Through the open window

Windows are funny things; they allow you to see the outside yet keep you inside. They reveal the world as it is and yet they somehow change it. Life is a lot like that, it is full of contradictions and things that beg the question "why". Elisha the prophet was about to die and just about the last thing he did involved a window. Read on for more...

2 Kings 13:14-20
14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness of which he died: and Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over him, and said, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen of it!
15 Elisha said to him, Take bow and arrows; and he took to him bow and arrows.
16 He said to the king of Israel, Put your hand on the bow; and he put his hand on it. Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands.
17 He said, Open the window eastward; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot; and he shot. He said, Yahweh's arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for you shall strike the Syrians in Aphek, until you have consumed them.
18 He said, Take the arrows; and he took them. He said to the king of Israel, Smite on the ground; and he struck thrice, and stayed.
19 The man of God was angry with him, and said, You should have struck five or six times: then had you struck Syria until you had consumed it, whereas now you shall strike Syria but thrice.
20 Elisha died, and they buried him. WEB

It is a curious thing the way God works through men to accomplish his will. It seems like God always seems to take the long way around in the ways he does things, but ultimately the lessons he teaches are on so many levels as to make you marvel. Why the window, why the arrows, why that number of arrow strikes to the ground? I don't know, but if it was important to have one of the greatest prophets who ever lives do this... so what. One thing is for sure, God was pronouncing judgment and the arrows were a signification of the power of God over the kingdoms of the world. Perhaps the window was a portal to the wonderment of the will and ways of the almighty. Its sort of like looking out your window at a glorious sunrise and marvelling at the beauty of it; you may not understand everything, but the sight of God's workings will inspire you.

The clouds in your life

Clouds like this generally mean trouble; a storm is brewing. We have all seen those days when the sky becomes black and its then we know we are in for it. At first glance I thought a good title for this picture would be "trouble in the graveyard" but then I realized that there is no trouble here. Everything has already been decided, life before life (or death as the case may be) has already put everyone on the path they have chosen. Now its up to God to sort it all out. How? Consider this verse from the book of Zechariah.

Zech 4:6
6 Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, "This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says Yahweh of Armies.WEB

There comes a time when we must wait on God, when our efforts are to no avail. Death is one of those times. I hope that Yahweh of Armies (that is, Jesus) has given you of HIS Spirit and if that is the case the clouds in your life are unimportant because everything is just going to be OK!!!

Meaner than a junkyard dog

Many years ago, Jim Croce sang about a man who was meaner than a junkyard dog. How mean is that; well take a look at this dog and I think you will get an idea. I wonder, does he have any reason to be mean? What if someone were cruel to him, treated him like a D-O-G!! Would that excuse his meanness; well, maybe, but what if you were treated in not so nice a way over a long period of time... could (or rather should) your behavior be excused. I listed some various translations of a verse from 1st Peter for you to think about.

1Pe 2:18
(ASV) Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
(BBE) Servants, take orders from your masters with all respect; not only if they are good and gentle, but even if they are bad-humoured.
(CEV) Servants, you must obey your masters and always show respect to them. Do this, not only to those who are kind and thoughtful, but also to those who are cruel.
(Darby) Servants, be subject with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the ill-tempered.
(DRB) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward.
(EMTV) Servants, subject yourselves to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked.
(ESV) Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
(GW) Slaves, place yourselves under the authority of your owners and show them complete respect. Obey not only those owners who are good and kind, but also those who are unfair.
(KJV) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
(LITV) Servants, be obedient to your masters in all fear, not only to those good and forbearing, but also to the perverse ones.
(MKJV) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to those good and forbearing, but also to the perverse ones.
(RV) Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
(YLT) The domestics! be subjecting yourselves in all fear to the masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the cross;

Literally, the word for "cross" (σκολιοις) means winding or crooked; its the word we use to describe someone who has a crooked spine. If you have ever worked for someone who was this way, you would know how unpleasant they can make life. But Peter is saying to be obedient to even the not-so-nice ones. Its easy to serve somebody who is good and kind, but Christians are charged to obey, regardless. I know this is tough, but it is to be heeded anyway. Don't let evil get the best of you and turn you into someone who is meaner than a junkyard dog, rather unleash the goodness in you and let God take care of the situation; it works, I know, I have seen it.

The whole watermellon?

Babies will try anything! This one may have bit off a little more than he (or she) can chew right now, but wait awhile and someday this may be child's play for it to handle. People grow up, mature and will often surprise you. There is an instance in the book of Acts that is like this; read on to see for yourself.

Acts 15:36-40
36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing."
37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
38 But Paul didn't think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn't go with them to do the work.
39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,
40 but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.WEB

2 Tim 4:11
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministering.WEB

Paul had a problem with John Mark because of Phamphylia, because he had let him down. But there was more to this young assistant than was evident at the time and much later (in Paul's last book) he comments on his usefulness. All this to make a point: people change. So the next time someone lets you down, remember John Mark and give them a break; they just might surprise you. Someday they may handle the whole watermelon themselves.

A message from the other side

Babies change everything! Suddenly your concerns are not centered on your own little needs but on the life of another. If you have more than a child or two, then you notice how differently they behave almost from the moment of birth. My oldest needed attention all the time, my middle child was calm and almost always contented and the the youngest hated to be wet and we went nuts with diaper changes. Honestly, we never thought much about their personality before birth, but in recent years photos like the one above do raise the question of what babies are like before they enter into the world. I don't know, but God does and in at least one instance I can think of God had predetermined his future life. Read on to find out a little more.

Jer 1:1-8 1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
2 to whom the word of Yahweh came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
4 Now the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
5 Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord Yahweh! behold, I don't know how to speak; for I am a child.
7 But Yahweh said to me, Don't say, I am a child; for to whoever I shall send you, you shall go, and whatever I shall command you, you shall speak.
8 Don't be afraid because of them; for I am with you to deliver you, says Yahweh.WEB

To me, this is a bit of a mystery; how God forms an unborn child is knowledge I won't have until I reach heaven (if even then), but verse 5 says it plainly. God has a part in our reproduction and destiny whether we like it or not; whether we BELIEVE IT OR NOT! If you think about it, this little verse says volumes about birth control, because if this is God's doing, then any interference in the process could be considered as fighting against God. We can do marvelous things with the medical knowledge that exists today, but I can't help but wonder if we rely too much on what WE CAN DO and not enough on what God has set in motion. Think about it, because it won't be very long before we can not only clone people, but design them as well. I can't even imagine what God will think about those abilities. In any event, this picture is of a baby who is giving the peace sign, so perhaps this is God's neonatal message; I know it was Jesus'.

The way of the dinosaur

I have always admired the ability of scientists to be able to take a few bones and reconstruct a long dead dinosaur. Those fierce creatures who ruled the earth for so long are gone now, but inspire both respect and fear for anyone who really thinks about it. What killed them is a mystery, but they are gone and that is that. Things change; consider how much they have changed in the past 50 years alone. I played with a yo-yo as a kid, but now my grand-children play with Wii's. I was taught to add using a paper and pencil or believe it or not, to actually do math in my head, but today hand held calculators and computers have taken the forefront. Is there anything that will never change? The answer is a resounding YES and Jesus gives a very insightful answer when questioned about the Law and the Prophets.

Matt 5:17-20
17 "Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
19 Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.WEB

The Bible is usually considered in two parts by Christians: The Old and the New Testament. Jesus came to fulfill the old, not abolish it.... HIS words, not mine. If he didn't come to destroy them, then how are things different? In a word... righteousness. Righteousness is being right and doing right before God and men. Those under the Law made mistakes and sacrifice was the remedy for those errors. But their "mistakes" (or SIN) went far deeper than just actions, they went into the very heart of a human being, into the thoughts and attitudes which LED to their actions. So, while an outward action might be dealt with by sacrifice, it took a more powerful remedy to address the inward problem. This is the mission of Jesus; to help men deal with the inward first and then the outward. The human heart must be the primary goal. Just following a set of rules and regulations is not enough and this is what the Scribes and Pharisees failed to see. Their perception of God was superficial and has gone the way of the dinosaur. Jesus has brought us back to the reason for the disobedience in the garden of Eden, not the law concerning eating fruit, but the heart to obey out of love. This will never grow old or pass away, because The Love of God is the greatest motivator of all. This love has been expressed in the sacrifice that reaches into the very heart of man and supplies an eternal remedy; Jesus on the cross, given for our sins. What man could never fully accomplish by himself, Jesus did once and for all. All that remains is for us to learn, love and obey... Jesus has done the rest.

Your Choice

There are times when things have to be changed and today's post is one of them. I was thinking about what to post on the blog today while waiting for an x-ray and had just about made up my mind. When I came home I received an e-mail from Bruce Arnold with this picture in it and suddenly the choice of what to post became just as clear as the choice in this picture. Why is it that we do not think about this scenario before we do something wrong? Are we so insensitive to God's will that we only think about him one hour on Sunday? Could be, but probably not. America has more followers of God in it than anyone could imagine, we just need to remember the terrible cost of sin and our own helplessness to justify ourselves before God. There is a real need to have faith and rely on God to help us make the right choice every time. Think about this passage from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 18:9-14
9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.'
13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."WEB

Ok, nobody likes to be called a Pharisee, but remember, there were good ones too. This Pharisee probably really did try to follow God as best he could, but his zeal undoubtedly led to pride and pride kills. The tax collector knew who he was and where he was going, but he was trying to do better, trying to following God. His prayer reveals his faith and the humbleness of his heart. The dean of the Northeast School of Biblical Studies (J.L. Deason) used to say that faith was a "Forsaking All I Take Him" and that reliance is something we need to remember on a daily basis. God in heaven, help us all to make the right choices; because these choices either have the truth of God in them or the consequences of pride. What next..... YOUR CHOICE!

After the flood

This time of year it rains in Florida and then rains again and again and again. It does stop, and when it does the air is clean, really clean. That's what this picture says to me: clean! The Earth had become full of sin and the flood had destroyed all life and then the rain stopped.

Gen 8:1-17
8 God remembered Noah, all the animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ark; and God made a wind to pass over the earth. The waters subsided.2 The deep's fountains and the sky's windows were also stopped, and the rain from the sky was restrained.3 The waters receded from the earth continually. After the end of one hundred fifty days the waters decreased.4 The ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on Ararat's mountains.5 The waters receded continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.6 It happened at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made,7 and he sent forth a raven. It went back and forth, until the waters were dried up from the earth.8 He sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from the surface of the ground,9 but the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned to him into the ark; for the waters were on the surface of the whole earth. He put forth his hand, and took her, and brought her to him into the ark.10 He stayed yet another seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark.11 The dove came back to him at evening, and, behold, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off. So Noah knew that the waters were abated from the earth.12 He stayed yet another seven days, and sent forth the dove; and she didn't return to him any more.13 It happened in the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked. He saw that the surface of the ground was dried.14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.15 God spoke to Noah, saying,16 "Go forth from the ark, you, and your wife, and your sons, and your sons' wives with you.17 Bring forth with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply on the earth."WEB

God is patient, but there is a limit and then .... wham, judgment. After the judgment, God makes a way out, a clean slate for those who have been preserved. So it was in the days of Noah and this scenario will be repeated again. Not the flood, for God has promised not to do THAT AGAIN, but judgment is sure because sin is prevalent, almost overwhelming. Be preserved through the next cataclysm, read from 1st Peter chapter 3:20-21 and see what must be done.

No tricks, just Deity

When I saw this picture I did a double-take. It seems like this tightrope walker is actually walking on the lake, but if you look closely...THERE IS A ROPE!!! How many times do we think we see things and then find out someone has tricked us. Television commercials are a great example of this; they make you want to go right out and buy their product and when you see what is really being sold.... junk (with a CAPITOL J). But what if you encountered the real thing; what WOULD YOU DO? Read these two passages from the Gospel of Mark and think about it.

Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let's go over to the other side."
36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him.
37 There arose a great wind storm, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, "Teacher, don't you care that we are dying?"
39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?"
41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"WEB

Mark 6:46-51
46 After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray.
47 When evening had come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land.
48 Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them,
49 but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
50 for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid."
51 He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;WEB

If I SAW THESE THINGS, I would probably react just like the apostles did. I would be scared and amazed and wonder who this REALLY WAS. I included two passages because at first thought I might think the sea was calmed by accident or coincidence. But Jesus exhibited two examples of power beyond that which is given to men. Two! And in case you are wondering, he could do these things because he was so perfect he COULD WALK ON WATER and also because he had the POWER OVER IT. No tricks, just deity! You might say he was "The real McCoy" and you would be right. The next step for his followers would be genuine faith (having a steadfast belief that leads to reliance) and that is the beginning of discipleship.

Jump right in

Ok, lets hope there is nothing hidden in this pile of leaves! This boy has made up his mind and is committed to jump; he is beyond the point of no-return. Whatever happens, happens. Sometimes life is like that; you just have to do what you need to do and accept what consequences come your way. In the book of Exodus, Israel was in this sort of position, as chapter 14 shows.

Ex 14:1-30
14 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You shall encamp opposite it by the sea.3 Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, 'They are entangled in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.'4 I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies; and the Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh." They did so.5 It was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?"6 He made ready his chariot, and took his army with him;7 and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over all of them.8 Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel; for the children of Israel went out with a high hand.9 The Egyptians pursued after them: all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen, and his army; and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baal Zephon.10 When Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were very afraid. The children of Israel cried out to Yahweh.11 They said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us this way, to bring us forth out of Egypt?12 Isn't this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, 'Leave us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?' For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness."13 Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh, which he will work for you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see them again.14 Yahweh will fight for you, and you shall be still."15 Yahweh said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward.16 Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground.17 I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them: and I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.18 The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have gotten myself honor over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen."19 The angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them.20 It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and the one didn't come near the other all the night.21 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yahweh caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.22 The children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.23 The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea: all of Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.24 It happened in the morning watch, that Yahweh looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army.25 He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, "Let's flee from the face of Israel, for Yahweh fights for them against the Egyptians!"26 Yahweh said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen."27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it. Yahweh overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.28 The waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all Pharaoh's army that went in after them into the sea. There remained not so much as one of them.29 But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.30 Thus Yahweh saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.WEB

God brought Israel out of Egypt with great power, but now the Egyptians were having second thoughts about the whole situation. They were a mighty power and had been overcome by mere slaves and didn't like that one bit. For the Israelites, the sight of the mighty Egyptian army must have been very intimidating! They needed to stop thinking about the "odds" and start having faith in God. Verses 13 and 14 of this chapter are among my most favorite in the whole of Scripture because God is about to show his provision of a way out for those who will trust in HIM. Its easy for us to read about this and quite another to be in a life or death situation. But God came through then and HE will again and again; just think about all that HE has done and will do for you and then go ahead.... jump right in...trust him.