The Heart of Repentance

Even now-[this is] the Lord's declaration-turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him, [so you can] offer grain and wine to the Lord your God. – Joel 2:12-14 HCSB

Most of us have seen the crazy guys on the streets wave their signs, “Repent, the end of the world is near!” But when God calls us to repentance He has an entirely different approach. He cries out, “Repent, because I’m willing to forgive you!”

As a stubborn child, I often got spanked by my father. The spankings were useful[1] in getting me to associate bad behavior with pain and in modifying my external behavior, but they did not change my heart.

What changed my heart was my father’s sorrow at having to spank me. Oh, trust me! He got plenty angry lots of times. But his love for me was shown by the tears in his eyes as he applied the paddle of learning to my seat of understanding!

I remember times when Dad hugged me after the punishment and cried, “Why did you make me do it?” There are times when I hear that same cry from my Heavenly Father when I am undergoing His discipline.

A lot of people today tell us, “God is love! God is patient! God is understanding!” What they say is true, but if their intent is to excuse a lack of obedience to the Word, then they are trying to attract us to a lie from the pit of hell by coating it with a superficial layer of spirituality. Don’t swallow it![2]

Like the Sleeping Beauty who failed to recognize the wicked stepmother in the old hag who offered her an apple, we too will end up spiritually comatose. It is the kiss of our Prince that can wake us from our slumber.[3] The very fact that there is Someone out there Who loves us sacrificially and is hurt whenever we sin should motivate us to practical holiness.[4]

When we do sin, we should run to our loving heavenly Father, sobbing “I’m so sorry I hurt you. Will you please forgive me?” When we stiffen our necks in stubborn refusal to change our hurtful ways, we are demonstrating that we don’t know God at all. For God is love. And those who truly know Him will walk in love.[5] They will obey His commandments[6] and be sensitive to sin.[7]

God is graciously, patiently, lovingly compassionate; so repent and return to Him. Do this, and be blessed with a life marked by gratitude.

[1] Proverbs 3:11-12; 13:24; 19:18; 20:30
[2] 1 John 4:1
[3] Ephesians 5:14
[4] 2 Corinthians 5:14
[5] 1 John 4:7-11
[6] John 14:15
[7] Romans 7:18; 1 Timothy 4:2

Midrash

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15 HCSB

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture and thought, “So what?” Or, perhaps even worse, you shrugged your mental shoulders and wondered, “What the heck did that mean?” Have you ever left your prayer closet, prie-dieux (a prayer kneeler), meditation pillow or kitchen table with the nagging feeling that there was more to what you just read in the Bible but you just couldn’t put your finger on it? Me too!

That’s why I approach every passage cautiously and try to perform a midrash upon it. No, midrash is not a nasty red skin abrasion on your belly. It’s a form of Biblical exegesis. It’s a way of taking the passage apart to make sure you get it all.

Midrash can involve explaining a Scripture passage’s simple meaning (peshat), its application (derash) and possibly, its deeper, symbolic or metaphorical meaning (sod).

First, try to establish the peshat – the simplest meaning of the passage. Determine it’s most literal, historical and grammatical meaning. For example, “An angel appeared to Zacharias” means simply that. The angel doesn’t represent a concept or force. Zacharias does not represent the nation of Israel. An angel appeared to a man named Zacharias. That is the “peshat” of that verse.

Then seek the derash, which is the application of a verse. For example, we read, “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”[1]

A missionary might consider the “derash” of this verse to be that, like the Master, he too needs to attempt to live like the natives he is trying to reach, condescending to be one of them though he has the right to live a more comfortable life.

Or, a person who is struggling with their tongue might possibly consider the “derash” to be that he needs to work at balancing grace and truth in his conversations with others.

There are probably an unlimited number of scriptural derash and we need to be sensitive to both the leading of the Holy Spirit and the plain teaching of the Scriptures in order to get the best derash possible.

Finally, dig until you find the sod – the spiritual, symbolic or metaphorical meaning of a Scripture passage. For example the sod of the story of Isaac, Abraham’s beloved son of the promise, bearing the wood of his own sacrifice up Mount Moriah is a prophetic type of God’s only begotten, well-loved son bearing the wooden cross to his own sacrifice on Mount Calvary.

Be diligent. Study hard. Apply what you learn. By disciplining your mind to midrash the Scriptures instead of just reading them, you will gain pearls of wisdom not possibly arrived at by any other means.

[1] John 1:14

Beware the Dogs[1]

I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. For certain men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. – Jude 1:3b-4 HCSB

People come into our lives claiming to be great teachers, spiritual gurus, or possessors of inside knowledge of the spiritual realms. How do we tell who’s real and who’s not?

False teachers worm their way in. Their attack rarely comes openly. It is a slow insidious process. Their message emphasizes grace and forgiveness to the point that allowances are made for sin. But to do this is to turn from the Master who said “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”[2]

Salvation does not preclude judgment.[3] There is a choice of paths before each of us, and one of the paths can lead to our destruction[4]. Following the popular “grace and light” path will cause you to end in ruin[5], chains of spiritual darkness[6], judgment and possibly, eternal fire.[7]

Because they can’t support their views scripturally, false teachers will instead try to make false claims of authority while themselves refusing to submit to authority. They love to talk about angels and demons, but end up arrogantly blaspheming because their study is not done in a humble desire to change.[8] No created being possesses more knowledge of the heavenly realms than the angel Michael. Yet even he shows both cautious respect for his enemy and submission to the authority of his Lord.[9]

These false teachers self-destructively resist their God-planted consciences.[10] And because they recognize the falsity of their claims, they become jealous of those whom God has chosen to place in positions of authority and rage against them.[11]

Because all this is done under the mask of hyper-spirituality, they are subtle, hidden, sub-surface reefs that require great vigilance to spot. What you are most likely to first notice is dissatisfaction with your own spiritual growth under their ministry. You may at first think that it is your fault; that you are simply not strong enough in the faith; but it is actually a result of the emptiness of their teaching.[12]

Eventually, you will discover that with all their claims to spiritual disciplines, like fasting and alms, they have no self-control.[13] They are driven by their passions and cannot stick to one thing for very long. These people are wandering stars. Use them as guides and you will quickly find yourself in a very dark, cold place.[14]

You can quickly identify them by their discontent. They will grumble that they have not been properly recognized or that too many limitations and rules have hampered them. They will resent anything that reins in their desires, and they will use flattery in order to gain a following.[15]

Jesus warned of these wolves[16]. Brothers and sisters, beware![17]

[1] Philippians 3:2
[2] v. 4; John 14:15; Revelation 2:14-16
[3] Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:5-6; 1 Peter 4:17; Revelation 3:19
[4] Proverbs 14:12; 16:25
[5] v. 5; Matthew 7:13-14
[6] v.6; Romans 1:21-22
[7] v.7
[8] v.8
[9] v. 9
[10] v.10; Romans 1:18; Psalm 15:1-2; 19:1-4
[11] v.11; 1 Timothy 5:17; 6:3-5
[12] v.12; 1 Timothy 1:3-6; 2 Timothy 3:13
[13] Colossians 2:16-23; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:5
[14] v.13
[15] v.16; Romans 16:17-18
[16] Matthew 7:15-23
[17] Ephesians 4:14; Hebrews 13:9; 2 John 1:8-11

Dirty Underwear

These evil people, who refuse to listen to Me, who walk in the stubbornness of their own hearts, and who have followed other gods to serve and worship-they will be like this underwear, of no use whatsoever. – Jeremiah 13:10 HCSB

Jeremiah 13 is definitely one for the “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” books. God told His prophet to go buy some linen underwear, to put it on, and to be careful to not get it wet.[1] Okay, why was that last part necessary? I have no idea because God shortly came back to Jeremiah saying, “Go at once to the Euphrates River and hide it in a rocky crevice.”[2]

The obedient prophet did as he was told, while probably looking both ways, hoping no one would see and question why he was burying dirty skivvies. A long time later, Elohim got back to His main man and said basically, “Okay, it’s time. They’re done now.”[3]

Of course, when he went to get them, Jeremiah discovered that the garment was completely ruined by the combination of dirt, humidity and high heat. They were not only unusable as underwear, they were of no use whatsoever.[4]

God said that this is what we are like when we stubbornly refuse to listen to Him. When we choose to make our own gods and follow them, we are just like those ruined, filthy undies – totally unusable. It doesn’t matter if we choose to name our gods God, YHWH, Elohim, Adonai, Jesus or whatever. If we choose to try to make Him conform to our image of what He should be like, we are still practicing idolatry.

Christ has liberated us to freedom, but not anarchy. [5] Shouldn’t that be incentive to follow Him in obedience? Shouldn’t that drive us to take the opportunity to discipline ourselves to loving service?[6] Instead, many Christians choose to use their freedom as license to sin.[7]

Tell me, if you only cleaned your house when you felt like it, what would it look like? If you only worked when you felt like it, how much useful income would you possess? If you ate what you felt like, when you felt like it, in the quantities your taste buds desired, how useful would your body be?

Discipline is not punishment. Limitations on our activities are not imprisoning. They are truly liberating. An Olympic athlete who disciplines his body for years seems as free as a bird on the gymnastics floor. But that usefulness, that power, that beauty would not have been possible without rules, guidelines, diets and accountability.

Attend church, not when you feel like it but when God does. Read your Bible, not for the enlightenment you will receive, but for the knowledge that faithful obedience has its rewards.[8] Keep yourself unstained by the world[9] - unless of course you’d like to be like…well…you know.

[1] Jeremiah 13:1
[2] Jeremiah 13:4
[3] Jeremiah 13:6
[4] Jeremiah 13:7
[5] Galatians 5:1; James 1:25
[6] Galatians 5:13-15
[7] Joshua 22:29; Romans 6:1-2
[8] Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:10
[9] James 1:26-27

Binah, Tevunah and Discerning Love

The Lord’s searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. – Proverbs 20:27 NLT

King Solomon had a remarkably pithy, if not always pleasant, way of putting things. “Don't eat a stingy person's bread and don't desire his choice food, for as he thinks within himself, so he is. ‘Eat and drink’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit the little you've eaten and waste your pleasant words.”[1]

We immediately recognize the truth of what he said, but like children first trying to grasp algebra, we can’t always recognize when to apply the formula! How do we know that the person who has invited us to their house for a meal is stingy? After all, their invitation to “eat and drink” would seem to belie their innermost character flaw.

Paul told us to test everything, to hold fast to what is good, and to abstain from every form of evil[2]. These three elements combined form a working definition of the concept we need - “binah”, which is the Hebrew word for discernment. Discernment is etymologically related to “discrimination”, a word which has received a lot of bad press lately.

But without the ability to understand (tevunah) what is right and wrong and without the courage to discriminate against evil, how can we say that we possess true binah (discernment)? Binah is impossible without tevunah. Discernment is impossible without discriminatory understanding.

Binah and tevunah are such important concepts that Paul directly correlated this type of discernment to love, describing abounding love as possessing accurate knowledge and full discernment.[3] He commanded elsewhere[4] that “Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.”

There’s a lot of talk today about love, grace and light. But the truth of the matter is that it is impossible to love without hating. I love my children so I hate anyone or anything that might cause them harm.

I love homosexuals. But I hate homosexuality. Why? Because I think their sin more repugnant than mine? Not at all. Heterosexual lust is no less a sin than homosexual lust. But I believe (and the Red Cross seems to agree) that their chosen lifestyle is risky. Because I love them, I want them to live long healthy lives. I don’t want to see them harmed. Therefore, I discriminate against their behavior and protest in love, “Please don’t harm yourselves!”

So be loving, gracious and compassionate. But also be discerning. Unite knowledge and discernment to your love, controlling what you say in a cool spirit. Imitate the Master who exemplified the perfect balance between grace and truth.[5] Exercise binah and tevunah so that you may love in truth, without hypocrisy.

[1] Proverbs 23:6-8
[2] 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
[3] Philippians 1:9
[4] Romans 12:9
[5] John 1:14

El Roi: The God Who Sees

So she named the Lord who spoke to her: The God Who Sees, for she said, "Have I really seen here the One who sees me?" That is why she named the spring, "A Well of the Living One Who Sees Me." It is located between Kadesh and Bered. – Genesis 16:13-14 HCSB

Hagar, the Egyptian slave that Sarai offered to Abraham as a surrogate mother, was fleeing her mistress’ mistreatment when she came to a spring[1]. She might have been on her way to Shur which lies east of Egypt,[2] her home country. The fact that her son, Ishmael, later settled in Shur[3] would seem to support this theory. Wherever she was going, as a good Middle Eastern desert dweller, she found this source of water and rested. It was here that she encountered the Angel of the Lord.

The Hebrew word for well, or spring, is “ayin”. Oddly enough, it also means eye. Perhaps those who looked down from the top of a dune into an oasis’ depression and saw the ring of green surrounding the central well thought it rather resembled the pupil within the cornea that lies within the occipital orbit.

After a brief and troubling conversation, the Angel pronounced a prophecy concerning her as yet unborn son and His blessing[4] strangely echoed one given to His own earthly mother[5] thousands of years later. But where His future incarnation would be named “Immanuel” or “God with us”, Hagar’s son was to be simply named “Ishmael” or “God sees.”

Hagar immediately recognized that she had been talking to Elohim Himself, stating in her bemusement, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?”[6] She renamed the well Beer-lahai-roi, “the well of the Living One Who sees me” and found the strength she needed to return to her suffering in the simple fact that El Roi saw her.

Humans throughout the world have long understood the power of vision. Even from the very beginning, the fact that Adam and Eve could be naked together and unashamed[7] marked a very unique existence. And it was only when the Father could no longer look upon the sin-laden Messiah that the Son cried out “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani!” “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”[8]

El Roi observes even when a single sparrow falls[9] and He is not a neutral observer[10]. He has demonstrated over and over for thousands of years that He loves us[11]. He looked upon our bloody, rejected and sin-sick selves[12] and found it within Himself to love us anyway.

This fact should cause an “ayin,” a “well / eye” to spring up within us[13]. We know that when we are wrongfully treated that He will see and avenge in His own time[14]. We know that when we serve He will see and reward again in His own time[15]. The eye of God upon us should be a constant source of hope and strength.

[1] Genesis 16:7
[2] Genesis 25:18; 1 Samuel 15:7
[3] Genesis 25:16-18
[4] Genesis 16:11
[5] Luke 2:31
[6] Genesis 16:13b NASB
[7] Genesis 2:25
[8] Mark 15:34
[9] Matthew 10:29
[10] Matthew 5:26
[11] Romans 5:8
[12] Ezekiel 16:4-6
[13] John 4:13-14
[14] Romans 12:19; Nehemiah 9:4-5
[15] Hebrews 11:6; Nehemiah 5:19; 13:14, 22, 31

God’s Water

Both the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Anyone who hears should say, "Come!" And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift. - Revelation 22:17 (HCSB)

Water is an important feature, appearing some 722 times in the Scriptures. For obvious reasons in the Middle East, water is often used in the Bible to illustrate the concept of life.

It is cited as the first place that life occurred.[1] Taking the common element of pregnancy that we call the “water breaking”, Jesus used water as a metaphor to contrast physical birth with spiritual rebirth[2].

The Scriptures themselves are described metaphorically as water that is appropriate for the cleansing of the soul[3]. When we struggle in our thought lives, we should take a bath in Scripture. We should read it, memorize it and apply it to our lives. Much like a shower, it doesn’t do any good over in a corner. Until you apply the water of the Word to your life, you still stink!

Water also speaks to us of purification. In the Old Testament, we are told that a brass laver filled with water stood between the Tabernacle and the altar[4]. The priests were to wash their hands and feet in it, or they would die[5]!

The same need for daily purification was reiterated by Jesus when He taught the disciples through the illustration of foot washing[6]. The disciples had already had baths, and only needed to have their dusty hands and feet bathed. Similarly Christians, though spiritually bathed at the moment of salvation, need daily upkeep to their souls.

We are told by the prophet Ezekiel that there is coming a day when Israel will be brought back into God’s fold through sprinkling of water that brings cleansing from their wandering ways[7]. This gives not only Israel, but all adopted Israelites[8] great hope, not only the hope of seeing that beloved nation reunited with her God, but also the hope of cleansing from sin for those who repent and return to the Merciful One[9].

As the river ran through the Garden of Eden[10], watering its lush banks, so the Holy Spirit waters our souls[11], making our lives ripe with possibilities.

God longs to give us this gift. His call goes out to all the earth[12]. But instead we dig our own wells – broken wells that hold no water[13]. But Jesus continues to call saying, “But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again--ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life."[14]

Why not quit digging and start dipping deep into the well of spiritual life that the Son of God made available to you[15]?

[1] Genesis 1:20
[2] John 3:5
[3] Ephesians 5:26; Psalm 119:9
[4] Exodus 30:18
[5] Exodus 30:19-20
[6] John 13:9-10
[7] Ezekiel 36:24-38; Romans 11:11
[8] Romans 2:29; 11:17-18, 23
[9] Hebrews 10:22
[10] Genesis 2:10
[11] Isaiah 12:2-3; John 4:13-14
[12] Isaiah 55:1
[13] Jeremiah 2:13
[14] John 4:14
[15] John 4:10

Ungrateful for Help

"Get out of the way!" they said, adding, "This one came here as a foreigner, but he's acting like a judge! Now we'll do more harm to you than to them." They put pressure on Lot and came up to break down the door. – Genesis 19:9 HCSB

The Son of God told Abraham that the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was immense, and that their sin was extremely serious. He had decided to go there to see if what they had done justified the cry that had come up to Him.[1]

This statement caused me to wonder, “Who was raising that cry?” It was certainly not the Sodomites for they had universally hardened their hearts. God had promised Abraham that the cities would be spared if the Lord could find 10 righteous people, and that effort obviously failed.

There is no textual evidence that it was Abraham. He did not live there and when God made the deal to save the cities if 10 righteous people could be found, Abraham was content to walk home.
It was not Lot’s immediate family, because they had to be literally taken by the hand and pulled from the city. Lot’s future sons-in-law were actually lost in the conflagration because of their unbelief.

The essential clue is given to us by the apostle Peter who tells us that Lot was, “distressed by the unrestrained behavior of the immoral (for as he lived among them, that righteous man tormented himself day by day with the lawless deeds he saw and heard).”[2]

With that in mind, look again at Genesis 19 where we find Lot waiting by the gate. As soon as he saw strangers entering the city, he immediately invited them to stay at his house. When they at first refused, he “urged them strongly” to comply.[3] He knew what their fate would be if they slept on the streets and was doing his best to protect them.

The Sodomites had a righteous person in their midst who tormented himself about the conditions, whose prayers were raising such a hue and cry in heaven that the Lord God Himself decided to come down and check things out, and was doing what he could to make a difference.

The Sodomites didn’t mind Lot living among them. They didn’t mind his ability to judge and make wise decisions as long as it didn’t go against their wishes. But as soon as he thwarted their evil desires, they turned on him and slandered him as a judgmental outsider who was simply ruining everyone’s fun.

Society loves to ask Christians to help establish hospitals, schools and universities. They like the charitable foundations and they scream for Christians’ help when disasters strike. But let a Christian speak out against abortion, homosexuality or (God forbid) actually claim that another religion is false and watch out!

But don’t stop speaking out. If you save no one else, you might yet save your family.

[1] Genesis 18:20-21
[2] 2 Peter 2:7-8
[3] Genesis 19:3

Collective Guilt

This is why I am sending you prophets, sages, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues and hound from town to town. So all the righteous blood shed on the earth will be charged to you, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. I assure you: All these things will come on this generation! – Matthew 23:34-36 HCSB

What an amazing statement to come from the Master Who also said “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”[1]

He essentially ascribed to them the cumulative guilt of a thousand years of sin, regarding them as one collective being. It’s bad enough to bear the consequences of our own sin – is Jesus saying that we also bear some responsibility for the sins of our entire nation?

As harsh as that may seem, there is Scriptural support for this view. After all, didn’t humanity’s inherent sin nature stem from the actions of a single man?[2] And didn’t God cause an entire nation to be defeated because a single family had sinned? God clearly assigned the guilt of a single man to all of Israel when He said, “The Israelites…were unfaithful regarding the things set apart for destruction. Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart, and the Lord’s anger burned against the Israelites.”[3]

And Jesus elsewhere[4] accused the Jewish people of His day of killing the prophets and then building their tombs. He called them witnesses, consenting to the deeds of their fathers. This is the same thing said of Saul who witnessed and approved of the death by stoning of Stephen.[5]
Of course, this principle goes the other way too. Ten righteous people could save an entire city[6]. As sin entered into the world by one man, the death of another provided salvation for all mankind.[7]

In light of this concept, we have no room for complacency in our lives. If I understand what Jesus is saying correctly, if my nation undergoes an unjust war and I don’t protest, I assume my portion of the collective guilt. If my nation slaughters millions of babies and I don’t at the very least protest, I am guilty of their murder[8].

Ezra understood this principle and systematically asked forgiveness for himself, his nation and his ancestors.[9] By doing this, he freed himself of that curse.[10] But Ezra not only confessed these sins in prayer, he devoted himself to changing his society.
Let’s strive to free ourselves of the trap of collective guilt.


[1] Matthew 7:1-2
[2] Romans 5:12
[3] Joshua 7:1
[4] Luke 11:47-48
[5] Acts 8:1
[6] Genesis 18:32
[7] Romans 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 2:2
[8] Proverbs 24:11-12
[9] Ezra 9:6-15
[10] Ezekiel 18:2-4, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, 20-24; Jeremiah 31:29-30; 32:18-19

Christian Childlikeness

Some people were bringing little children to Him so He might touch them. But His disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me; don't stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them. – Mark 10:13-16 HCSB

Childlikeness differs from childishness. A person with a childlike attitude is humble while a childish person believes the universe revolves around them. The childlike recognize their immaturity for the weakness it is and quickly turn to God for help and support.

Because Solomon did not lean on his own training and upbringing as a royal prince but instead readily acknowledged his inexperience in leadership, God was pleased and made Solomon the wisest man that ever lived.[1] Solomon probably learned this attitude from his father King David who penned,

Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me.

Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother;I am like a little child. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever. (Psalm 131)

Again we see that childlikeness is related to humility. But we also see that it involves a reluctance to engage in superficially great and complicated things[2] (another indication of humility). It is a calm, quiet reliance upon the Lord, much as a child rests comfortably in the arms of its mother.[3]

Childlikeness is also related to the fact that children, though sinners, are not yet held accountable for their sins[4]. We must humbly come to the Lord, relying upon Elohim to save them and, though yet sinners, have the accountability of their sins removed through the saving efforts of Christ.[5]

Both Paul and Peter further described childlikeness as a purposeful simplicity and downright ignorance in regards to sinful behavior and thinking.[6] In this, they echo the teaching of our Lord when He said we should be “shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.”[7]

Humility, dependence upon God, an honest assessment of our knowledge and wisdom, a reluctance to get involved in superficially complex matters, a dependence on the work of Christ for salvation, a cultivated sense of innocence, matched by a constant development of wisdom and knowledge. This is the essence of Christian childlikeness. This should be our goal in personal development.

[1] 1 Kings 3:5-14
[2] Titus 3:9
[3] Psalm 131
[4] 2 Samuel 12:23; Exodus 30:14; Numbers 14:29; Deuteronomy 1:39
[5] Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17
[6] 1 Corinthians 14:20; 1 Peter 2:1-3
[7] Matthew 10:16

God’s House

This is what the Lord says: Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house could you possibly build for Me? And what place could be My home? My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being.[This is] the Lord's declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and who trembles at My word. – Isaiah 66:1-2 HCSB

In our day to day confrontation with things materialistic and physical, it is easy to forget that God is a Spirit.[1] As such He has no body[2] and needs no place to house Himself[3]. He is omnipresent[4], which means that He exists simultaneously in every point of the universe[5]. We literally live, breathe and exist within Him[6].

But He is not, as the pantheists hold, the sum of the entire universe for He transcends the universe[7]. The universe is inside Him, much as one of our thoughts exists within the framework of our minds. If He so wished, He could simply think it and all of humanity with its megalomaniacal grandiosity would simply vanish[8] leaving Him as complete and awesome as before He spoke us into existence.

Yet amazingly, He has consistently chosen to dwell among us[9]. We are awed by this fact[10] and left to wonder what we can do to worship Him appropriately. Even if we built the grandest cathedral, what would that be compared to the glory of a billion galaxies?

Yahweh has told us what He desires[11]. He has given us the blueprint for the perfect house of God. A Spirit chooses to live in the spiritual domain. Those who are wise will remember this in their worship.[12] Therefore, He has chosen to live in our thoughts, in our attitudes. Of all the places He could have chosen, He chose our hearts.

This is not something that can be done on the surface. This is more than mere outward conformity. God looks down from heaven and sees all of mankind. From his dwelling place, He watches and considers everything we do.[13] He knows even our very thoughts. In fact, before a word can come off our tongue, He knows everything we are going to say and what motivates us[14].

Anything we do to beautify our spirits and souls simply improves His living conditions. We need to be humble, have submissive spirits, and tremble at His Word.[15] He lives in Heaven, a high and holy place, but He also lives in the hearts of the lowly and contrite.[16] Pride repels Him as much as humility attracts His blessed presence.[17]

Remember these things, work at developing your soul into an abode appropriate to His presence and He will draw near to you. Cathedrals and stadiums do not impress Him – your humble spirit does.

[1] John 4:24
[2] Luke 24:39; Colossians 1:15; Romans 1:19-20; 1 Timothy 1:17
[3] 1 Kings 8:27; Acts 17:24
[4] Psalm 139:7; Jeremiah 23:23
[5] Jeremiah 23:23-24
[6] Acts 17:27-28
[7] 1 Kings 8:27; Amos 9:2
[8] Job 34:14-15
[9] Exodus 29:45-46; Deuteronomy 4:7; Isaiah 63:11-14
[10] Psalm 96:4; 145:3; 2 Samuel 22:4; Revelation 4:11
[11] Micah 6:8
[12] John 4:24; Psalm 22:3
[13] Psalm 33:13-15
[14] Psalm 139:1-4
[15] Isaiah 66:1-2
[16] Isaiah 57:15
[17] 1 Peter 5:5-7; James 4:7-12

Looking Back

The sun had risen over the land when Lot reached Zoar. Then the Lord rained burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah from the Lord out of the sky. He overthrew these cities, the entire plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and whatever grew on the ground. But his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. – Genesis 19:23-26 HCSB

Things were so bad in Sodom and Gomorrah that the Son of God Himself came down to see if what the inhabitants had done justified the cry that had come up to Him.[1] Apparently it was as bad as He’d heard, and He decided to make the cities an example to those who were going to be ungodly.[2] But He sent the two angels that had accompanied Him to earth on into Sodom[3] for a rescue mission.

What they found would have horrified any decent person. The unrestrained immorality of the Sodomites distressed Lot. He tormented himself day by day with the lawless deeds he saw and heard.[4] And yet, he had directed his gaze toward the fertile valley of Sodom and decided to live there anyway.[5]

This materialistic outlook also affected his choice of a wife and the manner in which he raised his children. When we make the gathering of wealth, comfort and status our primary focus it has long-term damning consequences.

The angels miraculously saved Lot, his wife and two unmarried daughters. They brought them out of a horrible riot in which the daughters could have been gang-raped. They clearly indicated that the whole valley was about to undergo a horrible destruction and that the family should run for their lives without looking back. Yet, Lot’s wife did.

The Hebrew word translated “look” in this passage is “nabat.” And it does not imply a simple curious glance. It means “to regard with pleasure, favor or care; to behold or consider.”

Lot’s wife had been saved from the rampant immorality, materialism, xenophobism, homosexuality and crime of Sodom. More – she’d been saved from a fiery death. And yet she continued to look upon that festering boil on the lovely face of God’s creation with pleasure, regard and care and it killed her.

The Bible doesn’t actually say at what speed she was transformed into salt. Obviously God could have done it instantaneously if He so chose, but it simply says that she turned into salt. The fact that these cities were likely built on a peninsula on the Dead Sea might have something to do with that.

Regardless of how the transformation was accomplished, there is a lesson to be learned here. We have been saved from the rampant immorality, violence and sin of this world. More – we’ve been saved from an impending fiery doom. And yet, from time to time we look back on the world’s ways with regard, pleasure or care. We long for the old, dark paths we used to travel.
But when we do, be sure that we are immobilized; turned into spiritual dead weights.




[1] Genesis 18:20-21
[2] 2 Peter 2:6
[3] Genesis 18:1-3, 22 cp 19:1
[4] 2 Peter 2:7-8
[5] Genesis 13:10-11

A Father’s Calling

Then the Lord said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham is to become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. This is how the Lord will fulfill to Abraham what He promised him." – Genesis 18:17-19 HCSB

Fathers, may I speak to you for a moment? Yes, I know you are busy with your career, family, church and hobbies. You may even have a ministry to which you are extremely devoted.

But busyness does not always equal accomplishment. Many people flail their way through life, unsure of where they are going and running nowhere as fast as they can. They are striving mightily, but ineffectively.

For help, take a moment and consider our ancestor Abraham. Yahweh gave His follower not only a goal, but a method to achieve it. It was as simple as it was sublime. He was to reach his kids.

If God called upon me to win the world for Christ, in my despair at the immensity of the job, I might waver and quit. Though the Great Commission[1] does apply to each of us, its accomplishment is equally simple if we will only be faithful.

God has blessed me with five children. If I successfully raise each of them to be godly parents, and each again have (for argument’s sake) five children, I will have twenty-five grandchildren. If I have properly discipled my children, they will raise their families according to the Word[2]. Those twenty-five grandchildren could potentially gift me with 125 godly great grandchildren. Are you getting the picture?

God wants us fathers to focus on the resources He’s given us – which includes our children. If we will only teach them and all our descendants to keep the Way of the Lord and to do what is right and just, we have the potential of changing the world, not just at the rate of one life at a time, but exponentially. This is how the Lord will fulfill what He has promised.

Go ahead. Go back to your career, your family, your church and your hobbies. Go minister to others with your spiritual gift. But be certain of where your energies should be expended. Do not waste a single day[3].

Be the tzaddik your children need you to be. If you force your child to study the Word, he may study it and may even force his own children to do the same. But if your child sees you passionate about God’s Holy Scriptures and studying it every day, soon you will feel a presence at your elbow, look down and see his small fingers tracing the text beside you.

[1] Matthew 28:18-20
[2] Proverbs 22:6
[3] Ephesians 5:16

Kowach: The Strength You Have

The Angel of the Lord came, and He sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the wine vat in order to hide it from the Midianites. Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." Gideon said to Him, "Please Sir, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all His wonders that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Hasn't the Lord brought us out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian." The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not sending you?" - Judges 6:11-14 HCSB

Gideon was not much to look at as far as generals go. He still lived with his father and was hiding in a wine vat, threshing wheat that he was desperately trying to keep from the invading Midianite forces. He was the youngest member of the smallest family in one of the smallest tribes of Israel.

Yahweh, however, has a way of looking deep down inside a person and seeing potential, even in the weakest among us. The Angel of the Lord, the Son of God in preincarnate form, showed up and addressed Gideon as “mighty warrior.”[1]

Gideon’s potential, his kowach if you will, was evidenced by Gideon’s response. He obviously recognized who he was talking to. Perhaps he had heard the local prophet’s recent prediction[2] and instantly made the connection.

Rather than being overwhelmed by the Angel, he immediately questioned, "Please, Sir, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all His wonders that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Hasn't the Lord brought us out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian."[3] This respectful aggression and dependence on God for the answers would soon serve him well.

At that point, the Angel of the Lord turned to Gideon and said, "Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not sending you?"[4] The words in English “the strength you have” are all wrapped up in one Hebrew word pronounced “kowach”. It can be literally translated as “strength”, but it clearly indicates potentiality.

God sees great potential in us. We tend to look at the big issues and sigh fatalistically because they seem to be too much to handle for the likes of us. But God looks at shepherd boys and sees kings. He sees farmers hiding and glimpses mighty generals. He looks at us and sees…what exactly does He see? What is our kowach? Whatever it is, if it is empowered by God, duly authorized by the King of kings, you can bet it is something great.


[1] Judges 6:12
[2] Judges 6:8-10
[3] Judges 6:13 HCSB
[4] Judges 6:14

Immutability

The Lord says: “I will not relent from punishing Israel for three crimes, even four, because they sell a righteous person for silver and a needy person for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the poor on the dust of the ground and block the path of the needy. A man and his father have sexual relations with the same girl, profaning My holy name. They stretch out beside every altar on garments taken as collateral, and they drink in the house of their God wine obtained through fines.” - Amos 2:6-8 HCSB

God said, “I will not relent from punishing Damascus for three crimes, even four, because they threshed Gilead with iron sledges.”[1]

And Israel yelled, “Yay, God!”

He said, “I will not relent from punishing Gaza for three crimes, even four, because they exiled a whole community, handing them over to Edom.”[2]

And shouts of “Hurrah” were probably heard.

But then a disturbing trend began to become apparent. “I will not relent from punishing Tyre, Edom, Ammon or Moab.”[3]

The destruction was circling in ever closer to home and everyone was probably moaning, “Whoa, God!”

Finally, the missiles of “friendly fire” struck right at the very heart of God’s people. “I will not relent from punishing Judah or Israel,”[4] said the Judge of all the Earth.

For volatile humans, one of the most difficult aspects of God’s nature to understand is His immutability. Oh, we understand the definition all right, but the application often eludes us. We like to focus on the interplay between His immutability and compassion that leads Him to say, "Because I, Yahweh, have not changed, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.”[5] But we are not quite as keen on the interaction between His immutability and His sense of justice! When He said, “judgment must begin with God’s household”[6], we are not quite as gratified.

The very idea of justice compels us to believe that the same standard will be used for every person regardless of who they are. And God’s justice is not blind. He takes into account what we know, something no human judge could ever adequately do. He said “to whom much is given much is required”[7] and “if you want to be a teacher, be prepared to be held to a higher standard.”[8]

When God judges Hitlers, Dahlmers or Kevorkians we are assured of His very fine sense of correctness. But when He starts judging us…oh, now that’s horse of a different color! But if Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah and Israel didn’t escape, what makes us think the U.S will? If we continue developing a materialistic, hedonistic and religiously pluralistic culture – what do you think the immutable God will do?

If God did not spare His angels[9] or his own chosen nation or even His own prophets – how will we escape His immutable justice? We must determine to yield to His standards and His ways. There is no other way.

[1] Amos 1:3
[2] Amos 1:6
[3] Amos 1:9, 11, 13; 2:1
[4] Amos 2:4, 6
[5] Malachi 3:6
[6] 1 Peter 4:17
[7] Luke 12:42-48
[8] James 3:1-2
[9] 2 Peter 2:4

Training for Failure

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. – Matthew 14:45 HCSB

It’s amazing how the cycles of life affect us. Even the Son of God was subject to them. Jesus’ popularity had grown to the point that He had to preach from a boat floating offshore so that the crowds could see and hear Him.[1] Even his hometown people were at first amazed by His wisdom and power.[2] Soon, however, the crowd’s amazement transformed into jealousy and resentment.[3]

Another cycle began when His power became so famous that even Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist resurrected![4] Huge crowds followed the Master. Yet, then, He couldn’t be alone. [5] He had to miraculously feed thousands[6] before He finally got some down time. And that only came because He eventually ordered everyone away.[7]

Up, down, up, down. These cycles are exhausting but necessary. Those who exercise know that it is impossible to stay at the peak of fitness constantly. Body builders aren’t “cut” all the time. They allow a certain percentage of fat to accumulate between contests because it’s healthy and safe. If they remained as cut as they appear on competition day, they would become sick and prone to injury. The trick is to time physical peaks to coincide with the moment of competition. In life, thankfully, we have the Master Coach.

The disciples had not only seen the amazing miracles, but also how their Lord handled the down times. They were ready for the next big cycle.

Notice something important in the text. Jesus SENT them into the storm. He sent them into a situation where they would be exhausted by rowing three or four miles[8] (too far to swim [9]), and would be battered by a storm,[10] with high winds[11] and churning waves.[12] He deliberately sent them into this mess.

Then, Jesus gave the disciples the critical nudge. He demonstrated His mastery over the elements by walking on water, pretending as though He would pass by, leaving them stranded[13]. Yet, because Peter was ready for the test, he actually got to walk on water!

God will cycle you through the ups and downs of life, but everything will be designed for your improvement.[14] At times, He will send you directly into a storm where you may be tempted, not to doubt His power, but perhaps His care. Persevere. Keep rowing. Keep struggling even in your darkest hour. And when the critical moment arrives and you feel like you have lost all hope, with one last surge of faith and hope, step out by faith even more – even if it means right out onto the stormy waters themselves.[15]

Jesus will catch you. Even if you ultimately buckle, He will be there for you.[16] And when you see His compassion and ability to save, you too will be able to say, “Truly You are the Son of God!”[17]

[1] Matthew 13:1-52
[2] Matthew 13: 53-54
[3] Matthew 13:55-58
[4] Matthew 14:1-12
[5] Matthew 14:13
[6] Matthew 14:14-21
[7] Matthew 14:22-23
[8] John 6:19
[9] Matthew 14:24
[10] Mark 6:48
[11] Matthew 14:24
[12] John 6:18
[13] Mark 6:48
[14] Romans 8:28; James 1:2-4
[15] Matthew 14:26-29
[16] Matthew 14:30-32
[17] Matthew 14:33

Remember, It’s “till death do you part”

Man born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. - Job 14:1 HCSB

When he said this, Job was experiencing some of the worst trials faced by any man who ever lived, except for Jesus. He learned the lesson of this verse the hard way. Yet Job never failed to believe in God.

Oh yes, there were times when he grew weary of life. And who wouldn’t in his circumstances? Job had lost everything. His home was wrecked, his children were dead, his servants were gone, and his wealth had been destroyed or stolen. Even his health had left him leaving him completely desolate.

And as if that wasn’t enough, three of his “best friends” came and sat with him to take part in Job’s pity party. But the pity party soon became a Job-bashing party, which only made matters worse for him.

Paul exhorted us to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.”[1]

I have never seen the trials that Job had to face and I hope I never will. But I hope that if such trials were to be unleashed upon me, I would be found as faithful as Job was – that emunah (faithfulness) and tsedekah (right living) would characterize me.

I want to encourage you to remain steadfast and unmovable in your faith in God. No matter what comes, God is still in control[2]. No matter how hopeless your circumstances may seem; God is still in control. No matter how much the devil throws against you, you can always count on the Light of the World[3] as your beacon of hope.

Like Job, we must be absolutely convinced that God will do what He says He will do[4]. He will never leave us or forsake us, but he will stay by our side.

When all the trials of life are over, we must believe that the rewards that await us are far greater than the trials we bore[5]. Just one glimpse of the glory of Heaven will make the trials and tests of this life fade into nothingness. Just one touch of the Master’s hand and it will be worth it all.

We must anchor our souls in the Rock[6], Jesus Christ, and never look back. This world has nothing to offer that can compare with the wondrous blessings of God. We must remember that this world is not our home and that it is only a temporary home at best. It will soon be destroyed by fire[7]. The only thing that we stand upon is the Word of God.

At one point Job cried out, “Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him.”[8] Job remembered that his vow to God was “till death do us part.” Do you?

[1] 1 Corinthians 15:58
[2] 1 Chronicles 29:11-13; Psalm 46:1-7; 47:7; Isaiah 54:17; Romans 8:37-39; 1 John 5:4
[3] John 1:1-13
[4] Genesis 21:1; 32:12; Numbers 14:17-18, 20; 23:19; Joshua 21:45; 23:14; 2 Samuel 7:25, 29; 1 Chronicles 8:15, 24; Psalm 119:49; Luke 1:45; Acts 27:25; Romans 4:21
[5] 1 Corinthians 2:9
[6] Psalm 61:2; 62:2, 6; Acts 4:11; Romans 9:33; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:8
[7] 2 Peter 3: 3:6-7, 10-14, 17-18
[8] Job 13:15

Playing Chicken With God

Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58 HCSB

There is a story that goes like this: Years ago one of the largest, most powerful battleships that the world has ever known, the USS Missouri, was cruising off the coast of Nova Scotia. A gale wind was blowing, whipping the waves into a frenzy.

The great ship, nicknamed the “Mighty Mo”, commanded the seas wherever it sailed. Every ship that approached her would quickly give way for no one dared challenge her 16” guns that were capable of firing a 2000-pound shell over 20 miles with near pinpoint accuracy.

Long after dark, the ocean rose and fell as the gale winds continued. Then suddenly, dead ahead a light broke through the darkness. The alarm was sounded and the captain was called to the bridge. Something was wrong with the radar and they couldn’t determine what the light was. Surely this was just a passing freighter on its way to a safe harbor?

For an hour the captain tracked the movement of the light but it seemed to be heading straight for the Missouri, not moving even 1 degree to the left or right to avoid collision and getting ever closer in the darkness. Perhaps their radar had jammed too, or perhaps they just simply had not seen the lights of the Missouri dead ahead.

The captain decided that it was prudent to send out a warning call to the approaching ship. “Approaching ship, turn 15 degrees south. You are on a collision course with the USS Missouri.”
The answer came quickly, “USS Missouri. You are ordered to turn 45 degrees north. You are on a collision course.”

The captain of the Missouri was incensed. The very idea that anyone would challenge his right-of-way on the open seas! He sent out a second message, “Approaching vessel, this is the captain of Navy Vessel, BB11, USS Missouri. You are ordered to turn 15 degrees south and yield right of way.”

The answer came back, “US Navy vessel BB11, USS Missouri, this is the Seaman 1st Class on duty at the Nova Scotia Lighthouse. You are ordered to turn 45 degrees north.”

The captain of the great battleship, with “egg on his face”, quickly ordered the helm to turn 45 degrees north to avoid grounding his ship upon the rocks.

I don’t know when or if this story ever really happened. But it does serve to make a point. We must never forget that there is but one steadfast and unmovable reference point for life and that is the Word of God. We must also remember that we are to be equally steadfast and unmovable in our commitment to obeying the Word of God.

It’s our choice - yield to immovable God or shatter ourselves on the shoals of rightness. Want to play chicken?

God First, Regardless

Man born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. - Job 14:1 HCSB

The three Hebrew youth, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, knew this lesson all too well. They faced the hottest, fiery trial possible, that of being cast into a fiery furnace because they were not willing to compromise with the world, or go back on their belief in God. They were steadfast and unmovable[1], even in the middle of the flames.

I like their answer to King Nebuchadnezzar when he commanded them to bow or burn.

• Daniel 3:16-18, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

They could have easily caved in under pressure. No one would have blamed them. No one would have probably cared, except God!

How often do we fail to stand the test and cave in when the going gets hot? God never promised us escape from the trials and tests of life[2], only deliverance through them and from them if we remain steadfast and unmovable[3].

Consider Peter and John who faced down the persecution and threats of the Jewish High Priest and his council. These two disciples were daily ministering and teaching in the temple. Then one day, as they entered in, a miracle was performed and the lame man was healed. Afterward, Peter and John taught God’s Word and preached salvation through Jesus Christ as the only way to Heaven.

This inflamed the Jewish leaders. They didn’t mind the miracle so long as it wasn’t ascribed to Jesus! They brought Peter and John to court to force them to stop preaching. Not the miracles – just the preaching. Isn’t that like the world? They love the benefits of Christianity, but try to say that Jesus is the only way and watch out! I love the steadfastness of Peter and John as they answered the council.

• Acts 4:19-20, But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

They were steadfast and unmovable in the preaching of the gospel. They counted their freedom as nothing compared to obeying the Lord. They counted their lives as nothing in comparison to the life to come and they continued to preach even to the death.

This is emunah (faith-fulness). If we want d’vekut (communion) with God we must be faithful, regardless of the consequences.

[1] 1 Corinthians 15:58
[2] Matthew 7:15; 10:16-23; Acts 20:29; Romans 8:36 cp Psalm 44:2
[3] 1 Corinthians 10:13