A Shifting Perspective...

Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

 In which she feels the sudden urge to wax poetic...

Sometimes, the visiting artist said, there's a mountain that your faith won't move.

Because God put it there to teach you to climb mountains.  It only takes a little faith to move the mountain...but it takes great faith to climb it.

Selah.

And I argued with God.

WHY do we have to climb mountains?  What is the purpose?

Why?

And he replied

You have to learn to climb the mountain

Because you can see things from the mountain top you won't be able to see anywhere else.

There where the air is pure and clean, your perspective will shift.

The view is worth it.

Trust me.

Friday Faithfuls 2: 1 Peter

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

It's Easter Costuming season so my posting is sporadic.  Taking a sewing break to reflect a bit on the first epistle written by Peter.

I landed on two verses and debated which one I should post; ten years ago, I picked THREE verses that all contained a particular phrase.  One of those verses struck me today, but for a different reason. I was kinda bummed that I used it the first go round.  Then I happened upon  a second verse that stirred up some thoughts but seemed kinda...heavy...which one should I use?

I decided to go with the more positive of the two and, if it breaks my rules, well, I kinda did that already by picking three verses the first go round. So there's wiggle room here, lol.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.   - 1 Peter 1:13, NIV 84

That one struck me completely because of recent events...the revival/ awakening that seems to be happening on various college campuses.  When it started,  I suddenly had the feeling that we don't have a clue what the much - mentioned 'End Time Revival' is really going to look like.  We've been expecting an outpouring like...well, like we've seen before.  But I have a feeling that THAT event is going to be nothing like anything that has happened since Pentecost.

Think about a massive dam suddenly fully opening all the flood gates.  Nothing can stand up to that outpouring. Nothing influences it.   It just...goes.  

The thing that hit me. all at once, was that...we've had it wrong.  We've been praying for God to send revival; God IS going to send revival; it's coming. On his timetable.  Maybe we should be praying for God to get US ready for the revival that's coming.  

That verse hit me as a confirmation of that thought.  We need to be prepared...for the revelation of Jesus that's coming.  We've seen the light, dimly, but when he says, 'NOW' the floodlights are kicking in.    We'll see what we haven't been able to see. Priorities will shift. We'll hear what we haven't been able to hear.  Fear will fall away.  Because we will experience the actual manifest presence of God himself.  We will know more than we can even guess right now.

I don't know if it's started.  But I think we're at least hearing the rumble in the rails that it is coming.

Are we ready?  'Cause when it starts...everything changes...

Friday Faithfuls 2: James

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

A bit under the weather last week; I didn't manage to get the weekly post up. So I've had a bit of time to ponder which verse to use from James. And I keep coming back to the same bit.

So. Much. Instruction.

James is a book of living a practical life of faith. Not, as some might have it, a treatise on the necessity of doing good works in order to be accepted by God, but of the truth that living a life that expresses true faith will result in doing the right things.

So, here's what keeps catching my eye this go round:

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. -- James 1:26 - 27.

Two things there caught my eye...the first being 'Religious/ Religion', because that is not really something that the Bible talks about much.

In fact, that's the only occurrence of 'Religious' (Strong's G2357 - threskos : 'ceremonious in worship (as demonstrative), i.e. pious:—religious.') in the entire New Testament, and half of the occurrences of 'Religion' (Strong's G2356 - threskia: 'ceremonial observance:—religion, worshipping.'); the other two are Acts 26:5, in which Paul refers to the practices of his religion...i.e., Judaism...and Col. 2:18, in which Paul warns the readers of putting emphasis on worshipping angels.

So, we don't have a bountiful amount of data to go on here but it appears from what we do have that James is referring to the practice or demonstration of one's faith.

The other bit is 'he deceives himself'. Self deception is a recurring topic, as those of you who have followed along for a bit will recognize. I honestly think self-deception is one of the number one issues amongst folks, both believers and unbelievers. We all use self-deception as an avoidance technique to some degree; it is a major work to unmask and get rid of the lies we tell ourselves...but that is the beginning of real freedom.

So let's pick this apart a bit. In verse 26, we see that failing to control what we say will make the demonstration of our faith worthless. Folks, people are watching everyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus and when they see discrepancies it discredits the validity of faith to unbelievers. We tend to associate 'controlling one's tongue' with cursing, and that is one way that lack of control expresses itself, but I think there are some that are way more damaging...complaining, gossip, slander, coarse joking, lying, cattiness, etc...than blurting out a naughty word if you bash your thumb. Despite the little ditty that maintains 'words will never hurt me'...words cause wounds. Deep wounds.  And I will be the first to admit that there have been times when I spoke without thinking and hurt people. Apologies will only go so far; sometimes the wounds heal but they leave scars. It needs the ministry of the Spirit to truly and completely heal those places.

It doesn't matter at all how much outward expression of faith one has...if one continually fails to keep confidences, or always points out the negative in a situation, or has to top another's story, or makes jokes at someone else's expense, or never passes an opportunity to 'put someone in their place', or browbeats people who have different viewpoints, or routinely brings waitstaff to the point of tears with demands and complaints (It is a sad commentary that the 'Sunday after church crowd' is the most despised group amongst food services workers), et cetera, any pious behavior is completely without merit as a demonstration of faith.

I don't think anyone can read that without at least a twinge. I couldn't write it without remembering instances in which I failed. Mea culpa.

So...how do we behave? Two things.

First, we take care of widows and orphans. This ain't the job of the government, folks, it's the job of the church. If the church were doing her duty here the welfare load would be greatly reduced. Aiding widows was the FIRST benevolence activity recorded...and they weren't perfect at it even then. (See Acts 6:1-6). It's too easy now to shrug it off and say, like Ebenezer Scrooge, 'My taxes go to support [aid institutions]' without being personally involved.

Selah.

The other thing is a little more subjective: keep oneself from being polluted by the world. The ESV translates this as 'unstained by the world'; the Greek word there is aspilos (Strong's G784) ... which is actually a compound word; the negative participle a + spiloo (Strong's G4695, 'to stain or soil (literally or figuratively):—defile, spot'). Unstained. Unspotted. Undefiled.

So...how would the world (Greek kosmos: Strong's G2889, which has several meanings but the applicable one is 'the whole circle of earthy goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which, although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ') stain, spot, or defile a believer?

Influence, my friends. Influence. How much of our actions, thoughts and beliefs are influenced by social media, advertising, news stories presented with an agenda, etc.? If my beliefs and actions are at odds with Biblical standards...it ain't the Bible that's messed up. If I am pulling one or two verses out of context to support what I think or do, that's a pretty good indication that I have some pollution going on.

Pure and faultless are the adjectives we are looking for, not tolerant and compromised...in the sight of God, who knows everything...including where we have deceived ourselves.

Yeah. Selah.

Friday Faithfuls 2: Hebrews

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

Hebrews is an interesting book.  It doesn't have the intro bit all the other Epistles have.   It's frequently attributed to Paul, but the usual identifiers Paul included in his epistles are not there.  But if it wasn't written by Paul, it was certainly written by someone who had studied under Paul. "Our brother Timothy" is mentioned as having been released (from prison?), so it would definitely have been someone in that circle.

We have some truly amazing logic and application of scriptures from the Law and the Prophets to the life and teachings of Jesus, showing the progression of God's working from the Aaronic priesthood through to the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.

But the bit that caught my eye today may have done so because of recent events in the news.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess his name.  Heb 13: 15

And I would offer one caution...if the praise is offered to God, other people don't get to decide if it's legit or not.

Something that looks authentic to you or me may be offered out of the wrong spirit, with the wrong attitude.  Something that looks lame or put on to you or me may actually be coming from a broken heart, who has just felt the authentic touch of God heal that place that could not be touched.  Or someone with incredible talent could be offering to God the best they have...whether it is singing, playing an instrument or, dare I say it, running the lights?  

It's the why that matters.  No one but God knows the why in an individual's heart...or what actual sacrifice their praise may be.

It is kind of a sad thing to feel the need to judge someone else's worship.

If I am being critical of another's worship...my own worship has faltered and is no longer continuous.

Just something to keep in mind over the next few weeks...whatever they may bring.

A Momentous Day

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

So, I missed getting my Friday Faithul post up today (looks at the Saturday timestamp...I was actually just posting after midnight, lol)

We had some stuff going on.

First, this happened locally:

Baby Number Two to the Princess and Prince Charming.  A second Little Prince.  He looks happy to be here, don't you think?

But that was not the only Big Event of the day; a bit later,  this happened in Florida:

The Actor proposed to his Little Red-Haired Girl. and she said yes.

And for some reason that picture WILL NOT center.  Oh well.

So, yeah, I didn't get the weekly Bible study post written up today...

Friday Faithfuls: 2 Timothy

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

So, now we are looking at 2 Timothy.  I wanted to save Paul's final epistle for the end; at this point, he was in the Mamertine prison, awaiting the day when the guard would call his name and escort him to the place where he was beheaded for the 'crime' of preaching the gospel.  He writes to encourage Timothy in the face of opposition...but also, I think, to encourage himself.  Paul knew the end was near, and, so far as he could tell, his ministry and influence were over.  Twice he pleads with Timothy to 'do your best to come'...we do not know if Timothy got to Rome and to Paul before Paul's execution or not.  I do hope so; it would have been very hard for Timothy if he didn't make it.

I pondered over several verses (including the one I picked on the first time I did the skim-through-the-books exercise)  but the one I am settling on today is one of the main 'last words' of Paul to Timothy, whom he considers a 'dear son':

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth  -- 2 Tim 2:15, NIV 84.  

King James renders this as 'Study to show yourself approved', so I thought I'd check out the lexicon and see what we have here.

The Greek word is σπουδάζω spoudázō, spoo-dad'-zo; from G4710; to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:—do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.

'Study' in KJV here but most of the time it is translated as some form of the word 'diligent' (do diligence, be diligent, diligently, etc.) or 'endeavor' . It's the same word used in 4:9...'Do your best to come quickly'.

Which, I suppose, just means that the KJV translators took 'study' to be HOW Timothy would endeavor to be diligent to present himself.  But I think the word encompasses more than just diligent study of the written word...remember, Timothy didn't have a Bible.  He probably only had limited access to to the OT scrolls...unless he had copied out passages for himself.  He had access to some letters from Paul, and maybe others, but mostly he would have had to spend much time in prayer and listening to Holy Spirit.  He had to be diligent in his pursuit of God in all ways.  He also would have to have to done his best to relate to other people in a godly manner

The Greek word for 'word' is λόγος lógos, log'-os; from G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):—account, cause, communication, × concerning, doctrine, fame, × have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, × speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

Logos, I have always been taught, is the written word, the Scripture that we have physically in our hands.  But I did a study a while back on the difference between logos and rhema (Strong's G4487), which I have been taught is the spoken, or 'proceeding' word, and found that the lexicon doesn't really specify either as a written word. Logos was used to mean a written document in places; 'doctrine'  or 'account' above could certainly mean something written, but  both logos and rhema imply something said,  with no real distinction between 'something said in the past and written down' and 'something that is being spoken in the present'.  Context alone determined whether logos was a written word or a spoken word.

Paul was instructing Timothy to be diligent in his pursuit of God so that he could correctly handle truth, whether it was in the Law and the Prophets or a revelation given to anyone around him; the New Testament didn't exist, so he had to have Holy Spirit- enabled discernment.  What is the truth, and what is not?

And, yeah, that still applies.  I think I have some...diligence...to work on.

Friday Faithfuls: Philemon

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

Week two of the 'out of order' posts...saving 2 Timothy until next week.  So this week ,we're looking at Philemon in our weekly 'skim through a book looking to see what jumps'.

Philemon is probably the most personal letter of Paul's we have in the New Testament.  Written to a friend,  with an entirely personal appeal, I doubt Paul ever imagined folks would be still be studying it two thousand years in the future.  He probably thought no one other than Philemon would read it.  But apparently Holy Spirit had other ideas and there are principles in this letter that apply to more than just the specific situation Paul was addressing.

Written during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome, likely at the same time as the letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, as the same folks are mentioned and Onesimus is mentioned as accompanying Tychius as he carried the letters back to those congregations...and also probably the letter to Philemon.  A pretty gutsy thing; Onesimus had one time been enslaved, and property of Philemon, and had run away...and now, was returning with a letter from Paul asking Philemon to welcome Onesimus as a brother, not a runaway slave.

Of course, the verse that is, to me, the high point of this letter is verse 18, but I used that the last time I did this little exercise, so by my restrictions on this, the second go round, I have to look at a different verse.

The next verse that catches my attention is verse 21:

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

Paul didn't specifically ask Philemon to officially free Onesimus...he just asked that Onesimus be received as a friend and a brother, which implies that he would not be punished in any way for his actions, which likely included theft of property to support himself once he fled. But Paul, without specifically saying it, clearly expects Philemon to release Onesimus from servitude as well.

And, as it turns out, ancient church tradition has it that a fellow named Onesimus became the leader of the church in Ephesus after Timothy.  Was it the same guy?  If it was...then it appears that Philemon honored both Paul's spoken and implied requests and gave Onesimus full pardon and freedom.

And the whole body in that region benefitted from his actions.

And here's what struck me from that...me forgiving an individual, extending grace to go beyond, maybe even aiding/ assisting that person in his/her own personal growth, doesn't just affect me, but potentially everyone that person can then influence for Christ. What's my personal little hurt...or even big hurt...in comparison to what a truly repentant person can do in the Kingdom?