, reestablish your fortunes. Even though you're not much right now, you'll end up better than ever … But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked. He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the home of the wicked will be destroyed.’

Then Job replied to Bildad: "Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can a mortal be righteous before God? Though one wished to dispute with him, he could not answer him one time out of a thousand. His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? …’

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: “Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock? You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.' Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin …

Job replies; "Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you! But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things? I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered— a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless! … All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come …”

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: “Would a wise man answer with empty notions or fill his belly with the hot east wind? Would he argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value? But you even undermine piety and hinder devotion to God. Your sin prompts your mouth; you adopt the tongue of the crafty. Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; your own lips testify against you …”

Job replied: "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away. Surely, O God, you have worn me out; you have devastated my entire household …”

Job and his friends went round and round this mountain for many days. Job's three friends now fell silent. They were talked out, stymied because Job wouldn't budge an inch—wouldn't admit to an ounce of guilt.

Then Elihu, the son of Barakel the Buzite from the clan of Ram, lost his temper. He blazed out in anger against Job for pitting his righteousness against God's. He was also angry with the other three friends because they had neither come up with an answer nor proved Job wrong. Elihu had waited with Job while they spoke because they were all older than he. But when he saw that the three other men had exhausted their arguments, he exploded with pent-up rage. This is what he said, “I'm a young man, and you are all old and experienced. That's why I kept quiet and held back from joining the discussion. I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become. But I see I was wrong—it's God's Spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible. The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense. So I've decided to speak up. Listen well! I'm going to tell you exactly what I think … So please, Job, hear me out, honor me by listening to me. What I'm about to say has been carefully thought out. I have no ulterior motives in this; I'm speaking honestly from my heart … So, my fine friends—listen to me, and see what you think of this. Isn't it just common sense— as common as the sense of taste—to put our heads together and figure out what's going on here? We've all heard Job say, 'I'm in the right, but God won't give me a fair trial. When I defend myself, I'm called a liar to my face. I've done nothing wrong, and I get punished anyway.' Do you dare condemn the righteous, mighty God? Doesn't God always tell it like it is, exposing corrupt rulers as scoundrels and criminals? Does he play favorites with the rich and famous and slight the poor? … If God is silent, what's that to you? If he turns his face away, what can you do about it? But whether silent or hidden, he's there, ruling, so that those who hate God won't take over and ruin people's lives. So why don't you simply confess to God? Say, 'I sinned, but I'll sin no more. Just because you refuse to live on God's terms, do you think he should start living on yours? You choose. I can't do it for you. Tell me what you decide … If you sin, what difference could that make to God? No matter how much you sin, will it matter to him? Even if you're good, what would God get out of that? Do you think he's dependent on your accomplishments? … God is not dependent on your behavior … Stay with me a little longer. I'll convince you. There's still more to be said on God's side. I learned all this firsthand from the Source; everything I know about justice I owe to my Maker himself. Trust me, I'm giving you undiluted truth; believe me; I know these things inside and out …”

Elihu carries on a very long monologue, it goes on for many more pages.

When Elihu finishes talking God, Himself, confronts Job saying; "Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about? Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers. Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much! Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements? How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone, while the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise? And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb? That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night. Then I made a playpen for it, a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose, And said, 'Stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.’ And have you ever ordered Morning, 'Get up!' Told Dawn, 'Get to work!' So you could seize Earth like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches? As the sun brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes, the cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked—they're caught in the very act! … "Now what do you have to say for yourself? Are you going to haul me, the Mighty One, into court and press charges?"

Job answered: "I'm speechless, in awe—words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! I've talked too much, way too much. I'm ready to shut up and listen."

God addressed Job next from the eye of the storm, and this is what he said: "I have some more questions for you, and I want straight answers. Do you presume to tell me what I'm doing wrong? Are you calling me a sinner so you can be a saint?Do you have an arm like my arm? Can you shout in thunder the way I can?Go ahead, show your stuff. Let's see what you're made of, what you can do. Unleash your outrage. Target the arrogant and lay them flat. Target the arrogant and bring them to their knees. Stop the wicked in their tracks—make mincemeat of them! Dig a mass grave and dump them in it—faceless corpses in an unmarked grave. I'll gladly step aside and hand things over to you—you can surely save yourself with no help from me! "Look at the land beast, Behemoth*. I created him as well as you. Grazing on grass, docile as a cow—Just look at the strength of his back, the powerful muscles of his belly. His tail sways like a cedar in the wind; his huge legs are like beech trees. His skeleton is made of steel, every bone in his body hard as steel. Most magnificent of all my creatures, but I still lead him around like a lamb! The grass-covered hills serve him meals, while field mice frolic in his shadow. He takes afternoon naps under shade trees, cools himself in the reedy swamps, lazily cool in the leafy shadows as the breeze moves through the willows. And when the river rages he doesn't budge, stolid and unperturbed even when the Jordan goes wild. But you'd never want him for a pet—you'd never be able to housebreak him!" … “Who could confront me and get by with it? I'm in charge of all this—I run this universe!”
[*Behemoth is a dinosaur, possibly a brachiosaur]

Job answered God: "I'm convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans. You asked, 'who is this muddying the water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?' I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, made small talk about wonders way over my head. You told me, 'Listen, and let me do the talking. Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.' I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears! I'm sorry—forgive me. I'll never do that again, I promise! I'll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor."

When God and Job finished talking He spoke to his friends, "I've had it with you and your friends. I'm fed up! You haven't been honest either with me or about me—not the way my friend Job has. So here's what you must do. Take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my friend Job. Sacrifice a burnt offering on your own behalf. My friend Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer. He will ask me not to treat you as you deserve for talking nonsense about me, and for not being honest with me, as he has."

Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did what God commanded them; and God accepted Job's prayer on their behalf. After Job had interceded for his friends, God restored his fortune—and then doubled it! All his brothers and sisters and friends came to his house and celebrated. They told him how sorry they were, and consoled him for all the trouble God had brought him. Each of them brought generous housewarming gifts.

God blessed Job's later life even more than his earlier life. He ended up with fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand teams of oxen, and one thousand donkeys. Job also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first daughter Dove [Jemima], the second Cinnamon [Kezia], and the third Darkeyes [Kerenhappuch]. There was not a woman in that country as beautiful as Job's daughters. Their father treated them as equals with their brothers, providing them the same inheritance.

Job lived on another 140 years, living to see his children and grandchildren—four generations of them! Then he died—an old man, a full life and faithfulness.

Learning Loyalty:

Memory Verse:
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12, NIV

I looked up the definition of Loyalty at http://www.dictionary.com/ it means:

1. The state or quality of being loyal; faithfulness to commitments or obligations.
2. Faithful adherence to a sovereign, government, leader, cause, etc.
3. An example or instance of faithfulness, adherence, or the like: a man with fierce loyalties.

So loyalty unto God is being true and faithful to HIM, no matter what!

Job was loyal to God in everything. No matter what he suffered; he remained faithful onto the Lord. And he suffered everything bad that could happen to a person; he lost his family, his livestock, his servants and his good health. On top of all of this he had four friends who didn’t believe a word he said and continued to respond to him with insults and rebukes. His wife even walked out on him and her final words to Job on her way out the door were, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9 NIV

But Job’s reply to her was, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10a NIV

God watches all of this drama unfold and finally comes down and speaks to Job’s friends, rebuking them for their words. He hears Job’s prayers on behalf of these friends and answers him. He also restores to Job more than what he started out with before his losses began.

How Do We Learn Loyalty?

We learn to be loyal by following the instructions given by our parents, pastors, teachers and other adults who are our leaders. By following these instructions without being reminded we show we can be trusted and counted on. Learning to be faithful to these human leaders teaches us how to be faithful to God. In fact if we are faithful to our leaders it is counted as a portion of our faithfulness to Him. Jesus also gives you directions to follow and plans to carry out that He expects us to honor. When we do listen and honor God we can end up sitting beside David and Abraham in heaven one day and may even end up in the Roll call of the Faithful, like in Hebrews 11 and 12.

Jesus said;

‘If ye love me, keep my commandments.’ John 14:15

‘This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.’
John 15:12

Keeping His commandments is an act of our love, as is stated in these verses; but it is ALSO an act of our faithfulness.

In Hebrews 11:17 - 18 it says, “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”

Abraham knew that God was true to HIS word, so Abraham did everything God asked him to do. He even prepared to offer his only son Isaac on the altar to God. Just as he was to slay his son God stepped in and provided a ram for this sacrifice in place of Isaac. Abraham trusted God nd remained loyal to Him in all things, just as Job did in out story. For his faithful service and righteousness Abraham was called God's friend.

These men and many other people throughout the Bible are our examples of how to live lives of loyalty unto Jesus.

If you want to read more of Job’s story, his book is found in the Old Testament of the Bible just after the book of Esther and before the book of Psalms.

Until next time! Keep cultivating ‘Christ-like Characters’ in your life!

~ Leigh ~

Friends Indeed - Part Two

2009-07-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

One day, after the harvest, Naomi and Ruth were sitting together talking:

‘My daughter, I feel that I should make sure that you have a good home and are secure all your days, don’t you agree?’ Naomi asked. ‘Now Boaz, in whose fields you have worked throughout the harvest, is a close relative. He is winnowing barley tonight down in the barn on the threshing floor. So put on your very best clothes, spray on some sweet perfume and go down to the threshing floor, but do not let anyone see you. When Boaz has finished his dinner and his after dinner drinks and has lain down to sleep for the night. Then quietly go to where he is laying and lie down at his feet and cover yourself with his blanket. When he awakes Boaz will tell you what to do next.
Ruth answered, ‘Mom. I will do all that you have said.’ And she did.

After Ruth had lain down at the feet of Boaz she fell asleep. About midnight Boaz woke up very startled. When he turned over he saw a woman lying at his feet. ‘Who are you?’ he exclaimed.

‘I am Ruth, your servant, please take me under your wing and protect me for you are a close relative.’ Ruth replied.

You are very blessed, young lady! For you have not gone running after younger men, whether rich or poor, in this you have shown even more kindness than you did when you joined Naomi and moved here from your homeland. I will do all that you have requested; however my dear, while it is true I am a close relative, there is one closed than I who must be given the opportunity to fulfill this custom first. Stay tonight and in the morning I will go and see if he will perform this duty. If he wills - it is good, let him do it. But if he is not willing, then I will perform this duty and fulfill our custom.

So Ruth slept at the feet of Boaz and they awoke just before dawn. Boaz filled her shawl with some of the barley he had been winnowing as a gift for Naomi. As she left he cautioned her not to let anyone know that she had come to the threshing floor.

At home Ruth gave the grain to Naomi who asked her what had transpired. Ruth went through the events of the past 12 hours with the skill of a play by play reporter. When she had finished her recitation, Naomi said; ‘Sit still my daughter, until you know how the matter will turnout. Boaz will not rest until he has settled this for you.

At the proper time Boaz went to the city gates and sat down to meet with Elimelech’s other close relative and the leaders of the city. When he saw the relative Boaz called out to him, ‘Come over here my friend and sit down a while.’ When the man was seated Boaz called 10 of the elders of the city to witness their talk, then he said to the man; ‘Naomi, the widow of our brother Elimelech, has returned to Bethlehem and wants to sell his property. Do you want to buy it?’
‘Sure, Boaz, I would love to add that to my estate. I will buy it today.’ The man said.

Boaz replied, ‘if you buy this property, you must also marry Ruth, the widow of Mahlon, and raise up heirs to his name. Do you still want to buy this property?’

‘I’m sorry, Boaz, this would put my estate in jeopardy, I can’t buy this property, the man replied.

‘Then I will buy this property and take Ruth as my wife to raise up heirs for Mahlon, our brother. And you are all my witnesses today and will attest to all that has happened here.’ At this point Boaz took off his shoe and gave it to his relative to confirm the agreement they had made on the property if Elimelech and his marriage to Ruth, the widow of Mahlon. This agreement was witnessed by the ten elders of Bethlehem, who Boaz had gathered them earlier for this purpose, as well as all those who were at the city gates of Bethlehem.

And all the people answered, ‘We are your witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your home be like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel. . .’ The crowd went on to speak many blessings that were popular at that time.

So Boaz and Ruth were married, it was the wedding of the year in the city of Bethlehem. They started their family right away; their first child was a son that they named Obed. The women of the city blessed Naomi saying, ‘Blessed be the Lord who has not left you with out a near kinsman redeemer. May his name be famous in Israel. . .’

Many years and many more children later Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David. And he in turn became the ancestor of Jesus.

Learning to be a Friend:

Memory Verse: ‘A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ Proverbs 18:24 KJV

In our story Ruth was a friend to Naomi when she needed one most. She literally walked beside her as they traveled from Moab to Bethlehem. Ruth promised to be with her no matter what would happen for the rest of their lives – and she did. Even after she and Boaz were married Naomi lived in their home. She cared for their children while Ruth and Boaz provided for her. Ruth also went to work in the fields of Boaz to glean behind the reapers to provide food for both her and Naomi before she met and married Boaz.
Naomi was also a good friend to Ruth. When they had settled in Bethlehem, Naomi wanted to protect Ruth and treated her as she would have her own daughter. In this vein Naomi taught Ruth the customs and laws of the land and their religious practices and traditions. Naomi also saw that Ruth was a young and beautiful woman. She didn’t want to see her alone for the rest of her life, so Naomi gave Ruth instruction on how to meet one of their family’s kinsman redeemers. By meeting this man Ruth soon had the security that came with her marriage. She would be provided for for the rest of her life by her husband. And if he died before she did, then her sons would take on that responsibility. In ancient times this was the most prominent way a woman was cared for once she had reached maturity. A few women, not the norm, had their own business and were able to provide for themselves in the event they out lived their husbands. So Naomi was a good friend by meeting the needs of her daughter-in-law, Ruth.

How do we become a friend?

Our memory verse gives us that answer very clearly; in order to have friends, a person MUST be friendly to others. What is the meaning of friendly? First being friendly is an action. It means to be kind, helpful, courteous, generous, and other such things. There are many verses in the Bible that show how to be a good friend. I have picked a couple to tell you what God thinks a friend should be like.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:9-10 NIV

This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15: 12-13 KJV

According to the Bible a friend chooses to honor his friend above himself. This means to treat him as if he is more important than you are. We are to have love for our friends even to the point where we would die in his place. Most of us will never be in the place to die for our friends, but we should be WILLING to. So what does this mean for most of us – I feel this means that we would stand up and defend our friend if some one were trying to beat him up. Or to push him out of the way if we see he is in danger. These are very practical ways to show our friendship.

What SHOULDN’T a friend do? Anything that could or would hurt the other person, like throwing rocks at him or even letting him cheat off your homework. This last thing may not seem like it could hurt our friend, but it does. It cheats him out of learning things for himself and gives him the false impression that he has earned his grades. This is not acting in love or honoring our friend.

Just to recap – a friend must treat his friends as more important than he is with love, respect and honor. Doing only what is full of kindness, generosity, courtesy, and love. OK, I know this sounds like I am listing the fruits of the Spirit here. Producing these fruits in our lives does give us a head start towards being a good friend. So start growing your friendships today!

So let’s start trying to be a friend to all!

Until next time, Leigh

Friends Indeed - Part One

2009-06-19T20:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the saying, ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed?’ Well this is a very true statement. Each of us has a real NEED for true friends. This is the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, of their lives together after they both lost their husbands; and of how they befriended each other. But as with all stories, we must start at the very beginning, so here we go:

Elimelech took his wife, Naomi, and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and moved to the land of Moab as there was a flood in their home land of Bethlehem-Judea. Shortly after their move Elimelech passed away leaving Naomi to raise her sons alone and find wives for them when they were of age. Naomi found two beautiful women to be wives to her sons. Chilion’s wife was Orpah, and Mahlon’s wife was Ruth.

Not long after these marriages both Mahlon and Chilion died. The Bible doesn’t tell us how these men died or if they died at the same time, just that they died leaving Naomi alone of their family. After Naomi had lost her husband and sons she decided to move back to the land of her birth, Bethlehem-Judea; so she started on her journey, but as they were going she spoke with her daughters-in-law. I think it went something like this:

‘Girls,’ Naomi started, ‘I am moving back to Bethlehem. I think you should move back to your parents’ homes and let them find you another husband. And may you always be happy in his home.’ Then she kissed them and they cried together.

‘But Naomi,’ Orpah and Ruth objected, ‘we want to live with you always. We don’t want to move back home. We will go where ever you go.’

NO, my daughters, return to your childhood homes. I am too old to have a husband and bear more sons. And you wouldn’t want to wait until they grew up to marry again. By going back home you will be in your home towns where you know all the rules and you can worship the gods that you have always known.’

They cried again and kissed Orpah good bye, but Ruth clung to Naomi.

Naomi said, ‘Ruth, your sister-in-law is returning to her family home, why don’t you go with her?

Ruth answered her with this now very famous quote: ‘Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.’
What a strong sentiment to have over one’s mother-in-law. To give up all that she had ever known and promise to live the rest of her life in a strange land, with different customs and religious practices than she had in her home town. Moab had multiple gods and their religious practices were abhorrent to – not allowed by - the God of Israel.

When Naomi saw the fullness of Ruth’s commitment to her, she quit trying to convince her to stay and they continued down the road toward Bethlehem. When they arrived in that city all the people who saw them were moved by Naomi’s arrival. They shouted out greetings in her name. When Naomi heard their calls, she replied; ‘don’t call me Naomi, call me Mara; for I went out full, but I have returned empty. God has dealt with me very bitterly.’

Naomi means ‘My Delight,’ but Mara means ‘bitter.’ Naomi felt God had dealt bitterly with her due to the loss of her husband and both of her sons so she wanted to hold on to that bitterness and claim it as who she was.

When Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem it was the barley harvest. In those days the farmers in Israel left the grain in the corners of their fields and any that was dropped by the reapers during the harvesting for the poor of the land, and the widows. Ruth went out into a field near to the city to ‘glean’ from it barley to feed her and Naomi as they had no one to provide for them. To ‘glean’ means to gather this grain left in the fields by the reapers to provide for their needs. Naomi gave her blessing for Ruth to go out into the fields to provide for them.

Now Naomi had a relative of her husbands that was a wealthy man he owned many fields and flocks, in ancient times this was how wealth was measured. There were no banks to hold their money. This rich relative’s name was Boaz, and the field that Ruth ‘just happened’ to be gleaning in belonged to him. One afternoon when Boaz came from Bethlehem to check on his reapers progress he noticed Ruth and asked the foreman of the reapers; ‘Whose young woman is this?’

The foreman answered; ‘this is Ruth, the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. She asked to be allowed to gather grain after the reapers between the sheaves, and she has worked from dawn until now - though she did take a short rest a while ago in the house.’

Boaz spoke to Ruth and said; ‘young lady, please stay close by my young women and go not into the fields of another to glean. I have commanded the young men not to touch you. Come to the water jugs whenever you are thirsty and drink your fill from what the young men have drawn.

At this Ruth bowed low to the ground to pay honor to Boaz, and said to him; ‘Sir, I am a stranger here and not one of your country women, why have I found favor in your sight?’
Boaz replied; ‘I have been informed of all the things you have done ever since you came her with Naomi your mother-in-law after the death of Mahlon, your husband.

How you have left your homeland, your family and friends and come to a land and a people you have not previously known. May the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have found protection, repay you fully for all that you have done.

And Ruth answered him; ‘let me find favor in your eyes, sir, for you have comforted my heart and have spoken kindly to me even though I am not one of your servants.’

When it came time for the meal break Boaz called to her and said ‘come sit with me and dip your bread in the vinegar.’ So Ruth sat beside Boaz and they shared a meal together of bread and vinegar and roasted grain. And when Ruth rose to go back to work he spoke to his male servants saying, ‘let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not yell at her. Also purposely drop a little grain on the ground in front of her that she may gather without reproach.’

So Ruth gleaned among the sheaves of Boaz until evening had come, then she beat out the grain on the threshing floor to remove the chaff, she had gathered an ephah of barley – this is equ1valent to almost 21 quarts. Ruth took the grain home to Naomi and gave her all that remained after she had eaten enough to be satisfied. When she gave the barley to Naomi she asked, ‘where did you work today? In whose fields did you gather this grain?’

‘I worked in the fields of Boaz and gleaned behind his young woman.’ Ruth replied

‘You were blessed by the Lord; He has shown you great kindness and has not forsaken the living or the dead!’ Naomi exclaimed. ‘Boaz is a close relative of ours.’

Ruth continued, ‘He also told me to stay close beside his servants until they have completed harvesting all of his fields. He was very protective.’

‘Do as he says, Ruth,’ Naomi replied, ‘stay close beside his servants and don’t glean in another’s fields.’

So Ruth did all that Boaz and Naomi instructed her to, and gleaned behind the servants of Boaz until they had finished harvesting all of his crops, and she continued to live with Naomi, her mother-in-law.

In Israel they had a custom that if a man should die childless his nearest male relative had to buy his possessions and marry his widow. When the new couple had children, the first son was named the heir of the dead husband. The male relative was called the ‘kinsman redeemer.’ It was a physical example of Jesus as our Redeemer.

Caring Heart - Part 2

2009-05-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Mordecai did as Esther requested and gathered all of the Jews together; and they did all that she had asked.

On the third day Esther put on her most beautiful royal robes and entered the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s throne room. King Ahasuerus was sitting on his royal throne facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther he was very happy and immediately held out the golden scepter to her, inviting her to enter. So Esther went into the throne room and touched the tip of the golden scepter. Then the king asked her; ‘What would you like, Queen Esther, what is your desire? I will give it to you, even up to half of my kingdom.’

Esther answered him; ‘If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come together today to a banquet I have prepared in your honor.’

King Ahasuerus ordered his servant; ‘Bring Haman immediately so that we may do as Esther has asked.’

So King Ahasuerus and Haman went to dine at the banquet Queen Esther prepared for them. At the end of the meal the king again asked Esther; ‘What would you like, Queen Esther, what is your desire? I will give it to you, even up to half of my kingdom.’

Her reply was; ‘My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question.’

Haman left the Queen’s palace pleased with himself and in a great mood; but when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and noticed that he didn’t bow to pay him respect or even showed no fear to him, his heart was filled with intense anger. Nevertheless, Haman continued on his was home, keeping his feelings hidden. When Haman arrived home he called his wife, Zeresh, and all of his friends together for a pity party. Haman boasted of all his great wealth and his many sons. [In Asian cultures it is considered very important for all men to have sons – and wealthy men even more so.] He also bragged on how the king had promoted him and of all the honors the king had given.

‘And that's not all,’ Haman added. ‘I'm the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate.’

Zeresh and all his friends convinced Haman he should have a gallows built, 75 feet high, and request permission of King Ahasuerus to have Mordecai hanged on it. This idea total impressed Haman and he had the gallows built and he went to bed very pleased with himself. [Now if you have watched any old western movies where they have hung the bad guys, you have seen a gallows. If not, have you played Hang man, that box with the arm that goes up and over and has the loop for the man to hang in is a very simplified gallows.]
Later that night King Ahasuerus was having trouble sleeping so he had his servant fetch the book of the chronicles that recorded this reign from it’s beginning to that very day. He had his servant read from it and soon discovered the record of the plot Mordecai had exposed of Bigthana and Teresh had conspired to assassinate the king.

The king asked his servants what honor Mordecai had received for his loyalty to the king.

‘Nothing has been done for him,’ his attendants answered.

‘Who is in the court?’ the king asked. Just at that moment Haman had entered the outer court of the palace to seek the king’s approval to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him.

His servant answered, ‘Haman is out in the court.’ The king had him escorted into the throne room and when he entered he asked;

‘What should be done for the man the king wishes to honor, and to one whom the king delights to reward?

Now Haman, who was still full of himself over the decision to hang Mordecai, asked himself; ‘who would the king choose to honor above me?’ So he answered the king;

‘For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’

‘Great idea,’ the king replied. ‘Go at once and do all of this for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gates of the king’s palace. And do not neglect one thing you have suggested.’

Haman did all of this for Mordecai just as the king had ordered him. And then Mordecai went back to sitting at the gates of the palace and Haman ran home with his head bowed down in depression over it all. He told Zeresh, his wife and all of his friends of the things he had done to show the king’s delight in Mordecai. Together they said to him; ‘you can’t win against this man Mordecai, he has begun your downfall. And you can do nothing against him as he is of Jewish blood. You will certainly be brought to ruin in the end.’ While they were still talking about these things, the king’s eunuchs arrived to escort him to the banquet and they rushed him right out the door to Esther’s banquet hall.

So King Ahasuerus and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther and when dinner was over and they were enjoying their wine the king again asked, ‘Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.’

So Esther answered the king, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes Oh king, and if it pleases you my Lord, please grant me my life – this is my only plea. And spare the lives of my people – this is my request. For there is one here who has sold myself and my people to complete destruction and annihilation. If we had only been sold into slavery, I would have remained silent because this would not bring about the distress that would be justified for disturbing the king.’

‘Who has ordered this thing?’ asked the king. ‘What man would do such as this?’

‘The enemy of my people is this vile man, Haman,’ answered Esther. ‘He has ordered the destruction of my people.’

This accusation terrified Haman as he sat in the presence of the king and queen and it put the king into a terrible rage – so he left his wine there on the table and went out to walk in the garden.

When the king returned from his walk he found Haman falling across the couch where Queen Esther sat. The king was furious and yelled; ‘Will he even abuse the queen while she is in the house with me?’

No sooner had the words left the king’s mouth; his servants covered Haman’s face signaling his doom. Harbona, the king’s servant then told King Ahasuerus of the gallows that Haman had built to hang Mordecai on.

‘Hang him on it!’ The king ordered

So Haman was hanged on the very gallows he had built for the execution of Mordecai, and then the king’s anger subsided. That very day the king gave Queen Esther the house and lands that had belonged to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And when Mordecai came in to visit the king, for Esther told him that Mordecai was her uncle. The king presented to Mordecai the signet ring that he had removed from Haman’s hand. And Esther presented the property of Haman into his keeping.

‘My lord king,’ Esther began, ‘if I have found favor in your eyes and if it pleases you and you find it the right thing to do, let orders be written that will overrule the decrees that Haman has issued for the destruction of my people and the annihilation of my race.’

King Ahasuerus replied to Queen Esther and to her uncle Mordecai, ‘Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther and they have hanged him on the gallows. Now write another decree in my name on behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and let it be sealed with my signet ring which I have given to you in place of Haman – for no document written in the king’s name can be repealed and no law sealed with my ring can be revoked.’

Immediately the royal scribes [secretaries] were called and put to work; this was on the 23rd day of the month of Sivan. They wrote out all of the orders of Mordecai to the Jews of every province in the kingdom of Medo-Persia and in the city and palace of Susa, to each of the governors and royal officials in the 127 provinces that reached form India to Cush. These orders were written in the languages of the all people and also in the Jews own language and script. Mordecai wrote all of this in the name of the king and sealed the dispatches with his signet ring. He sent them by courier on the very swiftest of the kings own horses. This new decree gave the Jews in every city the right to assemble and to protect themselves; to destroy and annihilate any armed force of any nationality that might attack them and their women and children; who are also seeking to steal their belongings. These couriers raced to their various destinations, spurred on by the king’s command.

When Mordecai left the king’s palace he was dressed in royal clothes of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a large party, a great and joyous celebration. For the Jews, especially, it became a time of happiness, joy, gladness and great honor. In every province and every city, wherever the decree of the king went forth there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and great celebrating and merriment. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had taken control of heir hearts.

On the 13th day of the Jewish month of Adar the edict which the king had commanded was carried out. This was the day that the enemies of the Jewish people had hoped to take control of them, subdue them and completely destroy them. But the tides had been turned and it was the Jews who now had the upper hand over all who had hated them. They assembled in their cities in all of the provinces of King Ahasuerus to attack those who were seeking their destruction. Not one stood against them as the people of all the other nationalities were very afraid of the Jewish people. All of the Governors and royal officials of the provinces and their administrators helped the Jews, because they were gripped with the fear of Mordecai. Mordecai was now a prominent official in the palace of King Ahasuerus; his reputation spread throughout the provinces and he grew more and more powerful.

The Jews of Medo-Persia took control of all their enemies and completely destroyed those who had sought to do likewise to them, doing whatever they pleased to those who hated them. In the city of Susa the Jews killed 500 men; including the 10 sons of Haman – the enemy of the Jews, Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha. But they took none of their belongings as plunder or spoil for their triumph. These reports were given the very same day to King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther. The report seemed good to the king and he asked Esther, ‘what now is your petition? It will be given to you. And what is your request? It will also be granted.’

‘If it pleases the king,’ Esther answered, ‘give the Jews of the city of Susa permission to carry out this day’s decree again tomorrow. And let Haman’s sons be hanged on the gallows.’

So the king commanded this to be cone at once and the edict was issued in the city of Susa. An edict was issued in Susa to hang all of the sons of Haman. The Jews of the city came together on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Adar and put to death 300 men in Susa, but they did not take any of their belongings as plunder or spoil.

In the years after this foiled attempt to annihilate the Jews in Medo-Persia Jews every where celebrated their victory over these oppressors, especially Haman. They held great parties with feasting and giving of gifts to one another; they called this celebration Purim after the casting of Pur [lots – like dice] that was how Haman decided on the date for their execution and extermination from the land.

All of these events were recorded by Mordecai and Queen Esther and were distributed throughout the Medo-Persian Empire.

Learning To Care:

Memory Verse:
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. . . I Timothy 6:20a NIV

Caring:
In this story there are two people who have caring hearts, Mordecai and Esther. Mordecai’s first act of caring was in taking in his uncle’s child when her parents had passed away. He raised and protected her as his very own. Mordecai was also caring of the King’s well being when he disclosed the plot for his assassination; and again when he sat in mourning for his people at the gates of the King’s palace after learning of the Haman’s plans to destroy all of the Jewish people in the Medo-Persian Empire.

Esther was also caring of her people when she took no regard for her own safety or life and entered the court of the King’s palace to request his presence and that of Haman at the banquet in her royal quarters. And again the second meal was completed she showed caring when she asked the king to spare her life and the lives of her fellow Jews.

Esther and Mordecai each had the heart of Jesus for each other and for their fellow countrymen by giving of themselves – even to the point of death, if necessary.
In our lives I am sure we have met many caring people. Mother Teresa of Calcutta went to faraway India to care for people she had never met before. David Wilkerson started the Teen Challenge Program to care for drug addicts in the streets of the New York City and its surrounding areas. Missionaries around the world give up their homes in their native countries to bring the message of Jesus to countries the world over because of their caring hearts.

We, too, should have caring hearts toward others; and this not just toward our families, but to others as well. Jesus said in John 15:12-14 NIV, ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.’

If we are the friends of Jesus, he expects us to have caring hearts, just like Esther and Mordecai, to the point of giving up our selves – our very lives if needed – for our family and friends.

If you want to read the story of Esther and Mordecai in your Bible, you will find it in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament.

Until next time!

Leigh

A Caring Heart - Part One

2009-04-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

In the time of Ahasuerus [Xerxes], king of Medo-Persia there was a girl named Hadassah (in Hebrew), in the language of this country she was called Esther. Esther liver with her uncle, Mordecai, as her father and mother had passed away. They were Jews that had been brought there during the time of the Babylonian captivity with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. Esther was a very beautiful young lady.

King Ahasuerus’ wife was named Vashti; she was very beautiful to look at. One day as the king held a banquet for all of his governors and royal officials he called for Queen Vashti to come into the banquet hall so he could show off her beauty to all of his government officials. But Vashti refused to leave the company she had invited to dinner in order to please the king by visiting his banquet hall.

Her refusal to come to the king when he sent the request made Ahasuerus very angry. So he asked the royal advisors what should be done to someone who had refused the king. One of his advisors, Memucan, replied; ‘by her refusing the king, Queen Vashti has not only disrespected the king, but has also made it possible for all women to disrespect their husbands and the king in this manner. Therefore if it pleases the king, make a royal decree that Queen Vashti is to be banished from the presence of the king forever.’

This idea pleased King Ahasuerus so much that he made the official decree right away and he sent copies to every city in the realm. Then Queen Vashti was escorted from the capitol city that very day.

A few days later when his anger had subsided the king was sad over sending Vashti away. And Ahasuerus was lonely; so he called for his advisors. He asked his advisors what could be done. They advisors came up with a plan to relieve the king of his loneliness, they said; ‘Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful girls into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. 4 Then let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.’

This plan pleased King Ahasuerus greatly, so he issued a decree for all of the most beautiful virgins to be brought to the palace in the capital city of Susa. Runners went throughout all of the provinces announcing this beauty pageant [possibly the first one, ever] to choose a new queen of Medo-Persia.

Mordecai sat at the gates of the king’s palace in Shushan in order to keep abreast of the current affairs of the kingdom. He gathered all of the news of the kingdom and shared it with Esther. He told her of the king’s proclamation and advised her to keep her nationality a secret if she were chosen to go to the palace. So Esther did everything her uncle told her to do.
Many girls were brought to the palace in the city of Susa, including Esther, and were put into the care of Hegai the head guard of the king’s harem [the harem a the special section of the palace that was heavily guarded where the king’s wives and concubines (mistresses) lived].

Hegai was very impressed with Esther’s inner and outer beauty so he gave her his special attention. He made sure she received her beauty treatments right away. Esther was assigned seven maids from the king’s palace and Hegai gave her the best room in the whole harem. She was greatly liked by all of the palace staff and the other girls, too.

Before each girl was presented to the king, they had to undergo 12 months of beauty treatments; six months of being bathed in the oil of myrrh and six months of being soaked in the finest perfumes and taught the arts of applying their makeup properly. When she had finished this beauty regime she was taken into a treasure room and told she may choose anything there to take with her into the presence of the king and that thing she was allowed to keep when she left her presence. On the evening of a girl’s chosen day she would be led into the king’s chambers and would stay their, with him, until morning. Then she would be given a new room in a different part of the harem. She would not enter the king’s presence again unless and until he called for her by name.

When it was Esther’s turn to visit the king she asked Hegai for advice on what she should take with her. She was more concerned about the king’s impression of her than she was about gaining wealth. This concern made her even more loved and respected in the eyes of this servant of the king’s harem, and everyone else she saw. Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in the tenth month, their month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

The king was more attracted to Esther than any of the other women who had been brought to him. She had won his heart; so he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. Next he called for a banquet in her honor to present Esther before all of his governors and other government officials. He made this day a royal holiday throughout his entire kingdom and gave rich gifts to all of his countrymen.

Remember Esther’s uncle Mordecai who sat at the gates of the palace to get the news of the kingdom? Well, one day Mordecai overheard two of the king’s servants who guarded the doorway, Bigthana and Teresh, conspiring in their anger to assassinate King Ahasuerus. But Mordecai sent word to Queen Esther about this plot and she reported it to the king. When the report was investigated and found to be true, these two officials were hanged on a gallows. This whole evil plot and the way it was exposed were recorded in the official records of Medo-Persia in the king’s presence.
After this plot had been exposed and the evil men were killed; King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, giving him a seat of high honor higher than all of the other nobles and royal officials. When he was promoted, Haman expected all men of lower station (or class) to kneel before him in respect. But Mordecai would not kneel down before this man. The royal officials at the gate of the palace asked him; ‘Why do you disobey the king’s command?’ Each day they asked him again to kneel, but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s behavior; because he had told them he was Jewish.

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel before him to pay respect, he was very angry. Yet when he learned who Mordecai’s people were, he looked down upon the idea of only killing him. Instead he hatched a plan to rid the country of all the Jewish people. In the 12th year of King Ahasuerus’ reign, in the Jewish month of Nisan, Haman and his friends were casting lots [like we roll dice] to decide the date of the destruction of the Jews. And the lot fell to the month of Adar.

Now that he had a time chosen, Haman appeared before the king and said; ‘There is a people scattered throughout the country in all of your provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from all other people and who don’t obey the king’s laws. It is not in the best interest of the king to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy this people. And I will put 375 tons of silver into the king’s royal treasury to pay the men who will carry out this business.’

The king approved of this plan and removed his signet ring off his finger and gave it to Haman and said; ‘Keep your money and do with these people as you see fit.’

Now in ancient times a signet ring was used in the same way we use a signature today. Kings and government officials, as well as wealthy individuals, had a special ring made that would be used to ‘seal’ their official documents and letters. A candle was lit and a small pool of wax was dripped onto the document then the ring was pressed into the wax to make their official mark or seal on it before it was sent out.

On the 13th day of the month of Nissan, Haman summoned the royal secretaries. Haman dictated the official decree and the secretaries wrote it out in each of the languages of the provinces of Medo-Persia and Haman applied the king’s seal using the signet ring Ahasuerus had given him. This decree was then delivered to the governors and royal officials of these provinces. It gave the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and little children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to steal their belongings. When it was delivered to all of the government officials it was also made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day.

After the couriers were sent out, Haman sat down with the king to drink; but the city of Susa was completely puzzled by the decree.

When Mordecai learned of all that had been done he started to mourn as if someone had died; he tore his clothes put on garments made of sackcloth and covered his head with ashes. I picture this sackcloth as similar to the old gunny sack material that potatoes used to come in; like having clothes made from rough and scratchy burlap material. He came dressed in this manner, wailing loudly with bitter mourning, right to the gates of the palace but could not enter; as there were laws prohibiting anyone dressed in this manner from entering the palace grounds. Similar mourning of the Jews was seen in every province of the Medo-Persian Empire; many were found dressed in sackcloth and ashes and were fasting and praying, too.

Esther’s maids came to her to tell her of her uncle Mordecai and this made her greatly distressed. So she sent him clothes to put on, but he refused them. When her maids brought back the report of his refusal, Esther sent Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

Hathach spoke to Mordecai at the gate of the palace and he explained to him all that had happened to make him sit in mourning, including the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay into the treasury for the destruction of the Jewish people. He also gave Hathach a copy of the text of the decree that was written for their annihilation that had been published in Susa and every other province of the empire so that he could show it to Esther and explain it to her. He told Hathach to urge Esther to approach the king and beg for his mercy on behalf of all their people.

When Hathach explain to Queen Esther all that Mordecai had told him she sent him back to Mordecai with this reply; ‘it is in the law of the Medes and Persians that no person may approach the king unless he has been sent for. To go would be a death sentence unless the king would grant pardon by holding out his golden scepter, thus permitting that person to enter his presence. And the king has not called for me for the last 30 days.’

Mordecai sent a message back to Esther saying; don’t think that you can hide from this edict of destruction there in the palace. If you do nothing deliverance will come for the Jews from another, but you and your father’s entire household will be destroyed. “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
At this word Esther sent word to Mordecai again saying; ‘Gather all of the Jews of Susa together and fast and pray for me for three days. Do not eat or drink anything. At the end of these three days I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish I perish.’

... Next Month Part Two of our tale.

Leigh

True Courage

2009-03-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today I want to tell you the story of the apostle Paul, his partner Barnabas and their missionary trips; but to do so we have to go back to before he became Paul – to his beginning as Saul of Tarsus.

Saul was born in Tarsus of Cilicia as a citizen of Rome to parents of Jewish heritage and religion. He was trained in Jerusalem at the feet of one of the greatest teachers of that time, Gamaliel, to be a Pharisee. He took his faith and his heritage very seriously. So seriously that when the disciples started spreading the teachings of Jesus around the city and the world, he – like many of the Pharisees – requested permission of the Chief Priest to arrest the followers of Jesus and put them in prison in Jerusalem.

One day Saul went to the Chief Priest in Jerusalem and requested letters to the leaders of the synagogue in Damascus, Syria to arrest the people of ‘The Way’ found in their cities and return them bound in chains. On the road to Damascus Saul was engulfed in a bright Light and from the midst of the Light he heard the voice of Jesus speak to him:

‘Saul, Saul, why are you torturing me?’

‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.

‘I am Jesus whom you are seeking to destroy.’ Jesus replied, ‘Get up and go into the city and you will be told what you are to do next.’

Saul was traveling with a band of men who were to assist him in getting the prisoners back to Jerusalem. Although they had seen the light and heard sounds, they had not understood the words Jesus was speaking to Saul.

Saul had been blinded by the bright Light, so the men traveling with him led him by the hands into Damascus, to the house of a man named Judas. For three days he sat alone in the house fasting and praying; he didn’t eat or drink anything while he waited for further directions.

While Saul was fasting and praying a disciple named Ananias received a vision from God telling him to go and see Saul. God even gave Ananias the exact address of Judas’ house on Straight Street. God had also given Saul a vision of this disciple coming to meet with him, laying hands on him and praying to restore his sight. Ananias was afraid and told God so. He had heard of this Saul who was trying to destroy the followers of Jesus and their disciples, and he told God about the things he had heard. But God told Ananias that he had touched Saul’s heart and prepared it for the message he was to bring to him. In fact God told Ananias that Saul was HIS chosen person to carry the message of Salvation to the Gentile Nations, their kings and the children of Israel; and that he would suffer much in the process.

So Ananias went to Saul and brought him the message of Jesus. He said, ‘Brother Saul, it was the Lord Jesus who spoke to you on the road to Damascus. He has sent me to open your blind eyes so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’

As soon as he spoke these words there were something like scales that fell from Saul’s eyes and he was able to see once again. He got up and was baptized. Right away he had lunch and regained his strength.

Saul spent several days in Damascus with the disciples there. At once he started preaching on the street corners and in the parks, even in their synagogue. He preached the words of Jesus to anyone who would listen. All the people who heard him speak were amazed. They went around whispering that he was the man who was going about throwing other disciples in prison and now he was preaching ‘The Way.’ They were scared that it was a ploy to get close to the believers and drag them away to prison. But Saul’s faith grew each day and he continued to baffle the other Jewish believers living in that area by the faith he showed and the words he spoke.

After many days the Jews in Damascus planned to kill our brother Saul, but he learned of the plan. Day and night they kept an eye on the gates of the city watching for their chance to execute their evil plans, but Saul’s friends lowered him through an opening in the wall to ground on the other side in a large basket.

From Damascus Saul went on to Jerusalem to join with the other faithful believers, but most didn’t trust him. Barnabas, on the other hand saw Jesus in him and took Saul to meet the apostles. He told them of his conversion on the Damascus Road and how he had fearlessly preach Jesus from every street corner in Damascus after he regained his sight.

Saul stayed with them many days and traveled around Jerusalem preaching the Gospel and debating with the Grecian Jews. But the Grecian Jews tried to take his life, so the brothers took him to Caesarea and sent him on a ship to Tarsus.

The next time we hear of Saul he has changed his name to Paul and he is traveling with Barnabas. While in Antioch they were meeting with the local brothers and worshiping God with prayer and fasting. The Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to be set apart for service to other churches, so the brothers laid hands on them and commissioned them to leave on their next journey.

Together they went to Seleucia and from there sailed to the island of Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they did a tour of the city preaching from the street corners and in the Jewish synagogues as they went. John Mark had joined them on this journey as their assistant. The three of them continued their ministry through all the cities and villages, finally coming to Paphos.

In Paphos they were met by a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, also called Elymas (which means sorcerer). This false prophet was the assistant to Sergius Paulus, the Lieutenant Governor of that country. The Lieutenant Governor was a very intelligent man and called for Paul and Barnabas because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas opposed them and tried to turn the Sergius Paulus from his faith.

Now Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit looked Elymas right in the face and said ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.’ And immediately Elymas lost his sight and walked about as in a fog. He was then went about his day being led by the hand of another. Seeing this happen to his assistant, Sergius Paulus believed the teachings of Paul and Barnabas for he was amazed by their teachings of Jesus.

From Paphos Paul and his friends sailed to Perga in the country of Pamphylia, where they left John Mark who then returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas traveled on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they went into the synagogue to worship. After a reading form the books of the Law and the Prophets the worship leader asked our brothers to give a testimony to encourage those present.

Paul stood and raised his hands to quiet the crowd and began to speak. He told through the history of the children of Israel about the mighty acts of God and that He was faithful to keep all of His promises. He told of the captivity in Egypt, the time of the Judges and Kings right down to the promise of their Messiah. Paul went on to proclaim; ‘From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.'

Paul went on to tell them that the people of Jerusalem, including the religious leaders, didn’t believe that Jesus was their promised Messiah; yet in their condemnation of Him they fulfilled many of the prophecies concerning His coming that they had been hearing in their Sabbath services all of their lives; including His death on the cross. The people of the congregation were so impressed with all the pair shared that they were invited to speak again the next Sabbath service.

At this meeting the whole town showed up to hear the good news of Jesus from Paul and Barnabas. When the Jewish leaders saw the crowds listening to Paul and Barnabas, they became very jealous and began to slander the two missionaries. But Paul and Barnabas returned their taunts boldly and with the truth from the scriptures. Paul stated; ‘We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles; just as God has told us. For He has said; 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'

This statement pleased and honored the Gentile believers so much that they gained their eternal life that very day.

Now this wasn’t always the way their missionary trips; for instance, when they left Pisidian Antioch they went to the city of Iconium. Right away Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and preached the ways of Jesus to the Jewish and Gentile believers. Many gave their lives over to the Lord, but those that didn’t well let me tell you how they responded.

These Jews went through out the city and stirred up the Gentiles, poisoning their minds against Paul and Barnabas and their teachings. While Paul and Barnabas were performing miracle after miracle and drawing believers into the church of Jesus Christ; these other Jews, the dissenters, made a plot with some of the Gentiles to kill Paul and Barnabas by stoning them. But the local brothers told them of this plot and our missionaries fled to the cities of Lystra and Derbe in the Lycaonian region.

While Paul was in Lystra some of the dissenting Jews from Pisidian Antioch and Iconium arrived and won favor with the crowd. Together they stoned Paul and dragged him from the city, as they thought he was dead. But the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The very next day Paul and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Shortly after Paul and Barnabas made the return trip thru these cities to strengthen the disciples and encourage their faith before they returned to Syrian Antioch. This trip included the cities of Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga and finally Attalia. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch were they had received their commission for this missionary trip.

While this story doesn’t include all of Paul’s missionary trips through the Gentile world, it does give us an idea of all he had suffered in his quest to reach the world for Jesus. Paul suffered much at the hands of the Jews who refused to believe; he was in prison in many regions, including Philippi and Rome. He was beaten, stoned, given 39 lashes with a whip more than once, and left for dead on several occasions. In all of his travels, whether they ended in joy or pain, the apostle Paul remained strong in his faith and in preaching the word of God to all peoples. It took courage to continuously preach the gospel of Christ and not to cave in to the pressures of those who disagreed with him. When Paul learned the truth from Jesus, he was consistent in sharing that truth where ever he went.

Learning COURAGE:

Memory Verse:
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. I Corinthians 16:13 [NIV]

What does it mean to have courage? Being courageous has been defined as; ‘Demonstrating principled and unwavering determination in the face of challenges.’

True courage is to have the courage of one's convictions [beliefs firmly held], to act in accordance with one's beliefs, in spite of criticism – or consequences; OR, doing what you know is right, no matter what may happen to you!

So true courage is not what we see in the Superman Movies. It is to stand up for our faith, our belief, in Jesus; even if it means someone won’t like us anymore, or they threaten to beat us up if we go to church. Also to be willing to openly pray over our meals and / or pray for a friend or relative in a public place; or if we live in a country where it is not legal to be a Christian, we would be one anyway. These are all examples of having TRUE COURAGE.

Paul and Barnabas had true courage; they preached the words of Jesus – even when they were beaten, stoned, put in jail, and left for dead.

Peter and John had true courage; they continued to speak the words of Jesus and to lay hands on people to allow the Holy Spirit to heal them – even when the rulers of the city told them it was not legal and beat them. In fact the Bible says in Romans 8:18 NIV; ‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.’

True courage has been shown by many common ordinary people when faced with extraordinary circumstances. The Von Trapp family of Austria had true courage when they stood strong against the dictates of the Nazi’s when Hitler took over their country during the Anschlauss. To avoid being arrested by an evil government, this family hiked over the mountains into Switzerland and freedom. Their story is told in the movie ‘The Sound OF Music.’

The Ten Boom family of Holland demonstrated true courage during World War II by hiding Jewish people in their home when the Nazi’s were arresting them and shipping them off to death/concentration camps. Corrie, Betsy [her sister] and their father all ended up in these very same camps for their actions. Yet they remained faithful to their faith in Jesus and their convictions that this was the ‘right’ thing to do. Betsy and their father died in the concentration camps, but Corrie was released and toured the world preaching the forgiveness of Jesus for many years. She was in her late ‘80’s when she passed into her rest. Their story is told in Corrie’s book; ‘The Hiding Place.’

You and I can show true courage, too! We may not always have the freedom of religion given by our Constitution that we have today. But we will always have the freedom in Jesus to do what He has told us is right and good!

If you want to read these adventures in your own Bible you can find them in Acts chapter nine and chapter 13.

Noah’s Ship of Grace

2009-01-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

Long ago near the dawn of all time lived a man named Noah and his family. Among the people of the community Noah was a man of upright character and thought by all to be most righteous, especially by God. It was said of him; “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” And after he was 500 years old Noah had three sons: Ham, Shem and Japeth.

The whole earth was filled with wickedness and violence. God saw the evil thoughts and actions of the earth and of its entire population. So God came to Noah and said; “I am going to destroy the earth and everything therein, for it has become filled with wickedness and violence. I want you to build a huge boat, an ark if you will, to save a people for myself. Build it out of gopher wood. It should have many rooms and be coated with pitch inside and out. I want you to build it 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Make an opening for light and put a ledge around it 18 inches high. Put a door in its side and build lower, middle and upper decks within its walls. Because I am going to bring a great flood over the whole earth and destroy everything that breathes in order to live. Every person and animal on earth will die. But My promise is with you and your family -- you will enter this ark; you and your wife, your sons and their wives. And will bring two of every kind of living creature, male and female, to put into the ark with you and keep them alive with your family. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of living creature that crawls along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You will take every kind of food for you and for them.”

Noah did everything that God had told him to do. Noah and his sons built the ark following the plans that God had given him. I believe that others of Noah’s family may have helped in the building, also, people like Methusela and his son Lamech, Noah’s father and grandfather. People lived much longer at this time in history, Methusela lived to be 969 and Lamech lived to be 777. So it is quite possible that Noah had their help for a part of this building project, because it took Noah and his family about 100 years to complete this enormous project.

When the ark was completed the Lord called Noah, his sons and all of their wives to enter the ark. Then he gave Noah more complete instructions on what animals he was to take into the ark. God said; “Of the all the clean animals you are to take them in by sevens, the male and his female, and of the unclean animals by twos, the male and his female. Of all the birds that fly you are to take them in by sevens, the male and his female; to keep them alive so that they can refill the earth after the flood destroys it and all the people and animals that live on it. [Now when God spoke of clean animals He was talking about those animals that were proper for sacrifices and later for eating. And unclean animals are those animals that were not to be sacrificed or eaten. This is thought to be due to their eating habits and sanitation practices -- if an animal eats 'roadkill' then people shouldn't eat it as it could carry deseases. But, after their ship landed these passengers would need more protein, like that in meat, as now the ground had been destroyed along with the living creatures. It was not going to grow food as nutritious as it did before.] In one week , God said, I will make it rain on the earth for 40 days and nights. Again Noah did everything the Lord God told him to do. God called all of the animals to Noah, and he put them in the areas he had built for them in the ark.

On the seventh day all that were to be housed in the ark were aboard and God closed the door. All were “snug as a bug in a rug,” so to speak. And the rain started to fall just as God had said it would. Noah was 600 years old when the rain began. Not only did it rain great bucketsful from heaven, but it says in the Bible that the “fountains of the great deep” were broken up, too. Deep within the center of the earth there is a hot core of melted rock and minerals, and metals; this is called lava, which can spew forth from volcanoes during earthquakes and eruptions. I believe this is what the Bible means by the “fountains of the great deep” breaking up. Also under the surface of the earth is the water table that supplies much of our drinking water and is the source for many of our lakes and rivers all over the earth. When the earth quaked and volcanoes erupted, this unseen water also escaped its underground rivers and lakes and mixed with the rain and the lava that were traveling over the surface of the earth and destroying everything. The Bible says that all the high mountains were underwater more than 22 feet, and that every living thing on the face of the earth was killed, all the people, animals, and insects. Literally, everything that had once breathed was now dead. All except for Noah and all who were with him in the ark.

All of this water covered the whole earth for 150 days, but it didn’t stay there. The Bible says that God remembered Noah and the people and animals with him in the ark and He sent a great wind pass over the earth to dry up the floodwaters. He also stopped up the fountains of the deep; I imagine that when the earthquakes stopped and the waters flowed over the lava it was cooled which made it into solid rock again and the water table re-stabilized.

After five months of traveling on top of the floodwaters and experiencing the world’s very first rainstorm, the ark finally came to rest on top of the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to dry up from the earth’s surface and three months later the ark’s passengers were able to see the tops of the mountains around them. Forty days later Noah opened up the window of the ark and let a raven out. This raven flew around and around until the waters were lower and it was able to land. He also set a dove free, but the dove could find no place to land, so she returned to Noah in the ark. A week later Noah sent the dove out again, as it was getting night she returned to Noah with an olive leaf in her beak. Noah knew the waters were low enough that she found the top of the olive tree to rest in.

Again Noah waited a week and sent the dove out once more, this time she didn’t return to Noah at night; so he knew that the water was dried up enough that the dove could live on it’s own outside of the ark. But still the people stayed in the ark.

After they had been in the ark 11 ½ months Noah took the top off the ark and let the sun shine in upon the people and animals. After such a long time in one place these passengers, people and animals alike, were beginning to long for the outdoors. I know after a long wet and snowy winter, like we get here from time to time I look forward to the warm spring days when I can get outside again. I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to be trapped inside for this long, but God kept all of the people and animals safe and well both mentally and physically while they were in their necessary confinement.
When the top was removed, Noah and his family saw that the water had all disappeared and the ground was dry again. But God didn’t let them out of the ark for another seven weeks. At that time God unlocked the door and told Noah to leave the ark with all of his family and all of the animals they had cared for during their voyage. Do you know not one life was lost inside the ark during the flood and the months afterward as they were floating over the earth? All that was taken into the ark left it on the day that God opened the door. And I imagine a few more besides, as they were in this floating zoo for over a year.

When the ark was totally unloaded Noah built an altar and made a sacrifice to God and he worshipped Him there before that altar. It was a large offering of every clean animal and bird that had shared this ship of grace during its first and only voyage. God enjoyed this act of worship, in fact the Bible says it was a pleasing smell like a beautiful perfume as the smoke rose to heaven and He made a promise to all people within His heart. His promise was this; “I will not curse the ground again for man’s sake. Neither will I destroy again all living things, as I have done. While the earth remains seedtime and harvest, hot and cold, summer and winter, day and night will also continue.” And God confirmed His promise to Noah and his family, and also to all people everywhere, in every age, even to us. He confirmed this promise by giving the rainbow in the sky. Now after each rainstorm you can see God’s promise in the sky, if you are paying attention. Never again will the lord God destroy the whole earth by a worldwide flood. In the book of Numbers the Bible says; “God is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should repent. Has He said and shall He not do it, or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?”

Learning GRACE:

Memory Verse:

“But Noah Found Grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8 KJV

What is Grace? Grace is unearned favor from someone, especially from God. So how did Noah find grace in the eyes of the Lord? Noah lived his life by the rules that God had shared with men from the beginning. Clear back to Adam God had whispered His rules in the hearts of men and women. Fathers had passed them down to their children by their example. But men decided to live according to their own rules. Most men didn’t listen to the things God had told them and their fathers. But Noah had decided from his youth to always listen to the words of God and to follow His rules.

In the bible it says: And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD (God Changed His mind) that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Genesis 6:4-6

Did Noah and his family deserve to be saved from the flood? No, but no one does. The Bible also says: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God … Romans 3:23. And: For the wages (what we earned) of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord … Romans 6:23. So if everyone has sinned and we earn death for our sins, why would God save Noah and His family? God always has a plan for saving the people of earth and drawing them back into relationship with Him. Noah and His family were His plan for that time. God destroyed all those who lived out their evil desires. Noah and his family were in the habit of denying the evil desires that sprouted up in their hearts. They preferred to kill those desires and grow faithfulness to God; so God saved them. He decided to use this godly family to repopulate the earth after He made it new again.

Why do you think I called the ark Noah’s ship of Grace? Noah’s Ark was the method of providing God’s Salvation; His plan for rebuilding the family of men and restoring faithfulness to God on the earth.

Do we have Grace today? Yes, God is giving His Grace to men still today.

Is there an ark of Grace now? Yes, Jesus is the ‘Ark of Grace’ for all time. He provides Salvation to all men, if only we call on Him, repent of our wickedness and sin and ask Him to forgive us and make us part of His family.

What is our ‘reward’ for having this Grace? When we receive God’s Grace, in the form of Salvation through Jesus, our ‘reward’ is life eternal – everlasting – with Jesus.

What is the ‘reward’ for NOT having His Grace? If we choose not to accept God’s gift of grace our reward is living forever in torment with all those who have made this choice in pit of hell – the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels from the beginning of time.

*Words in parenthesis and italics added for ease in understanding and are my own*

If you want to read the story of Noah and the ark in your own Bible, you will find it in Genesis chapters 6-9

Peter’s Trust?

2009-01-04T15:25:00.000-08:00

Jesus had just made another miraculous meal for the thousands of people who were following Him around the country. He had been teaching a crowd of 5000 men, plus the women and children at His latest meeting on that hillside in Judea. When He finished teaching that day, Jesus told the disciples to get into their boat and cross over to the other side of the lake. They were very hot and tired from doing crowd control for the Master while He taught under the hot Judean sun. But He knew that they needed to be on the other side of the Sea of Galilee for their next big meeting. So all of the disciples got into the boat and started across.

After the last hangers on had left the meeting grounds, Jesus went off by Himself to pray. He climbed up a mountain to spend time talking to the Father and to rest from the miracle of feeding the massive crowds and teaching them about God all day long. His time of prayer not only renewed His spirit, but as a man He needed rest for His physical body, too.

When He was rested and refreshed, Jesus decided to join His disciples in the boat. He walked down to the shore where the boat had been docked, but the boat was far out on the lake at this time, so Jesus kept right on walking clear out onto the lake right on top of the waves. There was a violent wave whipping the lake into a frenzy and tossing the boat about like a toy. But Jesus walked upon the Sea of Galilee as if it was the smoothest street around.

When the disciples saw Jesus walking across the water they were very afraid. They thought He was a ghost or some type of vision. So to calm their fearful hearts, Jesus called out to them; “Hey guys, it’s Me. Don’t be afraid, I’m not a ghost.”

Now Peter was a big, burly fisherman, very tough and rugged looking. He felt self assured and mustered up a little courage. In all of his presumed boldness He called out to the Lord; “If it really is You, Jesus, command me to come walking on the water to meet You.” Peter was thinking in his heart; “If it is Jesus, then He can make me walk on the water, too.”

Jesus answered him; “Come on, Peter, come and meet Me!”

So Peter our great big, fisherman climbed out of the boat and started walking toward Jesus. But the boat was a very great distance from the shore, the water was quite deep and the waves were beating him and tossing the boat around behind him. For a split second Peter had lost sight of Jesus. The faith of this larger than life fisherman from Galilee started to falter and he began to sink. I think I can hear him yelling now; “Lord help me, I’m drowning! Oh no, I’m gonna die! Glug, glug, glugggg. . .” And Peter sank beneath the waves, out of sight.

Jesus immediately stretched out His arm, reached below the waves and saved Peter from a watery grave.

When I think of Jesus rescuing Peter in this story, I kind of get the mental picture of how a mother cat picks up her kitten when it is in distress or danger. You know, by the scruff of the neck. But, this is just my vivid imagination, not what the Bible says.

Then Jesus said to Peter; “Man, where did your great faith go? You were doing just fine, but you let the things around you distract you and break your attention. Then you took your eyes off Me! Why did you doubt?”

When Jesus had picked Peter up out of the angry waves, He carried him and stepped into the boat. Immediately all was calm around them and the boat was at the other side of the lake.

As Jesus and the disciples got out of the boat they all bowed down to worship Him, saying; “You really are the Son of God! If I hadn’t believed it before today, TOTALLY do NOW! How did You do all of THAT?!”

Jesus did not explain anything to His disciples; they just resumed their trip to the next big meeting in the land of Gennesaret.

Learning TRUST:

Memory Verse:
Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (KJV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (NIV)

How do we know whom to trust? This is a good question, and not an easy one to answer. Trust belongs to someone who has proven he can be trusted – is “trustworthy.” People we can usually trust are our Mother and Father, our Teachers, our Pastors, Policemen, Firemen, and Doctors. And we can ALWAYS trust God.

In our story Peter trusted Jesus could make him walk on top of the water like He did. So when Jesus told him to come, Peter got out of the boat and started walking toward Jesus.

When Peter was out of the boat he walked on the water and all was going fine. He was looking at Jesus straight in the eyes and walking on the water was easy! He walked a good distance away from the boat when he noticed that the wind was blowing a gale all around him. His tunic was catching the breeze and he let his eyes loose their connection to Jesus.

At that moment Peter let fear and doubt cloud his sight and distract him from reaching his goal of reaching the Lord. He became sidetracked and lost his trust in Jesus. That’s when he started sinking. He had forgotten the One who had gotten him out of the boat and walking on the sea in the first place. He had forgotten Jesus.

When he remembered that Jesus was there he cried out; “Lord, help me I’m drowning! Oh no, I’m gonna die! Glug, glug, glugggg. . .” and he sank out of sight beneath the waves.

But Jesus DIDN’T forget Peter. He knew right where he was all the time! And He reached His arm out to save him from the drowning his lack of trust had brought about. Jesus pulled Peter from the water and carried him to the safety of the boat and immediately they were on the shore at the other side of the lake, near where their next meeting would be held.

When the boat docked ALL of the disciples bowed down to worship Jesus. They had all learned to trust Jesus more because of the mistrust of just one man, Peter, and the rescue of our Master, Jesus!

We can all learn to trust Jesus, too. Just remember Jesus will ALWAYS do what He says He will do! And He will always give us the things we need to do the job He has called us to do. There is a wise quote that says, “If God has called you to it, He will see you through it!”

If you want to read this story the way God had it written, you will find it in three places in the Bible: Matthew 14:25-33, Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:15-21.

Daniel Lives - Lions Hungry

2009-01-01T11:31:00.000-08:00

During the time of the Babylonian Captivity of the Israelites from the southern kingdom of Judah Daniel was among the people taken from their homeland to do service unto the king of Babylon. It is estimated that Daniel was between the ages of 16 and 20 when Nebuchadnezzar’s army escorted them into the land of the Medes and Persians. Nebuchadnezzar took 120 of the best looking, intelligent young men from among the captives to serve in his palace. They were given a three year course of education in all the ways of the country, its laws and its customs. Then they were presented to Nebuchadnezzar and he made them officials throughout his many provinces.

Several years later a man named Darius became the king in Babylon. Shortly after taking the throne, Darius chose 120 princes to be in charge of the whole kingdom. Over these men he named three presidents; of whom he made Daniel the chief president. Darius saw that Daniel had an excellent spirit; he saw that the Spirit of God was with him.

It angered all the princes and the other two presidents for Daniel to be made their boss. I feel this was because he was not a Babylonian, but a Jew. Many people in that day were not pleased that the Jews were living among them – remember Haman, Mordecai, and Esther? This adventure also took place during Daniel’s life, but that’s another story. The Bible tells us that all the presidents, governors, princes, counselors, and captains got together and plotted against Daniel to find some way to remove him from the king’s service. I imagine they hired a private detective to tail him as he went about his duties in the palace and throughput the city. When the detective made his report to this mob, they knew there was nothing in Daniel’s normal activities that would cause the king to fire him. In fact, the Bible says; ‘…they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.’ Daniel 6:4 NIV

This made the mob of officials have to invent a way to bring Daniel down. Reading through the report from their detective they found that Daniel prayed three times every day with his windows open, facing Jerusalem. Seeing this in the report they put their heads together to plot Daniel’s demise. I imagine that meeting went something like this (please remember that the names have been changed to protect the not so innocent):

“Look men, the answer is right here in this PI report.” Vice President Chad shouted, “Our ‘friend’ Daniel prays religiously three times daily facing Jerusalem.” I knew it would come down to his religion. Ya know he is a foreigner.”

“What do ya mean the answer is in the report?” Governor Sheldon grumbled, “How does his prayers help us?”

“Yeah,” murmured the crowd, “so what if he prays.”

“Don’t you see guys? If we have the king pass a law that no one can make a request or pray to anyone except him for 30 days, Daniel will break that law to make his daily prayers.”

“You’re right, Daniel never misses his prayer time,” they all agreed.

“Not only that, but if we build up the king’s ego and let him believe that it should be a death sentence to break this law, this will rid us of Daniel once and for all!”

“Hey, Chad,” said Governor Sheldon, “There is a large den of lions just on the out side of town to the north. You know, where that grove of oak trees is on the left about half a mile from the river? We could have him thrown into that great pit with all of them lions. Daniel would be dead before he hit the floor.”

They spent another hour or so hashing out the details of how best to word this petition so that the king would buy it lock stock and barrel full of lions! The next day they met together before the king’s court and waited for him to call them into the judgment hall. They had read the king’s ego well when they drew up their plan; he signed the law with a huge smile on his face.

The next day the new law was posted on every bulletin board through out the entire kingdom; and hand bills were placed in every mail box. When Daniel picked up his mail he got a copy of the notice, too. He took in into his home, placed it on the table with the other mail he received, opened wide his drapes, knelt in front of his picture window facing Jerusalem and prayed to the Lord as usual.

Vice President Chad and Governor Sheldon were standing in the shadows near Daniels home waiting for him to start his prayers. When he had opened the drapes and knelt to pray VP Chad sent for the guards. Together VP Chad, Governor Sheldon and a troop of guards met on the steps of Daniel’s home. Knocking the marched into Daniel’s front room where Daniel was still praying. They bound him hand and foot and half dragged him sown the block and around the corner to the king’s palace for his sentencing on breaking the law regarding his daily prayer routine and the praying to the God of Israel.

King Darius of Medo-Persia was very sad to see Daniel bound, gagged, and dragged into his audience chamber. When the bailiff read the charges against the king was heartbroken. He had come to love and admire Daniel ant to value him as a trusted court official and the highest President in all of the Medo-Persian Empire. The king had the bailiff put Daniel into jail while he thought of a way he could save his life. You see the Persians had a provision in their laws that stated that once the king had made a law there was no way to change it. All of the government officials knew of this provision, which is why King Darius was so very sad when Daniel was brought before him. When evening came Darius had not found any loopholes in the law where he could release Daniel from the sentence that was to be imposed. So King Darius has Daniel brought from the jail and taken out to the lion’s den down by the river. Following the guards and Daniel was a huge crowd of people; at the front were King Darius and all the government officials – especially VP Chad. When they came to the den of lions the king made the crowds stay well back from the den. Then the guards threw Daniel to the lions waiting below. King Darius walked up to the cave and spoke to Daniel, saying: ‘Daniel, may the God you serve deliver you from these hungry lions. Next the guards rolled a huge boulder over the mouth of the lions’ den.

Now the officials who had brought the charges against Daniel were not satisfied with just the rock over the mouth of that den, so the king had his scribe melt some wax on the rock; then he and the other government officials each pressed their special rings into the was to make it an official seal. If the seal is broken by anyone other than the king, or by his request one of his officials, that person could go to jail.

Once back in the palace King Darius went into his private chamber. He dismissed all of the servants and closed the doors. When the dinner gong was sounded, he refused to go down to eat. In fact the book of Daniel in the King James Version says it like this; ‘Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.’

Just as the dawn was breaking over Babylon, King Darius ran from the palace sown to the lions’ den, closely followed by the platoon of guards that had escorted him the previous day. When they arrived, he ordered the guards to roll the boulder away from the mouth of the den. Kneeling in front of the lions’ den, Darius yelled out to Daniel; ‘Hey Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God, whom you serve continuously, able to save you from the lions?

Daniel replied; ‘Oh king, live forever, my God sent His angels who closed the mouths of these lions, they were not able to hurt me. Before God I am innocent of any wrong, and I have never wronged you, either.’

At this point the king ordered Daniel lifted up out of the lions den. Then he ordered the round-up of all the government officials that had plotted against Daniel, and their families. They were all thrown into the den of lions as their punishment for their evil plot. They were all dead before they ever hit the floor. In Daniel 6:24 KJV the Bible says it like this; ‘And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast [them] into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.’

When king Darius returned to his palace he made an official announcement that was sent through out his entire kingdom that all men were to worship (tremble and fear before) the God of Daniel; for He is the true and living God that reigns forever and can never be destroyed. He delivers and rescues and performs mighty miracles in heaven and on earth; for He has rescued Daniel from the mouths’ of the lions.

Now this was not the end of Daniel’s adventures in the lands of the Medes and Persians, his book continues for several more chapters. But those stories will have to wait for another day.

Learning FAITHFULNESS:

Memory Verse:
‘Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.’ I Corinthians 4:2 KJV

‘Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.’ I Corinthians 4:2 New Living Translation

What does it mean to be faithful? Being faithful is doing what you have said you would do or being where you have said you would be – no matter the cost to yourself.

In our story Daniel was faithful to God. He knew that the governors had gotten the king to pass a law that would make his daily prayer time to God illegal. But Daniel continued to meet with God in spite of the fact that he would be arrested and thrown to the lions. While Daniel was faithful to God; God was also faithful to Daniel. God closed the mouths of the lions with the help of His angel sent to protect Daniel.

God is faithful and He expects us to be faithful, too. We can learn faithfulness by doing all that our parents, teachers and other adults we are led by tell us to do. We must do these things quickly, without complaining, and to the very best of our ability. By being obedient to our earthly leaders, we learn to be obedient and faithful to Jesus, too.

Daniel’s faithfulness to God caused him to be put in jail. Others, in foreign countries, who serve Jesus are faced with this threat every day, too. But they would rather listen to God than men. Listening to men may cause your life here to be easier; but listening to God and doing all He has asked you to do will lead you to life everlasting with Him when this life is over.

If you want to read this story in your bible you will find it in Daniel 6: 1-28