November 29 – The Weather

        Job 38:25 – "Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm[?]...."

        Given that there are only three sources of causality in the world (God, other spirit beings, man), I have often wondered to whom should be attributed certain acts of nature, specifically weather events. It is clear from Job chapters 38 and 39, that God is in control of all aspects of weather. However, as I look at details within the bigger picture of the entire Bible, I see glimpses of God allowing Satan to temporarily control the weather.

        At the beginning of the story of Job, Satan is allowed to "test" Job. He uses two different means in chapter 1: two separate raiding parties against his servants, and two separate "physical phenomenon" events against his servants and his children. One of these latter events contains strong wind, which causes a house to collapse and kill Job's adult children. It is clear from the text that even the "fire of God" in verse 16 was caused by Satan.

        There is another event - in the life of Jesus -  that lets me know that Satan can control physical phenomena. In Mark 4:35f, Jesus is asleep in the boat on the Sea of Galilee. His disciples were rowing across the lake, when a strong storm suddenly arises, apparently strong enough to start swamping the boat. The disciples awaken Jesus, and he immediately rebukes the wind and waves, and causes the storm to suddenly die down.

      So, who caused the storm? Jesus gave an explanation in Mark 3 when the Pharisees attributed Jesus' power to drive out demons, to the "prince of demons" himself. Jesus explained that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Jesus also mentioned in John 8:28f that he only acted to please the Father. Therefore, if God had sent the storm on the lake, then Jesus would have been fighting against God. So the only other possible source of the storm is Satan.

        On the flip side, the scriptures attribute power and might to God when it comes to the weather. Psalm 29 is replete with references to wind/storm, possible tornadic. Matthew 5:45 tells us that God sends the rain on both the just and the unjust. The aforementioned reference to Job 38ff strongly attributes weather events to the power of God. So, who moves the hurricanes up the east coast? Or spins up a tornado in the plains? It is hard to say. I am in no position to presume the reason or source for localized weather events. However, the one who has ultimate control over his creation, will also hide me in the shelter of his wings (Psalm 91:4). Nothing can separate me from the love of God, even in the midst of a raging, destroying storm (Romans 8:38, 39).

November 18 − Possible Reasons for Sickness, Harm, and Death

        3 John, verse 2 – "I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."

        I firmly believe that God wants physical wholeness for all humans, especially those of the household of faith, as indicated in the verse above from 3 John. When we find ourselves asking "why is this bad thing happening to me", the scriptures detail many possible reasons therefore, and they give faith-laden remedies for overcoming/changing those circumstances.

        God demonstrated his perfect will through the life of Jesus. Jesus never turned away one single person who came to him, wanting to be healed. There is no such incident listed in the gospel writings.  Peter explains to us in Acts 10:38 - "....how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him." This brings me to the first possible reason for sickness, harm, or death, which I believe is the most basic and prominent reason for all malaise.

> The devil, or demons, directly or indirectly bring(s) sickness and death.

        -John 10:10 − "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that

                  you may have life, yes, life to the fullest."

        -Luke 13:10, 11 – "On a Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in one of the 
                  synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit 
                  for 18 years."

        -Job 2:7 – " So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh and afflicted Job

               with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head."

> For the ultimate glory of God in healing

        -John 9:1-3 – " As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples

                 asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born

                 blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this

                 happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

> Lack of acknowledgement of God

        -Psalm 91:2, 14 – "I will say of Yahweh, 'He is my fortress and my refuge, my

                 God in whom I trust.' 'Because he loves me', says Yahweh, 'I will rescue

                 him; I will protect him because he acknowledges my name.'"

> To be spared from evil

        -Isaiah 57:1-2 – "The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; 

              devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous 

              are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter 

              into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." 

> Not correctly recognizing the Master's supper

        -1 Corinthians 11:29-32 – "For those who eat and drink without discerning 

              the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why 

              many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen 

              asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we 

              would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged

              in this way by Yahweh, we are being disciplined so that we will not be

             finally condemned with the world."

> Sinful behavior

        -Romans 1:27 – "...men also abandoned natural relations with women and 

             were inflamed with lust for one another. Men commited indecent acts 

             with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their 

             perversion."

        -1 Corinthians 6:18-20 –"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man

               commits are outside his body, be he who sins sexually sins against his 

              own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, 

               who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 

              You were bought at a price; therefore honor God with your body."

       -Jonah 1:1f – Jonah's disobedience brought about the ocean storm that 

              imperiled all on board

> Extreme eating; not taking care of your body; purposely ingesting poisoned 

         food or water

        -Proverbs 25:16 – "If you find honey, eat just enough – too much of it, and

              you will vomit."

        -Proverbs 25:27 – "It is not good to eat too much honey...."

        -Proverbs 23:20 – "Do not join those who drink too much wine, or gorge

              themselves on meat...."

> Persecution (God's permissive will)

        -John 16:2-4, 33 – "'....a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think 

              he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they 

              have not known the Father or me [Jesus]. I have told you this, so that 

              when the time comes, you will remember that I warned you....In this 

              world you will have trouble, but take heart; I have overcome the world.'"

        -Revelation 2:10 – "'Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you,

                 the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer

                 persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will

                 give you the crown of life.'"

        -2 Timothy 3:10 – "Everyone who wants to live a godly life will be 

                 persecuted."

       The above scriptures refer to reasons why sickness, harm, and death come. Many times in the gospels, sickness and death leave, mostly due to the faith of the sick one, or his/her parent. Here are some reasons why healing comes and why healing may not come. For me personally, and for most of what I observe, healing is hindered by my lack of faith.

> Faith in God (or lack thereof) and doubting

        -Mark 9:23 – "'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for him who

                believes.'"

        -Matthew 17:19-21 – "Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and 

             asked, "Why couldn't we drive out the demon?" Jesus replied, 

             "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have 

             faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move 

             from here to there', and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for 

             you."

        -Mark 11:23, 24 – "'Have faith in God', Jesus answered. I tell you the truth, 

             if anyone says to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea, and 

            does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen it 

            will be done for him. Therefore, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe 

            that you have received it, and it will be yours."

> Persistence alone (possibly instead of faith)

        -Luke 18:1, 6-8 – "Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they

                should always pray and not give up.... 'Listen to what the unjust judge

                says. Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out

                to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will

                see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man

                comes, will he find faith on the earth?'"

> Not being considerate of wives

        -1 Peter 3:7 – "Husbands, be considerate, as you live with your wives, and 

              treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of 

              the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."

        Some of these scriptures apply to all of us. A few might apply only in a small number of cases. Let us examine ourselves, and consider the possible reasons why we are not experiencing physical wholeness.

November 13 ─ The Golden Rule, part 2

        Matthew 7:12 – "So in everything, do to others what you want them to do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

        What a simple statement! Yet, how often do we go about our normal days thinking about this command from Jesus? This command is directly related to the principle of sowing and reaping, found in Galatians 6:7. For the measure that we use is the same measure that will come back upon us. We do get what we deserve, because God is not unjust.

        Would I like roadside assistance if my car breaks down? Then, provide the same to someone broken down. Would I like detailed directions to a Christian concert venue, while walking in downtown Baltimore? Then give directions to the simple-minded person who asks for directions to the local palm-reader. Wait a minute! Am I suggesting that I directly help a person in their pursuit of Satanic things? Not if it is in my power to re-direct them. However, regardless of my influence in that situation, it doesn't leave me off the hook of obeying Jesus, or of somehow thwarting someone else's free will to their own fate. To not show someone a simple kindness like giving directions when asked is simply sabotaging my own point in time when I will need the same.

        Have you ever heard the phrase "pay it forward"? It means doing something now so that good will happen to me later. This principle is really understated in our culture, because of the ever-decreasing growth of love and morality. People in Buddhist cultures who are serious about their beliefs understand this quite well. The same principle is called karma, and even pre-dates the life of Jesus on earth. Now we know that Jesus did not get his teaching from the Buddha; but God's simple truths can sometimes be found in other cultures and religions. After all, the deceitfulness of Satan contains just enough truth to cause confusion.

        I don't know how the name "The Golden Rule" came to be associated with this principle. Maybe someone thought it was a philosophy of high worthiness. The upshot of the argument is that the Golden Rule principle is very important to what happens to us, as our own actions to others comes full circle in the same manner.