Category: Shadows (Page 19 of 25)

Ready for Next Year?

It is the night before a new year begins. People are gathering, ready to celebrate. Tradition brings us to the task of making resolutions for the coming year. Where did that tradition come from? History says that the first New Year’s resolutions date back over 4,000 years ago to ancient Babylon. The Babylonians are said to have started the tradition during Akitu, a 12-day annual celebration. During the Akitu festival, the ancient Babylonians would plant crops, crown a new king (or pledge their loyalty to the reigning king), and make promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any borrowed items. They believed that if they kept their word, the gods would look favorably on them for the year ahead. If the Babylonians broke their promises, they would fall on the bad side of their gods.¹

The custom of setting “New Year’s Resolutions” as we know them began in Rome two millennia ago, moving the tradition to January. The month of January gets its name from Janus, the two-faced god who looks backward into the old year and forwards into the new year. Janus was also the patron and protector of arches, transitions, bridges, time, gates, doors, doorways, endings, and beginnings. When the Roman Empire took Christianity as its official state religion in the 4th century, the pagan rituals of pledging moral intentions were replaced by prayers and fasting. However, there is something valuable in the old tradition of looking back into the old year and then forward into the new year. Self-reflection, an honest audit of sorts, can be a good thing for planning one’s future.

(Jeremiah 17:10)² – “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

Jeremiah quotes God! God cares about past behavior. Accountability is paramount with God. There will come a moment of truth, sometime in the future, which no one can escape. In that day of judgment, every person: black or white; male or female; rich or poor; young or old; bond or free must render to God a personal accounting of their life. God sees all things. Nothing is hidden from God!

(Matthew 12:36-37) – “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

What might be a good New Year’s Resolution for the people of our land? Most people will choose to lose weight or exercise. Maybe eat healthy. After reflection on the last year we have had, here are some Bible verses to prompt further creativity. God is interested more in how our country is run than the waistlines of its citizens. Our land could use a few more good leaders, leaders who understand that they have been given a holy task to lead our nation to God, not away from God!

(1 Peter 2:9) – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Our land could use more leaders who lead by example, rather than by decree!

(1 Peter 5:3) – “not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

Our land desperately needs leaders again who are trustworthy!

(1 Timothy 3:1-7) – “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

At the founding of our nation when the people wanted to know the character of their future leaders, they usually went to their local church and listened to ministers who taught them what the Bible had to say on the subject. Churches are now politically silent. We allowed this to happen when our leaders’ passed regulations that prohibited such commentary:

A church, as a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) § 501(c)(3), is absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating or intervening in any political campaign in support or opposition to any candidate for elective public office. See Treasury Regulation §1.501(c)(3)—1(c)(3)(iii).

The deficit in our county’s leadership today is reaching frightening levels. In our new year, we will be again challenged with more political turmoil. Divisiveness is bound to rein supreme. Even our basic freedoms are under attack. Satan could not have written a better script. The good news is that at least at the present, our government does not regulate what is taught in the home and what is saved in the heart. For this coming new year, consider adding one important New Year’s Resolution to your list: Take the time to search out God’s Truths on all matters. Then get to recognize and support Godly leaders. Take a good look at your children and grandchildren. Their future and the nation they will live in depends on you!

Stay safe, stay prayerful, stay hopeful. God always wins in the end you know!

Happy New Year from Lostpine.com.

Contemplations

If you are not happy with last year, what would you change?
- Ideas to Explore: Job, generosity, time spent with God in prayer?
Do you think that God will hold you accountable for the leaders you support?
- Ideas to Explore: God asks us to live in the world but not be corrupted by it. What is your plan?
How do you personally research the heart of someone seeking to represent you?
- Ideas to Explore: Ask people you trust, pray, do research in unbiased sources?
How do you think your church should respond to the pressures of remaining out of politics?
- Ideas to Explore: What would you like to see different? Have you expressed your views?
Are you concerned that government curriculums within our schools may not be teaching Godly values?
- Ideas to Explore: What do you do to find out what is being taught? Do you have a desire to remain vigilant?

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https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/history-new-years-resolutions/
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NIV New International Version Translations

What were the “Last Words of Advice from God!”

It is almost Christmas. We are all ready to begin our story of hope all over again. A Savior is born to a virgin, God walks among us. Yes, we all love this time of year. We even know the rest of the story! Angels, Wisemen, Shepherds, this is the story that brings us hope for peace on earth! This year, let us take a look from a different perspective. We all know the story, but how did our God close the Book? What is it that God wants us to understand about Christmas?

The Greek name for the book of Revelation, (apocalypse), means “Uncovering” or “Disclosure.” It is, in a sense, the last advice written for mankind by God. The book uncovers things that have been hidden from us and then discloses events that will happen in the future. The Apostle John wrote Revelation at the age of 92 while exiled as a prisoner of Rome on the remote Isle of Patmos. Both John’s Gospel and Revelations carry unique characteristics. At the time of the writing of both the Gospel of John and Revelation, John may have been the last of the Apostles still alive. John was probably the last living apostle who saw the resurrected Christ after His death. He was, therefore, the best, and perhaps only person available to put a book end on the Bible itself. The Apostle John had watched humanity respond to the Gospel’s message for many years. John was in the unique position to offer his discerning opinion so that we would understand what the world was misunderstanding about our Savior, Christ. His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection all benefit from clarity. John had watched and lived it all!

One of the topics in Revelation that John chose to write about were seven churches established in Asia Minor (now Turkey). Revelations, therefore, stands to offer Christians examples to learn from. To find these specific stories, we need to go to chapters two and three of Revelations. John presents them as individual letters:

Ephesus had abandoned the love it had at first. They lost their first love for Christ, which in turn affected the love they had for others.

(Revelations 2:4)¹ – “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

Smyrna was warned that it was about to face persecution. Christ encouraged them to be faithful even unto death and He would give them the crown of life, eternal life.

(Revelation 2:10) – “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you; the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give your life as your victor’s crown.”

Pergamum was told to repent. The church had fallen prey to a cult called the Nicolaitans. Nicolaitans were considered heretics who taught that since their bodies were evil, only the human spirit was good. This led the church into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. Christ encouraged Pergamum by saying those who conquered such temptations would receive “hidden manna” and a “white stone,” both symbols of special blessings.

(Revelation 2:16) – “Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

Thyatira had a false prophetess who was leading people astray. Christ promised to give Himself (the morning star) to those who resisted her evil ways.

(Revelation 2:20) – “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”

Sardis had the reputation of being a dead church, or asleep at the wheel, as we might say today. Jesus told them to wake up and repent. Those who would follow His instructions would receive white garments, have their name listed in the book of life, and would be proclaimed before God the Father.

(Revelation 3:2) – “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.”

The congregation in Philadelphia had endured patiently. Jesus pledged to stand with them in any future trials, even granting special honors to them in heaven, the New Jerusalem. They were called preservers.

(Revelation 3:10) – “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”

And the seventh church was Laodicea. Laodicea had a lukewarm faith. Its members had grown complacent because of the riches of the city. To those who returned to their former zeal, Jesus vowed to share His ruling authority. You can find a detailed Bible Study on Laodicea HERE.

(Revelation 3:16) – “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Even though John wrote these letters nearly 2,000 years ago, his words still apply to Christian churches today. While Christ remains the head of the worldwide Church, many modern churches have wandered from biblical truth. This can happen when denominations or local congregations selectively remove parts of God’s Truth to tailor the Gospel’s message for more inclusiveness. To understand the seven churches better, here are some points to consider.

In Scripture, the number seven carries the meaning of wholeness. This number suggests that these seven churches are to be representative of all churches and all professing Christians throughout the world. The messages are meant to be a full message, with applicability to every church.
John is careful to identify each church. These were real churches that existed at the time of the writing of Revelations. The seven letters were based on facts.
John is not the source of the message, but it is always Christ. Remember, these are Christ’s churches whom He loves.
For each church, Christ provides specific commendations, rebukes, or both.
The good news is that Christ is not giving a final judgement on any of the churches. He provides a course of action to be taken by each to emerge victorious. The theme, repentance, and perseverance.
Christ ends each commentary with His personal promise: to those who “overcome” or emerge “victorious” will receive Christ’s Kingdom as their reward.

It is not a coincidence that Christ draws repentance and persecution into each of His messages. Persecution will flush a true church out because false Christians do not stick around for long. It is always easier to find another church that agrees with you or is accommodating to our world rather than endure persecution or seek repentance. While the Nicolaitans are gone now, as is the church of Pergamum, there are still millions of Christians being tempted by a sinful world. The false prophetess of Thyatira has been replaced by TV preachers who avoid talking about Christ’s atoning death for sin. It is often replaced with the “Prosperity Gospel.” Countless believers have turned from their love of Christ to idolizing material possessions. As in ancient times, reading these short letters to the seven churches in Revelation serves as a meaningful reminder. In a society flooded with temptation, they bring us back to the One and Only True God who is the only One worthy of our worship this Christmas.

Yes, Christmas is around the corner. What will you do with it? Decorate, shop, cook, and bake, have friends and family over. Go to worship, listen to the Christmas music, and gather in hope for a better world! But how will you celebrate the Incarnation of God into a human who came to us as our Savior? Christmas should not be the beginning of hope or even a hopeful reminder. Christ-mas should be the roadmap to “Hope.” As the Apostle John wrote his closing arguments for our Bible, he did not forget about “repentance and perseverance.” Don’t forget about Christ either! Wouldn’t these three make beautiful gifts for everyone’s tree this year!

(Isaiah 9:6) – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Merry Christmas from Lostpine.com

Contemplations

How do you put Christ into Christ-mas?
- Ideas to Explore: Family traditions, church traditions, special decorations of the nativity, etc.
What is the world doing to chip away at your traditions?
- Ideas to Explore: Cancel culture, war on religion, removing God from schools, etc.
What can you personally do this Christmas season to remember Christ, repent, and assure that you can persevere with Christ?
- Ideas to Explore: As you celebrate this holiday, make Christ first!

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NIV New International Version Translations

Just a Baby?

As we approach the Birth of Jesus, it might be time for a quick review. The Gospel of John begins with:

(John 1:1-2)¹ – “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God”

Yes, Jesus is the “Word of God.” But why did humanity need a Christmas? Why didn’t Jesus show up as an adult with His message of hope? Why in the world would God send our Redeemer as a child? This child must have been REALLY SPECIAL! His job was to save humankind.

The reason for Jesus’ birth is stated in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The arrival of Jesus in human form was the first step of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. It is easy to lose this important significance in Jesus’ birth. We were lost and needed to be redeemed! The world needed to know God and His Truth. To convince a skeptic world, God would begin with a child, a gifted child. And what were the child Jesus’ special gifts?

His verbal ability was far beyond his age.
Jesus had an unusual capacity for processing information.
He had a high curiosity level and would dive into subjects with a passion not seen in most children of his age.
His human memory retention allowed Him to retain information faster and for longer periods of time. He could process information faster too.
The child Jesus approached learning with intensity. This also provided Him with the ability to show compassion to others at a much deeper level. As a child, Jesus never lost sight of the “Big Picture.”
The child Jesus had a sense of justice. His moral compass made Him an effective leader, even as a child.
We would have very few parables had it not been for Jesus’ strong imagination. As a child, Jesus was an independent thinker. He could creatively conceptualize stories that had power, power to change people.
The child Jesus came with an attention to detail. He could solve problems quickly.

God chose to send us a truly exceptional child. It is easy to lose sight of who Jesus the child was and the reason for Christmas. There is so much pomp and circumstance that surrounds the holiday today. It is a media frenzy. Hundreds of ships all stuck offshore loaded with “Christmas.” Oh, what will the people do? Not to worry, our world will just rename the holiday to something else, like a festive winter holiday with holiday trees. Don’t forget to buy your “Seasons Greetings” cards. But where is the birth story of a child Savior? Do we honor this “Gifted Child first?

The entry of Jesus into the world as a child reveals the true nature of God Himself. In Jesus the child, we have God revealed to us in a more perfect and glorious manner than any previous revelation. Where else in our Bible do you see God as a child? How else do we learn about the parental love of our Father?

(John 1:18) – “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”

Jesus came as the Divine Interpreter of God the Father. He said:

(John 14:9) – “Jesus answered: ’“Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?’”

The birth of Jesus makes it possible for all to know God, even as children. For humanity to relate to God, God had to become one of us. What better way to teach humanity than to become part of the human story? We now study the life of Jesus to know our God. Without Jesus, God would remain just a mysterious omni-present power to fear. Jesus, the child, shows us the True Grace of our God. Jesus the adult shows us the redemptive path to salvation.

(John 1:16-17) – “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

The child Jesus reveals God’s grace as full of tenderness, gentleness, compassion, and is attractive enough to want people to draw close to Him. God calls us through the CHILD to love and live a life committed to God our Father. The only way we achieve this relationship is by surrendering our lives to the CHILD because the child Jesus has direct access to God. “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18). The birth of Jesus reveals to us what is True about God. Jesus came as a child into our world, revealing God’s nature as tenderhearted, longsuffering, and forgiving. Jesus is our Hope and our “Truth.”

(John 14:6) – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

As we celebrate the coming of Jesus again this year, most of our world could care less about a Savior, let alone a gifted child. People have abandon God for the holiday rituals and submitted to the power of a sinful world. In sadness, our world has become very good at abandoning its children. Abortions, drugs, trafficking, broken homes and/or race bating in our world are a few of the risks of being a child now. Is the next cure for all viruses affecting humanity lost forever because a gifted child will be abandoned by the world? How many future scientists, doctors, teachers, engineers, will not survive the onslaught of a sinful world against them? Jesus the child came to make a difference in our world and in everyone’s lives. Jesus the child showed us the way to our God. For this season, let’s be thankful that Jesus was not born to us in our time. Our world today would have not only encouraged an unwed teenager to have an abortion but would have applauded her decision. Would the world today have abandoned Jesus before He could save us from ourselves?

Contemplations

How do you celebrate the “child side of Christmas?”
- Ideas to Explore: Nativity scenes, decorating around the story of Jesus’ birth. Unique family traditions?
Have you ever celebrated Christmas with a birthday cake?
- Ideas to Explore: Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. Have you done specific things to emphasize that point?
How do you remember those who do not have the resources to celebrate a robust Christmas?
- Ideas to Explore: Food drives, donating presents to organizations like “Toys for Tots.”
What risks do you see for children in our society today?
- Ideas to Explore: Educational bias? Influence of social media? Economic risks such as national debt? Legalization of drugs?
How do we protect the sanctity of childhood?
- Ideas to Explore: Give this some thought: What will you personally do to protect the children of the world?

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NIV New International Version Translations

Who’s In Charge Anyway?

Hubble Photo entitled “Eye of God”

We are living in troubled times. Pandemics, divisive government, crime, economic instability, make the list and the list goes on and on and on. It is very easy to feel picked on by the world! It makes one wonder who’s the blame for all of this chaos? Yet our God gave us His Word to find comfort and to use for advice on how to live in this world. To find the answers, let’s go to the master of troubled times, Job. We can look to see what our God told him when everything around him was in chaos.

The Book of Job is appropriate because it is a story about God and Satan. Job’s story reminds us that Satan cannot bring financial and physical destruction on anyone without the permission of God. It does remind us that Satan exists in our world. Yet, God holds the power over what Satan can and cannot do. It is beyond our human ability to understand why there is suffering and chaos in the world. Yes, we are assured that the wicked will receive their just dues someday. But it is hard to grasp the concept that suffering may sometimes be allowed in our lives by God for a purpose to purify, test, teach, or strengthen our souls.

(Job 36:17-23)¹– “But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you. Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress? Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes. Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction. ‘God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?”

Job was a righteous person. He lived in obedience to God’s Laws. Job’s problems began with his health, an immune deficiency called Scables. The disease produced widespread pain, confusion, skin eruptions, probably a lung infection and bilious vomiting. He then lost just about everything; his sheep, his oxen, his camels, his servants, his home and all of his sons and daughters but remarkably he did not lose his faith in God. God had taken away all he had except his wife and his wife was busy telling him to “curse God and die.” Job’s response was to bless the name of the Lord. Job’s friends try to help. His comfort came from four people: Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildad, Job’s three main comforters, and from Elihu. Elihu’s insights differed from Job’s other three advisors. In all of his troubles, Job held the position that he had not sinned or blamed God! He blessed God’s name, he worshiped God, and he did not sin. Rather than going along with the idea that his suffering was a punishment for his sinful actions, Elihu concentrated on Job’s reaction to his undeserved suffering. Job’s justification had turned into self-righteousness and that was his sin before God. Job had become judgmental. Self-righteous judgment, Job’s opinion of himself, had placed Job above God’s own authority over the world.

(James 4:11-12) – “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[a] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”

Elihu thought Job needed to be cautioned about his judgmental attitude because he has chosen to gratify his own pride. Job was taking up his opinion directly with God. By questioning the justice and purpose of God’s ways, Job was demonstrating a perverse kind of pride. Elihu told Job that he should recognize his suffering as “charitable discipline” that would lead to his reconciliation with God. Elihu showed Job that he was the cause of his continued trouble. Elihu cautioned Job not to persist in his stubborn and headstrong position with God. Elihu reminded Job that even good men need to be kept in line by remembering to fear God’s wrath. And how did God finally respond to Job?

(Job 38:2-4) – “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.”

Elihu extended his caution to the concept of bribery (a ransom). No amount of wealth was going to place Job equal to or above God. For us today, even the payment made by Jesus of remove our sin, reconciling us with God still requires more: the humility of repentance on our part. There is no room for sin including the sin of a prideful heart. If you want the protections of Jesus then leading a humble and repentant life is a requirement. Human pride can blind us from the power of our God. Yet God is the best teacher because He is the builder too. Pride casts dispersions on the very ability and reasoning of our God.

Being judgmental is an essential trait to human survival. People need to distinguish between good and bad; right and wrong; and what is true and false. Judgment is part of everyday living. However, the business of judgment can be taken too far when we choose to take up our argument directly with God. When humans become preoccupied with being the judge and jury, they attempt to usurp God’s role over our world. Elihu’s advice to Job, let the unjust, the judgmental, continue their quarrels with God. Job’s task was to never think so favorably of sin, or indulge in any of it. The sin of pride is a slippery slope as the Apostle Paul so eloquently stated in Romans:

(Romans 1:18-25) – “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”

Isn’t it absurd for people to try to tell God what right behavior looks like? Worse yet, argue with God about anything? God is the Master Creator of Light, Matter, Truth, Knowledge, and Life itself! And how did God do all these things? As the Master Builder, He commanded our world into existence through His Words. Even today, God directs us through the Bible. Do God’s Words have power? God spoke the world into existence, and He is up to the task to take care of it. God’s Word, best book ever written, also teaches us the way through life by getting to know His Son, Jesus. With supplication, we then are armed with the strength and courage to suffer and wait while we ask for relief. If we’re truly humble, we will ask in faith and continue to believe even when life doesn’t turn out like we had hoped (James 1:5-8). When we’re humble before God, we can acknowledge our sinful condition as well as God’s holiness. Who’s in charge anyway? God’s in charge and we shouldn’t presume to understand God’s overarching plans.

Contemplations

Where do you see examples in our world today of people trying to negotiate with God?
- Ideas to Explore: The definition of sin, the definition of life, what God must be like?
Where do you see examples of self-righteousness at work in our world?
- Ideas to Explore: Business? Politics? Media? Sports? Etc.
When things are not going well, how should we guard against becoming judgmental?
- Ideas to Explore: Testing against God’s Truth? Seeking God’s wisdom through prayer? Using the Bible?
What is the difference between being judgmental and judging against God’s Truth?
- Ideas to Explore: To know God’s Truth requires one to remove all personal opinion, bias, preconceived notions, and then search for the Truth. How do we do that?
Judgement is against another person, reflection and repentance are personal. How do these differ?
- Ideas to Explore: Doesn’t being judgmental eventually find something wrong with everyone but you? Isn’t that why we need God to sort out His Truth?
Introspection, the ability to make an honest appraisal of a situation requires humility. What are the ways you can protect yourself from believing you know more than God?
- Ideas to Explore: If God has placed you in a hard position, how will you learn from it? How often do you search God’s Word for answers? Is prayer an active part of your daily life?

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NIV New International Version Translations

Divida et Impera

Divide and Rule (Divida et Impera) said Julius Caesar. Caesar, however, was not the first emperor to use this strategy. Some 1200 years before Caesar’s birth, the Assyrian nation effectively divided and conquered the nations of Babylon, Syria, Palestine, Armenia, and Mesopotamia. Their greatest conquest was the division of the 12 tribes of Israel. Our Old Testament documents how the Jewish people were divided and conquered, their temple destroyed, and then exiled to Babylonia. Imagine, the nation of Israel destroyed from within by its own divisiveness.

Divide and conquer is still an effective strategy today. Not in war but in politics. Media commentators, and politicians, promote the differences between right and left political systems. Society becomes more divisive, and hatred between sides grows. The strategy is just as effective today in American politics as it was for Caesar’s war plans. Whether political division is just a smokescreen for maintaining economic unrest, or the result of more sinister forces at work, our nation is being subjected to “Divida et Impera.” Turn people against each other and nations collapse. Who is driving this strategy? How do we defend ourselves against it? Who is trying to divide us and rule us?

To begin with, God hates anger. Anger injures and alienates people. It hinders relationships between people and keeps us from loving our neighbors.

(Ephesians 4:26-32)¹ – “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

The Apostle Paul tells us to get rid of our anger because anger is destructive to personal relationships. Failure to get rid of anger prevents unity, only creates dysfunction, and prohibits the growth of Christ’s body. Anger destroys God’s church. Anger destroys the entire concept of “a loving family.” Perhaps no single Bible verse makes this point more forcefully:

(Luke 15:28) – “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.” (From the Parable of the Lost Son)

Relational anger has become all too common among friends, marriage partners, parents, and children. Children raised in these dysfunctional environments only learn how to be dysfunctional! God calls us to live as His children:

(Ephesians 4:1-6) – “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Another reason to manage and/or control anger is that it is bad for our health. Long before the advent of modern medicine, the Bible described the mind’s connection between sin and sickness, and between righteousness and health. Proverbs 14:29–30 declares:

(Proverbs 14:29-30) – “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”

Anger is often based on envy, a perceived inequality, driven by one’s perception of inferiority or some injustice. When envy goes unchecked, it becomes anger and can physically damage the body. Our God tells us over and over that we find good health in patience and peace. Most doctors would tell you that unchecked anger affects one’s blood and can result in disease, even death. There is an observed correlation between anger and physical illness, including hypertension and stroke, heart disease, gastric ulcers, and bowel diseases.

The most convincing reason not to be angry, however, is that anger is offensive to our God. The worst consequence of anger is not getting colitis or even a divorce, but a grieving God Himself! We are called to get rid of all forms of anger because they invite God’s wrath against the ungodly and because they are incompatible with the new life God has given us.

(Colossians 3:5-11) – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

We must avoid anger to avoid God’s displeasure and bring honor and delight to Him.

(James 1:19-20) – “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Now back to our opening questions: Who is driving this “Divida et Impera” strategy? How do we defend ourselves against it? The Apostle Jude gives us some clues:

(Jude 1:19) – “These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”

Jude says it is ungodly people, people who have no connection with God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit. This should make sense because Satan has been teaching our world for a long time about division and its effectiveness. Just think how easily hatred can destroy a family or a country! To defend ourselves, we must defend our faith and our God together! Paul sums it up very well:

(Romans 16:17) – “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”

In Caesar’s version of the term, he does not use the word Conquer. He uses a more subtle word, Rule. God conquers, Satan rules! In a more contemporary bit of wisdom, here is a quote from Thomas Paine to ponder:

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.”

~ From “The Crisis” December 23, 1776 by Thomas Paine

Contemplations

What are the sources of your anger?
- Ideas to Explore: Family relationships, employment, bosses, politicians, the news media, etc.
Now for the list you just created in your mind, answer why for each one.
- Ideas to Explore: What exactly is the source of the anger? Is it based on a difference of opinion? What about injustice? Is there an experience that brings up an emotion? Be honest here too, is there envy, or jealousy at work?
Ideas to Explore: For each of the items that stir up anger in you, exactly who, what, when, and how does that anger manifest itself?
- Ideas to Explore: Listening to the news. Listening to a political speech. Dealing with someone who is not honest with you. Dealing with someone who is judgmental. Please add more!
Now consider for a moment, the motives of the sources that are invoking your anger.
- Ideas to Explore: Are the motives of those causing anger in you for your benefit, for their benefit, or the benefit of others?
Does your anger interfere with your ability to make godly decisions?
- Ideas to Explore: The dislike (hatred) of one person can result in you supporting another ungodly person. Is prayer included in your process to understand your anger?
Is there anything that you can think of that anger accomplishes that is good?
- Ideas to Explore: In support of godly values. To uphold God’s justice. What truths about God does anger reveal? What truths about God do peace and goodwill reveal?

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Have We Missed the Real Point!

There is much to say about Jesus and His sacrifice for humanity. Adam and Eve’s legacy to us was an eternal separation from God. The Christian faith recognizes that Jesus suffered and died to bring us back, reconciled to God. Jesus removed our shame and sin. Our big holidays focus on those sacrifices. Christmas (incarnation and birth), Palm Sunday (kingship), Good Friday (suffering and death), Easter (resurrection). But have we missed a critical point? Shouldn’t part of our focus be on how Jesus lived and who Jesus was? Isn’t the reason for His life to offer humanity an example to follow? This is important because Jesus may also be the most divisive person who ever lived. Are we to become like Jesus? Exactly what does that mean?

Whenever we read a story about Jesus, He was never without influence over those He met. Every person who encountered Jesus either rose or fell under His message. No one ever left an encounter with Jesus the same. All were affected in some way. There never was a middle ground! Jesus called all to make a clear choice. The same holds true for us today! You either trust in Jesus or you’re opposed to Him. With that thought, it is time to look at Jesus as a person, the person we are called to become.

(1 John 2:6)¹ – “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Jesus’ messages to the world were provocative. While Jesus healed the sick, He challenged the leaders of His world. Jesus made some people angry. His message, “Change!” Change to what?

(Matthew 10:34) – “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

(Ephesians 6:17) – “….. and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Yes, Jesus was a good person. We can trust in His goodness instead of our own. God provided His Son to us for our comfort, salvation, and relief. Now comes the hard part. Getting to know Jesus personally so we can live like Him. And this is not an easy task. The hatred against Him is high. Jesus offers each person a choice, either follow Him or oppose Him. But what was Jesus really like? Jesus is also God! If we are to be like Jesus, what are His human characteristics? There are many and, in that point, lies the challenge to understand who Jesus was and how Jesus lived in our world. To help with this task is a list of recognized characteristics of Jesus. It is a long list, broken into groups with opportunities for self-reflection between each group.

Jesus was loving (John 13:1); joyful (John 15:11); patient (Matthew 27:14); kind (Ephesians 4:32); good (Matthew 19:16); faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24); gentle (Isaiah 40:11); truthful (Matthew 22:16); and disciplined (1 Thessalonians 5: 22). What in this list seems hard for you? That is quite a list to work on, but as they say, these are just drops in a bucket. There was much more to the character of Jesus!

The human side of Jesus was forgiving Ephesians 4:32); humble (Philippians 2:8); fair (Matthew 7:12); honest (Ephesians 4:25); dependable (Colossians 1:10); and always responsible (Romans 14:12). Jesus was the type of person we would love to call “friend.” These characteristics allowed those who followed Jesus to get close and personal with Him. They loved Jesus. That is the highest form of achievement any of us could hope for in our lives. To have people around us who truly love us, people who would die for us!

People found Jesus to be generous (Matthew 10:8); confident (Philippians 4:13); friendly (Proverbs 27:17); encouraging (John 14:1); compassionate (Mark 1:41); enthusiastic (Col. 3:23); attentive (Hebrews 2:1); virtuous (Colossians 3:12–17); and always optimistic (Luke 21:18). Why did Jesus always have a crowd following Him? Just look at these virtues. This is the kind of person that attracts others. No one ever forced Jesus’ followers to follow Him. They did so willingly!²

When we compare Jesus to other people, we find Him pure and holy (1 Peter 2:22); grateful (1 Thessalonians 5:18); content (Romans 9:19–21); focused (Mark 1:17-18); wise (1 Kings 3:9); and thoughtful (Philippians 2:4). Exhausting list, isn’t it? To think that our focus should be on becoming like Jesus. But there is both good news and bad news here. The bad news, this is still just a partial list of Jesus’ attributes. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is ready and willing to help each of us achieve our goal of becoming more Christlike.

Here are just a few more characteristics to drive the point home! Jesus is available, diligent, thoughtful, discrete, obedient, reverent, a servant, successful, a teacher, agreeable, appreciative, a good example, faithful, committed, an excellent communicator, devoted to the precepts of Scripture, cooperative, creative, determined, devoted, decisive, fearless, flexible, hospitable, loyal, persuasive, tolerant, respectful and alive in our world today.

Wouldn’t your life be better if you knew someone like we are describing here? Wouldn’t all our lives be better if we lived in a country where everyone, including our leaders were like Jesus? That was exactly what our founding father Thomas Jefferson thought too. Jefferson had spent decades of his life studying and comparing the moral teachings of dozens of history’s most famous teachers and leaders. These included Ocellus, Timaeus, Pythagoras, Aristides, Cato, Socrates, Plato, Epicurus, Cicero, Xenophon, Seneca, Epictetus, Antoninus and many others. What few know is that Jefferson compared their teachings to Jesus. He then went on in 1804 and again in 1820 to consolidate Jesus’ teachings based on Jesus’ moral character. Jefferson’s conclusions were that none were better than Jesus! Jefferson’s purpose was to translate his writings on Jesus and make them available to the indigenous population in our country. He paid for the printing and distribution himself.

Historians have inappropriately named these writings “The Jefferson Bible.” Yet, Jefferson never claimed it as a Bible. The morality of our nation was always paramount to him. His vision was to see America as a moral country with its citizenry living as Jesus lived. After Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, a handwritten draft entitled “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth” was found at his bedside. His nightly habit was to read it. After his death, the notes were published as “The Jefferson Bible³.” In 1902, Representative John Lacy of Iowa was so inspired by Jefferson’s notes that he sponsored a resolution to reprint Jefferson’s Morals of Jesus of Nazareth for use by our nation’s representatives. Nine thousand copies were printed. For the next 50 years, each senator and representative were given a copy at their swearing in. Too bad we stopped!

Can you for a moment reflect on the idea of an America where all its representatives reflected the virtues of Jesus? Can you imagine a nation where its populous exemplified the characteristics of Jesus? We can only dream!

Contemplations

Can you tell where your own individual characteristics came from?
- Ideas to Explore: Parents, family members, teachers, church, youth groups, education, experiences, Jesus, etc.
While we are all unique, which characteristics t would you consider to be your best ones responsible for setting your direction in life?
- Ideas to Explore: Learned to work hard; have common sense; care about others; honest; responsible; reliable? You get the idea, there are those things you gained that have advanced your life forward. Where did these come from?
Which characteristics in life have been inhibitors to you?
- Ideas to Explore: Bad habits are one area. Where did these come from?
From all of those experiences in life and from all of those people impacting your life, who was the one you would say was number one?
- Ideas to Explore: The people who mentored us in our youth, a loving and functional family, an active church life as a child, are all formative. Was there one person who helped form you?
Why do you think that the world is so fearful of citizenry and leaders who are Christlike?
- Ideas to Explore: Did Jesus set the bar too high? Is Satan too powerful in our world? Greed and corruption, sin is too much fun?
How would you change the leaders of our country and the people into leading Christlike lives?
- Ideas to Explore: Bring back God in our country and schools? Hold people accountable to their actions? Change how we teach children the values of life?

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“I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for Him.” ~Napoleon Bonaparte
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https://uuhouston.org/files/The_Jefferson_Bible.pdf

Who was Ahab?

We seem to be experiencing a void of leadership in our world. There plenty of leaders who want to dominate, who want rule, and those who think they are gods. Who does God call the “worst leader, the worst king?” The Bible gives us plenty of candidates. In the period after the death of King Solomon the Hebrew kingdom split into two, with the larger northern part called Israel and the southern part Judah. Both kingdoms had some horrible kings. Some of the leading candidates might be:

King David – while he was still a hunted outlaw, he would cover his tracks by killing everyone, male and female, in the villages he raided (1 Samuel 27:9).
Baasha of Israel (1 Kings 15: 28-29) – He killed his predecessor and the whole family of a previous king, Jeroboam, just to be on the safe side. Baasha was deposed by Zimri, who killed his family.
Jehu of Israel was another murderer, who made two piles of the heads of 70 royal princes (2 Kings 10:8) and killed scores of other rivals.
Manasseh of Judah built altars to foreign gods in the Temple and ‘sacrificed his own son in the fire’ (2 Kings 21:6).

The idea here is not to just look back at history as if we are creating a movie script. There were lots of leaders that were detestable to our God. There is one king, however, that God gives the Oscar to. He ‘did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him‘ (1 Kings 16:33). What is it that angered God so much?

(1 Kings 16:30-33)¹ – “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.”

King Ahab was the son of Omri, who hardly gets a mention in the Bible. Some might even try to compare this biblical king to Captain Ahab, the complex antihero of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. Only conjecture exists as to whether the captain’s scriptural namesake suggests a storyline like that of Israel’s most evil king. The goal, however, should be to dissect the story and understand what did King Ahab do to earn such a prestigious satanic title and unconditional condemnation from God?

The journey to ruin began when Ahab married a woman named Jezebel who had a particular hatred for God’s people (1 Kings 18:4). Because of his marriage to this pagan woman, Ahab devoted himself to the worship of the false gods Baal and Asherah (1 Kings 16:31–33). Ahab fell completely under the evil influence of his queen Jezebel, a heathen princess, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Zidon. She was fierce, revengeful, and ambitious. Jezebel was a fanatical worshipper of Baal and spread idol worship throughout Israel. She consecrated high places and built altars all over Israel upon which countless sacrifices were offered to the idols. No less than four hundred and fifty prophets of the Baal were in the capital city. Four hundred prophets of the Ashtarte² sat at her table as her daily guests. Jezebel persecuted the true Hebrew prophets so fiercely that not one true prophet could speak without giving up his life.

Departing completely from the worship of God, Ahab then built a temple to Baal. To fully comprehend the significance of this, one needs to understand Baal. Baal was the name of a supreme god worshiped in ancient Canaan and Phoenicia. Baal was a fertility god who was believed to enable the earth to produce crops and people to produce children. The practice of Baal worship infiltrated Jewish religious life during the time of the Judges (Judges 3:7). Baal became widespread in Israel during the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 16:31-33) and also affected Judah (2 Chronicles 28:1-2). The word baal means “lord.” Ahab broke both the first and second commandments, “You shall have no other gods before me and He worshiped graven images.”

Ahab also had coveted the vineyard of a man named Naboth. (This goes against the tenth commandment, “Coveting thy neighbor’s possessions.”). The king offered to buy the vineyard, but Naboth refused because the Law of Moses forbid Naboth to sell his inheritance (1 Kings 21:2–3). While Ahab sulked about, his wife Jezebel arranged for Naboth’s murder (God’s sixth commandment was broken, “Thou shall not murder”). Once the vineyard’s owner was out of the way, King Ahab took the vineyard for himself. God’s displeasure brought about a drought and famine over the land. His adversary throughout his life was the prophet Elijah, who warned him of coming judgment because he did not obey the Lord. Ahab blamed Elijah for bringing trouble on Israel (1 Kings 18:17). However, it was Ahab’s promotion of idolatry that was the true cause of the three-and-a-half-year famine (1 Kings 18:18). Elijah came to Ahab and told him the Lord would deal with him by cutting off all his descendants. Also telling Ahab that he would suffer a shameful fate:

(1 Kings 21:19) – “Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”

There were plenty of bad kings, and plenty guilty of bloodshed, but Ahab seems to have attracted the most severe condemnation. It’s likely that this was because of the brazen nature of his infidelity to God in building a temple to Baal, and the way he continually resisted God’s warnings through Elijah. Ahab’s sin before God was that he led God’s people away from the one true God! And all other sins start from there. With the true prophets of God murdered or driven from the country, the Kingdom of Israel was on the verge of a total spiritual collapse. How did it end for Ahab?

(1 Kings 22:34-38) – “A soldier shot an arrow without aiming at anyone. But he hit Ahab king of Israel. The arrow hit him in a place not covered by his armor. King Ahab said to his chariot driver, ‘Turn the chariot around. Take me out of the battle. I am hurt!’ The battle continued all day. King Ahab was in his chariot, leaning against it to hold himself up. He was facing the Arameans. His blood flowed down and covered the bottom of the chariot. That evening he died. Near sunset a cry went out through the army of Israel: ‘Each man go back to his own country and city.’ So in that way King Ahab died. His body was carried to Samaria and buried there. The men cleaned Ahab’s chariot at a pool in Samaria. This was a pool where prostitutes bathed. And the dogs licked King Ahab’s blood from the chariot. These things happened as the Lord had said they would.”

When looking at our world today, are the leaders of nations bringing people closer to God or farther away? What is most clear in Scripture is that God cares about His people. His covenant of salvation is real. It is clearest in the rearview mirror of history. We are fortunate today that we live in a country where we can still choose our leaders. But for “God’s sake,” choose wisely. Spiritual collapse may be closer than we think!

Contemplations

Are the leaders of our country bringing us closer to God?
- Ideas to Explore: Is there an assault on religion? Why have we taken God out of our educational systems? What has replaced God in schools?
The termination of an unborn child is murder in God’s eyes. Do you expect God to bless a leader who supports abortion?
- Ideas to Explore: Why is society so cavalier about killing the unborn? Is it really a personal rights issue? Why is crime, violent crime, going unpunished in our cities?
The worship of Baal is no different than the worship of things. What has our society replaced God with?
- Ideas to Explore: Wealth, power, lifestyle, the environment, rules and regulations?
Do you think that a leader today who leads people away from God will succumb to God’s judgement?
- Ideas to Explore: Name the worst contemporary leaders you can think of – How did their lives end?

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Astarte was a goddess honored in the Eastern Mediterranean area, before being renamed by the Greeks. Variants of the name “Astarte” can be found in the Phoenician, Hebrew, Egyptian and Etruscan languages. A deity of fertility and sexuality, Astarte eventually evolved into the Greek Aphrodite thanks to her role as a goddess of sexual love.

Beware of Crowd Mentality

There is a curiosity about human nature worth exploring. How did people, who had been part of Jesus’ ministry for years and only days before, call Him King, turn against Him in a day? Why could the crowd chant to free a criminal named Barabbas and call for the Romans to crucify Jesus?

In one of the rare moments documented on Jesus’ life, He became angry and became an activist. Shortly before His arrest, Jesus entered the Temple precincts to shouts of “Hosanna, son of David!“. He was viewed as the Messiah by the people. Jesus then immediately proceeded to commit a violent act against the authority of the Temple. He began overthrowing the tables of the money changers. Jesus was disrupting the illicit trade of sacrificial offerings needed during the Temple’s busiest holiday, Passover. (You can find more detail in our study called “Why the Anger?”) The temple authorities moved quickly. First, bribing one of his disciples, Judas, to betray Him. Arrest followed at night in the Garden of Gethsemane. After a late-night religious inquisition at the home of Caiaphas’ father-in-law (John 18:13), the Jewish leaders decided to hand him over to Rome on capital charges of treason. The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus dead!

Barabbas was no ordinary robber. He had been a leader of a group that had acted against Roman authority. The people in Jerusalem all knew Barabbas as well as Jesus. Some scholars believe that Barabbas was even a member of the Zealots or of the sicarii (dagger-men), militant Jews that sought to overthrow the Roman occupiers of their land by force. Barabbas was being held for the crime of treason against Rome. This is the same crime for which Jesus was also convicted. The penalty for treason was death by crucifixion.

Barabbas had already been imprisoned with his fellow rebels, and now Jesus was bound and brought to the Roman governor’s residence in Jerusalem. Thus, both Barabbas and Jesus came to find themselves facing the death penalty. Their fate was in the hands of Rome’s representative, Pontius Pilate. According to Christian tradition and the Gospel writers, there was a prevailing Passover custom in Jerusalem that allowed or required Pilate to commute one prisoner’s death sentence by popular acclaim. The crowd was offered a choice of whether to have Barabbas or Jesus released from Roman custody.

The stories in the gospels of Matthew (27:15-26), Mark (15:6-15), Luke (23:13–25), and the additional information in John (18:38-19:16), tell us that “the crowd” chose Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crucified. John’s gospel makes the political ramifications of the decision more clear. “If you let this man go,” Caiaphas’ group argued, “you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” (John 19:12)

The question then becomes, how did the people of Jerusalem change their minds so quickly? What is this inherent flaw in humanity that could make people wish to save a criminal and murder their Savior? The answer lies in a human weakness called “Collective Phenomena.” When people are part of a crowd, they lose their individual consciousness and become more primitive and emotional. This is primarily due to the anonymity provided by being in the group. Barabbas might have been a well-known criminal at the time, most likely because of his involvement in uprisings against the ruling Romans. However, it was the Jewish religious authorities that stirred up the crowd (the group) to demand for Barabbas’ release. The Jewish leaders were a special interest group that had been profiting from their corruption within the Temple. They held a special hatred for Jesus.

Is our society making these same errors today? Are special interests (the secular equivalent of the religious authorities), with the help of biased social media, influencing the choices made by our nation? Does the anonymity gained through social media and the diminishing visibility because of online communications, create the same group dynamics that we saw take place with Jesus?

How would you decide who to release? Here are seven rules that might be helpful to reflect upon:

Humans Are Not Great Decision Makers – We have bias, bigotry, and hatred, and typically suffer from a lack of information. What is your plan to be informed? Who are your groups? Who do you listen to and take advice from? Is it watching the news? God help us if it is!
Do You Make Decisions Quickly or Deliberately? – Time allows for a more balanced approach, acquiring greater information and using more reliable decision-making. Do you approach your choices carefully and not emotionally? Most fraud and deception that occurs today have an element of “urgency” embedded into it. Quick decisions are always risky.
What is your Track Record? – Do you generally make good decisions? Are your decisions aligned with your values? Do you know your values? Are your values aligned with God’s Values? Do you know God’s Values?
Where Do Your Facts Come From? – Our world is full of false information. Good decisions will always be consistent with God’s Truth. (See our study on What is God’s Truth) Are you a good fact-checker? Remember that on the Internet, both true and false information lives forever!
What is the Impact of No Decision? – Too many people choose inaction, leaving important decisions to others. That is always a poor choice.
What is Going to Happen After You Decide? – The need for decisions is driven by “causes” and making decisions will have “effects.” Do you think about them in that way? Do you think about the future consequences of your decisions? Do you understand the risks and rewards?
Who is seeking the Decisions? Who is the group, who are their leaders? Why are the leaders pushing for the decisions, why do they want your support? Are they Impartial or Biased? Always take time to know this answer!

The Jewish people wanted a military king, to rid themselves of oppression from the Roman State. Jesus was not that kind of king. Yet through a little bit of prompting from a few corrupt Jewish religious leaders, the crowd chose Barabbas. In a passage found only in the Gospel of Matthew, the crowd says:

(Matthew 27:20-26)¹ – “But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. ‘Which of the two do you want me to release to you?’ asked the governor. ‘Barabbas,’ they answered. ‘What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ Pilate asked. They all answered, ‘Crucify him!’ ‘Why? What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’ All the people answered, ‘His blood is on us and on our children!’ Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.’

The crowd not only made the wrong choice that day, but they also accepted full responsibility for it. They even made their children bear the responsibility for their decision! Like all decisions made in life, God holds us accountable. Where was God in their choice? Nowhere, only their own self-interests and the greed of the religious leaders. It was all about power and control. The people were tired of Rome and hastily chose. Need a reminder of where God should be in our decisions? Here is a study on the Ten Commandments. Let’s start here! (See: It Is All About Compromise) God’s Truth always wins anyway, and His Truth comes out in the end!

(Luke 8:16-17) – “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”

When people are in a group or a crowd, they have a strong tendency to conform to the norms of that group. This may be since, in many ways, groups offer protection. Groups protect people from loneliness and/or purposelessness. By conforming, people show their willingness to be a part of the group. Conformity can be a positive force if the group supports positive behaviors. But humanity’s conformity impulse is so strong that it can overwhelm better judgment.

All groups have leaders, and those leaders play a significant role in whether the group makes positive or negative decisions. Poor leaders gain personal power by exploiting people’s urge to conform. They use fear of ostracization (and worse) to motivate action. This normalizes unethical behavior to justify their own misdeeds. It stifles dissent making their opinions the only opinions. Good leaders, in contrast, can influence behavior to help group members improve themselves. Healthy groups improve an organization or society. Group behavior becomes more evident because of our growing dependence on communication technology. Anonymity is increasing. The Internet, use of social media platforms, distance learning and working at home, and even the subtle loss of visible facial expressions because of mandated surgical masks, push our populations into unintended groups. Many groups are led by leaders that we typically don’t even know.

The good news is that each of us is offered the opportunity to be part of an eternal group, Christ’s Church. Membership is open but there are membership requirements! Repentance, the hatred of sin, the love of God’s Truth, and the sharing of the Gospel are just a few of those requirements. Christ, the Incarnate God, should be the only leader we use for decisions, based on “What would Jesus Do?” All humanity has a second chance. Let’s all Choose Christ this time!

Contemplations

Where have you experienced the group behaviors that are discussed here?
- Ideas to Explore: Stadium sports? Political rallies? Large gatherings of some type?
How have you seen fear used to control or influence group decisions?
- Ideas to Explore: Pandemics, military threats, social justice, racism?
Where have you seen the influence of hatred used in our society?
- Ideas to Explore: Divisiveness in Politics? Media?
Where have you seen special interests at work in controlling societal decisions?
- Ideas to Explore: Elections? Education? Government?
How can you protect yourself from the influences of special interests?
- Ideas to Explore: Social media bias, search engine bias, and news media bias are all real – what is your secret to remaining open-minded? Can you change your opinion? How?
What do you do to make sure you are not impacted by the dynamics of a group?
- Ideas to Explore: Knowing leaders and their motives? Charters, mission statements of groups? Past track records of groups?

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Woe to the Children of Our World

It has been hard to watch the recent assault on our children. If you are concerned you might have missed it, here are a few of the issues that have been reported on over the last few months.

In Chicago, gunfire has killed or wounded more children this year than all of the children who succumbed to COVID in the US for the year. Many other cities have similar issues.
Our FBI, Olympic committee, and the USA Gymnastics systematically covered up sexual abuse of hundreds of young female athletes for years. What compels a society to let this occur year after year with no concern to stop it?
Trafficking of children for exploitation in the United States, especially through our unprotected boarders of those under 18, is estimated to be over 300,000 children annually. Millions more worldwide. Drugs are used once, and they are gone. Victims of child trafficking can be used and abused over and over. They recently found a 2 year old and 3 month old child abandoned in a swamp! You should be weeping for these children.
In some jurisdictions, schools have begun teaching children as young as 5 years old about transgender lifestyles and gender fluidity. This is being done despite parent attempts to opt out their children. Are parents still responsible for their children or have we relinquished them to the perversions of our world?
Sports, restrooms, locker rooms have become gender neutral and open to sexual perversion. Are there really more than two sexes? What is your stand on this!
COVID policies have forced children into remote learning and wearing non-effective face coverings. Yet politicians travel, dine and party with little regard for their own restrictive mandates. Why are we sacrificing the future education of our children for the whims of the elite?
God is missing from most educational systems. Truth has become subjective, opinionated, biased and misleading at best. God’s Truth is nowhere to be found in schools.
History is being mocked. Statues that offend, cancel culture are reining supreme. We are no longer teaching the mistakes of the past, just the promises of the future. Are our children relegated to make the same mistakes of the past?
The percent of Single parent families continue to rise. Children are being denied the experience of a father, mother, or in some cases both. Gangs have stepped in to fill that void.
Drugs are becoming legal in more and more states. Many of these drugs are a gateway to a life of despair. Our children are watching as adults lead the way. Is this what we want for our children?
We now have many states that have legalized the aborting of full term births. This is murder in God’s eyes. How in the world did we get here? Is life no longer of value?
And then there is the entertainment and social media industries. Video games that promote sex and violence. Do you wonder why our society, our cities are no longer safe? People can no longer walk down the street without fear!

The most unfortunate part about the list above, is that it is only a partial list. There is no doubt that anyone could keep adding more!

(Matthew 18:6) “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

The disciples were gathered with Jesus when He made the above statement. Most use it to explain that the path to salvation is to have a simple faith, the faith of a child. There was an argument among disciples about the “pecking order” of heaven. Jesus might have answered the question, “who is the greatest?” by pointing to Himself. Instead, Jesus drew their attention to His nature by having them look at a child as an example. The fact that a child came when Jesus called says something about who He was. Jesus was the sort of man that children would come to willingly. Throughout Jesus’ life, children were always special to Him.

Jesus says, unless a person’s faith becomes like that of a child, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. This was probably a great disappointment to the disciples. But then why would Jesus add a warning about hurting those with a childlike faith? Can we also assume that this would not only include adults but the children themselves?

A child was a person of no importance in Jewish society. They were subject to the authority of his elders, not taken seriously except as a responsibility. Children were the ones to be looked after, not one to be looked up to. Children were not threatening. They were not tough, intimidating like Jesus. Children were vulnerable. Jesus says, when we fulfill the humble place a child has in culture, we are finally on our way to greatness in God’s kingdom. Jesus declares that those who receive one little child in His name, they receive Jesus Himself. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Him to sin, look out. Jesus declares, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

It is a bad thing to sin, but it is a far greater evil to lead others into sin. Jesus declares, leading the innocent into sin is the worst of the worst. Notice that the offense is described along with a millstone. The large stone, and anyone attached to it, would be sure to sink if thrown in the deepest parts of the sea. They would never come up again. Don’t miss the comparative part of Jesus’ statement. He is saying you would be “better off” if you were thrown into the sea. The sin of damaging a “childlike faith” is so heinous, so great, that it is better to undergo the worst of punishments which can only kill the body. For this sin, hell will be worse than the depth of the sea; for hell is a bottomless pit, and it is a burning lake. The depth of the sea is only killing, but hell is tormenting. In other words, judgement will be the most severe for sins against our children!

(Deuteronomy 6:6-7) – “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

(1 Corinthians 8:10-11) – For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. ‘

(John 17:15) – “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”

Whether little in stature, age or faith, Jesus is someone’s only hope of salvation. The above verses in Deuteronomy, and by the Apostle Paul and John, clearly show us that our starting point must be the Truth of God. The Ten Commandments are the cornerstone to saving our children and society. Paul warns that when your children are weak in faith, they are first influenced by your actions. Then they are influence by the world at large. Leading a repentant life, avoiding the pitfalls of sin is a requirement to saving our world. What we do, how we live is paramount. And finally, we read in the Gospel of John that it is not our primary job just to “shelter” our children. Yes, we are to “protect” them, but the protection comes through educating them in God’s Truth. Children need to be prepared for the world at large. Satan is just waiting in our decaying world to gather them up. Your children, my children, our grandchildren, our friends’ children, children that we don’t even know, children that have not been born yet.

What we do know is that when children believe in Jesus, even though they are young, they are part of His Kingdom. Children who believe in Jesus, benefit from the Cross. They benefit from the forgiveness they receive from the Son of God. In God’s eyes, no matter how young some is, they should have the same opportunity for salvation as everyone else. No one should be discouraging them or prey upon them. Offending Christ’s little ones, even by omission, is also included in the dreadful sentence of the mill stone. Inaction, the sacrificing of our children to our world of sin, cannot continue. All, you and I, are called to take a stand and make a difference now.

Contemplations

What would you add to the list of attacks on our children?
- Ideas to Explore: Think about all of society and the problems within. Why are so many impacting innocent children? What about the breakdown of the family. Think beyond those who are single parent families. How are normal families failing their children?
Is the church failing children?
- Ideas to Explore: In what areas of Christian education? Are there periods of their life and development that we abandon them? Are we growing “Parents” for our children?
Courts no longer punish the wicked, including crimes against children. Why?
- Ideas to Explore: How is our modern society abusing children? By failing to punish crime, how does that impact our children? Why after numerous years of uncontrolled crime would a city like Chicago still have such issues? Is it that no one cares? What drives the lack of concern for children?
Why would a government agency like the FBI totally fail to protect children?
- Ideas to Explore: The bureaucracy of government has no accountability. Do we even know who is in charge of our country and society any more? Is it the lust for power and money?
Would you want to relive your childhood in today’s world?
- Ideas to Explore: If you are white, you are racist. If you are black you need the government to support your value. You may not have privacy or even sextual protections on basic things like showering for a high school sport. Your world is decreasing in human contact and increasing in social media contact. How will you hug over Facebook? How would you respond to being back in your youth?

Let Your Yes Be Yes

Words combined with actions can be a powerful witness in our world. When someone says they will do something, others expect them to do what they say. Lately, our society is giving us more and more examples of people who say something that people want to hear. You guessed it; then they don’t bother to follow through. If the inconsistent behavior continues, one might conclude that such a person is untruthful. What does the Bible say about keeping our word?

(James 5:12)¹ “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned

James, Jesus’s half-brother, brings things into perspective. Don’t promise what you are not willing to do. Once promised, God considers your words an oath. Like God, His oath, our oath should mean something. Scripture has many examples to look at. One is an “in your face” example, the story of Jephthah. This story illustrates the foolishness of making vows, promises without understanding the consequences. Jephthah appears in the Book of Judges as a judge who presided over Israel for a period of six years (Judges 12:7). According to the Book of Judges, he lived in Gilead. His father’s name is also given as Gilead, and, as his mother is described as a prostitute. Jephthah was described as a mighty man of valor. Before leading the Israelites into battle against Ammon, he made a rash vow. That he would give to the Lord whoever first came out of doors to meet him if he returned home as the victor. When the Lord granted him victory over the Ammonites, the one who came out to meet him was his daughter. Jephthah remembered his vow and offered her to the Lord (Judges 11:29–40).

Ammon, also known as Ben-Ammi, was the son of an incestuous union of Lot with his younger daughter. He was the brother of Moab, who was also a child of Lot’s incestuous relationship with his eldest daughter. Both were conceived after the destruction of Sodom. Ammon became the ancestor of the Ammonites. When Jephthah’s daughter was the first to come out of the house, he immediately regretted the vow. This required him to sacrifice his daughter to God. Jephthah then carried out his vow.

The Talmud is a collection of writings that covers the full gamut of Jewish law and tradition. It was compiled and edited between the third and sixth centuries. The Talmud is Hebrew for “learning.” The Talmud characterizes Jephthah as a person of poor judgment. He was someone who made “unfitting” vows without proper consideration for consequences. If Jephthah had read the laws of vows in the Torah, he would not have lost his daughter. It is not hard to see that making a bad oath can be as wrong as honoring a bad oath. God’s advice, don’t make them without understanding the consequences!

Jesus also taught about vows:

(Matthew 5:33–37) – “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No ,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one”

The religious leaders of the day advocated keeping a vow if it was a public vow using God’s name. However, if the vow was made during everyday conversation, referencing only “heaven” or “earth” or “Jerusalem,” it was not really binding. People had a loophole. They could lie or exaggerate in their conversations and lend themselves an air of credibility by saying, “I swear by heaven that this is true!” The religious leaders taught that people would not be held to account because they did not specifically swear by “God’s name” and the vow was private. Jesus countered that idea. If you swear something, it had better be true, He says. In fact, all you need to say is “yes” or “no.” Your word should be good. There’s no need for covering your tracks.

Psalm 15:4 describes a righteous person as one “who keeps an oath even when it hurts and does not change their mind.” Oaths, promises are to be binding, even when spoken in jest or privately as part of everyday conversation. A promise is a promise, and there is no loophole in God’s eyes to allow a person to renege on a promise. When we hear others make promises, whether friends, politicians, etc., our expectations should align with God’s expectations. People are to be held accountable to their promises (oaths). Why, in this age of the Internet and its army of professional and amateur fact-checkers, do people make promises they have no intention of keeping (lie)? Here are some clues that might help the next time you are listening to someone make a promise:

Narcissists are arrogant, self-important. They see themselves as special, need excessive admiration, have a sense of entitlement, and are exploitative. Avoid them if you can! They were crafters of the Talmud’s “Fine Print.”
We have a built-in bias. We hear what we want to believe. Fight the urge, fact check everything against God’s perspective.
Very few people want to hear the truth. Truth often hurts. Truth threatens our own beliefs, makes us uncomfortable. If we know God’s Truth, this should never be a problem.
The Internet never forgets. The problem is that information, true or not, lives on forever. Information lives on even in the face of contradictory evidence. Use many sources. Use common sense. Let the Holy Spirit help you.
Cognitive biases. We seek out information that supports our own preconceived notions. To be open-minded requires discipline.
If a lie is told enough times, people assume it to be true. So people hear the same untruth, over and over. Learn to spot it and then ignore it.
People no longer care what God thinks. This is the final thought on this point. If people don’t care about God, they don’t care about their oaths, promises!

Contemplations

What do you do when a person has made a promise to you and then broken it?
- Ideas to Explore: Does such an action, a lie, affect how you view the person? If it is a politician, do you change your opinion?
How do you determine if someone is truthful?
- Ideas to Explore: Do you use opinions of others to form your own opinion? Do you “fact check?” Where do you get your facts?
If media and the Internet should not be viewed as reliable sources, where do you get your information?
- Ideas to Explore: It is not about politics any more. Truth seems to be waning . How do you use the Bible and God’s Truths to sort out facts?
What is the role of the church in all of this?
- Ideas to Explore: Should the church address issues of truth? Should the church focus more attention on skill building such as the use of reason and revelation?
What is the role of common sense in all of this?
- Ideas to Explore: Common sense fails if bias is present. How is common sense practiced? How is common sense taught?

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NIV New International Version Translations

Category: Shadows (Page 19 of 25)

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