Pleasing God

 June 30 – Pleasing God

2 Corinthians 5:9 – “So we make it our goal to please Him [Jesus], whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”

       All of us are at different stages of growth in our knowledge and trust in our heavenly Father and our Master Jesus Christ - which is why we all need reminders about how to live. We are told that Jesus has come to give us life to the fullest (John 10:10); however, that does not mean that he is to be our personal Santa Claus, satisfying our every whim. Our life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions (Luke 12:15), or even in the abundance of awesomeness in one possession. Pleasing God in our actions and thoughts is what will bring us the most abundant living possible. Look at Isaiah 58:13,14 in the spiritual light of Hebrews 4:8-11 (the fulfillment of what it means to keep the Sabbath as we rest in the completed work of Jesus, not in a literal sense of the seventh day of the week).  “ 'If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight [your salvation in Jesus] and Yahweh's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find joy in Yahweh, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.' The mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”

       Therefore, here are some reminders about pleasing God.

Romans 12:1,2 – “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's kindness, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, set apart and pleasing to God – this is your reasonable act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask and urge you in the Master Jesus to do this more and more.”

Hebrews 11:5,6 – “...for before he [Enoch] was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. For without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists, and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Proverbs 15:8 – “Yahweh detests the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.”

Psalm 104:34 – “May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in Yahweh.”

1 John 3:21,22 – “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God, and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.”

Philippians 4:18b – “....I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epahroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

Hebrews 13:20,21 – “May the God of peace....equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him....”

Isaiah 58 – This entire chapter, partly referenced above, describes obeying (pleasing) God and the blessings that will follow. These are awesome promises!

Only Two Nations

 June 1 – Only Two Nations

Psalm 33:12a – "Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh..."

       The above phrase is a frequent statement seen on church marquis across the United States, from many years prior to this current year of 2021. I just saw it on a marquis of a local Baptist church in my home county. It signifies several things: 1) that America was, and/or still is, a "Christian" nation, one whose founding was based upon Christian principles; 2) that America is/was divinely inspired to be a different/special nation in the grand scheme of the nations of the earth, post-middle ages; and 3) that, perhaps, America as a whole, has left its divine calling as a light and moral example to the rest of the heathen world. There has already been so much written about the creation of this great democracy in the 18^th century AD, regarding the spiritual foundational thinking (or lack thereof) of a new society, rebelling against the oppressive British overlords. This is not the crux of this article.

       My argument here is much broader in nature. Throughout the whole of scripture, there is a theme that re-appears: God's chosen people are pitted against the other people groups in the region, whether they are large (e.g. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon) or whether they are small (e.g. Moab, Ammon, Amalek, Jebus, Canaan). To God, there were only two sets of people: his specifically called people (descendants of Abraham thru Isaac) and all the rest of the world. God even calls his nation his son: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son" (Hosea 11:1). God also says "Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation...." (Exodus 19:6a) "I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter...I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites out of your way...little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land" (Exodus 23:27a, 28, 30). The whole theme of Psalm 83, as another example, is planned revenge of the nations surrounding Israel.

       As the new covenant is played out, we find that the Gentiles (nations) are slowly brought into the body of Christ (Acts 10). Verses 34, 35 state "Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." Paul tells us in Colossians 3:11, "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all." Romans, chapters 9-11 presents a back-and-forth argument for the acceptance of the Gentiles into the family of faith. There is even a mention that not even all of Israel belonged to Israel. Then verse 9:30 gives us the crux of the matter: "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles who did pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith, but as if it were by works." So we see here that God's people even in the Old Covenant were only truly those who lived by faith. The same is true for us now – the Christians are the ones who live by faith in Christ's righteousness, which means that they are God's people, his holy nation (1 Peter 2:9).

       The odd thing about the theme verse above (what was on the church marquis), is that it is missing the 2^nd part of that verse, "the people he chose as his inheritance. A political nation does not choose to be a "godly" nation, even if that is their intention, or even if they impose a religion in order to make God (Allah) the head (e.g. Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, with their Sharia law). One cannot even call a nation Christian, even if a majority of its people belong to God. There are only two nations in God's eyes now, as it always has been: those who are his by trusting in his love, and those who are not by refusing his love.

 

Hero                                                                                                                      11 July 2021

       The word "hero" is thrown around in English-speaking communities quite freely and loosely these days. Therefore, I had to research the definition of the word "hero", to certify that I knew what it meant. It turns out that Webster's Dictionary (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hero) defines the word "hero" much less tame than I thought it would be. There are several definitions listed, all closely linked in meaning. However, definition 1C and 1D are the way that the word is mostly commonly used today. A hero is: 1C) a person admired for achievements or admirable qualities, or 1D) one who shows great courage. Both of those definitions are quite general and broad. I was personally thinking that a hero was something quite narrower – a person who saves someone else from physical or mental harm, either in a long-term fashion, or with an extraordinary feat in a time of crisis or danger. Of course, my definitions above do fit the definition of a hero, but they go quite beyond it.

       By definition, a hero can simply be an idol, and many people actually use the word in that fashion, e.g. a sports figure or popular musician. A hero can also be a person who inspires someone else to great achivements. This can simply be a parant, friend, mentor, or teacher who has a posttive influence in someone's life. Both ot these examples fit definition 1C. However, I don't think the word should be used as a synonym for the word "idol". Idol connotes the idea of devotion and adoration, the latter word also carrying a connotation leaning toward worship. Why can't we convey our thoughts in a more comprehensible fashion? Let's just use the words idol and inspiration instead of a nebulous word like hero.

       So many times in America, the word "hero" is used synonymously with military personnel, especially those who have been sent by superiors to foreign lands to engage in activities (e.g., aggression; policing; logistics support), sometimes in places of potential mental and physical harm/danger. The latter kind of people fit definition 1D, simply because they have to be vigilant and courageous within the environment of danger, in order to survive. However, those people who chose to be contracted with Uncle Sam to serve in the military, are not necessarily admirable or high achievers, just because they served in the military and got paid for it. I also served Uncle Sam in the administrative service of the IRS for 25 years, without serving at all in the military. My yearly evaluations were consistently outstanding, as I performed my paid job functions. I was a hero according to definition 1C, as my work ethic and performance were exemplary and admirable. If I came to work in a snow storm, then I would have been a hero according to definition 1D, as it took courage to drive the winding, hilly roads for 30 miles in blinding snow.

       I have two friends who have performed acts of rescue from harm. One friend used to drive by my house at 4:30 AM every day to catch the commuter train to Washington, DC. One morning, about one mile east of my house, he noticed smoke emanating from a house that was situated very close to the highway. It was quite evident that the smoke was not produced by a chimney of any sort. Their was clearly a slow-building fire within the house. My friend turned his car around, stopped near the house, and went banging on the front door. When no one answered his knocking, he went to the house next door, awoke that resident, and inquired of the knowledge of anyone living next door. The awake neighbor affirmed, and helped in arousing the sleeping neighbors, in order to escape, at the very least, smoke inhalation. My friend then continued to the train station and went to work, as if it was another ordinary day. He had initiated a rescue of a family from possible death.

       Another friend works for a blasting company on a drilling rig. He regularly has to connect loose heavy steel pipes to dangling pipes attached to the rig. One day he was simply acting a driller's helper while another person ran the rig. He knew that the driller had a history of bad health and was susceptible to strokes. At some point this day, he noticed that the driller appeared lethargic and dazed while pulling his drill above his head. Somehow the last metal pipe got disconnected from the rest and was about to fall on the driller. My friend reacted quickly by running to the drill and knocking the man to the ground, just before the metal pipe fell. Neither were injured permanently by this maneuver. My friend had clearly saved his co-worker from serious harm.

       Two rescues – two heroic acts. Both of those are examples of what a clear definition of "hero" should be. We should not denigrate "admirable", "inspirational" or "courageous"; but we should certainly elevate "hero" with its own specific meaning.

Kingdom of Heaven

 April 25 – The Kingdom of Heaven

       Psalm 145:10-13 – "...your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations."

       Psalm 145 is very interesting, as the above verses are not referencing the physical nation of Israel, nor even the iteration of the limited kingdom after the return from exile (Psalm 107-150 are in the last of the five "books" of Psalms, which are generally thought to be from the post-exile period). This psalm is a pre-cursor to the teaching of Jesus about the kingdom of God, which is so prevalent in his words. The very first thing we hear publicly from Jesus is that the kingdom of God is near, and that we should change our minds regarding it (Mark 1:15). The people of Israel had been looking for the kingdom for over 500 years, since Jerusalem was sacked, the majority taken into exile, and the remnant no longer an independent dynasty but an occupied people (with possibly a small exception in the 2^nd century BC). Therefore, when a powerful prophet appears during Rome's rulership of Palestine, people get excited about a much-anticipated King.

       Jesus gives several stories about what the kingdom of God/heaven is like, all having disguises of some sort, so that the kingdom itself is not in plain view. Then, in Luke 17:21 Jesus plainly states, when the Pharisees point-blank ask him when the kingdom of God is coming, that the kingdom of God is not readily visible, but that it is WITHIN us. Also, right before the crucifixion of Jesus, he tells Pilate that "My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest from the Jews; my kingdom is not from here." (John 18:36)

       Jesus is teaching us that his kingdom is one that comes within us, changing us from the inside out, and thus influencing the world around us. It is a spiritual kingdom that will never end (unlike the physical kingdom of Israel, which did practically end in 70 AD). I believe this intimation is what Jesus means when he taught us to pray, "let your kingdom come; let your will be done as it is done in heaven (God's abode)". Why would Jesus have us ask the Father to bring the kingdom physically if it were already eventually going to come (as may be intimated in Revelation 20:5-6)? Even if it does come physically to this earth, Jesus' teaching that we pray for it to come has to include our part in wanting God to work his leaven within us spiritually, HERE and NOW, not then and later.

       So, my task is to show his spiritual kingdom as being glorious, because it is. God's ways working in and through us, should guide us into displaying what utopia looks like, even as we live in a sinful and physical dystopia.

       Check out the parables of the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 13.

 February 21 – Faithful in the Small Things

       Luke 19:13-17: "So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work, until I come back', he said....Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'"

       I have been a professional tennis fan for many years, following the careers and even personal lives of those playing the game. I have often prayed for these people to find the true meaning of life. At the 2021 Australian Open final in Melbourne, the runner-up mentioned in his speech that he had met the winner some twelve years earlier as a pre-teen at some tournament. The winner had treated him well, and conversed with him naturally, showing an interest in the younger, burgeoning player. This surprised the pre-teen, and made quite an impression upon him, seeing that a sports celebrity took the time to engage him in talking about life. At the speech, the runner-up praised the winner by showing his respect for him, due to his good off-court demeanor in years past.

       Many years ago, I worked with a sweet young woman at my clerical job. She was very nice, but was given over to excessive drinking and partying. I spoke to her occasionally about her need to surrender her sinful life to her heavenly Father, who could change her from the inside out. I then went about, living a righteous witness, day after day, working beside her. A few years later, she left our workplace to become a hair stylist. I would occasionally visit her business to get my hair cut, and continue my small faithful witness to her. I eventually lost contact with her, as she moved on again. Some time after that, I randomly ran in to her; she told me that she had become a Christian, and was learning to follow Jesus. She remembered aloud my faithful witness to her.

       Both of these stories show the importance of faithful living, keeping in mind that a change in someone's life often does not come at once, but after planting and watering seeds. God is then able to make new life sprout, due to all working together. (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)