Whose Idea Was Salvation?

Have you ever noticed that we often miss things that are right under our noses?  Kids can get the strangest notions, too.  I am grateful that we are always learning and yet that means I am often embarrassed by what I thought I knew.  I have an old pin that simply says, “PBPGINFWMY”.  I can’t remember where I got it or when but I think it was from the 70’s.  It must have been a big ministry's campaign and it became a popular saying at the time.  Oh…I almost forgot to tell you what the acronym is for:  “Please Be Patient.  God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.”  How true that is!  How true it will always be!   

Those words came to mind when thinking about the scripture I am about to speak on.  The most famous scripture in the Bible is John 3:16.  Any teaching on that would be considered elemental and many would pass it up, assuming they knew all there was to know about it.  That's why it’s almost embarrassing to share that I have learned something about it after all these years of being a believer but that’s the case so here we go.  

Maybe you’ve felt or believed some of the things I did or maybe you can relate because of some other mistaken belief in life.  At any rate, I hope you’ll open your heart and mind to consider these things and be kind to me, just a sister on a journey towards “perfection” but knowing I’ll never be perfect until I am in my new body.  (Matt. 5:48; Rom 12:2)

1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;

1Co 13:10  but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.

1Co 13:12  For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

Over the years, I often felt that God was portrayed as a harsh God Who created rules we couldn’t possibly obey, Whose judgments were extreme.  In fact, at times, He seemed a rather disgusting God who desired the killing of animals to be sacrificed to Him all day long.  I can't imagine being a priest whose job that was!  

Finally, the fulness of time had come when His son, Jesus, would come to save us all.  The way it is often taught is that Jesus, whose real name is Yeshua (which in Hebrew is "salvation"), came along and fulfilled His Father’s demands so we could get out from under the system His Father set up.  It's as if He fixed what His Father didn’t get right…sort of a good God/bad God concept.  

The truth of the matter, though, is found in the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16:  

“For GOD so loved the world that HE gave His only begotten Son (so) that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.”  Did you catch that? 

“For GOD so loved the world…that HE gave...”

The following verse continues, “For GOD did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” (vs 17)

This seems so elementary that I am almost embarrassed to write about it but I have heard from others that they felt the same way.  I can’t quote a particular pastor or teacher who taught this so I am not blaming anyone; just trying to right a wrong, so to speak.  The funny thing is that I KNEW this verse BY HEART and BELIEVED it with my WHOLE heart...and yet, that idea of a good God/bad God came back again and again in teachings.

So, it's time to move on to what might seem a silly question...

Who spoke or wrote these words?

Was it John, who wrote this “book” of the Bible?   

NO!  It was JESUS...a.k.a. YESHUA...a.k.a. Salvation Himself!  

In fact, He was speaking to Nicodemus when He said it.  I’ll give those verses again, along with a little more context:

Joh 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

Joh 3:15  that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Joh 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Joh 3:17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

In case you wonder, in verse 4, Nicodemus had asked that famous question, "How can a man be born when he is old?   Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

In verse 14, Yeshua was giving Nicodemus a history lesson, if you will.  In Numbers 21:5-9, we can read what happened.  (Nicodemus, a Pharisee, would have known this story.)

Num 21:5  And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food."
Num 21:6  Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.
Num 21:7  And the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
Num 21:8  And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live."
Num 21:9  So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Yeshua was letting Nicodemus know that He was going to be hung on a cross, lifted up so that others might believe in Him and live.  Then, in verse 16, Yeshua made it clear that this was GOD’S plan, not His.  There are other truths in what He told Nicodemus and these are truths that any Hebrew would have known from that story, namely that confession and belief were involved.  The stories aren’t exactly alike but once the people confessed to Moses and he prayed for them, God made a way for them to be saved.

I’m not sure where the individual belief part comes in but here’s something to think about:

I’ve always pictured a tall pole that was raised up and all the people could see it at once but I honestly don’t know if there was a place high enough that all the people would have been able to see.  Somewhere along the way, I learned that there were at least 1.5 million people who left Egypt.  (Some say it could have been as many as 3.5 million!)  That’s way too many people to see any thing at the same time so either the pole would have had to have been paraded through the camps, which would have taken way too long and been a logistical nightmare OR the people had to come to the pole, suggesting that they had to believe it would work.  

Perhaps that was the first step of repentance; having to go to the temple to look up at the fiery serpent on a pole.  It’s just a thought and might seem more plausible when you read Yeshua’s next words...

Yeshua continues…

Joh 3:18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Joh 3:19  And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Joh 3:20  For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

Joh 3:21  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."

See?  Yeshua said that not everyone chose to come to Him (the light of God); because they loved their life of darkness and didn’t want His light to expose their sins.  Since He had just used the reference of the fiery serpent pole from Moses’ days, it seems possible, if not likely, that it would have been true of those who had to choose to look at the pole to be saved, as well.  

Well, it’s food for thought and there’s plenty more where that came from but I think I’ll save it for another time.  For now, let's just return to our focus on the One Whose idea it was to send His son...and Who did it out of HIS LOVE for us!!  Hallelu Yah!

Who Do You Please?

Hmmm...

Who do YOU please? Who DO you please?

We all make choices that prove the answer to these questions. Yes, they are different questions, depending on where you place the emphasis.

"Who do YOU please?" is the question that brought me to write today. You see, whatever we do is motivated by a desire to please ourselves, others or God.

Which brings us to the question, "Who DO you please?" That's the $64,000 question!

When we get up in the morning, we make choices to get up on time or not, make time to read our Bible and pray, decide whether we'll fix others coffee, tea or breakfast, and whether we'll make it to work on time. Think about it...who (or Who) would be pleased by the different choices? By your actions, are you pleasing yourself? Others? God?

I make bad choices every day. Oh, I'm not feigning humility, here. It's true that my choices are not often between big issues of light and darkness such as drugs, theft or other immorality issues. They're usually simple ones such as making time for God vs sitting at the computer. Joking with friends or coworkers about someone else in order to impress them or keep them from making fun of me for being such a "goody-two-shoes" vs speaking up to remind those coworkers that "there but for the grace of God go I...or we" so that I can bring glory and not shame to God.

We must remember that we cannot stop the sowing and reaping process. Whether we sow good or bad things, we will reap the same. Usually, when the sowing and reaping topic comes up, we're talking about bad things but do you know that doing the right thing will cause you to reap the same?

I mean, can we talk? When I someday stand before God, I don't want to stand there with a bunch of empty excuses in my head. I doubt they'd sound valid even to ME once I'm standing in His presence, anyway. But it's for sure that no one else will stand up for me saying, "It's my fault, God. I tempted her. She was just trying to please me."

No, the only one standing on my side will be Jesus Who will say, "That's okay. I already took her punishment. She's already been forgiven for that...and that...and yes, that."

You may ask, "Hey, what'd you have to pay to get that forgiveness?" People may think that's why I try so hard to obey the rules and laws of this world and the Bible...to pay my debt. But this is a debt I could never pay. I didn't deserve God's mercy and forgiveness... and I received gifts I didn't deserve such as loving parents and a wonderful husband who loves me, but the greatest is complete and utter forgiveness...for ALL of MY sins! What's more, I've got God's Holy Spirit living IN me, teaching me, helping me, FILLING me! What a deal! The Bible says that God helps me WANT to do things that please Him and THEN, He enables me to DO them! What a GOD! He provides everything I need to do anything He asks of me. Guaranteed! I'll say it again, "WHAT A GOD!!!"

Is it any wonder I would want to please Him? Yet even though I WANT to please Him and am grateful for all He gives me every moment of every day, I too often choose to please myself or others, instead. He made sure that I had the choice to CHOOSE because He wouldn't derive any joy from a robot child who didn't choose to be in relationship with Him.  We've been given the freedom to choose and our Father will not revoke that right...so today I resolve again to choose to please Him, the One Who I will one day face and on that day, I look forward to seeing Him smile on me saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of Yehovah." 

WHO KNEW?

WHO KNEW I liked green so much???

Winter is ending…and spring has sprung!

Grassy clumps are creating great playgrounds for cats and bugs and birds and things and clouds are busy playing “hide and seek”, “chase” and making funny shapes in the sky.

I start each day in a sweater or robe only to shed it in the afternoon sun…and then hunt it down again as shadows fall.

Winter is ending…and spring has sprung!

Nights are for cuddling on the couch with my love while the cats keep an eye out, pretending to join us till the lights go out.

When the sun comes up, the sun’s bright rays show buds on the trees, promising leaves and fruit and shade and nesting places for the birds and squirrels who live in our glen, who eat from our feeders and drink and bathe in our baths.

Winter is ending…and spring has sprung!

Ahhh, spring! I’m lovin’ the green and happy to say “farewell to winter’s brown.” It’s as if green is a musical note and I have found a corresponding note in me!

Even the blue of the sky seems bluer than before, showing off the white clouds rushing by on their way to impress some other hopeful soul in need of inspiration.

Winter is ending…and spring has sprung!

I understand spring happens at this time every year but somehow it seems new this year and I feel like a “spring virgin” who is seeing and experiencing it all for the very first time.

It’s time to shed the slippers and go barefoot in the grass, playing peek-a-boo and chase with the cats, BBQ and drink iced tea, grab a good book and sit in the swing, saying “Hello!” to spring!

Where is the excellence?

I am sad tonight as I think about how disappointed I am with people in general. It's kind of a cumulative sadness...

You see, I've been noticing that people are getting harder to reach. The biggest thing is how often I smile at others but they don't smile back. I walk into their business and they hardly acknowledge me. I watch them pull out in front of me as if I don't exist. I say, "Excuse me" when I'm passing them in the aisle and I may be in their way but they don't even acknowledge that I said anything. I let them go ahead of me either walking, shopping or driving and they don't even act like they notice that someone just did something nice.

I went to a temp agency on Friday and was amazed that even there, I saw apathy and a lack of caring. Then, I went on a job interview today and saw a tired, bored bunch of people. The owner's wife walked through a few times and never even acknowledged someone was in the room. The office manager never smiled and the owner couldn't even articulate what they were all about and never did get around to saying what the job entailed or how much it paid. The clincher of it all is that this is a Christian ministry.

Okay, to be fair, I've met quite a few passionate and friendly people at church, recently. And as impressed I am with them, I am discouraged at what a minority we are.

I wish I had a voice. Well, I wish I had a vehicle that gave me a BIG VOICE so that I could get the message out reminding Christians of WHO we ARE, how much we have to be thankful for and what we are called to be doing!

There's an old song that said, "You're the only Jesus some will ever see. You're the only words of life some will ever read. So let them see in you the One in Whom is all they'll ever need cause you're the only Jesus some will ever see."

Sadly, a good majority of Christians are only "Sunday Christians". They haven't figured out that we've been bought at great price and our lives are no longer our own, but HIS. They haven't figured out that He is all they'll ever need or that He wants to be in relationship with them 24/7 and a part of everything they do. Consequently, people never get to see in them things that would make THEM want to become Christians. The only people who get to see their "Christian side" are already in church while the rest of "the world" only sees their "worldly side" and there's nothing special about that so they wonder, "What's the big deal about being a Christian if there's no difference in 'us' and 'them'?"

You see, I'm not a "great Christian leader" and will never have a following...and that's okay by me...and I have no ... and I mean NO reason to boast but I must tell you that one of the things I am most grateful for is that I "get it". I realize that even if people don't know I'm a Christian, they may discover it at some time so that means I always have a responsibility to be a good witness of how God can change a person's life. I realize that when I smile at them, I'm showing that God smiles at them. When I take the time to listen (which I'll admit, is RARE! Hahaha!) it is as if I am reminding them that God is listening and finds them worthy of His time. When I allow them to go in front of me in line, I remind them that there is still kindness in this world...and God is the source of that kindness.

My actions tell people, "You matter." In a world where we're all consumed with so many details and stressed to the max, where we feel invisible to others, where we feel like a tiny piece of sand on a great big beach, my smile or kind gesture, my patience, my time, lending an ear, writing an email (sorry, not a forward), will sometimes be understood for what it often is...my way of saying, "I care because God cares."

It's true, you know. You are special...we are special...to God! He came down...did you hear that?...HE came down...in the form of Jesus to suffer not only on the cross but 9 months in the womb and 33 years of having to be weak and poor and despised and rejected and beaten, killed and who knows what all else, so that WE could come into His presence with joy! He had to live every minute of every one of the days of his life without sinning! Now, THAT'S SACRIFICE!!! That's LOVE! His blood covers our sins so that we can enter into HIS HOLY PRESENCE! Now, WE can be in constant companionship with THE GOD WHO CREATED THE UNIVERSE! He CHOSE us! WE didn't choose HIM! We only "get it" because He revealed it TO us! In His death, He has made provision for meeting our every need here on earth and someday soon we will join Him in Heaven to LIVE there WITH HIM!

HELLOOoooO! Are you out of your seat, yet? Can I get an, "AMEN!"? I mean, let's face it...what did YOU exchange for His amazing gifts of salvation and provision? What do you think He wanted YOU to get out of all this? Just a free ticket to Heaven? Could that really have been all it was about? It doesn't make SENSE for it to just be about Heaven! It doesn't make sense for it to be about going to church on Sunday!

I know that I could never articulate here just how much or in how many ways we benefit on a daily basis...and I know there's no way we can ever repay it! I only know I want to bless Him with my attitudes and actions every day. I believe He has a part for me to play in drawing others to Him and ministering to their needs from time to time. I believe that no matter how bad things get, God has made a way out and He will work it out to His children's good and to His glory...and if I LET Him, I get to see Him do it! I have seen it so I know it's true!

Well, that's what I'd tell Christians if I had a BIG VOICE and an opportunity. Until then, I guess I'd better get to praying for them...for us all! 'Cause no matter how much I "get it"...I still "miss Him" all the time. I'm working on it...

PBPGINFWMY...Please be patient...God is not finished with me, yet! I am a work in progress! I have not arrived but I am on my way! Or as one of my favorite book titles puts it, "I am not...but I know I AM!" It's a fantastic book by Louie Giglio, by the way. I highly recommend it!

And with that, I'll say, "Goodnight!...and God Bless!" ; )

Want a friend? Be a friend!

It takes time to be a friend. Have you found that to be true? In our fast-paced world, true friends are few and far between. I think that's why we often don't make many friends once we get out of school because we get so busy and our lives go in different directions, which makes it even harder to find time to keep in touch...even if you are true friends!

I got to be a friend to another today...and you know what? It felt good! It took quite a bit of time but I found it to be an honor to be allowed to be a friend to a friend in need. I really recommend it! What was it that old commercial said? "Try it, you'll like it!" ; )

The results aren't in yet...whether I was a help or not...but it doesn't even matter! I obeyed God...or at least what I think God was leading me to do! ; ) I tried. I didn't talk Him out of it, didn't whine about it and didn't run from it. I'm reminded that I am not responsible for the outcome...just for my obedience. God will reward me, either way! ; ) So, I think I'll do another Friend Thing by continuing to hold my friend up in prayer. Prayers are more powerful than hopes or wishes. I bet you've noticed that, too! (I thought so!) ; )

Well, whatever you need today, I encourage you to go out and give to others and just trust God to take care of your needs. It's guaranteed...you cannot outgive God! It's not a formula and not about anything but learning to be a giver which takes your eyes off of your needs. It keeps you from whining not to mention keeping you from taking control and getting in God's way! It can also help you to stay focused on God and not your problems. God's the One with a plan for your life...so let HIM worry about it! Hahaha! Okay, we know that God doesn't worry...but you "catch my drift". I mean, how many people can wash the dishes at once? Right! One! There just isn't room for two at that sink! The other can help with the dishes...but you can't both wash at once! It's a strange analogy but just remember, God washes and you just get to participate! ; )

Well, this was just a quick blog to kind of kick-off my new blog here. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Take a few moments to focus on all the things you have to be thankful for! And while you're at it, guide your conversation with your friends to help them do the same. They may call it corny...but you'll know that you're just being a good friend...and secretly, they will, too!

Blessings, everyone!