Notes for the integrity of your word

Matthew 5:33-37
Don't break your oaths to the lord and Jesus discouraging swearing an oath, just let your yes be yes and no no

2 Cor 1:17-31
Paul explaining that though he has yet to fulfill his word to come to Corinth, he did not commit his word in a worldly way but really meant to fulfill it. circumstances have simply prevented him

Ezekiel 18:21-32
God changes his action based on the response of people to Him. When people repent, he relents from punishing and blesses instead. When people turn from righ the relents from blessing and punishes instead.

Jeremiah 18:1-12
God changes his action based on the response of people to Him even in spite of His word. When people repent, he relents from punishing and blesses instead. When people turn from right the relents from blessing and punishes instead.

Are you expecting?

Do you remember writing a Christmas list? Mine would be filled with toys, treats, video games and that one special big wish. My big wish would include things like a BMX bike, a video game console, or a brand new Commodore 64 computer with a 5” disk drive with a set of “Where in the world is Carmen San Diego” floppies.
On Christmas morning, when I sat down with my family beside the tree we would open our gifts by taking turns. AS the youngest I would go first hoping that I would get that the first brightly wrapped package that I opened would contain the fulfillment of that one big wish. While unwrapping the box I would wonder, “Is this the one?” However, when I opened the box I would inevitably find something like several jumbo packs of tube socks and one pair of nice black dress socks. I would smile, weakly, and say something polite with a look of thinly veiled disappointment in my eyes. When it was my turn again, I would feel renewed with that same hope and anticipation as the first time, “Is this the one?” Then, I would carefully unwrap and uncover a big beautiful sweater. Another weak smile would creep across my face, except with greater effort this time, and I would force out another polite expression. My brothers would take their turns and then my parents and finally back to me for another round of gift unwrapping. Again and again we would go as I alternated between anticipation and disappointment until that one box was unwrapped to reveal that gift that I had been waiting for. My one big wish come true on display in front of me in all of its glory!
Expectations can take us on a roller coaster like that. We like to get what we want. We want to foresee what should be based on our desires and anticipate the future. When we don’t get what we expect, often feelings of disappointment and even discouragement follow. Something must be wrong. How can reality fail to conform to our rigid preset goals, ideas, and timetables? While searching for the expected we can easily gloss over all of the other gifts that God has given us along the way. We can fail to recognize the care and kindness in His provision for our lives.
Try laying aside your expectations for the next few months. Instead put on an attitude of expectancy. Trust God to do something good without defining what it has to be. Enjoy the wonder of anticipating the unknown, and accept every gift with genuine gratitude. Let it direct your attention to the giver, our good, gracious, and loving Father.

The Gates of Hell understood using Bible Dictionaries

Gates of Hell understood using dictionaries

This post continues my study into the meaning of the phrase “gates of hell” in Matthew 16:18. Previously, I used commentaries to understand the meaning. Here I use bible dictionaries. I chose these specific resources because I was able to find them online using www.crosswalk.com and www.biblegateway.com, or I had them on my bookshelf already.

Smith's Bible Dictionary-did not include a reference to the Gates of Hell

Eerdman's
“The gate is a frequent metaphor for power, as in the …. 'gates of hell.'”

Nave's Topical Bible
Gates refers figuratively in Matthew 16:18 to the powers of hell

Hayford's Bible Handbook
“Jesus in saying that His church would prevail over the “gates of hades” indicates that ….Jesus' purpose in building His church is to break the evil hold on these arenas of life which hell perpetrates to human confusion and destruction.”

Easton's Bible Dictionary
“"The gates of hell" (RSV, "gates of Hades") Matthew 16:18 , are generally interpreted as meaning the power of Satan, but probably they may mean the power of death, denoting that the Church of Christ shall never die. “

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
“When Jesus promises that the "gates of Hades" will never overcome the church ( Matt 16:18 ), this phrase parallels Old Testament expressions tied to evil's power and persecution ( Psalm 9:13 ; 107:17-20 ). Jesus' reference to the future in Matthew 16:18 concurs with Revelation's vision of Satan's final attack on God's people (19:19; 20:7-9). Jesus has promised that he will conquer Hades so that it will not defeat the church. Indeed, his resurrection establishes that this evil empire is already broken. Christ now holds the keys, the authority over death and Hades ( Rev 1:18 )!”

Torrey's New Topical Textbook Bible Concordance Online
the phrase “gates of hell” from Matthew 16:18 is illustrative of Satan's power


The other resources that I will explore in the future include:

1) Different English translations of the Bible
2) Strong's
3) An interlinear bible
4) Writings and/or sermons from history regarding this passage, especially from the Church Fathers if they can be found.

The Gates of Hell understood using commentaries

My pastor referenced matthew 16:18 in a sermon yesterday where he explained the reference to "the gates of hell" as signifying the Church overcoming death. I have heard this phrase explained in a different way in the past. I have been taught that the gates of hell refer to the spiritual forces of evil, namely Satan, demons, and every argument, image, or attraction that is contrary to the rule of Christ.

So, I decided to research the meaning using the resources available to me to learn for myself the best way to understand this passage. The sources I used for my initial research include commentaries by, John Gill's Exposition of the Bible(JG), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible(MH), and Jameson, Faussett, and Brown's Critical and Explanatory Commentary(JFB). I used crosswalk.com to view the of these commentaries online.



Jameson, Faussett, and Brown

and the gates of hell--"of Hades," or, the unseen world; meaning, the gates of Death: in other words, "It shall never perish." Some explain it of "the assaults of the powers of darkness"; but though that expresses a glorious truth, probably the former is the sense here.


Matthew Henry

The gates of hell shall not prevail against it; neither against this truth, nor against the church which is built upon it. (1.) This implies that the church has enemies that fight against it, and endeavour its ruin overthrow, here represented by the gates of hell, that is, the city of hell; (which is directly opposite to this heavenly city, this city of the living God ), the devil’s interest among the children of men. The gates of hell are the powers and policies of the devil’s kingdom, the dragon’s head and horns, by which he makes war with the Lamb; all that comes out of hell-gates, as being hatched and contrived there. These fight against the church by opposing gospel truths, corrupting gospel ordinances, persecuting good ministers and good Christians; drawing or driving, persuading by craft or forcing by cruelty, to that which is inconsistent with the purity of religion; this is the design of the gates of hell, to root out the name of Christianity (Ps. 83:4), to devour the man-child (Rev. 12:9), to raze this city to the ground. (2.) This assures us that the enemies of the church shall not gain their point. While the world stands, Christ will have a church in it, in which his truths and ordinances shall be owned and kept up, in spite of all the opposition of the powers of darkness;


John Gill's

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The Jews speak of the gates of hell: sometimes of the gate of hell, in the singular number; and sometimes of the gates of hell, in the plural number. They say, that

``(Mnhygl vy Myxtp hvlv) , "hell has three gates", one in the wilderness, one in the sea, and one in Jerusalem.''

They talk of

``an angel that is appointed (Mnhygd yert le) , "over the gates of hell", whose name is Samriel; who has three keys in his hands, and opens three doors.''

And elsewhere they say, that

``he that is appointed over hell his name is Dumah, and many myriads of destroying angels are with him, and he stands (Mnhygd axtp le) , "at the gate of hell"; and all those that keep the holy covenant in this world, he has no power to bring them in.''

Our Lord may allude to these notions of the Jews, and his sense be, that all the infernal principalities and powers, with all their united cunning and strength, will never be able to extirpate his Gospel, to destroy his interest, to demolish his church in general, or ruin anyone particular soul that is built upon him. Again, the gates of "Hades", or hell, sometimes seem to design no other than the gates of death, and the grave, and persons going into the state of death; see (Job 38:17) (Isaiah 38:10) where the Septuagint use the same phrase as here; and then the sense is, that neither death, nor the grave, shall finally, and totally prevail over the people of God, and members of Christ; but they shall be raised out of such a state, and live gloriously with him for ever. By it here is not meant Peter himself; though it is true of him, that Satan, and his posse of devils that beset him, did not prevail against him, so as to destroy his grace, hurt his estate, and hinder his salvation: nor could death, in all its frightful appearances, deter him from holding, and preaching, and maintaining the doctrine of Christ; and though death, and the grave, have now power over him, yet they shall not always detain him: but rather, it designs the doctrine Peter made a confession of; which, though it may be opposed by hell and earth, by Satan, and his emissaries, by the open force of persecutors, and the secret fraud of heretics, it may be brought into contempt by the scandalous lives of professors; and though the true professors of it may die off, yet truth itself always lives, and defies the power of death, and the grave: or else the church in general is meant, and every true believer. These words do not ascertain the continuance of anyone particular congregated church, but secures the church universal, which will continue as long as the sun and moon endure, and the perseverance of everyone of God's elect; and assure that death, and the grave, shall not always have the dominion over the saints, but that they shall be rescued from them. Once more, this "it" may refer to Christ the rock, who, though he was brought to the dust of death, by the means of Satan, and the powers of darkness, yet to the ruin of him that had the power of death; and though death, and the grave, had power over him for a while, yet could not hold him; he rose victorious over them, and ever lives, having the keys of hell and death, to open the gates thereof, and let his people out when he thinks fit.

I have used these commentaries in the past to great benefit. On this small portion of Scripture JFB and MH disagree while JG presents both understandings and some basis for each. At this point in my search for understanding, it seems that honest disagreement is possible since both interpretations reflect truths that are supported elsewhere in Scripture.

I'll need to look into this further. The sources that I intend to research next include

1) Bible dictionaries
2) Different English translations of the Bible
3) Strong's
4) An interlinear bible
5) Writings and/or sermons from history regarding this passage, especially from the Church Fathers if they can be found.

Partner Party Video

My Favorite Lyrics

I got these off of the site lyricsdir.com. These lyrics are from a rap by E'Miner and the Pilgrim featured on the album "Human Emergency". It is presented as a prayer and is entitled "Lord"

These lyrics were my prayer for about 1.5yrs.

[The Pilgrim]
Lord Jesus You're the King
And You reign over everything
Nothing is impossible to You not even anything
Forever never perishing
You're beauty never blemishing
You are the song that we sing
when we're worshipping
You're word is nourishing
and You're kingdom ever flourishing
Eternal never finishing, never ever diminishing
I'm relishing my relationship I'm daily cherishing
Through fellowship my thirsty soul You're replenishing
Lord, because You're just sin and lust You'll be punishing
Astonishing, how man rejects the admonishing
But knees will be knocking, hard nuts will be cracking and trembling
All high heels You'll be leveling
Mans long list of short comings
You'll be measuring and threatening
Over drawn accounts You'll be settling
Prodigal sons and lost souls
You'll be beckoning and tethering
And then will welcome them into the bretherin

[E'Miner]
Lord release Your power from on high through our lives
coz when we grip the mic we want to drop this right
we bring our bodies as a living sacrifice
that the deaf ears might be opened
and the blind receive their sight, and recognize
the way that they can identify
with You the Christ who Died
so that we could come into the light
and realise that You took away our sin
the way to You is open we can now freely come within
You're Holy veil
Lord, no more livin stale,
Lord, we can know You for ourselves for real
Lord and be secure in who You are
in everything we do worship
You and know that we is cool
that's why we, want to state plainly
the liberty that You have given us by You sovereignty
gratefully received
Cross Movement and MOD merge together as one like melody and harmony
a Godly symphony
sounding out the ghetto liturgy
globally, we bring encouragement to all You're family
faithfully, we want to serve You side by side with sword and trowel
till before You're throne on both our bended knees we take our bow

[Chorus]
Lord we declare humbly that You are here
We recognize ya
We raise our praise to Your name
Hallelujah
We come to represent You with no shame
because we love ya
There's nobody else who is above ya

[The Pilgrim]
Lord I thank You that to us Gentiles
who sat in the darkness You brought us light
through Christ
no less, sitting in the shadow of death
Lord this world is a mass grave
a tomb headed for doom, give me room
spreading from the left to the right
no depth or no height
holding forth the word of life yo
takin this game to the street, kicking tradition to the kerb
enlightening those who never heard bringing the word
faithfully spittin the truth, we're cuttin them loose
the sceptics providin them proof yo
we aint timid and scared, we're fully prepared
we're ready and keen 1Peter 3:15
me and my team
hit targets and getting annoyed
while The Word of God is accurate it never returns void
and if you're looking for Guns we ain't carryin
but I've got a Bible and some tracks in my hand you understand

[E'Miner]
Lord People wrestle You and try to fling You off like Dr Spock
Instead of gripping You like Jacob
Truly You are in this place and they know it not
like Clarke Gable, Frankly my dear the mans don't give a... what!?!
Do they know not
that they're headed for that hot spot
and when their flesh rots
they will still be burning non-stop?
We try to reason, but they treat us like we're talkin treason
wanning (going on) like they is the cream of the crop
so we use the hip-hop
to preach non-stop
rinse the Bible from bottom to top
Blaze the Word till we drop
because we can't stop makin it clear
that You are here and You truly care
and our burdens You'll truly bare
but beware because we know
You're judgement is drawin near
if we turn from sin, You'll bring us in
out of despair
You made the way clear
yet it does makes You're heart bleed
to see the gals dem bunnin the weed
driven by greed, mans out sowin wild seed
yet more wild flowers a breed
when will the people take heed
tell me when will the people them see
Lord You're here full of Grace and Mercy
us Your keen to receive
Tell me when will the people them see, Lord
You're here and You're wrath is ready if we refuse to believe

a subtle deceit

It was an easy thing to regard that initial commitment that I made to Jesus as a significant moment to be memorialized. Once I became His, I had only to enjoy the benefits of this amazing association. I had learned the new rules.

With this accomplished, I looked to occupy myself with other pursuits. New adventures, achievements, and relationships absorbed my attention and passions. I carefully applied the new rules to the same pursuits that I had before I began to follow Jesus. This, I supposed, was what it meant to believe.

This attitude is subtle and subversive. The truth is that the commitment that I made to Jesus was not about the moment of decision. It was to a lifestyle of seeking and yielding. I am unfaithful to that commitment when I am too concerned with my own desires and ambitions to seek God's pleasure and too tied to my own goals and pursuits to yield to His purpose.

In that moment, obedience becomes an inconvenient obligation to avoid if possible and endure when necessary.

Don't be afriad to shine

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-Nelson Mandela

Faith follows focus

This is a sermon in development. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to make the point clearer, or even if you think I'm making the wrong point entirely.
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"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the father, and i will do whatever you ask in my name, because the Son wants to bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it."

-John 14:12-14

The issue isn't whether or not God is willing, it is whether I am willing to believe him. Now, this isn't a matter of me working myself into a fit of frenzy which will enable me to deny reality so i can have faith. Rather, faith follows focus.

This is most dramatically seen in romantic relationships. Think about a friend of yours. Someone who is hooked up with a guy or girl that doesn't seem right for them. They seem like they get on each others nerves and never agree. Your friend often confides in you how distressed they are about this relationship, but for some reason, they hold on. See, your friend is convinced that this will work. They Just know that if they hold on something will change. They have come to believe in this relationship because they have invested the time and effort imagining how good this can be. They have exalted this person in their minds to the point that they just know that all of the heartache will be worth it just to finally be able to have a good relationship with this person.

So, it is possible to come to believe in something just by keeping your focus on that thing. This thing will become a reality in your own mind and heart even if it is just your imagination or emotions getting the better of you. The difference between faith and believing in something just from your imagination or emotions is that faith is faith in God, his character and his promises as revealed by Scripture. You will grow in faith as you narrow in focus on these things.

This reveals the true danger of doing doubtful and sinful things. They distract us from focusing on God and we focus on our fears, our lusts, our status. When the time comes where we need to believe, then we may find that we can't. We can hope in God, but we can't believe from our heart. Our heart has been meditating elsewhere.

The promise stands that if we will believe, having faith in Jesus, He will accomplish that which we ask for in His name. Are you willing to believe? It will probably take more than a rote repetition of prayer. It will take a lifestyle of ever narrowed focus on living in light of the character and promises of God. This is what means to be a disciple.

So, are you willing to focus on Jesus, His character, His purpose, and His promise to develop the faith that it takes to believe from the heart?

Israel, Balaam and me- Pt4

It's been months since I started this. In Parts 1-3 I explored incidents where curses were placed on Israel and Balaam by accepting what God had granted them. (Read the previous posts for more info)

In this post I will draw conclusions about how their situation resembles my own at times. In each of these instances both Israel as a nation and Balaam as an individual were discontent with what God had given them. Israel did not like the food God gave them and became resentful and asked for meat. God told Balaam not to go with the king's men in answer to the king's request that he come and curse Israel. After the king offered to pay a much higher fee then Balaam went to God again hoping to receive a different answer.

In each case God permitted the request. Israel was given meat, and He told Balaam he could go with the king's men. Also, in each case there was a curse. Initially, this seemed unfair to me. If God gives permission for something then it is capricious or mean-spirited to punish people for doing that thing. However, it seems that this is the way that God does things. When, we refuse to be content to embrace his provision or his commands, and instead, pursue our lusts then He allows us to have what we want with the curse that attends it.

Below are a couple of other examples:

Divorce

Malachi 2

"16 "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself ^[a] with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty.
So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith."
Matthew 19:

"3Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

4"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'^[a] 5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'^[b]? 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

7"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

8Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

Sexual Immorality

Romans 1:

"22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done."


This is frightening to me. I can persist in asking God for somethings and get what I've asked for even though it isn't what He desires for me.

How will I know that I am doing what is right?
I'll stay close enough to know his heart and see it's reflection in my own.
I think that is what Jesus means by remaining in him.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John15:5

Easily Deceived

About this time every year, I make a concentrated effort to practice gratitude. I minimize the disappointment, regrets, and loses of the past 12 months, and I magnify all of the good things. Here is how I do it:

I remember God's comfort in pain and the lessons learned through trouble. I remember His promises and His character. I rejoice that I am His choice to be adopted into His family and that Jesus is not ashamed to call me brother.

I remember how much I enjoy friends and how precious the relationships in my life are. I decide to believe the best about people's motives. I remember how blessed I am to have so many friends.

I choose to believe the best about myself. I choose to forgive myself. I remember that my future is limited by my faith not by my failures. Then I choose to trust God.

Eventually, I begin to wonder how I could have spent any time being frustrated with myself, bitter at others, or suspicious of God. Then I remember how, I am simple minded and easily deceived.

Silly me

How to Pray-"Our Father"

Chase Bank had this slogan, "CHASE, where the right relationship is everything."

That slogan resonates because it reveals something we know is true throughout life. There are things that I have gotten because of a relationship that would not have otherwise been accessible to me. A number of years ago, I got a new car from my parents because I needed it to commute to work. Around that time though, my cousin also needed a car. My parents didn't get her one, not even an old beat up one. She wasn't less needy. She wasn't less deserving. She just wasn't their child.

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1-2), the first thing that He teaches them is that God is our Father. This means at least two things. The first and most obvious is that we can approach God with the love and respect that a child has for his father. The second is that God thinks of us with the special love and concern that a father has for his children. Because of that relationship, we should expect to get things that we don't deserve and be grateful for them.

We pray, not in the manner that an employee asks his boss for a raise or the way one appeals to a judge for a favorable ruling. It is more like a child asking his dad for some money to get a new toy or for school supplies. In prayer, the right relationship is everything.

The Israelites, Balaam, and me- Pt3

(You have little hope of comprehending the following if you don't read Pt2)

Considering both of these stories together, a new line of thinking occurs to me. Both the Israelites and Balaam were discontent with God's provision.

The Israelites were troubled by the memory of better conditions in slavery. So much so that they began to focus on how great they ate while being exploited and oppressed by Egyptian rulers instead of how great it was to be free with hope for a future being led by Father God.

Balaam already had an answer from God. The only thing that changed between the initial direction God gave him and his seeking further direction was the increased offer of compensation.

Balaam eventually proved that his motives were suspect. Though God would not alow him to curse Israel. Balaam counselled Balak on how to cause Israel to bring a curse on themselves by intermarrying with the Midianite women. He showed himself creative in technically following the command of God while still pursuing the true desire of his heart which was not to please God, loving what He loves and hating what He hates, but rather to secure the wealth and honor promised to him:

"While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joine themselves to Baal of Peor, an the Lord was angry against Israel" (Numbers 25:1-3)

"Behold, [the Moabite women] caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the Lord. " (Numbers 31:16)

"And those who died by the plague were 24,000" (Numbers 25:9)

"forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, but he received an rebuke for his own transgression: for a dumb onkey, spealking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet." (2Peter 2:15-16)

"Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah." (Jude 11)

"But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teahing of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality." (Revelations 2:14)

Intercession Interruption

It usually comes on me like a deep sadness and an oncoming hunger. I think first that I should eat or try to relax. Eating is unsatisfying and I can't relax. I am slightly agitated. Neither television, radio, nor the internet can divert my attention from the empty gnawing feeling in my gut, can lighten the heaviness in my heart, or cleanse the stickiness in my throat and mouth which will not easily agree to utter any words unless they are words of prayer.


When I do yield and pray, I feel sorrows and happiness and I see things that were, never were, will be, may never be, and things that are just underneath the apparent. I become content. I feel the indentation in my soul. I know I am being marked for something. I believe that it meant something. I wait actively, trusting, hoping, quietly. I am dependent.

The Israelites, Balaam, and me- Pt2

(This is a continuation of the blog entry "The Israelites, Balaam, and me- Pt1. You should read that one first if you hope to understand this one.)

For the past 2-3 years, I've been doing devotionals by just read through the bible fro start to finish. It's a great way to do devotionals for me because I don't lose my place as easily as I would in a devotional guide, and I don't have to worry about misplacing my guide or getting off schedule. While I was reading, I came across a certain passage from the book of Numbers. It is the kind of story that brings up a lot of questions and accusations in my mind about God's character(see Pt1 ). It reminds me of another passage that has puzzled me, the story of the prophet Balaam. For him, God provided direction instead of food. He, like the Israelites, was dissatisfied with what God provided initially.

See, prominent delegates from a nearby kingdom came to him with gifts and a message from the king:

"A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then, I will be able to fight them and drive them away. But God said to Balaam, 'Do not go with them..."(Numbers 22:11-12)


After Balaam refused them they went away for a while, but the king sent a larger contingent of higher level dignitaries back with a better offer. This was obviously very important to his majesty. The king thought enough of Balaam's abilities that he promised that Balaam would be rewarded with honor, wealth, and whatever else he asked for. In essence, he told him he would do whatever it took to get Balaam to render his services. In light of the new offer, Balaam went back to God to see if God would allow him to go:

"That night God came to Balaam and said, 'Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you' "(v. 20)

We see that God told him to go. Yet, two verses later, it seems that God just goes off on the guy:

"Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him." (v. 21-22)

The word "oppose" in this context apparently means to kill, end the life of, execute, or relieve from breathing. I know this because the angel says so:

"And the angel of the Lord said to him, ...Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me...I would surely ave killed you just now..."(v32-33)

Again, this passage has often caused me to wonder, "What the @&#?!" Balaam prayed, heard from God, and obeyed. Then, God gets enraged and orders a hit on him. How am I going to trust a God who abuses people when they obey him?

The Israelites, Balaam, and me- Pt1

The Israelites were getting discontent. Their Father God was fulfilling a promise to their ancestor Abraham by freeing them from slavery and making them a nation of their own in a territory he had chosen for them centuries before (Gen 15:2-16). He had freed them in His signature inimitable fashion causing the world superpower, Egypt their former oppressors, to finance the establishment of their nation. After making them wealthy, He was caring for their needs in this interim period before they received their own territory. However, God's provision became to them unsatisfactory. It was too plain and had become too common. They longed for the variety of tasty food they had in Egypt:

"...If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at not cost- also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite: we never see anything but this manna!"(Numbers 11:4-6)

Father God allowed them the thing that they desired, He gave them meat:

"Now a wind went out from the Lord and drove quail in from the sea. It brought them down all around the camp to about three feet above the ground, as far as a day's walk in any direction." (v. 31)

However, this meat was like poison for them:

"But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consume, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague." (v. 33)

This has been a passage that has always puzzled me. Why would God give them something that He knew would hurt them? Even more than that, He gave them something that he would strike them for receiving. That hardly seems fair, just, or even comprehensible. Why would God be so impulsive and irrational? Frankly, I'm afraid of a God who poisons people.

Trusting God for less

I was trusting my Father for too much. It was careless of me. Because I trusted for too much, I regarded His record of faithfulness a bit tarnished. I am beginning to realize my error, and it isn't the first time I have made it. I was trusting His love to do what He never promised His love had given. In trusting his love for less, I feel I can trust His love more.


How Deep the Father's Love for us
by Stuart Townsend

How deep the Father's love for us,
how vast beyond all measure

That he should give his only son,
to make a wretch his treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
the Father turned his face away

As wounds which mar the chosen one,
bring many sons to glory


Behold the man upon a cross,
my sin upon his shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held him there
until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life;
I know that it is finished


I will not boast in anything:
no gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ:
his death and resurrection

Why should I gain from his reward?
I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart:
his wounds have paid my ransom

A pair of defining beliefs

Pastor Brent made this statement at church today and it struck a nerve.

"Whether or not you agree with the following two statements will determine a lot about how you live as a believer.

God loves me and:

(1) there is nothing I can ever do to make him love me more.

(2) there is nothing I can ever do to make him love me less."

A couple of years ago I don't think that I believed that at all. I thought God loves one category of persons a certain amount and other categories at different amounts. By my obedience, devotion, and faith I can move into higher love categories. Failure to obey, doubt, unbelief, and lapses in devotion would result in my falling into lower love categories. Though everyone does get a guaranteed minimum love allotment.

People I admire- Rita Springer

Last night I was at a Rita Springer (www.ritaspringer.com) concert at my new church. I am not a fan of her music, and last night only served to confirm that. However, her testimony of adopting and raising Justice, her 2yr old Zimbabwean baby boy, as a single woman at the prompting of God made me a fan of the woman in spite of the music.

Really, I just admire people who express a simple faith in the Scriptures and/or the leading of the Holy Spirit. I also admire people who express compassion for people that are not their own, people that they have no reason to care about except they do, people that they have adopt for the purpose of loving them.

Access

There exist requests which will not be granted on the basis of relationship,but will be granted because my persistence in asking. Though, my relationship may give me access to make the request. This is true in my relationships with other people, and it is true in my relationship with my Father.

Lu 11:
5 And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him';
7 "and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?
8 "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.